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Microbial Pathogenesis Dec 2018Cancer and infectious diseases are the preeminent causes of human morbidities and mortalities worldwide. At present, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and gene...
Cancer and infectious diseases are the preeminent causes of human morbidities and mortalities worldwide. At present, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy are considered as predominant options in order to treat cancer. But these therapies provide inadequate consequences by affecting both the normal and tumor cells. On the other hand, tuberculosis (TB), and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infections are significant threats, causing over a million mortalities each year. The extensive applications of antibiotics have caused the microbes to acquire resistance to the existing antibiotics. With the emerging dilemma of drug resistant microbes, it has become imperative to identify novel therapeutic agents from natural sources as emphatic alternative approach. Over the past few decades, venoms derived from several reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods including snakes, scorpions, frogs, spiders, honey bees, wasps, beetles, caterpillars, ants, centipedes, and sponges have been identified as efficient therapeutics. Venoms constitute plethora of bioactive components, particularly peptides, enzymes, and other chemical entities, which exhibit a large array of anticancer and anti-pathogenic activities. This review highlights the panorama of bioactive components of animal venoms divulging the anticancer, anti-tubercular, and anti-HIV activities. In a nutshell, this context discloses the decisive role of animal venoms as alternative natural resources to combat these deadly diseases of 21 century, and propounding the plausible development of new therapeutic drugs in the present era.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Animals; Biological Products; Biological Therapy; Humans; Neoplasms; Tuberculosis; Venoms
PubMed: 30195644
DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.09.003 -
Journal of Viral Hepatitis Sep 2001To evaluate the efficacy and safety of genus Phyllanthus for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection we performed a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of genus Phyllanthus for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection we performed a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Randomized trials comparing genus Phyllanthus vs. placebo, no intervention, general nonspecific treatment, other herbal medicine, or interferon treatment for chronic HBV infection were identified by electronic and manual searches. Trials of Phyllanthus herb plus interferon (IFN) vs. IFN alone were also included. No blinding and language limitations were applied. The methodological quality of trials was assessed by the Jadad scale plus allocation concealment. Twenty-two randomized trials (n=1947) were identified. The methodological quality was high in five double-blind trials and low in the 17 remaining trials. The combined results showed that Phyllanthus species had positive effect on clearance of serum HBsAg (relative risk 5.64, 95% CI 1.85-17.21) compared with placebo or no intervention. There was no significant difference on clearance of serum HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA between Phyllanthus and IFN. Phyllanthus species were better than nonspecific treatment or other herbal medicines for the clearance of serum HBsAg, HBeAg, HBV DNA, and liver enzyme normalization. Analyses showed a better effect of the Phyllanthus plus IFN combination on clearance of serum HBeAg (1.56, 1.06-2.32) and HBV DNA (1.52, 1.05-2.21) than IFN alone. No serious adverse event was reported. Based on this review Phyllanthus species may have positive effect on antiviral activity and liver biochemistry in chronic HBV infection. However, the evidence is not strong due to the general low methodological quality and the variations of the herb. Further large trials are needed.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Antiviral Agents; DNA, Viral; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Phyllanthus; Phytotherapy; Placebos; Plant Preparations; Plants, Medicinal; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 11555193
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2893.2001.00307.x