Medicine and Pharmacology

Abstract: Introduction: Plant-derived oxindole alkaloids and phytosterols, such as pteropodine (PT) and beta-sitosterol (BS), are bioactive constituents of traditional medicinal plants with recognized therapeutic potential. However, their schedule-dependent systemic immunomodulatory mechanisms and comparative safety profiles require detailed characterization. Aim of the study: To evaluate the schedule-dependent immunomodulatory, acute anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and in vivo genotoxic safety profiles of purified beta-sitosterol and pteropodine. Materials and methods: Primary humoral immune response was assessed in BALB/c mice by IgM plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay under three administration schedules (24 h prior, simultaneous, and 24 h post-SRBC immunization). Acute anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using TPA-induced mouse ear edema. In vitro antioxidant capability was tested via DPPH radical scavenging. In vivo genotoxicity was determined by the micronucleus assay in polychromatic erythrocytes over 96 h. Comparative cytotoxic screening on Chang liver and HepG2 cells was performed by cell adhesion evaluation. Results: Both compounds demonstrated a schedule-dependent immunomodulatory profile: pre-treatment or simultaneous administration with antigen significantly enhanced IgM-PFC counts, whereas post-immunization administration exerted dose-dependent regulatory suppression. BS and PT significantly inhibited TPA-induced ear edema in a dose-dependent manner (66.0%–84.3% and 67.5%–71.1%, respectively), comparable to indomethacin (70.6%). Both compounds showed concentration-dependent DPPH scavenging activity. Neither compound increased micronucleated erythrocytes in vivo, demonstrating genotoxic safety. Conclusions: Beta-sitosterol and pteropodine act as biocompatible, multi-target natural modulators with significant anti-inflammatory and schedule-dependent immunomodulatory activities, providing a solid scientific basis for their pharmacological application.

Abstract: Background: A person with depression, unresolved trauma, a substance problem, and cognitive complaints is treated differently depending on which practitioner they consult. A psychiatrist draws on the monoaminergic and glutamatergic literature. A licensed facilitator draws on the session literature. A naturopath draws on the botanical and nutritional literature. Each draws on a defensible evidence base, and none of the three literatures routinely cites the other two. No single reference covers the agents acting on these conditions across the disciplines that use them, with the evidentiary standing of each claim visible and the boundary of each practitioner’s authority stated. Objective: To organize that agent population by mechanism of action rather than by regulatory status or professional tradition, assign an explicit evidence tier to every claim, characterize the route and bioavailability for every agent, and derive an operational logic for safety gating, interaction adjudication, and protocol construction that practitioners from differing disciplines and with varying prescribing authority can apply within their own scope. Methods: A structured review was conducted with framework development, defining fifteen mechanism classes based on receptor pharmacology and downstream signalling. Each agent was characterized by its mechanism, dose range, route, established bioavailability, onset, duration, evidence tier, contraindications, and potential interactions. The evidence was evaluated through an international literature review and categorized into a single standardized tier system, regardless of jurisdiction: T1 for randomized controlled trials, T2 for controlled studies with limitations, T3 for observational or open-label studies, T4 for mechanistic evidence only, and T5 for traditional use. Results: Fifteen classes are outlined across 154 subsections, covering areas like glutamatergic modulation, serotonergic psychedelics, entactogens, non-5-HT2A psychoactives, monoaminergic and inhibitory modulation, neurotrophic and neuroimmune agents, adaptogenic and mitochondrial support, pharmacokinetic modification, potentiation, cholinergic modulation, and circadian phase. Seventy-six agents are individually characterized. A condition matrix links them to sixty-eight indications, including cluster headache, tic disorders, traumatic brain injury, chronic pain, burnout, and insomnia, which are often missing from reviews despite substantial supporting data. The safety measures include six safety gates, eighteen interaction rules with specified severity, a seven-step construction process, and a role-scope matrix. Route and bioavailability are detailed for each agent: five deliver about the administered dose; several widely used agents reach systemic circulation at one to ten percent; and four are pharmacologically inert via their primary route. Conclusions: A mechanism-first organization enables the evaluation of agents with varying evidentiary credibility and regulatory statuses within a single framework, without undervaluing weaker evidence or overestimating stronger cases. Three key points follow. The evidence tier pertains to the agent-indication-dose triplet, not the agent itself: for example, piracetam shows T1 evidence for myoclonus at 24 g daily and T4 for cognition at any dose. An additional axis, circadian phase, runs alongside dose, mechanism, and route; a shifted rhythm indicates deficiency and calls for the opposite intervention. When absorption or first-pass metabolism limits a compound rather than receptor pharmacology, the issue is a formulation problem and should be labelled as such. This framework is designed for complementary and adjunctive practices, highlights sections needing prescribing authority, and does not replace personalized clinical judgment.

Abstract: Acupuncture is supported by a long clinical tradition and a growing body of mechanistic research, yet the classical meridian system remains difficult to reconcile with conventional anatomical models. The persistent difficulty may arise from a category error: meridians have often been sought as discrete anatomical tubes, whereas the relevant biological object may be a dynamic control and information system. Here we propose the Meridian-Program Hypothesis, which reinterprets the acupuncture system as a five-layer bioelectrical and mechanochemical control network. In this framework, connective-tissue and neural substrates form the hardware layer; local bioelectrical, mechanical, chemical and optical signals form the code layer; central nervous system processing acts as a compiler that assigns context-dependent physiological meaning; neuroimmune, endocrine and molecular pathways constitute the execution layer; and acupuncture functions as a parameterized state-correction input that may shift dysregulated states toward homeostasis. The model does not claim that traditional meridians are already proven anatomical structures. Instead, it offers a testable systems-level language that integrates evidence from electrical impedance studies, fascia research, somatotopic electroacupuncture circuits, neuroimaging, neuroimmune modulation and molecular network studies. We outline three experimental routes: multimodal signal fingerprinting of acupoints, causal chain testing from peripheral input to central processing and organ response, and mapping of pathology-specific stimulation parameters. By turning the meridian question from 'Where is the structure?' to 'How does the control system operate?', the hypothesis may help bridge traditional acupuncture theory with contemporary neuroscience, systems biology and precision neuromodulation.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: The aim of this review is to present the current possibilities for using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs for knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: A narrative review of the scientific literature published in the following databases was conducted: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate. Scientific articles containing information regarding the application and efficacy of laser therapy (LLLT and/or HILT) for musculoskeletal rehabilitation in KOA were searched for. This review included observational studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published from January 2000 to June 2026. Results: Data were found indicating a high degree of disability due to degenerative musculoskeletal conditions. This requires the optimization of osteoarthritis management strategies. Evidence of varying levels of significance was identified regarding the benefits of LLLT and/or HILT in reducing osteoarthritis symptoms. However, at this stage, no firm recommendations have been made regarding the inclusion of LLLT and/or HILT in musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs. Conclusions: The use of LLLT and/or HILT therapeutic lasers in musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs may have a positive effect on osteoarthritis by improving tissue trophism and pain reduction, as well as improving range of motion and functional activity, and may also help to reduce the use of pharmacological agents. However, there is no conclusive evidence, and no strong recommendations were found for the inclusion of LLLT and/or HILT in osteoarthritis management programs. This necessitates future high-quality scientific studies with standardized protocols for laser therapy.

Abstract: Objectives: The study determined antibiotic resistance profiles of surgical wound’ multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates belonging to the ESKAPE group and evaluated antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of geraniol (G), carvacrol (C), and eugenol (E), individually and in the selected binary mixtures against them. The cytotoxicity of monoterpenes and their combinations was also assessed. Methods: The antibacterial activity against E. faecium, S. aureus MRSA, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp. was assessed in microdilution assay. Antibiofilm activity was tested in crystal violet assay. Cytotoxicity of the tested monoterpenes was estimated in XTT assay. Results: C proved the strongest antimicrobial activity (MIC 0.32±0.24 mg mL-1). Antibacterial checkerboard assay, used to study interactions, showed synergism between all monoterpenes. Significant biofilm inhibition (in crystal violet assay) was found for sole monoterpenes, with the most pronounced inhibition for G (38.78–84.72%, p< 0.05). The most significant biofilm eradication was demonstrated for C (25.21-61.34%, p< 0.05), while the G (28.83-55.26%) and E (21.74-52.83%) exhibited a weaker effect. G-C mixtures were further studied for the antibiofilm effect, showing notable inhibition of biofilm formation on all isolates except P. aeruginosa. However, the G-C mixtures exhibited biofilm eradication activity solely against P. aeruginosa. Cytotoxicity tested on normal human MRC-5 fibroblasts showed no cytotoxicity at tested doses of G, E and C, while G-C mixtures were less cytotoxic than povidone-iodine (p< 0.05), used as control. Conclusions: All monoterpenes and G-C mixture proved significant antibacterial and antibiofilm potential against ESKAPE isolates, and acceptable impact on cell viability.

Abstract: Cold hypersensitivity in hands and feet (CHHF) affects 20–52% of East Asian populations, is more prevalent in women, and is managed with vasodilators in Western medicine or herbal therapies in traditional East Asian medicine. This study was conducted to compare the pharmacological characteristics of two heat-clearing (HCHs, Scutellariae Radix and Coptidis Rhizoma) and two blood-tonifying herbs (BTHs, Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Paeoniae Radix Alba) used for CHHF. Candidate herbs were selected based on herbology classifications, PubMed searches, and the Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline for CHHF. A total of 61 active compounds and 323 corresponding protein targets with CHHF were retrieved from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP), standardized via UniProt, and intersected with CHHF-related genes from GeneCards. Protein–protein interaction networks were con-structed, core targets identified, and functional enrichment analyses performed using Gene Ontology and Reactome databases. A total of 166 herb–CHHF common targets were identified, including 24 shared across all four herbs. HCHs were primarily enriched in hemostasis-, immune-, and signaling-related pathways, whereas BTHs were associated with immune regulation, metabolism, and neuronal modulation. Notably, Scutellariae Radix and Paeoniae Radix Alba showed substantial overlap in enriched pathways. These findings suggest that HCHs and BTHs may act through distinct yet complementary mechanisms in CHHF, providing a mechanistic basis for combined traditional use.

Abstract: Background: Malignant melanoma is characterized by molecular heterogeneity, adap-tive signaling, and limited durability of therapeutic responses. This exploratory study examined a chemically characterized dual-oil formulation composed of cold-pressed Prunus dulcis oil and Pinus sylvestris needle essential oil as an integrated life-science model linking formulation chemistry, comparator-context molecular docking, and cel-lular viability. Methods: GC-MS/FAME profiling defined the principal formula-tion-associated markers. Docking was used to prioritize structurally plausible interac-tions across a melanoma-relevant target panel, while Neutral Red Uptake assays quan-tified 24-h viability in B16F10 melanoma cells and MRC-5 fibroblasts. Spearman rank analysis was applied to the concentration–viability series to test monotonic biological coherence; a direct component-level docking-to-cellular correlation was prospectively evaluated for estimability. Results: The combined formulation yielded estimated IC50 values of 1.42% in B16F10 cells and 4.85% in MRC-5 cells (selectivity index, 3.41). Across the complete concentration range, the relationship was non-monotonic (B16F10: ρs = −0.429, p = 0.289; MRC-5: ρs = −0.381, p = 0.352), whereas the descending high-dose branch (≥0.37% v/v) showed strong inverse rank associations (B16F10: ρs = −1.000, p < 0.001; MRC-5: ρs = −0.900, p = 0.037). A statistically valid direct in silico–in vitro Spear-man coefficient could not be calculated because compound-resolved cellular pheno-types were unavailable for the six docked chemical markers. Conclusions: The data support a biologically coherent, concentration-dependent cytotoxic phenotype within the descending exposure range and define a rigorous framework for future com-pound-matched computational–experimental validation. The study should be inter-preted as hypothesis-generating rather than as evidence of cellular target engagement or therapeutic efficacy.

Abstract:

The corm of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Scott is widely used for food and treating gastric problems. However, its gastroprotective activity remains unexplored. This article aims to investigate the gastroprotective activity of the ethanol extract of C. esculenta corm (EECE) in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. EECE was analyzed for nutritional composition (proximate and vitamin C) and phytochemical composition (total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and quercetin levels), followed by metabolite profiling and an in vivo study. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to seven groups: (1) normal control, (2) negative control, (3) sucralfate group, (4) quercetin group, and three EECE groups at doses of (5) 200 mg/kg BW, (6) 400 mg/kg BW, and (7) 800 mg/kg BW. Following a two-week treatment period, all groups except the normal group were exposed to 70% ethanol. Post-mortem analysis included macroscopic and histopathological examination of gastric tissue, as well as Western blot analysis to investigate NF-κB p65 expression. EECE contains high moisture, ash, fat, and protein, and low carbohydrate levels, vitamin C at 417.73 mg/100 g, total phenol content of 833.43 mg GAE/100 g, total flavonoid content of 1,178.82 mg QE/100 g, and quercetin at 261.76 mg/100 g. UHPLC–HRMS/MS analysis revealed amino sugars, conjugated amino acids, lipids, phenolics, and minor cyanogenic glycosides. EECE significantly reduced ulcer area percentage in an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model (p < 0.05). It increased mucosal thickness, reduced polymorphonuclear cell infiltration, and decreased NF-κB p65 expression. The gastroprotective effects of EECE are mediated by enhancing gastric mucosal defense and inhibiting NF-κB p65 expression, thus highlighting its potential as a promising gastroprotective adjunct therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Salmonellosis is a major food safety concern, especially when Salmonella strains from meat show multidrug resistance. This study examined plant-derived extracts' antimicrobial potential. Extracts from Lepechinia caulescens (brenilla) and Sagina procumbens (pearl grass) were tested against multidrug-resistant Salmonella from meat in Guanajuato, Mexico. Of 25 strains, 9 were from chicken, 8 from beef, and 8 from pork. This study analyzed three extracts: two from L. caulescens—one isolated from leaves, flowers, and seeds (LCLFS) and the other from stems and roots (LCSR)—and a third extract from S. procumbens (SP). The plant material was dried, ground, and macerated in ethanol for one week in the dark at room temperature. It was then filtered, concentrated, and resuspended in sterile distilled water. The methodology involved performing minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the disk diffusion method. The inhibition zones of the L. caulescens extracts (17–23 mm in diameter) yielded better results than those of S. procumbens (5–16 mm in diameter). The two extracts, LCLFS and LCSR, exhibited similar inhibitory concentrations of 30 µL/mL, whereas that of S. procumbens was 50 µL/mL. The LCSR extract consistently inhibited Salmonella strains present in all types of meat, unlike the SP extract. Statistical analysis showed that the type of extract and the source of Salmonella significantly affected the results. The LCLFS extract shows promise for the control of multidrug-resistant Salmonella in meat products.

Abstract: The use of medicinal plants to treat various conditions and illnesses represents an attractive alternative to conventional pharmaceutical drugs, harnessing ancestral knowledge from various indigenous communities. Mostly obtained through wild harvesting, these plants often lack comprehensive information on hydroponic production. With the aim to provide valuable insights into this knowledge gap, this study focused on evaluating the growth of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) under greenhouse conditions. Two treatments were implemented: one using hydroponics (with inorganic substrate and nutrient solution) and another as control, employing organic substrate without any solution. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five repetitions per treatment. Statistical figures indicated that hydroponic cultivation significantly promoted growth in fresh and dry weight, as well as height, of both plant species. This finding points towards the potential of hydroponics as an effective production method for medicinal plants such as thyme and milk thistle.

Abstract: Background: Malignant melanoma remains a biologically aggressive cancer in which pathway redundancy and adaptive signaling can complicate durable therapeutic control. The working hypothesis is based on the following testable question: whether an archived dual-oil formulation composed of cold-pressed Prunus dulcis oil and Pinus sylvestris oil, in which α-pinene is the major component, generated a measurable NRU viability phenotype in B16F10 melanoma cells that justified subsequent standardized chemical, mechanistic, and statistical follow-up. Methods: Comparator-context docking observations were generated across a melanoma-relevant target panel, and the computational layer was used only to organize qualitative pocket-context hypotheses. The archived NRU dataset was then descriptively evaluated in B16F10 melanoma cells and MRC-5 fibroblasts. Results: The NRU data indicate an observable concentration-associated reduction in B16F10 viability for the combined formulation; and IC50/selectivity-index values were estimated from fitted dose-response curves; however, the absence of complete replicate-level raw metadata and confidence intervals requires cautious exploratory interpretation. Conclusions: The results support the cautious interpretation that a dual-oil P. dulcis and P. sylvestris formulation may serve as a pilot, hypothesis-generating anti-melanoma exploratory platform. The principal value of the study is to define the minimum experimental program required for future validation, including GC-MS batch standardization, orthogonal viability assays, replicated dose-response modeling, biochemical target assays, pathway readouts, and in vivo evaluation where justified. GC-MS/FAME profiling is incorporated as a chemical-standardization anchor for the dual-oil system. GC/MS analysis was performed to characterize the chemical profiles of cold-pressed P. dulcis oil and P. sylvestris needle essential oil, supporting chemical standardization of the dual-oil system.

Abstract: Palmatine chloride (berbericinine, C₂₁H₂₂ClNO₄) is a protoberberine alkaloid found in several plants including Rhizoma Coptidis, Cortex Phellodendri, Rhizoma Corydalis, Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), and Tinospora sagittata roots. Palmatine chloride (PA) is known as an inhibitor of dopamine generation. However, its effect on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related macrophage activation caused by endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) is not well known yet. In this study, effects of PA on pyroptotic responses of mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7) activated by endotoxin were investigated using Griess reagent assay for nitric oxide (NO) production, fluo-4 assay for cytosolic calcium release, dihydrorhodamine 123 assay for hydrogen peroxide production, multiple cytokine assay for cytokines production, real-time PCR for inflammatory genes transcriptions, and flow cytometry assay for p38 MAPK activation. Results revealed that PA significantly reduced excessive production levels of NO, hydrogen peroxide, pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as interleukin (IL)-6, CCL3 (MIP-1α), and CSF2 (GM-CSF)), and cytosolic calcium release in endotoxin-stimulated RAW 264.7, but significantly increased the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. PA inhibited endotoxin-induced transcripts of Chop, Stat1, Fas, and c-Fos in activated RAW 264.7. It also decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation and level of Fas in RAW 264.7 stimulated by endotoxin. To further interpret these findings, a network pharmacology-informed analysis based on large-scale literature mining was performed, supporting the multi-target regulatory role of PA in ER stress-related pathways. Briefly, PA exerts anti-inflammatory effects on endotoxin-stimulated RAW 264.7 via calcium-CHOP pathway, consequently reducing endotoxin-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, cytokines, etc.) and relieving ER stress-related pyroptotic cascade.

Abstract: Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae are major Gram-positive patho-gens implicated in recurrent and invasive genital infections, and the rise of antimicrobial resistance underscores the need for alternative localized therapies. This study combined molecular docking with a prospective pilot clinical evaluation of an essential-oil-based vaginal capsule formulation intended for localized intravaginal administration. Terpinen-4-ol, isoflavone, and secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) were analyzed against two bacterial targets - the redox-sensing transcriptional repressor Rex from S. agalactiae and the protein tyrosine phosphatase from S. pyogenes - using the 1-Click Docking platform and the Lamarckian Genetic Algorithm. In parallel, 47 women aged 19-27 years were identified with vaginal and/or cervical colonization or infection caused by S. agalactiae or S. pyogenes, and 34 of them entered a prospective pilot treatment study with once-daily vaginal capsules for 7 days; persistent positive cases received an additional 7-day course. Isoflavone and SDG showed the most favorable interactions against the S. agalactiae target, while SDG also displayed comparatively favorable interaction against the S. pyogenes target. In the clinical pilot cohort, microbiological eradication after completion of therapy reached 91.7% for S. agalactiae and 80.0% for S. pyogenes. The parallel trend between stronger in silico prioritization for the S. agalactiae-directed target and higher clinical eradication in the pilot cohort supports a cautious translational hypothesis, but the absence of a control group, the limited sample size, and the exploratory nature of the clinical dataset require restrained interpretation. Overall, these findings support further controlled studies designed to test whether the computationally prioritized phytocompounds contribute to measurable in vivo benefit within localized antimicrobial strategies.

Abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with atherosclerosis (AS) serving as its primary pathological foundation, involving multiple pathological processes, including lipid metabolism disorders, chronic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. The food and medicine continuum (FMC) concept originates from traditional Chinese medicine, emphasizing that certain foods possess both nutritional and medicinal value, aligning closely with the modern "food is medicine" philosophy. This review systematically examines the bioactive components and anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms of ten FMC herbs: Hawthorn Fruit (Crataegus Fructus), Ginkgo Seed (Ginkgo Semen), Milkvetch Root (Astragali Radix), Turmeric (Curcumae Longae Rhizoma), Ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens ), Glossy Ganoderma (Ganoderma), Angelica sinensis(Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Barbary Wolfberry Fruit (Lycii Fructus), lotus leaf (Nelumbinis Folium), and Honey (Mel). These herbs are rich in bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides, which can exert cardiovascular protective effects, such as regulating lipid metabolism, inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress, improving endothelial function, and modulating gut microbiota. Regarding clinical evidence, meta-analyses support the beneficial effects of ginger and honey on cardiometabolic risk factors, though the field still faces challenges including the need for higher-level clinical evidence and difficulties in product standardization. This review aims to integrate traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches, providing scientific evidence for the development of functional foods and phytotherapy.

Abstract: Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease in which clinically apparent synovitis is preceded by a prolonged preclinical phase characterized by immune dysregulation and autoantibody formation. Growing evidence implicates gut dysbiosis, impaired intestinal barrier integrity, and gut-derived immune priming as upstream contributors to RA pathogenesis, occurring years before overt joint inflammation. In parallel, Ayurveda describes Amavata as a chronic systemic disorder arising from the formation of Ama, a pathogenic burden produced by impaired digestive and metabolic function (Agni), which accumulates silently, disseminates systemically, and later localizes to the joints. Methods: This conceptual review draws on peer-reviewed biomedical and Ayurvedic literature to examine potential functional correspondences between the Ayurvedic construct of Ama in Amavata and contemporary models of gut-derived immune activation in RA, with emphasis on shared temporal and systemic features of disease development. Results: Both frameworks locate disease initiation upstream of overt inflammation and describe a prolonged preclinical phase characterized by systemic pathogenic processes. Ama is interpreted not as inflammation or tissue injury, but as a preclinical, systemic pathogenic state functionally analogous to chronic gut dysbiosis, barrier dysfunction, and immune priming described in RA. The analysis identifies a structural contrast in explanatory logic: Ayurveda integrates multiple upstream processes into a single unifying construct, whereas biomedicine analytically separates them into discrete mechanisms. The proposed mapping is heuristic and non-reductive, without asserting one-to-one equivalence or molecular translation. Conclusions: By situating both Amavata and RA within a shared preclinical, systemic disease framework, this model reinforces the importance of early, preventive intervention targeting metabolic and gut-immune dysregulation prior to irreversible joint damage. The findings demonstrate convergent reasoning across distinct medical traditions and support integrative, systems-oriented perspectives on chronic inflammatory disease initiation.

Abstract: Pneumonia is one of the major causes of death, especially in paediatric groups, with late diagnosis being a major risk factor that complicates the clinical situation and treatment. Traditional diagnostic methods based on the use of manual decoding of chest X-rays are limited by inter-observer error and the lack of specialists, especially in high-volume or resource-intensive environments. This paper suggests a vision-based detection system based on a convolutional neural network that was trained on 5,863 chest X-ray images to classify pneumonia (binary). The framework is also not limited to diagnosis, it incorporates a simulated robotic intervention module that can invoke automated alerts, clinical notification, and preliminary response activities. The model uses standardised preprocessing and has an efficient feature extraction with about 11.17 million parameters. The system has a test accuracy of 89.74% with a recall of about 96.7%, which means that the system is highly sensitive in detecting pneumonia cases. Combining AI-based detection with robotic action shows that a scalable solution can be used in real-time clinical assistance, especially in intelligent and remote healthcare settings.

Abstract: Objective: This study aims to conduct a comprehensive pharmacological analysis of a medical booklet identified in a personal library in Ganja, Azerbaijan. The text is written in Azerbaijani Cyrillic script, implying a mid-20th-century (Soviet-period) origin. The study specifically isolates, translates, and evaluates four distinct therapeutic claims found within the text: a Peganum harmala and grape molasses practice for psychiatric disorders; a Lawsonia inermis and sugar decoction for gangrene; a Lens culinaris regimen for pain; and a Ficus carica latex application for epistaxis. Material and Methods: The study employs a trans-disciplinary approach combining philological analysis of the source text with modern pharmacognosy, toxicology, and clinical simulation. The booklet’s citations—including The Canon, Ghayat al-Bayan, and Nüsrət Əfəndi—were analyzed to establish the intellectual lineage of the text. The four identified practices were deconstructed into their phytochemical constituents. Efficacy and safety profiles were modeled based on current database analyses of active metabolites (e.g., harmine, lawsone, ficin, polyphenols) and their bioavailability when processed according to the specific instructions. Results: The analysis reveals that the rue and doshab practice for mental illness utilizes an acid-base extraction method to maximize the bioavailability of beta-carboline alkaloids, functioning as a potent monoamine oxidase inhibitor. The fig stick method for epistaxis operates via enzymatic coagulation (factor X activation by ficin) and chemical cautery. The lentil practice for finger pain targets inflammatory pathways via polyphenolic inhibition of COX-2. Conversely, the henna–sugar practice for gangrene appears scientifically contraindicated and may carry a risk of oxidative hemolysis. Conclusion: The booklet represents a sophisticated synthesis of humoral (Galenic) and iatrochemical (Paracelsian) medicine. While certain practices demonstrate a rational pharmacological basis prefiguring modern drug delivery systems, others pose risks. This analysis underscores the necessity of rigorous toxicological screening before reviving traditional ethnomedical practices.

Abstract: In order to enhance the value and stability of vegetable oils, they may be enriched with essential oils and plant extracts with strong antioxidant activity, yielding innovative formulations with potential applications in skincare. The present research aims to investigate the bioactive properties of an Usnea barbata extract in Jojoba oil (JO) enriched with 5% Peppermint oil (PEO), and 10% vitamin E (PJO). The oil extract (UBPJO) was obtained through cold maceration. The UBPJO antioxidant activity was investigated using 2 methods (DPPH and ABTS). The sunscreen capacity of UBPJO was evaluated by measuring their sun protection factor (SPF) values. The antimicrobial potential was investigated against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. The antioxidant activity of UBPJO was 1.5 times higher than PJO. Consequently, the sunscreen efficacy (assessed by SPF measurements) indicated satisfactory UVB protection abilities against S. aureus (UBPJO vs. PJO: 32.41 vs. 30.58). UBPJO exhibited significantly greater inhibitory effects compared to PJO against S. aureus (MIC = 18.75 ± 6.25 vs. 37.50 ± 0.00, p < 0.05). and C. albicans (9.62 ± 2,87 vs. 37.5 ± 12.5, p < 0.05). The bioactive properties investigated in the present study support the inclusion of UBPJO in various skin protective formulations with antiaging, antibacterial, and antifungal effects.

Abstract: Although Phyllanthus species possess a rich history of ethnomedicinal use, their potential in managing neurodegenerative disorders remains under-explored. This study screened ten Phyllanthus species for antioxidant profiles and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition to identify candidates for neuroprotection. Among the tested species, P. emblica emerged as the most potent candidate, exhibiting superior radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and dual MAO-A/B inhibition. These bioactivities were strongly correlated with its high content of phytoconstituents, including total phenolics, flavonoids, and phenylpropanoids. Notably, P. urinaria displayed distinctive selectivity as an MAO-B inhibitor. In a rotenone-induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) model using SH-SY5Y cells, both species significantly mitigated neurotoxicity by attenuating oxidative stress. Mechanistically, treatments with both Phyllanthus species reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation while preserving glutathione (GSH) levels and restoring superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that P. emblica and P. urinaria confer neuroprotection through a multi-target mechanism involving direct antioxidant action, enhancement of endogenous defenses, and enzyme modulation, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Background: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) heat is clinically important but cannot be reduced to a thermometer reading or a single biomedical pathway. Attempts to translate heat directly into “sympathetic discharge” risk both overstatement and loss of syndrome differentiation.Objective: To examine whether selected, rigorously differentiated heat-pattern presentations may involve a measurable autonomic layer, with emphasis on body acupuncture, auricular acupressure, and selected warm modalities.Evidence considered: This focused narrative review synthesizes literature on heart rate variability (HRV) and related autonomic measures in acupuncture research, neuroanatomical and clinical literature on auricular stimulation, and selected studies on heat or moxibustion relevant to conditional warm-modality use.Synthesis: The strongest empirical support lies in body acupuncture studies showing parasympathetic shift on HRV and related autonomic measures, while the clearest anatomy-linked test case lies in auricular stimulation because the auricle includes vagally innervated territory. Evidence for warm modalities is more conditional and is most relevant to mixed, constrained, or deficiency-associated presentations rather than heat as a whole.Conclusions and clinical implications: Selected, rigorously differentiated heat-pattern subgroups may involve autonomic dysregulation, including features compatible with heightened autonomic arousal and reduced parasympathetic recovery. This adjunct autonomic layer may help structure mechanism-oriented documentation, clinical observation, and future research.