scholarly journals Medicinal Plants and Mushrooms with Immunomodulatory and Anticancer Properties—A Review on Hong Kong’s Experience

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2173
Author(s):  
Grace Gar-Lee Yue ◽  
Clara Bik-San Lau ◽  
Ping-Chung Leung
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Immune Modulation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Medicinal Mushroom ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effects ◽  
Anticancer Properties ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Insight Into

The immune modulating effects of selected herbs deserve careful studies to gain evidence-based support for their further development. We have been working hard on many items of medicinal herbs to gain insight into their immunomodulatory effects relevant to cancer treatment in particular, while infection control is not excluded. Nine of them have been selected to give the results of our exploration on their biological, particularly immunomodulatory activities. Since Hong Kong people especially favor one medicinal mushroom, viz. Coriolus versicolor, a number of clinical trials using Coriolus for cancer-related studies are included in this review. While immune modulation platforms are being built for relevant studies, a brief account on the research targets and related procedures are given.

Radiotherapy research activity and radiographer involvement in the UK

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Davies ◽  
Christine Rawlings
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Local Initiatives ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Further Development

AbstractIn the UK, radiotherapy research is being conducted at national and international levels which include multi-centre clinical trials. Local initiatives and trials are also ongoing where work is being performed to develop techniques or protocols for new technologies and service development. Active participation within these studies is now leading to a culture change with radiographers (radiation therapists) becoming an integral part of the research process. There are currently 70 radiographers in the UK participating in research. This accounts for 2.5% of the UK profession. With the extension of role diversification, research radiographers are undertaking many new roles; however, there is still scope for further development. The therapists’ role in working within this research environment is to ensure improved standards of care focussed on evidence-based practice.

scholarly journals Targeting Apoptosis Pathways in Cancer with Alantolactone and Isoalantolactone

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azhar Rasul ◽  
Muhammad Khan ◽  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
Jiang Li ◽  
Xiaomeng Li
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Anticancer Activity ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Natural Sources ◽  
Anticancer Properties ◽  
Inula Racemosa ◽  
Significant Toxicity ◽  
Inula Helenium ◽  
Apoptosis Pathways

Alantolactone and isoalantolactone, main bioactive compounds that are present in many medicinal plants such asInula helenium, L. Inula japonica, Aucklandia lappa, Inula racemosa,andRadix inulae, have been found to have various pharmacological actions including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties, with no significant toxicity. Recently, the anticancer activity of alantolactone and isoalantolactone has been extensively investigated. Here, our aim is to review their natural sources and their anticancer activity with specific emphasis on mechanism of actions, by which these compounds act on apoptosis pathways. Based on the literature and also on our previous results, alantolactone and isoalantolactone induce apoptosis by targeting multiple cellular signaling pathways that are frequently deregulated in cancers and suggest that their simultaneous targeting by these compounds could result in efficacious and selective killing of cancer cells. This review suggests that alantolactone and isoalantolactone are potential promising anticancer candidates, but additional studies and clinical trials are required to determine their specific intracellular sites of actions and derivative targets in order to fully understand the mechanisms of therapeutic effects to further validate in cancer chemotherapy.

Natural substances in cancer—do they work?

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrianna Sobolewska ◽  
Aleksandra Dunisławska ◽  
Katarzyna Stadnicka
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Immunological Response ◽  
Probiotic Bacteria ◽  
Epigenetic Changes ◽  
Bioactive Substances ◽  
Anticancer Properties ◽  
Natural Polyphenols ◽  
Natural Substances ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Owing to anticancer properties of selected natural substances, it is assumed that they have potential to be used in oncological therapy. Here, the recently proven effects of the selected natural polyphenols, resveratrol and curcumin, are described. Secondly, the potential of probiotics and prebiotics in modulation of immunological response and/or enhancing the chemotherapeutic treatments is reported based on the recent clinical trials. Further, the chapter presents current knowledge regarding the targeted supplementation of the patient with probiotic bacteria and known efficacy of probiotics to support immunotherapy. The major clinical trials are listed, aiming to verify whether, and to which extent the manipulation of patient’s microbiome can improve the outcome of chemotherapies. In the end, a potential of natural substances and feed ingredients to pose epigenetic changes is highlighted. The chapter provides an insight into the scientific proofs about natural bioactive substances in relation to cancer treatment, leaded by the question – do they really work?

An Evidence-Based Review of Antitussive Herbs Containing Essential Oils in Traditional Persian Medicine

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayda Hosseinkhani ◽  
Bijan Ziaeian ◽  
Kamran Hessami ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Zarshenas ◽  
Ali Kashkooe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Persian Medicine ◽  
Troublesome Symptom ◽  
Traditional Persian Medicine

Background: Cough is one of the most common medical symptoms for which medical advice is sought. Although cough is a protective reflex responsible for clearing the airways from secretions and foreign bodies, it can be a troublesome symptom that causes discomfort to patients. Due to the increasing interest in herbal remedies in the both developed and developing countries, in the current study, we aimed to overview medicinal herbs containing essential oils used as antitussive agents according to the Traditional Persian Medicine [TPM] textbooks. We summarized the relevant scientific evidence on their possible pharmacological actions. Methods: To collect the evidence for treatment of cough or “seaal” [cough in ancient books] from TPM sources, five main medicinal Persian manuscripts were studied. The antitussive herbs were listed and their scientific names were identified and authenticated in accordance with botanical reference books. ScienceDirect and PubMed online databases were searched for related mechanisms of action of the reported medicinal plants. Results: The number of 49 herbs containing essential oils were recommended in TPM for the treatment of cough; 21 of them had at least one known mechanism of action for cough suppression in the scientific literature. According to this review, most of the cited medicinal plants were assessed for either nitric oxide inhibitory or antitussive/expectorant activities. Conclusion: In addition to advantageous effects of antitussive herbs noted by TPM, the present review highlighted some recent evidence-based data on these promising candidates that could be used as an outline for future research on their medicinal use.

scholarly journals Functional Food—Consumer Motivations and Expectations

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5327
Author(s):  
Kinga Topolska ◽  
Adam Florkiewicz ◽  
Agnieszka Filipiak-Florkiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Functional Food ◽  
Consumer Attitudes ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Nutritional Knowledge ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Food Market ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Insight Into

This review provides insight into consumer attitudes toward functional food (FF), with the purpose of better understanding the needs and behavior regarding this kind of product. A total of 47 articles were selected for this paper. The available studies from last 20 years differ according to the focus (awareness, attitudes, motivations, willingness, acceptance by consumers) and methodologies used. Several factors, including socio-demographic, cognitive and attitudinal ones, seem to be serve as the basis for the acceptance of functional products. The research papers showed that nutritional knowledge is the most important of these. Older people are more interested in functional products than younger consumers, because of their stronger belief in the health benefits of FF. Moreover, women are more open to compromise between taste and health properties. Claims concerning the disease preventative properties of FF are the most attractive for consumers. This review focuses also on future perspectives for the functional food market. Adequate knowledge and evidence-based communication seem to be the most promising ways to increase consumers’ interest in these kinds of products.

scholarly journals Recent Findings on Cell-Based Therapies for COVID19-Related Pulmonary Fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 096368972199621
Author(s):  
Hong-Meng Chuang ◽  
Li-Ing Ho ◽  
Horng-Jyh Harn ◽  
Ching-Ann Liu
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Tissue Repair ◽  
Immune Modulation ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
The United States ◽  
Past Experiences ◽  
Respiratory Tract Inflammation

COVID-19 has spread worldwide, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy, along with its site of origin in China, since 2020. The virus was first found in the Wuhan seafood market at the end of 2019, with a controversial source. The clinical symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and respiratory tract inflammation, with some severe patients developing an acute and chronic lung injury, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pulmonary fibrosis (PF). It has already claimed approximately 300 thousand human lives and the number is still on the rise; the only way to prevent the infection is to be safe till vaccines and reliable treatments develop. In previous studies, the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in clinical trials had been proven to be effective in immune modulation and tissue repair promotion; however, their efficacy in treating COVID-19 remains underestimated. Here, we report the findings from past experiences of SARS and MSCs, and how SARS could also induce PF. Such studies may help to understand the rationale for the recent cell-based therapies for COVID-19.

scholarly journals Lipid-Based Nanoparticles in the Clinic and Clinical Trials: From Cancer Nanomedicine to COVID-19 Vaccines

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 359
Author(s):  
Thai Thanh Hoang Thi ◽  
Estelle J. A. Suys ◽  
Jung Seok Lee ◽  
Dai Hai Nguyen ◽  
Ki Dong Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Physicochemical Properties ◽  
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Drug Delivery Systems ◽  
Lipid Nanoparticles ◽  
Therapeutic Vaccines ◽  
Cancer Nanomedicine ◽  
Fundamental Research ◽  
Further Development

COVID-19 vaccines have been developed with unprecedented speed which would not have been possible without decades of fundamental research on delivery nanotechnology. Lipid-based nanoparticles have played a pivotal role in the successes of COVID-19 vaccines and many other nanomedicines, such as Doxil® and Onpattro®, and have therefore been considered as the frontrunner in nanoscale drug delivery systems. In this review, we aim to highlight the progress in the development of these lipid nanoparticles for various applications, ranging from cancer nanomedicines to COVID-19 vaccines. The lipid-based nanoparticles discussed in this review are liposomes, niosomes, transfersomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanostructured lipid carriers. We particularly focus on the innovations that have obtained regulatory approval or that are in clinical trials. We also discuss the physicochemical properties required for specific applications, highlight the differences in requirements for the delivery of different cargos, and introduce current challenges that need further development. This review serves as a useful guideline for designing new lipid nanoparticles for both preventative and therapeutic vaccines including immunotherapies.

scholarly journals The Effects of Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Natural Compounds on Homocysteine

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3081
Author(s):  
Mohammad Amin Atazadegan ◽  
Mohammad Bagherniya ◽  
Gholamreza Askari ◽  
Aida Tasbandi ◽  
Amirhossein Sahebkar
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Vascular Endothelium ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Serum Homocysteine ◽  
Prevention And Treatment

Background: Among non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in global communities. By 2030, CVD-related deaths are projected to reach a global rise of 25 million. Obesity, smoking, alcohol, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and hyperhomocysteinemia are several known risk factors for CVDs. Elevated homocysteine is tightly related to CVDs through multiple mechanisms, including inflammation of the vascular endothelium. The strategies for appropriate management of CVDs are constantly evolving; medicinal plants have received remarkable attention in recent researches, since these natural products have promising effects on the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases. The effects of nutraceuticals and herbal products on CVD/dyslipidemia have been previously studied. However, to our knowledge, the association between herbal bioactive compounds and homocysteine has not been reviewed in details. Thus, the main objective of this study is to review the efficacy of bioactive natural compounds on homocysteine levels according to clinical trials and animal studies. Results: Based on animal studies, black and green tea, cinnamon, resveratrol, curcumin, garlic extract, ginger, and soy significantly reduced the homocysteine levels. According to the clinical trials, curcumin and resveratrol showed favorable effects on serum homocysteine. In conclusion, this review highlighted the beneficial effects of medicinal plants as natural, inexpensive, and accessible agents on homocysteine levels based on animal studies. Nevertheless, the results of the clinical trials were not uniform, suggesting that more well-designed trials are warranted.

scholarly journals Treatment benefit among migraine patients taking fremanezumab: results from a post hoc responder analysis of two placebo-controlled trials

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen D. Silberstein ◽  
Joshua M. Cohen ◽  
Ronghua Yang ◽  
Sanjay K. Gandhi ◽  
Evelyn Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Treatment Benefit ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Treatment Benefits ◽  
Acute Headache ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Background Monoclonal antibodies targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway, including the fully humanized monoclonal antibody (IgG2Δa) fremanezumab, have demonstrated safety and efficacy for migraine prevention. Clinical trials include responders and nonresponders; efficacy outcomes describe mean values across both groups and thus provide little insight into the clinical benefit in responders. Clinicians and their patients want to understand the extent of clinical improvement in patients who respond. This post hoc analysis of fremanezumab treatment attempts to answer this question: what is the benefit in subjects who responded to treatment during the two, phase 3 HALO clinical trials? Methods We included subjects with episodic migraine (EM) or chronic migraine (CM) who received fremanezumab quarterly (675 mg/placebo/placebo) or monthly (EM: 225 mg/225 mg/225 mg; CM: 675 mg/225 mg/225 mg) during the 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled HALO EM and HALO CM clinical trials. EM and CM responders were defined as participants with a reduction of ≥ 2 or ≥ 4 monthly migraine days, respectively. Treatment benefits evaluated included reductions in monthly migraine days, acute headache medication use, and headache-related disability, and changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results Overall, 857 participants from the HALO trials were identified as responders (EM: 429 [73.8%]; CM: 428 [56.7%]). Reductions in the monthly average number of migraine days were greater among EM (quarterly: 5.4 days; monthly: 5.5 days) and CM (quarterly: 8.7 days; monthly: 9.1 days) responders compared with the overall population. The proportion of participants achieving ≥ 50% reduction in the average monthly number of migraine days was also greater in responders (EM: quarterly, 59.8%; monthly, 63.7%; CM: quarterly, 52.8%; monthly, 59.0%) than in the overall population. Greater reductions in the average number of days of acute headache medication use, greater reductions in headache-related disability scores, and larger improvements in HRQoL were observed among EM and CM responders compared with the overall populations. Conclusions Fremanezumab responders achieved clinically meaningful improvements in all outcomes. The magnitude of improvements with fremanezumab across efficacy outcomes was far greater in responders than in the overall trial population, providing insight into expected treatment benefits in participants who respond to fremanezumab in clinical practice. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers: NCT02629861 (HALO EM) and NCT02621931 (HALO CM).

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