注册 登录
滑铁卢中文论坛 返回首页

风萧萧的个人空间 http://www.kwcg.ca/bbs/?61910 [收藏] [复制] [分享] [RSS]

日志

Chinese Medicine - A Promising Therapeutic Approach

已有 7158 次阅读2017-5-1 17:20 |个人分类:Frank's Writings

Readers  148-06 Mar; 367-20 July, 389-03 Aug;   600-30 Dec. 2018. 1628-18, 1638-25, 1651-27, Jan. 2148-16, 2158-27,July; 2422-29, Oct. 2432-3, Nov. 2019. 2812-8, Feb. 3080-24, Mar. 3370-27, April, 3528-29, June, 3677-11, 3692-30, Sep. 2020. 5773-31, May, 5796-23, 5804-27. June, 6266-2, 6293-6, Dec. 2022
         Frank Li  Dec. 21 2011  in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
                       Updated in Sep, 22 - 26, 2015, Dec. 9 -29, 2017, Aug. 27. 2018, Dec. 2, 2018

This article aims at helping people to understand Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) by introducing its philosophy, medicinal materials, therapeutic mechanism and the achievements of modern studies on the bio-active ingredients, pharmacological effects of natural medicinals that used in TCM, so that people can willingly accept and enjoy this promising therapeutic approach for self-help in diseases treating and health keeping by private affordable OTC tablets Chinese medicinals, thus, live a happier life with lesser economic burden on health care by getting rid of fully relying on the expensive hospitals and synthetic medications, at the same time, to unload overloaded healthcare system, thereby reduce the pressure on government.       

We can develop new natural medicinal additives as daily diet to regulate human body keeping in optimal healthy state, thereby reduce the occurrence of sicknesses, as well, the increase in demand of natural medicinal resources will promote the development of related industries in herbs’ planting and processing with the creation of employment and revenue.

Important Note, since the writing of this article has been lasting over 10 years, and the references used in article were mostly from online, now, most of the original links have lapsed and it is no longer possible to give the sources of the references.

Indeed, this is not an academic article, but just the collection by editing the research results of others, with the hope to attract the attention of people on Chinese medicine, thereby make such an important cultural heritage of human civilization contribute to the improvement of human health as a solution for countering the harm of over commercialization.

I would like to say sorry for my poor wording in English.

          Contents 

     My understanding about Chinese medicine

     The barriers for the popularization of Chinese medicine   

1. General introduction

2. Western Medicine

3. Chinese Medicine

      3.1. Traditional Chinese Medicine

            3.1.1. The origin of TCM, MCM and CM

            3.1.2. Philosophy of TCM

            3.1.3. The holistic view of life of TCM

            3.1.4. Therapeutic Principle

            3.1.5. Diagnose Method

            3.1.6. The difference of TCM & WM

            3.1.7. Example of doctors’ work manner of TCM and WM

            3.1.8. Preventive attitude

            3.1.9. TCM & Psychology

            3.1.10. Chinese Drug & Compound Prescription

      3.2. Modern Chinese Medicine

            3.2.1. General Introduction

            3.2.2. Medicinal Plant

                  3.2.2.1. Goldthread

            3.2.3. Medicinal animals

                  3.2.3.1. Ants

                  3.2.3.2. Placenta

                  3.2.3.3. Earthworm

            3.2.4. Medicinal Minerals

                  3.2.4.1. Gypsum

      3.3. Meridian & Acupuncture

            3.3.1. Effective evaluation of acupuncture

            3.3.2. Meridian & Chinese medicines

4. Some application studies in natural medicinals

      4.1. Phytomedicine Research in Germany

      4.2. Multi-Factorial Cognitive Disorders

      4.3. Psychiatric disorders

5. The global trend on CM

6. Natural OTC drugs

7. Drug Mates

8. The treatment of some chronic diseases by Traditional Chinese Medicine

       8.1…Natural Medicine based on the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine

     8.2…The mental disorders are caused by brain atrophy

     8.3…A psychotic with 10 years in illness cured by Chinese medicines

        8.3.1…The symptoms before and after treatment

        8.3.2…The therapeutic mechanism analysis

        8.3.3…My confidence to help more psychotics

    8.4…To rescue depression by Traditional Chinese Medicine

        8.4.1…The harsh reality that Canada is suffering in diseases of depression

        8.4.2…The magic effect of Chinese Medicine on depression

    8.5…To cure Dementia by Traditional Chinese Medicine

    8.6…Chinese Medicine Improve Sleep

    8.7…Chinese Medicine can boost immune system

    8.8…Chinese Medicine can Reduce Stress

    8.9…Chinese Medicine and Heart Disease

    8.10…Chinese Medicine can promote Wound Healing

    8.11…Chinese Medicine treats on A H1N1 Flu 2009

    8.12…No death of SARS treated by Chinese Medicine

    8.13…Chinese medicine can cure AIDS

    8.14…Chinese medicine can cure cancer

    8.15…Chinese medicine is effective in anti-aging

    8.16…Chinese Medicine can improve kidney function

    8.17…Chinese Medicine can improve Sexual Function

    8.18…Chinese Medicine for Improving the Metabolism

    8.19…Chinese medicine can promote recovery after operation


The dilemma in health care triggered the rise of Chinese medicine                                                                


My understanding about Chinese medicine


I am a senior researcher on the profession of metal materials once worked in a big Metal Research Institute of China; my career time was spent in Libraries and Laboratories. Due to the particularity of scientific research, I have to search and study latest scientific knowledge and technology for improving research plan, so that I have to spend more time in Libraries than in Laboratories with enough time and chance for free reading.

The biggest gain of my research career was that I have been forced and exercised to be able to calm the mind with an ability of long time concentrated on delving into specific subject until being made clear.

Besides my profession, I spent most of spare time on the study of Traditional Chinese Medicine - TCM, especially, those modern studies on bioactive substances and pharmacological effects of natural medicinal materials.

For well understanding Chinese medicine, we should understand its philosophy at first.

TCM has been developing under the guidance of Daoism (in Mandarin phonetic pronunciation or Taoism in Cantonese pronunciation) that is a Philosophy similar to Holism.

Daoism is symbolized by the Tai-Ji Diagram as following, in which the black fish represents the Yin, but its eyes are white that means yang, white fish represents Yang, but its eyes are black that means Yin. The outermost circle is called as Taiji or Wuji, which indicates that every thing universally is metaplasia from vitality and movement in cycling endlessly.

 

                         

                 Photo source: http://www.prayercast.com/daoism.html

              

The whole symbol means that Yin can’t leave Yang, and Yang can’t leave Yin. They are opposites of each other with contradiction and also reunification. Each is understood to be an integral part of the others with coexistence that can’t exist separately. The main task of Dao is to make Yin and Yang keep in the state of harmonious balance.

Daoism dialectically views everything is in the unity of opposites universally and the universe is a system of the unity of opposites, which is composed of many components - subsystem with own feature of unity of opposites. The components are all in the state of dynamic balance through continuous self-regulation.

This primitive philosophical view generated thousands of years ago is well coinciding with the modern science and nature world. For example

In micro perspective, as small as atom, extranuclear electrons cloud with the nucleus are both in the state of attraction and repulsion, the electronics rotating around the nucleus in dynamic equilibrium. They are in the state unity of opposites. Atoms are the components to compose of natural materials. 

In macro perspective, the planets with the sun in solar system, and the solar system with other galaxies are all in the continuously rotating in the state of self-regulation by attraction and repulsion of each other. They are also in the state of dynamic equilibrium of unity of opposites.

Daoism views human life as one of such a component of unity of opposites universally. It embodies that human body itself, human and nature, human and society, human and spirit is all unified whole with interacting each other.

Daoism is contrary with Reductionism and consistent with systems biology. Suppose that Reductionism focuses on a specific grass on the Himalayas, and then the Daoism is not only focusing on the entire grass, but also concerning those would affect the growth of grass, such as, destructive pests, the greenhouse effect and the reduction of glacier cover, etc.

TCM is an empirical medicine that based on thousands-years continuous written records without the concepts and terms of modern anatomy and biology, but uses the concepts and terms of the holistic philosophy – Daoism with viewing our body as the organic whole with all parts are interconnected and in mutual influenced; a well-balanced body can fight against any disease.

A well-balanced human bodies will form an effective self-defence system that can handle the most of pathogenic agents. The diseases could happen only if there are some unbalanced parts in a human body.

Therefore, the treatments of Chinese medicine do not directly target on killing pathogens but target on bring back the natural balance. It achieves the purpose by natural therapeutic approaches, such as, natural drugs, acupuncture and physical exercises, etc. In nature it is in improving appetite, sleep, immunity, nutrition supply, blood circulation, cerebral blood supply, and so on; which have achieved powerful therapeutic effect for incurable degenerative disease, while western medicine has showed helpless due to they are no pathogens for killing.

Under the guidance of holistic philosophy Daoism, TCM has developed many natural therapeutic methods, and identified about 11,146 plants, 1581 animals and 80 minerals as medicinal use and developed nearly 100 thousands of experience-based formulas, which covering almost all known diseases, through long time trial and error clinically.

So, now we learnt that calls Chinese medicine as herbal medicine was not exactly correct.

Modern biochemical and pharmacological researches proved that Chinese medicine is sorted scientifically according to the therapeutic effect. For example, those are sorted as enhancing digestion are rich in Ca, Zn and Fe, and those as enhancing male sexual ability are rich in Mn and Cu.

The natural medicinal materials used in TCM have bioactive constituents with the therapeutic effect that is similar to that of synthetic ones in killing the pathogenic agents directly and the nutritional effect that is similar to that of orthomolecular medicine.

Some of Chinese medicines can improve human immunity, such as, boosting the weight gains of immune organs, increasing the number and activity of the phagocytes, NK cells and so on.

Therefore, in subjective viewing, the treatment of TCM is to regulate the physical balance, but in objective practice, the process of the regulations were in improving immune function, and thereby kills pathogens by strengthened defense system.

More valuable, Chinese medicine emphasizing that psychological factors play decisive role in affecting human health with a long practice that treatment is seven tenth in promoting psychological rehabilitation, only three tenth in medication. Its correctness proved by modern double-blinded-placebo cured rate 50-60% and many self-recovered incurable cases.

1.. The people who live in a normal life after damaged-half-brain was fully removed, MRI scan found that some areas on remained brain has developed as the function of disappeared brain.

2.. A British stroke man who has been 'left to die” by doctors, but himself stood up in 6 months through moving bodies by will, which started from a big toe, then other areas of body.

3.. The transplanted-cancer of rats disappeared or shrunk by group socially activities with large group of 25 in a larger room, but, has no changes for those rats were in small group of 5.

4.. A 10 years old British girl Kirsty Collier's heart grew back after a third was removed when she was in 4 months old.


Chinese medicine can magnify the effect of psychotherapy by regulating physical balance.

The philosophy of Western medicine is the Reductionism that regards human body as assembly of inanimate parts, the treatment is to find and kill pathogens, which led it less effective for degenerative diseases. It is also increasingly ineffective for infectious diseases, due to quick mutation of the virus, which triggered the rise of TCM.

In medicine field, the emergence of systems biology and evidence-based medicine shows that medical philosophy has been quietly updating from Reductionism towards Holism by gradually increasing the holistic ingredients.

Here, the Chinese medicine is referring to those natural medicinal materials based on modern studies according to TCM.

Recent years, researchers globally, especially in China, have made great many achievements in bioactive substances and their pharmacological effects on natural Chinese medicine by modern bio-technologies, instruments and methods as that of used in Western Medicine from the level of molecular, protein and gene; and also, the therapeutic mechanism of many ancestral experienced formulas were revealed.

The findings on natural Chinese medicine were mostly published on medical journals. Besides reading in Libraries, I also bought some books in compilation of research results, subscribed to some journals, and selectively copied many articles in self expense to be bound as books.

In follow photos, the photo 1 and 2 one was some of the books and the photo 3 and 4 was the bound book and the example of one of copied pages from medical journals. 

 

Photo1.Photo2. 

 

The book name in photo 1 was The Pharmacology and Clinical Application of Chinese Medicine; the size of paper was in B5 with 752 pages, only Issued 3,000 copies in 1999. It was the collections of the results of modern studies on pharmacology and clinical application on 1070 of natural Chinese medicine by using modern biotechnologies of Western medicine.

The book name in photo 2 was The Trace Chemical Elements and Chinese Medicine; the size of paper was in B5 with 483 pages, only issued 6,000 copies in 1993. It was the collections of the results of modern studies on the Trace Chemical Elements in natural Chinese Medicine.

As minerals, the Chemical Elements was a significant part of Orthomolecular medicine (OM) that was coined by two times Nobel Laureate, Dr. Linus Paulin who was enlightened from the successful practice of Canadian doctors cured mental illness by megadose Vitamin B3, later, I will discuss this issue further.

Modern studies have found that chemical elements have an optimal range in the human body. When an element is lower than this range, the diseases in elemental deficiency will occur, which proved the correctness of the Orthomolecular medicine. Natural Chinese medicine is rich in chemical elements that are essential for human health, which have very high clinical value for trace element deficiency.

In compared with synthetic ones, the chemical elements in Chinese medicine have the advantage of easy for absorption, less potential risks, such as oxidation, deterioration and so on.

As mentioned above, long time ago, Chinese medicine has identified about 80 minerals as medicinal use. Modern studies also revealed their pharmacological effects, such as, the natural Chinese medicines that promote digestion are rich in calcium, zinc, and iron, and those that promote sexual function, precocious puberty and also promote height growth are rich in manganese and copper.

Now the two books have been published for about two decades; in this period, the achievements of new findings on natural Chinese medicine would be able to be collected as new books in similar volume.

In following, the photo 3 was a book that I selectively copied from various periodicals of new studies on Chinese medicine in self expense, and photo 4 was an example of one of copied pages. From cost concerning, the copied one was more expensive. 

 

Photo3.Photo4. 

 

In above pictures, the horseshoe alarm clock was intended as reference of size-scale, so that the reader can easily feel the size of the book. The horseshoe alarm clock was bought in Canada. When I was a child in 50 years ago, in my home China, there was such a clock in the same structure and same size but in different color, the old one was paint coated, and this one was made shiny in stainless steel. I think that the horseshoe alarm clock would resonate to great many readers with the old day of the life.

I take those books and copies as valuable treasure. In the past years, I have them with me. In this period, I once several times moved home, even when immigrating to Canada, the entire family property has to be compressed into a few suitcases and weighed accurate to grams, in those process, I have to throw away a lot of favorite books, however, I never consider to discard the books in natural Chinese medicine.

The findings in pharmacological effects of Chinese medicine involving a wide range:

1. Boosting digestion.

2. Promoting sleep.

3. Balance-regulating endocrine.

4. Bidirectional regulating hormones.

5. Bidirectional regulating blood, which can promote blood circulation and can also stop bleeding.

6. Bidirectional regulating central nervous system from over-suppressed or over-excited.

7. Boosting the weight gains of immune organs.

8. Increasing the number and activity of the Natural Killer cells.

9. Boosting the regeneration of cells.

10. Improving the health condition of cardiovascular system and cerebrovascular system.

11. Dilating on blood vessels to increases blood supply for heart and brain.

12. Improving the intima of blood vessel and stomach.

13. Boosting the healing of wound.

14. Improve cognitive ability and memory.

15. Treats dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

16. Treats schizophrenia and depression, and much more.

……

More pleasing is that in China, with modern technologies, those experience-based formulas have updated and used to produce great many OCT tablets and injections by extracts, and labeled with the instructions of the sort of treated-diseases, precautions and dosage. They are available in Chinese pharmacies worldwide. 

The biggest advantages of traditional Chinese medicine are its efficacy, fewer side effects, never produces drug resistance due to multiple components on multiple targets in one dose. Moreover, OTC tablets are easy to use at home and inexpensive affordable privately.

The results of modern studies and OTC tablets medicines will help us easy medicinal-selection for treating certain diseases according to the pharmaceutical functions.

The achievements in the modern studies on natural Chinese medicine have laid profound foundation for the popularization of the public application of natural Chinese medicine.

There were tablets OTC medicine reserved in my home as handy for use according to the descriptions on the labels.      

I have met many times, in the pharmacy of Chinese medicine Toronto, there were some natural Chinese medicinals out of stock, and the clerk said that all were bought by local whites in one-time.

Obviously, the fact shows that local patients in cardiovascular or cerebrovascular have already experienced the good medical effects of this medicine. Compared with western synthetic one, it is highly effective with no side effects and cheaper.

The fact also shows that local patients are easily accepting Chinese medicine.

Indeed, more meaningful is that clinical practices have shown that many degenerative chronic diseases can be treated easily by the combo of OTC tablets without side effects, such as, the depression, psychotic, Alzheimer's disease and so on, which are without pathogenic sources, which Western medicine has been in less effect.

In such a concern, in May 9, 2017 – July 18, 2017, I once searched information and wrote article Chinese Medicine can cure Schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.

Here, my experiences are worth to mention.

In China, the hospitals are mostly integrated by Western Medicine and Chinese medicine, the patients can choose any one as personal will, but, the doctors in Chinese medicine were all addicted in the experiences according to traditional theories of TCM, with ignoring modern research on pharmacology of Chinese medicine.

When I working in a research institute China, my colleagues and their families, if the treatment were not effective in the hospital, they would seek the help from me, I prepare medicinal combo by the OTC tablets of natural Chinese medicine according to the results of modern pharmacological researches in buckshee, with amazing curative results.

Later, they introduced the medicinal combo to their relatives and friends, and asked me to collect some cost fees; otherwise, they would refuse to accept anymore. Since then, for the cost on buying medical books, I did not have to apply from my wife; and also, I could order more medical journals.

Before I left China to Canada, I gave a lot of medical journals of natural Chinese medicine to a friend who was a clinician in Western medicine. He used the methods and prescriptions that described in the journals to treat patients and the effcets were wonderful.

Some of his unique usage were without research reports, I am also worried about the safety of his medication; he explained that he treats patients by two kind of injections in same time with a tee-type drop tube seperately instead of mixing them in advance, it was effective without any adverse reactions.

In Canada, I once cured a young man who was 10 years in psychotic by OCT tablets Chinese medicine, only in weeks, his abnormal emotion was recovered as normal. The amazing therapeutic effect shocked me also. See section A psychotic with 10 years in illness cured by Chinese medicines.

The successful practice in helping people made me experienced with firm confidence in flexibly using Chinese medicine to treat a variety of diseases. The key lies in the compound medication, which was the good use of synergistic effect by putting a variety of medicines at same time.

This article is not a professional writing but only for a popularity of therapeutic approach in more curative effect, less negative effect, in handy and easy for use, in cheaper and private-affordable for the people who have less income for health care.

In this article, the data is limited, and the readability in English wording is even more inadequate. Here, what I said is not important; the important is in the limelight to attract people's attention for willingly enjoying Chinese medicine.

                                                                           

The barriers for the popularization of Chinese medicine


For a long time, the governments and individuals have been unable to cope with the medical difficulties in Western medicine, even so, above good medicinal references and easy available OTC tablets in Chinese medicine has been rare used in mainstream clinical application globally, even in its birthplace China.

The reason for such sad reality was complicated in both of practice and ideology.

Firstly, is the hindering of interest groups for commercial interest

In history, there were times attempts in trying to cancel Chinese medicine, even if in China, some of they were launched by interest group, such as, drug makers in synthetic medicine from the concern of commercial competing, and the most of the attempts were launched by the people who were trained in Western medicine with eyes that look down on Chinese medicine, until to today, never stop.

It is no doubt, for the application of OTC Chinese medicine in Canada, the big resistance will be from the drug makers. As a solution, we may provide them business opportunity in the production of natural pharmaceuticals.

Secondly, is that research activities are for academic not clinic

The main body of modern studies on natural Chinese medicine was in the academic circle, in the universities, in the institutes; it was driven by the need of professors for teaching tasks, the need of students for gaining their degree in Masters or PhDs, especially the need of the funds for scientific research.

In fact, all of such activities were driven as career in living making for survival, and such related.

Speaking to here, you would agree my judgment: the majority of human activities were driven by the purpose of survival. If we view the reality in this way, many thorny problems that entangled and complicated by confused ideology may be easily understood, especially in this topic.

Thirdly, is that research results on animal dare not use on human

In the research process, the most used experiment object was rats, not human patients, so the results cannot be directly used clinically. Moreover, after the studies were published, they also were mainly circulated and used in academia, rare of them entering the application in clinical circle – they were seldom used to solve the problems in disease treatment.

Fourthly, is that legal risks restrained clinicians in use of Chinese medicine

In general, the clinicians in Western medicine were not interested for Chinese medicine with inherent beliefs that TCM is not scientific. The clinicians in Chinese medicine were not interested for the results of modern bio-pharmaceutical studies also with indulged in well-known experiences to cook soup by raw Herbal Pieces.

In the clinical practice; the both of them were firstly concerning self-protection to avoid being litigated and confidently treat patients according to their own experience or legally approved medications due to that clinical treatment involves life-saving, even if they understood the cured rate of they used medications were low with obvious negative effect.

For sure safe, even if they knew that Chinese medicine was effective, but, they never directly apply to their own patients with the fear of taking responsibility for possible unexpected medical accident that may cause legal proceedings; though, even if, FDA, EU and Canada have issued laws to treat natural Chinese medicine as OTC in the name of supplements or food additives.

Since such reasons, the unbelievable absurd phenomenon was in popular, which was that the research belongs to the research, clinic belongs to the clinic, and they were going on their own way in following the parallel direction; as that of the water in the well was rarely able to mix with the water in the Mainstream River, even if, the water from the well was more healthy.

Fifthly, is the improper approval process for marketing

Under the misleading of philosophy – reductionism, in the process of approval for marketing, treats natural Chinese medicine by the way as that of treating synthetic one with cost of long time and spending, which acted as shackles in hindering the popularization of the use of natural Chinese medicine.

Since the placebo effect was clinically proved in last century, many synthetic drugs have been found to be less clinical effective than that of placebo, but have lethal side effects. Therefore, the FDA required that the clinical use of the synthetic drugs must be supported by clinically double-blind with the proof of effective than that of the placebos.

Due to that all of Chinese medicines were in compound component with complex of bioactive composition, even if a single herb is also with complex components, so that it is difficult in making clear that which kind of constituent has played which kind of therapeutic role, it is almost impossible, which cannot get the results to meet the requirements of Western medicine for clinical trials – the clinical role of each component has to be made clear.

Though the request of clinically double-blind was rational scientifically, but, it also caused the high cost in both of funds and time for the new combo of natural Chinese medicine going into the application clinically.

Sixthly, is that TCM is too difficult to be understand

The most theories of TCM were written in ancient style of Chinese with difficult in understanding for modern people, which caused by the limitation in the number of the development of Mandarin characters in ancient time, the text in ancient style is difficult to be understood for nowadays people.

Seventhly, is indulging in old culture and rejecting new things

Even in China, the home of birthplace of TCM, the doctors and officials in Chinese medicine have indulged in the theories of classical Chinese medicine, with believing that is necessary for protecting cultural heritage; they are difficult to accept the results of modern pharmacological researches on Chinese medicine, even with somewhat rebellious mentality, which proved by the reality that in the overseas market of Chinese medicine, China has only 0.3% of patent rights, while Japan and South Korea occupy more than 70%.

Eighthly, is from people’s stubborn superstitious thinking

People are used to old-fashioned conservative habit under superstitious thinking by misunderstanding on scientific. There replies followed my comment was a good example for understanding the ideological resistance.

Mar. 5, 2018, on facebook, there was an article UW student dies by suicide at student residence reported that a student of University of Waterloo died by suicide when he jumped from a 12th floor student residence building. Follow was my comment and the replies followed my comment.

Frank Li: Chinese medicine can reduce the suicide of sufferer with depression.

Rich Reist: Any type of therapy can help but science based medications are more reliable than untested herbs and that sort of thing.

Also there was rational reply.

Lara Kristina: Rich Reist many "science based" antidepressants actually cause suicidal thoughts. They are a huge part of a very complex problem.

From the dialogue above, we can understand that people’s superstition in science is ingrained and difficult to remove. Most people cannot understand that only practical results can prove the good or bad of the things, rather than the dogma.

Ninthly, is that ignoramus dogmatists are always in dominating

Maybe, it was distressed feeling from such confusion and frustration, years ago I once wrote article To Make Possible from Impossible by Breaking the Shackles of Dogmatic, in which I shared similar distressed feeling of John Maynard Keynes in his article The end of laissez-faire 1926.

“The compelling force of many of the original reasons has disappeared but, as usual, the vitality of the conclusions outlasts them.” “The average man averts his attention from the problem, and has no clear idea what he really thinks and feels about the whole confounded matter.” “Confusion of thought and feeling leads to confusion of speech.”

John Maynard Keynes was a British economist whose ideas in dominating modern economy as economic policies of all of governments except Germany, such as, monetary easing, 2% inflation, government investments and so on.

Today, here, you may agree that the progress of human civilization is the process of battle with ideological confusion, and it was the process of battle in between the knowledgeable pragmatist and ignoramus dogmatist. It is same in the population of TCM.

In my view, above nine problems were the main barriers in hindering the clinical application of natural Chinese medicine.

The solution for the problems depends on the liberation in the thoughts with the updating in the way of thinking. 

The solution for the problems depends on the liberation in the thoughts with the updating in the way of thinking.

Luckily, in Canada, beside the legislation in treat Chinese medicine as OTC as supplements, the ordinary citizen are also gradually realized the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicine and use it willingly in private expending. Such as, many times, I want to buy some OTC tablets Chinese medicine in the pharmacy of Chinese medicine Toronto, but, the answer was that the medicine has been bought all by local white people.

In China, the promotion of the use of natural Chinese medicine is going on a rational way from the level of getting rid of dogma under the conduct of the government.

Apr. 4, 2007, the International Journal of Science - Nature online published China plans to modernize traditional medicine to have reported that, China has announced an ambitious attempt to bring the ancient practice of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) into line with modern standards. The government says it will expand basic and clinical research, and improve the testing and developing of TCM remedies for export. The project is backed by 16 Chinese ministries, spearheaded by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and earmarked $130 US million.

In October 2017, there was report that traditional Chinese medicines may no longer be required to pass safety and efficacy trials in humans clinically. The China Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suggested traditional medicines can skip such costly and time-consuming trials as long as manufacturers prepare ingredients using essentially the same method as in classic Chinese formulations. The FDA and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China will compose a list of the approved methods.

The rational promotion with powerful Gov-leading and -funding will be largely promoting the population of Chinese medicine.

In addition, the practice of China’s government has big limitation with some kind of irrational – “as long as manufacturers prepare ingredients using essentially the same method as in classic Chinese formulations.”

In fact, those “classic Chinese formulations” were not clear in bioactive ingredients, especially in potential toxicity, though long use has proved they were effective and safe. But, the right way, as my view, at least, they should be combined by the review according to the results of modern studies on the bioactive ingredients and their pharmacological effects, by which way updating classic formulations, the therapeutic effect will be much powerful.

Here, as a proof, I have to point out that, the combo OTC tablets Chinese medicine that I used to have cured a young man of 10 years in psychotic, was not according to any “classic Chinese formulations”, but, according to the physical condition of the psychotic young man, from the comprehensive physical adjustment – basic metabolism, digestion, nutrition, sleep, immune, blood quality, vascular health, and so on, especially, improve blood circulation with broken the blood-brain barrier.

My treatment was focused on the restoration of the physical condition, thereby, restores abnormal secretion of the chemical to normal, rather than as that of synthetic antipsychotic drugs in Western Medicine was simply focusing on the inhibiting of chemical secretion with dead side effects.

                                                                                            

1. General Introduction 


Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an accumulation of the experiences of medical practices in Far East China. Because it has initiated from primitive Era in thousands years ago, so there are no concepts and terms of modern anatomy and biology, its medical descriptions are using the terms and the principle of its philosophy - Daoism that is similar to the holism of western medicine. Therefore, for the people who were educated with modern science, it is difficult to understand and to have caused the sense of mystery even misunderstood as witch or sorcery. 

Modern researches have unknowingly and indirectly proven that TCM is the best medical system world widely so far compared with that of existences, especially Western Medicine (WM).

 

This article is trying to use the terms of WM to crack down the mystery through introducing the basic principle of Daoism, therapeutic mechanism and the modern researches of TCM. Thereby convince people to enjoy the ancient civilization willingly. Thus, many incurable diseases will be curable and the cost on the medications will lower down largely.

 

Although the social materials wealth is increasing but the polarization between the rich and poor is increasing too. There many people are struggling in the bottom of the modern society, hard working every day but less ability to afford expensive medication, well-equipped Hospitals are everywhere, but, they have no money to step in, even no ability to enjoy the fruits of modern civilization they made. Although the people do not have to worry about medical expenses in some rich welfare countries, however, long time waiting for treatment has become a life threats. The reality is urging us to serious consider the way out for dilemma in human health care.

 

WM has been taking Reductionism as philosophical guidance, it looks human body as an assembly of parts, and tries to study, diagnose and treatment of the diseases through the isolated part by reducing human body as micro as protein, gene and even peptides. Today we even can make life by genetic technology in a tube. So public have been convinced that modern WM is most advanced, most scientific and most reliable.

 

However, because human body is a complex system that various organs are closely interconnected with interdependent and interacting, there may be many unpredictable factors in affecting the development of diseases, especially the psychological factors. Many objective facts have proven that the medical route under the guidance of Reductionism is not sustainable feasibly, for instance:

 

Nine years ago, we once cheered for the completion of Human Genome Project with the happy of getting a new powerful therapeutic approach. Many of us thought that we could uproot all human diseases since then.

 

However, until now, it seems to have no genetic therapies been applied in clinic safely and stably, because there may be dozens even hundreds different gene-fragments in affecting the development of one diseases. Therefore, those believed as most advanced, most scientific, most reliable genetic therapies are only hopeful flowers that may need long time, and more study to bear enjoyable fruits. I believed that, this fruit can not mature forever, because it can not uproot the stress or psychological pressure – the main inducement of the diseases.

 

On the other hand, there are no suitable synthetic drugs for some diseases, such as, super bugs. Even those existing drugs are not all safe; the side effects of some of them are becoming new life-threats. More terrible is that the cost of medications is soaring up; even some people take the medical activities as the tools to loot money in contempt of life. It is just like the earthquake in Japan, coupled with the Tsunami, which was not enough, followed by nuclear radiation.

 

It is very disappointed but is a corollary under the misleading of Reductionism.

 

In as much Reductionism cannot work well, we should introduce new philosophy into medical system. The hopeful one is Holism – a philosophy that macro-views human body as whole, and considers all the affecting factors, including psychology. However, “There Are Two Sides to Everything.” Compared with Reductionism, Holism is too macro that may induce to ignore the factors of micro. Therefore, the best way is to combined use them to make up the disadvantages by the advantages of each other’s, and avoid their disadvantages. Thereby we can get rid of the current predicament in Western medicine. However, distant water cannot solve the immediate thirsty. We need to find another way out.

 

There are many experience-based therapies have been developed and accumulated in the populace’s daily life with the advantages of effective, safe, cheaper, handy and easy to use. They are good resources for developing alternative therapies. Among them, TCM is outstanding.

 

TCM has been developing under the guidance of Daoism - an ancient philosophy of China.

 

Daoism is contrary with Reductionism. It is similar with Holism and consistent with systems biology. Suppose that Reductionism focuses on a specific grass on the Himalayas, and then the Daoism is not only focusing on the entire grass, but also concerning those would affect the growth of grass, such as, destructive pests, the greenhouse effect and the reduction of glacier cover, etc.

 

Under the guidance of Daoism, human life is being taken as one of such a component of unity of opposites. It believes that human body is an organic whole that all components are closely interacted. A well-balanced human bodies will form an effective self-defence system that can handle the most of pathogenic agents. The diseases could happen only if there are some unbalanced parts in a human body. The treatments do not directly target to kill pathogenic but to bring back the natural balance. It achieves the purpose by natural therapeutic approaches, such as, natural drugs, acupuncture and physical exercises, etc.

 

Compared with Western medicine, TCM was believed as most primitive, most unscientific, and most unreliable. However, many modern researches have inadvertently proven the outstanding of TCM. Its holistic perspective with emphasizing the decisive role of psychological factors on the development of diseases is most rational and scientific. Such as, Henry K. Beecher’s The Powerful Placebo (1955), George Engel’s Biopsychosocial model (1977), the crossing disciplines research proved that Stress Causes Everything (2008), Ohio State University’s Socially active environment can cause cancer tumors to shrink and even disappear (2010) and British Man with 'Locked-in' syndrome makes amazing recovery by his will for survival (2010), etc. Those findings clearly indicated that, for most diseases, negative psychological plays inducement effect and positive psychological has therapeutic effect. On this point, TCM is much admirable.In thousand years ago, TCM practitioners have found the similar fact that diseases treatment is seven-tenths in psychotherapy and only three-tenths in medication. Suppose we take theplacebo effect as a kind of psychotherapy, then the proportion of seven-tenths in psychotherapy is close to the modern scientific statistics from the double-blind clinical trials, which was “placebos are effective in 50 or 60 percent of subjects with certain conditions.” And “some researchers maintain that there is not adequate evidence from studies to prove that the new (antipsychotic) drugs are more effective than placebos.”

 

The emergence of system biology is showing that Western medicine is starting to step toward the Holistic way with enlarging the scope of medical analysis. Essentially says, it was that Western medicine is from philosophical root turning its heads toward the ancient holistic medical approach of TCM after its hitting on the wall.

 

TCM has developed unique methods in diseases diagnosis and treatment by natural ways, such as Pulse diagnosis, Tongue diagnosis, Acupuncture, Massage, especially a large number choice of natural drugs. According to the statistic of national investigation of mainland China in the 80's of 20th century, there are 11,146 plants, 1581 animals and 80 minerals as medicinal using. The <Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription> selected nearly 100 thousands of experience-based formulas from prescriptions of TCM since there are written records in the history of China, which covering almost all known diseases. Thanks the scientists of China, they have made many useful modern researches on Chinese drugs by emulating the methods of western medicine, and to have had those experience-based formulas updated and produced great many OCT drugs in the forms of convenient for using. Such as, injections and sugar covered tablets with the labels of providing treated-ranges, precautions and dosages.

 

The medicinal materials (natural drugs) used in TCM are all from nature. Modern studies from the level of molecular, protein and gene found those natural drugs containing a wide range of bioactive constituents. Some of them have therapeutic effect that is similar to that of synthetic ones in killing the pathogenic agents directly, and some of them have nutritional effect that is similar to that of orthomolecular medicine. For ill-debilitated patients, nutrition is even more important than that of drugs. I think that this is the unique advantages of natural drugs, and also it is the unique advantages of TCM.

 

Modern researches revealed that some of Chinese drugs can improve human immunity, such as, boosting the weight gains of immune organs, increasing the number and activity of the phagocytes, NK cells and so on. Therefore, in subjective viewing, TCM is to regulate the physical balance, but in objective practicing, the process of the regulations plays a role of improving the immune function, then the pathogenic agents to be killed by enhanced immune system. Although, in TCM there are no concepts of modern immunology, such as, immune organs or immune cells, the experience-based formulas were never to have considered on immunity, however, some of preparations by those formulas are playing the therapeutic role through enhancing human immunity. More significant is that when the physical balance of patient is restored, the most of uncomfortable symptoms of patient would be largely improved, such as, poor appetite, angst and insomnia, patient would feel much better not only in physical but also in psychological. Indeed, the physical improvement also plays the role of psychotherapy. The recovery of the diseases can certainly be accelerated.

 

The compound prescription is unique therapeutic method of TCM, which is to put many different natural drugs together as one dose. Studies have proved that drugs in compound using are able to generate synergy effect of multiplying the positive effect of each other. The findings revealed the mystery that preparations by experience-based formulas of TCM are more effective on some specific diseases and provided clear guidance for selecting effective natural drugs aiming on specific pathogenic. This is the reason that, in my hand, Chinese natural drugs seem to have gained magic in treating some thorny diseases, such as, Schizophrenia, fat liquefaction of incision and so on. Chinese drugs will be a powerful therapeutic approach on the diseases both communicable and non-communicable, which not satisfied by the treatment of synthetic drugs. Clearly, Chinese medicine is promising resource in developing new therapeutic approaches both drugs and therapies. Also it has huge market potential.

 

However, since that TCM is accumulation of the experiences from medical practices started in thousands years ago, there are no concepts and terms of modern anatomy and biology. The medical descriptions of TCM are using the terms and the principle of its philosophy - Daoism, such as, Yin & Yang, and cold & Hot. The diagnosis and the treatment of diseases are from this philosophical perspective to regulate the balance of the unity of opposites. It is very different with that of Western Medicine (WM) that is only focusing on the specific ill organ or pathogenic. As the same way, Chinese drugs are sorted and used to restore the physical balance of human body rather than focusing on any ill organ or pathogenic. Therefore, it can not be easily understood according to the way of WM.

 

Due to there is no corresponding English words; it is difficult to directly translate TCM into English in accordance with its original meaning accurately. In addition, TCM are based on great many written records from different historical period spanning thousands of years, many of those records wrote in Classical Chinese even in Oracle bone script, which is similar to that of some thing written in Old English, they are not easy to be understood. So that the unique philosophy and therapeutic efficacy of TCM was not be well understood & applied as it should be.

 

Even so, I firmly believed that, with my articles of <Viewing Human Life as Emotional Alive> together, the medical vision of readers would unconsciously advance into a broader Holistic scope from that of Reductionism. The advancement of the philosophical approach would release huge medical potential that can help us to learn properly about our life physically and psychologically, thereby to help more people living healthier and happier by advancing the prevention and treatment of the diseases.

 

The holistic view on human life mainly embodied following areas:

 

Human beings self, people and people, people and society, and people and nature is all in the state of unity of opposites. They must maintain in harmonious balance, once occurs deviation, people would fall into ill, between the people would conflict, the human society would fall into disorder and the nature would punish humankind. Those thoughts play a directing role in the diseases treatment.

 

1. Emphasis on the restoration of physical balance

 

TCM believes that human body is an organic whole that all components are closely interacted.A well-balanced human bodies will form an effective self-defence system that can handle the most of pathogenic agents. The diseases could happen only if there are some unbalanced parts in a human body. The treatments do not directly target to kill pathogenics but to bring back the natural balance. It achieves the purpose by natural therapeutic approaches, such as, natural drugs, acupuncture and physical exercises, etc.

 

Jan. 12 2011, a report that H1N1 and other seasonal influenza swept France and caused many deaths. According to the experiences of China, if the treatment integrates with some Chinese drugs to improve suffered symptoms of the patient holistically, the patients who fall into critical would be largely reduced. There is a simple method for rescuing critical patients. I will introduce it later.

 

Talking about the restoration of physical balance, we must make clear the physiological effect of nutritional ingredients in Chinese drugs.

 

A good example is Orthomolecular medicine (OM). It was coined by Linus Paulin who was enlightened from the successful practice of Canadian doctors who cured mental illness by megadose Vitamin B3 after read the paper of <The Vitamin B-3 Therapy: A Promising Treatment for Schizophrenia – and its high relevance to the field of alcoholism> that wrote by Bill Wilson, in December 1965, that was A communication to A.A.’s Physicians, not for public quotation or use.

 

The copy was from:

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health CAMH Library

33 Russell Street, 2nd floor TorontoONM5S 2S1

Information Desk: 416.535.8501 x6988

 

The cover is as follow. (A.A. - Alcoholics Anonymous). 

          

The OM was originally intended to treat the “mental disease by the provision of the optimal molecular environment of the mind, especially the optimal concentrations of substances normally present in the human body.” OM currently is called as diet supplements that have developed many products, such as, Vitamins, minerals and so on.

 

Linus Paulin who published the <Nature of the chemical bond> in 1939. Later he did many pioneering works in understanding the nature of life from atomic structure, binding mode between atoms, nucleic acids and proteins. Whether from chemical, biological, and medical, he has laid a solid theoretical foundation.

 

Vitamin B-3 has wide range of physiological improvement functions. Its therapeutic process for psychotic is to restore damaged brain rather than as that of antipsychotic drugs control the abnormal secretions in the brain. Naturally, OM treats the diseases in a Holistic way.  

 

Although, for decades, some people have been eagerly trying to deny the curative effect of OM, however, the physiological improvement function is coming clearer in both clinic and academic. Now it gains extensively application world widely. Vitamin C was the one of OM, which was Linus Pauling strongly recommended, also was strongly opposed by others. following are some of new researches on Vitamin C.

 

1. <Vitamin C Saves Lives!> After Linus Pauling wrote his book on vitamin C in 1970, mortality from heart disease decreased 30-40% in the USA. From around 741,000 deaths per year to less than 500,000 deaths by 1986 - U. S. Bureau of National Health Statistics 1986.

2. <Vitamin C may be useful to treat cancer after all>.

3. <Study shows vitamin C's cancer-fighting properties>.

4. <Vitamin C beneficial in cancer treatment – study>.

5. <How Vitamin C Stops Cancer>.

 

In TCM, there are variety of nutritional constituents that are far more than that of in OM, which come from more than 10 thousands of plants, minerals and animals, such as, Ginseng, Gypsum and Placenta. They are certainly playing a significant role in the diseases treatment, but their unique contribution seems to have been ignored both clinically and academically. The reason may come from the TCM itself because that it never distinguishes the medicinal and nutritional, even without the concepts and terms, they were generally called as medicine. In western medicine, Chinese medicine generally called as alternative or diet supplements. I think that there is necessary to make a definition, such as, those with the effect of killing pathogenic agents should be called as medicinal, and those without the effect of killing pathogenic directly but with the role of physiological improvement should be called as nutritional, include those in Western medicine. A clear concept with a exact term will not only help clear describing, but also conducive to efficient thinking. The determination of a definition is difficult that need to be discussed carefully because of the ingredient of many single herbs is compound that contains both medicinal and nutritional. Even if a single constituent also has a dual role, such as, some peptide is nutritional but also an antibiotic. The nutritionals in Chinese drugs is a promising medical potential to be an attractive research direction.

 

Acupuncture is a treatment method based on Meridian. Modern researches showed that it could stimulate the blood circulation in some certain area of body by acupuncture on some specific acupoints to achieve the therapeutic effect. Clinical practices show it work well on many diseases, such as, strokepain, etc.

 

There are many physical exercises methods in TCM for enhancing physical strength. TheTaijiquan (Tai Chi Quan) is the one of them. Researches show that it can improve human immune function and treatment of many diseases. See articles: Benefits of Taijiquan Strongly Supported by ScienceComprehensive therapeutic benefits of Taiji: a critical review.

 

2. Emphasis on therapeutic effect of psychological factor

 

Modern researches have proven that human psychology acts as a double-edged sword that positive side can promote health with curative effect; negative side can damage the health with pathogenic effect. TCM has found the same fact in thousands years ago, and has indicated that the process of the disease treatment is seven-tenths in psychotherapy, only three-tenths in medication.

 

Such as, Henry K. Beecher’s The Powerful Placebo (1955), George Engel’s Biopsychosocial model (1977), the crossing disciplines research that Stress Causes Everything (2008), Ohio State University’s Socially active environment can cause cancer tumors to shrink and even disappear (2010) and British Man with 'Locked-in' syndrome makes amazing recovery by his will for life (2010), etc.

 

1955, H. K. Beecher published <The Powerful Placebo>." He indicated that there 35% of 1,082 patients were satisfactorily relieved by a placebo alone. “Other studies have since calculated the placebo effect as being even greater than Beecher claimed. For example, studies have shown that placebos are effective in 50 or 60 percent of subjects with certain conditions. It is close to that estimation of seven-tenths in psychotherapy of TCM.

 

1977, George Engel coined Biopsychosocial model: “a general model or approach that posits that biological, psychological (which entails thoughts, emotions, and behaviors), and social factors, all play a significant role in human functioning in the context of disease or illness. Indeed, health is best understood in terms of a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors rather than purely in biological terms.”

 

2008, a report that a research crossing the disciplines of psychology, medicine, neuroscience, and genetics revealed that “stress causes deterioration in everything from your gums to yourheart and can make you more susceptible to everything from the common cold to cancer.” The results mean that psychology plays a decisive role in diseases inducement.

 

2010, the scientists in Ohio State University published <socially active environment can cause cancer tumors to shrink and even disappear>.They found that there were 5% cancer-infected mice’s tumors disappeared and 77% of them decreased the tumors’ volume by 43% only from living in an socially active environment for 3 weeks.

 

2010, a report that Mr.Graham who once paralyzed with Locked-in syndrome and medical staff have left him to die, but he never gave up the desire for life and firstly tried to move his toe by will and succeed in months later, then to move the finger and then he has stood up again. Actually, it was that the positive psychology cured the disease of Western medicine believed incurable.

 

If the idea of seven-tenths in psychotherapy and three-tenths in medication can be universalized the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases can be humanized greatly. More pleasant is that the positive psychology can create by the positive activities of social and physical. No doubt, it is a feasible self-help therapeutic approach with broad-spectrum feature. It is a true panacea that can be produced when we enjoying the life. It may be an only fair thing in the world, which can be shared by all people, no matter who is poor or rich, old or young.

 

In China, some doctors will use ingenious methods to adjust the patient's psychological state. For example, for those patients who diagnosed as serious diseases, they would not tell the truth to patient, but tell their families, thereby to avoid the psychological burden for patients. However, in the eyes of Western doctors, this thoughtful manner is cheating and immoral.

 

Chinese drugs can improve overall physical strength of patients through improving appetite, sleep, and many other uncomfortable conditions, so that the psychological state of patient will be improved largely from the physiological root.

 

3Emphasis on the disease prevention

 

Huang Di Nei Jing a most important medical book of TCM in two thousands years ago said that the highly skilled doctor treats the diseases before its outbreak and indicated that medication after disease’s outbreak is similar to dig the well when felt thirsty and to forge the sword when the fighting has started, it is too late. This means that we should rather focus on the diseases’ prevention than focus on the treatment. The idea has a practical significance in modern society.

 

TCM has developed many physical exercise methods for diseases prevention and treatment. Such as, Taijiquan (Tai Chi Quan) mentioned above.

 

Above are only rough examples. The Holistic view on human life in TCM is much comprehensive not only above three points. I raised them here are intended to arouse public boldly to find more effective natural therapeutic ways, just as that of ancient people of China.

 

Although, the trend of medical philosophical approach toward Holistic has been emerging in western medical field, such as, the development of system biology, FDA has accepted the idea of traditional Chinese medicine idea.[1] [2] in their drugs regulations, and some super drug makers have dug into CM. However, there are much improvement room for comprehending and applying the Holistic therapeutic principle of TCM,

 

In the current process of study and application of TCM, people are still trying to find the bioactive ingredients and apply them in single constituent to treat diseases clinically as doing with that of synthetic drugs. Essentially speaking, it is not get rid of the leash of Reductionism.

 

No doubt, that treat the diseases in purified constituent is a great progress by promoting the use of the natural medicinals accurately and safely. However, if the bio-active constituents are not being used in compound, it will lose the synergy effect, the therapeutic efficacy would be largely reduced. More worse is that may lose the advantage of eliminating the drugs’ negative effect from/by each other, there may be some side effects occurred as same as that of synthetic one. Such as, Tamiflu is extracted from star anise – a pure Chinese herb. It has showed serious inverse effect clinically.

 

By emulating the methods of Western medicine, scientists of China has done a lot of researches on Chinese drugs, and achieved many promising results. Although the most of individual study is one-sided, but when string those research results together, we would pleasantly find that the medicinal constituent, nutritional constituent and therapeutic effects of natural drugs are so extensive and effective. Even some single natural drug has broad spectrum of pharmacological effects because it is a compound of medicinal and nutritional. Later, you will share my feelings.

 

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a new trend developed in recent years. It “aims to apply the best available evidence gained from the scientific method to clinical decision making.” Some people say that experience-based medicine changes to the EBM are a profound revolution in clinical medicine of twenty-first century, and will be an inevitable trend. Those medical researches under the guidance of Reductionism, cells, proteins, genes and double-blind clinical trials, have made many people believes that kind of researches are real scientific and pure science, so the research results are reliable without any reason to doubt. Driven by this kind of superstitions, some people have begun to question the correctness of TCM, and said it is an experience-based medicine to have outdated, even there were people repeated the same old tune of appealing to abandon it in China recently.

 

In fact, TCM does not come from the magic fantasy. besides its medical description with the terms and principle of its Philosophy - Daoism, which are not easier to be understood; many of other parts are from a lot of therapeutic experiences of trial and error in long time massive clinical practice, which are similar to that of Western medicine from scientific studies experimentally. Some of the therapeutic experiences of TCM are reasonable and some may be not, which is similar to that of some synthetic drugs are effective and some killed people although they were all proven safe by so called scientific experiments and supported by the scientific data from strict double-blind clinical trial. More important is that those drugs are all to have approved by FDA. No one doubts that FDA is one of the most trusted authorities on the drug’s regulations. Its effective work has created a safer medical environment and increased the confidence of people on medicines. However, in view of some of their approved drugs have still killed people, we have reason to question that, are the FDA dereliction of duty or is medical philosophy improper to have lead the problem in medical methods?

 

Three-tenths in medication and seven-tenths in psychotherapy were simply estimated result according to the personal experience of ancient doctors of China. However, it is close to that of the scientific data from modern clinical practices. Modern scientific researches proved that those natural medicinal materials of TCM were sorted obvious scientific by unscientific primitive methods of seeing the color, smelling the smell, tonguing the tastes and clinical trials. For example, those were sorted as enhancing digestion are rich in Ca, Zn and Fe. Those were sorted as enhancing male sexual ability are rich in Mn and Cu. The therapeutic experiences got by primitive tools and methods under the guidance of the right philosophy are not worse, even better than that of got by expensive and sophisticated modern equipments with being considered as most scientific methods. The development of Medicine is for saving life, effective one is scientific and ineffective one is not scientific, no matter how it is made. We need to consider seriously that what the scientific is and what it is for.

 

Scientific has been using by some self-crowned master as a label to mark some thing correct or not. TCM is one of the victims. I think that, human civilization has evolved into today, even consumes whole lifetime, there is no one could learn through any discipline, I mean to make it clear entirely. No one could have enough knowledge to be a master or authority for declaring to abandon any fruit of human civilization, although in today's perspective, many of them may be not perfect.

 

There are two sides to everything. We must look at anything dialectically and practically to avoid going into a dogmatic dead end. We should not completely abandon the experience-based medicine when promote the evidence-based medicine, and vice versa. We should reserve the reasonable portion from every thing and use them integrated.

 

I must special point out that, due to the difference of physical and diet, when using the same natural drug, the physiological reactions may be different from people to people, especially for those who are in different ethnic groups or in different region. For some people are effective; some may be ineffective or even have side effects. We should pay serious attention before use them and study on it. It is better to increase the dose gradually to reach the level that recommended. Generally say that some of natural drugs have side effect, but it is much minor then that of synthetic ones or caused by improper use only.

 

There are reports that some Chinese drugs contain heavy metals and pesticide residues. I think that compared with no drugs to use, the metals and pesticide may be not a serious concern, so that those drugs with problems should not be forbidden but give warning, use or not, leave the choice to patients.

 

For a long times, WM have been playing an important role in the prevention and treatment of diseases world widely. It qualified to be called as mainstream medicine. However, now it is unable to extricate itself from trouble quagmire.

 

Such as, for the infectious diseases, it has failed in updating the antibiotics due to that fast mutation of super bugs has shortened the effective life of antibiotics and caused increasingly high research spending. Now some drug-makers abandoned their research into antibiotics. For the non-communicable diseases, it is much disappointed since no satisfied drugs, too.

 

On other hand, the inverse effects of synthetic drugs have become the life fatal threat. Such as, Britain has issued a warning on more than 60 cough and cold medicines that can not be given to children after causing dozens of deaths. There was a report that Newer Antipsychotics Have Same Increased Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death as Older Ones. The drugs were developed for saving life rather than to kill life, however, as same as a lot of other things in the actual world, they are deviating from the will of kind-hearted people and are going farther.

 

Recent years, the system biology has been developed. It eliminated the deficiency of Holismand Reductionism by making up the gap between them. I called them as three medical philosophical brothers. Only the three works together, we can properly understand our body and the nature of development and recovery of the diseases. They have paved a new Medical Boulevard by forming an integrated medical philosophical system.

 

Here, I would like to make clear that, I promote the Holistic medical approach is intended to improve the balance of Philosophical approaches of Medicine by promoting the reasonable share that Holistic should take rather than to shoot Reductionism to die. When we are continuing to search human beings deepen into the microscopic, also we should take into account the macroscopic equally to understand human life comprehensively on physical, psychological and social. The thinges will develop in the opposite direction when they become extreme. It is not sensible that focuses on either extremely. I prefer the dialectical thought of Daoism in maintaining the balance between Yin and Yang universally. It has the value far beyond the medical issue. If it can be universalized, the world would have developed according to the will of kind-hearted people; there are more harmony and lesser conflict. It will never be worse like today, even the essential daily safe for life has been destroyed. The ghost of the barbaric killers of Colonial expansion era is still wandering with a new deceive cloak; the world will never have peace.

 

Because that deadly side effect of WM, more and more people are looking for the hope from alternative medicines. Among the existing alternatives, Chinese Medicine (CM) is receiving increasing attention and welcomed world widely. Now it is becoming the hope in helping us to get out of the dilemma in health care. The door is opened widely for CM.

 

There were cases that are worth to mention here for demonstrating the magical therapeutic effect of CM.

 

A 36 years old male psychotic who was more than 10 years maintained by 20 mg Zyprexa daily after first time onset and cured quickly at his 16, did nothing besides eating and sleeping emotionlessly. It was that my preparation of Chinese drugs called back his emotion in days – talkative, listening music, curious-asking and willingly doing house works. He was sent to English language school after months due to his parents were bored by his endless curious-asking. Then he went to school everyday willingly alone, and he seemed to have restored the memory of his previously learned English because of his study progress showed as jumping. The result surprised me very much, although I believed some of Chinese drugs in compound-use can work on psychotic, but I never expected that it took effect so quick. I’ll discuss the case detailed in another article.

 

Other one was happened on my younger brother who hipbone fractured in a car accident 10 years ago. After one week of operation there was still 50 mm unhealed on incision suture and happened fat liquefaction. Besides the replacement of medical gauze and adjustment of the intravenous antibiotics conventionally, the doctors could not give more help. I worried about the wound infection or necrosis, so I hammered some dried raw herbs into coarse powder, then sprinkling on the watering area without sterilization. After 3 hours when I curiously opened the gauze found that the unhealed incision has crusted entirely. The appearance showed that the crust formed much earlier than 3 hours. Now more than 10 years has past without any sequel. The only logical explanation for fast heeling is that Chinese drugs have updated the recognized wounds healing process.

 

The successful cases made me deeply believe the magic effect of CM and gave me a strong confidence to help more people to enjoy the medical fruit from the ancient oriental civilization according to my more then 3 decades studies and experiences of successful cases with selected and self-designed prescriptions of CM.

 

I would like to make some apologies here: 1. For those possible mistakes in the article. Because of my literary culture both mandarin and English is too poor to convey the original meaning properly. 2, For those lost the links of tracking original resources cited in my article. I am no mean to prettify myself by stealing the works of others. I only did some sorting works to make existing medical literatures to be easier enjoyable. I would like to salute to those researchers for their excellent works, no matter their work cited or not in my paper, no matter which country they came from. Thank you for your hard working and great contribution to the advances of human civilization.

 

2. Western medicine

 

2.1. Philosophy: The philosophical approach of WM is the Reductionism that aims to reduce a complex whole to the effects of one part (or parts) upon another part (or parts), which microscopically viewing a complex system is nothing but the sum of its parts, and try to understand the whole by studying the part. Reductionism contrasts with the holism.

Back to Top

2.2. Achievement of WM: No doubt, for a long time, the WM has been playing a dominant role in the treatment of diseases worldwide. Due to its therapeutic advantage and the reasons for market competition (See The Truth About The Rockefeller Drug Empire), in China, there were attempts to abolish TCM and promote WM instead. Even same events occurred in Japan. however, recently Japan has redressed their positive attitude and develop many drugs on TCM.

 

2.3. Human Genome atlas: In 2003, the Human Genome atlas was completed. It is a big success of WM. Many people think that we have gotten a new powerful approach to diagnose and cure diseases. Nevertheless, now 7 years have been passed, there are lesser genetic therapy can be reliably used clinically than that of ever hot expected. Because that even a single disease is associated with hundreds genome segments, so it is very difficult to be used clinically in a short time.

                                    

Plight of WM:

 

Communicable diseases: Recent years, some pathogenic-bacteria were named as super-bug because they can develop resistance to the existing class of antibiotics in short time after drugs putting in use. New antibiotic research is facing challenging in the competing against the mutation of virus. More time and spending are needed for antibiotic updating. So that many super drug-makers have abandoned the research in antibiotics. Simultaneity some drugs waswithdrawn from market because of serious negative effect. It will cause no effective antibiotics to fight with infectious diseases.

 

Such as: In the United States, deadly mystery superbugs kills soldiers and causes to amputate limbs among troops wounded in Iraq, because no antibiotics were effective for the infections, even for a slight wound.

Back to Top

David Picard, CEO and the co-founder of Moleac, a biopharmaceutical company based in Singapore, in his article THE RISE of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said that “Western pharmaceutical companies now spend over US$800 million on average to get a new drug approved.”         

 

“This cost includes the lengthy and complex clinical development process which sees many potential drugs fall by the wayside, either because they do not work or because they cause unacceptable side effects.”

 

“Only around one in 17 candidate drugs identified make it to market.”

 

“If the drug being researched fails in the development process the losses can be considerable.”

 

“Pfizer, for example, recently wrote off around US$1 billion and 15 years of research and development after its experimental cholesterol drug failed to make the cut.”

 

“The industry is under increased pressure to develop new blockbuster drugs as patents expire, and to cut innovation costs. “

Back to Top

Non-communicable diseases: Also became increasingly severe due to have no ideal drugs. Such as mental disorder, cancer, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and so on.

 

As a way in no way, in Sep. 13, 2007, Canadian Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute of Canada has launched a large, multi-year international study to try to find a way to help the hundreds of thousands of men diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, decide whether to opt for potentially life-altering treatments or choose a watch-and-wait approach. They hoped that Surveillance Therapy against radical treatment would resolve one of the thorniest dilemmas in prostate cancer care. Because of current therapy of chemo and radiation will cause the cancer degenerated faster.                    

 

28 February 2008, Helene Guldberg published the Heart disease: we need medicine not moralism. Said that “My mother died from a massive heart attack several months after being put on a waiting list for heart surgery. If she had been given the treatment she needed earlier she may still have been alive today.” She appealed “the experts should be concerned. They should be continually trying to reduce deaths from heart disease. Clearly, a hell of lot more can be done to improve medical intervention”.

 

Indeed, for her mother’s heart diseases, it was not that had no drugs, it was because that the synthetic drugs could not be used for a longer-time due to the deadly side effects. I believed, suppose that her mother had treated with Chinese drugs, they would be still enjoying their colorful life together.

Back to Top

The cause of the plight: It was induced mainly from the philosophical approach, the Reductionism. Because human body is a complex system with psychological activity, there are many factors that interacts the pathogenic and development of the diseases, especially the psychological factors play a significant role. On the other hand, the most of diseases are syndrome with many sub-symptoms; it requires that treatment focus on the multiple targets with the well consideration of the interaction of all the factors physically and psychologically. Nevertheless, the WM has ignored those important factors. Therefore, it was that improper philosophical approach caused it into a dilemma.

                                               

We should review our Medical philosophy because of that philosophical approach is the foundation for doing any thing correctly.

                                              

System biology: Recent years, systems biology was developed. It is from system-level to understand human health and diseases in organs, organism and community. It is consistent to the Holism to understand complex biological systems in their entirety. This effort has great potential for the advancement of medicine with major implications for the future medicine and have emerged some pleasant results already.

 

Anti-diseases by immunity: Cationic antimicrobial peptides were developed in Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

                                             Back to Top

“Hancock, who co-founded a company to commercialize IDR-1, a 13-amino-acid peptide, says the peptide does not kill bacteria directly. Instead it seems to prime the body's quick and dirty immune response, called innate immunity. A subsequent infection, he says, may then flag the body to send a surplus of white blood cells called monocytes and macrophages to gobble up invading pathogens.”

 3. Chinese Medicine  

3.1 Traditional Chinese Medicine 

3.1.1. The origin of TCM, MCM and CM:

   

According to the developing model historically, Chinese medicine should divide into Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Modern Chinese Medicine (MCM). TCM was officially defined by the government of P.R. China in the 1950's after undertook an effort to coalesce many diverse forms of Chinese medicine into a unified system. It had no concept of modern anatomy and biology. The MCM is that new research results on TCM by the methods of integrating with Western medicine. The TCM & MCM should be integrated as Chinese medicine (CM). All the terms include diagnoses, treatment methods and medicinal materials, etc.

 

3.1.1.1. Definition of medicinal materials: For the medicinal materials are being used in CM or TCM, have different terms been used currently besides CM and TCM, such as, Chinese herbal medicine. Since that besides botanicals, there are animals and minerals are being used as drugs, too. So that Chinese herbal medicine can not exactly represent the entire medicinal materials. In order to avoid confusion, it is better to make some definitions. That all the medicinal materials are being used in CM or TCM is represented by Chinese drug (CD). By the same way, Western drug (WD) is used to represent the medicinal materials being used in WM.

 

There are many TCM terms are no corresponding English word, so it has caused some translations unreadable. I'll try to use simpler English words and cited some writings of others to make it easier to be understood. Here I only clarify the Yin and Yang.

 

3.1.1.2. Yin and Yang are the phonetic symbols of Mandarin. Roughly says that Yin means dark and Yang means light. Mandarin was officially designed by P.R. China in 1950s. It provided a unified language with spell and pronunciation for the people in 56 races of about 200 local languages throughout of China now is promoting world widely.

 

3.1.2. The Philosophy of TCM

Back to Top

The Philosophy of TCM is based on Daoism that is similar to Holism. It is one of the important ancient philosophies of China, which has been deeply influencing China and East and South Asia.

 

The core of the Daoism is Dao. “It refers to a power that envelopes, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-living. The Dao regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the universe.” It dialectically views that everything is in the unity of opposites universally. It embodies the harmony of the opposites.

 

Dao is symbolized by the Tai-Ji Diagram in which the Yin and Yang were coined to represent the two opposites.

 

               

            Tai Ji Yin-Yang Diagram

 

In Tai Ji Yin-Yang Diagram, the outermost circle is called as Taiji or Wuji, which indicates that every thing universally is metaplasia from vitality and movement in cycling endlessly. The black fish represents the Yin, but its eyes are white that means yang, white fish represents Yang, but its eyes are black that means Yin. The whole symbol means that Yin doesn't leave Yang, and Yang doesn't leave Yin. They are opposites of each other with contradiction and reunification. Each is understood to be an integral part of the others. If one grows bigger, other one will be smaller. The main task of Dao is to make Yin and Yang keep in the state of harmonious balance.

 

Daoism views the universe as a system of the unity of oppositesYin and Yangdialectically, which is composed of many components - subsystem with own feature of unity of opposites. The components are all in the state of dynamic balance through continuous self-regulation. This primitive philosophical view generated thousands of years ago is well coinciding with the modern science. For example:

 

In micro perspective, as small as atom, extranuclear electrons cloud with the nucleus are both in the state of attraction and repulsion, the electronics rotating around the nucleus in dynamic equilibrium. They are in the state unity of opposites. Atoms are the components to compose of natural materials.

 

In macro perspective, the planets with the sun of solar system, and solar system with other galaxies are all in the continuously rotating in the state of self-regulation by attraction and repulsion of each other. They are also in the state of dynamic equilibrium of unity of opposites.  

 

Yin often represents the negative, the female, dark, evil, cold, Earth, etc. Yang represents the positive, the male, light, good, hot, Heaven, etc. “There would be no love without hate, no light without dark, no male without female. When patients got fever they would feel cold rather than hot.”

 

Daoism is contrary with Reductionism. It is similar with Holism and consistent with systems biology. Suppose that Reductionism focuses on a specific grass on the Himalayas, and then the Daoism is not only focusing on the entire grass, but also concerning those would affect the growth of grass, such as, destructive pests, the greenhouse effect and the reduction of glacier cover, etc.

 

In medical field, Daoism macroscopically views the human body as a whole and considers the interactions of various existing factors' from all components including the social and psychological factors with an over thousands years’ belief that the therapy is three-tenth in medication, seven-tenth in psychotherapy. The estimated effective proportion of psychotherapy in thousands years ago is close to the results of modern studies - “placebos are effective in 50 or 60 percent of subjects with certain conditions.”

 

TCM has developed an integrated theory independently based on the profound culture background that developed from thousands years China. It focuses on restoring the balance of human body and fight against diseases by enhanced physical capacity.

 

TCM has been riddling thousands natural medicinal materials through long time trial and error clinically, which includes botanicals, animals and minerals. Modern biochemical and pharmacological researches proved that Chinese medicine is sorted scientifically according to the therapeutic effect. For example, those are sorted as enhancing digestion are rich in Ca, Zn and Fe, and those as enhancing male sexual ability are rich in Mn and Cu.    

Back to Top

Meridian is a network system on human body found in ancient China. It distributes throughout the body that connects specific part from the body surface to the splanchnic organs. The acupuncture points locate on the networks and it can induce therapeutic effect on specific surface parts or splanchnic organs when stimulating them. Also some Chinese drugs can enrich in specific parts to take the therapeutic effect in similar performance with acupuncture.

 

3.1.3. The holistic view of life of TCM

 

It embodied that hunan body itself, human and nature, human and society, human and spirit is all unified whole and interacted each other.

 

TCM believes that human body is a unified whole, which is composed of tissues and organs that performs different functions, and they are organic links between each other. The components of constitute the human body are indivisible in the morphological structure, coordinated in the physiological function, interrelated in the metabolism and mutually affected in the pathological changes.

   Back to Top

Man and nature is a unified whole. Human beings are the product of nature developed to a certain stage. Nature exist the necessary condition for human survival. The motion and changes of the natural world are bound to affect human.

People and society is a unified whole, and many social factors may be directly or indirectly influence on human psychology, physiology and pathology.

 

Human spirit and the body is a unified whole. Mental activity is the advanced activities of human. Physical is the foundation of spirit, and the spirit is the product of physical. In turn, mental activity can significantly impact on the physical.

 

3.1.4. Therapeutic Principle:

   Back to Top

TCM has a macro view to most diseases: well-balanced human bodies can usually handle most everyday bacteria and virus, which are ubiquitous and quickly changing; diseases happens only if there are some unbalanced parts in a human body. Due to this macro philosophy, TCM usually does not care what exact bacteria or virus are causing the symptoms, but tries the best to find which parts of the body are unbalanced as well as to find a strategy to bring back the balance. At the meantime, TCM believes only symptoms matter because irregular symptoms from the human bodies are the only faithful sources to deduce the unbalanced parts in a dynamic, complex system like a human body. Consequently, the treatments in TCM do not directly target to kill bacteria or virus but to bring back the balance of human bodies. It is very surprising but understandable that a TCM doctor may give very different herb prescriptions to patients affected by a same type of bacteria, because the different symptoms from the patients indicate different unbalanced parts in their bodies”.

Back to Top

3.1.5. Diagnose Method:

 

Perhaps the biggest advantage of TCM is its diagnosis. Many diseases diagnosed by TCM can not diagnose out by WM. Many patients have felt significant discomfort, but the results of pathological analysis of WM show no signs of any disease.

 

3.1.6. The difference of TCM & WM:

 

In TCM the “Signs and symptoms are the first clinical indication when treating human diseases. Elimination of such signs and symptoms is the first priority in providing effective treatments. Any biomedical measurements relating to any diseases must be relevant to the signs and symptoms exhibited by any patient.”

 

Western Medicine is not a perfect medical system. Its significance lies on its pathogenic theories. However, clinical signs and symptoms are only superficial phenomena, they do not represent contemporary pathogenic theories.”

Back to Top

In Chinese Medicine, every diagnosis relies entirely on signs and symptoms. Differentiation of Hot and Cold, Deficient and Excess is the crucial foundation in determining a patient’s medical kilter. Eliminating such signs and symptoms is the ultimate goal in Chinese Medicine. It also aims at improving the biomedical measurements as indicated by pathogenic analysis.” – Commenter: youzhang@tpg.com.au

 

Western drug and Chinese drug has different therapeutic mechanisms due to the difference of their philosophy. Western drug's entity is manmade single constituent, take the single effect on specific target. The allopathic is the main therapeutic mechanism. Chinese drug's entity is a group of natural bioactive constituent, take the multi-effect on multiple targets with the specificity. The physiological regulatory is the main therapeutic mechanism.

 

3.1.7. Example of doctors’ work manner of TCM and WM:

 

Now take a patient who is suffering from stomach disease as example to show the different in their works.

 

TCM doctors would try to find the causes by diagnosing the type of symptom. Does it induced by the improper diet or psychological pressure or excessive physical exertion, and or seasonal changes? Also patient has what kind of problems require to be adjusted? They will eventually restore the overall balance?

                                             Back to Top

WM doctors would try to find the causes by the gastro-scope and biochemical examination to find disease area and lesion extent as well as the source of pathogenic, such as helicobacter pylori. Then try to restore the health by killing the pathogenic microbe with WM drugs.

 

However, now we have made clear that some of digestion problems caused by psychological factors rather than the pathogenic microbe. Such as irritable bowel syndrome, is lack of abnormalities of morphological and biochemical, and closely related to the emotional changes or psychological factors, in which case that WM drugs can not work. Fortunately, TCM has been working well for either infectious or non-infectious with very cheap natural preparations for a thousands years.

"Traditional Chinese medicine," sometimes shortened to TCM, involves the treatment of patients using the fundamental approaches of healing developed over the last 4000 years in China. The treatments in Chinese medicine include acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and Tui-Na, which resembles massage therapy combined with therapeutic touch. Chinese medicine has the longest history, and the most practical application, of any system of medicine in the world, outdating Western medicine by about 3800 years. In China, doctors were practicing relatively advanced medicine before the birth of Christ. Western medicine, in response, dismisses everything under Chinese medicine, ignoring the long history of safe and effective use of Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and other philosophies espoused by Traditional Chinese Medicine.”

                                               Back to Top

3.1.8. Preventive attitude:

 

TCM emphasizes that cure diseases before serious onset. This is one of its advantages. For the most of slight illness was diagnosed by TCM doctor, could not be detected out by the doctors or the means in WM.

 

TCM pays much attention on the prevention of diseases, and developed comprehensive preventive measures, such as, natural drugs, physical exercise methods, etc.

 

There is a research about the effect of Tai Chi Chuan exercise on subgroup of T Lymphocyte and NK Cells. After 25 min exercise performance in the group those have been exercising Tai Chi Chuan for many years, the percentage of the CD3, CD4 cell increased, the ratio of CD4/CD8 increased and the percentage of CD16 cells decreased. In quiet state, compared with that of non-Tai Chi Chuan group, those in Tai Chi Chuan group, the percentage of CD3 and CD4 cells is higher; the percentage of CD8 cells is higher but without statistical significance. So that Tai Chi Chuan exercise can enhance the regulatory capacity of the cellular immune, and improve the body's cellular immune function.

 

3.1.9. TCM & Psychology

Back to Top

3.1.9.1. Psychological & diseases: December 1, 2004, CBC News reported Stress speeds up aging of immune cells.

 

A study of crossing the disciplines of psychology, medicine, neuroscience, and genetics reveals that stress causes deterioration in everything from your gums to your heart and can make you more susceptible to everything from the common cold to cancer. And those optimistic people have lower incidence of heart disease, better prognosis after heart surgery, and longer life.

 

Now, many researches have made clear that our health is closely associated with psychological factors or so called stress, and it is the main inducement for various diseases. Such as obesitycancerdiabetesheart attackstress ulcermind disorderIrritable Bowel Syndromeretard the wound healing, and so on.

 

TCM has been giving much attention to the factors of psychological, social and environmental, etc., especially emphasizing that therapy is made up of the three tenth by medication and the seven tenth by recuperation psychologically.

 

Chinese medicine poetically emphasizes the harmful role of stress in upsetting the emotional and physical imbalance leading to a weakened immune system. Western medicine is just beginning to tap into stress as the root cause of many illnesses and as a major obstacle in disease management. Chinese medicine has been doing it for over 5,000 years”.

                                              

3.1.9.2. Therapeutic effect of placebo: Indeed there are vivid evidences proved that psychological factors have therapeutic effect. That is placebo. They were widely used for new drug’s clinical trial in WM. Although some of them do not have pharmacological effect at all, however they do made therapeutic action physically.

                                                Back to Top

In 1955, Henry K. Beecher published the classic work entitled "The Powerful Placebo." He was the first scientist to quantify the placebo effect. He claimed that in 15 trials with different diseases, 35% of 1082 patients were satisfactorily relieved by a placebo alone. “Beecher started a wave of studies aimed at understanding how something (improvement in health) could be produced by nothing (the inactive placebo).”

 

Other studies have since calculated the placebo effect as being even greater than Beecher claimed. For example, studies have shown that placebos are effective in 50 or 60 percent of subjects with certain conditions, e.g., "pain, depression, some heart ailments, gastric ulcers and other stomach complaints." And, as effective as the new psychotropic drugs seem to be in the treatment of various brain disorders, some researchers maintain that there is not adequate evidence from studies to prove that the new drugs are more effective than placebos. “

Back to Top

The therapeutic effects of placeboes have proven that psychological factors are very important in the disease’s recovery. The positive frame of mind is conducive to the rapid recovery of disease. Also proves that TCM is excellent in the philosophical approaches that started from its origin stage in thousands years ago.

 

3.1.9.3. Biopsychosocial model: Until 1977, George Engel coined the biopsychosocial modela general theory of illness and healing, which considered social and psychological factors associated with physical diseases in WM. Following are some of his articles.

                                               Back to Top

1. Engel GL:  The need for a new medical model: a challenge for biomedicine. Science 8 April 1977; 196:129–136, Number 4286

2. Engel GL: The clinical application of the biopsychosocial model. Am J Psychiatry 1980; 137:535–544 

3. Engel GL: From biomedical to biopsychosocial: being scientific in the human domain. Psychosomatics 1997; 38:521–528  

 

3.1.10. Chinese drug & compound prescription

 

In TCM, there were different kinds of botanicals, animals and minerals have been riddled and sorted as medicinal use according to their therapeutic effect. They were used to treat diseases last thousands years in China.

   Back to Top

3.1.10.1. Statistic on Chinese drugs: According to the largest national investigation in the 80's of 20th century mainland China, there are 12,807 kinds of Chinese drugs in total. Among them, 11,146 kinds are the medicinal plants, 1581 kinds are medicinal animal, and 80 kinds are medicinal minerals. However, according to the preliminary statistics in recent years Taiwan, the total number of medicinal plants was about 8000 kinds. There about 700 kinds were frequently used. The statistical data from Taiwan is lesser, may be derived from the geographical limits.

                                              Back to Top

Here I’d like to emphasize that although the medicinal animals and minerals are lesser in number, however their therapeutic effects are powerful, so they could not be ignored. I will demonstrate them later by true examples. I’m sure that the readers would be attracted and fallen addicted for their excellent therapeutic performance.

 

3.1.10.2. Compound prescription: For TCM, the most important therapeutic approach is compound prescription (multi-pharmacy, compound formula). That is by putting many different kinds of Chinese drugs in one prescription to treat disease by focusing on symptoms of syndrome. Some advantages are as following.

 

Firstly, I would prefer to point out that, the meaning of symptom in TCM is very different with that of in WM. In TCM, it is more in macro perspective of philosophical and dialectical rather than that of specific changes of anatomical and physiological physically in WM, such as, cold (of Yin) and hot (of Yang). The following content is only an example from my personal understanding roughly; it is not the same as the original intent of TCM because that completely understanding and exactly translating the medical theory of TCM is too difficult for me. It may need to extend my life to 199 years at least to learn starting from epigraphy on Oracle bone script in TCM and wording and new words coin in English. Once again, the purpose of this article is to promote the core of TCM – the Holistic medical approach rather than clinical reference.

 

3.1.10.2.1. Focus on the symptoms: the most disease is a syndrome that appeared many different symptoms at the same time or at the different development stage. Such as, fever, no appetite, rhinitis, faucitis, headache, coprostasis, insomnia and so on, TCM prescription may put many different Chinese drugs for treating each symptom at the same time.

                                                 

3.1.9.2.2. Support each other: Some Chinese drug in compound prescription are not focused on the specific symptom, only enhance others’ therapeutic effect, For instance, some drugs may make other drug’s absorption faster, and the elimination slower. Some may increase the content of other drugs in blood to help absorption. Some can enlarge the drugs’ delivery amount by vasodilatation effect. Some even can make produce new therapeutic constituents in blood.

 

3.1.10.2.3. Relieve side effects: Such as, some natural drugs may has side effect of causing coprostasis, so put some Chinese drug of enhancing peristalsis of the alimentary canal to relieve it, at same time improve the appetite and nutrition supply, too.        

Back to Top

3.1.10.2.4. Improve the appetite & digestion: The condition of appetite & digestion also affects the therapeutic effect of the drugs. Unfortunately, that the appetite and digestion get worse for the most patient. So some drugs that can improve the appetite & digestion could also enhance the effect of other drugs. Also the improvement of appetite & digestion can enhance the nutrition supply to promote the recovery of patient.

                                                 

3.1.10.2.5. Generate the new substance: General process method of Chinese drug is cook, and then drinks the soup. There were reports that some characteristic spectrums of new substance were found in the liquids from boiling mixed Chinese drugs, it shows some new constituent were generated during the drugs were being processing.

 

3.1.10.2.6. Correctness proven for compound prescription: Cocktail therapy for AIDS: That is the simultaneous use of two nucleoside drugs and a non-nucleoside drugs to treat AIDS, make the HIV virus no where to escape. The inventor, David D. Ho, M.D., the scientific director and CEO of Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center in New York, said, that he got inspiration from principle of the TCM compound formula. So, in fact, the achievement of the AIDS Cocktail Therapy is the success of the principle of compound prescription of TCM, although it was more in Reductionistic rather than Holistic.

 

Some content of TCM will be continuously discussed in MCM section.

 

3.1.10.3. Experience-based prescriptions: May 1st 2002 the Volume 1 of <Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions> was published in China. It is a referential book that carefully sorted and compiled from the experience-based prescriptions of Chinese medical books in history. The dictionary is about 18 million words with nearly 100 thousands prescriptions in 11 volumes, which shows the industrious and wisdom of ancient Chinese people by large amount of medical records. It has significant referential value for the modern medicine.

 

If you go to any Chinese Pharmacy in China or abroad, you will find many bottled tablets OTC Chinese drugs (CD): 1 Prescriptions Resources: Some of them are experience-based prescriptions and some of them have been updated according to modern researches.2 Making Methods: The most of them made by modern processing methods, Such as, Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction, Sugar coating, Tablets, Injections and so on. Few of them made by old methods: such as, Powder, Pill, Salve and so on. 3 Therapeutic range: Various diseases from Internal, Surgical, Gynecological to ENT. The most of them are focusing on specific diseases with the role of broad-spectrum treatment, some are for general physical enhancement. 4Application Level: The most of Chinese families reserve some often used Chinese drugs for some common diseases, such as common cold, headache, indigestion, diarrhea, wounds and so on. The most of Chinese hospital treat diseases by WM integrating CD.

                                                        

                               

3.2 Modern Chinese Medicine

Back to Top

3.2.1. General Introduction

                                                              

MCM has been developing based on the TCM by integrating modern biotechnology. Recent decades China, government made much effort to promote the research of TCM by modern biotechnology, introduced and developed many modern medical equipments and research methods, largely stimulated the development of Chinese drugs. And have gotten many valuable results. Now we can explain the therapeutic effects of Chinese drug more clearly in modern biological terms from the level of proteins, cells and gene.

 

Constituents: For the most Chinese drugs, such as, herbs, only a single one is a compound that contains dozens or hundreds of different constituents. So the bioactive constituents are complex and plenty. Obviously, the nature has prepared what we need and ready to be explored out.

 

Classification: The researches show that the Chinese drugs have been sorted scientifically. For example, those were sorted as enhancing the digestion are rich in Ca, Zn and Fe, and those as enhancing male sexual ability are rich in Mn and Cu. It has wonderful orderliness not only in chemical elements but also in bioactive constituents. Such as, Wahaha, a therapeutic drink made of Chinese drugs, has been in hot selling nearly two decades in China. Massive application has proven that it is effective in treating poor appetite for kids. No precocious puberty happened. Test results proved it rich in Ca, Zn and Fe.

Back to Top

Bioactivity: The medicinal constituents are more active in natural drugs than that of any other kind of existence, so that human body can easily absorb them. For instance, in China, some researchers compared biological activity of gypsum in the form of nature and manmadeThe results showed that only natural gypsum has therapeutic effect, although the manmade one is in 99.9% pure.

 

Antibacterial: Various active constituents in Chinese drugs could kill bacteria or virus directly as well as that of most Western drug does, fast and accurately at the time regulating the body balance. The Chinese drugs have showed the both advantages, one is the therapeutic effects that is similar to the Western drugs and second is the nutritional effect that is similar to the Orthomolecular Medicine.

 

Antiviral: Chinese medicine is the best anti-viral medicine. It can directly block the synthesis of virus nucleic acid, which can kill the virus, promote the formation of antibodies, and can enhance phagocytosis of macrophages to kill pathogenic rapidly and take a lasting effect.

 

Synergistic effectResearches indicate that some pure extracts reduced their therapeutic effects compared with that were used in the completely original compound. These maybe caused by losing the potentiating synergistic effect when some constituents were being filtered away.

 

Therapeutic mechanisms: Western drug and Chinese drug has different therapeutic mechanisms due to the difference of their philosophy. Western drug's entity is manmade single constituent; take the single effect on specific target. The allopathic is main therapeutic mechanism. Chinese drug's entity is a group of natural bioactive constituent, take the multi-effect on the multiple targets with the specificity. The physiological regulatory is the main therapeutic mechanism.

 

Smart cure ability: Some Chinese drug can take intelligent therapeutic effect. For a normal body condition, it does not take effect; only for an ill body it takes regulatory effect. Some even take bidirectional regulatory effect. The so-called bidirectional regulatory effect means that the same drug in same dose can make the unbalanced body condition return to normal level. Such as: whether the hypertension or hypotension both can be regulated back to normal level. And no matter is sleepy or insomnia, all can be regulated back to normal sleep status, and so on.

Back to Top

Brain diseases: Some Chinese drugs molecular are very small, easily go through the blood-brain barrier to enter the cerebral cortex directionally and selectively. It can improve the brain blood circulation, increase the oxygen metabolism of brain cells, and increase energy supply for cranial nerve system, removal the wastes of the brain metabolites. Effectively restore the synthesis and metabolism of nerve media and the central nervous conduction and separation.

                                                

Alleviate stress: Chinese drug can reduce the negative effects of psychological stress largely. Because it can alleviate the stress symptoms by releasing endorphins, decreasing the stress hormone cortisol, eliminating the oxygen free radicals, lowering the blood pressure, reducing the heart rate, relaxing the muscle tissue, improving the digestion and sleeping, and bringing more fresh oxygen to body tissues by improving the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. This increased blood flow will eliminate the waste products from inside the body and enhance the nutrition supply to accelerate the recovery. This advantage can be used to prevent great many diseases since it reduce the inducement of diseases.

 

Anti-aging: Chinese drugs can prolong the life span of organism by many ways, such as anti-oxidation, immunoregulation, neuro -regulation, endocrine secretion regulation, anti-DNA injury, etc. It can relieve all the fatigue impairs for men and women, enhance the ability of hearing and seeing, and restore the color of beard and hair for elderly.

 

Broad cure ability: The most often used Chinese drugs are with have none or little negative effect. Even the little negative effects can be eliminated easily by compound prescription. It is effective for both diseases, no matter is communicable or non-communicable. Some examples are as following:

Back to Top

Resist cancer development.                      

Inhibit the cells apoptosis.

Improve the transduction of cellular signal

Relieve cytotoxic.

Restore the organ or nerve system.     

Reduce the psychic stress.

Improve the digestion and metabolism.

Relieve the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Relieve the irritable bowel syndrome.

Improve the male erectile dysfunction.

Relieve or heal the psychosis.

Detox the drug addiction disorders.

Relieve the snore and apnea.                      

Prevent or heal heart attack and stroke.

Substitute blood-dialyze of uremia patient.

Activate blood flow and removing blood stasis.

Protect the injury of cerebral or heart ischemia-reperfusion   

Anti-agging.

Prevent or heal cough.          

Relieve neurasthenic.

Cure and prevent the ulcer of alimentary canal.

Heal chronic tracheitis.

Smooth wound scars.

Relieve or heal arthritis.

Increase white or red blood cells.

Bi-immunoregulatory effect

And so on.

                                               Back to Top

The list can be made much longer. But those are enough to make any people understand the wonderful therapeutic effect of Chinese drugs.

                                

Poison & Safety:  Although the Chinese drug came from nature, however, some of them are not safe for using because of instant or long-term poison. If we use it correctly, it would be a very good medicine. Contrariwise, it will cause unexpected results. Now the poison Chinese drugs have been identified already and have found some special usage in treating diseases, such as, the arsenic (As2O3) can be used to cure cancer.

 

Natural Chinese drugs are a huge natural pharmaceutical resource, which Western drug does not have presently.

 

CM integrating WM: Besides bad negative effects that synthesize drugs have their specific advantages aiming at some diseases.

 

Xu Shou (1818-1884), was a pioneer of modern chemistry China. In his paper "The medical theory" of 1876, had been put forward the proposition of CM integrate with WM. He wisely pointed out a promising therapeutic avenue by using both advantages of the CM and the WM to patch up the disadvantages each other.

 

Bob Flaws, an active interpreter and practitioner of Chinese   medicine with western background, said in An Interview, “that the combination of Western medicinals and Chinese medicinals is, for many disease processes, better than either of them individually. Typically, you get a better therapeutic effect with a smaller dosage of Western meds and have to take the Western meds for a shorter period of time. Clinicians know that most of the side-effects of Western drugs are dose-related and that, if you can keep the dosage minimal and the duration as short as possible, you'll get the therapeutic result without the adverse reactions. Chinese medicinals taken with Western medicines seem, in many cases, to achieve that therapeutic goal.”

Back to Top

In China, it is common in CM integrating WM clinically. That is, at the same time, a patient being treated by two types of medicine. The advantages of WM are to take the effect quickly toward the main symptoms and the advantages of CM are to take the effect in eliminating the negative effects of WM by improving the patient's immunity and overall physical condition. Greatly enhanced the therapeutic effect and made the patient recover earlier. Also it greatly improved the life quality of patients. The good example is the treatment of SARS.

 

SARS: During the outbreak of SARS in 2003 in China, among 5326 were confirmed SARS cases, 3104 were treated by WD integrating CM. The wonderful therapeutic effect of Chinese drug is manifested.

 

1. Relieve fever and shorten the duration.        

2. Improve weakness, breath shortness, dry cough and clinical symptoms of poisoning.

3. Eliminate the toxicity and the negative effects of Western drug, such as steroid in large doses use.

4. Help to reduce the amount of using in hormones.

5. Improve hematopoietic function and hypoxic conditions.

6. Protect the organs function and avoid organs failure.

7. Reduce the systemic complications.                   

8. Promote the absorption of inflammation to avoid the bad sequels.

 

Such as the femoral head necrosis of bad sequelae of SARS.

 

That the causes are still in debating, one is SARS virus, and another one is the use of glucocorticoids in large dose.

Back to Top

As a result, no one was dead in the group of intervening with Chinese drugs.

 

N1H1 flu: The successful experience of mainland China on the treatment of A H1N1 flu was that, if the treatment focuses on each symptom of the patient to improve their physical condition by Chinese drugs besides killing the A H1N1 flu viruses. The number of developing into the critical and death was largely reduced.

 

It is easy to get some OTC Chinese drugs in the forms of pill or sugar coated tablets from Chinese pharmacies closing to your home by consulting seller or Chinese doctor. Please start with a half of pill or tablet then gradually reach the dose recommended on the label to avoid the happening of heavy side effect. Also there are injections that can be used for intravenous infusion, but needs the help of highly skilled Chinese doctors. Any way flu should not be a deadly disease.

   Back to Top

Critical patients: For those patients in severe critical states, such as, MODS, whatever the causes but no urinate and defecate for a while, and have no effect on any existing therapies, we may carefully try to smear the alcohol tincture of Aloe leaf in the navel and surrounding area about 16 square centimeter, then covering with a plastic film and massaging to make the medicinals transdermal absorption into the blood vessel. After about 10 hours, there will be diarrhea-like defecation and then the patients will feel much better. Smearing several times will be enough. I am not certain safe or not for the long term smearing. If there is no diarrhea-like defecation, it may need enlarge the smearing area or check the quality of the Aloe, whether have enough yellow colored medicinals’ secretions on the cut section of Aloe leaf. As a safe consideration, firstly smear small area to watch the patient’s reaction, whether there is side effect. The aloe must be more than 3 years old so that it has enough yellow colored medicinal.

 

The navel is a holographic acupuncture area that can connect human organs of whole body. The Aloe smearing can restore the digestive system; boost the physiological activities and immune function with a magical reviving effect.

Back to Top

Above idea enlightened from the Rhubarb (Dahuang, Jiangjun), a pure Chinese herb with the proven therapeutic effect for critical patients, such as, for MODS, especially with gastrointestinal dysfunction. Although the reports of Aloe to be used for critical patients are less than that of Rhubarb, however, their main medicinal constituent is similar, so that their medicinal effect will be similar. On the other hand, compared with Rhubarb, Aloe is easier to be gotten due to it is being home planted world widely. I will introduce my experience about it home planting in another article.

 

Talking about Aloe Vera, the Editor of NaturalNews.com, Mike Adams wrote that “When I say aloe vera is the most impressive medicinal herb invented by nature, I don't make that statement lightly. Of all the herbs I've ever studied -- and I've written thousands of articles on nutrition and disease prevention -- aloe vera is the most impressive herb of them all.”

 

A natural, cheaper and simple method may pull back a person who has stepped into the door of another world with his or her one foot. The process is just like that makes a nearly stopped-pendulum re-swing again. There will be much more this kind of simple experience-based methods in public daily life that is better than those recommended by so called medical authorities. This is why that I said medical issue is the public issue, and it should be taken down from the mysterious Altar.

Back to Top

The method can also be used to treat children malnutrition, poor appetite, constipation and emaciated, etc. Please do not long term use.

 

I do not recommend the use of Rhubarb unless prescribed by a doctor.

 

Now I’ll take some individual medicinal plants, animals and minerals in Chinese drugs as example to demonstrate the magical therapeutic effect that has revealed by modern researches.

 

 

3.2.2. Medicinal plant    

                                                                       

Here let us look at the goldthread (Coptis chinensis), a frequently used Chinese plant drug to learn how an herb works.

 

3.2.2.1. Goldthread

                                                            

Firstly I would like to introduce a book in which the goldthread was first recorded. The Shen nong ben cao jing, an earliest pharmacy monograph of TCM, which systematically summarized the clinical experience of Chinese drugs firstly. It has been hailed as classics and essence of Chinese pharmacy.

 

For the publish age, there is a different legend, one was in the Warring States period 476 BC - 221 BC, and the second was in the age of Qin and Han Dynasties 221 BC – 220 AD. The authors are unknown.

   Back to Top

 

3.2.2.1.1 Biochemical constituents

 

The biochemical constituent include: Berberine, coptisine, epiberberine, Palmatine, berberis red alkali, berberis alkali methyl, ferulic acid, magnolia flower alkali, phellodendron ketones and yellow-corktree bark lactones, etc.

                                                Back to Top

3.2.2.1.2 Pharmacological effects

 

3.2.2.1.2.1. Antibacterial: Goldthread preparations have a strong antibacterial effect on pneumococcus, staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus hemolyticus, comma bacillus, anthrax bacillus and bacillus dysenteriae, etc. Also has inhibitory effect on the bacteria of diphtheria, pertussis, tuberculosis and brucella, etc. The coptis decoction and water extract have inhibitory effect on violet trichophyton, floccus epidermal mentagrophytes, Candida albicans and Yanuca star bacteria, etc. And in vitro, show inhibitory effect on mice entamoeba parasite, chlamydi trachomatis and trichomonas.                  

 

3.2.2.1.2.2. Blood glucose: Coptis Decoction and berberine gavages may reduce the blood glucose in normal mice. The hypoglycemic effect may be by inhibiting gluccneogenesis or promoting glycogen glycolysis.

                  

3.2.2.1.2.3. Platelet and thrombus: Berberine has significant inhibitory effect on the contraction of clot enriched with the platelet. After inhibiting the clot contraction, take a significant catalytic effect on clot lyses caused by urokinase and streptokinase. It is conducive to save the patients with heart artery thrombosis or cerebral artery thrombosis.

 

3.2.2.1.2.4. Heart Function: Berberine intravenous has a strong positive inotropic effect on canine heart. So that the rhythm slowed down, the diastolic blood pressure decreased, the pulse pressure increased, the total external resistance decreased, the blood output of per pulse increased.

Back to Top

3.2.2.1.2.5. Hypertension: Berberine can lower down the arterial pressure, particularly diastolic pressure with the dose correlated. The mechanism is mainly competitive blocking β2 receptor on vascular smooth muscle to reduce the peripheral vascular resistance. The effect is weaker for stage  hypertension and severe hypertension. Such as:

 

Berberine tablets 0.6 – 0.8 g.d-1 have good effect on hypertension in stage I & stage. Also have effect on secondary hypertension of renal and pre-eclamposia and eclamposia, etc.

   Back to Top

Oral Berberine tablets 0.4 ~ 0.5 g per time, 3 times daily for 4 weeks. Results: (1) 13 cases in stage I, 8 cases were marked effect, 5 cases were some effect. (2) 19 cases of stage , 10 cases were marked effect, 6 cases were some effect, and 3 cases were no effect. (3) 10 cases of stage , 2 cases were some effect, 8 cases were no effect. The total effective rate is 73.8%.

 

3.2.2.1.2.6. Hyperlipidemia: The hypolipidemic effect is primarily found at the experiment of treatment of non-diabetic animal models. It significantly reduced the content of serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL2C).

 

Berberine tablets 0.5 g TID after meals orally treat hyperlipidemia, the effective rate was 90%.

 

3.2.2.1.2.7. Myocardial ischemia: Berberine can enhance the mice’s ability of hypoxia tolerance. Reduce the scope and extent of rabbits’ myocardial infarction.

                                                        Back to Top

3.2.2.1.2.8. Arrhythmia: Oryzanol significantly increase the oral bioavailability of Berberine. Oral administration of the blend of two drugs can reduce the arrhythmia of rats induced by aconitine and coronary artery ligation. The mechanism is inhibiting outward potassium current and the tail current.

 

3.2.2.1.2.9. Brain Injury: Cerebral ischemia can cause the increase of the brain excitatory amino acids, such as, glutamate. Berberine can improve the brain injury by inhibiting glutamate-induced high expression of brain cells’ C-fos and the increase of intracellular calcium.

 

3.2.2.1.2.10. Cancer: Both in vitro and in vivo test, berberine shows a significant inhibiting effect for sarcoma S180 in mice. Also has inhibitory effect on nasopharyngeal carcinoma, cervical cancer and transplanted tumors of nude mice.

   Back to Top

3.2.2.1.2.11.Toxicity: LD50 is 24.3mg/kg by mice intraperitoneal injection.

 

3.2.2.1.3. Clinic applications

 

3.2.2.1.3.1. Atrophic gastritis: Blend preparation of Berberine with other Chinese herbs treat atrophic gastritis, except 1 patient self terminated, 23 of 24 cases, the gastric mucosal atrophy was restored to normal, the stomach pain and the gastrectasia symptoms disappeared, the appetite improved. Gastric analysis: fasting total acidity and free acidity reached the normal level.        

 

3.2.2.1.3.2. Stomach and duodenal: Blend preparation of Berberine and other herbs treats gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Total 18 cases, 12 cases cured in one day and 6 cases in 2 days. Follow-up found relapse patients were re-cured in 1 ~ 2 days.

Back to Top

3.2.2.1.3.3. Ulcerative Colitis:  With metal pipe directly spray Coptis powder and positioning enema with Coptis powder aqueous solution treat 18 cases of Ulcerative Colitis, cured 15 cases. Spray method, Coptis powder 2 ~ 2.5 g one time daily total 9 times for a course of treatment. Enema method, Coptis powder mixed in 150ml warm water and then poured into. Except pain in first 2 or 3 times, there is no other side effect. The pain can be avoided by adding appropriate amount of Procaine.

   Back to Top

3.2.2.1.3.4. Diabetes: Type II diabetes 60 cases, oral Berberine 0.30.5g X 3 times daily, unknown the time of treatment course. After treatment, the fasting blood glucose is 117.19 ± 25.98mg/dl, that is significantly decreased than pre-treatment of 208.65 ± 51.68mg/dl (P<0.01). Patients’ clinical symptoms disappeared, serum insulin levels increased significantly (P<0.01), total effective rate was 90%. Had no significant effect on those blood glucose level is in normal.  Follow-up 17 cases, there 11 cases were maintained in the level of treatment efficacy. In the experimental study showed a marked hypoglycemic effect, and demonstrated the promotion effect on pancreatic β-cell repair.

 

3.2.2.1.3.5. Suppurative otitis: Powder of Berberine with other herbs, blowing into the ear canal, and goes through the perforation of tympanic membrane, 2 times daily, five days for a treatment course. Total 41 cases, 36 cases fully recovered, 4 cases improved, 1 case was no effect.

 

In view of the public Knowledge on Chinese herbal medicine have been a lot. Here, I’ll introduce the rare one - medicinal animals.

 

3.2.3. Medicinal animals

                                                       Back to Top

4000 years ago, there medicinal animals were used in China. The records were found on the tortoise shells. The animal names on shells include snake, musk deer, rhino and so on.

 

Currently, there were 1574 (1581?) kind medicinal animal’s recorded. Among them, the terrestrial animals are 1295 kinds; the marine animals are 275 kinds. The vertebrates are about 62% in the medicinal animal species. The invertebrates are 606 kinds.

Because the therapeutic effect of animals’ drug is powerful, so that it can take a significant effect by only a small doses. In addition, their resource is richer, toxicity is lower, and is capable to treat a wide range of diseases. Therefore, as same as the herbs, the medicinal animals are an important component of Chinese drugs.

Here I’ll take the ants, placenta and earthworm as example to demonstrate their wonderful therapeutic effect.

 

3.2.3.1. Ants

Back to Top

In China, 3000 years ago has started to use ants. In book< Zhou LI Tian Guan> described that ants was as food for king. Some other TCM books have described ants, includes Compendium of Materia MedicaBen Cao Gang Mu.

In TCM, the ants are used for treating many diseases, such as, kidney inefficiency, rheumatic pain, stroke hemiplegia, hand-foot numbness, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, dreamy, impotence, emission, lupus, scleroderma, dermatomyositis, carbuncle, swollen pain and snakebite, etc.

 

Back to Top

3.2.3.1.1. Bioactive constituents

Ants aldehyde, formic acid, fatty acid, protein, free amino acids, alkaloids, histamine, terpenoids, variety of hormones, variety of enzymes, and ant antibiotic. Vitamin A, C, D, B1, B12, E. There are more than 20 kinds of minerals, Ca, P, Fe, Zn, Se, etc. In particularly the Zn content is prominent, per 1000g ants containing 100-200mg Zn, the Zn content is 8 times than that of soybean, 2 times than that of pig livers.

 

3.2.3.1.2. Pharmacological effects.

   Back to Top

3.2.3.1.2.1. Immunoregulatory: Ants can bi-directional regulate the cellular immune function to the normal level.

3.2.3.1.2.2. Immune synergy: Promote hyperplasia of thymus, spleen and other organs. Increase the number of blood leukocytes, can enhance the activity of macrophage and lymphocyte, and improve antibody cell count and serum antibody levels after antigen stimulation.

3.2.3.1.2.3. Inhibit inflammation: Experiments show that ants can significantly inhibit the inflammation induced by xylene and formaldehyde. This provides a reliable theoretical basis for clinical application of ant to treat rheumatic diseases.

 

3.2.3.1.2.4. Rheumatoid arthritis: Ants have immunoregulatory effect, adrenal cortex-like effect and anti-inflammatory effect. Has obvious therapeutic effect on joint swelling, morning stiffness and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

Back to Top

The preparation of ants and herbs treats rheumatoid arthritis 35 cases, 17 cases cured, 12 cases were marked effect, 5 cases were some effect, 1 case was no effect. The longest treatment course was 15 months, the shortest was 20 days.

3.2.3.1.2.5. Asthma: Ants preparation can relieve the bronchial asthma and intestinal spasm induced by ethylene choline. And can relieve the intestinal spasm induced by barium chloride.

3.2.3.1.2.6. Sedative effect: Ants preparation can reduce the times of spontaneous activity of mice, showed certain sedative effect.

3.2.3.1.2.7Painkiller: Experiment in mouse acetic acid writhing response showed that ants have very significant effect in relieving throes. The pain threshold was increased 4.347 times.

   Back to Top

3.2.3.1.2.8. Liver:  Ants preparation can lower down the activity of rat’s serum glutamicpyruvictransaminase enhanced by carbon tetrachloride. Show that ants can inhibit the hepatocyte fatty change.

3.2.3.1.2.9. Anti-aging: Ants can increase the content of intracellular DNA and RNA, enhance the phagocytosis capacity of the macrophage, and scavenge free radicals

3.2.3.1.2.10. Sex:  Ants are a sexual enhancer to promote the sexual ability by making following improvements: (a) Increase the weight of the testes and ovary. (b) Increase the content of DNA, RNA in leydigscells and spermatocytes of convoluted suminiferous tubule. (c) Promote the cell division. Experiment show that ants can increase the weight of semen capsule prostate and glandulae preputiales of castrated male mice, increase the weight of spermary and epididymis of normal mice markedly and significantly increase the number of sperm. For aged mice increase the weight of testes and thymus.

Back to Top

This kind of sexual enhance is based on the enhancement of the overall physical strength healthily. It will obviously reduce or even avoid the deadly sequelae during enjoy the pleasure of sex by the assist of WM drugs. Such as, 109 'have been killed by Viagra'.

3.2.3.1.2.11Fertility: Ants have a significant effect in the promotion and protection for the fetal rat growth. And have satisfactory effect on the treatment of infertility of men and women. Such as, azoospermia; oligospermia; non-ejaculation; varicocele; endometriosis; amenorrhea; ovarian cysts; uterine hypoplasia; irregular menstruation; no-ovulation; polycystic ovary syndrome and bilateral tubal barrier.

 

The United States does have infertility rate-17 percent, and this rate continues going up. However, China have the lowest infertility rate, less that 3 percent. The contribution of lower infertility rate came from the natural Chinese drugs.

3.2.3.1.2.12DiabetesAnts can regulate the disorder of endocrine function in vivo, enhance the metabolism of the sugar, protein and fat, and stimulate the cell function. Thus, enhance the activity of insulin and inhibit the generation of insulin antibody. Improve the fatigue phenomenon. In China, more and more patients use ants and herbs compound to treat diabetic syndrome.

   Back to Top

Total 56 out-diabetes patients, 21 males and 35 females, 9 were over 60, 26 were 45-60, and 21 were less than 45. The course of disease was from 6 months to 4 years. All these patients had varying degrees of oral thirst, rapid hungering, polyuria, obesity or emaciation, and generalized lack of strength. Fasting blood glucose was equal to or more than 7 mmol/L (126mg/dL) and glycosuria was +-++++.

 

Ants 60g and another 19 Chinese herbs ground into fine powder and disinfected. 10 capsules (0.3g/capsules) X 3 times daily, 3 months equaled one course of treatment. After 2-5 such courses, outcomes were assessed.

 

There were 38 patients (67.9%) were marked effect, 12 patients (21.4%) were some effect, and 6 patients (10.7%) were no effect, for a total amelioration rate of 89.3%. However, these effects were most significant in those with the early stage of disease in asymptomatic. According to the Chinese authors of this study, there were no observable side effects from this protocol.

   Back to Top

Note: As a opinion of mine, that the amelioration rate will be over 95% without side effect if the dose doubled especially in the increase the amount of ants.

3.2.3.1.2.13. Antibiotics:  Researches indicated that the waxy substance of ants’ secrete contains antibiotics.This "ant antibiotic" may assist the human body to resist variety of pathogenic microorganisms, especially in case of fungal infection and staphylococcus.

Researchers at Princeton and Harvard Universities believe that the discovery of two key proteins guiding one of the two groups of pathogenic bacteria that make up an ant's outer shell could pave the way to the development of new antibiotics.” ”the antibiotics would be particularly effective against gram-negative bacteria, such as E coliand Salmonella, and would destroy these pathogens by disabling the mechanism that produces the ants' protective coating.”

Back to Top

3.2.3.1.2.14. Cancer: Radiotherapy and chemotherapy will seriously damage the patients’ immune system. Ants can provide compensation to restore being destructed immune system. At the same time, those increased natural killer cells can kill cancer cells directly.

Here is a miracle recover case of liver cancer.

Beijing Medical University, Yu Guo An, a 75 years old male, suffered multiple liver tumors, is no longer able to carry out removal operation. In which case, he took large dose ants preparations competing for one year. When one year after he went to hospital review, surprisingly found that tumors reduced.

Suppose that Mr. Yu took the conventional treatment with radiotherapy or chemotherapy, he would be died already. Even if alive he would be at counting his remaining survival days or months on bed by bending his finger according to the general experience, because that the liver cancer is a badly malignant one, so that it is being called the king of cancers’.

   Back to Top

Indeed, in above case, it was that incurable cancer is cured by animal drug without help of conventional medical means. Obviously no any constituents that can kill cancer cell directly in ant powder. However, it was that the ants killed incurable cancer cell indirectly by enhancing Mr. Yu’s immune ability. Therefore, it is the success of holistic philosophical approach. The fact has provided a powerful evidence to prove the system biology is a prospective philosophical approach and that the nature killer cells kill cancer cell is effective in vivo.

Suppose take the ants regularly as preventatives before, Mr. Yu would not be suffered in cancer.

Back to Top

3.2.3.1.2.15. Safety evaluation: In mice model carried out safety evaluation for Ant Powder. The results as following:

Acute toxicity test: LD50>215000mg/kg.

   Back to Top

Ames test: No findings on cancer mutagenicity in following test. the concentration of Ant powder in 1.0 mg/plate. 2.0 mg/plate 3.0 mg/plate and 4.0 mg/plate orderly were studied with TA97(a), TA98, TA100, TA102 bacterial, at the same time, mutagenic were used as the control groups. The test was repeated under the action of metabolic activated enzyme. The bacterial numbers at every concentration had no significant differences than the control groups.

Micronucleus test: No significant different with control group in bone marrow cytogenetic test: Micronucleus rate at 5000mg/kg, 10000mg/kg, 20000mg/kg and positive were 0.2%, 0.16%, 0.18%, 0.2%, 3.26% respectively.

The sperm shape abnormality test: No significant different with control group in following tests: 5000mg/kg, 10000mg/kg 20000mg/kg and positive were 1.94%, 1.98%, 2.24%, 12.84%.

Thirty days feeding test: All histopathologic and biochemical indexes were in normal after 30 days feeding. Including blood, liver, kidney, stomach, intestines, growth status, all results were negative. The facts indicated that Ant powder is non-toxic.

                                                       Back to Top

Following are some studying articles for ants in medicinal practice.

U.N. Conference Promotes Insect-Eating for Everyone From Famine Victims to Astronauts

Colombia's Big-Butt Ants Entice Gourmets

'Big-Butt' Ant Delicacy Goes Global

Ants Have Much More Efficient Antibiotics Than Humans Do

Extracts in Chinese Ants May Fight Against Arthritis and Others

New Slant On Ants: Eat Them And Stay Healthy, Chinese Say.

BEIJING - A handful of ants a day keeps the doctor away, according to Chinese scientists.

The consumption of ants as part of a healthy diet or for medicinal purposes has a history in China that goes back at least 3,000 years.

Ants May Help Researchers Unlock Mysteries of Human Aging Process

Insects and other arthropods used as drugs in Korean traditional medicine

3.2.3.2. Placenta

 

Placenta is the unique organ and the initial home for therian mammals.

 

The medicinal use of placenta started around 2200 years ago. The first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, the man who made China and tasted the placenta firstly on the purpose of prolonging his life. He felt it did work and ordered to take it as top grade tonic in royal regimen. Thereby the kings in subsequent dynasties of China took placenta as a best tonic, too. They conducted some studying on placenta and used it as a special drug clinically.

   Back to Top

 

In TCM book, the Compendium of Materia Medica has an attractive description: the placenta of human, sheep, pigs, cattle, deer and other mammals’ can be used as drug. They can relieve all the fatigue impair for men and women. Even those in critical condition, take 1 or 2 times, can be survived. Adhering long-term use, can enhance the ability of hearing and seeing, and can restore the color of beard and hair for elderly, benefit to the health and longevity. It is a magical panacea medicine.                              

   Back to Top

3.2.3.2.1. Bioactive constituents: Modern Pharmacological studies indicate that the placenta contains at least 55 kinds of bioactive nutrients that play an important role in human life. There are more than 30 kinds of essential amino acids, multi-vitamins and trace elements. Among all of them, the important one is placental peptide; the peptides are the biological active substances that involved in a variety of cell functions in vivo. Almost all cells are subject to peptide-regulating in multi-aspect, such as, hormones, nerves, immune regulation, tumor, neurohormonal neurotransmitter regulation, cells’ reproduction and differentiation, etc.

3.2.3.2.2. Pharmacological effects

3.2.3.2.2.1. Immunoregulatory: Placental Immunoregulatory peptide can significantly promote the growth, maturation and differentiation for human T lymphocytes and B lymphocyte. It can significantly improve the immune function of mice in radiotherapy and chemotherapy. For the mice that are in immunosuppressive state, the placental peptide can restore the immune ability by increasing the number of neutrophils, the index of body weight, spleen weight and lymphocyte stimulation, etc. After 10 days administration of sheep placenta peptide on puppies, found that many physiological indicators were significantly increased. Such as, total number of blood leukocytes, peripheral blood T cells, serum globulin levels, serum lysozyme activity, etc.

Back to Top

3.2.3.2.2.2. Fatigue and hypoxia: In mice model, placental preparation can enhance the capacity of anti-fatigue and anti-hypoxia. It can significantly increase the time of load swimming. Experiments show that the blend preparation of deer placenta with herbs can extend the sustained swimming time in mice and hypoxic survival time of rats. Increase the human muscle endurance, so that after exercise the body's blood pressure, heart rate were all reduced, and in serum those related to energy metabolic enzymes and energy supply substance can be all increased. 

3.2.3.2.2.3. Anti-aging: Placental preparation can take an anti-aging effect through scavenging the free radicals by enhancing the activity of superoxide dismutase. Experiments show it can significantly reduce the lipofuscin content in the tissue of mice brain, thus reducing the damage of brain tissue and slowing down the development of aging.

   Back to Top

3.2.3.2.2.4. Cell: Placental preparations can promote the proliferation and metabolism of the cells. With the experiment of DMEM cultured epidermal basal cell of neonatal mouse, confirmed that the extract of placental tissue have the effect of the nutrition and growth factor. Now it is used to make cosmetics due to its capacity of removing wrinkles and enhancing skin elasticity.

3.2.3.2.2.5. Intellect: Placental preparations can improve the learning ability. Experiments proved that the Placental Immunoregulatory Factor (PIF) can improve the learning ability of mental retarded children. In rat’s Alzheimer's disease model, in placental group, the score of learning and memory test was superior to the control group.

3.2.3.2.2.6. Eyes: Placenta preparations can induce the generation of the cells melanin to take the therapeutic effect for retinal malnutrition of myopia and age-related.

 

3.2.3.2.2.7. Gynecological: Placental preparations can treat some gynecological problems. Such as, uterus’ hypogenesis, follicle presenility and serious early amenorrhea, etc. The effect is significant better than that of WM hormone treatment.

3.2.3.2.2.8. Live: Treats hepatitis-C 115 cases by placental peptide, there 91 cases were cured clinically. The cure rate reached 79.1%. Show that the placenta peptides have the effect of anti-hepatitis virus in vivo. The mechanism maybe is that regulate the cellular immune function.

   Back to Top

3.2.3.2.2.9. Respiratory: Placental peptides have significant therapeutic effect on respiratory diseases. Such as, chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma, etc. For instance, treat chronic bronchitis by single placenta; the total effective rate was 64%. After integrated with WM drugs, the total effective rate reached 84%, were significantly higher than 53% in single WM drug group.

 

3.2.3.2.2.10. Cancer: As adjuvant treatment of chemotherapy for tumor bearing mice, show that placental peptides can increase the total WBC number of peripheral blood, thereby regulate the physiological function, repair the damaged tissue and cells. Placental peptide can inhibit the growth of S180 tumor cell and colon tumor cell, the inhibition rate was 48% and 57%. After the treatment by radiotherapy integrating placental Immunoregulatory factor for nasopharyngeal cancer patients, the level of CD4, CD4/CD8 and the activity of NK cells’ were significantly increased.

3.2.3.2.2.11. Graft-versus-host:  Placental immunoglobulin can effectively inhibit early differentiation of T lymphocytes, induce the immune deviation of the T cells; take the effect in preventing mice graft-versus-host disease.

Back to Top

3.2.3.2.2.12. Tuberculosis: Human placental lipopolysaccharide has adjuvant therapeutic effect on tuberculosis.

 

3.2.3.2.2.13SleepWhen massive crowd efficacy testing, found that the sheep placental preparations can improve the sleep quality.

3.2.3.2.2.14. Digestion: In mice model, intraperitoneal injection of Sheep’s Placental Living Cell Extract, found that the level of gastrointestinal impel reached 64.57% ± 10.81%, is significantly higher than that of 56.12% ± 12.48% of control group. The result indicates that the Sheep Placental Living Cell Extract can enhance gastric peristalsis, therefore improve the digestion.

3.2.3.2.2.15. Beauty: Placental preparations can make the human skin beautiful and extend the adolescence by regulating the endocrine, dissolving the aged rough skin and repairing the injured skin tissue.         

3.2.3.2.2.16Various diseases: Placenta-related preparations also demonstrated good clinical results on various diseases. Such as, malnutrition, rhinitis, psoriasis, leucoderma, chickenpox, chronic gastritis, pelvic inflammation, nervous headache, stroke sequelae, acute leukemia, some eye diseases, etc.

   Back to Top

3.2.3.2.2.17. Poison: Do not find the report on LD50 for placenta currently. As a kind of meat that placenta should be safe in any dose obviously.

Back to Top

Following are some articles on placenta.

Researchers find blood stem cells originate and are nurtured in the placenta

Tumor-suppressor gene is critical for placenta development

Key to early diagnosis of autism may be in the placenta

Discarded placentas deliver researchers promising cells similar to embryonic stem cells

Placenta Is A Rich Source Of Blood Stem Cells

Cure for Postpartum Depression

3.2.3.3. Earthworm (rainworm)

Our most familiar special animal, the one is between the insects and mammals have a wonderful therapeutic effect.

Back to Top

Its medicinal use started around 2000 years ago China, which recorded in the book Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica Classic.

In TCM, the earthworm’s preparations were used to treat asthmamania, cancer, hypertension, hemiplegia, chronic bronchitis, oliguria edema, arthralgia numbness, limb numbness, stroke sequelae and high fever shock convulsive epilepsy.                            

 

3.2.3.3.1. Bioactive constituents

Modern pharmacological researches indicate that earthworm contains plenty bioactive constituents, includes adenine, guanine, choline, xanthine, succinic acid, earthworm kinase, earthworm toxin, earthworms antipyretic alkali, nitrogen substances, glutamic acid and 6-hydroxy-purine, etc.

Back to Top

3.2.3.3.2. Pharmacological effects

3.2.3.3.2.1. Antithrombotic and thrombolysis: The earthworm kinase has good effect on antithrombotic and thrombolysis. It can also repair the tissue necrosis on the surrounding area of cerebral infarction and cerebral thrombosis, and improve the stroke sequelae. The earthworm fibrinolytic enzyme, extracted from the earthworm, have thrombolytic fibrinolytic effect and plasminogen activator effect. It can not only dissolve the plasminogen-rich fibrin clots, but also dissolve non-plasminogen fibrin clot.

 

3.2.3.3.2.2. Antipyretic: The earthworm antipyretic alkali has antipyretic effect. In guinea pigs model, the body temperature can drop 0.7 in half an hour. The antipyretic principle is that the earthworm antipyretic alkali regulate the thermoregulation nerve center, heat loss was increased, at the same time, the body heat production also increased. However, the former is over the latter, and thus the body temperature was dropped. The earthworm water-soluble extract have good antipyretic effect for rabbits fever induced by coli endotoxin. The cooling effect is moderate than antipyrine. 

3.2.3.3.2.3. Digestion:  A combination of herbs and earthworms, or lumbricus can tonify the sympathetic and parasympathetic functions of the central nervous system, thereby enhancing the digestive function in the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract.

Back to Top

3.2.3.3.2.4 Sedation and anticonvulsant: In mice and rabbits model, hot alcohol lixivium of earthworm showed sedative effect and antagonistic effect for convulsions induced by electricity, pentetrazole and caffeine.

 

3.2.3.3.2.5. Antihypertensive: Earthworm preparations have moderate and long-term hypotensive effect. It was proved in the models of rats, cats, anaesthetized dogs and chronic renal hypertensive rats. Hypotensive mechanism related with the central nervous system above spinal cord, because the antihypertensive effect disappeared after cut off the cat second section of cervical spinal cord.

3.2.3.3.2.6. Vasoconstriction and Vasodilator: Earthworm extracts have strong long-term excitatory effect on smooth muscle organs, can cause spastic contraction. Experiments show that it has exciting role for uterine in vitro and in vivo. With the dosage increased the uterine contraction increased significantly, thus enabling an immediate increase in tension, blood pressure dropped to zero to deaths. Experiment in vitro with variety of smooth muscle organs, that earthworm lixivium can enable vasoconstriction in direct effect, and can enable vasodilator by effect through the central nervous system.

3.2.3.3.2.7. Antibacterial:  Earthworm antibacterial peptide has a broad range of anti-bacterial effect with strong vitality. Earthworm’s extracts have a strong antibacterial effect on human type mycobacterium tuberculosis.

3.2.3.3.2.8. Cancer: Inhibiting the growth of MGC~03 gastric cancer cell and mouse transplanted tumor (S180 and H22). Remission rate was significantly higher than that of control group in treating esophageal cancer (331 cases), lung cancer (155 cases) without any side-effects.

                                                       Back to Top

3.2.3.3.2.9. Poison: Earthworm’s LD50 is 1213mg/kg.

Some study articles are as following.

Earthworms Have Been Used in China, Korea,and Most of Southeast Asia for Thousands of Years

Earthworm powder, fibrinolytic enzymes without the risk of hemorrhage.

Metal-munching earthworms could be the “21st Century eco-warriors”

Earthworm extracts for anti-inflammatory, analgesic

Cell adhesion and the immune system: a case study using earthworms

A Glimpse of The Traditional Medicines Of Animal Origin

The Useful of Earthworm Powder For Human Care!

Anticoagulant effect of earthworm powder on experimental rabbit

Earthworm leukocyte populations specifically harbor lysosomal enzymes that may respond to bacterial challenge

Antimicrobial defense of the earthworm     

US Patent 6365198 - Pharmaceutical preparation for the treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers and hemorrhoids

Earthworm immunity: a model of immune competence

Earthworm paste (Lampito mauritii, Kinberg) alters inflammatory, oxidative, haematological and serum biochemical indices of inflamed rat

                                                        Back to Top

Magical function earthworm

Hypothetical mode of action of earthworm extract with hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties

Anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of earthworm extract—Lampito mauritii (Kinberg)

Do earthworms have any medical uses?

Research in the USA is currently looking into earthworms' anti-inflammatory properties for treating arthritis and other joint ailments and is also investigating

Boluoke: Fibrin-dissolving enzyme from earthworms that protects from heart disease

Earthworm fibrinolytic enzymeanti-tumor activity on human hepatoma cells in vitro and in vivo

Novel thrombolytic therapy discovered from traditional oriental medicine using the earthworm.

Earthworm extracts help relieve asthma symptoms

Cerebral apoplexy and Chinese medicine (fibrinolytic activity of earthworm).

   Back to Top

3.2.4. Medicinal Minerals

 

The first record of the medicinal use of minerals was found in <Zhou LI>. The publish time was estimated at the age of 725 BC - 645 BC according to the book has mentioned the economic activity of Guan Zhong of a famous ancient politician China.

Although there are 80 kinds mineral drugs were used in TCM, however only 30 kinds were commonly used.

 

3.2.4.1. Gypsum

Gypsum (Shi Gao) (CaSO4·2H2O), a mineral we are most familiar since it is used to fix the bone fracture by doctors. Also being used to treat various diseases for a long times due to its wonderful therapeutic effect in China.

   Back to Top

 

The record of Gypsum’s medicinal use was found in Ming Yi Lu firstly, a book published in Tang Dynasty. It was a biographies for 120 famous doctors from San Huang (3000 BC - 2700 BC) to Tang Dynasty (618 AD-907 AD), which covered thousands years historical span in China. The book mentioned the gypsum as medicinal use. It said that a female patient with hyperpyrexia and cold. Failed in treatment by many TCM doctors, however she was cured by a TCM doctor with gypsum finally. The case maybe happened much earlier than that of book publish age. It means that gypsum used as a drug is much earlier, too.

 

In TCM, the gypsum has been using to treat diseases as following.

1. Orally administration: chronic hyperpyrexiaexanimation, delirious speech, fidget, thirst, dry throatwheezeheatstroke, spontanous sweatingheadachetoothacheexanthesisulcers in the mouth and on the tongue, etc.

2. External smear with baked powder: Treat the scald, fire burns and chronic fester by promoting the tissue regeneration.

Back to Top

3.2.4.1.1. Pharmacological effects

3.2.4.1.1.1. Antipyretic effect: Gypsum can inhibit the over-excited thermoregulation central nerve system during fever to take a strong and quick cooling effect. Gypsum Decoction has disincentive effect on inducing iatrogenic fever by leukocyte. Gavages 2g/kg raw gypsum has an antipyretic effect on rabbit fever caused by E. coli endotoxin. Has no effect on normal rabbit.

 

3.2.4.1.1.2. Anti-inflammatory: Gypsum react with the gastric acid, partially become the soluble calcium salt. It can increase the concentration of the serum calcium after being absorbed into the blood in intestine. The increased serum calcium can inhibit the nerve stress energy (including thermoregulation central nerve system), reduce the excitability of the skeletal muscle, alleviate the muscle spasm and reduce the vascular permeability to take the effect of detoxification, anti-spasm and anti-inflammatory.

3.2.4.1.1.3. Immunity: Gypsum decoction 1:4 concentration 4ml gavages can increase the content of macrophages cAMP of spleen and peritoneal for Burned rats. Gypsum preparations can increase the number of T lymphocytes, increase the rate of lymphocyte transformation and enhance the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages.

3.2.4.1.1.4. Convergence role:  External use calcined gypsum has an effect of converging mucosa to reduce the secretion.

                                                       Back to Top

3.2.4.1.1.5. Anti-virus: By dot-blot hybridization experiments, 25%-100% concentration of gypsum decoction, have the effect on lower the content of deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV DNA) in the poison of Hepatitis B.

3.2.4.1.1.6. Diuretic and choleretic: Increase the urine output for mice and increase the bile output of rats and cats.

3.2.4.1.1.7. Cardiac excitatory and inhibitory: Low-dose gypsum infusion has an excitatory effect on isolated heart of toads and rabbits and inhibitory effect in large doses.

3.2.4.1.1.8AnalgesicGypsum injection can inhibit the evoked potentials in cortical somatosensory areas, which caused by afferent impulse of C saphenous nerve fibers of cat. So that it can take a selective central nerve analgesic effect.

3.2.4.1.1.9. Muscle cramps: Gypsum preparations can inhibit the excitability of skeletal muscle, reduce the vascular permeability and ease muscle cramps.

3.2.4.1.1.10. Thirsty: Gypsum decoction can reduce the thirsty status of the rats.

 

Clinical Applications:

 

Zhang Xichun (1860 -1933), a modern famous TCM Doctor in China, since he was good at using large doses of gypsum to treat diseases and successful again and again, so that he was called Zhang Shi Gao (Gypsum). He once said, gypsum has cooling ability and be able to dissipate the body heat. It is capable to penetrate the skin to ease the ill in internal muscles. You may use gypsum boldly with the rest assured to treat those patients with hyperpyrexia, the curative effects will exceed over that of the elixir.

Back to Top

Professor Zhang Qi (1922 – Present), a doctoral tutor, Heilongjiang Academy of TCM, is long time engaged in the internal medicine research for acute severe diseases. He is well-known by his unique therapeutic skills of TCM in China.

He clinically comprehended that the hyperpyrexia is the acute severe diseases. The most patients were turning to seek hope in TCM after failed in WM treatment. They are all in poor prognosis in complex condition. Clinical symptom of those patients are the temperature sustained over 39, the fever degree is asymmetry on the body bilaterally. Patient is anhidrotic, and the blood leukocyte is in normal level usually. It may be the central hyperpyrexia caused by dysfunction of central thermoregulation nerve system. In which situation, the general physical cooling methods and the WM antipyretic drugs are usually ineffective. And the hibernation therapy has many side effects, unfortunately.                 

 

For above symptom, the primary step is antipyretic treatment by Chinese drugs, Professor Zhang Qi believed firmly. He treats them mainly by large dose of raw gypsum and raw rhubarb. The curative effects were confirmed by the substantial cured cases. There additional benefits are that it is not only being able to effective cooling, but also be able to reduce the complications, improve the prognosis and life quality for patients largely.

Professor Zhang usually used to treat hyperpyrexia with large dose of gypsum. The lowest dose is 50 g, and the highest one is 200 g. The excessive gypsum easily leads to diarrhea. However, the diarrhea will be stopped after gypsum giving stopped.

Back to Top

Application in Farm:

 

Miscellaneous chicken 300, all were infected with chicken infectious bursal disease, died 92 in five days, there were 91 could not stand up. After gavaging decoction of gypsum 210 g and brown sugar 420 g, all chickens’ ill symptoms were improved. Next day one more time decoction gavaging, all chickens was survived.

Only natural gypsum has antipyretic effect although the manmade one is in 99.9% pure. The fact shows that the calcium is not the main constituent of the actual pharmacological effect. Then, what is it?  It still is a mystery waiting to be answer.

 

3.2.4.1.1.11. Poison of Gypsum?

Mammals - Acute oral LD50 (mg kg-1)  5050 E4 Rat

Mammals - Dermal  LD50 (mg kg-1) 8480 Q3 Rat 

 

For the safety of gypsum, we can evaluate out a positive answer from dozens cases of suicide by gypsum, which happened in Iran. No one died and no any sequelae.

 

A 48-year-old-male patient attempted suicide by ingesting a large amount more than three glass≥750 mlof a solution composed of plaster in water. The patient had experienced mild abdominal cramping (restricted to the epigasteric region) and watery diarrhea following ingestion. Ten days after, he developed melena, nausea, and vomiting. On arrival at the emergency ward, two weeks post-ingestion, he was alert, and was admitted suspecting for bowel obstruction.”

Back to Top

“Vital signs were blood pressure 120/70 mm Hg, temperature 36.6 , heart rate 76/min, and respiratory rate 16/min. On clinical examination, there was no abdominal distention, tenderness or rebound tenderness, and also no abdominal mass was palpable.” “He did not present with a toxic syndrome consistent with other ingestants.”      

 

three masses of plaster were totally removed measuring 3cm × 3cm × 3 cm, 5cm × 3cm × 3cm and 7cm × 7cm × 7cm by an anterior gastrotomy.” “The patient resumed oral intake on the second post-operative day and returned to normal activity on the 3rd post-operative day.”

 

a 37 year-old woman presenting with plaster ingestion and gastric outlet obstruction, who underwent surgery. At six months follow-up the patient was fully recovered. The authors concluded that plaster has no toxic or erosive effects.

 

Calcium sulfate hemihydrate has been used for many years and is still used extensively in both industrial and consumer areas. While bowel obstruction has been considered as a consequence of plaster ingestion, documentation of recent such case reports in the medical literature are lacking and therefore, we report such a case for the first time to our knowledge. Our investigation of literature identified one large review on suicide attempt by plaster ingestion in an Iranian national journal Iranian Journal of Legal Medicine. In this only previous study, the authors reviewed demographic features and endoscopic results of forty patients admitted to a general hospital in one of the western states of Iran Kordestan, with a history of plaster ingestion between 1997 and 2000. Twenty-three of the patients 57.5% were female and 17 42.5% were male. The majority of patients 45% were in the range of 10~19 years, which correlates well with previous data on the prevalence of suicidal behavior. 37.5% of the victims were student and 35% were housekeeper. All of the suicide attempts were by ingestion and in the form of water soluble. In their report of these forty cases, Yeganeh, et al. found that the most common symptom was abdominal pain 42.5% followed by vomiting15%. The most commonly reported sign was a palpable abdominal mass, which was detected in the 17.5% of the patients. Fifty percent of patients had no remarkable sign or symptom. No toxicological data were given, but there were no remarkable abnormality in the laboratory and biochemical analysis of the patients.”

Back to Top

3.3. Meridians & Acupuncture

 

Meridian: is a network system throughout our body with therapeutic function.

                                                Back to Top

2,500-year ago, the Huang Di Nei Jing, a masterpiece of Chinese medicine, firstly coined the Meridian, and forged cornerstone of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in comprehensive written. In recent decades, some historical literature of Meridians has been unearthed from the tomb gradually. Such as Silk Books, bamboo slips books and men's Meridian model made in copper and wooden.

 

They described that throughout our body has a network system that consists of 12 regular meridians and 8 extraordinary meridians.

 

The 12 regular meridians consist of 6 Yin Meridians and 6 Yang Meridians, which connect to specific splanchnic organ separately. The feature of their distributing on the surface of human body is as following:

 

a. Distributed symmetrically and lengthways.

b. The 6 Yin Meridians distributed on the chest, abdominal and medial side of limbs. There are five connect to lung, heart, spleen, liver and kidney separately, and the other ones* connects to the part that surrounds the heart.

c. The 6 yang Meridians distributed on face, head, trunk and lateral side of limbs. There are five connect to stomach, large intestine, small intestine, bladder and gallbladder separately, and the other ones* connects to the organs inside of the chest and the abdomen.

*. The concept of the other ones can not be explained detailedly due to it is very complicated.

 

In the 8 extraordinary meridians, the two have their own sets of acupoints, and the other 6 interconnect across with the 12 standard meridians and share the acupoints with them. They enhance the links between 12 regular Meridians. The feature of their distributing is as following:

Back to Top

a. No connect with splanchnic organs directly.  

b. No connect between each other directly. 

c. No distribute on arms.

 

Meridian system is Similar to the modern highway networks. The difference is that Meridian network on the surface of the body have linked with splanchnic organs to form a complex three-dimensional network while modern highway network being a plane one.

   Back to Top

Acupuncture: The acupuncture points were located on the meridians. The therapeutic mechanism of acupuncture is that will get response on the specific organ or area by stimulating specific acupoints to realize therapeutic purposes physically.

 

Then, what is the nature of Meridian system? It is difficult to explain currently. Because of Meridians were not found visually in modern anatomy. 

 

However, research results for examining Meridians by the means of biological physics, indirectly proved that it is there. For instance:

                                              

By gamma camera filming, found that the track of isotope movement on body is consistent with distribute direction of the specific meridian channel. By measuring the electrical resistance, found that there is very little resistance between the two acupoints on the same Meridian Channel. However, there is a great resistance between the two acupoints that is not on the same Meridian Channel although they are very close. And so on.

                                                        Back to Top

3.3.1. Effective evaluation of acupuncture

 

May 11, 2009, The Herald-Mail reported that Area moms say acupuncture helped them to conceive in Hagerstown city, Maryland State, USA. Those moms are failed in pregnancy after various attempts. However they were conceived and gotten healthy babies with the help of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Following photo is Kelly Morton with her lovely daughter.

 

Kelly Morton, 37, of Hagerstown holds daughter Sadie, 8 weeks, in front the wall of children who have been conceived using Chinese medicine. Sadie was conceived with the help of acupuncture and Chinese herbs.

Back to Top

Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis

 

BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmj.39471.430451.BE, (Published 7 Feb. 2008)

 

Abstract: Objective: To evaluate whether acupuncture improves rates of pregnancy and live birth when used as an adjuvant treatment to embryo transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilisation.

 

Data sources: Medline, Cochrane Central, Embase, Chinese Biomedical Database, hand searched abstracts, and reference lists.

 

Review methods: Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials that compared needle acupuncture administered within one day of embryo transfer with sham acupuncture or no adjuvant treatment, with reported outcomes of at least one of clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy, or live birth. Two reviewers independently agreed on eligibility; assessed methodological quality; and extracted outcome data. For all trials, investigators contributed additional data not included in the original publication (such as live births). Meta-analyses included all randomised patients.

   Back to Top

Data synthesis: Seven trials with 1366 women undergoing in vitro fertilisation were included in the meta-analyses. There was little clinical heterogeneity. Trials with sham acupuncture and no adjuvant treatment as controls were pooled for the primary analysis. Complementing the embryo transfer process with acupuncture was associated with significant and clinically relevant improvements in clinical pregnancy (odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval 1.27 to 2.14; number needed to treat (NNT) 10 (7 to 17); seven trials), ongoing pregnancy (1.87, 1.40 to 2.49; NNT 9 (6 to 15); five trials), and live birth (1.91, 1.39 to 2.64; NNT 9 (6 to 17); four trials). Because we were unable to obtain outcome data on live births for three of the included trials, the pooled odds ratio for clinical pregnancy more accurately represents the true combined effect from these trials rather than the odds ratio for live birth. The results were robust to sensitivity analyses on study validity variables. A prespecified subgroup analysis restricted to the three trials with the higher rates of clinical pregnancy in the control group, however, suggested a smaller non-significant benefit of acupuncture (odds ratio 1.24, 0.86 to 1.77).

 Back to Top

Conclusions: Current preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

 

Acupuncture could obviously improve the cerebral vasomotoricity of the patients with cerebral ischemic stroke. The mechanism is Acupuncture could improve the cerebrovascular function, improve the cerebral blood circulation, so as to provide abundant blood for the focal area and the neighboring ischemic area, to prevent the nerve cell from necrosis and accelerate recovery of the impaired neural system, thus obtain the therapeutic purpose.

 

Germany has conducted the largest clinical trials of acupuncture ever undertaken. About 500,000 patients were included in these ambitious projects, which are sponsored by four large health insurance companies. As an aftereffect, now, there are five big acupuncture research centers are financed by the German government. German insurance companies spend some 600 million marks a year for acupuncture therapy. Also it will be paid by the German social insurance scheme if administered by a qualified acupuncture physician for chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee.

                            

study conducted in UK has shown that the acupuncture is definitely effective in chronic headache, and is reported in the British Medical Journal.

 

Acupuncture in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial.

                          Back to Top

Methods: Patients were randomized to treatment with acupuncture, minimal acupuncture (superficial needling at non-acupuncture points), or a waiting list control. Acupuncture and minimal acupuncture were administered by specialized acupuncture physicians in 30 outpatient centers, and consisted of 12 sessions per patient over 8 weeks. Patients completed standardized questionnaires at baseline and at 8, 26, and 52 weeks after randomization. The primary outcome variable was the change in low back pain intensity from baseline to the end of week 8, as determined on a visual analog scale (range, 0-100 mm).

 

Results: A total of 298 patients (67.8% female; mean +/- SD age, 59 +/- 9 years) were included. Between baseline and week 8, pain intensity decreased by a mean +/- SD of 28.7 +/- 30.3 mm in the acupuncture group, 23.6 +/- 31.0 mm in the minimal acupuncture group, and 6.9 +/- 22.0 mm in the waiting list group. The difference for the acupuncture vs minimal acupuncture group was 5.1 mm (95% confidence interval, -3.7 to 13.9 mm; P = .26), and the difference for the acupuncture vs waiting list group was 21.7 mm (95% confidence interval, 13.9-30.0 mm; P<.001). Also, at 26 (P=.96) and 52 (P=.61) weeks, pain did not differ significantly between the acupuncture and the minimal acupuncture groups.

 

Conclusion: Acupuncture was more effective in improving pain than no acupuncture treatment in patients with chronic low back pain, whereas there were no significant differences between acupuncture and minimal acupuncture.

 

The minimal acupuncture by superficial needling at non-acupuncture points was being called as sham acupuncture. It does make therapeutic action. From this kind of phenomenon, some people questioned the validity of Meridian theory. I think that main reason of the phenomenon is placebo effect psychologically and others are that the mechanism of acupuncture is not quite clear.

3.3.2. Meridian & Chinese drugs

 

The therapeutic mechanism of Chinese drugs is similar to the acupuncture, that is Chinese drugs can enrich in specific organs or parts to take the therapeutic effect on the enriched area. Therefore, the treatment of different diseases in TCM will use different medicine according to their therapeutic effect along with the Meridian Channel.

 

This phenomenon is being called meridian entry (channel tropism) by <WHO International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Medicine in the Western Pacific Region (2007; ISBN 978 92 9061 248 7) 6.1.32>, which is “orientation of the medicinal action according to the meridian / channel on which the therapeutic action is manifested, also called meridian tropism.”

 

4. Some application studies in natural drugs

 

4.1. Phytomedicine Research in Germany

 

The <Phytomedicine Research in Germany> is a very good article for understanding how the natural drugs do works and how they were accepted by German society legally. It would be helpful for understanding the therapeutic mechanism of Chinese drugs and promoting their wider application.

Back to Top

“Abstract: In Germany since 1980, more than 300 clinical studies have been carried out with standardized phytopharmaceuticals, including Crataegus, Silybum, Ginkgo, Hypericum, Sabal, Urtica, Kava-Kava, Allium sativum, Valeriana, Aesculus, Echinacea, and Viscum drugs. These studies assessed the efficacy of phytopharmaceuticals for the treatment of moderate or moderately severe diseases and prevention. Several comparative clinical trials showed that these phytopharmaceuticals had full therapeutic equivalence with chemotherapeutics and had the simultaneus advantage of being devoid of any adverse effects. The mechanism of action of herbal drugs and their extract preparations, which differ in many respects from that of synthetic drugs or mono substances, can be characterized as a polyvalent action and interpreted as additive or, in some cases, potentiating. Currently, a rationale for the observed reversal effects and optimal effects with very low doses after a long-term application has not been developed, but is under investigation by systematic research at the molecular level.”

 

“In Germany, there are two reasons phytopharmaceuticals are of high standard and are classified primarily as conventional drugs by law. One reason is that during the last 50 years traditional medicine has been kept alive by both medical practitioners and the increasing interest of patients in herbal drugs. The other reason is that shortly after World War II the pharmaceutical industry specialized in and relied on herbal drugs and also developed and supported projects aimed at optimizing the quality of herbal drugs by standardization and scientific basic research. This development was paralleled by an intensified evaluation of herbal drugs and a search for the active principles of phytopreparations.” 

 

“The fight for the acceptance and registration of phytopharmaceuticals as drugs has been successful. Today in Germany most of the herbal drugs, even mixtures of herbal drugs, are registered as conventional drugs (1); this means that they meet the same stringent criteria of quality, efficacy, and safety as synthetic drugs. These requirements of the German drug law have stimulated the search for the active principles in medicinal plants and phytopreparations, the development of standardization methods of phytopreparations, and the performance of clinical trials.”

Back to Top

“The search for the active principles was an important prerequisite for the standardization procedure. In contrast to investigations carried out 10 or 20 years ago, most extract fractionations were performed using bioguided methods and the diode array high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique (2,3). These techniques may be quickly performed and allow researchers to focus on those fractions or compounds that are expected to be responsible for the pharmacologic activity of an herbal drug. Because of the use of new target models in pharmacology, there has been remarkable progress in determining the mechanisms of action and the true active constituents of herbal drugs. For example, the well-known antitumor activity of garlic derives partly or totally from apoptosis induced by reactive oxygen species via the transcription nuclear factor B of the tumor cell (4). In another experiment, Dirsch et al. (5) revealed that allicin and ajoene, the major constituents of fermented garlic extracts, inhibit the nitric oxide-synthase of macrophages and, by this, the generation of NO species, which in turn may be involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. In a new approach to elucidate the antiprostatic active principle of the roots of Urtica dioica (stinging nettle) root, we showed that one major constituent in the water extract of this herbal drug, the Urtica lectin UDA (Urtica dioica agglutinin), binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor of the prostatic cell and thus inhibits prostate growth (6).”

Back to Top

“Further insights into the mechanisms of action of herbal drugs have been obtained by novel bioguided phytochemical investigations with Echinacea, Hypericum, and Crataegus drugs (7-9). In many cases, the overall pharmacologic effects and therapeutic efficacies derived not from a single compound but from several compounds generating additive or synergistic pharmacologic effects. This means that the standardization method to be applied should include at least two or more compounds according to methods established by the national pharmacopoeias or additional specific herbal drug monographs. Because the criteria for the quality proof of an herbal drug differ from country to country, steps should be taken toward a global harmonization of the guidelines, e.g., by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (IFPMA), which represents the global research-based pharmaceutical industry and aims to ensure the same standards of safety, quality, and efficacy for new medicines and more efficient registration for use worldwide. These endeavors are handicapped when the active principles are only partly known or when a mixed preparation contains several raw drugs or extracts. In this case, a fingerprint chromatogram of the extract or preparation obtained by HPLC, gas chromatography (GC), or thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is the most appropriate way to document the quality (3). This fingerprint should demonstrate identity and purity of a drug and should guarantee the therapeutic equivalence of extracts from the same herbal drug. Single marked constituents can be quantified. An exact chemical characterization of all major constituents of an extract can only be achieved by specific and selective analytical methods such as HPLC with diode array detection, HPLC-mass spectrometry, or capillary GC with mass detector. If a phytopreparation contains more than four or five drugs or extracts, it is more reliable to characterize the individual drugs or extracts by HPLC before mixing them. For publication and registration of phytomedicines in Germany, it is mandatory that pharmacologic experiments be performed with at least two or three batches of the phytopreparation from different time periods to confirm reproducible processing and to guarantee stability and the same efficacy of the preparation.”

Back to Top

“Before initiating a clinical trial, all toxicity studies necessary to establish the safety of the trial must be performed. From 1970 to 1985, the first phase of herbal drug investigations in Germany was completed; this involved proving quality of these phytopreparations and a thorough search for the various active principles. This phase was followed by clinical trials that initially focused on about 10 herbal drugs or phytopreparations which were already on the market, but for which sufficient good clinical practice studies were lacking.”

   Back to Top

The herbal drugs include

 

·    Hawthorn leaf with flower (Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata)

·    Garlic (Allium sativum)

·    Ginkgo biloba leaf

·    St. John`s wort herb (Hypericum perforatum)

·    Valeriana root (Valeriana officinalis)

·    Echinacea purpurea herb

·    Kava-Kava root (Piper methysticum)

·    Milk thistle fruit (Silybum marianum)

·    Saw palmetto fruit (Serenoa repens)

·    Nettle root (Urtica dioica).

 

“One of the first clinical trials was performed with hawthorn extract (Crataegus sp.), which was standardized on flavonoids and procyanidins. It has been suggested that both classes of compounds are the major active principles and are involved in the positive inotropic and coronary artery-dilating effect described for Crataegus extract (10,11). Meanwhile, an angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) -inhibiting effect could be demonstrated for the oligomeric procyanidins (12). The results of the trials were accepted by the German Drug Administration for the treatment of nondigitalis -dependent patients with heart insufficiency stage I and II according to the New York Heart Association. In a double-blind study of the standardized Crataegus extract and captopril, the mean score values of complaints recorded after 8 weeks of treatment showed the same degree of improvement in both groups (13).”

Back to Top

“Other trials were performed with the same positive results, e.g., with standardized Ginkgo, Hypericum (St. John's wort), Kava-Kava, Sabal, Urtica, and Echinacea preparations (1).”

 

“Forty-four double-blind studies indicate the efficacy of various Ginkgo extracts for the treatment of cognitive disorders. Kleijnen and Knipschild (14) described eight of these studies and determined that they were performed correctly and without methodologic shortcomings. A recently published double-blind study performed with a Ginkgo extract showed promising results when the extract was applied for the treatment of dementia and, in particular, for Alzheimer disease (15).”

 

“The Hypericum extract, which is now widely used for the treatment of moderate and less severe depression, was investigated in several placebo-controlled double-blind studies (16). Some of these studies were also performed in parallel with the synthetic psychopharmaceuticals imipramine and maprotiline (17). Surprisingly, a 6-week treatment with Hypericum extract with one of the synthetic drugs in parallel resulted in the same significant reduction of the Hamilton Depression Anxiety (HAMDA) score values, with the advantage that there were no side effects with the Hypericum medication (17).”

              Back to Top

“Another accepted use of herbal drugs is for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Germans spend approximately 250 million deutsche marks (wholesale price) per year on prostate remedies, whereas in the United States, surgical treatment is the gold standard in urology. In Germany, many urologists believe that treatment should not target primarily benign prostatic hyperplasia as such, but only the associated symptoms, especially the distressing symptoms of obstructive and irritative urination (1). In the last 10 years, many clinical and pharmacologic studies have confirmed the observations made when extracts of Urtica root, Serenoa repens fruits (saw palmetto), Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin) seeds, and Hypoxis rooperi were used to treat prostate symptoms (1). The Sabal, Cucurbita, and Hypoxis drugs; sterins; and other lipids have been suggested to be responsible for the antiinflammatory and cell proliferation-inhibiting effect of the extracts. Similar positive effects observed with Urtica extracts may be caused by a synergism of polar compounds such as UDA and polysaccharides (18). In recent years, Echinacea preparations have developed into the best selling herbal immunostimulants for the adjuvant therapy of recurrent infections of the respiratory and urinary tracts and for the prevention and therapy of common colds and flu (19). Thorough phytochemical investigations have revealed cichoric acid, alkylamides, and polysaccharides to be the putative major active principles responsible for the enhancement effect on the unspecific immune system (7). Six clinical studies performed with Echinacea preparations, reviewed by a meta-analysis, have confirmed the therapeutic efficacy, but further investigations are necessary to find the optimal dosage and application form (20). The list of herbal drugs that have been intensively investigated in the last 10 years by phytochemists, pharmacologists, and clinicians includes Silybum marianum (milk thistle), Allium sativum (garlic), Viscum album (mistletoe), Piper methysticum (Kava-Kava), Harpagophytum procumbens, Aesculus hippocastanum (horse chestnut), and Valeriana officinalis. Clinical studies have been performed for these phytopreparations (1).”

 

“Other than the clinical proof of efficacy, several new scientific findings have arisen from the many pharmacologic and clinical investigations that have been performed with the various phytopreparations. They provide insight to the mechanism of action of herbal drugs, which in many respects differs from that of synthetic drugs. The new findings can be summarized as follows: “

Back to Top

“Phytopreparations are applicable primarily for the treatment of moderate or moderately severe diseases. This limitation is often designated "for stage or grade I and II" of any disease. In addition phytopreparations can also be used as adjuvants in combination with a strongly acting chemosynthetic drug.”

 

“The positive clinical results obtained with phytopreparations fully justify this type of classification.”    

 

“As shown in several comparative clinical trials (21), several phytopreparations that were selected according to the above criteria showed full therapeutic equivalence with chemotherapeutics and had no adverse effects. “

 

 “If one compares the concentrations of the active compounds of an herbal drug with those of a strongly acting chemotherapeutic drug, it is evident that most phytopreparations exert their effects at a much lower concentration. The ratio can be 1:10 or more. This difference can be explained by potentiating synergistic effects caused by the various compounds in a raw herbal drug or extract when no interactions between the several compounds are likely or when interactions can be excluded on the basis of pharmacologic experiments. The measurement of synergistic effects can be made with a two-component mixture of substances according to the isobol method of Berenbaum (22), but it is not applicable for herbal extracts. Therefore, an indirect method using the results of clinical trials can be used: for example, if 1 g of a plant extract containing a total amount of 1% bioactive compounds (approximately 10 mg) is found to be therapeutically equivalent to approximately 100 mg of a synthetic substance at a given equal indication (as evidenced in a clinical trial), the bioactive compounds of the extract may possess polyvalent activities and exhibit a synergistic (potentiating or overadditive) pharmacologic effect. This conclusion is justified if the single components of the bioactive compounds alone have very low pharmacologic activities. Furthermore, it must be concluded that the activities of the single components are directed against different pharmacologic targets. In this context, it should not be assumed that a 5- to 10-fold potentiation of an overall pharmacologic effect is caused only by an increased solubility and by the enhanced oral uptake of the compounds of the extract by the gut.”

                                                 Back to Top

“Another phenomenon observed for many phytopreparations is dose-dependent pharmacologic or therapeutic reversal effects if the same preparations are applied at high and very low doses. For example, the cytostatically acting vincristine, which usually is applied in vivo in milligram concentrations, can activate the nonspecific immune system in minute (microgram or nanogram) quantities (23). “

 

“Many phytopreparations exhibit no immediate pharmacologic or therapeutic effects and achieve their optimal efficacy only after long-term treatment. This effect has been demonstrated in an in vivo study with a Crataegus extract, which resulted in an increase in myocardial blood circulation only after a 3-week application (24).”

 

“These new findings need a scientific explanation, especially where the mechanisms of action and possible interactions are concerned. There is a general consensus that these described phenomena, which at present have no rationale, must be elucidated by thorough and systematic research at a molecular level.”

 

Note: In above paper, that “Many phytopreparations exhibit no immediate pharmacologic or therapeutic effects and achieve their optimal efficacy only after long-term treatment” maybe caused by following reasons:

Back to Top

Lack of potentiating synergistic effects by adding more bioactive constituents from other drugs, just as the principle of compound prescription of TCM.

 

Insufficient in drugs’ dose. Many natural drugs are no poisons and dose-dependent, which allowing to be used in a higher dose.

 

The therapeutic mechanism of the natural drugs is regulatory rather than allopathic, so that the effect only appeared after the overall physical condition being regulated back to normal. This point is the main advantage of natural drugs.

 

4.2. Multi-Factorial Cognitive Disorders

 

Herbal Contributions to the Management of the Multi-Factorial Cognitive Disorders—Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia

 

“Purpose: Multi-factorial disorders of cognition such as Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia are increasing as the general population ages. The small number of drugs currently approved for the treatment of such disorders provide palliative and temporary benefit with only modest efficacy; thus, it stands to reason that alternative approaches should be explored.”

 

“Method: Certain plants and plant derivatives are currently under study for their effects on memory and other domains of cognition. These plants and the compounds derived from them have minimal adverse effects and have multi-functional properties (anti-oxidant, pro-cholinergic, antiplatelet aggregation, amyloid beta peptide inhibiting) with relevant application in the treatment of dementia and other cognitive impairment. This paper reviews four herbal medicines (Ginkgo biloba, Bacopa monniera, Huperzine Alpha, and Vinpocetine) with varying degrees of proven benefit for the treatment of dementias and other cognitive impairment.”

                                   Back to Top

“Results and Conclusions: These herbal medicines are promising alternative or adjunct treatment modalities. The plants or plant derivatives discussed here have, in many cases, proven to be equally or more effective than conventional drug therapy in the treatment of dementia.”

 

4.3. Psychiatric disorders

 

4.3.1. Therapeutic effects of herbal extracts and constituents in animal models of psychiatric disorders

 

“A search for novel pharmacotherapy from medicinal plants for psychiatric illnesses has progressed significantly in the past decade. This is reflected in the large number of herbal preparations for which psychotherapeutic potential has been evaluated in a variety of animal models. The objective of this review is to provide an overview of herbal extracts and constituents that have significant therapeutic effects in animal models of psychiatric illnesses.” 

 

“Eighty five individual herbs reviewed were classified as anxiolytic, antidepressant, neuroleptic, antidementia, or anti-substance abuse herbs. The full scientific name of each herb, herbal part used, active constituent, extract, dose range and route, animal model, possible mechanisms of action, and pertinent references are presented via synoptic tables. The herbal mixtures were also mentioned. A considerable number of herbal constituents whose behavioral effects and pharmacological actions have been well characterized may be good candidates for further investigations that may ultimately result in clinical use.”

Back to Top

“The investigation of a large portion of the herbal extracts and herbal mixtures is in its infancy. Herbal remedies that have demonstrable psychotherapeutic activities have provided a potential to psychiatric pharmaceuticals and deserve increased attention in future studies.”

 

4.3.2. A Review of Herbal Medicines for Psychiatric Disorders  


”OBJECTIVE: This review examines herbs commonly used for psychiatric symptoms—St. John's wort, kava, ginkgo biloba, and valerian.

 

METHODS: MEDLINE was searched for articles related to the use of herbs in psychiatry published after 1990. A secondary search examined sources cited in articles obtained from the MEDLINE search.”

 

“RESULTS: Of nine controlled and standardized trials of St. John's wort, five showed the herb's superiority to placebo, and four found no differences in effectiveness when compared with antidepressant drugs. The pharmacologically active components are not known. Several double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have demonstrated the anxiolytic efficacy of kava, but these studies had ill-defined patient populations, small sample sizes, and short treatment duration. All but one of 40 controlled trials of ginkgo extracts in the treatment of dementia found clinically significant improvement in memory loss, concentration, fatigue, anxiety, and depressed mood. Most studies of gingko had poorly defined patient populations and small sample sizes and used nonstandard measures. A recent well-designed multicenter study showed significantly less decline in cognitive function among patients with dementia receiving gingko. Valerian has been shown to decrease sleep latency and nocturnal awakenings and improve subjective sleep quality, but placebo effects were marked in some studies, and in some cases the beneficial effects were not seen until two to four weeks of therapy.”

Back to Top

“CONCLUSIONS: Although evidence of the efficacy of herbal preparations in treating psychiatric conditions is growing, translating the results of efficacy studies into effective treatments for patients is hampered by the chemical complexity of the products, the lack of standardization of commonly available preparations, and the paucity of well-controlled studies.”

 

5. The global trend on CM

 

Nowadays everyone realized that if they do not have a health body, he or she could not enjoy the colorful life. People are paying much concern on health increasingly. Since Western drug’s deadly inverse effects, more and more people are seeking hope from alternative medicine.

 

Among the existing alternative approaches, Chinese Medicine has been taking a dominant role because that only it has an independent Medicine Theory with many therapeutic approaches and rich in the resources of natural drugs. No doubt, that Chinese medicine will play more and more important role in oncoming alternatives waves.

 

In many countries, CM market is growing rapidly. The Cuba is the best one among them.

                                                             

Cuba has been suffering embargo for a long time and is lacking medical essentials, but they made a miracle with their universal health care, and gained high reputations worldwide, and were praised by some world’s authorities.

Back to Top

Learn from Cuba, said so of the World Bank.

 

Cuba, Colombia, Chile and Costa Rica are the Latin American countries with the best health systems, said so of the WHO.

 

Dr. Luis Popa Salcedo has been working as a Cuban Provincial Director of Public Health lasting 21 years, who commented that, "Chinese Traditional Medicine was incorporated into our system as an efficient and useful therapeutic tool. We use it because it works. As people see its effects for chronic degenerative diseases, the demand is growing; and it is not a high cost therapy. Our death rates have dropped for asthma, diabetes, hypertension, cerebro- and cardiovascular diseases. Out of 140 doctors in our province, 130 have been trained in acupuncture by the 36 physicians who were already skilled specialists in this area."

                                                            

The articleCuba’s Green Revolutionhas vividly described the herbal medicine in Cuba.

 

David Picard also said in his paper THE RISE of traditional Chinese medicine, “Increasingly, companies are looking to TCM as a source of innovation. The economic incentives are clear.”

                                                             

November 05, 2003, reported that Pfizer Inc. will soon set up a regional headquarters and clinical trial centre in Shanghai China.  

 

November 01, 2005, reported that Pfizer Inc. has opened a research and development facility in Shanghai to offer drug development support capabilities and biometric expertise to China and the surrounding Asian region.

Back to Top

November 06, 2006, reported that Swiss Novartis AG announced plans for a US$100 million integrated research and development center in Shanghai. “The company already has a partnership with a local research institute, the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, and collaborates with a local drug manufacturer,Wuxi PharmaTech Co.”

 

In the western countries, governments took strict regulations to control the medicine market. One of them dictates that every constituent and its therapeutic effect must be clear for the compound medicine. This is a big barrier for the Chinese drug since that of even a single herb is a compound too, and the constituents were varied from different producing area and even reaping season. So it is not easy to make clear every constituent and their therapeutic effect exactly.

 

Due to the above problems, World Health Organization (WHO), European Community (UC), United States (US), Canada and many other countries have issued some Guidance or policies for promoting the use of traditional medicine. They suggested that although the constituents and therapeutic mechanism are not very clear in some traditional medicine, since it has exact therapeutic effect and safe, which has been proven by long time use clinically. These policies allow it to enter medicine market.

 

FDA accepted the idea of traditional Chinese medicine idea

 

WHO -- Strategy for Traditional Medicine 2002-2005.

E.C.----- DIRECTIVE 2004/24/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending, as regards traditional herbal medicinal products, Directive 2001/83/EC on the Community code relating to medicinal products for human use.

U.S. ----- Guidance for Industry Botanical Drug Products.

Canada - About Natural Health Product Regulation

Back to Top

6. Natural OTC drugs                                     

 

Nowadays, the people doctor them self is increasing because of searching medical knowledge easily on the Internet. We should make effort to meet the needs of those people by substantially increasing the number of OTC drugs. Thus, there will be a lot of benefits. For example, the patients can get required drugs conveniently and thereby can alleviate the pressure of the shortage in doctors. Also avoid that some patients can not get treatment on time due to they dare not to see a doctor for some secret diseases, such as, sexually transmitted disease, and mental diseases, etc.

 

Moreover, it is necessary to increase the number of instant drugs for changing the way of drug administration. For example: the instant sublingual drugs. As much as possible to make the therapeutic constituents go directly into the systemic circulation to reduce the harm for gut and liver by avoiding first-pass effect. It is not only to make the drug take effect in minutes, but also will largely reduce the lost of therapeutic effect of drugs and thereby being able to reduce the dose and the side effect.

 

Because the most diseases are syndrome, although the main symptoms are same, however, the side symptoms may be very different between the individual patients. The Chinese drug is used differently according to the TCM theory, thereby it is difficult to make Chinese drug in OTC. The most of TCM practitioner, whom only searches the medical information from the old TCM books, would refuse to give a formula to be used in OTC drugs, because that in TCM have no concept of pharmacological and bioactive constituent at all. However, the modern pharmacological researches on Chinese drugs have provided a good condition for this aims. Suppose that make those modern research results integrating with the principle of the compound prescription of TCM, we do certainly can make good natural OTC drugs by the same materials from the Chinese drugs.

Back to Top

Also, we can make some natural preparations to be used for preventative purpose. Who can prevent the heavy onset of disease ahead by taking those preparations in case of feeling a slight ill symptom?

 

On other hand, we can make some natural OTC drugs as anti-aging purpose. We knew that increases with the age, the organs and immune function of human body will be gradually degraded. We can regularly eat some Chinese drugs to slow down the aging process.

 

I believe that natural health products would become a part of daily diet with health enhancing purposes to help us get free from many diseases in the near future.

 

The rocket of worldwide market for Chinese drug is ready for launching. It only needs a gentle trigger.

 

7. Drug mates 

  Drug-mate is made by natural Chinese drugs to be used with synthetic drugs together or to integrate two kind drugs together directly.

  The purpose is to reduce the side effect and enhance the positive effect of synthetic drugs by the advantage of overall improvement of Chinese drugs.

  In this process, Chinese drugs play a role to fix the damages caused by the side effect of synthetic drugs to exert the both advantages of synthetic one taking the effect strong and quick targeting on the diseases but with bad side effect and the natural one taking the effect on general improvement quickly but targeting on diseases slowly, thereby to improve the life quality of patients and shorten the treatment duration.

  More significant is that those market-recalled synthetic drugs with serious side effects may be reused again. The key is to control the safe duration when using, better to use them as first aid. Thereby to increase the therapeutic available and reduce the waste of huge cost on their development.

Recommended Reading:

Chinese Medicine on A H1N1 Flu 2009

Chinese Medicine and Cells Regeneration

Recover Mental Disorders by Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine on Wound Healing

Chinese Medicine can Reduce Stress

Chinese Medicine can Improve Sleep

Chinese Medicine and Sexual Function

Chinese Medicine and Heart Disease

Chinese Medicine and immune system

Chinese Medicine - A Promising Therapeutic Approach-1

Daoism - The Philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine

8…The treatment of some chronic diseases by Traditional Chinese Medicine

Sep 27, 2016, Health minister vows to do more than just 'open the federal wallet' - CBC: Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott says she has an obligation to do more than "simply open up the federal wallet," as she negotiates a new health care accord with the provinces. She is under pressure from the provinces and territories to increase the annual general health transfer. Next year, the annual increase in that federal envelope of money will drop to 3 per cent from 6 per cent.

In a speech at Queen's University in Kingston, faced with the audience of medical students and health policy experts, Jane Philpott said that: "Some insist that the problem facing Canadian medicare is a lack of money, and they decry the fact that the future growth rate of the Canada Health Transfer will be brought more in line with the growth rate of our economy,"

Philpott said the facts do not support the idea that what the health system needs most is more cash.

"I'm convinced that we have an obligation as a government of Canada, for example, to do more than simply open up the federal wallet."

She said the federal government is committed to giving the provinces more money, but "we must ensure that new money doesn't simply inflate health systems, but helps to put health care on the road to long-term sustainability."

Philpott said that means driving innovation and making the health care system better.

In a 40-minute speech, Philpott highlighted a number of areas she believes need improvement, from home care and mental health, to e-health records.

She said "Patients with severe mental illness often face long waits to get access to specialists. Others who require counseling or therapy may have private insurance coverage, but most have to pay out-of-pocket, or more often, try to manage without.”

In viewing that Mental illness costs Canadian economy $50 billion per year, we should develop a cheaper and easy alternative therapy.

In which regard, the botanical OTC drugs based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine will play a leading role.

                                                                                                                   Back to Top

8.1…Natural Medicine based on the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine

 Western Medicine (WM) takes Reductionism as philosophical guidance in viewing human body as the assembly of non - living parts.

The philosophical limitation has misled WM into plight in treating diseases no matter in Communicable or Non-communicable, such as, AIDS, super-bugs and Cancer. As seeking new way out, WM has to develop toward Holistic approach with the development of System Biology and Evidence-Based Medicine, which means that philosophy of WM is turning toward Holism from Reductionism.

The Holism is similar as Daoism – a Philosophy has been conducting Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years.

June 16 2013, in article Daoism - The Philosophy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I indicate that

Daoism views everything in the world is the unity of opposites, both sides are in the state of the opposite and unity with self-dynamic equilibrium.

As similar way, it views human body as an organic whole that all components are closely interacted in the state of self-dynamic equilibrium. A well-balanced human body will form an effective self-defense system that can handle the most of pathogenic agents. So that the treatments of TCM do not directly target on pathogenic but to bring back the natural balance – the balance of Yin and Yang.    

In past thousands years, TCM has identified about 11,146 plants, 1581 animals and 80 minerals as medicinal use, and accumulated about 100 thousands of experience-based formulas, which covering almost all known diseases. By the methods of modern biopharmaceutical technology of Western Medicine, based on the experience-based formulas, China’s scientists have developed many OCT drugs in the forms of injections and tablets.

Modern studies from the level of molecular, protein and gene found Chinese natural drugs containing a wide range of bioactive constituents. Some of them have therapeutic effect that is similar to that of synthetic ones in killing the pathogenic agents directly, and some of them have nutritional effect that is similar to that of Orthomolecular Medicine coined by Linus Pauling who was two times Nobel Laureates. For ill-weak patients, nutrition is even more important than that of drugs. I think that this is the unique advantages of natural drugs, and also it is the unique advantages of TCM.

Some of Chinese drugs can improve human immunity by boosting the weight gains of immune organs, increasing the number and activity of the phagocytes, NK cells and so on. Therefore, in subjective viewing, TCM is to regulate the physical Yin-Yang balance, but in objective actual, the process of the regulations plays a role of improving the immune function, then the pathogenic agents to be killed by enhanced immune system.

The significant one of the characteristics of TCM is the compound formula, i.e., for the same patient, one time drug dose with a variety of different medicines (botanicals). This way can play a synergistic effect, which is to enhance the therapeutic effect with offsetting side-effects of each other.

For the botanicals, minerals and others that TCM have been used, any of them is the compound in ingredients. They coexist of a variety of Chemical element and substance molecular.

The research report Plant Nutrient 'Cocktail' Kills Breast Cancer Cells indicates the researchers tested six known protective chemical nutrients from turmeric, soybeans, broccoli, grapes and tea. Individually, they were ineffective against cancer. But combined, they suppressed breast cancer cell growth in the lab by more than 80 percent, and eventually triggered the process leading to cell death.

The researcher Dr. Madhwa Raj points out that all the ingredients in the cocktail come from foods people eat every day, but at much higher levels than they could possibly get from their diet. He has established a bio-tech start-up company to bring the super-cocktail to market as a nutritional supplement for breast health, which does not require approval from the Food and Drug Administration - FDA.

The report provides us two facts:

1. A Modern scientific proof for the correctness of Ancient unscientific compound formula of TCM. We may say that Modern Western civilization proved the wisdom of Ancient Eastern civilization.

2. The nutritional supplement does not require approval from the FDA - the world's No.1 authority in medical regulation. It means that for the natural medicinal beverages with no market barrier legally.

Other advantage is the natural OTC drugs and Medical-Functional Beverage are all in line with the global trend that is of the new health conscious of the people with new understanding for health and paying more attention on the health-keeping with diseases-preventing in advance.

The inadequate healthcare resources and deadly side effect of Western Medicine are pushing people to seek medical alternatives with producing new demands with shaping new market. 

From above, we may clearly understand that health functional products based on the materials of natural botanicals under the guidance of the theory of TCM will be welcomed and profitable in broader market.

                                                                                                                   Back to Top

8.2…The mental disorders are caused by brain atrophy

Health Minister Jane Philpott appeals that "Patients with severe mental illness often face long waits to get access to specialists. Others who require counseling or therapy may have private insurance coverage, but most have to pay out-of-pocket, or more often, try to manage without."

It is significant that find out an effective and cheaper treatment approach that will be affordable by paying out-of-pocket.

July 29, 2012, in article Recover Mental Disorders by Chinese Medicine, I indicate that:

Recent years, scientists have learnt more clearly about human brain structure and work mechanism. Our brain is an extraordinarily complex organ that is made up of many different structures. More evidences have showed that various mental disorders are connected with abnormality or atrophy in brain. For instance:

Depression – Neuroimaging studies have shown abnormalities in regions of the medial and the lateral prefrontal cortex, the limbic system and basal ganglia.” “Apparent shrinkage of a part of the temporal lobe called the hippocampus, which is critical for memory”. Identified neurophysiological abnormalities in multiple areas of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), the amygdala, and related parts of the striatum and thalamus.

Schizophrenia - Many researches have made clear that heavy atrophy has occurred in the brain of psychotics. The best research job did by Paul M. Thompson’s team In University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Over a span of five-years, they did MRI scans for the brains of 12 teenagers diagnosed with schizophrenia and 12 mental healthy teens. They found that even those who took anti-psychotic medicine, the loss of gray matter with schizophrenia was much greater than that of healthy teens. Patients with chronic schizophrenia displayed bilateral hippocampal volume reduction. Patients with first-episode schizophrenia but not schizophreniform psychosis displayed left hippocampal volume reduction. The patients with schizophrenia had less activation of the right dorsolateral and anterior prefrontal cortex, right anterior cingulate, and left lateral temporal cortex during word encoding, compared with the healthy comparison subjects.

Researchers have made clear that the schizophrenia is a brain disease activated by stress.

Professor Robin Murray, a leading psychiatrist, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, said: “That the environmental components are biological, migration and social adversity seem also to contribute to the incidence of schizophrenia. That people who live in cities have a higher incidence than people who live in the country, and that migrant has a much higher incidence. Such as in UK Caribbean migrants have an incidence at least six times that of the host white population.”

Here was powerful evidence that brain disease was activated by stress, it was that one of twins was onset of Schizophrenia and other one was in health. 

Institute of Psychiatry, University of London has been tracking 160 identical twins. Among them, Sean was ill and his older brother Stephen kept in health, both showed in a documentary of US Discovery Channel, namely Schizophrenia Stolen Lives Stolen Minds.

They had enjoyed their happy boyhood together. Sean’s talent had let him enter an England top art school. At 20, he was designing an award winning logo for a prestige Graphics Design Company in London, Britain. It was schizophrenia that made his mind and his life collapsed.

For being identical twins, Sean and Stephen have same Gene and brain. However, only Sean was ill. So it must have some difference between the brothers non-physically. We can easily find the difference from Sean’s talks. That was the challenging job that gave Sean stress, such as task deadline. This is the main source of the psychological stress and the possible psychotic inducement for Sean’s ill.

Many cases have showed that the most psychotic sufferers are the genius youth. And many creative geniuses are the sufferers of bipolar on a historical view. So that some people questioned that: Is Bipolar The Root Of Genius.

In as much as the most of psychotics are the gifted youth and stress played an important role on their pathogenesis, we should seek the psychotic inducement from the differences between the genius brain and normal brain.

The obvious difference is the thinking speed between the genius brain and the normal brain. The first one is much faster than that of second one. It just likes the work efficiency of the CPU in computer, that the Intel 80686 is much faster than the Intel 80286 when processing the same tasks.

Everything has two sides, while the gifted kids enjoy their talent and outstanding, they were also threatened by the potential negative effect, which is under the same psychological stress that the negative impact is stronger for them than that of normal one, and the impairment on brain is heavier for them than that of the normal one. These may damage the normal way of the brain's thinking and cause mental disorders.

On other hand, the untalented youth are rare to take challenging tasks; therefore, they have lesser chance to suffer heavy psychological stress.

Sean said, if he does not take the medicine he might be locked. He strongly hopes to return to normal. His older brother Stephen’s life was affected deeply, too. He has lost his job at the time when Sean’s starting onset of schizophrenia and has been accompanying ill Sean. Stephen worried very much about that he has high chance to get the same illness as his younger brother’s.

They are the common representative for the psychotic sufferers and families. We should help them get out of the sad situation as soon as possible.

Antipsychotic Drugs: currently the dominant antipsychotic approaches are the atypical antipsychotic drugs. The best one is Zyprexa. It mediates through a combination of dopamine and serotonin type 2 (5HT2) antagonism to control the symptom such as hallucination, acousma, and mania effectively. However, it cannot control the brain atrophy continuously. Make the most patients keep in sleepy, emotionless and behavior abnormally. So the patients cannot go back to society.

Also it has some heavy side effects, such as cerebrovascular adverse events, hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, hemodynamic effectsheart attack and so on.  

Orthomolecular medicine:  it conceptualized by double Nobel laureate, Linus Pauling in his paper Orthomolecular Psychiatry of 1967. That is the practice of optimizing health and treating disease by providing correct amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, essential fatty acids and other substances which are natural to the body’s environment.

In the early 20th century, some doctors hypothesized that vitamins could cure disease, and supplements were prescribed by megadoses in the 1930s. In the early 1950s, a few psychiatrists began adding massive doses of nutrients to their treatment of severe mental problems. The original substance was vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid or nicotinamide), and the therapy was termed "megavitamin therapy." Later the treatment regimen was expanded to include other vitamins, minerals, hormones, and diets, any of which may be combined with conventional drug therapy and electroshock treatments. A few hundred physicians now use this approach to treat a variety of conditions, both mental and physical.

Nowadays, the Vitamins, Minerals and other dietary supplements are easy to buy from shops or pharmacies that are locating anywhere world widely. It showed the success of Orthomolecular Medicine.

                                                                                                                   Back to Top

8.3…A psychotic with 10 years in illness cured by Chinese drugs

8.3.1…The symptoms before and after treatment

A Chinese male in his 35, onset schizophrenia at 17, cured in a short time.

After finishing 2 years high school, 4 years university and 2 years works, he recrudesced and lived in the nursing home for about 10 years. Maintained by 20 mg Zyprexa and slept 15-16 hours daily. Sometimes he went out, did not come back.

April 2003, in a grocery store in Toronto, I met him and his father.

At that time, his father has taken him out of nursing home for a couple of months, since the father has retired. When I said something to the son, he was scared with "no, no" in mandarin and went backward. I was surprised by his response and stared at the father with wondering.

The father introduced some symptoms of his son in despair: don’t laugh, don’t cry, don’t watch TV, don’t listen to music, don’t take a bath and don’t brush teeth -- do nothing beside eating and sleeping. He worried that nobody would take care of his son after his leaving this world.

I told the father that Chinese drug (natural herbal preparation) can help his son, and I can prepare and donate this kind of drug. The father accepted my advice with suspected expression.

I knew that he was not fully confident of my drug, because he did not found any recovered case by constantly information searching. However, he knew that Chinese drug is safe and also he has been tormented by desperation for his son’s treatment. He was just like a person in deep water hoping rescue -- even a piece of floating straw would be taken as a life-saving hope.

I supervised the father daily by telephone. In the first 2 days, the son slept heavier, increased nearly 2 hours than that of before, and then decreased day by day, after a week, slept 10-11 hours daily. The surprising is that his emotion came back again after taking my drug only several days. He showed himself as a normal person. Talk, laugh, watch TV, listen to music, and do some housework willingly.

About 1 month later, the father phoned me with happiness: "your drug is wonderful, recently my son always ask me the meaning of English words those he saw on the tools or on the wall along street." His son could search English words meaning by electronic dictionary installed on computer, which he showed his son how to use once only. More surprising was that his son knew more English words than those of he ever told. His son has recalled some English words that he had studied in high school and university. The father also asked me to help him, because his son wanted to open the computer to see inside.

For a trial, I suggested sending him for shopping vegetable and fruits, meanwhile, to check some item's price. He did successfully.

After 2 months, the son wanted to know more new things eagerly. The father was bored by son's endless questions. I suggested that send his son to study English in school. The purpose was for further therapy psychologically from contacting other people. Meanwhile that will improve his communicating ability in English and prepare to get his life back on track in society to enjoy his young life. He had his son registered in English school.

At first 2 weeks, the father accompanied his son to go to school, and then the son went to school alone every day happily.

In addition, on my request, the father had his son's blood tested and the results were good, also lowered the dose of Zyprexa from 20mg to 15mg daily. I think that Zyprexa should be decreased gradually, otherwise may harm the son’s health.

                                                                                                                   Back to Top

8.3.2…The therapeutic mechanism analysis

Although no one checked the son's brain until now, but his behavior has told us that his brain was atrophied before and was restored after taking herbal medicine. So his behavior improved from abnormal to normal, from inactive to active, from doing nothing to doing some housework and studying English in school.

If we could scan his brain by MRI, we would see the brain growth day by day. Dream came true. A miracle was created.

Now many researchers found that human’s nerve cell could regenerate in certain circumstances.

Powerful evidence is Terry Wallis, who has been in coma since a car accident in 1984, has regained consciousness and cognitive abilities such as his speech in 2003. By MRI scans on Wallis's brain over a span of 18 months, found growth of new neural processes in the part of the brain that controls movement.

Chinese medicine improved the psychotic symptom in short time, showed it has strong therapeutic effect for the regeneration of brain cell and make atrophied brain being restored quickly.  

In above herbal preparation, every component was used for a long time in China. Some were last hundreds years, some even thousands years. No side effects were reported. It is safe not only in dose (large or small) but also in taking term (longer or shorter), which was proven by the researches of modern pharmacological and long time massive application clinically.

Compound preparation with dozens of Chinese drugs can reduce the negative effects of psychological stress largely, because it can alleviate the stress symptoms by releasing endorphins, decreasing the stress hormone cortisol, eliminating the oxygen free radicals, lowering the blood pressure, reducing the heart rate, relaxing the muscle tissue, improving the digestion, improving the sleep and relieving the psychotic symptoms. More important is that it can take the vasodilator effect to improve the macro- and micro-circulation, and thereby accelerate the restoration of the atrophied brain by enhanced supply of oxygen and nutrition.

Chinese drugs can relieve the side effects of anti-psychotic drugs. Improve the medication compliance, life quality, and help patients recover early.

Chinese drugs are not only having the all ingredients of the Orthomolecular medicine also having many unique medicinal constituents that are similar to the Western drugs in therapeutic effect with lesser side effect.

Psychotic is a disease that is sensitive to the psychological stress, some can recover without therapy when the psychological stress was relieved and some can recover by taking placebo. So it is hard to say the effect of any drug. I think that the best way to examine a drug whether effective is to treat a patient who is in the psychotic symptom at least more than one year and mental retarded, just like above young man that have lasted 10 years in psychotic status. It is long enough for proving the positive effect of Chinese drug.

The misfortune is that the most of psychotic are gifted youth. We can imagine how their parents were struck psychologically when their beloved children were diagnosed as psychotic. Their child was fostered by a lot of effort with putting a lots hope that parents were unable realized. But now, their beloved-kid is just like when a baby bird’s outspreading its wing toward the immense air, the wings were suddenly broken helplessly. Also just like a bud protruded its head against the soil barely, was struck by hailstone storm. For a family it is the most tragic experience.

In fact, among the fruits of human civilization that we have been enjoying, some were invented by psychotic brains. Chinese medicine can restore the damaged genius’ brains and make them continue to exert their talent. It will be a great contribution to the development of human civilization.

The above case is an example that demonstrated the amazing therapeutic effect of Chinese drug, which also demonstrated that I’m proficient in using Chinese drug. Although it is only one case, however the young man was in psychotic lasting ten years, and had heavy retarded mentally. His specific situation is sufficient enough to rule out the possibility of any other therapeutic factors besides Chinese drug.

I have strong confidence to help more psychotics recover as well as before by Chinese drug, and send the happiness back to their families. Also I can clone the case to other diseases, with changing ingredients of compound preparation according to patient’s specific symptoms. 

                                                                                                                   Back to Top

8.3.3…My confidence to help more psychotics

My confidence to help more psychotics based on following condition

A. I’ve learnt more about Chinese medicine associated with various diseases, which came from more than 37 years studying constantly. I have accumulated nearly 4 Gb data related with TCM, include royal court secret recipe, patent documents, clinical trial papers that published on professional magazine and some new research results in modern biochemistry.

B. For each Chinese drug to be used, I’ve made clear their bioactive constituents, positive effect, negative effect and integrating effect when they were used together. Most above information cannot be gotten from traditional books in TCM, but can only get from new research results with modern biochemical and pharmacological means. Also this is why the old practitioners in TCM could not treat disease quickly and accurately. Even for a general illness that the prescription needs to be adjusted from time to time.

C. Take the advantages of compound prescription of TCM, treat patient on different symptom at the same time by putting different Chinese drug together to enhance each other’s therapeutic effects, eliminate each other’s side effects.

D. Chinese drug can supply some essential nutrients for patients. The vitamins and minerals are important nutrients, especially for patients whose digestion ability was lowered by suffering illness.

                                                                                                                   Back to Top

8.4…To rescue depression by Traditional Chinese Medicine

8.4.1…The harsh reality that Canada is suffering in diseases of depression

Sept. 1, 2016, report Unmet Mental Health Care Needs Costing Canadian Economy Billions said that: Depression and anxiety cost the Canadian economy at least $32.3 billion a year and $17.3 billion a year, respectively, in foregone GDP due to lost productivity, according to a new report from The Conference Board of Canada’s Canadian Alliance for Sustainable Health Care.

“A large proportion of working Canadians have unmet mental health care needs that prevent them from performing to their utmost and our report shows this has serious consequences for the Canadian economy,” said Louis Thériault, Vice-President, Public Policy, The Conference Board of Canada. “Improving treatment of mental illness among working Canadians would offer significant benefits for individuals, businesses, society and the economy.”

Depression and anxiety cost the Canadian economy at least $32.3 billion a year and $17.3 billion a year, respectively.

A large proportion of working Canadians have unmet mental health care needs that prevent them from working full-time or part-time.

Almost a quarter of Canadians living with a mental illness are unable to work because of their symptoms.

Employers can improve the treatment of anxiety and/or depression among employed Canadians by facilitating access to evidence-based benefits, programs and supports.

In Canada, it is estimated that mental illness can affect workplace functioning. If all employees living with depression/anxiety had access to better treatments and supports, then workplace functioning would improve significantly. Mental illness can also prevent some people from entering the workforce. If all these Canadians had access to better treatments and supports, the economy may see up to 352,000 Canadians with depression/anxiety enter the workforce as fully functional employees each year until 2035. Taken together, this could potentially boost Canada’s economy by up to $32.3 billion a year from improved treatment of depression and $17.3 billion a year from anxiety treatment.

Employees in services-producing industries feel they have the greatest need for mental health care. About 2.5 million employees in the services sector feel some sort of mental health care is required. Industries that have the highest proportion of employees with unmet mental health needs, include:

administrative support and waste management (44.4 per cent)

accommodation and food services (43.8 per cent); and

professional, and scientific and technical services (42.9 per cent).

Organizations can improve the treatment of anxiety and/or depression among employed Canadians by facilitating access to evidence-based benefits, programs and supports. Improved prevention strategies, both for new and recurrent onset of mental illness are also needed, along with effective return to work programs.

Healthy Brains At Work: Estimating the Impact of Workplace Mental Health Benefits and Programs is the third of a four-part series that explores the importance of addressing mental health and mental illnesses in Canadian workplaces.

This research was made possible through the financial support of Lundbeck Canada, Sun Life Financial, SCM Health Solutions, The Mental Health Commission of Canada, the Canadian Depression Research and Intervention Network, the Mood Disorders Society of Canada and The Conference Board of Canada’s Canadian Alliance for Sustainable Health Care (CASHC).

Sept. 1, 2016, article Depression, Anxiety Cost Canadian Economy Almost $50 Billion Per Year reports that: Improving the treatment of depression and anxiety could boost the economy by nearly $50 billion per year, the Conference Board of Canada said in a report released Thursday. The report said that almost 25 per cent of Canadians living with mental illness can't work due to their symptoms.

The Conference Board had numerous suggestions for improving workers' mental health.

They included providing employer-sponsored benefits such as coverage for prescription drugs, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), as well as paramedical services.

By contrast, the cost of keeping the status quo could be a big one.

If mental health keeps being treated the way it is now, the number of workers with a mental illness could grow from 1,020,500 in 2012 to 1,337,800 in 2035.http://s.huffpost.com/images/social/pin_icon_onhover.png

This is hardly the first study to examine the cost of mental health going untreated in the workplace.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that depression can lead to as many as five missed work days and 11.5 days of lower productivity every three months for a single employee.

In total, it can cost the U.S. as many as 200 million workdays per year and $17 to $44 billion in productivity.

All the more reason to take mental health seriously.

                                                                                                                   Back to Top

8.4.2…The magic effect of Chinese Medicine on depression

July 29, 2012, in article Chinese Medicine can Reduce Stress, I indicate that: Chinese drugs can reduce the negative effects of psychological stress largely by alleviating the stress symptoms by releasing endorphins, decreasing the stress hormone cortisol, eliminating the oxygen free radicals, lowering the blood pressure, reducing the heart rate, relaxing the muscle tissue, improving the digestion and sleeping, and bringing more fresh oxygen to body tissues by improving the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. This increased blood flow will eliminate the waste products from inside the body and enhance the nutrition supply to take an anti-aging effect.

Dec. 22, 2011, in the article Chinese Medicine and Cells Regeneration, I introduced that:

"Clinical practices have been demonstrating that Chinese medicine is superior to Western medicine in the treatment and prevention of brain disorders. Chinese Medicine can directly permeate through the blood-brain barrier into the brain to take the therapeutic effect in improving the state of hypoxic ischemic and metabolism. It will not only promote development of immature neurons, but also to repair the damaged nerve cells. Enhance the activity of nerve cells and restore the injured brain. Such as, Chinese medicines have very good therapeutic effect on the congenital cerebral palsy, sequela of cerebrovascular disease and traumatic brain injury as well as Alzheimer’s disease, etc."

"Chinese medicine contains various natural nutrients that are easily absorbed by our body, such as, amino acids, peptides, phospholipids and so on. So the treatment in Chinese medicine is able to generate magical effect that simply can not get in the treatment of medication or surgery in Western medicine. Chinese medicine is a kind of restorative treatment in the level of cell and gene, through providing nutrients for the damaged nerve cells, to promote residual neurons regeneration. Therefore the damaged function of the nerve system will be restored."

Promotion of nerve cell’s differentiation and development

"In vitro, vivo and clinical trials in the conditions of normal, hypoxic and glutamate damage, shows that Chinese medicine can increase cells’ activity, promote nerve cell’s differentiation and development. Inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells in the earlier, middle and later stage, which induced by hypoxic and glutamate damage."

Promotion of neuronal growth

"Neonatal rat’s dorsal root ganglia in serum-free culture, for the test group add the Chinese medicine in basic culture medium, control group add nothing. In the test group, the length of dorsal root ganglion cells neurites are (314 ± 43) μm. It is significantly larger than that of (76 ± 26) μm in control group. These results indicate that, in vitro, Chinese medicine can promote the growth of dorsal root ganglia and cerebral cortex neurons."

Activation of undifferentiated stem cells

"In the central nervous system, there are some undifferentiated stem cells. Chinese medicine possesses the ability to activate those stem cells to split and regenerate new cells. So that make the nerve cells be restored to normal levels from original absolutely decreased status."

"Ischemic injured Brain, after 7 days’ treatment of Chinese medicine, in ischemic injured area, found a great number of nestin expressions, this shows that Chinese medicine possesses a strong ability to promote the proliferation of adult neural stem cells in vivo.

The Experiments also observed that the functional recovery of patients’ limb is sync with the increase of nestin level. The results proved that the Chinese medicine can effectively promote the nestin expression. Therefore contribute to rebuild nerve tissue effectively after cerebral ischemia damage."

                                                                                                                   Back to Top

8.5…To cure Dementia by Traditional Chinese Medicine

According to National dementia research and prevention plan of the government of Canada, “the dementia is the loss of mental functions as a result of cell loss and connections in the brain breaking down over time, also called "neuro-degeneration." The symptoms can include: 1.The memory loss. 2. Impaired judgment and reasoning. 3.Changes in behavior, mood and communication capacities.”

“As dementia progresses, a person's ability to function diminishes and reaches a point where the patient becomes totally incapacitated.”

“There are many types of dementia, Alzheimer's disease being the most common type. Other forms of dementia include vascular dementia (when the brain cells are deprived of oxygen), Lewy body dementia (when abnormal deposits of the alpha-synuclein protein are found in the brain's nerve cells), frontotemporal dementia (a rare disorder that can occur at any age and affect the frontal and temporal loss of the brain), and dementia due to HIV, among others.”

According to Prevalence and Monetary Costs of Dementia in Canada: A Report by the Alzheimer Society of Canada (2016), “based on projections using the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (1994) data, as of 2016, there are an estimated 564,000 Canadians living with dementia. By 2031, this number is expected to rise to 937,000, an increase of 66 per cent. Of the current number of Canadians with dementia, more than 65 per cent are women.” 

“According to the National Population Health Study of Neurological Conditions (2014), the combined health-care system costs and out-of-pocket caregiver costs amounted to $10.4 billion in 2016. By 2031, this figure is expected to increase by 60 per cent, to $16.6 billion.”     

“Generally, costs for people with dementia are estimated to be five-and-half times greater than for those who do not have the disease. Home care and long-term care are the largest contributors to direct costs. In 2011, family caregivers provided 19.2 million unpaid hours of care. This number is projected to double by 2031.”

Modern study shows that Chinese medicine can help to treat dementia.

On the website of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine of the United States, there an article Traditional Chinese Medicine and Dementia said that: “Traditional Chinese medicine can help to treat a variety of the discomforts associated with Dementia. From acupuncture to herbal remedies, Chinese medicine practitioners have provided treatments for many of these situations for over two thousand years.”

Dec. 9, 2016, Baiyunshan Compound Salvia Research Center published research result of Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

7 years’ clinical trials proved that Compound Danshen tablets has a positive therapeutic effect in the treatment of vascular dementia and senile dementia. Studies have shown that botanical salvia miltiorrhiza can effectively improve the cognitive function of senile dementia animals. Studies have shown that earlier prevention and treatment for the early onset of senile dementia seems to be more effective measures. They suggest that susceptible people should take compound Danshen tablets as early intervention of Alzheimer's disease.

Oct. 23, 2016, a report in Mandarin said that a team led by Professor Liang Jing at Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology of UCLA found that botanical Hovenia Dulcis has effect in treating hangovers of alcoholism and Alzheimer’s disease.

They did two sets of experiments, using mice to simulate human alcoholism and drink syndrome. In the first group, let the mouse "drink into" a certain amount of alcohol in equivalent to drink 10 to 15 cans of beer in two hours, they immediately lost consciousness and physiological reflexes. After an hour, they gradually return to normal. However, when those mice received Hovenia Dulcis, the sensory and physiological reflexes recovered in about 15 minutes.

They also did a second set of experiments to test the effect of Hovenia Dulcis on alcohol addiction. They were pleasantly surprised to find that after taking Hovenia Dulcis, though those rats has been constantly drinking, but, there were no longer produce alcohol dependence.

The pharmacological principle is that through the nature of plasticity of nerve GABA receptor of brain inhibitory system, alcohol changes or reduces the function of the brain inhibitory regulatory system, known as toxic effects of alcohol. Hovenia Dulcis can reduce the toxic effects of alcohol on the receptor.

More amazing was the long-live promoting effect of Hovenia Dulcis.

In the experiment, Liang Jing team used two-year-old rats that were usually only 3 years of life span. However, after taking Hovenia Dulcis, the mice actually lived to 4 years old and still was in energetic without sign of the nature old was approaching.

With occupational sensitivity and understanding of the intrinsic link of nervous system, Liang Jing judged that Hovenia Dulcis should play a role in function of aging brain and even in disorders of senile brain.

Thus, Liang Jing eyes put on a chronic human disease: Alzheimer's disease.

At present, due to there is no positive effect drugs clinically in treatment of Alzheimer's disease, so it is considered to be non-preventable and cannot be cured. The sufferer of Alzheimer's disease can only "wait for death." In 2015, in the United States, the Alzheimer's disease patients estimated 5.3 million, of which 5.1 million is over 65 years old, while the global data is estimated at more than 44 million.

At present, the United States and other countries are launching a war to overcome Alzheimer's disease. By 2012, more than a thousand agencies have completed or are conducting clinical trials for Alzheimer's drugs. However, none of the trials have showed any clear evidence that these drugs would have delayed Alzheimer's disease, not to mention that reversed. It can be said that at present, the drug for effectively treatment of Alzheimer's disease is zero.

There is a protein in the brain that supports and establishes connections between neurons, known as the support protein - Gephyrin. The function of the support protein is like an information network. Liang Jing team firstly discovered a key pathological change in Alzheimer's disease, that amount of support protein reduced to less than 50 percent of normal volume. The normal human brain is like a big tree with luxuriant foliage. But the Alzheimer's patients, their brain is like dead branches. The original green leaf-like nerve connection became intermittent spots-like, looks like a pot of porridge.

The experiment was using test rats with Alzheimer's disease, the Hovenia Dulcis once again shows the therapeutic magic. The support protein in the brains of Alzheimer's disease gradually recovered to the normal level with the prolongation of administration time, and the recovery of nerve connection was accompanied by remarkable recovery of memory, cognitive ability and learning ability.

From the comparison of mouse brain slice photograph can clearly see that precipitation of amyloid protein in the brain was also obviously reduced. The slices of sick rats were gray, but, the slices were as fresh as healthy of the rats that have taken Hovenia Dulcis. Prof. Liang Jing said: "the function of Hovenia dulcis was equivalent to the scavenger, removed the dirt of brain and repaired its nervous system.

They developed a new product - SmartoOne as a dietary supplement, and obtained the FDA's permission. The initial results are encouraging, some patients have reversed the disease, and the intelligence test scores have improved. The patients regained ability for self drinking and eating. Cognitive ability was improved, such as that before cannot be completed narrative sentence, now can be completed. The symptoms in anxiety and mental onset also decreased.

They completed pathology studies and are still in pre-Clinic.

                                                                                      Back to Top

8.6…Chinese Medicine can Improve Sleep

This is the reedited-excerpt of my Dec. 21 2011 article Chinese Medicine can Improve Sleep.

Sep 15, 1989, the research Epidemiologic study of sleep disturbances and psychiatric disorders: an opportunity for prevention?  Reported that:

 Sleep disturbances have been linked to psychiatric illness, sleep apnea (arrested breathing while sleeping), emotional stress, cardiovascular disease, and even increased mortality. This study focused on the relationship between sleep disturbances and psychiatric disorders, because it was hypothesized that difficulty sleeping may be an early symptom of or conversely a cause of certain psychiatric illnesses.

If sleep problems had resolved by the second interview, new psychiatric illness was less likely to develop. The authors suggest that physicians could possibly prevent new or recurrent psychiatric disorders by diagnosing and addressing sleep complaints promptly.”  

Original Abstract of the report

As part of the National Institute of Mental Health Epidemiologic Catchment Area study, 7954 respondents were questioned at baseline and 1 year later about sleep complaints and psychiatric symptoms using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule.

Of this community sample, 10.2% and 3.2% noted insomnia and hypersomnia, respectively, at the first interview. Forty percent of those with insomnia and 46.5% of those with hypersomnia had a psychiatric disorder compared with 16.4% of those with no sleep complaints.

The risk of developing new major depression was much higher in those who had insomnia at both interviews compared with those without insomnia (odds ratio, 39.8; 95% confidence interval, 19.8 to 80.0).

The risk of developing new major depression was much less for those who had insomnia that had resolved by the second visit (odds ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.5 to 5.3). Further research is needed to determine if early recognition and treatment of sleep disturbances can prevent future psychiatric disorders.

Follow is the subtitles of my article.

Contents

1.1. Disturbed sleep associated with stress, anxiety and depression

1.2. Epidemiologic study of sleep disturbances & psychiatric disorders

1.3. The implications of sleep disturbance epidemiology

1.4. Are sleep disturbances risk factors for anxiety,depressive?

1.5. Effects of sleep deprivation on gastric mucosal blood flow and gastric mucosal lesions in rats

1.6. Sleep disturbances associated with minor psychiatric disorders

1.7Stress Hormones and Insomnia

1.8.Dopamine Imbalances Cause Sleep Disorders

1.9.Dopamine is released with the individual anxious temperament

2. The treatment of sleep disorder

2.1. Synthetic drugs on sleep disorders

2.2. Effects of Chinese drugs on sleep disorders

2.2.1. Regulatory effect of Chinese drugs on central nervous system

2.2.2. Effects of Chinese drugs on stress-related sleep disorders

2.2.3. Effects of Chinese drugs on sleep Deprivation

2.2.3.1. Protective effects of eleutherosides on RN_8 acupoint application against sleep deprivation

2.2.3.2. The effect of nose drops Chinese drugs on sleep deprivation

2.2.3.3.Effects of ginsenosides on behaviors of rats in sleep deprivation

2.2.3.4. Effect of An-shen-bu-nao syrup on learning, memory and BDNF expression in hippocampus of sleep deprivation rats

2.2.3.5. Effect of An-shen-bu-nao (Compound Chinese drugs) Syrup on Learning and Memory Capability and Protein Synthesis in Brain of Mice

2.2.3.6. Effects of Anshen Bunao Syrup on the Inducible Nitric-oxide Synthase Activity and Melatonin Content in Brain of Sleep Deprivation Rats

2.2.4. Chinese drugs on maintaining the dopamine levels

2.2.4.1. Protective effects of the serum with Chanfuning decoction on mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in vitro and its mechanism

2.2.4.2. Influence of Yinxingpingchuan Formula on loss of DA neurons and apoptosis in mice with PD

2.2.4.3. Effects of Yijingyangxue Prescription on Apoptosis of the Dopaminergic Neurons in Rats with Parkinson Disease

2.2.4.4. Neuroprotective Effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 on the Dopaminergic Neurons in the Substantia Nigrain Mptp-Treated C57BL6 Mice

2.2.4.5. Protective effect of Plastrum Testudinis on the apoptosis of dopamine neurons of rats with Parkinson's disease

2.2.5. Chinese drugs on sedative and hypnotic

2.2.5.1. The effect of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae on Sleep Improvement of Mice

2.2.5.2. Empirical studies of sedative and hypnotic effects of supplemented jujube seed granules

2.2.5.3. The Sedative and hypnotic effects of Jujuboside

2.2.5.4. Effects of the Seeds of Ziziphus spinosa Hu (Semen Ziziphi Spinosae) on the lmmune Function of Mice

2.2.6. Effect of Chinese sleep drugs integrating with synthetic sleep drugs

2.2.6.1. A controlled study of Tianmeng capsule combined with alprazolam in somnipathy

2.2.7. Effect of Chinese sleep drug on improving the learning ability

2.2.7.1. The effect of XinMeng Particles on learning process in rats

                                                                                                        Back to Top

8.7…Chinese Medicine can boost immune system

This is a reedited-excerpt of my Dec. 21 2011 article Chinese Medicine and immune system.

With the continuous advancement of scientific research means, the understandings for our body are advancing continuously. New findings have made clear that the immune function is not only associated with the infectious diseases but also associated with non-infectious diseases closely. Such as, cancer, an uncontrolled cellular proliferation diseases associated with the immunity. Therefore, seeking the approaches to enhance our immunity have been becoming the research focus and have gotten great many fruits.

Modern researches showed that Chinese drugs contain variety of immunoreactive substances, such as polysaccharides, saponins, alkaloids, volatile substances and organic acids, etc. They are a kind of immune enhancer. Their immunoregulatory role is mainly through activation of reticuloendothelial system, so that significantly increase the IL-content, and the level of antibodies and complement, activate the macrophages and T, B lymphocytes, and enhance cellular immunity and humoral immunity, thereby enhancing the body immune system and the capacity of anti-diseases.

More amazingly, Chinese drugs can intellectually take the bidirectional role for those under different immune status. That is, for those in the lower immune function play a catalytic role, for those in the over immune function play a disincentive role, and for those in healthy condition stop any action consciously.

Follow is the subtitles of the article.

2. The effects of Chinese drugs on the development of immune organs

2.1.Effect of Traditional Compound Chinese Medicine on the Ultrastructure of Immune Organs in Mice Bearing S180 Cancer

2.2. The effect of Chinese drugs on immune system and weight gain of Rabbits

2.3.Effect of Taraxacum Polysaccharides on Immune Organs in Mice

2.4. The effects of Chinese drugs compound on immune organs of chickens

2.5. Effect of Chinese drugs on immunodeficiency of insomnia mice

3. The effects of Chinese drugs on the specific immune

3.1. The effects of Chinese drugs on cell-mediated immunity

3.1.1. Effects of Chinese drugs’ immunomodulator on cellular immune function in mice

3.1.2.The effects of Chinese drugs compound on celular immune function of chickens

3.2. The effect of Chinese drugs on the humoral immunity

3.2.1.The effects of Chinese drugs on the level of Newcastle disease antibody

3.2.2. The influence of astragalus on the expression of interleukin-2 and soluble interleukin-2 receptor in experimental obstructive jaundice in rats

3.2.3.The effects of Chinese drugs on Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

4.The effects of Chinese drugs on non-specific immune

4.1. Leukocyte and monocyte-macrophage system

4.1.1.Astragalus injection treats Leukopenia

4.1.2.The effects of anti-virus preparation of Chinese drugs on immune cells

4.1.3. The effects of compound Chinese drugs on promoting T lymphocyte proliferation

4.2. The effects of Chinese drugs on cytokines

4.2.1.The effects of Chinese drugs on cytokines in arthritis rats

4.2.2. The effects of Chinese drugs on immunoregulation function of dendritic cell in peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis vulgaris

4.3.The effects of Chinese drugs on natural killer cells (NKC)

4.3.1. The effects of Chinese drugs on Natural Killer Cell and Activity of Interleukin-2 of P388 Leukemia Mice after chemotherapy.

4.3.2.The effects of Chinese drugs on immunoregulatory for esophageal and gastric cancer with chemotherapy

4.3.3. The effects of Rhubarb on Acute Toxicity and Modulation of Innate Immune in Mice

5. The immunosuppressing effects of Chinese drugs on immune rejection of organ transplant

5.1. Effect of astragalus on CD4+CD25+ T cells and FOXP3/IL-10 in allografted mice

5.2. The Effect of Chinese drugs on Acute Rejection in Renal Transplant Rats

5.3. Effects of Chinese drugs on survival time of allogeneic transplant of pig skin

                                                                               Back to Top

 

8.8…Chinese Medicine can Reduce Stress

 

This is a reedited-excerpt of my July 29, 2012 article Chinese Medicine can Reduce Stress

The study of crossing the disciplines of psychology, medicine, neuroscience, and genetics reveals that stress causes deterioration in everything from gums to heart and can make human more susceptible to everything from the common cold to cancer. And those optimistic people have lower incidence of heart disease, better prognosis after heart surgery, and longer life.

Now, many researches have made clear that our health is closely associated with psychological factors or so called stress, and it is the main inducement for various diseases. Such as obesitycancerdiabetes,heart attackstress ulcermind disorderIrritable Bowel Syndromeretard the wound healing, and so on.

Chinese drugs can reduce the negative effects of stress

Chinese drug can alleviate the stress symptoms by releasing endorphins, decreasing the stress hormone cortisol, eliminating the oxygen free radicals, lowering the blood pressure, reducing the heart rate, relaxing the muscle tissue, improving the digestion and sleeping, and bringing more fresh oxygen to body tissues by improving the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. This increased blood flow will eliminate the waste products from inside the body and enhance the nutrition supply to take an Antiaging effect.

The effect of single Chinese drug on stress

Here, take Ginseng, a well-known herb as example:

For the rats in chronic restraint stress, Ginsenoside can reduce the pathological changes in ultra-structure of adrenal cortex, improve the reduction of activities, the decline in memory and exercise capacity, etc.

Ginseng can reduce the reduction of ATP, glycogen, creatine phosphate content and the increase of lactic acid content in the muscle tissue of rats in stress. Reduce the rise of mouse rectum temperature caused by the stimulation of noise and light.

Ginseng can significantly reduce the mortality of mice under the condition of low temperatures (-9 ) or high temperature (46 ). Extend the swimming duration time and inhibit the reduction of muscle glycogen in swimming rats.

Chinese Medicine can reduce the negative effects of psychological stress

The Effect of Two Kinds of Traditional Chinese Herbal Compound on the Behavior and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal Gland Axis of the Chronic Psychological Stress Rats

Aim: To study the effects of Banxia Houpu Soup and Guizhi Gancao Longgu Muli Soup on the behaviors and HPA axis of chronic psychological stress rats.

Methods: SD rats were divided into 5 groups: normal group, model groups  and , Banxia Houpu Soup group and Guizhi Gancao Longgu Muli Soup group. The behavior, the hypothalamus CRH, plasma ACTH and serum CORT (radio-immunity method) of all the rats were observed.

Results: On the 11th day, the crossing times of model group  and the crossing times and struggle time of model group  changed obviously compared with those of normal group. On the 19th day, the crossing times and still time of model group  and  had remarkable differences, while the contents of CRH, ACTH of model group  and the contents of CRH, ACTH and CORT of model group  increased obviously compared with those of normal group. Compared with those of model group  and , the crossing times on the 11th and 19th days and the struggle times on the 11th day of Banxia Houpu Soup group increased obviously, while the contents of CRH and ACTH decreased; the crossing times on the 19th day increased, but the still time on the 19th day shortened and thecontents of ACTH and CRH decreased in Guizhi Longgu Muli Soup.

Conclusion: Banxia Houpu Soup and Guizhi Longgu Muli Soup can affect the behavior and the endocrinal system of the chronic psychological stress rats in a certain level by through the action on the different sectors of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland axis.

Note: Banxia Houpu Soup and Guizhi Longgu Muli Soup are both the experience compound prescription of Chinese drugs.

                                                                               Back to Top

 

8.9…Chinese Medicine and Heart Disease

This is a reedited-excerpt of my Dec. 21 2011 article Chinese Medicine and Heart Disease.

The researchers in MRC Clinical Sciences Center at Imperial College London published the First Image of bleeding inside the heart muscle following a heart attack. The article also indicates that, some people experience bleeding inside the heart muscle, once blood pumps into it again, the patients will have a much poorer chance of recovery.

Kirsty, a girl of Britain. Her heart grew back after a third was removed in an emergency operation when she was 4 months old in 9 years ago. The case shows the wonderful capability of our heart on self-healing and given us the confidence to overcome the terrible heart disease.

Most of cardiovascular disease is chronic diseases induced by more pathogenesis and multi-factor. In the process of occurrence and the development are often involving the changes of pathological and gene expression in multiple organs or parts of the body.

Chinese medicine (CM) is used in compound formula, which has a special advantage and efficacy to restore the health entirely in multi-level, multi-link and multi-target. Therefore, CM possesses big potential to apply in such diseases.

  Contents

1. Myocardial protection

1.1. Controlling the signaling pathway of cell

1.2. Regulation of electrocardiogram indexes

1.3. Regulation effect on the ET, NO ans NOS

1.3.1. Regulation of ET, NO in ischemic heart disease

1.3.2. Regulation of ET, NO in atherosclerosis

1.3.3. Regulation of ET, NO In hypertension

1.3.4. Regulation of NO, NOS in myocardial ischemia

1.4. Chinese medicine is superior to verapamil

2. Enhancing myocardial contractility

3. The effect of bi-directioal regualtion

3.1. Bi-directional regulation of the heart rate

3.2. Bi-directional regulation of blood pressure

4. Protect vascular smooth muscle tension

5. Protect myocardial cells mitochondria

6. Coronary Heart angina pectoris

7. Coronary Heart Disease

8. Gene expression

9. Improve the micro vascular circulation

10. Comparison of Chinese medicine and nitroglycerin

11. Narrow after operation of coronary artery dilatation

12. Protective effect on endothelial cells

                                                                              Back to Top

8.10…Chinese Medicine can promote Wound Healing

This is a reedited-excerpt of my July 29, 2012 article Chinese Medicine on Wound Healing.

In Western medicine, the suture removal after laparotomy conventionally needs to wait for healing 1 week or more. However, it is only needs 1 or 2 days if treated by Chinese drugs.

The incision fat liquefaction is a thorny problem clinically in Western medicine, even causing death. However, the one on hip incision of hipbone fracture was being healed to crust in hours by sprinkling hammered rough powder from crude Chinese herbs’ slices without sterilization.

Many successful cases have been demonstrated that Chinese drugs have magic curative effect on chronic refractory wounds or ulcers. 

The unique potence comes from potentiating synergistic effects of multiple bioactive constituents of compound Chinese drugs. 

The facts have subverted the conventional process of wounds healing. Chinese drugs provided a new effective and cheaper approach for wounds treatment especially for the chronic refractory one. Obviously, it has promising market potential.

Following is a case that happened 10 years ago.

 

1998, my younger brother hipbone fractured in a car accident. After one week of hip operation there was still 50 mm unhealed on 300 mm incision suture and happened fat liquefaction due to doctor forgot putting a surgical drainage tube. Besides the replacement of medical gauze and adjustment of the intravenous antibiotics conventionally, the doctors did not give more help.

I worried about the wound infection or necrosis, so bought some crude Chinese herbs’ slices and hammered them into coarse powder, then sprinkling on the incision watering area directly without sterilization. After 3 hours when I opened the covered-gauze found that the unhealed incision has crusted entirely. The appearance showed that the crust formed much earlier than 3 hours. The Chinese herbs’ effect surprised me very much. Because that the incision fat liquefaction is difficult to be healed, it needs to use Infra-red radiation or insulin, etc. Some time, it may lead to serious consequences, such as, the symptoms of systemic poisoning. 

I have been worrying for that the wound watering outlet was being blocked too quickly. However, until now, more than 10 years has past without any sequel.

 

洪祥伤口愈-Reedited

June2003I had my younger brother taken the photo on the area of incision suture as above.

 

From above experience, I have aroused an idea that sprinkle the Chinese drugs powder on the wound immediately after operation or injured to promote the wound crusted as faster as possible, so that avoid the infections. For those needs further treatment will be helpful from not being infected before getting suitable operation.

 Contents

1…Introduction

2. Effects of Chinese drugs on wounds healing

2.1. Restoration of wound blood circulation

2.2. The number and function of immune cells

2.3. Wound fibronectin (Fn)

2.4. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)

2.5. Collagen synthesis and metabolism

2.6. Wound nutritional status

2.7. Acidification wound

2.8. Granulation tissue cells’ proliferation and fibroblasts’ function

2.9. Wound contraction materials

2.10. Health beneficial wound pus’ secretion

2.11. Original shape and color’s restoration

2.12. Bacteriostasis

2.13. Promote the recovery of bone fractures

2.13.1. Reconstruction of blood circulation system

2.13.2. Promotion of calcium deposition and enhance the callus quality

2.13.3. Promotion of growth hormone secretory

3.13.4. Increase of the level of bone morphogenetic protein

2.13.5. Promotion of the TGF-β secretion of osteoblast

2.13.6. The generation of IGF-1

 

Follow is my article that computer automatically dated as June 1, 2009.

 

The therapeutic effect of Chinese medicine on wound and fracture healing

                                Frank  June 1, 2009

Firstly let us see the surprising news from Britain in 31st December 2008: The heart that grew back: 'Miracle' of girl whose heart healed itself after a third was removed in emergency operation. The fact showed us that our body possess big potential in self heal.

Wound healing is a complex biological processes, particularly chronic refractory wound treatment is difficult in clinic. Currently, the studies on this issue are from the general to cell, molecular and genetic level. There were various types of growth factors have started to applications, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), etc.

However, the clinical therapeutic results for those growth factors are not satisfied. It was mainly because of there are a large number of protease exists including metalloproteinases in the chronic refractory wound, which break down the endogenous growth factor secreted by wound cells and exogenous growth factor. Thus lead wound healing slowed down or even stopped. In addition, the content of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) is higher in the form of autocrine, which will inhibit the tissue’s repairing, the role of collagen production of fibroblasts is weakened, and the cell apoptosis increased.

However, for thousands of years, Chinese medicine has showed a unique effect on wound healing by eliminating sphacelus and promoting tissue regeneration. Here I’ll discuss its mechanism in promoting wound healing.

Research progress of Chinese medicine in treatment of Chronic refractory wound

The mechanism of Chinese medicine on promoting wound healing by dressing is eliminating sphacelus and promoting tissue regeneration by generatiing pus to protect the wound healing.

Chinese medicine is good immune enhancers. Dressing on wound, can generate a lot of useful pus that is a sort of multi-nutritional fluid from the local micro vessel, which is rich in immune active cells and immune active factor. They can effectively regulate the function of cells of wound tissue. Thus take the effect of anti-infection and the promotion of wound healing. In the medium-term of wound healing, if such pus is more enough the wound healing would be faster.

Animal skin ulcer experiments, Vaseline gauze and Chinese medicine two group. After 12 days, Chinese medicine group, the fibroblasts is not only increase in the number also more active and syncytium is enlarged. After 15 days, the fibroblast rough endoplasmic reticulum is upgrowth, the content of free ribosomes is significantly increased and found plenty of slender collagen fibers in mesenchymal.

Treatment of stubborn skin ulcer of lower limb by Chinese medicine dressing

Total 38 cases of refractory skin ulcer of lower extremity, Chinese medicine is dressing on wound to be changed daily. After one month, 14 cases were cured fully, 15 cases improved markedly, 9 cases were effective and all patients were fully cured within 3 months.

Promoting the wound healing

New Zealand white rabbits, total 30, were made wounds on back. Test group, external topical smear with Chinese medicine solution. Control group, has no medicine.

Test group, wound narrowed and healing faster (P<0.01), healing time is short (P<0.01). Under Optical Microscope: found plenty of capillaries, there is lesser inflammatory cells, the granulation formed early, and generated plenty of fibroblast. The epithelial tissue grow toward centre is rapid. Under Electron Microscope, The fibroblast show more exuberant ultrastructural changes in protein synthesis.

The control group, there are plenty of inflammatory cells. There are fewer fibroblast and capillaries. Epithelial tissue grows relatively slow.

Wounds bacteriological examination, bacteria is significantly less than that in control group (P<0.01). The results showed that Chinese medicine can reduce the wound inflammation, edema, and promote wound healing.

The effect of Chinese Medicine on bacteriostasis, relieve ecchymosis and eliminating sphacelus.

In 4 experimental models: 1. Vitro bacteriostasis test in liquid-tube method. 2. Mice subcutaneous abscess caused by mixed infection of candida albicans. 3. Local skin ecchymosis by trauma on guinea pig. 4. Rabbits skin rot caused by subcutaneous injection of sterile turpentine. 

Results: In vitro, have obvious inhibiting effect for six kinds of common pathogens and opportunistic pathogen that can cause mucocutaneous infection. There is also a significant inhibiting effect on infection. Pathological examination showed therapeutic effect on experimental traumatic skin ecchymosis and traumatic skin ulcers by dressing.

Mediating wound growth factor, promoting wound healing and reducing the scar

By Chinese medicine dressing on mice wound showed that Chinese medicine can be a significant increase the level of bFGF in the wound healing period of inflammation and proliferation. Thus promote wound collagen synthesis and epithelial growth. In the wound modeling period, Chinese medicine can reduce the level of bFGF to promote the degradation of collagen that excessively proliferated, and make them arranged orderly, therefore reduce the formation of scar. The facts showed that Chinese medicine is not only promoting the wound healing also promote the scar reducing through mediating the content of bFGF.

Rat ulcer models, Chinese medicine can increase the content of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)and the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in local wound tissue, therefore to promote the wound healing.

Promoting wound blood circulation

Artery ischemia, venous stasis, partial denervation and neuropathy are the direct cause of chronic refractory wound. Therefore, promote wound blood circulation is very important in wound healing.

Rats wound infection model, in Chinese medicine group, the number of capillary in wound developed much more than that of control group. The difference of temperature in wound granulation and the one in surrounding skin is significantly higher than that of control group. The fact indirectly proved that Chinese medicine can improve the blood circulation of wound.

Regulating the wound Immune Function

Rabbit wound infection model, between 7 and 14 days after Chinese medicine dressing, generate a whole blood neutrophil peak compared with the control group.

In guinea pigs wound model, Chinese medicine can increase the phagocytic rate and phagocytic index of the peritoneal macrophages and increase the percentage of lymphocyte transformation. Thereby it enhanced the immune function of the wound.

In rat ulcer model, Chinese medicine can increase the levels of complement C3, IgA and IgM. Increase the content of lysozyme in pyogenic secretion and the index of thymus and spleen. Thereby Chinese medicine can promote healing by enhancing wound immunity.

The impact on Fibronectin (FN)

Chinese medicine can effectively increase the content of FN in serum and wound tissue so as to promote wound healing.

Effect on trace elements in wound

In rat wound model, Chinese medicine can significantly increase the content of Zn in wound tissues and the Cu content unchanged.

Reducing the pH value in wound

Researches shows that reduce the PH value can enable the release of oxygen in oxyhemoglobin and is conducive to tissue growth. Chinese medicine can promote wound healing through reducing the wound pH values.

Promoting the proliferation of contraction material in wound

Actin, an important material to promote wound contraction, is conducive to wound healing. This is because that wound narrowed will reduce the chances of infection and only a small number of new tissues will be able to heal it.

Animal wound model, Chinese Medicines group, found a lot myofibroblast in granulation tissue and the synthesis is active. Also found plenty of actin. The wound contraction is significant better than the control group.

The impact of amino acids on wound

Amino acids are important material to the growth of granulation tissue. If the lack of free amino acids, it would weaken the proliferation of connective tissue and synthesis of collagen fibers.

Animal ulcer model, in the 15th day of ulcer formation, Chinese Medicine group, the total amount of amino acid hydrolysis (including ammonia) and the total amount of free amino acids (excluding ammonia) are significantly higher than that of control group. The content of 9 kinds of neutral amino acids and 6 kinds of essential amino acid are all higher than the control group, in which the cystine and lysine is the highest.

Promoting the recovery of bone fractures

Animal fractures model, Chinese medicine largely improved blood circulation in surrounding fracture and systemic. Therefore, nutrition conditions were improved at the trauma surrounding. The every wound healing stages are started early. Make the fractures recovered ahead of schedule significantly.

Healthy adult male mice in saline and Chinese medicine two group, 45Ca determination in liquid scintillation, found the calcium deposition is similar around the corresponding parts of right and left femur in normal mice. After the fracture in the middle of the right femur, in two groups, the calcium deposition was increasing continuously in the middle femur. However the calcium deposition is both decreased in the upper and lower parts of the femur. But in Chinese medicine group the decrease is more significantly. Showed that Chinese medicine can take more additional calcium from neighboring bone tissue to the fractured area to meet the calcium needs in new bone formation, therefore accelerate the fractured bone healing.

In fractures rabbit’s model, intramuscular injection of Chinese medicine, made paraffin specimens and staining. Observed in visible light and polarized light, found that capillary in expansion hyperaemia are appeared early in the stage of inflammatory response. In the clean-up phase, the hemosiderin appears early in hematoma area than the control group. The appearance of cell activity, the fibro-osseous bone callus, the original bone callus and secondary bone callus are all earlier than that of control group. Chinese medicine made various stages of fracture healing all in advance than that of control group, So as to promote the healing of the fracture.

In rabbit fracture model, observation by electron microscope, compared with control group, in Chinese medicine group, the callus formed in advance and denser. The number of osteogenic cells increased. Besides the fibroblast shape changes, the cell protein synthesis are more vigorous active. The normal process of cell degeneration has also accelerated. Extra cellular collagen fibers increased and into the fibroblasts cytoplasm. There are more osteoclasts appeared in different parts of the callus to promote the bone remodeling. In addition, in the swelling mitochondrial of fibroblasts appears number of dense calcium particles, there are more bone calcium deposits earlier in callus.

Observation by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, in the earlier healing stage of tibia closed fracture, found that Chinese medicine accelerate the growth of fractured bone and the process of calcification through improving zinc content in serum and callus, strengthen the zinc mobilization in adjacent bone tissue nearby fracture ends, as well as Zn / Cu ratio

Chinese medicine can promote the effectiveness of protein synthesis to combat post-traumatic disorder of metabolism, changes the negative nitrogen balance. To improve local blood supply of the fracture ends to speed up the repair of damaged soft tissue and the absorption of edema. To promote the increase of osteoblast in number and activity as well as the proliferation of collagen fibers and bone callus, So that the inflammatory phase shortened, and accelerated the phases of repair and remodeling, so as to promote the healing of the fracture.

On the basis of regulating the overall response of the body, Chinese medicine can directly or indirectly play the role of anti-infection by anti-bacteria. It is significantly conducive to the treatment of susceptible infecting open fractures.

The therapeutic role for soft tissue injury

Gardenia, a Chinese herb medicine, alcohol solution, external smear on genital postpartum edema, the effect is better than magnesium sulfate solution, and course of treatment shortened, no adverse reactions.

                                                                                                           Back to Top

8.11…Chinese Medicine treats on A H1N1 Flu 2009

 

Dec. 21 2011, in article Chinese Medicine – A Promising Therapeutic Approach, I indicate that :

In China, it is common in CM integrating WM clinically. That is, at the same time, a patient being treated by two types of medicine. The advantages of WM are to take the effect quickly toward the main symptoms and the advantages of CM are to take the effect in eliminating the negative effects of WM by improving the patient's immunity and overall physical condition. Greatly enhanced the therapeutic effect and made the patient recover earlier. Also it greatly improved the life quality of patients. The good example is the treatment of SARS.

SARS: During the outbreak of SARS in 2003 in China, among 5326 were confirmed SARS cases, 3104 were treated by WD integrating CM. The wonderful therapeutic effect of Chinese drug is manifested.

1. Relieve fever and shorten the duration.        

2. Improve weakness, breath shortness, dry cough and clinical symptoms of poisoning.

3. Eliminate the toxicity and the negative effects of Western drug, such as steroid in large doses use.

4. Help to reduce the amount of using in hormones.

5. Improve hematopoietic function and hypoxic conditions.

6. Protect the organs function and avoid organs failure.

7. Reduce the systemic complications.                   

8. Promote the absorption of inflammation to avoid the bad sequels.

As a result, no one was dead and suffered femoral head necrosis in the group of intervening with Chinese drugs. 

We can conclude that Chinese medicine can promote the absorption of inflammation to avoid the bad sequels, such as the femoral head necrosis of bad sequelae of SARS. The causes for the femoral head necrosis are still in debating until to today, one is SARS virus, and another one is the use of glucocorticoids in large dose.

The successful experience of mainland China on the treatment of A H1N1 flu was that, if the treatment focuses on each symptom of the patient to improve their physical condition by Chinese drugs besides killing the A H1N1 flu viruses. The number of developing into the critical and death was largely reduced.

 

Follow is my Nov. 25, 2011 article Chinese Medicine treats on A H1N1 Flu 2009.

In some areas the peak of pandemic of A H1N1 Flu 2009 has passed and emerged downward trend according to the report of WHO Dec. 11 2009. However, the seasonality of its epidemics seems to be not obvious with an unpredictable nature, so that no one can be sure whether it would set off another wave of the pandemic.

It is in this emergent situation, after careful investigation many researchers have questioned the efficacy of neuraminidase inhibitor drug - Tamiflu in preventing complications such as pneumonia in otherwise healthy people with seasonal flu, the drug manufacturer had failed to provide effective data to answer the question. [1][2][3]. And the World Health Organization has endorsed the findings. If the question comes true, it will undoubtedly destroy the hope and confidence of public in prevention and treatment of A H1N1 Flu 2009. It is bound to create massive panic.

The overuses of antibiotics have been significantly activating the activity of virus mutation. The viruses are able to develop resistant ability on new version antibiotics once they are being put in use shortly. I think that on the current medical technology, it seems very difficult to control the influenza virus effectively. Fortunately, in terms of A H1N1 Flu 2009, most of those infected had mild symptoms without heavy impairment and only fewer patients developed into critical or death, and British scientists studies have proven it is considerably less lethal than was feared in advance. Therefore, we should broaden our thinking way in combating against influenza, and turn to focus on the prevention and treatment of various complications by developing new effective drugs. Based on the current knowledge on natural drug’s researches, it would be feasible easily.

Now let discuss the feasibility of Chinese medicine (CM) on treatment of A/H1N1 2009 flu

1. The symptoms and complications of the A/H1N1 2009 flu infected

1.1. Lung cells can be infected deeper and cause more severe symptoms than seasonal flu can.

1.2.  Many severe patients have pulmonary emboli that blocks the arteries in the lungs.

1.3. Patients was associated with severely low levels of blood oxygen, multi-system organ failure, needs for prolonged mechanical ventilation, and frequent use of rescue therapies.

1.4.  China, the statistics of 1054 cases of domestic A H1N1 flu patients in July and August 2009, the results are as following.

1.4.1. The majority of patients’ symptoms’ was mild and has improved naturally within 72 hours. The mean fever temperature of patients is 37 degrees. Chinese medicine was effective for the mild patients.

1.4.2. Only a few patients are severe or critically ill and shows persistent high fever, severe cough, phlegm, chest tightness, even sanity changes. Such as restlessness, convulsions, some even have nausea, vomiting. There are clinical manifestations of pneumonia. Some patients had chronic diseases before is prone to complications. For the critically ill patients, mainly divided into two types, one is respiratory failure-type; one is shock-type, complicated by multiple organ failure.

1.4.3. Deaths were mostly due to the viral pneumonia, integrated with the respiratory failure and multiple organ dysfunctions. If the treatments focus on the specific symptomatic besides A H1N1 virus, the patient normally would not die.

2. The Advantages and Mechanism of CM on Treating Influenza

Chinese medicine has unique anti-viral role: 1. Able to kill the virus directly. 2. To prevent virus adsorption and penetration of host cells, inhibit viral replication in host cells, blocking the virus from infected cells into uninfected cells. 3. Inhibiting the transcription and replication of virus. 4. Can enhance the immunity of human body. 5. Inducing the the generation of interferon. 6. Eliminating the endotoxin.  7. Repair damaged body tissue. Chinese medicine can play a direct and indirect anti-viral defense role initiatively. Its unique advantages have aroused widespread concern.

2.1. Directly killing the virus

Some Chinese medicine can kill the virus before them into the cells.

Researches proved that anthraquinones, the alcohol extract of rhubarb, can directly kill the virus. Glycyrrhizin can directly kill Zoster virus. Banlangen can kill the Herpes virus directly.

2.2. Blocking the virus from infected cells into uninfected cells

Active ingredient in many Chinese medicines can inhibit the adsorption and penetration of virus on host cells to take the anti-viral effect, such as, flavonoids, polysaccharides and their derivatives, triterpenoids and their derivatives (such as glycyrrhizin derivatives), alkaloids, glycosides and so on.

Astragalus can inhibit the adsorption and penetration of the virus into the sensitive cells. Banlangen has a strong inhibitory effect on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and influenza virus adsorption to host cells. In vitro, the combination preparation of Banlangen and Astragalus has a strong inhibitory effect on the proliferation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

2.3. Inhibiting the transcription and replication of virus

A compounds extract from Rhubarb can inhibit the activity of 3CL protease that is major protease for virus life cycle, and thus block the SARS virus transcription and replication. Also, there are strong effect of anti-influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus. Polyphenols can inhibit the synthesis of proteins and RN of influenza virus A.

2.4. Enhancing human immunity

2.4.1. Promoting the development of immune organs

Many anti-viral Chinese medicines are rich in nutrients that could well contribute to the enhancement of human immunity by increasing the weight of immune organs, including central immune organs, such as thymus, bursa of Fabricius and extrinsic peripheral immune organs, such as, spleen, lymph node.

2.4.2. Enhancing the number and phagocytic capacity of immune cells

Many anti-viral Chinese medicines can increase the number of macrophages and their phagocytic capacity. Such as, Coptis, Scutellaria, Phellodendron, Polyporus umbellatus, garlic and so on. Some can increase the phagocytosis of white blood cells, such as, Houttuynia, Berberine, Andrographis, Daqingye, wild chrysanthemum, paeonol, rhubarb and honeysuckle, etc. Some can increase the monocyte phagocytosis, such as, Acanthopanax, Astragalus, Codonopsis, Eucommia, Coptis chinensis, Phellodendron, licorice, Ganoderma lucidum, Poria, artemisinin, Danshen and so on.

2.4.3. Improving immune function by regulating endocrine,  neurological and metabolic

Modern studies have shown that there are more than 200 kinds of Chinese medicine can regulate the human immune system, mainly through the following channels: The hypothalamus - pituitary - adrenal cortex and other endocrine system, regulation of Nerve - humoral, regulation of Autonomic nerves, regulation of cyclic nucleotide system, regulation of the nucleic acid metabolism and regulation of the quantity and quality of T lymphocytes.

2.5. Inducing the interferon

Interferon can make uninfected cells produce anti-viral protein, thus inhibiting the biosynthesis of viral macromolecule, and makes the cells acquire anti-virus capabilities. The interferon produced in the cells of invasion parts, can permeable to adjacent cells, thereby limiting the virus to spread around.

Modern research confirms that there are many Chinese medicines have a role of inducing endogenous IFN or procuring the inducing effect. Such as, the mushrooms element extracted from the mushroom, could induce serum IFN. The glycyrrhizin extracted from licorice and glycyrrhetinic acid preparations can induce type IFN, and enhancing the function of cellular immune. Some can induce interferon and immune globulin, which has anti-viral effect, such as, Astragalus, Salvia, Acanthopanax, gentian, etc.

2.6. Enhancing the activity of natural killer cells (NK)

Studies proved that Chinese medicine prescription of Xiao Chai Hu Tang and ginseng doctrine can markedly enhance the activity of Natural killer cell.

2.7. Eliminating the endotoxin.

2.8. Repair damaged body tissue.

3. The researches of the constituents of anti-viral Chinese medicine

3.1. Polysaccharide

Polysaccharide is an important constituent of Chinese medicine, has many physiological functions. One of them is to activate immune cells. Such as, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, macrophages, natural killer cells (NK), cytotoxic cells (CTL) and so on.

3.1.1. Enhancing the function of T lymphocytes

The studies have shown that Lycium Bararum Polysaccharides (LBP), Ligustrum lucidum polysaccharide, epimedium polysaccharide, Astragalus polysaccharide and so on, can enhance the function of T lymphocytes with the immunomodulatory effect that is similar to Thymosin, the acting target is thymus. Mushroom polysaccharide is a typical T-lymphocyte enhancer, which can promote the generation of specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) in vivo, and to enhance the killing activity of the CTL.

3.1.2. Improving the level of antibody

Evergreen polysaccharide can promote the phagocytic function of macrophages and enhance its ability in processing and delivering the antigen. Therefore raise the levels of antibody.

3.1.3. Affecting the complement system

In vivo and vitro, the Bupleurum polysaccharide, Artemsia argyi polysaccharides, Angelica polysaccharide, Pachymaran, Mushroom polysaccharide, Plantago polysaccharide and Jujube polysaccharide can activate complement.

3.1.4. Affecting interleukin (IL)

The vast majority of polysaccharide can promote the generation of IL-1 and IL-2. Mushroom polysaccharide can promote the release IL-3 of the spleen lymphocyte. Phytolacca polysaccharide can promote the T lymphocytes to produce IL-2.

3.1.5. Promoting the generation of interferon (IFN)

Versicolor Polysaccharide (PSK) can promote the Lymphocytes to generate interferon. That Astragalus polysaccharide, ginseng polysaccharides, Bupleurum polysaccharide, Acanthopanax polysaccharides, Tremella polysaccharides, angelica polysaccharide and so on, can induce interferon generation.

3.2. Volatile Oil

Volatile oil makes Chinese medicine has a flavor, mainly containing sulfide, terpenoids and aromatic compounds, etc.

3.2.1. Allicin, the volatile oil of garlic, has significant effect in immune enhancement. It can increase the content of serum lysozyme and activity of some enzyme.

3.2.2. Volatile oil of Patchouli leaf

In mice model pharmacology method of serum with volatile oil of Patchouli leaf, the results are as following:

3.2.2.1. Peripheral white blood cells: Showed very significant activating effect, after 3.0h and 4.0h P<0.01, after 6.0h P<0.05.

3.2.2.2. Peritoneal macrophages:  Showed significant activating effect, after 3h P<0.05, after 4.0h and 6.0h P<0.01.

3.2.2.3. Spleen lymphocytes: Showed significant effect in proliferation, after 3.0h4.0h and 6.0h P<0.05.

3.2.2.4. Antitussive and Expectorant

In ammonia induced cough and phenol red secretion mice model, Volatile oil of Patchouli leaf could significantly prolong the ammonia spray time of cause 50% mice cough (EDT50) and promote the phenol red excretion in mouse trachea.

3.3. Forsythia essential oil

Pharmacological experiments demonstrates that Forsythia essential oil has a protective effect on influenza virus infection in mice. In chick embryo it can inhibit the proliferation of Asian influenza and parainfluenza Sendai strain.

3.4. Organic acid

In recent years, the study found many of the organic acids in Chinese medicine possess biological activity.

3.4.1. Glycyrrhizic acid has been proven to enhance the immune function of animals.

3.4.2. In mice model, Folium Isatidis ( Isatis indigotica Fort ) acids can inhibit ear edema induced by P-xylene, significantly reduce the peritoneal Evans blue extravasation of mouse induced by acetic acid and significantly reduce the yeast-induced hyperthermia.

3.5. Saponin

3.5.1. Saponins of Bupleurum can reduce the tissue cells damage caused by inflammation through inhibiting the allergic reactions virus-induced.

3.5.2. Ginsenoside can inhibit stress-induced immunosuppressive effects by the hypothalamus - pituitary - adrenal axis, Neuropeptide Y-HPAA and NPY-sympathetic - immune regulation pathway.

3.6. Alkali

3.6.1. Matrine of Sophora can reduce the liver cell degeneration and necrosis that hepatitis B virus-induced, and promote the regeneration and repair of liver cell.

                                                                                                           Back to Top

8.12…..No death of SARS treated by Chinese Medicine

Bob Flaws, an active interpreter and practitioner of Chinese   medicine with western background, said in An Interview, “that the combination of Western medicinals and Chinese medicinals is, for many disease processes, better than either of them individually. Typically, you get a better therapeutic effect with a smaller dosage of Western meds and have to take the Western meds for a shorter period of time. Clinicians know that most of the side-effects of Western drugs are dose-related and that, if you can keep the dosage minimal and the duration as short as possible, you'll get the therapeutic result without the adverse reactions. Chinese medicinals taken with Western medicines seem, in many cases, to achieve that therapeutic goal.”

In China, it is common in CM integrating WM clinically. That is, at the same time, a patient being treated by two types of medicine. The advantages of WM are to take the effect quickly toward the main symptoms and the advantages of CM are to take the effect in eliminating the negative effects of WM by improving the patient's immunity and overall physical condition. Greatly enhanced the therapeutic effect and made the patient recover earlier. Also it greatly improved the life quality of patients. The good example is the treatment of SARS.

SARS: During the outbreak of SARS in 2003 in China, among 5326 were confirmed SARS cases, 3104 were treated by WD integrating CM. The wonderful therapeutic effect of Chinese drug is manifested.

1. Relieve fever and shorten the duration.

2. Improve weakness, breath shortness, dry cough and clinical symptoms of poisoning.

3. Eliminate the toxicity and the negative effects of Western drug, such as steroid in large doses use.

4. Help to reduce the amount of using in hormones.

5. Improve hematopoietic function and hypoxic conditions.

6. Protect the organs function and avoid organs failure.

7. Reduce the systemic complications.

8. Promote the absorption of inflammation to avoid the bad sequels. Such as the femoral head necrosis of bad sequelae of SARS. That the causes are still in debating, one is SARS virus, and another one is the use of glucocorticoids in large dose.

As a result, no one was dead in the group of intervening with Chinese drugs.

                                                                                                           Back to Top

8.13… Chinese medicine can cure AIDS

 

There are many reports that Chinese medicine can play a positive role in the treatment of the AIDS.

August 8th 2016, article Kenya: Chinese herbal therapy gains ground in Africa reported that Nairobi based Professor Tian Shengxun invented herbal concoction that called as Tian Immunity Booster (TIB) to remedy the effects of tuberculosis, HIV Aids and related complications.

TIB is manufactured through modern technology as proper compounds extracted from more than 30 different pure Chinese herbs, which blocks the fusion between HIV and CD4 cells, stopping HIV from infecting CD4 cells, so that HIV will rapture, or die, within 72 hours, if HIV has not accessed CD4 cells. Therefore TIB offers true cure to HIV/Aids.

Prof. Shengxun says that TIB can survive HIV/AIDS patients for more than 12 years. Studies conducted on TIB by Dr. Josef Schneider at Freiburg University (Germany) and similar studies at Biological Mimetics Inc in Maryland State (USA) reveal the drug can reverse HIV/AIDS symptoms.

The first oral TIB therapy has been clinically used for HIV/AIDS for the past almost 20 years mainly in Africa and Asia. It comes at a time Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) have gained prominence in Africa, and are being used side-by-side with conventional medicines. 

The drug forms part of global efforts to find the elusive anti-retroviral therapy, and ensuring access to lifesaving medicine to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. It comes at a time Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) have gained prominence in Africa, and are being used side-by-side with conventional medicines.  

World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 370,000 Kenyans died last year of NCDs and the trend will only worsen. Speaking in Nairobi, Prof. Shengxun says as alternative HIV/AIDS therapy, patients using TIB can survive for more than 12 years. Studies conducted on TIB by Dr. Josef Schneider at Freiburg University (Germany) and similar studies at Biological Mimetics Inc in Maryland State (USA) reveal the drug can reverse HIV/AIDS symptoms.

Sept. 10, 2015, TCM tonic herb 'can kill HIV', study finds - China reports that:  Sex-booster herb Schisandra has shown promise in treating HIV/AIDS, according to a 20-year-long study led by the Kunming Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Native to North China, the Korean Peninsula and Russia, the plant has been widely used in TCM for 2,000 years as a tonic that enhances the function of the liver and kidneys and improves memory and sexual performance.

Several derivatives of the herb's lignin, which is the compound extracted from the leaves and stems of the woody vine plant, have strong anti-HIV properties and low toxicity.

Current TCM treatment for HIV/AIDS mainly focuses on immunity maintenance. Unlike that, the Schisandraceae study showed that the compound can kill the virus itself.

Since 2004, China has treated more than 27,000 sufferers of HIV/AIDS with TCM treatment. Studies found that with a combination of mainstream antiretroviral therapy and TCM treatment, the patients benefited in particular by experiencing boosted immunity.

 

Follow is the information about Schisandra:

                      https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkxnxRrXeq8N48wI3hrz59fYogncGeDDlgEok14s0SNLMOQzXVHwhttps://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTXBhraEFWqNzkFws_jGE-Vh-gM_vpV05808UaS8zfYJ24w2mdbdg

                                                           Schisandra

Schisandra is a plant. The fruit is used as food and also to make medicine with following function:

1.. Used as an “adaptogen” for increasing resistance to disease and stress, increasing energy, and increasing physical performance and endurance.

2..For preventing early aging and increasing lifespan; normalizing blood sugar and blood pressure; and stimulating the immune system and speeding recovery after surgery.

3..For treating liver disease (hepatitis) and protecting the liver from poisons. The Chinese have developed a liver-protecting drug called DBD that is made from schisandrin, one of the chemicals in schisandra.

4..For treatment of high cholesterolcoughsasthma,sleep problems (insomnia), nerve painpremenstrual syndrome (PMS), chronic diarrhea, dysentery, night sweats, spontaneous sweating, involuntary discharge of semen, thirst, erectile dysfunction (ED), physical exhaustion, excessive urination,depression, irritability, and memory loss.

5..For improving vision, protecting against radiation, preventing motion sickness, preventing infection, boosting energy at the cellular level, counteracting the effects of sugar, and improving the health of the adrenal glands.

How does it work?

The chemicals in schisandra improve liver function by stimulating enzymes (proteins that speed up biochemical reactions) in the liver and promoting liver cell growth.

 

Dec. 2008, article Popular Use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in HIV Patients in the HAART era reported that:

Seventy-six Chinese male HIV patients were interviewed on their use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). All except one had undetectable viral load, 28 had already progressed to AIDS. Forty-five (59.2%) had used TCM - 11 infrequently and 33 commonly. No specific TCM recipe was preferentially used, while a variety of herbal tea and other over-the-counter health products of TCM in origin were reported.

A minority (28.9%) have consulted a TCM practitioner in the preceding 6 months. Most patients admitted using TCM for the treatment of minor ailments (60.0%) and general health maintenance (57.8%), while western medicine was chosen for the therapy of major medical illnesses.

TCM did not seem to have significant influence on the conventional HAART in this cohort. Many used TCM at a time interval from HAART in order not to affect the latter's effectiveness.

Oct. 19, 2010, article Traditional Chinese medicine trial gets results against HIV/AIDS reported that:

An ongoing three-year traditional Chinese medical (TCM) trial has achieved breakthroughs in combating HIV/AIDS, Guang'anmen Hospital in Beijing announced on Saturday.

The 565 AIDS patients' condition and immune systems were reportedly remarkably improved, with coughing and tiredness lessened since the trial began in 2008, according to the Beijing Daily.

Animal experiments had demonstrated their treatment could suppress multiplication of the HIV-1 virus in cells, according to the hospital website report on a of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment on October 16 and 17.

Western treatment like Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) can kill almost all the viruses in the blood, said AIDS expert Jin Wei, but the virus could not be totally eliminated.

TCM strengthens the immune system.

HAART is expensive and has strong side effects, said hospital president Zhang Jie, leaving 10-15 percent of patients unable to rebuild their immune system after the treatment. "The Chinese medicine is cheap, almost side effect-free and can boost the improvement of the immune system," he said.

Not everyone was impressed with the alleged advance of the city hospital. "Government experts receive special funding from the nation. If they work hard and invent a cure, they will lose their funding," said an employee of a private TCM company who requested anonymity.

The government sets strict rules on medical trials and private organizations were effectively ruled out of conducting AIDS research, he said. "As the government doesn't support us, we moved to Africa to conduct TCM experiments and we have a close relationship with the health administration of one African nation."

In that experiment, "the antigen turned negative," he said. This indicated they had found a cure, he asserted.

He refused to reveal the name of the nation, as the alleged spectacular result has not been proven effective by international societies.

Source: Global Times (By Xu Tianran)

                                                                                                           Back to Top

8.14…Chinese medicine can cure cancer

 

The researchers of Canada have proved the effective of ancient Chinese herbal medicine on Canacer.

Windsor Regional Cancer Centre in Ontario, Canada proved that dandelion root can kill cancer cells. It just is the one in follow photo that easily grows in our yard lawn and makes us headache, which has been medicinal used in treating variety of diseases for thousand years in China.

 

           http://www.dhabc.net/uploadfile/2016/0227/20160227073628932.jpghttp://sarahannelawless.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/dandelion-roots.jpg

Siyaram Pande is a Biochemist at the University of Windsor and leading research. The first phase of the studies showed that dandelion root extract forces an aggressive type of cancer known as myelocytic myeloid leukaemia to commit suicide. They tested the extract from dandelion root on several lines of leukaemia cells and found that the extract caused these cells to commit suicide, a process known as apoptosis.

Dandelion immune boosting effects

Dandelion root can restore inhibition of nitric oxide by cadmium in macrophages. Nitric oxide is important for immune regulation and defence of the organism while cadmium inhibits the production of nitric oxide. A study published in 1998 in Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology found that dandelion root extract can induce and restore the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alfa, showing its immune boosting properties.

Dandelion anti-cancer effects

Medical science is finally beginning to accept the positive results of dandelion root extract in healing cancer. The past few years, clinical research has been published stating about positive effects of dandelion for cancer.

The studies have found that dandelion root extract have a potent anticancer activity against prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, liver cancer and best of all lung cancer.

Dandelion root contains a phytochemical Taraxasterol and beta-sitosterol, natural compounds with potent chemotherapeutic and chemoprotective effects. A summary published in Neoplasma in 2004 reported many positive effects of these phytochemicals, especially the anti-tumor and chemotherapeutic activity inhibiting breast and colon cancer, tumorigenesis, prevention of metastasis, and inducing cell division.

Dandelion root extract is effective against breast and uterine cancer. A study examined dandelion cytotoxic effects against these types of cancer and showed that dandelion reduced the tumor size by 26% while the production of immune-boosting molecules was increased.

All of this shows the effectiveness of dandelion root in the treatment of cancer. It is the best to use dandelion root in a form of powder. A little over a half teaspoon of the powder once a day at any time will be more that enough for a successful cancer treatment. You should not expect a miracle because this is not an overnight cure so it will take a time until the body removes cancer.

10 Health Benefits of Dandelion Root

http://www.realfoodforlife.com/dandelion-root-health-benefits/

The dandelion Root is a very economical herb considering that it is a weed that most of us dig and get rid of! I have been eating it for years.

Dandelion is a great spring tonic for our bodies; it helps the transition from winter to the warmer season, by nourishing and balancing the blood so it will flow better and keep us cooler in the summer season.

1…Widely recognized as a liver tonic as it nourishes the liver.

2…Because of its high iron and zinc content, dandelion root is often used as a treatment for anemia.

3…Has mild laxative properties and is often used to help maintain regularity.

4…Recognized as a great blood builder and for the liver.

5…Aids skin problems as well as detoxify poisons and toxic waste in the body.

6…It is also a mild appetite stimulant; tea made from root and leaves can help relieve digestive problems.

7…Dandelion root functions as a mild diuretic. Because potassium is often lost when using a diuretic, dandelion root is often a better choice for a diuretic than synthetic formulas.

8…Lowers cholesterol according to some studies. Early results of at least one study show that dandelion root supplements may affect the cholesterol profile in diabetic mice positively by lowering LDL and triglycerides while increasing HDL.

9…Its positive effects on the liver and digestion, may help the effectiveness of other vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

10…“Dandelion acts as a tonic to the system. It destroys acid in the blood. As it contains organic sodium, it is very good for the deficiency of nutritive salts, and is recognized as a great blood builder and purifier.“ from the book Herbally Yours

Dandelion root Nutrition:

Filled with vitamins A, C, D and B complex, with abundant of zinc, iron, potassium, calcium and other nutrients.

Follow is a research report

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale and Tmongolicum)

http://www.imjournal.com/resources/web_pdfs/0409_yarnell.pdf

Abstract

Dandelion (Taraxacum spp) is used in many traditional and modern herbal medical systems, as particularly has been documented in Asia, Europe, and North America. The root is primarily considered a gastrointestinal remedy supporting digestion and liver function, while the leaf is used as a diuretic and bitter digestive stimulant.

Preclinical research on dandelion has revealed numerous properties, including its actions as an inflammation modulator, diuretic, digestive stimulant, insulin stimulant, demulcent, prebiotic, immunomodulator, antiangiogenic, and antineoplastic, although not all studies agree.

There are very limited numbers of clinical trials involving dandelion, and almost all of these involve complex herbal formulas containing dandelion as only 1 part. These formulas have been shown to counter indigestion, mildly help metabolize androgenic hormones, counter hepatitis B infection, reverse Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis, and reverse intestinal metaplasia. Overall, dandelion is very safe, although it may aggravate acute gastrointestinal inflammation. Further research is warranted on this widely-used, intriguing herbal medicine.

Dandelion (Taraxacum spp) is used in many traditional and modern herbal medical systems, as has been documented particularly in Asia, Europe, and North America.

The root is primarily considered a gastrointestinal remedy, supporting digestion and liver function, while the leaf is used as a diuretic and bitter digestive stimulant.

History and Folk Use

Dandelions are among the most recognizable weeds in the world. Traditional use goes so far back as to predate written records. The leaf of Chinese dandelion (T mongolicum) was first mentioned in writing in the Tang Materia Medica (659 AD) and is classically considered a valuable remedy in Chinese medicine, both topically and internally, for treating abscesses, reducing eye inflammation, and provoking diuresis.

Throughout its enormous growing range, all parts of the dandelion were eaten as food.

Chemical Composition

Among the most important compounds in dandelion are sesquiterpene lactones (believed to have antiinflammatory and anticancer effects), phenylpropanoids (believed to have inflammationmodulating effects), triterpenoid saponins (effects unknown for this herb; well known for many others; eg, the adaptogenic effects found in plants such as Panax ginseng), and polysaccharides (complex carbohydrates). Major sesquiterpene lactones, generally occurring as glycosides (sugars), include taraxacosides, taraxacolides, dihydrolactucin, ixerin, taraxinic acids, and ainslioside.5 Phenylpropanoids (cinnamic acid derivatives) are plentifully present and include cichoric acid, monocaffeoyltartaric acid, 4-caffoeylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and related compounds. Inulin (a class of fibers known as fructans) is also present in large amounts in dandelion root.

Dandelion leaf is a good source of potassium; 1 analysis found that 100 g (just over 3 oz) of leaf contained 297 mg potassium, putting it in a league with other high potassium-source foods.7 This means that, by dry weight, up to 4% of dandelion leaf is potassium. However, it should be pointed out that foodlevel doses (not the smaller medicinal doses) of leaf must be ingested to obtain potassium. A 5 mL (1 tsp) dose of leaf tincture with a 1:2 (weight:volume) ratio containing 4% potassium would provide just 100 mg of potassium, approximately one-fifteenth the dose necessary to be clinically relevant.

Pharmacology

Dandelion leaf and root have both been studied for their effects on digestion, mostly as bitter digestive stimulants. Dandelion root has been investigated for demulcent, prebiotic, hypoglycemic, and immune-modulating effects. Dandelion leaf has also been investigated as a diuretic and inflammation modulator.

Demulcent and Prebiotic Activity:

Dandelion roots have a distinct demulcent action and prebiotic properties due to their content of inulin8 ; fall-harvested roots have the highest inulin content.

Digestion, Inflammation, and Angiogenesis:

Sesquiterpene lactones impart a bitter taste to the plant, which is especially notable in the leaf but also in the root (particularly when spring-harvested).9 These compounds also likely explain the increase in bile production seen in animal studies with dandelion,10 with the studies themselves lending support to the traditional use of dandelion as a bitter digestive stimulant. One study showed that sesquiterpene lactones contributed to the inflammation-modulating properties of dandelion root.

Other studies showed that crude extracts of both root and flower modulated inflammation, and some evidence suggests that phenylpropanoids might be key to this activity.12,13 Ethanol extracts of the dried aerial parts have been shown in rodent studies to reduce inflammation and inhibit angiogenesis, though which constituents were responsible for these effects were not investigated.

Hypoglycemic Effects:

Dandelion root and leaf repeatedly have been shown to have hypoglycemic properties, though the exact mechanisms of action are poorly understood.15,16 Of concern, at least 1 report attributes this property to an insulin secretagogue effect (ie, stimulating pancreatic beta-cell release of insulin).17 This mechanism could lead to further insulin resistance and contribute to beta-cell burnout in patients with diabetes. This said, however, at least 1 mouse study has failed to confirm any hypoglycemic effects of dandelion.18 Human trials are necessary to clarify dandelion’s effects on blood sugar and determine if the herb may be helpful or harmful for people with diabetes.

Immunity:

Studies on the effects of various dandelion extracts and compounds on the immune system are contradictory, some showing inhibition and some stimulation of tumor necrosis factor, for example.19,20 This may suggest that dandelion extract has various effects on different lymphocyte populations or body tissues, or it may indicate that dandelion can modulate immune reactions. The polysaccharides in dandelion, of which there are many, are often credited with being key intermediaries in immune interactions.21 More in-depth research is needed on dandelion’s immune-system effects.

Miscellaneous Preclinical Studies:

In vitro and rodent studies consistently show that various parts of dandelion have antineoplastic activity. The leaf was more antioxidant than the root in vitro. Dandelion leaf has proven diuretic in rats, though at fairly high doses in 1 study and only to a modest degree in another. Another study failed to find a diuretic action of oral or intraperitoneal dandelion extracts.27 Recently, an animal study showed that a dandelion extract upregulated estrogen, progesterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptors in mice.28 Other effects of dandelion appear to be the resultof multiple constituents acting in concert, although lack of research makes it difficult to draw conclusions.

Clinical Applications, Western Studies

Bitter and Diuretic Principles: For most clinical uses, dandelion has not been scrutinized rigorously according to modern scientific methods. Traditionally, the leaf is regarded as a useful bitter and moderately potent diuretic. Though no study has yet been published to support these uses, a preliminary trial documenting dandelion leaf ’s diuretic activity was in press at the time of writing this article (Spelman K, et al. J Altern Complemen Med. 2008). The German Commission E approves the use of dandelion as a diuretic and also for use in anorexia, dyspepsia, and biliary abnormalities.

Detoxification:

Dandelion root has a long history of use for supporting liver function and treating various dermatologic and systemic disorders, based on the theory that the herb improves the liver’s ability to detoxify. These ideas have received little research attention.

In regard to hormone detoxification, a recent study compared the effects of an herbal formula containing dandelion (specifically, T officinalis), turmeric (Curcuma longa), artichoke (Cynara scolymus), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), and milk thistle (Silybum marianum), a healthy diet, and placebo on hormone levels in 40 premenopausal women.30 The study ran for 4 menstrual cycles. Compared with the other 2 treatments, the herbal formula caused significant declines in early follicular-phase androgens with no effect on levels of any other sex steroid hormone. The implications of this study are hard to determine, but it does suggest that dandelion and other herbs may have some role in enhancing detoxification of androgens.

Gastrointestinal Complaints:

The use of dandelion leaf for indigestion or other atonic gastrointestinal complaints is also largely unverified by modern studies. However, a case series of 24 patients with nonspecific, chronic colitis treated with a formula consisting of dandelion (specifically, T officinal), St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), calendula (Calendula officinalis), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) demonstrated remarkable symptomatic improvement in terms of stool normalization and pain reduction.31

Warts: The traditional use of fresh dandelion stem latex to treat warts has not been evaluated.

Clinical Applications:

Chinese Studies Several Chinese-language studies have reported on the effects of various formulas containing T mongolicum. Unfortunately, full text translations of these studies are not available, and the information provided here is based solely on English-language abstracts. Therefore interpretation of these studies must be undertaken cautiously.

Antibiotic Actions:

An herbal formula known as fu zheng qu xie * was just as effective as the antibiotic gentamycin in 75 cases of gastric disease caused by Helicobacter pylori (formerly known as Campylobacter pyloridis or CP).32 This study found that in the Chinese herbal medicine group, clinical symptoms obviously improved—with the curative effective rate for CP at 80% (24 of 30 patients), the death rate for CP at 30% (9/30), and the effective rate for pathohistological changes at 50% (15/30). Differences of curative effective rate between the two groups were statistically insignificant (P>.05).

Hepatitis B: A formula called jie du yang gan gao * (JY) was significantly more effective than another botanical formulation (the main ingredients of which were charred hawthorn [Fructus Crataegi], charred germinated barley [Fructrus Hordei Germinatus], and wheat bran) in lowering elevated liver enzymes and curing patients with hepatitis B in a 96-person, doubleblind trial.33 Cure meant that serum hepatitis B virus (HBV)- DNA become negative. According to the abstract, 27% of JY-group patients had normalization of serum alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT, chemicals that liver cells release when they are damaged or sick) and 32% became HBV-DNA negative compared to just 9% and 18% (respectively) of the other group.

Intestinal Metaplasia:

The herbal formula xiao wei yan powder† was quite effective at reversing intestinal metaplasia in 120 patients (91%-92% of patients normalized), compared with 120 untreated controls (only 14%-21% normalized).

Dosage and Sustainability

Recommended doses of the crude dried root or leaf Taraxacum spp range from 4 to 10 g daily in divided doses. Fresh root or leaf can be consumed as food at levels of 50 g or greater per day according to traditional knowledge. Based on our experience, typical doses of root or leaf tinctures in the United States are 3 to 5 mL 3 times/day.

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BPH) recommends 0.5 to 2 g of root or 4 to 8 mL of root tincture , both 3 times/day.35 The German Commission E Monographs recommend doses of 3 to 4 g of root twice daily or 10 to 15 drops of tincture 3 times/day.

 BPH recommends 3 to 5 g of leaf or 5 to 10 mL of leaf tincture, both 2 times/day. Commission E recommends 4 to 10 g of leaf or 2 to 5 mL of tincture, both 3 times/day.

 Dandelion is a prolific weed that has naturalized in temperate regions around the globe. As a result, it is not environmentally threatened in any way. The widespread use of herbicides to kill dandelions suggests that they should not be harvested from urban settings without first determining if they have been sprayed.

Safety and Drug Interactions

Dandelion is a commonly available food with a long history of human use and as such poses little risk of harm. Dandelion extracts are listed on the US Food and Drug Administration’s “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) list for foods and supplements. Allergy to dandelion can occur but is rare. Patients sensi-tized to other members of the Asteraceae plant family are sometimes cross-sensitized to dandelion.

Dandelion doses up to 6 g/kg in rabbits have shown no toxicity. Consumption of diets containing 33% dandelion for months produced no toxic effects in rats.38 No negative effects in humans have been reported during pregnancy or lactation, in children, or in combination with pharmaceutical drugs. One study in rats found that 2 g/kg body weight taken with the drug ciprofloxacin greatly impaired absorption of this antibiotic, presumably due to the mineral content of dandelion leaf,39 as minerals are known to chelate ciprofloxacin and block its absorption and activity.

Because it is a bitter, dandelion should be used with caution in patients with acute gastrointestinal inflammation or obstruction or in those with nonatonic reflux esophagitis. Bitters can potentially stimulate or aggravate these conditions.

Conclusion

Dandelion is widely used in traditional and natural medicine systems around the world yet has received surprisingly little research attention. Given that some preclinical and clinical research has suggested this gentle, safe remedy may have significant activity, further research is clearly essential.

Cancer-fighting tea set for clinical trials in Ontario - Calgary - CBC News

Human clinical trials on for cancer killing dandelion extract | University of Windsor

Sept. 8, 2016, article Study shows how Chinese medicine kills cancer cells published in the journal Oncotarget reports that the researchers at the University of Adelaide have shown a complex mix of plant compounds derived from ancient clinical practice in China – a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) – works to kill cancer cells.

The plant compounds was kushen injection (CKI), it was approved for use in China to treat various cancer tumours, usually as an adjunct to western chemotherapy. 

          http://biocube.gzbio.org/upfile/2015/10/10/20151010160333_913.jpg http://a1.att.hudong.com/38/67/01100000000000144736679795136_s.jpg

The study was use of extracts from the roots of two medicinal herbs, Kushen and Baituling (CKI) – by applying what’s known as a systems biology approach - a way of analysing complex biological systems that attempts to take into account all measurable aspects of the system rather than focussing on a single variable.

They use high-throughput next generation sequencing technologies to identify genes and biological pathways targeted by CKI when applied to breast cancer cells grown in the laboratory.

The result shows that the patterns of gene expression triggered by CKI affect the same pathways as western chemotherapy but by acting on different genes in the same pathways.

These genes regulate the cell cycle of division and death, and it seems that CKI alters the way the cell cycle is regulated to push cancer cells down the cell death pathway, therefore killing the cells.

The article said that individual compounds don’t have much activity on their own, it’s the combination of compounds which can be effective, and potentially means few side-effects as well.

The study explained the effective of herbal medicine based on the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine from genetic level.

May 12, 1999, Form of Chinese herb found to temper immune system and kill cancer reports that: Researchers at the School of Medicine, Stanford University have discovered that a perennial herb Tripterygium Wilfordii hook, a vine that grows in Southern China, have medicinal properties, used by the Chinese for hundreds of years to relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms has much more far-reaching medicinal qualities.

           http://163.17.44.2/teach/kplant/%E9%9B%B7%E5%85%AC%E8%97%A4/%E9%9B%B7%E5%85%AC%E8%97%A4-%E8%8A%B1%E5%BA%8F03.JPG http://www.zhongyao1.com/uploads/201412/1419830938bUvU0UpA.jpg

The scientists found that the active component of the herb is a drug that is able to suppress an overactive immune system, prevent inflammation and kill cancer cells.

By using a pure preparation of triptolide, the active compound within the plant, the Stanford scientists have found that the drug exerts its effects by preventing activation of a DNA-binding protein, NF-KB, after it has partnered with its DNA target. This protein is a pivotal molecule that, once active, escalates an immune response by switching on other immunologically important genes.

                                                                                                           Back to Top

 

8.15...Chinese Medicine is effective in anti-aging

Introduction

1. Antioxidation

1.1. Directly scavenge the free radicals

1.2. Enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes

1.2.1. Changes in Blood Superoxide Dismutase before and after Treatment of Chinese Drugs in Patients with Nephrosis

1.2.2. The anti-senility effects of astragalus polysaccharideAPSand total ginsenosideTGon senile mice induced by D-galactosamine

1.2.3. Ginsenoside can significantly increase the activity of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD)

1.3. Anti-lipid peroxidation

1.4. Reduce the damage of DNA

1.4.1. Antioxidant activiy and protection effect of salvianolic acids on DNA damage

2. Nitric oxide and Nitric oxide synthase

3. Immunoregulatory

4. Neuro-regulatory

5. Regulation of the endocrine

6. The effect of Tai Chi Chuan exercise on immune function

7. Antistress

 

Introduction

Everyone hopes long live, but no one satisfied. Then, what is the cause of aging. There are many theories about aging. The comparative recognized one is the free-radical theory of aging that was put forward by Denham Harman. He indicates that the oxidative free radicals are byproduct of normal cell function when cells create energy. They cause DNA, proteins and other essential molecules do not function as they should. Over time, these damages cause and accumulate us to experience aging. Luckily, the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and antioxidants can scavenge the free radicals to maintain it at normal levels to slow down the process of aging. Then makes us healthy and stronger……

With the age increasing, the balance has gradually been destroyed, resulting in excess of free radicals. They accumulate the process of aging, and make us weaker and weaker……

Although no one can avoid the final result presently, however we do can delay the process of aging. On this purpose, besides healthy life style, there are many other ways that could help us to fight against the development of aging. For example, in animal’s model, studies have shown that increasing the amount of antioxidants in diets can slow down the effects of aging effectively.

Though the free radical theory of aging did not fully explain all the changes that occurred during the aging, however, studies have proven that free radicals are the important part in the aging equation.

Recent decades, researchers have been finding great many bioactive constituents of anti-aging that have powerful Antiaging properties in Chinese drugs. It can prolong the life span of organism by many ways, such as anti-oxidation, immunoregulation, neuro-regulation, endocrine secretion regulation, anti-DNA injury, etc. It can relieve all the fatigue impairs for men and women, enhance the ability of hearing and seeing, and restore the color of beard and hair for elderly, etc.

Here, I will introduce those exciting results and the mechanism in anti-aging.

                                                                                  Back to 8.15  Back to Top 

1... Antioxidation

In recent years, new mechanisms of anti-oxidation were being found continuously. There is a growing trend in the application of natural antioxidants.

Researches showed that the efficacies of Chinese drugs are closely related with its effect of anti-oxidation, and there were many botanical Antioxidants have been found. Such as flavonoids, saponins, polysaccharides, organic acid and terpenes, etc.

These substances can inhibit the generation of free radicals, directly scavenge free radical, inhibit the injure effect of free radicals, and also can enhance the body's own systemic defense function on anti-oxidation. From multi-aspect block the damage effect of free radicals, and take the therapeutic and protective effect on human body by restoring the oxidized material.

At present, The protective effect of Chinese drugs on oxidative damage mainly include the following:

1.1…Directly scavenge the free radicals

Using the classical method of pyrogallicacid autoxidation, found that in 8 different Chinese drugs there were 7 can inhibit the autoxidation of pyrogallicacid and remove the superoxide anion radical.

1.2… Enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes

Through a series of catalytic reaction the antioxidase can change the free radicals into harmless materials. The main antioxidase in cells is the superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT). Chinese drugs can increase their level of the activity and number. Following is a clinical trial paper.

1.2.1... Changes in Blood Superoxide Dismutase before and after Treatment of Chinese Drugs in Patients with Nephrosis

Methods: Sixty-eight cases of nephrosis were divided into treatment group and control group, the reinforcing the kidney and promoting blood circulation was applied to treatment group on the base of control group treatment. Then changes of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lipid perixidatio (LPO) were compared between the two groups.

Results: The serum SOD level in nephrosis patients was lower than that in healthy children P0.01), but the serum levels of LPO were higher in nephrosis patients than in healthy children P0.01). After four-week treatment, the serum level of SOD increased obviouslyP0.01). The serum levels of LPO decreased obviously in treatment group. There were significant difference between the two groupP0.01).

Conclusion: Chinese drugs for reinforcing the kidney and promoting blood circulation can increase the activity of SOD to antagonise the damage peroxide-induced, and therefore can treat the weakness of kidney.

                                                                                  Back to 8.15  Back to Top 

1.2.2…The anti-senility effects of astragalus polysaccharideAPSand total ginsenosideTGon senile mice induced by D-galactosamine

METHODS: The senile models of mice were established by subcutaneous injection of D-galactosamine at the napeand administrated with homologus drugs. After 8 weeksthe mice were killedand the activity of superoxide dismutaseSODand glutathione peroxidaseGSH-PXin serum and liver tissues were detected by biochemistry method and the weight of immune organs such as spleen and thymus were measured.

RESULTS: In APS groupthe spleen index and the activity of SOD and GSH-PX in liver tissues and serum were increased; in APS plus TG group the spleen indexthe activities of SOD and GSH-PX in serum and liver tissues were significantly increased; in TG groupthe activity of GSH-PX in liver tissues was significantly increased.

CONCLUSION: APS and APS combination with TG can increase the activity of SOD and GSH-PX in serum and liver tissues and the weight of immunity organsso APS and APS combination with TG have anti-senility effects.

                                                                                  Back to 8.15  Back to Top 

1.2.3… In aging mice model, studies have shown that Ginsenoside can significantly increase the activity of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), reduce the content of lipid peroxide (LPO) and its metabolites malondialdehyde (MDA), reduce the damage to cells, also reduce the deposition of lipofuscin in brain and myocardial to achieve the effect of anti-aging.

1.3… Anti-lipid peroxidation

Studies suggest that some flavonoids can take anti-lipid peroxidation effect by forming hydrogen bonds with the cell membrane to protect that unsaturated bond of cell membrane contact with free radicals.

Salvia is a strong free radical scavenger, extracted water-soluble components have a strong inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation of microsomes of brain, liver, kidney in experimental rat. The antioxidant effect of salvianolic acid A is hundred times than that of vitamin E.

1.4...Reduce the damage of DNA

The damage of DNA is the primary procedure in the development of the aging process. Excess free radicals can attack and damage the DNA, thus triggering a variety of diseases and start the aging process. The reports on the studies of the anti-DNA damage by Chinese drugs are increasing. By enhancing the capacity of antioxidant and immune function, Chinese drugs can delay the shortening of the telomere length, improve the repair capacity of damaged DNA, and inhibit the formation of end products of the glycosylation, etc. to achieve the anti-aging purposes.

                                                                                  Back to 8.15  Back to Top 

1.4.1… Antioxidant activiy and protection effect of salvianolic acids on DNA damage

Abstract Objective: To study on the antioxidant activity of salvianolic acids and mechanisms of it’s protecting against DNA oxidative damage.

MethodsFree radical model was employed to investigate the scavenging activity to 11-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl(DPPH) and hydroxyl free radicals. The mechanisms of the effects of salvianolic acids on protection against DNA damage was measured by chemiluminescence on the reaction system of phenanthroline (Phen)-CuSO4-VC-H2O2-DNA. Salvianolic acids composition in samples was determined according to HPLC analysis.

Results: The hemi-inhibitable concentration (IC50) of crude aqueous extract(AE)ethylacetate extract(EE)resin extract(RE)ascorbate (VC) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) to DPPH free radicals were 141.215.314.615.8 and 71.5μg/ml. Three extracts could obviously inhibit and delay DNA damage caused by hydroxyl free radicals. The IC50 value of chemiluminescence of AEEE and RE were 1293.662.0and 49.2μg/ml. The scavenging activity and protective effects against DNA damage were affected by the level of salvianolic acids composition and salvianolic acid B.

Conclusion:  salvianolic acids can effectively scavenge DPPH and hydroxyl free radicalsprotect against DNA damage which belongs to preventive and chain-breaking antioxidantsand the effects are related to the level of salvianolic acid B.

2…Nitric oxide and Nitric oxide synthase

Under normal physiological conditions, NO can play an important role on the relaxation of vascular endothelial and maintenance of blood pressure balance. However, in high concentrations, NO can react with reactive oxygen species to produce nitroso radicals, this is a higher oxidative substance. Thus, the NO can also act as a free radical and led to cell oxidative damage. When ischemia-reperfusion injury, the activity of inducible Nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increased, this is the main NO synthase, it can cause the formation of oxidative damage by producing a large number of NO. Studies found that many flavonoids can inhibit the activity of iNOS in ischemia-reperfusion injury, such as, the quercetin and curcumin.

3… Immunoregulatory

The Aging is closely related to the state of humans’ immune defense functions. A sound immune function can prevent the infectious and non-infectious diseases. Also appropriate regulation of immune system in the level of cellular and molecular can delay the process of aging.

 Researches show that Chinese drugs have following immunoregulatory effects:

3.1. Make the antibodies form early and extend the existent time.

3.2. Regulate the Gene transcription of T cells Fas to reduce the excessive apoptosis of T cells in old rats.

3.3. Regulate the function of physiological and biochemical from aging state going back to normal. Such as: Nervous systems, endocrine system, body metabolism and free radical scavenging fuction.

3.4. Enhance the phagocytic capacity of reticuloendothelial system, promote the formation of antibody, and increase the content of immunoglobulin in blood and Increase the cAMP and cGMP.

3.5. To stimulate conversion function of lymphocytes for elderly and increase the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein in bone marrow cell.

3.6. Increase the absolute value of peripheral blood lymphocytes and iicrease the OD value of producing cells of spleen antibody.

3.7. Promote the production of specific antibodies to enhance the Humoral immune function.

4… Neuro-regulatory

    Central nervous system is highly vulnerable to the effects of free radicals and cause degenerative diseases.  The studies found that a lot of Chinese drugs have protective effect for nerve cells.

 4.1. Improve the function of nerve cells in the hippocampus of young and aged rats, promote the c-fos gene expression of hippocampal cells, confront the neurotoxicity mediated by glutamate and protect primary cultured rat hippocampus cells.

4.2. Mediate the balance of the catecholamines (γ - aminobutyric acid, norepinephrine) and 5 - HT of central nervous media, not only can cure insomnia also can cure neurasthenia and significant change the autonomic disorders.

4.3. Inhibit the memory impairment induced by anisodine, increase the monoamine neurotransmitters in brain and improve the learning and memory abilities in normal mice.  For aged rats it can significantly improve the transient memory, memory span, the reaction time of complex movements and the ability of action and operation.

4.4. Reduce the injury of cerebral hypoxia-ischemia, cerebral ischemia - reperfusion, anti-free radical damage. Regulate the ET, NO levels in brain and enzyme metabolic abnormalities. Inhibit calcium channel of brain cell, etc. In senile diseases of the nervous system, such as, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease show pharmacological effects in gene level.

4.5. Effects of acanthopanacis senticosi polysaccharides on expression of OGG1 mRNA in hippocampal neurons damaged by oxidative stress

Methods: The oxidative stress injury cell model was induced by H2O2. The change of cell morphology was observed. The activity of hippocampal neurons was detected with MTT method. The vitalities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathion peroxidase (GSHPx) were detected by chemical colorimetry. The expression of OGG1 mRNA was detected by RT PCR.

Results: Compared with model group, the morphology damage of hippocampal neurons were slighter, and the activities of hippocampal neurons in APS group (0.46) were higher than those of model group (0.36) (P0.01). The vitalities of SOD and GSHPx in APS group were higher than those in model group. APS obviously raised the expression of OGG1 mRNA.

Conclusion: APS can enhance the expression of OGG1 mRNA and protect the hippocampal neurons from oxidative stress injury.

5. Regulation of the endocrine

In the aging process, the cells apoptosis and organ dysfunction was controlled by neural-endocrine. Chinese drugs can improve and enhance endocrine function to anti-aging for the elderly. Some Chinese drugs, such as: Aconite, Ginseng, Astragalus, Eucommia, Cordyceps, Psoralen, and Cistanche, etc. can delay the human aging by increasing the lymphocytes glucocorticoid receptor, the concentration of saliva cortisol, promoting the adrenal function, improving the endocrine level of the elderly. Water extract of Ganoderma lucidum can play an anti-aging role by regulating a wide range of metabolic activities through strengthening the endocrine system (Such as, hypothalamic – pituitary - gonadal axis), thyroid system and adrenocortical function.

6. The effect of Tai Chi Chuan exercise on immune function

After 25 min exercise performance in the group those have been exercising Tai Chi Chuan for many years, the percentage of the CD3, CD4 cell increased, the ratio of CD4/CD8 increased and the percentage of CD16 cells decreased.

In quiet state, compared with that of non-Tai Chi Chuan group, those in Tai Chi Chuan group, the percentage of CD3 and CD4 cells is higher; the percentage of CD8 cells is higher but without statistical significance.

Tai Chi Chuan exercise can enhance the regulatory capacity of the cellular immune, and improve the body's cellular immune function.

7. Anti-stress

Chinese drug can alleviate the stress symptoms by releasing endorphins, decreasing the stress hormone cortisol, eliminating the oxygen free radicals, lowering the blood pressure, reducing the heart rate, relaxing the muscle tissue, improving the digestion and sleeping, and bringing more fresh oxygen to body tissues by improving the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. This increased blood flow will eliminate the waste products from inside the body and enhance the nutrition supply to take an Antiaging effect.

                                                                                  Back to 8.15  Back to Top

8.16...Chinese medicine for anti renal damage and improve kidney function

Herb extract intravenous injection is effective in the protection of the damage of renal tubular epithelial of dog situ-kidney caused by hot ischemia. Intravenous injection of 2.0 g / kg and 0.5 g / kg of Chinese medicine, show the effect in adjustment of serum-creatinine concentration, the rate of creatinine clearance and the rate of free water clearance for the rabbit Kidney after hot ischemia. Above evidence confirmed that Chinese medicine possess a certain ability in protection and restore of rabbit kidney after hot ischemia. 

Cryopreservation dog kidneys in HCA preservation solution by adding and not adding Chinese medicine, compare the changes of tissue and ultrastructure of dog kidney. The results show that tubular epithelial cell degeneration in experimental group are less than the control group (P<0.05) after 12,24 and 36 hours. Kidney ultrastructure is no significant difference between the two groups in 0 hour, slight difference after 12 hours, more pronounced differences after 24 hours, significantly differences after 36 hours. Chinese medicines have better effect on anti-ischemic renal injury.

Chinese medicine can significantly reduce the acute renal failure caused by glycerol and the content of serum urea nitrogen and creatinine in the rat liver. The first 48 hours survival rate was significantly improved. These prove that Chinese medicine possesses strong prevention effect on acute renal failure. There is evidence indicate the prevention effect associated with adenosine receptor.

Protect the acute renal failure induced by glycerol through improving the microcirculation, inhibiting the lipid peroxidation, reducing the calcium overload in renal tissue and protecting the enzymes activity of renal antioxidant and ATP.

Injection 8ml dissolved in 250ml of normal saline. once daily, it is effective in treatment of moderate renal failure.

Chinese medicine injection shows significant effect for kidney disease of serious diabetes complications.

Herb extracts 2g/kg intravenous injection can increase the blood flow in rabbit kidney.

Treat rat renal failure induced by adenine, herb extract 100mg/kg, intraperitoneal administration, reduced the blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. Significantly increase the rate of glomerular filtration(GFR),renal plasma flow (RPF),renal blood flow (RBF). Significantly increase the discharge urea, sodium and inorganic phosphorus in urinary. Kidney function was significantly improved.

For early rats kidney damage induced by gastric feeding grass carp bile, intraperitoneal injection, herb extract 2.5g/kg, 5g/kg, 2 times daily, a total of 4 times, can reduce the serum creatinine and N-acetyl-β-D-glucoside-enzyme (NAG enzyme) in urinary. And can reduce the number of necrosis in proximal tubule epithelial cells.

 Protect the kidney

1.Conservation of tissue antioxidant capacity.

2.Reduce the injury of the renal structure and renal function caused by blood reperfusion.

3.Effective prevent the acute ischemic renal failure.

4.Significantly reduce the levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, and increase the output significantly through urine.

5.Decreased blood non-protein nitrogen, retard the development of chronic renal failure.

 6. Direct inhibit growth of rat mesangial cell and the synthesis of mesangial cell DNA and Protein.

    7. Increase protein synthesis of amino acids in the blood, reduce synthesis of urea in liver and kidney.

8. Inhibit the decomposition of protein, in particular the muscle protein.

9.Promote the excretion of urea and creatinine.

                                                                                                           Back to Top

8.17. ..Chinese Medicine can improve Sexual Function  

This is the revised version of my Dec. 21 2011 article Chinese Medicine and Sexual Function

8.17. 1. Introduction

8.17. 2. The sexual function improvement for male

   8.17. 2.1. The effect of Chinese drugs on the secretion function of the endocrine system

   8.17. 2.2. Increase the weight of reproductive organs and enhance gonadal function

   8.17. 2.3. Restore the damaged sexual organs

   8.17. 2.4. Improve the sexual desire

   8.17. 2.5. Improve the erectile function by increasing the expression of nitric oxide synthase

   8.17.2.6. Effect of Icariin on the mRNA and protein expression of NOS isoform in corpus cavernosum of rats

   8.17. 2.7. Restore the sexual function for aged male

   8.17. 2.8. Resist the injury of chronic psychological stress on human reproductive function

      8.17. 2.8.1. Regulatory role of Chinese drugs on reproductive system of stress animals

      8.17. 2.8.2. Regulatory role on the dysfunction of neural reproductive endocrine under the stress

      8.17.2.8.3. Effects of lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on Reproductive System in Rats with Chronic Psychologic Stress

  8.17.2.9. Effects of Chinese drugs on exercise-induced low serum testosterone

  8.17.2.10. Effects of Chinese drugs on partial androgen deficiency of elderly

      8.17.2.10.1.The protective effects of extracts of Icariin and Dodder seed on the reproduction of rats with partial androgen deficiency

8.17. 2.11. Male infertility

      8.17. 2.11.1 Sperm generation capsule treats 1645 cases of male infertility

8.17. 3. The sexual function improvement for female

8.17. 3.1. The improvement of female sexual arousal dysfunction

      8.17. 3.1.1. Effect of Icariin on the NO-cGMP pathway in clitoris erection

      8.17. 3.1.2. Effects of Icariin on NO production and NOS activity of rabbit clitoral corporal smooth muscle cells

8.17. 3.2. Effects of Chinese drugs on the Hypophysis-gonad Axis in female rats

      8.17. 3.2.1. The effects of Icariin on Pituitary-gonadal Axis in female rat

8.17. 3.3. Research overview of the therapeutic mechanism of compound Chinese drugs on the Hypothalamus -pituitary- ovarian Axis

8.17. 3.4. Restore the sexual function for aged female

8.17. 3.4.1. The clinical observation of climacteric Syndrome treated with Yikunning

8.17. 3.4.2. Effect of Climacteric Happiness on Perimenopausal Rat’s Hormone

8.17. 3.5. Resist the injury of chronic psychological stress on female reproductive function

8.17.3.5.1. Effect of Repeated Immobilization Stress on Ovarian Function in Female Rats

8.17.3.5.2. Effects of flavonoids from Cuscuta chinensis on ovarian endocrine in female rats exposed to psychologic stress

8.17. 3.5.3. Effects of Flavonoids from Semen Cusseta on Changes of β-EP in Hypothalamuses and FSH and LH in Anterior Pituitaries in Female Rats Exposed to Psychological Stress

8.17. 3.5.4. Effects of Chinese drugs on hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis in Hanging Stressed female mice

8.17. 3.6. Female infertility 

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.1. Introduction 

This topic was aroused by the article of Viagra May Cause Heart Attack Deaths in Younger Men with No Heart Problems. It said that there were 522 people died in standard Viagra dosages, most of them from cardiovascular causes.

Viagra acts by inhibiting cGMP specific phosphodiesterase type 5, an enzyme that regulates blood flow in the penis. At the time in improving the erectile function powerfully, it caused many deadly inverse effects, too. Such as, priapism, severe hypotension, myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmias, sudden death, stroke and increased intraocular pressure, sneezing, headache, flushing, dyspepsia, prolonged erections, palpitations and photophobia. Visual changes include blurring of vision and a curious bluish tinge.  

According to the point of view of Chinese medicine that the enhancement of sexual function must be based on the improvement of overall health condition physically and psychologically rather than directly stimulate the artery expansion of local sexual organ by artificial chemicals.  

From the attitude to the treatment of impotence, we can understand the different affect of the philosophy between the Western medicine and Chinese medicine -- reductionism and holism. The root of deadly side effect of Viagra is from the philosophical approach, which viewing the process of sexual erection was as same as the process of a water pump supply. It ignored the physical and psychological factors.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

The testosterone supplement therapy (TST) and the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) both can improve the life quality for elderly people by improving the aging-related degeneration of reproductive system. However, they have deadly inverse effects, too.  

Based on the holistic philosophical approach, Chinese drugs have wonderful therapeutic effect on restoring the aging-related sexual dysfunction with lesser negative effect. Here, I will introduce some of modern research results of Chinese drugs on the improvement of human sexual function. 

8.17.2. The sexual function improvement for male

Chinese drugs can enhance the sexual function from many aspects. Such as, it can improve the secretion function of the endocrine system, increase the weight of reproductive organs, enhance the gonadal function, restore the damaged sexual organs, increase the sexual desire, improve the erectile function, etc. 

8.17.2.1. The effect of Chinese drugs on the secretion function of the endocrine system 

Some Chinese drugs can improve the secretion function of the endocrine system by improving the function of hypothalamus - pituitary – gonadal axis, adrenal axis and thymus axis, etc. Therefore, it take the effect of improving the sexual function indirectly.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.2.2. Increase the weight of reproductive organs and enhance gonadal function

In hydrocortisone treated rat model, Epimedium decoction gavages can significantly improve the sick symptoms of rats, and significant increase the weight of prostate, uterus, adrenal, thymus, seminal vesicle, levator ani muscle and sponge ball muscle, increase the levels of the estradiol and the plasma testosterone. In vitro, Icariin can significantly promote the TS secrete of the Rat’s Leydig cells. 

Male mice administered epimedium decoction can increase the content of plasma testosterone (TS), increase weight of the testicular and the levator ani muscle. 

8.17. 2.3. Restore the damaged sexual organs 

In impotence mice model, Epimedium extract can improve the DNA synthesis, promote the protein synthesis, regulate the cell metabolism and increase the body weight. 

Epimedium decoction can effectively repair the injury of the Rat’s Leydig cells and maintain the normal spermatogenic cycle of the testicular seminiferous tubules epithelial.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17. 2.4. Improve the sexual desire 

Epimedium extractum has androgen-like effect, can promote the secretion of dog semen. The hormone activity of Epimedium extracts injection 20-40mg was equal to 7.5 mg of testosterone. Epimedium polysaccharide can affect the endocrine function of pituitary and increase the level of sex hormones.

Epimedium can significantly increase the sex desire through increasing the secretion of semen, after the spermatophore was being filled, it will stimulate the sensory nerve, and indirectly cause the sexual excitement.  

Icariin can directly stimulate the secretion of estradiol in cultured follicular granulosa cell. At higher concentrations can promote the secretion of corticosterone in adrenal cortex.

Wolfberry polysaccharides gavages of 10 mg / (kg BW ? d) for semi-castrated rats  can significantly shorten the latency of penile erection and the latency of mating cross, increase the percentage of mating rats and enhance the vitality of sperm count.  

8.17.2.5. Improve the erectile function by increasing the expression of nitric oxide synthase

After the treatment of Icariin the erectile function was significantly improved in the rats of erectile dysfunction. The improvement of the erectile function has the same trend to the increase of expression of eNOS (nitric oxide synthase). It showed that the effect of Icariin on the erectile function was through the restoration of eNOS expression.  

Icariin can increase the concentration of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in corpus cavernosum with the dosage dependent. It prompts that the mechanism of Icariin on the penis’ erection was related with increasing the cGMP of cavernosum smooth muscle to enhance the relaxation of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.2.6. Effect of Icariin on the mRNA and protein expression of NOS isoform in corpus cavernosum of castrated rats 

Objective: To investigate the long-term effect and pharmacological mechanism of Icariin on erectile dysfunction (ED).  

Methods: Establish the ED model by castrating rats, then randomly divided into 4 groups, gavages of different doses of icariin and placebo respectively for 3 months.

Results: In castrated rats, the serum free testosterone decreased (P<0.01), the expression of the nNOS, iNOS mRNA and the expression of protein of corpus cavernosum was lower than that of non-castrated group (P<0.01), and there was no eNOS expression. However, after the gavages of different doses icariin, the expression of nNOS, iNOS mRNA and the expression of protein increased than the placebo group (P<0.05). Serum free testosterone had no significant changes (P> 0.05). 

Conclusion: Long-term orally administration of the Icariin can increase the expression of nNOS, iNOS mRNA and the expression of protein in rat’s corpus cavernosum. It demonstrated the long-term therapeutic effect of Icariin on erectile function. 

2.7. Restore the sexual function for aged male  

Chinese drugs can inhibit the decline of serum E2 and DHT and make them tend to increase for aged rats. Therefore, protect the decline of sexual function for aged animal. Chinese drugs can increase the receptor number of hypothalamic cytoplasmic E2 and nuclear DHT for aged rats to make them close to the level of youth rats. Thereby delay the aging of hypothalamus - pituitary - gonadal axis. 

Chinese drugs compound can resist the aging degeneration of all levels spermatogenic cells in testicular convoluted seminiferous tubules for  aged male mice, and made the cell subsets microstructure was similar to that of youth and the lipofuscin level was not increase.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.2.8. Resist the injury of chronic psychological stress on male sexual function 

Studies have shown that the psychological stress is the common incentive for reproductive endocrine system diseases (RESD) [1] [2]. And the psychological stressor is increasing. Such as, social competition, work pressure, family variation, especially ongoing financial crisis has exacerbated this trend. Therefore, the studies of the mechanism of psychological stress inducing the RESD and the seeking of safe and effective intervention approaches on enhancing our ability of resilience of stressor is more pressing and practical significance.

On this purpose, Chinese drugs have demonstrated good performance. 

8.17.2.8.1. Regulatory role of Chinese drugs on reproductive system of stress animals 

In high-dose exogenous glucocorticoid treated rats, the levels of CaM mRNA in hypothalamus and gonadal increased, the levels of CaM mRNA in pituitary was no significant changes. Total flavones of Epimedium can reduce the levels of CaM mRNA in hypothalamus and testis; but, there is no significant impact on pituitary.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.2.8.2. Regulatory role on the dysfunction of neural reproductive endocrine under the stress 

Infulence of regulating liver-qi and tonifying kidney recipes on hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis in rats under psychologic stress

Methods: By rat’s tail clamp anger method establish the psychological stress model.  

Results: In model group, the level of the hypothalamic-pituitary NE was decreaed, the level of the DA, 5-HT and 5-HIAA were increased. The levels of serum FSH, LH, E2 and P were declined, and the levels of the NE, DA, 5-HT, 5-HIAA and T were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). 

In Chinese drugs compounds group, the levels of rat’s serum P and LH were significantly higher than that of stress group, and the levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary NE and serum FSH, E2 were increased, the levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary DA5-HT5-HIAA and the serum NE5- HT and T were decreased. Chinese drugs can inhibit the decline of the hypothalamic pituitary NE and the serum FSH, P, also inhibit the increase of the levels of the 5-HT, NE and T in hypothalamic pituitary and serum (P<0.05).  

Conclusions: Chinese drugs can regulate the dysfunction of neural reproductive endocrine under the stress.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.2.8.3. Effects of lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on Reproductive System in Rats with Chronic Psychologic Stress

Methods: 36 adult SD male rats, weighing 180-220 g, divide into 6 groups randomly. Saline group. Stress group. LBP low dose group (gavages of 10 mg/kg). LBP high dose group (gavages 20 mg/kg). LBP low dose + Stress group (gavages of 10 mg/kg). LBP high doseStress group (gavages 20 mg/kg). All groups were administrated for 21 days. 

The stress rat’s model was established by placing the rats into the bound boxes. Consecutively bound 5 h daily followed by exposure to 65 dB noises 1 h for 21 days. 

Chinese drugs: 63% content of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides. 

Results: Model rats: In the early stage, for the rats in stress group were easily angered, easily frightened, often was in high degree of alert state. With the extend of the stress time, the food intake was significantly decreased, weight was lost, fur color was matt dull, and conduct activities decreased. Depression-like performance emerged.

Body weight:  The weight gain significantly reduced for stress rats with the statistical significant difference (P<0.05). Compared with the stress group, in LBP low dose, high dose and high dose + stress groups, the rat’s weight gain markedly increased with the statistical significant differences (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In LBP low dose + stress group, the rat’s weight gain increased, but no statistical significance in differences (P>0.05). 

Testis and epididymis:  In LBP high dose group, the weight gain of rat’s testis significantly increased (P<0.05) than those of saline group and stress group. Compared the weight gain of the rat’s epididymis between the each groups, there was no statistical significant differences (P>0.05).

                                                                                                       Back to 8.17   Back to Top

Sperm parameters: In stress group, the number of the rat’s sperm decreased, the rate of live sperm decreased, the rate of sperm deformity increased, compared with the saline group, the differences are statistical significant (P<0.01). Compared with the stress group, in LBP high dose + stress and LBP low dose + stress groups, the number of the rat’s sperm significantly increased, the rate of the live sperm increased, the rate of sperm deformity decreased, there are statistical significance in differences (P<0.01 or P<0.05).

Serum testosterone: Compared with the saline group, in the stress group, the level of the rat’s serum testosterone significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the stress group, in LBP low dose, LBP high dose, LBP low dose + stress, LBP high dose + stress groups, the level of the rat’s serum testosterone significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

Pathological patterns of the testicular tissue: In the saline group, LBP high does group and LBP low dose group, the rat’s testis seminiferous tubules ranged neatly, from the basement membrane to the cavity surface, sequentially can see the visible spermatogonia, spermatocyte and sperm cell that ranged compactly and neatly. A large number of matured sperm can be seen in the cavity. In stress group, the testis tissue of rats, the amount of the seminiferous tubules, the layers of the spermatogenic cells and the number of spermatogenic cells at all levels apparently reduced. The spermatogenic cells ranged areosis disorders and the amount of matured sperm cells in cavity apparently decreased. In the LBP high dose + stress group, the pattern of the rat’s testis tissue was similar to the normal one. In the rat’s testis tissue of the LBP low dose + stress group, the seminiferous tubule partially degenerated, the number of spermatogenic cells decreased with areosis disorders ranged, and the amount of matured sperm cells in cavity decreased. 

Conclusion: Lycium barbarum polysaccharides can enhance the reproductive function of chronic mentally stress rats. The mechanism might be through the regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis and the target receptors. 

Discussion: From the study we can understand that the psychological stress has powerful damage effect on reproductive function. Chinese drugs have protective effect on the reproductive function.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.2.9. Effects of Chinese drugs on exercise-induced low serum testosterone 

Effects of Chinese Herbal Preparation for Invigorating Kidney on Function of Hypothalamic - Pituitary - Gonad Axis in Rats 

ObjectiveTo observe the regulatory effect of epimeddium, broomrape and wolfberry on low serum testosterone and hypothalamus - pituitary - gonadal axis (HPG) function for heavy load long-term swimming rats. 

Method: By rat’s load swimming (the load increased by degrees) establishes low blood testosterone models and divided into swimming group and swimming + Chinese drugs groups.

Results: After 6 weeks swimming fatigue, in swimming group, the levels of the rat’s blood testosterone decreased significantly, the corticosterone increased significantly, the ratio of testosterone with corticosterone dropped by 71%. The dysfunction and even failure have emerged in the morphological changes in the cell ultra-structure of the hypothalamic GnRH neurosecretory cells, pituitary LH, FSH promote gonadal cells and testes leydigscells in the rat’s hypothalamus - pituitary - gonadal axis.

In swimming + Chinese drugs group, the levels of the rats’ blood testosterone significantly increased than that of swimming group. And the morphological changes demonstrated the improvement at all levels cells’ ultra-structure of hypothalamus - pituitary - gonadal axis.   

Conclusions: Regulatory hypofunction of hypothalamus - pituitary - gonadal axis is the important reason for exercise induced rats’ low blood testosterone. Chinese drugs can significantly improve the exercise induced low blood testosterone by regulating the function of hypothalamus - pituitary - gonadal axis and maintaining the integrity of the cell ultrastructure in gonadal axis.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.2.10. Effects of Chinese drugs on partial androgen deficiency of elderly 

The testosterone supplement therapy (TST) can significantly improve the symptoms of partial androgen deficiency in the aged male (PADAM). But there is safety issue. Such as, induce the erythrocytosis, impair the liver function. Moreover, also there are potentially dangerous of prostate and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, a study showed that injection of testosterone propionate in rabbit muscle can increase the level of serum testosterone, however, once the drug is withdrawal, the testosterone levels will be decreased in lower than the normal levels, which emerged the phenomenon of negative feedback. Those facts showed that the TST has shortcomings.

8.17.2.10.1. The protective effects of extracts of Icariin and Dodder seed on the reproductive function of the rats with partial androgen deficiency 

Abstract  Objective  To evaluate the protective effects on reproduction of Icariin(ICA) and semen cuscutae(SSC) on partial androgen deficiency(PAD) rats. Methods  The male rat model for impaired reproduction system and partial androgen deficiency were made by cyclophosphamide to determine the content of serum testosteroneluteinizing hormone(LH) and follicle stimulating hormone(FSH)  after ig.ICA and SCC.The change of histology of the testis and the penis were observed by microscope with the method of H.E staining and TUNEL method respectively.

Results  The contents of serum testosterone in ICA group were statistically higher than that in control group and model  groupand were statistically lower than that in testosterone group (P0.05), Howevercontents of serum testosterone in SSC group were higher than that in model groupand lower than that in testosterone group.But there had no statistically difference between SSC group and control group.There had no statistically difference among every group as to the contents of  LH and FSH.The cell apoptosis rate in rat penis in testosterone group and ICA group were statistically lower than that in model group (P0.05).But there had no statisticaldifference between SSC group  and model  group.

 Conclusions:  ICA and SSC both have the protective effects on reproduction on partial androgen deficiency ratsbut ICA is much more beneficial to PAD in the aging male(PADAM). 

Objective: To evaluate the protective effects of Icariin (ICA) and Dodder seeds (DS) on the reproductive function of partial androgen deficiency (PAD) to explore the alternative approaches for TST in Chinese drugs. 

Methods: 60 SD 15-month-old male rats were divided into 5 groups: blank group, model group, Icariin group, Dodder group, testosterone group, 12 in each group. The partial androgen deficiency (PAD) model was established by drug castration with the reproductive toxicity of cyclophosphamide.  

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

Besides the blank group, the other 4 groups were given intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (20 mg /kg-1 / d-1) for 5d. Then, the model group was no longer given any medication. Icariin group was gavages 40% single Icariin-glucoside for 200 mg / kg-1 / d-1; Dodder group was gavages dodder extract of (8:1) 200 mg / kg-1 / d-1, and the testosterone group was subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate 5 mg/d-1. All was administrated once daily for 7 days.

Results: Compared with the blank group, rats in model group, the weight was lost, the activity reduced, the hair was curly, matte and dull yellow, the testosterone levels declined (P<0.05), bone synthesis reduced but absorption increased and the weight of testes and seminal vesicle reduced. Biopsy showed that the diameter of the testicular seminiferous tubule narrowed, the spacing widened, the seminiferous epithelial thinned, the connective tissue was hyperplasia, the apoptosis of the spermatogenic cells and mesenchymal cells increased, the apoptosis of smooth muscle cells of corpus cavernosum increased and the degenerative changes emerged.  

Weight of body: The weight of rats in Icariin group, Dodder group and testosterone group were higher than the model group’s but lower than the blank group’s, and the Icariin group’s and Dodder group’s was lower than the testosterone group’s (P<0.05).  

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

The weight of testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle: Compared with the model group, the weight of rat’s testis in all group was increased (P<0.05). But the weight of rats’ epididymis was no obvious increase.    The weight of rats’ seminal vesicle in Icariin group were higher than the model group’s but lower than the testosterone group’s (P<0.05). The weight of rats’ seminal vesicle in Dodder group were lower than the blank group’s and the testosterone group’s, no significant difference with the model group’s (P<0.05).

Serum reproductive hormone: For the levels of rats’ serum testosterone: Icariin group’s was significantly higher than the blank group’s and model group’s, but lower than the testosterone group’s (P<0.05), Dodder group’s was significantly higher than the model group’s but lower than the testosterone group’s (P<0.05), has no significant differences with the blank group’s. The levels of the serum LH, FSH were no significant difference in each group. 

 The apoptosis: Apoptotic cells in each group have emerged. The results were as following. Icariin group’s was (34.26% ± 3.45%) and the testosterone group’s was (22.65% ± 5.17%), the two groups’ apoptosis rate were lower than the model group’s (48.28% ± 6.74%), there was a statistical significant difference (P<0.05). Dodder group’s (41.98% ± 8.12%) were no statistical significant difference with the model group and the blank control group (39.68% ± 6.02%). 

Conclusions: Icariin and Dodder both have the protective effects on reproductive function of partial androgen deficiency ratsbut Icariin is much more beneficial to the PAD in the aged male rats.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

Discussion: The Epimedium and Cuscuta are the main drugs that were used for treating male climacteric syndrome in Chinese medicine clinically.  

In this experiment, Dodder Seed extract can significantly increase the concentration of the serum testosterone, and increase the weight of rat body and genital testicular. Icariin can make the testosterone concentration higher than the model group, even higher than the blank group, can inhibit the reduction of seminal vesicle weight and the increase of the apoptosis of smooth muscle cell of corpus cavernosum induced by cyclophosphamide.  

Epimedium and Cuscuta can increase the diameter of testicular seminiferous tubule, increased the intensive of the seminiferous tubule, increase the spermatogenic cells and interstitial cell. It showed that Epimedium and Cuscuta can slow down the degenerative changes of testicular tissues with androgen-like or androgenic promotion-like effect. They can fight against PAD, but the effect was more moderate, weaker than that of testosterone propionate.

Icariin and Dodder Seed are pure traditional Chinese drugs. The price is lower, the effect is moderate with low toxicity, suitable for long-term use, has the potential to become an ideal treatment drugs for PADAM. 

Opinion derived from above paper: If the Icariin and Dodder was used in integrating or used in integrating with testosterone will be gotten much better results from their potentiating synergistic effects. The dosage and the side effect of the testosterone would be decreased largely.   

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.2.11. Male infertility 

The United States does have infertility rate-17 percent, and this rate continues going up. However, China has the lowest infertility rate, less that 3 percent. The lower infertility rate was contributed from the natural Chinese drugs rather than the difference of the ethnic origin. Because that the reproductive function is an important part of the sexual function, which can not be separated from. Chinese drugs will naturally improve the reproductive function at the time in improving the sexual function. 

Here, I will introduce the wonderful therapeutic effect of Chinese drugs on male infertility by clinical cases. 

8.17.2.11.1 Sperm generation capsule treats 1645 cases of male infertility

Cases selection: 1645 cases of male infertility, among them, 21 - 30-   year-old was 584 cases (35.50%), 31 - 40-year-old was 1036 cases (62.98%), over 40-year-old was 25 cases (1.52%). The infertile course was 1.5 - 14 years. They are no congenital hypoplasia, no bilateral cryptorchidism, no bilateral epididymal tuberculosis, normal in vas deferens and normal in sexual function. The gynecological examinations showed that their spouse did not suffer any diseases that affect the reproductive.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top   

Drugs: Sperm generation capsule was made of compound Chinese drugs. Each capsule was equivalent to the crude drug of 4.54g. 5 capsule x 3 times daily with an empty stomach, 3 months for a course of treatment. 

Standard of efficacy: (1) Recovery: The spouse had been pregnant; (2) Marked effective: Semen examination resumed to normal; (3) Effective: Semen examination resumed to normal partially; (4) Ineffective: After 3 months treatment, the semen examination was no obvious change. 

Results: Recovery was 971 cases (59.03%); marked effect was 385 cases (23.40%); effective was 231 cases (14.04%); ineffective was 58 cases (3.53%). The total effective rate was 96.47%. In the treatment of courses, the shortest one was 24 days, the longest one was 180 days and the average was 56 days.  

The reasons of ineffective were that those patients’ sperm density was less than 1 million / ml or suffering the sperm immobility syndrome.

Conclusion: The sperm generation capsule can enhance the gonadal function by increasing the number of sperm, enhancing the motility of sperm, reducing the occurrence of abnormal sperm and improving the liquefaction time. 

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.3. The sexual function improvement for female 

The main Chinese drugs on the enhancement of sexual function for female are similar to those for male. This is because that the treatment of sexual function in Chinese medicine is focusing on the improvement of the overall health condition rather than that of the Viagra focused on the sexual organ only. 

8.17.3.1. The improvement of female sexual arousal dysfunction 

    Chinese drugs can enhance the female sexual arousal ability and sexual pleasure by improving the relaxation of corpus cavernosum clitoridis and vaginal smooth muscle. The increased relaxation will help to increase the blood flow velocity and volume in clitoris and vagina to enhance their sexual sensitivity. 

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.3.1.1. Effect of Icariin on the NO-cGMP pathway in clitoris erection

Methods: In vivo, vitro tested the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and the expression of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) in the corpus cavernosum clitoridis. By SNP stimulating observed the effect of Icariin on the levels of cGMP. By primary cultured smooth muscle cells of rabbit’s clitoral corpus cavernosum observed the activity of NO and NOS. By the model of ovariectomized rat’s sexual dysfunction and the Laser Doppler Technology observed the hemodynamic changes on vaginal wall. After placebo-control oral administration in 5mg/kg/day for 4 weeks observed the long-term effects of Icariin. 

Results: There were NOS and PDE5 expression in the tissues of corpus cavernosum clitoridis. Icariin markedly increased the concentration of cGMP and the activity of NO and NOS in smooth muscle of corpus cavernosum clitoridis with the dose-dependent. 

 In sexual dysfunction model group, blood flow velocity and the area under the curve of vaginal wall were significantly decreased than the normal control group, and the smooth muscle of vaginal wall was significantly decreased. After 4 weeks of Icariin oral administration, the blood flow velocity and the area under the curve of vaginal wall was significantly increased than the normal control group, and smooth muscle of vaginal wall was increased.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top   

Conclusion: Icariin can enhance the female sexual function by regulating the NO-cGMP pathway. 

DiscussionIcariin can regulate the expression of the NOS and PDE5 and the NO-cGMP signaling pathway in corpus cavernosum clitoridis and vaginal smooth muscle. Through increasing the content of NO and cGMP enhance the relaxation of corpus cavernosum clitoridis and vaginal smooth muscle. The increased relaxation will help to increase the blood flow velocity and volume in clitoris and vagina. Thereby enhance the female sexual arousal ability.  

Until after 4 weeks of Icariin gavages, the velocity and the volume of the blood flow of vaginal wall were significantly increased, and the smooth muscle was increased. The results indicated that Chinese drugs need some times to take the better effect because that enhanced sexual function was the natural result with the overall health condition was being improved gradually. So that even if the cessation of medication, the enhanced sexual function will exist continuously. 

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.3.1.2. Effects of Icariin on NO production and NOS activity of rabbit clitoral corporal smooth muscle cells

Objective: investigate the effects of the Icariin on production of Nitric Oxide (NO) and activity of Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) of smooth muscle cells in rabbit’s corpus cavernosum clitoridis.

Methods: By enzyme digestion method in vitro culture the smooth muscle cells of rabbit’s corpus cavernosum clitoridis. 

Results: Cultured tissue showed typical morphological characteristics of the smooth muscle cells. The Icariin can increase the activity of NOS and the generation of NO (P<0.01) in smooth muscle cells of rabbit clitoral corpus cavernosum with the concentration dependent.  

Conclusion: Icariin can increase the generation of NO of smooth muscle cells of corpus cavernosum clitoridis by enhancing the NOS activityThose increased NO will enhance the relaxation of the smooth muscle under the sexual stimulating to enhance the swollen erectile function of the clitoris.  

8.17.3.2. Effects of Chinese drugs on Pituitary-gonadal Axis in female rats

                                                                                                            Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.3.2.1. The effects of Icariin on Pituitary-gonadal Axis in female rats

Methods: 4-month-old female rats model, studied the effect of Icariin on the reproductive hormones: FSH, LH and E_2 in the serum of female rats, observed the effect of Icariin on the development of ovarian and uterine organs . By primary cultured pituitary cells and semi-quantitative RT-PCR studied the effect of Icariin on the expression of FSH mRNA and LH mRNA of the Rat’s pituitary cells. 

Results: Certain doses of Icariin can increase the secretion of the reproductive hormones: FSH, LH and E_2 of female rat’s serum. And promote the development of Rat’s follicle. However, for the development of uterine was no obvious impact. Icariin can promote the secretion of FSH and LH of anterior pituitary cells and increase the expression of FSH mRNA and LH mRNA of pituitary cells with dose selection. 

Conclusion: Icariin can increase the secretion of the reproductive hormones: FSH, LH and E_2 of female rat’s serum, and increase the expression of FSH mRNA and LH mRNA of pituitary cells. Icariin can promote the development of rat’s follicle, no obvious impact on the development of uterine.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.3.3. Research review of the therapeutic mechanism of compound Chinese drugs on the Hypothalamus-pituitary- ovarian Axis 

Abstract: Review the research results of the therapeutic mechanism of compound Chinese drugs (CCD) on the Hypothalamus-pituitary- ovarian Axis in recent years. Compound Chinese drugs can regulate the disordered function of autonomic nerve, reproductive endocrine system and immune system, thereby to take the bidirectional regulatory effect for female’s neuro-endocrine -immune system.  

Animal models selection: Early age animals, elderly age animals, ovariectomized animals and sterilized animals by gavages of androgen, etc. 

Results:  The effects of CCD on sex hormones 

CCD can bidirectional regulate the level of sex hormones, increase the level of the sex hormone receptor, increase the levels of the endometrial PR, ER in ovariectomized rats and promote the growth of the uterine.  

CCD can significantly increase the levels of the serum E2, P, and the index of uterus and ovarian for the young female rats.  

CCD can increase the serum E2, P, decrease the serum FSH, LH for the ovariectomized rats.

CCD can increase the serum E2FSHLH and decrease the GnRH in hypothalamus and plasma for the 18-month-old rats.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

The effect of CCD on the histomorphology of gonadal axis  

The adenohypophysis’ structure is clear, the sinusoid increased, the gland cells is dense, the cytoplasm is full, the nuclei is round and large, and the nucleoli is clear.  

In polycystic ovary mice model, increase in uterine weight, interstitial cells of polycystic ovary is hypertrophy and the ovarian weight increased.

In androgen sterilized rat induced by androgen, the ovarian weight increased, the corpus luteum increased, the ovarian granulosa layer increased. There are eggs in dominant follicle, the interstitial gland significantly increased. 

The adrenal cortical zona reticularis thinned, the lipid droplets increased.

The effect of CCD on the neuroendocrine network 

CCD can partially improve the endocrine disorders of the menopause rats by reducing the level of the NE, DA of hypothalamus and NE, E2 of plasma.  

CCD can regulate the activity of NO, NOS and the content of nNOS, mRNA in hypothalamus, in some extent can inhibit the hormone NOS / cGMP system by affecting the nNOS transcription. 

    CCD can cure the idiopathic precocious puberty.  

    CCD can regulate the synthesis and release of growth hormone and the expression of hypothalamic protein and periventricular nucleus SS gene by regulating the hypothalamus somatostatin, gene expression and protein expression.  

    CCD can increase the level of declined hypothalamic NE of ovariectomized female rats, reduce the abnormal increase of 5-HT and 5-HIAA, so that make the ratio of 5-HT / NE close to normal. These indicate that Chinese drugs can improve the disorder of the monoamine central neurotransmitters of the menopausal rats. At the same time can increase the activity of IL-2, therefore can regulate the immune function of cells and humoral.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.3.4. Restore the sexual function for aged female  

The histochemical examination within the genital showed that Chinese drugs can improve the ovarian function, delay the aging process of uterine and ovarian. Such as, make the uterine hypertrophy or normal, uterine epithelial AKP positive, and produce the corpus luteum and follicle in ovarian. 

8.17.3.4.1. The clinical observation of climacteric syndrome treated with Yikunning 

Objective: Observation of clinical efficacy of Yikunning (A compound Chinese drugs) on perimenopausal syndrome. 

Methods: 44 patients with perimenopausal syndrome were randomly divided into Yikunning group and Livial group. Two groups continuously administrated for 3 months. Then the menopausal symptoms were estimated by kupper-man score method. The levels of the serum hormone were determined by RIA method before and after treatment.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

Results: The effect of the Yikunning on improving the perimenopausal symptoms was better than the Livial, there was a statistical significance. The effect of Yikunning on improving the hormone levels was similar to the Livial, there was no significant statistical difference. 

Conclusions: The effect of Yikunning on improving the perimenopausal symptoms is better than the Livial and on regulating the endocrine is similar to the Livial. However, Yikunning has the advantages of therapeutic effect lasting longer and side effects lesser. 

Discussion: Livial is a synthetic steroid hormones used for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It mimics the activity of the female sex hormones oestrogen, progesterone and androgen testosterone for aged female. It has positive therapeutic effect clinically.  

As same as other synthetic drugs, Livial has terrible side effects, too. Such as, increased risk of breast cancer; increased risk of stroke and of blood clots forming in the veins; some breakthrough bleeding or spotting in the first few months of taking this medicine; missing a dose may increase the chance of bleeding or spotting; stabbing pains or swelling in one leg; pain on breathing or coughing; coughing up blood; breathlessness; sudden chest pain; sudden numbness affecting one side or part of the body; fainting; worsening of epilepsy; migraine or severe headaches; visual disturbances; severe abdominal complaints; increased blood pressure; itching of the whole body; yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice); severe depression.

However, Yikunning is a pure natural compound Chinese drugs, it take the effect by restoring the function in secreting sex hormones for aged female organs. Therefore, its side effect is lesser and the therapeutic effect is longer.  

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.17.3.4.2. Effect of Climacteric Happiness on Perimenopausal Rat’s Hormone 

Climacteric Happiness (CH) is a compound Chinese drugs made from the experience formula for treating perimenopausal syndromes. After years of clinical applications and observations, the therapeutic effect was proved. This study is from the endocrine level to investigate the mechanisms of the therapeutic effect.

Methods: 50 female 12~15-month-old SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: CH high dose group, CH medium dose group and CH low dose group, blank group and Nylestriol group. 10 adult non-pregnant 4~5-month-old female rats set as normal group. 

Rats in 3 CH groups were 3mL CH gavages, which containing crude drugs respectively7.4g3.7g and 1.85g, rats in blank group were 3mL saline gavages and rats in normal group were 4mL saline gavages, all group administrated once daily for 30 days. Nilestriol group was 0.036mg Nylestriol gavages, once every 2 weeks for 30 days.

Results: In all CH groups, the level of rat’s serum E2 was significantly higher than the blank group (P<0.05). Compared with normal group, the level of rat’s serum E2 of high dose CH group has no significant difference (P>0.05). The determination results were as following table.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top   

   Table: Determination Results of Rat’s Serum E2, FSH and LH for Each group  

Groups

E2 (pg/mL)

FSH (mIU/mL)

LH (mIU/mL)

CH High dose

14.00±2.42**

6.89±1.43*

10.80±1.36**

CH Midium dose

9.29±4.44**△△

7.52±2.56

10.90±1.60*

CH Low dose

7.88±3.41*  △△

8.27±2.25

11.20±2.70

Normal Group

16.80±5.27**

6.47±1.19*

10.50±1.88*

Blank  Group

4.57±2.72   △△

8.32±1.60

12.80±1.39

Nylestriol Group

17.40±5.55**

6.24±1.35*

10.30±2.15*

 

Note: Compared with the blank group: *P<0.05, **P<0.01; Compared with the Nylestriol group: P>0.05, △△P>0.01 

Conclusions: Climacteric Happiness can increase the serum E2 level and decrease the serum FSH, LH levels of perimenopausal rats 

8.17.3.5. Resist the injury of chronic psychological stress on female reproductive function

    Psychological stress can activate the hypothalamus - pituitary - adrenal axis, and impact the function of female reproductive endocrine from the levels of hypothalamus, pituitary and ovarian. Chinese drugs can take the anti-chronic psychological stress effect by improving the female reproductive endocrine function.

8.17.3.5.1. Effect of repeated immobilization stress on ovarian function in female rats 

Method: Sexual matured female rats were given immobilization stress once daily for 15 d. Observe the sexual periodic change by vaginal smearing. At the same time to observe the changes of the level of the plasma estradiol and progesterone.

Results: Repeated stress can cause the female rat’s ovarian dysfunction. The sexual cycle extended or no physical laws or sustained in diestrum without asexual cycle alternating. The secretion function of ovarian estradiol was hypofunction; the secretion function of progesterone was obvious disorder. The plasma estradiol levels were significantly reduced in various stages of sexual cycle and / or menstrual cycles was disorders or disappears. The progesterone level was significantly increased and the physiological secretion pattern was disorder. The plasma progesterone levels of some rats changed toward that of climacteric rats. 

Conclusion: Stress can induce the ovarian dysfunction and degradation.

8.17.3.5.2. Effects of flavonoids from Cuscuta chinensis on ovarian endocrine in female rats exposed to psychologic stress 

Objective: Observation of the regulatory role of Cuscuta flavonoids on the decline of ovarian endocrine function caused by psychological stress.

Methods: Established rat’s ovarian endocrine dysfunction model by composite stress of sound - Light – electricity stimulating. 

Results: For stress rats, the Cuscuta flavonoids can significantly increase the levels of serum E2, P and the weights of pituitary, ovarian and uterine. But there was no significant impact on the level of adrenal ascorbic acid. 

Conclusion: The Cuscuta flavonoids can significantly improve the ovarian endocrine function of psychological stress rats.

8.17.3.5.3. Effects of Flavonoids from Semen Cusseta on Changes of β-EP in Hypothalamuses and FSH and LH in Anterior Pituitaries in Female Rats Exposed to Psychological Stress  

    Objective: Study the regulatory mechanism of Cuscuta flavonoids on the ovarian endocrine function of stress rats.

Methods: Established rat’s ovarian endocrine dysfunction model by composite stress of sound - Light – electricity stimulating. 

Results: The hypothalamic β-EP levels of psychological stress rats were significantly increased. Cuscuta flavonoids can markedly reduce the level of hypothalamic β-EP, increase the number of pituitary basophilic cells and the level of pituitary LH. But there was no significant impact on the level of pituitary FSH.

Conclusion: Cuscuta flavonoids can significantly improve the ovarian endocrine function by reducing the level of hypothalamic β-EP and increasing the level of pituitary LH for psychological stress rats.

8.17.3.5.4. Effects of Chinese drugs on hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis in hanging stress female mice 

Original name was Effect of Liuwei Dihuang Decoction on Hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary Axis in Hanging Stress-loaded Female Mice

Objective: Observation of the changes of hypothalamus - pituitary - ovarian (HP0)-axis function in hanging stress female mice and the effect of Liu Wei Di Huang Tang (LW), a compound Chinese drug. 

Methods: By hanging stress method establish HPO axis dysfunction model in female rats, in the first 1 – 3 d hanging 30min, then increase 30min by every 3d. No total hanging days were mentioned. 

Results: The weight of stress mice reduced, the estrous cycle and the estrus interval prolonged. The level of hypothalamus CnRH and pituitary LH declined, the concentration of serum estradiol increased. Oral LW has no significant effect on estrous cycle of stress mice, but can reduce the weight lost.  Oral LW can significantly improve the levels of the hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary LH and significantly reduce the concentration of serum estradiol.  

Conclusion: Hanging stress can induce the dysfunction of rat’s MPO axis. LW has regulatory effect on dysfunction of rat’s MPO axis.

8.17.3.6. Female infertility

May 11, 2009, The Herald-Mail reported that Area moms say acupuncture helped them to conceive in Hagerstown city, Maryland State, USA.  

“Kelly Morton, 37, of Hagerstown says she and husband Jason wanted to give their daughter Meredith, 6, a sibling.”  

“But after nearly three years of trying to get pregnant and suffering through several miscarriages, Morton says she turned to two intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedures as well as an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure.”  

    “All three were unsuccessful, leaving Morton physically and emotionally spent, and she and her husband still without another child.”  

 “’It was devastating,’ she says.” 

However, finally she succeeds happily with the help of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. 

 Kelly Morton holds daughter Sadie, 8 weeks, in front the wall of children who have been conceived using Chinese medicine. Sadie was conceived with the help of acupuncture and Chinese herbs. 

Many others have the same experiences.  

Above cases are sufficient to demonstrate the magic therapeutic effect of Chinese medicine on female reproduction.

                                                                                                        Back to 8.17   Back to Top

8.18…Chinese Medicine can improve Metabolism

8.18.1... Cell metabolism

Chinese medicine could significantly delay the natural aging process of the human lung diploid cells, extend the life of 1/3 around. Adding 5g/L Chinese medicine into the nutrient solution, can significantly increase the number of viable cells, the cells generate strong. The fact showed that Chinese medicine could enhance the ability of cell metabolism.

8.18.2....Nnucleic acid metabolism

Chinese medicine can promote RNA synthesis on cultured liver cells in vitro, and can significantly promote DNA synthesis of hematopoietic cells of bone marrow, and speed up the splitting process of nucleated cells.

8.18..3. Cyclic nucleotide

Chinese herbal medicine decoction can significantly improve the content of the cyclic nucleotide (cAMP and cGMP) in plasma and tissue, but the percentage of cAMP increased significantly compared with the control group. Aged rats cAMP, cGMP was significantly higher than that of young rats, but the cAMP / cGMP ratio decreased. Chinese medicine can rectify the changes to make it close with the young rats. The ability of regulating the plasma cyclic nucleotide is the important role on anti-aging of Chinese medicine.

8.18..4. Metabolism of the sugar

Increase or decrease the blood sugar with automatic bi-directional regulation.

8.18.5. Metabolism of protein and nucleic acid

Promote the synthesis of DNA and protein in mouse liver, kidney and testicular. Promote the synthesis of serum protein and liver DNA.  Protection of synthesis for myocardial cells DNA in the hypoxia and lack of sugar situation.

8.18.6. Nucleic acid and protein metabolism

Accelerate the uptake of P for liver cells. Increase the synthesis of the brain protein in rats that suffered cerebral ischemia by carotid artery legations. Stimulate the regeneration of the liver tissue in liver resected mice.

8.18.7. Sugar metabolism

Increase the inorganic phosphorus and blood sugar in rabbit’s serum and increase the muscle and hepatic glycogen. Reduce the lactate in liver and serum, but increase the lactate in muscle. Prevent of the reduction of muscle ATP, glycogen, and phosphate, but prevent the increase of the lactic acid and pyruvate.

                                                                                Back to Top 

8.19...Chinese medicine can promote recovery after operation

The operation of cancer, such as, Lung cancer requires thoracotomy, it will badly harm to the body. Patients are often very weak physically and prone to sweating profusely, a slight movement may cause to sweat, and chills after sweating, dry mouth, dry cough with short of breath, irritability or fantod. Since bowel movements are too slow, which cause distending or windy of abdomen, poor appetite, poor urine, constipation and so on.

For the elimination of those uncomfortable symptoms, at first is to promote bowel movements, once the movements are promoted, all of the uncomfortable symptoms above will be improved quickly. The mental state will gain a new look. Positive psychology will greatly speed up the process of recovery.

Although some Western medicine can achieve the effect of promoting bowel movements, or do not improve the bowel movements, but can ease constipation. However, both effect are not good than that of Chinese medicine. Chinese medicine is not only can improve the bowel movements, but also can strengthen physical fitness, especially strengthening the immune system significantly, thereby to speed up the process of recovery.

Because doctors may suspect Chinese medicine, so I chose a substitute that is Aloe Vera. As a plant medicine, Aloe is used for thousand years in China, and Aloe Vera is popular in North America. Now the capsule of the powder of Aloe Vera can buy in any diet supplements store and there are producers in Toronto city. Although the appearance of Aloe of China is different with Aloe Vera of North America, but the main ingredients & medicinal function are similar.

Using method: 2 capsule of Aloe Vera powder melt with alcohol, the amount of alcohol is to make the mixture can just smear 9 square inch on bellybutton and the surrounding area. After smearing cover the s,eared area by a piece of plastic to keep wet for 8 hour or more, if smeared area dried in this period, wet again with alcohol. After 6 – 10 hours, patients will have one or two times stools that may be like diarrhea but the feeling is much comfortable than that of diarrhea. Then clean the smeared area. Thus one time of smearing each day for one week, then patient will be much better.

The therapeutic mechanism is that, as usual, the most of acupuncture point is connected with one specific organ or area of body. But bellybutton is connected with the organs and tissues of whole body. It is called as holographic acupuncture points. Medicinal ingredients will be trans-dermal absorbed into the acupunctural meridian and blood vessel to reach whole body, without via the degradation of the liver, take the effect quickly with high efficacy.

    Besides promoting bowel movements quickly, Aloe Vera has therapeutic effects as following.

    1. Stimulates immune response against cancer to prolong survival time of cancer patients

    2. Protect the bone marrow from damage by toxic chemicals and drugs

    3. Improve blood sugar regulation in non-insulin dependent diabetics

    4. Curtails HIV infection

    5. Relieves irritable bowel syndrome

    6. Reduces pain and swelling in arthritis sufferers

    7. Promote the wounds healing

    8.Increase the number of spleen cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes and platelets and so on

    9. Anti-fungal, viral

    10.. Inhibit the tyrosine kinase

    11. Inhibition of tumor cell metabolism-induced apoptosis

    12. Anti mutagenic

    Besides Aloe Vera, better take Ginseng Capsules 2 gram/3 times /day.

The dilemma in health care triggered the rise of Chinese medicine


I have been persisting 10 years in writing this article.

The writing of this article started in 2008 in Mandarin after I learnt the incredible Medicare Woes in the United States from documentary Sicko that directed and filmed by Mr. Michael MooreSince Dec. 21, 2011, I translated it in English and then I have been in endless updating with difficult struggling in English wording.

Mr. Michael Moore revealed shocking reality in the Medicare and healthcare of the United States by comparison with other countries.

The United States is admired in affluent life under adorable democratic governance, its healthcare system should be in most adorable too, but, the reality that over commercialized in profit pursuit was in incredible departure from adorable.

In the United States, almost fifty million people are uninsured while the insured remainders are often victims of insurance company fraud and red tape; which caused the infant mortality and life expectancy equal to that of poor countries.

As contrast, Cuba, a poor country that has been taking as enemy and embargoing by the United States for more than 60 years, has indeed established the most humane medical system that any people from any country can get treatment in free.

In the documentary Sicko, for seeking medical help, by a small boat, Mr. Michael Moore helped three U.S. 9/11 rescue workers easily into Cuba, the poor country Cuba is freely opening its door to the people from enemy country.

The 9/11 rescue workers have been suffering sickness that caused from engaging in rescue work in 9/11 dust-flying disaster site, in order to save the lives of others, undermined the health of themselves. In own home country, in the great United States, they did not get effective medical help as national heroes should be enjoyed.

In Havana hospital of the poor country Cuba, the rescue workers got satisfied diagnosis and treatment in free without being asked for money or insurance card, the only requirement was to register by personal name and birthday in the purpose of an essential identification as patients in regardless the nationalities.

The fact was clear - the poor Cuban people have established universal healthcare system in opening to the people world widely.

The humane practice of poor country Cuba made a great irony for the rich country United States that has been self priding in acting as global mentors in the democracy and human rights.

In the documentary Sico, Mr. Michael Moore indicates that, in the U.S., Healthcare costs run nearly $ 7,000 per person; but in Cuba, they spend only $ 251. And yet the Cubans are able to have a lower infant mortality rate and a longer average life span than that of in the United States.

Then, where was the $ 7.000 per person spent for, the documentary provided secret.

A kind of medicine that needed by a patient of 9/11 rescue workers was only $5 cents in Cuba, but was $120 dollar in the United States.

Mr. Michael Moore commented the health care of Cuba with that: Their only sin when it comes to healthcare seems to be that they don't do it for a profit.

The malformed profitable healthcare leads to a deformed economy. Feb. 26, 2018, the article Warren Buffett reveals more details about healthcare venture with JPMorgan and Amazon said the U.S. spends 18 percent of its GDP on healthcare, which was the highest in the world, and that number continues to grow. 

Nowadays, although the social materials wealth was increased largely, but the social polarization was increased also. There many people are struggling in the bottom of the modern society, hard working every day but less ability to afford expensive medication, well-equipped Hospitals are everywhere, but, they have no money to step in, even no ability to enjoy the fruits of modern civilization they have been hardly creating.

For unaffordable medication, the irrational commercialization was one of the reasons; the life-saving medication became the tools for looting money.

In the United States, besides that medicine sells $120 with 2400 times greedy looting in compared with $5 cents in Cuba, the hospitals was also in madly money cheating.

Nov. 19, 2014, there was a report that Canadian mom faces nearly $1-million medical bill after unexpected birth in U.S.. It said that a Saskatchewan mother is facing more than $900,000 in medical bills after giving birth unexpectedly in the United States and being told the costs won't be covered by insurance.

No matter from what point of view, for a normal childbirth, to be charged so much, it was simply a manner of robbery of the reckless robber.

On the https://www.reddit.com/, after the post The Cost of Our Baby's Birth (C-Section) in the US, there were many comments in complains about irrational charges at American hospitals.

Although the people do not have to worry about medical expenses in some rich welfare countries with available in universal health care, however, manmade poor in services, and long waits for treatment has become a new life threat. In developed country Britain and Canada, both have reports that patients died due to unable to get treatment timely.

Dec.14, 2009, British news paper Daily Mail published article Britain, the sick man of Europe: Heart and cancer survival rates among worst in developed world to have reported that the poor work ethic of British medical staff caused health care service among worst in developed world; even there were up to 1200 needless deaths patients abused staff bullied to meet targets, but hospital says no one's to blame; patients were left unwashed in their own filth for up to a month as nurses ignored their requests to use the toilet or change their sheets. Even heinous, four members of one family, including a new-born baby girl died within 18 months after of blunders at the hospital…

The shocking facts revealed that healthcare in the rich countries United States and Britain was even worse than that of poor country Cuba.

A better healthcare is important for human survival, in underdeveloped poor countries, the poor healthcare is normal in forgivable; but in developed rich countries, the poor healthcare is abnormal in unforgivable.

The reality shows that the plight in human health care was not due to the short in medical resources, but, the absurdity in social governance, which encourages some reckless people to boldly play their inhuman nature to endanger the life of innocents.

In this regard, the populist kidnap-worsened democratic governance was main cause, in which, it was not government in governing populists, but, the populists in kidnapping government and boldly doing whatever they like without worry for being punished.

All in all, the first in the firsts, the improvement of health care is depending on the rational social governance. The purpose is simple, but the practice will be difficult due to it is inevitably to be complicated by the involvement of great many thorny factors.

Besides the wrongful social governance, the mainstream western medicine itself also faces difficult position of being unable to get rid of; such as, it is incapable in dealing with the degenerative diseases that have no pathogenic origin. Recently, after huge expenditures on drug R&D failed, several pharmaceutical manufacturing giants announced the withdrawal of the drug development on Alzheimer’s. A few years ago, there were pharmaceutical giants withdrew from new version antibiotic R$D due to the rapid mutations of the virus to have largely shortened the marketing time of new developed antibiotics.

The reality is urging us to serious consider the way out for the dilemma in human health care. The best way is to explore therapeutic approaches that are easy in home use, cheaper in private affordable, so that people can be self-help in health keeping and diseases treating; by which helps people get rid of fully relying on unaffordable mainstream medicine and thereby get rid of the harm of wrongful social governance and greed of people’s inborn nature that free play in over commercialized world.

For such a concern, that folk ancestral medicine may provide help.

Among variety of the folk ancestral medicines, the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was the best one with the profound theories of thousands years accumulation in written records, which provide effective methods in diseases diagnose and treatment with broad availabilities in natural medicine - 11,146 medicinal plants, 1581 medicinal animals and 80 medicinal minerals with nearly 100 thousands of experience-based formulas.

In Cuba, due to short of money, they promote preventive medicine and hardly seek cheaper effective medications, in which, Chinese medicine has been playing a key role.

Follow were some of the reports.

Natural and Traditional Medicine in Cuba: Lessons For U.S. Medical Education.

Cuba's Green Revolution - Natural Medicine Advances.

In addition, there was report that in the US, the not-for-profit and public hospitals have developed unsustainable.

28 August 2018, article Research Announcement: Moody's - US NFP & public hospitals’ annual medians show expense growth topping revenues for second year reports that: Expense growth continues to outpace revenue growth for US not-for-profit and public hospitals, and the widening gap places the sector on an unsustainable path. This is the second consecutive year expenses have topped revenues, and will remain the largest strain on NFP hospital profitability through 2019.

The report said, Revenue pressures continue to overshadow expense saving initiatives, while the median annual expense growth rate decelerated to 5.7% from 7.1%, but, annual revenue growth rate declined faster, to 4.6% from 6.1%."

                                                  

                                                                          Back to Top


路过

雷人

握手

鲜花

鸡蛋

评论 (0 个评论)

facelist

您需要登录后才可以评论 登录 | 注册

法律申明|用户条约|隐私声明|小黑屋|手机版|联系我们|www.kwcg.ca

GMT-5, 2024-3-28 06:32 , Processed in 0.097557 second(s), 17 queries , Gzip On.

Powered by Discuz! X3.4

© 2001-2021 Comsenz Inc.  

返回顶部