Clinical observation of Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction combined with balanced acupuncture in the treatment of Migraine with Yang deficiency and cold coagulation / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction combined with balanced acupuncture in the treatment of migraine with yang deficiency and cold congealing syndrome.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. Totally 91 cases of migraine with yang deficiency and cold congealing syndrome in our hospital from March 2021 to May 2022 were selected and divided into 45 cases in the Western medicine group and 46 cases in the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group according to random number table method. The Western medicine group took flunarizine hydrochloride capsules orally, and the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group combined ephedrine and aconiti asarum decoction + balanced acupuncture treatment on the basis of the Western medicine group. Both groups were treated for 1 month. Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome score was performed before and after treatment, the degree of headache was assessed by VAS scale, and the impact of headache on life was assessed by Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6); the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) were determined by radioimmunoassay. The adverse reactions during treatment were observed and recorded, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:The total effective rate was 82.22% (37/45) in the Western medicine group and 95.65% (44/46) in the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group, with statistical significance ( χ2=4.20, P=0.041). After treatment, the scores of headache, hair, urine and cold limbs in the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group were lower than those in the Western medicine group ( t values were 18.49, 22.29, 21.31, 27.49, P<0.01), and the scores of VAS and HIT-6 were lower than those in the Western medicine group ( t values were 23.20, 9.33, P<0.01). After treatment, the level of 5-HT in the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group [(98.34±6.23) μg/L vs. (85.23±4.21) μg/L, t=11.74] was higher than that of the Western medicine group ( P<0.01); CGRP [(11.24±1.99) ng/L vs. (15.22±2.52) ng/L, t=8.37] was lower than that of the Western medicine group ( P<0.01). During treatment, the incidence of adverse reactions was 2.22% (1/45) in the Western medicine group and 2.17% (1/46) in the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group, without statistical significance ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Mahuang Fuzi Xixin Decoction combined with balanced acupuncture can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and life quality of patients of migraine with yang deficiency and cold congealing, and the clinical efficacy can be promoted.

Clinical study on Guizhi Mahuang Geban Decoction combined with conventional western medicine in the treatment of post infections cough / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Guizhi Mahuang Geban Decoction combined with conventional western medicine in the treatment of post infections cough (PIC), and to explore the mechanism.Methods:A total of 100 PIC patients in our hospital from January 2020 to July 2021 who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table method, with 50 in each group. The control group was treated with conventional western medicine, and the study group was treated with Guizhi Mahuang Geban Decoction and the treatment of the control group. Both groups were treated for 10 days. TCM symptom scores were performed before and after treatment. The levels of neurokinin A (NKA), substance P (SP), neurokinin B (NKB) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) were detected by ELISA. Adverse events were recorded and clinical effects were evaluated.Results:The total clinical effective rate was 90.0% (45/50) in the study group and 68.0% (34/50) in the control group, and there was significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=7.29, P=0.007). The scores of cough, expectoration, pharyngeal itch and total score in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t values were 8.04, 6.30, 9.03, 9.71, all Ps<0.01). After treatment, NKA [(86.08±18.21) ng/L vs. (137.68±28.29) ng/L, t=10.85], SP [(54.23±11.28) ng/L vs. (71.75±15.34) ng/L, t=6.51], NKB [(96.15±20.19) ng/L vs. (149.84±30.22) ng/L, t=10.45], CGRP [(62.93±18.35) ng/L vs. (89.59±23.25) ng/L, t=6.37] levels in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01). The incidence of adverse events was 8.0% (4/50) in the control group and 10.0% (5/50) in the study group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.13, P=0.727). Conclusions:Compared with western medicine alone, Guizhi Mahuang Geban Decoction combined with western medicine can rapidly improve patients' symptoms, improve curative effect and have better safety for PIC. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of NKA, SP, NKB and CGRP levels.

A clinical study of Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin decoction and Wuling powder combined with routine western medicine therapy for chronic renal disease stage 3 / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin decoction and Wuling powder combined with routine western medicine therapy for chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3.Methods A total of 65 patients with CKD stage 3 were recruited and randomized into a treatment group (32 cases) and a control group (33 cases).On the basis of the same routine western medicine therapy,the patients in the treatment group was treated with Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin decoction and Wuling powder,while those in the control group was treated with ketosteril.All patients were treated for one month.Renal function was evaluated by serum creatinine,urea nitrogen and uric acid before and after treatment.The therapeutic effect was compared between the two group.Results The serum ereatinine after treatment in the treatment group was significantly decreased than that in the control group (387.52 ± 92.13 mol/L vs.502.78 ± 117.35 mol/L;t=4.395,P＜0.01).The total effective rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (87.5％ vs.42.4％;X2=12.533,P＜0.01).In respects of syndrome improvements,tiredness/weakness (90.6％ vs.48.5％,x2=11.637),waist soreness/leg weakness (90.0％ vs.35.5％;x2=17.040,P＜0.01),anorexia and tympanites (93.3％ vs.37.9％;x2=17.802,P＜0.01),loose stool (93.1％ vs.25.8％;x2=25.219,P＜0.01),anasarca (84.6％ vs.41.7％;x2=8.214,P＜0.01),pale and teeth-printed tongue (76.7％ vs.26.7％;x2=13.081,P＜0.01) in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group.Conclusions Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin decoction and Wuling powder combined with routine western medicine therapy can improve the renal function and syndromes in patients with CKD stage 3.

Ma Huang Tang ameliorates asthma though modulation of Th1/Th2 cytokines and inhibition of Th17 cells in ovalbumin-sensitized mice / 中国天然药物

AIM@#Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra decoction, MHT) is a famous classical formula from Shang Han Lun by Zhang Zhongjing in the Han Dynasty. The anti-asthmatic effects of MHT and the possible mechanisms were tested.@*METHOD@#An asthma model was established by ovalbumin (OVA)-induction in mice. A total of forty-eight mice were randomly assigned to six experimental groups: control, model, dexamethasone (2 mg·kg(-1)) and MHT (5, 10, and 20 mg·kg(-1)). Airway resistance (Raw) was measured by the forced oscillation technique, histological studies were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, Th1/Th2 and Th17 cytokines were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Th17 cells were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM).@*RESULTS@#This study demonstrated that MHT inhibited OVA-induced increases in Raw and eosinophil count; interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-17 levels were recovered in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, increased IFN-γ level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histological studies demonstrated that MHT substantially inhibited OVA-induced eosinophilia in lung tissue. Flow cytometry studies demonstrated that MHT substantially inhibited Th17 cells.@*CONCLUSION@#These findings suggest that MHT may effectively ameliorate the progression of asthma, and could be further investigated for potential use as a therapy for patients with allergic asthma.

Myopathy Following Ingestion of Ma-huang (Ephedra)-based Herbal Remedy

Ma-huang (Ephedra sinica) is a herb that exhibits sympathomimetic activity. We report a patient with acquired myopathy following ingestion of a Ma-huang-based herbal remedy for 6 months. A 50-year-old woman was admitted for progressive muscular weakness. An electrodiagnostic study and muscle biopsy sampling revealed generalized active myopathy with nonspecific inflammation. It appears that Ma-huang, along with Raynaud's phenomenon and pericardial effusion, may be a causative agent of myopathy. As such, attention should be paid to the possibility that herbal medication with Ma-huang can result in myopathy.

A Case of Ischemic Colitis Associated with the Herbal Food Supplement Ma Huang

Ischemic colitis is a condition that usually occurs in the elderly, as a form of vascular disease. However, ischemic colitis also occurs, though rarely, in healthy young adults. Moreover, food supplements containing Ephedra sinica or ma huang have been linked to adverse central nervous and cardiovascular events. A 40-year-old man was admitted to our emergency department after 2 episodes of abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea that lasted 24 hours. His medical history was unremarkable for risk factors of bowel ischemia, except for well-controlled hypertension. However, a weight-loss supplement, Ephedra sinica, had been prescribed for daily use during the previous month. Both abdominal/pelvic computed tomography and colonoscopy revealed findings compatible with ischemic colitis. His conditions spontaneously improved without any serious complications, and he was advised to discontinue the use of herbal medications containing ephedrine. In this paper, we describe a case of ischemic colitis that was potentially linked to the use of ma huang with a review of the relevant literature.

A Clinical Evaluation for the Whitening Effect of the Root of Ma Huang Using Mexameter / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: In recent years alternative medicine such as herbal medicines has been attractive and useful in dermatologic therapy. But there is little scientific information about its therapeutic effects and potential side effects. OBJECTIVE: We performed this study to assess the whitening effect of the root of Ma Huang. METHODS: Thirty subjects were tanned by UVB irradiation on their abdomen and 4 pigmented patches in square were obtained. In a single-blind fashion, participants applied the root extract of Ma Huang to two pigmented patches and vehicle to another patch on the abdomen twice a day, and applied nothing to the other patch for 8 weeks. Participants were followed up every week and checked on a melanin index with a mexameter. We also checked the last clinical improvement 8 weeks after the application of the root extract of Ma Huang. RESULTS: MED of the middle back was 73+/-24.66cmJ/cm2. Melanin index of the abdomen was 473.2+/-16.27. Eight weeks after application, the mean change percent of the melanin index of the right upper and lower squares applied with the root extract of Ma Huang were +0.02%(p=0.96) and -0.16%(p=0.76). The mean change percent of the left upper square applied with vehicle was -0.08%(p=0.89). The mean change percent of the left lower square untreated was +0.20(p=0.65). One-way layout ANOVA showed no difference among four squares. Clinical evaluation of improvement did not satisfy: no change 36%; slight improvement 53%; moderate improvement 9%; marked improvement 2%. CONCLUSIONS: The root of Ma Huang did not show the whitening effect on the UVB-induced pigmentation checked by the mexameter but showed slight improvement in visual assessment.