Current Traditional Medicine - Volume 11, Issue 4, 2025

Knee osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of age-related degenerative arthritis, affects more than fourteen million people in the United States. Due to the unavailability of an optimum safe, and effective medication for the disease and the global trend toward natural medicaments originating from Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), we aimed to formulate and investigate a topical formulation from Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) known as Brassica nigra oil in patients with knee OA.

Brassica nigra oil obtained from the direct cold press method was formulated as a topical cream. Thirty patients with knee OA participated in the study one week after receiving an intra-articular injection of Hyaluronic acid 2% as standard treatment. Fifteen patients used 5 g of Brassica nigra cream topically twice daily for one month, while the 15 patients used cold cream as a placebo similarly. Patients were evaluated clinically and were asked to fill in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) at the beginning and 4, 12 weeks later.

Although there were significant differences between VAS, WOMAC, and MPQ between baseline and 4^th week within both groups, a significant improvement was observed between the 4^th and 12^th week just in the drug group. Moreover, there was a remarkable difference between groups in both of the time intervals (p < 0.001). No adverse effects were reported during the study interval.

This study confirms the efficacy and safety of Brassica nigra cream in knee OA. Brassica nigra phenolic and flavonoid content might be responsible for analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This formulation can be considered a natural product in the management of patients with knee OA after more in vitro and in vivo studies.

IR.SUMS.REC.1401.255.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer type and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. While herbal medicines are sources of novel remedies for cancer patients, their efficacies remain unexplored.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Nigerian medicinal plants for breast cancer treatment using the Bayesian network meta-analytic approach.

We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect until January 2022 for articles that reported the efficacy of Nigerian medicinal plants for the treatment of breast cancer in preclinical models. The mean difference (MD) of cytotoxicity data was analyzed using a random effects model with a 95% credible interval (CrI). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was used to assess the ranking probabilities of the outcome measure.

A total of 13 articles were enrolled for qualitative and quantitative syntheses. The quality of the included studies ranges from low to moderate. Treatment of breast cancer cells for at least 48 hours caused cytotoxicity with no evidence of inconsistency. SUCRA indicated that fraction (MD: -10.5%, 95% CrI: -63.8, 43.3) performed better in killing cancer cells, followed by crude extract and then isolate with MD of -4.42% (95% CrI: -41.2, 33.4) and -2.67% (95% CrI: -64.3, 59.2), respectively.

This meta-analysis provides evidence of the therapeutic benefits of Nigerian herbal medicines for the treatment of breast cancer. Future studies may examine these medicinal plants for breast cancer in animal and clinical trials with improved methodological quality.

This study utilized the zebrafish model to investigate the therapeutic effects of gardenoside on inflammatory damage in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through the INS/NF-κB pathway.

The study employed 7-8-month-old AB strain zebrafish and induced T2DM models by continuous exposure to a 2% glucose solution for 14 days. Control, model, gardenoside low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (2.5 mg/L, 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L), and a metformin group were established. Parameters such as zebrafish body weight, fasting blood glucose levels, and behavioral analyses were monitored. Fructosamine levels were measured using ELISA, while real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was employed to assess the relative expression levels of INS, IRS, NF-κB, IL-1β, and IL-6 genes. Intestinal histological examination was conducted to observe inflammation levels.

Compared to the control group, the model group exhibited significantly increased blood glucose levels, weight gain, and fructosamine content. High-speed locomotion time increased, while low-speed locomotion time decreased. Relative expression levels of INS, NF-κB, IL-1β, and IL-6 genes were elevated (P < 0.0001), whereas IRS relative expression levels decreased (P < 0.001). In comparison to the model group, the gardenoside and metformin groups demonstrated reduced blood glucose levels and no significant change in body weight. The gardenoside low and medium dose groups, as well as the metformin group, showed reduced high-speed locomotion time and increased low-speed locomotion time. The relative expression levels of INS, NF-κB, IL-1β, and IL-6 genes in the gardenoside and metformin groups decreased (P < 0.01 or P < 0.0001), while IRS relative expression levels increased (P < 0.001 or P < 0.0001).

This study discusses the therapeutic Effects and mechanisms of Gardenoside on Inflammatory Injury via the INS/NF-κB Pathway in a T2DM Zebrafish Model.

Gardenoside may suppress inflammatory responses, alleviate insulin resistance, and ameliorate diabetes-related inflammatory symptoms, potentially through the regulation of the INS/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Episiotomy, worldwide, is the most frequently performed obstetric surgical procedure. Delayed wound healing potentially amplifies the risk of wound infection, structural muscular alterations, and ultimately contributes to the loss of muscle tone. In addition, rapid and complete repair of the episiotomy or perineal tear is very important as the pain and discomfort of episiotomy wounds may affect the quality of life of postnatal mothers. Therefore, we aimed to determine the efficacy of Marham-e-Dakhilyun ointment and alum perineal wash on perineal wound healing and pain intensity in postnatal mothers.

A single-arm self-controlled study was conducted on postnatal mothers aged 18 to 40 years, who underwent full-term normal cephalic singleton vaginal delivery with episiotomy and/or 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd-degree perineal tears. The recommended external care regimen for a period of 10 days involved perineal wash with a solution of alum powder (2 gm/500 ml), followed by the application of Marham-e Dakhilyun ointment twice daily to the perineal wound. For the primary evaluation of wound healing, the REEDA (redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation) scale has been utilized, while the secondary assessment involved the use of the VAS (visual analog scale) pain intensity scale. The therapeutic outcome was determined based on the grading of REEDA scores on days 10-14 and VAS scores.

We observed our trial medicine showed complete wound healing in 86.4% on days 10-14. The mean pain reduction percentage (PR %) was 96.85% on days 10-14 from baseline. The REEDA score was 2.41 ± 0.81 and 0.23 ± 0.61 at one hour and day 10-14, respectively, with significant differences (p < 0.001). The VAS score was 2.86 ± 1.08 and 0.09 ± 0.29 at one hour and day 10-14, respectively, with significant differences (p < 0.001). Therefore, the trial ointment and alum have demonstrated beneficial effects in promoting perineal wound healing and alleviating pain in postnatal mothers.

The potential efficacy of Marham-e-Dakhilyun can be attributed to its composition of various phytoconstituents, such as oleuropein, phenolic acids, flavonols, flavones, linoleic acid isovitexin, vitexin vanillic acid, salicylic acid, beta-D-glucopyranoside, olanigroside Y1, solasonine, gallic acid, aucubin, scopoletin, and lantamajoside. These constituents have been proven in research studies to possess anti-inflammatory, wound healing, antimicrobial, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. The investigators have optimized the use of these Unani medicines to provide clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness in the wound-healing process and in reducing pain intensity.

CTRI/2021/09/036714.

Paederia foetida L. (Family - Rubiaceae) is a common herb found available in the temperate and tropical Asia. The ethnomedicinal applications of this plant are widely elaborated In Chinese Traditional Medicine, Ayurveda, and other ancient scriptures throughout the world. Different ethnic groups use this plant in the treatment of alimentary and digestive disorders, bone related diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, bone fractures as well as in the ailments of diabetes, coughs, asthma, itches, wounds, body ache, toothache, cancer etc.

This comprehensive review aims to provide an insightful understanding of traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacological properties of P. foetida (from 1976 up to 2023), which may provide a foundation for further study and for the proper utilization of P. foetida resources.

Literature survey was conducted using known databases and the relevant keywords.

P. foetida has been widely used in Chinese traditional medicine (CTM) for the treatment of dyspepsia, jaundice, pains, diarrhea and others. Several ethnic groups throughout the world used this plant to cure common health complaints namely, abdominal pain, gastritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, constipation, joint pain, etc. A total of 24 bioactive phytocompounds, such as asperuloside, paederosidic acid, sitosterols, stigmasterol, campesterol, ellagic acid, iridoids, ursolic acid, epifriedelinol, and others are reported to possess antiulcer, antidiarrheal, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, antitussive, anthelmintic, and hepatoprotective activities.

The present review not only summarizes the alternative approaches using this herb by ethnic people for treating various disorders, but also focuses on the latest scientific investigations to elucidate different bioactivities of this plant, thereby facilitating the understanding of its correlation with contemporary pharmacology. However, till date, very few studies elucidated the biological properties of these phytochemicals that were isolated exclusively from this particular plant. Moreover, the correlation between phytocompounds from P. foetida and its pharmacological activities aiming towards clinical drug development is still lacking. Finally, further research should be oriented towards determining the optimal dosage and toxicological limits, and thereby providing guidance for clinical applications.

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a popular topic in the medical and fitness fields because it helps reduce weight, improve metabolic health, and protect against diseases. In this short review, we summarized some of the current aspects of IF in relation to the gastrointestinal tract and highlighted the knowledge gap that may outline possible future research in this field.

The PubMed database was used to conduct narrative research of studies related to humans and mice regarding IF and its effect on five different aspects.

First, the studies reported conflicting results; some supported the role of IF in promoting weight loss, while others concluded that the intervention, rather than IF itself, leads to weight reduction. Second, IF was shown to positively affect secretory immunoglobulin A, cell regeneration, and the gut microbiome. Third, IF was shown to improve the immune response. Fourth, IF was shown to promote stem cell-based regeneration; fifth, studies showed that IF has no effect on gastric or stool pH levels. We also mentioned normal gut motility and the migrating motor complex.

In conclusion, these results suggest that IF has a positive effect on these different aspects, even though there is a lack of human trials, which would be a fruitful area for further studies.

Helminth infections caused by parasitic worms due to poor sanitation are a major public health problem. As the infections are often asymptomatic but can lead to malnutrition and growth problems, and also because of resistance to anthelmintics, effective treatments are crucial. Traditional herbal remedies, which are particularly important in resource-poor regions, such as northeast India, play an important role in addressing this challenge.

The study focuses on anthelmintic herbal remedies and aims to explore and analyze the indigenous herbal treatments in Northeast India. The review combines a comprehensive review of literature, field studies, and traditional knowledge and provides insights into plant species, preparation techniques and research studies that have been reported.

The information presented was assessed using a variety of electronic resources, including ScienceDirect, Wiley, Elsevier, Springer, Google Scholar, and PubMed (National Library of Medicines).

The focus of this review is on the phytochemicals present in these herbal remedies from Northeastern India, which play a pivotal role in their efficacy against parasitic worms. The analysis explores the mechanisms of action behind these remedies and sheds light on the scientific basis of traditional therapies. It emphasizes the merging of ancient and modern research and emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.

This review highlights the scope for effective anthelmintic therapies and explores the synergy between synthetic compounds and natural phytometabolites that offer the potential for effective interventions. This ethnopharmacological review not only scientifically validates traditional wisdom but also demonstrates the value of indigenous approaches in the treatment of modern health issues.