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Home - In Focus Newsletter August 2006 Chinese Herbal Formula
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In Focus Newsletter August 2006 Chinese Herbal Formula |
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Chinese Herbal Combination Proves
to Be as Effective as Corticosteroids
for Asthma without the Side Effects
In a 2005 landmark study researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, the Weifang Asthma Hospital and the Weifang School of Medicine in China, demonstrated the efficacy of an oral combination of three Chinese herbs in alleviating asthma symptoms, without the severe side effects normally associated with corticosteroid and prednisone therapy.
The researchers conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled study, which was published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in September of 2005. The researchers investigated the effects of a combination of three Chinese herbal extracts: Ling-Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum), Ku-Shen (Sophora flavensis) and Gan-Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) (these herbs are also known as Reishi, Shrubby Sophora and Chinese Licorice). For purposes of the study, the herbal combination was named Antiasthma Herbal Medicine Intervention or ASHMI.
ASHMI was developed as a simplified version of a traditional Chinese herbal combination of 14 herbs known as MSSM-002, which the research team previously found to be effective in a mouse model. Prepared by Weifang Pharmaceutical Manufacturing, ASHMI was formulated on the basis of the actions of the individual herbs in MSSM-002, and according to Traditional Chinese Medicine formulation concepts. It is important to note that ASHMI does not contain Ma Huang (ephedra).
The ASHMI 4-week trial involved 91 human subjects with moderate to severe persistent asthma. 46 patients received 12 ASHMI capsules per day, each one containing 0.3 g of dried aqueous extract. The total daily dosage was equivalent to 20 g of raw Ling-Zhi, 9 g of Ku-Shen, and 3 g of Gan-Cao. Patients in this group also received placebo tablets similar in appearance to prednisone, an oral form of the hormone cortisone. The other 46 patients in the placebo group received 20 mg of prednisone per day, and placebo capsules resembling ASHMI.
The researchers measured participants’ lung function, serum cortisol, cytokine and IgE levels, and side effects before and after treatment. While both groups showed a significant improvement in lung function, the effects of prednisone were slightly greater. In both groups, there was a significant and similar reduction in symptom scores and a reduced need for beta-2 bronchodilator therapy.
Although both agents were almost equally effective in treating asthma, the ASHMI group had no adverse effects on adrenal function, and had a beneficial effect on TH1 and TH2 cytokine levels. Fewer patients receiving ASHMI experienced gastric discomfort compared to those receiving prednisone. In addition, the prednisone group showed significant weight gain after four weeks of treatment, while the ASHMI group did not.
The researchers concluded: “Taken together, the findings of this study show that ASHMI is effective and well-tolerated in nonsteroid-dependent patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma.”
The researchers commented that the mechanisms underlying the herbal formula’s remarkable effects are largely unknown, but they are likely a result of the synergistic effects of the complex nature of its constituents.
Senior researcher Dr. Xiu-Min Li commented “This is the first well-controlled study in which an anti-asthma Chinese herbal medicine has been found to be as effective as a corticosteroid drug.” Li added that “additional clinical studies of ASHMI in the United Sates are planned. ASHMI may become an important addition to currently used drugs for asthma.”*
*It is important to note that corticosteroids can be life-saving. Patients considering changing their therapeutic protocol should consult with their healthcare professional.
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Adrenal Effects
Both treatment groups had low pretreatment cortisol levels. After treatment, subjects in the prednisone group showed a significant further reduction in serum cortisol. In contrast, patients in the herbal group showed increased cortisol. This means that the adrenal function of the herbal treatment group appeared to be improved, whereas the adrenal function of the prednisone group appeared to be further reduced. This represents a big advantage of the herbal treatment over the use of corticosteroids.
The lower basal levels of endogenous cortisol in these patients upon entry may have been associated with their asthmatic status and previous use of corticosteroids. Therefore the lowering of serum cortisol from the use of corticosteroids would put patients at greater risk. However, the herbal treatment did not cause a lowering but rather an increase towards more optimal cortisol levels, which is consistent with a healing of adrenal function.
The results of this landmark study may imply that this herbal formula may potentially be used for other conditions that respond to corticosteroids. Although further studies are warranted, this appears to be a very promising agent.
New Study: Single Herb Sophora flavensis Proves Effective
In an article soon to be published in Medical Hypothesis (Broncho-pulmonary hyper-excitability model of asthma pathogenesis: new approach in asthma treatment using excitatory modulator, by Hoang, et al.)*, findings are presented on a single herb included in the formula we have discussed. Sophora flavensis was shown to have very dramatic effects on 14 chronic asthmatics between the ages of 22 and 70. After 2 weeks of therapy with Sophora, patients reported a reduction of daytime asthma symptoms by 65% and nighttime symptoms by 72%. Sophora is a Chinese herb with a long history of traditional use by healthcare practitioners.
The Medical Hypothesis article presents a concept of asthma cause, development and therapy based on a membrane hyperexcitatory model. On the mechanism of action of Sophora, the authors suggest: "We believe that Sophora flavensis works via neutralizing the excessive build-up of glutamate and reducing NMDA sensitivity, which eliminates the most important cause of membrane hyperexcitability."
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New Study: Doubling Asthma Medication May Be Dangerous
Asthma Foundation of Queensland -
Medical guidelines on dealing with asthma attacks may have to be rewritten after researchers discovered that doubling a person's medication does not help and could be dangerous. Queensland researchers tested the common medical practice of doubling an asthmatic's preventative medication during an attack and found in most cases it was not effective. The study, funded by the Asthma Foundation of Queensland, tested lung capacity after using oral steroids, preventative medication and a placebo on separate occasions and in varying amounts. Researchers found taking the double amount of preventative inhaler was as unsuccessful as using a placebo. "Doubling your inhaler was no better than taking a fake puffer," researcher Glenn Rice-McDonald said. He said the research had profound implications for the treatment of asthma. "The current guidelines are now out of date," he said. "And I think it's dangerous because we know that around two-thirds will not get any benefit from doubling inhaler usage and they run the risk of the attack then getting worse."
“Shock rethink on best response” by Johanna Leggatt, May 05, 2006: The Courier News.
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Did You Know?
There are 21 million Americans who have asthma. Six million children suffer from this chronic breathing disease, making it the most common childhood chronic disease in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
3 out of 30 Kids
“If you have a classroom of 30 kids, at least three have been diagnosed with asthma… No one grows out of it. That’s one of the asthma myths… An asthma dormancy may occur. But this means the disease is in remission. There is no cure, but it is controllable. When asthma’s in real control, children should be able to do what any child can do.”
- Cindy Trubisky, Asthma Coalition Director, Rochester, NY
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References:
- Wen MC, Wei CH, Hu ZQ, Srivastava K, Ko J, Xi ST, Mu DZ, Du JB, Li GH, Wallenstein S, Sampson H, Kattan M, Li XM. Efficacy and tolerability of anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention in adult patients with moderate-severe allergic asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005 Sep;116(3):517-24.
- Herbal alternative for asthma shows promise. Link.
- Chinese herbal medicine may help treat asthma. Link
- *Hoang BX, Levine SA, Shaw DG, Pham P. Broncho-pulmonary hyper-excitability model of asthma pathogenesis: new approach in asthma treatment using excitatory modulator. Med Hypothesis. 2006 Jun 22; [Epub ahead of print].
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In Focus on NutriCology®
Editor-in-Chief: Stephen A. Levine, Ph.D.
Managing Editor: Elise Zurlo, CNC
Medical Editor: Jeffry L. Anderson, M.D.
Assistant Editors: Dan Milosevich, CN and Luba Voloshko, Ph.D.
Graphic Design & Layout: Elise Zurlo & Blake Dayton |
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IN FOCUS publishes emerging nutritional science and scientific theories that should not be construed to be conclusive scientific proof of any specific cause, effect, or relationship. The publication is for the educational use of healthcare practitioners and physicians. The articles in the publication are the independent scientific views and theories of the authors. IN FOCUS takes no position on the views and theories expressed but offers them for candid inquiry and debate. The articles are not intended for use in support of the sale of any commercial product and should not be construed as indicative of the use or efficacy of any commercial product. Emerging science and scientific theories do not constitute scientific proof of any specific cause, effect, or relationship. Copyright © 2006. NutriCology®. Special permission is required to reproduce by any manner, in whole or in part, the materials herein contained.
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