Anxiolytic Effect and Improved Sleep Quality in Individuals Taking Lippia citriodora Extract

The current fast-moving, hectic lifestyle has increased the number of individuals worldwide with difficulties in managing stress, which in turn is also affecting their sleep quality. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to assess a natural plant-based dietary supplement comprised of lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) extract, purified in phenylpropanoids, in alleviating stress and improving quality of sleep. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted for 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period. Both validated questionnaires and functional tests were performed during the study, whereas questionnaires were used after the washout. As a result, the group taking the lemon verbena extract significantly reduced their perception of stress after 8 weeks, which was corroborated by a significant decrease in cortisol levels. After the washout period, the subjects reported to present even lower stress levels, due to the lasting effect of the ingredient. As for sleep quality, the subjects taking the supplement reported feeling better rested, with a stronger effect observed in women. Sleep tracking using a wearable device revealed that the supplement users improved their times in the deeper stages of sleep, specifically their percentage of time in deep sleep and REM. In conclusion, lemon verbena extract purified in phenylpropanoids is revealed as a natural solution to help individuals to improve their stress and sleep quality.     

Dietary citrus and/or its extracts intake contributed to weight control: Evidence from a systematic review and meta‐analysis of 13 randomized clinical trials

Randomized controlled trials, being published in English and investigating the associations of at least 4 weeks intervention of citrus and/or its extracts on weight loss among adults, were searched from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane by June 2019 to conduct a meta‐analysis. Thirteen articles, including 921 participants, were selected and evaluated by modified Jadad scale. Pooled results by the random‐effects model showed that citrus and/or its extracts administration significantly reduced 1.280 kg body weight (95% CI: ?1.818 to ?0.741, p = 0.000, I² = 81.4%), 0.322 kg/m² BMI (95% CI: ?0.599 to ?0.046, p = 0.022, I² = 87.0%), 2.185 cm WC (95% CI: ?3.804 to ?0.566, p = 0.008, I² = 98.3%), and 2.137 cm HC (95% CI: ?3.775 to ?0.500, p = 0.011, I² = 96.2%), respectively, but no significantly decreased effects on WHR and body fat were observed. Subgroup analysis deduced the different effects of study location, intervention duration on body weight associated indices. No publication bias was observed. Our meta‐analysis supported the beneficial effects of citrus and/or its extracts supplement on body weight control, and future well‐designed studies are required to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of citrus and/or its extracts intervention on body weight.     

胡蜂毒提取物对胶原诱导性类风湿性关节炎大鼠的作用研究

目的建立胶原诱导性类风湿关节炎(collagen-induced arthritis,CIA)大鼠模型来探讨胡蜂毒提取物对大鼠类风湿性关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)的治疗作用。方法将SD大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、阳性对照组(注射用蜂毒冻干粉,1.25 mg·kg^-1)和胡蜂毒提取物低、中、高剂量(0.125、0.25、0.5 mg·kg^-1)组,除正常组外,其余各组采用多点注射鸡Ⅱ型胶原加完全弗氏佐剂的方法来诱导大鼠RA模型,每7 d一次,共14 d。造模结束后,各给药组于足趾皮下注射对应剂量的药物,连续给药14 d。分别于造模前、造模第14天和给药第14天测量大鼠踝关节直径和周长,并进行AI评分;观察大鼠脏器指数和踝关节组织HE染色的变化;采用酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)检测大鼠血清中相关炎症因子白细胞介素(IL)-1β、IL-6、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α、IL-8、前列腺素(PG)E-2、环氧化酶(COX)-2和类风湿因子免疫球蛋白(Ig)G、Ig A、Ig M的含量变化;利用流式细胞术检测大鼠脾脏T细胞亚群的变化。结果与模型组比较,胡蜂毒提取物对CIΑ大鼠的关节肿胀(直径及周长)抑制效果显著(P<0.01),能明显降低其AI评分(P<0.01或P<0.05),能不同程度恢复大鼠的脏器指数(P<0.01或P<0.05),改善踝关节组织病理学结构病变,降低大鼠血清中各炎症因子和类风湿因子的表达(P<0.01或P<0.05),调节和改善T细胞亚群比例的紊乱(P<0.01或P<0.05)。结论胡蜂毒提取物对CIA大鼠具有较好的治疗作用,这与其对炎症细胞因子网络的调控和对免疫的调节有关系。     

菊淀粉型巴戟天寡糖抗创伤后应激障碍行为学评价

目的 用大鼠和小鼠创伤后应激障碍(PTSD)模型评价菊淀粉型巴戟天寡糖(IOMO)对场景恐惧行为和焦虑行为的影响.方法 建立大鼠单次延长应激(SPS)模型和小鼠不可逃避足底电击(FS)模型,实验分组均为正常对照组、模型组、模型+舍曲林(Ser)组和模型+不同剂量IOMO组.在大鼠SPS模型中,于造模后每天1次ig给予I...     

中药治疗创伤后应激障碍的研究进展

创伤后应激障碍(PTSD)是指突发性、威胁性或灾难性生活事件导致个体延迟出现和长期持续存在的精神障碍,其临床表现以再度体验创伤为特征,并伴有情绪的易激惹和回避行为。PTSD的发生不仅伴随着行为学指标异常,机制研究表明还表现出神经生物学指标异常。PTSD的发生机制研究多集中在神经内分泌系统、中枢神经系统和免疫系统等方面,主要表现为应激激素、促炎细胞因子、神经递质、神经保护因子的水平异常。中药因其具有多靶点、多成分和多途径的特点,在治疗PTSD方面表现出了许多优势。当前研究表明,多种中药能够改善PTSD模型中动物行为异常、逆转神经生物学指标。其中很多中药复方已经应用于临床并且具有很好的疗效,因此中药治疗PTSD具有广阔的应用前景。但是,尚未有PTSD的专属治疗药物,且尚未完全厘清PTSD的机制。故本文对当前中药治疗PTSD的研究进行综述,并且从治疗的中药种类、作用机制、动物模型等角度,重点阐述PTSD的发生与治疗进展,以期为PTSD的治疗提供参考。     

药用植物厚朴研究进展

文章就厚朴种质资源及其栽培技术、化学成分、厚朴药效成分的提取及药理作用等方面的研究现状进行综述,并对厚朴未来的开发利用与研究方向进行探讨,为厚朴这一传统药用植物的进一步保护、开发和利用提供新思路。     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Plant Extracts Films: Preparation,Surface Characterization and Antibacterial Studies against Gram Positive and Gram Negative Bacteria

In this study, we aim to obtain biomaterials with antibacterial properties by combining poly(vinyl alcohol) with the extracts obtained from various selected plants from Romania. Natural herbal extracts of freshly picked flowers of the lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia) and leaves of the peppermint plant (Mentha piperita), hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L.), verbena plant (Verbena officinalis) and sage plant (Salvia officinalis folium) were selected after an intensive analyzing of diverse medicinal plants often used as antibacterial and healing agents from the country flora. The plant extracts were characterized by different methods such as totals of phenols and flavonoids content and UV-is spectroscopy. The highest amounts of the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, respectively, were recorded for Salvia officinalis. Moreover, the obtained films of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) loaded with plant extracts were studied concerning the surface properties and their antibacterial or cytotoxicity activity. The Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared analysis described the successfully incorporation of each plant extract in the poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix, while the profilometry demonstrated the enhanced surface properties. The results showed that the plant extracts conferred significant antibacterial effects to films toward Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli and are not toxic against fibroblastic cells from the rabbit.     

当归的等级化研究

中草药标准化是非常有必要的,需要用物理和化学的方法来建立标准.标准化的分级是每位草药生产的指标之-.中国当归的等级分为5级:大体、形状、颜色、香味及杂质是否存在.而韩国的生当归分为三级,分别是60 g以上,20～60 g之间,20 g以下.当归身的重量约占整个当归的30%,其表面颜色是浅黄棕色到褐色.-般没有次品.若有次品,多为腐烂、中空、表面色黑或中节呈褐色.提出了当归标准化的等级,并期待着进-步研究.此研究可以做为中药标准化研究的参考指标.