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Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Apr 2003
Topics: Arnica; Homeopathy; Humans; Phytotherapy; Postoperative Complications; Research Design
PubMed: 12668718
DOI: 10.1258/jrsm.96.4.205 -
Fitoterapia Sep 2018This article reviews and develops a perspective for the meaning of authenticity in the context of quality assessment of botanical materials and the challenges associated... (Review)
Review
This article reviews and develops a perspective for the meaning of authenticity in the context of quality assessment of botanical materials and the challenges associated with discerning adulterations vs. contaminations vs. impurities. Authentic botanicals are by definition non-adulterated, a mutually exclusive relationship that is confirmed through the application of a multilayered set of analytical methods designed to validate the (chemo)taxonomic identity of a botanical and certify that it is devoid of any adulteration. In practice, the ever-increasing sophistication in the process of intentional adulteration, as well as the growing number of botanicals entering the market, altogether necessitate a constant adaptation and reinforcement of authentication methods with new approaches, especially new technologies. This article summarizes the set of analytical methods - classical and contemporary - that can be employed in the authentication of botanicals. Particular emphasis is placed on the application of untargeted metabolomics and chemometrics. An NMR-based untargeted metabolomic model is proposed as a rapid, systematic, and complementary screening for the discrimination of authentic vs. potentially adulterated botanicals. Such analytical model can help advance the evaluation of botanical integrity in natural product research.
Topics: Biological Products; Drug Contamination; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Metabolomics; Phytochemicals; Phytotherapy; Quality Control
PubMed: 29175549
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2017.11.017 -
Marine Drugs Dec 2020Sessile organisms such as seaweeds, corals, and sponges continuously adapt to both abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. This extremely complex and dynamic... (Review)
Review
Sessile organisms such as seaweeds, corals, and sponges continuously adapt to both abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. This extremely complex and dynamic process often results in different forms of competition to ensure the maintenance of an ecological niche suitable for survival. A high percentage of marine species have evolved to synthesize biologically active molecules, termed secondary metabolites, as a defense mechanism against the external environment. These natural products and their derivatives may play modulatory roles in the epigenome and in disease-associated epigenetic machinery. Epigenetic modifications also represent a form of adaptation to the environment and confer a competitive advantage to marine species by mediating the production of complex chemical molecules with potential clinical implications. Bioactive compounds are able to interfere with epigenetic targets by regulating key transcriptional factors involved in the hallmarks of cancer through orchestrated molecular mechanisms, which also establish signaling interactions of the tumor microenvironment crucial to cancer phenotypes. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of secondary metabolites derived from marine organisms and their synthetic derivatives as epigenetic modulators, highlighting advantages and limitations, as well as potential strategies to improve cancer treatment.
Topics: Animals; Anthozoa; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Biological Products; Ecosystem; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans; Neoplasms; Phytotherapy; Porifera; Seaweed
PubMed: 33396307
DOI: 10.3390/md19010015 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2015Mumps is an infectious disease caused by the mumps virus. Chinese physicians generally believe that Chinese medicinal herbs are effective in alleviating symptoms and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Mumps is an infectious disease caused by the mumps virus. Chinese physicians generally believe that Chinese medicinal herbs are effective in alleviating symptoms and reducing the duration of mumps. Herbalists tend to develop a treatment plan according to the individual's symptoms.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs combined with routine treatments for mumps.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL (2015, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1948 to January week 4, 2015), EMBASE (1974 to February 2015), CINAHL (1981 to February 2015), AMED (1985 to April 2014), the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) (1980 to February 2015), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (1979 to February 2015), VIP Information (1989 to February 2015), and relevant databases of ongoing trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of Chinese medicinal herbs for mumps (with or without complications).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently evaluated trial quality and conducted data extraction. We contacted the trial authors for missing data regarding participant allocation. Some trials allocated participants according to the participants' admission sequence, making it a pseudo-random allocation. None of the trials concealed participants' allocation or used blinding.
MAIN RESULTS
We did not identify any eligible trials for inclusion. We identified 108 studies that claimed to use random allocation. We excluded 104 studies because the allocation methods the authors had used were not actually randomised. We were unable to contact the trial authors of the remaining four studies. These trials require further evaluation and have been allocated to the 'Studies awaiting classification' section.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
We did not find any RCTs for or against Chinese herbal medicine used in the treatment of mumps. We hope more high-quality RCTs will be conducted in the future.
Topics: Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Mumps; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 25887348
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008578.pub3 -
Planta Medica Mar 2022The use of medicines was long considered by Western schools of thought to be a a domain unique to humans; however, folklore/Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) from...
The use of medicines was long considered by Western schools of thought to be a a domain unique to humans; however, folklore/Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) from around the world suggests that animals have also long provided inspiration for the discovery of some medicinal plants used to treat humans and their livestock. Searching for medicinal knowledge from animals depends on the recognition of their ability to select and effectively use medicinal plants to prevent or actively ameliorate disease and other homeostatic imbalances. The interdisciplinary field of animal self-medication is providing scientific evidence for this ability in species across the animal kingdom and lends support to animal-origin medicinal plant folklore and recent ethnomedicinal information. Here, 14 case studies of purported animal-inspired plant medicines used by cultures around the world are presented together with ethnomedicinal and pharmacological evidence. Based on this evidence, the diversity and potential mode of self-medicative behaviors are considered. Over 20 animal species, including llama, sloth and jaguar in South America, reindeer and yak in Eurasia, langur and macaque in Asia, and chimpanzee, wild boar, porcupine and elephant in Africa, are linked to these case studies, representing a variety of potential preventative or therapeutic self-medicative behaviors. These examples provide an important perspective on what is likely to have been a much wider practice in the development of human traditional medicine. A role for animal self-medication research in the rejuvenation of old therapies and possible new discoveries of phytotherapies for human and livestock health is encouraged.
Topics: Animals; Folklore; Medicine, Traditional; Phytotherapy; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 34624907
DOI: 10.1055/a-1586-1665 -
Canadian Family Physician Medecin de... Aug 2015
Topics: Cannabis; Chronic Pain; Humans; Medical Marijuana; Neuralgia; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations
PubMed: 26273072
DOI: No ID Found -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2015The reduced production of thyroid hormones is the main feature of the clinical state termed hypothyroidism. In Chinese philosophical and medical theory, it results from... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The reduced production of thyroid hormones is the main feature of the clinical state termed hypothyroidism. In Chinese philosophical and medical theory, it results from Yang deficiency. Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) are thought to restore Yang and have been used in China to treat hypothyroidism for many years.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of CHM for hypothyroidism.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database on Disc, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure for randomised clinical trials (RCTs). The date of the last search was September 2014 for all databases. We also searched for ongoing trials in trial registers.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We considered RCTs of CHM alone or combined with thyroid hormone therapy compared with no treatment, placebo or thyroid hormone therapy. We also planned to compare different formulae of CHM with each other, alone or combined with thyroid hormone therapy. Hypothyroid individuals had to be diagnosed by the standard criteria valid at the time of the beginning of the trial regardless of the cause of hypothyroidism.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were not performed because no study could be included.
MAIN RESULTS
We found no RCTs and therefore could not establish the effects of CHM on hypothyroidism.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Currently, there is no evidence available from RCTs on CHM for the treatment of hypothyroidism. We also did not find any ongoing registered trial.
Topics: Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Phytotherapy; Yang Deficiency
PubMed: 25914906
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008779.pub2 -
Pharmaceutical Biology Dec 2017The genus Premna (Lamiaceae), distributed throughout tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands, is used in folk medicine primarily to... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
The genus Premna (Lamiaceae), distributed throughout tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands, is used in folk medicine primarily to treat inflammation, immune-related diseases, stomach disorders, wound healing, and skin diseases.
OBJECTIVES
This review exhaustively gathers available information on ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry, and bioactivity studies on more than 20 species of Premna and critically analyzes the reports to provide the perspectives and directions for future research for the plants as potential source of drug leads and pharmaceutical agents.
METHODS
A literature search was performed on Premna species based on books of herbal medicine, major scientific databases including Chemical Abstract, Pubmed, SciFinder, Springerlink, Science Direct, Scopus, the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ethnobotanical databases.
RESULTS
More than 250 compounds have been isolated and identified from Premna species, comprising of diterpenoids, iridoid glycosides, and flavonoids as the most common secondary metabolites, followed by sesquiterpenes, lignans, phenylethanoids, megastigmanes, glyceroglycolipids, and ceramides. Many in vitro and in vivo studies have been conducted to evaluate the biological and pharmacological properties of the extracts, and isolated compounds of Premna species with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antihyperglycaemia, and cytotoxic activities.
CONCLUSION
The bioactive compounds responsible for the bioactivities of most plants have not been well identified as the reported in vivo pharmacological studies were mostly carried out on the crude extracts. The isolated bioactive components should also be further subjected to more preclinical studies and elaborate toxicity study before clinical trials can be pursued.
Topics: Animals; Ethnobotany; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Lamiaceae; Medicine, Traditional; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations
PubMed: 28486830
DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2017.1323225 -
Planta Medica May 2016Classical multicomponent preparations mostly derived from traditional usages in Western and Eastern phytotherapy have been under-evaluated for a long time as potential... (Review)
Review
Classical multicomponent preparations mostly derived from traditional usages in Western and Eastern phytotherapy have been under-evaluated for a long time as potential new pharmaceutical products. The regulatory scenario, in particular at the European level, has only recently considered these aspects proposing harmonized guidelines for the pharmaceutical registration of traditional herbal products. Nevertheless, a specific regulation for innovative products based on the combination of precious knowledge arising from traditional usages and modern scientific advancements is still missing. In this paper, we propose a critical review of the current situation with the specific aim of contributing to create a more favorable regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical registration of new and innovative herbal medicinal products.
Topics: Europe; Herbal Medicine; Humans; Legislation, Drug; Phytotherapy
PubMed: 27135627
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-104509 -
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946) Feb 2013Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) has been used over many centuries as a medicinal plant. In particular, the use of the root has a longstanding tradition. Today, several... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) has been used over many centuries as a medicinal plant. In particular, the use of the root has a longstanding tradition. Today, several randomised controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety. Comfrey root extract has been used for the topical treatment of painful muscle and joint complaints. It is clinically proven to relieve pain, inflammation and swelling of muscles and joints in the case of degenerative arthritis, acute myalgia in the back, sprains, contusions and strains after sports injuries and accidents, also in children aged 3 years and older. This paper provides information on clinical trials, non-interventional studies and further literature published on comfrey root till date.
Topics: Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Back Pain; Child; Child, Preschool; Comfrey; Diclofenac; Drug Combinations; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Nicotinic Acids; Osteoarthritis; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Roots; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rheumatic Diseases; Skin Cream; Wounds, Nonpenetrating
PubMed: 23224633
DOI: 10.1007/s10354-012-0162-4