ABSTRACT
Saponins are the major extracts of Panax notoginseng, which is one of the most commonly used herbal medicine in East Asia. Increasing evidences suggest that Panax notoginseng saponins(PNS) have various therapeutic effects on cardiovascular diseases. The therapeutic effects of PNS is through the complex combination of saponins. Notoginsenoside R1, ginsenosides Rb1, Rg1, Rd and Re are the major components of PNS, which have been studiedthoroughly in recent years. In this review the authors summarize and compare the cardiovascular-related effects and mechanisms of these five saponins respectively. Anti-atherosclerosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis are the most shared functions. But some of the functions are contradictory, such as GRb1 inhibit the endothelial tube formation and angiogenesis, while GRg1 promote the VEGF synthesis and angiogenic tube formation. Even GRg1 itself functions contradictory in angiogenesis. The comprehensive summary of the effects and mechanisms of saponins shed lights on the understanding of the diverse functions PNS exert, and lay groundwork for the development and utilization of saponins in cardiovascular diseases
ABSTRACT
Objective To edit Chinese version of the Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MLHFQ) and to estimate its reliability and validity.Metheds Translated and edited the Chinese version of MLHFQ according to the standard procedures,and tested 83 inpatients which were recruited from three polyclinics of Beijing district in China.Results Cronbach's alpha consistency was>0.80 for the three MLHFQ scores.Reproducibility ranged from 0.48 to 0.84 for items of weighted kappa coefficient and from 0.88 to 0.94 for three do-mains of Spearman's correlation coefficient.MLHFQ scores varied significantly with NYHA functional class(P<0.05),and there were intermediate-to-high correlations with the assumed corresponding SF-36 domains(-0.73 to -0.59).Factor analysis revealed three-factor structure explained 49.34% of the total variance.The MLHFQ scores before and after the treatment combined TCM and western medicine were significant (physical domain (26.15±7.15,17.63±8.50),emotional domain (8.96±5.73,6.8l±5.31),overall score(56.38±16.88,39.77±15.69) all P<0.01).Conclusions The Chinese version of MLHFQ is translated and edited according to the standard procedures.Its reliability and validity is good,and could be used as a clinical outcome measurement.
ABSTRACT
Intercourse between heart and kidney and harmonization of fire and water are important concepts in TCM.At present,discussions about them are not clear,but confused.This paper concludes the concepts and meanings about intercourse between heart and kidney and harmonization of water and fire,based on opinions of ancient theories of yin and yang,and five elements.It also expounds the differences and relations about harmonization of yin and yang,harmonization of water and fire,and intercourse between heart and kidney,and puts forward that the concept of intercourse between heart and kidney should be divided into aspect in two parts which are in broad sense and in narrow sense.In broad sense,it indicates kidney qi and heart qi interacts in all aspects;in narrow sense,it indicates the intercourse between heart fire and kidney water.The pathway,the time and other meanings about intercourse between heart and kidney are also reviewed in this article.
ABSTRACT
As a medical terminology,"insidious yang"is commonly seen in ancient medical literatures of TCM,but the concept,reason and clinical significance of this term has not been illustrated comprehensively.By reviewing the ancient medical literatures and the application in modern clinic,this paper brings to light that"insidious yang"has the syndromes of interior heat and fire stagnation;and the reasons include excess yang in the interior keeping yin externally,insidious pathogenic factor in the interior transforming into heat and yang qi blocked by either visible or invisible pathogenic factors.In general,interior heat can manifest as insidious yang,insidious heat and insidious fire,according to the degree of the illness.Diagnosis must be based on the 4 diagnostic methods,and the area,the season and the condition of patient should be taken into account.Treatment of insidious yang is to clear and purge against the cause of disease.At present,the syndromes of insidious yang is commonly seen.Better therapeutic effect can be achieved when the clearing and purging herbs are applied.