Advances in Traditional Medicine最新文献

The estimation of basal metabolic rate is an important parameter in treating metabolic diseases and prescribing diet regimes. Some equations and analyses have been presented for a reliable estimate of basal metabolic rate. Although these estimates are plausible, they are all subject to errors due to unknown factors. The error reduction of this estimation is under debate. Based on some recent studies, significant similarities have been reported between factors affecting basal metabolic rate in modern medicine and temperament in traditional Persian medicine. Thus, our objective is to propose a new model to increase the accuracy of basal metabolic rate estimation based on temperament in traditional Persian medicine. Based on the available studies about the relationship between basal metabolic rate and temperament, we hypothesize that adding a new factor (warmness/ coldness) to common regression formulas of the basal metabolic rate may reduce the errors. In this article, we propose suggestions to confirm this model.

Justicia secunda is a therapeutic plant with acclaimed beneficial health effects including blood-boosting potential. However, scientific evidence from in vivo analyses to buttress such claims have not been exhaustively provided. Herein, we investigated the effect of J. secunda leaf extract on organs, hematology, lipid profile and endogenous antioxidant activity in male rats grouped into seven groups of five animals each. Tween-dissolved extract, in various concentrations (10 mg/kg body weight (bwt), 100 mg/kg bwt, 1000 mg/kg bwt, 1600 mg/kg bwt, 2900 mg/kg bwt and 5000 mg/kg bwt), was orally administered to group II–VII, respectively, whereas group one (fed 20% tween solution only) served as the control. After 28 days, the rats were sacrificed while blood was taken for hematological and biochemical assays. The liver, kidney and spleen were also isolated for histopathological analyses. In the sub-chronic toxicity analysis, the LD₅₀ was above 5000 mg/kg bwt. Packed cell volume, red blood cell and hemoglobin increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group II and IV compared with the other administered groups. No significant difference was observed in the activity of ALT, AST, ALP and creatinine (p < 0.05) across the groups administered 10, 100, 1000 mg/kg bwt extract relative to the control. The activity of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde was higher in the administered groups than the control. Cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was increased in a dose dependent manner in the treated rats. However, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was reduced.

Graphical abstract

African spinach (Amaranthus cruentus) is an edible-leaved member of the pigweed family grown widely in Africa as a cooked green vegetable. This research was aimed to investigate and evaluate the phytochemical, Proximate, FTIR, GC–MS and antibacterial properties in connection with health, safety, food and nutritional benefits of ethanol and hexane extract of African spinach leaves. African spinach leaves were extracted using ethanol and hexane. The aqueous ethanol and hexane extracts of African spinach leaves were used for the assessment of antibacterial activity by the agar well diffusion method. The leaves extracts showed the existence of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, phenols, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, carbohydrates, proteins, terpenoids and fixed oils and fats. The GC–MS assessment of the extract showed the existence of bioactive compounds. Different concentrations (50, 100 and 200 mg/ml) of African spinach leaves extracts against Shigella specie, Salmonella specie, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli demonstrated high level of inhibitions. The findings in this current research showed that African spinach contain better consumable quality. The bioactive compounds are used for the treatment of different diseases such as bacterial infection, cancer, diabetic and inflammation which confirmed their effectiveness in producing traditional medicine.

The development of effective therapy is required for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients because of the resistance action to temozolomide (TMZ). Bromelain (BRO) is a plant-derived therapeutic used against inflammation. The objective of this study is to appraise the effect of the BRO + TMZ combination on U87MG and LN229 cells and investigate its mechanism. The BRO + TMZ treatment resulted in synergistic effects that restricted cell growth and inhibited the colony formation of GBM cells. The combined treatment led to the initiation of early apoptosis resulting in the overexpression of BAX/caspase-3 (CASP3) and decreased transcript level of BCL-2. The BRO + TMZ induced the arrest in G0/G1 phase and decreased the migration mediated by the dysregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9. The BRO and TMZ combination treatment was observed to be more effective than the individual compound to inhibit cell growth in human GBM cell lines.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria infect mostly immunocompromised people. NTM infections incidence and prevalence increase has led to a public health problem. Combretum species are used as food by humans and animals, and medicinal purposes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antimycobacterial effects of plant extracts from selected Combretum species on Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium aurum as well as their mode of action on the most susceptible organisms. Antimycobacterial activity of the plant extracts was screened. Mycobacterium smegmatis was more susceptible to the extracts. The potent Combretum extracts were investigated for their effects on Rhodamine 6G transport and biofilms in M. smegmatis. The amount of Rhodamine 6G accumulated in M. smegmatis in the presence of extracts were also investigated. The C. zeyheri acetone extracts were the most potent efflux pump inhibitors. Surface extracts from C. zeyheri were the most potent disrupters and inhibitors of biofilms. The ethylacetate extract of another species, C. apiculatum lacked the effect on biofilms and this may be due to the lack of penetration of the extract into the already established biofilm. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography UPHLC-MS/MS analysis of acetone extracts from C. zeyheri indicated the presence of cirsimaritin, quinic acid, and ampelopsin glucoside and these could have contributed to the antimycobacterial activities of the extract. In conclusion, phytochemicals from C. zeyheri, C. platypetalum, C. apicultum species used in traditional medicine in Zimbabwe showed antimycobacterial and antibiofilm activity and may be used as sources of lead compounds targeting non-tuberculosis infections caused by M. smegmatis.

Wild mushrooms are a rich source of bioactive compounds. They have diverse pharmacological and nutraceutical importance that help to boost immunity against many life-threatening diseases. They have biological functions such as; antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and hepatoprotective activities, etc. Besides, they are globally used as a functional food due to low calorie (low lipid) and rich in proteins and carbohydrates. Overall, they are abundant in vitamins, minerals, fibres, nutrients, and a mighty source of potential bioactive secondary metabolites. This review aims to focus on the therapeutic values of wild mushrooms, which are found worldwide, and the availability of such wild mushrooms in Chhattisgarh based on previous literatures, to account the status of study on mushrooms in this state. It is found that a little to no work has been done on the diversity and therapeutic potentials of wild mushrooms in Chhattisgarh. This review gives a solid basis to investigate their properties from this region to support the livelihood of humanity.

Nowadays, numerous diseases are benefitted from phytosomal therapy. However, poor selectivity and bioavailability may be limiting factors of their therapeutic applicability. The distribution of hydrophobic phytochemicals has been proposed as a potential use for nanovesicles. Phytosomes are more stable, according to a recent assessment of the literature, since a chemical link is created between the phospholipid molecules and the phytoconstituent. Fewer phytoconstituents are needed, extending the action, and they are more bioavailable in their complex form. Due to the easy preparation of the bilayer vesicles and their adaptability, they have been widely used and approved by the scientific literature. In this review paper we describe the promising clinical and experimental findings of more than 100 phytosomal studies. The effects of phytosomes on the immunological, circulatory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory, integumentary, central and peripheral nervous systems, and musculoskeletal systems have all been studied according to the research compiled. These results confirm the greater effectiveness of phytosomes, both in terms of biological activity or reduced dosage, highlighting curcumin and silymarin as the most formulated compounds. Using such formulations to increase the bioactivity of phytochemicals and their bioavailability generally has advantages, allowing for lower dosages or higher biological activity as compared to using unformulated compounds. The conclusion of this study encourages the researchers to transfer their findings from research laboratories to market, for a further development of these products. The potential role of phytophospholipid complexes has a promising future for pharmaceutical applications with the help of physicians and other researchers.

Voacanga africana, is a medicinal plant widely used in many African countries. Various parts of this plant are used, but more especially the seeds are held in high esteem for it’s their additional economic value due to the presence of the alkaloids ibogaine, tabersonine, and voacangine. These alkaloids have peculiar medicinal uses in the treatment of psychotic ailments, drug addiction, and also serve as precursors for drug synthesis. V. africana is traditionally used to treat a myriad of diseases including malaria, worm infestation, amoebiasis, ulcers, pain, cardiovascular conditions, depression, fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, gynaecological conditions, delayed labour, kidney conditions, malaria, asthma and convulsions, however not all these have been investigated. Studies have demonstrate possible efficacy in the treatment of worm infestation, amoebiasis, ulcer, pain and inflammation, cardiovascular condition, depression, diarrhoea, onchocerciasis, mental disorder, and microbial infections. The plant also has CNS, neuro-protective, sedative, anti-microbial, anti-tumor and anti-oxidant activities. Further studies is however needed to verify its activity in the treatment of malaria, fatigue, gynaecological and, labour conditions, respiratory conditions and carious teeth. With respect to safety, the ethanolic leaf extract is reported to be relatively non-toxic with an estimated LD₅₀ of ≥ 5000 mg while the aqueous leaf extract had no significant alteration on the blood biochemistry or histopathology of essential organs in murine models. Some isolated alkaloids from this plant: vobtusine, voacangine and voacamine are however known to exhibit toxicity in the form of cardiac depressor activity, asphyxia and convulsions, hypertension and CNS depressant activities. In addition to alkaloids, the plant is also rich in saponins, tannins, terpenes, steroids, flavonoids, phenols, anthranoids, glycosides, and oils. This review therefore suggests the need for further robust and detailed investigations on the activity of the extracts and compounds of this plant and their potential toxicities.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of most critical inflammatory conditions. It is produced by different scenarios, which poses a challenge for its clinical management and treatment. Coumarins, a class of natural and synthetic compounds, identified as important candidates for new drugs due to their anti-inflammatory action, could be an alternative for the development of new medicines to manage ALI. In this article, we compile the results of a literature review to conclude whether coumarins are as effective as anti-inflammatory compounds when used in LPS-induced ALI in mice. The outcomes used as parameters to answer this question were: the ability to reduce the influx of inflammatory cells, and edema in inflamed lungs. A total of eight manuscripts were reviewed that unanimously addressed the anti-inflammatory efficacy of coumarin compounds in inhibiting the formation of edema and the influx of leukocytes into the lungs in LPS-induced ALI in mice. Most of the studies also highlighted the role of compounds in decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and these effects were associated with interference in the cell signaling pathways, which were investigated by some of the studies included in this review. The assessment of methodological quality showed that the studies evaluated in this review had moderate to high risk of bias, related to the lack of data on randomization of the animals, and the blinding of the investigators, compromising the reliability of the experimental results of the published works. Leading the results of the manuscripts is possible affirm that coumarins have important anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced ALI in mice, and the effect is comparable to the reference anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone.

Graphical abstract

The present study was designed to elucidate the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of argan oil (AO) (from the kernels of the argan tree, Argania spinosa) against acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis and associated alterations in the liver and kidneys of rats. Colitis was induced by intra-rectal administration of 4% AA solution for 3 consecutive days. Some groups of rats were treated orally with AO (5 mL/kg) for 5 consecutive days before and after AA administration, while other groups were treated with either the vehicle or AO alone. Macroscopic and microscopic lesions in the tissues were assessed, while oxidative stress, antioxidant parameters and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were determined by biochemical methods. Haematological and serum chemistry parameters were also evaluated. Administration of AO before or after AA induction produced improvements in body weight gain, faecal consistency, macroscopic and histologic scores of the colonic mucosa compared to rats treated with AA alone. Furthermore, AO treatment caused significant reduction in colonic levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and serum MPO activity, while glutathione S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were increased in the colon and kidneys, compared to the colitis control. Acetic acid treatment resulted in significant reduction in erythrocyte and leucocyte indices in relation to healthy controls. Taken together, treatment of rats with AO protected colonic tissues from acetic acid-induced inflammation and suggests that the oil may be considered for preventive and therapeutic purposes against inflammatory bowel diseases.