McKay Jaussi
2nd period
Annotated Bibliography
Aydin Avci, Ilknur, Zeliha Koç, and Zeynep Sağlam. "Use Of Complementary And Alternative
Medicine By Patients With Cancer In Northern Turkey: Analysis Of Cost And
Satisfaction." Journal Of Clinical Nursing 21 May. 2000. Academic Search
Premier. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.
253 cancer patients in Turkey were questioned about their usage of complementary
and alternative medicine during the process of recovery. The subjects were all chosen
from the chemotherapy unit in the Black Sea Region Hospital in Turkey. Along with
the questions of usage, questions of socioeconomic status were also inquired. It was
found that almost all of the people questioned who reported use of natural medicines
were satisfied with the results of the use. However, it was stated that advice from a
doctor is needed before use in case the herb would cause progression of the disease.
Although it is a minimal possibility, cases have been reported of such results of taking
alternative medicines while coping with cancer.
Chen, Wei, et al. "Chinese Herbal Medicines For The Treatment Of Type A H1N1 Influenza: A
Systematic Review Of Randomized Controlled Trials." Plos Clinical Trials 6.12 (2011): 17. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.
Due to the outbreak of H1N1 influenza in 2009, a study was conducted in China to test
the effectiveness of TCMs or traditional Chinese Medicines. These medicines consist of
natural herbal extracts found in and around China that have been used for their
medicinal properties for centuries. The test subjects all reported positive effects of the
herbal drugs in regards to the flu symptoms. However, the study is only preliminary and
no placebo was used. Future studies would include placebo groups to prove the
potency of these herbs. Another flaw is that the specific strain of the flu virus won’t be a
problem again, and the researchers don’t know if the extracts will be as effective with
future strains.
Jing, Zhao, et al. "Therapeutic Effects Of Astragaloside IV On Myocardial Injuries:
Multi-Target Identification And Network Analysis." Plos ONE 7.9 (2012): 1-11. Academic
Search Premier. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
In Shanghai, China, scientists tested the effects of Astragaloside IV (AGS-IV) on injuries
relating to the muscle tissue of the heart. AGS-IV is the active ingredient in Astragalus
membranaceus Bunge, a medicinal chinese herb. It was found that AGS-IV improved
the heart problems in three main ways: decreasing calcium influx, reducing the size of
the blood vessels that have gotten too large, and preventing inflammation. Along with
these pain relieving properties, AGS-IV builds the immunity of the heart cells making
them stronger. Another huge benefit is that the medicinal herb reduces the risk of blood
clots in the heart, which also reduces the risk of heart attacks and death. AGS-IV
performs best when combined with other approved cardiovascular drugs.
Kelly-Pieper, Kristin, et al. "Safety And Tolerability Of An Antiasthma Herbal Formula
(ASHMI™) In Adult Subjects With Asthma: A Randomized, Double-Blinded,
Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Escalation Phase I Study." Journal Of Alternative &
Complementary Medicine 15.7 (2009): 735-743. Academic Search Premier. Web. 13
Nov. 2013.
A study was done to test the safety and tolerability of a drug composed of three Chinese
herbs, called ASHMI. 20 subjects were used for the test. 12 subjects used ASHMI and
the other eight used a placebo. The results showed that the placebo group showed
more adverse effects, as well as more serious ones. The adverse effects (AE) are
classified into three groups with 3 being the most serious. None of the subjects using
ASHMI reported any symptoms worthy of grade 3 AEs while three of the placebo
subjects experienced grade 3 AEs.
Liu, Ju-Chi, et al. "The In Vitro Inhibitory Effects Of Crude Extracts Of Traditional Chinese Herbs
On 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl-Coenzyme A Reductase On Vero Cells." American
Journal Of Chinese Medicine 30.4 (2002): 629. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Nov.
2013.
In the Department of Medicine at the Taipei Medical University, tests were conducted to
determine the effectiveness of a crude extract from a Chinese medicinal plant could help
improve cardiovascular problems such as cholesterol. The study was undertaken
because cardiovascular problems are the leading cause of death in the Western world.
They tested cells from the African Green Monkey with the drug pravastatin and
pravastatin with the Chinese herb extract added. It was found that the drug alone
inhibited cell growth, making the cardiovascular problems less of a problem, but with the
extract, the cells grew like healthy cells should. The conclusion is that pravastatin with
the extract added decreases cholesterol and mortality.
Ma, Huiyan, et al. "The Roles Of Herbal Remedies In Survival And Quality Of Life Among
Long-Term Breast Cancer Survivors - Results Of A Prospective Study." BMC Cancer
11.1 (2011): 222-231. Academic Search Premier. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
This study was done in the Los Angeles area among breast cancer sufferers who had
been recovering from breast cancer for 10 years or more. The purpose was to see if
herbal remedies played a role in the recovery of the patients. Of the 371 participants in
the study, 277 reported use of herbal remedies such as herbal tea, ginseng, and St.
John’s Wort. 7.8 years into the study, 44 deaths had occurred, 33 from breast cancer.
The conclusion saw that the users of herbal remedies had a lower survival rate in
relation to breast cancer and other causes than those who hadn’t used them. As the use
of herbal remedies increased, the rate of survival had decreased among the patients in
the study.
Raja, Chakraverty, and Banerjee Anindya. "Emerging Issues In Pharmacovigilance Of Herbal
Medicines In India." International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review &
Research 20.1 (2013): 40-42. Academic Search Premier. Web. 13 Nov. 2013.
An ongoing study in India has been searching for the dangers associated with the use of
medicinal herbs. Through their search, they have found nine herbal drugs that can have
adverse effects on the user. However, these adverse effects are not common in all
users and the effects aren’t as dangerous as many pharmaceuticals. The most serious
of these effects are bleeding, dizziness, dry mouth, seizures, and worsening of
Parkinson’s disease. Four of the nine herbs specified in the article are used as
complements to other drugs, such as asprin, and the adverse effects in these are, at
worst, slowing of drug absorption.
Smith, Robert A., et al. "Introducing Experimental Design By Evaluating Efficacy Of Herbal
Remedies (Do Herbal Remedies Really Work?)." Journal Of Biological Education
(Society Of Biology) 44.4 (2010): 175-179. Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Nov.
2013.
At the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a study was conducted
to test the effectiveness of an herbal extract. They had two groups of small worms
placed in water solutions in which the worms thrive. One of the groups had the extract
from the plant in the solution in which they lived. According to the article, the worms’
tolerance and reaction to the herbal compound was similar to what humans would
experience. It was found that through four hours, the survival rate of the two groups was
almost identical. However, after the four hour mark, the group exposed to the herbal
extract had a much higher survival rate than those that were not.
Sruthy, P.N., and Anoop, K. R. "Healing Hypertension: A Focus On Alternative Systems Of
Medicine." International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review & Research 21.2
(2013): 264-273. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.
One of the most common diseases in America is hypertension. About one billion people
had suffered from the disease in 2000 with a projected 1.5 billion to be sufferers by
2025. Many of the medicines that have been administered to patients have been known
to have many and severe side effects. Recently, there has been a push to find natural
remedies for the disease that will reduce the symptoms as well as the side effects. Of
the alternative substances referenced that can be used to combat hypertension was
garlic. It was found that the oil secreted from steamed garlic has the ability to reduce the
symptoms of hypertension. Many other herbs were cited and none of the herbs included
side effects of drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, depression, and many others that
common pharmaceuticals have today.
SuzukiI, H., J. M. Inadomi; and T. Hibi. "Japanese Herbal Medicine In Functional
Gastrointestinal Disorders." Neurogastroenterology & Motility 21.7 (2009): 688-696.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
Several subjects were included in a study to see how effective traditional Japanese
herbal medicines are in treating gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammation,
diarrhoea, etc. It was found that the herbal medicines were as effective as
pharmaceuticals in treating the common symptoms associated with gastrointestinal
problems. The study was conducted with the use of placebos so it can be safely
assumed that the results are candid and accurate. The goal of this study is to increase
the knowledge about complementary and alternative herbal medicine use in America.
Many people use these drugs in the United States, but little is known about their effects.
Wojcikowski, Ken; Johnson, David; Gobe, Glenda. "Medicinal Herbal Extracts– Renal
Friend Or Foe? Part One: The Toxicities Of Medicinal Herbs." Nephrology 9.5 (2004):
313-318.Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.
With the increase of complementary alternative medicines (CAM), little has been done to
regulate the use and dosage. This study was conducted to explore the effects of an
herbal toxicity on the kidneys. It was found that herbal extracts did have an adverse
effect on the kidneys when too much was taken or when the wrong extract was coupled
with certain kidney medication. While the effects were not life threatening, the article
suggests medicinal herbs should be more closely regulated as far as correct dosage and
correct medicine with which to use the extracts. Just like any pharmaceutical product,
the risks should be weighed with the benefits and a doctor should be consulted. As
more research is compiled, the article says, the more effectively herbal medicines can
be administered.
Zhang, Juan, et al. "Targeting Cancer-Related Inflammation: Chinese Herbal Medicine Inhibits
Epithelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition In Pancreatic Cancer." Plos ONE 8.7 (2013): 1-9.
Academic Search Premier. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
A seven herb medicine derived from chinese plants was given to subjects of a study who
had pancreatic cancer. It was found that the medicine helped in the inflammation
caused by the cancer and causes most of the pain associated with the sickness. In
some cases, it was found that the medicine even helped to combat the cancer itself and
gave the patients temporary relief. However, the herbal concoction was not a substitute
for other cancer fighting strategies such as chemotherapy. As more research is
conducted concerning the potency of these herbs and their chemical properties,
researchers hope to find other uses and possibly better cancer fighting properties.