BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies最新文献

{"title":"Royal jelly fermented by honeybee queen (Apis mellifera)-derived Lactobacillus panisapium M1 enhances macrophage phagocytosis through the TLR2/MAPK/SR signaling pathway.","authors":"Shuhei Nonobe, Hideto Okamoto, Takashi Ito, Hayate Itatani, Ayanori Yamaki, Nobuaki Okumura","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04976-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04976-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Royal jelly (RJ) has traditionally been used to maintain health, and its fatty acids (10-hydroxy decanoic acid and 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid) are reported to have immunomodulatory effects. We recently developed fermented RJ (fRJ) by fermenting RJ with honeybee queen (Apis mellifera)-derived lactic acid bacterium, Lactobacillus panisapium M1. fRJ increased the 10-hydroxy decanoic acid content five-fold and facilitated macrophage phagocytosis. In this study, we explored the components involved in the fRJ-induced enhancement of macrophage phagocytosis and assessed the biological mechanisms of these components.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The effects of fRJ on the phagocytosis of negatively charged carboxylate-modified latex beads, zymosan, IgG-coated beads, and apoptotic cells, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and phagocytic receptor expression, and p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation were assessed in the murine macrophage cell line J774.1. To explore the mechanisms of fRJ-induced macrophage phagocytosis, we used TLR2, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), scavenger receptor inhibitors, and small interfering RNA. Phagocytosis was assessed using fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry, whereas mRNA, protein, and cell surface antigen expression was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and flow cytometry, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>fRJ enhanced macrophage phagocytosis of carboxylate-modified latex beads and apoptotic cells. Additionally, L. panisapium M1 enhanced macrophage phagocytosis. Moreover, the assessment of lactic acid bacteria-mediated signaling pathways revealed that fRJ enhanced TLR2 expression, promoted p38 and JNK phosphorylation, and facilitated activator protein-1 nuclear translocation. However, fRJ-induced macrophage phagocytosis was reduced by the presence of inhibitors targeting TLR2, p38, and JNK. fRJ facilitated the gene expression of scavenger receptors, including Msr1 and Cd36, and this upregulation was suppressed by TLR2 inhibition. Surprisingly, fRJ-induced augmentation of macrophage phagocytosis was not suppressed by CD36 inhibition. However, it was significantly attenuated by the broad-spectrum scavenger receptor inhibitor polyinosinic acid.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results indicate that fRJ enhances macrophage phagocytosis through TLR2/MAPK/SR, and L. panisapium M1 primarily contributes to immune function.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"222"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12224752/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144552226","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":"Cancer patient preferences for traditional Chinese medicine treatment: a discrete choice experiment study.","authors":"Jiao Zhang, Lihua Li, Huinan Xi, Qi Wang, Fan Jiang, Xin Sun, Xuebin Qiao, Aijun Xu","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04937-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04937-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patient preferences have gradually been incorporated into decisions about cancer treatment regimens over recent years. Meanwhile, the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in cancer-related treatments has been recognized. This study aimed to estimate the specific preferences of cancer patients for TCM treatment regimens to inform the clinical decision-making process for health promotion.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional investigation employed a discrete choice experiment (DCE) methodology to assess TCM treatment regimens preferences among cancer patients. The DCE systematically elicits participants' preferences through the sequential presentation of hypothetical clinical scenarios with varying combinations of therapeutic attributes, with subsequent data analysis conducted using mixed logit models. We applied this methodology to examine cancer patient preferences regarding different TCM treatment regimens. Additionally, a subgroup analysis of sex groups was conducted to identify potential preference variations across demographic groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 728 participants completed the questionnaire and passed the consistency test. Control rate of disease, gastrointestinal adverse effects, mode of administration, treatment duration, quality of life, and monthly out-of-pocket cost had a significant impact on the TCM treatment preference of the participating cancer patients. Preferences almost remained consistent irrespective of the participants' sex.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Differences in treatment have an impact on the preferences of TCM treatment in cancer patients. Cancer patients' preferences related to the control rate of disease and quality of life should be prioritized and considered in TCM treatment decision-making.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"218"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12220162/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144552222","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":"Prescription patterns of traditional Chinese medications and potential consequences in patients with new-onset cardiac or vascular-related diseases: a nationwide cohort study.","authors":"Sheng-Shing Lin, Hsin-Hui Tsai, Daniel Hsiang-Te Tsai, Chiu-Lin Tsai, Nanae Itokazu, Jaung-Geng Lin, Edward Chia-Cheng Lai, Hsiang-Wen Lin, Yu-Chang Hou","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04945-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04945-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The patterns of Chinese medicine prescriptions, corresponding diagnoses, co-morbidities, and Western medication (WM) use among patients with cardiac or vascular-related diseases are uncertain. This research aimed to examine the patterns of Chinese medications (CMs, specifically in terms of extract granules), corresponding diagnoses, co-morbidities, and the use of WMs within specified follow-up periods among patients with potential of recurrent cardiac or vascular-related diseases and relevant outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. We enrolled patients with newly diagnosed cardiac or vascular-related diseases without cancer(s), transplantation, bleeding diagnoses, or catastrophic illness during the 2-year period prior to the corresponding diagnosis. Prior and non-prior CM users were matched based on their propensity scores. Finally, we compared the CM and WM patterns prescribed by physicians, and co-morbidities in the 6 months following the diagnosis and the secondary cardiac or vascular-related events in the 2 years following the diagnosis between the two groups using the standardized mean difference.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 191,025 patients with newly diagnosed cardiac or vascular-related diseases, 39,341 (20.60%) were prescribed CMs. Moreover, after propensity score matching, we identified 39,168 prior CM users and 39,168 non-prior CM users. Regardless of prior CM use, both groups had a relatively high rate of comorbidities; CM or specific WM use; and incidence of severe cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or thromboembolic events (33.81% vs. 31.97%) and severe bleeding (18.32% vs. 16.57%). Only CM exposure within 6 months after the index date differed significantly between the groups (73.51% vs. 30.34%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We found that over 30% of patients with newly diagnosed cardiac or vascular disease initiated CM use, while 73.5% of prior CM users continued. This finding highlights the need for healthcare professionals to carefully assess the risk-to-benefit ratio of CM use alongside WMs for patients with cardiac or vascular-related diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"216"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12217369/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144552225","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":"Factors influencing the intention to use Thai traditional medical postpartum care among pregnant and postpartum women in Bangkok: a cross-sectional study.","authors":"Lunlalin Sirichai, Kamolwan Leenatom, Cathariya Jiranorrawat, Chutiwan Chaichana, Nuchanad Hounnaklang","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04960-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04960-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Thai traditional medical postpartum care (TMPC) has been an integral part of traditional practices in Thailand for centuries, offering benefits such as bodily restoration and alleviation of postpartum symptoms. Despite its recognized advantages, the utilization of TMPC has currently declined. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the intention to use TMPC among pregnant and postpartum women in Bangkok.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study utilizing a self-administered questionnaire was conducted between September and December 2023 across four hospitals. The data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with the intention to use TMPC.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 485 participants, 55.9% expressed an intention to use TMPC (95%CI: 51.3-60.2%). A secondary education or a vocational certificate (AOR = 3.21, CI 1.30-7.95), a bachelor's degree or higher (AOR = 4.00, CI 1.51-10.58), sufficient income and savings (AOR = 2.11, CI 1.05-4.23), having used TMPC (AOR = 2.88, CI 1.51-5.49), subjective norm scores greater than the 50th percentile (AOR = 1.98, CI 1.17-3.36), and perceived behavioral control scores greater than the 50th percentile (AOR = 4.04, CI 2.44-6.69) were positive factors associated with the intention to use TMPC.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The significant factors of intention to use TMPC were education level, financial situation, prior experience with TMPC, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Our findings provide the Thai government with important information that they may use to further their campaigns to encourage usage, such as incorporating services of TMPC, like breast massage and herbal compress, into their usual procedures for postpartum women before discharging hospitals so that they can gain a pleasant experience with Thai traditional medicine.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial number: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"214"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12218820/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144538588","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":"Melatonin as a potential adjuvant to mitigate depakine‑induced testicular damage in rats through its biological features.","authors":"Maggie E Amer, Mohamed A Dardoor, Azza I Othman, Mohamed A El-Missiry","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04969-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04969-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Depakine (valproic acid) is an antiepileptic medication that is commonly used as a first-line treatment for a variety of seizures in both adults and children. However, it can result in testicular toxicity by increasing oxidative stress inflammation. Melatonin (MLT) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic potential. Therefore, the present study investigated the impact of MLT on depakine-induced testicular damage in rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four groups of male Wistar rats were formed, each of 5 animals: Group 1 was the control group; Group 2 was the MLT-treated group, receiving 20 mg MLT/kg BW; Group 3 was the depakine group, receiving 45 mg/kg; and Group 4 was the MLT + depakine treatment group, which received MLT and depakine for 14 days. Drug treatments were by gavage and daily.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Coadministration of MLT and depakine significantly (P < 0.001) improved the levels of testosterone and the expression of androgen receptors in the testes, explaining the improvement of sperm count, motility, and abnormalities. Similarly, spermatogenic cell depletion and shrinkage of seminiferous tubules were prevented by MLT + depakine treatment. Moreover, the testicles of rats given MLT + depakine had common histological architecture of seminiferous tubules, perimeter, and diameter, indicating melatonin's anti-reproductive disruption. The combined treatment with MLT and dapakine resulted in the normalization of hematological parameters, including erythrocyte, platelet, and leukocyte counts; hematocrit content; mean cellular volume; mean cellular hemoglobin; and mean cellular hemoglobin concentration to levels comparable to the control group. These effects were associated with the enhancement of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 and glutathione levels. Moreover, reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde formation were decreased in the testis compared to the depakine-treated rats, indicating improvement in the redox status in the testis. The improvement of redox balance caused a remarkable regression of apoptotic regulating proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3) in the testis and downregulated inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, ICAM-1, and MCP-1), indicating protection of spermatogenic cell viability.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The combination treatment with MLT and depakine sustained male reproductive status, which can be attributable to the integrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties of MLT. These results may contribute to increase the clinical utility of depakine as a successful choice for neurological disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"213"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12199515/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144494641","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":"Raw and boiled ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) inclusive diet improves fertility parameters in high cholesterol diet-induced obese rats.","authors":"Akomolafe Seun Funmilola, Atoyebi David Ayodeji","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04948-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04948-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Obesity has been implicated in reproductive problems, particularly in male functionality disorder while the therapeutic effects of ginger have been owing to its pharmacological activities.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The study compares ginger-inclusive diet effects on fertility parameters in obese rats.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Rats were given a high-cholesterol diet to induce obesity. The rats were split up into seven separate groups (n = 10): healthy control rats fed basal diet; obese untreated rats fed high cholesterol diet (HCD); reference drug-treated obese rats, clomiphene citrate (CC, 2 mg/kg BW/day); obese rats fed high cholesterol diet supplemented with 2% Raw Ginger (RG); obese rats fed high cholesterol diet supplemented with 4% RG; obese rats fed high cholesterol diet supplemented with 2% Boiled Ginger (BG); obese rats fed high cholesterol diet supplemented with 4% BG for twenty-four weeks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A diet supplemented with raw and boiled ginger fed to obese rats increased adiponectin, estradiol, glycogen, enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidant levels with a concomitant reduction in leptin, lipid peroxidation and testicular cholesterol levels. Both raw and boiled ginger supplementation led to reductions in body weight of the obese rats. Furthermore, raw and boiled ginger improved sperm quality in obese rats by increasing sperm count, motility, viability and normality. Raw and boiled ginger also increased 3β and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities as well as follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and testosterone levels. In addition, both raw and boiled ginger increased Leydig cells and sperm cells while decreasing adipocyte size in the histological architecture of the testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study found that both raw and boiled ginger-supplemented diets improved sexual function in obese rats by modulating metabolic hormones, sperm parameters, steroidogenic enzymes, and reproductive hormones, with the boiled ginger treatment outperforming the raw ginger treatment. As a result, we believe that boiled ginger, in addition to its effect on body weight regulation, may be useful in the treatment of obesity-induced male reproductive problems.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"209"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12147381/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144257327","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":"Mitigation of radiation mediated testicular dysfunction by α-tocopheryl succinate: PPAR-γ related pathway.","authors":"Heba A Gheita, Ghada M Shafey, Maha M Aziz, Noha A Fadel","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04950-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04950-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Radiation exposure of sensitive organs during radiotherapy merits extraordinary consideration, particularly when the concern is about fertility. Although alpha-tocopheryl (vitamin E) is a potent antioxidant, many studies have demonstrated the radioprotective impact of alpha-tocopheryl acetate ester, emphasizing its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects; fewer studies were conducted using the succinate ester without any declaration of its anti-inflammatory effect in the concerned pathology. Accordingly, the current study was conducted to evaluate the dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory role of alpha-tocopheryl succinate (α-TCS) in reproductive toxicity induced by gamma-irradiation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Animals were subjected to 6 Gy of whole-body gamma radiation and received α-TCS (200 mg/kg, P.O.) pre- and post-radiation. After the termination of the experiment, serum testosterone was estimated, and the testis weight was recorded. Besides, the testicular content of oxidative balance markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)] and inflammatory response markers [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ)] were assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Irradiated (IR) rats showed disturbances in the testicular function and abnormal incidental lesions, as demonstrated in the histopathological examinations. They exhibited marked alterations in the testicular oxidative balance, verified by the rise of lipid peroxidation end product (MDA) and depletion of antioxidant enzymes (CAT and SOD). Also, radiation exposure triggered an inflammatory response, which was evidenced by suppression of PPAR-γ and intensified expression of NF-κB p65 subunit, with subsequent elevation in IL-1β testicular content. Conversely, administering α-TCS to IR rats maintained the testicular architecture and ultrastructure while also preserving testicular function. Treatment with α-TCS restored the oxidative balance (MDA, SOD and CAT) and reduced testicular content of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β via interference with the NF-κB p65/ PPAR-γ signaling pathway.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The current study sheds light on the crucial radioprotective role of α-TCS as a PPAR-γ agonist in maintaining testicular function partially through suppressing NF-κB activation and its downstream pro-inflammatory mediators.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"211"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12147379/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144257326","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":"Traditional contraceptive practices: survey of medicinal plants used to control birth in four states in Nigeria.","authors":"Mutiat B Ibrahim, Akinniyi S Odewo, Bilqis A Lawal, Oluseye F Oyedeji, Noimot A Balogun, Wakilat A Tijani, Abdullahi S Abdulraheem, Jubril Shafiyi, Margaret O Ilomuanya","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04935-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04935-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although modern contraceptive practices are actively advocated, many individuals continue to rely on traditional medicines for contraception due to their perceived safety. The open-ended questionnaire used in this study sought to gain insights into contraceptive practices from traditional providers' perspectives. Herb sellers and herbal practitioners from four yoruba-speaking states in Nigeria-Kwara, Lagos, Oyo, and Osun-were interviewed. Data from questionnaires were analyzed via descriptive and inferential statistics. Quantitative analysis was done using the informant consensus factor (ICF) and relative frequency of citation (RFC) indices. A total of 31 species were recorded across the study areas. Kwara had the highest diversity, with 20 plant species, followed by Lagos (16), Oyo (10) and Osun (4). The ICF value recorded across the study areas was 0.7, with the most frequently cited species for female and male contraception varying by location. Carica papaya had RFC values of 0.58 in Oyo and 0.44 in Osun, while Mucuna pruriens recorded 0.30 in Lagos and Jatropha gossypiifolia had 0.27 in Kwara. The plant species were mostly prepared in combination forms, with seeds and leaves being the most used parts. These were administered as herbal contraceptive decoctions, powders, or worn as contraceptive rings or waist beads. A statistically significant difference existed between the plant form, the education level of participants, and having patients seeking contraception. In conclusion, this survey underscores the diverse range of medicinal plant species used for contraception. Further research is essential to validate their efficacy and understand the mechanisms of herbal contraceptives.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"210"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12147339/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144257329","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":"Anti-oxidative effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge fermented with Shiraia bambusicola Henn. against H₂O₂-induced injury in PC12 cells.","authors":"Qiaona Wang, Canhe Zhu, Zhaoran Song, Yunfa Qiao, Yuefeng Hu, Liyun Hu, Shengjie Li, Renlei Wang","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04956-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04956-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The objective of this investigation was to produce fermented solid-state products of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (SMB) utilizing Shiraia bambusicola Henn. (FSSMB). Additionally, it was intended to further explore toxicity-reducing potential and antioxidant effects of FSSMB ethanol extract against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress in rat pheochromocytoma cell line 12 (PC12).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PC12 cells were pre-treated with SMB or FSSMB ethanol extract for 24 h, followed by exposure to 1 mmol/L H₂O₂ for 3 h to induce oxidative stress. Subsequently, the cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, p-p38/p38 and p-JNK/JNK proteins were assessed. Additionally, the content of antioxidant, including tanshinones (tanshinone I, tanshinone IIA, dihydrotanshinone, and cryptotanshinone) and salvianolic acids (danshensu, rosmarinic acid, lithospermic acid, and salvianolic acid B) were quantified by HPLC in SMB and FSSMB.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Here, we found that FSSMB exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to SMB in PC12 cells, and FSSMB instead of SMB significantly increased cell viability in H₂O₂-induced PC12 cells. Notably, FSSMB exhibited superior antioxidant properties in H₂O₂-induced PC12 cells, as evidenced by reduced levels of ROS, MDA, and enhanced SOD activity compared to SMB. Mechanistically, FSSMB reversed H₂O₂-induced increase of phosphorylation of p38 and JNK protein in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, thereby protecting PC12 cells from oxidative stress-induced injury. Furthermore, we found a significant increase of tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone content, accompanied by decreased levels of tanshinone I, dihydrotanshinone and salvianolic acids in FSSMB compared to SMB.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study explores a new biological transformation approach through solid-state fermentation (SSF) with Shiraia bambusicola Henn. on SMB. This study demonstrated that the SSF may reduce the cytotoxicity and enhance the antioxidant capacity of SMB in PC12 cells, thus paving the way for safer and more efficacious applications in the future. FSSMB may be an effective substitute for traditional Chinese medicine SMB for resistance to oxidative stress.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"208"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12147247/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144257325","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 role of traditional medicine in providing palliative care and improving the quality of life: a survey on patients' knowledge and utilization in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana.","authors":"Antwi Joseph Barimah, Kofi Bobi Barimah, James Dumba, Yaw Boakye Nketiah, Adom-Brobbey David, Tampuri Sheena Mmaa, Asantewaa Nancy Ntow, Owusu Kwadwo","doi":"10.1186/s12906-025-04961-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-025-04961-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the utilization of traditional medicine items exceeds that of conventional medications by two to three times on a global scale. Ghana's health system has seen numerous changes and revolutions since gaining political independence, but the nation still struggles to offer its rapidly expanding population an adequate, suitable, complete, and efficient healthcare system. This study assessed the role of traditional medicine in providing palliative care and improving the quality of life while focusing on patients' knowledge and utilization.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed for the study. The study population consisted of patients who were receiving traditional medical treatment for health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension in the Kumasi metropolitan area. A multi-stage sampling technique was deployed in the study of which 440 participants made up the total sample.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The findings of the study revealed that a substantial proportion of patients (81.04%) demonstrated a strong knowledge of traditional medicine within the context of palliative care. Awareness of traditional medicine was universal among participants (100%), with herbal medicine being the most commonly recognized form (97.39%). Additionally, nearly all participants (99.53%) acknowledged the potential role of traditional medicine in palliative care and affirmed its accessibility (98.82%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients extensively used alternative medicine and showed strong contentment with its success, noting notable enhancements in their health. A lot of people suggest converting traditional medicine into modern dosage forms in order to improve health outcomes and quality of life.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"25 1","pages":"212"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12147286/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144257328","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}