RECENT RESEARCH
Conclusion : Current evidence from this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials shows that CAM , including acupuncture and hypnosis only , is effective in reducing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in children and young adults . More rigorous trials and long-term effects should be investigated if acupuncture and hypnosis are to be recommended for clinical use .
Herbal medicine
Margetts G , Kleidonas S , Zaibi NS , Zaibi MS , Edwards KD .
Evidence for anti-infammatory efects and modulation of neurotransmitter metabolism by Salvia ofcinalis L . BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies ( 2022 ) 22:131 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-022-03605-1
Background : Cognitive health is of great interest to society , with neuroinflammation and systemic inflammation age-related risk factors that are linked to declines in cognitive performance . Several botanical ingredients have been suggested to have benefits in this area including Salvia officinalis ( sage ), which has shown antiinflammatory effects and exhibited promising cognitive improvements in multiple human studies . The current study demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects for S . officinalis across a broad set of in vitro models in human cells , and adds further evidence to support modulation of acetylcholine and monoamine neurotransmitter levels as mechanisms that contribute towards the benefits of the herb on cognitive health .
Methods : The effect of S . officinalis extract on release of multiple cytokines and chemokines was measured in human primary intestinal epithelial cells treated with or without LPS stimulation , and Blood Brain Barrier ( BBB ) cells in presence or absence of recombinant IL-17A and / or Human IL- 17RA / IL-17R Antibody . Antioxidant effects were also assessed in BBB cells incubated with the extract and H2O2 . The antiinflammatory effects of S . officinalis extract were further assessed based on clinicallyrelevant biomarker readouts across 12 human primary cell-based disease models of the BioMAP Diversity PLUS panel .
Results : S . officinalis showed significant attenuation of the release of most cytokines / chemokines into apical media in LPS-stimulated intestinal cells , but small increases in the release of markers including IL-6 , IL-8 in basolateral media ; where TNF-α was the only marker to be significantly reduced . S . officinalis attenuated the release of CRP and VCAM- 1 from BBB cells under IL-17A induced conditions , and also decreased H2O2 induced ROS overproduction in these cells . Phenotypic profiling with the BioMAP Diversity PLUS Panel identified additional anti-inflammatory mediators , and based on a similarity search analysis suggested potential mechanistic similarity to caffeic acid and drugs known to inhibit COMT and MAO activity to modulate monoamine metabolism . Subsequent in vitro assessment showed that S . officinalis was able to inhibit the activity of these same enzymes .
Conclusions : S . officinalis extract showed anti-inflammatory effects across multiple human cell lines , which could potentially reduce peripheral inflammation and support cognitive health . S . officinalis extract also showed the ability to inhibit enzymes related to the metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters , suggesting possible dopaminergic and serotonergic effects acting alongside proposed cholinergic effects to mediate acute cognitive performance benefts previously demonstrated for the extract .
Al-Otibi FO , Alrumaizan GI , Alharbi RI .
Evaluation of anticandidal activities and phytochemical examination of extracts prepared from Vitex agnus-castus : a possible alternative in treating candidiasis infections . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2022 ; 22 , 69 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-022-03552-x
Background : Candidiasis infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality . Fungicidal resistance of some commercially used fungicides ascended the need for a naturally effective alternative . The current study aimed to evaluate the fungicidal activity of Vitex agnus-castus extracts in vitro against some Candida species .
Methods : The bioactive compounds contained in the crude and alcoholic extracts were compared , and the antioxidant activity was tested , as well . The phytochemical analysis was carried out by Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy ( FTIR ) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ( GC / MS ). The scavenger activity of the tested extracts was tested , as well . The anticandidal activity was tested to detect the effect of the tested extracts on the mycelial growth of Candida albicans , Candida krusei , Candida parapsilosis , Candia tropicalis , Candida famata , Candida rhodotorula , and Candida dublinesis . The minimum inhibitory concentrations were calculated for all reported activities . The Scanning Electron Microscopy ( SEM ) and the Transmission Electron Microscopy ( TEM ) were used to detect the morphological and ultrastructure response in some selected species .
Results : FTIR and GC / MS revealed the existence of different bioactive chemical groups such as polyphenols , fatty acids , terpenes , terpenoids , steroids , aldehydes , alcohols , and esters , phytol which is a diterpene . DPPH results confirmed the antioxidant activity of all extracts where the methanolic extract was the strongest scavenging substrate . All extracts showed strong inhibitory effects against different species at a concentration of 200 µ g / ml ( P < 0.001 ). SEM and TEM showed morphological and ultrastructure changes in C . famata .
Conclusion : The current study suggested a reliable antifungal activity of different extracts of Vitex agnus-castus against different Candida species and strains . However , further studies are required to confirm the safety of these extracts to be used in medical applications .
Vajrabhaya Lo , Korsuwannawong S , Ruangsawasdi N . et al .
The efficiency of natural wound healing and bacterial biofilm inhibition of Aloe vera and Sodium Chloride toothpaste preparation . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2022 ; 22 , 66 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-022-03548-7
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