Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative MedicineThis is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader, such as GoogleReader, or to display this data on your own website or blog. Subscribe to this data using MyMedWorm.Subscribe to this data using GoogleReader.Subscribe to this data using Bloglines.Subscribe to this data using MyYahoo.

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eCAM: A Closer Look at Clinical AnalysesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Cooper, E. L. Tags: Editorial Source Type: journals

Novel Diagnosis of Lyme Disease: Potential for CAM InterventionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Lyme disease (LD) is the most common tick-borne disease in the northern hemisphere, producing a wide range of disabling effects on multiple human targets, including the skin, the nervous system, the joints and the heart. Insufficient clinical diagnostic methods, the necessity for prompt antibiotic treatment along with the pervasive nature of infection impel the development and establishment of new clinical diagnostic tools with increased accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The goal of this article is 4-fold: (i) to detail LD infection and pathology, (ii) to review prevalent diagnostic methods, emphasizing inherent probl...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Vojdani, A., Hebroni, F., Raphael, Y., Erde, J., Raxlen, B. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Cost Effectiveness of Natural Health Products: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical TrialsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In conclusion, NHPs may be of use in preventing complications associated with surgery. The cost effectiveness of some NHPs is encouraging in certain areas but needs confirmation from further research.
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Kennedy, D. A., Hart, J., Seely, D. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Ten Years Evidence-based High-Tech Acupuncture-A Short Review of Centrally Measured Effects (Part II)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The assessment of acupuncture-induced effects on brain function is crucial. Ultrasound-assisted brain function monitoring and bioelectrical methods as well as near infrared spectroscopic procedures and functional magnetic resonance investigations form the basis for the latest scientific examination methods for acupuncture research. The laserneedle acupuncture, which was examined scientifically for the first time in Graz, represents a new painless and non-invasive acupuncture method. In this way, individual combinations of acupuncture points can be stimulated simultaneously according to traditional Chinese medicine. In the ...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Litscher, G. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

The Methyltetrahydro-{beta}-Carbolines in Maca (Lepidium meyenii)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We present evidence that MTCA is a natural constituent of Maca, and on consumption no toxicity is found. This suggests that, when consumed as multi-component, MTCA may loose its adversity as drug action.
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Gonzales, G. F., Gonzales-Castaneda, C. Tags: Commentary Source Type: journals

Ficus racemosa Stem Bark Extract: A Potent Antioxidant and a Probable Natural RadioprotectorEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Ethanol extract (FRE) and water extract (FRW) of Ficus racemosa (family: Moraceae) were subjected to free radical scavenging both by steady state and time resolved methods such as nanosecond pulse radiolysis and stopped-flow spectrophotometric analyses. FRE exhibited significantly higher steady state antioxidant activity than FRW. FRE exhibited concentration dependent DPPH, ABTS•–, hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical scavenging and inhibition of lipid peroxidation with IC50 comparable with tested standard compounds. In vitro radioprotective potential of FRE was studied using micronucleus assay in irradiated ...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Veerapur, V. P., Prabhakar, K. R., Parihar, V. k., Kandadi, M. R., Ramakrishana, S., Mishra, B., Satish Rao, B. S., Srinivasan, K. K., Priyadarsini, K. I., Unnikrishnan, M. K. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Modified Wendan Decoction can Attenuate Neurotoxic Action Associated with Alzheimer's DiseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We observed the effect of modified Wendan decoction (modified Wen-Dan-Tang) on a cellular model of Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid beta (Aβ) 25–35 segment neurotoxin was employed to induce a PC12 cellular model of Alzheimer's disease. After modified Wendan decoction was fed to rats, the serum containing medicine was prepared and changes in cell morphology observed. Cell mortality and survival rate was examined by trypan blue stain assay and MTT method and caspase-3 expression was detected by western blot, while cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry. Cell morphology of prepared serum group was better than th...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Liu, P., Zhao, L., Zhang, S.-L., Xiang, J.-Z. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Phytic Acid Exposure Alters AflatoxinB1-induced Reproductive and Oxidative Toxicity in Albino Rats (Rattus norvegicus)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The increased use of feed in Egypt's aquaculture and animal industries raises concerns about the possible presence of mycotoxins in feedstuffs. The use of alternative medicine, such as botanicals and nutritional supplements, has become popular with inflammatory cases. The present study aimed to testify the role played by phytic acid (IP6) in enhancing the reproductive and oxidative toxicity induced in aflatoxinB1 (AFB1) treated white male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) throughout treatment and withdrawal periods. One hundred and twenty white male albino rats were grouped into four groups. Group 1, was injected with 300 &m...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Abu El-Saad, A. S., Mahmoud, H. M. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Crocus Sativus L. (Saffron) Extract and its Active Constituents (Crocin and Safranal) on Ischemia-Reperfusion in Rat Skeletal MuscleEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, the effects of saffron ethanolic extract and its constituents, crocin and safranal, were evaluated in skeletal muscle during I/R injury. Hind limb ischemia was induced using clamping the common femoral artery and vein. After 2 h ischemia, the clamp of the femoral vessels of animals was taken off and the animal underwent 1h reperfusion. Muscle injuries were evaluated by recording of the electromyographic (EMG) potentials and performing some biochemical analysis including thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total sulfhydryl (SH) groups and antioxidant capacity of muscle (using FRAP assay). The eth...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Hosseinzadeh, H., Modaghegh, M. H., Saffari, Z. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Evaluation of the Wound-healing Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Morinda citrifolia L. LeafEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Morinda citrifolia L. (noni) is one of the most important traditional Polynesian medicinal plants. The primary indigenous use of this plant appears to be of the leaves, as a topical treatment for wound healing. The ethanol extract of noni leaves (150 mg kg–1 day–1) was used to evaluate the wound-healing activity on rats, using excision and dead space wound models. Animals were randomly divided into two groups of six for each model. Test group animals in each model were treated with the ethanol extract of noni orally by mixing in drinking water and the control group animals were maintained with plain drinking wa...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Nayak, B. S., Sandiford, S., Maxwell, A. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Improvement of Experimentally Induced Hepatic and Renal Disorders in Rats using Lactic Acid Bacteria-fermented Soybean Extract (BiofermenticsTM)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The effects of lactic acid bacteria-fermented soybean extract (BiofermenticsTM; BF) on experimental models of hepatic and renal disorders were investigated in vivo and in vitro. In rat, hepatitis induced by feeding of deoxycholic acid (DCA, 0.5 wt/wt, n = 6) or intraperitoneal injection of d-galactosamine (GMN, 500 mg/body wt, n = 6), the increase in serum AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels were inhibited significantly (P < 0.05) by feeding a diet containing 5% dried BF. Moreover, the BF-administered rat group showed lower concentrations of blood urea nitrogen and a larger amount ...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Shin, R., Suzuki, M., Mizutani, T., Susa, N. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Evaluating Complementary Therapies for Canine Osteoarthritis Part I: Green-lipped Mussel (Perna canaliculus)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In conclusion, GLM alleviated chronic orthopedic pain in dogs although it was not as effective as carprofen. As no side-effects were detected, GLM may be beneficial in dogs e.g. when non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cannot be used.
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Hielm-Bjorkman, A., Tulamo, R.-M., Salonen, H., Raekallio, M. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Hangekobokuto (Banxia-houpo-tang), a Kampo Medicine that Treats Functional DyspepsiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Although abdominal bloating is one of the most bothersome symptoms experienced by patients with functional dyspepsia (FD), therapeutic drugs to relieve abdominal bloating have not been established. We investigated the Kampo (Chinese herbal) medicine, Hangekobokuto (Banxia-houpo-tang, HKT) for patients with FD from the standpoint of bowel gas retention. The bowel gas volume calculated from a plain abdominal radiogram (gas volume score, GVS) in FD patients was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects. Two week administration of HKT in the FD patients showed a significant decrease of GVS. Furthermore, gastrointestin...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Oikawa, T., Ito, G., Hoshino, T., Koyama, H., Hanawa, T. Tags: Original Articles - Clinical Analyses Source Type: journals

How Far Can Ki-energy Reach?--A Hypothetical Mechanism for the Generation and Transmission of Ki-energyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
‘Ki-energy’, which can be enhanced through the practice of Nishino Breathing Method, was reported to have beneficial health effects. Although Ki-energy can play an important role in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), as yet it is unknown how Ki-energy is generated, transmitted through air and received by another individual. We previously proposed that Ki-energy may include near-infrared radiation, and that the wavelength was between 800 and 2700 nm. Since Ki-energy is reflected by a mirror, we believe that the ‘Ki-beam’ has a small divergence angle. It can also be guided in a desired dire...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Ohnishi, S. T., Ohnishi, T. Tags: Original Articles - Clinical Analyses Source Type: journals

Effective Application of Knowledge Management in Evidence-based Chinese Medicine: A Case StudyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Chinese medicine (CM) practice, as a knowledge-based industry, has not embraced knowledge management (KM) techniques widely. However, KM may facilitate the adaptation and promotion of evidence-based CM. A KM framework was introduced to its activities in evidence-based CM through the development of a CM portal. A codification strategy was used to codify and store knowledge systematically in a database. Several approaches were developed and implemented to address specific needs for CM such as centralizing the information, encouraging collective efforts, promoting integration of explicit and tacit knowledge, and developing a ...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Yang, A. W., Allan, G., Li, C. G., Xue, C. C. Tags: Original Articles - Clinical Analyses Source Type: journals

Turo (Qi Dance) Training Attenuates Psychological Symptoms and Sympathetic Activation Induced by Mental Stress in Healthy WomenEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Vagal withdrawal and sympathetic overactivity accompany various types of stress. Qi training is reported to reduce sympathetic hyper-reactivity in a stressful situation. Turo, which is a type of dance that uses the Meridian Qi System, may reduce the psychological symptoms induced by an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). We observed whether Turo training alters psychopathological and psychological symptoms using the Symptom Checklist 90-Revision (SCL-90-R) and examined whether it attenuates the stress response to mental stress in healthy adolescent females using the power spectrum analysis of heart rate variab...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Lee, H.-J., Chae, Y., Park, H.-J., Hahm, D.-H., An, K., Lee, H. Tags: Original Articles - Clinical Analyses Source Type: journals

Brief Homeopathic Pathogenetic Experimentation: A Unique Educational Tool in BrazilEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In homeopathy, many difficulties are encountered in understanding theoretical presuppositions because they represent different paradigms from those of hegemonic science. In our medical school, we developed a brief homeopathic pathogenetic experimentation course to be added as curricular content and a didactic method in homeopathic disciplines to add practical experience to the theoretical approach of homeopathic presuppositions. In accordance with the premises laid out by Hahnemann, the father of homeopathy, brief pathogenetic experimentation was offered on a voluntary basis for students who were free of chronic diseases a...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Teixeira, M. Z. Tags: Education Source Type: journals

Summary of the American College for Advancement in Medicine November 2007 Conference on Integrative Medicine: Advancing Science and Clinical PracticeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - August 5, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Speight, N., Hynote, E. D. Tags: Meeting Report Source Type: journals

eCAM: Integrative Genomics and FecundityEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Cooper, E. L. Tags: Editorial Source Type: journals

Static Magnetic Field Therapy: A Critical Review of Treatment ParametersEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Static magnetic field (SMF) therapy, applied via a permanent magnet attached to the skin, is used by people worldwide for self-care. Despite a lack of established SMF dosage and treatment regimens, multiple studies are conducted to evaluate SMF therapy effectiveness. Our objectives in conducting this review are to:(i) summarize SMF research conducted in humans; (ii) critically evaluate reporting quality of SMF dosages and treatment parameters and (iii) propose a set of criteria for reporting SMF treatment parameters in future clinical trials. We searched 27 electronic databases and reference lists. Only English language hu...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Colbert, A. P., Wahbeh, H., Harling, N., Connelly, E., Schiffke, H. C., Forsten, C., Gregory, W. L., Markov, M. S., Souder, J. J., Elmer, P., King, V. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Fetal Hemoglobin Inducers from the Natural World: A Novel Approach for Identification of Drugs for the Treatment of {beta}-Thalassemia and Sickle-Cell AnemiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The objective of this review is to present examples of lead compounds identified from biological material (fungi, plant extracts and agro-industry material) and of possible interest in the field of a pharmacological approach to the therapy of β-thalassemia using molecules able to stimulate production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in adults. Concerning the employment of HbF inducers as potential drugs for pharmacological treatment of β-thalassemia, the following conclusions can be reached: (i) this therapeutic approach is reasonable, on the basis of the clinical parameters exhibited by hereditary persistence of fetal ...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Bianchi, N., Zuccato, C., Lampronti, I., Borgatti, M., Gambari, R. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Ten Years Evidence-based High-Tech Acupuncture--A Short Review of Peripherally Measured EffectsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Since 1997, the Research Unit of Biomedical Engineering in Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine of Graz Medical University has been dealing with the demystification of acupuncture and examining, using non-invasive methods, how different stimulation modalities (manual needle acupuncture, laserneedle acupuncture and electro acupuncture) affect peripheral and central functions. Laser is also an important instrument for acupuncture. One only needs to mention the treatment of children or of patients with needle phobia. The laserneedle acupuncture, which was examined scientifically for the first time in Graz, represents a new ...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Litscher, G. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Humor and Laughter May Influence Health IV. Humor and Immune FunctionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This is the final article in a four part series reviewing the influence of humor and laughter on physiological and psychological well-being. This final article reviews the evidence for the effect of sense of humor, exposure to a humor stimulus and laughter on various immune system components, with a focus on the effects of laughter on natural killer cell cytotoxicity.
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Bennett, M. P., Lengacher, C. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Medical Honey for Wound Care--Still the 'Latest Resort'?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
While the ancient Egyptians and Greeks used honey for wound care, and a broad spectrum of wounds are treated all over the world with natural unprocessed honeys from different sources, MedihoneyTM has been one of the first medically certified honeys licensed as a medical product for professional wound care in Europe and Australia. Our experience with medical honey in wound care refers only to this product. In this review, we put our clinical experience into a broader perspective to comment on the use of medical honey in wound care. More prospective randomized studies on a wider range of types of wounds are needed to confirm...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Simon, A., Traynor, K., Santos, K., Blaser, G., Bode, U., Molan, P. Tags: Commentaries Source Type: journals

Philosophy, Psychology, Physics and Practice of KiEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Ki (in Japanese) or Qi (in Chinese) is the key concept in Eastern medicine, Eastern philosophy, as well as in martial arts. We explain the philosophical and psychological background of Ki. We emphasize that the unique aspects of Eastern philosophy are ‘non-linearity’ and ‘holistic’ approach. We then present physics aspect of Ki. Our experiments demonstrated that a ‘Ki-beam’ carries ‘entropy’ (or information), which is different from ‘energy’. We introduce our experience of having taught Ki to 37 beginners in the United States through the Nishino Breathing Method. ...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Ohnishi, S. T., Ohnishi, T. Tags: Commentaries Source Type: journals

Acupuncture: What Underlies Needle Administration?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese therapy with its mode of action unclear and efficacy inconclusive. A lack of attention given to the role of psychosocial context presented in clinical provision of acupuncture may mainly account for the current dilemma in acupuncture research. This psychosocial context induces various cognitive and affective processes in the patient while receiving this treatment. On the basis of the analysis of these psychological factors involved in clinical provision of acupuncture and in light of prior studies on the placebo effect, the author hypothesizes that acupuncture works through potentiation an...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Liu, T. Tags: Hypothesis Source Type: journals

Hepatoprotective Activity of Licorice Water Extract against Cadmium-induced Toxicity in RatsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study investigated the protective effect of licorice water extract against cadmium (CdCl2, Cd)-induced liver toxicity in rats. To induce acute toxicity, Cd (4 mg/kg body weight) was dissolved in normal saline and intravenously (i.v.) injected into rats. The rats then received either a vehicle or licorice water extract (50, 100 mg/kg/day) for 3 days, and were subsequently exposed to a single injection of Cd 24 h after the last licorice/vehicle treatment. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly increased by Cd treatment. In contrast, pretreatmen...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Lee, J. R., Park, S. J., Lee, H.-S., Jee, S. Y., Seo, J., Kwon, Y. K., Kwon, T. K., Kim, S. C. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Enhancement of Amygdaloid Neuronal Dendritic Arborization by Fresh Leaf Juice of Centella asiatica (Linn) During Growth Spurt Period in RatsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Centella asiatica (CeA) is a creeping herb, growing in moist places in India and other Asian Countries. Ayurvedic system of medicine, an alternate system of medicine in India, uses leaves of CeA for memory enhancement. Here, we have investigated the role of CeA fresh leaf juice treatment during growth spurt period of rats on dendritic morphology of amygdaloid neurons, one of the regions concerned with learning and memory. The present study was conducted on neonatal rat pups. The rat pups (7-days-old) were fed with 2, 4 and 6 ml/kg body of fresh leaf juice of CeA for 2, 4 and 6 weeks. After the treatment period, the rats we...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Mohandas Rao, K. G., Muddanna Rao, S., Gurumadhva Rao, S. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Tibetan Medicated-Bath Therapy may Improve Adjuvant Arthritis in RatEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Tibetan medicated-bath therapy has been applied to patients with rheumatoid arthritis for centuries. However, the detailed action mechanism of Tibetan medicated-bath therapy on the morphology and function of joints remains unknown. We designed our investigation to evaluate the efficacy of Tibetan medicated-bath therapy on adjuvant arthritis (AA) of rats in comparison with water-bath and dexamethasone administration. AA was induced by intradermal injection of Mycobacterium butyricum suspended in sterile mineral oil. The control animals were similarly injected with sterile vehicle. Eight days after injection, rats were treat...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Chen, H., Shoumura, S., Emura, S., Isono, H. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Asparagus Root Regulates Cholesterol Metabolism and Improves Antioxidant Status in Hypercholesteremic RatsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study was designed to investigate the hypocholesteremic and antioxidant potential of AR root in both normo- and hypercholesteremic animals. Normal and hypercholesteremic male albino rats were administered with root powder of AR (5 and 10 g% dose levels) along with normal and hypercholesteremic diets, respectively, for a duration of 4 weeks. Plasma and hepatic lipid profiles, fecal sterol, bile acid excretion and hepatic antioxidant activity were assessed. Inclusion of AR root powder in diet, resulted in a dose-dependant reduction in plasma and hepatic lipid profiles, increased fecal excretion of cholesterol, neutral s...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Visavadiya, N. P., Narasimhacharya, A. V. R. L. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Evaluation of Antioxidant Properties of Phaulopsis fascisepala C.B.Cl. (Acanthaceae)Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The antioxidant activities of crude extract of Phaulopsis fascisepala leaf were evaluated and compared with -tocopherol and BHT as synthetic antioxidants and ascorbic acid as natural-based antioxidant. In vitro, we studied its antioxidative activities, radical-scavenging effects, Fe2+-chelating ability and reducing power. The total phenolic content was determined and expressed in gallic acid equivalent. The extract showed variable activities in all of these in vitro tests. The antioxidant effect of P. fascisepala was strongly dose dependent, increased with increasing leaf extract dose and then leveled off with further incr...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Adesegun, S. A., Fajana, A., Orabueze, C. I., Coker, H. A. B. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Regulation of Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 Expression in Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites Cells by AbrinEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The role of abrin, a toxic lectin isolated from seeds of Abrus precatorius Linn in inducing apoptosis in murine Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) cells was evaluated. Abrin when incubated at the concentration of 10 ng per million DLA cells could bring about cell death as typical morphological changes with apoptosis. However, necrotic cell death dominated when a higher dose of abrin was used. DNA samples, isolated from DLA cells treated with abrin showed fragmentation. Abrin brought about induction of apoptosis by stimulating the expression of pro-apoptotic Caspase-3, at the same time blocking the expression of Bcl-2, which i...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Ramnath, V., Rekha, P. S., Kuttan, G., Kuttan, R. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Pain Controlling and Cytokine-regulating Effects of Lyprinol, a Lipid Extract of Perna Canaliculus, in a Rat Adjuvant-induced Arthritis ModelEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study confirms the AI efficacy of this lipid extract of P. canaliculus, its initial analgesic effect, its perfect tolerance and its long-term healing properties.
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Lee, C.-H., Lum, J. H.-K., Ng, C. K.-C., McKay, J., Butt, Y. K.-C., Wong, M.-S., Lo, S. C.-L. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Oral Administration of Ren-Shen-Yang-Rong-Tang 'Ninjin'yoeito' Protects Against Hematotoxicity and Induces Immature Erythroid Progenitor Cells in 5-Fluorouracil-induced AnemiaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of four different Japanese and Chinese herbal prescriptions, Ren-Shen-Yang-Rong-Tang (Ninjin’yoeito, NYT), Chai-Hu-Gui-Zhi-Gan-Jiang-Tang (Saikokeishikankyoto, SKKT), Si-Jun-Zi-Tang (Shikunshito, SKT) and Si-Wu-Tang (Shimotsuto, SMT), which are traditionally used for anemia and fatigue, against hematotoxicity in mice treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). NYT 1–100 mg kg–1 day–1 injected orally for 7 consecutive days before and after 5-FU injection significantly suppressed reductions in red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet counts in per...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Takano, F., Ohta, Y., Tanaka, T., Sasaki, K., Kobayashi, K., Takahashi, T., Yahagi, N., Yoshizaki, F., Fushiya, S., Ohta, T. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Dynamized Preparations in Cell CultureEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Although reports on the efficacy of homeopathic medicines in animal models are limited, there are even fewer reports on the in vitro action of these dynamized preparations. We have evaluated the cytotoxic activity of 30C and 200C potencies of ten dynamized medicines against Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites, Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma, lung fibroblast (L929) and Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell lines and compared activity with their mother tinctures during short-term and long-term cell culture. The effect of dynamized medicines to induce apoptosis was also evaluated and we studied how dynamized medicines affected genes expressed ...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Sunila, E. S., Kuttan, R., Preethi, K. C., Kuttan, G. Tags: Original Articles - Clinical Analyses Source Type: journals

Qigong Ameliorates Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue: A Pilot Uncontrolled StudyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners consider that chronic fatigue reflects a disharmony and depletion in the supply of qi in the body. Qigong is one of the traditional complementary interventions used to strengthen qi through self-practice, and to manage the state of qi to prevent and cure disease. The aim of this study is to assess whether qigong could be used to manage the symptoms of chronic fatigue. Eighteen Caucasian, British female participants were recruited, taught a qigong routine during weekly classes over 6 months, and asked to practice it daily for 15 min. Participants completed the core set of the RAND ...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Craske, N. J. M., Turner, W., Zammit-Maempe, J., Lee, M. S. Tags: Original Articles - Clinical Analyses Source Type: journals

Laughter, Humor and Pain Perception in Children: A Pilot StudyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Although there are many clinical programs designed to bring humor into pediatric hospitals, there has been very little research with children or adolescents concerning the specific utility of humor for children undergoing stressful or painful procedures. Rx LaughterTM, a non-profit organization interested in the use of humor for healing, collaborated with UCLA to collect preliminary data on a sample of 18 children aged 7–16 years. Participants watched humorous video-tapes before, during and after a standardized pain task that involved placing a hand in cold water. Pain appraisal (ratings of pain severity) and pain to...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Stuber, M., Hilber, S. D., Mintzer, L. L., Castaneda, M., Glover, D., Zeltzer, L. Tags: Original Articles - Clinical Analyses Source Type: journals

Aspects of Sino-Japan Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Development on the Traditional Uighur MedicineEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Two consecutive conferences on ‘Sino-Japan Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Development on the Traditional Uighur Medicine’ were held in Xinjiang Medical University on July 3 and Kanazawa Medical University on October 6, 2007. The Vice president Halmurat Upur presided over the meeting and gave congratulatory address on holding of the conference. In order to understand mutually and discuss the possibility of the Uighur Medicine as CAM and the situation of medicine in the global sense, specialist scholars of Traditional Uighur Medicine and postgraduates attended this conference. In the meeting of the CA...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - May 26, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Yusup, A., Yamaguchi, N. Tags: Meeting Report Source Type: journals

eCAM: Clinical Analyses and Increasing VisibilityEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Cooper, E. L. Tags: Editorial Source Type: journals

Dysautonomia, A Heuristic Approach to a Revised Model for Etiology of DiseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Dysautonomia refers to a disease where the autonomic nervous system is dysfunctional. This may be a central control mechanism, as in genetically determined familial dysautonomia (Riley-Day Syndrome), or peripherally in the distribution of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. There are multiple reports of a number of different diseases associated with dysautonomia. The etiology of this association has never been explained. There are also multiple publications on dysautonomia associated with specific non-caloric nutritional deficiencies. Beriberi is the prototype of autonomic dysfunction. It is the best known nutriti...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Lonsdale, D. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Analgesic Action of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: A Review of Unique Approaches in JapanEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The mechanism of acupuncture analgesia (AA) is one of the most widely researched topics in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) based on modern medical methodology. Endogenous opioid-mediated mechanisms of acupuncture have been well established since the 1970s. In this review, we have covered the progress of AA research by Japanese investigators. In particular, we have reviewed the physiological basis of analgesic effects induced by acupuncture and moxibustion, including the actions of endogenous opioid and diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNICs), and the afferent fibers participating in acupuncture and moxibus...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Okada, K., Kawakita, K. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Mistletoe Preparation Iscador: Are there Methodological Concerns with Respect to Controlled Clinical Trials?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In Europe many cancer patients use complementary therapies, particularly mistletoe. Only a few controlled clinical trials have been performed with the mistletoe preparation Iscador as a complementary treatment for cancer, many of them with medium to low quality due to methodological shortcomings. Reasons for some quality concerns, particularly discontinuation of treatment and/or participation and premature termination are analyzed. Analysis is based on controlled clinical trials dealing with Iscador. Data stem from the archive of published and ongoing research of the «Verein für Krebsforschung» (Society fo...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Ziegler, R. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Prospective Tests on Biological Models of AcupunctureEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The biological effects of acupuncture include the regulation of a variety of neurohumoral factors and growth control factors. In science, models or hypotheses with confirmed predictions are considered more convincing than models solely based on retrospective explanations. Literature review showed that two biological models of acupuncture have been prospectively tested with independently confirmed predictions: The neurophysiology model on the long-term effects of acupuncture emphasizes the trophic and anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture. Its prediction on the peripheral effect of endorphin in acupuncture has been confi...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Shang, C. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Randomized Clinical Trials on Acupuncture in Korean Literature: A Systematic ReviewEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The aim of this systematic review was to summarize randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing the effectiveness of acupuncture as published in Korean literature. Systematic searches were conducted on eight Korean medical databases. Manual searches were also conducted through eight major Korean medical journals. The methodological quality was assessed using a Jadad score. Studies evaluating needle acupuncture or auricular acupuncture (AA) with or without electrical stimulation were considered if they were sham or placebo-controlled or controlled against a comparative intervention. We also excluded acupuncture as an adjuvan...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Kong, J. C., Lee, M. S., Shin, B.-C. Tags: Reviews Source Type: journals

Between-Groups Study Designs Demand Between-Groups Analyses: A Response to Hernandez-Reif, Shor-Posner, Baez, Soto, Mendoza, Castillo, Quintero, Perez, and ZhangEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The most recent massage therapy (MT) study by Hernandez-Reif et al. displays flaws persistent in this area of research that are attributable to MT researchers’ frequent mistake of using within-group analyses of dependent variables in studies that are purported to be randomized control trials. This practise violates the logic of using randomization to create treatment and control groups, and thereby fails to control for the validity threats of spontaneous remission, placebo effects, and statistical regression. The result is that a clear understanding of what MT can and cannot do is seriously hampered.
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Moyer, C. A. Tags: Commentary Source Type: journals

Neurochemical Mechanism of Electroacupuncture: Anti-injury Effect on Cerebral Function after Focal Cerebral Ischemia in RatsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We explored the neurochemical mechanism of electroacupuncture's (EA) protective effect on brain function in focal cerebral ischemia rats, using cerebral ischemia/reperfusion rats established by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham, Sham+EA, MCAO and MCAO+EA. The rats in Sham+EA and MCAO+EA were accepted EA treatment at ‘GV26’ and ‘GV20’ acupoints for 30 min. Electric stimulation was produced by a G-6805 generator and neurological deficit scores were recorded. Mitochondria respiratory function and the act...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Zhong, S., Li, Z., Huan, L., Chen, B.-Y. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Screening of Bioactive Compounds from Moutan Cortex and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activities in Rat SynoviocytesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Moutan Cortex, a widely used traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of various diseases, is the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews (Paeoniaceae). Most of the pharmacological investigations of Moutan Cortex have been addressed to its central nervous system activities, anti-oxidative and sedative actions. Otherwise, there are few reports about the active compounds with anti-inflammatory activity of Moutan Cortex. The aim of the present study was to screen and identify bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory effect from Moutan Cortex. With the aid of preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) ...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Wu, M., Gu, Z. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Amelioration of Carcinogen-Induced Toxicity in Mice by Administration of a Potentized Homeopathic Drug, Natrum Sulphuricum 200Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
To examine if a potentized homeopathic drug, Natrum Sulphuricum 200 (Nat Sulph-200) has protective potentials against hepatocarcinogenesis, liver tumors were induced in mice through chronic feeding of P-dimethylaminoazobenzene (p-DAB; initiator of hepatocarcinogenesis) and phenobarbital (PB; promoter). Mice were divided into five sub-groups: fed normal low protein diet (Gr. I, normal control); fed normal low protein plus alcohol-200 (vehicle of the homeopathic remedy) (Gr. II); fed diet mixed with 0.06% p-DAB plus 0.05% PB (Gr. III); fed diet and carcinogens like Gr.III, plus alcohol 200 (positive control for drug fed mice...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Bhattacharjee, N., Pathak, S., Khuda-Bukhsh, A. R. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Acupuncture on the Blood Flow of Various Organs Measured Simultaneously by Colored Microspheres in RatsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We examined how acupuncture affected the blood flow of muscle, kidney, stomach, small intestine, brain, lung, heart, spleen and liver. Wistar rats anesthetized with urethane (n = 27) were allocated into the control (n = 10), ST-7 (Hsia-Kuan, n = 10) and LI-4 (Hoku, n = 7) groups. To measure organ blood flow, colored microspheres (CMS) were injected through a catheter positioned in the left ventricle and blood samples were drawn from the femoral artery. Yellow CMS (3.6–4.2 x 105) and blue CMS (6.0–6.9 x 105) were injected at intervals of about 30 min. An acupuncture needle ( 340 µm) was inserted into the l...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Tsuru, H., Kawakita, K. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals

Inhibitory Effects of Coptidis rhizoma and Berberine on Cocaine-induced SensitizationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Substantial evidence suggests that the behavioral and reinforcing effects of cocaine can be mediated by the central dopaminergic systems. Repeated injections of cocaine produce an increase in locomotor activity and the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the main dopaminergic areas. Protoberberine alkaloids affect neuronal functions. Coptidis rhizoma (CR) and its main compound, berberine (BER) reduced the dopamine content in the central nervous system. In order to investigate the effects of CR or BER on the repeated cocaine-induced neuronal and behavioral alterations, we examined the influence of CR or BER on the re...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - February 17, 2009 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Lee, B., Yang, C. H., Hahm, D.-H., Choe, E. S., Lee, H.-J., Pyun, K.-H., Shim, I. Tags: Original Articles - Basic Science Source Type: journals