Magnoliae Flos (Xin Yi)

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ABOUT THE EFFEET OF THE VOLATILE OIL OF MAGNOLIA BIONDH PAMP (VOMBP) ON EOSINOPHILE, GRANULOEYTE IN ASTHMATIC GUINEA PIGS

LI Yin-chao, ZHAO Yi-kong, XIE Jing-Li, Shen Yinjun, Chen Shiwei, Li Chenghai. Xian Dai Yu Fang Yi Xue. 2006; 33(8): 1338-1341.

Objective: To explore the effect of the Volatile Oil of Magnolia biondii pamp (VOMbP) on airway inflammation in asthmatic guinea pigs. Methods: 30 qualified male guinea pigs were selected, (body weight 180 ± 20 g) and randomly divided into normal control group (group A), model group (group B), positive control group (group C), high dosage of VOMbP group (group D) and low dosage of VOMbP group (group E). Guinea pigs were allergized and stimulated in order to lead to asthma by means of NS (not antigen), model were established in other groups by im OVA, and ip Pertussis vaccine was used to allergize and stimulate guinea pigs. while allergizing and stimulating lead to asthma, incubative stage was recored. Asthmatic guinea pigs were administrated by ig 2 days after sensitization, once a day, for 14 days. Animals were killed 24 h after timulating, the index was detected, image analysis were carried out. Results: (1)After first sthnulation, the incubation period of group D (76.83 ± 14.97) was prolonged compared with group B (43.50 ± 7.28), with a significant difference (P<0.01) ; After second challenge, the incubation period of group D (68.80 ± 31.63) and group E (56.00 ± 23.02) tended to be prolonged compared with group B (49.00 ± 10.34), but without significant difference (P>0.05), (2)The Eos ratio of group D (9.77±7.46)%and group E in BALF (10.67±8.10)% tended to decrease comparing with group B (15.00 ± 3.00)%, but without significant difference (P)0.05). Protein level in BALF [(0.15 ± 0.07) ×10^9/L] and the blood count [(0.17 ± 0.02) × 10^9/L] of group D are tended to decrease comparing with group B, without significant difference (P>0.05). (3) The detection result of pathology and image analysis: The Eos count in mucous membrane and lumen of bronchiole of group D (26.75 ± 5.33) and group E (50.38 ± 15.18) have significant difference (P<0.01, <0.05) comparing with group B (79.63 ± 16.65). The infiltration of inflammatory cell in bronchial lumen (IOD) of group D (4.15 ± 3.65) and group E (4.27±4.09) tended to decrease compared with group B, but without significant difference (P) 0.05). Conclusion: OMbP can obviously reduce the cell count of EOS in experimental asthma airway, and alleviate the airway inflammatory reaction in asthma.

Effects of flos magnoliae on substance P in nasal mucosa of guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis
I Xiao-bin, XIE Jing-hua, DU Hong, Zang Linquan, Li Wen, Xie Jun, Wang Lei. Guang Dong Yi Xue. 2007; 28(6): 860-863.

Objective To investigate the effects of flos magnoliae on substance P in the nasal mucosa of guinea pig models with allergic rhinitis. Methods Eight animals treated with olive oil were used as blank controls (control group 1). The other 16 guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis were treated with 10% Toluene 2, 4-diisocyanate. Among 16 animals in the theatment group, 8 were treated with saline( control group 2), the other 8 animals were treated with flos magnoliae (Flos magnoliae treating group). After model was successfully established, the nasal mucosa were obtained from the 3 groups. Distribution and changes of substance P in nasal mucosa were observed by Immunohistochemical staining. Results Results showed that (1) Control group 1: Substance P was present in the nomal nasal mucosal epithelial cells, epithelium cells of blood vessels, glandular cells and its ducts. Control group 2: The substance P staining density in the same nasal mucosa area increased. Immunocytes such as eosinophils, neutrophils, mast cells, plasmocytes and other cells were also substance P-positive. Flos magnoliae-treated group: The substance P staining density decreased. (2) The number of substance P-positive, cells of control group 1 were significantly less than that of the control group 2, which showed that the substance P-positive cells of nasal mucosa increased on allergic nasal inflammation. The number of substance P-positive cells of flos magnoliae-treated group was significantly less than that of the control group 2, which showed that after treatment with flos magnoliae, the number of substance P-positive cells significantly decreased. The number of substance P-positive cells of flos magnoliae-treated group was similar to that of the control group 1, which showed that after treatment with flos magnoliae, the number of substance P-positive, cells can resume normal. Conclusion Flos magnoliae can inhibit substance P in the nasal mucosa with allergic rhinitis, and can treat allergic rhinitis.

Studies on the effects of VOMbP on allergic rhinitis in guinea-pig
Objective: To determine the effects of VOMbP on allergic rhinitis(AR) in guinea-pig. Methods: AR was induced in guinea-pigs with TDI. The changes in symptoms, morphological features of nasal mucosa under light microscopy and CD106,CD54 expression in nasal mucosa and IL-4 in serum were observed. Result: VOMbP inhibited the increase in nasal symptoms such as sneezing, sniveling and nasal rubbing. And other typical manifestation of AR including nasal mucosal thickness and increased eosinophil number in nasal mucosa were significantly inhibitid in VOMbP group. Immunohistochemistry study revealed that CD54 in the nasal mucosa showed a marked decrease after VOMbP application, And IL-4 decreased too. Conclusion: The effects of VOMbP were as follows: (1)inhibiting the increase in nasal allergic symptoms; (2)relieving the degree of the nasal mucosal engorgement and edema, (3)reducing the increased number and infiltration of eosinophil. One of the mechanisms of VOMbP at AR was restraining the expression of CD54 in nasal mucosal endothelial cell.
—Xiong Tianqin, Qin Xuhua, Shen Yinjun. Zhong Yao Yao Li Yu Lin Chuang. 2006; 22(2): 24-26.

Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus (Wu Wei Zi)
S. chinensis decoction significantly stimulated respiration in normal rabbits and in anesthetized rabbits and dogs, causing deep and rapid breathing. It antagonized morphine-induced respiratory depression.1

Fructus Xanthii Sibirici (Cang Er Zi)
Chronic Paranasal Sinusitis
X. Sibiricum fruit is an important herb used clinically in the treatment of sinusitis. An effective treatment rate of 80% was achieved using a combination of X. Sibiricum, Magnolia liliflora, lonicera japonica, Chrysanthemum morifolim, and Rubia cordifolia.
Allergic Rhinitis
The powdered herb manufactured into tablets equivalent to 1.5g of raw herb were given thrice daily for a course of two weeks. The effective rate in 47 cases was 72.4%.
Chronic Rhinitis
The fruits of X. Sibiricum crushed and mixed with Sesame oil were applied to the nasal cavities with cotton swabs 2-3 times daily for a course of 2 weeks. Only 3 out of 207 cases treated were unchanged. There was no recurrence during the follow-up period, which lasted for up to 3 years.
Chronic Bronchitis
275 cases of chronic bronchitis were treated with the fruits of X. Sibiricum with good therapeutic effects. An effective rate of 82.7% was still achieved in 249 cases checked a year later.1

Menthae Haplocalysis Herba (Bo He)
Common Cold
Compound formulae containing M. Haplocalycis are widely used drugs for common cold.
Sore Throat
More than 100 cases of sore throat were cured with M. Haplocalycis in compound formula or alone. One to three doses usually cured the disease.
Acute Mastitis
A filtrate including M. Haplocalycis applied with a towel as a hot compress over the disease site in the morning and evening achieved good therapeutic results.1

Schizonepetae Tenuifoliae Herba (Jing Jie)
Common Cold
“Jing Fang Baidu Powder” (Herba Schizonepetae, Radix Ledebouriellae, Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii, Radix Angelicae Pubescentis, Radix Bupleuri, Radix Peucedani, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Radix Platycodi, Fructus Aurantii, Herba Menthae, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Rhizoma Zingtheris Recens), “Yin Qiao San” (Lonicera-Forsythia Powder), the “Jing Fang Heji” (Schizonepeta-Ledebouriella Mixture), or the “Biaolishuangjie Tang” (Diaphoretic-Purgative Decoction) was used in the treatment of influenza. The symptoms abated in 1-2 days in most cases and a cure was achieved in 4-6 days.1

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chen Pi)
Expectorant and Antiasthmatic Actions
The volatile oil of the herb had stimulant and expectorant actions; the principal active component was limonene. Perfusion of the fresh herb into rabbit bronchi produced a slight acceleration of the fluid flow, indicating the presence of a bronchodilatory action.
Preliminary screening of 11 kinds of Chinese herbs derived from the Citrus plants, which are thought to “regulate the vital energy”, indicated that the peel of C. reticulata was one of those with a potent antiasthmatic effect. Its alcohol extract at the concentration of 0.02 g(crude drug)/ml abolished histamine-induced spastic contraction of the isolated bronchi of guinea pigs. Preliminary clinical observations also indicated that it was therapeutically effective in bronchial asthma. Nobiletin showed a bronchodilatory action on isolated bronchi of guinea pigs and in anesthetized cats given the intravenous injection; its action was slightly inferior to that of aminophylline.

Cough and Expectoration
In cases with thick viscous white sputum and chest discomfort, the herb can be used to “regulate the vital energy” and to reduce expectoration. Most anti-tussive and expectorant herbal mixtures contain a tincture or syrup of this herb. It is especially suitable for young children. ln 59 cases of whooping cough treated with the powder for 4-16 days, 42 cases were cured, 14 cases markedly improved, and 3 cases remained unchanged.1

Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Dang Gui)
Effect of Angelica Sinensis on Fibroblast in Bleomycin Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats
Objective: To investigate t brosis in rats. Methods: Forty-he effect of angelica sinensis five Wistar rats were divided on bleomycin induced pu into control group, mode monary figroup and angelica group randomly. After intratracheally instilled with bleomycin, the angelica group were treated with angelica sinensis injection 10 ml /kg·d intraperitoneally, while the control group and model group were treated with the same volume of normal saline unt day 7, 14 and 28 after instillation, seven rats of each group were sacrificed 1 they were killed. On Immunohistochemica method was used to detect the expression of mSMA, collagen Iand collagen III protein. The level of CTGF mRNA was observed by in situ hybridization method. Results: The collagen I and collagen III content in pulmonary tissue of angelica group were remarkably decreased than those of model group in every stage (all P<0.05). The CTGF mRNA level and the mSMA expression level of angelica group was lower than that of model group respectively (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Angelica sinensis might alleviate bloemycin induced pulmonarry fibrosis in rats, and inhibit lung interstial a-SMA positive myofibroblast through decreasing the CTGF mRNA expression.2

Astragali Radix (Huang Qi)
Protective effects and mechanism of astragalus injection on asthmatic rats

HUANG Cui-ping, YANG He-ping, YANG Ying-qiao. Zhong Guo Lin Chuang Yao Li Xue Yu Zhi Liao Xue. 2008; 13(8): 900-904.

AIM: To explore the protective effects and mechanism of astragalus injection on asthmatic rats. METHODS: OVA was injected intraperitoneally and inhaled to produce the asthmatic rat models. Forty vats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, asthma group and astvagalus groups of high, medium and low dose. The concentration of IL-5 in BALF and the expression of IL-5 mRNA, phospho-p38 MAPK in lung tissue were respectively measured by ELISA, in situ hybridization staining and Western blot. The number of inflammatory cell in BALF was calculated and histopathology changes were observed. RESULTS: The number of inflammatory cell and the concentration of IL-5 in BALF and the expression of IL-5 mRNA, phospho-p38 MAPK in lung tissue were higher in asthmatic rat group than those in normal con-trol(P<0.01) ; and those in astragalus rat group were lower than in asthmatic rat group(P<0.01). The histopathology damage was alleviated in astragalus rat group. The effieacies in the astragalus groups of high, medium and low dose were similar, showing no insignificant difference among them. The expression of phospho-p38 MAPK has positive correlation with the number of eosinophil and the concentration of IL-5, the expression of IL-5 mRNA ( r = 0.62, 0.69, 0.74, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: p38 MAPK may play a role in pathological process of asthma. Astragalus could effectively treat asthma by inhibiting the expression of phospho-p38 MAPK and IL-5, and decreasing the number of inflammatory cells.

Effects of astragalus polysaccharides on immune balance and the expression of nitric oxide in pulmonary fibrosis rats
ZHANG Yi, LI Jin-Tian, LIU Yong-Qi, Li Juan, Su Yun, Yan Chunlu, Nie Lei. Zhong Guo Lao Nian Xue Za Zhi. 2009; (10): 1185-1187.

Objective To observe the effects of astragalus polysaccharides on the balance of T helperl/T helper2 (Th1/Th2) cytokines and the level of nitric oxide (NO) in Bleomycin (BLM) -induced pulmonary fibrosis rats, and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Methods Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, model, Dexamethasone, astragalus decoction and astragalus polysaccharides groups. Pulmonary fibrosis models were established by injection of BLM via trachea (5 mg/kg). After 24 h, rats were given drugs once daily. At 14 and 28 d, 6 rats of each group were killed for detecting the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon gamma ( IFN-3,), NO in the serum. Results In comparison with those in control group, the levels of IFN-g/and the ratio of IFN-g/IL-4 were significantly decreased, while the levels of IL-4 and NO were increased and the degree of fibrosis was higher in model group (P<0.01) ;whereas compared with those in model group, the levels of IFN-5, and the ratio of IFN-g/IL-4 were significantly increased(P<0.05, P<0.01), except to astragalus polysaccharities group of 14 d, the level of NO was significantly lower in dexamethasone, astragalus decoction and astragalus polysaccharides groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). No significant differences were found between astragalus polysaccharides group, Astragalus decoction group and dexamethasone group in these indexes (P) 0.05). Conclusions Astragalus polysaccharides has the protective effect on the process of pulmonary fibrosis rats. Its mechanisms maybe relate to balancing cytokine, regulating the metabolism of nitric oxide.

Glycyrrhizae Uralensis Radix (Gan Cao)
Interventional Effect of Glycyrrhizin on Hydroxyproline, Hyaluronic Acid, and Laminin in Pulmonary Fibrosis Model Rats
LV Xiao-hua, WU Tie, QIN Dong-yun. Zhong Guo Yao Fang. 2008; 19(25): 1954-1955.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of glycyrrhizin on hydroxyproline (HYP), hyaluronic acid (HA) and laminin (LN) in pulmonary fibrosis model rats. METHODS: A total of 80 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, hormone group (prednisone 0.6 mg ·kg·d^-1), and glycyrrhizin group (10 g ·kg·d^-1) . The latter 3 groups were established into pulmonary fibrosis model with bleomycin, and on the second day after modelling, each group was given corresponding test drugs (the normal group and model group were treated with same amount of normal saline) then the changes of the levels of HYP in lung tissues, and serum levels of HA and LN in every group were observed at 7 and 28 days respectively. RESULTS: In glycyrrhizin group compared with model group, the contents of HYP in lung tissue, HA and LN in serum decreased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Glycyrrhizin has been proved to be of curative effect on pulmonary fibrosis.

Effect of Glycyrrhizin on Nitric Oxide and Nitric Oxide Synthase in Mice Model of Pronchial Asthma
LV Xiao-hua, WU Tie, QIN Dong-yun. Shi Zhen Guo Yi Guo Yao. 2009; 20(1): 40-41.

Objective To observe the effects of glycyrrhizin on nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase in a mice model of bronchial asthma and to explore the mechanism of glycyrrhizin for treating asthma. Methods The mice model of bronchial asthma was established. The changes of the content of NO and the activity of NOS in every group were observed in serum. Results The content of NO and the activity NOS in model group were increased as compared with normal group (P<0.01) and markedly decreased in glycyrrhizin group as compared with model group(P<0.05). Conclusion Glyeyrrhizin can decrease the activity of NO and the content of NOS in serum and exert preventive and therapeutic effect for asthma.

Saposhnikoviae Divaricata Radix (Fang Feng)
Common cold
Patients were treated with a compound including L.divaricata all patients showed a good response.1

Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Sheng Ma)
Viral pneumonia
sheng ma, ge gen, chi shao, xing ren, qian hu, jie geng, sang bai pi, zi su, gan cao were used as the basic formula to treat 82 cases of infantile viral pneumonia. 42 cases were cured, 26 markedly effective and 14 effective.1

Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuan Xiong)
ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL CURATIVE EFFECT OF LIGUSTRAZINE INJECTION COMBINED WITH MAGNESIUM SULFATE INJECTION ON SEVERE ASTHMA
REN Xiu-zhi. Xian Dai Yu Fang Yi Xue. 2008; 35(8): 1596-1597.

[Objective] To observe the effect of lingustrazine inject ion combined with magnesium sulfate injection on severe asthma. [Methods] 60 cases with severe asthma during acute seizure phase were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (n = 24) was treated with conventional therapy of western medicine. Inten, ention group (n=36) were treated with lingustrazine injection 100mg/d and magnesium sulfate injection 10-20ml/d infused intravenously except for the conventional therapy of western medicine which used for the control group. The curative efficacy and the variations of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and vital capacity (VC) were observed before and after the therapy. [Results] The total effective rates in two groups were 92.7% and 78.3%, respectively. The curative efficacy in intervention group was significantly superior to that in control group (P<0101). After therapy the pulmonary functions were significantly improved in the intervention group. The VC before and after treatment were (1.85±0.39) L and (3.01±0.59) L, respectively (P<0.05), for FVC were (1.69±0.45) L and (2.23±0.58) L (P<0.05), respectively, for FEV1 were (0.96±0.74) L and (1.48±0.43) L (P<0.05), respectively. The pulmonary functions after therapy could not significantly improved in control group (all P) 0.05) [Conclusion] Lingustrazine injection combined with magnesium sulfate injection in treatment of severe asthma shows to be safe and effective.

The study of the therapeutic machine and therapeutic efficacy of ligustrazine toward bronchial asthma
YUAN Xiao-mei. Yi Xue Xin Xi: Nei Wai Ke Ban. 2009; 22(7): 584-586.

Objective To study the therapeutic machine and therapeutic efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine ligustrazine toward bronchial asthma. Methods One hundred and forty cases of patients in hospital were classified into two groups and treated with conventional therapy or ligustrazine added. Before and after medication, we adopted enzyme linked immunosorbent assay to test TGF-b1 in peripheral blood. The results were contrast. Results The concentration of TGF-b1 of the group of ligustrazine added was higher than the one without ligustrazine and therapeutic efficacy of the group of lignstrazine added was also better than that one. Conclusions The intervention of ligustrazine increased the expression of TGF-b1 and the difference of the classification of the severity between two groups was significantly.

Effects of ligustrazine on airway inflammation and transcription factor T-bet and GATA-3 expression in patients with bronchial asthma
YIN Kai-sheng, BIAN Tao, JI Ning-fei, HE Wei. Shi Yong Lao Nian Yi Xue. 2009; 23(4): 264-266.

Objective To observe the effects of ligustrazine on airway inflammation and transcription factor T-bet and GATA-3 expression in elderly patients with asthma. Methods Sixty elderly patients with asthma were randomly divided into routine treatment group(group A) and ligustrazine group(group B). Thirty healthy subjects were chosen as normal group (group C). The concentrations of IL-4 and interferon-g (IFN-g)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The expressions of T-bet and GATA-3 were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results Before treatment, the levels of T-bet and IFN-~ were lower and the levels of GATA-3 and IL-4 were higher in group A and B than those in group C. There were no significant differences in the levels of T-bet, IFN-g, GATA-3 and IL-4 between group A and group B. After treatment, the levels of T-bet and IFN-g were significantly increased and the levels of GATA-3 and IL-4 were significantly decreased. There were significant differences in the levels of T-bet, IFN-g, GATA-3 and IL-4 between group A and group B after treatment. Conclusions The combination therapy of routine treatment and ligustrazine could get better efficacy in treating asthma.

Plantaginis Semen (Che Qian Zi)
Expectorant and Antitussive action
Intragastric administration of the herb decoction in anaesthetised cats increased intratracheal secretion, suggesting the presence of a significant expectorant action which peaked 3-6 hours after medication: drug action lasted for 6-7 hours.3

Apart from promoting mucus secretion of the bronchi and trachea, plantagin depressed the respiratory centre, causing deep and slow respiration: it also had a definite antitussive action.4

Respiratory tract infection
Antitussive and expectorant effects were obtained from the Plantago plant in upper respiratory tract infection, whooping cough and bronchitis. Plantago extract tablet (the daily dose corresponding to 30g of the crude drug) was given to 175 cases of chronic bronchitis who were over 50 years old, for 1-2 weeks: the aggregate effective rate was 77.7%
Selected information on medicine and health (Kaifeng, Henan).1

References

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

GUO Guangsong, WANG Hong. Wu Han Da Xue Xue Bao: Yi Xue Ban. 2007; 28(5): 560-563.
3. Qiu CB. New compilation of Chinese materia medica. Qianqing Publishing House 1955 p. 135.

Murakami M. Yakuritedi Shoyakugaku 1933 p 79; Pharmacology and applications of Chinese medicinal materials 1958 p212.