Grading standard of processed Curcumae Radix / 中国中药杂志

As one of the three pillars of Chinese medicine industry, traditional Chinese medicines prepared in ready-to-use forms are important raw materials for clinical medication and production of Chinese patent drugs. By considering the literature of Curcumae Radix, a multi-source Chinese herb and the situation of market investigation, the modern evaluation method based on traditional grading was introduced for comprehensive evaluation of the processed Curcumae Radix. The correlation between traditional grading method and modern evaluation index was explored to establish the grading standard of Curcumae Radix. According to the comprehensive evaluation, Curcumae Radix was divided into four grades: superior, first, second and third grades under the guidance of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. This study provides a new idea for the grading of multi-source processed Chinese medicine, achieving high quality and good price, which is helpful to improve the clinical efficacy.

Mizolastine improves the quality of life in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis: a randomized, double blind, controlled study / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effect of Mizolastine on quality of life (QOL) in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out with Mizolastine in sixty patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. QOL was measured by using the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire (Chinese version). Mizolastine (10 mg once daily, 26 patients), Cetirizine (10 mg once daily, 22 patients) or placebo (12 patients) was given for 3 weeks. The SF-36 questionnaire was administered at the start of treatment and after 1 and 3 weeks of treatment. Symptom-medication scores were measured daily during the study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the run-in period (baseline), there were no significant differences among the Mezolastine, Cetirizine and placebo groups in terms of symptoms or QOL scores. After 1 and 3 weeks of treatment, symptoms scores were significantly decreased and QOL scores significantly improved in the Mezolastine group and Cetirizine group in comparison with the placebo group ( both P < 0.001, chi2 test). All of the eight QOL dimensions were significantly improved (from P = 0.001 to P < 0.0001, F test) after 1 and 3 weeks of Mizolastine treatment compared with placebo. There was no improvement in the placebo group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Mizolastine can not only decrease symptoms scores but also improve the QOL in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Placebo can relieve the symptoms but can not improve the QOL.</p>