Perspectives for Globalized Natural Medicines

Natural medicines provide valuable resources to meet the requirements for global health care at affordable prices.Therefore,safety and efficacy need to be proven in a comparable manner to conventional drugs.Evidence-based natural and western medicine may merge to a one-world medicine for the sake of all patients in industrialized and developing countries.In the present review,we discuss strategies for (1) preservation of traditional knowledge on natural medicines,(2) sustainability of medicinal herbs and na...     

Herbal medicine for low sexual desire in menopausal women: A clinical review

Many women typically experience a significant reduction in sexual desire during the late perimenopausal and early postmenopausal stages, with the biggest decline in sexual desire occurring from three years prior to two years after the final menstrual period. Despite being a prevalent female complaint, currently no standard treatment for low sexual desire exists. Herbal medicines have been used therapeutically all around the world, and are an important component of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. There have been numerous trials and pharmacological studies of specific herbal preparations related to the treatment of low sexual desire. This article serves to provide a clinical review of the evidence relating to the herbal treatment options for this common condition.     

雷公藤甲素对人子宫内膜癌细胞株HEC-1B的影响

目的:研究雷公藤甲素对人子宫内膜癌细胞株HEC-1B体外生长特性的影响。方法:观察雷公藤甲素作用后子宫内膜癌细胞株HEC-1B的生长情况;用MTT法检测雷公藤甲素抑制细胞增殖的作用;流式细胞仪观察雷公藤甲素作用后对细胞周期及凋亡的影响。结果:倒置相差显微镜下示雷公藤甲素作用后细胞生长明显受到抑制;MTT检测显示雷公藤甲素能抑制HEC-1B细胞生长且生长抑制作用呈剂量-时间依赖性;流式细胞仪检测示雷公藤甲素低浓度(5ng/ml)条件下,能诱导HEC-1B细胞发生细胞周期阻滞,主要阻滞在S期,高浓度(40,80ng/ml)雷公藤甲素使细胞主要阻滞在G2/M期,并诱导其凋亡。结论:雷公藤甲素对子宫内膜癌细胞株HEC-1B的生长有抑制作用,使其阻滞在S期和G2/M期,并诱导其凋亡。     

Phytotherapy and renal stones: the role of antioxidants. A pilot study in Wistar rats

Since ancient times, various herbal preparations have been used in renal lithiasis therapy, but conclusive scientific data on their therapeutic effects and efficacy are not available. To address this issue, the present study evaluated the antilithiasic activity of a traditional Mallorcan herbal preparation, and compared its effects with those of the antioxidant flavonoids, catechin and epicatechin. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were assigned randomly to four groups (n = 9): a control group, a catechin (CAT) treatment group, an epicatechin (EPI) treatment group, and a group treated with a folk herbal extract (FHE). After 16 days of treatment, calcium oxalate lithiasis was induced in the rats using ethylene glycol. After 8 days (treatment + ethylene glycol), 24-h rat urine was collected, the animals were sacrificed and their kidneys were removed for histological and chemical analysis. The calcium concentration in kidney tissue was significantly lower in the CAT-treated (2.4 ± 0.3 mg/g), EPI-treated (1.8 ± 0.3 mg/g) and FHE-treated (2.1 ± 0.3 mg/g) groups, than in the control group (5.4 ± 1.4 mg/g). Examination of paraffin-embedded kidney sections showed that control group rats had the greatest amount of calcification. There were no significant differences between control and treated groups with respect to urinary calcium, magnesium, oxalate and citrate concentrations. These results demonstrate the ability of herbal preparations and antioxidants to prevent the development of papillary and intratubular calcification in the kidney.     

Herbs as old potential treatments for lymphedema management: A systematic review

IntroductionHerbs have been reported to be effective in reducing lymphedema burden. This paper aimed to review literature reporting on herbs for lymphedema treatment.MethodsA systematic review was performed using the PRISMA guideline. Clinical studies on herbal intervention and lymphedema were included. Evidence on the effectiveness of herbal interventions for desired outcomes including reduction of edema volume, other symptoms, quality of life and inflammation were collected and assessed in detail.ResultsIn all twenty studies were included in this review. Of these 14 studies were randomized clinical trials and the rest were prospective pilot studies. Herbal treatment was reported for breast cancer-related lymphedema in most studies and coumarin was the most reported herb that used for lymphedema management. Edema volume reduction (17 out of 20) and symptoms improvement (15 out of 20) were the outcomes reported in most studies.ConclusionPhytochemicals can be a promising pharmacotherapy for lymphedema management. However, further evidence is needed to establish definite effectiveness for the use of herbal remedies for lymphedema management.     

Immunosuppressive activity of an aqueous Viola tricolor herbal extract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Heartsease (Viola tricolor L.), a member of the Violaceae family, has a long history as a medicinal plant and has been documented in the Pharmacopoeia of Europe. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties it is regarded as a traditional remedy against skin diseases, for example for the treatment of scabs, itching, ulcers, eczema or psoriasis, and it is also used in the treatment of inflammation of the lungs and chest such as bronchitis or asthma. Because T-cells play an important role in the pathological process of inflammatory diseases we investigated the effect of an aqueous Viola extract on lymphocyte functions and explored the ‘active’ principle of the extract using bioactivity-guided fractionation.

Material and Methods

An aqueous Viola extract was prepared by C₁₈ solid-phase extraction. Effects on proliferation of activated lymphocytes (using the cell membrane permeable fluorescein dye CFSE), apoptosis and necrosis (using annexin V and propidium iodide staining), interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor expression (using fluorochrome-conjugated antibodies) and IL-2 cytokine secretion (using an ELISA-based bead array system) were measured by flow cytometry. Influence on lymphocyte polyfunctionality was characterized by Viola extract-induced production of IFN-γ and TNF-α, as well as its influence on lymphocyte degranulation activity. Fractionation and phytochemical analysis of the extract were performed by RP-HPLC and mass spectrometry.

Results

The aqueous Viola extract inhibited proliferation of activated lymphocytes by reducing IL-2 cytokine secretion without affecting IL-2 receptor expression. Similarly, effector functions were affected as indicated by the reduction of IFN-γ and TNF-α production; degranulation capacity of activated lymphocytes remained unaffected. Bioassay-guided fractionation and phytochemical analysis of the extract led to identification of circular plant peptides, so called cyclotides, as bioactive components.

Conclusion

An aqueous Viola extract contains bioactive cyclotides, which inhibit proliferation of activated lymphocytes in an IL-2 dependent manner. The findings provide a rationale for use of herbal Viola preparations in the therapy of disorders related to an overactive immune system. However, further studies to evaluate its clinical potency and potential risks have to be performed.     

地黄饮子与阿仑膦酸钠治疗原发性骨质疏松症的病例对照研究

目的:研究并对比分析服用中药汤剂地黄饮子与口服阿仑膦酸钠治疗原发性骨质疏松症的临床疗效差异。方法:回顾自2016年1月至2017年12月骨质疏松专科门诊就诊的患者,筛选口服地黄饮子及阿仑膦酸钠规律用药满1年以上的原发性骨质疏松患者72例作为观察对象,将其分成两组,即试验组和对照组。试验组36例,男14例,女22例;年龄(63.97±3.70)岁;服用中药汤剂地黄饮子,每次1剂,早晚各1次,每周2次。对照组36例,男16例,女20例;年龄(63.36±3.07)岁;口服阿仑膦酸钠70 mg,每周1次。两组患者抗骨质疏松的基础治疗不变(每日口服碳酸钙D3片600 mg/d,以及骨化三醇胶丸0.5μg/d)。采用双能X线骨密度仪检测两组患者治疗前和治疗1年后的股骨颈骨密度、腰椎骨密度,检测两组患者治疗前和治疗1年后的血清Ⅰ型胶原C末端肽(β-CTX)及血清硬骨素(SOST)含量并进行统计分析。结果:抗骨质疏松治疗前两组患者的年龄、骨密度、SOST与β-CTX基线值比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者在接受抗骨质疏松治疗1年后,股骨颈及腰椎骨密度均较治疗前增加,差异均有统计学意义(P0.001)。血清β-CTX检测值均较治疗前明显降低,t值分别为52.002和50.071;血清SOST值均较治疗前增加,t值分别为-29.242和-30.807,差异均有统计学意义(P0.001)。比较两组患者治疗后股骨颈和腰椎骨密度,P值分别为0.294和0.478,差异无统计学意义。两组患者接受治疗后的血清β-CTX值比较,P=0.908;两组患者治疗后的血清SOST值比较,P=0.888,差异无统计学意义。结论:将传统中药地黄饮子用于治疗骨质疏松,研究发现其与阿仑膦酸钠均有较好的疗效,地黄饮子可作为治疗原发性骨质疏松症的中药选择。     

The external use of comfrey: A practitioner survey

AimThe survey aimed to assess how often and in what ways herbal practitioners use comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) externally in everyday practice.MethodsA 2-sided A4 survey was sent to all UK members of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy and the Association of Master Herbalists with viable practice addresses (n = 598).Results239 herbalists responded, of whom 179 (75%) reported regularly using comfrey, in 15% of their consultations. It was most commonly prescribed as a cream for tendon, ligament and muscle problems, for fractures, and for wounds, the indications for which it was also perceived to be most effective. Comfrey was rated least effective for haemorrhoids, varicose veins and boils and was considered to carry the greatest risk when prescribed for ulcers, wounds and boils.ConclusionPractitioner experience suggests that comfrey can be used safely and effectively externally for certain indications.     

Overview of the phytomedicine approaches against Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)successfully colonizes thehuman stomach of the majority of the human popula-tion.This infection always causes chronic gastritis,butmay evolve to serious outcomes,such as peptic ulcer,gastric carcinoma or mucosa-associated lymphoid tis-sue lymphoma.H.pylori first line therapy recommend-ed by the Maastricht-4 Consensus Report comprises theuse of two antibiotics and a proton-pomp inhibitor,butin some regions failure associated with this treatmentis already undesirable high.Indeed,treatment failure isone of the major problems associated with H.pylori in-fection and is mainly associated with bacterial antibioticresistance.In order to counteract this situation,someeffort has been allocated during the last years in theinvestigation of therapeutic alternatives beyond antibi-otics.These include vaccines,probiotics,photodynamic inactivation and phage therapy,which are briefly revis-ited in this review.A particular focus on phytomedicine,also described as herbal therapy and botanical therapy,which consists in the use of plant extracts for medicinal purposes,is specifically addressed,namely considering its history,category of performed studies,tested com-pounds,active principle and mode of action.The herbs already experienced are highly diverse and usually selected from products with a long history of employ-ment against diseases associated with H.pylori infec-tion from each country own folk medicine.The studies demonstrated that many phytomedicine products have an anti-H.pylori activity and gastroprotective action.Al-though the mechanism of action is far from being com-pletely understood,current knowledge correlates the beneficial action of herbs with inhibition of essential H.pylori enzymes,modulation of the host immune system and with attenuation of inflammation.     

Ethnobotanical and phytomedicinal knowledge in a long-history protected area,the Abruzzo,Lazio and Molise National Park (Italian Apennines)

Aims of the study

This study reports on the ethnobotanical and phytomedical knowledge in one of the oldest European Parks, the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park (Central Italy). We selected this area because we judged the long history of nature preservation as an added value potentially encouraging the survival of uses possibly lost elsewhere.

Methodology

In all, we interviewed 60 key informants (30 men and 30 women) selected among those who, for their current or past occupation or specific interests, were most likely to report accurately on traditional use of plants. The average age of informants was 65 years (range 27–102 years).

Results

The ethnobotanical inventory we obtained included 145 taxa from 57 families, corresponding to 435 use-reports: 257 referred to medical applications, 112 to food, 29 to craft plants for domestic uses, 25 to veterinary applications, 6 to harvesting for trade and another 6 to animal food. The most common therapeutic uses in the folk tradition are those that are more easily prepared and/or administered such as external applications of fresh or dried plants, and decoctions. Of 90 species used for medical applications, key informants reported on 181 different uses, 136 of which known to have actual pharmacological properties. Of the uses recorded, 76 (42%) concern external applications, especially to treat wounds. Medical applications accounted for most current uses. Only 24% of the uses we recorded still occur in people's everyday life. Species no longer used include dye plants (Fraxinus ornus, Rubia tinctorum, Scabiosa purpurea, Rhus coriaria and Isatis tinctoria) and plants once employed during pregnancy, for parturition, nursing, abortion (Asplenium trichomanes, Ecballium elaterium, Juniperus sabina and Taxus baccata) or old magical practices (Rosa canina).

Conclusions

Our study remarked the relationship existing between the high plant diversity recorded in this biodiversity hotspot of central Apennines and the rich ethnobotanical knowledge. The presence of some very experienced young informants was related to the opportunities offered by living in a major protected area. However, to counter the disappearance of local ethnobotanical culture it would be important to incorporate its preservation among nature reserve activities.