Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis), or Dang-Gui, is a member of the celery family. The part of Dong-Quai used is the root. The root has several coumarin constituents including osthol, psoralen and bergapten, and contains 0.4 - 0.7% volatile oil. Some coumarins can act as vasodilators and antispasmodics. Osthol appears to inhibit platelet aggregation and smooth muscle contraction, and cause hypotension. Dong Quai also contains a low molecular weight polysaccharide that shows anti-tumour activity in animals. A Dong Quai extract competitively inhibits estradiol binding to estrogen receptors and induces transcription activity in estrogen-responsive cells. Preliminary research suggests it might protect against Ischemia-Reperfusion injury.
Dong Quai is used for women's ailments such as premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps, irregularity, retarded flow, weakness during the menstrual period and symptoms of menopause. It is also used as a 'blood purifier, to manage hypertension, rheumatism, ulcers, anemia and constipation, and in the prevention of skin depigmentation, psoriasis and in the treatment of allergic attacks.
Published Clinical Studiesctop
1
Antitumor activity of herbal supplements in human prostate cancer xenografts implanted in immunodeficient mice.
Ng SS, Figg WD.
Molecular Pharmacology Section, Cancer Therapeutics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. Therapeutic options for metastatic prostate cancer are limited. The use of herbal therapies in the treatment of this malignancy remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested five herbal supplements, designated FB, FM, PP, HF and FBL101, which contain different combinations of various natural herbs such as licorice, black cohosh, Dong Quai, false unicorn and vitex berry root extracts, fennel seed extract, red clover blossoms extract as well as genistein and gamma oryzanol, for antitumor activity in severely combined immunodeficient mice bearing CWR22R and PC3 prostate cancer xenografts. Their mechanisms of action were also explored. RESULTS: FB, FM, PP, HF and FBL101 inhibited PC3 tumor growth by 53%, 75%, 80%, 81% and 87%, respectively. In CWR22R tumors, similar growth suppression was observed with all supplements. Total plasma testosterone levels were not significantly altered by the supplements relative to the untreated control. PP and FBL101 significantly reduced VEGF levels in PC3 and CWR22R tumors, respectively. Intratumoral microvessel density was decreased in PC3 tumors treated with all five supplements but only in CWR22R tumors treated with HF. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that herbal supplements containing the aforementioned extracts inhibit the growth of prostate tumor xenografts, possibly in part by antiangiogenic mechanisms. The potential use of these herbal supplements as preventive and therapeutic agents in prostate cancer warrants further investigation.
PMID: 14666653 [PubMed - in process]
Effect of Angelica sinensis on the proliferation of human bone cells.2
Yang Q, Populo SM, Zhang J, Yang G, Kodama H.
Department of Biology, Schenley High School, 4101 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
BACKGROUND: Angelica sinensis, an herbal medicine known for its effect to purify blood quality and improve circulation, frequently appears as the main ingredient in prescriptions for bone injuries. Currently, how pharmacologically it contributes to the reformation of bone is unclear. METHODS: The effect of the aqueous extract of Angelica sinensis on bone cells was investigated in vitro for the first time. The human osteoprecursor cells (OPC-1) were incubated in the medium with different concentrations of the aqueous extract of Angelica sinensis and the cell proliferation was studied. RESULTS: When the concentration of Angelica sinensis aqueous extract was <125 microg/ml, the proliferation of OPC-1 was enhanced. However, the proliferation of OPC-1 was inhibited by Angelica sinensis extract with the concentrations >250 microg/ml. Under most treatments, the cells presented very pale expression for cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox 2) protein; slightly intensified band showed at the highest Angelica sinensis concentration, 1.0 mg/ml during the course of culture. CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of Angelica sinensis was found to directly stimulate the proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, protein secretion and particularly type I collagen synthesis of OPC-1 at dose-dependent manner. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.
PMID: 12204429 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Experimental study of anti-tumor effects of polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis.3
Shang P, Qian AR, Yang TH, Jia M, Mei QB, Cho CH, Zhao WM, Chen ZN.
School of Life Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiantong University, Shaanxi Province, China.
AIM: To investigate the in vivo anti-tumor effects of total polysaccharide (AP-0) isolated from Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Danggui) on mice and the in vitro inhibitory effects of AP-0 and the sub-constituents (AP-1, AP-2 and AP-3) separated from AP-0 on invasion and metastasis of human hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Three kinds of murine tumor models in vivo, sarcoma 180 (S180), leukemia L1210 and Ehrlich ascitic cancer (EAC) were employed to investigate the anti-tumor effects of AP-0. For each kind of tumor model, three experimental groups were respectively given AP-0 at doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg by ip once a day for 10 days. Positive control groups were respectively given Cy at a dose of 30 mg/kg for S180 and leukemia L1210, and 5-FU at a dose of 20 mg/kg for EAC. On d 11, mice bearing S180 were sacrificed and the masses of tumors, spleens and thymus weighed. The average living days of mice bearing EAC and of mice bearing L1210 were observed, and the rates of life prolongation of each treatment were calculated, respectively. The inhibitory effects of APs on hepatoma invasion and metastasis in vitro were investigated by employing human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HHCC) with the Matrigel invasion chamber, adhesion to extracellular matrix and chemotatic migration tests, respectively. RESULTS: AP-0 had no obviously inhibitory effect on the growth of S180, but it could significantly decrease the thymus weights of the mice bearing S180. AP-0 could significantly reduce the production of ascitic liquids and prolong the life of mice bearing EAC. AP-0 could also increase the survival time of mice bearing L1210. AP-0 and AP-2 had significantly inhibitory effects on the invasion of HHCC into the Matrigel reconstituted basement membrane with the inhibitory rates of 56.4 % and 68.3 %, respectively. AP-0, AP-1, AP-2 and AP-3 could influence the adhesion of HHCC to extracellular matrix proteins (Matrigel and fibronectin) at different degrees, among them only AP-3 had significant blocking effect on the adhesion of HHCC to fibronectin with an inhibitory rate of 30.3 %. AP-0, AP-1 and AP-3 could partially inhibit the chemotactic migration abilities of HHCC. CONCLUSION: The experimental findings suggest that the total polysaccharide of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Chinese Danggui) possesses anti-tumor effects on experimental tumor models in vivo and inhibitory effects on invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro.
PMID: 12970885 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
4
The immediate effect of natural plant extract, Angelica sinensis and Matricaria chamomilla (Climex) for the treatment of hot flushes during menopause. A preliminary report.
Kupfersztain C, Rotem C, Fagot R, Kaplan B.
The Central Menopause Outpatient Clinic, General Health Services of Israel, Petah Tikva District, Petah Tikva, Israel.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficiency of a medicinal herb extract preparation (Climex) for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. METHOD: In this placebo-controlled experiment on 55 postmenopausal women who complained of hot flushes and refused hormonal therapy. The women were randomly divided into two groups, one to receive Climex (5 chewable tablets daily between meals) and the other group to receive a placebo; both groups would take the tablets for 12 weeks. The women were asked to complete a daily structured (Kupperman) questionnaire assessing the frequency and intensity of menopausal symptoms, starting one week prior to treatment to the completion of the study. All women underwent hormone profile measurements and transvaginal ultrasonography evaluation before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the study group and the control group in the decrease in number and intensity of hot flushes from baseline to completion of treatment (90-96% vs 15-25%, p < 0.001). In the study group, a response was already noted during the first month of treatment (68% +/- 2% reduction of hot flushes during the day and 74% +/- 4% during the night). There was also a marked alleviation of sleep disturbances and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with Climex seems to be effective for menopausal symptoms without apparent major adverse effects. This hormone-free preparation may be used as an important modality for menopausal women with contraindications for hormone replacement therapy.
PMID: 14664413 [PubMed - in process]
5
Protective effect of angelica sinensis polysaccharide on experimental immunological colon injury in rats.
Liu SP, Dong WG, Wu DF, Luo HS, Yu JP.
Department of Gastroenterology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, China.
AIM: To study the effect of angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) on immunological colon injury and its mechanisms in rats. METHODS: Immunological colitis model of rats was induced by intracolon enema with 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) and ethanol. The experimental animals were randomly divided into normal control, model control, 5-aminosalicylic acid therapy groups and three doses of ASP therapy groups. The 6 groups were treated intracolonically with normal saline, normal saline, 5-aminosalicylic acid (100 mg.kg(-1)), and ASP daily (8:00 am) at the doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg.kg(-1) respectively for 21 days 7 d following induction of colitis. The rat colon mucosa damage index (CMDI), the histopathological score (HS), the score of occult blood test (OBT), and the colonic MPO activity were evaluated. The levels of SOD, MDA, NO, TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IL-10 in colonic tissues were detected biochemically and immunoradiometrically. The expressions of TGF-beta and EGF in colonic tissues were also determined immunochemically. RESULTS: Enhanced colonic mucosal injury, inflammatory response and oxidative stress were observed in colitis rats, which manifested as significant increases of CMDI, HS, OBT, MPO activity, MDA and NO contents, as well as the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-2 in colonic tissues, although colonic TGF-beta protein expression, SOD activity and IL-10 content were significantly decreased compared with the normal control (P<0.01). However, these parameters were found to be significantly ameliorated in colitis rats treated intracolonically with ASP at the doses of 400 and 800 mg.kg(-1) (P<0.05-0.01). Meantime, colonic EGF protein expression in colitis rats was remarkably up-regulated. CONCLUSION: ASP has a protective effect on immunological colon injury induced by TNBS and ethanol enema in rats, which was probably due to the mechanism of antioxidation, immunomodulation and promotion of wound repair.
PMID: 14669334 [PubMed - in process]
6
Antifibrotic effect of the Chinese herbs, Astragalus mongholicus and Angelica sinensis, in a rat model of chronic puromycin aminonucleoside nephrosis.
Wang H, Li J, Yu L, Zhao Y, Ding W.
Division of Nephorlogy, The 1st Hospital and Institute of Nephrology, Peking University, 100034, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
Nephrotic syndrome has long been treated in China with two herbs, Astragalus mongholicus and Angelica sinensis, which may have antifibrotic effects. METHODS: Rats with chronic puromycin-induced nephrosis were treated with Astragalus and Angelica 3 mL/d (n=7) or enalapril 10 mg/kg/d (n=7). Normal control rats (n=7) received saline rather than puromycin, and an untreated control group (n=7) received puromycin but no treatment. After 12 weeks, stained sections of the glomerulus and tubulointerstitium were evaluated for injury. Immunohistochemistry staining measured extracellular matrix components, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1), osteopontin, ED-1-positive cells, and alpha-actin. TGFa1 mRNA was assessed by in situ hybridization. Renin, ACE activity, angiotensin, and aldosterone were measured by radioimmunoassay or colorimetry. In the untreated rats, chronic renal injury progressed to marked fibrosis at 12 weeks. Astragalus and Angelica significantly reduced deterioration of renal function and histologic damage. Expressions of type III and IV collagen, fibronectin, and laminin also decreased significantly. This anti-fibrotic effect was similar to that of enalapril. The herbs had no effect on the renin-angiotensin system but did reduce the number of ED-1-positive, and alpha-actin positive cells and expression of osteopontin compared to untreated controls. The combination of Astragalus and Angelica retarded the progression of renal fibrosis and deterioration of renal function with comparable effects of enalapril.These effects were not caused by blocking the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system, but associated with suppression of the overexpression of TGFa(1) and osteopontin, reduction of infiltrating macrophages, and less activation of renal intrinsic cells.
PMID: 14738908 [PubMed - in process]
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