Evaluation and Comparison of Daiokanzoto and Lubiprostone for Constipation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

A literature review of bioactive substances for the treatment of periodontitis: In vitro, in vivo and clinical studies

Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the tooth that involves a complex interaction of microorganisms and various cell lines around the infected site. To prevent and treat this disease, several options are available, such as scaling, root planning, antibiotic treatment, and dental surgeries, depending on the stage of the disease. However, these treatments can have various side effects, including additional inflammatory responses, chronic wounds, and the need for secondary surgery. Consequently, numerous studies have focused on developing new therapeutic agents for more effective periodontitis treatment. This review explores the latest trends in bioactive substances with therapeutic effects for periodontitis using various search engines. Therefore, this study aimed to suggest effective directions for therapeutic approaches. Additionally, we provide a summary of the current applications and underlying mechanisms of bioactive substances, which can serve as a reference for the development of periodontitis treatments.

Comparison of the conventional and immersing powdered crude drugs (IPCD) methods for color and extraction of quantitative indicator ingredients in the Kampo formula decoction of daiokanzoto

AIM

The immersing powdered crude drugs (IPCD) method is a quick and simple method for preparing decoctions. Here, the conventional and IPCD methods were compared for the color and extraction of quantitative indicator ingredients in the daiokanzoto decoction solution, and the suitability of the IPCD method was assessed.

METHODS

The color of decoction solutions was visually observed, and the Commission Internationale de L'éclairage (CIE) L*a*b*color parameters were measured using conventional and IPCD methods. The extracted amounts of sennoside A and glycyrrhizic acid, which are quantitative indicator ingredients of rhubarb and glycyrrhiza, respectively, were quantified.

RESULTS

Using both methods, the decoction solution colors were strong for rhubarb alone and daiokanzoto but weak for glycyrrhiza alone. The color change of daiokanzoto was thought to be primarily caused by rhubarb alone. The L*a*b* values of the decoction solution determined by the IPCD method were comparable to those determined by the conventional method (60 min). Using the conventional method, sennoside A and glycyrrhizic acid were mostly extracted in 10 and 30 min, respectively. Using the IPCD method, both sennoside A and glycyrrhizic acid were fully extracted in 2 min. The IPCD method yielded significantly more sennoside A and glycyrrhizic acid (2 times and 1.5 times, respectively) than the conventional method (60 min).

CONCLUSION

The IPCD method was found to be comparable to the conventional method in terms of the color, and using IPCD method, the same or greater amounts of quantitative indicator ingredients of crude drugs in the decoction of daiokanzoto compared to the conventional method. It was suggested that there are limitations to assessing the equivalence of decoctions from decoction color. The IPCD method may be a useful method although it is prudent to use the IPCD method for Kampo formula decoction in clinical practice with a certain degree of caution.

Recent Advances in Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice)-Containing Herbs Alleviating Radiotherapy- and Chemotherapy-Induced Adverse Reactions in Cancer Treatment

Cancers represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. They also impose a large economic burden on patients, their families, and health insurance systems. Notably, cancers and the adverse reactions to their therapeutic options, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, dramatically affect the quality of life of afflicted patients. Therefore, developing approaches to manage chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced adverse reactions gained greater attention in recent years. Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), a perennial plant that is one of the most frequently used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, has been heavily investigated in relation to cancer therapy. Licorice/licorice-related regimes, used in combination with chemotherapy, may improve the adverse effects of chemotherapy. However, there is little awareness of licorice-containing herbs alleviating reactions to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, or to other induced adverse reactions in cancer treatment. We aimed to provide a descriptive review, and to emphasize the possibility that licorice-related medicines could be used as an adjuvant regimen with chemotherapy to improve quality of life (QoL) and to reduce side effects, thus, improving compliance with chemotherapy. The experimental method involved searching different databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Wang Fang database, as of May 2022, to identify any relevant studies. Despite a lack of high-quality and large-scale randomized controlled trials, we still discovered the potential benefits of licorice-containing herbs from published clinical studies. These studies find that licorice-containing herbs, and their active ingredients, reduce the adverse reactions caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and improve the QoL of patients. This comprehensive review will serve as a cornerstone to encourage more scientists to evaluate and develop effective Traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions to improve the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.