Journal of Pharmacopuncture最新文献

Objectives: Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that the sumac plant possesses astringent and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce menstrual bleeding. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of sumac capsules on postpartum bleeding among women at risk of excessive bleeding.

Methods: This randomized, triple-blind clinical trial was conducted in 2022-2023. Participants were 72 women who were referred for vaginal delivery to the 9th Day Hospital in Torbat Heydariyeh city, Iran. Participants were randomly divided into two groups immediately after delivery, the placebo group received routine care. The intervention group, in addition to routine care, received two oral capsules of 500 mg sumac immediately after the expulsion of the placenta and fetal membranes, as well as two hours later. The amount of bleeding was measured using plastic bags for blood collection, which were weighed along with the sheets and pads used at hours 1, 2, 3, and 4 postpartum. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. 65 women completed the study.

Results: The sumac group exhibited lower mean bleeding volumes than the placebo group at all measured time points (first, second, third, and fourth hours after delivery). The independent t-test analysis revealed significant differences between the two groups' bleeding volume at the end of the first hour (p = 0.013), second hour (p < 0.001), third hour (p < 0.001), and fourth hour (p < 0.001); that was less in sumac group. Overall, the sumac group demonstrated a significantly lower mean total bleeding volume in the first four hours after delivery (215.78 ± 16.92 cc) compared to the placebo group (261.51 ± 17.258 cc) (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Sumac capsules can be considered as a potentially effective and safe intervention for reducing postpartum bleeding among women at risk.

Objectives: 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy is a highly recommended treatment for different types of solid tumors. However, this treatment can have severe side effects on the heart and lungs. In this study, we compared the protective effects of citral, silymarin, thymoquinone, and curcumin against 5-fluorouracil-induced toxicity in the heart and lungs of rats.

Methods: 56 healthy adult male rats were randomly assigned to seven experimental groups (n = 8), including healthy and carrier (dimethylsulfoxide) groups, 5-fluorouracil, citral group, silymarin group, thymoquinone group, and curcumin group. Blood samples and representative tissue specimens of the heart and lungs were immediately collected at the end of the experiment to measure the biochemical parameters, conduct histopathological studies, and analyze antioxidant activity, respectively.

Results: The intraperitoneal administration of 5-fluorouracil caused cardiotoxicity, as evidenced by elevated serum levels of creatine phosphokinase, creatine kinase-MB (p < 0.05), and lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.05). Besides, 5-fluorouracil increased malondealdehyde levels, indicating a lipid peroxidation index and a decrease in the total antioxidant capacity index in the cardiac and pulmonary tissues (p < 0.05) of the animals. The preventive and therapeutic use of all the above compounds, in combination with 5-fluorouracil, led to a decrease in the mentioned cardiac serum biomarkers and malondealdehyde in the animals (p < 0.05). In addition, all the therapeutic compounds increased total antioxidant capacity in the heart and lungs (p < 0.05), indicating a high antioxidant capacity of these biological substances in ameliorating the resultant oxidative and histologic damages.

Conclusion: Our study indicated that the natural compounds citral, silymarin, thymoquinone, and curcumin, when combined with 5-fluorouracil, could minimize the histopathological and biochemical changes caused by 5-fluorouracil treatment in the heart and pulmonary tissues likely via antioxidant mechanisms. These products can be useful and effective in chemotherapy patients by reducing the potential adverse effects of 5-fluorouracil administration.

Objectives: Among the various treatment methods involving the use of natural substances, pharmacopuncture using animal venom is a relatively new form of acupuncture that has been developed in South Korea and is gaining popularity worldwide. Pharmacopuncture with animal venom is widely used in clinical practice; therefore, ensuring its procedural safety is crucial. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and toxicity of pharmacopuncture using animal venom.

Methods: In October 2021, nine samples of animal venom-derived pharmacopuncture products were randomly collected from four External Herbal Dispensaries (EHDs). These samples underwent sterility and microbial limit testing to ensure they were free from microbial contamination. Toxicity tests were conducted using three different cell lines to evaluate cytotoxic effects.

Results: The sterility and microbial limit tests showed no microbial growth in any of the pharmacopuncture samples. However, the toxicity tests revealed that bee venom exhibited strong cytotoxicity. Furthermore, samples containing Bovis Calculus, Fel Ursi, and Moschus also demonstrated varying degrees of cytotoxic effects.

Conclusion: This study is the first to analyze the safety and toxicity of animal venom-derived pharmacopuncture products, providing evidence for its procedural safety. Although the samples analyzed were limited to four EHDs, these findings highlight the importance of further research on the safety and toxicity of pharmacopuncture to ensure its clinical application is both effective and safe.

Objectives: Litchi chinensis (Sonn.), belonging to the Sapindaceae family, has historically been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments, including ulcers, gastritis, diarrhea, and infections. Plants in the Sapindaceae family have demonstrated potential anthelmintic effects, while the efficacy of L. chinensis remains barely investigated. L. chinensis seeds are often discarded as waste; however, utilizing these seeds promotes sustainable practices and may provide a natural alternative to conventional anthelmintics. The study aims to investigate the qualitative phytochemicals and evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of L. chinensis seed ethanolic extract (LCSE).

Methods: Fresh L. chinensis fruits were collected from a local market, peeled fruits and removed aril from the seeds and then washed, air-dried and extracted with ethanol. A qualitative phytochemical screening and assessment of the anthelmintic properties of LCSE were conducted using standard procedures. The time required for paralysis and death of adult earthworms (Eisenia fetida) was assessed by analyzing each test solution at five distinct dosages (5, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mg/mL). Albendazole served as the standard, while distilled water functioned as the control. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test in GraphPad Prism version 10.1.2.

Results: Qualitative analysis revealed that LCSE is rich in phytochemicals, including alkaloids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, flavonoid, glycosides, proteins and amino acids, phenols, terpenoids, and tannins. The anthelmintic activities of the LCSE and albendazole were dose-dependent, as the time required for paralysis and mortality decreased in proportion to the concentrations increased. LCSE exhibited strong anthelmintic efficacy at a concentration of 100 mg/mL (paralysis 12.67 ± 0.33, death 14 ± 0.58), which was significantly greater than that of albendazole (paralysis 15 ± 1.15, death 17.67 ± 1.15).

Conclusion: This finding suggests that LCSE holds potent anthelmintic properties, making it a promising natural alternative to conventional treatments like albendazole.

Objectives: This study assessed the electrocardiographic pattern and cardiac inflammatory response of doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury in Wistar rats treated with Peperomia pellucida ethanol extract.

Methods: Female Wistar rats (190-200 g) were assigned into five groups of seven rats each. The Group 1 (Control group) was given rat chow and drinking water while the Group 2 (doxorubicin group) received intraperitoneal administration of doxorubicin (2 mg/kg) once weekly for three weeks. The Group 3 (Peperomia pellucida group) received 200 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of Peperomia pellucida daily. Group 4 (Doxorubicin + P. pellucida group) received doxorubicin in addition to Peperomia pellucida. Group 5 (Captopril (50 mg/kg) was administered to another group in addition to P. pellucida while the doxorubicin + captopril group was administered captopril in addition to doxorubicin. Electrical recording and cardiac markers were evaluated.

Results: The results revealed a significant (p < 0.01) elevation of T-wave and altered electrocardiographic parameters in the doxorubicin group than the control, P. pellucida, and other experimental groups. The heart rate, cardiac troponin level, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, angiotensin-converting enzyme activities, and inflammatory biomarkers were significantly (p < 0.01) higher while nitric oxide level was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the doxorubicin-only group compared to the control. Cardiac cell hypertrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed due to doxorubicin administration. Treatment with P. pellucida extract and captopril reversed these trends and improved the antioxidants and inflammatory activities.

Conclusion: Peperomia pellucida extract improves electrocardiographic pattern, has cardioprotective ability, and prevents doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury probably due to its phytochemical constituents and anti-inflammatory properties.

Background: Conventional treatments for seborrheic dermatitis often lead to a recurring cycle of symptom improvement and worsening, resulting in chronic conditions. Thus, safer and more effective alternatives are needed. In Korean medicine, Hwangryunhaedok-tang tablets, targeted at treating the fire-heat syndrome, offer a more fundamental approach to manage seborrheic dermatitis.

Clinical features and outcomes: In this study, we monitored the changes in the symptoms of two patients with seborrheic dermatitis who were treated with Hwangryunhaedok-tang tablets. The patients were administered this medication during the treatment period. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed by visually recording changes in the affected skin areas using photographs and evaluating symptoms such as heat, itching, and stinging in these areas using a visual analog scale (VAS). Visible improvements in the patients' skin conditions were observed after taking Hwangryunhaedok-tang tablets. Following treatment, VAS scores for subjective symptoms such as heat sensation, itching, and stinging in the affected areas decreased.

Conclusion: This study offers evidence of a potential alternative approach for treating seborrheic dermatitis using Kyungbang Hwangryunhaedok-tang tablets. However, it highlights the necessity for further research on the appropriate dosage, side effects, and long-term effectiveness of this treatment.

Objectives: Methotrexate (MTX), an immunosuppressant and anti-cancer medication, can harm the heart. The goal of the current investigation was to assess the cardiotoxicity caused by MTX and the potential cardioprotective properties of silymarin, citral, and thymoquinone as antioxidants.

Methods: Forty-eight rats were divided into six groups, which included control, MTX, cosolvent, citral, thymoquinone, and silymarin groups. At the end of the study, the rats were anesthetized (ketamine and xylazine) and killed using CO2. Their blood samples were collected to measure the enzymatic activities of creatine kinase-myoglobin binding (CK-MB), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Also, the heart tissue was sampled to determine the antioxidant capacity and examine the histopathology.

Results: The findings revealed that the activity of CPK, CK-MB, and LDH enzymes significantly reduced in the thymoquinone treatment group compared to the MTX group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, total antioxidant capacity was significantly increased in the thymoquinone group compared to the MTX group (p < 0.05). The pathological modifications (i.e. severe congestion, edema fluid, the presence of inflammatory cells around the blood vessels, mild to moderate hemorrhaging between cardiac muscle fibers) were seen in the MTX group. The treatment groups, particularly thymoquinone, did not experience any appreciable pathological changes.

Conclusion: The thymoquinone was found to have the strongest protective effect against the heart damage caused by MTX.

Objectives: Cupping therapy is a widely used complementary medicine for the treatment of migraine headaches globally. However, conflicting evidence exists on its effectiveness. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of cupping therapy in treating migraine headache disorder.

Methods: Seven databases were systematically searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane CENTRAL, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, SinoMed, and the National Science and Technology Library. The primary endpoints are the treatment success and the pain intensity reduction. The secondary endpoints were adverse events (AEs) risk and improvement in quality of life (QoL), which was based on the Migraine Disability Scale (MIDAS). Subgroup analyses were performed based on the cupping techniques (wet and dry cupping) and adjunctive complementary treatments (i.e. acupuncture and/or collateral pricking).

Results: Eighteen trials out of 348 records were included, pooling 1,446 participants (n = 797 received cupping therapy). Treatment success was significantly higher among those with cupping therapy (risk ratio [RR] [95% CI] = 1.83 [1.52-2.21]); with significant improvement observed only with wet cupping (RR [95% CI] = 1.88 [1.53-2.30]). The adjunctive complementary therapy did not achieve a greater amplitude of treatment success compared to cupping therapy alone. Furthermore, cupping therapy showed significant pain reduction compared to baseline (standardized mean difference [SMD] [95% CI] = 0.55 [0.39-0.70]) and achieved fewer risks of AEs (RR [95% CI] = 1.88 [1.53-2.30]). However, cupping did not improve the overall QoL (MIDAS SMD [95% CI] = -0.79 [-3.55-1.98]).

Conclusion: Cupping therapy was an effective complementary modality to treat migraine headaches. However, it did not demonstrate improvement in QoL (PROSPERO CRD42024514509).

Objectives: Nurses face mental health issues like emotional labor, stress, and depression, increasing the risk of medical errors. This study assesses the mental health and medical errors among nurses in Korean medicine clinics in South Korea.

Methods: The cross-sectional analysis involved 83 nurses, examining relationships between emotional labor, stress, depression, cognitive failure, Hwa-byung (HB) (a syndrome of suppressed anger in Korean culture), and medical errors. It identified factors associated with HB and medical errors using multiple regression analysis, presenting their odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: The findings revealed a current HB prevalence of 19.28% and a 6-month medical error prevalence of 16.87% among participants. The regression analysis showed that higher levels of depression (OR = 1.368, 95% CI = 1.098 to 1.703, p = 0.005), cognitive failure (OR = 1.072, 95% CI = 1.011 to 1.136, p = 0.020), and HB trait (OR = 1.136, 95% CI = 1.005 to 1.284, p = 0.041) significantly correlated with HB presence.

Conclusion: This groundbreaking study on this previously under-researched nurse workforce highlights the critical need for comprehensive mental health care, with the objective of significantly enhancing their mental well-being and improving their overall work environment.

Objectives: This study aimed to present a government-led accreditation system for upgrading the quality control of herbal medicine by introducing the process and evaluation standard of external herbal dispensaries (EHDs) of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) clinics in South Korea 2018 to refer to other countries where herbal medicine were used similarly in Korea.

Development process: We organized an EHD accreditation committee for the establishment of an accreditation system. The committee consisted of 9 experts an official of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW), a professor expert of TKM, a good manufacturing practice expert, a hazard analysis and critical control point expert, and an accreditation system expert. After 3 meetings, a draft of the evaluation standard and evaluation system was established in 2017. Based on the draft, a pilot test was conducted to determine the applicability of the evaluation standards in 2017. Two additional meeting was held to confirm the accreditation standards and was finalized in 2018.

Results: The evaluation standard for EHDs was developed. In the case of herbal medicine EHDs, the evaluation standard consisted of 9 evaluation categories, 25 evaluation parts, and 81 evaluation items were developed. The results of the evaluation of the pilot tests are as follows, and the results show that there is a deviation between the EHDs.

Conclusion: As a world's first, Korea MoHW successfully launched the accreditation system for upgrading the quality control system of herbal medicine not approved by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in 2018. Our report hope to provide a good reference to other countries where having similar herbal medicine system in South Korea hoping to make better quality control of herbal medicines.