1.
The Effects of Elgucare on Degenerated Intervertebral Disc-Induced Low Back Pain and Disc Regeneration: A Clinical Trial.
Lo, WC, Chen, YT, Chen, CC
Computational and mathematical methods in medicine. 2021;:5824956
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic low back pain (LBP) has a wide range of causes. However, most cases are induced by degeneration of the lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs), and the aching caused by local compression of the affected region has considerable impacts on quality of life. This clinical trial investigated the use of Elgucare, a Chinese herbal formula, as a food supplement to reduce the pain of patients with LBP induced by degeneration of the lumbar IVDs. METHODS The study assessed patient subjective quality of life, functional limitations caused by LBP, and variations in pain. The assessment was done through the visual analogue scale (VAS) and effects on lumbar IVD thickness, water content, and bone mineral density (BMD). These parameters were evaluated before and after the administration of Elgucare or a placebo, one of which was taken by each participant for a 12-month period. RESULTS Elgucare reduced the patients' mean VAS pain score by 2.25 points and improved their mean LBP-hampered mobility as assessed by the Roland-Morris Questionnaire by 5.17 points. The results of another questionnaire indicated that Elgucare slowed the LBP-induced deterioration of patients' quality of life, while objective assessment indices obtained through X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging showed that the height and water retention of their IVDs were increased. However, the BMD results showed no improvements. CONCLUSIONS Elgucare can increase the water retention and height of IVDs and reduce LBP, thereby enhancing quality of life. Therefore, Elgucare can potentially be used as a clinical supplement.
2.
A pilot study in acute subarachnoid haemorrhagic patients after aneurysm clipping with complementary therapies of Chinese medicine.
Lee, HC, Hsieh, CL, Chen, CC, Cho, DY, Cheng, KF, Lin, PH
Complementary therapies in medicine. 2010;(5):191-8
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Acute subarachnoid haemorrhage still has high mortality and morbidity despite the use of modern standard treatment. In Taiwan, complementary therapies of Chinese medicine are usually used to treat stroke patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of complementary therapies of Chinese medicine on patients with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage after aneurysm clipping. DESIGN This study was designed as a pilot study. A total of 32 patients with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage were randomly assigned to either a Chinese herbs extra group (CH) in which the patients were given complementary therapies of Chinese medicine and standard treatment, or a standard treatment only group (ST) in which patients were given standard treatment only. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Glasgow Outcome Scale scores, which were assessed by an evaluator who was blinded to the groups, 3 months after admission, and total admission days including intensive care unit stay days. RESULTS The average Glasgow Outcome Scale score 3 months after admission was 3.7±1.4 in the CH was greater than 3.0±1.7 in the ST (p=0.041). Average total admission days were 53.9±28.6 (median 61) in the ST longer than 28.1±19.1 (median 20.5) in the CH (p=0.004). CONCLUSION Traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of patients with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage is of value because they can increase Glasgow Outcome Scale scores 3 months after admission and also because they can reduce total admission days.
3.
Antileukemic activity of Bidens pilosa L. var. minor (Blume) Sherff and Houttuynia cordata Thunb.
Chang, JS, Chiang, LC, Chen, CC, Liu, LT, Wang, KC, Lin, CC
The American journal of Chinese medicine. 2001;(2):303-12
Abstract
To evaluate the anti-leukemic activity of Bidens pilosa L. var. minor (Blume) Sherff and Houttuynia cordata Thunb., cytotoxicity tests with an XTT-based colorimetric assay were used. Five leukemic cell lines, namely L1210, U937, K562, Raji and P3HR1, were cultured with hot water extracts of B. pilosa var. minor or H. cordata. Hot water extracts of B. pilosa var. minor inhibited these five leukemic cells with IC50s between 145 microg/ml and 586 microg/ml. The effect was greatest on four cell lines, namely L1210, P3MR1, Raji and K562, with IC50s below 200 microg/ml and a selective index of more than 5. Hot water extract of H. cordata inhibited these five leukemic cells with IC50s between 478 microg/ml and 662 microg/ml. The selective index was between 1.5 and 2.1. B. pilosa var. minor was more effective than H. cordata in inhibiting most of the leukemic cells in our study. We suggest that B. pilosa L. var. minor (Blume) Sherff may prove to be a useful medicinal plant for treating leukemia.