NIH funded report on the effectivnes of Chinese herbal medicine on treating cancer

Form of Chinese herb found to temper immune system and kill cancer cells
BY KRISTIN WEIDENBACH
Researchers at the School of Medicine have discovered that a perennial herb used by the Chinese for hundreds of years to relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms has much more far-reaching medicinal qualities. The scientists found that the active component of the herb is a drug that is able to suppress an overactive immune system, prevent inflammation and kill cancer cells.
"This is a remarkable drug that could have a remarkable future," said Peter Kao, MD, PhD, assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine and leader of one of two Stanford research studies on the drug. Kao's results and those of Glenn Rosen, MD, also an assistant professor in the department and lead researcher of the other study, were published in the May 7 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
People have known for 20 years that preparations from Tripterygium Wilfordii hook, a vine that grows in Southern China, have medicinal properties, but the way that the herb worked inside the body was not previously known, said both researchers. Using a pure preparation of triptolide, the active compound within the plant, the Stanford scientists have found that the drug exerts its effects by preventing activation of a DNA-binding protein, NF-KB, after it has partnered with its DNA target. This protein is a pivotal molecule that, once active, escalates an immune response by switching on other immunologically important genes. Figuring out exactly how the drug works on a molecular scale has assisted the two research teams in their efforts to determine the cause of the biological effects valued by Tripterygium users.
Dampening the immune system
Kao's group studied interactions between triptolide and other immunologically significant molecules and genes. His lab focuses on drugs known as immunosuppressants. These are drugs that rein in the cells of the immune system and prevent them from inappropriately attacking other cells of the body, as in the case of autoimmune diseases, or attacking cells that have been therapeutically introduced into the body, as in the case of organ transplants. Kao and his colleagues have found that the way triptolide tempers the immune system is completely different than the way traditional immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporin A and FK506, work. These drugs are prescribed to transplant patients to prevent their immune systems from rejecting a new kidney, heart or bone marrow.
Theoretically, these immunosuppressants can also be given to people suffering from autoimmune or inflammatory diseases where the immune system has gone awry. In practice, however, the severe adverse side effects of these drugs prevent their use in patients whose conditions are not life threatening. Because triptolide works in a different way, it may prove to be a useful alternative.
"Our work shows that [triptolide] is more potent than more traditional immunosuppressants such as cyclosporin and FK506," said Kao. He sees promise in using triptolide to temper the immune system and treat patients suffering from graft vs. host disease, inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
An anti-cancer weapon
Rosen's determination of the tumor-killing properties of triptolide was more serendipitous. "We were trying to find ways to improve the ability to kill solid tumor cells like those found in the breast, lung and colon," said Rosen, who was primarily searching for agents that would augment killing of tumor cells by a class of compounds related to tumor necrosis factor (TNF). The new drug, triptolide, cooperates with TNF to cause cancerous cells to die. But Rosen and his colleagues soon discovered that triptolide is also capable of killing tumor cells on its own.
"Some tumor cells are susceptible on their own to triptolide or members of the TNF family but those that are resistant to one or the other can be made susceptible to the combination," said Rosen.
Triptolide and TNF-like compounds kill tumor cells by forcing them to commit suicide ­ a process known as apoptosis, according to Rosen. However, TNF and related molecules are themselves toxic to cells and can cause nasty side effects in patients. Because triptolide does not activate the NF-KB molecule, these side effects are expected to be greatly reduced in cancer patients treated with the herbal drug, he said.
Rosen's optimism about the drug is bolstered by the fact that triptolide, like the popular anti-cancer drug taxol, which comes from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree, kills cancer cells independent of the p53 gene. Chemotherapy to treat solid tumors is often hindered because cancer cells frequently become resistant to the drugs being used. A common cause of this drug resistance is changes to the p53 tumor suppressor gene. By causing tumor cells to die in a p53-independent way, drugs like taxol and triptolide are able to kill cells from cancers that are found to be resistant to other chemotherapy agents.
Rosen's research team includes Kao; Wen-teh Chang, PhD; Kye Young Lee, PhD; and Daoming Qiu, PhD. Scientists who collaborated on Kao's study include Qiu; Guohua Zhao, PhD; Yosuke Aoki, PhD; Lingfang Shi, PhD; and medical school graduate students Anne Uyei, Saman Nazarian and James Ng.
The pure preparations of triptolide used in both studies were provided by Pharmagenesis, Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif. Rosen's study was supported by a California Breast Cancer Research Grant and gifts from Pharmagenesis and Jan DiCarli. Funding for Kao's study was provided by grants from the National Institutes of Health and gifts from Pharmagenesis and the Donald E. and Delia B. Baxter Foundation. SR

see origional at: http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/1999/may12/cancer-512.html

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Chinese Herbal Medicine is effective for the treatment of a variety of diseases that are common in society today. Asthma, allergies, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes to name few. A recent study published in Acupuncture Today has even demonstrated that Chinese Herbal Medicine is significantly more effective than common pharmaceutical medicines in the prevention of stroke recurrence. See: http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/mpacms/at/article.php?id=31814
However, I find that in speaking to my patients, and in giving public talks, that there is a common misunderstanding regarding how Chinese Herbal Medicine works. CHM is not just an herbal substitute for a medicinal drug. Drugs tend to be single molecular substances that target one function of the body. This single molecular action is very strong and the body is often overwhelmed by these actions. This is part of what leads to those long lists of possible side effects.
On the other hand, Chinese Herbal Formulas are composed of several individual ingredients, each being made up of many molecular components. The design of these formulas is not random. Hundreds of years of trial and research has gone into the development of these formulations. It is the synergy of the ingredients that make this medicine unique. The specific herbs in a formula are chosen to buffer, balance, and support each others therapeutic actions. The overall goal of Chinese Medicine is to go beyond the mere control symptoms, and to make the body more healthy and vital.
Looking at statin drugs as an example, their main action is to block the production of cholesterol. However, the physiological process of cholesterol production remains basically unchanged. It is important to note that cholesterol is an important substance to many of the body’s activities. Optimum balance of cholesterol production, storage and utilization would provide better long term health.
The Chinese Herbal Medicine formulas that I recommend to treat elevated cholesterol not only remove plaque and buildup within the arteries, these medicines work to make the cardiovascular system more healthy on all levels. They support the body to transform the metabolic processes that creates toxic buildup within the arteries, and bring cholesterol and blood lipids into healthy balance. These herbal formulas not only bring cholesterol and triglycerides into optimum balance, they strengthen the overall functioning of the body, help to reduce blood pressure, and strengthen immunity.

What way to control cholesterol levels for optimum Cardiovascular health

Recently there has been increased attention to the use of high dose of statins to prevent heart attack. These studies even made it to NPR in November. Though there is no question about the long term benefits of cardiovascular health, my question is “are statin drugs the way?”
Cholesterol is an important substance in our body, and insufficient amounts of cholesterol can cause serious problem as well. Cholesterol is an important component of each cell in our body. Neurological activity, hormonal functions and brain chemistry all rely on adequate amounts of cholesterol. Inadequate amounts of cholesterol can cause allergies, disrupt blood sugar regulation, lead to inflammation, and poor healing of injuries.
Statins are widely prescribed medicines. However, their potential serious side effects are not often discussed. Within pharmacology, it is well know that statins can cause problems for the liver. That is why patients taking these drugs get regular liver panels. In addition, statins deplete the body of vital nutrients such as CO-Q10. Other potential side effects of long term statin use are renal failure and pancreatitis.
My thinking is that it is not just about lowering cholesterol levels. We should seek balanced and overall cardiovascular health, as well as optimum levels of physiological substances, including cholesterol. At Carrboro Acupuncture Clinic, we have several safe and effective natural therapies to lower cholesterol, benefit the cardio-vascular system, and make you more healthy. To find out about these therapies, just contact us.