Current Traditional Medicine - Volume 10, Issue 4, 2024

Background: Constipation in older adults is a common issue and is more prevalent in women. The current study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the seed of Descurainia Sophia as an herbal medicine on the severity of constipation in older women. Methods: Total, sixty-four women aged between 50 to 70 participated in the study. The study used a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of the seed of Descurainia Sophia on constipation. Data were collected using a constipation assessment scale and analyzed using independent samples t-test and gain score procedure. Results: It was shown that taking a mixture of water and seeds of Descurainia Sophia significantly reduces constipation severity in older women. Conclusion: It was concluded that the seed of Descurainia Sophia is a safe and effective alternative for treating constipation in older women.

Background: Menopause is a biopsychosocial phenomenon in a woman’s life, and it occurs at about the age of 48-55 years. Factors such as smoking, the number of children, early puberty, and social class can cause early natural menopause. Symptoms that occur during menopause include headache, mood disorders, insomnia, distraction, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and sweating. The most common symptom is hot flashes, which affect 85% of women with menopause. Recently, people are showing more tendencies toward alternative therapies and herbs phytoestrogens. Objective: This review aims to introduce the mechanism of herbal phytoestrogens controlling hot flashes during menopause. Methods: Our searches were performed in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane. English clinical trials, that investigated the effects of phytoestrogen plants individually or in combination on the treatment of hot flashes in menopause were analyzed. After reviewing articles and meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 18 articles were selected. Results: In this study, 18 clinical trials of 2351 female patients were analyzed. The phytoestrogen plants studied include soy, red clover, cohosh, hops, flax, pomegranate, anise, and Vitex Agnus. Conclusion: Studies have shown the beneficial effects of phytoestrogens in controlling hot flashes, but in some cases, including soybeans, there are contradictory effects. Therefore, more clinical trials are needed to achieve reliable results to confirm the phytoestrogen effects of herbal medicines.

Background: Daphnane-type diterpenes are an important class of phytochemicals found to be present in the family Euphorbiaceae and Thymelaeaceae. It has anti-leukaemic, antihyperglycaemic, and anti-fertility activities in medicine. Daphne genkwa is indigenous to the Yangtze River and Yellow River of China. Daphne genkwa contains significant amounts of daphnane- type diterpenes. Phytochemical analysis of Daphne genkwa led to the isolation of flavonoids, lignins, coumarins, caffeotannic acids, and genkwadaphnin. Methods: Present review highlighted the biological potential of genkwadaphnin in medicine. All the scientific data of Daphne genkwa, and genkwadaphnin were collected from Google, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and PubMed and analyzed in the present work to know the therapeutic potential of genkwadaphnin in medicine. Detailed pharmacological activities of genkwadaphnin were analyzed in the present work through scientific data analysis of various research works. Results: Genkwadaphnin is a daphnane diterpene ester molecule mainly isolated from the Daphne genkwa, Dendrostellera lessertii, Daphne odorata, Gnidia latifolia, and Gnidia glaucus. Genkwadaphnin has been reported to exert therapeutic potential against hepatocellular carcinoma, human colon cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and leukemia. Further, it has a significant role in innate immunity, melanogenesis, skeletal diseases, inflammatory cytokines, and natural killer cell. However, pharmacokinetics and metabolomics aspects of genkwadaphnin were also discussed in the present work. Further, more scientific data on human clinical trials is needed to ensure the safety and efficacy of genkwadaphnin in medicine. Conclusion: In the present work, a successful review had been achieved by the above-mentioned scientific data, which signified the therapeutic potential of genkwadaphnin in medicine.

Nature contains a diverse range of phytoconstituents that possess several pharmacological properties. However, the effectiveness of herbal formulations is limited due to the poor bioavailability of phytoconstituents, which makes it difficult for them to pass through the cell membrane. Phytosomes are a modern type of herbal formulation that comprises therapeutically active phytoconstituents extracted from medicinal plants and enclosed by phospholipids. By combining phytoconstituents with phospholipids, phytosomes are able to enhance bioavailability and reduce side effects. Various techniques such as solvent evaporation, rotatory evaporation, anti-solvent precipitation, freeze-drying, and solvent ether injection can be used to prepare phytosomes. Phytosomes can be evaluated using methods such as UV-Spectra, DSC, drug entrapment and loading capacity, surface tension activity measurement, and in-vitro/in-vivo studies. This review discusses different methods for preparing phytosomal formulations and their advantages, which have been found to significantly improve the bioavailability of phytoconstituents. Phytosomes have high entrapment efficiency and do not compromise the safety of nutrients. By utilizing phytosomal drug delivery, issues associated with conventional drug delivery may be overcome. Therefore, it is important to combine Indian Ayurvedic medicine with novel drug delivery systems to improve drug delivery technologies.

Oil-yielding non-timber forest products (NTFPs), such as Diploknema butyracea (Roxb.) H. J. Lam, Saipindus mukurossi Gaertn, and Hippophae salicifolia L. are widely distributed throughout Nepal and have traditionally been used as medicines by the locals since ancient times. Extensive scientific studies have demonstrated a wide range of benefits of these plants, which can have multiple uses in the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and food industries. The potential of the plants, however, has not been fully explored, and they are, thus, minimally used only by locals. These plants have the potential for the development of several value-added products, leading to commercialization. This paper aims to explore in detail the health benefits and economic values of these plants to review the entrepreneurial aspects, improved farming and processing, and value addition in the product.

Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medical practice, which has at its heart a subcontinent filled with diverse customs and ethos. Since ancient times, as considered in the Vedas, fasting has been considered to aid a man’s spiritual life as a means of purification. The body and mind constitute the substrata of diseases, and the imbalance of Vata, Pitta, Kapha, somatic Doshas, and Rajas and Tamas (mental doshas) results in various diseases. Derangement of metabolism (Agni) is a major cause of the imbalance in the abovementioned doshas. In Ayurveda, Agni refers to the complete process of metabolic activities, both at the levels of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the tissues. Digestion, metabolism, and assimilation, that is, the entire process of biological conversion and utilisation, is symbolised by ‘Agni’. The concept of channels and microchannels (srotus) plays a major role in metabolic processes as particles are transported for various bodily functions through these channels. The concept of metabolic toxins (Ama) is very relevant in modern times, particularly in the treatment of many diseases including irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, adiposity, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, oedema, migraine, chronic fatigue syndrome, burnout syndrome, various skin diseases and psychiatric and psychosomatic diseases that occur due to weak digestion and tissue metabolism. The vitiated doshas in the body, particularly in the stomach, reduce the intensity of or impair digestive activity to cause digestive impairment and the production of metabolic toxins. They together block the channels in the body which result in various diseases. Fasting is the absence of food in the viscera or ensuring a controlled food intake and aids the digestion of metabolic toxins, kindles digestive enzymes, activates tissue metabolism, and removes the blockage in the channels.

Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC., commonly known as Shalparni in Ayurveda, has been used for treating various diseases. The plant is one among ten ingredients of classical Ayurvedic formulations Dasamula. Decoctions of root and leaf, root powder and leaf juice of D. gangeticum are used as tonics, febrifuge, digestive, antiemetic, astringent, anti-asthmatic, antidiarrhoeal and anti-inflammatory agents in traditional medicinal practices of India and its neighbouring countries. Phytochemical investigations of this plant revealed the presence of many bioactive phytoconstituents. The present review was prepared with the objective of documenting the phytochemical and pharmacological profiles of D. gangeticum. The data presented here were collected from various sources like books, journals, various online databases, and monographs and internet search engines Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, etc. Studies reported from phytochemical screening revealed that D. Gangeticum leaves and roots are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, phenols, carbohydrates, steroids, phenylpropanoids, pterocarpans, coumarins, and volatile oil. Among the isolated compounds, major bio-active constituents are alkaloids, flavonoids and pterocarpans. All these phytochemicals are widely distributed in various parts of D. gangeticum. The other active constituents like desmodin, hordenine and gangetin are largely responsible for its broad spectrum of therapeutic potentiality. Desmodin belongs to the class of pterocarpans and is reported to have antifungal and antibacterial activities. Gangetin, which also belongs to the pterocarpans, is reported to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. FTIR spectroscopy showed that D. gangeticum extracts are mainly rich in phenolic derivatives. Scientific experiments carried out in vitro as well as preclinical animal experimentations, showed that the plant and its bioactive chemicals exhibit various therapeutic activities. It is reported that D. gangeticum extracts showed potent antioxidant, antibacterial, hypoglycaemic, analgesic, hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory and antiarthritic activities. Studies reported that D. gangeticum or its formulations are safe when used in appropriate therapeutic dosage.

Background: Berberine is an alkaloid found in some medicinal plants. Berberinecontaining plants have traditionally been used in the treatment of diseases since ancient times. Berberine is a natural compound that has an important place in traditional Chinese medicine. Currently, berberine is being evaluated extensively in clinical trials and is one of the natural products on which most scientific research studies have been published. Numerous clinical and pharmacological research results have been published on the therapeutic effect of berberine against cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Objective: The first purpose of this review is to display the berberine content of plants found in different regions of the world, and the second purpose is to provide the amount of berberine passing into the serum. Methods: Herbal supplements and extracts prepared from plants containing berberine are commercially marketed. The content of berberine in plants varies widely, and berberine is a quality indicator for many medicinal plants. Results: Different analytical methods have been developed for reliable berberine analysis. Plant and serum berberine levels reported between the years 2013 and 2022 in journals covered by SCI are collected in this review article. Conclusion: We hope that this overview of berberine amounts will be useful in future pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic studies.

Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses in childhood, adulthood and pregnancy with a current occurrence of 6-9 percent, but at an alarming rate of increase. Asthma is a complex genetic disorder that is heavily affected by the environment. In association with significant morbidity, quality of life, and healthcare costs, it is putting an increasing strain on our society. Some factors related to pregnancy, i.e., diet-related, antibiotic uses, and stress; childhood risk factors, i.e., lung function, exposure to smoking, animal etc. and adulthood risk factor, i.e., pollutionrelated etc., are responsible for trends in incidence and mortality due to asthma at a Global level and Indian population. Data were collected from PubMed, Web of Sciences, CINHAL, WHO Clinical trial register, Google Scholar, and official websites of various asthma societies and statistically analyzed using ANOVA tests. Data were analyzed for India and the specific population of the northern region of India during the last five years. Risk factors related to asthma at different stages, i.e., genetic, pregnancy, childhood, and adulthood, were reviewed, and the prevalence of asthma at the Global level, India and northern India, was analyzed and compared. The mean Global prevalence of asthma was found to be 281.3±14.7 (SD), whereas, for India, it was 22.78±8.605. After applying One Way ANOVA, a significant difference (t=48.44, df=4) was found between the Global and Indian prevalence of asthma, i.e., the mean difference of 259.7±11.99. The mean value was found highest in Delhi and Rajasthan, having values of 19.74±11.79 and 13.58±9.47, whereas Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh recorded asthma’s prevalence as 11.87±7.83 and 4.32±2.32 respectively. Himachal and Haryana acquired almost equal values of asthma at 1.67±0.13 and 1.23±0.33.

The maintenance of hemostasis is a crucial component of the healing process for wounds. Hemostasis may be disrupted when there is a genetic abnormality in the process of platelet production or blood coagulation. The use of herbal remedies derived from plants native to India that exhibit a broad range of physicochemical qualities is becoming more common. This study uses an electronic database to investigate the hemostatic action of commonly accessible medicinal herbs, as well as the bioactive components and potential mechanisms behind this activity. It is possible that the transformation of traditional medicine into pharmaceuticals might be facilitated by taking into account the therapeutic characteristics of spices, garden plants, and wild plants. This review discusses a variety of topics related to plants, including their bioactivities, clinical uses, Indian traditional medicinal approaches, and modern developments. It includes several herbs and spices that have therapeutic and hemostatic properties. Extensive study is required prior to the use of herbal treatments within the context of the present healthcare system. This study deals with making a strategy to discover new medical plant-based therapeutic compounds and keeping track of the ones you already have.

According to the WHO, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), no medications/vaccines are proven to be fully effective for the treatment/prevention of SARS-CoV-2. All are aware that the virus is acting through the respiratory system due to lowered immunity of the body and have a devastating effect on the mental health of populations worldwide. There are very remote chances of developing a drug in a short span of time, along with tested safety and efficacy. Hence there is a need to find out some home remedies accessible to all. Here authors propose a food supplement Chaywanprash (ChyPra), which has been used by populations worldwidfor ages without any established side effects. It also contains quinine in minute quantities and a number of proven antiviral active components for SARS CoV. In addition, this formula is recommended in Ayurveda for the maintenance of mental health and rejuvenation.

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has been used for more than 2,000 years and it is effective to use Epimedium Brevicornum (EB) Maxim, one of the Chinese herbs belonging to the family Berberidaceae is of major use because of its bioactive compound Icariin (ICA). Objective: This review aims on providing a collective report of the description, taxonomy, therapeutic uses, bioactive compounds, and the different pharmacological activities of the plant EB for future research. Methods: Data was obtained from various informative tools like PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and the botanical information sites for different plants. Results: This literature review shows that the Chinese herb EB possesses various therapeutic effects and can be used in the prophylaxis of different ailments. The extract of different parts of EB contains many bioactive compounds such as phenols, flavonoids, and lignans. They show a wide range of pharmacological activities which include anti-inflammatory, anti-infertility, anti-cancer, and effective against Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. ICA was found to be the major constituent of this herbal plant aiding in almost every pharmacological activity. Conclusion: The review covers every activity the plant holds and indicates that the plant is a useful source in eradicating a variety of ailments. Researchers have performed invitro and invivo experiments to explore plant capabilities. The plant could be of very much use in botanical and pharmacological fields. For experts aiming to research EB, this review could be a great source of information.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex condition marked by severe exhaustion that lasts at least 6 months. The global prevalence of CFS ranging between 0.4% and 2.5% is growing. Women are affected by CFS more often than men. It is considered a common condition in developed countries. There is no approved treatment for CFS but symptoms can be managed and controlled persistent exhaustion causes significant impairment in daily routine activities. Lowered ATP synthesis, mitochondrial impairment, decreased oxidative phosphorylation, disruption of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and an imbalance of brain neurotransmitters play a major role in the pathophysiology of CFS. The purpose of the present study is to figure out the several plants that are used as a source of medication in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and its current therapeutic approach. The Indian medicinal herbs described in this article are very efficacious in the management of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms due to the presence of phytochemicals. This review article also covers the current therapeutic approach for chronic fatigue syndrome in a concise form that comprises CBT (Cognitive based therapy), GET (Graded exercise therapy), usage of immunoglobins, psychodynamic counseling, and yoga therapy that includes isometric yoga and yoga nidra are very beneficial in alleviating the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Antidepressants, immunomodulatory agents, and corticosteroids come under conventional medication for CFS. This article explores different Indian medicinal herbs, their pharmacological properties, and their potential role and current treatments for reducing the severity of symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrom

Background: The world miserably collapsed when the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease) pandemic was going out of control. The ongoing crisis has damaging effects on the mental health of individuals, predominantly women, in both developed and developing countries. Women in developing countries, both as frontline workers and at home, are at increased risk of mental health problems (specifically mental disorders). A few observational studies related to the COVID- 19 pandemic have reported a higher prevalence of mental health problems like stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, fear, delirium, hysteria etc. among women compared to men. Thus, understanding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's mental health are as important to discuss as their physical health effects. Objective: The Unani System of Medicine (USM) has a holistic approach to preventing, treating, and curing mental disorders. The present article aimed to provide an overview of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's mental health and its containment measures described in classical Unani texts besides their relevance in the current outbreak. Materials and Methods: A manual literature survey of classical Unani literature such as Firdaus- al-hikmat, Al Qanoon-fit-tib, Zakheera Khwarzam Shahi, and Kamilus Sana was conducted to collect the information available on the strategic approaches of health promotion and disease prevention in Unani Medicine. To obtain the appropriate English equivalent words for Unani terms and the scientific name of the drugs, “Standard Unani Medical Terminology” and “Classification of Unani Drugs” were consulted, respectively. Many pharmacological books and papers were considered from PubMed, Google Scholar etc. Results: According to the literature review results, Unani doctors have pushed the adoption of personalised and predictive methods for preserving health and preventing diseases. The main focus is to treat the fragile population, i.e., women affected by mental illnesses. Conclusion: The present article emphasizes the mental health problems among women provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic, their possible etiopathogenesis, prevention, and psychological, regimental and pharmacological management of the USM.

Background: In traditional medicine, Safed musli is a very popular herb. Natural sex tonics like Chlorophytum borivilianum (C. borivilianum) are effective in alleviating sexual disorders. Local healers in indigenous communities of India mostly use it for ethnic medicine. The circulation of blood is one of the functions it improves to enhance strength and energy. Since ancient times, the tuber roots of the plant Safed musli have been used to treat weakness and male impotency. Objective: The aim of this work is to bridge the scientific evidence with the pharmacological, phytochemical, and folkloric claims reported in different sources belonging to C. borivilianum. Methods: To build the manuscript, a detailed literature review was carried out by thoroughly analyzing globally accepted scientific research databases. Results: Safed musli is widely recognized for its efficacy in addressing male impotence. The abundant presence of phytoconstituents, particularly saponins, contributes to the nutritional and multifaceted therapeutic significance of C. borivilianum. Conclusion: The current review enlightens the pharmacotherapeutic potential of C. borivilianum, comprising its origin and distribution, botany, proximate composition, method of enhancing seed germination, pathology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and traditional uses. The scope for future research is provided by the present review, which also furnishes a gateway for filling the existing gap in its various aspects of investigation.