Effect of antiallergic herbal agents on chloride channel-3 and immune microenvironment in nasal mucosal epithelia of allergic rhinitis rabbits

Background Allergic rhinitis （AR） is a Th2 dominant cytokine response. Chloride channel-3 （CIC-3） plays an important role in nasal mucosal edema and inflammatory pathologic changes in AR. Antiallergic herbal agents （AHA） are antiallergic herbal products. In the previous study, we have demonstrated that AHA clearly inhibited allergic medium and relieved allergic reaction of AR. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of CIC-3 and discuss the possible therapeutic effects of AHA on immune microenvironment in AR. Methods AHA were produced and used to treat AR. An animal model of an AR rabbit was established by ovalbumin （OVA）. The rhinitis rabbits were randomly divided into three groups： AHA treated group （AHATG）, model group （MG） and healthy control group （HCG）. The expressions of CIC-3 protein were examined by immunohistochemical method. The mucosal epithelial cells of all the rabbit groups were primarily cultured with tissue culture method in vitro with or without rhlL-4 or rhlL-2. Furthermore, the expressions of CIC-3 mRNA were detected by real-time PCR. The levels of monocyte chemotactic factor-1 （MCP-1） and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 （VCAM-1） protein in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Results The expressions of CIC-3 mRNA increased more in mucosal epithelial cells of MG than those in AHATG and HCG （P 〈0.01）. The levels of CIC-3 mRNA, MCP-1 and VCAM-1 protein in culture supernatants of MG were significantly higher than those in the other two groups （P 〈0.01）. Those were significantly increased in MG untreated 12 hours later than those in other two groups （P 〈0.01）. The expressions of CIC-3 mRNA, MCP-1 and VCAM-1 protein in culture supernatants of MG and HCG treated with rhlL-4 were significantly higher than those in the AHATG treated with rhlL-4 （P 〈0.01）. The levels of CIC-3 mRNA, MCP-1 and VCAM-1 protein in culture supernatants of all groups treated with rhlL-2 showed no significant changes （P 〉0.05）. Conclusions AHA can inhibit the secretions of CIC-3, MCP-1 and VCAM-1 in mucosal epithelia and improve inflammatory reaction of AR. CIC-3 plays an important role in the secretion of cytokines and mucosal inflammatory response in AR. RhlL-4 can enhance the secretion of CIC-3, MCP-1 and VCAM-1 in mucosal epithelial cells, especially during the AR process. These enhanced effects of rhlL-4 were significantly suppressed by AHA. The secretions of CIC-3, MCP-1 and VCAM-1 can not be induced obviously by rhlL-2 in mucosal epithelial cells in AR.     

Fighting fire with fire: poisonous Chinese herbal medicine for cancer therapy

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Following the known principle of “fighting fire with fire”, poisonous Chinese herbal medicine (PCHM) has been historically used in cancer therapies by skilled Chinese practitioners for thousands of years. In fact, most of the marketed natural anti-cancer compounds (e.g., camptothecin derivatives, vinca alkaloids, etc.) are often known in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and recorded as poisonous herbs as well. Inspired by the encouraging precedents, significant researches into the potential of novel anticancer drugs from other PCHM-derived natural products have been ongoing for several years and PCHM is increasingly being recognized as a gathering place for promising anti-cancer drugs. The present review aimed at giving a rational understanding of the toxicity of PCHM and, especially, providing the most recent developments on PCHM-derived anti-cancer compounds.

Materials and methods

Information on the toxicity and safety control of PCHM, as well as PCHM-derived anti-cancer compounds, was gathered from the articles, books and monographs published in the past 20 years.

Results

Based on an objective introduction to the CHM toxicity, we clarified the general misconceptions about the safety of CHM and summarized the traditional experiences in dealing with the toxicity. Several PCHM-derived compounds, namely gambogic acid, triptolide, arsenic trioxide, and cantharidin, were selected as representatives, and their traditional usage and mechanism of anti-cancer actions were discussed.

Conclusions

Natural products derived from PCHM are of extreme importance in devising new drugs and providing unique ideas for the war against cancer. To fully exploit the potential of PCHM in cancer therapy, more attentions are advocated to be focused on their safety evaluation and mechanism exploration.     

Screening for anti-inflammatory and bronchorelaxant activities of 12 commonly used Chinese herbal medicines

The use of health supplements derived from medicinal herbs as self‐medication for the relief of respiratory tract pathology symptoms is increasing in Chinese communities as air pollution is worsening. Twelve herbs from two formulae of our previous studies were evaluated for their anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory and bronchorelaxant activities in this study. Among the extracts tested, those of Herba Schizonepetae and Radix Glycyrrhizae showed significant inhibitory effects on LPS‐induced nitric oxide production (p < 0.05) in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells, suggesting their anti‐inflammatory activities. Radix Scutellariae and Radix Glycyrrhizae extracts showed significant inhibitory effects on phytohaemagglutinin‐induced proliferation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (p < 0.05). These extracts also showed inhibition of TNF‐α, IFN‐γ and IL‐10 production. For the bronchorelaxant assay, Rhizoma Cynanchi Stauntonii and Radix Glycyrrhizae extracts showed potent attenuation of the acetylcholine‐ and carbachol‐induced contractions in rat trachea (p < 0.05), implying their relaxant activities. In conclusion, Herba Schizonepetae, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Radix Scutellariae and Rhizoma Cynanchi Stauntonii extracts were demonstrated to exert anti‐inflammatory, immunomodulatory and bronchorelaxant activities, which may help to ameliorate the symptoms of respiratory tract pathologies. The findings have thus provided some scientific evidence on the efficacy and mechanisms of action of these herbs, which are useful for the further development of clinical applications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Potential In Vitro and In Vivo anti‐HIV Drug Screening System for Chinese Herbal Medicines

Chinese herbal medicines are often applied as an alternative therapy for viral diseases. However, the development of anti‐HIV herbal drugs has proceeded slowly, partly because of the lack of a high‐throughput system for screening these drugs. The present study evaluated 16 herbal medicines for anti‐HIV activities in vitro and in vivo. Herbal medicines were first screened for the ability to regulate C‐X‐C receptor 4 (CXCR4) and C‐C receptor 5 (CCR5) promoter activities. A single‐round pseudotyped HIV‐luciferase reporter virus system (HIV‐Luc) was used to identify potential anti‐HIV mechanisms. CD4⁺ T cells from healthy volunteers were examined for changes in CXCR4 and CCR5 levels. HIV‐1 replication was evaluated by ELISA. Spica Prunellae and Herba Andrographitis were found to down‐regulate the activities of both the CXCR4 and CCR5 promoters. Also, Spica Prunellae and Herba Andrographitis (>1000 µm ) inhibited HIV‐1 in a dose‐dependent manner. CXCR4 and CCR5 levels were reduced in CD4⁺ T cells from healthy volunteers (p < 0.05). Spica Prunellae and Herba Andrographitis (EC₅₀: 3.18 and 5.49 µg/mL, respectively) could suppress cell fusion and decrease p24 antigen. In conclusion, the data demonstrated that Spica Prunellae and Herba Andrographitis possessed anti‐HIV‐1 capabilities, perhaps through the inhibition of the CXCR4 and CCR5 promoters and HIV‐1 replication. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Herbal remedies supply a novel prospect for the treatment of atherosclerosis: a review of current mechanism studies

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a systemic cardiovascular disease with complicated pathogenesis involving oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation. Increasing lines of evidence have questioned the statins-dominated treatment for AS, including their dangerous side-effects such as the breakdown of muscle when taken in larger doses. A multifaceted approach that addresses all major risk factors or pathological targets may provide an ideal treatment for AS. Studies of the herbal remedies on the prevention and treatment of AS have received much attention in recent years. This review summarizes some important experimental findings regarding their mechanisms of action on AS. Using the pre-set PUBMED searching syntax and inclusion criteria, representative citations published in English concerning the experimental studies of 14 herbal materials were included. We found that many extracts and (or) single compounds from these herbal materials, such as Salvia miltiorrhiza, Curcuma longa, Rheum undulatum and Panax notoginseng, could regulate multiple key targets involved in the initiation and propagation of AS. Some important findings about the effects of herbal formulations on AS were also reviewed. Given the complicated nature of AS and the holistic, combinational approach of herbal remedies, we propose that mixed herbal preparations with multiple active ingredients may be preferable for the prevention and treatment of AS. Further rigorously designed pharmacological evaluation and multi-centred clinical trials are warranted.     

中药敷贴疗法治疗高血压随机对照研究

[目的]探讨中药敷贴疗法防治中老年人高血压的临床效果。[方法]选择2009年5月至2011年4月我院收治的37例临界高血压患者,随机分为治疗组和对照组,治疗组18例,对照组19例;治疗组使用中药敷贴涌泉穴进行治疗,将吴茱萸150g,肉桂150g,共捣烂如泥,加生姜汁,调成膏状。将药物涂抹于医用胶布上,并贴敷于涌泉穴处,涌泉穴位于中趾根部与足跟连线1/3处。每日治疗1次,30min/次,每10次为1个疗程,共治疗3个疗程,同时配合低盐低脂饮食。对照组使用饮食控制进行治疗。观察并比较相关指标的改变情况,并进行治疗后的随访评价工作。[结果]两组治疗前后内皮素及尿微量白蛋白改善情况比较,治疗组优于对照组(P<0.01);两组治疗前后血压改善情况比较,治疗组优于对照组(P<0.01);对照组与治疗前比较,治疗组优于对照组(P<0.05)。[结论]中药敷贴涌泉穴能更好的提高临界高血压的临床疗效。     

非手术治疗腰椎间盘突出症概况

90%的腰椎间盘突出症可通过非手术疗法得到缓解或治愈。非手术疗法包括牵引、推拿、针灸、中药内服热敷等。目前腰椎间盘突出症的治疗还应以保守治疗为主。临床多综合运用集中治疗方法,84%～90%的患者经过积极适当的非手术综合治疗都能取得良好效果。     

中药药性理论

中药药性理论研究是中医发展的理论基础和关键,主要包括四气、五味、归经、升降和毒性等。目前中药药性理论研究过于重视研究手段,忽视自身文化内涵分析。未来要立足中国传统文化,分析中医理论本质,在传统文献整理和统计的基础上,融合哲学、逻辑学等自然科学元素,深度剖析中药药性理论的内涵和特征。     

武陵山区药材的地理标志与非物质文化遗产

介绍了武陵山少数民族地区药材的地理标志产品保护、地理标志商标注册、农产品地理标志登记、非物质文化遗产保护,并分析地理标志知识产权与非物质文化遗产的保护发展对策,提出了8点针对性建议。