Use of Iranian medicinal plants effective on male fertility indices

This systematic review article was conducted to report medicinal plants that are effective on male fertility indices. To conduct this review, search terms fertility or pregnancy combined with medicinal plants, herb, and phyto were used to retrieve relevant publications indexed in ISI, PubMed, and Iranian scientific databases. Escanbil, Fumaria parviflora L., Apium graveolens L., Achillea millefolium inflorescence, Urtica dioica L., Withania somnifera L., Phaleria macrocarpa, Satureja khuzestanica, Achillea millefolium, Malva sylvestris, Humulus lupulus L., Allium cepa, Petroselinum crispum, Carthamus tinctorius, and Zingiber officinale were reported to be medicinal plants with fertility indices-promoting properties. Medicinal plants that are used in Iran affect hormonal compounds and other effective compounds on hormonal system as well as the proliferation and viability of sex cells due to their antioxidant properties, and therefore enhance fertility in human and animals. © 2009-2016, JGPT

Effects of Medicinal Plants on Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review

Urinary incontinence is one of the disorders that may develop for various reasons, affect different aspects of life, and declining quality of life. Relevant key terms were used to retrieve the articles published between 2000 and 2018 and indexed in the Institute for Scientific Information and PubMed. Then, the articles about the medicinal plants and the plant-based products whose effects were investigated on urinary incontinence (UI) were selected and analyzed by two members of the research team. Different plants such as Cannabis sativa, St. John's wort, Ephedra sinica, Salvia sclarea, Ramulus Cinnamomi, and Alpinia oxyphylla exert anti-UI effects through various mechanisms. The phytoestrogen derivatives of the plants mainly in menopausal women, isoflavonoid compounds, Gosha-jinki-gan, and Weng-li-tong, exert anti-UI effects. It should be considered that plants and their derivatives can be used as dietary supplements, independently, and mainly with chemical drugs. Plants and plant-based combinations can induce anti-UI effects through phytosterogenic properties in women, decreasing stress and affecting the neuromuscular system as well as decreasing the activities of the detrusor muscle and regulating the activity of the urethral sphincters

The Relationship between Statin and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction and Aim. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness and visual defect, particularly in elderly people across the world. This meta-analysis aimed at investigating the relationship between statin and the risk of AMD. Methods. Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched for articles that addressed the relationship between statin consumption and risk of AMD. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Cochran's Q test and the I-2 statistic were used to evaluate the heterogeneity. To assess potential publication bias, Begg's test was used. Results. In total, 22 studies were reviewed in the meta-analysis that included 2063195 participants and 313702 (15.20%) AMD patients compared to individuals not receiving statins. The OR of AMD in statin-receiving participants was 0.93 (95% CI; 0.83-1.05, P=0.225). The OR of AMD in those that received statins was 0.92 (95% CI; 0.75-1.13, P=0.440) in case-control studies, 0.95 (95% CI; 0.82-1.09, P=0.458) in cohort studies, 0.951 (95% CI; 0.59-1.53, P=0.831) in cross-sectional studies, 0.94 (95% CI; 0.80-1.10, P=0.468) in North America, 0.81 (95% CI; 0.54-1.21, P=0.308) in Europe, 1.05 (95% CI; 0.94-1.18, P=0.362) in Asia, and 0.52 (95% CI; 0.26-1.04, P=0.125) in Australia. No publication bias was observed in this study (P=0.114). Conclusion. According to the results of this study, taking statins does not increase or decrease the risk of AMD development. Therefore, this drug group cannot be considered a protective or risk factor for the occurrence of AMD

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF MEDICINAL PLANTS AND PLANT DERIVATIVES AFFECTING INCREASE IN ENDOMETRIAL THICKNESS

Endometrial thickness is one of the determinant factors in fertility success. This study was carried out to determine the effects of plants on increasing endometrial thickness and ultimately increasing fertility preservation. Key terms of "endometrium thickness" or "endometrial thickness" or "endometrial lining thickness" in combination with the words "Medicinal plant", "Herb" and "Phyto" were searched on the ISI, PubMed and Scopus databases. Then, the abstracts of the articles, as well as information obtained from other sources about medicinal plants and their derivatives from which their effects directly on endometrial thickness and pregnancy were studied, were selected. Besides, only clinical trials and laboratory studies between 2007 and 2017 were included. The results from this study showed that plants such as Cimicifuga racemosa and Aspalathus lineararis and plant derivatives such as Klimadynon and Icariin and plant formulations such as Xiaoyao powder, Erzhi pill and Siwu decoction can increase fertility in humans or animals by increasing endometrial thickness. Medicinal plants and their derivatives affect the thickness of the endometrium, mainly due to having phytoestrogen and can help maintain the fetus in the uterus and increase fertility preservation. The phytoestrogens available in plants are bound to ER-a receptors and mimics the function of estrogen. However, the effective dose, administration time, endogenous estrogen status and type of herbal prescription or derivatives are of important factors that should be considered in herbal therap

MEDICINAL HERBS AFFECTING GONADOTROPIN HORMONES IN WOMEN: AN UPDATED SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Plants and their derivatives can exacerbate or relieve diseases such as infertility, puberty disorders, and menopause. The present - study examines the role and mechanism of medicinal plants or their products in reducing or increasing the levels of GnRH, FSH and LH in females. The key word "GnRH" or "FSH" or "Luteinizing Hormone" was searched in conjunction with the words Medicinal plant, Herb * and Phyto * in the ISI and PubMed databases (using Endnote software). Then articles related to herbs and products affecting the hormones of GnRH, FSH and LH, were included in the study, following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Plants and plant derivatives that affect fertility disorders and mainly increase GnRH, include Vitex agnus-castus, Thuja occidentalis L., Cimicifuga racemosa, Yucca schidigera, isoflavones and some Chinese herbal compounds. In some cases, plants such as Emilia coccinea decrease the fertility of the fetus by lowering the FSH and LH hormones. Also, some herbs and plant compounds are used for disorders and discontinuation of symptoms. These include isoflavones, Lepidium meyenii, Angelica gigas and Chinese herbal compounds. In some cases, Radix Ginseng and isoflavones also cause premature aging and puberty, which this issue should be taken into account for nutritional purposes. Plants and plant compounds, can cause hormonal changes, especially in female GnRH hormones mainly due to presence of having phytoestrogens and by inducing their estrogenic properties

Effects and mechanisms of medicinal plants on diaper dermatitis: A systematic review

Diaper dermatitis (DD) is one of the most common skin disorders in infants and, if not treated properly, causes several complications such as infection, pain, and itching. The present review was conducted to report the findings on the action mechanisms and effects of medicinal plants on the treatment of DD and diaper rash. The key words "diaper dermatitis" or "diaper rash" or "nappy rash" in combination with "medicinal plant", "herb*", and "phyto*" were used to conduct this review. Relevant articles were retrieved from databases including Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), PubMed, Scopus, Islamic World Science Citation Database (ISC) and Google Scholar. Medicinal plants and plant-based compounds reduce and treat DD mainly due to their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial (mainly antibacterial and antifungal), and antioxidant properties. Helping to accelerate the recovery and regeneration of the skin and to reduce moisture in the diaper environment is another mechanism of medicinal plants, for treating DD. Plants such as Calendula officinalis, Matricaria chamomilla L.,A. barbadensis Mill., Prunusdulcis, Hamamelis, and Lawsonia inermis L. can be useful to treat this condition. Medicinal plants and their compounds comprise an effective treatment for DD and can be used as a supplementary or adjuvant therapy because of low cost, easy use, availability, and lack of systemic effects

A Systematic Review of Phytochemical and Phytotherapeutic Characteristics of Bitter Almond

Bitter almond is one of the medicinal plants that have been used to prevent and treat diseases since many centuries ago. Bitter almond essential oil can be effectively used to heal wounds, hemorrhoids and hair loss, relieve joint pain, facilitate delivery, and strengthen and condition hairs. Moreover, oral use of bitter almond seed has been demonstrated to cause antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer effects because of containing certain compounds such as amygdalin. However, there have been some challenges in investigations conducted to discover bitter almond-based oral, herbal drugs to treat different diseases such as cancer because of cyanide-induced poisoning, partly precluding use of this plant. This study was conducted to comprehensively review the traditional uses, phytochemical compounds, and therapeutic actions of bitter almond and its compound as well as the side effects due to use of them

Effect and Mechanisms of Medicinal Plants on Dry Eye Disease: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Dry Eye Disease (DED) is one of the most common problems and reasons for referring to ophthalmology clinics, which has been exacerbated by the increased use of computers and mobile phones. Aim: The purpose of the present systemic review was to review the effects and mechanism of medicinal plants in DED treatment. Materials and Methods: The key words "Dry eye" or "Keratoconjunctivitis sicca" or "keratitis sicca" in combination with "medicinal plant", "herb", and "phyto" were used to conduct the review. Clinical and experimental published articles in English language between 2000-2018 were retrieved from databases including the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), PubMed and Scopus. Results: Totally, 199 articles were retrieved from the electronic database and finally 17 articles were included in the final analysis. Various plants such as Buddleja officinalis, Aristotelia chilensis, Prunus armeniaca, Hippophae rhamnoides, Lycium barbarum, and Rhynchosia volubilis Lour are effective in treating DED through different mechanisms. Herbal derivatives such as curcumin, antioxidant glasses, phytoestrogen, ferulic acid, and kaempferol can be used as food supplement independently and in some cases along with chemical drugs. Chinese herbal formulations and compounds such as 'Chi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan', 'TriphalaGhritaNetratarpan', and 'ShengJinRunZaoYangXue' granules can play a role in inducing anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in the treatment of the disease. Conclusion: Generally, medicinal plants reduce tear film stability by decreasing osmolarity and increasing tear production. Several mechanisms, including the reduction of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) (antioxidant activity), the prevention of cell apoptosis, the modulation of inflammatory factors, and the regulation of androgens, can affect lacrimal glands and membrane cells, thereby helping to treat DED

Effects of medicinal plants on radiolabeling and biodistribution of diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals: A systematic review

Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs that contain radioisotopes used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. There are evidences that medicinal herbs and their constituents can modify the radiolabeling, biodistribution, and pharmacokinetics of radiopharmaceuticals through drug interaction. To have an overview of the effects and the underlying mechanisms of medicinal plants on the radiolabeling and bioavailability of radiopharmaceuticals, we conducted this study to summarize the current findings in this field. The scientific literature was systematically collected from databases and analyzed. Studies showed that medicinal plants and their constituents can alter radiolabeling and biodistribution via several mechanisms. Interactions with proteins in red blood cells at the same sites, chelating action of stannous and pertechnetate ions, antioxidant action impeding or decreasing stannous ion oxidation, direct oxidation of stannous ions, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which oxidize stannous ions and damage induced in the cell membrane. Most the medicinal plants can decrease the radioactivity of radiopharmaceuticals, but some of them like Peumus boldus, Punica granatum, Nectandra membranacea, Mentha crispa, Rosmarinus officinalis and derivatives such as eugenol and epigallocatechin gallate have increasing effects. In addition, altering feature in some of them is tissue dependent

Effectiveness of medicinal herbs on psychological indices before and after surgeries

Psychological complications appear to be significant disorders which need prolonged recovery period. They cause disability and impose hospitalized costs on patients. This systematic review was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of medicinal herbs on psychological indices in patients undergoing surgeries. The keywords such as anxiety, depression, aggressive, impulsive, stress, delirium and cognitive in combination with surgery and medicinal plants search terms such as medicinal plant or phyto or herb were used to search for relevant publications indexed in the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), Scopus and PubMed using EndNote software. A total of 1231 studies with mentioned keywords were added to the bank of the study and after considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, 36 human studies were reviewed. Some medicinal plants such as Passiflora incarnata L., Valeriana officinalis L., Melissa officinalis L., Crocus sativus L., and Rosa damascena Mill. and some herbal formulas like Hochu-ekki-to and Yokukansan and also some phytochemicals such as ω-6 PUFA and Gastrodin reduce the psychological symptoms in several ways in the patients undergoing operation. Most of the clinical studies were carried out on aromatherapy and the others were based on oral administration. Taken together, using medicinal herbs in medical settings before and after surgery is an effective alternative way for alleviating some psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, aggressive and impulsive behavior, stress, delirium and cognitive dysfunction. However, the surgeons and anesthesiologists must be aware of their interaction and possible complications