[Exploration on origin of Simiao Yong'an Decoction].

Simiao Yong'an Decoction is composed of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Scrophulariae Radix, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome, which was chosen as one of the 100 classic prescriptions in Catalogue of Ancient Classics Prescription(the first batch). Through tracing to the source, It was found that the Simiao Yong'an Decoction(but not named) originated from the Shi Shi Mi Lu, and was later cited by books such as Ancient and Modern Book Integration-Full Record of Medical Department and New Edition of Useful Prescriptions. Literature shows that this prescription was not named until first reported in the Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Arterial Embolism Gangrene in 1956 by a journalist LYU Min. This article recorded that SHIJIA Baoshan, a monk from Hebei Province, used self-named "Simiao Yong'an Decoction" to treat local arterial embolic gangrene. After comparison, there was two difference between ancient books and SHIJIA Baoshan's records. Firstly, according to ancient books, the composition and dosage of Simiao Yong'an Decoction is Lonicerae Japonicae Flos 90 g, Scrophulariae Radix 90 g, Angelicae Sinensis Radix 60 g, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome 30 g", and the ratio is 3∶3∶2∶1. By SHIJIA Baoshan's record, the composition and dosage are: Lonicerae Japonicae Flos 66 g, Scrophulariae Radix 132 g, Angelicae Sinensis Radix 99 g, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome 33 g, and the ratio changed to 2∶4∶3∶1. Secondly, ancient books show that patients can be healed after taking seven or ten days of the previous prescription, however, it would take 3 or 4 months, even 7 months in SHIJIA Baoshan's records. It can be considered that the previous prescription should be used at the beginning of gangrene, while the modified Simiao Yong'an Decoction by SHIJIA Baoshan is widely used in the middle and late stages of gangrene, even the critical condition, that is the reason for longer treatment and larger dosage. Nowadays, Simiao Yong'an Decoction is not limited to the treatment of gangrene and bulla in clinic. Relevant studies have confirmed that Simiao Yong'an Decoction has the effects such as anti-inflammatory, plaque stabilization, lipid-lowering, vascular protection, improvement of hemorheology, anticoagulation, inhibition of thrombosis and fibrinolysis, etc. In the follow-up, we should carry out the analysis of the compatibility of this four medicines, and redefine the scope of its clinical application under the theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

Therapeutic effect of aqueous extract from Ecliptae herba on bone metabolism of ovariectomized rats.

OBJECTIVE: Ecliptae herba (EH) has long been used in China to strengthen bones. Accumulating evidence indicates that EH may have antiosteoporotic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aqueous EH extract (EHE) on rats that had osteoporosis-like features induced by ovariectomy, using aqueous Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract as positive control agent. METHODS: Three-month-old female rats that underwent ovariectomy were treated with EHE (1.4 g/kg per day). After 12 weeks, bone mineral density and bone histomorphometric indices of tibiae were measured. Protein and messenger RNA expressions of osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand (RANKL) in tibiae were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. In addition, serum concentrations of osteocalcin, interleukin-1ß, interleukin-6 (IL-6), calcitonin (CT), and parathyroid hormone were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: EHE treatment prevented body weight gain and loss of uterine wet weight in ovariectomized rats. It remarkably increased bone mass in ovariectomized rats compared with ovariectomized controls. EHE treatment significantly down-regulated RANKL expression in tibiae from ovariectomized rats compared with controls; however, it had no significant effect on osteoprotegerin expression. In addition, EHE treatment significantly reduced serum IL-6 levels and remarkably increased CT levels but had no effect on parathyroid hormone. CONCLUSIONS: EHE increases bone mass in ovariectomized rats by inhibiting bone loss: down-regulated RANKL expression in tibiae and IL-6 level in serum, and up-regulated CT level in serum. This suggests that EHE may be developed as an alternative therapeutic agent for osteoporosis induced by postmenopause.