<p>A Tibetan-English dictionary of the following format: Tibetan-transliteration-pronunciation-English. In order of the Tibetan alphabet. (Michael Walter and Manfred Taube 2006-05-15, revised by Bill McGrath 2008-01-03)</p>
<p>It gives English and Latin equivalents for Tibetan terms. (Nathan Hill 2007-12-13)</p>
Dr. Dolma, internationally known researcher and one of the most senior female Tibetan doctors, reflects on the process of diagnosis in the practice of medicine in Tibet.
The visit of two Tibetan physicians provided a unique opportunity to gain insight into a practice of medicine very different from that of Western civilization. Initial discussions indicated that the practice of medicine and mysticism were inextricably interwoven in the Tibetan culture. Accordingly, the focus of the study was directed to goiter, which is both common in the Himalayas and easy to define.In Tibetan medical practice, illness is considered to be derived from both proximate and distant causes. Three humors, "wind," "bile," and "phlegm" are thought to be responsible for normal mental and physical functions when in balance, but disease when out of balance. Goiter was thought to be due to an imbalance of these humors. The Western discovery that endemic goiter in the Himalayas was due to iodine deficiency explained the proximate cause but did not explain why some individuals have goiter and others do not in the same iodine deficient village.
The visit of two Tibetan physicians provided a unique opportunity to gain insight into a practice of medicine very different from that of Western civilization. Initial discussions indicated that the practice of medicine and mysticism were inextricably interwoven in the Tibetan culture. Accordingly, the focus of the study was directed to goiter, which is both common in the Himalayas and easy to define.In Tibetan medical practice, illness is considered to be derived from both proximate and distant causes. Three humors, "wind," "bile," and "phlegm" are thought to be responsible for normal mental and physical functions when in balance, but disease when out of balance. Goiter was thought to be due to an imbalance of these humors. The Western discovery that endemic goiter in the Himalayas was due to iodine deficiency explained the proximate cause but did not explain why some individuals have goiter and others do not in the same iodine deficient village.
Compiled from the lectures delivered at Kolmas in Holland and in Australia
Symptoms of mercury toxicity, biochemical changes, and blood/urine mercury levels were evaluated in a small group of patients. Six patients attending Delek Hospital, Dharamsala, India, taking mercury-containing traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) (Group I), were compared with three patients taking non-mercury containing TTM (Group II) and healthy volunteers(Group II). Quantitative estimation of mercury ingestion based on chemical analysis was compared with US regulatory standards.RESULTS: Group I were significantly older (mean 55 years+/-SE 6.4) range 26-69 years, than Group II (26.7 years+/-SE 5) range 17-34 years and Group III (32.5 years +/-SE 0.5) range 33-34 years (P =0.05). Group I took TTM on average for 51 months and had a mean of 2.5 non-specific, mercury-related symptoms. Group I had higher mean diastolic pressures (85 mmHg) than Group II (73 mmHg) (P=0.06) and more loose teeth. Mean daily mercury intake for Group I was 674 microg, estimated as 10 microg/kg per day. (Established reference dose for chronic oral exposure: 0.3 microg/kg per day.) Blood mercury levels were non-detectable, but mean urinary mercury levels for Group I were 67 microg/L (EPA levels <20 microg/L). Renal and liver function tests were not significantly different between groups and within normal clinical range.
CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged ingestion of mercury containing TTM is associated with absent blood levels, but relatively high urinary levels. Further studies are needed to evaluate toxicity and therapeutic potential.
<p>The article looks at the psychological conditions that lend themselves to the creation of millenarian ideas, and investigates whether the Tibetan refugee situation has led to any millenarianism. (Mark Premo-Hopkins 2004-03-21)</p>
BACKGROUND: Yukyung karne (YK) is a traditional Tibetan formulation used for many centuries for the treatment of ovarian cancer. However, the pharmacological basis of its anticancer property is not well understood. In the present study, the anticancer property of YK was investigated in cell culture.METHODS: The growth inhibitory property of YK was evaluated in SKOV6, IHH, HepG2 and HEK293 cell lines using MTT assay. The pro-apoptotic activity of drug was analyzed by terminal deoxynuleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and DNA fragmentation assays. Confocal microscopy was used to show the release of cytochrome c and its co-localization with mitochondria with the help of dsRed mitotracker in SKOV6 cells. The inhibition in cell proliferation was also visualized by confocal microscopy after BrDU incorporation. The activation of tumor suppressor p53 was evaluated by Western blotting while VEGF levels in culture supernatant were measured by a colorimetric method.
RESULTS: YK specifically and efficiently induced apoptotic killing of the human ovarian cancer SKOV6 cells as indicated by increased DNA fragmentation and nick end DNA labeling. Confocal microscopy suggested inhibition of cell proliferation and increase in cytochrome c release via perturbation in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). Further, YK up-regulated the expression of tumor suppressor p53 and key cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, and inhibited VEGF secretion by cells. Interestingly, YK also exhibited a synergy with paclitaxel which is a well-known anti-cancer therapeutic drug.
CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacological properties of YK to impose growth arrest and trigger pro-apoptotic death in cells amply justify its usage in primary as well as adjunct therapy for ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND: Yukyung karne (YK) is a traditional Tibetan formulation used for many centuries for the treatment of ovarian cancer. However, the pharmacological basis of its anticancer property is not well understood. In the present study, the anticancer property of YK was investigated in cell culture. METHODS: The growth inhibitory property of YK was evaluated in SKOV6, IHH, HepG2 and HEK293 cell lines using MTT assay. The pro-apoptotic activity of drug was analyzed by terminal deoxynuleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and DNA fragmentation assays. Confocal microscopy was used to show the release of cytochrome c and its co-localization with mitochondria with the help of dsRed mitotracker in SKOV6 cells. The inhibition in cell proliferation was also visualized by confocal microscopy after BrDU incorporation. The activation of tumor suppressor p53 was evaluated by Western blotting while VEGF levels in culture supernatant were measured by a colorimetric method. RESULTS: YK specifically and efficiently induced apoptotic killing of the human ovarian cancer SKOV6 cells as indicated by increased DNA fragmentation and nick end DNA labeling. Confocal microscopy suggested inhibition of cell proliferation and increase in cytochrome c release via perturbation in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm). Further, YK up-regulated the expression of tumor suppressor p53 and key cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, and inhibited VEGF secretion by cells. Interestingly, YK also exhibited a synergy with paclitaxel which is a well-known anti-cancer therapeutic drug. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacological properties of YK to impose growth arrest and trigger pro-apoptotic death in cells amply justify its usage in primary as well as adjunct therapy for ovarian cancer.
AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the pro-apoptotic and anti-tumorigenic properties of Thapring - a Traditional Tibetan Medicine - in hepatoma cells and in a transgenic mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The pro-apoptotic action and growth inhibition property of Thapring were assessed in Huh7, HepG2 and A549 cell lines using flow cytometry and MTT assay, respectively. Confocal microscopy for colocalization of cytochrome c and mitochondria was done using dsRed mitotracker in Huh7 cells. The activation of p38 MAP kinase and p53 pathway was evaluated by Western blotting. Serological studies for liver function, vascular endothelial growth factor and superoxide dismutase were assessed in the serum of X15-myc transgenic mice. Immuno-histochemical studies for Bcl2 and p21(Waf1) expression were also carried out in the liver section of the above mice.
RESULTS: Treatment with Thapring inhibited proliferation and accumulation of hepatoma cells in G1 phase. There was increased cytochrome c release from mitochondria and decreased Bcl2 levels - the key markers of apoptotic cell death. Besides activation of p38 MAP kinase and increased p53 expression were also observed. Oral administration of Thapring in transgenic mice lowered serum VEGF levels and conferred hepatoprotection as evident from normal serum ALT levels. Further, immunohistochemical analysis of the liver samples revealed reduced expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 and over-expression of cell cycle regulator p21(Waf1).
CONCLUSIONS: The ability of Thapring to impose growth arrest and trigger pro-apoptotic death in cell culture as well as ameliorative effects in vivo provides scientific basis for its usefulness as traditional medicine and its clinical application in adjunct/combination therapy along with other known anticancer drugs.
Ama Lopsang Dolma, Tibet's first woman doctor, shows how medicines are made and how acupuncture and moxibustion are used in her daily rounds as a physician. The Tibetan belief in emotion and spiritualism as an integral part in the healing process is also explored.
INTRODUCTION: Tibetan medicine (TM) is a whole systems medical approach that has had growing interest in the West. However, minimal research, particularly with cancer, has been conducted. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of TM and describe a clinical case review study to obtain preliminary evidence of TM's safety and effect on patients treated for cancer or hematologic disorders.METHODS: A retrospective case review was conducted in India and cases met the following inclusion criteria: (a) confirmed diagnosis of cancer or hematologic disorder by standard Western biomedical diagnostic tests, (b) either treated exclusively with TM or received insufficient Western treatment followed by TM and (c) were in remission or had stable disease at least 2 years after start of TM.
RESULTS: Three cases were identified, 1 solid tumor and 2 hematologic diseases: Case 1--poorly to moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach, positive lymph nodes and mucosal infiltration, with clear scans and excellent quality of life 29 months later ; Case 2--chronic myelogenous leukemia with normalization of hematologic labs within 3 months of starting TM and stable 4 years later; and Case 3--red cell aplasia improved significantly and reversed dependence on blood transfusions with TM. None of the cases experienced demonstrable adverse effects from TM.
CONCLUSIONS: This limited case review found TM to be safe and have positive effects on quality of life and disease regression and remission in patients with cancer and blood disorders. Further exploration and investigation using rigorous methods is warranted.
Pages |