Natural Herbs Research Articles

Some Important Edible Wild Plants of Türkiye and Their Use in Culinary

Although concepts such as global climate crisis and global warming, which are frequently used with the industrial revolution, did not make people very nervous before, countries and scientists have begun to think more about this issue today. Recently, with this climate crisis, another crisis deepened by Covid-19, wars and economic problems has been brought to the agenda: The Global Food Crisis. The possibility that people's economic and ecological conditions cannot reach enough and always the same amount of food is becoming increasingly unsettling. With these conditions, it is foreseen that people will include edible herbs in their natural habitats in their menus, as they did in the countryside from time immemorial. There are different studies on natural edible herbs in different disciplines, but there are very few studies evaluating these herbs from a gastronomic point of view. Studies such as the dissemination of traditional knowledge about natural edible herbs and the preparation of recipes for foods and beverages made with these plants are studies that can also find response in fields such as economy, sociology, tourism, health and agriculture. Carrying out all these studies in combination can also contribute to healty and gastronomy-themed tourism. For this reason, in our study, studies on natural edible herbs in Türkiye were compiled and evaluated in a way to cover ancient times and today and different disciplines. As a result of the evaluation, natural edible plants that came to the fore in previous studies and our study were determined and information about the food parts of these plants, their usage areas and usage patterns were given.

KID-T, a unique polyherbal extract, improves feline patients with azotemia and uremia: A pilot study

Cats with azotemia and uremia are increasingly treated with integrative and alternative treatments, including herbal medicines. KID-T (Sin-gi-hwan) is a supplement made of 100% natural herbs and contains 18 herbs, and the components were designed to improve renal function in. Feline renal patients with azotemia and uremia were recruited, and the efficacy of KID-T was examined. Four cats were treated with oral KID-T twice a day for 3 months, and blood biochemical profiles were examined to monitor the toxicity and efficacy of KID-T each month. KID-T was well-tolerated and relatively safe during the treatment period. After 3 months, ammonia, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels were relatively close to the normal reference range in all cats, and the urine protein–creatinine ratio decreased. Biochemical profile and clinical examination exhibited a stabilized status of renal function for 3 months. Overall, KID-T improves and maintains feline renal function, and future studies should evaluate other potential benefits of KID-T in feline renal patients, including correlative assessments of renal function, quality of life improvement, and patient-owner satisfaction.

Green chemistry based benign approach for the synthesis of titanium oxide nanoparticles using extracts of AzadirachtaIndica

The colossal significance of nanostructured materials and their implications is a coherent incentive for the exploration of novel conventional techniques. This brings attention to the major problem in developing nanomaterials i.e. the hazardous nature of reactants used. The hazardous reactants are harmful to the environment. So here, biogenic synthesis of nanostructured materials utilizing natural herb extracts has enthralled prodigious implications owing to its rapid, clean, eco-friendly, non-toxic, cost-effective, and as a flipside pathway to several chemical and physiochemical approaches. Titanium oxide materials have been the cynosure for several propitious implications due to their low cost, availability, chemical stability, and biocompatibility. Herein, we developed an efficient green chemistry method for the synthesis of titanium oxide nanoparticles utilizing neem (Azadirachta Indica) extracts. The X-ray diffraction studies revealed the polycrystalline titanium oxide (rutile) structure. The spherical shape of the nanoparticles was observed in TEM and SEM images and their size ranged from 10 to 20 nm. UV–vis studies showed an exciton emission peak at about 380 nm while the IR transmission spectrum revealed the characteristic stretching modes of TiO2. It is envisioned that this novel route for the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles could be more beneficial in comparison to other conventional approaches. As the greener approach is being carried out in this paper, therefore, the toxic byproduct is not being released.

Study of Antibiotic Resistance in E. coli against Allopathic Drugs as Compared To Natural Herbs

The Rising Incidents of Antibiotic Resistance has been increasing at an exponential rate in recent years, and since it is often caused by rampant misuse of drugs such as Penicillin, many bacterial species such as E. coli have been able to mutate and gain Multi-Drug Resistance and Extended Drug Resistance (XDR) - to form what is otherwise known as Superbugs. The main purpose of the research is to investigate the efficacy of Allopathic Drugs as Compared to Natural herbs in treating pathogenic bacterial colonies, so as to find an alternative to reduce antibiotic resistance. Using experimental analysis, this study analysed the effectiveness of the allopathic drugs and natural herbs, in treating an E. coli culture. The experiment was carried out over a span of 14 days, with readings taken on every consecutive 2-day period. The efficacy was measured with respect to the zone of inhibition, and the results were compared for any form of resistance developed. The Allopathic drug, Azithromycin, as hypothesized was found to be the most effective in treating the E. coli culture, but a few resistant strains were observed. However, natural herbs like Tea tree oil were not far behind, and only a few colonies of E. coli showed resistance against them. Erythromycin and Garlic were not found to be as effective. This study answers the questions on alternatives to allopathic drugs and resistance to different substances. Further studies are however needed to establish the mechanism of resistance to these substances and to develop preventative measures

Natural Herbs as a Anticancer Drugs

One of the signs of cancer is uncontrolled cell growth. According to the type of affected cell, there are several distinct types of cancer. Cancer causes harm to the body when aberrant cells develop out of control and become tumours, lumps, or masses of tissue. Some of the most significant contemporary treatments available are chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. But there are a lot of unfavourable side effects associated with this medicine, such as baldness and bone marrow cell loss. As a result, a new drug is necessary to treat the malignancy. Some compounds derived from plants may have anticancer characteristics, according to several studies. Secondary metabolites produced by the plant are being investigated for possible anticancer effects.

Preparation and Evaluation of Herbal Toothpaste

The majority of people use toothpaste regularly.Typically, tootpaste is used to clean the mouth and teeth. It is also used to treat a variety of dental conditions. A lot of dentists advise using toothpaste to cure conditions including sensitivity and chronic gingivitis, among others. Herbal extracts of numerous crude medications with antibacterial and antimicrobial properties can be used to make herbal toothpaste. Herbs like ginger, indica extracts, babul leaves extract, ginger extract, lemon oil extract, neem stem & bark, babul leaves, gauva leaves, kalmi bark, etc. are used in the preparation of herbal toothpaste formulations. [1] Preparing, assessing, and contrasting lab-made herbal toothpaste with commercial herbal toothpastes is the major goal of the current effort. Commercial herbal toothpastes including Himalaya, Meswak, and Dent County have all had their quality assessed in the current study. All of the examined commercially available herbal tooth pastes and lab-made herbal toothpaste met the requirements outlined by the Bureau of Indian Standards. [2] The goal of the ongoing research is to create herbal toothpaste using chemicals like camphor, honey, and plant extracts including neem, tulshi leaves, and guava leaves. In formulating herbal toothpaste, characteristics like colour, spreadability, foamability, and particle identification of shard and edge abrasives were assessed. [3] Neem, Clove, Betel, Peppermint, Turmeric, and Guava are six plant samples included in this experiment that are typically used as traditional medicines. The created toothpastes were assessed in accordance with Bureau of Indian Standards requirements. The effectiveness of the tested toothpastes’ antibacterial properties was found. [4] One of the most important needs for humans is oral hygiene. Oral hygiene is the first step in a human being’s daily life. Therefore, toothpaste is crucial to this process. To counteract some drawbacks of synthetic cleaning agents, many natural herbs might be used. [5].

Role of Antioxidants of Natural Herbs in Management of Male Infertility

If you and your spouse have been trying to conceive for a year and neither of you has been successful, there is a possibility that you are one of the 50–80 million people throughout the world who struggle with infertility. There is a male component present in approximately 20%-30% of these instances. It is common knowledge that low-quality sperm and oxidative stress (OS) both have a role in the aetiology of male infertility. Because of the oxidation of DNA, proteins, and lipids, excessive levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have the potential to disrupt the viability, motility, and morphology of sperm cells. ROS are responsible for these changes. Methods: Through the use of the PubMed interface, we searched the MEDLINE database for studies that had been completed and published during the past ten years that analysed the effect that antioxidants had on sperm in infertile guys (2012–2022). A number of different phrases, including infertility, alpha-lipoic acid, zinc, folate, coenzyme Q10, selenium, and vitamin, were utilised during the search. The study's findings indicate that inositol serves a purpose in a number of different mechanisms that foster contacts between sperm and oocytes, and that it also affects OS levels in sperm cells by way of its engagement in mitochondrial events. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) lessens the damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and improves the quality of sperm in a number of ways, including motility, morphology, and count. There might be a connection between not getting enough zinc in your diet and having low-quality sperm. Zinc and folate are two nutrients that can boost the quantity and quality of sperm. When taken orally, coenzyme Q10 increases the number of sperm as well as their overall motility and forward movement. A therapy with selenium (Se) results in an improvement in the sperm's overall quality, and this improvement is connected with an increase in ejaculatory production. Only vitamin B12 has been found to improve the quality of sperm; it does this by boosting sperm count and motility and by decreasing sperm DNA damage. Vitamin B12 is the only vitamin that has been proved to do this. Conclusions: Dietary supplementation with antioxidants may improve sperm quality in men with low-quality semen by reducing OS-induced sperm damage and increasing hormone synthesis and spermatozoa concentration, motility, and morphology. This may be achieved in men who also have low levels of antioxidants in their semen. Antioxidants can exert their effects in a variety of ways; hence, it is important for researchers conducting future clinical trials to study the possibility of combining a number of antioxidants.

A Narrative Review of the Use of Natural Herbs to Boost Immunity Against SARS-CoV-2

A Narrative Review of the Use of Natural Herbs to Boost Immunity Against SARS-CoV-2

Natural phytoconstituents and herbal supplements: A potential therapeutic strategies against COVID infection

The SARS-cov-2 virus was initially identified in Wuhan in November 2019, and later spread globally sparking the present pandemic. Since there are currently no specified cures for COVID-19, researchers have the chance to develop alternative drugs or vaccines, thus numerous synthetic bioactive molecules are now being explored in clinical studies. The broad therapeutic scope and negligible health consequences, traditional medicines have been utilized for a relatively long time in various clinical emergencies. Considering there weren't enough synthetic antiviral medications available, pharmaceutical and alternative therapies have been established using a number of plant constituents. 85% of the immune system is made up of good gut bacteria, which were enhanced by plant-based meals. People routinely utilize a wide variety of natural plants and herbs to cure several categories of disorders owing to the wide access of herbal and nutritional products globally. This article illustrates how earlier studies have demonstrated that several plants have immunomodulatory and antiviral properties, as well as role of their active constituents in order to build immunity against COVID-19. Despite the availability of FDA approved therapies and vaccinations for the management of COVID-19, the goal is to promote the usage of natural supplements as immunotherapies and vaccine adjuvants.

The COVID-19 wave was already here: High seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among staff and students in a Cameroon University.

Seroprevalence studies, to estimate the proportion of people that has been infected by SARS-CoV-2 are importance in African countries, where incidence is among the lowest in the world. This study aimed at evaluating the exposure to SARS-CoV-2 within a university setting of Cameroon. A cross-sectional study performed in December 2020 - December 2021, among students and staffs of the Evangelical University of Cameroon. COVID-19 antigen rapid detection test (RDT) was performed using Standard Q Biosensor, and one year after SARS-CoV-2 antibody-test was performed within the same population using RDT and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). 106 participants were enrolled (80% students), female sex was the most represented. Positivity to SARS-CoV-2 was 0.0% based on antigen RDTs. The seroprevalence of SARSCoV- 2 antibodies was estimated at 73.6% (95% CI. 64.5-81.0) for IgG and 1.9% (95% CI. 0.2-6.8) for IgM/IgG with RDTs, and 91.9% (95% CI. 84.7-96.4) for anti-nucleocapsid with CLIA. 95.3% (101) reported having developed at least one of the known COVID-19 symptoms (cough and headache being the most common). 90.3% (28) of people who experienced at least one of these symptoms developed IgG antibodies. 40.6% (43) of participants took natural herbs, whereas 55.7% (59) took conventional drugs. The most used herb was Zingiber officinale, while the most used drugs were antibiotics. In this Cameroonian University community, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence is high, with a greater detection using advanced serological assays. This indicates a wide viral exposure, and the need to adequate control measures especially for those experiencing any related COVID-19 symptoms.

Effect of alcoholic extract of rosmarinus against some type of entrobacteriaceae

Background : In this study the alcoholic extract of rosemary leaves was used to know their inhibition on the growth of some pathogenic bacteria : Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia and Proteus mirabilis in Muller agar using different concentrations of this alcoholic extract( 200 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml, 25 mg/ml). The mean of inhibition zone were measured, and the most effective concentration was on the following bacteria Salmonella typhi , E. coli, P. aeruginosa, P. mirablis and K. pneumonia respectively, and when ever the concentration of extract was increasing , the mean of inhibition was increased .
 It was concluded from the results of this study and other similar studies that the natural herbs were able to control the pathogenic microorganism which were resistant to antibiotic, in addition to the important role of these herbs to develop an effective drugs which are safe and cheap .
 The aim
 The main aim of this research was to find out the inhibitory effect of the alcoholic extract of this plant on the following microorganisms:
 Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia and Proteus mirabilis.
 Methods
 The strains which are used in this study have been cultured on Mueller Hinton agar then alcoholic extracts of Rosmarinus at concentration 200 mg/ml were added to the agar then the inhibitory effects were considered by measuring the inhibition zone. 
 Results
 This results shows that inhibitory effect of alcoholic extract was more effective on Salmonella typhimurium then E.coli. P.aeruginosa, P.mirabilis and K.pneumonia respectively.
 High effect of the alcoholic extracts of plant Rosmarinus on the different type of bacteria investigation of presence of active compounds (Alkaloids, Glycoside, Tannins, Saponine, Resine and Flavonoids) in this plant were carried out.

Antioxidant activity and phytochemical analysis of fennel seeds and flaxseed.

Natural herbs are now receiving more attention due to the growing demand for their antioxidant properties. This study compared flaxseed and fennel seeds for their nutritional composition, bioactive moieties, and antioxidant activity-the study comprised two different phases. According to methods, phase I analyzed flaxseed and fennel seeds for proximate composition, mineral profile, dietary fiber, and amino acid content. In phase II, seeds were extracted using three different solvents, i.e., ethanol 80%, acetone 80%, and distilled water, to probe the total phenolic and flavonoid content. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH and a FRAP in the final phase. Current study revealed that flaxseed had higher protein (17.33 ± 0.02%), fat content (36.76 ± 0.02%), potassium (763.66 ± 4.04 mg/100 g), iron (5.13 ± 0.03 mg/100 g), phosphorus (581.46 ± 4.07 mg/100 g), magnesium (406.60 ± 5.12 mg/100 g), and zinc (3.30 ± 0.49 mg/100 g), respectively. In fennel seed, high dietary fiber (53.2 ± 0.01 g/100 mg), calcium, manganese, and sodium (588.93 ± 7.77, 20.30 ± 0.95, and 57.34 ± 0.33 mg/100 g, respectively) were found. Acetone showed better extraction efficiency than acetone, ethanol, and distilled water. Moreover, acetone flaxseed extract showed higher total phenolic content (84.13 ± 7.73 mgGAE/g), flavonoid content (5.11 ± 1.50 mgQE/g), and FRAP (5031 ± 15.92 μMFe2+/g) than fennel seed extract. This study showed that, among both herbs, flaxseed extract may have pharmacological potential in preventing illnesses and may be suggested for use in the food industry as a natural antioxidant.

The role of phytoandrogens for benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological condition in aging men. High levels of androgens, including testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), are closely associated with BPH occurrence and development. Currently, the main clinical drugs used for BPH treatment are 5α-reductase inhibitors and α-receptor blockers, both of which aim to decrease abnormal androgenic signaling while having several unignored side effects. Recently, various natural herbs, such as tonifying yang traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), have been found to have androgenic activities, some of which are also effective for BPH treatment. Here, we review the androgenic activities of phytoandrogens, together with their therapeutic effects in BPH, and summarize the mechanisms involved, providing evidence that such herbs serve as selective androgen receptor modulators. Graphical abstract: http://links.lww.com/AHM/A46

Electrophoretic deposition, microstructure and selected properties of zein/cloves coatings on 316L stainless steel

In the present study, we develop zein coatings containing cloves (flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, a well-known aromatic natural herb) on stainless steel substrates via electrophoretic deposition. The antibacterial activity, drug release, surface (morphology, roughness, and wettability), corrosion, and adhesion properties of the produced zein/cloves coatings were elucidated in detail. The coatings deposited an applied electric field of 20 V/cm with a deposition time of 5 min yielded uniform zein/cloves coatings with a thickness of ~9 μm, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of zein and cloves functional groups in the zein/cloves coatings. The results of tape tests exhibited that the adhesion between the coatings and the substrate was rated as ‘5B’ (Excellent) according to the ASTM-D3359 standard. The zein/cloves coatings exhibited an average roughness of 0.8 ± 0.05 and a contact angle of 60° ± 2°, making them appropriate for orthopedic applications. The antibacterial studies exhibited that the zein/cloves coatings developed zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, confirming the strong antibacterial potential of the coatings. UV–Vis Spectroscopy elucidated that after one week of immersion in phosphate buffer saline, ~65 % of eugenol was released from the zein/cloves coatings. Furthermore, the zein/cloves coatings improved the corrosion resistance by ~3 orders of magnitude compared to bare 316L stainless steel. Antimicrobial and drug release studies confirmed that the zein/cloves coatings can provide a targeted drug delivery system with a potent antimicrobial effect.

Leonurine improves bovine oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development by reducing oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial function

It is acknowledged that excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) level attributes greatly to the compromised developmental potential of oocytes matured in vitro. Although agents were applied to alleviate ROS levels, results were varied because of the distinct antioxidative activity and cell toxicity. Leonurine (LEO), extracted from the natural Chinese herb motherwort, is considered to be a potent free radical scavenger. Yet, it is undetermined whether LEO is benefit for oocyte development during in vitro maturation (IVM). In the present study, the effect of LEO on the quality of bovine oocyte as well as the underlying mechanism was investigated. We found that maturation rate (P < 0.01), subsequent blastocyst formation rate (P < 0.05), and the total blastocyst cell number (P < 0.05) after parthenogenetic activation were significantly increased in the group treated with 20 μM LEO. Moreover, a dramatic decline in ROS (P < 0.01), decreased lipid content (P < 0.01), elevated MMP level (P < 0.05), increased ATP content (P < 0.05), and reduced mitochondrial temperature (P < 0.01) were observed in oocytes treated with LEO. Furthermore, the expression level of anti-apoptotic protein BCL2 was significantly higher in LEO treated oocytes (P < 0.01), and the ratio of BAX/BCL2 was obvious decreased (P < 0.01). Finally, we found that LC3B intensity was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) while the rate of EdU positive nuclei was markedly increased (P < 0.05) in embryos derived from LEO-treated oocytes. Our results demonstrate that LEO exhibits a potent protective role in the acquisition of oocyte development capacity against oxidative stress during IVM, and provides a new solution for optimizing the in vitro culture system of bovine embryos.

Comprehensive Metabolomic Fingerprinting Combined with Chemometrics Identifies Species- and Variety-Specific Variation of Medicinal Herbs: An Ocimum Study.

Identification of plant species is a crucial process in natural products. Ocimum, often referred to as the queen of herbs, is one of the most versatile and globally used medicinal herbs for various health benefits due to it having a wide variety of pharmacological activities. Despite there being significant global demand for this medicinal herb, rapid and comprehensive metabolomic fingerprinting approaches for species- and variety-specific classification are limited. In this study, metabolomic fingerprinting of five Ocimum species (Ocimum basilicum L., Ocimum sanctum L., Ocimum africanum Lour., Ocimum kilimandscharicum Gurke., and Hybrid Tulsi) and their varieties was performed using LC-MS, GC-MS, and the rapid fingerprinting approach FT-NIR combined with chemometrics. The aim was to distinguish the species- and variety-specific variation with a view toward developing a quality assessment of Ocimum species. Discrimination of species and varieties was achieved using principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminate analysis (PLS-DA), data-driven soft independent modelling of class analogy (DD-SIMCA), random forest, and K-nearest neighbours with specificity of 98% and sensitivity of 99%. Phenolics and flavonoids were found to be major contributing markers for species-specific variation. The present study established comprehensive metabolomic fingerprinting consisting of rapid screening and confirmatory approaches as a highly efficient means to identify the species and variety of Ocimum, being able to be applied for the quality assessment of other natural medicinal herbs.

The role of Akkermansia muciniphila in inflammatory bowel disease: Current knowledge and perspectives.

Inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic relapsing gastrointestinal inflammatory disease mediated by dysregulated immune responses to resident intestinal microbiota. Current conventional approaches including aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and biological therapies are focused on reducing intestinal inflammation besides inducing and maintaining disease remission, and managing complications. However, these therapies are not curative and are associated with various limitations, such as drug resistance, low responsiveness and adverse events. Recent accumulated evidence has revealed the involvement of mucin-degrading bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) in the regulation of host barrier function and immune response, and how reduced intestinal colonisation of probiotic A. muciniphila can contribute to the process and development of inflammatory bowel diseases, suggesting that it may be a potential target and promising strategy for the therapy of inflammatory bowel disease. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge of the role of A. muciniphila in IBD, especially focusing on the related mechanisms, as well as the strategies based on supplementation with A. muciniphila, probiotics and prebiotics, natural diets, drugs, and herbs to promote its colonisation in the gut, and holds promise for A. muciniphila-targeted and -based therapies in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Effects of Artemisia annua L. Water Extract on Growth Performance and Intestinal Related Indicators in Broilers.

Artemisia annua L. is a natural herb with a variety of bioactive substances, which can play a variety of biological functions such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral, and can be used as a potential feed additive. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different doses of Artemisia annua L. water extract (AAWE) on growth performance and intestinal related indicators in broilers. A total of 200 one-day-old Arbor Acre broilers were selected and randomly divided into five treatment groups, with five replicates in each group and eight birds per replicate. The control group was fed a basal diet, whereas the other groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 g/kg AAWE. On d 21, with the increase in AAWE dose, final body weight and feed efficiency showed a quadratic increase effect, whereas feed intake showed a linear reduction effect; however, the apparent metabolic rate of dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract increased quadratically on d 42. In addition, the activity of duodenal chymotrypsin and trypsin, and of jejunal lipase quadratically increased, whereas the intestine crypt depth linearly decreased on d 42. The number of total anaerobic bacteria increased quadratically, whereas the number of Escherichia coli decreased quadratically. The number of Lactobacillus increased linearly, whereas H2S emission linearly decreased on d 21; moreover, NH3 emission (24 h) quadratically decreased on d 42. In conclusion, AAWE promoted the growth performance and intestinal related indicators of broilers.

Evaluation of healing in mandibular molar extraction sockets with and without turmeric gel.

In the present era of allopathic medication usage, there is always a risk of toxicity. Turmeric is a wonderful natural herb with excellent healing properties and a plethora of many clinical trials in dentistry. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of healing in mandibular molar extraction sockets with and without turmeric gel. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric gel with the objective of analyzing the soft tissue healing in mandibular molar extraction sockets with and without turmeric gel. The split-mouth study design with randomization of the sites was done using the sequentially numbered opaque sealed envelope (SNOSE) in the same patient indicated for bilateral lower molar extraction. A total of 50 patients were included in the study, who were divided into group A, 25 patients in the experimental site using turmeric gel, and group B, 25 patients in the control site without turmeric gel. Turmeric in the form of gel was used in the experimental site to evaluate its efficacy in soft tissue healing of the mandibular molar extraction socket. The extraction sites of the same patient were evaluated for soft tissue healing on postoperative day 1, day 7, and day 21 using Landry, Turn Bell, and Howley scale. A comparison of soft tissue healing between group A and group B, which showed a consequential difference in group A on day 7 with P = 0.001 and day 21 with P = 0.001, was significant. Results revealed postoperative day 1 showed a significant beginning of healthy granulation tissue formation in both the groups. There was a consequential difference in soft tissue healing in group A on postoperative day 7 and day 21 as compared to group B. The turmeric in the form of gel proved to enhance the soft tissue healing in the mandibular molar extraction socket. The present study revealed that enhanced soft tissue healing of the extraction socket of the mandibular molar was present in the turmeric gel group on postoperative day 7 and day 21 than in without the turmeric gel group.

The Effectiveness ofNigella sativaand Ginger as Appetite Suppressants: An Experimental Study on Healthy Wistar Rats.

Obesity is a global pandemic that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Natural herbs are commonly used for weight reduction and appetite suppression.Therefore, we aim to investigate therole and mechanism of Nigella sativa (NS) and ginger on weight reduction and appetite regulation. This experimental study was performedat Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Twenty-five femalerats were distributedinto 5 groups: NS(oral 1000mg/kg),Ginger(500 mg/kg), NS-ginger(both interventions), a positive control(intraperitoneal 50 μg/kg Liraglutide),and a negative control. Each intervention was given for9 weeks. Food intake and body weight were assessed weekly. Serum lipid profile and peptides involved in appetite control (cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide 1(GLP-1), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), ghrelin, peptide YY, and orexin) were assayed at the end of the experiment. None of the interventions showed a statistically significant difference regarding food consumption or weight gain (p > 0.05). However, the three interventions significantly reducedtotal cholesterol (TC), NS and NS-ginger significantly increased HDL, NS increased ghrelin and ginger increased orexin. The present dose and duration of NS, ginger, or in combination did not demonstrate a significant change inbody weight or food consumption in comparison to the negative or positive controls. However, NS or ginger has improved the lipid profile by reducing TC and increasing HDL. In addition, NS or ginger can influence some of the peptides involved in appetite regulation such as the increase in ghrelin induced by NS and the reduction of orexin induced by ginger. We believe that these latter effects are novel and might indicate a promising effect of these natural products on appetite regulation.