Chinese arsenic drugs have been applied in Chinese medicine for several centuries. Beginning from 1970s, arsenic containing drugs have been generally used for the treatment of malignant hematologic diseases including acute promyelocytic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and multiple myeloma. No matter what ingredients of arsenic drugs were applied, either arsenic trioxide, arsenic disulfide, or arsenic containing Chinese herbal compositions including Qinghuang Powder and Realgar-Indigo naturalis formula, they all provided the distinct approaches for the management of malignant hematologic diseases, and good clinical efficacy was obtained with mild adverse reactions. Moreover, the mechanisms of action have been continually elucidated.
Arsenicals ; therapeutic use ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Oxides ; therapeutic use

Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Plant Preparations ; therapeutic use ; Seawater ; chemistry

Biomedical Research ; trends ; Drug Discovery ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Japan ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Medicine, Kampo ; Travel

OBJECTIVETo assess the effect and adverse reaction of total glucosides of paeony capsule (TGPC) in combining with citirizine for the treatment of chronic urticaria.

METHODSA total of 120 patients were assigned to two groups by lottery, 65 in the treated group and 55 in the control group. They all were orally treated with citirizine tablet 10 mg per day, but to the treated group, additional 0.2 g TGPC was given three times per day, the therapeutic course for both groups was 4 weeks. The effectiveness of treatment was observed, and the changes of total symptom score, serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), and immunoglobulin E (IgE) were measured before and after treatment. Moreover, a follow-up was carried out one month after ending the treatment.

RESULTSThe dropped cases were two in the treated group and seven in the control group; so, the study was accomplished on 63 patients in the treated group and 48 patients in the control group. The total effective rate was assessed at 73.02% (46/63) in the treated group, which was significantly higher than 47.92% (23/48) in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the total symptom score decreased in both groups, but the decrement in the treated group was more significant (P<0.05). Serum levels of IL-4 and IgE in the treated group lowered significantly, while the changes in the control group were insignificant, so statistical significant differences were shown between groups (P<0.01). A follow-up study showed that the relapse rate in the treated group was 30.00% (6/20), while that in the control group was 90.00% (9/10), and the former was lower than the latter (P<0.01). Adverse reactions, revealed as drowsiness, dizziness, and weakness, were seen in eight cases and seven cases in the two groups, respectively. Besides, mild diarrhea occurred in two cases of the treated group.

CONCLUSIONSThe treatment of TGPC combining citirizine shows definite curative effect in treating chronic urticaria, with low relapse rate and without evident adverse reaction. Its therapeutic effect might be realized by means of regulating patients' immune function. Besides, the medication should be continued for a rather long period to achieve the full effect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anti-Allergic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Cetirizine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Glucosides ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Recurrence ; Treatment Outcome ; Urticaria ; blood ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of retention enema with Huchang Jiedu Decoction (, HJD) in treating chronic severe hepatitis B (CSHB).

METHODSSixty patients of CSHB were equally randomized into the treated group and the control group. Both groups were treated with conventional integrative medicine, but to patients in the treated group, retention enema with HJD was given in addition, once every day for 3 weeks. The dominant symptoms, physical signs, and related biochemical indices, as well as the incidence of complications in patients before and after treatment, were observed.

RESULTSGood therapeutic effects were shown in the treated group, with a total effective rate better than that in the control group (83.3% versus 60.0%, P<0.05), superior in terms of lowering alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil), globulin (Glb), and endotoxin (ET) levels and increasing prothrombin activity (PTA), total cholesterol (TC), and calcium (Ca) levels, as well as eliminating ascites and preventing hepatic encephalopathy (P<0.05); especially in treating middle/early stage patients with Chinese medicine syndrome differentiated as water-toxin accumulation pattern.

CONCLUSIONRetention enema with HJD is surely effective in treating CSHB, and its primary mechanism may be related to the mitigation of enterogenous endotoxemia.

Adult ; Aged ; Ascites ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Enema ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Yinian Jiangya Decoction (YNJYD) on cytokine secretion in spontaneoulsy hypertensive rats (SHRs) vascular endothelium.

METHODSAortic endothelial cells (ECs) were primarily cultured from SHRs; male SD rats were treated with different doses (high, medium, and low doses) of YNJYD, the blood was collected on the 21st day, and then, the serum was separated. ECs were cocultured with the serum for different time courses, and the culture supernatant concentrations of endothelin (ET)-1, nitric oxide (NO), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) were determined by ABC-ELISA methods.

RESULTSET-1, NO, t-PA, and PAI-1 levels in endothelial cell culture supernatant were increased in a time-dependent manner; YNJYD could significantly elevate NO and t-PA expressions in ECs, while ET-1 and PAI-1 expressions were dramatically decreased; these effects of YNJYD were in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of YNJYD on hypertension is attributed to its effect on regulating vessel dilation and blood coagulation, in which ET-1/NO and PAI-1/t-PA are two pairs of pivotal mediators.

Animals ; Cytokines ; secretion ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; secretion ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Subcellular Fractions ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Time Factors ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the methanol extract from the stem bark of Drypetes tessmanniana, fractions (DTB1-5) as well as compounds [friedelin (2), 3,7-dioxofriedelane (3), 3,15-dioxofriedelane (4), 3beta- O-(E)-3,5-dihydroxycinnamoyl-11-oxo-olean-12-ene (6), and 3beta,6alpha-dihydroxylup-20(29)-ene (7).

METHODSAgar disc diffusion was used to determine the sensitivity of the above samples, whilst the microdilution method was used for the determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal microbicidal concentrations (MMC).

RESULTSThe diffusion test showed that the crude extract was able to prevent the growth of all tested organisms. All other samples showed selective activity. The inhibitory effect of the fraction DTB2 was noted on 63.7%, that of DTB1 and DBT3 on 54.6%, whilst DTB4 and DTB5 were active on 9.1% of the 11 tested organisms. The tested compounds prevented the growth of 81.8% of the tested microbial species for compounds 3 and 4, 36.7% for compound 6, and 18.2% for compound 7. The results of the MIC determinations indicated perceptible values for DTB and compound 4 on 81.8% of the tested organisms. For other samples, MICs were detected on 0-63.7%. The lowest MIC value (78.12 microg/mL) for the crude extract and fractions (DTB2) was observed on M. audouinii. The corresponding value for isolated compounds (156.25 microg/mL) was noted with compounds 3 on S. faecalis and 4 on M. audouinii audouinii. The results of the MMC determination suggested that the microbicidal effect of most of the tested samples on the studied microorganisms could be expected.

CONCLUSIONThe methanol extract from the stem bark of Drypetes. tessmanniana (Euphorbiaceae) as well as some of the isolated compounds might be potential sources of new antimicrobial drugs.

Anti-Infective Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests ; Euphorbiaceae ; chemistry ; Fungi ; drug effects ; Methanol ; chemistry ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the proliferation of sensitized human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and the expression of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and the effect of Shenmai Injection (SMI) on HASMCs.

METHODSThe HASMCs cultured in vitro were divided into three groups: (1) control group; (2) sensitized group: containing 10% asthmatic serum; (3) SMI group: further divided into three different concentration subgroups interferred with 10 microL/mL, 50 microL/mL, and 100 microL/mL SMI, respectively. The proliferation of HASMCs was detected using MTT method, the expression of proliferating cell nucleus antigen (PCNA) in HASMCs was detected using immunocytochemical staining, and the expression of phosphoration-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) protein was detected using Western-blot.

RESULTSAfter passive sensitization,: the optical density value (A A(490) value) of HASMCs was significantly increased from 0.366+/-0.086 to 0.839+/- 0.168 (P<0.05). In addition, the expression of PCNA was significantly increased from 28.7%+/-5.9% in the control group to 69.8%+/-7.5% in the sensitized group (P<0.05). At the same time, the expression of p-ERK1/2 in passively sensitized HASMCs was significantly increased compared with the control group (all P<0.05). After application of 10 microL/mL, 50 microL/mL, and 100 microL/mL SMI to the cultured media of passively sensitized group, the A(570) value was significantly decreased from 0.839+/-0.168 to 0.612+/-0.100, 0.412+/-0.092, and 0.339+/-0.077, respectively (P<0.05). Moreover, the expression of PCNA was significantly decreased from 69.8%+/-7.5% to 57.8%+/-6.2%, 40.7%+/-5.4%, and 26.1%+/-5.2%, respectively. At the same time, the expression of p-ERK1/2 in each SMI group was significantly decreased compared with the sensitized group (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONERK signal transduction pathway may be involved in the airway remodeling in asthma. The expression of ERK can be inhibited by SMI in a dose-dependent manner, thus preventing the proliferation of HASMCs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asthma ; enzymology ; pathology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of Bushen Tongmai Recipe (, BSTMR) on mRNA and protein expressions of protein kinase B alpha (PKB alpha) in hepatic, adipose, muscular, and ovarian tissues of polycystic ovary (PCO) rats with insulin resistance (IR) and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of BSTMR in treating IR and ovulation dysfunction.

METHODSFemale 22-day-old SD rats were injected subcutaneously with sodium prasterone sulfate (9 mg.100g(-1).d(-1)) for 20 days and fed with high-fat diet for 80 days to induce PCO rats with IR. Then, the PCO rats were randomly divided into the model group (n=23) and the treated group (n=21). The treated group was administered with BSTMR for 2 weeks. Meanwhile, a group with 15 rats of the same age was used as the control group. The histological changes in the ovaries were examined. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was determined by the glucose oxidase method. Serum fasting insulin (Fins) was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The mRNA level of PKBalpha was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot analysis were employed to detect the protein expression in target tissues.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the ovaries in the model group showed multiple follicular cysts, levels of FBG and Fins in the model group increased markedly (P<0.05 or P<0.01, respectively), and the insulin sensitive index (ISI) decreased obviously (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of PKBalpha in target tissues in the model group were dramatically lower than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the stratum granulosum of the ovarian follicle in the treated group increased markedly, the level of Fins in the treated group decreased obviously (P<0.01), ISI in the treated group improved markedly (P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of PKBalpha in target tissues of the treated rats were elevated significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONBSTMR could improve IR and ovulation dysfunction in PCO rats with IR, and its molecular mechanisms might be closely related with the elevation of mRNA and protein expressions of PKBalpha in target tissues of PCO rats with IR.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fasting ; blood ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; physiology ; Organ Specificity ; drug effects ; Ovary ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA)-induced cumulative analgesic effects on chronic pain in rats with or without ovariectomy (OVX).

METHODSA total of 110 female Wistar rats were randomized into normal control (n=10), chronic constrictive injury (CCI, n=10), CCI+EA (n=30), OVX+CCI (n=30), and OVX+CCI+EA (n=30) groups. Each of the latter 3 groups was further divided into 2 days (2 d), 2 weeks (2 W) and 3 weeks (3 W) subgroups, respectively (n=10 in each subgroup). The CCI pain model was established by ligature of the right sciatic nerve, and the memory impairment model duplicated by OVX. The paw withdrawal latency (PWL, pain threshold) of the bilateral footplates was detected by radiant heat irradiation, and the bilateral difference in PWL (PWLD) was used to evaluate changes in the pain reaction. Morris water maze test was conducted for evaluating the rats' learning-memory ability. EA was applied to bilateral Zusanli (ST36) and Yanglingquan (GB34) for 2 d, 2 W and 3 W, respectively. Pituitary and hypothalamic beta-endorphin (EP) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) contents were detected by immunoradioassay.

RESULTSCompared with the CCI group, PWLD of the CCI+EA-3 W group decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the OVX+CCI group, PWLD of the OVX+CCI+EA-3 W group was lowered considerably (P<0.05), but the value was markedly higher than its basal value and those of the normal control and CCI+EA groups (P<0.05). In comparison with the sham-OVX group, the escape latency, swimming distance (SD) in the target quadrant and total SD were increased remarkably in the OVX group (P<0.05), while the number of target platform crossings was decreased significantly (P<0.05), suggesting an impairment of the OVX rats' learning-memory ability. In simple CCI rats, both beta-EP and ACTH contents of the pituitary increased markedly (P<0.05), and those of the hypothalamus decreased obviously compared to the normal control group (P<0.05). After EA, pituitary and hypothalamic ACTH levels were significantly lowered at 2 d and hypothalamic ACTH and beta-EP contents increased obviously at 3 W in comparison with the CCI group (P<0.05). In OVX+CCI rats, following EA, pituitary beta-EP contents at 2 d, 2 W and 3 W, and hypothalamic beta-EP and ACTH contents at 2 W and hypothalamic ACTH levels at 3 W increased significantly (P<0.05), but hypothalamic beta-EP level at 3W decreased markedly (P<0.05). The effects of repeated EA in lowering pituitary ACTH and raising hypothalamic beta-EP and ACTH levels disappeared after OVX+CCI.

CONCLUSIONSRepeated EA has a cumulative analgesic effect, which is closely associated with its effects in regulating pituitary and hypothalamic beta-EP and ACTH levels. OVX may weaken the analgesic effect of EA by affecting hypothalamic-pituitary axis activity.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; metabolism ; Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Female ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Memory ; physiology ; Ovariectomy ; Pain Management ; Pituitary Gland ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; beta-Endorphin ; metabolism