Milkvetch Root Research Articles

Scoping review of clinical studies on Chinese herbal medicine against Helicobacter pylori and an exploration of its usage pattern

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a highly infectious bacterium that can aggravate upper gastrointestinal diseases. With the increasingly serious problem of H. pylori drug resistance, it is more important to seek new treatment methods. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of studies on the treatment of H. pylori infection and related diseases with Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). The effectiveness of CHM has also emerged. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review was to systematically identify and summarize the characteristics of randomized controlled trails (RCTs) evaluating CHM for treating H. pylori infection. Three Chinese and two English language databases were comprehensively searched. Included studies were RCTs of H. pylori-positive patients evaluating oral CHM with or without Western Medicine (WM) compared to WM alone. A descriptive analysis of study characteristics and association rule mining in R Studio software were used to identify frequent herbal combinations. The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool was used to assess study quality. Included were 165 RCTs, with 168 comparisons, involving 16,817 participants. All the RCTs were conducted in China and 68% were published after 2012. The quality of included studies was moderate. The RCTs evaluated 187 herbs that were used in various combinations in 91 types of CHM formulas. Most RCTs compared CHM plus WM to WM only (n=103 comparisons). Only 68% of the RCTs evaluated a recommended WM triple or quadruple therapy. Results showed that Banxia Xiexin Decoction, Huangqi Jianzhong Decoction, Huanglian Wendan Decoction and Jinghua Weikang Capsule were commonly used. The association rules showed that golden thread (Coptis chinensis Franch.), debark peony root (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), milkvetch root (Astragalus mongholicus Bunge), dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz.), dried tangerine peel (Citrus reticulata Blanco), tangshen (Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf.), largehead atractylodes rhizome (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.), processing liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), pinellia tuber (Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino) were commonly used clinically. The findings from this review highlight the potential role of CHM formulas for treating H. Pylori and can be used to inform further clinical trials and systematic reviews.

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis of key targets and interventional mechanism of Milkvetch root in diabetic nephropathy.

This work aimed to explore the key targets and intervention mechanisms of Huangqi (Astragalus membranaceus) in diabetic nephropathy using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The findings will provide references for identifying critical therapeutic targets for diabetic nephropathy. The GSE1009 dataset was selected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) for analysis. WGCNA network was constructed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the DEGs. There were 752 downregulated DEGs and 1,547 upregulated DEGs in the diabetic nephropathy samples. Genes such as PLCE1, CLIC5, PTPRO, HSPA12A, AIF1, GMDS, and SEMA5A were significantly suppressed in the diabetic nephropathy samples, while genes such as CEP152, LUNAR1, and SLC9A1 were significantly upregulated. The optimal soft threshold for the WGCNA network was determined as 12. Hierarchical clustering analysis was conducted to detect co-expression modules with corresponding color assignments, and a total of 9 modules were identified. Clinical characteristics showed a high correlation with the gray, blue, green, and brown modules of the WGCNA. GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the blue module DEGs were mainly enriched in immune response, inflammatory response, signal transduction, plasma membrane, extracellular region, cell surface, extracellular matrix, and proteinaceous extracellular matrix. The green module DEGs were mainly enriched in mitochondrial elongation, mitochondrial mutation termination, translation, mitochondrial inner membrane, mitochondrion, ATP biosynthetic process, mitochondrial large ribosomal subunit, mitochondrial intermembrane space, nucleolus, and ribosome. Visualization analysis of the bioactive components of Huangqi showed compounds such as quercetin, resveratrol, 7-O-methylisomucronulatol, and isoquercetin, which had more targets. Differentially expressed genes in diabetic nephropathy were mainly enriched in immune response and inflammatory response. Various components of Huangqi have positive application value in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy and can be considered for clinical promotion.

Development of broad-specific monoclonal antibody-based immunoassays for simultaneous ochratoxin screening in medicinal and edible herbs

The frequent occurrence of ochratoxins in food and herbs poses a considerable threat to consumer and animal health. Here, we generated a broad-specificity monoclonal antibody against three ochratoxins. Concentrations for 50% inhibition (IC50) for OTA, OTB, and OTC were 0.37, 0.23, and 2.24 ng/mL, respectively. In the two matrices, the proposed indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) exhibited a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.5 μg/kg for OTA and 1.0 μg/kg for OTB, respectively, whereas the cut-off levels of lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for OTA and OTB were respectively determined to be 1 and 0.25 ng/mL. As for OTC, the LOD of ic-ELISA and cut-off concentration of LFIA were 15.5 μg/kg and 8 ng/mL for milkvetch root and 37.5 μg/kg and 16 ng/mL for ginger, respectively. The real sample detection results by ic-ELISA and LFIA methods were validated via LC-MS/MS analysis. Therefore, the developed immunoassays are useful and effective tools for high-throughput screening and rapid on-site determination of ochratoxins in complex matrices.

Growth Responses and Accumulation of Vanadium in Alfalfa, Milkvetch Root, and Swamp Morning Glory and Their Potential in Phytoremediation.

Pot experiments with alfalfa, milkvetch root and swamp morning glory were conducted to elucidate the effect of soil vanadium (V) on plant growth and to evaluate their phytoremediation potential under V(V) exposure. Based on biomass analysis, swamp morning glory showed higher tolerance than alfalfa and milkvetch root in response to different soil V(V) levels. The accumulation of V in plants increased with the increasing soil V and the V concentration in roots was 1.95-4.31 times that in shoots. After planting, soil total V, V(V), bioavailable V and water-soluble V all reduced, and the decreases in bioavailable V and V(V) showed significant. The decreased percentage of V(V) in total V in soils demonstrated that the planting process may stimulate the mechanism of V(V) reduction to V(IV). Therefore, the three tested plants, particularly swamp morning glory can be promising phytostabilizers applied to V phytoremediation practices.

Exploring two-trace two-dimensional (2T2D) correlation spectroscopy as an effective approach to improve accuracy of discriminant analysis by highlighting asynchronous features in two separate spectra of a sample

This study aims to demonstrate two-trace two-dimensional (2T2D) correlation spectroscopy as an effective tool for improving the accuracy of discriminant analysis. Because 2T2D correlation analysis allows sensitive capturing of asynchronous spectral behaviors between two compared spectra of a sample, the subsequent asynchronous correlation features are expected to reveal more sample-to-sample characteristics and discriminants than the original spectral feature. Initially, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic authentication of pure olive oil was performed using the spectra collected at 20 °C and 41 °C. When the 2T2D slice spectra of the samples were used for the discriminant analysis, the authentication accuracy reached to 100%, while became degraded in the cases of using the spectra collected either at 20 °C or 41 °C. Furthermore, a simple strategy of utilizing the average spectrum of one sample group as the reference spectrum in the 2T2D correlation analysis was proposed for two-group discrimination and evaluated for the NIR identification of the geographical origins of agricultural products (milk vetch root (MVR) and perilla seed samples). Because the average spectrum of one sample group was used for comparison, dissimilar constituent compositions of the samples in another group were better observed, thereby improving the accuracy of discrimination of the geographical origins of the samples in both cases. The overall results demonstrated that 2T2D correlation analysis is effective for highlighting the minute asynchronous spectral features of a sample and can be expanded for diverse vibrational spectroscopy-based discriminant analyses.

최적 비율의 양잠산물 혼합분말을 첨가한 황기 · 제비콩 양갱의 품질평가

최적 비율의 양잠산물 혼합분말을 첨가한 황기 · 제비콩 양갱의 품질평가

A Study on the Mechanism of Milkvetch Root in the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy Based on Network Pharmacology.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. Owing to its complicated pathogenesis, no satisfactory treatment strategies for DN are available. Milkvetch Root is a common traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been extensively used to treat DN in clinical practice in China for many years. However, due to the complexity of botanical ingredients, the exact pharmacological mechanism of Milkvetch Root in treating DN has not been completely elucidated. The aim of this study was to explore the active components and potential mechanism of Milkvetch Root by using a systems pharmacology approach. First, the components and targets of Milkvetch Root were analyzed by using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database. We found the common targets of Milkvetch Root and DN constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using STRING and screened the key targets via topological analysis. Enrichment of Gene Ontology (GO) pathways and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were analyzed. Subsequently, major hubs were identified and imported to the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery for pathway enrichment analysis. The binding activity and targets of the active components of Milkvetch Root were verified by using the molecular docking software SYBYL. Finally, we found 20 active components in Milkvetch Root. Moreover, the enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG pathways suggested that AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and TNF signaling pathway might be the key pathways for the treatment of DN; more importantly, 10 putative targets of Milkvetch Root (AKT1, VEGFA, IL-6, PPARG, CCL2, NOS3, SERPINE1, CRP, ICAM1, and SLC2A) were identified to be of great significance in regulating these biological processes and pathways. This study provides an important scientific basis for further elucidating the mechanism of Milkvetch Root in treating DN.

A study on the recent 20 years’ herbal medication rules and syndromes distribution in TCM treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy by Data mining

<sec> <title>Aim:</title> To study the recent 20 years’ herbal medication rules and syndromes distribution in TCM treatment of diabetic nephropathy based on modern literature. </sec><sec> <title>Methods:</title> We used SPSS18.0 and SPSS Modeler14.1 for data analysis. The descriptive analysis and cluster analysis were performed by SPSS 18.0; the association rules analysis with the Apriori algorithm was performed by SPSS Modeler14.1. </sec><sec> <title>Results:</title> 274 TCM formulas were obtained after screening. The 5 most frequently used Chinese herbal medicines are milkvetch root, Indian bread, common yam rhizome, danshen root, Asiatic cornelian cherry fruit; The 5 most common syndromes of DN are deficiency Qi and Yin, obstruction of collaterals by blood stasis, deficiency of liver and kidney, damp-heat stasis obstruction, Yin asthenia generating intrinsic heat; the 5 most common pathological factors are Yin deficiency, blood stasis, Qi deficiency, endogenous heat and phlegm. In association rules analysis, we displayed association rules among herbs of confidence greater than 85% and support greater than 15%. By clustering, we obtained 12 sets of core couplet herbs. </sec><sec> <title>Conclusion:</title> The syndrome differentiation of DN is not fixed but dynamic development progress. The syndromes and prescription regularities in the current 20 years are systematically summarized by data mining, which provides data support for clinical differentiation and further researches. </sec>

Compounds from &amp;lt;italic&amp;gt;Astragalus membranaceus&amp;lt;/italic&amp;gt; (Huangqi) interact with PPAR-&amp;gamma;, DPP-IV, and GP to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder disease. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history for treatment of T2DM. The TCM herb treatments effectively elevate the visceral functions of human body, adjust the inner body environment, balance the level of blood glucose, and cause less side effects. We aim to find core TCM herbs in the treatments of T2DM and discover the underlying mechanism of core herbs in treating T2DM. The prescriptions and herbs upon TCM for treating T2DM was searched in literatures and the complex network was constructed to find the core herbs. After selecting the core herbs, molecular docking was performed to find interactions between compounds of the core herb and related receptors by using LigandFit and CDocker. The results of the literature study shown that Milkvetch Root [Astragalus membranous (Fisch) Bunge, HQ, Huangqi in Chinese pinyin] was the most commonly used herb in treating T2DM. Molecular docking results shown that the compounds of HQ have comparatively interactions with the diabetes related receptors. According to the results, four compounds have interactions with peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR-γ), six compounds have interactions with dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV), and two compounds have interactions with Glycogen phosphorylase (GP). These results suggest that HQ can play a key role in the metabolism of human glucose and has a complex mechanism with the characteristic of multi-components and multi-targets in the treatment of T2DM.

Improving the accuracy of spectroscopic identification of geographical origins of agricultural samples through cooperative combination of near-infrared and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

As a versatile strategy to improve accuracy for identification of the geographical origin of agricultural samples, milk vetch root samples in this study, both near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) have been cooperatively combined. The motivation was based on the potential of accuracy improvement by utilization of these two methods providing complementary spectral information, compositions of organic compounds and elements. For initial evaluation, NIRS and LIBS were separately employed to discriminate domestic milk vetch root samples from imported ones using support vector machine (SVM). The near-infrared (NIR) information in a full spectral range was used for the analysis, while in LIBS spectra, the intensities of 35 selected discrete element peaks were used. The use of NIR information providing organic compositions of the samples resulted in a discrimination accuracy of 91.5%, better than that of using LIBS elemental peak intensities (73.1%). Next, to utilize both sets of spectral data for discrimination, support vector regression (SVR) was used to represent NIR spectral feature of a sample as a SVR coefficient, and then it was merged with the existing discrete LIBS intensity data; accuracy was improved to 95.8%. The cooperative combination of information on organic and elemental composition of the samples was the root of improvement.

Milkvetch root improves immune function in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

Milkvetch root as a medicine has been used for more over 2000 years in China, can strengthen immune function, protect liver, promote urination, resist aging and stress, reduce blood pressure and extensively resist bacterium. This study explored the effects of milkvetch root on the immune function of patients with a definitive diagnosis of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. All patients received conventional clinical therapy; those in the experimental group were also administered milkvetch root. The serum levels of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-1β, and IL-32 and immunocytes including T helper (Th), cytotoxic T (Tc), natural killer (NK), regulatory T (Treg) and B cells were measured 1 day before treatment and 7 and 14 days post-treatment. After bronchodilator inhalation, pulmonary function was evaluated at these same time points. The serum TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-32 levels were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group 14 days post-treatment. The Th/Tc ratio and NK cell ratio was significantly higher but the Treg cell ratio was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group 14 days post-treatment. These results indicate that milkvetch root can improve the immune function of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

Meta analysis on randomized controlled trial of modified Shengmai decoction treating viral myocarditis

Objective To study the effect of modified Shengmai decotion treating viral myocarditis, and on the basis of syndrome differentiation, to discuss the type and period for treating VM. Methods The PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, the Chinese biomedical literature database(SinoMed), China hownet(CNKI), and VIP database(VIP) were retrieved for the articles on VM treated by modified Shengmai decoction with RCT method. RevMan 5.0 software was adopted for Meta-analysis. Results A total of 7 articles and 495 patients were involved. The results showed the modified Shengmai decoction treatment group had statistical difference to the control group in treating VM [OR(95% CI) was 3.61 (2.11,6.16), Z=4.70, P<0.01]. Among them, the decoctions containing milkvetch root or not had statistical difference compared to the control group[containing milkvetch root [OR (95% CI) was 2.67 (1.29, 5.52), Z=2.64, P=0.008; not containing milkvetch root OR (95% CI) was 5.11 (2.30,11.38), Z=3.99, P<0.01]. Conclusion Modified Shengmai decoction has certain effects in treating VM of Qi and yin deficiency type or VM in the advanced stage showing Qi and yin deficiency. The effectiveness of adding milkvetch root in Shengmai decoction to treat VM should be further discussed, the use of milkvetch root must be based on the premise of careful syndrome differentiation. Key words: Modified Shengmai decoction; Viral myocarditis; Meta-analysis

Effect of Shenkang granules on the progression of chronic renal failure in 5/6 nephrectomized rats

Shenkang granules (SKGs) are a Chinese herbal medicinal formula, consisting of rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.), Salvia miltiorrhiza, milkvetch root [Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge] and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of SKG on chronic renal failure (CRF) in 5/6 nephrectomized (5/6 Nx) rats. The rats were randomly divided into seven groups (n=10 per group) as follows: (i) 5/6 Nx (model group; 2.25 ml/kg/day normal saline); (ii) SKGL (low dose; 5/6 Nx treated with 2 g crude drug/kg/day SKG); (iii) SKGM (moderate dose; 5/6 Nx treated with 4 g crude drug/kg/day SKG); (iv) SKGH (high dose; 5/6 Nx treated with 8 g crude drug/kg/day SKG); (v) benazepril treatment group (5/6 Nx treated with 5 mg/kg/day benazepril); (vi) Shenkang injection (SKI) group (5/6 Nx with 13.3 ml/kg/day SKI); and (vii) sham-operated group (2.25 ml/kg/day normal saline). After 30 days, the levels of microalbumin, total protein, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and serum lipid were found to be significantly decreased in the SKGL and SKGM rats, showing histological improvement compared with the untreated 5/6 Nx rats, as determined by hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson's trichrome staining. In addition, SKG was found to significantly improve the levels of glutathione peroxidase and reduce the damage caused by free radicals to the kidney tissues. Furthermore, SKG prevented the accumulation of extracellular matrix by decreasing the expression of collagen I and III and inhibiting the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 in the renal tissue, as determined by western blot analysis. SKG was also shown to decrease the concentrations of serum transforming growth factor-β1, as determined by ELISA, and kidney angiotensin II, as determined using a radioimmunoassay kit. In conclusion, SKG was demonstrated to ameliorate renal injury in a 5/6 Nx rat model of CRF. Thus, SKG may exert a good therapeutic effect on CRF.

Data-mining of clinical treatment of hypertensive disease by professor Zhou Yixuan

Objective To investigate the clinical experience and scientific theory for treating hypertension by Zhou Yixuan. Methods The clinical records of 149 patients with hypertension treated by ZhouYixuan were input into the database, and the terms were standardized. The Chinese medical diagnosis , therapeutic principles, prescriptions and Chinese herbs were analyzed. Results The syndromes of 149 patients with hypertension appeared frequently in the phlegm dampness, qi deficiency and blood stasis, qi and yin deficiency, hyperactivity of liver-yang, liver and kidney yin deficiency. The prescriptions appeared frequently in Shenling-Baizhu powder, Buyang-Huanwu decoction Shengmai powder, Tianma-Gouteng Yin, Liuwei-Dihuang pill. The Chinese herbs appeared frequently in honey-fried milkvetch root, finger citron, Szechwan lovage rhizome, danshen root, Chinese angelica, fructus corni, white peony alba, red peony root, prepared largehead atractylodes rhizome, spine date seed, orange fruit, coix seed, tangshen, silktree albizia bark, and leech. Conclusions The syndromes of hypertension appeared in deficiency complicated with excess. Qi deficiency, qi and yin deficiency, liver and kidney yin deficiency were deficiency syndromes. Hyperactivity of liver-yang, blood stasis and phlegm were empirical syndromes. Zhou Yixuan was good at treating hypertension with the methods of benefiting vital energy, nourishing yin, regulating vital energy, promoting blood circulation, reducing phlegm and calming the nerves. Key words: Hypertension; Zhou Yixuan; Data-mining

Effective components of Chinese herbs reduce central nervous system function decline induced by iron overload.

Abnormally increased levels of iron in the brain trigger cascade amplification in Alzheimer’s disease patients, resulting in neuronal death. This study investigated whether components extracted from the Chinese herbs epimedium herb, milkvetch root and kudzuvine root could relieve the abnormal expression of iron metabolism-related protein in Alzheimer’s disease patients. An APPswe/PS1ΔE9 double transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease was used. The intragastric administration of compounds from epimedium herb, milkvetch root and kudzuvine root improved pathological alterations such as neuronal edema, increased the number of neurons, downregulated divalent metal transporter 1 expression, upregulated ferroportin 1 expression, and inhibited iron overload in the cerebral cortex of mice with Alzheimer’s disease. These compounds reduced iron overload-induced impairment of the central nervous system, indicating a new strategy for developing novel drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Mercury Contents of Medicinal Plants and the Cultivated Soils in Korea

This study was conducted to identify transition characteristics of mercury in several selected medicinal plants and to find the appropriate management for production of safety food. Cultivated soils and medicinal plants were collected at 29 sites for Angelica gigas (Korean angelica root), 68 sites for Platycodon grandiflorum (Balloon flower), 35 sites for codonopsis lanceolata (Deoduck), 36 sites for Dioscorea batatas (Chinese yam), 32 sites for Rehmannia glutinosa (Foxglove), 16 sites for Cnidium officinale makino (cnidium), and 26 sites for Astragalus membranaceus (milk vetch root) during the harvest season of 2013. Mercury in the soils and medicinal roots were analyzed with a Direct Mercury Analyzer. Average content of mercury in soils cultivated medicinal plants was 0.023 mg kg -1 (range: from 0.003 to 0.074 mg kg -1 ) and average content of mercury in medicinal plants was 0.003 mg kg -1 (range: from 0.001 to 0.011 mg kg -1 ), indicating that mercury in the surveyed soils and medicinal plants were not exceeded the Korean regulation.

Pharmacological effects of the water fraction of key components in the traditional Chinese prescription Mai Tong Fang on 3T3-L1 adipocytes and ob/ob diabetic mice.

Mai Tong Fang (MTF), a Chinese herbal combination, has been used for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy in traditional medical clinics in China. However, the anti-adipogenic and anti-hyperglycemic effects of MTF have not been fully elucidated, so this study explored these pharmacological activities in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and ob/ob mice, respectively, of the water fraction of milkvetch root, salviae miltiorrhizae and mulberry as key components of MTF. MTF was found to inhibit adipogenesis and triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oral administration of MTF in ob/ob mice for 8 weeks, exhibited positive controls on blood glucose and body weight, and further improved glucose tolerance according to an oral glucose tolerance test. Importantly, MTF extract alleviated fat deposition and ballooning degeneration in liver tissue and blocked the increase of adipocyte size in adipose tissue from treated ob/ob mice. These results indicated that the extract of key components in the traditional Chinese prescription MTF continue a potent anti-adipogenic and glucose-lowering agent.

Chinese Herbal Medicine for Aspirin Resistance: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Aspirin resistance (AR) is a prevalent phenomenon and leads to significant clinical consequences, but the current evidence for effective interventional strategy is insufficient. The objective of this systematic review is thus to assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for AR. A systematical literature search was conducted in 6 databases until December 2012 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of CHM for AR. As a result, sixteen RCTs with a total of 1011 subjects were identified, suggesting that the interests of the medical profession and the public in the use of CHM for AR have grown considerably in the recent years. Tongxinluo capsule and Danshen-based prescriptions were the most frequently used herbal prescriptions, while danshen root, milkvetch root, Leech, and Rosewood were the most frequently used single herbs. Despite the apparent reported positive findings, it is premature to determine the efficacy and safety of CHM for the treatment of AR due to poor methodological quality and insufficient safety data. However, CHMs appeared to be well tolerated in all included studies. Thus, CHM as a promising candidate is worthy of improvement and development for further clinical AR trials. Large sample-size and well-designed rigorous RCTs are needed.

English

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effects of YiShenTongMai decoction working with conventional Western drugs in patients with unstable angina complicated with glucose metabolism disorder. Seventy-six patients with unstable angina complicated with glucose metabolism disorder were randomly divided into two groups: 37 cases were allotted to the control group and were treated with conventional Western medicine; 39 cases were allotted to the experimental group treated with conventional Western medicine and YiShenTongMai decoction (Gold Theragran 20 g, Chinese yam 30 g, Milkvetch root 15 g, Bombyx mori 10 g, Allii macrostemi bulbus 10 g, Cassiac torae 30 g, huai Achyranthis radix 15 g, notoginseng powder 3 g, Pheretima asiatica 15g, Chinese hawthorn 10 g and water 370 ml). The effect of treatment was studied on the indices of electrocardiogram, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, fibrinogen (FIB), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, standard deviation of Normal-Normal (SDNN), and left ventricular diastolic function (E/A) ratio. There was a significant difference with regards to clinical manifestation improvement in angina control between the experimental group and the control group (94.9% versus 75.7%, P < 0.05), as well as in the electrocardiogram profile (84.6% versus 59.5%, P < 0.05) and syndrome integral (94.9% versus 70.3%, P < 0.05). FIB and CRP decreased while SDNN and E/A increased in both groups but was much higher in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The curative effect of combined YiShenTongMai decoction and Western medicine was better than Western medicine alone in patients with unstable angina complicated with glucose metabolism disorder patients. Key words: Unstable angina, glucose metabolism disorder, YiShenTongMai decoction.

Determination of seven toxaphene congeners in Ginseng and Milkvetch Root by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A novel method for the determination of representative toxaphene congeners in traditional Chinese herbal medicines was developed. Ginseng and Milkvetch Root were selected as the samples and seven toxaphene congeners were selected as the monitoring objects. The samples were extracted by accelerated solvent extraction with cyclohexane-acetone (9:1, v/v), then cleaned-up by Florisil solid phase extraction with hexane as the eluent and the residues were detected by gas chromatography-electron ionization tandem mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The performance was demonstrated by the analysis of Ginseng and Milkvetch Root samples spiked with toxaphene congeners at three concentration levels of 0.005, 0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg. The recoveries ranged from 72.4% to 105% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.96%-10.4%. The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.2-1.7 microg/kg. This method is sensitive and efficient in the aspect of extraction, and can be applied to monitor the residue of toxaphene congeners in Ginseng and Milkvetch Root.