Natural remedies for Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the common type of dementia and is currently incurable. Existing FDA-approved AD drugs may not be effective for everyone, they cannot cure the disease nor stop its progression and their effects diminish over time. Therefore, the present review aimed to explore the role of natural alternatives in the treatment of AD.

Systematic Review of Polyherbal Combinations Used in Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multifactorial disease, whose main stay of prevention and management is life-style modification which is difficult to attain. Combination of herbs have proven more efficacious in multi-targeted diseases, as compared to individual herbs owing to the "effect enhancing and side-effect neutralizing" properties of herbs, which forms the basis of polyherbal therapies This led us to review literature on the efficacy of herbal combinations in MetS. Electronic search of literature was conducted by using Cinnahl, Pubmed central, Cochrane and Web of Science, whereas, Google scholar was used as secondary search tool.

Almond protects the liver in coronary artery disease: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To compare the effect of Pakistani and American almonds on serum concentration of liver enzymes in coronary artery disease patients.

Methods: The randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Cardiology Clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from February to July, 2012, and comprised patients who were randomised into intervention PA and AA groups and the control NI groups. Subjects in the intervention groups were provided Pakistani and American varieties of almonds 10g/day respectively with instructions to soak them overnight, remove the skin and eat them before breakfast for 12 weeks.

Edible Nuts for Memory.

Nuts hold prime significance throughout the world as they offer multiple health benefits owing to their highly nutritious profile. A number of scientific studies have demonstrated their actions against inflammation, oxidative damage, the aging process, as well as dementia or memory loss. However, only walnuts, followed by almonds, hazelnuts and pistachios, have shown promising results in empirical studies for memory improvements.

Multiple Mechanisms of Flaxseed: Effectiveness in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Materials And Methods: Aqueous-methanolic crude extracts of Flaxseed (Fs.Cr) and Flaxseed oil were tested against 6% acetic acid- (AA-) induced colitis in BALB/c mice. Microscopic damage parameters of the hematoxylin and eosin-stained and periodic acid-Schiff-alcian blue-stained sections of the colon were scored to be assessed.

A flavonoid driven phyto-pharmacological effects of Capparis decidua Edgew. in rodents.

This study elicits the underlying mechanism(s) of Capparis decidua when used for different gut disorders. HPLC chromatogram of C. decidua extract (CD.

Cardioprotective Effects of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor Immunomodulator FTY720 in a Clinically Relevant Model of Cardioplegic Arrest and Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

FTY720, an immunomodulator derived from sphingosine-1-phosphate, has recently demonstrated its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, FTY720 might be a key pharmacological target for preconditioning. In this preclinical model, we have investigated the effects of FTY720 on myocardium during reperfusion in an experimental model of cardioplegic arrest (CPA) and cardiopulmonary bypass.

Studies on antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and vasculoprotective potential of Viola odorata and Wrightia tinctoria.

We have reported the antidyslipidemic, antihypertensive, and Ca channel blocking activities of Viola odorata (VO) and Wrightia tinctoria (WT). This study extends our understanding of their therapeutic potential by exploring the effects on biomarkers of hepatic and vascular dysfunction together with phytochemical standardization and antioxidant potential. Total phenolic compounds, total flavonoids content, and proanthocyanins of the methanolic extracts were identified using HPLC.

Potential of Plant Alkaloids as Antipyretic Drugs of Future.

Fever or Pyrexia means abnormal rise in body temperature above the usual range of normal in response to a variety of infectious, immunological and neoplastic stimuli. To normalize these febrile conditions, several synthetic agents are in clinical practice such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. However, they are having many side effects which sometimes challenge their applications.

Almond supplementation reduces serum uric acid in coronary artery disease patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Elevated serum uric acid (UA), a biomarker of renal insufficiency, is also an independent prognostic marker for morbidity in coronary artery disease (CAD) and poses serious health risks. This study reports the effect of almond consumption on UA in CAD patients.

Study Design: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted with three groups: no-intervention (NI), Pakistani almonds (PA) or American almonds (AA).

Berberine and neurodegeneration: A review of literature.

The excessive production of reactive oxygen species in nervous tissues is considered one of the major risk factors of neurodegenerative diseases. During the last two decades, much attention has been paid to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of natural products and compounds isolated from natural products which are often characterized by high efficacy and low adverse effects. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid, widely present in different medicinal herbs, especially in the genus Berberis.

Cholesterol-cholate-butterfat diet offers multi-organ dysfunction in rats.

Background: Comparable to commercial expensive high-fat diets, cholesterol-cholate-butterfat (CCB) diet has also been used to induce hyperlipidemia in rats. Our objective was to explore its influence on multiple organs. Consequence of fasting was also analysed.

Pharmacological studies on the antispasmodic, bronchodilator and anti-platelet activities of Abies webbiana.

This study evaluated the antispasmodic, bronchodilator and anti-platelet activities of Abies webbiana to rationalize some of its folk uses in gut and airways disorders and inflammation. The crude extract of A. webbiana (Aw.

Biological activities of Indian celery, Seseli diffusum (Roxb. ex Sm.) Sant. & Wagh.

In continuation of our work on Indian celery (Seseli diffusum (Roxb. ex Sm.) Santapau & Wagh; Umbelliferae), the fractionation of the 80% MeOH-H(2) O extract of the seeds was performed to identify the principles responsible for its folk use as an antispasmodic and diuretic.

Antinociceptive activity of aerial parts of Polygonatum verticillatum: attenuation of both peripheral and central pain mediators.

Polygonatum verticillatum All. is used traditionally as an analgesic and plant diuretic. The methanol extract of aerial parts of Polygonatum verticillatum (PA) was assessed in various experimental paradigms.

The analgesic, anti-inflammatory and calcium antagonist potential of Tanacetum artemisioides.

Several species of the genus Tanacetum are traditionally used in a variety of health conditions including pain, inflammation, respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. In the current investigation, we evaluated the plant extract of T. artemisioides and some of its pure compounds (flavonoids) for analgesic, anti-inflammatory and calcium antagonist effects in various in-vivo and in vitro studies.

Antispasmodic effect of Acorus calamus Linn. is mediated through calcium channel blockade.

Acorus calamus Linn. (Araceae) is a native of Central Asia and Eastern Europe and has widespread use in the traditional system of medicine for gastrointestinal disorders such as colic pain and diarrhoea. This study was aimed at providing a possible pharmacological basis to the use of this plant as an antispasmodic and antidiarrhoeal.

Juliflorine: a potent natural peripheral anionic-site-binding inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase with calcium-channel blocking potential, a leading candidate for Alzheimer's disease therapy.

The alkaloid juliflorine (1) from Prosopis juliflora inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.

Signaling mechanisms mediated by G-protein coupled receptors in human platelets.

Aim: The present study deals with the investigation of mechanisms involved in the synergistic interaction between epinephrine and arachidonic acid (AA).

Methods: Venous blood was taken from healthy human volunteers reported to be free of medications for one week. Platelet aggregation was monitored at 37 degree using Dual-channel Lumi-aggregometer.

Effects of flavonoids on vascular smooth muscle of the isolated rat thoracic aorta.

The potency, structure-activity relationship, and mechanism of vasorelaxation of a series of flavonoids, representing different subclasses (flavonols: fisetin, rutin, quercetin; flavones: chrysin, flavone, baicalein; flavanones: naringenin, naringin; isoflavones: diadzein and flavanes: epigallo catechin gallate), were examined in the isolated rat aorta. Most of the flavonoids tested showed concentration dependent relaxant effects against K+ (80 mM) and phenylephrine (PE, 0.1 microM)-induced contractions with a greater inhibition of the responses to the alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist.

Synergism interaction between arachidonic acid by 5-hydroxytryptamine in human platelet aggregation is mediated through multiple signalling pathways.

Aim: To examine the signalling mechanisms involved in the synergistic interaction of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and arachidonic acid (AA) in human platelet aggregation.

Methods: Blood was obtained from healthy human subjects, mixed with 3.8 % sodium citrate (9:1), and centrifuged to prepare platelet rich plasma (PRP).

Vasorelaxant effects of ethyl cinnamate isolated from Kaempferia galanga on smooth muscles of the rat aorta.

From the rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga, ethyl cinnamate (EC) was isolated and its vasorelaxant effect was examined on the rat aorta. EC inhibited the tonic contractions induced by high K+ and phenylephrine (PE) in a concentration-dependent manner, with respective IC50 values of 0.30 +/- 0.

The presence of antiamoebic constituents in psyllium husk.

The crude extract of psyllium husk (ispaghula) and its active constituent (petroleum fraction) caused varying degrees of growth inhibition in three different species of Entamoeba, i.e. Entamoeba histolytica, E.