The combination of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi has been used to treat osteoporosis for almost 50 years by Professor Shizeng Li, a famous doctor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, it is unclear whether the combination of the effective constituents of the two herbs may have a protective influence on the skeleton. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the combination extracts of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi on rat model of osteoporosis induced by retinoic acid by gavage. With administrations of the combination extracts of the two herbs (50, 100, and 200&#x2009;mg/kg/day) via oral gavage for 3 weeks, bone mineral density (BMD), femur histomorphometry, some sex hormones, and sex hormone receptors were measured. Results showed that the combined extracts could increase BMD, affect bone histomorphometry, coordinate the sex hormones at the level of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis, and increase the protein and mRNA expressions of sex hormone receptors. The findings suggested that the combination extracts of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi might be beneficial as an alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

RenHui Liu

Xue Kang

LiPing Xu

HongLei Nian

XinWei Yang

HaoTian Shi

XiuJuan Wang

Effect of the Combined Extracts of Herba Epimedii and Fructus Ligustri Lucidi on Sex Hormone Functional Levels in Osteoporosis Rats

<i>Objective</i>. To examine the association between type of multimorbidity and CAM use among adults with multimorbidity. <i>Methods</i>. The current study used a cross-sectional design with retrospective data from 2012 National Health Interview Survey. Multimorbidity was classified into two groups: (1) adults with coexisting physical and mental illnesses and (2) adults with two or more chronic physical illnesses only. CAM use was measured using a set of 18 variables. Logistic regression and multinomial logistic regressions were used to assess the association between the type of multimorbidity and ever used CAM, CAM use in the past 12 months, and type of CAM. <i>Results</i>. Overall, 31.2&#x25; of adults with coexisting physical and mental illnesses and 20.1&#x25; of adults with only physical illnesses used CAM in the past 12 months. Adults with coexisting physical and mental illnesses were more likely to ever use CAM (AOR = 1.68, 95&#x25; CI = 1.49, 1.90), use CAM in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.32, 95&#x25; CI = 1.15, 1.52), and use mind-body therapies in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.36, 95&#x25; CI = 1.16, 1.59) compared to adults with only physical illnesses. <i>Conclusion</i>. Multimorbidity of chronic physical and mental illnesses was associated with higher CAM use.

Monira Alwhaibi

Rituparna Bhattacharya

Usha Sambamoorthi

Type of Multimorbidity and Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Adults

<i>Objective</i>. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence on the effect of Tai Chi for Parkinson&#x2019;s disease (PD).<i> Methods</i>. Six electronic databases up to June 2014 were searched. The methodological quality was assessed with PEDro scale. Standardised mean difference and 95&#x25; confidence intervals of random-effects model were calculated.<i> Results</i>. Nine studies were included in our review. The aggregated results are in favor of Tai Chi on improving motor function (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.2129908pt" id="M1" height="9.21094pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.99795 53.2534 9.21094" width="53.2534pt"><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,0,0)"><path id="g113-81" d="M600 480C600 590 528 650 384 650H143L137 622C222 614 225 607 210 531L130 127C113 41 106 36 23 28L17 0H294L300 28C204 36 195 42 212 127L243 284L314 263C327 263 339 263 352 264C465 271 600 337 600 480ZM508 481C508 351 402 304 329 304C289 304 265 311 250 317L295 559C302 594 310 606 323 611C335 616 350 619 367 619C455 619 508 573 508 481Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,12.15,0)"><path id="g117-34" d="M535 323V373H52V323H535ZM535 138V188H52V138H535Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,23.887,0)"><path id="g113-49" d="M241 635C89 635 35 457 35 312C35 153 89 -12 240 -12C390 -12 443 166 443 312C443 466 390 635 241 635ZM238 602C329 602 354 454 354 312C354 172 330 22 240 22C152 22 124 173 124 313S148 602 238 602Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,30.39,0)"><path id="g113-47" d="M113 -12C146 -12 170 11 170 46C170 78 146 103 114 103S58 78 58 46C58 11 82 -12 113 -12Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,33.48,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,39.983,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,46.486,0)"><path id="g113-51" d="M412 140C382 77 369 73 315 73H129L270 222C362 320 402 379 402 466C402 571 322 635 234 635C177 635 130 609 99 576L42 495L64 475C90 514 133 568 201 568C274 568 318 519 318 435C318 349 255 267 193 193C144 135 87 78 32 23V0H405C417 45 427 89 440 131L412 140Z"/></g></svg>) and balance (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.6617603pt" id="M2" height="9.65971pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.99795 66.3084 9.65971" width="66.3084pt"><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,12.15,0)"><path id="g117-91" d="M512 -3V55L134 254V256L512 456V514L75 281V230L512 -3Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,23.887,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,30.39,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,33.48,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,39.983,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,46.486,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,52.989,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,59.492,0)"><path id="g113-50" d="M384 0V27C293 34 287 42 287 114V635C232 613 172 594 109 583V559L157 557C201 555 205 550 205 499V114C205 42 199 34 109 27V0H384Z"/></g></svg>) in patients with PD. However, there is no sufficient evidence to support or refute the value of Tai Chi on improving gait velocity (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.2129908pt" id="M3" height="9.21094pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.99795 46.7259 9.21094" width="46.7259pt"><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,12.15,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-34"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,23.887,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,30.39,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,33.48,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,39.983,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g></svg>), stride length (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.2129908pt" id="M4" height="9.21094pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.99795 46.7259 9.21094" width="46.7259pt"><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,12.15,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-34"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,23.887,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,30.39,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,33.48,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-51"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,39.983,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-50"/></g></svg>), or quality of life (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.2129908pt" id="M5" height="9.21094pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.99795 46.7259 9.21094" width="46.7259pt"><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,12.15,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-34"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,23.887,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,30.39,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,33.48,0)"><path id="g113-53" d="M456 178V225H360V632H320C217 496 115 347 20 206V178H280V106C280 40 276 34 189 27V0H445V27C364 34 360 39 360 106V178H456ZM280 225H82C149 335 214 431 278 520H280V225Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,39.983,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g></svg>). And there is no valid evidence in follow-up effects of Tai Chi for PD. Conclusion. The current results suggest that Tai Chi can significantly improve the motor function and balance in patients with PD, but there is indeed not enough evidence to conclude that Tai Chi is effective for PD because of the small treatment effect, methodological flaws of eligible studies, and insufficient follow-up. Consequently, high-quality studies with long follow-up are warranted to confirm current beneficial findings.

Ji Zhou

Tao Yin

Qian Gao

Xiao Cun Yang

A Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy of Tai Chi in Patients with Parkinson&#x2019;s Disease between 2008 and 2014

The study is to observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation at &#x201c;Zusanli&#x201d; (ST36) on the release of nitric oxide (NO) and blood perfusion (BP) in the liver and further explore whether the hepatic blood perfusion (HBP) changes were regulated by EA ST36 induced NO in nitric oxide synthase inhibited mice. The HBP change of the mice was detected by laser speckle perfusion imaging (LSPI) before and after being given interventions, and the NO in liver tissue was detected by nitric acid reductase in each group. The NO levels and HBP in the L-NAME group were significantly lower than those in the control group (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.6617603pt" id="M1" height="9.65971pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.99795 46.7259 9.65971" width="46.7259pt"><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,0,0)"><path id="g113-81" d="M600 480C600 590 528 650 384 650H143L137 622C222 614 225 607 210 531L130 127C113 41 106 36 23 28L17 0H294L300 28C204 36 195 42 212 127L243 284L314 263C327 263 339 263 352 264C465 271 600 337 600 480ZM508 481C508 351 402 304 329 304C289 304 265 311 250 317L295 559C302 594 310 606 323 611C335 616 350 619 367 619C455 619 508 573 508 481Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,12.15,0)"><path id="g117-91" d="M512 -3V55L134 254V256L512 456V514L75 281V230L512 -3Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,23.887,0)"><path id="g113-49" d="M241 635C89 635 35 457 35 312C35 153 89 -12 240 -12C390 -12 443 166 443 312C443 466 390 635 241 635ZM238 602C329 602 354 454 354 312C354 172 330 22 240 22C152 22 124 173 124 313S148 602 238 602Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,30.39,0)"><path id="g113-47" d="M113 -12C146 -12 170 11 170 46C170 78 146 103 114 103S58 78 58 46C58 11 82 -12 113 -12Z"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,33.48,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,39.983,0)"><path id="g113-50" d="M384 0V27C293 34 287 42 287 114V635C232 613 172 594 109 583V559L157 557C201 555 205 550 205 499V114C205 42 199 34 109 27V0H384Z"/></g></svg>). The NO level and HBP increase in EA group were significantly higher than those in control group (<svg xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" style="vertical-align:-0.6617603pt" id="M2" height="9.65971pt" version="1.1" viewBox="-0.0498162 -8.99795 46.7259 9.65971" width="46.7259pt"><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,0,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-81"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,12.15,0)"><use xlink:href="#g117-91"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,23.887,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,30.39,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-47"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,33.48,0)"><use xlink:href="#g113-49"/></g><g transform="matrix(.0135,0,0,-0.0135,39.983,0)"><path id="g113-54" d="M153 550H386L412 615L406 623H120L82 318C104 327 142 338 184 338C294 338 347 275 347 187C347 112 305 39 221 39C160 39 119 71 97 89C88 97 80 96 71 90C59 80 50 67 49 57C48 45 52 36 66 23C80 9 123 -12 169 -12C221 -11 288 15 342 59C403 109 431 165 431 225C431 308 366 395 238 395C212 395 165 379 127 364L153 550Z"/></g></svg>). The NO level in the L-NAME EA group was slightly higher than that in the L-NAME group. The HBP increase in the L-NAME EA group was not statistically significant. These results showed that EA could accelerate the synthesis of NO and thereby increase HBP via vasodilation in liver tissue.

Shu-you Wang

Dong Zhang

Li-mei Tang

Shun-yue Li

Mei Wen

Xiao-jing Song

Effects of Electroacupuncture Stimulation at &#x201c;Zusanli&#x201d; Acupoint on Hepatic NO Release and Blood Perfusion in Mice

The concurrent use of drugs and herbal products is becoming increasingly prevalent over the last decade. Several herbal products have been known to modulate cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) which are recognized as representative drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporter, respectively. Thus, a summary of knowledge on the modulation of CYP and P-gp by commonly used herbs can provide robust fundamentals for optimizing CYP and/or P-gp substrate drug-based therapy. Herein, we review ten popular medicinal and/or dietary herbs as perpetrators of CYP- and P-gp-mediated pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions. The main focus is placed on previous works on the ability of herbal extracts and their phytochemicals to modulate the expression and function of CYP and P-gp in several <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> animal and human systems.

Hyun-Jong Cho

In-Soo Yoon

Pharmacokinetic Interactions of Herbs with Cytochrome P450 and P-Glycoprotein

<i>Coptis chinensis</i> is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. The study investigated metabolic interaction of the active constituents (berberine, coptisine, palmatine, and jatrorrhizine) of <i>Coptis chinensis</i> in human liver microsomes. After incubation of the four constituents of <i>Coptis chinensis</i> in HLMs, the metabolism of the four constituents was observed by HPLC. The <i>in vitro</i> inhibition experiment between the active constituents was conducted, and IC<sub>50</sub> value was estimated. Coptisine exhibited inhibitions against the formation of the two metabolites of berberine with IC<sub>50</sub> values of 6.5 and 8.3&#x2009;<i>&#x3bc;</i>M, respectively. Palmatine and jatrorrhizine showed the weaker inhibitory effect on the formation of the metabolites of berberine. Berberine showed a weak inhibitory effect on the production of coptisine metabolite with an IC<sub>50</sub> value of 115&#x2009;<i>&#x3bc;</i>M, and palmatine and jatrorrhizine had little inhibitory effect on the formation of coptisine metabolite. Berberine, coptisine, and jatrorrhizine showed no inhibitory effect on the generation of palmatine metabolite (IC<sub>50</sub> &#x3e; 200&#x2009;<i>&#x3bc;</i>M). The findings suggested that there are different degrees of metabolic interaction between the four components. Coptisine showed the strongest inhibition toward berberine metabolism.

Songcan Liu

Xinfeng Zhang

Furong Qiu

Ping Miao

Shujiao Shen

Leilei Zhu

Jin Zeng

Jian Jiang

Metabolic Interaction of the Active Constituents of <i>Coptis chinensis</i> in Human Liver Microsomes

The aim of this systematic review was to determine how effective acupuncture or electroacupuncture (acupuncture with electrical stimulation) is in treating poststroke patients with spasticity. We searched publications in Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library in English, 19 accredited journals in Korean, and the China Integrated Knowledge Resources Database in Chinese through to July 30, 2013. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with no language restrictions that compared the effects of acupuncture or electroacupuncture with usual care or placebo acupuncture. The two investigators assessed the risk of bias and statistical analyses were performed. Three RCTs in English, 1 in Korean, and 1 in Chinese were included. Assessments were performed primarily with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture or electroacupuncture significantly decreased spasticity after stroke. A subgroup analysis showed that acupuncture significantly decreased wrist, knee, and elbow spasticity in poststroke patients. Heterogeneity could be explained by the differences in control, acupoints, and the duration after stroke occurrence. In conclusion, acupuncture could be effective in decreasing spasticity after stroke, but long-term studies are needed to determine the longevity of treatment effects.

Sung Min Lim

Junghee Yoo

Euiju Lee

Hyun Jung Kim

Seungwon Shin

Gajin Han

Hyeong Sik Ahn

Acupuncture for Spasticity after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

<i>Ethnopharmacological Relevance.</i> &#x201c;Diwu Yanggan&#x201d; (DWYG) has been reported to regulate liver regeneration, modulate the immune response, ameliorate liver injury, kill virus, ameliorate liver fibrosis, and suppress hepatic cancer. However, its mechanisms are still unknown.<i> Objectives.</i> To investigate the effects of DWYG on oval cell proliferation in 2-AAF/PH rats and determine its mechanism.<i> Methods.</i> Wistar rats were randomly distributed into normal group, sham group, vehicle group, and DWYG group. Hepatic pathological changes were examined by H&#x26;E staining. The oval cell markers CD34, AFP, CK-19 and hematopoietic cell markers CD45, Thy1.1, and hepatocyte marker ALB were examined with immunohistochemistry. The percentage of CD34/CD45 double-positive cells in bone marrow was detected by flow cytometry. Cytokine levels were measured with the Bio-plex suspension array system.<i> Results</i>. DWYG significantly increased the survival rates of 2-AAF/PH rats and promoted liver regeneration. Furthermore, DWYG increased the ratio of CD34/CD45 double-positive cells on days 10 and 14. In addition, DWYG gradually restored IL-1, GRO/KC, and VEGF levels to those of the normal group.<i> Conclusions.</i> DWYG increases 2-AAF/PH rat survival rates, suppresses hepatic precarcinoma changes, and restores hepatic tissue structure and function. DWYG may act by modulating the hepatic microenvironment to support liver regeneration.

Bin-Bin Zhao

Han-Min Li

Xiang Gao

Zhi-Hua Ye

Si-Si Cheng

The Herbal Compound &#x201C;Diwu Yanggan&#x201D; Modulates Liver Regeneration by Affecting the Hepatic Stem Cell Microenvironment in 2-Acetylaminofluorene/Partial Hepatectomy Rats

About this journal

<p><em>Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine</em> seeks to apply scientific rigor to the study of complementary and alternative medicine, emphasizing on health outcome, while documenting biological mechanisms of action.</p>


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<p>Chief Editor,&nbsp;Jian-Li Gao works as research professorship at the Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, China. Her research focuses on hypertension and oncology, as well as evidence-based use of Traditional Chinese Medicine in reducing the side effects of conventional cancer treatments.&nbsp;</p>


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Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - Table of contents 2015

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Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine seeks to apply scientific rigor to the study of complementary and alternative medicine, emphasizing on health outcome, while documenting biological mechanisms of action.

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Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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