Erik W. Baars, Petra Weiermayer, Henrik P. Szőke
et al.
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Given the magnitude and urgency of the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) problem and the insufficiency of strategies to reduce antimicrobial use, there is a need for novel strategies. Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) provides strategies and solutions that contribute to reducing (inappropriate) antimicrobial use, preventing or treating infections in both human and veterinary medicine, and may contribute to promoting the health/resilience of humans and animals and reducing AMR. The aims of this study were to present the core results of a global TCIH research agenda for AMR and its added value to two existing global AMR research agendas published in 2023. <b>Methods</b>: A survey, interviews, and consensus meetings among network members, as an adapted version of the nominal group technique, were executed to develop the global TCIH research agenda. A comparison of the global TCIH research agenda with the two existing global AMR research agendas was performed. The TCIH additions to these two existing global AMR research agendas were determined. <b>Results</b>: The global TCIH research agenda adds to 19 of 40 research priorities of the World Health Organization (WHO) AMR research agenda 2023 and three of the five pillars of the WHO/Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)/United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) research agenda 2023. In addition, the TCIH research agenda adds two new research themes with four new research priorities and three new research priorities to already existing themes of the two global AMR research agendas. <b>Conclusions</b>: The global TCIH research agenda fits with and adds to two global AMR research agendas and can be used as an additional strategy to reduce AMR and (inappropriate) use of antibiotics.
Gudeta Duga Geresu MSc, Tilahun Tesfaye Abebe MSc, Diriba Alemayehu Gadisa MSc
et al.
Phytolacca dodecandra (L’ Herit), or ‘Endod’, is one of the widely known medicinal plants in Ethiopia. Berries of the endod have been used as a detergent for centuries. The present study was aimed to test the hepatoprotective effects of the plant against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in rats. Mice of either sex were used for oral acute toxicity tests and APAP-induced lethality tests. Hepatoprotective experiments were done on male rats using 2 g/kg of APAP to induce liver damage. Liver enzymes, total bilirubin (TB), and lipid profile were determined. Liver tissues were also examined histopathologically to see a morphologic change in the control and experiment groups. The protective effect of the plant extract was also tested through sodium pentobarbital (SPB)-induced sleeping time. A significant increase in serum levels of liver enzymes, TB, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides (TGs) was seen from oral administration of 2 g/kg APAP. Total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were decreased. Serum levels of all parameters were reversed to normal after administration of silymarin 100 mg/kg and, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses of the extract. A significant dose-dependent hepatoprotective effect of Phytolacca dodecandra Methanol Root Extract (PDME) was seen in terms of LDL. Histopathological investigations and SPB-induced sleeping time confirmed the findings of biochemical analysis. The findings of the present study indicate that PDME protected the liver from APAP injury.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to determine the clinical features, treatment received, and outcomes of severely ill children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).
Methods:
The study was a retrospective observation carried out at a pediatric intensive care unit in a tertiary care hospital. The baseline history, investigations, treatment received, and outcomes of the disease in 14 critically ill children, who were diagnosed with MIS-C, were surveyed from October 2020 to January 2022.
Results:
There were 14 children who were diagnosed with MIS-C. All children received intensive care treatment and 7 children received a combination of steroid therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin. Out of 14 children, 12 of them survived and 2 expired.
Conclusion:
For children who are diagnosed with MIS-C, the outcome was good if detected early and treated on time.
Introduction: Neonatal jaundice is the imbalance between bilirubin production and conjugation, resulting in increased serum bilirubin levels. It is visible in the skin and eyes, only when the total serum bilirubin level exceeds 5–7 mg/dl. Sixty percent of the term and almost 80% of the preterm babies develop neonatal jaundice. Objectives: To identify the etiology of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in term neonates and to determine short-term outcomes in terms of rebound hyperbilirubinemia during hospital stay and other modalities of intervention in these babies. Methods: We did a cross-sectional, descriptive, and retrospective chart-based study. The clinical profile of term neonates treated for hyperbilirubinemia was procured from the inpatient medical records and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge summaries over 5 years from January 2017 to December 2021. Short-term outcomes, such as duration of hospital stay, rebound hyperbilirubinemia, and other modalities of treatment used, were noted. Results: A total of 252 term babies who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Two hundred and thirty-four babies were delivered vaginally, 10 by cesarean section, and 8 extracted by instrumental delivery. Ninety-eight babies had ABO incompatibility and 19 Rh incompatibility. Twelve babies had elevated cord thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Seventy-one babies had signs of bilirubin encephalopathy. Thirty-nine babies had sepsis. Fifty-three of them had significant weight loss suggestive of improper feeding. Thirty-three babies had cephalhematoma. Nine babies were born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus. All 252 babies underwent phototherapy. Thirty-two babies required a prolonged hospital stay of more than 1 week and seven had rebound hyperbilirubinemia. Nine babies required exchange transfusion. Two received intravenous immunoglobulin. Conclusions: The most common risk factor associated was ABO incompatibility, followed by inadequate breastfeeding. As only nine neonates required exchange transfusion, early and prompt initiation of phototherapy remains the best modality of treatment. Emphasis on proper feeding technique can go a long way in preventing admission to NICU, as it is the second-most common preventable cause of hyperbilirubinemia.
AYUSH Wellness Centre (AWC), President Estate was started as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Ayush and the President’s Secretariat with treatment facilities in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. It was inaugurated on July 25, 2015, in the President’s Estate and is catering to the medical needs of the President, Officials of the President’s Secretariat, and residents of the President’s Estate. It is a step to take forward the vision of Government of India (GOI) to encourage the Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy. Over the 7 years of its functioning, AWC has endeavored to bring to fruition the recommendations mentioned in National AYUSH Mission and National Health Policy. AWC has become a precursor to many such clinics in different government departments and AIIMS across the country. This article presents the impact, experiences, and future recommendations from the initiative of AWC.
Curcumin is the primary polyphenol in turmeric’s curcuminoid class. It has a wide range of therapeutic applications, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, and anticancer effects against various cancers, but has poor solubility and low bioavailability. Objective: To improve curcumin’s bioavailability, plasma concentration, and cellular permeability processes. The nanocurcumin approach over curcumin has been proven appropriate for encapsulating or loading curcumin (nanocurcumin) to increase its therapeutic potential. Conclusion: Though incorporating curcumin into nanocurcumin form may be a viable method for overcoming its intrinsic limitations, and there are reasonable concerns regarding its toxicological safety once it enters biological pathways. This review article mainly highlights the therapeutic benefits of nanocurcumin over curcumin.
Vasantha Kalyani C, Priyanka Malhotra, Kusum K Rohilla
The 21st-century worldwide scourge is coronavirus disease or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is influencing more than 120 nations universally. This is basically an infection sickness that is transmitting fundamentally by droplet technique. Incubation period fluctuates from 2 days to 14 days. There is no particular treatment or vaccine accessible till now. The aim of this study is to investigate different medicinal measures to improve the resistance of a person. In this study, we followed rules of the World Health Organization and Ministry Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy give measures to improve resistance and checked information from databases such as PubMed, Google researcher, Medline, and electronic web indexes that were propelled from January 2020 to March 2021. Evidence suggested that there is a lack of literacy regarding use of the herbal product to boost immunity. Strong compliance to these guideline helps in improving immunity which ultimately leads to strong immunity strong enough to fight off novel COVID-19 infection. [Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2021; 11(9.000): 934-939]
Therapeutics. Pharmacology, Pharmacy and materia medica
Aline Nunes, Daniela Sousa Coelho, Cristian Soldi
et al.
Contextualization: The species Hypericum perforatum is widely applied for the treatment of several diseases, mainly for depression. The plant is not native to Brazil, a country that has a high degree of the disease, being considered a public health problem.
Knowledge gap: The establishment of the species in the country can provide greater economic and demand autonomy, presenting itself as a treatment with few or no side effect.
Purpose: Evaluate the use of highly potentialized dilutions and the influence of the growing season on the vegetative growth and contents of bioactive compounds in Hypericum perforatum plants.
Methodology: Experiments were performed in two seasons: Spring/Summer and Summer/Autumn. The experimental plot consisted of 12 plants, 4 repetitions, and 5 treatments consisting of homeopathic preparations of Kali carbonicum, Natrum muriaticum, Phosphorus, and Silicea terra at 12CH, and distilled water as control, summing up 48 plants per treatment. The height of the longest branch, number of branches, dry mass of the shoots and dark glands were evaluated, as well as the amounts of phenolic compounds.
Results and conclusions: Homeopathic preparations affected differently H. perforatum plants over the cultivated seasons. In the Spring/Summer experiment, the Silicea terra treatment promoted plant growth, differing from Phosphorus, but not from other treatments. In the Summer/Autumn experiment, the homeopathies Kali carbonicum, Natrum Muriaticum and Phosphorus increased the vegetative growth in relation to control. The experiment carried out in the Spring/Summer showed the best results, increasing the growth and the number of branches and affording higher biomass yield. The formation of dark glands was not stimulated by the use of homeopathic preparations, however, the Spring/Summer experiment promoted higher averages. The hypericin compound was not detected in any sample of H. perforatum leaves. This suggests the need for an extended cultivation time to accumulate that naphthodianthrone compound in the dark glands.
Abstract Background In this study, we selected two medicinal plants Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. and Artemisia nilagirica (C.B. Clarke) Pamp. on the basis of their traditional use in the treatment of fever associated with malaria in Assam (India) and evaluated their antimalarial potential against Plasmodium falciparum strains. Methods The properly processed plant parts of C. maxima (Burm.) Merr. and A. nilagirica (C.B. Clarke) Pamp. were extracted with different solvents from nonpolar to polar by cold maceration technique. After that antimalarial activities of the extracts were evaluated against both chloroquine sensitive (3D7) and resistant (RKL-9) strains of P. falciparum using Giemsa staining light microscopy technique. The most active extract(s) was further screened for cytotoxicity potential against murine macrophage RAW264.7 cell line using MTT assay. Then preliminary phytochemical screening and qualitative fingerprint analysis of the active extract(s) were done to check the presence of different secondary metabolites. Results From the in vitro study, the hydro-alcoholic extract of C. maxima (Burm.) Merr. and methanol extract of A. nilagirica (C.B. Clarke) Pamp. were found to be the most active against both 3D7 and RKL-9 strains. In the cytotoxicity study, the CC50 values of the active extracts were found to be > 100 μg/ml, which suggested the safety of the extracts. Then phytochemical and fingerprint analysis revealed the presence of various important plant secondary metabolites in both the extracts. Conclusion The findings of this study confirmed the presence of antimalarial potential of hydro-alcoholic extract of C. maxima (Burm.) Merr. and methanol extract of A. nilagirica (C.B. Clarke) Pamp without having any toxic effect. Both the extracts showed IC50 values below 5 μg/ml against 3D7 and RKL-9 strains.
Seema Mahesh, Tamara Denisova, Liudmila Gerasimova
et al.
Classical homeopathy was shown to be beneficial in climacteric syndrome in many studies, but the clinical effect is unclear. To inspect if individualized classical homeopathy has a role in treating complaints after surgical menopause through real world case, we present a case of a 54-year-old Russian woman treated with individualized classical homeopathy for multimorbid conditions after surgical menopause examined for changes from homeopathic treatment. We assessed changes in climacteric symptoms, changes in comorbidities, and the general well-being of the patient. The woman had severe climacteric syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, dyslipidemia, obesity, hepatic steatosis, pancreatic lipomatosis, gall bladder disease, and mild subclinical hypothyroidism to begin with. She was treated with individualized classical homeopathy and followed up for 31 months. She was relieved of the vasomotor symptoms and psychological disturbances of climacteric syndrome, her weight reduced, the ultrasound scan showed absence of lipomatosis/gall bladder disease/hepatic steatosis. Blood tests showed reduction of thyroid stimulating hormone and a balance in the lipid status. Individualized classical homeopathy may have a role in the climacteric syndrome and comorbidities after surgical menopause. The efficacy of homeopathic therapy in climacteric problems must be scientifically investigated further.
Background: Severity scoring systems are important parameters in assessing the severity of a disease aiding in categorization of disease and its prompt treatment. However, reliability of these scoring systems and inter-observer variation is a concern. In the recent years, there has been a lot of debate on reliability of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scoring as there is a wide range of difference in the scoring when assessed by each observer. We conducted this study to assess the inter-observer variation of PASI scoring observed in out-patient department of Dermatology at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: Total of 35 patients clinically presenting with chronic plaque type psoriasis, irrespective of disease duration and treatment taken were enrolled in the study. PASI scoring was assessed by 3 different observers (2st year, 3nd year postgraduate residents and clinical staff) independently on each patient and reliability was determined by intra-class coefficient. (ICC). Results: Our study showed an excellent reproducibility of PASI score when an inter-observer variation was performed. Most of the parameters showed an agreement of >0.9 (ICC) which was statistically significant (<0.001). However it was noted that “erythema” in head, upper limbs and lower limbs was in less agreement with ICC when compared to other parameters, yet excellent. Mean PASI score was 10.96, 10.78 and 10.47 among observer 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Conclusion: Our study concludes that PASI is a reproducible and reliable clinical tool with less inter-observer variation if done by trained qualified observers to assess the severity of chronic plaque type psoriasis although its application gets tedious and difficult in busy dermatology clinics. Limitation: A small sample size.
Abstract Homeopathy arrived from the United States to Peruvian soil in the last decades of the nineteenth century, broadening the repertoire of existing medical knowledge, which included an emerging medical profession, Chinese herbalists, and indigenous practitioners. This article examines the circulation and use of homeopathic therapies and medicines in Lima from the time when the American homeopath George Deacon initiated his practice, in the 1880s, until his death, in 1915. Although homeopathy was not the most widely used medical therapy in the country, it nevertheless posed a threat to professional medicine and the School of Medicine’s desired monopoly of the field of medicine.
Akinyinka O. Alabi, Abayomi M. Ajayi, Osarume Omorogbe
et al.
Abstract Background To investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous extract of a blended mixture of dried leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and Psidium guajava, a traditional analgesic drug polyherbal (TADP) used as a remedy for pain-related conditions. Methods Antinociceptive activity of TADP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was evaluated in the hot plate test and acetic acid-induced nociception in mice while the anti-inflammatory was evaluated in carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. Levels of nitrite, myeloperoxidase, glutathione and malondialdehyde were assayed in carrageenan-induced paw tissue. Results TADP (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly prolong the latency time in the hot-plate test. TADP (100–400 mg/kg) produced a dose-dependent significant inhibition of the acetic-acid induced abdominal constriction. The antinociceptive activity of TADP in the presence of naloxone and atropine was not reversed whereas yohimbine and glibenclamide significantly reversed it. TADP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the swelling in the carrageenan-induced oedema model and also produced a reduction in the nitrite and myeloperoxidase level. TADP (400 mg/kg) significantly reduced malondialdehyde concentration and increase glutathione level in the carrageenan-induced rat paw. TADP significantly decrease the number of cellular infiltrates in the histopathological assessment. Conclusion These results indicate that polyherbal product containing blended leaves of Ocimum gratissimum and Psidium guajava possess antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, hence represents a promising alternative remedy in inflammation-induced pain.
Abstract Background The systematic screening of plant species with the purpose of discovering new bioactive compounds is prerequisite for any bioprospecting study. Therefore the present study was carried out to assess the phytochemical content and the evaluation of in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, larvicidal and antidiabetic activities of the methanol extracts of S.caryophyllatum bark, leaves, fruit pulp and seeds. Methods The quantitative estimation of total phenol, flavonoid and tannin content of the extracts of S. caryophyllatum bark, leaf, fruit pulp and seeds were analyzed by using standard methods. The present study also conducted to screen antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS assays), antimicrobial, antidiabetic (in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory assays) and larvicidal (against fourth instars larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus) activities of methanol extract of S. caryophyllatum. Results The results of quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of maximum amount of phytoconstituents such as phenol, flavonoids and tannins in the leaf, bark and seed extract when compared to fruit pulp extracts. Free radical scavenging activity indicated that methanol bark, leaves, fruit and seeds extracts has significant free radical scavenging ability on DPPH with percentage inhibition of 88.15%, 81.31%, 75.24% and 83.36% respectively. The in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory studies of the methanol crude extracts of four different plant parts of S. caryophyllatum (Bark, leaf fruit pulp and seed) showed good inhibitory activities in concentration dependent manner. The maximum percentage inhibitory activity of 78.03% was showed at concentration of 500 μg/ml seed extracts followed by bark (78.03%), leaf (69.4%) and fruit pulp (56.9%) at the same concentration. While the percentage inhibitory activity of four extracts also showed potent inhibition of α-glucosidase; maximum inhibition exhibited at the concentration of 100 μg/ml by bark extract (80.9%) compared with other extracts, leaf (78.2%), seed (77.59%) and fruit pulp (63.35%). The leaf essential oil and four extracts showed significant mortality against fourth instars larvae of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus respectively. Conclusion Thus the present study suggests that S.caryophyllatum plant parts can be used as natural antioxidant source to prevent diseases associated with free radicals. Also, this plant can be a good source for further purification studies for isolation and characterization of compounds related to these antioxidants, antidiabetic and antibacterial activities.
Laura K. Case PhD, Paula Jackson BSJ, Revere Kinkel MD
et al.
Multiple sclerosis is a disabling and progressive neurological disease that has significant negative effects on health-related quality of life. This exploratory efficacy study examined the effects of Healing Light Guided Imagery (HLGI), a novel variant of guided imagery, compared with a wait-list control in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Changes in the Beck Depression Inventory, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life instrument (physical and mental components) were compared between groups. Patients who completed HLGI (N = 9) showed significant reductions in depressed mood ( P < .05) and fatigue ( P < .01) and showed significant gains in physical ( P = .01) and mental ( P < .01) quality of life compared with journaling (N = 8). Our results suggest that HLGI can improve self-reported physical and mental well-being in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Further research is needed to study the effectiveness of this therapy, as well as its mind-body mechanisms of action.
Feedback has been recognized as pillar for effective clinical training. Feedback is a complex, bidirectional process between educator and learner which is influenced by a number of factors. Recently, there is shift from an educator-centric approach to a learner-centric approach that aims to understand how learners seek, receive, and incorporate feedback in their learning process. The objective of this paper is to understand various factors which influence the learner role in learner-centric approach.
Reyhaneh Shokoohi PhD, Saeed Kianbakht PhD, Mohammad Faramarzi PhD
et al.
The present study was conducted to explore the efficacy and safety of a herbal combination in the treatment of women with hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetes. The herbal combination capsule (600 mg) contained Terminalia chebula fruit extract (200 mg), Commiphora mukul (200 mg), and Commiphora myrrha oleo-gum-resin (200 mg), and the placebo capsule contained 600 mg toast powder. The patients in one group took the herbal combination and those in the other group took placebo capsules 3 times a day for 3 months. In the herbal combination–treated patients, the fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were decreased and hidh-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was increased significantly at the endpoint compared with the placebo and baseline. Other blood parameters such as glycosylated hemoglobin, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, SGOT, and SGPT levels were not significantly changed after 3 months in both groups. In conclusion, the herbal combination improves glycemic control and lipid profile in women with hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetes without any adverse events.