Current Traditional Medicine - Volume 8, Issue 2, 2022

Background: Cancer is a frightful disease and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Naturally derived compounds are gaining interest of research workers as they have less toxic side effects as compared to currently used treatments, such as chemotherapy. Plants are the pool of chemical compounds, which provide a promising future for research on cancer. Objective: This review paper provides updated information gathered on medicinal plants and isolated phytoconstituents used as anticancer agents and summarises the plant extracts and their isolated chemical constituents exhibiting anticancer potential on clinical trials. Methods: An extensive bibliographic investigation was carried out by analysing worldwide established scientific databases like SCOPUS, PUBMED, SCIELO, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Web of Science, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar etc. In the next few decades, herbal medicine may become a new epoch of medical system. Results: Many researches are going on medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer but it is a time to increase further experimental studies on plant extracts and their chemical constituents to find out their mechanism of action at molecular level. Conclusion: The article may help many researchers to start off further experimentation that might lead to the drugs for the cancer treatment.

The plants of Rivea and Ipomea belong to Convolvulaceae species, identified by their funnel-like flowers and radial-shaped corolla. The stems of these plants are slender and creeper type. The plant of ipomea contains simple leaves. Whereas the leaves of Rivea are velvety in texture and have a shiny appearance. The fruits are like capsule, berry or nut containing only two seeds per one locule. Mostly Convolvulaceae species are eaten as a fresh leafy vegetable, and used traditionally to cure many ailments, such as purgative, skin disease, and as a blood purifier for arthritis, piles and urinary disorder. Both these plants possess therapeutic benefits for treating diabetes, skin infections, snakebite, and ulcer, exert antimutagenic activities, act as an immune booster and help relief respiratory congestion. In terms of phytochemical aspects, both the plants show the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, polyphenols, carbohydrates, alkaloids, sterols and glycosides. As these plants are creepers, tribal people use their leafy parts for their nutraceutical value.

Background: Respiratory diseases like Asthma, Tuberculosis, and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases) in the developing world are a major health burden in terms of morbidity and mortality in both adults and children. A number of studies on treating respiratory disorders using Ayurveda formulations and theirmanagement have been found in Ayurveda Journals with promising results, but an evidence-based systematic review of them is not available. Objective: The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review on the management of certain respiratory disorders through Ayurveda. Methods: To conduct this study, Ayurveda research articles were obtained from PubMed and Google Scholar. Total 51 clinical studies were yielded, which underwent further screening process to achieve the quality of inclusion criteria. Results: 24 articles were selected from six different publications for the review. In general, the quality of few selected articles was low. Of the 24 articles identified, 3 studies (n = 24) exclusively focused on Shodhana Karma (Vamana Virechana), 3 studies (n = 24) focused on the concept of Shodhana and Shamana Chikitsa, 4 studies (n = 24) focused on Ayurvedic formulations as adjuvants, 1 study (n = 24) focused on Shamana Chikitsa along with Pranayama, 13 studies (n = 24) focused only on Shamana Chikitsa. All the above treatment modalities showed significant results on major symptoms of respiratory disorders. Conclusion: This systematic review on different types of Ayurvedic management for treating respiratory disorders proves to be beneficial to understand the importance of Virechana Karma in Tamaka Swasa, the effectiveness of Shamana Chikitsa after Shodhana Karma in Pratishaya and Tamaka Swasa. This review also sheds light on the importance of Pranayama along with Shamana Chikitsa, efficacy of Ayurvedic formulations as adjuvant along with allopathic treatments and potency of different Ayurvedic dosage forms for treating certain respiratory disorders.

Background: Recent advances in care show that inadequate management of the healing process in wounds and the development of bacterial infections lead to increased morbidity. Health professionals have progressively recognized the value of choosing suitable dressings to manage wounds, particularly in developing countries. Honey has been used for thousands of years as a wound dressing and is considered a biologic treatment due to its multiple bioactivities related to the healing process. Objective: The aim of this case report is to demonstrate that Argania Honey dressing improves the healing process in a venous leg ulcer. Methods: Pure raw Argania honey (Argania spinosa, endemic tree in Southwestern Morocco) with no additives, pasteurization or manipulation was used, which was provided by local beekeepers. A mechanical debridement process was achieved previously to the application of honey dressings to a venous leg ulcer of a 67-year-old woman affected by type II diabetes for 11 years. Results: The Argania honey dressing accompanied by mechanical debridement process demonstrated a rapid recovery and complete healing of the wound for 12 weeks approximately (79 days). Conclusion: This Moroccan honey (Argania) experienced for the first time in venous leg ulcer management may represent a good alternative to treat other types of wounds. Further investigations by using Argania honey dressing are required to explain its effect and the mechanisms involved in the improvement of the healing process.