RECENT RESEARCH
( 0.32 ) inhibition while the MV essential oil showed the highest α-glucosidase inhibition ( 2.73 mmol ACAE / g ), followed by HD ( 2.53 mmol ACAE / g ), and SD ( 2.46 mmol ACAE / g ). The SD essential oil exhibited the highest BChE and AChE inhibitory activities ( 3.73 and 2.06 mg GALAE / g ), respectively ). Thus , bitter orange essential oil can act as a potential source of potent antioxidant , antidiabetic , and neuroprotective activities for future drug leads .
Complementary and alternative medicine
Møller SR , Ekholm O . & Christensen AI . Trends in the use of complementary and alternative medicine between 1987 and 2021 in Denmark . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2024 ; 24 , 23 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-023-04327-8
Background : Complementary and alternative medicine ( CAM ) has been widely and increasingly used worldwide during the past decades . Nevertheless , studies in long-term trends of CAM use are limited . The aim of this study was to assess long-term trends in the prevalence of CAM use ( both overall and for specific CAMs ) between 1987 and 2021 in the adult Danish population and to examine certain sociodemographic characteristics of CAM users .
Methods : Data derived from nationally representative health surveys in the general adult population ( ≥ 16 years ) in Denmark ( the Danish Health and Morbidity Surveys ) conducted in 1987 , 1994 , 2000 , 2005 , 2010 , 2013 , 2017 , and 2021 . The response proportion declined from 79.9 % in 1987 to 45.4 % in 2021 . CAM use was assessed by questions on ever use of specific types of CAMs and overall use within the past 12 months . Differences in use of CAMs across educational levels were assessed using the Slope Index of Inequality ( SII ).
Results : An overall increase in the prevalence of CAM use within the past 12 months was found between 1987 ( 10.0 %) and 2021 ( 24.0 %). However , a stagnation was observed between 2010 and 2017 , after which the prevalence decreased in 2021 . In all survey waves , the prevalence was higher among women than men . For both sexes , the prevalence tended to be highest among respondents aged 25 – 44 years and 45 – 64 years . The group with 13 – 14 years of education had the highest prevalence of CAM use compared to the other educational groups (< 10 years , 10 – 12 years , and ≥ 15 years ). SII values for both men and women increased between 1987 and 2021 , which indicates an increase in differences of CAM use across educational groups . In all survey waves the most frequently used CAMs included massage and other manipulative therapies , acupuncture , and reflexology .
Conclusions : The use of CAM has increased markedly within the last decades and recently stagnated at high levels , which underlines the importance of securing high quality information and education for the public , health professionals , and legislators to ensure and promote safe use of CAMs .
Herbal medicine
Shortt G , Shortt N , Bird G . et al . Mānuka oil based ECMT-154 versus vehicle control for the topical treatment of eczema : study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in community pharmacies in Aotearoa New Zealand . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2024 ; 24 , 61 ( 2024 ). https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-024-04358-9
Background : Eczema is a chronic , relapsing skin condition commonly managed by emollients and topical corticosteroids . Prevalence of use and demand for effective botanical therapies for eczema is high worldwide , however , clinical evidence of benefit is limited for many currently available botanical treatment options . Robustly-designed and adequately powered randomised controlled trials ( RCTs ) are essential to determine evidence of clinical benefit . This protocol describes an RCT that aims to investigate whether a mānuka oil based emollient cream , containing 2 % ECMT-154 , is a safe and effective topical treatment for moderate to severe eczema .
Methods : This multicentre , single-blind , parallel-group , randomised controlled trial aims to recruit 118 participants from community pharmacies in Aotearoa New
Zealand . Participants will be randomised 1:1 to receive topical cream with 2 % ECMT-154 or vehicle control , and will apply assigned treatment twice daily to affected areas for six weeks . The primary outcome is improvement in subjective symptoms , assessed by change in POEM score . Secondary outcomes include change in objective symptoms assessed by SCORAD ( part B ), PO-SCORAD , DLQI , and treatment acceptability assessed by TSQM II and NRS .
Discussion : Recruitment through community pharmacies commenced in January 2022 and follow up will be completed by mid-2023 . This study aims to collect acceptability and efficacy data of mānuka oil based ECMT-154 for the treatment of eczema . If efficacy is demonstrated , this topical may provide an option for a novel emollient treatment . The community-based design of the trial is anticipated to provide a generalisable result .
Kim S , Kim Y . & Cho SH . Effectiveness of Shugan Jieyu capsules for psychiatric symptoms of epilepsy : a systematic review and meta-analysis . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2024 ; 24 , 63 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-024-04361-0
Background : The relationship between epilepsy and depression is bidirectional . One condition exacerbates the other . However , there are no current guidelines for treating depression in epilepsy patients . In some cases , seizures worsen when antidepressants ( AD ) are prescribed or when they are discontinued due to adverse events . The Shugan Jieyu capsule , composed of Acanthopanax senticosus and Hypericum perforatum , is a widely used herbal medicine for treating depression . This study aimed to explore the effectiveness and safety of Shugan Jieyu capsules ( SJC ) in relieving depression in patients with epilepsy .
Methods : We searched English , Korean , Japanese , and Chinese databases in October 2023 to collect all relevant randomized clinical trials ( RCTs ). The primary outcomes were the depression scale scores and seizure frequency . The secondary outcomes were quality of life ( QoL ) and adverse events .
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