Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Brazil nuts potential: effects on lipid peroxidation and heart health in nephrectomized rats.","authors":"Agatha Cristie Menezes, Michele Lima Brito, Patricia Pereira Almeida, Beatriz Oliveira Da Cruz, Nathalia da Silva Costa, Aline D'Avila Pereira, Cecilia Castañon, Viviane Alexandre Nunes Degani, Ludmila Ferreira Medeiros de França Cardozo, D'Angelo Carlo Magliano, Milena Barcza Stockler-Pinto","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0123","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0123","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To investigate the effects of a Brazil nut-enriched diet on the wall thickness and the left ventricular chamber diameter of the heart, and lipid peroxidation in a CKD-induced model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Male <i>Wistar</i> rats at 12 weeks of age were divided into two groups (n=16/group): the Nx group, which underwent 5/6 nephrectomy, and the Sham group, as a control. After 5 weeks, the groups were subdivided according to diet (n=8/group): the Nx and Sham groups received a control diet; the Nx5% and Sham5% groups received a diet enriched with 5 % Brazil nuts for 8 weeks. The left ventricular thickening and chamber diameter were determined. Plasma biochemical parameters were evaluated. Analysis of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and antioxidant enzyme activity was performed in the plasma and the left ventricle (LV). LV mRNA expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Nx5% group showed a remodeled LV wall with decreased thickness compared to the Nx group (p=0.016). Furthermore, LV TBARS concentration was reduced in the Nx5% group (p=0.0064). In addition, the Nx5% group showed an increase in plasma GPx activity (p=0.0431). No significant results were found concerning the LV mRNA expression of NF-κB and Nrf2 genes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A Brazil nut-enriched diet decreased LV thickness and LV TBARS concentration and increased GPx activity in a 5/6 nephrectomy experimental model, making it a promising adjuvant therapy to improve antioxidant status and cardiovascular outcomes in chronic kidney disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"340-348"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141988045","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":"Effect of horticultural therapy on static, dynamic balance and gait speed among institutionalized older adults with cognitive impairment.","authors":"Valéria Farkas, András Simon, Izabella J Sztruhár, Zsigmond Gyombolai, Éva Kovács","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0100","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Although horticultural therapy has been used successfully to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly people with cognitive impairment, we do not yet know how it affects balance. The aim of our study was to determine the acceptability and effect of a 12-week horticultural therapy on balance and walking speed among institutionalized older adults with cognitive impairment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This mixed-methods controlled trial included 23 participants. Subjects in the experimental group (n=13) participated in a 60 min horticultural therapy programme twice a week for 12 weeks in addition to the institution's usual social activities. Subjects in the control group (n=10) participated in the institution's usual social activities. Static and dynamic balance were measured with the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment scale. In addition, gait speed was measured. Qualitative data were collected through a semi-structured interview with participants of the experimental group.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At the end of the intervention period, the experimental maintained their baseline performance on the static balance, while the control group showed a decline. The gait speed of the experimental improved, while that of the control group did not change. In dynamic balance, no changes were demonstrated. The results of our qualitative data analysis indicate that horticultural therapy increases the possibility of social interactions, encourages older people to engage in conversation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>As a conclusion, horticultural therapy should be more widely included in programmes for older people with cognitive impairment.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"375-383"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141901989","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":"Anti-hyperlipidemic effects of 500 mg spilanthol (SA3X) supplementation in people with dyslipidemia - a randomized, parallel-group placebo-controlled trial.","authors":"Kumar Guru Mishra, Nabnita Patnaik, Nihar Ranjan Pradhan","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0235","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0235","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Dyslipidemia is a critical risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study investigated the impact of 500 mg of spilanthol (SA3X) supplementation on lipid profiles in men with dyslipidemia using a randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled design.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 279 male participants were randomly allocated to one of four groups: SA3X without exercise, placebo without exercise, SA3X with exercise, and placebo with exercise. After a one-month control period, participants received SA3X capsules or placebo for three months. The exercise groups undertook standardized weight-lifting exercises four times weekly. Lipid profiles, biochemical parameters, and anthropometric measurements were monitored throughout and after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Both SA3X groups exhibited significant reductions in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) compared to the placebo groups. By day 90, the SA3X-no-exercise group showed a 16.78 % decrease in TC, while the SA3X-plus-exercise group demonstrated a 52.87 % decrease compared to placebo. Significant reductions in TG and LDL-C were noted at days 60 and 90 (p=0.01 and p=0.03, respectively). The SA3X-plus-exercise group also exhibited decreased random blood sugar levels at days 60 and 90 compared to placebo-plus-exercise. Moreover, decreases in C-reactive protein, creatine kinase, and serum creatinine levels were observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>SA3X supplementation, particularly when combined with exercise, effectively improved lipid profiles and various health markers in men with dyslipidemia. Adverse events, primarily taste disturbance, were mild. These findings suggest SA3X may be a promising adjunctive therapy for managing dyslipidemia, emphasizing its potential cardiovascular health benefits and supporting further investigation.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>CTRI/2021/05/033694; May 2021.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"384-395"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141901988","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":"Quantitative determination of the antibacterial activity of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and tetracycline gel against <i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans</i> (Aa), <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> (Pg) and <i>Prevotella intermedia</i> (Pi) - a microbiological <i>in vitro</i> study.","authors":"Konathala S V Ramesh, Mopati Nishanth Reddy Gokul, Gautami S Penmetsa, Gottumukkala N V S Sruthima, Pasupuleti Mohan Kumar, Pasupuleti Swetha, Bypalli Vivek","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0183","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0183","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antibacterial efficacy of licorice gel and tetracycline gel against <i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans</i>, <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i> and <i>Prevotella intermedia</i>.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An indigenously prepared 50 μL licorice and tetracycline gel was subjected to antibacterial sensitivity test (thrice) against Aa, Pg, Pi by agar well diffusion method using Brain Heart Infusion media. Colonies of Aa, Pg, Pi were transferred into broth and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h and diameter of inhibition zone was measured.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The drug release profile of licorice gel at six regular intervals was higher when compared to tetracycline. MIC of licorice gel (50 μg/mL) against Aa (14 mg), Pg (7 mg), Pi (7 mg) respectively. The diameter of inhibition zone of licorice gel was significant against Aa when compared to tetracycline gel. However, tetracycline gel exhibited significant diameter of inhibition zone against Pg and Pi when compared to licorice gel. There was a statistical significance difference between licorice and tetracycline gel against Aa (p=0.043*), Pg (p=0.037*), Pi (p=0.046*) while assessing antibacterial sensitivity test.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Licorice gel has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties which can act against periodontal pathogens and can be considered in treating periodontal disease at low concentrations. Therefore, it can be used as an adjunctive local drug delivery agent to non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) in treating periodontal disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"142-148"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141751867","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>In-silico</i> screening of bioactive compounds of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> as potential inhibitors targeting HIF-1α/VEGF/GLUT-1 pathway against breast cancer.","authors":"Neha Masarkar, Maynak Pal, Mithun Roy, Ashish K Yadav, Bharati Pandya, Suryabhan Lokhande, Jagat R Kanwar, Suman Kumar Ray, Sukhes Mukherjee","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0176","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0176","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Breast cancer is among the most heterogeneous and aggressive diseases and a foremost cause of death in women globally. Hypoxic activation of HIF-1α in breast cancers triggers the transcription of a battery of genes encoding proteins that facilitate tumor growth and metastasis and is correlated with a poor prognosis. Based on the reported cytotoxic and anti-cancer properties of <i>Moringa oleifera</i> (<i>Mo</i>), this study explores the inhibitory effect of bioactive compounds from <i>M. oleifera</i> and breast cancer target proteins HIF-1α, VEGF, and GLUT-1 <i>in silico</i>.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The X-ray crystallographic structures of HIF-1α, VEGF, and GLUT1 were sourced from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) and docked with 70 3D PubChem structures of bioactive compounds of <i>M. oleifera</i> using AutoDock Vina, and binding modes were analyzed using Discovery Studio. Five compounds with the highest binding energies were selected and further drug-likeness, oral bioavailability, ADME, and toxicity profiles were analyzed using SwissADME, ADMETSaR, and ADMETlab 3.0 web server.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of the screened 70 bioactive compounds, the top five compounds with the best binding energies were identified namely Apigenin, Ellagic Acid, Isorhamnetin, Luteolin, and Myricetin with each receptor. Molecular docking results indicated that the ligands interact strongly with the target HIF-1α, VEGF, and GLUT-1 receptors through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. These compounds showed favorable drug-like and pharmacokinetic properties, possessed no substantial toxicity, and were fairly bioavailable.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Results suggested that the compounds possess strong potential in developing putative lead compounds targeting HIF-1α that are safe natural plant-based drugs against breast cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"149-164"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141723723","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":"Mind-body practices for people living with dementia and their family carers: a systematic review.","authors":"Eva S van der Ploeg, Rutger M Bitane, Jan W Schoones, Wilco P Achterberg, Hanneke J A Smaling","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0142","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0142","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>People with dementia and their family carers may benefit from non-pharmacological interventions, including mind-body (MB-) practices, which can improve physical and mental health by inducing relaxation. This systematic review provides an overview of availability and effects of MB-practices.</p><p><strong>Content: </strong>The authors performed a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, Emcare, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Academic Search Premier on February 1, 2024. Research papers on MB-practices for people with dementia and/or their family carers in English, Chinese, Japanese, German, French and Dutch were included if a full text was available. Selection of included articles, data extraction and methodological quality assessments were conducted by two researchers.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Of the 130 included studies, 100 (77 %) were of high quality. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and touch interventions for people with dementia, and meditations for family carers resulted in improvements in respectively cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms, and mental health. Lack of evidence for other MB-practices is related to small numbers of studies, fragmented use of outcome measures and mixed findings.</p><p><strong>Outlook: </strong>MB-practices showed promising results. We recommend implementation and further research of TCM- and touch interventions for people with dementia as well as meditations for family carers. We suggest a cross-over of the promising results of one group to be studied in the other group.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"15-73"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141616583","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":"Terpene-based novel invasomes: pioneering cancer treatment strategies in traditional medicine.","authors":"Renu Dwivedi, Rajni Bala, Reecha Madaan, Sumitra Singh, Rakesh K Sindhu","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0131","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0131","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Health care workers have faced a significant challenge because of the rise in cancer incidence around the world during the past 10 years. Among various forms of malignancy skin cancer is most common, so there is need for the creation of an efficient and safe skin cancer treatment that may offer targeted and site-specific tumor penetration, and reduce unintended systemic toxicity. Nanocarriers have thus been employed to get around the issues with traditional anti-cancer drug delivery methods. Invasomes are lipid-based nanovesicles having small amounts of terpenes and ethanol or a mixture of terpenes and penetrate the skin more effectively. Compared to other lipid nanocarriers, invasomes penetrate the skin at a substantially faster rate. Invasomes possess a number of advantages, including improved drug effectiveness, higher compliance, patient convenience, advanced design, multifunctionality, enhanced targeting capabilities, non-invasive delivery methods, potential for combination therapies, and ability to overcome biological barriers,. These attributes position invasomes as a promising and innovative platform for the future of cancer treatment. The current review provides insights into invasomes, with a fresh organizational scheme and incorporates the most recent cancer research, including their composition, historical development and methods of preparation, the penetration mechanism involving effect of various formulation variables and analysis of anticancer mechanism and the application of invasomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141600175","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":"Potential biomarkers of ASD a target for future treatments: oxidative stress, chemokines, apoptotic, and methylation capacity.","authors":"Moushira Zaki, Eman R Youness, Hisham A Orban, Hend M Ahmed, Rehab S I Moustafa, Fatma A Alzaree, Engy A Ashaat, Hala T El-Bassyouni","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0145","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The study aimed to assess the effect of these biomarkers on a sample of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to help in early diagnosis and intervention.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 71 autistic patients and 65 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Their ages ranged from 5 to 11 years (mean ± SD 7.47 ± 3.81). Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was assessed for all patients and controls. Assessment of oxidative stress, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, B-cell lymphoma 2, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and apelin was performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Oxidative stress (oxidized low-density lipoprotein and malonaldehyde) increased while antioxidant paraoxonase (PON) decreased. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, B-cell lymphoma 2, and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) were all elevated whereas, apelin was downregulated.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>It is important to note that many factors that may contribute to ASD including genetic factors. To open the door for novel treatment strategies, it is still necessary to precisely understand how oxidative stress, chemokines, apoptosis, and methylation capability affect the metabolism of people with ASD.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"396-400"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141498202","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":"The role of nutraceuticals in the management of temporomandibular disorders.","authors":"Paola Di Giacomo, Giuseppe Forte, Irene Capogna, Maria Casagrande, Carlo Di Paolo","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2023-0394","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2023-0394","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are usually treated with occlusal appliances and supportive treatments such as physical therapy and drugs. Supplements can be included among potential supportive therapies, with the aim of reducing the use of drugs. To evaluate the efficacy of nutraceuticals' short-term treatment in subjects with temporomandibular disorders.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study started in January 2021 and ended in January 2022. Subjects with temporomandibular disorders and a verbal numeric scale >40 were recruited and randomly assigned to one of the following groups. If waiting to start a therapy, to the nutraceutical group or to the no treatment group, while if already undergoing splint therapy, to nutraceautical+splint group or to splint therapy group. Nutraceutical used was composed by Boswellia Serrata Casperome, Magnesium, Tryptophan and vitamins B2 and D with a posology of one tablet/day before sleep for 40 days. Presence of temporomandibular pain, headache, neck pain and sleep/emotional disorders were assessed at T0 and at T1, after 40 days. ANOVA was performed to compare treatments with nutraceuticals and their respective controls, as for the variables related to painful symptomatology. Chi-squared was conducted to assess differences in sleep/emotional disorders between groups. The statistical significance was p<0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The groups using nutraceuticals showed statistically significant improvements over controls for most of the variables analyzed.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The use of nutraceutical seems to be a valuable support for TMD therapy in the short term either alone or combined with occlusal splint therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"540-547"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141492194","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":"Preclinical antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of <i>Erythrophleum africanum</i> (benth.) harms in streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy.","authors":"Oluwafemi A Ojo, David Ajeigbe, Akingbolabo D Ogunlakin, Olalekan E Odesanmi, Mojisola Ayomipo, Godwin Berana, Peluola Ayeni, Omolola A Ajayi-Odoko, Damilare I Ayokunle, Adebola B Ojo, Basiru O Ajiboye, Omolara O Ojo, Samuel O Dahunsi","doi":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0090","DOIUrl":"10.1515/jcim-2024-0090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study investigated the antidiabetic effects of the methanolic extract of <i>E. africanum</i> (MEEA) stem bark on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Wistar rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The <i>in vitro</i> enzyme (α-amylase) inhibitory activity of MEEA was measured using a standard procedure. Diabetic rats with fasting blood glucose above 250 mg/dL were considered diabetic and were divided into the following groups: control (distilled water-treated), diabetic-control, diabetic metformin (100 mg/kg), diabetes + MEEA (150 mg/kg), and diabetes + MEEA (300 mg/kg) via oral gavage once daily for 14 days. At the end of the experimental period, kidney tissues were collected for biochemical and histological analyses. Kidney apoptosis and marker gene expression were measured by real-time quantitative PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>MEEA exhibited α-amylase inhibitory effects. MEEA significantly (p<0.05) reduced the STZ-induced increases in blood glucose, serum urea, serum creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and malondialdehyde and increased the STZ-induced decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione. In addition, MEEA protects against DN by significantly downregulating the mRNA expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP-response binding protein (CREB), and cFOS and upregulating B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), suggesting that the nephroprotective ability of MEEA is due to the modulation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB/cFOS signaling pathway. Furthermore, MEEA treatment protected against histopathological alterations observed in diabetic rats.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The data from this study suggest that MEEA modulates glucose homeostasis and inhibits redox imbalance in DN rats.</p>","PeriodicalId":15556,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine","volume":" ","pages":"349-359"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141492193","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}