Despite the widespread belief that “natural” traditional remedies are inherently safe, limited scientific evaluation raises important safety concerns. Liver diseases account for over two million deaths annually worldwide, and numerous Ethiopian medicinal plants—including Clutia lanceolata (C. lanceolata), Amaranthus caudatus (A. caudatus), and Solanum incanum (S. incanum)—are traditionally used for their management despite the lack of sufficient toxicological evidence. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential toxicity of aqueous and 80
Herbal medicine (HM) is widely used in traditional Korean medicine (TKM); however, national databases primarily capture licensed HM products and may not fully reflect diverse formulations used in real-world practice. This study analyzed HM-related adverse event (AE) reports from an integrative medical center in Korea, focusing on reporting patterns, reported HMs and AEs, and differences between institutional reports and those submitted to the national pharmacovigilance agency. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of HM-related AE reports collected between January 2010 and December 2024 from the shared AE reporting databases of Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital and Dongguk University Ilsan Oriental Hospital. Reports in which HMs were recorded as suspected agents were included. We analyzed reporting characteristics, patient demographics, suspected HM types, AE profiles, and national pharmacovigilance submission status, and compared submitted and non-submitted reports. After duplicate removal, 454 HM-related AE reports were analyzed. Among the 38,367 AE reports handled during the study period, HM-related reports accounted for 1.2
Cancer-related pain is commonly managed with analgesics, including opioids; however, concerns regarding long-term use have underscored the need for complementary approaches. This study investigated the association between Korean medicine (KM) use and subsequent analgesic and opioid utilization among patients with gastric cancer. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort in Korea. Patients diagnosed with gastric cancer were classified as KM users or non-users based on outpatient KM utilization. Outcomes included any use of analgesics and opioids (yes/no) and the number of prescriptions during follow-up. Multivariable regression analyses were performed, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, including healthcare utilization. KM use was not significantly associated with the likelihood of analgesic or opioid use during follow-up. However, in adjusted analyses, KM use was associated with significantly lower prescription counts for both analgesics and opioids. These findings suggest that KM use was associated with the intensity of medication use rather than overall use. Among patients with gastric cancer, KM use was associated with lower prescription counts for analgesics and opioids but was not significantly associated with the likelihood of analgesic or opioid use. These findings suggest a potential complementary role for KM in medication-based pain management, particularly in relation to medication burden. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
The genus Zehneria (Cucurbitaceae) comprises medicinal plants widely used in traditional healthcare systems across Africa and Asia. Species such as Zehneria scabra are traditionally employed to treat infectious diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, inflammatory conditions, and skin ailments. Although numerous studies have investigated the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of Zehneria species, the available evidence remains fragmented and is heavily weighted toward a single species, Zehneria scabra. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of the genus Zehneria, while explicitly noting where the evidence base is limited to this single species. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases without time restrictions. The search strategy used keywords related to Zehneria, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activity. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were screened using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and only original research articles reporting ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, or pharmacological data were included. Data were extracted and synthesized using a qualitative descriptive approach. A total of 1,188 records were identified, of which 1,173 remained after removing 15 duplicates; following title, abstract, and full-text screening, 40 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. The findings indicated that Zehneria scabra is the most extensively studied species and is widely used in traditional medicine for managing infectious and inflammatory conditions, gastrointestinal disorders, and skin diseases. Pharmacological studies demonstrated multiple biological activities, including antimicrobial, antiplasmodial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, wound-healing, antidiarrheal, and insecticidal effects. Phytochemical investigations revealed diverse bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and triterpenoids, including novel compounds with potential therapeutic relevance. The genus Zehneria represents a pharmacologically promising group of medicinal plants with substantial ethnomedicinal relevance supported by preclinical experimental evidence. However, further research is required to standardize extraction methods, evaluate safety and toxicity, and conduct clinical studies to support the development of evidence-based therapeutic applications. PROSPERO [CRD420261446650]. Overview of the evidence synthesis pathway from ethnomedicinal knowledge to phytochemical and pharmacological validation of the genus Zehneria.
Berry phytochemicals show anticancer effects and may reduce the progression of oral carcinoma. One possible target is the differential energy metabolism of transformed cells. We investigated the anticancer activity of cold-pressed lingonberry extract (LBE) on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Cells were treated with LBE (0.1
Polygonum posumbu is recognized for its therapeutic efficacy, particularly in traditional medicine for the treatment of hypertension. The aim of the current study was to examine the antihypertensive activity, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity of the plant and to characterize their bioactive phytochemical constituents using UHPLC-Orbitrap LC-MS/MS. P. posumbu leaf was extracted using 80
Flavonoids are a long-known, promising class of active compounds with proven anticancer activity, but the exact effects of butin, butein, and sulfuretin, isolated from heartwood extracts of Cotinus coggygria Scop., in chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells remain insufficiently defined. Flavonoids butin, butein, and sulfuretin showed cytotoxic activity against leukemia cells, but their mechanisms in K562 cells remain unknown. K562 cells were treated with extracts (ethanol, water, and methylene chloride/methanol) and compounds (butin, butein, and sulfuretin). Flow cytometry was used to determine cell cycle distribution and apoptosis activation after the treatment. Caspase inhibition was used to examine the cell death mode. Three independent mRNA-seq experiments were performed in K562 cells, followed by DGE analysis and pathway-level analyses using Reactome and KEGG GSEA, as well as network and pathway-cluster analyses. Transcriptome-wide analyses revealed overlapping, but compound-specific responses, with butein inducing the broadest transcriptional effect (809 DEGs), followed by butin (439 DEGs), and sulfuretin (299 DEGs), and 134 DEGs shared across all treatments. The transcriptomic profiles revealed compound-specific, partially overlapping responses. Butin treatment produced a transcriptional shift marked by suppression of RNA processing, mRNA splicing, translation initiation, and mitochondrial bioenergetics, including OXPHOS and TCA. Butein similarly induced coordinated downregulation of mitochondrial respiration, RNA maturation, mRNA maturation, and mRNA transport. Sulfuretin displayed a distinct pattern characterized by positive enrichment of stress, inflammatory, immune and proteasome-related pathways, alongside negative enrichment of RB1/E2F-associated G1/S transition programs. Investigation of the C. coggygria heartwood-derived flavonoids butin, butein, and sulfuretin indicates that these flavonoids promote transcriptomic reprogramming consistent with growth suppression, metabolic downshift, and activation of adaptive stress-response networks. These results provide a transcriptomic framework for further investigation of their antileukemic properties, which can be translated to other types of malignancy.
This study aimed to synthesize gold nanoparticles (GNPs) using quercetin (QU) biomolecule as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent and to evaluate its biointerface and biotherapeutic potential. The bio/nano-formulated QU-GNPs with crystalline structure from XRD pattern showed a maximum absorption peak of 532 nm by UV–Vis analysis. The spherical shape, average particle size of 33.1 ± 9 nm, and zeta potential of -26.9 mV were obtained by FE-SEM and DLS study for QU-GNPs. Elemental composition and mapping analysis of QU-GNPs, conducted through EDX, unequivocally identified the presence of the primary constituent elements: gold, carbon, and oxygen. This observation definitively corroborates the successful surface functionalization of the GNPs with QU moieties. Concurrently, TEM characterization ascertained an average particle diameter of 21.93 nm for the QU-GNPs. These GNPs displayed significant antioxidant activity with a DPPH radical scavenging percentage of 81.7
Quantitative studies have suggested that complementary therapies (including mind-body and art therapies) are relevant to support patients with chronic somatic diseases. The “Health Promotion Education” department of Nantes University Hospital created in 2012 an association entitled “Creative Health Factory” (Fabrique Créative de Santé) to provide psychosocial support for patients with chronic somatic diseases. Patients with chronic somatic diseases could attend free art and mind-body therapies. This research aims at qualitatively describing the emotional change experienced by patients with chronic somatic diseases who took part in a supportive program dealing with complementary therapies. Patients suffering from chronic somatic diseases were invited to take part in research studying the effects of art and mind-body therapies on emotion at Nantes University Hospital. They chose two therapeutic workshops to address the psychological and physical effects of complementary therapies: An art therapy workshop and a mind-body therapeutic workshop. On the 134 patients who attended the therapeutic workshops, 112 were interviewed six months after the first session, using non directive interviews. A reflexive thematic analysis was performed on the dataset to describe the emotional change experienced by the patients following the therapeutic workshops using Sphinx Quali Software. Three themes were created, reflecting change in “Self-awareness and acceptance”, a “Better emotional regulation” and “More self-regard and self-care” towards themselves. Despite limitations, the results of this qualitative study suggest that art and mind-body therapies could have favored the development of patients’ emotional skills and by extension the management of the emotional impact of the chronic somatic disease diagnosis. Training to develop emotional skills in patients with chronic somatic diseases could help them to manage the emotional impact of diagnosis. The protocol is registered on Clinical Trials (NCT02911207 ; registration date: September 20, 2016).
Breast cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, motivating the search for effective anticancer agents. Edible mushrooms are increasingly recognized as sources of bioactive anticancer compounds, yet the potential of Pleurotus eous, a species rich in phenolic and terpenoid constituents, remains unexplored. The methanolic extract of P. eous was characterized by GC-MS and evaluated for antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging and total phenolic content) and cytotoxicity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells (MTT assay), with doxorubicin as a positive control. Assays were performed in triplicate; data were analyzed by ANOVA with Tukey’s post-hoc test. GC-MS identified several phytochemicals, including carvacrol, quinic acid, and a cinnamic acid derivative, compounds with reported antioxidant and anticancer activity. The extract showed strong antioxidant activity (97.39
Warm compress represents a widely recommended non-pharmacological pain relief strategy in routine labor nursing care. This randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate the efficacy of perineal warm compress with a red bean pack, in comparison with standard nursing care, among women in the second stage of labor. This randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate the efficacy of perineal warm compress with a red bean pack, in comparison with standard nursing care, among women in the second stage of labor. The study was carried out at a maternity hospital in Shanghai, China, with 138 eligible women in the second stage of labor enrolled and randomly assigned to the experimental group or control group between May 20 and June 20, 2023. Participants in the experimental group received perineal warm compress using a red bean pack throughout the second stage of labor, whereas those in the control group received standard labor nursing care alone. Outcome assessments were performed at full cervical dilation (10 cm) and 30 minutes after warm compress initiation in the experimental group, and at 30 minutes after the start of maternal pushing in the control group. Data were collected via a demographic and obstetric characteristics questionnaire, the numerical pain rating scale, and a specialized warm compress evaluation form. In the experimental group, statistically significant differences were observed between pre- and post-intervention scores for pain intensity and maternal comfort following warm compress administration (p < 0.05). Conversely, no significant between-group differences were identified regarding maternal anxiety levels, self-control capacity, perineal length and elasticity, perineal trauma, 1-minute Apgar scores of neonates, or the duration of the second stage of labor (p = 0.201, 0.853, 0.301, 0.668, and 0.160, respectively). Perineal warm compress with a red bean pack proved to be a convenient and effective non-pharmacological approach to alleviate labor pain and enhance maternal comfort during the second stage of labor. These findings provided robust clinical evidence to inform evidence-based practice for non-pharmacological labor pain management in routine obstetric nursing care. We registered this study with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry center on 18th May 2023 and obtained the registration number ChiCTR2300071552. https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=196427 .
Traditional health services (THS) are widely used in Indonesia, but their sociodemographic patterning and relationship with cardiometabolic biomarkers remain unclear. THS use among adults with physician-diagnosed diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension was assessed, and its associations with glycemic, lipid, and blood-pressure profiles were examined. Data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey were analyzed for adults aged ≥ 15 years with complete exposure, biomarker, covariate, and survey-design data (n = 2,703). THS use during the previous 12 months was defined as the primary exposure. The outcomes assessed were HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Survey-weighted multinomial or binary logistic regression was applied, with stratification, clustering, and sampling weights incorporated. The false discovery rate was controlled using the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure, and propensity-score weighting was performed as a sensitivity analysis. THS use was reported by 1,309 respondents, corresponding to a weighted prevalence of 53
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a globally prevalent malignancy. However, HNC therapies often induce distressing symptoms that impair patients quality of life and treatment adherence. While non-pharmacological interventions are guideline-recommended for symptom management, a comprehensive overview of their current landscape is lacking. Guided by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) complex intervention framework, this scoping review aims to: (1) catalogue non-pharmacological interventions for HNC patients during the peri-chemoradiotherapy; (2) detail the outcome measures assessing their effectiveness; (3) examine intervention development methodologies and frameworks; (4) assess pilot testing and efficacy evaluations; (5) categorize and analyze facilitators and barriers of implementation. In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and other databases were searched from inception to May 2025. A total of 68 eligible studies were included in the present study. Nurses were the primary deliverers of these interventions, which were most frequently conducted in home settings. Interventions were categorized into 9 distinct categories, and main outcome measures could be classified into 6 categories. The results revealed the multifaceted complexities of implementing interventions across patient, healthcare provider, program design, and systemic levels. Given this scoping review only maps published literature without quality assessment or effect synthesis, the research demands summarized from included studies point to an urgent need for standardized, theory-driven, patient-centered non-pharmacological interventions integrated into HNC care pathways. Future trials are recommended to boost intervention adaptability, strengthen methodological standards, and improve the scalability and sustainability of non-pharmacological symptom management.
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), causes ovarian dysfunction before age 40, leading to menstrual irregularities, infertility, and long-term health risks such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) alleviates symptoms but fails to restore ovarian function. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted from September 2017 to May 2019 in Guangzhou, China. Seventy-two women were randomized to either the HYYK (n=48) or placebo group (n=24) for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes included menstrual resumption; secondary outcomes included follicle counts (antral follicle count [AFC] and dominant follicle count [DFC]), serum hormone levels (FSH, E2, AMH), and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) scores. The HYYK group showed significantly more menstrual cycles (P=0.027) and greater menstrual resumption efficiency (P=0.006). HYYK group had a higher number of DFC (P = 0.037) and total follicles (P = 0.017) after 4 weeks, as well as a higher AFC (P = 0.004) and total follicles (P = 0.011) after 12 weeks. No significant differences were observed in hormone levels. The MRS scores improved in the HYYK group, particularly for hot flushes (P=0.044) and heart discomfort (P=0.037). No severe adverse effects were reported. The HYYK formula is effective in restoring menstrual cycles, promoting follicular development, and alleviating menopausal symptoms in women with POI. This study was prospectively registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on the 14th of September 2017 (ID: ChiCTR-INR-17012674 ).
The global coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic drove significant interest in alternative options for disease prevention and treatment. Among these alternatives, natural remedies (NRs) gained considerable attention. This study aims to explore the frequency, usage patterns and perceptions regarding NRs for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 among adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and March 2021 using a self-administered questionnaire distributed through social media platforms. The study targeted UAE residents aged 18 and above. For the purpose of the study we defined adults in the UAE as individuals aged 18 and above. Collected data was analysed using SPSS version 26. A total of 382 responses were analyzed. Before the pandemic, 74.6
This study aimed to investigate the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of Quercus pyrenaica honey on pancreatic cancer. The azaserine-rat model was used. The animals were divided into five groups: control, honey, azaserine, therapeutic, prophylactic. After 11 weeks of follow-up, the pancreatic tissues of the rats were removed, and the atypical acinar cell foci (AACF), which are considered to be the precursor lesions of pancreatic cancer caused by azaserine, were microscopically examined and recorded. The groups were compared in terms of the quantitative measurements of AACF, cancer antigen 19–9, and C-reactive protein values. Both in the prophylactic group that was administered honey simultaneously with azaserine and in the therapeutic group that was administered honey three weeks after azaserine, the quantitative data of the AACF, namely the number of focus intersections per unit area, the ratio of the AACF size to the whole pancreas size, and the estimated number of foci per unit volume, were found to be significantly lower compared to the azaserine group (p < 0.05). Quercus pyrenaica honey exhibited this effect both prophylactically and therapeutically. The results of study will be more significant if supported by clinical studies in this field.
Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams (Family Asteraceae) and Warburgia ugandensis Sprague (Family Canellacea) are widely used in African traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus (DM), inflammatory diseases, and prostate and breast cancers. However, their inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and 15-soybean lipoxygenase (15-sLOX), and prostate and breast anticancer activities remain unexplored, except for a single 15-sLOX report on W. ugandensis. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate extracts of in vitro derived-A. africana tissues, namely in vitro leaf (IL) and in vitro root (IR), in comparison with traditionally used wild A. africana leaf (WL) and W. ugandensis stembark (WAB), for α-glucosidase and 15-sLOX inhibition, as well as anti-proliferative activity against prostate (DU145) and breast (4T1) cancer cell lines. Ethanolic extracts (80
Rehmanniae Radix (RR), obtained from Rehmannia glutinosa, is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Phenylethanoid glycosides are relatively stable during processing and represent important bioactive constituents of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (RRP). This study aimed to establish an integrated analytical strategy combining ultra-performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS), quantitative analysis of multi-components with a single marker (QAMS), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting for comprehensive quality evaluation of RRP. UPLC-ESI-MS was used to identify the major constituents of RRP. Seven phenylethanoid glycosides were quantitatively determined by a validated UPLC-photodiode array (UPLC-PDA) method using QAMS with acteoside as the internal reference. Relative correction factors (RCFs) obtained by the average-value and linear regression methods were compared with those of the external standard method (ESM). HPLC fingerprint analysis was performed to evaluate batch-to-batch consistency. Eight compounds were identified in RRP, and seven phenylethanoid glycosides were quantitatively determined using the QAMS method with acteoside as the internal reference. The method showed excellent linearity (r² ≥ 0.9994), good precision, stability, and recovery (98.62
Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by a progressive decline in muscle mass, resulting in decreased muscle strength and impaired physiological function. Mung bean has been considered a rich source of plant-based protein that contains high quantities of amino acids. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of mung bean hydrolysates through both in vitro and in vivo experiments related to muscle atrophy caused by dexamethasone (DEX). In vitro study was conducted to determine the potential benefits of mung bean on myotubes. C2C12 cells were treated with graded concentrations of mung bean hydrolysates for 24 h and 48 h. Cell viability, proliferation, membrane toxicity, LDH activity, ATP concentration, glucose consumption, and mRNA expressions of myostatin (Mstn) and myosin heavy chain 1 (Myh1) were evaluated. Additionally, Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: control, DEX, DEX with mung bean protein hydrolysates (250 or 500 mg/kg/day), and DEX with BCAA (600 mg/kg/day). After 10 days of DEX administration, body weight, muscle mass, and muscle strength were assessed, and muscle tissues were collected for further analysis. In vitro results demonstrated that mung bean hydrolysates promoted Myh1 expression and increased ATP concentration in C2C12 myotubes. Moreover, the hydrolysates significantly improved muscle strength and tension in rats treated with DEX. The insulin sensitivity improvement, which is associated with muscle glucose uptake and glycogen storage, was also observed, along with a significant increase in protein synthesis and a decrease in protein degradation markers. Furthermore, this study revealed the antioxidative effects of mung bean in atrophic muscles, as evidenced by the reduction of malondialdehyde level and the increased activity of antioxidant enzymes. These findings suggest that mung bean hydrolysates effectively enhanced myogenesis, ATP generation, and mitigated oxidative stress and muscle degradation, resulting in improved muscle functions in rats with DEX-induced muscle atrophy.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a significant role in Malaysia’s pluralistic healthcare system and acts as an important carrier of China-Malaysia health communication. However, systematic evidence on TCM knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) among the general urban population in Malaysia is still lacking, restricting evidence-based bilateral health collaboration. This cross-sectional study investigated TCM-related KAP among the Malaysian urban population, as well as their expectations for local TCM development and suggestions regarding China-Malaysia TCM exchanges and cooperation. Findings are expected to generate population-based evidence and support the design of targeted China-Malaysia cooperation strategies for TCM development, popularization and regulatory coordination. A cross-sectional study was conducted through face-to-face questionnaire surveys among Malaysian urban population from multiple states between June 3 and 29, 2025. A total of 316 questionnaires were distributed, and 300 valid responses were collected, yielding a valid response rate of 94.9
