ABSTRACT
Quality assessment of traditional herbal medicines is of benefit not only in research but also in practice. The method of quality assessment of the Thai traditional medicine, Ayurved Siriraj Prasachandaeng, was established by using High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). In HPTLC, the chromatographic fingerprints were developed; the color and the relative retardation factor (rRf) of bands were compared with those of reference markers. Likewise, relative retention time (rRt), and applied information content (f) were evaluated in HPLC fingerprints. Reference markers, gallic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, vanillic acid and kojic acid were used as qualitative markers in HPTLC whereas gallic acid, caffeic acid and vanillic acid were used as qualitative and quantitative markers in HPLC. Similarity of the chromatographic pattern among batches was determined by the presence of stated mathematic parameters in the range of 80 to 125 percent of the average. The HPTLC and HPLC fingerprints of three batches of Ayurved Siriraj Prasachandaeng showed similar chromatographic patterns. Such similarity showed that the productions of different batches in the recipe were consistent. Moreover, it revealed that some markers found in the recipe certainly came from various medicinal herbal components of their own recipes. In conclusion, the combination of rRf from HPTLC, and rRt and f from HPLC is the suitable method for identification and quality control of different batches of Ayurved Siriraj Prasachandaeng.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate whether Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells affected platelet aggregation via activation of thrombin and cyclooxygenase. Methods: Human Cholangiocarcinoma (HuCCA) cells were cultured in T-75 Flasks with a standard technique. Cells were grown to confluence until used, after which, cells were detached and then resuspended in DMEM. Resuspended HuCCA cells were assessed for their effects on inducing platelet aggregation of normal volunteers using Born’s technique. Hirudin, apyrase, EDTA and indomethacin were used as pharmacological tools to investigate signaling mechanisms. Results: HuCCA cells can initiate aggregation of platelets in heparinized platelet rich plasma (hPRP). The potency of HuCCA cell induced platelet aggregation depends on the concentration of cell suspension. Interestingly, HuCCA cell induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by hirudin (10, 20 and 40 unit), EDTA (2, 3 and 4 mM) and indomethacin (0.1, 1 and 2 mM) in a dose dependent manner but not by apyrase (5, 10 and 20 units). Conclusion: HuCCA cells can induce platelet aggregation possibly via activation of thrombin and the cyclooxygenase signaling pathway but not the ADP pathway. Calcium may be an important factor required for this reaction.
ABSTRACT
Baby aspirin, due to its antiplatelet effects, is a drug of choice in the prevention of recurrent ischemic stroke. Since gastric irritation is a major problem in long term aspirin administration, aspirin-glycine has been developed to provide better bioavailability and efficacy. Aspirin-glycine, however, costs over twenty times more than baby aspirin, therefore, it is worthwhile comparing the efficacy of these two preparations of aspirin. We assessed absorption and antiplatelet effects f aspirin-glycine (100 mg ASA) and of baby aspirin (75 mg ASA) in 13 normal subjects) 5 men, 8 women, aged 25-63 years, mean 48 years). A single-blind cross-over design was used to compare the two treatments. A wash-out period of 2 weeks was applied. Blood samples were taken 4 times: before drug ingestion and at 5, 20 and 60 minutes after ingestion, to measure plasma slicylate levels and platelet aggregation. It was found that 5 minutes after aspirin-glycine ingestion plasma salicylate was detectable in 10 out of 13 subjects with X + SD = 4.92+ 2.54 mg%. At 20 and 60 minutes after ingestion plasma salicylate was detectable in all subjects with X+ SD = 5.14+ 1.82 and 5.76+ 3.33 mg% respectively. At 5, 20 and 60 minutes after ingestion of baby aspirin, plasma salicylate levels were detectable in only 6, 7 and 10 of the 13 subjects with X+ SD = 3.65+ 1.69, 3.67+ 1.61 and 4.28+ 1.62 mg% respectively. There was no significant difference between the two forms of aspirin regarding the inhibition of platelet aggregation. Side effects were not mentioned by any subjects during the experiment nor for two weeks thereafter.
ABSTRACT
Headache can be treated with acupuncture but its mechanism is virtually unknown. Since serotonin is considered to be an important factor as well as hyperactive platelets in the causation of migraine headache, a before and after study design was employed to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on the platelet serotonin and platelet aggregation in headache patients. Thirty-three patients, 18 suffering migraine headaches and 15 tension headaches were treated with dry needle acupuncture accompanying breathing exercise. Platelet serotonin was measured by spectrophotofluorometric method before and after treatment and found to be increased in 25 patients and decreased in 8 patients. The former groups show a statistically significant increase of p<0.01 (mean difference 0.15 + 0.26). Platelet aggregation induced by aggregating agents was also calibrated as to maximum response. The aggregations induced by collagen 1 ug, ADP 3 Um, adrenaline 1 or 25 uM, were decreased after acupuncture with significant collagen-induced aggregation (p<0.05). This suggests platelet serotonin and aggregation play a significant role in the treatment of headache by both inhibiting aggregation and by serotonin release. Thus the platelet serotonin is increased. Some interesting pints have been discussed in this report.