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Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the drugs used in non-orthodox medicine. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TWH) is a vine-like plant which grows in southern China; an extract has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for many centuries. Traditionally it has been used to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and there seems little doubt that it is highly active, though also toxic Fish oil continues to be used experimentally for a wide range of purposes, including the enhancement of the immunosuppressive effects of cyclosporine, inhibition of hypersensitivity, reduction of tumor necrosis factor and even treatment of hypertension. In some of these indications, for example, hypertension, promising effects have been obtained, but impartial observers have commented that there is too little evidence to determine the long-term efficacy and safety. Sulodexide is described as a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan composed of iduronylglycosaminoglycan sulfate (80%) and dermatan sulfate (20%). It has been used, almost exclusively by Italian investigators, as an oral treatment for peripheral vascular diseases, and it is claimed to be effective as it has both thrombolytic effects and the ability to reduce blood viscosity. |
