Antiviral activities of medicinal herbs traditionally used in southern mainland China

The aqueous extracts from 21 medicinal herbs traditionally used in southern mainland China were screened for antiviral activities against human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) using a cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay. Three extracts from Agrimonia pilosa, Pithecellobium clypearia and Punica granatum, respectively, showed anti-HSV-1 activity, which was possibly contributed by the polyphenolic compounds in the herbal extracts. Six of the extracts, from Blumea laciniata, Elephantopus scaber, Laggera pterodonta, Mussaenda pubescens, Schefflera octophylla and Scutellaria indica, respectively, exhibited anti-RSV activity with 50% inhibition (IC50) concentrations ranging from 12.5 to 32 microg/mL, and selective indices (SI) ranging from 11.2 to 40. In addition to polyphenolic compounds, other constituents present in these extracts may also contribute to their anti-RSV activity.     

In vitro antiviral activities of Chinese medicinal herbs against duck hepatitis B virus

Fifty-six different Chinese medicinal herbs from 29 families were evaluated for their antiviral activities against duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) in vitro. The DHBV DNA level in primary duck hepatocyte cultures was monitored by dot blot hybridization and the cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. Anti-DHBV activities were found more strongly in the aqueous extracts of Ardisia chinensis and Pithecellobium clypearia with selective indices of 2.6 and >2.7, respectively, which were comparable to that of 2',3'-dideoxycytidine. Further research on the isolation of the active antiviral phytochemicals from these herbs may provide alternative options for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.     

中药药性理论研究的现状、问题和对策

本研究分析了目前中药药性理论研究现状、存在问题,提出中药药性理论研究在加强对古代本草文献考证整理和现代中药文献分析归纳的基础上,应以中医药理论为指导,积极采用现代科学方法来研究中药药性,将传统中药药性理论的优势、特色与现代科技相结合,建立符合现代科学认知规律的中药药性表征体系及其规范标准,科学地表征中药药性理论的内涵,揭示中药药性的科学本质.     

In vitro anticancer activity of twelve Chinese medicinal herbs

Aqueous extracts of 12 Chinese medicinal herbs, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Artemisia argyi, Commiphora myrrha, Duchesnea indica, Gleditsia sinensis, Ligustrum lucidum, Rheum palmatum, Rubia cordifolia, Salvia chinensis, Scutellaria barbata, Uncaria rhychophylla and Vaccaria segetalis were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity on eight cancer cell lines as well as on normal human mammary epithelial cells. Five human and three murine cancer cell lines representing different tissues (breast, lung, pancreas and prostate) were used. All the crude aqueous extracts demonstrated growth inhibitory activity on some or all of the cancer cell lines, but only two showed activity against the normal mammary epithelial cells. Overall, the murine cell lines tended to be more sensitive to most of the extracts compared with the human cell lines. Among the human cell lines, cell type specificity was observed for two extracts. These results indicate the potential use of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs as antineoplastic agents and suggest that further studies evaluating their mechanism(s) of action and the isolation of active antitumor compounds are warranted.     

基因重组酵母细胞测定中药中雌激素类化合物的研究

目的：研究不同性味中药中植物性雌激素的含量。方法：用重组人雌激素受体(hER)基因酵母细胞(W303-1A/hER-ERE-LacZ)测定清热药、解表药、利水渗湿药、止血药、补益药、收涩药中的植物性雌激素的活性。通过定量测定β-半乳糖苷酶活性表示中药的雌激素强度。结果：清热药中雌激素含量最高,为635×10^-3 nmol·g^-1,止血药与补益药中雌激素含量较低,几乎测不出。结论：虎杖、连翘、秦皮、黄芩、麦冬中可与雌激素受体结合的植物性雌激素含量较高。     

Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase by extracts derived from inflammation-treating Chinese medicinal herbs

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) has been proved to be a key enzyme involved in inflammation progression, and inhibition of sEH is therefore very helpful or crucial for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. In order to uncover new clues suggesting the presence of phytochemical-based sEH inhibitors, and to rationalize the utility of the inflammation-treating Chinese medicinal herbs, the ethanol extracts derived from 46 medicinal herbs, traditionally used for the treatment of inflammation-associated diseases in China, were tested for sEH-inhibition activity using a recently developed sensitive fluorescence-based assay. Screened at 10 microg/mL, four extracts showed substantial inhibitions of sEH (inhibition rates >50%). The ethanol extract of Sophora flavescens root (Fabaceae) possessed the strongest inhibitory activity against sEH (IC(50): 2.07 microg/mL). These preliminary findings highlighted the presence of sEH inhibitor(s) in the plant kingdom, and the possibility that the inflammation-treating herbal medicines could be an untapped reservoir for sEH-inhibition agents.     

山药道地药材形成源流考

对山药产地变迁,栽培加工技术发展,临床应用进行本草和历史文献考证。药用山药从使用野生品到使用栽培品经历了唐以前主要使用野生品时期;从宋开始到清中期山药栽培品与野生品混用时期;清中后期(大致18世纪)以来大部分使用栽培品时期。山药道地产区显现在明代,道地药材"怀山药"完全形成在20世纪初。道地药材怀山药的形成与栽培技术,采收加工技术的进步和医家临床应用等因素密切相关。栽培技术的进步解决了山药资源问题;现代采收加工技术的发明改进了药材外观性状和内在品质;近、现代名医家的认知和临床应用,为道地药材怀山药得到社会的认同和发展起了重要作用。     

Therapeutic advantages of medicinal herbs fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum,in topical application and its activities on atopic dermatitis

The use of herbal medicines in the therapeutic treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) has been suggested recently. The present study examined whether selected herbal extracts fermented in Lactobacillus plantarum (FHE) possessed anti‐AD properties. In addition, the study assessed the increased bioavailability of these herbal extracts both in vitro and in vivo. The data from these experiments revealed that FHE inhibited the proliferation of splenic T and B cells in a dose‐dependent manner, when activated with their mitogens. Moreover, the expression of Th1/Th2 mRNA cytokines (IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13) from mouse splenocytes was inhibited severely as was cyclosporine A. Furthermore, the release of β‐hexosaminidase in RBL‐2H3 mast cells was suppressed significantly. FHE also reduced the plasma level of IgE in dust mite extract‐induced AD‐like NC/Nga mice. More dramatic results were found in the histological changes, which were observed by hematoxylin–eosin and toluidine blue staining, as well as in the macroscopic features on dorsal lesions of AD‐like NC/Nga mice. In conclusion, the results presented in this study suggest that FHE may have therapeutic advantages for the treatment of AD due to its increased immune‐suppressive and increased absorptive effects, which were fortified by L. plantarum fermentation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

中草药来源的醛糖还原酶抑制剂的研究进展

中草药作为天然产物,无明显不良反应且来源广泛,以中草药为来源的醛糖还原酶抑制剂其不良反应远低于化学合成及微生物来源的醛糖还原酶抑制剂,在有效阻止和延缓糖尿病并发症如:糖尿病肾病、血管病变、视网膜病变、外周神经病变方面显示了良好的应用前景。作者主要综述了中草药活性成分黄酮类化合物及其衍生物,如:槲皮素、水飞蓟素、葛根素、黄芩苷、黄连素等和一些中药复方制剂,如:参丹健胰丸、筋脉通、六味地黄丸等在抑制醛糖还原酶的活性、降低山梨醇含量等方面取得的研究进展,并对其在治疗糖尿病并发症方面的现状进行了阐述。     

丛枝菌根真菌在中药栽培病害防治研究中的应用

借鉴丛枝菌根(AM)在农林业研究方面的运用成果,作者来探讨AM在药用植物病害防治研究中的应用.文章总结了药用植物病害的类型、病害对植物的影响和生产中常用的预防治理方法.对于植物的非侵染性病害和侵染性病害造成的不良后果,AM都有一定的改善作用.丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)与植物的关系、接种AMF的环境和时间及AMF的接种技术等都会影响到AM在防治药用植物病害中的作用.所以在实践生产中要选择适当的条件进行接种,使AM在防治药用植物病害中发挥最大的有益作用.     

贵州省GAP基地26种中药材重金属含量调查与评价

目的:通过对贵州省11个GAP基地的26种,共155批地道中药材样品的重金属含量进行调查与评价,为中药现代化进程提供科学依据。方法:用原子吸收光谱法和原子荧光光谱法测定中药材中重金属含量,以《药用植物及制剂进出口绿色行业标准》为评价标准对药材重金属含量进行评价。结果:药材中重金属平均污染指数大小顺序为:Cd>Cu>As>Pb>Hg,在综合污染指数评价中茎叶类的艾纳香和块根类的淫羊藿根大于1。结论:在所调查的155个品种的中药材中,只有艾纳香和淫羊藿根受到重金属轻微污染,大部分药材没有受到污染。     

In vitro antidiabetic activities of five medicinal herbs used in Chinese medicinal formulae

Fructus Corni, Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, Poria, Rhizoma Alismatis and Rhizoma Dioscoreae are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for diabetes treatment. They are also the component herbs of an antidiabetic foot ulcer formula with demonstrated clinical efficacy. Although some of these herbal extracts were previously shown to possess in vivo antidiabetic effects (i.e. lowering blood glucose levels), the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The objective of this study is to investigate the possible antidiabetic mechanisms of these individual herbs, using a systematic study platform which includes four in vitro tissue models: glucose absorption into intestinal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV), gluconeogenesis by rat hepatoma cell line H4IIE, glucose uptake by human skin fibroblasts cell line Hs68 and mouse adipocytes 3T3-L1. All tested herbs showed significant in vitro antidiabetic effects in at least two models. Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, Poria, Rhizoma Alismatis and Rhizoma Dioscoreae showed significant inhibitory effects in the BBMV glucose uptake assay. All tested herbs showed significant stimulatory effects to the glucose uptake of Hs68 and 3T3-L1 cells, except Poria and Rhizoma Dioscoreae which were not effective to Hs68 and 3T3-L1 respectively. However, none of the tested herbs inhibited hepatic gluconeogenesis. In conclusion, the five herbs exhibited distinct antidiabetic mechanisms in vitro and hence our investigations provided scientific evidence to support the traditional usage of these herbs for diabetic treatment in medicinal formulae.     

An ethnobotanical study on the usage of wild medicinal herbs from Kopaonik Mountain (Central Serbia)

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out on the territory of the highest mountain in Central Serbia, Kopaonik, which is characterized by great plant diversity. In total, 83 wild species from 41 families and 96 preparations for use in human therapy were recorded. Among those wild plants which are most commonly used for medicinal purposes, Hypericum perforatum L., Urtica dioica L., Achillea millefolium L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Sambucus nigra L., and Thymus serpyllum L. were particularly highly recommended by the majority of informants as being 'beneficial for all ailments'. The most frequently reported medicinal uses were for treating gastrointestinal ailments (50%), skin injuries and problems (25.6%), followed by respiratory, urinary-genital and cardiovascular problems (20.5%, 20.5%, 19.2%, respectively). Plants with unusual phytotherapeutic uses are Galium verum L. (sedative properties) and Eupatorium cannabinum L. (influenza-like illnesses), while plants with interesting but lesser-known properties include Daphne laureola L. (rheumatism and skin ailments) and Ficaria verna Huds. (tubers for treating haemorrhoids). In addition, 10 wild species used in veterinary medicine, as well as 25 herbs used for human nourishment were noted.     

Chinese medicinal herbs modulate mutagenesis,DNA binding and metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene

Oldenlandia diffusa (OD) and Scutellaria barbata (SB) have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating liver, lung and rectal tumours while Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Ligustrum lucidum (LL) are often used as an adjunct in cancer therapy. In this study, we determined the effects of aqueous extracts of these four herbs on benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced mutagenesis using Salmonella typhimurium TA100 as the bacterial tester strain and rat liver 9000 × g supernatant as the metabolic activation system. The effects of these herbs on [³H]BapP binding to calf thymus DNA and formation of BaP-DNA adducts were assessed. Organosoluble and water-soluble metabolites of BaP were extracted and analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and alumina column liquid chromatography. Mutagenesis assays revealed that all four herbs produced a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of His⁺ revertants induced by BaP. At a concentration of 1.5 mg/plate, SB and OD in combination exhibited an additive effect, whereas AM and LL in combination demonstrated an antagonistic effect. The trend of inhibition of these four herbs on BaP-induced mutagenesis was: SB > LL > OD > AM. LL, OD and SB significantly inhibited BaP binding to DNA. LL and SB significantly reduced BaP-DNA adduct formation and SB significantly decreased formation of organosoluble metabolites of BaP. Our data suggest that these Chinese medicinal herbs possess cancer chemopreventive properties.     

若干中草药中25种元素在不同浸取液中的分布

目的 :通过测定不同浸取液中 2 5种元素含量 ,探讨这些元素在中草药中的存在形态。方法 :对同一产地的 5种不同中草药密蒙花Buddleja officinalis、白鲜皮Dictamnus dasycarpus、肉豆蔻Myristica fragrans、合欢Albizia julibrissin、旋覆花Inula japonica进行水提、二氯甲烷浸取、残渣消化 ,分别得到水溶相、脂溶相、不溶相 ;参照药典方法对我国 9个不同产地的商陆Phytolacca acinosa进行了 0 %乙醇、50%乙醇、75%乙醇和 95%乙醇的浸取处理 ;使用ICP-MS(电感耦合等离子体质谱仪 )测定上述三相及各个乙醇浸取液中铍、镉、铈、铬、铜、镝、铕、铒、钆、锗、钬、镧、镥、钼、钕、铅、镨、钐、锶、铽、铊、铥、钇、镱和锌共 25种元素的含量。结果 :实验表明 ,用不同溶剂浸取中草药时微量元素的浸取率有较大差异 ,并以有机态与无机态形式共存。在优化实验条件下 ,ICP-MS能够同时测定中草药中的25种元素 ,其方法检出限为 0.003～0.71μg·L^-1。中草药中元素的加标回收率为 88%～119% ,相对标准偏差为1.7%～13.3%。结论 :上述结果对于在中成药生产过程中尽可能地浸取人体必须元素、除去有毒元素、促进中药出口具有一定的指导意义。     

煎药机煎煮时浸泡时间对旋覆代赭汤5种有效成分溶出量的影响

目的以旋覆代赭汤中人参和甘草为主要研究对象,运用高压中药煎煮机,初步探索复方中人参和甘草在高压煎煮时浸泡时间对主要成分溶出的影响。方法浸泡时间：0、10、20、30、40、50、60、120分钟。煎煮时间：30分钟。加水量：6倍。煎煮次数：1次。用简单对比实验法确定煎煮工艺。每种工艺取旋覆代赭汤（人参6g、旋覆花9g、代赭石9g、炙甘草6g、清半夏9g、大枣4枚、干姜10g）10剂,使用高压煎药机进行煎煮,重复3次。用高效液相色谱法（HPLC法）测定其煎煮液中所含5种有效成分人参皂苷Re、人参皂苷Rg1、人参皂苷Rb．、甘草酸铵、绿原酸含量,计算、比较不同煎煮工艺下煎出液中各有效成分的溶出量并绘制溶出曲线。结果在煎煮时间30分钟,加水量6倍药重条件下,不同浸泡时间对旋覆代赭汤中人参、甘草等主要成分的含量没有明显影响。结论在煎煮时间30分钟,加水量6倍药重的高压煎煮条件下,煎煮前的浸泡时间对药材中部分成分的溶出无明显影响。     

In vitro screening for the tumoricidal properties of international medicinal herbs

There is growing use of anticancer complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) worldwide. The purpose of the current study is to assess a sizeable variety of natural and plant sources of diverse origin, to ascertain prospective research directives for cancer treatment and potential new chemotherapy drug sources. In this study, 374 natural extracts (10 microg/mL-5 mg/mL) were evaluated for dose-dependent tumoricidal effects using immortal neuroblastoma of spontaneous malignant origin. The findings indicate no pattern of tumoricidal effects by diverse plants with similar families/genus under the classes Pinopsida, Equisetopsida, Lycopodiosida, Filicosida, Liliopsida Monocotyledons or Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons. The results indicate that many of the most commonly used CAMs exhibited relatively weak tumoricidal effects including cats claw, astragalus, ginseng, echinacea, mistletoe, milk thistle, slippery elm, cayenne, chamomile, don quai, meadowsweet, motherwort and shepherd's purse. The data demonstrate that the most potent plant extracts were randomly dispersed within the plantae kingdom (LC(50) = 31-490 microg/mL) in order of the lowest LC(50) Dioscorea villosa (Dioscoreaceae) > Sanguinaria canadensis (Papaveraceae) > Dipsacus asper (Dipsacaceae) > Populus balsamifera (Salicaceae) > Boswellia carteri (Burseraceae) > Cyamopsis psoralioides (Fabaceae) > Rhamnus cathartica (Rhamnaceae) > Larrea tridentate (Zygophyllaceae) > Dichroa febrifuga (Hydrangeaceae) > Batschia canescens (Boraginaceae) > Kochia scoparia (Chenopodiaceae) > Solanum xanthocarpum (Solanaceae) > Opoponax chironium (Umbelliferae) > Caulophyllum thalictroides (Berberidaceae) > Dryopteris crassirhizoma (Dryopteridaceae) > Garcinia cambogia (Clusiaceae) > Vitex agnus-castus (Verbenaceae) > Calamus draco (Arecaceae). These findings show tumoricidal effect by extracts of wild yam root, bloodroot, teasel root, bakuchi seed, dichroa root, kanta kari, garcinia fruit, mace, dragons blood and the biblically referenced herbs: balm of gilead bud, frankincense and myrrh gum.     

药用牡丹基原的考证和调查

牡丹是著名观赏花卉,有"花王"之称,主要为牡丹Paeonia suffruticosa的各种栽培品种。牡丹皮是著名的常用中药,有2 000多年的药用历史。目前,药用丹皮以安徽铜陵凤凰山所产为道地,习称"凤丹皮",其种质为凤丹P.ostii。但是历版药典均规定药材牡丹皮来源于牡丹P.suffruticosa的干燥根皮。该文通过对观赏牡丹与药用牡丹的来源进行考证,表明观赏牡丹在历史上相继形成了西安、洛阳、彭城、亳州、菏泽等几个著名的栽培中心。而药用牡丹唐代以前主要以野生资源为主,宋代医家已经充分意识到栽培观赏牡丹与野生牡丹的药效差异,明确认为药用牡丹应选用野生的单瓣花类群,而栽培的观赏牡丹不宜入药。历代本草记载药用牡丹的产区并没有这些观赏牡丹的栽培中心。实地调查表明,道地药材凤丹皮及重庆的垫江牡丹都是单瓣花,与历代本草记载一致。因此,该文认为自古以来药用牡丹与观赏牡丹是并行发展的2个不同种质。建议《中国药典》收载凤丹P.ostii和牡丹P.suffruticosa的单瓣类型为中药牡丹皮的原植物。     

中药与蒙药药性理论的比较研究

通过对中药与蒙药的药性理论进行比较研究,揭示了两种药物学体系的异同,以期相互借鉴,优势互补,拓展天然药物的临床应用,从而促进民族传统医药事业的发展。     

补肾中药片对围绝经期妇女骨质疏松代谢的影响

为探讨围绝经期骨质疏松的发生及中西药物的防治作用,对48例围绝经期妇女测定了血清雌酮(E_o)、雌二醇(E_2)、钙(Ca)、磷(P)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)和空腹尿Ca/肌酐(Cr)比值,以及右侧桡骨骨密度(DMD)值。又将绝经后妇女随机分为补肾中药片治疗组和己烯雌酚治疗组,进行治疗前后自身对照研究。结果表明:绝经后血清E_o、E_2及桡骨BMD值显著降低,血清Ca、ALP及空腹尿Ca/Cr比值升高。补肾中药片治疗组使血清E_o下降E_2升高,己烯雌酚治疗组使血清ALP及空腹尿Ca/Cr比值下降。提示:雌激素缺乏是引起绝经后妇女骨质疏松的主要原因,补肾中药片具有预防和治疗骨质疏松的作用,己烯雌酚具有预防作用,而无治疗作用。