Currently, pharmaceutical preparations are serious contributors to liver disease; hepatotoxicity ranking as the most frequent cause for acute liver failure and post-commercialization regulatory decisions. The diagnosi...Currently, pharmaceutical preparations are serious contributors to liver disease; hepatotoxicity ranking as the most frequent cause for acute liver failure and post-commercialization regulatory decisions. The diagnosis of hepatotoxicity remains a difficult task because of the lack of reliable markers for use in general clinical practice. To incriminate any given drug in an episode of liver dysfunction is a step-by-step process that requires a high degree of suspicion, compatible chronology, awareness of the drug’s hepatotoxic potential, the exclusion of alternative causes of liver damage and the ability to detect the presence of subtle data that favors a toxic etiology. This process is time-consuming and the final result is frequently inaccurate. Diagnostic algorithms may add consistency to the diagnostic process by translating the suspicion into a quantitative score. Such scales are useful since they provide a framework that emphasizes the features that merit attention in cases of suspected hepatic adverse reaction as well. Current efforts in collecting bona fide cases of drug-induced hepatotoxicity will make refinements of existing scales feasible. It is now relatively easy to accommodate relevant data within the scoring system and to delete low-impact items. Efforts should also be directed toward the development of an abridged instrument for use in evaluating suspected drug-induced hepatotoxicity at the very beginning of the diagnosis and treatment process when clinical decisions need to be made. The instrument chosen would enable a confident diagnosis to be made on admission of the patient and treatment to be fine-tuned as further information is collected.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the pharmaceutical safety of a Chinese herbal formula, Chunggan extract (CGX), traditionally prescribed as a hepatotherapeutic drug via systemic acute and subacute toxicological study. METHODS: Twenty...AIM: To evaluate the pharmaceutical safety of a Chinese herbal formula, Chunggan extract (CGX), traditionally prescribed as a hepatotherapeutic drug via systemic acute and subacute toxicological study. METHODS: Twenty male dogs and 20 female dogs were fed doses 50 times and 4 times greater than the clinically-recommended drug dosages in an acute and a subacute toxicological study, respectively. Adverse effects were examined by comparing the differences between normal and drug-administered groups using clinical signs, necropsies, histopathologic findings, haematology, urinalysis, and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: In the acute study no change in the body weight, diarrhoea, apetite, mortality rate and histopa- thology of major organs was observed in male or female dogs with a single administration of CGX at 5 g/kg. No drug-induced abnormalities at analysis of histopathology, haematology, urinalysis, and biochemistry were found with any dose of this drug. CONCLUSION: CGX is supposed to be very safe when used in a clinical application with a wide therapeutic index.展开更多
To promote efficient screening of active angiogenic drugs from traditional medicines, we constructed a humanembryonic kidney-293 cell model using vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） gene promoter as the drug t...To promote efficient screening of active angiogenic drugs from traditional medicines, we constructed a humanembryonic kidney-293 cell model using vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） gene promoter as the drug target. Inthis model, VEGF gene promoter may regulate the expression of the luciferase reporter gene by responding to thestimulation of drug molecules. This cell model allows rapid and efficient screening of vascular-inducing activecomponents from several drug monomer molecules. Furthermore, we used rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells（rMSCs） to conduct a preliminary study on the activity of alantolactone. Using simvastatin as a positive control, weinvestigated the effects of alantolactone on the expression of vascular-related cell marker molecules such as VEGF andα-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in rMSCs. According to our results, 0.1, 1, 3 and 5 μM of alantolactone upregulated thetranscriptional luciferase gene activity of VEGF promoter, and a significant difference from that in the control group wasobserved. Among them, 3μM of alantolactone showed the better effect than that of 3 μM of simvastatin （P = 0.036） andother concentrations of alantolactone and simvastatin showed similar effects. Compared with that in the control group,rMSCs induced with 1μM alantolactone for 3 days showed a significant increase in the relative mRNA expressions ofVEGF and α-SMA genes. However, these effect of 5 μM alantolactone were weaker than those of 5 μM simvastatin （P 〈0.05）; rMSCs treated with 1 μM alantolactone for 3 days showed brighter green fluorescence （FITC marker） of α-SMAand VEGF in situ expression than that observed in the control group and similar fluorescence intensity than that ofsimvastatin group in an immunoradiometric assay. The above results demonstrate the reliability of the highly efficientsystem for screening of active drug molecules and confirmed the vascular induction function of alantolactone at the geneand protein levels.展开更多
Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of oral traditional Chinese medicine （Jiaweitiaoqi decoction）, electroacupuncture, biofeedback, and combined treatment on functional anorectal pain （FAP）. Methods： A ...Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of oral traditional Chinese medicine （Jiaweitiaoqi decoction）, electroacupuncture, biofeedback, and combined treatment on functional anorectal pain （FAP）. Methods： A total of 200 patients with FAP were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 50 patients in each group. Group 1 was given oral Jiaweitiaoqi decoction; group 2 was given electroacupuncture at the lumbosacral acupoints; group 3 was given biofeedback training; and group 4 was given combined treatment. The numeric rating scale （NRS）, Short Form-36 （SF-36） quality of life scale, static pressure of the anal canal, and maximum systolic pressure were observed in the 4 groups. Results： The observation indices of the 4 groups were all improved after treatment compared with those before treatment, and the fourth group showed the most obvious improvement. Regarding NRS scores, the static pressure of the anal canal, and maximum systolic pressure, group 4 had lower values than the other 3 groups （P 〈 0.05 for all）. In the SF-36 quality of life score, group 4 showed a higher value than the other 3 groups （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Non-drug therapy including acupuncture and physical exercise can enhance the clinical efficacy of single Chinese medicine in the treatment of FAP .展开更多
Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. Non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） accounts for approximately 80% of lung cancer cases, and approximately 75% of patients are diagnosed in the mid...Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. Non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） accounts for approximately 80% of lung cancer cases, and approximately 75% of patients are diagnosed in the middle and late stages. The treatment methods mainly include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, traditional Chinese medicine therapy, and immune therapy. We summarize the current status of lung cancer-related treatment options and targets.展开更多
Intracranial vascular stenosis is closely related to transient ischemic attack （TIA） and cerebral infarction, early prevention and treatment of intracranial vascular stenosis can prevent cerebral infarction and im...Intracranial vascular stenosis is closely related to transient ischemic attack （TIA） and cerebral infarction, early prevention and treatment of intracranial vascular stenosis can prevent cerebral infarction and improve the prognosis of stroke. Western medicine employs interventional surgery or vasodilator, antiplatelet drugs, lipid lowering drugs, plaque-stabilizing agents and other drugs for treating intracranial vascular stenosis. No corresponding disease name with “intracranial vascular stenosis” is found in Chinese medicine literature. Based on the characteristics of syndromes, symptoms and diseases, “intracranial vascular stenosis” is summarized as weakened body resistance and prevailed pathogenic factors, phlegm with blood stasis and “obstruction （Bi） syndrome” in the brain. The self-made Chinese herbal “Naomaitong” prescription treating for bilateral middle cerebral artery stenosis in 1 case got satisfactory efficacy by transcranial doppler （TCD） and computed tomography angiography （CTA） examination.展开更多
Huang Lian(Rhizoma coptidis, RC), which has effects on clearing damp-heat, quenching fie, and counteracting poison, is a herb frequently used in many traditional formulas. At present, there are many researches on the ...Huang Lian(Rhizoma coptidis, RC), which has effects on clearing damp-heat, quenching fie, and counteracting poison, is a herb frequently used in many traditional formulas. At present, there are many researches on the pharmacological effects of RC. In this review, we summarize the research progress on pharmacological effects of RC from four main aspects, in order to guide clinical application and explore the prospects of the application of RC.展开更多
Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of clinical treatment of acute urticaria chiefly by electroacupuncture (EA). Methods: A total of 180 outpatients with acute urticaria were randomized into treatment group a...Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of clinical treatment of acute urticaria chiefly by electroacupuncture (EA). Methods: A total of 180 outpatients with acute urticaria were randomized into treatment group and control group. 100 cases in the treatment group were treated with EA at Quchi (曲池 LI 11) and Xuehai (血海 SP 10) as the main points which were supplemented with Dazhui (大椎 GV 14), Fengchi (风池 GB 20), Geshu (膈俞 BL 17), Pishu (脾俞 BL 20), etc. 80 cases in the control group were managed by chlorpheniramine maleate and Vitamin C. Results: After 3 days’ treatment, of the 100 and 80 cases in treatment and control groups, 79 and 53 were cured, 10 and 6 markedly effective, 5 and 8 effective, and 6 and 13 failed, with the effective rates being 94.00% and 83.75% respectively. The therapeutic effect of electroacupunture was significantly superior to that of medication(P<0.05). Conclusion: The method of electroacupuncture at Quchi (曲池 LI 11), Xuehai (血海 SP 10),etc. was a more effective therapy for acute urticaria.展开更多
Traditional Chinese Medicine originated from the application of herbs and other natural materials. Since Tang Dynasty, there are two mainstreams during the development of TCM: folk TCM and classic TCM. Without any sup...Traditional Chinese Medicine originated from the application of herbs and other natural materials. Since Tang Dynasty, there are two mainstreams during the development of TCM: folk TCM and classic TCM. Without any support from the government, folk TCM got fade away. However, during Qing Dynasty, Zhao Xuemin collected a large amount of folk prescriptions which were called zoufang and edited into Chuanya Neibian and Chuanya Waibian. Zhou Xuemin was respected as a celebrated medical scientist of Qing Dynasty due to his great contribution.展开更多
基金Supported partly by research grants from the Agencia Espaoladel Medicamento from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria(FIS 04-1688 and FIS 04-1759)
文摘Currently, pharmaceutical preparations are serious contributors to liver disease; hepatotoxicity ranking as the most frequent cause for acute liver failure and post-commercialization regulatory decisions. The diagnosis of hepatotoxicity remains a difficult task because of the lack of reliable markers for use in general clinical practice. To incriminate any given drug in an episode of liver dysfunction is a step-by-step process that requires a high degree of suspicion, compatible chronology, awareness of the drug’s hepatotoxic potential, the exclusion of alternative causes of liver damage and the ability to detect the presence of subtle data that favors a toxic etiology. This process is time-consuming and the final result is frequently inaccurate. Diagnostic algorithms may add consistency to the diagnostic process by translating the suspicion into a quantitative score. Such scales are useful since they provide a framework that emphasizes the features that merit attention in cases of suspected hepatic adverse reaction as well. Current efforts in collecting bona fide cases of drug-induced hepatotoxicity will make refinements of existing scales feasible. It is now relatively easy to accommodate relevant data within the scoring system and to delete low-impact items. Efforts should also be directed toward the development of an abridged instrument for use in evaluating suspected drug-induced hepatotoxicity at the very beginning of the diagnosis and treatment process when clinical decisions need to be made. The instrument chosen would enable a confident diagnosis to be made on admission of the patient and treatment to be fine-tuned as further information is collected.
文摘AIM: To evaluate the pharmaceutical safety of a Chinese herbal formula, Chunggan extract (CGX), traditionally prescribed as a hepatotherapeutic drug via systemic acute and subacute toxicological study. METHODS: Twenty male dogs and 20 female dogs were fed doses 50 times and 4 times greater than the clinically-recommended drug dosages in an acute and a subacute toxicological study, respectively. Adverse effects were examined by comparing the differences between normal and drug-administered groups using clinical signs, necropsies, histopathologic findings, haematology, urinalysis, and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: In the acute study no change in the body weight, diarrhoea, apetite, mortality rate and histopa- thology of major organs was observed in male or female dogs with a single administration of CGX at 5 g/kg. No drug-induced abnormalities at analysis of histopathology, haematology, urinalysis, and biochemistry were found with any dose of this drug. CONCLUSION: CGX is supposed to be very safe when used in a clinical application with a wide therapeutic index.
文摘To promote efficient screening of active angiogenic drugs from traditional medicines, we constructed a humanembryonic kidney-293 cell model using vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） gene promoter as the drug target. Inthis model, VEGF gene promoter may regulate the expression of the luciferase reporter gene by responding to thestimulation of drug molecules. This cell model allows rapid and efficient screening of vascular-inducing activecomponents from several drug monomer molecules. Furthermore, we used rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells（rMSCs） to conduct a preliminary study on the activity of alantolactone. Using simvastatin as a positive control, weinvestigated the effects of alantolactone on the expression of vascular-related cell marker molecules such as VEGF andα-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in rMSCs. According to our results, 0.1, 1, 3 and 5 μM of alantolactone upregulated thetranscriptional luciferase gene activity of VEGF promoter, and a significant difference from that in the control group wasobserved. Among them, 3μM of alantolactone showed the better effect than that of 3 μM of simvastatin （P = 0.036） andother concentrations of alantolactone and simvastatin showed similar effects. Compared with that in the control group,rMSCs induced with 1μM alantolactone for 3 days showed a significant increase in the relative mRNA expressions ofVEGF and α-SMA genes. However, these effect of 5 μM alantolactone were weaker than those of 5 μM simvastatin （P 〈0.05）; rMSCs treated with 1 μM alantolactone for 3 days showed brighter green fluorescence （FITC marker） of α-SMAand VEGF in situ expression than that observed in the control group and similar fluorescence intensity than that ofsimvastatin group in an immunoradiometric assay. The above results demonstrate the reliability of the highly efficientsystem for screening of active drug molecules and confirmed the vascular induction function of alantolactone at the geneand protein levels.
文摘Objective： To observe the clinical efficacy of oral traditional Chinese medicine （Jiaweitiaoqi decoction）, electroacupuncture, biofeedback, and combined treatment on functional anorectal pain （FAP）. Methods： A total of 200 patients with FAP were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 50 patients in each group. Group 1 was given oral Jiaweitiaoqi decoction; group 2 was given electroacupuncture at the lumbosacral acupoints; group 3 was given biofeedback training; and group 4 was given combined treatment. The numeric rating scale （NRS）, Short Form-36 （SF-36） quality of life scale, static pressure of the anal canal, and maximum systolic pressure were observed in the 4 groups. Results： The observation indices of the 4 groups were all improved after treatment compared with those before treatment, and the fourth group showed the most obvious improvement. Regarding NRS scores, the static pressure of the anal canal, and maximum systolic pressure, group 4 had lower values than the other 3 groups （P 〈 0.05 for all）. In the SF-36 quality of life score, group 4 showed a higher value than the other 3 groups （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： Non-drug therapy including acupuncture and physical exercise can enhance the clinical efficacy of single Chinese medicine in the treatment of FAP .
文摘Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. Non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） accounts for approximately 80% of lung cancer cases, and approximately 75% of patients are diagnosed in the middle and late stages. The treatment methods mainly include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, traditional Chinese medicine therapy, and immune therapy. We summarize the current status of lung cancer-related treatment options and targets.
文摘Intracranial vascular stenosis is closely related to transient ischemic attack （TIA） and cerebral infarction, early prevention and treatment of intracranial vascular stenosis can prevent cerebral infarction and improve the prognosis of stroke. Western medicine employs interventional surgery or vasodilator, antiplatelet drugs, lipid lowering drugs, plaque-stabilizing agents and other drugs for treating intracranial vascular stenosis. No corresponding disease name with “intracranial vascular stenosis” is found in Chinese medicine literature. Based on the characteristics of syndromes, symptoms and diseases, “intracranial vascular stenosis” is summarized as weakened body resistance and prevailed pathogenic factors, phlegm with blood stasis and “obstruction （Bi） syndrome” in the brain. The self-made Chinese herbal “Naomaitong” prescription treating for bilateral middle cerebral artery stenosis in 1 case got satisfactory efficacy by transcranial doppler （TCD） and computed tomography angiography （CTA） examination.
文摘Huang Lian(Rhizoma coptidis, RC), which has effects on clearing damp-heat, quenching fie, and counteracting poison, is a herb frequently used in many traditional formulas. At present, there are many researches on the pharmacological effects of RC. In this review, we summarize the research progress on pharmacological effects of RC from four main aspects, in order to guide clinical application and explore the prospects of the application of RC.
文摘Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of clinical treatment of acute urticaria chiefly by electroacupuncture (EA). Methods: A total of 180 outpatients with acute urticaria were randomized into treatment group and control group. 100 cases in the treatment group were treated with EA at Quchi (曲池 LI 11) and Xuehai (血海 SP 10) as the main points which were supplemented with Dazhui (大椎 GV 14), Fengchi (风池 GB 20), Geshu (膈俞 BL 17), Pishu (脾俞 BL 20), etc. 80 cases in the control group were managed by chlorpheniramine maleate and Vitamin C. Results: After 3 days’ treatment, of the 100 and 80 cases in treatment and control groups, 79 and 53 were cured, 10 and 6 markedly effective, 5 and 8 effective, and 6 and 13 failed, with the effective rates being 94.00% and 83.75% respectively. The therapeutic effect of electroacupunture was significantly superior to that of medication(P<0.05). Conclusion: The method of electroacupuncture at Quchi (曲池 LI 11), Xuehai (血海 SP 10),etc. was a more effective therapy for acute urticaria.
文摘Traditional Chinese Medicine originated from the application of herbs and other natural materials. Since Tang Dynasty, there are two mainstreams during the development of TCM: folk TCM and classic TCM. Without any support from the government, folk TCM got fade away. However, during Qing Dynasty, Zhao Xuemin collected a large amount of folk prescriptions which were called zoufang and edited into Chuanya Neibian and Chuanya Waibian. Zhou Xuemin was respected as a celebrated medical scientist of Qing Dynasty due to his great contribution.
