scholarly journals Therapeutic Applications of Herbal Medicines for Cancer Patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu-Yi Yin ◽  
Wen-Chi Wei ◽  
Feng-Yin Jian ◽  
Ning-Sun Yang
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Immune Modulation ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Technological Support ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Tumor Microenvironments ◽  
Specific Tumor

Medicinal herbs and their derivative phytocompounds are being increasingly recognized as useful complementary treatments for cancer. A large volume of clinical studies have reported the beneficial effects of herbal medicines on the survival, immune modulation, and quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients, when these herbal medicines are used in combination with conventional therapeutics. Here, we briefly review some examples of clinical studies that investigated the use of herbal medicines for various cancers and the development of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in this emerging research area. In addition, we also report recent studies on the biochemical and cellular mechanisms of herbal medicines in specific tumor microenvironments and the potential application of specific phytochemicals in cell-based cancer vaccine systems. This review should provide useful technological support for evidence-based application of herbal medicines in cancer therapy.

scholarly journals Monoclonal Antibody-Based Immunotherapy and Its Role in the Development of Cardiac Toxicity

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 86
Author(s):  
Mohit Kumar ◽  
Chellappagounder Thangavel ◽  
Richard C. Becker ◽  
Sakthivel Sadayappan
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Immune Modulation ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Oncolytic Viruses ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Volume Data ◽  
Late Cardiotoxicity

Immunotherapy is one of the most effective therapeutic options for cancer patients. Five specific classes of immunotherapies, which includes cell-based chimeric antigenic receptor T-cells, checkpoint inhibitors, cancer vaccines, antibody-based targeted therapies, and oncolytic viruses. Immunotherapies can improve survival rates among cancer patients. At the same time, however, they can cause inflammation and promote adverse cardiac immune modulation and cardiac failure among some cancer patients as late as five to ten years following immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss cardiotoxicity associated with immunotherapy. We also propose using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes/ cardiac-stromal progenitor cells and cardiac organoid cultures as innovative experimental model systems to (1) mimic clinical treatment, resulting in reproducible data, and (2) promote the identification of immunotherapy-induced biomarkers of both early and late cardiotoxicity. Finally, we introduce the integration of omics-derived high-volume data and cardiac biology as a pathway toward the discovery of new and efficient non-toxic immunotherapy.

scholarly journals Topical Treatments and Their Molecular/Cellular Mechanisms in Patients with Peripheral Neuropathic Pain—Narrative Review

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 450
Author(s):  
Magdalena Kocot-Kępska ◽  
Renata Zajączkowska ◽  
Joanna Mika ◽  
David J. Kopsky ◽  
Jerzy Wordliczek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Neuronal Cells ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Peripheral Sensitization ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Topical Treatments

Neuropathic pain in humans results from an injury or disease of the somatosensory nervous system at the peripheral or central level. Despite the considerable progress in pain management methods made to date, peripheral neuropathic pain significantly impacts patients’ quality of life, as pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods often fail or induce side effects. Topical treatments are gaining popularity in the management of peripheral neuropathic pain, due to excellent safety profiles and preferences. Moreover, topical treatments applied locally may target the underlying mechanisms of peripheral sensitization and pain. Recent studies showed that peripheral sensitization results from interactions between neuronal and non-neuronal cells, with numerous signaling molecules and molecular/cellular targets involved. This narrative review discusses the molecular/cellular mechanisms of drugs available in topical formulations utilized in clinical practice and their effectiveness in clinical studies in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain. We searched PubMed for papers published from 1 January 1995 to 30 November 2020. The key search phrases for identifying potentially relevant articles were “topical AND pain”, “topical AND neuropathic”, “topical AND treatment”, “topical AND mechanism”, “peripheral neuropathic”, and “mechanism”. The result of our search was 23 randomized controlled trials (RCT), 9 open-label studies, 16 retrospective studies, 20 case (series) reports, 8 systematic reviews, 66 narrative reviews, and 140 experimental studies. The data from preclinical studies revealed that active compounds of topical treatments exert multiple mechanisms of action, directly or indirectly modulating ion channels, receptors, proteins, and enzymes expressed by neuronal and non-neuronal cells, and thus contributing to antinociception. However, which mechanisms and the extent to which the mechanisms contribute to pain relief observed in humans remain unclear. The evidence from RCTs and reviews supports 5% lidocaine patches, 8% capsaicin patches, and botulinum toxin A injections as effective treatments in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain. In turn, single RCTs support evidence of doxepin, funapide, diclofenac, baclofen, clonidine, loperamide, and cannabidiol in neuropathic pain states. Topical administration of phenytoin, ambroxol, and prazosin is supported by observational clinical studies. For topical amitriptyline, menthol, and gabapentin, evidence comes from case reports and case series. For topical ketamine and baclofen, data supporting their effectiveness are provided by both single RCTs and case series. The discussed data from clinical studies and observations support the usefulness of topical treatments in neuropathic pain management. This review may help clinicians in making decisions regarding whether and which topical treatment may be a beneficial option, particularly in frail patients not tolerating systemic pharmacotherapy.

scholarly journals Toxic Animal-Based Medicinal Materials Can Be Effective in Treating Endometriosis: A Scoping Review

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Su-In Hwang ◽  
Young-Jin Yoon ◽  
Soo-Hyun Sung ◽  
Ki-Tae Ha ◽  
Jang-Kyung Park
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Dependent Growth ◽  
Gynecological Disorder ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Animal toxins and venoms have recently been developed as cancer treatments possessing tumor cell growth-inhibitory, antiangiogenesis, and proapoptotic effects. Endometriosis is a common benign gynecological disorder in reproductive-age women, and no definite treatment for this disorder is without severe side effects. As endometriosis and malignant tumors share similar characteristics (progressive, invasive, estrogen-dependent growth, and recurrence), animal toxins and venoms are thought to be effective against endometriosis. The objective of this study was to outline studies using toxic animal-based medicinal materials (TMM) as endometriosis treatment and to explore its clinical applicability. Preclinical and clinical studies using TMM were searched for in four databases from inception to October 2020. A total of 20 studies of TMM on endometriosis were included. In eight clinical studies, herbal medicines containing TMM were effective in relieving symptoms of endometriosis, with no side effects. In twelve experimental studies, the main therapeutic mechanisms of TMM against endometriosis were proapoptotic, antiangiogenesis, estrogen level-reducing, and possible anti-inflammatory effects. TMM are thus considered promising sources for the development of an effective treatment method for endometriosis. Further studies are needed to clarify the therapeutic mechanism of TMM against endometriosis and to provide sufficient grounds for clinical application.

scholarly journals Comments on New Integrative Photomedicine Equipment for Photobiomodulation and COVID-19

Photonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 303
Author(s):  
Gerhard Litscher ◽  
Laura Marinela Ailioaie
Keyword(s):  
Photodynamic Therapy ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Laser Acupuncture ◽  
Home Therapy ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
Scientific Status ◽  
Therapy Studies

Up to now it has not yet been scientifically proven whether the technical methods of photonics in the field of photobiomodulation (PBM), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and laser acupuncture in connection with COVID-19 have achieved effective medical success. As part of this short technical note, an overview of the current scientific status is given and new equipment from our own research area is briefly presented. Although there are still many unanswered questions, it seems to be emerging that PBM and PDT in connection with the corresponding photosensitizers may make it appear worthwhile to perform experimental and clinical studies, primarily as so-called home therapy studies. In any case, the technical requirements for this are already in progress.

scholarly journals Preclinical and Clinical Effects of Mistletoe against Breast Cancer

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Marvibaigi ◽  
Eko Supriyanto ◽  
Neda Amini ◽  
Fadzilah Adibah Abdul Majid ◽  
Saravana Kumar Jaganathan
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Antitumor Activity ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Remission Rate ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Mistletoe Extract

Breast cancer is among the most frequent types of cancer in women worldwide. Current conventional treatment options are accompanied by side effects. Mistletoe is amongst the important herbal medicines traditionally used as complementary remedies. An increasing number of studies have reported anticancer activity of mistletoe extracts on breast cancer cells and animal models. Some recent evidence suggests that cytotoxic activity of mistletoe may be mediated through different mechanisms. These findings provide a good base for clinical trials. Various studies on mistletoe therapy for breast cancer patients revealed similar findings concerning possible benefits on survival time, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), remission rate, and alleviating adverse reactions to conventional therapy. This review provides an overview of the recent findings on preclinical experiments and clinical trials of mistletoe for its cytotoxic and antitumor activity and its effect on HRQoL in breast cancer patients. Moreover, studies investigating molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying antitumor activity of mistletoe are discussed in this paper. The analyzed trials provided evidence that there might be a combination of pharmacological and motivational aspects mediated by the mistletoe extract application which may contribute to the clinical benefit and positive outcome such as improved HRQoL and self-regulation in breast cancer patients.

scholarly journals TANTRA O YOGA. ESTUDIOS CLÍNICOS, 1ª PARTE: YOGA

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-84
Author(s):  
Oscar R. Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
Blood Lactate Concentration ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Revisión Sistemática ◽  
Hypometabolic State

Varios estudios clínicos muestran cómo los ejercicios de las tradiciones védicas, como el yoga, o budistas theravada o mahayana así como las prácticas tántricas tienen un impacto psicobiológico significativo. Este estudio busca el correlato neurofisiológico de las prácticas llamadas meditaciones tántricas y no-tántricas mediante una revisión sistemática cualitativa de los datos recolectados. Primero se verificaron los resultados de las no-tántricas, luego se recolectaron los datos de las tántricas, se las comparó y presentamos el resultado dividido en tres partes. En esta primera parte se encontró que las no-tántricas crean una mejor respuesta de relajación con actividad parasimpática incrementada e inhibición del sistema simpático, que induce un estado hipometabólico de descanso profundo donde el practicante permanece despierto y su atención, en «alerta tónica» con los síntomas correspondientes a ese estado hipometabólico -hipotonía, disminución del consumo de oxígeno, de la tasa cardíaca y de la concentración de lactato en sangre-, modificación del normal funcionamiento endócrino, aumentos en la concentración de fenilalanina en los meditadores avanzados, en los niveles de prolactina plasmática, un incremento de cinco veces en los niveles plasmáticos de arginina vasopresina, mientras que la hormona estimulante de la tiroides disminuye de forma crónica y aguda. Esta investigación abre el camino para desarrollar estudios clínicos longitudinales, para confirmar los efectos benéficos a largo plazo de las prácticas y establecer mecanismos para contrarrestar los secundarios indeseados mostrados aquí. AbstractSeveral clinical studies show how exercises in Vedic traditions, such as Yoga, or Theravada or Mahayana Buddhisms as well as tantric practices have a significant psychobiological impact. This study seeks the neurophysiological correlate of the practices called tantric and non-tantric meditations through a qualitative systematic review of the data collected. First the non-tantric meditations results were checked, then the tantric meditations data was collected, finally both were compared and we hereby report the results arranged in three sections. In this first section, it was found that non-tantric meditations create a better relaxation response with increased parasympathetic activity and inhibition of the sympathetic system, which induces a deep rest hypometabolic state where the practitioner remains awake and their attention, in "tonic alertness" with the symptoms corresponding to such hypometabolic state -hypotonia, decreased oxygen consumption, heart rate and blood lactate concentration- change in normal endocrine function, increased phenylalanine concentration in advanced meditators, increased plasma prolactin levels, a five-fold increase in arginine vasopressin plasma levels, while thyroid stimulating hormone decreases chronically and acutely.  This research opens the door to conduct longitudinal clinical studies, to confirm the long-term beneficial effects of practices and establish mechanisms to counteract the unwanted side-effects herein presented.

scholarly journals Impact of pharmacological agents on mitochondrial function: a growing opportunity?

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 1757-1772 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan L. Stoker ◽  
Emma Newport ◽  
James C. Hulit ◽  
A. Phillip West ◽  
Karl J. Morten
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Mitochondrial Function ◽  
Immune Modulation ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Aging Population ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Drug Classes ◽  
Target Effects

Present-day drug therapies provide clear beneficial effects as many diseases can be driven into remission and the symptoms of others can be efficiently managed; however, the success of many drugs is limited due to both patient non-compliance and adverse off-target or toxicity-induced effects. There is emerging evidence that many of these side effects are caused by drug-induced impairment of mitochondrial function and eventual mitochondrial dysfunction. It is imperative to understand how and why drug-induced side effects occur and how mitochondrial function is affected. In an aging population, age-associated drug toxicity is another key area of focus as the majority of patients on medication are older. Therefore, with an aging population possessing subtle or even more dramatic individual differences in mitochondrial function, there is a growing necessity to identify and understand early on potentially significant drug-associated off-target effects and toxicity issues. This will not only reduce the number of unwanted side effects linked to mitochondrial toxicity but also identify useful mitochondrial-modulating agents. Mechanistically, many successful drug classes including diabetic treatments, antibiotics, chemotherapies and antiviral agents have been linked to mitochondrial targeted effects. This is a growing area, with research to repurpose current medications affecting mitochondrial function being assessed in cancer, the immune system and neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease. Here, we review the effects that pharmacological agents have on mitochondrial function and explore the opportunities from these effects as potential disease treatments. Our focus will be on cancer treatment and immune modulation.

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