Journal of ethnopharmacology
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Calea urticifolia leaves are traditionally used as a remedy to treat gastric ulcers, diabetes, and inflammation by the Xi'uy ancient native community of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. ⋯ Phenolic compounds in CuAqE such as caffeoylquinic acid derivatives and flavonoid glycosides could be responsible for inhibiting LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress by iNOS/NO pathway through suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway and by inhibition of ROS production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Therefore, these results support the traditional knowledge of C. urticifolia tea such as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent.
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Review
Local and traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Sophora japonica L.: A review.
Sophora japonica (Fabaceae), also known as Huai (Chinese: ), is a medium-sized deciduous tree commonly found in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other countries. The use of this plant has been recorded in classical medicinal treatises of ancient China, and it is currently recorded in both the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and European Pharmacopoeia. The flower buds and fruits of S. japonica, also known as Flos Sophorae Immaturus and Fructus Sophorae in China, are most commonly used in Asia (especially in China) to treat hemorrhoids, hematochezia, hematuria, hematemesis, hemorrhinia, uterine or intestinal hemorrhage, arteriosclerosis, headache, hypertension, dysentery, dizziness, and pyoderma. To discuss feasible trends for further research on S. japonica, this review highlights the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities, and toxicology of S. japonica based on studies published in the last six decades. ⋯ S. japonica has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) due to its wide range of biological activities, and is administered orally. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies of S. japonica have increased in the past few years, and the extract and active components of this plant can be used to develop new drugs based on their traditional application as well as their biological activities. Therefore, this review on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities, and toxicity of S. japonica offers promising data for further studies as well as the commercial exploitation of this traditional medicine.
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The use of CAM including herbal medicine as the most preferred CAM modality, among cancer patients who are taking prescription medications has shown to be highly prevalent worldwide as well as in several Middle Eastern countries, with a high percentage of the patients do not disclose their CAM use to treating physician. ⋯ CAM use, especially herbal medicine in cancer is highly prevalent in Palestine. This study has demonstrated the role of the media on the emergence of new CAM herbal therapies among cancer patients in Palestine, and discussed its potential implications on patients and for oncologists who are treating them. Some of the most widely used herbal medicines by cancer patients in the present work are known to interact with conventional anticancer drugs. Hence, the disclosure of the use of herbal remedies by patients to health professionals with sufficient training in CAM use is important for the later in order to assess whether there are any possible herbal drug interactions and/or harmful drug reactions.
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Anti-inflammatory therapy has been intensively investigated as a potential strategy for treatment of cerebral stroke. However, despite many positive outcomes reported in animal studies, anti-inflammatory treatments have not proven successful in humans as yet. Although immunomodulatory activity and safety of Cordyceps species (Chinese caterpillar fungi) have been proven in clinical trials and traditional Asian prescriptions for inflammatory diseases, its anti-ischemic effect remains elusive. ⋯ In summary, post-ischemic treatment of WIB801C reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells into ischemic lesions via inhibition of chemotaxis, which confers long-lasting histological and neurological protection in ischemic brain. WIB801C may be a promising anti-ischemic drug candidate with clinically relevant therapeutic time window and safety.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
A randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled clinical study on the efficacy and safety of Shenmai injection in patients with chronic heart failure.
Shenmai injection (SMI) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine extracted from Panax ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey, steamed and dry) and Ophiopogon japonicus (Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl, root). It has been widely used for the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) in China. However, the evidence supporting its effects remains unclear due to lack of high quality trials. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of SMI in CHF patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). ⋯ The integrative treatment with standard medicines plus SMI can further improve NYHA functional classification for patients with CHF and CAD. Therefore, SMI could be recommended in the combination therapy for CHF accompanied with CAD.