Understanding the Use of Radix Astragali Seu Hedysari in the Treatment of Edema Due to Renal Diseases

Radix Astragali seu Hedysari is warm in nature and slightly sweet in taste. It belongs to the lung, spleen, and kidney meridians. It passes through a waterway, dredges the triple energizer, and has a significant effect on edema due to renal diseases. Ancient doctors believed that Radix Astragali seu Hedysari is excellent in tonifying the middle, supplementing Qi, and dredging through the triple energizer. In modern times, many doctors have found that whether it is used as a single drug or in combination with other drugs, it is widely used in clinical practice and has a good effect in inducing diuresis.

A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial to Evaluate Prophylactic Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Supplementing Qi and Hemostasis Formula on Gastrointestinal Bleeding after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients at High Risks

Objective. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) supplementing Qi and hemostasis formula on gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and thus find out the optimal therapeutic regimen to reduce incidence of GI bleeding without increase of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Methods. In the randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial, 117 participants who underwent PCI were enrolled and evenly distributed into treatment arm (59) and control arm (58). Numerous end points were assessed including the primary endpoint of GI bleeding and MACEs and secondary endpoint of thromboelastogram (TEG) (mainly MAadp, inhibition of ADP, and inhibition of AA) and TCM syndrome score during the follow-up phase of 90 days. Results. Incidence of bleeding including GI bleeding and MACE did not differ significantly between two arms (28.82% in treatment arm versus 24.44% in control). However, on both days 30 and 90, TCM treatment remarkably reduced the TCM syndrome total score with notable alteration (P<0.05) except for some parameters such as pulse manifestation. When it came to TEG, however, MAADP increased significantly on day 30 in control arm, accompanied by a notable descending in inhibition rate of ADP pathway (both P<0.01). Conclusion. (1) Supplementing Qi and hemostasis formula is equal to Pantoprazole Sodium Enteric-Coated Capsule in hemostasis and gastric mucosal protection; (2) supplementing Qi and hemostasis formula is superior to Pantoprazole Sodium Enteric-Coated Capsule in improving TCM syndrome manifestation possibly through the multitarget mechanism; (3) interference on clopidogrel of supplementing Qi and hemostasis formula might be much less than Pantoprazole Sodium Enteric-Coated Capsule due to the potential CYP450-independent mechanism. This trial is registered with ChiCTR1800014485.

The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Invigorating Kidney and Supplementing Qi Chinese Herbal Formulae in Asthma Patients

Background. The theories of Shen-reinforcement and Qi-supplementation are important in asthma treatment based on traditional Chinese medicine theories. Early studies suggested that Invigorating Kidney and Supplementing Qi herbal formulae, Bu Shen Fang Chuan (BSFC) and Bu Shen Yi Qi (BSYQ), conveyed promising results in asthma treatment. However, the efficacy and safety of the formulae need to be further investigated by a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Methods. 328 eligible patients were randomly sent to BSFC, BSYQ, and placebo group. The two formulae were received as add-on therapy. The primary endpoints were rate of asthma exacerbation and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score. The secondary endpoints included HPA axis function and inflammatory cytokine production profile. All indexes were measured before and after treatment. Results. The primary endpoints were not improved in both groups; however, the depression levels of subgroup patients with HAM-D score > 5 were improved in BSFC group. HPA axis functions and inflammatory cytokines level were also improved by two formulae. The incidences of adverse events were similar among groups. Conclusions. The two formulae had multiple advantage effects on neuroendocrine-immune system. They are worth used as a replacement therapy in asthma. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with clinical trial number ChiCTR-PRC-09000529.

Angiogenesis and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin protein in myocardial infarction rat model

The aim of this study was the effects of supplementing qi and herbs that promote neovascularization on angiogenesis and expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin protein in experimentally induced acute myocardial infarction in rats. Left anterior descending coronary artery was ligated to establish the acute myocardial infarction model. Microvascular vascular count and expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin protein were detected and indexes were detected at 7th, 14th and 28th day. The results showed large doses of qi herbs combined with small doses of activating herbs are superior to other groups in promoting the angiogenesis, increasing vascular endothelial growth factor protein expressions and reducing endostatin protein expressions. It also showed that there was a dose-response effect of supplementing qi and activating blood circulation herbs promoting angiogenesis. The mechanism of supplementing qi and activating blood circulation herbs and combination of both promoted angiogenesis due to possibly to increased vascular endothelial growth factor protein expressions and reduced endostatin protein expressions.

Yiqihuoxuejiedu Formula Restrains Vascular Remodeling by Reducing the Inflammation Reaction and Cx43 Expression in the Adventitia after Balloon Injury

Vascular remodeling is closely related to hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis after PCI. Considerable evidence indicates that the activation and proliferation of adventitial fibroblasts play key roles in vessel injury. The inflammatory response and high expression of connexins contribute to adventitial remodeling. Therefore, reducing inflammation reaction and connexins expression in adventitia may become a new target to prevent vascular remodeling. Yiqihuoxuejiedu formula, composed of TCM therapeutic principle of supplementing qi, activating blood and detoxification, can inhibit restenosis after intimal injury. To further investigate the effect of Yiqihuoxuejiedu formula on inflammation and connexins, we established a carotid artery injury model. In model rats, hyperplasia in the intima was mild but obvious in the adventitia; CRP heightened; expressions of MCP-1, CD68, and Cx43 increased. Yiqihuoxuejiedu formula relieved intimal hyperplasia and adventitial area, obviously diminished the expressions of CD68 and Cx43 in the adventitia, and reduced CRP but did not lower MCP-1. These results indicated that Yiqihuoxuejiedu formula inhibited vascular remodeling especially adventitial hyperplasia by reducing the inflammation reaction including lowering macrophages infiltration and systemic nonspecific inflammatory response and also restraining gap junction connexins leading to less communication among cells. This study provides new ideas and methods for the prevention and treatment of vascular remodeling.