Prevalence and correlates of herbal medicine use among Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) clients at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre Malawi: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThere has been an unprecedented explosion in the popularity of herbal preparations during the last few decades. Herbal medicines are commonly used by HIV/AIDs clients. There is limited data on the prevalence of herbal medicine and correlating factors of herbal medicine use in Malawi. This study establishes prevalence and factors contributing to the use of herbal medicine among HIV/AIDS clients attending the ART clinic at QECH, Blantyre Malawi.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was used to interview 211 conveniently sampled clients at QECH ART clinic. The questionnaire addressed socio-demographic, clinical characteristics, NCD-HIV comorbidity, and herbal medicine utilization. The main outcome of the study was herbal medicine use since the initiation of ART. Logistic regression analysis was done in Stata version 16. Both unadjusted and adjusted models were fitted for potential confounders.ResultsThe prevalence of use of herbal medicine was reported in 17.5% (n=37) of the ART clients. The adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that urban residence was statistically associated with reduced use of herbal medicine (adjusted Odds Ratio – AOR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.169, 0.976).ConclusionThere is a high prevalence of use of herbal medicine among clients taking ART. Herbal Medicine has the potential to cover the gaps in health coverage in rural communities.     

紫癜1号中药熏洗治疗小儿过敏性紫癜临床观察

目的观察紫癜1号中药熏洗治疗小儿过敏性紫癜的临床效果。方法选取收治的过敏性紫癜患者80例,按照研究方法的不同分为观察组和对照组,对照组患者40例,给予喜炎平注射液、维生素C注射液、葡萄糖酸钙注射液等进行治疗;观察组患者在对照组基础上采用紫癜1号中药熏洗进行治疗,比较2组患者的临床治疗效果、皮肤紫癜消退时间及关节肿痛缓解状况等相关指标。结果对照组患者的治疗有效率为75.0%,观察组患者的治疗有效率为97.5%,观察组治疗有效率显著高于对照组;观察组患儿皮肤紫癜消退时间为(4.10±1.02)d,少于对照组(7.69±1.79)d;观察组患者经治疗后关节肿痛情况完全缓解达到50.0%,缓解达到35.0%,明显优于对照组。结论紫癜1号中药熏洗治疗小儿过敏性紫癜,治疗效果明显,有效缩短患者紫癜消退时间及缓解关节痛的程度。     

对药酸枣仁-合欢花对抑郁模型大鼠行为学及皮质ERK-CREB细胞信号转导通路的影响

目的探讨对药酸枣仁-合欢花对抑郁模型大鼠行为学及皮质细胞外信号调节蛋白激酶(ERK)-环磷腺苷反应元件结合蛋白(CREB)细胞信号传导通路的影响。方法将雄性2月龄SD大鼠75只,按随机数字表法分为正常组、模型组、中药组、西药组、PD184161组,每组15只。采用孤养加慢性不可预知性温和应激(CUMS)复制大鼠抑郁模型,于实验前1d及实验第1、2、3周末用旷场实验、糖水消耗实验观察各组大鼠的行为学改变。采用实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(Real-Time PCR)法对皮质CREB、BDNF mRNA行定量分析。蛋白质免疫印迹(Western Blot)法测皮质ERK1/2、p-ERK1/2、p-RSK及p-CREB蛋白表达水平。结果与正常组比较,模型组大鼠旷场实验得分、糖水消耗度下降,从第2周末开始有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)、皮质CREB、BDNF mRNA水平下降(P<0.05,P<0.01)、ERK1/2、p-ERK1/2、p-RSK、p-CREB蛋白表达降低(P<0.05,P<0.01);与模型组比较,中药组、西药组、PD184161组大鼠旷场实验得分、糖水消耗度提高,从第2周末开始有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01),皮质CREB、BDNF mRNA水平上调(P<0.05),ERK、p-ERK、p-RSK、p-CREB蛋白表达增强(P<0.05,P<0.01);与中药组比较,PD184161组大鼠旷场实验得分、糖水消耗度下降,第3周末有统计学意义(P<0.05),皮质CREB、BDNF mRNA水平下降(P<0.05),ERK、p-ERK、p-RSK、p-CREB蛋白表达降低(P<0.05)。结论对药酸枣仁-合欢花能够改善抑郁模型大鼠的抑郁症状,具有抗抑郁功效,其作用机制可能与激活ERK-CREB信号传导通路,增强通路中关键因子的表达有关。     

中药熏洗(浴)疗法临床外用技术规范(草案)

熏洗(浴)疗法临床应用广泛,但方法各异。基于对熏洗(浴)疗法已有临床应用的数据挖掘与分析,结合临床应用实际和相关现代研究,经相关领域专家多次论证,形成中药熏洗(浴)疗法临床应用技术规范(草案)。该规范(草案)包括适应症、禁忌症、用药前评估、用药前准备、药液制备、熏洗温度、熏洗时间、熏洗频率、熏洗疗程、操作方法、用药后处理及评估、注意事项、常见不良反应及应对措施等,以期规范中药熏洗(浴)疗法的临床应用,提高临床疗效,减少不良反应。     

妇科膏方亦是美容佳品

膏方可活血通络,滋阴润肤,补益肝肾,调和气血,治病和养颜并举.女性有针对性地服用膏方,可以改善面部血液循环,调节女性逐渐衰退的内分泌功能,延缓女性的衰老,养颜靓肤.膏方美容作用稳定而且持久,宜于女性保养.     

3种中药复方血清对脂多糖诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞炎症因子

目的　研究四君子汤、血府逐瘀汤、补阳还五汤等3种中药复方血清对脂多糖诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVEC）血凝素样氧化低密度脂蛋白受体1（LOX-1）、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、血管细胞黏附分子1（VCAM-1）及细胞间黏附分子1（ICAM-1）表达的影响,探讨相关中药复方防治动脉粥样硬化的机制。方法　应用药物血清学方法制备四君子汤、血府逐瘀汤、补阳还五汤含药血清及正常空白血清,以供细胞实验使用。体外培养HUVEC,随机分为6组,即空白对照组、模型组、阿托伐他汀组、四君子汤组、血府逐瘀汤组、补阳还五汤组,用脂多糖刺激2　h后,分别加入阿托伐他汀和中药复方血清干预,24　h后收集细胞,用荧光定量PCR和Western　blot测定LOX-1、TNF-α、VCAM-1、ICAM-1的mRNA和蛋白表达。结果　用脂多糖刺激HUVEC后,引起LOX-1、TNF-α、VCAM-1、ICAM-1的mRNA和蛋白表达显著升高（P<0.01）,分别以血府逐瘀汤、补阳还五汤含药血清及阿托伐他汀干预后可显著抑制LOX-1、TNF-α、VCAM-1、ICAM-1的mRNA和蛋白表达（P<0.05）,而四君子汤含药血清则未见显著影响（P>0.05）。结论　血府逐瘀汤、补阳还五汤可抑制LOX-1、TNF-α、VCAM-1及ICAM-1等炎症因子的表达,这可能是这两种中药复方防治动脉粥样硬化作用的机制之一。而四君子汤未见此作用。     

中药熏洗结合功能锻炼治疗四肢骨折后期关节功能障碍的疗效观察

目的：评价中药熏洗结合功能锻炼治疗四肢骨折后期关节功能障碍的临床观察。方法通过回顾分析64例四肢骨折后期关节功能障碍经过中药熏洗结合功能锻炼治疗的临床资料。结果64例患者获得随访,优49例,占76.6%;良11例,占17.2%;可3例,占4.7%;差1例,占1.5%,优良率93.8%。结论中药熏洗结合功能锻炼治疗四肢骨折后期关节功能障碍是一种安全、有效的治疗方法。     

熏洗治疗的研究进展

熏洗疗法是传统中医外治法的重要组成部分,是根据中医辩证论治方法,选择适宜中药煎煮,或熏蒸,或洗浴全身、局部治疗疾病的方法。熏洗疗法具有温经散寒、行气活血、祛风除湿、清热解毒等作用,可用于治疗临床大多数疾病,近年来随着对透皮技术及自动化熏洗仪的研究,与现代科技相结合的熏洗技术已不同于几千年前,疗效也获得越来越多的肯定,现将近年来中药熏洗疗法的研究概况综述如下。     

Muscle spasm associated with therapeutic use of Cang Er Zi Wan

Introduction.?Cang Er Zi Wan (CEZW) is a herbal medication derived from Xanthium sibiricum that is used to treat allergies and upper respiratory problems. Its toxicity has been described in grazing animals, in experimental studies, and in human overdoses. We describe a case of muscular spasm that was associated with the therapeutic use of CEZW.?Case report.?A 17-year-old female was prescribed CEZW for chronic allergies. Shortly after her second dose of 10 pills BID, she developed intermittent muscular spasms. She was seen in an Emergency Department and had normal vital signs and no significant laboratory abnormalities. Her physical exam was significant only for intermittent spasm of the muscles of the face, neck, and upper extremities. No tremor, fasciculation, dystonia, akisthisia, chorea, bradykinesia, or clonus was noted. She discontinued the CEZW and the symptoms slowly decreased over 4 days. Testing of the product did not detect any other medications or drugs.?Discussion.?CEZW is a herbal medication that contains X. sibiricum. X. sibiricum is a widespread weed that has caused muscular spasm, seizures, and death in animals that graze on it as well as animals experimentally exposed to it. Eleven cases of accidental human ingestion of Xanthium leading to spasm, somnolence, hypoglycemia, renal, and liver toxicity have been described. We describe a unique case of isolated muscular spasms because of the therapeutic use of a CEZW product.     

针药并用治疗糖尿病周围神经病变临床观察

比较针药疗法与口服西药弥可保治疗糖尿病周围神经病变(DPN)的疗效差异.方法:将60例DPN患者按随机1:1分为针药组与西药组.针药组以针刺通里、少府、曲池、少海、足三里、阳陵泉、血海、太溪、委中、太白、三阴交为主,配以口服糖周宁一号(院内制剂)治疗;西药组口服西药弥可保.结果:针药组疗效明显优干西药组.结论:针药结合疗法治疗DNP疗效显著.