BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies最新文献

Background: Chicoric acid (CA) has been used as a nutritional supplement, health food, and medicine because of its antioxidant property. This study aimed to investigate whether CA can prevent motor dysfunction in a zebrafish model of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: AB-strain zebrafish (24 hours post-fertilization) were incubated with 25 µM 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) with or without CA for 5 days. The levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione, reactive oxygen species and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in brain tissue were measured. Additionally, the expression of molecules from the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway were assayed by Western blot.

Results: Compared with the control group, zebrafish in the MPTP group had impaired motor function. Treatment with CA prevented the changes of the total distance, the mean speed, and attenuated dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in the PD zebrafish model. CA also reduced the levels of malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species and increased the antioxidant enzymes and glutathione level. Furthermore, CA augmented the expression of Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, GCLC, and GCLM in the brain of the PD zebrafish model.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest the protective effects of CA may be associated with regulating the antioxidant system, possibly involving the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a substantial contributor to cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Contemporary medications for CAD management need to be administered for longer periods with limited success. In addition, these medications have limitations owing to their adverse effects on long-term use. Therefore, it is imperative to identify safe, effective, and economical therapeutic options to lower the risk of CAD-related morbidity, mortality, and recurrence. This protocol was developed to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of Ayurveda interventions, Pushkar Guggulu and Haritaki, as an adjunct to standard care in individuals diagnosed with stable CAD compared with standard care alone.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) employs a double-blind, randomized controlled design and will be conducted at the Department of Cardiology, Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India. A total of 100 individuals of any gender aged 40-70 years and diagnosed with stable CAD will be enrolled in the study. The participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either Ayurveda interventions (Pushkar Guggulu capsules 1 gram, and Haritaki capsules 500 mg twice daily after meals) or the matching placebo of both the aforementioned Ayurveda interventions for 180 days. The conventional standard care per the current American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for CAD management will be provided in both groups. The primary outcome is the change in the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) score from baseline. The secondary outcome measures include the change in the grade of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society grading scale of angina pectoris; the change in the grade of the exercise stress test from baseline; the change in lipid profile, IL-6, and serum pro-BNP levels from baseline; the change in the need for standard care medications for CAD from baseline; and the change in health-related QoL (assessed by the SF-12 questionnaire). Safety will be evaluated by recording the incidence of adverse events and changes in laboratory safety parameters (CBC, LFT, KFT) from baseline.

Discussion: The outcomes of this RCT can be utilized to develop a strategy to integrate Ayurveda interventions with conventional standard management to achieve a better prognosis in CAD patients.

Trial registration: The study is prospectively registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2024/02/062553 dated February 12, 2024).

Background: SARS-CoV-2 remains a major global health challenge, as infection can lead to potential life-threatening conditions such as COVID-19. Emerging variants of the virus are characterized by higher transmission rates and immune escape mutations, enabling them to evade vaccine-induced immunity. Existing treatment options, including monoclonal antibodies, are often variant-specific and not widely accessible, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Natural compounds derived from medicinal herbs and green tea have demonstrated antiviral activity against various viruses and may offer promising, variant-independent therapeutic potential.

Methods: In this study, we examined the antiviral activity of four plant-derived compounds: glycyrrhizin, curcumin, harmaline, and (-)-epigallocatechin. The compounds were tested in vitro against SARS-CoV-2 D614G, Omicron BA.5, and Omicron XBB.1. The antiviral efficacy was assessed at subtoxic concentrations to evaluate potential therapeutic applicability.

Results: All tested compounds showed effective neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 D614G, Omicron BA.5, and Omicron XBB.1 at subtoxic concentrations. In particular, glycyrrhizin, curcumin, and harmaline exhibited potent antiviral activity across all tested variants.

Conclusions: Our findings support the potential of glycyrrhizin, curcumin, and harmaline as variant-independent treatment candidates for COVID-19. However, further clinical studies are necessary to validate their efficacy and safety in vivo.

Background: Bone remodeling depends on the balance between osteoblast-mediated formation and osteoclast-mediated resorption, with disruption contributing to osteoporosis and other osteolytic diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) serves as a critical regulator of skeletal homeostasis and inflammatory signaling. Panax notoginseng, traditionally used in bone trauma, contains notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1) as a principal bioactive component. However, the mechanisms by which NGR1 modulates osteoclastogenesis remain unclear.

Methods: A network pharmacology approach was employed to predict NGR1 targets and their intersection with NO regulation and osteoclastogenesis. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, GO/KEGG enrichment, and molecular docking were conducted to identify hub genes and pathways. Experimental validation was performed using CD14⁺ monocytes differentiated into osteoclasts under RANKL and M-CSF stimulation. TRAP staining, cathepsin K expression, and NO production assays were used to assess osteoclast formation, functionality, and signaling modulation.

Results: Network analysis identified 79 overlapping targets between NGR1, NO regulation, and osteoporosis, highlighting hub genes involved in inflammatory signaling (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF, PTGS2), apoptosis (AKT1, CASP3, BCL2, ESR1), and signal transduction (STAT3, MAPK3). Docking studies indicated strong binding potential of NGR1 to AKT1, PTGS2, MAPK3, and CASP3. Experimentally, NGR1 inhibited osteoclastogenesis in a dose-dependent manner, with significant suppression at ≥ 50 μM. NGR1 and the NO scavenger PTIO showed comparable inhibitory effects, in contrast to the pro-osteoclastogenic effects of the NO donor SNP. NGR1 treatment also reduced NO production and impaired osteoclast function, as demonstrated by decreased TRAP and cathepsin K expression.

Conclusion: This study provides the first comprehensive evidence that NGR1 acts as a multi-target regulator of osteoclastogenesis through NO-dependent mechanisms. By integrating the suppression of NO levels with predicted modulation of inflammatory, apoptotic, and signal transduction pathways, NGR1 suppresses osteoclast differentiation and function. These findings advance the molecular understanding of Panax notoginseng in bone health and support NGR1 as a promising therapeutic candidate for pathological bone loss, warranting further in vivo and translational investigation.

Background: Laser acupuncture (LA) represents a promising non-invasive neuromodulation technique, yet its therapeutic potential and neurophysiological mechanisms remain largely unexplored compared to traditional needle acupuncture.

Objective: To investigate the effects of LA at different motor-related acupoints on corticospinal excitability (CSE) and behavioural performance.

Methods: A single-blinded, randomized, sham-controlled crossover study was conducted with 18 healthy adults. Each participant completed four sessions (LA at LI4, LI10, LI11, and sham) in randomized order. Primary outcomes included cortical excitability measures via transcranial magnetic stimulation. Secondary outcomes assessed behavioural performance using Purdue Pegboard test and Choice Reaction Time tasks via PsyToolkit. The impact of participant-related factors on outcomes was evaluated.

Results: All active LA conditions significantly improved CSE compared to pre-intervention (p < 0.01), with reduced intracortical inhibition and increased facilitation. LI4 and LI10 demonstrated superior CSE modulation versus sham (p < 0.01), while LI11 showed no significant difference. LI4 additionally improved reaction time performance (p < 0.05), and LI10 exhibited significant immediate post-intervention effects within the session. Higher participant expectancy correlated with greater CSE enhancement (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: LA at LI4 and LI10 could enhance CSE and behavioural performance, potentially through GABAergic and glutamatergic pathways, as suggested by changes in intracortical excitability. These findings support LA as a non-invasive neuromodulation technique and highlight the importance of acupoint specificity and expectancy effects in cortical excitability outcomes.

Clinical trials registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12625000337471.

Background: The "prone stretching and adjusting cervical manipulation", known for its therapeutic benefits in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR), has demonstrated notable clinical success. However, understanding its mechanism of action remains an underexplored area. This study aimed to elucidate the biomechanical impact of this technique on the cervical spine using three-dimensional finite element analysis.

Methods: Leveraging detailed CT scan data from a healthy adult female, we constructed a comprehensive three-dimensional finite element model encompassing the seven cervical vertebrae and five intervertebral discs. The model was validated by comparing its predicted segmental range of motion with experimental data from the literature under flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. We simulated the manipulation process on this model, applying relevant mechanical parameters, and measured the stresses and foraminal areas across the cervical vertebrae and discs before and after the simulated manipulation.

Results: Post-simulation analysis revealed a marked reduction in overall stress within the cervical spine's vertebral bodies, with the maximum stress dropping from 123.31 MPa to 29.637 MPa. Similarly, the intervertebral discs exhibited a substantial decrease in overall stress, plummeting from 36.859 MPa to 8.4136 MPa. Additionally, the intervertebral foramen area on the contralateral side to the manipulation expanded, with the most substantial increase reaching 0.75 mm².

Conclusion: These findings suggest that the"prone stretching and adjusting cervical manipulation"may biomechanically reduce stress on the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs while expanding the intervertebral foraminal area, providing a biomechanical basis for the symptomatic relief in CSR.

Trial registration: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Gannan Medical University, China (no.2019806). (Clinical trial number: not applicable).

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that does not overexpress the HER2 protein. In some breast cancers, overexpression of HER2 makes the cancer more aggressive. Computational-aided drug discovery (CADD) was taken as an efficient alternative to conventional methods of drug design and development. This study has also been carried out using the same drug design and development methods from Rhazya stricta; whose extracts are traditionally approved to possess anti-cancer activity while choosing Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) as our target of interest. Phytochemicals present in Rhazya stricta were found from already published literature, to be tested as potential AURKA inhibitors through molecular docking, Prime MM-GBSA, and Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulations to know about the binding energies and fluctuating stability of ligands with protein. Five out of twenty-seven screened compounds showed stable complexes and remarkable binding scores ranging between - 6.569 kcal/Mol to -5.371 kcal/Mol with the target protein so can be investigated as potential lead compounds to treat HER2-negative breast cancer. The in-silico techniques employed successfully identified phytochemicals with potent human AURKA inhibitory properties. Compounds (6), (8), (5), (4), (1) as AURKA inhibitors have the potential to block AURKA by targeting p53 tumor-suppressing protein to prevent the further development of tumors. The MTT assay was performed to confirm the cell viability, cell inhibition, and cytotoxicity of the phytochemicals present in the plant extract.