RECENT RESEARCH the efficacy , effectiveness , and safety of European / Western phytotherapy ( PT ) and medications from anthroposophic medicine ( AM ) in individuals with SAR .
Methods : Four electronic databases were screened for clinical studies published between January 1990 and March 2023 . The results were qualitatively synthesized and the study quality was assessed .
Results : In total , 14 studies were included , 11 from European / Western PT and three from AM . About half of the studies were rated as being of sufficient quality . The most frequently studied plant was Petasites hybridus ( butterbur ), showing beneficial effects on immunological parameters , subjective symptoms , and nasal airflow . Beneficial immunological and clinical effects were also shown for an herbal preparation combining Citrus limonis ( lemon ) and Cydonia oblonga ( quince ). The medications examined by studies of sufficient quality were judged to be safe .
Conclusion : In summary , this systematic review highlights two herbal preparations , one from European / Western PT and one from AM , that appear to be promising options in the treatment of SAR .
Firdaus A , Yunus MH , Izhar SK , Afaq U . Medicinal plants in the treatment of respiratory diseases and their future sapects . Recent Pat Biotechnol . 2025 ; 19 ( 1 ): 2-18 . doi : 10.2 174 / 0118722083278561231212072408
The utilization of medicinal plants in the treatment of respiratory diseases has a rich history dating back centuries . A vast body of research literature , including review articles , research papers , case studies , patents , and books , provides substantial evidence supporting the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases and injuries . This study delves into the diverse range of plant species known for their therapeutic properties , with a specific focus on their applications in respiratory health . Medicinal plants have played a crucial role as a source of ingredients for medications and the synthesis of drugs .
Globally , over 35,000 plant species are employed for medicinal purposes , particularly in emerging countries where traditional medicine , predominantly plant-based pharmaceuticals , serves as a primary healthcare resource . This review highlights the significance of medicinal plants , such as aloe , ginger , turmeric , tulsi , and neem , in treating a wide array of common respiratory ailments . These plants contain bioactive compounds , including tannins , alkaloids , sugars , terpenoids , steroids , and flavonoids , which have diverse therapeutic applications . Some medicinal plants , notably Echinacea purpurea and Zingiber officinale , exhibit potential for adjuvant symptomatic therapy in respiratory conditions , such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ), bronchitis , asthma , the common cold , cough , and whooping cough . The leaves of medicinal plants like Acacia torta , Ocimum sanctum , Mentha haplocalyx , Lactuca virosa , Convolvulus pluricaulis , and Acalypha indica are commonly used to address pneumonia , bronchitis , asthma , colds , and cough . This review aims to shed light on specific medicinal plants with therapeutic value , providing valuable insights for researchers in the field of herbal medicine . These plants hold the potential to serve as novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of respiratory diseases .
Wang R , Li Y , Ji J , Kong L , Huang Y , Liu Z , Lu L . The emerging role of herbal medicines in cancer by interfering with posttranslational modifications . Antioxid Redox Signal . 2025 Jan ; 42 ( 1-3 ): 150-164 . doi : 10.1089 / ars . 2023.0418
Significance : Herbal medicines have a long history of comprehensive cancer treatment through various posttranslational modifications ( PTMs ). Recently , emerging evidence revealed that dysregulation of reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) and ROS-regulated signaling pathways influence cancer initiation , growth , and progression in a paradoxical role with either low levels or increasing levels of basal ROS . However , ROS-triggered modifications of target proteins in the face of ROS-mediated signal transduction are not fully understood in the anticancer therapies of herbal medicines . In this review , we briefly introduce the PTM-dependent regulations of herbal medicines , and then focus on the current ideals that targeting ROS-dependent PTMs via antioxidant and redox signaling pathways can provide a promising strategy in herbal-based anticancer effects .
Recent Advances : Advanced development in highly sensitive mass spectrometry-based techniques has helped utilize ROS-triggered protein modifications in numerous cancers . Accumulating evidence has been achieved in laboratory to extensively ascertain the biological mechanism of herbal medicines targeting ROS in cancer therapy . Two general mechanisms underlining ROS-induced cell signaling include redox state and oxidative modification of target protein , indicating a new perspective to comprehend the intricate dialogues between herbal medicines and cancer cellular contexts .
Critical Issues : Complex components of herbal medicines limit the benefits of herbal-based cancer therapies . In this review , we address that ROSdependent PTMs add a layer of proteomic complexity to the cancer through altering the protein structure , expression , function , and localization . Elaborating ROS-triggered PTMs implicated in cell signaling , apoptosis , and transcriptional regulation function , and the possible cellular signaling , has provided important information about the contribution of many ROS targeting herbal therapies in anticancer effects . Continued optimization of proteomic strategies for PTM analysis in herbal medicines is also briefly discussed .
Future Directions : Rigorous evaluations of herbal medicines and proteomic strategies are necessary to explore the aberrant regulation of ROS-triggered antioxidant and redox signaling contributing to the novel protein targets and herbal-associated pharmacological issues . These efforts will eventually help develop more herbal drugs as modern therapeutic agents . Antioxid . Redox Signal . 42 , 150-164 .
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