Search

Background: In this study, 13 different extracts were investigated which are grown in the region of Erzurum., Objective: The aim of this study was to screen various plant extracts that are known and used for medicinal purposes such as Ferula communis L., Rumex patientia L., Gundelia tournefortii L., Rheum ribes L., Asphodeline taurica, Polygonum arenastrum, Allium schoenoprasum L., and Ferula orientalis L., Materials and Methods: Medicinal parts of plants such as leaves, flowers, and stems were investigated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity assays: Centaury and Blackthorn. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antimicrobial properties were also determined. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were investigated by the microdilution method and the agar diffusion method respectively., Results: Accordingly, the results of the Rheum ribes L. plant have the highest antioxidant activity among all analyses made. But in almost all antioxidant analysis methods, the lowest antioxidant activity was found in Ferula orientalis L. According to the antibacterial analysis applied, it was found that the plant extracts were generally more effective on yeast strains than the test bacteria used; that is, most of the plants have antifungal effect., Conclusions: Due to their antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, the extracts of these plants might be used as natural sources in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

Objective: To investigate typical medicinal plants of Rheum altaicum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Ferula sinkiangensis, Paeonia sinjiangensis, Ephedra equisetina, and Origanum vulgare in Altay region of Xinjiang, and to clarify their current existing situation under natural condition., Methods: Based on the 30 sample plots, ecological methods were used for investigating the community structure and species diversity of local medicinal plants., Results: 39 species belonging to 20 families,36 genera were recorded in the area. Xerophytic shrubs, half shrubs and herbs were dominant plants. The important values of six typical medicinal plants were 0. 32,0. 37,0. 42,0. 50,0. 49 and 0. 34,respectively. Six indexes of species diversity were generally low( 0. 63 ~ 0. 80),in which the species diversity indexes of Paeonia sinjiangensis, Ferula sinkiangensis, and Rheum altaicum were the highest( 0. 80,0. 80 and 0. 76),the species diversity indexes of Ephedra equisetina and Origanum vulgare were lower( 0. 74 and 0. 64),and the species diversity index of Glycyrrhiza uralensis was the lowest( 0. 63)., Conclusion: Composition and community structure of medicinal plant species in Altay region of Xinjiang were relatively simple, which need to be protected urgently.

Constipation affects 14% of the adult population globally, mainly women, and significantly impacts on health-related quality of life. The causes of constipation are mainly three: lifestyle related (functional constipation), disease related, and drug induced. Constipation can generate considerable suffering, including abdominal pain and distension, anorexia, and nausea. The value of some therapeutic measures such as increased fluid intake, physical activity, diet rich in fiber, and nutritional supplements recommended for the relief of constipation is still questionable. The treatment of constipation can be carried out not only with traditional drugs but also with herbal medicines or with nutraceuticals, which are used to prevent or treat the disorder. We have reviewed the most common botanical laxatives such as senna, cascara, frangula, aloe, and rhubarb and their use in the treatment of constipation., (Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Rheum offĩcinale on acute pancreatitis., Methods: Buffered sodium taurocholate (3% m/V) was injected into the pancreatico-biliary duct to induce acute pancreatitis. Death rate,coefficient of pancreas, serum amylyse (AMY), hemocuprein (SOD), TNF-alpha and IL-1beta level were examined at 6, 12 and 24 hours after operations. Pathology analysis were also obtained., Results: Compared with corresponding pancreatitis groups,death rate, coefficient of pancreas, serum TNF-alpha and IL-1beta level of drug groups decreased remarkably (P < 0.05), while serum SOD level significantly increased (P < 0.01). Serum AMY level of drug groups increased at 6 h (P < 0.01), decreased at 12 h (P < 0.01) and had no statistics disparity at 24 h (P > 0.05) compared with respective pancreatitis group. Although score points of all drug groups were lower than corresponding pancreatitis groups, the growth tendency of both were similar., Conclusion: Rheum officinale Baill has the effect of prevention to pancreas pathological changes in the animal pattern, but not able to reverse the tendency.

FlorEssence (FE) is an herbal tea widely used by patients to treat chronic conditions in North America, particularly cancer patients during chemo- and radiation therapy. Although individual components of FE have antioxidant, antiestrogenic, immunostimulant and antitumor properties, in vitro evidence of anticancer activity for the herbal tea itself is still lacking. We studied the antiproliferative effect of FE on MCF7 and MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer, and Jurkat and K562 leukemia cell lines. We found that FE significantly inhibited the proliferation of both breast and leukemia cells in vitro only at high concentrations, with 50% inhibition of MDA-MB-468 cells at about 1[sol ]20 dilution, Jurkat cells at about 1[sol ]10 dilution and MCF7 and K562 cells at less than 1[sol ]10 dilution. Flow cytometry analysis showed that treatment with a high concentration of FE induced G2[sol ]M arrest in MCF7 and Jurkat cells, with also an increased SubG0[sol ]G1 fraction in MCF7 cells. MDA-MB-468 cells showed a significantly increased Sub G0[sol ]G1 fraction after treatment with 1[sol ]10 dilution of FE while the cell cycle of K562 was unaffected. When MCF7 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells were treated with a combination of FE with either paclitaxel or cisplatin, results showed that only the combination of 1[sol ]20 dilution of FE with 0.5 microM cisplatin resulted in a small but significantly higher MCF7 cell survival than 0.5 microM cisplatin treatment alone. FE at 1[sol ]20 and 1[sol ]50 dilutions did not affect the antiproliferative properties of these two commonly used chemotherapeutic agents. The results suggest that FE at high concentrations show differential inhibitory effect on different human cancer cell lines. Further studies are needed to assess the biological activities of FE., (Copyright 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The increasing clinical use of acyclovir, ganciclovir, and foscarnet against herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus, and cytomegalovirus has been associated with the emergence of drug-resistant herpesvirus strains. To develop anti-HSV compounds from plants, 31 herbs used as antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agents in Chinese medicine were screened. Five different preparations (cold aqueous, hot aqueous, ethanolic, acid ethanolic, and methanolic) from 31 herbs were analyzed by plaque reduction assay, and 7 extracts. which showed significant antiviral activities, were further elucidated for their antiviral mechanisms. Our results showed that ethanolic extract of Rheum officinale and methanolic extract of Paeonia suffruticosa prevented the process of virus attachment and penetration. Aqueous extract of P. suffruticosa and ethanolic extract of Melia toosendan inhibited virus attachment to cell surface. Aqueous extract of Sophora flavescens and methanolic extract of M. toosendan showed no effect on virus attachment and penetration. These data indicated that these 4 herbs have a potential value as a source of new powerful anti-HSV compounds.

Objective: To assess the clinical significance of urinary interleukin-6 (IL-6) level in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients and the effect of Rheum palmatum (RP) in treating it., Methods: RP and captopril were given to the study group, while captopril was given to the control group alone, and level of urinary IL-6 was determined by sandwich-ELISA., Results: Urinary IL-6 level in CRF patients was obviously higher, than that in healthy control (P < 0.01). After treatment, the urinary IL-6 and serum creatinine reduced significantly in the study group (P < 0.05), and there was significant difference compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Determination of urinary IL-6 level is useful in studying the severity of immune inflammation of CRF. RP improves renal function by inhibiting the production of IL-6 and lowering immune inflammation.

Both experimental and clinical studies have indicated that a novel source of dietary fibre, produced from rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum) stalks, is potentially hypolipidaemic. The present study, using C57BL/6J mice, was undertaken to examine if this fibre source affects cholesterol degradation. Mice were maintained on semi-purified diets containing 50 g rhubarb fibre or cellulose/kg with or without 5 g cholesterol/kg for 4 weeks. In cholesterol-supplemented mice, rhubarb fibre caused significant lowering of plasma cholesterol (-13%) and the hepatic concentrations of total cholesterol (-34%) and cholesteryl esters (-34%). In parallel to the reduction of hepatic cholesteryl ester content, animals fed on rhubarb fibre had significantly lower activity of acyl CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.26) than the mice maintained on a diet containing cellulose and cholesterol. Rhubarb-fibre feeding accelerated the faecal bile-acid loss and diminished the gall-bladder bile-acid pool in both the normal and the cholesterol-fed mice. The increase in the bile-acid excretion was positively correlated with an increased activity as well as mRNA abundance of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (EC 1.14.13.17). The increased excretion of bile acids and induction of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity may account for the hypocholesterolaemic effect of rhubarb fibre.

Ingestion of jimsonweed can result in hallucinations. Despite this side effect, the differential diagnosis of jimsonweed toxicity can be difficult, in part, because routine drug screens do not detect this agent. Such a delay in diagnosis not only postpones treatment but may also result in the patient's death. Treatment involves gastric lavage, followed by supportive care. Life-threatening cases entail the cautious use of physostigmine salicylate.

Objective: The present study was undertaken to examine the lipid lowering effects of rhubarb fiber prepared by blanching and drying fresh rhubarb stalks. The new fiber source contained 74% dietary fiber, on dry weight basis, with 66% insoluble and 8% soluble fiber., Design: Ten hypercholesterolemic men were assigned to consume 27 g of ground rhubarb stalk fiber per day for 4 weeks. The dietary intake in terms of total energy, lipid and cholesterol was kept unaltered during the study period. Changes in serum lipid profile were monitored by obtaining blood samples before and after the fiber intervention., Results: Rhubarb fiber supplementation resulted in significant lowering of serum total cholesterol (8%) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (9%), while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) concentrations remained unchanged. The depressed total and LDL cholesterol levels returned to baseline after the fiber supplementation was withdrawn for 1 month., Conclusion: The rhubarb stalk fiber is effective in lowering serum cholesterol concentrations, especially LDL cholesterol, in hypercholesterolemic men. These results signify the potential use of underutilized rhubarb crop.

Previous work demonstrated that a high fiber diet upregulates proglucagon mRNA and secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 [GLP-1(7-37)] and insulin compared with an elemental fiber-free diet. This study examined whether similar intakes of fibers differing in physiochemical and fermentative properties alter the expression of intestinal hormones and intestinal absorptive properties. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a 50 g/kg cellulose or rhubarb fiber diet for 14 d. Ileal proglucagon mRNA levels were significantly higher in rats fed rhubarb fiber than in those fed cellulose fiber (9.3 +/- 0.9 vs. 6.2 +/- 1.0 densitometer units). Proglucagon mRNA in the colon did not differ between diet treatments. Plasma c-peptide concentrations were significantly higher 30 min after an oral glucose tolerance test in the rhubarb vs. cellulose group (1627 +/- 67 vs. 1290 +/- 71 pmol/L). Passive permeability, measured by the uptake of L-glucose, was significantly higher in the jejunum of rats fed cellulose compared with those fed rhubarb fiber. Adjusting total glucose uptake for passive permeability and unstirred water layer resistance resulted in a higher Km being calculated for the jejunum and ileum of the cellulose fiber group. Jejunal and ileal carrier-mediated uptakes (Vmax) were not altered by diet and reflected the lack of difference between groups in sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter (SGLT-1) and sodium-independent glucose transporter (GLUT2) mRNA levels. Replacing cellulose fiber with rhubarb fiber in a diet upregulated ileal proglucagon mRNA and resulted in a reduced passive permeability but did not affect glucose transport of the small intestine. This work establishes the importance of dietary fiber fermentability in modulating intestinal proglucagon expression and possibly glucose homeostasis.

This is a study on the efficacy and mechanism of rhubarb therapy for necrotizing pancreatitis in rats induce by intraductal infusion of 2% deoxycholate 0.4 ml/kg. The rats with such pancreatitis were orally fed with 10% rhubarb decoction 1.5 ml (treatment group n = 8) or normal saline 1.5 ml (control group n = 9) per 8 hours. Sham operated rats (sham group n = 8) were given intraductal infusion of normal saline 0.4 ml/kg. 48 hours after infusion, the rats were killed for studies of intestinal motility, serum endotoxin and amylase levels as well as bacterial cultures in messentary lymph nodes (MLN) and pancreas tissues. 5 rats died in the control group (5/9) and 1 died in the treatment group (1/8). Remarkable inhibition of gut motility was observed in control group, but gut motility was significantly improved by administration of rhubarb in treatment group. No rat died in the sham group and the rate therein were all free from endotoxemia or positive cultures. Endotoxin level of control group is much higher (61.36 +/- 28.30 pg/L) than that of treatment group (5.41 +/- 3.58 pg/L), (P < 0.001). Positive cultures were noted in most of MLN (4/4) and pancreas (4/4) in control group, but only 1 in MLN and 1 in pancreas were noted in treatment group. It is concluded that in the treatment of necrotic pancreatitis in rats rhubarb decoction is effective for promoting gut motility and preventing intestinal bacterial translocation.

A clinical study of 67 female schizophrenics was conducted. Thirty two patients of them treated with the Shuizhi (leech)-Dahuang (rhubarb) mixture mainly with low dosage of antipsychotic drugs (combined therapy group), while other 35 cases were treated with antipsychotic drugs only (control group). The result showed that their overall therapeutic effects were similar and the combined therapy group could reduce the dosages of antipsychotic drugs and its side effects, and tended to normalize the hemorheologic indices.

It is well known that diet therapy is effective for inhibition of the advancement of chronic renal failure. Rhubarb, which can improve nitrogen metabolism, may allow delay in the introduction of the hemodialysis. After performing diet therapy with an energy intake of 35 Kcal/kg and a salt volume of less than 7g in 38 cases with chronic renal failure (CRF), 5 healthy volunteers (N) and 5 cases with liver cirrhosis (LC), 1.0g of rhubarb was administered orally. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) did not vary in N, decreased in cases with LC and CRF (rhubarb-administered group), but increased in cases with CRF (non-rhubarb-administered group). The serum creatinine (s-Cr) did not vary in N and cases with LC and CRF (rhubarb-administered group), but was elevated in cases with CRF (non-rhubarb-administered group). Serum methylguanidine did not vary in N and cases with LC, decreased in cases with CRF (rhubarb-administered group), and increased in cases with CRF (non-rhubarb-administered group). The chronological level of 1/Cr in cases with CRF (rhubarb-administered group) was improved. In addition to the diet therapy, administration of rhubarb inhibited increase of BUN and serum creatinine in cases with chronic renal failure and was effective for the reduction of uremic substances. Therefore, it was concluded that rhubarb can retard the introduction-period of hemodialysis and can also inhibit deterioration of the disease.

The study has shown that the cytotoxity of ethanol-extract from the root and rhizome of Rheum of ficinale is very low. It shows no cytotoxity even at 20,000 micrograms/ml and on the contrary tends to promote cell growth. Obvious anti-viral action can be observed in cell culture. The minimum inhibition dose for herpes simplex virus (HSV) is 100 micrograms/ml. Also, the extract helps to prevent cells from viral infections and has some direct effect on viral particles.

Ground rhubarb stalk fiber containing, on a dry weight basis, 74% total dietary fiber (66% insoluble and 8% soluble) was prepared from rhubarb plants. This fiber source has been shown to have a pronounced lipid lowering effect in mice. Its high oxalic acid content may, however, be a limiting factor for its use. The present study was undertaken to determine the safe dose level of the fiber in terms of its effect on calcium bioavailability. Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a semi-purified diet (AIN 76) for 4 weeks containing 0, 1, 3, or 5% rhubarb fiber, or pure oxalic acid equivalent to 5% rhubarb fiber. The fiber content of each diet was brought to 5% by adding cellulose, and the calcium level of all diets was the same. As the rhubarb stalk fiber content of the diet increased, a consistent trend of increasing total retention and apparent absorption of calcium was manifested. In contrast, however, cellulose, due to its increased effect on intestinal motility resulted in a decreased calcium bioavailability. Overall results suggest that an addition of rhubarb stalk powder up to the level of 5% in a diet does not have detrimental effect on calcium bioavailability.

In order to explore the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs on the progression of experimental chronic renal failure (CRF), we have studied the effect of orally administered rhubarb extract on the course of CRF in rats submitted to subtotal nephrectomy (SNx). Adult male Wistar rats were submitted to either a SNx (n = 18) or a sham operation (n = 10). Thirty days after SNx, nine SNx and five sham operated rats were given aqueous rhubarb roots extract (150 mg/day) in drinking water. The rats were followed up for 120 days. Rhubarb treatment had no effect on the systemic hypertension observed in SNx rats. Rhubarb-tested SNx rats had significantly less proteinuria 90 days (172 +/- 63 mg/24 h) and 120 days (228 +/- 92 mg/24 h) after SNx when compared to untreated SNx controls (day 90, 246 +/- 80 mg/24 h; day 120, 335 +/- 113 mg/24 h, P < 0.05). Renal function was comparable in rhubarb-treated and untreated SNx rats. However, at sacrifice the severity of glomerulosclerosis was significantly reduced in SNx rats treated with rhubarb (2.03 +/- 0.44; SNx controls, 2.58 +/- 0.53, P < 0.05). The difference in tubulointerstitial scarring between the two groups did not reach significance. Our results suggest that rhubarb extract reduces proteinuria and the severity of glomerulosclerosis in rats with remnant kidneys.

Sennoside A content in hot-water extracts from 17 varieties of rhubarb obtained from the market was measured, and their respective cathartic effects were also examined in mice. A positive correlation was confirmed between the sennoside A content and cathartic effects in our experiments. Furthermore, the effects of Shisendaio [symbol: see text], with a higher sennoside A content, and Kinmondaio [symbol: see text], with a lower sennoside A content, exhibited endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) which related closely to Oketsu symptoms, and these effects were examined in rats. Kinmondaio exhibited weak inhibition on both reducing erythrocyte deformability and prolonging euglobulin lysis time (ELT) in DIC rats. From our results, it is possible to evaluate rhubarb's cathartic effect, one of its main drug effects, by examining the rhubarb's sennoside A content. However, it is difficult to estimate the cathartic effect according to the general market name of Rhubarb. No dramatic effect was found on the experimental models used for Oketsu symptoms such as endotoxin-induced DIC.

A prospective randomized double blind study with processed rhubarb (low dose of 0.75g/day) was carried out in pregnant women at risk of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). Rhubarb (140 cases) or placebo (125 cases) was given to women at risk of PIH consecutively from the 28th week of gestation till delivery, and another 68 pregnant women as control. Results showed that 5.7% of rhubarb treated women developed PIH, a rate substantially lower than the 20.8% of the placebo group (P < 0.01). After 9-10 weeks of treatment, the plasma fibronectin (Fn) level and Plasminogen activator inhibiter (PAI) value were found significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the rhubarb treated group than in the placebo. Antithrombin III (ATIII) level also decreased significantly less in the rhubarb group as compared with the placebo (P < 0.05). It indicated that low dose of processed rhubarb has a good prophylactic effect on PIH. The mechanism may be related with the inhibition of PAI activity, reduced Fn synthesis and decreased damage to vascular endothelium.

Jiang-Zhi Jian-Fei Yao (JZJFY), an obesity-reducing drug, its active principle is the refined Rhubarb, the mechanism of its obesity-reducing effect was studied. JZJFY was injected intragastrically. The results showed that there was no significant increased of body weight, but a reduction of food intake, prolongation of stomach evacuation time, acceleration of intestinal movement 6 days after medication in rats. Meanwhile the adipose cells in abdominal wall were varied in size, and with Sudan III stain the color of adipose cells was light. Authors suggest that the obesity-reducing effect of JZJFY was relevant to above-mentioned changes.

Treatment of chronic renal failure with rhubarb and adjuvant drugs combined with other appropriate measures alleviates the suffering of the patients and improves the quality of their survival. Most patients can take care of themselves after treatment, and some can engage in half-day work. The treatment prolongs the life of the patient, and reduces medical expenses. It is of definite social and economic benefit, and conforms with China's conditions. Except for very severe cases whose blood creatinine exceeds 884 mumol/L, it can be given to all patients. It can also be used as a transitional measure before more radical therapies may be instituted.

Rat renal tubules were isolated and grown in culture medium. The effects of rheum officinal (RO) on the proliferation of renal tubular cells were investigated. In culture, the addition of the sera obtained from the rat fed with RO inhibited significantly the proliferation of renal tubular cells, and the effect become even more strong with the increase of the dosage or the long time of administration of RO to the rat. The ingredient RO--emodin added directly to culture medium suppressed the proliferation of renal tubular cells in a dose dependent manner, as measured by the uptake of radiolabeled thymidine. This observation may help explain the beneficial effects of RO in the treatment of chronic renal failure.

Renal hypertrophy and elevated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) appeared in early stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN). In order to investigate the effect of Rheum officinale (RO) on the renal hypertrophy, streptozotocin induced diabetic rats with moderate hyperglycemia were divided into two groups, receiving RO (RO-DN) or not (DN), and one group of non-diabetic control (C) was set up. At the 28th day, DN group exhibited heavier kidney weight (+61%), more protein (+133%) and DNA (+94%) contents in the kidney and higher GFR (+94%) than the control. RO-DN rats showed much less above mentioned changes. In addition, lipid abnormalities were ameliorated in RO-DN group. This result suggest that RO is beneficial to the diabetes in terms of renal hypertrophy and GFR changes at early stage and is recommended in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

A clinical trial, to evaluate the effects of Baoshen Pill (Rheum palmatum extract, RPE) on hemodialytic patients was conducted. 42 cases with terminal stage of renal failure (Scr < 10 ml/min) on HD were divided at random into RPE treated group and control group. The results showed there were no statistically significant differences between two groups for Scr or BUN. Serum levels of TC, LDL-c, apo B and apo B/apo A1 dropped down and HDL-c, apo A1, albumin, pro-albumin and fibrinectin increased during the follow-up period (P < 0.05) in the treated patients. It is considered that the mechanisms of RPE in preventing chronic renal failure were not the action of whole body. Improving serum levels of albumin, lipoprotein, apolipoproteins might play important role in treatment.

The effects of Chinese medicine, alcoholized rhubarb, on cardiac electrophysiology and contractile force were studied by using monophasic action potential (MAP) techniques with an improved pressure-electrical transducer epicardial electrode and/or an endocardial pressure-contact electrode catheter in 27 feline hearts in vivo. The results of the experiments were as follows: 1) Alcoholized rhubarb solution (1.5 g/kg) caused a greater increase in the MAP amplitude (from 18.8 +/- 0.62 mV to 26.7 +/- 3.87 mV, p < 0.01), in the MAP maximum rate of rise of phase 0 (from 1.7 +/- 0.13 V/sec to 2.6 +/- 0.43, p < 0.01), and in the MAP duration at 50% and 90% repolarization (from 194.3 +/- 14.00 msec to 216.3 +/- 6.30 msec and from 238.8 +/- 21.41 msec to 280.5 +/- 14.68 msec, respectively, p < 0.01), and a decrease in the heart rate (from 130.8 +/- 12.10 bpm to 110.8 +/- 10.35 bpm, p < 0.01) in the epicardial monophasic action potentials after rhubarb solution administration for 1 min. 2) The ventricular contractile force of the feline heart in vivo was also significantly increased (11.1 +/- 0.52 g to 14.0 +/- 1.41 g, p < 0.01) by rhubarb solution. 3) A dose-dependent relation of alcoholized rhubarb solution was found and indicated that lower doses (1.0-1.5 g/kg) had an excitatory effect, while a higher dose (2.0 g/kg) had inhibitory or toxic effects on the intact feline heart. The present study provides evidence that Chinese rhubarb solution has electrophysiological effects on the feline heart in vivo.

The effects of Dachengqi decoction (DCQ) and Rhubarb (Rb) on spontaneous cellular electrical activities of guinea-pig's taenia coli has been studied by intracellular microelectrode technique. DCQ and Rb could both improve depolarization of cell membrane, speed up the burst of slow wave potential (when drug concentration was 1%, P > 0.05; 10% or 20%, P < 0.05), which was dose dependent. At the same concentration, the effects of Rb were more significant than that of DCQ. These results suggested that DCQ and Rb enhanced directly the cellular electrical excitability so as to strengthen the contraction of colon, is one of the mechanisms of these drugs in cellular level on diarrhea action. The ionic basis of the effects might be that DCQ and Rb reduced the K+conductance of cell membrane in rest state.

Primary cultured rat tubular epithelium was utilized to investigate the effect of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) on cellular proliferation and metabolism. Judging from incorporation rate of 3H-TdR, it was found that the addition of serum containing CS metabolites into the culture media could promote the DNA synthesis of tubular cells profoundly (P less than 0.001). In association with its beneficial effects on gentamycin nephrotoxity in vivo study, it is indicated that CS could enhance the regeneration of injured tubular cells. In addition, sera obtained from 5/6 nephrectomized rats (5/6 NT) and rhubarb treated rats were studied to see their effects on tubular cells growth. The results showed that the serum of 5/6 NT rats could promote the DNA synthesis of tubular epithelium, while the presence of experimental serum of rhubarb in culture median markedly inhibited the DNA synthesis of cells.

According to the method of differentiation of symptom complexes of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), endometriosis is a disease of blood stasis and mass in the lower portion of abdomen. 76 cases were treated by TCM prescription named endometriotic pill No 1 with rhubarb as the main ingredient. The chief functions of the rhubarb were removing blood stasis, disintegrating mass and purgation. The total effective rate was 80.26%. Among them, the effective rate of dysmenorrhea was 88.89%, that of pelvic pain was 66.72%, that of intercourse pain 72.12%, and diminishing in size of mass or nodule 22.15%; 3 cases of 22 infertility got pregnant (13.63%). The results revealed that the endometriotic pill No 1 yielded distinct improvement in the treatment of endometriosis, including clinical symptoms and signs, laboratory assay of blood rheology, serum Ig, subgroup of T lymphocyte (OKT system) and PG.

Rheum, a well known herb unique in its cathartic effect is now introduced to prevent progression of uremia. A clinical prospective trial was conducted to evaluate its effect in comparison with the Captopril. 30 cases with initial Scr level of 344.8 +/- 114.0 mumol/L were allocated randomly to 3 groups. Rheum E treated group, Captopril treated group and Rheum E + Captopril group. The long term (6-22 mos) follow-up results showed that the progression rate of renal failure, calculated by regression analysis of 1/Scr vs time, was found to be retarded after treatment, being more marked in both Rheum E and Rheum E + Captopril group. Uremic symptoms improved after the treatment with serum albumin level increased. To explore the mechanism of therapeutic effects of Rheum on CRF, a series of experimental studies were performed. Rheum can suppress the proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells in culture. In 5/6 nephrectomized rats, the O2 consumption of remnant kidney was obviously decreased by feeding the animal Rheum E and the hypermetabolic state was ameliorated as well. A group of 5/6 nephrectomized rats were fed with Rheum E for 28 wks. It was found that the level of azotemia of this treated group was lessened remarkably as compared with the controls. The serum albumin and transferrin contents of the treated animals were much higher than the controls while the blood cholesterol and triglycerides decreased unexpectedly. In conclusion, both the in vivo and in vitro studies have proved the effectiveness of Rheum in preventing the progression of CRF.

The immunomodulatory effects of Rhubarb on the murine functions are reported. Varying dosages of Rhubarb administrated orally were able to increase the delayed hypersensitivity response induced by bovine serum albumin and proliferation response of murine spleen cell to Con A and lipopolysaccharide. The above description indicate that Rhubarb could promote immune response.

In the course of industrial-scale manufacture of unfermented rhubarb fruit juice, the deacidifying agent CaCl2 was confused with the disinfectant NH4HF2. Hence, fluoride in a quantity of up to 0.6 g/l was present in the unfermented fruit juice. Signs of acute fluoride poisoning were therefore seen after ingestion of the rhubarb juice. The incident as well as the steps taken by the relevant control authorities are described in detail.

The effects of each of several tannins purified from Rhei Rhizoma on serum constituents were investigated in rats with adenine-induced renal failure. Blood levels of urea nitrogen, methylguanidine (MG), and guanidinosuccinic acid (GSA) were significantly decreased in rats given (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate at a dose of 2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight/day for 24 days. The creatinine (Cr) level was also significantly decreased in rats given 5 and 10 mg of this compound. A significant decrease in urea nitrogen, MG, and GSA was found in rats given 6.25 mg of procyanidin B-2 3,3'-di-O-gallate. However, unlike the former two components the administration of 12.5 mg of procyanidin C-1 3,3',3''-tri-O-gallate produced a considerable or significant increase in bLood levels of urea nitrogen, Cr, MG, and GSA. RG-tannin had a weaker overall effect on serum constituents except for GSA in comparison with the corresponding effect of (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate and 6.25 mg of procyanidin B-2 3,3'-di-O-gallate. Rhatannin tended to increase the serum nitrogen constituents.

Circadian rhythms have been observed obviously for both normal and pathological mice when Radix et Rhizoma Rhei is given. As a rule, the catharsis becomes stronger when Radix et Rhizoma Rhei is given at night than during the day. The rhythms vary with different pathological models. Compared with the normal mice, the circadian rhythms tend to be clearer for those mice excited by thyroidization. However, thyroidization makes the mice less sensitive to the dosage change of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, while the mice weakened by tabazole administration show the reverse reaction.

A clinical trial, to evaluate the effects of a Chinese herbal drug, Rheum E and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, Captopril on chronic renal failure (CRF), was conducted. Thirty cases with initial serum creatinine (Scr) levels of 344.8 +/- 114.0 mumol/L were allocated randomly to 3 groups: Rheum E treated group, Captopril treated group and Rheum E + Captopril group. A control group of 12 cases were on dietary therapy alone. During the 6-22 months of treatment, all the patients were kept on low-protein (0.6g/kg/d), and low-phosphorus (10mg/kg/d) diet. The results showed that the progression rate of renal failure, calculated by regression analysis of 1/Scr vs time, was found to be retarded after treatment with the increased regression coefficient (b value). Scr levels and blood urea nitrogen were kept stable or fell slightly. Albumin rose during the follow-up period (P less than 0.05) in the treated patients, being more marked in both Rheum E and Rheum E + Captopril groups. Uremic symptoms of nausea, anorexia improved in most of the treated patients. It is concluded that long-term low-dose Rheum E taken orally is beneficial to CRF. Its effect is better than that of Captopril. The regime of Rheum E and Captopril is a preferable choice in the long-term treatment for preventing progression of CRF.

The living measles vaccine was injected into both of the main pancreatic duct and the ear vein of the rabbits in the model group. The serum amylase was significantly higher than that of the control saline group (P less than 0.001 after 24h; P less than 0.05 after 48h). The aggregation function of platelets were increased after 24h(P less than 0.01, P less than 0.01) and 48h (P less than 0.01, P less than 0.05) as compared with both two control groups. The blood stasis and hemorrhage of pancreases were observed in the model group. In the treatment group with Rhubarb the increase of serum amylase was much less marked than the control (P less than 0.001 after 24h, P less than 0.05 after 48h). The platelet aggregation reactivity was inhibited (P less than 0.01 after 24h, P less than 0.05 after 48h). The blood stasis and hemorrhage of pancreases were less evident. The results suggested that: (1) the virus may be one of pathogenetic factor of the hemorrhagic pancreatitis; (2) the rhubarb was effective in the treatment of hemorrhagic pancreatitis under our experimental conditions.