title: [Effects of the Chinese patent medicine, Honghua Injection, on platelet glycoprotein IIb/III a receptors in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa is an important index for assessing the function of platelets. To investigate the effects of Honghua Injection, a Chinese patent medicine made from extracts of Carthamus tinctorius L, on GP IIb/IIIa is a key study in evaluating the inhibition properties of Honghua Injection on platelet aggregation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To observe the effects of Honghua Injection on platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptors and explore the mechanisms of Honghua Injection in inhibiting platelet aggregation in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 64 patients from Yueyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were randomly divided into Honghua Injection group (n=32, routine Western medicine plus Honghua Injection) and control group (n=32, routine Western medicine) according to the random number table. The patients were treated for 14 d.
  
  
  METHODS
  The expressions of GPIIb/IIIa (CD41), P-selection (CD62p), and lysosome-associated membrane GP (CD63) were measured by flow cytometry before and after treatment. Meanwhile the therapeutic effects of Huonghua Injection on angina and short-term prognosis were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The observational period was 14 d and four patients in the control group were omitted due to early discharge. The expression of CD41 in both the Honghua Injection group and the control group was inhibited after treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). The inhibition of the Honghua Injection group was stronger than that of the control group (P<0.05). There was no case of death, myocardial infarction and cerebral apoplexy during 14 d of treatment. The improvement of angina symptoms and electrocardiographic manifestation in the Honghua Injection group was greater than that of the control group (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Honghua Injection can inhibit the expression of GP IIb/IIIa receptors by preventing aggregation of platelets and may be considered as an effective traditional Chinese medicine for acute coronary syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vasculocardiology, Yueyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China
authors.forename: Yan-feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Hai-ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Zhong-long
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: De-yu
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dai
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031187:Carthamus tinctorius; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; C079426:Honghua extract, Carthamus tinctorius