Advances in integrative medicine最新文献

{"title":"Ethnobotanical survey and anthelmintic activity of Origanum compactum and Trigonella foenum graecum extracts against Ascaris","authors":"Sana Chaoua ,&nbsp;Samia Boussaa ,&nbsp;Zuhair Dardona ,&nbsp;Ali Boumezzough ,&nbsp;Mohamed Hafidi","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100580","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100580","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Helminthiasis remains a ubiquitous parasitic disease worldwide, affecting a substantial proportion of the global population. However, the growing problem of anthelmintic resistance, combined with the high cost and limited accessibility of conventional pharmaceuticals, has intensified the search for plant-based alternatives in parasite control strategies. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out to identify medicinal plants used for treating diarrhea and parasitic infections in Morocco. Informed by ethnobotanical evidence, Origanum compactum (oregano) and Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) were selected for an <em>in vitro</em> assessment of their anthelmintic properties. The efficacy of their ethanolic extracts was systematically evaluated against Ascaris eggs across graded concentrations (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/mL). Furthermore, distilled water and albendazole were employed as negative and positive controls, respectively. In addition, acute toxicity assays and comprehensive phytochemical screening were performed for plant extracts. The statistical significance of the observed anthelmintic activity was subsequently evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA test). The results revealed that the ethanolic extracts of <em>O. compactum</em> and <em>T. foenum-graecum</em> were non-toxic in acute oral toxicity assays, with LD₅₀ values exceeding 5 g/kg. At a concentration of 10 mg/mL, both extracts exhibited pronounced ovicidal activity against <em>Ascaris</em> eggs, achieving mortality rates of 97.73 % and 100 %, respectively. These findings indicate that the aerial parts of both species possess substantial anthelmintic potential, likely attributable to the bioactive secondary metabolites detected through phytochemical screening.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100580"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145216888","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":"Clinical study on the correlation between syndrome types and Traditional Chinese Medicine constitution in 409 cases of female infertility","authors":"Gao Zhuwei ,&nbsp;Miao Xiaoling ,&nbsp;Hu Yixiao ,&nbsp;Yu Jiannan ,&nbsp;Feng Jiaxing ,&nbsp;Liu Yang ,&nbsp;Wu Xiaoke","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100579","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100579","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This research aims to investigate the patterns and interconnections between infertility syndrome classifications and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitutional profiles.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective analysis was conducted to categorize cases that fulfilled the eligibility criteria, followed by an examination of the statistical outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The findings revealed that among the 409 infertility cases, the most prevalent TCM syndrome was Kidney Deficiency Syndrome, with 242 cases (59.2 %); Balanced Constitution accounted for 118 cases (28.9 %), while Yang Deficiency Constitution was the most common among the Biased Constitutions, with 86 cases (21 %). The influencing factors included BMI, disease duration, age, and ovarian factors. Yang Deficiency Constitution (64 cases) was more frequent in the high-incidence Kidney Deficiency Syndrome.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Kidney Deficiency Syndrome was the most common TCM syndrome in female infertility, and Yang Deficiency Constitution was more prevalent among Biased Constitutions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100579"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145154337","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":"An investigation into the sensitivity and specificity of iridology for detecting abnormalities in the female reproductive system: A cross-sectional observational study","authors":"A. Aishwarya ,&nbsp;A. Mooventhan ,&nbsp;R. Arunthathi ,&nbsp;L. Nivethitha ,&nbsp;N. Manavalan","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100572","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100572","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Iridology is an assessment technique that involves examining the iris to identify potential pathological disorders. Despite being practiced for centuries, the effectiveness of iris diagnosis as a diagnostic tool remains controversial, primarily due to limited empirical evidence supporting its claims. Thus, there is a critical need for scientific studies to provide evidence regarding the efficacy of iridology assessment. This study aimed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of iridology assessment in detecting abnormalities in the female reproductive system.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>This cross-sectional observational study included 100 female participants. All participants underwent an iris examination, a clinical assessment, and ultrasonography. The results from these investigations were compared, and sensitivity and specificity rates were calculated using standard formulas.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The study found that iridology assessment demonstrated a sensitivity of 92 % and a specificity of 56 % in detecting abnormalities within the female reproductive system.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings suggest that iridology assessment may serve as a potentially useful complementary tool for detecting abnormalities in the female reproductive system. However, further research is essential to confirm the effectiveness of this method and to explore its potential benefits and limitations in gynecological diagnosis. Continued scientific investigation is crucial to establish the role of iridology assessment in enhancing gynecological healthcare.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100572"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145095303","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":"Ledum palustre 200cH in preventing injection site pain and tenderness following COVID-19 vaccination: Interim results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial","authors":"Subhranil Saha ,&nbsp;Abhijit Rana ,&nbsp;Aritra Roy Chowdhury ,&nbsp;Satyajit Naskar ,&nbsp;Pulakendu Bhattacharya ,&nbsp;Subhasish Ganguly ,&nbsp;Sangita Saha ,&nbsp;Amitava Paul ,&nbsp;Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100574","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100574","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><strong>T</strong>he COVID-19 vaccine frequently results in cutaneous side effects, such as redness and swelling, near the injection site. This trial was carried out to determine whether <em>Ledum palustre</em> 200cH is more effective than a placebo at preventing injection site pain and tenderness after the COVID-19 vaccination.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This one-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm clinical trial was conducted at the vaccination department of a homeopathic hospital in West Bengal, India. Despite the desired sample size being projected at 218, only 122 participants could be enrolled because of the abrupt termination of the COVID-19 immunization campaign in India. Interventions were <em>Ledum palustre</em> 200cH (<em>n</em> = 61) or placebos with the same appearance (<em>n</em> = 61). The main outcome measure was the degree of pain and tenderness at the injection site was measured on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7, then once a week for a month, using a 0–100 mm visual analog scale (VAS).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The trial was terminated prematurely. The Kaplan-Meier survival distributions revealed that the time to resolution of pain was statistically significantly earlier in the verum group (median: 2 days, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.7–2.3) than placebo (median: 3 days, 95 % CI 2.6–3.4); Mantel-Cox log-rank test: χ₁² = 21.632, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001. Similar trends were revealed by earlier resolution of tenderness favoring verum (median: 2 days, 95 % CI 1.7–2.3) against placebo (median: 3 days, 95 % CI 2.5–3.4); Mantel-Cox log-rank test: χ₁² = 20.172, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.001.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><em>Ledum palustre</em> 200cH produced significantly better effects than placebos by earlier resolution of pain and tenderness in injection sites following COVID-19 vaccination; however, these results should be interpreted with caution because the trial was underpowered. Conclusive and robust trials should be undertaken to validate the findings.</div></div><div><h3>Trial registration</h3><div>CTRI/2022/10/046839; UTN: U1111-1284-2437.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100574"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044709","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 selected acupuncture points on lung functions and inflammatory markers in patients with asthma – An interventional study","authors":"S. Sasikumar ,&nbsp;Thanalakshmi Jagadeesan ,&nbsp;Arbind Kumar Choudhary ,&nbsp;Sundareswaran Loganathan ,&nbsp;V. Venugopal ,&nbsp;K. Bincy ,&nbsp;Maheshkumar Kuppusamy","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100573","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100573","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Acupuncture is commonly utilized as an alternative method for managing bronchial asthma and has the added benefit of being cost-effective while improving the quality of life. Although previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating patients with bronchial asthma, there is a lack of evidence regarding its impact on inflammatory markers associated with the condition. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of acupuncture treatment on pulmonary function and blood inflammatory markers in patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>n this particular study, a group of 15 patients diagnosed with mild or moderate bronchial asthma were included. These patients underwent acupuncture treatment sessions lasting 20 min each, once a day, for a duration of one month. Before and after the treatment period, patients' pulmonary functions and inflammatory markers were estimated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The results of the study revealed significant improvements in pulmonary function parameters following acupuncture treatment in patients with asthma. Specifically, there was a notable increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) to FVC. Additionally, acupuncture was associated with increased levels of Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), which is a sulphated metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone. Also, there was a significant decrease in levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), cortisol, and salivary alpha amylase (sAA).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings suggest that acupuncture treatment in patients with asthma may lead to improvements in pulmonary function and modulation of inflammatory markers. The increase in IL-10 and DHEA-S, along with the decrease in TNF-α, cortisol, and sAA, may indicate a potential anti-inflammatory effect of acupuncture in asthma management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100573"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145095305","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":"Safety and efficacy of colchicine in Covid-19 treatment: Systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Ahmed Hosney Nada ,&nbsp;Ismail A. Ibrahim ,&nbsp;Nada Khalid Asar ,&nbsp;Abdulrahman Qenawy ,&nbsp;Mariam M. Mohammed ,&nbsp;Mohamed Wagdy ,&nbsp;Heidi Sherif Farouk","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100571","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100571","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory drug used for the treatment of gout and other autoinflammatory conditions. Several trials reported promising results of the efficacy of colchicine in Covid-19 due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, applying these results to clinical settings remains the subject of ongoing research.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of colchicine in the treatment of Covid-19. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for relevant studies. The primary outcomes were 28-day mortality, invasive mechanical ventilation, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, and ICU admissions. The risk ratio was used to compare effectiveness between the two groups. Subgroup analysis was done for C-reactive protein and duration of hospitalization.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>17 randomized controlled trials with a total of 25478 patients were included. The overall Risk ratio didn’t favor any of the two groups in terms of 28-day mortality (RR = 1.03, 95 % CI [0.93:1.15], P = 0.58), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (RR = 0.81, 95 % CI [0.44:1.48], P = 0.49), ICU admission (RR = 0.89, 95 % CI [0.56:1.41], P = 0.62).</div><div>The overall mean difference (MD) did not show statistical significance between both groups in terms of C- reactive protein (CRP) (mg/dl) (MD = −1.21, 95 % CI [-2.42:0.01], P = 0.05), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (U/L) (MD = 50.95, 95 % CI [-92.07: 193.98], Ferritin (ng/ml) (MD = 128.08, 95 % CI [51.97:204.18], P = 0.001), ICU length of stay (MD = −0.09, 95 % CI [-0.34:0.15], P = 0.45) and duration of hospitalization (MD = −0.41, 95 % CI [-1.56:0.73], P = 0.48).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In Covid-19 treatment, colchicine didn’t result in significant benefits in terms of clinical outcomes. More large-scale randomized clinical trials with standardized dosages and long-term follow-up are needed for further investigation into the colchicine effect.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100571"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044706","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":"Dynamics of traditional healthcare knowledge transmission and practice in rural nigeria: A case study of Egbejila community","authors":"Ahmed Ahmed Olaitan ,&nbsp;Asmawi Ibrahim ,&nbsp;Mohd Syaiful Nizam Bin Abu Hassan","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100578","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100578","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This research study examines the dynamics of traditional healthcare knowledge transmission and practice in Egbejila, a rural community in Nigeria. Traditional healthcare knowledge is deeply embedded in cultural heritage and remains essential for sustaining traditional healthcare practices across generations. Through a qualitative research approach, the collection of primary data involved interviews and focus group discussions. Besides, secondary sources were gathered to complement the primary data. The study comprised twenty-five (25) informants. The collected data were analysed using a qualitative data analysis software package known as NVivo. Findings from the study revealed that traditional practitioners in the Egbejila community established that they acquired their traditional healthcare knowledge from various sources, which significantly contributed to their specialization. The findings also shed light on the participants' knowledge regarding the aetiology of illness, common illnesses, and diagnostic methods employed by traditional healthcare practitioners in the study community. Based on the findings, it is recommended that there is a need for better healthcare knowledge acquisition; the government should establish a modality for formal sandwich training or a traditional healthcare institute that accommodates formal teaching and advanced apprenticeship, drawing inspiration from other countries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100578"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044707","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":"Prolotherapy for the treatment of sacroiliac joint instability in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome","authors":"Philip Montana ,&nbsp;Hung M. Le ,&nbsp;Jeffrey Lo ,&nbsp;Olivia Elie ,&nbsp;Danielle L. Cook ,&nbsp;Sealy Hambright ,&nbsp;Pierre d’Hemecourt","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100577","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100577","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To evaluate patient response and efficacy of prolotherapy in managing sacroiliac joint (SIJ) instability and pain in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective cohort study on patients aged 13–55 years diagnosed with EDS who received prolotherapy for SIJ instability. Patient demographics, treatment characteristics, and clinical outcomes were assessed by phone follow-up. The visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Low Back Disability (ODI) were utilized to measure pain and disability respectively pre- and post-intervention. Spearman correlation was used to determine correlations between injection number and VAS/ODI scores.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ten patients were included (median age 32 years). 60 % (6/10) had Polidocanol, 30 % (3/10) had sodium tetradecyl sulfate, and one person (10 %) had PRP. The median number of injections was 2 (range, 1–3). Median follow-up was 9 months (IQR, 6–11) after their injection(s). Median VAS score at follow-up was 2 (IQR, 0–4, p = 0.008). There was no significant correlation between the number of injections and VAS (r = 0.29; p = 0.42) or ODI scores (r = 0.21; p = 0.56). Median ODI score was 13 (IQR, 0–24) and 70 % (7/10) of the cohort resided in the “minimal disability” group. Compared to before treatment, 90 % reported moderate to significant improvement in exercise ability and activities of daily living while 100 % showed moderate to significant improvement in movement apprehension.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Prolotherapy may be a promising treatment option for SIJ instability in patients with EDS. It significantly reduced pain and improved functional outcomes. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings and to optimize treatment protocols.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100577"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145154338","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":"Arnebia euchroma root ointment for post-hemorrhoidectomy wound care: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Ehsan Memarbashi ,&nbsp;Ebrahim Nasiri-Formi ,&nbsp;Mohammad Etezadpour ,&nbsp;Seyed Jalal Hosseinimehr","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100576","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100576","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Hemorrhoidectomy is a common surgical procedure for hemorrhoids, but postoperative complications can significantly affect recovery quality. This study investigates the effect of Arnebia euchroma root ointment on wound healing and related complications in patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this randomized controlled trial, patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy were assigned to receive either Arnebia euchroma root ointment or a placebo. The primary outcomes measured included the rate of wound healing and the incidence of postoperative complications, such as fear of defecation, over a specified follow-up period.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The application of <em>Arnebia euchroma</em> root ointment demonstrated a significant improvement in wound healing compared to the placebo group. Additionally, the incidence of complications such as pain, bleeding, and infection was notably lower in the treatment group. The mean score of fear of defecation in the control group was 6.86 ± 2.1, and the intervention group was 4.67 ± 1.4.( P &lt; 0.001). Wound healing in the intervention group was better than in the control group, with a relative risk (RR) of 1.40.( P &lt; 0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><em>Arnebia euchroma</em> root ointment may be an effective adjunctive treatment for enhancing wound healing and reducing complications following Hemorrhoidectomy. The positive effects of this ointment are likely attributed to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its ability to enhance blood supply to the surgical area.</div></div><div><h3>Take-home massage</h3><div>The use of <em>Arnebia euchroma</em> root ointment in post-hemorrhoidectomy wound care has demonstrated significant improvement in wound healing and reduction of postoperative complications. This ointment effectively reduces pain, bleeding, and infection, serving as a valuable adjunctive treatment for enhancing wound recovery and decreasing the fear of defecation. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, along with improved blood supply to the surgical site, are key factors contributing to its efficacy. These findings suggest that <em>Arnebia euchroma</em> root ointment is a promising option for improving outcomes following hemorrhoidectomy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100576"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145095304","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":"Complementary and alternative medicine use among pediatric cancer patients: A cross-sectional study from a large healthcare system in Saudi Arabia","authors":"Mohammad Alkaiyat ,&nbsp;Reem Al Sudairy ,&nbsp;Reem Abdel Lateef ,&nbsp;Abdul Rahman Jazieh","doi":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100575","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aimed.2025.100575","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is commonly used among patients with cancer, with most studies focusing on its use in adults. However, only a few studies have specifically focused on pediatric patients with cancer, with no studies reported in the Gulf area. This study investigated the prevalence and pattern of CAM use among pediatric patients with cancer in Saudi Arabia. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a validated questionnaire was used to collect data from 211 caregivers of pediatric patients with cancer who received care at the pediatric oncology department at King Abdulaziz Medical City. The prevalence of CAM use was 90 % (95 % CI = 85 %–93 %). The most prominent category of CAM used was alternative (nondietary) treatment (184; 87.2 %), which included reading the Quran (165; 86.8 %) and use of olive oil as a lotion (91; 47.6 %). In contrast, complementary (dietary) treatment was less prevalent (60; 28.4 %). The most common complementary treatments were drinking Zamzam water (59; 31.1 %) and consuming honey (37; 19.5 %). Among the caregivers who used CAM for their children and reported improvements, most of them (49; 81 %) attributed this improvement to CAM and standard medical treatment, whereas only six (5.2 %) attributed it to CAM alone. A few number of children received risky CAM products (camel urine with milk, traditional cautery). Most caregivers did not discuss the use of CAM with their children’s oncologists. CAM use was prevalent among pediatric patients with cancer, with no significant associations with demographic or disease characteristics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":7343,"journal":{"name":"Advances in integrative medicine","volume":"12 4","pages":"Article 100575"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044705","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}