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Orthostatic dysregulation is also a social problem as a disease of puberty today, and its treatment has attracted attention. Ten cases suspected to be orthostatic dysregulation based on diagnostic criteria of Society of Pediatric Psychology were diagnosed and treated with Kampo medicine, and all improvements were made. After analyzing 10 cases, Symptomcomplex resulting from blood stagnation (血証), Disorders of the body's water metabolism (水毒), Psychosomatic factors (心身症的要因) were found as a background to cause orthostatic dysregulation. In these backgrounds, kamishoyosan, unkeito, and tokishakuyakusan were prescribed for symptom-complex resulting from blood stagnation. Goreisangokumibinroto and ryokeijutsukanto were prescribed for disorders of the body's water metabolism. Saikokeishito and saibokuto were prescribed for the psychosomatic factors. Therapeutic effect of modern medical treatment is insufficient. It is considered that medical diagnosis and treatment with Kampo medicine is very effective.
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Keishibukuryogankayokuinin (KBGY) is a Kampo formulation that is well known as being suitable for patients with blood and water stagnation. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the efficacy of KBGY for tinnitus patients. The total number of patients was 9 (5 males, 4 females). The average age was 67 years (range : 54-81 years, the median age : 65 years). The progression of 9 patients was cure (1), amelioration (6), no change (2), and deterioration (0). The important pathophysiology of tinnitus in Kampo medicine includes blood stagnation and water stagnation. In these cases, KBGY can single-handedly improve both blood and water stagnation. We recommend KBGY for the treatment of tinnitus caused by the coexistence of blood and water stagnation.
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ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of the extract of Xiongmatang on 5-HT and CGRP in brain tissue of rats with liver-yang hyperactivity and blood stagnation migraine. METHODS:Fifty male spontaneously hypertension (SHR) rats were randomly divided into model control group,Zhengtian pill positive control group (1.6 g/kg),the extract of Xiongmatang low-dose,medium-dose and high-dose groups(4.5,9.0,18.0 g/kg,by crude drug),with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 normal rats were taken as normal control group. Administration group was given relevant medicine intragastrically,once a day,for consecutive 28 d. Normal control group and model control group were given equal volume normal saline intragastrically. After last administration,except for normal control group,other groups were used to stimulate trigeminal ganglia(10 min)to establish liver-yang hyperactivity and blood stagnation migraine model,and maintained the administration once more after making the model. 30 min later,general behavior and tongue quality of rats were observed,and the blood pressure was measured;the contents of 5-HT and CGRP in cerebral tissue of rats were determined by ELISA. The protein expression of CGRP in cerebral tissue of rats were determined by Western blot method. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the rats in the model control group had behavioral symptoms,such as the color of conjunctiva deepened and reddened, excessive hairdressing,head flicking,and most of the rats had purple tongue;the systolic pressure and the content and protein expression of CGRP were all increased obviously(P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the content of 5-HT in cerebral tissue was decreased obviously(P<0.01). Compared with model control group,general behavior and tongue quality of rats were improved significantly in administration groups. Systolic pressure,the content and the protein expression of CGRP in cerebral tissue of rats were decreased significantly in Zhengtian pill positive control group and the extract of Xiongmatang high-dose group (P<0.05),while the content of 5-HT in cerebral tissue of rats were increased significantly in Zhengtian pill positive control group,the extract of Xiongmatang medium-dose and high-dose groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:The extract of Xiongmatang has obvious protective effect on liver-yang hyperactivity and blood stagnation migraine model rats,the mechanism of which may be associated with reducing the content of CGRP in cerebral tissue and raising the content of 5-HT in cerebral tissue
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect and safety of Guanxinning Tablet (, GXN) for the treatment of stable angina pectoris patients with Xin (Heart)-blood stagnation syndrome (XBSS).@*METHODS@#One hundred and sixty stable angina pectoris patients with XBSS were randomly assigned to receive GXN (80 cases) or placebo (80 cases, Guanxinning simulation tablets, mainly composed of lactose), 4 tablets (0.38 g/tablet), thrice daily for 12 weeks. After treatment, an exercise stress test (treadmill protocol), Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome score, electrocardiogram (ECG), and nitroglycerin withdrawal rate were evaluated and compared in the patients between the two groups. Meanwhile, adverse events (AEs) were evaluated during the whole clinical trial.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the time extension of exercise duration in the GXN group increased 29.28 ±17.67 s after treatment (P>0.05); moreover, the change of exercise duration in the GXN group increased 63.10 ±96.96 s in subgroup analysis (P<0.05). The effective rates of angina pectoris, CM syndrome and ECG as well as nitroglycerin withdrawal rate were 81.33%, 90.67%, 45.76%, and 70.73%, respectively in the GXN group, which were all significantly higher than those in the control group (40.58%, 75.36%, 26.92%, 28.21%, respectively, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#GXN was a safe and effective treatment for stable angina pectoris patients with XBSS at a dose of 4 tablets, thrice daily.
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In Kampo medicine, general fatigue is categorized as a symptom caused by qi deficiency according to the qi-blood-water criteria. However, in some patients with general fatigue, formulae for qi deficiency are not effective, and this might be because their chronic symptoms are associated with blood stagnation. Recently, we encountered ten patients (M/F 1/9, mean age 46 years, range 23-55 years) with general fatigue that was improved by agents for treating blood stagnation, such as keishibukuryogan and/or tokakujokito. These patients, who were mostly of medium build, complained of neck or shoulder stiffness (9/10), constipation (5/10), and blushing or hot flushes (5/10). They had no problem with appetite, except that 5 patients tended to overeat. Remarkable sublingual collateral vessels (8/10), paraumbilical tenderness (9/10) and periorbital dark circles (5/10) were observed on physical examination. The tongue and abdominal signs improved or had disappeared after treatment for 3 to 8 months. Our results suggest that patients with general fatigue, but who present with symptoms associated with blood stagnation, could be treated with drugs for blood stagnation such as keishibukuryogan and/or tokakujokito.
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Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) belongs to autoimmun diseases, which is particularly closely related to the liver, spleen and kidney. Using these three organs as the theoretical foundation, the root of the disease can be grasped. Using syndrome differentiation, deficiency is the basic pattern and excess is the syndrome. The main reason for TAO is liver, spleen and kidney deficiency, while dampness, phlegm-blood stagnation in the eyes are pathogen. The rules of treatments are nourishing yin and clearing liver, supplementing and nourishing liver and kidney, removing dampness and phlegm, eliminating blood stasis and promoting circulation. By combining overall symptoms with ocular region changes, together with dynamic differentiation and flexible treatment, satisfactory results have been obtained in clinical practice.
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Allergic rhinitis is an allergic disease affecting the nasal mucous membrane, and is aggravated by many kinds of factors. Here we describe 4 cases of allergic rhinitis successfully treated with tokishakuyakusan. Case 1 was a 31-year-old woman who suffered from coldness and irregular menstruation. We administered tokishakuyakusan, and her allergic rhinitis improved. When she stopped taking tokishakuyakusan, her allergic rhinitis recurred. Case 2 was a 40-year-old woman who suffered from seasonal pollenosis every year. Her pollenosis did not respond to keishibukuryogankayokuinin, administered for uterine myoma, but when we switched to tokishakuyakusan, her pollenosis improved. Case 3 was a 49-year-old woman who suffered from allergic rhinitis. She had not responded to many herbal medicines, but when we administered tokishakuyakusan, her allergic rhinitis rapidly improved. Case 4 was a 65-year-old woman who suffered from allergic rhinitis. She did not respond to kakkontokasenkyushin'i, but when tokishakuyakusan was added, her allergic rhinitis improved. Efficacy of tokishakuyakusan for rhinitis is not described in the classic literature. Our results suggest that tokishakuyakusan could be a suitable herbal medicine for asthenic, cold constitution of patients with allergic rhinitis caused by blood stagnation and blood deficiency as well as water disturbance.
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OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effects on cervical spondylosis of neck type treated with the combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points as compared with the conventional acupuncture.@*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients of cervical spondylosis of neck type were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 45 cases in each one. In the observation group, the combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points was adopted. The positive reaction points were selected in the neck, shoulder and back regions. In the control group, the conventional acupuncture therapy was provided. The main acupoints were Tianzhu (BL 10), Fengchi (GB 20), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (TE 5), Neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) of C to C and points. The supplementary acupoints were Yinxi (HT 6) and Geshu (BL 17). The treatment was given once every two days, 10 treatments as one course in the two groups. Separately, before treatment, after the 1st treatment and at the end of one course of treatment, the scores of symptoms and physical signs and the scores of visual analogous scale (VAS) were observed in the two groups. The comprehensive clinical effects were compared between the two groups at the end of treatment.@*RESULTS@#After the 1st treatment and at the end of treatment, the scores of symptoms and physical signs and VAS scores were reduced obviously as compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all 0.05). At the end of treatment, the scores of symptoms and physical signs and VAS scores in the observation group were reduced more obviously as compared with the control group (both <0.05). The curative and remarkably effective rate was 84.1% (37/44) in the observation group, better than 65.1% (28/43) in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Either the combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points or the conventional acupuncture is effective in the treatment of cervical spondylosis of neck type. The combined therapy of needling and needling techniques at the positive reaction points achieves the superior effects as compared with the conventional acupuncture.
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Humans , Acupuncture Points , Neck , Needles , Spondylosis , Treatment Outcome , Vascular Surgical ProceduresABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus Huayu Paishi Decoction (stagnation- eliminating and stone-removing decoction) in treating nephrolithiasis of qi and blood stagnation type.Methods Sixty patients with nephrolithiasis of qi and blood stagnation type were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 30 cases each. The treatment group received acupuncture plus oral administration of Huayu Paishi Decoction and the control group, oral administration of Huayu Paishi Decoction alone. The symptoms and signs were scored and renal hydrops was measured in the two groups before and after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results The total efficacy rate was 76.7% in the treatment group and 56.7% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the symptom and sign scores in the two groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in pre-/post-treatment symptom and sign score difference values between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant pre-/post-treatment difference in renal hydrops volume in the treatment group (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in pre-/post-treatment renal hydrops volume difference value between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05).Conclusions Acupuncture plus Huayu Paishi Decoction is an effective way to treat nephrolithiasisi of qi and blood stagnation type. It can markedly improve the clinical symptoms and reduce renal hydrops in the patients.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the difference in the clinical therapeutic effects on mild and moderate lumbar disc herniation (LDH) of blood stagnation syndrome between-conducting needling technique at the governor vessel acupoints combined with electroacupuncture (EA) and conventional EA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and one patients of LDH at the mild and moderate stage, differentiated as blood stagnation syndrome were randomized into an observation group (101 cases) and a control group (100 cases). In the observation group, the-conducting needling technique at the governor vessel acupoints and EA were used. The acupoints were Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Shiqizhui (EX-B 8), Huantiao (GB 30) and Yanglingquan (GB 34). Afterarrival, the-conducting needling technique was used at Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and Shiqizhui (EX-B 8); the EA was at Huantiao (GB 30) and Yanglingquan (GB 34). The treatment was given once every two days, 3 times a week. The treatment for 12 times was as one session. The observation lasted for 1 session. In the control group, the acupoints were the same as the observation group and stimulated with EA. The EA parameters, treatment frequency and duration were all the same as the observation group. The lumbar back pain score of Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) score before treatment, after treatment and in 3-month follow-up visit in the two groups, the infrared thermogram temperature in lumbar region and the relaxation area under curve (RAUC) before and after treatment as well as the short-term and the long-term therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total short-term effective rate was 89.11% (90/101) and the total long-term effective rate was 91.11% (82/90) in the observation group, and those were 86.00% (86/100) and 89.53% (77/86) in the control group respectively, without significant differences between the groups (both>0.05). The short-term clinical curative rate was 52.48% (53/101) and the long-term clinical curative rate was 55.56% (50/90) in the observation group, better than 36.00% (36/100) and 34.88% (30/86) in the control group (both<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, JOA scores were all improved after treatment and in follow-up visit in the two groups (all<0.01), without statistical significance at each time point between the two groups (all>0.05). The infrared thermogram temperature was improved after treatment in the two groups (both<0.01). The increasing amplitude in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.01). The lumbar RAUC after treatment was increased apparently as compared with that before treatment in the observation group (<0.01) and larger than that in the control group (<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The-conducting needling technique at the governor vessel acupoints combined with EA achieve the better clinical therapeutic effects than regular EA in the treatment of mild and moderate LDH of blood stagnation sydrome.</p>
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Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) is one of the main causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults, and is a kind of glomerular capillary loops epithelial side immune complex deposition of glomerular disease. At present, Western medicine treatment mainly uses hormone combined with immunosuppressive agent, but the adverse reactions are bigger. According to many years clinical experience, Professor TAN Jin-chuan starts from the spleen and kidney deficiency and blood stagnation in kidney meridian, and uses modified Yishen Tongluo Prescription to support right qi and regulate spleen and kidney at the same time. She is good at use of insect medicine to seize the meridians, and focuses on comprehensive care, which provides positive reference value for TCM treatment of IMN.
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Objective To observe the efficacy difference between heavy-dose moxibustion at Sha-petechiae and ordinary suspended moxibustion in treating neck-type cervical spondylosis due to cold coagulation and blood stagnation.Method A total of 113 patients with neck-type cervical spondylosis due to cold coagulation and blood stagnation were randomized into a treatment group of 58 cases and a control group of 55 cases.The treatment group was intervened by heavy-dose moxibustion at Sha-petechiae after scraping therapy;the control group was treated with conventional moxibustion therapy.The cervical symptoms and signs were evaluated by using LU's scale scores.The improvement in symptoms and clinical efficacy were observed after the intervention and half a year later.Result The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and LU's scale scores were significantly changed after the intervention and half a year later compared with those before the intervention in both groups (P<0.01).After the intervention and half a year later,there were significant differences in comparing the VAS and LU's scale scores between the two groups (P<0.01).The total effective rate and markedly effective rate were respectively 94.8% and 77.6% in the treatment group versus 76.4% and 52.7% in the control group,and the between-group differences were statistically significant (P<0.01).Conclusion Heavy-dose moxibustion at Sha-petechiae is an effective approach in treating neck-type cervical spondylosis due to cold coagulation and blood stagnation,and its short-term and long-term efficacies are both superior to those of ordinary moxibustion.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion plusMEI Te-lan’s manipulations in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LIDH) due to blood stagnation.Method Totally 248 LIDH patients due to blood stagnation were randomized into a treatment group of 123 cases and a control group of 125 cases. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture-moxibustion plusMEI Te-lan’s manipulations, while the control group was by acupuncture-moxibustion plus tuina at lower back. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were observed before and after intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The total effective rate and recovery-markedly effective rate were respectively 80.5% and 52.0% in the treatment group, versus 72.8% and 20.0% in the control group. There was a significant difference in comparing the recovery-markedly effective rate between the two groups (P<0.05). In the treatment group, the Pain Rating Index (PRI) score, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Present Pain Intensity (PPI) score, and ODI score were significantly changed after 3-day, 6-day, and 20-day treatment compared to the scores before treatment (P<0.05). After 20-day treatment, the PRI, VAS, PPI, and ODI scores of the treatment group were significantly different from that of the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture-moxibustion plusMEI Te-lan’s manipulations is an effective method in treating LIDH due to blood stagnation.
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Objective To investigate the effects of Bushen-Huoxue decoction on the plasma level of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and heart function in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis. Methods A total of 96 patients with CHF due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis were randomized into a treatment group (50 cases) and a control group (46 cases). In the control group, the normal treatment of western medicine was given. In the treatment group, on the basis of the control group, Bushen-Huoxue decoction was added. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The plasma BNP level was detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The left ventricular ejecting function, New York Heart Association functional classes and score of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes were evaluated before and after the treatment. Results After the treatment, the plasma BNP level in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (897.3 ± 286.7 pg/ml vs. 1 423.5 ± 458.7 pg/ml;P<0.05);the left ventricular end systolic diameter (4.8 ± 0.8 cm vs. 5.4 ± 0.9 cm) and the left ventricular end systolic volume (57.23 ± 5.30 ml vs. 69.78 ± 5.86 ml) in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05);the stroke volume (72.56 ± 7.23 ml vs. 62.56 ± 5.86 ml) and the left ventricular ejection fraction (59.75%± 6.47%vs. 49.87%± 6.91%) in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The heart function (90.0%vs. 80.4%;χ2=4.369, P<0.05) and the traditional Chinese medicine syndromes (94.0%vs.82.6%;χ2=3.988, P<0.05) had shown significant improvement in the treatment than those in the control group. Conclusions Bushen-Huoxue decoction can reduced the plasma BNP level, improve the heart function in patients with CHF due to kidney deficiency and blood stasis.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus medication in treating hemiplegic patients after ischemic stroke due to qi deficiency and blood stagnation and its effect on motor function. Methods Ninety patients with hemiplegia after ischemic stroke due to qi deficiency and blood stagnation were randomized into an acupuncture group, a Chinese medication group and a combined group, 30 in each group. The combined group was intervened by acupuncture plus oral administration of Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang;the acupuncture group was by acupuncture alone;the Chinese medication group was by the Chinese medicinal decoction alone. The CSS score, FMA score, and BI score were observed before and after intervention, and the clinical efficacies were compared. Results The total effective rate was 93.3%in the combined group, versus 80.0%in the acupuncture group and 83.3%in the Chinese medication group, and the total effective rate in the combined group was significantly different from that in the acupuncture group and Chinese medication group (P<0.05). The CSS, FMA, and BI scores were markedly changed after intervention in the three groups (P<0.05). After intervention, the changes of CSS, FMA, and BI scores in the combined group were significantly different from that in the acupuncture group and Chinese medication group (P<0.05). Conclusions Acupuncture plus medication is an effective method in treating ischemic stroke due to qi deficiency and blood stagnation, and it can promote the recovery of neural function and improve the motor function.
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In oriental medicine, the state in which blood is stagnant is called "oketsu, (Yu xie)"meaning preceding state or symptomatic of sickness. However, the pathological detail and mechanism of "oketsu"is not clear. Therefore we attempt to clarify the meaning of "oketsu"with Western medical knowledge and methods. The relationship between "oketsu"and blood fluidity (BF) was studied in human studies and the influence of several kinds of stress, "anti-oketsu"herbal medicine, electro-acupuncture stimulation (ACU), adrenoceptor agonist and antagonist on BF, platelet aggregation (PA), plasma ATP level, reactive oxygen metabolites level (d-ROM) and biological anti-oxidant potential level (BAP) were studied in animal studies using male Wistar rats. BF and PA were examined using a Micro Channel Array Flow Analyzer (MC-FAN) and a laser scattering platelet aggregometer (PA-20), respectively. D-ROM and BAP levels were studied using a Free Radical Elective Evaluator. In ACU study, 1Hz, 3-5 V stimulation was applied to the acupoints for 15 or 60 minutes. Stimulated acupoints were as follows:ZuSanli (ST-36), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Hegu (L-I4), Neiguan (P-6) and Shenshu (BL-23). A significant decrease of BF was observed in "oketsu"patients compared to the "non-oketsu"patients in human studies. In the animal study, restrained and electrical shock stress applied to rats results in a quick decrease of BF, increase of PA, increase of plasma ATP level, increase of d-ROM level and decrease of BAP level. ACU applied to ST-36, SP-6 and L-14 revealed significant increases in BF, while PA activity decreased. The effect was observed even with 15 min stimulation. However, no significant changes were observed when ACU was applied to P-6 and BL-23. Furthermore, ACU applied to ST-36 represented a significant reduction to the stress induced blood changes such as BF, PA, plasma ATP level, d-ROM, and BAP level. These data suggest the close relation of BF with the "Oketsu"and that sympathetic nervous system activity and plasma ATP level have important roles in the changes of blood fluidity. Acupoints may have some role in the result that ACU affects BF depending on the stimulation loci. ACU has an immediate effect on BF since 15 min stimulation shows a significant effect. PA decrease by ACU suggests that an increase of BF is mainly associated with PA ability. The result that ACU reduced the stress induced BF and other changes of blood properties may imply that ACU has anti-stress activity.
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Objective To observe the influences of Yangxinshi pill on ET, NO, CRP in patients with angina pectoris belonging to manifestation of Qi-deficiency and blood stagnation. Methods 78 patients with angina pectoris were randomly divided into two groups. 40 patients in treatment group were treated with Yangxinshi pill, 4 pills once, three times a day 8 weeks. 38 patients in control group were treated with isosorbide mononitrate 8 weeks. The symptoms and the ET, NO, CRP level before and after treatment were recorded. Results Obvious drop of ET, NO, CRP were observed after treatment in the treatment group. The level of ET was reduced from (67.47?15.72)pg/mL to (37.97?7.82) pg/mL. The level of NO was increased from (78.24?13.81)?mol/mL to (96.25?12.72)?mol/mL. The level of CRP was reduced from (5.31? 2.02)mg/L to (3.42?2.17) mg/L. There was a significant difference between the two drugs (P 0.05). The total efficacy rate in improving symptom was 95%. There was a significant difference between the two drugs (P
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In studying the relation of blood stagnation syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, the incidence and the severity were evaluated on 78 subjects of rhumatoidal poly arthritis (4 males, 74 females) aged 38-83 in Toyama Hospital, in April 2001. The incidence of blood stagnation in 53.8% following Terasawa is related significantly with the progress of rhumatoid poly arthritis, using the indication of Lansbury activity (p=0.083). This indicator increases dramatically in 5 patients of blood stagnation after 6 months (p=0.043). The results showed the relation between the level of stagnation and the activity of arthritis
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Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Blood , ArthritisABSTRACT
Currently, Keishi-bukuryo-gan is widely used for overcoming blood stagnation, and is most frequently used for adult women with blood stagnation (Oketsu) presenting the cold and hot flush (rush in the bust and cold in the lower half of the body) such as menopausal disorder. This time, we carried out thermographic tests for two groups: the patients with subjective symptoms of the cold and hot flush (group 1:8 adult women) and patients with subjective symptoms of cold sensation only in the lower limbs (group 2:8 adult women).<br>In the first group the difference between the surface temperature of the skin of the upper abdomen and that of the lower abdomen was more significant as compared with the second group. We also observed both groups for 60 minutes after administration of Keishi-bukuryo-gan. In the second group the surface temperature of the skin of both upper and lower abdomen decreased. In the first group, however, the skin temperature of the upper abdomen decreased but that of the lower abdomen increased in reverse, and the difference of the temperature between the upper abdomen and lower abdomen was reduced. This means Keishi-bukuryo-gan worked for improving “the cold and hot flush, ” i. e., the imbalance of the endocrine system and autonomic nervous system.<br>The findings suggest that Keishi-bukuryo-gan treatments for hot flush, which is the increase of the skin temperature caused by telangiectasis of the skin of the upper body, may increase the blood flow in the lower abdomen and improve pelvic congestion, which is one of the conditions of blood stagnation, as well as decreasing the skin temperature by contracting peripheral vessels.
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In order to determine the pharmacological effects of Crocus (traditionally classified as an herb helpful in eliminating Blood Stagnation), the 11-dehydro TXB<sub>2</sub>, platelet aggregation, blood viscosity and laboratory data of 12 healthy sexually mature females were examined during the menstrual, follicle and corpus luteum phases before the test substance was administered. Compared with the follicle or corpus luteum phases, higher levels of 11-dehydro TXB<sub>2</sub> and increased mean cell volume (MCV) were found during the menstrual phases. This suggested that the increase in blood viscosity may be due to a lowering of erythrocyte deformation resulting from increased mean cell volume. From the fact that the highest endometrial PGE<sub>2</sub> value was exhibited during the menstrual Phase, PGE<sub>2</sub> was thought to be involved in the MCV increase. Next, plain hot water was administered to the six cases in the control group (for four weeks), and Crocus infusion administered to the other six cases (for four weeks), after which a comparative study was made of their indicators. The significant lowering of the MCV and blood viscosity during the menstrual phase upon Crocus administration suggested that an improvement in erythrocyte deformation brought about by decreased MCV played a role in the reduction of blood viscosity. Moreover, a decrease in 11-dehydro TXB<sub>2</sub> was observed during the low blood estrogen follicle phase. It has been reported that there is an overall increase in blood viscosity and acceleration of platelet and thrombin synthesis associated with the disease state known as “Blood Stagnation”. From the clear effects of Crocus upon these indicators, its effectiveness as an herb useful in eliminating Blood Stagnation in healthy sexually mature females was indicated.