An Overview of the Beneficial Effects of Hydrolysed Collagen as a Nutraceutical on Skin Properties: Scientific Background and Clinical Studies

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.

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Activated Protein C in Cutaneous Wound Healing: From Bench to Bedside

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20040903 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 903 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Ruilong Zhao ◽

Haiyan Lin ◽

Lara Bereza-Malcolm ◽

Elizabeth Clarke ◽

Christopher Jackson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Protein C ◽

Activated Protein C ◽

Epithelial Barrier ◽

Cutaneous Wound Healing ◽

Cutaneous Wound ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

The Past ◽

Complex Process

Independent of its well-known anticoagulation effects, activated protein C (APC) exhibits pleiotropic cytoprotective properties. These include anti-inflammatory actions, anti-apoptosis, and endothelial and epithelial barrier stabilisation. Such beneficial effects have made APC an attractive target of research in a plethora of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Of note, the past decade or so has seen the emergence of its roles in cutaneous wound healing—a complex process involving inflammation, proliferation and remodelling. This review will highlight APC’s functions and mechanisms, and detail its pre-clinical and clinical studies on cutaneous wound healing.

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Therapeutic Applications of Herbal Medicines for Cancer Patients

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/302426 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 71

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.

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A Review on the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pomegranate in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/247145 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Elisa Colombo ◽

Enrico Sangiovanni ◽

Mario Dell'Agli

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Tract ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Intestinal Tract ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Inflammatory Activity ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Gastro Intestinal Tract ◽

Inflammatory Effect

Several biological activities of pomegranate have been widely described in the literature, but the anti-inflammatory effect in the gastrointestinal tract has not been reviewed till now. The aim of the present paper is to summarize the evidence for or against the efficacy of pomegranate for coping with inflammatory conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract. The paper has been organized in three parts: (1) the first one is devoted to the modifications of pomegranate active compounds in the gastro-intestinal tract; (2) the second one considering the literature regarding the anti-inflammatory effect of pomegranate at gastric level; (3) the third part considers the anti-inflammatory effect of pomegranate in the gut.In vivostudies performed on the whole fruit or juice, peel, and flowers demonstrate antiulcer effect in a variety of animal models. Ellagic acid was the main responsible for this effect, although other individual ellagitannins could contribute to the biological activity of the mixture. Different preparations of pomegranate, including extracts from peels, flowers, seeds, and juice, show a significant anti-inflammatory activity in the gut. No clinical studies have been found, thus suggesting that future clinical studies are necessary to clarify the beneficial effects of pomegranate in the gastrointestinal tract.

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Low Testosterone in Males May Warrant Liver Health Assessment and Intervention

Journal of the Endocrine Society ◽

10.1210/jendso/bvab048.595 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A292-A293

Author(s):

Anthony DelConte ◽

Benjamin J Bruno ◽

Kilyoung Kim ◽

Kiran Vangara ◽

Kongnara Papangkorn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Disease ◽

Hepatic Fibrosis ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Rabbit Model ◽

Open Label ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Liver Health ◽

Male Patients ◽

Low Testosterone

Abstract Low testosterone (T) is a serum marker of hypogonadism. Reportedly, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, depression, obesity, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and opioid dependency, are associated with low testosterone. However, the association of chronic liver disease with low T is underappreciated. In one study, ~75% of biopsy confirmed Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) male patients had T levels of <372 ng/dL. A study with patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), with no pre-therapy evidence of liver disease, increased liver disease risk relative to no ADT suggesting low T can adversely affect liver health. However, prevalence of compromised liver health in hypogonadal males, and any beneficial effects of T therapy intervention on liver health are unclear. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate prevalence of liver disease in hypogonadal males, and to assess for potential beneficial effects of LPCN 1144, a novel oral T therapy candidate, on liver health of hypogonadal males. Investigation was performed through clinical studies in hypogonadal males, and a pre-clinical study. Clinical studies: (1) a one-year treatment, open label, active control, randomized study (NCT02081300); (2) a four-month treatment, open label, single arm study (NCT03868059); a 12-week study in a high-fat-diet (HFD) induced steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis rabbit model. 39% of hypogonadal males (N=210) tested had the elevated key liver injury marker (ALT>30 U/L). LPCN 1144 intervention for 52 weeks in hypogonadal males with elevated ALT levels at baseline resulted in mean decrease about 15%. Moreover, abnormal ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT were normalized in 52%, 50%, 67%, 32% of patients, respectively. In the 4-month study, fatty (>5%) liver disease was present in about 66% of a cohort of hypogonadal males (N=32), more than double the reported rate in the general population (25%). Post LPCN 1144 treatment, the proportion of fatty liver-free subjects increased by 94%. HFD induced substantial suppression of T levels in rabbits accompanied with histologically evidenced hepatic steatosis, inflammation, ballooning, and fibrosis. Upon 12 weeks of LPCN 1144 treatment in conjunction with HFD, histological ballooning, inflammation and fibrosis scores were improved. Importantly, relatively to control, % of hepatic fibrosis in the tissues were significantly reduced with LPCN 1144 treatment. In conclusion, compromised liver health is prevalent in hypogonadal males and may warrant a periodic assessment. Pre-clinical and clinical results with oral T therapy suggest potential beneficial effects on liver health in hypogonadal males. An ongoing study in biopsy-confirmed NASH male patients is expected to shed more light on the potential benefits of LPCN 1144.

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Harnessing Intranasal Delivery Systems of Sumatriptan for the Treatment of Migraine

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2022/3692065 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 2022 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Sara Assadpour ◽

Mohammad Reza Shiran ◽

Peyman Asadi ◽

Javad Akhtari ◽

Amirhossein Sahebkar

Keyword(s):

Clinical Studies ◽

Large Fraction ◽

Hepatic Metabolism ◽

Oral Route ◽

Delivery Systems ◽

Clinical Effects ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Wide Range ◽

Preclinical And Clinical Studies ◽

Novel Delivery Systems

Sumatriptan (ST) is a commonly prescribed drug for treating migraine. The efficiency of several routes of ST administration has been investigated. Recently, the intranasal route with different delivery systems has gained interest owing to its fast-acting and effectiveness. The present study is aimed at reviewing the available studies on novel delivery systems for intranasal ST administration. The oral route of ST administration is common but complicated with some problems. Gastroparesis in patients with migraine may reduce the absorption and effectiveness of ST upon oral use. Furthermore, the gastrointestinal (GI) system and hepatic metabolism can alter the pharmacokinetics and clinical effects of ST. The bioavailability of conventional nasal liquids is low due to the deposition of a large fraction of the delivered dose of a drug in the nasal cavity. Several delivery systems have been utilized in a wide range of preclinical and clinical studies to enhance the bioavailability of ST. The beneficial effects of the dry nasal powder of ST (AVP-825) have been proven in clinical studies. Moreover, other delivery systems based on microemulsions, microspheres, and nanoparticles have been introduced, and their higher bioavailability and efficacy were demonstrated in preclinical studies. Based on the extant findings, harnessing novel delivery systems can improve the bioavailability of ST and enhance its effectiveness against migraine attacks. However, further clinical studies are needed to approve the safety and efficacy of employing such systems in humans.

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OZONE THERAPY: GENERAL PROTOCOLS BASED ON EVIDENCES

Journal of Ozone Therapy ◽

10.7203/jo3t.2.2.2018.11125 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Silvia Menendez Cepero

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Senile Dementia ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Redox Balance ◽

Regulation Of Transcription ◽

Ozone Therapy ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Common Purpose ◽

Preclinical And Clinical Studies

Ozone has been used as a therapeutical agent for the treatment of different diseases and beneficial effects have been observed. However, ozone biological effects remain controversial due to the scarce knowledge of its biochemical and pharmacodynamic mechanisms. Taking into account that ozone therapy is gathering more interest, day by day, and it has been used in apparently nonrelated diseases with beneficial effects, the National Center for Scientific Research (Havana, Cuba) in collaboration with different research centers and health institutions have studied the ozone toxicology and its pharmacological actions as well as its biochemical mechanisms. The most remarkable experiences, in preclinical and clinical studies, developed in Cuba during the last 30 years, in order to prove unequivocally ozone therapy validity, are presented in this lecture. On the basis of the oxidant properties of ozone, we postulate that controlled ozone administration (named as ozone oxidative pre-/postconditioning mechanism) is able to promote a slight and transient oxidative stress which in turn re-establishes the signalling pathways which have been lost in pathological conditions, preserving the cellular redox balance (increasing antioxidant endogenous system), mitochondrial function as well as the regulation of transcription factors and the modulation of the immunological system. It is evident that membrane-associated ozone peroxides, 4-hydroxialkenals, superoxide anion, nitric oxide, among others, are going to play an important role in cellular signals as well as in the pathology of different diseases. Regulation of these biomolecules by ozone preconditioning has been demonstrated in several preclinical and clinical studies as ischaemia-reperfusion phenomenom, parkinson, senile dementia, disk herniation, retinitis pigmentosa, ischemic cardiopathy, arterial insufficiencies, diabetes, osteoarthritis, asthma, vestibulocochlear syndrome, among others. Nitric oxide modulation, as well as the increase in A1 adenosine receptors achieved with this therapy has an important role in brain blood flux, in the formation of memory, in the release of neurotransmitters and in the inflammatory processes. Ozone therapy seems to induce a simultaneous resuscitation of functions that had gone wrong, reactivating and re-equilibrating physiological activities. This lecture contributes to clarify the ozone mechanism of action and its different pharmacology effects. It is concluded that ozone therapy can be useful in the treatment of several diseases, either as adjuvant of ortodox medicine or taking part positively in those where conventional therapy has had no success, all this with a common purpose: to favour the patients and contribute to a better quality of life.

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Broccoli or Sulforaphane: Is It the Source or Dose That Matters?

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules24193593 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (19) ◽

pp. 3593 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Yoko Yagishita ◽

Jed W. Fahey ◽

Albena T. Dinkova-Kostova ◽

Thomas W. Kensler

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Mechanisms Of Action ◽

Disease Models ◽

Epidemiological Evidence ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Current State ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

Global Population ◽

Selection Of

There is robust epidemiological evidence for the beneficial effects of broccoli consumption on health, many of them clearly mediated by the isothiocyanate sulforaphane. Present in the plant as its precursor, glucoraphanin, sulforaphane is formed through the actions of myrosinase, a β-thioglucosidase present in either the plant tissue or the mammalian microbiome. Since first isolated from broccoli and demonstrated to have cancer chemoprotective properties in rats in the early 1990s, over 3000 publications have described its efficacy in rodent disease models, underlying mechanisms of action or, to date, over 50 clinical trials examining pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and disease mitigation. This review evaluates the current state of knowledge regarding the relationships between formulation (e.g., plants, sprouts, beverages, supplements), bioavailability and efficacy, and the doses of glucoraphanin and/or sulforaphane that have been used in pre-clinical and clinical studies. We pay special attention to the challenges for better integration of animal model and clinical studies, particularly with regard to selection of dose and route of administration. More effort is required to elucidate underlying mechanisms of action and to develop and validate biomarkers of pharmacodynamic action in humans. A sobering lesson is that changes in approach will be required to implement a public health paradigm for dispensing benefit across all spectrums of the global population.

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Berberine as a therapy for type 2 diabetes and its complications: From mechanism of action to clinical studies

Biochemistry and Cell Biology ◽

10.1139/bcb-2014-0107 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 93 (5) ◽

pp. 479-486 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Wenguang Chang ◽

Li Chen ◽

Grant M. Hatch

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Isoquinoline Alkaloid ◽

Pharmacological Therapy ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Hypoglycemic Agent ◽

Candidate Drug ◽

Adults And Children

The incidence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly worldwide, and the development of novel anti-diabetic drugs is emerging. However, most anti-diabetic drugs cannot be used in patients with hepatic dysfunction, renal disease, and heart disease, which makes pharmacological therapy of type 2 diabetes complicated. Despite continued introduction of novel agents, the search for an ideal drug that is useful as both a hypoglycemic agent and to reduce diabetes-related complications remains elusive. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid extract that has shown promise as a hypoglycemic agent in the management of diabetes in animal and human studies. Mechanistic studies have revealed beneficial effects of berberine on diabetes-related complications. Although there have been few clinical reports of the anti-diabetic effects of berberine, little documentation of adverse effects in humans positions it as a potential candidate drug to treat type 2 diabetes. In the present review, the anti-diabetic mechanism of berberine, its effect on diabetes-related complications, and its recent use in human clinical studies is highlighted. In addition, we summarize the different treatments for type 2 diabetes in adults and children.

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Botanical Compounds: Effects on Major Eye Diseases

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/549174 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Tuan-Phat Huynh ◽

Shivani N. Mann ◽

Nawajes A. Mandal

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Animal Models ◽

Retinitis Pigmentosa ◽

Cell Cultures ◽

Clinical Studies ◽

Eye Diseases ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Ocular Diseases ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Age Related

Botanical compounds have been widely used throughout history as cures for various diseases and ailments. Many of these compounds exhibit strong antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. These are also common damaging mechanisms apparent in several ocular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and retinitis pigmentosa. In recent years, there have been many epidemiological and clinical studies that have demonstrated the beneficial effects of plant-derived compounds, such as curcumin, lutein and zeaxanthin, danshen, ginseng, and many more, on these ocular pathologies. Studies in cell cultures and animal models showed promising results for their uses in eye diseases. While there are many apparent significant correlations, further investigation is needed to uncover the mechanistic pathways of these botanical compounds in order to reach widespread pharmaceutical use and provide noninvasive alternatives for prevention and treatments of the major eye diseases.

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