PMID: 

Technol Health Care. 2014 ;22(3):453-8. PMID: 24704654

Abstract Title: 

Effects of art and music therapy on depression and cognitive function of the elderly.

Abstract: 

The purpose of this study was to examine effects of art and music therapy on depression and cognitive function of the elderly. This was one group pre-test, post-test design. Data were collected from January to March, 2013, from 94 elderly. The results were collected as followers: 1. Art therapy was revealed a statistical significant difference between before and after treatment on the depression of participants. 2. Music therapy was revealed a statistical significant at previous and after treatment on the depression of participants. 3. Treatment according to the severity of depression than the music therapy and art therapy were examined statistically significantly lower. This study will be provided basic information in order to develop program for success healthy life of elderly.

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PMID: 

Trauma Violence Abuse. 2015 Apr ;16(2):220-8. Epub 2014 Nov 16. PMID: 25403446

Abstract Title: 

The effectiveness of art therapy in the treatment of traumatized adults: a systematic review on art therapy and trauma.

Abstract: 

Art therapy has often been applied in the treatment of traumatized adults, and good results in clinical practice have been reported. However, although art therapy experts underline these benefits, the effectiveness of art therapy in trauma treatment has not been established by systematic review. The aim of this systematic review is to identify and evaluate empirical evidence of the effectiveness of art therapy for trauma treatment. As a result of the systematic review, six controlled, comparative studies on art therapy for trauma in adult patients were found. In half of the included studies, a significant decrease in psychological trauma symptoms was found in the treatment groups, and one study reported a significant decrease in depression. Although there are limitations in the number of included studies, the number of participants, the heterogeneity of included studies, and their methodological quality, the results contribute to insight into the effectiveness of art therapy in trauma treatment and form an evidence base for the urgent need for further research on art therapy and trauma treatment.

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PMID: 

J Alzheimers Dis. 2014 ;39(1):1-11. PMID: 24121964

Abstract Title: 

Art therapy for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Abstract: 

Patients with dementias commonly experience neuropsychiatric symptoms that diminish their quality of life. Pharmacologic treatments for these symptoms are limited in their efficacy. In the absence of near-future prospects for a cure for degenerative dementias, treatments that improve neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life are needed. We explore the hypothesis that art therapy is useful in dementia by reviewing the extant literature. With appropriate structure, patients with dementia can produce and appreciate visual art. Case studies and several small trials suggest that art therapy engages attention, provides pleasure, and improves neuropsychiatric symptoms, social behavior, and self-esteem. Whether these benefits generalize beyond the studio remains unknown. We offer a theoretical framework that motivates the use of art therapy and propose that clinical enquiry to establish methods, assess efficacy, and define optimal conditions for the use of art therapy in Alzheimer's and other dementing disorders is timely.

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PMID: 

Int Neurourol J. 2019 Nov ;23(Suppl 2):S102-110. Epub 2019 Nov 30. PMID: 31795609

Abstract Title: 

Berberine Ameliorates Brain Inflammation in Poloxamer 407-Induced Hyperlipidemic Rats.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: Hyperlipidemia, which promotes the development of atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke, and other forms of brain injury, can be induced by poloxamer-407. Berberine is a primary pharmacological active component of Coptidis Rhizoma that has a number of therapeutic activities. This study investigated the effects of berberine on poloxamer-407-induced brain inflammation by evaluating its effects on short-term memory, cell proliferation, inflammation, and apoptosis in the hippocampus.METHODS: To induce hyperlipidemia in a rat model, 500 mg/kg of poloxamer-407 was injected intraperitoneally. Berberine was orally administered to the rats in the berberine-treated groups once a day for 4 weeks. The step-down task avoidance task was performed to measure short-term memory. An analysis of serum lipids, immunohistochemistry for 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) in the dentate gyrus, and western blot analysis for Bax, Bcl-2, and cytochrome c in the hippocampus were performed.RESULTS: In hyperlipidemic rats, berberine reduced the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats. Berberine also increased cell proliferation and short-term memory, as well as decreasing the expression of GFAP, Iba1, Bax, and cytochrome c and increasing Bcl-2 expression.CONCLUSION: Berberine treatment improved short-term memory in hyperlipidemia by increasing neuronal proliferation and inhibiting neuronal apoptosis. Berberine treatment also improved lipid metabolism.

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PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2020 Jan ;121:109670. Epub 2019 Nov 22. PMID: 31810131

Abstract Title: 

Berberine mitigates cognitive decline in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model by targeting both tau hyperphosphorylation and autophagic clearance.

Abstract: 

Berberine is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the Rhizoma coptidis. Recent advances in research throw more lights of its beneficial role towards Alzheimer's disease (AD), including promotingβ-amyloid (Aβ) clearance, as well as inhibiting Aβ production in the triple-transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (3×Tg AD). However, it remains unclarified if berberine has an effect on tau pathology. According to our study, berberine did not only significantly improve 3×Tg AD mice's spatial learning capacity and memory retentions, but also attenuated the hyperphosphorylation of tau. via modulating the activity of Akt/glycogen synthase kinase-3β and protein phosphatase 2A. Moreover, berberine reduced the level of tau through an autophagy-based route. It promoted autophagic clearance of tau by enhancing the activity of autophagy via the class III PI3K/beclin-1 pathway. Thus, our results suggest that berberine could mitigate cognitive decline by simultaneously targeting the hyperphosphorylation of tau and the autophagic clearance of tau in AD mice. These findings strongly support berberine as a potential drug candidate for AD.

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PMID: 

J Cell Biochem. 2019 Nov 26. Epub 2019 Nov 26. PMID: 31769066

Abstract Title: 

Shikonin improve sepsis-induced lung injury via regulation of miRNA-140-5p/TLR4-a vitro and vivo study.

Abstract: 

Shikonin is an anti-inflammatory agent extracted from natural herbs. The aim of this study is to explain the treatment effects and mechanism of Shikonin in acute lung injury induced by sepsis. In this study, first, we evaluate different Shikonin concentrations for the anti-inflammation of acute lung injury induced by sepsis in an in vivo study. On the basis of the results, we confirm that 50.0 mg/kg was the best therapeutic Shikonin concentration. As a second step, we discuss the mechanism of Shikonin by a vitro cell experiment. Finaly, we validate that Shikonin has effective treatment effects on acute lung injury via regulation of microRNA-140-5p/toll-like receptor 4 (miRNA-140-5p/TLR4) in the in vivo study. The results of vitro and vivo study showed that Shikonin could improve acute lung injury induced by sepsis. The mechanism might be correlation miRNA-140-5p expression increasing, and regulated targeted gene TLR4, with TLR4 expression depressing, the downstream myeloid differentiation protein 88 and nuclear factor κB proteins expression were suppressed. In conclusion, Shikonin improved sepsis induced lung injury by regulation miRNA-140-5p/TLR4.

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PMID: 

J Labelled Comp Radiopharm. 2019 Nov 30. Epub 2019 Nov 30. PMID: 31785206

Abstract Title: 

Synergistic Cytotoxicity of Shikonin-Silver Nanoparticles as an Opportunity for Lung Cancer.

Abstract: 

The combined action of shikonin and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for apoptosis in human cancer cells has not been elucidated. Hence, we investigated the synergistic combinatorial effect of shikonin and AgNPs in human lung cancer cells. Shikonin was used as a reducing and capping agent for AgNPs synthesis as a green method avoiding the hazards of chemical methods. Radiolabeling of Shikonin-AgNPs with radioactive iodine forming [I]I-Shikonin-AgNPs was carried out to enable the intracellular tracking of nanoparticles. The antitumor effect of a combined treatment (shikonin-AgNPs) was evaluated using tissue culture assay. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC) of SHK-AgNPs on A549 cells after 24h determined by an MTT assay is 2.4± 0.11μg/mL. As a deduction this study revealed that the combination of shikonin and AgNPs treatment significantly inhibited cell viability and proliferation of A549 cells (human lung carcinoma cell line) with a great potential than the monotherapy.

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PMID: 

Oncol Lett. 2019 Dec ;18(6):6117-6125. Epub 2019 Oct 11. PMID: 31788086

Abstract Title: 

Shikonin regulates invasion and autophagy of cultured colon cancer cells by inhibiting yes-associated protein.

Abstract: 

Colon cancer is a common malignancy, and its morbidity and mortality have been increasing in recent years in China. Shikonin (Shi), a naturally occurring naphthoquinone, exhibits anticancer activity. However, the mechanisms of action of Shi remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antitumor mechanism of Shi in colon cancer cells. The effects of different Shi concentrations on the viability of colon cancer cells using MTT, colony formation and wound-healing assays were assessed. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of LC3-II, p62. Shi effectively suppressed viability and cell migration, and induced autophagy in colon cancer cells. Yes-associated protein (YAP) increases cell viability, and inhibits cell apoptosis and cell contact. Expression of YAP is downregulated by Shi. The cytotoxic effects of Shi were further investigated on YAP overexpression and on YAP knockout cell lines. The findings revealed that Shi suppressed the viability and induced autophagy of colon cancer cells. Additionally, YAP expression reversed the effects of Shi. The results of the present study suggest that Shi may be a promising anticancer treatment for colon cancer, and YAP may be a potential diagnostic marker for colon cancer.

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PMID: 

J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2019 Oct 14. Epub 2019 Oct 14. PMID: 31622683

Abstract Title: 

Curcumin: A natural derivative with antibacterial activity against Clostridium difficile.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVES: The rapid emergence of hypervirulent C. difficile isolates and the paucity of effective anticlostridial antibiotics call for extensive research to identify new treatment options. The objective of the present study was to test the anticlostridial activity of bioactive extracts of turmeric, a natural herb widely known for its profound medicinal properties.METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentrations of turmeric derivatives were determined against 27 C. difficile strains, including hypervirulent (BI/NAP1/027) and clinical toxigenic isolates. Additionally, their ability to inhibit C. difficile toxin production and spore formation was investigated. Furthermore, the safety profiles of turmeric derivatives regarding their effects on human gut microflora, such as Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium was evaluated.RESULTS: Curcuminoids, the major phytoconstituents of turmeric including curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin inhibit growth of C. difficile at concentrations ranging from 4 to 32 µg/ml. Additionally, curcuminoids showed no negative effect on major populating species of the human gut. Curcumin was more effective than fidaxomicin in inhibiting C. difficile toxin production, but less so in inhibiting spore formation.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that curcumin has potential as an anticlostridial agent. More work is needed to further investigate the efficacy of curcumin as a standalone drug or as a supplement of current drugs of choice, as it has no antagonistic activities but might overcome their drawbacks.

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PMID: 

BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019 Dec 4 ;19(1):349. Epub 2019 Dec 4. PMID: 31801507

Abstract Title: 

Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of hydro-ethanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum leaves and its effect on lung pathological changes in an ovalbumin-induced rat model of asthma.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Ocimum species (Lamiaceae) has been traditionally used for treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, coughs, sore throat, and wound healing. The Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of hydro-ethanolic extract of Ocimum basilicum (O. basilicum) leaves was examined in ovalbumin sensitized animals.METHODS: Wistar rats were divided to six groups; non-sensitized, sensitized to ovalbumin, sensitized and treated with dexamethasone (1.25 μg/mL), and O. basilicum extract (0.75, 1.50 and 3.00 mg/mL) in drinking water for 21 days. The levels of interleukin 4 (IL-4), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, immunoglobulin E (IgE), phospholipase A(PLA) and total protein (TP) in BALF, and lung pathological changes were examined.RESULTS: A significant increase in IL-4, IgE, PLAand TP levels, all lung pathological indices as well as significant decrease in IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was seen in the asthmatic compared to the control rats (P 

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