Dragon’s Blood Acute Toxicity Testing With White Laboratory Mice
Conducted by the Guangdong Provincial Medical Research Institute, Pharmacology department.
By Professors Li Aihua, Chen Zaizhi, Chen Xiaojuan and Chen Lijuan
This study observed the effects of the China Academy of Sciences Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden Pharmaceutical Factory’s Dragon’s Blood used in the testing of acute toxicity on white laboratory mice. The results are as follows:
A.) Testing Materials
a.
Provided test products: Yulin Brand Dragon’s Blood. Composition: Dragon’s Blood tree resin. 3 batch numbers were provided: # 941024 (25g/bottle), # 941201 (50g/bottle), and # 941202 (10g/bottle), all were provided by the China Academy of Sciences Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden Pharmaceutical Factory. The products were made for oral administration to be taken 2-3 times per day, each time 1-3 grams. The daily dosage per body weight is 0.04g/kg to 0.18g/kg. At the time of testing the 3 batches were placed in a grinding mill and simultaneously distilled and ground to achieve the greatest concentration at 0.5g/ml of suspension for use in testing.b.
Animals: 60 NIH type small white mice and their standard feed. The mice were provided by Guangdong Provincial Medical Research Animal Park. The animal quality inspection certificate number is # 93022.B.) Method and Results
60 white mice were used, weighing approximately 18-22 grams each. Half of the mice were male, and half female. The mice were randomly separated into 3 groups of 20 each. The 3 groups were differentiated by the largest gastroclysis concentration (0.5/ml) and the largest volume (0.4 ml/10g body weight), using the batch numbers 941201 (50g/bottle), 941024 (25g/bottle), and 941202 (10g/bottle) of Yulin Brand Dragon’s Blood at a dosage of 20g/Kg. This dosage is 500 times the daily clinical amount for adult oral administration, which is .04g/Kg at 2-3 times per day, each time 1-3 grams. A dosage of 0.18g/Kg (111 times normal dosage) was also used.
The mice were observed for 7 days. The results from the 3 groups of white mice were as follows: 100% survived testing, activity was normal and no toxic reactions were detected, indicating that the 3 batches of Dragon’s Blood were the same. The largest tolerance for the white mice was 20g/Kg by gastroclysis.
C.) Conclusion
This study using the 3 groups of white mice was distinguished by one time gastroclysis using 3 batches of Yulin Brand Dragon’s Blood (batch # 941024, 941201, 941202) at a dosage of 20g/Kg. This dosage is equal to 500 times the daily clinical amount used for oral administration in adults. A dosage of 0.18g/Kg was also used which is 111 times the daily amount for adults. All the mice survived, and no toxic reactions were detected. This indicates that all 3 batches of medicine were the same and that the largest tolerance by gastroclysis was 20g/Kg.
Yunshan Dragon’s Blood in the Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
Research and Case Study
I.) Research study: Analysis of 43 clinical cases conducted at the 152nd Liberation Army Hospital by Professor Hou Jingzhu.
From December, 1994 to July, 1997 Professor Hou Jingzhu used Dragon’s Blood primarily in the treatment of 43 cases of CHD. Satisfactory results were obtained, they are as follows:
A.) Case selection: 43 patients – 33 men, 10 women; ages 39-62 years old.
36 patients diagnosed as stable angina pectoris pain; 7 patients as unstable angina pectoris pain; 12 patients complicated by hypertension.
Among the 43 patients, 27 were in-patients and 16 were out-patients.
B.) Observation targets:
Record symptoms before and after treatment.
Blood platelet adhesion test
Hemorrheology
Electrocardiograph (ECG)
C.) Methods: All patients were given oral administration of 2.5g of Dragon’s Blood twice daily. The Dragon’s Blood was taken on an empty stomach with hot water.
The 36 patients with stable angina pectoris pain ceased using antianginal medication while taking Dragon’s Blood.
The 7 patients with unstable angina pectoris, when episodes of angina pectoris occurred nitroglycerin was used.
The 12 patients with CHD complicated by hypertension used beta blockers.
D.) Results:
Changes in the conditions of clinical symptoms. Numbers reflect number of patients with symptoms:
|
Precordium Pain |
Chest oppression |
Palpitations |
Premature ventricular contraction |
Lower limb swelling and edema |
|
|
Before use of Dragon’s Blood |
41 |
43 |
37 |
28 |
19 |
|
After use of Dragon’s Blood |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Improvement rate (%) |
97.56 |
97.67 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
ECG changes
|
S-T segment Downward shift |
T wave abnomalities |
PVC |
|
|
Before |
38 |
40 |
28 |
|
After |
12 |
11 |
0 |
|
Rate of decrease (%) |
68.42 |
72.50 |
100 |
Hemorrheology changes
|
Normal values |
Before DB* |
After DB* |
P-Value |
|
|
Platelet adhesion rate (%) |
34 +/- 6 |
49 +/- 0.2 |
30 +/- 0.4 |
< 0.01 |
|
Blood plasma relative viscosity (sec.) |
1.4 +/- 0.2 |
2.1 +/- 0.3 |
1.2 +/- 0.2 |
< 0.01 |
|
Whole blood relative viscosity (sec.) |
4.8 +/- 0.5 |
10 +/- 0.4 |
3.2 +/- 0.6 |
< 0.01 |
|
Erythrocyte sedimentation (mm) |
11 +/- 6 |
17 +/- 6 |
10 +/- 3 |
< 0.01 |
|
Blood cell packed-cell volume (%) |
45 +/- 4 |
49 +/- 3 |
40 +/- 2 |
< 0.01 |
|
Plasma fibrinogen (g/L) |
3 +/- 1 |
4.6 +/- 0.4 |
3.0 +/- 0.8 |
< 0.01 |
* Dragon’s Blood
The charts point out marked improvements after treatment with Dragon’s Blood.
II.) Case study
A.) Patient:
Xie X X, male, 58 years old from Henan province, Pingding Mountain city, a government office worker. On April 2nd, 1996 was admitted to the hospital with the following complaints; palpitations, chest oppression, clouded head, muscular fatigue for half a year, all of which became more pronounced during the preceding 2 months. Half a year prior, he experienced palpitations and chest oppression whenever he undertook heavy, strenuous labor. After resting, he was able to recover. During the recent 2 months, his symptoms worsened. When climbing stairs or increasing his walking pace, he would experience palpitation, asthma and especially dull pain of the precordium. In the past, at another hospital he was given a diagnosis of coronary heart disease and was given a Chinese herbal patent medicine called “Di Ao Cardiovascular Healthiness Capsules” (with Radix Salvia Miltiorrhizae, Radix Notoginseng, Borneol, etc.) and nitroglycerin tablets for treatment, which alleviated his symptoms. The day prior to his hospital admission, he experienced sudden, acute precordium pain, palpitations and shortness of breath, due to a quarrel with another person and his subsequent excited emotional state.
1.) Physical exam findings:
a.)Temp: 37.5 C
b.) Pulse: 84 BPM
c.) Blood pressure: 150/88mm Hg.
d.) Tongue: Ecchymosis of the tongue tip and sides.
e.) Body: The body proper was cyanotic.
Auscultation: Auscultation of the chest revealed the heart apex beat in the lower left position, varied heart sounds, strong and weak, extreme arrhythmia, and a heart rate of 124 BPM. No obvious bruit was discovered in the hypochondriac regions and breathing sounds were clear.
Palpatation: The abdomen was soft and no obvious enlargement of the liver or spleen was palpable. Percussion of the chest revealed an enlargement of the left terminal sulcus of the heart.
2.) Laboratory findings:
a.) Routine blood test and urinalysis were negative.
b.) Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR): 12 mm/Hr.
Total Serum Cholesterol: 6.4 mmol/L
d.) Triglycerides: 3.1 mmol/L
e.) Packed red blood cell volume: 52%
f.) Blood platelet adhesion rate: 49%
The above results all exceeded normal values.
3.) ECG examination: Premature ventricular contraction, atrial fibrillation; S-T wave segment low voltage. A diagnosis of coronary heart disease was made.
B.) Hospital admission:
After entering the hospital the patient was advised to become an inpatient. He was put on bed rest, a clear, bland diet, and vitamins B and C. Oral administration of Dragon’s Blood was prescribed at 2.5g twice daily taken on an empty stomach. After 1 month of treatment, the patient felt an alleviation of his symptoms. An ECG taken at this time showed normal results and the patient was transferred to the outpatient clinic where he was ordered to continue taking Dragon’s Blood for 2 more months.
1.) Post 3 month examination findings:
a.) ECG: normal
b.) ESR: 4mm/Hr.
c.) Total Serum Cholesterol: 5.8 mmol/L
Triglycerides: 1.8 mmol/L
Packed red blood cell volume: 46%
f.) Blood platelet adhesion rate: 38%
This demonstrates that all targets showed marked improvement. The patient discontinued taking Dragon’s Blood and made follow up visits to the hospital. The follow-up exams were all normal.
C.) Summary:
CHD is a condition that gradually worsens. Today, there are a growing number of treatments available for CHD. However, the chief principle of treatment remains to be dilating blood vessels and decreasing blood viscosity in order to obtain improvement in the amount of blood provided to the heart. Owing to Dragon’s Blood ancient name “the quicken blood miracle elixir”, and its’ functions of quickening blood and transforming stasis, this case study was based on it’s use in the treatment of CHD.
The results obtained showed obvious ECG improvement and the elimination of heart arrhythmia was most pronounced. Laboratory testing revealed a decrease in blood viscosity and hemorrheology indicates clear improvement in before and after comparison (P value < 0.01). This supports the modern actions of Dragon’s Blood in decreasing blood viscosity and increasing the body’s microcirculation.
The myocardial insufficiency of blood is the conundrum of CHD and it brings about a series of clinical symptoms and signs. After use of Dragon’s Blood, the myocardial blood supply was sufficient and naturally the symptoms and signs of CHD disappeared quickly. From clinical observation, many patients experience improvement in 7-10 days. The patients were instructed to use Dragon’s Blood continuously for 1 month and return for a follow-up exam for result comparison.
Yunshan Brand Dragon’s Blood in the Treatment of Trauma
(134 clinical cases observed)
Yunnan Xishuangbanna Prefecture People’s Hospital Orthopedics Department
Lu Baoquan – Primary Doctor
Yan Shan – Assistant
A.) General information
Treatment target : From June 1993 on, the department diagnosed and treated various kinds of trauma in 134 cases. Among these cases, 122 were male and 12 were female. The oldest patient was 74 and the youngest 16. There were 45 cases of femoral fracture complicated by serious soft tissue contusion, 6 cases of compound fracture and 39 cases of closed fracture. There were 34 cases of bone fracture complicated by serious soft tissue damage, of which, 14 cases were compound type and 20 cases were closed type. There were also 8 cases of joint cruciate ligament as well as collateral ligament tears, all being of the closed type. There were 14 cases of medial and lateral malleolus fracture complicated by joint dislocation, of which 6 were compound type and 8 were closed type. There were 12 ankle sprains with 10 of the cases having tears in the soft tissue and dermis of the dorsum of the foot. There were 6 cases of closed type humoral fracture, all of them complicated by soft tissue injury. There were 15 cases of clavicle fracture complicated by soft tissue injury, one case being of the compound type, and 14 of the closed type. There were 12 cases of radius/ulnar fracture, all of the closed type.
Usage and dosage of medicine : All observed cases were treated using fundamental procedures for fracture such as immobilization, fixation, and antibiotics for the prevention of infection. Oral administration of Dragon’s Blood powder was given at a dosage 2 grams TID.
Medicine usage time : The medicine was given for oral administration morning, noon, and night continuously for one week.
B.) Results
Manifestations prior to clinical use of medicine : All of the cases were admitted into the hospital 2-8 hours after injury and among them, 126 cases of fracture were confirmed by x-ray. After receiving trauma, the patients had swelling, acute pain, deformity, and movement impediment. The skin received trauma as well, along with soft tissue swelling and distention, increased tension, cyanosis, ecchymosis, and pain on palpation. The bone fracture was palpable and could be heard upon auscultation. Puncturing the affected area relieved the accumulated blood.
Clinical changes after using medicine : After being admitted to the hospital, all of the cases received routine treatment in the orthopedics department. Then, they began oral administration of Dragon’s Blood powder. After two days of use, efficacy was obvious. The soft tissue swelling of the limbs resolved and there was patent relief of pain. The cyanosis and ecchymosis of the skin gradually dissipated. The skin tension reduced and the wound closed up. When the injured area was punctured, accumulated blood or fluid could not be extracted. On the fifth day, aside from the patients that needed to keep their limbs immobilized, the other patient’s clinical symptoms disappeared and exhibited improvement of motion of the affected region. The patients underwent observation and traditional orthopedic treatments were compared and it was found that the treatment course was obviously reduced by 2-3 days thereby greatly reducing the patients suffering. 97.8% efficacy rate was achieved.
Harmful reactions : Of all the observed cases, none reported any special discomfort. From beginning to end, the routine blood tests, blood platelet comparison showed no abnormal changes. The patients all expressed positively about continuing to take the medicine.
C.) Discussion
Spruce brand Dragon's Blood has its beginnings 2,700 years ago. China’s famous botanist, professor Cha Xitao after discovering Dragon’s Blood in Xishuangbanna, managed the research of the raw materials. He extracted the tree’s congealed resin to produce the precious blood red medicinal. Traditional Chinese medicine doctors maintain that Dragon’s blood possess quicken blood, transform stasis, disperse swelling, alleviate pain, constrain and staunch bleeding functions. It has unique effectiveness, especially for vasculitis, external trauma with bleeding and geriatric blood stasis. In the study of Traditional Chinese medicine it is referred to as the “quicken blood elixir”.
In the surgical department, the primary method used in the traditional treatment of trauma is antibiotics. For the short term, steroids are used. These can rapidly reduce the swelling caused by trauma. It can also decrease edema of the soft tissue. However, using steroidal treatment will cause the open would to heal imperfectly, and after the patient ceases to use the medicine he or she can easily have a relapse. The effectiveness is not stable.
Since June 1993, we have used Dragon’s Blood in the Surgical department for the treatment of trauma and have obtained very good efficacy. In the process of clinical observation, especially in the treatment of serious soft tissue contusions and trauma, exceptional efficacy has been observed. After receiving trauma to a limb, the small vessels and capillaries rupture and blood seeps into the interstitial spaces of the soft tissue and beneath the skin causing swelling. It is probable that a function of Dragon’s Blood is accelerating the return of lymph and reducing the permeability of blood vessels, thereby obtaining disperse swelling, alleviate pain, constrain and staunch bleeding functions. Compared with conventional treatment the course of treatment is greatly reduced. It also promotes the closing of the wound opening and reduces wound seepage, which encourages the scab to slough off sooner.
Dragon’s Blood powder is a pure Chinese herbal medicine preparation. It undergoes a scientific method of extraction that is safe and harmless. It is convenient, inexpensive, and only a small dosage is required. Especially in the surgical department in the treatment of trauma does it have vast popularity in the value of it’s usage. In the promotion of bone fracture closure, at present there are no medicinals that are able to increase the rate of closure, mainly depending on nature to take its course. Whether or not Dragon’s Blood can increase the rate of bone fracture closure is unknown, we’ll have to wait for further observation.
Translated and edited by Five Flavors Medicinals, Inc