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submissions to | Home > Newsletters > July 2010 > Recent Research | |
Points - Recent Research |
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Acupuncture Treatment for Persistent Hiccups in Patients with Cancer |
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Chinese Herbs in Treatment of Influenza |
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Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xin-Yi-San, Reduces Nasal Symptoms of Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis by its Diverse Immunomodulatory Effects |
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Acupuncture Treatment for Persistent Hiccups in Patients with Cancer Ge AX, et al. Division of Intramural Research, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD. BACKGROUND: Perennial allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common health problem with a high prevalence rate of 43.6% in Taiwan. In our previous study, a mixed formula of Chinese herbs consisted of Xin-yi-san, Xiao-ging- long-tang, and Xiang-sha-liu-jun-zi-tang, exerted diverse immunomoldulatory effects in the treatment of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine whether Xin-yi-san (XYS) alone is effective in the treatment of AR and tried to explore its molecular mechanism of anti-allergic activity. METHODS: In a randomized double-blind study, 108 patients with AR received either XYS or a placebo for 3months. The effectiveness of XYS was evaluated by nasal symptoms, nasal airflow resistance, nostril dissection area, and serum titer of specific IgE antibodies against house dust mite allergens. In addition, the production of T helper (Th) 1 (represented by interferon-gamma) and Th2 [represented by interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and IL-13] cytokines, the proinflammatory cytokine IL-8, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), and arachidonate metabolites prostagladin E(2) (PGE(2)) and leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4)) by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) were compared before and after treatment between the two groups. RESULTS: XYS attenuated nasal symptoms (sneezing and rhinorrhea) and nasal congestion through reduction of nasal airflow resistance and increase in nostril dissection areas. We also found that XYS exerted diverse immunomodulatory effects, including suppression of serum IgE levels and increased production of IL-10, sICAM-1, and IL-8 compared to placebo group. However, XYS treatment did not affect the release of PGE(2) and LTC(4) from PMNs. CONCLUSIONS: This study originally provides the evidence that Xin-yi-san alone is an effective herb in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. Int Immunopharmacol. 2010 May 20. Source: PubMed Chinese Herbs in Treatment of Influenza Wang L, et al. Pneumology Group, Department of Integrated
Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, PR
China.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Antiwei, a traditional Chinese prescription, in the
treatment of influenza. METHODS: In a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we
recruited 480 adults aged 18 to 65 years within 36 h of onset of influenza-like symptoms. There were 225
patients with confirmed influenza. Eligible patients were randomly assigned 6 g of Antiwei (n = 360) or
placebo (n = 120) twice daily for three days. All patients recorded their temperature and symptoms on
diary cards during treatment. Analyses were performed in both the influenza-like population and the
influenza-confirmed population. RESULTS: Antiwei increased patients' recovery by 17% (P < 0.001), and
reduced the severity of illness measured by the median symptom score by 50% (P < 0.001) in both the
influenza-like and the influenza-confirmed populations, compared to placebo. The influenza-confirmed
patients reported reductions in the severity of fever (P = 0.002), cough (P = 0.023) and
expectoration (P = 0.004) after one-day of treatment with Antiwei, compared to placebo. The adverse event
profiles were similar for Antiwei and placebo. CONCLUSION: Antiwei was effective and well tolerated in
treatment of natural influenza infection in adults. Antiwei represents a clinically valuable
intervention in the management of influenza. Respir Med. 2010 Jun 21.
Source: PubMed Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xin-Yi-San, Reduces Nasal
Symptoms of Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis by its Diverse Immunomodulatory Effects Yang SH, et al. School of Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung
University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital,
Taipei, Taiwan. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are widely used for the treatment of Alzheimer's
disease (AD). Several AChE inhibitors, e.g. rivastigmine, galantamine and huperzine are originating from
plants, suggesting that herbs could potentially serve as sources for novel AChE inhibitors. Here, we
searched potential AChE inhibitors from flavonoids, a group of naturally-occurring compounds in plants or
traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). Twenty-one flavonoids, covered different subclasses, were tested for
their potential function in inhibiting AChE activity from the brain in vitro. Among all the tested
flavonoids, galangin, a flavonol isolated from Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum, the rhizomes of Alpiniae
officinarum (Hance.) showed an inhibitory effect on AChE activity with the highest inhibition by over 55%
and an IC(50) of 120muM and an enzyme-flavonoid inhibition constant (Ki) of 74muM. The results suggest that
flavonoids could be potential candidates for further development of new drugs against AD. Chem Biol Interact. 2010 May 6.
Source: PubMed |
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