Trans-perineal pumpkin seed oil phonophoresis as an adjunctive treatment for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis

Phonophoresis through Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease. The administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by phonophoresis is a therapeutic alternative to relieve pain in inflammatory pathologies. The main aim was to analyze the efficacy of the application of NSAIDs by phonophoresis in knee OA. A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials were performed between January and March 2021 in the following databases: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Cinahl, SciELO, and PEDro. The PEDro scale was used to evaluate the level of evidence of the selected studies. The RevMan 5.4 statistical software was used to obtain the meta-analysis. Eight studies were included, of which five were included in the meta-analysis, involving 195 participants. The NSAIDs used through phonophoresis were ibuprofen, piroxicam, diclofenac sodium, diclofenac diethylammonium, ketoprofen, and methyl salicylate. The overall result for pain showed not-conclusive results, but a trend toward significance was found in favor of the phonophoresis group compared to the control group (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.92; 95% confidence interval: -1.87-0.02). Favorable results were obtained for physical function (SMD = -1.34; 95% CI: -2.00-0.68). Based on the selected studies, the application of NSAIDs by phonophoresis is effective in relieving the symptoms of knee OA. Future long-term studies are recommended.

Effects of Xialiqi capsules on rats with nonbacterial prostatitis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of Xialiqi capsules in rats with nonbacterial prostatitis.

METHODS

A total of 90 healthy male SD rats, weighing 200-220 g, were randomly divided into a blank control group (BCG, n=30), a model group (MG, n=30), and an intervention group (IG, n=30). After establishing the model of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, IG was treated with 50 mg/kg Xialiqi capsules via gavage. The three groups received the same dose of saline via gavage for 7 consecutive days. The differences in leukocytes, phospholipid vesicle density, number of colonies, prostate mass, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), degree of inflammatory cell infiltration in the prostate fluid, serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, CD3+, CD8+ levels after intervention were compared in the three groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the BCG, the number of leukocytes and colonies in the prostate fluid of the MG was elevated, and the density of lipid vesicles was decreased, and the number of leukocytes and colonies in the prostate fluid of the MG significantly decreased and the density of lipid vesicles rebounded after the intervention of Xialiqi capsules (P>0.05). Compared with the BCG, the prostate mass, ADC and the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration were elevated in the MG. There was a significant reversion of the above indices after the intervention of Xialiqi capsules (P<0.05). The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in the MG were significantly higher than those in the IG, and the levels in the IG were higher than that in the BCG (P<0.05). The serum levels of CD3+ and CD8+ in the MG were significantly lower than those in the IG, and the levels in the IG were lower than that in the BCG (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Xialiqi capsules have a good intervention effect on nonbacterial prostatitis, which can significantly alleviate the immune status and reduce the level of cytokines in the serum and tissues of rats.

Herbal nutraceutical treatment of chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a literature review

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is the most frequent form of prostatitis, and has a serious impact on patients' quality of life, and causes severe symptoms. The pain in the pelvic, perineal and penile areas, lower abdominal pain, and pain during urination or ejaculation are the main complaints of CP/CPPS. The underlying complex and unknown pathophysiology of this syndrome have made the management of CP/CPPS and the availability of monotherapy challenging. To identify an effective monotherapy, a plethora of clinical trials failed due to its puzzling etiology. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, and a-blockers have been commonly used for the treatment of CP/CPPS, but the desired and complete effects have not been gotten yet. The patients and clinicians are attracted to alternative therapies because of their multi-targeted effects. Attention toward natural compounds effectiveness and safety, supporting the development of a new nutraceutical science. In the alternative remedies for the treatment of prostatic diseases, medicinal herbs, in the form of herb parts or extracts, are getting attention due to their positive effects on prostatic diseases. At present, there is no available detailed literature review about the efficacy of medicinal herbs in the treatment of CP/CPPS. This review aimed to explore the useful medicinal herbs in the treatment of CP/CPPS from different perspectives and their possible mechanism of action in managing CP/CPPS.

Role of the active cycle of breathing technique combined with phonophoresis for the treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): study protocol for a preliminary randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease characterized by coughing, the production of excess sputum, and dyspnea. Patients with excessively thick sputum may have frequent attacks or develop more serious disease. The guidelines recommend airway clearance for patients with excessive sputum who are hospitalized with COPD. The active cycle of breathing technique is the most common non-pharmacological airway clearance technique used by physiotherapists. However, the effectiveness of the technique is not always guaranteed. Active cycle of breathing techniques require the initial dilution of the sputum, usually by inhalation drugs, which may have limited effects. Recent studies have found that phonophoresis decreases inflammation, suggesting the potential of the combined usage of active cycle of breathing techniques and phonophoresis. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness and safety of combining active cycle of breathing technique and phonophoresis in treating COPD patients.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We propose a single-blind randomized controlled trial using 75 hospitalized patients diagnosed with COPD with excessive sputum production. The patients will be divided into three groups. The intervention group will receive active cycle of breathing techniques combined with phonophoresis. The two comparison groups will be treated with active cycle of breathing techniques and phonophoresis, respectively. The program will be implemented daily for 1 week. The primary outcomes will be changes in sputum viscosity and production, lung function, and pulse oximetry. Secondary outcomes include the assessment of COPD and anxiety, measured by the COPD Assessment Test scale and the Anxiety Inventory for Respiratory Disease, respectively; self-satisfaction; the degree of cooperation; and the length of hospital stay. All outcome measures, with the exception of sputum production and additional secondary outcomes, will be assessed at the commencement of the study and after 1 week's intervention. Analysis of variance will be used to investigate differences between the groups, and a p-value of less than 0.05 (two-tailed) will be considered statistically significant.

DISCUSSION

This study introduces a combination of active cycle of breathing techniques and phonophoresis to explore the impact of these interventions on patients hospitalized with COPD. If this combined intervention is shown to be effective, it may prove to be a better treatment for patients with COPD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered prospectively on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 24 December 2019.ClinicalTrials.gov ChiCTR1900028506 . Registered on December 2019.

Seeds

A wide variety of plant species provide edible seeds. Seeds are the dominant source of human calories and protein. The most important and popular seed food sources are cereals, followed by legumes and nuts. Their nutritional content of fiber, protein, and monounsaturated/polyunsaturated fats make them extremely nutritious. They are important additions to our daily food consumption. When consumed as part of a healthy diet, seeds can help reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

Control of the Transdermal Delivery Process of Active Substances of the Phytocomplex during Phonophoresis in Model Experiments

BACKGROUND:

The scientific substantiation for the selection of therapeutically significant dosage of phytocomplex in the dosage form for phonophoresis, control over the delivery of active substances into the body, and what affects this process require the study of the kinetics of phytocomplex flavonoids delivery during phonophoresis.

AIM:

The aim was to study the possibilities of controlling the process of transdermal delivery of phytocomplex active substances (flavonoids) during phonophoresis in vitro model experiments.

METHODS:

Working compositions with different concentrations of phytocomplex for phonophoresis were used. The content of flavonoids in the compositions was determined using the spectrophotometric method and was calculated equivalent to quercetin, the flavonoid prevailing in the phytocomplex. The study of the kinetics of flavonoids delivery from working compositions was carried out using Franz diffusion cells and Carbosyl-P membranes. The authors determined the main parameters of the process and established the dependence of the delivery rate of flavonoids on their initial concentration in the working composition. The authors studied the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide and the base-forming substances of the working composition on the kinetics of phytocomplex flavonoid delivery during phonophoresis.

RESULTS:

The authors recorded an increase in the rate of delivery of the active substances from working compositions containing dimethyl sulfoxide into the model medium by almost 1.5-2 times during the first ten minutes of the experiment (approximate duration of the phonophoresis procedure). The authors proposed technological techniques for improvement of the phonophoresis method for the phytocomplex. The possibilities of control over the process of transdermal delivery of the phytocomplex active ingredients during phonophoresis in vitro model experiments were shown.

CONCLUSION:

The obtained results provide information for further pharmacological studies of the nature and mechanism of the effect of phytocomplex flavonoids during phonophoresis in the rehabilitation of patients with osteoarthrosis.