Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Efficacy of traditional medicine in the management of sickle cell disease: a scoping review of current evidence.","authors":"Danish Javed, Amit Kumar Rai, Athulya Th, Sai Thejesh Molakapuri, Azeem Ahmad, Gaurav Dhingra","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0238","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0238","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>While conventional medicine (CM) has improved outcomes for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD), issues with accessibility, affordability, and potential adverse effects limit its widespread use. As a result, many patients and caregivers turn to traditional medicine (TM) as an alternative approach to managing SCD. This scoping review aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy, safety, and potential mechanisms of action of TM in SCD, while exploring its integration with CM.</p><p><strong>Content: </strong>A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and AYUSH Research Portal. Clinical trials, observational studies, <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> studies, and ethnopharmacological surveys investigating TM interventions in SCD were included.</p><p><strong>Summary and outlook: </strong>Of the 27 selected studies, 11 were <i>in vitro</i>, four <i>in vivo</i>, six clinical trials, and six qualitative surveys. Several medicinal plants demonstrated promising anti-sickling, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Formulations such as Niprisan^®, Ciklavit^®, and T-AYU-HM™ Premium showed potential in reducing vaso-occlusive crises and improving hematological parameters. However, limitations include variability in herbal formulations, lack of standardization, and inadequate RCTs. While preliminary findings are promising, further well-designed RCTs are needed to establish the efficacy of TM in SCD. Integrating evidence-based TM with CM options could provide a holistic and patient-centered strategy for SCD.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"43-61"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145377775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation, and ADME analysis of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> phytochemicals targeting NS5 protein: towards the development of novel anti-dengue therapeutics.","authors":"Ashish Kumar Yadav, Neha Masarkar, Maynak Pal, Sukhes Mukherjee, Ashok Kumar, Sarika Verma, Rashmi Chowdhary","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0132","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0132","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Dengue virus (DENV), a single-stranded RNA virus from the Flaviviridae family, causes viral hemorrhagic fever and poses a global health threat due to limited diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. The conserved NS5 protein, crucial for DENV replication, is a promising antiviral target. Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) complicates immunity, as serotype-specific antibodies may worsen infection. <i>Moringa oleifera</i>, rich in antiviral phytochemicals, shows potential as a DENV inhibitor by targeting proteomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic pathways.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study employed molecular docking with 3D PubChem structures of bioactive compounds of <i>M</i>. <i>oleifera</i> to evaluate the binding affinity with DENV-2 NS5 proteins (PDB ID: 6KR2) using AutoDock Vina, and binding modes were analyzed using Discovery Studio. Further drug-likeness, oral bioavailability, ADME, and toxicity profiles were analyzed using SwissADME, ADMETSaR, and ADMETlab 3.0 web server. Complexes were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) analysis using Desmond Schrodinger v2019.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the screened compounds, rhamnopyranosyl vincosamide (-9.0 kcal/mol), luteoxanthin (-8.6 kcal/mol), and luteolin (-8.3 kcal/mol) exhibited the most stable interactions and were further analyzed through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results revealed that these phytochemicals interact with NS5 active-site residues, demonstrating significant inhibitory potential.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study suggests that <i>M</i>. <i>oleifera</i> phytochemicals hold promise as DENV-2 NS5 inhibitors with minimal toxicity and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. These findings provide a strong foundation for further clinical investigations, potentially contributing to developing novel anti-dengue therapeutics.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"644-660"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145368120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pharmacokinetic, toxicological, and antidiabetic evaluation of a novel polyherbal formulation.","authors":"Sony Rajan, Ratheesh Mohanan, Svenia P Jose, Sheethal Sreevallabhan, Sandya Sukumaran, Aditya Ashish","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0258","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0258","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The current study aimed to formulate and analyze a novel polyherbal formulation (NPF) comprising of <i>Terminalia arjuna, Centella asiatica and Embelia ribes</i>.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>NPF was prepared and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and FTIR to characterize its bioactive compounds and functional groups. To assess the safety, oral toxicity studies were carried out in Wistar rats. The antidiabetic efficacy was evaluated using the OGTT. Additionally, computational ADME analysis was carried out for the major active molecules - arjunolic acid, embelin, and asiaticoside - to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties and drug-likeness.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Presence of various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and carbohydrates were confirmed by the phytochemical screening. Key prominent functional groups such as hydroxyl, amine, carbonyl, and alkyne stretching vibrations were detected upon FTIR analysis. Toxicity evaluations indicated no adverse effects, confirming the safety of NPF. Among diabetic rats, groups treated with 200 mg/kg body weight of NPF indicated a significant improvement in glucose tolerance as demonstrated by the OGTT results. ADME profiling showed favorable drug-likeness properties for arjunolic acid and embelin compared to asiaticoside.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>NPF exhibited significant antidiabetic potential and demonstrated safety in animal models.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"287-295"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145368153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of photobiomodulation for modulating peripheral inflammation via the lumbosacral medullary region.","authors":"Geovanna Rayssa Travessini, Bianca Villanova, Bruna Fernanda Rempel de Alcantara, Mariana Ghidini Campiol Rosse, Morgana Neves, Taciane Stein da Silva Leal, Lucinéia de Fátima Chasko Ribeiro, Gladson Ricardo Flor Bertolini","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2021-0398","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2021-0398","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The objective of this study was to evaluate whether PBM application at the nerve root emergence region could mitigate the deleterious effects of peripheral inflammation on the knee joint in Wistar rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eighteen Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Control (intra-articular saline injection only), Arthritis (experimental arthritis model without treatment), and PBM + Arthritis (arthritis model treated with PBM - 660 nm, 20 J/cm²). Treatment began 24 h after intra-articular arthritis induction and continued for three consecutive days. Animals in the arthritis groups were sensitized with two injections of <i>Mycobacterium butyricum</i> (CFA), while the control group received saline solution. The nociceptive threshold was assessed using a digital analgesimeter, and joint edema was measured with a caliper. After euthanasia, the right knee joints were collected, sectioned at 7 μm, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Histomorphometric and histomorphological analyses of the synovial membrane and articular cartilage of the femur and tibia were performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A reduction in nociceptive threshold and an increase in joint diameter were observed in the injured and treated groups. However, the PBM + Arthritis group showed pro-repair morphological characteristics in the joint tissue.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>PBM treatment applied distant from the injured knee promoted improvements in joint morphology; however, it did not significantly affect edema or nociception.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"737-746"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145345533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study on a non-pharmacopeial formulation for its hepatoprotective activity against drug induced hepatotoxicity in animal model.","authors":"Syeda Asma Firdose, Abdul Wadud","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2025-0160","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study assessed the hepatoprotective efficacy of a non-pharmacopeial formulation (NPF) against rifampicin-induced hepatotoxicity, aiming to expand the repertoire of hepatoprotective agents in Unani medicine.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An acute toxicity study and HPTLC analysis were performed. The experiment utilized 42 Wistar rats, each weighing between 150 and 200 g. The rats were systematically allocated into seven distinct groups, each containing six animals, identified as negative, positive, standard, and test groups A, B, C, and D. Liver damage was induced by oral administration of rifampicin at a dose of 500 mg/kg daily for 30 days, following a 2-hour interval after the administration of standard and test drugs. The standard and test groups received Silymarin (100 mg/kg), NPF, <i>Afsanteen</i>, <i>Kasni</i>, and <i>Asaroon</i> at doses of 167, 117, 167, and 217 mg/kg, respectively, orally once daily for 30 days. Serum levels of marker enzymes (SGOT, SGPT, and ALP), total protein (TP), and albumin (S. Alb) were evaluated. All groups underwent biochemical and histopathological analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The formulation was deemed safe at a dose of up to 2000 mg/kg. Compared to the standard drug, test groups A and D demonstrated potential protective effects on the liver enzymes. Test groups B and C exhibited normal liver architecture.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Asaroon (test group D) demonstrated greater efficacy than NPF. Histopathologically, Afsanteen and Kasni were found to be effective. The study indicated that formulations by Unani scholars were more effective than non-pharmacopeial formulations, although the tested NPF remained effective and safe in this study.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145308225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the neurological pathways of <i>P. ginseng</i> memory-enhancing effects.","authors":"Mahdiyeh Hedayati-Moghadam, Fatemeh Seyedi, Hadis Eftekhari, Mohammad Dalfardi, Yousef Baghcheghi","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0169","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0169","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Panax ginseng</i>, a widely studied herbal remedy, has garnered significant interest for its potential cognitive-enhancing effects, particularly in memory improvement. This narrative review, adhering to the SANRA (Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles) criteria, collected evidence via a search across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and EMBASE (2000-2023). Key findings suggest that <i>P. ginseng</i> enhances memory through multiple molecular pathways, including modulation of neurotransmitter systems such as acetylcholine, serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate. The herb's active components, known as ginsenosides, interact with these neurotransmitter systems to regulate synaptic plasticity, neuronal communication, and memory formation processes in the brain. Furthermore, <i>P. ginseng</i> demonstrates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, attenuating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, which are known contributors to cognitive decline and memory impairment. By reducing neuronal damage and preserving brain health, <i>P. ginseng</i> helps support optimal cognitive function and memory retention. Moreover, <i>P. ginseng</i> influences various signaling pathways involved in memory consolidation and retrieval, including the CREB pathway, BDNF signaling, and the mTOR pathway, through these molecular pathways. <i>P. ginseng</i> promotes neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and LTP, ultimately enhancing memory performance. This review underscores the need for standardized methodologies and longitudinal studies to optimize therapeutic applications of <i>P. ginseng</i> in memory-related disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"228-239"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145280259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Navigating complementary and alternative medicine use, medication adherence, and herb-drug interaction risks among gout patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study in indonesia.","authors":"Dzulfiana Ashan, Elly Wahyudin, Dezső Csupor, Muh Akbar Bahar","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0211","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0211","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing worldwide, specifically among gout patients, due to the perceived safety, low cost, and accessibility, but data on the usage remain limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of CAM use, the predictors associated with CAM use, the impact on medication adherence, and the potential herb-drug interactions among gout patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study was conducted from June to November 2024 across all 47 community health centers in Makassar City, Indonesia. The entire respondents were patients aged 18 years and older diagnosed with gout. Eligible respondents were recruited through direct questionnaire distribution, collecting data on socio-demographics, CAM and conventional medicine use, CAM perceptions, and medication adherence, while potential herb-drug interactions were assessed using the UpToDate database.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 430 respondents, 52.8 % reported using CAM, with herbal medicine being the most frequently used option. CAM use was significantly associated with prior experience (p<0.001) and influence from family or friends (p<0.001). A significant association was also found between CAM use and medication adherence (p<0.001), with a higher proportion of non-CAM users exhibiting high adherence (76.8 vs. 7.9 %) and a higher proportion of CAM users demonstrating poor adherence (8.4 vs. 0.5 %). Four potential herb-drug interactions were identified, namely ginger-aspirin (n=2), ginger-glibenclamide (n=1), honey-warfarin (n=1), and garlic-aspirin (n=1), suggesting a need for clinical monitoring.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The frequent use of CAM among gout patients highlights the crucial role of healthcare practitioners in educating patients about safety, efficacy, and potential interactions. It also underscores the need for strategies to address medication non-adherence associated with CAM use and to monitor herb-drug interactions in clinical settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":"22 4","pages":"725-736"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145677764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Alstonia boonei</i> stem bark aqueous extract ameliorates elevated parasitemia levels, normalises blood glucose, modulates inflammatory biomarkers and enhances antioxidant status in <i>Plasmodium berghei-infected</i>/diabetic mice.","authors":"Odunayo Michael Agunloye, Opeyemi Francis Akintoye, Ganiyu Oboh","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0256","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0256","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Malaria and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) often coexist in sub-Saharan Africa, worsening disease burden and complicating treatment. This study evaluated the protective effects of <i>Alstonia boonei</i> stem bark aqueous extract on <i>Plasmodium berghei</i>-infected diabetic mice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Male mice were divided into five groups: normal control, untreated infected/diabetic, chloroquine-metformin treated, and extract-treated groups (40 and 80 mg/kg body weight). Fasting blood glucose, parasitemia, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory markers, and hematological indices were assessed following treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Untreated infected/diabetic mice exhibited significant hyperglycemia, elevated parasitemia, oxidative stress, anemia, and dysregulated inflammatory responses compared with controls. Administration of <i>A. boonei</i> extract produced a dose-dependent reduction in fasting blood glucose and parasitemia, alongside inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The extract enhanced antioxidant status (SOD, catalase, GSH), restored red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume, reduced C-reactive protein levels, and elevated interleukin-10. These effects were more pronounced at 80 mg/kg and comparable to the standard drug group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong><i>A. boonei</i> stem bark aqueous extract demonstrated antihyperglycemic, antiplasmodial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects in malaria-diabetes comorbidity. The findings support its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for managing malaria and diabetes co-occurrence.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"623-632"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145149324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nutritional, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory and toxicity assessments of an herbal formulation using <i>in vitro</i>, <i>ex vivo</i>, and <i>in vivo</i> approaches.","authors":"Akingbolabo Daniel Ogunlakin, Oluwasanumi Fiyinfoluwa Adekunle, Mathew O Ayoola, Kanadi S Ayuba, Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo, Amel Elbasyouni, Akinbobola Peace Otitoju, Adeyemi Abdullahi Adegoke, Oyindamola Esther Awosola, Victor Ayoola Oye, Edema Adegboyega Adeleye, Mojisola Adebimpe Ayomipo, Enitan Omobolanle Adesanya, Mubo Adeola Sonibare","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0150","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aims to assess the nutritional composition, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and toxicity properties of an herbal formulation (BF 2).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The proximate analysis of the BF 2 formulation was evaluated. The methanol extract of the BF 2 herbal formulation's potential to reduce ferric ions and function as an iron chelator was evaluated. Oxidative pancreatic injury, induced by FeSO_4, was also treated with different concentrations of the BF 2 herbal formulation using Wistar rats' pancreas via <i>ex vivo</i> method. The inhibitory effect of the methanol extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes was measured using metformin as a standard. The effect of BF 2 formulation at 25 and 50 mg/kg was evaluated in male rabbits.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The proximate analysis result of the BF 2 formulation estimated the contents of crude fat and crude protein to be 1.85 % and 26.25 %, respectively. Atomic absorption spectroscopy of the BF 2 formulation revealed the presence of magnesium (11.625 ppm) and sodium (4.879 ppm). BF 2 formulation had a better NO and DPPH radicals scavenging ability compared to the standard (Quercetin). The methanol extract showed a dose-dependent inhibitory activity on α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. 25 mg/kg of BF 2 formulation resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum testosterone level and a decrease in FSH levels. 25 and 50 mg/kg b.w. of BF 2 formulation reduced serum ALT and AST in rabbits. Furthermore, BF 2 formulation exerted α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory potential, coupled with its significant antioxidant activity; a more thorough examination of BF 2's toxicity profile is necessary in rabbits.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>BF 2 formulation exerted α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory potential, coupled with its significant antioxidant activity. Therefore, further studies should be conducted on the BF 2 herbal formulation to evaluate its efficacy in higher animals.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"633-643"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145086338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating the therapeutic potential of medical leech and leech saliva extract in flap survival: an <i>in vivo</i> study using rats.","authors":"Kübranur Ünal, Mehmet Emre Erol, Duygu Dayanır, Erkan Deniz, Hüseyin Ayhan, Kemal Fındıkçıoğlu","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0202","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2025-0202","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Medicinal leeches have long been recognized for the bioactive compounds present in their saliva. These compounds have been of interest due to their potential therapeutic properties. This research aimed to explore the impact of both medicinal leech application and the application of medicinal leech saliva extract on wound healing in a rat model with a dorsal random flap <i>in vivo.</i></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this <i>in vivo</i> study, a dorsal random skin flap model was created in female Wistar albino rats. Rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control (flap only), medicinal leech therapy (MLT), and leech saliva extract (LSE) injection. Histological, immunohistochemical (VEGF), and ELISA-based biochemical analyses were performed to assess wound healing parameters on postoperative day 7.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The flap necrosis area (%) in Group II and Group III was significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05). Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) (+) cell (%), neovascularisation, epithelial regeneration, and granulation tissue thickness in Group II and Group III were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). Also, inflammatory cells in group III were substantially lower than in the control group (p<0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>To our knowledge, this study is the first in the literature to examine the effect of medicinal leech extract injection in the flap model. These findings emphasize the potential therapeutic benefits of medicinal leeches and their saliva extract in promoting efficient wound healing, with implications for future clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"614-622"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145086304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}