Pharmacological action of quercetin against testicular dysfunction: A mini review / 中西医结合学报

The testis is an immune-privileged organ susceptible to oxidative stress and inflammation, two major factors implicated in male infertility. A reduction in the concentration and activities of testicular function biomarkers has been shown to correlate with impaired hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and oxidative stress. However, the use of natural products to ameliorate these oxidative stress-induced changes may be essential to improving male reproductive function. Quercetin possesses several pharmacological activities that may help to combat cellular reproduction-related assaults, such as altered sperm function and reproductive hormone dysfunction, and dysregulated testicular apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Studies have shown that quercetin ameliorates testicular toxicity, largely by inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species, with the aid of the two antioxidant pharmacophores present in its ring structure. The radical-scavenging property of quercetin may alter signal transduction of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, prevent inflammation, and increase sperm quality in relation to the hormonal concentration. In this review, the therapeutic potential of quercetin in mediating male reproductive health is discussed.

biochemical effects of lime concentrate 'Aporo' and Mucuna pruriens seeds extract on Alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Objectives: This study evaluated the biochemical properties of a local lime concentrate preparation called Aporo and an ethanolic extract of seeds of Mucuna pruriens

Methods: Six groups of male Wistar rats, each containing five rats, were selected. Diabetes was induced in all rats, except the negative control group, by a single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg Alloxan. The induced rats, apart from the diabetic control group, were treated by daily oral administration of 5 mg/kg Glibenclamide, 100 mg/kg of Aporo decoction, an ethanolic extract of M. pruriens seed, and a combination of both in equal doses

Results: After 15 days of treatment, the blood glucose level of rats in the positive control group was found to be significantly lower than that of the other rats. However, Aporo extract exhibited a significantly higher ability to reduce blood glucose than the standard hypoglycaemic drug Glibenclamide. Aporo also increased high-density lipoprotein [HDL] levels and decreased triglyceride levels. The results showed that Aporo exhibited significant antioxidant, antidiabetic and antidyslipidaemic properties when used alone rather than in combination with Mucuna seed extracts

Conclusion: This study endorses the folk use of Aporo in the treatment of diabetes. However, further experimental studies are required to complement the results of the current study

Management of anxiety and sleep disorders: role of complementary and alternative medicine and challenges of integration with conventional orthodox care / 中国结合医学杂志

There is renewed attention and greater focus on anxiety and sleep- sleep-related disturbances because of the high prevalence, complexity, and their health related implications. The role of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which refers to therapeutic approaches that are "complementary to the end goals of decreasing illness and enhancing wellness, but are alternative to conventional medical treatment" is also increasingly recognized. In this review, we considered CAM approach to the management of anxiety and sleep disorders and discussed a few challenges associated with the effective integration of alternative therapy with conventional orthodox medical care.