Warm Needle Moxibustion Therapy for 41 Cases of Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea means that women feels periodical pain in the lower abdomen or lumbosacrum, before, during or after menstruation. The pain can be intolerable and affects the work and daily life. Dysmenorrhea is divided into two categories： primary and secondary, of which those without organic lesion in the genitalia are known as primary or functional ones. The author applied warm needle moxibustion in the treatment of 41 cases of primary dysmenorrhea and achieved remarkable curative results. The report is as follows.     

Successful Treatment of One Case with Numbness in Supraclavicular Fossa by Acupuncture

A Patient, male, 35 years old, first visited on June 20, 2007. Chief Complaints： numbness in left supraclavicular fossa for more than one year. The patient complained of numbness and discomforts in left supraclavicular fossa developed gradually a year ago with unknown reason. CT scan on cervical vertebrae and chest in local hospital showed no abnormality. The patient then received acupuncture treatment intermittently for more than 3 months in local Chinese medical hospitals, and found no improvement. Now the patient came to the acupuncture outpatient department of our hospital for treatment.     

Experience from Acupuncture Treatment of Two Cases

1 Case of Refractory Hiccups
1.1 General condition
The patient, male and aged 75, had hiccups for three days. The hiccups suddenly occurred during fluid infusion when he was hospitalized because of prostate hyperplasia. Diazepam, Motilium Tablets, Shan Zha Wan （Hawthorn Pills, 山楂丸）, and Ding Xiang Shi Di Tang （Lilac and Persimmon Calyx Decoction, 丁香柿蒂汤） were orally administered for treatment and little effect obtained. His sleep and appetite were seriously affected. He suffered a lot and was refered to our infirmary for a visit. He had a history of chronic hepatitis and hypertension.     

Research Advance in Functional Constipation Treated by Acupuncture in Past Ten Years

Constipation is the most common chronic clinical symptom of the digestive tract, which may trigger or aggravate other diseases. In Western medicine, symptomatic treatments such as purgatives are often adopted; however, these treatments have somewhat side effects and obstinate diarrhea-dependent constipation can develop after long-time use of purgatives. Acupuncture is safe, effective and less harmful in the treatment of constipation. Now the treatment of constipation by acupuncture is reviewed as follows.     

Treatment of 50 Cases of Shoulder Periarthritis by Tung＇s Special Acupuncture Technique

The author applied Tung＇s special acupuncture technique [Activating Qi Technique （动气针法）, Dao Ma Method （倒马针法） and Qian Yin Method （牵引针法）] on traditional acupoints to treat shoulder periarthritis, and got a remarkable result. Now it is reported as follows.     

Treatment of 120 Cases of Shoulder Periarthritis by Acupuncture and Tuina

The author has treated 120 cases of frozen shoulder from 2004, with the therapy of penetrating needling from Yemen （TE 2） toward Zhongzhu （TE 3）, from Tiaokou （ST 38） toward Chengshan （BL 57）, and deeply needling Jugu （LI 16）, together with Tuina manipulations on shoulder. The summarization is now given as follows.     

Brief Introduction of TANG Style Scalp Acupuncture

The TANG style scalp acupuncture was created by TANG Song-yan （1921-1982）. TANG completed the book TANG Style Scalp Acupuncture （unpublished） in August 1979. The following is a brief introduction of this book according to the hand-written copy by TANG Hui-xian, TANG＇s daughter.     

A Clinical Survey of AcuPuncture Slimming

Acupuncture is affirmatively effective in treating obesity with its flexible point selection and various methods without toxic and side effects. This review will focus on different therapeutic methods and academic thoughts in acupuncture slimming and evaluate its current state and prospect.     

Introduction to Dr CHEN Zhi-gang＇s Clinical Experience in Acupuncture

1 Post-stroke Sequela
Stroke is one of the common and frequent diseases in the middle-aged and old people. With the continuous progress of the diagnostic techniques, the cure rate of stroke has been obviously increased. It is reported, in China, that the cerebrovascular diseases occur in 0.1%-0.5% people, among which 70% of them suffered from disability, bringing about heavy burden to the patient himself, their families and the society.     

Survey on Treatment of Cerebral Palsy by Scalp Acupuncture

Infantile cerebral palsy （cerebral palsy） refers to the syndrome of the motor and posture developing disturbance, caused by non-progressive injury in the developing fetus or infant. Acupuncture therapy can be used to improve various clinical manifestations of the infants with cerebral palsy, and in the treatment of the functional disturbance and accompanying symptoms of cerebral palsy; the satisfactory therapeutic results have been achieved. In this article, the literature on the treatment of cerebral palsy by scalp acupuncture in the recent years has been surveyed and assessed.     

Clinical Application of Yongquan （KI 1）Acupointd

Yongquan （KI 1） is the Jing-Well point of Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin. It can be used to treat many kinds of diseases, such as parietal headache, vertigo and blurred vision, hypopharynx swelling and pain, dry tongue, voice loss, epistaxis, apoplexy and apoplectic sequela, dysufia, ungratifying defecation, epilepsy, syncope, planter fever, palpitations, lower limbs spasm, hypertension, vomiting, infantile convulsion. The author applied Yongquan （KI 1） in clinical practice and obtained satisfactory therapeutic effects. Now five cases were introduced as follows.     

Clinical research of different syndromes of hypertension treated by acupuncture

Primary hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease. Some relevant research indicates that puncturing Fengchi （GB 20） can effectively reduce the elevated blood pressure of patient with hypertension. However, is this method effective for all the patients with hypertension？ With regards to this, the author conducted a therapeutic observation in clinic, puncturing Fengchi （GB 20） according to different syndrome of patient with hypertension. Now the conclusion is as follows.     

Treatment of 56 Cases of Pain of Supra-orbital Bone by Puncturing Siguan Acupoints

Pain of supra-orbital bone is very common in clinic The author achieved significant effect in treating 56 cases of pain of supra-orbital bone by puncturing Siguan （four gates） points. The report is as follows.     

Oplopanax elatus（Nakai） Nakai： chemistry,traditional use and pharmacology

Oplopanax elatus（Nakai） Nakai, a member of the ancient angiosperm plant family Araliaceae, is used for the treatment of different disorders in the medicine systems of China, Russia, and Korea, and was designated in Russia as a classical adaptogen. Despite extensive studies of classical adaptogens, there are comparatively few reports concerning the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of O. elatus in English. The plant is a potential source of saponins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenes, and other active compounds. Experimental studies and clinical applications have indicated that O. elatus possesses a number of pharmacological activities, including adaptogenic, anti-convulsant, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, blood pressure modulating, and reproductive function effects. In this review, the chemistry, safety, and therapeutic potential of O. elatus are summarized and highlighted to encourage the further development of this plant.     

中药膏方治疗疑难杂症验案4则

所谓膏方又称膏滋方,具有治病纠偏,滋补强身等多种作用。时下在江南一带时兴冬令以膏方进补,实际上是中药传统剂型的丸、散、膏、丹、汤、酒、露、锭八种剂型之一。由于服用方便、疗效显著,在一年四季均可服用,尤其是针对一些需长期服药的慢性病或疑难顽症,更适合以膏方来调治。现代家庭多具备冰箱冷藏的条件,这为膏剂的收藏提供了方便。因此,更可以提倡以膏方剂型来治疗诸多慢性疾病。笔者常不拘季节以膏方为主,根据辨证施治原则来治疗某些疑难病症,现撷取4则医案,以飨读者,不当之处,请多赐教为盼。     

Polysaccharides from Tricholoma matsutake and Lentinus edodes enhance 5-fluorouracil-mediated H22 cell growth inhibition

OBJECTIVE： Few studies have investigated the ef- fects produced by combinations of polysaccharides and chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer treatment. We hypothesized that a combination of polysaccha- rides （COP） from Lentinus edodes and Tricholoma matsutake would improve the efficacy of 5-fluoro- uracil （5-FU）-mediated inhibition of H22 cell growth. METHODS： Mice were injected H22 cells and then treated with either 5-FU, polysaccharides from Tri- choloma matsutake （PTM）, polysaccharides from Lentinus edodes （PL）, PTM ＋ PL, 5-FU ＋ PTM, 5-FU ＋ PL, or 5-FU ＋ COR The tumor weight and volume, and splenic CD4 ＋ and CD8 ＋ T cell frequencies, were determined. Additionally, splenic natural killer （NK） cell and cytotoxic T lymphocyte （CTL） activities were assessed and the serum levels of tumor necro- sis factor-a （TNF-a）, Interleukin-2 （IL-2）, and Interfer- on-y （IFN-y） were measured. RESULTS： Compared with mice from the control,5-FU, PL, PTM, PTM ＋ PL, 5-FU ＋ PL, and 5-FU ＋ PTM groups, mice treated with 5-FU ＋ COP showed： （a） significantly reduced tumor weight and volume （P〈 0.05）, （b） significantly higher serum levels of TNF-α, IL-2, and IFN-y （P〈0.05）, （c） significantly increased CD4＋ and CD8＋ 1 cell frequencies in the spleen （P〈 0.05）, and （d） significantly increased splenic NK cell and CTL activities （P〈0.05）. The tumor weight and volume in mice treated with 5-FU＋PL or 5-FU＋PTM were significantly reduced compared with mice treated with 5-FU alone （P〈0.05）. Serum levels of TNF-α, 11.-2, and IFN-y, frequencies of CD4 ＋ and CD8＋ T cells in the spleen, and splenic NK and CTL activities were also significantly increased in mice treated with 5-FU＋PL or 5-FU＋PTM compared with mice treated with 5-FU alone （P〈0.05）. CONCLUSION： Polysaccharides from Lentinus edodes and Tricholoma matsutake could enhance the efficacy of 5-FU-mediated H22 cell growth inhi- bition.     

刘公望运用经方治疗放化疗不良反应验案2则

恶性肿瘤的致死率甚高,源自上皮组织者称为癌,源自间叶非上皮组织者称为肉瘤,二者均病情凶险,预后恶劣。目前肿瘤的治疗有外科手术治疗、放射治疗及化学治疗。在放化疗过程中往往发生毒副作用,导致患者的抵抗力下降,严重时可影响治疗的继续进行。刘公望教授巧用经方治疗放化疗后引起的毒副反应,收效良好。现举医案2则,以飨读者。     

Antidepressant-like effect of essential oil of Perilla frutescens in a chronic,unpredictable, mild stress-induced depression model mice

Perilla frutescens（Perilla leaf）, a garnishing vegetable in East Asian countries, as well as a plant-based medicine, has been used for centuries to treat various conditions, including depression. Several studies have demonstrated that the essential oil of P. frutescens（EOPF） attenuated the depressive-like behavior in mice. The present study was designed to test the anti-depressant effects of EOPF and the possible mechanisms in an chronic, unpredictable, mild stress（CUMS）-induced mouse model. With the exposure to stressor once daily for five consecutive weeks, EOPF（3, 6, and 9 mg·kg-1） and a positive control drug fluoxetine（20 mg·kg-1） were administered through gastric intubation to mice once daily for three consecutive weeks from the 3rd week. Open-field test, sucrose consumption test, tail suspension test（TST）, and forced swimming test（FST） were used to evaluate the behavioral activity. The contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine（5-HT） and its metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid（5-HIAA）, in mouse hippocampus were determined by HPLC–ECD. Serum interleukin（IL）-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor（TNF）-α levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. The results showed that CUMS significantly decreased the levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the hippocampus, with an increase in plasma IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels. CUMS also reduced open-field activity, sucrose consumption, as well as increased immobility duration in FST and TST. EOPF administration could effectively reverse the alterations in the concentrations of 5-HT and 5-HIAA; reduce the IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels. Moreover, EOPF could effectively reverse alterations in immobility duration, sucrose consumption, and open-field activity. However, the effect was not dose-dependent. In conclusion, EOPF administration exhibited significant antidepressant-like effects in mice with CUMS-induced depression. The antidepressant activity of EOPF might be related to the relation between alteration of seroto     

Effect of Zhuyeshigao granule on tumor necrosis factor-a and inter- leukins serum protein levels in rats with radiation esophagitis

OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of Zhuyesh- igao granule （ZSG） on tumor necrosis factor-a （TNF-a）, interleukin-1 （IL-1）, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 in rats with radiation esophagitis. METHODS： Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divid- ed into five groups （10 rats in each group）： con- trol （without radiation）, saline-treated, and low, medium, and high-dose ISG-treated groups. Rats were given normal saline （10 mL/kg） or 1.15, 2.3, or 4.6 g/kg ZSG by intragastric administration once a day for 7 days. A rat model of radiation esophagi- tis was established by local irradiation of Co60 （490.25 cGy/min, totaling 30 Gy）. The administra- tion of ZSG was continued for another 7 days and on the 7th day post-irradiation, inferior vena cavablood was collected. The serum was separated, and TNF-a, IL-1, IL-2, 11_-6, and IL-8 protein levels were determined. RESULTS： Inflammatory response factors were found in the serum of each group. However, levels in ZSG-treated groups were significantly lower than in the saline-treated group （P〈0.05）. CONCLUSION： ZSG may prevent the development of radiation esophagitis, perhaps by inhibiting the generation and release of the inflammatory re- sponse factors TNF-a, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8.     

Cytological and biochemical studies during the progression of alloxan-induced diabetes and possible protection of an aqueous leaf extract of Costus afer

Some plants have proven efficacy in the management of diabetes mellitus, of which Costus afer is one. This study was designed to evaluate the cytological and biochemical properties, and comparative ameliorating effects, of an aqueous extract of Costus afer Ker Gawl.（Costaceae） leaf and glibenclamide（GBM）, in liver, kidney, and pancreatic injury induced by alloxan. Thirty male albino rats were divided into six weight-matched groups. Group one served as the negative control（non-induced and non-treated, control）, while groups 2–6 were alloxan-induced diabetic groups. Group 2 served as a positive control（induced and non-treated, IC）, groups 3–5 were treated with different doses of the extract（375, 750, and 1 125 mg/kg body weight） and glibenclamide, respectively. Body weight, absolute and relative organ weights, food and fluid intake, levels of serum glucose and liver enzymes and kidney parameters were calculated and compared. Hepatocytes, renal tubules, and pancreatic cells of diabetic rats, in diabetic non-treated and treated rats were harvested and examined histopathologically. There was dose dependent amelioration on the injuries induced by alloxan on both hepatocytes, renal tubules, and pancreatic cells after treatment with Costus afer. The glucose level was reduced significantly in the Costus afer treated diabetic rats compared with the non-treated diabetic group. Costus afer leaves seem to be effective against diabetic cell injury induced in rat liver, kidney, and pancreas.