The American journal of Chinese medicine
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Radix astragali is a herbal remedy used in China to treat patients with diabetes exposed to repeated episodes of hypoglycemia. The physiological basis or validity of this approach is not clear. In the present study, we examine the effect of pre-treatment with Radix astragali on hormonal counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia in normal male Sprague-Dawley rats. ⋯ Immunocytochemistry studies suggested this might reflect increased neural activation in two key central glucose-sensing regions, the paraventricular hypothalamus and the nucleus tractus solitarius. Based on these rodent studies, we conclude that Radix astragali pre-treatment can amplify the counterregulatory response to hypoglycemia through a mechanism that may involve the central glucose-sensing regions. Future studies to examine the potential therapeutic benefit of Radix astragali in rodent models of type 1 diabetes are warranted.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A randomized controlled pilot trial of "Feiji Recipe" on quality of life of non-small cell lung cancer patients.
In order to pilot a study observing the feasibility of applying the Core Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) version 2.0 to assess the quality of life (QOL) of patients with NSCLC treated with Feiji Recipe, a randomized, parallel controlled clinical trial was conducted in the university-affiliated hospital. Seventy inpatients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into the study, and 60 cases were available as subjects for QOL data analysis. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the Feiji Recipe group (A); the Feiji Recipe combined with chemotherapy group (B); and the chemotherapy group (C) in which the patients were treated with vinorelbine plus cisplatin (NP) or gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP). ⋯ Feiji Recipe might partially improve the QOL of NSCLC patients when administered alone or in combination with chemotherapy. No unexpected side effects were observed. However, further double-blinded placebo controlled studies are strongly recommended.
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In order to explore the anti-inflammatory effects of Nodosin from Isodon serra, a traditional Chinese herb medicine, mouse T lymphocytes were incubated with Nodosin. In the current study, Nodosin suppressed the overproduction of the T lymphocytes; moreover, cell mitosis cycle was modulated by interfering with DNA replication in G1 stages via inhibition of IL-2 cytokine secretion at the mRNA level by Nodosin. Interestingly, Xylene-induced mouse tumescence model results suggested Nodosin depressed the murine ear-swelling extent and the level of IL-2 in the blood serum. Finally, Nodosin possessed significant anti-inflammatory effects and is a potential candidate for further clinical trial.