Allicin improves cardiac function by protecting against apoptosis in rat model of myocardial infarction / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of allicin on cardiac function and underlying mechanism in rat model of myocardial infarction (MI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-four Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups (n=14-16 per group): sham control group [underwent thoracotomy without left anterior descending (LAD) occlusion and only received an injection of the same amount of citrate buffer], MI control group (subjected to LAD occlusion and only received an injection of same amount of citrate buffer), positive control group (subjected to LAD occlusion and received an injection of diltiazem hydrochloride at the dose of 1.5 mg/kg), and MI + allicin groups (subjected to LAD occlusion and received an injection of allicin at the doses of 1.2, 1.8, and 3.6 mg/kg). All of the drugs were administered intraperitoneally daily for 21 days. The infarct area was measured by myocardial staining. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes. Cardiac function parameters were assessed by echocardiography. The myocardial apoptotic index was estimated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by quantificational real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Treatment with allicin could attenuate the myocardial infarct area (P<0.05) and relieve the changes of the myocardium. The left ventricular anterior wall diastolic and systolic thicknesses were increased in the allicin-treated groups (P<0.05), while there was no signifificant difference in the left ventricular posterior wall diastolic and systolic thickness (P>0.05). The left ventricular internal diameter in systole, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and stroke volume were dramatically elevated in allicin-treated rats (P<0.05). Allicin dose-dependently reduced creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels (P<0.05). The myocardial apoptotic index was also markedly lowered, and Bax expression was signifificantly decreased, whereas Bcl-2 expression exhibited an opposite trend in allicin-treated rats (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Allicin appears to exert a cardioprotective effect that may be linked to blocking Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathway-denpendent apoptosis, further improving cardiac function.</p>

Developing traditional Chinese medicine injection is the need for curing sickness to save patients / 中国中药杂志

Safety issues of traditional Chinese medicine injections has been heated debate. There are two diametrically opposed views: it should be used reasonable and developed healthily or be forbidden to use. Some people have many misunderstandings and prejudices about the safety of traditional Chinese medicine injections. Compared with western medicine,traditional Chinese medicine has its own particularity. Traditional Chinese medicine has complex components. Its research and clinical application is different from western medicine. Adverse reactions of traditional Chinese medicine injections are related to many factors,such as a large number of irrational use,blind use of traditional Chinese medicine injections and western medicine injections,counterfeit and substandard drugs,incorrect methods of intravenous infusion,toxicity of supplementary materials,drug ingredients. Developing traditional Chinese medicine injection is the need for curing sickness to save patients. The purposeful, targeted, organized and planned systematic research of traditional Chinese medicine injections should be strengthened,especially the safety of traditional Chinese medicine. Strengthen supervision and control of rational drug use.Strengthen the examination and approval,supervision and management of all aspects to ensure the safety of patients.

Relationship between law on the protection of wildlife and animal-derived drugs / 中国中药杂志

In most countries, the protection of wildlife resources is in a negative way, the state do not put emphasis on or even oppose artificial breeding, with the poor results. In our country, the state shall pursue a policy of strengthening the protection of wildlife resources, actively domesticating and breeding the species of wildlife, which has made great achievements. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is one pillar of medical and health service in China, animal-derived drugs which are effective drugs for the treatment of certain critical cases have been used in clinic for 2 000 years. Prohibition or limited use of animal-derived drugs could affect the curative effect, hindering TCM from healthy development. The state shall encourage the protection and domestication, breeding of wildlife accords with our national conditions, which is not only beneficial to the protection of wildlife, but also favors the development of the cause of TCM.

Specificity of traditional Chinese medicine's clinical re-evaluation / 中国中药杂志

Clinical re-evaluation is to verify the drug's safety and effectiveness again,while the drug itself has not been improved. However, due to the complexity of traditional Chinese medicine, ingredients in bulk drugs, prescription, productive processes, quality standards and other aspects need to be enhanced. So improving the quality, safety and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine by clinical re-evaluation is also very necessary. Therefore, except for achieving those basic requirements of medicine, it should also be improved on itself and pay full attention to the particularity, then traditional Chinese medicine's clinical re-evaluation will play its due role.

Effect of Erzhi Pill (二至丸) on improving cerebral nerve cell apoptosis in aging rats / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Erzhi Pill (二至丸,EZP) on nerve cell apoptosis in senescence model rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rats model of senescence was established by peritoneal D-galactose injection combined with thymusectomy. Forty SD rats were randomized into four groups, the normal control group, the senescence model group, the EZP treated group, and the vitamins treated group, 10 in each group. The rats were made into senescence model except those in the normal group. In the same time of D-galactose injection, the rats were treated respectively with distilled water, EZP 4.32 g/kg, and vitamins E and C 0.06 g/kg daily for 6 weeks via intragastric infusion. The index of main viscera (as brain, testis, etc.), serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and total anti-oxidation capacity (T-AOC) were measured after a 6-week treatment. Meanwhile, the cerebral cortex neuronal apoptosis proportion and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both EZP and vitamins E and C treatments showed effects on increasing testis index and serum level of T-AOC, reducing the percentage of neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex, and elevating MMP in the aging rats model.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EZP could inhibit the cerebral cortex neuron apoptosis and maintain the mitochondrial function in the senescent process of rats induced by peritoneal D-galactose injection combined with thymusectomy. It also shows antioxidation effect to some extents.</p>

Urgency and necessity of standardisation of chinese medicine with confusions of compound Danshen preparations / 中国中药杂志

Through analysing the complicated phenomenon of the traditional Chinese medicine product, we propose the standardization for the traditional Chinese medicine. Taking compound Danshen preparation for example, the status of our standardization of the traditional Chinese medicine is connected with the chaos of the raw material, vehicle, production process, quality criteria and clinical application. So we propose the countermeatures to strengthen the construction of standardization for the traditional Chinese medicine.

Hepatic and renal injury induced by Radix Aristolochiae or Guanxin Suhe Wan for a long-term in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the toxicity of Radix Aristolochiae supplied experimental evidence of rational use of drug in clinic.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>After treatment with small dose Radix Aristolochiae, Guanxin Suhe Wan (with Radix Aristolochiae) and Guanxin Suhe Wan (without Radix Aristolochiae) in different group for a long- term, respectively, the biochemical indicator of PT, ALT, AST, ALB, ALP, Crea and BUN were detected, and the kidney, liver, stomach and urinary bladder were examined by pathologic assaying.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>In Radix Aristolochiae group and Guanxin Suhe Wan (with Radix Aristolochiae) group, all of biochemical indicator were changed significantly, and hepatonecrosis, renal tubular necrosis, gastric carcinoma and bladder carcinoma were discovered.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Radix Aristolochiae and Guanxin Suhe Wan (with Radix Aristolochiae) can damage kidney and liver, and cause gastric carcinoma and bladder carcinoma by intensive toxicity.</p>

Effects of guanxin II on cardiac protein expression after acute myocardial ischemia on rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Guanxin II is a famous modern formula of traditional Chinese medicine. Guanxin II after myocardial infarction (MI) has been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiac anatomy and function. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Guanxin 1I on cardiac protein expression after MI.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rats were randomized into 3 groups, sham, model and treating groups. Model and treating groups were fed with Guanxin II and sham group was fed with water for 10 days before MI. MI operation is to ligate left coronary artery. 24 hours after MI, myocardial protein expression of junctional zone was assessed with 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectra analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Guanxin II was found to be able to improve myocardial protein expression, especially 11 proteins. These proteins are mainly involved in suppressing changes of cell shape and structure and energy metabolism.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Guanxin II after MI affected myocardial protein expression. Further experiments of larger research extent should be done to receive more results.</p>

Progress on antineoplastic constituents derived from polypore fungi / 中国中药杂志

Polypore fungi is a cluster of important pharmacological fungi with significant antitumor activity. In recent years, the antineoplastic constituents from polypore fungi have been comprehensively studied. Through investigating the domestic and overseas studied paper, the antitumor active constituents derived from polypore fungi including high molecular weight compounds such as polysaccharides, glycopeptides, glycoproteins, lectins, and lipid soluble low molecular weight compounds such as terpenoids, steroids, phenolics, benzopyranones, were reviewed. In addition, the significance in the exploitation of new drug for antitumor by the application of polypore fungi was discussed at the end of this paper.

Effects of series of Muskone on heart hemodynamics and myocardial consumption of oxygen in experimental dogs / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of series of Muskone (the muskone includes Slender Dutchmanspipe Root, Inula Root and neither kind of Common Aucklandia Root) on the heart hemodynamics and myocardial consumption of oxygen in experimental dogs, and to explain its pharmacological action on cardiovascular system.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Arterial blood pressure, coronary blood flow, resistance in coronary artery, total peripheral resistance, work of left artrium and oxygen consumption index of the cardiac muscles were observed in anaesthetic dogs.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The series of Muskone decreased arterial blood pressure significantly, dilated coronary artery and peripheral arteries significantly, increased coronary blood flow, decreased resistance in coronary artery, improved the work of left artrium, the oxygen availability of cardiac muscles and the complaisance of arteries in cardiac muscles.</p>

Nephrotoxicity of Radix Aristolochice and it's substitution material Radix Inulae in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the toxicity of Radix Aristolochiae and Radix Inulae, and to supply the toxicity experimental data that Radix Inulae supersedes Radix Aristolochiae in clinic.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A long dose of Radix Aristolochice and Radix Inulae was given intragastrically to rats for six months, then drug withdrawal for a month. The hematology and biochemical indicators were measured, and the pathologic changes of kidney, liver, stomach and urinary bladder were examined.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The rats of Radix Aristolochice showed serious toxic responses of renal tubule atrophy and necrosis, meanwhile, the levels of BUN, Cr and NAG were increased obviously. Hepatonecrosis, renal tubular necrosis, gastric carcinoma and bladder carcinoma were discovered with pathologic assaying. But the rats of Radix Inulae did not.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Radix Aristolochiae could damage kidney and liver, and cause gastric carcinoma and bladder carcinoma by intensive toxicity. Radix Inulae could take the place of Radix Aristolochiae to use in clinic.</p>

Effect of vitexia-rhamnoside (V-R) on vasomotor factors expression of endothelial cell / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influence of vitexia-rhamnoside (V-R) on vasomotor factor expression of endothelial cell (EC) damaged by hypoxia and reoxygenation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUV ECs) were subject to ischemia and reperfusion following hypoxia and reoxygenation. The levels of ET-1, NO and NOS intracellular in culture supertanants were measured by radioimmunity, Griess and immunohistochemistry, respectively. And the gene expressions of ET-1 and NOS intracellular were measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>V-R at different doses markedly increased the gene expression and activity of NOS, enhanced the level of vaso-dilating factor NO, and significantly decreased the gene expression and production of vaso-constricting factor ET-1 of EC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We have demonstrated that V-R had the regulatory effect on the expression of vaso-active substances of EC damaged by hypoxia and reoxygenation in the levels of protein and gene transcription of cytokines.</p>

Study on comparative pharmacology of series of Muskone / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the therapeutic effects of the series of Muskone (the Muskone includes Slender Dutchmanspipe Root, Tumuxiang, and not Slender Dutchmanspipe Root) on experimental myocardial infarct and pain in rats.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Coronary artery ligation was applied for the model of myocardial infarct. Therapeutic effects were evaluated by measuring parameters of histomorphometry, blood plasm of ET, 6- keto-PGF1alpha and TXB2. Intraperitoneal injection acetic was applied for the model of ache, the frequency and eclipse period of writhing were evaluated its effect of resisting pain.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The Muskone including Radix Aristolociae, the Muskone including Radix Inulae and the Muskone without Radix Aucklandiae all can decrease the area of myocardial infarction in rats, the level of TXB2, ET, and the frequency of writhing significantly. Also it can increase the level 6-keto-PGF1alpha, the ratio of 6-keto-PGF1alpha and TXB2. Single Radix Aristolociae or Radix Inulae only relieved pain.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Muskone including Radix Aristolociae, the Muskone including Radix Inulae and the Muskone without Radix Aucklandiae all have significant therapeutic effect on both myocardial infarction and pain, while single Radix Aristolociae or Radix Inulae only can relieve pain.</p>

Study on therapeutic effects of series of muskone on myocardial infarction canines / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of the series of Muskone (the Muskone includes Slender Dutchmanspipe Root, Tumuxiang, and not Slender Dutchmanspipe Root) on myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction and hematological index in experimental canines, and to explain the pharmacological action and characteristic of its therapeutic effect on ischemic heart disease.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The range and degree of myocardial ischemia was evaluated by epicardial electrogram mapping, and the range extent of myocardial infarction was determined by quantitate histology (N-BT staining method). Meanwhile, the changes of ET, TXB2, 6-Keto-PGF1alpha were determined to study the effects of the series of Muskone on myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction and hematological index in experimental canines.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The series of Muskone can improve myocardial ischemia and infarction in experimental canines, and relieve significantly the degree of myocardial ischemia (Sigma-ST) determined by epicardial electrogram mapping, decrease the range of myocardial ischemia (N-ST) determined by epicardial electrogram mapping and decrease infarction zone determined by N-BT staining method. And it has a significant inhibition on activity of ET induced by myocardial ischemia and infarction, and increases 6-Keto-PGF1alpha and 6-Keto-PGF1alpha/TXB2 induced by myocardial ischemia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The series of Muskone has significant therapeutic effect on myocardial infarction.</p>

Protective effects of San Baoxin on injury induced by myocardical ischemic reperfusion and anti-thrombosis in rats / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of San Baoxin on myocardial injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) and thrombogenesis in rats in vivo and ex vivo.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The experimental model was established by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 180 min. The Chandler method was used to produced ex vivo thrombosis and an electrical stimulation of common carotid artery was adopted to form in vivo thrombosis respectively, the effect of antithrombosis induced by San Baoxin was observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>San Baoxin significantly decreased the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), obviously elevated the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and increased the amount of NO of the serum simultaneously. The San Baoxin at the dosage of 10 g x kg(-1) could remarkably lengthen the OT ( P < 0.05). All San Baoxin dosages could inhibit the formation of ex vivo thrombosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>San Baoxin protects the myocardium from injury of ischemic and reperfusion. The protective effect of San Baoxin may be due to that it can dilate vessels, increase the activity of clearance enzyme of free radical and inhibit lipid peroxidation and the formation of ex vivo and in vivo thrombosis.</p>

Progress on the research of prevention and treatment of female climacteric syndrome by traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Perimenopause syndrome, referred also to climacteric syndrome, results from the changing of relationship among hypothalamus, pituitary and ovary during women's aging process. Those changes take place first in overy, then in hypothalmus and pituitary, which are reflected as the functional changes in endocrinological and central nervous system, accompanied with a series of psychological symptoms. 90% of women with perimenopause syndrome show clinical symptoms. The clinical prevention and treatment of female climacteric syndrome by traditional Chinese medicine: traditional Chinese medicine attributes the various symptoms of female climacteric syndrome to a variety of syndromes of Chinese medicine, e. g. gradual consumption of kidney-Qi, emptiness of the Ren and Chong channels, gradual exhaustion of Tienqui, breakdown of Yin-Yang equilibrium in the body, disorders of Zang-Fu, Qi and blood. The treatment based on syndrome differentiation, modification of prescription according to the symptoms, special prescription and simple recipe and acupuncture were employed in treating Yin-deficiency of the kidney, Yang-deficiency of the kidney, Yin and Yang-deficiency of the kidney, breakdown of the normal physiological coordination between the heart and the kidney, deficiency of liver-Yin and kidney-Yin, insufficiency of both the spleen and the kidney, deficiency of Qi and blood in the heart and spleen, stagnation of the liver-Qi and deficiency of the spleen, stagnation of the liver-Qi, phlegm stagnancy and the upward invasion of heat-phlegm. The traditional Chinese medicinal had a satisfactory global regulating effect on the nervous system and immune- regulating network with multifunction and unique advantage, e.g. its regulating effect on FSH, LH, E2, 5-HT, 5-HIAA, free radical and adtonomic nervous system. Experimental studies have also been conducted, e. g. There were also systematic studies of the simple Chinese drugs' pharmacodynamics and drugs forms of prepared drugs. In the health care of female climacteric syndrome the traditional Chinese medicine has also its own features and advantages.

A preliminary investigation on safety evaluation system for health foods / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>In order to guarantee the safety of health foods, a safety evaluation system has been initially proposed.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Based on both experienced and experimental safe data of health foods, different safety criteria could be divided.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A safety evaluation system with five criteria has been finally established, ingredients listed in the first three safe criteria were suitable for health foods.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This system could be applied for the selection of relevant ingredients of health foods at R&D stage, and it would be improved after certain period of implementation.</p>

Experimental studies on menopausal syndrome treated by traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

In this paper, literature about experimental researches on female climacteric syndrome (FCS) treated by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) published in recent years were reviewed. This paper reviewed not only experimental researches about the effects of nervous system-endocrine and immune regulating net work, the vegetative nervous function and free radical treated by TCM; but also concerned the experimental approaches of animal selected, model established; and objective indexes of FCS. Taking advantages of FCS by integrative medicine is available for enhancing the clinical efficacy.

Some points on clinical evaluation of new Chinese herbal drugs / 中国中药杂志

By analyzing clinical therapeutics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we pointed out differences in development of new Chinese herbal drugs and Western medicine. Problems on clinical evaluation of new Chinese herbal drugs were raised from seven aspects.