Advances in Traditional Medicine最新文献

Hepatocellular carcinoma is considered as one of the most serious cancer types. The main objective of this research is to explore Enhalus acoroides (EA) (L.f.) Royle’s cytotoxic effects and methods of action on HepG-2 (hepatocellular carcinoma cell line). For the purpose of identifying the phenolic compounds in EA, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied. Using the MTT assay, the anti-proliferative effects on HepG-2 were assessed. The cell cycle arrest and apoptotic processes were investigated using flow cytometry. An analysis was performed to determine how seagrass influenced the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔψM). The impact of Caspases 3/7 was evaluated using the colorimetric assay. Finally, the expression level of gene expression using quantitative RT-PCR was investigated. The seagrass alcoholic extract effectively and concentration-dependently reduced the growth of HepG-2 cells without inflicting any adverse effects to normal human skin fibroblast HSF. EA primarily triggers apoptosis which results in cell death. A significant decrease in the G0/G1 phase and an increase of cells at S phase were indicators of the S phase cell cycle arrest. The results reflected the depletion in (ΔψM) in HepG-2 dose-dependently. Following therapy for 24 h, caspase 3/7 activities were enhanced. In conclusion, a quantitative real-time RT-PCR investigation for EA seagrass on HepG-2 demonstrated downregulated expression levels of the survival, BCL-2, CDC-2, and CC2DA1 genes. Collectively, the seagrass EA shows great promise as a hepatocellular cancer treatment and possesses the capacity to induce apoptosis in HepG-2.

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Fenugreek seed extract (FSE) is known to possess antidiabetic properties. The current study evaluated the comparative potency of 4 different components of FSE (Trigonelline, 4-Hydroxyisoleucine, Diosgenin, and Galactomannan) in amelioration of diabetes-induced hyperglycaemia; metabolic and stress disorders. FSE and the four bioactives were fed to normal and alloxan-induced type-1 diabetic rats for four weeks. Changes in pancreatic hormones, lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes, and expression of Glucose transporter-2 (GLUT-2) and Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) were evaluated. Key findings revealed the highest levels of serum insulin and GLP-1; islet cell regeneration, increased Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme inhibition, significant recovery of GLUT-2 and GLP-1R expression, and maximum levels of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLR) in trigonelline fed diabetic rats. The same bioactive also caused the maximum increase in various antioxidant enzymes with decreased serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in diabetic rats. The 4-Hydroxyisoleucine showed antidiabetic properties either equal to or less significantly as compared to trigonelline. Diosgenin on the other hand caused maximum stimulation only in lipid metabolism whereas galactomannan couldn’t produce significant changes in any parameters over the other 3 components. The results indicated trigonelline is the most desirable component of FSE and may be used as a phytotherapeutic agent for the holistic management of type-1 diabetes.

Plant secondary metabolites have been gaining significant attention as potential cancer therapeutics in recent years. In several cases, these are present in plants that are commonly found in the surrounding environment. This study explores the anticancer properties of the methanolic extract of Oxalis corniculata, a common creeper plant known to have medicinal properties. The phytochemical characterization of the extract was performed by biochemical tests and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). Cytotoxicity studies on the HCT-116 cell line have shown that the extract can inhibit cell proliferation with an IC₅₀ value of 119.498 µg/mL. Through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, it has been observed that two constituents of the extract namely Desulphosinigrin and d-Glycero-d-ido-heptose exhibit strong and specific interactions with the caspase binding site of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). Thus, these compounds may be capable of inhibiting XIAP in the cellular environment, thereby promoting apoptosis, resulting in the death of cancer cells.

Lecithin is one of the most useful and valuable by-products of the oilseed industry and has long been a crucial component of a wide range of both food and non-food items. Lecithin obtained from soybean (Soy) is called soy lecithin and is composed of triglycerides, fatty acids, pigments, sterols, steroid glycosides, esters, tocopherols, and carbohydrates. Lecithin serves a variety of industrial purposes in food as well as non-food industries. Soy lecithin has grown in importance as a component of nutraceuticals and food supplements during the past few decades. Soy lecithin primarily consists of phospholipids including phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS) which plays a major role in biological and structural processes such as cellular signalling and membrane transport. Soy lecithin has exceptional biocompatibility and is amphipathic in nature. Because of these special qualities, soy lecithin is best suited to be used as a major pharmacological excipient, and it is broadly used in drug delivery systems. It also has a significant role in medicine as it is an antioxidant, increases biliary secretions, maintains cholesterol levels, storehouse of choline, and supports the synthesis of crucial neurotransmitters involved in memory recall and storage. The core intent of this review is to investigate and update the information on the therapeutic importance of soy lecithin and highlight its various other commercial roles in the pharmaceutical industries and food industries.

Opium Use Disorder (OUD) has the highest rate of opioid use disorder in Iran. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Azaraghi Majoon (AM), a traditional Persian compound, on a rat model of OUD. AM was prepared from a combination of 14 herbs plus honey, standardized by strychnine and brucine using high-performance liquid chromatography, and administered by gavage. One hundred twenty male mice were used to investigate the effect of AM on the manifestations of opium withdrawal syndrome and craving for opium. Naloxone-precipitated withdrawal signs and conditioned place preference (CPP) test were used to assess the scopes mentioned above of OUD, respectively. A modified schedule of opium dependence was used to assess physical dependence (last for eight days). 50 mg/ml/kg intraperitoneal opium and 50, 100, or 150 mg/ml/kg gavaged AM in different groups were administered in the CPP paradigm. In the CPP test, treating opium-addicted animals with AM (50 and 150 mg/kg for time and 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg for frequency) resulted in the extinction of preference for drug compartments. Also, the administration of AM decreased the number of jumping, diarrhea, rearing, and grooming following naloxone-precipitated opium withdrawal signs. As AM could improve both physical and psychological withdrawal signs of opium use disorder in rats in this study, the authors suggest consideration of clinical trials to investigate possible beneficial effects of AM in OUD patients.

The concept of body constitution (BC) is a core notion in traditional Chinese medicine, used in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention; however, there is little standardization in terms of definitions and measurements. To improve standardization, constructive questionnaires have been developed to classify the various BC types. One of the most commonly used is the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ). Despite including nine BCs, CCMQ lacks the blood-vacuity constitution, although it is often noted in clinical practice. In this study, we have modified the original CCMQ to include the blood-vacuity constitution and amended the language to better suit the Taiwan population. The revised questionnaire was given to a panel of experts to check for content validity, and then distributed to volunteers for completion. The reliability analysis, based on 512 valid questionnaires, achieved a Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.65–0.86. The content validity index scores ranged from 60 to 100. In addition, we collected demographic data from our volunteers and found that BMI, gender, exercise frequency, disease status, allergies, and psychiatric disorder status may impact the body constitution. Collectively, our study presents an expanded version of the CCMQ which includes the blood-vacuity constitution, and has been validated among the Taiwanese population. Demographic data also demonstrates possible relationships among BC, lifestyle and diseases.

The current investigation compared the efficacy of an ethanol extract of B. racemosa L. leaf against standard bacterial and fungal cultures. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of Phenol, Flavonoid and Tanin was studied by the appropriate methods; Heavy metal test was done by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer; Antimicrobial activity was done by disc diffusion and agar well diffusion method; MIC through 96 well method and antioxidant assay was performed by DPPH and ABTS. Ethanol extract of B. racemosa L. showed significantly higher inhibitory effect against E. coli, S. aureus and B. cereus, and moderate antimicrobial activity against K. pneumoniae, but it was inactive on fungal strain at lower concentrations. The minimum bactericidal concentration of B. racemosa L. extract against the pathogenic bacteria tested was 1.25 mg/ml for P. aeruginosa, 2.5 mg/ml for E. coli and 5 mg/ml for B. cereus, K. pnuemoniae, and S. aureus. The extract has exhibited antioxidant activity which was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS as 61.61 ± 0.61 and 64.45 ± 0.49% of inhibition in 250 µg/ml concentration. Prominent phytochemical bioconstituents, as determined by phytochemical investigation, comprise flavonoids (8.712 ± 0.7 mg/g Rutin equivalents), tannins (2.930 ± 0.73 mg/g Tannic acid equivalents) and phenol (12.06 ± 0.25 mg/g Gallic acid equivalents) etc. Lethality experiment was performed by using brine shrimp to determine the cytotoxicity of plant extract and the substantial mortality rate observed as LC50 = 22.8435 µg/mL. The result of fluorescence analysis showed various shades of green and brown fluorescence in visible light and various shades of green, blue and brown were found under UV light. HPTLC, FTIR and GCMS were done to find out the bioactive phytocompounds.

Acute diarrhea is a global health challenge, especially in developing regions. It accounted for 444,000 child mortalities in 2021, and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in its management is reported to contribute significantly to increase in antibiotic resistance. The objective of this study was to identify herbal drugs which are efficacious in acute diarrhea treatment. This systematic review assessed the efficacy of herbal medicines in treating acute diarrhea through the analysis of randomized controlled trials. The review followed PRISMA and the Cochrane Handbook guidelines. Literature search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Central, and a clinical trial registry for studies involving human subjects with acute diarrhea and herbal medicine (HM) interventions. Primary outcome measures included stool consistency, stool frequency, duration of diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and pyrexia. The search found 2581 articles, of which 9 involving 916 participants (72% children, 27% adults) were analyzed. The studies span 1976–2022, and assessed: Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense), Rheum ribes L. (rhubarb), Camellia sinensis (black tea), Potentilla tormentilla (Septfoil), apple pectin-chamomile extract, kaolin-pectin, Dirasif (multi-herbal preparation), Psidium guajava (guava folia), and Dowdo (wheat and milk herbal feed). The studies had varying participant age ranges, diarrhea causes, and risks of bias. Only C. sinensis was able to reduce stool consistency, while R. ribes and B. serrata reduced diarrhea duration significantly. Other HMs had positive effects on abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and pyrexia. Studies on C. sinensis B. serrata extract, R. ribes, and P. tormentilla extract demonstrated significant efficacy and, low to moderate risk of bias.

Historically natural compounds and their structural equivalents have significantly contributed to pharmacotherapy. Sesquiterpenes, the C15-terpenoids are the source of many modern pharmaceuticals and therapeutic medications. These are mostly present in higher plants as well as other living systems including fungi and marine animals. They exist naturally as hydrocarbons or in oxygenated forms like lactones, alcohols, acids, aldehydes, and ketones. The sesquiterpene alcohol; farnesol isolated from plants like Cymbopogon nardus, Polianthes tuberosa and Cyclamen persicum is a promising biomolecule having immense pharmacological properties. Various studies have shown its potential as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardioprotective, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antianxiety, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and anticancer agent. This review summarizes the importance of sesquiterpenes with special reference to pharmacological properties of farnesol, the design and development of its nano formulations such as a nanoparticle, nanogels, nanocomposites, etc., and their efficacy in in vivo and in vitro models.