Safety and efficacy of Qingre Buyi Decoction (清热补益煎剂) in the treatment of acute radiation proctitis: A prospective, randomized and controlled trial

Susceptibility to radiation adverse effects in veterans with Gulf War illness and healthy civilians

We evaluated whether veterans with Gulf War illness (VGWI) report greater ionizing radiation adverse effects (RadAEs) than controls; whether radiation-sensitivity is tied to reported chemical-sensitivity; and whether environmental exposures are apparent risk factors for reported RadAEs (rRadAEs). 81 participants (41 VGWI, 40 controls) rated exposure to, and rRadAEs from, four radiation types. The relations of RadAE-propensity (defined as the ratio of rRadAEs to summed radiation exposures) to Gulf War illness (GWI) presence and severity, and to reported chemical-sensitivity were assessed. Ordinal logistic regression evaluated exposure prediction of RadAE-propensity in the full sample, in VGWI, and stratified by age and chemical-sensitivity. RadAE-propensity was increased in VGWI (vs. controls) and related to GWI severity (p < 0.01) and chemical-sensitivity (p < 0.01). Past carbon monoxide (CO) exposure emerged as a strong, robust predictor of RadAE-propensity on univariable and multivariable analyses (p < 0.001 on multivariable assessment, without and with adjustment for VGWI case status), retaining significance in age-stratified and chemical-sensitivity-stratified replication analyses. Thus, RadAE-propensity, a newly-described GWI-feature, relates to chemical-sensitivity, and is predicted by CO exposure-both features reported for nonionizing radiation sensitivity, consistent with shared mitochondrial/oxidative toxicity across radiation frequencies. Greater RadAE vulnerability fits an emerging picture of heightened drug/chemical susceptibility in VGWI.

Administration of modified Gegen Qinlian decoction for hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhagic chronic radiation proctitis (CRP) is a common late complication of irradiation of the pelvis and seriously impairs life quality. There is no standard treatment for hemorrhagic CRP. Medical treatment, interventional treatment, and surgery are available, but they are limited in their applications due to nondefinite efficacy or side effects. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), as a complementary or alternative therapy, may provide another option for hemorrhagic CRP treatment.

CASE SUMMARY

A 51-year-old woman with cervical cancer received intensity-modulated radiation therapy and brachytherapy with a total dose of 93 Gy fifteen days after hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy. She received six additional cycles of chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel. Nine months after radiotherapy treatment, she mainly complained of 5-6 times diarrhea daily and bloody purulent stools for over 10 d. After colonoscopy examinations, she was diagnosed with hemorrhagic CRP with a giant ulcer. After assessment, she received CHM treatment. The specific regimen was 150 mL of modified Gegen Qinlian decoction (GQD) used as a retention enema for 1 mo, followed by replacement with oral administration of 150 mL of modified GQD three times per day for 5 mo. After the whole treatment, her diarrhea reduced to 1-2 times a day. Her rectal tenesmus and mild pain in lower abdomen disappeared. Both colonoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed its significant improvement. During treatment, there were no side effects, such as liver and renal function damage.

CONCLUSION

Modified GQD may be another effective and safe option for hemorrhagic CRP patients with giant ulcers.

Changrui enema inhibits inflammation-induced angiogenesis in acute radiation proctitis by regulating NF-κB and VEGF

Purpose

Changrui enema, a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, is used as a supplementary treatment for acute radiation proctitis (ARP). Herein we explored the inhibition effects of Changrui enema on NF-κB and VEGF in ARP mice.

Methods

A total of 120 C57BL/6 mice were divided randomly into normal mice group, ARP mice group, western medicine enema group (dexamethasone combined with gentamicin), and Changrui enema group. ARP mice were established by pelvic local irradiation. The expression of IL-1β, NF-κB, VEGF, AQP1, AQP3, p-ERK1/2 and p-JNK was determined by immunohistochemistry or western blot.

Results

The study firstly found that Changrui enema alleviated ARP mice. The expression of IL-1β, NF-κB, VEGF, AQP1 and p-ERK1/2 was increased in ARP mice, and was reserved by Changrui enema. However, the expression of AQP3 and p-JNK was decreased in ARP mice, and was up-regulated by Changrui enema.

Conclusions

Changrui enema is an effective treatment with fewer side effects for ARP. The mechanism of Changrui enema may be related to the inhibition of inflammation-induced angiogenesis. Changrui enema inhibits IL-1β and NF-κB expression as well as VEGF expression. Interestingly, AQP1 promotes angiogenesis, while AQP3 inhibits inflammation. Changrui enema probably inhibits AQP1 expression by down-regulating p-ERK1/2, and improves AQP3 expression by up-regulating p-JNK.

Mesalazine suppository for the treatment of refractory ulcerative chronic radiation proctitis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of mesalazine suppository in the treatment of refractory ulcerative chronic radiation proctitis (CRP). In total, 10 refractory ulcerative CRP patients who did not respond to previous medical treatments were recruited for the present study and were treated with mesalazine suppository (0.5 g) twice daily for 24 weeks. For each patient, the severity of clinical symptoms and endoscopic appearance was assessed before and after the treatment. For symptom scoring, the reductions in the mean total symptom score (pre- vs. post-treatment, 8.20 vs. 0.90; P<0.01), rectal bleeding score (2.40 vs. 0.30; P<0.01), rectal pain score (2.00 vs. 0.50; P<0.01), stool frequency score (2.00 vs. 0.10; P<0.01) and tenesmus score (1.80 vs. 0.00; P<0.01) were all statistically significant. For mucosal damage scoring, there was a reduction in the mean scores for total scores (9.22 vs. 5.22; P<0.01), telangiectasia (2.78 vs. 1.89; P=0.009), edema (2.89 vs. 1.78; P=0.001) and ulceration (2.44 vs. 0.89; P=0.003). However, statistically reductions in the median symptom scores were not observed for stenosis (0.78 vs. 0.67; P=0.347) and necrosis (0.33 vs. 0.00; P=0.081). Furthermore, no adverse events were observed during and after the treatment. The topical mesalazine suppository may be a safe and effective treatment for CRP, particularly for patients with deep ulcers. Adequately randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the results of the present study.

WITHDRAWN: Herbal medicines for viral myocarditis

The editors of Cochrane Heart consider this title as low priority for the current portfolio of the Heart Group and therefore this title is not open to a new author team.

The editorial group responsible for this previously published document have withdrawn it from publication.

Efficacy and safety of Yunxiangjing derived from Chinese herbal medicine administered as an enema in the management of acute radiation-induced proctitis in patients with pelvic malignancy

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of Yunxiangjing (YXJ), derived from Chinese herbal medicine, in the management of acute radiation-induced proctitis (ARIP) in patients with pelvic malignancy.

METHODS

Forty-eight patients with grade 2 ARIP were administered YXJ as an enema (1 : 30 dilution) for 2 weeks and followed up for 2 years. All were assessed for response and ARIP grade. Quality of life (QOL) was assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30.

RESULTS

Of the 48 patients, six (12.5%) achieved complete remission of ARIP and 28 (58.3%) showed a decrease from grade 2 to grade 1 ARIP. No patient experienced a grade ≥3 toxicity. At the end of radiotherapy, patients showed significant improvements in QOL (P < 0.05). Two years after treatment, 46 patients showed no late toxicity, with only two experiencing grade 1 late toxicity.

CONCLUSION

YXJ can be used as an enema to manage acute radiation-induced proctitis in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. These findings suggest that YXJ enema may be an alternative treatment of ARIP.

Herbal medicines for viral myocarditis

BACKGROUND

Herbal medicines are used as treatment for viral diseases such as viral myocarditis, and numerous clinical trials have been conducted to investigate their efficacy. Despite this wealth of evidence, the role of herbal medicines in the treatment of viral myocarditis has yet to be established. This is an update of a review published in 2012.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of herbal medicines on clinical (e.g. mortality, incidence of complications) and indirect outcomes (e.g. cardiac function, biochemical response) in patients with viral myocarditis, irrespective of the patients' age, gender or type (including acute and chronic viral myocarditis).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL (2013, Issue 1) on The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (Ovid, 1946 to January Week 4 2013), EMBASE (Ovid, 1980 to 2013 Week 04) and LILACS (Bireme) on 1 February 2013. We previously searched The Chinese Biomedical Database (1979 to 2011), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1979 to 2011), Chinese VIP Information (1989 to 2011), Chinese Academic Conference Papers Database and Chinese Dissertation Database (1980 to 2011), AMED (June 2011) and the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field Trials Register (June 2011). We handsearched Chinese journals and conference proceedings. No language restrictions were applied.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of herbal medicines (with a minimum duration of seven days of treatment) compared with placebo, no intervention, or conventional interventions were included. Trials of herbal medicine plus a conventional drug versus the drug alone were also included. We included only trials that reported an adequate description of allocation sequence generation.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data and evaluated trial quality. Information on adverse effects was collected from the trial reports.

MAIN RESULTS

We did not identify any new trials with the updated search in February 2013. The 2011 update of this review included twenty randomised controlled trials involving 2177 people. All the trials were conducted and published in China. The controls included anti-arrhythmic drugs, corticosteroids, and antiviral therapies such as ribavirin or interferon. Combining the risk of bias for random sequence generation, allocation concealment, selective reporting, and incomplete outcome data, we assessed the included trials as being at a high risk of bias. Thirteen different herbal medicines were tested in the included trials. One of the trials reported outcomes on mortality. The trials reported electrocardiogram results, levels of myocardial enzymes, cardiac function, and adverse effects.Compared with supportive therapy, Astragalus membranaceus injection did not show a significant reduction in the number of patients that died of cardiac failure.A meta-analysis showed a significant effect ofAstragalus membranaceus injection plus supportive therapy on the number of participants with an abnormal electrocardiogram (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.61), ST-T changes (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.95), creatine phosphate kinase (CPK) levels (MD -21.54, 95% CI -33.80 to -9.28), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (MD -30.33, 95% CI -46.78 to -13.88).Shengmai injection plus supportive therapy showed a significant effect on the number of patients with an abnormal electrocardiogram (RR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.86), CPK levels (MD -103.90, 95% CI -114.97 to -92.83), LDH levels (MD -34.60, 95% CI -51.25 to -17.95), and on myocardial enzyme CK-MB levels (MD -10.87, 95% CI -14.50 to -7.24). Shengmai decoction plus supportive therapy showed a significant effect on improving quality of life measured by the SF-36 (MD 40.20, 95% CI 18.13 to 62.27) compared to supportive therapy. Data on adverse events were only available from six of the included trials and no serious adverse effects were reported.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Since no new trials were identified in the updated search in 2013, the conclusions remain the same as they were in 2012. There is no evidence of benefit of herbal medicine on all cause mortality. Some herbal medicines may lead to improvement of ventricular premature beat, electrocardiogram, levels of myocardial enzymes, and cardiac function in viral myocarditis. However, these findings should be interpreted with care, due to the risk of bias of the included studies, small sample size, and limited number of trials on individual herbs. Further robust trials are needed to explore the use of herbal medicines for viral myocarditis.

Herbal medicines for viral myocarditis

BACKGROUND

Herbal medicines are being used as a treatment for viral diseases such as viral myocarditis and numerous clinical trials have been conducted to investigate their efficacy. Despite this wealth of evidence, the role of herbal medicines in the treatment of viral myocarditis is yet to be established. This is an update of the review published in 2010.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of herbal medicines on clinical (for example mortality, incidence of complications) and indirect outcomes (for example cardiac function, biochemical response) in patients with viral myocarditis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL (The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 2), MEDLINE (January 1966 to June 2011), EMBASE (January 1998 to June 2011), Chinese Biomedical Database (1979 to 2011), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1979 to 2011), Chinese VIP Information (1989 to 2011), Chinese Academic Conference Papers Database and Chinese Dissertation Database (1980 to 2011), AMED (June 2011), LILACS (June 2011), and the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field Trials Register. We handsearched Chinese journals and conference proceedings. No language restrictions were applied.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of herbal medicines (with a minimum of seven days treatment duration) compared with placebo, no intervention, or conventional interventions were included. Trials of herbal medicine plus conventional drug versus drug alone were also included. Only trials that reported an adequate description of allocation sequence generation were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data and evaluated trial quality. Adverse effects information was collected from the trials.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty randomised controlled trials involving 2177 people were included. All trials were conducted and published in China. The controls included anti-arrhythmic drugs, corticosteroids, and antiviral therapies such as ribavirin or interferon. Combining the risk of bias on random sequence generation, allocation concealment, selective reporting, and incomplete outcome data, the included trials were assessed to be at high risk of bias. Thirteen different herbal medicines were tested in the included trials. None of the trials reported outcomes on mortality. The trials reported electrocardiogram results, level of myocardial enzymes, cardiac function, and adverse effects.A meta-analysis showed a significant effect of Astragalus membranaceus injection plus supportive therapy on the number of patients with an abnormal electrocardiogram (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.61), ST-T changes (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.95), creatine phosphate kinase (CPK) levels (MD -21.54, 95% CI -33.80 to -9.28), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels (MD -30.33, 95% CI -46.78 to -13.88).Shengmai injection plus supportive therapy showed a significant effect on the number of patients with an abnormal electrocardiogram (RR 0.11, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.86), CPK levels (MD -103.90, 95% CI -114.97 to -92.83), LDH levels (MD -34.60, 95% CI -51.25 to -17.95), and on myocardial enzyme CK-MB levels (MD -10.87, 95% CI -14.50 to -7.24). Shengmai decoction plus supportive therapy showed a significant effect on improving quality of life measured by the SF-36 (MD 40.20, 95% CI 18.13 to 62.27) compared to supportive therapy. Data on adverse events were only available from six of the included trials and no serious adverse effects were reported.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Some herbal medicines may lead to improvement of ventricular premature beat, electrocardiogram, level of myocardial enzymes, and cardiac function in viral myocarditis. However, these findings should be interpreted with care due to the high risk of bias of the included studies, small sample size, and limited number of trials on individual herbs. Further robust trials are needed to explore the use of herbal medicines in viral myocarditis.

Parallel subgroup design of a randomized controlled clinical trial-comparing the approaches of Chinese medicine and Western medicine

A new method for the comparison of the treatment efficacy for specific diseases or conditions between Chinese medicine and Western medicine, which serve the same medical aim but are based on substantially different theoretical systems, was identified. Abiding by the principle of parallel subgroup design of a randomized controlled trial (PSD-RCT), participants were recruited following identical inclusion and exclusion criteria and were randomly allocated into two groups to receive treatment using the respective approaches of Chinese medicine and Western medicine. The Chinese medicine group was divided into subgroups according to the theory of Chinese medicine and the Western medicine group was also divided into subgroups according to the theory of Western medicine. The treatment for each subgroup was well defined in the protocol, including major formulae and principles for individualized modifications. The primary outcome measure was ascertained to be directly related to the patients' status but independent from both theories of Chinese medicine and Western medicine, while the secondary outcomes were represented by the patient-reported outcomes and some laboratory tests commonly accepted by Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Then, taking functional dyspepsia as an example, the authors explain the framework of the PSD-RCT for efficacy comparisons between Chinese medicine and Western medicine, and recommend that the PSD-RCT can be used to compare treatment efficacy for a specific disease or condition between Chinese medicine and Western medicine, and the comparison among subgroups can provide valuable clues for further studies.

Herbal medicines for viral myocarditis

BACKGROUND

Herbal medicines are being used for treating viral diseases including viral myocarditis, and many controlled trials have been done to investigate their efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of herbal medicines on clinical and indirect outcomes in patients with viral myocarditis.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2009, MEDLINE (January 1966 - July 2009), EMBASE (January 1998 - July 2009), Chinese Biomedical Database (1979 - 2009), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1979 - 2009), Chinese VIP Information (1989 - 2009), Chinese Academic Conference Papers Database and Chinese Dissertation Database (1980 - 2009), AMED (1985 - 2009), LILACS accessed in July 2009 and the trials register of the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field. We handsearched Chinese journals and conference proceedings. No language restrictions were applied.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of herbal medicines (with a minimum of seven days treatment duration) compared with placebo, no intervention, or conventional interventions were included. Trials of herbal medicine plus conventional drug versus drug alone were also included. Only trials that reported adequate description of allocation sequence generation were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data and evaluated trial quality. Adverse effects information was collected from the trials.

MAIN RESULTS

Fourteen randomised trials involving 1463 people were included. All trials were conducted and published in China. Quality of the trials was assessed to be low. No trial had diagnosis of viral myocarditis confirmed histologically, and only a few trials attempted to establish viral aetiology. Nine different herbal medicines were tested in the included trials. The trials reported electrocardiogram results, level of myocardial enzymes, cardiac function, symptoms, and adverse effects.Astragalus membranaceus (either as an injection or granules) showed significant positive effects in symptom improvement, normalisation of electrocardiogram results, CPK levels, and cardiac function. Shengmai injection also showed significant effects in symptom improvement. Shengmai decoction triggered significant improvement in quality of life measured by SF-36. No serious adverse effects were reported.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Some herbal medicines may lead to improvement of symptoms, ventricular premature beat, electrocardiogram, level of myocardial enzymes, and cardiac function in viral myocarditis. However, interpretation of these findings should be taken with care due to the low methodological quality, small sample size, and limited number of trials on individual herbs. Further robust trials are needed to explore the use of herbal medicines in viral myocarditis.

Herbal medicines for viral myocarditis

BACKGROUND

Herbal medicines are being used for treating viral diseases including viral myocarditis, and many controlled trials have been done to investigate their efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of herbal medicines on clinical and indirect outcomes in patients with viral myocarditis.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) on The Cochrane Library 2003, Issue 3, MEDLINE (January 1966 to October 2003), EMBASE (January 1998 to October 2003), Chinese Biomedical Database (1979-2003), AMED (1985-2003), LILACS accessed in October 2003 and the trials register of the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field. We handsearched Chinese journals and conference proceedings. No language or publication restrictions were used.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials of herbal medicines (with a minimum of seven days treatment duration) compared with placebo, no intervention, or conventional interventions were included. Trials of herbal medicine plus conventional drug versus drug alone were also included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two reviewers independently extracted data and evaluated trial quality. Study authors were contacted for additional information. Adverse effects information was collected from the trials.

MAIN RESULTS

Forty randomised trials, involving 3448 people were included. All trials were conducted and published in China, and the methodological quality was assessed as generally low. No trial had diagnosis of viral myocarditis confirmed histologically, and few trials attempted to establish viral aetiology for the myocarditis. Twenty-five different herbal medicines were tested in the included trials, which compared herbs with supportive therapy (17 trials), other controls (three trials), or treatment of herbs plus supportive therapy with supportive therapy alone (20 trials). The trials reported electrocardiogram, myocardial enzymes, cardiac function, symptoms, and adverse effects. Astragalus membranaceus (either as single herb or compound of herbs) showed significantly effects on improving arrhythmia, CPK levels, and cardiac function. Salviae miltiorrhizae injection showed significant effects on decreasing the arrhythmia and reducing LDH levels. Shenmai and Shengmai injection (Ginseng preparation) showed significantly effects on reducing myocardial enzymes and improving cardiac function. No serious adverse effect was reported.

REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS

Some herbal medicines may have anti-arrhythmia effect in suspected viral myocarditis. However, interpretation of these findings should be careful due to the low methodological quality, small sample size, and limited number of trials on individual herbs. In the light of the findings, some herbal medicines deserve further examination in rigorous trials.