RECENT RESEARCH
all age groups and is characterized by metabolic dysfunction . The efficacy of existing pharmaceutical interventions for the treatment of PCOS remains inadequate . With a rich history and cultural significance spanning thousands of years , Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM ) is extensively employed for treating a variety of ailments and can serve as a supplementary therapy for managing PCOS . Multiple clinical observations and laboratory tests have unequivocally demonstrated the substantial effectiveness and safety of TCM formulae in treating PCOS , and further investigations are currently in progress .
Aim of the study : To summarize the TCM formulae commonly employed in the clinical management of PCOS , examine their therapeutic benefits , investigate their mechanism of action , active constituents , and establish the correlation between efficacy , mechanism of action , and active constituents .
Materials and methods : We conducted a comprehensive search on PubMed , Web of Science , and China national knowledge infrastructure ( CNKI ) using the following keywords : " Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ", " Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoctions ", " Traditional Chinese Medicine formulae ", " Traditional Chinese Medicine ", " Clinical Observation ", " Mechanism ", " Treatment ", " Pharmacology ", and various combinations of these terms . From January 1 , 2006 until October 7 , 2023 , ( inclusive ).
Results : This paper summarized the clinical effectiveness , mechanism of action , and active components of 8 TCM formulae for the treatment of PCOS . Our research indicates that TCM formulae can potentially treat PCOS by enhancing the levels of hyperandrogenism and other endocrine hormones , decreasing insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia , and controlling chronic low-grade inflammation , among other modes of action . In addition , we found an association between epigenetics and TCM formulae for the treatment of PCOS .
Conclusion : TCM formulae have specific advantages in the treatment of Polycystic
Ovary Syndrome ( PCOS ). They achieve therapeutic benefits by targeting several pathways and connections , attracting considerable interest and playing a vital role in the treatment of PCOS . TCM formulae can be used as an adjunctive therapy for the treatment of PCOS .
Aromatherapy
Shuang-Ran X , Liang M , Xin-Yu X , Shu Z , Hui- Miao X , Chang-Sheng X . Effects of aromatherapy on physical and mental health of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and / or chemotherapy : A meta-analysis . Chin J Integr Med . 2024 ; 30 ( 5 ): 449-457 . doi : 10.1007 / s11655- 024-3659-y
Background : Currently , aromatherapy is being increasingly utilized in clinical practice , particularly in managing the side effects associated with radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy . However , it remains to be established whether aromatherapy can effectively alleviate these symptoms .
Objective : To investigate the effects of aromatherapy on the physical and mental health of patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy .
Methods : Seven databases were researched from inception until September 29 , 2023 , including PubMed , Scopus , and Web of Science , Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure , Wanfang database , China Biology Medicine disc and VIP Chinese Medical Journal Database . Review Manager version 5.3 was utilized for data analysis . The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool RoB2 was employed to evaluate the quality of the literature included in the study . Evidence quality rating was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment , Development , and Evaluation ( GRADE ) approach through the GRADEpro GDT online tool .
Results : Nineteen studies involving 1,541 patients were included . Aromatherapy can alleviate nausea [ relative risk ( RR )= 0.64 , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ): 0.53 to 0.78 , P < 0.05 , I2 = 46 %; standardized mean difference ( SMD )= -0.86 , 95 % CI : -1.21 to -0.51 , P < 0.05 , I2 = 64 %] and vomiting ( RR = 0.54 , 95 % CI : 0.42 to 0.69 , P < 0.05 , I2 = 35 %; SMD = -1.28 , 95 % CI : -1.52 to
-1.03 , P < 0.05 , I2 = 92 %), improve sleep disorders [ mean difference ( MD )= -3.39 , 95 % CI : -3.95 to -2.84 , P < 0.05 , I2 = 0 %], relieve pain ( SMD = -1.58 , 95 % CI : -1.96 to -1.21 , P < 0.05 , I2 = 0 %), mitigate fatigue ( SMD = -1.28 , 95 % CI : -2.44 to -0.11 , P < 0.05 , I2 = 93 %) and enhance quality of life ( SMD = 0.50 , 95 % CI : 0.22 to 0.79 , P < 0.05 , I2 = 0 %) in cancer patients after radiotherapy and chemotherapy , but it may not have a significant effect on anxiety . The risk of bias was high in the included studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool RoB2 , and no studies were considered to be of high grade according to the GRADE system .
Conclusions : Aromatherapy is an efficacious , safe and economic adjunctive therapy for cancer patients , which can mend the physical symptoms and mental health of cancer patients . However , more high-quality studies are needed to verify it . ( PROSPERO registration No . CRD42023390171 ).
Naoko K , Tomomi Y . Associations between autonomic nervous system activity , cerebral blood flow , and essential oil preferences across the menstrual cycle . Integrative Medicine Reports . 2024 ; 3 ( 1 ). https :// doi . org / 10.1089 / imr . 2023.0032
Introduction : Essential oil preferences , which vary depending on an individual ' s physical and mental conditions , may trigger various emotions and affect autonomic nervous system ( ANS ) function and cerebral blood flow . This study aimed to investigate the relationship between essential oil preference during the menstrual cycle , ANS activity , and cerebral blood flow during a sniffing exercise .
Methods : An observational study integrating aromatherapy with slowpaced breathing was conducted . Eighteen women ( aged 20 – 22 years ) without olfactory impairments were categorized into two groups : those with strong symptoms perceived in the late luteal phase ( n = 10 ) and those with mild symptoms ( n = 8 ). The study assessed responses during the early follicular and late luteal phases and recorded preferences for the following four essential oils : pine sylvestre
108 | vol30 | no2 | JATMS