European Journal of Integrative Medicine最新文献

{"title":"An ethnobotanical study of plants and traditional herbal therapies in the Kara-Koy Gorge, Kyrgyz Republic","authors":"Nurbek Aldayarov ,&nbsp;Askarbek Tulobaev ,&nbsp;Kadyrbai Chekirov ,&nbsp;Gulbubu Kurmanbekova ,&nbsp;Nazgul Imanberdieva ,&nbsp;Gulnara Sharshenalieva ,&nbsp;Nurjamal Omurzakova ,&nbsp;Bermet Kydyralieva","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102529","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102529","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The Kara-Koy Gorge, located in the southern region of the Kyrgyz Republic, is home to a diverse array of plant species, many of which are known for their medicinal properties. Despite their historical use, the pharmacological properties of these plants remain largely unexplored. These species represent a potential source for the development of novel therapeutic agents. This study aimed to document traditional plant-based remedies, focusing on their preparation methods, therapeutic applications, and associated ailments, as reported by local custodians of traditional wisdom.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ethnomedicinal data were collected between March 2021 and October 2022 through semi-structured interviews with local informants. Two ethnobotanical indices were applied to analyze the data. Plant specimens were collected, taxonomically identified, and preserved as voucher specimens.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 160 plant species, representing 123 genera and 47 botanical families were cited in homemade single-species herbal remedies. These remedies were employed for the treatment of 117 ailments, grouped into 14 therapeutic categories. The highest informant consensus factor values were recorded for digestive (0.86) and integumentary (0.84) disorders. <em>Dracocephalum imberbe</em> Bunge, <em>D. ferganicum</em> Lazkov, <em>Plantago major</em> L., and <em>Rosa canina</em> L. exhibited the highest use values of 0.98. Aerial parts were the most frequently used plant parts (37 %), and decoction was the predominant method of preparation (40 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings highlight the presence of underexplored plant species with significant ethnomedicinal potential. Future research should prioritize phytochemical profiling and pharmacological validation to substantiate and preserve this traditional local knowledge.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102529"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144780287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparing different acupuncture methods for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and network meta-analysis","authors":"Rong Li ,&nbsp;Yu Zhang ,&nbsp;YuHang Xie ,&nbsp;XiaoQin Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102556","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102556","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Acupuncture involves many different methods that can effectively treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). However, the comparative efficacy of different acupuncture-related methods remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate and rank the effectiveness of various acupuncture therapies for CFS through a network meta-analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive search of the three Chinese and four English databases for randomized controlled trials evaluating the use of acupuncture in treating CFS, published from database inception to July 2025, was performed, focusing on FS-14 scores and total effective rates as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. Bayesian network meta-analysis was used to compare the effectiveness of 9 different intervention methods.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Thirty-five randomized controlled trials comprising 2383 participants were included. Pairwise comparison revealed that moxibustion (mean difference [MD]: 12.43, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 4.03 to 21.14) and acupuncture (MD: 11.15, 95 %CI: 3.3 to 19.39) were more effective than Western medicine in improving FS-14 scores. Regarding the total effective rate, the therapeutic effect of moxibustion is superior to that of acupuncture (risk ratio [RR]: 0.82, 95 %CI: 0.74 to 0.9) and Western medicine (RR: 1.5, 95 %CI: 1.33 to 1.71). The SUCRA ranking results revealed that regardless of FS-14 score or total effectiveness, moxibustion yielded the first curative effect.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Moxibustion may be advantageous in alleviating the fatigue symptoms of patients with CFS. However, the number of included studies was limited, and high-quality research is needed to confirm our conclusions.</div></div><div><h3>Protocol registration</h3><div>PROSPERO: CRD42024534790</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102556"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145117619","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effectiveness and safety of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. for patients with chronic kidney disease: an overview of systematic reviews","authors":"Chen-pei Liu ,&nbsp;Yang-yang Lei ,&nbsp;Yue-qi Zhang ,&nbsp;Bang-tai Cao ,&nbsp;Xiao-han Bian ,&nbsp;Hui-min Liang ,&nbsp;Tran Anh Kieu ,&nbsp;Thomas John Osilama ,&nbsp;Ogbe Susan Enechojo ,&nbsp;Yan Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102551","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102551","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Many systematic reviews (SRs)/meta-analyses (MAs) have explored the effectiveness and safety of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F. (TwHF) for chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet findings remain inconsistent, and their quality has not been adequately assessed. We aimed to identify these SRs/MAs and assess their evidence level.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a comprehensive literature search across eight databases up to December 13, 2024. For each included SR/MA, we used A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2), the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews tool (ROBIS), and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) to assess methodological quality, risk of bias, and evidence certainty, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 32 SRs/MAs were analyzed. The AMSTAR 2 checklist showed that the methodological quality of all the included SRs/MAs was very low. The ROBIS tool suggested that 8 SRs/MAs were assessed as having low overall risk of bias, while the remaining were assessed as having high overall risk of bias. High-quality evidence from GRADE suggested that in nephrotic syndrome patients, the combination of TwHF and prednisone significantly increased the effectiveness rate (OR=3.37, 95 %CI: 1.99–5.17; N=10; I²=30 %), reduced recurrence rate (OR=0.34, 95 %CI: 0.20–0.57; N=6; I²=34 %), decreased 24-hour urinary total protein (MD=-0.98, 95 %CI: -1.27 to -0.70; N=8; I²=56 %), and improved serum albumin levels (MD=0.79, 95 %CI: 0.44–1.14; N=8; I²=39 %) compared to prednisone alone. In addition, 18 pieces of moderate-quality evidence with GRADE assessment were found, which indicated that the combination of TwHF and prednisone significantly reduced the incidence of both gastrointestinal adverse events (OR=0.49; 95 % CI: 0.29 to 0.83; N=4; I²=0 %) and leukopenia (OR=0.37; 95 % CI: 0.18 to 0.75; N=6; I²=0 %) compared to prednisone monotherapy. However, combining TwHF with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) significantly increased adverse event incidence compared to ACEI/ARB alone.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>TwHF may potentially improve treatment outcomes in patients with CKD. Conclusions regarding both effectiveness and safety are only meaningful when confined to specific CKD subgroups and treatment comparisons. Furthermore, due to substantial heterogeneity and generally low methodological quality, the findings of this study should be interpreted with caution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102551"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044144","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of yoga and naturopathy in the management of melasma: A case report","authors":"Sunil Singh Yadav ,&nbsp;Rita Thapa ,&nbsp;Sangeeth Somanadhapai ,&nbsp;Deepeshwar Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102522","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102522","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Melasma is a common dermatological condition characterized by hyperpigmentation patches, often caused by hormonal imbalance, oxidative stress, and sun exposure. Conventional interventions usually have limited efficacy and may cause side effects. This case report explores the potential of traditional therapies in managing melasma, specifically yoga and naturopathy, which can enhance natural healing.</div></div><div><h3>Case Presentation</h3><div>A 27-year-old female diagnosed with persistent melasma visited a yoga and naturopathy center for the interventions. The patient was treated with a structured intervention protocol, including yogic-based breathing, dietary changes, and mud pack. The effect of this intervention was evaluated using Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI) and Melasma Quality of Life Scale (MELASQOL). After 60 days of intervention, MASI score improved by 85.12 %, and MELASQOL score improved by 75 %, indicating significant improvement in the clinical and quality of life questionnaires.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This case highlights the potential effectiveness of yoga and naturopathy in managing melasma. The positive outcome supports the role of traditional therapies in clinical practice; however, further research with larger sample sizes is required to confirm these findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 102522"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144763606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Traditional herbal medicine as an adjuvant therapy for preventing the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after radical resection: Development and validation of a machine learning prediction model","authors":"Xinyu Yue ,&nbsp;Meihuan Fu ,&nbsp;Song Yu ,&nbsp;Huayue Shi ,&nbsp;Simo Cheng ,&nbsp;Xiaofeng Zhai","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102535","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102535","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most prevalent pathological subtype of primary liver cancer. Although numerous studies have proposed models to predict recurrence following radical resection of HCC, none have accounted for the potential impact of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This study aims to evaluate whether adjuvant therapy with traditional herbal medicine (THM) can extend recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with HCC and to develop clinical prognostic models to aid in assessing the risk of recurrence after hepatectomy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Clinical data from 403 patients who underwent radical resection at Shanghai Changhai Hospital from 2002 to 2023 were collected. Patients were categorized into THM and non-THM groups on the basis of whether they received THM therapy in the early postoperative period following HCC resection, and survival analysis was conducted to assess the differences in RFS and overall survival (OS) between the two groups. To build the models, the data were split into training and testing sets. Twenty-one variables were selected using Lasso regression, and predictive models were subsequently constructed employing Cox proportional hazards regression and the random survival forest (RSF) method. A nomogram was then developed based on the Cox regression model. The models were validated and compared based on their discriminatory power, calibration performance, and clinical utility. A nomogram was then developed based on the Cox regression model.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>RFS was significantly better in the THM group than in the non-THM group (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.001), but there was no difference in OS between the two groups. The median RFS was 48.13 (95 % CI, 38.63, 57.64) months vs 18.07 months (95 % CI, 13.09, 23.04), and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year RFS rates in the THM and non-THM groups were 82.26 % vs 62.58 %, 62.10 % vs 35.55 % and 45.56 % vs 29.03 %, respectively. The variables identified through Lasso regression—including THM intervention, age, postoperative AFP levels, cirrhosis, tumor diameter, and gender—were incorporated into the development of both Cox and RSF models. Both models exhibited comparable performance with respect to discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>THM adjuvant therapy following HCC resection can effectively reduce the risk of early recurrence; however, it does not significantly extend overall survival. Cox regression and RSF prediction models were successfully established, and their combined application may aid clinicians in estimating individual recurrence risk and formulating personalized treatment strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102535"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144878889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bailemian capsule for insomnia: a systematic review with meta-analysis","authors":"Yifan Yang ,&nbsp;Qinghao Cai ,&nbsp;Jiayu Huang ,&nbsp;Runru Mai ,&nbsp;Yuanyuan Hu ,&nbsp;Lijun Ouyang ,&nbsp;Zhimin Yang ,&nbsp;Biyun Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102537","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102537","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div><strong>:</strong> Bailemian capsule is a Chinese patent medicine widely used for insomnia. Recently, numerous new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Bailemian capsule.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div><strong>:</strong> Seven databases (EMBASE, PubMed, the Cochrane library, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database and China Biomedical Literature database) were searched for RCTs of Bailemian capsule as of 24 February 2024. Primary outcomes were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The risk of bias was assessed by the Cochrane Collaboration's tool, and meta- analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024507706).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div><strong>:</strong> A total of 15 RCTs involving 1547 participants were included. Compared with monotherapy, combining Bailemian capsules with sedating psychotropic drugs (MD = -3.74, 95 % CI [-4.99, -2.48], <em>Z</em> = 5.85, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.00001, I²= 87 %) or non-sedating psychotropic drugs (MD = -2.84, 95 % CI [-4.61, -1.08], <em>Z</em> = 3.16, <em>P</em> = 0.002, I²= 95 %) significantly reduced PSQI scores in patients with insomnia. The combination with non-sedating psychotropic drugs also significantly improved PSQI scores in patients with anxiety insomnia (MD = -1.28, 95 % CI [-1.85, -0.72], <em>Z</em> = 3.16, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.00001, I² = 0 %) and depressive/anxiety insomnia (MD = -4.34, 95 % CI [-4.91, -3.77], <em>Z</em> = 4.49, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.00001, I² = 0 %). Compared with sedating psychotropic drugs, the combination with Bailemian capsules led to greater reductions in PSQI scores in patients with insomnia disorder (MD = -3.55, 95 % CI: [-5.09, -2.00]; <em>Z</em> = 4.49, <em>P</em> = 0.0002, I2=92.9 %). Furthermore, the combination significantly reduced the incidence of adverse events compared with sedating (RR = 0.29, 95 % CI 0.17–0.50, <em>Z</em> = 4.47, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.00001, I² = 0 %) and non-sedating psychotropic drugs alone (RR = 0.42, 95 % CI 0.25–0.69, <em>Z</em> = 3.42, <em>P</em> = 0.0006, I² = 0 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><strong>:</strong> This meta-analysis provides evidence for the efficacy and safety of Bailemian capsule in treating insomnia. However, with high heterogeneity and high risk of bias of the included studies, the recommendation of this conclusion remains cautious and requires further validation by high-quality clinical studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102537"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144828282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diterpenoids from Croton tonkinensis Gagnep as antitumor agents: A systematic review","authors":"Vo Linh Tu ,&nbsp;Tran Thi Thuy Quynh ,&nbsp;Nghiem Dinh Van An ,&nbsp;Nguyen Le Linh Chi","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102513","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102513","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Traditional Vietnamese medicine has a long history of using Kho sam (<em>Croton tonkinensis</em> Gagnep) in the treatment of various cancers. Kho sam is an ingredient in numerous remedies for salivary gland cancer, bronchial-lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and liver cancer. This systematic review aims to comprehensively evaluate the existing literature on diterpenoids isolated from <em>C. tonkinensis</em> and their antitumor activities.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The protocol for this systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024579468). A search was performed on PubMed, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Global Health Library (GHL), and Google Scholar on September 13, 2024. Two independent members conducted the steps of screening the article, scoring the risk of bias for the article, extracting and writing the results. Due to heterogeneity among the included studies, the results were narrative and no meta-analyses were conducted.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>From an initial retrieval of 500 articles, 11 met the inclusion criteria. These studies investigated thirty-seven different compounds, among which <em>ent</em>-kaurane diterpenoids with the 16-en-15-one functional group and 8,9-seco-<em>ent</em>-kaurane diterpenoids exhibited particularly cytotoxic effects. These effects were mediated through several molecular pathways, including protein kinase B, hypoxia-inducible factor-dependent transcription, heat shock protein, extracellular signal-regulating kinase 1/2, and AMP-activated protein kinase pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Current literature highlights kongensin D, derived from <em>C. tonkinensis</em>, as the most promising candidate, demonstrating high anticancer activity and selectivity, along with <em>in vivo</em> antitumor potential and a favorable safety profile.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102513"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144580177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the use of complementary and alternative medicine during pregnancy: A cross-sectional study from Indonesia","authors":"Mukhlis Rauf ,&nbsp;Yulia Yusrini Djabir ,&nbsp;Abdul Rahim ,&nbsp;Barbara Tóth ,&nbsp;Muh. Akbar Bahar","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102507","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102507","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to therapies used alongside or in place of conventional medical care. CAM use during pregnancy has gained increasing attention, yet little is known about its patterns and determinants in Indonesia. This study aimed to explore CAM use among pregnant women, identify influencing factors, and assess potential herb-drug interactions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to November 2023 at a secondary hospital in Makassar, Indonesia. Pregnant women aged ≥ 18 years attending outpatient clinic were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a validated, structured questionnaire that assessed demographic characteristics, CAM and medication use, and perceptions of CAM. Potential herb-drug interactions were identified using the Indonesian Traditional Medicine Formulary and the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the 560 respondents, 52.3 % reported currently using CAM, with herbal medicines being the most commonly used modality. Factors significantly associated with CAM use included educational level (p=0.021), gestational age (p=0.016), prior CAM use (p&lt;0.001), CAM use among family/friends (p&lt;0.001), and concurrent prescribed medications (p=0.003). Twelve potential herb-drug interactions were identified: eight were classified as moderate and four as minor interactions.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The high prevalence of CAM use among pregnant women highlights the need for healthcare providers to offer guidance on safe use and potential herb-drug interactions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102507"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144522385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The evolution of propolis research: A bibliometric analysis","authors":"Tuğba Nigar Bozkuş","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102518","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102518","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Propolis is garnering increasing scientific and commercial interest due to its potential health benefits. Despite a surge in publications, a comprehensive overview of the propolis research landscape using bibliometric methods has been absent. This study aims to fill this gap by providing the first dedicated bibliometric analysis of global propolis research trends over the past two decades.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data on propolis-related publications from 2004 to 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. The R Bibliometrix package was employed to analyze publication trends, citation patterns, leading authors, institutions, countries, keyword co-occurrence, research themes, and collaboration networks.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analysis confirmed a substantial and consistent growth in propolis research. While publication volume is geographically concentrated (led by Brazil, China, Turkey), citation impact analysis revealed different patterns, with some countries (USA, Japan, Portugal, Bulgaria) demonstrating higher average citations per article, suggesting potential leadership in research quality or visibility. Thematic evolution mapping showed a clear trajectory from foundational studies focused on chemical composition and broad in vitro antioxidant/antimicrobial activity towards more sophisticated investigations into specific mechanisms (apoptosis, oxidative stress pathways), distinct propolis types (Brazilian green, stingless bee), and advanced applications (nanoparticles, nanofibers). Analysis identified central ‘’motor themes’’ (like chemical composition) requiring further development despite high interest, alongside highly developed ‘’niche themes’’ (like oxidative stress). Collaboration networks highlighted strong regional clusters but also opportunities for enhancing global integration, particularly bridging high-volume research hubs with high-impact centers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This bibliometric analysis reveals propolis research as a dynamic, rapidly maturing, and increasingly interdisciplinary field. The divergence between publication quantity and citation impact, the clear evolution of research themes towards mechanistic depth, and the identification of specific developmental needs within the thematic structure offer critical strategic insights. The findings underscore a significant gap between the extensive preclinical investigation of biological activities of propolis and its translation into validated clinical applications. The findings advocate focused efforts on standardization, targeted international collaborations to leverage complementary strengths, and prioritizing clinical trials to substantiate the therapeutic potential suggested by the vast body of existing literature. This analysis provides an evidence-based roadmap to guide future research investments and collaborations effectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102518"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144522386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global trends and hotspots in acupuncture for hypertension: a bibliometric study from 1994 to 2024","authors":"Yun-Hua Zheng ,&nbsp;Wei Zheng ,&nbsp;Jian-Yu Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102510","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102510","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Growing interest in non-pharmacological hypertension management has led to increased research in acupuncture as a potential treatment. This bibliometric analysis examines the global research landscape of acupuncture for hypertension using CiteSpace and VOS Viewer software. By analyzing publication trends, key contributors, and collaborative networks, we summarize the current state of research, identify emerging hotspots, and outline future directions in this rapidly evolving field.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a comprehensive literature search in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC), including the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) and Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) databases, covering publications from 1994 to 2024. Bibliometric analysis and knowledge mapping were performed using CiteSpace (version 6.2.R4) and VOS Viewer (version 1.6.18) to analyze publication trends, research collaborations, and thematic evolution.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The analysis revealed a consistent upward trend in annual publications from 1994 to 2024, with China emerging as the most productive country in this research domain. Key thematic clusters identified through keyword analysis included \"acupuncture,\" \"stimulation,\" \"blood pressure regulation,\" and \"electroacupuncture.\" Co-citation analysis demonstrated significant research intensity for \"systemic hypertension\" (cluster strength: 6.94, 2015–2019), \"randomized controlled trials\" (4.31, 2022–2024), and \"neurons\" (3.9, 2012–2013). The study by Frank A Flachskampf et al. (burst strength = 8.48) showed the strongest citation burst.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our bibliometric analysis reveals a marked surge in research output and scientific engagement, underscoring acupuncture’s expanding role as a therapeutic intervention for hypertension. The field exhibits robust growth potential, driven by intensifying global collaboration among leading institutions and interdisciplinary research teams.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11932,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Integrative Medicine","volume":"78 ","pages":"Article 102510"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144522387","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}