A natural supplement formula reduces anti-oxidative stress and enhances osteo-chondrogenic differentiation potential in mesenchymal stem cells.

There is great interest in using natural supplements to treat various medical conditions. In this study, we evaluated the anti-oxidative and stem cell differentiation effects of a mixture of vitamin D, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, ginger, curcumin, and Boswellia extract. The calcein acetoxymethyl assay after H2O2 treatment showed that combined natural supplement had an anti-oxidative effect. NS-J also increased calcium deposition, as shown by Alizarin Red S staining, indicating bone formation activity. The contents of type II collagen and glycosaminoglycans, which are biomarkers of cartilage, were higher in mesenchymal stem cells treated with combined natural supplement than in cells treated with individual ingredients of the formula. In mesenchymal stem cells treated with human osteoarthritis synovial fluids, combined natural supplement enhanced the expression of type II collagen and PPAR-δ, overcoming the anti-chondrogenic effect of inflammatory conditions. Combined natural supplement also inhibited Oil Red O staining in cells, which indicates inhibited adipogenesis. Thus, combined natural supplement, a formula comprising vitamin D, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, ginger, curcumin and Boswellia extract, reduced oxidative stress, enhanced osteogenesis and chondrogenesis, and inhibited adipogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells to a greater extent than the individual ingredients, indicating synergistic interaction. In addition, combined natural supplement increased the expression PPAR-δ, suggesting that these effects correlate with the PPAR-δ pathway.

An evidence-based systematic review of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.

An evidence-based systematic review of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration consolidates the safety and efficacy data available in the scientific literature using a validated, reproducible grading rationale. This article includes written and statistical analysis of clinical trials, plus a compilation of expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.

The immediate effects of muscle energy technique on posterior shoulder tightness: a randomized controlled trial.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVES: To compare a muscle energy technique (MET) for the glenohumeral joint (GHJ) horizontal abductors and an MET for the GHJ external rotators to improve GHJ range of motion (ROM) in baseball players. BACKGROUND: Overhead athletes often exhibit loss of GHJ ROM in internal rotation, which has been associated with shoulder pathology. Current stretching protocols aimed at improving flexibility of the posterior shoulder have resulted in inconsistent outcomes. Although utilization of MET has been hypothesized to lengthen tissue, there are limited empirical data describing the effectiveness of such stretches for treating posterior shoulder tightness. METHODS: Sixty-one Division I baseball players were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: MET for the GHJ horizontal abductors (n = 19), MET for the GHJ external rotators (n = 22), and control (n = 20). We measured preintervention and postintervention GHJ horizontal adduction and internal rotation ROM, and conducted analyses of covariance, followed by Tukey honestly significant difference post hoc analysis for significant group-by-time interactions (P<.05). RESULTS: The group treated with the MET for the horizontal abductors had a significantly greater increase in GHJ horizontal adduction ROM postintervention (mean ± SD, 6.8° ± 10.5°) compared to the control group (-1.1° ± 6.8°) (P = .011) and a greater increase in internal rotation ROM postintervention (4.2° ± 5.3°) compared to the group treated with the MET for the external rotators (0.2° ± 6.3°) (P = .020) and the control group (-0.2° ± 4.0°) (P = .029). No significant differences among groups were found for any other variables (P>.05). CONCLUSION: A single application of an MET for the GHJ horizontal abductors provides immediate improvements in both GHJ horizontal adduction and internal rotation ROM in asymptomatic collegiate baseball players. Application of MET for the horizontal abductors may be useful to gain ROM in overhead athletes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, level 2b-.

An evidence-based systematic review of saffron (Crocus sativus) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration.

An evidence-based systematic review including written and statistical analysis of scientific literature, expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing.