RECENT RESEARCH business challenges , professional collaboration , and professional identity , respectively .
Conclusions : Participants were generally content with their decision to become a naturopath . However , most were confronted by a range of challenges as they transitioned from graduate to practitioner , for which many felt illprepared . In light of the complexity of the issue , and the potential impact on the sustainability of the profession , it is evident that a multi-pronged , multistakeholder approach would be needed to better support graduate naturopath transition to practice .
Herbal medicine
Murad HAS , Alqurashi TMA , Hussien MA .
Interactions of selected cardiovascular active natural compounds with CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors : a molecular docking , molecular dynamics , and pharmacokinetic / toxicity prediction study . BMC Complement Med Ther , 2022 ; 22 , 35 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906- 021-03488-8
Background : The chemokine CXCL12 and its two receptors ( CXCR4 and CXCR7 ) are involved in inflammation and hematopoietic cell trafficking . This study was designed to investigate molecular docking interactions of four popular cardiovascular-active natural compounds ; curcumin , resveratrol , quercetin , and eucalyptol ; with these receptors and to predict their drug-like properties . We hypothesize that these compounds can modify CXCL12 / CXCR4 / CXCR7 pathway offering benefits for coronary artery disease patients .
Methods : Docking analyses were carried and characterized by Molecular Environment ( MOE ) software . Protein Data Bank ( www . rcsb . org /) has been retrieved from protein structure generation and crystal structures of CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors ( PDB code = 3ODU and 6K3F ). The active sites of these receptors were evaluated and extracted from full protein and molecular docking protocol was done for compounds against them . The presented parameters included docking scores , ligand binding efficiency , and hydrogen bonding . The pharmacokinetic / toxic properties ( ADME / T ) were calculated using SwissADME , ProTox-II , and Pred-hERG softwares to predict druglike properties of the compounds . The thermochemical and molecular orbital analysis , and molecular dynamics simulations were also done .
Results : All compounds showed efficient interactions with the CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors . The docking scores toward proteins 3ODU of CXCR4 and 6K3F of CXCR7 were − 7.71 and − 7.17 for curcumin , − 5.97 and − 6.03 for quercetin , − 5.68 and − 5.49 for transresveratrol , and − 4.88 and − 4.70 for ( 1 s , 4 s ) -eucalyptol respectively indicating that all compounds , except quercetin , have more interactions with CXCR4 than with CXCR7 . The structurally and functionally important residues in the interactive sites of docked CXCR4- complex and CXCR7-complex were identified . The ADME analysis showed that the compounds have drug-like properties . Only ( 1 s , 4 s ) -Eucalyptol has potential weak cardiotoxicity . The results of thermochemical and molecular orbital analysis and molecular dynamics simulation validated outcomes of molecular docking study .
Conclusions : Curcumin showed the top binding interaction against active sites of CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors , with the best safety profile , followed by quercetin , resveratrol , and eucalyptol . All compounds demonstrated drug-like properties . Eucalyptol has promising potential because it can be used by inhalation or skin massage . To our knowledge , this is the first attempt to find binding interactions of these natural agents with CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors and to predict their druggability .
Arabnezhad L , Mohammadifard M , Rahmani L et al .
Effects of curcumin supplementation on vitamin D levels in women with premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea : a randomized controlled study . BMC Complement Med Ther , 2022 ; 22,19 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906- 022-03515-2
Background : Vitamin D has an established role in female reproduction . There is also evidence for an association between vitamin D levels and menstrual problems such as premenstrual syndrome ( PMS ) and dysmenorrhea . Curcumin , is a bioactive polyphenol constituent of turmeric , that can potentially interact with vitamin D receptors and its molecular targets . This study evaluated the effects of curcumin on vitamin D levels in young women with PMS and dysmenorrhea .
Methods : In this randomized , tripleblind , placebo-controlled trial , women with PMS and dysmenorrhea were divided randomly into experimental and control groups to receive one capsule ( 500 mg of curcuminoid + 5 mg piperine , or placebo ) daily , from approximately 7 days before until 3 days after menstruation for three consecutive menstrual cycles . Serum vitamin D levels , renal function , and liver enzymes were also measured before and after intervention .
Results : A total of 76 subjects ( 38 in each group ) were recruited into the trial . Curcumin significantly increased the median ( IQR ) serum levels of vitamin D [ from 12.8 ng / ml ( 7.0 – 24.6 ) to 16.2 ng / ml ( 6.4 – 28.8 ); P = 0.045 ], compared with placebo [ from 18.6 ng / ml ( 2.2 – 26.8 ) to 21.3 ng / ml ( 5.2 – 27.1 ); P = 0.17 ]. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and direct bilirubin were reduced by the end of trial in the curcumin group ( p < 0.05 ), but did not change significantly in the control group ( p > 0.05 ). Finally , no significant differences in levels of fasting blood glucose were detected between curcumin and placebo groups .
Conclusion : Curcumin supplementation in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea led to a significant improvement of vitamin D , liver function enzyme test , but did not affect blood glucose .
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