Antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptogenic activity of Indian toad (Bufo melanostictus, Schneider) skin extract on U937 and K562 cells.

The antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptogenic activities of Bufo melanostictus (Indian common toad) skin extract (TSE) on U937 and K562 leukemic cell line has been investigated. TSE significantly (P<0.001) reduced the time-dependent cell proliferation and decreased MTT values in U937 and K562 cells. TSE (IC50 doses) suppressed the proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in both the cells. It was demonstrated that, TSE (IC50 doses) primarily arrested the U937 and K562 cells at G1 phase of the cell cycle. Confocal microscopy showed the altered fragmented nuclei and apoptotic bodies formation in TSE (IC50 doses) treated U937 and K562 cells. Membrane blebbing, cell surface shrinkage and perforation were observed through scanning electron microscope. TSE-induced DNA fragmentation in U937 and K562 cells was reflected in single-cell gel electrophoresis. TSE significantly (P<0.001) increase the length-width ratio of DNA mass as compared to control in comet assay. The flow cytometric analysis of annexin-V binding to the cancer cells further supported the apoptotogenic activity of TSE. The effect of TSE on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells viability and cytotoxicity was studied in culture and found to be less cytotoxic than on the U937 and K562 cells. The findings from the present study suggested that TSE might possess potent antineoplastic agent having antiproliferative, cytotoxic and apoptogenic activity against U937 and K562 myeloid leukemic cells.     

Efficacy and safety of herbal medicines for idiopathic Parkinson's disease: a systematic review.

The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines (HMs), as a monotherapy or adjunct therapy, compared to placebo or conventional approaches in the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials from both conventional and alternative medicine sources. Outcome measures were overall improvement, quality of life, reduction of levodopa dose, and adverse events. Nine studies were included, each testing a different HM. Six of the trials had limited internal validity due to major flaws in design, including the lack of proper randomization; insufficient blinding; unclear inclusive criteria in terms of diagnostic criteria, baseline staging, and duration of disease; lack of proper sample size calculation; and insufficient data analysis. Imbalances in gender and ethnicity among the patients in the included trials were observed. No major adverse events emerged, and no specific pattern was detected from the trials describing such data. In addition to major methodological defects, heterogeneity in (1) HM tested, (2) control treatment, and (3) outcome measure hindered in-depth data analysis and synthesis. Current evidence is insufficient to evaluate the efficacy and safety of various HMs. Further studies with improved trial design and reporting, with assessment on cost-effectiveness, quality of life, and qualitative data are warranted.     

Lipid extract from completely sporoderm‐broken germinating Ganoderma sinensis spores elicits potent antitumor immune responses in human macrophages

Ganoderma sinensis has been used widely in Oriental countries for the prevention and treatment of various diseases including cancer. Previous studies have shown that the lipid extract from Ganoderma exhibits direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Here, it is reported that the lipid extract from germinating G. sinensis spores, at lower concentrations that have no direct tumoricidal activity, induce potent antitumor immune responses in human monocytes/macrophages. Upon stimulation with the lipid extract, monocytes/macrophages exhibited markedly increased production of proinflammatory cytokines and surface expression of costimulatory molecules. Conditioned medium from stimulated cells effectively suppressed the growth of tumor cells. Apparently, the lipid extract triggered macrophage activation via a mechanism different from that associated with LPS. Moreover, it was observed that the lipid extract could partially re‐establish the antitumor activity of the immunosuppressive tumor‐associated macrophages. These results indicated that in addition to its direct tumoricidal activity, the lipid extract from G. sinensis spores could exert antitumor activity by stimulating the activation of human monocytes/macrophages. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

针刺推拿中药综合治疗颈性眩晕疗效观察

目的观察针刺推拿中药综合治疗颈性眩晕的疗效。方法设综合组80例、电针组42例、推拿组68例和中药组36例,进行疗效比较分析。结果综合组有效率为93.8%,电针组有效率为73.8%,推拿组有效率为86.8%,中药组有效率为69.4%,综合组有效率与其他几组比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论采用电针、推拿、中药相结合的综合疗法治疗颈性眩晕集诸单一疗法之精华,避免单一疗法的局限性,可提高有效率。     

法半夏罗汉果川贝枇杷膏与强力枇杷露药理作用的比较研究

法半夏罗汉果川贝枇把膏与强力批他露均有镇咳祛痰作用，罗汉果川贝枇把膏尚能平喘抗炎。     

解毒保肾汤治疗早期糖尿病性肾病

[目的 ]观察解毒保肾汤治疗早期糖尿病性肾病的疗效 .[方法 ]将诊断为早期糖尿病性肾病的病人随机分为 2组 ,其中治疗组 4 4例给予解毒保肾汤 ,对照组 2 0例给予阳性对照药络汀新 ,观察治疗前后 2组病人的临床症状、空腹血糖、糖化血红蛋白量及尿蛋白排泄率等的变化 .[结果 ]治疗组总有效率为 80 % ,对照组总有效率为 6 5 % ,治疗组疗效优于对照组 ;治疗组在改善临床症状 ,降低空腹血糖、糖化血红蛋白量及尿蛋白排泄率等方面均优于对照组 .[结论 ]解毒保肾汤能够降低早期糖尿病性肾病患者的血糖、减少尿蛋白的排泄 ,具有一定的保护肾脏功能 ,对早期糖尿病性肾病有治疗作用 .     

中西药合用对帕金森病大鼠旋转行为的影响

目的 观察中西药合用对帕金森病(Parkinson disease，PD)大鼠旋转行为的影响。方法 采用6羟多巴胺注射于脑右侧黑质造成偏侧帕金森病模型，并用滋补肝肾、通络解毒的中药以及西药美多巴进行治疗，同时设立美多巴对照组，观察中西药合用对PD大鼠旋转行为的影响。结果 中西药合用可使模型大鼠的旋转圈数明显减少。结论 中西药合用能明显改善PD模型大鼠的旋转行为。