Biochemical,
Immunological, Hormonal and Anti-Oxidant Effects of a Chinese Herbal
Suppository, Vigconic VI-28, on Elderly Male Subjects � An
Anti-ageing Solution?
S.
H. Chui �, K. M. Ko �
�
Asia Anti-Aging Association, Hong Kong, China, and � Department
of
Biochemistry,
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong
Kong, China
Ageing
is usually defined as the progressive loss of function accompanied by
decreasing fertility and increasing mortality with advancing age �.
It is believed that the holistic approach in the practice of
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can slow down the ageing process.
We have studied the effect of a Chinese herbal suppository, Vigconic
VI-28 (mainly containing Radix Ginseng, Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum,
Cordyceps, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Tuber Onion Seed, Fructus
Cnidii, Fructus Evodiae, Rhizoma Kaempseriae), on 25 healthy male
subjects aged from 51 to 66 (mean = 55.4) for 12 weeks. All subjects
were examined by Western medicine and Chinese medicine practitioners
separately at one-month interval, with blood specimens being taken at
each clinic visit for assessing biochemical, immunological, hormonal
and anti-oxidant markers. Over 18 subjects (or 75%) indicated an
increased libido and improved stamina, or a reduced frequency of
urination during night time. No obvious adverse effects on liver
function, renal function and haematological status were observed.
The
data (mean, n=25) are shown as follows:
|
|
Week 0
|
Week 4
|
Week 12
|
P
value
|
|
HDL-cholesterol
(mmol/L)
|
1.20
|
1.27
|
1.37
*
|
P
< 0.001
|
|
Total
Chol./HDL- chol.
|
4.54
|
4.30 *
|
4.39
|
P < 0.01
|
|
Cortisol
(a.m.) (g/dL)
|
17.2
|
13.6
|
11.9 *
|
P = 0.001
|
|
Insulin-like
growth factor - 1 (ng/mL)
|
188
|
211
|
248 *
|
P = 0.001
|
|
CD4 (cell
count/l)
|
535.7
|
777.9 *
|
373.4
|
P < 0.001
|
|
CD8 (cell
count/l)
|
376.6
|
471.4
*
|
412.0
|
P = 0.01
|
|
RBC �
Cu Zn SOD (U/mg Hb)
|
1.19
|
1.42
|
1.94 *
|
P < 0.001
|
|
Plasma �
DPPH scavenging eq. (mol/ml)
|
0.50
|
0.55
|
0.61 *
|
P
< 0.05
|
*
statistically significant when compared with Week 0; No specimen was
taken at Week 8
We conclude that Vigconic VI-28 has the potential of improving
vigor and slowing down the ageing process through modulating
cholesterol metabolism, regulating hormonal status and enhancing body
immunity, as well as elevating blood anti-oxidant status.
Acknowledgements:
We
thank Vigconic (International) Ltd. for the sponsorship, Dr. W.C. Yam
of The University of Hong Kong for CD4 and CD8 studies, and Dr.
Robert M.T. Chan of The University of Hong Kong for clinical
examination of the subjects in the study.
酪BL
Kirkland and SN Austad. Why do we age? Nature 408; 233-238, 2000
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