Heatoxin

Artemisinin inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines via the NF-κB canonical signaling pathway in PMA-induced THP-1 monocytes.

Wang Y, Huang Z, Wang L, et al. Int J Mol Med. 2011 Feb;27(2):233-41. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2010.580.

Artemisinin inhibits the secretion and the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner in THP-1 human monocytes. Wang et al., (2014) found that the NF-κB specific inhibitor, Bay 11-7082, inhibited the expression of these pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that the NF-κB pathway may be involved in the decreased cytokine release. Additionally, artemisinin inhibited the translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit as demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopic analysis and by NF-κB binding assays. Our data indicate that artemisinin exerts an anti-inflammatory effect on PMA-induced THP-1 monocytes, suggesting the potential role of artemisinin in preventing the inflammatory progression of atherosclerosis.

Artemisinin Induces apoptosis can relieve pathological impairment and inflammatory reaction in acute pancreatitis

Zhao M, Xue D-B, Zheng B et al. Induction of apoptosis by artemisinin relieving the severity of inflammation in caerulein-induced acute pancreatitisWorld J Gastroenterol. 2007 November 14; 13(42): 5612–5617 2007 November 14. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i42.5612

Artemisinin

Study on effect of Cordyceps sinensis and artemisinin in preventing recurrence of lupus nephritis

Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2002 Mar;22(3):169-71.

The therapeutic effect showed markedly effective in 26 cases (83.9%), effective in 4 (12.9%) and ineffective in 1 (3.2%) in the treated group, while in the control group, the corresponding numbers were 15 (50.0%), 8 (26.7%) and 7 (23.3%), the difference between the two groups in markedly effective rate was significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Cordyceps and artemisinin could prevent the recurrence of lupus nephritis and protect kidney function.

The anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity of artemisinin derivatives.

WANG Jun-xia, TANG Wei, ZUO Jian-ping. Guo Ji Yao Xue Yan Jiu Za Zhi. 2007; 34(5): 336-340.

Artemisinin and its derivatives exhibit potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activity. In clinical investigations, they were used for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dermatitis and rheumatic arthritis (RA) with promising results. In laboratory studies, they showed anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect on various animal disease models. Recently, a series of new artemisinin derivatives have been synthesized to develop potent immunosuppressive agents. However, the underlying mechanisms mediating their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects are still unknown. Here, we introduce the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect of artemisinin and its derivatives, and discuss their possible mechanisms based on the recent studies in literature.

Dong Chong Xia Cao/Cordyceps

Dong Chong Xia Cao is a TCM medicine that can nourish the Liver and Kidney, calm asthma and stop cough. Modern research showed that Cordyceps had influence over immunologic function, but the results diverge. Generally speaking, most reports believe that Cordyceps can improve non-specific immunity, and the main dispute lies in its influences over the specific immunity. Most reports showed that Cordyceps preparation could increase the spleen weight (spleen index) of animals, and improve the function of reticuloendothelial system. Cordyceps had obvious sedative and hypnotic effects, and it had inhibitory effect on isolated or in situ heart of frogs and isolated heart of rabbits, which manifested as slowdown of heart-beat and increase of cardiac output. Alcohol extract of cordyceps had significant inhibitory effect on tubercle bacillus, and it could also inhibit pneumococcus and some pathogenic fungi. Water decoction of cordyceps had protective effect on arrhythmia induced by aconitine in rats. Besides, water immersion of cordyceps could significantly relax bronchi in guinea pigs, and enhance the function of adrenalin. Hot water immersion had anti-anoxic effect.

In clinic, it's used to treat chronic bronchitis complicated with emphysema, hepatocirrhosis, hepatitis B, impotence, adjuvant treatment in tumors, ventricular premature beat, chronic renal failure and infertility, etc.

Anti-inflammation Effects of Yunnan Cordyceps Sinensison

WANG Feng, WANG Ling, ZHANG Cai-Jun, LI Bing-Xue. Kun Ming Yi Xue Yuan Xue Bao. 2009; 30(2): 36-39.

Objective: To study the anti-inflammatory effects of cultured Yunnan Cordyceps sinensis (YNCS) in ICR mice. Methods Different dosages of YNCS were intragastriced to ICR mice every day which were randomly divided into several groups. The YNCS effect were observed in swelling of mouse pinnea caused by dimethylbenzene and capillary vessel penetrating experiment, in order to study YNCS anti-inflammatory effects. Results Various doses of YNCS inhibited the swelling of mouse pinnea degree of ICR mice (P< 0.05), but YNCS had no significant effect on capillary vessel penetrating. Conclusion YNCS has anti-inflammation effects to some extent.

Antibacterial Activity of Fermentation Broth by Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris

WU Zhong-wei, WANG Yun-bing, ZHAO Xian-fang, DOU Yan-ping. Wei Sheng Wu Xue Za Zhi. 2008; 28(4): 47-50.

The antibacterial characteristics of the Cordyceps sinensis and C. militaris fermentation broth were studied. The results showed: both fermentation broth had a better antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Bacillus subtilist, B. thuringiensis, especially had stronger antibacterial effect on S. aureus and E. coli. The stability experiment of the fermentation broth against heat showed that the antibacterial material in fermentation broth had strong stability against heat, furthermore the zymotic solution could improve antibacterial effects on the tested bacteria when cooperated with 25% sugar solution and 10% salted solution . The comparison test found that the C. militaris zymotic solution had stronger antibacterial activity than that of C. sinensis.

Mu Dan Pi/Moutan

Mu Dan Pi is a TCM herb used to activate Blood, dissolve stagnated Blood, clear Heat and cool Blood.

Modern research showed that Dan Pi could lower oxygen consumption in cardiac muscle, lower blood pressure and cardiac output. Its active ingredient paeonol could significantly inhibit atheromatous plaque and platelet aggregation; it also had sedative, hypnotic, analgesic, anti-convulsion, anti-febrile, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress induced ulcer, and anti-pregnancy effect. Dan Pi extract had inhibibitory effect on various bacteria as well as dermatomyces. Dan Pi could inhibit allergic reactions to various degrees.

In clinic, this herb is used to treat allergic rhinitis, eczema, muscle ache, hypertension, erysipelas, mastitis, pelvic lumps including oophoritic cyst and annexitis, chronic prostates, simple adhesive ileus after abdominal operation and gout, etc.

Study of Anti-inflammatory Effects of Paeonol

WU Haijun, XU Jihui, LI Yueling, LIU Heli, YANG Yumei. Bao Tou Yi Xue Yuan Xue Bao. 2008; 24(3): 238-239.

Objective: To observe the anti-inflammatory effects of paeonol obtained through supercritical CO2 fluid extraction. Methods : Anti-inflammatory effect of paeonol was observed by examining the permeability increase of mouse abdominal capillary induced by acetic acid and carrageenin-induced paw edema. Results: Gastric perfusion of paeonol at the dose of 500mg/kg, 25. 0mg/kg and 12. 5mg/kg could markedly inhibit acetic acid-triggered increase of abdominal capillary permeability; Gastric perfusion of paeonol at the dose of 32. 0mg/kg, 16. 0mg/kg and 8. 0mg/kg could significantly inhibit paw edema induced by carrageenin. Conclusion: Paeonol obtained through supercritical CO2 fluid extraction definitely exerts anti -inflammatory effects.

Experimental Study on Pain-easing and Anti-inflammatory Function of Moutan Bark

Wang Xianling, Li Lianzhen, Jing Yun, Wu Shuming. He Nan Zhong Yi. 2005; 25(12): 26-28.

Objective: To observe the pain-easing and anti-inflammatory function of Moutan bark. Method:the hot-boand method and body-twist method were used to observe Moutan bark’s pain-easing function on rats. The permcability change of celia capillary, auricle swelling degree and resistant rate caused by dimthylphenanthrene were taken as indexes to analyze the anti-inflammatory function of moutan bark. Results:Moutan bark delayed the rats’ pain threshhold, reduced the times of body twist caused by acetic acid and restrained the growth of the permeability of celia capillary and the auricle swelling by dimethy-phenanthrene. Conclusion:Moutan bark has obvious pain-easing and anti-inflammatory function and the high dosage has the best effect.

Chi Shao/Paeoniae rubrae

Chi Shao is a TCM herb to activate Blood, dissolve stagnated Blood, clear Heat and cool Blood.

Modern research showed that it could increase the blood volume amount in the coronary artery, cardiac output, lower the resistance of coronary artery, total peripheral resistance and oxygen consumption of cardiac muscles. It could lower whole blood viscosity, inhibit platelet aggregation and inhibit thrombosis time, etc. Chi Shao could relieve the spasm of isolated ileum of guinea pigs induced by acetylcholine. The herb also had anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, sedative and analgesic effects. It's a tonic and could protect liver cells.

The herb is used to treat serious hepatitis with jaundice, IBS, chronic pulmonary heart failure with pulmonary artery hypertension and sudden death, etc.

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Volatile and Semi-Volatile Components of Paeonia veitchii Roots

Volatile and semi-volatile components of Paeonia veitchii roots were extracted respectively from steam and water residue by using water steam distillation, their antibacterial activity were evaluated against 6 bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp., Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus brevis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and the chemical compositions were analyzed by GC-MS. The results indicated that the volatile components contained 2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (20. 24%), benzoic acid (21. 64%), n-hexadecanoic acid (6. 84%), oleic acid (8. 76%), phenol (1. 53 %), methylsalicylate (1. 22%), furfural (2. 49%), 2, 2-dimethyl-3-octene (2. 22%), et al., accounting for 97. 18% of the volatile chemical components. The semi-volatile components contained 3, 4, 5-trihydroxy-benzoic acid (29. 22 %), 1, 2, 3-benzenetriol (14. 00%), benzoic acid (21. 11%), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzoic acid (3. 18%), 4-hydroxy-benzeneethanol (1. 74%), 2-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (1. 94%), furfural (2. 89%), 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-ethanone (5. 91%), 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde (3. 09 %), salicyl alcohol (2. 04 %), (Z, Z)-9, 12-octadecadienoic acid (3. 82 %), accounting for 95. 19% of the semi-volatile chemical components. The volatile and semi-volatile components of Radix Paeoniae Rubra exhibited good activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella sp., and the semi-volatile components exhibited significant activity against Salmonella sp. in the terms of hypha growth rate.2

Bai Hua She She Cao/Oldenlandiae

Bai Hua She She Cao is a TCM herb to clear Heat, remove Toxin, treat carbuncles and cancer, induce diuresis and treat strangury.

Modern research showed that this herb had anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, sedative, hypnotic and analgesic effects. It could antagonize snake venom and inhibit the production of sperm.

In clinic, this herb is used to treat various tumors, acute hepatitis with jaundice, infantile pneumonia, chronic nephritis, appendicitis, pelvic inflammation, annexitis, gallbladder stone, snakebite and multiple dermatomyositis, etc.

In vitro, bai hua she shecao had slight inhibitory effect on staphylococcus aureus and bacillus dysenteriae. Its decoction could stimulate the proliferation of reticuloendothelial system in normal rabbits or rabbits with artificial appendicitis, and increase the phagocytosis of WBC in vivo and in vitro so as to exert its anti-inflammatory effect.

Hedyotis diffusa (HD), H. corymbosa (HC), or Mollugo pentaphylla (MP), which have the same commercial name Bai Hua She She Cao, possessed anti-inflammatory activity, and that MP has the greatest inhibition against carrageenan-induced paw edema.1

Da Qing Ye/Isatidis

Da Qing Ye is a TCM herb used to clear Heat, remove Toxin, cool Blood, remove ecchymosis, benefit the throat and dissolve lumps.

Modern research showed that this herb had anti pathogenic microbe action on staphylococcus aureus, diplococcus pneumoniae, a-streptococcus, meningococcus, hemophilus Influenzae, typhoid bacillus, escherichia coli, shigella dysenteiae, bacilius diphtheriae, etc. It could kill leptospira. Besides inhibiting HBsAg, Da Qing Ye had obvious inhibitory effect on influenza virus. It also had antiendotoxin action. The herb had anti-inflammatory and anti-febrile actions. It could increase immunologic function. Decoction of Da Qing Ye had inhibitory effect on isolated heart of frog and isolated intestine of rabbit. It could obviously excite the smooth muscle of uterus, and could increase the contraction and tensity of isolated uterus of guinea pigs. Da Qing Ye could promote bile secretions and relieve pain.

In clinic, this herb is used to treat encephalitis B, acute infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis, mumps, viral pneumonia, upper respiratory infections, influenza, herpes simplex, flat wart, bacillary dysentery, acute gastroenteritis, acute appendicitis, epidemic hemorrhagic conjunctivitis and keratitis, etc.

Antiviral Activity of the Effective Monomers from Folium Isatidis against Influenza Virus in Vitro

Liu Zhao, Yang Zhanqiu, Xiao Hong. Zhong Nan Min Zu Da Xue Xue Bao: Zi Ran Ke Xue Ban. 2009; (3): 42-46.

The antiviral activity of the 4 effective monomers from Chinese medicinal herb Folium Isatidis(FI)1, 2, 3 and 4 against influenza virus (H1N1) was invesitingated by cell culture technigue to observe cytopathic effect (CPE), MTT colorimetric assay and hemagglutination titer test to obtain virus inhibitory rate. The results showed that the four monomers may inhibit influenza virus biological synthesis other than directly inactivate this virus or block its adsorption onto susceptible cells. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the four monomers were 30. 80, 29. 74, 27. 56, 25. 85 rag/L, respectively and the treatment indexes(TI) were figured out as 6. 33, 9. 30, 10. 77 and 15. 05. Their antiviral activities are more effective than ribavirin (IC50= 101. 05 rag/L, TI= 5. 25) and antiviral liquor(IC50=104. 41 mg/L, TI=5. 03) at the same dosage level (P<001). 160 mg/L of the monomers can nearly inhibit 90 percents of the proliferation of influenza virus in MDCK cells. Moreover, in the range of 40-160 mg/L the four monomers can significantly decrease the hemagglutinin titer of influenza virus (P<0.05). we thus conclude that the monomers No. 1, 2, 3, 4 from Folium Isatidis can inhibit the proliferation of the influenza virus in MDCK cell effectively and safely.

Antiviral Activity of the Effective Monomers from Folium Isatidis against Coxackievirus B3 Virus in Vitro

Liu Zhao, Yang Zhanqiu, Xiao Hong. Zhong Nan Min Zu Da Xue Xue Bao: Zi Ran Ke Xue Ban. 2009; (2): 41-45.

The antiviral activity of the 4 effective monomers from Chinese medicinal herb Folium Isatidis (FI) No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 against Coxackievirus B3 virus was obtained by cell culture technigue and MTT colorimetric assay to observe cytopathic effect (CPE) and to get virus inhibitory rate. The results showed that the four monomers may inhibit CVB3 biological synthesis other than directly inactivate this virus or block its adsorption to susceptible cells. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the four monomers were 30. 75, 28. 54, 35. 31, 26. 15 mg/L, respectively. And the treatment index(TI) were 6. 51, 9. 71, 8. 24 and 14. 96 respectively. Their antiviral activity were more offective than ribavirin (IC50=103. 13 mg/L, TI=5. 22) and antiviral liquor (IC50 =105. 44 mg/L, TI =5. 02) at the same dosage level (P<0.01). Moreover, there are obvious dosage-effect relationship between the 2 -128 mg/L dose of the 4 monomers and the anti-CVB3inhibitory rate in vitro (P<0.01). A concentration of 128 mg/L of the monomers can nearly inhibit 90 percents of the proliferation of CVB3 in Hep-2 cells. We conclude that the 4 monomers from Folium Isatidis can inhibit the profication of the CVB3 in Hep-2 cell effectively and safely.

Anti-Herpes Effects of the Extract from Indigowoad Leaf in Vitro

YU Shu-qing, CHEN Xiang-yi, YU Ling. Yi Yao Dao Bao. 2008; 27(4): 394-396.

Objective To study effects of the extract from indigowoad leaf on herpes simplex virus (HSV) -II in vitro. Methods Using Vero cell as host cells and acyclovir as positive control, the cytotoxicities on cells by the herbs, the direct virus destroying and inhibition on virus proliferation were investigated by adopting MTT assay and observing eytopathie effect (CPE). Results It was showed that the herbs had no direct inactivation on HSV-II in vitro, no inhibition on virus absorption either. However, the herbs could inhibit HSV-II biosynthesis and multiplication. The treatment index (TI) was 3. 56. Conclusion The extracts from indigowoad leaf show some anti-HSV-II effects in vitro by suppressing virus replication in cels.

Hai Tong Pi/Erythrinae

Hai Tong Pi is a TCM herb that can dispel Wind Dampness, remove obstruction from meridians and collaterals, eliminate Dampness, stop dysentery, kill worms and stop itching.

Modern research showed that Hai Tong Pi could inhibit various dermatomyces to different degrees.

In clinic, Hai Tong Pi is used to treat bi syndrome, arthritis, periarthritis humeroscapularis, and joint dysfunction after fracture, topical dermosclerosis and ringworm of the feet, etc.

Pycnogenol

Pycnogenol efficacy in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

The lupus disease activity index (SLEDAI), serum anti-dsDNA antibodies, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by neutrophils, spontaneous apoptosis and p56(lck) specific activity in peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated. Pycnogenol treatment determined a significant reduction of ROS production, apoptosis, p56(lck) specific activity and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In addition, the decrease of SLEDAI was significant in the Pycnogenol treated group compared with the placebo group (p = 0.018). The results obtained suggest that Pycnogenol could be useful for second line therapy to reduce the inflammatory feature of lupus.3

References

1. Wen Weiliang, Fang Shuting, Li Chunsheng, Gao Xiaoshan, Hu Shilin, Chen Fuxin, Zhao Ronglai, Wang Junxuan, Shi Zaixiang, Su Chenlian, Lin Lan, Ye Yisen, Hu Jin, Yu Yingqi, Yu Zhenxuan, Yao Baosen, Wu Jin, Zhang Shuliang, Hou Rongxian, Kou Qiu’ai. Clinical Chinese materia medica, Henan Science & Technology Press, 1998

2. Lue Jinshun Wang Xinfeng Bo Yingying. Lin Ye Ke Xue. 2009; 45(1): 161-166

3. Phytother Res. 2001 Dec;15(8):698-704.