Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homeopathy, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / INTRODUCTION Dysmenorrhoea is defined as difficult menstrual flow or painful menstruation. Dysmenorrhoea is the most common gynaecological complaint in younger women who present themselves to clinicians. Primary dysmenorrhoea is defined as painful menstrual cramps without any evident pathology present. It refers to any degree of perceived cramping pain experienced during menstruation. Around 50% of menstruating females suffer from primary dysmenorrhoea. Prevalence decreases with age, with prevalence being highest in the 20 to 24 year old age group. This trial intended to evaluate the effectiveness of a phytotherapeutic complex in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea compared to homoeopathic similimum in a 30 cH plussed potency. This study aimed to provide the safe and effective alternative therapy for primary dysmenorrhoea, especially for the population that is contradicted to use the readily available forms of treatments. TRIAL DESIGN This double-blind randomised parallel clinical trial, aimed to determine the effectiveness of a phytotherapeutic complex consisting of Angelica sinensis1:10, Dioscorea villosa1:10, Matricaria chamomilla 1:10, Viburnum opulus 1:10, and Zingiber officinalis 1:10 in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, compared to homoeopathic similimum in a 30cH plussed potency. METHODOLOGY A sample group of 26 participants were voluntarily selected for the study on the basis of an inclusion and exclusion criteria. These participants were then randomly divided into two groups, 17 in the group receiving the phytotherapeutic complex, 8 in the control group receiving the similimum and 1 drop-out. Each participant had to attend a total of four consultations with the researcher over a three month period, at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Homoeopathic Day Clinic. At each consultation the participant completed the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) (Appendix B) as well as the Pain Rating Scale (PRS) (Appendix C). Intra-group analysis was performed using the non-parametric test for analysis of variance: Friedman’s test. Inter-group analysis was conducted using the Mann- Whitney U test for two independent samples. RESULTS Results from the intra-group analysis showed that in both groups most measured parameters relating to experience during the previous menstrual flow showed statistically significant reductions in intensity. This is to say that both the group receiving phytotherapy and the group receiving similimum experienced reductions in their symptoms as measured by both the MDQ and the PRS. Results from the inter-group analysis showed that there is no significant difference between the phytotherapy and similimum group in all symptoms except the water retention category, with regard to symptom perception during the last menstrual flow of the trial. CONCLUSION The conclusion reached in this study was that both the phytotherapeutic complex treatment and the homoeopathic similimum treatment were effective at reducing the clinical features of primary dysmenorrhea, but there was no significant difference between the phytotherapy and similimum group in all except the water retention category during the last menstrual period as measured by the MDQ Further, there was no statistically significant difference between groups treated with phytotherapy compared to similimum as measured by the PRS. / M

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Diabetes Mellitus is a major global health issue, affecting over 463 million adults in the world. Metformin is the standard drug administered to most people suffering fromdiabetes; however, this medication is contraindicated in many individuals, like most of the medicines developed to combat diabetes. Many diabetic patients turn to herbal medicines due to their renowned traditional use and fewer side effects.While the beneficial effects of phytotherapy are very evident, separation of nontoxic from toxic phytochemicals is still a challenge. Phytonanotherapy is a branch in nanotechnology that seeks to find the middle ground between the fast-acting mechanism of conventional drugs which also present with long lasting or severe toxic side effects, and the slowacting mechanism of phytotherapy which presents with less severe side effects. As such, the aim of this study was to pioneer the investigation of gold nanoparticles biosynthesized using the Carprobrotus edulis fruit aqueous extract (CeFe-AuNPs) as potential treatment for diabetes mellitus. Previously optimized conditions were used to synthesize CeFe-AuNPs which were concurrently characterized using UV-Vis, dynamic light scattering, High Resolution – Transmission Electron Microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy techniques. The physichochemical stability of CeFe-AuNPs in phosphate buffer saline, 0.5 % bovine serum albumin, water and 10 % NaCl was also investigated. The effect of CeFe and CeFe-AuNPs on glucose uptake by yeast cells was investigated using 5, 10 and 25 mM glucose reactions. Acute toxicity of CeFe and CeFe- AuNPs was conducted in female Wistar rats (n = 20) and major organs were analyzed through the haematoxylin-eosin stain. The anti-diabetic effects of the CeFe (200 and 400 mg/kg) and CeFe- AuNPs (100 and 200 mg/kg) were investigated in male Wistar rats divided into seven group (n = 6). Histopathology of the pancreas, and the serum insulin were determined.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death in men aged 40-55. Genistein isoflavone (4', 5', 7-trihydroxyisoflavone) is a dietary phytochemical with demonstrated anti-tumor activities in a variety of cancers. Topotecan Hydrochloride (Hycamtin) is an FDA-approved chemotherapy drug, primarily used for secondary treatment of ovarian,cervical and small cell lung cancers. This study was to demonstrate the potential anticancer activities and synergy of topotecan-genistein combination in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. The potential efficacy and mechanism of topotecan/genistein-induced cell death was investigated... Results: The overall data indicated that i) both genistein and topotecan induce cellular death in LNCaP cells, ii) topotecan-genistein combination was significantly more efficacious in reducing LNCaP cell viabiligy compared to either genistein or topotecan alone, iii) in all cases, cell death was primarily through apoptosis, via the activation of the intrinsic pathway, iv) ROS levels were increased and VEGF expression was diminished significantly with the topotecan-genistein combination treatment, v) genetic analysis of topotecan-genistein treatment groups showed changes in genetic expression levels in pathway specific apoptotic genes.... Conclusion: Treatments involving topotecan-genistein combination may prove to be an attractive alternative phytotherapy of adjuvant therapy for prostate cancer. / by Vanessa P. Hèormann. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

The thesis deals with the determination of the content of substances in the rhizomes and flowers of the selected variety of the genus Iris L. and the possibilities of using the iris as a dyeing plant. The literary part of the diploma thesis deals with the characteristics of the selected species and its cultivars of the genus Iris L., a description of species important in phytotherapy. Furthermore, the description of phenolic substances, flavonoids, anthocyanins, antioxidant capacities and methods of determination of these substances are described. In the practical part, the described methods are applied, the results are compared and statistical data evaluated. In the flowers of the iris, phenols, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity and anthocyanins were determined. The rhizomes determined phenols, flavonoids and antioxidant capacity. The diploma thesis also partially follows the bachelor's thesis, which compares the results of the color scale for individual samples of substances. In the diploma thesis we used to stabilize the character of metal salts (these salts in BP were not used). Several variants of the dyeing bath were used for dyeing. The filter extract of flowers in combination with vinegar, Salt, salt, edible soda, and blue rock were sampled by cold and boiling in both ways for 30 and 60 minutes. The samples were soaked in Soil Solution No. 1, which included 5 different substances (Soda, Savo, Salt, Vinegar, and Blue Scalp) and No. 2 (Blue Scalp, Vinegar and Water). As a control, samples were used that passed only the color bath without additives or pre-soaking.

The effects of acupuncture on mental wellbeing in chronically ill patients II Department of Social and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University in Prague Student: Ivana Chuová Tutor: PharmDr. JitkaPokladníková, Ph.D Introduction: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), including acupuncture, is widely used in the treatment of chronically ill patients, whose numbers are increasing. This treatment is widely used either alone or as a supplementary method. Though, more attention should be given to the research of TCM effectiveness in studies. Objective: To assess the effect of selected sociodemographic and clinical variables such as age, gender, size of residence, type of musculoskeletal disorders and concomitant use of Chinese phytotherapy on the alteration in personal well-being and pain in patients with musculoskeletal disorders, who underwent the acupuncture therapy at the Czech-Chinese Centre of TCM University Hospital Hradec Králové (FNHK). Methods: The Evaluation of patients' personal well-being from the data obtained by using WEMWBS and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaires. The patients were undergoing therapy at the Czech-Chinese TCM FNHK Centre. The process of the Data collection from questionnaires took place in the period from 7 April 2017 to 12...

Chronic prostatitis is relatively common, with a lifetime prevalence of 1.8% to 8.2%. Risk factors include conditions that facilitate introduction of bacteria into the urethra and prostate (which also predispose the patient to urinary tract infections) and conditions that can lead to chronic neuropathic pain. Chronic prostatitis must be differentiated from other causes of chronic pelvic pain, such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and pelvic floor dysfunction; prostate and bladder cancers; benign prostatic hyperplasia; urolithiasis; and other causes of dysuria, urinary frequency, and nocturia. The National Institutes of Health divides prostatitis into four syndromes: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP), chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP)/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. CBP and CNP/CPPS both lead to pelvic pain and lower urinary tract symptoms. CBP presents as recurrent urinary tract infections with the same organism identified on repeated cultures; it responds to a prolonged course of an antibiotic that adequately penetrates the prostate, if the urine culture suggests sensitivity. If four to six weeks of antibiotic therapy is effective but symptoms recur, another course may be prescribed, perhaps in combination with alpha blockers or nonopioid analgesics. CNP/CPPS, accounting for more than 90% of chronic prostatitis cases, presents as prostatic pain lasting at least three months without consistent culture results. Weak evidence supports the use of alpha blockers, pain medications, and a four- to six-week course of antibiotics for the treatment of CNP/CPPS. Patients may also be referred to a psychologist experienced in managing chronic pain. Experts on this condition recommend a combination of treatments tailored to the patient’s phenotypic presentation. Urology referral should be considered when appropriate treatment is ineffective. Additional treatments include pelvic floor physical therapy, phytotherapy, and pain management techniques. The UPOINT (urinary, psychosocial, organ-specific, infection, neurologic/systemic, tenderness) approach summarizes the various factors that may contribute to presentation and can guide treatment.

Concerns about beef production are growing among consumers, questioning the use of antibiotics, hormones, and metaphylactic treatments, as well as its environmental footprint. Therefore, beef production systems need to be more efficient to increase productivity while using less resources to become sustainable and reduce environmental impact. There is a need to develop and apply non-pharmaceutical alternatives to improve health, feed efficiency and performance of beef cattle. We investigated four different targeted strategies to enhance performance of beef cattle: 1) The effect of an injectable multi-mineral complex supplementation for grazing beef cows on overall mineral status, fertility, and subsequent offspring performance. Two doses of the trace mineral injection increased in pregnancy rate after artificial insemination, with a greater impact on cows with poor body condition score; 2) Inclusion of a yeast-derived product combining live yeast (probiotics) and cell wall components (prebiotics), on performance and physiological responses of beef steers during backgrounding and finishing phases. Including a yeast-derived product into a finishing diet containing monensin did not improve performance, physiological responses, and carcass quality of feedlot cattle. Nonetheless, inclusion of the yeast derived product as a substitute of monensin during the backgrounding and finishing phases decreased feed intake without affecting growth, with an overall improvement in feed efficiency; 3) Use of phytotherapy (condensed tannins) to reduce protozoa parasites load and prevent coccidiosis in peripartum beef heifers and their newborn calves. Daily supplementation of condensed tannins reduced coccidia load in heifers and newborn calves, although this reduction was transient; and 4) following the smart farming approach, validate the use of an automated scale system for grazing or feedlot beef cattle, which was able to accurately measures body weight in grazing and feedlot systems for growing and mature beef cattle while reducing cattle handling, without disrupting feeding behavior, decreasing the probability of animal lesions, accidents and optimizing labor. / Doctor of Philosophy / Diet diversification is a response of a growing economy, growing population, and urbanization, which increases the demand of meat products, especially beef, in substitution of staple foods. However, concerns around beef production and its impact on the environment are becoming more relevant for consumers. The need to produce more with less resources requires a sustainable intensification process. Specifically, beef cattle production systems are less efficient when compared to poultry or swine in terms of time and amount of feed required. Beef production systems need to focus on environmental and socially conscious strategies to satisfy the demand, increase animal health, productivity, and profitability. One approach is based on nutritional strategies and applied technologies to enhance productivity, efficiency, welfare, and health. In this dissertation we present three different strategies to improve efficiency of beef production systems: 1) using injectable trace minerals supplementation to ensure adequate mineral nutrition in grazing cows, improving their pregnancy rate to artificial insemination, particularly when cows are in poor body condition; 2) use of yeast as natural additives to successfully substitute antibiotics as growth promotants in feedlot diets with an improvement in feed efficiency; 3) use of secondary plant compounds, such as tannins, to substitute prophylactic antibiotic utilization for coccidiosis in cows and newborn calves. We demonstrate three successful strategies that can improve health, feed efficiency and reproductive performance of beef cattle, all of which are important to achieve greater productivity and profitability in beef production systems.

No / This article reports on an ethnopharmaceutical field study carried out among Turkish migrants in Cologne, western Germany, which recorded 79 botanical taxa and 115 plant-based preparations, encompassing 167 folk phytotherapeutical uses, as well as a few other biological (animal and mineral derived) remedies. One-fourth of the recorded remedies were represented by food¿medicines. Half of the ingredients quoted came originally from Turkey; only a few plants were gathered from the wild or cultivated in the Cologne area. This article discusses the Turkish migrants¿ frequent use of aerial parts of Sideritis species, the fruits of Pistacia terebinthus and the seeds of Peganum harmala from the perspective of modern phytopharmacology, phytotherapy and toxicology. It considers cultural adaptation related to the use of folk pharmaceuticals by analysing the ingredients of the Turkish folk pharmacopoeia and comparing them with those of the Turkish medical ethnobotany and of the phytotherapy of the host country (Germany). Only one third of the remedies mentioned by Turkish migrants living in Cologne are also known in German evidence-based phytotherapy, and less than 10% of the recorded phytotherapeutic uses are common to both pharmacopoeias. This article concludes by suggesting hypotheses on future changes affecting the knowledge and use of medicinal plants within the Turkish community of Cologne.

No / This paper reports 35 medicinal plants belonging to 25 families used in the treatment of malaria by the people inhabiting the forests located near to Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Orissa, a south-eastern state in India. The methods adopted for the preparation of plant parts are discussed along with their family and local name(s). The majority of the herbal preparations were made in the form of juices or by using water as the medium in the form of decoctions or infusions. Various plant parts, such as leaves, flowers, fruits, barks, stems, roots, and in some cases the whole plants are used to prepare these remedies each of which contains a single species.