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Cytotoxic and antibacterial activities of endophytic fungi isolated from plants at the National Park, Pahang, MalaysiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Results indicate the potential for production of bioactive agents from endophytes of the tropical rainforest flora. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - November 21, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Nurul HazalinKalavathy RamasamyLim MengIbtisam Abdul WahabAnthony ColeAbu Abdul Majeed Source Type: journals

Bee products prevent VEGF-induced angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cellsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Among the bee products, Chinese red propolis and CAPE in particular showed strong suppressive effects against VEGF-induced angiogenesis. These findings indicate that Chinese red propolis and CAPE may have potential as preventive and therapeutic agents against angiogenesis-related human diseases. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - November 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Hiroshi IzutaMasamitsu ShimazawaKazuhiro TsurumaYoko ArakiSatoshi MishimaHideaki Hara Source Type: journals

Interleukin-6 and Cyclooxygenase-2 downregulation by fatty-acid fractions of Ranunculus constantinopolitanusEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Our studies demonstrate the existence of potential anti-inflammatory bioactivities in R. constantinopolitanus and attribute them to a FA mix in this plant. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - November 16, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Sabreen FostokRima EzzeddineFadia HomaidanJamal Al-SaghirRalph SalloumNajat SalibaRabih Talhouk Source Type: journals

Mutagenicity of Chinese traditional medicine Semen Armeniacae amarum by two modified Ames testsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The standard Ames test was not suitable for evaluating the mutagenicity of SAA, because false-positive result could be resulted by the histidine content in SAA. However, the two modified Ames tests were suitable, because the experimental results proved that the effect of histidine in SAA and therefore the false-positive result were effectively excluded in these two modified Ames tests. This conclusion needs more experimental data to support in the future. Moreover, the experimental results illustrated that SAA had no mutagenicity in vitro and in vivo. This was in agreement with the clinical safety of SAA long-t...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - November 15, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Jianling JinBo LiuHui ZhangXiao TianYupin CaiPeiji Gao Source Type: journals

Self-medication with over-the-counter drugs and complementary medications in South Australia's elderly populationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Participants seemed to self-medicate in accordance with approved indications, suggesting they were informed consumers, actively looking after their own health. However, use of analgesics and aspirin are associated with an increased risk of adverse drug events in the elderly. Future work should examine how self-medication contributes to polypharmacy and increases the risk of adverse drug reactions. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - November 11, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Lynn Yeen GohAgnes VitrySusan SempleAdrian EstermanMary Luszcz Source Type: journals

Use of complementary and alternative medicine: a survey in Turkish gastroenterology patients.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Background: The study examined complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage by patients attending a Turkish gastroenterology outpatient clinic. Methods: The survey was conducted on 216 patients presenting with gastrointestinal problems during their first visit to the clinic using a 31 item, self-report questionnaire between May and October 2005. Data included information on patient demographics and their gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as items to identify CAM use and patient satisfaction with these therapies. Results: Seventy-nine patients (36.6%) reported using one or more forms of CAM. The most commonly used th...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - October 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Taylan Kav Source Type: journals

Traditional eye medicine use by newly presenting ophthalmic patients to a teaching hospital in South-eastern Nigeria: socio-demographic and clinical correlatesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study set out to determine the incidence, socio-demographic, and clinical correlates of Traditional Eye Medicine (TEM) use in a population of newly presenting ophthalmic outpatients attending a tertiary eye care centre in south-eastern Nigeria. Methods: In a comparative cross-sectional survey at the eye clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, between August 2004 - July 2006, all newly presenting ophthalmic outpatients were recruited. Participants' socio-demographic and clinical data and profile of TEM use were obtain...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - October 23, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Boniface EzeChimdi Chuka-OkosaJudith Uche Source Type: journals

Dietary supplementation by older adults in southern China: a hospital outpatient clinic studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The overall prevalence of dietary supplementation in this older Chinese population was considerably lower than those in other Asia-Pacific countries. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - October 19, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Wenbin LiangAndy LeeColin Binns Source Type: journals

Evaluation and implications of natural product use in preoperative patients: a retrospective reviewEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Background: Medication Reconciliation and Medication Safety are two themes emphasized in a variety of healthcare organizations. As a result, health care facilities have established standardized methods for obtaining a patient's medication history. However, these methods may vary among institutions or even among the health care professionals in a single institution, and studies have shown that patients are reluctant to disclose their complementary and alternative medicine use to any health care professional. This lack of disclosure is important in surgical patients because of potential herbal interactions with medications a...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - October 12, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Allison KingFlint RussettJoyce GeneraliDennis Grauer Source Type: journals

Justification for the use of Ocimum gratissimum L in herbal medicine and its interaction with disc antibiotics.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The study has validated the folkloric use of O. gratissimum in traditional medicinal practice and goes further to show that the use of this plant material as food spice may not really threaten the efficacy of some conventional antibiotics that may have been taken concomitantly with it as is the popular belief in the practice of herbal medicine in local/rural communities of many countries in the world. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - September 27, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Emeka NwezeElizabeth Eze Source Type: journals

Anti-inflammatory properties of Salograviolide A purified from Lebanese plant Centaurea ainetensisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that SA may be useful in the development of natural therapies for inflammatory diseases. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - September 22, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Jamal Al-SaghirRanda Al-AshiRalph SalloumNajat SalibaRabih TalhoukFadia Homaidan Source Type: journals

Termite usage associated with antibiotic therapy: Enhancement of aminoglycoside antibiotic activity by natural products of Nasutitermes corniger (Motschulsky 1855)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Therefore it is suggested that natural products from N. corniger could be used as a source of zoo-derived natural products with modifying antibiotic activity to aminoglycosides, being a new weapon against the bacterial resistance to antibiotics. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - September 16, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Henrique CoutinhoAlexandre VasconcellosMicheline LimaGeraldo Almeida-FilhoRomulo Alves Source Type: journals

The antibacterial properties of Malaysian tualang honey against wound and enteric microorganisms in comparison to manuka honeyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Tualang honey exhibited variable activities against different microorganisms, but they were within the same range as those for manuka honey. This result suggests that tualang honey could potentially be used as an alternative therapeutic agent against certain microorganisms, particularly A. baumannii and S. maltophilia. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - September 14, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Hern Tze TanRosliza Abdul RahmanSiew Hua GanAhmad Sukari HalimSiti Asma' HassanSiti Amrah SulaimanKirnpal-Kaur S Source Type: journals

Exploring integrative medicine for back and neck pain - a pragmatic randomised clinical pilot trialEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: This pilot study investigated the implementation of IM in the primary care management of non-specific back and neck pain. Recruiting patients and implementing IM in routine clinical practice was feasible. The results warrant further exploration into different perspectives and relevant combinations of outcome measures including the use of health resources, drugs and cost-effectiveness to help understand the relevance of IM in primary care. Future research should prioritise larger scale studies considering variability, pain duration and small to moderate treatment effects.Trial registration: Clinical trials NCT0...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - September 6, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Tobias SundbergMax PetzoldPer WandellAnna RydenTorkel Falkenberg Source Type: journals

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding gemstone therapeutics in a selected adult population in PakistanEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: More than half of our sample population is aware of the use of the gemstones for their various effects. Willingness to use gemstones is associated with the beliefs about the impact of gemstone therapy on health. Friends and family seem to be the major role players influencing people's willingness to use gemstones. CAM modalities should be recognized and considered as an important therapeutic option. We feel that gemstone therapy is a relatively unexplored area and more studies should, therefore, be conducted to gather more validated information on the subject. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 25, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Sidra IshaqueTaimur SaleemWaris Qidwai Source Type: journals

Acupuncture in acute herpes zoster pain therapy (ACUZoster) - design and protocol of a randomised controlled trialEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study is the first large-scale randomised placebo controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture compared to gabapentine and sham treatment and will provide valuable new information about the clinical and physiological effects of acupuncture and gabapentine in the treatment of acute herpes zoster pain. The study has been pragmatically designed to ensure that the study findings can be implemented into clinical practice if acupuncture can be shown to be an effective treatment strategy in acute herpes zoster pain.Trial registration: NCT00885586 (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 11, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Johannes FleckensteinSybille KramerPhilipp HoffroggeSarah ThomaPhilip LangLukas LehmeyerGabriel SchoberFlorian PfabJohannes RingPeter WeisenseelKlaus SchottenUlrich MansmannDominik Irnich Source Type: journals

Antibacterial and phytochemical screening of Anethum graveolens, Foeniculum vulgare and Trachyspermum ammiEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Antibacterial efficacy shown by these plants provides a scientific basis and thus, validates their traditional uses as homemade remedies. Isolation and purification of different phytochemicals may further yield significant antibacterial agents. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Gurinder KaurDaljit Arora Source Type: journals

Inhibition of HIV-1 entry by extracts derived from traditional Chinese medicinal herbal plantsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: These results demonstrate that TXE and VAD inhibit HIV-1 replication likely by blocking HIV-1 interaction with target cells, i.e., the interaction between gp120 and CD4/CCR5 or gp120 and CD4/CXCR4 and point to the potential of developing these two extracts to be HIV-1 entry inhibitors. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 4, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: In-Woo ParkChangri HanXiaoping SongLinden GreenTing WangYing LiuChangchun CenXinming SongBioa YangGuangying ChenJohnny He Source Type: journals

Protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract from rhizomes of Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. on compensated right heart failure in ratsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Background: The rhizomes of Cynodon dactylon are used for the treatment of heart failure in folk medicine. In the present study, we investigated the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of C. dactylon rhizomes on cardiac contractility in normal hearts and on cardiac functions in right-heart failure in rats. Methods: Right-heart failure was induced by intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline (50mg/kg). Two weeks later, the animals were treated orally with different doses of the extract for fifteen days. At the end of the experiments cardiac functions and markers of myocardial hypertrophy were measured. Results: The treated r...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 4, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Alireza GarjaniArash AfrooziyanHossein NazemiyehMoslem NajafiAli KharazmkiaNasrin Maleki-Dizaji Source Type: journals

Anti-collagenase, anti-elastase and anti-oxidant activities of extracts from 21 plantsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: From a panel of twenty three plant extracts, some one dozen exhibit high or satisfactory anti-collagenase or anti-elastase activities, with nine having inhibitory activity against both enzymes. These included white tea which was found to have very high phenolic content, along with high TEAC and SOD activities. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 3, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Tamsyn ThringPauline HiliDeclan Naughton Source Type: journals

Acute effect of electroacupuncture at the Zusanli acupoints on decreasing insulin resistance as shown by lowering plasma free fatty acid levels in steroid-background male ratsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Insulin resistance was successfully induced by a large dose of prednisolone in male rats. This insulin resistance can be improved by 15 Hz EA at the bilateral Zusanli acupoints, as shown by decreased plasma levels of FFAs. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - July 31, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Rong-Tsung LinChung-Yuh TzengYu-Chen LeeWai-Jane HoJuei-Tang ChengJaung-Geng LinShih-Liang Chang Source Type: journals

Bioassay guided purification of the antimicrobial fraction of a Brazilian propolis from Bahia stateEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: a) The major fatty acids tested were not responsible for the antimicrobial activity of propolis type 6; b) Sub-fraction 1, belonging to the benzophenone class, was responsible for the antimicrobial activity observed in the present study. The identification of the bioactive compound will improve the development of more efficient uses of this natural product. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - July 29, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Myrella CastroWalquiria VilelaRogeria ZauliMasaharu IkegakiVera RedherMary FoglioSeverino AlencarPedro Rosalen Source Type: journals

Mindfulness for irritable bowel syndrome: Protocol development for a controlled clinical trialEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: It is feasible to undertake a rigorous randomized clinical trial of mindfulness training for people with IBS, using a standardized MBSR protocol adapted for those experiencing IBS, compared to a control social-support group previously utilized in IBS studies.Trial Registration: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT00680693 (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - July 27, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Susan GaylordWilliam WhiteheadRebecca CobleKeturah FaurotOlafur PalssonEric GarlandWilliam FreyJohn Mann Source Type: journals

Anti-microbial activities of pomegranate rind extracts: enhancement by cupric sulphate against clinical isolates of S. aureus, MRSA and PVL positive CA-MSSAEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: PRE, in combination with Cu(II) ions, was seen to exhibit moderate antimicrobial effects against clinical isolates of MSSA, MRSA and PVL positive CA-MSSA isolates. The results of this study indicate that further investigation into the active ingredients of natural products, their mode of action and potential synergism with other antimicrobial agents is warranted. This is the first report of the efficacy of pomegranate against clinical PVL positive CA-MSSA isolates. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - July 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Simon GouldMark FielderAlison KellyDeclan Naughton Source Type: journals

Dark chocolate or tomato extract for prehypertension: a randomised controlled trialEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Background: Flavanol-rich chocolate and lycopene-rich tomato extract have attracted interest as potential alternative treatment options for hypertension, a known risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Treatment of prehypertension (SBP 120-139/ DBP 80-89 mmHg) may forestall progression to hypertension. However, there has been only limited research into non-pharmacological treatment options for prehypertension. We investigated the effect of dark chocolate or tomato extract on blood pressure, and their acceptability as an ongoing treatment option in a prehypertensive population. Methods: Our trial consisted o...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - July 7, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Karin RiedOliver FrankNigel Stocks Source Type: journals

Anti-tumor effect of Liqi, a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, in tumor bearing miceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: All these findings demonstrated that liqi has an anti-tumor effect in vivo. The mechanism may be related to immune regulation and anticoagulation effects. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - June 30, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Deng-Bo JiJia YeYi-Min JiangBo-Wen Qian Source Type: journals

Evaluating complex health interventions: a critical analysis of the 'outcomes' conceptEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We present alternative models, such as those based on programme theory, which conceptualise health-related change as resulting from the interaction between intervention, process and context over time. In this framework both the intervention and the patient are defined as causal factors, because the result of the treatment is dependent on the resources of the patient - such as the body's ability to heal itself - and the impact of the patient's situation.SummaryEvaluations based on a model such as programme theory will encompass a wide range of health-related changes that include aspects of process, such as new meanings and ...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - June 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Charlotte PatersonCharlotte BaartsLaila LaunsoMarja Verhoef Source Type: journals

The potential of complementary and alternative medicine in promoting well-being and critical health literacy: a prospective, observational study of shiatsuEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Supporting individuals to take control of their self-care requires advice-giving within a supportive treatment context and practitioner relationship, with clients who are open to change and committed to maintaining their health. CAM modalities may have an important role to play in this endeavour. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - June 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Andrew Long Source Type: journals

Animal-based folk remedies sold in public markets in Crato and Juazeiro do Norte, Ceara, Brazil.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The composition of the local fauna, the popular culture, and commercial considerations are factors that maintain and drive the market for therapeutic animal products - and the lack of monitoring and regulation of this commerce is worrisome from a conservationist perspective. A detailed knowledge of the fauna utilized in alternative medicine is fundamental to the conservation and rational use of the Brazilian fauna. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - June 3, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Felipe FerreiraSamuel BritoSamuel RibeiroAntonio SaraivaWaltecio AlmeidaRomulo Alves Source Type: journals

Animal-based folk remedies sold in public markets in Crato and Juazeiro do Norte, Ceara, BrazilEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The composition of the local fauna, the popular culture, and commercial considerations are factors that maintain and drive the market for therapeutic animal products – and the lack of monitoring and regulation of this commerce is worrisome from a conservationist perspective. A detailed knowledge of the fauna utilized in alternative medicine is fundamental to the conservation and rational use of the Brazilian fauna. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - June 2, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Felipe FerreiraSamuel BritoSamuel RibeiroAntonio SaraivaWaltecio AlmeidaRomulo Alves Source Type: journals

Bach Flower Remedies for psychological problems and pain: a systematic reviewEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Most of the available evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of BFRs has a high risk of bias. We conclude that, based on the reported adverse events in these six trials, BFRs are probably safe. Few controlled prospective trials of BFRs for psychological problems and pain exist. Our analysis of the four controlled trials of BFRs for examination anxiety and ADHD indicates that there is no evidence of benefit compared with a placebo intervention. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Kylie ThalerAngela KaminskiAndrea ChapmanTessa LangleyGerald Gartlehner Source Type: journals

Anti-angiogenic effects of pterogynidine alkaloid isolated from Alchornea glandulosaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: These findings emphasize the potential use of Pt against pathological situations where angiogenesis is stimulated as tumor development. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 22, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Flavia LopesAna RochaAna PirracoLuis RegasiniDulce SilvaVanderlan BolzaniIsabel AzevedoIracilda CarlosRaquel Soares Source Type: journals

The use of herbal medicines by people with cancer: a qualitative studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study is intended to inform the future development of information resources for cancer patients, survivors and healthcare professionals including tools for use before or during consultation to make it easier for patients to mention, and for healthcare professionals to ask about, use of herbal medications. Methods/design This is a three-phase study. In phase 1, a systematic review of the literature on self-medication with herbal medicines among UK populations living with cancer will establish the current evidence base on use of herbal medicine, sources of information, characteristics and motivations. This will allow us...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 14, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Christine Gratus, Sue Wilson, Sheila M Greenfield, Sarah L Damery, Sally A Warmington, Robert Grieve, Neil M Steven and Philip Routledge Source Type: journals

A complementary method for detecting qi vacuityEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: These results suggest that the mean ARDK values reflect the severity of QV in patients diagnosed with the disorder. They also suggest that the bioenergy level of the human body can be measured by skin conductance. ARDK is a safe and effective complementary method for detecting and diagnosing QV. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 8, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Ming-Feng Chen, Hsi-Ming Yu, Shu-Fang Li and Ta-Jung You Source Type: journals

Herbal therapy associated with antibiotic therapy: potentiation of the antibiotic activity against methicillin - resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Turnera ulmifolia L.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: It is therefore suggested that extracts from Turnera ulmifolia could be used as a source of plant-derived natural products with resistance- modifying activity, constituting a new weapon against the problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics demonstrated in MRSA strains. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 8, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Henrique DM Coutinho, Jose GM Costa, Edeltrudes O Lima, Vivyanne S Falcao-Silva and Jose P Siqueira-Junior Source Type: journals

Development and evaluation of an instrument for the critical appraisal of randomized controlled trials of natural products.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion section. The field test of the new instrument showed good criterion validity. Participants found it useful in translating evidence from RCTs to practice. Conclusions: A new instrument for the critical appraisal of RCTs of NPs was developed and tested. The instrument is distinct from other available assessment instruments for RCTs of NPs in its systematic development and validation. The instrument is ready to be used by pharmacy students, health care practitioners and academics and will continue to be refined as required. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - April 23, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Tannis Jurgens, Anne Marie Whelan, Melissa MacDonald and Lindsay Lord Source Type: journals

Effect of optically modified polyethylene terephthalate fiber socks on chronic foot painEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Socks with optically modified PET (CelliantTM) appear to have a beneficial impact on chronic foot pain. The mechanism could be related to the effects seen with illumination of tissues with visible and infrared light. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00458497 (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - April 22, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Robyn M B York and Ian L Gordon Source Type: journals

How parents choose to use CAM: a systematic review of theoretical modelsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: The SBM modified for CAM use, which incorporates both psychological and pragmatic determinants, was identified as the best conceptual model of CAM use. This model provides a valuable framework for future research, and could be used to explain child CAM use. An understanding of the decision making process is crucial in promoting shared decision making between healthcare practitioners and parents and could inform service delivery, guidance and policy. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - April 22, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Ava Lorenc, Yael Ilan-Clarke, Nicola Robinson and Mitch Blair Source Type: journals

Low infra red laser light irradiation on cultured neural cells: effects on mitochondria and cell viability after oxidative stress.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: These data suggest that red light radiation protects the viability of cell culture in case of oxidative stress, as indicated by MMP measurement and MTT assay. It also stimulates neurite outgrowth, and this effect could also have positive implications for axonal protection. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - April 15, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Alessandro Giuliani, Luca Lorenzini, Michele Gallamini, Alessandro Massella, Luciana Giardino and Laura Calza Source Type: journals

Studies of the in vitro anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of selected Yemeni medicinal plants from the island SoqotraEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Our results show once again that medicinal plants can be promising sources of natural products with potential anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidative activity. The results will guide the selection of some plant species for further pharmacological and phytochemical investigations. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - March 25, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Ramzi A Mothana, Ulrike Lindequist, Renate Gruenert and Patrick J Bednarski Source Type: journals

Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicityEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Frankincense oil appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells and suppress cancer cell viability. Microarray and bioinformatics analysis proposed multiple pathways that can be activated by frankincense oil to induce bladder cancer cell death. Frankincense oil might represent an alternative intravesical agent for bladder cancer treatment. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - March 18, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Mark Barton Frank, Qing Yang, Jeanette Osban, Joseph T Azzarello, Marcia R Saban, Ricardo Saban, Richard A Ashley, Jan C Welter, Kar-Ming Fung and Hsueh-Kung Lin Source Type: journals

The impact of NHS based primary care complementary therapy services on health outcomes and NHS costs: a review of service audits and evaluationsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: To improve the quality of evaluations, we urge those evaluating complementary therapy services to use standardised health outcome tools, calculate confidence intervals and collect NHS cost data from GP medical records. Further discussion is needed on ways to standardise the collection and reporting of NHS cost data in primary care complementary therapy services evaluations. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - March 6, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Lesley Wye, Deborah Sharp and Alison Shaw Source Type: journals

The impact of NHS based complementary therapy services on health outcomes and NHS costs: A review of service audits and evaluationsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: To improve the quality of evaluations, we urge those evaluating complementary therapy services to use standardised health outcome tools, calculate confidence intervals and collect NHS cost data from GP medical records. Further discussion is needed on ways to standardise the collection and reporting of NHS cost data in primary care complementary therapy services evaluations. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - March 6, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Lesley Wye, Deborah Sharp and Alison Shaw Source Type: journals

Comparison of bee products based on assays of antioxidant capacitiesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: On the basis of the present assays, propolis is the most powerful antioxidant of all the bee product examined, and its effect may be partly due to the various caffeic acids it contains. Pollen, too, exhibited strong antioxidant effects. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Yoshimi Nakajima, Kazuhiro Tsuruma, Masamitsu Shimazawa, Satoshi Mishima and Hideaki Hara Source Type: journals

Alternative vs. conventional treatment given on-demand for gastroesophageal reflux disease: a randomised controlled trialEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Background: Alternative treatments are commonly used for various disorders and often taken on-demand. On-demand treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with pharmaceutical products is an established, cost-effective strategy. Comparisons between alternative medicine and pharmaceutical products are rare. The aim of this trial was to compare on-demand treatment with a pectin-based, raft-forming, natural, anti-reflux agent (PRA) with that of esomeprazole 20 mg (Eso20) in patients with mild/moderate GERD. Methods: Patients with mild/moderate GERD were randomised to a six weeks' on-demand treatment with PRA or Eso20 ...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 24, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Per G Farup, Mathis Heibert and Victor Hoeg Source Type: journals

Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and immunostimulatory effect of extracts from Byrsonima crassa Nied. (Malpighiaceae)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Based in our results, B. crassa can be considered a source of compounds with anti-H. pylori activity, but its use should be done with caution in treatment of the gastritis and peptic ulcers, since the reactive oxygen/nitrogen intermediates are involved in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal injury induced by ulcerogenic agents and H. pylori infections. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - January 16, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Cibele Bonacorsi, Maria Stella G Raddi, Iracilda Z Carlos, Miriam Sannomiya and Wagner Vilegas Source Type: journals

Evidence-based effect size estimation: An illustration using the case of acupuncture for cancer-related fatigueEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Evidence-based effect size estimation helps justify assumptions in light of empirical evidence and can lead to more realistic sample size calculations, an outcome that would be of great benefit for the field of complementary and alternative medicine. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - January 13, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Michael F. Johnston, Ron D. Hays and Ka-Kit Hui Source Type: journals

Use of complementary and alternative medicines for children with chronic health conditions in Lagos, NigeriaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Parental use of CAMs to treat their children with epilepsy, asthma and sickle cell anaemia is common in Nigeria. Efforts should be made by doctors taking care of these patients to identify those CAM therapies that are beneficial, harmless and cheap for possible integration with conventional therapy. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - December 29, 2008 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Kazeem A Oshikoya, Idowu O Senbanjo, Olisamedua F Njokanma and Ayo Soipe Source Type: journals

Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Patients' Attitudes and AcceptabilityEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Most patients were willing to accept various forms of treatment. However, the reservations expressed by this patient-population must be recognised with particular focus directed towards allaying fears and misconceptions, seeking further evidence base for certain therapies and incorporating physician support and advice. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - December 19, 2008 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Lynsey R Harris and Lesley Roberts Source Type: journals

Antimicrobial activities of pomegranate rind extracts: enhancement by addition of metal salts and vitamin CEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: This is the first report demonstrating the enhanced efficacy of PRE/metal salt combinations in the presence of the stabilising agent vitamin C, to which all isolates were sensitive with the exception of B. subtilis. This study has validated the exploration of PRE along with additives such as metal salts and vitamin C as novel antimicrobial combinations. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - December 15, 2008 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Erin M McCarrell, Simon WJ Gould, Mark D Fielder, Alison F Kelly, Waffa El Sankary and Declan P Naughton Source Type: journals