BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies最新文献

{"title":"Probiotic preserving extract supplementation as a novel attitude in managing diabetes mellitus.","authors":"Afrooz Saadatzadeh, Seyed Mohammad Kazem Emamifar, Seyyed Ali Mard, Akram Ahangarpour, Kambiz Ahmadi Angali, Sanaz Mehdialamdarlou","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04974-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04974-z","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"243"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12239367/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144599392","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":"Immunomodulatory activity of Pleurotus pulmonarius crude extract to human monocyte against Cryptococcus neoformans.","authors":"Artittaya Arromsava, Siriporn Chuchawankul, Navaporn Worasilchai, Pornpimon Angkasekwinai, Kamolporn Amornsupak","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04990-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04990-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Treatment of Cryptococcus neoformans infection is still challenging due to high side effects and acquired drug resistance. Eliminating fungal infection requires monocytes and macrophages, which are weakened by the non-protective type-2 immune response induced by the pathogen. Pleurotus pulmonarius (PP) is an edible mushroom rich in bioactive molecules, particularly β-glucan. This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory activities of PP crude extract on monocytes and macrophages against C. neoformans.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PP was extracted using a hot aqueous method and precipitated with absolute ethanol. Glucan content was assessed by colorimetric assay. The cytotoxicity of PP crude extract was tested using an MTT assay. The immunomodulatory activities and preventive potential of PP crude extract for C. neoformans infection were investigated using human THP-1 monocyte and THP-1-derived macrophage models. Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production was evaluated using RT-qPCR and ELISA. Immune mechanisms related to C. neoformans clearance were studied, including phagocytosis, ROS production, macrophage polarization, and antifungal killing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The result showed that PP crude extract contains α-glucan (14.72% w/w) and β-glucan (11.75% w/w). The immunomodulatory activities of PP crude extract on the expressions of TNFA, IL1B, IL6, and MCP1/CCL2 were observed in THP-1 cells. This finding corresponds to the significant increase in TNF-α level measured by ELISA. Moreover, PP crude extract enhanced the release of TNF-α and IL-10 from THP-1-derived macrophages. Interestingly, pre-exposure to PP crude extract elicits preventive potential for controlling C. neoformans infection. A significant increase in type 1 cytokines was observed in C. neoformans-infected monocytes and macrophages. While C. neoformans induced M2 polarization, this phenotype was attenuated in PP-trained macrophages partly through MCP1/CCL2 expression and CD206 M2 suppression. Moreover, 100 µg/mL of PP crude extract pretreatment could impair C. neoformans intracellular proliferation in THP-1-derived macrophages and upregulate ROS production.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the immunomodulatory potential of PP crude extract as a plant-based immunomodulator to enhance protective antimicrobial responses, particularly through ROS-mediated mechanisms of antifungal immunity. These findings support its potential application in developing natural therapeutic supplements, functional foods, and trained immunity-based strategies as alternative approaches to strengthening host defense against infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"251"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12243133/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144599371","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":"Commiphora myrrha resin extract-modulated cytochrome P-450 2C9 enzyme expression in cultured Hep G2 cells is associated with resin extract-derived metabolites binding to Pregnane X receptor.","authors":"Amani Alsharidah, Zeyad Alehaideb, Sahar S Alghamdi, Rasha S Suliman, Saleh Althenayyan, Feras Almourfi, Bader Hazazi, Aljawharah Almogren, Abeer Al Tuwaijri, Mohamed Boudjelal, Afrah Alkhuriji, Sabine Matou-Nasri","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04998-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04998-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The use of natural health products (NHP) is constantly increasing worldwide. Among the most NHP consumed in the Arabian Peninsula are the resins of Commiphora myrrha (C. myrrha) tree. Consumption of C. myrrha may result in herb-drug interactions mediated by drug-metabolizing cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzymes in the liver, which could lead to serious health consequences for patients. This study aims to determine the herb-drug interactions based on the induction of predominant CYP 2C9 by a non-toxic boiled aqueous extract of C. myrrha and to unveil the potential involvement of xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptors such as transcription factor Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) in CYP 2C9 induction, and to predict the molecular interactions of PXR with C. myrrha-derived metabolite(s).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cytotoxic effect of boiled aqueous extract of C. myrrha resins in cultured liver carcinoma Hep G2 cells was assessed using MTT assay. CYP 2C9 gene and protein expression levels were evaluated using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Nuclear receptor binding assays, chemical analysis and molecular docking prediction were performed using specific kits, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry time-of-flight, and in silico software, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Tested at low concentrations (0.01-10 µg/mL) devoid of anti-proliferative effects, boiled C. myrrha resin aqueous extract upregulated CYP 2C9 gene and protein expressions in a dose-dependent manner, reaching a mean expression level exceeding 3.0-fold change in Hep G2 cells, compared with the basal level expressed in untreated cells. Furthermore, the use of the nuclear receptor binding assays confirmed the binding between C. myrrha metabolite(s) and PXR, while no binding to the other xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptor, the constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), was observed. Chemical analysis and computational molecular docking using in silico studies revealed that a few C. myrrha resin-derived metabolites are strongly bound to PXR. In particular, the identified metabolite named commic acid E exhibited a predicted molecular docking score close to that of a native PXR ligand, suggesting C. myrrha metabolite(s) as potential PXR agonists.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although in vivo studies are needed, this study cautions patients, healthcare providers, and governmental regulators against the consumption of C. myrrha preparations with a high potential for herb-drug interactions through drug-metabolizing CYP 2C9 enzyme induction, which could affect drug efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"247"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12243139/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144599367","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":"Effects of curcumin on serum inflammatory biomarkers in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.","authors":"Han-Chien Hsueh, Guan-Ru Ho, Shiang I Tzeng, Kai-Hsiang Liang, Yi-Shiung Horng","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04951-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04951-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herbal medicine that has been shown to exert beneficial effects on knee osteoarthritis (OA). Previous studies revealed that curcumin had a superior effect compared to control treatments in terms of pain intensity and other patient-reported outcomes, including the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), visual analog scale (VAS), and Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM). However, it remains unclear whether curcumin has beneficial effects on serum inflammatory biomarkers. This systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) aimed to evaluate the effects of curcumin on changes in serum inflammatory biomarkers in patients with knee OA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EBSCOhost databases were systematically searched from inception to March 28, 2025 to identify all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that examined the use of curcumin for treating knee OA. Data related to serum inflammatory biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) levels, interleukin (IL)-1beta levels, IL-6 levels, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2) levels, were extracted and subjected to meta-analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-one studies involving 1705 patients were included. The studies were conducted across seven countries, and their sample sizes ranged from 24 to160. Meta-analysis revealed that the levels of CRP (SMD = -0.906, 95% CI = -1.543 ~ -0.269, P value = 0.005) and TNF-alpha (SMD = -0.921, 95% CI = -1.817 ~ -0.026, P value = 0.044) were significantly lower in the curcumin group than in the placebo group. However, there were no significant differences in the ESR (SMD = -0.064, 95% CI = -0.064 ~ 0.541, P value = 0.836), IL-lbeta (SMD = -0.362, 95% CI = -0.816 ~ 0.092, P value = 0.118), IL-6 level (SMD = -0.218, 95% CI = -0.806 ~ 0.370, P value = 0.467), or PGE-2 level (SMD = 0.413, 95% CI = -0.312 ~ 1.139, P value = 0.264) between the curcumin and control groups. The sensitivity test for CRP indicated that no individual study had a significant influence on the pooled results, while TNF-alpha was not as consistent as that of CRP. The visual analysis of the funnel plots revealed no publication bias.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Curcumin led to a decrease in the serum CRP and TNF-alpha levels in patients with knee OA. Additional large-scale studies or even synovial fluid analyses are recommended to further evaluate the effects of curcumin on proinflammatory biomarkers in patients with knee OA.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"237"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231615/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144564408","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":"Evaluation of the in vivo antidiabetic, in vitro antioxidant and alpha amylase inhibitory effects of Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst ex Benth leaf hydromethanolic crude extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model.","authors":"Gedefaw Getie Mengistu, Kefyalew Ayalew Getahun, Markeshaw Tiruneh, Hiwot Tezera, Meseret Derbew Molla","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04986-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04986-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"238"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12228396/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144564409","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":"Project HERO: a randomized trial of Tai Chi qigong versus intensity-matched exercise and usual care for fatigue in older male cancer survivors.","authors":"Anita Y Kinney, Jinghua An, Yong Lin, Samuel Tundealao, Biren Saraiya, Shou-En Lu, Dolores D Guest, Elizabeth M Harding, Fabiano Amorim, Emily Heidt, Evelyn Arana-Chicas, Chunxia Chen, Tawny Boyce, Isaac Y Kim, Wadih Arap, Cindy K Blair, Michael R Irwin","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04988-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04988-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fatigue is often one of the most commonly reported symptoms in older male cancer survivors, but it is also one of the least understood cancer-related symptoms. Fatigue is associated with psychological distress, disruptions in sleep quality, and impairments in health-related quality of life. Thus, elective treatments for fatigue in older male cancer survivors represent a current unmet need. Prior research has shown that Tai Chi Qigong (TCQ), a mind-body exercise intervention, can improve physical and emotional health. Therefore, we compared the efficacy of Tai Chi Qigong (TCQ) versus exercise intensity-matched (EIM) and usual care in older, male cancer survivors with fatigue.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a three-arm, single-blind randomized controlled trial where older (55 + years), male cancer survivors with fatigue participated in usual care or one of two supervised group exercise programs: TCQ or EIM twice weekly for 12 weeks. Participants were followed up for 12 months. The primary outcome was patient-reported fatigue at 3-months post-intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A cohort of men (n = 113) were enrolled (mean age: 69.1 (±7.0) years. In the primary outcome analysis, there were no significant within-arm or between-arm differences in fatigue (p-value, NS). However, the TCQ and EIM arms showed significant within-arm improvement in fatigue immediately post-intervention (p-value < 0.05). There were no differences in class attendance for either TCQ or EIM, with an average attendance rate of 78.4% and 76.8%, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We found no significant or clinically meaningful improvements in fatigue for TCQ or EIM relative to usual care at the 3-month follow-up. However, significant improvements in fatigue were observed immediately after completion of the 12-week TCQ and EIM programs. This study suggests that TCQ and light intensity activity may lead to improvements in fatigue immediately after the group exercise program among older, fatigued male cancer survivors. However, the observed improvements did not persist beyond the program, suggesting that long-term maintenance may be required. Further testing is warranted in larger trials that include strategies to sustain both the behavior and the effects.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>This study was registered at the NIH clinical trial registry on November 17, 2017 (NCT03345563).</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"239"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12228344/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144564412","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":"Investigation of the potential anxiolytic effects of essential oils derived from two sacred plants of tantric buddhism: Rhododendron anthopogon d.don and Juniperus indica Bertol.","authors":"Laura Cornara, Marco Valussi, Khilendra Gurung, Lapka Sherpa Lama, Flavio Polito, Vincenzo De Feo","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04954-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04954-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In the Southern Tibet region, the Nepalese and Indian Himalayas many plants rich in aromatic resins are burned by populations who follow Tantric Buddhism, for both daily sacred activities and religious ceremonies. The main plant material used are branches of Juniperus indica Bertol. (Cupressaceae) and Rhododendron anthopogon D.Don (Ericaceae). The harvesting of these species, considered as sacred, is an ancient custom linked to folk medicine and the production of incense for religious practices or to purify the domestic environment as their essential oils (EOs) promote tranquility. We present here a study which, starting from a survey of the ethnobotanical uses of these two species, describes the traditional methods of collection and distillation in Nepal. Furthermore, we show the phytochemical profile of the two EOs and their biological activity on Central Nervous System (CNS), specifically their effectiveness in anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-butyrylcholinesterase tests.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We recorded the methods of collection and distillation as recounted in an open interview (with an informed consent) with the local lama, whose family, for centuries, has been responsible for a household gompa and the rituals associated with it. The locally distilled EOs from the two species were phytochemically characterized by GC and GC-MS. Essential oils and their main constituents were then tested for their possible in vitro effects on the Central Nervous System, by assessing their activity on anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-butyrylcholinesterase activities.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The phytochemical profiles showed α-terpinene (38.21%) and α-pinene (10.73%) as main constituents in J. indica, and α-pinene (23.10%) and β-pinene (11.42%) in R. anthopogon. The anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-butyrylcholinesterase assays showed that both EOs have a moderate inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Ethnobotanical data collected confirm the high ritual value of J. indica and R. anthopogon in the Indian Himalaya for both Tantric religious ceremonies and in the daily activity. The data obtained on the chemical composition of the EOs distilled on-site from these species and on their inhibitory activity on important enzymes of the CNS can validate, at least in part, the traditional use linked to their anxiolytic properties. The possible application of these EOs in the aromatherapy market, respecting traditional and eco-sustainable methods of collection and distillation, can represent a further source of income for local populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"236"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231301/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144564411","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 study of anti-sickling effects of aqueous extracts of Garcinia kola (seeds), Zingiber officinale (rhizomes) and Allium sativum(bulbs) on sodium metabisulphite-treated HBSS erythrocytes.","authors":"M O Salawu, I O Abdulsalam, H O B Oloyede","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04943-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04943-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>A point mutation in the haemoglobin β-chain at position six causes sickle cell disease (SCD). Blessed with a wealth of inexpensive and safe medicinal plants, Africa has much to offer in the therapy and management of many neglected tropical diseases, including SCD.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The purpose of this in vitro investigation was to examine the anti-sickling properties of the combinations of aqueous extracts of Zingiber officinale (rhizomes), Allium sativum (bulbs), and Garcinia kola (seeds) on sickle cell erythrocytes treated with sodium metabisulphite.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Investigations were carried out to assess the capacity of the aqueous extracts to inhibit sickle haemoglobin polymerization, promote the reversal of sickling, and evaluate the resistance of red blood cell membranes to increasing hypotonic solutions. Phytochemical screenings were done on the different plant components using standard methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Relative to the controls in each of the anti-sickling tests, the potency of each treatment combination of the plant extracts was higher than that of hydroxyurea (standard). The initial control values of sickled RBC 44.1% and 51.2% (in the sickling reversal and inhibitory tests, respectively) lowered to 6.6% and 6.5%, respectively. Additionally, the delayed time of sickle cell polymerisation showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between each treatment combination of the plant extracts significantly less than 0.372 (p < 0.05.) of the control drug (hydroxyurea), though better than normal saline 0.049. The osmotic fragility test results indicated significantly lower osmofragility from the plant extract combinations compared to hydroxyurea. In general, no statistically significant variation (p > 0.05) was seen across the extract treatment combinations in relation to each other across all tests. The extracts indicated the presence of anthocyanins, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins, among other substances.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The plant extracts combinations have demonstrated polymerisation inhibition activity, reduced osmofragility and sickling reversal activity in the HBSS erythrocytes.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"241"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12228248/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144564410","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 effects of Pranayama breathing exercise on symptom burden among women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Maryam Momeni, Marzieh Khatooni, Ahad Alizadeh, Sima Mohebbi","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04981-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04981-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pranayama breathing exercises may help reduce the burden of chemotherapy-induced symptoms in women with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pranayama breathing exercise on symptom burden in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this clinical trial, 76 participants were randomly assigned to two groups: pranayama breathing exercise plus routine care (intervention group) (n = 38) or routine care (control group) (n = 38). Patients were asked to perform pranayama breathing twice a day for 10 min for 21 days (one week before chemotherapy to 14 days after the start of chemotherapy). Symptom burden was measured through the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) before the intervention, on the first day of chemotherapy, on day 7 and on day 14 after chemotherapy.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significant decrease in the total score of symptom burden and subscales of symptom severity and symptom interference with daily activities was shown in the intervention group compared with the control group at all three measurement points (η² = 0.431, η² = 0.311, η² = 0.489, P < 0.001, respectively). Among the symptoms, there was no significant difference in the mean score of dry mouth (P < 0.744, η² = 0.002) and numbness and tingling (P < 0.302, η² = 0.02) between the intervention and control groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Pranayama breathing exercise was effective in reducing the symptom burden in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. It is recommended that the pranayama breathing be considered as a component of comprehensive cancer care. Nurses should teach patients pranayama breathing as an independent nursing intervention to reduce the burden of chemotherapy-induced symptoms.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>This trial has been registered on the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( http://www.irct.ir ) with the identifier (IRCT20231212060343N1). Registered date: 23/01/2023.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"242"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12228286/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144564413","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":"CRISPRi knockdown of mycobacterial tkt gene potentiates the anti-mycobacterial activity of phyto-compounds from selected medicinal plants.","authors":"Mashilo Mash Matotoka, Gabriel Tshwahla Mashabela, Peter Masoko","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04987-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04987-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection is well known to be challenging to treat. Treatment effectiveness is restricted by the pathogen's inherent drug resistance. A deeper understanding of essential bacterial pathways that influence Mtb growth and survival can expediate the development of more effective therapies from various sources. Here, using mycobacterial tkt gene as a model target, we report on the use of CRISPR interference gene knockdown to potentiate the antimycobacterial activity of selected medicinal plant extracts.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The growth phenotypes were investigated on solid and liquid media. Broth micro-dilution assay was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations. Potential cytotoxicity of the extracts was investigated using Vero cell lines. LC-MS was used for phytochemical analysis. In silico docking was performed on transketolase (Rv1449c), NADH-dependent enoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] reductase (Rv1484), catalase-peroxidase (Rv1908c).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Phenotypic characterisation of the CRISPRi mutants showed that gradual tkt knockdown fully, led to growth disruption. Chemical-genetic interactions showed that tkt knockdown increased the antimycobacterial activity of acetone extracts from Peltophorum africanum and Croton gratissimus by twofold in CRISPRi hypomoprhs. Molecular docking data revealed that Phlorizin from C. gratissimus (-8.1 kcal/mol), Ficus sur tritepernoid (-9.6 kcal/mol) and P. africanum (6-hydroxydelphinidin 3-glucoside) (-8.9 kcal/mol) had the best binding affinities to the TKT active site pocket. Moreover, these compounds had better binding affinities to both NADH-dependent reductase and catalase-peroxidase than Isoniazid.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The research demonstrated that the mycobacterial tkt gene is crucial for bacterial growth, and CRISPRi-mediated knockdown of this gene enhanced the anti-mycobacterial activity of phyto-compounds, which showed multiple binding affinities to established anti-Mtb targets.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"240"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12228161/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144564407","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}