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International Journal of Biological... Feb 2024Armillaria mellea (Vahl) P. Kumm. is a well-known homoeopathic plant with medicinal and culinary uses. Modern phytochemical researchers have successfully extracted and... (Review)
Review
Armillaria mellea (Vahl) P. Kumm. is a well-known homoeopathic plant with medicinal and culinary uses. Modern phytochemical researchers have successfully extracted and purified over 40 types of A. mellea polysaccharides (AMPs) from the fruiting bodies, hyphae and fermentation broth of A. mellea, and some of them have been analyzed and identified by their chemical structures. The impressive biological activity of these polysaccharides has been recognized by scientists worldwide. Many studies show that AMPs have remarkable antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, hypolipidemic, thrombectomy, anti-aging, pulmonary protective, hepatic protective, anti-Alzheimer's properties, etc. However, the current understanding of the relationships between their chemical structure and biological activity, toxicological effects and pharmacokinetics remains limited. This article provides a systematic review of the research conducted over the past decades on the extraction and purification methods, structural characteristics, biological activity and mechanism of action of AMPs. The aim is to provide a research base that will benefit the future application of AMPs as therapeutic drugs and functional foods, and also provide insights for the further development of AMPs.
Topics: Polysaccharides; Armillaria; Antioxidants; Anti-Inflammatory Agents
PubMed: 38181916
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.129175 -
Medicine Nov 2023Suicide is the leading cause of death worldwide. Herbal medicine (HM) has been reported to be related to clinical improvement of some risk factors for suicide including... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Suicide is the leading cause of death worldwide. Herbal medicine (HM) has been reported to be related to clinical improvement of some risk factors for suicide including depression. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively investigate the effectiveness and safety of HM on suicidal behaviors.
METHODS
Fifteen electronic databases were searched to search relevant intervention studies, up to September 2022. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the modified Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. In the included studies, outcome on suicidal behavior were analyzed, and the effect sizes were presented as mean differences (MDs) or risk ratios (RRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) through meta-analysis. The strength of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
RESULTS
A total of 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this review. Two RCTs of HM in patients with suicidal behavior found significant benefits of HM as an adjunct to fluoxetine or cognitive therapy in improving symptoms of depression. In 11 RCTs of HM in patients with other conditions, there was no statistically significant difference between HM and antidepressants in cognitive disturbance (MD, 0.12; 95% CIs, -0.20 to 0.45), a subscale of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD), and suicidal ideation (0.18; -0.16 to 0.53), an item of HAMD. The overall quality of the included studies was poor. The strength of evidence assessed by GRADE was low or very low.
CONCLUSIONS
Though some of the studies reported significant benefits of HM in improving suicidal behavior in patients with depression, further clarification on some unsolved questions is needed in future well-designed clinical trials.
Topics: Humans; Suicidal Ideation; Antidepressive Agents; Fluoxetine; Suicide; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37932986
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034796 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... May 2024Guilandina bonduc L. is popularly known as a fever nut that grows widely in evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests with a pantropical distribution. The plant is... (Review)
Review
Guilandina bonduc L. is popularly known as a fever nut that grows widely in evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests with a pantropical distribution. The plant is highly therapeutic in various systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Siddha, and homeopathy. The purpose of this review is to analyze the published data on G. bonduc, including traditional uses, taxonomic position, botanical description, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and toxicological assessment of its various parts. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies were the main focus of this review. The previously published research on G. bonduc was tracked from scientific databases such as Online Library, Google, Taylor and Francis, PubMed, Research Gate, Scopus, Springer, Wiley, Web of Sciences. Numerous phytochemical, pharmaceutical, and pharmacological studies have been carried out on the various parts of G. bonduc. To date, more than 97 phytochemicals have been isolated from the leaves, roots, stems, stem bark, flowers, twigs, and seeds of this plant. The phytochemicals isolated from the plants are flavonoids, homoisoflavonoids, terpenoids, diterpenoids, steroids, fatty acids, alkanes, acids, phenols, ketones, esters, amides, azides, silanes, and ether groups. This plant has been extensively studied in in vitro and in vivo pharmacological experiments, where it showed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antidiabetic, abortive, anticataleptic, immunomodulatory, and antiestrogenic effects. This comprehensive review revealed that phytochemicals isolated from various parts of G. bonduc have significant therapeutic efficacy, with promising anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. This review provides a good source of information for the development of a drug using modern scientific tools, in view of its underexplored traditional uses. Further studies on preclinical and clinical trials and toxicological studies on the bioactive molecules of G. bonduc to validate its traditional uses are warranted.
Topics: Phytochemicals; Animals; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Plant Extracts; Phytotherapy; Ethnopharmacology
PubMed: 37987793
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02822-w -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... 2024Various studies have shown that the microbial proteins are often more stable than belongs to other sources like plant and animal origin. Hence, the interest in microbial...
Various studies have shown that the microbial proteins are often more stable than belongs to other sources like plant and animal origin. Hence, the interest in microbial enzymes has gained much attention due to many potential applications like bioenergy, biofuel production, biobleaching, bioconversion and so on. Additionally, recent trends revealed that the interest in isolating novel microbes from harsh environments have been the main focus of many scientists for various applications. Basically, industrially important enzymes can be categorized into mainly three groups: carbohydrases, proteases, and lipases. Among those, the enzymes especially carbohydrases involved in production of sugars. Carbohydrases include amylases, xylanases, pectinases, cellulases, chitinases, mannases, laccases, ligninases, lactase, glucanase, and glucose oxidase. Thus, here, an approach has been made to highlight five enzymes namely amylase, cellulase, laccase, pectinase, and xylanase from different sources with special emphasis on their properties, mechanism, applications, production optimization, purification, molecular approaches for its enhanced and stable production, and also biotechnological perspectives of its future development. Also, green and sustainable catalytic conversion strategies using nanoparticles of these enzymes have also been discussed. This review will provide insight into the carbohydrases importance and their usefulness that will help to the researchers working in this field.
Topics: Glycoside Hydrolases; Cellulases; Biotechnology; Peptide Hydrolases
PubMed: 35930295
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2106545 -
Food & Function Apr 2024Alzheimer's disease (AD) currently lacks effective treatments, making its prevention a critical focus. While accumulating evidence supports that plant-based fermented... (Review)
Review
Alzheimer's disease (AD) currently lacks effective treatments, making its prevention a critical focus. While accumulating evidence supports that plant-based fermented foods may contribute to AD prevention, the neuroprotective effect of plant-based fermented foods on AD has not been comprehensively reviewed. In this study, we conducted a systematic review of preclinical studies on the efficacy of plant-based fermented foods in AD. The literature search was based on databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. The PICO approach was employed for report inclusion, and each report was assessed for risk of bias using the SYRCLE's RoB tool. From the analysis of 25 retrieved reports, we extracted essential details, including bibliographic information, animal models and characteristics, sources of plant-based fermented foods, dosages, administration routes, durations, and outcome measures. Our findings indicate that plant-based fermented foods may positively impact acute and long-term cognitive function, as well as beta-amyloid-mediated neurodegeneration. This review sheds light on the potential neuroprotective benefits of plant-based fermented foods for various AD-related aspects, including oxidative stress, synaptotoxicity, neuroinflammation, tau hyperphosphorylation, dysfunctional amyloidogenic pathways, and cognitive deficits, as observed in rodent models of AD. However, the small number of studies obtained from our literature search and the finding that many of them were of moderate methodological quality suggest the need for further investigation to substantiate the beneficial potential of this class of functional food for the management of AD.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Humans; Fermented Foods; Neuroprotective Agents; Disease Models, Animal; Oxidative Stress; Amyloid beta-Peptides
PubMed: 38517682
DOI: 10.1039/d3fo03805j -
Medicine Feb 2024Pediatric functional constipation (PFC) is a prevalent and persistent gastrointestinal disorder, that requires various treatments, including alternative approaches. This... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pediatric functional constipation (PFC) is a prevalent and persistent gastrointestinal disorder, that requires various treatments, including alternative approaches. This review assessed the synergistic efficacy of herbal medicine (HM) and probiotics for PFC.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search of 11 databases, including English, Chinese, and Korean databases, until June 29, 2023. The inclusion criteria were randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing the intervention of HM with probiotics to that of the same probiotics. Statistical analyses included calculation of the mean difference (MD), standardized MD, risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and assessment of risk of bias using Review Manager Version 5.4 software. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation rating system was used to evaluate evidence quality. Potential publication bias was assessed using funnel plots, Egger test, the fail-safe N test, and Duval and Tweedie trim and fill method.
RESULTS
A total of 22 RCTs involving 2228 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The HM and probiotics group exhibited superior outcomes compared to the probiotics alone group in various parameters: total effective rate (RR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.19-1.29, P < .001), Bristol fecal Score (MD: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.71-0.89, P < .001), gastrointestinal peptide hormone (motilin) (MD: 35.37, 95% CI: 24.64-64.10, P < .001), inflammation indicator (nitrous oxide) (MD: -12.45, 95% CI: -15.12 to -9.77, P < .001), minimal sensitive volume of the rectum (MD: -8.7, 95% CI: -10.91 to -6.49, P < .001), and recurrence rate (RR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.21-0.43, P < .001).
CONCLUSION
The combination of HM and probiotics may exhibit a synergistic effect on PFC. Nevertheless, it is imperative to undertake rigorously planned RCTs to comprehensively evaluate the synergistic efficacy of HM and probiotics.
Topics: Child; Humans; Constipation; Probiotics; Gastrointestinal Tract; Plants, Medicinal; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38363914
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000036899 -
Effects of anthocyanin supplementation on blood lipid levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in Nutrition 2023Dyslipidemia is a major cardiovascular disease risk factor associated with increased mortality. The intake of plant food-derived bioactive compounds is associated with...
INTRODUCTION
Dyslipidemia is a major cardiovascular disease risk factor associated with increased mortality. The intake of plant food-derived bioactive compounds is associated with beneficial cardiovascular effects, including decreased blood lipid levels and cardiovascular risk. We aimed to evaluate the effects of anthocyanin intake on blood lipid levels by analyzing relevant randomized controlled trials.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed and Embase databases using the "Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes" format to determine whether anthocyanin supplementation intervention affected blood lipid levels compared with placebo supplementation in human participants.
RESULTS
A total of 41 studies with 2,788 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Anthocyanin supplementation significantly reduced triglyceride [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.18, -0.01) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (SMD = -0.16; 95% CI -0.26, -0.07) levels and increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI 0.20, 0.65).
DISCUSSION
Anthocyanin supplementation significantly improved blood lipid component levels in the included studies. Larger, well-designed clinical trials are needed to further investigate the effects of anthocyanin intake on blood lipid levels and the safety of anthocyanin supplementation for treating dyslipidemia.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021257087, identifier: CRD42021257087.
PubMed: 37649528
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1207751 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023The interest on the use of natural sources in the food industry has promoted the study of plants' phenolic compounds as potential additives. However, the literature has... (Review)
Review
The interest on the use of natural sources in the food industry has promoted the study of plants' phenolic compounds as potential additives. However, the literature has been focusing on essential oils, with very few studies published regarding aqueous extracts, their phenolic composition, and bioactivity. A systematic review was conducted on different databases following PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the relevance of the phenolic content of different aromatic spices (oregano, rosemary, thyme, ginger, clove, and pepper), as related to their bioactivity and potential application as food additives. Although different extraction methods have been applied in the literature, the use of green approaches using ethanol and deep eutectic solvents has increased, leading to the development of products more apt for human consumption. The studied plants present an interesting phenolic profile, ranging from phenolic acids to flavonoids, establishing a correlation between their phenolic content and bioactivity. In this sense, results have proven to be very promising, presenting those extracts as having similar if not higher bioactivity than synthetic additives already in use, with associated health concerns. Nevertheless, the study of spices' phenolic extracts is somehow limited to studies. Therefore, research in food matrices is needed for more understanding of factors interfering with their preservation activity.
PubMed: 37628030
DOI: 10.3390/foods12163031 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Jan 2024Cancer is characterized as the leading cause of death, and the susceptibility of cancer cells to develop resistance due to long-term exposure to complementary... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cancer is characterized as the leading cause of death, and the susceptibility of cancer cells to develop resistance due to long-term exposure to complementary chemotherapeutic treatment is referred to as multidrug resistance cancer cells (MDRC), which is a significant obstacle in the treatment of malignancies. Since complementary medicine lost its effectiveness, the development of potential alternative and novel therapeutic approaches has been elevated to a top priority in recent years. In this context, a bioactive protein lectin from plant and animal sources exhibits an invaluable source of anticancer agents with vast therapeutic potential.
PURPOSE
This manuscript's primary purpose is to enlighten the evidence-based (from 1986 to 2022) possible molecular mechanism of alternative treatment approaches using lectins over the complementary medicines used for cancer treatment.
METHODS
The PRISMA rules have been followed properly and qualitative and quantitative data are synthesized systematically. Articles were identified based on Clinical and preclinical reports published on lectin that investigated the in-depth cellular mechanisms, of reverse drug integrative oncology, as a nano-carried targeted delivery. Articles were systematically screened from 1986 to 2022 and selected based on electronic database searches, Medline (PubMed), Google Scholar, Web of Science, Encyclopaedias, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov database.
RESULTS
The search turned up 4,212 publications from 38 different nations, of which 170 reference articles were used in our analysis, in 16 combination therapy and their mode of action, and 27 clinical trial studies including dosage and mechanism of action were included. Reports from the 30 lectins belonging to 28 different families have been included. The reversal mechanism of lectin and alternative therapy against MDRC is critically screened and according to a few clinical and preclinical reports, lectin can suppress the overexpressing genes like P-53, EGFR, and P-gp, MRP, and ABC transporter proteins associated with intracellular transportation of drugs. Since, the drug efflux mechanism leads to MDRC, in this phenomenon, lectin plays a key role in reversing the efflux mechanism. Few preclinical reports have mentioned that lectin shows synergism in combination with complementary medicine and as a nano drug carrier helps to deliver to the targeted site.
CONCLUSION
We have discussed the alternative therapy using lectin and an in-depth insight into the reversal drug resistance mechanisms to combat MDRC cancer, enhance the efficacy, reduce toxicity and adverse events, and ensure targeted delivery, and their application in the field of cancer diagnosis and prognosis has been discussed. However, further investigation is necessary in drug development and clinical trials which could be helpful to elaborate the reversal mechanism and unlock newer treatment modalities in MDRC cancer.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Drug Resistance, Multiple; Lectins; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Antineoplastic Agents; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37980807
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155205 -
BMC Oral Health Apr 2024Pulpotomy procedures aiming to preserve and regenerate the dentin-pulp complex have recently increased exponentially due to developments in the field of biomaterials and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pulpotomy procedures aiming to preserve and regenerate the dentin-pulp complex have recently increased exponentially due to developments in the field of biomaterials and tissue engineering in primary and permanent teeth. Although the number of studies in this domain has increased, there is still scarcity of evidence in the current literature.
OBJECTIVES
(1) Report the methods of outcome assessment of pulpotomy clinical trials in both primary and permanent teeth; (2) Identify the various bioactive agents and biodegradable scaffolds used in pulpotomy clinical trials in both primary and permanent teeth.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A scoping review of the literature was performed, including a search of primary studies on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest and Clinicaltrials.gov. A search for controlled trials or randomized controlled trials published between 2012 and 2023 involving primary or permanent teeth receiving partial or full pulpotomy procedures using bioactive/regenerative capping materials was performed.
RESULTS
127 studies out of 1038 articles fulfilled all the inclusion criteria and were included in the current scoping review. More than 90% of the studies assessed clinical and radiographic outcomes. Histological, microbiological, or inflammatory outcomes were measured in only 9.4% of all included studies. Majority of the studies (67.7%) involved primary teeth. 119 studies used non-degradable bioactive cements, while biodegradable scaffolds were used by 32 studies, natural derivates and plant extracts studies were used in only 7 studies. Between 2012 (4 studies) and 2023 (11 studies), there was a general increase in the number of articles published. India, Egypt, Turkey, and Iran were found to have the highest total number of articles published (28, 28,16 and 10 respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Pulpotomy studies in both primary and permanent teeth relied mainly on subjective clinical and radiographic outcome assessment methods and seldom analyzed pulpal inflammatory status objectively. The use of biodegradable scaffolds for pulpotomy treatments has been increasing with an apparent global distribution of most of these studies in low- to middle-income countries. However, the development of a set of predictable outcome measures as well as long-term evidence from well conducted clinical trials for novel pulpotomy dressing materials are still required.
Topics: Humans; Pulpotomy; Tooth, Deciduous; Biocompatible Materials; Dentition, Permanent; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pulp Capping and Pulpectomy Agents; Tissue Scaffolds
PubMed: 38678210
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04221-w