The antiplatelet activity of Geiji-Bokryung-Hwan, Korean traditional formulation, is mediated through inhibition of phospholipase C and inhibition of TxB(2) synthetase activity

The traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Cinnamomi ramulus: a review

OBJECTIVES

Cinnamomi ramulus (called Guizhi in Chinese) is a traditional medicine used to treat gastrointestinal dysfunction, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, spleen deficiency, Alzheimer's disease and obesity. This review aimed to provide a systematic summary on the geographical distribution, botany, traditional application, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology and other aspects of Cinnamomi ramulus.

KEY FINDING

So far, more than 121 chemical compounds have been isolated from Cinnamomi ramulus, including volatile oil, organic acids, triterpenoid saponins, coumarins, tannins, flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides, steroids and polysaccharides. This paper reviews the pharmacological effects of Cinnamomi ramulus on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumour, antipyretic and analgesic, antidiabetic and antiplatelet aggregation effects. Furthermore, the present review also indicates that Cinnamomi ramulus has the potential to develop into drugs for treating various diseases with high efficacy and low toxicity.

SUMMARY

The convictive evidence from modern pharmacology research supports the traditional application of Cinnamomi ramulus. However, further studies on the structure-activity relationship of some of the isolated compounds may improve their biological potency. More toxicological studies will also contribute to the progress of clinical trial studies.

[Medicinal interest of Poria cocos (= Wolfiporia extensa)]

The sclerotium of Poria cocos has been used in the Chinese pharmacopoeia during thousands of years. In this note several aspects about the biology and nomenclature of this fungus are summarized, with emphasis on its composition and therapeutic applications.

Identification of multiple constituents in the traditional Chinese medicine formula GuiZhiFuLing-Wan by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS

GuiZhiFuLing-Wan (GFW) has been used in China for centuries to improve blood stagnation. In this paper, a HPLC-DAD-MS/MS method was established for the efficient and rapid identification of the chemical constituents in extract of GuiZhiFuLing-Wan. Separation was performed on an Alltima C(18) analytical column by gradient elution with CH(3)CN/H(2)O-CH(3)COOH as mobile phase at a flow rate 1.0ml/min. 27 potentially bioactive compounds including monoterpene glycosides, galloyl glucoses, acetophenones, phenylallyl compounds and triterpenoids were identified or tentatively characterized by online ESI/MS/MS and the comparison with literature data and authentic compounds. After the identification, six different brands of GFW commercial products in various dosage forms were evaluated. The results demonstrated that capsule of GFW was superior to the other two dosage forms, honeyed pill and concentrated pill in administration. The points that should be paid more attention during the manufacturing process of GFW were also analyzed. The method can be the basis for the quality control of this commonly used herbal formula.

Tumor Initiation Inhibition Through Inhibition COX-1 Activity of a Traditional Korean Herbal Prescription, Geiji-Bokryung-Hwan, in Human Hepatocarcinoma Cells

Some Korean and oriental herbal prescriptions used for a syndrome expressed as chest paralysis and heartache are thought to be effective for angina pectoris. We investigated the effects of an oriental medicinal prescription, Geiji-Bokryung-Hwan (GBH) consisting of herbs of Cinnamomi Ramulus, Poria Cocos Hoelen (Pachymae Fungus), Moutan Cortex Radicis, Paeoniae Radix, and Persicae Semen, on growth-inhibitory activity and cancer chemopreventive activity in assays representing three major stages of carcinogenesis. The GBH was found to act as an potent inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 only but not as COX-2 inhibitor. Furthermore, the extract mediated anti-inflammatory effects and inhibited COX-associated hydroperoxidase functions (anti-promotion activity). Inhibitory effect of the GBH on the growth of cancer cell lines such as HepG2 cell and Hep3B cell was shown. These data suggest that GBH extracts merit investigation as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent in humans, especially in hepatological cancers.

Inhibitory effect of GBH on platelet aggregation through inhibition of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in activated human platelets

Geiji-Bokryung-Hwan (GBH) was studied on antiplatelet activity in human platelet suspensions. GBH consists of the 5 herbs Cinnamomi Ramulus, Poria Cocos, Mountan Cortex Radicis, Paeoniae Radix, and Persicae Semen, which have been used in herbal medicine for thousands of years for atherosclerosis. The mechanism involved in the antiplatelet activity of GBH in human platelet suspensions was investigated. GBH inhibited platelet aggregation and Ca2+ mobilization in a concentration-dependent manner without increasing intracellular cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. GBH had no inhibitory effect on thromboxane B2 (TXB2) production in cell-free systems. Collagen-related peptide (CRP)-induced Ca2+ mobilization is regulated by phospholipase C-2 (PLC-gamma2) activation. We evaluated the effect of GBH on tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma2 and the production of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3). GBH at concentrations that inhibited platelet aggregation and Ca2+ mobilization had no effects on tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma2 or on the formation of IP3 induced by CRP. Similar results were obtained with thrombin-induced platelet activation. GBH inhibited platelet aggregation and Ca2+ mobilization induced by thrombin without affecting the production of IP3. We then evaluated the effect of GBH on the binding of IP3 to its receptor. GBH at high concentrations partially blocked the binding of IP3 to its receptor. Therefore, the results suggested that GBH suppresses Ca2+ mobilization at a step distal to IP3 formation. GBH may provide a good tool for investigating Ca2+ mobilization.