Vietnamese Medicine Research Articles

Major Sesquiterpenoids in Psychotria laui Leaf Essential oil Exhibit Anti-Inflammatory and Cytotoxic Properties

Objective: This study aims to investigate the chemical constituents and biological properties of the essential oil derived from Psychotria laui, a plant recognized for its medicinal applications, particularly in traditional Vietnamese medicine, where it is utilized for the treatment of digestive and inflammatory disorders. Methods: Fresh leaves of Psychotria laui were gathered in Quangtri, Vietnam, and subjected to hydro-distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus to obtain the essential oil. The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant potential was measured using the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, while the inhibition of nitric oxide production was tested in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Cytotoxicity against the SK-LU-1 cell line (human lung adenocarcinoma) was evaluated using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Results: The essential oil from Psychotria laui contained 78 distinct constituents. The major compounds identified were spathulenol (10.4%), thujopsan-2- α-ol (9.5%), 7- epi- α-eudesmol (6.5%), 14-hydroxy-9- epi-( E)-caryophyllene (4.4%), epi- α-cadinol (3.9%), α-muurolol (3.8%), 1- epi-cubenol (3.5%), and δ-cadinene (3.2%). The essential oil showed no antioxidant activity, with an IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) value greater than 500 µg/mL, in contrast to the positive control, L-ascorbic acid, which had an IC50 of 7.78 ± 0.39 µg/mL in the DPPH assay. However, its anti-inflammatory activity was evident by its ability to inhibit nitric oxide production, with an IC50 of 19.48 ± 1.53 µg/mL in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Moreover, the essential oil exhibited potent cytotoxicity against the SK-LU-1 cancer cell line, with an IC50 of 8.49 ± 0.73 µg/mL in the SRB assay. Conclusion: The essential oil from Psychotria laui leaves contains numerous bioactive compounds and exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties, although it lacks antioxidant activity.

Efficacy of Jasminum subtriplinerve Extract against 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-Induced Cancer in Mice.

Jasminum subtriplinerve Blume tea is a traditional Vietnamese medicine used to treat impetigo, menstruation issues, and painful menstrual hematometra. Previous studies have shown that extracts and isolated compounds from J. subtriplinerve possess diverse pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic effects. However, their potential anticancer effects and underlying mechanisms of action have not been clear. Here, we examined the effects of J. subtriplinerve extracts against three human cancer cell lines. We also conducted in vivo analyses using a mouse model of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced breast cancer, including an investigation of changes in histological sections. The effect of the J. subtriplinerve ethyl acetate fraction on cytokine levels (IL-2, PGE2, TNF-α) in serum was determined using ELISA kits. Results showed that the EtOAc fraction had the highest anti-proliferative activity (IC50 = 13.7 mg/ml) against the breast cancer (MCF-7) cell line, while the BuOH and water fractions did not show any anticancer effects. Additionally, the EtOAc fraction at a dose of 14.4 mg/kg was able to elevate IL-2 levels and suppress the expression of PGE2 in the serum of mice. A remarkable decrease in the percentage of death and tumor incidence in mice was achieved following treatment with the EtOAc fraction at a dose of 14.4 mg/kg. No abnormal parameters in blood were observed in the J. subtriplinerve treatment groups. These results suggest that J. subtriplinerve, when used as tea or a functional food, is nontoxic and has clear chemopreventive effects against breast cancer.

Screening Bioactive Compounds from Vietnamese Medicinal Plants as Inhibitors of CCR5 and CXCR4 Co-receptors to Prevent and Treat HIV-1 Infection by Molecular Docking Methods

Screening Bioactive Compounds from Vietnamese Medicinal Plants as Inhibitors of CCR5 and CXCR4 Co-receptors to Prevent and Treat HIV-1 Infection by Molecular Docking Methods

SYNDIAG: an expert system for disease syndrome diagnosis of traditional Vietnamese medicine

SYNDIAG: an expert system for disease syndrome diagnosis of traditional Vietnamese medicine

Phenolic Acids, Steroids, and Triterpenoids Isolated from Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC.

Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC. is a precious medicinal plant, which is one of 54 medicinal species selected by the Vietnamese government for development in specialized areas of medicinal herbs. Currently, P. grandiflorus has been planted in some regions in Vietnam. Although P. grandiflorus has been commonly used in traditional Vietnamese medicine, the reports on the chemical composition and biological activity of this plant are limited in our country. As a part of our research on the hypolipidemic effect of P. grandiflorus, six compounds including ferulic acid (1), caffeic acid (2), p-hydroxy benzoic acid (3), spinasterol (4), sitostenone (5), and betulin (6) were isolated from the ethyl acetate and n-hexane extracts of the roots of P. grandiflorus. The structures of these compounds were determined based on NMR and MS spectral data and comparison with those reported in the literature. Compound 5 has been found in P. grandiflorus for the first time.

Ngu-Vi-Tieu-Khat decoction, a Vietnamese traditional medicine, possesses hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects on streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetic rat model

This study aims to assess the hypoglycemic effects of Ngu-Vi-Tieu-Khat (NVTK) decoction, a traditional Vietnamese medicine, in a rat model of type-2 diabetes. The NVTK decoction was prepared using the maceration method and tested for its hypoglycemic effects by measuring blood glucose levels, insulin resistance indicators, and pancreatic mass. The results showed that NVTK decoction improved diabetes symptoms, increased insulin levels, reduced insulin resistance, restored pancreatic mass, and decreased total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The hypoglycemic effects of NVTK were comparable to those of gliclazide at a dose of 10 mg/kg. In conclusion, NVTK decoction possesses hypoglycemic properties and could be explored as a potential traditional medicine for treating type-2 diabetes in humans.

A NOVEL APPROACH TO MODELLING A DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF TRADITIONAL VIETNAMESE MEDICINE

Traditional Vietnamese Medicine (TVM) is based on the experiences of thousands of years of Vietnamese people in the struggle against diseases; therefore, TVM is very important in the medical system of Vietnam. In this paper, we propose a novel model of an expert system for diagnosing disease syndromes and treating traditional Vietnamese medicine. In this model, the knowledge base consists of IF-THEN rules, in which the antecedent of a rule is an elementary conjunction of propositions and negated propositions. The inference mechanism for the diagnosis of disease syndromes and treatment of traditional Vietnamese medicine applies Abelian group operations. A comparison of the inference of our model with the fuzzy max-min inferences shows that our model can have very similar rules whose contributions sum up to high weight. On the other hand, in our model, a rule with a negative weight may diminish an effect of a rule with a good weight. This feature is absent in the systems with fuzzy max-min inferences. We have built rule patterns for the diagnosis of about 50 disease syndromes and their treatment by Herbs and Acupuncture with the cooperation of practitioners of Oriental Traditional Medicine in Vietnam. Some examples of databases and the rules for disease syndrome differentiation and treatment by herbal medicine and Acupuncture are shown. Finally, some conclusions and future works are given.

Traditional Vietnamese Medicine Containing Garlic Extract for Patients With Non-severe COVID-19: A Phase-II, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is still ongoing with the omicron variant. Low-cost, effective treatments are still needed, particularly in low-to-middle-income countries. This study assessed the safety and efficacy of TD0068, an herbal medicine developed from mainly garlic, for patients with non-severe COVID-19. Methods This is a phase-II, double-blind, randomized controlled trial to compare oral capsule TD0068 and placebo in adults aged 18-65 years with non-severe COVID-19 between September and October 2021. The efficacy outcomes measured included daily cycle threshold (Ct) value from the time of the initial reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, time to viral clearance, daily symptom severity score from 15 symptoms of interest, time to symptom resolution, and progression to severe/critical COVID-19. Safety outcomes included adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Results Sixty patients were randomized (31 received TD0068, and 29 received a placebo). The two groups were balanced in baseline characteristics: mean age was 39 years, and female was predominant (66%). Daily Ct value (median on days 3, 5, 7, and 9 was 25.7, 30.8, 35.4, and 37.6 in the TD0068 group, and 26.4, 31.2, 36.0, and 37.4 in the placebo group, respectively) and time to viral clearance (median: 10 vs. 11 days in TD0068 and placebo groups) were similar between groups. Daily symptom severity score (median on days 3, 5, 7, and 9 was 2, 2, 1, and 0 in the TD0068 group, and 3, 2, 1, and 1 in the placebo group), and time to symptom resolution (median: seven vs. nine days, respectively) were also comparable between groups. No SAE occurred in the study. Conclusions TD0068 is safe but does not show an effect for non-severe COVID-19 patients. Further research is needed to explore the potential benefits of garlic in other forms or dosages for the treatment of COVID-19.

The In silico and In vitro Anti-inflammatory and Antibacterial Activities of Flavonoids from Artemisia vulgaris in Vietnam

Abstract: Artemisia vulgaris is used to treat rheumatism, scabies, and trauma-related pain in traditional Vietnamese medicine. However, there is a lack of in vitro and in silico studies on the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of Artemisia vulgaris in Vietnam. Method: This research was designed to evaluate the bioactivities of extracts and isolated flavonoids from this plant. The results indicated that crude extract (AVE) and sub-fractions (hexane - AVH; ethyl acetate - AVEA; and methanol - AVM) showed a strong suppression of nitric oxide creation and proinflammatory TNF-α secretion in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Moreover, AVE, AVEA, and AVH demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains with MICs of 2 mg/mL. Among five isolated flavonoids (1-5), apigenin (1) attenuated LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages by downregulating TNF-a and NO production, while apigenin (1) and luteolin (2) were the effective inhibitors of MRSA and P. aeruginosa strains. Result: These results are in accordance with in-silico molecular docking investigations. Among docking poses of compounds (1-5), pose 483, the best docking pose among 500 docking conformations of compound apigenin (1), has been docked to the 4WCU:PDB enzyme with the values of the binding affinity and inhibition constant of -7.27 Kcal.mol-1 and 4.73 μM, respectively and proved to be the best anti-inflammatory compound that linked well to this enzyme and was responsible for explaining anti-inflammatory activity. In silico docking to explain why luteolin (2) inhibits bacteria via a general enzyme inhibition mechanism, glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase: 2VF5. Luteolin (2) or pose 148 anchored well to 2VF5 with binding affinity and inhibition constants of -6.90 Kcal.mol-1 and 8.80 μM, respectively. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that apigenin, or pose 483, was an excellent anti-inflammatory compound with meta-hydroxy in ring B, while luteolin, or pose 148, with orto-hydroxy in ring B, exhibited good anti-bacterial activity.

Traditional Medicine in the Developing and Developed Countries and Expected Trends in Future

TRADITIONAL Medicine has been practiced all through the whilst in almost all countries, imparting increased health care. Traditional drugs have also been used for this purpose. locally accessible plant, animal, and mineral supplies and proceed to supply healthcare for humans, in several developing countries. Traditional Medicine (TM) has developed over time and continues to be the primary health service of rural communities and the poorest stage of society. Presently there is a developing reliance on regular health care using city populations. WHO defines frequent treatment as “diverse health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant animal and/ or mineral-based medicines, spiritual therapies, information techniques, and exercising routines utilized singularly or in combination to keep well-being as appropriate as to treat, diagnose or prevent illness” In Asia, there are formalized traditions/systems which have theoretical frameworks. With hooked-up traditions of training, formalized educational processes, recorded materia medica with many preparations, and scientific practices with a variety of preventative and therapeutic modalities, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, Unani, and Siddha.

Antiproliferative, Anti-Inflammatory Activities, and Molecular Docking Studies of Secondary Metabolites from Macrosolen tricolor

In Vietnam, Macrosolen tricolor is used for the treatment of bloating, broken bones, cough, diarrhea, diuretic, rheumatism, and laxative effects. The study aimed to identify the in vitro antiproliferation and anti-inflammation of all fractions and purified compounds from the M. tricolor whole plants, as well as the in silico molecular docking of the potentially cytotoxic compounds. As the results, fractions (MTH.I, MTH.II, MTE.I, and MTE.II) strongly demonstrated antiproliferative properties against three tested cells, MDA-MB-231, RD, and HepG2 (IC50 values ranged from 4.00 ± 0.20 to 70.60 ± 1.44 μg/mL), as well as anti-inflammatory effects (IC50 values ranged from 4.45 ± 0.08 to 23.00 ± 1.18 μg/mL), whereas other fractions meaningfully evidenced selective cytotoxicity and/or anti-inflammation. Therefore, the phytochemical compositions of the active fractions were illuminated, leading to the characterization of eighteen compounds. Compounds (3–5) revealed the most cytotoxic effects towards all examined cells (IC50 values ranged from 6.88 ± 0.12 to 71.64 ± 1.17 μM) and the strongest anti-inflammatory properties (IC50 values of 16.30 ± 0.92, 7.31 ± 0.55, and 9.23 ± 0.60 μM, respectively). Compound 11 showed potential cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231, RD, and HepG2 cells (IC50 values of 24.42 ± 0.28, 20.60 ± 0.25, and 3.20 ± 0.02 μM, respectively). Furthermore, compounds (4, 5, and 11) interacted with the active site of the apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 protein (PDB ID: 2O2F), were comparable to PAC, and were compatible with their anticancer activity. This project suggests that M. tricolor is a good source of natural antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory agents and contributes to understanding the biological activities of Macrosolen species in traditional Vietnamese medicine.

Penicillium digitatum as a Model Fungus for Detecting Antifungal Activity of Botanicals: An Evaluation on Vietnamese Medicinal Plant Extracts.

Medicinal plants play important roles in traditional medicine, and numerous compounds among them have been recognized for their antimicrobial activity. However, little is known about the potential of Vietnamese medicinal plants for antifungal activity. In this study, we examined the antagonistic activity of twelve medicinal plant species collected in Northern Vietnam against Penicillium digitatum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Candida albicans. The results showed that the antifungal activities of the crude extracts from Mahonia bealei, Ficus semicordata, and Gnetum montanum were clearly detected with the citrus postharvest pathogen P. digitatum. These extracts could fully inhibit the growth of P. digitatum on the agar medium, and on the infected citrus fruits at concentrations of 300–1000 µg/mL. Meanwhile, the other tested fungi were less sensitive to the antagonistic activity of the plant extracts. In particular, we found that the ethanolic extract of M. bealei displayed a broad-spectrum antifungal activity against all four pathogenic fungi. Analysis of this crude extract by enrichment coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that berberine and palmatine are major metabolites. Additional inspections indicated berberine as the key compound responsible for the antifungal activity of the M. bealei ethanolic extract. Our study provides a better understanding of the potential of Vietnamese medicinal plant resources for combating fungal pathogens. This work also highlights that the citrus pathogen P. digitatum can be employed as a model fungus for screening the antifungal activity of botanicals.

Traditional Vietnamese medicine Kovir capsule in patients with mild COVID-19: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Kovir capsule, a polyherbal medicine developed from Ren Shen Bai Du San formulation, has been used in various diseases including respiratory infections. A randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Kovir capsule (TD0069) in the treatment of mild COVID‐19 patients. Patients aged from 18 to 65 years who were PCR‐confirmed with SARS‐CoV‐2 and had the mild disease were recruited and randomized to either Kovir capsule (34 patients) or placebo (32 patients) for up to 14 days or until discharge. Efficacy outcomes were time to viral clearance, daily viral load, time to symptom resolution, daily symptom score based on 16 pre‐defined symptoms, and progression to severe/critical COVID‐19. Safety outcomes were adverse events. Viral load decreased over time similarly in the two groups. Viral clearance time was also similar in both groups (median: 8 days). Kovir group had a more rapid decrease of symptom score and significantly lower time to symptom resolution than placebo (median: 4 vs. 7 days). Two patients in the placebo group developed severe COVID‐19. No patient experienced adverse events. Kovir capsule is safe and can improve symptom resolution in mild COVID‐19 patients. A large‐scale trial is required to confirm these findings.

A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Some Vietnamese Wound-Healing Medicinal Plants

Wound healing is a sophisticated process that results in the repair of damaged tissues. Any impairment to this process can lead to non-healing (chronic) wounds. Since these can cause a massive burden on the healthcare system, alternative therapies that promote wound healing should be considered. Therapies of natural origins that are safe and with no adverse side effects are especially promising. Vietnam, a tropical-climate country, has many medicinal plants that possess the potential for healing wounds. This report explores the use of some common plants used in Traditional Vietnamese medicine and their molecular mechanisms.

In vitro and in silico Screening of Bioactive Compounds from Jasminum subtriplinerve Blume as α-glucosidase Inhibitor

In vitro and in silico Screening of Bioactive Compounds from Jasminum subtriplinerve Blume as α-glucosidase Inhibitor

Analysis of Registration Situations of Drugs from Medicinal Materials and Traditional Medicines in Vietnam Period 2009-2020

Vietnam not only has a long history in traditional medicines but also has a diversity of medicinal plants to this day. Therefore, since 2016, the Government has introduced that the production of available medicinal materials was prioritized field in the development of pharmaceutical industry. However, until now, there is still little research related to drugs from medicinal materials and traditional medicines in our country, so we conducted this research to provide an overview of the registration situation of this drug group in Vietnam throughout the period 2009-2020. The results showed that in 12 years, drugs from medicinal materials and traditional medicines had had 2985 registration numbers, accounting for 6.9% of all registered drugs. Among 11 effect groups based on traditional medicines, the group of heat-clearing, detoxifying, dispelling rashes, and diuresis ranked first with 21.0%. Domestic drugs accounted for a large amount, with 2814 numbers (94.3%). Capsules and tablets were the two dosage forms with the highest number, holding 54.6%. In terms of drug components of registered traditional medicines, there were 87 products in single-component form and more than 1200 products in combination form. Our country had 224 manufacturers of this drug group, and 81 of them achieved GMP. In general, the registration of drugs from medicinal materials and traditional medicines met the guidelines set out by the Government, and manufactured drugs were qualified to serve the needs of people. However, in order to develop the field of drugs from medicinal materials and traditional medicines like other countries in Southeast Asia, in the coming years, Vietnam needs more support from the state management agencies and research efforts from pharmaceutical companies.
 Keywords: Registration number, Drugs from medicinal materials, Traditional medicines, Vietnam.
 References
 [1] The Government, Resolution No. 226-CP Regarding the Development of Traditional Ethnic Medicine in Close Combination with Modern Medicine, in Order to Build Vietnamese Medicine, Hanoi, 1978 (in Vietnamese).[2] The Government, Resolution No. 37-CP Strategic Orientation of People's Health Care and Protection in the Period 1996-2000 and Vietnam's National Drug Policy, Hanoi, 1996 (in Vietnamese).[3] The National Asembly, Law of Pharmacy, No. 105/2016/QH13, Hanoi, 2016 (in Vietnamese).[4] N. H. Trang, Analyzing and Evaluating the Group of Registered Traditional Medicines for Circulation in Vietnam Until 2006, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Management, Hanoi University of Pharmacy, 2006 (in Vietnamese).[5] N. T. H. Yen, T. H. Ngan, VNU Journal of Science: Situation Analysis of the Drug Registration in Vietnam from 2009 to 2019, Vol. 37, No. 2, 2021, pp. 2, https://doi.org/10.25073/2588-1132/vnumps 4297 (in Vietnamese).[6] World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia, Access to Medical Products in the South-East Asia Region 2019: Review of Progress, https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/32682, 2019 (accessed on: March 27th, 2021).[7] Ministry of Health, Health Statistics Yearbook 2018, Medical Publshing House, Hanoi, 2018 (in Vietnamese).[8] The Prime Minister, Decision No. 1893/QD-Ttg Issuing the Program of Developing Traditional Medicine, Combining Traditional Medicine with Modern Medicine by 2030, Hanoi, 2019 (in Vietnamese).[9] The Prime Minister, Decision No. 68/QD-Ttg Approving the National Strategy on Development of the Vietnam Pharmaceutical Industry up to 2020, with A Vision Toward 2030, Hanoi, 2014 (in Vietnamese).[10] Drug Administration of Vietnam, List of Manufacturers of Drugs and Drug Materials in Vietnam that Satisfy the GMP Standards, https://dav.gov.vn/danh-sach-cssx-thuoc-nguyen-lieu-lam-thuoc-tai-vn-dap-ung-tieu-chuan-gmp-cap-nhat-den-ngay-0892020-n2930.html/, 2020 (accessed on: September 25th, 2020) (in Vietnamese).[11] Ministry of Health, Decision No. 3657/QD-BYT Issuing the List of 100 Medicinal Materials with High Medical and Economic Values to Focus on Development in 2020-2030, Hanoi, 2019 (in Vietnamese).[12] Ministry of Health, Circular No.19/2018/TT-BYT Introducing List of Essential Medicines, Hanoi, 2018 (in Vietnamese).[13] Ministry of Health, Circular No.05/2015/TT-BYT Promulgation of List of Oriental Medicines, Herbal Medicines and Traditional Ingredients Covered by Health Insurance, Hanoi, 2015 (in Vietnamese).[14] N. V. Cuong, Pharmaceutical Industry Update Report April 2020, http://www.fpts.com.vn/FileStore2/File/2020/04/10/Pharmaceutical_Update_Report_Apr2020_108753a8.pdf/, 2020 (accessed on: March 20th, 2021) (in Vietnamese).[15] Traphaco Joint Stock Company, Annual Report 2020, http://traphaco.com.vn/upload/files/20210322_TRA_AR2020%20-%20kyduyet%20(1).pdf/, 2020 (accessed on March 20th, 2021) (in Vietnamese).[16] The Prime Minister, Decision No. 1976/QD-Ttg Approving the Master Plan on Medicinal Plant Development Through 2020, with Orientations Toward 2030, Hanoi, 2013 (in Vietnamese).

Effect of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch extract on proliferation and cardiogenic pre-differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

BackgroundVietnamese medicine tried and tested certain bioactive compounds from plants to increase the rate of tissue immunomodulation, regeneration, and differentiation. Although there are many research papers discovered about phytochemicals of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and differentiation induction potential of some substances purified from this herbal, it finds difficult to seek research that investigated the effect of hot water-extracted R. glutinosa Libosch (RGE) on proliferation and cardiogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, even though it has commonly been used for a long time because of its function as a restorative and as a critical role in cardiovascular treatment in traditional.ResultsOur research indicated that RGE has many predicted bio-pharmacological effects, and the RGE is demonstrated that it is non-toxic to UC-MSCs (IC50 = 1274 ppm). It also stimulates the proliferation and migration of UC-MSCs at various concentrations, especially at the RGE concentration of 50 ppm, during four days of treatment. On the other hand, the RGE can induce the cardiac pre-differentiation process from the fifth day to the fifteenth day after treatment, which was proven through both molecular and cellular (morphology evidence) levels like the up-regulation of GATA4, Nkx2.5, cTnT α-MHC, Desmin genes; the expression of Desmin protein, the appearance of two-nuclei cells, connecting process of adjoining cells, the cytoplasmic striations.ConclusionThe RGE could either stimulate proliferation–migration of MSCs or induce the cardiac pre-differentiation process. This extract can be classified as non-toxic to the UC-MSCs.

The Unique Phenomena in the Meeting between Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese and Vietnamese Medicine during the 17th and 18th Centuries

Based on academic achievements of, primarily, Chinese and Vietnamese researchers including materials recorded in the form of writings, reports, diaries, and letters sent to Europe by Western missionaries operating in China and Vietnam in the 17th and 18th centuries, and at the same time combining the application of two main research methods of Science and History (historical method and logical method) with other research methods (systematization, analysis, synthesis, statistics, etc.) and especially the comparative method, this article aims to clarify two points of focus. The first is the open attitude of Chinese and Vietnamese rulers in accepting Western medical achievements and the positive, respectful, and admiring views of some missionaries towards different aspects of traditional Chinese and Vietnamese medicine. The second is the contradiction in some Western missionaries' perception and actions when they criticized the superstition in the way of disease diagnosis and treatment of the Vietnamese and Chinese, especially the Taoist priests, however they committed to such approaches in the process of examining and treating indigenous people. The study of some of the phenomena that arose during the connections made between Western medicine and traditional Chinese and Vietnamese medicine in the 17th and 18th centuries as mentioned above would make a certain contribution to the study of the history of the East-West cultural exchange in China and Vietnam in general, as well as the medical history in the two countries, in particular during this period.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activities of Extracts of Combretum quadrangulare Kurz Leaves Grown in An Giang Province, Vietnam

Combretum quadrangulare leaves are an important herbal in traditional Vietnamese medicine due to their ability to cure various diseases and improve health. This study provided the investigation results of different organic solvents that affected the chemical composition, the extraction of polyphenol and flavonoid content, the antioxidant activity of Combretum quadrangulare extract obtained through the maceration method. Several classes of constituents in the extract of Combretum quadrangulare leaves were detected including flavonoids, volatile oils, tannins, etc. The ethanol extract had the highest polyphenol content found at 18.45 ± 0.12 mg GAE/g extract. The diethyl ether leaves extract observed the highest falonoid with a value of 21.19 ± 0.05 mg QE/g in. The antioxidant activities were shown through the IC50 values of 1514.50 ± 25.65 µg/ml (DPPH) and 685.15 ± 8.58 µg/ml (ABTS), individually.

Bioassay-Guided Discovery of Potential Partial Extracts with Cytotoxic Effects on Liver Cancer Cells from Vietnamese Medicinal Herbs

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent type of primary liver cancer and is the leading cause of cancer mortality in Vietnam. Our study aims to discover the partial extracts with the potential cytotoxic effects on HCC cells from the different parts of 24 Vietnamese medicinal plants traditionally used in liver cancer treatment. Out of 52 crude methanol extracts, we found that Luvunga scandens leaves, Hyptis suaveolens roots, and Solanum torvum leaves showed the notable cytotoxic effects against HCC cells. After that, we carried out partial extract of the three methanol extracts with ethyl acetate, water, n-hexane, and 90% methanol. The cytotoxic activity on Huh-7 HCC cells, antioxidant capacity, and total flavonoids content (TFC) of each partial extraction were determined. Methanol, ethyl acetate, and 90% methanol extracts showed moderate to strong cytotoxicity activity against Huh-7 HCC cells. Notably, the ethyl acetate and 90% methanol extract from H. suaveolens roots with high TFC values and strong antioxidant capacity could be promising sources of novel therapeutic modalities for HCC treatment. For the leaves of L. scandens and S. torvum, the ethyl acetate extract showed high TFC value and promising anti-HCC activity, therefore recommended further studies.