Alternative therapies in health and medicine最新文献

Background: As one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal diseases, osteoarthritis, causes pain, deterioration in functioning, and reduction in quality of life. The condition that is thought to contribute most to disability worldwide is knee osteoarthritis. Existing pharmacological treatments for osteoarthritis raise safety concerns. In Unani medicine, several non-pharmacological regimens known as Ilāj bi'l Tadbīr (Regimenal therapies) are advised in the management of painful musculoskeletal disorders. Among all these practices, dry cupping (Hijāmah bilā Shart) is unique and recommended as one of the most effective methods for knee osteoarthritis pain management in the majority of classical Unani literature. This report presents a case of knee osteoarthritis treated using cupping therapy.

Case presentation: A 57-year-old female patient presented with a 3-year-long history of right knee pain, stiffness, and difficulty in daily activities. The patient was examined clinically before intervention and was diagnosed with right knee osteoarthritis which was further supported by radiological investigations. Cupping therapy was administered over the affected knee joint for 4 weeks. A total of 10 sittings were carried out every 2 days. The patient's symptoms gradually ameliorated, ultimately becoming minimal following the 4-week treatment period. Specifically, the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) score decreased from 8 to 2, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score for stiffness and functional ability improved with a decrease from 50 to 25, and the quality of life score measured by 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) improved from 35 to 75.

Conclusion: Our case study established cupping therapy's effectiveness as a secure, non-invasive treatment option and opened new possibilities for its application in the management of knee osteoarthritis. However, further research is imperative to establish the efficacy and effectiveness of cupping therapy.

Objective: Coumarins are known to have antidiabetic properties. They are also known to have direct effects on the cardiovascular system. However, their insulin and amylin-releasing effects have not been thoroughly studied. This study investigated the effect of 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin (Citropten) fractions in grapefruit peel on insulin and amylin secretions in normal male Wistar rats.

Methods: Methanol extract from grapefruit peels was fractionated using vacuum-assisted liquid chromatography with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry analysis reported ethyl acetate fraction with the highest concentration (85.66%) of 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin. Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test was performed on 5 sets of 5 rats receiving intraperitoneally: 1) negative control, 1 ml of sterile water 2) positive control, 0.2 mg/kg glimepiride, 3) ethyl acetate fraction containing 20 mg/kg 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin, 4) methanol fraction containing 20 mg/kg 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin, 5a) 1 ml 0.6% hydrogen peroxide and 20 mg/kg 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin; 5b) 1 ml 6% hydrogen peroxide and 20 mg/kg 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin; and 5c) 1000 mg/kg Vitamin C and 20 mg/kg 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin.

Results: Results showed that ethyl acetate fraction containing 20 mg/kg 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin had comparable plasma glucose control as obtained with glimepiride, with indirect insulin secretion effect unlike direct-acting glimepiride; the methanol fraction was less effective. An oral Glucose Tolerance Test confirmed the antidiabetic efficacy of 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin. Both ethyl acetate and methanol fractions of 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin induced extrapancreatic amylin synthesis and secretion.

Conclusion: 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin will find special applications in the management of obesity and for people with diabetes having chronic complications. Since the overall plasma glucose regulation is achieved through amylin and insulin synergy, attention should be shifted from insulin-based to amylin-based therapy. There is a need to focus on natural compounds that stimulate extrapancreatic amylin release, especially in patients with type 1 diabetes who are insulin dependent.

The hypersensitivity of the nasal mucosa to pathogens, allergens, or nasal drugs, accompanied by a dysfunctional immune response, is the cause of various types of rhinitis. Regardless of the commercial drugs used in treatment, rhinitis is a chronic disease of the modern population. Hence the dilemma: can commercially-available drugs cure rhinitis or only temporarily suppress the disease symptoms. This article aims to contribute to clarifying the dilemma and highlight some possible solutions to the problem of rhinitis. Screening of the scientific literature, both in the field of pharmacotherapy and traditional herbal medicine, on the mechanisms of rhinitis treatment and the possibility of restoring the atrophied nasal mucosa led us to an acceptable idea. Namely, the evidence-based review indicates that herbal medicines may be considered a new class of immune adjuvants. Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Indian herbal medicine dominate studies that indicate the importance and efficacy of herbal extracts of various medicinal plants in this indication area. However, most phytotherapy-related studies focus mainly on alcoholic plant extracts. Due to possible incidences of irritation, herbal oily macerates may bea better option for direct application to an already livid or atrophied nasal mucosa. We indicate that oily macerates are enriched in liposoluble phytocomponents that can prevent the inflammatory reaction and exert their immunoregulatory effect as efficiently as those in the alcoholic extract. We hypothesize that the selected herbal oils could not only alleviate existing rhinitis symptoms but also restore atrophied nasal mucosa. The oily macerates are characterized by better stability than ethanolic extracts, higher concentration of medicinal substances, synergistic effect in polyherbal formulation, prolonged release and improved penetration of bioactive compounds, epithelizing properties, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity, and only a small amount is needed to achieve the desired therapeutic effect in the nasal cavity.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious complication accounting for about 4.54% of ulcers in people with diabetes. Matrix Rhythm Therapy (MRT) is an emerging modality focused on restoring cellular rhythm. This study explores its effect on diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), a major complication of diabetes. By enhancing microcirculation and tissue regeneration, MRT offers a promising, non-invasive approach to wound healing and improving patient outcomes.

Primary study objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of MRT on DFUs on wound characteristics, ulcer tissue healing, and ulcer grading score.

Methods/design: It was a pilot study with a sample size of 9 participants.

Setting: Recruitment of participants was monocentric, conducted at the General Surgery Department of Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre.

Participants: 23 patients were screened and 14 were excluded since they did not meet the inclusion criteria. A total of 9 participants aged between 45 - 75 years with HbA1c < 7.5% and diagnosed DFU were recruited.

Intervention: Each patient received 2 sessions of MRT for 45 minutes, with 3 days interval in between both sessions.

Primary outcome measures: Participants were evaluated in terms of wound characteristics (imitoMeasure- Measure Wound App), ulcer tissue healing score (Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool), and ulcer grade (Wagner Ulcer Grade Classification System).

Results: The experimental group participants showed differences in pretest and posttest outcome scores of wound characteristics [(Area P = .0022) (Length P = .0032) (Width P = .0010), and (Circumference P = .0020)], ulcer tissue healing score P = .0001, and ulcer grading score P = .0431.

Conclusion: The MaRhyThe© treatment, a recent 21st-century innovation, has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating non-healing DFUs, as evidenced by marked improvements in wound characteristics, ulcer tissue healing scores, and ulcer grading scores.

Objective: To study the clinical curative effects of Angong Niuhuang Pills in the treatment of severe heat stroke and its influence on the rescue efficiency of patients.

Methods: A total of 76 patients with severe heat stroke who were treated in our hospital were selected from January 2021 to December 2022. According to the sequence of admission, 38 patients in the control group (2021.1-12) received comprehensive western medicine therapy, and 38 sufferers in the observation group (2022.1-12) received Angong Niuhuang Pills on this basis. The body temperature monitoring results at 120 minutes after admission, inflammatory factor levels, relevant biochemical indicators, brain injury indicators, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation system II (APACHE II) score, clinical curative effect, clinical related recovery indicators, and the occurrence of organ function damage were compared between the 2 groups.

Results: The body temperature of patients in the observation one was less than that of the control one at 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes after admission, and the distinction had statistical significance (all P < .05); after the therapy, the levels of IL-1, IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-α, ALT, BUN, Cr, MYO, S-100β protein, NSE, APACHEII score were all lower than those of the control one, and the distinction had statistical significance (all P < .05); the total clinical effective rate of the observation group (97.37%) was higher than that of the control group (81.58%), the recovery time of consciousness, rectal temperature recovery time and length of stay were all shorter than the control group, and the incidence of organ function damage (7.89%) was less than that of the control one (26.32%), and the distinction had statistical significance (all P < .05).

Conclusion: Angong Niuhuang Pills are safe and effective in the treatment of severe heatstroke sufferers, and can make the patients' body temperature return to the normal range in a short time, help to reduce inflammation reactions and play a protective role in the brain, and can shorten the recovery time of patients' consciousness and length of stay, with relatively high rescue efficiency.

Context: Bedwetting is a socially disruptive condition that can lower an individual's self-confidence. Bedwetting is quite common in school-going children and a close correlation has been observed between the mind and physical symptoms in many cases. Reassurance and relieving the anxiety in patients can help reduce the complaints. Nocturnal enuresis in a 9-year-old girl was treated with the constitutional approach to homeopathic medicine.

Objective: This case was undertaken to assess the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicine for managing nocturnal enuresis.

Case summary: A 9-year-old girl came with complaints of bedwetting for the past 1 year. It was noticed that she had lost her sister who was 5 years old. The patient was thirsty and thermally chilly. No change in bowel habits was noted. Sleep was disturbed in the first half of night due to involuntary urination. The patient had a craving for sweets and a strong aversion to milk. After a detailed analysis of the case, the homeopathic medicine Ignatia amara 30C was prescribed for 15 days, and satisfactory results were observed.

Result: This case was successfully treated with the selected homeopathic medicine, preventing further complications.

Conclusion: Further studies can be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of homeopathy in the management of nocturnal enuresis.

Background: Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAIM) encompasses a diverse range of practices and products used in conjunction with or in place of conventional medicine to promote health and well-being.

Objective: To determine the use of alternative therapies, socio-economic milieu, and parental responses in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods (setting/participation): This cross-sectional study was conducted over 18 months at a tertiary care pediatric center. Children with a diagnosis of CP were enrolled. A pre-designed questionnaire was administered to the parents and their responses were recorded. It was piloted in the initial ten patients and further refinements were made based on the information collected. All children underwent detailed evaluation, neurological examination, and rehabilitation per the Department protocol.

Results: 201 children (71% males) with CP were enrolled. Only 7.5% (n=15) of parents were familiar with the diagnosis at the time of their child's diagnosis. CAIM is widely used in children with developmental disabilities, especially CP, with a prevalence of 47.3% in the index study. The primary concerns of the parents were regarding self-dependence (52.2%), delayed development (15.4%), recurrent seizures (12.4%), and feeding problems (3%). The use of alternative therapy was reported in 95/201 patients, including ayurvedic 29/95 (30.5%), homeopathic 27/95 (28.4%), religious rituals 22/95 (23.2%), and unrecognized doctors 17/95 (17.9%).

Conclusion: Our study highlights that parents of children with CP often seek alternative therapies. Familiarizing allopathic providers with CAIM practices will allow proper guidance of patients/parents, and help foster and enhance the parent-doctor relationship.

World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity and overweight as excessive or aberrant fat accumulation that poses an increased health risk. Despite this oversimplified definition, obesity is a complex illness caused by a persistently positive energy balance, or when dietary energy intake surpasses energy expenditure. Extra energy is transformed into triglycerides, which are then stored in depots of adipose tissue that enlarge, resulting in weight gain and an increase in body fat. The escalating global prevalence of obesity, impacting more than two billion individuals, necessitates innovative and holistic approaches in public health. This review paper aims to evaluate the potential of medicinal herbs in obesity management by systematically examining their mechanisms of action, including enzyme inhibition, appetite suppression, and modulation of metabolic processes, to propose an integrative, safer, and holistic approach to enhance current strategies for obesity treatment. A comprehensive search of literature was conducted in PubMed, Google scholar, and Science Direct. Search was conducted using the terms - "Unani herbs", obesity management, Siman Mufrit. This review paper highlights critical evaluation of contemporary obesity management strategies, emphasizing need for safer and more sustainable alternatives. Insights from Unani medicine contribute to a holistic understanding of obesity, paving way for an exploration of medicinal herbs and their mechanisms of action. Enzyme inhibition, appetite suppression, and modulation of metabolic processes emerge as key factors in anti-obesity effects of medicinal herbs. In conclusion, this comprehensive review underscores potential of medicinal herbs as promising contributors to global obesity management drawing insights from epidemiological data and traditional Unani medicine. By combining traditional wisdom with modern research, a more holistic and individualized approach can be achieved. The proposed integrative strategy advocates for further research, collaboration, and shift towards natural and culturally sensitive healthcare practices to address obesity.

Background: The consequences of home quarantines and different aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic have profoundly affected adolescent athletes both physically and mentally.

Aim: This cross-sectional survey aimed to compare lifestyle, mental health, and eating disorders among adolescent athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method: The subjects comprised of athletes aged 12 to 18 years from various sports, including, soccer, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, athletics, and taekwondo. A total of 124 youth athletes were randomly selected for participation. The participants were divided into two groups based on whether they were involved in team or individual sports. An eating disorders questionnaire, a lifestyle questionnaire, and a general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) were administered. Descriptive statistics and MANOVA were used to analyze the results.

Results: There was a significant difference between lifestyle, mental health, and eating disorder variables between team and individual athletes (P < .005).

Objective: In this study, "eating disorders" specifically refer to disordered eating behaviors commonly associated with athletes, such as restrictive eating, binge eating, or symptoms of conditions like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. While not all participants met clinical diagnostic criteria, the results have potential clinical implications for mental health care, particularly in identifying and addressing disordered eating behaviors in young athletes.

Conclusion: To address these issues, coordinated efforts from parents, schools, and organizations are essential. These efforts should include workshops to promote social support, communication, and awareness of lifestyle, mental health, and eating disorders.

Background: Cold chest pack (CCP) is a hydrotherapeutic technique used to improve cardiorespiratory outcomes, however, their effects on the cardiovascular system remain substantiated by credible scientific research. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate how CCP affects central hemodynamics in healthy volunteers.

Method: This study was a randomized, open-label crossover trial with 24 healthy male participants between 18 and 26 years of age. The study employed a counterbalanced design in which participants were randomized to either a dry chest pack (DCP) or a CCP for 20 minutes, followed by a 2-day washout period during which they were switched to the opposite phase. Central hemodynamics and heart rate variability were measured at baseline, throughout the session, and ten minutes following the intervention.

Results: Our findings showed a significant decrease in cardiac output (P = .03) with an increase in total peripheral resistance (P = .004), mean arterial pressure (P < .001), systolic blood pressure (P < .001), and diastolic blood pressure (P < .001) during the use of a CCP. These changes were retained after 10 minutes, except cardiac output (P = .32), and a persistent decrease in heart rate (P < .001) during and after the CCP use. These changes were not observed in DCP and the stroke volume was not impacted in either group (P > .05). A significant increase in mean RR intervals (P < .001) and the percentage of differences between adjacent normal heartbeats (NN intervals) that are greater than 50 milliseconds (P < .01) was observed only after the application of a CCP.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed the application of a CCP for 20 minutes affects central hemodynamics and heart rate variability; these results may be considered when using CCP therapeutically.