African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM最新文献

Background: The need for an anti-osteoporotic agent is in high demand since osteoporosis contributes to high rates of disability or impairment (high osteoporotic fracture), morbidity and mortality. Hence, the present study is designed to evaluate the protective effects of vanillic acid (VA) against bilateral ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

Materials and methods: Forty healthy female adult SD rats were separated in to four groups with sham-operated control with bilateral laprotomy (Sham; n = 10), bilateral overiectomy (OVX; n = 10) group, OVX rats were orallay administrated with 50 mg/kg b.wt of VA (OVX + 50 VA; n = 10) or 100 mg/kg b.wt of VA (OVX + 100 VA; n = 10) for 12 weeks (post-treatment) after 4 weeks of OVX.

Results: A significant change in the body weight gain was noted in OVX group, while treatment with VA substantially reverted to normalcy. Meanwhile, the bone mineral density and content (BMD and BMC) were substantially improved on supplementation with VA. Also, the bone turnover markers like calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) levels were markedly attenuated in VA-treated rats. Moreover, the biomechanical stability was greatly ameliorated with VA administration. Both the dose of VA showed potent anti-osteoporotic activity, but VA 100 mg showed highest protective effects as compared with 50 mg of VA.

Conclusion: Based on the outcome, we concluded that VA 100 showed better anti-osteoporotic activity by improving BMD and BMC as well as biomechanical stability and therefore used as an alternative therapy for treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Background: Mammary hyperplasia is one of the most common benign breast disorders. Although traditional Chinese medicine has a vast experience in the treatment of mammary hyperplasia, it is not accepted widely due to its unclear mechanism.

Methods and materials: To address the mechanism, we developed a mouse model of mammary hyperplasia. We gave mice estradiol valerate tablets and progesterone capsules sequentially for one month by intragastric administration.

Results: Mice treated by this method had a series of pathological changes which are similar to those detected in women with mammary hyperplasia, including ectopic level of estradiol and progesterone in serum, hyperplasia of mammary glands and increased expression of ERα and PR.

Conclusion: This model will facilitate the mechanical study of traditional medicine on mammary hyperplasia.

Background: Xuefu Zhuyu Tang (XFZYT), first recorded in Correction of Errors in Medical Works by Qing-ren Wang, has been proven reliable and effective for curing various diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and angina pectoris. It consists of 11 herbs and two of them, Radix platycodonis and Radix cyathulae, have been traditionally considered as guiding herbs and deeply valued by tens of millions of Chinese medicine practitioners. Do Radix platycodonis and Radix cyathulae affect the pharmacokinetics of the effective constituent-paeoniflorin of XFZYT? If yes, in what way? This study aims to answer these questions.

Materials and methods: The medicinal solutions of XFZYT, XFZYT without Radix platycodonis (XFZYT-JG), XFZYT without Radix cyathulae (XFZYT-NX), and XFZYT without Radix platycodonis and Radix cyathulae (XFZYT-JG-NX) were prepared and administrated to rats in the normal group and the blood-stasis model group by gavage, respectively. The blood samples of rats in the normal group were obtained 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 240 minutes after gavage; whereas the blood samples of rats in the blood-stasis model group were obtained 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 90, 150, and 240 minutes after gavage. Biological samples were processed; the assays of specificity, precision, linearity, intra-day and inter-day precisions, recovery and stability were conducted; high performance liquid chromatography was performed to detect paeoniflorin content; and DAS software was adopted to generate pharmacokinetic parameters. Mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile and water (16:84), detection wavelength was 230 nm, and riboflavin was set as internal standard substance.

Results: The pharmacokinetic parameters of the rats in the normal group after oral gavage of XFZYT, XFZYT-JG, XFZYT-NX, and XFZYT-JG-NX were C_max = (0.363±0.248, 0.065±0.020, 0.099±0.033, 0.099±0.020) mg/L, T_max = (0.276±0.084, 0.583±0.342, 0.555±0.228, 0.317±0.033)h, t_1/2 = (0.501±0.241, 1.021±0.522, 0.853±0.377, 1.227±0.402) h; and AUC_0-∞ = (0.381±0.415, 0.13±0.085, 0.166±0.066, 0.185±0.059) mg/L·h.; whereas the pharmacokinetic parameters for the rats in the blood-stasis model group after oral gavage of XFZYT, XFZYT-JG, XFZYT-NX, and XFZYT-JG-NX were C_max = (0.315±0.153, 0.215±0.044, 0.228±0.056, 0.248±0.09) mg/L, T_max = (0.5±0, 0.667±0.129, 0.5±0, 0.542±0.102) h, t_1/2 = (0.408±0.146, 0.813±0.135, 0.708±0.383, 0.741±0.173) h, and AUC_0-∞ = (0.306±0.157, 0.408±0.136, 0.368±0.159, 0.381±0.246) mg/L·h.

Conclusion: The guiding herbs, Radix platycodonis and Radix cyathulae, significantly increased the absorption amount and rate of paeoniflorin in XFZYT, and accelerated its elimination from the blood.

Background: Flavonoids are considered potential anticancer agents owing to their properties to interact with a diversity of cellular entities. Among flavonoids, methylated flavones are more efficient anticancer agents due to their higher stability in vivo. The purpose of the present study was, therefore, to evaluate the anticancer effect of methylated natural flavonoid 5, 7-dimethoxyflavone (5, 7-DMF).

Materials and methods: MTT assay was used to determine the anticancer activity and IC₅₀ of 5, -DMF). Cell viability, cell cycle distribution, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were carried out by flow cytometry. Apoptosis was studied by DAPI staining.

Results: MTT assay revealed that the molecule reduced the cell viability of HepG2 cancer cells. The IC₅₀ of 5, 7-DMF was found to be 25 µM. Our result indicated that 5, 7-DMF triggered production of ROS and significantly reduced ΔΨ_m . It also leads to arrest of HepG2 cells in Sub-G1 stage of cell cycle, and ultimately induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner, as indicated by DAPI staging. Additionally, 5, 7-DMF also reduced the colony forming potential of the HepG2 cells concentration dependently.

Conclusion: Taken together, we conclude that 5, 7-DMF induces cell death via ROS generation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and, therefore, may prove beneficial in the treatment of liver cancer.

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a class of the most commonly used medicines and proven to be effective for certain disorders. Some people use NSAIDs on daily basis for preventive purpose. But a variety of severe side effects can be induced by NSAIDs. Studies have shown that edible natural ingredients exhibit preventive benefit of gastric ulcer. This paper reviews the efficacy and safety of edible natural ingredients in preventing the development of gastric ulcer induced by NSAIDs in animal models.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, using the terms "herbal medicines" and "gastric ulcer", "herbal medicines" and "peptic ulcer", "food" and "peptic ulcer", "food" and "gastric ulcer", "natural ingredient" and "peptic ulcer", "natural ingredient" and "gastric ulcer", "alternative medicine" and "peptic ulcer", "alternative medicine" and "gastric ulcer", "complementary medicine" and "peptic ulcer", "complementary medicine" and "gastric ulcer" in papers published in English between January 1, 1960 and January 31, 2016, resulting in a total of 6146 articles containing these terms. After exclusion of studies not related prevention, not in NSAID model or using non-edible natural ingredients, 54 articles were included in this review.

Results: Numerous studies have demonstrated that edible natural ingredients exhibit antiulcerogenic benefit in NSAID-induced animal models. The mechanisms by which edible, ingredient-induced anti-ulcerogenic effects include stimulation of mucous cell proliferation, antioxidation, inhibition of gastric acid secretion, as well as inhibition of H (+), K (+)- ATPase activities. Utilization of edible, natural ingredients could be a safe, valuable alternative to prevent the development of NSAID-induced gastric ulcer, particularly for the subjects who are long-term users of NSAIDs.

Background: Blood stasis has received increasing attention in research related to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and integrative Chinese and Western medicine. More than 90% of research studies use hemorheology indexes to evaluate the establishment of animal blood stasis models rather than pathological methods, as hemorheology index evaluations of blood stasis were short of the consolidated standard. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of hemorheology indexes in rat models of acute blood stasis (ABS) based on studies in which the ABS model had been confirmed by pathological methods.

Materials and methods: We searched the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI), Chinese Medical Journal Database (CMJD), Chinese Biology Medicine disc (CBM), Wanfang database, and PubMed for studies of rat blood stasis models; the search identified 18 studies of rat ABS models induced by subcutaneous injection of epinephrine combined with an ice bath. Each included study received a modified Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADES) score list and methodological quality assessment, then data related to whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, platelet aggregation rate, erythrocyte aggregation index, and fibrinogen concentration were extracted. Extracted data were analyzed using Revman 5.3; heterogeneity was tested using Egger's test.

Results: A total of 343 studies of rat blood stasis were reviewed. Eighteen studies were included in this meta-analysis; the mean CAMARADES score was 3.5. The rat ABS model revealed a significant increase in whole blood viscosity (medium shear rate), whole blood viscosity (high shear rate), plasma viscosity, platelet aggregation rate, erythrocyte aggregation index, and fibrinogen concentration compared to controls, with weighted mean differences (WMD) of 2.42 mPa/s (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.73 - 3.10); 1.76 mPa/s (95% CI = 1.28 - 2.24); 0.39 mPa/s (95% CI = 0.24 - 0.55); 13.66% (95% CI = 9.78 - 17.55); 0.84 (95% CI = 0.53 - 1.16); and 1.22 g/L (95% CI = 0.76 - 1.67), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and the platelet aggregation rate test methods were more sensitive when measured at 0-24 h than at 24-72 h after induction of blood stasis.

Conclusions: Rat blood stasis studies have incomplete experimental design and quality controls, and thus need an integrated improvement. Meta-analysis of included studies indicated that the unified hemorheology index of whole blood viscosity (medium and high shear rate), platelet aggregation rate, erythrocyte aggregation rate, and fibrinogen concentration might be used for assessment of rat ABS models independent of pathology methods.

Background: Fucoidan is a complex sulfated polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed and has a wide variety of biological activities. It not only inhibits cancer cell growth but also inhibits tyrosinase in vitro. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate the effect of fucoidan on B16 murine melanoma cells as the findings may provide new insights into the underlying mechanism regarding the inhibition of melanin formation by fucoidan. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the anti-melanogenic effect of fucoidan and its inhibitory effect on B16 cells.

Materials and methods: The influence of fucoidan on B16 melanoma cells and cellular tyrosinase was examined. Cell viability was examined by the cell counting kit-8 assay. Cellular tyrosinase activity and melanin content were determined using spectrophotometric methods and protein expression was analyzed by immunoblotting. Morphological changes in B16 melanoma cells were examined by phase contrast microscopy and apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry.

Results: In vitro studies were performed using cell viability analysis and showed that fucoidan significantly decreased viable cell number in a dose-response manner with an IC₅₀ of 550 ±4.3 µg/mL. Cell morphology was altered and significant apoptosis was induced when cells were exposed to 550 µg/mL fucoidan for 48 h.

Conclusion: This study provides substantial evidence to show that fucoidan inhibits B16 melanoma cell proliferation and cellular tyrosinase activity. Fucoidan may be useful in the treatment of hyperpigmentation and as a skin-whitening agent in the cosmetics industry.

Background: The present study was carried out in Mandwi area and its outskirts of Tripura district of tribal areas Autonomous district council to document the available ethno-medicinal plants and their traditional application among Mandwi tribes.

Methodology: Field explorations were carried out during the months of March-June 2013. The ethno-medicinal survey was conducted particularly with Tripuri tribe in Mandai area, with the help of local medicine men, locally known as bhoidho (Tripuri). Data were collected through structure questionnaires and observations during the field visits.

Results: In the present study the local population used a total of 51 plant species belonging to 32 families to cure a variety of diseases. Of the 51 plants, 21 were herbs, followed by trees (17) and shrubs (8). Climbers and ferns had reported 2 species for each one grass species was found. Fabaceae was the dominant family with the highest number of species (6) followed by Asteracae (4 species) and Lamiaceae (5 species). Seven other families had 2 species each and 22 families were represented by a single species. In case single diseases, the highest number of plants (7 species) was used for dysentery, followed by body pain (6 species), cough (6 species) and toothache (6 species).

Conclusion: The present study concluded that, the Tripuri tribes of the study area possess rich knowledge on the medicinal plants and their utilization. Thus the present study focuses on the documentation of the traditional knowledge of these valuable plants, which could enhance the potential of these medicinal plants to other communities as well and by understanding the importance, other communities can also be helpful for conservation of these resources for further use.

Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for development of atherosclerosis. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential effect of ginger oil alone or combined with rosemary oil as hypocholesterolemic agent in rats fed high fat diet.

Materials and methods: Healthy female albino rats (n=80) weighting about (150-180 g) were included in this study divided into two equal groups; Group (I): were fed on the basal diet. Group (I) were divided into 4 subgroups each 10: Group (Ia): negative control. Group (Ib): Rats received i.p 2.5 g/Kg b.w of ginger oil. Group (Ic): rats received i.p 2.5 g/Kg b.w of rosemary oil. Group (Id): Rats received i.p 5 g/Kg b.w mixture of ginger oil and rosemary oil (1:1). The second main groups; Group (II): high fat diet (HFD) were fed on the basal diet plus cholesterol (1%), bile salt (0.25%) and animal fat (15%) to induce hypercholesterolemia for six weeks. Group (II) was divided into 4subgroups: Group (IIa): HFD. Group (IIb): HFD were treated with i.p 2.5 g/Kg b.w ginger oil. Group (IIc): (n=10) HFD were treated with i.p 2.5 g/Kg b.w rosemary oil. Group (IId): (n=10) HFD were treated with i.p 5 g/Kg b.w mixture of oils.

Results: It was found that HFD rats showed a significant elevation in glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase and a reduction in serum HDL-c compared with negative control. Treatment with ginger oil, rosemary oil and their mixture modulated the elevation of these parameters. Histopathological examination of the liver tissue of HFD rats showed a lipid deposition and macrophage infiltration and stenosis of hepatic vein. Treatment with mixture oils preserves normal structure of liver.

Conclusion: It was concluded that, hypocholesterolemic effect was related to the active oil content as Rosemary oil contain - α-pinene, Camphor, cineole, borneol and Ginger oil contain Linalool, Terpineol, Borneol, Eucalyptol.

Background: Since the time when drugs began to be used, it became evident that they could produce a therapeutic effect, but also a clinical condition of toxicity or no effect at all on humans, despite using the same doses in different patients. Such untoward effects were termed "drug idiosyncrasy" and also "idiosyncratic drug effects", but the factors producing such diverse responses were never taken into account.

Materials and methods: Ruta chalepensis L. (fringed rue) is an herbaceous plant of the Rutaceae family used in traditional medicine due to its properties, such as its analgesic and antipyretic effects. This study used 25 male rats divided into five groups. Plant extract was administered to Groups 1 and 2 at doses of 100 and 30 mg/kg/day, respectively, for three days; Group 3 was administered 100 mg/kg/day of dexamethasone (DEX), as well as 100 mg/kg/day of Ruta chalepensis extract; Group 4 was administered 100 mg/kg/day of DEX and treated as positive control; Group 5 was treated as negative control and was administered a physiological solution. Twenty-four hours after the the last dose, the animals were sacrificed and their livers were extracted.

Results: The aqueous extract of Ruta chalepensis, intraperitoneally administered, was able to induce cytochrome 3A1 in doses of 30 mg/kg/day, and a greater inducing effect occurs when the plant is co-administered in doses of 100 mg/kg/day with dexamethasone.

Conclusion: This study suggests that aqueous extract of Ruta chalepensis can induce cytochrome 3a1. This study helps provide a better understanding of CYP3a regulation. Future in vitro work is needed to determine the compounds that produce the cytochrome modulation.