Role of Herbal Medicine, Acupressure and Acupuncture in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disease that is characterized by a variety of symptoms that have a major negative impact on patients’ quality of life. It affects 9–23% of the total population of the world. At this time, no medication that is capable of addressing all symptoms associated with IBS in an effective manner (antispasmodics, antidiarrheals, sedatives). More than half of patients may seek treatment for their gastrointestinal problems via the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), which includes treatments like herbal medicine, acupuncture, and acupuncture. The objective of this chapter is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a herbal preparation, acupuncture, and acupressure treatment in patients diagnosed with IBS. Several sources were used to acquire the material, including review articles published in various publications that had keywords such as herbal drugs, acupuncture, acupressure, IBS and so on. The information was also gathered from the Internet. Herbal therapy and plant products are widely utilized to treat IBS. Acupuncture and acupressure have long been used successfully by patients to treat functional gastrointestinal problems. Multiple clinical studies have shown that their effectiveness and safety are superior to those of placebo and conventional medications. Herbal medications, acupressure, or acupuncture show clinically and statistically significant alleviation of IBS symptoms

Medicinal Plants as Therapeutic Alternatives to Combat Mycobacterium tuberculosis : A Comprehensive Review

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and a significant health concern worldwide. The main threat to the elimination of TB is the development of resistance by MTB to the currently used antibiotics and more extended treatment methods, which is a massive burden on the health care system. As a result, there is an urgent need to identify new, effective therapeutic strategies with fewer adverse effects. The traditional medicines found in South Asia and Africa have a reservoir of medicinal plants and plant-based compounds that are considered another reliable option for human beings to treat various diseases. Abundant research is available for the biotherapeutic potential of naturally occurring compounds in various diseases but has been lagging in the area of TB. Plant-based compounds, or phytoproducts, are being investigated as potential anti-mycobacterial agents by reducing bacterial burden or modulating the immune system, thereby minimizing adverse effects. The efficacy of these phytochemicals has been evaluated through drug delivery using nanoformulations. This review aims to emphasize the value of anti-TB compounds derived from plants and provide a summary of current research on phytochemicals with potential anti-mycobacterial activity against MTB. This article aims to inform readers about the numerous potential herbal treatment options available for combatting TB.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Exploring nature's hidden treasure: Unraveling the untapped phytochemical and pharmacological potentials of Clinopodium vulgare L. – A hidden gem in the Lamiaceae family

Folk medicine, rooted in historical practice, has long been used for medicinal purposes, emphasizing the need to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of herbal medicines. This imperative has grown over time, prompting collaborative efforts to document historical records and preserve invaluable knowledge of medicinal plants. The Lamiaceae (Labiatae) family, renowned for its rich assortment of medicinal plants characterized by high concentrations of volatile oils, stands out in this regard. This review focuses on Clinopodium vulgare (C. vulgare) L., commonly known as wild basil or basil thyme, a significant species within the Lamiaceae family found across diverse global regions. C. vulgare boasts a storied history of application in treating various ailments, such as gastric ulcers, diabetes, and inflammation, dating back to ancient times. Rigorous research has substantiated its pharmacological properties, revealing its antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antihypertensive, and enzyme-inhibitory effects. This comprehensive review provides an insightful overview of the Lamiaceae family, elucidates the extraction methods employed to obtain medicinal compounds, explores the phytoconstituents present in C. vulgare, and systematically details its diverse pharmacological properties. Additionally, the review delves into considerations of toxicity. By synthesizing this wealth of information, this study opens avenues for the potential therapeutic applications of C. vulgare. The practical value of this research lies in its contribution to the understanding of medicinal plants, mainly focusing on the pharmacological potential of C. vulgare. This exploration enriches our knowledge of traditional medicine and paves the way for innovative therapeutic approaches, offering promising prospects for future drug development. As the demand for natural remedies continues to increase, this work provides a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders in herbal medicine and pharmacology

Resveratrol from Dietary Supplement to a Drug Candidate: An Assessment of Potential

Resveratrol (RVT) is a well known phyto-chemical and is widely used in dietary supplements and botanical products. It shows a wide range of pharmacological/beneficial effects. Therefore, it can be a potential candidate to be developed as phyto-pharmaceutical. Multiple diseases are reported to be treated by the therapeutic effect of RVT since it has antioxidant, anti-cancer activity and anti-inflammatory activities. It also has a major role in diabetes, arthritis, cardiac disorder and platelet aggregation etc. The major requirements are establishments regarding safety, efficacy profile and physicochemical characterization. As it is already being consumed in variable maximum daily dose, there should not be a major safety concern but the dose needs to be established for different indications. Clinical trials are also being reported in different parts of the world. Physicochemical properties of the moiety are also well reported. Moreover, due to its beneficial effect on health it leads to the development of some intellectual property in the form of patents