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Petran M, Dragoș D, Stoian I, Vlad A, Gilca M. Current use of medicinal plants for children's diseases among mothers in Southern Romania. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1377341. [PMID: 38841372 PMCID: PMC11150775 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1377341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a limited number of studies focusing on ethnomedical practices in children, particularly in Eastern Europe. Romania has a rich history of using medicinal plants in ethnopediatric care, and our objective was to identify the medicinal plants currently employed in treating childhood illnesses in the southern region of the country. Material and methods Our investigation used structured interviews, focusing on respondent demographics, local names of therapeutically employed herbs, the specific plant part(s) utilized, methods of preparation and administration, and local folk indications of taxa. A total of 326 mothers with children aged 0 to 18, hospitalized in the "Grigore Alexandrescu" Children Emergency Hospital Bucharest and residing in Southern Romania, were enrolled in the study. Use Value Citation Index (UVc), Informant Consensus Factor (Fic), and Fidelity Level (FL) were calculated. Results Twenty-five plants were identified for treating children's diseases in Southern Romania. The majority of informants resided in urban areas, and mothers primarily acquired knowledge from family members and healthcare professionals. The herbs most frequently employed were Mentha spp. (UV = 0.509) for diarrhea, Matricaria spp. (UV = 0.301) for skin infections (Fic = 0.99) and digestive diseases (Fic = 0.98), and Calendula officinalis L. (UV = 0.365) for skin diseases (Fic = 0.99). Less utilized were Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus (L.) Domin in respiratory diseases, Prunus avium (L.) L. stalks in urinary tract ailments, Helianthus annuus L. in ear infections, Allium sativum L. in intestinal parasitosis, Viola tricolor L. in hives, Triticum aestivum L. in dermatitis and Allium ursinum L. as a tonic. In 184 cases herbal treatment was used in conjunction with conventional medications. Education level correlated with the number of employed plants and the variety of treated ailments, while residency (rural vs. urban) did not. Both residency and education influenced plant procurement methods: rural background and, surprisingly, higher education were linked to a preference for harvesting rather than purchasing plants. Conclusion Botanical remedies are still commonly used in the treatment of pediatric diseases in Southern Romania, although the variety of taxa seems reduced compared to the past. Further exploration is essential to unlock the maximum benefits of ethnopediatric practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalina Petran
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dorin Dragoș
- Department of Medical Semiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- First Internal Medicine Clinic, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Stoian
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Adelina Vlad
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marilena Gilca
- Department of Functional Sciences I/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
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Yang X, Wang L, Cui X, Zhang J, Liang Y, Luo Z, Zhou B, Jiang Z, Yang RYH, Wu Y, Wei K, Du M, Qin S, Dai C, Zhao G. Proteomics and network pharmacology of Ganshu Nuodan capsules in the prevention of alcoholic liver disease. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1229777. [PMID: 37795374 PMCID: PMC10547213 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1229777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Ganshu Nuodan is a liver-protecting dietary supplement composed of Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) spore powder, Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr. (P. montana), Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (S. miltiorrhiza) and Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge. (A. membranaceus). However, its pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of action remain unknown. Methods A mouse model of acute alcohol liver disease (ALD) induced by intragastric administration of 50% alcohol was used to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Ganshu Nuodan. The chemical constituents of Ganshu Nuodan were comprehensively identified by UPLC-QTOF/MS, and then its pharmacodynamic material basis and potential mechanism of action were explored by proteomics and network pharmacology. Results Ganshu Nuodan could ameliorate acute ALD, which is mainly manifested in the significant reduction of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in liver and the remarkably increase of glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver. Totally 76 chemical constituents were identified from Ganshu Nuodan by UPLC-QTOF/MS, including 21 quinones, 18 flavonoids, 11 organic acids, 7 terpenoids, 5 ketones, 4 sterols, 3 coumarins and 7 others. Three key signaling pathways were identified via proteomics studies, namely Arachidonic acid metabolism, Retinol metabolism, and HIF-1 signaling pathway respectively. Combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking, six key targets were subsequently obtained, including Ephx2, Lta4h, Map2k1, Stat3, Mtor and Dgat1. Finally, these six key targets and their related components were verified by molecular docking, which could explain the material basis of the hepatoprotective effect of Ganshu Nuodan. Conclusion Ganshu Nuodan can protect acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice by inhibiting oxidative stress, lipid accumulation and apoptosis. Our study provides a scientific basis for the hepatoprotective effect of Ganshu Nuodan in acute ALD mice and supports its traditional application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaonan Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources Protection and Genetic Improvement, National Engineering Research Center for Southwest Endangered Medicinal Resources Development, National Center for TCM Inheritance and Innovation, Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Ultrasound, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated To Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xuejie Cui
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Mental Health Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ying Liang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources Protection and Genetic Improvement, National Engineering Research Center for Southwest Endangered Medicinal Resources Development, National Center for TCM Inheritance and Innovation, Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning, China
| | - Zhaojing Luo
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bingxue Zhou
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zheng Jiang
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rachel Y. H. Yang
- Upper School, La Jolla Country Day School, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Yi Wu
- Department of Ultrasound, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated To Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Kunhua Wei
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources Protection and Genetic Improvement, National Engineering Research Center for Southwest Endangered Medicinal Resources Development, National Center for TCM Inheritance and Innovation, Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning, China
| | - Maobo Du
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuangshuang Qin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources Protection and Genetic Improvement, National Engineering Research Center for Southwest Endangered Medicinal Resources Development, National Center for TCM Inheritance and Innovation, Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning, China
| | - Chen Dai
- College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guoliang Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, China
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Costa EF, Magalhães WV, Di Stasi LC. Recent Advances in Herbal-Derived Products with Skin Anti-Aging Properties and Cosmetic Applications. Molecules 2022; 27:7518. [PMID: 36364354 PMCID: PMC9658815 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Although aesthetic benefits are a desirable effect of the treatment of skin aging, it is also important in controlling several skin diseases, mainly in aged people. The development of new dermocosmetics has rapidly increased due to consumers' demand for non-invasive products with lower adverse effects than those currently available on the market. Natural compounds of plant origin and herbal-derived formulations have been popularized due to their various safe active products, which act through different mechanisms of action on several signaling pathways for skin aging. Based on this, the aim of the review was to identify the recent advances in herbal-derived product research, including herbal formulations and isolated compounds with skin anti-aging properties. The studies evaluated the biological effects of herbal-derived products in in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies, highlighting the effects that were reported in clinical trials with available pharmacodynamics data that support their protective effects to treat, prevent, or control human skin aging. Thus, it was possible to identify that gallic and ferulic acids and herbal formulations containing Thymus vulgaris, Panax ginseng, Triticum aestivum, or Andrographis paniculata are the most promising natural products for the development of new dermocosmetics with skin anti-aging properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika F. Costa
- Laboratory of Phytomedicines, Pharmacology, and Biotechnology (PhytoPharmaTech), Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, SP, Brazil
| | - Wagner V. Magalhães
- Research and Development Department, Chemyunion Ltd., Sorocaba 18087-101, SP, Brazil
| | - Luiz C. Di Stasi
- Laboratory of Phytomedicines, Pharmacology, and Biotechnology (PhytoPharmaTech), Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18618-689, SP, Brazil
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Monticelli M, Liguori L, Allocca M, Bosso A, Andreotti G, Lukas J, Monti MC, Morretta E, Cubellis MV, Hay Mele B. Drug Repositioning for Fabry Disease: Acetylsalicylic Acid Potentiates the Stabilization of Lysosomal Alpha-Galactosidase by Pharmacological Chaperones. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095105. [PMID: 35563496 PMCID: PMC9105905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Fabry disease is caused by a deficiency of lysosomal alpha galactosidase and has a very large genotypic and phenotypic spectrum. Some patients who carry hypomorphic mutations can benefit from oral therapy with a pharmacological chaperone. The drug requires a very precise regimen because it is a reversible inhibitor of alpha-galactosidase. We looked for molecules that can potentiate this pharmacological chaperone, among drugs that have already been approved for other diseases. We tested candidate molecules in fibroblasts derived from a patient carrying a large deletion in the gene GLA, which were stably transfected with a plasmid expressing hypomorphic mutants. In our cell model, three drugs were able to potentiate the action of the pharmacological chaperone. We focused our attention on one of them, acetylsalicylic acid. We expect that acetylsalicylic acid can be used in synergy with the Fabry disease pharmacological chaperone and prolong its stabilizing effect on alpha-galactosidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Monticelli
- Department Biology, University of Napoli « Federico II », Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (M.M.); (A.B.); (B.H.M.)
- Department Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (L.L.); (M.A.)
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry ICB, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy;
| | - Ludovica Liguori
- Department Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (L.L.); (M.A.)
| | - Mariateresa Allocca
- Department Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (DiSTABiF), University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Vivaldi 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (L.L.); (M.A.)
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry ICB, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy;
| | - Andrea Bosso
- Department Biology, University of Napoli « Federico II », Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (M.M.); (A.B.); (B.H.M.)
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cellular Biology, National Research Council, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Andreotti
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry ICB, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy;
| | - Jan Lukas
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht-Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany;
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University Medical Center Rostock, 18147 Rostock, Germany
| | - Maria Chiara Monti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (M.C.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Elva Morretta
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy; (M.C.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Maria Vittoria Cubellis
- Department Biology, University of Napoli « Federico II », Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (M.M.); (A.B.); (B.H.M.)
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry ICB, CNR, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-081-679152
| | - Bruno Hay Mele
- Department Biology, University of Napoli « Federico II », Complesso Universitario Monte Sant’Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Napoli, Italy; (M.M.); (A.B.); (B.H.M.)
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Clinical Evaluation of the Efficacy and Tolerability of Rigenase ® and Polyhexanide (Fitostimoline ® Plus) vs. Hyaluronic Acid and Silver Sulfadiazine (Connettivina ® Bio Plus) for the Treatment of Acute Skin Wounds: A Randomized Trial. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11092518. [PMID: 35566643 PMCID: PMC9105357 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11092518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Compare the efficacy and tolerability of Connettivina® Bio Plus (Group A) gauze and cream, and Fitostimoline® Plus (Group B) gauze and cream for the treatment of acute superficial skin lesions. Design: Single-center, parallel, randomized trial. A block randomization method was used. Setting: University of Salerno—AOU San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona. Participants: Sixty patients were enrolled. All patients fulfilled the study requirements. Intervention: One application of the study drugs every 24 h, and a six-week observation period. Main outcome measures: Efficacy and tolerability of the study drugs. Results: In total, 60 patients (Group A, n = 30; Group B, n = 30) were randomized; mean age was 58.5 ± 15.8 years. All patients were included in the outcome analysis. Total wound healing was achieved in 17 patients undergoing treatment with Connettivina® Bio Plus and 28 patients undergoing treatment with Fitostimoline® Plus. The greater effectiveness of the latter was significant (p = 0.00104). In Group B, a significantly greater degree of effectiveness was observed in reducing the fibrin in the wound bed (p = 0.04746). Complications or unexpected events were not observed. Conclusions: Both Connettivina® Bio Plus and Fitostimoline® Plus are secure and effective for treating acute superficial skin lesions. Fitostimoline® Plus was more effective than Connettivina® Bio Plus in wound healing of acute superficial skin lesions, especially if fibrin had been observed in the wound bed.
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