Journal of ethnopharmacology
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Prostate cancer is a major problem worldwide and affects most men above the age of forty-five. Vernonia guineensis Benth. (Asteraceae) root decoction is used in folk medicine in Cameroon to treat a number of ailments including prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to provide a preliminary validation of the use of Vernonia guineensis Benth. extracts to treat prostate cancer by evaluating the in vitro activity of its crude extracts and isolated molecules on prostate cancer cells lines and effect on angiogenesis which is essential for growth and metastases of prostate cancer. ⋯ The in vitro anti-prostate cancer and the antiangiogenic activity of Vernonia guineensis Benth. extracts and isolated compound support the use of the tubers of this plant for the treatment of prostate cancer.
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Alocasia macrorrhiza has been used as a folk medicine for cancer treatment in the Southwest of China. ⋯ Alocasia macrorrhiza extract has potential cytotoxic and apoptotic effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and inhibits hepatoma growth in vivo, its mechanism of action might be associated with the inhibition of DNA synthesis, cell cycle (G(0)/G(1)) arrest, apoptosis induction through up-regulation the mRNA and protein expressions of PPARγ, Rb, Bax and capase-3genes and down-regulation of the expressions of Cyclin D1 and Bcl-2 genes.
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Review Meta Analysis
Meta-analysis of the clinical effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine formula Chaihu-Shugan-San in depression.
Depression is a psychiatric disorder. Chaihu-Shugan-San (CSS) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula suggested in the treatment of depression, but its effectiveness and safety are not well defined. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of CSS in depression therapy. ⋯ The present work supported that CSS was effective and safe in treating depressed patients. More full-scale randomized clinical trials with reliable designs are recommended to further evaluate the clinical benefit and long-term effectiveness of CSS for the treatment of depression.
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Review Historical Article
An integrative approach of linking traditional Chinese medicine pattern classification and biomedicine diagnosis.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a medical system with over 3000 years of continuous practice experience and refinement through treatment observations. The TCM pattern classification (also defined as Syndrome or Zheng differentiation) and treatment of ill health is the basis and the key concept of the TCM theory. All diagnostic and therapeutic methods in TCM are based on the differentiation of TCM pattern. ⋯ Pattern classification is often used as a guideline in disease classification in TCM practice and has been recently incorporated with biomedical diagnosis, resulting in the increasing research interest of TCM pattern among various disciplines of integrative medicine. This paper describes the historical evolution on the integration of the TCM pattern classification and disease diagnosis in biomedicine, the methodology of pattern classification for diseases, efficacy of TCM practice with integration of TCM pattern classification and biomedical disease diagnosis, and the biological basis of TCM pattern. TCM pattern classification, which may lead to new findings in biological sciences, was also discussed.
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Baicalin is one of the principal flavonoids isolated from the dried root of Scutellariae Baicalensis Georgi and has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine to suppress brain edema and reduce cerebral ischemic damage. However, the effects of baicalin on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) are poorly understood. ⋯ We propose that baicalin is capable of restoring the barrier function of the BBB under ischemic conditions and this beneficial effect may be linked to the decreased expression of TJ proteins.