Complementary and alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of migraine headache: an overview of systematic reviews
ConclusionThe evidence from SRs evaluating the effectiveness of CAM for the prevention or treatment of migraine headache is mostly positive. However, several caveats should be taken into account, and only for acupuncture and biofeedback are the conclusions unanimously positive. (Source: Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies)
Source: Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies - May 17, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Paul Posadzki, Abdullah MN AlBedah, Mohamed MK Khalil, Meshari S AlQaed, Myeong S Lee, Edzard Ernst, Josip Car Tags: Review Source Type: research
High Cytotoxicity and Apoptotic Effects of Natural Bioactive Benzofuran Derivative on the MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line.
This study was focused on evaluation of the cytotoxicity and apoptotic affects of benzofuran derivative on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. This effective compound was isolated from the root of Petasites hybridus plant. For the experiments, the MCF-7 cells were treated with several concentrations (0-500µM) of 1-(6-hydroxy-2-isopropenyl-1-benzofuran-5-yl)-1-ethanone 1 in different time. In this study neutral red test was also employed for cytotoxicity assay and the quantity of P53, P21. Bax genes expression was analyzed using Real -Time PCR and ELISA techniques. Results show the compound 1 has the cytotoxicity and apoptotic ...
Source: Combinatorial Chemistry and High Throughput Screening - April 30, 2015 Category: Chemistry Authors: Soleimani A, Asadi J, Rostami-Charati F, Gharaei R Tags: Comb Chem High Throughput Screen Source Type: research
Inhibition of the DNA polymerase and RNase H activities of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and HIV-1 replication by Brasenia schreberi (Junsai) and Petasites japonicus (Fuki) components
In this study, we screened 43 edible plants and found that ethanol and water extracts of Brasenia schreberi and water extract of Petasites japonicus strongly inhibit not only the activity of DNA polymerase to incorporate dTTP into poly(rA)-p(dT)15 but also the activity of RNase H to hydrolyze the RNA strand of an RNA/DNA hybrid. In addition, these three extracts inhibit HIV-1 replication in human cells, with EC50 values of 1–2 µg/ml. These results suggest that Brasenia schreberi and Petasites japonicus contain substances that block HIV-1 replication by inhibiting the DNA polymerase activity and/or RNase H activity of H...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - February 7, 2015 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Topical formulation and dermal delivery of active phenolic compounds in the Thai medicinal plant – Clerodendrum petasites S. Moore
Conclusions The detected topical absorption of hispidulin, nepetin, and vanillic acid, from the cream and lotion vehicles investigated, suggest that these compounds are potentially active compounds in Thai traditional medicine for the treatment of a wide range of skin diseases. Graphical abstract (Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics)
Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics - November 24, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Purification and characterization of a fibrinolytic enzyme from Petasites japonicus.
Abstract
A new, direct-acting chymotrypsin-like fibrinolytic serine protease was purified from Petasites japonicus, a medicinal herb. The molecular mass of the discovered enzyme was estimated to be 40.0kDa as determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, fibrin zymography, and gel filtration chromatography. The N-terminal sequence of the purified enzyme was determined to be GQEDHFLQVSLTSA. The proteolytic activity of the enzyme was found to be inhibited by serine protease inhibitors phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and 4-(amidinophenyl) methanesulfonyl fluoride. An assay of enzym...
Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules - October 11, 2014 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Kim DW, Choi JH, Park SE, Kim S, Sapkota K, Kim SJ Tags: Int J Biol Macromol Source Type: research
Butterbur extract: Prophylactic treatment for childhood migraines.
Abstract
The incidence of migraine headaches in childhood is increasing. Migraines are often difficult to diagnose in pediatrics and even more difficult to treat and prevent. In order to decrease the impact of the condition on the child and the family, prophylactic treatment is recommended if the child is experiencing disabling migraines. The medications currently prescribed for the prevention of pediatric migraines often have significant side effects and are of questionable therapeutic value. For those patients and parents who are interested in alternative therapies and natural remedies for preventive tre...
Source: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice - January 24, 2014 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Utterback G, Zacharias R, Timraz S, Mershman D Tags: Complement Ther Clin Pract Source Type: research
Total Bakkenolides Protects Neurons against Cerebral Ischemic Injury through Inhibition of Nuclear Factor-Κb Activation.
In conclusion, our results provide a strong pharmacological basis for further understanding the potential therapeutic role of total bakkenolides in cerebral ischemic disease and shed new light on its neuroprotective mechanism.
PMID: 24040794 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: CNS and Neurological Disorders Drug Targets)
Source: CNS and Neurological Disorders Drug Targets - August 27, 2013 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Jiang Q, Xia Yy EY, Jm HE, Guo Ml EY, Rp LI Tags: CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets Source Type: research
Uranium contents in plants and mushrooms grown on a uranium-contaminated site near Ronneburg in Eastern Thuringia/Germany.
Abstract
Uranium concentrations in cultivated (sunflower, sunchoke, potato) and native plants, plant compartment specimens, and mushrooms, grown on a test site within a uranium-contaminated area in Eastern Thuringia, were analyzed and compared. This test site belongs to the Friedrich-Schiller University Jena and is situated on the ground of a former but now removed uranium mine waste leaching heap. For determination of the U concentrations in the biomaterials, the saps of the samples were squeezed out by using an ultracentrifuge, after that, the uranium concentrations in the saps and the remaining residue ...
Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research International - June 29, 2013 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Baumann N, Arnold T, Haferburg G Tags: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Source Type: research
Evidence-based guideline update: NSAIDs and other complementary treatments for episodic migraine prevention in adults: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Headache Society
Editors’ Note: Dr. Mauskop reviews the literature on the use of butterbur extract for migraine prophylaxis and concludes that it has the potential for serious toxicity. Authors Holland et al. disagree with Dr. Mauskop's interpretation. Dr. Sethi, in response to Drs. Stone and Edwards' "Trick or treat? Showing patients with functional (psychogenic) motor symptoms their physical signs," airs the difficulty, which most neurologists can relate to, of discussing a psychogenic diagnosis with a patient. Dr. Tfelt-Hansen calls attention to an error in the classification of evidence in the American Academy of Neurology guidel...
Source: Neurology - February 25, 2013 Category: Neurology Authors: Mauskop, A., Holland, S., Silberstein, S. D., Freitag, F., Dodick, D. W., Argoff, C. Tags: WRITECLICK: EDITOR ' S CHOICE Source Type: research
Adverse effects of herbal medicines: an overview of systematic reviews.
Abstract
This overview of systematic reviews (SRs) aims to evaluate critically the evidence regarding the adverse effects of herbal medicines (HMs). Five electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant SRs, with 50 SRs of 50 different HMs meeting our inclusion criteria. Most had only minor weaknesses in methods. Serious adverse effects were noted only for four HMs: Herbae pulvis standardisatus, Larrea tridentate, Piper methysticum and Cassia senna. The most severe adverse effects were liver or kidney damage, colon perforation, carcinoma, coma and death. Moderately severe adverse effects were no...
Source: Clinical Medicine - February 1, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Posadzki P, Watson LK, Ernst E Tags: Clin Med Source Type: research
