Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang Research Articles

Investigation of electrochemical fingerprints for Buzhong Yiqi Tang extract granules using diamond-graphene composite electrode

This study presents a novel electrochemical fingerprinting method for Buzhong Yiqi Tang extract granules using a diamond-graphene composite electrode. The electrode was fabricated through chemical vapor deposition of graphene on high-pressure high-temperature synthetic diamond, resulting in a few-layer graphene coating as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy (I₂D/IG ratio ≈ 1.2) and XPS analysis (78 % sp² C-C signal). Cyclic voltammetry revealed four anodic and three cathodic peaks, while differential pulse voltammetry provided enhanced resolution with eight distinct oxidation peaks. The method demonstrated high sensitivity (LODs 0.08–0.15 mg/mL) and good linearity (R² > 0.995) over a concentration range of 0.5–10 mg/mL. Comparison of fingerprints from individual herb extracts (Astragalus membranaceus, Panax ginseng, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis) elucidated the origins of major peaks in the Buzhong Yiqi Tang profile. Principal component analysis of fingerprints successfully differentiated between samples from three manufacturers, accounting for 87.3 % of total variance. Strong correlations (r > 0.92) were observed between key DPV peak intensities and HPLC-determined concentrations of traditional chemical markers. The rapid analysis time, minimal sample preparation, and holistic representation of multiple electroactive components make this approach a promising complement to existing chromatographic methods for quality assessment of traditional Chinese medicine formulations.

Real-world Chinese herbal medicine for Parkinson's disease: a hospital-based retrospective analysis of electronic medical records.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition. Chinese medicine therapies have demonstrated effectiveness for PD in controlled settings. However, the utilization of Chinese medicine therapies for PD in real-world clinical practice and the characteristics of patients seeking these therapies have not been thoroughly summarized. The study retrospectively analyzed initial patient encounters (PEs) with a first-listed diagnosis of PD, based on electronic medical records from Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine between July 2018 and July 2023. A total of 3,206 PEs, each corresponding to an individual patient, were eligible for analyses. Approximately 60% of patients made initial visits to the Chinese medicine hospital after receiving a PD diagnosis, around 4.59 years after the onset of motor symptoms. Over 75% of the patients visited the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic at their initial visits, while a mere 13.85% visited PD Chronic Care Clinic. Rest tremor (61.98%) and bradykinesia (52.34%) are the most commonly reported motor symptoms, followed by rigidity (40.70%). The most commonly recorded non-motor symptoms included constipation (31.88%) and sleep disturbance (25.27%). Integration of Chinese medicine and conventional medicine therapies was the most common treatment method (39.15%), followed by single use of Chinese herbal medicine (27.14%). The most frequently prescribed herbs for PD included Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (gan cao), Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (huang qi), Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (bai zhu), Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (dang gui), Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC. (di huang), Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (bai shao), Bupleurum chinense DC. (chai hu), Citrus aurantium L. (zhi qiao/zhi shi/chen pi), Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. (ren shen), and Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (fu ling). These herbs contribute to formulation of Bu zhong yi qi tang (BZYQT). Patients typically initiated Chinese medical care after the establishment of PD diagnosis, ~4.59 years post-onset of motor symptoms. The prevalent utilization of CHM decoctions and patented Chinese herbal medicine products, underscores its potential in addressing both motor and non-motor symptoms. Despite available evidence, rigorous clinical trials are needed to validate and optimize the integration of CHM, particularly BZYQT, into therapeutic strategies for PD.

A Narrative Review of the Herbal Preparation of Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese, and Kampō Medicines Applied as Radioprotectors.

In recent years, there has been growing scientific interest in the search for natural radioprotectors that can be used to mitigate the effects of radiation on patients, healthcare personnel, and even for space travel. This narrative review covers the past fifty years and focuses on herbal preparations of Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese, and Kampō Medicines that have the potential to reduce or eliminate the harmful effects of radiation. Our findings highlight ten herbal preparations, namely Abana, Amalakyadi Churna, Amritaprasham, Brahma, Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (BZYQT), Chyavanaprasha, Cystone, Geriforte, Mentat, and Triphala, which have demonstrated potential radioprotective effects. This review examines their composition, properties, and possible mechanisms of action in relation to their radioprotective properties. Exploring the ethnobotany of traditional Asian medicine is particularly interesting as it may lead to the discovery of new active compounds with radioprotective properties.

Integrating network pharmacology and experimental verification to decipher the immunomodulatory effect of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang against poly (I:C)-induced pulmonary inflammation.

Pulmonary inflammation caused by respiratory tract viral infections is usually associated with acute exacerbation of respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, maintaining the pulmonary immune homeostasis is particular important for prevention of the acute exacerbation. Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been broadly used to improve respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders in China for over 700years. Previously, we have found the regulatory activity of BZYQT on the lower respiratory immune system, while its potential effects during pulmonary inflammation remain unknown. Thus, the current study focused on deciphering its immunomodulatory effect and potential mechanism against pulmonary inflammation by using a viral RNA analogue, poly (I:C), induced murine pulmonary inflammation model and BEAS-2B cell model coupled with network pharmacology. Inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted through microscope examination according to the cell's morphology and staining characteristics; protein and gene levels of inflammatory mediators were determined with Elisa and quantitative PCR, respectively; network pharmacology was conducted based on 46 BZYQT-related potential bioactive components, pulmonary inflammation and immune-related targets. Our results indicated that the recruitment of neutrophils and the expression of Adgre1 (encoding the F4/80, which is a macrophage marker) in the lung induced by poly (I:C) were significantly reduced after BZYQT treatment, and these effects were further demonstrated to be related to the interference of leukocyte transendothelial migration from the decreased levels of CXCL10, IL-6, TNF-α, CXCL2, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E/P-selectins. Furthermore, BZYQT inhibited the CXCL10, TNF-α, and IFN-β expression of poly (I:C)-challenged BEAS-2B cells in a dose-dependent manner. Through integrating results from network pharmacology, experiments, and the published literature, isoliquiritigenin, Z-ligustilide, atractylenolide I, atractylenolide III, formononetin, ferulic acid, hesperidin, and cimigenoside were presumed as the bioactive components of BZYQT against pulmonary inflammation. Overall, our findings demonstrated that BZYQT possesses a pronounced immunomodulatory effect on poly (I:C)-induced pulmonary inflammation, which provides a pharmacological basis for BZYQT in the treatment of respiratory disorders.

In vivo metabolic profiles of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang, a famous traditional Chinese medicine prescription, in rats by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), a famous traditional Chinese medicine prescription (TCMP), has been extensively used for conditioning sub-health status and diseases caused by spleen-qi deficiency in China for over 700 years. BZYQT is prevalent not only in China, but also in Japan and South Korea for the clinical treatment of chronic diseases, such as fatigue, tuberculosis and loss of appetite after surgery. However, due to a lack of research on the holistic metabolism of BZYQT, the in vivo bioactive components of BZYQT remain unclear, hindering further study of its in vivo mechanism of action and quality control. In the present study, a four-step integrated strategy based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was established to systematically screen the in vivo xenobiotics of BZYQT. Ultimately, a total of 162 xenobiotics (59 prototypes and 103 metabolites) were identified or tentatively characterized, including 48 in plasma, 147 in urine and 58 in feces, while the in vivo metabolic profile of atractylenolide III (a major component of BZYQT) was elucidated for the first time. The xenobiotics of BZYQT mainly included flavonoids from Astragali Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Citrus reticulatae Pericarpium; lactones from Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma; and triterpenoid saponins from Cimicifugae Rhizoma. After oral administration, BZYQT-related components underwent diverse metabolic pathways. Among them, flavonoids mainly underwent glucuronidation, sulfation and demethylation, while lactones mainly underwent hydroxylation and acetylcysteine conjugation, and deglycosylation was the major metabolic reaction of saponins. Our investigation gives a comprehensive analysis of the metabolic characteristics of BZYQT and will provide an important basis for further studying the pharmacokinetics of BZYQT to explore its in vivo disposal features and discover its in vivo bioactive components.

The herbal drug, Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang, for the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Protocol for a systematic review.

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) is an herbal drug that is widely used to treat various diseases, including gastrointestinal diseases, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis (AD) in East Asian countries. BZYQT has been shown to have anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory properties in experimental studies, and there is substantial clinical evidence of its effect on AD. This review will systematically assess the evidence of BZYQT for the treatment of AD. Eleven databases will be searched from their inception without language restriction. Randomized controlled trials that examined BZYQT or modified BZYQT for AD will be included. The selection of the studies, data abstraction, and validations will be performed independently by 2 researchers. The methodological qualities of the randomized controlled trials will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing the risk of bias. This systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will also be disseminated electronically or in print. It will be useful to inform and guide healthcare practitioners. CRD42018105173.

Mucosal immunomodulatory evaluation and chemical profile elucidation of a classical traditional Chinese formula, Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang

Ethnopharmacological evidenceWith fast development and high pace life in modern society, autoimmune diseases like inflammatory bowel disease had become increasingly common. Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), a famous traditional Chinese medicine prescription (TCMP), has been used for 700 years mainly in Eastern Asia countries for the treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory disorder, and weakness after serious diseases. These diseases were proved to be closely related to human immune system, among which, mucosal immune system is the largest immune system. So it is necessary to discover the mucosal immune related bioactive components of BZYQT. Aim of the studyTo evaluate the mucosal immunomodulatory bioactivity of BZYQT and ingredients. Materials and methodsPeyer's patches were collected from mice administrated orally with BZYQT, its related Octadecylsilane (ODS) fractions and polysaccharide part. Productions of several cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IFN-γ from T lymphocytes were tested with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by Peyer's patch cells ex vivo experiments. Chemical profile including low molecular part and polysaccharide part were investigated. Low molecular part of BZYQT and related ODS fractions were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) based on LC-MS information from self-established compound library. exclusion chromatography, and chemical property has been analyzed. ResultThree-days’ administration of BZYQT enhanced productions of IL-4 and IFN-γ in T lymphocytes of Peyer's patches in addition to IL-2. Some hydrophobic low molecular weight fractions (30%, 70% and 100% MeOH ODS fraction), which were fractionated from BZYQT by ODS column chromatography, showed enhancing or suppressive effects on productions of IL-2, IL-4 or IL-5 in T lymphocytes of Peyer's patches after oral administration. Besides, 161 components from hydrophobic low molecular weight fractions of BZYQT were unequivocally identified or tentatively characterized by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS according to retention time behaviors and fragments, and most of them were flavonoids and saponins from Glycyrrhizae Radix, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, and Cimicifugae Rhizoma. Polysaccharide part was separated and purified both by anion-exchange and size. BZYQT also contained at least one neutral and three weakly or strongly acidic polysaccharides, and analysis of their chemical properties indicated that a neutral polysaccharide was glucan, and acidic polysaccharides possessed heteroglycan and pectic arabinogalactan features. Murine administration of polysaccharide fractions of BZYQT induced different changes on functions of T lymphocytes in Peyer's patches from hydrophobic low molecular weight fractions. By experiment using intranasally-immunized mice, BZYQT negatively regulated antibody response in lung as combinatorial actions of its low molecular weight ingredients and polysaccharides. ConclusionBZYQT contains several low and macromolecular weight ingredients, which affect to immune-function of T lymphocytes in Peyer's patches, and the formula expresses its regulative activity on lower respiratory immune system through combinatorial actions of these ingredients on immunocompetent cells in Peyer's patches.

Clinical observation on idiopathic tinnitus treated with acupuncture, buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan

To observe the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on idiopathic tinnitus between the combined therapy with acupuncture and the modified formula of buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan and the simple administration of the modified formula of buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan. A total of 60 patients were randomized into a combined treatment group and an herbal medicine group, 30 cases in each one and 2 cases dropped out in the herbal medicine group. In the combined treatment group, acupuncture was given at the local acupoints for tinnitus, such as Yifeng (TE 17), penetrating needling technique from Ermen (TE 21) to Tinggong (SI 19) and Tinghui (GB 2) combined with the scalp acupuncture [the vertigo-auditory area, Baihui (GV 20)] and the oral administration of the modified formula of buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan. In the herbal medicine group, the oral administration of the modified formula of buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan was only applied. The treatment was given once a day in each group, 5 times a week for acupuncture and 7 times a week for the oral administration of herbal medicine. Totally, the treatment for 6 weeks was required in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the tinnitus severity score (TSS) and the score of tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) were observed and the clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. After treatment, the TSS and THI scores reduced as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P<0.05). The scores in the combined treatment group were lower than those in the herbal medicine group (both P<0.05). The total effective rate in the combined treatment group was 93.3% (28/30), better than 67.9% (19/28) in the herbal medicine group (P<0.05). The combined treatment with scalp acupuncture, acupuncture around the ear and the modified formula of buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan achieve the superior therapeutic effects on idiopathic tinnitus as compared with the simple oral administration of the modified formula of buzhong yiqi tang and cizhu wan.

Characteristics of Chinese herbal medicine usage and its effect on survival of lung cancer patients in Taiwan

Ethnopharmacological relevanceIn Taiwan, lung cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers. Survival of lung cancer patients remains low, ranging from 6% to 18%. Studies have shown that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) can be used to induce cell apoptosis and exhibit anti-inflammatoryanti-inflammatory activities in cancer cells. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the frequencies and patterns of CHM treatment for lung cancer patients and the effect of CHM on their survival probability in Taiwan. Materials and methodsWe identified 6939 lung cancer patients (ICD-9-CM: 162). We allocated 264 CHM users and 528 CHM-non users, matched for age, gender, duration, and regular treatment. Chi-square test, conditional multivariable logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test were used in this study. ResultsThe CHM group was characterized by a longer follow up time and more cases of hyperlipidemia and liver cirrhosis. This group exhibited a lower mortality hazard ratio (0.48, 95% confidence interval [0.39–0.61], p < 0.001), after adjusting for comorbidities. The trend was also observed that the cumulative survival probability was higher in CHM than in non-CHM users (p < 0.0001, log rank test). Analysis of their CHM prescription pattern revealed that Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), Xiang-Sha-Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang (XSLJZT), and Bai-He-Gu-Jin-Tang (BHGJT); and Bei-Mu (BM), Xing-Ren (XR) and Ge-Gen (GG) were found to be the top three formulas and herbs, respectively. Among them, BM was the core CHM of the major cluster, and Jie-Geng (JG) and Mai-Men-Dong-Tang (MMDT) were important CHMs by CHM network analysis. ConclusionThe use of CHM as an adjunctive therapy may reduce the mortality hazard ratio of lung cancer patients. The investigation of their comprehensive CHM prescription patterns might be useful in future large-scale, randomized clinical investigations of agent effectiveness, safety, and potential interactions with conventional treatments for lung cancer patients.

Use of microbial fuel cells to monitor current production in Qi-deficient liver cells

ObjectiveTo monitor current production in Qi-deficient liver cells, and to study how cellular proton leakage might affect electric current production. MethodsCells were placed in an microbial fuel cells (MFC) anode and the electric current was measured. Mitochondrial-affecting chemicals, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and resveratrol (RVT), were used to induce proton leakage in cells and their effect on current production observed. MCF-7 breast cancer cells exhibited higher proton leakage relative to normal liver cells. A mouse model for Qi-deficiency was prepared according to the Methodology of Animal Experiment in Chinese medicine. The Qi-tonics Buzhongyiqi Tang (BZYQT), which is used to treat the Qi-deficiency condition, was applied to Qi-deficient liver cells to examine how current production was altered. ResultsAdding either DNP or RVT to normal liver cells increased current production. MCF-7 cells that possessed high proton leakage were also found to produce higher currents than normal liver cells. Higher current production, lower cellular glucose content, and lower adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production rate were found in Qi-deficient liver cells, in which the use of DNP or RVT further increased current production. The use of BZYQT to treat Qi-deficient liver cells decreased current production, counteracted the action of DNP, and also improved cellular glucose content. ConclusionHigh electric current production was found in liver cells with high cellular proton leakage. Positive current responses to both mitochondria-affecting chemicals, DNP and RVT, appeared to indicate proper mitochondrial function. The high proton leakage detected in Qi-deficient liver cells might have caused high energy losses, which served to explain the observed lower cellular glucose content and ATP production rate than in normal cells. These results might also explain the exhibited syndromes of low energy and fatigue in Qi-deficient patients. Proton leakage, induced by DNP or the Qi-deficient condition, was possibly caused by unusual uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation and appeared to be inhibited by treatment with BZYQT, such that decreased current production was observed after BZYQT treatment.

Immune-modulatory effects of bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang in ovalbumin-induced murine model of allergic asthma.

BackgroundBu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (BZYQT), an herbal formula of traditional Chinese medicine, has been an effective regimen of allergic diseases for nearly 800 years. Our previous report has demonstrated its anti-inflammatory effects in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis, and the aim of this study is to investigate the anti-asthmatic effect of BZYQT.MethodsFemale BALB/cByJNarl mice were sensitized with normal saline (control group) or OVA. Mice sensitized by OVA were fed with distilled water (OVA group), oral 0.5 g/Kg (low-dose group) or 1 g/Kg (high-dose group) of BZYQT solution once daily on days 36-40 besides their routine diet. Airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), eosinophil infiltration, levels of cytokines and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. The lungs and tracheas were removed, and histopathologic examination was subsequently performed.ResultsAHR was significantly reduced in both low- and high-dose BZYQT groups compared with the OVA group after inhalation of the highest dose of methacholine (50 mg/ml). The levels of eotaxin, Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), IgE, and eosinophil infiltration in BALF were significantly decreased in both BZYQT groups compared with the OVA group. Histopathologic examination revealed that eosinophil infiltration of the lung and trachea tissues was remarkably attenuated in both BZYQT groups.ConclusionsOral administration of BZYQT solution may exert anti-asthmatic effect by relieving AHR in OVA-sensitized mice, which is compatible with our clinical experience. Although detailed mechanism is to be determined, we surmise that it may be correlated with the immune-modulatory effects of inhibiting Th2 responses on the basis of our limited results.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine in combination with mitomycin C on gastric cancer cells.

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is frequently used by cancer patients in Chinese community. It remains largely unknown about the interaction between CHM and chemotherapeutic agents. Herein, we evaluated 3 commonly used CHM formulas for cancer patients: Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), Bao-Yuan-Tang (BYT), and Ju-Yuan-Jian (JYJ). We examined the effects of these 3 formulas in human gastric cancer cells MKN-74, in terms of cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction when used alone or in combination with mitomycin C (MMC). Cytotoxicity was determined by tetrazolium dye colorimetric assay. The 10% inhibitory concentration of CHM was used in this study. Cells were first exposed to CHM or phosphate buffered saline (as control) for 48 h. Then MMC at final concentration of 0.25 μg/ml was added to media for another 24-h. Among these 3 CHM formulas, BZYQT showed the most pronounced effect in augmenting MMC-induced cytotoxicity. The viability of MKN-74 cells was decreased to 43.1% when treated with BZYQT and MMC, compared to 94.9% with MMC alone. We subsequently examined apoptosis induction by quantitative florescent microscopy and single-strand DNA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and found BZYQT did not enhance MMC-induced apoptosis. Our findings indicate BZYQT in combination with MMC induces cell death in gastric cancer cells via non-apoptotic mechanism. Our results provide a rationale for further investigation in the interaction of CHM and anti-cancer treatment.

Sensitive and reliable multianalyte quantitation of herbal medicine in rat plasma using dynamic triggered multiple reaction monitoring

There is a growing need both clinically and experimentally to improve the determination of the blood levels of multiple chemical constituents in herbal medicines. The conventional multiple reaction monitoring (cMRM), however, is not well suited for multi-component determination and could not provide qualitative information for identity confirmation. Here we apply a dynamic triggered MRM (DtMRM) algorithm for the quantification of 20 constituents in an herbal prescription Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) in rat plasma. Dynamic MRM (DMRM) dramatically reduced the number of concurrent MRM transitions that are monitored during each MS scan. This advantage has been enhanced with the addition of triggered MRM (tMRM) for simultaneous confirmation, which maximizes the dwell time in the primary MRM quantitation phase, and also acquires sufficient MRM data to create a composite product ion spectrum. By allowing optimized collision energy for each product ion and maximizing dwell times, tMRM is significantly more sensitive and reliable than conventional product ion scanning. The DtMRM approach provides much higher sensitivity and reproducibility than cMRM.

Study on medication rule of depressive disorder in medical records of Er Xu Ming Yi Lei An

Objective To study the origin, position, pathogenesis and differentiation rule of depressive disorder in ancient medical records, Er Xu Ming Yi Lei An. Methods Study medical records in ancient medical books, Ming Yi Lei An, Xu Ming Yi Lei An, Er Xu Ming Yi Lei An. Adopt Excel to establish medical records' database about depressive disorder, and use frequency analysis method to summarize medication rule of Chinese materia medica for treating depressive disorder. Results Six body symptoms referred in medical records are anorexia,lassitude, sweating, abdominal distension, insomnia, and hypochondriac pain, account 53.41% in top ten symptoms;regulating Qi method is the most frequently used treatment; The most frequently use prescriptions in a descending order are Xiaoyaosan, Buzhong Yiqi Tang, Taoren Chengqi Tang, Modified Guipi Tang, Wendan Tang, Liujun Zi Tang, Suanzaoren Tang, et. Most frequently applied medical herbs in a descending order are bupleurum, dried tangerine peel, white peony alba, tumeric root tuber, fossilia ossis mastoid, and Chinese angelica, et. Conclusion There are certain rules in the origin, pathogenesis, diagnosis and prescriptions of depressive disorder in ancient medical records, Er Xu Ming Yi Lei An. Key words: Depressive disorder; Ancient medical records; Medication rule; Application frequency of Chinese materia medica

Rhodiola: A Promising Anti-Aging Chinese Herb

Using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, we investigated the effects of Rhodiola on life-span. Rhodiola is a plant root used in traditional Chinese medicine that may increase an organism's resistance to stress. It has been proposed that Rhodiola can extend longevity and improve health span by alleviating oxidative stress. Rhodiola supplied every other day at 30 mg/mL significantly increased the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster. When comparing the distribution of deaths between Rhodiola-supplemented and control flies, Rhodiola-fed flies exhibited decelerated aging. Although the observed extension in lifespan was associated with statistically insignificant reductions in fecundity, correcting for a possible dietary restriction effect still did not eliminate the difference between supplemented and control flies, nor does the effect of Rhodiola depend on dietary manipulation, strongly suggesting that Rhodiola is not a mere dietary restriction mimetic. Although this study does not reveal the causal mechanism behind the effect of Rhodiola, it does suggest that the supplement is worthy of continued investigation, unlike the other Chinese herbals, Lu Duo Wei (LDW), Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (BZYQT), San Zhi Pian (SZP, Three Imperial Mushrooms), Hong Jing Tian (Rhodiola) that were evaluated in this study.

The Chinese medicine Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang inhibited proliferation of hepatoma cell lines by inducing apoptosis via G0/G1 arrest

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), a Chinese herbal medicine, inhibited the proliferation of human hepatoma cell lines (Hep3B, HepG2 and HA22T) dose-dependently. The IC50s of BZYQT on the proliferation of Hep3B, HepG2 and HA22T were 432.5±31.8 μg/ml, 455.4±24.2 μg/ml, and 2284.3±77.2 μg/ml respectively on day 3. However, BZYQT did not significantly inhibit the proliferation of normal human hepatocytes (Chang liver, CCL-13) at the concentration under 5,000μg/ml. Major compounds of BZYQT, including astragaloside IV, ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1, saikosaponin a and c, and glycyrrhizin, have been identified. To investigate the key inhibitors of BZYQT, Hep3B cells were treated with BZYQT, individual major compounds of BZYQT, and mixture of major compounds in the same ratio as present in BZYQT. Significant inhibition of proliferation was detected in BZYQT and its major compounds mixture in a comparable level. Not any individual major compound examined could suppress the proliferation of Hep3B cells. This data indicated that there could be synergistic or additive effects of the ingredients in BZYQT. BrdU incorporation, cell cycle analysis and DNA fragmentation assay revealed that BZYQT suppressed the proliferation of hepatoma cells via G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibition of DNA synthesis followed by apoptosis.

Anti-aging effects of the traditional Chinese medicine bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang in mice.

Among the "alternative medicines," which may ably supplement modern Western medicine in the treatment of certain diseases, the holistic approach and mild nature of the majority of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may make it particularly suitable for the treatment of diseases associated with old age, as the general health of elderly patients is already compromised. The TCM formulation of bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (B.Z.Y.Q.T.), prescribed mainly for the improvement of circulation and in particular that to the gastroenteric regions, may have anti-aging effects. In the present study, possible anti-aging effects of B.Z.Y.Q.T. were studied using normal (ICR) mice and the Dull, P/8 and R/1 strains of the Senescence Accelerated Mouse (S.A.M.). Following repeated oral administrations of B.Z.Y.Q.T. at 250 and 500 mg/kg the test mice were assessed for (1) endurance (2) learning and memory (3) neuromuscular coordination and (4) changes in the levels of monoamines in the brain. The results indicated that B.Z.Y.Q.T. improved endurance in all strains in a dose-dependent manner. At the higher dose of 500 mg/kg, it improved memory in the R/1 and P/8 S.A.M. mice. In prolonged rota-rod tests, which assessed both motor coordination and endurance, B.Z.Y.Q.T. significantly improved performance in the P/8 S.A.M. mice. Elevated dopamine and noradrenaline were observed in cortical tissues of the S.A.M./Dull and ICR mice respectively with the high dose of 500 mg/Kg, B.Z.Y.Q.T. Taken together, the results indicated that B.Z.Y.Q.T. appeared to exert anti-aging effects in mice and elevation in certain monoamines in brain cortical tissues. How and whether the monoamines changes after B.Z.Y.Q.T. treatment might be related to the behavioral effects await further investigation.

Immunomodulation of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang on In Vitro Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating-Factor and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Production by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) is a Chinese medicine, and has been used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. At present, we still do not fully understand the effects of BZYQT on the cellular physiology. Present in vitro study demonstrated that BZYQT is capable of increasing granulocyte colony-stimulating-factor (G-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in healthy volunteers and patients with HCC. The productions of G-CSF and TNF-α by PBMC of volunteers were significantly stimulated by more than 125 μg/ml of BZYQT. G-CSF levels stimulated by PBMC of healthy volunteers were higher than in PBMC of the HCC patients when more than 625 μg/ml of BZYQT was administrated. The reason may be due to the impaired immunologic reactivity of mononuclear cells in HCC patients. However, the production levels of TNF-α in HCC patients can be stimulated to levels as high as those in healthy volunteers. When adding high concentration (3.125 mg/ml) of BZYQT to the cultured PBMC, the increments of G-CSF and TNF-α production decreased although there were no obvious changes in the number of metabolic active PBMC changed. TNF-α and G-CSF are known to play important roles in the biological defensive mechanism. These findings show that BZYQT is a unique formula for the stimulation of PBMC to produce G-CSF and TNF-α. Administration of BZYQT may be beneficial for patients with HCC to modulate these cytokines.

Preventive Effects of Eastern Medication (Kampo) on the Progression of Chronic Renal Failure

Twenty-two patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) were investigated. The patients were mainly administered decoctions of rhubarb (symbol in text) for 4 weeks. After that, traditional Chinese (Kampo) prescriptions, most of them involving Wen-Pi-Tang were given for another 4 weeks. Following administration of these prescriptions, the levels of serum methylguanidine (MG), blood urea nitrogen and serum inorganic phosphorus improved significantly, although the values of serum creatinine (Cr) were not changed remarkably. The fact that the serum MG/Cr ratio was reduced after the therapy suggested that rhubarb possessed the potential to scavenge hydroxyl radicals by which MG was produced from Cr through creatol, as reported recently. The serum Cr concentration was determined over an observation period of more than 40 weeks in each of the 7 cases. Evaluation of the progression rate of CRF was made from the slopes of the regression lines. After analysis, 5 of the 7 cases showed significant retardation of progression after the administration of Kampo prescriptions during 106 ± 32 (mean ± SD) weeks. Of the 5 cases, 2 were prescribed Wen-Pi-Tang, another 2 cases were treated with Wen-Pi-Tang and Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang and the last was treated with Ba-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan. This study demonstrated that the traditional Chinese prescriptions, most of them comprising Wen-Pi-Tang and/or Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang, retarded the progression of CRF.