Tran-Qwill

Ci Wu Jia

Ci Wu Jia is a TCM herb that can dispel Wind, eliminate Dampness, strengthen the Tendons and Bones, activate Blood, remove stagnated Blood, induce diuresis and reduce swelling.

DIAO Bo, TANG Ying, YANG Li, Wen Ye. Zhong Guo Lao Nian Xue Za Zhi. 2009; 29(4): 396-399.

Ci Wu Jia is a adaptogenic and had a regulatory effect on the endocrine system. It could improve body resistance.

In clinic, this herb can be used to treats adrenocortical insufficiency, hypothyroidism and hyperglycaemia.

Effects of acanthopanacis senticosi polysaccharides on expression of OGG1 mRNA in hippocampal neurons damaged by oxidative stress

Objective To research the effects of acanthopanaeis sentieosi polysaceharides (ASPS) on expression of OGG1 mRNA in hippocampal neurons damaged by oxidative stress and provide experimental evidence for revealing the antioxidative stress injury effect of ASPS. Methods The oxidative stress injury cell model was induced by H2O2. The change of cell morphology was observed. The activity of hippoeampal neurons was deteeted with MTT method. The vitalities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) 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 ASPS group (0.46) were higher than those of model group (0. 36) (P<0.01). The vitalities of SOD and GSH-Px in ASPS group were higher than those in model group. ASPS obviously raised the expression of OGG1 mRNA. Conclusions ASPS can enhance the expression of OGG1 mRNA and protect the hip-pocampal neurons from oxidative stress injury.

Effects of Acanthopanacis senticosi Polysaccharides on Oxidative Stress Damage and Bcl-2 Family in Hippocampal Neurons Impaired by H2O2

DIAO Bo, TANG Ying, LI De-zhong, DENG Hui-ling, WEN Ye, WANG Xiao-kun. Shi Zhen Guo Yi Guo Yao. 2008; 19(11): 2705-2707.

Objective To observe the effects of Acanthopanacis senticosi polysaccharides on oxidative stress damage and Bcl-2 family in hippocampal neurons impaired by H2O2 and to reveal the possible mechanism of this effect. Methods The model of oxidative damage was induced by H2O2. The change of cell morphology was observed ; the viability of hippocampal neurons was detected with MTT method ; apoptosis in hippocampal neurons induced by H2O2 was detected with TUNEL method, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical method. The activity of NOS, SOD and the content of MDA in cell homogenate were determined by chemical chromatometry. Results Compared with model group, the morphology damage of hippocampal neurens was slighter than that in model group; the viability of hippocampal neurons in ASP groups(46%) was higher than thatin model group( 36%) (P<0.01) ;the rate of masculine in ASPS groups was obviously higher than that in model group with TUNEL method; ASPS could increase the expresion of Bcl -2 and decrease the expression of Bax. The activity of SOD in ASPS groupswas higher than that in model group, but the activity of NOS and the content of MDA in ASPS groups were significantly lower than those in model group. Conclusion ASPS can increase the capability of anti-oxidative stress damage in hippocampal neurons by up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 gene, and down-regulating the expression of Bax gene.

Gou Teng

Gou Teng is a TCM herb used to extinguish Wind, stop convulsion, clear Heat and subdue the Liver.

Modern research showed that Gou Teng could lower blood pressure, dilate blood vessels, reduce peripheral resistance, reduce HR and increase stroke volume, inhibit platelet aggregation, antagonize thrombosis. It had anti-arrhythmic, sedative, anti-convulsion and anti-asthmatic effects.

In clinic, this herb is used to treat hypertension, infantile asthmatoid bronchitis, infantile mycoplasma pneumonia, infantile whooping cough, mumps complicated with encephalitis, hemorrhagic cerebral stroke, Parkinson's disease, headache, Meniere's disease, epilepsy and retinitis pigmentosa, etc.

Sha Yuan Zi

Sha Yuan Zi is a TCM herb used to nourish the Kidney, supplement Essence, strengthen yang and brighten the Eyes.

Modern research showed that Sha Yuan Zi could improve non-specific and specific immunity. It also had anti-diuretic; analgesic and blood fat lowering effects.

In clinic, this herb is used to treat deafness, male infertility and impotence, etc.

Effects of Astragalus Complanatus Supplement on Function and Aerobic Sport Ability of Rat after Exhaustive Exercise

MA Lan-Jun, MAOYan, XIONG Zheng-ying. Tian Jin Ti Yu Xue Yuan Xue Bao. 2007; 22(4): 326-328

Objective: To observe effects of astragalus complanatus supplement on function and aerobic sport ability after exhaustive exercise and aerobic capacity in Rat. Methods: Forty 10-week old male SD rat were randomly divided into four groups (n=10). Group A and AE rats were effused astragalus complanatus (50mg·kg^-1·d^-1) orally, whereas group C and E rats were effused saline solution in same volume respectively. After all rats finished 2 weeks of adap-tation swimming training, the E and AE rats were taken 4 weeks of increment load swimming training. In the last day of the 4th week, the E and AE rats were forced to take a swimming exercise until exhaustive. Results: 1) The AE rats swam significantly longer than E rats in exhaustive exercise. 2) After the exhaustive swimming, the serum lactate content in E and AE rats were significantly higher than C rats, whereas the serum lactate content in AE rats were significantly higher than E rats. 3) After the exhaustive swimming, the skeletal muscle MDA content in E and AE rats were significantly higher than C rats, whereas the muscle MDA content in AE rats were significantly lower than E rats. 4) After the exhaustive swimming, the serum testosterone content, testosterone/corticosterone ratio in E and AE rats were significantly lower than C rats, whereas the serum corticosterone content were significantly higher than C rats. The serum T content and testosterone/corticosterone ratio in AE rats were significantly higher than E rats, whereas the serum, corticosterone content were significantly lower than C rats. After the exhaustive swimming, the serum LH content in AE rats was significantly higher than C and E rats. Conclusion: Astragalus complanatus supplement can improve strength and conditioning after exhaustive exercise, and enhance aerobic capacity in rat.

Yi Huang Hua (Bai Jiang Hua)

Yi Huang Hua marked sedative and hypnotic effects, potentiates sedatives. Concurrent administration of the herb with barbiturates will lead to prolonged sedation. Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology) 1998;202 - 203

He Huan Pi

He Huan Pi is a TCM herb used to relieve depression, calm Shen, calm the Heart, harmonize Blood, reduce swelling, alleviate pain, generate muscle and treat fracture.  Modern research showed that He Huan Pi had depression relieving, blood activating, analgesic, tonic and diuretic effects. In clinic, this herb is used to treat infertility, globus hystericus and hepatic abscess, etc. He Huan Pi relieves emotional constraint due to Liver Qi stagnation. Activates Blood.

Effect of Albizia julibrissin on Growth and Brain Monoamine Neurotransmitters in Chronic-Stressed Rats

ZHAND Feng, LI Fa-zeng. Dong Wu Xue Yan Jiu. 2006; 27(6): 621-625.

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of Albizia julibrissin on growth and brain monoamine neurotransmitters in chronic-stressed rats. Fifteen rats were divided into three groups including the control group, stressed group and Albizia julibrissin treated group. The rats in both the stressed and treated groups were stressed for seven days, and the rats in the treated group were fed with Albizia julibrissin by garage administration for 10 days after stress. At the conclusion of the experiment, brain tissues were collected from the three groups to analyze the content of homovanillic acid (HVA), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). The indices above were determined by high pressure liquid chromatogram (HPLC). The results showed that the daily growth in mass of rats in the stressed group significantly decreased compared with the control group (P = 0.011), while the Albizia julibrissin treated group had a higher growth than that of the stressed group (P = 0.002). The HVA levels of the hippocampus, striatum and prefrontal lobes in the stressed group were not significantly different from the control group, though there was a tendency for higher levels in the stressed group. The stress had no significant effects on levels of NE, DA and 5-HT. The levels of HVA and DA in the hippocampus in the Albizia julibrissin treated group were significantly higher than those of the stressed group, while DA and 5-HT of the prefrontal lobes and 5-HT of the striatum were significantly lower than the stressed group. These results suggest that Albizia julibrissin alleviates the growth inhibition caused by stress, and regulates the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters of the brain in stressed rats.

Bai Zi Ren

Bai Zi Ren is a TCM herb to nourish the Heart, calm Shen, nourish Blood, moisten the Intestine, and stop sweating.

Modern research showed that Bai Zi Ren could lower heart rate, relax the bowels, and improve the impairment of memory acquisition. It also had sedative effect. In clinic, this herb is used to treat alopecia, mouth ulcer and primary hypotension, etc.

5-HTP

Researchers have clinically investigated 5-HTP in comparison to antidepressant drugs. The results of the studies were astounding. Using the standard depression scale, both the drug and 5-HTP groups displayed identical reduction in depression. Depressed patients who received 100mg of 5-HTP, three times daily, showed at least a 50% improvement in their symptoms, without any reported side effects. Similar studies with depressed children demonstrated equal benefit. Subsequent studies were performed using 5-HTP for anxiety, panic disorder, sleep difficulties and obesity.

In his research R.S. Kahn observed an obvious decline in anxiety symptoms when supplementing with 5-HTP, and patients with panic disorder noticed a feeling of relief after receiving 5-HTP. Melatonin, which helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle, is a metabolite of serotonin. Early research studies show that supplementing with 5-HTP may have positive effects on sleep patterns. In a six-week clinical study with obese patients, those supplemented with 5-HTP were able to reduce carbohydrate intake, and experienced a feeling of early satiety, which contributed to significant weight loss.

"5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is related to both L-tryptophan and serotonin. In the body L-tryptophan is converted to 5-HTP, which can then be converted to serotonin. 5-HTP readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and increases central nervous system (CNS) synthesis of serotonin. Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation. Serotonin also has a significant role in depression, anxiety, and aggression. Since 5-HTP can increase synthesis of serotonin, 5-HTP is used for several disease states where serotonin is believed to play a significant role including depression, insomnia, obesity, and numerous other conditions.

Caution: 5-HTP can cause gastrointestinal (GI) side effects such as heartburn, stomach pain, belching and flatulence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and anorexia

HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS WITH SEROTONERGIC PROPERTIES: Theoretically, 5-HTP might increase the therapeutic and adverse effects of products that increase serotonin levels, including Hawaiian baby woodrose, L-tryptophan, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), and St. John's wort."