Advances of traditional Chinese medicine preclinical mechanisms and clinical studies on diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

CONTEXT: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) results in an enormous burden and reduces the quality of life for patients. Considering there is no specific drug for the management of DPN, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has increasingly drawn attention of clinicians and researchers around the world due to its characteristics of multiple targets, active components, and exemplary safety. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the current status of TCM in the treatment of DPN and provide directions for novel drug development, the clinical effects and potential mechanisms of TCM used in treating DPN were comprehensively reviewed. METHODS: Existing evidence on TCM interventions for DPN was screened from databases such as PubMed, the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register (CENTRAL), and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI). The focus was on summarizing and analyzing representative preclinical and clinical TCM studies published before 2023. RESULTS: This review identified the ameliorative effects of about 22 single herbal extracts, more than 30 herbal compound prescriptions, and four Chinese patent medicines on DPN in preclinical and clinical research. The latest advances in the mechanism highlight that TCM exerts its beneficial effects on DPN by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress and improving mitochondrial function. CONCLUSIONS: TCM has shown the power latent capacity in treating DPN. It is proposed that more large-scale and multi-center randomized controlled clinical trials and fundamental experiments should be conducted to further verify these findings.

Unlocking the potential of pyroptosis in tumor immunotherapy: a new horizon in cancer treatment.

Background: The interaction between pyroptosis-a form of programmed cell death-and tumor immunity represents a burgeoning field of interest. Pyroptosis exhibits a dual role in cancer: it can both promote tumor development and counteract it by activating immune responses that inhibit tumor evasion and encourage cell death. Current tumor immunotherapy strategies, notably CAR-T cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), alongside the potential of certain traditional Chinese medicinal compounds, highlight the intricate relationship between pyroptosis and cancer immunity. As research delves deeper into pyroptosis mechanisms within tumor therapy, its application in enhancing tumor immune responses emerges as a novel research avenue. Purpose: This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying pyroptosis, its impact on tumor biology, and the advancements in tumor immunotherapy research. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted across PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang Database from the inception of the study until August 22, 2023. The search employed keywords such as "pyroptosis", "cancer", "tumor", "mechanism", "immunity", "gasdermin", "ICB", "CAR-T", "PD-1", "PD-L1", "herbal medicine", "botanical medicine", "Chinese medicine", "traditional Chinese medicine", "immunotherapy", linked by AND/OR, to capture the latest findings in pyroptosis and tumor immunotherapy. Results: Pyroptosis is governed by a complex mechanism, with the Gasdermin family playing a pivotal role. While promising for tumor immunotherapy application, research into pyroptosis's effect on tumor immunity is still evolving. Notably, certain traditional Chinese medicine ingredients have been identified as potential pyroptosis inducers, meriting further exploration. Conclusion: This review consolidates current knowledge on pyroptosis's role in tumor immunotherapy. It reveals pyroptosis as a beneficial factor in the immunotherapeutic landscape, suggesting that leveraging pyroptosis for developing novel cancer treatment strategies, including those involving traditional Chinese medicine, represents a forward-looking approach in oncology.

Anti-virus activity and mechanisms of natural polysaccharides from medicinal herbs.

There has been a sudden increase in viral diseases, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), causing significant harm to human and animal well-being, as well as economic development. Medicinal herbs, with a history of thousands of years in clinical use, contain versatile polysaccharides as one of their primary compounds. This review offers an overview of the antiviral effects of polysaccharides from medicinal herbs on viruses in humans, poultry, swine and aquaculture in recent years. The mechanism of these antiviral polysaccharides, involved in hindering various stages of the viral life cycle thereby blocking virus infection, is summarized. The review also explores other underlying mechanisms of antiviral effects, such as enhancing the immune response, regulating inflammatory reactions, balancing gut flora, reducing oxidative stress, and suppressing apoptosis through various corresponding signaling pathways. The structure-function relationships discussed in this article also aid in understanding the antiviral mechanism of natural polysaccharides, indicating the need for more in-depth research and analysis. Natural polysaccharides from medicinal herbs have emerged as valuable resources in the fight against viral infections, exhibiting high effectiveness. This review emphasizes the promising role of polysaccharides from medicinal herbs as potential candidates for blocking viral infections in humans and animals.

In-vitro Studies of Extracts of Plumbago Zeylanica in Cancer Cell Lines.

Despite increased use of early detection methods and more aggressive treatment strategies, the worldwide incidence of colorectal cancer is still on the rise. Consequently, it remains urgent to identify novel agents with enhanced efficacy in prevention and/or therapeutic protocols. Our studies focused on the use of Plumbagin, a natural phytochemical that showed promising results against other tumor types, to determine its effectiveness in blocking the proliferation and survival of colon cancer cells in experimental protocols mimicking the environment in primary tumors (attached culture conditions) and in circulating tumor cells (unattached conditions). Under both experimental settings, exposure of HCT116 cells to Plumbagin concentrations in the low micromolar range resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, apoptosis via the mitochondrial cell death pathway, and increased production of reactive oxygen species. The cell cycle effects were more noticeable in attached cells, whereas the induction of cell death was more evident in unattached cells. These effects were consistent with the nature and the magnitude of the alterations induced by Plumbagin on the expression levels of a set of proteins known to play key roles in the regulation of cell cycle dynamics, apoptosis mechanisms and cell proliferation. In light of its previously reported lack of toxicity on normal colon cells and the striking anti-survival effect on colon cancer cells observed in our study, Plumbagin should be considered a promising drug for the treatment of colon cancer.

Multimodal modulation of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury by phytochemical agents: A mechanistic evaluation of hepatoprotective potential and safety profiles.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a clinically fundamental phenomenon that occurs through liver resection surgery, trauma, shock, and transplantation. AIMS OF THE REVIEW: This review article affords an expanded and comprehensive overview of various natural herbal ingredients that have demonstrated hepatoprotective effects against I/R injury through preclinical studies in animal models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the objective of this investigation, an extensive examination was carried out utilizing diverse scientific databases involving PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB), and Research Gate. The investigation was conducted based on specific identifiable terms, such as hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury, liver resection and transplantation, cytokines, inflammation, NF-kB, interleukins, herbs, plants, natural ingredients, phenolic extract, and aqueous extract. RESULTS: Bioactive ingredients derived from ginseng, curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate, quercetin, lycopene, punicalagin, crocin, celastrol, andrographolide, silymarin, and others and their effects on hepatic IRI were discussed. The specific mechanisms of action, signaling pathways, and clinical relevance for attenuation of liver enzymes, cytokine production, immune cell infiltration, oxidative damage, and cell death signaling in rodent studies are analyzed in depth. Their complex molecular actions involve modulation of pathways like TLR4, NF-κB, Nrf2, Bcl-2 family proteins, and others. CONCLUSION: The natural ingredients have promising values in the protection and treatment of various chronic aggressive clinical conditions, and that need to be evaluated on humans by clinical studies.

Biodegradable ultrafiltration membrane enhanced with anti-biofouling agent from Anacardium occidentale extract.

Our research focuses on developing environmentally friendly biodegradable ultrafiltration (UF) membranes for small-scale water purification in areas lacking infrastructure or during emergencies. To address biofouling challenges without resorting to harmful chemicals, we incorporate bio-based extracts, such as methyl gallate from A. occidentale leaves, a Malaysian ulam herb, known for its quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) properties. The methyl gallate enriched extract was purified by solvent partitioning and integrated into cellulose-based UF membranes (0 to 7.5% w w-1) through phase inversion technique. The resulting membranes exhibited enhanced anti-organic fouling and anti-biofouling properties, with flux recovery ratio (FRR) of 87.84 ± 2.00% against bovine serum albumin and FRRs of 76.67 ± 1.89% and 69.57 ± 1.77% against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The CA/MG-5 membrane showed a 224% improvement in pure water flux (PWF) compared to the neat CA membrane. Our innovative approach significantly improves PWF, presenting an environmentally friendly method for biofouling prevention in UF membrane applications.

Physiological responses and intestinal conditions of broiler chickens treated with encapsulated Acalypha australis L. leaf extract and chitosan.

Background and Aim: The ban on antibiotic growth promoters adversely affects the physiological condition and health of poultry. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of encapsulated Acalypha australis L. leaf extract, chitosan, or a combination of both on the physiological and intestinal conditions of broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: A total of 280 Cobb broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four groups: Basal feed without additives (CNTL), basal feed with 0.01% encapsulated A. australis leaf extract (EALE), 0.01% chitosan (CHIT), and 0.01% EALE and 0.01% chitosan (EACH). Sample collection and data measurement were conducted on day 36. Results: There was a tendency (p = 0.08) for EACH bird to have a higher body weight than the other groups. Feed consumption was higher (p < 0.05) in EACH than in EALE and CHIT. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower (p < 0.05) in EALE, CHIT, and EACH than in CNTL. Erythrocyte numbers were lower (p < 0.05) in EALE than in CNTL and EACH. Hematocrit was lower (p < 0.05) in EALE and CHIT groups than in the other two groups. There was a tendency (p = 0.09) for heterophils to be higher in EACH than in CNTL. Thrombocyte counts were lower (p < 0.05) in EACH group than in the other groups. Serum globulin levels were higher (p < 0.05) in EACH than in CNTL and CHIT. The albumin-to-globulin ratio was higher (p < 0.05) in CNTL than in EALE and EACH. Coliform bacteria tended to be lower (p = 0.05) in the cecum of EACH broilers than that of other broilers. Similarly, the ratio of Lactic acid bacteria to coliforms tended to be higher (p = 0.08) in the cecum of EACH group than that in the other groups. Treatments did not influence the intestinal morphology of broiler chickens (p > 0.05). Conclusion: A combination of EALE and chitosan as feed additives enhanced the final body weight and feed efficiency (FCR) of broilers. These additives also increased the levels of heterophils, serum globulin, the ratio of LAB to coliforms, and reduced thrombocytes, albumin-to-globulin ratio, and cecal coliform bacteria. Hence, EALE and chitosan blend improved the growth performance, immune status, and intestinal health of broiler chickens.

Effects of herbal plant supplementation on rumen fermentation profiles and protozoan population in vitro.

Background and Aim: In the livestock sector, particularly ruminants, an approach to minimize methane emissions can be carried out through a feeding strategy involving herbal plants containing bioactive compounds that can reduce protozoa and decrease methane gas emissions. The aim of this in vitro study was to analyze the effects of herbal plant supplementation on rumen fermentation, total gas, and methane production, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and protozoa populations within the rumen. Materials and Methods: Two experiments were conducted in this study. Experiment 1 was conducted to determine the most promising herbal plants capable of increasing total gas production and reducing protozoan populations. Three potential herbals selected in Experiment 1 were continued in Experiment 2 as supplements in the palm kernel meal (PKM)-based ration (70% PKM + 30% herbal plants). Results: Experiment 1 revealed that Eurycoma longifolia (EL), Cola acuminata (CLA), and Cassia alata (CSA) were potential herbal candidates for enhancing total gas production and the percentages of IVDMD and IVOMD. In Experiment 2, supplementation with EL, CLA, and CSA significantly increased IVDMD from 62.84% to 70.15%, IVOMD from 61.61% to 53.18%, and NH3 from 13 mM to 17 mM, as well as reduced partial volatile fatty acids and total gas production. In addition, the methane gas and protozoan populations were reduced. Conclusion: The utilization of EL, CLA, and CSA effectively increased the production of total gas, IVDMD, and IVOMD while reducing methane gas protozoa populations in rumen fermentation compared with the control.

Evaluation of the Effect of Pistacia atlantica Oleoresin on Blood Sugar, Pressure and Lipids in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: A Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterised by high blood sugar (BS) levels due to impaired insulin production or insulin resistance. It is a global health concern with significant implications for morbidity and mortality. Persian medicine has long utilised natural remedies, such as Pistacia atlantica Desf., for various diseases. In this randomised clinical trial, the effects of P. atlantica oleoresin in the improvement of lipid profiles, glucose indices and blood pressure (BP) were assessed in patients with Type 2 DM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled study, 42 patients with Type 2 DM were randomly allocated to receive either P. atlantica oleoresin or placebo capsule for 3 months. Patients were evaluated prior to and 12 weeks after the beginning of the intervention, in terms of changes in lipid profiles, glucose indices and BP. RESULTS: After 3 months, the mean BP in patients with DM receiving P. atlantica oleoresin was significantly reduced compared with the baseline (p = 0.001). Also, these changes were significantly higher than those of the control group. The mean of total cholesterol (p = 0.89), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (p = 0.43) and triglyceride (TG) (p = 0.98) in the intervention group after 3 months was lower than that in the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: After 3 months, there was no significant difference between the P. atlantica and control groups in terms of blood sugar and lipid profiles. The mean BP in patients with DM receiving P. atlantica oleoresin was significantly reduced compared with that in the beginning of the study. Also, these changes were significant compared with the control group.

Biomonitoring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in domestic kitchens using commonly grown culinary herbs.

Cooking is a significant source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) emissions in indoor environments. A one-month biomonitoring study was carried out in previously selected rural Hungarian kitchens to evaluate cooking-related PAHs concentrations in 4 common kitchen vegetables such as basil, parsley, rocket and chives. The study had two mainobjectives: firstly, to follow PAHs accumulation pattern and to find out if this pattern can be associated with different cooking habits. Also, the usefulness of culinary herbs for indoor bioaccumulation studies was assessed. The 2-ring naphthalene was the dominant PAH in the majority of the samples, its concentrations were in the range of 25.4 µg/kg and 274 µg/kg, of 3-ring PAHs the prevalency of phenanthrene was observed, with highest concentration of 62 µg/kg. PAHs accumulation pattern in tested plants clearly indicated differences in cooking methods and cooking oils used in the selected households. Use of lard and animal fats in general resulted in the high concentrations of higher molecular weight (5- and 6-ring) PAHs, while olive oil usage could be associated with the emission of 2- and 3-ring PAHs. Culinary herbs, however, accumulated carcinogenic PAHs such as benzo[a]anthracene (highest concentration 11.9 µg/kg), benzo[b]fluoranthene (highest concentration 13.8 µg/kg) and chrysene (highest concentration 20.1 µg/kg) which might question their safe use.

Alternative Substrates for the Development of Fermented Beverages Analogous to Kombucha: An Integrative Review.

Kombucha is a fermented beverage that originated in China and is spread worldwide today. The infusion of Camellia sinensis leaves is mandatory as the substrate to produce kombucha but alternative plant infusions are expected to increase the opportunities to develop new fermented food products analogous to kombucha, with high technological potential and functional properties. This review gathers information regarding promising alternative substrates to produce kombucha-analogous beverages, focusing on plants available in the Amazonia biome. The data from the literature showed a wide range of alternative substrates in increasing expansion, with 37 new substrates being highlighted, of which ~29% are available in the Amazon region. Regarding the technological production of kombucha-analogous beverages, the following were the most frequent conditions: sucrose was the most used carbon/energy source; the infusions were mostly prepared at 90-100 °C, which allowed increased contents of phenolic compounds in the product; and 14 day-fermentation at 25-28 °C was typical. Furthermore, herbs with promising bioactive compound compositions and high antioxidant and antimicrobial properties are usually preferred. This review also brings up gaps in the literature, such as the lack of consistent information about chemical composition, sensory aspects, biological properties, and market strategies for fermented beverages analogous to kombucha produced with alternative substrates. Therefore, investigations aiming to overcome these gaps may stimulate the upscale of these beverages in reaching wide access to contribute to the modern consumers' quality of life.

Therapeutic and pharmacological efficacy of plant-derived bioactive compounds in targeting breast cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) ranks number one among cancers affecting women globally. Serious concerns include delayed diagnosis, poor prognosis, and adverse side effects of conventional treatment, leading to residual morbidity. Therefore, an alternative treatment approach that is safe and effective has become the need of the hour. In this regard, plant-based medicines via a combination of conventional drugs are gaining increasing acceptance worldwide, playing a pivotal role in cancer management as proven by their efficacy evaluation studies. This review aims to fill the knowledge gaps by providing the preclinical evidence of cellular and molecular mechanisms of Indian phytomedicines in targeting varied pathways of breast cancer progression. A comprehensive search was performed on different platforms, followed by screening of relevant studies for review. In this article, the in-depth of various botanical drugs covering their nomenclature, dosage, toxicity, and modus operandi in BC cells have been extensively discussed. Various signaling pathways like Notch signaling, MAPK signaling, apoptosis, Wnt signaling, etc. regulated by herbal medicine treatment in BC are also highlighted to understand the drug mechanism better. This will guide the researchers to plan future strategies and generate more robust integrated evidence of plant-based drugs or botanical formulations for their potential role in the management of BC.

[Differences and drivers of leaf stable carbon and nitrogen isotope in herbs under different vegetation types on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau]. / é’è—é«˜åŽŸä¸œç¼˜ä¸åŒæ¤è¢«ç±»åž‹ä¸‹è‰æœ¬æ¤ç‰©å¶ç‰‡ç¢³æ°®ç¨³å®šåŒä½ç´ å·®å¼‚åŠå ¶é©±åŠ¨å› ç´ .

The natural abundance of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) in leaves can provide comprehensive information on the physiological and ecological processes of plants and has been widely used in ecological research. However, recent studies on leaf δ13C and δ15N have focused mainly on woody species, few studies have been conducted on herbs in different vegetation types, and their differences and driving factors are still unclear. In this study, we focused on the herbs in subalpine coniferous forests, alpine shrublands, and alpine mea-dows on the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and investigated the differences in leaf δ13C and δ15N of herbs and the driving factors. The results showed that there were significant differences in leaf δ13C and δ15N values of herbs among different vegetation types, with the highest δ13C and δ15N values in alpine meadows, followed by alpine shrublands, and the lowest in subalpine coniferous forests. Using variation partitioning analysis, we revealed that differences in leaf δ13C and δ15N of herbs among various vegetation types were driven by both leaf functional traits and climate factors, with the contribution of leaf functional traits being relatively higher than that of climate factors. Hierarchical partitioning results indicated that mean annual temperature (MAT), chlorophyll content index, leaf nitrogen content per unit area (Narea), and leaf mass per area were the main drivers of leaf δ13C variations of herbs across different vegetation types, while the relative importance of Narea and MAT for variation in leaf δ15N of herbs was much higher than those other variables. There was a strong coupling relationship between leaf δ13C and δ15N as indicated by the result of the ordinary least squares regression. Our findings could provide new insights into understanding the key drivers of leaf δ13C and δ15N variations in herbs across different vegetation types.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Four Different Concentrations of Ant Nest (Myrmecodia pendens) Collagen Membranes with Potential for Medical Applications.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to synthesize and structurally characterize four ant nest membranes in four different concentrations and determine the best concentration that could potentially be used as an alternative material for the production of new collagen barrier membranes. Materials and Methods: Membranes were created by mixing ant nest extracts at various concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%, as well as collagen, chitosan, and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) using a film casting. A Universal Testing Machine (UTM) was used to evaluate mechanical properties including elastic modulus, tensile strength, maximum elongation, elongation at break, and maximum force. Water absorption was performed, FTIR was used for functional group identification, and morphology was examined using SEM. Additionally, EDS was used to identify the composition and distribution of elements in membranes. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA (analysis of variance) and post hoc testing with a significance level of p <0.01 for quantitative data. Results: The results showed that the mechanical properties produced the following mean (standard deviation): elastic modulus 0.87 Mpa (0.11), tensile strength 16.32 N/mm2 (2.46), maximum elongation 4.96% (1.72), elongation at break 5.23% (1.87), and maximum force 22.50 N (5.06). The average water absorption capacity of all four membranes had a p-value <0.01. FTIR spectrum showed various peaks corresponding to functional groups, while SEM results indicated a homogeneous mixture. EDS analysis confirmed that the addition of ant plant extract at 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% resulted in the presence of elements C, O, and Ca. Meanwhile, membranes prepared with 2% concentration had a different composition, namely C, O, Ca, and Na. Conclusion: Increasing the concentration of ant nest affects the values of the membrane's mechanical properties parameters, including the elastic modulus (0.87 Mpa), tensile strength (16.32 N/mm2), maximum elongation (4.96%), elongation at break (5.23%), and maximum force (22.50 N). The average membrane absorption of water (p value <0.01) was also affected. SEM images showed homogeneous mixing, and membrane EDS results consisted of C, O, and Ca composition. However, there was no effect on FTIR functional groups. The anthill membrane with a 1% concentration has the potential to serve as an alternative membrane in guided tissue regeneration.

Formulation and assessment of chickpea pulao using fenugreek seeds and Indian rennet to improve blood glycemic levels.

Diabetes is becoming a significant health concern in Asia, where the prevalence has reached alarming levels. An important contributing factor is the consumption of high-carbohydrate foods, including rice, bread, etc. These high-carbohydrate foods pose a major risk to public health due to their impact on postprandial hyperglycemia. This research aimed to formulate a chickpea pulao (cooked Indian-Pakistani rice dish) and to evaluate its effects on postprandial blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic individuals. Antioxidant potential and total phenolic contents of herbs at different concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9%) were measured through DPPH and Folin Ciocalteu assays. The antidiabetic potential was tested by α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays. After sensory evaluation, the best-chosen concentration was used to formulate the chickpea pulao. The study trial was advertised under "DP trial," and 12 participants were recruited. A single-blind randomized cross-over trial was conducted for 3 weeks with a one-week wash-over time in between. Participants' preprandial and postprandial blood glucose levels were recorded for control and intervention recipes. Results indicated that both fenugreek seeds (FS) and Indian rennet (IR) showed good antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity (p = .000) in raw and boiled extracts. For DPPH, the IC50 values of unboiled and boiled combined (FS + IR) extracts were calculated as 7.4% and 8.02%, respectively. Similarly, for α-amylase, the IC50 values of combined IR and FS unboiled and boiled extracts were 6.58% and 6.83%, and for α-glucosidase inhibition assay, the values were measured as 14.98% and 16.24%. The single-blind randomized cross-over trial showed that consuming the intervention recipe significantly reduced postprandial hyperglycemia (p = .000) in type 2 diabetic participants. The intervention recipe decreased hyperglycemia by approximately 15% daily compared to the control recipe. Incorporation of hypoglycemic herbs into dietary patterns can work as an adjunct therapy for diabetes management, especially in populations with a high prevalence of this disease.

Alleviation of Menopausal Symptoms by Yam (Dioscorea japonica Thunb.) and Gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon Sieb. Et Zucc.) Extracts in Ovariectomized Mice.

SCOPE: The decline in estrogen during menopause contributes to a variety of menopausal symptoms, for which hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been extensively applied. Regarding side effects and limited effectiveness of HRT for specific individuals, there is a growing interest in safe alternatives such as phytoestrogens which are structurally analogous to estrogens. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of yam and gromwell extracts, rich in bioactive compounds, and the synergistic effect of extracts on symptoms induced by estrogen deficiency in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: OVX mice receive dietary intervention of either yam, gromwell extract, or their mixture for 14 weeks. Sham-operated mice and E2-injected OVX mice serve as positive controls. Following 14 weeks of oral administration, blood, adipose tissue, vagina, uterus, femurs, and tibias are harvested for further investigation. Consequently, yam and gromwell extracts ameliorate menopausal conditions such as weight gain, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and osteoporosis in estrogen-deficient OVX mice. In addition, the mixture of yam and gromwell extracts synergistically aids in the relief of the indications. CONCLUSION: These results indicate the potential use of yam and gromwell extracts, as well as their mixture, for the development of healthy functional foods to modulate menopausal symptoms.

Effectiveness of herbs taken concurrently with antihypertensive drugs in managing hypertension and lipid outcomes. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Hypertension is the primary cause of mortality. Hence globally, there is a growing interest in complementing antihypertensive drugs with herbs to alleviate blood pressure among hypertensive patients. Thus, this review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of complementing drugs with herbs on blood pressure and lipid profile outcomes, the associated factors and the types of complementary herbs alongside their consumption regimes. METHODS: This review is registered in PROSPERO on the National Institute of Health Database with an ID: CRD42021270481. Using the PICOS (population, intervention, comparison, outcome, study type) mnemonic formula and search strategy, we searched (January 2010 to February 2024) five electronic databases including Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL (Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection (PBSC). The inclusion criteria of the review were that all included papers had to be randomised control trials in English among hypertensive adults who complemented antihypertensive drugs with herbs. A Cochrane risk of bias assessment as well as a meta-analysis and narrative synthesis were conducted to answer the objectives. RESULTS: Twenty-five randomised controlled trials involving 1996 participants from 14 countries were included. The risk of bias among included articles was assessed and presented using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the graphs were generated. The effects of complementing antihypertensive drugs with different herb regimes on blood pressure and lipid profile outcomes were compared to those solely on antihypertensive drugs and placebo via a random model effects meta-analysis using the Revman manager. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and triglycerides gave a significant reduction in favour of the intervention group which complemented herbs. The overall pooled systolic blood pressure showed a reduction of (SMD=0.81, 95 % CI 0.14-1.47, p < 0.02, p for heterogeneity=0.00001, I2 =97 %) while triglycerides were (SMD=0.73, 95 % CI 0.17-1.28, p < 0.01, p for heterogeneity=0.00001, I2 =85 %). However, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL did not exert significant outcomes. CONCLUSION: The complemented herbs with antihypertensive drugs did show improvement in overall blood pressure management in the majority of the studies compared to the placebo group. Blood pressure and lipid profiles are the health outcomes that enable access to complementing herbs in controlling high blood pressure. Some limitations of this review are attributed to performance, detection and attrition bias in a few included articles alongside the presence of a high heterogeneity overall.

Screening of mycoflora and ochratoxin A on common culinary herbs and spices in Kenya.

The study aimed to screen fungal diversity and ochratoxin A levels on culinary spice and herb samples sold in open-air markets and supermarkets in Nairobi County, Kenya. All herbs were grown in Kenya, while locally-produced and imported spices were purchased from both types of retail outlet. The results showed a high frequency of Aspergillus and Penicillium species contaminating the samples. The isolated species included Aspergillus ochraceous, Aspergillus nomiae, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus ustus, Aspergillus terrus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus clavutus, Penicillium crustosum, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium brevicompactum, Penicillium glabrum, Penicillium thomii, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium polonicum, and Cladosporium cladosporioides. Total fungal count on spice and herb samples collected from various sources varied between 6 and 7 CFU/mL. Of imported spices, garlic had the highest fungal diversity, while cardamom had the least. For spices from both open market and supermarket outlets, cloves had the highest fungal diversity, while white pepper had the least. For the herbs sampled from the open markets, basil was the most contaminated, while sage was the least. In supermarket samples, parsley, sage, and mint had the highest fungal diversity, and bay had the least. The results indicate the contamination of spices and herbs with OTA at high concentrations. The calibration curve was saturated at 40 µg/kg; with samples of garlic, cinnamon, red chili, basil, thyme, mint, sage, and parsley having levels above this. Of the spices, imported ginger had the highest OTA levels (28.7 µg/kg), while turmeric from the open market had the least, 2.14 µg/kg. For herb samples, parsley from the open market had the highest OTA levels at 29.4 µg/kg, while marjoram from the open market had the lowest at 6.35 µg/kg. The results demonstrate the presence of mycotoxigenic fungi and OTA contamination of marketed culinary herbs and spices beyond acceptable limits. Hence, there is a need for informed and sustainable mitigation strategies aimed at reducing human exposure in Kenya to OTA mycotoxicosis through dietary intake of spices and herbs.

Insights on Natural Products Against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes the death of motor neurons and consequent muscle paralysis. Despite many efforts to address it, current therapy targeting ALS remains limited, increasing the interest in complementary therapies. Over the years, several herbal preparations and medicinal plants have been studied to prevent and treat this disease, which has received remarkable attention due to their blood-brain barrier penetration properties and low toxicity. Thus, this review presents the therapeutic potential of a variety of medicinal herbs and their relationship with ALS and their physiopathological pathways.

Torenia sp. Extracts Contain Multiple Potent Antitumor Compounds with Nematocidal Activity, Triggering an Activated DNA Damage Checkpoint and Defective Meiotic Progression.

Previously, we analyzed 316 herbal extracts to evaluate their potential nematocidal properties in Caenorhabditis elegans. In this study, our attention was directed towards Torenia sp., resulting in reduced survival and heightened larval arrest/lethality, alongside a noticeable decrease in DAPI-stained bivalent structures and disrupted meiotic progression, thus disrupting developmental processes. Notably, Torenia sp. extracts activated a DNA damage checkpoint response via the ATM/ATR and CHK-1 pathways, hindering germline development. LC-MS analysis revealed 13 compounds in the Torenia sp. extracts, including flavonoids, terpenoids, tanshinones, an analog of resveratrol, iridoids, carotenoids, fatty acids, and alkaloids. Of these, 10 are known for their antitumor activity, suggesting the potential of Torenia species beyond traditional gardening, extending into pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications.