BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies最新文献

{"title":"Biofilm inhibition by silver nanoparticles produced from Stachys spectabilis.","authors":"Ayşe Karacalı Tunç, Esma Nur Gecer, Ramazan Erenler, Mahdi Marzi","doi":"10.1186/s12906-026-05438-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-026-05438-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has emerged as an environmentally friendly approach for developing novel antimicrobial materials. Although several Stachys species have been investigated for their pharmacological properties, the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of AgNPs synthesized from Stachys spectabilis have not previously been evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of Stachys spectabilis-derived AgNPs against clinically relevant biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>AgNPs were fabricated through an aqueous green synthesis approach and characterized using standard analytical techniques. Antibacterial activity was assessed via liquid microdilution to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibiofilm activity was quantified using the crystal violet assay in 96-well microplates.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Disc diffusion results revealed measurable inhibition zones only in E. coli and P. aeruginosa (6 mm), corresponding largely to the disc diameter and indicating limited nanoparticle diffusion in agar. In contrast, MIC and MBC analyses demonstrated a clear concentration-dependent antibacterial effect: S. aureus showed the highest susceptibility with a MIC of 1024 µg/mL, while the remaining strains exhibited MICs of 2048 µg/mL. Consistently higher MBC values confirmed the inhibitory-to-bactericidal threshold. AgNPs also displayed substantial antibiofilm activity, achieving biomass reductions of 59.7% in P. aeruginosa, 57.0% in E. coli, 54.9% in S. aureus, and 40.1% in K. pneumoniae. Overall, the results demonstrate that although AgNPs exhibit limited diffusion in solid media, they possess concentration-dependent antibacterial and antibiofilm activity in liquid media.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The synthesized silver nanoparticles demonstrated substantial antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy despite their limited diffusion in solid media. While disc diffusion assays produced minimal inhibition zones, MIC and MBC analyses revealed concentration-dependent inhibitory and bactericidal effects, with S. aureus showing the greatest susceptibility. Additionally, significant reductions in biofilm biomass across all tested species indicate that AgNPs not only inhibit planktonic bacterial growth but also effectively disrupt established biofilms. These findings suggest that AgNPs hold considerable potential as alternative antimicrobial agents, particularly in applications where both planktonic and biofilm-associated bacterial forms must be controlled. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of Stachys spectabilis-derived AgNPs, highlighting their potential as sustainable antimicrobial agents for the control of biofilm-as","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13495403/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148257318","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":"Awareness and perception of the traditional methods of stroke management among stroke survivors in selected health facilities and traditional centers: a mixed method study.","authors":"Uchenna Prosper Okonkwo, Daniel Onyebuchukwu Osuya, Ebere Yvonne Ihegihu, Uchechukwu Martha Chukwuemeka, Ifeoma Adaigwe Amaechi, Uzoamaka Nwakego Akobundu, Nnaemeka Charles Ani","doi":"10.1186/s12906-026-05433-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-026-05433-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Traditional methods of stroke management are increasingly used in sub-Saharan Africa and encompass a wide range of practices.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To determine the level of awareness and perception of the traditional methods of stroke management among stroke survivors in Anambra State.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was a mixed-method embedded design (a research methodology combining qualitative and quantitative approaches in a single research) involving 106 stroke survivors recruited from selected health facilities and traditional stroke management centers in Anambra State. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics of mean, frequency, and standard deviation. The relationship between the sociodemographic variables and the study variables was analyzed using the Chi-square test. A structured questionnaire was used to assess stroke survivors' awareness and perception of traditional stroke management, with statistical significance set at α = 0.05Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the participants, 51 (48.1%) had moderate knowledge, while 85 (80.2%) demonstrated a positive perception of traditional methods of stroke management. There was a statistically significant association between awareness of traditional methods of stroke management and gender (X² = 7.9, df = 2, p = .019). Thematic analysis shows an overall high awareness and perception of the traditional method of management.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The participants have high awareness, positive perception and preference for traditional method of stroke management. Gender appears to influence participants' awareness and perception of traditional stroke management.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491640/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148249221","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":"Ameliorative effect of Annona muricata seed extract on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats: biochemical, histopathological, and in silico evidence of 5-alpha reductase inhibition.","authors":"Juliet Nwamaka Ozioko-Agbo, Daniel Emmanuel Ekpo, Christian Chijioke Amah, Michael Chinedu Chukwu, Parker Elijah Joshua, Lawrence Uchenna Sunday Ezeanyika","doi":"10.1186/s12906-026-05412-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-026-05412-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Annona muricata L., known for its medicinal properties, has been explored for its potential in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). While previous studies have noted its numerous health benefits, this research evaluated the therapeutic potential of seed extract of Annona muricata (SEAM) against BPH in rats by exploring in vivo and in silico approaches.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>SEAM extraction, phytochemical analysis, in vitro antioxidant activities, and acute toxicity were achieved using standard methods. Thirty male Wistar rats (weight: 158-192 g) were randomly divided into six groups of five rats each. The groups were assigned as follows: (1) normal control, (2) negative control, (3) positive control, and (4-6) experimental groups. BPH was induced in rats of groups (2-6) by subcutaneous injection of 3 mg/kg body weight (b.w) testosterone for 28 days, followed by daily oral treatment with 5 mg/kg b.w. Finasteride, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg b.w SEAM, respectively for 21 days. The effect of SEAM treatment on changes in rats' biochemical, hematological, and histological indices was assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Extraction of 3000 g of A. muricata seeds yielded 255.6 g SEAM. GC-MS analysis of SEAM revealed flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, and saponins. SEAM exhibited strong radical scavenging activity in vitro. BPH induction in rats triggered significant (p < 0.05) alterations in some biochemical, hematological and histological profiles of test rats. Notably, SEAM significantly (p <0.05) normalized altered levels of prostate-specific antigen, testosterone, antioxidant enzymes, and hematological parameters of treated rats, and is comparable to the standard drug, Finasteride. Molecular docking studies revealed strong binding interactions between SEAM phytochemicals and 5-alpha reductase, suggesting inhibition of this enzyme as a key mechanism of SEAM action.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our study not only confirms the therapeutic potential of SEAM in BPH management but also provides insights into novel biochemical pathways and molecular interactions. These findings indicate that SEAM possess significant anti-BPH property through antioxidant activity and 5-alpha reductase inhibitory activity, providing scientific validation for its potential as a natural remedy for BPH, and setting the stage for further mechanistic studies and clinical trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13483705/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148222569","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":"Association between acupuncture exposure and mortality in people with disabilities diagnosed with ischemic heart disease: a nationwide retrospective cohort study in the Republic of Korea.","authors":"Hyungsun Jun, Jae-Uk Sul, Moon Joo Cheong, Hae-Rim Kim, Inae Youn, Ye-Seul Lee, Jungtae Leem","doi":"10.1186/s12906-026-05434-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-026-05434-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>People with disabilities (PWDs) have higher incidence and mortality rates of cardiovascular disease than non-PWDs. Considering the mutual influence of cardiovascular diseases and disabilities, careful observation and complementary management beyond standard treatments are essential when ischemic heart disease (IHD) occurs in PWDs. This study investigated the association between acupuncture treatment and reduced mortality in PWDs diagnosed with IHD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using a database from the National Health Insurance Service of Korea, PWDs newly diagnosed with IHD were included in this study. Exposure to acupuncture treatment within one year after diagnosis was used to classify participants into the exposure and non-exposure groups, with follow-up for three years or until death. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for group imbalances, and survival analysis was conducted using the Cox proportional hazards model to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality. Dose-response and subgroup analyses were also performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After PSM, 38,157 PWDs were included in each group. The acupuncture group showed a significantly lower hazard of mortality, approximately 22% lower than that of the control group (adjusted HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.74-0.81). In the dose-response analysis, the group receiving the highest dose of acupuncture demonstrated the lowest hazard of mortality (adjusted HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.62-0.72). Most subgroups also showed a reduced mortality hazard in the acupuncture-treated groups, with the highest dose group exhibiting the lowest hazard.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study is a foundational investigation suggesting that acupuncture treatment is associated with reduced mortality in PWDs diagnosed with IHD. Although future research is needed to establish causality, acupuncture should be considered a beneficial option for managing IHD in PWDs.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13491670/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148238861","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":"Pistacia atlantica subsp. mutica essencial oil enhances proliferation and telomerase activity in senescent mesenchymal stem cells.","authors":"Nahid Askari, Amirhesan Yahyapour, Morvarid Bayat, Setayesh Sadat Hosseini","doi":"10.1186/s12906-026-05331-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-026-05331-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Aging impairs stem cell function, diminishing tissue regeneration. Dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells (DPSCs) hold significant regenerative potential but are susceptible to senescence. Natural compounds like essential oils (EOs) offer low-toxicity strategies to enhance stem cell function. This study evaluated the in vitro senescence-modulating effects at the cellular level effects of Pistacia atlantica subsp. mutica green hull essential oil (PaEO) on senescent DPSCs.</p><p><strong>Methods and results: </strong>PaEO was extracted via hydrodistillation and characterized by GC-MS, identifying 22 major components (e.g., limonene, linalool, thymol, α/β-pinene). DPSCs were isolated from healthy third molars, cultured, and treated with varying PaEO concentrations. MTT assay and population doubling time (PDT) assessed viability and proliferation. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining quantified senescent cells. Real-time PCR measured telomere-related genes (TRF1, RAP1). PaEO treatment significantly enhanced DPSC viability and proliferation dose-dependently. The highest concentration (1000 µg/mL) increased viability by 18% and reduced senescent cells (SA-β-gal positive) by 19.9%. Furthermore, PaEO upregulated the expression of TRF1 and RAP1 genes, indicating improved telomere maintenance and genomic stability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Pistacia atlantica subsp. mutica essential oil exhibits potent anti-senescence effects on DPSCs. It enhances cell viability and proliferation, reduces senescence markers, and modulates telomere-related gene expression. These findings suggest that PaEO exerts senescence-modulating effects at the cellular level in DPSCs. Further in vivo and clinical studies are warranted to validate these promising in vitro results.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13488230/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148222566","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":"Mechanistic evaluation of pachymic acid in breast cancer via network pharmacology and in vitro validation.","authors":"Yibing Zhou, Zhuotao Yang, Yuchen Duan, Yijie Cheng, Wenqian Xu, Bo Wang, Jingyuan Xu, Da Qian, Chaoshen Wu","doi":"10.1186/s12906-026-05420-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-026-05420-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breast cancer(BC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide, with current therapies often limited by toxicity and drug resistance. Pachymic acid (PA), a natural compound, demonstrates antitumor potential with relatively low systemic toxicity. However, its mechanism in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study aims to deeply explore the anti-tumor effect of PA on TNBC. The intersection targets of PA and BC were screened through multiple databases, and the key genes were determined through TCGA survival analysis. The potential mechanism was simulated and studied through methods such as network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics. Cell proliferation ability was evaluated by CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay. Cell migration and invasion abilities were detected by scratch assay and Transwell assay respectively. Gene expression levels were analyzed by qPCR and Western Blot, and the degree of lipid peroxidation was evaluated by malondialdehyde (MDA) assay.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Through multi-database screening and TCGA survival analysis, PTGS2, NOS2 and ABCB1 were identified as key targets. The TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 was used as the experimental model. PA significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that PA concurrently upregulates PTGS2 and NOS2 expression while downregulating ABCB1. Notably, the upregulation of PTGS2 was significantly correlated with increased lipid peroxidation, suggesting its crucial role in ferroptosis. The coordinated upregulation of NOS2 and downregulation of ABCB1 further enhanced cellular sensitivity to ferroptosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study is the first to reveal that PA induces ferroptosis in TNBC cells by regulating the PTGS2/NOS2/ABCB1 signaling axis, providing new potential targets for TNBC treatment. However, this study has limitations, as validation has been conducted only at the cellular level and not yet confirmed in animal models or clinical samples. Future research should validate this mechanism in more TNBC models and across different molecular subtypes of breast cancer to promote the clinical application of PA.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13471631/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148204043","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 financial burden resulting from complementary and alternative medicine in oncology care.","authors":"Sarunas Bagdonas, Louisa Schäfer, Clemens Wolf, Jutta Hübner","doi":"10.1186/s12906-026-05417-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-026-05417-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used by oncology patients to manage symptoms, reduce stress, and improve quality of life. Unlike conventional treatments, CAM is rarely reimbursed in Germany, resulting in significant out-of-pocket costs. These expenses may contribute to financial burden and financial toxicity, yet this dimension remains understudied.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This multicenter, open-label, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024. A standardized anonymous questionnaire collected demographic, socioeconomic, and medical data, CAM utilization, out-of-pocket expenditures, and distress levels (NCCN Distress Thermometer). Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Pearson correlations, and independent t-tests were applied.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 209 patients (median age 62.6 years, 52.6% female) participated; 57.4% reported CAM use. Female patients were more likely than males to use CAM (p < 0.001). Among CAM users, 71.7% incurred out-of-pocket expenses, averaging €124/month for women and €153/month for men. Expenditures were highest among patients with hematological malignancies (€229/month). A strong positive correlation was observed between the number of CAM modalities used and monthly costs (p < 0.001). No significant difference in distress was found between CAM users and non-users; however, female CAM users reported lower distress than their male counterparts (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CAM use is common among German oncology patients and generates substantial out-of-pocket costs, particularly in vulnerable subgroups. When combined with cancer-related income loss, these expenditures increase financial burden and may contribute to financial toxicity. Integrative oncology models, reimbursement strategies, and patient counseling are essential to mitigate economic vulnerability and ensure equitable access to supportive care.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"26 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13242131/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148175458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The effect of stress ball use on stress, sleep quality, and comfort in individuals receiving hemodialysis: a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Ayse Kacaroglu Vicdan, Dilek Gibyeli Genek","doi":"10.1186/s12906-026-05429-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-026-05429-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hemodialysis often leads to various physiological, psychological, and social challenges for individuals receiving this treatment. This study was conducted to determine the effects of stress ball use on stress, sleep quality, and comfort levels in individuals receiving hemodialysis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 57 patients (28 experimental, 29 control) receiving treatment at a hemodialysis unit in western Türkiye between February and April 2024. Participants were selected using a simple random sampling method from the eligible patient population. The stress ball intervention was administered three times weekly during hemodialysis sessions for 15 min each session, totaling 12 sessions. The control group received standard hemodialysis treatment and nursing care. The study data were collected using a Patient Assessment Form, the Perceived Stress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Hemodialysis Comfort Scale Version II.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was no significant difference in pre-test PSS scores between the experimental and control groups (p > 0.05), whereas post-test scores were significantly lower in the experimental group (p < 0.05). For the PSQI, pre-test scores differed significantly between the groups (p < 0.05), but no significant difference was found in post-test scores (p > 0.05). Within-group analysis showed a significant decrease in the experimental group (p < 0.05), while no change was observed in the control group (p > 0.05). ANCOVA confirmed that adjusted post-test PSQI scores were lower in the experimental group (p < 0.05), indicating improved sleep quality. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in HDCS-II total or subscale scores at either measurement point (p > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conslusion: </strong>This study shows that the use of stress balls reduces the perceived stress levels of individuals receiving hemodialysis treatment while enhancing their sleep quality and comfort levels.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06835998). The date of registration is 2025-02-19 (Retrospectively registered).</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13317300/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148175477","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":"Developing evidence-based Korean medicine clinical practice guidelines for pediatric anorexia.","authors":"Juhui Han, Sun Haeng Lee, Miran Bang, Boram Lee, Gyu Tae Chang","doi":"10.1186/s12906-026-05427-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-026-05427-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pediatric anorexia is a common condition that can adversely affect the physical growth, nutritional status, and psychosocial development of children. Despite the clinical relevance of Korean medicine, standardized treatment guidelines rooted in the same have not yet been established. This study aimed to develop evidence-based Korean Medicine Clinical Practice Guidelines (KM-CPGs) for pediatric anorexia to support clinical decision-making and ensure safe and effective care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The KM-CPG were developed using evidence-based methodologies, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and expert consensus (Delphi method). The level of evidence and grade of recommendation were derived using the grading of recommendation assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 15 key recommendations were derived for Korean medicine interventions, which included herbal medicine, acupuncture, Chuna manual therapy, and acupoint herbal patching, either as monotherapies or in combination with conventional medicine. Most Korean medicine interventions showed moderate to low levels of evidence, but demonstrated meaningful improvements in anorexia-related outcomes, with a low risk of adverse events.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The KM-CPG for pediatric anorexia present standardized, evidence-based guidance on Korean medicine treatments and may serve as a foundation for improved clinical care and further research.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13455233/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148175419","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":"Family traditions, accessibility and cost shape the continued reliance on Cajanus cajan and Azadirachta indica for malaria and typhoid despite prescription medicines in urban and rural Nsukka, Nigeria.","authors":"Emmanuel E Osayi, Dilibe C Urama, Angela N Amujiri, Ruth A Agyo, Abdifatah Ahmed A Afyare, Felix A Andong","doi":"10.1186/s12906-026-05426-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-026-05426-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite the availability of conventional drugs, the use of medicinal plants for typhoid and malaria remains widespread in Nigeria. This study investigated the indigenous use of Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) and Azadirachta indica (neem) in rural and urban Nsukka. We assessed: (i) socio-demographic factors influencing knowledge and use; (ii) the association between treatment practices and perceived efficacy; and (iii) socio-economic drivers of continued reliance on these herbal remedies. A cross-sectional survey of 400 respondents selected via stratified random sampling (200 urban, 200 rural) was conducted using structured questionnaires, where the primary outcome of this study was current herbal use, while knowledge was treated as a secondary outcome. Data were analyzed using generalized linear models (GLMs) and multinomial logistic regression (MLR) in R Statistical Software (version 4.3.0). Results indicated that rural residents relied more on herbal remedies due to accessibility, affordability, and family traditions, while urban respondents, despite higher education levels, also used herbal extracts and often alternated them with prescription drugs. Residence, occupation, and age were significant predictors of knowledge and use (P < 0.05), whereas education was not. Nonetheless, perceived efficacy and high prescription costs further sustained herbal use. While these findings highlight socio-cultural and economic factors sustaining herbal medicine use, they also support the need for public health education and integration of evidence-based traditional practices into primary healthcare to ensure safer use. However, the cross-sectional design limits causal inference. Future studies should combine questionnaire-based surveys with laboratory-based assessments.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13449695/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148155349","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}