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PloS One 2021To determine the effect of Ashwagandha extract on sleep. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of Ashwagandha extract on sleep.
METHODS
A comprehensive search was conducted in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Google Scholars, World Health Organization Trials Portal, ClinicalTrials.gov, Clinical Trial Registry of India, and AYUSH Research Portal for all appropriate trials. Randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of Ashwagandha extract versus placebo on sleep in human participants 18 years old and above were considered. Two authors independently read all trials and independently extracted all relevant data. The primary outcomes were sleep quantity and sleep quality. The secondary outcomes were mental alertness on rising, anxiety level, and quality of life.
RESULTS
A total of five randomized controlled trials containing 400 participants were analyzed. Ashwagandha extract exhibited a small but significant effect on overall sleep (Standardized Mean Difference -0.59; 95% Confidence Interval -0.75 to -0.42; I2 = 62%). The effects on sleep were more prominent in the subgroup of adults diagnosed with insomnia, treatment dosage ≥600 mg/day, and treatment duration ≥8 weeks. Ashwagandha extract was also found to improve mental alertness on rising and anxiety level, but no significant effect on quality of life. No serious side effects were reported.
CONCLUSION
Ashwagandha extract appears to has a beneficial effect in improving sleep in adults. However, data on the serious adverse effects of Ashwagandha extract are limited, and more safety data would be needed to assess whether it would be safe for long-term use.
Topics: Anxiety; Drug Administration Schedule; Humans; Plant Extracts; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sleep; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
PubMed: 34559859
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257843 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Scholar... Jun 2022L. is a plant of the Lamiaceae family known in numerous countries for its medicinal activities. This plant has been used since ancient times to treat different... (Review)
Review
L. is a plant of the Lamiaceae family known in numerous countries for its medicinal activities. This plant has been used since ancient times to treat different disorders, including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, psychological conditions. contains several phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and many others at the basis of its pharmacological activities. Indeed, the plant can have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, antinociceptive effects. Given its consolidated use, has also been experimented with clinical settings, demonstrating interesting properties against different human diseases, such as anxiety, sleeping difficulties, palpitation, hypertension, depression, dementia, infantile colic, bruxism, metabolic problems, Alzheimer's disease, and sexual disorders. As for any natural compound, drug, or plant extract, also can have adverse effects, even though the reported events are very rare and the plant can be considered substantially safe. This review has been prepared with a specific research strategy, interrogating different databases with the keyword . Moreover, this work analyzes the properties of this plant updating currently available literature, with a special emphasis on human studies.
Topics: Antioxidants; Anxiety; Flavonoids; Humans; Melissa; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 35730441
DOI: 10.31083/j.fbs1402016 -
Journal of Infection in Developing... Nov 2021Development of bacterial resistance and antimicrobial side-effect has shifted the focus of research toward Ethnopharmacology. A biologically active compound derived from...
INTRODUCTION
Development of bacterial resistance and antimicrobial side-effect has shifted the focus of research toward Ethnopharmacology. A biologically active compound derived from the plants may increase the effectiveness of antibiotic when used in combination. The present study aims to determine the synergistic antibacterial effect of ethanolic extracts of Punica granatum (pericarp), Commiphora molmol, Azadirachta indica (bark) in combination with amoxicillin, metronidazole, tetracycline, and azithromycin on periodontopathic bacteria: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.
METHODOLOGY
Periodontopathic bacterial strains were isolated from the plaque sample that was collected from periodontitis patients and grown under favorable conditions. Susceptibility of bacteria to the antibiotics and extracts was determined by disc diffusion method by measuring the diameter of the inhibition zones. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of plant extracts were evaluated against each bacterium. Synergistic effect of plant extract in combination with antibiotics was tested against each bacterium by measuring the diameter of zone of inhibition (ZOI).
RESULTS
Findings revealed that all plant extracts exhibited an inhibitory effects on the proliferation and growth of periodontopathic bacteria. The maximum antibacterial effect was exhibited by C. molmol on P. gingivalis (ZOI = 20 ± 0.55 mm, MIC = 0.53 ± 0.24 mg/mL and MBC = 5.21 ± 1.81 mg/mL) (p < 0.05), meanwhile, no antibacterial activity was exhibited by P. granatum on T. forsythia. Synergistic antibacterial effect was recorded when plant extracts were used in combination with antibiotics. The best synergism was exhibited by P. granatum with amoxicillin against A. actinomycetemcomitans (24 ± 1.00 mm) (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The synergistic test showed significant antibacterial activity when plant extracts were combined with antibiotics against all the experimented bacteria.
Topics: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Periodontitis; Plant Extracts; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Tannerella forsythia
PubMed: 34898497
DOI: 10.3855/jidc.14904 -
European Journal of Clinical... Aug 2021Acute cough due to viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and bronchitis is a common reason for patients to seek medical care. Non-antibiotic over-the-counter...
PURPOSE
Acute cough due to viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and bronchitis is a common reason for patients to seek medical care. Non-antibiotic over-the-counter cough medications such as ivy leaf extract are frequently used but their efficacy is uncertain. Our purpose was to update our previous systematic review and evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of ivy leaf in the treatment of acute URTIs in adult and pediatric populations.
METHODS
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and clinical trial registries from December 2009 to January 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs), and observational studies (OSs) investigating ivy leaf mono- or combination preparations were included. Two independent reviewers assessed records for eligibility and risk of bias and performed data extraction.
RESULTS
Six RCTs, 1 CCT, and 4 OSs were identified. Since the publication of our previous review, the number of RCTs has increased. All studies concluded that ivy leaf extract is an effective and safe option for the treatment of cough due to URTIs and bronchitis. Three RCTs reported a more rapid reduction in cough severity and/or frequency under ivy leaf treatment. The clinical significance of these effects appears to be minimal. No serious adverse effects were reported. The overall quality of reporting was low and the risk of bias was high.
CONCLUSIONS
Ivy leaf preparations are safe for use in cough due to acute URTIs and bronchitis. However, effects are minimal at best and of uncertain clinical importance.
Topics: Cough; Drug Compounding; Hedera; Humans; Patient Acuity; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Quality of Life; Respiratory Tract Infections
PubMed: 33523253
DOI: 10.1007/s00228-021-03090-4 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022The prevention and treatment of skin diseases remains a major challenge in medicine. The search for natural active ingredients that can be used to prevent the...
The prevention and treatment of skin diseases remains a major challenge in medicine. The search for natural active ingredients that can be used to prevent the development of the disease and complement treatment is on the rise. Natural extracts of ginger and hemp offer a wide range of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. This study evaluates the effectiveness of hemp and ginger extract as a supportive treatment for skin diseases. It reports a synergistic effect of hemp and ginger extract. The contents of cannabinoids and components of ginger are determined, with the highest being CBD (587.17 ± 8.32 µg/g) and 6-gingerol (60.07 ± 0.40 µg/g). The minimum inhibitory concentration for (156.5 µg/mL), (625.2 µg/mL) and (78.3 µg/mL) was also analyzed. Analysis of WM-266-4 cells revealed the greatest decrease in metabolic activity in cells exposed to the extract at a concentration of 1.00 µg/mL. Regarding the expression of genes associated with cellular processes, melanoma aggressiveness, resistance and cell survival, a significant difference was found in the expression of , and compared with the control (cells not exposed to the extract).
Topics: Cannabis; Plant Extracts; Zingiber officinale; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 36431795
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227694 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2022Cerrado has many compounds that have been used as biopesticides, herbicides, medicines, and others due to their highly toxic potential. Thus, this review aims to present... (Review)
Review
Cerrado has many compounds that have been used as biopesticides, herbicides, medicines, and others due to their highly toxic potential. Thus, this review aims to present information about the toxicity of Cerrado plants. For this purpose, a review was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, and Web Of Science databases. After applying exclusion criteria, 187 articles published in the last 20 years were selected and analyzed. Detailed information about the extract preparation, part of the plant used, dose/concentration tested, model system, and employed assay was provided for different toxic activities described in the literature, namely cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, insecticidal, antiparasitic, and molluscicidal activities. In addition, the steps to execute research on plant toxicity and the more common methods employed were discussed. This review synthesized and organized the available research on the toxic effects of Cerrado plants, which could contribute to the future design of new environmentally safe products.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Antifungal Agents; Brazil; Medicine, Traditional; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 35408775
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073413 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2021extract (YHS) has been used for centuries across Asia for pain relief. The extract is made up of more than 160 compounds and has been identified as alkaloids, organic... (Review)
Review
extract (YHS) has been used for centuries across Asia for pain relief. The extract is made up of more than 160 compounds and has been identified as alkaloids, organic acids, volatile oils, amino acids, alcohols, and sugars. However, the most crucial biological active constituents of YHS are alkaloids; more than 80 have been isolated and identified. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the phytochemical and pharmacological effects of these alkaloids that have significant ties to analgesia.
Topics: Alkaloids; Analgesics; Corydalis; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Molecular Structure; Pain; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 34946576
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26247498 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2021Natural products or organic compounds isolated from natural sources as primary or secondary metabolites have inspired numerous drugs [...].
Natural products or organic compounds isolated from natural sources as primary or secondary metabolites have inspired numerous drugs [...].
Topics: Biological Products; Crocus; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 34299500
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144226 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2022(Euphorbiaceae) has been used as an emetic, anthelminthic, and cathartic agent in traditional medicine. We used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to...
(Euphorbiaceae) has been used as an emetic, anthelminthic, and cathartic agent in traditional medicine. We used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to characterize the composition of ethyl acetate (EAC) and dichloromethane (DCMC) fractions from the whole plant. EAC and DCMC fractions were evaluated for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and acute toxicity. Their effects on intestinal propulsive movement and spasmogenic activity of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) muscle were also assessed. The compounds detected in both fractions were mostly fatty acids, with about seven compounds in EAC and 10 in DCMC. These included pharmacologically active compounds such as imipramine, used to treat depression, or hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, an antioxidant. Both EAC and DCMC fractions inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity with IC values of 10 µg and 130 µg, respectively. Both the fractions were found to be toxic in a dose-dependent manner, inducing emesis at 0.5 g or higher and lethargy and mortality from 3-5 g upwards. Similarly, both of the fractions showed laxative activity in metronidazole- and loperamide-induced constipation models. EAC relaxed the intestinal muscle at a lower dose (1 mg/mL) than DCMC. Similarly, the EAC extract showed a significant relaxation effect (EC = 0.67 ± 0.15 mg/mL) on KCL-induced contraction in rabbit jejunum as compared to DCMC (EC = 5.04 ± 0.05 mg/kg). The present study strongly supports the folklore that this valuable plant is a cathartic agent. Further work is required to isolate and validate the bioactive compounds that act as diarrheal agents in
Topics: Acetylcholinesterase; Animals; Cathartics; Euphorbiaceae; Laxatives; Plant Extracts; Rabbits
PubMed: 35408541
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072143 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Sep 2022Phytotherapy, based on medicinal plants, have excellent potential in managing several diseases. A vital part of the healthcare system is herbal medicines, consisting of... (Review)
Review
Phytotherapy, based on medicinal plants, have excellent potential in managing several diseases. A vital part of the healthcare system is herbal medicines, consisting of therapeutic agents with high safety profile and no or least adverse effects. Herbs or medicinal plants show anticancer, antioxidant, and gene-protective activity, which is useful for pharmaceutical industries. In vitro, the extract of antioxidant compounds prevents the growth of colon and liver cancer cells, followed by a dose-dependent method. The screening of extracts is done by using in vitro models. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals lead to diseases based on age which promotes oxidative stress. Different types of ROSs available have central roles in the normal physiology and functioning of processes. Herbal or traditional plant medicines have rich antioxidant activity. Despite the limited literature on the health effect of herbal extract or spices. There are many studies examining the encouraging health effects of single phytochemicals instigating from the medicinal plant. This review provides a detailed overview on herbal antioxidants and how application of nanotechnology can improve its biological activity in managing several major diseases, and having no reported side effects.
Topics: Antioxidants; Nanotechnology; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 36076482
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113413