Exploring the Evolving Role of Herbal and Alternative Medicine in Modern Healthcare

This review article examines the evolving role of herbal and alternative medicine in modern healthcare. It explores the historical context of herbal medicine and its cultural significance, as well as the factors contributing to its resurgence in popularity. The review discusses the scientific evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of herbal remedies, along with the challenges associated with conducting research in this field. It also explores the integration of herbal medicine into conventional healthcare systems and the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals and herbal practitioners. Furthermore, the review addresses the potential benefits and risks of combining herbal remedies with conventional treatments and emphasizes the need for informed decision-making and open communication between patients and healthcare providers. Overall, this review highlights the increasing recognition of herbal and alternative medicine as valuable components of comprehensive healthcare and underscores the need for further research and integration in modern medical practices

Evidence for perinatal and child health care guidelines in crisis settings: can Cochrane help?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is important that healthcare provided in crisis settings is based on the best available research evidence. We reviewed guidelines for child and perinatal health care in crisis situations to determine whether they were based on research evidence, whether Cochrane systematic reviews were available in the clinical areas addressed by these guidelines and whether summaries of these reviews were provided in Evidence Aid.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Broad internet searches were undertaken to identify relevant guidelines. Guidelines were appraised using AGREE and the clinical areas that were relevant to perinatal or child health were extracted. We searched The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews to identify potentially relevant reviews. For each review we determined how many trials were included, and how many were conducted in resource-limited settings.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Six guidelines met selection criteria. None of the included guidelines were clearly based on research evidence. 198 Cochrane reviews were potentially relevant to the guidelines. These reviews predominantly addressed nutrient supplementation, breastfeeding, malaria, maternal hypertension, premature labour and prevention of HIV transmission. Most reviews included studies from developing settings. However for large portions of the guidelines, particularly health services delivery, there were no relevant reviews. Only 18 (9.1%) reviews have summaries in Evidence Aid.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We did not identify any evidence-based guidelines for perinatal and child health care in disaster settings. We found many Cochrane reviews that could contribute to the evidence-base supporting future guidelines. However there are important issues to be addressed in terms of the relevance of the available reviews and increasing the number of reviews addressing health care delivery.</p

Phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity of Spathodeacampunalata Stem extracts.

Spathodeacampunalata is African tulip tree, known for its medicinal properties, in the present study three extracts of stem  Ethanolic, Methanolic and Aqueous extracts were evaluated for phenolic content,  flavanoid content, total antioxidant capacity by Folin Ciocalteu method ,Colorimetric method, phosphomolybdenum assay respectively.Iinvitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical method and by lipid peroxidation method. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using agar well diffusion assay protocol against eight bacterial reference strains, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Proteus vulgaris (ATCC 6380), Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 25241), Salmonella paratyphi (ATCC 9150), Shigella sonnei (ATCC 25931) and Klebsiella pneumonia (ATCC 27736). Plant sources showing antioxidant activities which is safe has become growing interest across the world thus the above experiment was performed to screen the presence of  phytochemicals, estimation of polyphenols, flavonoids,  and their ability to show the effects of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities was investigated.Results revealed the presence of phytoconstituents, with relevant quantity of  polyphenol and flavonoid content of the extracts was found to decrease in the order of Methanolic extract &gt; ethanolic extract&gt;aqueous extract whereas total antioxidant activity evaluated by phosphomolybdenum assay showed decrease in the order of aqueous extract&gt;methanolic extract&gt;ethanolic extract.The methanolic and ethanolic extracts exhibited better activity against eight bacterial strains used compared to the aqueous extract. Invitro antioxidant activity evaluated by DPPH assay of the extracts showed concentration dependent percentage inhibition of different radicals and raised gradually to its maximum level with higher concentrations,  in the lipid peroxidation, aqueous extracts shows less percentage inhibition as compared to methanolic and ethanolic extracts. Thus extract possesses significant antioxidant activity

Phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity of Spathodeacampunalata Stem extracts.

Spathodeacampunalata is African tulip tree, known for its medicinal properties, in the present study three extracts of stem  Ethanolic, Methanolic and Aqueous extracts were evaluated for phenolic content,  flavanoid content, total antioxidant capacity by Folin Ciocalteu method ,Colorimetric method, phosphomolybdenum assay respectively.Iinvitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical method and by lipid peroxidation method. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using agar well diffusion assay protocol against eight bacterial reference strains, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Proteus vulgaris (ATCC 6380), Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 25241), Salmonella paratyphi (ATCC 9150), Shigella sonnei (ATCC 25931) and Klebsiella pneumonia (ATCC 27736). Plant sources showing antioxidant activities which is safe has become growing interest across the world thus the above experiment was performed to screen the presence of  phytochemicals, estimation of polyphenols, flavonoids,  and their ability to show the effects of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities was investigated.Results revealed the presence of phytoconstituents, with relevant quantity of  polyphenol and flavonoid content of the extracts was found to decrease in the order of Methanolic extract &gt; ethanolic extract&gt;aqueous extract whereas total antioxidant activity evaluated by phosphomolybdenum assay showed decrease in the order of aqueous extract&gt;methanolic extract&gt;ethanolic extract.The methanolic and ethanolic extracts exhibited better activity against eight bacterial strains used compared to the aqueous extract. Invitro antioxidant activity evaluated by DPPH assay of the extracts showed concentration dependent percentage inhibition of different radicals and raised gradually to its maximum level with higher concentrations,  in the lipid peroxidation, aqueous extracts shows less percentage inhibition as compared to methanolic and ethanolic extracts. Thus extract possesses significant antioxidant activity

Nanomaterial-Induced Modifications in Plant Physiology and Genetics for Optimal Crop Production Strategies

Nanotechnology has ushered in a new era in agriculture, offering transformative solutions to address the pressing challenges of feeding a burgeoning global population while adapting to a changing climate. At the forefront of this revolution are nanomaterials, characterized by their unique properties at the nanoscale. This article explores the intricate and dynamic relationship between nanomaterials and plants, unveiling how they induce profound changes in plant physiology and genetics. These changes, while complex, hold the key to unlocking novel approaches for crop improvement and sustainable agriculture. However, the core of this study delves into understanding how nanomaterials are taken up by plants and transported within their intricate biological systems. The mechanisms underlying nanomaterial uptake and distribution within plants are unveiled, offering possibilities for precise nutrient targeting and enhanced uptake efficiency. Subsequent sections meticulously dissect the consequences of nanomaterial exposure on plant physiology, including growth, development, and stress responses. The intricate genetic modifications and epigenetic changes that nanomaterials induce in plants are explored, revealing the potential for tailored crop improvement strategies. Notably, we demonstrate the practical implications of these nanomaterial-induced changes, showcasing their relevance for optimizing crop yields, resilience to environmental stressors, and nutritional quality. This article also takes a holistic approach by addressing the environmental and safety considerations that accompany the use of nanomaterials in agriculture. It emphasizes the necessity of responsible application, ecological impact assessment, and the establishment of regulatory frameworks to guide safe utilization. In conclusion, this article serves as an illuminating exploration of the nascent field where nanomaterials meet plant physiology and genetics, with implications that could reshape the future of agriculture