In recent years, studies on evaluation of the therapeutic and toxic activity of herbal medicinal products became available and popular. The advances in modern biotechnology have led to discovery of many new active con...In recent years, studies on evaluation of the therapeutic and toxic activity of herbal medicinal products became available and popular. The advances in modern biotechnology have led to discovery of many new active constituents. However, it is a constant challenge to establish the pharmacological basis for efficacy and safety of herbal medicinal products. A better understanding of the effects and bioavailability of phytopharmaceuticals can help in discovering suitable and rational therapies. In this review, we present the bioavailability studies in immune system that has been conducted for some of the more important or widely used phytopharmaceuticals. Furthermore, various new drug targets worthy of using for drug development in immunomodulating herbal medicine area and their regulatory mechanisms are also discussed. Adverse effects, drug interactions, and contraindications are also discussed which show that caution should be exercised when combining phytopharmaceuticals with chemically derived pharmaceutical components. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology.展开更多
Recent studies have shown exercise is associated with changes in the gut microbiota in humans as well as in experimental animals. Tai Chi is an exercise that integrates a martial art, deep breathing and mediation, and...Recent studies have shown exercise is associated with changes in the gut microbiota in humans as well as in experimental animals. Tai Chi is an exercise that integrates a martial art, deep breathing and mediation, and has various beneficial effects for health. This review summarizes current knowledge and recent literature on the association between exercise and gut microbiota, and explores the feasibility of Tai Chi for improving gut microbiota composition and function. PubMed/MEDLINE was used to search the English literature for the keywords exercise and gut microbiota. Fourteen relevant studies were identified. In humans, exercise increases the gut microbial diversity. However, the evidence for this association is weak, as previous studies were small-scale, non-controlled studies of short duration or cross-sectional design. In animals, exercise alters the composition of gut microbiota, with some studies suggesting exercise increases the Bacteroidetes/ Firmicutes ratio. However, these results are controversial, partly because host genetics and physical fitness also influence gut microbiota. Furthermore, the intensity of exercise may play a key role in how exercise affects gut microbiota. Tai Chi is a moderate-intensity exercise that improves immune function and inflammation of the gut. Tai Chi may also affect gut microbiota through vagal modulation and mediating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, no studies have investigated the association between Tai Chi and gut microbiota. Well designed studies exploring the effects of Tai Chi on gut microbiota are needed.展开更多
Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is a unique health resource in China and one of the main representative traditional medicines globally. TCM has formed a new way of looking at medical practices, health care, scien...Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is a unique health resource in China and one of the main representative traditional medicines globally. TCM has formed a new way of looking at medical practices, health care, scientific research, education, industry and culture. It focuses on promoting and safeguarding the health of people, with an increasing contribution to economic and social development. Establishing a comprehensive evaluation system in accordance with the characteristics of TCM services could promote the scientific merit and the standardization of services management. This would improve health service quality and the social and economic benefits of TCM. It would broaden the field of TCM services research. It would also provide the basis for the formulation of relevant government policies. This study estimates the prospect of establishing a comprehensive evaluation system of TCM services.展开更多
A tremendous amount of data from research was published over the past decades concerning the roles of different vitamins in various gastrointestinal diseases.For instance,most vitamins showed an inverse relationship w...A tremendous amount of data from research was published over the past decades concerning the roles of different vitamins in various gastrointestinal diseases.For instance,most vitamins showed an inverse relationship with the risk of colorectal carcinoma as well as other malignancies like gastric and esophageal cancer in observational trials,however interventional trials failed to prove a clear beneficial preventive role.On the other hand,more solid evidence was obtained from high quality studies for a role of certain vitamins in specific entities.Examples for this include the therapeutic role of vitamin E in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,the additive role of vitamins B12 and D to the standard therapy of chronic hepatitis C virus,the role of vitamin C in reducing the risk of gallstones,the positive outcome with vitamin B12 in patients with aphthous stomatitis,and the beneficial effect of vitamin D and B1 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.Other potential uses are yet to be elaborated,like those on celiac disease,pancreatic cancer,pancreatitis,cholestasis and other potential fields.Data from several ongoing interventional trials are expected to add to the current knowledge over the coming few years.Given that vitamin supplementation is psychologically accepted by patients as a natural compound with relative safety and low cost,their use should be encouraged in the fields where positive data are available.展开更多
Objective To study the efficacy and safety of the Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang (Hypoglycemic Anti-Deafness Capsule) in treating non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus with hearing loss. Methods Two hundred ninety s...Objective To study the efficacy and safety of the Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang (Hypoglycemic Anti-Deafness Capsule) in treating non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus with hearing loss. Methods Two hundred ninety six patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and hearing loss were randomly assigned to a treatment group(n=164, 208 ears) and a control group(n=132, 184 ears). Patients in the treatment group were treated with the Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang and supplement herbal preparations as indicated by traditional Chinese medicine dialectical assessment, while control patients received glibenclamide and conventional treatments for deafness. Hearing, fasting blood glucose(FBG), post-prandial blood glucose(PBG), 24 hour urine sugar, platelet function indices, blood superoxide dismutase(SOD) and lipid peroxides(LPO) levels, and symptom improvement were compared between the two groups. Results The rate of hearing improvement was 56.7% for the treatment group and 26.6% for the control. FBG, PBG and 24 hour urine sugar improved in both groups, but the last two were superior in the treatment group compared to the control. Symptoms improvement was also superior in the treatment group compared to the control. In patients receiving Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang treatment, platelet function indices, SOD and LPO were all improved, while only LOP improvement was noticed in control patients. No acute or long-term toxicity was demonstrated for the Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang in animal tests. The Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang lowered blood glucose and serum triglycerides in a rat model of alloxan-induced diabetes. Conclusion The Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang is effective in improving hearing and diabetic indices in diabetic patients with deafness, without significant side effects.展开更多
Objective： To compared the therapeutic effect of a Chinese patent medicine Naoxintong Capsule（脑心通胶囊, NXT） and aspirin with adjusted-dose warfarin in Chinese elderly patients（over 65 years） with nonvalvular a...Objective： To compared the therapeutic effect of a Chinese patent medicine Naoxintong Capsule（脑心通胶囊, NXT） and aspirin with adjusted-dose warfarin in Chinese elderly patients（over 65 years） with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation（NVAF） and genetic variants of vitamin K epoxide reductase（VKORC1）, who are at high-risk of thromboembolism. Methods： A total of 151 patients, with NVAF and AA genotype of VKORC1-1639（a sensitive genotype to warfarin） and a CHA2 DS2-VASc clinical risk score of 2 or above, were chosen for this study. Patients were randomized into two groups and orally treated with a combination of aspirin（100 mg/day） and NXT（1.6 g thrice a day） or adjusted-dose warfarin [international normalized ratio 2.0–3.0）. The primary end points including ischemic stroke and death as well as the secondary end points including hemorrhage events were followed up for at least 1 year. Results： Baseline clinical data and the rates of primary end points were similar between groups. However, the rate of serious bleeding（secondary event） in the combination therapy group was lower than that in the adjusted-dose warfarin group（0% vs. 7.9%, odds ratio： 0.921, 95% confidence interval： 0.862–0.984, P=0.028）. Conclusions： Aspirin combined with NXT and warfarin displayed comparable rates of primary end point including ischemic stroke and all-cause death during the 1-year follow-up. However, as compared with warfarin, the combination therapy reduced the rate of serious bleeding. Therefore, aspirin combined with NXT might provide an alternative pharmacotherapy in preventing ischemic stroke for elderly patients with NAVF who cannot tolerate warfarin.（No. ChiC TR-TRC-13003596）展开更多
Traditional medicine (TM) plays an inevitable role in drug discovery and development. Most of the therapeutically useful molecules used in the present day are inspired from TM. Herbal drugs are the oldest forms of med...Traditional medicine (TM) plays an inevitable role in drug discovery and development. Most of the therapeutically useful molecules used in the present day are inspired from TM. Herbal drugs are the oldest forms of medicines used for the treatment of various ailments and the TM of every country has a long history of their usage. To develop more data on their quality, safety, and efficacy, so also to improve the consumer’s need of modern days several thrust areas of research are to be focused on the development of TM. Based on the above concept, a paradigm shift is required for the revitalization of TM. These facts along with the modern scientific approaches, molecular tools, and strategies make it necessary for TM to be revitalized. Confluencing several strategies with the technological and scientific developments including pharmacogenomics, nutrigenomics, system biology, and related approaches, the scientific potential of TM can be explored further with international coordination and collaborations.展开更多
To assess the current level of acceptance in the United States of complementary and alternative medicine, recent research into the prevalence, acceptance, accessibility, and recognition of complementary and alternativ...To assess the current level of acceptance in the United States of complementary and alternative medicine, recent research into the prevalence, acceptance, accessibility, and recognition of complementary and alternative therapies were reviewed. Several signs point to an increasing acceptance of complementary and alternative medicine in the United States; the use of complementary and alternative medicine is significantly increasing, many aspects of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda are becoming mainstream, practitioners in the United States are beginning to be licensed, and insurance companies are beginning to cover some complementary and alternative therapies. Remaining challenges to true acceptance include the restrictive Western mindset, the absence of published studies, a lack of consistent manufacturing processes and quality standards, and a fear of adulteration. Although the field still faces many challenges, alternative and complementarymedicine, including Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, is becoming more accepted and accessible in the United States.展开更多
文摘In recent years, studies on evaluation of the therapeutic and toxic activity of herbal medicinal products became available and popular. The advances in modern biotechnology have led to discovery of many new active constituents. However, it is a constant challenge to establish the pharmacological basis for efficacy and safety of herbal medicinal products. A better understanding of the effects and bioavailability of phytopharmaceuticals can help in discovering suitable and rational therapies. In this review, we present the bioavailability studies in immune system that has been conducted for some of the more important or widely used phytopharmaceuticals. Furthermore, various new drug targets worthy of using for drug development in immunomodulating herbal medicine area and their regulatory mechanisms are also discussed. Adverse effects, drug interactions, and contraindications are also discussed which show that caution should be exercised when combining phytopharmaceuticals with chemically derived pharmaceutical components. Cellular ＆ Molecular Immunology.
文摘Recent studies have shown exercise is associated with changes in the gut microbiota in humans as well as in experimental animals. Tai Chi is an exercise that integrates a martial art, deep breathing and mediation, and has various beneficial effects for health. This review summarizes current knowledge and recent literature on the association between exercise and gut microbiota, and explores the feasibility of Tai Chi for improving gut microbiota composition and function. PubMed/MEDLINE was used to search the English literature for the keywords exercise and gut microbiota. Fourteen relevant studies were identified. In humans, exercise increases the gut microbial diversity. However, the evidence for this association is weak, as previous studies were small-scale, non-controlled studies of short duration or cross-sectional design. In animals, exercise alters the composition of gut microbiota, with some studies suggesting exercise increases the Bacteroidetes/ Firmicutes ratio. However, these results are controversial, partly because host genetics and physical fitness also influence gut microbiota. Furthermore, the intensity of exercise may play a key role in how exercise affects gut microbiota. Tai Chi is a moderate-intensity exercise that improves immune function and inflammation of the gut. Tai Chi may also affect gut microbiota through vagal modulation and mediating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, no studies have investigated the association between Tai Chi and gut microbiota. Well designed studies exploring the effects of Tai Chi on gut microbiota are needed.
基金funded by the 3-Year Plan to Further Speed the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shanghai (2014-2016 No. ZY3-GJHZ-2-1001, No. ZY3-RCPY-3-1046)the 2016 State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Project for the First Special Batch of Shanghai
文摘Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） is a unique health resource in China and one of the main representative traditional medicines globally. TCM has formed a new way of looking at medical practices, health care, scientific research, education, industry and culture. It focuses on promoting and safeguarding the health of people, with an increasing contribution to economic and social development. Establishing a comprehensive evaluation system in accordance with the characteristics of TCM services could promote the scientific merit and the standardization of services management. This would improve health service quality and the social and economic benefits of TCM. It would broaden the field of TCM services research. It would also provide the basis for the formulation of relevant government policies. This study estimates the prospect of establishing a comprehensive evaluation system of TCM services.
文摘A tremendous amount of data from research was published over the past decades concerning the roles of different vitamins in various gastrointestinal diseases.For instance,most vitamins showed an inverse relationship with the risk of colorectal carcinoma as well as other malignancies like gastric and esophageal cancer in observational trials,however interventional trials failed to prove a clear beneficial preventive role.On the other hand,more solid evidence was obtained from high quality studies for a role of certain vitamins in specific entities.Examples for this include the therapeutic role of vitamin E in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,the additive role of vitamins B12 and D to the standard therapy of chronic hepatitis C virus,the role of vitamin C in reducing the risk of gallstones,the positive outcome with vitamin B12 in patients with aphthous stomatitis,and the beneficial effect of vitamin D and B1 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.Other potential uses are yet to be elaborated,like those on celiac disease,pancreatic cancer,pancreatitis,cholestasis and other potential fields.Data from several ongoing interventional trials are expected to add to the current knowledge over the coming few years.Given that vitamin supplementation is psychologically accepted by patients as a natural compound with relative safety and low cost,their use should be encouraged in the fields where positive data are available.
基金the Beijing Scienceand Technology NOVA program Grant (No.2006B53)
文摘Objective To study the efficacy and safety of the Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang (Hypoglycemic Anti-Deafness Capsule) in treating non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus with hearing loss. Methods Two hundred ninety six patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and hearing loss were randomly assigned to a treatment group(n=164, 208 ears) and a control group(n=132, 184 ears). Patients in the treatment group were treated with the Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang and supplement herbal preparations as indicated by traditional Chinese medicine dialectical assessment, while control patients received glibenclamide and conventional treatments for deafness. Hearing, fasting blood glucose(FBG), post-prandial blood glucose(PBG), 24 hour urine sugar, platelet function indices, blood superoxide dismutase(SOD) and lipid peroxides(LPO) levels, and symptom improvement were compared between the two groups. Results The rate of hearing improvement was 56.7% for the treatment group and 26.6% for the control. FBG, PBG and 24 hour urine sugar improved in both groups, but the last two were superior in the treatment group compared to the control. Symptoms improvement was also superior in the treatment group compared to the control. In patients receiving Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang treatment, platelet function indices, SOD and LPO were all improved, while only LOP improvement was noticed in control patients. No acute or long-term toxicity was demonstrated for the Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang in animal tests. The Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang lowered blood glucose and serum triglycerides in a rat model of alloxan-induced diabetes. Conclusion The Jiang Tang Fang Long Jiao Nang is effective in improving hearing and diabetic indices in diabetic patients with deafness, without significant side effects.
基金Supported by the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China of Fujian Province Health Education Union Scientific(No.WKJ 2008-2-59)Provincial Natural Science Foundation of Fujian(No.2011J0133)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81373838)
文摘Objective： To compared the therapeutic effect of a Chinese patent medicine Naoxintong Capsule（脑心通胶囊, NXT） and aspirin with adjusted-dose warfarin in Chinese elderly patients（over 65 years） with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation（NVAF） and genetic variants of vitamin K epoxide reductase（VKORC1）, who are at high-risk of thromboembolism. Methods： A total of 151 patients, with NVAF and AA genotype of VKORC1-1639（a sensitive genotype to warfarin） and a CHA2 DS2-VASc clinical risk score of 2 or above, were chosen for this study. Patients were randomized into two groups and orally treated with a combination of aspirin（100 mg/day） and NXT（1.6 g thrice a day） or adjusted-dose warfarin [international normalized ratio 2.0–3.0）. The primary end points including ischemic stroke and death as well as the secondary end points including hemorrhage events were followed up for at least 1 year. Results： Baseline clinical data and the rates of primary end points were similar between groups. However, the rate of serious bleeding（secondary event） in the combination therapy group was lower than that in the adjusted-dose warfarin group（0% vs. 7.9%, odds ratio： 0.921, 95% confidence interval： 0.862–0.984, P=0.028）. Conclusions： Aspirin combined with NXT and warfarin displayed comparable rates of primary end point including ischemic stroke and all-cause death during the 1-year follow-up. However, as compared with warfarin, the combination therapy reduced the rate of serious bleeding. Therefore, aspirin combined with NXT might provide an alternative pharmacotherapy in preventing ischemic stroke for elderly patients with NAVF who cannot tolerate warfarin.（No. ChiC TR-TRC-13003596）
基金the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi for providing financial support through MODROB (F.No-8024/RID/ BOR/MOD-74/2008-09)RPS project grants (F.No-8023/BOR/RID/RPS-204/2008-09)
文摘Traditional medicine (TM) plays an inevitable role in drug discovery and development. Most of the therapeutically useful molecules used in the present day are inspired from TM. Herbal drugs are the oldest forms of medicines used for the treatment of various ailments and the TM of every country has a long history of their usage. To develop more data on their quality, safety, and efficacy, so also to improve the consumer’s need of modern days several thrust areas of research are to be focused on the development of TM. Based on the above concept, a paradigm shift is required for the revitalization of TM. These facts along with the modern scientific approaches, molecular tools, and strategies make it necessary for TM to be revitalized. Confluencing several strategies with the technological and scientific developments including pharmacogenomics, nutrigenomics, system biology, and related approaches, the scientific potential of TM can be explored further with international coordination and collaborations.
文摘To assess the current level of acceptance in the United States of complementary and alternative medicine, recent research into the prevalence, acceptance, accessibility, and recognition of complementary and alternative therapies were reviewed. Several signs point to an increasing acceptance of complementary and alternative medicine in the United States; the use of complementary and alternative medicine is significantly increasing, many aspects of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda are becoming mainstream, practitioners in the United States are beginning to be licensed, and insurance companies are beginning to cover some complementary and alternative therapies. Remaining challenges to true acceptance include the restrictive Western mindset, the absence of published studies, a lack of consistent manufacturing processes and quality standards, and a fear of adulteration. Although the field still faces many challenges, alternative and complementarymedicine, including Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, is becoming more accepted and accessible in the United States.
