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Heliyon Nov 2023extract (GBE), a complementary and alternative medicine, has been widely used for disorders such as brain infarction, dementia, and coronary heart disease, in recent... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
extract (GBE), a complementary and alternative medicine, has been widely used for disorders such as brain infarction, dementia, and coronary heart disease, in recent decades. Given its widespread clinical use, GBE has always been a vital research topic. However, there are no bibliometric analyses on this topic; furthermore, published reviews of GBE focus only on a specific research field or lack scientific and systematic evaluation. This study combined bibliometrics with thematic reviews by visual analysis to identify the current status of GBE research and to better identify research hotspots and trends in the past 40 years to understand future developments in basic and clinical research.
METHODS
Articles and reviews on GBE were retrieved by topic from the Web of Science Core Collection from inception to 2022.12.01. Countries, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords in the field were visually analyzed using CiteSpace, Scimago Graphica, and VOSviewer software; then, these visualization results for references and keywords were clarified in detail by thematic reviews in subdivisions of the fields.
RESULTS
In total, 2015 publications were included. The GBE-related literature has high volumes of publications and citations. The majority of literature is from China, and the USA cooperates most closely with other countries. In GBE research, Christen Yves is the most cited author, Phytotherapy Research is the most prolific journal, and the Journal of Ethnopharmacology is the most co-cited journal. Through a comprehensive analysis of keywords, references, and reviews, the quality of the meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials of GBE in treating dementia was evaluated by the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews scale (ROBIS). Current research on GBE focuses on its pharmacological mechanisms, and neuroprotective application in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, and glaucoma. Randomized controlled trials are the current research hotspot.
CONCLUSION
Research on GBE is flourishing; using bibliometric and thematic analysis, we identified its hotspots and trends. The pharmacological mechanisms and clinical applications of GBE are the focus of present and likely future research.
PubMed: 37964856
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21214 -
Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi... Dec 2023Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, presents a complex and challenging clinical scenario characterized by chronic... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, presents a complex and challenging clinical scenario characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Traditional herbal medicine has garnered increasing interest as a potential adjunctive or alternative therapy for IBD, owing to its perceived efficacy, safety profile, and holistic approach to health. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of herbal interventions for IBD, addressing scientific, regulatory, clinical, and patient-related considerations. Scientifically, the exploration of herbal interventions faces challenges related to the complexity of herbal formulations, standardization, and quality control. Regulatory hurdles encompass stringent requirements for safety, efficacy, and quality standards, necessitating adherence to robust preclinical and clinical protocols. Clinically, the heterogeneity of the patient population, potential interactions with conventional therapies, and patient preferences pose challenges in the integration of herbal interventions into clinical practice.
Topics: Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 38716509
DOI: 10.62958/j.cjap.2023.003 -
Acta Odontologica Latinoamericana : AOL Dec 2023Herbal medicine is widely used as an integrative complementary treatment for common chronic diseases, yet potential risks include adverse effects and coprescription.
UNLABELLED
Herbal medicine is widely used as an integrative complementary treatment for common chronic diseases, yet potential risks include adverse effects and coprescription.
AIM
This exploratory survey assessed Brazilian dentists' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding phytotherapy.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
This study used a consecutive sample of registered dentists who were active in clinical practice and attending advanced training for complex oral rehabilitation at a leading dental school in Latin America. Participants responded to a semi-structured 38-item instrument designed to collect data on sociodemographic, professional and health variables, and on their knowledge, use, prescription and opinions of phytotherapy. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were described and analyzed with a thematic approach.
RESULTS
A total 53 dentists responded the survey (88.3% response rate). Six dentists reported formal education in phytotherapy and 33 had informal knowledge. Twenty-one dentists (39.6%) reported using herbal medicine, and 17 (32.1%) prescribed phytotherapy to their patients, mostly traditional medicinal plants. A logistic regression model showed that post-graduate degree and personal use of phytotherapy were associated with phytotherapy prescription. Opinions on how to improve the rational use of phytotherapy included the need for research evidence, specific academic education, and knowledge dissemination to clinicians. As a clinical recommendation, it was proposed that questions on herbal medicine should be asked during the dental patient's anamnesis.
CONCLUSIONS
Dentists with post-graduate degrees and personal use of phytotherapy prescribe herbal medicines for their patients in real-world clinics, regardless of formal education on the subject. Qualitative findings indicate the need to implement scientific initiatives.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dentists; Professional Role; Phytotherapy; Delivery of Health Care; Plants, Medicinal; Surveys and Questionnaires; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
PubMed: 38345275
DOI: 10.54589/aol.36/3/140 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Aug 2024Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) is characterized by a rapid inflammatory reaction caused by the build-up of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the tissues surrounding the... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) is characterized by a rapid inflammatory reaction caused by the build-up of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the tissues surrounding the joints. This condition often associated with hyperuricemia (HUA), is distinguished by its symptoms of intense pain, active inflammation, and swelling of the joints. Traditional approaches in AGA management often fall short of desired outcomes in clinical settings. However, recent ethnopharmacological investigations have been focusing on the potential of Traditional Herbal Medicine (THM) in various forms, exploring their therapeutic impact and targets in AGA treatment.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
This review briefly summarizes the current potential pharmacological mechanisms of THMs - including active ingredients, extracts, and prescriptions -in the treatment of AGA, and discusses the relevant potential mechanisms and molecular targets in depth. The objective of this study is to offer extensive information and a reference point for the exploration of targeted AGA treatment using THMs.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This review obtained scientific publications focused on in vitro and in vivo studies of anti-AGA THMs conducted between 2013 and 2023. The literature was collected from various journals and electronic databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The retrieval and analysis of relevant articles were guided by keywords such as "acute gouty arthritis and Chinese herbal medicine," "acute gouty arthritis herbal prescription," "acute gouty arthritis and immune cells," "acute gouty arthritis and inflammation," "acute gouty arthritis and NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3)," "acute gouty arthritis and miRNA," and "acute gouty arthritis and oxidative stress."
RESULTS
We found that AGA has a large number of therapeutic targets, highlighting the effectiveness the potential of THMs in AGA treatment through in vitro and in vivo studies. THMs and their active ingredients can mitigate AGA symptoms through a variety of therapeutic targets, such as influencing macrophage polarization, neutrophils, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and addressing factors like inflammation, NLRP3 inflammasome, signaling pathways, oxidative stress, and miRNA multi-target interactions. The anti-AGA properties of THMs, including their active components and prescriptions, were systematically summarized and categorized based on their respective therapeutic targets.
CONCLUSION
phenolic, flavonoid, terpenoid and alkaloid compounds in THMs are considered the key ingredients to improve AGA. THMs and their active ingredients achieve enhanced efficacy through interactions with multiple targets, of which NLRP3 is a main therapeutic target. Nonetheless, given the intricate composition of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), additional research is required to unravel the underlying mechanisms and molecular targets through which THMs alleviate AGA.
Topics: Arthritis, Gouty; Humans; Animals; Medicine, Traditional; Phytotherapy; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Acute Disease
PubMed: 38621464
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118182 -
The Libyan Journal of Medicine Dec 2024Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are recognized as a major public health concern worldwide. These disorders involve persistent digestive symptoms indicative...
A survey into the utilization of probiotics and medicinal plants among individuals afflicted with gastrointestinal disorders in healthcare institutions in Saïda, Algeria.
Functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are recognized as a major public health concern worldwide. These disorders involve persistent digestive symptoms indicative of digestive tract dysfunction. A survey examining the utilisation of probiotics and medicinal plants as supplementary treatments was conducted on 160 patients with GI disorders at healthcare institutions in Saïda from March to April 2023 using questionnaires that had been previously adapted and tested for reliability with Cronbach's alpha test. Raw data collected through the questionnaires were transferred to a database and analysed using SPSS software. Overall, 49.38% of participants possessed knowledge of or actively utilised probiotics; such awareness was strongly associated with the participants' educational attainment ( = 0.029). The noteworthy probiotic supplements were Biocharbon (36.09%), Lactocil (15.38%), Smebiocta (13.61%), Ultrabiotic Adult (12.43%), Effidigest (12.43%), and Ultralevure (7.69%). During crisis, individuals tended to consume natural goods rich in probiotics, including yoghurt (13.26%) and fermented milk (8.60%), as well as foods rich in prebiotic fibre, including vegetables (18.99%), fruits (13.26%), wheat (9.67%), bran (7.52%), rye (6.81%), and oat flakes (6.45%). Additionally, 77.56% of patients used medicinal plants during crises, with (12.2%), (11.3%), (8.5%), (8.0%), (7.8%), (7.5%), and (7.0%) being the more commonly favoured options in phytotherapy. The main focus of these herbs was to alleviate bloating (57%), constipation (30.12%), and diarrhoea (12.87%) ( < 0.001). The most frequently utilised plant parts were leaves (47.30%), seeds (25.21%), and bark (13.21%). Most patients (82.91%) favoured infusion as their preferred consumption method, and approximately 85.43% believed in phytotherapy's ability to extend symptomatic relief. The understanding of probiotics is still in its infancy, whereas phytotherapy is more widely accepted by patients. Nonetheless, patients are open to the exploration of natural alternatives to conventional medicines.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Algeria; Reproducibility of Results; Phytotherapy; Probiotics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Delivery of Health Care
PubMed: 38369815
DOI: 10.1080/19932820.2024.2317492 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2023Humans are constantly at high risk of emerging pandemics caused by viral and bacterial infections. The emergence of new pandemics is mainly caused by evolved viruses and... (Review)
Review
Humans are constantly at high risk of emerging pandemics caused by viral and bacterial infections. The emergence of new pandemics is mainly caused by evolved viruses and bacteria that are highly resistant to existing medications. The rapid evolution of infectious agents demands the urgent investigation of new therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat these infections at an early stage. One of these therapeutic strategies includes the use of medicinal herbs for their antibacterial and antiviral properties. The use of herbal medicines as remedies is very ancient and has been employed for centuries. Many studies have confirmed the antimicrobial activities of herbs against various pathogens in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic effect of medicinal herbs is mainly attributed to the natural bioactive molecules present in these plants such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Different mechanisms have been proposed for how medicinal herbs enhance the immune system and combat pathogens. Such mechanisms include the disruption of bacterial cell membranes, suppression of protein synthesis, and limitation of pathogen replication through the inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis. Medicinal herbs have been shown to treat a number of infectious diseases by modulating the immune system's components. For instance, many medicinal herbs alleviate inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1, IL-6) while promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-10). Medicinal herbs also play a role in defense against viral and intracellular infections by enhancing the proliferation and functions of natural killer cells, T-helper-1 cells, and macrophages. In this review, we will explore the use of the most common herbs in preventing and treating infectious and non-infectious diseases. Using current and recently published studies, we focus on the immunomodulatory and therapeutic effects induced by medicinal herbs to enhance immune responses during diseases.
Topics: Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Phytotherapy; Immunologic Factors; Cytokines; Communicable Diseases; Adjuvants, Immunologic
PubMed: 38138535
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248045 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jul 2023Anthocyanins are colored polyphenolic compounds that belong to the flavonoids family and are largely present in many vegetables and fruits. They have been used in... (Review)
Review
Anthocyanins are colored polyphenolic compounds that belong to the flavonoids family and are largely present in many vegetables and fruits. They have been used in traditional medicine in many cultures for a long time. The most common and abundant anthocyanins are those presenting an O-glycosylation at C-3 (C ring) of the flavonoid skeleton to form -O-β-glucoside derivatives. The present comprehensive review summarized recent data on the anticancer properties of cyanidings along with natural sources, phytochemical data, traditional medical applications, molecular mechanisms and recent nanostrategies to increase the bioavailability and anticancer effects of cyanidins. For this analysis, in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies published up to the year 2022 were sourced from scientific databases and search engines such as PubMed/Medline, Google scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, Wiley and TRIP database. Cyanidins' antitumor properties are exerted during different stages of carcinogenesis and are based on a wide variety of biological activities. The data gathered and discussed in this review allows for affirming that cyanidins have relevant anticancer activity in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. Future research should focus on studies that bring new data on improving the bioavailability of anthocyanins and on conducting detailed translational pharmacological studies to accurately establish the effective anticancer dose in humans as well as the correct route of administration.
Topics: Humans; Anthocyanins; Phytotherapy; Flavonoids; Phytochemicals; Chemoprevention; Neoplasms; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37121149
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114783 -
Renal Failure Dec 2023Aromatherapy has been used for patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), but the outcomes are still controversial. Thus, we conducted this study to systematically... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Aromatherapy has been used for patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), but the outcomes are still controversial. Thus, we conducted this study to systematically evaluate the effect of aromatherapy on the quality of life of patients on MHD. We searched the PubMed, Embays, Scopus, Web of Science, and CNKI databases for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the use of aromatherapy in dialysis patients and reported at least one outcome of interest. Twenty-two relevant studies were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that aromatherapy significantly increased subjective sleep quality (a lower score indicates better sleep quality) [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -1.52, 95% CI (-2.38, -0.67), < 0.01] and reduced fatigue [SMD = -1.14, 95% CI (-1.95, -0.33), = 0.01], anxiety [SMD = -1.38, 95% CI (-2.09, -0.67), < 0.01], symptoms of restless legs syndrome [RLS; SMD = -1.71, 95% CI (-2.09, -1.33), < 0.01], and arteriovenous fistula puncture pain [SMD= -1.56, 95% CI (-2.60, -0.52), < 0.01]. Aromatherapy may be used as a novel complementary and alternative therapy to improve sleep quality and reduce fatigue, anxiety, symptoms of RLS, and arteriovenous fistula puncture pain in patients on MHD.
Topics: Humans; Aromatherapy; Quality of Life; Pain; Renal Dialysis; Fatigue
PubMed: 36908215
DOI: 10.1080/0886022X.2022.2164202 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jan 2024A comprehensive checklist and analysis of medicinal plant species and their uses in Mozambique, and a comparison with South Africa provided a more profound understanding...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
A comprehensive checklist and analysis of medicinal plant species and their uses in Mozambique, and a comparison with South Africa provided a more profound understanding of the broad concept of Traditional African Medicine as a healing culture and the need for a more informative classification system.
AIMS OF THE STUDY
This study was aimed at recording all medicinal plants reported in Mozambique according to literature and answer four main questions. 1. How many medicinal plant species have been recorded for Mozambique? Of those, how many are indigenous to Mozambique, and how many are introduced or cultivated exotics? 2. What are the main medicinal uses in Mozambique and which species are used for which ailments? 3. What are the similarities and differences between the medicinal floras of Mozambique and South Africa - are the same species used for the same ailments and is there evidence of cultural exchange? 4. Do the data provide new insights into Traditional African Medicine as one of the oldest medicine systems in the world?
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A literature survey was done to compile the medicinal checklist of Mozambique using 29 available literature sources, which were found from published books, journal articles, reports, unpublished theses, dissertations, and online databases.
RESULTS
A total of 731 medicinal plant species and infraspecific taxa from 447 genera and 120 families was recorded for Mozambique. Of these, 590 (81%) are indigenous, and 87 are non-indigenous (50 naturalised and 37 cultivated exotics). Of the 731 medicinal plant species, 494 (68%) are also used medicinally in South Africa and 148 (30%) are used for the same or similar ailments. Many of the shared taxa and uses have been recorded in the adjoining KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa, which has similar vegetation types.
CONCLUSION
The similarity between Mozambique and South Africa (and especially the KwaZulu-Natal Province) not only suggest an exchange of traditional knowledge but also indicates the existence of a hitherto unnamed medicinal system of the southern and eastern African Bantu-speaking cultures that is in need of detailed comparative studies.
Topics: Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Phytotherapy; Mozambique; South Africa; Medicine, African Traditional; Ethnobotany
PubMed: 37783405
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117137 -
Pharmacological Research Feb 2024Sciatica characterized by irritation, inflammation, and compression of the lower back nerve, is considered one of the most common back ailments globally. Currently, the... (Review)
Review
Sciatica characterized by irritation, inflammation, and compression of the lower back nerve, is considered one of the most common back ailments globally. Currently, the therapeutic regimens for sciatica are experiencing a paradigm shift from the conventional pharmacological approach toward exploring potent phytochemicals from medicinal plants. There is a dire need to identify novel phytochemicals with anti-neuropathic potential. This review aimed to identify the potent phytochemicals from diverse medicinal plants capable of alleviating neuropathic pain associated with sciatica. This review describes the pathophysiology of sciatic nerve pain, its cellular mechanisms, and the pharmacological potential of various plants and phytochemicals using animal-based models of sciatic nerve injury-induced pain. Extensive searches across databases such as Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar were conducted. The findings highlights 39 families including Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Apocyanaceae and Cucurbitaceae, effectively treating sciatic nerve injury-induced pain. Flavonoids made up 53% constituents, phenols and terpenoids made up 15%, alkaloids made up 13%, and glycosides made up 6% to be used in neuorpathic pain. Phytochemicals derived from various medicinal plants can serve as potential therapeutic targets for both acute and chronic sciatic injury-induced neuropathic pain.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Sciatica; Neuralgia; Sciatic Neuropathy; Inflammation; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38237646
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107076