herbalism

Plants of the genus Monarda receive growing interest as the sources of herbal raw materials with wide range of potential applications in food, cosmetics, and phytopharmaceutical industry. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in chemical characteristics and biological activity among different organs of plants representing three underinvestigated species of this genus: Monarda bradburiana L. C. Beck, Monarda × media Willd., and Monarda punctata L. The content of phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of leaves, stems, and inflorescences were determined...

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: At present the use of synthetic pesticides to manage insects and other arthropods creates a number of issues that are related to the environment and public health. The goal of the present study was to find the repellent activity of Vitex negundo and Curcuma longa herbal extract against the wild species Simulium (blackfly) bite. METHODS: We have studied Simulium biting behavior and tested the repellency of herbal extract obtained from Vitex negundo L...

BACKGROUND: Anterior tooth discolorations can be treated conservatively and noninvasively through bleaching to achieve the desired esthetic outcomes. However, bleaching along with composite resin is advisable for certain clinical cases for optimum results. However, shear bond strength (SBS) of composite resin to the bleached tooth gets significantly lowered. Before placing the composite restoration, the bleached enamel needs to be treated with antioxidant agents to increase its SBS. The study aims to evaluate and compare the effect of herbal antioxidants on SBS of composite resin to bleached enamel at different time intervals...

BACKGROUND: Effective irrigation is crucial for successful endodontic treatment. Traditional irrigants like sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) have been widely used, but there is a growing interest in exploring natural alternatives for their potential antimicrobial properties. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of Neem, Bitter Gourd, and NaOCl, with and without ultrasonic activation in managing primary endodontic infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients were randomly assigned six groups ( n = 15) Group 1: NaOCl, Group 2: NaOCl with passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), Group 3: Neem juice, Group 4: Neem juice with PUI, Group 5: Bitter gourd juice, and Group 6: Bitter gourd juice with PUI...

With the advent of modern technology, advancements in processing and storage techniques, and increasing medical knowledge, people are becoming aware of deterioration in the quality of medicinal products due to storage methods and time. In most cases, herbal products are not consumed immediately after production; as such, improper storage can result in physical, chemical, and microbiological changes. The study evaluated the effect of storage methods and time on the quality of oil extracted from Phyllanthus amarus Schumach and Annona muricata Linn and assessed their antidiabetic and antioxidative effects...

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disk degeneration (IVDD) is a common spine disease, and inflammation is considered to be one of its main pathogenesis. Apigetrin (API) is a natural bioactive flavonoid isolated from various herbal medicines and shows attractive anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties; whereas, there is no exploration of the therapeutic potential of API on IVDD. Here, we aim to explore the potential role of API on IVDD in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: In vitro, western blotting, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence analysis were implemented to explore the bioactivity of API on interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-induced inflammatory changes in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs)...

Objectives: Amidst rising global burden of depression and the associated challenges with conventional antidepressant therapies, there is a growing interest in exploring the efficacy and safety of alternative treatments. This study uses a Bayesian network meta-analysis to rigorously evaluate the therapeutic potential of Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of depression, focusing on their comparative efficacy and safety against standard pharmacological interventions. Methods: Five databases (PubMed, Wanfang Data, EMBASE, CNKI, and the Cochrane Library) and grey literature were searched from inception to end of July 2023 to identify studies that assessed the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines in treating depression...

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs) produced in opium poppy have been evidenced to heal patients suffering from various diseases. They, therefore, hold an integral position in the herbal drug industry. Despite the adoption of several approaches for the large-scale production of BIAs, opium poppy remains the only platform in this purpose. The only disadvantage associated with producing BIAs in the plant is their small quantity. Thus, recruiting strategies that boost their levels is deemed necessary. All the methods which have been employed so far are just able to enhance a maximum of two BIAs...

Although herbal drugs are often considered safe for consumption, there is increasing evidence that some can generate undesirable health effects. However, polyphenols found in certain plants have been shown to provide a range of benefits for human health. In previous work, a standardized and quantified extract (P2Et) obtained from Caesalpinia spinosa (Dividivi) plant showed promising antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties in animal models of cancer and COVID-19 patients. The extract has also been subjected to genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and 28-day oral chronic toxicity evaluations, demonstrating a good safety profile...

UNLABELLED: Acanthopanax gracilistylus is a deciduous plant in the family Araliaceae, which is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine, as the root bark has functions of nourishing the liver and kidneys, removing dampness and expelling wind, and strengthening the bones and tendons. Kaurenoic acid (KA) is the main effective substance in the root bark of A. gracilistylus with strong anti-inflammatory effects. To elucidate the KA biosynthesis pathway, second-generation (DNA nanoball) and third-generation (Pacific Biosciences) sequencing were performed to analyze the transcriptomes of the A...

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a severe diabetic complication that leads to severe visual impairment or blindness. He-Ying-Qing-Re formula (HF), a traditional Chinese medicinal concoction, has been identified as an efficient therapy for DR with retinal vascular dysfunction for decades and has been experimentally reported to ameliorate retinal conditions in diabetic mice. This study endeavors to explore the therapeutic potential of HF with key ingredients in DR and its underlying novel mechanisms...

BACKGROUND: Clostridium perfringens (CP) is an emerging anaerobic pathogen that can aggravate severe fatal infections in different hosts and livestock. AIM: This paper was designed to monitor the antibacterial efficacy of Moringa oleifera ( M. oleifera ) plant against different CP isolates of variant toxin genotypes comparing that with commercial antibiotics in the veterinary field. METHODS: A total of 200 examined fecal, intestinal, and liver samples from cattle, sheep, and goats were investigated bacteriologically and biochemically for CP ...

BACKGROUND: The use of traditional medicine against viral diseases in animal production has been practiced worldwide. Herbal extracts possess organic substances that would improve chicken body performance. AIM: The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of either thyme or ginseng oil in regard to their immune-modulatory, antiviral, and growth promoter properties. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-one-day-old broiler chicks were allocated into eight equal groups as the following: group 1; nonvaccinated and nontreated and group 2; Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccinated and nontreated...

This article explores the evolution, unique aspects, and challenges facing exotic animal practice in South Africa. This article delves into the slow emergence of dedicated exotic practices and the challenges faced by veterinarians in a vast and diverse landscape. The unique nature of the veterinary landscape is highlighted, emphasizing the impact of varied climates on species inhabiting different regions. The challenges are multifaceted, ranging from limited education infrastructure to dietary issues, unregulated feeds, and the complexities of herbal medicine use...

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Rosmarinic acid (RA), a natural polyphenol abundant in numerous herbal remedies, has been attracting growing interest owing to its exceptional ability to protect the liver. Toosendanin (TSN), a prominent bioactive compound derived from Melia toosendan Siebold & Zucc., boasts diverse pharmacological properties. Nevertheless, TSN possesses remarkable hepatotoxicity. Intriguingly, the potential of RA to counteract TSN-induced liver damage and its probable mechanisms remain unexplored...

The market demand for herbal dietary supplements is rapidly growing and such products are becoming more common and accessible to consumers. However, the knowledge about their safety remains incomplete. Herbal dietary supplements are one of the food groups that can contribute significantly to human health concerns arising from chronic exposure to pyrrolizidine alkaloids and mycotoxins. This study aimed to simultaneously determine 79 natural contaminants, including mycotoxins, as well as pyrrolizidine and tropane alkaloids in herbal dietary supplements in one analytical run...

The authentication of ingredients in formulas is crucial yet challenging, particularly for constituents with comparable compositions but vastly divergent efficacy. Rehmanniae Radix and its derivatives are extensively utilized in food supplements, which contain analogous compositions but very distinct effects. Rehmanniae Radix, also a difficult-to-detect herbal ingredient, was chosen as a case to explore a novel HPTLC-QDa MS technique for the identification of herbal ingredients in commercial products. Through systematic condition optimization, including thin layer and mass spectrometry, a stable and reproducible HPTLC-QDa MS method was established, which can simultaneously detect oligosaccharides and iridoids...

Background and objectives: As microbes are developing resistance to antibiotics, natural, botanical drugs or traditional herbal medicine are presently being studied with an eye of great curiosity and hope. Hence, complementary and alternative treatments for uncomplicated pelvic inflammatory disease (uPID) are explored for their efficacy. Therefore, this study determined the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Sesamum indicum Linn seeds with Rosa damascena Mill Oil in uPID with standard control. Additionally, we analyzed the data with machine learning...

Background This study investigates Merremia emarginata 's curative effectiveness against colon cancer cells.  M. emarginata , often known as Elika jemudu, is a Convolvulaceae family plant. The inhibitory ability of anticancer herbal extracts against cancer cell growth and mediators is tested.  Aim This study aims to evaluate the potent anticancer activity of M. emarginata against colon cancer cell line (HT-29). Materials and methods M. emarginata  leaves were gathered and processed using solvent extraction...

BACKGROUND: Urtica pilulifera L. seed (UPS) is a Persian traditional medicine prescription that positively affects female infertility. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of UPS on a diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) model induced by cyclophosphamide in Balb/c mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single intraperitoneal (75 mg/kg) of cyclophosphamide was administered to establish a DOR model. 25 female Balb/c mice (6-8 wk, 25 <mml:math xmlns:mml="https://www...