€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY***** Hua J En-tan G Effect of postoperative treatment with a combination of chuangxiong and electret on functional recovery of muscle grafts: an experimental study in the dog. In: Plast Reconstr Surg (1996 Oct) 98(5):851-5 ISSN: 0032-1052 Clinical experiences have shown that simultaneous use of constitutional and local treatments postoperatively may increase recovery of transplanted muscle function more than any single treatment. In the present experiment, 27 adult dogs had orthotopic replantation of their bilateral rectus femoris muscles by microneurovascular anastomoses with different therapeutic methods postoperatively for 22 weeks grouped as local implantation of an electret substance (n = 14), intramuscular injection of chuangxiong (Ligusticum wallichii franch) (n = 12), combined use of these two treatments (n = 14), or control (n = 14) to evaluate the influence of these different treatments on muscle function and morphology; electromyography, maximal tetanic tension, and histologic and histochemical examinations showed that the results in all the treatment groups were superior to those in the nontreatment group and that simultaneous use of constitutional and local treatments was superior to any single treatment. At week 22, the maximal tetanic tension of the three treatment groups returned to 57.68 +/- 1.67, 53.64 +/- 3.28, and 64.94 +/- 3.28 percent of control values (before transplantation), respectively, versus 47.99 +/- 2.21 percent in the nontreatment group. These results suggest that treatment with local electret and systemic chuangxiong simultaneously has a favorable effect on nerve regeneration and on muscle function after muscle transplantation. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****STROKE***** Ho WK Wen HL Lee CM Tetramethylpyrazine for treatment of experimentally induced stroke in Mongolian gerbils. In: Stroke (1989 Jan) 20(1):96-9 ISSN: 0039-2499 Tetramethylpyrazine, a drug originally isolated from the rhizome of Ligusticum walliichi, has been used routinely in China for the treatment of stroke and angina pectoris. We evaluated this drug by testing its effectiveness in increasing the survival rate in a stroke model using Mongolian gerbils. Our results indicate that tetramethylpyrazine can increase survival rate only if it is administered before the induction of cerebral ischemia. Since we administered the drug intraperitoneally, it is possible that pretreatment was necessary to increase its effective concentration in the blood. Receptor binding studies indicated that tetramethylpyrazine was inactive against a variety of pharmacologically active receptors. Registry Numbers: 1124-11-4 (tetramethylpyrazine) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE***** Huang X Zang Y Wang Y Niu G Wen A Ren P Effects of tetramethylpyrazine phosphate and sodium ferulate alone or in combination on hemodynamics in anesthetized dog. In: Am J Chin Med (1996) 24(2):169-76 ISSN: 0192-415X Hemodynamic actions of intravenous (iv) administration of tetramethylpyrazine phosphate (TMPP) and sodium ferulate (SF) alone or in combination were studied in anesthetized dogs. When given alone, TMPP increased left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), peak positive first derivative of left ventricular pressure (+LVdp/dt), coronary blood flow (CBF) and heart rate (HR) while decreasing mean aortic pressure (mAoP). SF alone did not produce any significant hemodynamic changes. When the two were administered in combination, SF antagonized dose-dependently the hemodynamic actions of TMPP. Results of this study did not support the efficacy of combined treatment of Ligusticum wallichi and Angelica root, which contain TMPP and SF respectively. Registry Numbers: 1124-11-4 (tetramethylpyrazine) 1135-24-6 (ferulic acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHEMICAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL BULLETIN***** Ozaki Y Antiinflammatory effect of tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1992 Apr) 40(4):954-6 ISSN: 0009-2363 Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is one of the alkaloids contained in Ligusticum wallichii Franch (L. wallichii). Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic compound contained in L. wallichii and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (A. sinensis). The present study was carried out to examine the antiinflammatory effect and to elucidate the mode of the effect of TMP and FA. Both compounds significantly inhibited the edema induced by carrageenin, the increase of the dye leakage induced by acetic acid and the granuloma formation induced by cotton pellet. And also, TMP and FA inhibited the number of writhes induced by acetic acid. From these results, it is suggested that both compounds have the antiinflammatory effect and the analgesic effect, and both compounds exert an antiinflammatory effect at the early and the late stages of processes in the inflammatory pathology. Registry Numbers: 1124-11-4 (tetramethylpyrazine) 1135-24-6 (ferulic acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Ozaki Y Ma JP Inhibitory effects of tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid on spontaneous movement of rat uterus in situ. In: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) (1990 Jun) 38(6):1620-3 ISSN: 0009-2363 Tetramethylpyrazine is one of the alkaloids contained in Ligusticum wallichii Franch. Ferulic acid is a phenolic compound contained in Ligusticum wallichii Franch and Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels. The present study was carried out to examine the effect of tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid and the combined effect of both compounds on spontaneous uterine contractions in rats in situ. Tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid showed an inhibitory effect on uterine movement when given perorally and intravenously, respectively. The combination of both compounds, at doses individually insufficient to inhibit, synergistically inhibited uterine contraction. It was found that tetramethylpyrazine and ferulic acid inhibited uterine contractions and the inhibitory effect induced by the combination of both was due to the potentiation. Registry Numbers: 1124-11-4 (tetramethylpyrazine) 1135-24-6 (ferulic acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL***** Chen KJ Chen K Ischemic stroke treated with Ligusticum chuanxiong. In: Chin Med J (Engl) (1992 Oct) 105(10):870-3 ISSN: 0366-6999 Ligusticum Chuanxiong and its effective components were studied in the treatment of ischemic stroke, a common emergent disease in China. Some injections of the medicines, including Ligusticum, Ligustrazine, Ligustylid and ferulic acid, were tested clinically and experimentally. The results showed that the effects of the drugs were the same as or even better than those of the controls, such as papaverine, dextran and aspirin-persantin. They could improve brain microcirculation through inhibiting thrombus formation and platelet aggregation as well as blood viscosity. Registry Numbers: 1124-11-4 (tetramethylpyrazine) 1135-24-6 (ferulic acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ ***CHUNG HSI I CHIEH HO TSA CHIH CHINESE JOURNAL OF MODERN DEVELOPMENTS*** [Effects of Ligusticum wallichii on the plasma levels of beta- thromboglobulin, platelet factor 4, thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in patients with acute cerebral infarction] In: Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1991 Dec) 11(12):711-3, 707 ISSN: 0254-9034 (Published in Chinese) By using ELISA and RIA to measure the levels of Beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), platelet factor 4(PF4), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto- prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) in plasma of patients with acute cerebral infarction, the authors found that the levels of beta- TG, PF4 and TXB2 in plasma had significantly increased (P less than 0.01), but the level of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in plasma showed no change (P greater than 0.05). The results of the Ligusticum wallichii (Ligusticum) treatment to the test-group showed that the levels of beta-TG, PF4 and TXB2 in plasma had significantly decreased (P less than 0.01), and the level of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in plasma had significantly increased (P less than 0.05). This suggested that the Ligusticum treatment could effectively inhibit the platelet activation in vivo and correct the TXA2-PGI2 imbalance in blood of the patients. In this study, some new approaches were explored to explain the mechanisms of Ligusticum for preventing and treating cerebral ischemia. Registry Numbers: 37270-94-3 (Platelet Factor 4) 54397-85-2 (Thromboxane B2) 58962-34-8 (6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Zhao L Liu ZM Piao ZZ [Clinical and experimental study on cerebral thrombosis treated with antithrombotic xinmaining] In: Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1991 Jun) 11(6):327-30, 323 ISSN: 0254-9034 (Published in Chinese) Antithrombotic xinmaining were composed with Moschus, Calculus Bovis, Borneol, Radix Ligusticum, Flos Sophorae Immaturus, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Leech, etc. This preparation was suitable for treating channels and collaterals type of cerebral thrombosis. The dosage was 2-4 capsules (0.5 g/capsule) oral administration twice per day, 3-4 weeks as a therapeutic course. The authors studied 158 cases of these patients compared with 117 cases of control group with dextran and Vinorutone. The clinical result showed that the obvious effective rate in the therapeutic group was 62.1% and the total effective rate 96.3%; the values in the control group were 38.5% and 86.3% respectively (P less than 0.01). The laboratory results showed that the blood viscosity, serum viscosity, hematocrit (vol %), RBC electrophoresis rate (micron/sec/v/cm) and platelet aggregation rate (%) before antithrombotic xinmaining administration were 5.82 +/- 0.82, 1.82 +/- 0.02, 52.81 +/- 6.70, 0.82 +/- 0.19 and 28.33 +/- 12.02 respectively; and those after the treatment were 4.72 +/- 0.65, 1.70 +/- 0.02, 48.76 +/- 0.40, 0.97 +/- 0.17 and 23.05 +/- 10.01 (mean +/- S), P less than 0.01. The toxicological study proved that the preparation was safe, no significant side-effect and good for cerebral thrombosis medication. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Liu Z [Effects of Ligusticum wallichii on the plasma levels of beta- thromboglobulin, platelet factor 4, thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in rabbits under acute experimental cerebral ischemia] In: Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1990 Sep) 10(9):543-4, 517-8 ISSN: 0254-9034 (Published in Chinese) By occluding the bilateral carotid arteries of rabbits to produce bilateral partial cerebral ischemia, and by using RIA and ELISA to measure the levels of Beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF4), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6- keto-PGF1 alpha) in plasma, the authors found that the levels of beta- TG, PF4 and TXB2 in plasma had significantly increased (P less than 0.01), but the level of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in plasma showed no change (P greater than 0.05) after cerebral ischemia appeared. The results of the Ligusticum wallichii (Ligusticum) pre-treatment to the test- group showed that the levels of beta-TG, PF4 and TXB2 in plasma had significantly decreased (P less than 0.01), and the level of 6-keto- PGF1 alpha in plasma had significantly increased (P less than 0.05). This suggested that the Ligusticum treatment could effectively inhibit the platelet activation in vivo and correct the TXA2-PGI2 imbalance in blood after cerebral ischemia. In this study, some new approaches were explored to explain the mechanisms of Ligusticum for preventing and treating cerebral ischemia. Registry Numbers: 37270-94-3 (Platelet Factor 4) 54397-85-2 (Thromboxane B2) 58962-34-8 (6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Liu Z Shi Y [Effects of Ligusticum wallichii on the plasma and CSF levels of dynorphin A1-13 in rabbits under acute experimental cerebral ischemia] In: Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1990 Mar) 10(3):160-1, 163, 133 ISSN: 0254-9034 (Published in Chinese) By occluding the bilateral carotid arteries of rabbits to produce bilateral partial cerebral ischemia, and by using radioimmunoassays to measure the levels of dynorphin A1-13 like immunoreactivity (ir- Dyn A1-13) in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the authors find that the levels of ir-Dyn A1-13 in plasma and CSF have significantly increased (P less than 0.01) after cerebral ischemia appears. The result of the Ligusticum wallichii Franch (Ligusticum) pretreatment to the test-group shows a definite improvement of the changes of ir- Dyn A1-13 levels in plasma and CSF. The severity of brain ischemic damage and neurologic dysfunction in Ligusticum-treated animals is lighter than that of saline-treated group, too. In this study, some new approaches are explored to explain the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia and the mechanisms by which Ligusticum prevents and treats cerebral ischemia. Registry Numbers: 72957-38-1 (dynorphin (1-13)) 74913-18-1 (Dynorphins) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHUNG-HUA I HSUEH TSA CHIH [CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL]***** Liu S [Effects of Ligustricum Wallichii on acute nephrotoxicity induced by cyclosporine A in rats] In: Chung Hua I Hsueh Tsa Chih (Taipei) (1992 Jun) 72(6):345-7, 382 ISSN: 0376-2491 (Published in Chinese) We investigated the influence of cyclosporine A (CsA) on renal function, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and platelet aggregation in addition to the effect of Ligusticum Wallichii (LW) on CsA actions in SD rats. Infusion of CsA (50 mg/kg, iv) resulted in a significant fall in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal plasma flow (RPF) and a significant increase of plasma renin activity (PRA), angiotensin II (A II) level and percentage platelet aggregation. At the same time, treatment with 20% LW (8 ml/kg, iv) before CsA infusion significantly prevented the decline of GFR and RPF as well as the enhancement of platelet aggregation, but had no influence on CsA-mediated RAS activation. These results suggested that LW may be beneficial to the acute nephrotoxicity induced by CsA. Registry Numbers: 59865-13-3 (Cyclosporine) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHUNG-KUO CHUNG HSI I CHIEH HO TSA CHIH***** Li W Zhou CH Lu QL [Effects of Chinese materia medica in activating blood and stimulating menstrual flow on the endocrine function of ovary-uterus and its mechanisms] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1992 Mar) 12(3):165-8, 134 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) Effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), Ligusticum chuanxiong (LC) and Artemisia anomale (AA) on the endocrine function of ovary-uterus were studied. In immature Wistar rats, SM increased the level of estradiol (E2) in plasma (131.8 +/- 7.4 pg/ml, P less than 0.01), the weight of uterus (35.3 +/- 4.5 mg, P less than 0.05) and the ovarian PGF2 alpha content (495.0 +/- 41.7 pg/ova., P less than 0.05), but the ovarian PGE2 content was reduced (2198.3 +/- 139.0 pg/ova, P less than 0.01), as compared with that in the control (96.6 +/- 3.2 pg/ml, 23.3 +/- 2.6 mg, 339.0 +/- 30.0 pg/ova, and 3840.8 +/- 480.0 pg/ova. respectively). LC and AA had no influence except that they decrease PGE2 content in ovary (2534.8 +/- 351.3 and 2629.7 +/- 290.7 pg/ova). AA decreased the receptor binding capacity for E2 in uterus (P less than 0.05). SM stimulated the ovulation in immature mice pre-treated with PMSG. LC and AA had no significant effect on ovulation. In pseudopregnant rats (with PMSC-hCG), SM, LC and AA all inhibited the function of corpus luteum, decreased the level of progesterone in plasma (11.1 +/- 2.8, 15.5 +/- 2.5, 19.3 +/- 5.6, respectively, 55.4 +/- 5.4 ng/ml in control, P less than 0.01) and hCG/LH receptor binding capacity of ovary (P less than 0.01). In pseudopregnant animals treated with AA, endogenous PGE2 content of ovary (50.2 +/- 2.7 pg/ml ova.) and the formation of PGE2 form AA in vitro in ovary (1765 +/- 166 pg/mg ova.) were reduced. The PGF2 alpha content in uterus was increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Registry Numbers: 50-28-2 (Estradiol) 551-11-1 (Dinoprost) 79483-68-4 (dan-shen) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Fu QL [Experimental study on yiqi-huoxue therapy of liver fibrosis] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1992 Apr) 12(4):228-9, 198 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) The experimental hepatic fibrosis was treated with YiQi (reinforcing Qi, YQ) Huoxue (activating blood circulation, HX) principle which was consisted of astragalus membranaceus, Ligusticum wallichii, paeonia lactiflora, etc. After stimulation with CCl4 over four months, the Wistar rat developed liver fibrosis. Rats were divided into the normal control, the toxifying control, YQHX group and HX group. The experimental period lasted over four months. Results: (1) Mortality of animal: Both toxifying control and HX group reached 50%, while YQHX group was 16% only. These results suggest that YQHX agents could strengthen the body resistance; (2) The determination of serum SGPT: The mean levels in toxifying control were 39.3 +/- 39, in HX group 43.7 +/- 12.9, while in YQHX group 29.0 +/- 7.6 (units/Lserum). These results indicated that YQHX agents had the function of protecting the liver and lowering the activity of SGPT (P less than 0.01); (3) Measuring the contents of hepatic collages: The mean levels in toxifying control was 38.9 +/- 3.3 (mg/g liver), while in HX group and YQHX group 28.7 +/- 2.2 and 22.7 +/- 1.1 (mg/g liver) respectively. The results indicated that the YQHX agents had the best results in treating hepatic fibrosis; (4) Observation with hepatic histopathology: The degree of hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis in YQHX group was milder than that in toxifying and HX group. These observations revealed that YQHX agents possessed the function of protecting liver. There was severe liver fibrosis in toxifying control, but the degree of liver fibrosis in YQHX group was significantly milder than that in toxifying control.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Registry Numbers: EC 2.6.1.2 (Alanine Aminotransferase) 1124-11-4 (tetramethylpyrazine) 56-23-5 (Carbon Tetrachloride) 9007-34-5 (Collagen) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Chen DR [Comparative study of chuanxiong and dextran 40 in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1992 Feb) 12(2):71-3, 67 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) This paper reports the results of a double-blind trial in 220 patients with acute cerebral infarction evidenced by CT, who were randomly divided into ligusticum chuanxiong group (134 cases) and low molecular weight dextran group (86 cases). A weighted scoring system was adopted to evaluate the neurologic function and living capability. The results showed that the total therapeutic efficacy rate in chuanxiong group and in dextran 40 group were 86.6% and 62.8% respectively. The effect of chuanxiong on the treatment of acute cerebral infarction was superior to low molecular weight dextran and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). Registry Numbers: 9004-54-0 (Dextrans) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Jin R Wan LL Mitsuishi T [Effects of shi-ka-ron and Chinese herbs in mice treated with anti- tumor agent mitomycin C] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1995 Feb) 15(2):101-3 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) The Shi-ka-Ron, and its constituent Chinese herbs Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Astragalus membranaceus and Ligusticum Wallichii were administered with antitumor agent, mitomycin C (MMC) to ICR mice, and their effects on murine macrophages and lymphocytes were studied. Peritoneal macrophages were significantly inhibited both in their number and chemotactic activity by MMC treatment. Splenic weight and blastogenic responsiveness to Concanavalin A of spleen lymphocytes also decreased significantly in MMC-treated mice. NK cell activity was also suppressed by MMC treatment. When these mice were orally treated with extracts of Shi-ka-ron or each Chinese herbs mentioned above, it showed protective effects to immunosuppressive mice on all 5 items studied. The number of macrophages, and the functions of macrophages and lymphocytes maintained the same or more than normal levels in MMC plus each group of these extracts treated mice. These results suggest that the Shi-Ka-Ron and Chinese herbs could resist immunosuppression induced by antitumor agent MMC, and its mechanisms might be correlated with stimulation of the RES (reticuloendothelial system), activation of T cell blastogenesis and NK cell cytotoxicity. Registry Numbers: 50-07-7 (Mitomycin C) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Shao CR Chen FM Tang YX [Clinical and experimental study on Ligusticum wallichii mixture in preventing and treating bronchial asthma] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1994 Aug) 14(8):465-8 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) To investigate the significance of Ligusticum wallichii Mixture (LWM) and its possible therapeutical mechanism in bronchial asthma, clinical and experimental studies were carried out. RESULTS: LWM inhibited bronchospasm induced by histamine and acetylcholine in guinea pigs; the plasma level of TXB2 was decreased remarkably and the incubation period from antigen inhalation to asthma attack could be delayed by LWM; the incidence of asthma and its mortality were reduced in guinea pigs, compared with control, P < 0.01. In addition, the prolonged period of induced asthma attack was negatively correlated to the plasma level of TXB2 in guinea pigs (P < 0.01). It was observed that the plasma level of TXB2 was decreased, the forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1%) was elevated significantly in asthmatic patients after they were treated by LWM. Moreover, the total effective rate was significantly better than that in the control (92% : 62%). It indicated that: (1) The effects of airway allergic inflammation (AAI) might be the important pathological basis for the bronchial asthma, (2) TXA2 might be an important inflammatory mediator in asthma which could be taken as an useful biochemical parameter for evaluating clinical effects, (3) LWM could relax tracheal smooth muscle, improve pulmonary function, inhibit the synthesis and release of TXA2 with no side effects. Registry Numbers: 54397-85-2 (Thromboxane B2) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Huang X Xia T Ren P [Influence of combined Salvia miltiorrhiza and Ligusticum wallichii on pharmacokinetics of tetramethylpyrazine in rats] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1994 May) 14(5):288-91, 261-2 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) Influence of Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) and/or Ligusticum wallichii (LW) on pharmacokinetics of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) was observed in rats. The content of TMP in LW and LW-SM decoctions were 375.8 and 236.2 micrograms/ml respectively. The rat serum components after oral administration of LW were analyzed by modified HPLC. One of 3 compounds was detected, which was identified as TMP by the comparison of the parameters of 4 spectrums (UV, IR, MS and NMR) with those of TMP in literature. Pharmacokinetics of TMP in rats after the oral administration of LW and LW-SM decoction respectively showed that: (1) both of the data fitted adequately to two-compartment open model; (2) Ka, AUC and serum concentration were higher (P < 0.05-0.01) for LW decoction than that for LW-SM decoction, indicating a higher bioavailability. It demonstrated that the absorption of TMP of LW-SM decoction was slower and the bioavailability of TMP of LW-SM decoction reduced. Contents of TMP in LW and LW-SM decoction and serum concentration of TMP were determined by HPLC method. Registry Numbers: 1124-11-4 (tetramethylpyrazine) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Zhao L Zhang Y Xu ZX [Clinical effect and experimental study of xijian tongshuan pill] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1994 Feb) 14(2):71-3, 67 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) Xijian Tongshuan pill (XJTS), consisted of Siegesbeckia orientalis, Moschus moschiferus, Hirudo nipponica, Prunus Persicae, Carthamus tinctoruis, Ligusticum wallichi, Panax notoginseng, Angelica Sinensis, Borneolum, etc, were used in treating 70 patients with cerebral thrombosis. The marked effective rate was 82.9%, total effective rate was 96.7%. In control group A, Dextranum and Venoruton were used, in control group B cyclandelate capsule were used. The marked effective rate was 61.7% and 61.1% respectively, the total effective rate was 81.7% and 83.3%. The differences were significant (P < 0.01). The improvement of blood rheology and CT of brain were also significant (P < 0.01). The experiment proved that XJTS pill could inhibit and delay the thrombosis of rabbit, inhibit the platelet aggregation. Acute and subacute toxicity tests proved that XJTS pill was safe and effective. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Hu WL Ma YJ [Effect of glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rabbit with Ligusticum wallichii on thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha/thromboxane B2] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1993 Sep) 13(9):549-50, 518 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) The effect in preventing and treating glycerol-induced acute renal failure (ARF) in rabbit with Ligusticum wallichii (LW) has been studied. 33 male and female rabbits weighing 2.0-3.0 Kg were divided into three groups randomly: (1) LW treated group. (2) pathological control group and (3) normal control group. The measurement of plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, TXB2 concentration and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/TXB2 ratio were carried out with radioimmunoassay after 24 hr, 48 hr and 72 hr of ARF. The results showed that plasma TXB2 concentration obviously increased (P < 0.01), 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentration had no obvious changes (P > 0.05), 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/TXB2 ratio markedly decreased and LW could reduce plasma TXB2 concentration, slightly increase the plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentration, keep 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/TXB2 ratio in normal level after ARF. It showed that LW could inhibit effectively platelet activation, correct 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/TXB2 imbalance and have a preventing and treating effect for ARF. Registry Numbers: 54397-85-2 (Thromboxane B2) 56-81-5 (Glycerin) 58962-34-8 (6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Zong PP Yan TY Gong MM [Clinical and experimental studies of effects of huayu decoction on scavenging free radicals] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1993 Oct) 13(10):591-3, 579 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) Infantile pneumonia has been treated successfully with Huayu decoction (HYD) in our department for more than ten years. According to the principles of Huoxue Huayu of TCM, the composition of Huayu decoction is as follows: Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, Ligusticum wallichii, Spathollobus suberectus, Hirudo nipponica, Tabanus bivittatus, Paeonia suffroticosa, Astragalus membranaceus . 49 cases of infantile pneumonia were treated with HYD. The activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutases (ESOD) was measured in these patients. The results showed that the activity of ESOD reduced in the acute stage and returned to normal in convalescence. There was significant statistical difference in activity of ESOD between the patient's group. In experimental studies, the producing of free radicals was induced by inhaling ozone in mice. It was found that HYD had the effect of scavenging free radicals in these animal models. The action of anti-oxidate of HYD was also detected in vitro. The mechanism of HYD in treating infantile pneumonia might be elucidated in some respects by these clinical and experimental studies. Registry Numbers: EC 1.15.1.1 (Superoxide Dismutase) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Wang J Shi YM Zheng HM [Experimental study of Ligusticum wallichii on cerebrovascular hemodynamic parameters] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1993 Jul) 13(7):417-9, 389 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) The model of experimental atherosclerosis was established by means of dietary hyperlipidemia and repeated intravenous injection of heterologous serum to make the immunologic injuries of arterial endothelium, in which the effect of Ligusticum wallichii (LW) on the cerebrovascular hemodynamic parameters (CVHP) was observed. All CVHP indexes in LW group were near that of normal group, and there was no significant difference between these two groups. The carotid arteries' mean flow (Qmean), mean velocity (Vmean), maximal velocity (Vmax), cerebrovascular peripheral compliance for zero pressure and cerebrovascular peripheral resistance (R) in LW group were significantly better than that of atherosclerotic control group (P < 0.05-0.01). The results showed that LW had protective effects on cerebral vessels. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Chen DR [Clinical and experimental study of Ligusticum wallichii and aspirin in the treatment of transient ischemic attack] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1992 Nov) 12(11):672-4, 645-6 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) This paper reports the results of the treatment of 158 cases with transient ischemic attack (TIA). They were randomly divided into Ligusticum wallichii group (111 cases) and Aspirin group (47 cases). The results showed that the total effective rate in Ligusticum wallichii group and in Aspirin group were 89.2% and 61.7% respectively. The effect of former on the treatment of TIA was superior to latter, and the difference between them was significant (P < 0.01). Experimental study showed that Ligusticum wallichii has the effects of increasing cerebral blood flow, accelerating the velocity of blood flow, dilating the spastic artery and decreasing peripheral arterial resistance. Both of them has the functions of decreasing the levels of thromboxane B2(TXB2), beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor IV (PF4) in plasma and increasing the concentration of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6 keto-PGF1 alpha) in plasma, the effect of Ligusticum wallichii was significantly better than Aspirin (P < 0.05). Registry Numbers: 50-78-2 (Aspirin) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ **CHUNG-KUO CHUNG YAO TSA CHIH CHINA JOURNAL OF CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA* Huang Y Pu F [Chemical components of the essential oil from Ligusticum brachylobum Franch] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1990 Jul) 15(7):422-3, 447 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) 45 chemical components of the essential oil from Ligusticum brachylobum were identified, the main ones being alpha-pinene (45.46%), beta-pinene (18.01%) and limonene (8.19%), etc. In the essential oil, however, no ligustilide was found that makes an effective component of the essential oils from L. sinense cv. chuanxiong and from L. sinense. This result provides a basis for the quality evaluation of the drug. Registry Numbers: 127-91-3 (terbenthene) 138-86-3 (limonene) 80-56-8 (alpha-pinene) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Chen XF Ding DR Liu SR Huang WX Liu SX [Biological characteristics of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1994 Aug) 19(8):463-6, 510 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) Observational studies were conducted on the biological characteristics of Ligusticum chuanxiong, such as suitable growth environment, growing period, growth of stems, leaves and rhizomes, yield structure, etc. The specific regularities of each growth period were also studied. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Xie DM [Preliminary study on spraying penicillin on Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1994 Feb) 19(2):76-7, 126 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) It has been proved that penicillin spray on Ligusticum chuanxiong can contribute to the growth of the plant in the following ways: cutting down the tissue water potential, strengthening the capability of sucking moisture, increasing the contents of chlorophyll and restraining its degradation to facilitate the formation of photosynthetic compounds, enriching the nutrition root and increasing the root-shoot ratio. All these help to keep the stem tuber rot under 5% so as to guarantee higher economic yield of the plant. Registry Numbers: 1406-65-1 (Chlorophyll) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Guo P Li ZL Chen H Zhang TM Lin YK [Studies on the chemical components of essential oil from the aerial parts of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1993 Sep) 18(9):551-2, 574 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the essential oil steamdistilled from the aerial parts of Ligusticum chuanxiong were made by means of GC-MS and GC. Forty-six components which make up 85.82% of the total oil were identified. Registry Numbers: 17066-67-0 (beta-selinene) 4431-01-0 (ligustilide) 6415-59-4 (neocnidilide) 96-48-0 (4-Butyrolactone) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Ji L Xu ZL Pan JG [GC-MS analysis of the essential oil from the root of Ligusticum brachylobum Franch] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1993 May) 18(5):294-5, 319 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) The constituents of the essential oil of the root of Ligusticum brachylobum have been analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry qualitatively and gas chromatography quantitatively. Forty-five compounds were identified. The main constituent of the oil is alpha-pinene. Registry Numbers: 80-56-8 (alpha-pinene) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHUNG-KUO YAO LI HSUEH PAO [ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA]***** Chiou GC Yan HY Lei XL Li BH Shen ZF Ocular and cardiovascular pharmacology of tetramethylpyrazine isolated from Ligusticum wallichii Franch. In: Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao (1991 Mar) 12(2):99-104 ISSN: 0253-9756 Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), the active principle in Ligusticum wallichii, D-timolol, and L-timolol were compared for their effects on retinal and choroidal blood flow (RCBF), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR). TMP (10 mg.kg-1) increased RCBF by 44% and did not affect systemic BP or HR. D-Timolol (4 mg.kg-1 iv) had a tendency to increase RCBF but did not affect systemic BP and HR either. L-Timolol (0.4 mg.kg-1 iv), on the other hand, decreased RCBF by 18% and reduced both systemic BP and HR. In isolated preparations, TMP increased coronary artery blood flow with slight vasodilation, but vasoconstriction in renal, femoral and mesenteric arteries. These results indicate that TMP could be used to prevent or alleviate certain ischemic retinal degenerations without producing significant cardiovascular side effects. The in vitro vasoconstriction actions of TMP (0.2 mg.ml-1) were blocked by propranolol and phenoxybenzamine, indicating that adrenergic mechanism might be involved in TMP action. Registry Numbers: 1124-11-4 (tetramethylpyrazine) 26839-75-8 (Timolol) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Zhang ZH Yu SZ Wang ZT Zhao BL Hou JW Yang FJ Xin WJ Scavenging effects of tetramethylpyrazine on active oxygen free radicals. In: Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao (1994 May) 15(3):229-31 ISSN: 0253-9756 The scavenging effects of tetramethylpyrazine (ligustrazine, Lig) isolated from Ligusticum wallichii Franch on active oxygen free radicals were studied using spin trapping technic and chemiluminescence methods. The scavenging rate of superoxide anion (O2-.) by Lig (25 mg.ml-1) was 100% in xanthine/xanthine oxidase (Xan/XO) system, and that of hydroxyl radical (OH-.) was 44% in Fenton's reaction. The scavenging rate of lipid peroxyl radical (LOO- .) by Lig (25 mg.ml-1) was 80% in peroxidizing microsome system. It is possible that Lig scavenged O2-. by catalyzing its spontaneous dismutation. The results showed that Lig had strong effects of scavenging cyotoxic oxygen free radicals (O2-., LOO-., OH-.). Registry Numbers: 1124-11-4 (tetramethylpyrazine) 7782-44-7 (Oxygen) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS***** Beck JJ Stermitz FR Addition of methyl thioglycolate and benzylamine to (Z)-ligustilide, a bioactive unsaturated lactone constituent of several herbal medicines. An improved synthesis of (Z)-ligustilide. In: J Nat Prod (1995 Jul) 58(7):1047-55 ISSN: 0163-3864 (Z)-Ligustilide [1] is a dihydrophthalide purported to be the active ingredient of Ligusticum plant species widely used as herbal medicines in the Orient and in Native American and Hispanic cultures. It readily underwent 1,6-conjugate addition with methyl thioglycolate in the presence of triethylamine. The methyl thioglycolate reaction also yielded a product from addition to the C-6-C-7 double bond and a diadduct from both 1,6-addition and addition to the C-6-C-7 bond. Reaction of 1 with benzylamine did not afford a 1,6-adduct, but yielded instead an N-benzyllactam, presumably formed by rearrangement from initial 1,2-addition to the carbonyl. An improved total synthesis of 1 was developed. (Z)-Ligustilide had weak antiviral properties and weak antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and yeast microorganisms. The broad biological activity of 1 and its electrophilic reactivity are consistent with the use of Ligusticum species in folk medicine. Registry Numbers: 4431-01-0 (ligustilide) 96-48-0 (4-Butyrolactone) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JAPANESE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY***** Ni JW Matsumoto K Watanabe H Tetramethylpyrazine improves spatial cognitive impairment induced by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries or scopolamine in rats. In: Jpn J Pharmacol (1995 Feb) 67(2):137-41 ISSN: 0021-5198 Effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), a major constituent of Ligusticum chuanxiong, on spatial cognitive impairment induced by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (2VO) and scopolamine were investigated using 8-arm radial maze performance in rats. Permanent 2VO produced a severe learning deficit in non- pretrained rats. Daily administration of TMP (3-10 mg/kg, i.p.) from the 3rd day after permanent 2VO significantly improved the learning deficit. TMP did not influence the impairment of the retention task in the pretrained permanent 2VO rats, but it tended to reduce the number of errors elevated by 3-min delay interposition in these rats. In the scopolamine model, scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased the initial correct response and increased the number of errors. Single administration of TMP (1-3 mg/kg, i.p.) dose- dependently reversed the scopolamine-induced impairment of the maze performance. These results suggest that TMP has therapeutic potential for the treatment of dementia caused by cholinergic dysfunction and/or decrease of cerebral blood flow. Registry Numbers: 1124-11-4 (tetramethylpyrazine) 51-34-3 (Scopolamine) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH***** Leung AW Mo ZX Zheng YS Reduction of cellular damage induced by cerebral ischemia in rats. In: Neurochem Res (1991 Jun) 16(6):687-92 ISSN: 0364-3190 A model of incomplete cerebral ischemia involving bilateral ligation of the common carotid arteries in rats, was used to examine the potential of a Chinese herbal preparation and of nifedipine to reduce cell damage following cerebral ischemia. The herbal preparation contained ginsengosides and extracts of Panax notoginseng, Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., Carthamus tinctorius L. and Salvia militorrhiza Bge. Histological evidence of cell damage and the formation of peroxidation products were both reduced in rats pretreated with the herbal preparation or with nifedipine. It has been suggested that the free radical reaction is involved in tissue damage, particularly in the pathological neurocyte injury of cerebral ischemia. The results show that in this model of incomplete cerebral ischemia, the degree of lipid peroxidation can be lowered by the pretreatment with Chinese herbs containing ginsengosides or with nifedipine. These drugs maybe beneficial in the treatment of cerebral ischemia in humans. Registry Numbers: 21829-25-4 (Nifedipine) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PLANTA MEDICA***** Pang PK Shan JJ Chiu KW Tetramethylpyrazine, a calcium antagonist. In: Planta Med (1996 Oct) 62(5):431-5 ISSN: 0032-0943 Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is a compound purified from a medicinal plant Ligusticum wallichii Franch. Its effects on in vivo blood pressure, in vitro vascular contractility, and intracellular calcium regulation in rats were examined in the present study to see if it was a possible calcium antagonist in the vascular tissue. Data showed that TMP was hypotensive and had a direct vascular effect. It not only blocked the entry of extracellular calcium through calcium channels but also inhibited the release of intracellular stored calcium in the vascular smooth muscle cell. It was a true calcium antagonist. Registry Numbers: 1124-11-4 (tetramethylpyrazine) 7440-70-2 (Calcium) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€