greenmedinfo--2020-06-15--Petatewalide B alleviates oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation induced neuronal injury.

Neuronal injury is a common , and critical , occurrence in clinical ischemic strokes , and can cause irreversible brain damage .
However , the precise pathological mechanisms underlying this condition and effective treatment remain unclear .
Increasing evidence shows that the nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor 2 ( Nrf2 ) /activated protein kinase ( AMPK ) signaling pathway serves a significant role in neuronal injury and is involved in neuroprotection .
The present study demonstrated that petatewalide B , the active constituent of Petasites japonicus , otherwise known as butterbur , can alleviate oxygen‑glucose deprivation/reoxygenation ( OGD/R ) ‑induced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kinase ( GSK ) ‑3/β/Nrf2/antioxidant response element ( ARE ) signaling pathways in human neuroblastoma SH‑SY5Y cells .
A neuronal injury model was established by depriving SH‑SY5Y cells of oxygen and glucose for 8 h , followed by 24 h of reoxygenation ( OGD/R ) .
The results indicated that the OGD/R model exhibited reduced cell viability but increased lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH ) release , reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) production and apoptosis .
These were accompanied by increased levels of cleaved PARP , cleaved caspase‑9 , cleaved caspase‑3 , p53 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as decreased Bcl‑2 levels .
Treatment with petatewalide B was able to strengthen cell viability but reduced LDH release , ROS production and the expression levels of apoptosis‑relatedproteins .
Additionally , treatment with petatewalide B activated AMPK in the OGD/R‑exposed SH‑SY5Y cells and upregulated activation of the downstream transcription factor Nrf2 , which accompanied heme oxygenase 1 ( HO‑1 ) and NAD ( P ) H quinone dehydrogenase 1 ( NQO1 ) expression .
Furthermore , silencing AMPK , Nrf2 , HO‑1 and NQO1 expression inhibited petatewalide B 's protective effect against apoptosis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , petatewalide B protected human neuroblastoma cells against OGD/R‑induced injury by downregulating apoptosis and oxidative stress via upregulation of the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway , suggesting that petatewalide B may be a prospective protector against neuronal injury , having possible therapeutic and medical implications .

Neuronal injury is a common, and critical, occurrence in clinical ischemic strokes, and can cause irreversible brain damage. However, the precise pathological mechanisms underlying this condition and effective treatment remain unclear. Increasing evidence shows that the nuclear factor erythroid 2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2)/activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway serves a significant role in neuronal injury and is involved in neuroprotection. The present study demonstrated that petatewalide B, the active constituent of Petasites japonicus, otherwise known as butterbur, can alleviate oxygen‑glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)‑induced neuronal death via the adenosine monophosphate‑AMPK/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‑3/β/Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathways in human neuroblastoma SH‑SY5Y cells. A neuronal injury model was established by depriving SH‑SY5Y cells of oxygen and glucose for 8 h, followed by 24 h of reoxygenation (OGD/R). The results indicated that the OGD/R model exhibited reduced cell viability but increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis. These were accompanied by increased levels of cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase‑9, cleaved caspase‑3, p53, Bax and p21, as well as decreased Bcl‑2 levels. Treatment with petatewalide B was able to strengthen cell viability but reduced LDH release, ROS production and the expression levels of apoptosis‑relatedproteins. Additionally, treatment with petatewalide B activated AMPK in the OGD/R‑exposed SH‑SY5Y cells and upregulated activation of the downstream transcription factor Nrf2, which accompanied heme oxygenase 1 (HO‑1) and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) expression. Furthermore, silencing AMPK, Nrf2, HO‑1 and NQO1 expression inhibited petatewalide B's protective effect against apoptosis in the OGD/R‑exposed SH‑SY5Y cells. Therefore, petatewalide B protected human neuroblastoma cells against OGD/R‑induced injury by downregulating apoptosis and oxidative stress via upregulation of the AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway, suggesting that petatewalide B may be a prospective protector against neuronal injury, having possible therapeutic and medical implications.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-15--These results suggest that butterbur is valuable in improving obesity-related inflammatory responses

These results suggest that butterbur is valuable in improving obesity-related inflammatory responses.

Koreans have been consuming ( PJ ) as food .
Although the therapeutic effect of PJ on allergic or inflammatory reactions associated with asthma has been proven , its effect on obesity is unclear .
Therefore , the present study was aimed to assess the obesity related anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic effects of ethanol extract PJ ( EPJ ) on the inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophages and on differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes .
In addition , the polyphenolic compound was quantitatively characterized from the EPJ using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector , quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3T3-L1 , reduction of nitric oxide ( in macrophages ) production as well as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α were observed .
Treatment of EPJ in adipocyte differentiation showed an improvement in adiponectin and lipid accumulation and a significant reduction of PPARγ and FABP-4 mRNA expression levels .
On the other hand , mRNA expression of UCP-1 , PPARα , and ACO increased in the EPJ treated group .
In addition , a total of 26 polyphenolic compounds were detected and of which 12 are reported for the first time from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polyphenolic compounds presented in EPJ might be responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic effect .
These results suggest that PJ is valuable in improving obesity-related inflammatory responses .

Koreans have been consuming(PJ) as food. Although the therapeutic effect of PJ on allergic or inflammatory reactions associated with asthma has been proven, its effect on obesity is unclear. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the obesity related anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic effects of ethanol extract PJ (EPJ) on the inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 macrophages and on differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, the polyphenolic compound was quantitatively characterized from the EPJ using ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector, quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-QToF-MS). In RAW 264.7 or 3T3-L1, reduction of nitric oxide (in macrophages) production as well as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α were observed. Treatment of EPJ in adipocyte differentiation showed an improvement in adiponectin and lipid accumulation and a significant reduction of PPARγ and FABP-4 mRNA expression levels. On the other hand, mRNA expression of UCP-1, PPARα, and ACO increased in the EPJ treated group. In addition, a total of 26 polyphenolic compounds were detected and of which 12 are reported for the first time from PJ. The higher content of diverse polyphenolic compounds presented in EPJ might be responsible for the observed anti-inflammatory and anti-adipogenic effect. These results suggest that PJ is valuable in improving obesity-related inflammatory responses.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-15--Cytotoxic activities of sesquiterpenoids from the aerial parts of Petasites japonicus against cancer

Cytotoxic activities of sesquiterpenoids from the aerial parts of Petasites japonicus against cancer stem cells.

From the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Petasites japonicus , six new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoids , petasitesterpenes I-VI were @ @ @ @ @ compounds including S-japonin and eremophilenolide .
The chemical structures of the isolated new compounds were @ @ @ @ @ .
For petasitesterpenes I and II , the absolute configurations were established by comparison of @ @ @ @ @ dichroism ( ECD ) data .
Among the isolated compounds , petasitesterpenes I , II @ @ @ @ @ showed cytotoxic activity against both human astrocytoma U-251MG cancer cells ( non-CSCs ) and their @ @ @ @ @ ) isolated by sphere formation .
In addition , cytotoxic activities of these compounds against @ @ @ @ @ , supporting that petasitesterpene II has more effective than other isolated compounds .

From the methanolic extract of the aerial parts of Petasites japonicus, six new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoids, petasitesterpenes I-VI were isolated together with eight known compounds including S-japonin and eremophilenolide. The chemical structures of the isolated new compounds were elucidated based on chemical/physicochemical evidence. For petasitesterpenes I and II, the absolute configurations were established by comparison of experimental and predicted electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. Among the isolated compounds, petasitesterpenes I, II, VI, and S-japonin showed cytotoxic activity against both human astrocytoma U-251MG cancer cells (non-CSCs) and their cancer stem cells (CSCs) isolated by sphere formation. In addition, cytotoxic activities of these compounds against breast cancer MDA-MB-231 were evaluated, supporting that petasitesterpene II has more effective than other isolated compounds.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-15--Inhaled aromatherapy with Damask rose essence reduces subjective pain intensity and state anxiety in

INTRODUCTION : Pain and anxiety are a major problem of burn patients .
Despite the use of different medications , patients still suffer from these two problems .
Aromatherapy along with medication may help in alleviating these symptoms .
This study aimed to investigate the effect of inhalation aromatherapy with damask rose essence on pain and anxiety in burn patients .
METHODS : This three group clinical trial was conducted on 120 patients with burns less than 30 % TBSA .
The patients were randomly allocated into three groups , aromatherapy damask rose essence , placebo , and control .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ analogue scale prior to intervention , immediately before , and 15 min after dressing .
Anxiety was measured using Spielberger Inventory at before intervention and 15 min after dressing , also the prolonged effect of intervention on pain was assessed by number of the analgesics drugs received for four hours after dressing change .
The intervention included inhalation of 6 drops of 40 % damask rose essential oil in the damask group , and six drops of distilled water in placebo group one hour before dressing change .
The control group received no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pain intensity were similar in these three groups ( p > 0.05 ) .
We found a significant reduction in pain intensity immediately before and after dressing and state anxiety after dressing in the damask group compared to the placebo and control groups ( p < 0.001 ) .
However , we found no significant difference between the placebo and control groups in terms of these variables at these times ( p > 0.05 ) .
Also , we found no significant difference among three groups in frequency of analgesics drugs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.05 ) .
CONCLUSION : Inhaled aromatherapy with Damask rose essence reduces subjective pain intensity and state anxiety in burned patients .
Therefore , it is recommended considering use of damask rose essence , as an easy and affordable method along with other treatments .

INTRODUCTION: Pain and anxiety are a major problem of burn patients. Despite the use of different medications, patients still suffer from these two problems. Aromatherapy along with medication may help in alleviating these symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the effect of inhalation aromatherapy with damask rose essence on pain and anxiety in burn patients.
METHODS: This three group clinical trial was conducted on 120 patients with burns less than 30% TBSA. The patients were randomly allocated into three groups, aromatherapy damask rose essence, placebo, and control. The pain intensity was assessed using visual analogue scale prior to intervention, immediately before, and 15 min after dressing. Anxiety was measured using Spielberger Inventory at before intervention and 15 min after dressing, also the prolonged effect of intervention on pain was assessed by number of the analgesics drugs received for four hours after dressing change. The intervention included inhalation of 6 drops of 40% damask rose essential oil in the damask group, and six drops of distilled water in placebo group one hour before dressing change. The control group received no intervention.
RESULTS: Baseline state-trait anxiety and pain intensity were similar in these three groups (p>0.05). We found a significant reduction in pain intensity immediately before and after dressing and state anxiety after dressing in the damask group compared to the placebo and control groups (p<0.001). However, we found no significant difference between the placebo and control groups in terms of these variables at these times (p>0.05). Also, we found no significant difference among three groups in frequency of analgesics drugs and trait anxiety after intervention (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Inhaled aromatherapy with Damask rose essence reduces subjective pain intensity and state anxiety in burned patients. Therefore, it is recommended considering use of damask rose essence, as an easy and affordable method along with other treatments.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-15--Aromatherapy involving lavender steam inhalation increased sleep quality and quality of life in wome

Aromatherapy involving lavender steam inhalation increased sleep quality and quality of life in women with sleep deprivation problems during menopause.

INTRODUCTION : Menopause is the termination of menstruation and fertility .
Women commonly experience sleeping problems during the menopausal period .
Aromatherapy is among the complementary therapies used to remedy sleeping problems .
METHODS : This study aims to investigate the effects of lavender oil on sleep and quality of life of menopausal women through steam inhalation .
This study was quasi-experimental with pre-test/post-test placebo control groups .
It was conducted with 57 women , 27 of whom were subject to aromatherapy and 30 to a placebo .
Data were collected using the Questionnaire Form , the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quality of Life Questionnaire ( MENQOL ) .
RESULTS : For the intervention group , the PSQI median scores after the administration of aromatherapy were found to be significantly lower than those before the administration ( p < 0.001 ) and those of the placebo group ( p < 0.001 ) .
Similarly , for the intervention group , the total median MENQOL scores after the administration of the aromatherapy were found to be significantly lower than the scores prior to the administration ( p < 0.001 ) as well as the scores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.001 ) .
CONCLUSION : It was found that aromatherapy involving lavender-scented steam inhalation increased sleep quality and quality of life in women with sleep deprivation problems during menopause .

INTRODUCTION: Menopause is the termination of menstruation and fertility. Women commonly experience sleeping problems during the menopausal period. Aromatherapy is among the complementary therapies used to remedy sleeping problems.
METHODS: This study aims to investigate the effects of lavender oil on sleep and quality of life of menopausal women through steam inhalation. This study was quasi-experimental with pre-test/post-test placebo control groups. It was conducted with 57 women, 27 of whom were subject to aromatherapy and 30 to a placebo. Data were collected using the Questionnaire Form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL).
RESULTS: For the intervention group, the PSQI median scores after the administration of aromatherapy were found to be significantly lower than those before the administration (p<0.001) and those of the placebo group (p<0.001). Similarly, for the intervention group, the total median MENQOL scores after the administration of the aromatherapy were found to be significantly lower than the scores prior to the administration (p<0.001) as well as the scores of the placebo group (p<0.001).
CONCLUSION: It was found that aromatherapy involving lavender-scented steam inhalation increased sleep quality and quality of life in women with sleep deprivation problems during menopause.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-15--Ferulic acid-NLC with Lavandula essential oil: a possible strategy for wound-healing?

Nowadays , an increasing interest in combinatorial drug delivery systems is emerging , highlighting the possibility of exploiting essential oils ( EO ) for topical applications .
This work aimed at developing nanostructured lipid carriers ( NLC ) for the combined delivery of ferulic acid andEO , whose beneficial effects in wound-healing processes have been widely reported .
Homogeneous ( polydispersity index , PDI < 0.2 ) nanoparticles with a small size ( < 150 nm ) and a high encapsulation efficiency ( > 85 % ) were obtained .
The co-presence of ferulic acid andEO , as compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' stability , due to higher ordering chains , as confirmed by morphological and physicochemical studies .
An enhanced cytocompatibility was observed when combining ferulic acid andEO , as confirmed by in vitro studies on fibroblasts .
Furthermore , the combined delivery of ferulic acid andEO significantly promoted cell migration with higher effectiveness in respect to the free drug solution and the carrier without the EO .
Taken all together , our results suggest a potential combined effect of the antioxidant ferulic acid andEO co-delivered in lipid nanoparticles in promoting cell proliferation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the treatment of wounds .

Nowadays, an increasing interest in combinatorial drug delivery systems is emerging, highlighting the possibility of exploiting essential oils (EO) for topical applications. This work aimed at developing nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for the combined delivery of ferulic acid andEO, whose beneficial effects in wound-healing processes have been widely reported. Homogeneous (polydispersity index, PDI<0.2) nanoparticles with a small size (<150 nm) and a high encapsulation efficiency (>85%) were obtained. The co-presence of ferulic acid andEO, as compared to synthetic isopropyl myristate-based NLC, increased nanoparticles' stability, due to higher ordering chains, as confirmed by morphological and physicochemical studies. An enhanced cytocompatibility was observed when combining ferulic acid andEO, as confirmed by in vitro studies on fibroblasts. Furthermore, the combined delivery of ferulic acid andEO significantly promoted cell migration with higher effectiveness in respect to the free drug solution and the carrier without the EO. Taken all together, our results suggest a potential combined effect of the antioxidant ferulic acid andEO co-delivered in lipid nanoparticles in promoting cell proliferation and migration, representing a promising strategy in the treatment of wounds.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-15--Inhaled Lavandula angustifolia essential oil enhances extinction learning and inhibits memory updati

Inhaled Lavandula angustifolia essential oil enhances extinction learning and inhibits memory updating.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE : Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia ) essential oil ( EO ) has a long history of use in emotional illness , including anxiety disorders .
Cognitive mechanisms of learning and memory play a pivotal role in the etiology and maintenance of anxiety since exposure to cues related to aversive situations induces high arousal and anticipatory anxiety .
Memory become labile after its reactivation and can be modulated by reconsolidation or extinction .
Inhibition of memory reconsolidation or facilitation of memory extinction may be effective in preventing or minimizing the effect of contextual cues on anticipatory anxiety .
AIM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect of Lavandula angustifolia EO in the memory updating of conditioned contextual fear .
MATERIALS AND METHODS : Adult male C57Bl6 mice were submitted to fear conditioning .
Two days after conditioning the mice underwent a reactivation session in a hybrid context and were then immediately exposed to vaporized water or essential oil at concentrations of 1 % , 2.5 % or 5 % for 3 h. Two days later , the mice were tested in the original or an altered context and their freezing behavior was measured .
In addition , mice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocol followed by a reinstatement session .
RESULTS : In the contextual fear test , 1 % essential oil , but not 2.5 % or 5 % , reduced the freezing behavior response , whereas after a reinstatement session , exposure to 1 % essential oil increased the freezing behavior response .
CONCLUSIONS : These results suggest that Lavandula angustifolia essential oil enhances memory extinction and , consequently , inhibits memory updating .

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil (EO) has a long history of use in emotional illness, including anxiety disorders. Cognitive mechanisms of learning and memory play a pivotal role in the etiology and maintenance of anxiety since exposure to cues related to aversive situations induces high arousal and anticipatory anxiety. Memory become labile after its reactivation and can be modulated by reconsolidation or extinction. Inhibition of memory reconsolidation or facilitation of memory extinction may be effective in preventing or minimizing the effect of contextual cues on anticipatory anxiety.
AIM OF THE STUDY: We investigated the effect of Lavandula angustifolia EO in the memory updating of conditioned contextual fear.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male C57Bl6 mice were submitted to fear conditioning. Two days after conditioning the mice underwent a reactivation session in a hybrid context and were then immediately exposed to vaporized water or essential oil at concentrations of 1%, 2.5% or 5% for 3 h. Two days later, the mice were tested in the original or an altered context and their freezing behavior was measured. In addition, mice were subjected to a fear memory recovery protocol followed by a reinstatement session.
RESULTS: In the contextual fear test, 1% essential oil, but not 2.5% or 5%, reduced the freezing behavior response, whereas after a reinstatement session, exposure to 1% essential oil increased the freezing behavior response.
CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Lavandula angustifolia essential oil enhances memory extinction and, consequently, inhibits memory updating.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-15--The present results indicate that regular exposure to odors increases pain thresholds in patients wi

The present results indicate that regular exposure to odors increases pain thresholds in patients with chronic back pain.

OBJECTIVES : Structured exposure to odors is an acknowledged therapy in patients with smell loss but has also been shown to be effective in depression .
The latter might rely on connections between olfactory and emotional structures , suggesting possible effects of a similar approach in pain patients .
Based on neuroanatomy , there are several interfaces between the '' pain network '' and olfactory system , such as the limbic system , hypothalamus , and mediodorsal thalamus .
We aimed to investigate whether structured exposure to odors may impact perceived pain in patients with chronic low back pain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Subjects were tested on two occasions , at baseline and after four weeks .
METHODS : For all patients , olfactory function ( using the '' Sniffin'Sticks '' test kit ) , detection , and pain thresholds for cutaneous electrical stimuli ( applied to the forearm ) were tested at baseline and after four weeks .
Twenty-eight patients exposed themselves to four odors ( rose , vanilla , chocolate , peach ) every two hours over a period of four weeks ( training group ) .
Control patients ( N = 14 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( nontraining group ) .
RESULTS : Pain thresholds were significantly increased in patients who performed olfactory training compared with patients who did not train with odors .
Detection thresholds and olfactory function remained unchanged .
CONCLUSIONS : The present results indicate that regular exposure to odors increases pain thresholds in patients with chronic back pain and could be useful for general pain control in these patients .
Furthermore , olfactory training in chronic pain patients might help to reduce chronification of pain by desensitization .

OBJECTIVES: Structured exposure to odors is an acknowledged therapy in patients with smell loss but has also been shown to be effective in depression. The latter might rely on connections between olfactory and emotional structures, suggesting possible effects of a similar approach in pain patients. Based on neuroanatomy, there are several interfaces between the"pain network"and olfactory system, such as the limbic system, hypothalamus, and mediodorsal thalamus. We aimed to investigate whether structured exposure to odors may impact perceived pain in patients with chronic low back pain.
DESIGN: Randomized controlled parallel-group design. Subjects were tested on two occasions, at baseline and after four weeks.
SETTING: Ambulatory.
SUBJECTS: Forty-two patients with chronic low back pain.
METHODS: For all patients, olfactory function (using the"Sniffin'Sticks"test kit), detection, and pain thresholds for cutaneous electrical stimuli (applied to the forearm) were tested at baseline and after four weeks. Twenty-eight patients exposed themselves to four odors (rose, vanilla, chocolate, peach) every two hours over a period of four weeks (training group). Control patients (N = 14) underwent no such"olfactory training"(nontraining group).
RESULTS: Pain thresholds were significantly increased in patients who performed olfactory training compared with patients who did not train with odors. Detection thresholds and olfactory function remained unchanged.
CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that regular exposure to odors increases pain thresholds in patients with chronic back pain and could be useful for general pain control in these patients. Furthermore, olfactory training in chronic pain patients might help to reduce chronification of pain by desensitization.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Psychedelic treatment of functional neurological disorder: a systematic review

Functional neurological disorder ( FND ) , formerly known as conversion disorder , causes a high burden of disability and distress , and is amongst the most commonly encountered conditions in neurology clinics and neuropsychiatric services , yet the therapeutic evidence base is somewhat limited .
There has been recent interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide ( LSD ) , and in recent studies psychedelics have shown promise in treating a range of neuropsychiatric conditions .
Modification of neural circuits associated with self-representation is thought to underlie some of this effect , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus on aberrant somatic self-representation , psychedelics may therefore represent an unexplored treatment option for FND .
We systematically reviewed studies involving the use of psychedelics in FND .
Nine studies published between 1954 and 1967 , with a total of 26 patients , were identified .
Due to restriction of licencing of psychedelic drugs since this period , no modern studies were identified .
In most cases , patients received a course of psychotherapy with variable adjunctive administration of psychedelics ( in a combination known as 'psycholytic therapy ' ) , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treated , 69 % ( = 18 ) were found to have made at least some recovery on heterogeneous and subjective clinician-rated criteria .
Adverse events were mostly mild and transient ; however , at least one patient terminated the study due to distressing effects .
All included studies were of low quality , often lacking control groups and valid outcome measures .
Although no conclusions on efficacy may be drawn from these data , further research may help to determine whether psychedelics offer a feasible , safe and effective treatment for FND @

Functional neurological disorder (FND), formerly known as conversion disorder, causes a high burden of disability and distress, and is amongst the most commonly encountered conditions in neurology clinics and neuropsychiatric services, yet the therapeutic evidence base is somewhat limited. There has been recent interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and in recent studies psychedelics have shown promise in treating a range of neuropsychiatric conditions. Modification of neural circuits associated with self-representation is thought to underlie some of this effect, and as some contemporary theories of FND focus on aberrant somatic self-representation, psychedelics may therefore represent an unexplored treatment option for FND. We systematically reviewed studies involving the use of psychedelics in FND. Nine studies published between 1954 and 1967, with a total of 26 patients, were identified. Due to restriction of licencing of psychedelic drugs since this period, no modern studies were identified. In most cases, patients received a course of psychotherapy with variable adjunctive administration of psychedelics (in a combination known as 'psycholytic therapy'), with protocols varying between studies. Of those treated, 69% ( = 18) were found to have made at least some recovery on heterogeneous and subjective clinician-rated criteria. Adverse events were mostly mild and transient; however, at least one patient terminated the study due to distressing effects. All included studies were of low quality, often lacking control groups and valid outcome measures. Although no conclusions on efficacy may be drawn from these data, further research may help to determine whether psychedelics offer a feasible, safe and effective treatment for FND.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

After a two-decade hiatus in which research on psychedelics was essentially halted , placebo-controlled clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health conditions have begun to be published .
We identified nine randomized , placebo-controlled clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy published since 1994 .
Studies examined psilocybin , LSD ( lysergic acid diethylamide ) , ayahuasca ( which contains a combination of N , N-dimethyltryptamine and harmala monoamine oxidase inhibitor alkaloids ) , and MDMA ( 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ) .
We compared the standardized mean difference between the experimental and placebo control group at the primary endpoint .
Results indicated a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Hedges ) , which is larger than the typical effect size found in trials of psychopharmacological or psychotherapy interventions .
For the three studies that maintained a placebo control through a follow-up assessment , effects were generally maintained at follow-up .
Overall , analyses support the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy across four mental health conditions - post-traumatic stress disorder , anxiety/depression associated with a life-threatening illness , unipolar depression , and social anxiety among autistic adults .
While study quality was high , we identify several areas for improvement regarding the conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with more diverse samples are needed to examine possible moderators and mediators of effects , and to establish whether effects are maintained over time .

After a two-decade hiatus in which research on psychedelics was essentially halted, placebo-controlled clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health conditions have begun to be published. We identified nine randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy published since 1994. Studies examined psilocybin, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), ayahuasca (which contains a combination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmala monoamine oxidase inhibitor alkaloids), and MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). We compared the standardized mean difference between the experimental and placebo control group at the primary endpoint. Results indicated a significant mean between-groups effect size of 1.21 (Hedges), which is larger than the typical effect size found in trials of psychopharmacological or psychotherapy interventions. For the three studies that maintained a placebo control through a follow-up assessment, effects were generally maintained at follow-up. Overall, analyses support the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy across four mental health conditions - post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety/depression associated with a life-threatening illness, unipolar depression, and social anxiety among autistic adults. While study quality was high, we identify several areas for improvement regarding the conduct and reporting of trials. Larger trials with more diverse samples are needed to examine possible moderators and mediators of effects, and to establish whether effects are maintained over time.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Music therapy is effective in reducing anxiety levels of cancer patients who are undergoing chemothe

OBJECTIVE : To evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy on the level of difficulty in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy .
@ @ @ @ @ a quasi-experiment with nonprobability sampling technique consisting of 60 participants , divided into intervention groups @ @ @ @ @ samples for each based on inclusion and exclusion criteria .
RESULTS : The three sessions @ @ @ @ @ reducing the anxiety level of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy ( p < 0.001 ) in @ @ @ @ @ , no significant reducing of anxiety among the control group ( p=0.139 ) .
CONCLUSION @ @ @ @ @ in reducing anxiety levels of cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy .

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of music therapy on the level of difficulty in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
METHODS: This study was a quasi-experiment with nonprobability sampling technique consisting of 60 participants, divided into intervention groups and control groups of 30 samples for each based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS: The three sessions of music therapy are significantly reducing the anxiety level of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (p<0.001) in the intervention group. Meanwhile, no significant reducing of anxiety among the control group (p=0.139).
CONCLUSION: Music therapy is effective in reducing anxiety levels of cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Music therapy is an effective adjunct in the control of anxiety and postoperative pain following nas

Nasal septal surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed by otolaryngology surgeons ; however , anxiety before surgery @ @ @ @ @ significant cause of morbidity .
The search for a complimentary modality to reduce the symptoms @ @ @ @ @ momentum in recent years .
Music therapy is an exciting and inexpensive modality in this @ @ @ @ @ in terms of randomized clinical trials is still lacking for common otolaryngology surgeries .
Hence @ @ @ @ @ study .
The sample of our study was composed of 59 patients , 30 of @ @ @ @ @ medicine , while the remaining 29 were submitted to both conventional medicine and music therapy @ @ @ @ @ choice , with 2 sessions per day , each lasting 30 minutes .
This was @ @ @ @ @ disorder-7 scale and the pain visual analogue scale until postoperative day 2 , when the @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
On comparing the anxiety and pain scores between the two groups , the @ @ @ @ @ showed a statistically significant reduction in anxiety both preoperatively (

Nasal septal surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed by otolaryngology surgeons; however, anxiety before surgery and postoperative pain remain a significant cause of morbidity. The search for a complimentary modality to reduce the symptoms and side effects has gained momentum in recent years. Music therapy is an exciting and inexpensive modality in this regard, but scientific evidence in terms of randomized clinical trials is still lacking for common otolaryngology surgeries. Hence, we performed the present study. The sample of our study was composed of 59 patients, 30 of which were submitted to conventional medicine, while the remaining 29 were submitted to both conventional medicine and music therapy with music of their own choice, with 2 sessions per day, each lasting 30 minutes. This was performed using the generalized anxiety disorder-7 scale and the pain visual analogue scale until postoperative day 2, when the patients were discharged from the hospital. On comparing the anxiety and pain scores between the two groups, the group who underwent music therapy showed a statistically significant reduction in anxiety both preoperatively ( < 0.0001) and postoperatively ( < 0.0001), as well as reduced postoperative pain starting from day 0 ( < 0.001), which continued until postoperative day 2 ( < 0.001). Music therapy is an effective adjunct in the control of anxiety and postoperative pain following nasal septal surgery.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Usefulness of harmonica playing to improve outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary d

Usefulness of harmonica playing to improve outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) includes a multidisciplinary approach of exercise and pursed-lip diaphragmatic breathing .
Pursed-lip diaphragmatic breathing reduces alveolar collapse during exhalation , and diaphragmatic breathing improves inspiratory pressures .
Harmonica playing has maneuvers similar to those taught in pursed-lip diaphragmatic breathing , with diaphragmatic breathing to create musical tones .
Hence , we designed a trial to determine whether patients with COPD would benefit from harmonica playing .
COPD patients who completed pulmonary rehabilitation at least 6 months prior were eligible for this trial .
Patients attended 12 weeks of harmonica training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were encouraged to practice at home .
Participants completed pre- and postspirometry testing , maximum inspired and expired pressure ( PImax , PEmax ) testing , and 6-minute walk tests .
Eleven of the 14 participants completed the 12-week trial .
PImax and PEmax increased by an average of 15.4± 12.0 cm HO ( = 0.0017 ) and 14.4± 14.0 cm HO ( = 0.0061 ) , respectively .
Additionally , 6-minute walk distance increased by approximately 60 m ( 61± 78 , = 0.03 ) .
This pilot study showed that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PEmax , and 6-minute walk distance in COPD patients after rehabilitation .
Larger-scale harmonica studies are warranted to evaluate this program 's adjunctive potential benefit to formal pulmonary rehabilitation .

Pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes a multidisciplinary approach of exercise and pursed-lip diaphragmatic breathing. Pursed-lip diaphragmatic breathing reduces alveolar collapse during exhalation, and diaphragmatic breathing improves inspiratory pressures. Harmonica playing has maneuvers similar to those taught in pursed-lip diaphragmatic breathing, with diaphragmatic breathing to create musical tones. Hence, we designed a trial to determine whether patients with COPD would benefit from harmonica playing. COPD patients who completed pulmonary rehabilitation at least 6 months prior were eligible for this trial. Patients attended 12 weeks of harmonica training sessions for 2 hours a week and were encouraged to practice at home. Participants completed pre- and postspirometry testing, maximum inspired and expired pressure (PImax, PEmax) testing, and 6-minute walk tests. Eleven of the 14 participants completed the 12-week trial. PImax and PEmax increased by an average of 15.4± 12.0 cm HO (= 0.0017) and 14.4± 14.0 cm HO (= 0.0061), respectively. Additionally, 6-minute walk distance increased by approximately 60 m (61± 78,= 0.03). This pilot study showed that a 12-week harmonica program significantly improved PImax, PEmax, and 6-minute walk distance in COPD patients after rehabilitation. Larger-scale harmonica studies are warranted to evaluate this program's adjunctive potential benefit to formal pulmonary rehabilitation.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Music restores propriospinal excitation during stroke locomotion.

Music-based therapy for rehabilitation induces neuromodulation at the brain level and improves the functional recovery .
In line with this , musical rhythmicity improves post-stroke gait .
Moreover , an external distractor also helps stroke patients to improve locomotion .
We raised the question whether music with irregular tempo ( arrhythmic music ) , and its possible influence on attention would induce neuromodulation and improve the post-stroke gait .
We tested music-induced neuromodulation at the level of a propriospinal reflex , known to be particularly involved in the control of stabilized locomotion ; after stroke , the reflex is enhanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was conducted in 12 post-stroke patients and 12 controls .
Quadriceps EMG was conditioned by electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve , which produces a biphasic facilitation on EMG , reflecting the level of activity of the propriospinal reflex between ankle dorsiflexors and quadriceps ( CPQ reflex ) .
The CPQ reflex was tested during treadmill locomotion at the preferred speed of each individual , in 3 conditions randomly alternated : without music vs. 2 arrhythmic music tracks , including a pleasant melody and unpleasant aleatory electronic sounds ( AES ) ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The CPQ reflex was significantly larger in patients during walking without sound , compared to controls .
During walking with music , irrespective of the theme , there was no more difference between groups .
In controls , music had no influence on the size of CPQ reflex .
In patients , CPQ reflex was significantly larger during walking without sound than when listening to the melody or AES .
No significant differences have been revealed concerning the biomechanical and the physiological parameters in both groups .
Arrhythmic music listening modulates the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CPQ reflex activity to normality .
The plasticity was not accompanied by any clear improvement of gait parameters , but the patients reported to prefer walking with music than without .
The role of music as external focus of attention is discussed .
This study has shown that music can modulate propriospinal neural network particularly involved in the gait control during the first training session .
It is speculated that repetition may help to consolidate plasticity and would contribute to gait recovery after stroke .

Music-based therapy for rehabilitation induces neuromodulation at the brain level and improves the functional recovery. In line with this, musical rhythmicity improves post-stroke gait. Moreover, an external distractor also helps stroke patients to improve locomotion. We raised the question whether music with irregular tempo (arrhythmic music), and its possible influence on attention would induce neuromodulation and improve the post-stroke gait. We tested music-induced neuromodulation at the level of a propriospinal reflex, known to be particularly involved in the control of stabilized locomotion; after stroke, the reflex is enhanced on the hemiparetic side. The study was conducted in 12 post-stroke patients and 12 controls. Quadriceps EMG was conditioned by electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve, which produces a biphasic facilitation on EMG, reflecting the level of activity of the propriospinal reflex between ankle dorsiflexors and quadriceps (CPQ reflex). The CPQ reflex was tested during treadmill locomotion at the preferred speed of each individual, in 3 conditions randomly alternated: without music vs. 2 arrhythmic music tracks, including a pleasant melody and unpleasant aleatory electronic sounds (AES); biomechanical and physiological parameters were also investigated. The CPQ reflex was significantly larger in patients during walking without sound, compared to controls. During walking with music, irrespective of the theme, there was no more difference between groups. In controls, music had no influence on the size of CPQ reflex. In patients, CPQ reflex was significantly larger during walking without sound than when listening to the melody or AES. No significant differences have been revealed concerning the biomechanical and the physiological parameters in both groups. Arrhythmic music listening modulates the spinal excitability during post-stroke walking, restoring the CPQ reflex activity to normality. The plasticity was not accompanied by any clear improvement of gait parameters, but the patients reported to prefer walking with music than without. The role of music as external focus of attention is discussed. This study has shown that music can modulate propriospinal neural network particularly involved in the gait control during the first training session. It is speculated that repetition may help to consolidate plasticity and would contribute to gait recovery after stroke.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Music interventions for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.

BACKGROUND : Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting ( CINV ) is the most common and severe side effects brought by chemotherapeutics .
The role of music interventions in relieving CINV is uncertain .
The aim of this systematic review was to test the effects of music interventions on three categories of CINV .
METHODS : A systematic search was conducted in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials ( CENTRAL ) , Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature ( CINAHL ) , PubMed , EMBASE , China National Knowledge Infrastructure ( CNKI ) , WanFang , and Chinese Biomedical Database @ @ @ @ @ @ @ randomized controlled trials ( RCTs ) investigating the comparative efficacy of music interventions and others .
Two investigators screened , sorted , and extracted the data , and appraised the risk of bias .
All statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 software .
RESULTS : The literature search yielded 608 studies of which only ten RCTs fulfilled the eligibility criteria with 632 patients retrieved .
Although the duration , the frequency of interventions , and the type of selected music varied across studies , commonly used elements included music listening .
Results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reducing the incidence of anticipatory CINV and lowering the severity of delayed vomiting ( MD = - 0.65 , 95 % CI = - 1.08 to - 0.23 ) .
However , strongly controversial results existed in terms of reducing the incidence of acute and delayed CINV , the severity of acute CINV , the severity of delayed nausea , and improving patients ' quality of life .
CONCLUSIONS : Music interventions may effectively reduce the incidence of anticipatory CINV and relieve the severity of delayed vomiting in patients with chemotherapy based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be interpreted with caution and further research is required to design with large-scale and rigorous methods .

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is the most common and severe side effects brought by chemotherapeutics. The role of music interventions in relieving CINV is uncertain. The aim of this systematic review was to test the effects of music interventions on three categories of CINV.
METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, and Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) in order to capture randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the comparative efficacy of music interventions and others. Two investigators screened, sorted, and extracted the data, and appraised the risk of bias. All statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3 software.
RESULTS: The literature search yielded 608 studies of which only ten RCTs fulfilled the eligibility criteria with 632 patients retrieved. Although the duration, the frequency of interventions, and the type of selected music varied across studies, commonly used elements included music listening. Results showed that music interventions were associated with reducing the incidence of anticipatory CINV and lowering the severity of delayed vomiting (MD = - 0.65, 95% CI = - 1.08 to - 0.23). However, strongly controversial results existed in terms of reducing the incidence of acute and delayed CINV, the severity of acute CINV, the severity of delayed nausea, and improving patients' quality of life.
CONCLUSIONS: Music interventions may effectively reduce the incidence of anticipatory CINV and relieve the severity of delayed vomiting in patients with chemotherapy based on limited data. However, the conclusion should be interpreted with caution and further research is required to design with large-scale and rigorous methods.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Music therapy can effectively alleviate the pain, anxiety and depression of patients after coronary

OBJECTIVE : The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of music therapy on pain , anxiety and depression in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting .
METHODS : A retrospective study of 99 patients after coronary artery bypass from January 2017 to January 2019 was conducted in a cardiac center in China .
According to the different interventions , all the participants were divided into 3 groups : group A : music therapy ; group B : rest without music therapy ; and group C : conventional treatment .
The Numerical Rating Scale ( NRS ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Self-Rating Depression Scale ( SDS ) were used to measure the patient 's pain , anxiety and depression before and after 30 min of the intervention .
RESULTS : There were no significant differences in the NRS , SDS and SAS scores between the three groups of patients before the intervention .
After 30 min of music therapy , the NRS , SDS and SAS scores of patients in group A were significantly lower than those before music therapy , and the differences were statistically significant .
However , before and after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NRS , SDS and SAS scores were not statistically significant .
By comparison among the three groups after 30 min of intervention , the NRS , SDS and SAS scores in patients in group A were significantly lower than those in groups B and C , and the differences were statistically significant .
The scores were not significantly different between groups Band C. CONCLUSION : Music therapy can effectively alleviate the pain , anxiety and depression of patients after coronary artery bypass grafting .

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of music therapy on pain, anxiety and depression in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting.
METHODS: A retrospective study of 99 patients after coronary artery bypass from January 2017 to January 2019 was conducted in a cardiac center in China. According to the different interventions, all the participants were divided into 3 groups: group A: music therapy; group B: rest without music therapy; and group C: conventional treatment. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to measure the patient's pain, anxiety and depression before and after 30 min of the intervention.
RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the NRS, SDS and SAS scores between the three groups of patients before the intervention. After 30 min of music therapy, the NRS, SDS and SAS scores of patients in group A were significantly lower than those before music therapy, and the differences were statistically significant. However, before and after the intervention in groups B and C, the NRS, SDS and SAS scores were not statistically significant. By comparison among the three groups after 30 min of intervention, the NRS, SDS and SAS scores in patients in group A were significantly lower than those in groups B and C, and the differences were statistically significant. The scores were not significantly different between groups Band C.
CONCLUSION: Music therapy can effectively alleviate the pain, anxiety and depression of patients after coronary artery bypass grafting.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Effect of executive music therapy on state and trait anxiety levels of patients in a psychiatric war

Effect of executive music therapy on state and trait anxiety levels of patients in a psychiatric ward.

AIM : This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the effect of executive music therapy ( EMT ) on the state @ @ @ @ @ patients with psychiatric disorders .
DESIGN AND METHODS : The study sample consisted of 64 @ @ @ @ @ a psychiatric ward in Giresun , Turkey between January and April 2019 .
FINDINGS : @ @ @ @ @ decreased the state anxiety levels of inpatients with psychiatric disorders ( P .05 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ with these results , we recommend that EMT should be included in therapeutic nursing interventions @ @ @ @

AIM: This quasi-experimental study aimed to assess the effect of executive music therapy (EMT) on the state and trait anxiety levels of patients with psychiatric disorders.
DESIGN AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 64 patients who were hospitalized in a psychiatric ward in Giresun, Turkey between January and April 2019.
FINDINGS: This study showed that EMT decreased the state anxiety levels of inpatients with psychiatric disorders (P < .05). However, the treatment caused no effect on trait anxiety levels (P > .05).
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: In line with these results, we recommend that EMT should be included in therapeutic nursing interventions in psychiatric ward.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Effect of music at 432 Hz and 440 Hz on dental anxiety and salivary cortisol levels in patients unde

Effect of music at 432 Hz and 440 Hz on dental anxiety and salivary cortisol levels in patients undergoing tooth extraction.

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the effects of music at 432 Hz , 440 Hz , and no music on the clinical perception of anxiety and salivary cortisol levels in patients undergoing tooth extraction .
Methodology A parallel-group randomized clinical trial was conducted .
Forty-two patients ( average age : 23.8±7.8 years , 27 women ) with a moderate level of anxiety were distributed in three groups : use of music for 15 minutes at a frequency of 432 Hz ( n=15 ) , at 440 Hz ( n=15 ) and a control group without music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anxiety Scale and salivary cortisol levels , estimated by the solid phaseenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) , were measured and compared before and after the music intervention between groups ( two-way ANOVA-Tukey p < 0.05 , RStudio ) .
Results Significantly lower anxiety level values were observed at 432 Hz ( 8.7±2.67 ) and 440 Hz ( 8.4±2.84 ) compared to the control group ( 17.2±4.60 ; p < 0.05 ) .
The salivary cortisol level at 432 Hz ( 0.49±0.37 μg/dL ) was significantly lower than 440 Hz ( 1.35±0.69 μg/dL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ μg/dL ; p < 0.05 ) .
Conclusion The use of music significantly decreased clinical anxiety levels , and the frequency of 432 Hz was effective in decreasing salivary cortisol levels before tooth extraction .

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the effects of music at 432 Hz, 440 Hz, and no music on the clinical perception of anxiety and salivary cortisol levels in patients undergoing tooth extraction. Methodology A parallel-group randomized clinical trial was conducted. Forty-two patients (average age: 23.8±7.8 years, 27 women) with a moderate level of anxiety were distributed in three groups: use of music for 15 minutes at a frequency of 432 Hz (n=15), at 440 Hz (n=15) and a control group without music (n=12). The CORAH Dental Anxiety Scale and salivary cortisol levels, estimated by the solid phaseenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), were measured and compared before and after the music intervention between groups (two-way ANOVA-Tukey p<0.05, RStudio). Results Significantly lower anxiety level values were observed at 432 Hz (8.7±2.67) and 440 Hz (8.4±2.84) compared to the control group (17.2±4.60; p<0.05). The salivary cortisol level at 432 Hz (0.49±0.37 μg/dL) was significantly lower than 440 Hz (1.35±0.69 μg/dL) and the control group (1.59±0.7 μg/dL; p<0.05). Conclusion The use of music significantly decreased clinical anxiety levels, and the frequency of 432 Hz was effective in decreasing salivary cortisol levels before tooth extraction.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Living 4D with Paul Chek - Ep. 88 Sayer Ji: The Future of Health and Wellness is Now!

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greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Hepatoprotective effect of Matricaria chamomilla aqueous extract against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induc

Hepatoprotective effect of Matricaria chamomilla aqueous extract against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced carcinogenic hepatic damage.

Dimethylhydrazine ( DMH ) is a potent colonic and hepatic carcinogen that is metabolized into oxyradicals causing liver injury and DNA mutations.is a well-documented medicinal herb that possesses anti-inflammatory , antioxidant and antitumor activities and is commonly used to treat diverse ailments .
The present study aimed to reveal the hepatoprotective effects ofaqueous extract during an intermediate stage of colorectal cancer ( CRC ) in mice .
Male Balb/c mice were divided into six groups : group A served as control , group B received chamomile extract ( 150 mg/Kg b.w . )
orally for 12 weeks , and groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 20 mg/Kg b.w . )
once a week for 12 weeks .
In addition to DMH , groups D and F received chamomile during the initiation and post-initiation stages , respectively .
Blood and liver samples were collected for biochemical and molecular analyses .
The results showed that DMH induced hepatic injury in mice as shown by significant increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase .
The changes in biochemical parameters were accompanied by activation of the Wnt signaling pathway leading to increased hepatocytes proliferation as well as inflammation evidenced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( COX-2 ) and inducible nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS ) .
The results also showed potential hepatoprotective effects of chamomile extract against DMH-induced liver injury , proliferation and inflammation .
Chamomile restored the biochemical and molecular parameters and this improvement was more pronounced in mice pretreated with the extract .
In conclusion , chamomile extract may exert its hepatoprotective activities against DMH probably due to the antioxidant , antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties of its flavonoids .

Dimethylhydrazine (DMH) is a potent colonic and hepatic carcinogen that is metabolized into oxyradicals causing liver injury and DNA mutations.is a well-documented medicinal herb that possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor activities and is commonly used to treat diverse ailments. The present study aimed to reveal the hepatoprotective effects ofaqueous extract during an intermediate stage of colorectal cancer (CRC) in mice. Male Balb/c mice were divided into six groups: group A served as control, group B received chamomile extract (150 mg/Kg b.w.) orally for 12 weeks, and groups C-F received weekly intraperitoneal injections of DMH (20 mg/Kg b.w.) once a week for 12 weeks. In addition to DMH, groups D and F received chamomile during the initiation and post-initiation stages, respectively. Blood and liver samples were collected for biochemical and molecular analyses. The results showed that DMH induced hepatic injury in mice as shown by significant increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. The changes in biochemical parameters were accompanied by activation of the Wnt signaling pathway leading to increased hepatocytes proliferation as well as inflammation evidenced by high levels of pro-inflammatory enzymes cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The results also showed potential hepatoprotective effects of chamomile extract against DMH-induced liver injury, proliferation and inflammation. Chamomile restored the biochemical and molecular parameters and this improvement was more pronounced in mice pretreated with the extract. In conclusion, chamomile extract may exert its hepatoprotective activities against DMH probably due to the antioxidant, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties of its flavonoids.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Deconstructing Bill Gates' Agenda

Deconstructing Bill Gates' Agenda


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Anti-inflammatory effect of Musa acuminata stem.

OBJECTIVE : This study was designed to assess the anti-inflammatory effect ofthrough the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α ) and nuclear factor kappa β ( NF-κB ) after 3 days of application of ( MASE ) gel on oral mucosal wound .
MATERIALS AND METHODS : An experimental study with post-test only control group design was conducted .
Twenty male ( Wistar ) were injured on their left buccal mucosa and treated three times a day with MASE gel of varying concentrations : 0 % ( as control ) , MASE 25 % , MASE 37.5 % , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 , a biopsy was performed on each mucosal wound for later immunohistochemical analysis for the expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB .
RESULTS : The highest expression of TNF-α was observed in the control group ( 13.20 ± 1.79 ) , while the lowest was in the treatment group using 50 % MASE ( 6.40 ± 1.14 ) .
Meanwhile the comparison between treatment groups did not highlight any significant difference ( > 0.05 ) .
The highest expression of NF-κB was observed in the control group ( 13.20 ± 1.30 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group using MASE 50 % ( 6.40 ± 1.14 ) .
NF-κB was significantly lower in the treatment group using MASE 50 % when compared with other treatment groups ( < 0.05 ) .
CONCLUSION : Application of MASE on mucosal wound reduces the expression of TNF-α and NF-κB at all concentrations .
The anti-inflammatory effect of MASE 50 % was the strongest one .

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the anti-inflammatory effect ofthrough the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa β (NF-κB) after 3 days of application of(MASE) gel on oral mucosal wound.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: An experimental study with post-test only control group design was conducted. Twenty male(Wistar) were injured on their left buccal mucosa and treated three times a day with MASE gel of varying concentrations: 0% (as control), MASE 25%, MASE 37.5%, and MASE 50%. On day 3, a biopsy was performed on each mucosal wound for later immunohistochemical analysis for the expressions of TNF-α and NF-κB.
RESULTS: The highest expression of TNF-α was observed in the control group (13.20 ± 1.79), while the lowest was in the treatment group using 50% MASE (6.40 ± 1.14). Meanwhile the comparison between treatment groups did not highlight any significant difference (>0.05). The highest expression of NF-κB was observed in the control group (13.20 ± 1.30), whereas the lowest was in the treatment group using MASE 50% (6.40 ± 1.14). NF-κB was significantly lower in the treatment group using MASE 50% when compared with other treatment groups (<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Application of MASE on mucosal wound reduces the expression of TNF-α and NF-κB at all concentrations. The anti-inflammatory effect of MASE 50% was the strongest one.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-16--Honey for the Heart: Cardiovascular Benefits for Postmenopausal Women


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--Seven Best Foods and Supplements to Enhance Your Immune System


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--Vascular effects of combined enriched Korean red ginseng and American ginseng administration in indi

Vascular effects of combined enriched Korean red ginseng and American ginseng administration in individuals with hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND : Type 2 diabetes is known to abrogate the vascular response .
Combination of two commonly consumed ginseng species , American ginseng ( AG ) and a Korean Red ginseng ( KRG ) , enriched with ginsensoide Rg3 , was shown to concomitantly improve glucemic control and blood pressure .
We evaluated the hypothesis that improvements in central hemodynamics , vascular function and stiffness markers are involved in observed benefits of co-administration .
METHODS : In this randomized , placebo controlled , two-center trial , patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension were assigned to either 2.25 g ginsenoside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control 3 times daily for 12-weeks , treated by standard of care .
The effects on central hemodynamics , pulse wave velocity ( PWV ) and endothelial function over the 12-week administration were analyzed .
RESULTS : In intent-to-treat analysis of 80 individuals , a reduction in central systolic BP ( -4.69 ± 2.24 mmHg , p = 0.04 ) was observed with co-administration of Rg3-KRG + AG relative to control at 12-weeks , which was characterized by a decrease in end-systolic pressure ( -6.60 ± 2.5 mmHg , p = 0.01 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( -132.80 ± 65.1 , p = 0.04 , 220.90 ± 91.1 , p = 0.02 , respectively ) .
There was no significant change in reactive hyperemia index ( 0.09 ± 0.11 , p = 0.44 ) , PWV ( -0.40 ± 0.28 % , p = 0.17 ) , and other related pulse wave analysis components .
CONCLUSION : Co-administration of complementary ginseng species improved central systolic BP and components of pulse waveform without a direct effect on endothelial function , when added to background pharmacotherapy in individuals with diabetes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for modest blood pressure benefit to broaden its role in diabetes management .

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is known to abrogate the vascular response. Combination of two commonly consumed ginseng species, American ginseng (AG) and a Korean Red ginseng (KRG), enriched with ginsensoide Rg3, was shown to concomitantly improve glucemic control and blood pressure. We evaluated the hypothesis that improvements in central hemodynamics, vascular function and stiffness markers are involved in observed benefits of co-administration.
METHODS: In this randomized, placebo controlled, two-center trial, patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension were assigned to either 2.25 g ginsenoside Rg3-enriched KRG&AG co-administration or a control 3 times daily for 12-weeks, treated by standard of care. The effects on central hemodynamics, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and endothelial function over the 12-week administration were analyzed.
RESULTS: In intent-to-treat analysis of 80 individuals, a reduction in central systolic BP (-4.69 ± 2.24 mmHg, p = 0.04) was observed with co-administration of Rg3-KRG + AG relative to control at 12-weeks, which was characterized by a decrease in end-systolic pressure (-6.60 ± 2.5 mmHg, p = 0.01) and area under the systolic/diastolic BP curve (-132.80 ± 65.1, p = 0.04, 220.90 ± 91.1, p = 0.02, respectively). There was no significant change in reactive hyperemia index (0.09 ± 0.11, p = 0.44), PWV (-0.40 ± 0.28 %, p = 0.17), and other related pulse wave analysis components.
CONCLUSION: Co-administration of complementary ginseng species improved central systolic BP and components of pulse waveform without a direct effect on endothelial function, when added to background pharmacotherapy in individuals with diabetes. These data support potential utility of ginseng for modest blood pressure benefit to broaden its role in diabetes management.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--Bacosides encapsulated in lactoferrin conjugated PEG-PLA-PCL-OH based polymersomes act as epigenetic

Bacosides encapsulated in lactoferrin conjugated PEG-PLA-PCL-OH based polymersomes act as epigenetic modulator in chemically induced amnesia.

The present study demonstrates the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the effect of Bacoside rich extract of Bacopa monniera-a nootropic herb , on scopolamine treated amnesic mice conferred via chromatin modifying enzymes .
The focus of the work was to elucidate the modulation of the chromatin modifying enzymes : DNMT1 , DNMT3a , DNMT3b , HDAC2 , HDAC5 and CPB in scopolamine induced amnesic mice after treatment with bacoside rich extract of Bacopa monniera ( BA ) and BA encapsulated in lactoferrin conjugated PEG-PLA-PCL-OH based polymersomes ( BAN ) .
We observed remarkable difference between the results obtained after the treatment with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found to be more efficient in downregulating DNA methylation and histone chain deacetylation .
Scopolamine treatment showed up-regulation of DNMT1 expression in qRT-PCR by 3.14-fold as compared to the control , which was considerably decreased by 1.5-fold after treatment with BA and remarkably decreased 0.11-fold by BAN treatment .
Scopolamine treatment up-regulated the expression of DNMT3a by 1.6-fold while for DNMT3b by 3.13-fold .
In DNMT3a and DNMT3b the fold change decreased to 0.64 and 0.76 after BA treatment , whereas the BAN treatment further down-regulated to 0.32- and 0.63-fold , respectively .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.12 fold and 3.64-fold , respectively .
BA treatment reversed the changes by reducing HDAC2 mRNA to 0.89-fold and HDAC5 mRNA 0.83-fold .
BAN further reduced expression of HDAC2 further to 0.39-fold and HDAC5 to 0.31-fold .
On the other hand scopolamine down-regulated CBP mRNA expression by 0.28-fold and increased by 1.09 after BA treatment .
BAN significantly increased the CPB expression by 1.65-fold as compared to BA treatment .
These findings were consolidated by DNMT and HDAC enzyme activity assay , methylation in the promoter region of the memory related genes : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for DNA methylation .
The percent activity increase of DNMT and HDAC after scopolamine administration was 375.74 and 240.90 respectively .
After treatment with BA the downfall in percent activity was observed as 167.99 in DMNT and 130.57 in HDAC .
BAN treatment further decreased the percent enzyme activity of DNMT and HDAC significantly by 30.0 and 61.81 respectively .
The potency of BAN in reversing the epigenetic changes of scopolamine induced amnesic mouse brain , can be attributed to the brain specific delivery of BA through polymersomes which are able to cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via receptor mediated endocytosis .

The present study demonstrates the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the effect of Bacoside rich extract of Bacopa monniera-a nootropic herb, on scopolamine treated amnesic mice conferred via chromatin modifying enzymes. The focus of the work was to elucidate the modulation of the chromatin modifying enzymes: DNMT1, DNMT3a, DNMT3b, HDAC2, HDAC5 and CPB in scopolamine induced amnesic mice after treatment with bacoside rich extract of Bacopa monniera (BA) and BA encapsulated in lactoferrin conjugated PEG-PLA-PCL-OH based polymersomes (BAN). We observed remarkable difference between the results obtained after the treatment with BA and BAN. Interestingly BAN was found to be more efficient in downregulating DNA methylation and histone chain deacetylation. Scopolamine treatment showed up-regulation of DNMT1 expression in qRT-PCR by 3.14-fold as compared to the control, which was considerably decreased by 1.5-fold after treatment with BA and remarkably decreased 0.11-fold by BAN treatment. Scopolamine treatment up-regulated the expression of DNMT3a by 1.6-fold while for DNMT3b by 3.13-fold. In DNMT3a and DNMT3b the fold change decreased to 0.64 and 0.76 after BA treatment, whereas the BAN treatment further down-regulated to 0.32- and 0.63-fold, respectively. Similarly scopolamine up-regulated HDAC2 and HDAC5 by 3.12 fold and 3.64-fold, respectively. BA treatment reversed the changes by reducing HDAC2 mRNA to 0.89-fold and HDAC5 mRNA 0.83-fold. BAN further reduced expression of HDAC2 further to 0.39-fold and HDAC5 to 0.31-fold. On the other hand scopolamine down-regulated CBP mRNA expression by 0.28-fold and increased by 1.09 after BA treatment. BAN significantly increased the CPB expression by 1.65-fold as compared to BA treatment. These findings were consolidated by DNMT and HDAC enzyme activity assay, methylation in the promoter region of the memory related genes: ARC and BDNF and Dot blot assay for DNA methylation. The percent activity increase of DNMT and HDAC after scopolamine administration was 375.74 and 240.90 respectively. After treatment with BA the downfall in percent activity was observed as 167.99 in DMNT and 130.57 in HDAC. BAN treatment further decreased the percent enzyme activity of DNMT and HDAC significantly by 30.0 and 61.81 respectively. The potency of BAN in reversing the epigenetic changes of scopolamine induced amnesic mouse brain, can be attributed to the brain specific delivery of BA through polymersomes which are able to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) via receptor mediated endocytosis.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--ALA-R full dose administration for two months leads to positive short term results in terms of sympt

ALA-R full dose administration for two months leads to positive short term results in terms of symptoms and function improvement.

Introduction : Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common peripheral neuropathies .
Only a few studies evaluate the efficacy of '' nutraceuticals '' on peripheral nerves and neuropathic pain .
The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the role of Alfa-Lipoic Acid-R ( ALA-R ) on clinical and functional outcomes in patients affected by mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome .
Material and Methods : The present investigation is a prospective randomised controlled open label study , performed at our Hand Surgery Department ( Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS , Rome ) from October 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were divided in two groups : Group A ( ALA-R 600mg once day for 60 days ) and Group B ( control Group , no drug administration ) .
Results : 134 patients ( 74 F , 60 M ) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria .
In Group A , there was a statistically significant pain reduction compared to the control Group .
Using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire , there were no significant improvements in the other symptoms and function .
Conclusion : ALA-R full dose administration for two months leads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of symptoms and function improvement , even if the surgical carpal tunnel release remains the treatment of choice .

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common peripheral neuropathies. Only a few studies evaluate the efficacy of"nutraceuticals"on peripheral nerves and neuropathic pain. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the role of Alfa-Lipoic Acid-R (ALA-R) on clinical and functional outcomes in patients affected by mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.
Material and Methods: The present investigation is a prospective randomised controlled open label study, performed at our Hand Surgery Department (Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome) from October 2018 to March 2019. The enrolled patients were divided in two groups: Group A (ALA-R 600mg once day for 60 days) and Group B (control Group, no drug administration).
Results: 134 patients (74 F, 60 M) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. In Group A, there was a statistically significant pain reduction compared to the control Group. Using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, there were no significant improvements in the other symptoms and function.
Conclusion: ALA-R full dose administration for two months leads to positive short term results in terms of symptoms and function improvement, even if the surgical carpal tunnel release remains the treatment of choice.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--Grape stem extracts from three native Greek vine varieties exhibit strong antioxidant and antimutage

Grape stem extracts from three native Greek vine varieties exhibit strong antioxidant and antimutagenic properties.

BACKGROUND/AIM : The winemaking procedure results in the generation of stems , a by-product that is harmful to the environment @ @ @ @ @ rich in polyphenols and , hence , they are putatively beneficial for human health .
@ @ @ @ @ this study , the grape stem extracts derived from three native Greek vine varieties , @ @ @ @ @ Rhoditis were examined for their chemical composition and antioxidant and antimutagenic properties using a battery @ @ @ @ @ RESULTS : All extracts are rich in polyphenols .
Moreover , they exhibit potent antioxidant @ @ @ @ @ extract of Mavrodaphne being the strongest in reducing the DPPHand Oradicals and the Feand in @ @ @ @ @ radical-induced oxidative modification .
CONCLUSION : Therefore , although they are serious pollutants , grape @ @ @ @ @ biological properties and can be used as ( ingredients of ) bio-functional foods to improve @ @ @ @ @ .

BACKGROUND/AIM: The winemaking procedure results in the generation of stems, a by-product that is harmful to the environment. Concomitantly, stems are rich in polyphenols and, hence, they are putatively beneficial for human health.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the grape stem extracts derived from three native Greek vine varieties, namely Mavrodaphne, Muscat and Rhoditis were examined for their chemical composition and antioxidant and antimutagenic properties using a battery of in vitro biomarkers.
RESULTS: All extracts are rich in polyphenols. Moreover, they exhibit potent antioxidant and antimutagenic properties with the extract of Mavrodaphne being the strongest in reducing the DPPHand Oradicals and the Feand in protecting plasmid DNA from peroxyl radical-induced oxidative modification.
CONCLUSION: Therefore, although they are serious pollutants, grape stems contain phytochemicals with important biological properties and can be used as (ingredients of) bio-functional foods to improve certain aspects of human health.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--Recovery of bioactive compounds from white grape (Vitis vinifera L.) stems as potential antimicrobia

Recovery of bioactive compounds from white grape (Vitis vinifera L.) stems as potential antimicrobial agents for human health.

The grape is a matrix rich in bioactive compounds and its production generates large quantities of by-products , such as grape stems , which , to date , present low commercial value .
However , there is a growing interest in the application of this material as a source of phenolic compounds .
Therefore , the present study aims at assessing the phytochemical profile of ( poly ) phenolic extracts of white Portuguese grape stem varieties produced in the ( Portugal ) .
The antioxidant activity determined by several assays , as well as the antimicrobial activity using the disc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the hydromethanolic extracts , were evaluated .
This work presents very positive results as the rich composition in phenolic compounds ( 94.71-123.09 mg GAand 0.02-73.79 mg gfor the total phenol content and for individual phenolics , respectively ) presented by grape stems can explain the high antioxidant ( 0.37-1.17 mmol Trolox g ) and antimicrobial activities against , essentially , Gram-positive bacteria , and in some cases with higher efficacy than commercial antibiotics .
Thus , demonstrating that this wine by-product should deserve greater attention from the pharmaceutical industries due to its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applied .

The grape is a matrix rich in bioactive compounds and its production generates large quantities of by-products, such as grape stems, which, to date, present low commercial value. However, there is a growing interest in the application of this material as a source of phenolic compounds. Therefore, the present study aims at assessing the phytochemical profile of (poly)phenolic extracts of white Portuguese grape stem varieties produced in the(Portugal). The antioxidant activity determined by several assays, as well as the antimicrobial activity using the disc diffusion method against human gastrointestinal pathogenic bacteria of the hydromethanolic extracts, were evaluated. This work presents very positive results as the rich composition in phenolic compounds (94.71-123.09 mg GAand 0.02-73.79 mg gfor the total phenol content and for individual phenolics, respectively) presented by grape stems can explain the high antioxidant (0.37-1.17 mmol Trolox g) and antimicrobial activities against, essentially, Gram-positive bacteria, and in some cases with higher efficacy than commercial antibiotics. Thus, demonstrating that this wine by-product should deserve greater attention from the pharmaceutical industries due to its excellent biological properties and characteristics not yet applied.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--Grape extracts could help protect against heavy metal toxicity.

BACKGROUND : Heavy metals are elements that are naturally found in the earth .
They are used in many modern-day applications in agriculture , medicine , and industry .
Heavy metal poisoning occurs when the body 's soft tissues absorb too much of a particular metal .
The heavy metals of interest for this review paper were cadmium , arsenic , mercury , and lead since these are the most common metals that the human body can absorb in toxic amounts .
Different plant species were investigated in recent years for their effect on oxidative stress parameters after intoxication with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper is focused on the current update to research on heavy metals induced oxidative stress in animal models and improvement of the oxidative stress parameters upon/co-/after treatment with different plant extracts and isolated compounds .
METHODS : The available literature was screened for the novel data regarding the influence of plant extracts and compounds on heavy metals induced oxidative stress .
For that purposes Scopus database was used , looking for the publications in the last 5-10 years with the key terms : plant extracts , oxidative stress , in vivo , cadmium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RESULTS : Various parameters of oxidative stress were investigated , and their improvement with plant extracts/ compounds was observed in the brain , lungs , kidneys , liver , uterus , testis , thymus , spleen , heart , skin and blood of experimental animals .
Common parameters used to determine oxidative stress in animals were : superoxide dismutase ; catalase ; reduced glutathione ; glutathione reductase ; glutathione-S-transferase ; glutathione peroxidase ; lipid peroxidation ; oxidized glutathione ; malondialdehyde ; xanthine oxidase ; nonprotein-soluble thiol ; thioredoxin reductase ; total sulphydryl group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CONCLUSION : The most investigated species for antioxidant effects upon intoxication with heavy metals seem to be Allium sp.
, Bacopa monniera , Camellia sinensis , Moringa oleifera , Vitis vinifera and Zingiber officinale .
According to literature data , the most promising effect to alleviate symptoms of intoxication was achieved with proanthocyanidins obtained from Vitis vinifera .

BACKGROUND: Heavy metals are elements that are naturally found in the earth. They are used in many modern-day applications in agriculture, medicine, and industry. Heavy metal poisoning occurs when the body's soft tissues absorb too much of a particular metal. The heavy metals of interest for this review paper were cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead since these are the most common metals that the human body can absorb in toxic amounts. Different plant species were investigated in recent years for their effect on oxidative stress parameters after intoxication with heavy metals.
OBJECTIVES: This review paper is focused on the current update to research on heavy metals induced oxidative stress in animal models and improvement of the oxidative stress parameters upon/co-/after treatment with different plant extracts and isolated compounds.
METHODS: The available literature was screened for the novel data regarding the influence of plant extracts and compounds on heavy metals induced oxidative stress. For that purposes Scopus database was used, looking for the publications in the last 5-10 years with the key terms: plant extracts, oxidative stress, in vivo, cadmium, lead, mercury and arcenic.
RESULTS: Various parameters of oxidative stress were investigated, and their improvement with plant extracts/ compounds was observed in the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, uterus, testis, thymus, spleen, heart, skin and blood of experimental animals. Common parameters used to determine oxidative stress in animals were: superoxide dismutase; catalase; reduced glutathione; glutathione reductase; glutathione-S-transferase; glutathione peroxidase; lipid peroxidation; oxidized glutathione; malondialdehyde; xanthine oxidase; nonprotein-soluble thiol; thioredoxin reductase; total sulphydryl group; nitric oxide;γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase.
CONCLUSION: The most investigated species for antioxidant effects upon intoxication with heavy metals seem to be Allium sp., Bacopa monniera, Camellia sinensis, Moringa oleifera, Vitis vinifera and Zingiber officinale. According to literature data, the most promising effect to alleviate symptoms of intoxication was achieved with proanthocyanidins obtained from Vitis vinifera.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--Grape-leaf extract attenuates alcohol-induced liver injury.

Grape ( Vitis vinifera ) leaf extracts ( GLEs ) are known to be rich in phenolic compounds that exert potent antioxidant effects .
Given the vulnerability of the liver to oxidative damage , antioxidants have been proposed as therapeutic agents and coadjuvant drugs to ameliorate liver pathologies .
The current study was designed to characterize secondary metabolites and investigate the hepatoprotective effects of GLE and its underlying mechanisms .
The secondary metabolites were profiled using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS , and forty-five compounds were tentatively identified .
In experimental in vivo design , liver injury was induced by oral administration of high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 days to male Sprague Dawley rats that were split into five different groups .
Blood samples and livers were then collected , and used for various biochemical , immunohistochemical , and histopathological analyses .
Results showed that GLE-attenuated liver injury and promoted marked hepatic antioxidant effects , in addition to suppressing the increased heat-shock protein-70 expression .
Moreover , GLE suppressed EtOH-induced expression of nuclear factor-κB ( NF-B ) p65 subunit and proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α .
Caspase-3 and survivin were enhanced by EtOH intake and suppressed by GLE intake .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sections were markedly normalized by GLE .
In conclusion , our results suggested thatGLE interferes with NF-B signaling and induces antioxidant effects , which both play a role in attenuating apoptosis and associated liver injury in a model of EtOH-induced liver damage in rats .

Grape (Vitis vinifera) leaf extracts (GLEs) are known to be rich in phenolic compounds that exert potent antioxidant effects. Given the vulnerability of the liver to oxidative damage, antioxidants have been proposed as therapeutic agents and coadjuvant drugs to ameliorate liver pathologies. The current study was designed to characterize secondary metabolites and investigate the hepatoprotective effects of GLE and its underlying mechanisms. The secondary metabolites were profiled using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS, and forty-five compounds were tentatively identified. In experimental in vivo design, liver injury was induced by oral administration of high doses of ethanol (EtOH) for 12 days to male Sprague Dawley rats that were split into five different groups. Blood samples and livers were then collected, and used for various biochemical, immunohistochemical, and histopathological analyses. Results showed that GLE-attenuated liver injury and promoted marked hepatic antioxidant effects, in addition to suppressing the increased heat-shock protein-70 expression. Moreover, GLE suppressed EtOH-induced expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-B) p65 subunit and proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α. Caspase-3 and survivin were enhanced by EtOH intake and suppressed by GLE intake. Finally, EtOH-induced histopathological changes in liver sections were markedly normalized by GLE. In conclusion, our results suggested thatGLE interferes with NF-B signaling and induces antioxidant effects, which both play a role in attenuating apoptosis and associated liver injury in a model of EtOH-induced liver damage in rats.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--Inhibition of inflammatory cytokine expression prevents high-fat diet-induced kidney injury: role of

Inhibition of inflammatory cytokine expression prevents high-fat diet-induced kidney injury: role of lingonberry supplementation.

Chronic low-grade inflammation is a major stimulus for progression of chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) in individuals consuming high-fat diet .
Currently , there are limited treatment options for CKD other than controlling the progression rate and its associated complications .
Lingonberry ( L. ) is rich in anthocyanins with demonstrated anti-inflammatory effect .
In the current study , we investigated the potential renal protective effect of lingonberry and its anthocyanin ( cyanidin-3-glucoside ) in high-fat diet fed obese mice and in human proximal tubular cells .
Prolonged consumption of high-fat diets is strongly associated with obesity , abnormal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C57BL/6J ) fed a high-fat diet ( 62 % kcal fat ) for 12 weeks developed renal injury as indicated by an elevation of blood urea nitrogen ( BUN ) level as well as an increase in renal kidney injury molecule-1 ( KIM-1 ) , neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin ( NGAL ) and renin expression .
Those mice displayed an activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ( NF-κB ) and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines-monocyte chemoattractant-1 ( MCP-1 ) , tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-α ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a high-fat diet also had a significant elevation of inflammatory cytokine levels in the plasma .
Dietary supplementation of lingonberry for 12 weeks not only attenuated high-fat diet-induced renal inflammatory response but also reduced kidney injury .
Such a treatment improved plasma lipid and glucose profiles , reduced plasma inflammatory cytokine levels but did not affect body weight gain induced by high-fat diet feeding.Lingonberry extract or its active component cyanidin-3-glucoside effectively inhibited palmitic acid-induced NF-κB activation and inflammatory cytokine expression in proximal tubular cells .
These results suggest that lingonberry supplementation can reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Such a renal protective effect by lingonberry and its active component may be mediated , in part , through NF-κB signaling pathway .

Chronic low-grade inflammation is a major stimulus for progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in individuals consuming high-fat diet. Currently, there are limited treatment options for CKD other than controlling the progression rate and its associated complications. Lingonberry (L.) is rich in anthocyanins with demonstrated anti-inflammatory effect. In the current study, we investigated the potential renal protective effect of lingonberry and its anthocyanin (cyanidin-3-glucoside) in high-fat diet fed obese mice and in human proximal tubular cells. Prolonged consumption of high-fat diets is strongly associated with obesity, abnormal lipid and glucose metabolism. Mice (C57BL/6J) fed a high-fat diet (62% kcal fat) for 12 weeks developed renal injury as indicated by an elevation of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level as well as an increase in renal kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and renin expression. Those mice displayed an activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines-monocyte chemoattractant-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the kidneys. Mice fed a high-fat diet also had a significant elevation of inflammatory cytokine levels in the plasma. Dietary supplementation of lingonberry for 12 weeks not only attenuated high-fat diet-induced renal inflammatory response but also reduced kidney injury. Such a treatment improved plasma lipid and glucose profiles, reduced plasma inflammatory cytokine levels but did not affect body weight gain induced by high-fat diet feeding.Lingonberry extract or its active component cyanidin-3-glucoside effectively inhibited palmitic acid-induced NF-κB activation and inflammatory cytokine expression in proximal tubular cells. These results suggest that lingonberry supplementation can reduce inflammatory response and prevent chronickidney injury. Such a renal protective effect by lingonberry and its active component may be mediated, in part, through NF-κB signaling pathway.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--Grape skin extract prevents development of hypertension and altered lipid profile.

This study investigated the protective effect of aL .
grape skin extract ( ACH09 ) on blood pressure , lipid profile , and oxidative status in spontaneously hypertensive rats ( SHR ) .
Systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) , total cholesterol , triglyceride , and glucose levels , as well as oxidative damage and antioxidant activity in the plasma and kidney , were evaluated in four experimental groups : control Wistar rats ( W-C ) and SHR-C that received water , and Wistar rats and SHR treated with ACH09 ( 200 mg/kg/d ) in drinking water for 12 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
SBP increased in the SHR group compared with the W groups and the treatment with ACH09 prevented the development of hypertension .
Plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels increased in SHR compared with W-C rats ; these changes prevented by treatment with ACH09 .
Glucose levels did not differ between the groups .
The SHR group had increased oxidative damage in plasma , as expressed by 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances ( TBARS ) levels , and this prevented by ACH09 .
Levels of TBARS in the kidneys were lower in the SHR-ACH09 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Further , ACH09 increased the superoxide dismutase activity in both the plasma and kidneys of both SHR and Wistar rats .
These results suggest that ACH09 is protective against disruption of blood pressures , oxidant status , and lipid profile in SHR , and provide important evidence on the benefits of ACH09 on hypertension and associated cardiovascular complications .

This study investigated the protective effect of aL. grape skin extract (ACH09) on blood pressure, lipid profile, and oxidative status in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), total cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose levels, as well as oxidative damage and antioxidant activity in the plasma and kidney, were evaluated in four experimental groups: control Wistar rats (W-C) and SHR-C that received water, and Wistar rats and SHR treated with ACH09 (200 mg/kg/d) in drinking water for 12 weeks (W-ACH09 and SHR-ACH09, respectively). SBP increased in the SHR group compared with the W groups and the treatment with ACH09 prevented the development of hypertension. Plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels increased in SHR compared with W-C rats; these changes prevented by treatment with ACH09. Glucose levels did not differ between the groups. The SHR group had increased oxidative damage in plasma, as expressed by 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, and this prevented by ACH09. Levels of TBARS in the kidneys were lower in the SHR-ACH09 group than in the SHR-C group. Further, ACH09 increased the superoxide dismutase activity in both the plasma and kidneys of both SHR and Wistar rats. These results suggest that ACH09 is protective against disruption of blood pressures, oxidant status, and lipid profile in SHR, and provide important evidence on the benefits of ACH09 on hypertension and associated cardiovascular complications.


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--Five Herbs and Spices to Turn Ordinary Meals into 'Supermeals'


greenmedinfo--2020-06-17--Apple, red grape and cinnamon have potential to inhibit of lipase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase diges

Apple, red grape and cinnamon have potential to inhibit of lipase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase digestive enzymes.

The goals of this study were to determine and evaluate the bioaccessibility of total anthocyanin and procyanidin in apple ( @ @ @ @ @ grape ( Papazkarası , ) and cinnamon ( Cassia , ) using anstatic digestion system @ @ @ @ @ relevant conditions .
Also , inhibitory effects of these foods on lipid ( lipase ) @ @ @ @ @ α-amylase and α-glucosidase ) were performed with before and after digested samples using acarbose and @ @ @ @ @ as the positive control .
While the highest total anthocyanin content was found in red @ @ @ @ @ mg/100 g ) , the highest procyanidin content was found in cinnamon ( 6432 ± @ @ @ @ @ p

The goals of this study were to determine and evaluate the bioaccessibility of total anthocyanin and procyanidin in apple (Amasya,), red grape (Papazkarası,) and cinnamon (Cassia,) using anstatic digestion system based on human gastrointestinal physiologically relevant conditions. Also,inhibitory effects of these foods on lipid (lipase) and carbohydrate digestive enzymes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) were performed with before and after digested samples using acarbose and methylumbelliferyl oleate (4MUO) as the positive control. While the highest total anthocyanin content was found in red grape (164 ± 2.51 mg/100 g), the highest procyanidin content was found in cinnamon (6432 ± 177.31 mg/100 g) (p < 0.05). The anthocyanin bioaccessibilities were found as 10.2 ± 1%, 8.23 ± 0.64%, and 8.73 ± 0.70% in apple, red grape, and cinnamon, respectively. The procyanidin bioaccessibilities of apple, red grape, and cinnamon were found as 17.57 ± 0.71%, 14.08 ± 0.74% and 18.75 ± 1.49%, respectively. The analyzed apple, red grape and cinnamon showed the inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (IC544 ± 21.94, 445 ± 15.67, 1592 ± 17.58 μg/mL, respectively), α-amylase (IC38.4 ± 7.26, 56.1 ± 3.60, 3.54 ± 0.86 μg/mL, respectively), and lipase (IC52.7 ± 2.05, 581 ± 54.14, 49.6 ± 2.72 μg/mL), respectively. According to our results apple, red grape and cinnamon have potential to inhibit of lipase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase digestive enzymes.