Alternative & Integrative Medicine

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of kidney-tonifying recipe Zuogui Wan (ZGW) and Yougui Wan (YGW) on learning and memory ability, serum corticosterone (CORT), and expression of learning- and memory-related signal transduction molecules in aging rats. Methods: Naturally aged rats (23 months) were used as animal model and were randomly divided into four groups: senile control group, senile+antagonist RU486 (antagonist of GR group, senile+ZGW group, and senile +YGW group). A fifth group was designated as the young group, composed of five-month old rats. Starting from the 21st month, rats of senile+ZGW and senile+YGW group were administered with ZGW and YGW respectively for three months. For subcutaneous injection, RU486 (5 mg/kg body weight) was administered 2 h prior to the Morris maze test (senile+antagonist RU486 group). Spatial learning and memory abilities were observed using Morris water maze test. Contents of serum CORT were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of related signal transduction molecules (CaM, pCaMK II, pERK1/2, pCREB, Arc, and pSynapsin I) were tested using Western blot. Regulating effects of kidney-tonifying recipe and RU486 on above-mentioned indicators were also studied. Results: Contents of corticosterone in serum of senile rats were significantly higher compared with the young group. Morris water maze test showed that spatial learning and memory abilities of aging rats were clearly reduced. Expression of learning- and memory-related signal transduction molecules was also visibly lowered. However, kidney-tonifying recipe and RU486 exhibited potential to improve abnormal changes of the above-mentioned indicators in senile rats to varying extent. Conclusion: Experimental findings indicate that kidney-tonifying recipe and RU486 may improve spatial learning and memory abilities and retard the effects of aging on senile rats by down-regulating abnormally high corticosterone levels and up-regulating expression of related signal transduction proteins.

Objective: Shohangekabukuryo-to (Tsumura Japan [TJ]-21) is well known as an herbal medicine with few side effects to treat vomiting, nausea, acute and chronic gastritis, and hyperemesis of pregnancy in Japan. In this study, we performed fully allogeneic cardiac grafts in mice to investigate the effect of TJ-21 on alloimmune responses. Methods: CBA (H2k) mice underwent transplantation of a C57BL/6 (H2b) heart and received oral administration of 0.02, 0.2 and 2 g/kg per day of TJ-21 from the day of operation until 7 days afterward. Adoptive transfer study was performed to determine whether regulatory cells were generated. Histologic and cell proliferation studies, flow cytometry analyses and cytokine measurements were also performed. Results: Compared to untreated CBA mice rejected C57BL/6 hearts acutely (median survival time [MST], 8 days), MST of allografts from TJ-21-treated mice was prolonged (MST, 77 days). Moreover, adoptive transfer of whole splenocytes from TJ-21-treated allograft CBA recipients had prolongation of allograft survival in secondary recipients (MST, 53 days). Flow cytometry study showed TJ-21-treated mice had an increased CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cell population. Cell proliferation showed that interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ were inhibited in TJ-21-treated mice, whereas IL-4 and IL-10 were increased. Conclusions: In summary, TJ-21 could induce hyporesponsiveness of fully MHC-mismatched cardiac allografts and generate regulatory cells.

Aim and Objective: This research was done to observe the anti-inflammatory effect of moxibustion and explore the role of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid sub type 1 (TRPV1) on Mice with adjuvant arthritis. Method: Adjuvant arthritis (AA) was established by using the amount of 20 μL of Freund’s Adjuvant Complete (FCA) intradermal injected into right hindfoot plantar. 50 KM mice were randomized into 6 groups by random number table method: control group (n=10), model group (n=8), capsaicin group (n=8), capsazepine group (n=8), moxibustion group (n=8) and Moxibustion+Capsazepine (MC) group (n=8). 16 C57BL/6 wild-type mice are randomized into 2 groups by random number table method: Wild-Type (WT) model group and WT moxibustion group with 8 in each. 14 TRPV1 knockout mice are randomized into 2 groups by random number table method: knockout (KO) model group and KO moxibustion group with 7 in each. Each mouse in the capsaicin group is subcutaneously injected with the amount of 0.1 ml/10 g into the L5, L6 spinal cords. Each mouse in the capsazepine group was intraperitoneally injected with the amount of 0.1 ml/10 g. Similarly, each mouse in the moxibustion group, WT moxibustion group and KO moxibustion group was given a suspended moxibustion with 5 mm × 200 mm specially-made moxa stick for 20 minutes on L5 and L6 spinal cords. Kept the distance between the moxa stick and the skin where L5 and L6 spinal cords located was 10 ± 2 mm that the temperature was stabilized at 46 ± 1°C. Each mouse in MC group was intraperitoneally injected with the amount of 0.1 ml/10 g first, then after 15 minutes was given a suspended moxibustion for 20 minutes on L5 and L6 spinal cords. All the treatments above were performed at the same day when models were successfully establishedand performed once per day for 7 days in total. During the performance, mice in the control group, model group, WT model group and KO model group were of no treatment in any way. The right hindfoot paw volumes of mice in each group were measured and recorded on Day 1, Day 2, Day 4, Day 6 and Day 8 of the experiment. After all treatments, the serum IL-1β and TNF-α level was determined by ELISA. Results: Compared with the model group, the paw volumes in the moxibustion group was significantly decreased (P<0.01), simultaneously moxibustion caused a significant decrease in serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the paw volumes, serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels in the Moxibustion+Capsazepine (MC) group was significantly decreased (P<0.01); but compared with moxibustion group, the paw volumes, serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels in MC group was obviously increased with significance in between (P<0.05). Compared with KO control group, no changes in the paw volumes, serum IL-1β and TNF-α levels in KO moxibustion group, there was no significant difference in between (P>0.05). Conclusions: TRPV1 plays a central role in the anti-inflammatory effect of moxibustion, while the effect may be lost if lacked of TRPV1-mediated.

Background: EPs 7630 has already been proven effective in acute rhinopharyngitis (ARP) and other acute respiratory diseases. We conducted an open-label, non-comparative, interventional multicenter study to obtain additional information on the tolerability and effectiveness of EPs 7630 in a clinical practice setting. Methods: 120 adults with clinical ARP diagnosis and at least 2 out of a set of 10 common cold symptoms received 3 × 1 film-coated 20 mg EPs 7630 tablet daily, for 10 days. Assessment of tolerability and safety was based on adverse event (AE) elicitation and safety laboratory measures. The intensity of ARP-associated symptoms was assessed daily and treatment outcome and satisfaction were evaluated. Results: At treatment end, 42% of patients were completely recovered, 42% showed major improvements. The majority of patients were satisfied with treatment. Over-all AE incidences were 0.017 (all AEs) and 0.010 (potentially related AEs) events/day of exposure. Most common events were gastrointestinal complaints and skin reactions. None of the events were serious. Conclusions: The results confirm the excellent tolerability of EPs 7630. Potentially attributable AEs were limited to the drug’s known spectrum of adverse effects. The majority of patients showed a favorable course of ARP which is unlikely to be explained by the natural course of the disease alone.

Many have noted the connection between art and homeopathy and there is something about the nature of the creative force and the way in which we perceive the vital force as creative, which puts homeopathy in the same dynamic place as that which drives artistic inspiration. I have tried to see this connection in a previous article in The Homeopath looking particularly at case taking. This paper tries to set the scene about the inclusivity of art and homeopathy by looking at the nature of vitalism and the breadth of that important quality, expression, as perceived at the outset by Hahnemann, in gaining true insight of the nature of the suffering of the patient. My work is in the tradition of empirical enquiry, based on observation and experience and as such accretes more certainty as evidence mounts.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qi, the life force, is said to have impeded or abnormal flow through the body when disease is present. Restoration of Qi flow is said to regain balance between Yin, Yang and Qi, resulting in the restoration of normal health. A number of therapies have evolved which attempt to restore the normal function of meridians, the channels in the body within which Qi flows. The best known is acupuncture which involves the insertion of needles into pressure points along blocked or affected meridians to restore Qi flow. Acupressure is believed by its advocates to achieve the same goal by applying pressure instead of needles.

Background: In Japan, Kampo medicines (Japanese herbal medicines) are often used as adjuvant therapy to Western medicines. In the present study, the effect of Kampo medicine Hochu-ekki-to (HOT) on aqueous flare elevation (AFE) after small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) was investigated. Materials and methods: Fifteen patients (24 eyes) with age-related cataracts that underwent SICS were prospectively studied. Patients with glaucoma, diabetes, or uveitis were excluded from the study. HOT was orally administered to seven subjects (12 eyes) from the day of surgery through postoperative week 4. Control group subjects (eight subjects; 12 eyes) did not receive HOT. Both groups received the same nonsteroidal, steroidal, and antibacterial eye drops before and after surgery. AFE was measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: AFE at postoperative weeks 2 and 4 was significantly lower in the HOT group than in the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that HOT is effective in suppressing AFE.