RECENT RESEARCH research papers published in peer reviewed journals including in vitro , in vivo , human and animal studies . The search included the databases CINAHL , MEDLINE , Cochrane Library , Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection and AMED . Identified studies were appraised independently by two reviewers using the MMAT appraisal instrument . An integrative approach was taken to analysis .
Results : Thirteen studies were included . Five were laboratory studies using animal and human tissue , two were experiments using animals , and six were human studies . Included studies were published between 1941 and 2016 . Raspberry leaf has been shown to have biophysical effects on animal and human smooth muscle including the uterus . Toxicity was demonstrated when high doses were administered intravenously or intraperitoneally in animal studies . Human studies have not shown any harm or benefit though one study demonstrated a clinically meaningful ( though non-statistically significant ) reduction in length of second stage and augmentation of labour in women taking raspberry leaf .
Conclusions : Many women use raspberry leaf in pregnancy to facilitate labour and birth . The evidence base supporting the use of raspberry leaf in pregnancy is weak and further research is needed to address the question of raspberry leaf ’ s effectiveness .
Zheng JL , Wang SS , Shen KP . et al . and treated with UA . Cell viability was evaluated by CCK-8 assay . Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry . Apoptosis was identified by Hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry analysis . Activities of caspases were measured by commercial kits . Reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) was recognized by DCFH- DA fluorescent staining . Anoikis was identified by EthD-1 fluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis . Expression and phosphorylation of proteins were analyzed by western blot .
Results : UA inhibited RKO cell viability in both a dose- and time-dependent manner . UA arrested the cell cycle at the G0 / G1 phase , and induced caspasedependent apoptosis . UA inhibited Bcl-2 expression and increased Bax expression . In addition , UA up-regulated the level of ROS that contributed to UA activated caspase-3 , − 8 and − 9 , and induced apoptosis . Furthermore , UA inhibited cell growth in a detached condition and induced anoikis in RKO cells that was accompanied by dampened phosphorylation of FAK , PI3K and AKT . UA also inhibited epithelialmesenchymal transition ( EMT ) as indicated by the down-regulation of N-Cad expression and up-regulation of E-Cad expression .
Conclusions : UA induced caspasedependent apoptosis , and FAK / PI3K / AKT singling and EMT related anoikis in RKO cells . UA was an effective anti-cancer compound against both anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of RKO cells . with some evidence of effectiveness for acute bronchitis . However , it is not yet widely recommended by medical professionals in the UK . There is a need to undertake appropriately designed randomised trials to test its use as an alternative to antibiotics . The aim was to assess the feasibility of conducting a double-blind randomised controlled trial of Pelargonium sidoides root extract for treatment of acute bronchitis in UK primary care , investigating intervention compliance , patient preference for dosage form and acceptability of patient diaries .
Study design : Feasibility double-blind randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial .
Methods : We aimed to recruit 160 patients with cough ( ≤ 21 days ) caused by acute bronchitis from UK general practices . Practices were cluster-randomised to liquid or tablet preparations and patients were individually randomised to Kaloba ® or placebo . We followed participants up for 28 days through self-reported patient diaries with telephone support and reviewed medical records at one month . Outcomes included recruitment , withdrawal , safety , reconsultation and symptom diary completion rates . We also assessed treatment adherence , antibiotic prescribing and consumption , mean symptom severity ( at days 2 – 4 after randomisation ) and time to symptom resolution . We interviewed 29 patients and 11 health professionals to identify barriers and facilitators to running such a randomised trial .
Ursolic acid induces apoptosis and anoikis in colorectal carcinoma RKO cells . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2021 , 21 , Article no . 52 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-021-03232-2
Background : Ursolic acid ( UA ) is an anti-cancer herbal compound . In the present study , we observed the effects of UA on anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of human colorectal cancer ( CRC ) RKO cells .
Methods : RKO cells were cultured in conventional and detached condition
Willcox M , Simpson C , Wilding S . et al .
Pelargonium sidoides root extract for the treatment of acute cough due to lower respiratory tract infection in adults : a feasibility double-blind , placebo-controlled randomised trial . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2021 , 21 , Article 48 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-021-03206-4
Background : Pelargonium sidoides DC ( Geraniaceae ) root extract , EPs ® 7630 or “ Kaloba ®”, is a widely used herbal remedy for respiratory infections ,
Results : Of 543 patients screened , 261 were eligible , of whom 134 ( 51 %) were recruited and 103 ( 77 %) returned a completed diary . Overall , 41 % ( 41 / 100 ) of patients took antibiotics ( Kaloba ® liquid group : 48 % [ 15 / 31 ]; placebo liquid group : 23 % [ 6 / 26 ]; Kaloba ® tablet group : 48 % [ 9 / 21 ]; placebo tablet group : 50 % [ 11 / 22 ]). Most patients adhered to the study medication ( median 19 out of 21 doses taken in week 1 , IQR 18 – 21 - all arms combined ). There were no serious adverse events relating to treatment . Most patients interviewed found study
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