Ban Lan Gen

Function

Dosage Info

Muscular injection: 2ml, 1 to 2 times a day. Oral liquid 10ml, 4 times a day. Infusion: 10g or 15g per pack, 3 to 4 times a day, to be taken after being infused in warm boiled water. The dosage is doubled for severe cases. Capsule: 0.3g per piece, 4 pieces a time, 3 times a day.5:1 concentration: 9g/day

Ban Lan Gen's main function is to help clear away heat and toxic material, remove heat from the blood, subdue swelling, and relieve sore throats. This parenteral solution is mainly used to treat fevers due to epidemic febrile disease, eruptions due to toxic heat, throat inflammation, mumps, erysipelas, acute conjunctivitis, skin and external diseases, carbuncle, and swelling.

Precautions

Zou Yi Qin, et al. reported that Ban Lan Gen muscular injection could induce allergic shock, drug-induced dermatitis, hives, and allergic skin rash. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Pharmacology

Antibacterial and antiviral effects: Research conducted by Xu Zhen Can, et al. has shown that Ban Lan Gen has an inhibiting effect on hay bacillus. This formula's effect was slightly better than the antibacterial effect of penicillin.(6)
Research by Cao Zhi Sheng, et al. has shown that Ban Lan Gen has a strong antibacterial effect on pyloric helicobacterium.(7)
Tests conducted by Jiang Xi Yuan, et al. through the ELISA and radioimmunoassay methods have demonstrated that Ban Lan Gen parenteral solution has an inhibiting effect on the in vitro activity of the antigens HbsAg, HBeAg, HBcAg and HBV-DNA of viral hepatitis B patients. Its effects were similar to that of ribavirin (25mg/ml) and polyinosinic acid (0.5mg/ml).(8)
Li Wen Wen, et al. cultured HFRSV cells with a Ban Lan Gen parenteral solution at the following concentrations: 1:100, 1:1000, and 1:10000 for 7 days. They used the indirect immune fluorescence method to determine the viral antigens. The results showed that Ban Lan Gen parenteral solution with its concentration at 1:100 was effective in killing HFRSV.(9, 10)
Zhu Li An et al. infected the cardiac muscle cells of mice with CVB3 (coxsackievirus B3) to make a model of viral myocarditis and to observe the protective effects of Ban Lan Gen. The results showed that Ban Lan Gen (0.25-1.00mg/ml) has some effect in antagonizing CVB₃ and protecting the cardiac muscle.(11) Research by Liu Sheng, et al. showed that Ban Lan Gen had direct therapeutic and preventive effects on the influenza A virus.(12)
Sun Guang Lian, et al. studied the antiviral effects of Ban Lan Gen decoction on HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) and used the MTT (multisite magnetization transfer) method to determine the degree of cell damage. The results showed that the Ban Lan Gen decoction (at the concentration of 1:200) had significant antiviral effects.(13)

Anti-endotoxin effect: Liu Yun Hai, et al. experimented on turtles to compare anti-endotoxin strengths. The result shows that the Ban Lan Gen decoction (100%, 0.5ml) has effects in resisting the O₁₁₁B₄ endotoxin of Bacillus coli. The strength of anti-endotoxin effects was related to Ban Lan Gen's particular variety, origin of production, and other factors.(14, 15)

Immune-strengthening effects: Research by Xu Yi Min, et al. showed that an intra-abdominal injection of Ban Lan Gen polysaccharide (IIP) 50mg/kg could significantly promote immune functions in mice and significantly increase the weight of the spleen, the total number of while cells, and the number of lymphocytes in normal mice. It has a significant antagonizing effect on hydrocortisone induced immune suppression in the spleen index, the total number of white blood cells, and the number of lymphocytes. IIP could also significantly strengthen a dinitrochlorobenzene induced delayed allergic reaction in normal mice and cyclophosphamide induced immune-inhibited mice. It could increase the positive percentage of lymphocytes ANAE (alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase) in peripheral blood of normal mice and significantly antagonize the immune-inhibiting effect of hydrocortisone. It can significantly strengthen the cell's antibody-formation and increase the rate at which intravenously injected carbon particles are removed in mice.(16)
Research by Shan Feng Ping showed that a 50% Ban Lan Gen parenteral solution had a strong, direct killing effect in vitro on erythroleukemia cells 3CL-8 of mice. Its minimum effective concentration was 1:80. Subcutaneous injection of a 50% Ban Lan Gen solution had some killing and reducing effects in 3CL-8 solid carcinomas. An intra-abdominal injection of 50% Ban Lan Gen solution did not show significant killing effects on 3CL-8 cells.(17)

Antineop

Clinical Application

Treating herpes simplex
Wang Sheng De used the Ban Lan Gen parenteral solution to treat 40 cases of herpes simplex (39 cases of facial herpes and 1 case of genital herpes). After local cleaning, he repeatedly and gently rubbed the affected areas with Ban Lan Gen parenteral solution containing 1g of raw herb in 2ml per ampule, 3 to 4 times a day. For patients with a longer course of this disease or more herpes, the herb was rubbed more repeatedly per session, or the liquid was directly applied on the affected areas. For 32 cases in a contrast group, 3% chlortetracycline ointment or 2% gentian violet solution was externally applied on the affected areas, 3 to 4 times a day. The results showed that the treatment duration for treatment and contrast groups were 2 to 7 and 4 to 14 days, respectively (P<0.01).(18)

Li Su Feng, et al. randomly divided 61 eyes in 61 cases of herpes simplex viral keratitis into a treatment group (31 cases) and a contrast group (30 cases). The treatment group was treated with subconjunctival and intramuscular injections of Ban Lan Gen while the contrast group was treated with a subconjunctival injection of virazole. Eye drops of 0.1% acyclic guanosine were used in both groups. As a result, in the treatment group, the therapeutic rates of the shallow and deep layers were 94.7% and 75.0% respectively. In the contrast group, the therapeutic rates of the shallow and of deep layers were 83.3% and 58.3% respectively. There was a significant difference in the therapeutic rate in the two groups (P<0.01).(19)

Treating Tietze's syndrome
Liu Jin, et al. used a periosteal injection of Ban Lan Gen to treat 18 cases of Tietze's syndrome. Ban Lan Gen (2ml) evenly mixed with 2% lidocaine 5ml was directly injected into the affected periosteum that was most tender and protruded in costal cartilage. The injection was given once on the 5^th day to patients whose local pain had not disappeared on the 4^th day. 17 cases in a contrast group were treated with lidocaine only. The results for both the treatment and contrast groups were, respectively: in 16 and 10 cases, pain disappeared and for 16 and 4 cases, swelling was completely eliminated within half a year.(20)

Treating pink eye
Xie Ying Mo used Ban Lan Gen parenteral solution as eye drops to treat 25 cases of pink eye, 2 to 4 drops, 4 times a day. 73 cases in a contrast group were treated with 0.25% chloramphenicol eye drops, 2 to 4 drops, 4 times a day. As a result, the average therapeutic treatment lasted 3 and 7 days, respectively (P<0.01).(21)

Treating pharyngitis
Li Rui Yu, et al. used Ban Lan Gen parenteral solution to treat 62 cases of chronic pharyngitis. Ban Lan Gen 4ml was injected beneath the mucosa on both sides of the retropharyngeal wall (with upper and lower points of the mucosa on both sides injected with 1ml each). During the injection, the physician observed that the mucosa at the injected site became white and slightly protruded. The injection was conducted 3 times a week for 2 weeks as one course of treatment. 62 cases in a contrast group orally took Qing Yin Wan, one pill, 2 times a day, and E Hou Ning Pian, 4 tablets, 3 times a day. 2 weeks constituted one course of treatment. Both groups were continuously treated for 3 courses. The results for the treatment and control groups were, respectively: 47 and 19 cases had significant improvement, 12 and 22 cases had some improvement, and 3 and 21 cases had no improvement. The total effectiveness rates were 95.2% and 66% for the treatment and control groups, respectively (P<0.05).(22)

Wang Ting treated 34 cases of chronic pharyngitis. Ban Lan Gen parenteral solution was repackaged into a spray bottle. Each spray contained 0.25ml. It was administered as two sprays, 6 times a day. The patients also orally took a Ban Lan Gen infusion, one pack, 3 times a

Clinical Notes

The patient can feel pain at the injection site and occasionally can have an allergic reaction. Those without toxic heat due to fire of excess type should be prohibited from taking the herb.

Footnotes

¹ Wu Zhao Ping, et al. Allergic shock induced by Ban Lan Gen muscular injection. Sichuan Journal of TCM. 1987;5(5):48.
² Chen Yong Dong. One case of drug-induced dermatitis caused by Ban Lan Gen muscular injection. China Journal of New Medicine. 1987;(9):471.
³ Si Feng Xian. Once case of urticaria meticamentosa induced by Ban Lan Gen Injection. China Journal of Dermatology and Venereology. 1994;8(4):264.
⁴ Li An Qun. One case of allergic skin rash due to Ban Lan Gen muscular injection. China Journal of Chinese Medicine. 1995;20(2):125.
⁵ Tang Jin Zhong, et al. One case of allergic reaction caused by muscular injection of Ban Lan Gen. China Journal of Country Medicine. 1999;6(3):34.
⁶ Xu Zhen Can, et al. Assessment of antibacterial effects of the Chinese herb Ban Lan Gen. Journal of Chinese Patented Medicine Research. 1987;11(12):9-11.
⁷ Cao Zhe Sheng, et al. Research on antibacterial effects against pyloric helicobacterium in 50 kinds of Chinese herbs. Strait Journal of Pharmacy. 1999;11(3):53-54.
⁸ Jiang Xi Yuan, et al. Comparison between 50 kinds of Chinese herb that treat hepatiis and suppress in vitro HBAg activity. Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy. 1992;9(5):208-211.
⁹ Li Wen Wen, Ban Lan Gen's (?) effect on nephritic syndrome. Hunan Journal of Medicine. 1994;11(3):168.
¹⁰ Li Wen Wen, Experimental research on Ban Lan Gen and Xi Shu Guo's effect in counteracting HFRSV and HSV-2. Journal of Hunan University of Medicine. 1994;19(4):309-311.
¹¹ Zhu Li An, et al. Research on Ban Lan Gen's preventive effects on cardiac cells in experimental cyocarditis models. China Journal of Cardiovascular Disease. 1999;27(6):467-468.
¹² Li Sheng, et al. Various Ban Lan Gen and Da Qing Ye's effect in antagonizing influenza A virus. Journal of Second Military Medical College. 2000;21(3):204-206.
¹³ Sun Guang Lian, et al. Using MTT method to examine Ban Lan Gen's effect in antagonizing cytomagalovirus. Journal of Shandong Univeristy of TCM. 2000;24(2):137-138.
¹⁴ Liu Yun Hai. Experimental research on Ban Lan Gen injection antagonizing effect against endotoxin. Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 1993;24(2):137-138.
¹⁵ Liu Yun Hai, et al. Comparison of antiendotoxin effects of Ban Lan Gen produced from various origins. China Journal of Chinese Medicine. 1994;19(2), 88-89.
¹⁶ Xu Yi Min, et al. Experimental research on Ban Lan Gen polysaccharide's effect in promoting immune functions. Journal of Integrated Medicine. 1991;11(6):357-359, 325.
¹⁷ Shan Feng Ping. In vivo and in vitro lethal effects of 50% Ban Lan Gen injection on mice Fried erythroleukemia cells 3Cl-8. Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 1994;25(8):417-418.
¹⁸ Wang Sheng De. Therapeutic observations on treating herpes simplex with Ban Lan Gen Injection. China Journal of Village Medicine. 1997;25(10):24-25.
¹⁹ Li Su Fen, et al. Clinical observations on treating herpes simplex viral keratitis with Ban Lan Gen Injection. Journal of Hebei Medical University. 1998;19(4):215-217.
²⁰ Xie Yin Mo. Treating 25 cases of pink eye with Ban Lan Gen Injection eye drops. Hunan Journal of TCM. 1989;5(1):45.
²¹ Li Rui Yu, et al. Therapeutic observation of treating 62 cases of chronic pharyngitis with Ban Lan Gen Injeciton. Journal of Integrated Medicine. 1990;10(12):739.
²² Wang Ting. Treating 34 cases of chronic pharyngitis with Ban Lan Gen. Journal of Applied TCM. 2000;16(7):22-23.