Angelica sinensis/root Dang Gui

The immediate effect of natural plant extract, Angelica sinensis and Matricaria chamomilla (Climex) for the treatment of hot flushes during menopause. A preliminary report.*

Kupfersztain C, Rotem C, Fagot R, Kaplan B. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2003;30(4):203-6.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficiency of a medicinal herb extract preparation (Climex) for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. METHOD: In this placebo-controlled experiment on 55 postmenopausal women who complained of hot flushes and refused hormonal therapy. The women were randomly divided into two groups, one to receive Climex (5 chewable tablets daily between meals) and the other group to receive a placebo; both groups would take the tablets for 12 weeks. The women were asked to complete a daily structured (Kupperman) questionnaire assessing the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms, starting one week prior to treatment to the completion of the study. All women underwent hormone profile measurements and transvaginal ultrasonography evaluation before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the study group and the control group in the decrease in number and intensity of hot flushes from baseline to completion of treatment (90-96% vs 15-25%, p< 0.001). In the study group, a response was already noted during the first month of treatment (68% +/-2% reduction of hot flushes during the day and 74% +/-4% during the night). There was also a marked alleviation of sleep disturbances and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with Climex seems to be effective for menopausal symptoms without apparent major adverse effects. This hormone-free preparation may be used as an important modality for menopausal women with contraindications for hormone replacement therapy.*

Stimulating action of Carthamus tinctorius L., Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels and Leonurus sibiricus L. on the uterus.*

The experimental results indicate that the decoction of Chinese drugs Carthamus tinctorius, Angelica sinensis and Leonurus sibiricus has stimulating action on the uterus of mouse in vitro. The stimulating action of Carthamus tinctorius and Leomurus sibiricus has been found related to stimulating H1-receptor and alpha-adrenergic receptor of uterus, but the action of Angelica sinensis to stimulating H1-receptor of uterus only.1*

Inhibitory effects of tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid on spontaneous movement of rat uterus in situ.*

Ozaki Y, Ma JP. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1990 Jun;38(6):1620-3.

Tetramethylpyrazine is one of the alkaloids contained in Ligusticum wallichii Franch. Ferulic acid is a phenolic compound contained in Ligusticum wallichii Franch and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid and the combined effect of both compounds on spontaneous uterine contractions in rats in situ. Tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid showed an inhibitory effect on uterine movement when given perorally and intravenously, respectively. The combination of both compounds, at doses individually insufficient to inhibit, synergistically inhibited uterine contraction. It was found that tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid inhibited uterine contractions and the inhibitory effect induced by the combination of both was due to the potentiation.*

A clinical observation on treating 23 cases of infertility with supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan.*

Li Gangyi. Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae. 2003; 9(3): F003.

Supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan was used to treat 23 cases including 18 female and 5 female of infertility. Among female patients 4 with unilateral tubal occlusion complicated with annexitis, 5 with abnormal ovulation, and other 9 without positive problems; 5 male patients had low sperm count and decreased sperm motility. Prescription: gou qi zi, tu si zi, wu wei zi, fu peng zi, che qian zi, huang qi, dang gui and mu xiang. 1 dose every day, taken in two times, 20 days as a course of treatment, 4 courses at most. suspending the treatment during menstrual period. Results: 21 out of the 2 cases got pregnant, and the curative rate was 91.3%.*

Treating 66 cases of semen non-liquefaction with supplemented Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang.*

66 cases of semen non-liquefaction were treated with following formula: dang gui, shu di, sheng di, gou qi zi, 12g each; dan shen, sheng huang qi, yi yi ren, 10g each; huang lian, huang bo, huang qin, 6g each; powder of leech (being taken with water) 3g, sheng gan cao 5g. Modify the formula according to accompanied symptoms. 1 dose every day, water decoction, 1 month as a course of treatment. Results: 36 cases were cured (pregnant), 19 cases improved and 11 ineffective; the total effective rate was 83.33%.2*

Ligusticum wallichii/root Chuan Xiong

Inhibitory effects of tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid on spontaneous movement of rat uterus in situ.*

Ozaki Y, Ma JP. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1990 Jun;38(6):1620-3.

Tetramethylpyrazine is one of the alkaloids contained in Ligusticum wallichii Franch. Ferulic acid is a phenolic compound contained in Ligusticum wallichii Franch and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid and the combined effect of both compounds on spontaneous uterine contractions in rats in situ. Tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid showed an inhibitory effect on uterine movement when given perorally and intravenously, respectively. The combination of both compounds, at doses individually insufficient to inhibit, synergistically inhibited uterine contraction. It was found that tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid inhibited uterine contractions and the inhibitory effect induced by the combination of both was due to the potentiation.*

Therapeutic effect observation on treating 30 cases of male infertility due to positive ASAB with Phlegm resolving and stagnant Blood removing method.*

Li Kai Ying, et al. Xin Zhong Yi. 2005; 37(4): 48~49.

60 male cases of male infertility due to positive ASAB were randomly divided into two group. The 30 cases in the treated group were orally administrated with Phlegm resolving and stagnant Blood removing formula (dan shen, chi shao, chuan xiong, sang leng, e zhu, chuan shan jia, zao jiao ci, dan nan xing, chai hu and fu ling, etc.); another 30 cases in the control group were orally administrated with deltacortisone. 30 days as a course of treatment. Results: in the treated group, 12 cases were cured, 13 improved and 5 ineffective, the total effective rate was 83.3%; in the control group, 4 cured, 12 improved and 14 ineffective ,the total effective rate was 53.3%. There’s significant difference between the two groups.*

Treating 52 cases of infertility due to varicocele with supplemented Tao Hong Si Wu Tang.*

52 cases of infertility due to varicocele were treated with supplemented Tao Hong Si Wu Tang: sheng di, chi shao, dang gui, chuan xiong, tao ren, hong hua, li zhi he, huang qi, gui zhi, dang shen and chai hu, 3 months as a course of treatment. Results: after 2~3 courses’ treatment, 19 cases were cured, 12 markedly effective, 8 effective and 13 ineffective.3*

Treating156 cases of tubal obstruction infertility with integrated Western and Chinese Medicine.*

228 cases of tubal obstruction infertility were randomly divided into two groups. 156 cases in the treated group received hydrotubation and oral administration of traditional Chinese herbs (dang gui, chuan xiong, wu ling zhi, xiao hui xiang, wang bu liu xing, etc.); 72 cases in the control group were treated with hydrotubation only. Results: in the treated group, 107 cases were cured and got pregnant, taking up 68.5%; in the control group, 26 were cured and got pregnant, taking up 36.2%. There’s significant difference between the two groups.4*

Salvia miltiorrhiza/root Dan Shen

Treating 24 cases of female infertility with iontophoresis of Dan Shen and oral administration of decoction.*

Li Guangxian, et al. Zhong Hua Li Liao Za Zhi. 1994; 17(4):243.

24 cases of female infertility were treated with iontophoresis of dan shen and oral administration of TCM formula: iontophoresis of Dan Shen Liquid at the dosage of 1.5g/ml was applied on the lower abdomen, 8 days as a course of treatment; TCM formula: lu jiao, xian ling pi, chai hu, xiang fu, dang gui, tong ji li, bu gu zhi, shu di, gou qi zi, chuan xiong and gan cao, 1 dose every day, .8~10 days as a course of treatment. The therapy was applied within the period from the second day after menstrual period till ovulatory period. The patients were treated for 1~5 courses, averagely 3 courses. Results: 15 out of the 24 cases got pregnant and delivered without miscarriage or twins, 6 cases’ symptoms disappeared and had normal menstrual cycles, 3 cases had no significant improved symptoms or physical signs.*

Treating male infertility due to sex disorder with Dan Shen Shou Wu Tang.*

48 cases of male infertility due to sex disorder were treated with TCM formula Dan Shen Shou Wu Tang after sexual knowledge directions and mental healing failed. Formula: dan shen, he shou wu, xian ling pi, bu gu zhi, gou qi zi, add 1 piece of wu gong for impotence. 24 days as a course of treatment, 12 doses in one course, 1 dose every other day. Results: After 3~6 courses treatment, 35 cases out of the 48 cases were effective, and 33 cases’ wifes got pregnant.5*

Cervical Cancer

Tanshinone IIA inhibits viral oncogene expression leading to apoptosis and inhibition of cervical cancer.*

Munagala R, Aqil F, Jeyabalan J, & Gupta RC. Cancer Letters, vol. 356, no. 2, pp. 536–546, 2015.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the well-established etiological factor of cervical cancer. E6 and E7 oncoproteins expressed by HPV are known to inactivate tumor suppressor proteins p53 and pRb, respectively. Tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) is a diterpenoid naphthoquinone found in the traditional Chinese medicine Danshen (Salvia sp.). Tan IIA has been shown to possess anti-tumor activity against several cancer types. In this study we show that Tan IIA potently inhibited proliferation of the human cervical cancer CaSki, SiHa, HeLa and C33a cells. Mechanistically in HPV positive CaSki cells, Tan IIA was found to (i) downregulate expression of HPV E6 and E7 genes and modulate associated proteins E6AP and E2F1, (ii) cause S phase cell cycle arrest, (iii) induce accumulation of p53 and alter expression of p53- dependent targets, (iv) modulate pRb and related proteins, and (v) cause p53-mediated apoptosis by moderating Bcl2, Bax, caspase-3, and PARP cleavage expressions. In vivo, Tan IIA resulted in over 66% reduction in tumor volume of cervical cancer xenograft in athymic nude mice. Tan IIA treated tumor tissues had lower expression of proliferation marker PCNA and changes in apoptosis targets were in agreement with in vitro studies, further confirming reduced proliferation and involvement of multiple targets behind anti-cancer effects. This is the first demonstration of Tan IIA to possess significant anti-viral activity by repressing HPV oncogenes leading to inhibition of cervical cancer. Together, our data suggest that Tan IIA can be exploited as a potent therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of cervical and other HPV-related cancers.*

Tanshinones and diethyl blechnics with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities from salvia miltiorrhiza bunge (danshen)*

Gao H, Sun W, Zhao J et al. Scientific Reports, vol. 6, Article ID 33720, 2016.

Four novel compounds (1–4) as well as fourteen reported compounds (5–18) were isolated and purified from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen). The structures of novel compounds were determined by 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS data, etc. The anti-inflammatory properties of all the compounds on RAW264.7 macrophages and their cytotoxicity on H1299 and Bel- 7402 cell lines coupled with a structure-activity relationship (SAR) were investigated. Compound 4 demonstrated the best anti- inflammatory activity and was chosen for further research. Compound 4 greatly suppressed secretion of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the RAW264.7 macrophages stimulated by LPS. Additionally, the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was decreased and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB was attenuated after treatment with compound 4 in vitro. Compound 4 was able to dramatically inhibit LPS-induced activation of JNK1/2 and ERK1/2 and remarkably disrupted the TLR4 dimerization in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Thus, the new compound 4 suppressed LPS-induced inflammation partially is due to the blocking TLR4 dimerization. In addition, the anti-cancer activity investigation indicated that most of isolated compounds exhibited cytotoxicity and the SAR analysis showed that the intact D ring was indispensable and unsaturated D ring played vital role.*

Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species in Anticancer Therapy with Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge*

Hung YC, Pan TL & Hu WL. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, vol. 2016, Article ID 5293284, 2016.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. We aim to provide a systematic review about the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in anticancer therapy with Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen). Danshen, including its lipophilic and hydrophilic constituents, is potentially beneficial for treating various cancers. The mechanisms of ROS-related anticancer effects of Danshen vary depending on the specific type of cancer cells involved. Danshen may enhance TNF-????-induced apoptosis, upregulate caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, endoplasmic reticulum stress, P21, P53, Bax/Bcl-2, DR5, and AMP-activated protein kinase, or activate the p38/JNK, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and FasL signaling pathways. Conversely, Danshen may downregulate human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA, telomerase, survivin, vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, CD31, NF-????B, Erk1/2, matrix metalloproteinases, microtubule assembly, and receptor tyrosine kinases including epidermal growth factor receptors, HER2, and P-glycoprotein and inhibit the PI3K/Akt/mTOR or estrogen receptor signaling pathways. Therefore, Danshen may inhibit cancer cells proliferation through antioxidation on tumor initiation and induce apoptosis or autophagy through ROS generation on tumor progression, tumor promotion, and tumor metastasis. Based on the available evidence regarding its anticancer properties, this review provides new insights for further anticancer research or clinical trials with Danshen.*

Prunus persicae/seed Tao Ren

Tao Ren has the function of promoting uterine contraction and hemostasis in primiparas, and the effects were stronger than those of ergot alkaloids.6*

Treating 52 cases of infertility due to varicocele with supplemented Tao Hong Si Wu Tang.*

52 cases of infertility due to varicocele were treated with supplemented Tao Hong Si Wu Tang: sheng di, chi shao, dang gui, chuan xiong, tao ren, hong hua, li zhi he, huang qi, gui zhi, dang shen and chai hu, 3 months as a course of treatment. Results: after 2~3 courses’ treatment, 19 cases were cured, 12 markedly effective, 8 effective and 13 ineffective.7*

Liquidambaris taiwanianae/fruit Lu Lu Tong

Treating 306 cases of tubal obstruction infertility with integrated Western and Chinese Medicine.*

306 cases of tubal obstruction infertility were treated with Tong Luo Hua Yu Tang: dang gui, chi shao, rou cong rong, dan shen, tu si zi, lu lu tong, chuan shan jia, wang bu liu xing, etc.. Hydrotubation was also applied. Results: the curative effect was 73.2%, and total effective rate was 90.2%.8*

Saussurea lappa/root Mu xiang

A clinical observation on treating 23 cases of infertility with supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan.*

Supplemented Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan was used to treat 23 cases including 18 female and 5 female of infertility. Among female patients 4 with unilateral tubal occlusion complicated with annexitis, 5 with abnormal ovulation, and other 9 without positive problems; 5 male patients had low sperm count and decreased sperm motility. Prescription: gou qi zi, tu si zi, wu wei zi, fu peng zi, che qian zi, huang qi, dang gui and mu xiang. 1 dose every day, taken in two times, 20 days as a course of treatment, 4 courses at most. suspending the treatment during menstrual period. Results: 21 out of the 2    cases got pregnant, and the curative rate was 91.3%.9*

Paeonia lactiflora/root chi shao

Treating 42 cases of semen non-liquefaction with experiential formula Ye Hua Huo Jing Tang.*

42 cases of semen non-liquefaction were treated with experiential formula Ye Hua Huo Jing Tang: dan shen 30g, chi shao 15g, shan zha 20g, ji nei jin 20g, tian hua fen 15g, huang bo 15g, tu fu ling 15g, zhi mu 12g, zhe bei mu 15g, hai fu shi 15g, sheng mai ya 20g, li zhi he 10g. Modify the formula according to accompanied symptoms. 1 dose every day, water decoction, 15 days as a course of treatment. Additionally, 3g leech was grounded into powder and capsulated for swallowing. Results: 36 cases were cured, 4 improved and 2 ineffective, the effective rate was 95.2%.10*

Bupleurum chinense/root Chai Hu

Total saponins of Bupleurum chinense was administrated to rats through intraperitoneal injection, plasma ACTH, corticosterone and glucose increased 30 minutes later. Intraperitoneal injection of saikosaponin a and d could increase the plasma corticosterone level in a dosage-dependent manner in rats; the dosages needed for reaching the maximum were 2.5mg and 1.0mg/kg respectively, and ED50 of a and d were 0.9 and 0.3mg/kg respectively. Intraperitoneal injection of saikosaponin F and G at the dosage of 50 and 25mg/kg respectively could also increase the plasma corticosterone, and the ED50 were .5 and 17mg/kg respectively. Saikosaponins had significant influence over the form and function of adrenal cortex in rats: saikosaponin a, b1, b2, c and d were injected intraperitoneally to rats at the doage of 5mg/kg for 4 continuous days, and in group d and group a, the obviously proliferated adrenal gland and atrophied thymus gland were observed. The histological examination didn’t show proliferated medulla but cortex diameter only increased. The main site of action of saikosaponins may be in the hypothalamus and/or pituitary.11*

Clinical study on treating male infertility due to anejaculation.*

Through a series of study, it’s found that Xiao Chai Hu Tang could be used to treat anejaculation of Liver depression and stagnant Heat type. 7 cases were treated with modified Xiao Chai Hu Tang: chai hu 12g, huang qin 15g, fa ban xia 12g, dang shen 20g, zhi gan cao 6g, sheng jiang 3 pieces, da zao 12g, 3 pieces of wu gong, lu lu tong 12g, chuan niu xi 15g, zhi ma qian zi 0.3g (being taken with water). Modify the formula according to accompanied symptoms. Results: 5 cases were cured, 1 cured and 1 ineffective.12*

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Qiu Yi, et al. Zhong Guo Ji Hua Sheng Yu Xue Za Zhi. 2003; (11): 681~682.

Wang Benxiang. Modern pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica. Tianjin Science & Technolgoy Publishing House, 1997.

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Wang Benxiang. Modern pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica. Tianjin Science & Technolgoy Publishing House, 1997.

Li Jiarong. Research of TCM. 1991; (1): 49~51.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.