X-Message-Number: 26701 Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2005 19:37:42 -0700 (PDT) From: Doug Skrecky <> Subject: wuzi yanzong versus mitochondrial aging? [I one regards mitochondria as having much to do with aging then perhaps an argument could be made for further testing of a chinese herbal preparation called wuzi yanzong, or its components fructus lycii or semen cuscutae.] Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2002 Feb;22(2):101-3. [Effect of wuzi yanzong Pill on mitochondrial DNA deletion and respiratory chain enzyme complex activity in peripheral leukocyte of aged male with kidney deficiency syndrome] OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Wuzi Yanzong Pill (WZYZP) on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion and respiratory chain enzyme complex (RCZC) in peripheral blood leukocyte of aged male with Kidney Deficiency Syndrome (KDS). METHODS: Single-blinded study was conducted in 38 aged male with KDS, who were randomly divided into 2 groups treated with WZYZP and placebo respectively for 3 months. Levels of mtDNA deletion and RCZC were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme kinetics technique respectively. RESULTS: WZYZP could reduce the mtDNA deletion and raise the activity of mitochondrial RCZC I, IV in peripheral blood leukocyte of aged male with KDS (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: WZYZP has protective effect on mtDNA from oxidative damage in leukocyte of aged male with KDS. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2001 Jun;21(6):437-40 [Effect of wuzi yanzong pill and its disassembled prescription on mitochondrial DNA deletion, respiratory chain complexes and ATP synthesis in aged rats] OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Wuzi Yanzong Pill (WZYZP) and its disassembled prescription on mitochondrial DNA deletions, respiratory chain complexes and ATP synthesis in aged rats. METHODS: Animal experiments with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme kinetics and bioluminescence technique were conducted. RESULTS: WZYZP and its disassembled prescription of Fructus Lycii and Semen Cuscutae could reduce the mitochondrial DNA deletions and raise the activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, IV and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis in aged rats' brain; Fructus Lycii and Semen Cuscutae could also reduce the mitochondrial DNA deletions in aged rats' heart (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: WZYZP, Fructus Lycii and Semen Cuscutae have protective effect on oxidative damage of mitochondrial DNA in aged rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Oct;82(2-3):169-75. Protective effect of Fructus Lycii polysaccharides against time and hyperthermia-induced damage in cultured seminiferous epithelium. Lycium barbarum L. (Solanaceae) is a Chinese medicinal plant whose fruits (Fructus Lycii) are used by Chinese physicians for treatment of infertility. However, the active ingredients and the mechanism of action underlying Lycium's fertility-facilitating effects remain unknown. Here we report that Fructus Lycii polysaccharides (FLPS) inhibit time- and hyperthermia-induced structural damage in murine seminiferous epithelium, in vitro. Moreover, we found that FLPS delayed apoptosis in this system, both at normothermic and hyperthermic culture conditions. Oxidative stress was reported to be a major cause of structural degradation and apoptosis in hyperthermic testes, and thus the protective effect of FLPS could implicate an antioxidant mechanism of action. To test this hypothesis we assayed the effect of FLPS on ultraviolet light-induced lipid peroxidation, and cytochrome c reduction by free radicals. We found that FLPS is a potent inhibitor of both of these reactions. Together, these results demonstrate the protective effect of FLPS on time- and hyperthermia-induced testicular degeneration in vitro, indicate the potential mechanism of action for this protective effect, and provide a scientific basis for the traditional use of this plant. Biomed Environ Sci. 1996 Mar;9(1):67-70 The inhibitory effect of extracts from Fructus lycii and Rhizoma polygonati on in vitro DNA breakage by alternariol. Alternariol caused DNA single-strand breakage. Conversion of the closed circular double-stranded supercoiled DNA (pBR 322) to the nicked circular form and linear form was used to investigate the effect of extracts of some Chinese medical herbs on DNA nicking induced by alternariol. Some substances in the extracts of Rhizoma polygonati (RP) and Fructus lycii (FL) were shown to protect DNA from the attack by alternariol. Some substance in the RP may bind to plasmid DNA, and this binding reduces the electrophoretic mobility of DNA. These results indicate that substances from FL and RP may be used as DNA protectors. It is possible that they play an important role in preventing cancer. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=26701