Property theory of Chinese materia medica: Clinical pharmacodynamics of traditional Chinese medicine

The property theory of Chinese materia medica is one of the foundations of traditional Chinese medicine.The property of Chinese materia medica(PCMM)is a multi-dimensional expression of the effect of Chinese materia medica(CMM),and it is related to the clinical prescription that fully reflects the clinical effect evaluation of CMM in a holistic,systematic,and scientific way.This paper discusses the source,development,and application of the PCMM by considering not only the five dimensions that constitute the PCMM but also the recognition of the human body and disease as given in traditional Chinese medicine.This paper aims to provide theoretical guidance for the rational use and development of CMM.

Clinical Pharmacodynamics of Mifepristone（RU486） for Termination of Early－Pregnancy

Twenty-four healthy female volunteers with amenorrhea for seven weeks or less.asking for legal termination of pregnancy were recruited and divided into 4 groups (6 each). The subjects were orally administered with RU486 of 50mg (Group Ⅰ). 50mg Q12hx 6 (GrouP Ⅱ),200mg(GrouP Ⅲ)or 600mg(Group Ⅳ).Vacuum aspiration(GrouP Ⅰ)or Methyl Carprost Suppository(PGOS 1.0mg)(GrouP Ⅱ-Ⅳ)was given 72h after the firsl dose followed by a 6--hour medl'cal survel'llance.Blood samples were collected on day 1-6,8,15,43 to measure the serum levels of β-hCG,E2,P,PRL,ACTH, Cortisol,T3,T4 and TSH in each subject.The results showed that no significant dose-effect relationship was observed in terms of clinical efficacy,vaginal bleeding or side effects.All four groups shared the same tendency of changes in serum levels of β-hCG,E2 and P.β-hCG levels increased by 50-100% (P<0.01)24h prior to treatment,and continued ic ipcrease following lreatment until the sac expulsion.EZ levels l'n each group reinal'ned higher than pre-treatment values with the gradual decline in P levels.β-hCG,E2 and P decreased drastically after abortion,levels of β-hCG,E2,P on day 5 were only 35-60% (P<0.01),32-46%(P<0.01)and 30-56%(P<0.01)of those on day 4 respectively.The mean PRL levels on day 2-4 in each group increased obviously but declined gradually following the sac ex.pulsion.During treatment,the respective cortisol levels increased dramatically,the average levels ofcortisol on day 2-4 were 30-40%(P<0.05) l'n GrouP Ⅰ-Ⅲ and 60%(P< 0.01) in Group Ⅳ higher as compared with day 1 values, while decreased rapidly af ter termination of pregnancy as indicated that cortisol levels on day 5 were only 67-81%(P<0.05) of those on day 4.The changes in ACTH,T3,T4,TSH levels were of no statistic sigulAance(P>0.05).This study indicated that RU486 has no dose-effect relationship when used for interruption of early pregnancy and its main action site seems neither in ovary nor in villi.It has some effects on pituitary-adrenal axis,especially in large dosage,however,it has no obvious impact on pituilary-thyroid axis.It seems that the changes in PRL serum levels were directly due to the drug itsed ifs clinical significance should be further studied.