Band 5, Heft 1

A member of the Liliaceae family, garlic (Allium sativum) is highly regarded throughout the world for both its medicinal and culinary value. Early men of medicine such as Hippocrates, Pliny and Aristotle encouraged a number of therapeutic uses for this botanical. Today, it is commonly used in many cultures as a seasoning or spice. Garlic also stands as the second most utilized supplement. With its sulfur containing compounds, high trace mineral content, and enzymes, garlic has shown anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antioxidant abilities. Diseases that may be helped or prevented by garlic's medicinal actions include Alzheimer's Disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis, strokes, hypertension, thrombosis and hyperlipidemias) children's conditions, dermatologic applications, stress, and infections. Some research points to possible benefits in diabetes, drug toxicity, and osteoporosis.

Diabetes is a complex condition with a multitude of metabolic imbalances involving the regulation and utilization of insulin and glucose (sugar) in the body. Diabetes is currently considered an epidemic disease that is largely preventable and treatable through yoga. Yoga's effectiveness at preventing and treating diabetes is due to its emphasis of a healthy diet and lifestyle as well as its ability to balance the endocrine system, massage and tone the abdominal organs, stimulate the nervous and circulatory systems, and reduce stress.

Fructus lycii is a common Chinese herbal medicine used in China for nearly 2000 years. It has beneficial effects on eyes, liver and kidneys; and it has long been considered to be an anti-aging herb in ancient Chinese medicine. Modern studies have partially probed the magic anti-aging property of F. lycii. The beneficial effects of F. lycii on aging are largely attributed to its bioactive components such as polysaccharides, carotenoids and flavonoids. This review focuses on the anti-aging aspect of F. lycii, elaborating the bioactive ingredients accounting for the property, anti-aging pharmacology in terms of its antioxidation capacity, immunomodulative effect and neuroprotective activity.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic condition that affects children. Healthcare for JIA is aimed at symptom management and as a result, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is readily sought. The objective of this manuscript is to provide healthcare professionals and researchers with a comprehensive review of the prevalence of CAM use in JIA, determinants of use, and outcomes associated with various therapies. The implications for future clinical practice and promising areas of investigation will be discussed. An in-depth search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, and Cochrane Library. Programs from relevant conferences were also searched. Thirty-eight articles were retrieved and 12 were included in the analysis. Eight articles assessed the prevalence of CAM use in JIA, three investigated specific interventions (Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, relaxation, massage), and one examined reasons for using CAM. Results showed that CAM use is relatively high among JIA patients, but prevalence rates vary due to differences in methodology and definitions of CAM. Most patients use CAM for pain relief. Results from intervention studies are preliminary and should be followed with methodologically rigorous studies. Healthcare professionals should become familiar with CAM so as to provide optimal support and care for children with JIA.

The complimentary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Harungana madagascariensis stem-bark ethanolic extract on the reactive oxygen species (ROS) markers induced in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and carrageenan-induced oedema were examined. The study was carried out on normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Oedema was induced by injecting 0.1mL of 1% carrageenan suspension in the right hind paw of rats. The Glutathione (GSH), Lipid peroxidation, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) were estimated by standard spectrophotometric methods, while the anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using plethysmometer. The antioxidant activity was estimated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) photometric assay techniques. Administration of ethanolic extract of Harungana madagascariensis stem bark was found to reduce glucose level in diabetic animals and oedema size formation in the right hind paw of rats. Radical scavenging capacity was exhibited by increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) and a decrease in the concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats (in vivo) and against DPPH (in-vitro). The antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the plant extract could be complementary by reducing the high levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, which have been associated with the diabetic condition. These could possibly explain the ways the plant produce its effects against diabetic conditions.

Modern society is phased with a number of environmental and social stressors which may lead to one form of sexual dysfunction or the other. Global warming and exposure to heat is one such phenomenon. A study was conducted to determine the testicular damage in male rats following exposure to high temperatures and the preventive effect of some of Ayurvedic herbs known for their sexual health benefits (Vajikaran) against heat induced testicular damage. Scrotal sacs of male rats were subjected to a 15 min exposure by dipping in water bath maintained at 40± 2 deg C daily for 14 days. The histo-architecture and the overall spermatogenesis profile was considerably prevented in rats treated with lyophilized aqueous extracts of Asparagus racemosus Willd., Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. F., Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soo and Orchis latifolia Linn.(200 mg/Kg b. w.) as compared to control group animals which were administered vehicle only. The differently treated groups were also subjected to evaluation of sexual behavior. The treatment with extracts results in significant amelioration of sexual behavior and the mount, intromission and ejaculatory latencies were significantly reduced while the frequencies for the same parameter were significantly restored in rats exposed to heat and treated with extracts as compared to heat exposed control group alone. Epididymal sperm count was reduced significantly in heat treated control group animals, whereas the extracts significantly prevented the decrease in sperm count in rats as compared to positive control group, exposed to heat. The results are therefore clear indication of the possible role of these herbs in protecting the genital organs against physical stresses viz. heat.

The present study evaluated the effect of CVT E002, a proprietary extract of North American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius (CV Technologies, Inc., Edmonton, AB, Canada), in vivo, on the hemopoietic and immune cells when administered intraperitoneally to infant (pre-weaned) mice. The extract was administered to groups of mice daily, for 14 days, from 7 – 21 days after birth, the dosage being adjusted progressively according to body weight as the infants grew. At 21-26 days of age, the period immediately after the last of the injection, and at 7-8 weeks of age, long after the termination of CVT E002, the bone marrow and spleen were removed from treated and control mice (CVT E002-injected and vehicle-injected, respectively). The results revealed that CVT E002 stimulated only those cells acting as the first line of defense against cancer, i.e., natural killer (NK) cells and granulocytes when assessed immediately after termination of CVT E002. However, even more potentially significant, was the observation that in spite of withdrawing the agent at weaning (21 days of age), the influence of CVT E002 had indirectly continued to produce a significant augmentation in NK cells and granulocytes in adulthood. Thus, CVT E002 may be considered as a dietary additive, fortifying anti-cancer immunity during the critical infant/juvenile ages when, in humans at least, pediatric cancers such as leukemia, lymphomas, Wilms tumors and retinoblastoma are relatively frequent.

The present work evaluates the cardiovascular activity of the aqueous (AES) and methanol (MES) extracts from S. torvum fruits. The anti-platelet aggregation activity of the AES was also evaluated on platelets isolated from rats. Intravenous administration of AES and MES induced a significant reduction in arterial blood pressure. The intravenous administration of AES at the doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg did not affect the heart rate. In contrast to AES, MES reduced the heart rate at all the doses (1, 2 and 5 mg/kg). Neither atropine (1 mg/kg) nor yohimbine (1 mg/kg) significantly affects the hypotensive activity of AES. Yohimbine almost completely inhibited the cardiac effect of AES. L-NAME (20 mg/kg) significantly potentiated the hypotensive and the cardiac effects of AES. When essayed on the platelet aggregation, induced by either thrombin (0.5 U/ml) or Adenosine diphosphate (5 µM), AES significantly and dose dependently inhibited the aggregation induced by both agents. MES and AES possess hypotensive activity which may partially result from their bradycardic effect. The anti-platelet aggregation effect of AES may be a benefit for its cardiovascular effect. These results support the use of the plant in the treatment of arterial hypertension and haemostatic ailments.

Objective - The present study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties of Oxystelma esculentum (MEOE).Methods- The total antioxidant, reducing power, DPPH radical, superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide scavenging and total phenol content in MEOE was carried out.Results - The total antioxidant activity of MEOE increases with increasing concentration. The reducing capability and free radical scavenging activity in DPPH also increased in a dose dependent manner. The MEOE was found to scavenge the superoxide generated by PMS/NADH/NBT system. Moreover, MEOE was found to inhibit the nitric oxide radical generated from sodium nitropruside. MEOE was also found to inhibit the hydroxyl radical generated by Fe3+/ascorbate/EDTA/H2O2 system. The MEOE scavenges the hydrogen peroxide in a dose dependent manner. The amount of total phenolic compounds was also determined.Conclusion - The results suggest that the methanol extract of Oxystelma esculentum proved its strong antioxidant activity and can be used as a natural antioxidant.

The methanol extract of stem barks of Careya arborea Roxb (MECA) (Family- Myrtaceae) was evaluated against hepatocellular carcinoma induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). NDEA is a widely used experimental tool to induce cancer in animals causing oxidative stress and cellular injury due to the enhanced formation of free radicals and is associated with rise in biochemical parameters like serum glutamyl pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamyl oxalacetic acid (SGOT), serum alkaline phosphatase (SALP), bilirubin, as well as decrease in the levels of total protein and uric acid. Furthermore, the protective effect of Careya arborea against perturbations in the levels of antioxidant defense system was also estimated. The MECA was administered at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight/rat in alternative days for 8 weeks. At the end of the drug schedule, rats were sacrificed and the effect of MECA on visible macroscopic (Morphometry) liver lesion (neoplastic nodules) and the level of SGPT, SGOT, SALP, bilirubin, total protein, uric acid and liver antioxidant defense parameters like lipid peroxidation (LPO), nonenzymatic antioxidant such as glutathione content (GSH), vitamin C, vitamin E and enzymatic antioxidant like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were estimated. The MECA was found to be protective against NDEA-induced carcinoma by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin and increase the protein and uric acid levels. MECA significantly decreased the levels of LPO, while it significantly increased the levels of GSH, vitamin C, vitamin E, SOD and CAT. The results indicate that MECA exhibited significant chemopreventive effects by suppressing nodules development and enhancing the antioxidants in NDEA carcinogenesis by reducing the formation of free radicals.

Objective - Our purpose was to determine the inhibitory effect of methanolic extract of Talinum portulacifolium (METP) left on carbohydrate digestive enzymes, and also establish its activity on glucose uptake in isolated rat hemidiaphragm.Methods – To investigate the effect of METP on carbohydrate digestive enzymes we have carried out alpha-glucosidase inhibitory assay by using mouse small intestine homogenate as alpha-glucosidase solution. Also yeast alpha-amylase inhibitory assay was performed. Effect of METP on glucose utilisation was evaluated by estimating glucose uptake in isolated rat hemidiaphragm.Results – The METP effectively inhibited alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase. In the alpha-amylase inhibitory assay METP (100-1000 µg/ml) showed dose dependent inhibition and standard acarbose (50 µg/ml) showed 50.33% inhibition. METP showed both sucrase and maltase inhibitory activity 86.00 %, 90.66% respectively at 500 µg/ml. The glucose uptake in the hemidiaphragm was significantly increased by METP (17.16 ± 0.20) when compared to the control group. At the same time, uptake was lower than insulin alone (64.2 ± 0.61). The total polyphenolic content of METP was measured and it was 39 µg gallic acid /100 g of fresh weight material.Conclusion – These results suggest that METP has significant inhibitory activity on carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes and increases the peripheral utilization of glucose. It may act as a potent antihyperglycemic agent.

Doses of 0.0175 Weber m-2 magnetic fields were given to four series of biomolecules for up to 40 minutes in aqueous solution. During this, every 5 minutes, viscosities (?) were measured at 303.15 K and one atmospheric pressure. The source of the magnetic field of 0.0175 Weber m-2 was generated by putting two permanent magnets around the solutions. Interestingly, the viscosities of the bimolecules responded to the magnetic field dose and the length of the field exposure with time as compared to their viscosities without a magnetic dose. An initial magnetic dose of 5 minutes causes a drastic decrease in viscosities for vitamins, amino acids and carbohydrates, and a slight decrease for proteins due to the hydrogen-bonded peptides framework. The vitamins, amino acids and carbohydrates show decreased ? values due to free functional group. Further studies show the recovery of ? values moving toward normal but remaining lower except for protein. The influences of magnetic doses on the structural interactions of biomolecules with the length of time are observed and discussed to establish the relationship between the magnetic field and the structural behavior of the biomolecules. Since viscosity is a fundamental property that depends on the structural reorientation due to any external force, information is derived from the viscosity data.

In this study, gerbils were subjected to aromatherapy using inhaled neroli. Forced swimming tasks and locomotor activity were measured to evaluate levels of anxiety. Comparison was made between the duration time of the forced swimming tasks and total distance, and the duration time in the central and peripheral areas, between the control and neroli-inhaled groups. In addition, treatment with Xanax®, an anxiolytic drug, was used as a positive control. The average duration times for swimming were 228 ± 7, 439 ± 23, 386 ± 21, and 427 ± 18 seconds in the control, neroli-inhaled, and two Xanax-treated groups, respectively. The duration times were significantly increased by 65%-91% in neroli-inhaled, and the two Xanax-treated groups (p<0.01) when compared with the control. The total distances traveled during 30 min were 280 ± 25, 189 ± 11, and 168 ±18 m in the control, neroli-inhaled, and Xanax-treated groups, respectively. The duration times in the central area for the 30- min period were 493 ± 54, 476 ± 57, and 1014 ± 70 seconds in the control, neroli-inhaled, and Xanax-treated groups, respectively. In addition, the duration times in the peripheral area for the 30-min period were 1244 ± 66, 1324 ± 57, and 859 ±83 seconds in the control, neroli-inhaled, and Xanax-treated groups, respectively. The inhalation of neroli and the treatment of Xanax® had anxiolytic effects, as shown in both behavior tests. However, the mechanisms of anxiolytic effect responses for neroli and Xanax® were unclear. This study provides evidence-based data on aromatherapy using neroli in the treatment of anxiety.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the radioprotective effect of Grewia asiatica fruit pulp extract (GAE) on Swiss albino mice against radiation induced hematological and biochemical alterations. Experimental Design: Mice (6–8 weeks) were divided into four groups: Group I (Normal) without any treatment, Group II (Drug) was orally supplemented (GAE) once daily at the dose of 700 mg / kg. b.wt / day for 15 days, Group III (Control) only irradiated group, and GroupIV (IR+Drug) was first exposed to 5 Gy of gamma radiation then administered with GAE same as group II. Mice were sacrificed at day 1 and 15 post irradiation. Result: Radiation induced deficit in different blood constituents GSH, sugar, and protein levels in the serum could be significantly increased, whereas radiation induced elevation of LPO and cholesterol levels were markedly decreased in GAE post-treated animals compared to the control group. Conclusion: It showed that GAE provides protection against radiation-induced alterations in blood of mice.

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different varieties of Lepidium meyenii (Black, Yellow and Red Maca) during seven estrous cycles in rats. Adult female rats (n=8 per group) were treated with freeze-dried aqueous extract of each maca variety (1 g/kg) during 28 days. The duration of each phase of the estrous cycle and body weight was determined. Animals were sacrificed in first estrous phase after seven estrous cycles and the number of ova from oviduct, wet uterine and body weight and estradiol levels were recorded. Total polyphenols content found in black, yellow and red maca freeze-dried was 0.56, 0.57 and 0.58 g/100g of lyophilized respectively. The maca varieties did not affect any phase of estrous cycle, number of ova recovered within oviduct, serum estradiol levels, wet uterine and body weights as compared with control group (vehicle). Three varieties of maca did not present effects on the regulation of the number of ova released at ovulation in adult intact female rats.

The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of an herbal product DRF/AY/4013 for its hypolipidemic activity in various experimental rat models. An indigenous polyherbal formulation DRF/AY/4013, composed of different phytoconstituents like Terminalia arjuna, Commiphora mukul, Allium sativum, Cyperus rotundus and Acorus calamus extracts, exhibited potential hypolipidemic activity treatment in triton induced hyperlipidemic rats. Further, it also showed promising hypolipidemic activity in both high fat diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemic rats and propylthiouracil (PTU) induced hyperlipidemic rats. In all the experimental hyperlipidemic models, DRF/AY/4013 treatment demonstrated dose dependent hypolipidemic activity at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg dose levels by decreasing serum lipid and lipoprotein profile, atherogenic index (AI) and lipid peroxidation process. Furthermore the 800 mg/kg dose level group V rats exhibited pronounced hypolipidemic activity almost comparable to atorvastatin standard drug (10 mg/kg) treated group VI rats. In HFD induced hyperlipidemic rat model, DRF/AY/4013 treated groups III, IV, V exhibited mild, minimal and negligible degree of cytoplasmic fatty infiltration respectively in hepatocytes as compared to marked degree in untreated control HFD induced group II rats. In short, the DRF/AY/4013 treatment demonstrated a promising hypolipidemic activity in all experimental rat models and therefore, needs further clinical evaluation in humans.

Metabolic syndrome (MS) may affect the quality of life (QOL) of patients, and possibly their plasma IGF-1 level. This study is to investigate whether the QOL would be improved and IGF-1 level elevated simultaneously by a Chinese herbal formula, Slimpid (Rhizoma Alismatis, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Semen Cassiae, Pericarpium Arecae, Fructus Crataegi and Astragalus membranaceus). Forty nine subjects with one or more risk factors of MS were divided into Group A (n = 24) and Group B (n = 25) randomly in a double-blinded arrangement. The Chinese Quality of Life Instrument(1) and plasma IGF-1 were engaged as the measure outcomes. Significant improvement in stamina (P < 0.05) of test subjects at the 6th week and in complexion (P < 0.05) and stamina (P < 0.001) at the 12th week after administration of Slimpid were observed. No such changes were observed in the placebo group. Serum IGF-1 level of the test subjects increased significantly (P < 0.05) from the 6th week to the 12th week. No such change was observed in the placebo group. In conclusion, Slimpid may be able to improve QOL of subjects associated with MS. The delayed increase in IGF-1 might contribute partially to the improvements of QOL of the test subjects.

Platelet hyperactivity is one of the most important factors responsible for thrombosis and incidence of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of argan oil (0.2, 0.5, 1 and 2 %) on blood platelet aggregation (in vitro and ex vivo) and on tail bleeding time (in vivo) on rats. The in vitro aggregation was monitored after pre-incubation of platelets with argan oil for one minute. The in vivo bleeding time and ex vivo aggregation were performed after 4 weeks of oral treatment (10 ml/Kg/day). Argan oil was found to possess a maximum inhibition of the in vitro (46.4±4.3 %) and ex vivo platelet aggregation induced by different agonists (43.4±5.51 %). The ex vivo aggregation inhibition was not accompanied by a change in the platelets amount, neither in the bleeding time (5.5±0.3 min). These results suggest that argan oil may probably act directly on the common and an ultimate step of aggregation: attachment of fibrinogen to GpIIb/IIIa platelet receptors without affecting platelet adhesiveness to the vascular endothelium. These findings give evidence that the dietary intake of argan oil may be beneficial in the normalization of platelet hyperactivation and in the nutritional prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are often used with conventional medical treatments, hence it is important for healthcare providers to understand factors influencing use and implications for patient care. Method: This study compared patterns and predictors of use of CAM providers, practices, and products among the U.S. cancer and noncancer population. Predisposing, enabling, and need factors in the CAM Healthcare Model were examined for ability to predict CAM use from a health service utilization perspective. A secondary analysis of the 2002 National Health Interview Survey was conducted for population estimation using STATA 9.2 software. The analysis compared CAM use by cancer survivors (N=2,262; estimated cancer population=14.3 million) and individuals without cancer (N=28,734; estimated population=191.5 million). Multinomial Logistic Regression identified between-subject differences and allowed for population comparison. Results: Data suggest that cancer survivors and noncancer populations differ in their CAM use patterns, with cancer survivors more likely to use CAM. Conclusion: While these patterns may have begun during the initial period of cancer diagnosis and treatment, they continue among long-term survivors. Predisposing, enabling, and need factors were strong predictors of CAM use in both populations.

The aim of this study was to examine the antiangiogenic properties and antioxidant activities of two Chinese medicines (Hachimijiogan and Kogikujiogan). Each of these medicines concentration-dependently inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A)-induced tube formation in a co-culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and fibroblasts. In addition, they each at 100 ?g/ml inhibited the VEGF-A-induced cell proliferation of HUVECs. Hachimijiogan at 10 and 100 ?g/ml and Kogikujiogan at 100 ?g/ml also inhibited the VEGF-A-induced cell migration of HUVECs, and Hachimijiogan at 50 ?g/ml and Kogikujiogan at 5, 50, and 100 ?g/ml inhibited lipid peroxidation in mouse forebrain homogenates. These findings indicate that Hachimijiogan and Kogikujiogan have antiangiogenic and antioxidant effects, however, the contribution of their antioxidant property towards the observed anti-angiogenic effects requires further investigation.

This study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant activity of water (VAWE) and ethanol (VAEE) extracts of the leaf of Vernonia amygdalina. The antioxidant activity of each extract was evaluated using various radicals or oxidation systems. The total phenolic or flavonoid contents and their correlation with total antioxidant activity were also evaluated. VAEE exhibited antioxidant scavenging potential comparable to butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), but higher than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) or VAWE. The total antioxidant scavenging activity of the extracts measured as the millimolar (mM) equivalent of vitamin C gave VAEE a 10.09 ± 1.63, which is comparable to BHA with a 9.31 ± 1.17, but higher than VAWE with an 8.75 ± 1.28 or BHT with a 6.14 ± 2.01. Extracts inhibited bleaching of B-carotene, oxidation of linoleic acid and lipid peroxidation induced by Fe2+/ascorbate in a rat liver microsomal preparation. The total flavonoid and phenolic contents correlated positively with total antioxidant activity. The total flavonoid content also correlated well with total phenolic. Extracts of V. amygdalina contain natural antioxidants, have the potential to act as antioxidants against aqueous radicals and reactive species ions. The total phenolic content of the extracts is related to its total flavonoid, and it may be responsible for its total antioxidant activity.

This study was designed to quantify and compare the instantaneous changes of heart rate variability (HRV) during Shambhavi Mahamudra, a practice of Isha yoga. It includes major stages viz. Sukha pranayam, 'AUM' chanting, rapid breathing, and relaxed sitting. The standard lead II electrocardiogram (ECG) signals were acquired from eight healthy, yoga practitioners while performing various stages of Shambhavi Mahamudra. The short-term HRV were extracted from ECG, and analyzed using time, frequency-domain and Poincaré plot methods. The results showed a combination of increased sympathetic tone and withdrawal of vagal tone during Sukha pranayam, an increased sympathetic tone during `AUM' chanting, and withdrawal of vagal tone during rapid breathing. The HRV descriptors were not significantly different during relaxed sitting.

Objective: Dietary supplementation with evening primrose oil and fish oils have been shown to be beneficial in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated whether dietary supplementation with borage(starflower) oil could be substituted for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), without exacerbation/worsening of clinical measures of disease activity in patients with RA.Methods: 28 patients were enrolled in the study. 14 patients received GLA-containing oil and 14 placebo. Patients were reviewed at 4, 12, 24 and 36 weeks and asked to gradually reduce their NSAID dose only if this did not exacerbate RA symptoms. Disease activity was assessed clinically using the Ritchie articular index (RAI), grip strength, duration of morning stiffness, 10cm visual analogue pain scale and subjective response. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C - reactive protein (CRP) were measured also.Results: Patient-centered outcomes were improved on active treatment, with a significant reduction in pain (p=0.0013, student’s 2-tailed t-test), improvement in well being (Pearson Chi Square 6.8, p=0.032; likelihood-ratio Chi Square 7.2, p=0.027). There was a trend towards reduced NSAID requirement in the borage oil group (p=0.066, student’s 2-tailed t-test).Conclusion: This study suggests that Borage oil does has a beneficial effect on controlling pain.

This study was an initial examination of practice by Australian naturopaths and Western herbalists in their treatment of insomnia, anxiety and depression. Types of treatments provided and the nature of interactions with mental health professionals were explored. Sixty-nine participants (response rate approximately 9%) completed a questionnaire devised by the authors. A variety of natural medicine modalities were chosen to treat each condition, most frequently herbs, lifestyle advice and dietary modification. Evidence was found for some degree of consistency in the treatment approaches taken to mental health issues, suggestive of common practice approaches amongst suitably qualified practitioners. Findings also indicate considerable interaction between naturopaths/herbalists and mental health professionals, with more referrals made to mental health professionals than received. These findings may inform the better integration of natural medicine and mainstream mental health care in Australia.

In the present study, RTc, an aqua-alcoholic extract of Tinospora cordifolia, a potential radioprotector, was evaluated for its ability to protect peritoneal macrophages (PMs) against LPS-induced death in ex vivo conditions using DNA fragmentation and survival assays. The effect of RTc on nitric oxide (NO) and TNF- production by LPS induced PMs was also assessed. The interaction of RTc with DNA (plasmid relaxation assay) and its effect on sodium nitroprusside (SNP) generated nitric oxide (NO) were also analysed. LPS induced significant DNA fragmentation in a dose dependent manner, decreased macrophage survival (48.2 ± 2.2 % of control), and increased NO (32.4 ± 1.5 ?M nitrite/106 cells) and TNF- levels (1943.4 ± 94.7 pg/ml) significantly as compared to their respective control values. Pre-treatment with RTc (-1h) decreased DNA fragmentation (13.4 ± 0.4 %), increased survival (87.5 ± 4.2 % of control), and reduced NO (18.9 ± 0.7 ?M nitrite/106 cells) and TNF- levels (418.5 ± 19.5 pg/ml) significantly. RTc also inhibited radiation-induced relaxation of plasmid DNA and significantly quenched SNP-generated NO even at low concentrations (64.6 ± 3.6 % inhibition at 2.25 ?g/ml, p ? 0.001). Such diverse effects of RTc on PMs could explain the radioprotective efficacy of this herbal extract.

Objective - At least seven plants known as Shankhapushpi are used in Indian system of medicine for improving memory function. The present study was aimed to analyze the antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory properties of the methanolic extracts of five of these plants, e.g. Clitorea ternatea, Canscora decussata, C. diffusa, Evolvulus alsinoides, E. nummularius.Methods – Acetylcholinesterase activity was assayed modifying the method of Ellman et al. (1961) using mice brain homogenates as the enzyme source. Antioxidant activity of the extracts were determined by measuring DPPH radical and superoxide radical scavenging activity, metal chelation effect and total antioxidant capacity.Results - All the plants (except C. ternatea) inhibited acetylcholinesterase in a dose dependant manner, significantly scavenged DPPH radical and superoxide radical and chelated metal ions. Total antioxidant capacity (equivalent to ascorbic acid) of the plant extracts were also good. It was found that C. decussata has the highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Antioxidant activity in all systems (except metal chelation property) was highest in C. decussata.

The present investigation studied the interaction of the aqueous extract of Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel.-Champ (Lentinacae) (called PP-aqu) with metformin on serum glucose level, body weight and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in alloxan-induced diabetes in mice. PP-aqu (500 mg/kg), metformin (250 and 500 mg/kg) singly and concomitantly were administered orally in alloxan-induced (70 mg/kg, i.v.) diabetic mice. In the acute study, serum glucose levels were determined at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h after drug administration. The sub-acute study involved repeated administration of drugs for 14 days. In OGTT, D-glucose (2.5 g/kg) was administered in diabetic mice 30 min after pretreatment with PP-aqu (500 mg/kg), metformin (250 and 500 mg/kg) and their concomitant administration. The onset and peak antihyperglycaemic effect of PP-aqu (500 mg/kg) and metformin (250, 500 mg/kg) alone was 2 h. Onset of concomitant administration of PP-aqu (500 mg/kg) with metformin (250 and 500 mg/kg) was 2 h; the peak effect was 6 h and the duration of action was 24 h. Repeated administration (once a day for 14 days) of metformin, PP-aqu and their concomitant administration caused significant (P<0.001) reduction in the serum glucose level as compared to vehicle treated group. Concomitant treatment prevented decrease in body weight of diabetic mice. In OGTT, concomitant administration of PP-aqu with metformin increased glucose threshold. The concomitant administration of PP-aqu with metformin produced synergistic antihyperglycaemic effect than either drug alone.

Various extracts of Capsicum annum L were screened for their cytotoxicity and antiadipogenic activity in vitro. In cytotoxic studies all the extracts were screened against the 3T3 L1 cell line. Micro titre tetrazolium (MTT) and sulpho rhodamine B (SRB) assays against the 3T3 L1 cell line determined cytotoxicity. Methanol extract of fruit showed higher cytotoxicity with a lower CTC50 value of 167.46 µg/ml and the remaining extracts show CTC50 ranging from 180-282 µg/ml. In 3T3 L1 cells dexamethazone, 3- isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine (IBMX) and insulin, induced adipogenesis. All the four extracts (methanolic and water extracts of whole plant and fruit) were screened for their antiadipogenic activity in 3T3 L1 cell line; the methanolic fruit extract showed good antiadipogenic activity at 100 µg/ml.

Cyanobacteria or blue-green algae are an ancient group of photosynthetic prokaryotes that are found in aquatic environments throughout the world. There is an increasing body of evidence that cyanobacteria produce a wide array of low molecular weight secondary metabolites with biological activity and, as such there are recognized as an excellent source of novel pharmaceuticals. The antidiabetic effect of water extracts of freshwater algae Oscillatoria limnetica, Blennothrix ganeshii and Microcoleous lacustris were studied in normal alloxan induced diabetic mice at doses of 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg. Sugar levels were measured by using the GOD-POD method. Extracts from algae produced a dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose levels. It also compared well with the effect of tolbutamide. This study shows that algae extracts have significant activity on glucose levels in rats.

Background:Different techniques may help smokers quitting smoking. Recently soft laser treatment (SLT) has been used with reported – not documented – high success rates. We decided to conduct a systematic assessment of the charts of subjects treated at one SLT clinic in Montreal.Method: Historical cohort: Subjects treated by SLT during the period May to September 2005. Primary outcome: "not smoking" 6 months after the intervention. The intervention included SLT supported by complementary natural products – for comfort. 84 points were treated according to auriculotherapy principles. Sample size was calculated for precision around success rate. Statistical analysis was intent to treat (ITT) and per protocol.Results:Primary outcome: proportion of success at 6 months were 117/210 (44%), 95% CI: 38% - 51% with ITT approach and 93/167 (56%), 95% CI: 48% - 63% with per protocol analysis. Results at 12 months were 40% (33% - 46%) and 62% (54% - 70%) for the two approaches, respectively.Discussion:Our results suggest a possible effect of the SLT that would be in the high range of those observed with other interventions. However, absence of control group and other limitations prevent making any conclusion. Double blind placebo controlled randomized trials need to be conducted.

Background: Argan or Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, of the family sapotaceae which is an endemic species of the western south Morocco is used for its antidiabetic activity in local traditional medicine. All the parts of the plants are used to prepare remedies against various diseases. Recently, some studies suggest that Argan oil could play a beneficial role in cardiovascular diseases prevention.Aim: The goal of the present work is to show more evidences of the antidiabetic activity of Argan oil extracted from the almonds of Argan tree.Methods: In a first experiment, we tested the antihyperglycemiant effect on oral glucose tolerance test in healthy rats and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (60 mg/kg). In the second subchronic study, we tested the effect of the repeated oral administration of Argan oil (2 ml/kg during 15 days) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Moreover, the effect of Argan oil on the intestinal glucose absorption was tested in a jejunum segment by the technique of the in situ perfusion.Results: In the OGTT experiment of healthy rats and diabetic rats, the intraperitoneal administration of Argan oil (2.5 ml/kg) 30 minutes before the oral glucose loading (1g/kg) induced a significant reduction of glycemia, at 60 minutes and the decrease was persistent until the end of experiments (180 min) when compared to controls. In the subchronic treatment, the results showed a significant improvement of body mass and a significant reduction of the glycemia (55 %, p<0.001) at the end of experiment, when compared with untreated diabetic rats. Moreover, Argan oil reduced significantly (19.3 %, p<0.05) the amount of absorbed glucose in perfused jejunum segment versus controls. This effect was less than that of acarbose (alpha-glucosidase inhibitor).Conclusion: The consumption of Argan oil as a traditional food has the potential to reduce hyperglycemia-induced pathogenesis. It also explains the basis for its traditional use by rural community of western south Morocco.

The crude extract of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.; Zingiberaceae) is widely used in traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda as a remedy for various diseases. Although various medicinal effects of its active principle, Curcumin, have been extensively studied in various animal models, there appears to be no systematic study on whether the crude extract can reduce hepato-toxicity and oxidative stress in rats induced by chronic feeding of p-dimethyl aminoazobenzene and phenobarbital, two known carcinogens of liver. Tests were conducted in experimental and controlled animals involving several widely accepted toxicity biomarkers at four fixation intervals, namely, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. Results revealed an increase in activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases, alanine and aspartate amino transferases, gamma glutamyl transferase, lipid peroxidation and in levels of serum triglyceride, cholesterol, creatinine, urea, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen and decrease in reduced glutathione content, catalase, glucose-6-phospahate dehydrogenase and blood glucose, HDL-cholesterol, albumin, and hemoglobin contents in carcinogen intoxicated rats. Most of these changes were reversed by the administration of crude extract of turmeric, indicating its hepato-protective potentials and ability to reduce oxidative stress in experimental rats. Further, from the analysis of expression of matrix metalloproteinases, p53 and Bcl-2 proteins in liver at 90 and 120 days (post tumor development), its anti-tumorigenic activity is also evident. The results would thus validate its traditional use in various ailments, particularly against liver disorders.

The present study investigates the antioxidant activity of A.V. Circulo (AVC), a polyherbal formulation in isoproterenol(ISO)-induced oxidative stress in rats and attempts to correlate its cardioprotective activity with antioxidant activity. Myocardial necrosis was produced in rats with ISO (85 mg/kg, s.c.), injected twice at an interval of 24 h. AVC (500 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered to rats for 21 days and 45 days and its effect was evaluated on ISO-induced cardiac injury. The marker enzymes - AST, LDH & CPK were assayed in serum and heart, and antioxidant parameters, viz., reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) & glutathione reductase (GR), and malondialdehyde (MDA), were determined in heart homogenate. Significant myocardial necrosis, depletion of endogenous antioxidants and an increase in serum levels of marker enzymes were observed in ISO-treated rats when compared with normal rats. Daily pretreatment of AVC (500 mg/kg) for 21 & 45 days to rats which were treated with ISO on the last 2 days, resulted in a significant cardioprotective and antioxidant activity, reflected by decreased levels of serum marker enzymes & MDA, and restored activities of marker enzymes, GSH, and antioxidant enzymes in the heart. AVC (500 mg/kg) administration for 45 days showed greater cardiac protection than for 21 days. It is concluded that AVC (500 mg/kg) oral treatment for 21 & 45 days to ISO-challenged rats augments endogenous antioxidant enzymes in the rat heart and prevents lipid peroxidation of the membrane, thereby salvaging the myocardium from the deleterious effects of ISO.

Research literacy and research capacity are underdeveloped within the massage therapy community. A potential vehicle to increase research literacy and capacity could be a peer-reviewed, international electronic massage therapy journal. This article reports on a feasibility study and strategic planning meeting. Participants from the scientific and professional communities concluded that despite significant challenges, there might be sufficient academic interest and professional backing to support a collaborative massage therapy e-journal.

The following are abstracts of oral and poster presentations given at the Fifth Annual IN-CAM Research Symposium - Research that Matters: Linking Researchers, Practitioners, Decision-Makers and the Public, held on November 7, 8 & 9, 2008 at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. The Symposium was held in collaboration with two IN-CAM partners, PedCAM and HomeoNet. The abstracts are grouped under: IN-CAM, PedCAM, and HomeoNet. For more information, please visit: www.incamresearch.ca.