Tincture Research Articles

Determination of shelf life of Chelidonium majus, Sambucus nigra, Thymus vulgaris and Thymus serpyllum herbal tinctures by various stability-indicating tests

Stability testing of herbal preparations has recently been recognized as essential for quality control to support their shelf life. Various stability-indicating tests were assessed for their predictive power in herbal tincture stability testing and compared to reference quantitative determination of marker compounds. Herbs from Western herbal medicine with different active constituents were selected: Chelidonium majus, Sambucus nigra flowers, Thymus serpyllum and Thymus vulgaris. Their freshly prepared and commercially available tinctures were tested for stability under normal and accelerated conditions. Quantitative chromatographic assays were developed for chelidonine in Chelidonium tincture, for isoquercitrin, rutin and quercetin in Sambucus tinctures, and for thymol in Thymus tinctures. Additional procedures were assessed for their predictive power on tincture stability: chromatographic profiling, spectrophotometric evaluation of tincture colour, DPPH antioxidant assay. With the exception of the DPPH assay in Sambucus tincture, none of the assessed stability-indicating tests was satisfactory in comparison with reference determination. Sambucus tincture was stable for more than six months, while Chelidonium and Thymus tinctures were stable for less than 1.5 months with the decrease in marker compound >10%. Compound borneol is proposed as a marker for the deterioration of Thymus tinctures. Chelidonium tincture was additionally tested for its stability on UV and visible light. Chelidonine degrades in the tincture under the visible light. The results of the present study implicate that the only assays suitable for stability testing of different tinctures are those that determine concentration of the active compounds or some active compound-linked property of the tincture.

Clinical trials of locally produced herbal tincture “Limonidin”

Clinical trials of locally produced herbal tincture “Limonidin”

Therapeutic Potential of KELEA Activated Water

For over a century, the goal of therapeutic medicine has been to specifically correct the biochemical abnormalities identifiable in diseased cells by using pharmaceutical drugs. The amounts of drug prescribed are consistent with direct biochemical effects on the diseased cells. By contrast, homeopathy claims that sub-biochemical amounts of various drugs can also have specific beneficial effects. A different interpretation of homeopathy is offered in this article. It is that homeopathy does not have the specificity claimed by its proponents, yet can be therapeutic by enhancing the body’s alternative cellular energy (ACE) pathway. It is proposed that effective homeopathic liquid formulations are characterized by an enhanced kinetic activity resulting from the absorption of an environmental force termed KELEA (Kinetic Energy Limiting Electrostatic Attraction). Various diluted herbal tinctures are able to transfer KELEA into water; a process facilitated by succussion (repeated jolting). Once water is sufficiently activated it can then directly absorb KELEA from the environment leading to its further activation and to the potential energy transfer to added water. It can similarly be used to provide KELEA to the body’s fluids and, thereby, enhance the body’s ACE pathway.

Carotenoid Profiles of Dried Herbs, Water Infusions and Alcoholic Tinctures of Calendula Flower and Catnip, Dandelion, Stinging Nettle, and Violet Leaves

Herbs have been used for centuries to help with various ailments in cultures throughout the world. Herbal water infusions and alcoholic tinctures are two processes that are still used today. Five herbs, Calendula flower (Calendula officinalis L.) and Catnip (Nepeta cataria), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale F. Weber ex Wiggers), Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) and Violet leaves (Viola odorata), were analyzed for carotenoid content in three forms: raw-dried herb, water infusion, and alcoholic tincture. Carotenoids infer putative health benefits and act as potential antioxidants and vitamin A precursors. Carotenoid content analysis of herbal preparations adds to current knowledge of which forms deliver the greatest amounts. In order to evaluate carotenoid content, high pressure liquid chromatographic analyses were performed. The concentrations of all-trans-β-carotene, 9- and 13-cis-β-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein within each herbal form were determined. As expected among the preparations evaluated, the raw-dried herb showed the highest mean concentrations of all five carotenoids. The mean carotenoid concentrations in the herbal tincture and infusion forms did not always reflect the same relative profile as the dried herb.

Clinical efficacy of Voriconazole with Natamycin for the treatment of fungal corneal ulcer

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Voriconazole combined with Natamycin for the treatment of fungal corneal ulcer after eye injury. Methods 22 eyes of 22 patients with fungal corneal ulcer were treated with Voriconazole systematically, first day 800 mg/d （400 rag, bid） , then 400 mg/d （200 rag, bid）, for 14-21 days according to the severity, combined with Natamycin eye drops application topically. The initial administration of Natamycin were once an hour. If the clinical symptoms were significantly improved after 14 days, it were reduced to 6 - 8 times/d for 3-4 weeks. If the inflammation subsided, the frequency of administration might be reduced gradually, and maintained for 3 weeks after the mycelium were not found by confocal microscopy. Corneal debridement and iodine tincture cautery were performed. And the efficacy of combined medication were observed. Results 17 eyes were clinically cured （77.27%）. The treatments of 5 eyes were ineffective, in which 3 eyes received evisceration, and 2 eyes received corneal transplantation. No serious adverse drug reaction occured in all patients. Conclusion Systemic medication of Voriconazole combined with Natamycin eye dorps for the treatment of fungal corneal ulcer is safe and effective. It is a new choice for refractory fungal corneal ulcer. Key words: Ulcer,corneal, fungal; Voriconazole; Natamycin; Efficacy

Application effect of moist heat compress of compound Danhong tincture for the prevention of phlebitis

Objective To investigate the effects of moist heat compress of compound Danhong tincture on the prevention of phlebitis.Methods Totals of 240 patients with the intravenous infusion treatment with dehydration swelling solution were divided into three groups （ Group A, Group B and Group C） , with 80 patients each.Group A was treated with the moist heat compress of compound Danhong tincture.Group B was treated with heat compress of Hirudoid.Group C was treated with the moist heat compress of 33%Magnesium sulfate. The moist heat compress was placed 2-3 centimeters above the puncture point 30 minutes after the intravenous infusion.The degree of local pain and the incidence of phlebitis of the three groups were compared among groups.Results In Group A, 70 patients had no pain;6 patients had mild pain and 4 patients had moderate or severe pain.In Group B, 42 patients had no pain;20 patients had mild pain and 18 patients had moderate or severe pain.In Group C, 40 patients had no pain;22 patients had mild pain and 18 patients had moderate or severe pain.There was a significant difference among groups （ Hc =29.857, P 〈0.01 ）.In Group A, 76 patients did not have phlebitis; 3 patients had degreeⅠ phlebitis;1 patient had degree Ⅱ or degree Ⅲphlebitis.In Group B, 67 patients did not have phlebitis;10 patients had degreeⅠ phlebitis;3 patients had degreeⅡor degree Ⅲ phlebitis.In Group C, 65 patients did not have phlebitis; 11 patients had degreeⅠphlebitis;4 patients had degree Ⅱ or degree Ⅲ phlebitis.There was a significant difference among groups （Hc =7.383,P〈0.05）.Conclusions The moist heat compress of compound Danhong tincture is effective for the early prevention of phlebitis.It can reduce the pain of infusion side upper limb and keep the infusion smoothly.It can also decrease the incidence of phlebitis and avoid the occurrence of severe phlebitis. Key words: Phlebitis; Infusion,intravenous; Compound Danhong tincture; Moist heat compress

The treatment of traumatic fungal keratitis with natamycin eye drops

Objective To observe clinical effects and safeness of 5％ domestic Natamycin eye drops for the treatment of traumatic fungal keratitis.Methods From July 2013 to November 2013,thirty-seven eyes of 37cases of fungal keratitis diagnosed by corneal smear examination were treated by local debridement,iodine cauterization,and application of 5％ natamycin eye drops.The therapeutic effect was observed.Results Of thirty-seven cases,30 cases were cured,7 cases were improved.Conclusion Combined with local debridement and iodine cauterization,the 5 ％ domestic Natamycin eye drop is safe and effective for mild to moderate traumatic fungal keratitis. Key words: Natamycin ; Keratitis, fungal ; Cauterization, Iodine tincture

Clinical analysis on compound card force cumin tincture in the treatment of 86 cases of patients with vitiligo

Objective To investigate the safety and effectiveness of compound card force cumin tincture in the treatment of vitiligo. Methods The 86 cases of vitiligo patients included in the study were randomly divided into two groups, observation group （n = 43 ） and control group （n = 43 ）. The observation group was given narrow-band ul- traviolet B irradiation and compound card force cumin tincture, and the control group was only given narrow-band ul- traviolet B irradiation. The clinical efficacy and the dermatology life quality index（DLQI） in two groups were observed and compared. Results The total efficiency rate after lst,2nd,3rd course of treatment in the observation group were higher than those of the control group, and the total efficiency rate after 3rd course of treatment in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group（ X^2 = 4. 568 ,P 〈 0.05 ） ;the DLQI scores after l st,2nd, 3rd course of treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group（t1 = 1. 916, t2 =4. 298 ,t3 =4.661 ,P 〈 0.05 ）;the incidence of adverse reactions 16.28% in the observation group between the control group 11.63 % showed no significant difference （ X2 = 0. 387, P 〉 0.05 ）. Conclusion Compound card force cumin tincture in the treatment of vitilizo has more clinical superiority. Key words: Vitiligo ; Compound card force cumin tincture ; Lesions efficacy ; DLQI scores

Efficacy of herbal tincture as treatment option for retained placenta in dairy cows

Retained placenta remains therapeutic challenge in cattle. Certain traditional medicines are believed to be able to alleviate retained placenta condition and improve overall fertility in cows. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of an herbal tincture for treatment of retained placenta. The herbal tincture was extracted from a combination of Herba Leonuri, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Flos Carthami, Myrrha and Rhizoma Cyperi by percolation with 70% ethanol to a concentration of 0.5g crude herb/ml. Cows diagnosed with retained placenta (n=48) were randomly divided into one of two treatment groups (A and B), with animals in group A (n=26) receiving herbal tincture orally, and cows in group B (n=22) receiving oxytetracycline infusion into the uterus. Eighty six cows with no clinically visible pathological conditions, given birth alone and with no retained placenta diagnosis were included into control group (C). Retained placenta was expelled within 72h following initial treatment in 19 cows in group A, yet no cows in group B were recorded to expel placenta in the same time. The median number of days to first service (70.0 vs. 102.5 days; P<0.05) and median number of days open (76.0 vs. 134.0 days; P<0.01) were lower in group A than in group B. Percentage of cows pregnant within 100 days postpartum was the highest for animals in group A compared to controls (61.5% vs. 39.5%, P<0.05), and for animals in group B (61.5% vs. 22.7%; P<0.01). Herbal tincture used in the present study might facilitate expulsion of retained placenta and improve subsequent fertility, thus could present effective treatment option for retained placenta in cows.

Medicine Based Upon Data

Medicine Based Upon Data

A randomised double-blind comparability study of a placebo for Individualised Western Herbal Medicine

To determine the non-inferiority of placebo Individualised Western Herbal Medicine (IWHM) tinctures compared with true IWHM tinctures. Randomised double blind comparability study. Pharmacy department of an NHS integrated medicine hospital. The IWHM intervention consisted of mixed tinctures of five herbs from a list of eleven herbs for which chronic knee pain is an established indication. Placebo IWHM tinctures contained food and colouring extracts, designed to mimic as closely as possible the taste, smell and appearance of true IWHM. The primary outcome of the study was the proportion of patients who indicated that they believed they were taking true IWHM. Secondary outcomes included the palatability of the true and placebo tinctures. 64% of the placebo group indicated that they believed they had consumed true IWHM, compared with 60% of the true IWHM group. The palatability of the placebo IWHM was also acceptable to participants, and similar to the palatability of true IWHM. The findings from the present study indicate that the placebo tinctures were non-inferior to the true IWHM tinctures in terms of participants' ability to correctly identify them as herbal tinctures by their taste, smell and appearance. The placebo tinctures could be utilised in future double blind, placebo controlled randomised trials of IWHM.

BJOG Editor's Choice

BJOG Editor's Choice

Successful Treatment of Pallid Breath-holding Spells With Fluoxetine

Objective: To promote dialogue among readers and between readers and editors, we offer here brief reports and observations on topics of interest authored by members of the AAP Grand Rounds editorial team.At the severe end of the clinical spectrum, pallid breath-holding (PBH) spells can be disruptive and debilitating to the patients and families of those who are afflicted. Effective treatment options are few and include medications,1 pacemaker implantation,2 and tincture of time.3In their recent publication, Walsh and colleagues4 seek to add to our clinical armamentarium for the medical treatment of PBH spells using fluoxetine. Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of neurocardiogenic syncope in older children and adults.5 Hypothesizing that PBH spells are physiologically similar to vasovagal syncope, these investigators performed a retrospective review and attempted a prospective follow-up on all patients referred to their institution for severe PBH spells treated with fluoxetine after failing “medical management.” All patients had been screened for conditions associated with cardiac syncope and sudden cardiac death. Each had documented severe bradycardia or asystole during PBH episodes.The study included 6 (out of 7) patients, age 4 to 24 months, identified by retrospective chart review who were available for prospective follow-up. Four patients had failed alternative medications (propranolol, carbamazepine, and/or glycopyrrolate) prior to initiating fluoxetine. Fluoxetine treatment was maintained for 1 to 2 years and was associated with improved symptoms based on medical records review and parental report in 5 of 6 patients (3 complete resolution, 2 partial resolution). No serious adverse events from fluoxetine therapy occurred. Side effects included decreased appetite and tremors, both of which improved over time on therapy. The authors conclude that fluoxetine is a safe and effective first-line agent for the treatment of PBH spells.Though encouraging and thought-provoking, their study by its design provides little hard evidence upon which to base a treatment recommendation. Outcome measures were subjective and the treatment was uncontrolled and unblinded. Though apparently benign in the small cohort of patients treated in this study, there is no large clinical experience with the use of SSRIs in children of the age typically affected by PBH spells. As a result, the safety of these medications cannot be readily extrapolated from this small cohort. Nonetheless, when faced with pacemaker implantation as the only other valid treatment option, the notion of prescribing treatment with fluoxetine is appealing.It is often the case that pediatric diseases are too rare and varied in nature to lend themselves well to study by randomized controlled trials. However, the prevalence of severe breath-holding spells (those associated with loss of consciousness with or without convulsions) has been estimated as high as 4.6%6 and simple breath-holding spells have a prevalence as high as 27%.7 Walsh and colleagues have recommended fluoxetine be used as first-line therapy for severe PBH spells based on preliminary evidence. It is incumbent upon those of us who care for these patients to subject fluoxetine to a proper controlled trial before heeding that advice without careful consideration.

Biological control of potential toxigenic fungi in straw used as bedding material for swine.

Straw is commonly used in swineherds as bedding or litter material with a positive impact on the environment and animal welfare. Straw, including seemingly good quality may contain high number of moulds and may thus represent a health risk both for the farmer and the pigs, especially pregnant sows and piglets (newborn pigs to weaning ones). The toxigenic fungi as Fusarium, Chaetomium, Stachybotrys, Penicillium and others cause decreases in feed intake, slow growth rate, fertility disturbances, early abortions and can suppress the immune system affects the gastro-intestinal tract. The aim of this study is a screening of the potential toxigenic fungi in the bedding straw from the swine biobase of USAMV Cluj and the testing of some tinctures, which can have a fungistatic effect against these fungi.

Simultaneous determination of benzoic acid and salicylic acid in Compound Benzoic acid tincture by RP-HPLC

Objective To estabilish a RP-HPLC method for simultaneous determination of benzoic acid and salicylic acid in Compound Benzoic acid tincture.Methods ODSC18 chromatographic column made from Dalian Yilite(4.6mm × 150mm,5μm);mobile phase:methanol: water=60|: 40(pH adjust to 3.2);column temperature:30℃;detection wavelength:242nm;fiow rate:0.9ml/min.Results Ranges of linear of benzoic aci and salicylic acid were 30～120mg/L(R2=0.9995)and 15～60mg/L(R2=0.9988).The average recovery rate was 99.2％(RSD=0.95％)and 99.1％(RSD=1.36％).The RSDs of intra-day were 1.57％ and 1.57％(n=5).The BSDs of interday were 1.43％ and 1.59％(n=5).With t test,difference between Acid-base titration and RP-HPLC was not significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion The metold is simple,accurate and sensitive and can be used for the quality control of Compound Benzoic acid tincture. Key words: Compound Benzoic acid tincture; RP-HPLC; Benzoic acid; Salicylic acid

Phytochemical distinction between Pelargonium sidoides and Pelargonium reniforme — A quality control perspective

Pelargonium sidoides is indigenous to South Africa and highly valued by traditional healers as a remedy to treat coughs, upper respiratory tract irritations and gastrointestinal conditions. An ethanolic extract of P. sidoides is used in the proprietary herbal tincture known as Umckaloabo®. Despite the commercial development of P. sidoides very few studies have been conducted to document the full phytochemical range of variation for natural populations and to date only one paper has been published on the development of a fast accurate quality control method for the validation of raw material. In this study P. sidoides (n=96) and P. reniforme (n=57) fresh root samples were collected from different localities in southern Africa. Phytochemical fingerprints of the two species were generated by analytical techniques including high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC–MS), Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR), Fourier transform mid infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic (1H NMR) spectroscopy and NIR hyperspectral imaging. Fingerprinting results revealed distinct phytochemical differences and similarities between the two species. The HPTLC and LC–MS chromatograms confirm reports that P. reniforme does not contain umckalin. All analytical methods investigated showed the potential to discriminate between P. sidoides and P. reniforme.

Bateman's Drops of Tinctured Opium

Bateman's Drops of Tinctured Opium

Clinical observation of oral administration and external application of traditional Chinese medicine for treat meat early stage of osteofascial compartment syndrome

Objective To explore the clinical effect of oral administration and external application of traditional Chinese medicine on early stage of osteofascial compartment syndrome. Methods 56 early osteofascial compartment syndrome patients had assigned in two groups randomly, each group had 28 patients. The treatment group used topo-application Xiaoyu tincture,after aseptic gauze sodden by physic liquor,affected limb would coverd by the aseptic gauze and change of dressing every two hours,oral administration of Xingqihuayu decoction. The control group used 250ml of 20％ mannitol with dehydration therapy,two times everyday;654-2 bullet 10ml to intramuscular injection,three times every day. Results After the treatment,the results showed that the treatment group was much better than the control group at the time of ache abatement,swelling regression and disappear of all levels injury, arteriae dorsalis pedis changing. The difference had statistical significance( P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Topo-application chinese drugs pharmaceutics of Xiaoyu tincture and oral administration of Xingqihuayu decoction was a available nonspecific treatment to early osteofascial compartment syndrome. Key words: Osteofascial compartment syndrome; TCM therapy; Drug therapy(TCD)

Limitations of Rituximab/IVIg desensitization protocol in kidney transplantation; Is this better than a tincture of time?

A plasmapheresis-free protocol for desensitization of donor kidney transplant candidates with high Calculated Panel Reactive Antibody (CPRA) was initiated at our center. The protocol was adopted from previously published work by Vo, Jordan et al. Five patients with CPRA of 94 ± 18%, awaiting kidney transplant from living or deceased donors received rituximab (1 g × 2 doses) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG 2 g/kg × 2 doses) without plasmapheresis. Levels of donor specific antibodies (DSA) and T/B cell crossmatches were followed using solid phase flow cytometry. Three out of 5 patients were sensitized only to Class II HLA antigens. All patients had very high levels of alloantibodies before initiation of the treatment. All of the candidates initially demonstrated reduced levels of HLA antibody, but statistical significance was only obtained in one patient Class II antibody and in another only for Class I. Depletion was transient with observed antibody rebound. Rituximab effectively depleted CD20 cells in peripheral blood. None of the patients were transplanted due to persistently high levels of antibody and strong positive flow cytometry crossmatches. Under this protocol, reduction of HLA antibodies in patients with high levels was insufficient. Highly allo-sensitized patients with a CPRA above 85% may not benefit from a combination of rituximab-IVIG alone. The previously published protocol does not help all patients achieve an acceptable crossmatch. An individualized approach to the treatment of highly sensitized patients is still required.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Aesculus hippocastanum L. tincture and the pro-/antioxidant bodily state of rats with adjuvant arthritis

Background. Conventional therapies show only limited effects on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and are helpful in controlling the symptoms, but in cases of chronic, prolonged RA they are unsatisfactory and associated with various side effects. So, the use of complementary / alternative medicine, predominantly herbal therapies, by sufferers of rheumatic diseases is highly prevalent and increasing. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antiinflammatory effects of Aesculus hippocastanum L. (AH) tincture on the pro-/antioxidant bodily status in rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA). Materials and methods. Fifty Lewis rats of both sexes were used. AA was induced in 40 animals by a single injection of 0.1 ml of complete Freund’s adjuvant into the left hind paw. Body weight and the anti-inflammatory effects of AH, assessed by joint swelling, were determined three times a week in the control and test groups of animals. Daily oral administration of three different doses of AH (2.4, 4.8 and 9.5 mg/kg calculated to the dry weight of the tincture) were performed. At the end of the trial, blood indices, histological changes in the inflamed joints, oxidative products such as malondialdehide (MDA), anti-oxidative enzyme catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant activity (AOA) in the serum and gastric mucosa tissue homogenates were evaluated. Results. Female rats treated with a middle dose (4.8 mg/kg) of AH tincture showed the lowest joint swelling, which significantly differed from the control AA group at the end of the experiment. The treatment improved the systemic parameters of the disease, such as blood indices and the weight of internal organs, showed no toxicity on the main organs and was selected for investigating the pro-/antioxidant indices of the blood serum and gastric mucosa homogenates. There were significant differences between sexes in terms of the pro-/antioxidant status of the serum. A lower MDA level and statistically significant AOA in female rats with AA were observed. Although the treatment lowered the MDA level and increased CAT activity in animals of both sexes, a significant difference remained between males and females: the latter showed a lower level of MDA and a higher CAT activity. Development of AA significantly increased the MDA level and decreased CAT activity, but only slightly affected SOD and AOA activity in gastric tissue homogenates. Their incubation with AH tincture had a positive effect, especially in female rats in which a significant decrease of MDA and a higher CAT activity were found in arthritic rats and elevated SOD activity in healthy rats. However, the pro-/antioxidant status of gastric tissue homogenates did not significantly differ between male and female rats. Conclusions. The results of the study clearly indicate that AH may be beneficial due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. The best effect was shown by the middle dose in female rats with AA. The in vivo anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of the herbal tincture may be the promising features for its prospective use as supplementary therapy beside the conventional treatment. Keywords: rats, adjuvant arthritis, pro-/antioxidant activity, herbal tincture