RECENT RESEARCH
( Pinus sylvestris ), geranium bourbon ( Pelargonium X asperum ), lemongrass ( Cymbopogon flexuosus ), and lavender vera ( Lavandula angustifolia ). The autonomic nervous activity and cerebral blood flow were assessed in the early follicular and late luteal phases using the essential oils most and least preferred by each participant .
Results : Participants with stronger symptoms in the late luteal phase appeared to prefer lemongrass and dislike pine sylvestre , whereas those with milder symptoms in the late luteal phase preferred lavender vera and disliked lemongrass . Changes in ANS activity , marked by an increase in sympathetic function and a decrease in parasympathetic function during the sniffing exercise , persisted regardless of the menstrual cycle stage or essential oil preference . The inhalation of preferred essential oils stimulated cerebral blood flow , whereas less-preferred oils led to a reduction .
Conclusion : Essential oil preference in young women may be influenced by subjective symptoms during the menstrual cycle . Furthermore , essential oil preference affects cerebral blood flow . These findings have potential implications for aromatherapy practice .
Panyajai P , Viriyaadhammaa N , Tima S , Chiampanichayakul S , Dejkriengkraikul P , Okonogi S , Anuchapreeda S . Anticancer activity of Curcuma aeroginosa essential oil and its nano-formulations : cytotoxicity , apoptosis and cell migration effects . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2024 ; 24 ( 1 ): 16 . doi : 10.1186 / s12906-023- 04261-9
Background and aims : Curcuma aeruginosa , commonly known as “ khamin-dam ” in Thai , holds significance in Asian traditional medicine due to its potential in treating various diseases , having properties such as anti-HIV , hepatoprotective , antimicrobial and antiandrogenic activities . This study explores the anticancer activity of C . aeruginosa essential oil ( CAEO ) and its nanoformulations .
Methods : CAEO obtained from hydrodistillation of C . aeruginosa fresh rhizomes was examined by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy . Cytotoxicity of CAEO was determined in leukaemic K562 and breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines using an MTT assay . Cell cycle analysis and cell apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry . Cell migration was studied through a woundhealing assay .
Results : Benzofuran ( 33.20 %) emerged as the major compound of CAEO , followed by Germacrene B ( 19.12 %) and Germacrone ( 13.60 %). Two types of CAEO loaded nano-formulations , nanoemulsion ( NE ) and microemulsion ( ME ) were developed . The average droplet sizes of NE and ME were 13.8 ± 0.2 and 21.2 ± 0.2 nm , respectively . In a comparison with other essential oils from the fresh rhizomes of potential plants from the same family ( Curcuma longa , Curcuma mangga and Zingiber officinale ) on anticancer activity against K562 and MCF-7 cell lines , CAEO exhibited the highest cytotoxicity with IC50 of 13.43 ± 1.09 and 20.18 ± 1.20 µ g / mL , respectively . Flow cytometry analysis revealed that CAEO significantly increased cell death , evidenced from the sub-G1 populations in the cell cycle assay and triggered apoptosis . Additionally , CAEO effectively inhibited cell migration in MCF-7 cells after incubation for 12 and 24 h . The developed NE and ME formulations significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of CAEO against K562 cells with an IC50 of 45.30 ± 1.49 and 41.98 ± 0.96 µ g / mL , respectively .
Conclusion : This study ’ s finding suggest that both nano-formulations , NE and ME , effectively facilitated the delivery of CAEO into cancer cells .
Complementary and alternative medicine
Thomson-Casey C , McIntyre E , Rogers K , Adams J . Practice . Recommendations and referrals , perceptions of efficacy and risk , and selfrated knowledge regarding complementary medicine : A survey of Australian psychologists . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2024 ; 24 ( 1 ): 13 . doi : 10.1186 / s12906-023-04288-y
Background : Many people with mental health problems use a range of complementary medicine ( CM ), including over the counter products , practices , and utilise the services of CM practitioners . Psychologists are likely to consult with clients using CM , in some form , as part of their broader mental health care . The aim of this research was to determine the number of types of CM products , practices , and practitioners are recommended and / or referred by Australian psychologists as part of their clinical practice , as well as explore the relationship between psychologists ’ perspectives on the risk and relevance of engaging with CM in psychology .
Methods : Survey data was collected from psychologists in clinical practice who self-selected to participate in the study via an online 79-item questionnaire exploring core aspects of CM engagement in psychology clinical practice .
Results : Amongst the 201 psychologists , 5 % reported not recommending any type of CM , with 63 % recommending four or more types of CM . Further , 25 % had not referred to a CM practitioner , while 33 % had referred to four or more types of CM practitioner . Psychologists are recommending and referring to CM even when they perceive their knowledge of CM to be poor , and that engaging with CM was a risk .
Conclusion : This study provides insights into psychologist perceptions of CM within psychology practice and how these perceptions are associated with rates of recommending and referring to CM as part of their clinical practice . These findings may inform the development of CM relevant education and guidelines for psychologists .
Herbal medicine
Dattner AM . Herbal and integrative medicineassociated Improvement of viral-induced cervical and vaginal disorders : Case report . Integrative Medicine Reports . 2024 ; 1 ( 1 ). https :// doi . org / 10.1089 / imr . 2022.0055
Objective : Cervical cancer is a serious challenge , and pharmacologic nonsurgical
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