Herbal Products Regulations in a Few Countries-A Brief Overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 368-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhavana Brahmananda Bhat ◽  
Nayanabhirama Udupa ◽  
Dharmagadda Sreedhar

Herbal medicines have been used by mankind from time immemorial. Moreover, many modern medicines are originated from plant sources. In earlier days, patients were dependent on herbs for treatment and well-being. However, due to the advent of the industrial revolution and modern science, the scenario of treating diseases has changed over a period of time. Majority of patients started preferring allopathy medicines due to their several advantages over herbal medicines. However, due to long term treatment by allopathic medicines for chronic diseases led to side effects, patients are now drifting back to the traditional medicines. Herbal medicines have their own drawbacks, viz., lack of safety and efficacy data, standardization difficulties, not well established legislative controls and a few issues with adverse drug reactions. Drug regulations per se were always the prime focus and they are said to be dynamic. There are a few differences in regulations of herbal drugs among various countries. Regulatory authorities of countries are working to evolve the regulations to govern herbal medicines more effectively. A brief overview of the regulations related to a few developing and developed countries have been dealt here.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 496-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadime Çinar*, Turgay Sirin

Background: One of the indispensable aspects of the philosophy of holistic care,and negative situations such as life-threatening illness, spiritual well-being, which isdefined as the search for a relationship with a divine soul, is a requirement that mustbe met in order to maintain the existence of the individual. The patient's need forsocial and spiritual well-being increases even more in cases of long-term treatment,such as cancer, that reduce the quality of life. Determining and meeting the spiritualneeds of the individual in the difficult times of the crisis can be realized bydetermining the spiritual well-being levels of the individuals and by providing theindividual spiritual care. This study was conducted to determine the level of thespiritual well-being of palliative care patients diagnosed with cancer. Methods: Thisis a descriptive study. The population of the study consisted of 124 patientsdiagnosed with cancer who were hospitalized in the palliative unit between Januaryand August 2018 and were treated in two state hospitals operating on the Europeanside of Istanbul. The sample consisted of 111 people with voluntary participationand communication. Personal Information Form and Spiritual Well-being Scalewere used to collect data. Data were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance (one-way anova) and significance (t-test) of the difference between the two means.Results: The total score averages from the spiritual good scale of individualsparticipating in the Study were determined to be good with x = 4,15. In terms ofthe level of education of Scale scores, only "Anomi" is significantly differentiatedbetween groups of age, with a total score of the scale, In the sub-dimension oftranscendity and the subdimension of "Harmony with Nature" according to thevariable metastasis (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Spiritual Well-being has a positive effecton the healing process of individuals with impaired health. It helps individuals whohave a crisis in life threatening diseases such as Cancer to cope with this crisis and toprovide spiritual well-being in the sense of life. In This process, spiritual careinitiatives by healthcare professionals can be transformed into a part of the healingprocess and the spiritual goodness of the individual can be increased. Furtherresearch in This area is projected to contribute to the richening of the relevantliterature in Turkey.Key words: Spiritual, spiritual well-being, palliative care, palliative care unit


Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia A. Muraleva ◽  
Oyuna S. Kozhevnikova ◽  
Anzhela Z. Fursova ◽  
Nataliya G. Kolosova

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of irreversible visual impairment and blindness in developed countries, and the molecular pathogenesis of AMD is poorly understood. Recent studies strongly indicate that amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation —found in the brain and a defining feature of Alzheimer’s disease—also forms in the retina in both Alzheimer’s disease and AMD. The reason why highly neurotoxic proteins of consistently aggregate in the aging retina, and to what extent they contribute to AMD, remains to be fully addressed. Nonetheless, the hypothesis that Aβ is a therapeutic target in AMD is debated. Here, we showed that long-term treatment with SkQ1 (250 nmol/[kg body weight] daily from the age of 1.5 to 22 months) suppressed the development of AMD-like pathology in senescence-accelerated OXYS rats by reducing the level of Aβ and suppressing the activity of mTOR in the retina. Inhibition of mTOR signaling activity, which plays key roles in aging and age-related diseases, can be considered a new mechanism of the prophylactic effect of SkQ1. It seems probable that dietary supplementation with mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 can be a good prevention strategy to maintain eye health and possibly a treatment of AMD.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e19536-e19536
Author(s):  
J. Y. Ngeow ◽  
R. Quek ◽  
M. Tao ◽  
H. C. Tan ◽  
L. Lim ◽  
...  

e19536 Background: Prognosis of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has substantially improved but therapy of HL can however contribute to delayed toxicity. Long term treatment outcomes of HL in our local population were evaluated. Methods: Clinical and treatment data was prospectively collected from all patients with a histological diagnosis of HL. Patients were all fully staged with CT scan and bone marrow biopsy. Results: On the basis of 217 patients seen at the National Cancer Centre Singapore between 1990–2008, we found that there was a peak in young adulthood with 103 patients who were diagnosed before the age of 30 (48%), median age of presentation 32 (range 17–84). Patients who were young (< 30 years) were more likely to present with nodular sclerosis HL (p=0.0001). Treatment outcomes were comparable to other published series, 85% of cases received ABVD based treatment. 5 year OS for early stage HL was 92% and 88% for advanced stage HL. Overall FFTF was 93% at 5 years. Of note, comparing patients with early stage (Stage I/ II) HL (n=114) who had ABVD 4 cycles followed by involved field radiotherapy (IFRT) with those who received 6–8 cycles of ABVD, there was no difference in OS, FFTF (p= 0.99, 0.48 respectively). Bulky early stage HL who received 6 cycles of ABVD and IFRT had better FFTF rates than those who had just 4 cycles of ABVD followed by IFRT (p=0.06). In contrast, patients patients with advanced HL (Stage III/ IV) (n=70) who completed 6–8 cycles of ABVD did not benefit from additional IFRT even in the presence of bulky disease (n=15). Acute toxicities included that of bleomycin induced pneumonitis (BIP) seen in 15% of cases. Neither the omission of bleomycin nor the presence BIP adversely affected treatment outcomes. Hematological malignancies were seen in 1% of survivors appearing after a median of 7.3 years. Hypothyroidism was noted in 3% of cases. Conclusions: 1) Epidemiology of HL in Singapore is increasingly similar to that of developed countries with a peak in young adults. 2)Young age was predictive of a nodular sclerosis subtype 3) Abbreviated chemotherapy using 4 cycles of ABVD followed by IFRT performed similarly to 6 cycles of ABVD in early stage HL, but in patients with bulky disease this may not be sufficient. 4) BIP occurred in 15% of cases. BIP and the omission of bleomycin did not adversely affect treatment outcomes. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1296-1296
Author(s):  
J. Zarra ◽  
L. Schmidt ◽  
B. Grecco

IntroductionTo evaluate the efficacy of galantamine in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. So there is a possible benefit in the deficit in executive and cognitive cerebral function (cholinergic system) with treatment with Galantamine.PurposeGalantamine is a reversible, competitive cholinesterasa inhibitor that also allosterically modulates nicotine acetylcholine receptors. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme responsible for hydrolisis of acetylcholine at the cholinergic cognitive impairment. To evaluate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of galantamine in long-term in Mild Cognitive Disorder.MethodsA multicenter, open label, prospective, observational study enrolled 1028 patients, more 55 years old with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (DSM IV criteria), during 30 months of treatment with galantamine 16 mg./day. Assessments included the MMSE, CDR, ADAS-GOG, FAQ, GCI, Trail making test, Global Deterioration Scale, and UKU scale of Adverse Effects.ResultsA total 1028 outpatients were treated with 16 mg./day galantamine during 30 months, the therapeutic response evaluated with CDR, MMSE and the tests and scales of function cognitive measuring, GCI and UKU scale of adverse effects, comparing the baseline to final scores.ConclusionMild Cognitive Disorder is being examined, so there aren’t enought treatment for this. A long-term treatment (30 months) galantamine improves cognition and global function, behavioural symptoms and the general state well being of patients with MCD. With incidence of adverse effects not significant and a very good profile of safety, the final results of the study suggest that galantamine may be particularly appropiate in the Mild Cognitive Disorder.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
AK Mohiuddin

About 80% of the population worldwide use a variety of traditional medicine, including herbal medicines, for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of illnesses, and for the improvement of general well-being. Total consumer spending on herbal dietary supplements in the United States reached an estimated $8.085 billion in 2017. In addition, the 8.5% increase in total sales from 2016 is the strongest growth for these products in more than 15 years. The main reason to use herbal products in these countries is the assumption of a better tolerability compared to synthetic drugs. Whereas in developing countries herbal medicines are mostly the only available and   affordable treatment option. Surveys from industrialized countries reveal as main health areas in which herbal products are used for upper airway diseases including cough and common cold; other leading causes are gastrointestinal, nervous and urinary complaints up to painful conditions such as rheumatic diseases, joint pain and stiffness. Gastrointestinal disorders are the most widespread problems in health care. Many factors may upset the GI tract and its motility (or ability to keep moving), including: eating a diet low in fiber; lack of motion or sedentary lifestyle; frequent traveling or changes in daily routine; having excessive dairy products; anxiety and depression; resisting the urge to have a bowel movement habitually or due to pain of hemorrhoids; misuse of laxatives (stool softeners) that, over time, weaken the bowel muscles; calcium or aluminum antacids, antidepressants, iron pills, narcotics; pregnancy. About 30% to 40% of adults claim to have frequent indigestion, and over 50 million visits are made annually to ambulatory care facilities for symptoms related to the digestive system. Over ten million endoscopies and surgical procedures involving the GI tract are performed each year. Community-based studies from around the world demonstrate that 10% to 46% of all children meet the criteria for RAP. Gastrointestinal disorders such as chronic or acute diarrhea, malabsorption, abdominal pain, and inflammatory bowel diseases can indicate immune deficiency, present in 5% to 50% of patients with primary immunodeficiencies. The gastrointestinal tract is the largest lymphoid organ in the body, so it is not surprising that intestinal diseases are common among immunodeficient patients. Gastroenterologists therefore must be able to diagnose and treat patients with primary immunodeficiency. Further, pathogens do influence the gut function. On the other hand, dietary habits and specific food types can play a significant role in the onset, treatment, and prevention of many GI disorders. Many of these can be prevented or minimized by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and practicing good bowel habits.   Article Type: Review


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Sedayuq

Technological advances in the era are now very advanced. Inventions in the field of medicine also produce many types of drugs: over-the-counter drugs, limited over-the-counter drugs, hard drugs, narcotics, herbal medicines, and phytopharmaca. and runny nose. Some ordinary people who use stall medicine as a long-term treatment not only as a light drug before seeing a doctor but tend not to see a doctor and only use the drug as medication. The drug is not justified in long-term use because if the pain is long duration it could The pain is a symptom of a more complex illness that must be treated by a doctor.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Fareed Siddiqui

Herbal medicines, complementary or alternative medicines is a wide term for the therapies thatare not part of standard care but it has many theories regarding efficacy based on personal experiences, history and common knowledge. It has long been used since ancient times since the beginning of human civilization. Its use had caught much attention in the early 1800s, with the development in the science of chemistry, a new era in pharmacotherapeutics and the use of active chemical ingredients in plants which were known to produce favorable therapeutic effects, were explored, active compounds were extracted, purified and their structure was revealed. This advancement paved the way towards modern pharmaceutical therapy. The modern drugs are based on these herbal medicines, after extracting the active and pure chemical compounds. Pharmacokinetics and physicochemical properties of the active ingredients was explored. It lead to the better understanding of efficacy and safety profile of these drugs and first choice for treatment of various diseases. At the same time, the herbal medicines were considered as secondarily important.After approximately two centuries, the use of herbal medicines have seen a revival globally both indeveloping as well as developed countries. In the past few years, the practice of using herbal medicines as an alternative and complementary health medicine has gained more importance. Herbal medicines are common for treatment of various ailments including cancer, digestive disorders, pain related disorders, neuropathic ailments and cardiac arrhythmias etc. Even it has been used by pregnant females and mostly perceived as safe. Its use has gained more attraction due to its ‘natural’ approach and lesser side effects. Their use if often overlooked but physicians should pay attention to these medicines.There is lack of familiarity, standardization of the drug components, unproven therapeutic effectsin various diseases, unexplored toxicology, pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions, and compatibility in patients with varying medical, genetic and demographic history. There are serious concerns regarding the safety, efficacy and quality of herbal products and nutraceuticals. Accidental contamination and deliberate adulteration are assumed to be the main cause of the side effects.Much of the herbal medical knowledge is scattered in different regions of the world and mostlyavailable at family, community and local level and mostly in any native languages. There is need ofcoherent sources, knowledge, and exploration of these medicines across the world. The herbal medicine has varying diversity in different geological regions and they should be investigated. There should be a regional or national body to control and approve the herbal medicines. Proper documentations on these medicines and food supplements should also be done.


2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 462-469
Author(s):  
Dan Bensky ◽  
Erich Stöger

As Chinese medicine becomes more and more integrated into the fabric of health care in economically developed countries, it runs into a variety of problems. These relate to education, licensing, and communications. In this article, we would like to focus on one important aspect—what does it mean to prescribe Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) responsibly at the present time? This issue confronts all Chinese herbalists (CH) in almost every patient encounter, and involves two major points that medical practitioners of all persuasions have to be cognizant of and which could be approached in a number of ways: safety and efficacy. How do we prescribe in a way that promotes the health of the patient without doing harm? We need to remember that all medicines, herbal or otherwise, have potential side effects and risks to patients, and that we need to take appropriate measures.


2009 ◽  
Vol 161 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S97-S106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia D J Thomas ◽  
John P Monson

It is now accepted that adults with severe GH deficiency (GHD) demonstrate impaired physical and psychological well-being and may benefit from replacement with recombinant human GH. Post-marketing surveillance surveys, such as the Pfizer International Metabolic Database (KIMS), were initially set-up to provide safety data on long-term treatment but have the added benefit of providing ongoing observational data on the effect of GH replacement on body composition, lipid and glucose status, hypertension, bone density and quality of life. These data demonstrate that although GHD has clinical impact at all ages, the individual consequences of this condition may take on greater significance at different stages in life. At all ages, accurate, safe diagnosis and appropriate GH dosing are necessary to provide the individual with the best possible outcome.


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