Combinatorial effect of thymoquinone with chemo agents for tumor therapy.

BACKGROUND: Most chemotherapeutics used in cancer therapies exhibit considerable side effects to the patients. Thus, developing new chemo agents to treat cancer patients with minimal toxic and side effects is urgently needed. Recently, the combination of different chemotherapeutics has become a promising strategy to treat malignancies. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a primary bioactive compound derived from the folk medicinal plant Nigella sativa, which has been found an antitumor, chemopreventive and chemopotentiating agent against human neoplastic diseases. PURPOSE: We briefly summarize the current research of the biomolecular mechanisms of TQ and evaluate the existing literature on TQ adjuvant therapies against various cancers. METHOD: The data in this review were gathered by several search engines including, Google Scholar, PubMed and ScienceDirect. We highlighted and classified the outcomes of both in vitro and in vivo experiments of TQ adjuvant therapies against human cancers and their chemopreventive activities on vital organs. RESULTS: Several studies have shown that TQ synergistically potentiated the antitumor activity of numerous chemo agents against human neoplastic disease, including lung, breast, liver, colorectal, skin, prostate, stomach, bone and blood cancers. TQ also acted as a chemopreventive agent and reduced the toxicity of many chemo agents to vital organs, such as the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs. CONCLUSION: In summary, we highly recommend an advanced evaluation of TQ adjuvant therapies at the level of preclinical and clinical trials, which could lead to a novel combinatorial therapy for cancer treatment with low or tolerable adverse effects on patients.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients attending a general otolaryngology clinic: can we afford to ignore it?

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among the general population. Little information is available, however, on CAM use in adults attending an otolaryngology outpatient clinic in the UK. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to study the prevalence and pattern of CAM use among adult patients attending the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinic in a UK teaching hospital. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was used. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All patients on their primary visit to an ENT clinic were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire for a 14-week period from October 2005 to January 2006. RESULTS: Based on 1366 completed questionnaires, 53% (728/1366) were female and 47% (638/1366) were male. Twenty-nine percent (395/1366) were older than 60 years, and 56% (763/1366) were married. Twenty percent (275/1366) had a university education. Sixty-one percent (833/1366) had used CAM, almost 36% in the preceding 12 months. The popular remedies were cod liver oil (368/833), garlic (197/833), cranberry (181/833), aloe vera (176/833), primrose oil (174/833), and Echinacea (163/833). Nonherbal therapies included massage (230/833), acupuncture (186/833), aromatherapy (135/833), chiropractic (121/833), reflexology (119/833), and homeopathy (110/833). Seventeen percent (143/833) used CAM for their current illness. Only 8% (64/833) found CAM ineffective; yet, 57% (473/833) would recommend CAM to others. Fifty-one percent (421/833) failed to inform their primary physician of their CAM use. CONCLUSION: Despite concerns over CAM efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness, use of CAM is popular among patients attending an ENT clinic. Their use is not generally related to their presenting illness. Otolaryngologists should be aware of current trends in CAM use when managing patients, including possible interactions with other medication.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients admitted to a surgical unit in Scotland.

INTRODUCTION: Within the UK there are 50,000 practitioners of complementary medicine. Five million people have consulted such practitioners in one year. The aim of this study was to explore the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients attending general, vascular and cardiothoracic units at a regional Scottish centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to 450 patients attending the units over an 8-week period. The questionnaire consisted of demographic sections, a listing of 48 herbal preparations and alternative therapies, reasons for use and opinions on efficacy. RESULTS: A total of 430 patients completed questionnaires (95%); age and sex were equally distributed over the sample. Of respondents, 68% (291 patients) had ever used CAM; 46% had used CAM in the preceding year. Half had used herbal preparations only, 13% non-herbal treatments and 35% both types of therapy. Only 10% were using CAM for the condition that led to their hospital admission. Two-thirds failed to inform their family physician about their use of CAM. CONCLUSIONS: Despite concerns regarding the efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of complementary medicine, use amongst surgical patients is common.