BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies最新文献

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.

Background: Herpes zoster (HZ) is a painful viral disease caused by varicella-zoster virus reactivation. Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), characterized by severe pain, is its most frequent complication. Due to the limitations of western medicine (WM) in managing these conditions, there is increasing demand for Korean medicine (KM). However, Korean medicine clinical practice guidelines (KM-CPGs) for HZ and PHN are not yet established. This study investigates current clinical practices and perceptions of Korean medicine doctors (KMDs) regarding HZ and PHN to facilitate KM-CPGs development.

Methods: An online survey was conducted from May 6 to May 15, 2024. Participants were notified via short message services and email. The survey, based on literature reviews, expert consultations, and previous surveys, was divided into sections on clinical practice status, diagnosis, treatment, progress, prognosis, prevention, and perceptions.

Results: A total of 1,122 KMDs responded. Pain or sensory abnormalities were most frequently considered in diagnoses and prognoses. KMDs used an average of 4.72 KM treatments. Acupuncture (93.2%) was the most commonly used treatment, followed by herbal medicine (75.6%) and pharmacopuncture (63.8%). Herbal medicine was rated as the most important treatment (94.6%), followed by acupuncture (90.1%) and pharmacopuncture (75.3%). The primary treatment goal was to alleviate pain or sensory abnormalities. Significant differences were observed across KMDs' experience groups in the perceptions of objective diagnostic tools (heart rate variability/Ryodoraku and digital infrared thermal imaging). Experience levels also affected the perceived importance of acupuncture and herbal medicine, with longer experience groups generally rating them higher. Notably, the > 10 years group rated the safety of acupuncture and herbal medicine significantly higher than the < 5 years group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: This first large-scale study addresses a critical gap, establishing a strong clinical consensus among KMDs prioritizing pain relief using a multimodal strategy (acupuncture, herbal medicine, and pharmacopuncture). The findings highlight the urgent need to standardize objective diagnostic protocols and provide an evidence-informed foundation for developing KM-CPGs, which can effectively complement WM in improving patient outcomes for HZ and PHN.

Background: Depression, a debilitating mental disorder, has become the leading cause of disability worldwide. A growing body of evidence supports the feasibility and effectiveness of multicomponent lifestyle medicine programs for the treatment of depression, including the recent novel multicomponent Traditional Chinese Medicine Lifestyle Medicine (TCMLM) program (Registered at ClinicalTrials.Gov with registration number: NCT05799586). However, little is known about participants' experiences and perceptions of the program and the aspects that require improvement. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perceptions of participants attending the multicomponent TCMLM program and practicing the related lifestyle behaviors.

Methods: In this descriptive qualitative study, purposeful sampling was used to recruit Hong Kong Chinese adults who had participated in the multicomponent TCMLM program between August 2023 and January 2024. Face-to-face focus-group interviews and semi-structured interviews were conducted with audio recording, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using conventional content analysis. All interviews were performed in classrooms in a university in Hong Kong.

Results: A total of 31 multicomponent TCMLM program attendees aged 20 to 65 years participated in the qualitative interviews. The content analysis identified three themes and 12 subthemes, namely, Theme 1: multicomponent TCMLM program originally being comprehensive and special (e.g., TCMLM program content originally being not unitary, increasing the number of methods for dealing with depressive symptoms); Theme 2: multicomponent TCMLM program being far more beneficial than expected (e.g., promoting diet, exercises, daily routine and sleep management based on TCMLM, improving physical functional status, improving one's personality); and Theme 3: practicing multicomponent TCMLM program having challenges (e.g., unsuitable conditions hindering some TCMLM practices in community).

Conclusions: This study provides fresh in-depth insights into the perceptions and experiences of Hong Kong Chinese adults with depression who attended the multicomponent TCMLM program and engaged in the related lifestyle behaviors. Meanwhile, the challenges encountered while attending the program and practicing the related behaviors offer valuable information for further optimization of the program and expanding its application in Hong Kong or other regions.

Background: Dortinia barnimiana is an indigenous plant celebrated for its traditional medicinal uses, especially in treating infectious diseases. Rich in bioactive compounds like phenolics and flavonoids, it exhibits notable antioxidant and antibacterial properties. As interest in indigenous plants grows, D. barnimiana stands out as a promising candidate for addressing modern health challenges, including antibiotic resistance and the pursuit of sustainable healthcare solutions. This study examines how different solvents (ethanol, ethyl acetate, and petroleum ether) impact the extraction of phenolics, flavonoids, and the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of D. barnimiana.

Methods: Crude plant extracts were prepared using the maceration technique. Total phenolic content was assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, while total flavonoid content was measured through the aluminum chloride complex formation assay. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH free radical scavenging method and ferric reducing power assay. Antibacterial efficacy was tested against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains using the agar well diffusion method, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) determined via broth microdilution. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).

Results: Ethanol extracts exhibited the highest phenolic content (185.16 ± 0.65 mg GAE/g dry weight) and flavonoid content (141.1 ± 0.75 mg CE/g dry weight). The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was also found in the ethanol extract (78.46 ± 0.41 µg/mL). Notably, the highest antibacterial activity was against Staphylococcus aureus (20.66 ± 0.57 mm) at 50 mg/mL, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed the lowest inhibition zone (0.33 ± 0.57 mm) at 6.25 mg/mL. The extracts demonstrated significant inhibitory effects, particularly against S. aureus, with an MIC of 6.25 mg/mL.

Conclusion: Ethanol emerged as the most effective solvent for extracting D. barnimiana leaves, showcasing impressive antioxidant and antibacterial properties that suggest potential applications in pharmaceuticals. Further research is essential to isolate and characterize the active compounds for the development of new therapeutic agents.

Background: Tobacco dependence poses significant health and economic burdens globally, with over one billion smokers and eight million deaths annually. Current smoking cessation strategies, including pharmacotherapy and behavioral treatments, often have limited efficacy and potential side effects. Acupuncture, a potential alternative treatment, has shown promise in previous studies, but its mechanism and long-term effects on craving remain unclear.

Methods/design: This two-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial will enroll 192 patients with moderate to severe tobacco dependence and randomly assign them to Acupuncture, sham-Acupuncture, or basic smoking cessation intervention groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Blinding will be performed on participants in the Acupuncture, sham-Acupuncture groups and statistical analysts. The 12-week trial will involve 8 weeks of treatment and 4 weeks of follow-up. The primary outcome is abstinence rate at week 8. Secondary outcomes include assessment with the following instruments: craving levels via the Visual Analog Scale and Tobacco Craving Questionnaire, withdrawal symptoms via the Minnesota Withdrawal Scale, working memory via the Sternberg paradigm, and response inhibition ability via the Go/NoGo task. Adverse events will be recorded. The study will adhere to SPIRIT guidelines.

Discussion: This trial will investigate the efficacy of acupuncture for tobacco dependence by including a sham control and examining long-term craving effects. Findings will contribute to understanding the potential of acupuncture as a safe and effective treatment option for tobacco dependence.

Trial registration: This trial was registered on the International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ITMCTR2024000817) on November 18, 2024.