Professor believes that infantile cerebral palsy is located in the brain and closely related to the kidney. The clinical treatment should focus on the brain theory and root at the kidney. In pathogenesis, infantile spastic cerebral palsy refers to flaccidity of and spasticity of . The principle of treatment should be balancing and , promoting the circulation of the governor vessel and regulating the spirit/mind. In clinical treatment, the comprehensive therapy of acupuncture and herbal medicine is adopted. In acupuncture, the acupoints on the head and the face are dominant and the body acupoints are selected rigorously and precisely. The herbal formula with and is used and taken orally with warm water. In acupoint application treatment, and are the main herbal medicines for the external application at Shenque (CV 8) and Baihui (GV 20). All of the above therapies are used in combination to co-achieve the effect of regaining consciousness, opening orifices and benefiting the intelligence. The clinical therapeutic effect of this comprehensive therapy is significant.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Cerebral Palsy ; therapy ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Plant Preparations ; 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

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of water stress on the content of scutellarin and caffeate in Erigeron breviscaps.

METHODFv/Fm, N content, as well as the content of scutellarin and caffeate under three water grads were measured.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONFv/Fm of the plant decreased significantly in 8% and 23% water treatment, that proved drought and waterlogging occurred. Under the two conditions, the contents of N were lower but the contents of active constituents were higher than those under 15% treatment. The results support the carbon-nutrient balance hypothesis and the "stress effect hypothesis" for the formation of geo-herbs.

Apigenin ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Caffeine ; pharmacology ; Dehydration ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Droughts ; Erigeron ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Glucuronates ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Plant Preparations ; therapeutic use ; Plant Transpiration ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Temperature ; Water ; physiology

AIMTo study the immune-modulating and anti-oxidant effects of beta-glucan, papaya, lactoferrin, and vitamins C and E on sperm characteristics of patients with asthenoteratozoospermia associated with leucocytosis.

METHODSFifty-one patients referred to our Sterility Center for semen analysis were selected. Sperm parameters were assessed before and after patient's treatment with beta-glucan, lactoferrin, papaya, and vitamins C and E. DNA damage was assessed by the acridine orange test and sperm structural characteristics were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSAfter 90 days of treatment, an increase in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (17.0 +/- 5.2 vs. 29.8 +/- 6.5) and total progressive motility (19.0 +/- 7.8 vs. 34.8 +/- 6.8) were detected. Structural sperm characteristics as well as chromatin integrity were also improved after treatment. In terms of leukocyte concentration in seminal fluid, a significant reduction was recorded (2.2 +/- 0.9 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.2).

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of an inflammatory process by the synergic action of immune modulators and anti-oxidants could protect sperm during maturation and migration, leading to improved sperm function.

Adult ; Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Ascorbic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Asthenozoospermia ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Carica ; Humans ; Lactoferrin ; therapeutic use ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Preparations ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin E ; therapeutic use ; beta-Glucans ; therapeutic use

Rasayana tantra is one of the eight specialties of Ayurveda. It is a specialized practice in the form of rejuvenative recipes, dietary regimen, special health promoting behaviour and drugs. Properly administered Rasayana can bestow the human being with several benefits like longevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from diseases, youthful age, excellence of luster, complexion and voice, optimum strength of physique and sense organs, respectability and brilliance. Various types of plant based Rasayana recipes are mentioned in Ayurveda. Review of the current literature available on Rasayanas indicates that anti-oxidant and immunomodulation are the most studied activities of the Rasayana drugs. Querying in Pubmed database on Rasayanas reveals that single plants as well as poly herbal formulations have been researched on. This article reviews the basics of Rasayana therapy and the published research on different Rasayana drugs for specific health conditions. It also provides the possible directions for future research.
Animals ; Anti-Ulcer Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Antiparasitic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Aphrodisiacs ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Giardiasis ; drug therapy ; Herbal Medicine ; classification ; methods ; trends ; Humans ; Immunologic Factors ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Medicine, Ayurvedic ; Models, Biological ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Plant Preparations ; classification ; therapeutic use ; Radiation-Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUNDThroughout the past three decades, increased scientific attention has been given to examining saffron's (Crocus sativus L.) use as a potential therapeutic or preventive agent for a number of health conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and depression.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this systematic review is to examine and categorize the current state of scientific evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the efficacy of saffron on psychological/behavioral outcomes.

SEARCH STRATEGYElectronic and non-electronic systematic searches were conducted to identify all relevant human clinical research on saffron. The search strategy was extensive and was designed according to the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)." Reference lists of articles that met the inclusion criteria were searched. Only English language studies were reviewed.

INCLUSION CRITERIASaffron trials in combination with other substances and saffron safety studies were considered, in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Included studies must have a control group. Included studies must measure a physiological and/or a behavioral outcome.

DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSISThe methodological quality of all included studies was independently evaluated by two reviewers using the Jadad score. Mean scores and P-values of measures were compared both inter- and intra-study for each parameter (i.e., depression).

RESULTSTwelve studies met our inclusion criteria. These studies examined the effects of saffron on psychological/behavioral outcomes of: major depressive disorder (n=6), premenstrual syndrome (n = 1), sexual dysfunction and infertility (n=4), and weight loss/snacking behaviors (n=1). The data from these studies support the efficacy of saffron as compared to placebo in improving the following conditions: depressive symptoms (compared to anti-depressants and placebo), premenstrual symptoms, and sexual dysfunction. In addition, saffron use was also effective in reducing excessive snacking behavior.

CONCLUSIONFindings from initial clinical trials suggest that saffron may improve the symptoms and the effects of depression, premenstrual syndrome, sexual dysfunction and infertility, and excessive snacking behaviors. Larger multi-site clinical trials are needed to extend these preliminary findings.

Behavior ; drug effects ; Crocus ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; methods ; Plant Preparations ; therapeutic use ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Animals ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Gastroenterology ; trends ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; therapy ; Medicine ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Preparations ; therapeutic use ; Research ; trends ; Western World

OBJECTIVETo explore the management of cerebral ischemia caused by Takayasu's arteritis.

METHODSNinety-three cases treated from June 1984 to September 1999 at the General Post & Telecom Hospital, the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, the Second Medical College of Beijing University, Beijing An Zhen Hospital, and the Beijing Union Medical College Hospital, including 10 men and 83 women, were reviewed. Of the 93 cases, bypasses from the ascending aorta to the axillary or subclavian artery and from graft to the carotid artery were performed in 47 cases. Subclavian to carotid bypass was performed in six cases. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was used in five cases and stenting in one.

RESULTSMarked improvement was achieved in 30.3%, fair in 34.9%, improvement in 21.2%, unchanged in 4.6%, and death in 9.0% before discharge; 30.6%, 38.8%, 16.3%, 4.1%, and 2.0% respectively during a mean follow-up of 48 months, and recurrence requiring revision in 8.2%.

CONCLUSIONPatients with occlusive lesions of all four cervical arteries always have severe cerebral ischemia and their distal runoff is always unvisualised by angiography. However, we found by exploration that the internal carotid artery is patent in all but one patient. Therefore, an ascending aorta to carotid bypass is feasible in most instances, and this can and should be done when the cerebral perfusion is jeopardized at a time when the patient is in a stable or relatively stable condition. Unfortunately, the cerebral re-perfusion syndrome is still a serious and not completely solved problem.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Brain Ischemia ; etiology ; surgery ; therapy ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Preparations ; therapeutic use ; Takayasu Arteritis ; complications ; Tripterygium

OBJECTIVETo evaluate rates on the adverse side effect and discontinuation of second-line drugs frequently used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODEight hundred and sixty-four RA patients were studied in a retrospective program.

RESULTSUpper abdominal discomfort was most commonly seen when using second-line drugs. Rash was often associated with D-penicillamine (20.6%) and Sinomenium therapy (13.7%). Methotrexate (MTX) was uniquely characterized by substantial upper GI toxicity (32.2%) and Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TWH) (14.4%) by menstrual abnormality. Sulfasalazine users reported adverse events including upper abdominal trouble (39.0%), nausea (7.3%) and anorexia (7.3%) while the risk of GI malaise was greater. Patients taking hydroxychloroquine complained of blurred vision (19.6%) but no one went blind. Toxic side effects seemed to be the most common reasons for stoppages, and the patients taking MTX had the lowest discontinuation rate. Combination of D-penicillamine and Methotrexate did not increase the incidence of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONSKnowledge on these different patterns of toxicity provided choices in the selection of second line agents for particular RA patients. However, long-term monitor are required when drugs are being used.

Adult ; Anorexia ; chemically induced ; Antirheumatic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; Exanthema ; chemically induced ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Hydroxychloroquine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Methotrexate ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Penicillamine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Preparations ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinomenium ; Sulfasalazine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of phytoestrogen (PE) in preventing and treating osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.

METHODSForty-five Wistar female rats, 3 months old, were randomly divided into the sham-operated group, the model group, low dose and high dose PE groups, and the positive control group, 9 in each group. All rats, except that those in the sham operated group were simutaneously operated, were ovariectomized. The medication started from the 31st days after operation by daily given saline per os to the sham-operated group and the model group, PE per os to the PE groups, and estradiol by intramuscular injection to the positive control group. The animals were sacrificed 90 days later, their sera were collected for determination of biochemical parameters, their right femoral bone was taken to detect the bone mineral density (BMD), left femoral bone to examine pathology of bone trabecula, and whole uterus was weighed to calculate the uterine index.

RESULTSPE could increase the BMD level, serum estradiol and inorganic phosphorus content, and uterine index, lower serum BGP, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), alkaline phosphatuse (AKP) and interleukin-6 levels. Pathological examination showed that in the model group, the cortex of bone thinned, bone trabecula thinned also, with poor integrity, distorted, broken and decreased in size, while in the PE groups, the above-mentioned changes were significantly alleviated.

CONCLUSIONPE is effective in preventing and treating osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Female ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Osteoporosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Ovariectomy ; Phytoestrogens ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar