Abstract The scientific and public discourse on medicine has in the last century been framed in a way that the progress of high-tech medicine, with its methodological restriction on materialistic aspects of the physical body, may appear as a plain success story, from ancient ignorance to modern science—leaving no constructive idea or reason for being of homeopathy. On the other hand, there has always been a tradition of scholarly criticism of medicine, be it historiographic, natural scientific, social or economical. The shortcomings of most conventional forms of critique, however, rest on their embeddedness in the usual one-dimensional thinking: i.e. their unintentional complying with, rather than questioning, the frame of predominant narratives. A categorial reframing of medicine may be possible on the basis of three recently rediscovered traditions of thinking, termed lógos-, hómoion- and iásthai-thinking. Within such an enlarged reframing of the scientific and public discourse, not only medical, social, economic, political and cultural problems could be handled and possibly solved on a higher level of consciousness, but also homeopathy, properly understood as ‘homeo-patho-logy’, would benefit and attain a better, much more reasonable standing.
K. Jagadish Kumar, S. V. Akshaya, Manjunath Vaddamabal Gopalkrishna
et al.
Gallstones (GSs) are rare in children. The incidence of GSs has been increasing due to the utility of sonography in modern practice. Common causes of GSs in children include hemolytic anemias, obesity, metabolic syndrome, prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, cystic fibrosis, and total parenteral nutrition. Several studies evaluated the association between hepatic viral infection and GSs. There is a significantly increased risk of GSs among hepatitis C virus-infected patients and no significant association with hepatitis B virus infection. We report a child with acute hepatitis A infection who also had GS, which did not clear even after resolution of jaundice; probably, the detection of GS was coincidental rather than due to hepatitis A.
Sakaewan Ounjaijean, Rujikorn Rattanatham, Voravuth Somsak
et al.
Malaria-associated cardiac injury has been reported to be the primary cause of death due to severe malaria. The discovery of substances showing a protective effect on cardiac injury during malaria infection is urgently needed. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Gymnema inodorum leaf extract (GIE) on cardiac function in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei . ICR mice were treated with 1 × 10 7 infected red blood cells of P. berghei ANKA (PbANKA), administered orally with GIE in 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of mice. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and echocardiography were carried out. It was found that CPK and heart-weight to body-weight (HW/BW) ratios were significantly higher in untreated mice than the healthy control. Moreover, impaired cardiac function in the untreated group was observed as indicated by changes in echocardiography. Interestingly, GIE exerted a protective effect on cardiac injury induced by PbANKA infection. Our results demonstrated that the parasitemia percentage, CPK, HW/BW ratio, and echocardiography in GIE treated mice were improved. However, there was no significant difference between GIE dosages. Therefore, GIE possessed a cardio-protective effect during malaria infection in mice.
Nadia El Orfi (Phd Student), Saber Boutayeb MD, PhD, Bouchra Haddou Rahou PhD
et al.
Background Variety of conventional treatments are used to treat cancer. Cancer patients adopt other alternative therapies including medicinal plants. Their curative power results in the presence of secondary metabolites in its different parts. However, they can have toxic effects and interactions with conventional treatment and even chemosensitivity of the cancer cells. Objectives This study aims to determine the prevalence of the use of medecinal plants by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, list the medecinal plants used, identify the most consumed, present the reported adverse effects and determine the predictive factors of their use. Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 203 patients followed at the National Institute of Oncology in Rabat from 01 October 2018 to 30 November 2018. Regarding socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and data on the use of medicinal plants were collected from a questionnaire. Findings of 203 patients, 37% used medicinal plants. 30 plants also the honey were identified during this study. The “euphorbia honey"was consumed at (40%), The most used plants were garlic (13%), turmeric, fenugreek and thyme (11% each). 5% of patients presented side effects related to the consumption of medicinal plants. There is a significant association between the use of medicinal plants and socio-economic level (p = 0.004) and duration of illness (p = 0.048). Conclusion This study revealed a high prevalence of medicinal plants used by cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at National Institute of Oncology. The more clinical studies are desirable to demonstrate the efficacy of medicinal plants and their therapeutic effects to encourage their consumption or prohibit them.
Halvince O. Odira, Simon O. Mitema, Isaac M. Mapenay
et al.
The Phytexponent is used to treat pain and inflammation in complementary and alternative medicine practices; however, empirical data supporting its pharmacological efficacy and safety is scanty, hence the present study. We used the carrageenan-induced paw oedema and the acetic acid-induced writhing techniques to determine the anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficacies, respectively, of the Phytexponent in Swiss albino mice models. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay technique was used to investigate the in vitro cytotoxic effects of the Phytexponent in the Vero E6 cell line. The Phytexponent exerted significant ( P < .05) anti-inflammatory effects in the carrageenan-induced paw oedema mouse model in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with significantly higher efficacy at 250 mg/Kg BW, than indomethacin (4 mg/Kg BW), in the first, second, and third hour ( P < .05). Besides, the Phytexponent significantly reduced the acetic acid-induced writhing frequency in mice ( P < .05), in a dose-dependent manner, depicting its analgesic efficacy. Notably, the Phytexponent (at doses: 125 mg/Kg BW and 250 mg/Kg BW) exhibited significantly higher analgesic efficacy than the Indomethacin ( P<. 05). Moreover, the Phytexponent was not cytotoxic to Vero E6 cells (CC 50 >1000 µg/ml) compared to cyclophosphamide (CC 50 = 2.48 µg/ml). Thus, the Phytexponent has significant in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic efficacy in mice models and is not cytotoxic to Vero E6 cell line, depicting its therapeutic potential upon further empirical investigation.
Ana Bertha Hernandez-Hernandez PhD, Francisco Javier Alarcon-Aguilar PhD, Mario Garcia-Lorenzana PhD
et al.
Jatropha neopauciflora is an endemic species of Mexico. Its latex is used to treat wounds, scarring, oral infections, and loose teeth. To date, there are no studies that validate at a morphological level a wound-healing use in diabetes. The present research aimed to evaluate the wound-healing capacity of the latex of J. neopauciflora in the skin of healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Also, a chemical analysis of the latex through molecular exclusion chromatography and HPLC were performed. Male mice ( Mus musculus ) of 7-week-old CD1 strain were used. Groups of healthy and diabetic mice were formed. A longitudinal cut of 1 cm was performed on the depilated skin. All treatments were topically applied to the wound area twice a day for ten days. At the end of the experiments, the skin sections were obtained from the wound area and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin. Then we counted the number of active fibroblasts in all the experimental groups. In normal mice, the latex accelerated the wound-healing process and decreased the number of active fibroblasts, similarly to Recoveron. In diabetic mice, the latex and Recoveron increased the number of active fibroblasts. In normal and diabetic mice, a thin and orderly epidermis was observed. Molecular exclusion chromatography exhibited 58 fractions, 14 of which were subjected to HPLC, to detect catechin, a flavonoid with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. J. neopauciflora latex can be useful for wound treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus because it accelerates and promotes the wound-healing process.
Tejveer Singh, Arun Chhokar, Kulbhushan Thakur
et al.
Background: Present study examines phytochemical preparation that uses berberine’s plant source B. aquifolium root for availability of similar anti-cervical cancer (CaCx) and anti-HPV activities to facilitate repurposing of the B. aquifolium based drug in the treatment of CaCx.Purpose: To evaluate therapeutic potential of different concentrations of ethanolic extract of B. aquifolium root mother tincture (BAMT) against HPV-positive (HPV16: SiHa, HPV18: HeLa) and HPV-negative (C33a) CaCx cell lines at molecular oncogenic level.Materials and Methods: BAMT was screened for anti-proliferative activity by MTT assay. Cell cycle progression was analyzed by flowcytometry. Then, the expression level of STAT3, AP-1, HPV E6 and E7 was detected by immunoblotting, whereas nuclear localization was observed by fluorescence microscopy. Phytochemicals reportedly available in BAMT were examined for their inhibitory action on HPV16 E6 by in silico molecular docking.Results: BAMT induced a dose-dependent decline in CaCx cell viability in all cell types tested. Flowcytometric evaluation of BAMT-treated cells showed a small but specific cell growth arrest in G1-phase. BAMT-treatment resulted in reduced protein expression of key transcription factors, STAT3 with a decline of its active form pSTAT3 (Y705); and components of AP-1 complex, JunB and c-Jun. Immunocytochemistry revealed that BAMT did not prevent the entry of remnant active transcription factor to the nucleus, but loss of overall transcription factor activity resulted in reduced availability of transcription factors in the cancer cells. These changes were accompanied by gradual loss of HPV E6 and E7 protein in BAMT-treated HPV-positive cells. Molecular docking of reported active phytochemicals in B. aquifolium root was performed, which indicated a potential interference of HPV16 E6’s interaction with pivotal cellular targets p53, E6AP or both by constituent phytochemicals. Among these, berberine, palmatine and magnoflorine showed highest E6 inhibitory potential.Conclusion: Overall, BAMT showed multi-pronged therapeutic potential against HPV infection and cervical cancer and the study described the underlying molecular mechanism of its action.
Kayeen Vadakkan, Meena K Cheruvathur, Anu S Chulliparambil
et al.
Abstract Background There have been several studies carried out to irradiate Helminthiasis however very little research have been carried out where in the enzymatic activity of plants are exploited to antagonize infections. Here we are analyzing the anthelmintic activity of Cinnamomum cappara leaf extract against Pheretima posthuma complimented by proteolytic action. Results The fresh leaves of Cinnamomum cappara was collected from local areas of Thrissur during December 2019. Plants were identified and authenticated by morphological and molecular characterization. The enzymatic action was analyzed by plotting Lineweaver–Burk plot which suggested that the extract possess the Km 185.77 μM for casein as substrate and obeyed Michaelis–Menten kinetics with typical hyperbolic relation with enzyme and increasing concentration of substrate. The effect of extract upon study subject was in directly proportional with concentration of antagonist where higher activities were obtained in high concentrations. The anatomical and histological studies suggested that the activity of extract was due to the degradation of muscular bundle of subject that resulted in the leakage of ceolomic fluid. Conclusions Cinnamomum cappara leaf extract possessed high degree of protease intervened anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma. As the study subject show immense morphological and physiological resemblance with all other helminthic parasites, this results shall be adopted to further clinical and pharmacological applications.
The retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of Ayurveda treatment exposure as an add-on to conventional care in early stage COVID-19 patients admitted at Samaras COVID care center, Ahmedabad, India. Conventional care included Vitamin-c, Azithromycin, and Paracetamol. Ayurveda formulations used as add-on were Dashamula and Pathyadi decoctions along with Trikatu powder , Sanshamani tablet, AYUSH-64 tablet AND Yastimadhu Ghana tablet for oral administration. Considering Add-on Ayurveda medicines as exposure of interest, patients who received Add-on Ayurveda medicines at least for 7 days were included in the exposed group while those who received only conventional care in unexposed group. Data was collected through record review and telephonic interviews. The outcomes of interest were the development of symptoms, duration of symptomatic phase in those progressing to symptomatic stage and mortality. Total 762 participants were included-[541 (71%) in the exposed group and 221 (29%) in the unexposed. Progression to symptomatic phase did not differ significantly between groups [27.6% in exposed, 24.6% in unexposed, adjusted RR 0.85; 95% CI 0.6-1.2]. The total duration of symptomatic phase among those progressing to the symptomatic stage was significantly decreased in the exposed group (x¯ = 3.66 ± 1.55 days in exposed (n = 133); x¯ = 5.34 ± 3.35 days in unexposed (n = 61), p < 0.001). No mortality was observed in either of the groups. Ayurveda Treatment as adjunctive to conventional care reduced the duration of symptomatic phase in early stage COVID-19 as compared to standalone conventional care. Add-on Ayurveda treatment has promising potential for management of early stage COVID-19.
Sujonitha John, Habeeb Ullah Khan, Jaidev Mangalore Devdas
et al.
Background: Infants born to diabetic mothers are prone to hypoglycemia once transplacental supply of glucose is cut off due to which there is transient low blood glucose concentration during the first 2 h after delivery. Aim: Our study aimed at the correlation of cord blood glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) with neonatal hypoglycemia and macrosomia in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs). Methods: A descriptive longitudinal study was conducted on 100 consecutive IDMs with gestational age >34 weeks in a tertiary care hospital between November 2016 and December 2017, meeting the inclusion criteria. Infant and maternal details were recorded in a predesigned pro forma. Cord blood HbA1c in IDMs correlated with neonatal hypoglycemia and macrosomia. Results: Out of the 100 IDMs, 33 babies developed hypoglycemia. The mean cord blood HbA1c among hypoglycemic babies was 6.4% ± 0.9%, which was higher and statistically highly significant (P < 0.001) than babies who did not develop hypoglycemia. Most hypoglycemic events occurred at 30 min of postnatal life. The birth weight of IDMs correlated with cord blood HbA1c levels. Out of the 33 babies with hypoglycemia, 31 (94%) were macrosomic. Macrosomia increased the risk of hypoglycemia in IDMs (odds ratio: 78, 95% confidence interval: 16.4–379). Conclusion: Cord blood HbA1c showed a significant correlation with the risk of macrosomia and neonatal hypoglycemia.
Saira Bibi, Munazza Anwar, Huma Farooque Hashmi
et al.
Abstract Backgroound Lepidium pinnatifidum is a multipurpose, beneficial plant and known well for its indigenous therapeutic standards. Current study is aimed to investigate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potency of Lepidium pinnatifidum. L. pinnatifidum dried powder was extracted with crude methanol (LPM) and then fractionated with various solvents to get respective fractions, termed as, n-hexane (LPH), chloroform (LPC), ethyl acetate (LPE), butanol (LPB) and the aqueous fraction (LPA). Fractions were evaluated for total flavonoid and phenolic content. Antioxidant profile was quantified via an array of antioxidant assays. Anti inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro, and further assessed by in vivo study in Sprague Dawley rat. Result Total phenolics (TPC) range from 48.15 ± 1.03–241.23 ± 1.07 mg GAE/g while total flavonoids (TFC) quantified were 16.32 ± 1.14–136.32 ± 1.14 mg RE/g. The in vitro antioxidant assays exhibited remarkable radicals scavenging action in different assays. Substantial positive correlation was instituted between TPC, TFC and various antioxidant assays. Inhibition of the heat induced protein denaturation reflected anti inflammatory potency, further supported by in vivo carrageenan induced paw edema. Conclusion The obtained results lead to suggesting the therapeutic perspective of L. pinnatifidum in oxidative stress and inflammation associated ailments. The bio active ingredients behind its potential protectivity needs to be further confirmed.
Kingsley Omage, Marshall A. Azeke, Jerry N. E. Orhue
et al.
Abstract Background In traditional medicine, Acalypha wilkesiana is frequently used solely or as a composite part of many herbal preparations for therapeutic purposes. This study was therefore conducted to evaluate the effects of oral administration of extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves, on some serum diagnostic enzymes in normal experimental rabbits. Methods Eighteen adult male experimental rabbits were randomized into three groups (A, B and C), comprising of six animals each. Group A animals were given aqueous extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves, while group B animals were given ethanol extracts of Acalypha wilkesiana leaves. The extracts were administered orally at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight for a period of twenty-one (21) days. Group C animals were given water, thus they served as control. Data are represented as Mean ± S.E.M (n = 6). Significance of Difference was tested by ANOVA at P < 0.05. Results Administration of the aqueous or ethanol extracts, to the experimental animals resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), non-significantly (P > 0.05) lower serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and creatinine kinase (CK), as compared with the control animals. Conclusion In view of the effects of the plant extracts on ALP and LDH levels, the use of Acalypha wilkesiana leaf in traditional medicine should be with caution.
Present study evaluates efficacy of Trifala and Ela as plaque controlling agent and compares it with chlorhexidine. Aim. To evaluate Antigingivitis, Antiplaque and Antihalitosis effect of Triphala and Ela decoction. A randomized sample of 60 patients with plaque induced gingivitis was enrolled and equally divided into two groups group A and group B. Group A was given Trifala and Ela decoction and Group B Chlorehexidine mouthwash for 21 days twice daily. Gingival inflammation index, plaque index and Organoleptic scoring scale was recorded at baseline, 14th day and 21st day. Comparing the plaque index for Group A with group B the reduction in from baseline to 14 day was 42.59 % and 38.62% respectively while from baseline to 21 day was 56.20% and 68.57% respectively. On comparing Gingival index for group A with group B the reduction from baseline to 14 day was 31.95% and 38.62 % respectively while from baseline to 21 day was 69.95 % and 68.57% respectively. Halitosis Percentage reduction at 14th day from base line was 33.33% and 38.18%; at 21 day from baseline 66.66% and 72.72% respectively for group A and group B. No statistical significant difference for intergroup comparison was found using paired t test. Intra group analysis using unpaired t test was significant for all the indices at different time intervals. Triphala and Ela decoction is organic, easy to prepare economical and equally effective as compared to chlorhexidine mouthwash.
The objective of present investigation was to determine antimicrobial activity of Thymus vulgaris oil on some oral pathogens. Thymus vulgaris oil was prepared by hydrodistillation and tested against 30 clinical isolates of each of Streptococcus pyogenes , Streptococcus mutans , Candida albicans , Porphyromonas gingivalis , and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans , prepared from related oral infections using agar disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Thymus vulgaris oil at concentrations of 16 to 256 μg/mL exhibited strong inhibitory activity on all clinical isolates producing inhibition zones of 7.5 to 42 mm as measured by agar disk diffusion method. Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus mutans were the most sensitive isolates with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 1.9 and 3.6 μg/mL, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration values for C albicans , A actinomycetemcomitans , and P gingivalis were 16.3, 32, and 32 μg/mL, respectively.
Facing claims for and against the scientific status of homeopathy, one is entitled to ask: is there a scientific model for homeopathy? In this study we reconstructed the model put forward by Hahnemann. The results showed that it was essentially based on the assumption of a ‘vital force’ exclusive to living beings. While the vital force was a basic element of 18th-century science, the existence of such a sui generis force of nature was refuted with the formulation of the law of the conservation of energy by mid-19th century. As a function of that fact for homeopathic theory, we discuss the history of the rise and demise of the theory of the vital force from the last quarter of the 18th century to 1830. Finally, we call the attention to the paradigm shift biology underwent starting at the end of the 19th century as the framework for contemporary views on the functioning of living beings and consequently, of the effects of pharmacological agents on them.
Ahmad Ameri MD, Ghazaleh Heydarirad MD, PhD, Hossein Rezaeizadeh MD, PhD
et al.
Dry mouth is a common complication of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. This study compared the efficacy of an herbal compound containing Malva sylvestris and Alcea digitata (Boiss) with artificial saliva (Hypozalix) for improving the symptoms of dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients. The study examined a total of 62 subjects assigned to 2 groups. The herbal compound and Hypozalix were administered for 4 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using the visual analog scale and by grading the degree of dry mouth. Both groups showed a significant difference between visual analog scale before and following intervention. There was also a significant difference in visual analog scale between groups at 4 weeks after onset of intervention. The herbal group showed a significant difference between the grade of dry mouth before and after intervention, but no change was observed for grade of dry mouth in the Hypozalix group. This study supports the efficacy of the herbal compound for controlling symptoms of dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients.
Rishi Philip Mathew, Gouri B Kaveriappa, Manjunath Shetty
et al.
Urinomas are formed when urine leaks outside its normal pathway of flow from the kidney to the urethra. In most cases it is found in the retroperitoneal space, around the perinephric region. Urinomas are formed secondary to obstruction (such as calculi, fibrosis, malignancy, etc.), or from trauma (blunt, penetrating or iatrogenic). Subcutaneous urinomas are extremely rare and to the best of our knowledge only two cases have been documented, both of which have resulted from renal trauma, secondary to renal transplantation and ureterocutaneostomy. We present the first and only known case of subcutaneous urinoma occurring as a sequelae to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with computed tomography (CT) correlation.
Hepatotoxicity associated with isoniazid and rifampicin is one of the major impediments in antituberculosis therapy. The present study explored the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacies of Spirulina maxima in isoniazid and rifampicin induced hepatic damage in a rat model. Hepatic damage induced in Wistar rats by isoniazid and rifampicin resulted in significant alterations in biomarkers of liver function, namely, bilirubin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and oxidative stress markers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Co-administration of Spirulina maxima along with antituberculosis drugs protected liver from hepatotoxicity due to isoniazid and rifampicin. Administration of Spirulina maxima consecutively for 2 weeks to hepatodamaged animals resulted in restoration of hepatic function as evident from normalization of serum markers of liver function. Thus, the present study revealed remarkable prophylactic and therapeutic potential of Spirulina maxima . Co-administration of Spirulina maxima and antituberculosis drugs is advantageous as it provides extra nutritional benefit.