HEAT-CLEARING DRUGS—Selected from A Practical English—Chinese Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Drugs used for clearing away the inter-nal heat are called heat-clearing drugs.Heat-clearing drugs are cool or cold inproperty with the effects of clearing awayheat,purging fire,removing heat from theblood,detoxicating,and clearing away heatof the deficiency type.They are chiefly indi-cated for febrile diseases with high fever,dys-entery of the heat type,suppurative infec-     

Drug Discovery Enters A New Era with Multi-Target Intervention Strategy

In the past century,as medical research has become increasingly precise,it has become clear that the incidence and progression of many diseases involve multiple factors and pathologies;this is particularly true for the degenerative and metabolic diseases facing industrialized societies.At the same time,it becomes increasingly clear that single-target action drugs cannot effectively treat these diseases.Researchers are looking toward the chemical industry as well as traditional herbal medicines to find multi-target interventions. Thus,a new era in drug discovery has begun.Specifically,three approaches have proven effective in seeking multi-target drugs.These are:(1) designing drugs with multiple components;(2) discovering drugs through the study of synergistic compound-compound interactions in medicinal herbs or among chemical drugs and herbal components;and(3) developing drugs to tackle complex multi-component diseases.The authors conclude that there is an increasing need for multi-component remedies to treat the complex chronic diseases afflicting modern populations.Given this situation and the growing body of evidence that these new approaches are effective, multi-target intervention appears to have great potential for discovering,designing,and developing effective new drugs for today’s diseases.     

The roles of traditional Chinese medicine in gene therapy

The field of gene therapy has been increasingly studied in the last four decades, and its clinical application has become a reality in the last 15 years. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）, an important component of complementary and alternative medicine, has evolved over thousands of years with its own unique system of theories, diagnostics and therapies. TCM is well-known for its various roles in preventing and treating infectious and chronic diseases, and its usage in other modern clinical practice. However, whether TCM can be applied alongside gene therapy is a topic that has not been systematically examined. Here we provide an overview of TCM theories in relation to gene therapy. We believe that TCM theories are congruent with some principles of gene therapy. TCM-derived drugs may also act as gene therapy vehicles, therapeutic genes, synergistic therapeutic treatments, and as co-administrated drugs to reduce side effects. We also discuss in this review some possible approaches to combine TCM and gene therapy.     

Association between change of health care providers and pregnancy exposure to FDA category C, D and X drugs

Background Changing health care providers frequently breaks the continuity of care,which is associated with many health care problems.The purpose of this study was to examine the association between a change of health care providers and pregnancy exposure to FDA category C,D and X drugs.Methods A 50% random sample of women who gave a birth in Saskatchewan between January 1,1997 and December 31,2000 were chosen for this study.The association between the number of changes in health care providers and with pregnancy exposure to category C,D,and X drugs for those women with and without chronic diseases were evaluated using multiple logistical regression,with adjusted odds ratios （ORs） and its 95% confidence intervals （C/s） as the association measures.Results A total of 18 568 women were included in this study.Rates of FDA C,D,and X drug uses were 14.35%,17.07%,21.72%,and 31.14%,in women with no change of provider,1-2 changes,3-5 changes,and more than 5 changes of health care providers.An association between the number of changes of health care providers and pregnancy exposure to FDA C,D,and X drugs existed in women without chronic diseases but not in women with chronic disease.Conclusion Change of health care providers is associated with pregnancy exposure to FDA category C,D and X drugs in women without chronic diseases.     

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1: protein, ligands, expression and pathophysiological significance

Objective To review the recent research progress in lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 （LOX-1） including its protein, ligands, expression and pathophysiological significance. Data sources Information included in this article was identified by searching of PUBMED （1997-2006） online resources using the key term LOX-1. Study selection Mainly original milestone articles and critical reviews written by major pioneer investigators of the field were selected. Results The key issues related to the LOX-1 protein as well as ligands for LOX-1. Factors regulating the expression of LOX-1 were summarized. The pathophysiological functions of LOX-1 in several diseases were discussed. Conclusions Identification of LOX-1 and a definition of its biological role in pathophysiologic states provide deeper insight into the pathogenesis of some cardiovascular diseases especially in atherosclerosis and provide a potential selective therapeutic approach. LOX-1 is unlocking and drugs targeting LOX-1 might be a promising direction to explore.     

The revival of the ancient drug—arsenic

Arsenic, a natural substance, has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for more than a thousand years. However, this medicine fell into disuse in the 1930s following the advent of radiotherapy and conventional cytotoxic drugs and reports about arsenic poisoning from its long-term low-dose ingestion. Until the late 1970s, it had its rebirth when a series of research papers from China described the successful application of     

Application and Prospect of Platelet Multi-omics Technology in Study of Blood Stasis Syndrome

The abnormality of platelet function plays an important role in the pathogenesis and evolution of blood stasis syndrome(BSS).The explanation of its mechanism is a key scientific issue in the study of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and treatment.System biology technology provides a good technical platform for further development of platelet multi-omics,which is conducive to the scientific interpretation of the biological mechanism of BSS.The article summarized the pathogenesis of platelets in BSS,the mechanism of action of blood activating and stasis resolving drugs,and the application of genomics,proteomics,and metabonomics in platelet research,and put forward the concept of"plateletomics in BSS".Through the combination and cross-validation of multi-omics technology,it mainly focuses on the clinical and basic research of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases;through the interactive verification of multi-omics technology and system biology,it mainly focuses on the platelet function and secretion system.The article systematically explains the molecular biological mechanism of platelet activation,aggregation,release,and other stages in the formation and development of BSS,and provides a new research idea and method for clarifying the pathogenesis of BSS and the mechanism of action of blood activating and stasis resolving drugs.     

HEAT-CLEARING DRUGS—Selected from A Practical English-Chinese Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine

HEAT-CLEARING ANDBLOOD-COOLING DRUGSMost drugs of this type are bitter,sweet,salty,and cold.They have the effectsof dispelling pathogenic heat from the yingand blood systems,and are chiefly indicatedfor epidemic febrile diseases with thepathogenic heat already in the ying and     

Application and assessment of Chinese arsenic drugs in treating malignant hematopathy in China

<正>Chinese arsenic drugs have been applied in Chinese medicine for several centuries.Beginning from 1970s,arsenic containing drugs have been generally used for the treatment of malignant hematologic diseases including acute promyelocytic leukemia,myelodysplastic syndrome,and multiple myeloma.No matter what ingredients of arsenic drugs were applied,either arsenic trioxide,arsenic disulfide,or arsenic containing Chinese herbal compositions including Qinghuang Powder(青黄散)and Realgar-Indigo naturalis formula(复方黄黛片),they all provided the distinct approaches for the management of malignant hematologic diseases,and good clinical efficacy was obtained with mild adverse reactions.Moreover,the mechanisms of action have been continually elucidated.     

ADVANCES IN TREATMENT OF ANO-RECTAL DISEASES BY THE ANAL SUPPOSITORY METHOD

The anal suppository method refers tothe drugs made into shell-shaped,torpedo-shaped or cone-shaped supposi-tories, and inserted into the anus, aiming attreating ano-rectal diseases or looseningbowels either through absorption of thedrugs by the rectum or direct action of thedrugs on the diseases. The method is simple,convenient, economic and very effective. Abrief summary of clinical application of this     

Clinical Application of Insect Drugs

Chinese insect drugs are drastic in nature, capable ofclearing channels and collaterals to promote a freeflow of qi and blood, and effective in someintractable and obstinate diseases due to long-termstagnation of phlegm and blood, which are hard to betreated by ordinary Chinese drugs. In clinic, properuse of insect drugs can often help raise thetherapeutic effects. Some commonly used pairs ofinsect drugs are introduced in the following.     

TREATMENT OF PERIPHERAL FACIAL PARALYSIS BY SCALP ACUPUNCTURE——A Report of 100 Cases

It is well known that comparativelysatisfactroy effect can be achieved in thetreatment of cerebrogenic diseases by scalpacupuncture.However,little has been re-ported in the literature on its therapeutic ef-fect in the treatment of peripheral facial pa-ralysis.From August 1972 through Decem-ber 1989 the author treated 100 cases of thisdisease by scalp acupuncture with satisfac-tory results in most cases.A report follows.     

Dr.Chen Xiangjun''''s Experience in Using Pair of Drugs to Treat Rheumatic Diseases

Dr.Chen Xiangjun of the Longhua HospitalAffiliated to Shanghai University of TraditionalChinese Medicine has accumulated rich experience intreating rheumatic diseases with pair of drugs.Thefollowing is a report of his experience in this respect.     

Experimental drugs for treatment of autoimmune myocarditis

Objective To review the experimental drugs for the treatment of autoimmune myocarditis.Data sources The literatures published in English about different kinds of experimental drugs based on different therapeutic mechanisms for the treatment of autoimmune myocarditis were obtained from PubMed from 2002 to 2013.Study selection Original articles regarding the experimental drugs for treatment of autoimmune myocarditis were selected.Results This study summarized the effects of the experimental drugs for the treatment of autoimmune myocarditis,such as immunomodulators and immunosuppressants,antibiotics,Chinese medicinal herbs,cardiovascular diseases treatment drugs,etc.These drugs can significantly attenuate autoimmune myocarditis-induced inflammation and fibrosis,alleviate autoimmune myocarditis-triggered overt lymphocyte proliferation,and meanwhile reduce Th1 cytokines （IFN-γ and IL-2） and increase Th2 cytokines （IL-4 and IL-10）.Conclusion This study summarized recent advances in autoimmune myocarditis treatment and further proposes that traditional Chinese medicine and immune regulators will play important roles in the future.     

Aggravation of Arrhythmia Induced by Antiarrhythmic Drugs during Electrophysiologic Testing

The purpose of our study is to evaluate aggravation of arrhythmia induced byantiarrhythmic drugs during electrophysiologic testing In 266 tests, patients with arrhythmia weretreated with quinidine, procainamide, mexiletine amicdarone, locainide pirmenol flacainide andnorpace and the results were analysed. Aggravation of arrhythmia induced by antiarrhythmic drugswas common, involving almost all antiarrhythmic drugs The incidence of aggravation was 21. 8%.There was no definite relationship between arrhythrnic aggravation and underlying heart diseases. Inno circumstances were blood levels in toxic range at the time of arrhythmic aggravation. Combinedwith antiarrhythmic drugs Ia+Ib (?) the incidence of aggravation of arrhythmia. Greatly wid-ened QRS might he a due to recognizing the danger of quinidine-induced arrhythmic aggravation.     

Effect of Mizolastine on Release of Inflammatory Mediators in Sensitized Mice

Mizolastine is widely prescribed for acute allergic cutaneous diseases because of its powerful antihistamine activity. Moreover, it has been recently put forward that mizolastine might also be effective on other inflammatory and refractory disorders such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of mizolastine on the release of two kinds of inflammatory mediators and cytokines （Leukotriene B4 and Interleukin-5）, which play pivotal roles not only in chronic allergic diseases but also in inflammatory diseases. The study was performed using epidermis from mice stimulated by intradermal injection of substance P and splenocytes from mice sensitized by intraperitoneal administration of ovalbumin （OVA）. Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） method was applied to examine the effects of mizolastine and the control drugs （chlorpheniramine, rolatadine and dexamethasone） on the release of Leukotriene B4 （LTB4） and Interleukin-5 （IL-5）. Mizolastine inhibited the release of LTB4 and IL-5 in epidermis as well as in splenocytes. The inhibitory effect was dose-dependent. Neither chlorpheniramine nor rolatadine showed inhibitory effects release from epidermis and splenocytes by mizolastine was not as strong as that by dexamethasone. Nevertheless, the results showed inhibitory effect of mizolastine over leukotriene and Th2 cytokines other than its anti-histamine effect. Thus, mizolastine seems to regulate on the release of inflammatory mediators and to have the potential to reorientate the T-cell response toward a balance between Th1 and Th2, which might have implications for the treatment of other inflammatory and chronic disorders.     

PURGATIVE DRUGS——Selected from A Practical English—Chinese Library of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Drugs which can induce diarrhea andpromote laxation of the bowels are definedas purgative or purgativest drugs.Purgative drugs have the effects of re-laxing the bowels,clearing away heat,purg-ing fire,dispelling retained fluid and re-ducing edema.They are indicated for interi-or syndromes of excess type marked by drystool,constipation,food stagnation,accu-mulation of heat of excess type in the interi-or,edema and fluid retention.Purgative drugs are divided into three     

Phytopharmacological Profile of Jasminum Grandiflorum Linn. (Oleaceae)

Plants are the real basis towards animal life and are also central to people’s livelihood. The contributions of the plants in performing varied religious celebrations and in other multiple beneficiaries like medicine, human happiness as well as in treating deadly diseases can never be neglected. In treating diseases, the plants and their constituents are better choice than any other synthetic chemical. The nature has been kind enough to provide the human beings with various types of medicinal plants and in the real sense these form the storehouse of curing almost all the ailments. Consequently, most of the drugs which are being used in preparing formulations have their origin and roots in the plants which form the chief natural source of medicines. Even in modern era, the plant-derived drugs are being extensively used, either in their original or semi-synthetic form. It is because their natural phytoconstituents are highly innocuous posing relatively fewer or no side effects. Based upon their observations, analysis and experience, our ancestors used many plants for medicinal purposes and thus their efforts need to be supported by scientific evidence. Jasminum grandiflorum Linn. is one of such important plants. It has been extensively used by the tribes all over India to treat different diseases which mainly include body pains, toothache, stomach ache, ulcers, and sexual impotency. Chemistry of the plant revealed the presence of mainly secoiridoids, terpenoids, flavonoids and tannins. Not much scientific support was given to the folklore claims for this plant but some of its traditional uses were investigated like spasmolytic, wound healing, antimicrobial, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, antiulcer and antioxidant activities. This article is the review of research works done on the plant Jasminum grandiflorum Linn. to date. As a part of it the local names, morphology, traditional claims, chemistry and pharmacological activities have been discussed.