Rhinoceros horn

Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction) ... 

Xi Jiao, Sheng Di Huang, Mu Dan Pi and Chi Shao Yao, the ingredients of Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang (Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction), are used to cool the blood and remove heat-toxin from the blood. Together they are considered to be the chief part of the formula. 

What is most remarkable is that cells can produce proteins with strikingly different properties and activities by joining the same 20 amino acids in many different combinations and sequences. From these building blocks different organisms can make such widely diverse products as enzymes, hormones, antibodies, transporters, muscle fibers, the lens protein of the eye, feathers, spider webs, rhinoceros horn, milk proteins, antibiotics, mushroom poisons, and myriad other substances having distinct biological activities (Fig. 3-1). Among these protein products, the enzymes are the most varied and specialized. Virtually all cellular reactions are catalyzed by enzymes. 

The strength of fibrous proteins is enhanced by covalent cross-links between polypeptide chains within the multihelical ropes and between adjacent chains in a supramolecular assembly. In a-keratins, the cross-links stabilizing quaternary structure are disulfide bonds (Box 4-2). In the hardest and toughest a-keratins, such as those of rhinoceros horn, up to 18% of the residues are cysteines involved in disulfide bonds. 

Rhinoceros horns are composed of densely compressed hair-like fibers over a stubby bone core that is part of the skull. They are composed of a dense growth of epidermal cells and dermal papillae, which are similar to thick hair. These are not really true hairs, since they do not grow from a follicle in the skin. Unlike the sheath-like horns of cattle and buffalo, rhino horns are mosdy solid. 

While rhinoceros horn has been used in powdered form as an aphrodisiac, most of the horns harvested are used for either ornamental or medicinal purposes. Rhino horn is a popular carving material, particularly for handles on daggers and other weapons. In Asia, powdered rhino horn is a remedy against fever. 

In this formula, Rhinoceros Horn clears the heart, cools the blood, and resolves toxins and is the ruler. Combined with raw Rehmannia, they cool the blood and stop bleeding while nourishing the blood and clearing heat. Red Peony and Moutan are able to cool the blood and also scatter stasis. Thus this formula not only cools the blood but also quickens the blood and scatters stasis. 

Comment Cornu Bubali (Shui Niu Jiao) can be substituted for Rhinoceros Horn. In either case, the horn is ground into a fine powder and washed down with the decoction. It is also possible to substitute Radix Lithospermi Seu Arnebiae (Zi Cao) for Rhinoceros Horn. One may also substitute Gypsum (Shi Gao) and Radix Isatidis Seu Baphicacanthi (Ban Lan Gen). Since Rhinoceros are an endangered species, such substitution is imperative. 

I.R., dielectric and calorimetric methods (15-20). Keratin exhibits a single line spectrum by N.M.R. with line-width depending on orientation. This is in contrast to collagen which shows a three line spectrum. Lynch and Haly (15) have studied the influence of orientation on the spin-spin relaxation time of absorbed water in keratin from rhinoceros horn. A priviledged rotation of the water is observed around an axis approximately parallel to the fiber direction. From I.R. results Bendit proposes a weak association of water with carbonyl groups in the crystalline phase. I.R. experiment on deute-... 

Figure 13 shows the temperature dependence of the d constant for rhinoceros horn keratin with water contents of about 2 and 12 wt%. The value of increasing temperature and decreases above about CTC due to the conductivity cf unfrozen water. 

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