€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHUNG HSI I CHIEH HO TSA CHIH***** Chen Z [Clinical study of 96 cases with chronic hepatitis B treated with jiedu yanggan gao by a double-blind method] In: Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1990 Feb) 10(2):71-4, 67 ISSN: 0254-9034 (Published in Chinese) This paper reported 96 cases with chronic hepatitis B treated by a double-blind method. There were 51 cases of observation group(OG) and 45 cases of control group (CG). OG was treated with Jiedu Yanggan Gao consisting of Artemisia capillaris, Taraxacum mongolicum, Plantago seed, Cephalanoplos segetum, Hedyotis diffusa, Flos Chrysanthemi Indici, Smilax glabra, Astragalus membranaceus, Salviae miltiorrhizae, Fructus Polygonii Orientalis, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Polygonatum sibiricum, etc.). CG was prescribed with three charred medicinal herbs (charred Fructus Crataegi, charred Fructrus Hordei Germinatus, charred fermented mixture of several medical herbs and wheat bran). The average duration of treatment was five months. All 96 cases belong to the virus-duplication-type with positive HBsAg for over one year. Among them 65.5% of cases HBeAg, DNAP and HBV-DNA were positive. 20.8% of cases were positive in two out of the above tests. 13 data were compared statistically between two groups, and proved to be comparable (P greater than 0.05) before treatment. 27.3% and 66.7% of cases' ALT, AST returned to normal respectively in OG after treatment. However, in CG they were 9.1% and 22.2% (P less than 0.05). TTT returned to normal in 52% cases of OG and 44% in CG (P greater than 0.05). 20% cases HBeAg shifted to negative in OG, but 6.7% in CG. Cases with negative DNAP in OG occupied 34.2%, but 10.8% in CG. 31.6% cases' HBV-DNA changed to negative in OG, while 17.6% in CG. After comprehensive judgement, the total effective rate was 74.5% in OG and 24.4% in CG respectively (P less than 0.001). Eight cases were basically cured in OG and one case in CG. After one year's follow-up, one recurred in eight patients of OG, however the only one cured in CG still relapsed. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****CHUNG-KUO CHUNG HSI I CHIEH HO TSA CHIH***** Liu XR Han WQ Sun DR [Treatment of intestinal metaplasia and atypical hyperplasia of gastric mucosa with xiao wei yan powder] In: Chung Kuo Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih (1992 Oct) 12(10):602-3, 580 ISSN: 1003-5370 (Published in Chinese) 138 cases of intestinal metaplasia (IM) and 104 cases of atypical hyperplasia (AH) of the gastric mucosa of chronic gastritis treated with Xiao Wei Yan Powder (XWYP) were reported. The diagnoses were based on the pathological examination of gastric antrum biopsy specimens. The cases were randomly divided into treated group and control group. The XWYP contained Smilax glabrae, Hedyotis diffusae, Taraxacum mongolicum, Caesalpinia sappan, Paeonia alba, Cyperus rotundus, Bletilla striata, Glycyrrhiza uralensis etc., and was prepared in powder form, taken orally 5-7g tid. After 2-4 months of administration, gastroscopic and pathological examinations were repeated. Results: In treated group, the total effective rate of IM was 91.3% and that of the AH was 92.16%, while in control group, they were 21.3% and 14.46% respectively (P < 0.01). It denoated that XWYP had marked therapeutic effects for IM and AH. The animal experiments revealed no toxic effect, so safety guarantee was provided for its clinical application. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ **CHUNG-KUO CHUNG YAO TSA CHIH CHINA JOURNAL OF CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA* Xu JH Mao ZX Xi JQ [Studies on numerical taxonomy of Smilacaceae plants in Zhejiang Province by pyrolysis-high resolution gas chromatography] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1993 Apr) 18(4):197-201, 253 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) The best taxonomic results were obtained in the analysis of rhizomes of 9 species and 1 variety of Smilacaceae plants grown in Zhejiang Province by using pyrolysis-high resolution gas chromatography and numerical taxonomy. When compared with the result of thin layer chromatography, it was found that those by classical taxonomy were basically reasonable, but Smilax china should be divided into two types: one with big berries and the other with small berries. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Shu G Chen J [Investigation on the plant origin and commodity of Chinese drug bixie] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1992 Sep) 17(9):515-8, 574 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) An investigation has been made on the Chinese drug Bixie available in drug market, its folk uses and plant origin in different districts in China. The results reveal that the drug Bixie presently used in different regions in China are derived from 24 species belonging to genus Dioscorea (Family Dioscoreaceae); genus Smilax and Heterosmilax (Family Liliaceae). €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****DRUGS UNDER EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH***** Ageel AM Mossa JS al-Yahya MA al-Said MS Tariq M Experimental studies on antirheumatic crude drugs used in Saudi traditional medicine. In: Drugs Exp Clin Res (1989) 15(8):369-72 ISSN: 0378-6501 A large number of herbal drugs are used in the traditional medicine of Saudi Arabia for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, gout and other forms of inflammation. In the present study seven of these crude drugs, namely Francoeuria crispa, Hammada elegans, Malus pumila, Ruta chalepensis, Smilax sarsaparilla, Achillea fragrantissima and Alpinia officinarum were tested against carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in rats. The plant materials were extracted with 96% ethanol. The dried extract was dissolved in water for pharmacological testing. The rats were administered an oral dose of 500 mg/kg body weight of each extract 1 h prior to production of inflammation by carrageenan injection (0.05 ml of 1% carrageenan suspension in the planter aponeurosis of the right hind foot). The paw volume was measured at 0,2,3 and 4 h after the injection. Four of the seven plants, namely Francoeuria crispa (24%), Malus pumila (23%), Ruta chalepensis (30%) and Smilax sarsaparilla (25%), produced significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats. These plants also inhibited cotton pellet-induced exudation. Further studies are suggested to isolate the active principles and for the determination of the mechanism of action of these drugs. Registry Numbers: 9000-07-1 (Carrageenan) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY***** Caceres A Lopez BR Giron MA Logemann H Plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of dermatophytic infections. 1. Screening for antimycotic activity of 44 plant extracts. In: J Ethnopharmacol (1991 Mar) 31(3):263-76 ISSN: 0378-8741 Skin infections are common diseases in developing countries, of which dermatophytoses are of particular concern in the tropics, especially in infants. Through ethnobotanical surveys and literature review 100 plants were detected as being used in Guatemala for the treatment of dermatophytoses. Of these, 44 plants were screened for in vitro activity against the most common dermatophytes (Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum). Results showed that aqueous extracts from 22 of the plants tested inhibit one or more of the dermatophytes. The most commonly inhibited dermatophytes were E. floccosum (43.2%), T. rubrum (36.0%), and T. mentagrophytes (31.8%); the less inhibited were M. canis (22.7%) and M. gypseum (24.0%). Plants of American origin which exhibited anti-dermatophyte activity were: Byrsonima crassifolia, Cassia grandis, Cassia occidentalis, Diphysa carthagenensis, Gliricidia sepium, Piscidia piscipula, Sambucus mexicana, Smilax regelii, Solanum americanum and Solanum nigrescens. Fungicidal and fungistatic activities as well as the minimal inhibitory concentration were demonstrated. These results provide a scientific basis for the use of these plants for the treatment of dermatophyte infections in man. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Caceres A Cano O Samayoa B Aguilar L Plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. 1. Screening of 84 plants against enterobacteria. In: J Ethnopharmacol (1990 Aug) 30(1):55-73 ISSN: 0378-8741 Gastrointestinal disorders are important causes of morbidity in developing countries. Natural healing is the traditional way of treating these diseases in Guatemala. Ethnobotanical surveys and literature reviews showed that 385 plants from 95 families are used in Guatemala for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The activity of 84 of the most commonly used plants was screened in vitro against five enterobacteria pathogenic to man (enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae and Shigella flexneri). Results indicate that 34 (40.48%) plants inhibit one or more of the enterobacteria tested. The most commonly inhibited bacterium was S. typhi (33.73%) and the most resistant was E. coli (7.35%). The plants of American origin which exhibited the best antibacterial activity were: Byrsonima crassifolia, Diphysa robinioides, Gnaphalium stramineum, Guazuma ulmifolia, Psidium guajava, Sambucus mexicana, Simarouba glauca, Smilax lundelii, Spondias purpurea and Tagetes lucida. These results indicate a scientific basis for use of these medicinal plants for attacking enterobacterial infections in man. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****MUTATION RESEARCH***** Lee H Lin JY Antimutagenic activity of extracts from anticancer drugs in Chinese medicine. In: Mutat Res (1988 Feb) 204(2):229-34 ISSN: 0027-5107 The antimutagenic activities of extracts of 36 commonly used anticancer crude drugs from Chinese herbs were studied by using the Salmonella/microsomal system in the presence of picrolonic acid or benzo[a]pyrene to test whether they contain direct or indirect antimutagens. Each crude drug was extracted with boiling water for 2 h, the method which is commonly used by Chinese people to prepare the drug for oral intake. The extracts of Pteris multifida P. showed the highest antimutagenic activity against picrolonic acid-induced mutation. The extracts of 6 other different kinds of Chinese herbs were shown to have a moderate antimutagenic activity against picrolonic acid-induced mutation, and they are: Actinidia chinensis P., Artemisia lavendulaefolia DC. and Crotalaria sessiflora L., Prunella vulgaris L., Paris polyphylla S. and Ampelopsis brevipedunculata T. The extracts of Smilax china L., Prunella vulgaris L. and Actinidia chinensis P. were demonstrated to inhibit the mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene completely. The 12 other kinds of extracts of Chinese herbs which had a moderate antimutagenic activity against benzo[a]pyrene were: Pteris polyphylla S., Ampelopsis brevipedunculata T., Duchesnea indica F., Gossypium herbaceum L., Lithospermum erythrorrhizon SZ., Artemisia lavendulaefolia DC., Selaginella doederleinii H., Dianthus superbus L., Centipeda minima ABA., Curcuma zedoaria R., Marsdenia tenacissima WA. and Kalopanax septemlobus K. Among them, there were 5 kinds of crude drugs, Actinidia chinensis P., Artemisia lavendulaefolia DC., Prunella vulgaris L., Paris polyphylla S. and Ampelopsis brevipedunculata T., containing antimutagenic factors against both picrolonic acid- and benzo[a]pyrene-induced mutation. Registry Numbers: 50-32-8 (Benzo(a)pyrene) 550-74-3 (picrolonic acid) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS***** Giachetti D Taddei I Taddei E Effects of Smilax macrophylla Vers. in normal or hyperuricemic and hyperuricosuric rats. In: Pharmacol Res Commun (1988 Dec) 20 Suppl 5:59-62 ISSN: 0031-6989 Smilax macrophylla Vers., administered per os at the doses of 1 or 2 g/kg in normal rats or in rats made hyperuricemic and hyperuricosuric by potassium oxonate (250 mg/Kg p.o.) or fructose (4 g/Kg p.o.) does not modify diuresis, but increases the excretion of uric acid and allantoin in normal rats and in those pretreated with fructose, whereas it is inactive in oxonate pretreated rats. Allantoinemia is not modified by fructose or oxonate, whereas uricemia is modified. Registry Numbers: 69-93-2 (Uric Acid) 97-59-6 (Allantoin) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PHYTOCHEMISTRY***** Bernardo RR Pinto AV Parente JP Steroidal saponins from Smilax officinalis. In: Phytochemistry (1996 Sep) 43(2):465-9 ISSN: 0031-9422 Three new steroidal saponins were isolated from the rhizomes of Smilax officinalis. The structures of these saponins were established by extensive spectral data, hydrolysis and chemical correlation as sarsasapogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha-L- arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6 )-beta- D-glucopyranoside, neotigogenin 3-O- beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6 )]- beta- D-glucopyranoside and 25S-spirostan-6 beta-ol 3-O-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6 )]-beta- D- glucopyranoside. Acid hydrolysis of the latter compound gave a sapogenin which has a new orientation of an hydroxyl on the steroidal skeleton. A route is proposed for the biogenesis of the latter sapogenin which is an uncommon steroidal aglycone. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Ju Y Jia Z Sun X Steroidal saponins from Smilax menispermoidea and S. lebrunii. In: Phytochemistry (1994 Nov) 37(5):1433-6 ISSN: 0031-9422 Three new (25S)spirost-5-en-3 beta,17 alpha,27-triol glycosides were isolated from the rhizomes and roots of Smilax menispermoidea and S. lebrunii. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic and chemical methods. Several known saponins were also isolated and identified. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Ju Y Jia ZJ Minor steroidal glycosides from the roots of Smilax lebrunii. In: Phytochemistry (1993 Jul) 33(5):1193-5 ISSN: 0031-9422 Three new minor steroidal saponins, (25R) 5 alpha-spirostan-3 beta-o1- 6-one-3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl(1-4)-beta-D- glucopyranoside, (25S) spirost-5-en-3 beta, 27-diol-3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1- 6)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and (25S) spirost-5-en-3 beta, 17 alpha, 27-triol-3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-6)]-beta-D- glaucopyranoside, were isolated from the root of Similax lebrunii, in addition to two known steroidal glycosides. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectral methods. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Kubo S Mimaki Y Sashida Y Nikaido T Ohmoto T Steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Smilax sieboldii. In: Phytochemistry (1992 Jul) 31(7):2445-50 ISSN: 0031-9422 Six new steroidal saponins were isolated from the rhizomes of Smilax sieboldii. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and hydrolysis to be 3 beta-hydroxy-(25R)-5 alpha-spirostan-6-one (laxogenin) 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-[alpha-L- arabinopyranosyl-(1- ---6)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside, laxogenin 3-O- alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1----6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3 beta,27- dihydroxy-(25S)-5 alpha-spirostan-6-one 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-- --4)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1- ---6)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside, 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3 beta,22 xi,26-trihydroxy-(25R)-5 alpha- furostan-6-one 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1----6)-beta-D- glucopyranoside, 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3 beta,22 xi,26- trihydroxy-(25R)-5 alpha-furostan-6- one 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1- ---4)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1- ---6)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside and (25R)-5 alpha-spirostan-3 beta-ol (tigogenin) 3-O-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl- (1----6)]-beta-D- glucopyranoside. The inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase by the saponins was evaluated. Registry Numbers: EC 3.1.4.17 (3',5'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Sashida Y Kubo S Mimaki Y Nikaido T Ohmoto T Steroidal saponins from Smilax riparia and S. china. In: Phytochemistry (1992 Jul) 31(7):2439-43 ISSN: 0031-9422 Two new neotigogenin glycosides were isolated from the rhizomes and roots of Smilax riparia and a new isonarthogenin glycoside from those of S. china. The structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analysis and hydrolysis followed by spectral and chromatographic analysis. Several known saponins were also isolated and identified. The inhibitory activity of the saponins on cAMP phosphodiesterase was examined. Registry Numbers: EC 3.1.4.17 (3',5'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Jia ZHJ Ju Y Steroidal saponins from Smilax lebrunii. In: Phytochemistry (1992 Sep) 31(9):3173-5 ISSN: 0031-9422 Two new steroidal saponins, (25 R)-spirostan-3 beta-ol-6-one-3-O- [alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1----6)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside and (25 R)- spirostan-3 beta-ol-6-one-3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1---4)] [alpha-L- arabinopyranosyl(1----6)]-beta-glucopyranoside, were isolated from the rhizomes of Smilax lebrunii. Their structures have been established by chemical and spectral methods. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Ju Y Jia ZJ Steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Smilax menispermoidea. In: Phytochemistry (1992 Apr) 31(4):1349-51 ISSN: 0031-9422 Four steroidal saponins were isolated from the dried rhizomes of Smilax menispermoidea. One of them is new and its structure was established as (25S)spirost-5-en-3 beta,17 alpha-triol-3-O-[alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl(1----2)] [alhpa-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1----4)]-beta-D- glucopyranoside using spectrometry and chemical methods, as well as comparison with three known steroidal saponins, dioscin, methyl protodioscin and pseudoprotodioscin. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****SPORTS MEDICINE***** Grunewald KK Bailey RS Commercially marketed supplements for bodybuilding athletes. In: Sports Med (1993 Feb) 15(2):90-103 ISSN: 0112-1642 We conducted a survey of 624 commercially available supplements targeted towards bodybuilding athletes. Over 800 performance claims were made for these supplements. Supplements include amino acids, boron, carnitine, choline, chromium, dibencozide, ferulic acid, gamma oryzanol, medium chain triglycerides, weight gain powders, Smilax compounds and yohimbine. Many performance claims advertised were not supported by published research studies. In some instances, we found no research to validate the claims; in other cases, research findings were extrapolated to inappropriate applications. For example, biological functions of some non-essential compounds were interpreted as performance claims for the supplements. Claims for others were based on their ability to enhance hormonal release or activity. We suggest that more research be conducted on this group of athletes and their nutritional needs. Furthermore, the effectiveness and safety of supplements merit further investigation. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€