Hypertension is a global public health challenge, with a high prevalence across various regions and significant implications for cardiovascular risk. This article reviews the effectiveness of herbal medicine as a potential therapeutic approach for hypertension, offering an alternative or complementary solution to conventional pharmacological treatments. It highlights several natural agents that have demonstrated efficacy in lowering systolic blood pressure (SBP) in clinical and meta-analytical studies. The methodology involved a systematic review of articles that discuss herbal therapeutics for hypertension, focusing on their efficacy compared to placebo and standard treatments. The findings suggest that certain nutraceuticals, such as garlic, hawthorn, and CoQ10, can significantly reduce SBP, presenting a viable option for managing hypertension. This review underscores the need for further research to validate these findings and optimize herbal treatment strategies, potentially expanding the use of these natural products in clinical practice. The article aims to increase awareness among medical professionals and patients about the benefits and applications of herbal medicines in treating hypertension.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most prevalent cancer in Korea, significantly impacting morbidity and mortality. While advancements in early detection and treatment have improved survival rates, managing post-surgical recovery remains vital. Herbal medicine (HM) has emerged as a potential adjunct therapy to enhance recovery and quality of life (QoL) in patients post-GC surgery. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of HM in the post-surgical recovery of GC patients. We searched both Korean and international databases, identifying 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting our criteria. We assessed study quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and analyzed data with Review Manager Software (RevMan). Results: Our analysis included 1,546 patients from the selected studies, demonstrating that HM significantly improved gastrointestinal recovery times, including time to first flatus, bowel movement, and return of bowel sounds. Significant improvements were also seen in nutritional markers such as albumin and prealbumin, alongside beneficial effects on immune markers like CD3+ and CD4+ levels. QoL assessments using WHOQOL-BREF and QLQ-C30 scores indicated substantial improvements. HM had a favorable safety profile, showing a reduced incidence of adverse effects compared to controls. Conclusion: The findings suggest that HM can significantly enhance recovery and improve the quality of life following gastric cancer surgery, with a favorable safety profile. However, due to considerable heterogeneity in study results, extended clinical trials and rigorous follow-ups are recommended to assess long-term effects and side effects comprehensively.

The skin, as the body's largest organ, is vital for protecting against environmental stressors, regulating temperature, and preventing water loss. Maintaining a healthy skin barrier is essential for overall skin health and function. We examined the potential of a mixture of five traditional Korean herbal extracts—Cimicifuga racemosa, Paeonia lactiflora, Phellodendron amurense, Rheum rhaponticum, and Scutellaria baicalensis— referred to as herbal medicine composite 5 (HRMC5) for enhancing skin health. High-performance liquid chromatography identified 14 bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthraquinones, and alkaloids, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. The extract showed concentration-dependent effects on cell viability and provided UV protection at 6.25 g/L. It also significantly promoted wound healing, similar to the efficacy of epidermal growth factor. Furthermore, the mixture exhibited anti-inflammatory activity by downregulating Cox2 expression and upregulated key skin barrier proteins, including Involucrin, Claudin 1, and Collagen Type 1. These findings highlight the potential of this herbal mixture for addressing skin barrier dysfunction, inflammation, and facial redness, supporting its use in developing natural skincare products. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms behind these effects and assess its clinical applications.

Background: Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) receive traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for unmet clinical needs with psychotropic medications. However, the clinical characteristics of practices and outcomes of TCM in BD are not fully understood. This cohort study investigated the clinical characteristics, principal diagnoses, TCM interventions, and TCM prescriptions in patients with BD. Methods: 12,113 patients with BD were withdrawn from Taiwan's longitudinal health insurance database 2000 (LHID 2000) between 1996 and 2013. Chi-squared test for categorical variables and independent t-test for continuous variables. A p-value less than 0.05 indicated significance. Results: One-thousand and three hundred nineteen patients who visited TCM clinics after the diagnosis of BD were in the TCM group, while those who never visited TCM were in the non-TCM group (N= 1,053). Compared to the non-TCM group, patients in the TCM group had younger average age, a higher percentage of female individuals, more comorbidities of anxiety and alcohol use disorders, and higher mood stabilizer usage rates. The TCM group exhibited pain-related indications, including joint pain, myalgia, myositis, headache, and sleep disturbances. Corydalis yanhusuo and Shu-Jing-Huo-Xue-Tang were the most useful single herb and herbal formulas. Conclusions: Physicians need to be aware of the use of TCM in Patients with BD.

Rising obesity and associated multi-systemic complications amplify the health burden. Euphorbia kansui (EK) extract is clinically recognized for managing obesity. In human study, 240 obese individuals were categorized into two cohorts: those receiving solely herbal medicine (HM group), and those administered EK concomitantly with herbal medicine (EK group). An in vivo examination using C57BL/6-Lepob/Lepob mice elucidated mechanisms involving macrophages and gut microbiota, with associated metabolic advantages. The clinical study revealed a significant 7.22% body weight reduction during 91.55 average treatment days, and examined 16.71% weight loss at 300 days after treatment. In the whole subjects, 60.4%, 21.3% and 6.3% achieved weight reductions exceeding 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively. Impressively, the EK group exhibited superior weight loss compared to the HM group (EK: -7.73% vs. HM: -6.27%, p=0.012). The anti-obesity effect was positively associated with EK therapy frequency and herbal medicine duration. In vivo, EK significantly improved insulin sensitivity and mitigated infiltration of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) by modulating the CD11c+ and CD206+ subtypes. EK also correlated with increased Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes populations and reduced Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia. Consequently, EK is an effective adjunctive anti-obesity therapy offering metabolic benefits by modulating ATMs and gut microbiota profiles.

Long COVID is a persistent symptom that appears in many COVID-19 patients, regardless of whether they are asymptomatic, mild, or severe. At least 10% worldwide are suffering from long COVID. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells using six Korean national insurance-covered herbal prescriptions with therapeutic potential for mitigating inflammation in the respiratory tract, and additional network pharmacology analysis was performed. Soshihotang (SST) significantly downregulated iNOS and COX2 expression, reduced the production of NO (nitric oxide) and inflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6, and inhibited IκBα phosphorylation and reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-κB in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells. Network pharmacological analysis showed that SST was closely related to the NF-κB signaling pathway. Further study on the potential of herbal prescriptions will be needed before they can be used clinically by long COVID patients.

Piperine, an active plant alkaloid from black pepper (Piper nigrum), has several pharmacological effects: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory, which involves inhibiting molec-ular events associated with various stages of cancer development. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of action of piperine in relation to its potential anticancer effect on head and neck cancer cells. Parameters related to neoplastic potential, analysis of cyto-kine, protein and gene expression were investigated in the head and neck cancer cell lines (HEp-2 and SCC-25) treated with piperine. The results of the tests indicated that piperine modified mor-phology, inhibited viability and the formation of cell colonies. Piperine promoted genotoxicity by triggering apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in G2/M and S. A decrease in cell migration was also observed, and decreased expression of MMP2/9 genes. Piperine also reduced the expression of inflammatory molecules (PTGS2 and PTGER4), regulated the secretion of cytokines (IF-y and IL-8) and modulated the expression of ERK and p38. These results suggest that piperine exerts anti-cancer effects on tumor cells, and could be a promising natural treatment by regulating signaling pathways associated with head and neck cancer.

The plants Agave sisalana (sisal) and Punica granatum (pomegranate) are rich in saponins, which are secondary metabolites known for their therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory effects. Although, Brazil is the world's leading sisal producer, approximately 95% of the leaves are discarded after fiber extraction. Similarly, pomegranate peel waste is abundant in Brazil. To address the need for safe and effective anti-inflammatory treatments. This study aimed to create a topical mucoadhesive gel containing a combination of sisal (RS) and pomegranate residue ex-tracts (PR). In vitro experiments examined isolated and combined extracts, as well as the result-ing formulation, focusing on: 1) phytochemical analysis (total saponin content); 2) cytotoxicity (MTT assay); and 3) pharmacological assessment of anti-inflammatory activity (phagocytosis, macrophage spreading, and membrane stability).Results revealed saponin concentrations in grams per 100 grams of dry extract as follows: SR - 29.91 ± 0.33, PR - 15.83 ± 0.93, Association (A) - 22.99 ± 0.01, Gel Base (G1) - 0.00 ± 0.00, and Association Gel (G2) - 0.52 ± 0.05. In MTT tests for isolated extracts, cytotoxicity values (µg/mL) were 3757.00 for SR and 2064.91 for PR. Converse-ly, A and G2 exhibited no cytotoxicity, with increased cell viability over time. All three anti-inflammatory tests confirmed the presence of this activity in SR, PR, and A. Notably, G2 demon-strated an anti-inflammatory effect comparable to dexamethasone.In conclusion, the gel contain-ing SR and PR holds promise as a novel herbal anti-inflammatory treatment. Its development could yield economic, social, and environmental benefits by utilizing discarded materials in Brazil.

Gasca D herbal formulation is an antidiabetic medicine for the management of diabetes mellitus produced exclusively from natural ingredients. The level of some essential elements (Copper, chromium, Cobalt, Iron, Manganese, Nickel and zinc) and toxic (Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury, and Lead) heavy metals were determined using microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES). The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of essential and toxic heavy metals and also identify bioactive compounds present in Gasca D herbal formulation. The result shows no traces of Lead, Mercury, Zinc, Arsenic and Zinc, Iron was found to have highest concentration 67.16 + 7.5 µg/g and Cadmium lowest concentration 0.4 + 0.03µg/g. GC-MS analysis of Gasca D herbal formulation revealed the presence of 14 biologically active compounds which include N-Formyl-beta-alanine, Paromomycin, 3,4-Altrosan, Benzamide, 1,3,4-Thiadiazol-2-amine, Carbamodithioic acid, Carbonic acid, alpha-D-Glucopyranoside, Ethyl isocyanide, 2-Propanesulfinic acid, Propanamide, 2-Butenenitrile, Dicyclopropyl carbinol, Isoxazolidine, 1,5-Hexadiene 10-Azido-1-decanethiol. Conclusion: The result indicates that the mean levels of toxic metals in Gasca D herbal formulation were below WHO permissible levels. Gasca D herbal formulation also contains various bioactive compounds that can have various medicinal application which can be used for the treatment of various diseases.

Public perception contrasts scientific findings on the depression-related effects of cannabis. However, earlier studies were performed when cannabis was predominantly illegal, its production was mostly uncontrolled, and the idea of medical cannabis was incipient only. We hypothesized that recent changes in attitudes and legislations may have favorably affected research. In addition, publication bias against cannabis may have also decreased. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted a systematic review of research studies published over the last three years. We found 156 relevant studies. In most cross-sectional studies, depression was higher in those who consumed cannabis than in those who did not. An increase in cannabis consumption was typically followed by an increase in depression, whereas withdrawal from cannabis ameliorated depression in most cases. Albeit medical cannabis reduced depression in most studies, none of these were placebo controlled. In clinical studies published in the same period, placebo also ameliorated depression and in addition, the average effect size of placebo was larger than the average effect size of medical cannabis. We also investigated the plausibility of the antidepressant effects of cannabis by reviewing molecular and pharmacological studies. Taken together, the reviewed findings do not support the antidepressant effects of herbal cannabis.

The aging of the global population has increased the prevalence of neurodegenerative conditions. Bacopa monnieri (BM), an herb with active compounds, such as bacosides A and B, betulinic acid, loliolide, asiatic acid, and quercetin, demonstrates the potential for brain health. Limited research has been conducted on the therapeutic applications of BM in neurodegenerative conditions. This systematic review aims to project BM's beneficial role in brain disorders. BM has anti-apoptotic and antioxidant actions and can repair damaged neurons, stimulate kinase activity, restore synaptic function, improve nerve transmission, and increase neuroprotection. The included twenty-two clinical trials demonstrated that BM can reduce Nuclear Factor-κB phosphorylation, improve emotional function, cognitive functions, anhedonia, hyperactivity, sleep routine, depression, attention deficit, learning problems, memory retention, impulsivity, and psychiatric problems. Moreover, BM can reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress. Here, we highlight that BM provides notable therapeutic benefits and can serve as a complementary approach for the care of patients with neurodegenerative conditions associated with brain disorders. This review adds to the growing interest in natural products and their potential therapeutic applications by improving our understanding of the mechanisms underlying cognitive function and neurodegeneration and informing the development of new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Research has shown that the consumption of herbal teas is linked with positive effects on the regulation of postprandial blood glucose level. In this study, a comparative analysis of aqueous and ethanol extractions is performed on four herbal teas (Mallotus, Cyclocarya, Rubus, Vine) to evaluate their phytochemical profiles and functional activities. Investigations of phytochemical contents, antioxidant activities, α-glucosidase inhibitory activities and chemical compositions are carried out through colorimetric analyses and UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS/MS, respectively. Results showed that among the studied herbal teas, Vine exhibited the highest glucose re-gulating abilities under both aqueous and ethanol extractions. Overall, ethanol extracted samples yielded higher phytochemicals content, but the compositions of the phytochemicals varied. Meanwhile, aqueous extracts showed surprisingly strong antioxidant activities and comparable α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with ethanol extracts. Phytochemicals contents presented a positive correlation with antioxidant activities and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Nevertheless, antioxidant activities displayed a weak positive correlation with α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Results from this study provided evidence that aqueous extracts from herbal teas possessed valuable phytochemicals composition for antioxidants and the hyperglycemic populations, and are promising candidates for potential applications as functional ingredients with health promoting effects and as natural additives to boost the nutritional value of herbal food products.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the world that causes death in women. It is mainly caused by persistent infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) that triggers a chronic inflammatory process. Therefore, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs is a potential treatment option. The effects of piperine, an amino alkaloid derived from Piper nigrum, are poorly understood in cervical cancer inflammation, making it a target of research. This work aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of piperine on cervical cancer and to determine whether this effect is modulated by the cyclooxygenase 2 (PTGS2) pathway using in vitro model of cervical cancer (HeLa, SiHa, CaSki), and non-tumoral (HaCaT) cell lines. The results showed that, piperine reduces in vitro parameters associated with neoplastic evolution such proliferation, viability and migration by cell cycle arrest in the G1/G0 and G2/M phases, with subsequent induction of apoptosis. This action was modulated by downregulated of cyclooxygenase 2 (PTGS2) pathway, which in turn regulates the secretion of cytokines and the expression of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), metalloproteinases (MMPs), and their antagonists (TIMPs). These findings indicate the phytotherapeutic potential of piperine as complementary treatment in cervical cancer.

Leishmaniasis is considered one of the different neglected tropical diseases by the World Health Organization. Over the past few decades to tackle leishmaniasis, effective and novel drugs have progressed. But few are expensive some other medication shows poor effects and few drugs with long treatment lead to cause resistance. But it is very important to start a better medication against leishmania so researchers came to the front of the utilization of natural products which are considered a better option. Finding active compounds in medicinal plants is another alternative to currently accessible medications. Materials and methods: This study examined and reported the far more potential natural products used to treat disease caused by Leishmania spp. Leishmaniasis, plant metabolites, in vivo, in vitro, and treatment against leishmaniasis have been used as search terms in the Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct databases, and only papers published between 2015 and 2021 have been chosen for further analysis. Results: The use of novel natural compounds with leishmanicidal action as well as the leishmanicidal activity of natural compounds against promastigote, axenic, and intracellular amastigote forms were included in roughly 20 research papers that were reviewed.Conclusion: Due to their capacity to selectively target parasites without harming host cell viability, herbal plants are a possible source of new anti-leishmanial medication. Future leishmaniasis treatments will draw on the isolated compounds as a source, completing those already offered in clinics.

This survey was conducted on 4 tribes (Ababda, Bisharia, Nubian and Rashayda) live in the south of the Nile and the Eastern Desert of Egypt with the aim to document and compare the traditional herbal medicines and assess the relationships among these tribes. A total of 180 interviews were conducted with the Bedouins and herb healers. Thirty-nine species belonged to 36 genera and 27 families were employed. Fabaceae and Poaceae and Rutaceae were the species-rich families. The used wild species comprised 43.6%, cultivated species (38.5%) and the imported from herbalist shops (17.9%). The leaves were the most used parts (31%), followed by stems and fruits with about 22% each. Distinct species included Acacia nilotica is used in the treatment of dental pain with use value 33.3%, Cymbopogon schoenanthus subsp. proximus in treatment of both cough or headache with use values 35 and 30.6% and a combination of Acacia nilotica with Lawsonia inermis in the treatment of sore throat with use value 22.2%. The highest similarity was recorded between Nubian and Rashayda tribes (55.3%), Ababda and Bisharia (46.8%). Diarrhea and headache were the most popular diseases with 7 different treatments, cough and dental pains with 6 treatments.

Senolytic and senomorphic therapies gain more and more attention in the last decade. This kind of therapy is based on the killing of cellular senescent cells without harming the “normal” cells. Ageing is not a disease. Clinical studies on healthy people will be difficult to conduct. Therefore, one possibility is to draw on the large repertoire of medicinal plants and use their sneolytic properties to provide mild, anti-ageing therapies. Chamomile, goldenrod, reishi and green tea were tested for their ability to trigger senolysis quercetin was used as control substance. Cellular senescence was induced with 25µM etoposide in human dermal fibroblasts and established for at least 14 days. The plant extracts were tested for their antioxidant potential (DPPH assay) and their polyphenol content. Senolysis was determined by presto blue assay of young and etoposide-induced senescent cells, and ß-Gal assays were also performed. The senomporphic properties of the plants were investigated using IL-6 ELISA and qPCR. It turned out that chamomile triggers a kind of cytokine storm and causes the cytokine values in the Elisa and in the qPCR to rise extremely, and other senescence-associated phenotype (SASP) markers were also elevated. Goldenrod and quercetin tend to have a senolytic and senomorphic effect respectively. Regarding the senolytic and senomorphic properties of herbs, we have found that all tested herbs can have a senolytic effect, and a senomorphic effect of quercetin has also been uncovered. With regard to the effect of chamomile, however, we can say that seemingly harmless tea products may have harmful effects, especially in combination with chemotherapy, at least in cell culture experiments.

(1) Background: To substantiate the clinical efficacy and investigate the real-world effectiveness of the herbal medicinal product BNO 1016 in acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) in the context of antibiotic stewardship. (2) Methods: Clinical efficacy: We performed a meta-analysis of the clinical trials ARhiSi-1 and ARhiSi-2 comprising 676 patients, analysing the reduction of the Major Symptom Score (MSS) and improvement of SNOT-20. Real-world effectiveness: In addition, we performed a retrospective cohort study including 203,382 patients, comparing the real-life effectiveness of BNO 1016 in reducing ARS-related adverse outcomes in comparison to antibiotics and several other established therapies. (3) Results: Clinical efficacy: Treatment with BNO 1016 ameliorated symptoms of ARS by reducing MSS by 1.9 points (p<0.0001) and improved quality of life (QoL) for patients by improving SNOT-20 by 3.5 points (p=0.001) in comparison to placebo. In patients with moderate/severe symptoms, the positive effects of BNO 1016 were even more pronounced (MSS: –2.3 points (p<0.0001); SNOT-20: –4.9 points (p=0.0158)) compared to placebo. Real-world effectiveness: Treatment with BNO 1016 was as effective or significantly more effective in reducing the risk for adverse ARS-related outcomes such as follow-up antibiotic prescriptions, sick leave ≥7 days or medical appointments due to ARS, especially when compared to antibiotics. (4) Conclusions: BNO 1016 is a safe and effective treatment for ARS that can help reduce the overuse of antibiotics.

Medicinal plants have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. More or less all plants have medicinal properties. In this research article, we have selected four economically important plants (three fruit plants and an economically important plant), Malus domestica Borkh., Prunus persica L., Ricinus communis L., and Carica papaya L. found in several areas of Indian state Uttarakhand. Using the methanolic extract of leaves, we have screened those four plants against four human pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus. For our experiment we have screened the methanolic leaf extracts of four plants against the above-mentioned bacteria. Statistical analysis was also performed for validation. Result revealed the said bacteria have potential antibacterial activities. So, these leaves can be used for clinical trial. These plants can also be used for making herbal medicines.

The article describes a research project that included the conception, development, testing and dissemination of a new drug, based on cannabidiol and called NegEnt (registered name and trademark).In this contribution, the author fully describes a new product for Aromatherapy that was developed and how it can be used for significant progress on various treatments for different conditions in psychiatry, neurology, and medicine. It also presents completed work for new herbal medicines at affordable costs worldwide.The clinical research program launched and the organizational and legal solutions identified are described to scientifically evaluate in accordance with a single case research study design. NegEnt's pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, pharmacodynamics, therapeutic efficacy, and tolerability is examined.In the last part of the article there is an outline of the project formulated for the development in Sicily in the province of Enna where NegEnt is produced in accordance with an innovative project of regional social promotion and based on the cultivation of cannabis Sativa Light, otherwise known as Progetto Demetra. This project established an operational module that is managed by a non-profit social enterprise called the Higher Institute for Cognitive Sciences, the ALETEIA LAB for Therapeutic cannabis, and as an ethical enterprise, which is called Herbal Neurocare (registered name and trademark). It contributes to improved health as well as promoting the economic and social development of this economically depressed area.

Reducing carbohydrates digestion by having low glycaemic index (GI) foods has been linked to weight loss. Inhibiting related enzymes is an alternative way to decrease carbohydrate digestion. RCM-107, an eight-herb formula that is modified from the RCM-104, has indicated significant weight-loss action in clinical trials. However, no research has been conducted to study its effect on the activity of porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase (PPA), which is involved in carbohydrate absorption. In this paper, we used fluorescence PPA inhibition assay to investigate the inhibitory effects of RCM-107 and the individual herbs present in this herbal mixture on amylase activity. Subsequently, molecular docking predicted the key active compounds that may be responsible for the enzyme inhibition. According to our results, both the RCM-107 formula and several individual herbs displayed α-amylase inhibitory effects. Also, marginal synergistic effects of RCM-107 were also detected. In addition, alisol B, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and plantagoside have been predicted as the key active compounds that may be responsible for the α-amylase inhibition effect of RCM-107 according to inter-residue contact analysis. Finally, Glu233, Gln63, His305, Asp300 and Tyr151 are predicted to be markers of important areas with which potential amylase inhibitors would interact.

The combination of nanoemulgel and phytochemistry has resulted in several recent discoveries in the field of the topical delivery systems. The present study aimed to prepare turmeric (Curcuma longa) and neem (Azadirachta indica) based nanoemulgel against microbial infection as topical drug delivery. Olive oil (oil phase), Tween 80 (surfactant), and PEG600 (co-surfactant) were used for the preparation of nanoemulsion. Carbopol 934 was used as gelling agent to convert the nanoemulsion to nanoemulgel and promote to control the release of biological properties of turmeric and neem. The nanoemulsion were characterized based on particle size distribution, PDI values and compatibility using FTIR analysis. In contrast, the nanoemulgel was evaluated based on pH, viscosity, spreadability, plant extract and excipients compatibility or physical state, in-vitro study, ex-vivo mucoadhesive study, antimicrobial properties and stability. The resulting nanoemulsion was homogeneous, stable during the centrifugation process, with the smallest droplets and low PDI values. FTIR analysis also confirmed good compatibility and absence of phase separation between the oil substance, surfactant, co-surfactant with both plant extracts. The improved nanoemulgel also demonstrated a smooth texture, good consistency, pH, desired viscosity, ex-vivo mucoadhesive strength with highest spreadability, and an 18-hour in-vitro drug release study. Additionally, it exhibited better antimicrobial properties against different microbial strain. Stability studies also revealed that the product had good rheological properties and physicochemical state for a period of over 3 months. The present study has affirmed that turmeric and neem based nanoemulgel as a promising alternative for microbial infection particularly associated by microorganisms via topical application.

Renal cancer is a common and serious malignant tumor of the urinary system. While surgery effectively treats early-stage renal cancer, advanced cases pose a significant challenge due to poor treatment outcomes and chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop alternative therapeutic strategies. Ferroptosis is a newly defined form of programmed cell death characterized by the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides, which plays a critical role in tumor progression and drug resistance. Recent studies have shown that ferroptosis is involved in the occurrence and development of renal cancer, ferroptosis related genes can induce cell apoptosis, and can be used as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of renal cancer and participate in drug resistance of renal cancer chemotherapy. With the continuous improvement of the mechanism of ferroptosis, drugs targeting ferroptosis for the treatment of renal cancer are emerging in an endless stream, Based on the theoretical basis of the occurrence of ferroptosis, this paper reviewed drug-induced ferroptosis in renal cancer cells from the aspects of herbal medicine, natural compounds, drug resistance mechanisms, and nanomaterials, hoping to provide a new strategy for the treatment of renal cancer with ferroptosis related drugs.

Substances derived from herbals are much in demand in doping practices because of their interesting biological properties for physical exercise and sport. This review aimed to investigate anti-fatigue herbals, their properties, analysis methods and toxicity. Data indicate that phytomolecules have beneficial effects on the physiological and biochemical parameters of the body undergoing exercise. They reduce fatigue and promote recovery by improving antioxidant enzyme activities, immune responses, blood pressure, body composition and by reducing the accumulation of toxic metabolites and systemic inflammation. Thus, the use of herbal could provide relief to people who exert intense physical activities such as farmers and athletes; for this, these peoples must do careful, the use of doping herbal must be done in accordance with all the previsions which take into account the need for the use of herbal supplement, the doses. In addition, these benefits attributed to herbals should not conceal the drawbacks of using them in sport.Some phytomolecules are toxic when used in large quantities, and others, in this case alkaloids, should be avoided by athletes.

Cyperus rotundus L. exhibits promising potential for the development of functional foods due to its documented pharmacological and biological activities. This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties of C. rotundus kombucha. The results demonstrated potent antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 76.7±9.6 uL/mL for the DPPH assay and 314.2±16.9 uL/mL for the ABTS assay. Additionally, the kombucha demonstrated alpha-glucosidase inhibitory with an IC50 value of 142.7±5.2 µL/mL. This in vitro antioxidant potential was further validated in vivo using Drosophila. Drosophila fed a high-sugar diet and supplemented with pure kombucha revealed significant increases in DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity. Drosophila on a high-sugar diet supplemented with varying kombucha concentrations manifested enhanced resistance to oxidative stresses induced by H2O2 and paraquat. Concurrently, there was a notable decline in lipid peroxidation levels. Additionally, significant upregulations in CAT, SOD1, and SOD2 activities were observed when the high-sugar diet was supplemented with kombucha. Furthermore, in vivo assessments using Drosophila demonstrated significant reductions in alpha-glucosidase activity when fed with kombucha. A comprehensive GC-MS and HPLC analysis of C. rotundus kombucha detected the presence of antioxidative and anti-glucosidase compounds. In conclusion, C. rotundus kombucha exhibits considerable antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties, demonstrating its potential as a beneficial beverage for health promotion.

It is currently recognized that an injudicious strategy in the last decades has been not only focusing of research typically on caries in children, but also the narrow focusing on fluoride, because despite sufficient availability of fluoride in water and oral healthcare products, caries levels escalate steadily as people get older and caries remain a main public health issue to be settled. In the last two decades the scientific community intensified efforts of exploring other products for caries prevention, herbal products being one of these approaches. Because preliminary evidence indicated that clinical trials for caries prevention with herbal products are heterogeneous in design, quality and products evaluated, we performed a scoping review intended to explore the main characteristics of such clinical trials. From an initial collection of 1986 unique papers from different literature databases, 56 articles satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The species investigated, dosage forms, study designs, duration of intervention, controls, endpoints, quality of reporting and risk of bias are discussed. 85.71% of the trials reviewed here reported positive results but given the methodological flaws and biases affecting them, it is difficult to conclude on the efficacy of those products based on the studies published thus far.

There is proliferation of alcoholic beverages flavoured with herbal-extracts perceived to have medicinal values. Information on the phytochemical and heavy metal contents of these products is scarce. This study assessed the phytochemical properties and heavy metal contents of herbal-extract flavoured alcoholic beverages in major motor parks in Ibadan, Nigeria. The phytochemical properties of the beverages were determined in triplicate using standard methods while the heavy metal contents were assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and means were compared using ANOVA at p<0.05. The pH range of the beverages was 3.28-6.57 and the alcohol content was 34.0-51.5%. Detected major phytochemicals and concentration ranges were phytic acid (0.72-2.37 mg/g), alkaloids (0.42-4.11 mg/g), flavonoids (0.22-3.64 mg rutin equivalents/g), total phenols (1.13-3.66 mg gallic acid equivalents/g), anthraquinones ((0.74-1.93 mg/g) and triterpenoids (0.74-1.93 mg/g). The phytochemical contents were within the acceptable limits while the heavy metals were: Pb (2.13-4.70 mg/L), Cd (0.06-0.07 mg/L), Co (0.12-0.23 mg/L), Zn (0.14-0.40 mg/L) and Fe (0.72-4.22 mg/L); all except Pb and Cd were within permissible limits. The herbal-extract flavoured alcoholic beverages contain beneficial phytochemicals and traces of heavy metals. Safety awareness of these products for improved consumers’ health would be of public health importance.

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of adding fermented herbal extracts (FHE) derived from mulberry leaf (Morus alba), Javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), and fingerroot (Boesenbergia rotunda) to the diet of tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) on their growth, moulting performance, feed efficiency, and nutrient retention. The main feed used in this trial was a commercially manufactured pellet, then five different doses of FHE supplementation were used: 0 mg/kg feed (P0, control), 50 mg/kg feed (P1), 100 mg/kg feed (P2), 150 mg/kg feed (P3), and 200 mg/kg feed (P4). Weight gain, average daily gain, and length gain of shrimps fed P2 was significantly higher than that of those fed the control diet. Similar result was observed in moulting performance. The application of P2 showed superior results in enhancing the FE of cultured shrimp. Thus, the protein and energy retention of P. monodon was significantly better in P2 treatment groups. P0 had the lowest crude protein, while shrimp given P2 and P3 diets had the highest crude protein content of any treatment group. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the juvenile tiger shrimp diet contain 100 mg/kg of FHE for the best effects.

The pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome in children involves multiple factors. Thus, treatment options are variable, targeting diet and the child’s and parents’ behav-ior, involving pharmacological and psychological interventions or neuromodulation. Parents are increasingly interested in complementary and alternative therapies for children with irritable bowel syndrome, especially when other treatments have been tried without relieving the child’s symptoms. This paper looks into current evidence for the benefits and side effects of herbal remedies and spices in pediatric patients with IBS. The benefits of peppermint oil, STW5, Psyllium fiber, Curcuma, ginger, and other herbal medicines are discussed based on findings in the current literature.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common and incurable leukemia subtype. Despite extensive research into the disease's intricate molecular mechanisms, AML have not yet identified effective treatments or expanded diagnostic or prognostic markers. The morphological, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, biomolecular, and clinical characteristics of AML patients are extensive and complex. Leukemia stem cells (LSC) consist of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and cancer cells transformed by the complex, finely-tuned interaction that causes the complexity of AML. Microenvironmental regulation of LSC dormancy, its diagnostic and therapeutic implications for identifying and targeting LSCs due to their significance in the pathogenesis of AML were discussed in this review. It is essential to perceive the relationship between the niche for LSCs and HSC, which together cause the progression of AML. Notably, methylation is a well-known epigenetic change that is significant in AML, and our data also reveals that microRNAs are a unique factor for LSC. Furthermore, multiple-targeted approaches to reduce the risk of epigenetic factors, such as the administration of natural compounds for the elimination of local LSC, may prevent potentially fatal relapses. Furthermore, the survival analysis of overlapping genes revealed that specific targets had significant effects on the survival and prognosis of patients. We predicted that the multiple-targeted effects of herbal products on epigenetic modification are governed by different mechanisms in AML and prevent potentially fatal relapses. Thus, these strategies can facilitate the incorporation of herbal medicine and natural compounds into the advanced drug discovery and development processes enabled achievable by Network Pharmacology research.

Objective: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the treatment with Canephron® after the diagnosis of acute cystitis or urinary tract infection (UTI) with regards to the risk of a sporadic recurrent UTI, frequent recurrent UTIs, UTI associated sick leave, additional antibiotic prescriptions, and renal complications (pyelonephritis) compared to standard antibiotic treatment. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was based on data from the IMS® Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA), and included outpatients in Germany with at least one diagnosis of acute cystitis or UTI with a prescription of either Canephron® or standard antibiotics between January 2016 and June 2019 in general practitioner (GP), gynecologist, or urologist practices from which data were obtained. Multivariable regression models were used to investigate the association between Canephron® prescription and the amount of sporadic or frequent recurrent UTIs, as well as the duration of UTI associated sick leave, amount of additional antibiotic prescriptions, and cases of pyelonephritis. The effects of Canephron® were adjusted for age, sex, insurance status, and Charlson Comorbidity Score (CCI). Results: 2,320 Canephron® patients and 158,592 antibiotic patients were available for analysis. Compared to antibiotic prescription, Canephron® prescription was significantly associated with less sporadic recurrences of UTI infections 30-365 days after the index date (odds ratio [OR]: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58–0.72), as well as with less frequent recurrences of UTI infections (OR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.49–0.88), and with minor additional antibiotic prescription within 31-365 days (OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.52-0.63). No significant differences were observed between the Canephron® and antibiotic cohorts with regard to the likelihood of sick leave (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.86–1.14), new antibiotic prescription within 1-30 days (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.87-1.16) and occurrences of pyelonephritis (Hazard Ratio (HR): 1.00; 95% CI: 0.67-1.48). Conclusion: These real world data show that Canephron® is an effective and safe symptomatic treatment for acute cystitis or UTI. It should be considered as an alternative treatment in particular also to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship strategies.

Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder that is persistent in nature, is identified by an elevated concentration of glucose in the bloodstream. The disease has become a major public health problem, affecting millions of people globally, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The increasing prevalence of diabetes and the lack of effective therapeutic interventions have led to the exploration of alternative and complementary forms of therapy, including ethnomedicine. Ethnomedicine is the study of traditional medical systems and the medicinal plants used by Indigenous communities. In other words, Ethnomedicine refers to the traditional medical practices and beliefs of a particular cultural or ethnic group. The most popular example of traditional medicine is the use of Aloe vera for the treatment of various diseases such as sunburn, cuts, burns, hypertension, diabetes, and jaundice for thousands of years [1]. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the potential role of ethnomedicine in the management of diabetes, given its widespread use in many communities and its potential to offer cost-effective and culturally acceptable treatment options. It encompasses a range of traditional healing practices, including herbalism, acupuncture, and massage therapy. Despite the inconsistencies, there is growing evidence to suggest that certain ethnomedical practices may be effective in the management of diabetes [2,3]. For example, several studies have shown that certain herbal remedies, such as cinnamon, ginseng, and bitter melon, may have potential benefits in terms of improving glucose control and reducing the risk of complications associated with diabetes. Evidence-based ethnomedicine is an approach that applies scientific principles and methods to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional medical practices. This approach is crucial in the development of effective and safe ways to treat diabetes. To date, there have been numerous studies conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of various ethnomedical interventions for diabetes, including herbal remedies, dietary changes, and physical activity [4]. However, it is important to note that not all ethnomedical interventions for diabetes have been thoroughly evaluated, and many remain unproven. Furthermore, some interventions may be associated with significant risks, particularly in terms of drug interactions and adverse effects. As such, it is crucial that any ethnomedical interventions for diabetes be carefully evaluated using rigorous scientific methods and that patients be advised to consult with their healthcare provider before using any such interventions. It is important to note that the results of these studies have been mixed, with some showing promising results, while others have failed to demonstrate significant benefits. In this chapter, the evidence-based current state of ethnomedicine for diabetes was reviewed. We first provide an overview of diabetes and its pathophysiology, followed by a discussion of traditional medicinal practices used to treat the disease. We then present a systematic review of the scientific literature on the use of ethnomedicine for diabetes, focusing on herbal remedies and dietary interventions. Our review found that several medicinal plants offered promising results to treat all types of diabetes. For example, Gymnema sylvestre, a traditional Indian herb, has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity [5]. Additionally, the use of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) has been shown to reduce fasting blood glucose levels and improve glucose tolerance in individuals with type 2 diabetes [6]. Another important aspect of ethnomedicine for diabetes is the use of dietary interventions [7]. Traditional diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, have been shown to have beneficial particularly in terms of improving glycaemic control, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, and insulin sensitivity [8]. Additionally, the use of low-carbohydrate diets, such as the ketogenic diet, has been shown to improve glycaemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes [9]. Traditional medicine has a long history of treating the symptoms and managing the condition. However, the efficacy and safety of these traditional practices have not always been scientifically tested, and there is a lack of standardization and regulation in the production and use of traditional remedies for diabetes. This creates a challenge for healthcare providers and patients, who need to ensure that the treatments they use are safe and effective. Additionally, there is a need for further research to understand the mechanisms by which traditional remedies may be effective in managing diabetes and to determine the optimal dosage and administration methods [9]. Finally, it is also important to understand that the use of traditional remedies may interact with conventional medications, leading to adverse effects; for example, the use of Chinese traditional medicine, known as “herb ginseng,” for the treatment of various health conditions, including diabetes sometimes cause the side effect such as dizziness, confusion, and fainting while interacting with the anti-diabetic medications [10]. Therefore, it is important to approach the use of ethnomedicine for diabetes with caution and under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. In conclusion, evidence-based ethnomedicine offers a promising approach to the treatment of diabetes. While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and safety of these interventions, the results to date suggest that traditional remedies and dietary interventions have the potential to be effective in the management of this disease. However, it is important to approach the use of ethnomedicine for diabetes with caution and under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional and to continue to conduct rigorous scientific research to fully understand the benefits and risks associated with these interventions.

Medicinal plants for bone grafts are promising because they are free from infecting microorganisms and biocompatible. We report a novel study evaluating osteoregeneration of bone grafts from extracts of Alternanthera brasiliana and Fridericia platyphylla after bone injury induced by radius fracture in rats. Grafts were obtained using 2% chitosan gel and 0.5% hydroalcoholic extract. The rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups (N= 12): Negative control (NC) - Chitosan gel; Positive control (PC) - bovine mineral bone graft (Lumina Bone®, fine powder 0.5); F. platyphylla Graft (FRID) - 0.5% bone graft; A. brasiliana Graft (ABRA) - 0.5% bone graft. The animals were evaluated for three periods, 30, 60, and 90 days after fracture induction. Bone alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) and radiographic and histological evaluations were followed. After 90 days, there was an increase in BSAP for the ABRA group on the newly formed bone matrix but not for FRID, indicating the presence of active osteoblasts. Additionally, mature bone tissue and bone remodeling were observed, and a conspicuous presence of type I collagen for both FRID and ABRA. We demonstrated that FRID and ABRA grafts produced early bone neoformation. New perspectives for these species as a graft are suggested.

Objectives Bone fractures are very common diseases, which can be caused by impact injuries or physiological disorders. Thus, the present review aimed to study the use of medicinal plants in the healing mechanism of bone fractures. Evidence acquisition Through research in the PubMed, Google Academic, and Scielo databases, this article reviews 11 ethnopharmacological studies and 34 preclinical studies on the biological actions of different plants in bone fracture healing mechanism. Results Indian tribes have highlighted in the plants ethnopharmacological study for various diseases, including bone fractures. However, despite the large citations of traditional use, technical-scientific studies are still scarce in the literature. Chenopodium ambrosioides, Piper sarmentosum, quadrangular Cissus, Ricinus communis and Radix salvia miltiorrhiza plants were the most studied in the literature regarding their osteogenic, angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and remodeling effects, acting on bone receptors, stimulating bone metabolism, increasing minerals uptake, and assisting in free radicals breakdown. Conclusion Thus, the medicinal plants use is promising in the field of bone regeneration, as well as being alternative when conventional therapies are unfeasible, increasing herbal medicines demand and popularity.

Epithelial surfaces in humans are home to symbiotic microbes (i.e., microbiota) that influence the defensive function against pathogens depending on the health of the microbiota. Healthy microbiota contribute to the well-being of their host in general (e.g., via the gut-brain-axis), and their respective anatomical site in particular (e.g., oral, urogenital, skin or respiratory microbiota). Despite efforts towards a more responsible use of antibiotics, they are often prescribed for uncomplicated, self-limiting infections and can have a substantial negative impact on the gut microbiota. Treatment alternatives such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may also influence the microbiota and thus can have lasting adverse effects. Herbal drugs offer a generally safe treatment option for uncomplicated infections of the urinary or respiratory tract. Additionally, their microbiota preserving properties allow for a more appropriate therapy of uncomplicated infections without contributing to an increase in antibiotic resistance or disturbing the gut microbiota. Here, herbal treatments may be a more appropriate therapy with a generally favorable safety profile.

The incidence of lung cancer has increased in recent years and causes major mortalities across the globe. Besides, the availability of the several chemotherapeutics modalities in the management, there is still a challenge to find out an efficient remedy with lesser or no toxic effects. Hence, there is a necessity to employ complementary research to establish effective management for lung cancer. In this study, we have implemented a novel herbal informatics model to find out the alternative remedy in the treatment of lung cancer. This model utilizes five major steps of the bioprospection process based on the classical surge followed by the binary index and rationale-based selection of herbal products targeting the cancer-causing factors which are explained in detail in the methodology section of this model. This study revealed 07 herbals such as Withania somnifera (Ws), Berberis vulgaris(Bv), Glycyrrhiza glabra(Gg), Andrographis paniculate(Ap), Azadirachta indica(Ai), Cinnamomum Verum(Cv), Piper longum(Pl) based on the fuzzy set optimization scoring(0.6-1) that could be further studied in vitro and in vivo level for utilization in the management of lung cancer.

Cancer is second leading cause of death, worldwide. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Plant-based therapeutics and herbal medicine have played a vital role in the development of several anti-cancerous agents, and has been used to reduce the severe side effects of chemotherapy as well. Since the anti-lung cancer properties of the plant Medicago. orbicularis are not explored yet, we identified its phytochemical composition and investigated the anti-oxidant, anti-hemolytic, and anti-cancerous properties of extracts of this plant in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Results show that all parts of M. orbicularis (stems, leaves, and fruits) exhibit remarkable anti-oxidant and hemolytic activities. In addition, all extracts showed a dose-dependent anti-cancerous cytotoxic activity against A549 cells; with fruit extracts being the most potent. This cytotoxic effect could be related, at least partly, to the induction of apoptosis, where M. orbicularis fruit extracts activated Caspase-3 and PARPP-1, and reduced the ratio of anti-apoptotic BCL-2/ pro-apoptotic BAX, thereby promoting cellular death. Furthermore, the use of M. orbicularis, in combination with a conventional chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin, was assessed. Indeed, combination of cisplatin and M. orbicularis fruit extracts was more cytotoxic and induced more aggregation of A549 cells than either treatment alone. GC-MS analysis and total polyphenol and flavonoid content determination indicated that M. orbicularis is rich in compounds that have anti-cancerous effects. M. orbicularis may be a potential source of anti-cancerous agents to manage progression of lung cancer and its resistance to therapy.

Diabetes mellitus is a cluster of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia. Since this epidemic growing worldwide, the usage of phototherapeutics to manage diabetes is vital. Coccinia grandis (Aka ivy gourd) belongs to cucumber family is identified as a most effective herb, especially for diabetes and many other disease conditions. Hence, an instant herbal porridge cube incorporating Coccinia grandis leaf powder was produced and sensory acceptability of the porridge was evaluated using trained panelists. The bioactive activity of Coccinia grandis leaf powder showed that 66.77±0.74 mg/g GAE of Total Phenolic Content, 27.65±6.79% of DPPH radical scavenging activity, 5.72% of alpha-amylase inhibition activity and 59.64% of alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity. The effect on postprandial blood sugar levels after consuming the developed porridge was measured using healthy adults and it was observed there was no blood sugar elevation during the 2 hours of time. As a further development, Coccinia grandis leaf extract was nano-encapsulated with food grade Sodium alginate and it was incorporated into the same porridge as a safe delivery method of bioactive compounds. In-vitro digestion assay was conducted and the results show that alpha-amylase inhibition activity for the gastric phase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity for the intestinal phase was higher in nano-encapsulated porridge. The study concludes that, consuming nano-encapsulated Coccinia grandis leaf extract with porridge is more beneficial for diabetic patients.

Plants of the genus Zingiber (Family Zingiberaceae) are widely used throughout the world as food and medicinal plants. They represent very popular herbal remedies in various traditional healing systems; in particular, rhizome of Zingiber spp. plants has a long history of ethnobotanical uses because of a plethora of curative properties. Antimicrobial activity of rhizome essential oil has been extensively confirmed in vitro and attributed to its chemical components, mainly consisting in monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons such as α-zingiberene, ar-curcumene, β-bisabolene and β-sesquiphellandrene. In addition, gingerols have been identified as the major active components in the fresh rhizome, whereas shogaols, dehydrated gingerol derivatives, are the predominant pungent constituents in dried rhizome. Zingiber spp. may thus represent a promising and innovative source of natural alternatives to chemical food preservatives. This approach would meet the increasing concern of consumers aware of the potential health risks associated with the conventional antimicrobial agents in food. This narrative review aims providing a literature overview on Zingiber spp. plants, their cultivation, traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and biological activities.

Osteoporosis is an abnormal bone remodeling condition characterized by decreased bone density, which leads to high risks of broken bones. Previous studies have demonstrated that Lycii Radicis Cortex (LRC) extract inhibits bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) mice by enhancing the osteoblast differentiation. A bioactive compound, Kukoamine B (KB), was identified from a fractionation of LRC extract as a candidate component responsible for an anti-osteoporotic effect. This study investigated the anti-osteoporotic effects of KB using in vitro and in vivo osteoporosis models. KB treatment significantly increased the osteoblastic differentiation and mineralized nodule formation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, while it significantly decreased the osteoclast differentiation of primary-cultured monocytes derived from mouse bone marrow. The effects of KB on osteoblastic and osteoclastic differentiations under more physiological conditions were also examined. In the co-culture of MC3T3-E1 cells and monocytes, KB promoted osteoblast differentiation but did not affect osteoclast differentiation. For the in vivo experiments, KB significantly inhibited OVX-induced bone mineral density loss and restored the impaired bone structural properties in osteoporosis model mice. These results suggest that KB may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of osteoporosis.

The Italian herbal products market is the most prosperous in Europe. The proof is represented by the use of these products in several marketing categories, ranging from medicine to nutrition and cosmetics. Market and legislation in Italy are at the same time cause and consequence of this peculiar situation. In fact, the legislation on botanical food supplements in Italy is very permissive and at the same time the market shows an overall satisfaction of users and strong feedback in terms of consumption, which brings a widening use of medicinal plants, formerly the prerogative of pharmaceuticals, to other fields such as nutrition. This review summarizes the market and normative panorama of herbal products in Italy, highlighting the blurred boundaries of health indications, marketing authorizations and quality controls between herbal medicines and non pharmaceutical products, such as food supplements, cosmetics and other herbal-based “parapharmaceuticals”.

Origanum dictamnus L. (Lamiaceae), a local endemic plant of Crete (Greece), creates polysaccharide-containing subcuticular compartments presenting biological activity against phytopathogenic fungi, and, among others, significantly affecting the fungal cell wall polysaccharides. This field study introduces a fertilization scheme for O. dictamnus, which was developed and refined to optimize yield as well as critical herbal quality aspects. Five fertilization schemes were investigated, based on a polysaccharide-based Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), a mixture of chemical fertilizers and two biostimulants (not algae) via foliar and soil application. Plant growth, together with leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and colour (SPAD meter, DA meter, Chroma Meter) were determined. The leaf content of chlorophyll, three critical antioxidant compounds (carotenoids, flavonoids, phenols) and minerals were also assessed. Considering all three antioxidants together, the enhanced efficiency, non-toxic, water-soluble, polysaccharide-based INM by foliar application was the most stimulatory scheme, playing an important role in plant growth and development. The present field study provides for the first time baseline fertilization data improving key herbal quality features in O. dictamnus and unravels the attainment of high antioxidant properties. The latter may be exploited in favor of its further utilization as raw material for tea preparation, medicinal purposes, natural food flavoring and/or food preservative.

From ancient Mesopotamia, medicinal plants have been important to human health. Their use in Iraq is traced back to early cuneiform tablets and relies on local flora for health advantages. Despite its rich history, Iraq confronts environmental deterioration, socio-political instability, and insufficient research resources that threaten plant sustainability. Modern medicine employs Iraqi and worldwide plants. Illegal business and weak policies hinder resource management. Medical plants, worldwide business, offer Iraq economic promise. Land and water management and value-added product development may boost the economy. The assessment recommends better market analysis and policymaking to promote sustainability and economic growth. Traditional healers, academics, and governments must work together to conserve Iraq's medicinal plant history and improve health. Research and community engagement will preserve these resources by integrating traditional and modern science.

In this study, a carbon fiber microelectrode (CF) was applied for the investigation of electrochemical behavior and determination of natural antioxidant, apocynin (APO). Given the limited solubility of APO in water, a mixture of anhydrous acetic acid (AcH) with 20%, v/v acetonitrile (AN) and 0.1 mol L-1 sodium acetate (AcNa) was used. The electrochemical properties of APO were examined through linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The anodic oxidation of APO, which is the basis of the method used, proved to be diffusion-controlled and proceeded with a two-electron and one proton exchange. Both radicals and radical cations, arising from the first and second step of electrode reactions, respectively, underwent subsequent chemical transformations to yield more stable final products (EqCiEiCi mechanism). Using optimized DPV conditions, the anodic peak current of APO at potential of 0.925 V vs Ag/AgCl showed a good linear response within the concentration range of 2.7×10-6 – 2.6×10-4 mol L-1. The detection and quantification limits were determined as 8.9×10-7 and 2.7×10-6 mol L-1, respectively. The developed DPV method enabled the successful determination of APO in herbal extracts and in dietary supplements. It should be noted that this is the first method of voltammetric determination of APO.

Due to combined climate and biodiversity crisis, the sustainable utilization of phytogenetic resources stands as one-way alternative while nutrient management strategies gain an increasing role in agriculture. Building on previous studies regarding the Endangered local endemic of Crete (Greece) Carlina diae (Asteraceae) with medicinal and ornamental value, this investigation focused on its pilot cultivation and fertilization (foliar or root application). Foliar application included chemical fertilizer (conventional) or integrated nutrient management (INM). Root application consisted of chemical fertilizer, biostimulant, or INM with biostimulant. Above-ground biomass content of nutrients, together with leaf chlorophyll fluorescence and colour parameters (SPAD meter, DA meter, Chroma Meter) were determined. The leaf content of chlorophyll, three key antioxidant compounds and minerals’ titers were also assessed. The fertilization scheme did not influence plant growth and visually perceived quality (leaf color and shape). Notably, foliar INM fertilization increased biomass partitioning to inflorescences (harvestable organ for either medicinal or ornamental purposes), and decreased tissue water content (facilitating processing). Considering all three antioxidants together, INM with biostimulant appeared the optimum scheme, being associated with the highest (carotenoids, phenolics) or the second highest (flavonoid) content. In C. diae, therefore, INM fertilization was optimal for upgrading yield (foliar) and herbal quality in terms of antioxidant profile (INM with biostimulant), which might be embraced as an eco-friendly approach for high quality yields.

Plants of the genus Monochoria have long been utilized in food, cosmetics, and traditional herbal treatment. Thailand has the highest species diversity of this genus and a new member, Monochoria angustifolia (G. X. Wang) Boonkerd & Tungmunnithum has been recently described. This plant is called “Siam Violet Pearl” as a common name or “ไข่มุกสีม่วงแห่งสยาม” as its vernacular name in the same meaning in Thai language. Despite their importance, few researches on Monochoria species have been conducted. This study, thus, provided the results to fill in this gap by: i) determining flavonoids phytochemical profiles of 25 natural populations of M. angustifolia covering the whole floristic regions in Thailand, and ii) determining antioxidant activity using various antioxidant assays to investigate the probable mechanism. The results revealed that M. angustifolia presented a higher flavonoid content than the outgroup, M. hastata. Our results also revealed that flavonoids might be used to investigate Monochoria evolutionary connections and for botanical authentication. The various antioxidant assays revealed that M. angustifolia extracts preferentially act through a hydrogen atom transfer antioxidant mechanism. Pearson correlation analysis indicated significant correlations emphasizing that the antioxidant capacity is most probably the result of a complex phytochemical combinations rather than of a single molecule. Altogether, these results showed that this new species provide an attractive alternative starting material with phytochemical variety and antioxidant potential for the phytopharmaceutical industry.

Background: Patients with mild cognitive impairment end up progressing to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) leading to straining burden on public health. R. officinalis long been known as the herb of remembrance and can be a potential cognition enhancer for AD. The aims of the review were to summarize the qualitative and quantitative aspects of R.O and its active constituents in enhancing the cognition. MATERIALS AND METHOD Google scholar and PubMed structured search to find relevant studies that assessed the effect of R.O extract or any of its active constituents on cognitive performance in animals. Data extraction: Following information from each included study was extracted: (1) article information (2) characteristics of study animals (3) type of intervention; type, dose, duration, and frequency of administration of R.O (4) type of outcome measure. Data synthesis: Data were analyzed using Review Manager (RevMan 5.3, 2014] and meta-analysis was performed for the outcome measures on all relevant tasks within the included papers by computing the standardized mean difference ps. RESULTS. 23 studies for qualitative and fifteen for meta-analysis were selected. From fifteen included papers, 22 studies with 35 comparisons were meta-analyzed. Effect sizes for intact animals and impaired animals respectively was (mean g and 95% CI 1.19 [0.74, 1.64; 0.57 [0.19,0.96]. The R. officinalis had positive effect on both groups of animals. The subgroup analyses exhibited substantial unexplained heterogeneity between studies. Mechanisms of R.O was anticholinesterase, procholinergic, antioxidant, anti-amyloid, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory agent CONCLUSIONS: R.O improves cognitive function. Limitations: Considerable heterogeneity between studies.

In most countries, the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is no more than 1 per 100,000 for both men and women; however, it is much higher for men and women in Taiwan. The use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of NPC and its treatment-related side effects has been increasing. The National Health Insurance (NHI) covers 99.6% of Taiwan’s residents. In the present population-based cohort study, we aimed to investigate the pattern of utilization of Chinese herbal products (CHPs) for NPC from 2001 through 2011 in Taiwan. We identified a total of 30294 patients with newly diagnosed NPC from the Registry for Catastrophic Illnesses Patient Database (RCIPD). Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were employed to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for CHP utilization. From 2001 through 2011, 17816 patients aged ≥20 years were newly diagnosed with NPC. Of these, 4749 patients used TCM outpatient services for NPC treatment. TCM users were more likely to be women, young, residents of Central Taiwan, and white-collar workers. The most commonly prescribed formula CHP was Gan-Lu-Yin, followed by Xin-Yi-Qing Fei-Tang and Shan-Shen-Mai-Men-Dong-Tang. The most commonly prescribed single CHP was Hedyotis diffusa, followed by Radix Scrophulariae and Radix Ophiopogonis. These findings provide information regarding personalized therapies for NPC and can promote further clinical experiments and pharmacological research on CHPs for NPC treatment in Taiwan. Further well-designed randomized controlled studies and basic mechanistic studies should assess the safety and effectiveness of CHPs for NPC treatment.

Purpose: Inflammation of various degrees is common among humans. There are associated side effects with orthodox delivery systems and anti-inflammatory agents hence the study investigated the characteristics of herbal lipospheres and the anti-inflammatory potency of the lipospheres formulated from Pentaclethra macrophylla with the view to having a drug with a better delivery system and lesser side effects.Methods: Herbal lipospheres were formulated using solidified reverse micellar solutions (SRMS) of P90H and goat fat and characterized for particle size and morphology, pH – time dependent analysis, encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy. The in vitro antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory study were carried out using membrane stabilization by hypotonicity induced haemolysis and determination of anti-platelet aggregatory activity models. The in-vivo anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory studies on egg albumin and formaldehyde induced arthritis models were done. Total white blood cell count and differential blood count were carried out on the rats. Results: The results showed that there was no change in pH for the PM unloaded lipospheres and 2.5g of PM-loaded lipospheres from Day 1 to Day 7, but mild variation in the rest of the formulations. The EE ranged from 35.2% to 94% increasing according to the drug concentration. The photomicrographs of the lipospheres showed that the particles were spherical in shape. The particle sizes were within the acceptable range for lipospheres. FTIR showed no interaction. In the arthritis study, PM-loaded lipospheres inhibited edema consistently throughout the duration of observation. Inhibition of membrane increased steadily with an increase in concentration of PM in the lipospheres and the standard drug. The platelet aggregatory inhibition decreased steadily with an increase in concentration of the PM in the lipospheres as well as the standard. The T50 dose of PM had the highest percentage of WBC and it decreased as the treatment doses increased from T100 to T200. There was no significant differences among the Neutrophil counts of the different groups.Conclusion: The study, therefore, showed that the methanol extract of Pentaclethra macrophylla formed efficient herbal lipospheres with antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.

Malaria is a serious infection affecting millions of people in Africa. Our study investigated the personal preferences and applications of antimalarial medicines in Ghana. Based on over 1000 questionnaires distributed in Ghana from January to May 2019, we noticed that although Western medications to fight this disease are widely available, most patients in Ghana prefer treatment with locally produced herbal remedies. This preference appears to be due to a combination of traditional venues for obtaining medicines “on the street” rather than in licensed pharmacies, trust in local and “green” products, extensive advertisement of such local products, and an inherent distrust of imported and synthetic or unnatural medicines. Going local and natural is a trend also observed in other countries across the globe, and adds to the acceptance or rejection of drugs regardless of their activity or toxicity. In fact, adverse side effects associated with herbal remedies, such as general weakness and swollen, sore mouth, do not seem to deter the respondents of this study in Ghana. We propose a combination of (a) increasing public awareness of the benefits of modern medicine and (b) an improvement and control of the quality of herbal remedies to raise the standard of malaria treatment in countries such as Ghana.

Background: Infections of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) can cause long-term effects known as long COVID. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a clinical study as well as the efficacy and safety of traditional East Asian herbal medicines in alleviating fatigue and cognitive dysfunction “brain fog” in patients with long COVID. Methods: This prospective pilot study investigated the use of three types of herbal medicines, Bojungikki-tang (BIT), Kyungok-go (KOG), and Cheonwangbosim-dan (CBD), for a 12-week period as potential treatments for fatigue and cognitive dysfunction in patients with long COVID. Forty-five patients with long COVID were recruited, and one of three drugs was given based on the patient’s symptoms and pattern identification. The effect of herbal medications on fatigue and cognitive function outcomes was assessed over a 36-week period, with patient adherence closely monitored. Results: After 12 weeks of herbal drug administration, fatigue symptoms improved significantly across all groups, with treatment success rates of 80%, 53.33%, and 46.67% in the BIT, KOG, and CBD groups, respectively. However, “brain fog” symptoms showed less improvement, with treatment success rates of 40%, 46.67%, and 13.33% in the BIT, KOG, and CBD groups, respectively. All adverse events reported were mild and unrelated to the medication. The study design was found to be feasible with high medication adherence. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the feasibility of conducting a clinical trial with three herbal medicines to treat long COVID symptoms like fatigue and “brain fog.”

This study demonstrated that antibiotic residue in milk can be reduced when dairy farmers use Ethno-veterinary Practices (EVP) based on herbal alternatives to prevent and cure common clinical conditions in cattle instead of antibiotics. Of the 220 farmers selected for the study, 140 were trained and motivated to use validated herbal formulations, 80 were kept as control. Milk samples from the selected farmers (except Thirukanurpatti milk society) tested positive for antibiotic residue in the baseline survey. One year after interventions, the milk from 123 (87.86%) farmers out of 140, were without any detectable antibiotic residue, while samples from 11 farmers (7.85%) were low positive for either Beta-lactams or sulphonamides and 6 (4.29%) were positive for Beta lactams and/or sulphonamides. These 17 (11 + 6) farmers had used antibiotics along with herbal formulations. The milk samples from the control groups were positive for beta lactam and sulphonamide. There was suggestive significance of change in knowledge, attitude and practice of EVP among the farmers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A progressive reduction in the incidence of mastitis, enteritis, repeat breeding and cowpox were observed from 2016 to 2019 among the cows treated with EVP. Use of herbal alternative also resulted in a significant reduction in health care expenditure of cattle.

In an era of increasing interest in the potential health benefits of medicinal foods, the need to assess their safety and potential toxicity remains a critical concern. While these natural remedies have garnered substantial attention for their therapeutic potential, a comprehensive understanding of their effects on living organisms is essential. We examined 316 herbal extracts to determine their potential nematocidal attributes in Caenorhabditis elegans. Approximately 16% of these extracts exhibited the capacity to induce diminished survival rates and larval arrest, establishing a correlation between larval arrest and overall worm viability. Certain extracts led to an unexpected increase in male nematodes, accompanied by a discernible reduction in DAPI-stained bivalent structures and perturbed meiotic advancement, thereby disrupting the conventional developmental processes. Notably, Onobrychis cornuta and Veratrum lobelianum extracts activated a DNA damage checkpoint response via the ATM/ATR and CHK-1 pathways; hindering germline development. Our LC‒MS analysis revealed jervine in V. lobelianum and nine antitumor compounds in O. cornuta. Interestingly, linoleic acid replicated phenotypes induced by O. cornuta exposure, including an increased level of pCHK-1 foci, apoptosis, and the MAPK pathway. We observed that mutants in the MAPK pathway suppressed the reduction in worm survival, emphasizing its role in survivability, meiotic progression, and DNA damage checkpoint-mediated apoptosis. This study reveals complex interactions between herbal extracts and C. elegans processes, shedding light on potential antitumor effects and mechanisms. The findings provide insights into the complex landscape of herbal medicine's impact on a model organism, offering implications for broader applications.

The formula Chong-Lou-Yao-Fang (CLYF) is an herbal medicinal formulation developed by the indigenous Naxi people for treating liver cancer. This study is to reveal the biological activity, potential targets, and molecular mechanisms of CLYF for cancer treatment through network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vitro experiments. 35 key compounds were screened from 176 active ingredients in CLYF, which played a vital role in the treatment of cancer, 20 core targets were filtered through protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. The enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) indicated that PI3K-Akt, MAPK, hepatitis B, hepatitis C might be effective in liver cancer treatment. Mo-lecular docking revealed stable binding between EGFR, TP53, and AKT1 with active ingredients. Experiments with cell cultures confirmed that CLYF-A suppressed the proliferation of HepG2 cells, which is consistent with the network pharmacology approach undertaken and the predictions of molecular docking. CLYF-A also induced significant apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cells, which was associated with the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. This study explored the biological activity, potential targets, and molecular mechanisms of CLYF for cancer treatment. Our results may provide a scientific basis for the clinical use of CLYF for cancer treatment and have important implications for developing pharmaceutical preparations, which also need more phar-macological experiments.

The network pharmacology (NP) approach is a valuable novel methodology for understanding the complex pharmacological mechanisms of medicinal herbs. In addition, various in silico analysis techniques combined with the NP can improve the understanding of various issues in natural product research. This study assessed the therapeutic effects of Arum ternata (AT), Poria cocos (PC), and Zingiber officinale (ZO) on hyperlipidemia after network pharmacologic analysis. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of forty-one key targets was analyzed to discover core functional clusters of the herbal compounds. The KEGG pathway and gene ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis identified significant categories of hypolipidemic mechanisms. The STITCH database indicated a high connection with several statin drugs deduced by the similarity in targets. AT, PC, and ZO regulated the genes related to the energy metabolism and lipogenesis in HepG2 cells loaded with free fatty acids (FFAs). Furthermore, a combinational effect of the mixture of three herbs was found. The herbal combination exerted superior efficacy compared to a single herb, particularly in regulating acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1). In conclusion, the network pharmacologic approach was used to assess potential targets of the herbal combination for treatment. Experimental data from FFAs-induced HepG2 cells suggested that the combination of AT, PC, and ZO might attenuate hyperlipidemia and its associated hepatic steatosis.

The objective of the this study was to reduce the benzo[a]pyrene-induced hepatotoxicity method in herbal medicine products and to give proof that neferine, daidzein, genistein possess antihepa-totoxic effects. B[a]P which classified as a group 1 carcinogen and metabolized to B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) causes mutagenic DNA addition products. The reduc-tion of BPDE-DNA adduct formation by B[a]P-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) was derived by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). In HepG2 cells, B[a]P exhibited toxicity and substance treatment of the cells with B[a]P with neferine in lotus and daidzein, genistein in soybean reduced the BPDE-DNA ad-ducts level. The level of B[a]P-metabolites in the substance treatment of the cells was presented that BPDE levels were reduced by neferine in lotus and daidzein, genisten in soybean. These results suggest that neferine in lotus and daidzein, genistein in soybean prevent B[a]P-induced hepato-toxicity for BPDE-DNA adduct formation.