The Three Treasures Newsletters
Autumn 1999
Chemotherapy and Chemo-Support
Welcome back to the Three Treasures News after a longer gap than
usual. This issue is dedicated to the discussion of chemotherapy
for cancer and the application of the remedy Chemo-Support designed
to lessen the side-effects of this treatment. Chemo-Support is gaining
recognition as an effective remedy to lessen the side-effects and
toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents and, for this reason, its application
is presented here with a more detailed explanation of its protocol
and dosage.
CHEMOTHERAPY AND CHEMO - SUPPORT
The purpose of treating cancer cells with chemotherapy is to prevent
them from dividing, invading and metastasizing. Most chemotherapeutic
agents exert their effect on cell multiplication: obviously, since
multiplication is a characteristic of many normal cells, chemotherapeutic
agents will inevitably affect also normal cells and especially those
with a rapid rate of multiplication and turnover such as those of
the hair, intestinal mucosa, blood and bone marrow. This explains
the common toxic effect of chemotherapy on the hair (hair loss),
the intestines (vomiting and diarrhoea), the blood (affecting blood
counts) and bone marrow (affecting the immune system).
Inhibition of cell multiplication can take place at several levels
within the cell:
| • |
Macromolecular synthesis and function |
| • |
Cytoplasmic organization |
| • |
Cell membrane synthesis function |
| • |
Environment of cancer cell growth |
Most agents have their primary effect on either macromolecular
synthesis or function. They interfere with the synthesis of DNA,
RNA or proteins or with the appropriate functioning of the molecule.
When interference with macromolecular synthesis or function of the
neoplastic cells is sufficiently great, a proportion of the cells
die. Because only a proportion of the cells die as a result of a
given treatment, repeated doses of chemotherapy must be used to
continue to reduce their number.
Neoplastic cell death may not take place at the time of exposure
to the chemotherapeutic agent. Often the cell must undergo several
divisions before the lethal event that took place earlier results
in death of the cell. This means that the effect of chemotherapy
may last for several weeks after the end of the treatment: likewise
with its toxic effects on normal cells. This has important implication
for our protocols with Chemo-Support as it means that we need to
continue tonifying Qi and Blood for some time after the end of the
treatment (see below).
TOXICITY
The toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents (and also of other drugs)
is not a fixed entity but it varies according to several factors:
| • |
Toxicity of specific agent |
| • |
Dose |
| • |
Schedule of administration |
| • |
Route of administration |
| • |
Predisposing factors of the patient which may
be known or unknown before the start of the treatment |
| • |
Sex (women tend to develop toxicity at a lower
dose than men) |
COMMON TOXICITIES
Some toxicities are relatively common among chemotherapeutic agents.
Common acute toxicities include:
| • |
Myelo-suppression with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
and anaemia |
| • |
Nausea and vomiting |
| • |
Mucous membrane ulceration |
| • |
Alopecia |
Apart from nausea and vomiting, these toxicities occur because
of the cytotoxic effect of chemotherapy on rapidly-dividing normal
cells in the bone marrow, mucous membranes and hair.
The side-effects of chemotherapy vary greatly according to the agent
used. Agents may be broadly classified into four groups:
| • |
Alkylating agents damage the programs that control
growth in the chromosomes of the tumour cells. Example: busulfan,
carboplatin, carmustine, chlorambucil, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide,
dacarbazine, doxorubicin, estramustine, ifosfamide, lomustine,
mechlorethamine, melphalan, semustine, thiotepa. |
| • |
Antimetabolites interfere with the manufacture
of nucleotides, the substances that make up the DNA. Example:
azacitidine, capecitabin, cladribine, floxuridine, fludarabine,
5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, pentostatin,
raltitrexed, thioguanine, trimetrexate. |
| • |
Natural products interfere with cell structure
and cell division. Example: asparaginase, bleomycin, dactinomycin,
daunorubicin, docetaxel, doxorubicin, epirubicin, etoposide,
idarubicin, irinotecan, plicamycin, mitomycin, mitoxantrone,
taxol, teniposide, topotecan, vincristine, vinblastine. |
| • |
Hormones block the effect of oestrogen by acting
on the oestrogen-receptors. Example: aminoglutethimide, anastrozole,
bicalutamide, dexamethasone, diethylstilbestrol, fluoxymesterone,
flutamide, goserelin, leuprolide, letrezole, nilutamide, raloxifen,
tamoxifen, torenufen. |
| • |
Miscellaneous agents: altretamine, amifostine,
amsacrine, dexrazoxane, hydroxyurea, mitotane, pamidronate,
porfimer, procarbazine. |
| • |
Biologic agents Monoclonal antibodies: rituximab,
trastuzumab. Interferons: interferon-a2a and interferon-a2b.
Interleukins: aldesleukin, oprelvekin. Myeloid- and erythroid-stimulating
factors: erythropoietin, filgrastim, sargramostim. |
SHORT-TERM SIDE-EFFECTS OF CYTOTOXIC DRUGS
Short-term side-effects of cytotoxic drugs include:
| • |
Loss of appetite |
| • |
Nausea |
| • |
Vomiting |
| • |
Stomatitis |
| • |
Malaise |
| • |
Flu-like feeling, fever |
| • |
Cystitis |
| • |
Haematuria |
| • |
Constipation |
| • |
Diarrhoea |
LONG-TERM SIDE-EFFECTS OF CYTOTOXIC DRUGS
Long-term side-effects of cytotoxic drugs include:
| • |
Cardiac toxicity (usually from high doses of
doxorubicin or daunorubicin). Doxorubicin is widely used for
breast carcinoma. If radiation is administered to the chest,
the cardiac toxicity (in the form of congestive cardiac failure)
may occur at lower doses. This particular long-term side-effect
may occur even several years after the administration of chemotherapy.
|
| • |
Pulmonary toxicity (pulmonary fibrosis) is associated
with high doses of bleomycin but also with alkylating agents
and methotrexate. |
| • |
Haematologic impairment. Alkylating agents may
cause cytopenia. |
| • |
Immunologic impairment and myelo-suppression.
Fludarabine, cladribine and pentostatin cause profound suppression
of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes and render patients treated susceptible
to opportunistic infections. There may be a fall in white blood
cells and platelets counts. |
| • |
Skin reactions (rash, inflammation, pigmentation,
photosensitivity) |
| • |
Flu-like feeling, fever |
| • |
Liver toxicity. |
| • |
Nephrotoxicity. This is typically caused by cisplatin,
oxaliplatin, methotrexate and nitrosoureas). This toxicity may
be acute or chronic and in severe cases it may require haemodialysis. |
| • |
Neurotoxicity (peripheral neuropathy) is typically
caused by vinca alkaloids, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, epipodophyllotoxins
and paclitaxel. |
| • |
CNS toxicity (lethargy, fatigue, depression,
headaches, poor memory and concentration) |
| • |
Premature menopause may occur in women who have
received certain chemotherapeutic agents such as alkylating
agents or procarbazine. |
SIDE-EFFECTS OF INDIVIDUAL CYTOTOXIC DRUGS
Adriamycin
Heart muscle damage, haematuria, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, mouth
ulcers.
Anthracyclines
Cardiomyopathy.
Asparaginase
Anaphylaxis (allergic reaction), fever, malaise.
Bleomycin (or Blenoxane)
Alopecia, stomatitis, fever, skin reactions, nail ridging, pulmonary
toxicity.
Carboplatin (or Paraplatin)
Nausea, vomiting, bone-marrow suppression, nephrotoxicity, liver
function abnormalities, diarrhoea.
Chlorambucil
Myelo-suppression, amenorrhoea, azoospermia, CNS effects at high
doses.
Cisplatin
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, bone-marrow suppression, renal toxicity,
neurotoxicity, ototoxicity, severe electrolyte abnormalities (hyponatremia,
hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia), peripheral neuropathy.
Cladribine
May cause profound suppression of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, nausea,
skin rash, fever, headache, myalgia, arthralgia.
Cyclophosphamide
Bone-marrow suppression, hair loss, nausea, vomiting, cystitis,
haematuria.
Dacarbazine
Severe nausea and vomiting, flu-like feeling, malaise, diarrhoea,
bone-marrow suppression.
Daunorubicin
Myelo-suppression, cardiac toxicity, nausea, vomiting, alopecia.
Doxorubicin
Nausea, vomiting, stomatitis, hair loss, bone-marrow suppression.
Epipodophyllotoxins
Neuro-toxicity (peripheral neuropathy).
Etoposide
Nausea, vomiting, hair loss, bone-marrow suppression.
Fludarabine
May cause profound suppression of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes, nausea,
vomiting.
5-Fluorouracil
Diarrhoea, mild nausea, stomatitis, bone-marrow suppression, painful,
erythematous desquamation and fissures of palms and soles.
Ifosfamide
Bone-marrow suppression, nausea, vomiting, cystitis, renal toxicity.
Melphalan
Renal toxicity, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, hair loss, stomatitis,
bone-marrow suppression, depression.
Methotrexate
Bone-marrow suppression, nausea, stomatitis, skin reactions.
Methotrexate (high dose)
Mouth ulcers, stomach ulcers, nausea, vomiting, bone-marrow suppression,
renal toxicity.
Mitomycin-C
Nephrotoxicity, bone-marrow suppression.
Mitoxantrone
Mild nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, mild hair loss, bone-marrow
suppression.
Paclitaxel
Neuro-toxicity (peripheral neuropathy), myelo-suppression, nausea,
vomiting, alopecia.
Pentostatin
May cause profound suppression of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes.
Procarbazine
Food and drug interactions (it has a MAOI activity and patient should
avoid beer, wine, fermented cheese, chocolate, fava beans and yeast
extracts), myelo-suppression, nausea, vomiting, rash, hives, photosensitivity.
Taxol
Bone-marrow suppression, allergic reaction, neurological damage,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
Thiotepa
Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, cystitis, dizziness.
Vincristine
Constipation, numbness, tingling, paraesthesia of hands and feet.
CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE-EFFECTS FROM THE POINT OF
VIEW OF CHINESE MEDICINE
If we analyze the above side-effects, there are important differences
between various cytotoxic drugs and one could conceivably formulate
an individual Chinese herbal formula for each. However, one can
identify common characteristics among the above side-effects. We
can attempt to group the side-effects according to the Chinese pathological
pattern induced by the various cytotoxic drugs. Looking at the side-effects
of each drug, four patterns in particular stand out:
| • |
DEFICIENCY OF QI, BLOOD AND YIN
Hair loss, diarrhoea, nail ridging, bone-marrow suppression,
malaise, fatigue, depression, loss of appetite, neurological
damage, dizziness, constipation, numbness, tingling, paraesthesia
of hands and feet. |
| • |
ST-QI REBELLING UPWARDS
Nausea, vomiting. |
| • |
Haematologic impairment. Alkylating agents may
cause cytopenia. |
| • |
STOMACH HEAT
Mouth ulcers, stomatitis, stomach ulcers. |
| • |
BLOOD HEAT
Haematuria, fever, skin reactions, cystitis. |
Thus, we can deduce from the analysis of the above patterns that cytotoxic
drugs cause the following:
| • |
Qi, Blood and Yin deficiency (of Stomach, Lungs,
Liver and Kidneys) |
| • |
Stomach-Qi rebelling upwards |
| • |
Stomach Heat |
| • |
Blood Heat. |
The treatment principles to adopt are therefore (the herbs used are
indicated in brackets):
| • |
Tonify Qi, Blood and Yin (Huang Qi Radix Astragali
membranacei, Dang Shen Radix Codonopsis pilosulae, Tai Zi Shen
Radix Pseudostellariae, Ling Zhi Fructificatio Ganodermae lucidi,
Shan Yao Radix Dioscoreae oppositae, Xi Yang Shen Radix Panacis
quinquefolii, Mai Men Dong Tuber Ophiopogonis japonici, Dang
Gui Radix Angelicae sinensis, Nu Zhen Zi Fructus Ligustri lucidi,
Huang Jing Rhizoma Polygonati) |
| • |
Subdue rebellious Stomach-Qi (Lu Gen Rhizoma
Phragmitis communis, Ban Xia Rhizoma Pinelliae ternatae) |
| • |
Clear Stomach Heat (Lu Gen Rhizoma Phragmitis
communis) |
| • |
Cool Blood (Mu Dan Pi Cortex Moutan radicis) |
ANALYSIS OF INDIVIDUAL HERBS IN CHEMO-SUPPORT
| • |
Huang Qi Radix Astragali membranacei: tonify
Qi and raise immune response. |
| • |
Dang Shen Radix Codonopsis pilosulae: tonify
Qi. |
| • |
Tai Zi Shen Radix Pseudostellariae: tonify Stomach-Qi
and Stomach-Yin. |
| • |
Ling Zhi Fructificatio Ganodermae lucidi: tonify
Qi and Blood and raise the immune response. |
| • |
Shan Yao Radix Dioscoreae oppositae: tonify Qi. |
| • |
Xi Yang Shen Radix Panacis quinquefolii: tonify
Qi and Yin. |
| • |
Mu Dan Pi Cortex Moutan radicis: cool Blood. |
| • |
Fu Ling Sclerotium Poriae cocos: resolve Dampness. |
| • |
Chen Pi Pericarpium Citri reticulatae: resolve
Dampness, stop nausea. |
| • |
Mai Men Dong Tuber Ophiopogonis japonici: nourish
Yin. |
| • |
Dang Gui Radix Angelicae sinensis: nourish Blood |
| • |
Ban Xia Rhizoma Pinelliae ternatae: resolve Phlegm,
subdue rebellious Stomach-Qi, stop nausea and vomiting. |
| • |
Lu Gen Rhizoma Phragmitis communis: clear Stomach-Heat,
stop vomiting. |
| • |
Nu Zhen Zi Fructus Ligustri lucidi: nourish Yin. |
| • |
Huang Jing Rhizoma Polygonati: tonify Qi, nourish
Yin and Jing. |
| • |
Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis: harmonize. |
PHARMACOLOGY OF CHEMO-SUPPORT INGREDIENTS
I shall report only the pharmacology of the above plants that is
relevant to chemotherapy, immune function, inflammation, digestion
or carcinoma. Thus, for each plant, there are many other pharmacological
actions not reported below. These data are not available for all
of Chemo-SupportÔs ingredients.
It should also be noted that such data are reported for reference
only as they reflect a reductionist view of the action of herbs
that is at variance with the Chinese medicine view. Some of the
research studies reported present a doubly-reductionist view: firstly,
they use single herbs and secondly, many of them use single constituents
of a herb. By contrast, Chinese medicine uses only formulae composed
of several herbs. It is a well-know fact that first of all, the
action of a herb is more than the sum-total of the actions of its
individual constituents and secondly, the synergistic action of
the herbs within a formula is more than the sum-total of its individual
herbs. Furthermore, many of the studies reported are based on animal
experiments which could be criticized on ethical grounds.
HUANG QI
Radix Astragali membranacei
Constituents
2'4'-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxyisoflavone, kumatakenin, choline, betaine,
polysaccharides, glucoronic acid, folic acid.
Pharmacology
| • |
Enhancement of immune function
The decoction given to mice increased the phagocytic activity
of the reticuloendothelial system. Oral administration or nasal
spray of Huang Qi offered protection against the common cold.
Intraperitoneal administration of the polysaccharides from the
root of Astragalus membranaceus antagonized the atrophy of immune
tissues such as spleen, thymus and intestinal lymph nodes as
well as leukopenia caused by immunosuppressant prednisolone
in mice. Intraperitoneal administration of the homogeneous fraction
of the polysaccharides astragalan I and II increased the weight
and cell number of mouse spleen. Two months of oral treatment
with the herb in subjects susceptible to common cold greatly
increased the levels of SIgA and IgG in the nasal secretion.
|
| • |
Antibacterial effect
In vitro, Huang Qi was effective against Shigella shigae,
Bacillum anthracis, Streptococcus hemolyticus, Corynebacterium
diphtheriae, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Staphyloccus aureus.
|
| • |
Prevention of renal toxicity in chemotherapy
A double-blind trial of 49 patients undergoing chemotherapy
showed that the decoction of Huang Qi Radix Astragali membranacei
and Fu Ling Sclerotium Poriae cocos markedly reduced the incidence
of renal toxicity. Rats with experimentally-induced glomerulonephritis,
when treated with Huang Qi had significantly less proteinuria
than control groups as well as milder pathological tissue changes.
|
| • |
Effect on endurance
Decoction of Huang Qi given to mice significantly increased
their endurance in swimming tests. |
| • |
Endocrine effect in patients undergoing radiotherapy
In a randomized clinical trial, the plasma hydrocortisone level
in stage II carcinoma of the cervix was observed. The average
level in 18 patients before and after irradiation were 8.0 and
6.1 µg/100ml, whereas the before and after levels were 9.5 and
9.1 µg/100ml in patients who received a decoction of Huang Qi
Radix Astragali membranacei and Nu Zhen Zi Fructus Ligustri
lucidi for two months. |
| • |
Anti-inflammatory effect
Intravenous dose of 5 mg/Kg or oral dose of 50 mg/Kg of astramembranin
I inhibited the increase in vascular permeability induced by
serotonin or histamine in rats. |
| • |
Hepatoprotective effect
Intravenous administration of 10 mg/Kg of astramembranin I induced
accumulation of cAMP in rabbit plasma. |
DANG SHEN
Radix Codonopsis pilosulae
Constituents
Saponins, trace of alkaloids, carbohydrates, mucilage, resin, volatile
oil, scutellarein glucoside, polysaccharides.
Pharmacology
| • |
Promotion of phagocytosis
Daily administration of decoction enhanced reticuloendothelial
phagocytosis. |
| • |
Protection from chemotherapy side-effects
A double-blind clinical trial of 16 patients with lung
cancer undergoing chemotherapy showed that the extract of
Dang Shen Radix Codonopsis pilosulae and Mai Men Dong Tuber
Ophiopogonis japonici significantly reduced the incidence
of side-effects from chemotherapy.
|
| • |
Haematologic effect
Oral and intravenous use of Dang Shen in normal rabbits caused
an increase in red blood cells count and haemoglobin. |
| • |
Immunologic effect
Dang Shen inhibited the febrile reaction to toxins such as turpentine
in mice and rats. |
| • |
CNS effect
Preparations of Dang Shen given to mice caused a general
stimulatory response. A 20% ethanolic extract of the root
improved memory capacity in experimental-compromised mice
and rats subjected to a step-down test after oral administration
of 30-60 g/Kg for 3 days.
|
| • |
Endocrine effect
Plasma corticosterone level in mice was elevated after oral,
intraperitoneal or subcutaneous administration of the decoction.
Reductions of corticosterone level after treatment with dexamethasone
were decreased after administration of the n-butanolic fraction
of the decoction, suggesting effects at the pituitary or superior
central structures. |
| • |
Anti-stress effect
Oral administration of the decoction of the root prolonged the
life span of mice under conditions of limited oxygen supply.
|
| • |
Anti-ulcerative effect
Pre-treatment with the decoction of the herb reduced the incidence
of ulcers in rats due to stress of pylorus ligation. |
LING ZHI
Fructificatio Ganodermae lucidi
Constituents
Ergosterol, lysozyme, acid protease, amino-acids, polypeptides,
saccharides, sterols, lactones, alkaloids and polysaccharides.
Pharmacology
| • |
Antimicrobial action
The decoction of the root showed strong antibacterial action
in vitro against, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella
typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus
aureus, Streptococcus haemolyticus, Doplococcus pneumonia and
Vibrio cholerae. |
| • |
Anti-inflammatory action
Paenol given intragastrically inhibited swelling of rat paws
induced by dextran. Paenol inhibited the increase of intra-abdominal
capillary permeability of mice and cutaneous capillary permeability
of guinea pigs caused by acetic acid. The methanolic extract,
the glycosidic fraction and paenol inhibited blood platelet
aggregation.
|
| • |
Hypotensive effect
The blood pressure of dogs with essential or renal hypertension
was significantly reduced after oral administration of 5 g/Kg
of the decoction of the root bark for 5 days and 10 g/Kg for
two more days.
|
| • |
CNS effects
Intraperitoneal or oral administration of paenol decreased the
spontaneous activity of mice, antagonized caffeine-induced hyperactivity
and prolonged cyclobarbital-induced sleep. |
FU LING
Sclerotium Poriae cocos
Constituents
Beta-pachyman, machymic acid, ergosterol, choline, histidine, potassium
salts.
Pharmacology
| • |
Antineoplastic effect
Pachymaran produced an inhibition rate of 96.88% against sarcoma
in rats. Topical application of the methanolic extract of
the herb (2 mg/100 ml) significantly reduced the percentage
of tumour-bearing mice and the number of tumours per mouse
induced by DMBA plus TPA.
|
| • |
Effect on immune function
Oral administration increased phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte
transformation rate and increased serum IgG.
|
| • |
Effect of digestive system
The herb inhibited gastric ulcer provoked by pylorus-ligation
and decreased gastric secretion and free acidity in rats.
The herbs also protected rats against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity,
reducing GPT activity and preventing necrosis of hepatocytes.
|
CHEN PI
Pericarpium Citri reticulatae
Constituents
Dlimonene, citral, hesperidin, neohesperidin, tangeretin, nobiletin,
citromitin, 5-O-desmethylcitromitin, inositol, vitamin B1.
Pharmacology
| • |
Actions on the gastro-intestinal smooth muscles
The
herb decoction inhibited the motility of the isolated small
intestines of mice and rabbits.
|
| • |
Action against gastric ulcers
Daily injections of methylhesperidin for 6 days markedly reduced
the incidence of ulcers and inhibited gastric secretions.
|
| • |
Anti-inflammatory action
Both hesperidin and methylhesperidin had vitamin P-like actions.
Hesperidin inhibited the inflammatory reaction of croton oil
granulation in rats. Intraperitoneal dose of 10 mg/Kg of hesperidin
inhibited increased permeability caused by histamine in mice.
|
MAI MEN DONG
Tuber Ophiopogonis japonici
Constituents
Ophiopogonins A, B, C, and D (steroid saponins), beta-sitosterol,
amino-acids.
Pharmacology
| • |
Antibacterial action
The herb inhibits Staphylococcus albus, Bacilus subtilis,
Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi.
|
| • |
Immunologic effect
Intraperitoneal administration of 12.5 g/Kg of the herb to
mice significantly increased the weight of the spleen and
phagocytosis of the macrophages; it also counteracted the
reduction in white cells due to cyclophosphamide.
|
| • |
Effects on blood glucose
Intramuscular administration of 1 ml/Kg of the 50% decoction
of the herb increased blood glucose level in rabbits.
|
DANG GUI
Radix Angelicae sinensis
Constituents
Ligustilide, n-butylidene phthalide, palmitic acid, beta-sitosterol,
beta-sitosteryl palmitate, sucrose, vitamin B12, nicotinic acid,
folic acid, folinic acid, biotin, vitamin A and E.
Pharmacology
| • |
Effect on coronary flow
Perfusion of the 2% fluid extract into the isolated heart
of guinea pigs significantly dilated the coronary vessels
and increased coronary flow.
|
| • |
Effect on platelet aggregation
The aqueous extract of the root and its ingredient ferulic
acid inhibited rat platelet aggregation and serotonin release.
|
| • |
Effect on immune system
The herb enhanced the phagocytic function of abdominal macrophages
of animals.
|
| • |
Anti-inflammatory effect
The aqueous extract of the root decreased vascular permeability.
The inhibitory activity in mice by oral administration was
comparable to that of aspirin; like aspirin, it also inhibited
the release of 5-HT and other inflammatory substances.
|
BAN XIA
Rhizoma Pinelliae ternatae
Constituents
Methionine, glycine, beta- and gamma-aminobutyric acids, alkaloids
1-ephedrine and trigonelline, phytosterol, glucoronic acid.
Pharmacology
| • |
Anti-emetic action
The stir-fried tuber had an anti-emetic action in emesis induced
by morphine or digitalis. The decoction of the herb prevented
early vomiting caused by deslanoside as well as emesis caused
by orally-administered copper sulfate.
|
| • |
Anti-neoplastic action
The aqueous extract had a marked inhibitory action on
animal tumours such as sarcoma, liver carcinoma and cervical
carcinoma.
|
| • |
Anti-inflammatory action
The tuber has a PAF-antagonism effect due to the lignans.
|
LU GEN
Rhizoma Phragmitis communis
Constituents
Coixol, tricin, asparamide, D-xylose, L-arabinose,
D-glucose, D-galactose, vitamins B1, B2 and C.
Pharmacology
| • |
Antibiotic effect
Decoctions of Lu Gen have shown an in vitro antimicrobial
effect against beta-hemolytic Streptococcus.
|
NU ZHEN ZI
Fructus Ligustri lucidi
Constituents
Oleanolic acid, acetyloleanolic acid, betulin, lupeol, salidroside,
mannitol, oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid.
Pharmacology
| • |
Incremental effect on white blood cells
The fruit increased white blood cells in leukopoenia due to
chemotherapy or radiotherapy in mice.
|
| • |
Effect on immune function
The fruit promoted lymphoblast transformation and increased
the number of cells with haemolytic plaques. The in vitro
restorative effect of the aqueous extract of the herb was
studied in cancer patients and in normal healthy donors. Using
the local graft versus host (GvH) reaction as a test assay
for T-cell function, the extract affected an immune restoration
in 9 of 13 cancer patients with an increase in local GvH reaction
from 32.3 / 36.1 mm3 to 118/ 104.9 mm3; these results suggest
the herb contains powerful immune stimulants.
|
| • |
Antineoplastic action
The extract given by intragastric administration to mice gave
a 49% inhibition rate against cervical cancer. The extract
of the herb has been found to reverse tumour-associated macrophage
suppression; these data suggest that the herb has cancer chemopreventive
properties.
|
| • |
Effect on leukopenia
The injection of an extract of the fruit given once or
twice daily could be used in cancer patients to prevent and
treat leukopenia caused by chemotherapy.
|
| • |
Anti-inflammatory effect
Paw oedema in rats was inhibited by oral administration of
12.5 or 25 g/Kg of the decoction of the herb for 5 days.
|
HUANG JING
Rhizoma Polygonati
Constituents
Flavonoid glycosides, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, amino-acids,
resin.
Pharmacology
| • |
Antibacterial effect
The decoction inhibited Staphylococcus aureus in vitro.
|
| • |
Effect on blood glucose
Oral administration of the extract of the herb to rabbits
gradually increased blood glucose level but decreased it afterwards.
|
GAN CAO
Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis
Constituents
Triterpenes glycyrrhizin, flavonoids berniarin, umbelliferone, ferulic
acid, sinapic acid, amino-acids, biotin, beta-sitosterol.
Pharmacology
| • |
Glucocorticoid-like action
Injection of glycyrrhizin in healthy subjects increased free
cortisol levels in the blood. Intraperitoneal administration
of a low dose of glycyrrhizin to rats caused atrophy of the
thymus gland and increased weight of the adrenal gland suggesting
a cortico-tropin-like action; in patients with mild Addison's
disease requiring daily intramuscular injection of 12.5 mg
of cortisone, concurrent daily intramuscular dose of glycyrrhizin
increased urinary free 17-hydroxycorticosterone and decreased
the conjugated 17-hydroxycorticosterone.
|
| • |
Mineralocorticoid-like action
The extract reduced the urinary volume and sodium excretion
and increased potassium excretion in various animal species.
|
| • |
Anti-inflammatory action
The anti-inflammatory effect of the herb resembles that of
butazone or hydrocortisone; cotton pledget-induced granulation,
formaldehyde-induced paw swelling and subcutaneous granulomatous
inflammation in rats were all inhibited by glycyrrhetic acid.
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Effect on the immune system
Glycyrrhizin inhibited egg-white-induced allergic reaction
in guinea pigs. Glycyrrhizin inhibited the degranulation of
mast cells elicited by the histamine liberation agent, Compound
48/80, so that it suppressed the release of the allergy mediators.
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Anti-ulcer action
Injection of the herb extract produced significant inhibition
of ulcers in albino rats, together with marked reduction in
gastric juice and free acid. In many clinical studies on the
use of Gan Cao for ulcers, the effectiveness was usually around
90%.
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Anti-neoplastic action
Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibited the transplanted Oberling-Guerin
myeloma in rats.
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| • |
Effect on lipid metabolism
In rats with atherosclerosis, Gan Cao lowered cholesterol
levels and stopped the progression of the lesions.
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| • |
Antihepatotoxic effect
Oral administration of the extract of the herb showed hepatoprotective
effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced cytotoxicity
in rats; it markedly abated hepatic degeneration and necrosis,
promoted the recovery of hepatocellular glycogen and ribonucleic
acid and also lowered serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase.
Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetic acid are able to prevent the
development of cirrhosis.
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DOSAGE AND PROTOCOL
Chemo-Support works better if it is
started some time before the beginning
of chemotherapy and continued for about
two weeks after the end. It is important
to note that "during the treatment"
means during the course of treatment,
i.e. also in the days of break from
the treatment. The dosage is as follows:
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Two weeks before start of treatment:
1 tablet twice a day
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| • |
Four days before the start of treatment:
1 tablet three times a day
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| • |
During the treatment: 2-3 tablets
three times a day.
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| • |
After the end of the treatment
for about 4 weeks: 1 tablet three
times a day
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It is best to take the tablets away from meals, i.e. about 1 hour
before or after a meal, swallowed with hot water. The tablets should
also be taken separately from other medication, at least 1 hour
away. If the patient feels very nauseous and finds it difficult
to swallow the tablets, these could be crushed and powdered, immersed
in a small amount of hot water with three slices of fresh ginger
and the water sipped slowly.
The dosage during treatment indicated above should be adjusted according
to the severity of the side-effects and the above dosage could be
reduced or increased.
If the patient is receiving both chemo- and radio-therapy and is
taking both Chemo-Support and Radio-Support, the dosage of each
should be reduced. Adjustments can be made according to the patient's
side-effects and timing of therapies in this situation by using
a higher ratio of Chemo-Support during the days surrounding chemotherapy
or when its side-effects are heightened. Similarly, the dosage of
Radio-Support can be increased if the side-effects experienced from
radiotherapy are more severe, or during the days surrounding the
administration of radiotherapy.
Chemo-Support should be discontinued approximately four weeks after
the end of the treatment when the condition should be reassessed
and a different formula given. By contrast, Radio-Support should
be continued for at least 6 weeks after the end of radiotherapy.
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT OF CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECTS
Acupuncture can be used to great effect, in conjunction with Chemo-Support
to reduce the side-effects of chemotherapy. Indeed, acupuncture
can complement the use of Chemo-Support by tailoring the treatment
to the specific side-effects suffered by the patient. The following
are suggested point combinations for specific symptoms and signs.
Fatigue
Ren-12 Zhongwan, ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, BL-20 Pishu, BL-21
Weishu.
Nausea, vomiting
Ren-13 Shangwan, P-6 Neiguan, ST-34 Liangqiu, ST-36 Zusanli. In
addition to acupuncture, the following massage technique is very
effective to combat nausea and vomiting: apply a massage oil liberally
to the lower legs, make a loose fist with your hands, starting from
ST-36, massage downwards along the Stomach channel using the knuckles
of the index fingers all the way down to the ankle and then massage
upwards along the Spleen channel using your thumbs. This technique
harmonizes the ascending and descending of Stomach- and Spleen-Qi,
stimulating Stomach-Qi to descend and Spleen-Qi to ascend.
Alopecia
BL-17 Geshu (with direct moxa cones), ST-36 Zusanli, SP-6 Sanyinjiao,
LIV-8 Ququan, BL-20 Pishu, BL-23 Shenshu. Add Shou Wu Pian or Glorious
Sea to Chemo-Support.
Myelo-suppression
BL-17 Geshu (with direct moxa cones), BL-11 Dashu (with direct moxa
cones), BL-20 Pishu, BL-23 Shenshu.
Stomatitis, mouth ulcers
ST-44 Neiting, L.I.-4 Hegu, L.I.-11 Quchi.
Cystitis
Ren-3 Zhongji, BL-63 Jinmen, BL-28 Pangguangshu, BL-32 Ciliao,
SP-9 Yinlingquan.
Fever
L.I.-11 Quchi, KI-2 Rangu, Du-14 Dazhui. Skin rash L.I.-11 Quchi,
SP-10 Xuehai. Diarrhoea ST-25 Tianshu, ST-37 Shangjuxu.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
| • |
Perry M, Anderson C, Dorr V, Wilkes J, The Chemotherapy
Sourcebook, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, Maryland, 1999.
|
| • |
Skeel R, Handbook of Cancer Chemotherapy, Williams
& Wilkins, Baltimore, Maryland, 1999.
|
| • |
Zhu YP, Chinese Materia Medica, Harwood Academic Publishers,
Amsterdam, 1998.
|
| • |
Bensky D and Gamble A, Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia
Medica, Eastland Press, Seattle, 1993.
|
| • |
Chang H.M. and But P.P.Hay, Chang H.M. and But P.P.Hay, Pharmacology
and Applications of Chinese Materia Medica, World Scientific,
Hong Kong, Vol. I, 1986., World Scientific, Hong Kong, Vol.
I, 1986.
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WANTED: YOUR QUESTIONS AND CASE HISTORIES
Please keep sending in your questions, comments, reports of successes
(and failures!) with the Three Treasures and Women's Treasure remedies,
and case histories. It is important to share your comments and case
histories so that other practitioners may benefit from a pooled
experience.
Send your questions and case histories to: Rebecca Avern, 22, Bois
Lane, Amersham, Bucks, HP6 6BP. Fax: 01494 724815. E-mail: Suwenherbs@aol.com.
MU TONG - FREE
As you know, the Chinese herb that goes under the name of Mu Tong
may correspond to several plant species, among which are Akebia,
Clematis and Aristolochia. As aristolochic acid (found in Aristolochia)
has been allegedly implicated in two cases of kidney toxicity, the
Medicine Control Agency has ordered the withdrawal of all remedies
containing Aristolochia (which includes also some species of Fang
Ji).
We would like to remind our customers that neither the Three Treasures
nor the Women's Treasure remedies contain (and never did contain)
Mu Tong or Fang Ji. Therefore, Drain Fire may be used as a substitute
for Long Dan Xie Gan Wan, of which it is a variation.
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