BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies最新文献

{"title":"Use of herbal products for gas pain in children: a questionnaire-based study and alkaloid content analysis.","authors":"Semih Bulut, Nazmi Mutlu Karakaş, Ayhan İbrahim Aysal, Didem Deliorman Orhan","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04938-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04938-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Herbal products have been used for gas pains in children for many years. However, the quality of herbal products used in children and the presence of contamination in the products are controversial. This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of use of herbal products for gas pain in pediatric patients, the attitudes of parents towards the use of herbal products, and the pyrrolizidine alkaloid content of herbal products used for gas pain.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The survey part of the study was conducted between 15.06.2020-15.09.2020 at Gazi University Hospital Pediatrics Clinics. The surveys were conducted face to face with the parents. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 23 program was used in the analysis of the data. In the other part of the study, 28 herbal products frequently used in gas pain were purchased from spice shops, markets and internet sites and their pyrrolizidine alkaloid content was evaluated by LC-QTOF-MS analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>31.5% of the participants had their children use herbal products for gas pains. When the plants used for gas pains in children were examined, fennel came first with a usage rate of 51.3%. The plants used in gas pains were purchased from spice shops by most of the participants (59%). The presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids above 10 µg/kg concentration was detected in 75% of herbal products used in gas pains.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In all segments of society, children are given herbal products for gas pains. Parents mostly buy herbal products from spice shops. Products sold for gas pains may cause hepatotoxic effects in children when consumed for a long time and in high doses due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids they contain. Herbal products to be used in gas pain should be used under the consultancy of a physician/pharmacist and should be obtained from pharmacies.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"195"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125912/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144191514","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":"Astragalus polysaccharide protects against cardiac injury in a tnnt2a mutant zebrafish model of dilated cardiomyopathy.","authors":"Chang Zhou, Hui Zhao, Longping Peng, Yidan Dong, Qiong Wu, Xu Wang, Yingjia Xu, Youhua Wang","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04925-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04925-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a severe and irreversible heart disease characterized by dilated ventricles and decreased myocardial function. DCM has a poor prognosis and a very low survival rate, with a 5-year mortality rate ranging from 15 to 50%, and is an important cause of sudden cardiac death and heart failure. Genetic factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of DCM. Mutations in the cardiac troponin T (tnnt2) gene represent an important subset of known pathogenic variants that bind to DCM. However, few specific drugs are currently available to treat DCM caused by these gene mutations. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), the main active ingredient of Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (Huangqi), is widely used in China to treat cardiovascular diseases, including DCM. This study explored drugs for the treatment of DCM caused by tnnt2a mutation and revealed the protective effect of APS on tnnt2a-mutant dilated cardiomyopathy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The tnnt2a^-/- mutant zebrafish were used as a DCM model for comparison with the APS-treated group. The survival rate and the sinus venosus‒bulbus arteriosus (SV‒BA) distance were used to observe changes in cardiac output. Histopathological changes were observed via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and TUNEL staining. The transcriptomes of the zebrafish in the DCM group and APS-treated group were investigated via RNA-seq. qRT‒PCR detection of apoptosis-related gene expression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that APS markedly increased the heart rate and ATP content, and significantly inhibited the level of cardiac tissue edema, which are essential for improving the survival rate of tnnt2a^-/-. Furthermore, APS modulates key muscle fiber-related genes (including ttnb and myom3) and significantly impacts multiple signaling pathways, including Rap1, PI3K-Akt, Jak-STAT, and Wnt signaling. The qRT‒PCR results revealed that APS decreased the expression of bax, caspase-3, and caspase-9 but increased the expression of bcl-2 in DCM zebrafish.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings suggest that APS can improve the survival rate in dilated cardiomyopathy and has a positive protective effect on the myocardium in the tnnt2a mutant zebrafish model of DCM.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"197"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125887/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144191510","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":"Resveratrol reverses cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) juice-induced motor impairment in the Wistar rat.","authors":"Eduardo Rivadeneyra-Domínguez, Isaac Zamora-Bello, Erik Raúl Juárez-Zaragoza, Óscar Rosales-Sánchez, Gabriel Guillén-Ruiz, Juan Francisco Rodríguez-Landa","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04934-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04934-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Long-term cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) intake has been associated with the development of neurological diseases characterized by motor impairment in humans and experimental animals. Thus, there is a need to identify the therapeutic effects of molecules to ameliorate said alterations, such as resveratrol, which was explored in the present study. Therefore, we evaluate whether the behavioral alterations associated with the chronic intake of cassava juice could be reversed with resveratrol.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adult male rats were randomly assigned to four independent groups (n = 8): vehicle (purified water), cassava (28.56 mg/kg), resveratrol (10.70 mg/kg), and a combination of treatments (cassava plus resveratrol). Vehicle and cassava juices were administered from days 1 to 28, followed by vehicle or resveratrol from days 29 to 56. The effects of the treatments were evaluated on days 28 and 56 in the open field test, rotarod, and swimming test, compared with the baseline.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Cassava juice increased crossing, rearing, and grooming in the open field, produced a short latency to fall from the rotarod, and increased the spin behavior and the total time of immobility in the swimming test. These effects were reversed by resveratrol.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Resveratrol could be considered in the development of therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders associated with cassava consumption.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial number: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"193"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125863/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144191513","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":"Enhancing skin permeation of Phlai oil and ginger extracts through lipid nanoparticle encapsulation for anti-inflammatory topical products.","authors":"Somkamol Intawong, Kanyanat Kaewiad, Thanchanok Muangman, Worawut Kriangkrai","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04932-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04932-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The increasing demand for effective and safe pain management solutions, particularly for chronic conditions, has led to a focus on topical products that provide targeted relief with minimal systemic side effects. This study aims to develop an innovative anti-inflammatory topical formulation utilizing phlai (Zingiber cassumunar) oil and ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract, both of which are recognized for their potent anti-inflammatory properties.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Nanostructured lipid particles (NPOs) were prepared using a hot homogenization technique followed by ultrasonication, incorporating varying ratios of ginger extract and phlai oil. The physicochemical properties, encapsulation efficiency, and stability of the NPOs were systematically investigated. In vitro permeation studies were conducted using Franz diffusion cells to assess skin penetration. The anti-inflammatory efficacy was evaluated in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells by measuring levels of nitric oxide (NO), TNF-α, and PGE2.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The NPO formulation improved skin penetration of 6-gingerol compared to conventional solutions, as evidenced by higher cumulative permeation and flux values. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed deeper skin penetration of Nile red dye when delivered via the NPOs. The combination of phlai oil and ginger extract showed enhanced anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting NO production by up to 75.98% and TNF-α by 70.03%. Additionally, the combination treatment inhibited PGE2 levels by 62.34%, which was greater than the effects observed with each individual extract. These results indicate that the NPO-based formulation not only enhances the delivery of bioactive compounds but also enhances their therapeutic potential through combined action.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings suggest that NPO-based formulations have the potential to effectively deliver herbal extracts transdermally, improving skin penetration and anti-inflammatory effects. This approach offers a promising avenue for developing natural topical pain relief solutions, leveraging the therapeutic benefits of traditional herbal medicine. By enhancing dermal absorption and ensuring stability, this study contributes to the development of safe and effective topical products for integrative health care. However, further research, including clinical trials and in vivo studies, is needed to validate the efficacy and safety of this formulation compared to existing treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"196"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125899/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144191512","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":"Efficacy and safety of Lignosus rhinocerus (Cooke) Ryvarden TM02^® supplementation for immune-challenged patients with localised breast cancer in remission: a randomised controlled trial.","authors":"Jie Yi Eng, Po Lin Ooi, Mariam Zafirah, Mahmoud Danaee, Marniza Saad, Muhammad Fazril Mohamad Razif, Nor Aishah Taib, Chee Loong Lam, Zamri Chik, Shin-Yee Fung","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04919-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04919-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of study: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of TM02^® in improving health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and fatigue in patients with localized breast cancer who had completed surgery and chemotherapy, addressing both acute and long-term side effects.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy and safety of TM02^® supplementation in patients who had completed surgery and chemotherapy for localized breast cancer, using HRQoL scores. A total of 52 patients were randomized into two groups: (i) TM02^® (n = 26; 1,040 mg daily for 6 months) and (ii) placebo (n = 26). HRQoL scores were assessed using the EORTC-QLQC30 and QLQ-BR23 questionnaires at five time points. Fatigue scores were measured using the FACIT-Fatigue Scale, and the safety profile of TM02^® was also evaluated. Data were analyzed on a per-protocol basis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Global Health Status (GHS) score showed a significant within-patient effect across five visits (p = 0.001; F = 0.276). A trend toward improved physical functioning and reduced fatigue was observed in the TM02^® group compared to the placebo group. TM02^® was safe for consumption, with no significant differences in side effects between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study found that TM02^®, a natural supplement containing standardized compounds from Lignosus rhinocerus, is well tolerated in patients with localized breast cancer post-adjuvant chemotherapy. TM02^® supplementation showed a positive trend towards improved physical functioning and reduced fatigue scores.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"194"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12125795/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144191511","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":"Effect of nipa palm (Nypa fruticans Wurmb.) vinegar on the incretin hormones and intestinal glucose transporters in type 2 diabetes mellitus rat model.","authors":"Nur Izzati Razali, Tri Widyawati, Dwi Rita Anggraini, Vuanghao Lim, Nor Adlin Yusoff","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04933-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04933-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nipa palm vinegar has been traditionally used to lower blood glucose levels by diabetic patients. This study aims to analyse the effect of aqueous extract (AE) of nipa palm vinegar on glycemic parameters and glucose transporter-incretin hormonal system in type 2 diabetic rat. The model was established using a combination of high-fat diet (p.o.) and low dose streptozotocin (i.p.). AE (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) was administered orally once daily for 28 days. Biochemical parameters related to type 2 diabetes including fasting glucose, serum insulin, lipid profiles, incretin hormone, liver, and pancreatic histology were evaluated. Relative expression of jejunal glucose transporters was also determined. Induction of diabetes caused significant (p = 0.026) weight loss, hyperlgycemia, hypoinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and reduced incretin hormones. Diabetes onset also disturbed HOMA-IR and HOMA-ß cell function indices, altered the morphological features of hepatocytes and pancreatic islet and overexpressed intestinal glucose transporters, SGLT1 and GLUT2. Repetitive oral administration of AE (1000 mg/kg) for 28 days ameliorated the biochemical abnormalities and improved HOMA-β cell function of diabetic rats. Histological studies revealed AE treatment preserved the integrity of pancreatic islet and protected hepatocytes from degeneration and atrophic effects of streptozotocin. Further analysis suggested the effect of AE in stimulating incretin hormones secretion via the action of DPP4 inhibitor and by modulating jejunal SGLT1 expression. In conclusion, the study suggested AE exerted its antidiabetic effect partially by stimulating insulin secretion via incretin hormone and intestinal glucose transporter pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"192"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12123729/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144186555","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":"Experiences and perceptions of Chinese patients enrolled in a clinical trial assessing tuina and manual therapies for knee osteoarthritis: a nested qualitative study.","authors":"Luping Liu, Lingyun Zhang, Sina Li, Meiling Cai, Siyu Han, Zhiwen Weng, Qianji Chen, Yixuan Gao, Xiaoming Yang, Yang Zhang, Duoduo Li, Changxin Liu, Ya'nan Sun, Xiyou Wang, Changhe Yu","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04926-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04926-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>KOA is a prevalent joint disorder significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Tuina and manual interventions are prioritized in clinical practice within the Chinese healthcare context. Current qualitative studies mostly focus on symptom management and basic disease perceptions, overlooking patient-centered treatment expectations, therapeutic process perceptions, and doctor-patient interaction impacts during manual therapy. This study aims to address these gaps by exploring Chinese KOA patients' experiences, perceptions, and expectations of manual therapy, emphasizing contextual factors affecting therapeutic outcomes and interactions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants with KOA were sampled using a simple sampling method from a randomized controlled trial of Tuina treatment versus manual physical therapy (MPT). The interviews were conducted by two researchers who have extensive experience interviewing KOA patients, and data were gathered through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews to ensure a high level of information power. Three experienced researchers subsequently analyzed employing thematic analysis to assess patient experiences and outcomes from both treatment modalities.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>The study interviewed a total of 61 participants, thematic saturation was reached when interviewing 42 participants, and seven codes along with 5 sub-themes were utilized to depict potential doctor-patient interactions and influencing factors. This process led to the formation of three themes: Understanding and Impact, Treatment Expectations and Satisfaction, and Treatment Goals and Outcomes, which helped in constructing a model to understand the underlying influences among these themes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study generated three themes-Understanding and Impact, Treatment Expectations and Satisfaction, and Treatment Goals and Outcomes, and developed a manual therapy model based on these themes. The generated model shows the important factors of doctor-patient interaction in KOA manual therapy management. Future research should expand to multidisciplinary and cross-cultural models to align standardized protocols with individualized patient needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"191"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12121067/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144172759","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":"Integrated network pharmacology reveals the mechanism of action of Xianlinggubao prescription for inflammation in osteoarthritis.","authors":"Jingyi Hou, Yubo Li, Yu Zhang, Ning Yang, Bin Chen, Guiyun Ma, Naiqiang Zhu","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04928-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04928-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Osteoarthritis (OA), a leading cause of disability worldwide, is characterized by complex interactions between cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation. While NSAIDs are the primary treatment, their prolonged use exacerbates gastrointestinal risks and does not alter disease progression. Xianlinggubao (XLGB), an approved Chinese herbal remedy for osteoporosis, has demonstrated promising anti-osteoarthritic effects in preliminary studies. However, its multi-component mechanisms targeting OA-related inflammation require further clarification. This study integrates network pharmacology with experimental validation to investigate XLGB's anti-inflammatory mechanisms in OA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Bioactive compounds of XLGB and their respective targets were sourced from the TCMSP, ETCM, SymMap, and ChEMBL databases. Targets linked to OA-related inflammation were identified through differential expression analysis and by querying OMIM, GeneCards, and PubMed Gene databases. Network pharmacology and bioinformatics approaches were employed to construct compound-target and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, enabling the identification of pivotal therapeutic targets. Functional enrichment of these targets was performed using the ClusterProfiler package in R. The binding affinity of compounds to anti-inflammatory OA targets was assessed through molecular docking, dynamics simulations, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence assays.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifty-five bioactive compounds corresponding to 475 XLGB targets and 125 genes involved in OA-related inflammation were identified. PPI network analysis revealed that XLGB may alleviate OA inflammation by modulating key genes, including COX-2, IL-1β, TNF, IL-6, and MMP-9. Molecular simulations indicated strong binding affinities between bioactive compounds in XLGB and these critical targets. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that XLGB's anti-inflammatory action in OA may involve regulation of pathways such as IL-17, TNF, and NF-κB. In vitro experiments further confirmed that XLGB mitigates OA inflammation by modulating these genes, proteins, and signaling pathways.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Through network pharmacology, this study elucidated the mechanisms of XLGB in OA inflammation, highlighting its modulation of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, PTGS2, MMP-9, and the NF-κB pathway. These findings provide strong support for the clinical application of XLGB in managing OA-related inflammation.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"190"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12108044/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144156860","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":"Endometriosis-like lesions induced by phthalates: new phytotherapic applications to complement traditional cares: a PNRR 2023 project.","authors":"Roberta Tassinari, Massimo D'Archivio, Rosaria Varì, Beatrice Scazzocchio, Gabriele Lori, Maria Bellenghi, Annalisa Silenzi, Alessia Tammaro, Daniele Marcoccia, Valentina Tassinari, Antonella Smeriglio, Domenico Trombetta, Antonio Maiorana, Maria Clara Leone, Francesca Maranghi","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04913-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04913-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Endometriosis (E) is an oestrogen-dependent, multifactorial, inflammatory disease causing pelvic pain and infertility. Several concerns have been raised about the role of food contaminants, in particular Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), potentially involved in the onset and propagation of E. Conventional therapies- which have considerable side effects - focus on reducing levels of oestrogens and counteracting inflammation. The potential preventive/protective role of plant extracts (PEs) on phthalate (PH) -induced E is studied by a stepwise approach.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>(i) raw material identification, extraction and phytochemical characterization; (ii) in vitro tests to evaluate pharmacokinetics and organotropism; (iii) in vitro screening on 2 human endometrial cell lines and in vivo toxicokinetic to select the PEs/BCs in comparison with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; (iv) in vivo juvenile toxicity study to test the PE/BC activity on DEHP induced E-like lesions and (v) ex vivo and in vitro studies on human E primary cells obtained by patients with E to be subjected to scheduled surgical procedures and human non-cancerous cells, to investigate the DEHP and metabolite concentration and PE/BC effects, respectively.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The project aims to provide data and tools to develop a new strategy based on herbal medicine- especially polyphenolic compounds for their pleiotropic activities - to mitigate the E symptoms and to prevent and/or to protect population - including susceptible sub-groups - from the onset of E. The outcomes of the project will support the Italian National Health System in the development of complementary alternative/preventive strategies for E and to set clinical studies on humans also considering the potential role of environmental contaminants in E pathogenesis.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial number: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"188"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12105142/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144149269","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":"Chemical profiling and anticancer activity of Alnus incana dichloromethane fraction on HeLa cells via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.","authors":"Walaa Hesham, Emad M Elzayat, Mohamed Hosney, Fatma Abo-Elghiet","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04920-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04920-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cervical cancer remains a global health challenge with persistently high incidence and mortality rates despite advancements in conventional treatments. The therapeutic potential of natural products has gained attention, particularly for their selective cytotoxicity and ability to modulate cancer pathways. Alnus incana (L.) Moench, a species-rich in bioactive compounds, shows potential as an anticancer agent; however, the cytotoxic effects of its leaves dichloromethane (DCM) extract remain underexplored. This study investigates the DCM fraction's cytotoxicity on various cancer cell lines, with a primary focus on HeLa cells.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The cytotoxic effects of the A. incana DCM fraction were evaluated in a dose-dependent manner using the MTT assay on several cancer cell lines, with particular emphasis on HeLa cells. Flow cytometry was used to assess cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, while RT-qPCR quantified changes in the expression of apoptotic markers (Bax, Bcl-2, and p53). Chemical composition analysis was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/flame ionization detection (GC-MS/FID) to identify the major bioactive compounds within the fraction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The DCM fraction exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity in HeLa cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 135.6 µg/mL and a selectivity index (SI) of 2.72 relative to normal cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, significantly hindering progression through the S and G2/M phases. Moreover, there was a significant increase in both early and late apoptotic cell populations, correlating with the upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax and p53) and the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2. The chemical analysis identified 22 compounds in the unsaponifiable fraction, chiefly terpenoids such as phytol (65.74%). The saponifiable fraction presented a balanced composition of saturated (48.69%) and unsaturated (51.29%) fatty acids, with palmitic acid, linolenic acid, and linoleic acid as the predominant compounds.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>While the DCM fraction's relatively high IC₅₀ value may limit its utility as a standalone treatment, its ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis demonstrates its promise as a co-therapeutic agent with conventional anticancer drugs. Further research is essential to elucidate its precise mechanisms of action and to evaluate its efficacy in combination therapies, potentially advancing its role in cervical cancer treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"189"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12105127/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144149267","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}