Herbal Group Research Articles

Community Service “Guidance on Governance and Accounting Recording using Ms.Excel in The Si Kunyit Jamu Business Group in Denpasar”

Indonesia is an agricultural country that has great potential and abundant natural resources for agricultural products. However, from this potential, the economic problems faced by rural communities, the majority of whom are farmers, are very diverse, especially when the Covid-19 pandemic occurred, causing people to look for ways to find additional income due to the large number of layoffs. This is also the first step for the Si Kunyit Herbal Medicine Business Group in utilizing the spices they have and becoming a booster during the pandemic. Some of the obstacles faced by the Si Kunyit herbal medicine business group are 1)Not yet having bookkeeping or records related to income, expenses, production costs and profit and loss, 2) Not yet having good governance, so not yet able to set appropriate prices, 3) Marketing systems such as websites, social media and offline marketing that have not been used optimally to market the products produced. 4) Making labels/brands for products to be marketed. 5) Packaging is not yet attractive so it is still inferior to competitors.

Analysis of medication rule of Traditional Chinese Medicine in treating depression based on data mining

ObjectiveDepression is a mental disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, decreased interest or pleasure in activities and reduced energy. As a highly prevalent disorder, it seriously endangers the psychosocial functioning of patients. Many scholars have conducted clinical studies on the treatment of depression using different herbal remedies, but there are no studies that integrate these remedies to explore the general medication rule. This study aims to explore the medication pattern of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment for depression through data mining methods, so as to provide scientific theoretical basis and reference for clinical treatment and new prescription development. MethodsBased on the PRISMA principle, 121 articles involving 10810 patients with depression of TCM treatment were collected. We then performed frequency, association rule, and hierarchical clustering analysis of Chinese herbs using Microsoft Excel 2016, SPSS Modeler 18.0 and IBM SPSS Statistics 23. ResultsAmong the 270 herbs collected, the three most frequently occurring herbs are Gancao, Chaihu, and Shaoyao. The categories of high-frequency herbs are mainly deficiency-tonifying, Qi-regulating and blood-activating and stasis-eliminating herbs. Through the Apriori algorithm, we mined 21 herbal groups of association rules, and among which the combination of Chaihu-Shaoyao-Gancao has the highest level of support. Furthermore, five novel clustering combinations were identified, predominantly derived from Xiaoyao-San, Chaihu-Shugan-San, Sini powder, Kaixin-San and Chaihu-Jia-Longgu-Muli Decoction. ConclusionThe current study not only concluded the frequent combinations but also developed five new drug cluster combinations for depression, which can provide evidence-based references for the future clinical treatment and is helpful to understand the potential pharmaceutical mechanism from the properties, tastes, meridian tropisms and categories. The clinical effectiveness of these combinations needs to be verified by future study.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Buffer and Application of Herbal Teat Dip on the Milk Composition of Lactating Rathi Cattle

Background: Nowadays, there is an increasing demand among the consumers for clean milk or superior quality milk and milk products. The current scenario of dairy sector in India showcases a low productivity among the indigenous dairy breeds which requires the employment of nutritional and managemental interventions to improve the milk quality as well as performance of lactating cattle. The use of buffers like trisodium citrate and herbal post milking herbal teat dip are part of such interventions. The current study is aimed at evaluating the effect of such interventions on the milk quality of lactating Rathi cattle. Methods: Twenty-four cattle were selected at LRS, Bikaner and divided into four treatment groups consisting of six cattle each. The experiment was conducted for 60 days, where T1 group was used as control, T2 group was given the basal diet along with oral supplementation of buffer trisodium citrate @ 30 mg/kg body weight, T3 group received the basal diet along with the topical application of herbal teat dip (aloe vera, turmeric, lemon extract and castor oil) and T4 group was given the basal diet along with a combination of oral supplementation of trisodium citrate @ 30 mg/kg body weight as well as the topical application. The milk samples of the experimental animals were examined for milk fat per cent, milk SNF per cent, milk lactose per cent and milk protein per cent. Result: The results of the study revealed that there was a significant effect (P less than 0.05) of buffer supplementation and application of herbal teat dip on milk fat per cent, whereas it was highly significant (P less than 0.01) for milk SNF per cent between the control and treatment groups. There was no significant effect observed in milk lactose percent or milk protein per cent.

Study on the fourof Pfaffia glomerata based on the metabolomics technology and comparison of Dangshen () in the equivalent substitution prescription.

To explore the four Qiof Pfaffia glomerata (PG) and endow this foreign folk herb with the properties of Chinese medicine, make it Chinese medicinal and localized, and could be used as a Chinese medicine. The normal group, six cold herb groups, six hot herb groups, six cool herb groups, PG prescription group (PGPG), and Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis) prescription group (CPPG) were prepared with corresponding concentrations of water extracts, these herb extracts were administered by gavage to Sprague-Dawley rats, and the 12 h urine at night on the 29th day of the SD rats in each group were collected, Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer system was used to analyze them, the best discriminant models for the medicinal properties of cold-hot and cold-cool were set up, so as to the medicinal properties of PGPG, CPPG and PG were predicted. Based on the Progenesis QI, Human Metabolome Database, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, MetaboAnalyst 5.0 database, we enriched metabolic pathway and classification mechanism of medicinal properties of cold-cool Chinese herbs and the molecular mechanism of PG prescription. We established a best model of cold-hot herbal discrimination in the positive ion mode, then the probability that PGPG was predicted cold property was 88.9%. Furthermore, a model of cold-cool herbal discrimination was established, then the probability of PGPG containing the cool property was 77.8%. In addition, typical cold and cool herbs mainly affected nine biomarkers such as tyrosine-proline, (R)-3',7-Dihydroxy-2',4'-dimethoxyisoflavane in rats. The regulation trend of PGPG on markers was basically as same as the cool herbs and mainly involved in regulating the two pathways of cytochrome P450 and purine metabolism. The results showed PGPG had a cool medicinal property as same as CPPG, and the regulation trend of PGPG on markers was consistent with cool herbs. Therefore, the medicine properties PG and CP should be consistent, and the Traditional Chinese Medicine property of PG was predicted to be neutral.

Potensi Tanaman Ganjan (Artemisia vulgaris) dalam Penyembuhan Luka Sayat pada Tikus (Sprague Dawley)

Recent studies have focused on exploring natural remedies to accelerate wound healing. One such herbal plant is the Ganjan plant (Artemisia vulgaris), which contains essential oils, coumarins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and phenolic acids, which make it a good candidate for natural remedies. This study analyzed the wound-healing potential of the Ganjan plant using a true experimental research design on 16 male Sprague Dawley rats. The rats were divided into four groups and subjected to different treatments, including a negative control group without treatment (K1), a 10% Ganjan herbal extract ointment group (K2), a 30% Ganjan herbal extract ointment group (K3), and a positive control group with 10% betadine ointment (K4). The ointments were applied once daily for 21 days or until the wounds healed, and wound area measurements were taken every three days. The results showed that the 10% and 30% Ganjan ointments effectively reduced the wound area, and there was no difference in wound contraction between 10% and 30% Ganjan ointment and 10% Betadine. The study concludes that Ganjan plant extract ointment is an effective natural remedy for wound healing and that the best results are seen in the 30% Ganjan extract ointment group.

The Effect of the Combination of Ginseng, Tribulus Terrestris, and L-arginine on the Sexual Performance of Men with Erectile Dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, parallel, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Nitric oxide is the most important mediator of penile erection after the onset of sexual excitement. It activates cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), increasing penile blood flow. Most pharmaceutical medications prevent enzyme phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) from breaking down cGMP, thus keeping its level high. However, due to the adverse effects of pharmacological therapies, herbal drugs that improve sexual function have gained attention recently. This study aimed to investigate the combined effects of ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine amino acid on the sexual performance of individuals with erectile dysfunction (ED) using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Over three months, 98 men with erectile dysfunction were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg of herbal supplements or placebo pills. Each herbal tablet contained 100 mg of protodioscin, 35 mg of ginsenosides, and 250 mg of L-arginine. The results showed that the changes in the average scores of ILEF-5 within each group before and after the intervention indicated that all parameters related to the improvement of sexual function in patients with erectile dysfunction improved in the herbal treatment group (p < 0.001). The herbal group significantly improved IIEF-5 scores in non-diabetics (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the changes of IIEF-5 scores between the two intervention and control groups in diabetic patients. In conclusion, ginseng, Tribulus terrestris, and L-arginine have properties that increase energy and strengthen sexual function, making them suitable for patients with sexual disorders.

A Study on the Effectiveness and Safety of Herbal Extract Combination Compared to 3% Minoxidil Solution for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized, Double-blind, Controlled Trial

Background Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) affects both men and women. Standard treatments include topical minoxidil and oral finasteride, which can cause undesirable side effects. Therefore, a natural herbal extract is required for an alternative treatment. Objectives This study aims to assess both the efficacy and safety profiles of an herbal extract comprising a combination of dihydroquercetin glucoside, epigallocatechin gallate glucoside, zinc, and glycine, compared to the minoxidil solution for the treatment of AGA. Methods About 30 males and 30 females were recruited. The males and females were divided equally into two groups (n=30), randomly receiving either a minoxidil solution or herbal extraction twice a day for 24 weeks. Clinical efficacy, total hair count, and hair mass index (HMI) were evaluated. Results A total of 30 males and 30 females completed the study. The total hair counts (hairs/cm2) at baseline in the herbal group and minoxidil group were 334.8±108.8 and 368.3±178.4, respectively, and the total hair counts at 24 weeks in the herbal group and minoxidil group were 345.0±119.2 and 391.5±183.1 (p&lt;0.001, p&lt;0.001), respectively. The HMI in the herbal and minoxidil groups significantly increased by 25.83±17.18 and 33.70±15.17 (p=0.001, p&lt;0.001) at 24 weeks. However, there was no significant difference in total hair count and HMI between the two groups at 24 weeks (p= 0.250, p=0.065). No local adverse effects were observed in both groups. Conclusions The non-significant difference in efficacy and safety to minoxidil solution suggests that the herbal extraction could be an alternative treatment for AGA. Clinical Trial Registration Number TCTR20220927001.

The Effectiveness of Herbal Poultice in Relieving Pain and Flexibility in Osteoarthritis Patients

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic condition that causes joint degradation and primarily affects the elderly, reducing their quality of life and physical movements. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of Thai herbal poultice in relieving pain in OA patients. A single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted amongst OA patients at Integrative medicine clinic, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Thailand. Participants were randomly allocated to the Thai herbal poultice or the diclofenac gel group (N=30). The main outcomes were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS), isokinetic testing, goniometer, and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome scores (KOOS) at different time assessment. Data were analyzed by the paired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Thai herbal poultice and diclofenac group showed a significant difference in both the VAS pain scores, extension and flexion as well as KOOS scores (P &lt; 0.01 in both groups). In addition, when compared to diclofenac group, Thai herbal poultice group were significantly improve pain score at the sixth time point following the intervention (P &lt; 0.01). Furthermore, no patients have experienced allergic reactions to therapies. In conclusion, Thai herbal poultice showed more efficiency in reducing pain scores than diclofenac gel without causing undesirable side effects.

Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of probiotic, Aloe vera, povidine-iodine, and chlorhexidine mouthwashes in the treatment of gingival inflammation: A randomized controlled trial.

Chemical plaque control with mouthwashes as an adjunct to mechanical plaque control with a toothbrush and dental floss has been considered an effective method for controlling gingivitis. The anti-inflammatory effects of chemical plaque control benefit the oral tissues by reducing inflammation and bleeding. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of probiotic, Aloe vera, povidine-iodine, and chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwashes in treating gingivitis patients by assessing changes in their clinical parameters. This prospective study was conducted on 40 patients from our outpatient department, divided into 4 groups of 10 patients each: probiotic mouthwash group (group 1); herbal (Aloe vera) mouthwash group (group 2); povidone-iodine mouthwash group (group 3); and CHX mouthwash group (group 4). All participants were provided with the same type of manual toothbrush, the Pepsodent® toothpaste and a respective mouthwash for twice-daily use until the end of a 28-day observation period. Clinical parameters, such as the marginal plaque index (MPI) and bleeding on interdental brushing (BOIB), were recorded at baseline, and on the 14th and 28th day of the study period. All groups showed a significant decrease in the MPI and BOIB scores. The results were similar in patients who used a probiotic mouthwash and those who used a CHX mouthwash. A comparable change in the mean scores was observed among the herbal and povidone-iodine groups from baseline to day 28. In the treatment of chronic gingivitis patients,a probiotic mouthwash was nearly as effective as CHX in reducing the plaque and bleeding scores. It showed better results in all clinical parameters than herbal and povidone-iodine mouthwashes. Using a mouthwash along with routine tooth brushing can help in treating gingivitis and slow the progression of the periodontal disease.

Effects of three kinds of Chinese herbs on growth performance, oocysts output and gut microbiota in growing lambs with coccidiosis.

Coccidiosis is a protozoan intestinal disease that reduces the production of the sheep industry and causes large economic losses for sheep. Although chemically synthesised drugs are routinely employed to treat coccidiosis in sheep, the anticoccidial drug resistance and drug residues in edible meat have prompted an urgent search for alternatives. Herein, the anticoccidial properties of diclazuril, a conventional anticoccidial drug, and Allium sativum, Houttuynia cordata and Portulaca oleracea were assessed. Forty 45-day-old lambs naturally infected with Eimeria spp. were selected and randomly divided into five groups. The results showed that the sheep treated for coccidiosis had considerably decreased average daily gain (ADG) during both administration and withdrawal of the drug compared to the control group. Furthermore, at days 14, 21, 28 and 35, respectively, the three herbs and diclazuril had similar anticoccidial effects, with lower oocysts per gram (OPG) than the control group. On day 78, OPG in the three herbal groups was significantly lower than in the diclazuril group. In addition, the abundance and composition of the gut microbiota were changed in sheep treated with the three herbs and diclazuril compared to the untreated sheep. Moreover, some intestinal microorganisms have a correlation with OPG and ADG when using Spearman correlation analysis. In summary, our results suggest that all three herbs produce anticoccidial effects similar to diclazuril and modulate the balance of gut microbiota in growing lambs.

Evaluation of Anti-Plaque Efficacy of a Herbal and Non-Herbal Dentifrice: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Context: The primary objective of using dentifrice is to remove plaque biofilm from tooth surfaces and additionally protect teeth from sequelae of events – halitosis, gingivitis, periodontal inflammation, and dental caries. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and consumer satisfaction profile of using herbal and nonherbal dentifrice in controlling dental plaque. Settings and Design: The randomized clinical trial was conducted on dental students at K. D. Dental College and Hospital, Mathura. Subjects and Methods: The triple-blinded trial was conducted during July 2022 over 15 days among 50 dental students of the institute, aged 18–21 years selected using simple random sampling and allocated into two groups: Group A – herbal dentifrice (Patanjali Dant Kanti dentifrice) and Group B – nonherbal dentifrice (Colgate dentifrice). At baseline, open ended self administered questionnaire regarding general information was recorded followed by full mouth prophylaxis and instructions to brush twice daily with allocated dentifrice following modified bass technique. Plaque assessment was done for index teeth on the 7th and 15th days using the plaque index. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed using SPSS. Intergroup comparisons were done using paired t-test and descriptive statistics for consumer satisfaction profile assessment. Results: The mean plaque index scores for Groups A and B was reduced at 15th day in comparison to scores on 7th day. Consumer satisfaction feedback was found statistically significant for Group A with insignificant for Group B on few parameters. Conclusions: Herbal dentifrice had similar antiplaque efficacy to nonherbal dentifrice with satisfactory consumer feedback without side effects on using them.

The Effects of Traditional Chinese Herbal Dietary Formula on the Ability of Daily Life and Physical Function in Elderly Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

We aimed to examine the association of traditional Chinese herbal dietary formulas with ability of daily life and physical function in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment. The current study included 60 cases of elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment from Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Hongkou District, Shanghai. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: group A (herbal dietary formula group, consisting of Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus, Nelumbinis plumula, Chinese Yam, Poria cocos, and Jineijin), 30 cases, and group B (vitamin E), 30 cases, treatment for 3 months. Cognitive function was measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); body function was measured using the Chinese Simplified Physical Performance Test (CMPPT), including stand static balance, sitting-up timing, squat timing, and six-meter walk timing. Daily life based on ability was measured by grip strength and the Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL). The lower the scores of the above items, the poorer the disease degree, except for ADL: the lower the score, the higher the self-care ability. After 3 months of treatment, the two-handed grip strength of both the herbal dietary formula group and vitamin E group increased; the ADL, sitting-up timing, squatting timing, and six-meter walking timing decreased after medication, being statistically significantly different (p < 0.05). The two-handed grip strength of group A increased significantly, and the ADL, sitting-up timing, squatting timing, and six-meter walking timing decreased distinctly compared with the vitamin E group. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). The scores of MMSE, MOCA, total CMPPT, and standing static balance of the herbal dietary formula group increased after medication. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The vitamin E group's MMSE and MOCA scores, CMPPT total scores, and standing resting balance scores did not change significantly after medication (p > 0.05). In summary, a traditional Chinese herbal dietary formula can improve body and cognitive function in patients with MCI, and the curative effect is better than that of vitamin E. Traditional Chinese herbal dietary formulas can improve the daily life quality of MCI patients, which has clinical application value.

Comparing the effect of phytobiotic, coccidiostat, toltrazuril, and vaccine on the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis in broilers

This study compared 2 herbal anticoccidiosis drugs (water-soluble and feed-additive drugs) with monensin coccidiostat, toltrazuril (TTZ, anticoccidiosis drug), and Livacox Q (anticoccidiosis vaccine) in terms of their effects on the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis in broilers. In this study, 280 Ross 308 broiler chickens (a mix of both genders) were used in a completely randomized design with 7 treatments and 5 replications each including 8 chickens per replicate. On d 21 of rearing, all experimental groups, except for the negative control group (NC), were challenged with a mixed suspension of common strains of Eimeria, and the intended indices were assessed, including performance indices, number of oocysts per gram (OPG) of feces, intestinal injuries, and the total number of intestinal bacteria. In addition, the NC and the group receiving the monensin had greater body weight gain (BWG) (P < 0.05). At the end of week 6, the monensin group had the highest feed intake (FI), while the water soluble medicine treatment resulted in the lowest feed intake (P < 0.05). Regarding the lesion scores on day 28, the highest and lowest rates of jejunal injuries were observed in the positive control group (PC), the monensin and vaccine group respectively. The rate of oocysts excretion (oocysts per gram of feces = OPG) on different days was higher in the PC group, and the use of monensin could further reduce excretion compared to the other groups (P > 0.05). Based on a comparison of the population of lactic acid bacteria between the NC and both medicinal plant treated groups, the use of these products could increase the population of these types of bacteria. Moreover, the population of Escherichia coli was less considerable in the NC and herbal powder groups (P < 0.05). Overall, similar to commercial medicines, the herbal medicines used in this project can be effective in the prevention and treatment of coccidiosis and can improve profitability in broiler rearing centers by improving intestinal health.

A Double-blind, Randomized Clinical Trial Study of Plantago major l. Syrup on Menorrhagia

Objective: Menorrhagia is a common and costly complaint of patients in gynecology. Plantago major L. (P.major) is one of the herbal remedies recommended by Persian medicine for menorrhagia. Materials and methods: In this study, women with menorrhagia who did not have abnormal findings in para-clinical evaluation, were divided into two groups: herbal drug (P.major syrup) and placebo (simple syrup). After one cycle, menstrual blood loss based on Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC), menstrual duration, hemoglobin and hematocrit were assessed in both groups. Results: 65 patients completed the study. In the herbal drug group, menstrual blood loss and menstrual duration decreased from 205.5 ± 8.38 to 185.03 ± 12.30 (P&lt; 0.001) and from 8.30 ± 0.85 to 7.68 ± 1.62 (P= 0.003), respectively. Although the difference between groups in terms of blood loss in the baseline was not significant, it became significant after intervention (P&lt; 0.001). Also, after intervention hemoglobin and hematocrit were significantly increased from 11.82 ± 0.39 to 11.99 ± 0.20 and from 35.47 ± 1.18 to 35.69 ± 1.32 resp. (P&lt; 0.001) in herbal drug group, however they were decreased significantly in placebo group. No adverse effects were reported after using the herbal drug. Conclusions: P.major may be a good candidate for further study to be considered as a safe and effective remedy for menorrhagia.

Multiple processes jointly determine ecological uniqueness across forest plant life‐forms in Northeast China

AbstractAimEcological uniqueness is an essential component of biodiversity. However, the mechanisms underlying patterns of ecological uniqueness remain unresolved. This study aims to assess the relative importance as well as interactive roles of four hypothesized processes (regional climate filtering, local environmental filtering, biotic heterogeneity and disturbance intensity [DI]) in shaping ecological uniqueness across three forest plant life‐forms (trees, shrubs and herbs) in a large temperate forest region.LocationNortheast China.MethodsWe quantified ecological uniqueness as abundance and incidence‐based local relative contributions to beta diversity (i.e. LCBD indices) in the study region. Multiple beta regression analyses and piecewise structural equation models were used to determine the relative direct and interactive effects of four processes in shaping ecological uniqueness across forest plant life‐forms.ResultsThe southern area of the region exhibited consistently greater LCBD values across plant life‐forms, highlighting its importance for conservation. All four processes jointly affected ecological uniqueness but their relative importance varied across plant life‐forms. Generally, regional climate had the dominant effect on tree LCBD while biotic heterogeneity was the most important process driving shrub and herb LCBDs. Local environmental filtering was less important in driving LCBD of all life‐forms. The significant direct effect of DI was only found in the herb group. Despite its weak direct effect, DI could indirectly shape tree and shrub LCBDs via biotic heterogeneity.Main ConclusionsOur study suggests that current patterns of ecological uniqueness (i.e. LCBD) across forest plant life‐forms result from multiple processes, with regional climate filtering and biotic heterogeneity having the strongest effects on uniqueness patterns across all life‐forms. Meanwhile, DI is more critical for shaping ecological uniqueness of herbs than trees or shrubs. We highlight the interactive roles of biotic and abiotic filtering in shaping biologically distinct communities important for biodiversity conservation.

Effect of herbal extracts as alternatives to antibiotics in the first week of age on broiler performance, serum biochemistry, and intestinal morphology under commercial farm conditions

This study was performed to show the effect of two herbal extracts as alternatives to antibiotics in the first eight days of rearing on broiler performance, serum biochemistry, and the jejunum morphology of the broiler. A total of 264, one-day Ross 308 chicks were used. They were randomly distributed into four treatments including three replicates of each. T1 was the control (nothing in drinking water), T2 had antibiotics in the drinking water (1 g/L of Gentadox), T3 had ENTERIA in the drinking water (0.5ml/L), T4 had ICEN in the drinking water (0.5ml/L). These products were administered for the first eight consecutive days of rearing. In the first seven days, there was no substantial variation in performance found in all groups. From days 8–14, T3 markedly improved body weight gain (BWG). The feed conversion ratio (FCR), thyroid hormones, total protein, and globulin were substantially improved in T3 and T4. The edible internal organs and heart percentage was substantially increased in the herbal groups. All the jejunum histology parameters, except the crypt depth, were substantially increased in T3. The T3 recorded the best bodyweight uniformity and economic efficiency compared to other groups. Similarly, the yolk sac residual at days 4 and 7 was lower in this group compared to other groups. It can be concluded that herbal extracts can replace antibiotics in improving and enhancing general broiler performance.

Effect of various disinfectant solutions on the tensile strength of gutta-percha using the rapid sterilization technique.

Gutta-percha (GP) gets contaminated during handling. It becomes imperative to ensure GP is sterile before placement in root canal space. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the tensile strength of GP treated with four different disinfectant solutions: 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), amla juice (AJ), Aloe vera (AV) juice, and pancha tulsi (PT). The study design was an in vitro study. Fifty GP cones with a size of 30 were procured from sealed packages in five different groups. Experimental groups were disinfected for 1 min with 3% NaOCl, AJ, AV, and PT except the control group. Tensile and Brinell Testing Machine is used to measure the tensile strengths of GP. Results were subjected to statistical analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's post hoc test. The mean tensile strength values for Groups A, B, C, D, and E are 9.49 Mpa, 13.33 Mpa, 12.58 Mpa, 12.69 MPa, and 13.56 MPa, respectively. In the herbal disinfectant group, such as AJ, AV, and PT, the tensile strength was not significantly altered, whereas in the 3% NaOCl group, it was reduced considerably. AJ, AV juice, and PT as a GP disinfectant do not alter the tensile strength of GP cones.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine as adjunctive therapy in sepsis patients with bloodstream infection: a propensity-matched analysis.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine in treating sepsis patients with bloodstream infection. A 6-year retrospective study was carried out at a university hospital in China. Adult sepsis patients with bloodstream infection were included. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality after admission. Propensity score method was used to adjust for possible confounding. 28-day mortality was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using the log-rank test. Cox regression analysis was carried out to identify factors impacting in-hospital mortality outcomes. Following the application of the propensity score method, a total of 176 patients were included. The all-cause 28-day mortality in the control group and Chinese herbal medicine group was 21.6% and 14.8%, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that Chinese herbal medicine was associated with a lower hazard ratio (HR) in all-cause 28-day death compared with the control group [HR = 0.44, 95% CI(0.22, 0.90), P < 0.05]. The complications were similar between the two groups (P >0.05). Blood-activating and stasis-eliminating herb administration was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality among sepsis patients with bloodstream infection [HR = 0.54, 95% CI(0.34, 0.94), P < 0.05]. Chinese herbal medicine, especially the blood-activating and stasis-eliminating herb, might have certain efficacy and safety in treating sepsis patients with bloodstream infection. Clinicians should prescribe blood-activating and stasis-eliminating herb in treating these two coalescent critical diseases as long as no contraindications exist. However, further studies are needed to validate our results.

Effects of Propolis-Based Herbal Toothpaste on Dentine Hypersensitivity

IntroductionThe objective of this in vitro study was to compare the effectiveness of a propolis-based herbal toothpaste with 5% sodium fluoride varnishin obstructing human dentinal tubules; Scanning electron microscopy was utilised to obtain quantitative and qulitative data on tubular obstruction. MethodsThirty-nine extracted human premolar teeth were collected. The cementum layer was removed using a water-cooled diamond bur and the smear layer using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) 17%. Then, the samples were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 13 each), as follows: group 1: dentin discs exposed to the propolis-based herbal toothpaste (Herbex); group 2: dentin discs exposed to 5% sodium fluoride varnish; and group 3: control. Then, all discs were observed and imaged in 4 non-overlapping fields by an electron microscope at 2000× magnification. The topography and number of open, closed, and semi-closed tubules were counted in all images. The data were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis test, Mann–Whitney U test, and Friedman test. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS statistic 22.0 software, with a significance level of α = 0.05. ResultsIn pairwise comparisons of the groups considering the percentage of open, closed, and semi-closed tubules, the difference was not statistically significant between the 5% sodium fluoride varnish and propolis groups in the closed and semi-closed tubules, but it was statistically significant with the control group. Additionally, the percentage of open tubules in the propolis-based herbal toothpaste group was significantly lower than in the 5% sodium fluoride varnish and control group. ConclusionsBoth propolis-based herbal toothpaste and 5% sodium fluoride varnish is effective in blocking human dentin tubules to various extents.

The effect of a thyme-ivy fluid extract combination on the severity of cough in children: randomized controlled trial

Thyme and ivy leaves contain anti-inflammatory, mucolytic, and bronchospasmolytic properties, resulting in anti-cough benefits. There are no extensive studies conducted on the efficacy of thyme and ivy in children with acute cough. The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficiency and safety of thyme and ivy in reducing the severity of cough in children. This study was a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical experiment on children aged 1 to 12-year old who had an acute cough with no identified etiology. One hundred and forty-two patients were randomly assigned to dextromethorphan or herbal groups, and frequency and severity were measured using a visual analog scale. After the initiation of therapy, recovery trends were assessed at 24, 48, and 96 hours. Eighty-three patients, including 43 patients in the dextromethorphan group and 40 in the herbal group, were followed for 96 hours. Cough severity was decreased by 80.7% in the dextromethorphan group and 87.4% in the herbal syrup group. In addition, there was a significant interaction effect of time and groups on changes in cough severity. In the groups of dextromethorphan and herbal after 96 hours of complete treatment, the efficacy was 72.1% and 75%, respectively, which showed the beneficial effects of both drugs. In children, a mixture of thyme and ivy extracts can help to reduce the severity and length of the cough. As a result, this combination has the potential to be an effective cough therapy for children.