Antiproliferative properties of Padma Lax and its components ginger and elecampane

Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Antibacterial Activities of the Selected Tibetan Formulations Used in Gandaki Province, Nepal

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An open-ended and semistructured questionnaire was used for an ethnomedicinal survey of the Tibetan formulations practiced in four Tibetan refugee settlements in Gandaki Province, Nepal. Based on the ethnomedicinal survey data, commonly used nine formulations were selected (Aru-18, Basam, Dadue, Dashel, Mutik-25, Raab Ga Yangzin Tea, Serdok-11, Sugmel-10, and Yungwa-4) to test biological activities. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. The cytotoxicity was examined by using the Allium cepa L. root tip meristem model. Similarly, the antibacterial effect was assessed by using well diffusion and broth dilution methods.

RESULTS

An ethnomedicinal survey showed a total of 52 Tibetan formulations were generally used by respondents for common diseases such as stomach disorders, diabetes, and migraine. From the antioxidant activity test, Sugmel-10 showed the highest DPPH free-radical-scavenging activity (IC50 1.8 μg/ml) and Yungwa-4 showed the lowest activity (IC50 5.2 μg/ml). Also, from the cytotoxic activity, the A. cepa root meristem model exhibited significant dose- and time-dependent growth suppression in Basam, Dadue, Mutik-25, and Serdok-11 as compared with cyclophosphamide standard drug. Similarly, Basam showed a good antibacterial effect having MIC 20 mg/ml and MBC 100 mg/ml against Enterococci faecalis. Conclusion. Research showed that Tibetan people preferred Tibetan formulations for the treatment and mitigation of several diseases. The result of antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antibacterial activities experimentally justified the ethnomedicinal value of nine common formulations (Aru-18, Basam, Dadue, Dashel, Mutik-25, Raab Ga Yangzin Tea, Serdok-11, Sugmel-10, and Yungwa-4). To the best of our knowledge, this study was performed for the first time in Nepal. Results from this preliminary study open the door to the scientific world to perform extensive pharmacological studies for designing and developing new therapeutic agents.

Alantolactone inhibits cervical cancer progression by downregulating BMI1

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Despite advances in cervical cancer therapy, tumor recurrence and metastasis remain the leading causes of mortality. High expression of BMI1 is significantly associated with poor tumor differentiation, high clinical grade, and poor prognosis of cervical cancer, and is an independent prognostic factor in cervical carcinoma. Alantolactone (AL), a sesquiterpene lactone, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. In this paper, we investigated the mechanism of AL in reducing the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HeLa and SiHa cervical cancer cells as well as its promotion of mitochondrial damage and autophagy. BMI1 silencing decreased epithelial-mesenchymal transformation-associated proteins and increased autophagy-associated proteins in HeLa cells. These effects were reversed by overexpression of BMI1 in HeLa cells. Thus, BMI1 expression is positively correlated with invasion and negatively correlated with autophagy in HeLa cells. Importantly, AL decreased the weight, volume, and BMI1 expression in HeLa xenograft tumors. Furthermore, the structure of BMI1 and target interaction of AL were virtually screened using the molecular docking program Autodock Vina; AL decreased the expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, and P62 and increased the expression of LC3B and Beclin-1 in xenograft tumors. Finally, expression of BMI1 increased the phosphorylation of STAT3, which is important for cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. Therefore, we suggest that AL plays a pivotal role in inhibiting BMI1 in the tumorigenesis of cervical cancer and is a potential therapeutic agent for cervical cancer.

Complementary and alternative medicines in irritable bowel syndrome: An integrative view

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with a high incidence in the general population. The diagnosis of IBS is mainly based on exclusion of other intestinal conditions through the absence of inflammatory markers and specific antigens. The current pharmacological treatment approaches available focus on reducing symptom severity while often limiting quality of life because of significant side effects. This has led to an effectiveness gap for IBS patients that seek further relief to increase their quality of life. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) have been associated with a higher degree of symptom management and quality of life in IBS patients. Over the past decade, a number of important clinical trials have shown that specific herbal therapies (peppermint oil and Iberogast^®), hypnotherapy, cognitive behavior therapy, acupuncture, and yoga present with improved treatment outcomes in IBS patients. We propose an integrative approach to treating the diverse symptoms of IBS by combining the benefits of and need for pharmacotherapy with known CAM therapies to provide IBS patients with the best treatment outcome achievable. Initial steps in this direction are already being considered with an increasing number of practitioners recommending CAM therapies to their patients if pharmacotherapy alone does not alleviate symptoms sufficiently.

Die Tibetische Rezeptur Padma Lax in der ärztlichen Praxis: Eine retrospektive Fallstudie bei Obstipation mit 174 Patienten

<b><i>Hintergrund: </i></b>Das Tibetische Arzneimittel Padma Lax ist seit über 40 Jahren in der Schweiz bei Obstipation und Blähungen zugelassen. In dieser Studie wurden Daten zur Anwendung im Praxisumfeld und zur Wirksamkeit bei verschiedenen obstipationsbedingten Beschwerden sowie zu Sicherheit und Verträglichkeit erhoben und bewertet. <b><i>Material und Methoden: </i></b>In der Schweiz praktizierende Ärztinnen und Ärzte dokumentierten retrospektiv den Behandlungsverlauf bei chronischer Obstipation mittels eines eigens entwickelten Fragebogens. Neben der Stuhlfrequenz wurde unter anderem auch die Intensität von 12 spezifischen Verstopfungssymptomen erhoben. <b><i>Ergebnisse: </i></b>17 teilnehmende Ärzte lieferten Daten von insgesamt 174 Patientenfällen, wobei rund 30% aus der gynäkologischen Praxis stammten. Als Obstipationsursachen wurden unter anderem Lifestyle-Faktoren und verschiedene Grunderkrankungen angegeben, z.B. neurologische oder hormonelle Störungen. Sicherheit und Verträglichkeit wurden als sehr gut beurteilt, es wurde nur 1 unerwünschtes Ereignis (eine Verschlechterung der Flatulenz) angegeben. Die Stuhlfrequenz stieg im Behandlungsverlauf deutlich, 97% erreichten eine Frequenz von >2 pro Woche. Durchschnittlich verringerten sich die Häufigkeit und die Intensität aller Symptome, mit Ausnahme des Symptoms weicher/dünner Stuhl, das sich bei ebenso vielen Patienten erhöhte wie erniedrigte. Die Gesamtintensität über alle Symptome sank von durchschnittlich 15,8 um 63% auf 5,8. Der Anteil der Patienten mit starken Beschwerden (Gesamtscore >20) sank von 20,1% auf 1,7%, was in der Folge die Gruppe mit «kaum Beschwerden» (Gesamtscore ≤5) von 1,2% auf 57% ansteigen ließ. 86% der Ärzte und der Patienten beurteilten die Wirksamkeit als gut. <b><i>Schlussfolgerungen: </i></b>Padma Lax wurde bei Verstopfung unterschiedlicher Ursache bei einem breiten Patientenspektrum eingesetzt. Die Einschätzung der Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit war gut oder sehr gut. Trotz der Limitierung durch den retrospektiven Studientyp weisen die Daten darauf hin, dass Padma Lax bei chronischer Verstopfung unterschiedlicher Ursache, insbesondere auch in der gynäkologischen Praxis, bei geriatrischen Patienten und bei Patienten mit neurogener Obstipation, eine wirksame und verträgliche Therapieoption darstellt.

Tibetan medicine: a unique heritage of person-centered medicine

With a history going back approximately 2,500 years, the Tibetan medicine, known as Sowa Rigpa in the Tibetan language, is one of the world’s oldest known traditional medicine. It originally developed during the pre-Buddhist era in the kingdom known as Shang Shung. As a traditional medicine, the future development of Tibetan medicine in Western countries is linked to being recognized as a popular and viable healthcare option providing an alternative clinical reality. Its inherent ability to incorparate predictive diagnostics, targeted prevention, and the creation of individualized medical treatment give Tibetan medicine great potential for assessing and treating patients.

Pro-apoptotic and anticancer properties of Thapring - A Tibetan herbal formulation

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the pro-apoptotic and anti-tumorigenic properties of Thapring - a Traditional Tibetan Medicine - in hepatoma cells and in a transgenic mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The pro-apoptotic action and growth inhibition property of Thapring were assessed in Huh7, HepG2 and A549 cell lines using flow cytometry and MTT assay, respectively. Confocal microscopy for colocalization of cytochrome c and mitochondria was done using dsRed mitotracker in Huh7 cells. The activation of p38 MAP kinase and p53 pathway was evaluated by Western blotting. Serological studies for liver function, vascular endothelial growth factor and superoxide dismutase were assessed in the serum of X15-myc transgenic mice. Immuno-histochemical studies for Bcl2 and p21(Waf1) expression were also carried out in the liver section of the above mice.

RESULTS

Treatment with Thapring inhibited proliferation and accumulation of hepatoma cells in G1 phase. There was increased cytochrome c release from mitochondria and decreased Bcl2 levels - the key markers of apoptotic cell death. Besides activation of p38 MAP kinase and increased p53 expression were also observed. Oral administration of Thapring in transgenic mice lowered serum VEGF levels and conferred hepatoprotection as evident from normal serum ALT levels. Further, immunohistochemical analysis of the liver samples revealed reduced expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 and over-expression of cell cycle regulator p21(Waf1).

CONCLUSIONS

The ability of Thapring to impose growth arrest and trigger pro-apoptotic death in cell culture as well as ameliorative effects in vivo provides scientific basis for its usefulness as traditional medicine and its clinical application in adjunct/combination therapy along with other known anticancer drugs.