Book•
Botanical Medicines: The Desk Reference for Major Herbal Supplements
15 Jul 2002-
TL;DR: This Desk Reference discusses Dietary Supplements, a large variety of herbs and plants used in herbal remedies for pregnancy, lactation, and Pediatrics, as well as some of their applications in clinical practice.
Abstract: * Foreword * Preface * A Note on the Interpretation of Information on Pregnancy, Lactation, and Pediatrics in This Desk Reference * Dietary Supplements * Astragalus * Bilberry * Black Cohosh * Capsicum * Cat's Claw * Chamomile * Cordyceps * Cranberry * Dong Quai * Echinacea * Eleuthero * Ephedra (Ma Huang) * Evening Primrose Oil * Feverfew * Garlic * Ginger * Ginkgo Biloba * Ginseng * Goldenseal * Grape Seed * Green Tea * Hawthorn * Horse Chestnut * Kava * Licorice * Milk Thistle * Red Yeast Rice * Reishi * Saw Palmetto * Schisandra * St. John's Wort * Uva Ursi * Valerian * Vitex * Appendix I: A Note About Quality in Botanical Supplements * Appendix II: DSHEA: What are the Key Provisions? * Index * Reference Notes Included
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01 Jan 2010
TL;DR: The effectiveness of parachutes has not been subjected to rigorous evaluation by using randomized controlled trials, and everyone might benefit if the most radical protagonists of evidence-based medicine organized and participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of the parachute.
Abstract: objectives: To determine whether parachutes are effective in preventing major trauma related to gravitational challenge. Design: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Data sources: Medline, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases; appropriate internet sites and citation lists. Study selection: Studies showing the effects of using a parachute during free fall. Main outcome measure: Death or major trauma, defined as an injury severity score >15. Results: We were unable to identify any randomized controlled trials of parachute intervention. Conclusions: As with many interventions intended to prevent ill health, the effectiveness of parachutes has not been subjected to rigorous evaluation by using randomized controlled trials. Advocates of evidence-based medicine have criticized the adoption of interventions evaluated by using only observational data. We think that everyone might benefit if the most radical protagonists of evidence-based medicine organized and participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of the parachute. BMJ 327: 1459-1461, 2003, http://www.bmj.com. 28 PART I Foundations of Botanical Medicine
3 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the utilization of seafood processing wastes for artificial cultivation of medicinal mushrooms and composting in laboratory condition was examined, where the selected agro-industrial wastes (e.g., coir pith, woodchips, sugarcane bagasse) were mixed with fishery waste in specific ratio (1:1).
Abstract: Objective To examine the utilization of seafood processing wastes for artificial cultivation of medicinal mushroom and composting in laboratory condition. Method The selected agro-industrial wastes (e.g., coir pith, woodchips, sugarcane bagasse) were mixed with fishery waste in specific ratio (1:1).The substrates which are not mixed with fishery waste are regarded as control. All the above materials (1:1,control) were allowed to decompose about 15 days. The composted materials were placed in heat resistant transparent polyethylene bags. Each sterile bag was then aseptically inoculated with G.lucidum . The bags were then incubated under ambient temperature and controlled humidity. Results The maximum biological yield per bed was obtained with sugarcane bagasse control bed 64.78 g/bed.The lowest yield was observed in woodchips (1:1) 4.6 g/bed. Based on mass obtained of G.lucidum the best substrates were ordered of like woodchips smaller than coir smaller than sugarcane. Conclusion The scope of this work is sea food wastes could be used to cultivate a medicinal mushroom while at the same time promoting environmental sustainability. Keywords : Mushroom, fishery waste, solid substrates, biological yield.
3 citations
01 Jan 2015
TL;DR: This study explored how manipulation of signaling pathways by targeting calpains and S100A4 could facilitate the development of anti-tumor and anti-metastatic drugs.
Abstract: The incidence of colon cancer in Hong Kong and worldwide is on a rising trend, while its metastatic development is the leading cause of cancerrelated deaths. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of how tumors progress and metastasize to secondary sites, at both biological and genetic levels, could enable us to identify potential molecular targets in drug development. In the present study, we explored how manipulation of signaling pathways by targeting calpains and S100A4 could facilitate the development of anti-tumor and anti-metastatic drugs. With respect to the targeting on calpains, it was discovered that total Astragalus saponins (AST) and cryptotanshinone (CPT) are effective anti-cancer agents that elicit the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. They act by upregulating the expression of glucose-regulated protein (GRP) 78, leading to the initiation of apoptosis when the ER recovery process begins to fail. In particular, CPT caused rapid and sustained increase in cytosolic calcium in colon cancer cells that was accompanied by early GRP78 overexpression. The increase in cytosolic calcium was blocked by pretreatment of BAPTA-AM through depletion of the ER calcium store. In consistent with these, we also confirmed that CPT significantly increased calpain activity, which could be blocked by calcium chelator or calpain inhibitors. Furthermore, a dynamic interaction between GRP78 and calpain under ER stress was unveiled during AST or CPT exposure. The degree of
3 citations
Cites background from "Botanical Medicines: The Desk Refer..."
...Astragalus can also function as a cardiotonic agent and is prescribed by Chinese medicine practitioners to treat cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, angina and congestive heart failure [Miller et al., 1998]....
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...Moreover, it has been reported that Astragalus possesses hepatoprotective [Zhang et al., 1992; Li et al., 1998], antiviral [Yuan et al., 1990], antioxidative [Li et al., 2006] and potential anticarcinogenic [Cui et al., 2003; Kurashige et al., 1999] properties....
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...In brief, 500 g of crude herb was refluxed in methanol for 1 h. n-Butanol was then added to the re-constituted residue for phase separation to obtain the total Astragalus saponins [Ma et al., 2002]....
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...52 CHAPTER 3 RESULTS 53 A. Astragalus Saponins modulate colon cancer development by regulating calpain-mediated glucose-regulated protein expression Our previous studies showed that total Astragalus saponins (AST) extracted from Radix Astragali possess anti-tumor and anti-apoptotic properties in human colon cancer cells and tumor xenograft [Tin et al., 2007; Auyeung et al., 2010]....
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...53 RESULTS ................................................................................................................... 53 A. Astragalus Saponins modulate colon cancer development by regulating calpain-mediated glucose-regulated protein expression ........................ 54 1....
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01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: Three new flavonoids were identified and isolated from the aerial portion of goldenseal and found to have potential synergistic effects with berberine, and a new method, synergy-directed fraction, is proposed as an alternative way to investigate the presence of synergists in medicinal plants.
Abstract: The purported activity of goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis L., against a plethora of disease states is largely attributed to the presence of the benzoisoquinoline alkaloid berberine in the plant. However, goldenseal crude extracts showed better inhibitory activity compared with pure berberine against some microorganisms such as wild type Staphylococcus aureus and azole-resistant Candida albicans isolates. Goldenseal was also more effective than berberine against the multiple drug resistance-1 (MDR1)-mediated efflux from liver cells. Using quantitative LC-MS constituent profiling, three new flavonoids, 6-desmethyl-sideroxylin, 8-desmethyl-sideroxylin and sideroxylin, were identified and isolated from the aerial portion of goldenseal. These flavonoids were found to have potential synergistic effects with berberine against wild type (NCTC 8325-4) Staphylococcus aureus strain. The flavonoids, 8-desmethyl-sideroxylin and sideroxylin, do not have intrinsic antibacterial activity but showed inhibitory activity against the multi-drug efflux pump on the NorA over-expressed S. aureus strain (K2378). All three flavonoids exhibited synergistic effects. Identifying synergists in goldenseal is a proof-of-concept of the multi-constituent efficacy of herbal plants. A new method, synergy-directed fraction, is hereby proposed as an alternative way to investigate the presence of synergists in medicinal plants.
3 citations
01 Oct 2012
TL;DR: This study was conducted to find the causes of migraine in Karachi, Pakistan and also to assess the efficacy of mushrooms (GANODERMA LUCIDUM therapy) in treatment of migraine.
Abstract: This study was conducted to find the causes of migraine in Karachi, Pakistan and also to assess the efficacy of mushrooms (GANODERMA LUCIDUM therapy) in treatment of migraine. Migraine is an episodic headache that affects the general population. There are lots of factors that cause migraine and may include stress, exposure to light and sounds, anxiety, caffeine reduction etc. Many medicines are used for treating migraine and Ganoderma lucidum, a medicinal fungus belonging to the Polyporaceae family, (known in Japan as REISHI), is now being used in Pakistan for this purpose. It has proved to completely eradicate migraine without side effects. The study was conducted by researchers using a specially designed questionnaire developed from different sources to find the major factors contributing to the occurrence of migraine. About 220 questionnaires were filled by the subjects from March to May 2012. Regarding the treatment using mushrooms (ganotherapy), about 66 cases of migrainuers were studied by the researchers who were treated at DXN International Clinic, Karachi, Pakistan. Results recorded were calculated statistically. People having migraine may experience different types of symptoms and they may belong to different age groups. The most frequent aggravating factors reported by migrainuers were stress 50.90% (n=112), sunlight 48.18% (n=106) and loud noise 45.5% (n=100). The relieving factors for migraine reported by most of the migrainuers were rest/sleep 61.8% (n=136), dark/quiet environment 39.54% (n=87) and various medications used 24.09% (n=53). Ganotherapy (treatment with Ganoderma lucidum) can prove to be very helpful in treating migraines with almost no side effects. According to the cases studied after ganotherapy, 93.99 % persons (n=62) had relief after taking the product among which 83.18% (n=54) of the people experienced no side effects and 25.8% persons (n=17) used G. lucidum powder for the treatment of conditions other than migraine as well. Migraine is a common cause of severe, recurring headache; however, it can be effectively treated and sometimes even prevented. A good trigger-management strategy can be a very powerful tool to help manage migraine better. After the survey, it was found that the most common causes of migraine in Karachi were stress, exposure to light, sound, and empty stomach. It was also found that the treatment for migraine through Ganoderma lucidum is very effective and may completely eradicate this condition with almost no side effects in majority of patients who used it.
2 citations