Potential Role of Borreria hispida in Ameliorating Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2009 May 18; Vasanthi HR, Mukherjee S, Lekli I, Ray D, Veeraraghavan G, Das DKBorreria hispida (BHE), a weed of Rubiaceae family, is being used from time immemorial as an alternative therapy for diabetes. To evaluate the scientific background of using BHE as therapy to reduce cardiovascular risk, a group of rats were given BHE for a period of 30 days, whereas control animals were given the vehicle only. The animals were sacrificed, the hearts were isolated, and perfused with buffer. All the hearts were subjected to 30-minute ischemia followed by 2-hour reperfusion. Compared with vehicle-treated rats, BHE-treated rat hearts showed improved post-ischemic ventricular function and exhibited reduced myocardial infarct size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The level of cytochrome c expression and caspase 3 activation was also reduced. BHE elevated antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and heme oxygenase-1 and stimulated the phosphorylation of survival protein Akt simultaneously decreasing the apoptotic proteins Bax and Src. In addition, BHE enhanced the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta, and Glut-4, probably revealing the antiobese and antidiabetic potential of BHE. These results indicate that treatment with BHE improves cardiac function and ameliorates various risk factors associated with cardiac disease, suggesting that BHE can be considered as a potential plant-based nutraceutical and pharmaceutical agent for the management of cardiovascular diseases.

An herbal decoction of Radix astragali and Radix angelicae sinensis promotes hematopoiesis and thrombopoiesis.

J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Apr 11; Yang M, Chan GC, Deng R, Ng MH, Cheng SW, Lau CP, Ye JY, Wang L, Liu CETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: A decoction containing Radix angelicae sinensis and Radix astragali (Danggui Buxue Tang, DBT) has been used to raise the "Qi" and nourish the "Blood". However, its effects on haematopoiesis and particularly thrombopoiesis have not been studied. AIMS: This study aims to examine the effects of DBT on hematopoiesis and thrombopoiesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A myelosuppression mouse model was treated with DBT (10mg/kg/day). Peripheral blood cells from DBT and thrombopoietin-treated samples were counted on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. Then CFU assays were used to determine the effects of DBT on the megakaryocytic progenitor cells and other lineages. Last, analyses of annexin V, caspase-3, and mitochondrial membrane potential were conducted in megakaryocytic cell line M-07e. RESULTS: Morphological examination showed that DBT treatment significantly increased the recovery of the megakaryocytic series. DBT significantly enhanced the platelet recovery and CFU-MK formation in vivo. DBT significantly promoted CFU-MK and CFU-F formation. Last, we observed the antiapoptotic effects of DBT on M-07e cells. CONCLUSION: DBT might promote haematopoiesis and thrombopoiesis in the mouse model through (i) directly promoting the growth of megakaryocytes; (ii) indirectly promoting the growth of bone marrow stromal cells; (iii) inhibiting apoptosis of megakaryocytes.

Reprint of The Herbal Alternatives for Menopause (HALT) Study: background and study design.

Maturitas. 2008 Sep-Oct; 61(1-2): 181-93Newton KM, Reed SD, Grothaus L, Ehrlich K, Guiltinan J, Ludman E, LaCroix AZWe designed a randomized double-blind randomized trial to examine the short and long-term effects of alternative approaches commonly used to manage menopause symptoms. Women were randomly assigned to: (1) black cohosh 160 mg daily; (2) multibotanical (50 mg black cohosh, alfalfa, chaste tree, dong quai, false unicorn, licorice, oats, pomegranate, Siberian ginseng, boron) four capsules daily; (3) multibotanical plus telephone counseling to increase dietary soy; (4) conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg +/- 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate; or (5) placebo. Working with a skilled CAM provider helped us choose interventions that reflected naturopathic practices worthy of study. Mass mailing, with careful tracking and rapid responses to recruitment rates, was an effective and cost-effective recruitment strategy. Creativity was necessary to construct methods for blinding capsules and the dietary soy intervention. Independent testing of herbal products was vital to confirming their constituents. The Data and Safety and Monitoring Committee, and project officers at the funding agency, were critical partners in designing responses to unanticipated Women's Health Initiative findings published during the HALT trial. Careful monitoring of adverse events may provide much needed information about side effects of herbal products and supplements. Despite inherent challenges, the study of alternative therapies for menopause symptoms is a rewarding and important area deserving of further inquiry.