Recent Medline Abstracts on Herbal Medicine

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Bensoussan A, Myers SP, Wu SM, O'Connor K. | Naturopathic

and Western herbal medicine practice in Australia-a workforce

survey. | Complement Ther Med. 2004 Mar;12(1):17-27. | The

Centre for Complementary Medicine Research, University of

Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, NSW

1797, Australia. | Background: Despite substantial growth in the

use of complementary medicine, no comprehensive national study

has been undertaken of the naturopathic and Western herbal

medicine component of the healthcare workforce in Australia. This

study aimed to examine the nature of these practices and this

currently unregulated workforce in Australia. Methods: A

comprehensive survey questionnaire was developed in consultation

with the profession and distributed nationally to all members of the

naturopathic and Western herbal medicine workforce. Results: The

practices of herbal medicine and naturopathy make up a sizeable

component of the Australian healthcare sector, with approximately

1.9 million consultations annually and an estimated turnover of

$AUD 85 million in consultations (excluding the cost of medicines).

A large proportion of patients are referred to practitioners by word of

mouth. Up to one third of practitioners work in multidisciplinary

clinics with other registered sectors of the healthcare community.

The number of adverse events associated with herbal medicines,

nutritional substances and homoeopathic medicines recorded in

Australia is substantial and the types of events reported are not

trivial. Data suggest that practitioners will experience one adverse

event every 11 months of full-time practice, with 2.3 adverse events

for every 1000 consultations (excluding mild gastrointestinal

effects). Conclusion: These data confirm the considerable degree of

utilisation of naturopathic and Western herbal medicine

practitioners by the Australian public. However, there is a need to

examine whether statutory regulation of practitioners of naturopathy

and Western herbal medicine is required to better protect the

public. | PMID: 15130568 [PubMed - in Process]

 

Goel HC, Prasad J, Singh S, Sagar RK, Agrawala PK, Bala M,

Sinha AK, Dogra R. | Radioprotective Potential of an Herbal Extract

of Tinospora cordifolia. | J Radiat Res (Tokyo). 2004 Mar;45(1):61-

8. | Department of Radiation Biology, Institute of Nuclear Medicine

and Allied Sciences. | A preparation of Tinospora cordifolia (RTc)

administered i.p. (200 mg/kg b.w.) to strain " A " male mice 1 h

before whole body gamma-irradiation was evaluated for its

radioprotective efficacy in terms of whole body survival, spleen

colony forming units (CFU), hematological parameters, cell cycle

progression, and micronuclei induction. Preirradiation treatment

with RTc rendered 76.3% survival (30 days), compared to 100%

mortality in irradiated control and prevented radiation induced

weight loss. On 10th postirradiation day, the endogenous CFU

counts in spleen were decreased with increasing radiation doses

12.0 (5 Gy), 2.16 (7.5 Gy) and 0.33 (10 Gy) but pre-irradiation

administration of 200 mg/kg b.w. of RTc increased CFU counts to

31.16, 21.83 and 3.00 respectively. Pre-irradiation RTc treatment

could restore total lymphocyte counts (TLC) by the 15th day to

normal. It also increased the S-phase cell population that was

reduced following 2 Gy irradiation in a time dependent manner. 2

Gy irradiation-induced micronuclei were also decreased by a pre-

irradiation administration of

RTc from 2.9 to 0.52%. Because the

radioprotective manifestation of RTc observed in

several systems in experimental animals can be

exploited for human applications. | PMID:

15133291 [PubMed - in Process]

 

He N, Edeki T. | The Inhibitory Effects of

Herbal Components on CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 Catalytic

Activities in Human Liver Microsomes. | Am J

Ther. 2004 May-Jun;11(3):206-12. | Departments

of Pharmacology and Medicine, Morehouse School

of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA. | Herbal

medicines are widely consumed by patients in

different clinical settings in the United States

and all over the world. In this study, 7 herbal

components ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd

(from ginseng quercetin) ginkgolides A and B

(from ginkgo biloba) were investigated for their

inhibitory effects on hepatic CYP2C9 and CYP3A4

catalytic activities in human liver microsomes.

Tolbutamide 4-methylhydroxylation and

testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation were used as

index reactions of CYP2C9 or CYP3A4 catalytic

activities, respectively. The metabolites of

both reactions were measured by high-performance

liquid chromatography and used as indicators of

whether enzymes were inhibited or unaffected by

these agents. Herbal components were studied at

various concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, 100, 200

micromol/L). The herbal compounds investigated

were capable of inhibiting CYP2C9 and CYP3A4

catalytic activities, but the potencies

differed. Quercetin showed marked inhibitory

effects on both tolbutamide 4-

methylhydroxylation and testosterone 6beta-

hydroxylation with IC(50) values of 35 and 38

micromol/L, respectively. Ginsenoside Rd also

had significant inhibitory potency on both

CYP2C9- and CYP3A4-mediated index reactions with

IC(50) values of 105 and 62 micromol/L,

respectively. Ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, and Rc had

limited inhibitory activities on both enzyme

reaction systems, whereas the effects of

ginkgolides A and B appeared negligible. It is

concluded that the components of ginseng and

ginkgo biloba screened are capable of inhibiting

CYP2C9- and CYP3A4-mediated metabolic reactions.

Our findings suggest that quercetin and

ginsenoside Rd have the potential to interact

with conventional medicines that are metabolized

by CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 in vivo. |

 

Hecker M, Volp A. | Tolerability of icelandic

moss lozenges in upper respiratory tract

diseases - multicentric drug monitoring study

with 3,143 children - Article in German | Forsch

Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2004

Apr;11(2):76-82. | Engelhard Arzneimittel GmbH

und Co. KG, Niederdorfelden, Germany. |

Tolerability of Icelandic Moss Lozenges in Upper

Respiratory Tract Diseases - Multicentric Drug

Monitoring Study with 3,143 Children Background

and Objective: Icelandic moss is a medical herb

with therapeutic efficacy in inflammatory airway

diseases. Although preparations based on the

extract of this lichen have been marketed since

the 19th century, their tolerability has not yet

been investigated systematically. Patients and

Methods: The tolerability of Isla-Moos® and

Isla-Mint® lozenges and the changes of

clinical symptoms during treatment were

investigated in a post-marketing surveillance

study performed in 300 predominantly pediatric

practices in Germany. The preparations contained

80 and 100 mg, respectively, of an aqueous

Icelandic moss extract. 3,143 children between 4

and 12 years of age who suffered from upper

respiratory tract diseases received Isla-Moos®

(n = 1,848) or Isla-Mint® (n = 1,295) over a

period of 1-2 weeks; 61% of the children

received 4-6 lozenges per day. Tolerability was

evaluated by assessing adverse drug reactions

(ADRs). Treatment success was assessed globally

by the investigators and the patients' parents.

The parents were also asked to rate their

children's symptoms before and after treatment.

Results: During the period of observation, 73

adverse events, most of which were related to

the basic disease, were reported in 57 children

(1.8%). In 6 children (0.2%) and 7 events (2x

itching, 2x nausea, 1x abdominal pain, 1x

heartburn, 1x burning in the mouth) a causal

relationship with Icelandic moss extract could

not be excluded, so that they were evaluated as

ADRs. All ADRs subsided spontaneously during the

period of observation. The incidence of ADRs was

1 event in 3,008 (95% confidence interval: 1,504-

7,019) treatment days. As regards clinical

symptoms, 39% of the children were fully

recovered and another 55% were improved by the

end of the period of observation. Conclusions:

During treatment of 4- to 12-year-old children

with Isla-Moos® and Isla-Mint® lozenges only

isolated, trivial, and transient adverse drug

reactions were observed. The results thus

confirm the good tolerability of both drugs and

support a favorable risk-benefit assessment.

Copyright 2004 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg | PMID:

15138371 [PubMed - in Process]

 

Hu SL, Zhang HQ, Chan K, Mei QX. | Studies on

the toxicity of Aristolochia manshuriensis

(Guanmuton). | Toxicology. 2004 May 20;198(1-

3):195-201. | Institute of Chinese Material

Medica, China Academy of Traditional Chinese

Medicine, Beijing 100700, China. | Aims: (1) To

study the acute and chronic toxicity of stem of

Aristolochia manshuriensis (AMA Guanmuton) which

is a Chinese medicinal herb in order to provide

basis for safe clinical use. (2) To investigate

the possibility of reducing toxicity of the herb

combined with Rhizoma Coptidis (Huanglian).

Methods: The 70% ethanol extract of the herb was

fed to mice via gastric tube for 8 weeks. The

blood was collected to assess liver and renal

functions. The tissue samples of the liver,

kidney and bladder were collected from executed

animals for pathology examination. Results: The

LD(50) with a 95% average trustable probability

( [Formula: see text] ) of AMA from Hanzhong

(HZ) is [Formula: see text] g/kg. The weight of

animals in the treatment group at a dose of

4g/kg raw drug, equivalent to 40 times of normal

human dose in clinical prescription, remained

the same as the control group ( [Formula: see

text] ). On pathological examination, there were

no morphological changes under light microscope

in the liver and bladder. For the kidney, the

renal toxicity was significantly reduced after

using ethanol extract of R. coptidis to process

HZ AMA in that there were no interstitial

inflammation, formation of hyaline cast or

regeneration of renal tubules. | PMID: 15138042

[PubMed - in Process]

 

Huang ST, Yang RC, Chen MY, Pang JH. |

Phyllanthus urinaria induces the Fas

receptor/ligand expression and ceramide-mediated

apoptosis in HL-60 cells. | Life Sci. 2004 Jun

4;75(3):339-51. | Chinese Herbal Pharmacy, Chang

Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, ROC. |

Phyllanthus urinaria (P. urinaria), a widely

used herb medicine, was tested for the

anticancer effect on human myeloid leukemia

cells in this study. The water extract of P.

urinaria induced the apoptosis of HL-60 cells as

demonstrated by morphological change, DNA

fragmentation and increased caspase-3 activity.

However, normal human peripheral mononuclear

cells remained viable under the same treatment.

The P. urinaria-induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells

was associated with the increased Bax gene

expression and decreased Bcl-2 gene expression.

In addition, the gene expressions of Fas

receptor and Fas ligand, but not p53, were also

induced in HL-60 cells dose- and time-

dependently. The inhibitor of ceramide synthase,

fumonisin B1, completely suppressed the

apoptosis induced by P. urinaria and this

inhibitory effect of fumonisin B1 could be

eliminated by the addition of ceramide. It

indicated that the activity of ceramide synthase

is critical for the P. urinaria-induced

apoptosis in HL-60 cells. The P. urinaria-

induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells is mediated

through a ceramide-related pathway. | PMID:

15135654 [PubMed - in Process]

 

Ikegami F, Fujii Y, Satoh T. | Toxicological

considerations of Kampo medicines in clinical

use. | Toxicology. 2004 May 20;198(1-3):221-8. |

Center for Environment, Health and Field

Sciences, Chiba University, Kashiwanoha 6-2-1,

Kashiwa 277-0882, Japan. | Kampo (Japanese

herbal) medicines, produced by combining

multiple crude drugs, almost all of plant origin

but with some of animal or mineral origin,

contain great many substances. Since Kampo

medicine results from the combination of many

substances, their effect is a combination of the

various interactions of the constituent

substances. It has been demonstrated that

several potential side effects such as allergic

reactions, diarrhea and vomiting may be

experienced when administering Kampo medicine.

In addition, it has been reported that Kampo

medicine may have antagonistic or synergistic

interactions with western drugs or with some

foods such as grapefruit juice. Among the 210

medicinal prescriptions used in present-day

Japan, the clinical uses and the acute, chronic

and mutagenic toxicity of some Kampo medicines

are described. Studies of some potential

interaction between Kampo medicines and western

drugs are also considered. | PMID: 15138045

[PubMed - in Process]

 

Iten F, Saller R. | Fennel tea: risk assessment

of the phytogenic monosubstance estragole in

comparison to the natural multicomponent mixture

- Article in German | Forsch Komplementarmed

Klass Naturheilkd. 2004 Apr;11(2):104-8. |

Abteilung fur Naturheilkunde, Departement fur

Innere Medizin, Universitatsspital, Zurich,

Schweiz. | Fennel Tea: Risk Assessment of the

Phytogenic Monosubstance Estragole in Comparison

to the Natural Multicomponent Mixture For

centuries, fennel fruits have been used as

traditional herbal medicine in Europe and China.

For the treatment of infants and sucklings

suffering from dyspeptic disorders, fennel tea

is the drug of first choice. Its administration

as a carminativum is practiced in infant care in

private homes and in maternity clinics as well

where it is highly appreciated for its mild

flavor and good tolerance. The long standing

positive experience is astonishingly contrasted

by a recent statement of the German

'Bundesinstitut fur gesundheitlichen

Verbraucherschutz und Veterinarmedizin' (BgVV,

May 11, 2001), where consumers are adviced to

reduce their intake of foods containing

estragole and methyleugenol, e.g. tarragon,

basil, anis, star anis, jamaica pepper, nutmeg,

lemon grass as well as bitter and sweet fennel

fruits for reasons of health. These warnings are

based on experiments with rats and mice where

estragole, a natural ingredient of fennel

fruits, proved to be carcinogenic. Meanwhile,

criticism arose amongst experts concerning the

interpretation of these studies. The crucial

points of criticism concern the transfer of data

obtained in animal models to the human situation

as well as the high doses of the applied

monosubstance, which do not at all represent the

amounts humans are exposed to as consumers of

estragole-containing foods and

phytopharmaceuticals. Furthermore, studies on

estragole metabolism revealed at least

quantitative differences between the estragole

metabolism of mice and men. In addition, it has

been shown that an agent when administered in

its isolated form may have significantly

different effects and side effects than the same

agent applied as a constituent in naturally

occuring multicomponent mixtures. Thus, a

multicomponent mixture such as fennel tea

contains various antioxidants known to be

protective against cancer. These differences

were not considered in the risk assessment. A

well done risk assessment should be based on

appropriate data collected in humans.

Considering the long traditional use of fennel

tea and the total lack of epidemiological and

clinical studies indicating a well founded

cancerogenic potential, the probability of a

serious risk connected with the consumption of

fennel tea seems to be negligibly small.

Copyright 2004 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg | PMID:

15138375 [PubMed - in Process]

 

Jang BC, Lim KJ, Paik JH, Cho JW, Baek WK, Suh

MH, Park JB, Kwon TK, Park JW, Kim SP, Shin DH,

Song DK, Bae JH, Mun KC, Suh SI. | Tetrandrine-

induced apoptosis is mediated by activation of

caspases and PKC-delta in U937 cells. | Biochem

Pharmacol. 2004 May 15;67(10):1819-29. | Chronic

Disease Research Center, Institute for Medical

Science, School of Medicine, Keimyung

University, Daegu 700-712, South Korea. |

Tetrandrine, which is isolated from Chinese herb

Stephania tetrandrae, possesses anti-

inflammatory, immunosuppressive, and

cytoprotective properties. Though it was

previously shown that tetrandrine causes a G1

blockade and apoptosis in various cell types,

however, the mechanism by which tetrandrine

initiates apoptosis remains poorly understood.

In present study, we investigated the mechanisms

of apoptosis induced by tetrandrine in U937

leukemia cells. Tetrandrine inhibited U937 cell

growth by inducing apoptosis. After treatment of

U937 cells with tetrandrine (10microM) for 24h,

alteration of cell morphology, chromatin

fragmentation, cytochrome c release, and caspase

activation were observed. Tetrandrine also

induced early oxidative stress, which resulted

in activation of JNK, but not ERK and p38 MAPK.

A broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor and

antioxidants significantly blocked tetrandrine-

induced caspase-3 activation. However,

inhibition of the JNK activity with SP600125 did

not block tetrandrine-induced apoptosis.

Tetrandrine-induced apoptosis of U937 cells also

required activity of PKC-delta, because

pretreatment with a specific PKC-delta inhibitor

greatly blocked tetrandrine-induced caspase-3

activation. In addition, the apoptotic response

to tetrandrine was significantly attenuated in

dominant-negative PKC-delta transfected MCF-7

cells, suggesting that PKC-delta plays an

important role in tetrandrine-induced apoptosis

and can induce caspase activation. These results

suggest that tetrandrine induces oxidative

stress, JNK activation, and caspase activation.

However, JNK activation by ROS is not involved

in the tetrandrine-induced apoptosis. In

addition, tetrandrine induces caspase-dependent

generation of a catalytically active fragment of

PKC-delta, and this fragment also appears to

play a role in the activation of caspases. |

PMID: 15130759 [PubMed - in Process]

 

Jiang XL, Cui HF. | Different therapy for

different types of ulcerative colitis in China.

| World J Gastroenterol. 2004 May 15;10(10):1513-

1520. | Department of Gastr-oenterology, Chinese

PLA General Hospital of Jinan Military Command,

25 Shifanlu, Jinan 250031, Shandong Province,

China. jiangxueliang678 | AIM: To study

the different therapy for different types of

ulcerative colitis (UC) in China. METHODS: Among

102 UC patients, 42 chronic relapse type UC

patients were randomly divided into olsalazine

sodium treatment group (n=21) and SASP group

(n=21). Clinical effects and safety were

observed in the 2 groups. Forty-two first

episode type UC patients were randomly divided

into Heartleaf houttuynia herb treatment group

(n=21) and SASP group (n=21). Clinical effects

were observed in the 2 groups while

ultrastructure of colonic mucosa, ICAM-1 and the

pressure of distant colon were studied in

Heartleaf houttuynia herb group. Eighteen

patients (8 males, 10 females) with refractory

UC and unresponsive to high-dose prednisolone

and sulfasalazine therapy more than one month

were treated with Kangshuanling (7 200 U/d).

Prednisolone was gradually stopped and

sulfasalazine was maintained. Stool frequency,

rectal bleeding, colonoscopy, general well-

being, histology were observed and CD62p, CD63,

CD54, Pgp-170 (flow cytometry), TXA2 (RIA),

blood platelet aggregation rate and thrombosis

length in vitro were assessed. RESULTS: In the

42 chronic relapse type UC patients, the overall

clinical effects of olsalazine sodium group

(complete remission in 16, improvement in 4,

inefficiency in 1) were better than those of

SASP group (complete remission in 10,

improvement in 4, inefficiency in 7, P<0.05).

Symptomatic remission of olsalazine sodium group

(complete remission in 15, partial remission in

5, inefficiency in 1) was better than that of

SASP group (complete remission in 10, partial

remission in 5, inefficiency in 6, P<0.05). The

colonoscopic remission of olsalazine sodium

group(complete remission in 11, partial

remission in 9, inefficiency in 1) was better

than that of SASP group (complete remission in

7, partial remission in 8, inefficiency in 6,

P<0.05). The histologic remission of olsalazine

sodium group (complete remission in 13, partial

remission in 7, inefficiency in in 1) was better

than that of SASP group (complete remission in

6, partial remission in 10, inefficiency in 5,

P<0.05). The side effects of gastrointestinal

tract in olsalazine sodium group were less than

those of SASP group except for frequency of

watery diarrhea. No other side effects were

observed in olsalazine sodium group while ALT

increase, WBC decrease and skin eruption were

observed in SASP group. Two patients relapsed in

olsalazine sodium group while 8 cases relapsed

in SASP group during the flow-up period (from

six months to one year). In the 42 first episode

type UC patients, the clinical effect of

Heartleaf houttuynia herb group (complete

remission in 20, 95.2%; improvement in 1, 4.8%)

was better than that of SASP group (complete

remission in 15, 72.4%, improvement in 5, 23.8%;

inefficiency in 1, 3.8%, P<0.01). The time of

stool frequency recovering to normal (5.6+/-3.3

d), and blood stool disappearance (6.7+/-3.8 d)

and abdominal pain disappearance (6.1+/-3.5 d)

in Heartleaf houttuynia herb group was all

shorter than that in SASP group (9.5+/-4.9 d,

11.7+/-6.1 d, 10.6+/-5.3 d, P<0.01). Heartleaf

houttuynia herb could inhibit the epithelial

cell apoptosis of colonic mucous membrane and

the expression of ICAM-1 (45.8+/-5.7% vs 30.7+/-

4.1%, P<0.05). Compared with normal persons, the

mean promotive speed of contraction wave stepped

up (4.6+/-1.6 cm/min vs 3.2+/-1.8 cm/min,

P<0.05) and the mean amplitude of the wave

decreased (14.2+/-9.3 kPa vs 18.4+/-8.0 kPa,

P<0.05) in active UC patients. After treatment

with Heartleaf houttuynia herb, these 2 indexes

improved significantly (17.3+/-8.3 kPa, 3.7+/-

1.7 cm/min, P<0.05). In normal persons, the

postprandial pressure of sigmoid (2.9 +/-0.9

kPa) was higher than that of descending colon

(2.0+/-0.7 kPa) and splenic flexure (1.7+/-0.6

kPa), while the colonic pressure (1.5+/-0.5 kPa,

1.4+/-0.6 kPa, 1.3+/-0.6 kPa) decreased

significantly (P<0.05) in active UC patients.

After treatment with Heartleaf houttuynia herb,

the colonic pressure (2.6+/-0.8 kPa, 1.8+/-0.6

kPa, 1.6+/-0.5 kPa) recovered to normal. The

pain threshol Heartleaf houttuynia herb, the

colonic pressure (2.6 & plusmn;0.8 kPa,

1.8 & plusmn;0.6 kPa, 1.6 & plusmn;0.5 kPa)

recovered to normal. The pain threshold of

distant colon (67.3 & plusmn;18.9 mL) in active UC

patients decreased significantly compared with

that of normal persons (216.2 & plusmn;40.8 mL,

P & lt;0.05) and recovered to normal after

treatment with Heartleaf houttuynia

herb(187.4 & plusmn;27.2 mL, P & lt;0.05). In the 18

refractory UC patients with platelet activation,

after more than 4 wk of combined Kangshuanling

and sulfasalazine therapy, 16 patients achieved

clinical remission, with a highly significant

statistical difference (P & lt;0.01) between pre-

and post-treatment mean scores for all disease

parameters: stool frequency (8.2/d vs 1.6/d),

rectal bleeding (score 2.7 vs 0.3), colonoscopy

(score 2.6 vs 1.1), histology (score 12.0 vs

5.0), general well being (score 4.0 vs 0.6) and

CD62p (8.0 & plusmn;3.1% vs 4.1 & plusmn;1.8%), CD63

(6.3 & plusmn;2.1% vs 3.2 & plusmn;1.6%), TXA2

(548 & plusmn;85 ng/L vs 390 & plusmn;67 ng/L),

platelet aggregation rate (43.2 & plusmn;10.7% vs

34.8 & plusmn;8.1%), thrombosis length in vitro

(2.3 & plusmn;0.6 cm vs 1.8 & plusmn;0.3 cm), CD54

in blood (26.9 & plusmn;6.9% vs 14.4 & plusmn;5.1%),

CD54 in tissues (51.1 & plusmn;6.2% vs

23.1 & plusmn;4.1%), Pgp-170 in blood

(18.9 & plusmn;3.9% vs 10.4 & plusmn;2.7%), Pgp-170

in tissues (16.5 & plusmn;3.2% vs

10.2 & plusmn;2.3%, P & lt;0.01 or 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Based on the characteristics of UC

cases in China, different therapy should be

given to different types of UC with expected

satisfactory results. | PMID: 15133864 [PubMed -

as supplied by publisher]

 

Kirui PK, Cameron J, Benghuzzi HA, Tucci M,

Patel R, Adah F, Russell G. | Effects of

sustained delivery of thymoqiunone on bone

healing of male rats. | Biomed Sci Instrum.

2004;40:111-6. | Jackson State University,

Jackson, MS 3921, USA. | The use of natural

products as an alternative to conventional

treatment in healing and treatment of various

diseases has been on the rise in the last few

decades. Nigella sativa, a natural herb has long

been used as a natural medicine for treatment of

many acute, as well as, chronic conditions.

These include diabetes, hypertension and

dermatological conditions. The specific

objectives of this study were: (1) to

successfully deliver the active component of

black seed called Thymoqiunone (TMQ) at

sustained level using TCPL drug delivery system;

(2) to evaluate the physiological responses

associated with sustained delivery of TMQ in

femoral defect animal model (bone healing). A

total of 15 adult male rats were randomly

divided into three equal groups. Animals in

group I served as controls, animals in group II

served as sham while animals in group III served

as experimental group (femur defect model).

Group III animals were surgically implanted with

TCPL capsule loaded with 0.02 grams of TMQ and

200 mg vancomycin. Blood samples, x-rays and

body weights were collected and recorded weekly.

At the end of 30 days post treatment, all

animals were sacrificed and vital as well as

reproductive organs were collected and analyzed

histopathologically. Metabolic biochemical

markers were also evaluated. The results of this

study revealed the following: (i) gross

anatomical observation indicated difference in

healing pattern of animals in group III compared

to those in group II (sham); (ii) no significant

differences in all levels of cholesterol,

proteins, malondialdehyde and alkaline

phosphatase in all groups; (iii) no significant

differences in the wet weights of vital as well

as reproductive organs in all the groups. In

conclusion, it appears that sustained levels of

TMQ can enhance bone healing with little or no

side effects on major vital and reproductive

organs. | PMID: 15133944 [PubMed - in Process]

 

Leach MJ. | A critical review of natural

therapies in wound management. | Ostomy Wound

Manage. 2004 Feb;50(2):36-40, 42, 44-6 passim. |

School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of

South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, South

Australia 5000.

Matthew.Leach | The use

of natural medicine by both the general

population and the nursing profession is

increasing. Also referred to as unconventional,

alternative, and complementary, these therapies

often are derived from natural sources and

facilitate improvements in health and well being

by supporting innate healing processes of the

body. Although the application of natural

therapies in wound management is still in its

infancy, several--honey, larval therapy,

aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy,

nutrition, and mind-body-spirit techniques--are

demonstrating potential benefit in the

management of acute and chronic wounds. Existing

evidence of safety and effectiveness is

predominantly based on the results of in vivo

studies; confirmation from well-designed

clinical trials is deficient. Consequently,

clinical research is needed to examine these

therapies to address the escalating incidence of

chronic wounds in a climate of increasing

healthcare costs. | PMID: 15129611 [PubMed - in

Process]

 

Li SS, Li HY, Piao YA, Liu DL, Tian WJ, Dong YM.

| The anti-respiratory syncytial virus effect of

an active compound (AP3) from a Chinese

medicinal herb-Herba patriniae in vitro -

Article in Chinese | Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue

Za Zhi. 2004 Feb;25(2):150-3. | College of

Public Health, Harbin Medical University, Harbin

150001, China. | OBJECTIVE: To study the effect

on anti-respiratory syncytial virus of an active

compound (AP3) from a Chinese medicinal herb-

Herba patriniae in vitro. METHODS: Active

component of herba patriniae (AP3) was extracted

and its anti-respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

effect was tested. A water soluble substance

(AP3) was isolated from a Chinese herb Herba

patriniae, by hot water extraction, ethol

precipitation and gel permeation column

chromatography. The cytotoxicity of AP3 was

tested by adding it to HeLa cells directly. Its

effect against RSV was estimated by CPEI assay

while ribavirin was used as positive control.

RESULTS: Chemical test showed that the nature of

substance AP3 was polysaccharide. The median

cytotoxic concentration (TC(50)) of AP3 was

11.45 mg/ml by morphological observation and the

median effective concentration (50% effective

concentration, EC(50)) of it against replication

of the long strain of RSV in HeLa cells was

0.0986 mg/ml. The Therapeutic index (TI =

TC(50)/EC(50)) of AP3 was 116.12, much higher

than the TI of herba patriniae (AP1) (TI =

59.26) and ribavirin (TI = 53.45). Moreover, AP3

gave a dose-dependent response in inhibiting

RSV. In the assay, the effect of AP3 against RSV

growth was also tested. In addition, the effect

of AP3 on virus growth, AP3 inhibited

replication of RSV in HeLa cells, when added at

0 h, 2 h, 4 h after virus infection, were also

tested. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that

the AP3 exerted an obvious inhibitory effect to

RSV in HeLa cell culture. This study furnished a

reliable evidence for development of a new

antiviral drug. | PMID: 15132871 [PubMed - in

Process]

 

Limsong J, Benjavongkulchai E, Kuvatanasuchati

J. | Inhibitory effect of some herbal extracts

on adherence of Streptococcus mutans. | J

Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jun;92(2-3):281-9. |

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of

Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Henri-

Dunant Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. | The

objective of this study was to investigate the

inhibitory effect of the crude extracts from

some herbs on adherence of Streptococcus mutans

(S. mutans) ATCC 25175 and TPF-1 in vitro. Six

herbs, Andrographis paniculata; Cassia alata;

Chinese black tea (Camellia sinensis); guava

(Psidium guajava); Harrisonia perforata and

Streblus asper, were extracted with 50 or 95%

ethanol and dried. Herbal extracted solution at

0.5% concentration (w/v) was initially tested

for bacterial adherence on glass surfaces. In

order to identify type and effective

concentration of the extracts, the extracts that

showed the inhibition on glass surfaces were

then tested on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite by

the use of radiolabeled bacteria. To study the

mechanism of action, the effect of the extracts

at such concentration on glucosyltransferase and

glucan-binding lectin activities were examined.

It was found that all extracts, but Streblus

asper, showed significant inhibitory effect on

bacterial adherence to glass surfaces. For the

saliva-coated hydroxyapatite adherence assay,

Andrographis paniculata, Cassia alata, Chinese

black tea and Harrisonia perforata could inhibit

adherence of S. mutans ATCC 25175. Chinese black

tea was the strongest inhibitor followed by

Andrographis paniculata, Cassia alata and

Harrisonia perforata, respectively. For S.

mutans TPF-1, adherence inhibition was observed

from Andrographis paniculata and Cassia alata at

similar levels. The lowest concentrations of the

extracts that inhibited the adherence at least

50% were 0.5% of Andrographis paniculata, 0.5%

of Cassia alata, 0.3% of Chinese black tea and

0.5% of Harrisonia perforata for S. mutans ATCC

25175. For S. mutans TPF-1, the effective

concentrations were 0.5% of Andrographis

paniculata and 0.4% of Cassia alata. All

extracts at such concentrations decreased the

activity of glucosyltransferase from both

strains. Only Andrographis paniculata and Cassia

alata eliminated or decreased the activity of

glucan-binding lectin from both strains. These

findings suggested that Andrographis paniculata,

Cassia alata, Chinese black tea and Harrisonia

perforata could inhibit adherence of S. mutans

ATCC 25175, while Andrographis paniculata and

Cassia alata had an effect on S. mutans TPF-1 in

vitro at the concentrations employed in this

study. | PMID: 15138013 [PubMed - in Process]

 

MacDonald D, VanCrey K, Harrison P, Rangachari

PK, Rosenfeld J, Warren C, Sorger G. |

Ascaridole-less infusions of Chenopodium

ambrosioides contain a nematocide(s) that

is(are) not toxic to mammalian smooth muscle. |

J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jun;92(2-3):215-21. |

Department of Medicine, Hons. Biology-

Pharmacology Coop Programme, McMaster

University, Hamilton, Ont., Canada. | Infusions

of Chenopodium ambrosioides (L.) have been used

for centuries in the Americas as a popular

remedy against intestinal worm infections. The

essential oil of Chenopodium ambrosioides

contains high levels of ascaridole, which is a

potent anthelmintic, but which has also been

responsible for human fatalities, leading to its

disuse. Almost 90% of the nematocidal activity

of Chenopodium ambrosioides infusions was due to

a hydrophilic component different from

ascaridole. Synthetic ascaridole and the

ascaridole from infusions, extracted into

hexane, caused a reduction of carbachol-induced

contractions in rat gastrointestinal smooth

muscle at concentrations required to kill

Caenorhabditis elegans (L.). The herbal infusion

and the ascaridole-free hexane-extracted aqueous

residue of the above infusion, at nematocidal

concentractions, had no detectable effect on

smooth muscle contraction in the above system.

It would appear that the traditional form of

useage of Chenopodium ambrosioides infusions as

a vermifuge is safer than the use of the herb's

essential oil. | PMID: 15138003 [PubMed - in

Process]

 

Makino T, Inagaki T, Komatsu K, Kano Y. |

Pharmacokinetic Interactions between Japanese

Traditional Medicine (Kampo) and Modern Medicine

(III).Effect of Sho-seiryu-to on the

Pharmacokinetics of Azelastine Hydrochloride in

Rats. | Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 May;27(5):670-3. |

Department of Kampo Medicinal Science, Hokkaido

College of Pharmacy. | Sho-seiryu-to (SST) is

widely used herbal formula in Japanese

traditional medicine (kampo) to treat allergic

diseases. Since Japanese physicians frequently

prescribe this formula combined with azelastine

hydrochloride, one of anti-histamine and anti-

allergic medicines, we evaluated the

pharmacokinetic interactions between SST and

azelastine hydrochloride in rats to obtain the

drug information for the prevention from

disadvantage or adverse effects by their

combined therapy. Oral administration of SST did

not influence the plasma concentration profile

of azelastine after its intravaneous injection,

suggesting that SST would not change the

activities of metabolic enzymes such as

cytochrome P450s. However, maximum concentration

(C(max)) of azelastine after oral administration

of azelastine hydrochloride was significantly

reduced and mean residence time (MRT) was

significantly lengthened when SST was orally

administered at 20 times amount of human daily

dosage. There was not significant difference in

the area under the plasma concentration-time

curve (AUC), suggesting that SST might delay the

absorption of azelastine without affecting the

extent of bioavailability. Since this delay was

independent of ephedrine that is a main

constituent of SST and that a suppressor for

gastric transit, SST might form unsoluble

complex with azelastine to reduce its

absorption. At the double of human daily dose,

SST did not made the absorption of azelastine

delay. The possibility that SST reduce the

absorption of azelastine hydrochloride could not

be denied completely, however, it is suggested

that SST would not cause pharmacokinetic

interaction with azelastine hydrochloride

clinically. | PMID: 15133242 [PubMed - in

Process]

 

Neurauter G, Wirleitner B, Schroecksnadel K,

Schennach H, Ueberall F, Fuchs D. | PADMA 28

modulates interferon-gamma-induced tryptophan

degradation and neopterin production in human

PBMC in vitro. | Int Immunopharmacol. 2004

Jun;4(6):833-9. | Institute of Medical Chemistry

and Biochemistry, Leopold Franzens University,

Innsbruck, Austria. | Tibetan herbal remedy

PADMA 28 revealed promising results to support

treatment of intermittent claudication,

atherosclerosis and chronic hepatitis. The

remedy was confirmed to be closely linked with

anti- and pro-oxidative properties in vitro. In

this study, effect of PADMA 28 was investigated

in stimulated and unstimulated human peripheral

blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in vitro.

Neopterin production and tryptophan degradation

were measured in supernatants of PBMC in the

presence or absence of mitogens

phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and

concanavalin A (Con A). Stimulation of PBMC

induced neopterin formation and tryptophan

degradation (p<0.001 compared to unstimulated

PBMC), and PADMA 28 inhibited both

immunobiochemical effects (p<0.001) in a

concentration-dependent manner. Higher

concentrations of PADMA 28 were more effective

and were able to completely block the pathways

induced upon mitogenic stimulation. Data allow

to conclude that PADMA 28 is able to inhibit

immunobiological effects in stimulated PBMC in

vitro. The suppression of neopterin production

and tryptophan degradation suggests a specific

influence on biochemical pathways induced by Th1-

type cytokine interferon-gamma. | PMID: 15135323

[PubMed - in Process]

 

Park WH, Shin SS, Lee YC, Kim CH. | The

inhibitory effects of Silso-San-Gami on

atherosclerosis in KHC rabbits. | Thromb Res.

2004;113(3-4):235-241. | Department of

Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Diagnostics,

Dongguk University College of Oriental Medicine

and National Research Laboratory for

Glycobiology, Korean Ministry of Science and

Technology, Sukjang-Dong 707, Kyungju City,

Kyungbuk 780-714, South Korea. | Silsosangami is

a dried decoction of a mixture of seven Korean

herbal medicines, consisting of Typhae pollen,

Pteropi faeces, Paeoniae radicis rubra, Cnidii

rhizoma, Persicae semen, Carthami flos, and

Curcumae tuber. The inhibitory effect of this

traditional herbal medicine, Silsosangami-water

extract (SSG), on the progression of the

atherosclerotic

diseases was examined using the spontaneous

familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) model,

Kurosawa and Kusanagi-hypercholesterolemic (KHC)

rabbits. Changes in blood chemistry, pathology

and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation were

measured in a control group and a SSG-

administrated group. In the control group, the

area of atheromatous aortic plaques progressed

between 4 weeks (30.43%) and 8 weeks (47.48%).

This progressin of atherosclerotic disease was

not observed in the SSG-treated group between 4

weeks (22.65%) and 8 weeks (23.23%).

Antioxidative effects on LDL were observed in

the SSG group at 12 and 14 weeks. SSG improved

hypercholestrolemia in the KHC rabbits. These

results suggest that SSG has inhibitory effects

on the development of atheromatous plaques in

spontaneous FH model rabbits. The antioxidative

effects of SSG on LDL appear to be the source of the beneficial

effects observed in this study. | PMID: 15140588 [PubMed - as

supplied by publisher]

 

Peng CH, Tseng TH, Liu JY, Hsieh YH, Huang CN, Hsu SP, Wang

CJ. | Penta-acetyl geniposide-induced C6 glioma cell apoptosis

was associated with the activation of protein kinase C-delta. |

Chem Biol Interact. 2004 Apr 15;147(3):287-96. | Institute of

Biochemistry, Chung Shan Medical University, No. 110, Section 2,

Chien Kuo N. Road, Taichung 402, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC. |

Herbal medicine has been utilized to treat a variety of diseases,

including cancer. On the other hand, disturbance of apoptosis is

often observed in cancer cells. It has been reported that protein

kinase C (PKC) isoforms are involved in the signaling of apoptosis.

In the present study, we investigate the antitumor effect and

possible mechanism of a herbal-originated product, (Ac)(5)GP. We

demonstrate that (Ac)(5)GP treatment results in DNA

fragmentation of C6 glioma cells dose-dependently. Stimulated by

(Ac)(5)GP, PKCdelta and PKCzeta were activated and translocated

to the cell membrane fraction. Flow cytometry analysis showed

that PKCdelta, but not PKCzeta inhibition blocks the (Ac)(5)GP-

induced apoptosis by decreasing the cell population of sub G1

peak. However, the mRNA levels of PKCdelta and PKCzeta were

not altered by (Ac)(5)GP-induced glioma cell apoptosis. These

results suggested that the treatment of (Ac)(5)GP induces

apoptosis of tumor cells through the activation

but not the synthesis of PKCdelta. | PMID: 15135084

[PubMed - in Process]

 

Takahashi T, Takasuka N, Iigo M, Baba M, Nishino H, Tsuda H,

Okuyama T. | Isoliquiritigenin, a flavonoid from licorice, reduces

prostaglandin E(2) and nitric oxide, causes apoptosis, and

suppresses aberrant crypt foci development. | Cancer Sci. 2004

May;95(5):448-53. | Department of Natural Medicine and

Phytochemistry, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, Kiyose-shi,

Tokyo 204-8588, Japan. okuyama |

Isoliquiritigenin (ILTG), a flavonoid group compound, exists in some

foodstuffs and herbal medicines such as licorice (Glycyrrhiza

uralensis Fisher). Previously, we showed that ILTG can suppress

azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon carcinogenesis in ddY mice.

In the present report, we present evidence that ILTG markedly

decreases both prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and nitric oxide (NO)

production in RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells. The decrease

of PGE(2) was dependent on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)

expression and the decrease of NO appeared due to a decrease in

inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression. In

mouse and human colon carcinoma cells, ILTG treatment

suppressed cell growth and caused apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo

administration of ILTG inhibited the induction of preneoplastic

aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in the male F344 rat colon. Our results

suggest that ILTG is a promising chemopreventive agent against

colon carcinogenesis. | PMID:

15132774 [PubMed - in Process]

 

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