Classic Chinese Herbal Formula Increases Hematopoietic Stem Cells In a Mouse Model

This study demonstrates that the classic chinese herbal formula Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Remove Stasis from the blood mansion) increases hematopoietic stem cells. In TCM terms this formula activates blood and has many uses for patterns of blood stagnation. Modifications of this formula could really be of use for folks that are suffering from bone marrow suppressed anemias. Good to know. Alex

Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2007 Jun;27(6):527-30.LinkOut

[Experimental study on effect of xuefu zhuyu decoction on bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells of mice]

[Article in Chinese]

Gao D, Lin JM, Zheng LP.

Fujian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZYD) on the number, phenotype, cell cycle and colony formation of bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) in mice. METHODS: Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, the low- (3.25 g/kg), middle- (6.5 g/kg) and high-dose (13.0 g/kg) XFZYD groups. After they were medicated by gastrogavage respectively with saline or corresponding dose of XFZYD for 7 days, their bone marrow HSC were separated and counted. The phenotype Sca and cell cycle of HSC were detected by flow cytometer, and the colony formation was determined with semisolid methyl media culture. RESULTS: No obvious difference in the number of mononuclear cell, suspended cell and colony production was found among all the groups (P > 0.05); while the expression of CD34 and Sca-1 increased in the low-dose XFZYD group, but in the middle-dose XFZYD group increase only showed in Sca-1 expression. CONCLUSION: XFZYD plays a role of removing blood stasis and promoting regeneration through improving hematopoietic function by means of increasing the number and enhancing the function of premature HSC.

PMID: 17633366 [PubMed - in process]

Related Links

• Changes in integrin expression are associated with altered homing properties of Lin(-/lo)Thy1.1(lo)Sca-1(+)c-kit(+) hematopoietic stem cells following mobilization by cyclophosphamide/granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. [Exp Hematol. 2002]
• [Effects of xuefu zhuyu decoction on functions of vascular endothelium in patients with unstable angina pectoris] [Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 2006]
• [Generation of CD34+/Sca-1+ cells from mouse embryonic stem cells with two-step differentiation in vitro] [Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi. 2004]
• [Effect of xuefu zhuyu decoction on function of platelet and endothelial cell] [Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1999]
• [The effect of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in granulocyte colony stimulation factor-induced stem cell mobilization] [Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2006]

See all Related Articles...

Classic Chinese Herbal Formula increases Hematopoietic tem cells in a rat model

This study demonstrates that the classic chinese herbal formula Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Remove Stasis from the blood mansion) has a good effect on the


Gao D, Lin JM, Zheng LP. [Experimental study on effect of xue fu zhu yu
decoction on bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells of mice] [Article in
Chinese] Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2007 Jun;27(6):527-

30.
Fujian College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou. OBJECTIVE: To
investigate the effect of Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZYD) on the number,
phenotype, cell cycle and colony formation of bone marrow hematopoietic
stem cells (HSC) in mice. METHODS: Kunming mice were randomly divided
into 4 groups: the control group, the low- (3.25 g/kg), middle- (6.5 g/kg) and
high-dose (13.0 g/kg) XFZYD groups. After they were medicated by
gastrogavage respectively with saline or corresponding dose of XFZYD for 7
days, their bone marrow HSC were separated and counted. The phenotype
Sca and cell cycle of HSC were detected by flow cytometer, and the colony
formation was determined with semisolid methyl media culture. RESULTS:
No obvious difference in the number of mononuclear cell, suspended cell
and colony production was found among all the groups (P > 0.05); while the
expression of CD34 and Sca-1 increased in the low-dose XFZYD group, but
in the middle-dose XFZYD group increase only showed in Sca-1 expression.
CONCLUSION: XFZYD plays a role of removing blood stasis and promoting
regeneration through improving hematopoietic function by means of
increasing the number and enhancing the function of premature HSC. PMID:
17633366 [PubMed - in process]

Herbal Aids for Cancer Review of 7 Herbs That Act As Biological Response Modifiers

The way I make an herbal formulas for a cancer patient is to integrate Western biochemical knowledge about herbs combined with traditional understandings of the herbs. This is done for at least 2 reasons. First it is not enough to just use a single herb or group of herbs for their effects on a certain chemical messenger or part of the immune system. This is incomplete. What happens if that herb is very warm propertied and the patient has a lot of heat to start with so to give that kind of herb would be making a bad situation worse. TCM's (traditional Chinese Mediicne) goal is to balance the body, by nudging the body towards balance the homeostatic mechanisms of the body - all of them - stand a better chance of working more effectively and efficiently. There are exceptions to this where an imbalanced formula can be of benefit. Second, in Chinese Medicine herbs work synergestically together. Chinese medicine's approach is to create harmony within the body systems. Good Chinese medicine is not about reducing herbs to an active ingredient and then extracting that. This inherently leads to imbalances or said another way strong effects and strong side-effects

Also TCM formulas take into account the dynamic balance of the individual. So even if there are strong and possibly toxic anti-cancer herbs there will also be herbs to support assimilation, combat the toxicity and regulate the dynamic balance of the body. The proof of this strategy being effective for a cancer patient can be measured in many ways depending on the situation. The main ways I think about it are quality of life, increase in longevity, less side effects from conventional treatment and better response to conventional treatment. This really is my message about treating cancer patients.
Alex

Herbal Aids for Cancer Review of 7 Herbs That Act As Biological Response Modifiers

Cancer treatments are a paradox, on one hand delivering powerful toxicity to a tumor, but on the other spreading toxicity to the rest of the body. The side effects of such treatments may cause death even before the cancer does. Biological response modifiers (BRMs) are compounds that have a unique effect on physiology and can reduce the side effects of cancer treatments, while at the same time increasing their effectiveness.

A BRM repairs damage to the body rather than targeting a pathogenic agent such as cancer. It typically acts by stimulating the immune system to restore optimal function. Many diseases and infections as well as AIDS result from immune surveillance failure. Because chemotherapy compromises the immune system, people receiving cancer treatments run an especially high risk of contracting and dying of infections.

Cytokines, hormones naturally produced in the body, promote immunity and are often used clinically as BRMs—to treat disease, fight viral infections and augment chemotherapy. Three pharmaceutical cytokines currently in use include colony-stimulating factors that reduce the chance of infection and thus the need for antibiotics by stimulating bone marrow to produce more white blood cells; interferons that stimulate macrophages to ingest foreign particles and help the body produce antiviral chemicals; and interleukins that stimulate growth and activation of white blood cells. The therapeutic use of these cytokines, called immunotherapy, as a cancer treatment both with and without standard anti-cancer drugs is marginally successful. Side effects such as depression, nausea and chest pain, however, can limit the effectiveness of some pharmaceutical cytokines.

Many herbs have long been known to affect the immune system, but only recently have scientists considered them as possible BRMs and adjunct cancer therapies. Such herbs often prompt the body's cells to secrete cytokines, which then enhance the immune response. The most promising of these herbs include black cumin, mistletoe, ginseng, astragalus, green tea, echinacea and garlic.

Complimentary cancer strategies an idea

When developing complimentary strategies to treat cancers one way is to understand the action of the drug used to treat it and then look at research into nutrients/supplements and herbs that work on the same cell signalling pathways. An example of this approach is the drug Lapatinib. It works upon the cell signaling proteins that are over-expressed in certain kinds of cancer cells. To be exact, according to Wikipedia, Lapatinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER2/neu (ErbB-2) dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Lapatinib (INN) or lapatinib ditosylate (USAN), also known as GW572016, is an anti-cancer drug developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as a treatment for solid tumours such as breast and lung cancer. It was approved by the FDA on March 13, 2007, for use in patients with advanced metastatic breast cancer in conjunction with the chemotherapy drug Capecitabine (Xeloda TM). It is marketed by GSK in the U.S. as Tykerb and in Europe as Tycerb.

Lapatinib is a once-daily oral drug indicated for women who have received prior treatment with the intravenous drug Trastuzumab (Herceptin TM) and cancer drugs called taxanes and anthracyclines. [1]

In patients with HER2+ metastatic breast cancer that has progressed following treatment with regimens that included an anthracycline, a taxane, and trastuzumab; randomized clinical trial has demonstrated that the addition of lapatinib to capecitabine delayed the time of further cancer growth compared to capecitabine alone.

What if there are natural products that could have similar action?

Here are some links to herbs that work on the same and additional cell signalling pathways to Lapatinib:

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:1-75.Links

Curcumin: the Indian solid gold.

Aggarwal BB, Sundaram C, Malani N, Ichikawa H.

Curcumin exhibits activities similar to recently discovered tumor necrosis factor blockers (e.g., HUMIRA, REMICADE, and ENBREL), a vascular endothelial cell growth factor blocker (e.g., AVASTIN), human epidermal growth factor receptor blockers (e.g., ERBITUX, ERLOTINIB, and GEFTINIB), and a HER2 blocker (e.g., HERCEPTIN). Considering the recent scientific bandwagon that multitargeted therapy is better than monotargeted therapy for most diseases, curcumin can be considered an ideal "Spice for Life".

Curr Oncol. 2006 Jun;13(3):99-107. Links

Natural health products that inhibit angiogenesis: a potential source for investigational new agents to treat cancer-Part 2.

Sagar SM, Yance D, Wong RK.

Juravinski Cancer Centre and McMaster University (Department of Medicine), Hamilton, Ontario.

The herbalist has access to hundreds of years of observational data on the anticancer activity of many herbs. Laboratory studies are expanding the clinical knowledge that is already documented in traditional texts. The herbs that are traditionally used for anti-cancer treatment and that are anti-angiogenic through multiple interdependent processes (including effects on gene expression, signal processing, and enzyme activities) include Artemisia annua (Chinese wormwood), Viscum album (European mistletoe), Curcuma longa (curcumin), Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap), resveratrol and proanthocyanidin (grape seed extract), Magnolia officinalis (Chinese magnolia tree), Camellia sinensis (green tea), Ginkgo biloba, quercetin, Poria cocos, Zingiber officinalis (ginger), Panax ginseng, Rabdosia rubescens hora (Rabdosia), and Chinese destagnation herbs. Natural health products target molecular pathways other than angiogenesis, including epidermal growth factor receptor, the HER2/neu gene, the cyclo-oxygenase-2 enzyme, the nuclear factor kappa-B transcription factor, the protein kinases, the Bcl-2 protein, and coagulation pathways. Quality assurance of appropriate extracts is essential prior to embarking upon clinical trials. More data are required on dose-response, appropriate combinations, and potential toxicities. Given the multiple effects of these agents, their future use for cancer therapy probably lies in synergistic combinations. During active cancer therapy they should generally be evaluated in combination with chemotherapy and radiation. In this role, they act as modifiers of biologic response or as adaptogens, potentially enhancing the efficacy of the conventional therapies or reducing toxicity. Their effectiveness may be increased when multiple agents are used in optimal combinations. New designs for trials to demonstrate activity in human subjects are required. Although controlled trials may be preferable, smaller studies with appropriate endpoints and surrogate markers for anti-angiogenic response could help to prioritize agents for larger, resource-intensive phase iii trials.

TCM helps Lung Cancer Patients in conjunction with Chemo.

Ai Zheng. 2005 Oct;24(10):1252-6.

Related Articles, Links

[Prognostic analysis of stage III-IV non-small cell lung cancer patients treated by traditional chinese medicine]


Zhou DH, Lin LZ, Zhou YQ, Luo RC, Liu KF, Jia YJ, Chen JY, Niu XW, Su BR, Lu J, Wang ST.

Cancer Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P. R. China. zdh@oncology.org.cn

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Chemotherapy is a treatment for stage III-IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the efficacy is not ideal. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has certain effect on NSCLC. This study was to investigate various factors that affect the prognosis of advanced NSCLC, and evaluate the role of TCM in enlonging survival time of patients with stage III-IV NSCLC. METHODS: The NSCLC patients who meet the inclusive criteria were randomized into TCM group, combination (TCM plus NP regimen) group, and chemotherapy group, and received relevant treatments. The median survival time (MST) was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. The prognosis of the patients was analyzed by COX regression method. RESULTS: A total of 294 stage III-IV NSCLC patients were enrolled, of which 99 were in TCM group, 103 in combination group, 92 in chemotherapy group. The MST were 292 days in TCM group, 355 days in combination group, and 236 days in chemotherapy group; the cumulative survival rates were 45.38%, 48.86%, and 42.17%, respectively (P>0.05). Cox regression analysis indicated that therapy, gender, disease course, erythrocyte sedimentation, KPS score, tumor size, and patient's weight were independent prognostic factors of stage III-IV NSCLC. CONCLUSION: Compare with chemotherapy alone, TCM combined with chemotherapy may prolong the survival time of stage III-IV NSCLC patients.

Publication Types:

• English Abstract
• Multicenter Study
• Randomized Controlled Trial
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Chinese medicinal herbs inhibit growth of murine renal cell carcinoma.

This is a study about the effectiveness of Astragalus (huang qi) and Liguistrum Lucidium (nu zhen zi) to improve macrophage function to kill cancer in a rat model.

Tumors are known to produce factors suppressing immune functions. We previously showed that a murine renal cell carcinoma (Renca) suppressed macrophage function in vitro and that this suppression was abolished by co-incubation with extracts of two Chinese medicinal herbs. We now report that these phytochemicals are capable of inhibiting growth of Renca in vivo. BALB/c mice were transplanted intraperitoneally (IP) with 1-2 x 10(5) Renca cells. One day after tumor transplant, mice were randomized into two groups. One group was treated IP, daily for 10 days, with 100 microliters of phytochemicals containing 500 micrograms each of Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum, while the other group received saline as controls. A cure rate of 57% was obtained with these phytochemicals when the initial tumor load was 2 x 10(5), and 100% when the initial tumor load was 1 x 10(5). Additional experiments were performed to investigate the mechanisms involved in this protection. Splenic macrophages from tumor-bearing mice were shown to have depressed chemiluminescent oxidative burst activity, and this depression was restored with phytochemical treatment. Splenocytes from mice transplanted with Renca responded less favorably to interleukin-2 (IL-2) in generating lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells; again this depression was restored with phytochemical treatment. Our data suggest that these phytochemicals may have exerted their antitumor effects via augmentation of phagocyte and LAK cell activities.

Cancer Biother. 1994 Summer;9(2):153-61.Links

Lau BH, Ruckle HC, Botolazzo T, Lui PD.

Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, California 92350.