Importancia cultural de la flora empleada por la comunidad nativa Asheninka Sheremashe, Ucayali, Perú / Cultural importance of the flora used by the Asheninka Sheremashe native community, Ucayali, Peru

The cultural significance of the flora used by the native Asheninka Sheremashe community in Ucayali, Peru was determined. To do this, a fieldwork of over 4 months was conducted, involving semi-structured interviews with 106 residents through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. The community utilizes 139 plant species in their daily lives, belonging to 120 genera and 52 families, with the most abundant being Fabaceae, Arecaceae, Malvaceae, Solanaceae, Poaceae, and Rutaceae. Furthermore, 25.9% of the species are of significant importance to theinhabitants according to the Cultural Index (CI), such as Manihot esculenta, Theobroma cacao, Bixa orellana, Musa paradisiaca, Ficus insipida, among others. It can be concluded that the flora plays a prominent role in the life of the community, with the categories reporting the highest number of species being: food (29.35%), medicine (28.36%), culture (9.95%), construction (9.45%), lumber (6.97%), commerce (3.48%), craftsmanship (2.49%), toxic (2.49%), and other uses (7.46%)

Se determinó la importancia cultural de la flora empleada por la comunidad nativa Asheninka Sheremashe, en Ucayali, Perú. Para ello, se realizó un trabajo de campo de más de 4 meses, donde se aplicaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a 106 habitantes mediante un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. La comunidad emplea 139 especies vegetales en su día a día, pertenecientes a 120 géneros y 52 familias; siendo las más abundantes las Fabaceae, Arecaceae, Malvaceae, Solanaceae, Poaceae y Rutaceae. Además, el 25.9% de las especies tiene gran importancia para los pobladores según el Índice Cultural (IC): Manihot esculenta, Theobroma cacao, Bixa orellana, Musa paradisiaca, Ficus insipida, entre otras. Se concluye que la flora tiene un rol preponderante en la vida de la comunidad, siendo las categorías que presentaron mayor reporte de especies: alimentación (29.35%), medicina (28.36%), cultura (9.95%), construcción (9.45%), aserrío (6.97%), comercio (3.48%), artesanía (2.49%), tóxico (2.49%) y otros usos (7.46%)

Medicinal plants and their importance for the conservation of biocultural knowledge in primary school students of the Paniquita Indigenous Community (Rivera, Huila, Colombia) / Plantas medicinales y su importancia para la conservación del conocimiento biocultural en estudiantes de primaria de la Comunidad Indígena Paniquita (Rivera, Huila, Colombia)

Ethnobotany approached through ethnoeducation allows for the preservation of the cultural heritage of indigenous communities. In this way, the ethnobotanical knowledge of primary school students from the Paniquita Indigenous Community was recognized, regarding the cultural knowledge of medicinal plants and their significance in the conservation of the biocultural heritage. This research had a qualitative, ethnographic approach. The sample consisted of ten students who were part of a focus group, ethnobotanical walks, and participatory workshops with drawings since they stimulate students' creative and dynamic thinking and strengthen interculturality. Twenty-one plants were reported, which are used to relieve sore throats, headaches, and stomach aches, as well as to treat diarrhea and fever, to prevent flu, and as a purgative. All the medicinal plants mentioned grow in the community and are either cultivated or wild, which also shows the students' knowledge of the ir territory. These findings reflect the importance of ethno-education and ethnobotany at school and how historical reconstruction processes are generated from these settings, where indigenous ancestral knowledge is made visible.

La etnobotánica abordada desde la etnoeducación permite mantener el legado cultural de los pueblos originarios. De esta manera, se reconoció el conocimiento etnobotáni co de los estudiantes de primaria de la Comunidad Indígena Paniquita, sobre el conocimiento cultural de las plantas medicinales y su importancia para la conservación del patrimonio biocultural. La investigación tuvo un enfoque cualitativo y etnográfico. La muestra estuvo conformada por diez estudiantes que formaron parte de un grupo focal, caminatas etnobotánicas y talleres participativos con dibujos, ya que estimulan el pensamiento creativo y dinámico de los estudiantes y fortalecen la interculturalidad. Se reportaron 21 plantas que se utilizan para aliviar dolores de garganta, cabeza y estómago, así como para tratar la diarrea y la fiebre, para prevenir la gripe y como purgante. Todas las plantas medicinales mencionadas crecen en la comunidad y son cultivadas o silvestres, lo que también demuestra el conocimiento que los estudiantes tienen de su territorio. Estos hallazgos reflejan la importancia de la etnoeducación y la etnobotánica en la escuela y cómo se generan procesos de reconstrucción histórica desde estos escenarios, donde se visibiliza el conocimiento ancestral indígena.

Antibacterial activity of Crude Momordica charantia, Cassia alata, and Allium sativum methanolic extracts on Leptospira interrogans serovar Manilae

Background and Objective@#Leptospirosis is a disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira prevalent in tropical countries like the Philippines. Some studies have shown that the role of currently used antibiotics for leptospirosis is unclear since trials have found no significant benefit to patient outcomes compared to placebo. This signals the need for alternative therapies, such as herbal medicines, which may provide effective therapeutic regimens in treating this infection. In this study, we characterized the antibacterial potential of three Philippine herbal medicines against Leptospira interrogans. @*Methods@#Crude methanolic extracts of Momordica charantia, Cassia alata, and Allium sativum were subjected to an optimized broth microdilution assay against L. interrogans, utilizing the resazurin-resorufin reaction as a cell proliferation and viability indicator. @*Results@#The respective minimum inhibitory concentrations of the plants were found to be as follows: 1.25 mg/mL (M. charantia), 2.5 mg/mL (C. alata), and >5 mg/mL (A. sativum). @*Conclusions@#Among the three herbal medicines, M. charantia and C. alata proved to have antibacterial activity against L. interrogans. Given the promising potential of two of these plant extracts, exploring the use of other solvents to extract natural compounds from these plants, and discovering possible synergistic effects between these plants and conventional antibiotics may be worthwhile.

Effects of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia pre-formulation on the intestinal barrier during sodium dextran sulfate-induced colitis in Wistar rats / Efectos de la preformulación de Mimosa caesalpiniifolia sobre la barrera intestinal durante la colitis inducida por sulfato de dextrano sódico en ratas Wistar

Introduction. Anti-inflammatories, immunosuppressants, and immunobiological are commonly used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. However, some patients do not present an adequate response or lose effective response during the treatment. A recent study found a potential anti-inflammatory effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of Mimosa caesalpiniifolia on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in Wistar rats. Objective. To evaluate the effects of M. caesalpiniifolia pre-formulation on the intestinal barrier using dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis model. Materials and methods. Leaf extracts were prepared in 70% ethanol and dried with a Buchi B19 Mini-spray dryer using 20% Aerosil® solution. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups: basal control, untreated colitis, pre-formulation control (125 mg/kg/day), and colitis treated with pre-formulation (125 mg/kg/day). Clinical activity index was recorded daily and all rats were euthanized on the ninth day. Colon fragments were fixed and processed for histological and ultrastructural analyses. Stool samples were collected and processed for analysis of the short-chain fatty acid. Results. Treatment with the pre-formulation decreased the clinical activity (bloody diarrhea), inflammatory infiltrate, and the ulcers. Pre-formulation did not repair the epithelial barrier and there were no significant differences in the goblet cells index. There was a significant difference in butyrate levels in the rats treated with the pre-formulation. Conclusions. The pre-formulation minimized the clinical symptoms of colitis and intestinal inflammation, but did not minimize damage to the intestinal barrier.

Introducción. Los antiinflamatorios, inmunosupresores e inmunobiológicos se utilizan comúnmente para tratar la enfermedad intestinal inflamatoria. Sin embargo, algunos pacientes no presentan una respuesta adecuada o pierden respuesta efectiva durante el tratamiento. En un estudio reciente, se encontró un potencial efecto antiinflamatorio del extracto hidroalcohólico de Mimosa caesalpiniifolia en la colitis inducida por el ácido trinitrobenceno sulfónico utilizando ratas Wistar. Objetivo. Evaluar los efectos de la preformulación de M. caesalpiniifolia sobre la barrera intestinal durante la colitis inducida por sulfato de dextrano sódico. Materiales y métodos. Los extractos de hojas se prepararon con una solución que contenía 70 % de etanol y se secaron con un secador por aspersión Mini B19 de Buchi usando una solución con 20 % de Aerosil®. Treinta y dos ratas Wistar macho se aleatorizaron en cuatro grupos: control basal, colitis sin tratar, control con preformulación (125 mg/kg/ día) y colitis tratada con preformulación (125 mg/kg/día). El índice de actividad clínica se registró diariamente y todas las ratas se sacrificaron el noveno día. Los fragmentos de colon se fijaron y se procesaron para análisis histológicos y ultraestructurales. Se recolectaron muestras de heces y se procesaron para el análisis de ácidos grasos de cadena corta. Resultados. El tratamiento con la preformulación disminuyó la actividad clínica (diarrea sanguinolenta), el infiltrado inflamatorio y las úlceras. La preformulación no reparó la barrera epitelial y no hubo diferencias significativas en el índice de células caliciformes. Se obtuvo una diferencia significativa en los niveles de butirato en las ratas tratadas con la preformulación. Conclusiones: La preformulación minimizó los síntomas clínicos de colitis e inflamación intestinal pero no minimizó el daño a la barrera intestinal.

Consumption of medicinal plants and herbal medicines by children and adolescents with chronic conditions: a survey in a tertiary-care outpatient clinic / Utilização de plantas medicinais e derivados por crianças e adolescentes com condições crônicas: levantamento em um serviço pediátrico terciário

Objectives: Medicinal plants and herbal medicines are widely used worldwide. However, patients with chronic health conditions or their caregivers do not often disclose these practices to their healthcare providers, leading to potentially severe interactions with current treatments, especially in children. We aimed to describe the prevalence of the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines by children and adolescents with chronic health conditions and whether their physicians were informed about it. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey on parents and caregivers of children and adolescents with chronic health conditions seen at a university, tertiary-care pediatric outpatient clinic. The common names of the plants cited by respondents were reviewed and Latin names of the species were provided whenever possible. Results: From 20,213 text messages sent in May and June 2021, 521 valid responses were obtained. The prevalence of the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines was 34.6%, most without a medical prescription (self-medication), and few physicians (4.0%) were aware of it. The five most used species were: Mentha spicata L. (mint), Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel), "cidreira" (a common name possibly corresponding to Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Melissa officinalis L. or Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Br. ex Britton & Wilson, P.), Matricaria chamomilla L. (German chamomile), and Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (boldo). Conclusions: The prevalence of the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines by children and adolescents with chronic health conditions in a tertiary-care outpatient clinic was 34.6%, and only a few physicians were aware of it (AU).

Objetivos: Plantas medicinais e seus derivados são amplamente utilizados no mundo todo. Entretanto, pacientes com condições crônicas de saúde ou seus cuidadores frequentemente não informam essas práticas para seus profissionais de saúde, levando a interações potencialmente graves com os demais tratamentos, especialmente em crianças. Nós objetivamos descrever a prevalência do uso de plantas medicinais e derivados por crianças e adolescentes com condições crônicas de saúde, e se seus médicos foram informados sobre isto. Métodos: Levantamento eletrônico transversal junto a pais e cuidadores de crianças e adolescentes com condições crônicas de saúde atendidos em um serviço ambulatorial pediátrico universitário terciário. Os nomes comuns das plantas citadas pelos participantes foram revisados e os nomes latinos das espécies foram identificados, sempre que possível. Resultados: De 20.213 mensagens de texto enviadas em maio e junho de 2021, 521 respostas válidas foram obtidas. A prevalência de utilização de plantas medicinais e derivados foi de 34,6%, sendo a maioria sem prescrição médica (automedicação), e poucos médicos (4,0%) estavam cientes disto. As cinco plantas mais comumente utilizadas foram: Mentha spicata L. (hortelã), Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (funcho), "cidreira" (possivelmente correspondendo a Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf, Melissa officinalis L. ou Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Br. ex Britton & Wilson, P.), Matricaria chamomilla L. (camomila) e Plectranthus barbatus Andrews (boldo nacional). Conclusões: A prevalência de uso de plantas medicinais e derivados por crianças e adolescentes com condições crônicas de saúde em um serviço ambulatorial pediátrico terciário foi de 34,6%, com grande potencial para interações, e somente poucos médicos estavam cientes disto

Nephroprotective effects of Lippia sidoides ethanolic extract against ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury

Abstract Ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) is commonly related to acute kidney injury (AKI) and oxidative stress. Antioxidant agents are used to treat this condition. Lippia sidoides is a brazillian shrub with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of Lippia sidoides ethanolic extract (LSEE) on in vivo and in vitro models of AKI induced by I/R. Male Wistar rats were submitted to unilateral nephrectomy and ischemia on contralateral kidney for 60 min via clamping followed by reperfusion for 48 h. They were divided into four groups: Sham, LSEE (sham-operated rats pre-treated with LSEE), I/R (rats submitted to ischemia) and I/R-LSEE (rats treated with LSEE before ischemia). Kidney tissues homogenates were used to determine stress parameters and nephrin expression. Plasma and urine samples were collected for biochemical analysis. I/R in vitro assays were evaluated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry assays in Rhesus Monkey Kidney Epithelial Cells (LLC-MK2). The LSEE treatment prevented biochemical and nephrin expression alterations, as well as oxidative stress parameters. In the in vitro assay, LSEE protected against cell death, reduced the reactive oxygen species and increased mitochondrial transmembrane potential. LSEE showed biotechnological potential for a new phytomedicine as a nephroprotective agent.

Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Lipid Profiling of Spermadicyton Suaveolens in Streptozotocin (STZ) Induced Diabetic Rats

ABSTRACT Diabetes is a life-threatening disease, and currently available synthetic medicines for treating diabetes are associated with various side effects. Therefore, there is an unmet need to develop herbal remedies against diabetes as an alternative to synthetic medicines. Although local healers use the roots of Spermadicyton suaveolens (SS) to manage diabetes, there is negligible research to validate its antidiabetic properties. The present investigation aims to the assess the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic potential of the ethanolic extract of S. Suaveolen's roots (EESS) on streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The extract was screened for in vitro antioxidant and antidiabetic activity. The in vivo antidiabetic potential of EESS (at 200 and 400 mg/kg) was studied on STZ-induced diabetic rats for 20 days. The EESS displayed significant (p<0.05) antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. The administration of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg EESS in STZ-induced diabetic rats significantly reduced hyperglycemia, and restored antioxidant enzymes and lipid profile-a high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased by the administration of a single dose of streptozotocin. Thus, EESS could be a promising herbal medicine in the treatment of diabetes and hyperlipidemia

Preservation of phenolic compounds on dried leaf infusion of Bauhinia forficata Link

Abstract Bauhinia forficata Link aqueous extract is usually recommended as a phytomedicine to reduce blood glucose levels and its biological activity has been linked to the presence of phenolic compounds from B. forficata preparations. Several drying processes are used in the production of dry herbal extracts, which may influence the chemical composition and efficacy of final herbal medicines. Due to significant chemical changes, defining appropriate drying processes is essential for phytopharmaceutical drug development. In view of this, we analyzed dried B. forficata leaf infusion (BFLI) extracts by HPLC-UV-MSn, followed by molecular networking analysis to evaluate the chemical profiles from dried extracts yielded by freeze-and spray-drying processes. The main metabolites detected included 11 ferulic/isoferulic acid derivatives and 13 glycosylated flavonoids. The qualitative chemical profiles were alike for both drying processes, whereas the relative abundance of some flavonoids was higher using spray-drying. Taken together, our results showed that freeze-and spray-drying preserved the phenolic profile of BFLI and suggested that spray-drying may be the most suitable to obtain its dried products. Along with studying the chemical profiles of dried herbal extracts, evaluating the influence of drying processes on the quality and chemical profiles of final products is pivotal and may benefit future research.

Ethnomedicinal survey of valuable plants used by Eskaya Traditional Healers in Bohol Island, Philippines

Objectives@#A recent review on the status of Philippine ethnobotany showed the lack of ethnobotanical studies in the Visayas group of islands. The use of medicinal plants by the Eskaya, an Indigenous ethnic group in the province of Bohol in Visayas, Philippines, has not yet been documented. This study determines the ethnomedicinal knowledge of traditional healers in selected Eskaya communities in Bohol.@*Methods@#Fifteen (15) Eskaya traditional healers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and the valuable medicinal plant species were identified through guided field walks. Informal group discussions with the community were also conducted. Moreover, the fidelity level, informant consensus factor (ICF), and use values (UV) were calculated.@*Results@#Our results showed that the majority of the Eskaya healers belong to an older age group (38 – 71 years old). Eighty-five medicinal plants recorded belong to 44 plant families—with Family Lamiaceae having the highest number of species represented. The leaf is the most common plant part used for healing. Blumea balsamifera was an essential plant with a UV of 0.8. Cardiovascular diseases have the highest ICF values of 0.6, and the most common plants used for these diseases include Cymbopogon citratus, Zingiber officinale, and Luffa cylindrica.@*Conclusion@#Our study yielded a record of native and non-native medicinal plants used by the Eskaya healers. This initial listing is also their contribution to promoting medicinal plants that are accessible and abundant in their communities.

O trânsito de plantas: circulação de saberes e práticas médicas na América Meridional durante a Época Moderna / The transit of plants: circulation of medical knowledge and practices in South America during the Modern Era

Resumo A partir dos registros sobre plantas e ervas de médicos, agentes de cura, missionários, administradores coloniais nos séculos XVII e XVIII, o artigo explora as formas de construção do conhecimento sobre a flora, utilizando o conceito de circulação proposto por Kapil Raj. As experiências distintas e os documentos analisados demonstram o processo de observação, coleta, sistematização e circulação do conhecimento e a influência da história natural e da tradição hipocrática na classificação das ervas e plantas e na descrição adotada nos textos reunidos neste artigo. Desde livros impressos até anotações dispersas em diários de viagens, os usos das espécies para a vida humana foi o elemento valorizado por aqueles que observaram diretamente o potencial de plantas, frutos e ervas americanas.

Abstract From records on plants and herbs made by doctors, healers, missionaries, and colonial administrators in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, this article explores ways of constructing knowledge about flora using the concept of circulation proposed by Kapil Raj. The distinct experiences and documents analyzed demonstrate the process of observing, collecting, systematizing, and circulating knowledge, and the influence of natural history and the Hippocratic tradition on the classification of herbs and plants and on the descriptions adopted in these texts. From printed books to notes scattered through travel diaries, usefulness of these species to humankind was the element valued by those who directly observed the potential of American plants, fruits, and herbs.

4-Carvomenthenol, a monoterpene of essential oils, and its underlying effects on anti-inflammatory activity and immediate hypersensitivity reaction

Abstract The monoterpene 4-carvomenthenol (Carvo) is found in essential oils of plant. Here, we evaluate the Carvo oral pretreatment in acute inflammatory experimental models and in silico molecular docking. Mice pretreated with Carvo were challenged and submitted to the protocols: paw edema, peritonitis, scratching behavior and anaphylactic shock reaction. Besides, we used histamine H1 receptor, cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) and phospholipase A2, as targets for molecular docking analysis. Carvo inhibited the carrageenan-induced paw edema and decreased the peritoneal influx of polymorphonuclear cells on carrageenan-challenged mice without interfering with the mononuclear cell influx. Moreover, Carvo diminished the histamine, PGE2 and compound 48/80 induced paw edematogenic effect. The monoterpene also diminished the mice scratching behavior and, surprisingly, avoided the animal death caused by compound 48/80 in 30 min. Through the docking analysis, Carvo showed favorable binding energy to the histamine H1 receptor. This study demonstrates that Carvo attenuated the allergic inflammatory process, decreasing edema, cell migration, activation of mast cells and the histamine release, probably due to interaction of Carvo with the histamine H1 receptor, ameliorating the itching and the anaphylactic shock reaction. Therefore, the results of this study indicate that Carvo has anti-inflammatory properties by reducing the histamine effects.

Qili Qiangxin, a compound herbal medicine formula, alleviates hypoxia-reoxygenation-induced apoptotic and autophagic cell death via suppression of ROS/AMPK/mTOR pathway in vitro / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Qili Qiangxin (QLQX), a compound herbal medicine formula, is used effectively to treat congestive heart failure in China. However, the molecular mechanisms of the cardioprotective effect are still unclear. This study explores the cardioprotective effect and mechanism of QLQX using the hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R)-induced myocardial injury model.@*METHODS@#The main chemical constituents of QLQX were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light-scattering detection. The model of H/R-induced myocardial injury in H9c2 cells was developed to simulate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Apoptosis, autophagy, and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured to assess the protective effect of QLQX. Proteins related to autophagy, apoptosis and signalling pathways were detected using Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Apoptosis, autophagy and the excessive production of ROS induced by H/R were significantly reduced after treating the H9c2 cells with QLQX. QLQX treatment at concentrations of 50 and 250 μg/mL caused significant reduction in the levels of LC3II and p62 degradation (P < 0.05), and also suppressed the AMPK/mTOR signalling pathway. Furthermore, the AMPK inhibitor Compound C (at 0.5 μmol/L), and QLQX (250 μg/mL) significantly inhibited H/R-induced autophagy and apoptosis (P < 0.01), while AICAR (an AMPK activator, at 0.5 mmol/L) increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis and autophagy and abolished the anti-apoptotic effect of QLQX. Similar phenomena were also observed on the expressions of apoptotic and autophagic proteins, demonstrating that QLQX reduced the apoptosis and autophagy in the H/R-induced injury model via inhibiting the AMPK/mTOR pathway. Moreover, ROS scavenger, N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, at 2.5 mmol/L), significantly reduced H/R-triggered cell apoptosis and autophagy (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, NAC treatment down-regulated the ratio of phosphorylation of AMPK/AMPK (P < 0.01), which showed a similar effect to QLQX.@*CONCLUSION@#QLQX plays a cardioprotective role by alleviating apoptotic and autophagic cell death through inhibition of the ROS/AMPK/mTOR signalling pathway.

Anti-anger Effects of Herbal Medicine: A Mini-Review of Rat Studies / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the available data on the anti-anger effects of herbal medicines (HMs) as well as their underlying mechanisms in rat models.@*METHODS@#From 6 electronic databases [PubMed, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS)], relevant animal experiments were searched by using "anger," "rats," and "animal" as search keywords. The last search was conducted on November 22, 2019, and all experiments involving rat models of anger and treatment using HMs published until the date of the search were considered.@*RESULTS@#A total of 24 studies with 16 kinds of HMs were included. Most studies have used the "tail irritating method" and "social isolation and resident intruder" method to establish anger models. According to the included studies, the therapeutic mechanisms of HMs for anger regulation and important herbs by their frequency and/or preclinical evidence mainly incladed regulation of hemorheology (Bupleuri Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, and Glycyrrhizae Radix), regulation of sex hormones (Bupleuri Radix, Cyperi Rhizoma, and Paeoniae Radix Alba), regulation of neurotransmitters (Cyperi Rhizoma), regulation of anger-related genes (Bupleuri Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix, and Paeoniae Radix Alba), and other effects. Overall, Liver (Gan) qi-smoothing herbs including Bupleuri Radix and Cyperi Rhizoma were the most frequently used.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This review found the frequent methods to establish an anger model, and major mechanisms of anti-anger effects of HMs. Interestingly, some Liver qi-smoothing herbs have been frequently used to investigate the anti-anger effects of HM. These findings provide insight into the role and relevance of HMs in the field of anger management.

Razões da escolha de fitoterapia por usuários da atenção primária no município do Rio de Janeiro / Purpose of choose of phytoterapy among users of basic health care in the city of Rio de Janeiro

O presente estudo,com abordagem descritiva de caráter exploratório, quantitativo e qualitativo,objetivou identificar razões da escolha de fitoterapia na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. A população de estudo foi composta por 50 usuários de uma unidade básica de saúde (UBS), que oferta fitoterapia, na área programática (AP 2.1). Participaram da pesquisa,com abordagem na Teoria de Análise de Redes Sociais,pessoas que declararam fazer uso de plantas medicinais e/ou fitoterápicos. Buscou-se,por meio de um breve roteiro, identificar o perfil sociodemográfico dos usuários, quem foram as pessoas que haviam indicado a fitoterapia e quais eram as razões para seu uso. Como resultado sobre as razões de uso para a fitoterapia evidenciamos neste estudo que 1-Ela está fortemente ligada à rede pessoal do usuário. A indicação na rede pessoal é maior do que na rede formal de saúde, aqui representada pela UBS; 2-Parece haver correlação entre sistema de crenças pessoais, como cientificidade e religiosidade/espiritualidade em certos casos; 3-Identificamos uma percepção da fitoterapia pelo usuário como sendo uma terapêutica menos agressiva em termos de efeitos colaterais e adversos.Para institucionalização da fitoterapia na atenção primária, os resultados sugerem que o acesso à informação e a indicação sobre a prática da fitoterapia é fortemente ligada aos contextos sociais. Portanto, estas evidências sugerem a importância de que sejam inseridos nos serviços de fitoterapia espaços de discussão concernentes ao paradigma das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares.

This descriptive, exploratory, quantitative and qualitative study aimed to identify reasons for the use of phytotherapy, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The study population consisted of 50 users of a basic health unit (UBS), that offer phytotherapy in the program area (AP 2.1). Participants in this research based on the Theory of Social Network Analysis were people who declared that they made use of medicinal plants and/or herbal medicines. Through questions, we sought to identify the sociodemographic profile of users, who recommended and what were the reasons for using phytotherapy. As a result, on the reasons for using herbal medicine, 1 ­It seems to be strongly related to the personal network, more than the health service advice, here represented by the UBS; 2-There seems to be a correlation between the personal beliefs such as religion, science and spirituality in certain cases; 3-We identified a perception of herbal medicine as less aggressive in terms of collateral effects and adverse effects. In order to the institutionalization of phytotherapy in primary care, our results suggest that access to information and indication about the practice of phytotherapy is strongly linked to social contexts. Therefore, this evidence suggest the importance of being inserted into the phytotherapy services spaces of discussion concerning the paradigm of Integrative and Complementary Practices.

Tratamiento ayurveda (Virechana y Basti) y cambios de la microbiota intestinal a nivel de Phylum y especie / Ayurveda Treatment (Virechana and Basti) and Changes of Intestinal Microbiota at Phyla and Species Level

Introducción: Se han analizado terapias ayurvédicas y prácticas médicas para un grupo de pacientes en Japón. La característica del tratamiento ayurvédico es una desintoxicación con una gran cantidad de tratamiento con aceite mediante un masaje con aceite en la superficie del cuerpo y una terapia de purificación con ghee o aceite de hierbas especialmente preparado. Los cambios de la microbiota intestinal durante estos tratamientos no han sido bien estudiados. Mé- LA PRENSA MÉDICA ARGENTINA Ayurveda Treatment (Virechana and Basti) and Changes of Intestinal Microbiota at Phyla and Species Level 79 V.107/Nº 2 todo: Los participantes fueron reclutados de la Clínica Hatai Ayurveda en Tokio. La terapia de Virechana, una terapia de purificación o la terapia de Basti (decocción y enema de aceite) se llevó a cabo en 13 pacientes con diversas manifestaciones. Todos los participantes proporcionaron el detalle de su estilo de vida, hábitos dietéticos, enfermedades pasadas y presentes mediante el cuestionario, y se registró la condición precisa durante la admisión al final del campamento. Se tomaron muestras fecales a la entrada, durante el tratamiento, al alta y tres semanas después para analizar la microbiota intestinal por el gen seqyebcubg 16srRNA. Resultados: el peso corporal disminuyó aproximadamente un 5% con la terapia de Virechana, mientras que no ocurrió con Basti, pero la grasa corporal aumentó un 4% (2,2 kg) en promedio en ambos grupos. Varias manifestaciones clínicas de los participantes mejoraron, especialmente en una erupción cutánea y un cambio atópico. El paciente deprimido también remitió mejoras en sus ganas de vivir. En su mayoría son vegetarianos y tenían más Bacteroides (48.09 ± 7.51%), Firmicutes (38.27 ± 10.82%) y Actinobacteria (3.30 ± 3.58%) que los omnívoros que tenían más Proteobacteria (10.73 ± 4.75%), Fusobacteria (2.40 ± 6.25%) y cianobacterias (0,09 ± 0,24%). Cuando los grupos se dividieron por el consumo de aceite, los usuarios de ghee mostraron más Fusobacterium y menos Firmicutes y Actinobacteria. La terapia con Virechana provocó cambios notables en la microbiota después del pretratamiento, como la disminución de Firmicutes y el aumento de Proteobacterias. A nivel género-especie, destacan el aumento de Enterobacteriaceae y la pérdida de Akkermansia municiphila. Niruha Basti y Matra Basti disminuyeron Firmicutes y aumentaron Proteobacteria (p = 0.096). Fusobacterium también aumentó. Después del alta, la Proteobateria se mantuvo alta, pero Firmicutes regresó al 30% en promedio, oscilando entre el 25% y el 50%. Tres semanas después, la variedad aumentó con Fusobacterium, Verrucomicrobia, Tenericutes y Lentisphaerae. La variedad de especies también aumentó tres semanas después. Conclusión: Varias quejas de los participantes mejoraron por el tratamiento ayurvédico con una gran cantidad de tratamiento de aceite por masaje de aceite de superficie corporal y terapia de purga. Causó cambios en la microbiota intestinal y los metabolitos bacterianos pueden afectar las lesiones cutáneas y la salud mental como la sensación depresiva

Anti-infective resources among the Philippine Melastomataceae: A scoping review of field studies with an integrated evolutionary and ethnobiological approach

Background@#Despite the mounting studies on the practical use of species of the pantropical family Melastomataceae, especially their medicinal utility, no attempt at compiling the diverse findings has been made to date. Moreover, most reviews of medicinal flora tend to focus more on the biomedical properties of the plants than their equally meaningful evolutionary and ethnobiological aspects. @*Objectives@#This review aimed to describe and synthesize the current knowledge from and trends in medicinal studies of locally relevant members of the Melastomataceae. Specifically, it sought to gather, select, assess, and analyze digitally available field studies about the anti-infective potential of the genera of the Melastomataceae that occur in the Philippines using a combined evolutionary and ethnobiological lens. @*Methodology@#Web-based search was conducted in EBSCO, Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and local databases of medicinal ethnobotany for full and original research papers in Filipino or English. Studies were screened and assessed independently based on taxonomic reliability and ethnobiological methodology. Data were analyzed qualitatively using an integrated evolutionary and ethnobiological framework. @*Results@#Thirty-four ethnobiological studies comprising journal articles and theses that surveyed 41 localities and cultural groups from 12 countries were reviewed. Three Philippine native melastome species are used in treating potentially infectious conditions: Dissochaeta divaricata, Melastoma malabathricum, and M. sanguineum. Other genera native to the Philippines with congeneric species used for anti-infective purposes elsewhere are Medinilla, Memecylon, Osbeckia, and Sonerila. Indications with the most cross-regional consensus include cuts, wounds, and skin infections, diarrhea and dysentery, and buccal, respiratory, and urogenital infections.@*Conclusion@#This review revealed that Philippine native melastome genera and species are available for infectious disease mitigation and exhibit high use convergence across geographically and culturally divergent communities but remain untapped. Documenting medicinal flora in an area or community based on their evolutionary relationships and ethnomedicinal usage is significant not only in bioprospecting but more importantly, in preserving indigenous knowledge and natural patrimony, especially amid collapsing socioecological systems and emerging diseases.

Determination of the antimicrobial property of oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng.) crude aqueous leaf extract against throat pathogens using broth and checkerboard dilution methods

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial property of oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus) crude leaf extract against pathogens that infect the throat, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans using the broth and checkerboard dilution methods.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods:</strong> This study employed an experimental study design using broth dilution method for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615, and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) against Candida albicans ATCC 14053 of P. amboinicus crude extract (PA extract). Checkerboard dilution method was then used for determination of the synergy between PA extract and the standard antimicrobials.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results:</strong> In vitro growth inhibition of S. pyogenes (MIC 0.13 g/mL) and C. albicans (MIC 0.03 g/mL) was exhibited by the PA extract. The highest concentration of PA extract used in this study was not sufficient to demonstrate bactericidal and fungicidal activity (MBC >0.25 g/mL, MFC >0.25 g/mL). Results of checkerboard dilution method revealed that PA extract when combined with either penicillin (for S. pyogenes) or nystatin (for C. albicans) demonstrated indifference.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The crude extract of Plectranthus amboinicus has the capability to inhibit the growth of both S. pyogenes and C. albicans. This demonstrates its potential use in the treatment of throat infections caused by these organisms.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Key Words:</strong> Plectranthus amboinicus, oregano, antimicrobial, throat infections, herbal medicine</p>

Biopharmaceutical classification and transport mechanism of 4 alkaloids in Mongolian herbal medicine Sophorae Flavescentis Radix / 中国中药杂志

In this study, we studied the solubility and permeability of matrine, oxymatrine, sophoridine, and oxysophocarpine, four alkaloids in the Mongolian herbal medicine Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, and evaluated the absorption mechanism with the Caco-2 cell model, so as to provide a basis for the new drug development and efficacy evaluation of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix. The results showed that all the four alkaloids had high solubility and high permeability and can be well absorbed, belonging to the class-I drugs of Biopharmaceutical Classification System(BCS). The absorption(AP→BL) and excretion(BL→AP) of matrine and oxymatrine were not affected by the concentration while the absorption depended on P-gp protein. The absorption(AP→BL) and excretion(BL→AP) of sophoridine and oxysophocarpine were positively related to the concentration and time, and the absorption process was independent from P-gp protein. The results provide scientific reference and an experimental basis for the development of Mongolian medical prescriptions containing Sophorae Flavescentis Radix.

Professor / 中国针灸

This paper introduces the specific clinical experience of professor

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Traditional Indonesian Medicine: A Comparative Review of Herbal Medicines Restricted in Pregnancy / 中国结合医学杂志

The decline in birth rates has become a very serious problem in various parts of the world. Many countries have implemented national programs for increasing birth rates, one of which involves the use of traditional medicine as an alternative solution. Among the fast-growing traditional medicines, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and traditional Indonesian medicine (TIM) have attracted a lot of demand globally. Here, we analyzed and compared the herbal medicines from TCM and TIM that must be avoided by pregnant women for preventing miscarriage and maintaining safety during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This review uses data from official reports from the respective government and national and international electronic databases for analysis. Although TCM and TIM have their own characteristics of treatment, they also have some similarities in concept and treatment, especially those related to herbal medicines. This review can be used as a reference base to help pregnant women consume herbal medicines at appropriate conditions and doses.