Chinese herbal medicines for mild cognitive impairment: A protocol for meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

Background:Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), as a common neurodegenerative aging disease representing an intermediate stage between normal cognitive functioning and dementia, poses an excessive burden on health care. The clinical benefit of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) for MCI remains inconclusive. This study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy and acceptability of CHMs through meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA).Methods:We applied extensive strategies on preliminary literature screening to identify relevant randomized controlled trials which meticulously compare any of CHMs interventions with placebo groups as monotherapy for MCI. The primary outcome of this study is the change of global cognitive function, and the secondary outcomes include assessments of activities of daily living, mood, and adverse events. Data synthesis, risk of bias assessment, sensitivity and subgroup analyses, and TSA will be conducted with application of Review Manager, Stata, and TSA software. The quality of the evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation instrument. INPLASY registration number: INPLASY202190006 (https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2021-9-0006/).Results:This study will confirm the clinical efficacy and safety of CHMs when used in the treatment of patients with MCI.Conclusion:This study will provide reliable evidence and references for the selection of CHMs in therapy and future clinical research of MCI.     

Adulteration of Chinese herbal medicines with synthetic drugs: a systematic review

The popularity of Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) demands a critical analysis of safety issues. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize data regarding adulterations of CHMs with conventional drugs. Literature searches were carried out in six databases. Articles containing original data on adulterations were considered without language restrictions. Eighteen case reports, two case series and four analytical investigations were identified. The list of adulterants contains drugs associated with serious adverse effects like corticosteroids. In several instances, patients were seriously harmed. One report from Taiwan suggests that 24% of all samples were contaminated with at least one conventional pharmacological compound. It is concluded that adulteration of CHMs with synthetic drugs is a potentially serious problem which needs to be addressed by adequate regulatory measures.     

滇西地区25种药用植物抗疟活性研究

目的研究25种采自滇西地区药用植物的抗疟活性,为植物来源的新型抗疟药的研发天然产物奠定基础。方法依次用75%乙醇和水对25种药用植物进行回流提取,提取物经冷冻干燥后,采用β-羟高铁血红素形成抑制试验进行筛选,以IC50值评价其活性。结果在供试的25种药用植物中,苦参、滇白珠、马尾黄连等12种植物粗提物具有不同程度的β-羟高铁血红素形成抑制活性,其中苦参地上部分水提物和滇白珠提取物活性较好,IC50值分别为(1344.2±46.9)μg/ml和大于1 388.9μg/ml。具有抗疟活性的植物种类涉及10个科、12个属。结论苦参、滇白珠、马尾黄连等12种植物具有一定的抗疟活性,表明抗疟活性物质可能存在于多种植物中。     

The role of Chinese herbal medicines in a rat model of chronic colitis

AIM To investigate a mixture of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention of chronic colitis inrats.METHODS Sixty rats were divided into 3 groups. Colitis was induced by trinitrobenzene-sulfonic acid(TNB). On day 10, all the survived rats were killed, the mortality and intestinal obstruction rate werecalculated, the colonic lesion score was assessed and collagenase activity and collagen concentration weremeasured.RESULTS The survival rate was much lower and intestinal obstruction rate much higher in TNB than thosein TCM, they were 53% and 81% vs. 80% and 24% (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). There were alsosignificant differences in colonic stricture score and colonic weight between TNB and TCM groups (1.75±1.2 vs 0.22±0.67 and 0.57±0.36 vs 0.31±0.10, P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). No hydroxyprolineand collagenase activity differences were found between the two groups.CONCLUSION This mixture of TCM prevents the formation of intestinal stricture, increases the survivalrate and decreases intestinal obstruction rate in a rat model of chronic colitis.     

Therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicines for post-stroke depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background:Whether the addition of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) in routine western medicines for post-stroke depression yields additional therapeutic effects still remains to be controversial. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of combination of CHM with routine western medicines versus routine western medicines alone in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD).Methods:Electronic databases such as PubMed, EmBase, Cochrane library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were systematically searched from inception till October 2019. Studies designed as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and that investigated the therapeutic effects of CHM plus routine western medicines (CHM group) versus routine western medicines alone (control group) in PSD patients were eligible. The relative risk (RR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the categories and continuous data using random-effects model. Software STATA was applied to perform statistical analysis (Version 10.0; StataCorp, TX,).Results:A total of 18 RCTs involving a total of 1,367 PSD patients were selected for final analysis. The effective rate in CHM group was significantly higher than that in control group (RR: 1.18; 95%CI: 1.12–1.24; P < .001). Moreover, patients in CHM group showed association with lower Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (WMD: -3.17; 95%CI: -4.12 to -2.22; P < .001) and Scandinavian Stroke Scale (WMD: -3.84; 95%CI: -5.73 to -1.96; P < .001) than those in control group. Furthermore, patients in CHM were associated with high level of Barthel Index than those in control group (WMD: 11.06; 95%CI: 4.01 to 18.10; P = .002). Finally, patients in CHM group had lower risk of gastrointestinal (RR: 0.49; 95%CI: 0.31–0.77; P = .002) and neurological (RR: 0.50; 95%CI: 0.33–0.75; P = .001) adverse events than those in control group.Conclusions:The study findings revealed that addition of CHM to routine therapies could improve the therapeutic effects and reduce gastrointestinal or neurological adverse events.     

Caution in the use of boldo in herbal laxatives: A case of hepatotoxicity

A case is reported in which a several-fold increase in transaminases and γ-GT was detected in an elderly male patient with fatty liver. The patient was regularly taking a mixture of herbal products, used as a laxative, for a number of years, with no alteration of blood chemistry until 6 months before the present observation. However, the composition of the mixture had been modified by the manufacturer in the past 5 months, with addition of boldo leaf extracts. Transaminases promptly returned to normal after withdrawal of the laxative. It is concluded that boldo leaf extracts might be hepatotoxic, at least in elderly patients with fatty liver.     

Efficacy and safety of herbal medicines in treating gastric ulcer: A review

Gastric ulcer is a common disorder of the digestive system.Current therapeutic regimens largely rely on Western medicine.However,numerous studies have demonstrated that herbal medicines can effectively treat gastric ulcer in humans and various animal models via divergent mechanisms.This review updates the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines in treating gastric ulcer,and the mechanisms of their action in humans and animal models.Studies have demonstrated that the efficacy of herbal medicines is comparable or superior to that of drugs such as omeprazole or cimetidine in humans and animal models,and herbal medicines display fewer adverse effects.The mechanisms by which herbal medicines benefit gastric ulcer include stimulation of mucous cell proliferation,anti-oxidation,and inhibition of gastric acid secretion and H(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity.Some herbal medicines also exhibit antimicrobial properties.Utilization of herbal medicines could be a valuable alternative to treat gastric ulcer in humans effectively,with few adverse effects.     

Successful treatment of restless leg syndrome with the traditional herbal medicines Dangguijakyak-san and Shihogyeji-tang: A case report (CARE-compliant)

Rationale:Dopamine replacement is currently the standard treatment for restless leg syndrome (RLS); however, various adverse effects are associated with long-term therapy, and the benefits disappear upon discontinuation. To overcome these limitations, interest in traditional East Asian medicine has increased.Patient concerns:A 72-year-old Asian woman originally admitted for an intracerebral hemorrhage presented with complaints of an unpleasant sensation throughout the body that appeared at night.Diagnoses:The patient was diagnosed with chronic persistent RLS based on the 2012 Revised International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group Diagnostic Criteria.Interventions:The patient was treated with extracts of the traditional herbal medicines Dangguijakyak-san (DS) and Shihogyeji-tang (ST). After 47 days of therapy, all herbal medicines were discontinued, and symptoms had not returned by the last follow-up 244 days after the initial treatment.Outcomes:One week after initiating herbal treatment with DS and ST, the RLS symptoms began to improve, and the total hours of sleep had increased from 2 to 9 hours by day 21, with a Korean version of the international restless legs scale score of 11 points. On day 36, ST was discontinued, given the continued improvement of symptoms. On day 47, symptoms had disappeared (Korean version of the international restless legs scale score: 0), and sleep disturbances caused by RLS had completely resolved. After day 47, DS was also discontinued. There were no adverse effects associated with the administration of DS and ST, and the symptoms had not recurred by the last follow-up on day 244.Lessons:In this case, RLS related symptoms, which had been present for approximately 60 years, were improved using only the traditional herbal medicines DS and ST (without dopamine replacement), and no symptoms recurred for 244 days. This case suggests that if replacement therapy is difficult or not desired, herbal medicinal therapies may be an effective alternative. This also suggests that the effect of herbal medicine on RLS might be semi-permanent. Further investigations, including clinical trials, are needed to confirm these effects.     

Treatment of cholecystitis with Chinese herbal medicines: a systematic review of the literature

AIM:To analyze the literature on the use of Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of cholecystitis.METHODS:The literature on treatment of cholecystitis with traditional Chinese medicines(TCM) was analyzed based on the principles and methods described by evidence-based medicine(EBM).Eight databases including MEDLINE,EMbase,Cochrane Central(CCTR),four Chinese databases(China Biological MedicineDatabase,Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database,Database of Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals,Database of Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology) and Chinese Clinical Registry Center,were searched.Full text articles or abstracts concerning TCM treatment of cholecystitis were selected,categorized according to study design,the strength of evidence,the first author's hospital type,and analyzed statistically.RESULTS:A search of the literature published from 1977 through 2009 yielded 1468 articles in Chinese and 9 in other languages;and 93.92% of the articles focused on clinical studies.No article was of levelⅠevidence,and 9.26% were of level Ⅱ evidence.The literature cited by Science Citation Index(SCI),MEDLINE and core Chinese medical journals accounted for 0.41%,0.68% and 7.29%,respectively.Typically,the articles featured in case reports of illness,examined from the perspective of EBM,were weak in both quality and evidence level,which inconsistently conflicted with the fact that most of the papers were by authors from Level-3 hospitals,the highest possible level evaluated based on their comprehensive quality and academic authenticity in China.CONCLUSION:The published literature on TCM treatment of cholecystitis is of low quality and based on low evidence,and cognitive medicine may functions as a useful supplementary framework for the evaluation.     

中草药致肝小静脉闭塞病11例临床分析

目的评估各种常规临床检测方法对中草药所致肝小静脉闭塞病（HVOD）的诊断价值,并探寻评价疾病转归及预后的方法。方法采用回顾性研究方法,分析我院近3年间服用中草药所致11例HVOD的临床表现、生化指标和影像学特点。结果所有患者均有明确用药史,7例患者服用土三七,2例患者服用雷公藤,2例患者服用不明中草药,CT对HVOD的诊断有重要意义,死亡4例患者均为重型患者。结论我国肝小静脉闭塞病的诊断应重视患者用药史,HVOD患者的疾病分型对病情评估有重要意义。     

Ciguatera poisoning: a report of three cases

Confirmed ciguatera poisoning is reported in three Canadian adults who ingested grouper imported from Florida. Two required hospitalization for management of marked gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardiovascular disturbances. Outside of endemic areas, the recognition of this type of fish poisoning may be inadequate. The pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy of the disease are outlined.     

正确认识中药的肝毒性

周光德等^[1]收集了解放军第三二医院确诊为药物性肝损伤患者100例的临床资料，中药类占24％，为各种导致肝损伤药物种类之首。林爱型^[2]综合了国内1998年至2002年发表的9篇有关药物性肝炎的报道，中药引起的肝损害占30．00％～74．14％不等，而且有逐年上升的趋势。     

Endomyocardial fibrosis: report of eight cases

Endomyocardial fibrosis is a disease of unknown origin which has not previously been described in detail from the Middle East. The clinical, echocardiographic, hemodynamic and angiocardiographic findings in eight patients (five men and three women, mean age 38 years) are presented. Two patients had right-sided involvement, two had left-sided involvement and four had biventricular involvement. The presence of a small ventricle with obliteration of the apex and a large atrium is a two-dimensional echocardiographic finding highly suggestive of endomyocardial fibrosis. Hemodynamic characteristics of dip and plateau on ventricular pressure curves were present in six patients. Ventricular angiography was diagnostic in all cases. Endomyocardial biopsy yielded positive findings in three of six patients and is not essential for diagnosis.     

Diabetes is an inflammatory disease: evidence from traditional Chinese medicines

Diabetes is usually associated with inflammation. Inflammation contributes to the development of diabetes. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) play an important role in lowering blood glucose and controlling inflammation. Many studies show that TCM with hypoglycaemic effects, for example Radix Astragali, Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Trichosanthis, Panax Ginseng, Fructus Schisandrae, Radix Ophiopogonis, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, Radix Puerariae, Fructus Lycii, Poria, Rhizoma Coptidis, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Rhizoma Polygonati, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Semen Trigonellae, Momordica charantia, Allium sativum, Opuntia stricta, Aloe vera, Cortex Cinnamomi, Rhizoma Curcumae Longae, and so on, have nearly independent anti-inflammatory action. Antihyperglycaemic compounds, for example berberine, puerarin, quercetin, ferulic acid, astragaloside IV, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol, tetrandrine, glycyrrhizin, emodin and baicalin, used in TCM also have anti-inflammatory effects. These studies suggest that TCM might exert hypoglycaemic effects that are partly mediated by the anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, small amounts of TCM with potent anti-inflammatory action does not have any hypoglycaemic effect. This indirectly indicates that diabetes may be a low-grade inflammatory disease and potent regulation of inflammatory mediators may not be required. Studies of TCM add new evidences, which indicate that diabetes may be an inflammatory disease and slight or moderate inhibition of inflammation might be useful to prevent the development of diabetes. Through this review, we aim to develop more perspectives to indicate that diabetes may be an inflammatory disease and diverse TCM may share a common antidiabetic property: anti-inflammatory action. Further studies should focus on and validate inflammation-regulating targets of TCM that may be involved in inhibiting the development of diabetes.     

Chinese herbal medicine for treatment of dislipidemia

Prevalence of dislipidemia is increasing rapidly in China and there has been a growing interest in Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of hyperlipidemia both inside and outside China. In this article, lipids regulating effects of 9 herbs or their extracts and 5 herbal formulae which have been published in English-language literature are reviewed. Although evidence from animals and humans consistently supports the therapeutic activities of these Chinese herbal medicines, few multi-center large-scale clinical trials have been conducted to confirm the efficacy and evaluate their safety.     

Traditional East Asian herbal medicines for the treatment of poststroke constipation: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis

Background:Post-stroke constipation is a major complication of stroke and increases the incidence of poor neurological outcomes and infectious complications and, therefore, warrants active and prompt treatment. In East Asian countries, several types of herbal medicines have been used for the treatment of post-stroke constipation because they are considered safer than existing pharmacotherapies. However, no systematic review has investigated the efficacy and safety of traditional East Asian herbal medicine in the treatment of post-stroke constipation. With this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional East Asian herbal medicines for the treatment of post-stroke constipation.Methods and analysis:Eight electronic databases will be searched for relevant studies published from inception to April 2021. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assess the efficacy and safety of traditional East Asian herbal medicines for the treatment of post-stroke constipation will be included in this study. The methodological qualities, including the risk of bias, will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. After screening the studies, a meta-analysis of the RCTs will be performed, if possible.Results:This study is expected to generate high-quality evidence of the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines to treat post-stroke constipation.Conclusion:Our systematic review will provide evidence to determine whether herbal medicines can be effective interventions for patients with post-stroke constipation.Ethics and dissemination:Ethical approval is not required, as this study was based on a review of published research. This review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated electronically and in print.Trial registration number:Research registry reviewregistry1117