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Xie JT, Aung HH, Wu JA, et al. Am J Chin Med 2002;30:187-194. In this study, we evaluated antihyperglycemic effects of American ginseng berry extract in diabetic ob/ob mice. Animals [...]

Hyperglycemia in diabetic conditions may cause oxidative stress in pancreatic beta-cells, leading to their dysfunction and insulin resistance within peripheral tissues. Previous studies suggest that American ginseng berry extract may have hypoglycemic effects, as well as offer antioxidant protection. We examined effects of American ginseng berry extract and ginsenoside Re in a pancreatic beta-cell line, MIN-6, to determine if these two properties are related. Cells were exposed to oxidative stress via hydrogen peroxide incubation and oxidative stress was measured by oxidation of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate. These cells showed a concentration-related response to hydrogen peroxide at 100-500 [micro]M. In acute conditions where cells were treated with the extract for 10 min, we observed reduced oxidant injury suggesting direct scavenging effects. Chronic incubation of cells with the extract for 48 hours also demonstrated attenuation of oxidative stress. At high concentrations, Re showed a mild antioxidant effect in MIN-6 cells. Our insulin release observations also showed that the extract may help to increase insulin secretions from the cells. Our data suggest that the observed ability of ginseng to reduce blood glucose levels may be linked to its antioxidant effects on pancreatic beta-cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pain is considered the most common complaint worldwide for which patients seek treatment. Conventional analgesic agents play an important role in modern pain therapy, but they cause several adverse effects. Therefore, newer and better analgesics continue to be investigated. In this controlled clinical trial, the authors evaluated the analgesic effects of 2 herbal medicines, Corydalis yanhusuo and Angelicae dahuricae. They used the cold-pressor test-a simple, reliable, and widely used model in humans-for induction of tonic pain. They demonstrated that after a single, oral administration of the extracts of C. yanhusuo and A. dahuricae, the pain intensity and pain bothersomeness scores significantly decreased (both P < .01). Dose-related analgesic effect was also observed. Results from this study suggest that C. yanhusuo and A. dahuricae may have a potential clinical value for treating mild to moderate pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual dysfunction is prevalent in both men and women. Although new pharmaceutical agents have been identified for male erectile problems, sexual desire and orgasm disorders, individuals with sexual dysfunction often seek alternative therapies, including traditional Chinese medicine. This article reviews currently used alternative therapies, such as herbal medications, L-arginine, acupuncture, biofeedback and others. Potential herb-drug interactions are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]