Sun Ye. / "November 2004." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 205-225) / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Food Technology)-Dept. of Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xv, 122 leaves / Several herbs are well known for their nutritional applications. The reported study tested some herbs for their efficacy as antioxidants. The herbs and combinations thereof were analyzed for antioxidant activity using two comparative methods: the beta-carotene bleaching method and through measurement by the Rancimat apparatus. The efficacy of the antioxidants was also tested in a cosmetic base cream. The concentration of the natural antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene was determined by analytical methods. The methods used for analysis provided adequate results for interpretation. All herbs exhibited antioxidant activity, at comparable levels. The two methods used for analysis showed variable results, as previous researchers have shown. In terms of antioxidant potency, the herbs were ranked as follows: fenugreek > coriander > oregano > sage (beta-carotene bleaching method), oregano > sage > coriander > fenugreek (Rancimat method). Oregano and sage were good synergists, when combinations of herbs were used. Fenugreek, unlike the other herbs under investigation, is a prooxidant when used at higher concentrations. A direct relationship was observed between the concentration of herbs and antioxidant potency for sage, oregano and coriander. Fenugreek which is prooxidant at higher concentrations, should be used as an antioxidant independently rather than a synergist. This was the most important finding in the reported study. Similar antioxidant activities of the herbs were observed in the base cosmetic formulation. The reported study has provided an adequate base for further quantitative research into the innovative topic of antioxidants.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Food Technology)-Dept. of Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xv, 122 leaves / Several herbs are well known for their nutritional applications. The reported study tested some herbs for their efficacy as antioxidants. The herbs and combinations thereof were analyzed for antioxidant activity using two comparative methods: the beta-carotene bleaching method and through measurement by the Rancimat apparatus. The efficacy of the antioxidants was also tested in a cosmetic base cream. The concentration of the natural antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene was determined by analytical methods. The methods used for analysis provided adequate results for interpretation. All herbs exhibited antioxidant activity, at comparable levels. The two methods used for analysis showed variable results, as previous researchers have shown. In terms of antioxidant potency, the herbs were ranked as follows: fenugreek > coriander > oregano > sage (beta-carotene bleaching method), oregano > sage > coriander > fenugreek (Rancimat method). Oregano and sage were good synergists, when combinations of herbs were used. Fenugreek, unlike the other herbs under investigation, is a prooxidant when used at higher concentrations. A direct relationship was observed between the concentration of herbs and antioxidant potency for sage, oregano and coriander. Fenugreek which is prooxidant at higher concentrations, should be used as an antioxidant independently rather than a synergist. This was the most important finding in the reported study. Similar antioxidant activities of the herbs were observed in the base cosmetic formulation. The reported study has provided an adequate base for further quantitative research into the innovative topic of antioxidants.

Herbal formulations claimed to cure several medical conditions including skin eruptions, chest pains, wounds, gout, menstrual pains, stress, nervous disorders, microbial and viral infections as well as stomach ailments have recently appeared as part of South African traditional medicine. The formulations consist of mixtures of extracts of different plant parts from several different plant species packaged in labelled bottles or boxes. The mixtures are available for sale in herbal shops and public places. While there has been widespread use of these herbal mixtures, there has been no scientific evidence to support their use. This project was aimed at documenting, validating claimed efficacy and testing the safety of fourteen unregistered commercial herbal preparations commonly sold in Pietermaritzburg. A detailed investigation of the pharmacological effects and safety of the plant components of one of the mixtures, Imbiza ephuzwato was also carried out. / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

"The area of study was restricted to those common flowering herbs of Denton County, Texas, which have conspicuous flowers or a conspicuous flower cluster. There were, however, many plants included in this flora which are common to several counties of north-central Texas. Since there has been no previous key devised for the herbs of Denton County, Texas, the purpose of this key was to provide a flora which could be used by elementary and high school instructors, as well as any other interested persons who lack an extensive knowledge of botanical nomenclature." -- leaf iv.

In a mouse model of pulmonary thromboembolism induced by a collagen-adrenaline mixture, the SFE extract and ligustilide reduced the paralysis-death ratio, and the anti-thrombotic response of senkyunolide A was more pronounced. The effect of BDPH was not significant. Neither the SFE extract nor the three phthalides prolonged bleeding time in tail-transected mice. / In a rat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion model involving coronary artery ligation, 7-day pre-treatment with the SFE extract and ligustilide reduced ventricular arrhythmias in isolated hearts. BDPH and senkyunolide A were without significant effects. / In rat platelet-rich plasma, platelet aggregation induced by collagen and U46619 but not by adenosine diphosphate was inhibited by the SFE extract. Ligustilide inhibited the responses of all three agonists, while BDPH and senkyunolide A inhibited the collagen response only. / Raw Rhizoma Chuanxiong herb and its crude extract as obtained by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) comprised mainly phthalides. The SFE extract and three representative phthalides, butylidenephthalide (BDPH), ligustilide and senkyunolide A, were studied on vasorelaxation, myocardial ischemia, platelet aggregation and thrombosis. The mechanisms underlying BDPH-mediated vasorelaxation were also explored. / Rhizoma Chuanxiong, the dried rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort., is a common traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Surprisingly, the scientific basis of its action is poorly understood. The current study aims to establish the pharmacological basis of the cardiovascular effects of Rhizoma Chuanxiong and its active constituents by examining their effects in several cardiovascular domains. / The current study demonstrated various cardiovascular actions of Rhizoma Chuanxiong, and thereby established the pharmacological basis of the effects of the herb. Phthalides, in particular BDPH, ligustilide and senkyunolide A, were important contributors to such actions. Future investigation of the SFE extract and/or individual phthalides related to the progression from in vitro and in vivo effectiveness to clinical efficacy is much anticipated. / The SFE extract, BDPH, ligustilide and senkyunolide A produced vasorelaxation on isolated preparations of rat aorta, rat saphenous vein and pig coronary artery. BDPH-mediated relaxation appeared to involve both extracellular Ca 2+-dependent (L-type voltage-operated, receptor-operated and store-operated Ca2+ channels) and independent (NO modulation, Ca2+ release from internal stores and Ca2+ desensitization) mechanisms. BDPH was also observed to augment relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside and forskolin through mechanisms that remain undefined. / Chan Sun Kin Sunny. / "July 2005." / Advisers: G. Lin; R. L. Jones. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1575. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 190-209). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

differential scanning calorimetric profile and the generation of much less intense and broader peaks in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern compared to beta-CD. FTIR analysis revealed significant physical interactions between CX oil and beta-CD in the granules, possibly due to complexation. Results from phase solubility measurements and proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1H-NMR) analysis of pure 3-butylidenephthalide (3-BDPH), a representative CX component, lend some support for the formation of a 1:1 stoichiometric inclusion complex between 3-BDPH and beta-CD. / Rhizoma chuanxiong (CX), the dried rhizome of Ligusticum Chuangxiong Hort. (Umbelliferae), has been extensively used in mainland China as a traditional herbal medicine for treating cardio-/cerebrovascular diseases and gynecological disorders. However, the active components in CX, which are predominantly essential oils, generally exhibit poor stability (mostly photo-oxidation), high volatility, low aqueous solubility, and extensive gut/hepatic metabolism, all of which can significantly reduce their oral bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. The present project has investigated the feasibility of utilizing three formulation approaches to circumvent the aforementioned problems associated with the peroral delivery of CX (as crude oil mixture or individual components). / The first approach involved inclusion of CX oil in beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) as solid granules using a coprecipitation method optimized with the aid of an orthogonal study design. The resulting CX oil granules were colorless and odorless with a median particle size of 11.38mum; were stable to heat, light and moisture, and readily soluble in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. The granules were largely amorphous, as evidenced by an absence of the melting endotherm for beta-CD in the formulation could be largely explicated by the complexation behavior and hydration properties of the two polymers blended in different weight percentages, as substantiated by turbidity measurement, viscosity determination and FTIR analysis of the pure polymer mixtures as well as swelling measurement of the formulated tablets. The sustained release behavior of 3-BDPH from the tablet was dependent on the relative proportion of the two polymers present, and could be similarly explained by the changes in hydration and complexation behavior of the polymers during the penetration of aqueous fluid into the tablet matrix. / The second approach involved incorporation of CX oil into surfactant micelles and liquid crystals as a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS). An optimal formulation was developed through a judicial choice of excipients (lipids and surfactants/cosurfactant) and their proper combination in the correct proportions, as determined by the spontaneity of the emulsification process and the change in emulsion droplet size. The formulation was readily dispersible in water upon mild agitation, free from unpleasant odor, and stable in soft gelatin capsules for a storage period of at least 12 months under ambient condition. The optimal utilization of the lipid and surfactant blends in defined proportions in the formulation was further substantiated by interfacial tension determination and equilibrium phase analysis. / The third approach involved formulation of 3-BDPH (or crude CX oil) into a sustained-release buccoadhesive tablet, based on a systematic evaluation of the adhesive properties of two polymers (Carbopol 974P and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K4M) used in the formulation. The adhesive properties of the formulation could be largely explicated by the complexation behavior and hydration properties of the two polymers blended in different weight percentages, as substantiated by turbidity measurement, viscosity determination and FTIR analysis of the pure polymer mixtures as well as swelling measurement of the formulated tablets. The sustained release behavior of 3-BDPH from the tablet was dependent on the relative proportion of the two polymers present, and could be similarly explained by the changes in hydration and complexation behavior of the polymers during the penetration of aqueous fluid into the tablet matrix. / Gao Yuan. / "April 2005." / Adviser: Albert H. L. Chow. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1585. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-223). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Xian, Jiawen. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 201-230). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

全球過敏性疾病的患病率逐漸增加。大約30 - 40的世界人口患有一個或多個過敏性疾病，它絶對是一個國際性的公共健康問題。在過去三十年，過敏性皮膚炎的發病率增加了2-3 倍，當中患病率最高的是嬰兒和兒童，而且現時並沒有明確的治療方法。然而，對過敏性疾病有效的治療方法仍然缺乏，大多數傳統的治療涉及臨床改善，但不針對促進過敏性炎症發病機制中的主要因素。這些傳統的治療方法都有不良副作用。因此，發展一個更安全和非類固醇的治療方式成為了新的趨勢。 / 從過往的臨床試驗中，患有中度至嚴重過敏性皮膚炎的兒童服用由五種中藥制成的Pentaherbs（PHF）膠囊藥丸後， 顯著地改善他們的生活質數，降低了過敏性皮膚炎指數（SCORAD）及減少使用傳統藥物類固醇的份量，更沒有出現任何不良藥物作用。實驗結果指出PHF 有潛力替代類固醇，成為治療過敏性皮膚炎的取代品。在本研究中，我們使用炎症相關的細胞因子IL-33，激活在有或沒有與皮膚成纖維細胞一起培植下的嗜鹼性細胞系KU812 細胞， 來探討了PHF，牡丹皮（DP，PHF 的五種草藥之一）和沒食子酸（GA，牡丹皮的主要成分之一）的抗炎和抗過敏特性。 / 在過敏性炎症中，嗜鹼性粒細胞是一個重要的效應細胞。我們利用細胞因子IL-33 激活嗜鹼性粒細胞系KU812 細胞，並從研究結果發現出PHF，DP 和GA 能有效及顯著地抑制細胞間粘附分子ICAM-1 的表達，炎症相關趨化因子CCL2，CCL5，CXCL8 和促炎細胞因子IL-6 的釋放。這證實出PHF, DP 和GA有抗炎和抗過敏的特性。在進一步的研究中，我們加入一種常用醫治過敏性炎症藥物的合成類固醇地塞米松, 與PHF, DP 和GA 結合使用。從各種組合的不同濃度地塞米松與PHF，DP 和GA 中，我們發現聯合使用低濃度為0.01 微克/毫升的地塞米松和10 微克/毫升GA 可進一步抑制ICAM-1 在KU812 的表達，趨化因子CCL2 和CCL5 釋放。此外，沒食子酸可顯著抑制細胞內信號分子p38 絲裂原活化蛋白激酶 (MAPK)，IκB-α和JNK 的表達。這表明了黏附分子的表達，趨化因子和細胞因子的釋放的抑製是經由p38 MAPK，IκB-α和JNK 訊息傳遞路徑所調節。實驗證實PHF，DP 和GA 具有抗炎和抗過敏的特性，與過往的臨床試驗結果一致。 / 為了更進一步研究沒食子酸和地塞米松在過敏性炎症的發病機制中扮演的角色， 我們建立了一個體外的模仿患者皮膚皮炎症的模型，共同培養嗜鹼性細系KU812 細胞和皮膚成纖維細胞 。我們發現，單沒食子酸的應用已經可以顯著地抑制在KU812 細胞和成纖維細胞表面粘附分子的表達，並減低釋放過敏性炎症相關的趨化因子CCL2，CCL5，CXCL8 和促炎細胞因子IL-6。此外，地塞米松和沒食子酸的結合使用能增強抑制KU812 細胞面上ICAM-1 的表達，和皮膚成纖維細胞面上ICAM-1 和VCAM-1 的表達，與及趨化因子CCL2 和CXCL8，促炎性細胞因子IL-6 的釋放。 / 上述調查結果表明，天然植物產品PHF，DP 和GA 是具有消炎和抗過敏的作用，抑制嗜鹼性粒細胞趨化遷移至發炎處和隨後釋放的過敏性炎症介質，如炎症相關的趨化因子和促炎細胞因子。結果表明，沒食子酸天然植物產品可能是一個潛在的過敏性皮膚炎的治療劑，而沒食子酸和地塞米松的結合使用，可以有效降低在患者治療皮膚炎症時使用地塞米松的劑量。總結，這項研究結果揭示使用天然植物衍生產品具有更安全,高效力和副作用少的一種新治療方式。 / The worldwide prevalence of allergic diseases has been increasing gradually. Around 30 - 40% of the world population suffers from one or more allergic conditions, it is definitely a national public health issue. The incidence of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) has increased by 2-3 folds in the past 3 decades with no definitive cure, where the case is the highest during the early infancy and childhood. However, effective treatments on allergic diseases are still lacking, with most of the traditional treatment involves clinical improvement but not targeting the primary factors promoting the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. These traditional treatments have undesirable side effects. Therefore, there has been a rising interest in the development of a safer and nonsteroid immunomodulation formula to cure the disease. / From previous clinical trails, it is revealed that children with moderate-to-severe AD treated with traditional Chinese Medicine, Pentaherbs formula (PHF), have significantly improved their quality of life, lowered the Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index and the use of topical steroids without any adverse drug effect, suggesting that PHF can be an alternative potential adjunct therapy for AD. In this present studies, we elucidated the in vitro anti‐inflammatory and anti‐allergic activities of PHF, Cortex Moutan / Danpi (DP, one of the five herbs in PHF) and gallic acid (GA, one of the main ingredients in Danpi) using human basophilic KU812 cells, with or without human dermal fibroblast, upon the activation with alarmin inflammation-related cytokine IL-33. / Human basophilic KU812 cells activated by alarmin cytokine IL-33 were used as basophil cell model for study since basophils are a crucial effector cells in allergic inflammation. Our results showed that PHF, DP and GA exhibited the anti-inflammatory and anti‐allergic activities indicated by significant suppressive effects on the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 expression, the release of inflammation‐related chemokines CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8 and proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 from IL-33‐activated KU812 basophilic cells. The studies were further investigated with the combined use of synthetic steroid dexamethasone which is a common drug for AD. Among various combinations with different concentrations of dexamethasone with PHF, DP and GA, we demonstrated that the combined use of a concentration as low as 0.01 μg/ml dexamethasone and 10 μg/ml GA could further suppress ICAM‐1 expression, chemokines CCL2 and CCL5 release in IL-33 activated KU812 cells. Furthermore, gallic acid could significantly suppress the intracellular signaling molecules p38 MAPK, IκB-α and JNK in KU812 cells, thereby suggesting the underlying mechanisms for the suppressive effect on adhesion molecules expression, and the chemokines and cytokines release. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments show that PHF, DP and GA exhibit the anti-inflammatory and anti‐allergic activities in concordance to the previous clinical trials using PHF on AD children. / In order to further study the involvement of gallic acid and dexamethasone in the pathogenesis of AD, we then established an in vitro skin inflammatory cell model by co‐culturing human basophilic KU812 cells and human dermal fibroblasts mimicking the skin lesions of the AD patients. We revealed that the application of gallic acid alone could already significantly suppress the adhesion molecules expression on KU812 cell and fibroblasts, and the release of AD-related chemokines CCL2, CCL5, CXCL8 and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 from the co‐culture. In addition, the combined use of dexamethasone and gallic acid showed an enhanced suppressive effect on ICAM-1 on KU812, and ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on fibroblasts, AD‐releated chemokines CCL2 and CXCL8, and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. / The above findings suggest that PHF, DP and GA are anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic natural plant products by suppressing the transmigration of basophils into the inflamed sites and the subsequent release of allergic inflammation mediators e.g. inflammation-related chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines.The results suggest that natural plant product gallic acid could be a potential therapeutic agent in treating skin inflammation in AD, and the combined use of gallic acid with dexamethasone could lower the dosage of dexamethasone used in AD patients. Together, of the results of this study shed light for a novel therapeutic modality of AD using a safer natural plant derived product with high potency and less side effects to treat AD. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Liu, Yan Ping Kelly. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-122). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.I / ABSTRACT --- p.III / 摘要 --- p.VI / PUBLICATIONS --- p.IX / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.XI / TABLES OF CONTENTS --- p.XIII / Chapter CHAPTER 1: --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Allergy --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Definition of Allergy --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Allergic diseases and their prevalence --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Allergic inflammation and its characteristics --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Treatment of allergy --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.5 --- Atopic Dermatitis --- p.7 / Chapter 1.2 --- Biology of basophils --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Development of basophils --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Morphology and phenotype --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Mast cells and basophils --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Basophils and allergic inflammation --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.5 --- Human basophilic KU812 cell line --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3 --- Adhesion molecules in allergic inflammation --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Selectins --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Integrins --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Immunoglobulin gene super family --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4 --- Chemokines in allergic inflammation --- p.18 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- C chemokines --- p.18 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- CC chemokines --- p.18 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- CXC chemokines --- p.19 / Chapter 1.4.4 --- CX3C chemokines --- p.19 / Chapter 1.5 --- Cytokines in allergic inflammation --- p.20 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Proinflammatory cytokines --- p.20 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Anti-inflammatory cytokines --- p.23 / Chapter 1.6 --- Signal Transduction in allergic inflammation --- p.25 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Intracellular signaling mechanisms --- p.25 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- RAS-RAF-MAPK pathway --- p.27 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- JAK/STAT pathway --- p.28 / Chapter 1.6.4 --- PI3K-Akt pathway --- p.28 / Chapter 1.6.5 --- NF-κB pathway --- p.28 / Chapter 1.7 --- Aim of Study --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- Materials and Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.32 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Cell Culture --- p.32 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Serum Supplements --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Recombinant human cytokine --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- Dexamethasone --- p.33 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- Phosphate-buffered saline --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- Dimethyl sulfoxide --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.7 --- Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain ligands --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.8 --- BAY 117082 --- p.34 / Chapter 2.1.9 --- Cell surface and intracellular immunofluorescence staining --- p.35 / Chapter 2.1.10 --- In vitro XTT based toxicology assay kit --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.11 --- Quantitative analysis of inflammatory mediators release --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1.12 --- Natural Products --- p.39 / Chapter 2.1.13 --- Animal Experiment --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Cell Culture --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Preparation of plant extracts --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Cell toxicity of the natural products --- p.42 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Flow cytometric analysis of cell surface expression of molecules --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- CBA assay --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Flow cytometric analysis of activated intracellular molecules --- p.44 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Allergic asthmatic mice model --- p.45 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Statistical analysis --- p.45 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of Pentaherbs formula, Danpi and Gallic acid / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Basophils in inflammation --- p.46 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- IL-33 --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Natural plant products --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1.4 --- Dexamethasone --- p.51 / Chapter 3.1.5 --- Hypothesis and aim of study --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2 --- Results --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Cell cytotoxicity of PHF, DP and GA on human basophilic KU812 cells --- p.54 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Effect of adhesion molecules expression on IL-33-activated KU812 cells treated with PHF, DP and GA --- p.56 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Effect of PHF, DP and GA on inflammation-related chemokines CCL2,CCL5, CXCL-8 production from IL-33-activated KU812 cells --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Effect of PHF, DP and GA on pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 production from IL-33-activated KU812 cells --- p.64 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Intracellular signaling pathways involved in GA treatment on IL33-activated KU812 cells --- p.67 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Effect on the adhesion molecules expression, chemokines and cytokines release of IL-33-activated human basophilic KU812 cells upon the combined treatment of PHF/DP/GA with dexamethasone --- p.73 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- In vivo effect of PHF and DP on Th2 and inflammatory cytokines concentration in serum or BALF in allergic inflammatory mice models --- p.76 / Chapter 3.3 --- Discussion --- p.79 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Gallic acid and Dexamethasone in Atopic Dermatitis / Chapter 4.1 --- Introductions --- p.84 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- Atopic Dermatitis --- p.84 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- Basophils in AD --- p.86 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- Dermal fibroblasts in AD --- p.86 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- Hypothesis --- p.87 / Chapter 4.2 --- Results --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Effect of the combined use of GA and dexamethasone on ICAM-1 expression on KU812 cells co-cultured with fibroblasts --- p.88 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Effect of the combined use of GA and dexamethasone on ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression on fibroblasts co-cultured with KU812 cells --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Effect on chemokines release from the co-culture upon the treatment with GA and dexamethasone --- p.93 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Effect on cytokine release from the co-culture treated with GA and dexamethasone --- p.96 / Chapter 4.3 --- Discussions --- p.98 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Concluding Remarks and Future Prospective / Chapter 5.1 --- Concluding remarks --- p.100 / Chapter 5.2 --- Future prospective --- p.101 / References --- p.107

Law, Wai Tak. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-123). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / Publications --- p.viii / Table of Contents --- p.ix / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Wound healing --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Physiology of wound healing --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Three phases of wound healing --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Angiogenesis in wound healing --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2 --- Delayed wound healing --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Chronic ulcers --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Examples of ulcers --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3 --- Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Principles of TCM --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- TCM and chronic ulcers --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives of study --- p.19 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1 --- Selection of traditional Chinese herbs --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2 --- Authentication of TCM --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3 --- Preparation of TCM --- p.23 / Chapter 2.4 --- In vitro studies on the effects of TCM on wound healing --- p.23 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Angiogenesis study by using human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) --- p.25 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Granulation study by using human fibroblast cell line (CRL) --- p.32 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Preparation of cell culture conditions --- p.35 / Chapter 2.5 --- In vivo study on the effects of TCM on wound healing by using diabetic mice --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Diabetic mice model --- p.38 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Diabetic mice wound induction --- p.41 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- "Measurement of body weight, blood glucose level and ulcer area" --- p.43 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- The percentage yield of each herbs --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2 --- pH value of all the effective treatment concentration --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3 --- Selection of traditional Chinese herbs --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4 --- Effect of selected TCM on the proliferation of HUVEC --- p.55 / Chapter 3.5 --- Effect of selected TCM on the migration of HUVEC --- p.61 / Chapter 3.6 --- Effect of selected TCM on the proliferation of CRL --- p.63 / Chapter 3.7 --- "Effect of Radix Rehmanniae (selected TCM) on the change in body weight, blood glucose level and ulcer area" --- p.66 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussions --- p.75 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- How does my study contribute towards the modernisation of Chinese medicine? --- p.100 / References --- p.107 / Appendix --- p.124