Mechanisms underlying the antihypertensive effects of garlic bioactives

1. Coumarins, flavonoids and polysaccharopeptide were tested for antibacterial activity. 2. The bacteria used for this study included clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 3. Most of the coumarins tested failed to inhibit the bacteria at 25 mg/l. Edultin at 128 mg/l inhibited 4 of the 8 P. aeruginosa strains and 1 of the S. aureus strains tested. O-acetylcolumbianetin and imperatorin did not inhibit any isolate, even at 128 mg/l. 4. When tested at the dose of 128 mg/l, the flavonoids (rutin, naringin and baicalin) inhibited 25% or less of P. aeruginosa and only baicalin was active against S. aureus. 5. Arbutin and 4-(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxyl)-benzaldehyde inhibited 3 of the 8 P. aeruginosa strains when tested at 128 mg/l. 6. Polysaccharopeptide from the fungus Coriolus versicolor failed to inhibit any P. aeruginosa or S. aureus strain at 128 mg/l.

Examination of coumarins, flavonoids and polysaccharopeptide for antibacterial activity.

Method for inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase activity using daidzin and/or daidzin analog and/or daidzin or daidzin analog in combination with a factor or factors which increase the bioavailability of the daidzin or daidzin analog, as ALDH-I inhibitory compounds or compositions. Such inhibitory compounds or compositions are useful as pharmaceutical compositions in methods for the treatment of alcohol dependence (i.e., alcoholism) or alcohol abuse, for alcohol sensitization, for extinguishing an alcohol-drinking response, for suppressing an urge for alcohol, for inducing alcohol intolerance, for preventing alcoholism in an individual with or without a susceptibility or predisposition to alcoholism or alcohol abuse, and for limiting alcohol consumption in an individual whether or not genetically predisposed.

Method for the inhibition of ALDH-I useful in the treatment of alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse

In this review, the author analyzed the challenges in modem research and development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) products. Chinese traditional and herb drugs have gained interest from the international medical, biomedical and pharmaceutical institutions as potential source of valuable medicinal agents. For the researches and development of TCMs, the first challenge is to evaluate the efficacy, pharmacological properties, action mechanism and active chemical constituents. The second one is to summarize the issues for developing safety research methodologies, to improve the quality and enhance the value of research in TCM and to provide appropriate evaluation methods to facilitate the regulation and registration of TCM products, and the third is to study drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, and the fourth is to apply new ”-omics” techniques and tools in new revolution in drug discovery-development and to impact on modem research of TCM products. This interest is needed to apply modem research on the development and exploration of the promising medical potential resources of Chinese traditional and herbal drugs, especially from medicinal plants.

Challenges in research and development of Traditional Chinese Medicines

Gegen, Radix Puerariae, is the dry root of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi or P. thomsonii Benth. (Fabaceae) collected in the fall and winter. It is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and used as a muscle relaxant, antipyretic, antidysenteric, and for treatment of hypertension.

Chang Ly

Papers

[Pharmacologic studies of Radix puerariae. I. Its effect on dog arterial pressure, vascular reactivity, and cerebral and peripheral circulation].