Herbal Approach To Treating Addiction 'Effectiveness Needs Formal Assessment'

The use of herbal medicine goes back thousands of years. Although there
have been sporadic claims about its use in the treatment of addictions,
specific evidence of its efficacy is hard to find. With that in mind, an
international expert group was convened to examine issues such as
efficacy, safety, usefulness, toxicity and side effects of the herbal
substances in the treatment of addictions.


This project brought together, for the first time, a group of
international experts to consider a number of areas of interest,
including existing evidence, lessons learnt from herbal medicine in
other health conditions, gaps in knowledge and opportunities for future
development.


Twenty experts attended from ten countries: Brazil, Finland, Germany,
Mexico, India, Hungary, China, Ghana, Vietnam and the UK.


The ICDP issued a report on Herbal Medicine in the treatment of
addictions.


ICDP director Professor Hamid Ghodse said: "Although herbal medicines
have long been used, there is little systematic evidence regarding their
safety and efficacy because of the lack of quality control and an
improper use by consumers, cases of misuse of herbal preparations have
been reported. There is a need to ensure the safety and efficacy of
herbal medicine in general and their use in the treatment of addictions
in particular. The number of countries with regulations on herbal
medicine has increased over the last few years. There might be a place
for the use of herbal medicine in the treatment of addictions, but in
the absence of proper scientific studies the claims for the
effectiveness and above all the safety of such preparations is unjustified"

International Centre for Drug Policy

FDA Warns Consumers To Avoid Man Up Now Capsules

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use Man Up Now capsules, marketed as a dietary supplement for sexual enhancement, because they contain a variation of an active drug ingredient found in Viagra that can dangerously lower blood pressure.



Man Up Now claims to be "herbal" and "all natural," and consumers may mistakenly assume the product is harmless and poses no health risk.



Consumers who have Man Up Now capsules should stop using them immediately. The FDA analyzed Man Up Now and determined that it contains sulfoaildenafil, a chemical similar to sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra. Like sildenafil, this chemical may interact with prescription drugs such as nitrates, including nitroglycerin, and cause dangerously low blood pressure. When blood pressure drops suddenly, the brain is deprived of an adequate blood supply that can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness.



Man Up Now, distributed by Synergy Distribution LLC, is sold on Internet sites, online marketplaces, and possibly in retail outlets in single, double, and triple blister packs, and in six-, 12-, and 30-count capsule bottles.



To date, the FDA is not aware of any adverse events associated with the use of the product. However, sexual enhancement products that claim to work as well as prescription products, but that contain prescription strength drugs, are likely to expose unknowing consumers to unpredictable risks and the potential for injury or death.



The FDA has found many products marketed as dietary supplements for sexual enhancement during the past several years that can be harmful because they contain active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or variations of these ingredients. Sexual enhancement products promising rapid effects such as working in minutes to hours, or long-lasting effects such as 24 hours to 72 hours, are likely to contain ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or variations of those ingredients.



The FDA advises consumers who have experienced any negative side effects from sexual enhancement products to consult a health care professional and to safely discard the product. Consumers and health care professionals should report adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online:


- Complete and submit the report online here.


- Download form , complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form or submit by fax to 800-FDA-0178.

Acupuncture Is Equally Effective With Simulated Needles

Simulated acupuncture sometimes referred to as placebo is just as beneficial as real acupuncture for treating nausea in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, according to a study from Karolinska Institutet and Link?¶ping University in Sweden. Patients, who received only standard care including medications for nausea, felt significant more nausea than patients in both the acupuncture groups.


"The beneficial effects seem not to come from the traditional acupuncture method, but probably from the patients' positive expectations and the extra care that the treatment entails," says Anna Enblom, physiotherapist and researcher at the Osher Centre for Integrative Medicine at Karolinska Institutet. "The patients communicated with the physiotherapists administering the acupuncture, received tactile stimulation and were given extra time for rest and relaxation."


The study, which is published in the scientific journal PLoS ONE, included 277 patients at Link?¶ping and Lund university hospitals and Karolinska University Hospital in Solna, all of whom were undergoing radiotherapy of the abdomen or pelvic region for cancer. A selection of 215 patients from this group, were blindly assigned traditional or simulated acupuncture. The former group (109 patients) had needles inserted into their skin to stimulate certain points, and the latter (106 patients) had blunt telescopic placebo needles merely pressed against the skin. The acupuncture patients were then compared with 62 patients who had only received the standard care regime with medications for nausea and no acupuncture.


The results show that the patients who had received genuine or simulated acupuncture felt much less nauseous than those who had received standard care only. Of the patients who had had some form of acupuncture, only 37 felt nausea and seven per cent vomited, compared with 63 per cent and 15 per cent of the standard care group. However, no differences were observed between the two acupuncture groups, despite the fact that the placebo needle was applied to the skin for a total of only two minutes during the entire five-week treatment period.


The patients' expectations seemed to be important for the effect: 81 per cent of those who expected to feel ill did so, in contrast to only 50 per cent of those who did not.


"It's important to remember that the effects of the treatment are valuable to the patients, even if they can be said to have been caused by unspecific factors, such as the manner in which the patients were taken care of and their positive expectations," says Dr Enblom. "So our next step is to study which part of the acupuncture procedure actually are of importance, to make possible the use of those components to further increase quality of care."


The published study also formed a part of Dr Enblom's previously published doctoral thesis from Link?¶ping University.


Sources: Karolinska Institutet, AlphaGalileo Foundation.

M. D. Anderson's Cohen Honored For Contributions To Traditional Chinese Medicine

Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., Director of the Integrative Medicine Program at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is the recipient of the 2007 International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Award of Shanghai Municipality (ISTCASM) and the 2008 Magnolia Memorial Award for his contributions in furthering research into the use of traditional Chinese medicine in cancer therapies.



The prestigious awards, established by the Shanghai Municipality People's Government, recognize individuals and international organizations that make outstanding contributions to the city. The ISTCASM award has been presented since 2006 to those who advance scientific and technological development in Shanghai. The Magnolia Memorial Award, named after the city's official flower, was created by the municipal government in 1989 to show appreciation to expatriates who live in Shanghai and contribute to the city's economic performance, international relations, business environment, management standards and community development. Cohen was selected based on the merit of his scientific collaboration with faculty from Fudan University Cancer Hospital in Shanghai.



Cohen and his M. D. Anderson colleagues have worked closely with researchers in the Department of Integrative Oncology at Fudan University Cancer Hospital over the past five years, and in 2005 the teams were awarded a $2.15 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to expand ongoing laboratory and clinical research studies of herbal and natural-based products as sources for new cancer therapies. M. D. Anderson and Fudan University Cancer Hospital signed a sister-institution agreement in 2003 that formalized a framework for educational, clinical and research exchange programs.



"I am extremely honored to accept these awards and extend my deep appreciation to my colleagues at Fudan University and the city of Shanghai for making this partnership possible," said Cohen. "Together, we continue to make important strides in understanding traditional Chinese medicine and its potential to advance the science of cancer research and patient care."



According to Luming Liu, M. D., chair and Zhiqiang Meng, deputy-chair of the Department of Integrative Medicine at Fudan University Cancer Hospital, the ongoing collaboration with Cohen and M. D. Anderson has opened multiple avenues for research training. Currently faculty and staff from both institutions are supporting the collaboration through work on several research projects.



Joint clinical studies currently underway include examining the ability of HuaChanSu (a form of dried toad venom) to treat advanced pancreatic, liver and lung cancer. Energy-based practices such as qigong are also being investigated as a way to promote relaxation among breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.
















"Dr. Cohen and the researchers in Shanghai have championed a 21st century research program dedicated to studying the mainstays of traditional Chinese medicine and its application to cancer," said John Mendelsohn, M.D., president of M. D. Anderson. "Their continued work in this area exemplifies our commitment to the exchange of knowledge across continents to benefit cancer research and treatment."



Traditional Chinese medicine dates back up to 5,000 years ago and in China is accepted as standard of care. The majority of chemotherapies used today originated from natural plants and many popular drugs, such as morphine and aspirin were derived from plants, according to Cohen.



At M. D. Anderson, Cohen said that over 50 percent of patients report that they use ingestible complementary therapies. "Growing numbers of patients globally are integrating complementary therapies into their cancer care, especially cancer survivors who are looking to Eastern medicine to manage side effects and even prevent recurrence," Cohen said. "It is important for medical teams to understand fully the potential benefits, risks and safety precautions associated with therapies such as traditional Chinese medicine, as we would any regimen."



Director of the Shanghai Ministry of Science and Technology of Shanghai, Shou Ziqi, presented the awards to Cohen in an official ceremony in Shanghai last week. Dutch horticulturist Co Buschman was also honored for his work with Sino-Dutch agricultural projects in Shanghai since 1997.



Notes:



About M. D. Anderson



The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston ranks as one of the world's most respected centers focused on cancer patient care, research, education and prevention. M. D. Anderson is one of only 41 Comprehensive Cancer Centers designated by the National Cancer Institute. For four of the past six years, M. D. Anderson has ranked No. 1 in cancer care in "America's Best Hospitals," a survey published annually in U.S. News and World Report.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome May Be Relieved By Acupuncture

Polycystic ovary syndrome, a common condition among women, can be relieved by the use of acupuncture and exercise. This has been shown by a recent study at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.



Nearly 10% of women of reproductive age have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The syndrome expresses itself as a large number of small immature cysts on the ovaries that cause a disturbance in the production of hormones and an increase in the secretion of the male sex hormone. This means that many women with the condition do not ovulate normally, and the syndrome may lead to infertility. The women run an increased risk of becoming obese, developing type 2 diabetes, or developing cardio-vascular disease.



"We do not know for certain what causes the condition, despite it being so common. We have seen that women with the syndrome often have high activity in that part of the nervous system that we cannot consciously control, known as the "sympathetic nervous system". We believe that this may be an important underlying factor in the syndrome", says Elisabet Stener-Victorin, who has led the research at the Sahlgrenska Academy.



During the study, one group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome received acupuncture regularly for four months. They received a type of acupuncture known as "electro-acupuncture", in which the needles are stimulated with a weak low-frequency electric current, similar to that developed during muscular work. A second group of women were provided with heart rate monitors and instructed to exercise at least three times a week. A control group was informed about the importance of exercise and a healthy diet, but was given no other specific instructions.



The study showed that activity in the sympathetic nervous system was lower in the women who received acupuncture and in those who took regular exercise than it was in the control group. The acupuncture treatment brought further benefits.



"Those who received acupuncture found that their menstruation became more normal. We could also see that their levels of testosterone became significantly lower, and this is an important observation, since elevated testosterone levels are closely connected with the increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system of women", says Elisabet Stener-Victorin.


Notes:

Journal: American Journal of Physiology - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology


Title of the article: Low-frequency electro-acupuncture and physical exercise decrease high muscle sympathetic nerve activity in polycystic ovary syndrome


Authors: Elisabet Stener-Victorin, Elizabeth Jedel, Per Olof Jansson and Yrsa Bergmann Sverrisdottir

Psoriasis Causes And Symptoms

The cause of psoriasis, which is an inflammatory skin condition, is not fully understood but medical research has come to the conclusion that psoriasis starts with the immune system. We all have T cells (a type of white blood cell) which usually protect us from infection and disease by attacking bacteria and viruses. When we have psoriasis, our T cells attack our skin cells instead. Our body immediately responds by producing more skin cells. This rapid production of new skin cells is an acceleration of the usual replacement process of the skin. A normal skin cell matures in 21 to 28 days but a psoriasis cell will only take 2 to 3 days and the result is an accumulation of dead cells and live cells in visible layers. The final appearance is of raised red patches of skin covered with silvery scales.


Psoriasis is not contagious nor can it be transferred from one part of the body to another. More than 4.5 million people have been diagnosed with psoriasis in the United States alone, with the condition occurring almost equally in males and females. About one third of sufferers have at least one family member with the same condition so there is a genetic link. There are several different types of psoriasis and they can all cause itching and great discomfort. The skin can crack and bleed and the itching can be severe. Fingernails and toenails are frequently affected. The different types of psoriasis are:


-- Plaque psoriasis which is the most common, occurring in about 80% of cases. The patches usually form on the elbows, knees, lower back and scalp.


-- Flexural or inverse psoriasis which is where the condition appears as smooth but inflamed patches of skin in the skin folds, but especially around the genitals, the armpits and under the breasts. It is affected by friction and sweat, and is vulnerable to fungal infections because of its appearance in the skin folds.


-- Guttate psoriasis which causes small red spots on the skin and often over large areas of the body. It is also often associated with strep throat infections.


-- Pustular psoriasis which results in bumps containing non infectious pus surrounded by red skin. This condition sometimes appears in just the hands and feet or otherwise widespread patches on the body.
Nail psoriasis which affects the appearance of fingers and toe nails. There may be discoloring under the nail plates, pitting or lines in the nails, loosening and crumbling of the nail or thickening of the skin underneath the nail.


-- Erythrodermic psoriasis which results in widespread redness, severe itching and considerable pain and discomfort. This form of psoriasis can be fatal as the extreme inflammation and exfoliation affect the body's ability to regulate temperature and for the skin to perform barrier functions.



Other related articles

What is psoriasis? What causes psoriasis?


Diagnosis is usually based on the appearance of the skin while any tests done are more to rule out other disorders. It is important to commence treatment so that the sufferer can return to a more normal way of life. A natural healing product can be helpful here and the scales of psoriasis should improve almost immediately, followed by the affected areas returning to a more normal thickness.


Amoils offers all natural treatments for common conditions and ailments using essential oils.



amoils

Transcendental Meditation Activates Default Mode Network, The Brain's Natural Ground State

A new EEG study conducted on college students at American University found they could more highly activate the default mode network, a suggested natural "ground state" of the brain, during their practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique. This three-month randomized control study is published in a special issue of Cognitive Processing dedicated to the Neuroscience of Meditation and Consciousness, Volume 11, Number 1, February, 2010.



Specifically, the study found the TM technique:
Produces a unique state of "restful alertness," as seen in the markedly higher alpha power in the frontal cortex and lower beta and gamma waves in the same frontal areas during TM practice.


Creates greater alpha coherence between the left and right hemispheres of the brain suggesting the brain is working as a whole.


Enhances an individual's sense of "self" by activating what neuroscientists call the "default mode network" in the brain. (This is considered the natural ground state of the brain, glimpsed by neuroscientists during eyes-closed rest but more fully activated during Transcendental Meditation practice.)

"The finding of significant brain wave differences between students practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique and those simply resting with their eyes closed is especially convincing because subjects were randomly assigned to conditions, and testing was conducted by a researcher unaware of the experimental condition to which the subject had been assigned," said David Haaga, Ph.D., coauthor and professor of psychology at American University.



"Research has already shown that simply closing one's eyes and relaxing increases the default mode. A significant additional finding of this new study is that activity in the default mode increases during TM compared to simple eyes-closed rest," said Fred Travis, Ph.D., lead author and director of the Center for Brain, Consciousness, and Cognition at Maharishi University of Management. "Different meditation techniques entail various degrees of cognitive control. Thus, activation patterns of the default mode network could give insight into the nature of meditation practices."



Previous published research, funded by the NIH, shows TM practice decreases high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, cholesterol, stroke, and heart failure.

Heart Health Boosted By Yoga

Heart rate variability, a sign of a healthy heart, has been shown to be higher in yoga practitioners than in non-practitioners, according to research to be published in a forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics.



The autonomic nervous system regulates the heart rate through two routes - the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The former causes the heart rate to rise, while, the parasympathetic slows it. When working well together, the two ensure that the heart rate is steady but ready to respond to changes caused by eating, the fight or flight response, or arousal.



The ongoing variation of heart rate is known as heart rate variability (HRV), which refers to the beat-to-beat changes in heart rate. In healthy individuals HRV is high whereas cardiac abnormalities lead to a low HRV.



Now, Ramesh Kumar Sunkaria, Vinod Kumar, and Suresh Chandra Saxena of the Electrical Engineering Department, at the Indian Institute of Technology in Roorkee, in Uttrakhand, India, have evaluated two small groups of men in order to see whether yoga practitioners can improve heart health. Anecdotal evidence would suggest that yoga practice may improve health through breathing exercises, stretching, postures, relaxation, and meditation.



The team analyzed the HRV "spectra" of the electrocardiograms (ECG) of forty two healthy male volunteers who are non-yogic practitioners, and forty two who are experienced practitioners, all volunteers were aged between 18 and 48 years.



The spectral analysis of HRV is, the team says, an important tool in exploring heart health and the mechanisms of heart rate regulation. The power represented by various spectral bands in short-term HRV are indicative of how well the heart responds to changes in the body controlled by the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous systems.



The team explains that very low frequency (VLF) variations in the spectra are linked to the body's internal temperature control. Low frequency peaks are associated with the sympathetic control and high frequency with parasympathetic control.



The team concludes that in their preliminary study of 84 volunteers, there is strengthening of parasympathetic (vagal) control in subjects who regularly practice yoga, which is indicative of better autonomic control over heart rate and so a healthier heart.



"A comparative study on spectral parameters of HRV in yogic and non-yogic practitioners" in Int. J. Medical Engineering and Informatics, 2010, 2, 1, 1-14

Acupuncture Is As Effective As Standard Drug Treatments For Migraine

Treatment outcomes for migraine do not differ between patients treated with sham acupuncture, traditional Chinese acupuncture, or standard therapy, according to an Article published online by The Lancet Neurology.



There are several effective drug treatments available for the prophylaxis of migraine. However, despite poor evidence from randomised controlled trials, acunpuncture is the most frquently used preventive therapy for migraine in Germany.



In their Article, Hans-Christoph Diener (University Duisburg-Essen, Germany) and colleagues present the results of the German Acupuncture Trials (GERAC) migraine study. In this prospective, randomised, multicentre, controlled clinical trial they showed that the number of days on which a patient suffered from migraine was significantly reduced after treatment with either acupuncture or standard therapy. However, the improvement was the same whether the patient was treated with a sham acupuncture technique, which was done on areas of the skin in which no traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture points are known; verum acupuncture, which consisted of obligatory needling points and additional points individually chosen by the physicians on the basis of traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis for syndromes; or standard migraine prophylactic treatment.



These results are surprising and, since the underlying mechanisms are unknown, difficult to explain. "Ultimately, one could argue that the efficacy of a treatment, especially a treatment with almost no adverse events or contraindications, is more important than the knowledge of the mechanism of action of this particular therapy", concludes Diener. "The decision whether acupuncture should be used in migraine prevention remains with the treating physician."






Hans-Christoph Diener, Department of Neurology, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr 55, D45122 Essen, Germany. T)+49 201 723 2460/61



Contact: Joe Santangelo

j.santangeloelsevier

Lancet

Mild Asthma Patients Can Improve Lung Function With Treatment

Patients with very mild or well-controlled asthma can significantly
improve day-to-day lung function if regularly treated with low dose
inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), according to a new study published in Primary
Care Respiratory
Journal. The study was conducted by researchers at the
Woolcock Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, Australia.



Asthma is a respiratory condition in which the airway constricts,
become inflamed, and is lined with excessive amounts of mucous. Inhaled
corticosteroids that suppress inflammation and reduce the swelling of
the airway lining are commonly prescribed to help prevent asthma. The
Australian researchers conducted a study over an 11 month period in
order to compare the effects of ICS and placebo on asthma control in
mild asthmatics.



The results of the randomized, double-blind placebo study showed
significant and clinically important treatment benefits of ICS
on several markers. These include lung function, airway
hyperresponsiveness and
exhaled nitric oxide - all predictors of exacerbation (asthma attack)
risk and other adverse outcomes. Currently asthma treatment is based on
controlling symptoms, but it does not recommend ICS treatment if
patients only have symptoms two days a week or less. The authors
suggest that the results of this study lead to questions about the
appropriate treatment and prevention strategies.



Further, results indicated that contrary to common beliefs about mild
asthma, there is no "ceiling" effect for lung function. For patients
whose lung function is over 90% of predicted normal value, there may be
room for improvement if treated.



"While we're not advocating that every patient with mild asthma should
be on preventer medication, the study shows that when we are discussing
the risks and benefits of treatment with these patients, we should talk
about their risk of future exacerbations as well as whether they will
notice any difference in their current symptoms," writes research
leader Assoc. Prof. Helen Reddel.



Study participants who received placebo were almost 3 times as more
likely to experience a mild exacerbation.



Reddel comments that: "In recent years the emphasis in asthma treatment
has been on how well
a patient's symptoms are controlled." In this study, the patients had
asthma that was so mild "with symptoms
once a week or less, that they themselves didn't see any benefit in
regular preventer treatment."



"However for those participants receiving ICS during the study, their
lung function was better, they had less airway inflammation and less
airway twitchiness. All of these things are predictors of reduction in
risk of future adverse outcomes." Although the sample size was small,
the authors were able to get
measurements of airway twitchiness, airway inflammation and daily
spirometry. These data are useful in determining future risk and are
often not easily obtainable in larger groups.



Does continuous use of inhaled corticosteroids improve
outcomes in mild asthma? A double-blind randomised controlled trial

Helen K Reddel, Elena G Belousova, Guy B Marks, Christine R
Jenkins

Primary Care Respiratory Journal. (2008).
17(1):39-45.

doi: 10.3132/pcrj.2008.00014

Click
Here to View Abstract



Written by: Peter M Crosta

Ginseng, Ginko Biloba At Recommended Doses Do Not Interfere With Drug Absorption

Recent findings that the widely-used herbal supplement Saint John's wort could dramatically affect the absorption and metabolism of many prescription and non-prescription drugs raised concerns that other popular herbal supplements might cause similar changes, thus significantly altering drugs' therapeutic or toxic effects.



What, for example, about ginseng and ginkgo biloba, two of the most widely used herbal supplements in this and other countries?



Speaking at Experimental Biology 2007, University of Kansas Medical Center scientist Dr. Gregory Reed reports a study that found daily use of ginseng or ginkgo biloba supplements at the recommended doses, or the combination of both supplements, are unlikely to alter the pharmacokinetics - by which drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body - of the majority of prescription or over-the counter drugs. Dr. Reed's presentation was part of the scientific program of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.



The research team, led by Dr. Reed and the late Dr. Aryeh Hurwitz, recruited 72 healthy non-smoking adults (31 men and 41 women, ages 20 to 59) who were not taking any prescription drugs or dietary supplements. The participants were given a "cocktail" of five drugs, each drug in the cocktail chosen because it provides a measure of the activity of a key drug metabolism pathway. Taken together, the five drugs in the cocktail provide measurements of the pathways that determine the pharmacokinetics of over 90 percent of prescription drugs. The scientists then measured the presence of these drugs or their metabolites in each subject's blood and urine in order to establish a baseline for how each individual absorbed and metabolized the different prescription drugs in the absence of herbal supplements.



The 72 individuals next were randomly assigned to one of four groups. For four weeks, the first group received a ginseng supplement and a placebo for ginkgo biloba; the second received ginkgo biloba and a placebo for ginseng; the third received both ginseng and ginkgo biloba supplements; and the fourth received placebos for both supplements. The prescription drug cocktail was again administered and blood and urine samples taken in order to determine the absorption and metabolism of these drugs in the presence of either or both of the herbal supplements.



The scientists found no significant differences between those who received one, both, or none of the ginseng and ginkgo biloba supplements in how their bodies absorbed or metabolized any of the five prescription drugs. This suggests, says Dr. Reed, that neither ginseng nor ginkgo biloba will affect the pharmacokinetics of the majority of prescription or over-the counter drugs. He does note, however, that the team did not investigate any possible effects of the herbal supplements on pharmacodynamic interactions: the way drugs produce desired therapeutic effects or cause adverse side effects. The possibility of these pharmacodynamic, as opposed to pharmacokinetic, interactions remains to be investigated.






Studies in Dr. Reed's laboratory continue with an examination of the effects of Saint John's wort on pharmacokinetics of prescription and non prescription drugs and the role of an individual's genetic makeup in determining the magnitude of the herbal supplement's effects. This work was supported by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the National Institutes of Health.



Contact: Sylvia Wrobel


Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology

Complementary Veterinary Medicine-Acupuncture And Chiropractic-Discussed At 2009 AVMA Convention

The earliest known writings about herbal medicines date back to 2800 B.C. in China, but while many complementary modalities may not be new, their application in veterinary medicine is still novel to many Americans.


The 146th Annual American Veterinary Medical Association Convention in Seattle July 11-14 offers many educational programs about a wide array of complementary care techniques, from acupuncture to chiropractic.


Dr. William L. Ormston, owner of Jubilee Animal Chiropractic, presents a series of lectures on Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12, beginning with Benefit of Chiropractic for Horses. Dr. Ormston said that his programs introduce the novice to this modality but also updates experienced practitioners.


In his practice, Dr. Ormston said that he's used chiropractic care to extend the lives of animal, lengthen the working lives of animal athletes, and to relieve pain and paralysis in a diverse array of animals. The most exotic animal he's treated was a giraffe in a petting zoo.


"I treated a barrel racing horse that they were ready to retire, but we were able to improve its time by more than a second," Dr. Ormston says. "Not only was the horse able to compete for another two years, but it was winning. In fact, the horse retired recently only because its rider became pregnant. We've been able to keep a lot of horses from becoming pasture ornaments at an early age."


His practice includes many animal athletes, including the world's fastest flyball dog, as well as the world's fastest flyball pair, and a number of agility dogs that are competing at the international level. One of his favorite accomplishments, though, is a 75 percent success rate in relieving paralysis due to spinal problems in dachshunds. These are dogs that would have likely faced surgery without his care.


Dr. Ornston says that through his lectures he really wants to educate veterinarians about how chiropractic care works so that they can best apply it in their own practices. Chiropractic veterinary care does not replace traditional veterinary care. Like all complementary modalities, it serves as a complement to traditional veterinary care. In the case of chiropractic care, Dr. Ormston says that it treats the nervous system housed in the spinal column.


"Most people think you go to the chiropractor to get your bones cracked," he explains. "Yes, we do adjust the spine, but that has an impact on the nervous system."


Dr. Patti Schaefer, owner of Canisport Veterinary Services in Washington State, will be speaking on holistic medicine in during her lecture Holistic Approach to the Canine Athlete. She uses nutrition, acupuncture, stem cell therapy, rehabilitation work, chiropractic medicine and other forms of complementary care to help bring out the best in the canine athletes she works with.















"A lot of people look at holistic medicine as being the alternative, but I look at it as all encompassing. We will do whatever is needed and we will look at the whole dog to keep that dog in top shape," she explains. "We are not just examining a body part that might be having trouble, but the whole dog."


During her career, she says that she's seen complementary veterinary medicine gain a great deal of popularity and respect from fellow veterinarians.


"I know when I started doing acupuncture in the mid-90s there was a lot of people who didn't understand how it worked or helped, but now that we've seen successes there are a lot of veterinarians who want to learn more about it to try to help their clients," Dr. Schaefer says. "I have a lot of clients who have gone for acupuncture for themselves after they've seen how much it has helped their pets."


Dr. Deborah Mitchell, of Knollwood Hospital for Pets in the Chicago area, will teach veterinarians the history of acupuncture and Chinese medicine during a number of lectures she will be giving on the issue from 8 to 11 a.m. on July 14, beginning with Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine Veterinary Acupuncture. Her presentation will be followed by afternoon wet labs that include demonstrations of acupuncture techniques using live animals.


Dr. Mitchell says that veterinary acupuncture has been slow to become poplar in America. The earliest written documentation about veterinary acupuncture dates to 3000 B.C. in the form of an Indian treatise on elephant acupuncture. But the first American textbook on veterinary acupuncture wasn't published until 1994. In 1995, the Student AVMA annual meeting included lectures on veterinary acupuncture, and since then, the practice of acupuncture has taken off in the United States, she says.


Dr. Mitchell says that she accepts acupuncture patients on a referral basis only, meaning that all her acupuncture clients are already involved in a traditional course of veterinary treatment. Her most common patients include those with inoperable tumors, neurologic problems, chronic wounds and chronic pain.


"About half of my patients come to me on referral from local veterinarians, with the remainder coming from large specialty practices," she explains. "Many are senior patients with multiple health challenges who have not responded well to traditional therapeutic approaches. Others are patients with painful arthritis and spinal disease, chronic skin disease, liver and kidney disease, and cancers that are not amenable to surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy."

Source
American Veterinary Medical Association

Use Of DHA Fish Oil Capsules Does Not Decrease Postpartum Depression In Mothers Or Improve Cognitive Or Language Development Of Offspring

In contrast to the findings of some studies and the recommendations that pregnant women increase their intake of fish oil via dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) because of the possible benefits, a randomized trial that included more than 2,000 women finds that use of DHA supplements did not result in lower levels of postpartum depression in mothers or improved cognitive and language development in their offspring during early childhood, according to a study in the October 20 issue of JAMA.



"Epidemiological investigations from the United States and Europe demonstrate that higher intakes of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) from fish and seafood during pregnancy are associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms in the postnatal period, as well as improved developmental outcomes in the offspring," the authors write. "However, n-3 LCPUFA intervention trials in human pregnancy have reported mixed results and have not been conclusive largely because of methodological limitations." The researchers add that trials focused on the developmental outcomes of children had high attrition rates and were not large in size.



"Despite the paucity of evidence, recommendations exist to increase intake of DHA in pregnancy, and the nutritional supplement industry successfully markets prenatal supplements with DHA to optimize brain function of mother and infant. Before DHA supplementation in pregnancy becomes widespread, it is important to know not only if there are benefits, but also of any risks for either the mother or child," the authors state.



Maria Makrides, B.Sc., B.N.D., Ph.D., of the Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia and colleagues conducted a multicenter, randomized controlled trial to assess whether DHA supplementation during the last half of pregnancy reduced the risk of depressed maternal mood during the postpartum period and improved early cognitive development in offspring. The study, conducted in 5 Australian maternity hospitals, included 2,399 women with gestation of less than 21 weeks and who were recruited between October 2005 and January 2008. Follow-up of children (n = 726) was completed December 2009. Women received DHA-rich fish oil capsules (providing 800 mg/d of DHA) or matched vegetable oil capsules without DHA from study entry to birth. Of the 2,399 women enrolled, 96.7 percent completed the trial.



Levels of depression in mothers was measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; cognitive and language development in children was assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development.



The researchers found that the percentage of women reporting high levels of depressive symptoms during the first 6 months postpartum did not differ between the DHA and control groups (9.67 percent vs. 11.19 percent). The percentage of women with a new medical diagnosis for depression during the trial or a diagnosis requiring treatment also did not differ between groups.



Also, average cognitive scores of children from women allocated to the DHA group did not differ from average scores of children of women from the control group; and overall, average language scores did not differ between groups. Other developmental outcomes, such as motor development and social-emotional behavior, did not differ between groups overall.



"Current recommendations suggest that pregnant women increase their dietary DHA to improve their health outcomes as well as those of their children. Such recommendations are increasingly being adopted with women taking prenatal supplements with DHA," the authors write. "However, the results of [this trial] do not support routine DHA supplementation for pregnant women to reduce depressive symptoms or to improve cognitive or language outcomes in early childhood."



"Our results are at odds with the results of some large-scale epidemiological studies. It may be that even well-conducted epidemiological studies overestimate effect size and do not adequately deal with residual confounding, or that other nutrients in fish and seafood, beyond DHA, contribute to the observations from epidemiological studies. Further studies are required to determine whether there are specific benefits of DHA supplementation for women with a previous history of depression and for women at risk of preterm birth."



JAMA. 2010;304[15]:1675-1683.

Important Medication Information Often Not Communicated By Physicians

Physicians prescribing new medication often do not communicate to patients important details, such as potential side effects, how long or how often to take the drug or the specific name of the medication, according to an article in the September 25 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.



Almost half of all Americans take at least one prescription drug, and half of older adults take three or more, according to background information in the article. Taking medications properly is essential in ensuring their effectiveness. However, patients often do not adhere to prescribed therapies, which can lead to worsening disease, failure of the treatment, adverse effects, drug overdose, unnecessary hospitalization and higher health care costs. "Patients who report better general physician communication, better explanations about how to take their medications and more medication information are more adherent," the authors write. "One-on-one educational interventions can improve patient adherence and health outcomes."



Derjung M. Tarn, M.D., Ph.D., of the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, and colleagues assessed communication by physicians prescribing new medications in 185 outpatient visits with 44 physicians in 1999. Patients were called one to two days prior to their appointments at one of two health care systems in Sacramento, Calif. Their encounters with the physicians were then audiotaped and transcribed, and physicians identified those at which new medications were prescribed. The researchers coded the transcripts for the type of communication that occurred, based on five key recommended elements: the name of the medication, the purpose or justification for taking it, the duration of use, adverse effects and the number of tablets or sprays plus the frequency or timing of ingestion.



A total of 243 new medications were prescribed at visits monitored during the study, including 46 cardiovascular medications; 42 ear, nose and throat preparations; 35 analgesics (pain-relieving drugs); 35 antibiotics; 21 dermatologic creams; 21 psychiatric medications; and 11 pulmonary medications. Overall, physicians communicated an average of 3.1 of the five essential elements, indicating that 62 percent of the necessary information was conveyed. Physicians used the specific name for 74 percent of new prescriptions, explained the purpose for 87 percent and discussed adverse effects for 35 percent. Thirty-four percent of the encounters included instructions on how long to take the drug, 55 percent on the number of tablets to take and 58 percent on the frequency or timing of dosing.



"This study demonstrates spotty physician counseling about new medication prescriptions," the authors write. "Although physicians educated patients more about psychiatric and analgesic medications, the overall quality of communication was poor even for these medication types and could contribute to patient misunderstandings about how and why to take their new medications. Physicians conveyed full medication dosing directions for less than 60 percent of all medications and informed patients about duration of intake and adverse effects or adverse events only approximately one-third of the time."



Patients receiving incomplete instructions may be less likely to take their medication properly, in part because they do not understand how to do so, they conclude. However, patients often get medication information from pharmacists and other sources, and there may be trade-offs involved to asking physicians to provide more detailed communication. "More research is needed to investigate how much time physicians spend educating patients about new medications and whether better communication is associated with more appropriate patient medication use and health outcomes," they write.



(Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:1855-1862.)







Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.



Contact: Enrique Rivero

JAMA and Archives Journals

Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, New Edition Available

Christian Medical Association is pleased to announce their latest "Medically Reliable and Biblically Sound" publication Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook Updated and Expanded, (Zondervan, 2007) written by D??nal O'Math??na, PhD and Walt Larimore, MD.


"A much-needed resource for the consumer as well as healthcare providers. The use of alternative medicine is increasing particularly among Christians. Over $4 billion is now spent annually in the United States on herbal remedies. This unique resource is an invaluable tool in sifting through the go! od, the bad and the ugly of alternative and complementary medicine," says David Stevens, MD, CEO of the 17,000 member faith-based organization, Christian Medical Association. "If the Church ever needed a trusted voice on health issues - we need it now."


In a CMA member survey, an evidence-based, faith-based resource on alternative medicine was by far the most sought-after resource.



"This area of medicine is hampered by unclear information and contradictory claims. Decisions to use any therapy or remedy should be based on the best evidence available. The book provides that evidence in ways that those without professional training can grasp. As the same time, enough details are given to make the book useful for health care professionals," notes co-author D??nal O'Math??na, PhD.



Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook was one of the first comprehensive guidebooks to nontraditional medicine written from a distinctively Christian perspective. The updated and expanded edition discusses the latest developments in alternative medicine combining the most current research with an easy-to-use format. This book reviews over one hundred therapies, remedies and supplements, explaining the available research on each approach. In addition they examine, where relevant, the spiritual beliefs underlying certain therapies and look at them in light of traditional Christian values. The problems of quackery and fraud are discussed, and tips given on how to avoid them. The role of faith and prayer in health and well-being is! also examined, along with new research on these topics. The book is divided into three main divisions: Evaluating Alternative Medicine; Alternative Therapies; and Herbal Remedies, Vitamins, and Dietary Supplements.



University lecturer and researcher D??nal O'Math??na, PhD, and national medical authority, Walt Larimore, MD, provide detailed and balanced answers to your most pressing questions about alternative medicine - and to other questions you wouldn't have thought to ask.


To schedule an interview with the authors, please contact Margie Shealy at (423) 844-1047 or by e-mail: margie.shealycmda. To order Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook or other helpful resources, call 888-231-2637. Additional information on health and bioethical issues can be found online at cmda.

Push For Complementary Medicines To Be In All Medical, Pharmacy Curricula, Australia

The National Prescribing Service (NPS) welcomes calls for improved complementary and alternate medicine training in universities and says all health professionals have a responsibility to ensure these products are used safely.


Speaking at the annual scientific meeting of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine in Melbourne, Dr Lesley Braun said health professionals need better training at university about complementary medicines and their interactions with conventional drugs, and to make an effort to stay informed.


Research conducted by NPS last year into the complementary medicine information needs and uses found a number of issues relating to the transfer of information between health professionals and consumers.


"Most complementary medicine users are self-prescribing without understanding the implications of what they are taking, and in a number of cases, they aren't using the products in the way they are intended," NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said.


"At best, this may mean consumers aren't getting the maximum benefit from the complementary medicine. At worst, they may be putting their health at risk."


While half the consumers surveyed admitted to not telling their doctor or pharmacist they were taking complementary medicines, many health professionals said they often didn't ask because they weren't confident discussing these medicines with patients.


"A number of practising health professionals may not have received formal training about these medicines at university but the information is continuously changing so it's up to each individual to keep informed," Dr Weekes said.


A second piece of research conducted by NPS, Mater Health Services Brisbane, Bond University and the University of Queensland between June and November 2008 identified and ranked the most useful complementary medicine information sources available to health professionals.


Both studies noted the need for a centralised data point that includes accurate, independent information about adverse effects, interactions with other medicines, contraindications and clinical evidence.


"Between the growing rate of complementary medicine use, the prevalence of chronic diseases and the rising number of people being hospitalised for adverse events, it's vital today's medical and pharmacy students gain a comprehensive understanding of safe medicines use and have ongoing access to accurate information," Dr Weekes said.



Source
The National Prescribing Service

NPA Certifies First Natural Home Care Ingredient

The Natural Products Association (NPA) granted its first certification for an ingredient in the home care category to DuPont Tate & Lyle BioProducts for its Zemea® propanediol, a natural solvent, making it the first home care ingredient to be certified as natural under the organization's Natural Home Care Standard and Certification program.


The "natural" designation means that the NPA and an independent third-party auditor have reviewed the ingredient and determined that it meets the organization's rigorous guidelines. Under the Natural Standard program, certified ingredients must be 100 percent natural - raw materials must be sourced from a renewable resource found in nature (flora, fauna, mineral), with absolutely no petroleum compounds, and processed within the association's list of allowed processes.


Until the NPA launched its home care product standard in February 2010, there was no independent certification program in place focused exclusively on verification of natural home care products and ingredients. Now, the NPA's easily identifiable seal will help consumers find home care products that meet its high standard of "natural."


With NPA ingredient certification, manufacturers can now use Zemea® propanediol and know the ingredient has already been evaluated and approved for use in natural home care products. NPA also has certified more than 160 natural ingredients for use in natural personal care products.


The full set of criteria and a list of certified products can be found on the NPA website NPA website.

Colorado Company To Sell Medical Food Products Based On Wake Forest Discovery

A Colorado-based company is launching a line of "medical- food" products for the dietary management of asthma, eczema and other allergic conditions based on discoveries by Floyd H. "Ski" Chilton, Ph.D., of Wake Forest University Health Sciences (WFUHS).



Chilton's discoveries originally led to the founding of a company called Pilot Therapeutics. Now Pilot Therapeutics and WFUHS have licensed rights to the technology to Efficas Inc. of Boulder, Colo., to allow Efficas to produce and market the therapeutic products, said Michael A. Batalia, Ph.D., director of the Office of Technology Asset Management at Wake Forest.



The EfficasTM Care products are aimed at three health conditions: asthma, eczema and allergy. The Efficas Care line is now available for online purchase.



Research by Chilton, professor of physiology and pharmacology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, focuses on the role that diet or medical foods play in human disease. As the founder of Pilot Therapeutics, he developed an over-the-counter medical food designed to reduce the production of leukotrienes, substances known to play a significant role in asthma and allergy attacks.



"Through our research and clinical trials, we have learned that allergic individuals have a unique dietary need for two fatty acids, GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)," Chilton said. "Our studies also show that increased consumption of these nutrients can inhibit leukotriene production in patients."



The new products contain a patented formula of marine oil and botanical oil (borage seed oil) that contains the optimal amount and ratio of GLA and EPA.



"The new licensing arrangement between Efficas, WFUHS and Pilot Therapeutics will allow both companies to advance new technology," Batalia said. "Efficas is a well-funded health science and technology development company with the resources to market these new products, and Pilot Therapeutics now can move on to other product developments."



Besides founding Pilot Therapeutics, Chilton is also director of a WFUHS research program studying dietary supplements, one of five in the country. The program is supported by a $7.5 million grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the Office of Dietary Supplements.



The Wake Forest program is a partnership with Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and is known as the Wake Forest and Brigham and Women's Program for Botanical Lipids. Botanicals are plant-based dietary ingredients. One of the four main research projects focuses on how borage, marine and echium oils reduce inflammatory messengers that cause diseases such as asthma and arthritis. (Echium oil is a natural vegetable oil rich in short-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that are converted by humans to the fat equivalent of fish oil.)



Efficas, Inc. is a Boulder-based health science and technology development company "committed to developing science-based products for the nutritional management of the immune system both for humans and pets," according to a company news release.



Efficas has received funding from Life Science Partners BioVentures, Burrill and Company, Great Spirit Ventures, Unilever Technology Ventures, JP Morgan Bay Area Equity Fund and Prolog Ventures



"Immune-related conditions affect millions of people and we believe leukotriene-inhibiting technology holds great promise for improved quality of life for these individuals," said Mark Braman, chief executive officer of Efficas.



"Marketing first via the Web allows us to efficiently reach out to the millions of proactive consumers who are seeking information and alternative treatments online," Braman said. "We will follow with specialty and natural retail distribution, then mass retail distribution to make our products more easily accessible to the broader population."






Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center is an academic health system comprised of North Carolina Baptist Hospital and Wake Forest University Health Sciences, which operates the university's School of Medicine and its other related enterprises including the Piedmont Triad Research Park. The Medical School is ranked 4th in the Southeastern United States in revenues from its licensed intellectual property.



Contact: Robert Conn


Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center

Real And Simulated Acupuncture Appear More Effective Than Usual Care For Back Pain

Three types of acupuncture therapy-an individually tailored program, standard therapy and a simulation involving toothpicks at key acupuncture points-appear more effective than usual care for chronic low back pain, according to a report in the May 11 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.



Back pain costs Americans at least $37 billion annually, according to background information in the article. Many patients with this condition are unsatisfied with traditional medical care and seek help from complementary and alternative care providers, including acupuncturists. "Back pain is the leading reason for visits to licensed acupuncturists, and medical acupuncturists consider acupuncture an effective treatment for back pain," the authors write.



Several recent studies have suggested that simulated acupuncture, or shallow needling on parts of the body not considered key acupuncture points, appear as effective as acupuncture involving penetrating the skin. To expand on these results, Daniel C. Cherkin, Ph.D., of Group Health Center for Health Studies, Seattle, and colleagues compared four different types of treatment in a randomized clinical trial involving 638 adults (average age 47) with chronic low back pain at Group Health in Seattle and Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Oakland.



During the seven-week treatment period, 157 participants received 10 acupuncture treatments in a manner individually prescribed by a diagnostic acupuncturist; 158 underwent a standardized course of acupuncture treatments considered effective by experts for low back pain; 162 received 10 sessions of simulated acupuncture, in which practitioners used a toothpick inside of an acupuncture needle guide tube to mimic the insertion, stimulation and removal of needles; and 161 received usual care. Participants reported changes in their symptoms and in the amount of dysfunction caused by their back pain by phone after eight, 26 and 52 weeks.



"Compared with usual care, individualized acupuncture, standardized acupuncture and simulated acupuncture had beneficial and persisting effects on chronic back pain," the authors write. At the eight-week follow-up, 60 percent of the participants receiving any type of acupuncture (individualized, standardized or simulated) experienced a clinically meaningful improvement in their level of functioning, compared with 39 percent of those receiving usual care. At the one-year follow-up, 59 percent to 65 percent of those in the acupuncture groups experienced an improvement in function compared with 50 percent of the usual care group.



Several possible explanations exist for the effectiveness of simulated acupuncture, the authors note. Superficial stimulation of acupuncture points may directly stimulate physiological processes that result in reduced pain and improved function. Alternatively, the improvement may be due to another aspect of the treatment experience, such as interaction with the therapist or a belief that acupuncture will be helpful. "These findings raise questions about acupuncture's purported mechanisms of action," they write. "It remains unclear whether acupuncture or our simulated method of acupuncture provide physiologically important stimulation or represent placebo or non-specific effects."



"Our results have important implications for key stakeholders," they conclude. "For clinicians and patients seeking a relatively safe and effective treatment for a condition for which conventional treatments are often ineffective, various methods of acupuncture point stimulation appear to be reasonable options, even though the mechanism of action remains unclear. Furthermore, the reduction in long-term exposure to the potential adverse effects of medications is an important benefit that may enhance the safety of conventional medical care."



Arch Intern Med. 2009;169[9]:858-866.

Source
Archives of Internal Medicine

Can Stress-Reducing Transcendental Meditation Help CHD Patients Prevent Future Heart Attacks?

The National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute will fund a $1 million collaborative study by the Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management Research Institute and Columbia University Medical Center to determine whether the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique can help patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) prevent future heart attacks, strokes and death.



The 12-week "Randomized Controlled Trial of Stress Reduction in the Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease in African Americans," will be conducted at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. The trial will examine 56 patients who have had a heart attack or bypass surgery, angioplasty, or chronic angina.



"For decades, stress has been implicated in the cause and progression of heart disease," said Robert Schneider, M.D., F.A.C.C., lead author and director of the NIH-funded Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention. "And while standard cardiac rehabilitation usually includes supervised exercise and lifestyle education, it does not usually include a formal stress reduction program.



"Now, for the first time, this study will evaluate whether adding stress reduction through the Transcendental Meditation technique to conventional cardiac rehabilitation will aid in the treatment of serious CHD compared to conventional cardiac rehabilitation alone," Dr. Schneider said.



Patients will be carefully evaluated before and after the study for changes in their coronary artery disease with the most advanced noninvasive methods for measuring cardiac function - PET or positron emission tomography. According to Sabahat Bokhari, MD, Director of Nuclear Cardiology at Columbia University Medical Center and study co-director, "PET is an innovative imaging technology that allows us to visually and non-invasively study blood flow to the heart. With this state-of-the-art technology, doctors can now measure the blood flow to the heart and thus quantify the full impact of stress reduction on CHD."



The NIH funding allocation is part of the Obama Administration's American Reinvestment and Recovery Act - or economic stimulus bill. Competition for the funding was fierce with more than 20,000 applications for the Challenge Grants category and only 840 awarded. "In the current climate of health care reform, the purpose of this grant is to find more effective treatments for heart disease and thereby find more effective ways to reduce health care costs," Dr. Schneider said.



"The NHLBI's Recovery Act funds will make it possible to evaluate Transcendental Meditation as a promising tool in helping to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and death related to coronary events. This is worthwhile research since we know that strong emotional stress can lead to conditions such as arrhythmia and hypertension," said NHLBI Director Elizabeth Nabel, M.D.



Results from several earlier trials on the Transcendental Meditation program found reductions in risk factors for heart disease, such as hypertension, psychological stress, insulin resistance, and build-up of atherosclerosis in the arteries, with indications of reduced mortality from heart disease. This newly funded study will directly evaluate coronary artery disease and continue to examine the potential of meditation for improvements in cardiovascular health.



Fast Facts on Coronary Heart Disease:
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States


There are nearly 1.5 million heart attacks per year in the US, according the American Heart Association


An American will suffer a heart attack every 34 seconds


Coronary heart disease is also the leading cause of soaring health care costs; more than $475 billion spent annually on treating CHD, including

$100,000 for each coronary bypass surgery

$50,000 for each angioplasty

$30,000 for each diagnostic cardiac catheterization


There are nearly 500,000 coronary artery bypass grafts and 1.3 million angioplasties performed every year


Stress is thought to contribute to development of CHD

Life-threatening Effects From Mixing Supplements, Herbs, Over-the-counter Medications And Prescription Drugs

People are mixing supplements, herbs and over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs to cure themselves of ills, unaware that they could be making themselves sicker, says George Grossberg, M.D., director of the division of geriatric psychiatry at Saint Louis University.



Dr. Grossberg is about to change all that. He is the co-author of a new book, "The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide," which is a comprehensive listing of what various herbs and supplements do, possible side effects and how they might interact with other medications and foods.



"People think if it doesn't require a prescription, it's got to be safe, and that's not true. There could be life-threatening effects."



Dr. Grossberg first became interested in the topic after a routine six-month visit with a patient he had successfully treated for depression. He had been seeing the patient for four or five years, and asked if the man was dealing with any new health problems.



The patient mentioned that he was scheduled to go in for cystoscopy in a couple weeks because there had been blood in his urine. The procedure involves inserting the pencil-thin tip of a probe through the urethra, up to the bladder to detect the cause of the problem.



The patient had undergone thousands of dollars of MRIs and CAT scans of his lower abdomen and pelvis, which had not revealed the reason for the bleeding, and the test was the next diagnostic step.



Dr. Grossberg asked if the patient had changed anything - perhaps had started taking a new medication.



No new medicine. Then the patient's wife pulled from her purse a vial containing a supplement she had purchased from the health food store to enhance memory. Both husband and wife had started taking the herbal memory enhancer, which largely contained ginkgo biloba



"One of the side effects of ginkgo biloba is an increased risk of bleeding. He had no awareness of this. I told him to stop taking the herb and get rechecked before having cystoscopy. The bleeding stopped, and he didn't need the test."



Dr. Grossberg ticks off other common herbs that people take without realizing their side effects or how they might interact with medications.



St. John's wort sometimes is taken for anxiety and depression. Those who also are taking antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, such as Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil, should beware. Mixing St. John's wort with these medicines can cause serotonin syndrome -- with symptoms that may include agitation, rapid heart beat, flushing and heavy sweating -- that may be fatal.
















Dong quai, which some women take for menstrual disorders and to ease symptoms of menopause, has been linked to cardiovascular problems, such as irregular heart rhythm and low blood pressure. If a patient takes the herb along with an antihypertensive drug, her blood pressure could plummet, putting her at risk of stroke.



Some people take echinacea, which enhances the immune system, for the common cold. However, those who also take Lipitor, Celebrex and Aleve face an increased risk of liver damage. Echinacea also can be harmful for those who have multiple sclerosis, diabetes, HIV infections or allergies.



Dr. Grossberg and his co-author Barry Fox make it clear that they're not anti-herb or anti-medicine.



"There just are a lot of things people can take that have a lot of bad interactions. And on some level it makes sense for them to think that what they're doing is safe. They associate natural remedies with nature and think if the supplement wasn't safe, they couldn't pick it up without a prescription.



"Hopefully this will get them to think more about it so they look before they leap. People can look up what they're thinking of taking and see if there's efficacy. And they should always talk to their doctor about everything they're taking."



Many doctors don't know much about herbal remedies, which have been used as medications for thousands of years.



"When I trained, there was nothing like this in our medical education," says Dr. Grossberg, who graduated from medical school in 1975. "The younger doctors are more likely to know this than older doctors."



Elderly people, he says, use herbal remedies and don't always tell their doctors and pharmacists. They should.



"A lot of our older patients are buying herbals and botanicals. In addition, while those over 65 represent about 14 percent of the population, they consumer 40 percent of over-the-counter medications," he says.



The book, published by Broadway Books, a subsidiary of Random House, is being released in mid-April.







Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. The school educates physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health care on a local, national and international level. Research at the school seeks new cures and treatments in five key areas: cancer, liver disease, heart/lung disease, aging and brain disease, and infectious disease.



Contact: Nancy Solomon

Saint Louis University



View drug information on Paxil CR; Prozac Weekly; Zoloft.

Taking Nutritional Supplements To Reduce Cancer Risk: What You Should Know

Men and women should educate themselves and use caution before taking nutritional supplements to reduce their cancer risks, according to experts at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.


"Researchers are still unsure about whether or not minerals, herbs and other plants taken in pill, capsule, tablet or liquid form actually prevent cancer," said Sally Scroggs, health education manager at UT MD Anderson's Cancer Prevention Center.


Results from the Women's Health Study and The Physicians' Health Study II found that vitamins E and C do not prevent cancer. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial showed similar results, suggesting these supplements didn't help prevent prostate cancer.


Other studies have suggested that supplements may actually increase cancer risk by tilting the balance of nutrients in the body.


"If you eat lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans, you should get the nutrients, including fiber, vitamins and minerals, your body needs to lower your chances of getting diseases like cancer," Scroggs said. "Taking a pill can't replace a healthy diet."


Scroggs recommends that men and women fill their diet with foods packed with cancer-fighting nutrients such as beta-carotene, selenium, lycopene, resveratol, and vitamins A, C, and E.


Supplements may benefit some


More research is necessary to truly understand the relationship between supplements and cancer risk. Still, Scroggs said, there are some situations when a person might benefit from taking a supplement. This is especially true for men and women who are not getting enough nutrients because of food allergies, genetics or chronic illnesses.


Here are a few examples of when supplements may be appropriate:


-- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding


-- People at risk for vitamin D deficiency


-- People at risk for osteoporosis


-- People at risk for B-12 deficiency, including:

- People age 50 or older

- Vegans who consume no animal foods


Get professional advice


Scroggs advises men and women to speak with a doctor or registered dietician before adding supplements to their diet. "Your doctor or dietician can determine which pills you really need and what dose you should take," Scroggs said.


"Keep in mind there's no vitamin or supplement that's good for everyone."


A registered dietician also can also provide advice about what to look for on supplement labels. This is important because some supplement labels can be confusing or misleading. Many companies claim their pills can cure cancer when, in fact, they don't, according to a recent Congressional study.


"Remember, supplements are just that - supplements," Scroggs said. "Even if your doctor recommends them, your top priority should be getting the nutrients you need from the food you eat."

Traditional Health Practices Popular Among Older People Who Choose Not To Have Flu Vaccine

Eating steamed pears, having a soothing massage or bathing in a herbal mixture are just some of indigenous health practices used by older people to ward off or treat influenza, according to research published in the October issue of the Journal of Advanced Nursing.


Other traditional measures discovered by nurse researchers at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University included being rubbed with a coin, eating cheese, yoghurt and honey and having warm drinks made with ginger or lemon.


The team surveyed nine countries to find out why so many of them were failing to meet the 75 per cent annual influenza vaccination rate recommended by the World Health Organization. They found that people who chose not to be vaccinated were more likely to rely on indigenous health practices together with good general health and hand hygiene - than those who decided to be vaccinated.


"Annual flu epidemics severely affect three to five million people worldwide every year and cause up to half a million deaths, with most deaths in industrialised countries occurring in people over 65" says co-author Professor Samantha Mei-che Pang from the University's School of Nursing. "That is why it is so important to find out why some older people have the annual flu vaccine, while others decide not to."


The range of countries chosen by the researchers represented different cultures, healthcare financing systems and flu vaccine uptakes. Healthcare is dominated by the private sector in Indonesia and China, while Greece, Turkey and South Korea all operate a national health insurance system. The UK and Canada have national health systems funded by taxation and the health systems in Brazil and Nigeria rely heavily on the private sector.


A series of focus groups were held with vaccinated and unvaccinated older people aged 65 plus and seven countries submitted completed questionnaires providing demographic data on 172 participants. This showed that two-thirds of the people who took part had been vaccinated, with vaccination rates highest in Canada (93 per cent) and lowest in Nigeria (31 per cent). Other countries ranged from 44 per cent to 82 per cent.


The team looked at the attitudes of the vaccinated and unvaccinated people in each group and this provided useful clues about what had influenced their decision.


People made the decision to be vaccinated if they:


-- Felt existing health conditions made them vulnerable.


-- Viewed flu as very contagious and dangerous, having experienced complications themselves or seen it in others.


-- Had experienced no, or minimal, side effects from previous vaccinations and less severe symptoms if they thought they had contracted flu after having the vaccine.


-- Recognised that the cost of the flu vaccine was lower to health services than the cost of treating someone who had contracted flu.















-- Didn't want to pass the virus onto other family members, like grandchildren.


-- Were influenced by what was normal practice in their country and among their circle of friends.


-- Had easy access to a local centre providing the vaccine.


-- Received reminders that they should be vaccinated, from healthcare professionals, the media or friends and neighbours.


-- Were able to afford the vaccine if it was not provided free by their healthcare system.


People who did not have the flu vaccine said they:


-- Didn't see themselves as vulnerable.


-- Felt less convinced that the vaccine was effective after negative reports from others about its efficacy and side-effects.


-- Felt that it was sufficient to take preventative measures, such as leading a healthy lifestyle, with sufficient exercise, a good diet, good hand hygiene, keeping warm and staying away from germs.


-- Were more likely to trust indigenous health practices, such as special drinks, food or other traditional remedies.


"Our findings support the growing evidence that older people are much more likely to be vaccinated against flu if they feel vulnerable, see flu as a threat and believe that the vaccine will be effective with little, or no, side effects" says Professor Pang.


"It also revealed a finding that we do not believe has been observed in previous studies: that those who distrust the vaccine's effectiveness are more likely to rely on healthy lifestyles, good hand hygiene and indigenous health practices to protect them from flu.


"Cost was also a factor in countries where free healthcare was not available and some people did not have easy access to a local centre offering vaccinations. The importance of providing regular reminders was also important, as was creating a culture where receiving an annual flu vaccine was the norm for older people."


The study, which was funded by the International Council of Nurses, includes further details on each country's participants, together with quotes from the focus groups.


Sources: Wiley - Blackwell, AlphaGalileo Foundation.

Low-Carbohydrate Beverage Plus Protein Improves Endurance Performance

Compared to a standard carbohydrate supplement, a low-carbohydrate beverage with added protein leads to longer endurance times in cyclists, reports the October issue of the The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, official research journal of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy.


Depending on exercise intensity, a low-carb beverage with a moderate amount of added protein can improve aerobic endurance-even though it contains half the carbohydrates and less than one-third the calories of standard sports drinks, according to a study by Lisa Ferguson-Stegall, M.S., and colleagues of The University of Texas at Austin.


Cyclists Go Longer on Low-Carb, Added-Protein Supplement


In the laboratory study, 15 trained endurance cyclists performed two long rides: three hours, followed by an intense ride-up to 85 percent of aerobic capacity (VO2 max)-until exhaustion. On one ride, the athletes were given a standard six percent carbohydrate supplement. On the other ride, they received a three percent carbohydrate supplement (containing a mix of carbohydrates) with 1.2 percent added protein. On each ride, the cyclists were given 275 mL of their assigned beverage every 20 minutes.


Overall, there was no significant difference in endurance times. Average time to exhaustion was 26 minutes with the standard supplement and 31 minutes with the low-carb plus protein supplement.


However, the difference became significant for athletes exercising at or below their ventilatory threshold (VT)-the point at which breathing starts to become increasingly difficult. For the eight cyclists in this group, average time to exhaustion was 45 minutes with the low-carb plus protein beverage, compared to 35 minutes with the standard carbohydrate drink.


Thus endurance improved by about 28 percent in cyclists exercising at or near their VT. For the seven athletes exercising above their VT, there was no significant difference in time to exhaustion-about 15 minutes with both supplements.


Studies have shown that carbohydrate-containing beverages increase endurance exercise performance, compared to water and placebo drinks. Supplements containing protein in addition to carbohydrates bring further performance benefits. "However, many athletes and recreational exercisers desire a lower carbohydrate, lower caloric content alternative when maintaining or reducing body weight...in addition to improving fitness and endurance," Ferguson-Stegall and coauthors write.


The new results suggest that a drink containing a lower amount of carbohydrate, plus a moderate amount of protein, leads to improved endurance performance in trained long-distance cyclists. The low-carb drink increases performance "despite containing 50 percent less total carbohydrate and 30 percent fewer calories relative to a higher carbohydrate beverage," according to the researchers.


The difference is significant only for athletes exercising at or below VT. The ability to exercise for long periods at or near VT is a "critical component of performance in long events such as marathons, longer cycling races, and long-distance triathlon," according to Ferguson-Stegall and colleagues. Thus the low-carb, added-protein supplement may be "more effective in extending endurance and delaying fatigue...around the exercise intensity at which prolonged endurance performance is crucial."

Head To Head: Should NICE Evaluate Complementary And Alternative Medicine?

Demand for complementary and alternative medicine is high despite limited evidence. In this week's BMJ, researchers go head to head over whether the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) should review these therapies.



NICE was set up as an independent body by the UK government in 1999, charged with getting the best from NHS resources. It examines the value of treatments and decides whether they should be used in the NHS.



Around half of general practitioners provide access to complementary medicine, and two thirds of Scottish general practitioners prescribe herbal or homoeopathic medicines, so a thorough review by NICE would benefit the NHS and patients, argue Professor Linda Franck and colleagues.



Some people within conventional medicine remain deeply convinced that alternative medicine cannot have any possible benefit, but this is all the more reason that these therapies should be rigorously evaluated, they argue.



They believe that failure to evaluate complementary therapies also leads to health inequalities because of uneven access and missed opportunities. For example, as complementary therapies are often relatively cheap, if shown to be effective they could save money currently spent on costly drugs.



Complementary and alternative therapies deserve a full evaluation from NICE and, if the evaluation is favourable, they should be adopted either on their own or integrated with conventional medicine, they conclude.



But Professor David Colquhoun argues that NICE cannot afford to re-examine evidence that has shown little benefit.



He points out that NICE already have alternative treatments in several of their reports and, in all these cases, they have found no good evidence for anything more than placebo effects.



And it is not necessary to take the word of sceptics about the lack of evidence. The more honest advocates of complementary and alternative medicine admit it themselves, he adds.



None of this is intended to deny the important role of supportive and palliative care for patients for whom that is the best that can be done, he says. But there is no need to subscribe to the early 19th century pseudoscientific hocus pocus of homoeopathy to treat sick patients sympathetically and holistically.



And there is no need for NICE to spend time and money coming to that conclusion when it has more important things to do, he concludes.






Head to head: Should NICE evaluate complementary and alternative medicine? BMJ Volume 334, pp 506-7



Contact: Emma Dickinson


BMJ-British Medical Journal

Complementary Medicine Has A Role In The Treatment Of Allergic Diseases

Complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) has increased tremendously in popularity in the United States. At a symposium held at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), a team of experts discussed the safety and efficacy of CAM for the management of allergic diseases.


"As the United States has reached the 300 million person mark and with the world population approaching 7 billion, only 10 percent and at most to 30 percent of our health care is actually delivered by what we consider conventional or biomedical-oriented practitioners," said Leonard Bielory, MD, professor of medicine, pediatrics & ophthalmology, and director, Asthma & Allergy Research Center at UMDNJ - New Jersey Medical School in Newark.


"The remaining 70 to 90 percent ranges from self-care according to folk principles to care given in an organized health care system based on an alternative tradition or practice," said Dr. Bielory.


Under the broad umbrella term of CAM fall a very wide and diverse number of modalities. These include the use of herbals, vitamins and other supplements, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), homeopathy, naturopathy, chiropractic medicine, massage therapy, and Ayurveda. Often included into this mix are energy therapies such as Qi gong and bioelectromagnetic treatments, as well as mind-body practices that encompass prayer, meditation or even dance.


CAM for Allergic Diseases


This topic is of great importance to the subspecialty of allergy and immunology because one of the most common reasons that patients turn to CAM is for treating allergic diseases.


"Although the most commonly used CAM is related to prayer, the most commonly reported CAM adverse events tend to be 'allergic' reactions from herbal agents that include urticaria, contact dermatitis, and anaphylaxis," said Dr. Bielory.


However, the possibility of more serious side effects exists, and some of the agents may have unfavorable interactions with prescription drugs. One survey found that 12 percent of asthmatic patients were using eucalyptus oil, which can reduce mucous membrane inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and act as a decongestant. However, eucalyptus oil can increase the effect on the central nervous system of drugs such as Ativan, Valium, barbiturates, narcotics, alcohol, and some antidepressants.


Echinacea is commonly used to treat allergic rhinitis and the common cold, but it can trigger an allergic reaction in patients who have allergies to plants in the Asteraceae or Compositae family (ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies). Anaphylaxis is also a potential side effect. The FDA has determined that there is no scientific evidence to support the use of Echinacea in the common cold.















Traditional Chinese Medicine


"There has been a recent surge of interest in TCM in Western countries, as it is low cost and has shown favorable safety profiles," said Xiu-Min Li, MD, an associate professor of Pediatric Allergy & Immunology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. She is also director of the Center of Excellence for Chinese Herbal Therapy for Allergy and Asthma funded by NIH.


Herbal therapy is in the mainstream of modern medical practice in China for treating asthma, although the role for TCM in Western countries has not been established as there are no FDA approved botanical drugs for treating asthma.


Dr. Li and colleagues have received a grant from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to investigate a three-herb Chinese formula known as ASHMI, as a therapy for allergic asthma. Studies of the herbal formula first looked at its mechanism of action in an animal model, characterized the active components of the herbs, and have completed an investigation with asthma patients.


The study, conducted as a collaborative project with Weifang Asthma Hospital in China, investigated the efficacy and safety of ASHMI in 91 patients with asthma. In this randomized, double-blind active-controlled study, patients received either ASHMI or prednisone for four weeks.


"In the animal study, we found that ASHMI was effective in suppressing AHR, eosinophilic inflammation and airway remodeling, and had an immunomodulatory effect on Th1/Th2 responses," said Dr. Li.


"In our clinical trial, there was significantly improved lung function and symptom scores in patients who used ASHMI," said Dr. Li. "There was a beneficial immunoregulatory effect on Th1/Th2 balance. This study indicates that ASHMI may be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated botanical drug."


There is an ongoing FDA approved clinical trials at Mount Sinai School of Medicine to investigate whether ASHMI can reduce or replace corticosteroids in persistent moderate-to-severe asthma.


Probiotics


Another area of growing interest is in the use of probiotics to both treat and prevent allergic disorders. Probiotics are cultures of potentially beneficial bacteria of the healthy gut microflora.


"Microflora or healthy bacteria within the gut appear to be an important part of our mucosal protection while also supporting healthy bowel functions," said Renata J. M. Engler, M.D., from the Uniformed Service University of Health Sciences at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. "When the healthy bacterial flora is disrupted as with antibiotic therapy, illnesses such as vaginitis and serious bowel infections may occur more easily. In addition, there is a growing body of evidence that the healthy bacteria may interact beneficially with the immune system overall.


"Although too early to translate into specific clinical recommendations, the evolving data suggest that probiotics may have a role in modulating the natural history of atopic dermatitis in the infant, particularly through the mother before the birth of the infant," she said.


Probiotics are currently proposed as beneficial for the treatment of acute diarrhea in both adults and children, the prevention of diarrhea caused by antibiotics, and to support remission of pouchitis.


"Further study is needed to define the optimum use of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of allergic diseases," said Dr. Engler.


Patient information on allergic diseases including asthma is available by calling the ACAAI toll free number at (800) 842-7777 or visiting its Web site at acaai/.


About ACAAI


The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) is a professional medical organization headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill., that promotes excellence in the practice of the subspecialty of allergy and immunology. The College, comprising more than 5,000 allergists-immunologists and related health care professionals, fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research.


American College of Allergy

85 W. Algonquin Rd., Ste 550

Arlington Heights, IL 60005

United States

acaai/

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine May Benefit Eczema Patients

A traditional Chinese herbal medicine consisting of five herbs may benefit people with eczema, new research in the British Journal of Dermatology will reveal.


Scientists at the Chinese University of Hong Kong evaluated the effects of 'pentaherbs formulation' on patients aged between five and 21 with atopic eczema, the most common type of the disease which affects at least one in ten children.


The pentaherbs formulation capsules contain extracts of five raw herbs based on a widely used ancestral Chinese concoction - Flos lonicerae (Japanese honeysuckle), Herba menthae (peppermint), Cortex moutan (root bark of peony tree), Atractylodes Rhizome (underground stem of the atractylodes herb) and Cortex phellodendri (Amur cork-tree bark).


The first study was a clinical trial of 85 patient divided into a control group receiving a placebo, and a group taking the pentaherbs formulation. Using a questionnaire index that measures how much a skin problem affects a patient, the scientists found that the quality of life improved by a third in the group taking the herbs, compared to no improvement in the placebo-treated group.


The researchers also found that the herbal remedy reduced patients' needs for the conventional treatment of topical steroids, with the duration of use reduced by an average of four days per month in the herbal group, compared to one day per month in the placebo group.


The team went on to explore the clinical effects of pentaherbs on the immune system. This is because people with eczema have been found to have higher blood levels of certain cytokines, a group of proteins and peptides that have a pivotal role in the immune system and which trigger inflammation in eczema.


The herbs reduced the expressions of four proteins and cytokines thought to have inflammatory effects linked with eczema.* This was confirmed in tests done both by adding an extract of the pentaherbs formulation to blood cells in a test tube (in vitro testing), and by testing the blood of 28 children taking the supplements (in vivo testing).


One of the studies' authors Dr Ting-fan Leung said: "Our recent clinical trial showed that pentaherbs formulation reduced topical corticosteroid usage and improved quality of life in children with moderate to severe atopic eczema. Our latest study further clarifies this by showing that the herbs suppress the production of atopic eczema-related inflammatory mediators. Further studies are needed to explore this in more depth; however this is an interesting first step."


Nina Goad of the British Association of Dermatologists said: "These early studies shows that children with atopic eczema may benefit from a specific concoction of traditional Chinese herbs, which could eventually pave the way for this remedy to find its way into mainstream medicine.


"However, we would warn against using Chinese herbal medications without first speaking to your doctor. Some retailers may not be reputable and the product they sell you may be of a low standard or could contain harmful ingredients."















; Tumour??§*Brain-derived neutrotrophic factor (BDNF); Interferon- ; Thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC).???necrosis factor- (See attached study for full names as this website's format can not include scientific symbols)


3. Articles in the BJD can be viewed online .

Study details: British Journal of Dermatology, publication date March 2008, "In vitro and clinical immunomodulatory effects of a novel Pentaherbs concoction for atopic eczema", T.F. Leung, K.Y. Wong, C.K. Wong*, K.P. Fung??, C.W.K. Lam*, T.F. Fok, P.C. Leung??, K.L.E. Hon; Departments of Paediatrics and Chemical Pathology*, and Institute of Chinese Medicine??, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. DOI 10.1111/J.1365-2133.2008.08502.X

Previous study: British Journal of Dermatology Aug 2007, 157 issue 2, p357-363, "Efficacy and tolerability of a Chinese herbal medicine concoction for treatment of atopic dermatitis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study", K.L.E. Hon, T.F. Leung, P.C. Ng, M.C.A. Lam, W.Y.C. Kam, K.Y. Wong, K.C.K. Lee, Y.T. Sung, K.F. Cheng, T.F. Fok, K.P. Fung and P.C. Leung. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.07941.x


The British Association of Dermatologists is the central association of practising UK dermatologists. Our aim is to continually improve the treatment and understanding of skin disease.


Blackwell Publishing is a leading society publisher, partnering with 665 medical, academic and professional societies. Blackwell publishes over 800 journals and has over 6,000 books in print. In February 2007, Blackwell Publishing officially merged with John Wiley & Sons, Inc's Scientific, Technical and Medical business. For more information on Blackwell Publishing, please visit blackwellpublishing or blackwell-synergy.


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