BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies最新文献

Background: Children are anxious when hospitalized due to being away from home and undergoing treatment.This anxiety has an effect on their disease process, treatment, growth and development.Children's anxiety has an effect on parents' anxiety and can lead to lower level of cooperation among the children and their parents with the treatment team.the present study aimed to compare the effect of play therapy and storytelling on the anxiety of hospitalized children.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial study with a three-group design (play therapy, storytelling and control) was conducted in 75 children aged 3 to 10 years admitted to Imam Ali Alborz Hospital of Karaj, Iran between 2022-2023.The data before and after the intervention were collected by the Spence children's anxiety scale and the face tool for anxiety assessment and analyzed by the Mixed effect model statistical method.

Results: There is a statistically significant difference between the anxiety score of the children for whom storytelling was used and control group. Also, among the two therapies of storytelling and play therapy, only storytelling therapy has a significant effect on reducing children's anxiety.Regarding the time of measuring the anxiety score(the first, second, third day after the intervention), it was found that as this time increases, the children's anxiety decreases significantly.morever, the children's gender, age, and history of hospitalization are influencing factors.

Conclusion: Play therapy and storytelling play an effective role in controlling the anxiety of hospitalized children, although storytelling had a greater role in reducing the anxiety of hospitalized children than play therapy. It is suggested to provide the necessary conditions and facilities for the implementation of these methods in children's inpatient departments.

Trial registration: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/ ,IRCT20220704055367N1,13/7 /2022.

Background: This study evaluated in vitro antigiardial activity in four Indonesian plants (Archidendron fagifolium, Diospyros sumatrana, Piper betle and Shorea sumatrana) extracted in methanol, methanol-tetrahydrofuran, and water. These plants exhibiting promising anti-parasitic activity were selected on the basis of collected behavioral data and their ability to decrease parasite load in Sumatran orangutans. Extracts of Arabidopsis thaliana, a plant routinely used as a laboratory model in research, were used as a negative control.

Methods: Plant extracts of different concentrations (400, 100, 25 and 6.25 µg/ml) and metronidazole (100 µg/ml), a standard giardicidal drug, were incubated with 25,000 trophozoites per milliliter of growth medium in 12-well tissue culture plates under anaerobic conditions for 72 h. Cultures were counted in a hemocytometer using a light microscope and then statistically evaluated. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was determined by the MTT Cell Viability Assay.

Results: We recorded a statistically-significant decrease in giardia trophozoites in two extracts: the methanolic extract of A. fagifolium (Kruskal-Wallis: p = 0.013) and the aqueous extract of P. betle (Kruskal-Wallis: p = 0.002). Effective concentrations of 400 µg/ml and 100 µg/ml, respectively, were revealed. Cytotoxicity was not demonstrated.

Conclusions: The results of our study show that extracts of A. fagifolium and P. betle have potential as an alternative treatment of G. intestinalis infection. This is the first scientific proof of the biological activity of A. fagifolium, confirming the assumption that orangutans use this plant (as well as P. betle) for self-medication.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of the chemotherapy drug Carfilzomib (CFZ) and Pistachio hull extract on the SK-BR3 breast cancer cell line.

Methods: In this experimental study, we evaluated the effect of Pistachio hull extract and CFZ as standalone treatments on cell viability using the MTT assay at 24- and 48-hours post-treatment. Following this, we conducted combination therapy analyses to assess the potential synergistic relationship between Pistachio hull extract and CFZ after 24- and 48-hours of treatment on both the SK-BR3 breast cancer cell line and the MCF10A normal cell line. We utilized real-time PCR to measure the expression levels of MDR1, MRP1, NF-κB p65, and Caspase3 genes. Additionally, the NF-κB p65 transcription factor was evaluated using ELISA after 24- and 48-hours.

Results: The MTT assay revealed IC50 values of 2.014 mg/mL and 1.031 mg/mL in the SK-BR3 cell line, and 3.265 mg/mL and 2.994 mg/mL in the MCF10A cell line at 24- and 48-hours post-treatment with Pistachio hull extract. CFZ concentrations of 0.181 × 10^- 3 mg/mL and 0.0057 × 10^- 3 mg/mL in the SK-BR3 cell line, as well as 5.54 × 10^- 3 mg/mL and 2.51 × 10^- 3 mg/mL in the MCF10A cell line, inhibited growth by up to 50%. The analysis of combination therapy indicated a synergistic effect between the two treatments after both 24- and 48-hours of exposure. Real-time PCR results demonstrated significant alterations in the expression of MDR1, MRP1, NF-κB p65, and Caspase3 genes, along with changes in NF-κB p65 protein levels in both cell lines following treatment with Pistachio hull extract, CFZ, or their combination compared to the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The findings highlight the effectiveness of CFZ as a proteasome inhibitor when used in conjunction with Pistachio hull extract in breast cancer cell lines. Therefore, both CFZ and Pistachio hull extract, whether administered alone or in combination, represent promising molecular targets for breast cancer treatment.

Background: Hexaflumuron (HFM), a common pesticide, can disrupt the immune system and cause oxidative stress. This study investigated the potential of Physalis peruviana L. calyces extract (PP) to counteract these effects in rats.

Methods: Rats were divided into 6 groups including control, PP-treated, HFM-exposed, and co-treated (HFM + PP) groups. Immune function, antioxidant activity, and organ damage were assessed. Furthermore, UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified potential bioactive compounds in PP extract.

Results: HFM exposure suppressed immune responses and caused organ damage. Notably, the co-administration of PP extract with HFM reversed these effects, indicating its ability to reduce oxidative stress and protect the immune system. UPLC-MS/MS analysis of PP calyces ethanolic extract revealed its richness in various health-promoting metabolites, including acyl sucrose sugar, withanolides, and flavonoids, which may provide valuable insight into the underlying mechanisms of PP's calyces protective effects against HFM toxicity.

Conclusions: This study provides novel insights into the potential of P. peruviana L. calyces ethanolic extract as a natural agent to counteract the harmful effects of HFM exposure. These findings have significant implications for developing effective strategies to mitigate pesticide-induced toxicity and promote human health.

Background: Demonstrating a positive impact of educational programs on clinical care outcomes is challenging. We assess students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors as short-term outcomes of integrating a structured Traditional Chinese Medicine course within a Western medical school.

Methods: A prospective questionnaire survey was conducted among first-year and second-year undergraduate medical students who participated in the "Introduction to Chinese Medicine" course in 2020. The survey assessed their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors before and after completing the 32-hour course.

Results: In total, 89 participants who completed both pre- and post-course questionnaires exhibited significantly higher scores in Chinese medicine knowledge after the course (3.82 ± 0.67 vs. 4.05 ± 0.73, p = 0.002). The majority of medical students displayed positive attitudes towards traditional Chinese medicine (80.9% vs. 83.3%, p = 0.392), particularly regarding the statement, "Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes holistic considerations and whole person health to a greater extent than Western medicine does" (75.3% vs. 88.8%, p = 0.017). Additionally, most medical students reported proactive behaviors related to integrative care with Chinese medicine, including inquiring about Chinese medicine therapy history (76.4%), the concurrent use of Western and Chinese medications (78.7%) and participating in academic exchanges with Chinese medicine physicians (78.7%) after the course. More medical students expressed an intention to proactively learn more about Chinese medicine after the course (40.4% vs. 51.7%, p = 0.031).

Conclusions: The elective "Introduction to Chinese Medicine" course enhanced Taiwanese Western medical students' knowledge of Chinese medicine, fostered positive attitudes towards integrative healthcare involving Chinese medicine, and increased their willingness to learn more about Chinese medicine for future clinical practice.

Trial registration: Registration prior to patient enrollment was not applicable because participants were not assigned to treatment groups in this study.

Introduction: Anzi Tiaochong Fang (ATF) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Fangji widely used to treat antiphospholipid syndrome-related recurrent pregnancy loss (APS-RPL). This study aimed to identify the quality markers and elucidate the mechanisms of ATF in treating APS-RPL.

Methods: Chemical, network pharmacology, and in vitro verification were employed to identify quality markers and mechanisms of ATF. HPLC-MS/MS was used to identify and quantify ATF compounds. APS-RPL targets were identified using databases such as HERB, similarity ensemble approach, PharmMapper, Swiss Target Prediction, Gene Expression Omnibus, Genecards, and DisGeNET. GO and Reactome analyses were conducted using KOBAS-i. In vitro verification was performed using CCK-8, FDA staining, and ELISA.

Results: This study identified 23 compounds and 942 targets, including 132 APS-RPL targets and 42 targets between ATF and APS-RPL. GO analysis demonstrated significant enrichment in cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, positive regulation of angiogenesis, response to hypoxia, inflammatory response, and platelet degranulation. Reactome analysis indicated significant enrichment in Immune System, Cytokine Signaling in the Immune system, Signaling by Interleukins, Platelet activation, signaling and aggregation, and Signaling by VEGF. Core targets identified included VEGFA, ALB, TNF, IL-6, and STAT3, with liquiritigenin, nobiletin, ginsenoside Rb1, and astragalin identified as quality markers. In vitro experiments demonstrated that ATF promoted HTR-8/SVneo cell viability, significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-1β levels, and upregulated IL-6.

Conclusions: These findings contribute to the identification and quantification of potential quality markers and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of ATF, thereby supporting its therapeutic potential in the treatment of APS-RPL.

Background: Amongst all neoplastic diseases, breast cancer represents a major cause of death among the female population in developed and developing countries. Since alkaloid drugs are commonly used in chemotherapy to manage this disease, this study investigated the anti-proliferative effectiveness of alkaloid-rich fractions of Senna didymobotrya leaves only and with laser irradiation against MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Method and materials: A powdered sample of the plant leaves was extracted with 50% ethanol, filtered and their pH was adjusted with acid and base solution followed by partitioning with chloroform and ethyl acetate solvents. Cells were treated with 240 μg/mL of the respective extracts, while those in the photodynamic therapy groups, cells were exposed to laser (405 nm wavelength and 10 Jcm^-2) irradiation 6 h post extracts' administration.

Results: Treatment with the S. didymobotrya leaves alkaloid extracts significantly decreased the ATP concentration and overall viability of the MCF-7 cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cell groups treated with the extracts and laser light were considerably higher than in experimental groups treated with only the extracts. Moreover, the molecular docking analysis revealed the involvement of only hydrophobic bonds in the interactions of the plant's alkaloid-derived phytoconstituents' with selected cancer protein biomarkers.

Conclusion: Although the in silico analysis suggests that the plant-identified alkaloid phytoconstituents inhibition of estrogen receptor-alpha, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 and progesterone receptor proteins involved in breast cancer pathogenesis could explain a possible mechanism for the observed anticancer effect, more detailed in vitro molecular experiments are necessary to confirm these findings.

Background: This study investigated whether a sound intervention tuned to 432 Hz (Hz) yields differential effects on cardiovascular parameters and psychological outcomes compared to 443 Hz, which is the concert pitch in German professional orchestras.

Methods: Using a randomized cross-over design, patients with cancer were recruited to receive both a 15-minute sound intervention with a body monochord tuned to 432-443 Hz. Before (pre) and after (post) intervention, cardiovascular parameters were measured using the VascAssist2.0. In addition, visual analogue scales (VAS) for emotional well-being, anxiety, stress, pain and sadness were also assessed pre and post intervention.

Results: 43 patients (8 male, 35 female) with a median age of 61 years (range 35-86) were included. Both interventions led to a significant reduction in heart rate with a more pronounced effect for 432 Hz (median reduction - 3 bpm (432 Hz) vs. median reduction - 1 bpm (443 Hz), p = 0.04). While heart rate variability was increased exclusively by 432 Hz (median increase + 3 ms, p = 0.01), both vascular resistance (median reduction - 5%, p = 0.008) and stiffness (median reduction %, p = 0.04) were significantly reduced by 432 Hz, which was not observed at 443 Hz. Nevertheless, these effects were not significantly different compared to 443 Hz. On the other hand, 432 Hz led to a reduced pulse wave velocity (median reduction - 0.5 m/s, p < 0.001), which was also significantly different compared to 443 Hz (p < 0.001). Improvement in VAS was observed for both groups, with significant increases in emotional well-being and reduction in fatigue, anxiety and stress for both intervention timepoints, although the majority showed no increased VAS scores even before the intervention (median values 0 for anxiety and stress).

Conclusion: Sound interventions tuned to 432-443 Hz exert both positive effects in cancer patients. While psychological outcomes are improved by both interventions, 432 Hz leads to a more pronounced but not significantly different effect to 443 Hz on objective cardiovascular parameters, which reflect deeper relaxation.

Background: Patient engagement (PE) in clinical trials has gained importance yet remains uncommon, particularly in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a critical precursor to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Cannabidiol (CBD) shows potential in slowing MCI progression due to its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. In CBD research, PE is underutilized too. To design a study on CBD for MCI, we administered an online survey to individuals with MCI to better understand their preferences for trial setup and outcomes.

Methods: We asked 209 individuals with MCI to complete an online survey assessing (i) willingness to participate in a trial using CBD; (ii) importance of improvements in various domains; (iii) acceptance of adverse events (AEs); (iv) reasons for AE-related dropout; (v) willingness to undergo blood sampling and lumbar puncture to assess AD pathology; and (vi) willingness to participate in a trial with a 50% chance of receiving a placebo. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics.

Results: N = 118 agreed to participate and N = 88 completed the survey. Participants prioritized improvement in cognitive abilities (87.5%), followed by quality of life (63.6%), daily activities (55.7%), sleep (55.7%), pain (52.3%), mood (52.3%), behavior (48.9%), and anxiety (43.2%). Headache (55.7%) was the least accepted AE followed by nausea (46.6%), fatigue (35.2%), and diarrhea (35.2%). Persistent diarrhea (90.9%) and severe fatigue (84.1%) were the main reasons for potential dropout. While most would undergo blood sampling (67.0%), only a minority (21.6%) would accept lumbar puncture. One-third were ready to participate (34.1%), while 54.5% were interested pending details. Among those in favor of participation, 71.6% would participate even with a 50% chance of placebo.

Conclusions: Our study identified cognitive improvement as highly relevant for patients, indicating cognitive assessment tools as primary endpoints in MCI research. Given concerns about AEs, dose titration should be carefully considered to enhance acceptance and prevent AEs. Blood sampling seems well-accepted for AD biomarker assessment. Despite potential AEs, participation in a trial using CBD for MCI is seen as attractive, even under placebo-controlled conditions. This cross-sectional study emphasizes the importance of patient engagement in designing high-quality trials for using CBD to treat MCI.

Background: Reduced cardiac autophagy, inflammation, and apoptosis contribute to cardiovascular complications caused by metabolic syndrome (MetS). It is documented that the nuclear receptor 4A2 (NR4A2) could modulate autophagy and apoptosis in cardiac complications. The aim of this investigation was to assess the therapeutic potential of luteolin, with documented beneficial properties, against MetS-associated cardiac injury.

Methods: Forty male albino Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups randomly as controls, MetS, and MetS animals treated with luteolin (25, 50, 100 mg/kg ip). The animal's weight, blood pressure, lipid profile, tolerance to glucose and insulin, and cardiac histopathology were evaluated. Moreover, troponin T, creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), inflammatory profile (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), oxidative stress, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were analyzed to determine the cardiac state. Cardiac NR4A2 and p53, as well as apoptotic (B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 [BCL-2], Caspase [CASP]-3, and CASP-9) and autophagic mediators (Sequestosome-1/p62, Microtubule-associated protein 1 A/1B-light chain 3 [LC3], and Beclin-1) were measured by RT-qPCR and ELISA.

Results: Luteolin remarkably restored MetS-induced biochemical derangements and related cardiac injury via the suppression of apoptosis, inflammation, and stress but promotion of autophagy (p-value < 0.001).

Conclusion: Current findings revealed the promising therapeutical properties of luteolin against MetS-associated cardiovascular risks.