Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of leading causes of death in the world. Although various treatments have been developed, the therapeutic side effects are far from desirable. Chinese medicines (CMs, including plants, animal parts and minerals) have drawn a great deal of attention in recent years for their potential in the treatment of HCC. Most studies have shown that CMs may be able to retard HCC progression with multiple actions, either alone or in combination with other conventional therapies to improve quality of life in HCC patients. Additionally, CMs are used for preventing HCC occurrence. The aim of this study is to review the potential prophylactic and curative effects of CMs on human HCC and the possible mechanisms that underlie these pharmacological actions. Publications were collected and reviewed from PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from 2000 to 2014. Keywords for literature searches include “Chinese medicine”, “Chinese herb”, “traditional Chinese Medicine”, “hepatocellular carcinoma” and “liver cancer”. CMs in forms of pure compounds, isolated fractions, and composite formulas are included. Combination therapies are also considered. Both in vitro and in vivo efficacies of CMs are being discussed and the translational potential to bedside is to be discussed with clinical cases, which show the actions of CMs on HCC may include tumor growth inhibition, antimetastatic activities, anti-inflammation, anti-liver cancer stem cells, reversal on multi-drug resistance and induction/reduction of oxidative stress. Multiple types of molecules are found to contribute in the above actions. The review paper indicated that CMs might have potential to both prevent HCC occurrence and retard HCC progression with several molecular targets involved.

Objective
Consuming botanical dietary supplements or herbal drugs along with prescription drugs may lead to potential pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) herb-drug interactions (HDI). The present study focuses on the importance of and novel approach for assessing HDI in integrative medicine with case examples of two frequently-used Ayurvedic Rasayana botanicals.
Methods
The aqueous extracts of Asparagus racemosus (ARE) and Gymnema sylvester (GSE) were prepared as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeiaof India. Chemoprofiling of these extracts was done using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additionally, ARE was characterized for the presence of shatavarins IV and I using HPLC & mass spectroscopy respectively. Effects of ARE and GSE were investigated on rat liver microsome using testosterone probe drug assay. The changes in formation of metabolite (6-β hydroxy testosterone) were monitored on incubation of testosterone alone, testosterone with ketoconazole, ARE and GSE using HPLC. Half inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was used to predict plausible HDI.
Results
ARE and GSE showed no inhibition with IC₅₀ values >1 000 μg/mL while the standard inhibitor ketoconazole completely abolished CYP3A4-dependent activity at 0.531 μg/mL and IC₅₀ was found to be 0.036 μg/mL.
Conclusion
ARE and GSE prepared as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India were found to be safe for CYP3A4-mediated inhibitory HDI in rats. Our in vitro study suggests the need of further in vivo investigation for HDI in order to provide clinical relevance.

Objective
The main objectives of this study were to qualitatively evaluate the profile of phytochemical constituents present in methanolic extract of Microcos paniculata bark (BME) and fruit (FME), as well as to evaluate their anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities.
Methods
Phytochemical constituents of BME and FME were determined by different qualitative tests such as Molisch's test, Fehling's test, alkaloid test, frothing test, FeCl₃ test, alkali test, Salkowski's test and Baljet test. The anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the extracts were evaluated through proteinase-inhibitory assay, xylene-induced ear edema test, cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in mice, formalin test, acetic acid-induced writhing test, tail immersion test and Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in mice.
Results
M. paniculata extracts revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and triterpenoids. All of the extracts showed significant (P < 0.05, vs aspirin group) proteinase-inhibitory activity, whereas the highest effect elicited by plant extracts was exhibited by the BME (75.94% proteinase inhibition activity) with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 61.31 μg/mL. Each extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight showed significant (P < 0.05, vs control) percentage inhibition of ear edema and granuloma formation. These extracts significantly (P < 0.05, vs control) reduced the paw licking and abdominal writhing of mice. In addition, BME 400 mg/kg, and FME at 200 and 400 mg/kg showed significant (P < 0.05, vs control) analgesic activities at 60 min in the tail immersion test. Again, the significant (P < 0.05, vs control) post-treatment antipyretic activities were found by BME 200 and 400 mg/kg and FME 400 mg/kg respectively.
Conclusion
Study results indicate that M. paniculata may provide a source of plant compounds with anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities.

Objective
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major health concern. Calliandra portoricensis (CP) is traditionally known for its analgesic, anti-ulcerogenic and anticonvulsant properties. However, its antiproliferative properties for PCa still need to be investigated.
Methods
Antioxidant activities of CP were determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl (OH?) radicals-scavenging methods. PC-3 and LNCaP (androgen-refractory and androgen-dependent PCa-derived cell lines) were cultured and treated with CP (10, 50 and 100 μg/mL). Effects of CP on cells were determined by cytotoxicity assay (lactate dehydrogenase, LDH) and viability assay (sodium 3′-[1-(phenylaminocarbonyl)-3,4-tetrazolium]-bis (4-methoxy-6-nitro) benzene sulfonic acid hydrate, XTT). DNA fragmentation was detected by cell death detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay plus kit. CP was tested as an inhibitor of angiogenesis using chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.
Results
CP showed significant scavenging of DPPH and OH- radicals. CP significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. Precisely, CP (10, 50 and 100 μg/mL) inhibited PC-3 and LNCaP growth by 7%, 74% and 92%, and 27%, 73%, and 85% respectively at 48 h. CP had low toxicity in vitro at its half inhibitory concentration dose. Detection of cell death induced by CP at 50 μg/mL showed higher enrichment factors in LNCaP (7.38 ± 0.95) than PC-3 (3.48 ± 0.55). Also, treatment with CP (50 μg/mL) significantly reduced network of vessels in CAM, suggesting its antiangiogenic potential.

Conclusion

Calliandra portoricensis elicited antioxidant, antiangiogenic and antiproliferative effects in PCa cells.

Objective
Crassostrea gigas oyster extract has been reported to have antioxidant, antihypertensive and lipid-lowering properties that may be useful for treating cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. gigas oyster extract on cardiovascular function in tissues from healthy rats.
Methods
Single-cell microelectrode and isolated thoracic aortic organ bath studies were performed on tissues from 8-week-old healthy Wistar rats, using varying concentrations of C. gigas oyster extract. To elucidate a mechanism of action for the oyster's vasoactive properties, concentration response curves were carried out in the presence of a calcium channel inhibitior (verapamil), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), a potassium channel inhibitor (4-aminopyridine), in addition to the α-adrenoceptor inhibitor prazosin.
Results
Oyster solution at 7 500 mg/mL inhibited noradrenaline-induced contraction in isolated aortic rings. Cardiac electrophysiology results showed that neither concentration of oyster solution was able to significantly reduce action potential duration at all phases of repolarisation in left ventricular papillary muscles from healthy animals.
Conclusion
When administered to healthy vascular tissue, C. gigas oyster extract inhibits contraction induced by noradrenaline. This effect is likely to be mediated through α-adrenoceptor inhibition, and to a lesser extent, calcium modulating activity.

^a College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang Province, China
^b TCM Pediatric Department, Qingdao Haici Medical Group & TCM Hospital, Qingdao 266033, Shandong Province, China