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The leaves of Vernonia amygdalina Delile of the family Asteraceae(also known as "bitter leaf"), rich in biological activities, are used as both medicine and food for a long time in West tropical Africa. They have been introduced into Southeast Asia and Fujian and Guangdong provinces of China in recent years. However, little is known about the properties of the plant in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), which limits its combination with other Chinese medicinal herbs. In this study, 473 articles on V. amygdalina leaves were selected from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP to summarize their components, pharmacological effects and clinical research. V. amygdalina leaves presented anti-microbial, hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmacological effects. On the basis of the theory of TCM properties, the leaves were inferred to be cold in property and bitter and sweet in flavor, acting on spleen, liver, stomach and large intestine and with the functions of clearing heat, drying dampness, purging fire, removing toxin, killing insects and preventing attack of malaria. They can be used to treat dampness-heat diarrhea, interior heat and diabetes, malaria, insect accumulation and eczema(5-10 g dry leaves by decoction per day and an appropriate amount of crushed fresh leaves applying to the affected area for external use). Due to the lack of TCM properties, V. amygdalina leaves are rarely used medicinally in China. The determination of medicinal properties of the leaves is conducive to the introduction of new exotic medicinal herbs and the development of new TCM resources, which facilitated further clinical application and research and development of Chinese medicinal herbs.
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Antioxidants , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Leaves , Plants, Medicinal , VernoniaABSTRACT
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are an important type of active microvesicles. EVs encapsulate and transfer functional substances such as miRNAs, transcription factors and proteins, which are important vectors for cell communication and organ dialogue. In recent years, studies have shown that quite a number of Chinese medicinal herbs have the pharmacological effect of regulating EVs, and play a unique trans-organ and remote role in the treatment of diseases. Some Chinese medicinal herbs also contain plant-derived EVs themselves, which can be directly involved in the treatment of diseases. As one of the core theories of raditional Chinese medicines (TCM), Qi plays a variety of important roles in the physiological and pathological processes of human body and pharmacology. However, the scientific connotation of Qi′s role and the potential material carrier are still unclear. The latest research suggests that the effect of EVs is potentially related to that of Qi. Therefore, this paper reviews the effect of Qi nourishing Chinese medicinal herbs in regulating EVs in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, nervous system diseases, liver diseases, renal diseases, malignant tumors and other diseases in recent years. EVs may play an important role in the pharmacological effect of some Chinese medicinal herbs in the treatment of diseases as an intermediary substance. EVs have the characteristics of long-distance transportation, which is consistent with the movement of Qi in TCM. EVs carry a variety of functional molecules, which is consistent with the function of Qi. As the potential material basis of Qi in TCM, the function of EVs is worth further study.
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Reynoutria japonica Houtt., belonging to Polygoneae of Polygonaceae, is a Chinese medicinal herb with the functions of draining dampness and relieving jaundice, clearing heat and detoxifying, dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain, and relieving cough and resolving phlegm. In this study, we carried out high-throughput sequencing for the chloroplast genome sequences of five cultivars of R. japonica and analyzed the genome structure and variations. The chloroplast genomes of the five R. japonica cultivars had two sizes (163 376 bp and 163 371 bp) and a typical circular tetrad structure composed of a large single-copy (LSC) region of 85 784 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18 616 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions (IRa/IRb) which are spaced apart. A total of 161 genes were obtained by annotation, which consisted of 106 protein-coding genes, 10 rRNA-coding genes, and 45 tRNA-coding genes. The total GC content was 36.7%. Specifically, the GC content in the LSC, SSC, and IR regions were 34.8%, 30.7%, and 42.7%, respectively. Comparison of the whole chloroplast genome among the five cultivars showed that trnk-UUU, rpoC1, petD, rpl16, ndhA, and rpl12 in coding regions had sequence variations. In the phylogenetic tree constructed for the 11 samples of Polygoneae, the five cultivars of R. japonica clustered into one clade near the root and was a sister group of Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.).
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Base Composition , Genome, Chloroplast/genetics , Open Reading Frames , Phylogeny , ReynoutriaABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To determine the effects of Chinese medicine (CM) involving triple rehabilitation therapy on the progression of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).@*METHODS@#A total of 722 patients recruited from 38 community health service centers located in China from March 2013 to March 2017 were randomly divided into treatment and control groups equally, using a cluster randomization design. Health education combined with CM involving triple rehabilitation therapy for KOA (electro-acupuncture, Chinese medicinal herb fumigating-washing, and traditional exercises) was administered in the treatment group while conventional rehabilitation therapy (physical factor therapy, joint movement training, and muscle strength training) was administered in the control group. Patients with a visual analog scale (VAS) scores ≽4 were treated with dispersible meloxicam tablets (7.5 mg, once daily). The Lequesne index scores, VAS scores, range of motion (ROM), lower limb muscle strength, knee joint circumference, quantitative scores of KOA symptoms, and the short-form 36 item health survey questionnaire (SF-36) scores were measured for each patient at 5 checkpoints (before treatment, at the 2nd week and the 4th week during the 4-week treatment period, at 1 month and 3 months after end of treatment), and adverse reactions were observed also.@*RESULTS@#A total of 696 patients completed the entire process, with 351 in the treatment group and 345 in the control group. At all treatment checkpoints, the treatment group demonstrated better outcomes than the control group with regard to the total Lequesne index scores, effective rate and improvement rate of the total Lequesne index scores, VAS scores, lower limb muscle strength, knee circumference, quantitative scores of KOA symptoms, and SF-36 scores as well (P<0.05 or P<0.01). No adverse reactions were encountered in this study.@*CONCLUSIONS@#CM involving triple rehabilitation therapy can alleviate KOA-related pain and swelling, improve lower limb muscle strength, promote flexion and activity of the knee and improve the quality of life in patients undergoing KOA. It is suitable for patients with early or mid-stage KOA. (Registration No. ChiCTR-TRC-12002538).
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Humans , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Osteoarthritis, Knee/therapy , Outpatients , Quality of Life , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
This article analyzed the construction, experience and enlightenment of agriculture and forestry germplasm resources and TCM production and marketing bases based on current situation of construction of germplasm resources of Chinese medicinal herbs and market demand for high-quality Chinese medicinal herbs. It proposed that systems should be established first;plans should be improved;work division should be scientific;staple Chinese medicinal herbs demanded by the society should be set as focus;species should be set as basic units. Germplasm resource collection, quality identification and improved variety breeding should be carried out simultaneously, with a purpose to provide references for the construction and exploitation and utilization of TCM germplasm resources.
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Objective To analyze the occurrence of clinical adverse drug reaction (ADR) of tonic Chinese medicinal herbs. Methods Articles about ADR of tonic Chinese medicinal herbs reported from January 1990 to February 2014 were collected from databases of CNKI, VIP, CBM, Pubmed and Embase according to incorporation and exclusion standard. Metrology analysis was also conducted. Results Totally 378 effective articles showed tonic Chinese medicinal herbs most likely to induce ADR were as follows:individual Chinese medicinal herbs including Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus and Astragali Radix;injection containing Shenmai Injection, Shengmai Injection and Acanthopanax Injection;other herbal preparation covering Polygoni Multiflori tablets. The most common ADR involved the damage on skin tissue, nervous system and digestive system, with prominent relevant clinical symptoms such as itching, skin rash, dizziness, unconsciousness, nausea, vomiting, and liver dysfunction. Conclusion Correct understanding adverse reaction of tonic Chinese medicinal herbs will be conducive to rational drug use and avoiding risk.
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OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate in vitro antimicrobial activities of selected 58 ethno-medicinal plant extracts with a view to assess their therapeutic potential.@*METHODS@#A total of 58 traditional Chinese medicinal plants were carefully selected based on the literature review and their traditional use. The antimicrobial activities of ethanol extracts of these medicinal plants were tested against fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus), yeast (Candida albicans), gram-negative (Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). The activities were tested at three different concentrations of 1.00, 0.10 and 0.01 mg/mL. The data was analysed using Gene data Screener program.@*RESULTS@#The measured antimicrobial activities indicated that out of the 58 plant extracts, 15 extracts showed anti-fungal activity and 23 extracts exhibited anti-bacterial activity. Eight plant extracts have exhibited both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities. For instance, Eucommia ulmoides, Polygonum cuspidatum, Poria cocos and Uncaria rhyncophylla showed activity against both bacterial and fungal strains, indicating their broad spectrum of activity.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results revealed that the ethanol extracts of 30 plants out of the selected 58 possess significant antimicrobial activities. It is interesting to note that the findings from the current study are consistent with the traditional use. A clear correlation has also been found between the antimicrobial activity and the flavonoid content of the plant extracts which is in agreement with the literature. Hence, the results presented here can be used to guide the selection of potential plant species for the isolation and structure elucidation of novel antimicrobial compounds in order to establish the structure-activity relationship. This in turn is expected to lead the way to the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents for therapeutic use.
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Anti-Infective Agents , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Bacteria , Drug Evaluation, Preclinical , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Fungi , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Plants, Medicinal , Chemistry , Structure-Activity RelationshipABSTRACT
Objective To construct a cDNA library from Hepialus armoricanus parasitized by Cordyceps sinensi. Methods Total RNA was extracted from Hepialus armoricanus parasitized by Cordyceps sinensi and mRNA was purified, cDNA was synthesized by reverse transcription, and cDNA fragments larger than 1kb were ligated with dephosphorylated arms of pBluescriptⅡ SK(+) XR vectors. The recombinant vectors were eletroporated into DH10B.The size of cDNA inserts and the diversity of library were detected by PCR. Results The cDNA library of stroma contained 1.28?106 recombine clone,that of mycelium was 1.0?106 recombine clone. The rate of recombination of stroma was 87.5%,that of mycelium was 68.75%. The insert size ranged from 0.5 to 2 kb. Conclusion The cDNA library Hepialus armoricanus parasitized by Cordyceps sinensi has been constructed successfully.
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Objective: To study the efficacy,safety and relative characteristics of formulated Chinese medicinal herbs as a vascular embolizing agent. Methods: We prepared a mixture as a vascular embolizing agent from several Chinese medicinal herbs,they served as anticarcinogen and/or coagulant according to the Chinese Pharmacopeia.We studied the characteristics of the mixture through embolizing the hepatic artery in eight pigs with it. Results: The mixture was prepared as a suspension.It was easily injected through catheters and showed good histocompatibility and hemo-compatibility without pyrogenetic response and toxicity.The mixture mainly embolized peripheral arteries,maintaining occlusion for 5 weeks and without formation of collateral circulation.We found injuries of normal hepatic tissues as slight hepatocyte hydrops and focal endochyloma necrosis through optical and electronic microscope. Conclusion: This suspended mixture of Chinese medicinal herbs is safe and effective as a potential peripheral embolizing agent.
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@#The author used five Chinese medicinal herbs,Barbat skullcap,Wolly yam,Anemarrhena,Phellodendron bark,and Dandelion herb,to make up decoctions to treat urinary tract infection(UTI). Ex-trinsic bacteriostatic experiments for colibacillus and bacillus proteus,which commonly occure in urinarytract infection,were observed.The result shows that both Barbat skullcap and Wolly yam are most effectivein treating UTI.So single Chinese medicinal herb can also be used in clinical.
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Shu Xin Yi Mai Capsule combined with Western medical routine treatment was used for 22 successful cases of coronary intervention treatment ( Chinese - Western Medicine group) and 28 cases routinely treated with simple Western medicine were used as control (Western medicine group). Recurrence rales of angina pectoris before and after treatment were observed. Results indicated that the recurrence rate in the Chinese -Western medicine group was significantly lower than that in the Western medicine group GP
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The counts of the chromosome and karyotypeanalysis of coix lachryma-jobi L. (a traditional Chi-nese medicinal herb) are represented in this pa-per. The results show that the number of the chro-mosome of coix lachryma-jobi L. is 2n=20. All ofthe homologous chromosomes have median kine-tochrores. The absolute length of the chromo-somes tanges from 2. 26～10. 5?m. The relativelength is 7. 19～13. 02%. The karyotype formulais K (2n)=20=20m. These results provide morecritical cytological criteria for identification of Coixlachryma--jobi L. on the chromosomal level. Inaddition, It can be provided the data for studyingof the fraditional Chinese medicinal herbs againstcancer.
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12 cases of human placentas were obtained after administration of Chinese medicinal herb (Chuan-Xin-Lian) -induced abortion during mid-pregnancy. Six placentas from curettage induced abortion during mid-pregnancy were used as controls. All the specimens were studied histochemically and immunohistochemically by using antiserum to HCG with PAP method. In most of the specimens from women treated during mid-pregnancy, we observed a decreased immunoreaction of antiserum to HCG and a decrease of RNA content in the syncytiotrophoblasts. Increased activity of acid phosphatase in dccidual cells was observed during mid-pregnancy. These findings indicate that during mid-pregnancy, Chinese medicinal herb (Chuan-Xin-Lian) can reduce the synthesis of HCG in syncytiotrophoblasts and can initiate uterine contractions, so that abortion results. The possibility that the changes of lysosomal enzymes are involved in the initiation of uterine contractions is disscused.