Usage In Traditional Medicine Research Articles

A Review on: Herbal soap

Most of the commercial soaps and detergent contain chemical that can be harmful to the skin. Using a natural herbal soap and detergent can be a good alternative. Bacterial skin infections are most common amongst people, requiring significant attention for treatment and also for maintaining healthy skin. Ayurvedic beauty care products are too known as home grown beauty care products. Ayurvedic cosmetics are also known as the herbal cosmetics the natural content in the herbs does not have any side effect on the human body most herbal supplement are based on several botanical ingredients with long histories of traditional or folk medicine usage. The final goal of this review is to evaluate dermatological activities of the ingredients.

Moderation Effects of Meagre Information Between Promotions and Usage of Traditional Medicine

Underpinned by the attribution theory, this study examines the moderating effect of meagre information in the relationship between promotions and consumer usage of traditional medicine (TM) in Central Uganda. Traditional medicine is trendy despite efficacious concerns raised by various empirical studies. While extant literature presents several motivations for the newfound TM patronage, more is needed to discuss the role of promotions in this regard. Relatedly, the literature needs to include the contribution of meagre information and how it moderates the relationship between TM promotion and consumer usage. Using Cochran, a sample of 369 TM users was drawn from the cosmopolitan districts of Central Uganda. SPSS 25.0 and Amos 22.0 were used to clean and analyse the data, while Andrew Hayes 3.5 was used to test for moderation. The Johnson-Neyman test showed that increasing meagre information to -2.2503 creates an effect; at this point, TM promotions on consumer usage are moderated. The study concludes that the potential for inconsistencies, inadequacies and incompleteness in information related to traditional medicine is immense. Whilst the Ugandan government is still challenged to provide ideal regulatory frameworks to ensure THPs’ conformity to required safety, quality, and efficacy standards, they should make efforts to license and certify all THPs. Concerned regulatory bodies like the Uganda National Drug Authority and Uganda Communications Commission should regulate TM media communications to prevent the uneducated exaggeration of TM safety issues. They should streamline information disclosure to TM consumers and prohibit unbalanced public advertisements.

Ethnomedicinal evaluation of medicinal plants used for therapies by men and women in rural and urban communities in Makkah district

IntroductionFor the first time, differences in ethnobotanical knowledge of medicinal plants between men and women, as well as tribal and urban populations in the Makkah district, are investigated. The current research aims to provide responses to the following questions: (1) According to tribal and urban cultures, which medicinal plants are used by Saudis in Makkah? (2) In view of demographic differences, how much do male and female use medicinal plants? (3) Are the plants utilized by male and female considerably various? And, (4), how do men and women learn about therapeutic plants? Methods: Ethnomedicinal study was carried out in Makkah and its adjacent villages from September 2022 to January 2023. To document local medicinal plants, individuals used free-listing, semi-structured interviews, and an online survey form. In all, 59 male and 62 female were questioned face-to-face, and 239 participants completed the questionnaire, with 110 men and 129 women responding. Results: A total of 92 local folks for medicinal plants have been recorded, covering 88 different plant species belong to 36 families. Men cited 69 plants (34 families), whereas women referenced 64. (33 plant families). Males and females know in comparable ways, although they employ different medicinal herbs to remedy a variety of diseases. Conclusions: The use of medicinal plants by Saudis in Makkah is dependent on gendered social roles and experiences, as well as population structure. Education and urbanization exert a greater impact on the preference for biomedical or traditional medicinal usage.

Determinants of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Usage Among Ophthalmic Patients of Selected Hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria

Background: Traditional and complementary medicine has been practiced since time immemorial, with perceived social, cultural, economic, and historical influences on its use. This practice has been viewed with mixed feelings by healthcare professionals as most have reservations about such products, their safety, quality, and effectiveness. Considering the value that people place on their eyes, they do not mind using any product for maintaining good eye health and treatment of eye diseases. Aim: The objective of this study was to appraise the determinants of Traditional and complementary medicine usage among ophthalmic patients in selected hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two selected hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria. Four hundred and forty respondents were purposively sampled, and data was collected by using a pretested structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 26 computer software. Results: All the respondents use spiritual therapy, followed by herbs or herbal extracts (69.3%). Urine or animal waste (5.5%) is the least used Traditional and complementary medicine. The respondents use Traditional and complementary medicine because of its affordability (76.6%), availability (75.7%), accessibility (73%), and lack of trust in orthodox medicine (15%). There was a significant relationship between the sociodemographic variables (gender, age, religion, level of education, occupation, and marital status) and the choice of Traditional and complementary medicine used by the residents in the study area (p < 0.005). Conclusion: The study concluded that the Ophthalmic patients in the study area still use Traditional and Complementary medicine. The most practiced traditional and complementary medicine is spiritual therapy, irrespective of religion, gender, and age. Healthcare workers must recognize the pattern of Traditional and Complementary usage among their patients, explore what their patients are using, why they are using it, and be willing to guide them appropriately to promote their eye health.

The nephrotoxicity of Aristolochia rotunda L. in rats: Mitochondrion as a target for renal toxicity of Aristolochic acids-containing plants

In recent years, there has been a growing trend in the usage of traditional medicine and herbal treatments. However, the misconception that they are completely safe resulted in irreversible complications and damages. The present study was conducted to investigate the potential renal toxicity of a commonly used drug in Iran's traditional medicine and pharmacy, known as Zaravand Gerd or Nokhod Alvand (Aristolochia rotunda L.). In Iranian traditional medicine, Zaravand Gerd is used as a remedy for respiratory system ailments, back pain, anxiety, headache and septic wounds. Fifty-six male rats were divided into seven groups (n = 8). The first group served as the control and received normal saline, while the second to seventh groups were administered varying doses of the aqueous extract of Zaravand Gerd (0.1, 0.5, 1.25, 2.5, and 5 g/kg) for a period of three weeks. Various parameters were measured to evaluate the potential kidney damage caused by the extract, including serum creatinine and BUN levels, as well as urine protein and glucose levels, which were analyzed using an autoanalyzer. Additionally, kidney tissue samples were examined pathologically, and mitochondria from the kidney tissue were isolated to assess mitochondrial parameters. The results of this study revealed that high doses of Zaravand Gerd extract led to a significant increase in urinary glucose and protein excretion compared to the control group. Pathological examination of the isolated kidney tissues indicated that the concentrations of 2.5 and 5 g/kg of Zaravand Gerd extract resulted in kidney damage and dilation of proximal convoluted tubules. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that high doses of the extract (2.5 and 5 g/kg) caused damage to the mitochondria. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the administration of high doses of Zaravand Gerd extract, which are not commonly used in traditional medicine, can have toxic effects on the kidneys in rats as an animal model. These results highlight the importance of considering the potential risks associated with herbal medicines and the necessity of usage based on scientific evidence.

Homoeopathic Pathogenetic Trial of Catharanthus roseus: A Multicentric, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

AbstractMedicinal plants have a long history of usage in traditional medicine, and Catharanthus roseus L. (G.) Don is one such plant. However, to understand its homoeopathic therapeutic effect, it was important to find the pathogenetic powers by conducting a drug proving trial. To elicit the pathogenetic response of C. roseus in homoeopathic potencies on healthy human provers, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at four centers under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy. The proving trial involved 60 relatively healthy provers. All provers were given placebo in the first phase. After randomization, 40 provers in the intervention group were given C. roseus in 6C, 12C, 30C, and 200C potencies in four phases. The control group of 20 provers were administered unmedicated globules in all the phases. A maximum of 12 doses divided into 4 doses/day for 3 days were administered in all phases of the trial. The symptoms and signs manifested during the trial were noted down by the provers, elaborated by the proving masters, and the data were finally processed at the proving-cum-data processing cell of the Council. Among the 40 provers of the verum group, only 15 provers manifested 22 pathogenetic and 10 placebo symptoms, whereas 30 symptoms were reported by 12 provers in the control group. The symptoms have been manifested predominantly in 200C potency. The pathogenetic response elicited during this trial expands the scope of the use of C. roseus and needs to be further validated by a clinical verification study.

Penerapan Kebijakan Pengawasan Obat Tradisional dalam Perspektif Kesehatan Masyaraat

Traditional medicine is one part of Indonesia's rich culture that has been used by the community for a long time. However, issues surrounding the safety and efficacy of traditional medicines often arise as a concern in the public health domain. This research uses qualitative research methods. The data collection technique was carried out by literature study and from interviews with traditional medicine users, traditional healthcare practitioners, and health officials. Thus, this can assist researchers in understanding their perceptions, experiences, and viewpoints regarding traditional medicine supervision. The data that has been collected is then analyzed using three stages, namely data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawing. This is done to ensure that the implementation of legal supervision of traditional medicines is carried out through various stages. The process begins with the granting of production licenses to producers after fulfilling predetermined requirements. After that, the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) is responsible for supervising the production process directly on site. Supervision of the production process is carried out at least once a year. However, if there are violations of either CPOTB (Good Traditional Medicine Manufacturing Practice) or GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) requirements, the inspection will be more intensive. The inspection is carried out until the manufacturer corrects and improves production activities in accordance with applicable standards.

Traditional medical practices for children in five islands from the Society archipelago (French Polynesia)

BackgroundTraditional Polynesian medicine for children has been poorly documented, and few data are available on their efficacy and safety. In this context, the aim of this study was to identify traditional practices used for treating children and then assess the efficacy and safety of the most cited remedies by reviewing the literature.MethodsIn 2022, a semi-structured survey was carried out on five islands from the Society archipelago (Bora Bora, Huahine, Moorea, Raiatea, and Tahiti). A total of 86 participants were interviewed including 19 experts in herbalism. A thorough literature review was performed on the most cited plant species to gather the relevant ethnobotanical, pharmacological, and clinical data of each remedy.ResultsParticipants mentioned using 469 remedies to treat 69 health disorders. The most represented health categories were digestive system, skin disorders, infectious diseases, and respiratory system. A total of 67 plant species (representing 731 use-reports) were mentioned and Annona muricata, Gardenia taitensis, and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis were the main plants reported. Regarding the safety of cited remedies, one plant (Microsorum grossum) showed high risk of toxicity, and its use should be avoided in infants and children.ConclusionOur survey confirms the importance of traditional medical practices for children in the Society Islands. A lack of data in children for most cited remedies demonstrate the need for more pharmacological and toxicological research on Polynesian medicinal plants. Finally, the potential risk of toxicity for some cited plant species reported calls for a better information of traditional medicine users and healers.

In vitro production of steroidal saponin, total phenols and antioxidant activity in callus suspension culture of Paris polyphylla Smith: an important Himalayan medicinal plant.

Paris polyphylla Smith (Melanthiaceae) family, which is native to the Himalayan region, has received a lot of attention recently due to its extensive history of usage in traditional medicine. The production of steroidal saponin from callus suspension cultures of P. polyphylla was observed in the current study. The current study attempted to develop a P. polyphylla plant callus suspension culture through optimization of cultivation technique for callus suspension, quantification of total phenolic components and estimation of the extract's antioxidant activity. A light-yellow callus was formed within six weeks of cultivating rhizomes on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with Thidiazuron (TDZ). Furthermore, the effect of TDZ, Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA), and Yeast Extract (YE) on callus growth, steroidal saponin (dioscin and diosgenin), total phenolic content, total flavonoids, total tannin, and total antioxidant activity was also measured. The medium containing 0.5 μM TDZ depicted the maximum callus biomass (2.98 g fresh weight). Significantly high phenolic and tannin content was observed in the MS medium containing 50 μM MeJA, whereas, no significant increase was observed in total tannin production in any treatment. Three in vitro assays, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid)) and FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential) and FC (Folin-Ciocalteu), were used to assess antioxidant potential of callus. Maximum antioxidant analysis reported in 1.0 μM TDZ (6.89 mM AAE/100 g) containing medium followed by 50 μM MeJA (6.44 mM AAE/100g). The HPLC analysis showed a high presence of dioscin and diosgenin (5.43% and 21.09%, respectively) compared to the wild sample (2.56% and 15.05%, respectively). According to the results, callus produced on media supplemented with 50 μM MeJA have significant phenolic contents and elevated antioxidant activity; nevertheless, callus growth was greater in the presence of 0.5 μM TDZ. The findings of the current study have commercial implications since greater biomass production will result in active phytochemicals that the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors are in need desperately.

Promotions, Information Asymmetry and Usage of Traditional Medicine in Central Uganda: A Qualitative Perspective

Background: While extant literature highlights several motivations for Traditional Medicine (TM) usage; few studies have examined how promotions and information asymmetries influence traditional medicine usage behaviors. This study aimed to map out information biases underlying the marketing and promotion of Traditional Medicines in Central Uganda and explored the dimensions of attitudes and usage behaviors of TM users.
 Methods: The study utilized a qualitative approach by conducting in-depth face-to-face semistructured interviews with TM users in the metropolitan parts of Central Uganda. The study participants were recruited from the Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) clinics with the help of community development officers under the guidance of the National Council for Traditional Healers and Herbalists' Association (NACOTHA). Study participants gave their written consent, and their identities have since been kept confidential. Saturation point was reached at 34 respondents. Data was recorded and transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis.
 Results: The study indicates that incomplete, inadequate and inconsistent information especially from TM promotions leads users to overly buy and use TM. Identified themes related to information asymmetry include unverifiable information, usage side effects, and absence of expiry dates on the labels, naturalness of TM, unclear dosage rates, limited diagnosis, limited usage guidelines, and lack of authentic approvals by regulatory bodies among others.
 Conclusions: The findings raise the need for policy guidelines in the alternative health segment and multi-agency regulation of THPs in Uganda. Further, massive community sensitization and customer education are recommended since the potential for information asymmetries in TM promotions is quite large.

Carrier-Free Binary Self-Assembled Nanomedicines Originated from Traditional Herb Medicine with Multifunction to Accelerate MRSA-Infected Wound Healing by Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammation and Promoting Angiogenesis.

Deaths from bacterial infections have risen year by year. This trend is further aggravated as the overuse antibiotics and the bacterial resistance to all known antibacterial agents. Therefore, new therapeutic alternatives are urgently needed. Enlightenment the combination usage of traditional herb medicine, one carrier-free binary nanoparticles (GA-BBR NPs) was discovered, which was self-assembled from gallic acid and berberine through electrostatic interaction, π-π stacking and hydrophobic interaction; and it could be successfully prepared by a green, cost-effective and "one-pot" preparation process. The nanoparticles exhibited strong antibacterial activity and biofilm removal ability against multidrug-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) by downregulating mRNA expression of rpsF, rplC, rplN, rplX, rpsC, rpmC and rpsH to block bacterial translation mechanisms in vitro and in vivo, and it had well anti-inflammatory activity and a promising role in promoting angiogenesis to accelerate the wound healing on MRSA-infected wounds model in vivo. Additionally, the nanoparticles displayed well biocompatibility without cytotoxicity, hemolytic activity, and tissue or organ toxicity. GA-BBR NPs originated from the drug combination has potential clinical transformation value, and this study provides a new idea for the design of carrier-free nanomedicine derived from natural herbals.

Side Effects of the Coexistence of Tradition Medicine with Biomedicine in Primary Health Service Delivery in Rural Areas of Tanzania

It is approximated that 60-80 per cent of Tanzanians use Traditional Medicine (TM) as their primary source of health services alongside biomedical services. However, there is little information on the side effects of the co-existence of TM with biomedical system to primary health services delivery in Tanzania. By using Helmke and Levitsky’s Model of co-existence of formal and informal institutions in comparative politics, this article argues that the coexistence of TM and biomedicine undermine the delivery of primary health services in rural areas of Tanzania due to abrupt stoppage of using biomedicine among users, concurrent use of TM and biomedicine services, poor environment where Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) practice and selling of counterfeit medicine to the people. The study was carried out in Bukoba District of Tanzania, data were collected through observations, documentary review and interviews which were qualitatively analysed. The study involved 11 THPs, 30 household respondents, four (4) key respondents and five (5) biomedical practitioners who were purposively included in the study. Findings of the study call for the Government to register THPs who provide services to people while they are unregistered and to provide education on proper usage of TM among health services users in rural areas.

Pharmacological Properties of Chemically Characterized Extracts from Mastic Tree: In Vitro and In Silico Assays.

The mastic tree, scientifically known as Pistacia lentiscus, which belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, was used in this study. The aim of this research was to analyze the chemical composition of this plant and assess its antioxidant and antibacterial properties using both laboratory experiments and computer simulations through molecular docking, a method that predicts the binding strength of a small molecule to a protein. The soxhlet method (SE) was employed to extract substances from the leaves of P. lentiscus found in the eastern region of Morocco. Hexane and methanol were the solvents used for the extraction process. The n-hexane extract was subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to identify its fatty acid content. The methanolic extract underwent high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) to determine the presence of phenolic compounds. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH spectrophotometric test. The findings revealed that the main components in the n-hexane extract were linoleic acid (40.97 ± 0.33%), oleic acid (23.69 ± 0.12%), and palmitic acid (22.83 ± 0.10%). Catechin (37.05 ± 0.15%) was identified as the predominant compound in the methanolic extract through HPLC analysis. The methanolic extract exhibited significant DPPH radical scavenging, with an IC50 value of 0.26 ± 0.14 mg/mL. The antibacterial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria innocua, and Escherichia coli, while the antifungal activity was evaluated against Geotrichum candidum and Rhodotorula glutinis. The P. lentiscus extract demonstrated notable antimicrobial effects. Additionally, apart from molecular docking, other important factors, such as drug similarity, drug metabolism and distribution within the body, potential adverse effects, and impact on bodily systems, were considered for the substances derived from P. lentiscus. Scientific algorithms, such as Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS), Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion (ADME), and Pro-Tox II, were utilized for this assessment. The results obtained from this research support the traditional medicinal usage of P. lentiscus and suggest its potential for drug development.

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF PODOPHYLLUM HEXANDRUM ROYLE: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Podophyllum hexandrum Royle is an endemic and endangered valuable medicinal plantspeciescharacterisedasherbaceousandrhizomatousperennial.Thegeographicalpresence of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle spans over the Himalayas at an altitude rangingfrom 2000 to 4000 m above Mean Sea Level. With a long history of usage in traditionalmedicine, it has been exercised as an intestinal purgative, an inhibitor of tumour growth andasalvefornecroticandinfectedwounds.Manysecondarymetabolites,suchasPodophyllotoxin,havebeenreportedtobe extracted from the plant, which possessesanti-tumourpropertiestotreattesticularandlung cancer.TheextensiveexploitationofPodophyllumhexandrum Royle in regions of the Himalayashasledtoadeclineinthefrequencyofthespeciesinthepastfewyears.Thiscomprehensive review article aims to facilitate an updated overview of the pharmacologicalproperties of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle including its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory,anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-oxidant, and radio-protective effects. This article reviews themedicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological, ethnobotanical and cultivation-related aspects oftheplant.

Traditional medicine users in a treated chronic disease population: a cross-sectional study in Indonesia

BackgroundTraditional medicine (TM) is commonly used as a treatment in Indonesia. This raises the need for an analysis of its potential development and irrational use. Therefore, we analyze the proportion of TM users among chronic disease patients and its associated characteristics to optimize the use of TM in Indonesia.MethodsA cross-sectional study of treated adult chronic disease patients was conducted using the fifth Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS-5) database. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the proportion of TM users, while a multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze their characteristics.ResultsThis study included 4901 subjects and identified 27.1% as TM users. The highest TM use was in subjects with cancer (43.9%), liver issues (38.3%), cholesterol issues (34.3%), diabetes (33.6%), and stroke (31.7%). Characteristics associated with TM users were a perception of one's current health as unhealthy (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.76–3.81), low medication adherence (OR 2.49, 95% CI 2.17–2.85), age above 65 years (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.63–2.90), having higher education (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.17–2.29), and residence outside of Java (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.11–1.45).ConclusionsLow medication adherence among TM users highlights the potentially irrational use of treatment in chronic diseases. Nevertheless, the longstanding use of TM users indicates the potential for its development. Further studies and interventions are needed to optimize TM use in Indonesia.

Antimicrobial, antifungal and antiradical activities of the essential oils from the flower and leaf extracts of Iranian Ferulago macrocarpa plant

AimThe essential oils (EOs) extracted from the flowers and leaves of Ferulago macrocarpa (Fenzl) Boiss (F. macrocarpa) plant were traditionally used to treat bacterial and fungal infections in the people of Lorestan Province, Iran for several centuries. The present study aims to analyse the EOs of flower and leaf extracts of F. macrocarpa using Gas Chromatography/Mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) technique and investigate their antibacterial, antifungal and antiradical activities. Material and methodsFlowers and leaves of F. macrocarpa were collected from Lorestan, Iran. Oils were extracted by hydro-distillation and analysed by GC-MS. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the oils were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia) and Candida albicans (C. albicans) pathogens. In addition, antiradical activity of the EOs was evaluated using in vitro DPPH assay. ResultsEOs from the flowers were found to contain fifty-three identified components, representing 95.4 % of the total oil. The major compound was bornyl acetate (38.3 %), followed by terpinolene (10.9 %), octane (5.6 %), β-pinene (4.4 %) and α-phellandrene (3.6 %). Forty-five components were identified in the leaf oil comprising 89.9 % of the total oil. Bornyl acetate (26.6 %), decane (11.4 %), dodecane (9.1 %), tetradecane (8.7 %), octane (4.5 %), germacrene D (3.9 %) and caryophyllene oxide (3.5 %) were prominent among the identified compounds. The EOs from the flowers exhibited potent activities against DPPH, S. aureus and B. cereus, while a weak inhibition was observed against C. albicans. The leaf EOs exhibited mild antiradical effects and no activity against the tested pathogens. ConclusionThese findings suggest that EOs from the flowers can be used to treat bacterial and fungal infections, and can be recommended to the traditional medicine users.

대일항쟁군의 전통의학 이용에 관한 고찰

Over the course of centuries, traditional medicine has accumulated a wealth of medical knowledge and experience that has been passed down from generation to generation. In the context of Korea, the Japanese colonial rule of the early twentieth century posed a significant threat to the survival of traditional medicine. Despite the challenges, traditional medicine continued to be practiced by ordinary people and the righteous army against imperial Japanese army(RAIJA), and was even employed in anti-Japanese activities. This study seeks to explore the significance of traditional medicine for the RAIJA in Gando and Manchuria. Through an examination of the historical context and case studies of traditional medicine usage, this research reveals the multifaceted meaning of traditional medicine, including its safe and effective treatment methods, utilization of local resources, fundraising and information exchange methods. The ultimate goal of this study is to recognize the existence of a medical system within traditional medicine and its practical utility for military purposes.

Antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and protective effects of Gladiolus psittacinus on hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Gladiolus psittacinus (GP) is an important medicinal plant in folk medicine where its corm is used for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Despite this, there is paucity of scientific information to justify its use as antidiabetic drug. Hence, this study was designed to explore antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and effects of aqueous extract of Gladiolus psittacinus (AGP) on hyperglycemia-associated oxidative stress in pancreas, kidney and liver of diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in rats using streptozotocin 50mg/kg (i.p.). Normal and diabetic rats were treated orally with AGP once a day for 14days. Antidiabetic effects were evaluated on body weight, fasting blood glucose concentration (FBGC), lipid profiles and serum chemistry. Also, protective effects of AGP were also determined on markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes and histopathology of pancreas, kidney and liver of diabetic rats. Treatment with AGP emanated to significant decrease of FBGC (552.67-157.33mg/dL), increase in body weight (100.01-133.76g) and positive modulation of lipid parameters in diabetic rats. The alteration in the contents of markers of liver and kidney function were significantly modulated in the diabetic rats upon treatment. Also, oxidative damage and antioxidant depletions in pancreas, kidney and liver were significantly mitigated in treated diabetic rats. Structural aberrations in the histopathology slides of pancreas, kidney and liver were improved upon treatment. It can be concluded that AGP could be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its related ailments, thereby justifying its usage in traditional medicine.

Effects of Apigenin on Pharmacokinetics of Dasatinib and Probable Interaction Mechanism.

Dasatinib (DAS), a narrow-therapeutic index drug, Bcr-Abl, and Src family kinases multitarget inhibitor have been approved for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) and Ph-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia (Ph+ ALL). Apigenin (APG) has a long history of human usage in food, herbs, health supplements, and traditional medicine, and it poses low risk of damage. The concomitant use of APG containing herbs/foods and traditional medicine may alter the pharmacokinetics of DAS, that probably lead to possible herb-drug interactions. The pharmacokinetic interaction of APG pretreatment with DAS in rat plasma following single and co-oral dosing was successfully deliberated using the UPLC-MS/MS method. The in vivo pharmacokinetics and protein expression of CYP3A2, Pgp-MDR1, and BCPR/ABCG2 demonstrate that APG pretreatment has potential to drastically changed the DAS pharmacokinetics where escalation in the Cmax, AUC(0-t), AUMC(0-inf_obs), T1/2, Tmax, and MRT and reduction in Kel, Vd, and Cl significantly in rats pretreated with APG 40 mg/kg, thus escalating systemic bioavailability and increasing the rate of absorption via modulation of CYP3A2, Pgp-MDR1, and BCPR/ABCG2 protein expression. Therefore, the concomitant consumption of APG containing food or traditional herb with DAS may cause serious life-threatening drug interactions and more systematic clinical study on herb-drug interactions is required, as well as adequate regulation in herbal safety and efficacy.

Disruption of Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms with Purified Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract Protein.

A major cause of economic losses in the medical implant sector has been bacterial biofilms due to their ability to persist on various surfaces and their tolerance against endogenous defences, antibiotics, or other anti-microbial agents. The quest for potential sources causing inhibition or disruption of bacterial biofilms has been taken up to alleviate the loss. Plantderived extracts such as essential oils, bioactive compounds and other solvent extracts are regularly being used instead of antibiotics and other synthetic compounds as they are safer, economical, and in many instances, have an elaborate history of traditional medicinal usage. As a plant that has been traditionally used over the centuries, the Moringa oleifera Lam., or more commonly the drumstick tree, is being tapped for myriad pharmaceutical applications. The protein-rich leaf of this tree has not only proved to be of great nutritional value but also divulged numerous potential therapeutic applications. While reports of proteinaceous components are rare, here we report the efficacy of the aqueous extract of the leaf of M. oleifera and a 62 kDa protein component in the disruption of staphylococcal biofilms, which are largely implicated in nosocomial infections. The application of the M. oleifera leaf extract protein had a marked effect on the biofilm growth or formation by Staphylococcus aureus. While the crude extract itself showed considerable disruption of biofilm formation, the application of the purified protein obtained after a two-step process led to a significant increase in the anti-biofilm activity.