http://www.cmjournal.org The latest research articles published by Chinese Medicine 2010-08-25T00:00:00Z This is an RSS newsfeed from BioMed Central It is intended to be used with an RSS reader. For more information about RSS newsfeeds from BioMed Central, visit http://www.biomedcentral.com/info/about/rss/ Background: Many medicinal plants are increasingly endangered due to overexploitation and habitat destruction. To provide reliable references for conservation planning and regional management, this study focuses on large-scale distribution prediction of Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf (Dahuang). Methods: Native habitats were determined by specimen examination. An improved version of GIS-based program for the distribution prediction of traditional Chinese medicine (TCMGIS-II) was employed to integrate national geographic, climate and soil type databases of China. Grid-based distance analysis of climate factors was based on the Mikowski distance and the analysis of soil types was based on grade division. The database of resource survey was employed to assess the reliability of prediction result. Results: A total of 660 counties of 17 provinces in China, covering a land area of 3.63x106 km2, shared similar ecological factors with those of native habitats appropriate for R. tanguticum growth. Conclusion: TCMGIS-II modeling found the potential habitats of target medicinal plants for their conservation planning. This technology is useful in conservation planning and regional management of medicinal plant resources. http://www.cmjournal.org/content/5/1/31 Hua Yu Caixiang Xie Jingyuan Song Yingqun Zhou Shilin Chen Chinese Medicine 2010, 5:31 2010-08-25T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-31 Chinese Medicine 1749-8546 5 31 2010-08-25T00:00:00Z PDF Background: Getting botanical extracts approved worldwide as polychemical medicines requires rigorous quality control. Based on comprehensive chemical and biological fingerprints correlated with pharmacology, we propose a general approach called PhytomicsQC to botanical quality control. Methods: Incorporating the state-of-the-art analytical methodologies, PhytomicsQC was employed in this study and included the use of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) for chemical characterization and chemical fingerprinting, differential cellular gene expression for bioresponse fingerprinting and animal pharmacology for in vivo validation. A statistical pattern comparison method, Phytomics Similarity Index (PSI), based on intensities and intensity ratios, was used to determine the similarity of the chemical and bioresponse fingerprints among different manufactured batches. Results: Eighteen batch samples of Huangqin Tang (HQT) and its pharmaceutical grade version (PHY906) were analyzed using the PhytomicsQC platform analysis. Comparative analysis of the batch samples with a clinically tested standardized batch obtained values of PSI similarity between 0.67 and 0.99. Conclusion: With rigorous quality control using analytically sensitive and comprehensive chemical and biological fingerprinting, botanical formulations manufactured under standardized manufacturing protocols can produce highly consistent batches of products. http://www.cmjournal.org/content/5/1/30 Robert Tilton Anthony Paiva Jing Guan Rajendra Marathe Zaoli Jiang Winfried van Eyndhoven Jeffrey Bjoraker Zachary Prusoff Hailong Wang Shwu-Huey Liu Yung-Chi Cheng Chinese Medicine 2010, 5:30 2010-08-20T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-30 Chinese Medicine 1749-8546 5 30 2010-08-20T00:00:00Z PDF Background: Radix Polygoni Multiflori is the dried root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (Fam. Polygonaceae). According to Chinese medicine theory, raw (R-RPM) and processed (P-RPM) Radix Polygoni Multiflori possess different properties. The present study investigates the differences in chemistry between raw and processed Radix Polygoni Multiflori. Methods: Five pairs of R-RPM and P-RPM as well as 15 commercial decoction pieces were analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Results: Two anthraquinones, namely emodin-8-O-(6'-O-malonyl)-glucoside and physcion-8-O-(6'-O-malonyl)-glucoside disappeared or decreased significantly and 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, emodin-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and physcion-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside decreased after the R-RPM samples being processed. On the other hand, the contents of emodin and physcion generally increased after processing. Conclusion: The present study indicates that processing Radix Polygoni Multiflori may change the contents and types of chemicals in it. These changes are probably responsible for the various pharmacological effects of R-RPM and P-RPM as well as hepatotoxicity. http://www.cmjournal.org/content/5/1/29 Zhitao Liang Hubiao Chen Zhiling Yu Zhongzhen Zhao Chinese Medicine 2010, 5:29 2010-08-12T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-29 Chinese Medicine 1749-8546 5 29 2010-08-12T00:00:00Z XML Several studies reported that moxibustion was effective in treating constipation. This systematic review assesses the clinical evidence for or against moxibustion for treating constipation. Twelve databases were searched from their inception to March 2010. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included if they compared moxibustion with placebo, sham treatment, drug therapy or no treatment. The methodological quality of these RCTs was assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias analysis. All three RCTs included in the study had a high risk of bias. Two included studies found favorable effects of moxibustion. The third RCT showed significant effects in the moxibustion group. Given that the methodological quality of all RCTs was poor, the results from the present review are insufficient to suggest that moxibustion is an effective treatment for constipation. More rigorous studies are warranted. http://www.cmjournal.org/content/5/1/28 Myeong Soo Lee Tae-Young Choi Ji-Eun Park Edzard Ernst Chinese Medicine 2010, 5:28 2010-08-05T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-28 Chinese Medicine 1749-8546 5 28 2010-08-05T00:00:00Z XML Background: Chinese medicine (CM) draws growing attention from Western healthcare practitioners and patients. However, the integration of CM knowledge and Western medicine (WM) has been hindered by a barrier of languages and cultures as well as a lack of scientific evidence for CM's efficacy and safety. In addition, most of CM knowledge published with relational database technology makes the integration of databases even more challenging. Methods: Linked Data approach was used in publishing CM knowledge. This approach was applied to publishing a CM linked dataset, namely RDF-TCM (http://www.open-biomed.org.uk/rdf-tcm/) based on TCMGeneDIT, which provided association information about CM in English. Results: The Linked Data approach made CM knowledge accessible through standards-compliant interfaces to facilitate the bridging of CM and WM. The open and programmatically-accessible RDF-TCM facilitated the creation of new data mash-up and novel federated query applications. Conclusion: Publishing CM knowledge in Linked Data provides a point of departure for integration of CM databases. http://www.cmjournal.org/content/5/1/27 Jun Zhao Chinese Medicine 2010, 5:27 2010-07-27T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-27 Chinese Medicine 1749-8546 5 27 2010-07-27T00:00:00Z PDF Multi-drug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells severely limits therapeutic outcomes. A proposed mechanism for MDR involves the efflux of anti-cancer drugs from cancer cells, primarily mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) membrane transporters including P-glycoprotein. This article reviews the recent progress of using active ingredients, extracts and formulae from Chinese medicine (CM) in circumventing ABC transporters-mediated MDR. Among the ABC transporters, Pgp is the most extensively studied for its role in MDR reversal effects. While other MDR reversal mechanisms remain unclear, Pgp inhibition is a criterion for further mechanistic study. More mechanistic studies are needed to fully establish the pharmacological effects of potential MDR reversing agents. http://www.cmjournal.org/content/5/1/26 Stella Chai Kenneth To Ge Lin Chinese Medicine 2010, 5:26 2010-07-25T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-26 Chinese Medicine 1749-8546 5 26 2010-07-25T00:00:00Z XML Background: Tian Xian Liquid (TXL) is a Chinese medicine decoction and has been used as an anticancer dietary supplement. The present study aims to investigate the effects of TXL on the apoptosis of HT-29 cells and tumor growth in vivo.MethodHT-29 colon cancer cells were treated with gradient dilution of TXL. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by JC-1 assay. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondrial and apoptosis-related proteins Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, 9 were examined by Western blot analysis. HT-29 cells were implanted in nude mice to examine the effects of TXL on tumor growth.ResultTXL inhibited HT-29 xenografted model and showed a strong and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HT-29 cells. Mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced by TXL at the concentration of 0.5% above. For Western blot analysis, an increase in Bax expression and a decrease in Bcl-2 expression were observed in TXL-treated cells. TXL treatment increased the protein level of cleaved casepase-3 and caspase-9, and the release of cytochrome c in cytoplasm was up-regulated as well. Conclusion: TXL significantly inhibits cell proliferation in the HT-29 cells and HT-29 xenografted model via the mitochondrial cell death pathway. http://www.cmjournal.org/content/5/1/25 Qing Liu Yao Tong Stephen Cho Wing Sze Wing Keung Liu Lam Lam Ellie Shihng Meir Chu Christine Miu Ngan Yow Chinese Medicine 2010, 5:25 2010-07-21T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-25 Chinese Medicine 1749-8546 5 25 2010-07-21T00:00:00Z XML Patents for Chinese herbal medicines can be difficult to obtain. When the active ingredients of an herbal formula are known, danfang (single herb prescriptions) is better protected with quantified composition claims. When the active ingredients are unknown, 'product by processing', 'method of processing', 'method of administration' and 'new use claims' are often powerful tools to distinguish a traditional danfang from 'the prior art'. Additional patents may also be filed continuously in the product development process. Existing patents for fufang (composite prescriptions) are primarily drafted to protect traditional herbal formulations. More efforts are needed to protect various herbal combinations and their multiple applications. http://www.cmjournal.org/content/5/1/24 Xinsheng Wang Albert Chan Chinese Medicine 2010, 5:24 2010-07-16T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-24 Chinese Medicine 1749-8546 5 24 2010-07-16T00:00:00Z XML Background: Radix Wikstroemiae is a common Chinese herbal medicine. The ethyl acetate fraction of the ethanolic extract of W. indica possesses potent in vitro antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This study aims to identify the antiviral components of the active fraction. Methods: The active fraction of the Radix Wikstroemiae extract was isolated with chromatographic methods such as silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on spectroscopic analyses. The in vitro antiviral activity of the compounds against RSV was tested with the cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Results: Four biflavonoids, namely neochamaejasmin B, genkwanol B, genkwanol C and stelleranol, were isolated and characterized. Genkwanol B, genkwanol C and stelleranol, which are stereo isomers of spirobiflavonoids, showed potent anti-RSV activity whereas neochamaejasmin B did not. Conclusion: Neochamaejasmin B, genkwanol B, genkwanol C and stelleranol were isolated from Radix Wikstroemiae and the complete absolute configurations of five chiral carbons in stelleranol were substantiated for the first time. Furthermore, the anti-RSV activity of genkwanol B, genkwanol C and stelleranol was reported for the first time. http://www.cmjournal.org/content/5/1/23 Weihuan Huang Xiaoli Zhang Yifei Wang Wencai Ye Vincent Ooi Hau Yin Chung Yaolan Li Chinese Medicine 2010, 5:23 2010-06-21T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-23 Chinese Medicine 1749-8546 5 23 2010-06-21T00:00:00Z XML Danshen, the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, is a Chinese medicine used to promote blood flow and treat vascular disease. The present article reviews the pharmacological effects of Danshen on cerebral infarction and possible interactions between Danshen and Western drugs. Danshen may reduce or prolong the development of atherosclerosis and may have anti-hypertensive and anti-platelet aggregation effects, which prevent cerebral infarction. Danshen may enhance endogenous anti-oxidative enzyme activities such as the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and may scavenge oxygen free radicals. Prevention and treatment of cerebral infarction by Danshen involves multiple pathways, including anti-atherosclerosis, anti-hypertension, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. http://www.cmjournal.org/content/5/1/22 Tsai-Hui Lin Ching-Liang Hsieh Chinese Medicine 2010, 5:22 2010-06-21T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/1749-8546-5-22 Chinese Medicine 1749-8546 5 22 2010-06-21T00:00:00Z XML