Natural Healing Research Articles

Advancements and clinical applications of extended platelet-rich fibrin (E-PRF)

Extended platelet-rich fibrin (E-PRF) has emerged as a potent biological agent in regenerative medicine and dentistry. It leverages the natural healing capacities of growth factors and cytokines from platelets and leukocytes to promote tissue repair. This systematic review explores the role of E-PRF in various clinical applications, including wound healing, bone regeneration, and periodontal therapy. The findings indicate that E-PRF provides an enhanced bioactive matrix, supporting superior clinical outcomes compared to conventional treatments. Future studies should focus on optimizing E-PRF protocols and investigating its long-term effectiveness.

Biocooperative Regenerative Materials by Harnessing Blood-Clotting and Peptide Self-Assembly.

The immune system has evolved to heal small ruptures and fractures with remarkable efficacy through regulation of the regenerative hematoma (RH); a rich and dynamic environment that coordinates numerous molecular and cellular processes to achieve complete repair. Here, a biocooperative approach that harnesses endogenous molecules and natural healing to engineer personalized regenerative materials is presented. Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) are co-assembled with blood components during coagulation to engineer a living material that exhibits key compositional and structural properties of the RH. By exploiting non-selective and selective PA-blood interactions, the material can be immediately manipulated, mechanically-tuned, and 3D printed. The material preserves normal platelet behavior, generates and provides a continuous source of growth factors, and promotes in vitro growth of mesenchymal stromal cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. Furthermore, using a personalized autologous approach to convert whole blood into PA-blood gel implants, bone regeneration is shown in a critical-sized rat calvarial defect. This study provides proof-of-concept for a biocooperative approach that goes beyond biomimicry by using mechanisms that Nature has evolved to heal as tools to engineer accessible, personalized, and regenerative biomaterials that can be readily formed at point of use.

Innovative Nanocomposites for Drug Delivery: A Novel Approach for Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) is a chronic wound, and a person with diabetes has an increased lifetime risk of foot ulcers (19%-34%) and high morbidity (65% recurrence in 3-5 years, 20% lifetime amputation). Recent data have shown rising amputation rates, especially in the younger and minority populations. This abstract discusses innovative approaches for addressing this issue. This highlights the use of nanotechnology-based drug nanocomposite systems for natural wound healing therapies, with a focus on nanoparticles, nano-emulsions, and nanogels. This review also emphasizes the potential of hydrogels for drug delivery, highlighting their versatility in various medical applications. Furthermore, it delves into the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNP's) for treating diabetic wounds while acknowledging the need to address potential toxicity concerns. Finally, the abstract discusses the utilization of traditional herbal medicine and the integration of modern science to advance wound care, particularly focusing on wound microbiome, immune response, and controlled herbal medicine delivery. This study also highlights clinical trials conducted on DFU. Overall, these abstracts highlight the importance of exploring diverse and innovative solutions to chronic wound management.

Deciphering the Roots of Pharmacists’ Critical Thinking About Pseudoscientific Claims: Insights from a Cross-Sectional Survey

The global trend toward self-medication has increased public reliance on over-the-counter treatments and health-related information, contributing to the spread of pseudoscientific claims in healthcare and posing serious public health risks. Pharmacists, as accessible healthcare professionals, play a crucial role in critically evaluating these claims and providing evidence-based guidance. However, little quantitative research has assessed pharmacists’ critical thinking regarding pseudoscientific claims or the factors influencing them. This study aims to evaluate the demographic factors affecting pharmacists’ critical thinking about pseudoscientific claims. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pharmacists in hospitals, insurance pharmacies, and drugstores across Japan. The newly developed Pseudoscience Criticism Scale (PCS) measured attitudes toward pseudoscientific claims. Statistical analysis identified factors that form and influence critical thinking. This study revealed two primary dimensions: “Medical Superstitions and Unscientific Treatments” and “Natural Healing Superstitions”. Gender and educational background significantly impacted PCS scores, with male pharmacists and graduates from six-year pharmacy programs exhibiting higher skepticism. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing professional development in pharmacy education to strengthen critical thinking. The PCS is an effective tool for assessing this competency. Enhancing educational efforts is essential to equip pharmacists to effectively counter pseudoscientific claims and improve public health.

What are the psychic forces present within a psychopathological state? Comment on “Nature heals: An informational entropy account of self-organization and change in field psychotherapy” by Pietro Sarasso, Wolfgang Tschacher, Felix Schoeller, Gianni Francesetti, Jan Roubal, Michela Gecele, Katiuscia Sacco, Irene Ronga

What are the psychic forces present within a psychopathological state? Comment on “Nature heals: An informational entropy account of self-organization and change in field psychotherapy” by Pietro Sarasso, Wolfgang Tschacher, Felix Schoeller, Gianni Francesetti, Jan Roubal, Michela Gecele, Katiuscia Sacco, Irene Ronga

Orthobiologic Products: Preservation Options for Orthopedic Research and Clinical Applications.

The biological products used in orthopedics include musculoskeletal allografts-such as bones, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage-as well as biological therapies. Musculoskeletal allografts support the body's healing process by utilizing preserved and sterilized donor tissue. These allografts are becoming increasingly common in surgical practice, allowing patients to avoid more invasive procedures and the risks associated with donor site morbidity. Bone grafting is one of the most frequently used procedures in orthopedics and traumatology. Biologic approaches aim to improve clinical outcomes by enhancing the body's natural healing capacity and reducing inflammation. They serve as an alternative to surgical interventions. While preliminary results from animal studies and small-scale clinical trials have been promising, the field of biologics still lacks robust clinical evidence supporting their efficacy. Biological therapies include PRP (platelet-rich plasma), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)/stromal cells/progenitor cells, bone marrow stem/stromal cells (BMSCs), adipose stem/stromal cells/progenitor cells (ASCs), cord blood (CB), and extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes. The proper preservation and storage of these cellular therapies are essential for future use. Preservation techniques include cryopreservation, vitrification, lyophilization, and the use of cryoprotective agents (CPAs). The most commonly used CPA is DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). The highest success rates and post-thaw viability have been achieved by preserving PRP with a rate-controlled freezer using 6% DMSO and storing other cellular treatments using a rate-controlled freezer with 5% or 10% DMSO as the CPA. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown the best results when lyophilized with 50 mM or 4% trehalose to prevent aggregation and stored at room temperature.

The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of ErhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP as a Novel Bone Substitute Using the Tooth-Extraction-Socket-Healing Model: A Proof-of-Concept Randomized ControlledTrial.

This first randomized controlled trial in humans aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of low-dosage Escherichia coli-derived recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (ErhBMP-2)-incorporated biomimetic calcium phosphate coating-functionalized β-TCP (ErhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP) as a novel bone substitute using the tooth-extraction-socket-healing model. Forty patients requiring dental implants after single-root tooth extraction were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned into three groups: ErhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP (N = 15), β-TCP (N = 15) and natural healing (N = 10). New bone volume density from histomorphometric analyses was evaluated 6 weeks post-operatively as the primary outcome, and other histomorphometric analyses, alveolar bone and soft-tissue changes were the secondary outcomes. Safety parameters included adverse events, soft-tissue healing, oral health impact profile, serum BMP-2 concentrations and other laboratory tests. The findings revealed a significant increase in new bone volume density in patients treated with ErhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP compared to those receiving β-TCP alone. The required bone augmentation procedures during implant placement surgery in the ErhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP group were significantly less than in the natural healing group. There were no significant differences in safety parameters among the three groups. This clinical trial primarily proved the safety and efficacy of ErhBMP-2/BioCaP/β-TCP as a promising bone substitute.

INDIVIDUALIZED MICROCURRENT FREQUENCIES: A NEW FRONTIER IN WELLNESS

Individualized microcurrent frequencies are a breakthrough in wellness, offering personalized health solutions through low-level electrical impulses. This therapy activates natural healing processes, providing benefits such as accelerated recovery, pain relief, improved circulation, stress reduction, and skin rejuvenation. It represents a shift towards personalized care, enhancing overall well-being.

The inhibitory effect of salidroside on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation via NFκB suppression.

Bone fractures are a prevalent clinical issue, and recent studies highlighted the promising potential of natural bone healing agents in enhancing fracture repair and regeneration. The regulatory interaction mechanism between osteoblasts and osteoclasts is crucial for bone cell biology and bone disease. In Mongolian medicine, people have used the Rhodiola rosea (R. rosea) extract to accelerate bone healing in bone fractures. Salidroside is a bioactive compound of R. rosea. Salidroside is known to regulate bone metabolism and inhibit the activation of osteoclast cells, but how it affects the differentiation of osteoclasts is unknown. We examined the effect of R. rosea extract and its bioactive compound salidroside on the RANKL-induced osteoclast formation in RAW264.7 cells. The present study observed that salidroside directly inhibits RANKL-induced TRAP-positive osteoclast formation. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that salidroside inhibited the expression of c-Fos and NFATc1, osteoclastogenic key transcription factors, by suppressing late activation of p65 NFκB. Further, the ethanol extracts of R. rosea significantly reduced the RANKL-induced osteoclasts in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, salidroside inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast formation via suppressing the NFκB/c-Fos/NFATc1 signalling pathway. R. rosea, a primary source of salidroside, is helpful for bone healing via its inhibitory effect on osteoclast formation.

Knowledge about medicinal plants held by the inhabitants and traditional practitioners of the village of Mazateupa, Nacajuca, Tabasco, Mexico

The application of herbs for natural healing requires limitless wisdom, discernment and understanding of the natural order of the universe. The good use of our natural resources could solve economic, health and cultural problems, as they are one of the most felt needs in the communities of Mexico and Tabasco. In this sense, the main interest of this research is to analyze the traditional knowledge of the medicinal flora in Mazateupa, Tabasco. The methodology applied is a model of ethnobotanical methodology. Informants were selected and worked with using the snowball technique. Six people were interviewed in the community and 122 species were recorded. Fifty-two percent are herbs. On the other hand, 100 conditions were recorded, however, ten are the most common. There are many conditions that can be treated with different plants, although they are often used alone. There are many conditions that can be treated with different plants, although they are often used alone. Most of the plants, although medicinal, are also used as ornamental plants. This concludes that in the village of Mazateupa, traditional medicine persists.

Local Delivery of Exosomes and Antibiotics in Hydroxyapatite-Based Nanocement for Osteomyelitis Management.

The management of bone and joint infections is a formidable challenge in orthopedics and poses a global health concern. While clinical management emphasizes infection prevention and complete eradication, an effective strategy for stabilizing skeletal tissue with adequate soft tissue coverage remains limited. In this study, we have employed a novel approach of using the local delivery of exosomes and antibiotics (rifampicin) using a hydroxyapatite-based nanocement carrier to manage the residual space created during debridement effectively. Additionally, we synthesized a periosteum-guiding antioxidant herbal membrane to leverage the inherent periosteum regeneration capability of the bone, facilitating bone callus repair and natural healing. The synthesized scaffolds were biocompatible and demonstrated potent antibacterial activity in vitro. When evaluated in vivo in the Staphylococcus aureus-induced rat tibial osteomyelitis model, the released drugs successfully cleared the residual bacteria and the released exosome promoted bone healing, resulting in 3-fold increase in bone volume as analyzed via micro-CT analysis. Immunofluorescence staining of periosteum-specific markers also indicated the complete formation of periosteal layers, thus highlighting the complete bone repair.

Supplemental Magnesium Gluconate Enhances Scaffold-Mediated New Bone Formation and Natural Bone Healing by Angiogenic- and Wnt Signal-Associated Osteogenic Activation.

Local implantation or supplementation of magnesium gluconate (MgG) is being investigated as an effective approach to bone repair. Although studies have highlighted the possible mechanisms in Mg ion-stimulated new bone formation, the role of MgG in healing bone defects and the signaling mechanisms are not yet completely understood. In this study, we explored how supplemental MgG has bone-specific beneficial effects by delivering MgG locally and orally in animal models. We fabricated MgG-incorporated (CMC-M) and -free chitosan (CMC) scaffolds with good microstructures and biocompatible properties. Implantation with CMC-M enhanced bone healing in rat model of mandible defects, compared with CMC, by activating Wnt signals and Wnt-related osteogenic and angiogenic molecules. Oral supplementation with MgG also stimulated bone healing in mouse model of femoral defects along with the increases in Wnt3a and angiogenic and osteogenic factors. Supplemental MgG did not alter nature bone accrual and bone marrow (BM) microenvironment in adult mouse model, but enhanced the functioning of BM stromal cells (BMSCs). Furthermore, MgG directly stimulated the induction of Wnt signaling-, angiogenesis-, and osteogenesis-related molecules in cultures of BMSCs, as well as triggered the migration of endothelial cells. These results suggest that supplemental MgG improves bone repair in a way that is synergistically enhanced by Wnt signal-associated angiogenic and osteogenic molecules. Overall, this study indicates that supplemental MgG might ameliorate oxidative damage in the BM, improve the functionality of BM stem cells, and maintain BM-microenvironmental homeostasis.

An Adhesive Hydrogel Technology for Enhanced Cartilage Repair: A Preliminary Proof of Concept.

Knee cartilage has limited natural healing capacity, complicating the development of effective treatment plans. Current non-cell-based therapies (e.g., microfracture) result in poor repair cartilage mechanical properties, low durability, and suboptimal tissue integration. Advanced treatments, such as autologous chondrocyte implantation, face challenges including cell leakage and inhomogeneous distribution. Successful cell therapy relies on prolonged retention of therapeutic biologicals at the implantation site, yet the optimal integration of implanted material into the surrounding healthy tissue remains an unmet need. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a newly developed photo-curable adhesive hydrogel for cartilage repair, focusing on adhesion properties, integration performance, and ability to support tissue regeneration. The proposed hydrogel design exhibited significant adhesion strength, outperforming commercial adhesives such as fibrin-based glues. An in vivo goat model was used to evaluate the hydrogels' adhesion properties and long-term integration into full-thickness cartilage defects over six months. Results showed that cell-free hydrogel-treated defects achieved superior integration with surrounding tissue and enhanced cartilage repair, with notable lateral integration. In vitro results further demonstrated high cell viability, robust matrix production, and successful cell encapsulation within the hydrogel matrix. These findings highlight the potential of adhesive hydrogel formulations to improve the efficacy of cell-based therapies, offering a potentially superior treatment for knee cartilage defects.

Analysis of natural health resources for the development of health tourism in Bulgaria

The article examines the potential of natural healing resources for the development of health tourism in Bulgaria.

Medical Rehabilitation and Health Resort Treatment at the Resort “Sernovodsk-Kavkazsky”

INTRODUCTION. Medical rehabilitation and health resort treatment are important parts of the health care system of the Chechen Republic, which are actively developing with high potential and competitiveness. Studies on the treatment of patients with chronic non-communicable diseases show the effectiveness of natural therapeutic resources and other innovative non-medication methods. AIM. To analyze and identify the most promising for the development of the Resort “Sernovodsk-Kavkazsky” directions of treatment of patients with chronic non-infectious diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Data from information-analytical systems of the sanatorium-resort industry of the Russian Federation and the data of our own research were used for the analysis. RESULTS. The analysis and the main results confirming the effectiveness of treatment of patients with chronic non-infectious diseases with the use of natural healing resources and other innovative non-medication methods realized in the Resort “Sernovodsk-Kavkazsky” are presented. The most promising ways of development of health resort treatment and medical rehabilitation are determined. CONCLUSION. The increasing activity of unfavorable environmental factors, which negatively affect the functional state of the organism and the level of health of the population as a whole, require from the health care system continuous improvement, including in the sanatorium and resort industry.

Natural Therapeutic Resources of the Russian Federation: Updated Legislation and Medical Aspects of their Application

The article outlines the provisions of the modern regulatory framework that regulates the work of health spa (sanatorium) organizations and the use of natural healing resources for therapeutic purposes. The legislative innovations, the main tasks and problems of the development of the spa and resort industry from a medical point of view are described. The historical background of the development of the spa and resort medical industry in the context of natural resources is presented. It describes the development of health resort business in Russia from the emergence of the first sanatorium to the present day.

Does scaffold enhancement show significant superiority over microfracture alone for treating knee chondral defects? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Chondral and osteochondral lesions in the knee are common conditions that significantly impair individuals' well-being and can lead to osteoarthritis, imposing substantial burdens on healthcare systems. The limited natural healing capacity of articular cartilage necessitates innovative treatment strategies. Microfracture (MF) is a widely used technique for knee chondral defects, but its long-term efficacy is often inadequate. Although recent randomised controlled trials have compared microfractures with scaffold-enhanced therapies, a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis are lacking. An extensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and EMBASE databases following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria focused on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing microfractures alone to matrix-induced chondrogenesis for knee chondral defects with at least a 12-month follow-up. Ten randomised controlled trials conducted between 2013 and 2024, enroling 378 patients, were included. The meta-analysis showed no significant superiority of scaffolds over MF (p > 0.05) in International Knee Documentation Committee, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome, Visual Analog Scale, and Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue scores at 12 and 24 months. However, individual studies suggested the potential benefits of scaffolds, especially in long-term outcomes. Clinical improvements from MF typically decline after 2-3 years, underscoring the need for long-term follow-up in future research. Our meta-analysis shows no significant difference between MF and MF with scaffold in treating knee cartilage defects, though some long-term RCTs demonstrate statistically significant differences. The absence of a universally accepted algorithm for analysing knee chondral defects limits this study. Establishing reliable guidelines and standardised study protocols is essential to improve long-term patient outcomes and the quality of future papers. Level I.

Coaxial Electrospun wound dressing integrated with Ag-doped hydroxyapatite for wound healing: Tetracycline delivery

The human body's natural defense against inflammation in wounds can sometimes be insufficient. Introducing a wound dressing with this capability could significantly enhance the healing process. This study aimed to create a PVP/PVA-based coaxial electrospun wound dressing integrated with tetracycline-loaded Ag-doped hydroxyapatite (Ag@iHA) in three concentrations [G1, G2, and G3]) with a focus on drug release and antibacterial activity. Nanoparticles were analyzed using DLS, Zeta potential, SEM, EDX, XRD, and FTIR. The final wound dressing was studied from the viewpoint of physicochemical properties biologically, and finally, it was assessed under an in vivo study (9 Wistar rats, six days). Drug release was measured at three pH (5.4, 7, and 9). The results showed a remarkable success in the integration of silver ion in the hydroxyapatite structure, with a 90–600 nm size. Increasing the content of hydroxyapatite improved the quality of nanofibers that were produced. The nanofibers had high hydrophilicity (<5˚) and swelling rates (70–118 %), which were wholly degraded after 14 days. The amount of the released drug was completely different at each pH and was higher in an alkaline environment, as seen in wounds. The survival percentage (>90 %) of L929 cells showed the biocompatibility of nanofibers. In the animal study, all groups reduced the growth of microorganisms, but the most efficacy belonged to the G3 group. In conclusion, this novel wound dressing has the potential to significantly accelerate the body's natural healing process by controlling the growth of microorganisms.

Creating ionic current pathways: A non-implantation approach to achieving cortical electrical signals for brain-computer interface

This study introduces a novel method for acquiring brain electrical signals comparable to intracranial recordings without the health risks associated with implanted electrodes. We developed a technique using ultrasonic tools to create micro-holes in the skull and insert hollow implants, preventing natural healing. This approach establishes an artificial ionic current path (AICP) using tissue fluid, facilitating signal transmission from the cortex to the scalp surface. Experiments were conducted on pigs to validate the method's effectiveness. We synchronized our recordings with perforated electrocorticography (ECoG) for comparison. The AICP method yielded signal quality comparable to implanted ECoG in the low-frequency range, with a significant improvement in signal-to-noise ratio for evoked potentials. Our results demonstrate that this non-invasive technique can acquire high-quality brain signals, offering potential applications in neurophysiology, clinical research, and brain-computer interfaces. This innovative approach of utilizing tissue fluid as a natural conduction path opens new avenues for brain signal acquisition and analysis.

Self-Adhesive and Self-Sustainable Bioelectronic Patch for Physiological Feedback Electronic Modulation of Soft Organs.

Bionic electrical stimulation (Bio-ES) aims to achieve personalized therapy and proprioceptive adaptation by mimicking natural neural signatures of the body, while current Bio-ES devices are reliant on complex sensing and computational simulation systems, thus often limited by the low-fidelity of simulated electrical signals, and failure of interface information interaction due to the mechanical mismatch between soft tissues and rigid electrodes. Here, the study presents a flexible and ultrathin self-sustainable bioelectronic patch (Bio-patch), which can self-adhere to the lesion area of organs and generate bionic electrical signals synchronized vagal nerve envelope in situ to implement Bio-ES. It allows adaptive adjustment of intensity, frequency, and waveform of the Bio-ES to fully meet personalized needs of tissue regeneration based on real-time feedback from the vagal neural controlled organs. With this foundation, the Bio-patch can effectively intervene with excessive fibrosis and microvascular stasis during the natural healing process by regulating the polarization time of macrophages, promoting the reconstruction of the tissue-engineered structure, and accelerating the repair of damaged liver and kidney. This work develops a practical approach to realize biomimetic electronic modulation of the growth and development of soft organs only using a multifunctional Bio-patch, which establishes a new paradigm for precise bioelectronic medicine.