Chinese prescription Kangen-karyu, comprised of six crude drugs, has received much attention due to its numerous biological activities. The present study reports the anti-aging potential of Kangen-karyu and its related mechanisms under in vivo conditions with senescence-accelerated mice (SAM) and aging rats, and in a cellular system with stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS). Kangen-karyu attenuated oxidative stress by the inhibition of free radical generation and lipid peroxidation under the SAM model, suggesting its anti-aging potential. In addition, investigation with the in vivo natural aging model also showed that Kangen-karyu and its main crude drug, Tanjin, played protective roles against protein modification and lipid peroxidation in serum and tissue with aging. In particular, Kangen-karyu exerted a stronger anti-aging effect than Tanjin, suggesting that Tanjin contributes synergistically to the anti-aging activity of Kangen-karyu. Kangen-karyu also regulated the glutathione redox cycle, working primarily to maintain mitochondrial function against the leakage of reactive oxygen species from mitochondria, and led to the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) to nuclear translocation and regulation of related protein expressions such as cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, heme oxygenase-1, bax, and bcl-2 proteins. Furthermore, under the SIPS cellular model, Kangen-karyu extract showed an anti-aging activity and led to increased longevity through the attenuation of oxidative damage with the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and cell cycle regulation. Its anti-aging activity results from modulations of NF-κB and the expressions of its related proteins. The present study suggests that Kangen-karyu has a promising anti-aging potential against oxidative stress-induced aging processes.

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Bioassay-guided chromatographic fractionation of the active chloroform and methanolic extracts from the roots of Rhinacanthus nasutus led to the isolation of eight naphthoquinones, one lignan, two sterols and one triterpenoid: rhinacanthins-C, -D, -G, -O, -M, -N, -Q, rhinacanthone, heliobuphthalmin, sitosterol, β-sitosterol and lupeol, respectively. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical analysis. This is first report of heliobuphthalmin isolated from this plant. The in vitro antiproliferative activity against panel of 10 kinds of cancer cells (e.g. KB, Hep-2, MCF-7, HepG2, HeLa, SiHa, C-32, LLC, Colon-26 and P388) and non-tumorigenic Vero cells were then analyzed by MTT assay. Antitumor activity of aqueous extracts of the roots and stems, chloroform extract and rhinacanthin-C in Meth-A Sarcoma-bearing BALB/c mice was also evaluated. All naphthoquinones showed apparent antiproliferative activity against cancer cells with the IC₅₀ values of 0.29-54.4 μM, whereas they showed moderate activity against Vero cells (IC₅₀ values of 4.2-41.1 μM). Heliobuphthalmin had weaker activity than naphthoquinone analogues. Two sterols and lupeol were inactive. Structure-activity relationship of the naphthoquinone esters revealed that the substitutes of phenolic groups in quinine and quinolate parts of these compounds may be important for increasing theirs antiproliferative activity. Regarding to in vivo antitumor activity, the chloroform extract and rhinacanthin-C (25 mg/kg/day) as well as aqueous extracts of the roots and stems (500 mg/kg/day) significantly suppressed the growth of Meth-A sarcoma bearing mice. Our findings conclude that the naphthoquinone compounds isolated from R. nasutus Kurz., a traditional Thai medicine for cancer treatment, are worth further investigation as lead compounds for the design of selective anticancer drug in cancer therapy.

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We investigated the effect of Hangekobokuto (Ban-Xia-Hou-Po-Tang ; HKT) by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) measurement. HKT was prescribed to 21 patients. In the HKT group, baPWV decreased significantly after a 6-month continuous prescription without change in pulse rate, blood pressure and ankle brachial index. But in Hachimijiogan (Ba-Wei-Di-Huang-Wan) group as compared with the HKT group, there was no significant change of baPWV or other parameters. These results suggest that HKT brings about functional change in vessels rather than organic change; that is, HKT decreases latent vascular wall tone, which is closely related to the autonomic nervous system.

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The medical practice of Myanmar traditional medicine is shrouded with mystery. Many of the customs perpetuated through the ages had their roots in religious beliefs. In some parts of Myanmar, the traditional knowledge which dates back to the Buddhist era is still preserved and practiced as a holistic method of treatment. This paper highlights an amazing cow's urine therapy practice performed by the traditional medicine practitioners of Buddhist culture in Myanmar.

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