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.

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