[Chemical constituents of Lobelia chinensis]
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2009 Sep;34(17):2200-2
Authors: Han J, Zhang F, Li Z, Du G, Qin H
OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents from Lobelia chinensis. METHOD: The constituents were extracted with 95% EtOH, partitioned with different solvents, and isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography and crystallization, their structures were elucidated by physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data. Result: Seven compounds were isolated from the titled plant. They were identified as 5-hydroxy-4′-methoxyflavone-7-O-rutinoside (1), n-butyl-O-beta-D-fructopyranoside (2), 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin (3), cirsiumaldehyde (4), diosmetin (5), 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde (6), and 6-hydroxy-7-methoxycoumarin (7). CONCLUSION: Compounds 2-4, 6, and 7 were obtained from the titled plant for the first time.
Dr.Steve’s BOTTOM LINE: There are 48 species of Lobelia, with chinensis (Chinese) being the subject of this study. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has been used to treat inflammation and fever primarily. Studies such as this, although not fully supported by purists in naturopathy, may help us understand which of the components are actually the active agents in producing positive effects vs. side effects.
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Roles of bile acid conjugates and phospholipids in in vitro activation of pancreatic lipase by bear bile and cattle bile.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Sep 7;125(2):203-6
Authors: Watanabe S, Kamei T, Tanaka K, Kawasuji K, Yoshioka T, Ohno M
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bear bile (BB) originally used as a traditional Chinese medicine has also been adopted in Japan as a traditional home remedy mainly for gastrointestinal problems due to impaired digestion. However, recently, efforts have been made to find alternatives to BB for ecological and ethical reasons. AIMS OF THE STUDY: To find alternatives to BB for facilitating fat digestion, we compared the potency of cattle bile (CB) or synthetic mixtures of major bile components to activate pancreatic lipase with that of BB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The compositions of bile acid conjugates and phospholipids in BB and CB were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography, respectively. The effects of BB and CB as well synthetic mixtures of bile acid conjugates and phospholipids on pancreatic lipase activity in vitro were examined. RESULTS: BB and CB contained markedly different types and quantities of bile acid conjugates and phospholipids, although the potencies of BB and CB to activate pancreatic lipase were not significantly different. The potency of BB to activate pancreatic lipase was reconstituted by the major bile acid conjugates and phospholipids found in BB. In contrast, only bile acid conjugates found in CB could reconstitute its potency to activate pancreatic lipase. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations indicate that CB or the synthetic mixture of bile components can be used as an alternative to BB for facilitating fat digestion.
Dr. Steve’s BOTTOM LINE: In most areas, it is a lot easier to find cattle than bear products, and it’s a lot cheaper. As noted in the article, it is also an ethical concern since bears are illegally hunted and farmed for their bile and claws. This study shows that the activation of pancreatic lipase, an enzyme which is critical to fat digestion, is equally possible using either bear or cattle bile acids. Basically bile is excreted by the liver of any animal (including humans) and stored in the gallbladder, where it’s released into the stomach for digestion.
A pilot observational study to assess the safety and efficacy of Menoprogen for the management of menopausal symptoms in Chinese women.
J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Jan;15(1):79-85
Authors: Liu D, Lu Y, Ma H, Wei RC, Li J, Fang J, Mahady GB
OBJECTIVE: Over the past 5 years, the interest in alternative therapies for menopause has increased dramatically due to the findings of the Women’s Health Initiative (U.S. National Institutes of Health). Menoprogen, a traditional Chinese medicine formulation is an herbal remedy that has been used in China for the management of menopause-related symptoms. An observational pilot study was performed to assess the effects of Menoprogen in the management of menopausal symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. DESIGN, SUBJECTS, AND SETTING: A multicenter prospective study was conducted at four clinical centers in China. Female subjects were eligible if they had menopausal diagnosis for at least 3 months and wished to use an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). INTERVENTION: Subjects received two capsules of Menoprogen (a combination product containing 0.2 g extracts of five herbs per capsule) orally, twice daily. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measured was an improvement of Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) from baseline. Secondary outcomes measured included hormone levels and the status of the endometrial and vaginal cytology after completion of treatment. RESULTS: After treatment with Menoprogen, a significant reduction in the KMI was observed (mean of paired difference = -14.875; p < 0.01) as compared with baseline. Endogenous estrogen levels were significantly increased with Menoprogen (mean of paired difference = -3.145; p < 0.01). Progesterone levels increased with Menoprogen (mean of paired difference = -10.003; p < 0.01). Both follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels showed significant before-and-after treatment difference (mean of paired difference = 6.125 mIU/mL for FSH and 4.938 mIU/mL for LH; p < 0.01). No significant endometrial hyperplasia was observed post-treatment with Menoprogen. Most of the postmenopausal women exhibited a vaginal cell proliferation degree of 2-3, suggesting a possible estrogenic effect. CONCLUSIONS: The present pilot study found that Menoprogen reduced symptoms associated with perimenopausal and postmenopausal complaints. Therefore, the rationale for a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial is supported.
Dr.Steve’s BOTTOM LINE: The five main active components in Menoprogen are Chinese Wolfberry, Safflower, Sea Kelp,Hawthorne Berry, and Mulberry Fruit. They are all reported to act by “nourishing the ovary” and thereby increasing ovarian estrogen and progesterone production, even after the ovaries have gone largely dormant after menopause. The science behind this is lacking and this study, while appearing to be encouraging at face value, is rather poorly designed judging by this abstract. There is no indication of how many women were involved in the study, their age range and other critical details. Those who promote Menoprogen product encourage anyone over age 40 with menopausal symptoms to take it. Between age 40 and 50 there may be a lot of women who are not really in menopause yet, so using this between age 40 and 50 vs. over 50 may produce markedly different results. On the other hand, this may end up being proven as a good remedy for women who’s ovaries are prematurely faltering and need a little boost to get to the 50 year age range. As noted, the science is lacking but further study may be helpful based on this report.
Pharmacology and immunological actions of a herbal medicine ASHMI(TM) on allergic asthma.
Phytother Res. 2009 Dec 8;
Authors: Zhang T, Srivastava K, Wen MC, Yang N, Cao J, Busse P, Birmingham N, Goldfarb J, Li XM
Allergic asthma is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease for which there is no satisfactory treatment. Studies reported tolerability and efficacy of an anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention (ASHMI) for asthma patients, developed from traditional Chinese medicine. To investigate the pharmacological actions of ASHMI on early- and late-phase airway responses (EAR and LAR), Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice received 6 weeks of ASHMI treatment beginning 24 h following the first intratracheal OVA challenge. EAR were determined 30 min following the fourth challenge and LAR 48 h following the last challenge. ASHMI effects on cytokine secretion, murine tracheal ring contraction and human bronchial smooth muscle cell prostaglandin (PG) production were also determined. ASHMI abolished EAR, which was associated with significantly reduced histamine, leukotriene C4, and OVA-specific IgE levels, as well as LAR, which was associated with significantly reduced bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) eosinophils, decreased airway remodeling, and lower Th2 cytokine levels in BALF and splenocyte cultures. Furthermore, ASHMI inhibited contraction of murine tracheal rings and increased production of the potent smooth muscle relaxer PGI(2). ASHMI abrogation of allergic airway responses is associated with broad effects on asthma pathological mechanisms. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dr.Steve’s BOTTOM LINE: Back in 2005 a study was published investigating a mix of Ling-Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum), Ku-Shen (Radix Sophora flavescentis) and Gan-Cao (Radix Glycyrrhiza uralensis), dubbed ASHMI. Of interest, MaHuang, a major herb used around the world for asthma was excluded. This is because it is a source of ephedrine, which is outlawed in the US due to potentially severe cardiovascular and neurological toxicity. That double-blind placebo-controlled study was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (2005 vol. 116, issue 3) and showed that the combination was effective and had less side effects than corticosteroids, which are part of the main Western treatment mainstay against asthma. This laboratory study helps us understand how this TCM approach works and lends a lot of plausible credibility to such natural alternative asthma treatment options.
A crash course in Chinese herbology for the psychopharmocological prescriber.
Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009 Dec;17(6):384-95
Authors: White KP
Given the unparalleled popularity of botanicals in the United States, it is safe to say that almost every psychopharmacological prescriber will see some patients using Chinese herbs. Data show that between 36% and 42% of Americans use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) each year and that persons suffering from depression and anxiety (67%) use CAM services significantly more than do their nonanxious and nondepressed counterparts (39%). This article gives an overview of several classical Chinese medical single herbs and herbal formulas commonly used for persons with psychiatric disorders and discusses some of the herbs that have the potential to interact with various pharmaceutical drugs. In addition, the article reviews scientific evidence and, at times, the lack thereof to validate the use of Chinese herbs and formulas in treating psychiatric conditions. Overall, the article seeks to prepare the pharmacological prescriber for working with patients concomitantly taking psychiatric medications and Chinese herbs. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved).
Dr.Steve’s BOTTOM LINE: If you want a quick 411 article on Chinese psychoactive herbology (e.g. anxiety, depression etc) which is pretty readable and is well referenced, this is it. It’s not comprehensive even for this area of interest, so don’t think that if something it missing that it must not work. They did a great job, but the study of herbs is VERY broad and this is simply a great start about the “best” stuff as far as scientific evidence is concerned for psychoactive herbs.
Effect of sodium ferulate on the hyperalgesia mediated by P2X(3) receptor in the neuropathic pain rats.
Brain Res. 2009 Dec 4;
Authors: Zhang A, Gao Y, Zhong X, Xu C, Li G, Liu S, Lin J, Li X, Zhang Y, Liu H, Linag S
Neuropathic pain usually is persistent and no effective treatment. Activation of P2X(3) receptor subtype in primary sensory neurons is involved in neuropathic pain. Sodium ferulate (SF) is an active principle from Chinese herbal medicine and has anti-inflammatory activities. This study observed the effects of SF on the hyperalgesia mediated by P2X(3) receptor of rats after chronic constriction injury (CCI). Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured and the expression of P2X(3) receptor immunoreactivity and protein in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. CCI rats treated with SF, the MWT and TWL were increased compared with CCI rats treated with normal saline. The expression of P2X(3) receptor in DRG neurons was increased after CCI. In CCI rats treated with SF, the up-regulated expression of P2X(3) receptor in DRG neurons was reduced. SF may reduce the thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia in CCI rat model by decreasing the pain transmitting of primary afferant neurons mediated by P2X(3) receptor during the chronic neuropathic pain injury.
Dr.Steve’s BOTTOM LINE: Neuropathic pain is experienced by up to 10% of people with 5% being reported as severe. Examples are pain suffered by diabetics, those afflicted with Herpes Zoster (or Simplex in some cases), and in some cancer and HIV patients. The P2X(3) receptor is one which is increased in number with this kind of pain. In this laboratory rat model, the receptor was “stimulated” to increase in number artificially (upregulation) and then blocked effectively with sodium ferulate, reducing the mechanism for pain transmission. This is very promising work and may help explain how certain Chinese anti-inflammatory and anti-pain herbs work at the molecular level. Human studies are needed but this means there is a plausible scientific explanation for how some Chinese herbs work to reduce pain and inflammation.
