BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies最新文献

{"title":"Synergistic effect of curcumin and tamoxifen loaded in pH-responsive gemini surfactant nanoparticles on breast cancer cells.","authors":"Zeinab Fotouhi Ashin, Sanam Sadeghi-Mohammadi, Zahra Vaezi, Farhood Najafi, Shaghayegh AdibAmini, Majid Sadeghizadeh, Hossein Naderi-Manesh","doi":"10.1186/s12906-024-04631-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04631-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Drug combination therapy is preferred over monotherapy in clinical research to improve therapeutic effects. Developing a new nanodelivery system for cancer drugs can reduce side effects and provide several advantages, including matched pharmacokinetics and potential synergistic activity. This study aimed to examine and determine the efficiency of the gemini surfactants (GSs) as a pH-sensitive polymeric carrier and cell-penetrating agent in cancer cells to achieve dual drug delivery and synergistic effects of curcumin (Cur) combined with tamoxifen citrate (TMX) in the treatment of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human BC cell lines.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The synthesized NPs were self-assembled using a modified nanoprecipitation method. The functional groups and crystalline form of the nanoformulation were examined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) used to assess zeta potential and particle size, and the morphological analysis determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The anticancer effect was evaluated through an in vitro cytotoxicity MTT assay, flow cytometry analysis, and apoptosis analysis performed for mechanism investigation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The tailored NPs were developed with a size of 252.3 ± 24.6 nm and zeta potential of 18.2 ± 4.4 mV capable of crossing the membrane of cancer cells. The drug loading and release efficacy assessment showed that the loading of TMX and Cur were 93.84% ± 1.95% and 90.18% ± 0.56%, respectively. In addition, the drug release was more controlled and slower than the free state. Polymeric nanocarriers improved controlled drug release 72.19 ± 2.72% of Tmx and 55.50 ± 2.86% of Cur were released from the Tmx-Cur-Gs NPs after 72 h at pH = 5.5. This confirms the positive effect of polymeric nanocarriers on the controlled drug release mechanism. moreover, the toxicity test showed that combination-drug delivery was much more greater than single-drug delivery in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Cellular imaging showed excellent internalization of TMX-Cur-GS NPs in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and synergistic anticancer effects, with combination indices of 0.561 and 0.353, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The combined drug delivery system had a greater toxic effect on cell lines than single-drug delivery. The synergistic effect of TMX and Cur with decreasing inhibitory concentrations could be a more promising system for BC-targeted therapy using GS NPs.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"24 1","pages":"337"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11415995/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142280268","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":"Network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro study on Aspilia pluriseta against prostate cancer.","authors":"Innocent Oluwaseun Okpako, Florence Atieno Ng'ong'a, Cleophas Mutinda Kyama, Sospeter Ngoci Njeru","doi":"10.1186/s12906-024-04642-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04642-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Current prostate cancer treatments are associated with life-threatening side effects, prompting the search for effective and safer alternatives. Aspilia pluriseta Schweinf. ex Engl. has previously shown anticancer activity in lung and liver cancer cell lines. This study investigated its potential for prostate cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A crude extract of A. pluriseta root was prepared using dichloromethane/methanol (1:1 v/v) and partitioned into hexane, ethyl acetate, and water fractions. The MTT assay was used to assess the antiproliferative activity of the fractions. The active fractions were tested at 6.25-200 µg/ml on human prostate cancer DU-145 cells and non-cancerous Vero E6 cells. Qualitative phytochemical and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were conducted to identify chemical compounds. Network pharmacology was employed to predict molecular targets and modes of action of the identified chemical compounds, with subsequent validation through molecular docking and real-time PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Active extracts included crude dichloromethane/methanol, hexane, and ethyl acetate fractions, inhibiting DU-145 cell proliferation with IC₅₀ values of 16.94, 20.06, and 24.14 µg/ml, respectively. Selectivity indices were determined to be 6.04 (crude), 3.62 (hexane), and 6.68 (ethyl acetate). Identified phytochemicals comprised phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, sterols, and saponins. GC-MS analysis revealed seventy-nine (79) compounds, with seven (7) meeting ideal drug candidate parameters; their hub gene targets included MAPK3, MAPK1, IL6, TP53, ESR1, PTGS2, MMP9, MDM2, AR, and MAP2K1, implicating regulation of PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and p53 signaling pathways as potential modes of action. Core compounds such as 1-heneicosanol, lanosterol, andrographolide, and retinoic acid exhibited strong binding activities, particularly lanosterol with MAPK21 (-9.7 kcal/mol), ESR1 (-8.9 kcal/mol), and MAPK3 (-8.8 kcal/mol). Treatment with A. pluriseta downregulated AR expression and upregulated p53, while also downregulating CDK1 and BCL-2 and upregulating caspase-3.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A. pluriseta extracts inhibited DU-145 cell growth without causing cellular toxicity, suggesting great potential for development as an anti-prostate cancer agent. However, further in vitro and in vivo experiments are recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"24 1","pages":"338"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11416023/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142280267","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 effectiveness of phytosomal curcumin on clinical and laboratory parameters of patients with multiple trauma admitted to the intensive care unit: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.","authors":"Mahdiye Mirjalili, Amirhossein Sahebkar, Shirin Hassanizadeh, Zahra Kiani, Davood Soleimani, Sepide Amini, Babak Alikiaii, Seyed Adel Moallem, Gholamreza Askari, Saeed Abbasi, Mohammad Bagherniya","doi":"10.1186/s12906-024-04639-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04639-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Multiple trauma has serious complications, which increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in the patients. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of supplementation with phytosomal curcumin on clinical and laboratory factors in critically ill patients with multiple trauma.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this double-blind trial, 53 patients with multiple trauma, who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were randomized to receive either 2 capsules, each capsule containing 250 mg phytosomal (a total of 500 mg daily) as an intervention group or 2 identical capsules (placebo capsules), each containing 250 mg maltodextrin for 7 days. Clinical and laboratory were parameters assessed before and after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After seven days of intervention, the mean increase from baseline in the Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score was significantly higher in the curcumin compared with the placebo group (P-value: 0.028), while the reduction in the APACHE-II score in the curcumin group was greater than that the placebo group in a marginally non-significant fashion (P-value: 0.055). Serum total bilirubin (P-value: 0.036) and quantitative C-reactive protein (CRP) (P-value: 0.044) levels significantly decreased while potassium (P-value: 0.01) significantly increased in the curcumin compared with the placebo group. Moreover, supplementation with phytosomal curcumin significantly increased platelet count (P-value: 0.024) as compared with placebo. The 28-day mortality rate was 7.7% (n: 2 patients) and 3.7% (n: 1 patients) in the placebo and curcumin groups, respectively (P-value > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Phytosomal curcumin had beneficial effects on several clinical and laboratory factors including GCS, APACHEII, serum total bilirubin, CRP, and platelet count in ICU-admitted patients with multiple trauma.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>IRCT20090306001747N1, Available on: https://www.irct.ir/trial/52692 . The first registration date was 12/01/2021.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"24 1","pages":"335"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11406936/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142280269","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":"Baicalin relieves complement alternative pathway activation-induced lung inflammation through inhibition of NF-κB pathway.","authors":"Jiao Li, Qi-Yun Zhang, Qing-Yu Lu, Qiao-Zhou Liu, Li Guo, Min Li, Qian-Yun Sun","doi":"10.1186/s12906-024-04622-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04622-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Acute lung injury (ALI) as one kind of acute pulmonary inflammatory disorder, manifests primarily as damage to alveolar epithelial cells and microvascular endothelial cells. Activation of the complement system is a common pathological mechanism in ALI induced by diverse factors, with the complement alternative pathway assuming a pivotal role. Baicalin, a flavonoid derived from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, exhibits noteworthy biological activities. The present study attempted the interventional effects and underlying mechanisms of baicalin in microangiopathy in ALI induced by complement alternative pathway activation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Activation of the complement alternative pathway by cobra venom factor (CVF). HMEC cells were pretreated with baicalin and then exposed to complement activation products. The expression of inflammatory mediators was detected by ELISA, and the intranuclear transcriptional activity of NF-κB was assessed by a dual fluorescent kinase reporter gene assay kit. Before establishing the ALI mouse model, baicalin or PDTC was gavaged for 7 d. CVF was injected into the tail vein to establish the ALI model. The levels of inflammatory mediators in BALF and serum were determined by ELISA. HE staining and immunohistochemistry evaluated pathological changes, complement activation product deposition, and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation in lung tissue.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Baicalin reduced complement alternative activation product-induced expression of HMEC cells adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin) and cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) as well as upregulation of NF-κB intranuclear transcriptional activity. Baicalin intervention reduced the number of inflammatory cells and protein content in the BALF and decreased the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and ICAM-1 in serum and IL-6, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and P-selectin in BLAF. In addition, baicalin attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung of ALI mice and reduced the deposition of complement activation products (C5a, C5b-9) and phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 in lung tissue.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Baicalin relieves complement alternative pathway activation-induced lung inflammation by inhibition of NF-κB pathway, delaying the progression of ALI.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"24 1","pages":"334"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11395835/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142280254","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":"Cytotoxic properties, glycolytic effects and high-resolution respirometry mitochondrial activities of Eriocephalus racemosus against MDA-MB 231 triple-negative breast cancer.","authors":"Francis Adu-Amankwaah, Candice Februarie, Kudakwashe Nyambo, Gerald Maarman, Ndivhuwo Tshililo, Lawrence Mabasa, Vuyo Mavumengwana, Lucinda Baatjies","doi":"10.1186/s12906-024-04615-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-024-04615-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a significant global health crisis due to its resistance to conventional therapies and lack of specific molecular targets. This study explored the potential of Eriocephalus racemosus (E. racemosus) as an alternative treatment for TNBC. The cytotoxic properties and high-resolution respirometry mitochondrial activities of E. racemosus against the MDA-MB 231 TNBC cell line were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Hexane solvent and bioactive fraction extractions of E. racemosus were performed, while mass spectrometry-based metabolite profiling was used to identify the phytochemical constituents of the extracts. The extracts were further tested against MDA-MB 231 TNBC cells to determine their cytotoxicity. The mode of cell death was determined using flow cytometry. The activities of caspases 3, 8, and 9 were assessed using a multiplex activity assay kit. Glycolytic activity and High-resolution respirometry measurements of mitochondrial function in the MDA-MB 231 cell line were conducted using the Seahorse XFp and Oroboros O2K.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Metabolite profiling of E. racemosus plant crude extracts identified the presence of coumarins, flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, and unknown compounds. The extracts demonstrated promising cytotoxic activities, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 12.84 µg/mL for the crude hexane extract and 15.49 µg/mL for the bioactive fraction. Further, the crude hexane and bioactive fraction extracts induced apoptosis in the MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells, like the reference drug cisplatin (17.44%, 17.26% and 20.25%, respectively) compared to untreated cells. Caspase 3 activities confirmed the induction of apoptosis in both cisplatin and the plant crude extracts, while caspase 8 and 9 activities confirmed the activation of both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways. Increased levels of glycolytic activity were observed in the hexane crude extract. High-resolution respiratory measurements showed elevated mitochondrial activities in all mitochondrial states except for complex-IV activity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings support further exploration of E. racemosus as a potential therapeutic agent for TNBC, offering a promising avenue for the development of targeted treatments with minimal adverse effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"24 1","pages":"332"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11389270/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142280265","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":"Use and perception of risk: traditional medicines of Pakistani immigrants in Norway.","authors":"Saliha Khalid, Agnete Egilsdatter Kristoffersen, Lise-Merete Alpers, Christine Råheim Borge, Samera Azeem Qureshi, Trine Stub","doi":"10.1186/s12906-024-04620-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-024-04620-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pakistani immigrants are the largest non-Western ethnic minority group in Norway. Traditional medicines (TM) are extensively used in Pakistan, and studies show that ethnic minorities also use them to recover from illness after migration to the Western world. This study aims to explore Pakistani immigrants' experiences and perceptions of risk regarding the use of TM to treat illnesses.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study was conducted through in-depth interviews (n = 24) with Pakistani immigrants in Norway from February to March 2023. Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling methods. The data was analyzed using Braun & Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) using Nvivo.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>RTA revealed three main themes and six sub-themes. The main themes were: (a) House of knowledge, (b) Choosing the best possible approach for health restoration, and (c) Adverse effects of TM used. A total of 96 different TM were identified, including herbs, food items, animal products, minerals, herbal products, and ritual remedies. All participants used TM to restore health in acute and chronic diseases, and many used TM along with conventional medicines. The participants' mothers were the primary source of knowledge about TM, and they passed it on to the next generation. They also frequently used religious knowledge to recover from illness. Although TM is considered safe because of its natural origin, some participants experienced adverse effects of TM, but none of them reported it to the health authorities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study helps to understand the experiences and perceptions of risk of Pakistani immigrants in Norway regarding traditional practices for treating health complaints. Public health policies to improve the health of these immigrants should consider the importance of TM in their lives. Further research is necessary to explore the safety and toxicity of those TM that are common in Pakistani households in Norway.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"24 1","pages":"331"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11380776/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142145125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Sitting Baduanjin exercise on early rehabilitation of sepsis patients with non-invasive ventilation : a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Ming-Gui Chen, Fangfang Wang, Lixia Huang, Tingjie Qi, Hanhua Guo, Rui-Xiang Zeng, Xiaoyan Li, Haizhen Chen, Min-Zhou Zhang, Liheng Guo, Xiaoxuan Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s12906-024-04626-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-024-04626-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>For patients with sepsis receiving non-invasive ventilation (NIV), early rehabilitation is crucial. The Sitting Baduanjin (SBE) is an efficient early rehabilitation exercise suitable for bed patients. There is no consensus about the effect of SBE on the early rehabilitation of septic patients with NIV. This study focused on how the SBE affected the early rehabilitation of sepsis patients with NIV.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>96 sepsis patients with NIV were randomly assigned to either an Baduanjin group that received the SBE based on the routine rehabilitation exercise (n = 48) or a control group (n = 48) that received routine rehabilitation exercise. The primary outcome was the Medical Research Council(MRC)score, and the Barthel Index score, the duration of NIV, length of ICU stay, length of total stay, hospitalization expense as secondary outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 245 sepsis patients were screened, with 96 randomly assigned. The study was completed by 90 patients out of the 96 participants.Results revealed that the MRC score increased in both groups, but the improvement of muscle strength in Baduanjin group was more obvious, with statistical significance (p < 0.001).There was statistically significantly difference between the two groups in Barthel Index at the day of transfer out of ICU(P = 0.028).The patients in the Baduanjin group had an average reduction of 24.09 h in the duration of NIV and 3.35 days in total length of hospital stay compared with the control group (p < 0.05).Of note, the Baduanjin group had significantly reduction the total hospitalization expense. No serious adverse events occurred during the intervention period.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In patients with sepsis, the SBE appears to improve muscle strength and activities of daily living (ADL), and lowed the duration of NIV, the length of the total stay, and the hospitalization expense.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>The study registered on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( www.chictr.org.cn ), Clinical Trials identifier ChiCTR1800015011 (28/02/2018).</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"24 1","pages":"330"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11378565/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142145124","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 hepatorenal protective effects of silymarin in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.","authors":"Safoora Sadat Erfanian, Hourieh Ansari, Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard, Zahra Amini, Ali Hajigholami","doi":"10.1186/s12906-024-04627-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-024-04627-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases globally that may have side effects on liver and renal function. Pharmacological treatments to reduce adverse liver and renal effects are still limited. It has been proposed that silymarin may possess hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. The present trial aims to assess the hepatorenal protective efficacy of silymarin supplementation in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in an outpatient setting.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This is a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial that recruited female breast cancer patients. Participants were randomly assigned to one placebo group and two intervention groups. The control group received 140 mg of placebo daily, while the two intervention groups received 140 mg silymarin daily. Follow-up assessments were conducted at baseline, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks. At the beginning of the study, the patients were subjected to a computed tomography (CT) scan, and the liver and renal parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine (Cr) were examined through laboratory tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Despite two deaths and three dropouts, 100 patients completed the study. Silymarin showed significant effects on liver enzymes in the levels of ALP and bilirubin (P < 0.05), with no significant impact on renal function in the levels of Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine (Cr) (P > 0.05). The medication was well-tolerated, with minimal reported side effects (P > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The study suggests that silymarin may have hepato-renal protective potential in breast cancer patients and improve patient tolerance to chemotherapy. The data presented on the efficacy and safety of silymarin may provide stronger foundation for further trials and for a possible use in clinical practice.</p><p><strong>Trial registration information: </strong>Registration Number: IRCT20201123049474N2, First Trial Registration: 16/08/2021, Access: https://www.irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/57641.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"24 1","pages":"329"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11375936/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142131835","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":"Effectiveness and safety of acupuncture as an adjunctive therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomised controlled trial.","authors":"Guixing Xu, Qin Luo, Mingsheng Sun, Liuyang Huang, Jiali Liu, Chunyan Yang, Qingsong Huang, Chan Xiong, Zuoqin Yang, Sha Yang, Fang Zeng, Fanrong Liang","doi":"10.1186/s12906-024-04630-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-024-04630-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture therapy to delay lung function decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether acupuncture, as an adjunctive therapy to COPD-guided medication, could prevent lung function decline.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This randomised, two-centre study was conducted between February 2022 and July 2023. Men and women aged 40-80 years with COPD were recruited. Participants received active or sham acupuncture three times a week (36 sessions total). The primary outcome was the change in the percentage of forced expiratory volume for 1 s to the predicted value (FEV1%) between the baseline and after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 238 participants were screened, and 74 (58 men [78.4%]; mean [standard deviation] age, 69.6 [7.2] years) were randomised into the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups (37 per group). After the intervention, the change in FEV1% was 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.47 to 3.17) and -2.44 (95% CI: -4.56 to -0.33) in the acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups, respectively. The difference was -3.97 (95% CI: -6.2 to -1.74), and the adjusted difference was -3.46 (95% CI: -5.69 to -1.24, P = 0.003) between the groups. A significantly less decline was found in forced expiratory volume for 1 s in the acupuncture group. All treatment-related adverse events (acupuncture = 11, sham = 2) were mild.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Compared with sham acupuncture, acupuncture plus medication may delay lung function decline. However, further studies with a larger sample size and longer-term follow-up are needed to clarify the effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"24 1","pages":"326"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11370288/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142124805","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":"How does the role of complementary and alternative medicine in general practice differ between countries? Interviews with doctors who have worked both in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.","authors":"Klaus Linde, Robert Bayer, Jan Gehrmann, Bianca Jansky","doi":"10.1186/s12906-024-04624-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12906-024-04624-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Available data suggest that general practitioners (GPs) in Germany use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities more frequently than GPs in many other countries. We investigated the country differences perceived by general practitioners who have worked in Germany and in one of four other European countries with regard to the role of complementary and alternative treatments in primary care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this qualitative study we conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 GPs who had worked both in Germany and Italy, the Netherlands, Norway or the United Kingdom (UK; n = 3 for each of the four countries). Participants were asked how they perceived and experienced country differences regarding health system, relevance of CAM modalities, the role of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and science, and how they handle so-called indeterminate situations. For the analysis, we followed a thematic analysis approach according to Braun and Clarke with focus on themes that cover CAM.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants unanimously reported that they perceived CAM to be more relevant in general practice in Germany compared to the other countries. We identified four overarching themes in relation to the perceived reasons for these differences. Firstly, physicians with experiences in countries with a strong EBM and science orientation (Netherlands, Norway and the UK) considered the deeply ingrained view in national healthcare systems and GP communities that CAM modalities are not evidence-based as the main reason for the lower use of CAM by GPs. Secondly, extensive training of communication skills was cited as a reason that reduced the need for CAM in the Netherlands, Norway and the UK. Thirdly, differences in patient expectations and demands were perceived as a factor contributing to greater utilisation of CAM by German GPs compared to the other countries. Finally, country-specific reimbursement mechanisms were considered as a factor influencing the role of CAM in general practice.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study results point to major differences between countries with regard to the role of CAM in GP care. Differences in basic attitudes in the discipline of general practice, patient expectations and system conditions appear to play an important role here.</p>","PeriodicalId":9128,"journal":{"name":"BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies","volume":"24 1","pages":"328"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11373194/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142124806","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}