Integrative medicine (also referred to as integrated medicine) combines conventional treatment methods, promotion of health, scientific research, and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). There is an increasing interest and use of CAM in Bulgaria, although scientific studies related to CAM are few. CAM approaches and products that can be despensed in a pharmacy involve the following therapeutical areas: apitherapy, aromatherapy, ayurveda, traditional Bulgarian medicine, phytotherapy, homeopathy, Schüssler’s biochemical therapy, Dr. Bach's therapy. This study aimed to examine the attitudes of general practitioners, pharmacists, and patients on the use of homeopathy as part of CAM treatment methods. A survey method and a comparative analysis of the results were performed among three groups of respondents: doctors, pharmacists, and patients. The analysis of the survey results confirmed an increasing interest in the use of homeopathy as an alternative therapy method and revealed that healthcare professionals were willing to expand their knowledge and competencies in the field through courses and continuing education.
Abstract Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer among women compared to men. Uncontrolled growth of defective breast cells turns into tumors and it can become fatal if not treated timely. BC cells first grow inside the breast’s milk-producing lobules. Mammary stem cells and normal growth of the breast are regulated by several signaling channels, including as HER2, ERs, and Wnt/b-catenin pathways, which control stem cell proliferation, differentiation, motility, and death. BC is associated with risk factors such as smoking, obesity, height, alcohol use, early menarche, late menopause, positive family history a sedentary lifestyle, nulliparity, and hormone replacement treatment. The main treatment consists of surgery and radiation followed by chemotherapy. Chemotherapeutic medications are toxic and recurrence is very common. Hence, it opened new window for exploring phytoconstituent and plant-based therapy as adjuvant therapy with chemotherapeutic medication to treat and overcome the recurrence of breast cancer The study of medicinal plants has been prompted by a focus on natural compounds with possible anticancer efficacy that show fewer side effects. This article addresses evidence-based approaches on plant extract and phytoconstituent for their anticancer potential based on biomarkers. This review also highlights the pathophysiology of BC and clinical translational efficiency. Graphical Abstract
Background: Homeopathy – one of the key members of the Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Heath (TCIH) systems - has a long tradition stretching to the early 1800’s in the management of acute infectious epidemic disease. Purpose: This audit aims to assess the clinical effectiveness of telehealth interventions in an out-patient, individualized homeopathy clinical setting for 305 individuals with symptoms of positive or probable COVID-19 by a team of professional homeopaths working together in the United States during spring and summer of 2020. Methods: This retrospective audit, spanning March to August 2020, examines the merits of the initiative considering accessibility, effectiveness, safety, efficiency, and appropriateness of the care model. Results: Positive intervention outcomes were found in every measure: individual remedy prescriptions (83.4% positive), final outcomes of interventions (76.2% positive), and degree of recovery following homeopathic interventions (74.4%). Additionally, ease of access for a range of users, a high level of safety of the interventions, and efficiency of care and team resources indicated consistently positive outcomes. Conclusion: Given the significant strain on conventional healthcare systems during the early stages of the pandemic, the complementary medicine interventions studied here offer important considerations for meeting the demands for COVID-19 acute care with agile and adaptive complementary medicine models.
Chronic Subdural Hematoma is a prevalent neurosurgical disorder associated with old age, often resulting from trauma. The condition has limited scope for conservative management, and invasive techniques are frequently used as preferred treatment. Complications often arise due to comorbidities associated with old age. This case details the treatment of the condition in a 71-year-old patient who presented with seizures, hemiparesis, tremor, and disorientation. The patient had a history of a fall a few weeks prior. Initially, the condition was managed through surgery, but recurrence occurred, accompanied by concurrent neurological signs. The patient was subsequently treated with Hamamelis virginica 200CH through homeopathic approach. Following this treatment, the patient returned to his previous state within seven days. No recurrence was observed during the three-month follow-up. This case underscores a positive role of homeopathic medicines in managing neurosurgical conditions such as subdural hematoma. The positive outcomes of this study provide preliminary evidence that may eventually contribute to the design of appropriate clinical trials.
Nateelak Kooltheat, Kamonrat Chujit, Kanjana Nuangnong
et al.
Artemisia lactiflora , a Chinese-origin plant, has been reported to have unique phytochemicals responsible for its medicinal properties. The growth of the agricultural industry emits air pollution, which has adverse effects on health. There are limited scientific reports on the biological activities of A. lactiflora . Studies on its activities and mechanisms may provide insight into its use in medicinal purposes to treat those health problems and conditions. In this study, leaves of A. lactiflora were extracted and fractioned with solvents of different polarities. Total phenolics, total flavonoids DPPH • scavenging, ABTS •+ scavenging, and cytotoxicity of A. lactiflora were assessed. Anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by pre-treating macrophages with extract or fractions then induced inflammatory response by coconut shell pyrolysis smoke. Inflammatory responses were assessed by measuring pro-inflammatory genes expression and pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion. Among all extract and fractions of A. lactiflora , butanol fraction has the highest phenolic, flavonoid, and DPPH • scavenging activity. All extract and fractions significantly down-regulated pro-inflammatory genes expression ( RelA, TNF, IL6 ) and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion (TNF-α, IL-6), p < 0.0001, compared with pyrolysis smoke-induced macrophages. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity in decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion. These results may prove the anti-inflammatory activities of A. lactiflora through the inhibition of the NF-κB-dependent pathway. Taken together, this study first reported the anti-inflammatory activities of A. lactiflora . Thus, the plant can be used to prevent and treat inflammatory responses caused by highly oxidative pyrolysis smoke released from the re-utilization of agro-industrial leftovers.
F. D. Y. Kamga-Simo PhD, G. P. Kamatou PhD, C. Ssemakalu PhD
et al.
Background. This study aim at assessing C. abbreviata aqueous extracts for its potential to exhibit anti-diabetic activity in skeletal muscle cells. In addition to the toxicological and glucose absorption studies, the action of C. abbreviata extracts on some major genes involved in the insulin signaling pathway was established. Methods. The in vitro cytotoxic effects C. abbreviata was evaluated on muscle cells using the MTT assay and the in vitro glucose uptake assay conducted using a modified glucose oxidase method described by Van de Venter et al. (2008). The amount of GLUT-4 on cell surfaces was estimated quantitatively using the flow cytometry technique. Real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the expression of GLUT-4, IRS-1, PI3 K, Akt1, Akt2, PPAR-γ. Results. Cytotoxicity tests revealed that all extracts tested at various concentrations were non-toxic (LC 50 > 5000). Aqueous extracts of leaves, bark and seeds resulted in a dose-dependent increase in glucose absorption by cells, after 1 h, 3 h and 6 h incubation period. Extracts of all three plant parts had the best effect after 3 h incubation, with the leaf extract showing the best activity across time (Glucose uptake of 29%, 56% and 42% higher than untreated control cells after treatment with 1 mg/ml extract at 1 h, 3 h and 6 h, respectively). All extracts, with the exception 500 µg/ml seed extract, induced a two-fold increase in GLUT-4 translocation while marginally inducing GLUT-10 translocation in the muscle cells. The indirect immunofluorescence confirmed that GLUT-4 translocation indeed occurred. There was an increased expression of GLUT-4, IRS1 and PI3 K in cells treated with insulin and bark extract as determined by the RT-qPCR. Conclusion. The study reveals that glucose uptake involves GLUT-4 translocation through a mechanism that is likely to involve the upstream effectors of the PI3-K/Akt pathway.
Background: India is a country with richness in traditional medicine from ages. Ayurveda one of the most commonly used medicines was originated in India. With the extent of use of allopathy medicines, alternate medicines were compromised in use. Studies among medical and paramedical students have revealed opinions differences in the knowledge about complementary and alternate medicine (CAM) therapies. Thus, to assess, knowledge and attitude of medical and paramedical students can be useful to evaluate their perception for CAM.
Aim and Objective: Primary objective is to assess the knowledge and perception among medical, physiotherapy, and B.Sc. nursing students toward CAM.
Materials and Methods: A prospective and observational cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among medical, physiotherapy, and B.SC nursing students of New Civil Hospital, Surat. The principal investigator distributed questionnaires to the students at the end of their respective academic sessions in MarchApril 2018. At the pharmacology department, one of the researchers clarified answered forms.
Results: In the present study, a total of 400 students were distributed questionnaire and 392 (97%) responses were received. Among them, 205 (52%) were MBBS students, 75 (19%) were physiotherapy students, and 112 (29%) were nursing students. Out of 392 responses, 122 (31%) students were aware of CAM, while 187 (48%) students denied that they have used any CAM modality. Around 234 (60%) students said during history taking, patients should be asked about the use of any CAM modalities. A total of 243 students showed positive attitude by saying yes to have a formal or mandatory CAM training in medical or paramedical undergraduate curriculum.
Conclusion: Although students acknowledged the different CAM modalities, few of students could not define the CAM. Positive attitude was observed among students regarding CAM like; they wanted to improve in history taking process. Along with it, students were also desirous to take a formal or mandatory training regarding CAM. [Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol 2021; 11(2.000): 187-192]
Therapeutics. Pharmacology, Pharmacy and materia medica
Abstract Background A novel pandemic disease offered the opportunity to create new, disease-specific, symptom rubrics for the homeopathic repertory. Objective The aim of this study was to discover the relationship between specific symptoms and specific medicines, especially of symptoms occurring frequently in this disease. Materials and Methods Worldwide collection of data in all possible formats by various parties was coordinated by the Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis. As the data came in, more symptoms were assessed prospectively. Frequent analysis and feedback by electronic newsletters were used to improve the quality of the data. Likelihood ratios (LRs) of symptoms were calculated. An algorithm for combining symptom LRs was programmed and published in the form of an app. The app was tested against 18 well-described successful cases from Hong Kong. Results LRs of common symptoms such as ‘Fatigue’ and ‘Headache’ provided better differentiation between medicines than did existing repertory entries, which are based only on the narrow presence or absence of symptoms. A mini-repertory for COVID-19 symptoms was published and supported by a web-based algorithm. With a choice of 20 common symptoms, this algorithm produced the same outcome as a full homeopathic analysis based upon a larger number of symptoms, including some that are traditionally considered more specific to particular medicines. Conclusion A repertory based on clinical data and LRs can differentiate between homeopathic medicines using a limited number of frequently occurring epidemic symptoms. A Bayesian computer algorithm to combine symptoms can complement a full homeopathic analysis of cases.
Maxwell Osaronowen Egua, Florence Chimezie Nwinyi, Ode Julius Okwoche
et al.
Abstract Background The aqueous methanolic extract of Andira inermis(A. inermis) stem bark was screened for phytochemical constituents, antioxidant activity, acute oral toxicity, and preliminary prophylactic normoglycaemic test and effect on Oral Glucose Tolerance in albino rats. Methods Andira inermis was double macerated and extracted with 80% methanol. Phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity were performed using standard methods. The extract was screened for in vitro antioxidant activity using Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging spectrophotometric assays. Prophylactic control of glucose was evaluated in normoglycaemic and glucose-challenged albino rats. Graded test doses (100–400 mg/kg body weight) of the extract were used in the investigation. The effects observed were compared with that of glibenclamide (0.2 mg/kg) and distilled water control groups. Results The stem bark extract of A. inermis was found to contain saponins, terpenes, tannins, steroids, flavanoids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates and alkaloids. The extract was found to have a significant in vitro antioxidant activity in both methods. The oral acute toxicity study showed the extract had LD50 greater than 5000 mg/kg. The extract significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced blood glucose levels in normoglycaemic animal model (the control group seen to have − 5.6(− 8.7%) poor glucose handling; and the glibenclamide& extract treatment group (100 mg/kg) to positively reduce blood glucose 14.8(26.8%) & 16.4(25.9%) respectively). The glucose challenged test, from the 1st hour, showed − 57.4(− 89.4%),-26.8(− 33.8%),-23.8(− 26.3%),-12.8(− 13.9%) and − 9.8(− 10.4%) for the vehicle control, glibenclamide (positive control), and the 100, 200 & 400 mg/kg extract treatment groups respectively. The extract showed mild hypoglycemic effect in the results recorded, up to the 4th hour. Conclusion The results of this study elucidated that the aqueous methanolic extract of Andira inermis stem bark possessed potent antioxidant phyto-constituents with potential hypoglycaemic effects that could be explored for therapeutic use worldwide following isolation and characterization of the bioactive principles. And the results also authenticate the folklore use of the plant.
Ana Catarina Viana Valle, Hilana dos Santos Sena Brunel, Aloísio Cunha de Carvalho
Aural hematoma is a pathology commonly diagnosed in dogs and characterized
by the accumulation of blood in the external ear of the animal, usually of traumatic origin.
The treatments of choice for the clinical improvement of the affected ear are, in general,
invasive. The present work reports the case of a Labrador female dog attended at NaturalPet
Veterinary Clinic and diagnosed with aural hematoma. The patient was treated exclusively
with homeopathic medicines. The prescription of the medicines was based on the law of
similars, and the treatment comprised the use of Hamamelis virginiana D12 (1x10-12),
Arnica montana D9 (1x10-9 ) and Bellis perenis 30CH (1x10-60). The therapeutic protocol
used was conclusive, reestablishing the function of the external ear with no deformations
of the affected tissue. Therefore, the homeopathic treatment important therapy to be used
and evaluated in other cases similar to this one reported.
Abstract Background Gardenia gummifera L.f. (Family: Rubeacea) is used in indigenous system of medicine to cure many diseases. To authenticate the traditional medicinal claim investigation has been under taken to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of Gardenia gummifera L.f. fruit methanol extract (GFME). Method GFME was evaluated using various antioxidant assays, including DPPH and Nitric oxide radical scavenging assays. The protective effects of GFME were studied in carbon tetrachloride reduced biochemical markers of hepatic injury such as serum glutamyl oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamyl pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (TB) and direct bilirubin (DB) and in silico studies were carried out to screen the GFME phytocompounds. Results The extract showed significant antioxidant activity in DPPH and Nitric oxide radical scavenging with IC50 value of 131.11 and 175.95 respectively. Quantitative phytochemical assay determines the presence of alkaloids 69.1 μg/1 mg and phenolics 76.5 μg/1 mg. GC-MS analysis of aromatic extract resulted in 36 compounds. Among them, compounds 2, 3-Dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4 h-pyran-4-one, 2-furancarboxaldehyde 5-(hydroxymethyl) and Quinic acid are the major ones. The fruit methanol extract showed significant in vivo hepatoprotective activity by altering the levels of liver function biochemical parameters such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP, TP, TB and DB. Histology of the liver section also confirms the hepatoprotective activity of GFME. Molecular docking of GC-MS profiled phytocompounds with the target protein TGF-β1and PPARα also confirmed the therapeutic effect with good hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Conclusion Thus the present study clearly strengthened the traditional medicinal claim of the plant Gardenia gummifera L.f. possessing the hepatoprotective drug.
Ananna Mahfuz, Fayad Bin Abdus Salam, Kanij Nahar Deepa
et al.
Abstract Background Cheilanthes tenuifolia, a member of the Pteridaceae family, is an evergreen and small fern could be abundant of bioactive compounds. The present study was designed to investigate its many therapeutic properties and isolation of bioactive compounds from extracts of Cheilanthes tenuifolia. Methods The dried coarse plant powder was extracted with methanol and dried with rotary evaporator. The extract was further partitioned according to the increasing polarity: N-hexane < chloroform < ethyl-acetate < methanol by modified Kupchan method. Then each extract fractions were investigated for their pharmacologic properties. Compounds were isolated from n-hexane fraction through column chromatography, followed by TLC and structure was determined by analysis of sample using 1H-NMR and matched with published phytochemistry report. Results Methanol fraction of Cheilanthes tenuifolia showed highest amount of total phenol content (11.32 ± 0.28 mg/gm GAE) followed by chloroform fraction (9.71 ± 0.31 mg/gm GAE) > N-hexane fraction (6.69 ± 0.67 mg/gm GAE) > ethyl acetate fraction (5.36 ± 0.54 mg/gm GAE). The methanol fraction of Cheilanthes tenuifolia possessed highest amount (7.11 ± 0.52 mg/gm QE) of total flavonoid content. Our present study indicates that methanol extract was most potent (IC50 = 9.926 μg/ml) inhibitor of DPPH free radicals. In brine shrimp lethality bio assay, all the extracts showed dose dependent increment of mortality and chloroform extract was found most cytotoxic (LC50 = 34.493 μg/ml) compared to other plant extracts. The chloroform fraction of Cheilanthes tenuifolia was most potent in terms of thrombolytic activity. A compound was isolated (CT-2) using column chromatography followed by TCL and PTLC (35% pet ether in CHCl3) and analyzed by 1H-NMR. The structure of stigmasterol was confirmed by comparing the 1H-NMR data with previously published phytochemistry report. Conclusion Cheilanthes tenuifolia could be a potential candidate for bioactive compounds and further studies on isolation and characterization of its bioactive compounds are highly required.
Hanan Polansky PhD, Adrian Javaherian MSc, Edan Itzkovitz MD
Background. Our previous articles showed that suppressive or preventive treatment with the herbal Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin reduced the number and duration of genital herpes outbreaks with no adverse effects. These studies also revealed that the herbal Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin is mostly superior to acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir drugs in genital herpes. This study tested the effect of Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin in oral herpes (also called cold sores and fever blisters). Methods. The framework of the study was a retrospective chart review. The study included 68 participants. The participants took 1 to 4 capsules per day over a period of 2 to 36 months. The study included 2 Food and Drug Administration–recommended controls: baseline and a no-treatment. Results. Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin was effective in 89.3% of participants. The treatment reduced the mean number of outbreaks per year from 6.0 and 3.6 in the control groups to 2.0 in the treatment group ( P < .0001 and P = .07, respectively). Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin reduced the mean duration of outbreaks from 9.8 and 5.8 days in the control groups to 3.2 days in the treatment group ( P < .0001 and P = .02, respectively). There were no reports of adverse experiences. Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin was compared to acyclovir and valacyclovir in 6 tests. In all tests, Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin showed higher efficacy. Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin also showed superior safety. Conclusions. This clinical study showed that suppressive or preventive treatment with the herbal Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin reduced the number and duration of outbreaks in oral herpes without any adverse effects. The study also showed that the herbal Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin had better clinical effects than acyclovir and valacyclovir, the leading drugs in the category. Based on these results, we recommend using the herbal Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin as preventive treatment for oral herpes and, specifically, as an alternative to the acyclovir and valacyclovir drugs.
Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated the potential of solvatochromic dyes for investigating the physical chemistry of homeopathic potencies. Results: Following examination of this class of dyes in organic solvents, results obtained using the positively solvatochromic dye Bis-dimethylaminofuchsone (BDF) in aqueous solution are now reported. Spectral changes observed with this dye in the presence of potencies are both substantial and reproducible. Studies across a wide range of pH values reveal an unusual pH dependence for the dye's interaction with homeopathic potencies. Results indicate potency enhances dye protonation at pH values below c. 7.0, whilst protecting the dye from attack by hydroxyl ions above c. pH 7.5. Conclusion: A possible explanation for these observations is offered in terms of a potency – induced electron density shift in BDF. The interaction of homeopathic potencies with solvatochromic dyes, particularly BDF, points towards a possible physico-chemical model for the nature of potencies, how they may be interacting with this class of dyes, and moreover how their biological effects may be mediated.
Depression is a prevalent disorder among patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. The current study was performed to evaluate the effect of a traditional Persian medicine product, anise oil, in removing the symptoms of mild to moderate depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. In a randomized double-blinded active and placebo controlled clinical trial, 120 participants with mild to moderate depression according to the Beck Depression Inventory–II total scores were categorized into 3 equal groups and received anise oil, Colpermin, and placebo. The results at the end of trial (week 4) and follow-up (week 6) demonstrated significant priority against active and placebo groups. Although the mechanism is unknown yet, anise oil could be a promising choice of treatment for depressed patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Paul J. Mills PhD, Sheila Patel MD, Tiffany Barsotti MTh
et al.
While the intention of Integrative Medicine (IM) is whole person medicine, it has for the most part remained driven by individual modalities. Like the practice of IM itself, IM research too has been driven primarily by studies on individual modalities. There are significant challenges to moving research on whole systems medicine forward, with funding being at the top of the list. Historically, NIH has not been receptive to supporting research on whole systems, preferring instead to support studies that are more individual modality driven so that mechanisms can be identified. Purely mechanistic research, however, assumes unidirectional causality and linear responses yet clinical responses to whole systems approaches are more often multidirectional and dynamically unpredictable. The concept of emergence is applicable here. Whole systems approaches suggest that by incorporating therapies into holistic treatment programs we not only treat symptoms but accomplish more by activating the body's inherent self-organizing healing mechanisms and treat the root cause of illnesses as well as associated symptoms. Given that interest in integrative therapies with the general public and medical community is steadily increasing, there is need for more research that explores intact whole systems approaches to elucidate the relevant system-wide effects and dynamic interactions related to these practices.