Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; trends ; Models, Theoretical

Aging is a normal physiological process in human life. The decline in the ability to repair and regenerate predisposes the aging person to develop disabling problems in the cardiovascular and skeletal systems. Full awareness of aging problems and advocations on the means to prevent their occurrence are mounting. European and US groups rely on scientific, target-oriented means to treat aging manifestations. Oriental medicine aims at prevention, using nutrition and exercise to maintain internal harmony.
Aged ; Aging ; physiology ; psychology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Happiness ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena

While modern medicine has a very well established system of clinical research which insists on evidence-based methodology, traditional medicine has not developed its own system of research, despite of its length of existence and unreceding popularity. Since there are still many problem areas in modern medicine, and traditional medicine possesses good records of efficacy in those areas, it is natural that experts in both areas should collaborate in a proper exploration to put traditional medicine into popular utilisation. One way of achieving this is to follow the requirements of modern clinical trials as much as possible. Obvious obstacles include the uncertain origin of supply of herbs and the inconsistency of their quality, manufacturing of convenient products (which has improved) and methodology for clinical trials. One practical way in pursuing this joint venture is to apply the efficacy-driven approach, which suggests the following: i) Using a simple herbal formula to try solving one difficult clinical problem and start an evidence-based clinical trial using methodology acceptable to standard clinical trials i.e., one which is randomised and placebo-controlled; ii) Organising parallel laboratory experiments to understand the mode of action; iii) Making sure that the quality of herbs or their extracts are of the best standard; and iv) Optimising the formula, once it is proven efficacious in a clinical trial, to give an upgraded product.
Biomedical Research ; methods ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Quality of Life

Humans ; Osteoporosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; surgery

If adverse effects are understood as "something that happened unexpectedly" while receiving drug treatment, there is no difference between adverse effects and complications. However, acupuncture is a process different from the use of drugs. While acupuncture procedures should not be taken for granted as safe, complications causing harm are usually, according to the authors, the result of negligence, and should be differentiated from other adverse effects. Harmful complications noted consisted of bleeding and damage to the tissues and organs under the puncture sites. Adverse effects consisted of symptomatology like fainting and other systemic disturbances difficult to explain. In a study of acupuncture complications and adverse effects in 2000 procedures conducted by experienced professional acupuncturists in a research institution, it was found that complications did not occur, and adverse events happened infrequently. Attempts were made to explain the causes of adverse effects. Now that acupuncture is being widely incorporated into medical practice, a good understanding of adverse effects and complications would be necessary and helpful.
Acupuncture Therapy ; adverse effects ; standards ; Clinical Competence ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Humans

The surgeon aims at a direct, complete removal of the pathology. In spite of the modern advancements of imaging facilities and precision instrumentations, unsatisfactory results and recurrences are not uncommon. This paper provides a general review of the four specific areas in surgery that would benefit from Chinese medicine. Extensive searches were made on four surgical areas based on available English language journals, viz. low-back pain, chronic ulcers, renal calculus, and enuresis in children, in the past 10 years. The quoted communications are mainly related to clinical evidences, while a smaller number of crucial laboratory reports are also included. Low-back pain, a most frequent orthopaedic problem, would benefit from acupuncture treatment. Chronic leg ulcers could achieve better results of healing using herbal supplements. Problems of renal stones, besides the conventional methods of removal, could be further supplemented with herbal drinks that aim at prevention of recurrences. Enuresis in children, an untreatable common condition, may respond well to acupuncture. Surgeons should keep an open mind. In case of difficulties, they could seriously consider options of traditional treatment.
Combined Modality Therapy ; General Surgery ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Physicians

OBJECTIVETo prevent the deterioration of osteopenia, a triple herb product Bo-gu Ling ( , ELP) was created for a clinical trial on post-menopausal women suffering from osteopenia.

METHODSThe design of the clinical trial was of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nature. A total of 150 women aged 40-60 years, who were after menopause for at least 1 year and their lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) must be lower than 0.891 g/cm(2), were recruited and randomly divided into the ELP group treated with ELP and the placebo group, with 75 in each group. The primary endpoint was the BMD of the lumbar spine that was assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Secondary endpoints included peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) measurements of distal tibia and the changes in the quality of life (QOL).

RESULTSThe spine BMD of the ELP group was increased by 0.69% in the subjects who were more than 10 years after menopause. In contrast, the placebo group of the same stratum decreased by 0.61% (P=0.067). In the subjects with more than 10 years duration of menopause, the hip BMD increased by 0.21% in the ELP group, compared with a decrease of 0.52% in the placebo group (P=0.159). The tibia strength-strain index was increased by 1.94% in the ELP group compared with 0.33% in the placebo group (P=0.047). Physical function of SF-36 QOL questionnaire was remarkably improved compared with the baseline, but did not show dominance over the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONELP showed potential benefit in improving BMD on the women who experienced over 10 years of menopause.

Bone Density ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Patient Compliance ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

It has been established in the recent several decades that adult stem cells play a crucial role in tissue renewal and regeneration. Adult stem cells locate in certain organs can differentiate into functional entities such as macrophages and bone cells. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are two of the most important populations of adult stem cells. The application of these stem cells offers a new insight in treating various pathological conditions, through replenishing cells of specific functions by turning on or off the differentiating program within quiescent stem cell niches. Apart from that, they are also capable to travel through the circulation, migrate to injury sites and differentiate to enhance regeneration process. Recently, Chinese medicine (CM) has shown to be potential candidates to activate adult stem cells for tissue regeneration. This review summarizes our own, as well as others' findings concerning the use of Chinese herbal medicine in the regulation processes of adult stem cells differentiation and their movement in tissue repair and rejuvenation. A number of Chinese herbs are used as therapeutic agents and presumably preventive agents on metabolic disorders. In our opinion, the activation of adult stem cells self-regeneration not only provides a novel way to repair tissue damage, but also reduces the use of targeted drug that adversely altering the normal metabolism of human subjects.
Cell Differentiation ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Regeneration ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tissue Engineering

No abstract available.
Hong Kong* ; Rehabilitation* ; Stroke*

INTRODUCTIONTraditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used as an alternative in treating children with atopic dermatitis (AD) but its efficacy and potential side effects are debatable. We recently used a TCM capsule (PentaHerbs) on 9 children and observed significant reductions in clinical scores of disease severity. However, there have been concerns that the therapeutic effects of many forms of TCM are due to the presence of corticosteroids. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if common corticosteroids are present in PentaHerbs capsules.

MATERIALS AND METHODSPentaHerbs powder was analysed with thin-layer chromatography, infra-red spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.

RESULTSHydrocortisone, prednisolone, fludrocortisone and dexamethasone were not detected in the PentaHerbs capsules.

CONCLUSIONCorticosteroids are not present in the 5 familiar herbs that were earlier shown to have efficacy on AD.

Child ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; drug therapy ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Glucocorticoids ; analysis ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Pilot Projects ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared