-
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023Due to the progressive ageing of the human population, the number of cancer cases is increasing. For this reason, there is an urgent need for new treatments that can... (Review)
Review
Due to the progressive ageing of the human population, the number of cancer cases is increasing. For this reason, there is an urgent need for new treatments that can prolong the lives of cancer patients or ensure them a good quality of life. Although significant progress has been made in the treatment of cancer in recent years and the survival rate of patients is increasing, limitations in the use of conventional therapies include the frequent occurrence of side effects and the development of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. These limitations are prompting researchers to investigate whether combining natural agents with conventional drugs could have a positive therapeutic effect in cancer treatment. Several natural bioactive compounds, especially polyphenols, have been shown to be effective against cancer progression and do not exert toxic effects on healthy tissues. Many studies have investigated the possibility of combining polyphenols with conventional drugs as a novel anticancer strategy. Indeed, this combination often has synergistic benefits that increase drug efficacy and reduce adverse side effects. In this review, we provide an overview of the studies describing the synergistic effects of curcumin, a polyphenol that has been shown to have extensive cytotoxic functions against cancer cells, including combined treatment. In particular, we have described the results of recent preclinical and clinical studies exploring the pleiotropic effects of curcumin in combination with standard drugs and the potential to consider it as a promising new tool for cancer therapy.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Quality of Life; Combined Modality Therapy; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Polyphenols; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37628772
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612587 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... Jun 2024Lawsonia inermis Linn, commonly known as henna, is a member of the Lythraceae family and has been found to contain a variety of compounds with both industrial and... (Review)
Review
Lawsonia inermis Linn, commonly known as henna, is a member of the Lythraceae family and has been found to contain a variety of compounds with both industrial and medicinal applications in its stem, bark, roots, flowers, and seeds. This report provides a comprehensive review of the bioactive components, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacological side effects of Lawsonia inermis. Relevant materials were gathered from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science and reviewed for important properties and updates about the plant. Lawsonia inermis contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, coumarins, triterpenoids, steroids, xanthones, polyphenols, fatty acids, alkaloids, quinones, tannins, leucocyandin, epicatechin, catechin, and quercetin. The plant is been traditionally used to treat numerous conditions, including ulcers, bronchitis, lumbago, hemicrania, leukoderma, scabies, boils, ophthalmic disorders, hair loss, and jaundice. It has also been found to possess a range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiparasitic, hepatoprotective, antifungal, antitumor, wound healing, and hypoglycemic effects. The potential of Lawsonia inermis for various biological applications is promising, and further studies are needed to fully explore its therapeutic benefits for various diseases of public health. Concern advances in drug development could enable the characterization of various bioactive constituents and facilitate their development and application for the benefit of humanity.
Topics: Humans; Lawsonia Plant; Animals; Plant Extracts; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 38010396
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02735-8 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... May 2024Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a prevalent and challenging gastrointestinal disorder. Conventional medicine often faces limitations in providing effective treatment for... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a prevalent and challenging gastrointestinal disorder. Conventional medicine often faces limitations in providing effective treatment for FD, thus indicating the need to explore alternative approaches. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is rooted in ancient Chinese traditions and has evolved over thousands of years, offers a holistic approach to well-being. TCM incorporates herbal remedies, acupuncture, and other therapies while shaping the future of complementary and alternative medicine.
PURPOSE
To review the existing literature on the current status and future prospects of using TCM to treat FD.
METHODS
We extensively searched the PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, an China National Knowledge Internet databases from inception to May 31, 2023 to identify relevant literature. We also searched the reference lists of the included articles.
RESULTS
Clinical evidence-based research has explored the efficacy of TCM in treating FD. Recent research has illuminated the multifaceted mechanisms through which TCM interventions affect FD. TCM is a promising alternative, as it emphasizes a holistic approach and holds potential advantages in addressing the complex nature of FD.
CONCLUSIONS
The integration of TCM and Western medicine offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and managing FD by bridging traditional wisdom with modern scientific understanding. This paper highlights the practical implications of this integration, the challenges to be addressed, and the potential for international collaboration to further elucidate the efficacy of TCM. However, continued research and dialog are needed to advance the modern development of TCM and to improve the quality of life of FD patients.
Topics: Humans; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Dyspepsia; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Phytotherapy; Quality of Life
PubMed: 38452693
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155481 -
Archivum Immunologiae Et Therapiae... Jul 2023During carcinogenesis, the microenvironment plays a fundamental role in tumor progression and resistance. This tumor microenvironment (TME) is characterized by being... (Review)
Review
During carcinogenesis, the microenvironment plays a fundamental role in tumor progression and resistance. This tumor microenvironment (TME) is characterized by being highly immunosuppressive in most cases, which makes it an important target for the development of new therapies. One of the most important groups of cells that orchestrate immunosuppression in TME is myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which have multiple mechanisms to suppress the immune response mediated by T lymphocytes and thus protect the tumor. In this review, we will discuss the importance of modulating MDSCs as a therapeutic target and how the use of natural products, due to their multiple mechanisms of action, can be a key alternative for modulating these cells and thus improve response to therapy in cancer patients.
Topics: Humans; Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells; Biological Products; Tumor Microenvironment; Neoplasms; Immunosuppression Therapy
PubMed: 37410164
DOI: 10.1007/s00005-023-00681-0 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024The rhizomes of the genus DC. consist of various bioactive components, including sesquiterpenes, which have attracted a great deal of research interest in recent years.... (Review)
Review
The rhizomes of the genus DC. consist of various bioactive components, including sesquiterpenes, which have attracted a great deal of research interest in recent years. In the present study, we reviewed the previously published literatures prior to November 2023 on the chemical structures, biosynthetic pathways, and pharmacological activities of the sesquiterpenoids from this genus via online databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. Phytochemical studies have led to the identification of more than 160 sesquiterpenes, notably eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes. Many pharmacological activities have been demonstrated, particularly anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial and antiviral activities. This review presents updated, comprehensive and categorized information on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of sesquiterpenes in DC., with the aim of offering guidance for the future exploitation and utilization of active ingredients in this genus.
Topics: Atractylodes; Rhizome; Sesquiterpenes; Sesquiterpenes, Eudesmane; Phytochemicals; Ethnopharmacology; Plant Extracts; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 38543015
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29061379 -
Journal of Ethnobiology and... Oct 2023Traditional Polynesian medicine for children has been poorly documented, and few data are available on their efficacy and safety. In this context, the aim of this study... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Traditional Polynesian medicine for children has been poorly documented, and few data are available on their efficacy and safety. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify traditional practices used for treating children and then assess the efficacy and safety of the most cited remedies by reviewing the literature.
METHODS
In 2022, a semi-structured survey was carried out on five islands from the Society archipelago (Bora Bora, Huahine, Moorea, Raiatea, and Tahiti). A total of 86 participants were interviewed including 19 experts in herbalism. A thorough literature review was performed on the most cited plant species to gather the relevant ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and clinical data of each remedy.
RESULTS
Participants mentioned using 469 remedies to treat 69 health disorders. The most represented health categories were digestive system, skin disorders, infectious diseases, and respiratory system. A total of 67 plant species (representing 731 use-reports) were mentioned and Annona muricata, Gardenia taitensis, and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis were the main plants reported. Regarding the safety of cited remedies, one plant (Microsorum grossum) showed high risk of toxicity, and its use should be avoided in infants and children.
CONCLUSION
Our survey confirms the importance of traditional medical practices for children in the Society Islands. A lack of data in children for most cited remedies demonstrate the need for more pharmacological and toxicological research on Polynesian medicinal plants. Finally, the potential risk of toxicity for some cited plant species reported calls for a better information of traditional medicine users and healers.
Topics: Humans; Child; Phytotherapy; Plants, Medicinal; Ethnobotany; Medicine, Traditional; Polynesia; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
PubMed: 37853377
DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00617-0 -
Asian Journal of Psychiatry Jul 2024Traditional healing considers a holistic approach when diagnosing and treating patients for mental ailments, and is the preferred approach globally. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Traditional healing considers a holistic approach when diagnosing and treating patients for mental ailments, and is the preferred approach globally.
OBJECTIVE
This review documented traditional healing approaches for treatment of schizophrenia used in different regions globally.
METHODS
PICO framework was used to facilitate literature search from Google Scholar, PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, APA PsycINFO, and Web search. Studies documenting methods of treatment from the perspective of traditional healers, patients and/or caregivers were included and also studies which investigated herbal plants used in traditional healing in vitro and in vivo were included. Review articles, magazine/newspaper articles, editorials, letters, comments/opinion articles, and articles with inaccessible full text were excluded. The risk of bias was assessed using MMAT and SYRCLE tools. University Capacity Development Programme funded this review.
RESULTS
74 articles were included, these documented traditional healing practices used in Africa, Asia, America, Europe, and Oceania. Common approach globally was herbal medicine. Other reported methods included faith-based healing, consultation with the ancestors, performing rituals, acupuncture, and music and yoga therapies. Inhumane approaches included starving, beating, cutting and confining patients. In some cases, traditional healing was used as adjunctive treatment. The overall risk of bias for studies in this review was low.
CONCLUSION
Traditional healing contributes in bridging the treatment gap for schizophrenia in developing countries. However, there is a lack of standardisation of the approaches employed in the different regions, and the safety and effectiveness of some of these approaches remain questionable.
Topics: Humans; Schizophrenia; Medicine, Traditional; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 38797088
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104081 -
BMC Plant Biology Sep 2023Malva sylvestris L. (common mallow) is a plant species widely used in phytotherapy and ethnobotanical practices since time immemorial. Characterizing the components of...
Malva sylvestris L. (common mallow) is a plant species widely used in phytotherapy and ethnobotanical practices since time immemorial. Characterizing the components of this herb might promote a better comprehension of its biological effects on the human body but also favour the identification of the molecular processes that occur in the plant tissues. Thus, in the present contribution, the scientific knowledge about the metabolomic profile of the common mallow was expanded. In particular, the phytocomplex of leaves and flowers from this botanical species and the extraction capacity of different concentrations of ethanol (i.e., 95%, 70%, 50%, and 0%; v/v in ddHO) for it were investigated by spectrophotometric and chromatographic approaches. In detail, 95% ethanol extracts showed the worst capacity in isolating total phenols and flavonoids, while all the hydroalcoholic samples revealed a specific ability in purifying the anthocyanins. HPLC-DAD system detected and quantified 20 phenolic secondary metabolites, whose concentration in the several extracts depended on their own chemical nature and the percentage of ethanol used in the preparation. In addition, the stability of the purified phytochemicals after resuspension in pure ddHO was also proved, considering a potential employment of them in biological/medical studies which include in vitro and in vivo experiments on mammalian models. Here, for the first time, the expressed miRNome in M. sylvestris was also defined by Next Generation Sequencing, revealing the presence of 33 microRNAs (miRNAs), 10 typical for leaves and 2 for flowers. Then, both plant and human putative mRNA targets for the detected miRNAs were predicted by bioinformatics analyses, with the aim to clarify the possible role of these small nucleic acids in the common mallow plant tissues and to try to understand if they could exert a potential cross-kingdom regulatory activity on the human health. Surprisingly, our investigations revealed that 19 miRNAs out of 33 were putatively able to modulate, in the plant cells, the expression of various chromosome scaffold proteins. In parallel, we found, in the human transcriptome, a total of 383 mRNAs involved in 5 fundamental mammalian cellular processes (i.e., apoptosis, senescence, cell-cycle, oxidative stress, and invasiveness) that theoretically could be bound and regulated by M. sylvestris miRNAs. The evidence collected in this work would suggest that the beneficial properties of the use of M. sylvestris, documented by the folk medicine, are probably linked to their content of miRNAs and not only to the action of phytochemicals (e.g., anthocyanins). This would open new perspectives about the possibility to develop gene therapies based on miRNAs isolated from medicinal plants, including M. sylvestris.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Anthocyanins; Malva; Flowers; Metabolome; Plant Leaves; Ethanol; Plant Extracts; Mammals
PubMed: 37726667
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04434-1 -
F1000Research 2021Nigella sativa ( ) is traditionally used as an immune enhancer in different communities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of on immunity related... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Nigella sativa ( ) is traditionally used as an immune enhancer in different communities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of on immunity related parameters in young healthy subjects. This study was a double blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial. Fifty-two healthy subjects (48 male and 4 female) 18-25 years old were enrolled in the study. They were randomly divided into four groups; the first received charcoal capsules and served as controls and the other three received 0.5, 1 g, and 2 g of powdered capsules, respectively. Two blood samples were obtained from all participant, before initiation of the trial and at the end of the four weeks intervention. One sample was used for routine health screening by evaluating liver and renal functions as well as complete blood count and differential. The second sample was used to measure certain cytokines including; IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF. A third and fourth samples were obtained from the last cohort of subjects before and after treatment; the third was used for measuring immunoglobulins and CD profile and the fourth for evaluating certain gene expressions (INF-γ, NF-κ-B, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-13, IL-8, and IL-6). Only 1 g dose of produced a significant elevation in total lymphocyte count, CD3+ and CD4+ counts. One gram increased the absolute lymphocyte count from 1850±0.24 to 2170±0.26 (p=0.008), CD3+ from 1184.4±75.60 to 1424±114.51 (p=0.009), and CD4+ from 665.6±141.66 to 841±143.36 (p=0.002). This elevation in T cells was lost by increasing the dose of to 2g. The rest of the parameters were not changed significantly in all doses. The results show a promising immunopotentiation effect of by elevating helper T cells and the optimum dose for young age group seems to be 1 g.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Humans; Male; Young Adult; Healthy Volunteers; Immune System; Interleukin-6; Nigella sativa; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 37901256
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.73524.2 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2024L. is a medicinal plant whose aerial parts (leaves, stems, and fruits) and methyl salicylate-rich essential oil (wintergreen oil) are used in phytotherapy to treat... (Review)
Review
L. is a medicinal plant whose aerial parts (leaves, stems, and fruits) and methyl salicylate-rich essential oil (wintergreen oil) are used in phytotherapy to treat inflammation, muscular pain, and infection-related disorders. This overview summarises the current knowledge about ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, molecular mechanisms, biocompatibility, and traditional use of and the wintergreen oil distilled from different plant organs. Over 70 hydrophilic compounds, including methyl salicylate glycosides, flavonoids, procyanidins, free catechins, caffeoylquinic acids, and simple phenolic acids, have been identified in plant parts. Moreover, aliphatic compounds, triterpene acids, and sterols have been revealed in lipophilic fractions. Furthermore, over 130 volatile compounds have been detected in wintergreen oil with dominating methyl salicylate (96.9-100%). The accumulated research indicates that mainly hydrophilic non-volatiles are responsible for the pharmacological effects of , primarily its potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and photoprotective activity, with mechanisms verified in vitro and ex vivo in cellular and cell-free assays. The biological effectiveness of the dominant methyl salicylate glycoside-gaultherin-has also been confirmed in animals. Wintergreen oil is reported as a potent anti-inflammatory agent exhibiting moderate antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in vitro and significant insecticidal and larvicidal capacity. Together, accumulate a diverse fraction of polyphenols, triterpenes, and volatiles with validated in vitro and ex vivo biological activity but with the absence of in vivo studies, especially clinical trials concerning effective dose determination and toxicological verification and technological research, including drug formulation.
Topics: Animals; Gaultheria; Antioxidants; Oils, Volatile; Salicylates; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38203735
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010565