Natural Approach in Osteoarthritis Therapy.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease worldwide, and its rising prevalence is supported by factors such as obesity and sedentariness. At the molecular level, it is considered an inflammatory disease that leads to the destruction of articular cartilage. Effective therapy to end the degenerative process of arthritis remains elusive, and most therapeutic tools prevent the progress or alleviate the symptoms.

Antioxidant-Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of a Polyherbal Formula.

Most disease-both acute and chronic-results from inflammation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered some of the strongest stimuli of inflammation. Many studies reported the traditional use of herbal species for treating inflammation, especially when ROS are involved. The present study aims to demonstrate the antioxidant-anti-inflammatory effects of a patented preparation based on and extracts and to highlight its applicative potential; the formula was characterized by HPTLC and HPLC and in-vitro studies were conducted on TNF-α-stimulated HUVECs.

Immunomodulatory Effect of Waldst. & Kit.

(1) Background: Waldst. & Kit. (hellebore) is a plant species found mainly in Balkans and the Carpathians, and it is traditionally used for a variety of ailments since the time of Hippocrates.

Evaluation of antiproliferative and protective effects of Eupatorium cannabinum L. extracts.

Eupatorium cannabinum L. (Asteraceae) has been used for a long time for medicinal purposes due to its various pharmacological effects and richness in active compounds such as phenolics, sesquiterpenes, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and polysaccharides. Despite the high content of compounds that have important roles in medicinal plants, there are still limited literature data regarding this valuable species.

Current methods for tumor-associated macrophages investigation.

Oncoimmunology is a rapidly growing field, focusing both on studying of the interaction of immune factors with tumor cells and also on the development of new therapies. In this regard, immunotherapy is increasingly used clinically. Although tumorigenesis is generally seen as an autonomous process involving genetically transformed cancer cells, it is increasingly recognized that tumor environment is an essential factor that modulates both tumor progression and resistance to therapy.

Aldose reductase inhibition of a saponin-rich fraction and new furostanol saponin derivatives from Balanites aegyptiaca.

Background: Balanites aegyptiaca Del. (Zygophyllaceae) fruits are used to treat hyperglycemia in Egyptian folk medicine and are sold by herbalists in the Egyptian open market for this purpose. Nevertheless, the fruits have not yet been incorporated into pharmaceutical dosage forms.

Therapeutic protocol using growth factors in electrocution wounds--case reports and review of the literature.

Injuries by high voltage electrocution represent rare and very complex accidents. In order to provide support to surgical therapy, to limit the extension of injuries or to support the natural process of tissue repair, we oriented towards the use of two growth factors, insulin and platelet-enriched plasma (PRP) administered locally, on the injury site. The therapeutic protocol was applied on three cases of electrocution with promising results in reducing the duration of surgical and pharmacological treatment and of time of hospitalization.

The genus Inula and their metabolites: from ethnopharmacological to medicinal uses.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The genus Inula comprises more than one hundred species widespread in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Uses of this genus as herbal medicines have been first recorded by the Greek and Roman ancient physicians. In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, from the 20 Inula spp.

Correlation between polyphenol content and anti-inflammatory activity of Verbascum phlomoides (mullein).

Context: Verbascum phlomoides L. (Scrophulariaceae) (mullein) used in the European folk medicine due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing action on the respiratory tract is thoroughly documented in handbooks and scientific literature. Nevertheless, information regarding the influence of the polyphenol content on pharmacological activity is scarce.