Alternative Remedies Research Articles

Development and analysis of a herbal bath bomb for its antifungal properties

Fungal skin infections are a prevalent health issue that requires investigation into safe and efficient alternative remedies. Herbal components are a good option for cosmetics formulations because they have historically shown antifungal capabilities. Building on this idea, the research seeks to create a novel antifungal herbal bath bomb by utilizing the medicinal properties of plants.The aim of this project is to develop evaluate a herbal bath bomb, with an emphasis on its antifungal qualities. The main goal is to create a bath bomb with carefully chosen herbal elements that have been suggested to have antifungal properties.The study employed a systematic approach to construct the herbal bath bomb, including a variety of herbal ingredients recognized for their antifungal properties. Precise measurement and blending were necessary during the material preparation process to ensure optimal efficacy. The effectiveness of the herbal bath bomb against common fungus strains was evaluated in the lab along with antifungal testing.The results reveal promising antifungal properties of the developed herbal bath bomb, as evidenced by its efficacy against common fungal strains. This study contributes valuable insights into the potential of herbal-based hygiene products for combating fungal skin conditions. The findings support the conclusion that the formulated bath bomb holds promise as a natural and effective solution, paving the way for further exploration and development in the realm of herbal skincare products.

Antimicrobial Activity of Garlic and Honey on Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli

The numerous side effects of conventional antibiotics and increasing antibiotics resistance of some strains of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli which are commonly implicated in skin infection, surgical site infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), neonatal meningitis, systemic infections and enteric infections in humans makes it is pertinent to source for alternative remedies. Aim: To assess the antimicrobial activity of honey and garlic on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Methodology: Standard microbiological procedures were employed to isolate and identify the bacteria species. Antimicrobial activity was determined using the agar well diffusion method. Result: The S. aureus and E. coli were susceptible to the honey and garlic extracts. S. aureus was susceptible to garlic, honey and the mixture of both with zones of inhibition ranging from 6.9-17.2mm, 4.8- 12.9mm and 6.0-17.0mm respectively while those of E. coli ranged from 5.8-16.4mm, 5.0-11.8mm and 5.6-16.0 respectively. There was significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the antimicrobial activity of the garlic, honey and the mixture. Conclusion: This study therefore reveals that honey and garlic possess significant antimicrobial activity against the tested organisms with high antibacterial activity occurring at high concentrations. Honey and garlic can therefore, serve as substitute to antibiotics

Effect of an Unani Formulation on Menstrual Cyclicity in Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome—An Open Labelled Clinical Study

Background & ObjectivesPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies among women of reproductive age affecting 2.2-26% of the population. The objective planned for the study was to evaluate the effect of an Unani formulation on menstrual cyclicity in women with PCOS. MethodologyAn open labelled clinical study was carried out in PCOS patients (n=30) aged between 20-38 years meeting the Rotterdam criteria and patients with thyroid dysfunction, hyperprolactinemia, systemic illnesses, malignancy, morbid obesity, pregnancy, lactation, and those treated with hormonal pills & insulin sensitizers within 3 months of study enrolment were excluded. Decoction of 25g of research drug formulation {consisting of Aneesūn (Pimpinella anisum Linn.), Ḥulba (Trigonella foenum graecum, Linn.), Suddāb khushk (Ruta graveolens Linn.), Majeeth (Rubia cordifolia Linn.) and Lobia surkh (Vigna Unguiculata (Linn.) Walp.)} was administered orally on an empty stomach once daily for 5 days/cycle for 3 consecutive cycles, 5 days prior to last menstrual period. The primary outcome measure was the improvement in menstrual cyclicity, and the secondary outcome measures were a reduction in BMI, waist circumference, ovarian volume, and serum insulin. Results were analyzed by Student’s test. ResultsMenstrual cyclicity was achieved in 73.33% of patients and 26.67% had persistent irregular menstruation. Reduction in BMI, waist circumference, ovarian volume, and serum insulin was achieved in 13.33%, 13.33%, 53.33%, and 36.67% of patients respectively. Interpretation & conclusionThis novel trial provides evidence of improved effectiveness and safety of the research drug formulation in PCOS. Hence it can be used as an alternate remedy in its management.

Photobiomodulation versus corticosteroid in the management of erosive oral lichen planus: a randomized controlled clinical trial

BackgroundOral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic illness of immune origin that is typically treated with corticosteroids as a gold standard therapy. Photobiomodulation (PBM) may represent an alternative remedy that has the potential to treat a variety of pathological conditions by alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue healing without the drawbacks of steroid therapies. Thus, the aim of the current study was to compare the effect of photobiomodulation to topical 0.1% triamcinolone acetonide on erosive oral lichen planus.MethodsThis randomized controlled clinical trial involved 44 patients complaining of erosive oral lichen planus. Patients were assigned to one of two groups: control group (n = 22) received 0.1% topical triamcinolone acetonide three times daily with miconazole oral gel once daily for 4 weeks, and photobiomodulation group (n = 22) received laser therapy by 980 nm diode laser utilizing output power 300 mW twice weekly for 5 weeks (a total of 10 sessions). The evaluation of patients was performed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively in terms of pain, clinical scores, and biochemical evaluation of salivary malondialdehyde levels. All recorded data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney test to compare the two studied groups regarding pain, lesion size, and salivary levels of malondialdehyde. Friedman test, followed by post hoc test, was used for comparison of the data within the same group along the 3 periods at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.ResultsBoth groups showed significant improvement in pain and clinical scores, with no statistical difference between them. Moreover, there was a significant improvement in salivary malondialdehyde levels for both groups, with no significant difference between them.ConclusionsPhotobiomodulation could be a promising therapeutic modality for management of erosive oral lichen planus without the side effects of steroid therapy. The salivary malondialdehyde level could be used as a biomarker to evaluate the disease severity and its response to the treatment.Trial registrationThe study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05951361) (19/07/2023).

ANTIDIARRHOEAL POTENTIAL OF FRACTIONS OBTAINED FROM METHANOL EXTRACT OF BRIDELIA ATROVIRIDIS (EUPHORBIACEAE) LEAVES ON CASTOR OIL-INDUCED DIARRHOEA IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Background: Diar r hoea constitutes a major health concern, especially for children under the age of five. Orthodox drugs available for the treatment of diarrhoea are fraught with some challenges not limited to high cost, adulteration and toxic side effects, thereby making a case for alternative remedies, with several medicinal plants known to contain biologically active components that possess curative properties against diarrhoea.Objective: The study was under taken to evaluate the effect of fr actions (ethylacetate, n-butanol and residual aqueous) obtained from methanol extract of Bridelia atroviridis leaves on castor oil induced diarrhoea in Swiss albino mice.Methods: Powder ed plant mater ial was extr acted with absolute methanol using soxhlet apparatus and further fractionated successively with ethyl acetate, n-butanol and distilled water. In castor oil-induced diarrhoea, castor oil-induced enteropooling and electrolyte concentration tests, fasted mice divided into nine (9) groups of five mice each were administered 250 and 500 mg/kg of fractions obtained from B atroviridis leaves while standard drug (loperamide) was administered at 3 mg/kg.Results: However , only aqueous fraction (250 and 500 mg/kg) showed significant (p<0.05) difference in volume of intestinal content when compared to castor oil control group.Conclusions: This study provides scientific data on the antidiarrhoeal potential of fractions obtained from methanol extract of Bridelia atroviridis leaves on castor oil-induced diarrhoea in Swiss albino mice, hence justifying its use in traditional medicine.

Investigation of anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory potential and ADMET studies of pure compounds isolated from Isodon rugosus Wall. ex Benth.

The strong ethnopharmacological utilization of Isodon rugosus Wall. Ex. Benth is evident in the treatment of several types of pain and inflammation, including toothache, earache, abdominal pain, gastric pain, and generalized body pain and inflammation. Based on this background, the antinociceptive effects of the crude extract, various fractions, and essential oil have been reported previously. In this research work, we isolate and characterize pure bioactive compounds from I. rugosus and evaluate possible mechanisms using various in vivo and in vitro models. The pure compounds were analyzed for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities through various assays. The column chromatography of the chloroform fraction of I. rugosus led to the identification of two pure compounds, i.e., 1 and 2. Compound 1 demonstrated notable inhibition (62% writhing inhibition, 72.77% COX-2 inhibition, and 76.97% 5-LOX inhibition) and anti-inflammatory potential (>50% paw edema inhibition at various intervals). The possible mechanism involved in antinociception was considered primarily, a concept that has already been elucidated through the application of naloxone (an antagonist of opioid receptors). The involvement of adrenergic receptors was investigated using a hot plate model (an adrenergic receptor antagonist). The strong ethnomedicinal analgesic background of I. rugosus, supported by previous reports and current observations, leads to the conclusion that I. rugosus is a potential source of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds. It may be concluded from the results that the isolated analgesic compounds of I. rugosus may be a possible alternative remedy for pain and inflammation management with admirable efficacy and safety profiles.

Modeling evaluation of the impact of residual source material on remedial time frame at a former uranium mill site

Groundwater contamination at legacy uranium processing sites is an ongoing global challenge. Plumes at many uranium-contaminated sites are more persistent than originally predicted by groundwater modeling. Previous investigations of uranium plume persistence identified residual and secondary sources that contribute to plume longevity, but there is a remaining need to revise forecasted cleanup times using information about these ongoing sources. The purpose of this study is to investigate the quantitative impact of residual vadose zone sources of uranium on groundwater remediation time frame. This objective was approached by applying numerical uranium transport simulations and uncertainty analysis to a former uranium mill site in the southwestern United States. Information from recent site investigations provided details about the distribution and release characteristics of uranium accumulations in the vadose zone. The residual uranium characteristics were incorporated as decaying source terms in the transport model. A stochastic approach using an iterative ensemble smoother was applied for history matching, and the transport model was used to assess the impact of multiple remedial alternatives on forecasted time frame. The forecasted time frame to achieve the groundwater remediation goal for uranium by monitored natural attenuation is on the order of thousands of years, and treatment of the dissolved plume does not reduce the projected time frame. The large proportion of residual uranium mass remaining in the vadose zone and the gradual leaching rate due to the site's semiarid climate create a long-lived source that can sustain a dissolved plume for thousands of years despite an estimated 99% mass removal achieved during mill tailings disposal. Residual uranium in vadose zone sediments beneath former tailings impoundments could present comparable uranium plume persistence and remediation challenges at other legacy uranium mill sites in semiarid climates. Other remaining uranium-impacted sites are similarly complex, and forecasted remedial time frames are needed to effectively achieve compliance, manage risk, assess the benefits of additional treatment, manage and project costs, and support beneficial site reuse.

SOCIOCULTURAL FACTORS OF THE EMOTIONAL STATE OF CANCER SURVIVORS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF UKRAINE AND ISRAEL)

During the phase of remission, cancer patients commonly experience the psychological impact of fearing the return of traumatic events, namely the disease, hindering their ability to fully engage in life. The aim of the paper was to study the peculiarities of the psycho-emotional state, namely anxiety and the level of fear of cancer recurrence, in cancer survivors from Ukraine and Israel. The peculiarities of providing medical and psychological care for cancer patients in these countries were considered, and it was found that Israeli society had much more psychosocial support for patients. Additionally, the research examined how beliefs surrounding the myth causes of cancer and the option of alternative unofficial remedies influenced the information landscape of both countries. The paper described the obtained patterns and drew preliminary conclusions about the perception of their own illness by cancer survivors during a full-scale war in Ukraine. The Israeli respondents were in a relatively peaceful phase of the Arab-Israeli conflict at the time of this study. The results obtained in this research, which is preliminary, indicate that there are differences in self-perception of illness and outlook on the future between cancer survivors who have achieved remission in Ukraine and Israel. Research has revealed that Ukrainian survivors experience a greater degree of fear of cancer recurrence compared to cancer survivors from Israel.

AN EFFECTIVE DATA MINING APPROACH FOR ASSESSING STUDENT’S SATISFACTION IN ONLINE EDUCATION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The advent of the COVID-19 outbreak has caused widespread public-health concerns. As a result of these emergency conditions, several governments have opted to implement lockdowns to reduce social interaction and minimize infection. COVID-19 has significantly impacted Higher Education Organizations (HEOs). Many unorthodox educational methods are proposed to ensure the continuation of the learning system in light of the effects of this pandemic and the necessity for alternative remedies. Online Education (OE), also based on learning together in a synchronous or asynchronous environment by employing various equipment, including mobile devices, Computers, and so forth, for Internet access, was among the options. All education systems are primarily concerned with boosting students' academic achievement to improve the overall standard of teaching. In this regard, Educational Data Mining (EDM) seems to be an expeditiously growing field of research that employs the significance of Data Mining (DM) ideas to assist the education system in determining valuable information just on Student Satisfaction Learning (SSL) with both Online Learning procedure (OL) as during COVID-19. Various approaches have been explored using EDM to forecast students' behaviors to provide the optimum educational settings. As a result, Feature Selection (FS) was commonly used to find one of the most indicates. the status of characteristics with the least cardinality. For COVID-19 to find accuracy result in this research KNN and SVM algorithm used by using modified data set from Kaggle. Results showed 79.9% precision of education level wise prediction using KNN, 73.7% precision of devices wise prediction using KNN and 88.5% precision of educational level wise predication using SVM, 73.8% precision of device wise prediction using SVM which is showing that the proposed model is significant.

Exploring Neophytadiene from Ampelocissus araneosa: A Molecular Docking Approach to Inhibit Biofilm Formation in Staphylococcus aureus

Background: The urgent need to combat antimicrobial resistance and biofilm production has prompted the exploration of alternative remedies, such as plant extracts, as viable substitutes for antibiotics.
 Aim: This study aims to assess the phytocompound from A. araneosa and elucidate its inhibitory mechanisms against biofilm formation by S. aureus through molecular docking techniques.
 Methodology: Plant material collection and extract preparation were conducted, followed by GCMS analysis of A. araneosa and protein modeling of Biofilm_IcaR from S. aureus. Drug 3D prediction and drug docking studies were performed using Neophytadiene and Metronidazole, with the Patch Dock server for the exploration of molecular interactions between the compounds and protein targets.
 Results and Implications: The study identified bioactive compounds from A. araneosa, including neophytadiene, 3-eicosyne, phytol, and stigmasterol, known for their robust antimicrobial properties. Molecular docking studies demonstrated that neophytadiene exhibited a higher binding affinity to the Biofilm_IcaR protein compared to the control drug, Metronidazole, suggesting its efficacy as an inhibitor. These findings provide molecular insights into the potential of neophytadiene as a therapeutic agent against biofilm-producing S. aureus, with implications for the development of novel antimicrobial treatments.

Acupuncture in circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders and its potential neurochemical mechanisms.

Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (CRSWDs) are becoming increasingly common in modern societies due to lifestyle changes. The detrimental effects of CRSWDs on sleep and psychological health have attracted considerable attention recently. Alternative remedies for the treatment of CRSWDs have also gained attention in recent years owing to the limitations of medications. Several in vivo and clinical investigations have shown that acupuncture, one of the most important components of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been shown to modulate sleep-related circadian rhythms. Owing to the lack of research on the mechanism and effectiveness of acupuncture in treating CRSWDs, clinical applications of acupuncture have not gained popularity. This paper reviews the acupuncture methods, acupoint selection, and biochemical indicators supplied by in vivo and clinical studies to explore the effectiveness of acupuncture, and summarizes the circadian rhythm mechanisms and the acupuncture characteristics on circadian rhythm. The neurochemical mechanisms linked to acupuncture in treating CRSWDs are also outlined from the perspective of the central and peripheral biological clocks. Lastly, the inadequacy of previous studies on CRSWDs and conflicting results regarding acupuncture are explored and future research directions are envisioned.

A Review of Ethnomedicinal Plants as Potential Anthelmintic Agents to Alternatively Control Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Ruminants in South Africa.

Small ruminant production is one of the most important animal productions for food security in the world, especially in the developing world. Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection is a threat to this animal's production. Conventional drugs that are used to control these parasites are losing their efficacy due to the development of resistant parasites. These drugs are not biologically degradable, taint meat products and are also expensive for communal farmers. Hence, research is now exploring ethnomedicinal anthelmintic plants for an alternative remedy. The objective of this paper was to review ethnomedicinal plants as a potential alternative to unsustainable commercial anthelmintics. This review sought to understand common GINs infecting ruminants, resistance manifestation in GINs to conventional treatment, reasons communal farmers choose ethnomedicine, and modes of action in anthelmintic plants. It also examined the usage of plants and plant parts, dosage forms, methods for improving bioactivity, convectional validation procedures, and restrictions on ethnomedicinal plant use as anthelmintics in ethnomedicine. Such insight is essential, as it highlights the importance of ethnoveterinary medicine and ways to adopt or improve it as a potential alternative to conventional anthelmintics.

Can polymeric surface modification and sulfidation of nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) improve arsenic-contaminated agricultural soil restoration via ex situ magnet-assisted soil washing?

Environmental context Arsenic (As) contamination in agricultural soil threatens safe agricultural production. Therefore, an ex situ magnet-assisted soil washing, using different types of nanoscale zerovalent iron was tested as a remediation option in soil restoration. Uncoated nanoparticles was the best tested option, with As removal at 45.5% and the nanoparticles were reusable up to four times. Rationale Arsenic (As) contamination in agricultural soil threatens safe food and medicinal herb production for millions of people. Methodology Therefore, ex situ magnet-assisted soil washing of metal-contaminated soil using bare nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) is proposed as a novel remediation alternative. Conceptually, metal-contaminated soil is mixed with water and bare NZVI, and metals in the soil are transferred to the bare NZVI. The metal-sorbed NZVI is then retrieved from the soil slurry through magnetic separation, leaving behind treated soil. This study evaluated if advanced surface modification can improve ex situ soil restoration efficacy including polymeric coating and sulfidation of NZVI, proven beneficial in situ NZVI application. Sulfur and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) at various S/Fe and CMC/NZVI ratios were used to modify NZVI via sulfidation and physisorption. Result Results revealed that sulfidised NZVI (S-NZVI) performed poorer (41.0%) than bare NZVI (45.5%) in As removal, even at the optimised S/Fe ratio of 0.31. This could be due to acid release via oxidative dissolution of FeS2 on the S-NZVI surface driven by O2. The incidental acid-dissolved NZVI sorption sites decreased As removal efficacy. Similarly, CMC-modified NZVI failed to improve As removal efficacy (11.0%) because it reduced NZVI reactivity and blocked As accessibility to NZVI sorptive sites. Discussion Nevertheless, S-NZVI and CMC-modified NZVI promoted non-phytoavailable As fractions in the treated soil. Overall, bare NZVI performed the best for As removal but moderately transformed As into more non-phytoavailable fractions. Bare NZVI can be reused for four cycles of soil washing. In every case, mobile As in treated soil was lower than the maximum contamination level.

A review on role of herbal medicine in daily life

Writing a review on the use of medicinal shops involves assessing their effectiveness and safety in treating colorful health conditions. To exhaustively assess their remedial value, it's pivotal to consider scientific substantiation, traditional knowledge, and implicit side effects. This review aims to epitomize and dissect the scientific exploration on the medical benefits of shops. These shops are constantly employed as food complements, seasonings, traditional drink constituents, and colorful skin related operations. By examining the being literature, this review provides an overview of the implicit remedial parcels associated with these shops. The shops presented in the exploration are zinger, black cumin seed, Isabgol etc. The number of cases seeking alternate and herbal remedy is growing exponentially. Herbal drugs are the conflation of remedial gests of generations of rehearsing croakers of indigenous systems of drug for over hundreds of times. Herbal drugs are now in great demand in the developing world for primary health care not because they're affordable but also for better artistic adequacy, better comity with the mortal body and minimum side goods.

Evaluación de concentración de arsénico para proponer la alternativa de remediación en el río Ananea

This study addresses the problem of arsenic contamination of water from the Ananea River due to artisanal and informal mining. The main objective is to evaluate arsenic contamination of waters of the Ananea River and remediation alternatives, during the 12 months of 2018 to 2019. The results reveal that the concentration of arsenic in water at point P-A located in the Sillacunca lagoon was 0.926 mg/l, 0.527 mg/l, 0.730 mg/l; in sediments 117.475 mg/kg, 74.8 mg/kg, 92.50 mg/kg; at the point of monitoring P-B located in the Ananea River 100 meters upstream confluence with the Lunar de Oro River, the concentration of arsenic in water is 0.422 mg/l, 0.221 mg/l, 0.225 mg/l; in sediments it is 56.73 mg/kg, 26.77 mg/kg, 62.5 mg/kg. The concentration of arsenic in the area of the Sillacunca lagoon and in the area in the Ananea river 100 meters upstream confluence with the Lunar de Oro river presented a higher concentration.

Effect of Aloe vera gel versus olive oil in the prevention of pressure ulcers among bedridden patients: A pilot study

Given the high occurrence of pressure ulcers in healthcare settings, this research sought to determine the efficacy of using Aloe vera gel or olive oil to prevent them in bedridden patients. Nurses often work long hours to avoid pressure ulcers, making it critical to investigate alternate remedies. Previous research revealed that Aloe vera gel and olive oil might accelerate pressure ulcer healing by lowering microbial presence and maintaining skin integrity, making them possible preventative strategies. The research included thirty volunteers who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Aloe vera gel, olive oil, or regular skincare. Over an 11-day period, the efficacy of each therapy in avoiding pressure ulcers was measured using the EPUAP (European Pressure Ulcers Advisory Panel) and Braden scales. Although direct comparison between the two treatment groups was restricted due to the small sample size, the Aloe vera gel and olive oil groups revealed a considerably decreased incidence of pressure ulcers compared to the control group. In conclusion, using olive oil and Aloe vera gel to the skin of bedridden patients showed promise in lowering the incidence of pressure ulcers. More study is needed to validate these results and make herbal treatments essential to preventative skincare practices for skin disorders in hospital settings.

CHITOSAN INHIBITS THE <i>IN VITRO</i> DEVELOPMENT OF <i>Colletotrichum</i> SP. FROM BANANA (<i>Musa x paradisiaca</i> L.) FRUITS

The banano (Musa x paradisiaca L.) is a tropical fruit, susceptible to infection by Colletotrichum sp. Fungicides are the most typical approach for controlling postharvest infections. Concerns regarding its negative impact on human health and the environment have prompted the quest for alternate remedies. Because of its antimicrobial activity, chitosan is an environmentally friendly alternative. This study aimed to determine the influence of chitosan on the in vitro development of Colletotrichum sp. isolated from banana fruits. Inhibition mycelial growth, spore concentration and spore germination were evaluated in three chitosan concentrations, 0.5 %, 1.0 % and 1.5 %. Optical, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the impact of chitosan on spore growth and morphology. We observed that chitosan solutions inhibited Colletotrichum species in vitro. Chitosan at 1.5 % significantly decreased the percentage of mycelial growth inhibition and spore concentration in comparison with the control. Compared to the control, a concentration of 1.5 % chitosan considerably decreased the mycelial growth and spore concentration. In addition, a complete inhibition of spore germination and a low mycelium content was observed with 1.0% and 1.5% chitosan, controlling the in vitro development of Colletotrichum sp. in banana fruits.

EVALUASI SENYAWA BIOAKTIF Nasturtium montanum Wall. SEBAGAI KANDIDAT AGEN ANTIPIRETIK TERHADAP RESEPTOR PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTASE 2 (PTGS2) SECARA IN SILICO [Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds of Nasturtium montanum Wall. as Antipyretic Agent Candidate Toward Prostaglandin Syntase 2 (PTGS2) Through in Silico

The inhibition of prostaglandin syntase 2 ( PTGS2 route is necessary in order to prevent an feverfever. Antipyretic drugs such as the Non steroids ( NSAIDs are fever medication which acts as non-selective inhibitor of PTGS2. NSAID overdose cases have led to herbal ingredients utilization as alternative remedies, such as the Nasturtium montanum leaves. This research aimed to observe the interaction of selected bioactive compounds within N. montanum with the PTGS2 target protein through molecular docking. In addition, this research used in silico approach conducted with molecular docking method trough several stages such as preparation of 3D ligand structure and protein, protein sterilization by PyMOL, docking compounds with PyRx and visualization of docking results via LigPlot+. Results obtained from this research shows the bond dissociation energy value of 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-D-glucose, kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside, patuletin 3-gentiobioside and quercetin 3-O-malonylglucoside substances are smaller compared to meclofenamic acid causing the four ligand tests more stable in their binding to PTGS2 receptor. Meclofenamic acid and 1-O-sinapoyl-beta-D-glucose both bind to PTGS2 receptor with the same amino acid residue as well as the same interaction. Whereas meclofenamic acid, kaempferol 3-O-sophoroside, patuletin 3-gentiobioside and quercetin 3-O-malonylglucoside bind to PTGS2 receptor with the same amino acid residue yet have different bond interaction.

Assessment of the anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antioxidant potential of Parquetina nigrescens (Afzel.) Bullock in Wistar rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceThe recent growing concerns about the multisystemic nature of mental health conditions in the global population are facilitating a new paradigm involving alternative natural, nutritional, and complementary therapies. Herbal remedies despite accounts in literature of their ethnobotanical as alternative remedies for diverse ailments, remain underexplored for psychiatric disorders like anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Aim of the studyHence, the anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antioxidant properties of a hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Parquetina nigrescens (PN) in male Wistar rats were investigated. Materials and methodsThe sedative effect was evaluated using the Diazepam sleeping time test while anxiety was induced with a single intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). This was after pre-treatment with 100, 150, and 250 mg/kg of PN or the standard drugs (1 mg/kg diazepam and 30 mg/kg imipramine) for 14 consecutive days. Behavioral tests (Open Field test, Elevated Plus-Maze test, and Forced Swim test) were performed on days 1 and 14, to evaluate the antidepressant and anxiolytic activities of PN. Oxidative stress and neurochemical markers were determined in the brain homogenates of the animals. ResultsThe duration of sleep was significantly (p < 0.001) increased in the PN-administered group compared to the control. The behavioral models showed that PN exhibited antidepressant and anxiolytic properties in PTZ-induced animals. Significant reductions were observed in GSH level and SOD activity while MDA, nitrite, and GPx levels were significantly increased in PTZ-induced rats. However, treatment with PN significantly improved brain antioxidant status by ameliorating the PTZ-induced oxidative stress. Dopamine, cortisol, and acetylcholine esterase activity levels were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated while serotonin and brain-derived neurotrophic factors were reduced in PTZ-induced rats compared with the control. ConclusionThe PN demonstrated neurotransmitter modulatory ability by ameliorating the PTZ-induced neurochemical dysfunction. Findings from this study showed that PN exhibited sedative, antidepressant, and anxiolytic activities in rats.

Application of Rabbit Urine and Manure Based Fertilizer on the Growth of Arabica and Robusta Coffee Seedlings

Coffee farming demands substantial amounts of fertilizer. Furthermore, the expensive cost of chemical fertilizers prompt coffee growers to seek alternative remedies. One emerging solution is the utilization of organic fertilizer. This study aims to assess the impact of organic fertilizer, specifically made from rabbit manure and urine, on the growth of Arabica and Robusta coffee seedlings. The experiment focused on the context of coffee cultivation in Temanggung Regency, comparing the effects with goat manure fertilizer. The method was initiated by producing organic fertilizer, encompassing rabbit manure, goat manure, and rabbit urine. Then, the fertilizer was applied to Arabica and Robusta seedlings. The research employs quantitative and descriptive analyses. Quantitative data encompasses the nutrient content of each fertilizer and soil, plant height, leaves number, and stem diameter. Descriptive analysis involves the overall performance evaluation. The application of rabbit manure and urine as fertilizers to Arabica and Robusta coffee seedlings yields positive outcomes, i.e. enhancing plant height, leaves number, and seedling diameter. Among the tested organic fertilizers, rabbit urine notably influenced the plant height, leaves number, and stem diameter of both seedlings. The performance of the rabbit urine treatment exhibited healthier attributes compared to those without any fertilizer, such as sturdy leaves and robust stems. Additionally, the root systems of the untreated plants appear less vigorous with sparser root hairs.