Medicine Utilization Research Articles

Utility of homoeopathic medicines in treating cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

Utility of homoeopathic medicines in treating cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases

Clinical utility of homoeopathic medicine in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by using bard score

Clinical utility of homoeopathic medicine in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by using bard score

Utility of homoeopathic medicines in management of migraine

Utility of homoeopathic medicines in management of migraine

Determining factors of presentation and diagnosis delays in patients with colorectal cancer and the impact on stage: a cross sectional study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Early colorectal cancer (CRC) symptom recognition and prompt diagnosis are crucial for the identification of cases in the earliest stage and for improving survival. This study investigates the incidence of presentation and diagnosis delays, their contributing determinants and their impact on the cancer stage at diagnosis. This cross-sectional study recruited 227 CRC patients between November 2022 and October 2023. We developed a semi-structured questionnaire to collect information on the factors related to delays in the presentation and diagnosis. Presentation delay was defined as the time between the initial symptoms and the first consultation exceeding 1 month, while diagnosis delay was defined as the time between presentation and the pathological diagnosis confirmation exceeding 4 months. We examined the impact of these delays on the status of the metastatic disease and identified the determinants of the presentation and diagnosis delays. The median values for presentation and diagnosis delay are 1 and 4 months, respectively. Patients aged ≥60 years were less likely to experience diagnosis delays odds ratio (OR = 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.95, p = 0.035), as opposed to those who were younger. The absence of red flag symptoms at presentation (OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.47-5.10, p = 0.002), the utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.12-3.61, p = 0.019) and ≥3 distinct healthcare facility visits before diagnosis (OR = 3.51, 95% CI 1.95-6.29, p < 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of diagnosis delays. Diagnosis delays were also correlated with a higher risk of metastatic disease at diagnosis (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.17-3.53, p = 0.011). Our CRC patients experience considerable delays in their presentation and diagnosis. Diagnosis delays were observed to increase the likelihood of presenting with metastatic disease. Given the determinants and the patients' perspectives revealed in this study, future research to explore evidence-based approaches to reducing these delays is warranted.

Integrative Graph-Based Framework for Predicting circRNA Drug Resistance Using Disease Contextualization and Deep Learning.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a crucial role in gene regulation and have been implicated in the development of drug resistance in cancer, representing a significant challenge in oncological therapeutics. Despite advancements in computational models predicting RNA-drug interactions, existing frameworks often overlook the complex interplay between circRNAs, drug mechanisms, and disease contexts. This study aims to bridge this gap by introducing a novel computational model, circRDRP, that enhances prediction accuracy by integrating disease-specific contexts into the analysis of circRNA-drug interactions. It employs a hybrid graph neural network that combines features from Graph Attention Networks (GAT) and Graph Convolutional Networks (GCN) in a two-layer structure, with further enhancement through convolutional neural networks. This approach allows for sophisticated feature extraction from integrated networks of circRNAs, drugs, and diseases. Our results demonstrate that the circRDRP model outperforms existing models in predicting drug resistance, showing significant improvements in accuracy, precision, and recall. Specifically, the model shows robust predictive capability in case studies involving major anticancer drugs such as Cisplatin and Methotrexate, indicating its potential utility in precision medicine. In conclusion, circRDRP offers a powerful tool for understanding and predicting drug resistance mediated by circRNAs, with implications for designing more effective cancer therapies.

Phytochemistry, pharmacological effects and mechanism of action of volatile oil from Panax ginseng C.A.Mey: a review.

Panax ginseng (P. ginseng), a traditional and highly valued botanical drug, has been used for thousands of years and is known around the world for its uses in food, medicine, and healthcare. The comprehensive study of P. ginseng is crucial for the quality assurance of medicinal materials and optimal resource utilization. Despite being present in trace amounts, P. ginseng volatile oil has a wide range of chemical metabolites with important medicinal potential. The volatile oil has shown promise in defending the cardiovascular system, as well as in terms of its ability of antibacterial, anti-aging, anti-platelet coagulation, anti-inflammatory, support the nervous system nutritionally, and shield it from harm. Due to its low composition and lack of thorough investigation, P. ginseng volatile oil's therapeutic applicability is still restricted although it exhibited many benefits. This review aims to provide insights into the chemical composition, extraction processes, pharmacological effects, and mechanisms of action of P. ginseng volatile oil, and to provide theoretical support and guidelines for future research and clinical application.

Medicinal Herbs used by Indigenous people of Tinsukia District, Assam, India

The present investigation is an effort of a field survey of the medicinal herbs used by the indigenous people of Tinsukia District in Assam, North East India. Indigenous people like Assamese, Tea tribe, Singpho and Nepali inhabit in this region. A total of 56 species belonging to 34 families and 52 genera were included. Different plant parts are used to cure various ailments like stomach disorders, gynecological problems, cough, fistula, kidney stone, urinary infection, etc. Out of 34 families, Lamiaceae represented the highest number and percentage of medicinal plants (7 species, 12.96 %). The highest number of medicinal herbs are used by Assamese people (47 plants). The study thus, highlights the potentials of the ethnobotanical research and the need for the documentation of traditional knowledge relating to the medicinal plant utilization for the better benefit of mankind.

Short- and long-term impacts of the National Essential Medicines Policy on drug availability, price, and usage in a deprived rural county in southwestern China: an interrupted time series analysis across 8 years.

China's National Essential Medicines Policy (NEMP) has been implemented for over 15 years; yet empirical evidence on its long-term impacts is lacking, particularly in remote and rural regions. This study aims to assess the short-and long-term effects of NEMP on the drug availability, price, and usage in a deprived rural county in southwestern China. A quasi-experimental design was employed, featuring a single-group pre-and-post comparison. We gathered 74,436 procurement records spanning from 2009 to 2016 from the drug warehouses of local medical institutions. Pharmaceutical data were analyzed quarterly, considering various policy and therapeutic attributes. Fisher's Drug Price Index (DPI-F) was calibrated for the retail and wholesale prices of a consistent collection of 405 medications. We conducted interrupted time-series analysis to examine the immediate and enduring impacts of NEMP's initial (commencing in January 2011) and second (starting from December 2015) stages. After initiation of NEMP, the number of available essential medicines surged by 115 but subsequently faced a steady quarterly decline (-9.1) in township healthcare centers (THCs, primary care). Conversely, county hospitals (secondary care) initially saw a reduction of 40 in drug availability but later exhibited a steady increase (+4.2 per quarter) up to the second-stage NEMP. Regarding price, THCs encountered abrupt (-26.1%/-15.9% in retail/wholesale price) and sustained (-0.2%/-0.3% per quarter) price drops after NEMP. The immediate price change after NEMP in county hospitals were milder but significant in non-essential medicines, and long-term declines were also observed in all drugs. As for total sales, a significant long-term disparity emerged between THCs (+0.9% per quarter) and county hospitals (+3.3% per quarter). Following the second-stage NEMP, retail prices in county hospitals further decreased, although wholesale prices did not; however, following price upward trends were observed in both THCs and county hospitals. Lastly, the influences of NEMP varied across different therapeutical categories of medicines. NEMP has successfully regulated drug prices in primary and secondary healthcare facilities in remote and rural areas, both short-term and long-term. However, a remarkable disparity in medicine availability and utilization was observed between different levels of facilities over time. Continuous monitoring is essential, with increased attention needed on the uneven impacts of the policy on diverse drugs, facilities, regions, and demographics.

Pharmacognostical specification of Cannabis sativa L. (Bhanga) leaves processed with various Ayurveda-recommended methods

Abstract BACKGROUND: Since years, Cannabis sativa L. has been used for medicinal, recreational, and spiritual purposes. Cannabinoids, mainly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), possess great therapeutic potential; at the counterpart imparts psychotropic and euphoric effects. Considering therapeutic benefits, many countries are legalizing the cultivation and medicinal utilization of Cannabis species. Ayurveda science has recommended four methods for Cannabis processing to reduce its intoxicant effect. The pharmacognostical changes after processing of Cannabis leaves have been reported in this article. METHODS: The dry sample of female species of C. sativa L. was procured from Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India; after permission of the excise department. The samples have been tested microscopically for species confirmation. It has been processed by four different methods, namely Jalanimajjana (water dipping), Jalaprakshalana (water-wash), Godugdha Swedana (boiling in cow’s milk), and Babbul-twak Kwatha Swedana (boiling in the decoction of Acacia arabica (Lam.) Willd. Processed samples were tested for organoleptic characters, powder microscopic features and comparative analysis was done with unprocessed samples. RESULTS: Processing changes organoleptic characters and alters the morpho-anatomic features like reduction in trichomes; deformation of structures like cystolith, epidermis, fibers, spiral vessel, trichomes and oil globules. CONCLUSION: Processing changes organoleptic characters, deforms features like epidermis, parenchyma, sclerenchyma, stomata, spiral vessels, fibers, oil globules etc. and alters characteristics of trichomes which are suggestive of changes in active constituents like THC, CBD etc. Reduction in trichomes is indicative of fall in THC levels, which will help to reduce psychoactive nature of Cannabis.

Unveiling Opinions: Exploring the Public’s View on Clinical Autopsies

Background: Clinical autopsy is an invaluable tool useful to identify causes of death and to uncover unknown and unexpected diseases which aids in raising awareness of common and rare diseases in a community. Clinical autopsy is essential to study pattern of morbid diseases that aids in formation of effective healthcare policies. Aim: To investigate the views of the general public on clinical autopsies in order to determine general conceptions and misconceptions that may aid in further a discussion and investigations. Methodology: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Forensic Medicine, Dow International Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi Pakistan from October 2022 till March 2023. Data was collected from 300 participants using a 15-item questionnaire distributed to general population from various parts of Karachi selected by convenient sampling. Results: 46% were aware of term clinical/medical autopsy. 77% acknowledged medical and social role of clinical autopsies. Less than 50% could differentiate between clinical and medico legal autopsy. 50% are of the opinion that autopsy should not be conducted in natural deaths. 55% and 64% of the participants were of the opinion that clinical autopsy can improve future lives of people and provide diagnostic and curative strategies respectively. Participants of the study were unsure about the Islamic perspective of autopsy. 57% agreed to give consent for autopsy in society’s best interest. Conclusion: The large majority is uncertain about autopsy given their religious and personal views but it also reveals many acknowledge its possible utility in medicine and in bereavement process. Therefore, despite lack of research and public discourse, it provides us with data that may encourage and aid further research and discussion about acceptance of autopsy as a viable diagnostic tool. Keywords: Autopsy, Clinical autopsy, Medical autopsy, Pakistan

Remark on Regenerative Medicine and Potential Utilization of Low Intensity Laser Photobiomodulation to Activate Human Stem Cells

Recently, a friend of one of these writers told her story of using one of a healthcare product to activate her stem cells as part of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine is a field of medicine that seeks to repair or replace damaged or diseased tissues and organs. This can be done through a variety of methods, including stem cell therapy, tissue engineering, and gene therapy. This is a short review article on this rapid field called regenerative medicine, in particular via a new method called photobiomodulation, especially by virtue of low intensity laser pen treatment. Hopefully it will attract more research in this interesting direction, both for laser/photobiomodulation to boost plant growth as well as in healthcare (see also: Christianto &amp; Smarandache, 2022; Christianto, 2023).

A Comprehensive Study on Chemical and Biological Investigation of Thymus Brachychilus Jalas: A Rich Source of Ursolic and Oleanolic Acids

The significance of Thymus species in the scientific community is growing steadily due to their extensive utilization in traditional medicine, food industry, and pharmaceutical sector, owing to their abundance in essential oil and phytochemical content, rendering them commercially significant species. The current work focuses on conducting a comprehensive analysis of the ethanol extract and essential oil derived from the root and aerial portions of Thymus brachychilus Jalas, an endemic species that has not been previously investigated. Additionally, a novel GC-MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) technique was developed to quantify the levels of triterpenoids, which are frequently found in many plants, particularly those belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The approach was then used to assess the triterpenoid content of the species. While the phenolic content of the species was determined by LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry), the chemical composition of triterpenoid, essential oil and flavor (aroma) of the plant was determined by GC-MS. Eucalyptol was the primary ingredient in both the essential oil and the flavor, accounting for 11.05% and 12.35%, respectively. In the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging techniques, the root ethanol extract exhibited the greatest antioxidant activity with IC50 values of 26.70 ± 0.23 and 19.16 ± 0.11 µg/mL, respectively. There was a high level of urease (59.54 ± 1.67% at 100 µg/mL) inhibitory activity observed in the root ethanol extract in enzyme inhibition assays, as well as angiotensin (94.80 ± 0.56%), elastase (40.19 ± 0.39%), and collagenase (48.26 ± 0.12%) inhibition in the aerial ethanol extract. Moreover, the MCF-7 cell line for breast cancer had a strong cytotoxic impact when exposed to the essential oil of the species (vitality%: 1.45 ± 0.01 at 200 µg/mL. The LC-MS/MS and GC-MS studies revealed that the roots had a significant concentration of rosmarinic acid (15,801 µg analyte/g extract), but the aerial portions had a substantial quantity of ursolic acid (152,374 µg analyte/g extract). The plant exhibits potential in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors on account of its elevated levels of rosmarinic and ursolic acid, superior antioxidant capacity, and angiotensin and urease inhibitory effect.

Chenopodium murale L.: A Weed of Medicinal Importance - A Brief Review

Weeds are considered a great threat to crops. So weed eradication is an important task to increase crop yield. Chemical weed control in various crops decreases their nutritive potential. To overcome this problem to some degree, it is suggested to use these weeds instead of destroying them. Keeping this in view, such losses can be compensated by exploring their medicinal utility and identifying their future medicinal prospects. Chenopodium murale L. (Amaranthaceae) is an annual weed growing throughout the world. This review aims to summarize the reported pharmacology and phytochemistry of C. murale to explore its medicinal utility and identifying their future medicinal prospects. The review was done by literature collection from textbooks and online databases without a time limit. The weed name was confirmed by ‘The Plant List’. C. murale extracts, their isolated active constituents, and nanoparticles have been reported for various pharmacological actions like hepatoprotective, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, anticancer, antimicrobial, nematicidal, antioxidant, and cytotoxic. The pharmacological effects of C. murale may be due to the presence of secondary active metabolites such as phenolic acids, flavonols, terpenes and terpenoids, flavonoids and a steroidal glycoside. Reported phytochemistry and pharmacology suggest that C. murale could be an important medicinal agent for leishmaniasis, hypertension, infections and liver diseases. However, further studies are warranted.

The utilization of medicinal plants in Kolaka local community: An ethnobotanical study

This research aims to find out, document, and analyze traditonal knowledge regarding plant types, processing methods, and compound contents used by the community in Kolaka District for wound healing treatments. The research method used is descriptive qualitative. The data collection techniques used observation and interviews. The results of this research show that there are 18 types of plants that are used as wound medicine in the community of Kolaka District with various methods of utilization, including grinding beans/seeds and leaves, extracting sap or essence from leaves, and using the plant stem sap, that is later applied to the injured parts of the body. The results of this research are expected to contribute academically to the field of ethnobotany, particularly concerning the utilization and developments of new medicines for various types of wounds on the body using natural ingredients, in order to anticipate dependence on chemical drugs or antibiotics which often have the potential to cause side effects. Additionally, through documenting types of plants and traditional wound treatment methods in this research, it is hoped that the preservation and originality of local knowledge regarding longstanding healthcare system within the community can be maintained.

Exploring the effect and mechanism of cucurbitacin B on cholestatic liver injury based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCholestatic liver injury (CLI) is a pathologic process with the impairment of liver and bile secretion and excretion, resulting in an excessive accumulation of bile acids within the liver, which leads to damage to both bile ducts and hepatocytes. This process is often accompanied by inflammation. Cucumis melo L is a folk traditional herb for the treatment of cholestasis. Cucurbitacin B (CuB), an important active ingredient in Cucumis melo L, has significant anti-inflamamatory effects and plays an important role in diseases such as neuroinflammation, skin inflammation, and chronic hepatitis. Though numerous studies have confirmed the significant therapeutic effect of CuB on liver diseases, the impact of CuB on CLI remains uncertain. Consequently, the objective of this investigation is to elucidate the therapeutic properties and potential molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of CuB on CLI. Aim of the studyThe aim of this paper was to investigate the potential protective mechanism of CuB against CLI. MethodsFirst, the corresponding targets of CuB were obtained through the SwissTargetPrediction and SuperPre online platforms. Second, the DisGeNET database, GeneCards database, and OMIM database were utilized to screen therapeutic targets for CLI. Then, protein-protein interaction (PPI) was determined using the STRING 11.5 data platform. Next, the OmicShare platform was employed for the purpose of visualizing the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. The molecular docking technique was then utilized to evaluate the binding affinity existing between potential targets and CuB. Subsequently, the impacts of CuB on the LO2 cell injury model induced by Lithocholic acid (LCA) and the CLI model induced by 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) were determined by evaluating inflammation in both in vivo and in vitro settings. The potential molecular mechanism was explored by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot (WB) techniques. ResultsA total of 122 CuB targets were collected and high affinity targets were identified through the PPI network, namely TLR4, STAT3, HIF1A, and NFKB1. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that the treatment of CLI with CuB chiefly involved the inflammatory pathway. In vitro study results showed that CuB alleviated LCA-induced LO2 cell damage. Meanwhile, CuB reduced elevated AST and ALT levels and the release of inflammatory factors in LO2 cells induced by LCA. In vivo study results showed that CuB could alleviate DDC-induced pathological changes in mouse liver, inhibit the activity of serum transaminase, and suppress the liver and systemic inflammatory reaction of mice. Mechanically, CuB downregulated the IL-6, STAT3, and HIF-1α expression and inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation. ConclusionBy combining network pharmacology with in vivo and in vitro experiments, the results of this study suggested that CuB prevented the inflammatory response by inhibiting the IL-6/STAT3/HIF-1α signaling pathway, thereby demonstrating potential protective and therapeutic effects on CLI. These results establish a scientific foundation for the exploration and utilization of natural medicines for CLI.

The Morphological Dimension and Antioxidant Composition of Selected Indigenous Flavouring Plants in Bintulu, Sarawak

The use of plants as food flavourings, commonly known as herbs and spices, serves as natural sources of flavour, altering the taste and aroma of dishes with only a small amount. Beyond flavour, these plants also contribute essential antioxidants crucial for human health by inhibiting free radicals that can lead to various diseases. In Bintulu, Sarawak, Malaysia, locals traditionally consume indigenous flavouring plants primarily for their culinary impact, often overlooking the pharmaceutical value these plants may offer. This study aimed to assess the marketable appearance and antioxidant composition of indigenous food flavouring plants in Bintulu. Bunches of Pangium edule, Premna serratifolia, Pycnarrhena tumefacta, Scorodocarpus borneensis, and Syzygium polyanthum were obtained from the local farmers market and analyzed for morphological dimensions, total phenolic content, free radical scavenging ability (DPPH), and ferric reducing ability (FRAP). The edible portion of the plants ranged from 57.33% to 84.99%, with P. edule exhibiting the largest edible blade. Total phenolic content varied from 343.27 to 3245.67 mg GAE/100 g, with P. serratifolia having the highest value. Premna serratifolia demonstrated the strongest radical scavenging activity, while S. polyanthum exhibited the highest ferric reducing ability. All species exhibited high antioxidant composition (IC50 = 0.10 to 27.6 µg/mL, FRAP = 469.88 to 9272.50 mg TE/100 g), indicating potential medicinal utility. Further studies on anti-nutrients like oxalate and phytate are recommended to complement the obtained data. Additionally, an ethnobotanical study is suggested to document the traditional medicinal uses of these plants alongside their role as flavor enhancers in cooking.

Adjusting function of camphor on primary metabolism in Cinnamomum camphora stressed by high temperature

Cinnamomum camphora has great economic value for its wide utilization in traditional medicine and furniture material, and releases lots of monoterpenes to tolerate high temperature. To uncover the adjusting function of monoterpenes on primary metabolism and promoting their utilization as anti-high temperature agents, the photosynthetic capacities, primary metabolite levels, cell ultrastructure and associated gene expression were surveyed in C. camphora when it was blocked monoterpene biosynthesis with fosmidomycin (Fos) and fumigated with camphor (a typical monoterpene in the plant) under high temperature (Fos+38 °C+camphor). Compared with the control (28 °C), high temperature at 38 °C decreased the starch content and starch grain size, and increased the fructose, glucose, sucrose and soluble sugar content. Meanwhile, high temperature also raised the lipid content, with the increase of lipid droplet size and numbers. These variations were further intensified in Fos+ 38 °C treatment. Compared with Fos+ 38 °C treatment, Fos+ 38 °C+camphor treatment improved the starch accumulation by promoting 4 gene expression in starch biosynthesis, and lowered the sugar content by suppressing 3 gene expression in pentose phosphate pathway and promoting 15 gene expression in glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle. Meanwhile, Fos+ 38 °C+camphor treatment also lowered the lipid content, which may be caused by the down-regulation of 2 genes in fatty acid formation and up-regulation of 4 genes in fatty acid decomposition. Although Fos+ 38 °C+camphor treatment improved the photosynthetic capacities in contrast to Fos+ 38 °C treatment, it cannot explain the variations of these primary metabolite levels. Therefore, camphor should adjust related gene expression to maintain the primary metabolism in C. camphora tolerating high temperature.

Prevalence of herbal and traditional medicine in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 20-year studies

BackgroundThe widely accepted prevalence of traditional medicine (TM) in Ethiopia was about 80 %, of which 95 % were sourced from plants. The purpose of this study was to update knowledge of the prevalence of herbal medicine or TM in Ethiopia and describe the characteristics of the population mostly relying on herbal medicine or TM to inform health policy-makers.MethodsPubMed, Google Scholar, Hinari, Scopus, and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) were searched. The methodological quality of each included study was assessed using the quality assessment checklist for prevalence studies. Meta-analysis was conducted using STATA version 17, and the heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I2 test statistics based on the random effect model. Forest and funnel plots were used to present the data. Subgroup analysis was done by the study population, region, and setting.ResultsThirty-six studies with a total of 16,288 participants met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of the study revealed that the prevalence of herbal medicine use in Ethiopia is 46 % (95 % CI, 37–54 %), with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 99.19 %). Egger’s test for publication bias of herbal medicine use revealed significant results (Egger, P = 0.002) which indicates possible missing of small sample size studies. The prevalence of TM use in Ethiopia is 65 % (95 % CI, 52–77 %) with significant heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 99.18 %). Egger’s test for publication bias of TM use revealed non-significant results (Egger, P = 0.275). The subgroup analysis by the study setting and the region revealed variability amongst the studies. Community-based studies and Oromia National Regional State showed higher prevalence. By population type, a higher prevalence of TM use was observed amongst children and lowest amongst malaria suspects.ConclusionsThe current study revealed that TM/herbal medicine utilization remained an important source of primary healthcare in Ethiopia. In comparison to the commonly reported prevalence of TM/herbal medicine, there is a considerable decline in TM/herbal medicine prevalence. High TM/herbal medicine use tendency during pregnancy necessitates safety studies to optimize the utilization.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Alphitolic Acid Isolated from Agrimonia coreana Nakai Extracts Are Mediated via the Inhibition of ICRAC Activity in T Cells.

Agrimonia pilosa Ledeb., an important medicinal herb in traditional East Asian medicine, is primarily used to treat abdominal pain, dysentery, and hemostasis. There are ten other reported species of Agrimonia plants, including Agrimonia coreana Nakai-a naturally growing species in South Korea-and Agrimonia eupatoria Linn. Although recent studies have isolated numerous active constituents and investigated their effects, the medicinal utility of this herb is not yet fully explored. Through patch-clamp recording, a previous study reported that Agrimonia plant extracts inhibit the function of Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channels (CRACs). Herein, we aimed to identify and isolate the main compounds in A. coreana responsible for CRAC inhibition while assessing the anti-inflammatory effects mediated by this inhibition. We demonstrated for the first time that alphitolic acid isolated from A. coreana has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on CRAC activity and, thus, an inhibitory effect on intracellular calcium increase. Furthermore, analysis of human CD4+ T cell proliferation via the carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester method revealed that alphitolic acid inhibited T cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for the potential therapeutic use of alphitolic acid in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Comparative evaluation of biometrical and biochemical characteristics of three Rumex representatives: &lt;i&gt;Rumex acetosa&lt;/i&gt; L., &lt;i&gt;Rumex sanguineus&lt;/i&gt; L. and &lt;i&gt;Rumex confertus&lt;/i&gt; Willd.

Increase in green vegetables popularity in nutrition and medicine promotes investigations of new cultivar and hybrid biochemical parameters. Nutritional value and antioxidant status of three Rumex representatives: Rumex acetosa L. (Krupnolistny cv.), Rumex sanguineus L. (prospect genotype) and Rumex confertus Willd. were studied. Antioxidant defense parameters (total antioxidant activity, polyphenol and ascorbic acid content) decreased in accordance to: Rumex sanguineus L. &gt; Rumes confertus Willd. &gt; Rumex acetosa L. Thus the ascorbic acid content in bloody dock (R. sanguineus) reached 129 mg/100 g which was 1.48 times higher than in Russian dock (R. confertus) and 3.17 times higher than in garden sorrel (R. acetosa). The total chlorophyll content was also the highest in bloody dock (17.74 mg/g d.w.) compared to 15.88 mg/g in R. confertus and 13.07 mg/g in R. acetosa leaves. The new R. sanguineus genotype was characterized by high decorative properties and demonstrated twice higher oxalic acid content compared to R. acetosa, Krupnolistny cv., and 1.5 times higher value than in R. confertus. High decorative and medicinal value of R. sanguineus was connected to a great extent with the intensive anthocyanin accumulation reaching 7.2% and high nitrate content. The results of the present study indicate high prospects of R. sanguineus genotype utilization in landscape design, food industry and medicine.