ng-Kwan Cho

Myelophil, an extract mix of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, ameliorates chronic fatigue: A randomised, double-blind, controlled pilot study

OBJECTIVESnTo investigate the anti-fatigue effects of Myelophil, an extract of a mix of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, which has been used to treat patients with chronic fatigue.nnnSUBJECTS AND DESIGNnA randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was performed with 36 adults who complained of chronic fatigue. The subjects were divided among a control group and low- and high-dose groups (3 or 6g of oral Myelophil per day, respectively) and were monitored for 4 weeks. Fatigue severity was subjectively characterised, and the expression of 42 cytokines was evaluated using an antibody array.nnnRESULTSnMyelophil administration (3g per day) significantly decreased the fatigue severity score compared with the control (p<0.05). No changes were noted in cytokine expression.nnnCONCLUSIONSnMyelophil appears to have a pharmacological effect against fatigue, suggesting the clinical relevance of the traditional medicinal plants, Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Review of the Best Case Series Methodology: Best Case Series Results of East-West Cancer Center

Purpose. To assess the efficacy of the best case series program methodology as a preliminary evaluation of complementary and alternative programs. Setting. East-West Cancer Center (EWCC) is a traditional oriental cancer center located in Daejeon, Korea. Cancer patients received Wheel balance therapy (WBT), which focuses on rediscovering homeostatic harmony with dietary therapy, metabolism-activating therapy, antiangiogenesis and immune system therapy, and controlled breathing and psychotherapy. Methods. Summaries of 6 cases in which patients showed longer survival without progression and were treated with WBT without conventional treatments were submitted for review to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Each case was then classified by the NCI review panel with pathologic confirmation of disease and radiologic confirmation of complete response or partial response not attributable to conventional treatments. Results. Two of 6 cases were classified as evaluable NCI best cases; the other 4 cases were classified as unevaluable. Except for a patient with squamous cell lung carcinoma, no patient showed further progression as of July 2007. Conclusion. The best case series program provides a preliminary evaluation of complementary and alternative medicine programs. But the method will only find treatments that have effects similar to those of conventional methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Therefore, in future studies, BCSP reviewers should additionally consider assessing tumor dormancy and efficacy of combination therapies for Best Case qualification.