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
Acupuncture has been postulated to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. We report the secondary outcomes through week 52 of a pragmatic randomised controlled trial that evaluated the effectiveness of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) collaborative model of care (TCMCMC) involving acupuncture in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Primary and exploratory outcomes reported previously showed that the intervention group had improved spinal pain, disease activity and disease-specific quality of life at week 6. Eligible patients with active axSpA were randomised to intervention or control group. The intervention group received TCMCMC (10 TCM consultations and acupuncture over the first five weeks). Both intervention and control groups received usual rheumatologic care. Secondary outcomes through 52 weeks over follow-up time-points at weeks 6, 12, 24 and 52 included spinal pain, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score (BAS-G), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), 36-item Short Form survey (SF-36) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life (ASQoL). Repeated measures analyses were conducted using linear mixed models. A total of 139 patients were recruited, with 70 and 69 assigned to the intervention and control group respectively. Using a linear mixed model, the average treatment effects across weeks 6, 12, 24 and 52 for spinal pain, BASDAI, BASFI, HAQ, BAS-G, SF-36 Physical Component Summary, SF-36 Mental Component Summary and ASQoL were not statistically significant. The TCMCMC approach showed short-term benefits in spinal pain, disease activity and disease-specific quality of life at week 6 compared to usual rheumatologic care, but benefits were not sustained through 52 weeks. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03420404 (registered on 14 February 2018).
For several years, psychosocial rehabilitation programs have been offered to psychiatric patients as a complement to pharmacological treatment. These programs include Equine-Assisted Services (EAS). Horses are social, highly attentive, and emotionally sensitive animals, making equine-assisted interventions a particularly suitable complementary therapy. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current state of knowledge regarding the effects of EAS on biopsychosocial outcomes in psychiatry. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, Embase, EBSCOhost, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched up to February 10, 2026. Only primary research articles in English or French targeting populations with diagnosed psychiatric conditions, involving live horses, and reporting qualitative or quantitative biopsychosocial outcomes were included. Reviews and meta-analyses were excluded. Study quality was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, and data were analyzed using spreadsheets and pivot tables. Out of 888 identified records, 107 articles were included, representing 3,097 participants (65
The consumption of food item, delicacy, or herb such as Zingiber officinale (Roscoe) rhizome that are rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties improve the quality of life. Ginger rhizome has been utilized in traditional medicine for centuries for its therapeutic properties. The dominant compound in the rhizome of ginger obtained in various regions determine bioactivities and extent of usage by users. In this study, the chemical composition of ginger rhizome extracts, as well as their in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasite, and cytotoxicity properties were explored using standard assays. The rhizome was sequentially extracted with ethyl acetate after defatting and analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays, while anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the red blood cell membrane stabilization method. The GC-MS analysis identified twenty-three compounds, with zingerone (19.01
Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) essential oil (EO) possesses well-known antimicrobial properties; however, its high volatility and chemical instability limit its therapeutic applications. In the present study, Ajwain EO was nanoencapsulated within chitosan nanoparticles and subsequently incorporated into an HPMC hydrogel to improve its stability and antibacterial performance. GC–MS analysis revealed thymol, p-cymene, and γ-terpinene as the major constituents of the EO. Chitosan nanoparticles prepared by ionic gelation exhibited an average particle size of 132 ± 7 nm with good colloidal stability (zeta potential − 44 ± 3 mV) and demonstrated high encapsulation efficiency (68 ± 3
Postnatal massage (PNM) is a traditional practice often provided by traditional midwives and is classified as a complementary component of modern postpartum care aimed at supporting maternal physical recovery and well-being after childbirth. In Malaysia, PNM is culturally embedded and practiced alongside other traditional modalities; however, nationally representative evidence on its utilization and determinants remains limited. Data from the 2022 National Health and Morbidity Survey, a nationwide cross-sectional study were utilized. A multistage sampling design based on enumeration blocks and living quarters was employed to achieve national representativeness of postpartum mothers with children aged less than six months. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire that underwent expert review and face validation. The questionnaire captured sociodemographic characteristics and utilization of traditional postnatal confinement practices, with a primary focus on PNM, while also collecting information on other modalities such as hot compression, body wrapping, herbal baths, and ingestion of herbal products. Complex sample descriptive analyses, cross-tabulations, and multivariable logistic regression were performed using IBM SPSS version 29.0. A total of 1,277 postpartum mothers were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of PNM was 70.4
Gastric cancer (GC) has a generally unfavorable prognosis. Elderly patients often tolerate dual-drug chemotherapy poorly, experience limited benefits from monotherapy, and face high rates of postoperative recurrence and metastasis. To address this unmet clinical need, this study evaluates the efficacy and safety of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu Decoction (YHJD) combined with chemotherapy in preventing recurrence and metastasis in elderly patients with stage II/III GC after surgery. This is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted across twelve hospitals in China. A total of 302 elderly GC patients (age ≥ 65 years) with pathological stage pII/pIII after D2 resection will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into the experimental group (n = 151) and the control group (n = 151). Patients will receive a 6-month treatment. The primary outcome is disease-free survival (DFS), and secondary outcomes include overall chemotherapy completion rate, overall survival (OS), Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, and quality of life (QoL) assessments. Safety indicators such as adverse events (AEs), as well as exploratory analyses including big data analytics and gut microbiota diversity, will also be evaluated. Subgroup analyses will be conducted to explore the heterogeneity of YHJD effects. The results of this randomized controlled trial will provide objective evidence for evaluating YHJD as an adjuvant therapy after GC surgery, contributing to an integrated treatment strategy combining TCM and chemotherapy to prevent postoperative recurrence and metastasis in elderly GC patients. International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, available at: http://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn/. Trial Registration number: ITMCTR2025001062. Registered on 09 May 2025.
The extraction of medicinal plants has received attention due to their antioxidant and enzymatic properties and their potential in herbal remedies. In this study, the antioxidant activity, inhibitor effect of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme, and phytochemical content of two different varieties of Olea europaea L. extracts (Olea europaea L. Ayvalik, Olea europaea L. Gemlik), which were obtained using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UE) that has two different solvents and two different extraction times, were evaluated using Spectrophotometric assays and Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-UV (UPLC-UV) analysis. The hydroalcoholic extracts from Olea europaea L. Ayvalik specie obtained by a 30-min UE procedure exhibit the highest rosmarinic acid content (8.42 ± 0.02 µg/mL extract), as well as a significant inhibitor effect of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme (IC50 334.64 ± 1.16 µg/mL), and Olea europaea L. Gemlik specie obtained by a 15-min UE has the the highest antioxidant capacity with EC50 211.75 µg/mL. In addition, the contribution of rosmarinic acid content to the diuretic activity of Olea europaea L. extracts was revealed for the first time using a new proposed UPLC-UV method. The hydroalcoholic extracts from the leaves of Olea europaea L. represent a potential source of rosmarinic acid and exhibit beneficial antioxidant and diuretic properties in pharmaceuticals, food supplements, nutraceuticals, and as a herbal remedy.
