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TREATING PEDIATRIC ASTHMA WITH HOLISTIC APPROACHES OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY
Get PDFBackground: Asthma is a chronic disease increasingly found in children. To find more economical and efficient alternatives to treat pediatric asthma, the Bureau of National Health Insurance of Taiwan launched the Traditional Chinese Medicine Holistic Treatment Program (TCMHTP). The effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) holistic treatments on pediatric asthma was evaluated based on data collected from the program.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was performed by analyzing a dataset from Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan, between January 1st, 2006 and December 31st, 2010. Patients aged between 2 and 15 years, who had been diagnosed with asthma, and had participated in the TCMHTP were recruited, whereas those with other severe diseases were excluded. We analyzed the frequency of emergency department visits (EDV), inpatient admission rate (IAR), and length of hospitalization (LH) of the patients, before and after TCM treatments. Spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) was also conducted.
Results: Fifty-eight patients were recruited. The average age of the patients receiving TCM treatments was 5.67±3.03 years. The frequency of EDV decreased from 0.94±0.85 to 0.67±1.19 times annually (p=0.095), the annual IAR decreased from 0.62±0.78 to 0.26±0.67 (p=0.002) and the average LH decreased from 3.32±4.25 to 0.80±1.64 (p=0.000) days per year. Parasympathetically mediated HRV decreased significantly from 60.42±15.33 to 54.89±16.45 nu (p=0.016).
Conclusion: The present study revealed that an appropriate period of TCM holistic treatment intervention can not only significantly lower exacerbations and hospitalization frequency but also reduce vagal tone in asthmatic children
POTENTIAL ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY OF CURCUMIN WITH RETINYLESTER MICRO-CAPSULED FORMULA
Get PDFBackground: The Bioavailabilty, efficacy and disease resistance of chemotherapy are the limitations of cancer treatment. This study was designed to formulate a microcapsules containing curcumin and retinylester as core material and tested the anti-cancer activity against different cancer cell lines.
Materials and methods: This study involved the design and formulation of microcapsules containing curcumin and retinylester as (core materials) embedded in dextrin/gelatin as wall materials. It was examined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR and tested against HeLa and HepG2 cancer cell lines.
Results: Analysis of microcapsule by FTIR showed the characteristic band (2000cm-1~ 3800cm-1) that is indicated mainly from OH-, – CH3 and double bond. These bond stretching showed spectral bands peak 2975cm-1and 2670cm-1, 2836cm-1 respectively. The anticancer activity of these microcapsules on HeLA and HepG2 showed inhibition percent 87% and 85% respectively and non-toxic effect on normal cells.
Conclusion: Micro capsulated form of curcumin-retinylester showed an efficient medicinal mixture displayed a significant effect to HeLa and HepG2 cells which is very promising effective in the treatment of cancer
ACUTE AND SUBACUTE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF DICHLOROMETHANE EXTRACT OF CASSIA ALATA (LINN.) LEAVES IN WISTAR RATS
Get PDFBackground: In Burkina Faso, leaves of Cassia alata are used in the treatment of several diseases, including inflammation. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the dichloromethane extract of Cassia alata leaves (CF-AECal) on different models of inflammation in wistar rats in order to enhance its use in traditional medicine.
Materials and Methods: Acute inflammation was induced among rats with 0.1 ml of carrageenan, serotonin, histamine and dextrane 1%. The effects of the CF-AECal 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg were compared to the effects of diclofenal 5 mg/kg, prednisone 5 mg/kg, promethazine 1 mg/kg, cyproheptadin 2 mg/kg. Cotton pellet and air pouch - induced granuloma permitted to study CF-AECal effects on the subacute inflammation. The ways of administrations were intra peritoneal for the substances of inductions and oral for the molecules of references and CF-AECal.
Result: Carrageenan-induced paw edema has been inhibited to 52.39% by CF-AECal 50 mg/kg and 50.17% by CF-AECal 100 mg/kg. Wet granulomas formation has been inhibited by CF-AECal 50 and 100 mg/kg to 20.94 and 57.82%. The dry granulomas were inhibited at 24.32 and 59.04% by CF-AECal 50 and 100 mg/kg. Air pouch fluid was significantly reduced by CF-AECal in comparison to the control group. There was a massive recruitment of leukocytes in the pocket granuloma of the control group. CF-AECal caused strong inhibition of this infiltration of leukocytes (p< 0.001).
Conclusion: Dichloromethane extract of Cassia alata showed anti-inflammatory effects
PERIPHERAL PARASITAEMIA AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH PLASMA CYTOKINES LEVELS IN MALARIA-INFECTED PREGNANT WOMEN IN ABA, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA
Get PDFBackground: Cytokines in pregnant female may not be a normal phenomenon as malarial infection is often associated with strong
CD4+ cell activation and up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We investigated the relationship between peripheral
parasitaemia and plasma levels of cytokines among malaria infected pregnant women in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A total of 206 non-HIV positive asymptomatic malaria parasitaemic (n=144) and non-parasitaemic
(n=62) pregnant women were recruited for this study alongside 80 non-pregnant women who served as positive (n=40) and
negative (n=40) controls. Blood samples were aseptically collected from each subject and tested for HIV and malaria parasites
using standard methods. Also, plasma levels of cytokines were measured using Th1/Th2 human cytokine ELISA kits (Abcam,
UK). Analysis of Variance and Student’s t-test were used for Comparison of groups while Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient was
used for tests of association.
Results: The results revealed a mean parasite density of 685.56±484.55 parasites/μl of blood. Malaria infected pregnant subjects
showed significantly higher levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 when compared with their non-infected counterparts
(P< 0.05). The cytokines evaluated were higher in moderate parasitaemia than mild parasitaemia. Positive correlation existed
between peripheral parasite density (PPD) and IL-4 (r= 0.24, P=0.004), PPD and IL-6 (r = 0.35, P = 0.001) as well as PPD and IL-
10 (r = 0.29, P = 0.001).
Conclusion: This study showed that increase in peripheral parasitaemia increased levels of some plasma cytokines (IL-4, IL-6 and
IL-10) but not IFN-γ and TNF-α in the malaria infected pregnant women studied
EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF BAN HUANG ORAL LIQUID FOR TREATING BOVINE RESPIRATORY DISEASES
Get PDFBackground: Ban Huang oral liquid was developed as a veterinary compound preparation by the Lanzhou Institute of
Husbandry and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). The purpose of
this study was to determine whether the oral liquid preparation of traditional Chinese medicine, Ban Huang, is safe and
effective for treating respiratory diseases in cattle.
Materials and Methods: Acute oral toxicity experiments were conducted in Wistar rats and Kunming mice via oral
administration. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the drug against Mycoplasma bovis in vitro with the double
dilution method was 500 mg/mL, indicating good sensitivity. The results of laboratory pathogen testing, analysis of
clinical symptoms, and analysis of pathological anatomy were combined to diagnose bovine respiratory diseases in 147
Simmental cattle caused by mixed infections of M. bovis, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine parainfluenza virus
type 3, and Mannheimia haemolytica. These cattle were randomly divided into three groups: drug treatment group 1
(treated via Tilmicosin injection), drug treatment group 2 (treated with Shuang Huang Lian oral liquid combined with
Tilmicosin injection), and drug treatment group 3 (treated with Ban Huang oral liquid combined with Tilmicosin
injection). Treatment effects were observed within 7 days.
Results: The results showed no toxicity and a maximum tolerated dose greater than 20 g/kg BW. For the 87 cattle in
drug-treatment group, the cure rate was 90.80%, whereas the response rate was 94.25%. The cure rate of drug treatment
group was increased by 14.13% in comparison with that of drug control group 1 and by 7.47% in comparison with that
of drug control group 2 (both P < 0.05).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Ban Huang oral liquid is a safe and effective treatment for bovine respiratory
diseases, especially for mixed infection caused by M. bovis, bacteria, and viruses
EVALUATION OF THE CHELATING EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CORIANDRUM SATIVUM AND ITS FRACTIONS ON WISTAR RATS POISONED WITH LEAD ACETATE
Get PDFBackground: The rate of lead poisoning has decreased in recent years due to increased health control in industries that use this metal.
However, it is still a public health problem worldwide. The use of various plants with chelating properties has been a topic of research
today. In traditional medicine, it is said that Coriandrum sativum has chelating properties, but there is no scientific evidence to support
this fact. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the chelating effect of methanol extract of coriander and its fractions on Wistar
rats intoxicated with lead.
Materials and Methods: In this research, male Wistar rats were poisoned with 50 mg/kg of lead acetate and treated with 50 mg/kg of
methanol extract and its fractions. The extract and its fractions were administered to four treatment groups. Positive and negative
controls were established. Hemoglobin, hematocrit and lead concentrations were analyzed; liver was evaluated histologically in
control and treatment groups.
Results: The methanol extract of coriander presented a LD50 ˃1000 mg/dL. The group administered with the methanol extract showed
significant difference in the levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit compared to the negative control group. Lead concentration in
treatment groups showed a decrease compared to the positive control. Histological evaluation of tissue showed less damage in groups
administered with methanolic extract and its fractions compared to the positive control which presented structural alterations.
Conclusion: Coriander extracts protect liver and lower lead concentration in rats intoxicated with lead in contrast to the positive
control group
ANALYSIS OF PHENOLIC AND FLAVONOIDS OF WILD EPHEDRA ALATA PLANT EXTRACTS BY LC/PDA AND LC/MS AND THEIR ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY
Get PDFBackground: Ephedra is among Palestinian medicinal plants that are traditionally used in folkloric medicine for
treating many diseases. Ephedra is known to have antibacterial and antioxidant effects. The goal of this study is to
evaluate the antioxidant activity of different extracts from the Ephedra alata plant growing wild in Palestine, and to
analyze their phenolic and flavonoid constituents by HPLC/PDA and HPLC/MS.
Materials and Methods: Samples of the Ephedra alata plant grown wild in Palestine were extracted with three
different solvents namely, 100% water, 80% ethanol, and 100% ethanol. The extracts were analyzed for their total
phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant activity (AA), as well as phenolic and flavonoids
content by HPLC/PDA/MS.
Results: The results revealed that the polarity of the extraction solvent affects the TPC, TFC, and AA of extracts. It
was found that both TPC and AA are highest for plant extracted with 80% ethanol, followed by 100% ethanol, and
finally with 100% water. TFC however was highest in the following order: 100% ethanol > 80% ethanol > water.
Pearson correlation indicated that there is a significant correlation between AA and TPC, but there is no correlation
between AA and TFC. Simultaneous HPLC-PDA and UHPLC-MS analysis of the ethanolic plant extracts revealed the
presence of Luteolin-7-O-glucuronide flavone, Myricetin 3-rhamnoside and some other major polyphenolic
compounds that share myricetin skeleton.
Conclusion Ephedra alata extract is rich in potent falvonoid glycosidic compounds as revealed by their similar
overlaid UV-Vis spectra and UHPLC-MS results. On the basis of these findings, it is concluded that Ephedra alata
constitutes a natural source of potent antioxidants that may prevent many diseases and could be potentially used in
food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF BURSERA MORELENSIS RAMÍREZ ESSENTIAL OIL
Get PDFBackground: Bursera morelensis, known as “Aceitillo”, is an endemic tree of Mexico. Infusions made from the bark of this species have been used for the treatment of skin infections and for their wound healing properties. In this work, we present the results of a phytochemical and antimicrobial investigation of the essential oil of B. morelensis.
Materials and Methods: The essential oil was obtained by a steam distillation method and analyzed using GC-MS. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated.
Results: GC-MS of the essential oil demonstrated the presence of 28 compounds. The principal compound of the essential oil was α-Phellandrene (32.69%). The essential oil had antibacterial activity against Gram positive and negative strains. The most sensitive strains were S. pneumoniae, V. cholerae (cc) and E. coli (MIC 0.125 mg/mL, MBC 0.25 mg/mL). The essential oil was bactericidal for V. cholera (cc). The essential oil inhibited all the filamentous fungi. F. monilifome (IC50 = 2.27 mg/mL) was the most sensitive fungal strain.
Conclusions: This work provides evidence that confirms the antimicrobial activity of the B. morelensis essential oil and this is a scientific support about of traditional uses of this species
EFFECTS OF AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE ON THE SLEEP QUALITY AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF PATIENTS IN A SURGICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Get PDFBackground: Surgical pain is experienced by inpatients with clinical, disease-related concerns, unknown encounters
after surgery, quality of sleep, restrictions in position after surgery is known to be serious. The study was conducted to
determine the effect of aromatherapy massage on quality of sleep and physiological parameters in surgical intensive
care patients.
Materials and Methods: This is an experimental study. The sample of this study consisted of 60 patients who were
divided into two groups as experimental group and control group including 30 patients in each one. The participants
were postoperative patients, absent complications, who were unconscious and extubated. A data collection form on
personal characteristics of the patients, a registration form on their physical parameters and the Richards-Campbell
Sleep Scale (RCSQ) were used to collect the data of the study.
Results: The Richards-Campbell Sleep Scale indicated that while the experimental group had a mean score of 53.80 ±
13.20, the control group had a mean score of 29.08 ± 9.71 and there was a statistically significant difference between
mean scores of the groups. In a comparison of physiologic parameters, only diastolic blood pressure measuring
between parameters in favor of an assembly as a statistically significant difference was detected.
Conclusions: Results of the study showed that aromatherapy massage enhanced the sleep quality of patients in a
surgical intensive care unit and resulted in some positive changes in their physiological parameters
IN VITRO CHEMO-PREVENTATIVE ACTIVITY OF STRELITZIA NICOLAI ARIL EXTRACT CONTAINING BILIRUBIN
Get PDFBackground: The discovery of the only animal pigment, bilirubin, in the plant Strelitzia nicolai has triggered a vast
number of questions regarding bilirubin’s formation and its role in the human body. Recent studies have confirmed that
bilirubin at certain levels have many medical benefits. Various case studies have revealed that bilirubin is a potent
antioxidant. Cervical cancer is one of South Africa’s largest womens’ health crises. It is estimated that it affects one out
of 41 South African women and kills approximately 8 women in the country every day. Thus, the aim of this study was
to investigate if the aril extract of Strelitzia nicolai (Regel and Körn.) containing bilirubin possesses anti-cancer activity
and to determine its effect on the induction of apoptosis.
Materials and methods: The DPPH activity was firstly used to determine the antioxidant effect of the extract.
Thereafter, the cytotoxic effect was tested using the XTT assay. Apoptosis was confirmed and quantified using the
Annexin V-PE kit and the morphology was studied using acridine orange and ethidium bromide. Results: The aril
extract decreased cell viability by 52% and induced apoptosis in HeLa cells; as shown by the Annexin V-PE Apoptosis
detection kit and morphological studies with acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. Conclusion: The activity of
the extract as a potent antioxidant was immensely enhanced as compared to the bilirubin standard. These results
suggest that S. nicolai aril extract containing bilirubin works synergistically as opposed to bilirubin on its own.
Furthermore, this extract might be a good candidate for the therapeutic intervention of cervical cancer