Articles

Ameliorated biomechanical properties of carotid arteries by puerarin in spontaneously hypertensive rats

An emerging body of evidence indicates that puerarin (PUE) plays an important role in the treatment of angina pectoris, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, b...

Authors: Xiaoxia Fang, Sheng Dong, Yun Wu, Yun He, Min Lu, Dandan Shi, Na Feng, Songhe Yin, Yan Jiang, Anhua Zhang, Yan Ding, Qiufang Zhang, Junming Tang, Wenjun Zhang and Xiju He

Ethanol extract of mulberry leaves partially restores the composition of intestinal microbiota and strengthens liver glycogen fragility in type 2 diabetic rats

Mulberry leaf as a traditional Chinese medicine is able to treat obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. It is well known that diabetes leads to intestinal microbiota dysbiosis. It is also recently discovered tha...

Authors: Zhan-Zhong Liu, Qing-Hua Liu, Zhao Liu, Jia-Wei Tang, Eng-Guan Chua, Fen Li, Xue-Song Xiong, Meng-Meng Wang, Peng-Bo Wen, Xin-Yi Shi, Xiang-Yu Xi, Xiao Zhang and Liang Wang

The use of complementary and alternative medicine by adults with allergies: a Czech national representative survey

The prevalence rates of the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in allergy patients range from 42% in the United States up to 50% in Europe. In the Czech Republic, no such data exists. Our aim ...

Authors: Jitka Pokladnikova, A-La Park, Jan Draessler, Anna Lukacisinova and Irena Krcmova

Multiple facial candidal abscesses after self-administered acupuncture in a patient with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus: a case report

Facial abscess caused by Candida albicans infection is a rare condition even in immunocompromised patients, and only a few cases have been reported. To our knowledge, this is the first case of multiple facial can...

Authors: Jae Yun Sung, Ju Mi Kim, Jong Uk Lee, Yeon Hee Lee and Sung Bok Lee

Polysaccharides from Ganoderma Sinense - rice bran fermentation products and their anti-tumor activities on non-small-cell lung cancer

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts more than 80% of the lung cancer cases. Polysaccharides in rice bran and its fermentation products have been proven to suppress many cancers. However, the report on ...

Authors: Wei Han, Hongjuan Chen, Lin Zhou, Haijie Zou, Xiaohong Luo, Bo Sun and Xuhui Zhuang

Effect of the standard herbal preparation, STW5, treatment on dysbiosis induced by dextran sodium sulfate in experimental colitis

The standardized herbal preparation, STW 5, is effective clinically in functional gastrointestinal disorders and experimentally in ulcerative colitis (UC). The present study explores whether the beneficial eff...

Authors: Sarah S. Mohamed, Nourtan F. Abdeltawab, Walaa Wadie, Lamiaa A. Ahmed, Ramy M. Ammar, Sabine Rabini, Heba Abdel-Aziz and Mohamed T. Khayyal

The trends of complementary alternative medicine use among cancer patients

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common among cancer patients and it may reflect the individual and societal beliefs on cancer therapy. Our study aimed to evaluate the trends of CAM u...

Authors: Abdul Rahman Jazieh, Khadega A. Abuelgasim, Husam I. Ardah, Mohammad Alkaiyat and Omar B. Da’ar

The effect of the Verbascum Thapsus on episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women: a randomized controlled trial

The pain and discomfort caused by episiotomy affect the quality of life of the mothers, so rapid and complete repair of the episiotomy is very important. Due to the effective ingredients of Verbascum Thapsus, it ...

Authors: Sahar Taleb and Maryam Saeedi

Phytochemical analysis and versatile in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial, cytotoxic and enzyme inhibition potential of different extracts of traditionally used Aquilegia pubiflora Wall. Ex Royle

Himalayan Columbine (Aquilegia pubiflora Wall. Ex Royle) is a medicinal plant and have been used as traditional treatments for various human diseases including skin burns, jaundice, hepatitis, wound healing, card...

Authors: Hasnain Jan, Hazrat Usman, Muzamil Shah, Gouhar Zaman, Sadaf Mushtaq, Samantha Drouet, Christophe Hano and Bilal Haider Abbasi

Antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities of whole plant chemical constituents of Rumex abyssinicus

Antibiotic resistance has contributed to the burden of infectious diseases both in the hospital and community setting, and represents a great threat to public health. Previous studies have revealed the role of...

Authors: Irene Chinda Kengne, Léonel Donald Tsamo Feugap, Abdel Jélil Njouendou, Claudia Darille Jouogo Ngnokam, Mahamat Djamalladine Djamalladine, David Ngnokam, Laurence Voutquenne-Nazabadioko and Jean-De-Dieu Tamokou

Matrine suppresses cell growth of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma via inhibiting CaMKIIγ/c-Myc/CDK6 signaling pathway

C-Myc aberrations confer a more aggressive clinic behavior in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Matrine is an alkaloid extracted from Sophora flavescens Ait. It possesses anti-cancer property through inhibit...

Authors: Jianyou Gu, Xiao Wang, Ling Zhang, Jingjing Xiang, Jingya Li, Zheng Chen, Yu Zhang, Junfa Chen and Jianping Shen

Effect of herbal extracts on peripheral nerve regeneration after microsurgery of the sciatic nerve in rats

Recent experimental studies using herbal extracts have shown the possibility of peripheral nerve regeneration. This study aimed to investigate the effects of herbal extracts on peripheral nerve regeneration in...

Authors: Young Jun Kim, Kyu Jin Kim, Jae Hoon Lee, Seong-Uk Park and Seung-Yeon Cho

Cryptolepine inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth through inhibiting interleukin-6/STAT3 signalling

Diverse signalling pathways are involved in carcinogenesis and one of such pathways implicated in many cancers is the interleukin 6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signalling pa...

Authors: Seth A. Domfeh, Patrick W. Narkwa, Osbourne Quaye, Kwadwo A. Kusi, Gordon A. Awandare, Charles Ansah, Alimatu Salam and Mohamed Mutocheluh

Targeting the hallmarks of cancer: the effects of silibinin on proliferation, cell death, angiogenesis, and migration in colorectal cancer

Silibinin, as a chemopreventive agent, has shown anti-cancer efficacy against different types of cancers. In the present study, we investigated the anti-cancer activities of silibinin on CT26 mouse colon cell ...

Authors: Saba Sameri, Chiman Mohammadi, Mehrnaz Mehrabani and Rezvan Najafi

Biological evaluation of Safrole oil and Safrole oil Nanoemulgel as antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancer

Safrole is a natural compound extracted from various plants, and has shown various biological activities. The current study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer act...

Authors: Ahmad M. Eid and Mohammed Hawash

Antlerogenic stem cells extract accelerate chronic wound healing: a preliminary study

Chronic wounds constitute a significant medical and social problem. Chronic wound treatment may be supported by various techniques, such as negative pressure therapy, phototherapy or stem cells therapy, yet mo...

Authors: Janusz Kmiecik, Michał Jerzy Kulus, Jarosław Popiel, Agnieszka Cekiera and Marek Cegielski

Retraction Note: Herbal formula GAPT prevents beta amyloid deposition induced Ca²⁺/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and Ca²⁺/Calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase 2B imbalance in APPV717I mice

Authors: Jing Shi, Xuekai Zhang, Long Yin, Mingqing Wei, Jingnian Ni, Ting Li, Pengwen Wang, Jinzhou Tian and Yongyan Wang

Pyrvinium pamoate can overcome artemisinin’s resistance in anaplastic thyroid cancer

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a highly lethal subtype of thyroid cancer without effective therapies. Drug resistance in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma poses a significant problem. Although artemisinin exerts a...

Authors: Yitian Li

Exploring the bone sparing effects of postbiotics in the post-menopausal rat model

Post-menopausal osteoporosis is a concern of health organizations, and current treatments do not seem enough. Postbiotics as bioactive compounds produced by probiotics may be an attractive alternative for bone...

Authors: Nima Montazeri-Najafabady, Younes Ghasemi, Mohammad Hossein Dabbaghmanesh, Yousef Ashoori, Pedram Talezadeh, Farhad Koohpeyma, Seyedeh Narjes Abootalebi and Ahmad Gholami

Interest of a standardized hypnotic message for the reduction of pain and anxiety in cancer patients treated by capsaicin patch for neuropathic pain: a randomized controlled trial

Neuropathic pain is characterized by spontaneous painful symptoms. Medical therapies include the use of a capsaicin 8% patch (Qutenza®, Grünenthal Gmbh, Germany), and patients may experience a sharp burning se...

Authors: Rémi Etienne, Myriam Laurent, Aline Henry, Antoine Bioy, Julia Salleron, Cécile Huin Schohn and Nathalie Cretineau

The polyphenol/saponin-rich Rhus tripartita extract has an apoptotic effect on THP-1 cells through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Hyperactivation of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of cellular growth, proliferation, and more in general, is a common phenomenon in most types of cancers...

Authors: Hajer Tlili, Anca Macovei, Daniela Buonocore, Manuela Lanzafame, Hanen Najjaa, Anita Lombardi, Andrea Pagano, Maurizia Dossena, Manuela Verri, Abdelkarim Ben Arfa, Mohamed Neffati and Enrico Doria

Up-regulation of long non-coding RNA CYTOR induced by icariin promotes the viability and inhibits the apoptosis of chondrocytes

Icariin (ICAR) is the main effective component extracted from epimedium, and is reported to have the potential to treat osteoarthritis (OA). However, its pharmacological function on chondrocytes has not been f...

Authors: Guoyou Wang, Lei Zhang, Huarui Shen, Qi Hao, Shijie Fu and Xia Liu

Exploring the anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer activities and cytotoxicity of two fermented commercial herbal concoctions sold in Limpopo Province of South Africa

The use of herbal concoctions is very popular in South Africa, including Limpopo Province. The herbal concoctions are claimed to be capable of treating numerous illnesses such as ulcers, cancer, HIV/AIDS, diab...

Authors: Matimba I. Ntlhamu, Ashwell R. Ndhlala and Peter Masoko

Homogeneous polyporus polysaccharide inhibits bladder cancer by polarizing macrophages to M1 subtype in tumor microenvironment

Polyporus polysaccharide (PPS), an active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicinal Polyporus umbellatus, has multiple biological functions, such as anti-cancer, immune-regulating and hepatoprotective activi...

Authors: Wenyu Jia, Siwan Luo, Gena Lai, Shiqi Li, Shuai Huo, Meifang Li and Xing Zeng

Therapeutic effect of various ginsenosides on rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease which causes disability and threatens the health of humans. Therefore, it is of great significance to seek novel effective drugs for RA. It has been reported ...

Authors: Meng Zhang, Hongwei Ren, Kun Li, Shengsheng Xie, Ru Zhang, Longlong Zhang, Jiaxuan Xia, Xing Chen, Xilin Li and Jianxin Wang

Three chemotypes of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oil and their main compounds affect differently the IL-6 and TNFα cytokine secretions of BV-2 microglia by modulating the NF-κB and C/EBPβ signalling pathways

The essential oils possess both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, therefore they can provide an effective treatment against infections. Essential oils are widely used as supportive ingredients in ma...

Authors: Györgyi Horváth, Adrienn Horváth, Gréta Reichert, Andrea Böszörményi, Katalin Sipos and Edina Pandur

Antifungal and anti-biofilm activity of a new Spanish extract of propolis against Candida glabrata

Resistance to traditional antifungal agents is a considerable health problem nowadays, aggravated by infectious processes related to biofilm formation, usually on implantable devices. Therefore, it is necessar...

Authors: María Coronada Fernández-Calderón, Laura Hernández-González, Carolina Gómez-Navia, María Teresa Blanco-Blanco, Rosa Sánchez-Silos, Leopoldo Lucio and Ciro Pérez-Giraldo

Salidroside protects endothelial cells against LPS-induced inflammatory injury by inhibiting NLRP3 and enhancing autophagy

Salidroside (SAL) is a bioactive compound extracted from Rhodiola rosea with various biological properties. This study was designed to explore the functions of SAL on the endothelial damage induced by lipopolysac...

Authors: Lijiao You, Di Zhang, Huan Geng, Fangyuan Sun and Ming Lei

Evaluations of the curative efficacy of G. fruticosus solvent extracts in experimentally induced nephrolithiatic Wistar male rats

In Ethiopian folk medicine, there is a claim that medicinal plants can treat urolithiasis although there is insufficient scientific evidence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the curative efficacy of G...

Authors: Tilahun Alelign, Tesfaye Sisay Tessema, Asfaw Debella and Beyene Petros

Antimalarial properties and molecular docking analysis of compounds from Dioscorea bulbifera L. as new antimalarial agent candidates

At present, the emergence and spread of antimalarial drug resistance has become a significant problem worldwide. There has been a challenge in searching for natural products for the development of novel antima...

Authors: Prapaporn Chaniad, Mathirut Mungthin, Apirak Payaka, Parnpen Viriyavejakul and Chuchard Punsawad

Spectral characterization, antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities of Aloysia citriodora essential oils collected from two Palestinian regions

Aloysia citriodora Palau (AC) is commonly known as Lemon Verbena and has been utilized as a medicinal tea in folkloric medicine for the treatment of abdominal spasm, anxiety, and fever. The present investigation ...

Authors: Nidal Jaradat, Mohammed Hawash, Murad N. Abualhasan, Mohammad Qadi, Mustafa Ghanim, Eman Massarwy, Suma Abu Ammar, Noor Zmero, Mohammad Arar, Fatima Hussein, Linda Issa, Ahmed Mousa and Abdulraziq Zarour

Network analysis indicating the pharmacological mechanism of Yunpi-Qufeng-Chushi-prescription in prophylactic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is an autoimmune inflammatory disease with increasing global morbidity and high disability. Early treatment is an effective intervention to slow down joint deformation. However, as f...

Authors: Lin Li, Donghai Zhou, Qiuping Liu, Dianming Li, Qiao Wang, Xiaowei Shi, Chengping Wen and Lin Huang

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench treatment of monocytes promotes tonic interferon signaling, increased innate immunity gene expression and DNA repeat hypermethylated silencing of endogenous retroviral sequences

Herbal remedies of Echinacea purpurea tinctures are widely used today to reduce common cold respiratory tract infections.

Authors: Ken Declerck, Claudina Perez Novo, Lisa Grielens, Guy Van Camp, Andreas Suter and Wim Vanden Berghe

Correction to: Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin on fructose induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in male albino wistar rats

Authors: Tewodros Mengesha, Natesan Gnanasekaran and Tsegaye Mehare

Retraction Note: Antimalarial efficacy of Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierre against Plasmodium falciparum (3D7 strain) and Plasmodium berghei (ANKA)

Authors: P. V. V. Satish and K. Sunita

In vitro study on the effect of cornin on the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes

Cornin is a commonly used herb in cardiology for its cardioprotective effect. The effect of herbs on the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450s) can induce adverse drug-drug interaction even treatment fa...

Authors: Qun Zhang, Zengqiang Qu, Yanqing Zhou, Jin Zhou, Junwei Yang, Shengjian Li, Qiuping Xu and Xuedong Zhou

A plant-based medicinal food inhibits the growth of human gastric carcinoma by reversing epithelial–mesenchymal transition via the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Natural products, especially those with high contents of phytochemicals, are promising alternative medicines owing to their antitumor properties and few side effects. In this study, the effects of a plant-base...

Authors: Xuxi Chen, Wuyang Yue, Lin Tian, Na Li, Yiyi Chen, Lishi Zhang and Jinyao Chen

Vincetoxicum arnottianum modulates motility features and metastatic marker expression in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma by stabilizing the actin cytoskeleton

Prevention of metastatic invasion is one of the main challenges in the treatment of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Still the therapeutic options are limited. Therefore, an anti-tumor screening was initiated focusi...

Authors: Anna Adamus, Iftikhar Ali, Vasileios Vasileiadis, Luai Al-Hileh, Jan Lisec, Marcus Frank, Guido Seitz and Nadja Engel

A mechanistic study on the inhibition of bacterial growth and inflammation by Nerium oleander extract with comprehensive in vivo safety profile

Nerium oleander (L.) is well known traditionally used medicinal plant with several pharmacological activities. However, the anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory activity and in vivo toxicity potential of floral part...

Authors: Yousra Shafiq, Syed Baqir Shyum Naqvi, Ghazala H. Rizwani, Muhammad Arif Asghar, Rabia Bushra, Sana Ghayas, Ahad Abdul Rehman and Muhammad Asif Asghar

Effects of vitamin K2 supplementation on atherogenic status of individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial

This study was aimed to examine the effects of vitamin K2 supplementation on atherogenic status, assessed by insulin resistance (IR)-related indexes, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Authors: Fatemeh Rahimi Sakak, Nazanin Moslehi, Hengameh Abdi and Parvin Mirmiran

Effects of Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) and its combination with cyclophosphamide on Ehrlich solid tumors

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a spice and exhibits potent antioxidant and biological activities through distinct molecular mechanisms. However, the anticancer effect of cardamom was not explored yet in Ehrli...

Authors: Rafa S. Almeer, Meshael Alnasser, Nada Aljarba and Gadah I. AlBasher

Effect of acupuncture treatment in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis: a randomized, participant- and assessor-blind sham-controlled trial

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease that affects 1–3% of adults worldwide. Currently, it is not possible to completely cure AD; therefore, alternative treatments need to be ...

Authors: Jung Gun Park, Hyangsook Lee, Mijeong Yeom, Younbyoung Chae, Hi-Joon Park and Kyuseok Kim

Correction to: Chemopreventive effect of Betulinic acid via mTOR -Caspases/Bcl2/Bax apoptotic signaling in pancreatic cancer

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Authors: Yangyang Guo, Hengyue Zhu, Min Weng, Cheng Wang and Linxiao Sun

Neuroprotective effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice and seed extract in paraquat-induced mouse model of Parkinson’s disease

Paraquat, (PQ), an herbicide that can induce Parkinsonian-like symptoms in rodents and humans. The consumption of phytochemical-rich plants can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as inflammation and neu...

Authors: Samah M. Fathy, Heba A. El-Dash and Noha I. Said

Pharmacokinetics of five phthalides in volatile oil of Ligusticum sinense Oliv.cv. Chaxiong, and comparison study on physicochemistry and pharmacokinetics after being formulated into solid dispersion and inclusion compound

The dried rhizome of Ligusticum sinense Oliv.cv. Chaxiong has been used to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, anemia and stroke. A high purity extract from chaxiong (VOC, brownish...

Authors: Peng-yi Hu, Ying-huai Zhong, Jian-fang Feng, Dong-xun Li, Ping Deng, Wen-liu Zhang, Zhi-qiang Lei, Xue-mei Liu and Guo-song Zhang

Alisol A 24-acetate stimulates lipolysis in 3 T3-L1 adipocytes

Alisol A 24-acetate (AA-24-a), one of the main active triterpenes isolated from the well-known medicinal plant Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juz., exhibits multiple biological activities including hypolipidemic activit...

Authors: Hai-xia Lou, Wen-cheng Fu, Jia-xiang Chen, Tian-tian Li, Ying-ying Jiang, Chun-hui Liu and Wen Zhang

The beneficial effects of the composite probiotics from camel milk on glucose and lipid metabolism, liver and renal function and gut microbiota in db/db mice

Probiotics may have beneficial effects on patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We separated 4 lactobacillus and 1 saccharomycetes from traditional fermented cheese whey (TFCW) and prepared composite ...

Authors: Tabusi Manaer, Lan Yu, Xin-Hua Nabi, Dinareer Dilidaxi, Lu Liu and Jialehasibieke Sailike

Salvia miltiorrhiza hydroalcoholic extract inhibits postoperative peritoneal adhesions in rats

One of the most prevalent postoperative complications is believed to be intra-abdominal peritoneal adhesions, which is followed by several complications. Several adhesion prevention products have been examined...

Authors: Abbas Raisi, Omid Dezfoulian, Farshid Davoodi, Shayan Taheri and Soroush Afshar Ghahremani

Oral magnesium supplementation for insomnia in older adults: a Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis

Magnesium supplementation is often purported to improve sleep; however, as both an over-the-counter sleep aid and a complementary and alternative medicine, there is limited evidence to support this assertion. ...

Authors: Jasmine Mah and Tyler Pitre

Antimicrobial activity of the volatile substances from essential oils

Essential oils are volatile and lipophilic liquid extracts made from plants as secondary metabolites that can be obtained by distillation. To date, several studies have investigated the direct antimicrobial activ...

Authors: Mareshah Abers, Sydney Schroeder, Linna Goelz, Adrienne Sulser, Tiffany St. Rose, Keely Puchalski and Jeffrey Langland