RECENT RESEARCH
cancer patients ( intervention group : 568 , control group : 437 ) were included in this meta-analysis . The results demonstrated that the pain relief rate of experimental group ( WAA / WAA + drug intervention ) was better than that of control group ( analgesic drug intervention ), and the difference was statistically significant [ RR = 1.31 , 95 % CI : 1.15 ~ 1.49 , P < 0.01 ].
Conclusions : WAA has certain effect on cancer pain , and the effect of WAA combined with pharmacological intervention is better than that of drug therapy alone .
Aromatherapy
Mohammadifar M , Aarabi MH , Aghighi F . et al .
Anti-osteoarthritis potential of peppermint and rosemary essential oils in a nanoemulsion form : behavioral , biochemical , and histopathological evidence . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2021 , 21 , Article no . 57 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-021-03236-y
Background : This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nanoemulsion containing peppermint and rosemary essential oils in rats with osteoarthritis ( OA ).
Methods : In this experimental study , we prepared a nanoemulsion containing peppermint and rosemary essential oils by spontaneous emulsification and evaluated the nanoemulsion ’ s dermal irritation and toxicity . Investigating the analgesic effect of the nanoemulsion , we randomly assigned 36 male rats to 6 groups : Control ( saline injection into the knee ), osteoarthritis ( intraarticular injection of 2 mg monosodium iodoacetate ), and four groups of OA treated with nanoemulsion gel , nanoemulsion solution , rosemary and peppermint essential oil gel , or diclofenac sodium . Treatments were administered topically at a dose of 1 ml daily . Using behavioral tests , we assessed pain on days 1 , 4 , 7 , and 14 after injection . Finally , we did the histopathological and biochemical evaluation of rats ’ knee joints .
Results : There were no irritation signs on the animals ’ skin after receiving the nanoemulsion and no changes in the hematological and biochemical parameters of rats ’ blood compared to the control group . Receiving nanoemulsion decreased the mechanical ( P < 0.001 ) and thermal allodynia ( P < 0.05 ), thermal hyperalgesia ( P < 0.05 ), and ambulatory-evoked pain in comparison with the OA group . Also , the nanoemulsion receiving rats showed an increase in SOD and GPx activity and a decrease in MDA level . Histopathology of synovial tissues confirmed the results of behavioral and biochemical tests .
Conclusion : The nanoemulsion containing essential oils of peppermint and rosemary reduces osteoarthritis pain via increasing antioxidant capacity and improving the histopathological features of the rats ’ knee joint .
Ogidi CO , Ojo AE , Ajayi-Moses OB . et al .
Synergistic antifungal evaluation of over-the-counter antifungal creams with turmeric essential oil or Aloe vera gel against pathogenic fungi . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2021 , 21 , Article no . 47 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-021-03205-5
Background : The frequent incidence of fungal infection and widespread of antibiotic resistance are emergent concerns in public health . Hence , there is a need to harness the potential of natural bioactive compounds from plant towards treatment of fungal infection . Combination effect of antibiotic creams with natural products from plants is prospective strategy to produce new antifungal agent . This study therefore , revealed antifungal effect of combined Antifungal Creams ( AFCs ) with Turmeric Essential Oil ( TEO ) or Aloe vera Gel ( AVG ).
Methods : Phytochemicals and bioactive compounds in TEO and AVG were revealed using GC-MS . Bioactive compounds in plant extracts were compared to known compounds in database library of National Institute of Standards and Technology ( U . S .).
Antifungal activity and synergistic effect of AFCs with TEO or AVG were carried out using agar well diffusion method .
Results : Phenol , flavonoids , saponins , alkaloids , steroids , terpenoids and cardiac glycosides were present in TEO and AVG . GCMS revealed thirty-six ( 36 ) and eighteen ( 18 ) bioactive compounds in TEO and AVG , respectively . AFCs displayed zones of inhibition with values ranged from 5.0 to 14.3 mm , TEO was 5.0 to 11.0 mm and AVG was 8.0 to 11.7 mm against tested fungi . Minimum Inhibitory Concentration ( MIC ) by AFCs , TEO and AVG ranged from 1.25 to 10.0 mg / ml . Combinatory effects of AFCs with TEO or AVG revealed synergistic and indifferent properties .
Conclusion : Development of novel products using bioactive ingredients from plants with commercially available AFCs will serve as potential alternative therapy to cure dermatological infections with no side effects .
Herbal medicine
Bowman R , Taylor J , Muggleton S . et al .
Biophysical effects , safety and efficacy of raspberry leaf use in pregnancy : a systematic integrative review . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2021 , 21 , Article no . 56 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-021-03230-4
Background : Childbearing women have been using various herbs to assist with pregnancy , labour and birth for centuries . One of the most common is raspberry leaf . The evidence base for the use of raspberry leaf is however underdeveloped . It is incumbent on midwives and other maternity care providers to provide women with evidence-based information so they can make informed choices . The aim of this study was to review the research literature to identify the evidence base on the biophysical effects , safety and efficacy of raspberry leaf in pregnancy .
Methods : A systematic , integrative review was undertaken . Six databases were searched to identify empirical
42 | vol27 | no1 | JATMS