PMID: 

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2019 Dec 9. Epub 2019 Dec 9. PMID: 31814012

Abstract Title: 

Yoga, Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Well-Being: A Re-analysis of a Meta-analysis using the Quality Effects Model.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Provide robust and practically relevant information regarding the association between yoga, health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) and mental well-being (MWB) in older adults.METHODS: Data were derived from a recent meta-analysis of 12 randomised controlled yoga trials representing 752 adults>60 years of age. Standardized mean difference effect sizes (ES's) were pooled using the recently developed quality effects model and 95% compatibility intervals (CI). Small-study effects were examined using the Doi plot and Luis Furuya-Kanamori (LFK) index. Sensitivity and cumulative meta-analyses were conducted as well as percentile improvement, number needed to treat (NNT), and number to benefit. The GRADE instrument was used to assess the strength of the evidence.RESULTS: Yoga was associated with improvements in both HRQOL (ES = 0.51, 95% CI, 0.25-0.77, I2 =63.1%) and MWB (ES = 0.39, 95% CI, 0.15-0.63, I2 =56.2%). Percentile improvements were 19.5 for HRQOL and 15.3 for MWB while the NNT was 4 for HRQOL and 5 for MWB. An estimated 378,222 and 302,578 US yoga-practicing adults>65 years of age could potentially improve their HRQOL and MWB, respectively. Major asymmetry suggestive of small-study effects was observed for MWB but not HRQOL. Further examination for asymmetry revealed that greater improvements in MWB were associated with more (151 versus 68) minutes of yoga per week (p=0.007). Overall strength of evidence was considered"high"for HRQOL and"moderate"for MWB.CONCLUSIONS: Yoga is associated with improvements in HRQOL and MWB among older adults, with approximately 150 minutes or more per week possibly optimal.

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PMID: 

J Educ Health Promot. 2019 ;8:199. Epub 2019 Oct 24. PMID: 31867375

Abstract Title: 

To compare the effects of aerobic exercise and yoga on Premenstrual syndrome.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Eighty percent of women during their reproductive age experience some symptoms attributed to premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that occur during late luteal phase of menstrual cycle and are relieved after the onset of menstruation. Aerobic exercise and yoga are one of the ways to reduce these symptoms. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic exercise and yoga on PMS.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 participants of PMS, referred for physiotherapy treatment (mean age 28 years), were enrolled and allocated into two groups (Group A and B) by simple computerized randomization. Patients in Group A received aerobic exercise and in Group B received yoga movements for 40 min, 3 times a week for 1 month. The pain intensity (Visual Analog Scale) and PMS Scale were measured before, at the end of 15 days, and 1 month of treatment program.RESULTS: Data were analyzed by paired-test, unpaired-test, and one-way ANOVA; and the results showed that both aerobic exercise and yoga movements significantly reduced pain intensity and PMS symptoms. Significant reduction in PMS symptoms was found in patients treated with yoga compared to aerobic exercise; however, no significant difference was found in pain intensity between these two groups (>0.05).CONCLUSION: It is concluded that both aerobic exercise and yoga movements are effective in treating PMS; however, yoga is more effective in relieving the symptoms of PMS than aerobic exercise.

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PMID: 

Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2020 Mar ;26(2):186-192. PMID: 31895882

Abstract Title: 

Yoga and Tai Chi: a mind-body approach in managing respiratory symptoms in obstructive lung diseases.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation because of airway and/or alveolar abnormalities. Symptoms include dyspnea, cough, chronic sputum production. As the third-ranked cause of death as well as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), it poses a significant burden on patients, families, healthcare system and society. Regular physical activity is linked to decrease in morbidity and mortality associated with COPD, but implementation remains challenging. There is a need for community-based interventions that promote physical activity. Yoga and Tai Chi are widely available in the community and have been shown to be beneficial in patients with COPD as well as many of the co-morbid conditions associated with COPD.RECENT FINDINGS: Yoga and Tai Chi have been found to be more effective than usual care in COPD with clinically meaningful improvements in 6-min walk distance (6MWD), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). They have also been found to be comparable to pulmonary rehabilitation interventions.SUMMARY: Yoga and Tai Chi provide community-based options for patients with COPD to improve their physical activity, quality of life, and pulmonary function.

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PMID: 

Indian J Psychiatry. 2019 Nov-Dec;61(6):592-597. PMID: 31896865

Abstract Title: 

Effect of adjunct yoga therapy in depressive disorders: Findings from a randomized controlled study.

Abstract: 

Background: Depression causes significant burden both to the individual and to society, and its treatment by antidepressants has various disadvantages. There is preliminary evidence that adds on yoga therapy improves depression by impacting the neurotransmitters involved in the regulation of mood, motivation, and pleasure. Our study aimed to find the effect of adjunctive yoga therapy on outcome of depression and comorbid anxiety.Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled study involving patients with major depressive disorder (= 80) were allocated to two groups, one received standard therapy (antidepressants and counseling) and the other received adjunct yoga therapy along with standard therapy. Ratings of depression and anxiety were done using Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at baseline, 10and 30day. Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale was applied at baseline and 30day to view the severity of illness and clinical improvement.Results: By the 30day, individuals in the yoga group had significantly lower scores of depression, anxiety, and CGI scores, in comparison to the control group. The individuals in the yoga group had a significant fall in depression scores and significant clinical improvement, compared to the control group, from baseline to 30day and 10to 30day. In addition, the individuals in the yoga group had a significant fall in anxiety scores from baseline to 10day.Conclusion: Anxiety starts to improve with short-term yoga sessions, while long-term yoga therapy is likely to be beneficial in the treatment of depression.

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PMID: 

J Am Coll Health. 2020 Jan 16:1-9. Epub 2020 Jan 16. PMID: 31944898

Abstract Title: 

The immediate and durable effects of yoga and physical fitness exercises on stress.

Abstract: 

This study aimed to examine the effects of yoga and physical fitness exercises on stress and the underlying mechanisms.Healthy undergraduates from four yoga and four fitness classes participated in Study 1 (n = 191) and Study 2 (n = 143), respectively (in 2017 Fall).Study 1 evaluated the immediate effect (a 60-minute practice) while Study 2 evaluated the durable effect (a 12-week intervention).Results showed that immediate stress reduction was more salient in the yoga group than that in the fitness group in Study 1. Yoga group had a greater increase in mindfulness, which predicted stress reduction. Similar observations were made in Study 2 showing the durable effect of yoga on stress reduction through mindfulness.Yoga intervention is better than fitness exercises in helping undergraduates cultivate mindfulness and reduce stress. These findings may guide future interventions in stress management in college students.

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PMID: 

Cancers (Basel). 2020 01 1 ;12(1). Epub 2020 Jan 1. PMID: 31906321

Abstract Title: 

Albumin Nano-Encapsulation of Piceatannol Enhances Its Anticancer Potential in Colon Cancer Via Downregulation of Nuclear p65 and HIF-1α.

Abstract: 

Piceatannol (PIC) is known to have anticancer activity, which has been attributed to its ability to block the proliferation of cancer cells via suppression of the NF-kB signaling pathway. However, its effect on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is not well known in cancer. In this study, PIC was loaded into bovine serum albumin (BSA) by desolvation method as PIC-BSA nanoparticles (NPs). These PIC-BSA nanoparticles were assessed for in vitro cytotoxicity, migration, invasion, and colony formation studies and levels of p65 and HIF-1α. Our results indicate that PIC-BSA NPs were more effective in downregulating the expression of nuclear p65 and HIF-1α in colon cancer cells as compared to free PIC. We also observed a significant reduction in inflammation induced by chemical colitis in mice by PIC-BSA NPs. Furthermore, a significant reduction in tumor size and number of colon tumors was also observed in the murine model of colitis-associated colorectal cancer, when treated with PIC-BSA NPs as compared to free PIC. The overall results indicate that PIC, when formulated as PIC-BSA NPs, enhances its therpautice potential. Ourwork could prompt further research in using natural anticancer agents as nanoparticels with possiable human clinical trails. This could lead to the development of a new line of safe and effective therapeutics for cancer patients.

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PMID: 

Pharmacol Res. 2020 Jan 8 ;153:104635. Epub 2020 Jan 8. PMID: 31926274

Abstract Title: 

Piceatannol: A natural stilbene for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented that cancer is the second foremost reason for death worldwide. Various factors are responsible for cancer, for instance, exposure to different physical, chemical and biological carcinogens, infections, hereditary, poor dietary habits and lifestyle etc. Cancer is a preventable disease if detected at an early stage; however, most of the cases of cancer are diagnosed at an incurable advanced or metastatic stage. According to WHO about 70 % of deaths due to cancer occur in countries with low- or middle-income. The major problems associated with the conventional therapies are cancer recurrence, development of chemoresistance, affordability, late-stage diagnosis, adverse side effects and inaccessible treatment. Thus, there is an urgent need to find alternative treatment modalities, which have easy accessibility and are affordable with minimum side effects. In this article, we reviewed the natural stilbene known as"Piceatannol"for its anticancer properties. Numerous preclinical studies have reported the potential of Piceatannol to prevent or impede the growth of various cancers originating from different organs such as brain, breast, cervical, colon, liver, lung, prostate, skin, etc. The current review primarily emphasises on the insights of Piceatannol source, chemistry, and the molecular mechanisms involved in the regression of the tumor. This review supports Piceatannol as a potential anticancer and chemopreventive agent and suggests that it can be effectively employed as a capable anti-cancer drug.

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PMID: 

Neurotox Res. 2020 Jan 29. Epub 2020 Jan 29. PMID: 31997154

Abstract Title: 

Tannic Acid Ameliorates STZ-Induced Alzheimer's Disease-Like Impairment of Memory, Neuroinflammation, Neuronal Death and Modulates Akt Expression.

Abstract: 

Tannic acid (TA) is a hydrolysable glycosidic polyphenol polymer of gallic acid, which possesses neuroprotective properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TA treatment on cognitive performance and neurochemical changes in an experimental model of sporadic dementia of Alzheimer's type (SDAT) induced by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and to explore the potential cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. Adult male rats were divided into four groups: control, TA, STZ, and TA + STZ. Animals from TA and TA + STZ groups were treated with TA (30 mg/kg) daily, by gavage, for 21 days; others groups received water (1 mL/kg). Subsequently, an ICV injection of STZ (3 mg/kg) was administered into the lateral ventricles of animals from STZ and TA + STZ groups, while other groups received citrate buffer. Cognitive deficits (short-term memory), neuronal survival, neuroinflammation as well as expression of SNAP-25, Akt, and pAkt were evaluated in the cerebral cortex. TA treatment protected against the impairment of memory in STZ-induced SDAT. STZ promoted an increase in neuronal death and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and a decrease in Akt and pAkt expression; TA was able to restore these changes. Neither STZ nor TA altered SNAP-25 expression or the levels of IL-12 and IL-4 in the cerebral cortex. Our study highlights that treatment with TA prevents memory deficits and reestablishes Akt and pAkt expression, protecting against neuronal death and neuroinflammation in STZ-induced SDAT in rats.

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PMID: 

Glob Adv Health Med. 2020 ;9:2164956120901489. Epub 2020 Jan 15. PMID: 32002312

Abstract Title: 

Impact of Intravenous Vitamin C and Endolaser Therapies on a Pediatric Brainstem Glioma Case.

Abstract: 

Pediatric cases of a brainstem glioma are one of the most difficult tumors to treat. In children, this type of cancer is perhaps the most dreaded of cancers due to its poor prognosis, yet it remains an area of intense research. In the case presented herein, conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments were not showing any improvement. The patient was then treated with high-dose intravenous vitamin C (IVC) and endolaser therapy. A significant reduction in glioma's size was achieved in 2 months with this adjunct therapy. These results present a possibility of decreasing brainstem glioma progression with adjuvant IVC and endolaser therapy.

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PMID: 

Chem Biol Interact. 2020 Feb 1:108972. Epub 2020 Feb 1. PMID: 32017914

Abstract Title: 

Taurine protects against cardiac dysfunction induced by pressure overload through SIRT1-p53 activation.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is an epidemic disease with increased incidence annually. It has been reported that taurine can improve cardiac function. This study investigated the cardioprotective effects of taurine in pressure-loaded HF mice and elucidated the possible mechanism.METHODS: HF models were established by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Animals were treated with either taurine for 9 weeks and/or the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 (5 mg/kg/day, every 2days) after TAC operation. Cardiac function and geometry were revealed by echocardiography. Myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis were assessed using Fluorescent wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Western blot and RT-PCR were performed to elucidate the expression of target proteins and genes respectively. Apoptosis in cardiomyocytes was detected by TUNEL staining. Myocardial oxidative stress was assessed by detecting the concentration of myocardial super oxidative dismutase (SOD) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Taurine concentrations and NAD/NADH ratio were determined by taurine and NAD/NADH assay kit.RESULTS: Taurine notably relieved cardiac dysfunction after TAC. The mechanisms were attributed to reduced myocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis, and alleviated apoptosis and oxidative stress. Meanwhile, taurine increased NAD+/NADH ratio，promoted the expression of SIRT1 and suppressed p53 acetylation. However, EX-527(inhibitor of SIRT1) decreased NAD/NADH ratio and increased acetyl-p53 levels, and abolished the cardioprotective effects of taurine on mice subjected to TAC and increased apoptosis and oxidative stress.CONCLUSION: The mechanism responsible for cardiac-protective effects of taurine in HF induced by pressure overload is associated with the activation of the SIRT1-p53 pathway.

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