Traditional Chinese Medicine for Topical Treatment of Skeletal Muscle Injury.

Muscle injuries are common musculoskeletal problems, but the pharmaceutical agent for muscle repair and healing is insufficient. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) frequently uses topical treatments to treat muscle injuries, although scientific evidence supporting their efficacy is scarce. In this study, an in vitro assay was used to test the cytotoxicity of a topical TCM formula containing Carthami Flos, Dipsaci Radix, and Rhei Rhizoma (CDR).

The Application of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ADMSCs) and a Twin-Herb Formula to the Rodent Wound Healing Model: Use Alone or Together?

Our previous study reported that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) accelerated the wound healing process through anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and pro-angiogenetic effects in a rodent skin excision model. NF3 is a twin-herb formula, which presents similar effects in promoting wound healing. Research focusing on the interaction of MSCs and Chinese medicine is limited.

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ADMSCs) and ADMSC-Derived Secretome Expedited Wound Healing in a Rodent Model - A Preliminary Study.

Introduction: The biological role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in wound healing has been demonstrated. However, there were limited studies on the healing effect of secretome which consists of many biological factors secreted by MSCs. In this study, we aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of secretome with MSCs on facilitating wound healing.

Green tea extract synergistically enhances the effectiveness of an antiresorptive drug on management of osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy in a rat model.

Antiresorptive drugs are effective for reducing bone loss in postmenopausal women, but their long-term application may be associated with adverse effects. The present study aimed to investigate the potential synergistic effects of green tea extract (GTE) and alendronate or raloxifene on the management of osteoporosis. Ovariectomized rats were fed orally with GTE, alendronate and raloxifene at different concentrations and various combinations for 4 weeks.

Chinese topical herbal medicine gives additive effect on pharmaceutical agent on fracture healing.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy on the combination of oral strontium ranelate (SrR) with a topical Chinese herbal paste on facilitation of fracture healing.

Methods: An open fracture was created at the mid-shaft of the right tibia of rat. A herbal paste called CDR containing Honghua (Flos Carthami), Chuanxuduan (Radix Dipsaci Asperoidis) and Dahuang (Radix Et Rhizoma Rhei Palmati) was prepared.

Topical application of Chinese herbal medicine DAEP relieves the osteoarthritic knee pain in rats.

Background: The potential adverse effects of conventional oral pharmacotherapy of osteoarthritis (OA) restrict their long-term use. Topical application of a Chinese herbal paste for relieving OA knee pain can be effective and safe. However, evidence-based scientific research is insufficient to support its application worldwide.

Integrative Approach to Facilitate Fracture Healing: Topical Chinese Herbal Paste with Oral Strontium Ranelate.

Strontium ranelate (SrR) is one of the pharmaceutical agents reported to be effective on the promotion of fracture healing. This study aimed to evaluate the integrative effect of the oral SrR with a topical Chinese herbal paste, namely, CDR, on facilitation of bone healing. The efficacy was evaluated using rats with tibial fracture.

Evaluation of the combined use of metronomic zoledronic acid and Coriolus versicolor in intratibial breast cancer mouse model.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Coriolus versicolor (CV) is a mushroom traditionally used for strengthening the immune system and nowadays used as immunomodulatory adjuvant in anticancer therapy. Breast cancer usually metastasizes to the skeleton, interrupts the normal bone remodeling process and causes osteolytic bone lesions. The aims of the present study were to evaluate its herb-drug interaction with metronomic zoledronate in preventing cancer propagation, metastasis and bone destruction.

Seropharmacological study on osteogenic effects of post-absorption ingredients of an osteoprotective herbal formula.

Objective: To further investigate the {ptin vitro} effects of an osteoprotective herbal formula "ELP" (Herba Epimedii, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and Fructus Psoraleae) using seropharmacological approach.

Methods: Rats were fed with ELP or its individual component herbs for 2 days. The serum containing the postabsorbed ingredients of the herbal items were collected for cell culture using UMR106 cell, RAW264.

Multitargeted combination effects of a triherbal formulation containing ELP against osteoporosis: in vitro evidence.

Objectives: An anti-osteoporotic herbal formula ELP containing Epimedii Herba (E), Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (L) and Psoraleae Fructus (P) was studied to investigate the herb-herb interaction (or the possible synergistic effect) among each component and to identify the principal herbs in different modes of action.

Methods: Rat osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells proliferation, rat MSCs-derived osteoblastogenesis and RANKL-induced RAW 264.7 osteoclastogenesis were adopted to investigate the bone-forming activity and bone-degrading activity of the herbal extracts.

Evaluation of a topical herbal agent for the promotion of bone healing.

A topically used Chinese herbal paste, namely, CDNR, was designed to facilitate fracture healing which is usually not addressed in general hospital care. From our in vitro studies, CDNR significantly inhibited the release of nitric oxide from RAW264.7 cells by 51 to 77%.

Deteriorating effect on bone metabolism and microstructure by passive cigarette smoking through dual actions on osteoblast and osteoclast.

There is no clear evidence to show the direct causal relationship between passive cigarette smoking and osteoporosis. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism is unknown. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the effects of long-term passive cigarette smoking on bone metabolism and microstructure by a mouse model and cell culture systems.

Preclinical evaluations on the efficacy of a topical Chinese herbal formula for swelling control and pain relief.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain and swellings occupy many hospital beds and demand many rehabilitation facilities. Chinese Medicine is offering many alternatives to ameliorate pain and swelling. However, evidence-based scientific publications supporting their efficacy on pain relief are inadequate.

Characteristics of stem cells derived from rat fascia: in vitro proliferative and multilineage potential assessment.

Fascia‑derived stem cells (FDSCs) were previously isolated from the fascia of the gluteus maximus of the rat. However, the use of FDSCs as a cell source for musculoskeletal tissue engineering has not been compared with that of adipose‑derived stem cells (ADSCs) and bone marrow‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Therefore, the present study aimed to compare the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) and self‑renewal stem cell markers, proliferative capacity and multilineage differentiation potential of these stem cells in vitro.

Anti-tumor and anti-osteolysis effects of the metronomic use of zoledronic acid in primary and metastatic breast cancer mouse models.

This study aims to determine the effect of metronomic (0.0125 mg/kg twice a week for 4 weeks) zoledronic acid (ZOL) on cancer propagation and osteolysis against both metastatic and primary breast cancer in mice model. From our results, metronomic ZOL resulted in a significant reduction of tumor burden and did not promote lung or liver metastasis.

Application of Chinese herbal medicines to revitalize adult stem cells for tissue regeneration.

It has been established in the recent several decades that adult stem cells play a crucial role in tissue renewal and regeneration. Adult stem cells locate in certain organs can differentiate into functional entities such as macrophages and bone cells. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are two of the most important populations of adult stem cells.

In Vivo Study on the Pharmacological Interactions between a Chinese Herbal Formula ELP and Antiresorptive Drugs to Counteract Osteoporosis.

Antiresorptive drugs, alendronate and raloxifene, are effective in lowering bone mineral density (BMD) loss in postmenopausal women. However, long-term treatment may be associated with serious side effects. Our research group has recently discovered that a Chinese herbal formula, ELP, could significantly reduce BMD loss in animal and human studies.

The effects of an antiosteoporosis herbal formula containing epimedii herba, ligustri lucidi fructus and psoraleae fructus on density and structure of rat long bones under tail-suspension, and its mechanisms of action.

An innovative anti-osteoporosis herbal formula containing epimedii herba, ligustri lucidi fructus and psoraleae fructus (ELP) has been previously shown its bone protecting effects in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats and also in post-menopausal osteopenic women. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of ELP against bone loss during physical inactivity or weightlessness. A hindlimb unloading tail-suspended rat model was used for studying the effects of ELP on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone micro-architecture.

Pro-bone and antifat effects of green tea and its polyphenol, epigallocatechin, in rat mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

Green tea has been demonstrated recently as a potent bone supportive agent. Our previous studies showed that green tea and its polyphenolic constituents can promote bone-forming osteoblast activities and inhibit the bone-resorpting osteoclast formation. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether green tea and its components can regulate the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation in pluripotent rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Inferior tendon graft to bone tunnel healing at the tibia compared to that at the femur after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Background: Tunnel widening after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) is commonly reported without a clear understanding of the mechanism. This study aimed to quantify the spatiotemporal change of the newly formed bone mass, bone tunnel diameter, and area along both bone tunnels using micro-computed tomography (microCT) and correlated the result with histology.

Methods: ACLR was performed in 24 rabbits.

In vivo low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) following tendon injury promotes repair during granulation but suppresses decorin and biglycan expression during remodeling.

Study Design: Bench research, cross-sectional.

Objective: To determine if the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on matrix synthesis change at different stages of tendon healing.

Background: LIPUS is effective in promoting tendon healing by stimulation of matrix synthesis.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on tendon healing: a study of the effect of treatment duration and treatment initiation.

Background: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound has been reported to be effective in promoting tendon healing. However, its optimal time and duration has not yet been determined.

Hypothesis: Tendons at different stages of healing may respond differently to low-intensity pulsed ultrasound.