BACKGROUND: The use of herbal medicine has a long history in Sudan and is widely practiced among the general population. However, there is a lack of studies examining the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of herbal medicine usage in Sudan. Thus, this study was conducted to bridge this gap.
METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January and February 2021. It included Sudanese adults residing in Omdurman, Sudan, using systematic and simple random sampling methods. Data were collected using a structured, adapted questionnaire comprising: the socio-demographic characteristics and the knowledge of herbal medicine and its usage. Moreover, it investigated the commonly used herbal remedies and the participants\' sources of information and procurement of such products. Additionally, we examined the correlation between socio-demographic factors, cultural beliefs, and the use of herbal medicine. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and categorical data were presented as frequencies and percentages. Associations were assessed using chi-square, Fisher\'s exact tests, and binary logistic regression (p < 0.05).
RESULTS: This study included 381 participants, of which 48.1% were females and 31.4% were aged 20-30. The majority of participants were aware of the practice of herbal medicine and the prevalence of its usage was 85.9%. Peppermint, acacia, hibiscus, ginger, and fenugreek were the most commonly used remedies. Chi-square and Fisher\'s exact testing revealed that the participants\' gender and beliefs in the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicines were significantly associated with herbal medicine usage (p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that only the perception of herbal medicine\'s safety was an independent predictor of its usage (p-value 0.038).
CONCLUSIONS: This study reported a very high prevalence of herbal medicine usage, highlighting the acceptability of Sudanese adults towards herbal medicine usage. This prompts further studies to explore their safety, efficacy, and the possibility of their integration into mainstream healthcare practices and policies.

While research on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the general population is expanding, there remains a scarcity of studies investigating the efficacy and utilisation of CAM practices, specifically in the paediatric population. In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of the parental utilisation of CAM in their dependents is estimated to reach up to 80%. This literature review identified broad, heterogeneous, and inconclusive evidence regarding CAM\'s applications and effectiveness, primarily attributed to variance in sociodemographic factors and differences in national healthcare systems. Additionally, the review identified a lack of consensus and polarised positions among mainstream professionals regarding the mechanisms of action, applications, and effectiveness of CAM. This narrative review presents varied results concerning the efficacy of most CAM therapies and their applications; however, some evidence suggests potential benefits for acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, and massage in improving physical and mental health. Moreover, the available evidence indicates that meditation may enhance mental health, while reiki may only influence patients\' perceptions of comfort. In light of the intricate and multifaceted nature of herbal medicine, it is imperative to assess its efficacy on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific compounds and procedures involved. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for health professionals, offering guidance for personalised healthcare approaches that consider the values and beliefs of patients, thereby facilitating integrated, evidence-based practices aimed at enhancing the quality of healthcare services and patient satisfaction.

UNASSIGNED: Electroacupuncture (EA) is commonly employed for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), whereas laser acupuncture (LA) seems to offer a safer and more convenient alternative. Nevertheless, transitioning from EA to LA requires evidence. This study aims to compare their clinical efficacy and safety.
UNASSIGNED: A randomized single-blind controlled trial was conducted on 76 CTS patients, with 38 patients assigned to receive EA (EA group) and 38 assigned to receive LA (LA group). Acupoints selected for both groups included PC4, PC6, PC7, PC8, LI4, LI10, LI11, HT3, HT7, and LU10. The intervention consisted of 20 sessions over 4 weeks. Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and Functional Status Scale (FSS) scores, patients\' satisfaction, and adverse events (AEs) were recorded.
UNASSIGNED: The LA group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in SSS and FSS scores than the EA group, with mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of -4.29 (-5.40 to -3.18) and -0.73 (-1.24 to -0.24), respectively, after 4 weeks of treatment. Complete symptom, functional recovery, and both were also significantly better in the LA group (relative risks [RR] [95% CI]: 14.00 [1.94 to 101.22], 1.58 [1.24 to 2.02], and 14.00 [1.94 to 101.22], respectively). Overall treatment effectiveness and satisfaction levels were notably higher in the LA group. Six patients experienced AEs in the EA group, whereas no AEs were reported in the LA group.
UNASSIGNED: In this study, the findings indicate that LA may offer a safer and more effective alternative to EA. Further studies with longer follow-up periods and assessment of electrodiagnostic changes after intervention are needed.

Introduction: Plants have formed the basis of traditional medicine (TM) systems, which have been used for thousands of years. According to reports, one-quarter of the commonly used medicines contain compounds isolated from plants. This study aims to identify and document the plants for ethno-pharmacological use by the indigenous communities of West Shoa Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to November 2021 in West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The ethnobotanical data was collected from Ejere District, Ada Berga District, Dandi District, Ambo District, Ambo Town, Toke Kutaye District, and Bako Tibe District. A descriptive statistical method (percentage and/or frequency) was employed to summarize ethnobotanical data. Moreover, the informant consensus factor was computed. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software (Microsoft Corporation, 2016) and SPSS (version 25) were used to organize and analyze the data. Result: In the study area, a total of 51 families of medicinal plants with 108 Species were identified. Fabaceae 8 species, Asteraceae, Solanaceae and Lamiaceae each with 6 species and Cucurubitacieae 5 species were the frequently reported medicinal plants. The leaf (57.2%) was the most widely used medicinal plant parts, and oral administration (56.5%) was the most cited route of administration. In the present study, most of the medicinal plants were used fresh, which was (75%) and the most common disease the healers treated was gastrointestinal disease, followed by skin disease and febrile illness. The major threat to medicinal plants in the study area was agricultural expansion, which was reported by 30.6% of the respondents. The study area was rich in medicinal plants, Fabaceae which commonly used family. Conclusion: Most of the medication prepared by the traditional healers was taken orally and derived from the leaf part of the medicinal plant. Since this research is a preliminary study which will be used as a base for further study. The efficacy and safety of the medicinal plant claim should be studied in the future.

Diabetes is a widespread chronic disease that occurs mainly in the elderly population. Due to the difference in pathophysiology between elderly and young patients, the current clinical practice to treat elderly patients with anti-diabetes medications still faces some challenges and dilemmas, such as the urgent need for early diagnosis and prevention, and an imbalance between restricted dietary intake and the risk of undernutrition. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers various treatment regimens that are actively utilized in the field of diabetes management. Through multiple targets and multiple pathways, TCM formulas, medicinal herbs, and active natural products enhance the efficacy of diabetes prevention and diabetes control measures, simplify complex medication management, and improve common symptoms and common diabetic complications in elderly people. Historically, natural products have played a key role in material composition analysis of TCM and mechanism interpretation to enable drug discovery. However, there have been few conclusions on this topic. This review summarizes the development of TCM for the prevention and management of diabetes in elderly people, existing evidence-based clinical practices, and prospects for future development.

Some species of the Orchidaceae family are used in Mexican traditional medicine. However, there are no current and critical compilations of the medicinal uses and pharmacological effects of the members of the Orchidaceae family. This review provides a current, critical, and comprehensive analysis of the traditional medicinal uses, pharmacological reports, and active compounds isolated from Mexican orchids. A total of 62 Mexican orchids with medicinal potential have been recorded, of which 14 have scientific evidence. The remaining 48 plant species have ethnomedicinal information but have not been validated with scientific studies. These orchids are distributed in 14 states of the Mexican Republic, mainly in the southern region of Mexico. The most common pharmacological activities reported are anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxant, antinociceptive, antioxidant, spasmolytic, antihypertensive, and hallucinogenic activities. It is necessary to increase the number of pharmacological, phytochemical, and toxicological studies with medicinal orchids from Mexico because there are scientific studies on only 22.5% of these species. In further studies, it will be possible to evaluate the pharmacological effects of Mexican orchids in clinical trials. In addition, the mechanisms of action by which plant extracts and their active compounds exert medicinal effects remain to be studied. Plant extracts from orchids and their active compounds show promising antinociceptive and spasmolytic effects, respectively.

UNASSIGNED: The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the evidence-informed integration of traditional medicine (TM) into health systems. Research rigor requires a good \"fit\" between research designs and what is being studied. The expectation that TM research fully adheres to biomedical evidentiary norms potentially creates tensions, as TM paradigms have their own distinct features. A scoping review will be conducted to describe and characterize the research approaches used in TM and their paradigmatic alignment with the TM being studied.
UNASSIGNED: This scoping review protocol was informed by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methods. This protocol outlines an a priori conceptual framework, provisionally termed \"paradigmatic alignment.\" The review will include all populations, TM types, research approaches (i.e., methods, methodologies, frameworks, strategies), cultural contexts, and health care settings. Up to 38 English and non-English language databases will be searched sequentially for both published and gray literature until reaching data saturation across relevant concepts and contexts. Analysis will begin deductively, using a pre-piloted data extraction template to describe the TM research approaches. A basic qualitative content analysis of a sample of evidence sources will explore how research approaches are applied or modified to align with the TM therapeutic paradigm, and the manner in which they co-exist, contrast, complement or align with established biomedical research approaches. The findings will be narrated and summarized in charting tables and figures. The review will be reported according to the PRISMA scoping review extension. Consultative engagement with knowledge users across all review stages is planned.
UNASSIGNED: Aligned with the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk), wherein Indigenous/traditional and biomedical knowledges may equitably co-exist, this review promises to advance scholarly insights of critical value in an increasingly pluralistic, globalized world.Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier INPLASY2023110071.

BACKGROUND: The wound healing process, restoring the functionality of the damaged tissue, can be accelerated by various compounds. The recent experimental analysis highlights the beneficial effects of phytochemicals in improving skin regeneration and wound healing. In traditional medicine, one of the widespread plants used for treating different injuries or skin afflictions is Galium aparine L. (GA). Besides, previously reported chemical compounds of GA suggested its therapeutic effects for the wound healing process, yet its regulatory effects on the cellular and molecular stages of the wound healing process have not been investigated.
METHODS: In the present study, the phytochemical profile of the GA extract was analyzed using HPTLC fingerprinting, and further scientific evaluation of its phytochemicals was done. The wound-healing effects of GA extract were explored at the cellular and molecular levels while accounting for cell toxicity. The wound closure enhancing effect, antibacterial activity, and antioxidant activity were assessed.
RESULTS: The HPTLC fingerprinting of the GA extract proved its previously reported phytochemical profile including phenols, flavonoids, tannins, plant acids, ergot alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenoids, sterols, salicin, lipophilic compounds, saponins, iridoids, and heterocyclic nitrogen compounds. Antimicrobial assessment, of the extract, indicated the more susceptibility of S. aureus to the inhibitory effects of GA rather than E. coli and S. epidermidis. DPPH test results revealed the antioxidant property of GA extract, which was comparable to ascorbic acid. The results of the viability assay showed no cytotoxicity effects on human umbilical endothelial cell (HUVEC) and normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cell lines treated with different concentrations of whole plant extract and cell viability increased in a dose-dependent manner. The results of the scratch assay showed improved cell migration and wound closure.
CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and in vitro wound healing wound-healing effects of GA hydroalcoholic extract, which aligns with its use in traditional medicine. No cytotoxicity effects were shown. The results from this study can be the basis for further investigations such as animal models and phytochemical studies. Further evaluation of its effects on mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the wound healing processes such as angiogenesis and cell proliferation can provide novel insights into the potential therapeutic effects of the GA extract.

UNASSIGNED: Traditional healing practices are prevalent in rural and mountainous areas of India where Western medicine is not accessible. WHO guidelines recommend integration of traditional and Western medicine to meet rural primary care needs. We explored three dimensions of rural patients\' decision-making and satisfaction with their medical care: pregnancy-related concerns, pediatric care for children under five, and acute injuries.
UNASSIGNED: We conducted a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach in India\'s Spiti Valley between August and October 2023. Sixteen individuals, age 18 years and older, participated in one-on-one interviews. The interviews were transcribed from Hindi into English, reviewed for accuracy by a native speaker, and imported into Dedoose software. Data were analyzed using inductive coding.
UNASSIGNED: Multiparous women aged 35-44 were concerned about pregnancy complications, leading them to choose Western medicine despite access and cost barriers. Pediatric illness requiring urgent care at night was a concern for women with children under five. Those in the injuries group reported having to travel for care beyond basic first aid. Overall, concerns were about limited access to some services locally, as well as costs of travel, medical procedures, and medications when services were obtained beyond the local area.
UNASSIGNED: All participants considered their traditional healer their first point of contact for medical care. A number of Western medical services were not available locally. These findings suggest a need to strengthen access to and integration of Western and traditional medical care in rural settings in India.

UNASSIGNED: The botanical species Bauhinia guianensis Aublet (Leguminosae-Cercidoideae) is traditionally used in the Amazon for medicinal purposes.
UNASSIGNED: The acute toxicity of the hydroethanolic extracts from B. guianensis leaves and stems (HELBg and HESBg) was evaluated in zebrafish (Danio rerio), with emphasis on the embryonic developmental stage and adult alterations.
UNASSIGNED: Extracts were analyzed on LC-DAD-MS/MS. Zebrafish eggs were inoculated individually with concentrations of HELBg and HESBg (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.5 µg/mL), observed for 96 h. Adult zebrafish were treated with a single oral dose (100, 200, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg) of HELBg and HESBg, observed for 48 h.
UNASSIGNED: HELBg and HESBg analysis detected 55 compounds. Both extracts exhibited toxicity, including embryo coagulation at higher doses of HELBg and absence of heartbeats in embryos at all doses of HESBg. Behavioral variations were observed; tissue alterations in adult zebrafish were found at the highest doses, primarily in the liver, intestine, and kidneys because of HELBg and HESBg effects. The LD50 of HESBg was 1717 mg/kg, while HELBg exceeded the limit dose of 2000 mg/kg.
UNASSIGNED: The study on acute toxicity of B. guianensis extracts exhibits significant toxic potential, emphasizing effects on embryonic and adult zebrafish. The results suggest relative safety of the species preparations, encouraging further clinical trials on potential biological activities.