Phytomedicine Plus最新文献

{"title":"Medicinal plants as alternatives for the management of hypertension and diabetes in Nigeria: Analysis of the structured interview of Nigerian patients","authors":"Rosemary A. Sylver-Francis ,&nbsp;Olavi Pelkonen","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100708","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100708","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Ethnopharmacological relevance</h3><div>Over the past decade two non-communicable diseases, hypertension (HTN) and diabetes (DM), have become two of the biggest healthcare issues in Africa, rivalling communicable diseases. This study focuses on the patient-initiated use of traditional medicinal plants (TMPs) in conjunction with doctor-prescribed conventional medicines (CMs) for the management of HTN and DM in Nigeria, highly prevalent in this Africa's most populous country.</div></div><div><h3>Aim of the study</h3><div>The aim is to delineate the extent and demographic particulars of the usage of (TMPs) for the treatment and management of diabetes and hypertension in South Eastern Nigeria.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and Methods</h3><div>An interview-based survey among 600 HTN and DM patients in two South Eastern Nigeria's Teaching Hospitals, together with a structured/semi-structured questionnaire, was administered on the patients.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Approximately, 75 % of the participants use TMPs, concurrently with their prescription medicines, demonstrating high prevalence in the use of TMPs for the management of HTN and DM. An interesting observation was that according to patient interview, most doctors did not know – and were not told - about TMP use by their patients. Potentially, the use may predispose patients to severe hypotension or hypoglycaemia and other adverse effects e.g. drug interactions and direct toxicities. Also, poor quality and scanty or anecdotal directions of TMPs raises safety concerns. Quantitative statistical cross-analysis of the data indicated some associations between the use of TMPs by patients, their conditions and demographics. Age and marital status have statistically significant association with TMP usage while no association existed between participants’ gender, level of education or religion and their usage of TMPs (P = 0.636; P = 0.533; P = 0.419 respectively). The older age group, over 40 years, use TMP more than the younger group. Married participants are more interested in traditional medicine compared with the unmarried group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study forms the basis of a future survey to be conducted on Nigerian doctors, to ascertain their views on traditional/alternative medicine and its possible integration into the national healthcare system. The empirical knowledge of this study encourages more research in the search of the pharmacologically effective medicinal plants for the better health management of the Nigerian people.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100708"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143176450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An overview of bioactive components and phytopharmaceutical potentials of Hygrophila auriculata–A herbaceous medicinal plant","authors":"Megha Malpotra ,&nbsp;Meenakshi Garg ,&nbsp;Neha Singh ,&nbsp;Susmita Dey Sadhu ,&nbsp;Rajni Chopra ,&nbsp;Bhupesh Sharma","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100737","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100737","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The current review intends to summarize the bioactive components, nutritional profile, phytopharmaceutical properties, mechanism of action, and functional food aspects of <em>Hygrophila auriculata</em>. It was traditionally used to prepare ancient Indian ayurvedic medicines for treating chronic disorders. Indeed, the plant is a copious source of bioactive compounds like quercetin, ellagic acid, gallic acid, betulin, lupeol, and stigmasterol. The plant is also abundant in sodium, potassium, iron, fiber, vitamin C, and β-carotene. The bioactive compounds are linked to phytopharmaceutical properties like antioxidant, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, diuretic, hepatoprotective, androgenic, haematinic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, etc. However, more research is still needed to connect existing literature with contemporary pharmacology. The plant holds a promising future in functional food development and bio-packaging. Future research should also focus on isolating bioactive compounds from numerous parts of the plant and analyzing the mechanisms of action of such compounds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100737"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143177038","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elucidating the metabolic mechanisms and active constituents of ZuoGui Wan in combatting postmenopausal osteoporosis: A metabolomics and network pharmacology approach","authors":"Yanchen Feng ,&nbsp;KaiKai Shi ,&nbsp;Dingming Li ,&nbsp;Shunzhi Yang ,&nbsp;Xue Dang ,&nbsp;Jinyao Li ,&nbsp;Yan Chen ,&nbsp;Jianping Yao ,&nbsp;Yunke Zhang ,&nbsp;Lu Sun ,&nbsp;Feixiang Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100711","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100711","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a systemic metabolic disease with an imbalance of bone resorption and bone formation coupling as the basic pathogenesis. ZuoGui Wan (ZGW) can effectively ameliorate bone loss associated with decreased estrogen levels, the metabolic mechanisms and active ingredients involved remain unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>We evaluated the efficacy of ZGW on bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The blood-entry components of ZGW were identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. The metabolic mechanisms of ZGW against PMOP were elucidated through metabolomics. Components highly correlated with differential metabolites were identified via correlation analysis. The metabolic mechanism of ZGW against PMOP was further confirmed by combining network pharmacology and metabolomics results and constructing an in vitro cell model for validation.</div></div><div><h3>Result</h3><div>ZGW reversed OVX-induced bone loss by enhancing bone density and improving bone microstructural integrity. Initially, 14 prototype components were identified in the serum of OVX rats following ZGW intervention. Metabolomics analysis revealed 33 differential metabolites involved in pathways such as arginine biosynthesis, and the metabolism of arginine, proline, histidine, aspartate, and glutamate. Additionally, network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses further dissected the active ingredients of ZGW, constructing a \"Compound-Targets-Metabolic pathway-Metabolites\" network against PMOP.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>this study comprehensively revealed the metabolic mechanism and active ingredients of ZGW against PMOP for the first time, providing a new perspective on the study of the mechanism of ZGW against PMOP.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100711"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Herb5GluCon: A novel polyherbal formulation with dual-action inhibiting properties against oxidative stress and glycoside hydrolases – an in silico and in vitro approach","authors":"Abbirami Balachandran ,&nbsp;Patrick N. Okechukwu ,&nbsp;Baskaran Gunasekaran ,&nbsp;Jeleń Małgorzata ,&nbsp;Beata Morak-Młodawska ,&nbsp;Gabriele R.A. Froemming ,&nbsp;Sameer Sapra ,&nbsp;Charlie A. Lavilla Jr. ,&nbsp;Merell P. Billacura ,&nbsp;Salini D. Rajendran ,&nbsp;Anis Najwa Abdul Rani ,&nbsp;Anand Gaurav","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100716","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100716","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Oxidative stress contributes to hyperglycaemia by inducing the hyperactivity of alpha-amylase (AA) and alpha-glucosidase (AG) enzymes. The study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-glycoside hydrolase potential of a novel polyherbal formulation (Herb5GluCon) and identify its phytoconstituents.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The <em>in silico</em> molecular docking of the compounds were performed using AutoDock Vina 1.2.0. The <em>in vitro</em> antioxidant activity of Herb5GluCon was evaluated using chemical assays and cellular ROS determination assay while AA and AG inhibition assays were performed to evaluate its <em>in vitro</em> anti-glycoside hydrolase activity. The bioactive compounds present in Herb5GluCon was identified using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and these compounds were subjected to ADME analysis using the SwissADME, pkCSM and SwissTargetPrediction servers.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All compounds showed strong binding energies to AA and AG. The antioxidant assays revealed a strong radical-scavenging property of Herb5GluCon with strong IC₅₀ values, respectively. Similarly, the enzyme inhibition assays also proved the potent inhibitory effect of Herb5GluCon with strong IC₅₀ values. The HRMS identified 20 compounds to which, the ADME profiling of all compounds revealed high drug-likeness profiles with a strong target interaction to enzymes including AA and AG.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Herb5GluCon showed promising <em>in vitro</em> antioxidant and anti-glycoside hydrolase activities which served as a basis of understanding to conduct further research of evaluating the therapeutic potential of Herb5GluCon and its phytoconstituents in the treatment of diabetes and its associated complications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100716"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Secretory phospholipase A2 inhibitory activity in Tragia hispida: A novel and promising therapeutic agent for dengue fever","authors":"D.V. Dayangi Hemalika ,&nbsp;U.G. Chandrika ,&nbsp;Ajita M. Abeysekera ,&nbsp;Sameera R. Samarakoon ,&nbsp;Ananda Wijewickrama ,&nbsp;Gathsaurie Neelika Malavige","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100732","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100732","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Tragia hispida,</em> is widely used in Sri Lankan traditional ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of fever and internal bleeding. Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a severe form of dengue characterized by vascular leakage and potential fatality. Secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), an inflammatory enzyme, plays a critical role in producing platelet-activating factor (PAF), a key mediator of vascular leak. Elevated sPLA2 activity has been linked to the progression of DHF.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study aimed to evaluate the sPLA2 inhibitory activity of <em>T. hispida</em> plant extracts with bee venom and dengue patient serum sPLA2.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>sPLA2 inhibitory activity of different fractions of the plant was evaluated by a commercially available sPLA2 assay kit compared to the inhibition caused by the commercially available sPLA2 inhibitor CAY 10590. The butanol soluble fraction (THB) of the aqueous extract of <em>Tragia hispida</em> was characterized by TLC and HPLC.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both the aqueous extract (THA) and THB of <em>T. hispida</em> demonstrated sPLA2 inhibition levels comparable to positive control, CAY 10590. At concentrations of 100 µg/ ml and 200 µg/ ml, THB inhibited sPLA2 activity of bee venom by 59.3 % and 84.9 % respectively. Furthermore, THB exhibited significant inhibition of sPLA2 activity in human serum from dengue patients (n = 31, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.0001) than that exhibited by CAY 10590.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>These findings highlight the potential of <em>T. hispida</em>, particularly THB, as a promising therapeutic agent for dengue fever by inhibiting sPLA2 activity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100732"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of Crinum solapurense leaves extract for antidiabetic activity and histopathological evaluation in an in-vivo experimental model","authors":"Sunayana Mali ,&nbsp;Gaurav Jain ,&nbsp;Jyotiram Sawale ,&nbsp;Audumbar Mali","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100734","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100734","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study investigates the biological activity of the newly discovered novel <em>C. solapurense (Crinum solapurense)</em> plant from the Solapur, Maharashtra region, addressing a literature gap on its properties. In this investigation, we have performed the plant's phytochemical, powder characteristics, and <em>in-vivo</em> antidiabetic activity. Evaluating ethanolic extract of <em>C. solapurense</em> leaves for <em>in-vivo</em> study gives valuable insights into its bioactive potential and histopathological investigation in dexamethasone-induced diabetic rats.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To evaluate the pharmacological activity and histopathological investigation of <em>C. solapurense</em> leaf extracts in an <em>in-vivo</em> experimental model in male albino Wistar rats.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Ethanolic leaf extracts underwent successive extraction and phytochemical profiling. <em>In-vivo</em> antidiabetic activity and histopathological investigation were assessed in dexamethasone-induced diabetic rats.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After inducing diabetes in rats by using dexamethasone, various groups of rats were treated with distilled water, a standard antidiabetic drug used as a Glibenclamide (GLC), and lower, medium, and higher doses of <em>C. solapurense</em> leaf extracts like 100.00 mg/kg, 200.00 mg/kg &amp; 400.00 mg/kg respectively. The <em>C. solapurense</em> leaf extracts significantly reduced blood glucose levels (BGL) in dexamethasone-induced male albino Wistar rats. At the same time, the best results were obtained at higher doses of <em>C. solapurense</em> leaf extracts (400 mg/kg body weight). The water intake &amp; food intake in dexamethasone-induced male albino Wistar rats were significantly decreased however weight loss of rats was minimized at lower, medium, and higher doses of <em>C. solapurense</em> leaves extract. In the histopathological study, the higher dose of <em>C. solapurense</em> (400.00 mg/kg) showed very significant effects for the regeneration of cells for beta islets of Langerhans on hematoxylin and eosin-stained pancreas cells in dexamethasone-induced diabetic rats.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The ethanolic leaf extract of newly discovered <em>C. solapurense</em> possesses <em>in-vivo</em> antidiabetic properties in dexamethasone-induced male albino Wistar rats, preventing different complications of diabetes mellitus. It could be useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100734"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Finger roots (Uvaria chemea) and African greenheart (Cylicodiscus gabunensis): Alternative potent therapy to sildenafil in erectile dysfunction","authors":"Etukudo Okon Jimmy ,&nbsp;Grace Edet Bassey ,&nbsp;Abijah Ekwere ,&nbsp;Udoh Idorenyin Umoh ,&nbsp;Adeyemi Fatai Odetayo ,&nbsp;Udoh Nsikan Malachy","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100693","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100693","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aim</h3><div>Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition affecting men worldwide, characterized by the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. Traditional herbal remedies, rooted in cultural practices, have been explored as alternative therapies for ED, and this study focuses on <em>Uvara chemea</em> and <em>Cylicodiscus gabunensis</em>, two plants with reported medicinal properties, as potential alternatives to sildenafil, a standard pharmaceutical for ED.</div></div><div><h3>Experimental procedure</h3><div>Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: control (treated with distilled water), low, medium, and high doses (treated with 61.23, 122.47, and 183.71 mg/kg each of <em>Uvara chemea</em> and <em>Cylicodiscus gabunensis</em> respectively), and a positive control group (treated with sildenafil citrate). The rats were treated for 21 days, and their erectile responses were estimated</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant improvements in erectile responses were observed in rats treated with Uvara chemea and Cylicodiscus gabunensis extracts compared to the control group. When compared to sildenafil citrate, the extracts showed comparable effects in most parameters, with a significant disparity noted in intromission frequency at low and high dosages. Strikingly, there was no significant difference between the extracts treated animals and their counterparts treated with sildenafil citrate.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><em>Uvara chemea</em> and <em>Cylicodiscus gabunensis</em> extracts demonstrated potential in ameliorating erectile dysfunction in rats, suggesting their viability as alternative or complementary therapeutic options to sildenafil citrate. Further investigations are necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action, determine optimal dosages, and evaluate the long-term safety profiles of these herbal extracts for potential human applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100693"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143176444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shramahara Mahakasya, a traditional polyherbal formulation, induces anti-anxiety activity in hippocampal neurons by effectuating SOD2-mediated protection against oxidative stress","authors":"Saakshi Saini ,&nbsp;Viney Kumar ,&nbsp;Swati Haldar ,&nbsp;Samrat Chauhan ,&nbsp;Pratibha Demiwal ,&nbsp;Souvik Ghosh ,&nbsp;Sumeet Gupta ,&nbsp;Debabrata Sircar ,&nbsp;Bidhan Mahajon ,&nbsp;Partha Roy","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100682","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100682","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Shramahara Mahakasya (SM) is an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation known for its anti-fatigue and anti-anxiety effects on the human body. However, its mechanism of action remains largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the intricate mechanisms through which SM polyherbal extract exerts neuroprotective and anxiolytic effects in cultured HT-22 cells and rodent models.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>In this study, the chemical composition of SM was first identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The antioxidant potential of SM was evaluated through antioxidant assays such as DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. The neuroprotective activity of SM (200 and 600 μg/mL) was investigated in glutamate (10 mM) assaulted HT-22 cells. The anxiolytic activity of SM (50 and 100 mg/kg) was assessed in a caffeine (50 mg/kg) induced anxiety model of Sprague Dawley rats. The possible underlying mechanisms for the neuroprotective and anxiolytic activities of SM were explored through biochemical assays and brain histology.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our findings suggest that SM has antioxidant and neuroprotective potential, as evidenced by a decrease in ROS accumulation, Ca²⁺ overload, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss, and apoptosis in HT-22 cells subjected to glutamate-induced oxidative stress. The extract also increased SOD2 levels and decreased cleaved caspase-3 levels across various treatment sets. The anxiolytic activity of SM was demonstrated by improved behavior of the animals in the elevated plus maze test and increased SOD activity in the brain. SM exhibited the most effective improvements in anxiety disorder at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight in rats.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study is a pioneering investigation depicting the antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-apoptotic, and anxiolytic potential of SM formulation against glutamate/caffeine-induced oxidative stress and anxiety in both <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> situations. Overall, our study suggests that the regular consumption of SM formulation could effectively prevent anxiety symptoms by reducing oxidative stress in neuronal cells.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100682"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protective and anti-inflammatory effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on arsenic-induced vasculitis in vivo","authors":"Yasser Kofiah ,&nbsp;Eman A.A. Abdallah ,&nbsp;Mohamed F. El-Refaei","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100712","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100712","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Vasculitis encompasses a broad spectrum of disorders and has a variety of pathophysiological causes.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) protects against arsenic trioxide (As^III)-induced vasculitis.</div></div><div><h3>Materials/methods</h3><div>Forty male rats were randomly distributed into four groups of 10/group. Group I was kept as the control. Group II was administered CAPE intraperitoneally at 3 mg/kg/day. Group III was intoxicated with As^III at 10 mg/kg b.wt for 6 consecutive days, while Group IV was intoxicated with As^III for 6 consecutive days and treated daily with 3 mg/kg b.wt of CAPE intraperitoneally starting from day 1 of intoxication up to 14 days.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In the present study, CAPE treatment for 14 consecutive days showed significant improvement in the biochemical markers C-reactive protein, complement-3, complement-4, triacylglycerol, and total cholesterol, as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Immunohistochemical examination for proliferating cell nuclear antigen indicated mild immunoreactivity in the aorta cells. Furthermore, histopathological inspection of the aortas revealed significantly less distortion of the wall and fewer rounded nuclei in group IV-treated rats.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Overall, the results demonstrated the ability of CAPE to protect against vasculitis and injuries induced by As^III.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100712"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancing global herbal medicine: Enhancing herb quality through innovative strategies explored in Hong Kong - An international hub","authors":"Hiu-Lam Ngai ,&nbsp;Pang-Chui Shaw","doi":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100727","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100727","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The Hong Kong Department of Health has been inspecting numerous medicinal herbs circulating in the market every year. Herbs have been identified recurrently to have problems such as over-limit aflatoxins and toxic alkaloids, and the distributors had to recall the problematic herbs. Despite the negative business consequences, the problems persisted.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study identified the contributors to such a phenomenon, particularly the reasons for unchanging supply chain practices in Hong Kong.</div></div><div><h3>Study Design</h3><div>We interviewed 16 stakeholders from the Chinese herbal medicine industry to investigate the reasons behind sub-optimal supply chain practices. The interviews were analysed using a coding framework developed by Pisani and colleagues in 2019 to analyse national risks for medicines of sub-optimal quality. The survey's purpose was to identify risks in market dynamics and policies associated with sub-standard and adulterated medicinal herbs in Hong Kong.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Problems with herbs’ quality in Hong Kong are attributed to harvesting, collecting, processing and packaging errors as well as storage errors. Furthermore, batch differences contributed to quality issues. The results revealed the lack of expertise and motivation in the Chinese medicine industry in terms of self-surveillance and the eradication of such errors. Moreover, it was found that chemical inspection tests were generally avoided due to cost and time concerns.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The current situation is not conducive to consumer rights and public health protection, and supply chain practices should be improved to provide high-quality herbs to the community consistently. We propose establishing a centralised system to purchase herbs. A track-and-trace electronic system can be set up for efficient tracing of the sources and time of transactions such as herb purchase and dispensing. A registration system of Chinese pharmacists is recommended to ensure professionalism and regulatory responsibility, protect the quality of prescriptions, ensure the safe use of herbs and protect public health. These strategies can facilitate the internationalisation of Hong Kong herbs by achieving high standards of quality. Since Hong Kong is an international city, the implementation of the strategies in this proposal can serve as a demonstration of ways to improve the quality of herbs on a global scale.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34599,"journal":{"name":"Phytomedicine Plus","volume":"5 1","pages":"Article 100727"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143175966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}