Shorter and sturdier bridges between traditional Chinese medicines and modern pharmacology

Deer sinew with medicine and food homology: A review of traditional efficacy and uses, processing technology, composition, pharmacological effects and application prospects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Deer Sinew, as a kind of precious traditional Chinese medicine, was first recorded in Xin Xiu Ben Cao (Newly Revised Materia Medica). This animal medicine had a long history of ethnomedicinal and food uses, was widely used in the treatment of kidney deficiency and strain, weakness of tendons and bones, rheumatism and paralysis, cold uterus, impotence and nocturnal emissions and so on. However, a systematic review of deer sinews had been lacking.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The purpose of this paper was to comprehensively review the traditional efficacy and uses, processing techniques, composition, pharmacological effects and application prospects of Deer Sinew. We focused on the traditional medicinal and edible uses of Deer Sinew and so on. In addition, the pharmacological effects of Deer Sinew collagen and its derived peptides and the limitations of Deer Sinew were also discussed.

METHODS

This narrative review searched electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, SciFinder, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Masters and Doctoral Dissertations. And other information about Deer Sinew was found in traditional Chinese medical ancient works, local Chinese medicine standards and modern books.

RESULTS

Deer Sinew was recorded in traditional Chinese medical ancient works and modern books, etc. It was a kind of animal medicine with a long history, with the traditional efficacy of tonifying the liver and kidney, strengthening the tendons and bones, and dispelling wind-dampness. Deer Sinew belonged to the medicine and food homology, not only has a high medicinal value, can be combined with other Chinese medicines to form a formula or Chinese patent medicine to prevent and treat many diseases, but also often used in food, the Chinese dietary culture is not lacking in Deer Sinew. Preliminary processing, talcum powder stir-frying, sand stir-frying and so on were typical processing techniques for Deer Sinew. Proteins, amino acids, peptides, collagen, inorganic elements and other related Deer Sinew components have been found. Compared with other components, collagen and its derived peptides have been studied more in modern pharmacology and correspond to traditional efficacy, such as anti-rheumatoid arthritis, anti-osteoporosis and anti-oxidation. In addition, Deer Sinew had a promising application in the fields of medical treatment, food, dietary supplements and cosmetics.

CONCLUSION

This paper provided a comprehensive review of Deer Sinew and relevant information and theoretical guidance for its future application and development. Modern pharmacological studies provided reliable evidence for traditional efficacy. However, the existing studies have certain limitations and have not been widely and more deeply studied. For this reason, it was necessary to utilize and pass on this valuable animal medicine, Deer Sinew. It is hoped that Deer Sinew will gradually receive more attention and application.

An ethnopharmacological study of aromatic Uyghur medicinal plants in Xinjiang, China

CONTEXT

An ethnobotanical survey was completed in a remote village and surrounding country of Xinjiang, where most Uyghur medicinal plants could be collected. This work clarifies and increases ethnobotanical data.

OBJECTIVES

We surveyed and organized aromatic medicinal plants that are commonly used in clinical settings to provide a significant reference for studying new medical activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the survey, informants who have traditional knowledge on aromatic Uyghur medicinal plants were interviewed between March 2014 and September 2014. Aromatic medicinal plant species and pertinent information were collected. Some therapeutic methods and modes of preparation of traditional aromatic medicinal plants were found.

RESULTS

A total of 86 aromatic medicinal plant species belonging to 36 families were included in our study. We identified 34 plant species introduced from different regions such as Europe, India and Mediterranean areas. Fruits and whole plants were the most commonly used parts of plant, and most aromatic medicinal plants could be applied as medicine and food. We assigned the medicinal plants a use value (UV). Knowing the UV of species is useful in determining the use reliability and pharmacological features of related plants.

CONCLUSIONS

Xinjiang is an area in which indigenous aromatic medicinal plants are diversely used and has therefore established a sound dimensional medical healthcare treatment system. Some aromatic Uyghur medicinal plants are on the verge of extinction. Hence, further strategies for the conservation of these aromatic medicinal plants should be prioritized.