Medicine and Pharmacology

Abstract: Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) is characterised as an intra‑abdominal vascular compression syndrome in which the caudad migration of the Median Arcuate Ligament (MAL) impinges the coeliac artery and/or coeliac plexus, causing foregut ischaemia, neuropathic pain and dysautonomia. Clinically, MALS can present with postprandial epigastric pain, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal bloating and dysautonomia. Its common comorbidities are Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), other abdominal vascular compression syndromes such as nutcracker and Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMA), along with anxiety, and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Surgical decompression of the median arcuate ligament, with or without coeliac plexus intervention or endovascular stenting, can provide meaningful pain reduction and functional improvement; however, postoperative symptom recurrence, persistent dysautonomia and variable long‑term outcomes are common.This narrative review synthesises current evidence on MALS pathophysiology, symptom presentation, diagnostic imaging and management, with a particular focus on autonomic dysfunction and the emerging role of osteopathic and manual therapies. It highlights the current knowledge gap regarding autonomic pathophysiology and conservative non-surgical care in MALS, as only a limited number of case reports and series systematically assess dysautonomia or evaluate osteopathic and manual therapy. This paper aims to critically assess vascular, neurogenic, connective‑tissue, and autonomic mechanisms, evaluate current diagnostic and surgical pathways with an autonomic nervous system focus, and examine the theoretical rationale and preliminary clinical data for osteopathic and manual therapies as adjunctive or non-invasive options, thereby outlining priorities for future multimodality, phenotype‑based management and research.

Abstract: This exploratory, uncontrolled study investigated whether objective tongue mobility measurements change immediately after a brief conservative intraoral intervention, given the clinical use of the Tongue Range of Motion Ratio (TRMR) in treatment and surgical decision-making. Anonymised clinical data were analysed from 20 consecutive participants (17 females and 3 males; aged 6–84 years) receiving routine care in two private orofacial myology and temporomandibular disorder practices. Maximal mouth opening (MMO), tongue tip-to-incisive papilla (TTIP), lingual–palatal suction (LPS), and anterior and posterior TRMR were measured immediately before and after a standardised intraoral myofascial intervention lasting approximately five minutes (YTM® Introductory Protocol) and compared using paired t-tests with Wilcoxon sensitivity analyses. MMO, TTIP, and LPS increased significantly (35.5±7.0 to 40.8±6.5 mm; 26.2±7.8 to 30.4±8.5 mm; 18.8±6.6 to 22.1±8.2 mm; all p< 0.001), with large effect sizes (Cohen's dz values ranging from 0.92 to 1.45). Group-level anterior and posterior TRMR showed minimal change (both p>0.4), although a small number of participants crossed published TRMR classification thresholds. These findings indicate that absolute tongue-mobility measurements can improve immediately after brief conservative intervention, while group-level TRMR remains largely stable, raising the possibility that objective tongue mobility assessment may be influenced by immediately modifiable functional components. As this study had no control group, larger controlled trials are needed to determine whether the changes reflect intervention effects, repeated testing, or participant familiarisation.

Abstract: Epitalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed from the amino-acid composition of epithalamin, a pineal-derived polypeptide preparation. Although historically related, the two preparations are chemically distinct and their evidence should not be considered interchangeable. This narrative review examines the mechanistic, preclinical, and human evidence for epitalon, with epithalamin studies considered separately as historical context. The strongest mechanistic evidence for epitalon involves telomerase activation and telomere elongation in human cell lines. These findings were independently replicated in 2025, with telomere extension occurring through hTERT/telomerase upregulation in normal cells and alternative lengthening of telomeres in cancer cell lines.[1] Preclinical studies have also reported age-dependent neuroendocrine effects, antioxidant-associated activity, and tissue-protective effects. In female mice, epitalon did not increase mean lifespan but increased maximum lifespan by 12.3%.[2] Human epitalon evidence remains limited to small physiological or biomarker studies and an older report in retinitis pigmentosa; no adequately powered randomized trial has established therapeutic efficacy.[1,3,4] Historical epithalamin studies have reported neuroendocrine, antioxidant, cardiovascular, and longevity-associated outcomes, but these findings cannot be directly extrapolated to epitalon. Human pharmacokinetic, dose-ranging, and dedicated prospective safety studies remain unavailable, while telomere-maintenance effects raise theoretical but unresolved questions regarding long-term oncologic safety. FDA reviewed epitalon free base and acetate through the 2026 PCAC compounding process, which does not constitute therapeutic approval. [5] Overall, epitalon demonstrates biologically relevant activity but remains clinically unproven. Independent replication, pharmaceutical characterization, pharmacokinetic and safety studies, disease-specific preclinical models, and appropriately designed human trials are needed before its role in regenerative or longevity medicine can be established.

Abstract: Ayurveda is increasingly investigated using genomics, pharmacology and systems biology, yet its global scientific landscape remains quantitatively underexplored. We conducted a bibliometric and scientometric analysis of 2,027 Scopus-indexed articles (1991–2024), identifying 7,541 authors, 762 sources and 51,735 citations. Publication growth followed a Gompertz trajectory (R² = 0.998), indicating consolidation rather than exponential expansion, with declining relative growth and increasing doubling time. Author productivity deviated from Lotka’s law, while source distribution followed Bradford’s law. Citation inequality was high (Gini = 0.728). Network analysis revealed eight thematic clusters, with antioxidant pharmacology, COVID-19-related network pharmacology and complementary medicine as major motor themes; molecular docking and network pharmacology emerged as the newest topics. India dominated output but exhibited limited international collaboration. No significant open-access citation advantage was observed. Overall, Ayurveda research is shifting toward mechanistic and translational science but remains structurally concentrated and insufficiently internationalized.

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.