Am J Chinese Med
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Synergistic effect of ginger and nifedipine on human platelet aggregation: a study in hypertensive patients and normal volunteers.
In this study, we evaluated the synergistic effect of ginger and nifedipine on anti-platelet aggregation in normal human volunteers and hypertensive patients. The results showed that the percentage of platelet aggregation induced by collagen, ADP and epinephrine in hypertensive patients was larger than that in normal volunteers. ⋯ These results suggested that ginger and nifedipine possessed synergistic effect on anti-platelet aggregation. A combination of 1 g ginger with 10 mg nifedipine per day could be valuable for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complication due to platelet aggregation.
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The inhibitory effect of Zingiber officinale Rosc (ZOR), an Oriental traditional herbal medicine, on the growth of influenza A/Aichi/2/68 (Aichi) virus was investigated in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Direct addition of ZOR (0.1 approximately 100 microg/ml) to the infected cells did not have any inhibitory effect. ⋯ Conversely, the inhibitory effect of ZOR-CM was reduced significantly by the removal of TNF-alpha after the formation of an immune complex with anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody. These data suggested that ZOR itself has no inhibitory effect on the growth of influenza virus, but could exert its effect via macrophage activation leading to production of TNF-alpha.
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Oxidative stress can be implicated as a cause of liver fibrosis. In this sense, Ginkgo Biloba Extract (EGB), an antioxidant, may be beneficial in restraining liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of EGB on experimental liver fibrosis. ⋯ Furthermore, EGB reduced expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and collagen I mRNA. In conclusion, EGB is able to ameliorate liver injury and prevent rats from CCl4-induced liver fibrosis by suppressing oxidative stress. This process may be related to inhibiting the induction of NF-kappaB on HSC activation and the expression of TGF-beta1.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Increase in the vagal modulation by acupuncture at neiguan point in the healthy subjects.
Acupuncture at the Neiguan (P6) point has been shown to lessen nausea and vomiting which are related to vagal modulation. This study investigated whether acupuncture at the P6 point could improve vagal modulation by using heart rate variability analysis. We compared the heart rate variability measures of 39 subjects receiving acupuncture at the P6 point, 38 subjects receiving sham acupuncture, and 34 subjects receiving no treatment at all. ⋯ In the no-treatment group, there was no statistical difference in all heart rate variability measures in the initial and later sessions. In conclusion, acupuncture at the P6 point can increase vagal modulation of the subjects. This result may be helpful in the understanding of the mechanism underlying the effect of acupuncture or acupressure at P6 on the lessening of nausea and vomiting in clinic.
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We investigated the efficacy of Qi therapy as a non-pharmacological treatment for various symptoms presented by Korean combat veterans of the Vietnam War with Agent Orange Sequelae. Nine subjects volunteered to receive 30 minutes of Qi therapy, twice per day for 7 days. ⋯ This data suggests that Qi therapy combined with conventional treatment has positive effects in reducing and managing the pain, psychosomatic disorders, and substance abuse in patients with Agent Orange Sequelae. We cannot completely discount the possible influence of the placebo effect, and more objective, clinical measures are needed to study the long-term effects of Qi therapy.