Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine

Azadirachta indica A. Juss var. siamensis Valeton or commonly known as Siamese neem is one of the most well-known plant in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relaxant effects of A. indica on isolated rat ileum contractions and its potential underlying mechanisms involved. The isometric contractions of ileum segments were investigated in organ baths for spontaneous activity and response to aqueous extract of Siamese neem flower (SNF). The spasmolytic action of the extract was also assessed on contraction induced by acetylcholine and high potassium...

In view of the overall health impact of NIDDM, inventers understand the necessity of improving glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes. BGR-34 provides an effective treatment option for adults with type 2 diabetes who have been inadequately controlled on lifestyle with or without other oral hypoglycemic agents (OHGAs) such as metformin, sulfonylurea, or a glitazones. BGR-34 is an appropriate option to consider for addition to a managed care drug formulary. Treatment with BGR-34 produced clinically relevant and statistically significant reductions in all three key measures of glucose control studied -FPG, PPBG and HbA1c- when compared with placebo...

Pancreatitis is characterized by highly morbid inflammation in the pancreas. Currently, there is no specific drug available for pancreatitis except supportive medicines. The present study assessed the pancreato-protective effect of Morus alba root bark extract by using alcohol and cerulein-induced model of pancreatitis. The study also investigated the phytochemical profile through GC-MS and HPLC. Methanolic extract of Morus alba root bark extract (MEMARB) was subjected to GC-MS and HPLC studies. Male albino Wistar rats were administered ethanol (0%-36%) and cerulein (20 μg/kg b...

Herbal medicines are known to mitigate radical induced cell damage. Hence identification and scientific validation of herbal medicines contribute to better use in Ayurvedic/Unani research. In the present study, we investigated antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties of Convolvulus pluricaulis ( C. pluricaulis ). C. pluricaulis exhibited antioxidant potential evident by free radical scavenging activities. C. pluricaulis pretreatment inhibited H2 O2 induced macromolecule damage such as plasmid DNA damage and AAPH induced oxidation of bovine serum albumin and lipid peroxidation of rat hepatic tissues...

Chenopodium album L., ( C. album ) (family: Chenopodiaceae) is an annual shrub widely grown in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. It is commonly known as Bathua (in Hindi), pigweed, fat hen or lamb-quarters. The leaves of C. album are applied as a poultice to bug bites, sunstroke, rheumatic joints and as mild laxative. The flavonoids contained in C. album aerial parts were extracted, identified and characterized. Sequential soxhlet extraction was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and flavonoid quantification...

The morbidity caused by viper bites is very dangerous and the anti-venom therapy couldn't treat the local injures such as hemorrhage, edema, necrosis and inflammation of bitten tissues. Searching for safe and effective anti-venom compounds from natural sources is very important. This study was designed to explore the neutralizing ability of Rosmarinus officinalis L. leaves aqueous extract (RMAE) against Egyptian Cerastes cerastes (Cc) viper venom toxicity. The RMAE contained a considerable amount of phenolic and flavonoid contents with 3,300 and 800 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively...

Objective: The rhizome of Tectaria cicutaria has been used in Indian traditional medicine for the treatment of various disorders. The objective of present investigation is to screen various extracts of the rhizomes of Tectaria cicutaria for anti-cancer activity and to investigate the mechanism involved. Materials and methods: The rhizomes of Tectaria cicutaria were extracted with different solvents. In vitro anti-cancer activity of different rhizome extracts were studied in Human cancer Cell Lines using Sulphorodamine B (SRB) colorimetric cytotoxicity assay...

There is a renewed interest in non-nutritive bioactive compounds of foods and beverages as 'lifespan nutrients' in the risk reduction of non-communicable diseases. Herbal beverages, consumed as part of a balanced diet, may improve the antioxidant status and enhance the overall health status. Herbal teas/beverages are rich sources of natural bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, polyacetylenes, saponins and terpenoids, among others. A wealth of available scientific evidence demonstrates that natural bioactive compounds render a number of diversified biological effects, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antiinflammatory, antiallergic, antithrombotic and vasodilatory actions, as well as antimutagenicity, anticarcinogenicity and antiaging effects...

In the present review article, the phytochemical, antioxidant and pharmacological studies are congregated and summarized concerning the current knowledge of the phenolic compounds of a traditional medical plant Acacia confusa in Taiwan. This plant is native to Taiwan and South-East Asia. It possesses major pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and radical scavenging activity, hepatoprotective effect, xanthine oxidase inhibition, semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase inhibition, angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibition, antihyperuricemic effect and anti-inflammatory activity...

Traditional Chinese and Korean medicine uses various manipulations on acupuncture points/acupoints that are located along imaginary lines on the surface of a human body, which are called 'meridians'. Acupuncture has been used from the ancient time till now to cure various diseases, including for the purpose of regenerative medicine. In various studies, meridians are alternatively called as Bong-Han ducts, primo vessels, or hyaluronic-acid rich ducts, while acupoints are called Bong-Han corpuscles, primo nodes, or hyaluronic-acid rich nodes...

Phenolic compounds and other antioxidants have been implicated in protection against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in which oxidative stress is a main contributor. The extracts of Bael ( Aegle marmelos) flower were examined for their phenolic content, free radical scavenging efficacy and inhibition of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol oxidation and DNA scission activities. The extracts of Bael flowers were prepared using different solvent systems and their total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) determined...

The present study demonstrates apoptosis-inducing potential and mechanism of action of Tribulus terristris alkaloid extract in Jurkat E6-1 cancer cell line. Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and High Resolution-Mass Spectrometry analysis identified the presence of four N -feruloyltyramine derivatives, namely trans- N -feruloyl-3-hydroxytyramine ( 1 ), trans- N -coumaroyltyramine ( 2 ), trans- N -feruloyltyramine ( 3 ) and trans- N -feruloyl-3-ethoxytyramine ( 4 ) in the alkaloid extract. Compounds 2 and 3 have not been yet reported in the alkaloid extract of T...

Arsenic acid is one of the abundant environmental pollutants present in soil, water and the air. Undoubtedly, it has found its way to the food chain in which humans and animals are the final targets thereby causing arrays of disease conditions including cardiovascular and renal dysfunction. Hence, the use of phytochemicals present in medicinal plants has gained global acceptance as chemotherapeutic agents that can prevent, ameliorate, reverse or treat diseases. From our study, arsenic acid intoxication led to significant increase in heart rate (HR), QRS, together with prolonged QT and QTc interval...

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of green tea extract on serum lipid level in postmenopausal women. Method: In this randomized controlled trial 100 postmenopausal women with an abnormality in at least one lipid profile were recruited and randomly assigned to one of the two groups: green tea extract (n = 50) and control group (n = 50). The intervention group received two capsules (400 mg) of green tea extract two times daily; the control group received a placebo for 4 weeks...

One of the most common postoperative problems is nausea and vomiting. Although using some anesthetic materials has been considered as the mainstay of this phenomenon, the exact factors are not known. Because of several morbidities associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), its prevention and treatment has been a challenge for physicians, so several drugs have been recommended for this purpose. Based on the documented antiemetic specificity of ginger, we evaluated and compared the effects of preoperative administration of ginger on PONV with ondansetron administration as the standard medication...

Sesamum indicum, one of the first recorded plants used for its seeds, is reported to have analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-obesity as well as hepato and nephro protective activities. The current study evaluated the effects of two doses (400 and 800 mg/kg) of ethanolic extract of S . indicum seeds in Freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritis in rats in comparison with diclofenac and methotrexate by the changes produced in body weight, body temperature, paw volume and spontaneous activity, hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total white blood cells, red blood cells, Interleukin-6 and Tumor necrosis factor-α as well as joint changes in X-ray and histological changes in joint tissue...

Herbal medicine, phytomedicine or botanical medicine are synonymous, utilizes plants intended for medicinal purposes. Medicinal use of herbal medicine in the treatment and prevention of diseases including diabetes has a long history compared to conventional medicine. Diabetes is one of the major public health concerns over the world. Diabetes or hyperglycemia is considered to be one of the common public health hazard; optimal control of which is still not possible. Persistent hyperglycemia or uncontrolled diabetes has the potential to cause serious complications such as kidney disease, vision loss, cardiovascular disease, and lower-limb amputations which contributed towards morbidity and mortality in diabetes...

Liver fibrosis is a dynamic pathological condition which can be slowed down in its initial phases. Without proper clinical management of fibrosis, progressive liver damage may lead to cirrhosis and ultimately to liver failure or primary liver cancer, which are irreversible conditions. Therefore, in order to cure fibrotic damage to liver, its early stages should be the centre of attention. In this context, some supplements and 'complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)' deserve specific mention, because of their already recognized natural way of healing and long lasting curative effects...

Sea cucumbers have long been used as food and traditional medicine in Asian countries with Stichopus hermanni , Thelenota ananas, Thelenota anax, Holothuria fuccogilva, and Actinopyga mauritiana as most highly-valued species. These organisms are potential source of high value-added compounds with therapeutic properties such as triterpene glycosides, carotenoids, bioactive peptides, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, collagens, gelatins, chondroitin sulfates, amino acids. In the recent years, health benefit effects of sea cucumbers have been validated through scientific research and have shown medicinal value such as wound healing, neuroprotective, antitumor, anticoagulant, antimicrobial, and antioxidant...

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are two factors that are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), a debilitating progressive neurodegenerative disorder that results in the loss of catecholamine producing cells throughout specific regions of the brain. In this study we aimed to compare the effects of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) and rotenone (a pesticide and mitochondrial complex 1 inhibitor) on cell viability and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in a cellular model of PD...