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1.
Successful Control of Dasatinib-related Chylothorax by the Japanese Herbal Medicine "Goreisan".
Sasaki, H, Kimizuka, Y, Ogata, H, Okada, Y, Ota, S, Sano, T, Watanabe, C, Maki, Y, Yamamoto, T, Tagami, Y, et al
Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan). 2019;(21):3139-3141
Abstract
Dasatinib-related chylothorax is a rare adverse event, and the mechanism underlying its occurrence is still not fully understood. We herein report the case of a 73-year-old woman with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who developed dasatinib-related chylothorax refractory to conventional treatments, except for steroids. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of dasatinib-related chylothorax which was successfully controlled by combining diuretics with the Japanese herbal medicine "Goreisan." "Goreisan" is known to inhibit aquaporin channels and regulate the water flow. Our findings showed that "Goreisan" is an effective treatment option for uncontrollable dasatinib-related chylothorax.
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2.
Blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum): A Review on Chemistry, Processing, and Health Benefits.
Cortez, RE, Gonzalez de Mejia, E
Journal of food science. 2019;(9):2387-2401
Abstract
Blackcurrants (BC; Ribes nigrum) are relatively new to the U.S. market; however, they are well known and popular in Europe and Asia. The use of BC has been trending worldwide, particularly in the United States. We believe that demand for BC will grow as consumers become aware of the several potential health benefits these berries offer. The objectives of this review were to provide an up-to-date summary of information on BC based on articles published within the last decade; furthermore, to provide the food industry insights into possibilities for the utilization of BC. The chemistry, processing methods, and health benefits have been highlighted in addition to how the environment and variety impact the chemical constituents of BC. A search for journal publications on BC was conducted, which included keywords such as chemical characterization, health benefits, processing, technologies, anthocyanins (ANC), and proanthocyanidins. This review provides up-to-date information available on the subject. In conclusion, BC and their products have industrial uses from which extractions can be made to produce natural pigments to be used as food additives. BC contain flavonoids, specifically ANC, which provide the fruits with their purple color. BC are a rich source of phytochemicals with potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Also, BC have the potential to improve overall human health particularly with diseases associated with inflammation and regulation of blood glucose.
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3.
Protective roles of flavonoids and flavonoid-rich plant extracts against urolithiasis: A review.
Zeng, X, Xi, Y, Jiang, W
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 2019;(13):2125-2135
Abstract
In the urinary system, urolithiasis is the third prevalent disorder which causes severe pain in individuals. Urinary stones are composed of calcium oxalate (CaOx) and calcium phosphate in approximately 80% of patients. Although various drugs and surgery operations are used to treat the disease, side effects of drugs and the high recurrence after therapy in patients cannot be ignored. Flavonoids are a large group of plant polyphenols with presumed beneficial effects on several common diseases. Whereas, a very few have reached clinical use. The results of recent studies have shown that the plant flavonoids could effectively inhibit the formation of CaOx stones in vitro and in vivo, correlating with their diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties and other protective effects. Thus, the flavonoids or flavonoid-rich plant extracts endowed with anti-urolithiasis activities and probable mechanisms of actions were reviewed. In addition, we also put forward some issues needed to be concerned in future investigations as well as offered prospects and challenges for developing the plant flavonoids into drugs for stone prevention.
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4.
The Genus Nerine Herb. (Amaryllidaceae): Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, and Biological Activity.
Cahlíková, L, Vaněčková, N, Šafratová, M, Breiterová, K, Blunden, G, Hulcová, D, Opletal, L
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2019;(23)
Abstract
Nerine Herbert, family Amaryllidaceae, is a genus of about 30 species that are native to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Swatini (formerly known as Swaziland). Species of Nerine are autumn-flowering, perennial, bulbous plants, which inhabit areas with summer rainfall and cool, dry winters. Most Nerine species have been cultivated for their elegant flowers, presenting a source of innumerable horticultural hybrids. For many years, species of Nerine have been subjected to extensive phytochemical and pharmacological investigations, which resulted in either the isolation or identification of more than fifty Amaryllidaceae alkaloids belonging to different structural types. Amaryllidaceae alkaloids are frequently studied for their interesting biological properties, including antiviral, antibacterial, antitumor, antifungal, antimalarial, analgesic, cytotoxic, and cholinesterase inhibition activities. The present review aims to summarize comprehensively the research that has been reported on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Nerine.
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5.
Beneficial Effects of Pomegranate on Lipid Metabolism in Metabolic Disorders.
Hou, C, Zhang, W, Li, J, Du, L, Lv, O, Zhao, S, Li, J
Molecular nutrition & food research. 2019;(16):e1800773
Abstract
Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn) is used in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome in recent decades. Imbalances in lipid metabolism are profound features of metabolic disorders. In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that extracts of different pomegranate fractions (peels, flowers, juice, and seeds) regulate lipid metabolism in metabolic-disorder-associated diseases such as atherosclerosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes, helping to alleviate the development of diseases. Amelioration of oxidative stress and the inflammatory response is considered an important reason underlying the regulation of lipid metabolism by pomegranate extracts. Mitochondria, the major cellular site for lipid oxidation, are strongly associated with cellular oxidative and inflammatory status and are likely to be a target for pomegranate extract action. This review summarizes the main findings about the effects of different pomegranate fraction extracts on lipid metabolism in metabolic-disorder-associated diseases and analyses how pomegranate extracts achieve their effects. Furthermore, it also provides an important basis for the research and development of pomegranate-related nutrients or drugs.
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6.
Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Darchini): A Boon to Medical Science and a Possible Therapy for Stress-Induced Ailments.
Hussain, Z, Khan, JA, Rashid, H
Critical reviews in eukaryotic gene expression. 2019;(3):263-276
Abstract
Plants have been an imperative source of medicine and drugs for therapy of different ailments in humans from the early history until today. Many phytochemicals present in plants act as antioxidants and are utilized as health-protecting agents. Cinnamon, a widely used spice and folk medicine obtained from Cinnamomum zeylanicum, is an effective therapy for various diseases because of its antioxidant and protective efficacy. In the present review, we investigate the beneficial effects of cinnamon on stress-induced ailments. The data regarding therapeutic effects of cinnamon on stress-induced conditions were systematically collected from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and the Web of Science databases published in the English language from 2000 until July 2018 with the following terms: cinnamon, antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory, and multifaceted plant. The articles reviewed demonstrated that free radicals play a significant role in the pathophysiology of oxidative stress-associated diseases; therefore cinnamon, with its free radical scavenging activity, represents a promising therapeutic option for ameliorating these debilitating conditions. In this context, the use of cinnamon and its derivatives might be a beneficial way to reduce oxidative stress-induced complications. However, more studies are needed at the molecular level to understand the pathophysiology of the clinical conditions observed as a result of oxidative stress.
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7.
Evaluation and Exploitation of Bioactive Compounds of Walnut, Juglans regia.
Croitoru, A, Ficai, D, Craciun, L, Ficai, A, Andronescu, E
Current pharmaceutical design. 2019;(2):119-131
Abstract
In the last few years, great importance has been given to natural materials (such as walnuts, peanuts, chestnuts) due to their medicinal and pharmaceutical uses induced by the presence of natural agents, including polyphenols. Juglans regia is a traditional plant that has been used since ancient times in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases like microbial infections, stomach ache, thyroid dysfunctions, cancer, heart diseases and sinusitis. Recently, scientific attention for the phytochemical profile of walnut by-products is increasing due to their valuable active constituents. Natural polyphenols are important compounds present in walnut with valuable properties that have been studied for the treatment of inflammation, cancer or anti-ageing effect. The use of nanocarriers as a drug delivery system is now a promising strategy to get more stable products and is easier to apply in a medical, therapeutic and pharmaceutical environment. The aim of this work was to review the latest information provided by scientific investigators regarding the nutritional value, bioactive compounds, antioxidant and antitumor activity of walnut by-product extracts. Moreover, this review provides comprehensive information on the nanoencapsulation of bioactive constituents for application in clinical medicine, particularly in cancer research.
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8.
Regulation of the levels of health promoting compounds: lupeol, mangiferin and phenolic acids in the pulp and peel of mango fruit: a review.
Vithana, MD, Singh, Z, Johnson, SK
Journal of the science of food and agriculture. 2019;(8):3740-3751
Abstract
There is a demand for feasible methodologies that can increase/maintain the levels of health-promoting phytochemicals in horticultural produce, due to strong evidence that these compounds can reduce risk of chronic diseases. Mango (Mangifera indica L.), ranks fifth among the most cultivated fruit crops in the world, is naturally rich in phytochemicals such as lupeol, mangiferin and phenolic acids (e.g. gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and vanillic acid). Yet, there is still much scope for up-regulating the levels of these compounds in mango fruit through manipulation of different preharvest and postharvest practices that affect their biosynthesis and degradation. The process of ripening, harvest maturity, physical and chemical elicitor treatments such as low temperature stress, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA) and nitric oxide (NO) and the availability of enzyme cofactors (Mg2+ , Mn2+ and Fe2+ ) required in terpenoid biosynthesis were identified as potential determinants of the concentration of health-promoting compounds in mango fruit. The effectiveness of these preharvest and postharvest approaches in regulating the levels of lupeol, mangiferin and phenolic acids in the pulp and peel of mango fruit will be discussed. In general spray application of 0.2% iron(II) sulphate (FeSO4 ) 30 days before harvest, harvest at sprung stage, storage of mature green fruit at 5 °C for 12 days prior to ripening, fumigation of mature green fruit with 10-5 mol L-1 and/or 10-4 mol L-1 MeJA for 24 h or 20 and/or 40 µL L-1 NO for 2 h upregulate the levels of lupeol, mangiferin and phenolic acids in pulp and peel of ripe mango fruit. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.
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9.
Therapeutic potential of Artemisia vulgaris: An insight into underlying immunological mechanisms.
Soon, L, Ng, PQ, Chellian, J, Madheswaran, T, Panneerselvam, J, Gupta, G, Nammi, S, Hansbro, NG, Hsu, A, Dureja, H, et al
Journal of environmental pathology, toxicology and oncology : official organ of the International Society for Environmental Toxicology and Cancer. 2019;(3):205-216
Abstract
Artemisia vulgaris is a traditional Chinese herb believed to have a wide range of healing properties; it is traditionally used to treat numerous health ailments. The plant is commonly called mugwort or riverside wormwood. The plant is edible, and in addition to its medicinal properties, it is also used as a culinary herb in Asian cooking in the form of a vegetable or in soup. The plant has garnered the attention of researchers in the past few decades, and several research studies have investigated its biological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hypolipidemic, and antimicrobial properties. In this review, various studies on these biological effects are discussed along with the tests conducted, compounds involved, and proposed mechanisms of action. This review will be of interest to the researchers working in the field of herbal medicine, pharmacology, medical sciences, and immunology.
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10.
Herbal medicine in oral lichen planus.
Ghahremanlo, A, Boroumand, N, Ghazvini, K, Hashemy, SI
Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2019;(2):288-293
Abstract
Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory and T cell-mediated autoimmune disease in which the oral mucosa, tongue, and gingiva are involved. Different treatments have been suggested to reduce the symptoms of this disease. Currently, a common treatment for OLP is the use of corticosteroids as the gold standard, although they have considerable side effects. The chronicity of the disease needs the long-term use of these drugs with ensuing side effects. Therefore, various studies have been done to find an alternative and effective treatment. The use of herbal medicine as an alternative therapy with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties seems promising. Hence, this review study was done to summarize the efficiency of different herbal medicine in the treatment of OLP.