Ayurvedic Herbal Medicines: A Literature Review of Their Applications in Female Reproductive Health.

Ayurveda, an ancient holistic and personalized healing system originating from the Indian subcontinent, has been gaining increasing attention as a complementary and alternative medical practice for treating various health conditions, including those related to women's reproductive well-being. This comprehensive literature review examines a wide array of experimental and clinical studies exploring the diverse facets of Ayurvedic interventions in addressing issues such as menstrual irregularities, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility, and menopausal symptoms. The paper specifically focuses on discussing the available data regarding the efficacy of Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), ginger (Zingiber officinale), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), which have traditionally been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. The synthesis of literature not only highlights the potential benefits of these Ayurvedic interventions, but also critically assesses the methodological rigor of existing studies, identifying research gaps, and proposing directions for future investigations. While acknowledging the need for further rigorous research and clinical trials, the review emphasizes the benefits of collaborative and integrative healthcare. This review aims to serve as a valuable resource for healthcare practitioners, researchers, and individuals seeking holistic and natural alternatives for female reproductive health management.

Kenyan palliative care providers' and leaders' perceptions of palliative care research needs and support to facilitate rigorous research.

BACKGROUND: Palliative care (PC) can reduce symptom distress and improve quality of life for patients and their families experiencing life-threatening illness. While the need for PC in Kenya is high, PC service delivery and research is limited. Qualitative research is needed to explore potential areas for PC research and support needed to enable that research. This insight is critical for informing a national PC research agenda and mobilizing limited resources for conducting rigorous PC research in Kenya. OBJECTIVES: To explore perceptions of priority areas for PC research and support needed to facilitate rigorous research from the perspective of Kenyan PC providers and leaders. METHODS: Focus groups (FGs) were conducted in November and December of 2018 using a semi-structured interview guide. FGs were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic content analysis approach. RESULTS: Three FGs were conducted (n = 22 participants). Ten themes related to PC research emerged, including research on: 1) beliefs about death, disease, and treatment to inform PC; 2) awareness about PC, 3) integration of PC within the health system; 4) understanding caregiver experiences and needs; 5) community health volunteers (CHVs) and volunteer programs; 6) evaluation of costs and benefits of PC; 7) treatment approaches, including complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and advanced diagnostics at end of life; 8) other suggestions for research, 9) populations in need of PC research; and 10) resources for enabling research. CONCLUSIONS: Kenyan PC providers and leaders identified key areas requiring increased scientific inquiry and critical resources needed to enable this research. These findings can help to focus future PC research in Kenya and encourage funding agencies to prioritize the issues identified.

Effect of radial shock wave and ultrasound therapy combined with traditional physical therapy exercises on foot function and dorsiflexion range in plantar fasciitis: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effect of radial shock wave and ultrasound therapy combined with traditional physical therapy on foot function and range of motion in chronic plantar fasciitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine participants with chronic plantar fasciitis (25-56 years) were allocated randomly into three groups. Group (A) received ultrasound (US) therapy plus conventional physical therapy exercises (in the form of stretching, strengthening exercise, and deep friction massage), Group (B) received a radial shock wave (RSW) therapy plus conventional physical therapy exercises, and Group (C) received a combination of both RSW and US therapy in addition to conventional physical therapy exercises, with 3 sessions per week for US therapy and one session for RSW therapy, in addition to 45 minutes of exercises for all groups for 4 consecutive weeks. Foot function was assessed using the foot function index (FFI), and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was measured using the Baseline® bubble inclinometer at baseline and 4 weeks following treatment. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in the measured outcomes among the groups after treatment. Tukey's honest significant difference post-hoc test demonstrated a highly statistically significant (p<0.001) improvement in the assessed outcomes of group C in the post-intervention settings when compared to the other groups. After 4 weeks of intervention, the mean (SD) of FFI in groups A, B, and C were (64.54±4.91, 61.93±4.17, and 45.16±4.57) respectively, and the active range of motion (ROM) of the ankle dorsiflexion were (35.27±3.22, 36.59±2.91, and 41.85±3.04) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of RSW to US with the conventional physical therapy program improved foot function and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion significantly for patients with chronic plantar fasciitis.

Hepatic Impact of Different Concentrations of Hibiscus rosa Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Rats.

Nanomaterial, especially zinc oxide nanoparticles, has entered the manufacture of many materials used in daily lives. The current study aimed to assess the impact of three concentrations of hibiscus rosa zinc oxide nanoparticles (HrZnONPs) and hibiscus rosa extract (Hre) on the liver tissue and DNA fragmentation of liver cells. A total of 35 adult male Wistar rats were grouped as follows: The first group which was the control (n=7) did not receive any treatment. The remaining 28 animals were randomly assigned to four groups. Group 1 (n=7) were subcutaneously injected with 100mg\kg BW of Hibiscus rosa extract for 60 days; the rats in group 2 were subcutaneouslyinjected with 25 mg\kg BW of HrZnONPs for 60 days; rats in group 3 were subcutaneouslyinjected with 75mg\kg BW of HrZnONPs for 60 days; rats in group 4 were subcutaneously injected with 100mg\kg BW of HrZnONPs for 60 days. The liver biomarkers, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) have been assessed in serum at zero time, after one month, and after two months of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, all animals were euthanized, the liver was dissected, the specimen underwent a pathohistological investigation, and the percentage of DNA fragmentation was evaluated. The results pointed out that the rats which were treated with HrZnONPs at concentrations of 75 and 100 mg\kg B.W. demonstrated a salient elevation in serum AST, ALT, or ALP activity, a modulation in hepatic tissue architecture, and an elevated percentage of high DNA damage, as compared to those treated with HrZnONPs at a concentration of 25 mg\kg B.W. On the other hand, the recorded data indicated that the administration of Hre has some ameliorative effects on AST, ALP, and ALT levels, histological cross-section, and the value of comet assay for liver cells due to the role of Hre antioxidant. In conclusion, the results of the current study demonstrated that high doses of HrZnONPs had exerted more adverse effects, compared to low doses. Moreover, the findings confirmed the ameliorative impact of Hre on liver biomarkers, a histological cross-section of the liver, and DNA damage.

Valproic Acid Protects Against Acute Kidney Injury in Hemorrhage and Trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma is the leading cause of death among young people. These patients have a high incidence of kidney injury, which independently increases the risk of mortality. As valproic acid (VPA) treatment has been shown to improve survival in animal models of lethal trauma, we hypothesized that it would also attenuate the degree of acute kidney injury. METHODS: We analyzed data from two separate experiments where swine were subjected to lethal insults.  Model 1: hemorrhage (50% blood volume hemorrhage followed by 72-h damage control resuscitation). Model 2: polytrauma (traumatic brain injury, 40% blood volume hemorrhage, femur fracture, rectus crush and grade V liver laceration). Animals were resuscitated with normal saline (NS) +/- VPA 150 mg/kg after a 1-h shock phase in both models (n = 5-6/group). Serum samples were analyzed for creatinine (Cr) using colorimetry on a Liasys 330 chemistry analyzer. Proteomic analysis was performed on kidney tissue sampled at the time of necropsy. RESULTS: VPA treatment significantly (P < 0.05) improved survival in both models. (Model 1: 80% vs 20%; Model 2: 83% vs. 17%). Model 1 (Hemorrhage alone): Cr increased from a baseline of 1.2 to 3.0 in NS control animals (P < 0.0001) 8 h after hemorrhage, whereas it rose only to 2.1 in VPA treated animals (P = 0.004). Model 2 (Polytrauma): Cr levels increased from baseline of 1.3 to 2.5 mg/dL (P = 0.01) in NS control animals 4 h after injury but rose to only 1.8 in VPA treated animals (P = 0.02). Proteomic analysis of kidney tissue identified metabolic pathways were most affected by VPA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of VPA (150 mg/kg) offers significant protection against acute kidney injury in swine models of polytrauma and hemorrhagic shock.

Biotechnological re-cycling of apple by-products: A reservoir model to produce a dietary supplement fortified with biogenic phenolic compounds.

This study is an example of apple by-products (AP) recycling through a designed fermentation by selected autochthonous Lactobacillus plantarum AFI5 and Lactobacillus fabifermentans ALI6 used singly or as binary cultures with the selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae AYI7. Compared to Raw-, Unstarted- and Chemically Acidified-AP, Fermented-AP promoted the highest levels of total and insoluble dietary fibers, DPPH scavenging capacity, and free phenolics. The binary culture of L. plantarum AFI5 and S. cerevisiae AYI7 had the best effect on the bioavailability phenolic compounds as resulted by the LC-MS/MS validated method. The accumulation of phenolic acids derivatives highlighted the microbial metabolism during AP fermentation. Bio-converted phenolics were likely responsible for the increased DPPH scavenging capacity. The potential health-promoting effects of Fermented-AP were highlighted using Caco-2 cells. With variations among single and binary cultures, fermented-AP counteracted the inflammatory processes and the effects of oxidative stress in Caco-2 cells, and preserved the integrity of tight junctions.

Valproic acid treatment rescues injured tissues after traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: No agents that are specifically neuroprotective are currently approved to emergently treat patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The histone deacetylase inhibitor, high-dose valproic acid (VPA) has been shown to have cytoprotective potential in models of combined TBI and hemorrhagic shock, but it has not been tested in an isolated TBI model. We hypothesized that VPA, administered after isolated TBI, will penetrate the injured brain, attenuate the lesion size, and activate prosurvival pathways. METHODS: Yorkshire swine were subjected to severe TBI by cortical impact. One hour later, animals were randomized to VPA treatment (150 mg/kg delivered intravenously for 1 hour; n = 4) or control (saline vehicle; n = 4) groups. Seven hours after injury, animals were sacrificed, and brain lesion size was measured. Mass spectrometry imaging was used to visualize and quantitate brain tissue distribution of VPA. Sequential serum samples were assayed for key biomarkers and subjected to proteomic and pathway analysis. RESULTS: Brain lesion size was 50% smaller (p = 0.01) in the VPA-treated animals (3,837 ± 948 mm) compared with the controls (1,900 ± 614 mm). Endothelial regions had eightfold higher VPA concentrations than perivascular regions by mass spectrometry imaging, and it readily penetrated the injured brain tissues. Serum glial fibrillary acid protein was significantly lower in the VPA-treated compared with the control animals (p < 0.05). More than 500 proteins were differentially expressed in the brain, and pathway analysis revealed that VPA affected critical modulators of TBI response including calcium signaling pathways, mitochondria metabolism, and biosynthetic machinery. CONCLUSION: Valproic acid penetrates injured brain tissues and exerts neuroprotective and prosurvival effects that resulted in a significant reduction in brain lesion size after isolated TBI. Levels of serum biomarkers reflect these changes, which could be useful for monitoring the response of TBI patients during clinical studies.

Lactic acid fermentation enriches the profile of biogenic fatty acid derivatives of avocado fruit (Persea americana Mill.).

This study investigated the capability of selected autochthonous lactic acid bacteria to enrich the portfolio of bioactive compounds of avocado fruit (Persea americana Mill.), with the perspective of producing dietary supplements or pharmaceutical preparations. Fermented avocado puree resulted in high levels of total free amino acids. Fermentation also led to a marked increase of antioxidant activity, with the highest levels found in water and hexane soluble extracts. Bio-converted phenolic compounds and fatty acids derivatives resulting from bacterial metabolism were likely responsible for the increased antioxidant activity. Fermentation caused the fortification of avocado puree with some hydroxy fatty acids, which deserved marked attention due to their health-promoting activities. Oleic and linoleic acids were highly metabolized by Lactobacillus plantarum AVEF17, leading to high levels of mono, di-, and tri-hydroxy-octadecenoic acids.

Comparison of oil and fat supplementation on lactation performance of Nili Ravi buffaloes.

The effects of feeding rumen-inert fat sources on production responses of lactating dairy cows have been well reported but less thoroughly described in lactating dairy buffalo. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of oil and 2 different rumen-inert fat sources on dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition, and milk fatty acid (FA) profile in Nili Ravi buffalo. Twelve multiparous mid-lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes received 4 treatments in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a period length of 21 d. The treatments were (1) the basal diet without supplementation of oil or fats (CTRL), (2) the basal diet supplemented with canola oil (CO), (3) the basal diet supplemented with calcium salts of palm FA (Ca-FA), and (4) the basal diet supplemented with high palmitic acid (PA). Dry matter intake was decreased by 4.4% in the CO compared with Ca-FA and PA. Milk yield and milk fat yield were increased by 7.8 and 14.3%, respectively, in CO, Ca-FA, and PA compared with the CTRL. Milk fat content increased by 7.5%, whereas milk fat yield tended to increase with the supplementation of Ca-FA and PA compared with CO. No effect on milk yield and milk composition was observed in Ca-FA versus PA treatments. The yield of medium-chain FA was increased by Ca-FA and PA versus CO. The CO treatment increased the yield of long-chain FA compared with Ca-FA and PA treatments. Plasma glucose level was higher in CO, Ca-FA, and PA compared with the CTRL. In conclusion, feeding rumen-inert fats in the lactating buffalo diet proved to be a useful strategy to increase the 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield due to the higher milk fat content in this study.

Cytotoxic and cell cycle arrest induction of pentacyclic triterpenoides separated from Lantana camara leaves against MCF-7 cell line in vitro.

Lantana camara is an important medicinal plant that contains many active compounds, including pentacyclic triterpenoids, with numerous biological activities. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-oxidant, anti-tumour, and cell cycle arrest properties of chemical compounds extracted from L. camara leaves. Four compounds were identified after subjecting the plant methanolic extract to LC-MS/MS analysis: lantadene A, lantadene B, icterogenin, and lantadene C. Potential antioxidant activity was examined using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and compared with vitamin C as a control. Lantadene A and B were confirmed to possess the highest scavenging activity, while icterogenin and lantadene C exhibited a lesser antioxidant effect. All extracted compounds exerted a dose-dependent reduction in MCF-7 cell viability; however, lantadene B showed the highest anti-cancer activity, with an IC50 of 112.2 µg mL-1, and was therefore used in subsequent experiments. The results also confirmed the significant release of caspase 9 in a dose-dependent pattern following treatment of MCF-7 cells with a range of lantadene B concentrations. Lantadene B was found to induce MCF-7 cell cycle arrest in G1, blocking the G1/S transition with a maximum significant (p ≤ 0.01) cell count of 80.35% at 25 µg mL-1. No significant changes were observed in S phase, but a decrease in the MCF-7 population was exhibited in G2/M phase.

Profiling polyphenol composition by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MSn and the antibacterial activity of infusion preparations obtained from four medicinal plants.

The infusions of Thymus pallescens Noë, Saccocalyx satureioides Coss. et Dur., Ptychotis verticillata Briq. and Limoniastrum guyonianum Boiss. have been used as medicinal remedies for many diseases in Algerian folk medicine. These species have also been well documented as rich sources of phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds with wide diversified chemical structures, which exhibit far-ranging biological activities. Thus, the phenolic compound profile of the aqueous extracts, obtained by infusing, of the mentioned species was obtained by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS, and their antibacterial activity was evaluated against clinical isolates. Several phenolic acids were identified and quantified, particularly caffeic acid derivatives along with glycosylated flavonoids. T. pallescens and S. satureioides contain 13 phenolic compounds, where rosmarinic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid present, while L. guyonianum presented myricetin-3-O-glucoside and myricetin-O-rhamnoside as the main compounds among the eight detected molecules. P. verticillata presented a profile of ten phenolic compounds, where 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid, followed by the flavone luteolin-3-O-glucoside. The antibacterial activity of the infusions ranged between 2.5 and 20 mg mL-1 (MIC values), and L. guyonianum showed the highest activity against all of the tested bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most sensitive and resistant strains, respectively. Thus, the studied plant species are sources of natural antibacterial substances that can be used to fight against pathogenic microorganisms.

Experimental demonstration of an apodized-imaging chip-fiber grating coupler for Si3N4 waveguides.

A silicon nitride waveguide is a promising platform for integrated photonics, particularly due to its low propagation loss compared to other complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor compatible waveguides, including silicon-on-insulator. Input/output coupling in such thin optical waveguides is a key issue for practical implementations. Fiber-to-chip grating couplers in silicon nitride usually exhibit low coupling efficiency because the moderate index contrast leads to weak radiation strengths and poor directionality. Here, we present the first, to the best of our knowledge, experimental demonstration of a recently proposed apodized-imaging fiber-to-chip grating coupler in silicon nitride that images an in-plane waveguide mode to an optical fiber placed at a specific distance above the chip. By employing amplitude and phase apodization, the diffracted optical field of the grating is matched to the fiber mode. High grating directionality is achieved by using staircase grating teeth, which produce a blazing effect. Experimental results demonstrate an apodized-imaging grating coupler with a record coupling efficiency of -1.5 dB and a 3 dB bandwidth of 60 nm in the C-band.

In-situ thermal annealing of on-membrane silicon-on-insulator semiconductor-based devices after high gamma dose irradiation.

In this paper, we investigate the recovery of some semiconductor-based components, such as N/P-type field-effect transistors (FETs) and a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) inverter, after being exposed to a high total dose of gamma ray radiation. The employed method consists mainly of a rapid, low power and in situ annealing mitigation technique by silicon-on-insulator micro-hotplates. Due to the ionizing effect of the gamma irradiation, the threshold voltages showed an average shift of -580 mV for N-channel transistors, and -360 mV for P-MOSFETs. A 4 min double-cycle annealing of components with a heater temperature up to 465 °C, corresponding to a maximum power of 38 mW, ensured partial recovery but was not sufficient for full recovery. The degradation was completely recovered after the use of a built-in high temperature annealing process, up to 975 °C for 8 min corresponding to a maximum power of 112 mW, which restored the normal operating characteristics for all devices after their irradiation.

Molecular diversity analysis of eggplant (Solanum melongena) genetic resources.

Eggplant (Solanum melongena), a vegetable that is cultivated worldwide, is of considerable importance to agriculture in China. We analyzed the diversity of this plant using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and RAPD procedures to subdivide 143 Chinese-cultivated eggplants based on coefficient of parentage, genetic diversity index (GDI) and canonical discriminant analysis. ISSR markers were more effective than RAPD markers for detecting genetic diversity, which ranged from 0.10-0.51, slightly lower than what is known from other crops. Our ISSR/RAPD data provide molecular evidence that coincides with morphological-based classification into three varieties and further subdivision into eight groups, except for two groups. Intensive use of elite parents and extensive crossing within groups have resulted in increased coefficient of parentage and proportional contribution but decreased GDI during the past decades. The mean coefficient of parentage and proportional contribution increased from 0.05 to 0.10% and from 3.22 to 6.46% during 1980-1991 and 1992-2003, respectively. The GDI of landraces was 0.21, higher than the 0.09 and 0.08 calculated for the hybrid cultivars released during the two periods. The recent introduction of alien genotypes into eggplant breeding programs may broaden the genetic base.

Quantitative trait loci linked to thalamus and cortex gray matter volumes in BXD recombinant inbred mice.

To investigate whether there are separate or shared genetic influences on the development of the thalamus and cerebral cortex, we identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for relevant structural volumes in BXD recombinant inbred (RI) strains of mice. In 34 BXD RI strains and two parental strains (C57BL/6J and DBA/2J), we measured the volumes of the entire thalamus and cortex gray matter using point counting and Cavalieri's rule. Heritability was calculated using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and QTL analysis was carried out using WebQTL (http://www.genenetwork.org). The heritability of thalamus volume was 36%, and three suggestive QTLs for thalamus volume were identified on chromosomes 10, 11 and 16. The heritability of cortical gray matter was 43%, and four suggestive QTLs for cortex gray matter volume were identified on chromosomes 2, 8, 16 and 19. The genetic correlation between thalamus and cortex gray matter volumes was 0.64. Also, a single QTL on chromosome 16 (D16Mit100) was identified for thalamus volume, cortex gray matter volume and Morris water maze search-time preference (r=0.71). These results suggest that there are separate and shared genetic influences on the development of the thalamus and cerebral cortex.

Inadequacy of colonoscopy revealed by three-dimensional electromagnetic imaging.

INTRODUCTION: It is generally accepted that clinicians performing colonoscopy should reach the cecum in at least 90 percent of examinations. However, little attention has been paid to whether the endoscopist correctly estimates the amount of colon actually seen. METHODS: During colonoscopy, endoscopists were asked to state how far they had reached. This was compared with the amount of colon actually seen, as assessed by a novel electromagnetic imaging device that recorded a three-dimensional position of the scope within a magnetic field pervading the patient's abdomen. If electromagnetic imaging showed that the cecum had not been reached, the endoscopist was asked to use the electromagnetic imaging system to determine whether it helped advance the colonoscope further. RESULTS: In 119 patients undergoing colonoscopy, clinical assessment of position reached was correct in only 92 (77.3 percent). When the endoscopists stated that cecal landmarks had been seen (n = 85), the scope was distal to the cecum in seven cases (8.2 percent). When cecal landmarks had not been seen (n = 34), the endoscopist's assessment of the position of the scope was accurate in only 14 (41.2 percent). The use of electromagnetic imaging in this latter group assisted passage to the cecum in 26 cases (76.5 percent). CONCLUSION: Despite assumed visualization of the cecum, inadequate colonoscopy highlights the potential for missing significant pathology in the right colon.

Novel cycloartane saponins from Corchorus depressus L.

Two novel bidesmosidic cycloartane-type glycosides, depressosides C and D were isolated from Corchorus depressus L. Their structures were elucidated as (22R)-16beta,22-epoxy-3beta,26-dihydroxy-9,19-cyclolanost-++ +24E-ene 3, 26-di-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and (22R,24S)-22,25-epoxy-3beta,16beta,24-trihydroxy-9,19-cyclolano stane 3, 24-di-O-beta-glucopyranoside, respectively on the basis of chemical evidence and detailed spectroscopic studies.

Phytochemical study of Salvia moorcroftiana.

Four known flavonoids were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia moorcroftiana.

Bucharioside and buchariol from Salvia bucharica.

A new monoterpene-glycoside (2-exo-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-1,8-cineol) named bucharioside from the methanol-soluble part and a new sesquiterpenoid (4,10-epoxy-6alpha-hydroxyguaiane) named buchariol from the hexane-soluble part of Salvia bucharica were obtained. Their structures were elucidated with the help of NMR spectroscopy including 1D and 2D experiments.