ABSTRACT
Liu-Wei-Di-Huang (LW) is a Yin nourishing and kidney tonifying prescription in traditional Chinese medicine with promising pharmacological characteristics that can be further exploited and developed in modern medicine. We provide a comprehensive and detailed literature report on the clinical and experimental pharmacology of LW, including its quality control parameters, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology. Our literature review indicates that the LW prescription possesses a unique combination of pharmacological characteristics that can be safely used for treating very different diseases. Quality control and pharmacokinetic parameters of LW are mostly based on its major bioactive phytochemical constituents. We postulate that modulating or rebalancing the neuroendocrine immunomodulation network in the body is the underlying mechanism of the multiple pharmacological activities displayed by LW.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Kidney , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Neuroimmunomodulation , Phytochemicals , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Therapeutic Uses , Quality Control , Yin Deficiency , Drug TherapyABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects ofLiuwei-Dihuang Pills combined with Ginkgo Biloba Leaves Extract Tablets on diabetic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods Seventy-eight patients with T2DM were randomized into a TCM treatment group and a conventional treatment group by random number table method, 39 in each group. The patients in the conventional treatment group were regularly using antihyperglycemic drugs or insulin. On the basis of conventional treatment group, the patients in the TCM treatment group were additionally treated withLiuwei-Dihuang Pills and Ginkgo Biloba Leaves Extract Tablets. Intima-media thickness (IMT) of internal carotid artery, vibration perception threshold (VPT) and diabetic retinopathy in both groups were detected before the treatment, 12 and 36 months after the treatment.Results The VPT in the left foot 12 months after the treatment in the TCM treatment group were significantly lower than that in the conventional treatment group (13.98 ±4.38 Vvs. 18.70 ±2.43 V;t=2.764, P=0.008). IMT of internal carotid artery (left: 0.81 ± 0.16 mmvs.0.70 ± 0.10 mm,t=3.120,P=0.003; right: 0.81 ± 0.17 mmvs. 0.73 ± 0.12 mm,t=2.286,P=0.026), VPT (left foot: 14.82 ± 6.45 Vvs. 20.63 ± 9.75 V,t=2.714, P=0.009; right foot: 16.73 ± 7.10 Vvs. 20.73 ± 10.35 V,t=2.001,P=0.048) and incidence of diabetic retinopathy (35.9%vs. 53.8%;χ2=5.804,P=0.016) 36 months after the treatment in the TCM treatment group were significantly lower than those in the conventional treatment group.ConclusionsLiuwei-Dihuang Pills combined with Ginkgo Biloba Leaves Extract Tablets can effectively reduce the progression of diabetic complications in patients with T2DM.
ABSTRACT
The effect of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan(LWDHW)and Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch(RGL)on the immune function of normal and immune-suppressed mice were observed.The results showed that the two medicinal herbs given orally can correct the suppres-sive effect of cyclophosphamide on spleen and thymus weight,serum specific antibodylevel and lymphocyte transformation.They can also improve the phagocytic activity ofperitoneal macrophages and enhance peripheral blood ANAE~+ lymphocyte ratio of mi-ce.Under the same conditions,no obvious effect of LWDHW and RGL on the normalmice was found except that RGL can increase the antibody level of normal mice.Theresults implicate that LWDHW and RGL may have some immunomodulatary effect.