ChineseHerbal Medicine - Term Paper Example

Swarna Word count 2318 P.Swarnalatha ID # 5448 Order # 165915 24th April 2007. HERB FOR RESOLVING DAMPNESS HUO PO) Introduction Magnolia officinalis is a herbaceous tree which helps in resolving dampness and hence has high medicinal value since long ago. The Chinese ancestors found several advantages with this herb in aiding human health. It is a deciduous tree which grows to up to 15 m. It is considered to be hardy to zone 8. It flowers from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite i.e. they have both male (androecium) and female organs (gynoecium) and are generally pollinated by Beetles (entomphily). It is having habitat range from alpine to hilly areas in Eastern Asia to Western China. The plant is highly suitable in light texture (sandy), medium texture (loamy) and heavy texture (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The waterlogging has negative effect on its overall growth. The plant can come up well in acid, neutral and alkaline soils. It can also grow in semi-shade condition or no shade. It generally requires moist soil for its favorable growth and it can tolerate atmospheric pollution. Its edible uses are not known. It mainly helps in transforming dampness and resolving stagnation. Chemical properties: It contains chemicals like magnolol1, iso-magnolol, honokiol, machilol and eudesmol which are believed to be useful for human metabolism. Hou Po has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for at least 2,000 years. Its medicinal properties and uses are as follows: The aromatic, pungent and warming bark is used in the treatment of various disorders of the digestive system (Chevallier, 1996). Its ability to cure ophthalmic diseases has been reported by several researchers. (Uphof, 1959, and Usher, 1974). The flowers are an aromatic digestive tonic. A decoction of the flower buds is an esteemed emmenagogue 1 : Herbs for nausea. Stomach curing pill. http://www.drshen.com/nausea.htm. in China, their use is therefore contraindicated for pregnant women (Bown,1995). The flowers are used in the treatment of abdominal distension, shortness of breath etc (Yeung. Him-Che and Bown,1995). They are harvested in the summer and can be used fresh or dried. Some investigators have proved that the stem bark is antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, appetizer, diuretic, expectorant, hypotensive, stomachic and tonic (Uphof,1959 and Usher, 1974). The bark is used internally in the treatment of abdominal distension, loss of appetite, gastro-enteritis, vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma and coughs with acute phlegm (Yeung, Him-Che,1985 and Duke and Ayenshu, 1995). The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. It does not store well so stocks should be renewed annually. The plant is digestive and stomachic. Extracts of the plant contain bactericidal compounds and an essential oil, they are effective against salmonella. It can also be used for timber purpose.Its wood is fine grained and it is said to be a useful wood. Cultivation aspects It is highly suitable for a moderately rich free soil of an open texture (Chittendon, 1956). The branches are brittle so a sheltered position is required (Huxley,1992). It is very tolerant of atmospheric pollution. It is hardy to about -10°c. The fleshy roots are easily damaged and any transplanting is best done during a spell of mild moist weather in late spring (Thomas, 1992). Propagation Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed must be kept cold over the winter and should be sown in late winter in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in the spring but it may take up to 18 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse for at least their first winter. They can be planted out into their permanent positions when they are more than 15cm tall, though should be well mulched and given some protection from winter cold for their first winter or two outdoors. Mode of Action It moves and Regulates Qi (metabolic energy flow) and resolves stagnation and hence helps in curing abdominal and epigastric disorders, chest fullness, bloating, loss of appetite, poor digestion, constipation, and a plum pit throat sensation. It also warms and dries Damp and by doing so has been instrumental for curing nausea, vomiting, distension, fullness in the abdomen and epigastrum, decreased appetite, diarrhea, and a turbid, greasy tongue coat. It also descends Qi, calms wheezing and dissolves phlegm and aids in treating cough, wheezing and dyspnea with chest congestion and excess phlegm. Pharmacological effect of Huo po: The positive effects of Huo po on digestive system of human beings were confirmed by some previous researchers (Zhu et al.,1997 and Zhang et al., 2005). Experiments conducted by Zhu et al., have shown that the ethanol extract of Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis @ 5 g/kg to 15 g/kg may significantly inhibit HCl-induced gastric ulcer in mice as well as Cassia angustifolia These results show that Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis helps improve the condition of digestion. The positive effect of magnolol and honokiol derived from Huo po on gastrointestinal movement was studied by Zhang et al (2005). The study was undertaken to observe the effects of magnolol and honokiol on isolated smooth muscle of gastrointestinal tract and their relationship with Ca2+, and on the gastric emptying and the intestinal propulsive activity in mice. Routine experimental methods using isolated gastric fundus strips of rats and isolated ileum segments of guinea pigs were adopted to measure the smooth muscle tension. The effects of magnolol 10(-3), 10(-4), 10(-5) mol/L, and honokiol 10(-4), 10(-5), 10(-6) mol/L on the contractility of gastric fundus strips of rats and ileum of guinea pigs induced by acetylcholine (Ach) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was assessed respectively. The method using nuclein and pigment methylene blue was adopted to measure the gastric retention rate of nuclein and the intestinal propulsive ratio of a nutritional semi-solid meal for assessing the effect of magnolol and honokiol (0.5, 2, 20 mg/kg) on gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion. It was found that magnolol and honokiol significantly inhibited the contractility of isolated gastric fundus strips of rats treated with Ach or 5-HT and isolated ileum guinea pigs treated with Ach or CaCl2, and both of them behaved as non-competitive muscarinic antagonists. Similarly, magnolol and honokiol inhibited the contraction induced by Ach in Ca2+-free medium and extracellular Ca2+-dependent contraction induced by Ach. Each group of magnolol and honokiol experiments significantly decreased the residual rate of nuclein in the stomach and increased the intestinal propulsive ratio in mice. It was concluded that the inhibitory effect of magnolol and honokiol on contractility of the smooth muscles of isolated gastric fundus strips of rats and isolated ileum of guinea pigs is associated with a calcium-antagonistic effect. Magnolol and honokiol can improve the gastric emptying of a semi-solid meal and intestinal propulsive activity in mice.  The anti inflammatory properties of magnalol were explained by Lee et al (2005). Propionibacterium acnes, an anaerobic pathogen, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acne and seems to initiate the inflammatory process by producing proinflammatory cytokines. In order to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects and action mechanisms of magnolol and honokiol, several methods were employed. Through DPPH and SOD activity assays, it was found that although both magnolol and honokiol have antioxidant activities, honokiol has relatively stronger antioxidant activities than magnolol Moreover, the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha get (TNF-alpha) induced by P. acnes in THP-1 cells, a human monocytic cell line, was reduced by magnolol and honokiol {[for IL-8 (10 microM magnolol: 42.7% inhibition; 10 microM honokiol: 51.4% inhibition)]; [for TNF-alpha (10 microM magnolol: 20.3% inhibition; 10 microM honokiol: 39.0% inhibition)]}. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) activity was also suppressed by them (15 microM magnolol: 45.8% inhibition). Using a nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) luciferase reporter assay system and Western analysis, it was identified that magnolol and honokiol exert their anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-kappaB element, which exists in Cox-2, IL-8, and TNF-alpha promoters. Of particular note is that magnolol and honokiol operate downstream of the MEKK-1 molecule. Together with their previously known antibacterial activity against P. acnes and based on these results, it was suggested that magnolol and honokiol may be introduced as possible acne-mitigating agents. Similarly the study conducted by Chen et al.,(2005) investigated the effect of magnolol, a compound isolated from Magnolia officinalis, on lipolysis in lipid-laden RAW 264.7 macrophages. Treatment of macrophages with magnolol led to dissolution of lipid droplets. This phenomenon was accompanied by a dose-dependent release of glycerol and cholesterol and a concomitant reduction in intracellular levels of glycerol and cholesterol. Furthermore, adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP), a lipid droplet-associated protein, was down-regulated by magnolol in a dose- and time-dependent manner by Western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence studies also showed that ADRP became detached from the surface of lipid droplets after magnolol treatment. The lipolytic effect of magnolol was not mediated through the cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) system, an authentic lipolytic pathway for macrophages, since magnolol did not induce an increase of intracellular cAMP levels, and pretreatment with either of PKA inhibitors, PKI and KT5720, did not abrogate the lipolytic response to magnolol. It was concluded that magnolol induce-lipolysis of lipid-laden macrophages by down-regulation of ADRP expression and detachment of ADRP from the lipid droplet surface by a cAMP-independent mechanism. Hou Po has also been demonstrated to have several physiological effects including as an anticoagulant, CNS suppressant, gastrointestinal inhibitor, antihypertensive, respiratory, and antibiotic. It was shown to be effective in treating bloating following a hysterectomy. This Herb is being used in preparation of some of the useful formulations like Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction), Huang Long Tang (Yellow Dragon Decoction) and Ju He Wan (Tangerine Seed Pill) which Promote the Movement of Qi and Da Cheng Qi Tang and Xiao Cheng Qi Tang which Purge Heat Accumulation. It is also found to be used in preparation of Ma Zi Ren Wan (Hemp Seed Pill) which Moistens the Intestines and Unblock the Bowels. The study conducted by Fong et al., (2005) also contributed significantly to the pharmacological studies of Huo po. Magnolol (MG) and honokiol (HK), two lignans showing anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and abundantly available in the medicinal plants Magnolia officinalis and M. obovata, were found to enhance HL-60 cell differentiation initiated by low doses of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3) and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Cells expressing membrane differentiation markers CD11b and CD14 have been increased from 4% in non-treated control to 8-16% after being treated with 10-30 microM MG or HK. This is found to have higher applications in leukemia cancer treatment. When added to 1 nM VD3, MG or HK increased markers expressing cells from approximately 30% to 50-80%. Pharmacological studies using PD098059 (a MEK inhibitor), SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) and SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) suggested that the MEK pathway was important for VD3 and ATRA-induced differentiation and also its enhancement by MG or HK, the p38 MAPK pathway had a inhibitory effect and the JNK pathway had little influence. It is evident that MG and HK are potential differentiation enhancing agents which may allow the use of low doses of VD3 and ATRA in the treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia. Toxicity and precautions to be taken: No reports of toxicological evidence were reported by earlier clinical research studies. It should be used with caution during pregnancy and it must be used with caution in cases of Qi Deficiency. Hou Po contains magnolol, a mild anticoagulant. Caution should be used in patients taking antiplatelets or anticoagulants including; aspirin, dipyridamole, clopidogrel(plavix), heparin, warfarin, and enoxaparin(Lovenox). Conclusion Huo po has been found to have wider pharmalogical applications in clinical studies and proves to be of immense use in human medicine. It has positive effects on digestive system, treatment of common cold and cancer treatment. Its mode of action and other useful properties on human metabolism have been studied extensively and they need further investigation in clinical trials. References: Bown. D. 1995. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31. Chen JS, Chen YL, Greenberg AS, Chen YJ, and Wang SM. 2005. Magnolol stimulates lipolysis in lipid-laden RAW 264.7 macrophages. J Cell Biochem;94(5):1028-37. 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Anti-inflammatory effects of magnolol and honokiol are mediated through inhibition of the downstream pathway of MEKK-1 in NF-kappaB activation signaling. Planta Med. 71(4):338-43. Long, Z. X. 1998. The Chinese materia medica. Academy Press (Xue Yuan), Beijing, China. Uphof. J. C. 1959. The Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim. Usher. G. A. 1974. Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 Thomas. G. S. 1992. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 Uphof. J. C. 1959. The Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim. Usher. G. A. 1974. Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985 Zhang WW, Li Y, Wang XQ, Tian F, Cao H, Wang MW, and Sun QS. 2005. Effects of magnolol and honokiol derived from traditional Chinese herbal remedies on gastrointestinal movement. World J astroenterol. 28;11(28):4414-8. Zhu Z, Zhang M, Shen Y and Wang H. 1997. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1997. Pharmacological effect of cortex Magnoliae officinalis on digestion system. 22(11):686-8. John D Keys Top of Form Read More