Advances in Traditional Medicine最新文献

Medicinal plants or herbs act as reservoirs of therapeutic agents and become source of traditional or conventional treatment of various health issues. Enhydra fluctuans Lour. is one such plant belongs to Asteraceae family, mostly using traditionally as vegetable or its decoction to treat hyperglycaemia, although scientific exploration for this claim is very limited. In this study, we evaluated the hypoglycaemic activity of E. fluctuans Lour. along with their phytochemical screening, in-silico study and anti-oxidant activity. Phytoconstituents belongs to alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, etc. were found in preliminary phytochemical investigations. In-silico study has been performed on its phytoconstituents and it has been found that two compound C5 (8-Desacyl enhydrin- [4- hydroxytiglate]) and C8 (Baicalein 7-O-glucoside) bind with all three proteins i.e. 7K9N, 3BC9 and 5ISO with binding energy of − 188.31, − 243.57; − 169.90, − 202.13 and − 296.05, − 271.38 kcal/mol respectively as compared to standard acarbose voglibose and metformin − 152.993, 142.19 and − 215.55 kcal/mol respectively. In-vitro antidiabetic study was performed for methanolic extract against α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition, where IC₅₀ value was found to be 123.79 ± 3.522 and 155.52 ± 5.890 µg/ml as compared to standard acarbose 206. 75 ± 5.082 and 120.38 ± 3.687 µg/ml respectively. Both the antioxidant and enzymatic inhibition study revealed that methanolic extract of Enhydra fluctuans have potential to reduce DPPH and hydroxyl free radical. It has also been observed that methanolic extract exhibit better α-glucosidase inhibition as compared to acarbose but lesser inhibition against α-amylase which indicate that methanolic extract might have good antidiabetic potential. Moreover, in silico study revealed that, both the compound C5 and C8 might be responsible for enzymatic inhibition. Overall findings demonstrate that E. fluctuans Lour. have significant antioxidant and antidiabetic activity.

Samul-tang (SMT) is a well-known traditional herbal medicine. Recent studies have reported that SMT exhibits protective biological effects against inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer. It is commonly used to treat gynecological disorders, including irregular menstruation, pre-eclampsia, and postmenopausal syndrome. However, its therapeutic mechanisms are still under investigation, and its effects on gynecologically healthy women remain unknown. This study was conducted to investigate whether and how SMT influences ovarian follicle development by culturing early follicles in vitro and stimulating the ovulation process. SMT dissolved in DPBS was applied at concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 µg/mL in in vitro maturation medium. Secondary follicles isolated from ovaries of fourteen-day-old female ICR mice were cultured for 8 days in the in vitro maturation medium supplemented with follicle-stimulating hormone. Ovulation was induced in follicles that reached a diameter of 380–450 μm. Ovulated oocytes were retrieved, and their spindles and chromosomes were stained to observe meiotic maturation. SMT had no effect on follicle diameter, hormone levels, or survival rates during ovarian follicle development. However, ovulation and the production of mature oocytes were enhanced when SMT was applied during in vitro culture. Additionally, the expression of genes related to progesterone production (lhcgr and hsd3b) was elevated, while the ptgs2 gene, which regulates inflammation, was decreased in the SMT-treated group. This study demonstrated that SMT may influence ovarian follicle development by regulating progesterone production and the inflammatory response. Consequently, SMT administration may have the potential to enhance reproductive function, even in non-diseased, fertile women.

Hwangkeumjakyak-tang (HJT), a Korean traditional herbal medicine, is known to clear phlegm, relieve congestion, and reduce inflammation. However, there is a lack of research on the efficacy of HJT in other diseases. The present study aimed to investigate whether HJT could protect against liver injury. We first examined the effects of HIT in vitro by assessing its toxicity and the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in human HepG2 cells. Additionally, we investigated whether HJT inhibited oxidative stress by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and intracellular levels of reduced glutathione (GSH). We further assessed the effects of HJT in vivo by analyzing liver damage parameters using an acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver damage mouse model. Treatment with HJT significantly reduced the elevated serum levels of ALT and AST and the cytokine release induced by APAP injection. Furthermore, we verified that treatment with HJT suppressed APAP-induced ROS production and GSH depletion in the mouse liver, suggesting that HJT inhibited APAP-induced liver injury by blocking oxidative stress in vivo. To identify the potential relationship between the liver and intestine for liver disease therapy, we also performed 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to analyze the gut microbiome and confirmed that HJT regulated APAP-induced changes in the gut microbiome pattern. In conclusion, HJT, a Nrf2 activation inducer, exhibits a cytoprotective effect on APAP-induced liver injury and can regulate the gut microbiome altered by the administration of APAP.

The analgesic effects of 100-Hz electroacupuncture (EA) are well-documented. Jiaji C1-C4 (Ex-B2 C1-C4) have been shown to increase pressure pain threshold (PPT) across V1, V2, V3, C2-C7 dermatomes, corresponding to the cranial, facial, cervical, and upper limb regions. Hegu (LI4) and Neiguan (PC6) are located on dermatomes influenced by Ex-B2 C1-C4. This study investigates the effects of 100-Hz EA at the combination of PC6, LI4, Ex-B2 C1-C4 versus Ex-B2 C1-C4 alone. A total of 120 healthy volunteers were assigned to receive either right-sided (RE) or bilateral electroacupuncture (BE). Both groups underwent 100-Hz EA at Ex-B2 C1-C4 in stage 1 and the combination of PC6, LI4, Ex-B2 C1-C4 in stage 2, with a 7-day interval between interventions. The main outcome was the post-intervention PPT at each stage, measured at 18 locations across V1, V2, V3, C2-C7 dermatomes. After stage 1, RE group showed significant PPT increases at the right V3, C2-C7, and left V2, C3, C4, C7 dermatomes, while BE group improved across all dermatomes. Following stage 2, RE group had significant PPT increases at the right V1, V2, V3, C2, C3, C6, C7 dermatomes compared to stage 1 but not on the left, whereas BE group showed improvements across all dermatomes. No significant PPT differences were found between the groups. EA at 100-Hz on PC6, LI4, Ex-B2 C1-C4 effectively increases PPT, with BE producing more widespread effects than RE. This supports its clinical for managing pain in the cranial, facial, cervical, and upper limb regions.

Glioblastoma multiforme is considered the most aggressive type of brain tumour due to its highly invasive properties that make complete surgical resection almost impossible and treatment very challenging. The current treatment for glioblastoma involves surgery followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Despite these treatment options, tumour recurrence and toxicity from the chemotherapeutic agents remain problematic, which calls for novel treatment approaches. In this study, we investigate the antiproliferative activities of three Amaryllidaceae plant species, Crossyne flava, Amaryllis belladonna, and Boophone haemanthiodes, as well as their isolated bioactive compounds on U87 and U251 glioblastoma cell lines, with H9C2 cardiac myocyte used as a normal cell line. The effect of plant extracts and compounds on cell viability and long-term survival was determined using the MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] and clonogenic assay, respectively. Additionally, the ATP levels and apoptosis-inducing potential of the plant extracts and compounds were determined using the Promega Mitochondrial ToxGlo™ and Caspase-Glo™ 3/7 assay kits, respectively. The results reveal that both plant extracts and compounds induce cytotoxicity in glioblastoma cell lines, and the extracts also inhibit the long-term survival of U87 and U251 cells. The extracts were also selective to the cancer cells when the selectivity index was calculated. Furthermore, the plant extracts and compounds inhibited ATP production in the cancer cells, while induction of apoptosis was only evident in the compound-treated cells. Overall, our findings suggest that the Amaryllidaceae plant family could be a rich source of botanicals and phytochemicals that might be effective against glioblastoma.

The loss of cognitive abilities, such as reasoning, memory, and thinking, is known as dementia. The therapeutic value of medicinal plants often arises from their antioxidants. Eleusine indica’s antioxidant activity in the extract is attributed to its phenolic components and abundant secondary metabolites. This study aims to discover the influence of Eleusine indica extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg on cognitive enhancement in scopolamine induced memory impairment in Wistar rats. Hydroethanolic extract of Eleusine indica was made using cold maceration followed by Soxhlet instrument, and phytochemical tests were analyzed. Dementia was induced by administration of scopolamine at the dose of 3 mg/kg. The efficacy of the extract 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o and the standard drug piracetam 400 mg/ kg p.o. in enhancing information recall in animals was assessed through a range of experimental models, including the elevated plus maze, Morris Water Maze, and light-dark model. Biomarkers such as acetylcholinesterase and dopamine in the brain were measured along with various oxidative stress markers. Histopathology of the brain cortex and hippocampus were studied. Treatment with Eleusine indica extract at 200 mg/kg significantly reversed the pathogenesis induced by scopolamine, leading to an increase in acetylcholinesterase and dopamine levels. It is evident that decreases in transfer latency in elevated plus maze and Step through latency in Morris Water Maze. Eleusine indica extract showed strong antioxidant potency. Phytoconstituents in extract possesses free radical scavenging ability and protecting the brain structure and functions.

Medicinal plants constitute a valuable reservoir for discovering novel therapeutic compounds that target leukemia and various other forms of cancer. Plants of the genus Tillandsia, such as T. recurvata, have different ethnobotanical uses, including the treatment of hemorrhoids, gastritis, arthritis, ulcers, sore throats, cancer, and diabetes. Specifically, T. usneoides has been used by the indigenous Zenúes in the Urabá region for diabetes management. However, few studies have been published on T. usneoides. The aim of this work was to determine the chemical composition of T. usneoides extracts and evaluate their biological activity in vitro and in vivo in a murine model of acute myeloid leukemia. The chemical composition of the extracts and fractions were analyzed by chromatographic techniques revealed the presence of cycloartane-type triterpenes and methoxylated flavonoids. The in vitro cytotoxic effects on the breast cancer (4T1 and MCF-7), melanoma (B16-F10), and leukemia (K562 and DA-3/ER-GM) cell lines of the ethanolic extract and fractions were evaluated. Furthermore, T. usneoides extract decreased the proliferation rate of DA-3/ER-GM cells, as well as their glucose consumption, and exerted a pro-oxidant effect. Despite the in vitro cytotoxic effects exerted on the murine leukemia cell line, the ethanolic extract of T. usneoides did not exhibit antitumor activity in a murine model of acute myeloid leukemia, which suggests that ex vivo analysis has no direct correlation with the in vivo effect. This observation also highlights the role of the microenvironment in regulating the activity of antitumor molecules, particularly the extract studied here. Therefore, for the development of phytomedicines, as for other antitumor molecules, extensive in vitro and in vivo analyzes are warranted to demonstrate the various interactions necessary to control tumor growth.

Intestinal tight junction disruption is considered as one of key pathogenic factors of several diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases. At present, there is no FDA-approved drug targeting intestinal tight junction recovery. Coffea arabica pulp is an agricultural waste but its aqueous extract contains a number of polyphenol-rich, bioactive compounds. The main aim of this study was to elucidate the pharmacological effects of Coffea arabica pulp aqueous extract (CPE) on intestinal tight junction re-assembly. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) measurement indicated that CPE significantly enhanced TER across the intestinal epithelial-like T84 cell monolayers in a time- and dose-dependent manner with a maximal effect being observed at 1,000 µg/ml. MTT assay and nuclear staining indicated that CPE had no cytotoxic effect on T84 cells. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran permeability assay demonstrated that CPE suppressed intestinal tight junction-dependent leak pathway permeability. In addition, the effect of CPE on enhancing intestinal tight junction assembly was not affected by inhibitors of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Surprisingly, sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1) inhibitors abrogated CPE-induced tight junction assembly in T84 cell monolayers. Furthermore, immunostaining indicated that CPE enhanced re-distribution of occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) to cell junction region via SIRT-1-dependent mechanism. Collectively, CPE may be useful in the treatment of diseases related to intestinal tight junction disruption.

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a severe, rapidly progressing paralytic neuropathy that typically develops after infections. The aim of this case report was to provide an integrative approach to the management of GBS. A male patient of 35 years old diagnosed with GBS presented with sensory and motor deficits was administered Naturopathy and Yoga therapies(N&Y) for 10 days in Nature Care Hospital (NCH) in the southern part of India. For the rehabilitation of patients with persistent neurological illnesses. Notable results were observed in the improvement of sensory and motor (muscle power, strength, general condition, and daily activities) along with quality of life. These findings suggest that N&Y has positive impacts on the management of GBS, further research with a larger scale is needed.