Folk Medicine Research Articles

Antinociceptive and antineuropathic effects of Trifolium resupinatum L. on formalin-induced nociception and cervical spinal cord hemi-contusion: Underlying Mechanisms

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTrifolium resupinatum L. (Fabaceae), known as Persian clover, ethnomedicinally used in Persian folk medicine to treat peritoneal inflammation, rheumatism, and back pain. Aim of the studyTo investigate the antineuropathic and antinociceptive activities of Trifolium resupinatum leaves essential oil (TREO) in male Wistar rats, as well as to explore the potential mechanisms of action. Materials and methodsThe antinociceptive activity of TREO and its main constituents, quercetin (Qc) was assessed using the formalin-induced paw licking test. Moreover, the potential mechanisms of antinociception were evaluated through various competitive and non-competitive antagonisms. Additionally, the antineuropathic potential was investigated using the cervical spinal cord hemi-contusion (CCS) model, and the role of phosphorylated Stat-3 was analyzed using Western blotting. ResultsTREO exerted significant antinociceptive activity (P < 0.01) in both phases of the formalin-induced test; however, its effects were more pronounced in the second phase. Modulators of the NO-cGMP-K+ channel pathway significantly reversed the antinociceptive activity of TREO (P < 0.05). Additionally, antagonists of TRPV1 and TRPV2, as well as CB1 and GABAA receptors, significantly reversed the antinociceptive effects of TREO (P < 0.05). In another study, both TREO and Qc significantly attenuated hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia (P < 0.01) when evaluated using the CCS-induced nociception model. Notably, TREO also reduced the expression levels of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in CCS-induced rats (P < 0.05). ConclusionTREO and Qc exhibit both antinociceptive and anti-neuropathic activities. The antinociceptive effects are partially mediated through the NO-cGMP-K+ channel pathways, along with the activation of TRPV, GABA, and cannabinoid receptors. Furthermore, the anti-neuropathic activity of TREO may be partially regulated through the inhibition of cytokines.

Common Home Remedies Do Not Deter Argentine Ants, Linepithema humile (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), from a Preferred Harborage.

In two laboratory trials, natural products, including freshly picked leaves from spearmint, rosemary, and tansy plants, a water extract from soybean plants, peels from a common cucumber, and 1% peppermint oil in hexane, were placed in a moist harborage preferred by Argentine ants, Linepithema humile (Mayr), and the number of ants entering the harborage after two and four hours was counted. None of the recommended home remedies (tansy, cucumber, or soybean extract) deterred ants from an attractive, moist harborage in either trial, even when the quantity of these treatments was increased 4- to 10-fold. Freshly picked leaves from rosemary and spearmint plants deterred ants from harboring, and the 1% peppermint oil was the most deterrent of all treatments.

Safety and efficacy of electro-thumbtack needle for acute mountain sickness patients: a protocol of a randomized, single-blinded, and placebo-controlled study

BackgroundAcute mountain sickness (AMS) is considered the most common altitude sickness. It can be detrimental to the health of tourists who rapidly ascend high mountains, and can also impair the performance of individuals who move to the plateau for work or education. Acupuncture has been shown to improve AMS as a simple, safe, and effective nonpharmacological method, in case electro-thumbtack needle (ETN) is a more convenient form of acupuncture for both doctor and patient. There are no studies validating the effectiveness of electro-thumbtack needle in improving symptoms in participants with AMS. In this study, we will conduct a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of electro-thumbtack needle in participants with AMS. Our hypothesis is that electro-thumbtack needle is safe and effective in treating participants with AMS.MethodsThis study is a single-center, randomized, single-blinded, and placebo-controlled study involving at least 114 participants who were diagnosed with AMS. The participants randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the electro-thumbtack needle group and the sham acupuncture group. The treatment protocol involved stimulation of seven predefined acupuncture points, including Zhong Wan (RN12), bilateral Nei Guan (PC6), bilateral He Gu (LI4), and bilateral Tai Yang (EX-HN5), for approximately one minute each, with continuous application over 48 h. The primary outcome was improvement in 2018 Lake Louise score (LLS) after 48 h of treatment. Secondary outcome indicators included the incidence of participants with moderate-to-severe AMS (AMS > 5)and AMS, the LLS, visual analogue scale of headache, clinical functioning scores, the Groningen Sleep Quality Survey, the Stanford Somnolence Scale, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate, in addition to treatment-related adverse events were also captured.DiscussionThis trial aims to ascertain the therapeutic benefits of ETN in mitigating AMS symptoms, thereby contributing to the evidence base for traditional medical practices, particularly acupuncture, in high-altitude medicine.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trials Registry: ChiCTR2300073882. Registered on 24 July 2023.

Spanish-speaking Patients' Experiences with Hearing Health Care.

Background/introduction: Health care providers working with Spanish-speaking patients must provide culturally and linguistically appropriate care to meet the communication needs of this population. Disparities related to hearing health care access remain understudied, leaving gaps in clinical practice and guidance for audiologists. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of Spanish-speaking patients with hearing loss when accessing hearing health care services through a limited income hearing aid program. Methods: Six Spanish-speaking patients (three monolingual Spanish, three bilingual Spanish/English) with hearing loss from the Oklahoma City metropolitan area completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Results/findings: Three main themes emerged: (1) perceived barriers to service delivery (cost, language, and transportation); (2) success with hearing health care (use of interpreters and reduced cost of services and amplification); and (3) cultural factors (family, religion, and use of home remedies). Discussion/conclusion: The themes identified can provide a foundation for service delivery of patient-centered services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate to help improve access to and quality of hearing health care, particularly for this population of patients. This study identified factors that may contribute to hearing health care disparities for Spanish-speaking adults, which may not be observed in other disciplines that are less communication-focused. Suggestions for improving services for audiologists serving Spanish-speaking patients are discussed.

The complete sequence of chloroplast genome of Baeckea frutescens Linaeus 1753 (Myrtoideae), a traditional folk medicinal plant

Baeckea frutescens Linaeus 1753, as a traditional folk medicine in South East Asia, possesses sesquiterpenes, phloroglucinols, chromones, and essential oil, and is utilized for traditional Chinese medicinal purposes. The genetic diversity of the plant must be better understood, considering its significance. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome of B. frutescens was sequenced and assembled by using Illumina paired-end data, marking a significant advancement toward comprehending its genetic composition. The complete cp genome is 158,939 bp in length and contains 128 genes, consisting of 83 protein-coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNA genes, and 37 transfer RNA genes. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that B. frutescens and other the 13 were clustered to the family of Myrtaceae. These findings are crucial for the conservation and utilization of this important plant species. Additionally, they underscore the potential for future research on the evolution and preservation of B. frutescens, which could be advantageous in pharmaceutical applications.

Pengaruh kepercayaan dan kearifan tempatan terhadap amalan perubatan tradisional masyarakat Kadazandusun [The influence of local beliefs and wisdom on traditional medicine practices of the Kadazandusun community

This study aims to identify the influence and belief of local wisdom in the traditional medical practices of the Kadazandusun community in Sabah. The research methodology used is a qualitative field study and data is collected from informants who are identified and reside in several districts in Sabah. An instrument that is an individual interview method (in-depth interview) through recording. The researcher obtains information from the respondent through the village head. They are traditional medicine practitioners who are a reference in the village based on their expertise in terms of the local beliefs and wisdom of the supporting community. The results of the study found that local beliefs and wisdom from previous ancestors contribute to the knowledge and information of traditional medical practices that have been inherited by the supporting community from generation to generation. The implications of the study, the effectiveness of the traditional medical methods that were inherited caused the supporting community to believe that the medical practice is still practiced to this day. In conclusion, skills in the method of preparing medicines from plants as well as the ability to interpret certain meanings can be used for traditional medicinal purposes. Through the study, it is expected that with the existence of several Kadazandusun language lexical items such as sogit (fine according to custom), bobolian (shaman), kombura (white chicken), sunduan (spirit) and so on help to form sources of terms in the Malay language as well as in various fields of knowledge knowledge related to the life of today's society such as animal husbandry, agriculture, nature and animals, plants, carpentry and so on.

Ameliorative Review on Exploration of Spices in Aspects of Phytochemical Screening for their Antidiabetic Action

Diabetes is a diverse group of disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to an deficiency in insulin production. Diabetes mellitus's chronic hyperglycemia is linked to end organ damage, dysfunction, and failure, including blood vessel, kidney, retina, and nervous system. With over 62 million cases of diabetes being identified in India, the disease is rapidly turning into a true epidemic. The majority of synthetic oral hypoglycemic medications available for the disease's treatment are costly, have significant adverse effects, and/or cannot be used while pregnant. As a result, a growing number of people worldwide are turning to traditional herbal remedies to prevent and treat diabetes. Spices having antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic characteristics may be effective in the therapy of diabetes. As a result, these spices are growing in popularity due to their potential efficacy, little to nonexistent adverse effects, and synergistic effects. Spices are compounds used in food as coloring, flavoring, or preservation. They might be fresh or dried seeds, bark, roots, fruits, or even vegetables. This paper includes phytochemical screening of spices which have crucial role in the treatment of diabetis mellitus.

Random Selection of Herbs and Weak Knowledge of Plants or Why Different Plants Were Used to Treat the Same Diseases in Slavic Folk Medicine

SZCZEŚNIAK KRYSTYNA, 2022, Świat zamów światem roślin na pograniczu wschodniej i zachodniej Słowiańszczyzny, Gdańsk: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Gdańskiego, s. 884.

Desmodium styracifolium (Osb.) Merr. Extracts alleviate cholestatic liver disease by FXR pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCholestatic liver disease (CLD) is a disease characterized by cholestasis. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a nuclear receptor that maintains homeostasis in bile acid metabolism. Studies have shown that gut microbiota interfered with the FXR pathway. Modulation of FXR to inhibit cholestasis has become a key measure in the treatment of CLD. In traditional folk medicine, Desmodium styracifolium (Osb.) Merr. was used as a primary treatment for gallstones, gonorrhea, jaundice, cholecystitis and other diseases. Modern pharmacological studies had also found that the herb has anti-calculus, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, diuretic and liver damage. Therefore, we speculated that Desmodium styracifolium (Osb.) Merr. extracts (DME) could alleviate CLD through the FXR pathway and might be associated with the gut microbiota. However, studies of DME alleviating CLD through the FXR pathway have not been reported. Aim of studyTo study the effect and mechanism of DME in relieving CLD through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Materials and methodsFirst, mice were administrated with alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT) to establish a CLD model in vivo. Meanwhile, HepG2 cells were induced by lithocholic acid (LCA) to establish the CLD model in vitro. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of DME on CLD mice, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and biochemical indicators were performed. The prototype of the blood components in mice serum was detected by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). 16S rDNA sequencing was used to analyze the gut microbiota. Finally, the protein and mRNA expression of the FXR pathway in mice liver tissues or HepG2 cells were detected by Western blot, qRT-PCR, or immunofluorescence. ResultsPathological testing and biochemical indexes showed that DME significantly reduced serum ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL, DBIL, TBA and liver TBA levels, and attenuated liver tissue injury, necrosis and jaundice in CLD mice. In addition, MetagenomeSeq analysis of gut microbiota showed that DME significantly up-regulated the abundance of Parvibacter, down-regulated the abundance of Paenalcaligenes, and regulated bile acid homeostasis. In terms of mRNA expression, DME significantly upregulated the mRNA levels of Nr1h4, Abcb11, Cyp7a1 and Slc10a1. Meanwhile, in terms of protein expression, DME significantly up-regulated the protein expression levels of FXR, BSEP, CYP7A1 and NTCP, which regulated bile acid homeostasis. Finally, the molecular docking results showed that the components of DME, such as Lumichrome, Daidzein and Folic acid, all had good binding ability with FXR, and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) results also showed that both Lumichrome and Daidzein had a relatively high affinity with FXR. ConclusionDME alleviated CLD through the FXR pathway, and the mechanisms might be associated with the gut microbiota.

Integrating UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS, Network pharmacology and experimental validation to reveal the potential mechanism of Kadsuracoccinea roots in Colon Cancer

Ethnopharmacological relevanceKadsura coccinea roots are a traditional folk medicine used to treat gastrointestinal diseases. In recent years, research on K. coccinea has predominantly focused on the analysis of chemical composition and screening for activity, but there is a scarcity of studies that employ mass spectrometry to analyze Kadsura coccinea roots. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to characterize the chemical composition of K. coccinea roots and explore the pharmacological mechanisms with network pharmacology. Cell assay and Western blot analysis were used to verify the pharmacological mechanism of the main compounds in K. coccinea roots. Materials and methodsUPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS was used for chemical analysis of K. coccinea roots, and the compounds were identified by employing diagnostic product ions, fragmentation patterns, ChemSpider, and in-house databases. Network pharmacology was employed to estimate the pathways related to pharmacological mechanisms. In addition, MTT assay was conducted to determine the inhibitory activity of colon cancer cell lines, and their apoptotic abilities were evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blot. ResultsThe UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS identified a total of 54 compounds in K. coccinea roots. The 54 compounds were subjected to network pharmacology analysis, exploring the pharmacological action of the main components of K. coccinea roots. The common targets between the compounds and colon cancer comprised 2009 GO biological process items and 186 KEGG signal pathways. Flow cytometry indicated that treatments with 20 μM of the above-named compounds resulted in an apoptosis rate of 16.6%, 79.7%, and 22.2% in HCT-116 cells, respectively. Meanwhile, Western blot analysis confirmed that the compounds promoted the expression of Bax and Caspase-3 level expression. ConclusionThe findings demonstrated that K. coccinea roots can treat colon cancer through multiple components, targets, and pathways. This study revealed the effective components and molecular mechanisms of K. coccinea, which were preliminarily verified using in vitro experiments.

Phytochemical Analysis, Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, and Anti-coccidian Activities of Vitis vinifera Leaves Grown in Saudi Arabia

Background: Natural products are essential for medicinal purposes in developing countries. Traditional and contemporary medicine utilized plant products as alternative treatments for parasitic diseases. Objectives: The purpose of the investigation is to analyze and assess the bioactive compounds in Vitis vinifera leaf extracts, as well as their effect on coccidiosis. Materials and methods: Several analytical techniques were utilized, such as infrared spectroscopy (IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, we assessed the total phenol, tannin, flavonoid examination, and cytotoxicity of the plant extracts using an MTT assay and UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis). Moreover, the samples’ levels of antioxidant activity (measured with DPPH and ABTS) were analyzed. Results: The leaf extract's GC-MS study identified many bioactive elements linked to plant secondary metabolites. Further, the total phenol, tannin, and flavonoid were 160.217 ± 0.652, 65.872 ± 0.263, and 34.0463 ± 0.545 (mg TAE/g DW), respectively. It also contains these extracts with a high antioxidant and DPPH radical scavenging activity. This reflects the number of bioactive chemicals that are present in these extracts. Conclusions: The findings of this research discuss techniques in phytochemical analysis of Vitis vinifera leaf extracts and the identification of biologically active components that support and justify the utilization of grape leaves in folk medicine in developing countries.

Comparison of piperine content, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Piper chaba root and stem

Piper chaba (locally known as “Choi Jhal”) is used traditionally as spices and folk medicine in different parts of Bangladesh. One of the most important bioactive compounds in this plant is piperine. In this study, the amount of piperine in P. chaba root and stem was investigated and the optimal solvent for piperine extraction at room temperature was also studied. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was operated using a reverse phase column where methanol and water (70:30) were used as mobile phase. The detection was performed using photo diode array (PID) detector at a wavelength of 345 nm. The standard piperine showed linearity between 0.005 % and 0.04 % and the correlation co-efficient found for the linearity was 0.9933. The percentage of relative standard deviation (RSD) for both retention time and peak area were less than 2.0 %. The theoretical plate number (N) > 3000 and a tailing factor (T) < 1.5 were found in the acceptable range. The recovery percentage (%) of standard piperine was 99.16 %. Low value of co-efficient of variation and standard deviation are recognized for high precision of the method. The highest amount of piperine was found in root extracted with methanol (MR) amounting to 1.75 % in the root powder. The maximum amount of piperine in the stem was 1.59 % when extracted with methanol (MS). The piperine quantification in other extract like n-hexane root (HR), ethyl acetate root (ER), n-hexane stem (HS), ethyl acetate stem (ES) were 0.76 %, 1.69 %, 0.33 % and 1.46 % respectively. Methanol has given the highest yield of piperine compared to ethyl acetate and n-hexane for both root and stem. The developed method was simple, rapid, economic and validated in terms precision, accuracy and recovery. This selective method is found to be repeatable, accurate and successfully utilized for the Piper extract in marketed and pharmaceutical samples with well chromatographic conditions. The ethyl acetate extract of root and stem showed promising DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 39.62 ± 0.95 μg/mL and 43.85 ± 1.50 μg/mL respectively. The study reports potential antibacterial activity and antifungal activity of P. chaba root and stem extracts. These outcomes revealed that different extracts of P. chaba may be used as natural preservatives.

LC-MS-based metabolomics for the profiling of bioactive compounds in tree peony flower buds with multiple bioactive potentials

Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) are important pharmaceutical and oilseed crops widely cultivated in China. Tree peony flowers, as important by-products of the industrial crops, are conventionally used as folk medicine with health-promoting effects on human. However, the in-depth understanding of biologically active compounds in tree peony flowers is scarce. In this study, an in-depth analysis of bioactive compounds in tree peony flower buds (TPFBs) from 74 cultivars was conducted using an integrated LC-MS-based metabolomic approach. Ninety-two metabolites were tentatively identified in TPFBs. The quantitative results revealed that TPFBs were abundant in bioactive compounds. Among these, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, cynaroside, and pentagalloylglucose (PGG) emerged as the primary chemical markers of TPFBs, showing significant variations based on genotype. Each extract of TPFB exhibited potent antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-neuroinflammatory activities. Notably, TPFB extract showed the highest effectiveness in inhibiting L. monocytogenes among all tested bacteria. Cynaroside was predicted to serve as a pivotal component in TPFB for its anti-neuroinflammatory effects by interacting with toll-like receptor 4 (TRL4) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β). This study offers novel insights into the bioactive compounds and bioactivities of TPFBs, which lays theoretical basis for the application in pharmaceutical industry.

Self-diagnosis and self-medication based on Internet search among Non-Medical University students of Karachi

Background: For a decade, the topic of self-diagnosis and self-medication has gained significant attention due to the widespread availability of information on the Internet and over-the-counter medication. This research explores the rational considerations behind individuals’ self-diagnosis and self-medication practices. Our main objective is to find out the frequency of self-diagnosis and self-medication in the general population and its associated risks and benefits. Methods: A cross-sectional community-based prospective study was conducted over seven months and included 160 students from various non-medical universities in Karachi. A questionnaire regarding baseline characteristics, self-medication, and self-diagnosis was made, and the data was collected from the participants and then analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results: One-fifth of the participants used the method of diagnosing themselves regularly, whereas 9% of the involved population demonstrated medicating themselves very often. However, most of the population had self-diagnosed (50.6) or self-medicated (61.9) sometimes. The Internet was the primary source of searching (75%), and home remedies were the preferred medications (71.7%). The two primary reasons for this were the scarcity of time and resources. Conclusion: Overall, our study points out the significance of self-medication and self-diagnosis among different non-medical students of Karachi. Teaching people about medicines, enforcing strong prescription policies, and providing medical facilities are vital steps toward preventing this problem. The role of doctors and medical students is significant; therefore, detailed doctor-patient communication needs to be encouraged.

Antidiabetic Potential of Nypa fruticans Fronds: Inhibition of α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase, and Glucose Absorption In Vivo

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) results from insulin resistance or impaired insulin secretion, leading to hyperglycemia, which, in advanced stages, causes macrovascular and microvascular complications. Effective management of postprandial hyperglycemia is critical to reducing these complications. Inhibition of carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase offers a therapeutic approach for controlling postprandial glucose levels. While acarbose is a known inhibitor of these enzymes, its long-term use can cause gastrointestinal side effects. Therefore, alternative treatments, such as medicinal plants, are being explored. This study focuses on the antidiabetic potential of the Nipah frond (Nypa fruticans Wurmb), a traditional remedy, which is believed to inhibit glucose absorption and carbohydrate degradation. Methods; Nipah frond powder was extracted using ethanol through maceration. Phytochemical screening was conducted to detect bioactive compounds, and in vivo and in vitro assays were performed to evaluate antidiabetic properties. The inverted intestinal pouch technique assessed glucose absorption, while the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was conducted on male Wistar rats. Enzyme inhibition assays for α-amylase and α-glucosidase were carried out to measure the extract's effectiveness in inhibiting carbohydrate degradation. Results: In vitro tests demonstrated that the ethanol extract exhibited inhibitory activity against both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, with IC50 values of 38.493 ± 0.900 ppm and 40.401 ± 0.558 ppm, respectively. In vivo studies using the everted sac technique showed that the extract reduced glucose absorption by 74.10% compared to the control group, similar to acarbose. In the OGTT, administration of 1000 mg/kg BW of Nipah frond extract significantly reduced postprandial glucose levels, with an area under the curve (AUC) comparable to glibenclamide. Conclusion: The ethanol extract of Nypa fruticans fronds demonstrated significant antidiabetic activity by inhibiting α-amylase and α-glucosidase, reducing glucose absorption, and suppressing postprandial hyperglycemia in vivo.

Herbal Medicinal Nanoformulations for Psoriasis Treatment: Current State of Knowledge and Future Directions

Background: Psoriasis is a persistent immune system disorder that influences the skin, leading to red, flaky patches that can be painful and irritated. Objective: Traditional treatments for psoriasis, such as topical creams and oral medications, may be effective but also have potential side effects. Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to treat skin conditions, and advancements in nanotechnology have led to the development of herbal nanoformulations that offer several advantages over traditional herbal remedies, such as efficacy, safety, and targeted delivery. Methods: The studies and reviews published under the title were looked up in several databases (including PubMed, Elsevier, and Google Scholar). Results: Several herbal nanoformulations, including those containing curcumin, aloe vera, and neem, have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory impacts, which will be useful within the treatment of psoriasis. However, more study is required to decide the efficacy and safety of these details, as well as the optimal dosing, duration of treatment, and potential side effects. Conclusion: Overall, herbal nanoformulations represent a promising area of research for the treatment of psoriasis, and may offer a safe and effective alternative or adjunct therapy to conventional treatments. This review article summarizes the present state of information for the herbal nanoformulations role in the treatment of psoriasis and their future perspectives.

Traditional healing and medicine in dementia care for Indigenous populations in North America, Australia, and New Zealand: Exploring culturally-safe dementia care policy from a global perspective.

In 2018, the World Health Organization recognized traditional healers as community stakeholders in dementia care. This scoping review aimed to summarize the existing dementia care literature regarding strategies for the integration of traditional healing in dementia care and the roles of traditional healers. A group of Indigenous Elders from Northern Ontario, Canada, guided, reviewed, and validated the research process and findings. The Joanna Briggs Institute approach was applied to a structured search strategy across the CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases. A title and abstract screening were completed, followed by a full-text assessment of the identified manuscripts. A total of 143 full manuscripts were reviewed, of which two studies fully met the community-determined inclusion/exclusion criteria. The integration of traditional healing practices into dementia care offers a pathway to culturally-safe care for people with dementia. The findings identified policy advocacy as key to engage, educate, and empower traditional healers. The WHO recognized traditional healers as community stakeholders in dementia care and prevention worldwide in 2018; however, traditional healers are underrepresented and marginalized in healthcare systems due to the lack of culturally-safe dementia care (CSDC) policies at community and national levels globally.Community-based CSDC models were critically reviewed and validated by local Indigenous community stakeholder consultations.The result is a call to action to assist the WHO and Alzheimer's Disease International in developing guidelines for CSDC policy improvements with the global Indigenous community for the engagement and empowerment of traditional healers to navigate dementia care and to implement the WHO Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia (2017-2025).Integration of Western biomedical and Indigenous traditional healing and medicine in dementia care in the healthcare system can reduce health disparities and empower traditional healers on a global scale. Indigenous-led models that include traditional healers in dementia care are critical for improving equity gaps in dementia care for Indigenous Peoples.

Carica papaya L. Latex Mediated Green Synthesis of Zno Nanoparticles for its Antimicrobial Activity

Zinc oxide nanoparticles have gained potential recognition because of their distinctive characteristics and wide utilizatrion in various fields. Therefore, development of novel biological techniques is significant for the biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using the latex of Carica papaya L. Plant latex is a natural product produced by a number of plant species which are used by different tribal communities in India as a folk medicinal treatment on natural wounds or cuts. Plant latex has a huge demand as herbal products in an aspect of clinical, therapeutical and also in agricultural sectors. Natural latex is composed of different important biomolecules like, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, sterols, saponins etc. These different active chemical constituents have versatile medicinal activities against different pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoans etc. This study reports on the biosynthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (Zn NPs)using latex of C. papaya as an effective reducing agent. Green synthesis of nanoparticles has advantageous over conventional methodsbecause it does not require the use of toxic chemicals and therefore environmentally sustainable. The elemental composition of C. papaya latex was also analysed using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) technique. Properties of synthesized ZnO NPs were characterized using various methods such as ultra violet visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles also assessed for its antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial and fungal species.

Evaluation of chemical constituents in Norantea guianensis Aubl. extracts, embryotoxicity, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential in Danio rerio.

Norantea guianensis Aubl., commonly referred to as the parrot flower or macaw-tail vine, is a plant species found in the Brazilian Amazon, Caatinga, and Cerrado biomes. It is used in folk medicine for its anxiolytic properties, as well as its ability to alleviate headaches and reduce fever. Nevertheless, despite its therapeutic benefits, the impact on embryonic development has yet to be fully explained. The objective of this study was to evaluate chemical constituents by HPLC-DAD, UV-visible and classical phytochemistry and the LC50 of ethanolic extracts from the stem and leaves of N. guianensis in Danio rerio after 96 hours and to investigate their effect on developmental morphology. The findings were then related to both Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and the plant's chemical composition. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/L concentrations of stem and leaves extracts. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the stem extract contained predominantly phenolic compounds, tannins, and anthraquinones, while the leaf extract contained alkaloids and flavonoids. The LC50 values for the stem and leaf extracts were 64.55 mg/L and 7.16 mg/L, respectively, being the stem extract was more toxic than the leaf extract. Induced malformations and alterations in the zebrafish development in different concentrations for both extract including pericardial edema, increased heart rate, spinal malformation and equilibrium disruption. Unlike to stem extract, the leaf extract delayed larval hatching and inhibited AChE activity. The findings indicate that the leaf extract possesses higher embryotoxicity and its use should be avoided during pregnancy.

HOFIZ KHOREZMI’S "DEVON" AND PHYTONYMS

This article discusses one of the components of onomastics, phytomymics (phyto-Greek. Phyton-plant), and their usage in Hofiz Khorezmi’s "Devon." The study analyzes the skillful use of plant names by the poet for artistic purposes and the creation of artistic devices. Until now, the phytomymics in this work had not been the subject of study. During the analysis, the plant names used in Hofiz Khorezmi’s "Devon" are examined, categorized into semantic groups, and their variants—Arabic, Persian, and Turkic—are identified. Furthermore, the meanings these words convey in "Devon" are compared with how they were used in the works of Beruni, Mahmud Kashgari's "Devonu lug'otit turk," Alisher Navoi, and Babur. The forms of plant names used in the Uzbek literary language and how they are explained in the Uzbek explanatory dictionary are also analyzed. Examples are provided to explain phytomymics whose meanings have expanded today. The article compares how these phytomymics are explained in B.V. Miller's “Persian-Russian Dictionary,” the “Tajik-Russian Dictionary,” and the "Explanatory Dictionary of the Uzbek Language," conducting an etymological analysis. Additionally, the poetic devices created through these phytomymics are explained with examples. Each phytonym is given a specific definition. For example, "Isiriq" is a perennial wild plant from the family Zygophyllaceae. It contains alkaloids and is used in folk medicine for its healing properties, including being burned as incense. In modern Uzbek, the word "isiriq" has served as the root for words like "isiriqdon" (incense burner) and "isiriqchi" (incense seller). The word "isiriq" was borrowed from Persian into Old Uzbek. In "Devon," this borrowed word appears seven times in the sense of "isiriq" and "isiriq seed." This information enriches the article. The study holds significant value in examining the lexicon of the work. The materials researched in the article will be useful in creating the “Dictionary of the Language of Hofiz Khorezmi’s Devon," the "Dictionary of Borrowed Words in Uzbek," and the "Dictionary of Written Monuments," as well as in teaching specialized courses to students in the philology faculties of higher educational institutions.