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Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Aug 2022Despite the benefits that synthetic pesticides have provided in terms of pest and disease control, they cause serious long-term consequences for both the environment... (Review)
Review
Despite the benefits that synthetic pesticides have provided in terms of pest and disease control, they cause serious long-term consequences for both the environment and living organisms. Interest in eco-friendly products has subsequently increased in recent years. This article briefly analyzes the available ethnobotanical evidence regarding the use of as a pesticide and offers a systematic review of experimental studies. Our findings indicate that both ethnobotanical and experimental procedures support the use of as a pesticide, as remarkable toxicity has been observed against pest organisms. The results included in the systematic review of experimental studies (=30) show a high degree of heterogeneity, but certain conclusions can be extracted to guide further research. For instance, promising pesticide properties were reported for most of the groups of species tested, especially Arachnida and Insecta; the efficacy of as a pesticide can be derived from a wide variety of compounds that it contains and possible synergistic effects; it is crucial to standardize the phytochemical profile of plants used as well as to obtain easily reproducible results; appropriate extraction methods should be explored; and upper inflorescences of the plant may be preferred for the production of the essential oil, but further studies should explore better other parts of the plant. In the coming years, as new findings are produced, the promising potential of as a pesticide will be elucidated, and reviews such as the present one constitute useful basic tools to make these processes easier.
Topics: Cannabis; Ethnobotany; Oils, Volatile; Pesticides; Phytochemicals; Plants
PubMed: 34612729
DOI: 10.1089/can.2021.0095 -
Applied Psychology. Health and... May 2022Modern society is reviving the practice of aromatherapy, and lavender is reported being the most worldwide purchased plant for essential oil (EO) extraction. Since... (Review)
Review
Modern society is reviving the practice of aromatherapy, and lavender is reported being the most worldwide purchased plant for essential oil (EO) extraction. Since recent studies reported cognitive enhancing effects of lavender besides the hypno-inducing effects, a literature review is needed. Considering EO quality and diffusion devices, we conducted a systematic review on the effects of lavender EO inhalation on arousal, attention and memory in healthy subjects. Starting from this new multidisciplinary perspective, cognitive effects were reviewed to link outcomes to effective and reproducible protocols. A systematic search on MEDLINE, ERIC, PsycInfo, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases using Cognitive Atlas and plant-related keywords was conducted. Among the 1,203 articles yielded, 11 met eligibility criteria. Subjects administered with lavender EO displayed arousal decrease and sustained attention increase. Controversial results emerged regarding memory. Lack of EO quality assessment and protocols heterogeneity did not allow assessing whether different EO composition differentially modulates cognition and whether placebo effect can be discerned from EO effect itself. However, GABAergic pathway modulation exerted by linalool, a major lavender EO constituent, might explain cognitive functions empowerment. We speculate aromatherapy could be a burgeoning cognition enhancing tool, although further investigation is required to reach robust conclusions.
Topics: Administration, Inhalation; Aromatherapy; Cognition; Humans; Lavandula; Oils, Volatile
PubMed: 34611999
DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12310 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2021(1) Introduction: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is estimated to be the cause of a major number of deaths by 2050 if we do not find strategies to slow down the rise... (Review)
Review
A Systematic Review on the Antimicrobial Properties of Mediterranean Wild Edible Plants: We Still Know Too Little about Them, but What We Do Know Makes Persistent Investigation Worthwhile.
(1) Introduction: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is estimated to be the cause of a major number of deaths by 2050 if we do not find strategies to slow down the rise of drug resistance. Reviews on Mediterranean wild edible plants (MWEPs) with antimicrobial properties are scarce in the main databases (PubMed, Scopus, and WoS). Hence, we proceeded to conduct a new review of the studies on MWEPs. (2) Methods: We used 'wild edible plant' and 'antimicrobial' as keywords. Within this group, exclusion criteria were reviews, studies concerning non-Mediterranean plants or non-edible plants, studies on topics other than plants or containing no description of antimicrobial properties, or off-topic studies. (3) Results: Finally, out of the one hundred and ninety-two studies we had started with, we reviewed thirty-eight (19.8%) studies concerning the antimicrobial properties of seventy-four MWEPs species belonging to twenty-five Families. Fifty-seven (77%) species out of seventy-four proved to be antimicrobial, with a stringent threshold selection. (4) Conclusions: Studies are still very heterogeneous. We still know too little about MWEPs' properties; however, what we already know strongly recommends carrying on investigation.
PubMed: 34574327
DOI: 10.3390/foods10092217 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Oct 2020Cancer is a major cause of death in the world. Chemotherapy can extend the life of cancer patients to some extent, but the quality of life is reduced. Therefore, the...
Cancer is a major cause of death in the world. Chemotherapy can extend the life of cancer patients to some extent, but the quality of life is reduced. Therefore, the quest for more efficient and less toxic medication strategies is still at the forefront of current research. Hedyotis diffusa Willd (HDW), a Chinese herb medicine, has received great attention in the past two decades and has been well documented in clinics for antitumor activity in a variety of human cancers. This review discussed a total of 58 different kinds of active antitumor components isolated from HDW, including iridoids, flavonoids, flavonol glycosides, anthraquinones, phenolic acids, and their derivatives, sterols, and volatile oils. Their antitumor activities include inhibition of tumor cell proliferation, induction of tumor cell apoptosis and tumor angiogenesis, regulation of the host immune response, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, and protective autophagy. Besides, we provide up-to-date and systematic evidence for HDW antitumor activities and the possible underlying molecular mechanisms and reference for further development of novel drugs and dosage formulation in control of human cancers.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Apoptosis; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Hedyotis; Humans; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 34321173
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110735 -
Frontiers in Oncology 2021The banana ( spp.) plant produces elongated and edible fruit. The two main parthenocarpic species of banana are Colla and Colla. There are several health-promoting and...
BACKGROUND
The banana ( spp.) plant produces elongated and edible fruit. The two main parthenocarpic species of banana are Colla and Colla. There are several health-promoting and disease-preventing effects of Colla, which are attributed to its important bioactive compounds, including phenolics, carotenoids, biogenic amines, phytosterols, and volatile oils, found in the stem, fruit, pseudostem, leaf, flower, sap, inner trunk, root, and inner core. Banana possesses numerous pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antiulcerogenic, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, leishmanicidal, anthelmintic, and anticancer properties. Various individual studies have reported anticancer effects of different components of the banana plant. However, according to our understanding, an up-to-date, systematic, and critical analysis of existing scientific results has not yet been carried out.
OBJECTIVES
This review aims to include a thorough assessment of banana and its phytochemicals for cancer prevention and therapy with a focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms of action.
METHODS
The available research studies on anticancer activities of banana extracts, fractions and pure compounds were collected using various scholarly databases, such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus, based on predetermined selection criteria.
RESULTS
Various banana extracts, fractions, and phytoconstituents, including ferulic acid, protocatechualdehyde, 2-pentanone, 4-epicyclomusalenone, cycloeucalenol acetate, and chlorogenic acid, have been shown to exhibit cancer preventative and anticancer activities in breast, cervical, colorectal, esophageal, hepatic, oral, prostate, and skin cancers. Bioactive components present in bananas have exhibited antiproliferative, cell cycle arrest-inducing, apoptotic, anti-adhesive, anti-invasive, and antiangiogenic effects through modulation of diverse, dysregulated oncogenic signaling pathways.
CONCLUSION
Based on the critical analysis of available literature, banana products and phytoconstituents show enormous potential for future development of drugs for cancer prevention and therapy. However, more mechanistic studies and well-designed clinical trials should be performed to establish its efficacy.
PubMed: 34307163
DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.697143 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2021Mastalgia, or breast pain, is common among women which can lead to significant impairment in daily living. Hence, finding an effective treatment that can alleviate the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Mastalgia, or breast pain, is common among women which can lead to significant impairment in daily living. Hence, finding an effective treatment that can alleviate the symptom is very important. Thus, we carry out this study to determine the efficacy of evening primrose oil (EPO) for mastalgia treatment in women. The review included published randomised clinical trials that evaluated EPO used for treating mastalgia against a placebo or other treatments, irrespective of the blinding procedure, publication status, or sample size. Two independent authors screened the titles and abstracts of the identified trials; full texts of relevant trials were evaluated for eligibility. Two reviewers independently extracted data on the methods, interventions, outcomes, and risk of bias. The random-effects model was used for estimating the risk ratios and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Thirteen trials with 1752 randomised patients were included. The results showed that EPO has no difference to reduce breast pain compared to topical NSAIDS, danazol, or vitamin E. The number of patients who achieved pain relief was no different compared to the placebo or other treatments. The EPO does not increase adverse events, such as nausea, abdominal bloating, headache or giddiness, increase weight gain, and altered taste compared to a placebo or other treatments. EPO is a safe medication with similar efficacy for pain control in women with mastalgia compared to a placebo, topical NSAIDS, danazol, or vitamin E.
Topics: Female; Humans; Linoleic Acids; Mastodynia; Oenothera biennis; Plant Oils; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; gamma-Linolenic Acid
PubMed: 34200727
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126295 -
Free Radical Biology & Medicine Aug 2021Olive oil and components might have a beneficial effect on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to assess whether those effects are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Olive oil and components might have a beneficial effect on Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to assess whether those effects are related to hydroxytyrosol or oleic acid contents, or the combination of them as olive oil, and how powerful is this effect.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE via Pubmed, Web of Science (WOS) core collection, and Virtual Health Library (VHL) via LILACS and IBECS (Spain). MeSH terms used were "obesity", "body weight", "body mass index", "adipose tissue", "lipid metabolism", "LDL", "HDL", "VLDL", "insulin resistance", "glucose", "insulin", "hypertension", "arterial pressure", "olive oil", "oleic acid", and other (non-MeSH) terms: "total antioxidant capacity", "total antioxidant status", "hydroxytyrosol" (PROSPERO ID: CRD42021247614). Results of the included studies were meta-analyzed with the RevMan 5.3 program, assuming a random effects model.
RESULTS
76 articles (67 different trials) were identified. Hydroxytyrosol had no effect on MetS [combined standardized mean differences (SMD) = 0.01 (CI 95%: [-0.23, 0.25], I = 83%; p = 0.920)]. Oleic acid had no significant beneficial effect on MetS [SMD = 0.03 (CI 95%: [-0.01, 0.07], I = 0%); p = 0.150], but it improved lipid profile [SMD = 0.06 (CI 95%: [-0.00, 0.12], I = 0%); p = 0. 050]. Olive oil had no effect on MetS [SMD = -0.01 (CI 95%: [-0.05, 0.03]), I = 55%; p = 0.550)]. The supplementation with hydroxytyrosol, oleic acid or olive oil showed a beneficial effect on antioxidant capacity related to components of MetS [SMD = 0.31 (CI 95%: [-0.34, 0.95], I = 81%)]; p = 0.35).
CONCLUSION
Most articles compared olive oil and oleic acid with other strategies specially designed for MetS management. Our findings suggest that olive oil or oleic acid consumption are as good as the other strategies to manage MetS.
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Humans; Metabolic Syndrome; Oleic Acid; Olive Oil; Phenylethyl Alcohol
PubMed: 34153478
DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.06.017 -
Nutrients May 2021Intervention with fruit extracts may lower glucose and lipid levels, as well as blood pressure. We reviewed the efficacy of bilberry and grape seed extracts to affect...
Efficacy of Bilberry and Grape Seed Extract Supplement Interventions to Improve Glucose and Cholesterol Metabolism and Blood Pressure in Different Populations-A Systematic Review of the Literature.
Intervention with fruit extracts may lower glucose and lipid levels, as well as blood pressure. We reviewed the efficacy of bilberry and grape seed extracts to affect these outcomes across populations with varying health status, age and ethnicity, across intervention doses and durations, in 24 intervention studies with bilberry and blackcurrant ( = 4) and grape seed extract ( = 20). Bilberry and blackcurrant extract lowered average levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), at least in Chinese subjects, especially in those who were older, who were diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and who were participating in longer-term studies. We also found good evidence that across studies and in subjects with hypercholesterolemia, T2DM or metabolic syndrome, intervention with bilberry and blackcurrant extract, and to some extent grape seed extract, significantly lowered total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels after four weeks. Intervention with grape seed extract may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure in subjects with hypertension or metabolic syndrome. Differential responsiveness in cholesterol and blood pressure outcomes between stratified populations could not be explained by age, dose or study duration. In conclusion, bilberry and blackcurrant extract appears effective in lowering HbA1c and total and LDL cholesterol, whereas grape seed extract may lower total and LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure, in specific population groups.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, LDL; Dietary Supplements; Female; Glycated Hemoglobin; Grape Seed Extract; Humans; Linolenic Acids; Male; Middle Aged; Plant Extracts; Plant Oils; Vaccinium myrtillus
PubMed: 34067538
DOI: 10.3390/nu13051692 -
Heliyon May 2021Linn. is a medicinal and culinary herb from the Southern European region known for its anti-infective, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and...
Linn. is a medicinal and culinary herb from the Southern European region known for its anti-infective, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities since the Egyptian era. The reported pharmacological activities of L. include antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-cancerous activities. In this review, a comprehensive approach is put forth to scrutinize and report the available data on phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, pharmacology, and toxicology of the plant. The different extracts and essential oil obtained from the plant have been assessed and reported to treat ailments like microbial infections, inflammation, non-communicable diseases like cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV-1 and Herpes. The literature review has also indicated the use of volatile oils, phenolic acids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins, alkaloids, and polysaccharides in pharmacotherapy. Applications of these compounds including antidiabetic, anti-Alzheimer's, cardio, neuro and hepatoprotective, anti-osteoporosis, sedative, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, antispasmodic, antinociceptive, gastroprotective, anticonvulsant, antihypertensive, antidepressant, anti-amnesia, and anti-helminthic activities have been mentioned. Further, based on research gaps, recommendations have been provided to evaluate L. systematically to develop plant-based drugs, nutraceuticals, and to evaluate their clinical efficiency and safety.
PubMed: 34041399
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07054 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... May 2021Breakdown of the developmentally immature epidermal barrier may permit entry for micro-organisms leading to invasive infection in preterm infants. Topical emollients may... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Breakdown of the developmentally immature epidermal barrier may permit entry for micro-organisms leading to invasive infection in preterm infants. Topical emollients may improve skin integrity and barrier function and thereby prevent invasive infection, a major cause of mortality and morbidity in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effect of topical application of emollients (ointments, creams, or oils) on the risk of invasive infection and mortality in preterm infants.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL via Cochrane Register of Studies (CRS) Web and MEDLINE via Ovid (updated 08 January 2021) and the reference lists of retrieved articles.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials that assessed the effect of prophylactic application of topical emollient on the risk of invasive infection, mortality, other morbidity, and growth and development in preterm infants.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used the standard methods of Cochrane Neonatal. Two review authors separately evaluated trial quality, extracted data, and synthesised effect estimates using risk ratio (RR), risk difference (RD), and mean difference. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence for effects on mortality and invasive infection.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 22 trials with a total of 5578 infant participants. The main potential sources of bias were lack of clarity on the methods used to generate random sequences and conceal allocation in half of the trials, and lack of masking of parents, caregivers, clinicians, and investigators in all of the trials. Eight trials (2086 infants) examined the effect of topical ointments or creams. Most participants were very preterm infants cared for in healthcare facilities in high-income countries. Meta-analyses suggested that topical ointments or creams may have little or no effect on invasive infection (RR 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97 to 1.31; low certainty evidence) or mortality (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.08; low certainty evidence). Fifteen trials (3492 infants) assessed the effect of topical plant or vegetable oils. Most of these trials were undertaken in low- or middle-income countries and were based in healthcare facilities. One large (2249 infants) community-based trial occurred in a rural field practice in India. Meta-analyses suggested that topical oils may reduce invasive infection (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.96; I² = 52%; low certainty evidence) but have little or no effect on mortality (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.08, I² = 3%; low certainty evidence). One trial (316 infants) that compared petroleum-based ointment versus sunflower seed oil in very preterm infants in Bangladesh showed little or no effect on invasive infection (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.46; low certainty evidence), but suggested that ointment may lower mortality slightly (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.98; RD -0.12, 95% CI -0.23 to -0.01; number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome 8, 95% CI 4 to 100; low certainty evidence). One trial (64 infants) that assessed the effect of coconut oil versus mineral oil in preterm infants with birth weight 1500 g to 2000 g in India reported no episodes of invasive infection or death in either group (very low certainty evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The level of certainty about the effects of emollient therapy on invasive infection or death in preterm infants is low. Since these interventions are mostly inexpensive, readily accessible, and generally acceptable, further good-quality randomised controlled trials in healthcare facilities, and in community settings in low- or middle-income countries, may be justified.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Bacterial Infections; Bias; Cross Infection; Dermatitis; Emollients; Humans; Infant, Extremely Premature; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Mycoses; Ointments; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Skin Care
PubMed: 33961715
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001150.pub4