The use of home remedies and complementary health approaches in endometriosis.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Conventional treatments are often associated with adverse effects and endometriosis pain symptoms may reoccur despite treatment. Consequently, many women use complementary health approaches (CHA) and home remedies (HR) to relieve their pain. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency and the subjectively perceived efficacy of CHA/HR use by women affected by endometriosis. DESIGN: Retrospective evaluation using medical charts and a questionnaire. Women recruited in hospitals and in self-help groups were asked about the use of 'topical heat', 'repose/relaxation', 'movement/massages', 'homeopathy/phytotherapy', 'acupuncture/traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)' and 'kinesiology/physiotherapy'. RESULTS: From a total of 574 women with a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis, 359 (62.5%) applied some form of CHA/HR. Women suffering from fatiguing disease symptoms more often selected alternative therapies (odds ratio [OR] 3.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39-7.11, P = 0.006) compared with women without these characteristics. Furthermore, women dissatisfied with healthcare provided by their treating physician, more frequently (OR 2.30, 95% CI 1.19-4.45, P = 0.013) chose the aforementioned alternative strategies. CONCLUSION: As conventional therapies may not be sufficiently effective, women's needs should be closely examined, and individual treatment options should be discussed and initiated by clinicians to provide the best comprehensive treatment possible for endometriosis.

[Analysis of liposoluble constituents in Holotrichia diomphalia by GC-MS and investigation their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities].

OBJECTIVE: To analysis liposoluble constituents of Holotrichia diomphalia by GC-MS and measure their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. METHODS: The composition of liposoluble constituents were determined by GC-MS. The dimethylbenzene-induced mice inflammatory models were established. The pain models were obtained by hot plate and acetic acid in mice. RESULTS: Twenty-two components were identified from the petroleum ether extract of Holotrichia diomphalia. The major components were oleic acid, palmitic acid and palmitoleic acid. The petroleum ether extract was able to significantly inhibit the mice ear edema induced by dimethyl-benzene. The pain in mice caused by acetic acid and hot plate were evidently suppressed by the petroleum ether extract. CONCLUSION: The petroleum ether extract of Holotrichia diomphalia has obvious anti-inflammation and analgesic effects.

Effects of exposure to physical factors on homeopathic preparations as determined by ultraviolet light spectroscopy.

Clinical trials have reported statistically significant and clinically relevant effects of homeopathic preparations. We applied ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy to investigate the physical properties of homeopathic preparations and to contribute to an understanding of the not-yet-identified mode of action. In previous investigations, homeopathic preparations had significantly lower UV light transmissions than controls. The aim of this study was to explore the possible effects of external factors (UV light and temperature) on the homeopathic preparations. Homeopathic centesimal (c) dilutions, 1c to 30c, of copper sulfate (CuSO(4)), decimal dilutions of sulfur (S(8)), 1x to 30x, and controls (succussed potentization medium) were prepared, randomized, and blinded. UV transmission was measured at six different time points after preparation (from 4 to 256 days). In addition, one series of samples was exposed to UV light of a sterilization lamp for 12 h, one was incubated at 37 degrees Celsius for 24 h, and one was heated to 90 degrees Celsius for 15 min. UV light transmission values from 190 or 220 nm to 340 nm were measured several times and averaged. After each exposure, UV transmission of the homeopathic preparations of CuSO(4) was significantly reduced compared to the controls, particularly after heating to 37 degrees Celsius. Overall, the nonexposed CuSO(4) preparations did not show significantly lower UV transmission compared to controls; however, the pooled subgroup of measurements at days 26, 33, and 110 yielded significant differences. UV light transmission for S(8) preparations did not show any differences compared to controls. Our conclusion is that exposure to external factors, incubation at 37 degrees Celsius in particular, increases the difference in light transmission of homeopathic CuSO(4) preparations compared to controls.

Concentrations of the Opium Alkaloids Morphine, Codeine, and Thebaine in Poppy Seeds are Reduced after Thermal and Washing Treatments but are Not Affected when Incorporated in a Model Baked Product.

Limited information exists on the effectiveness of potential treatments to reduce levels of opium alkaloids that may be present in seeds from poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). Poppy seeds containing morphine at relatively lower (14.7 mg kg-1) and higher (210.0 mg kg-1) concentrations were subjected to dry heat and steam treatments, water washing, and baking. Sample extracts were then analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the opium alkaloids morphine, codeine, and thebaine. The results indicated that thermal treatment promoted opium alkaloid degradation in poppy seed samples, with a 50% loss of morphine observed after 30-40 min at 200 °C. Water washing reduced concentrations of opium alkaloids in poppy seeds by approximately 50-80%, while steam treatment resulted in reduction of morphine in only one sample type. Importantly, baking had no significant effect on concentrations of opium alkaloids. Overall, these results indicate that opium alkaloids may not be significantly affected by baking or steam application and that poppy seeds may require water washing or extended thermal treatment to promote reduction of these compounds.

Aerodynamic Thermal Breakup Droplet Ionization in Mass Spectrometric Drug Analysis.

Aerodynamic thermal breakup droplet ionization (ATBDI) in mass spectrometric drug analysis is considered. Cocaine, heroin, and the main alkaloids of opium (morphine, codeine, papaverine) were chosen as the test compounds. The principles of ATBDI ionization are discussed. The dependences of the intensities of the peaks of the target compounds on temperature during ATBDI ionization are also considered. In some cases, a comparison of ATBDI ionization with electrospray ionization (ESI) was performed. In addition, a comparison of methods is demonstrated by the analysis of confiscated opium that was provided by the local police department. Five major alkaloids are found in opium: morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine, and narcotine.

[Comparison of protein composition and activities of pilose antler processed by different methods].

To elucidate the influence of processing conditions on pilose antlers therapic effects, the protein composition and activities were compared on three kinds of pilose antler processed by lyophilization, freezing and traditional short-time heating, respectively. The concentration of the water soluble protein in freeze-dried pilose antler was 126.54 mg/g (Folin-Phenol assay), which was 13.1 times higher than that of heating processed antler. These proteins distributed widely in SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and the protein band between 50.0 kDa approximately 60.0 kDa achieved the highest concentration. The water extract of freeze-dried antler promoted the proliferation and IGF-I secretion of rat osteogenic-like cell UMR-106 by 245.25% ( MTT assay) and 66.36 ng/ml, which was respectively 2.2 times and 1.2 times of those of heating processed antler. The same candidate inhibited the growth of human hepatic carcinoma cell BEL-7402 by the highest rate of 47.64% , which was 1.4 times of heating processed antler. The activities of frozen fresh pilose antler were lower than those of its freeze-dried counterpart, but were much higher than those of heating processed antler. The results indicated that lyophilization help to remain the activity of pilose antlers proteins as much as possible and improve its efficacy.

[Effect compound decoction on notoginsenosides in Panax notoginseng].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of compound decoction on notoginsenosides in Panax notoginseng. METHOD: Notoginsenoside R1, Rg1, Re, Rb1 and pH were used as the parameters to investigate the changes on the content of notoginsenosides in different compound extractions by heating for two hours and their correlation with pH. RESULT: When the pH values of solution of P. notoginseng with Fructus ligustri, P. notoginseng with Eupolyphaga seu steleophaga, P. notoginseng with Pheretima asiatica, and Zhitangjiang Fang (free of Hirudo) were rept higher than 5.7, the reserved rate (RR) of notoginsenside were higher than 90%; When the pH values of decoetion of P. notoginseng with Salvia miltiorrhiza, P. notoginseng with Paeonia lactiflora, P. notoginseng with Platycodon grandiflorum, P. notoginseng with Arctium lappa were kept 4.5-5.5, their RR of notoginsenside were 60% - 85%; When the pH values of the decotction of P. notoginseng with Hirudo nipponica was decreased to 3.4, its RR of of notoginsenside was 38.4%; When the pH values of Zhitangjiang Fang extraction was regulated by 0.1% NaOH solution to pH 6. 3, and the RR of notoginsenside increased to 97%. CONCLUSION: The pH of other Chinese herbal medicines extraction with P. notoginseng compound is a critical effect on the stability and yields of notoginsensides.

Complementary and alternative medical therapies in fibromyalgia.

This article describes the studies that have been performed evaluating complementary or alternative medical (CAM) therapies for efficacy and some adverse events fibromyalgia (FM). There is no permanent cure for FM; therefore, adequate symptom control should be goal of treatment. Clinicians can choose from a variety of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic modalities. Unfortunately, controlled studies of most current treatments have failed to demonstrate sustained, clinically significant responses. CAM has gained increasing popularity, particularly among individuals with FM for which traditional medicine has generally been ineffective. Some herbal and nutritional supplements (magnesium, S- adenosylmethionine) and massage therapy have the best evidence for effectiveness with FM. Other CAM therapies such as chlorella, biofeedback, relaxation have either been evaluated in only one randomised controlled trials (RCT) with positive results, in multiple RCTs with mixed results (magnet therapies) or have positive results from studies with methodological flaws (homeopathy, botanical oils, balneotherapy, anthocyanidins and dietary modifications). Another CAM therapy such as chiropractic care has neither well-designed studies nor positive results and is not currently recommended for FM treatment. Once CAM therapies have been better evaluated for safety and long-term efficacy in randomised, placebo-controlled trials, they may prove to be beneficial in treatments for FM. It would then be important to assess studies assessing cost-benefit analyses comparing conventional therapies and CAM.

[General situation of the study on the toxicity of Cinnabaris].

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) experienced a gradual course in recognition of the toxicity of Cinnabaris from "nontoxic" to "toxic". The ancient doctors of TCM understood both the toxic property and the regularity of increasing toxicity of Cinnabaris. In long-term clinical practice they developed the methods of detoxification guiding the safe use of Cinnabaris. The toxicity of Cinnabaris is produced by mercury existed in it. Improper administration leading to an acute absorption or chronic accumulation was the main cause of clinical adverse effects. Kidney was the main poisoning target organ. On the other hand, improperly combinative application of Cinnabaris with other drugs of TCM or western medicine could increase the toxicity. Therefore, the crucial approach to avoid the poisoning is to use Cinnabaris properly.

Characterization and identification of 6 mutagens in opium pyrolysates implicated in oesophageal cancer in Iran.

Previous epidemiological studies have indicated an association between the ingestion of opium pyrolysates, dietary deficiencies, and a high incidence of oesophageal cancer in subjects in north-east Iran. Laboratory studies have shown that pyrolysates of opium and particularly of morphine, a major opium alkaloid, are highly mutagenic in bacteria and induce sister-chromatid exchanges in mammalian cells after metabolic activation. We now report the ability of these pyrolysates to transform Syrian hamster embryo cells in culture and present some evidence for their carcinogenicity in mice and hamsters following topical, subcutaneous, intratracheal and intragastric administration. 6 of the most abundant mutagenic compounds present in morphine pyrolysate were isolated and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography and characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and 1H-Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These hitherto unknown compounds, all containing a hydroxy-phenanthrene moiety, were identified as: 3-methyl-3H-naphth[1,2-e]indol-10-ol; 1,2-dihydro-3-methyl-3H-naphth[1,2-e]indol-10-ol; 6-methylaminophenanthren-3-ol; 2-methylphenanthro[3,4-d] [1,3]oxazol-10-ol; 2,3-dimethyl-3H-phenanthro[3,4-d]imidazol-10-ol and 2-methyl-3H-phenanthro[3,4-d]imidazol-10-ol. Mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 of these compounds increased in the order listed, the last compound being 35 times more active than benzo[a]pyrene. The mechanisms, by which these mutagens are formed and metabolically activated are discussed.

Hmong folk remedies: limited acetylation of opium by aspirin and acetaminophen.

The traditional folk medicine of the Hmong and other Southeast Asian refugees has accompanied them during their immigration in this country over the past two decades. In two recent cases involving Hmong defendants, unknown solids, resembling charcoal in consistency and purported to be "backache remedies," were analyzed and found to be complex mixtures of aspirin, acetaminophen, caffeine and partly acetylated opium. In particular, significant amounts of acetylacetaminophen, 3-O-acetylmorphine, 6-O-acetylcodeine, 6-O-acetylmorphine, and heroin were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Heating approximately equal weights of solid opium, aspirin, and acetaminophen at 130 degrees C for several hours produced a mixture of compounds showing a similar acetylation pattern.

Influence of medicinal herbs decocted with different utensils on colony formation of gastric carcinoma cells.

In order to elucidate the different results obtained in cancer patients with similar condition and symptoms treated by the same medicinal herbs, an investigation of the utensils used for making decoctions was carried out. It was found that the decoction made by means of glassware, enamel and earthenware pots had the best effect of inhibiting the colony formation of human gastric carcinoma cells, the next were the decoctions made by means of unrefined iron pots, stainless steel pots and copper pots, and the worst was that made with aluminium pots. It was also found that there was no difference between the water contained in those utensils and normal saline in the influence on the colony formation of human gastric carcinoma cells. Therefore, it is believed that the difference in effect of the decoctions made by means of different kinds of utensils is not due to the trace dissolution of the utensil materials, but is most likely due to the occurrence of some chemical reactions while making the decoction. That the decoctions made by means of different utensils had different peak values in the absorption spectrum also supports this proposition.

[Elimination of poison from Halitum violaceum by processing].

The contents of polysulphides in different forms of Halitum violaceum (unprocessed, processed with vinegar, calcinated and boiled with water) were determined indirectly by UV spectrophotometry. The results showed that the unprocessed forms are higher in the contents of polysulphides while the processed ones have little or no such contents at all. It is thus believed that the poisons can be eliminated from Halitum violaceum by processing, which helps to decrease or eliminate polysulphides and sulphides.

[Studies on the quantitation of trace elements in complex prescription decoctions of ochre and calcined ochre].

The present paper reports the determination of Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn and As in complex prescription decoctions of ochre and calcined ochre by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The experimental result shows that in most complex prescription decoctions the contents of Fe, Mn and As are lower in these with calcined ochre than with ochre. The contents of Zn and Cu are higher in the decoctions with calcined ochre than those with ochre.

[Arsenic contents in native copper].

Determination and comparison of arsenic contents in 11 samples of calcination and pig native copper have been conducted. The results reveal that arsenic contents in pig native copper are about 10 times of those in the calcination samples. Therefore the toxic effect of native copper can be eliminated or reduced.

[Influence of heating degrees on appearance of calcined shell drugs].

The colors, crisp extents and comminution rates of 4 kinds of shell drugs calcined under various conditions were conpared systematically. The appearance alterations of the calcined drugs were closely related to the heating degrees during calcining operation, and the effect of calcining duration was greater than that of calcining temperature.

[Acute toxicity testing (LD50) of Chinese mineral drugs].

Acute toxicity and LD50 of 62 mineral drugs were determined by ig, ip or iv in mice, in order to provide some guidelines for safety in clinical use, as well as for pharmacological and toxicological studies. In the present investigation, the difference in the acute toxicity and LD50 between raw drugs and medicines prepared by roasting is explained.

[Atmosphere pollution by sulfur dioxide during processing of zirantong].

This paper reports the colorimetric determination of total SO2 in Zirantong by the method of rosaniline hydrochlorid. Samper of processed Zirantong from the pharmacy have been analyzed and the quality specifications established. Optimum conditions for processing have been chosen and a procedure has been proposed for the recovery of the poisonous matter SO2 which is then transformed into a beneficial material.

[Influence of processing methods on the solubility of calcium from the Mongolian medicine zhuangxi].

In search of scientific basis for rationalizing the processing method of the Mongolian medicine Zhuangxi comparative tests were effected on the contents of calcium in crude and processed calcium and gypsum rubrum, and on the solubility of calcium in 0.1 mol/L HC1 from the two minerals.

[Analysis and comparison of the chemical composition of two preparations of Chinemys reevesii Gray].

Amino-acids, nitrogen content, soaking extracts, ash contents, trace elements have been systematically determined for the traditional preparation and food-bacteria preparation of Chinemys reevesii. The results have shown that all the analytical targets in food-bacteria preparation are higher than or close to those in traditional preparation. So the food-bacteria preparation is better in quality.