ABSTRACT
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive disorder, causes motor neuron degeneration and neuromuscular synapse denervation. Because this is a complex disease, there are no effective drugs for the treatment of patients with ALS. For example, riluzole is used in many countries but has many side effects and only increases the lifespan of patients by approximately 2-3 months. Therefore, patients with ALS often turn to complementary and alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal medicine, with the hope and belief of recovery, despite the lack of definite evidence on the efficacy of these methods. Gamisoyo-San (GSS), a herbal medicine known to improve health, has been used for stress-related neuropsychological disorders, including anorexia, in Asian countries, such as China, Korea, and Japan. To evaluate the effects of GSS on the spinal cord, we investigated the expression of neuroinflammatory and metabolic proteins in symptomatic hSOD1G93A mice. We observed that GSS reduces the expression of glial markers, including those for microglia and astrocytes, and prevents neuronal loss. Moreover, we found that GSS inhibits the expression of proteins related to Toll-like receptor 4 signaling and oxidative stress, known to cause neuroinflammation. Notably, GSS also regulates metabolism in the spinal cord of transgenic mice. These results suggest that GSS could be used for improving the immune system and increasing the life quality of patients with ALS.
Subject(s)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/drug therapy , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use , Inflammation/drug therapy , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Spinal Cord/drug effects , Superoxide Dismutase-1/genetics , Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics , Animals , Astrocytes/cytology , Astrocytes/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Female , Heme Oxygenase-1/metabolism , Immune System , Inflammation/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Microglia/metabolism , Nervous System Diseases/pathology , Neuroglia/metabolism , Neurons/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Quality of Life , Signal Transduction , Spinal Cord/pathology , Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism , Transferrin/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mortality from vibriosis in mollusk production is attributed to pathogenic bacteria, particularly Vibrio alginolyticus. Use of increasingly potent antibiotics has led to bacterial resistance and increased pathogenicity. Alternatives in sanitation, safety, and environmental sustainability are currently under analysis. To-date, homeopathy has been investigated in aquaculture of freshwater fish, but not in marine mollusks. The effect of the homeopathic complexes in the growth, survival, and immune response of the Catarina scallop Argopecten ventricosus were assessed. METHODS: A bioassay to assess the potential of homeopathy in improving cultivation of juvenile A. ventricosus was conducted for 21 days, with a final challenge of 120 h with V. alginolyticus. The experimental design included two homeopathic formulas The homeopathic complex Passival, consisting of Passiflora incarnata 30 CH, Valeriana officinalis 30 CH, Ignatia amara 30 CH and Zincum valerianicum 30 CH plus Phosphoricum acid 30 CH (treatment TH1) or Silicea terra 30 CH (TH2), two antibiotics (ampicillin = AMP, oxytetracycline = OXY), and two reference treatments (without homeopathic or antibiotic treatment = CTRL, ethanol 30° GL = ETH). Additionally, a negative control CTRL- (untreated/uninfected) is included in the challenge test. Juvenile scallops (4.14 ± 0.06 mm, 13.33 mg wet weight) were cultivated in 4 L tanks provided with aerated, filtered (1 µm), and UV-sterilized seawater that was changed every third day. They were fed a blend of the microalgae Isochrysis galbana and Chaetoceros calcitrans (150,000 cells mL-1 twice a day). All treatments were directly added to the tank water and then 500 mL challenge units were inoculated with 1 × 107 CFU/mL (LD50) of V. alginolyticus. RESULTS: Juveniles grew significantly larger and faster in height and weight with TH2 compared to the ETH and CTRL (P < 0.05, ANOVA). Higher concentrations of proteins occurred in scallops exposed to TH2 (160.57 ± 7.79 mg g-1), compared to other treatments and reference treatments. Higher survival rate during the challenge bioassay occurred with TH1 (85%), compared to AMP (53%), OXY (30%), and CTRL (0%), and superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05) was significantly higher in scallops treated with TH1, compared to other treatments and reference treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Homeopathic treatments improved growth and survival and enhanced survival against V. alginolyticus in juvenile A. ventricosus. This suggests that homeopathy is a viable treatment for this mollusk to reduce use of antibiotics in scallops and its progressive increase in pathogenicity in mollusk hatcheries.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Homeopathy , Pectinidae/microbiology , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Vibrio/drug effects , Animals , Host-Pathogen Interactions , Pectinidae/immunology , Pectinidae/physiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Resistance to antibiotics is a major public health concern worldwide. New treatment options are needed and homeopathy is one such option. We sought to assess the effect of the homeopathic medicine Belladonna (Bell) and a nosode (biotherapy) prepared from a multi-drug resistant bacterial species, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), on the same bacterium. METHODS: Bell and MRSA nosode were prepared in 6cH and 30cH potencies in 30% alcohol and sterile water, according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopeia and tested on MRSA National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) 10442. We assessed in vitro bacterial growth, deoxyribonuclease (DNAase) and hemolysin activity, and in vitro bacterial growth in combination with oxacillin (minimum inhibitory concentration - MIC). All values were compared to control: 30% alcohol and water. RESULTS: In vitro growth of MRSA was statistically significantly inhibited in the presence of Bell and nosode 6cH and 30cH compared to controls (p < 0.0001); and with combination of Bell or nosode 6cH and 30cH and oxacillin (p < 0.001). Bell 30cH and nosode 6cH and 30cH significantly decreased bacterial DNAse production (p < 0.001) and reduced red blood cell lysis. CONCLUSIONS: Cultures of MRSA treated with Belladonna or MRSA nosode exhibited reduced growth in vitro, reduced enzymatic activity and became more vulnerable to the action of the antibiotic oxacillin. Further studies are needed on the biomolecular basis of these effects.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/pharmacology , Homeopathy , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Oxacillin/pharmacology , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Atropa belladonna , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Therapy, Combination , Humans , Materia Medica , Methicillin Resistance , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/physiology , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Oxacillin/therapeutic useABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The homeopathic complex HomeoAqua Mega 3(®) was designed to stimulate fish liver function resulting in enhanced lipid metabolism and improved overall performance. The effect of the complex in fatty acid compounds in the muscle tissues and the performance of Nile tilapia (O. niloticus) were evaluated. METHODS: A control diet with 40 mL of alcohol solution (30° Gay Lussac (GL) alcohol) per kg of feed and another diet with 40 mL/kg of the homeopathic complex were analysed in sex-reversed juvenile male Nile tilapia with mean initial weights of 89.54 g (±7.97) and 89.74 g (±8.83) and initial total mean lengths of 16.93 cm (±0.56) and 16.85 cm (±0.56) for the control and homeopathy-treated fish, respectively. Overall, 200 fish were distributed into 10 water tanks, with 20 specimens in each 600 L tank, they were kept for 63 days. Monitoring of the water's physical and chemical parameters was performed. Additionally, the percentage chemical composition and the composition of the muscle tissue fatty acids were determined, and fish performance was evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between treatments with regard to the water's physical and chemical parameters, moisture, ashes, proteins of the Nile tilapia muscular tissue and mean rates of total weight and length of the animals in the final period of the assay. The total lipid (TL) rates of the tilapia muscle tissue were 1.133 ± 0.2% at the start (control and homeopathy) and 0.908 ± 0.14% (control) and 0.688 ± 0.14% (homeopathy) at the end of the experiment (p < 0.06). The sum total of the SFAs (saturated fatty acids) was 338.50 ± 0.15 at the start (control and homeopathy) and 271.49 ± 0.34 mg/g of the TLs for the control and 226.12 ± 0.77 mg/g of TL for the homeopathy at the end of the experiment (p < 0.05). The n-6/n-3 ratio was also lower for the homeopathy-treated fish (8.45 ± 0.40) compared with the control fish (9.60 ± 0.14), (p < 0.05) at the end of the 63-day period. CONCLUSION: Nile tilapia juveniles that received the HomeoAqua Mega-3(®) in their diets had a decrease in the TL rates, mainly for the SFAs, and the n-6/n-3 ratio, compared with the control group, without any changes in the animal performance during the experimental period.
Subject(s)
Cichlids/metabolism , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Fish Diseases/metabolism , Homeopathy/methods , Liver/metabolism , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism , Animal Feed , Animals , Fish Diseases/drug therapy , Liver/drug effects , Male , Materia Medica/administration & dosage , Muscle, Skeletal/drug effects , Plant Preparations/pharmacologyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: With the health concerns of menopausal hormone replacement therapy, alternatives have been sought. Klimaktoplan® is a homeopathic formulation consisting of four main components and has been used for relief of menopausal symptoms for a long time. The study investigated the safety of Klimaktoplan® through its effect on the proliferation of breast cancer (MCF-7) and non-malignant mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A). METHODS: MCF-7 and MCF-10A cells were cultured in 312.5, 625, and 1,250 µg/ml Klimaktoplan®. 17-Beta estradiol (E2) and medroxyprogesterone 17-acetate (MPA) were used for comparison with Klimaktoplan®. E2 only (0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 µM), and the combination of E2 (0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 µM) and MPA (0.01, 0.1, and 1 µM) were tested. Control cells for Klimaktoplan® and E2 groups were treated with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), and DMSO + ethanol was used for the combination group. Cellular proliferation was evaluated by the formation of insoluble formazan after incubation of 4 days. RESULTS: Klimaktoplan® had a concentration-dependent anti-proliferative effect on breast cancer cells at 625 and 1,250 µg/ml, while not affecting proliferation of non-malignant mammary cells at any tested concentration. The effect of lactose was evaluated as lactose (the adjuvant of Klimaktoplan®) affect cell growth. E2 and lactose increased the proliferation of both malignant and non-malignant cells. The effect of E2 + MPA on the proliferation of malignant and non-malignant mammary cells was lower than estradiol only, but was higher than control. CONCLUSIONS: Klimaktoplan® has an anti-proliferative effect on breast cancer cells, but not for non-malignant mammary epithelial cells, unlike E2 and E2 + P. With further research, KP would be a good alternative or additive in women with menopausal symptoms who wish to avoid conventional E or E + P hormone therapy.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/prevention & control , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Cimicifuga , Phytotherapy , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Sanguinaria , Strychnos , Epithelial Cells/drug effects , Epithelial Cells/physiology , Estradiol/pharmacology , Female , Homeopathy , Humans , MCF-7 Cells , Menopause , Progesterone/pharmacologyABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This investigation extends our previous dental data collection pilot study with the following main aims: to gain insight into the periodontal complaints that dentists in the UK treat using individualised homeopathic prescription; to record patient-assessed change in severity of treated complaint (acute or chronic); to determine periodontal pocket depth (PPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three dentists recorded data systematically at 249 homeopathic appointments in 51 patients over a period of 18 months. A spreadsheet enabled the data collection of the following records: date of appointment; anonymised patient identity; main periodontal problem treated; whether the condition was acute or chronic; patient-assessed clinical outcome on a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from -3 to +3, to compare the first and any subsequent appointments; whether any interventional dental surgery (IDS) had been carried out; clinician-assessed PPD measurements. RESULTS: At least one follow-up (FU) appointment was reported for each of 46 patients (22 chronic [6 with IDS, 16 without IDS]; 24 acute [10 with IDS, 14 without IDS]). In chronic cases, strongly positive outcomes (score of +2 or +3) were reported by 2 (33.3%) of 6 IDS patients and by 1 (6.3%) of 16 non-IDS patients. In acute cases, strongly positive outcomes were reported by 7 (70%) of 10 IDS patients and by 8 (57.2%) of 14 non-IDS patients (no statistically significant difference between sub-groups). The FU conditions most frequently treated with homeopathy were chronic periodontitis (19 patients) and acute periodontal abscess (11 patients). Analysis of PPD data was not feasible due to the small numbers of patients involved. CONCLUSION: Limited insight has been gained into the periodontal complaints treated by homeopathy in the UK. Due to small sample size and equivocal results, the interpretation of the patient-reported outcomes data is unclear. Positive findings obtained in the acute treatment setting suggest that this may be a promising area for research in periodontal homeopathy.
Subject(s)
Homeopathy/statistics & numerical data , Materia Medica/therapeutic use , Periodontitis/drug therapy , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Female , Homeopathy/methods , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Treatment Outcome , United Kingdom , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Rhus toxicodendron (Rhus tox) is a homeopathic remedy with anti-inflammatory activities used for arthritis pain. METHODS: We studied the effects of 4×, 30×, 30c and 200c homeopathic dilutions of Rhus tox in primary cultured mouse chondrocytes. We examined the expression of collagen type II, a marker protein of chondrocytes, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is responsible for the biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the regulation of the inflammatory response. We assessed the expression of collagen type II and COX-2 using biochemical and immunological methods, such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative (or real-time) RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunoblot assays. RESULTS: Stimulation with different concentrations of Rhus tox increased the mRNA expression of COX-2, and stimulation with 30× Rhus tox showed the most prominent mRNA expression in both RT-PCR and qRT-PCR analyses. We also observed that homeopathic dilutions of 4×, 30× and 30c Rhus tox inhibited collagen type II expression, suggesting that Rhus tox induced the dedifferentiation of chondrocytes. In addition, treatment with 30× Rhus tox significantly increased PGE2 release compared with other homeopathic dilutions of Rhus tox. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these results suggest that homeopathic treatment with Rhus tox induced chondrocyte dedifferentiation and inflammatory responses, such as COX-2 expression and PGE2 production, in primary cultured chondrocytes.
Subject(s)
Chondrocytes/drug effects , Chondrocytes/enzymology , Cyclooxygenase 2/drug effects , Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism , Materia Medica/pharmacology , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Toxicodendron , Animals , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Chondrocytes/cytology , Cytotoxins/pharmacology , Dinoprostone/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , MiceABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Homeopathy is controversial, due to the claims made for very high dilutions. Although several theories are proposed to understand the mechanisms of action, none are scientifically verified. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the selected homeopathic medicines in specific in vitro cancer models. METHODS: We assessed the cytotoxic activity of selected homeopathic medicines in mother tincture (MT), and ultramolecular dilution (30C, 200C, 1M and 10M) against cell lines deriving from tumors of particular organs, Sarsaparilla (Sars) on ACHN cells (human renal adenocarcinoma), Ruta graveolens (Ruta) on COLO-205 (human colorectal carcinoma), and Phytolacca decandra (Phyto) on MCF-7 (human breast carcinoma). Sars was also tested against Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells (a non-malignant cell line). Cytotoxicity was measured using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method, anti-proliferative activity by trypan blue exclusion assay, apoptosis determined by dual staining the cells with ethidium bromide (EB) and acridine orange (AO) dyes. RESULTS: MTs and ultra-diluted preparations of the three homeopathic medicines had highly significant effects in the respective cancer cell lines, producing cytotoxicity and a decrease in cell proliferation. The effects were greatest with the MTs, but in all cases and persisted, although to a lesser degree in the ultra-diluted molecular preparations. Sars showed no effect on MDCK cells. In the homeopathic medicine treated cultures, hallmarks of apoptosis were evident including, cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary laboratory evidence indicating the ability of homeopathic medicines as anticancer agents. Further studies of the action of these homeopathic remedies are warranted.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Apoptosis/drug effects , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Homeopathy , Kidney Neoplasms/drug therapy , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Animals , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Line, Tumor/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Colonic Neoplasms/pathology , Cytotoxins/pharmacology , Dogs , Female , Homeopathy/methods , Humans , Kidney Neoplasms/pathology , Phytolacca dodecandra , Phytotherapy , Ruta , SmilaxABSTRACT
The use of dietary supplements for various ailments enjoys unprecedented popularity. As part of this trend, Sabal serrulata (saw palmetto) constitutes the complementary treatment of choice with regard to prostate health. In homeopathy, Sabal serrulata is commonly prescribed for prostate problems ranging from benign prostatic hyperplasia to prostate cancer. The authors' work assessed the antiproliferative effects of homeopathic preparations of Sabal serrulata, Thuja occidentalis, and Conium maculatum, in vivo, on nude mouse xenografts, and in vitro, on PC-3 and DU-145 human prostate cancer as well as MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines. Treatment with Sabal serrulata in vitro resulted in a 33% decrease of PC-3 cell proliferation at 72 hours and a 23% reduction of DU-145 cell proliferation at 24 hours (P<.01). The difference in reduction is likely due to the specific doubling time of each cell line. No effect was observed on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Thuja occidentalis and Conium maculatum did not have any effect on human prostate cancer cell proliferation. In vivo, prostate tumor xenograft size was significantly reduced in Sabal serrulata-treated mice compared to untreated controls (P=.012). No effect was observed on breast tumor growth. Our study clearly demonstrates a biologic response to homeopathic treatment as manifested by cell proliferation and tumor growth. This biologic effect was (i)significantly stronger to Sabal serrulata than to controls and (ii)specific to human prostate cancer. Sabal serrulata should thus be further investigated as a specific homeopathic remedy for prostate pathology.
Subject(s)
Homeopathy , Phytotherapy , Plant Preparations/therapeutic use , Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy , Animals , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Conium , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Humans , Male , Mice , Mice, Nude , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Serenoa , Thuja , Xenograft Model Antitumor AssaysABSTRACT
Matricaria chamomilla CH12 is a phytotherapeutic or homeopathic product, which has been used to reduce stress. Here, we examined its effect on preventing handling stress in bovines. Sixty Nelore calves were randomly distributed into two equal groups. One group was administered Matricaria chamomilla CH12 in diet and the other the 'control' was not. Animals in both groups were maintained unstressed for 30 days to adjust to the feeding system and pasture, and were then stressed by constraint on the 31th, 38th, 45th and 60th experimental days. Blood samples were taken on these days after animals had been immobilization in a trunk contention for 5 min. Stress was followed by analyzing serum cortisol levels. These peaked on the 45th day and then decreased, but not to baseline, on the 60th day. On the 45th day cortisol levels were significantly lower in animals fed Matricaria chamomilla CH12, suggesting that this product reduces stress. These effects may be a consequence of its inhibiting cortisol production and its calming and anxiolytic effects.
Subject(s)
Cattle Diseases/drug therapy , Matricaria/chemistry , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Stress, Physiological/veterinary , Animal Feed , Animals , Cattle , Diet , Plant Preparations/chemistry , Stress, Physiological/drug therapyABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) J.St.-Hil is a herb used for the treatment of various neuroses in both homeopathic and Ayurvedic systems. The present study examines whether Gelsemium reconstituted tincture can protect against scopolamine induced cognitive discrepancies in amnesic mouse model. In order to investigate the protective mechanism of Gelsemium against dementia, in vitro acetyl cholinesterase and ß-secretase enzyme inhibition and estimation of glutathione level in mouse brain were carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The inhibition study on acetyl cholinesterase and ß-secretase enzyme was conducted on brain homogenate supernatant spectrophotometrically using specific substrate. Cognitive enhancement activity was assessed by elevated plus maze and passive avoidance study in scopolamine induced dementia mouse model. Glutathione, an anti-oxidant, was measured spectrophotometrically from scopolamine induced amnesic mice brain supernatant using 5,5'-dithiobis 2-nitrobenzoic acid in the presence and absence of Gelsemium tincture. RESULTS: Significant inhibition was found with Gelsemium on AChE and ß-secretase enzyme with an IC50 of 9.25 and 16.25 µg/ml, respectively, followed by increasing glutathione levels in comparison to the untreated dementia group. The effect of Gelsemium of scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits was determined by measuring the behavioral parameters and the antioxidant status of the brain after scopolamine (1mg/kg i.p.) injected amnesic mice. Gelsemium significantly demonstrated in vivo anti-dementia activity (60% protection) and increased exploratory behavior. CONCLUSION: Our investigations indicated that alkaloid, iridoids and coumarin enriched reconstituted Gelsemium tincture extract displays promising cognitive enhancement in adult mice after short-term oral treatment. Hence, Gelsemium can be a promising anti-dementia agent, mediating the protection against amnesia, attention disorders and learning dysfunctions through dual inhibition of both acetyl cholinesterases (no false positive effect was shown), ß-secretase and antioxidant activity.
Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders/drug therapy , Dementia/drug therapy , Gelsemium , Memory/drug effects , Phytotherapy , Plant Preparations/therapeutic use , Acetylcholinesterase/genetics , Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases/antagonists & inhibitors , Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases/metabolism , Animals , Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases/antagonists & inhibitors , Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases/metabolism , Avoidance Learning/drug effects , Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Brain/drug effects , Brain/metabolism , Cognition Disorders/chemically induced , Dementia/chemically induced , Glutathione/metabolism , Male , Mice , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Plant Preparations/toxicity , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , Scopolamine , Toxicity Tests, AcuteABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: "Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution" The historical legacy and relevance of ethnopharmacology in drug discovery is undisputed. Here we connect the parameters influencing the selection of plant derived medicines by human culture with the concept of evolution. AIM OF THE STUDY: In the present contribution we compare global data with local data and try to answer the questions, to what extent are the taxonomic clades included in indigenous pharmacopoeias associated with certain ailment groups, and to what extent can ecology and phylogeny, which we consider a proxy for chemical relatedness and convergence, account for the observed bias? MATERIALS AND METHODS: We use an approximated chi-square test (χ(2)) to check for associations between 12 ethnomedical use-categories and 15 taxonomical clades. With cluster analyses we test for correlations between phylogeny and use-categories. We compare the 67 drug-productive families identified by Zhu et al. with the medicinal flora of the Popoluca and the APG database and compare our results with the phylogenetic target classes evidenced by Zhu et al. Furthermore, we compare the medicinal flora of the Popoluca with the world's weeds (cf. Holm et al.) and discuss our results in relation to anthropological rationales for plant selection. RESULTS: The null-hypothesis "species from the 15 taxonomic clades are selected proportionally to their share in the treatment of the twelve organ- and symptom-defined use-categories" is rejected. The cluster dendrogram for the clades shows that the use patterns are to a certain extent associated with Angiosperm phylogeny. With the occurrence of 53 families the 67 drug-productive families are overrepresented in the regional flora of the Popoluca. The importance of these families in terms of their share is even more pronounced with the medicinal flora holding around 70% of all individual Popoluca informant responses. CONCLUSIONS: The overall phylogenetic use pattern is influenced by both the inherent pharmacological properties, which depend on phylogeny, biogeography, ecology and ultimately allelopathy, and on culture-specific perception of organoleptic properties. The comparison of the 67 drug-productive Viridiplantae families with the ethnopharmacopoeia of the Popoluca and the APG database, shows that "traditional" pharmacopoeias and plant-derived drugs are obtained from widespread and species-rich taxa. This is not a function of family size alone. We put forward the theory that as a function of evolution, widespread taxa contain a broader range of accumulated ecological information and response encoded in their genes relative to locally occurring taxa. This information is expressed through the synthesis of allelochemicals with a wide ecological radius, showing broad-spectrum biota-specific interactions, including the targeting of proteins of mammals and primates.
Subject(s)
Drug Discovery , Medicine, Traditional , Pharmacopoeias, Homeopathic as Topic , Phylogeny , Plant Preparations/classification , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Plants, Medicinal/classification , Chi-Square Distribution , Cluster Analysis , Cultural Characteristics , Ethnopharmacology , Humans , Models, Statistical , PhytotherapyABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Before modern anticonvulsive drugs were developed people in central Europe used herbal remedies to treat epilepsy. Hundreds of different plants for this indication can be found in German herbals of the 16th and 17th centuries. Here we compile these plants and discuss their use from a pharmacological perspective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine of the most important European herbals of the 16th and 17th century including Bock (1577), Fuchs (1543), Mattioli (1590), Lonicerus (1660, 1770), Brunfels (1532), Zwinger (1696), and Tabernaemontanus (1591, 1678) were searched for terms related to epilepsy, and plants and recipes described for its treatment were documented. We then searched scientific literature for pharmacological evidence of their effectiveness. Additionally the overlapping of these remedies with those in De Materia Medica by the Greek physician Dioscorides was studied. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty one plants were identified in the herbals to be used in the context of epilepsy. In vitro and/or in vivo pharmacological data somehow related to the indication epilepsy was found for less than 5% of these plants. Less than 7% of epilepsy remedies are in common with De Materia Medica. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous plants were used to treat epilepsy in the 16th and 17th centuries. However, few of these plants have been investigated with respect to pharmacological activity on epilepsy related targets.
Subject(s)
Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Materia Medica , Medicine, Traditional , Phytotherapy , Plant Preparations/therapeutic use , Plants, Medicinal , Anticonvulsants/history , Anticonvulsants/pharmacology , Epilepsy/history , Germany , Greece , History, 16th Century , History, 17th Century , History, Ancient , Humans , Materia Medica/history , Medicine, Traditional/history , Phytotherapy/history , Plant Preparations/history , Plant Preparations/pharmacologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Homoeopathic medicines treat diseases, including cancer, using ultradiluted preparations. Earlier studies indicated that homoeopathic medicines are cytotoxic to tumor cells and reduced animal tumors. However, the mechanism of homoeopathic medicines at the cellular level is not known. METHODS: The following drugs were used in the study: Ruta 200C, Carcinosinum 200C, Hydrastis 200C, Thuja 200C, and Thuja 1M. These drugs were tested for their ability to induce apoptosis as seen by morphology, DNA laddering, expression of genes related to apoptosis, and TUNEL assay. Similarly, the effect of homoeopathic medicines on apoptosis was measured by microarray analysis. Activity of Ruta 200C was compared with that of the mother tincture. RESULTS: Ruta 200C produced morphological changes in the Dalton's lymphoma ascites tumor cells and induced DNA laddering. Carcinosinum 200C increased apoptotic gene p53 and Ruta 200C decreased antiapoptotic gene Bcl2. Administration of potentiated homoeopathic drugs to tumor-bearing mice induced TUNEL-positive cells in the tumor, showing increased apoptosis of tumor cells. Microarray analysis of cells treated with homoeopathic drugs indicated that many enzymes related to apoptosis were increased by homoeopathic drugs. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that apoptosis is one of the mechanisms of tumor reduction of homeopathic drugs. A comparison of potentiated drugs with their mother tincture indicated that the potentiated drugs have biological activity similar to that of their mother tincture in spite of ultradilution.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis/drug effects , Homeopathy/methods , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Animals , Apoptosis/genetics , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Cell Cycle/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Gene Expression/drug effects , Gene Expression/genetics , Hydrastis/chemistry , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Phytotherapy/methods , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics , Ruta/chemistry , Thuja/chemistry , Transcriptome , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/geneticsABSTRACT
This investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of the extract of Urtica dioica leaves on hyperglycemia and quantitative changes of b-cells in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. Forty male Wistar rats were allocated in groups of normal, diabetic, treatment and protective. Hyperglycemia induced by administrating one dose of 80 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally. Animals in treatment group received Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks intraperitoneally, one week after injection of STZ. In protective group animals received U. dioica (100 mg/kg/day) for 5 days before inducing diabetes. After five weeks the animals were sacrificed and whole pancreas removed. Pancreas specimens were used for quantitative morphometric analysis after Chromealum hematoxiline - phloxine staining. The mean +/- SE of b-cells in non hyperglycemic animals in protective group was higher than in hyperglycemic animals in the same group (54.33 +/- 2.4 versus 1.25 +/- 0.5, P<0.05). Hyperglycemia was improved in 6 (60 percent) of rats in protective group and 1 (10 percent) rat in treatment group OR=0.07 (CI 95 percent: 0.0-1.1, p=0.06). The logistic regression analysis showed an association between decrease of blood glucose, increase of number of b-cells and administration of Urtica before induction of diabetes. This study showed proliferation of b-cells when of the U. dioica leaves extract (100 mg/kg/day) administrated before induction of diabetes in animal model.
Este estudio evalúa el efecto del extracto de hojas de Urtica dioica sobre la hiperglicemia y de los cambios cuantitativos de células b en ratas diabéticas por estreptozotocina. Cuarenta ratas Wistar macho, fueron distribuidas en grupos normal, diabético, en tratamiento y protector. La hiperglicemia fue inducida, por vía intraperitoneal, a través de la administración de una dosis de 80 mg/kg de estreptozotocina (STZ) . Los animales del grupo en tratamiento recibieron Urtica dioica (100 mg/kg/día) durante 4 semanas por vía intraperitoneal, una semana después de la inyección de STZ. En los animales del grupo de protección recibieron U. dioica (100 mg/kg/día) durante 5 días antes de inducir la diabetes. Después de cinco semanas, los animales fueron sacrificados y se extirpó el páncreas. Muestras de páncreas se utilizaron para el análisis morfométrico cuantitativo después de la tinción hematoxilina/floxina. La media +/- SE de células b en los animales sin hiperglicemia y en el grupo de protección fue mayor que en los animales con hiperglicemia (54,33 +/- 2,4 frente a 1,25 +/- 0,5, p<0,05). La hiperglicemia mejoró en 6 (60 por ciento) de las ratas del grupo de protección y 1 (10 por ciento) de ratas en grupo de tratamiento OR=0,07 (IC 95 por ciento: 0,0-1,1, p=0,06). El análisis de regresión logística mostró una asociación entre la disminución de la glucosa en sangre, aumento del número de células b y la administración de Urtica antes de la inducción de la diabetes. Este estudio mostró una proliferación de las células b cuando el extracto de las hojas de U. dioica (100 mg/kg/día) administrado antes de la inducción de la diabetes en modelos animales.
Subject(s)
Male , Animals , Rats , Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental , Blood Glucose , Pancreas , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Urtica dioica/chemistry , Glucose Tolerance Test , Hydroalcoholic Solution , Hypoglycemic Agents , Hyperglycemia/drug therapy , Logistic Models , B-Lymphocytes/pathology , Pancreas/pathology , Cell Proliferation , Rats, Wistar , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies such as herbal therapy, acupuncture, yoga, homeopathy, chiropractic medicine, and massage therapy, continue to gain popularity as modalities for the treatment of asthma. In the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and Western cultures, herbal therapies appear to be commonly used for allergies. Although well-controlled scientific studies have not been performed on many of the Asian herbal therapies and some basic studies have been performed on various herbal components (active ingredients), more needs to be done to assess the composite effects of many herbal remedies. An important part of the assessment of CAM modalities is the therapeutic-toxicologic safety profile (risk-benefit ratio), and further research evaluating the clinical efficacy and mechanism of action of various CAM interventions for asthma is greatly needed. This paper focuses on clinical and laboratory research regarding various CAM therapies that have been used in the treatment of asthma. The references cited are confined to literature originally published or translated into English.
Subject(s)
Asthma/therapy , Complementary Therapies , Plant Preparations/pharmacology , Complementary Therapies/adverse effects , Humans , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In this study it was determined that a Calendula officinalis water extract can reduce the immune response to three different viruses in broiler chickens, associated with improvement in body weights. MATERIAL/METHODS: The experiment was conducted on broiler chickens divided into two groups of 105 birds each. The first group received a Calendula officinalis water extract orally, while the second group received drinking water only. All birds in the two groups were similarly exposed to three different live vaccine viruses. Quantitative assessment of humoral immunity to each of the 3 viruses and records of bursal and thymus weight indices were taken. Performance, as observed in weight records at 21 and 41 days of age, feed conversion, and% mortality up to market age, was also evaluated. RESULTS: There was a reduction in immune response to IB virus at 42 days of age, to ND virus at 29 and 42 days of age, and to IBD virus at 14, 29, and 42 days of age in the Calendula officinals-treated birds in comparison with controls. This immune reduction in Calendula officinalis-treated birds was associated with insignificant reduction in the bursal weight index at 42 days of age and an improvement in mean weights at 21 and 41 days of age; the feed conversion and mortality rates were similar in the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Calendula officinalis had an immunomodulation effect against three different live viruses in broiler chickens.