Functional bowel disorders (FBD), mainly irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional constipation (FC, also called chronic idiopathic constipation), are very common worldwide. Inflammatory bowel ...disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, although less common, has a strong impact on patients' quality of life, as well as being highly expensive for our healthcare. A definite cure for those disorders is still yet to come. Over the years, several therapeutic approaches complementary or alternative to traditional pharmacological treatments, including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fibre and herbal medicinal products, have been investigated for the management of both groups of diseases. However, most available studies are biased by several drawbacks, including small samples and poor methodological quality. Probiotics, in particular Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacilli (among which Lactobacillus rhamnosus), synbiotics, psyllium, and some herbal medicinal products, primarily peppermint oil, seem to be effective in ameliorating IBS symptoms. Synbiotics and fibre seem to be beneficial in FC patients. The probiotic combination VSL#3 may be effective in inducing remission in patients with mild‐to‐moderate ulcerative colitis, in whom Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 seems to be as effective as mesalamine in maintaining remission. No definite conclusions can be drawn as to the efficacy of fibre and herbal medicinal products in IBD patients due to the low number of studies and the lack of randomized controlled trials that replicate the results obtained in the individual studies conducted so far. Thus, further, well‐designed studies are needed to address the real role of these therapeutic options in the management of both FBD and IBD.
Linked Articles
This article is part of a themed section on Principles of Pharmacological Research of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.11/issuetoc
Summary
Background
Functional dyspepsia, consisting of epigastric pain syndrome and postprandial distress syndrome, is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder. To date, only limited ...treatment options are available and conflicting results in terms of efficacy have been reported. Consequently, nonpharmacological treatment options are increasingly being explored for functional dyspepsia.
Aim
To provide an overview of current pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment options for functional dyspepsia.
Methods
A literature search was conducted on Pubmed and other sources to identify relevant studies.
Results
Acid suppressive therapy reduced symptoms in 30%‐70% of the patients, with higher benefit in epigastric pain syndrome and superior effectiveness for proton pump inhibitors compared to H2‐antagonists. Prokinetic agents, primarily used to treat postprandial distress syndrome, showed variable efficiency: 59%‐81% responder rate for dopamine receptor antagonists, 32%‐91% for serotonin‐4‐receptor agonists and 31%‐80% for muscarinic receptor antagonists. H Pylori eradication, recommended in infected patients, was effective in 24%‐82%. Refractory symptoms are addressed with neuromodulators. However, their efficacy in functional dyspepsia remains incompletely elucidated, available data showing symptom reduction in 27%‐71% of the patients. Regarding herbal agents, peppermint oil reduced symptoms in 66%‐91%, rikkunshito in 29%‐34% and iberogast in 20%‐95%. Lastly, acupuncture, cognitive behavioural therapy and hypnotherapy may help to provide symptom control, but research on their efficacy remains sparse.
Conclusions
None of the available therapies is effective in the majority of patients without being associated with major side effects. Developing new treatment options is challenging due to the heterogeneity of functional dyspepsia, the lack of readily identified target mechanisms and the poor association between pathophysiological disturbances and symptoms.
LINKED CONTENTThis article is linked to Targher and Lippi and Mullish et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15208 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15215.
Mosquitoes are found in tropical and subtropical areas and are the carriers of a variety of diseases that are harmful to people's health. e.g., malaria, filariasis, chikungunya, dengue fever, etc. ...Although several insecticides are available, however, due to insect resistance and environmental hazards, more eco-friendly chemicals are needed for insect control. So, the current research was planned to explore the prospective of Mentha piperita to be used for the formulation of larvicides against mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. The ethanolic and water extracts of M. piperita leaves were prepared using the soxhlet apparatus. The extracts were dried and subjected to prepare five concentrations multiple of 80 ppm. Each concentration was applied for its larvicidal efficacy setting an experiment (in triplicate) in plastic containers of 1000 ml with extracts, 30 larvae of all four instars separately, and fed with dog biscuits along with controls. Observations were taken after each 12 hrs. till 72 hrs. The antioxidant perspective of M. piperita was determined by DPPH radical scavenging, total antioxidant capacity, and ferric reducing power assays. Using brine shrimp lethality bioactivity, the cytotoxic study was perceived. Standard techniques were used to classify the M. piperita extract using preliminary qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, and GC-MS analysis. M. piperita ethanolic leaves extract after 24 hrs. of exposure in 400 ppm showed 93% (LC.sub.50 = 208.976 ppm) mortality in ethanolic extract and 80% (LC.sub.90 = 246.900 ppm) in the water extract. In treated larvae, biochemical examination revealed a substantial (P<0.05) decrease in proteins, carbohydrates, and fat contents. The ethanol extract of M. piperita was the most efficient, killing brine shrimp nauplii in 50% to 90% of cases. TAC (125.4 3.5gAAE/mg DW) and FRP (378.1 1.0gAAE/mg DW) were highest in the ethanolic extract of M. piperita. The presence of medicinally active components such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, and others in M. piperita leaves extract in ethanol was discovered. The UV-Vis spectrum showed two peaks at 209.509 and 282.814 nm with the absorption of 2.338 and 0.796 respectively. The FT-IR consequences exhibited the occurrence of alcohols, alkanes, aldehyde, aromatic rings, ether linkage, ester, and halo- compounds. The GC-MS analysis according to peak (%) area and retention time showed ten phytochemicals consisting of six major and four minor compounds. Among all the compounds, 1, 2-benzene dicarboxylic acid, and 3-ethyl-5, 5-dimethyl -6-phenyl bound well to the NS3 protease domain with PDB ID: 2FOM. Hence, for the prevention of health hazards and mosquito control, M. Piperita is a potential source of chemicals for insecticide formulation.
Mosquitoes are found in tropical and subtropical areas and are the carriers of a variety of diseases that are harmful to people's health. e.g., malaria, filariasis, chikungunya, dengue fever, etc. ...Although several insecticides are available, however, due to insect resistance and environmental hazards, more eco-friendly chemicals are needed for insect control. So, the current research was planned to explore the prospective of Mentha piperita to be used for the formulation of larvicides against mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. The ethanolic and water extracts of M. piperita leaves were prepared using the soxhlet apparatus. The extracts were dried and subjected to prepare five concentrations multiple of 80 ppm. Each concentration was applied for its larvicidal efficacy setting an experiment (in triplicate) in plastic containers of 1000 ml with extracts, 30 larvae of all four instars separately, and fed with dog biscuits along with controls. Observations were taken after each 12 hrs. till 72 hrs. The antioxidant perspective of M. piperita was determined by DPPH radical scavenging, total antioxidant capacity, and ferric reducing power assays. Using brine shrimp lethality bioactivity, the cytotoxic study was perceived. Standard techniques were used to classify the M. piperita extract using preliminary qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, and GC-MS analysis. M. piperita ethanolic leaves extract after 24 hrs. of exposure in 400 ppm showed 93% (LC.sub.50 = 208.976 ppm) mortality in ethanolic extract and 80% (LC.sub.90 = 246.900 ppm) in the water extract. In treated larvae, biochemical examination revealed a substantial (P<0.05) decrease in proteins, carbohydrates, and fat contents. The ethanol extract of M. piperita was the most efficient, killing brine shrimp nauplii in 50% to 90% of cases. TAC (125.4 3.5gAAE/mg DW) and FRP (378.1 1.0gAAE/mg DW) were highest in the ethanolic extract of M. piperita. The presence of medicinally active components such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, and others in M. piperita leaves extract in ethanol was discovered. The UV-Vis spectrum showed two peaks at 209.509 and 282.814 nm with the absorption of 2.338 and 0.796 respectively. The FT-IR consequences exhibited the occurrence of alcohols, alkanes, aldehyde, aromatic rings, ether linkage, ester, and halo- compounds. The GC-MS analysis according to peak (%) area and retention time showed ten phytochemicals consisting of six major and four minor compounds. Among all the compounds, 1, 2-benzene dicarboxylic acid, and 3-ethyl-5, 5-dimethyl -6-phenyl bound well to the NS3 protease domain with PDB ID: 2FOM. Hence, for the prevention of health hazards and mosquito control, M. Piperita is a potential source of chemicals for insecticide formulation.
In this study, gelatin and high methyl pectin coacervates were crosslinked with tannic acid (TA), and the protein conformation, microstructure, rheology, powder crystallinity, and thermal properties ...were investigated. Crosslinking of coacervates using TA altered the secondary structure of gelatin. Circular dichroism revealed significant changes in the alpha helix and random coil, while Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) showed a spectra change of protein amine groups due to coacervate crosslinking. The hardening of gelatin and high methyl pectin coacervates with TA significantly increased the size from 18 μm to 36 ± 2.3 μm. Crosslinked coacervates had a higher storage modulus (G’), with significantly improved melting and gelling points; an indication of enhanced intermolecular bonding after crosslinking. X-ray diffraction peaks of the powder showed a higher intensity in coacervates treated with TA, which was attributed to the increase in gelatin helix. Thermal gravimetric analysis data revealed that the crosslinking of coacervates using TA improved thermal properties. TA-crosslinked coacervates were used to produce peppermint oil multinuclear microcapsules with an average particle size of 47 μm, encapsulation efficiency of 75.4% and improved thermal stability.
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•Crosslinking of coacervates using tannic acid (TA) increased gelatin alpha helix.•The interaction between tannic acid and gelatin increased coacervate particle size.•Crosslinking resulted in coacervates with improved gel network and flow behavior.•Tannic acid crosslinked coacervates had higher thermal degradation temperature.•Peppermint oil microcapsules (TA) crosslinked were thermal stable with a high EE.
Aim
This study aimed to test biofilm inhibition activities of each of essential oils (EOs), main compounds of EOs and enzymes against pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Methods and Results
The effect ...of seven EOs and three enzymes was tested on formation and eradication of K. pneumoniae biofilm. Peppermint oil showed a robust biofilm inhibitory effect, causing inhibition that ranged from 69·2 to 98·2% at 5 μl ml−1. Thyme oil was found to have the best biofilm eradication ability, causing eradication that ranged from 80·1 to 98·0% at 10 μl ml−1. The most effective EOs were analysed by GC/MS, to determine the major chemical constitutes of each oil. Pure menthol was found to cause 75·3–97·5% biofilm inhibition at 2·5 μg ml−1, whereas thymol caused 85·1–97·8% biofilm eradication at 5 μg ml−1. However, moderate inhibition activity was detected for α‐amylase and bromelain, while poor activity was detected for β‐amylase. Ciprofloxacin combination with thyme oil and thymol was found to enhance antibiotic activity, and affect biofilm cell viability. The observed inhibitory/eradication activity on K. pneumoniae biofilms was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy.
Conclusions
Thyme and peppermint EOs, and their active components are promising antibiofilm agents alone and/or in combination with ciprofloxacin to inhibit/eradicate biofilms of K. pneumoniae.
Significance and Impact of the Study
The presented results suggest the potential application of EOs against infections, caused by biofilm‐producing K. pneumoniae, to prevent biofilm formation or decrease their resistance threshold. Moreover, the combination of EOs with ciprofloxacin minimizes the antibiotic concentration used and accordingly the potential accompanying toxic side effects.
The purpose of the research was to measure the increase in the binding of inclusion complexes β-cyclodextrin-peppermint oil (β-CD_PM) to cellulose in cotton and cotton/polyester material with BTCA as ...the crosslinking agent by applying an ultrasonic bath at room temperature and a frequency of 80 kHz for 10 min. After sonication, the samples were left in a bath for 24 h after which they were dried, thermocondensed and subjected to a number of wash cycles. The treated samples were analysed with Attenuated total reflection (ATR) units heated up to 300 °C (Golden Gate (FTIR-ATR)) to monitor chemical changes indicative of crosslinking, while physico-chemical changes in the samples were monitored by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). Mechanical properties were measured according to EN ISO 13934-1:1999, and coloristic changes were evaluated by the whiteness degree according to CIE (WCIE) and the yellowing index (YI), while antimicrobial activity was determined according to AATCC TM 147-2016. The results show a physico-chemical modification of the UZV-treated cellulosic material. Moreover, partial antimicrobial efficacy on Gram-negative bacteria was confirmed for treated fabrics.
Herbal treatments are often used as a treatment for migraine. Therefore, an evaluation of their safety and efficacy is important. Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and ...Meta‐Analyses guidelines, and Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias, a systematic literature review of randomised, controlled human trials assessing the effects of herbal treatments delivered as a single ingredient for the acute or prophylactic treatment of migraine were conducted. Studies were identified through electronic database searches on Medline (Pubmed), Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CINAHL. Nineteen studies were identified examining the effects on migraine of feverfew, butterbur, curcumin, menthol/peppermint oil, coriander, citron, Damask rose, chamomile, and lavender. Overall, findings on the efficacy of feverfew were mixed and there was positive, albeit limited evidence for butterbur. There were positive, preliminary findings on curcumin, citron, and coriander as a prophylactic treatment for migraine, and the use of menthol and chamomile as an acute treatment. However, the risk of bias was high for many studies. The results of this systematic review suggest that several herbal medicines, via their multifactorial physiological influences, present as potential options to enhance the treatment of migraine. However, further high‐quality research is essential to examine their efficacy and safety as a treatment for migraine.
Mentha (also known as peppermint), a genus of plants in the taxonomic family Lamiaceae (mint family), is widely distributed throughout temperate regions of the world. Mentha contains various ...constituents that are classified as peppermint essential oil (PEO) and non-essential components. PEO, consisting mainly of menthol, menthone, neomenthol and iso-menthone, is a mixture of volatile metabolites with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, scolicidal, immunomodulatory, antitumor, neuroprotective, antifatigue and antioxidant activities. Mounting evidence indicates that PEO may pharmacologically protect gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, skin, respiratory, brain and nervous systems, and exert hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. Clinically, PEO is used for gastrointestinal and dermatological diseases, postoperative adjuvant therapy and other fields. This review aims to address the advances in the extraction and isolation of PEO, its biological activities, pharmacological effects, toxicity and applications, with an emphasis on the efficacy of PEO on burn wounds and psoriasis, providing a comprehensive foundation for research, development and application of PEO in future.
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•Delineated the methods of extraction and isolation of PEO.•Summarized the biological activities, pharmacological effects, toxicity and applications of PEO.•Elucidated the transdermal absorption of PEO and its efficacy on burn wounds and psoriasis.
The use of plant extracts in the medical and pharmacological fields have been increased in the last years. The plants have shown to possess materials with important features that can be used as a ...treatment in multiple health risks such as inflammation, cardiovascular disorders, bacteria and fungus. Peppermint was used extensively as medical herbs and have given a remarkable results. We aimed to prepare water and alcoholic (methanol) extract of peppermint leaves and characterize the presence of some phytochemical compounds qualitatively, along with some trace elements (copper, zinc and selenium). The antimicrobial activity of peppermint extract was investigated against two Gram negative escherichia coli as well as klebsiella sp, also two Gram positive bacterial strains Staphylococcus epidermidis as well as Staphylococcus aureus, as well as one fungi (Candida albicans). We have obtained the presence of flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds, steroids, carbohydrate, and protein contents in the extract of peppermint. Copper, zinc and selenium levels were detected in good amount in the extract. Furthermore, both water and methanol extract of peppermint have shown good antimicrobial activity against the experimented strains. Nevertheless, the extraction by methanol have shown more powerful activity than water against all strains.
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