局部封闭联合小针刀和洛芬待因片口服联合中药热敷治疗膝关节鹅足滑囊炎的疗效比较

目的：比较局部封闭联合小针刀和洛芬待因片口服联合中药热敷治疗膝关节鹅足滑囊炎的临床疗效.方法：单侧膝关节鹅足滑囊炎患者85例,男27例,女58例;年龄38 ～81岁,中位数58岁;左侧34例,右侧51例;病程5d至8年,中位数11个月.按就诊顺序随机分为2组,观察组45例,对照组40例;观察组采用局部封闭联合小针刀治疗,对照组采用洛芬待因片口服联合中药热敷治疗.分别在治疗前、治疗后（观察组为治疗后1周,对照组为治疗1周后）,采用疼痛视觉模拟评分法对2组患者患膝疼痛情况进行评分,并对2组患者的疼痛评分和疗效进行比较.结果：治疗前2组患者患膝压痛、自发痛评分比较,组间差异均无统计学意义[（3.166±1.010）分,（3.019±1.069）分,t=0.402,P=0.553;（2.834±0.122）分,（2.791±0.139）分,t=0.523,P=0.326];治疗后2组患者患膝疼痛均有所缓解,且观察组疼痛缓解更明显,压痛和自发病评分均低于对照组[（0.938±0.171）分,（1.990±0.630）分,t=2.256,P=0.012;（0.806±0.220）分,（1.381±0.343）分;t=1.652,P =0.036];参照《中医病证诊断疗效标准》膝部滑囊炎疗效评定标准评价疗效,观察组治愈16例、好转24例、未愈5例,对照组治愈8例、好转21例、未愈11例,观察组疗效优于对照组（Z=-2.131,P=0.033）.结论：局部封闭联合小针刀治疗膝关节鹅足滑囊炎,可有效减轻患膝肿胀、缓解疼痛,有利于膝关节功能恢复,疗效优于洛芬待因片口服联合中药热敷.     

The effect of fenugreek seed supplementation on serum irisin levels,blood pressure,and liver and kidney function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A parallel randomized clinical trial

ObjectivesThis study was designed to determine the effects of fenugreek seed (FS) on serum irisin levels, blood pressure, and liver and kidney function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsIn an 8-week randomized controlled clinical trial, T2DM patients (n = 50) were assigned to the intervention (5 g FS powder, 3 times a day) or control group. Both groups received anti-diabetic drugs and nutritional consults. Serum samples were collected and blood pressure was measured at baseline and end of the trial. Data on dietary intake and physical activity was determined using the questionnaires.ResultsCompared to the control group, FS consumption resulted in a significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (p = 0.024), as well as a significant change in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p = 0.02) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p = 0.001). Within-group analysis showed a significant decrease in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p = 0.014), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = 0.001), and irisin (p = 0.001) in the FS group, and a significant increase in creatinine (Cr) (p = 0.001) and decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p = 0.001) in the control group. FS consumption did not have any significant effect on diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).ConclusionFS intake has some beneficial effects on FPG, SBP, and some liver and kidney function tests in patients with T2DM. Further studies are required to investigate the effect of FS on irisin levels. Trial registration number http://www.irct.ir, code: IRCT20190618043924N1     

Quercetin for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common condition with a heterogeneous origin that responds best to multimodal therapy. The bioflavonoid quercetin has antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects that have proven useful for treating this condition. Using the clinical phenotype system UPOINT, quercetin can be helpful for those with organ-specific complaints (bladder or prostate) and pelvic floor spasm. This article discusses the current understanding of CP/CPPS and how treatment with quercetin can be used alone or as part of multimodal therapy.     

Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of Mentha crispa in the treatment of giardiasis

It's estimated that around 200 million people are annually infected with Giardia lamblia, making the disease a major cause of morbidity worldwide. The current treatment of giardiasis includes the use of several drugs, among them, herbal medicines formulated with Mentha crispa. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of M. crispa in the treatment of giardiasis. The research consisted initially of a cross-sectional study for the selection of subjects with giardiasis. After that, there was a randomized, open, in parallel with active control study, in order to verify the therapeutic efficacy of M. crispa in the treatment of giardiasis. Coprology samples were collected from 1622 patients between May 2005 and May 2007 for a series of parasitological examinations. Ninety-six patients with G. lamblia were selected, which were then distributed randomly into two groups: Secnidazole, consisting of 50 patients treated with 2 g of Secnidazole and M. crispa, containing 46 patients treated with 2 g of M. crispa. After 7 days, healing was evaluated by enzyme immunoassay in a fresh fecal sample. Additionally, the subjects were questioned about possible adverse effects and answered a questionnaire covering socioeconomic and hydrosanitary issues. The analysis of the clinical trial data showed that the cure rate for the Secnidazole group (84.0%) was significantly higher (P = 0.0002) as that verified in the M. crispa group (47.83%). Therefore, the study concludes that, in the dose used in this trial, the effect of M. crispa in the treatment of giardisis is less effective than that of Secnidazole.     

Salvadora persica L.: Toothbrush tree with health benefits and industrial applications – An updated evidence-based review

Salvadora persica L. is also known as Arak (in Arabic) and Peelu (in Urdu). Its frequent use as a toothbrush (miswak) is highly recommended by Prophet Muhammad. With a long history in folk medicine for centuries, S. persica was used in oral hygiene, food, cosmetics, fuel, and even as a medicine. Previous phytochemical investigation of its different parts afforded different classes of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, glycosides, sterols, terpenes, carbohydrates and alkaloids. Organic sulfur-containing compounds and elemental sulfur are also present. In addition, there is a huge research on its biological potentials and industrial applications. Many pharmacological activities were reported experimentally, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, sedative, anticonvulsant, anti-osteoporosis, antidiabetic, hypo-lipidemic, in addition to wound-healing, antidepressant and antitumor activities. Recently, a possible activity against COVID-19 protease was documented by molecular docking. This review tries to provide a recent detailed documentation of folk and modern uses of S. persica, focusing on the possible relations between its chemical constituents, pharmacological properties, and industrial applications. Moreover, a brief about recent analytical and validation methods for the major antimicrobial component is reported.     

Benefits,pitfalls and risks of phytotherapy in clinical practice in otorhinolaryngology

Objectives

To elucidate the benefits, pitfalls and risks of phytotherapy in the clinical practice of otorhinolaryngology.

中医药防治放化疗所致血小板减少症的实验研究概况

放化疗所致血小板减少症已成为影响恶性肿瘤治疗的重要因素,中医药对其防治有较好的疗效,动物实验也证明了中医药的疗效和部分作用机制。现对实验研究中的动物模型、中医药防治放化疗所致血小板减少症的实验研究现状和进展进行介绍。     

Lavender and dodder combined herbal syrup versus citalopram in major depressive disorder with anxious distress: A double-blind randomized trial

BackgroundMajor depressive disorder (MDD) accompanied by anxious distress is a chronic and disabling disorder. Its conventional drug therapies often have low patient compliance due to drug-related side effects. In Persian medicine, lavender-dodder syrup is one formula often recommended for such disorders.ObjectiveThis study compares the effects of lavender-dodder syrup to the standard drug, citalopram, for treating MDD with anxious distress.Design, setting, participants and interventionThis six-week, double-blind, randomized, clinical trial was carried out in a psychiatric outpatient clinic. During the six-week intervention period, patients in citalopram group received citalopram tablets 20 mg/d plus 5 mL placebo syrup every 12 h; patients in group B received placebo tablets once daily plus 5 mL of lavender-dodder herbal syrup every 12 h.Main outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures, depression and anxiety, were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression/Anxiety Rating Scales, and were scored at the beginning of the study and at weeks three and six. Secondary outcome measures including response to treatment and remission rates were also compared between the two groups.ResultsFifty-six participants with MDD and anxious distress were randomly assigned to two groups. Mean depression scores significantly decreased in citalopram and herbal groups at weeks three and six (time effect: P < 0.001), although the observed changes were not significantly different between the groups (intervention effect: P = 0.61). Mean anxiety scores were not significantly different between the two groups at week three (P = 0.75). However, at the end of week six, the observed decrease was significantly higher in the herbal syrup group than the citalopram group (intervention effect: P = 0.007).ConclusionThe herbal syrup is an effective and tolerable supplement for treating MDD with anxious distress.Trial registration number: IRCT2016102430459N1 on Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.     

Salvadora persica L.: Toothbrush tree with health benefits and industrial applications – An updated evidence-based review

Salvadora persica L. is also known as Arak (in Arabic) and Peelu (in Urdu). Its frequent use as a toothbrush (miswak) is highly recommended by Prophet Muhammad. With a long history in folk medicine for centuries, S. persica was used in oral hygiene, food, cosmetics, fuel, and even as a medicine. Previous phytochemical investigation of its different parts afforded different classes of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, glycosides, sterols, terpenes, carbohydrates and alkaloids. Organic sulfur-containing compounds and elemental sulfur are also present. In addition, there is a huge research on its biological potentials and industrial applications. Many pharmacological activities were reported experimentally, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, sedative, anticonvulsant, anti-osteoporosis, antidiabetic, hypo-lipidemic, in addition to wound-healing, antidepressant and antitumor activities. Recently, a possible activity against COVID-19 protease was documented by molecular docking. This review tries to provide a recent detailed documentation of folk and modern uses of S. persica, focusing on the possible relations between its chemical constituents, pharmacological properties, and industrial applications. Moreover, a brief about recent analytical and validation methods for the major antimicrobial component is reported.