Medicinal plants contain mucilage used in traditional Persian medicine (TPM)

The influence of climate change on the future distribution of two Thymus species in Iran: MaxEnt model-based prediction

Within a few decades, the species habitat was reshaped at an alarming rate followed by climate change, leading to mass extinction, especially for sensitive species. Species distribution models (SDMs), which estimate both present and future species distribution, have been extensively developed to investigate the impacts of climate change on species distribution and assess habitat suitability. In the West Asia essential oils of T. daenensis and T. kotschyanus include high amounts of thymol and carvacrol and are commonly used as herbal tea, spice, flavoring agents and medicinal plants. Therefore, this study aimed to model these Thymus species in Iran using the MaxEnt model under two representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) for the years 2050 and 2070. The findings revealed that the mean temperature of the warmest quarter (bio10) was the most significant variable affecting the distribution of T. daenensis. In the case of T. kotschyanus, slope percentage was the primary influencing factor. The MaxEnt modeling also demonstrated excellent performance, as indicated by all the Area Under the Curve (AUC) values exceeding 0.9. Moreover, based on the projections, the two mentioned species are expected to undergo negative area changes in the coming years. These results can serve as a valuable achievement for developing adaptive management strategies aimed at enhancing protection and sustainable utilization in the context of global climate change.

Habitat potential modelling and the effect of climate change on the current and future distribution of three Thymus species in Iran using MaxEnt

Over the course of a few decades, climate change has caused a rapid and alarming reshaping of species habitats, resulting in mass extinction, particularly among sensitive species. In order to investigate the effects of climate change on species distribution and assess habitat suitability, researchers have developed species distribution models (SDMs) that estimate present and future species distribution. In West Asia, thyme species such as T. fedtschenkoi, T. pubescens, and T. transcaucasicus are rich in thymol and carvacrol, and are commonly used as herbal tea, spice, flavoring agents, and medicinal plants. This study aims to model the distribution of these Thymus species in Iran using the MaxEnt model under two representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) for the years 2050 and 2070. The objective is to identify the crucial bioclimatic (n = 5), edaphic (n = 1), and topographic (n = 3) variables that influence their distribution and predict how their distribution might change under various climate scenarios. The findings reveal that the most significant variable affecting T. fedtschenkoi and T. pubescens is altitude, while soil organic carbon content is the primary factor influencing the distribution of T. transcaucasicus. The MaxEnt modeling demonstrates excellent performance, as indicated by all the area under the curve (AUC) values exceeding 0.9. Based on the projections, it is expected that these three thyme species will experience negative area changes in the coming years. These results can serve as a valuable tool for developing adaptive management strategies aimed at enhancing protection and sustainable utilization in the context of global climate change. Special attention should be given to conserving T. fedtschenkoi, T. pubescens, and T. transcaucasicus due to their significant habitat loss in the future.

Polysaccharides (pectin, mucilage, and fructan inulin) and their fermented products: A critical analysis of their biochemical, gut interactions, and biological functions as antidiabetic agents

Diabetes mellitus is a globally metabolic endocrine syndrome marked by a deficiency of insulin secretion (type-1 DM) or glucose intolerance arising from insulin response impairment (type-2 DM) leading to abnormal glucose metabolism. With an increasing interest in natural dietary components for diabetes management, the identification of novel agents witnessed major discoveries. Plant-derived mucilage, pectin, and inulin are important non-starch polysaccharides that exhibit effective antidiabetic properties often termed soluble dietary fiber (SDF). SDF affects sugar metabolism through multiple mechanisms affecting glucose absorption and diffusion, modulation of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase), ameliorating β-pancreatic cell dysfunction, and improving insulin release or sensitivity. Certain SDFs inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and influence the expression levels of genes related to glucose metabolism. This review is designed to discuss holistically and critically the antidiabetic effects of major SDF and their underlying mechanisms of action. This review should aid drug discovery approaches in developing novel natural antidiabetic drugs from SDF.

Plant leaf mucilage/carrageenan/Eudragit® NE30D blended films: Optimization, characterization, and pharmaceutical application

Mucilage of C. pareira leaves was utilized, being manufactured for use in pharmaceutical products. Carrageenan and Eudragit® NE30D were used to combined. Glycerin was used as a plasticizer at a concentration of 20 % w/w based on the amount of polymer used. Computer software optimized its characteristics, including tensile properties, moisture uptake, and erosion; the optimal formulation was 1.4:1.2:2.8. The percentages of optimization error ranged from 8.48 to 13.80 %. Propranolol HCl was mixed to an optimal formulation. The film layer was tight, homogeneous, and smooth, with no holes. DSC thermogram showed no interaction peaks at 101.33 °C and 170.50 °C. Propranolol HCl concentration in the film ranged from 2.18 to 2.20 mg/cm2. Propranolol HCl was quickly released from the film. The kinetic model for the release profile was first-order kinetic. Although propranolol HCl had a high-release profile, its skin permeation was limited. The permeation lag time, Jss, and Kp were 1.60-2.65 h, 0.0182-0.0338 μg/cm2/h, and 9.10-15.35 cm/h, respectively. A significant amount of propranolol HCl residue was found on the skin's surface. Glycerin appeared to influence propranolol HCl permeability. Therefore, the plant leaf mucilage/carrageenan/Eudragit® NE30D blended film can be utilized in pharmaceutical applications to control drug release from its film layer.

A Systematic Review of Phytochemistry, Nutritional Composition, and Pharmacologic Application of Species of the Genus Viola in Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)

Viola L. is the largest genus of the Violaceae family with more than 500 species across the globe. The present extensive literature survey revealed Viola species to be a group of important nutritional and medicinal plants used for the ethnomedicinal treatment of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, asthma, lung diseases, and fatigue. Many plant species of this genus have also received scientific validation of their pharmacological activities including neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, anticancer, antihypertensive, antidyslipidemic, analgesic, antipyretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, and antioxidant. Viola is highly rich in different natural products some of which have been isolated and identified in the past few decades; these include flavonoids terpenoids and phenylpropanoids of different pharmacological activities. The pharmacokinetics and clinical studies on this genus are lacking, and the present review is aimed at summarizing the current understanding of the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, nutritional composition, and pharmacological profile of medicinal plants from the Viola genus to reveal its therapeutic potentials, gaps, and subsequently open a new window for future pharmacological research.

Efficacy of lettuce seed syrup on insomnia in patients with breast cancer: a pilot double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

Insomnia and sleep disorders are common and can be severe amongst patients with cancer, especially during chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lettuce seed syrup in breast cancer patients who suffer from insomnia or disordered sleep.

METHODS

This pilot study was a double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial conducted in Shoha-e-Tajrish Hospital (Tehran, Iran) from September 2018 to June 2019. 50 adult patients with breast cancer with insomnia or sleep disorders were enrolled. Participants were randomly allocated to lettuce seed syrup (5 mL twice daily), or placebo syrup at the same dose for four weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

Compared to placebo, the mean of the total PSQI score decreased significantly in participants who received lettuce seed syrup (p=0.014). In addition, there were statistically significant reductions in the mean scores of subject quality sleep (p=0.002), sleep duration (p=0.038), habitual sleep efficacy (p=0.029) and sleep disturbance (p=0.032) in patients who received lettuce seed syrup.

CONCLUSIONS

Lettuce seed syrup may improve self-reported sleep quality in participants with breast cancer. Larger trials are indicated in diverse samples of participants with caner to learn if these finds are generalizable.

Extraction of polysaccharide from Althea rosea and its physicochemical, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive and antioxidant properties

The valorization of new polymer sources from underutilized plants as structuring, encapsulating, and texturizing agents for food and nutraceutical applications is gaining attention. This provides an opportunity where inexpensive plant-sourced biopolymers can play an impactful role, on both ecological and economic aspects performing equivalently effectual yet cost-effective substitutes to synthetic polymers. With this aim, we explored the use of mucilage from Althea rosea and reveal its physicochemical, in vitro antidiabetic and antihypertensive activity. Besides, structural, micrometric, crystallization, and anti-microbial properties was also seen. We determined the probable structure of the extracted mucilage by FTIR which confirmed the residues of saccharides as galactose and uronic acid with α and β configurations. It consists of 78.26% carbohydrates, 3.51% ashes, and 3.72% proteins. Here, we show that the mucilage offered protection to DNA against the oxidative damage caused by (-OH) radicals and the morphology of the mucilage particles displayed a fibrillary material settled in a net-like, tangled structure. Our results demonstrate that the reconstituted mucilage powder exhibited good water holding capacity (2.89 g water/g mucilage), solubility (27.33%), and oil holding capacity (1.79 g oil/g mucilage). Moreover, high emulsifying property (95.83%) and foaming capacity (17.04%) was noted. Our results indicate that A.rosea mucilage can potentially serve as economical and eco-friendly hydrocolloid substitute for the food and nutraceutical industry owing to its functional, hypo-lipidemic, anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-bacterial properties.

Bioactive nutraceutical ligands and their efficiency to chelate elemental iron of varying dynamic oxidation states to mitigate associated clinical conditions

The natural bioactive or nutraceuticals exhibit several health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, metal chelation, antiviral, and antimicrobial activity. The inherent limitation of nutraceuticals or bioactive ligand(s) in terms of poor pharmacokinetic and other physicochemical properties affects their overall therapeutic efficiency. The excess of iron in the physiological compartments and its varying dynamic oxidation state [Fe(II) and Fe(III)] precipitates various clinical conditions such as non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI), labile iron pool (LIP), ferroptosis, cancer, etc. Though several natural bioactive ligands are proposed to chelate iron, the efficiency of bioactive ligands is limited due to poor bioavailability, denticity, and other related physicochemical properties. The present review provides insight into the relevance of studying the dynamic oxidation state of iron(II) and iron(III) in the physiological compartments and its clinical significance for selecting diagnostics and therapeutic regimes. We suggested a three-pronged approach, i.e., diagnosis, selection of therapeutic regime (natural bioactive), and integration of novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) or nanotechnology-based principles. This systematic approach improves the overall therapeutic efficiency of natural iron chelators to manage iron overload-related clinical conditions.

Polysaccharides as wall materials in spray-dried microencapsulation of bioactive compounds: Physicochemical properties and characterization

Natural bioactive compounds (BCs) are types of chemicals found in plants and certain foods that promote good health, however they are sensitive to processing and environmental conditions. Microencapsulation by spray drying is a widely used and cost-effective approach to create a coating layer to surround and protect BCs and control their release, enabling the production of high functional products/ingredients with extended shelf life. In this process, wall materials determine protection efficiency, and physical properties, bioavailability, and storage stability of microencapsulated products. Therefore, an understanding of physicochemical properties of wall materials is essential for the successful and effective spray-dried microencapsulation process. Typically, polysaccharide-based wall materials are generated from more sustainable sources and have a wider range of physicochemical properties and applications compared to their protein-based counterparts. In this review, we highlight the essential physicochemical properties of polysaccharide-based wall materials for spray-dried microencapsulation of BCs including solubility, thermal stability, and emulsifying properties, rheological and film forming properties. We provide further insight into possibilities for the chemical structure modification of native wall materials and their controlled release behaviors. Finally, we summarize the most recent studies involving polysaccharide biopolymers as wall materials and/or emulsifiers in spray-dried microencapsulation of BCs.

Malva parviflora Leaves Mucilage: An Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Biopolymer with Antioxidant Properties

Malva parviflora L. is an edible and medicinal herb containing mucilaginous cells in its leaves. Mucilage obtained from M. parviflora leaves (MLM) was extracted in distilled water (1:10 w/v) at 70 °C followed by precipitation with alcohol. Preliminary phytochemical tests were performed to assess the purity of the extracted mucilage. Results showed that the yield of mucilage was 7.50%, and it was free from starch, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids, lipids and heavy metals. MLM had 16.19% carbohydrates, 13.55% proteins and 4.76% amino acids, which indicate its high nutritional value. Physicochemical investigations showed that MLM is neutral and water-soluble, having 5.84% moisture content, 15.60% ash content, 12.33 swelling index, 2.57 g/g water-holding capacity and 2.03 g/g oil-binding capacity. The functional properties, including emulsion capacity, emulsion stability, foaming capacity and stability increased with increased concentrations. Micromeritic properties, such as bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s index, Hausner ratio, and angle of repose, were found to be 0.69 g/cm³, 0.84 g/cm³, 17.86%, 1.22 and 28.5, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that MLM is an amorphous powder possessing particles of varying size and shape; meanwhile, rheological studies revealed the pseudoplastic behavior of MLM. The thermal transition process of MLM revealed by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermogram, occurring at a reasonable enthalpy change (∆H), reflects its good thermal stability. The presence of functional groups characteristic of polysaccharides was ascertained by the infrared (IR) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses. GC revealed the presence of five neutral monosaccharides; namely, galactose, rhamnose, arabinose, glucose and mannose, showing 51.09, 10.24, 8.90, 1.80 and 0.90 mg/g of MLM, respectively. Meanwhile, galacturonic acid is the only detected acidic monosaccharide, forming 15.06 mg/g of MLM. It showed noticeable antioxidant activity against the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical with an IC₅₀ value of 154.27 µg/mL. It also prevented oxidative damage to DNA caused by the Fenton reagent, as visualized in gel documentation system. The sun protection factor was found to be 10.93 ± 0.15 at 400 µg/mL. Thus, MLM can be used in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry and as a therapeutic agent due to its unique properties.

Repositioning therapeutics for COVID-19: virtual screening of the potent synthetic and natural compounds as SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitors

The widespread transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has sparked alarm worldwide. Attaining the best drugs to treat COVID-19 at the shortest possible time is one of the most critical issues in this urgent situation. Molecular docking investigation of the therapeutic potential of marketed drugs is a fast and cost-effective approach to provide a solution to this problem. The recent research efforts have led to the resolving of the 3CLpro structure as a key protease in the lifecycle of coronavirus, which could facilitate in silico evaluation of drug candidates. Herein, the similarity between the SARS-CoV-2-3CL main protease and the other SARS-CoV receptors was evaluated via multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree. The reported structure of the 3CLpro was considered as a target to identify potential inhibitors for treating COVID-19 using molecular docking based virtual screening protocol. Accordingly, a database of 50 synthetic compounds with various pharmacological usage such as antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-human immunodeficiency viruses, antimalarial, antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant including approved drugs and those undergoing clinical trials, and 40 natural compounds particularly those employed in traditional Iranian medicine was constructed. The output of multiple sequence alignment analysis showed that SARS-CoV-2 main protease shares a similarity of 96% with SARS-CoV. Also, the docking results indicated that the licofelone acyl glucuronide as an anti-inflammatory drug and delta-bilirubin as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent as well as kappa-carrageenan conformer, beta-D-galactopyranosyl and calycosin 7-O-glucoside as natural compounds with minimal side-effects, according to in vitro studies, are good candidates to block the enzymatic activity of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. Moreover, the compound 1 with the highest negative binding energy is a chemical compound that due to its favorable interactions with the 3CLpro can be identified as a representative potential drug candidate for COVID-19.

A Review on Health Benefits of Malva sylvestris L. Nutritional Compounds for Metabolites, Antioxidants, and Anti-Inflammatory, Anticancer, and Antimicrobial Applications

The utilization of medicinal plants and their derivatives in treating illnesses is more appropriately recognized as herbal remedy than traditional medicine. For centuries, medicinal herbs have been used for the treatment of diseases in many countries. Malva sylvestris L. is a kind of mallow derived from Malvaceae species and is recognized as common mallow. This amazing plant has antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties and is considered as one of the most promising herbal medicinal species. This plant's traditional use in treating many diseases and preparing pharmaceutical compounds can show us how to know in depth the plant origin of drugs used to produce antibiotics and other therapeutic agents.

Medicinal plants used for the treatment of mucositis induced by oncotherapy: a systematic review

PURPOSE

This systematic review aimed to identify effective medicinal plants for the treatment of mucositis induced by oncotherapy.

METHODS

The clinical question was the following: "Which medicinal plants are effective in the treatment of oral mucositis induced by cancer treatment?" (PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs, and SciELO). The keywords were the following: phytotherapy OR "herbal drug" OR "plant extract" OR plant OR "medicinal plant" OR pharmacognosy OR ethnobotany OR ethnomedicine OR ethnopharmacology OR "flower essences" OR "natural product" AND mucositis OR mucositides OR stomatitis OR stomatitides OR "oral ulcer" AND chemotherapy OR radiotherapy OR immunotherapy OR cancer OR neoplasm OR neoplasm OR tumor OR tumor. The inclusion criteria for the selection of articles were the type of study design (clinical trials) and the studied population (cancer patients presenting lesions of oral mucositis having undergone treatment with medicinal plants).

RESULTS

After evaluation of the works, 24 of 893 articles were selected. Matricaria chamomilla (chamomilla) presented promising results, such as a reduction in severity and lesion incidence with improved pain symptomatology. The plant extracts Isatis indigótica, Olea europaea, Calendula officinalis, A. digitatae, and M. sylvestris improved the lesions. Mucotrol™ and QRLYD herbal products improved the degree of severity of the lesions, while SAMITAL® and MUCOSYTE allowed for greater pain control.

CONCLUSION

The complementary treatment of oral mucositis in cancer patients, with analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions with lower side effects, is an alternative for healthcare professionals.

A Comprehensive Review on Plant-Derived Mucilage: Characterization, Functional Properties, Applications, and Its Utilization for Nanocarrier Fabrication

Easily sourced mucus from various plant parts is an odorless, colorless and tasteless substance with emerging commercial potential in agriculture, food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals due to its non-toxic and biodegradable properties. It has been found that plant-derived mucilage can be used as a natural thickener or emulsifier and an alternative to synthetic polymers and additives. Because it is an invisible barrier that separates the surface from the surrounding atmosphere, it is used as edible coatings to extend the shelf life of fresh vegetables and fruits as well as many food products. In addition to its functional properties, mucilage can also be used for the production of nanocarriers. In this review, we focus on mucus extraction methods and its use as a natural preservative for fresh produce. We detailed the key properties related to the extraction and preservation of food, the mechanism of the effect of mucus on the sensory properties of products, coating methods when using mucus and its recipe for preserving fruit and vegetables. Understanding the ecological, economic and scientific factors of production and the efficiency of mucus as a multi-directional agent will open up its practical application in many industries.

Plant-Based Gums and Mucilages Applications in Pharmacology and Nanomedicine: A Review

Gums are carbohydrate biomolecules that have the potential to bind water and form gels. Gums are regularly linked with proteins and minerals in their construction. Gums have several forms, such as mucilage gums, seed gums, exudate gums, etc. Plant gums are one of the most important gums because of their bioavailability. Plant-derived gums have been used by humans since ancient times for numerous applications. The main features that make them appropriate for use in different applications are high stabilization, viscosity, adhesive property, emulsification action, and surface-active activity. In many pharmaceutical formulations, plant-based gums and mucilages are the key ingredients due to their bioavailability, widespread accessibility, non-toxicity, and reasonable prices. These compete with many polymeric materials for use as different pharmaceuticals in today's time and have created a significant achievement from being an excipient to innovative drug carriers. In particular, scientists and pharmacy industries around the world have been drawn to uncover the secret potential of plant-based gums and mucilages through a deeper understanding of their physicochemical characteristics and the development of safety profile information. This innovative unique class of drug products, useful in advanced drug delivery applications, gene therapy, and biosynthesis, has been developed by modification of plant-based gums and mucilages. In this review, both fundamental and novel medicinal aspects of plant-based gums and mucilages, along with their capacity for pharmacology and nanomedicine, were demonstrated.

COVID-19 Prophylaxis Efforts Based on Natural Antiviral Plant Extracts and Their Compounds

During the time of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it has been crucial to search for novel antiviral drugs from plants and well as other natural sources as alternatives for prophylaxis. This work reviews the antiviral potential of plant extracts, and the results of previous research for the treatment and prophylaxis of coronavirus disease and previous kinds of representative coronaviruses group. Detailed descriptions of medicinal herbs and crops based on their origin native area, plant parts used, and their antiviral potentials have been conducted. The possible role of plant-derived natural antiviral compounds for the development of plant-based drugs against coronavirus has been described. To identify useful scientific trends, VOSviewer visualization of presented scientific data analysis was used.

Gastroprotective effect of mucilage fraction from Solenostemma argel via cytoprotection and attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis

Introduction: Polysaccharides have numerous therapeutic values including immunity stimulation, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition, wound healing, anti-diabetic and cytotoxic activities, in addition to their potent anti-oxidant properties. This work examined the gastroprotective and ulcer healing potential of mucilage fraction isolated from Solenostemma argel (Delile) Hayne (MFA) against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n=8); normal control (I), ethanol control (II), 20 mg/kg Antodine pretreated rats (III), 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg MFA pretreated rats, respectively (IV & V). All rats in groups II-V received single intragastric dose of ethanol (5 mL/kg) to induce gastric ulcer. Gastric mucosal injuries were assessed by stomach gross examination as well as histopathology, and immunohistochemistry of apoptotic markers. Also, several biochemical parameters including oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, cytoprotective and cell proliferative biomarkers were measured. Results: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of MFA revealed its composition of glucose, D-fucose and N-acetyl glucosamine as monosaccharaides, in addition to glucuronic and galacturonic acids. The data showed that MFA, 200 mg/kg had potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, cell proliferative, and antiapoptotic activities which were better than Antodine. Conclusion: This study revealed that MFA had significant gastroprotective effects against ethanol-induced gastric injuries and could be a promising adjuvant therapy for ulcer treatment.

An Evidence-Based Review of Antitussive Herbs Containing Essential Oils in Traditional Persian Medicine

BACKGROUND

Cough is one of the most common medical symptoms for which medical advice is sought. Although cough is a protective reflex responsible for clearing the airways from secretions and foreign bodies, it can be a troublesome symptom that causes discomfort to patients. Due to the increasing interest in herbal remedies in both developed and developing countries, in the current study, we aimed to overview medicinal herbs containing essential oils used as antitussive agents according to Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) textbooks. We summarized the relevant scientific evidence on their possible pharmacological effects.

METHODS

To collect the evidence for the treatment of cough or "seaal" (cough in ancient books) from TPM sources, five main medicinal Persian manuscripts were studied. The antitussive herbs were listed and their scientific names were identified and authenticated following botanical reference books. ScienceDirect and PubMed online databases were searched for related mechanisms of action of the reported medicinal plants.

RESULTS

Forty-nine herbs containing essential oils have been recommended in TPM for the treatment of cough; 21 of them had at least one known mechanism of action for cough suppression in the scientific literature. According to this review, most of the cited medicinal plants were assessed for either nitric oxide inhibitory or antitussive/expectorant activities.

CONCLUSION

In addition to advantageous effects of antitussive herbs recommended by TPM, the present review highlighted some recent evidence-based data on these promising herbs that could be used as an outline for future research on their medicinal use.

Comparative evaluation between the laxaplus barij® and polyethylene glycol (4000) in the pediatric functional constipation in children 2–15 years old

Objective:

This study aimed to compare the LaxaPlus Barij^® and polyethylene glycol (4000) in pediatric (children 2–15 years old) functional constipation.

Methods:

The present study is a randomized clinical trial. The study population included patients with functional constipation aged 2–15 years who were referred to the gastrointestinal clinic of Imam Hossein hospital in Isfahan in 2019. Patients were randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. The significance level in the present study is considered <0.05.

Findings:

Sixty children with functional constipation were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria in this study. The present study results showed no significant difference between demographic characteristics, including age, weight, and gender of children with constipation in the two groups (P > 0.05). The present study results showed that both groups’ mean stool consistency and the number of bowel movements increased significantly after the intervention (P < 0.05). However, the number of bowel movements in the first group was significantly higher than in the second group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The present study results showed that both drugs effectively treat children with functional constipation. However, after 8 weeks of intervention, the frequency of bowel movements, pain intensity, and abdominal pain in the group LaxaPlus Barij^® was more effective. However, the level of satisfaction did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Traditional, phytochemical, and biological aspects of Rosa alba L.: a systematic review

Background

Rosa alba L. belongs to the family Rosaceae. This species is widely cultivated in Europe, Asia, North America, and Northwest Africa due to its fragrance, ornamental, and medicinal values. It is commonly known as white oil-bearing rose, white rose, white rose of York, backyard rose, and sufaid gulab.

Main text

Rosa alba L. has many biological properties like antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, antifertility, teratogenic, memory enhancing, cytotoxic, and genotoxic activities. The essential oil of Rosa alba L. possesses good antimicrobial activity and consists of many chemical constituents like- citronellol, geraniol, nerol, linalool, citral, carvacrol, eugenol, etc.

Conclusion

This article briefly reviews the cultivation, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of Rosa alba L. Many research papers have been published on the proposed plant and still, there is a very vast scope of research on it. Therefore, this review will be very fruitful for those scientists who are doing or plan to do research work on this plant. All the scientific findings written in this review are explored from Google web, Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Abstracts (MAPA), and SciFinder. To date, it is the first systematic review article of such kind, on this plant.

Effects of a Plantago ovata-based herbal compound in prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: A double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial

BACKGROUND

Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most common complications of mucotoxic cancer therapy. Mucositis induces clinically significant pain, increases the risk of infections and affects the patients' quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of an herbal preparation from Plantago ovata hydrocolloid in the prevention and treatment of OM, in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with a regimen including adriamycin.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS

This research was a double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial. The herbal compound consisted of a mixture of 500 mg of P. ovate husk in 30 mL water plus three drops of vinegar per dose, which was used as a mouthwash. Phytochemical and physicochemical tests of the compound were also performed. Twenty-eight patients who developed mucositis during the chemotherapy screening cycle were randomized to the herbal compound (n = 14) and placebo (n = 14) groups. They received herbal compound or placebo three times per day during their next chemotherapy cycle (cycle 1 of treatment). Patients were crossed over during cycle 2 of treatment and received the alternative therapy. An oral care protocol was prescribed to all patients in cycles 1 and 2 of the treatment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The patients were visited at baseline, the end of the first and second weeks of the screening cycle, and the end of the first and second weeks of each of two treatment cycles. The degree of mucositis was used as the main treatment outcome. Other indexes, such as the severity of pain, xerostomia grade and the quality of life were also measured.

RESULTS

Compared with the placebo, the herbal compound significantly reduced the degree of mucositis, the severity of pain and the xerostomia grade; it also improved the patients' quality of life (P < 0.05). Comparison between the screening cycle and placebo treatment group showed that the oral care protocol had a significant effect in the reduction of OM (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The oral care protocol and the herbal compound based on P. ovata are effective ways for preventing and treating OM in patients undergoing mucotoxic cancer therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Iranian registry of clinical trials IRCT20180923041093N1.

Plants mentioned in the Islamic Scriptures (Holy Qur'ân and Ahadith): Traditional uses and medicinal importance in contemporary times

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Over the past thousand years, Islamic physicians have collected cultural, philosophical, sociological and historical backgrounds for understanding diseases and medications. The Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH) said: "There is no disease that Allah has created, except that Allah also has created its cure." Therefore, Islamic scholars are encouraged to explore and use both traditional and modern forms of medicine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

(1) To identify some of the medicinal plants mentioned in the Holy Qur'ân and Ahadith textbooks of the period 700-1500 AD; (2) to compare them with presently used traditional medicines; (3) to evaluate their value based on modern research; and (4) to investigate the contributions of Islamic scholars to the development of the scientific branches, particularly medicine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was performed relating to 12 medicinal plants mentioned in the Holy Qur'ân and Ahadith using textbooks, Al-Azhar scholars, published articles, the plant list website (http://www.theplantlist.org/), the medicinal plant names services website (http://mpns.kew.org/mpns-portal/) and web databases (PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The Islamic Golden Age was a step towards modern medicine, with unique insights and multi-disciplinary aspects. Traditional Islamic Medicine has had a significant impact on the development of various medical, scientific and educational activities. Innumerable Muslim and non-Muslim physicians have built on the strong foundation of Traditional Islamic Medicine by translating the described natural remedies and effects. The influences of different ancient cultures on the traditional uses of natural products were also documented in Islamic Scriptures in the last part of the second millennium. The divine teachings of Islam combine natural and practical healing and incorporate inherited science and technology.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we discuss Traditional Islamic Medicine with reference to both medical recommendations mentioned in the Holy Qur'ân and Prophetic Traditional Medicine (al-Tibb al-Nabawi). Although the molecular mechanisms and functions of some of the listed medicinal plants and their derivatives have been intensively studied, some traditional remedies have yet to be translated into clinical applications.

Efficacy of a traditional Persian medicine preparation for radiation-induced xerostomia: a randomized, open-label, active-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Xerostomia is one of the most common side effects of radiation therapy among patients with head and neck cancers (HNC). However, conventional medicine lacks an effective treatment for radiation-induced xerostomia.

OBJECTIVE

Synthesizing the traditional use of Alcea digitata and Malva sylvestris with their known beneficial effects from recent studies, we evaluated the efficacy of the herbs in the quality of life (QOL) of HNC patients with radiation-induced xerostomia.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS

This study is a randomized, double-arm, open-label active-controlled clinical trial. We evaluated the effect of A. digitata and M. sylvestris on QOL of HNC patients with radiation-induced xerostomia compared with Hypozalix (artificial saliva). Patients were enrolled from the Imam Hossein Hospital's oncology clinic in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome measures in this trial were changes in patients' QOL assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Head and Neck Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N 35).

RESULTS

Between-group analysis showed that the intervention group patients obtained significantly lower (better) total EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 scores as compared to the control group at the end of the intervention period (P = 0.007). Mean scores of dry mouth of EORTC QLQ-H&N 35 was also significantly lower (better) in the intervention group as compared to the control group (P = 0.017).

CONCLUSION

Traditional Persian medicine preparation of hollyhocks and common mallow should be considered as a suitable treatment for xerostomia and improving QOL in HNC patients with radiation-induced xerostomia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with Identifier: NCT02854358.

Management of Breast Milk Oversupply in Traditional Persian Medicine

Comprehensive explanation about milk oversupply is not available in the current literature because few studies have been done on this topic. In traditional Persian medicine, milk oversupply and its management have been described. The aim of this study was to investigate milk oversupply from the perspective of medieval Persian practitioners. In this study, some main medical resources of traditional Persian medicine such as Al-Havi and the Canon of Medicine were studied to extract valuable information about milk oversupply. Etiology of milk overproduction according to traditional Persian medicine is based on humors theory and cannot be easily compared with current medical concepts. Diet modifications and natural remedies have been applied for managing this condition but the majority of traditional Persian medicine interventions for reducing milk oversupply have not been scientifically investigated in modern medicine. The knowledge of milk oversupply in traditional Persian medicine may be helpful to conduct further related studies.

Evaluation of Efficacy of an Herbal Compound on Dry Mouth in Patients With Head and Neck Cancers

Dry mouth is a common complication of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. This study compared the efficacy of an herbal compound containing Malva sylvestris and Alcea digitata (Boiss) with artificial saliva (Hypozalix) for improving the symptoms of dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients. The study examined a total of 62 subjects assigned to 2 groups. The herbal compound and Hypozalix were administered for 4 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using the visual analog scale and by grading the degree of dry mouth. Both groups showed a significant difference between visual analog scale before and following intervention. There was also a significant difference in visual analog scale between groups at 4 weeks after onset of intervention. The herbal group showed a significant difference between the grade of dry mouth before and after intervention, but no change was observed for grade of dry mouth in the Hypozalix group. This study supports the efficacy of the herbal compound for controlling symptoms of dry mouth in head and neck cancer patients.