Current Traditional Medicine - Volume 11, Issue 1, 2025

One of the most common long-term complications of diabetes is a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. Chronic neuropathic pain is an important and debilitating disease that poses a huge healthcare challenge. Pathogenesis includes abnormalities in the blood arteries supplying the peripheral neurons, metabolic diseases such as myo-inositol depletion, and enhanced nonenzymatic glycation, among other things. Several metabolic processes are triggered when neurons are under oxidative stress, and free radicals are generated. Conventional treatments for neuropathic pain are ineffective despite the abundance of medications on the market today. The use of herbal-based natural medicines to treat hyperglycemia and its accompanying consequences is being studied extensively in addition to the commercially available formulations already on the market. Now that herbal formulations are becoming more common, researchers are paying more attention to them in medication discovery. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of herbal medicines and plants that have been shown to have a protective effect on neuropathic pain. Here, the therapeutic effects of each plant have been documented in several neuropathic pain models in animals and humans. Furthermore, the various mechanisms for the protective effects are examined. This review's goal is to summarise the current research on herbal-based therapy for diabetic neuropathy, including pure chemicals derived from plant materials, plant extracts, and Ayurvedic formulations.

Ganoderma lucidum is a traditional Asian medication used in China, Korea, and Japan. It is a well-known medicinal fungus that is regarded as the elixir of life. Polysaccharides, proteins, enzymes, sterols, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and peptides are some of the 400 physiologically active substances. Anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, antiandrogenic, anti-aging, anti-fibrotic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, sleep-promoting, anticarcinogenic, chemo and radioprotective, immunomodulation, estrogenic, and antibacterial properties are just a few of the numerous reported pharmacological effects. This review will help us to examine the role that this macro fungus holds in various therapeutic applications and how it can be a significant influence in the field of medicine.

Recently nanotechnology has emerged with more attention to the cosmetic industry. Formulations for skin whitening are widely applied but hyperpigmentation treatment remains unnoticed. This review summarises use of nanotechnology in hyperpimentaion. Various organic and inorganic nanoparticles used in cosmeceuticals are explained. Various approaches for treatment of hyperpigmentation, barriers for Nanodelivery, availability of organic and inorganic synthetic nanoparticles are stated in the study. The advantages and disadvantages of these organic and inorganic compounds are enlisted. Special emphasis has been given to natural substances including arbutin, Aloesin, hesperidin, niacinamide, liquorice, mulberry, polyphenols, ginseng, gingko which are used in hyperpigmentation. Regulatory challenges and issues for clinical translation, Patents and publications available in last 20 years related to nanotechnology in hyperpigmentation are discussed in brief. It has been observed that amongst nanocosmeceuticals used for hyperpigmentation, lipid nanoparticles are most widely used due to more skin permeability, biocompatibility, and biodegradable nature. Nonetheless, investigation on health effects and safety profile of nanomaterials are essential for understanding the impact of using these materials.

The immune system is one of our most intricate biological systems, maintaining bodily homeostasis. Substances that modulate the immune responses are called immunomodulators. In Unani system of medicine (USM), immunity is referred to as Quwate-Mudafia, which is part of Quwa and is maintained by Tabiyat. In Unani literature, many single drugs and formulations have been used for their immunomodulatory effect, apart from other therapeutic properties. Single Unani drugs with established immunomodulatory activity are Gilo (Tinospora cordifolia), Sibr (Aloe vera), Asgandh (Withania somnifera), Aamla (Emblica officinalis) etc. Compound formulations are Jawarish Amla sada, Iksir-e-badan, etc. We are living in the age of ever-mutating influenza viruses giving challenges to mankind (such as the recently prevailed SARS-CoV-2 pandemic); many Unani medicinal plants are still unexplored and need to be evaluated for their immunomodulatory property, which can act as substitutes for conventional drugs. To compile Unani immunomodulatory drugs under one heading, important critical texts of traditional Unani medicine, indexed peer-reviewed journals, and authentic literature from online sources were reviewed along with their reported in vivo/in vitro activities and clinical trials. Unani drugs explored in this review are time-tested remedies and can be utilized in these rapidly changing immunological challenges.

Polyalthia bullata King or Tongkat Ali Hitam, a term in the Malay language, encompasses a diverse group of plants belonging to different genera of the Annonaceae family. The native range of this species is Myanmar to Peninsula Malaysia, Borneo. It is a shrub or tree and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. These plants have been utilized in Malaysia and Southeast Asia as an herbal aphrodisiac. The extracts of this plant have been reported to exert pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and aphrodisiac properties. The therapeutic properties of P. bullata are attributed to the presence of alkaloids and flavonoids. This study thoroughly analyzes the phytochemical and pharmacological research on P. bullata and its traditional medicinal properties. The review aims to provide a critical update on the scientific knowledge of P. bullata and to identify novel possibilities for investigating its therapeutic potential. There is limited scientific research on the phytochemical components and pharmaceutical application of P. bullata. To date, only a few compounds have been identified and isolated. There is a need for future studies to focus on the extraction technology, phytochemical profiling, and isolation of bioactive compounds from P. bullata to fill the research gap as well as to provide an important theoretical basis and valuable references for researchers and pave the way for the discovery and development of new and existing drugs.

Medicinal plants are claimed to be a safer and more powerful treatment option for many ailments. Plants of the genus Cryptocarya, which biosynthesize numerous bioactive compounds, majorly flavonoids, pyrones, alkaloids, coumarins, and terpenoids, have demonstrated a variety of health benefits, including antimalarial, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antituberculosis, and anti-inflammation properties. Due to the significant applications in traditional medicine of several communities and secondary metabolites already isolated, this study presents the ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and therapeutic potential of species of the genus Cryptocaria. A total of 177 new bioactive compounds with diverse chemical structures have been reported from the genus. The data set revealed that the genus Cryptocarya is a source of cytotoxic substances, which have the potential to be used in the treatment of diseases resulting from cellular mutations. Further phytochemical and biological assessments may lead to the development of new pharmacologically active compounds.

Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae) generally identified as pomegranate, seeded or granular fruit, has been widely used for centuries in many cultures. P. granatum exhibits a wide variety of medicinal activities, viz., anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, etc. A variety of ethnomedical uses of P. granatum in several formulations, like powder, pulp, decoction and extract on its own or in blend with additional herbs against various diseases, like inflammation, skin disorders, cancer, microbial infections, and asthma, have been recorded. A wide variety of phytochemicals, including polyphenols, terpenoids, fatty acids, sugars, amino acids, tocopherols, sterols, alkaloids, amino acids, etc., have been isolated and identified from P. granatum, amongst which punicalagin, the major polyphenolic component of pomegranate extract, has been well thought of as the main effective component of plant. Thorough information related to P. granatum was gathered using the keywords Punica granatum or pomegranate in various computerized databases, including Pubmed, ACS, Science Direct, Google Scholar, WoS, Springer Link, Sci Finder, and Wiley. All full-text articles and abstracts were reviewed. Additionally, book chapters and monographs were also screened. The current study has highlighted the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemical profile, pharmacological activity, and toxicological studies of P. granatum. The ethnopharmacological importance of pomegranate has been discussed in recent pharmacological studies, indicating its medicinal and nutritional benefits in varied human disorders. Moreover, inquiries related to various facets of P. granatum relating to safety, toxicity and quality control are yet unanswered. Additionally, the article has provided a thorough knowledge of the herb, including its mechanism of action, structure activity relationships, safety as well as toxicity, as reported in clinical studies.

Phthalates are common synthetic chemicals in various industrial and consumer products, including plastics, personal care products, and medical equipment. They are dangerous even at extremely low concentrations during the crucial stages of life, such as pregnancy, infancy, early childhood, and adolescence. In recent years, there has been increased interest in looking into natural plant components as potential phthalate toxicity mitigators. Phthalates have been related to a number of health problems, including endocrine disruption, reproductive and developmental disorders, and carcinogenicity. As a result, effective ways to decrease phthalate exposure and attenuate its negative effects are required. Natural plant products have shown the potential to reduce phthalate toxicity via various methods. These methods include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, detoxifying enzyme regulation, and competition for phthalate binding sites. Certain plant-derived chemicals, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenes, and alkaloids, have been shown to interact with phthalates and potentially limit their absorption, distribution, and metabolism inside the body. This review highlights the effects of several naturally occurring plant products, such as apigenin, taxifolin, vitamin C, and many more, on the toxicity of phthalates. Natural products use nowadays is increasing due to their non-toxic nature, so in the future, more focus should be in favor of increasing the use of these natural products that we obtained from plants.

The global threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the search for innovative treatments, sparking interest in the potential of natural materials as sources for antiviral medications. This paper delves into the realm of natural medicine, examining the utilization of plant extracts and microbial compounds to combat viral diseases like COVID-19. While these sources hold promise, safety remains paramount. Just as with conventional drugs, natural medications can yield adverse effects and interactions, necessitating rigorous evaluation. To mitigate potential risks, techniques to reduce after-effects are explored, emphasizing the importance of standardization and quality control. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods presents an opportunity to discover novel therapies. The development of potent and effective natural antiviral medications and vaccines, crucial for managing future outbreaks, demands interdisciplinary collaboration, regulatory oversight, and comprehensive clinical trials. In navigating the dynamic landscape of viral diseases, the exploration of natural sources complements conventional approaches, underlining the need for a holistic and balanced strategy.