Treatment of Neurofibromatosis with Chinese Herbal Drugs

Neurofibromatosis is a dominantly inheriteddefect of the ectoderm,characterized by cafe au laitspots since the childhood and multiple tumorsderived from elements of peripheral and cranialnerves.Hernia-like tumors of various sizes can oftenbe felt under the skin and serve as a valuablecharacteristic in making diagnosis.However,theycan also affect brain,vegetative nerve system or othertissues and lead to bony abnormalities,mentaldisturbances and sometimes,endocrine abnormalities,

PROGRESS IN THE TREATMENT OF NERVE-ROOT-TYPE CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS WITH CHINESE HERBAL DRUGS

With the highest morbidity rate, cervicalspondylosis of the nerve root type is mostcommon among various other types. It is fromthis type of cervical spondylosis that peoplebegan to know the disease. In recent years,conservative treatment for this type of cervicalspondylosis has been adopted by modernmedicine for most patients, while surgicaltreatment has also been used for a smallnumber of patients who were

PROGRESS OF RESEARCH IN THE PREPARATION OF CHINESE TRADITIONAL AND HERBAL DRUGS WITH ANTICANCER ACTIVITY

Research into anticancer substances madefrom Chinese herbal drugs and their clinicalapplication is gaining international attention bythe medical profession of the more than 20analogues of camptothecine isolated from Camp-totheca tree in China, most exhibited anticanceractivity. Among them, 10-hydroxycamptothe-cine has a wide anticancer spectrum and is lesstoxic. In suspension, it exhibits some therapeu-tic effects on primary hepatic cancer, gastriccarcinoma, cancer of the urinary bladder andleukemia.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huaju Formula on hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome:a randomized,placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Patients with hypertension coupled with metabolic syndrome （MetS） are among the high risk population in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. To reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it is essential to appropriately control b^ood pressure together with other cardiovascular risk factors. OBJECTIVE： The current study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects on blood pressure, blood pressure variability and other cardiovascular risk factors by giving Yiqi Huaju Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in addition to routine treatment to hypertensive patients coupled with MetS. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS： A total of 43 patients with hypertension coupled with MetS were recruited into this study. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into the Chinese herbal formula group （anti-hypertensive drugs plus Yiqi Huaju Formula, CHF） and the control group （anti-hypertensive drugs plus placebo）. The CHF group enrolled 22 patients while the control group received 21 cases. Treatments were given for 12 weeks in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Parameters examined include 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）, fasting glycosylated hemoglobin （HbAlc）, fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose （PPG）, fasting plasma insulin, serum lipid, etc. RESULTS： Compared with the control group, the CHF group had significant improvement （P〈0.01） in anthropometric parameters, FPG, HOMA-IR, blood pressure amplitude, blood pressure variability and blood pressure load. CONCLUSION： This study showed that integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment can achieve better results in controlling blood pressure as well as other cardiovascular risk factors. The mechanism of controlling of blood pressure may be associated with the improvement of insulin sensitivity due to the Yiqi Huaju intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER： ChiCTR-TRC-11001633.

Regulating effect of Chinese herbal medicine on the peritoneal lymphatic stomata in enhancing ascites absorption of experimental hepatofibrotic mice

AIM: To observe the regulatory effect of Chinese herbal medicine on peritoneal lymphatic stomata and its significance in treating ascites in liver fibrosis model mice. METHODS: Two Chinese herbal composite prescriptions were used separately to treat the carbon tetrachloride-induced mouse model of liver fibrosis. The histo-pathologic changes of the liver sections (HE and VG stainings) were observed. The peritoneal lymphatic stomata was detected by scanning electron microscopy and computer image processing. The changes of urinary volume and sodium ion concentration were measured. RESULTS: In the model group, lots of fibrous tissue formed in liver and extended into the hepatic lobules to separate them incompletely. In the treated and prevention groups, the histo-pathologic changes of liver was rather milder, only showed much less fibrous tissue proliferation in the hepatic lobules. The peritoneal lymphatic stomata enlarged with increased density in the experimental groups (diameter: PA, 3.07 +/- 0.69 microm; PB, 2.82 +/- 0.37 microm; TA, 3.25 +/- 0.82 microm and TB, 2.82 +/- 0.56 microm; density: PA, 7.11 +/- 1.90 stomata.1000 microm(-2); PB, 8.76 +/- 1.45 stomata.1000 microm(-2); TA, 6.55 +/- 1.44 stomata.1000 microm(-2)and TB, 8.76+/-1.79 stomata.1000 microm(-2)), as compared with the model group (diameter: 2.00+/-0.52 microm density: 4.45+/-1.05 stomata.1000 microm(-2)). After treatment, the urinary volume and sodium ion excretion increased in the experimental groups (PA, 231.28+/-41.09 mmol.L(-1); PB, 171.69 +/- 27.48 mmol.L(-1) and TA, 231.44 +/- 34.12 mmol.L(-1)), which were significantly different with those in the model group (129.33 +/- 36.75 mmol.L(-1)). CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal medicine has marked effects in alleviating liver fibrosis, regulating peritoneal lymphatic stomata, improving the drainage of ascites from peritoneal cavity and causing increase of urinary volume and sodium ion excretion to reduce the water and sodium retention, and thus have favorable therapeutic effect in treating ascites.

Evaluation on the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medication Xifeng Dingchan Pill in treating Parkinson's disease: study protocol of a multicenter, open-label, randomized active-controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Parkinson＇s disease （PD） is a complicated disease, commonly diagnosed among the elderly, which leads to degeneration of the central nervous system. It presently lacks an effective therapy for its complex pathogenesis. Adverse effects from Western drug-based medical intervention prevent long-term adherence to these therapies in many patients. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has long been used to improve the treatment of PD by alleviating the toxic and adverse effects of Western drug-based intervention. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xifeng Dingchan Pill （XFDCP）, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, taken in conjunction with Western medicine in the treatment of PD patients at different stages in the progression of the disease. METHODS AND DESIGN： This is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. In total, 320 patients with early- （n = 160） and middle-stage PD （n = 160） will be enrolled and divided evenly into control and trial groups. Of the 160 patients with early-stage PD, the trial group （n = 80） will be given XFDCP, and the control group （n = 80） will be given Madopar. Of the 160 patients with middle-stage PD, the trial group （n = 80） will be given XFDCP combined with Madopar and Piribedil, and the control group （n = 80） will be given Madopar and Piribedil. The Unified Parkinson＇s Disease Rating Scale scores, TCM symptoms scores, quality of life, change of Madopar＇s dosage and the toxic and adverse effects of Madopar will be observed during a 3-month treatment period and through a further 6-month follow-up period. DISCUSSION： It is hypothesized that XFDCP, combined with Madopar and Piribedil, will have beneficial effects on patients with PD. The results of this study will provide evidence for developing a comprehensive therapy regimen, which can delay the progress of the disease and improve the quality of life for PD patients in different stages. TRIAL REGISTRATION： This trial has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the identifer ChiCTR-TRC-12002150.

Regulative Actions of the Chinese Drugs for Tonifying the Kidney on Gene Expression of the Hypothalamic GnRH,Pituitary FSH,LH and Osteoblastic BGP

It is found that the drugs for nourishing yin to reduce pathogenic fire can significantly down-regulate,and the drugs for tonifying the kidney to replenish essence can up-regulate mRNA expression of the hypothalamic GnRH,pituitary FSH,LH and osteoblastic BGP,indicating that the Chinese drugs for tonifying the kidney can regulate gene expression of the hypothalamic GnRH,pituitary FSH,LH,and osteoblastic BGP,which is possibly one of the main mechanisms of the Chinese drug for tonifying the kidney,regulating ephebic development process and improving skeletal development in sexual precocity children.

Antidiarrheal properties of different extracts of Chinese herbal medicine formula Bao-Xie-Ning

OBJECTIVE： Bao-Xie-Ning （BXN）, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine （CHM） formula composed of Fructus Evodiae, Flos Caryophylli and Cortex Cinnamomi, and used for the treatment of infant diarrheal illness, was subject to systematic assessment for its putative multiple pharmacodynamic effects and pharmacological antidiarrheal mechanisms. METHODS： High-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector-electrospray ionization- mass spectrometric/mass spectrometry was developed and validated for identification and quantification of the main constituents in different extracts of BXN. Male Kunming mice weighing 20 to 25 g were used for detecting the antidiarrheal activity of the extracts. Ethanolic extract （EE）, volatile oil extract （VOE）, and aqueous extract （AE） of BXN were respectively subjected to pharmacodynamic and pharmacological comparison in assessing antidiarrheal effects with senna-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced diarrhea, acetic acid-induced writhing assay, and isolated duodenum test. RESULTS： The highest yields of three detected components of BXN, rutaecarpine, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde were observed in EE. EE showed the most remarkable antidiarrheal activity in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners in both senna- and castor oil-induced diarrhea models, and presented dose-dependent analgesic activity in acetic acid-induced algesthesia model. In addition, EE extract of BXN also exhibited strong antimobility action on the intestine and strongest depression on spontaneous contraction of isolated duodenum. CONCLUSION： Ethanol extraction is an efficient method to extract the active constituents of BXN. BXN extract demonstrated multiple pharmacological activities affecting the main mechanisms of diarrhea, which validated BXN＇s usage in the comprehensive clinical treatment of diarrhea.

Twenty-eight Cases of Diabetic Foot Ulcer and Gangrene Treated with the Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined with Injection of Ahylsantinfarctase

Since 1995, the Chinese herbal medicine for supplementing qi and activating blood circulation combined with injection of ahylsantinfarctase into the femoral artery has been used in 28 cases of diabetes complicated with gangrene and ulcer of the foot, with quite good therapeutic effects as reported in the following.……

Observation on 105 Cases of Duodenal Bulbar Ulcer Treated by Combined Therapy of Catgut Embe0ding and Chinese Drugs

Duodenal bulbar ulcer is a frequently encountered disease. Clinically, it manifests itself by regular epigastric pain accompanied by belching and acid regurgitation, corresponding to epigastralgia and stomach distending pain in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Based on the TCM type-differentiation, the author has treated 105 cases of duodenal bulbar ulcer by the combined therapy of catgut embedding at point Zusanli (ST 36) and Chinese drugs with satisfactory results. A summary is as follows. Clinical Data1. Case selection: The cases selected all had the clinical symptoms and signs of duodenal bulbar ulcer, and had been diagnosed by GI examination at this or other hospitals with no obvious therapeutic effects obtained after relevant treatment, and still symptoms and signs and repeated attacks of pain.

50 Cases of Pointed Condyloma Treated by Surgery Combined with External Washing with Chinese Herbal Medicine

Pointed condyloma in the anus is caused by a virus of human papilloma, marked by the presence of rapidly growing cutaneous verrucae with itching, mild pain and offensive secretion. Diagnosis can be made based on biopsy. The disease is of high recurrence and very difficult to be cured radically. The author combined surgery with external washing with Chinese herbal medicine and achieved quite good results. The following is report of the treatment.

Clinical Observations on 109 Cases of Vocal Nodules Treated with Acupuncture and Chinese Drugs

The treatment of vocal nodules with the combined use of needling on Kaiyin Yihao Xue (开音一号穴Kai Yin Point No. 1 for Voice-Regaining) and medicinal spray and tea made according to Xie Qiang’s empirical prescription, obtained a total effective rate of 93.6%, obviously superior to that of the group treated with western medicine and the group simply treated by Chinese drugs (P<0.01). This suggests that the combined use of acupuncture and Chinese drugs in the treatment of vocal nodules has better therapeutic effect and requires shorter course of treatment.

The Principle and Technique of Using Chinese Drugs in the Treatment of Hypertension

Differential use of Chinese and western drugs, and combination of traditional theory of materia medica with the results of modern pharmacological research can be regarded as a general principle in the treatment of a disease, while combination of lowering blood pressure with preventing and treating complications is a specific method in the treatment of hypertension. As to the use of drugs based on differentiation of diseases and/or symptoms, drugs which have the action of relieving symptoms but also reducing blood pressure should be used as the first choice. For those drugs which have the action of relieving symptoms but can not lower blood pressure should not be used or should be used as less as possible. Drugs with action of raising blood pressure are contraindicated. When patients have the symptoms of hyperactivity of yang resulting from yin deficiency, Huang Bo ([symbol: see text] Cortex Phellodendri) and Zhi Mu ([symbol: see text] Rhizoma Anemarrhenae) are used together to enhance the effects of both nourishing yin to reduce pathogenic fire, and reducing blood pressure. This practice conforms to the TCM theory and also to the modern pharmacological research.

Chinese Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture Used for Rehabilitation of the Impaired Urinary System in Patients with Paraplegia—A Report of 52 Cases

Infection of the urinary system is frequently seen in the paraplegic patients with urinary complications,which is one of the main reasons for the late death in such cases. The effects of the therapeutic method adopted for the urinary rehabilitation are directly related to the life quality and survival time of the paraplegic patients. Since 1999-2002, the authors had applied Chinese herbal medicine combined with acupuncture for the urinary rehabilitation in 52 paraplegic patients, with quite good therapeuticresults as reported in the following.

Chinese Herbal Enema for Treatment of Tumors at the Middle and Late Stage

Since 1994, the Oncologic Department of the Henan Provincial TCM Hospital has used Chinese herbal enema for treatment of tumors at the middle and late stage with satisfactory therapeutic effects. The following are some examples.

TREATMENT OF SENILE DIABETIC DIARRHEA WITH TRADITIONAL CHINESE DRUGS

Diabetic diarrhea, a noninfectiousdiarrhea, is one of the complications ofdiabetics. It only consists of a smallerconstituent ratio among all other

Forty-seven Cases of Gonitis Treated by A Combined Therapy of Chinese Drugs and Acupuncture

Osteoarthritis, a nonspecific inflammatory lesion, is a commonly seen joint disease. Clinically, it is mainly characterized by arthralgia, swelling, and motor impairment. Since the knee joint is the load-bearing joint of the human body, and is susceptible to trauma, gonitis tends to have the highest morbidity in the four limbs, which manifests itself arthritis of patella and femur at the early stage; narrowness or disappearance of the medial joint space at the mid stage; and damage of the cartilage accompanied with flexion deformity at the late stage. In recent years, based on the experience of Prof. Cao Yiming, the author has treated 47 cases of gonitis by combined use of Chinese drugs and acupuncture, and obtained satisfactory therapeutic results as reported in the following.

The Antagonistic Action of Heat-Clearing and Detoxifying Chinese Drugs on Endotoxins

In the recent decade, interest in treatment and prevention of many critical, severe and acute diseases caused by bacterial endotoxins has been aroused along with the advance of the knowledge on the nature of the endotoxin and the conditions involved. In abroad, attention has been mainly payed to raising antisera and monocolonal antibodies against the endotoxin and the induced mediators. However, the allergic reactions and the cost are still the problems. Till now, there is no drug that can antagonize endotoxin with high effectiveness and low toxicity. Clinical treatments are still confined in inhibiting or killing the pathogen, and correcting the internal environmental disturbance. Being less toxic and rich in resources with low cost and less side-effects, screening of effective Chinese drugs for antagonizing endotoxin is of important and practical significance. Endotoxin belongs to the category of toxic evils, or more precisely, the heat toxin in TCM. Therefore the application of heat-clearing and detoxifying Chinese drugs to antagonizing endotoxins is consistent with the theory of TCM. Some achievements in this field are reported as follows.

AN ANALYSIS FOR DEATH CAUSES IN 45 CASES OF LIVER CANCER TREATED WITH TRADITIONAL CHINESE DRUGS

Among the 165 cases of late-stage liver cancer treated in our hospital,65(39.4%)died,with an average survival time of 8.1 months and a median survival time of 7 months.Among the 65 dead patients,45 were treated with traditional Chinese drugs and 20 withwestern medicine.The average survival time was 8.4 months in the former and 7.3months in the latter group.The direct causes of death for the 65 patients were hepaticcoma,severe hemorrhage of the upper digestive tract,Heyd’s syndrome,hepatorrhexis,respiratory failure,cardiac failure,etc.The incidence rates of hemorrhage of the upperdigestive tract and hepatorrhexis in the 45 patients treated with traditional Chinese drugswere obviously lower than those treated with western medicine.

Advances in the Researches on the Blocking Effect of Chinese Drugs on Tumors

Malignant tumors are caused by multiple carcinogenic factors undergoing several stages. The occurrence and development of tumors may be prevented and blocked if some effective interference factors are brought into play.1 At present, there are two main subjects for the researches, that is, blocking the precancerous lesions and blocking the develop-ment of tumors. The former focuses on the removing of carcinogenic factors and on the chemoprophylaxis of cancer, while the latter on the inhibition of cancer cell infiltration and cancerometastasis. These are summarized as follows.