Antianoxic action and active constituents of atractylodis lanceae rhizoma

Research and Development of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb) DC. as a Promising Candidate for Cholangiocarcinoma Chemotherapeutics

Treatment and control of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA): the bile duct cancer is limited by the lack of effective chemotherapeutic drugs and alternative drugs are needed, particularly those from natural sources. This article reviews steps of research and development of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb) DC. (AL) as potential candidate for CCA chemotherapy, with adoption of the reverse pharmacology approach. Major steps include (1) reviewing of existing information on its phytochemistry and pharmacological properties, (2) screening of its activities against CCA, (3) standardization of AL, (4) nonclinical studies to evaluate anti-CCA activities, (5) phytochemistry and standardization of AL extract, (6) development of oral pharmaceutical formulation of standardized AL extract, and (7) toxicity testing of oral pharmaceutical formulation of standardized AL extract. Results from a series of our study confirm anti-CCA potential and safety profiles of both the crude extract and the finished product (oral pharmaceutical formulation of the standardized AL extract). Phases I and II clinical trials of the product to confirm tolerability and efficacy in healthy subjects and patients with advanced stage CCA will be carried out soon.

Therapeutic potential and pharmacological activities of Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC

The rhizome of Atractylodes lancea (A. lancea) (Thunb.) DC. (AL) is extensively used in Chinese, Thai, and Japanese traditional medicines as crude extracts/decoctions or a component in various herbal formulations. Various pharmacological activities of AL and its major constituents have been demonstrated in vitro, ex vivo, and in animal models. Results from the toxicity studies in animal models suggest safety profile of AL and its active constituents. Despite extensive use with positive impression in many diseases, there has not been a clinical study that can conclusively support its efficacy and safety profile in human. This review comprehensively summarizes current information on the pharmacological activities of AL and their active constituents including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antipyretic activities, as well as activities on central nervous, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems.

A Chinese herbal medicine Ermiao wan reduces serum uric acid level and inhibits liver xanthine dehydrogenase and xanthine oxidase in mice

Ermiao wan, which is composed of phellodendri cortex and atractylodis rhizome, is described as eliminating heat, excreting dampness and anti-edema prescription in traditional Chinese medical literatures including Danxi's Experiences in Medicine and State Pharmacopoeia of People's Republic of China. So it is being used clinically in the treatment of gout and hyperuricemia in China. In the present study, the water extracts of Ermiao wan and phellodendri cortex at 840 and 480 mg/kg/day orally for 7 days were demonstrated to possess in vivo potent hypouricemic effects both in hyperuricemic mice pretreated with oxonate and in normal mice, respectively. In the hyperuricemic animals, the effect of Ermiao wan was equal to that of the reference drug allopurinol (at 10 mg/kg/day orally for 7 days), but in the normal mice, the former was weaker than latter. In addition, both Ermiao wan and phellodendri cortex were found to have in vivo relatively inhibitory effects on mouse liver xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities at the same dose described above. These inhibitory effects were weaker than that observed for allopurinol. Atractylodis rhizome at 340 mg/kg/day orally for 7 days did not show any effects on the above experiments. These results suggested that atractylodis rhizomes assisted and enhanced the effect of phellodendri cortex on reduction of serum uric acid level in hyperuricemic mice, and hypouricemic effects of Ermiao wan and phellodendri cortex may be achieved by other mechanism partly instead of the XDH and XO inhibition.