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Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jan 2024Epimedium koreanum Nakai (E. koreanum), a member of the genus Epimedium in the family Berberidaceae, is a well-known and well-liked traditional herb used as a "kidney... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Epimedium koreanum Nakai (E. koreanum), a member of the genus Epimedium in the family Berberidaceae, is a well-known and well-liked traditional herb used as a "kidney tonic". For thousands of years, it has been utilized for renal yang deficiency, impotence, spermatorrhea, impotence, weakness of tendons and bones, rheumatic paralysis and discomfort, numbness, and constriction.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The paper aims to comprehensively in-depth, and methodically review the most recent research on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of E. koreanum.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Springer, ScienceDirect, Baidu Scholar, and CNKI and medicine books in China were searched for relevant information on E. koreanum.
RESULTS
In traditional uses, E. koreanum is frequently used to treat various diseases like erectile dysfunction, infertility, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, kidney-yang deficiency syndrome, etc. To date, more than 379 compounds have been discovered from various parts of E. koreanum, including flavonoids, lignans, organic acids, terpenoids, hydrocarbons, dihydrophenanthrene derivatives, alkaloids, and others. Research has revealed that the compounds and crude extracts have a wide range of pharmacological effects on the reproductive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems, as well as anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and antiviral properties. Besides, the crude extracts show potential hepatotoxicity.
CONCLUSION
Based on recent domestic and international research investigations, E. koreanum contains a wealth of chemical components with pronounced pharmacological activities. Its traditional uses are numerous, and the majority of these traditional uses have been supported by contemporary pharmacological investigations. Crude extracts, on the other hand, can result in hepatotoxicity. Therefore, additional in vivo and in vitro experimental research on the pharmacology and toxicology of E. koreanum are required in the future to assess its safety and efficacy. This will give a firmer scientific foundation for its safe application and the development of new drugs in the future.
Topics: Male; Humans; Phytotherapy; Epimedium; Yang Deficiency; Erectile Dysfunction; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Phytochemicals; Ethnopharmacology; Plant Extracts; Medicine, Chinese Traditional
PubMed: 37544344
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116957 -
Food & Function Feb 2023Mulberry leaf (ML) and mulberry leaf extract (MLE) have numerous biological properties, such as regulating sugar and lipid metabolism, reducing blood glucose, and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Mulberry leaf (ML) and mulberry leaf extract (MLE) have numerous biological properties, such as regulating sugar and lipid metabolism, reducing blood glucose, and increasing insulin secretion. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials to examine the effect of ML/MLE supplementation on glycemic traits in adults, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and fasting plasma insulin (FPI). Twelve clinical trials (615 participants) fulfilled the eligibility criteria for the present meta-analysis, which included sensitivity analysis and GRADE (grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation) certainty. Based on the heterogeneity between included studies, a random effects model was applied in the meta-analysis, and the results are expressed as WMD (weighted mean differences) with 95% CI (confidence intervals). Meta-analysis showed that ML/MLE supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in FBG by -0.47 mmol L, HbA1c by -2.92 mmol mol, and FPI by -0.58 μIU mL. In addition, subgroup analysis indicated that long-term supplementation of ML/MLE (≥8 weeks) was more effective for regulation of the glycemic traits in the non-healthy and baseline FPG >6.1 mmol L subgroups. Glycemic regulation by ML/MLE may be attributed to the phytochemicals they contain, which are mainly 1-deoxynojirimycin, flavonoids, phenolics, and polysaccharides.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Blood Glucose; Glycated Hemoglobin; Morus; Fruit; Plant Extracts; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
PubMed: 36644880
DOI: 10.1039/d2fo02645g -
Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology &... 2022This systematic review aimed to summarize evidence to determine the effectiveness of kiwifruit or kiwifruit extracts in the treatment of constipation. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
This systematic review aimed to summarize evidence to determine the effectiveness of kiwifruit or kiwifruit extracts in the treatment of constipation.
METHODS
Electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2022 without any age or language limitations. Eligible studies enrolled participants with constipation who were randomized to receive kiwifruit or kiwifruit extracts vs. any nonkiwifruit control. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and mean difference (MD) with confidence intervals (CI) were determined for the following outcomes: frequency of spontaneous bowel movements (SBM), abdominal pain and straining, as well as stool type as determined by the Bristol Stool Scale (BSS). The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was used to rate the certainty of evidence. Our review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021239397).
RESULTS
Seven RCTs, including 399 participants (82% female; mean age: 42 years (SD 14.6)), were included. Compared with placebo ( = 95), kiwifruit extracts might increase the weekly frequency of SBM (MD: 1.36; 95% CI: -0.44, 3.16) with low certainty of evidence; moreover, it had an uncertain effect on BSS (SMD: 1.54; 95% CI: -1.33, 4.41) with very low certainty of evidence. Additionally, compared with placebo ( = 119), kiwifruit or its extracts reduced abdominal pain (SMD: -1.44, 95% CI -2.83, -1.66) with moderate certainty of the evidence and improved frequency of straining (SMD: -0.29; 95% CI: -1.03, 0.47). Compared with psyllium, kiwifruit may increase the weekly frequency of SBM (MD: 1.01; 95% CI: -0.02, 2.04) with moderate certainty evidence, and may increase the value on the BSS (indicating softer stools) (MD: 0.63; 95% CI: 0.01, 1.25)with low certainty of evidence. Compared to placebo, kiwifruit-encapsulated extracts may result in an increase in minor adverse events (relative risk: 4.58; 95% CI: 0.79, 26.4).
CONCLUSIONS
Among individuals with constipation, there is an overall low certainty of evidence indicating that kiwifruit may increase SBM when compared to placebo or psyllium. Although overall results are promising, establishing the role of kiwifruit in constipation requires large, methodologically rigorous trials. : PROSPERO registration number CRD42021239397.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adult; Constipation; Defecation; Female; Humans; Male; Plant Extracts; Psyllium; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 36247043
DOI: 10.1155/2022/7596920 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Mar 2018Corilagin, a gallotannin, is one of the major active components of many ethnopharmacological plants. It was isolated from Caesalpinia coriaria (Jacq.) Willd. (dividivi)... (Review)
Review
Corilagin, a gallotannin, is one of the major active components of many ethnopharmacological plants. It was isolated from Caesalpinia coriaria (Jacq.) Willd. (dividivi) by Schmidt in 1951 for the first time. In the past few decades, corilagin was reported to exhibit anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activities, etc. However, little attention was paid to its pharmacological properties due to the complicated and inefficient extract method. In recent years, with the development of extraction technology corilagin was much easier to obtain than before. Thus, people return to pay attention to its anti-tumor, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities, particularly as an anti-tumor agent candidate. Our research team had focused on the distribution, preparation and anti-tumor activity of corilagin since 2005. We found corilagin showed good anti-tumor activity on hepatocellular carcinoma and ovarian cancer. What's more, corilagin showed a low level of toxicity toward normal cells and tissues. Due to the extensive attention that corilagin has received, we present a systematic review of the pharmacological effects of corilagin. In this review, we summarized all the pharmacological effects of corilagin with a focus on the molecular mechanism of anti-tumor activity and show you how corilagin affected the signaling pathways of tumor cells as well as its physicochemical properties, distribution and preparation methods.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Glucosides; Humans; Hydrolyzable Tannins; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 29324311
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.030 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Oct 2023Neurovascular glial unit (NVGU) dysfunction has been reported to be an early and critical event in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia...
BACKGROUND
Neurovascular glial unit (NVGU) dysfunction has been reported to be an early and critical event in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). Although herbal medicines, with their favorable safety profiles and low adverse effects, have been suggested to be useful for the treatment of cognitive impairment, the potential role of the NVGU as the target of the effects of herbal medicines is still unclear.
PURPOSE
This review aimed to retrieve evidence from experimental studies of phytopharmaceuticals targeting the NVGU for the treatment of cognitive impairment in AD and VD, and discussed the potential of phytopharmaceuticals to improve cognitive impairment from the perspective of the NVGU.
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI. The keywords used for searching information on the NVGU in the treatment of cognitive impairments included "Alzheimer's disease," "Vascular dementia," "Herbal medicines," "Natural products," "Neurovascular," "Adverse reaction," and "Toxicity, etc." We selected studies on the basis of predefined eligibility criteria.
RESULTS
NVGU mainly consists of endothelial cells, pericytes, astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, and neurons, and damage to these cells can induce cognitive impairment by impairing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) as well as neuronal function. The active components of herbal medicines, including Ginkgo biloba L., Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Epimedium Folium, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Carthami flos, and Acorus tatarinowii Schott, as well as traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions have shown the potential to improve BBB function and increase CBF to prevent cognitive impairment by inhibiting astrocyte and microglia activation, protecting oligodendrocyte myelin function, reducing neuronal apoptosis, and promoting angiogenesis.
CONCLUSIONS
Herbal medicines demonstrate great potential to prevent cognitive impairment. Multiple components from herbal medicines may function through different signaling pathways to target the NVGU. Future studies using novel drug-carrier or delivery systems targeting the NVGU will certainly facilitate the development of phytopharmaceuticals for AD and VD.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Cognitive Dysfunction; Dementia, Vascular; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Endothelial Cells; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Humans
PubMed: 37573807
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155009 -
Parasitology Sep 2017Chagas disease and sleeping sickness are neglected tropical diseases closely related to poverty, for which the development of plant-derived treatments has not been a... (Review)
Review
Chagas disease and sleeping sickness are neglected tropical diseases closely related to poverty, for which the development of plant-derived treatments has not been a promising prospect. Thus, we systematicaly review the preclinical in vivo evidence on the applicability of plant-based products in the treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei infections. Characteristics such as disease models, treatments, toxicological safety and methodological bias were analysed. We recovered 66 full text articles from 16 countries investigating 91 plant species. The disease models and treatments were highly variable. Most studies used native (n = 36, 54·54%) or exotic (n = 30, 45·46%) plants with ethnodirected indication (n = 45, 68·18%) for trypanosomiasis treatment. Complete phytochemical screening and toxicity assays were reported in only 15 (22·73%) and 32 (48·49%) studies, respectively. The currently available preclinical evidence is at high risk of bias. The absence of or incomplete characterization of animal models, treatment protocols, and phytochemical/toxicity analyses impaired the internal validity of the individual studies. Contradictory results of a same plant species compromise the external validity of the evidence, making it difficult determine the effectiveness, safety and biotechnological potential of plant-derived products in the development of new anti-infective agents to treat T. cruzi and T. brucei infections.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Chagas Disease; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Neglected Diseases; Plant Extracts; Trypanocidal Agents; Trypanosoma brucei brucei; Trypanosoma cruzi; Trypanosomiasis, African; Trypanosomiasis, Bovine
PubMed: 28578742
DOI: 10.1017/S0031182017000634 -
Heliyon Jan 2023Fungi are morphologically and ecologically diverse kingdom but less explored in the global perspective. This systematic review of mainly higher fungi (mushrooms) and... (Review)
Review
Fungi are morphologically and ecologically diverse kingdom but less explored in the global perspective. This systematic review of mainly higher fungi (mushrooms) and lichenized fungi (lichens) was aimed to convey comprehensive knowledge on these understudied taxa, especially considering diversity, research trends, taxonomic/geographic knowledge gaps, and their contribution to ecosystem services. We investigated literature from the Far Eastern Himalayas and adjacent areas. We followed the PRISM (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework for the evidence synthesis and reporting. Search strings were used to explore literature both in English and Chinese databases. Publications were validated examining the title, locality, abstract and full text. We included 75 eligible studies after screening 12,872 publications. The result on species diversity extrapolated from literature was consolidated as a species checklist and published on the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) portal. This review demonstrates a significant shortage of research work on fungi, and a lack of quantitative data on diversity, ecology, and ecosystem services. Mycological inventories with multidisciplinary perspectives are urgent in the Landscape to better understand the importance of fungi in conservation and sustainable development science. This review is especially useful when global environmental and climate concerns are focused on the use of nature-based solutions, and fungi as integral part of all ecological processes, could play important role in enhancing ecosystem services and therefore benefits coming to people as natural solutions.
PubMed: 36685357
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12756 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Jul 2024Differentiation therapy, a highly regarded treatment method in tumor research, aims to induce tumor cells to differentiate back to normal cells, deviating from the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Differentiation therapy, a highly regarded treatment method in tumor research, aims to induce tumor cells to differentiate back to normal cells, deviating from the malignant pathway and returning to a benign state. Its development relies on the continuous discovery of efficient and low-toxic differentiation inducers, including plant-derived active components that offer significant biological utilization and therapeutic potential. For this reason, the exploration of plant-derived inducers, particularly in their application in differentiation therapy, holds great promise in advancing cancer treatment strategies toward more effective and safer alternatives.
PURPOSE
This paper aims to provide a valuable reference for researchers seeking to identify natural, efficient, and low-toxic differentiation inducers from plants and highlights a promising research direction for the application of differentiation therapy in malignant tumor treatment.
METHODS
For the collection of pertinent information, an extensive search was conducted across diverse literature and electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, ACS, CNKI, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar. This comprehensive approach aimed to retrieve and include all relevant literature from 1985 to 2023. Primary keywords such as "Natural medicinal plant," "Differentiation therapy," and "Differentiation inducer" were utilized, supplemented by secondary search terms including "Cancer," "Tumor," "Herbal medicine," "Induced differentiation," and "Cancer treatment."
RESULTS
This study systematically evaluated the application of plant-derived inducers in tumor-induced differentiation therapy. Through extensive literature review, specific plant components with confirmed differentiation-inducing properties were identified. Furthermore, potential molecular mechanisms underlying this process were outlined, shedding light on the future development of differentiation therapy in cancer treatment.
CONCLUSION
Plant-derived active components exhibit substantial biological utility and therapeutic potential. Delving deeper into the research on these components as differentiation inducers holds promise for the selection of novel cancer drugs and the unveiling of novel pathways for cancer treatment. These results emphasize the importance of continued exploration and in-depth research into natural, efficient, and low-toxic differentiation inducers from plants, which could significantly advance cancer treatment strategies. Moreover, the highlighted research direction underscores the relevance of differentiation therapy in the context of malignant tumor treatment, indicating its potential as a safer and more effective alternative in cancer therapy.
Topics: Humans; Cell Differentiation; Plants, Medicinal; Neoplasms; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38763009
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155749 -
Plant Science : An International... Jul 2019Machine learning (ML) is a field of artificial intelligence that has rapidly emerged in molecular biology, thus allowing the exploitation of Big Data concepts in plant...
Machine learning (ML) is a field of artificial intelligence that has rapidly emerged in molecular biology, thus allowing the exploitation of Big Data concepts in plant genomics. In this context, the main challenges are given in terms of how to analyze massive datasets and extract new knowledge in all levels of cellular systems research. In summary, ML techniques allow complex interactions to be inferred in several biological systems. Despite its potential, ML has been underused due to complex computational algorithms and definition terms. Therefore, a systematic review to disentangle ML approaches is relevant for plant scientists and has been considered in this study. We presented the main steps for ML development (from data selection to evaluation of classification/prediction models) with a respective discussion approaching functional genomics mainly in terms of pathogen effector genes in plant immunity. Additionally, we also considered how to access public source databases under an ML framework towards advancing plant molecular biology and introduced novel powerful tools, such as deep learning.
Topics: Databases, Genetic; Machine Learning; Molecular Biology; Plants
PubMed: 31084877
DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2019.03.020 -
The British Journal of Nutrition Jun 2012The relationship between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) from seafood sources (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) or plant sources... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The relationship between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) from seafood sources (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) or plant sources (alpha-linolenic acid, ALA) and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unclear. We systematically searched multiple literature databases through June 2011 to identify prospective studies examining relations of dietary n-3 PUFA, dietary fish and/or seafood, and circulating n-3 PUFA biomarkers with incidence of DM. Data were independently extracted in duplicate by 2 investigators, including multivariate-adjusted relative risk (RR) estimates and corresponding 95 % CI. Generalized least-squares trend estimation was used to assess dose-response relationships, with pooled summary estimates calculated by both fixed-effect and random-effect models. From 288 identified abstracts, 16 studies met inclusion criteria, including 18 separate cohorts comprising 540,184 individuals and 25,670 cases of incident DM. Consumption of fish and/or seafood was not significantly associated with DM (n = 13 studies; RR per 100 g/d = 1·12, 95 % CI = 0·94, 1·34); nor were consumption of EPA+DHA (n = 16 cohorts; RR per 250 mg/d = 1·04, 95 % CI = 0·97, 1·10) nor circulating levels of EPA+DHA biomarkers (n = 5 cohorts; RR per 3 % of total fatty acids = 0·94, 95 % CI = 0·75, 1·17). Both dietary ALA (n = 7 studies; RR per 0·5 g/d = 0·93, 95 % CI = 0·83, 1·04) and circulating ALA biomarker levels (n = 6 studies; RR per 0·1 % of total fatty acid = 0·90, 95 % CI = 0·80, 1·00, P = 0·06) were associated with non-significant trend towards lower risk of DM. Substantial heterogeneity (I²~80 %) was observed among studies of fish/seafood or EPA+DHA and DM; moderate heterogeneity ( < 55 %) was seen for dietary and biomarker ALA and DM. In unadjusted meta-regressions, study location (Asia vs. North America/Europe), mean BMI, and duration of follow-up each modified the association between fish/seafood and EPA+DHA consumption and DM risk (P-interaction ≤ 0·02 each). We had limited statistical power to determine the independent effect of these sources of heterogeneity due to their high collinearity. The overall pooled findings do not support either major harms or benefits of fish/seafood or EPA+DHA on development of DM, and suggest that ALA may be associated with modestly lower risk. Reasons for potential heterogeneity of effects, which could include true biologic heterogeneity, publication bias, or chance, deserve further investigation.
Topics: Animals; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet; Dietary Fats; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Fishes; Humans; Plant Oils; Seafood
PubMed: 22591895
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114512001602