In TCM, the kidney has a more extensive meaning than the Western anatomical kidney; it is regarded as the root of life and the origin of our individuality as human beings. Being one of the most important organs in the body in TCM, the kidneys perform genital, urinary, endocrine, skeletal, blood, and central nervous system functions as well as store primordial yin and primordial yang (known as inherited or kidney yin and yang) which are attributed to the water and fire elements of the body respectively. Some studies on kidney yang and qi deficiency are listed below:

2005

• Yiu, Y.M. et al. A preliminary epidemiological study and discussion on traditional Chinese medicine pathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome in Hong Kong. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao3, 359-362 (2005). Abstract
• Shen, Z.Y. et al. Study on the regulative rule of reinforcing shen principle on sexual precocity and senescence at the molecular level. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi25, 49-51 (2005). Abstract

2004

• Shen, Z.Y. et al. Rule of tonifying the kidney in regulating T lymphocyte apoptosis in syndrome of kidney-yang deficiency-plasticity of gene balance. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi28, 1091-1093 (2004). No abstract available
• Shen, Z.Y. Comparative study of kidney deficiency syndrome and senescence. J. Chin. Med.15, 119-124 (2004). Abstract
• Lu, X. et al. Equiguard suppresses androgen-dependent LNCaP prostate cancer cell proliferation by targeting cell cycle control via down regulation of the retinoblastoma protein Rb and induction of apoptosis via the release of cytochrome c. Int. J. of Oncol. 25, 1801-1807 (2004). ***Abstract

2003

• Li, C.S. et al. Experimental study on effect of the water extract of dogwood fruits on the liver and testis in rats model of kidney-yang deficiency. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi28, 743-746 (2003). Abstract
• Lu, X. et al. Inhibition of proliferation and expression of AR/PSA by herbal supplement Equiguard in LNCaP cells cultured in androgen-proficient FBS and androgen-deficient charcoal-stripped FBS is correlated with increased serine-15 phosphorylation of the tumor suppressor gene p53. Anticancer Res. 23, 2489-2498 (2003). ***Abstract

2002

• Lin, B.H. et al. Exploration on essence of spleen-kidney deficiency in middle-aged patients. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi22, 33-36 (2002). Abstract
• Hsieh, T. C. et al. Effects of herbal preparation Equiguard on hormone-responsive and hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma cells: Mechanistic studies. Int. J. of Oncol.20, 681-689 (2002). ***Abstract

2001

• Cao, H. et al. Pharmacological study on Tianxiong (tuber of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx.), a Chinese drug for reinforcing the kidney yang retail in Hong Kong market. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi26, 369-372 (2001). Abstract

1999

• Tao, J. et al. Studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of the stem of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi24, 318-319 (1999). Abstract

1997

• Yue, G.P. et al. Experimental study on effect of bushen shengjing decoction on kidney yang and testicular dysfunction in rats. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi17, 289-291 (1997). Abstract
• Qin, L.P. et al. Effects of coumarins from cnidium monnieri on the function of pituitary-adrenocortical axis in kidney yang deficiency rats. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi17, 227-229 (1997). Abstract

1996

• Qin, L.P. et al. Effect of osthol and total coumarins of fructus cnidii on thyroid hormone and thyrotropic hormone in kidney-yang deficiency rats. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi16, 552-553 (1996). Abstract
• Xu, M. et al. Effect of Chinese herbs on the circadian rhythm of body temperature and heart rate in rabbits with hypothyroidism (yang deficiency). Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi21, 247-249 (1996). Abstract

*** These studies were sponsored in part by The Hong Kong Association for Health Care Ltd. & Winsor Health Products Ltd.