Protective effects of kidney-tonifying Chinese herbal preparation on substantia nigra neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

The Chinese herbs Herba Epimedii, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and Rhizoma Polygonati were injected into Parkinson＇s disease mice established via intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride. The selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitor selegiline was used as a positive control drug. After successive administration for 4 weeks, Herba Epimedii could downregulate the expression of caspase-3 and increase the brain-derived neurotrophic factor level, as well as increase tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the substantia nigra of Parkinson＇s disease mouse models. Rhizoma Polygonaticould downregulate the expression of caspase-3 and FasL, and increase neural growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels. Fructus Ligustn Lucidi could downregulate caspase-3 expression. Rhizoma Polygonati and Fructus Ligustn Lucidi did not produce obvious effects on tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi yielded similar effects on apoptosis-promoting factors to those elicited by selegiline. Herba Epimedii and Rhizoma Polygonati significantly increased the levels of neurotrophic factors compared with selegiline. Herba Epimedii significantly increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity compared with selegiline. It is indicated that the kidney-tonifying Chinese herbal preparation can downregulate the expression of apoptosis-promoting factors, increase neurotrophic factors levels in the substantia nigra and striatum, as well as increase tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the substantia nigra of Parkinson＇s disease mouse models, thereby exerting a stronger or similar neuroprotective effects compared with selegiline.

Protective Action of a Herbal Preparation Liv-52 AgainstBeryllium Toxicity in Rats

An Ayurvedic medicine, Liv-52 has been studied as a prophylactic against beryllium induced toxicity in rats. Administration of beryllium per se caused severe degenerative and necrotic changes in liver, kidney, lungs and spleen. Its administration reduced glycogen content, activity of alkaline phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase in these oreans. On the contrary, activities of acid phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase were increased singificantly. In Liv-52 primed rats significant recoupment was observed in all the parameters

THE DEVELOPMENT OF TCM AND QUALITY CONTROL OF TCM HERBS AND HERBAL PREPARATIONS IN TAIWAN

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been very popular in Taiwan in the past.TCM was incorporated in the National Insurance since 1995.Starting 2012,all new TCM physicians had to be graduated from TCM Department in Medical University.Currently,there are 6,442 TCM physicians practiced in 3,372 clinics and 95 hospitals.TCM only accounts for less than 4%of total National Health

Therapeutic Efficacy of Chinese Herbal Compound Preparation on Viral Diseases in Poultry

[Objective] To develop a new antiviral agent with high and long efficacy, wide spectrum, low toxicity and low cost from traditional Chinese herbal medicine and their compound. [ Method] The ＂Quxie＂ （ i. e. eliminating pathogenic factors） drugs including Hedyotis diffusa and Loni- cera japonica and ＂Fuzheng＂ （ i. e. strengthening body resistance） drugs including Radix astragali and Glycyrrhiza uralensis were taken to form an antiviral herbal compound preparation. Taking the astragalus polysaccharide monomer as control, the experiment was constructed by using the agent to treat some naturally occurring viral diseases, including Newcastle disease （ND）, infectious bursal disease （IBD）, duck viral hepatitis （DVH）, avian influenza （Al） H9 subtype and avian swollen head syndrome. [Ressult] The effective rates of the agent for treatment of the above- mentioned diseases were 87%, 87%, 69%, 100% and 100%, respectively, which were higher than that of astragalus polysaccharide monomer. The cure rates for these diseases were 33%, 37%, 13%, 69% and 75%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of astragalus polysacchadde monomer （ P 〈 0.01 ）. The rates of poor therapeutic efficacy were 15%, 21%, 24%, 6% and 7%, respectively, which were significantly lower than that of astragalus polysaccharide monomer （P 〈 0.01 ）. [ Condusion] The Chinese herbal compound preparation shows good therapeutic effects on some avian viral diseases, which can decrease mortality rate and improve production performance of poultry more greatly than astragalus polysaccharide monomer.

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 Fermented Nano Chinese Herbal Medicines Replacing Antibiotics on Production Performance and Carcass Quality of Growing-Finishing Pigs

[Objectives]To study the effects of fermented nano Chinese herbal medicines replacing antibiotics on the production performance and carcass quality of growing-finishing pigs.[Methods]200 healthy and disease-free Duroc-Landrace-Yorkshire(DLY)growing-finishing pigs with similar birth time(45±2 d)and body weight of about 31.5 kg were randomly divided into group A(fed with non-antibiotic basal diet),group B(fed with antibiotic basal diet),group C(fed with non-antibiotic basal diet+0.1%fermented nano Chinese herbal medicine preparation),group D(fed with non-antibiotic basal diet+0.3%fermented nano Chinese herbal medicine preparation)and group E(fed with non-antibiotic basal diet+0.5%fermented nano Chinese herbal medicine preparation).The experiment lasted for 90 d.At the end of the experiment,the production performance and carcass indicators were measured.[Results]Compared with group A,the final weight,average daily gain(ADG)and average daily feed intake(ADFI)of groups B,C,D and E were extremely significantly increased(P<0.01),while the feed-to-gain ratio(F/G)was extremely significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with group B,the ADG of group E was significantly increased(P<0.05),while the F/G was significantly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with group A,the slaughter rate and carcass length of pigs in groups B,C,D and E were extremely significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with group B,the slaughter rate of groups D and E was extremely significantly increased(P<0.01).[Conclusions]The fermented nano Chinese herbal medicine preparation has better effects in promoting growth than that of antibiotic additives,and it can significantly improve the carcass quality of growing-finishing pigs.

Beijing Tong Ren Tang Prepared Herbal Medicines Factory

The Beijing Tong Ren Tang Prepared Herbal Medicines Factory, located in Tongxian in the suburbs of Beijing, specializes in the production of prepared herbal medicines in small pieces ready for decoctions. Its products are known for their quality ingredients, unique technology,

Are the release characteristics of Erzhi pills in line with traditional Chinese medicine theory?A quantitative study

Objective:Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has been widely used throughout China to prevent and cure diseases for thousands of years,and now it is a part of the integrative medicine field that is available in Western societies.To ensure the safety and quality of the herbal medicines that are a major part of the TCM tradition,they must be held to modern pharmaceutical standards.Erzhi pill(EZP)is a Chinese Pharmacopeia-listed herbal preparation that is used in the long-term clinical management of postmenopausal symptoms,osteoporosis and menstrual disorders.Until now,whether the drug release mechanism of EZP is in line with its intended TCM usage has not been studied.Methods:The release of specnuezhenide from three EZPs(self-made,Leiyunshang and Renhe)in simulated gastric fluid(SGF),acetate buffer(p H 4.5 buffer)and simulated intestinal fluid(SIF)was investigated in a dissolution test.The water uptake capacity and erosion extent of the three EZPs were investigated using swelling and erosion studies.The drug release mechanism was further assessed through statistical model fitting,using DDSolver software.Results:The release of specnuezhenide from all three EZPs in SGF was less than 50%within a 4 h period.However,over 70%of the specnuezhenide was released from each EZP in both p H 4.5 buffer and SIF in the same time.Analysis of the swelling and erosion behaviors and the drug release mechanism of the three EZPs confirmed that the release rate from EZP followed a sustained release profile,which was an interactive combination of swelling and erosion.Conclusion:This study showed that the release pattern from the pills was in line with the intended TCM use of EZP.TCM had not only theoretically considered sustained release from the pills,but also formulated them to achieve this release pattern.When establishing quality control standards for pills,the theoretical TCM usage and the actual release patterns need to be considered.