BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies最新文献

{"title":"Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation combined with virtual reality training for the balance of older adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Mengjie Zhang, Ting He, Yidi Xu, Chenrui Ma, Xindi Guo, Yuning Shen, Wenxin Niu","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-05114-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05114-3","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"368"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12512832/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145273860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sensory-emotional-cognitive effects of resistance exercise and Tai Chi exercise in Japanese community-dwelling older adults with chronic pain: a non-randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Cen Chen, Takafumi Saito, Lefei Wang, Harukaze Yatsugi, Ziming Gong, Sitong Li, Hiro Kishimoto","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-05100-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05100-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Although Tai Chi has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating pain and improving functional mobility in people with chronic pain, the mechanisms underlying its pain-relieving effects remain poorly understood. We assessed the efficacy of a Tai Chi intervention on pain-related sensory, emotional, and cognitive indices in Japanese community-dwelling older adults with chronic pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted for 12 weeks in the community of Itoshima City, Fukuoka, Japan. Adults aged ≥ 60 years with chronic pain were recruited and allocated to an intervention group or a control group. A total of 84 participants were allocated, with 44 in the intervention group and 40 in the control group. Chronic pain was defined as musculoskeletal pain lasting ≥ 3 months. Baseline characteristics of participants included age, sex, education, body mass index, comorbidities, current tobacco consumption, current alcohol consumption, and fall history. The control group received resistance training; the intervention group received resistance training and Tai Chi exercise. The main outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention: a pain numeric rating scale (NRS), the pressure pain threshold (PPT), the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI). As secondary outcomes, TSK and PCS subscales were evaluated with the same procedures. The statistical analyses used the t-test, χ²-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and analysis of covariance with adjustment for baseline characteristics.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No baseline characteristics differed significantly between the groups. At 12 weeks, the intervention group showed significant improvements in the NRS (p = 0.02, 95%CI: -2.20, - 0.18), PPT (p = 0.003, 95%CI: 0.22, 0.99), TSK (p = 0.004, 95%CI: -6.35, - 1.22), and PCS (p = 0.01, 95%CI: -10.18, - 1.43) versus the control group. There was no significant between-group difference in the CSI values. After adjustment for baseline characteristics, significant interactions were revealed between time and group for PPT (p = 0.02), TSK (p = 0.02), and PCS (p = 0.03) as well as the subscales TSK-Somatic Focus (p = 0.02) and PCS-Rumination (p = 0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Tai Chi intervention may serve as a potential treatment for chronic pain by addressing sensory, emotional, and cognitive aspects of pain.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>The University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000052727, Date: 2023-11-13. https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000058307 .</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"367"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12512250/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145273805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geniposide alleviates kidney fibrosis by targeting STAT3-HK2-mediated glycolysis.","authors":"Rui Shi, Meng-Qian Liu, Jian-Ping Xiao, Yv-Ke Zhu, Jia-Xin Zhu, Wen-Man Zhao, Zhi-Juan Wang, Yv-Yv Zhu, Xun-Liang Li, Xue-Rong Wang, Rui-Feng Wang, De-Guang Wang","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-05102-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-05102-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Geniposide (GP), which is extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Gardenia jasminoides, has extensive pharmacological effects. Recently, studies have shown its protective effects on kidney diseases. However, whether GP can alleviate unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal interstitial fibrosis is unknown. In addition, its potential protective mechanism against kidney fibrosis is worthy of further study. We investigated the effect of GP on renal interstitial fibrosis induced by UUO in vivo and on HK-2 cells treated with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in vitro and explored the underlying mechanisms involved.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A UUO model was constructed, and the mice were treated with GP (50 mg/kg/day) for 10 days. The kidney injury score was used to evaluate the degree of kidney injury based on HE staining, and Masson staining and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate kidney fibrosis. High-throughput sequencing analysis of animal samples was subsequently conducted, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional and pathway enrichment analyses were subsequently performed to determine the possible mechanism, which were subsequently validated in vitro and in vivo. Western blotting was used to detect the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/hexokinase 2 (HK2) pathway, and molecular docking analysis was used to evaluate the binding ability of GP and STAT3. STAT3 was also overexpressed in HK-2 cells.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>GP alleviated renal fibrosis, regulated the glycolysis-related protein HK2 and inhibited glycolysis by binding to STAT3. In vitro experiments revealed that GP regulated glycolysis-related proteins and prevented cell epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during TGF-β1 treatment in HK-2 cells. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of STAT3 was drastically reduced in response to GP stimulation, leading to attenuated STAT3 nuclear translocation. Molecular docking analysis revealed a stable conformation between GP and STAT3 at Tyr705. The effects of GP were blocked by overexpression of STAT3.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results showed that GP protected against renal fibrosis, possibly through inhibiting STAT3/HK2 signaling-mediated glucose metabolism in UUO mouse kidneys.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"365"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12512595/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145257474","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vitro effect of Mikania cordata leaf extracts on wound healing.","authors":"Naomi Navaneeta Vijithsingh, Kaushalya Anuradha, Shiroma Mangalika Handunnetti, Narmada Fernando, Kanishka Senarath","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-05110-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-05110-7","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"366"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12512523/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145257413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of the effects of vocal and instrumental traditional music on anxiety in candidates for general surgery: a randomized controlled clinical trial.","authors":"Mohammad Amin Nouri, Mansour Rezaei, Alireza Khatony","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-05124-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-05124-1","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"364"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12512957/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145257455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus attending a suburban tertiary healthcare centre in Sri Lanka.","authors":"Maheshi Thilakarathna, Kawmini Appuhami, Nuwan Darshana, Jennifer Perera","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-05077-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-05077-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a major global health problem with significant complications and high economic and social burdens, leading many patients to explore complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for obtaining relief. This study was conducted to explore the use of CAM by patients with T2DM and factors influencing it.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted at a suburban tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka using 280 randomly selected patients diagnosed with T2DM. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted using published instruments. The questionnaire included open-ended questions on types of CAM used, a five-point Likert scale that assessed attitudes and beliefs and questions assessing knowledge and perceptions. Ethics approval was received from the Faculty of Medicine, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (PW/2024/02/01). The data analysis used the chi-square and independent sample t- tests at a 0.05 significance level.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The majority were females (87.5%), and 64.6% were > 60 years of age. The prevalence of CAM use was 68.6%, and 35.5% used it as a treatment for controlling diabetes concurrently with conventional medicine, while 4.5% used CAM concurrently with conventional medicine for improving their well-being. Orally consumed herbal remedies were the commonest CAM used (30.4%), followed by spiritual healing (19.1%) and music therapy (13.1%). Some used more than one type of CAM. Bitter gourd fruit (Momordica charantia), canerreed leaves (Costus speciosus) and fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum) were the most common herbs used. 52.1% demonstrated a lack of specific knowledge that would be required to enquire about the safety, efficacy and possible interactions with medications used concurrently. No significant association was observed between CAM use and sociodemographic characteristics or disease-related factors.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There was widespread use of CAM by patients with T2DM. Future research with larger and diverse populations is recommended to explore CAM usage in more depth. Controlled trials for commonly used CAM therapies with or without simultaneous use of conventional medications are needed to assess effectiveness, safety and possible drug interactions. There is a need to work towards formally integrating CAM and conventional medicine for improved patient satisfaction while ensuring safety and therapeutic benefits.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"363"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12512381/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145257422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antimalarial potential of Matricaria chamomilla-derived MgO nanoparticles against Plasmodium falciparum strains: an experimental study.","authors":"Zahra Farzaneh, Haleh Hanifian, Mehdi Nateghpour, Gholamreza Hasanpour, Ahmad Raeisi, Mohammad Shabani, Leila Farivar, Aram Khezri, S Ahmad Dehdast, Saeed Shahsavari","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-05081-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-05081-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The growing resistance of malaria parasites, particularly Plasmodium falciparum, to most antimalarial drugs underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Green-synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs), prepared using Matricaria chamomilla, have shown promise in biomedical applications. This study presents the first evaluation of green-synthesized MgO NPs derived from M. chamomilla for their antiplasmodial effects against P. falciparum 3D7 and K1 strains.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>M.chamomilla extract was used for the biosynthesis of MgO NPs, which were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and MTT assays. The antiplasmodial activity of MgO NPs synthesized with varying solvent ratios (30:70, 50:50, and 70:30 mL of distilled water to ethanol) was evaluated in vitro.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>FESEM images revealed quasi-spherical MgO NPs with particle sizes ranging from 30 to 80 nm. DLS analysis showed hydrodynamic sizes of 183 nm, 161 nm, and 606 nm for the 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30 solvent ratios, respectively. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values against the P. falciparum 3D7 strain were 0.19, 0.21, and 0.22 mg/mL for the 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30 ratios, respectively; against the K1 strain, the corresponding IC₅₀ values were 0.41, 0.45, and 0.42 mg/mL.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The green-synthesized MgO NPs exhibited in vitro antiplasmodial activity against both chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum strains. These findings support further investigation into their potential applications as antimalarial agents in preclinical models.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"360"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12506270/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145249771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring antioxidant properties and antidiabetic potential of ten underutilized Sri Lankan fruits.","authors":"P G N H Dharmasiri, P Ranasinghe, R G P T Jayasooriya, K W Samarakoon","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-05082-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-05082-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Managing and treating diabetes mellitus is one of the scientific community's biggest challenges. This study aimed to determine phytochemicals, antioxidants, and antidiabetic properties of different solvent extracts of fruit plants as a source of natural products.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The total flavonoid content (TFC) and total phenolic content (TPC) were determined using standard methods. Antioxidant activities were determined using in vitro ferric reducing power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), DPPH radical scavenging, and ABTS radical scavenging assay methods. The antidiabetic activities of the fruit extract were assessed using in vitro anti-amylase,anti-glucosidase , and anti-glycation assays.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among different fractions of crude (CR), hexane (HX), ethyl acetate (EA), and aqueous (AQ), the highest TPC and TFC values were found in the HX fraction and EA fraction of Garcinia xanthochymus, respectively. The highest FRAP, ORAC, DPPH, and ABTS activities were found in the CR extract of G. xanthochymus, EA of G. xanthochymus, EA of Flacourtia indica, and HX fraction of G. xanthochymus, respectively. The highest anti-amylase inhibition was found in EA of G. xanthochymus, EA fraction of Careya arborea, and HX fraction of Syzygium zeylanicum compared to the standard drug Acarbose. The highest anti-glucosidase enzyme activities were found in the EA fraction of Elaeocarpus angustifolia, followed by the EA fraction of Cynometra cauliflora, the EA fraction of S. zeylanicum, the CR extract of F. indica, the AQ fraction of C. cauliflora, the EA fraction of C. arborea, the EA fraction of G. xanthochymus, the CR extract of C. cauliflora, and the CR extract of E. angustifolia compared to Acarbose. Antiglycation activities were higher in the HX fraction of S. zeylanicum, the EA fraction of G. xanthochymus, and C. arborea than in Rutin. None of the extracts showed inhibition for human salivary α-amylase enzyme.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The ethyl acetate (EA) fractions of G. xanthochymus and C. arborea, along with the hexane (HX) fraction of S. zeylanicum, exhibited strong in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. These results indicate their potential as promising therapeutic candidates for the management of diabetes mellitus. However, further in vivo investigations are warranted to elucidate their mechanisms of action and assess their clinical applicability.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"361"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12505707/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145249752","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sophoraflavanone G from Phit-Sanat (Sophora Exigua Craib) inhibits WT1 protein expression and induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia.","authors":"Lapamas Rueankham, Lokadi Pierre Luhata, Pawaret Panyajai, Natsima Viriyaadhammaa, Sawitree Chiampanichayakul, Methee Rungrojsakul, Trinnakorn Katekunlaphan, Siriporn Okonogi, Pronngarm Dejkriengkraikul, Aroonchai Saiai, Toyonobu Usuki, Colleen Sweeney, Songyot Anuchapreeda","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-05116-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-05116-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Sophora Exigua Craib, also known as Phit-Sanat in Thai, belongs to the Fabaceae family. The root of S. exigua has been used in Kheaw-Hom, a Thai traditional remedy, for fever treatment. Bioactive compounds from S. exigua have been reported to exhibit health-promoting effects, including anticancer activity. However, their anti-leukemic properties have not yet been elucidated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study employed the MTT assay to evaluate the cytotoxic effects on leukemic cell lines (KG-1a and EoL-1) and PBMCs. Active compounds were purified using column chromatography and further characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were assessed using appropriate kits and analyzed via flow cytometry. The expression of Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) protein was examined by Western blot analysis. Proteomic analysis was conducted using online software to investigate gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) crude fractional extract from S. exigua No. 010 (collected from Chaiyaphum province, Thailand) exhibited strong cytotoxicity in vitro toward both KG-1a and EoL-1 cells. Two active compounds, sophoraflavanone G (SG) and exiguaflavanone B (EGF-B), were isolated from EtOAc No. 010. EtOAc No. 010, SG, and EGF-B suppressed the proliferation of KG-1a and EoL-1 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner by inducing G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death. In this study, EtOAc No. 010, SG, and EGF-B were found to reduce WT1 expression in KG-1a and EoL-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with SG exhibiting greater activity than EGF-B. Additionally, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed proteins in KG-1a cells following SG treatment revealed significant enrichment in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and in the pathways associated with WT1protein expression, including AMPK, VEGF, and mTOR pathways.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The SG isolated from S. exigua, exerts antiproliferative activity towards leukemic cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"362"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12506424/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145249705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of Citrus aurantium inhalation aromatherapy on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Parsa Tabei, Zahra Molazem, Mozhgan Rivaz, Parvin Ghaem Maghami, Niloofar Ahmadloo","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-05052-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-05052-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer globally and the most prevalent among women. Chemotherapy, a primary treatment, frequently induces distressing side effects like nausea and vomiting. This study evaluated the efficacy of Citrus aurantium inhalation aromatherapy in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in women with BC.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this CONSORT-compliant parallel-group randomized controlled trial (registered at IRCT: 20240305061177N1), 92 BC patients at Motahari Clinic were randomly allocated (between April to August 2024) to an aromatherapy group (n = 46) or a control group (n = 46). Alongside standard antiemetic medications, the aromatherapy group inhaled two drops of C. aurantium essential oil applied to the philtrum, while the control group received sunflower oil. The Rhodes Index assessed nausea, vomiting, and retching over five days.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant reductions in mean total scores for nausea, vomiting, and retching were observed in the aromatherapy group compared to the control group from days 3 to 5 (P < 0.05), with no significant differences on days 1 and 2. Total symptom scores significantly decreased from Day 1 to Day 5 in the aromatherapy group while the control group showed no change.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>C. aurantium aromatherapy significantly alleviated CINV during the delayed phase (days 3-5). Given its safety, affordability, and accessibility, this intervention offers a promising complementary approach for managing CINV in BC patients.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>This trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20240305061177N1, march 17, 2024).</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"359"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12502287/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145243846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}