RECENT RESEARCH
overweight or obese with a BMI > 25 kg / m2 ( n = 5 ), with the exception of two studies , one that recruited healthy adults with a BMI average of 26.5 kg / m2 and the second one utilised a population of children and adolescents with Prader- Willis Syndrome ( PWS ). Parameters assessing obesity , biochemical and appetite factors were analysed by carrying out a meta-analysis . Compared to placebo controlled group , C . fimbriata extract significantly reduced WC by 1.59 cm ( 95 % CI , − 3.07 to − 0.10 , p = 0.041 ) and WHR by 0.06 ( 95 % CI , − 0.12 to − 0.01 , p = 0.05 ) although no significant effects were seen on BW , BMI and HC . Biochemical and appetite parameters outcome on C . fimbriata consumption had no significant changes . Any side effects of individuals who ingested the extract were reported by few studies of which most common effects were constipation , diarrhoea , nausea and rashes .
Conclusion : Appetite parameters showed no significant changes and metabolic parameters did not improve with C . fimbriata supplementation therefore it is unlikely to recommend C . fimbriata as a weight loss supplement and an appetite suppressant .
Brochard S , Pontin J , Bernay B et al .
The benefit of combining curcumin , bromelain and harpagophytum to reduce inflammation in osteoarthritic synovial cells . BMC Complement Med Ther , 2021 ; 21 , 261 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-021-03435-7
Background : Osteoarthritis ( OA ) is the most common form of arthritis , affecting millions of people worldwide and characterised by joint pain and inflammation . It is a complex disease involving inflammatory factors and affecting the whole joint , including the synovial membrane . Since drug combination is widely used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases , a similar strategy of designing plant-derived natural products to reduce inflammation in OA joints may be of interest . In this study , we characterised the response of OA synovial cells to lipopolysaccharide ( LPS ) and investigated the biological action of the combination of curcumin , bromelain and harpagophytum in this original in vitro model of osteoarthritis .
Methods : Firstly , human synovial cells from OA patients were stimulated with LPS and proteomic analysis was performed . Bioinformatics analyses were performed using Cytoscape App and SkeletalVis databases . Additionally , cells were treated with curcumin , bromelain and harpagophytum alone or with the three vegetal compounds together . The gene expression involved in inflammation , pain or catabolism was determined by RT- PCR . The release of the encoded proteins by these genes and of prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2 ) were also assayed by ELISA .
Results : Proteomic analysis demonstrated that LPS induces the expression of numerous proteins involved in the OA process in human OA synovial cells . In particular , it stimulates inflammation through the production of proinflammatory cytokines ( Interleukin-6 , IL-6 ), catabolism through an increase of metalloproteases ( MMP-1 , MMP-3 , MMP- 13 ), and the production of pain-mediating neurotrophins ( Nerve Growth Factor , NGF ). These increases were observed in terms of mRNA levels and protein release . LPS also increases the amount of PGE2 , another inflammation and pain mediator . At the doses tested , vegetal extracts had little effect : only curcumin slightly counteracted the effects of LPS on NGF and MMP-13 mRNA , and PGE2 , IL-6 and MMP-13 release . In contrast , the combination of curcumin with bromelain and harpagophytum reversed lots of effects of LPS in human OA synovial cells . It significantly reduced the gene expression and / or the release of proteins involved in catabolism ( MMP-3 and -13 ), inflammation ( IL-6 ) and pain ( PGE2 and NGF ).
Conclusion : We have shown that the stimulation of human OA synovial cells with LPS can induce protein changes similar to inflamed OA synovial tissues . In addition , using this model , we demonstrated that the combination of three vegetal compounds , namely curcumin , bromelain and harpagophytum , have anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic effects in synovial cells and may thus reduce OA progression and related pain .
Homeopathy
van Haselen R .
Development of a Prognostic Factor Prediction Model in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain Treated with Homeopathy : An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis of Three Randomized Clinical Trials . Complement Med Res , 2021 ; 28 ( 1 ): 46-55
Background : Prognostic factor research methodology has not yet been applied to randomized clinical trial data of homeopathic medicines . Objectives : To investigate the principle of individualization in homeopathy by developing a prognostic factor prediction model .
Method : A pooled , in ¬ dividual patient data meta-analysis of 3 randomized trials ¬ investigating the efficacy of a homeopathic gel ( Spiroflor SRL ®) containing Rhus toxicodendron as a key ingredient in osteoarthritis of the knee and acute low back pain . The prognostic value of a predefined set of 5 typical R . toxicodendron symptoms was investigated by assessing treatmentby-symptom interactions on pain as an outcome measure in a regression model .
Results : The pooled dataset consisted of 284 patients in the Spiroflor SRL group and 275 patients in the control group . Adjusted for pain at baseline , a statistically significant effect modification for the symptoms '' numbness or tingling of the affected part '' (+ 2.0 mm VAS ; p = 0.02 ), '' amelioration by movement '' ( -5.6 mm VAS ; p = 0.01 ), and '' amelioration of pain by local heat '' (+ 7.0 mm VAS ; p = 0.02 ) was found .
Conclusions : Investigating aspects of treatment individualization in homeopathy using randomized trial data and standard meta-analytical techniques is possible . The symptom amelioration by local heat is of possible value as a homeopathic symptom ( prognostic factor ) predicting an increased likelihood of pain relief following treatment with the homeopathic product .
226 | vol27 | no4 | JATMS