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Marine Drugs Jul 2021Fucoidans are cell wall polysaccharides found in various species of brown seaweeds. They are fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (FCSPs) and comprise 5-20% of the... (Review)
Review
Fucoidans are cell wall polysaccharides found in various species of brown seaweeds. They are fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (FCSPs) and comprise 5-20% of the algal dry weight. Fucoidans possess multiple bioactivities, including antioxidant, anticoagulant, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-lipidemic, anti-metastatic, anti-diabetic and anti-cancer effects. Dietary fucoidans provide small but constant amounts of FCSPs to the intestinal tract, which can reorganize the composition of commensal microbiota altered by FCSPs, and consequently control inflammation symptoms in the intestine. Although the bioactivities of fucoidans have been well described, there is limited evidence to implicate their effect on gut microbiota and bowel health. In this review, we summarize the recent studies that introduce the fundamental characteristics of various kinds of fucoidans and discuss their potential in altering commensal microorganisms and influencing intestinal diseases.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Aquatic Organisms; Colitis; Humans; Phytotherapy; Polysaccharides; Seaweed
PubMed: 34436275
DOI: 10.3390/md19080436 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2022Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic disease characterized by bone metabolism imbalance and bone microstructure destruction, which causes serious social and economic burden.... (Review)
Review
Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic disease characterized by bone metabolism imbalance and bone microstructure destruction, which causes serious social and economic burden. At present, the diagnosis and treatment of OP mainly rely on imaging combined with drugs. However, the existing pathogenic mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment strategies for OP are not clear and effective enough, and the disease progression that cannot reflect OP further restricts its effective treatment. The application of metabolomics has facilitated the study of OP, further exploring the mechanism and behavior of bone cells, prevention, and treatment of the disease from various metabolic perspectives, finally realizing the possibility of a holistic approach. In this review, we focus on the application of metabolomics in OP research, especially the newer systematic application of metabolomics and treatment with herbal medicine and their extracts. In addition, the prospects of clinical transformation in related fields are also discussed. The aim of this study is to highlight the use of metabolomics in OP research, especially in exploring the pathogenesis of OP and the therapeutic mechanisms of natural herbal medicine, for the benefit of interdisciplinary researchers including clinicians, biologists, and materials engineers.
Topics: Humans; Metabolomics; Osteoporosis; Osteocytes; Phytotherapy; Disease Progression
PubMed: 36452325
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.993253 -
Climacteric : the Journal of the... Apr 2021A systematic literature search revealed 35 clinical studies and one meta-analysis comprising 43,759 women, of which 13,096 were treated with isopropanolic extract... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
A systematic literature search revealed 35 clinical studies and one meta-analysis comprising 43,759 women, of which 13,096 were treated with isopropanolic extract (iCR). Compared to placebo, iCR was significantly superior for treating neurovegetative and psychological menopausal symptoms, with a standardized mean difference of -0.694 in favor of iCR ( < 0.0001). Effect sizes were larger when higher dosages of iCR as monotherapy or in combination with St. John's wort ( [HP]) were given (-1.020 and -0.999, respectively), suggesting a dose-dependency. For psychological symptoms, the iCR+HP combination was superior to iCR monotherapy. Efficacy of iCR was comparable to low-dose transdermal estradiol or tibolone. Yet, due to its better tolerability, iCR had a significantly better benefit-risk profile than tibolone. Treatment with iCR/iCR+HP was well tolerated with few minor adverse events, with a frequency comparable to placebo. The clinical data did not reveal any evidence of hepatotoxicity. Hormone levels remained unchanged and estrogen-sensitive tissues (e.g. breast, endometrium) were unaffected by iCR treatment. As benefits clearly outweigh risks, iCR/iCR+HP should be recommended as an evidence-based treatment option for natural climacteric symptoms. With its good safety profile in general and at estrogen-sensitive organs, iCR as a non-hormonal herbal therapy can also be used in patients with hormone-dependent diseases who suffer from iatrogenic climacteric symptoms.
Topics: 2-Propanol; Cimicifuga; Female; Hot Flashes; Humans; Menopause; Middle Aged; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33021111
DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2020.1820477 -
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry Nov 2021Many preclinical and clinical studies have examined the potential benefits of ginger extracts for a range of medical disorders. Ginger has been found to reduce both pain...
Many preclinical and clinical studies have examined the potential benefits of ginger extracts for a range of medical disorders. Ginger has been found to reduce both pain and nausea and has therefore also been studied in the context of migraine headache. One randomized controlled trial (RCT) found that ginger was no better than placebo for the prevention of migraine episodes. One meta-analysis (pooled N = 227) found that, relative to placebo, ginger was associated with a higher proportion of patients who were pain free 2 hours after treatment (risk ratio [RR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-3.09; 2 RCTs). In this meta-analysis, relative to placebo, ginger reduced the risk of migraine-related nausea and vomiting (RR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.30-0.77; 3 RCTs) and was not associated with an increased risk of adverse events (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.46-1.41; 3 RCTs). No other RCT data are available. Such an evidence base is clearly too small for formal recommendations to be possible. It is suggested that raw ginger or proprietary ginger extracts may be useful as a home remedy for patients who experience an episode of migraine and who, for whatever reason, cannot take established first-line treatments for acute migraine. How ginger thus used compares with established treatments for migraine is presently unknown. Finally, it must be remembered that the chemical constituents of ginger will vary across source and extract; so, when an extract of ginger is studied, the findings of the study can be generalized only to that extract and, possibly, to other extracts with a similar composition.
Topics: Analgesics; Zingiber officinale; Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Migraine Disorders; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34851560
DOI: 10.4088/JCP.21f14325 -
Nutrients Feb 2020Oral and periodontal diseases, chewing disorders, and many destructive inflammatory diseases of the supporting tissues of the teeth are usually caused by an imbalance...
Oral and periodontal diseases, chewing disorders, and many destructive inflammatory diseases of the supporting tissues of the teeth are usually caused by an imbalance between host defense and environmental factors like smoking, poor nutrition, and a high percentage of periodontopathogenic bacteria. For these reasons, it is important also to focus attention on plaque control and also on improving host resistance through smoking and stress reduction, and a healthy diet. During the last decades, the importance of micronutrients has been extensively reviewed, and it was concluded that the prevention and treatment of periodontitis should include correct daily nutrition and a correct balance between antioxidants, probiotics, natural agents, vitamin D, and calcium. Recently, there has been growing interest in the literature on the impact of nutraceutical dietary aliments on oral and general health. This Special Issue provides a current and thoughtful perspective on the relationship of diet and natural agents on oral and periodontal diseases through a correct clinical approach with the last and most important evidence that may determine good oral conditions and high quality of life.
Topics: Biological Products; Humans; Oral Health; Periodontium; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 32102287
DOI: 10.3390/nu12020585 -
Complementary Medicine Research 2021
Topics: Phytotherapy; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 34350879
DOI: 10.1159/000518339 -
Polimery W Medycynie 2023The available information on the abundance of restorative plants on earth is incomplete, and the data regarding botanicals from various countries differ significantly.... (Review)
Review
The available information on the abundance of restorative plants on earth is incomplete, and the data regarding botanicals from various countries differ significantly. The substantial development of the worldwide natural botanical market is attributable to the expanding revenue of global drug companies trading herbal medicines. This essential type of traditional medical care is depended on by approx. 72-80% of individuals. Even though numerous restorative plants are readily used, they have never been subject to the same strict quality guidelines as conventional drugs. Nonetheless, it is vital to have specific organic, phytochemical, and molecular tools and methods for identifying restorative plant species so that traditional and novel plant products can be safely used in modern medicine. Molecular biotechnology approaches provide a reliable and accurate way to identify botanicals and can be used to ensure the safety and efficacy of plant-based products. This review explores various molecular biotechnology approaches and methods for identifying botanicals.
Topics: Humans; Plants, Medicinal; Biotechnology; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 37338286
DOI: 10.17219/pim/163119 -
Marine Drugs Jul 2020Cancer is the main cause of death worldwide, so the discovery of new and effective therapeutic agents must be urgently addressed. Diatoms are rich in minerals and... (Review)
Review
Cancer is the main cause of death worldwide, so the discovery of new and effective therapeutic agents must be urgently addressed. Diatoms are rich in minerals and secondary metabolites such as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, esters, acyl lipids, sterols, proteins, and flavonoids. These bioactive compounds have been reported as potent anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial agents. Diatoms are unicellular photosynthetic organisms, which are important in the biogeochemical circulation of silica, nitrogen, and carbon, attributable to their short growth-cycle and high yield. The biosilica of diatoms is potentially effective as a carrier for targeted drug delivery in cancer therapy due to its high surface area, nano-porosity, bio-compatibility, and bio-degradability. In vivo studies have shown no significant symptoms of tissue damage in animal models, suggesting the suitability of a diatoms-based system as a safe nanocarrier in nano-medicine applications. This review presents an overview of diatoms' microalgae possessing anti-cancer activities and the potential role of the diatoms and biosilica in the delivery of anticancer drugs. Diatoms-based antibodies and vitamin B12 as drug carriers are also elaborated.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Diatoms; Humans; Oceans and Seas; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 32660006
DOI: 10.3390/md18070356 -
Journal of Ethnobiology and... May 2020Ethnoveterinary medicine is crucial in many rural areas of the world since people living in remote and marginal areas rely significantly on traditional herbal therapies... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ethnoveterinary medicine is crucial in many rural areas of the world since people living in remote and marginal areas rely significantly on traditional herbal therapies to treat their domestic animals. In Pakistan, communities residing in remote areas, and especially those still attached to pastoralist traditions, have considerable ethnoveterinary herbal knowledge and they sometimes use this knowledge for treating their animals. The main aim of the study was to review the literature about ethnoveterinary herbals being used in Pakistan in order to articulate potential applications in modern veterinary medicine. Moreover, the review aimed to analyze possible cross-cultural and cross regional differences.
METHODS
We considered the ethnobotanical data of Pakistan published in different scientific journals from 2004 to 2018. A total of 35 studies were found on ethnoveterinary herbal medicines in the country. Due to the low number of field studies, we considered all peer-reviewed articles on ethnoveterinary herbal practices in the current review. All the ethnobotanical information included in these studies derived from interviews which were conducted with shepherds/animals breeders as well as healers.
RESULTS
Data from the reviewed studies showed that 474 plant species corresponding to 2386 remedies have been used for treating domestic animals in Pakistan. The majority of these plants belong to Poaceae (41 species) followed by the Asteraceae (32 species) and Fabaceae (29 species) botanical families, thus indicating a possible prevalence of horticultural-driven gathering patterns. Digestive problems were the most commonly treated diseases (25%; 606 remedies used), revealing the preference that locals have for treating mainly minor animal ailments with herbs. The least known veterinary plants recorded in Pakistan were Abutilon theophrasti, Agrostis gigantea, Allardia tomentosa, Aristida adscensionis, Bothriochloa bladhii, Buddleja asiatica, Cocculus hirsutus, Cochlospermum religiosum, Cynanchum viminale, Dactylis glomerata, Debregeasia saeneb, Dichanthium annulatum, Dracocephalum nuristanicum, Flueggea leucopyrus, Launaea nudicaulis, Litsea monopetala, Sibbaldianthe bifurca, Spiraea altaica, and Thalictrum foetidum. More importantly, cross-cultural comparative analysis of Pathan and non-Pathan ethnic communities showed that 28% of the veterinary plants were mentioned by both communities. Cross-regional comparison demonstrated that only 10% of the plant species were used in both mountain and plain areas. Reviewed data confirm therefore that both ecological and cultural factors play a crucial role in shaping traditional plant uses.
CONCLUSION
The herbal ethnoveterinary heritage of Pakistan is remarkable, possibly because of the pastoral origins of most of its peoples. The integration of the analyzed complex bio-cultural heritage into daily veterinary practices should be urgently fostered by governmental and non-governmental institutions dealing with rural development policies in order to promote the use of local biodiversity for improving animal well-being and possibly the quality of animal food products as well.
Topics: Animal Diseases; Animals; Animals, Domestic; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Knowledge; Pakistan; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Plants, Medicinal; Veterinary Medicine
PubMed: 32414421
DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00369-1 -
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical... 2020Medicinal plants with a variety of phytochemical ingredients remain a potential source for new drug discovery. The use of medicinal herbs in a wide range of diseases and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Medicinal plants with a variety of phytochemical ingredients remain a potential source for new drug discovery. The use of medicinal herbs in a wide range of diseases and symptoms, such as bleeding, is prevalent in traditional and ethno medicine worldwide. Thus, this work provides a comprehensive review of medicinal plants or their isolated compounds, with respect to their ethno-medicinal use, which have demonstrated the stimulating effect on the hemostasis process.
METHODS
The relevant studies were withdrawn from electronic databases including Pubmed, EMBASE and Web of Science with a structured search methodology.
RESULTS
The total of 17 medicinal plants with hemostatic activity were extracted. The most frequently studied plant families were Compositae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae. Bioactive compounds exerting hemostatic activity included tannins, iridoid glycosides, glycoconjugate, lignan, saponins and phenolic compounds. The most attributed mechanisms include coagulation stimulation via increasing the factor XII activity and plasma fibrinogen levels, the fibrinolysis inhibition, vascular or smooth muscle constriction and platelet aggregation. The most important adverse effects of high dose extract or isolated compounds administration were hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
CONCLUSION
This review provides a list of medicinal plants with hemostatic activity that could be used as valuable sources of new plant-based hemostatic agents. Furthermore, this could be practical in detecting possible interactions of plants with anticoagulant, antiplatelet, fibrinolytic and antifibrinolytic medications.
Topics: Animals; Hemostatics; Humans; Magnoliopsida; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 32027817
DOI: 10.18433/jpps30446