Continuity and change in the Mediterranean medical tradition: Ruta spp. (rutaceae) in Hippocratic medicine and present practices

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ruta is a genus of Rutaceae family. It features mainly shrubby plants, native to the Mediterranean region and present in traditional medicine of this region since Antiquity. The three most diffused species Ruta chalepensis L., Ruta graveolens L., and Ruta montana (L.) L., are morphologically poorly differentiated and were probably interchangeably used during Antiquity. AIM OF THE STUDY: Hippocratic and contemporary medical applications of the Ruta genus in the Mediterranean were compared to check if they result from a continuity of use from the ancient times to nowadays. RESULTS: Ruta spp. was mainly employed in medical preparations by Hippocratic physicians as an abortifacient and emmenagogue. In addition to gynaecological conditions, in several treatises of the Corpus HippocraticumRuta spp. were also recommended as a specific remedy against pulmonary diseases. Ruta spp. leaves and also roots and seeds, were administered for internal use by Hippocratic physicians after having been soaked in wine or mixed with honey or its derivatives. Contemporary traditional uses of Ruta spp. have been assessed in detail in the whole Mediterranean area. CONCLUSION: Nowadays, Ruta spp. is used to treat different conditions but, as a general rule, the external uses are preferred as the toxicity of the plant is widely acknowledged.     

A review of the taxonomy, ethnobotany, chemistry and pharmacology of Sutherlandia frutescens (Fabaceae)

Sutherlandia frutescens (tribe Galegeae, Fabaceae), a popular plant in traditional medicine, is indigenous to South Africa, Lesotho, southern Namibia and southeastern Botswana. It is chemically, genetically and geographically extremely variable and has been divided into three subspecies and several regional forms. A second species, Sutherlandia tomentosa, is localized along the Cape coast. Sutherlandia is sometimes treated as part of the genus Lessertia. There are numerous vernacular names and a wide diversity of uses, including poor appetite, indigestion, stomach complaints, dysentery, colds, influenza, kidney conditions, fever, diabetes, internal cancers, uterine troubles, liver conditions, backache, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infections, stress and anxiety, dropsy and heart failure. Notable is the use as a bitter tonic ("blood purifier"), anti-stress medication ('musa-pelo) and, at least since 1895, specifically as a cancer tonic (both as treatment and as prophylaxis). Externally it is applied to haemorrhoids, inflamed wounds and eye infections. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies have shown antiproliferative, anti-HIV, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-stress, anticonvulsant and antithrombotic activities. Aqueous extracts often differ in activity from organic solvent extracts. The presence of high levels of free amino acids, non-protein amino acids such as canavanine and GABA, the cyclitol pinitol, flavonols and triterpenes (including SU1, a cycloartane-type triterpene saponin) provide plausible hypotheses on how these compounds, individually or collectively, may be responsible for the reputed efficacy in a wide range of ailments. Results of animal studies, as well as a phase I clinical study, have shown no indications of toxicity. Sufficient preclinical data are now available to justify controlled clinical studies.     

腹腔镜与传统开腹治疗子宫肌瘤的临床效果对比研究

目的探讨腹腔镜手术与传统开腹手术治疗子宫肌瘤的临床效果。方法 71例患者被随机分为实验组（n=36）和对照组（n=35）,实验组组给予腹腔镜子宫肌瘤剔除手术,对照组给予传统开腹手术。结果实验组手术时间显著长于对照组（t=4.386,P〈0.01）,但术中出血量、术后排气时间和住院时间均显著少于对照组（t=4.275,P〈0.01;t=3.369,P〈0.01;t=3.763,P〈0.01）,术后1年复发率差异无统计学意义（x2=2.012,P〉0.05）。结论对于子宫肌瘤我们更倾向于患者行腹腔镜手术,但应根据患者自身具体情况,选择适合自己的手术方式,以有效改善病情。     

维吾尔医学4种异常体液与红细胞指标相关性研究

目的 探讨维吾尔医4种异常体液与血常规红细胞指标间的相关性及其在不同异常体液型人群间的差异.方法 根据维吾尔医体液论,对876名志愿受试者进行体液辨证分型,并对其检测红细胞指标,统计体液辨证分型与血常规红细胞指标之间的相关性及不同体液型之间的差异.结果 异常血液质组红细胞数目(RBC)、血红蛋白(HGB)、红细胞压积(HCT)大于异常胆液质组(P＜0.05).异常血液质组HCT大于异常粘液质组(P＜0.05),其他指标在各型异常体液组之间没有明显的差异(P＞0.05).结论 异常血液质血液粘稠度高于异常胆液质与异常粘液质,这可能是异常血液质人群易患心血管疾病的原因之一.     

近代中医对烈性霍乱的认识与定名

本文主要论述近代中医在烈性霍乱病名方面的认识和探讨.霍乱传入我国后,一些医家发现其与中医古籍中所载"霍乱"不同,即对此展开研究,发明了吊脚痧、瘪螺痧、伏阴、时疫霍乱等病名;后来,越来越多的中医,逐渐接受西医学中霍乱病名及其内涵,"霍乱"这一古老的中医病名,被赋予新的含义,并被沿用至今,成为一种法定的烈性传染病病名.     

中医药类大学生思想状况调查分析与对策

目的调研当前中医药类大学生的思想状况,为有关部门加强和改进中医药类大学生思想教育工作提供相应的对策。方法对650名学生进行多方位的问卷调查分析。结果学生思想状况主流是积极向上的,但存在一些不容忽视的问题。结论培养学生良好的道德品质、搭建学生心理调适平台等是发展中医药事业的迫切需要。     

时毓民论治小儿慢性咽炎经验

小儿慢性咽炎根据临床表现属于中医"喉痹"的范畴,以虚火喉痹多见,多因急性喉痹反复发作,以致脏腑失调,虚火上炎所致,时毓民教授认为结合儿童本身的体质特点,小儿慢性喉痹以虚实夹杂最常见,本质是小儿肺、脾、肾先天虚弱和后天失于调养出现气血阴阳的失衡;治疗无论从脏腑虚实论治,还是从阴阳气血论治,都应标本兼顾,扶正祛邪为主要治则...     

Comparative study on the gastrointestinal- and immune- regulation functions of Hedysari Radix Paeparata Cum Melle and Astragali Radix Praeparata cum Melle in rats with spleen-qi deficiency,based on fuzzy matter-element analysis

ContextHedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle (HRPCM) and Astragali Radix Praeparata Cum Melle (ARPCM) are used interchangeably in clinics to treat spleen-qi deficiency (SQD) symptom mainly including gastrointestinal dysfunction and decreased immunity, which has unknown differences in efficacy.ObjectiveTo investigate the differences between HRPCM and ARPCM on intervening gastrointestinal- and immune-function with SQD syndrome.Materials and methodsAfter the SQD model was established, the Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into nine groups (n = 10): normal; model; Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi Pills; 18.9, 12.6 and 6.3 g/kg dose groups of HRPCM and ARPCM. Gastrointestinal function including d-xylose, gastrin, amylase vasoactive intestinal peptide, motilin, pepsin, H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and immune function including spleen and thymus index, blood routine, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgA, IgG and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) were detected. Finally, the efficacy differences were analysed comprehensively by the fuzzy matter-element method.ResultsIn regulating immune, the doses differences in efficacy between HRPCM and ARPCM showed in the high-dose (18.9 g/kg), but there were no differences in the middle- and low- dose (12.6 and 6.3 g/kg); the efficacy differences were primarily reflected in levels of IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IgM in serum, and the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IFN-γ in the spleen. In regulating gastrointestinal, the efficacy differences were primarily reflected in the levels of D-xylose, MTL, and GAS in serum, and the mRNA and protein expression of SGLT1 and GLUT2 in jejunum and ileum.Discussion and conclusionsHRPCM is more effective than ARPCM on regulating gastrointestinal function and immune function with SQD syndrome. Therefore, we propose that HRPCM should be mainly used to treat SQD syndrome in the future.     

醒痴方加针刺对老年性痴呆患者血浆同型半胱氨酸的影响

目的探讨醒痴方加针刺在脾肾两虚、痰浊阻窍型轻-中度老年性痴呆（AD）治疗中的疗效。方法临床观察60例脾肾两虚、痰浊阻窍型轻-中度AD患者,采用随机对照方法将患者分成三组,中医组、西医组及中西医结合组各20例。中医组给予醒痴方加针刺治疗;西医组口服都可喜、脑复康片治疗;中西医结合组口服西药、醒痴方并行针刺治疗,三组的疗程均为4周。观察治疗前后患者血浆Hcy、MMSE量表的变化,并观察不良事件和副反应。结果经治疗4周后,口服西药、醒痴方并行针刺的中西医结合组的中医总疗效、对MMSE量表积分的改善、对AD患者的检测指标（血浆Hcy）的改善均优于单纯中西医及单纯西医组（P〈0．05）。结论在常规西药治疗的基础上,醒痴方加针刺的中西医结合方案对脾肾两虚、痰浊阻窍型轻-中度AD患者疗效确切,临床试验中未发现该方案有不良反应,可考虑作为AD患者的常规治疗方案。     

医院中药现代物流管理的应用探讨

本文从分析我国发展医院中药物流管理的必要性入手,研究现代物流管理理念在医院中药流通过程中的应用,探讨医院中药物流管理的具体内容,提出我国医院中药物流管理发展的对策和建议,以期达到降低医院经营成本,保障中药质量,提升医院整体竞争力的目的。