Guest guest Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Hi Stefano & All, Stefano Manocchio <batignano wrote: > Hi all, a friend is affected by uric acid crystals depot (gotta - > gout). Anyone can give some holystic help? Nothing from allopatic > medicine help his conitions. Thanks a lot, Stefano Manocchio In trying to treat & prevent gout / hyperuricaemia, I would: 1. Examine the diet for foods that stress LV (high-protein, high-fat foods, food intolerances, heavy alcohol intake, heavy chocolate intake, etc) and advise accordingly. 2. Needle key AP points for LV & GB (selected from LV03, GB34, GB20, BL18 or BL19, LV14, GB24, etc) + symptomatic points once/week for 3- 4 times. 3. Recommend herbal support for LV and GB function, such as LIV52 (Ayurvedic) or Chinese/Kampo Formulas [ see Medline hits, below] IBIS lists the following herbs for gout: primary herbs: • Apium graveolens (seed): (Mitchell, p. 13); • Aralia racemosa: cleanses, tones (Ellingwood, p. 486); • Arctium lappa: alterative (Mitchell, p. 41); • Chimaphila umbellata: removes metabolic waste (Mitchell, p. 41); • Colchicum autumnale (toxic): Mitchell suggests 3X; acute attack: see (Weiss, p. 273; Mitchell, p. 41); • Guaiacum officinale: during acute attack, or chronic, or as a prophylactic (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 107; Bastyr); • Juniperus communis: as a diuretic, chronic gout (Weiss, p. 235); • Mentha pulegium (oil): topically (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 143); • Smilax sarsaparilla: alterative (Ellingwood, p. 372); • Taraxacum officinale: alterative; • Trigonella foenum-graecum: (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 217) British Herbal Pharmacopoeia also lists: • Calluna vulgaris • Daucus carota • Eupatorium purpureum • Harpagophytum procumbens • Populus gileadensis • Salix spp. • Sassafras albidum • Teucrium chamaedrys Complementary herbs • formula: to " cleanse the blood " : Taraxacum officinale (root, leaf), 20 g. Urtica spp., 20 g. Sambucus niger (flowers), 20 g. Rhamnus frangula (toxic) (bark), 20 g. Foeniculum vulgare (fennel seed), 20 g. instructions: 1 tsp. per cup of boiling water, morning and night for 4 weeks. May add a carminative for flavoring. (Weiss, p. 274) MEDLINE hits on ACUPUNCTURE in GOUT: Holub TI. | [The clinico-laboratory effects of acupuncture in patients with glomerulonephritis - Article in Ukrainian] | Lik Sprava. 1999 Jun;(4):157- 61. | | As many as 104 patients with different clinical forms and variants of glomerulonephritis were examined and treated with acupuncture. This mode of treatment was found out to positively influence the level of hemoglobin, ESR, eosinophilia, making for diminution of proteinuria and erythrocyturia, returning hemostasis and blood biochemical spectrum (proteinogrammes, levels of cholesterol, uric acid) to normal, with the level of arterial pressure being normalized in patients with mild hypertension or reduced in those with moderately severe to severe hypertension. Acupuncture is recommended as a monotherapeutic modality in the treatment of uric syndrome with a hematuric component in a combined treatment of nephrotic syndrome and hypertension, which attempt will, we believe, help in preventing side effects of the drugs employed. | PMID: 10476672 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Ma X. | Clinical analysis for the acupuncture treatment in 42 cases of gouty renal damage. | J Tradit Chin Med. 2004 Sep;24(3):185-7. | Hai'an County Hospital of Traditional , Jiangsu Province 226600. | OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on gouty renal damage. METHOD: 72 cases of gouty renal damage were randomly divided into a treatment group of 42 cases and a control group of 30 cases to observe the therapeutic effects and the changes in 24-hour urinary protein content, blood creatinine, uric acid and urea nitrogen in blood before treatment and one month after treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate in the treatment group reached 95.24%, which was remarkably higher than 63.33% in the control group. After one month of treatment, the indexes were found reduced in both groups, but the reduction rate in the treatment group was obviously superior to that in the control group. CONCLUSION: The patients with repeated attacks of gout may have a higher possibility to suffer from renal damage. Therefore, attention should be paid to its early diagnosis and treatment. Acupuncture may exert good therapeutic effects on early gout complicated with renal damage by adjusting the metabolism and improving the renal function. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 15510795 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Zherebkin VV. | [The use of acupuncture reflexotherapy in the combined treatment of patients with chronic gouty polyarthritis - Article in Russian] | Lik Sprava. 1998 Mar-Apr;(2):151-3. | | 38 patients with gout presenting with clinical signs of chronic polyarthritis were examined. Of these, 15 subjects were controls, who were treated with oplopurinol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug preparations, and intra-articular administration of glucocorticosteroids. 23 patients were placed into the main group, who, apart from the above treatment, received several acupuncture treatments. By the end of the in-patient course of treatment the values for the articular index and visual scale of pain were found to be significantly lower in the main group than they were in controls. The conclusion reached was that acupuncture in a combined treatment of patients with chronic podagric polyarthritis will help in enhancing the efficacy of the described treatment. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 9670693 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] MEDLINE hits on HERBAL MEDICINE in GOUT: Ageel AM, Mossa JS, al-Yahya MA, al-Said MS, Tariq M. | Experimental studies on antirheumatic crude drugs used in Saudi traditional medicine. | Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1989;15(8):369-72. | College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. | A large number of herbal drugs are used in the traditional medicine of Saudi Arabia for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout and other forms of inflammation. In the present study seven of these crude drugs, namely Francoeuria crispa, Hammada elegans, Malus pumila, Ruta chalepensis, Smilax sarsaparilla, Achillea fragrantissima and Alpinia officinarum were tested against carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rats. The plant materials were extracted with 96% ethanol. The dried extract was dissolved in water for pharmacological testing. The rats were administered an oral dose of 500 mg/kg body weight of each extract 1 h prior to production of inflammation by carrageenan injection (0.05 ml of 1% carrageenan suspension in the planter aponeurosis of the right hind foot). The paw volume was measured at 0,2,3 and 4 h after the injection. Four of the seven plants, namely Francoeuria crispa (24%), Malus pumila (23%), Ruta chalepensis (30%) and Smilax sarsaparilla (25%), produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats. These plants also inhibited cotton pellet-induced exudation. Further studies are suggested to isolate the active principles and for the determination of the mechanism of action of these drugs. | PMID: 2598777 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Chou CT, Kuo SC. | The anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperuricemic effects of Chinese herbal formula danggui-nian-tong-tang on acute gouty arthritis: a comparative study with indomethacin and allopurinol. | Am J Chin Med. 1995;23(3-4):261-71. | Rheumatology-Immunology Division, China Medical, College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. | The traditional Chinese antirheumatic herb Danggui-Nian-Tong-Tang (DGNTT) was studied comparatively with indomethacin and allopurinol to evaluate its anti-inflammatory and antihyperuricemic effects in patients with gout. Results in this study did not show any significant improvement in reducing the total number of painful and swollen joints, articular index and pain score (P > 0.05) by treatment with DGNTT. Unlike allopurinol, DGNTT did not lower the high serum level of uric acid. In vitro study in rats showed that DGNTT significantly inhibits the activity of beta-glucuronidase (P < 0.05) and lysozyme release (P < 0.01) from neutrophils. In conclusion, despite the effect of inhibition on enzyme release from neutrophils, DGNTT is not effective in treating acute arthritis or hyperuricemia. | PMID: 8571922 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Dillinger TL, Barriga P, Escarcega S, Jimenez M, Salazar Lowe D, Grivetti LE. | Food of the gods: cure for humanity? A cultural history of the medicinal and ritual use of chocolate. | J Nutr. 2000 Aug;130(8S Suppl):2057S-72S. | Dept of Nutrition, University of California, Davis CA 95616, USA. | The medicinal use of cacao, or chocolate, both as a primary remedy and as a vehicle to deliver other medicines, originated in the New World and diffused to Europe in the mid 1500s. These practices originated among the Olmec, Maya and Mexica (Aztec). The word cacao is derived from Olmec and the subsequent Mayan languages (kakaw); the chocolate-related term cacahuatl is Nahuatl (Aztec language), derived from Olmec/Mayan etymology. Early colonial era documents included instructions for the medicinal use of cacao. The Badianus Codex (1552) noted the use of cacao flowers to treat fatigue, whereas the Florentine Codex (1590) offered a prescription of cacao beans, maize and the herb tlacoxochitl (Calliandra anomala) to alleviate fever and panting of breath and to treat the faint of heart. Subsequent 16th to early 20th century manuscripts produced in Europe and New Spain revealed >100 medicinal uses for cacao/chocolate. Three consistent roles can be identified: 1) to treat emaciated patients to gain weight; 2) to stimulate nervous systems of apathetic, exhausted or feeble patients; and 3) to improve digestion and elimination where cacao/chocolate countered the effects of stagnant or weak stomachs, stimulated kidneys and improved bowel function. Additional medical complaints treated with chocolate/cacao have included anemia, poor appetite, mental fatigue, poor breast milk production, consumption/tuberculosis, fever, gout, kidney stones, reduced longevity and poor sexual appetite/low virility. Chocolate paste was a medium used to administer drugs and to counter the taste of bitter pharmacological additives. In addition to cacao beans, preparations of cacao bark, oil (cacao butter), leaves and flowers have been used to treat burns, bowel dysfunction, cuts and skin irritations. | Publication Types: Historical Article; PMID: 10917925 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Gao ZQ, Deng YY, Wang L, Chen YP. | [Researches on the establishment of chronic nephropathy models and the effect of TCM on these models - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2005 Feb;25(2):186-9. | Dept of Renal Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai TCM University, Shanghai 200032. gaozhiqing | Following contents were reviewed in this article: More and more experimental studies related with chronic uratic nephropathy were carried out in recent years. In most of these studies, the animal models were established mainly from viewpoints of gene recombination, urinary uric acid inhibition and blood uric acid production promoting. TCM showed good effects in lowering blood uric acid, regulating levels of cytokines and postponing interstitial fibrosis. However, further studies on Chinese herbs and their extracts is necessary. | Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial; PMID: 15768889 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Grases F, Melero G, Costa-Bauza A, Prieto R, March JG. | Urolithiasis and phytotherapy. | Int Urol Nephrol. 1994;26(5):507-11. | Dept of Chemistry, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. | The effects of seven plants with suspected application to prevent and treat stone kidney formation (Verbena officinalis, Lithospermum officinale, Taraxacum officinale, Equisetum arvense, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Arctium lappa and Silene saxifraga) have been studied using female Wistar rats. Variations of the main urolithiasis risk factors (citraturia, calciuria, phosphaturia, pH and diuresis) have been evaluated. It can be concluded that beneficial effects caused by these herb infusions on urolithiasis can be attributed to some disinfectant action, and tentatively to the presence of saponins. Specifically, some solvent action can be postulated with respect to uric stones or heterogeneous uric nucleus, due to the basifying capacity of some herb infusions. Nevertheless, for all the mentioned beneficial effects, more effective and equally innocuous substances are well known. | PMID: 7860196 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Grover JK, Yadav SP. | Pharmacological actions and potential uses of Momordica charantia: a review. | J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jul;93(1):123- 32. | Dept of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110049, India. jkgrover | Since ancient times, plants and herbal preparations have been used as medicine. Research carried out in last few decades has certified several such claims of use of several plants of traditional medicine. Popularity of Momordica charantia (MC) in various systems of traditional medicine for several ailments (antidiabetic, abortifacient, anthelmintic, contraceptive, dysmenorrhea, eczema, emmenagogue, antimalarial, galactagogue, gout, jaundice, abdominal pain, kidney (stone), laxative, leprosy, leucorrhea, piles, pneumonia, psoriasis, purgative, rheumatism, fever and scabies) focused the investigator's attention on this plant. Over 100 studies using modern techniques have authenticated its use in diabetes and its complications (nephropathy, cataract, insulin resistance), as antibacterial as well as antiviral agent (including HIV infection), as anthelmintic and abortifacient. Traditionally it has also been used in treating peptic ulcers, interestingly in a recent experimental studies have exhibited its potential against Helicobacter pylori. Most importantly, the studies have shown its efficacy in various cancers (lymphoid leukemia, lymphoma, choriocarcinoma, melanoma, breast cancer, skin tumor, prostatic cancer, squamous carcinoma of tongue and larynx, human bladder carcinomas and Hodgkin's disease). There are few reports available on clinical use of MC in diabetes and cancer patients that have shown promising results. | Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial; PMID: 15182917 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Honda M, Yoshimura K, Miyake O, Yoshioka T, Okuyama A, Yamaguchi S, Utsunomiya M, Koide T, Sugiyama K. | [inhibitory effect of oral administration of Takusya on calcium oxalate crystallization in human whole urine - Article in Japanese] | Hinyokika Kiyo. 1997 May;43(5):333- 7. | Dept of Urology, Osaka University School of Medicine. | We previously reported that Takusya (Zexie-Rz Alismatis) had inhibitory effect on in vitro calcium oxalate crystallization and in vivo stone formation in an animal model and it could be a prophylactic agent against calcium oxalate stone formation. We studied the effect of Takusya on calcium oxalate crystallization in human urine. Takusya (500 mg/day and 1,000 mg/day) was administered to 16 healthy men for 3 days and then 24-hour urine samples were collected to measure the urinary excretion of calcium, phosphate, magnesium, uric acid, creatinine, citric acid and oxalic acid. The urine samples before the administration of Takusya was used as a control. The size and distribution of crystals, which were formed in the urine samples by adding calcium chloride and sodium oxalate, were measured using the Coulter counter technique. Urinary magnesium excretion was significantly reduced by 1,000 mg/day of Takusya compared with the control (p < 0.05). The growth of crystals was significantly inhibited by 500 mg/day of Takusya in the large crystal formers whose urine created crystals more than 3.5 microns before the administration of Takusya (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that Takusya inhibited the growth of crystals formed in human urine. | PMID: 9208316 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Ji W, Zhu XX, Tan WF, Lu Y. | Effects of Rebixiao granules on blood uric acid in patients with repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis. | Chin J Integr Med. 2005 Mar;11(1):15-21. | Rheumatism Immunity Dept of The First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. jiweitong | OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Rebixiao granule (RBXG) in treating repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis and through experimental study on blood uric acid to explore RBXG's therapeutic mechanism. METHODS: Ninety repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis patients were divided into the treated group (n = 60) and control group (n = 30). The treated group was treated with RBXG, and the control group was treated with Futalin tablets (diclofenac sodium). The baseline treatment including good rest, low purine diet, sufficient water drinking and urine alkalization, etc. was then given to both groups. Hypoxanthine 600 mg/kg and niacin 100 mg/kg was applied to hyperuricemic mice by gastrogavage to establish the animal models. RESULTS: The clinical effective rate of the treated group was 95.0% and that of the control 90.0%. Good therapeutic effects were won, insignificant difference (P > 0.05)was shown between the two groups. However, the cure rate of the treated group was 26.7% while that of the control group was 10.0%, with significant difference (P < 0.01) shown between them. The treated group had its blood uric acid lowered, which was significantly different (P < 0.05) from that of the control group. The animal experiment indicated that all the three groups treated with different dosages of RBXG, as well as the Ash bark and Smilax glabra rhizome groups had their blood uric acid content reduced in the hyperuricemic mice. CONCLUSION: RBXG has a quicker initiation and better treatment effects than sole anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents on the treatment of repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis, showing no obvious toxic or adverse reactions and therefore good for long-term administration and likely to be a safe TCM preparation to control the symptoms and reduce the onsets of repeatedly attacking of acute gouty arthritis. The animal experiment shows that both the compound preparation and part of the single ingredients in the recipe have the function of reducing blood uric acid. However, the compound recipe has better therapeutic effects, proving to be superior to single drugs. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 15975301 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Kong LD, Yang C, Ge F, Wang HD, Guo YS. | A Chinese herbal medicine Ermiao Wan reduces serum uric acid level and inhibits liver xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase in mice. | J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Aug;93(2-3):325-30. | State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Functional Biomolecule, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's Republic of China. kongld | Ermiao Wan, which is composed of phellodendri cortex and atractylodis rhizome, is described as eliminating heat, excreting dampness and anti-edema prescription in traditional Chinese medical literatures including Danxi's Experiences in Medicine and State Pharmacopoeia of People's Republic of China. So it is being used clinically in the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia in China. In the present study, the water extracts of Ermiao wan and phellodendri cortex at 840 and 480 mg/kg/day orally for 7 days were demonstrated to possess in vivo potent hypouricemic effects both in hyperuricemic mice pretreated with oxonate and in normal mice, respectively. In the hyperuricemic animals, the effect of Ermiao wan was equal to that of the reference drug allopurinol (at 10 mg/kg/day orally for 7 days), but in the normal mice, the former was weaker than latter. In addition, both Ermiao wan and phellodendri cortex were found to have in vivo relatively inhibitory effects on mouse liver xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities at the same dose described above. These inhibitory effects were weaker than that observed for allopurinol. Atractylodis rhizome at 340 mg/kg/day orally for 7 days did not show any effects on the above experiments. These results suggested that atractylodis rhizomes assisted and enhanced the effect of phellodendri cortex on reduction of serum uric acid level in hyperuricemic mice, and hypouricemic effects of Ermiao wan and phellodendri cortex may be achieved by other mechanism partly instead of the XDH and XO inhibition. | PMID: 15234772 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Ma JY, Liu YZ, Zhou Z. | [Clinical observation on treatment of acute gouty arthritis by tongfengkang - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004 Jun;24(6):488-90. | Guangzhou TCM University, Guangzhou (510405). lemei360073 | OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of Tongfeng Kang (TFK) in treating acute gouty arthritis. METHODS: Adopting randomized single blinded controlled trial, the 40 patients were equally divided into two groups. The tested group was treated with TFK, the control group was treated with indomethacin and allopurinol, the therapeutic course for both groups was 10 days. RESULTS: The clinical cure rate in the tested group and the control group was 30% and 35% respectively, and the total effective rate 90% and 95% respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The scores of blood uric acid and symptom significantly lowered in both groups after treatment (P < 0.01), but showed no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). Adverse reaction to the treatment was shown in 3 patients in the control group. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of TFK is similar to that of indomethacin plus allopurinol but with less adverse reaction, it is an effective and safe remedy for treatment of acute gouty arthritis, and worthy for further studying and developing. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 15250197 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Nelsen J, Ulbricht C, Barrette EP, Sollars D, Tsourounis C, Rogers A, Basch S, Hashmi S, Bent S, Basch E. | Red clover (Trifolium pratense) monograph: a clinical decision support tool. | J Herb Pharmacother. 2002;2(3):49-72. | University of Rhode Island, USA. | Red clover, a legume resembling soy is used by man as a phytoestrogen. Other uses include asthma, pertussis, cancer and gout. The authors systematically review this herb in terms of pharmacology, efficacy, safety, side effects, standardization, dosing, toxicology as well as other parameters. | PMID: 15277090 [PubMed] Ni Q, Shi Z, Zheng Q. | [Clinical study on Zishen Decoction in chronic uric acid nephrosis - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1998 May;18(5):269-72. | Guang' anmen Hospital, China Academy of TCM, Beijing 100053. | OBJECTIVE: To observe the ameliorative effect of Zishen Decoction (ZSD) on chronic uric acid nephrosis (CUAN). METHODS: The 72 CUAN patients were divided into 2 groups: The group with ZSD treatment, the dose of which was 400 ml/d and group with zyloric as the control, the dose of which was 200 mg/d. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The general effective rate of the ZSD group was 92.86%; and that of the control group Was 66.67%. There was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). ZSD treatment reduced the levels of blood uric acid, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and the levels of albumin, beta 2-microglobulin and the activity of N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase in CUAN (P < 0.01). The levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol decreased and the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in the serum of ZSD treated CUAN (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ZSD exerted obviously ameliorative effect on renal function in CUAN. | PMID: 11477922 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Premgamone A, Sriboonlue P, Disatapornjaroen W, Maskasem S, Sinsupan N, Apinives C. | A long-term study on the efficacy of a herbal plant, Orthosiphon grandiflorus, and sodium potassium citrate in renal calculi treatment. | Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2001 Sep;32(3):654-60. | Dept of Community Medicine, Faculty Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. | The study was performed to compare the efficacy of a herbal plant, Orthosiphon grandiflorus (OG), and the drug sodium potassium citrate (SPC) in treatment of renal calculi. Forty- eight rural stone formers identified by ultrasonography were recruited and randomly assigned to two treatment groups (G1 and G2). For a period up to 18 months, subjects in G1 received 2 cups of OG tea daily, each tea cup made from an OG tea bag (contained 2.5 g dry wt), and G2 received 5-10 g of granular SPC in solution divided into three times a day. Once every 5 to 7 weeks, subjects were interviewed, given an additional drug supply, administered a kidney ultrasound and had spot urine samples collected for relevant biochemical analysis. From the recorded ultrasound images, rates of stone size reduction per year (ROSRPY) were calculated. The mean ROSRPY was 28.6+/-16.0% and 33.8+/-23.6% for G1 and G2, respectively. These two means were not significantly different. ROSRPY values of G1 and G2 were combined and divided into three levels: Level A (ROSRPY > mean + 0.5 SD), Level M (ROSRPY = mean +/- 0.5 SD) and Level B (ROSRPY < mean - 0.5 SD). Dissolution of stones was least in Level B which was related to higher excretions of Ca and uric acid in the urine. After treatment, 90% of the initial clinical symptoms (ie back pain, headaches and joint pain) were relieved. Fatigue and loss of appetite were observed in 26.3% of G2 subjects. Our study indicates that treatment of renal calculi with OG tea is an alternative means of management. Further investigation is needed to improve dissolution of stones with a low ROSRPY. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 11944733 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Sekiya N, Kogure T, Kita T, Kasahara Y, Sakakibara I, Goto H, Shibahara N, Shimada Y, Terasawa K. | Reduction of plasma triglyceride level and enhancement of plasma albumin concentration by Oren-gedoku-to administration. | Phytomedicine. 2002 Jul;9(5):455-60. | Dept of Japanese Oriental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University. s114 | Oren-gedoku-to (Huanglian-Jie-Du-Tang, OGT) has been used for the treatment of cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, gastritis and liver disease in Japan. The present study was to test whether ingestion of OGT extract (TJ-15) would affect the metabolism of fatty acids and the usual antioxidant molecule (such as albumin, uric acid and bilirubin) levels in human plasma. After the administration of TJ-15, plasma total cholesterol and the triglyceride level significantly decreased, and lipoprotein lipase mass increased. Significant enhancement of plasma albumin level and reduction of the total plasma protein level resulted in an increment of the albumin/globulin ratio. Plasma fibrinogen, an independent risk factor for cerebrovascular disease, declined considerably, but the reduction was not statistically significant. The findings of this study suggest that ingestion of TJ-15 improves the microcirculation through lipid and protein metabolisms, and is useful for the treatment of cerebral vascular attack in human. | PMID: 12222668 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Shen W, Li J. | [A review on chronic uric-acid nephropathy treated with Chinese traditional medicine - Article in Chinese] | Zhong Yao Cai. 2002 Jul;25(7):528-30. | Dept of Traditional , First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong Province, China | | Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial; PMID: 14974444 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Stickel F, Seitz HK. | The efficacy and safety of comfrey. | Public Health Nutr. 2000 Dec;3(4A):501-8. | Dept of Medicine I, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Krankenhausstrasse 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. felix.stickel | Herbal medication has gathered increasing recognition in recent years with regard to both treatment options and health hazards. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have been associated with substantial toxicity after their ingestion as tea and in the setting of contaminated cereals have led to endemic outbreaks in Jamaica, India and Afghanistan. In Western Europe, comfrey has been applied for inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, thrombophlebitis and gout and as a treatment for diarrhoea. Only recently was the use of comfrey leaves recognized as a substantial health hazard with hepatic toxicity in humans and carcinogenic potential in rodents. These effects are most likely due to various hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids such as lasiocarpine and symphytine, and their related N-oxides. The mechanisms by which toxicity and mutagenicity are conveyed are still not fully understood, but seem to be mediated through a toxic mechanism related to the biotransformation of alkaloids by hepatic microsomal enzymes. This produces highly reactive pyrroles which act as powerful alkylating agents. The main liver injury caused by comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is veno-occlusive disease, a non-thrombotic obliteration of small hepatic veins leading to cirrhosis and eventually liver failure. Patients may present with either acute or chronic clinical signs with portal hypertension, hepatomegaly and abdominal pain as the main features. Therapeutic approaches include avoiding intake and, if hepatic failure is imminent, liver transplantation. In view of the known serious hazards and the ban on distributing comfrey in Germany and Canada, it is difficult to understand why comfrey is still freely available in the United States. | Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial; PMID: 11276298 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Sun M, Yang YR, Lu YP, Gao R, Wang L, Wang J, Tang K. | [Clinical study on application of Bailing capsule after renal transplantation - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004 Sep;24(9):808-10. | Dept of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu (610041). sunming2003 | OBJECTIVE: To observe and assess the immunosuppressive effect of applying Bailing capsule (BLC, a dry powder preparation of Cordyceps sinensis mycelia), after renal transplantation, its influence on other systems of organism, and to explore the possible therapeutic mechanism. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-one recipients of renal homo- allograft were randomly divided into two groups. The 64 cases in Group A was treated with cyclosporin A (Cs A) + prednisone (pred) + azathioprine (Aza), the 57 in Group B treated with Cs A + pred + BLC. They were followed-up for 1-2 year by checking up blood routine, urine routine, liver and renal function, blood electrolytes, glucose and lipids, and uric acid for 2 times every week in the first month after transplantation, followed by proper re-examination of these items according to various condition. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in aspects of graft survival rate, occurrence of reject reaction, renal function recovery, blood electrolytes and blood glucose levels. However, as compared with Group A, in Group B, levels of urinary erythrocytes and leucocytes, blood alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol, uric acid as well as the incidence of infection were significantly lower, and blood high density lipoprotein, serum total protein, albumin, RBC and WBC count were significantly higher. CONCLUSION: BLC could effectively prevent the reject response after renal transplantation, protect renal and liver function, stimulate hemopoietic function, improve hypoproteinemia and hyperlipidemia, reduce the infection, etc., therefore, it is an ideal immunosuppressor after organ transplantation. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 15495826 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Sun Y, Chen B, Jia Q. | [Clinical effect of Xinqingning combined low dose continuous gastrointestinal dialysis in treating uremia - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2000 Sep;20(9):660-3. | Dept of Nephrology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing (100053). | OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of Xinqingning (XQN), a preparation of rhubarb, combined with low dose continuous gastrointestinal dialysis in treating uremia. METHODS: Patients of uremia were divided into three groups at random, eighteen patients in the group A were treated with 1000 ml gastrointestinal dialysate (non-absorbed mannitol solution) orally 2-3 times a day, twenty patients in the group B treated with the same therapy as that in the group A, but combined with XQN 5-10 tablets 3 times per day and 19 patients in the group C treated by orally taken coated aldehyde oxystarch 5-10 g, 3 times a day. The therapeutic course for the three groups were 11 months. The changes in clinical manifestation, renal function, nutritional condition, and electrolytes before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS: After treatment, significant improvement was revealed in aspects of uremic symptoms, quality of life, nutritional condition, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, serum phosphate, uric acid, CO2 combining power, creatine clearance, body weight and arm muscular circumference in the group A and B, as compared with those in the group C. In comparison of the group A and B, the group B showed a lower serum triglyceride and slower progression of chronic renal failure (CRF). All the criteria were not improved in the group C and with serum creatinine raised significantly. CONCLUSION: XQN combined low dose continuous gastrointestinal dialysis therapy was effective in definitely treating uremia, it provides a new therapeutic means of non-replacement therapy for CRF with uremia. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 11789169 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Wachtel-Galor S, Szeto YT, Tomlinson B, Benzie IF. | Ganoderma lucidum ('Lingzhi'); acute and short-term biomarker response to supplementation. | Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2004 Feb;55(1):75-83. | Ageing & Health Group, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR. | Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) is a popular Chinese herb with an impressive array of reputed health benefits, including antioxidant properties. However, these require scientific validation. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro antioxidant capacity of Lingzhi, absorption and systemic distribution of Lingzhi antioxidants, and effects of short-term (10 days) supplementation on biomarkers of antioxidant status, coronary heart disease (CHD) risk and DNA damage. In this double-blinded, placebo- controlled, cross-over intervention study, blood and urine samples were collected from 10 healthy volunteers at 0 (fasting) and 45, 90, 135 and 180 min post-ingestion of a single dose (1.1g) of Lingzhi. Repeat fasting samples were collected after 10 days' supplementation with 0.72 g/d Lingzhi. The acute response (up to 3 hours) was also investigated with a larger dose (3.3 g) of Lingzhi (n=7). Results showed that the total antioxidant capacity (as the FRAP value) of an aqueous suspension of Lingzhi was 360 micromol/g. Ingestion of Lingzhi caused a significant post-ingestion increase (mean+/-SEM 23+/-3 micromol/L; P<0.05) in plasma antioxidant capacity, with peak response at 90 min. Average increase of 29+/-11% (P<0.05) in urine antioxidant capacity was seen within 3 hours of ingestion. After 10 days' supplementation with 0.72 g per day of Lingzhi, fasting plasma lipid standardised alpha-tocopherol concentration and urine antioxidant capacity increased (P<0.05). Fasting plasma ascorbic acid and total alpha-tocopherol concentrations and erythrocyte SOD and GPx activities increased slightly but non- significantly with supplementation. Plasma lipids and uric acid tended to decrease, but changes were not statistically significant. No discernable differences were seen in other variables measured. Results indicate that Lingzhi intake causes an acute increase in plasma antioxidant capacity. No deleterious effects on measured variables were seen. The pattern of biomarker response after supplementation indicated possible benefit in terms of antioxidant status and CHD risk, but further study is needed to elucidate the nature and longer-term effects of the absorbable antioxidants from Lingzhi. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 14630595 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Wang HD, Ge F, Guo YS, Kong LD. | [Effects of aqueous extract in herba of Lysimachia christinae on hyperuricemia in mice - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2002 Dec;27(12):939-41, 944. | State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, China. | OBJECTIVE: To study hypouricemic effect of aqueous extract of Lysimachia christinae on hyperuricemia in mice. METHOD: The uricase inhibitor potassium oxonate was used to induce hyperuricemia in mice, and serum uric acid level was determined with the phosphotungstic acid method. RESULT: The aqueous extract of Lysimachia christinae, when administered orally to the oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice at the doses of 5.2, 10.4 and 20.8 g.kg-1, was able to elicit dose-dependent hypouricemic effects. At these doses of the extract, the serum urate levels of the oxonate-pretreated mice showed no difference from the normal mice. In normal mice, however, oral administration of the extract at the same doses did not produce any observable hypouricemic effects. CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of Lysimachia christinae possesses potent hypuricemic effects on models of hyperuricemia in mice pretreated with oxonate. | PMID: 12776538 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Wang XJ, Yu R, Guo JS, Wu YJ, WU XC. | [Effect of extract from overground part of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. on Masugi nephritis in rabbits - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2000 Apr;25(4):231-3. | Hunan College of TCM, Changsha 410007, Hunan, China. | OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of extract from overground part of Trpterygium wilfordii on Masugi nephritis in rabbits. METHOD: Masugi nephritis was made by giving i.v. the rabbit an injection of sheep antirabbit serum. RESULT: The extract could effectively inhibit the increase of uric protein, serum BUN, creatinine and glomerulus cells in rabbits. CONCLUSION: The extract from overground part of Tripterygium wilfordii has better curative effect on Masugi nephritis in rabbits. | PMID: 12512441 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Whitehouse MW, Butters DE. | Combination anti-inflammatory therapy: synergism in rats of NSAIDs/corticosteroids with some herbal/animal products. | Inflammopharmacology. 2003;11(4):453-64. | Therapeutics Research Unit, Dept of Medicine, University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia. | A useful function of any complementary medicine is to supplement some of the benefits from other treatment modalities. In rats, extracts from Indian celery seed and the NZ green-lipped mussel are powerful nutraceuticals that (i) amplify the potency of salicylates and prednisone for treating pre-established chronic inflammation (arthritis, fibrosis) and (ii) reduce the steroid's gastrotoxic and lymphopenic side effects. Such combinations might also be useful for treating inflammatory components of (a) osteoarthritis caused by microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (BCP) and (b) pseudo-gout, associated with calcium pyrophosphate crystals; that are usually refractory to monotherapy. | PMID: 15035799 [PubMed] Woods JA, Jewell C, O'Brien NM. | Sedanolide, a natural phthalide from celery seed oil: effect on hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced toxicity in HepG2 and CaCo-2 human cell lines. | In Vitr Mol Toxicol. 2001 Fall;14(3):233-40. | Nutritional Sciences, Dept of Food Science, Food Technology and Nutrition, University College, Cork, Ireland. | Sedanolide is a natural compound occurring in edible umbelliferous plants. Celery seed oil, a significant source of sedanolide, is used as an herbal remedy to treat inflammatory-associated conditions such as gout and rheumatism. The objective of this study was to assess the potential protective properties of sedanolide against hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))- and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH)-induced toxicity in HepG2 and CaCo-2 cells. Viability of HepG2 and CaCo-2 cells was unaffected by a 24-h exposure to sedanolide (7-500 microM), however, when the cells were cultured in sedanolide-free medium for a further two cell cycles (72 h), a decrease in cell viability was observed for HepG2 cells previously exposed to 500 microM of the compound. Cells pretreated with sedanolide (100 microM for 24 h) and exposed to either H(2)O(2) or tBOOH did not exhibit statistically significant difference in viability from controls. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in DNA strand breaks, as measured by the comet assay, was observed in HepG2 but not CaCo-2 cells following a 24-h incubation with 500 microM sedanolide. Sedanolide did not modulate H(2)O(2)- and tBOOH- induced DNA damage. Sedanolide is relatively nontoxic to cells in culture, however, the protection it afforded against H(2)O(2)- and tBOOH-induced toxicity was not statistically significant. | PMID: 11846995 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Wu X, Li J, Mo S, Liu H, Zhou Y, Shen W. | [Clinical study of treatment on chronic uric acid nephropathy by integrating Western and traditional Chinese medicine - Article in Chinese] | Zhong Yao Cai. 2002 Jan;25(1):72-5. | First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080. | OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ameliorative effect on chronic uric acid nephropathy (CUAN) by integrating western and traditional Chinese medicine (IWTCM). METHODS: The 136 CUAN patients were divided into two groups at random, the therapy group of 86 patients were treated by Chinese medicine and allopurinol, and the control group of 50 patients were treated only by allopurinol. The curative effect and the related index such as blood uric acid, renal function, urinary protein, microproteins, blood lipid and hyperviscosity were determined before and after being treated. RESULTS: After three months treatment, the total effective rate in the therapy group (90.7%) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of the control group (56%). The therapy group is also superior to the control group in improving renal function, lipid metabolism and hyperviscosity, decreasing blood uric acid, urinary protein, microproteins in evidence (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: IWTCM can obviously improve the ameliorative effect on chronic uric acid nephropathy. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 12583246 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Xu ZC. | [Effect of injection Salvia miltiorrhizae on peritoneal dialysis - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1993 Feb;13(2):74-6, 67. | Zhejiang Traditional Hospital, Hangzhou. | Effective volume of blood flow of peritoneal capillary is an important factor influencing the efficiency of peritoneal dialysis. Injection of Salvia miltiorrhizae (ISM) could dilate the blood vessels and improve microcirculation. The effect of peritoneal dialysis with three kinds of dialytic fluid was studied. The dialysate of first group contained ISM, the second used dialysate only, the third contained dopamine. The result found that ISM could markedly increase the clearance rate and ultrafiltration rate of the peritoneum to creatinine, urea nitrogen and uric acid. Three concentrations of ISM (4%, 6%, 8%) were also compared. This comparison showed that 6% injection of ISM was the optimal concentration. | PMID: 8334340 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Yang C, Zhu JX, Wang Y, Wen YL, Kong LD. | [Effects of processing Phellodendron amurense with salt on anti-gout - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 Jan;30(2):145-8. | State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China. | OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of processing Phellodendron anurene with salt on anti-gout. METHOD: The mouse serum uric acid level and liver xanthine oxidase activity were used to evaluate anti-gout effects of raw and processing P. amurense with salt. RESULT: Both raw and processing P. amurense with salt reduced serum uric acid levels in the in hyperuricemic mice, and inhibited activities of liver xanthine oxidase at the low and high doses respectively, thus exhibiting anti-gout effects. Moreover, they showed the tendency to decrease the uric acid levels in the normal animal only at the high dose. The latter was a little weaker than the former. CONCLUSION: Processing with salt might not significantly change anti-gout effect of P. amurense. | PMID: 15714822 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Yokozawa T, Sekiya M, Cho EJ, Kurokawa M, Shiraki K. | Effect of Wen-Pi-Tang extract on lung damage by influenza virus infection. | Phytomedicine. 2004 Nov;11(7-8):625-32. | Institute of Natural Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama 930-0194, Japan. yokozawa | The effect of Wen-Pi-Tang extract on influenza virus infection in mice was investigated. The administration of Wen-Pi-Tang extract at a dose of 100mg/kg body wt. for 8 consecutive days to influenza virus-infected mice reversed the lack of body wt. gain and prevented the increase in lung weight caused by the infection in comparison with uninfected mice, while allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitor, did not show these effects. The serum levels of uric acid and allantoin in influenza virus-infected mice were reduced by Wen-Pi-Tang extract administration. Moreover, Wen-Pi- Tang extract reduced the uric acid level more as the dose increased, although it exerted lower activity than allopurinol. The XOD activity of the lungs was elevated by influenza virus infection, but Wen-Pi-Tang extract administration inhibited this activity, indicating prevention of lung damage by oxygen free radicals generated by XOD. After the administration of Wen-Pi-Tang extract to influenza virus-infected mice, the lung superoxide dismutase activity was not significantly different from that of uninfected mice, whereas lung catalase activity was lower in the former than the latter, but slightly higher than that of influenza virus- infected mice, suggesting that Wen-Pi-Tang extract may prevent the generation of highly toxic hydroxyl radicals in the lung. In addition, the administration of both Wen-Pi-Tang extract and allopurinol reduced the degree of lung consolidation caused by influenza virus infection. In particular, Wen-Pi-Tang extract reduced the consolidation score in a dose-dependent manner and more markedly than allopurinol did. This study suggests that Wen-Pi-Tang extract could improve pathological conditions of the lungs induced by influenza virus infection. | PMID: 15636176 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Yoshimura K, Miyake O, Okuyama A, Yoshioka T, Honda M, Yamaguchi S, Koide T. | [Effect of chorei-to and gorei-san on calcium oxalate crystallization in human urine - Article in Japanese] | Hinyokika Kiyo. 1998 Jan;44(1):13-6. | Dept of Urology, Osaka University Medical School. | The inhibitory effect of two kinds of Kampou medicine, Chorei- to (Zhuling Tang) and Gorei-san (Wuling San), on calcium oxalate crystallization in human urine, was examined. Chorei-to or Gorei-san was administered to 15 healthy male volunteers for three consecutive days under normal dietary conditions and 24-hour urine samples were collected before and after the administration. Urinary parameters including calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, oxalate and citrate were measured on each sample obtained. The inhibitory effect on calcium oxalate crystallization was examined using part of the collected 24-hour urine. There was no significant difference in urinary parameters before and after Chorei-to administration. Gorei-san administration significantly increased magnesium excretion in urine. A significant inhibitory effect on calcium oxalate crystallization in human urine was recognized when Gorei-san was administered, whereas Chorei-to had no inhibitory effect on calcium oxalate crystallization in urine. | PMID: 9503201 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Zhang XY, Kuang CB. | [Clinical observation on treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease complicating hyperuricemia by Zhifang I Decoction - Article in Chinese] | Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2004 Jul;2(4):265-7, 313. | Dept of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional , Shanghi 200021, China. | OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal recipe Zhifang I Decoction on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) complicating hyperuricemia (HUA). METHODS: Forty-six patients suffering from NAFLD complicating HUA were randomly divided into treatment group (25 cases) with Zhifang I and control group (21 cases) with Xuezhikang Capsule. One course of treatment was 8 weeks. The data were processed by SPSS 11.0 statistical package after 2 courses of treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate of the treatment group was 80.00%, which surpassed the control group (71.43%) (P<0.01); Zhifang I could improve the image of B-mode ultrasonography and was better than Xuezhikang in ameliorating the clinical symptoms (P<0.05); Zhifang I could significantly decrease the serum uric acid (UA) (P<0.01), while Xuezhikang had no obvious therapeutic effect on it (P>0.05); Zhifang I was as good as Xuezhikang in recovering alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST),gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Zhifang I has good effect in treating NAFLD complicating HUA. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 15339411 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Best regards, Tel: (H): +353-(0) or (M): +353-(0) Ireland. Tel: (W): +353-(0) or (M): +353-(0) " Man who says it can't be done should not interrupt man doing it " - Chinese Proverb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 A medieval remedy—which one of my patient's found effective—is the person's pee (applied externally.) Karin On Sep 6, 2005, at 7:40 PM, wrote: > Hi Stefano & All, > > Stefano Manocchio <batignano wrote: > > Hi all, a friend is affected by uric acid crystals depot (gotta - > > gout). Anyone can give some holystic help? Nothing from allopatic > > medicine help his conitions. Thanks a lot, Stefano Manocchio > > In trying to treat & prevent gout / hyperuricaemia, I would: > > 1. Examine the diet for foods that stress LV (high-protein, high-fat > foods, > food intolerances, heavy alcohol intake, heavy chocolate intake, etc) > and advise accordingly. > > 2. Needle key AP points for LV & GB (selected from LV03, GB34, GB20, > BL18 or BL19, LV14, GB24, etc) + symptomatic points once/week for 3- > 4 times. > > 3. Recommend herbal support for LV and GB function, such as LIV52 > (Ayurvedic) or Chinese/Kampo Formulas [ see Medline hits, below] > > IBIS lists the following herbs for gout: > > primary herbs: • Apium graveolens (seed): (Mitchell, p. 13); • Aralia > racemosa: cleanses, tones (Ellingwood, p. 486); • Arctium lappa: > alterative (Mitchell, p. 41); • Chimaphila umbellata: removes > metabolic > waste (Mitchell, p. 41); • Colchicum autumnale (toxic): Mitchell > suggests > 3X; acute attack: see (Weiss, p. 273; Mitchell, p. 41); • Guaiacum > officinale: during acute attack, or chronic, or as a prophylactic > (British > Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 107; Bastyr); • Juniperus communis: as a > diuretic, chronic gout (Weiss, p. 235); • Mentha pulegium (oil): > topically > (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 143); • Smilax sarsaparilla: > alterative > (Ellingwood, p. 372); • Taraxacum officinale: alterative; • Trigonella > foenum-graecum: (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 217) > > British Herbal Pharmacopoeia also lists: • Calluna vulgaris • Daucus > carota • Eupatorium purpureum • Harpagophytum procumbens • > Populus gileadensis • Salix spp. • Sassafras albidum • Teucrium > chamaedrys  > > Complementary herbs • formula: to " cleanse the blood " : Taraxacum > officinale (root, leaf), 20 g. Urtica spp., 20 g. Sambucus niger > (flowers), > 20 g. Rhamnus frangula (toxic) (bark), 20 g. Foeniculum vulgare > (fennel > seed), 20 g. instructions: 1 tsp. per cup of boiling water, morning > and > night for 4 weeks. May add a carminative for flavoring. (Weiss, p. > 274) > > MEDLINE hits on ACUPUNCTURE in GOUT: > > Holub TI. | [The clinico-laboratory effects of acupuncture in > patients with > glomerulonephritis - Article in Ukrainian] | Lik Sprava. 1999 > Jun;(4):157- > 61. | | As many as 104 patients with different clinical forms and > variants > of glomerulonephritis were examined and treated with acupuncture. This > mode of treatment was found out to positively influence the level of > hemoglobin, ESR, eosinophilia, making for diminution of proteinuria > and > erythrocyturia, returning hemostasis and blood biochemical spectrum > (proteinogrammes, levels of cholesterol, uric acid) to normal, with > the > level of arterial pressure being normalized in patients with mild > hypertension or reduced in those with moderately severe to severe > hypertension. Acupuncture is recommended as a monotherapeutic > modality in the treatment of uric syndrome with a hematuric component > in a combined treatment of nephrotic syndrome and hypertension, which > attempt will, we believe, help in preventing side effects of the drugs > employed. | PMID: 10476672 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Ma X. | Clinical analysis for the acupuncture treatment in 42 cases of > gouty renal damage. | J Tradit Chin Med. 2004 Sep;24(3):185-7. | > Hai'an > County Hospital of Traditional , Jiangsu Province > 226600. | OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effects of > acupuncture on gouty renal damage. METHOD: 72 cases of gouty renal > damage were randomly divided into a treatment group of 42 cases and > a control group of 30 cases to observe the therapeutic effects and the > changes in 24-hour urinary protein content, blood creatinine, uric > acid > and urea nitrogen in blood before treatment and one month after > treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate in the treatment group > reached 95.24%, which was remarkably higher than 63.33% in the > control group. After one month of treatment, the indexes were found > reduced in both groups, but the reduction rate in the treatment group > was obviously superior to that in the control group. CONCLUSION: The > patients with repeated attacks of gout may have a higher possibility > to > suffer from renal damage. Therefore, attention should be paid to its > early diagnosis and treatment. Acupuncture may exert good therapeutic > effects on early gout complicated with renal damage by adjusting the > metabolism and improving the renal function. | Publication Types: > Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 15510795 [PubMed - > indexed for MEDLINE] > > Zherebkin VV. | [The use of acupuncture reflexotherapy in the combined > treatment of patients with chronic gouty polyarthritis - Article in > Russian] > | Lik Sprava. 1998 Mar-Apr;(2):151-3. | | 38 patients with gout > presenting with clinical signs of chronic polyarthritis were > examined. Of > these, 15 subjects were controls, who were treated with oplopurinol, > non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug preparations, and intra-articular > administration of glucocorticosteroids. 23 patients were placed into > the > main group, who, apart from the above treatment, received several > acupuncture treatments. By the end of the in-patient course of > treatment > the values for the articular index and visual scale of pain were > found to > be significantly lower in the main group than they were in controls. > The > conclusion reached was that acupuncture in a combined treatment of > patients with chronic podagric polyarthritis will help in enhancing > the > efficacy of the described treatment. | Publication Types: Clinical > Trial > Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 9670693 [PubMed - indexed for > MEDLINE] > > MEDLINE hits on HERBAL MEDICINE in GOUT: > > Ageel AM, Mossa JS, al-Yahya MA, al-Said MS, Tariq M. | Experimental > studies on antirheumatic crude drugs used in Saudi traditional > medicine. > | Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1989;15(8):369-72. | College of Pharmacy, King > Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. | A large number of herbal > drugs > are used in the traditional medicine of Saudi Arabia for the > treatment of > rheumatism, arthritis, gout and other forms of inflammation. In the > present study seven of these crude drugs, namely Francoeuria crispa, > Hammada elegans, Malus pumila, Ruta chalepensis, Smilax > sarsaparilla, Achillea fragrantissima and Alpinia officinarum were > tested > against carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rats. The plant > materials were extracted with 96% ethanol. The dried extract was > dissolved in water for pharmacological testing. The rats were > administered an oral dose of 500 mg/kg body weight of each extract 1 h > prior to production of inflammation by carrageenan injection (0.05 ml > of > 1% carrageenan suspension in the planter aponeurosis of the right hind > foot). The paw volume was measured at 0,2,3 and 4 h after the > injection. Four of the seven plants, namely Francoeuria crispa (24%), > Malus pumila (23%), Ruta chalepensis (30%) and Smilax sarsaparilla > (25%), produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced > inflammation in rats. These plants also inhibited cotton > pellet-induced > exudation. Further studies are suggested to isolate the active > principles > and for the determination of the mechanism of action of these drugs. | > PMID: 2598777 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Chou CT, Kuo SC. | The anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperuricemic > effects of Chinese herbal formula danggui-nian-tong-tang on acute > gouty arthritis: a comparative study with indomethacin and > allopurinol. | > Am J Chin Med. 1995;23(3-4):261-71. | Rheumatology-Immunology > Division, China Medical, College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. | The > traditional Chinese antirheumatic herb Danggui-Nian-Tong-Tang > (DGNTT) was studied comparatively with indomethacin and allopurinol > to evaluate its anti-inflammatory and antihyperuricemic effects in > patients with gout. Results in this study did not show any significant > improvement in reducing the total number of painful and swollen > joints, > articular index and pain score (P > 0.05) by treatment with DGNTT. > Unlike allopurinol, DGNTT did not lower the high serum level of uric > acid. In vitro study in rats showed that DGNTT significantly inhibits > the > activity of beta-glucuronidase (P < 0.05) and lysozyme release (P < > 0.01) from neutrophils. In conclusion, despite the effect of > inhibition on > enzyme release from neutrophils, DGNTT is not effective in treating > acute arthritis or hyperuricemia. | PMID: 8571922 [PubMed - indexed > for > MEDLINE] > > Dillinger TL, Barriga P, Escarcega S, Jimenez M, Salazar Lowe D, > Grivetti LE. | Food of the gods: cure for humanity? A cultural > history of > the medicinal and ritual use of chocolate. | J Nutr. 2000 Aug;130(8S > Suppl):2057S-72S. | Dept of Nutrition, University of California, > Davis CA > 95616, USA. | The medicinal use of cacao, or chocolate, both as a > primary remedy and as a vehicle to deliver other medicines, originated > in the New World and diffused to Europe in the mid 1500s. These > practices originated among the Olmec, Maya and Mexica (Aztec). The > word cacao is derived from Olmec and the subsequent Mayan > languages (kakaw); the chocolate-related term cacahuatl is Nahuatl > (Aztec language), derived from Olmec/Mayan etymology. Early colonial > era documents included instructions for the medicinal use of cacao. > The > Badianus Codex (1552) noted the use of cacao flowers to treat fatigue, > whereas the Florentine Codex (1590) offered a prescription of cacao > beans, maize and the herb tlacoxochitl (Calliandra anomala) to > alleviate > fever and panting of breath and to treat the faint of heart. > Subsequent > 16th to early 20th century manuscripts produced in Europe and New > Spain revealed >100 medicinal uses for cacao/chocolate. Three > consistent roles can be identified: 1) to treat emaciated patients to > gain > weight; 2) to stimulate nervous systems of apathetic, exhausted or > feeble patients; and 3) to improve digestion and elimination where > cacao/chocolate countered the effects of stagnant or weak stomachs, > stimulated kidneys and improved bowel function. Additional medical > complaints treated with chocolate/cacao have included anemia, poor > appetite, mental fatigue, poor breast milk production, > consumption/tuberculosis, fever, gout, kidney stones, reduced > longevity > and poor sexual appetite/low virility. Chocolate paste was a medium > used to administer drugs and to counter the taste of bitter > pharmacological additives. In addition to cacao beans, preparations of > cacao bark, oil (cacao butter), leaves and flowers have been used to > treat burns, bowel dysfunction, cuts and skin irritations. | > Publication > Types: Historical Article; PMID: 10917925 [PubMed - indexed for > MEDLINE] > > Gao ZQ, Deng YY, Wang L, Chen YP. | [Researches on the > establishment of chronic nephropathy models and the effect of TCM on > these models - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za > Zhi. 2005 Feb;25(2):186-9. | Dept of Renal Diseases, Longhua Hospital, > Shanghai TCM University, Shanghai 200032. gaozhiqing | > Following contents were reviewed in this article: More and more > experimental studies related with chronic uratic nephropathy were > carried out in recent years. In most of these studies, the animal > models > were established mainly from viewpoints of gene recombination, urinary > uric acid inhibition and blood uric acid production promoting. TCM > showed good effects in lowering blood uric acid, regulating levels of > cytokines and postponing interstitial fibrosis. However, further > studies on > Chinese herbs and their extracts is necessary. | Publication Types: > Review Review, Tutorial; PMID: 15768889 [PubMed - indexed for > MEDLINE] > > Grases F, Melero G, Costa-Bauza A, Prieto R, March JG. | Urolithiasis > and phytotherapy. | Int Urol Nephrol. 1994;26(5):507-11. | Dept of > Chemistry, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. | > The effects of seven plants with suspected application to prevent and > treat stone kidney formation (Verbena officinalis, Lithospermum > officinale, Taraxacum officinale, Equisetum arvense, Arctostaphylos > uva-ursi, Arctium lappa and Silene saxifraga) have been studied using > female Wistar rats. Variations of the main urolithiasis risk factors > (citraturia, calciuria, phosphaturia, pH and diuresis) have been > evaluated. It can be concluded that beneficial effects caused by these > herb infusions on urolithiasis can be attributed to some disinfectant > action, and tentatively to the presence of saponins. Specifically, > some > solvent action can be postulated with respect to uric stones or > heterogeneous uric nucleus, due to the basifying capacity of some herb > infusions. Nevertheless, for all the mentioned beneficial effects, > more > effective and equally innocuous substances are well known. | PMID: > 7860196 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Grover JK, Yadav SP. | Pharmacological actions and potential uses of > Momordica charantia: a review. | J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Jul;93(1):123- > 32. | Dept of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, > Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110049, India. jkgrover | Since > ancient times, plants and herbal preparations have been used as > medicine. Research carried out in last few decades has certified > several > such claims of use of several plants of traditional medicine. > Popularity of > Momordica charantia (MC) in various systems of traditional medicine > for > several ailments (antidiabetic, abortifacient, anthelmintic, > contraceptive, > dysmenorrhea, eczema, emmenagogue, antimalarial, galactagogue, > gout, jaundice, abdominal pain, kidney (stone), laxative, leprosy, > leucorrhea, piles, pneumonia, psoriasis, purgative, rheumatism, fever > and scabies) focused the investigator's attention on this plant. Over > 100 > studies using modern techniques have authenticated its use in diabetes > and its complications (nephropathy, cataract, insulin resistance), as > antibacterial as well as antiviral agent (including HIV infection), as > anthelmintic and abortifacient. Traditionally it has also been used in > treating peptic ulcers, interestingly in a recent experimental > studies have > exhibited its potential against Helicobacter pylori. Most > importantly, the > studies have shown its efficacy in various cancers (lymphoid leukemia, > lymphoma, choriocarcinoma, melanoma, breast cancer, skin tumor, > prostatic cancer, squamous carcinoma of tongue and larynx, human > bladder carcinomas and Hodgkin's disease). There are few reports > available on clinical use of MC in diabetes and cancer patients that > have > shown promising results. | Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial; > PMID: 15182917 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Honda M, Yoshimura K, Miyake O, Yoshioka T, Okuyama A, Yamaguchi > S, Utsunomiya M, Koide T, Sugiyama K. | [inhibitory effect of oral > administration of Takusya on calcium oxalate crystallization in human > whole urine - Article in Japanese] | Hinyokika Kiyo. 1997 > May;43(5):333- > 7. | Dept of Urology, Osaka University School of Medicine. | We > previously reported that Takusya (Zexie-Rz Alismatis) had inhibitory > effect on in vitro calcium oxalate crystallization and in vivo stone > formation in an animal model and it could be a prophylactic agent > against calcium oxalate stone formation. We studied the effect of > Takusya on calcium oxalate crystallization in human urine. Takusya > (500 mg/day and 1,000 mg/day) was administered to 16 healthy men for > 3 days and then 24-hour urine samples were collected to measure the > urinary excretion of calcium, phosphate, magnesium, uric acid, > creatinine, citric acid and oxalic acid. The urine samples before the > administration of Takusya was used as a control. The size and > distribution of crystals, which were formed in the urine samples by > adding calcium chloride and sodium oxalate, were measured using the > Coulter counter technique. Urinary magnesium excretion was > significantly reduced by 1,000 mg/day of Takusya compared with the > control (p < 0.05). The growth of crystals was significantly > inhibited by > 500 mg/day of Takusya in the large crystal formers whose urine created > crystals more than 3.5 microns before the administration of Takusya (p > < 0.05). These findings suggested that Takusya inhibited the growth of > crystals formed in human urine. | PMID: 9208316 [PubMed - indexed for > MEDLINE] > > Ji W, Zhu XX, Tan WF, Lu Y. | Effects of Rebixiao granules on blood > uric acid in patients with repeatedly attacking acute gouty > arthritis. | Chin > J Integr Med. 2005 Mar;11(1):15-21. | Rheumatism Immunity Dept of > The First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Traditional > Chinese > Medicine. jiweitong | OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical > effect of Rebixiao granule (RBXG) in treating repeatedly attacking > acute > gouty arthritis and through experimental study on blood uric acid to > explore RBXG's therapeutic mechanism. METHODS: Ninety repeatedly > attacking acute gouty arthritis patients were divided into the treated > group (n = 60) and control group (n = 30). The treated group was > treated with RBXG, and the control group was treated with Futalin > tablets (diclofenac sodium). The baseline treatment including good > rest, > low purine diet, sufficient water drinking and urine alkalization, > etc. was > then given to both groups. Hypoxanthine 600 mg/kg and niacin 100 > mg/kg was applied to hyperuricemic mice by gastrogavage to establish > the animal models. RESULTS: The clinical effective rate of the treated > group was 95.0% and that of the control 90.0%. Good therapeutic > effects were won, insignificant difference (P > 0.05)was shown between > the two groups. However, the cure rate of the treated group was 26.7% > while that of the control group was 10.0%, with significant > difference (P > < 0.01) shown between them. The treated group had its blood uric acid > lowered, which was significantly different (P < 0.05) from that of the > control group. The animal experiment indicated that all the three > groups > treated with different dosages of RBXG, as well as the Ash bark and > Smilax glabra rhizome groups had their blood uric acid content reduced > in the hyperuricemic mice. CONCLUSION: RBXG has a quicker > initiation and better treatment effects than sole anti-inflammatory > and > analgesic agents on the treatment of repeatedly attacking acute gouty > arthritis, showing no obvious toxic or adverse reactions and therefore > good for long-term administration and likely to be a safe TCM > preparation to control the symptoms and reduce the onsets of > repeatedly attacking of acute gouty arthritis. The animal experiment > shows that both the compound preparation and part of the single > ingredients in the recipe have the function of reducing blood uric > acid. > However, the compound recipe has better therapeutic effects, proving > to > be superior to single drugs. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial > Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 15975301 [PubMed - indexed for > MEDLINE] > > Kong LD, Yang C, Ge F, Wang HD, Guo YS. | A Chinese herbal > medicine Ermiao Wan reduces serum uric acid level and inhibits liver > xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase in mice. | J > Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Aug;93(2-3):325-30. | State Key Laboratory of > Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Institute of > Functional Biomolecule, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, People's > Republic of China. kongld | Ermiao Wan, which is > composed of phellodendri cortex and atractylodis rhizome, is described > as eliminating heat, excreting dampness and anti-edema prescription in > traditional Chinese medical literatures including Danxi's Experiences > in > Medicine and State Pharmacopoeia of People's Republic of China. So it > is being used clinically in the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia in > China. In the present study, the water extracts of Ermiao wan and > phellodendri cortex at 840 and 480 mg/kg/day orally for 7 days were > demonstrated to possess in vivo potent hypouricemic effects both in > hyperuricemic mice pretreated with oxonate and in normal mice, > respectively. In the hyperuricemic animals, the effect of Ermiao wan > was > equal to that of the reference drug allopurinol (at 10 mg/kg/day > orally for > 7 days), but in the normal mice, the former was weaker than latter. In > addition, both Ermiao wan and phellodendri cortex were found to have > in > vivo relatively inhibitory effects on mouse liver xanthine > dehydrogenase > (XDH) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities at the same dose described > above. These inhibitory effects were weaker than that observed for > allopurinol. Atractylodis rhizome at 340 mg/kg/day orally for 7 days > did > not show any effects on the above experiments. These results > suggested that atractylodis rhizomes assisted and enhanced the effect > of phellodendri cortex on reduction of serum uric acid level in > hyperuricemic mice, and hypouricemic effects of Ermiao wan and > phellodendri cortex may be achieved by other mechanism partly instead > of the XDH and XO inhibition. | PMID: 15234772 [PubMed - indexed for > MEDLINE] > > Ma JY, Liu YZ, Zhou Z. | [Clinical observation on treatment of acute > gouty arthritis by tongfengkang - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong > Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004 Jun;24(6):488-90. | Guangzhou TCM > University, Guangzhou (510405). lemei360073 | > OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of > Tongfeng Kang (TFK) in treating acute gouty arthritis. METHODS: > Adopting randomized single blinded controlled trial, the 40 patients > were > equally divided into two groups. The tested group was treated with > TFK, > the control group was treated with indomethacin and allopurinol, the > therapeutic course for both groups was 10 days. RESULTS: The clinical > cure rate in the tested group and the control group was 30% and 35% > respectively, and the total effective rate 90% and 95% respectively, > with > no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The > scores > of blood uric acid and symptom significantly lowered in both groups > after > treatment (P < 0.01), but showed no significant difference between > them > (P > 0.05). Adverse reaction to the treatment was shown in 3 patients > in > the control group. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of TFK is > similar to that of indomethacin plus allopurinol but with less adverse > reaction, it is an effective and safe remedy for treatment of acute > gouty > arthritis, and worthy for further studying and developing. | > Publication > Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 15250197 > [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Nelsen J, Ulbricht C, Barrette EP, Sollars D, Tsourounis C, Rogers A, > Basch S, Hashmi S, Bent S, Basch E. | Red clover (Trifolium pratense) > monograph: a clinical decision support tool. | J Herb Pharmacother. > 2002;2(3):49-72. | University of Rhode Island, USA. | Red clover, a > legume resembling soy is used by man as a phytoestrogen. Other uses > include asthma, pertussis, cancer and gout. The authors systematically > review this herb in terms of pharmacology, efficacy, safety, side > effects, > standardization, dosing, toxicology as well as other parameters. | > PMID: > 15277090 [PubMed] > > Ni Q, Shi Z, Zheng Q. | [Clinical study on Zishen Decoction in chronic > uric acid nephrosis - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie > He > Za Zhi. 1998 May;18(5):269-72. | Guang' anmen Hospital, China > Academy of TCM, Beijing 100053. | OBJECTIVE: To observe the > ameliorative effect of Zishen Decoction (ZSD) on chronic uric acid > nephrosis (CUAN). METHODS: The 72 CUAN patients were divided into > 2 groups: The group with ZSD treatment, the dose of which was 400 > ml/d and group with zyloric as the control, the dose of which was 200 > mg/d. The treatment lasted for 8 weeks. RESULTS: The general > effective rate of the ZSD group was 92.86%; and that of the control > group Was 66.67%. There was significant difference between the two > groups (P < 0.01). ZSD treatment reduced the levels of blood uric > acid, > serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and the levels of albumin, > beta 2-microglobulin and the activity of N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase in > CUAN (P < 0.01). The levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol > decreased and the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol > increased in the serum of ZSD treated CUAN (P < 0.01). > CONCLUSIONS: ZSD exerted obviously ameliorative effect on renal > function in CUAN. | PMID: 11477922 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Premgamone A, Sriboonlue P, Disatapornjaroen W, Maskasem S, > Sinsupan N, Apinives C. | A long-term study on the efficacy of a > herbal > plant, Orthosiphon grandiflorus, and sodium potassium citrate in renal > calculi treatment. | Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2001 > Sep;32(3):654-60. | Dept of Community Medicine, Faculty Medicine, > Khon Kaen University, Thailand. | The study was performed to compare > the efficacy of a herbal plant, Orthosiphon grandiflorus (OG), and the > drug sodium potassium citrate (SPC) in treatment of renal calculi. > Forty- > eight rural stone formers identified by ultrasonography were recruited > and randomly assigned to two treatment groups (G1 and G2). For a > period up to 18 months, subjects in G1 received 2 cups of OG tea > daily, > each tea cup made from an OG tea bag (contained 2.5 g dry wt), and > G2 received 5-10 g of granular SPC in solution divided into three > times > a day. Once every 5 to 7 weeks, subjects were interviewed, given an > additional drug supply, administered a kidney ultrasound and had spot > urine samples collected for relevant biochemical analysis. From the > recorded ultrasound images, rates of stone size reduction per year > (ROSRPY) were calculated. The mean ROSRPY was 28.6+/-16.0% and > 33.8+/-23.6% for G1 and G2, respectively. These two means were not > significantly different. ROSRPY values of G1 and G2 were combined > and divided into three levels: Level A (ROSRPY > mean + 0.5 SD), > Level M (ROSRPY = mean +/- 0.5 SD) and Level B (ROSRPY < mean - > 0.5 SD). Dissolution of stones was least in Level B which was related > to > higher excretions of Ca and uric acid in the urine. After treatment, > 90% > of the initial clinical symptoms (ie back pain, headaches and joint > pain) > were relieved. Fatigue and loss of appetite were observed in 26.3% of > G2 subjects. Our study indicates that treatment of renal calculi with > OG > tea is an alternative means of management. Further investigation is > needed to improve dissolution of stones with a low ROSRPY. | > Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: > 11944733 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Sekiya N, Kogure T, Kita T, Kasahara Y, Sakakibara I, Goto H, > Shibahara N, Shimada Y, Terasawa K. | Reduction of plasma > triglyceride level and enhancement of plasma albumin concentration by > Oren-gedoku-to administration. | Phytomedicine. 2002 Jul;9(5):455-60. > | > Dept of Japanese Oriental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama > Medical and Pharmaceutical University. s114 | > Oren-gedoku-to (Huanglian-Jie-Du-Tang, OGT) has been used for the > treatment of cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, gastritis and > liver > disease in Japan. The present study was to test whether ingestion of > OGT extract (TJ-15) would affect the metabolism of fatty acids and the > usual antioxidant molecule (such as albumin, uric acid and bilirubin) > levels in human plasma. After the administration of TJ-15, plasma > total > cholesterol and the triglyceride level significantly decreased, and > lipoprotein lipase mass increased. Significant enhancement of plasma > albumin level and reduction of the total plasma protein level > resulted in > an increment of the albumin/globulin ratio. Plasma fibrinogen, an > independent risk factor for cerebrovascular disease, declined > considerably, but the reduction was not statistically significant. The > findings of this study suggest that ingestion of TJ-15 improves the > microcirculation through lipid and protein metabolisms, and is useful > for > the treatment of cerebral vascular attack in human. | PMID: 12222668 > [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Shen W, Li J. | [A review on chronic uric-acid nephropathy treated > with > Chinese traditional medicine - Article in Chinese] | Zhong Yao Cai. > 2002 > Jul;25(7):528-30. | Dept of Traditional , First > Affiliated > Hospital, Sun Yat-sen Medical University, Guangzhou, 510080, > Guangdong Province, China | | Publication Types: Review Review, > Tutorial; PMID: 14974444 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Stickel F, Seitz HK. | The efficacy and safety of comfrey. | Public > Health > Nutr. 2000 Dec;3(4A):501-8. | Dept of Medicine I, Division of > Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, > Krankenhausstrasse 12, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. > felix.stickel | Herbal medication has > gathered increasing recognition in recent years with regard to both > treatment options and health hazards. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids have > been > associated with substantial toxicity after their ingestion as tea and > in the > setting of contaminated cereals have led to endemic outbreaks in > Jamaica, India and Afghanistan. In Western Europe, comfrey has been > applied for inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, thrombophlebitis > and gout and as a treatment for diarrhoea. Only recently was the use > of > comfrey leaves recognized as a substantial health hazard with hepatic > toxicity in humans and carcinogenic potential in rodents. These > effects > are most likely due to various hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids > such as > lasiocarpine and symphytine, and their related N-oxides. The > mechanisms by which toxicity and mutagenicity are conveyed are still > not fully understood, but seem to be mediated through a toxic > mechanism related to the biotransformation of alkaloids by hepatic > microsomal enzymes. This produces highly reactive pyrroles which act > as powerful alkylating agents. The main liver injury caused by comfrey > (Symphytum officinale) is veno-occlusive disease, a non-thrombotic > obliteration of small hepatic veins leading to cirrhosis and > eventually > liver failure. Patients may present with either acute or chronic > clinical > signs with portal hypertension, hepatomegaly and abdominal pain as the > main features. Therapeutic approaches include avoiding intake and, if > hepatic failure is imminent, liver transplantation. In view of the > known > serious hazards and the ban on distributing comfrey in Germany and > Canada, it is difficult to understand why comfrey is still freely > available in > the United States. | Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial; PMID: > 11276298 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Sun M, Yang YR, Lu YP, Gao R, Wang L, Wang J, Tang K. | [Clinical > study on application of Bailing capsule after renal transplantation - > Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2004 > Sep;24(9):808-10. | Dept of Urology, West China Hospital of Sichuan > University, Chengdu (610041). sunming2003 | OBJECTIVE: > To observe and assess the immunosuppressive effect of applying > Bailing capsule (BLC, a dry powder preparation of Cordyceps sinensis > mycelia), after renal transplantation, its influence on other systems > of > organism, and to explore the possible therapeutic mechanism. > METHODS: One hundred and twenty-one recipients of renal homo- > allograft were randomly divided into two groups. The 64 cases in Group > A was treated with cyclosporin A (Cs A) + prednisone (pred) + > azathioprine (Aza), the 57 in Group B treated with Cs A + pred + BLC. > They were followed-up for 1-2 year by checking up blood routine, urine > routine, liver and renal function, blood electrolytes, glucose and > lipids, > and uric acid for 2 times every week in the first month after > transplantation, followed by proper re-examination of these items > according to various condition. RESULTS: There was no significant > difference between the two groups in aspects of graft survival rate, > occurrence of reject reaction, renal function recovery, blood > electrolytes > and blood glucose levels. However, as compared with Group A, in > Group B, levels of urinary erythrocytes and leucocytes, blood alanine > transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total > cholesterol, uric acid as well as the incidence of infection were > significantly lower, and blood high density lipoprotein, serum total > protein, albumin, RBC and WBC count were significantly higher. > CONCLUSION: BLC could effectively prevent the reject response after > renal transplantation, protect renal and liver function, stimulate > hemopoietic function, improve hypoproteinemia and hyperlipidemia, > reduce the infection, etc., therefore, it is an ideal immunosuppressor > after organ transplantation. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial > Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 15495826 [PubMed - indexed for > MEDLINE] > > Sun Y, Chen B, Jia Q. | [Clinical effect of Xinqingning combined low > dose continuous gastrointestinal dialysis in treating uremia - > Article in > Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2000 Sep;20(9):660-3. | > Dept of Nephrology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital University of Medical > Sciences, Beijing (100053). | OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical > effect of Xinqingning (XQN), a preparation of rhubarb, combined with > low dose continuous gastrointestinal dialysis in treating uremia. > METHODS: Patients of uremia were divided into three groups at > random, eighteen patients in the group A were treated with 1000 ml > gastrointestinal dialysate (non-absorbed mannitol solution) orally 2-3 > times a day, twenty patients in the group B treated with the same > therapy as that in the group A, but combined with XQN 5-10 tablets 3 > times per day and 19 patients in the group C treated by orally taken > coated aldehyde oxystarch 5-10 g, 3 times a day. The therapeutic > course for the three groups were 11 months. The changes in clinical > manifestation, renal function, nutritional condition, and electrolytes > before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS: After treatment, > significant improvement was revealed in aspects of uremic symptoms, > quality of life, nutritional condition, serum creatinine, urea > nitrogen, > serum phosphate, uric acid, CO2 combining power, creatine clearance, > body weight and arm muscular circumference in the group A and B, as > compared with those in the group C. In comparison of the group A and > B, the group B showed a lower serum triglyceride and slower > progression of chronic renal failure (CRF). All the criteria were not > improved in the group C and with serum creatinine raised > significantly. > CONCLUSION: XQN combined low dose continuous gastrointestinal > dialysis therapy was effective in definitely treating uremia, it > provides a > new therapeutic means of non-replacement therapy for CRF with > uremia. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled > Trial; > PMID: 11789169 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Wachtel-Galor S, Szeto YT, Tomlinson B, Benzie IF. | Ganoderma > lucidum ('Lingzhi'); acute and short-term biomarker response to > supplementation. | Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2004 Feb;55(1):75-83. | Ageing > & Health Group, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic > University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR. | Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi) is > a popular Chinese herb with an impressive array of reputed health > benefits, including antioxidant properties. However, these require > scientific validation. The aim of this study was to investigate in > vitro > antioxidant capacity of Lingzhi, absorption and systemic distribution > of > Lingzhi antioxidants, and effects of short-term (10 days) > supplementation on biomarkers of antioxidant status, coronary heart > disease (CHD) risk and DNA damage. In this double-blinded, placebo- > controlled, cross-over intervention study, blood and urine samples > were > collected from 10 healthy volunteers at 0 (fasting) and 45, 90, 135 > and > 180 min post-ingestion of a single dose (1.1g) of Lingzhi. Repeat > fasting > samples were collected after 10 days' supplementation with 0.72 g/d > Lingzhi. The acute response (up to 3 hours) was also investigated > with a > larger dose (3.3 g) of Lingzhi (n=7). Results showed that the total > antioxidant capacity (as the FRAP value) of an aqueous suspension of > Lingzhi was 360 micromol/g. Ingestion of Lingzhi caused a significant > post-ingestion increase (mean+/-SEM 23+/-3 micromol/L; P<0.05) in > plasma antioxidant capacity, with peak response at 90 min. Average > increase of 29+/-11% (P<0.05) in urine antioxidant capacity was seen > within 3 hours of ingestion. After 10 days' supplementation with 0.72 > g > per day of Lingzhi, fasting plasma lipid standardised alpha-tocopherol > concentration and urine antioxidant capacity increased (P<0.05). > Fasting plasma ascorbic acid and total alpha-tocopherol concentrations > and erythrocyte SOD and GPx activities increased slightly but non- > significantly with supplementation. Plasma lipids and uric acid > tended to > decrease, but changes were not statistically significant. No > discernable > differences were seen in other variables measured. Results indicate > that > Lingzhi intake causes an acute increase in plasma antioxidant > capacity. > No deleterious effects on measured variables were seen. The pattern of > biomarker response after supplementation indicated possible benefit in > terms of antioxidant status and CHD risk, but further study is needed > to > elucidate the nature and longer-term effects of the absorbable > antioxidants from Lingzhi. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial > Randomized > Controlled Trial; PMID: 14630595 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Wang HD, Ge F, Guo YS, Kong LD. | [Effects of aqueous extract in > herba of Lysimachia christinae on hyperuricemia in mice - Article in > Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2002 Dec;27(12):939-41, 944. | > State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life > Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, China. | > OBJECTIVE: To study hypouricemic effect of aqueous extract of > Lysimachia christinae on hyperuricemia in mice. METHOD: The uricase > inhibitor potassium oxonate was used to induce hyperuricemia in mice, > and serum uric acid level was determined with the phosphotungstic acid > method. RESULT: The aqueous extract of Lysimachia christinae, when > administered orally to the oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice at the > doses of 5.2, 10.4 and 20.8 g.kg-1, was able to elicit dose-dependent > hypouricemic effects. At these doses of the extract, the serum urate > levels of the oxonate-pretreated mice showed no difference from the > normal mice. In normal mice, however, oral administration of the > extract > at the same doses did not produce any observable hypouricemic > effects. CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of Lysimachia christinae > possesses potent hypuricemic effects on models of hyperuricemia in > mice pretreated with oxonate. | PMID: 12776538 [PubMed - indexed for > MEDLINE] > > Wang XJ, Yu R, Guo JS, Wu YJ, WU XC. | [Effect of extract from > overground part of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. on Masugi > nephritis in > rabbits - Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2000 > Apr;25(4):231-3. | Hunan College of TCM, Changsha 410007, Hunan, > China. | OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of extract from overground > part of Trpterygium wilfordii on Masugi nephritis in rabbits. METHOD: > Masugi nephritis was made by giving i.v. the rabbit an injection of > sheep > antirabbit serum. RESULT: The extract could effectively inhibit the > increase of uric protein, serum BUN, creatinine and glomerulus cells > in > rabbits. CONCLUSION: The extract from overground part of > Tripterygium wilfordii has better curative effect on Masugi nephritis > in > rabbits. | PMID: 12512441 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Whitehouse MW, Butters DE. | Combination anti-inflammatory therapy: > synergism in rats of NSAIDs/corticosteroids with some herbal/animal > products. | Inflammopharmacology. 2003;11(4):453-64. | Therapeutics > Research Unit, Dept of Medicine, University of Queensland, Princess > Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia. | A > useful function of any complementary medicine is to supplement some > of the benefits from other treatment modalities. In rats, extracts > from > Indian celery seed and the NZ green-lipped mussel are powerful > nutraceuticals that (i) amplify the potency of salicylates and > prednisone > for treating pre-established chronic inflammation (arthritis, > fibrosis) and > (ii) reduce the steroid's gastrotoxic and lymphopenic side effects. > Such > combinations might also be useful for treating inflammatory components > of (a) osteoarthritis caused by microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (BCP) > and > (b) pseudo-gout, associated with calcium pyrophosphate crystals; that > are usually refractory to monotherapy. | PMID: 15035799 [PubMed] > > Woods JA, Jewell C, O'Brien NM. | Sedanolide, a natural phthalide from > celery seed oil: effect on hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl > hydroperoxide-induced toxicity in HepG2 and CaCo-2 human cell lines. | > In Vitr Mol Toxicol. 2001 Fall;14(3):233-40. | Nutritional Sciences, > Dept > of Food Science, Food Technology and Nutrition, University College, > Cork, Ireland. | Sedanolide is a natural compound occurring in edible > umbelliferous plants. Celery seed oil, a significant source of > sedanolide, > is used as an herbal remedy to treat inflammatory-associated > conditions > such as gout and rheumatism. The objective of this study was to assess > the potential protective properties of sedanolide against hydrogen > peroxide (H(2)O(2))- and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH)-induced > toxicity in HepG2 and CaCo-2 cells. Viability of HepG2 and CaCo-2 > cells > was unaffected by a 24-h exposure to sedanolide (7-500 microM), > however, when the cells were cultured in sedanolide-free medium for a > further two cell cycles (72 h), a decrease in cell viability was > observed > for HepG2 cells previously exposed to 500 microM of the compound. > Cells pretreated with sedanolide (100 microM for 24 h) and exposed to > either H(2)O(2) or tBOOH did not exhibit statistically significant > difference in viability from controls. A significant increase (p < > 0.05) in > DNA strand breaks, as measured by the comet assay, was observed in > HepG2 but not CaCo-2 cells following a 24-h incubation with 500 > microM sedanolide. Sedanolide did not modulate H(2)O(2)- and tBOOH- > induced DNA damage. Sedanolide is relatively nontoxic to cells in > culture, however, the protection it afforded against H(2)O(2)- and > tBOOH-induced toxicity was not statistically significant. | PMID: > 11846995 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Wu X, Li J, Mo S, Liu H, Zhou Y, Shen W. | [Clinical study of > treatment > on chronic uric acid nephropathy by integrating Western and > traditional > Chinese medicine - Article in Chinese] | Zhong Yao Cai. 2002 > Jan;25(1):72-5. | First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University of > Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080. | OBJECTIVE: To investigate > the ameliorative effect on chronic uric acid nephropathy (CUAN) by > integrating western and traditional Chinese medicine (IWTCM). > METHODS: The 136 CUAN patients were divided into two groups at > random, the therapy group of 86 patients were treated by Chinese > medicine and allopurinol, and the control group of 50 patients were > treated only by allopurinol. The curative effect and the related index > such as blood uric acid, renal function, urinary protein, > microproteins, > blood lipid and hyperviscosity were determined before and after being > treated. RESULTS: After three months treatment, the total effective > rate > in the therapy group (90.7%) was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than > that > of the control group (56%). The therapy group is also superior to the > control group in improving renal function, lipid metabolism and > hyperviscosity, decreasing blood uric acid, urinary protein, > microproteins > in evidence (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: IWTCM can obviously > improve the ameliorative effect on chronic uric acid nephropathy. | > Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: > 12583246 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Xu ZC. | [Effect of injection Salvia miltiorrhizae on peritoneal > dialysis - > Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1993 > Feb;13(2):74-6, 67. | Zhejiang Traditional Hospital, > Hangzhou. | Effective volume of blood flow of peritoneal capillary is > an > important factor influencing the efficiency of peritoneal dialysis. > Injection > of Salvia miltiorrhizae (ISM) could dilate the blood vessels and > improve > microcirculation. The effect of peritoneal dialysis with three kinds > of > dialytic fluid was studied. The dialysate of first group contained > ISM, the > second used dialysate only, the third contained dopamine. The result > found that ISM could markedly increase the clearance rate and > ultrafiltration rate of the peritoneum to creatinine, urea nitrogen > and uric > acid. Three concentrations of ISM (4%, 6%, 8%) were also compared. > This comparison showed that 6% injection of ISM was the optimal > concentration. | PMID: 8334340 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Yang C, Zhu JX, Wang Y, Wen YL, Kong LD. | [Effects of processing > Phellodendron amurense with salt on anti-gout - Article in Chinese] | > Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 Jan;30(2):145-8. | State Key > Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, > Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China. | OBJECTIVE: To > investigate the effects of processing Phellodendron anurene with salt > on > anti-gout. METHOD: The mouse serum uric acid level and liver xanthine > oxidase activity were used to evaluate anti-gout effects of raw and > processing P. amurense with salt. RESULT: Both raw and processing P. > amurense with salt reduced serum uric acid levels in the in > hyperuricemic mice, and inhibited activities of liver xanthine > oxidase at > the low and high doses respectively, thus exhibiting anti-gout > effects. > Moreover, they showed the tendency to decrease the uric acid levels in > the normal animal only at the high dose. The latter was a little > weaker > than the former. CONCLUSION: Processing with salt might not > significantly change anti-gout effect of P. amurense. | PMID: 15714822 > [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Yokozawa T, Sekiya M, Cho EJ, Kurokawa M, Shiraki K. | Effect of > Wen-Pi-Tang extract on lung damage by influenza virus infection. | > Phytomedicine. 2004 Nov;11(7-8):625-32. | Institute of Natural > Medicine, > Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama 930-0194, > Japan. yokozawa | The effect of Wen-Pi-Tang > extract on influenza virus infection in mice was investigated. The > administration of Wen-Pi-Tang extract at a dose of 100mg/kg body wt. > for 8 consecutive days to influenza virus-infected mice reversed the > lack > of body wt. gain and prevented the increase in lung weight caused by > the infection in comparison with uninfected mice, while allopurinol, a > xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitor, did not show these effects. The > serum > levels of uric acid and allantoin in influenza virus-infected mice > were > reduced by Wen-Pi-Tang extract administration. Moreover, Wen-Pi- > Tang extract reduced the uric acid level more as the dose increased, > although it exerted lower activity than allopurinol. The XOD activity > of the > lungs was elevated by influenza virus infection, but Wen-Pi-Tang > extract > administration inhibited this activity, indicating prevention of lung > damage by oxygen free radicals generated by XOD. After the > administration of Wen-Pi-Tang extract to influenza virus-infected > mice, > the lung superoxide dismutase activity was not significantly different > from that of uninfected mice, whereas lung catalase activity was > lower in > the former than the latter, but slightly higher than that of > influenza virus- > infected mice, suggesting that Wen-Pi-Tang extract may prevent the > generation of highly toxic hydroxyl radicals in the lung. In > addition, the > administration of both Wen-Pi-Tang extract and allopurinol reduced the > degree of lung consolidation caused by influenza virus infection. In > particular, Wen-Pi-Tang extract reduced the consolidation score in a > dose-dependent manner and more markedly than allopurinol did. This > study suggests that Wen-Pi-Tang extract could improve pathological > conditions of the lungs induced by influenza virus infection. | PMID: > 15636176 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > Yoshimura K, Miyake O, Okuyama A, Yoshioka T, Honda M, Yamaguchi > S, Koide T. | [Effect of chorei-to and gorei-san on calcium oxalate > crystallization in human urine - Article in Japanese] | Hinyokika > Kiyo. > 1998 Jan;44(1):13-6. | Dept of Urology, Osaka University Medical > School. | The inhibitory effect of two kinds of Kampou medicine, > Chorei- > to (Zhuling Tang) and Gorei-san (Wuling San), on calcium oxalate > crystallization in human urine, was examined. Chorei-to or Gorei-san > was administered to 15 healthy male volunteers for three consecutive > days under normal dietary conditions and 24-hour urine samples were > collected before and after the administration. Urinary parameters > including calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, oxalate and citrate were > measured on each sample obtained. The inhibitory effect on calcium > oxalate crystallization was examined using part of the collected > 24-hour > urine. There was no significant difference in urinary parameters > before > and after Chorei-to administration. Gorei-san administration > significantly > increased magnesium excretion in urine. A significant inhibitory > effect on > calcium oxalate crystallization in human urine was recognized when > Gorei-san was administered, whereas Chorei-to had no inhibitory effect > on calcium oxalate crystallization in urine. | PMID: 9503201 [PubMed - > indexed for MEDLINE] > > Zhang XY, Kuang CB. | [Clinical observation on treatment of > nonalcoholic fatty liver disease complicating hyperuricemia by > Zhifang I > Decoction - Article in Chinese] | Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2004 > Jul;2(4):265-7, 313. | Dept of Liver Diseases, Shuguang Hospital, > Shanghai University of Traditional , Shanghi 200021, > China. | OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of Chinese > herbal recipe Zhifang I Decoction on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease > (NAFLD) complicating hyperuricemia (HUA). METHODS: Forty-six > patients suffering from NAFLD complicating HUA were randomly divided > into treatment group (25 cases) with Zhifang I and control group (21 > cases) with Xuezhikang Capsule. One course of treatment was 8 > weeks. The data were processed by SPSS 11.0 statistical package after > 2 courses of treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate of the > treatment group was 80.00%, which surpassed the control group > (71.43%) (P<0.01); Zhifang I could improve the image of B-mode > ultrasonography and was better than Xuezhikang in ameliorating the > clinical symptoms (P<0.05); Zhifang I could significantly decrease the > serum uric acid (UA) (P<0.01), while Xuezhikang had no obvious > therapeutic effect on it (P>0.05); Zhifang I was as good as Xuezhikang > in recovering alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate > aminotransferase (AST),gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), total > cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Zhifang > I has good effect in treating NAFLD complicating HUA. | Publication > Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 15339411 > [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] > > > Best regards, > > > Tel: (H): +353-(0) or (M): +353-(0) > > > > > Ireland. > Tel: (W): +353-(0) or (M): +353-(0) > > > > " Man who says it can't be done should not interrupt man doing it " - > Chinese Proverb > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 7, 2005 Report Share Posted September 7, 2005 Black Cherry juice- about 1 quart a day of the pure juice will help significantly- good luck --- < wrote: > Hi Stefano & All, > > Stefano Manocchio <batignano wrote: > > Hi all, a friend is affected by uric acid crystals > depot (gotta - > > gout). Anyone can give some holystic help? Nothing > from allopatic > > medicine help his conitions. Thanks a lot, Stefano > Manocchio > > In trying to treat & prevent gout / hyperuricaemia, > I would: > > 1. Examine the diet for foods that stress LV > (high-protein, high-fat foods, > food intolerances, heavy alcohol intake, heavy > chocolate intake, etc) > and advise accordingly. > > 2. Needle key AP points for LV & GB (selected from > LV03, GB34, GB20, > BL18 or BL19, LV14, GB24, etc) + symptomatic points > once/week for 3- > 4 times. > > 3. Recommend herbal support for LV and GB function, > such as LIV52 > (Ayurvedic) or Chinese/Kampo Formulas [ see Medline > hits, below] > > IBIS lists the following herbs for gout: > > primary herbs: • Apium graveolens (seed): (Mitchell, > p. 13); • Aralia > racemosa: cleanses, tones (Ellingwood, p. 486); • > Arctium lappa: > alterative (Mitchell, p. 41); • Chimaphila > umbellata: removes metabolic > waste (Mitchell, p. 41); • Colchicum autumnale > (toxic): Mitchell suggests > 3X; acute attack: see (Weiss, p. 273; Mitchell, p. > 41); • Guaiacum > officinale: during acute attack, or chronic, or as a > prophylactic (British > Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 107; Bastyr); • Juniperus > communis: as a > diuretic, chronic gout (Weiss, p. 235); • Mentha > pulegium (oil): topically > (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 143); • Smilax > sarsaparilla: alterative > (Ellingwood, p. 372); • Taraxacum officinale: > alterative; • Trigonella > foenum-graecum: (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. > 217) > > British Herbal Pharmacopoeia also lists: • Calluna > vulgaris • Daucus > carota • Eupatorium purpureum • Harpagophytum > procumbens • > Populus gileadensis • Salix spp. • Sassafras albidum > • Teucrium > chamaedrys > > Complementary herbs • formula: to " cleanse the > blood " : Taraxacum > officinale (root, leaf), 20 g. Urtica spp., 20 g. > Sambucus niger (flowers), > 20 g. Rhamnus frangula (toxic) (bark), 20 g. > Foeniculum vulgare (fennel > seed), 20 g. instructions: 1 tsp. per cup of boiling > water, morning and > night for 4 weeks. May add a carminative for > flavoring. (Weiss, p. 274) > > MEDLINE hits on ACUPUNCTURE in GOUT: > > Holub TI. | [The clinico-laboratory effects of > acupuncture in patients with > glomerulonephritis - Article in Ukrainian] | Lik > Sprava. 1999 Jun;(4):157- > 61. | | As many as 104 patients with different > clinical forms and variants > of glomerulonephritis were examined and treated with > acupuncture. This > mode of treatment was found out to positively > influence the level of > hemoglobin, ESR, eosinophilia, making for diminution > of proteinuria and > erythrocyturia, returning hemostasis and blood > biochemical spectrum > (proteinogrammes, levels of cholesterol, uric acid) > to normal, with the > level of arterial pressure being normalized in > patients with mild > hypertension or reduced in those with moderately > severe to severe > hypertension. Acupuncture is recommended as a > monotherapeutic > modality in the treatment of uric syndrome with a > hematuric component > in a combined treatment of nephrotic syndrome and > hypertension, which > attempt will, we believe, help in preventing side > effects of the drugs > employed. | PMID: 10476672 [PubMed - indexed for > MEDLINE] > > Ma X. | Clinical analysis for the acupuncture > treatment in 42 cases of > gouty renal damage. | J Tradit Chin Med. 2004 > Sep;24(3):185-7. | Hai'an > County Hospital of Traditional , > Jiangsu Province > 226600. | OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic > effects of > acupuncture on gouty renal damage. METHOD: 72 cases > of gouty renal > damage were randomly divided into a treatment group > of 42 cases and > a control group of 30 cases to observe the > therapeutic effects and the > changes in 24-hour urinary protein content, blood > creatinine, uric acid > and urea nitrogen in blood before treatment and one > month after > treatment. RESULTS: The total effective rate in the > treatment group > reached 95.24%, which was remarkably higher than > 63.33% in the > control group. After one month of treatment, the > indexes were found > reduced in both groups, but the reduction rate in > the treatment group > was obviously superior to that in the control group. > CONCLUSION: The > patients with repeated attacks of gout may have a > higher possibility to > suffer from renal damage. Therefore, attention > should be paid to its > early diagnosis and treatment. Acupuncture may exert > good therapeutic > effects on early gout complicated with renal damage > by adjusting the > metabolism and improving the renal function. | > Publication Types: > Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: > 15510795 [PubMed - > indexed for MEDLINE] > > Zherebkin VV. | [The use of acupuncture > reflexotherapy in the combined > treatment of patients with chronic gouty > polyarthritis - Article in Russian] > | Lik Sprava. 1998 Mar-Apr;(2):151-3. | | 38 > patients with gout > presenting with clinical signs of chronic > polyarthritis were examined. Of > these, 15 subjects were controls, who were treated > with oplopurinol, > non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug preparations, > and intra-articular > administration of glucocorticosteroids. 23 patients > were placed into the > main group, who, apart from the above treatment, > received several > acupuncture treatments. By the end of the in-patient > course of treatment > the values for the articular index and visual scale > of pain were found to > be significantly lower in the main group than they > were in controls. The > conclusion reached was that acupuncture in a > combined treatment of > patients with chronic podagric polyarthritis will > help in enhancing the > efficacy of the described treatment. | Publication > Types: Clinical Trial > Randomized Controlled Trial; PMID: 9670693 [PubMed - > indexed for > MEDLINE] > > MEDLINE hits on HERBAL MEDICINE in GOUT: > > Ageel AM, Mossa JS, al-Yahya MA, al-Said MS, Tariq > M. | Experimental > studies on antirheumatic crude drugs used in Saudi > traditional medicine. > | Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1989;15(8):369-72. | College > of Pharmacy, King > Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. | A large > number of herbal drugs > are used in the traditional medicine of Saudi Arabia > for the treatment of > rheumatism, arthritis, gout and other forms of > inflammation. In the > present study seven of these crude drugs, namely > Francoeuria crispa, > Hammada elegans, Malus pumila, Ruta chalepensis, > Smilax > sarsaparilla, Achillea fragrantissima and Alpinia > officinarum were tested > === message truncated === Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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