Day :
- Traditional Medicine Today: Clinical and Research Issues & Herbal Medicine
Location: 1
Session Introduction
Joshua Dunsky
Dunsky Rehabilitation and Spine Center, USA
Title: Telomeres and our health
Time : 11:00-11:30
Biography:
Joshua Dunsky has been practicing as a chiropractic Physician for 17 years in the Metro West area Boston, Massachusetts. He is the Clinic Director of Dunsky Rehabilitation and Spine Center and Boston Scoliosis Specialists in Framingham Massachhusetts, a wellness center that has a focus on peripheral neuropathy, spinal degeneration, scoliosis and the GUT. He has lectured extensively on Neuropathy, Scoliosis and Telomere Science in relation to aging and disease. He presented Telomere Science as a Speaker at the Anti-Aging/Preventative Medicine Conference London 2013. He was the past President and Founder of the New England Spinal Decompression Association, LLC (2006), President and Founder of the American Spinal Decompression Association, LLC (2006) and President of The American Cancer Society, South Middlesex Chapter (2003-2005). He is a member of the American Academy of Pain Management and American Academy of Anti-Aging Physicians.
Abstract:
Shortening of the telomere at the chromosome ends is recognized to inhibit the lifespan of human cells and provoke a signal for the ignition of cellular senescence. To continually proliferate with proper DNA replication and to minimize cellular disturbance, cells must rebuild and sustain telomere length. Telomerase can achieve this due to it’s reverse transcriptase activity. Eventhough all somatic cells have the telomerase gene, the activity itself is surpressed at the regulatory element at birth. The telomerase enzyme is suggested to be an essential factor in cell immortalization. In this review, we discuss the structure and function of telomere and telomerase and their roles in cell immortalization and aging, simultaneously the experimental studies of telomerase assays and disease. Finally, we discuss the potential use of inhibitors of telomerase in humans and the role it plays in “youthful aging”.
Wen-Long Hu
Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine Taiwan
Title: Explore laser acupuncture’s role in modern medicine
Time : 11:30-12:00
Biography:
Wen-Long Hu is the Vice Director of the Department of Chinese Medicine at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Assistant Professor at Fooyin University, Kaohsiung Medical University, and Chang Gung University. He has the experiences of clinical practice in low level laser therapy (LLLT) for 20 years and in acupuncture for 25 years. He is an invited speaker for lectures in LLLT at many symposiums held by some medical associations. Recently, he is invited to instruct physicians to practice LLLT in workshops. He also involved in researches on LLLT and acupuncture, e.g. obesity, metabolic syndrome, stroke, dementia, Parkinsonism, myofascial pain, arthralgia, radiculopathy and autism, etc.
Abstract:
Objective: To explore laser acupuncture’s role in modern medicine with a view to strengthen and promote the appropriate use in health care systems. Methods: We conducted a PubMed search to obtain a fair sample of laser acupuncture clinical trials published in English till 2011. Each article was reviewed for a physiologic rationale, as well as study designs and outcomes, experimental and control interventions. Results: Forty-eight laser acupuncture clinical trials were identified. Evidence was found to support the use of laser acupuncture in the treatment of acute or chronic pain from different origins, postoperative nausea and vomiting, nocturnal enuresis, menopausal symptoms, allergic dermatoses, alcohol addiction, smoking cessation, obesity and for cerebral cortical activations. Conclusion: Laser acupuncture integrates the positive effects of acupuncture and low-level lasers, and is therefore effective in the indications of both. In the hands of an experienced physician, laser acupuncture can be used as complementary or alternative treatment in modern medicine.
MeLisa Gantt
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany
Title: Binaural beat technology: Can an auditory neurophysiologic technique positively affect the cardiovascular stress response?
Time : 12:00-12:30
Biography:
Abstract:
Lorne J Hofseth
University of South Carolina, USA
Title: American ginseng suppresses colitis and prevents colon cancer in mice: Understanding the mechanisms and the molecules
Time : 12:30-13:00
Biography:
Abstract:
Rebecca Fung
University of East-West Medicine, USA
Title: Ministerial fire and its clinical applications
Time : 14:00-14:30
Biography:
Abstract:
Abulizi Abudula
Xinjiang Medical University, PR China
Title: Protein profile changes among cancer patients after abnormal Savda therapy in traditional Uighur medicine
Time : 14:30-15:00
Biography:
Abstract:
Ahmet Uyar
Yuzuncu Yil University, Turkey
Title: Protective effects of Urtica dioica seed extract in aflatoxicosis: Histopathological and biochemical findings
Time : 15:00-15:30
Biography:
Abstract:
Muendi T Sigidi
University of Venda, South Africa
Title: Comparative in vitro cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbiological activities of two indigenous Venda medicinal plants
Time : 15:30-16:00
Biography:
Abstract:
Aurea Chun-En Kuo
Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine Taiwan
Title: The application of electroacupuncture in temporomandibular disorders
Time : 16:15-16:45
Biography:
Aurea Chun-En Kuo is a medical Doctor at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital with experience in Acupuncture and a passion for CAM studies. She has been a Member of Chinese Medical Association of Acupuncture (CMAA) and she obtained the documentation of subspecialty in Chinese Dermatology, Acupuncture, and Coventional Western Medicine. Her research topics focus on CAM in treating chronic tinnitus, modern medical devices for meridian analysis such as Ryodoraku, and the epidemiologic characteristics of CAM nursing in Taiwan. Her recent research interest is the basic research of herbs to be applied in the treatment of cancer and sepsis and CAM syndrome differentiation and treatment.
Abstract:
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) refer to a group of related pathologies involving the temporomandibular joints, muscles of mastication, and/or associated structures. TMDs are characterized by symptoms such as pain and decreased maximal mouth opening (MMO). Currently, the standard treatment modality for TMDs is nonsurgical management, based on the results of longstanding clinical research studies. However, many alternative approaches to the treatment of TMDs have arisen, primarily due to the frequency of cases that are refractory to traditional nonsurgical intervention. In many clinical studies, acupuncture has been proven an effective form of pain management, particularly pain of musculoskeletal origin, including TMDs. Within the last decade, there has been a substantial increase in the number of research studies addressing the efficacy of electroacupuncture techniques in the treatment of persistent tissue injury, nerve injury, pain associated with cancer, and visceral pain. These studies indicate that electroacupuncture not only reduces both the sensory and affective components of inflammatory pain but also inhibits neuropathic pain. The mechanism by which electroacupuncture blocks pain results from the activation or inhibition of a variety of bioactive chemicals throughout the peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal pathways. This study aims to analyze the effecacy of electroacupuncture as a treatment method for pain associated with TMDs in the scientific literature.
Turan Yaman
Yuzuncu Yil University, Turkey
Title: Histopathological and biochemical investigations of protective role of honey in rats with experimental aflatoxicosis
Time : 16:45-17:15
Biography:
Turan Yaman has completed his PhD from Yuzuncu Yil University School of Veterinary Medicine. He has published more than 4 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Yu-Chiang Hung
Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine Taiwan
Title: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding, leading to blood and energy deficiency of small intestine and stomach meridians
Biography:
Yu-Chiang Hung has completed his PhD from Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University. He is the Director of the Department of Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. He is specialized in Chinese Medicine and has published about 21 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the relationship between the electrical resistance of the skin at BAPs on the main meridians and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Methods: Electrical resistance to direct current at 20 BAPs on the fingers and toes of 100 patients with (38 men, 12 women; 58.20±19.62 years) and without (27 men, 23 women; 49.54±12.12 years) UGIB were measured through EDS. Data were compared through ANOVA, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and logistic regression. Results: The initial readings were lower in the UGIB group. Indicator drop values were observed significantly at 9 BAPs (p<0.05) on the bilateral small intestine, bilateral stomach, bilateral circulation, bilateral fibroid degeneration, and right lymph meridians. The area under the ROC curve values of the BAPs on the bilateral small intestine and stomach meridians were larger than 0.5. Logistic regression analysis revealed, when the indicator drop of the BAP on the left stomach meridian increased by one score, the risk of UGIB increased by about 1.545–3.523 times. Discussion & Conclusion: We found significantly different values of UGIB for the BAPs on the stomach and small intestine meridians. The more indicator drop values, the more risk of UGIB. The change in the electrical resistance of the skin measured by EDS at the BAPs on the bilateral small intestine and stomach meridians provides specific information as energy deficiency on UGIB.
Yufri Aldi
Fakultas Farmasi, Indonesia
Title: Decreased interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10 and IgE level of type I hypersensitive mice using scopoloetin isolated from noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L)
Time : 17:45-18:15
Biography:
Abstract:
Demirsoy G
Adnan Menderes University, Turkey
Title: Usage of complementary and alternative therapies in breast cancer patients
Biography:
Demirsoy G currently working as an eminent Faculty member at Adnan Menderes University, Turkey. She has published numerous research papers and articles in reputed journals and has various other achievements in the related studies. She has extended her valuable service towards the scientific community with her extensive research work.
Abstract:
Frequent occurrence of breast cancer, low survival rate, many side effects of treatments and women's health-seeking behavior have caused to increase the usage of complementary and alternative therapies (CAM). In Turkey, breast cancer patients often resorted to CAM methods, but they are tested by limited studies and gain results which do not answer well how frequently they were used and problems were experienced. In this study, we aimed to determine the usage of complementary and alternative treatments in breast cancer patients. This descriptive study collected the data from total 518 members who got breast cancer diagnosis of an association with cancer. We did not do sampling, but we only reached 437 members who agreed to fill out the questionnaire. Data were collected by the questionnaire consisting of 28 questions developed by the researchers and collected via Internet. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Chi-square analysis. It was determined that the majority of women who participated was in the 40-49 age group, married, graduated from university, income and expenses were equivalent and in stage 2 breast cancer. Mostly biological approaches after diagnostic were preferred. 48.7% of women were reported that they used CAM. In the 40-49 age group, married, equivalent income and expenses and patients with second phase in breast cancer used CAM higher than the other groups in the past and now. The most used CAM method was herbal products for treatment. All the CAM users have used at least one herbal method. Women, who were in the survey mostly used CAM to prevent the symptoms. 70% of women also expressed that it partially allowed their recovery. Women got advices and recommandations about CAM methods from their family members (29.6%) and their knowledge (29.6%). The women participating in this study had problems with its cost, conflicting with the treatment and problems such as difficulty to reach more information about methods and lack of access to the methods. 56.3% of CAM users did not share their situation about CAM with health professionals during their treatments, but they also expressed that they would like to receive counseling about CAM methods during treatment. As a result, the majority of breast cancer patients used many CAM methods. If the factors like age, education, stage and income increase, using CAM also increases and approximately half of the patients did not share using CAM with their medical staff. Medical staff who take care of breast cancer patients need to question the status of CAM use, find out a way for them to share their status, give adequate counsulting and also must have sufficient information to guide patients.
Tsai Kao-Sung
China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan
Title: Antipruritic effects of hypothermic and hyperthermic stimulation on acupuncture-point for dermatitis
Biography:
Tsai Kao-Sung has completed his PhD from China Medical University of Taiwan. He is a dermatologist, fellow of Asian Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and director of Taiwanese Dermatological Association. He also lecture on Hung Kuang University and practice on China Medical University Hospital and Guangyan Dermatology Clinic.
Abstract:
Itch is a major subjective symptoms in dermatitis. Regarding the needle stimulation and moxibustion on LI11 (Quchi) has been shown to exhibit a significant effect for itch in dermatitis, but the efficacy of hypothermic and hyperthermic stimulation on LI11 for itch is not confirmed. We investigate the effect of hypothermic and hyperthermic stimulation on LI11 for itch and skin reaction in atopic dermatitis patients in a translational research. Our study demonstrated that treatment with lower temperature at the LI11 acupoint significantly attenuated pruritogen-induced scratching in animal study; however, this antipruritic effect was not observed with stimulation at the sham point. The antipruritic effect of cold stimulation was blocked by the non-selective transient receptor potential (TRP) channel blocker, suggesting that TRP channels may play an important role in the antipruritic effect of cold stimulation at LI11 in mice. In our clinical trial, subjects stimulated by lower temperature (20℃) and high temperature (40℃) at the LI11 acupoint significantly attenuated itch VAS score and level of IL-31 in serum. However, SCORAD index and POEM index only decreased in high temperature subjects . Conclusions: This study demonstrated that cold stimulation at LI11 attenuated pruritogen-induced scratching behaviour in mice, possibly by a TRP-related pathway. Not only high temperature at the LI11 acupoint significantly attenuated itch VAS scare in subjects with dermatitis but also lower stimulation at LI11 did.
Biography:
Frank Yurasek completed his PhD in Traditional Chinese Medicine at Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, PRC, and his MSOM at Midwest College of Oriental Medicine, Chicago. In addition to being in Practice since 1985, he is past Chair of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at National University of Health Sciences, and Professor of Tuina at Midwest College of Oriental Medicine. He has presented Posters on Acupuncture at several Society of Acupuncture Research Conferences in the U.S. and China, as well as the World Federation of Society of Acupuncture Conferences in Houston, Texas and Toronto, Canada, as well as The Midwest Pain Medicine Society. He was appointed Vice President of WFAS in Beijing in 2014. Dr. Yurasek is Director of Acupuncture for Cook County Health & Hospital Systems, Stroger Hospital Pain Clinic. He received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Notre Dame University, where he also taught for several years.
Abstract:
On a trip to West Virginia late last Fall, President Obama underscored reports that: 120 Americans were dying daily from drug overdoses, most of them involving legal prescription drugs; statistics from 2012, showed that enough painkiller prescriptions were written to supply a bottle of them to every American. Recently, the Center for Disease Control noted that 7,000 Americans a day are treated in emergency rooms for drug overdose. In January 2015, in the peer reviewed journal Practical Pain Management, Dr. Forest Tennant, MD, DPH wrote an Editorial “Acknowledging the Failure of Standard Pain Treatment”, citing the recently published “Lange Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2015”. Shannon Brownlee’s book Overtreated- Why Too Much Medicine is Making Us Sicker and Poorer, is based on significant research by a Dartmouth Physician looking at how geography influences healthcare in the USA. Contemporaneously, The Bravewell Collaborative published a study in 2012 of the top 38 hospitals in the USA, who were offering integrated care utilizing massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic, in that order of utilization. In a teleconference entitled “Whose running the circus? The optimization of Integrated Medicine”, a panel from The Center for Optimal Integration discussed patient-centered care that was effective, efficient (not just in outcomes, but also process), and equitable (Accessible). On a personal note, with the addition of acupuncture at the Pain Clinic of Stroger Hospital, Cook County Health and Hospital System in 2011, the second largest public hospital, treating over 700,000 outpatients a year, has been evolving a model of care that moves from a vertical, silo approach housed in separate departments of specialized care, to a longitudinal model of collaboration, with dynamic interplay between caregivers sharing a common mission along a continuum of caring.
Villarreal Santiago Maria
University of Otago, Mexico
Title: Does acupuncture alter pain-related functional connectivity of the central nervous system? A systematic review
Biography:
Villarreal Santiago María is a Physiotherapist from Mexico. She worked as a Physiotherapist both in hospital and private practice settings, gaining invaluable clinical experience in managing patients with neurological and orthopaedic illnesses. In 2014, she got a Mexican government scholarship to study Master´s degree in Physiotherapy (endorsement in acupuncture) at the University of Otago, New Zealand. During her master´s dissertation, she became fascinated by acupuncture and interested to conduct research to elucidate the mechanisms behind acupuncture analgesia. She is currently working in a private clinic in Mexico City and as a Professor in Diploma of Manual Therapy, teaching all around Mexico
Abstract:
Background & Aim: One of the proposed mechanisms behind acupuncture analgesia is normalising the pain-related functional connectivity (FC) of the central nervous system. Several studies have investigated the effect of acupuncture on FC changes. However, to date, there is no conclusive evidence on the ability of acupuncture intervention on pain-related FC. Therefore, the aim of the systematic review was to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of acupuncture on influencing the FC of the CNS in patients with musculoskeletal pain. Methods: To identify the relevant studies, a systematic literature search was conducted in the following databases: AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PEDro, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using relevant MeSH. Two independent reviewers have conducted article screening process, methodological quality assessment of the included studies (Downs and Black questionnaire) and level of completeness and transparency in reporting acupuncture interventions with STRICTA. Results & Conclusion: Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, out of which, 3 were RCTs and 4 were non-RCTs. Included participants (n=191) were presented with a range of clinical conditions (osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia). Methodological quality of the studies were high in 6 studies and moderate in 1 study. Information on depth of needle insertion, needle retention time, and needle type were not reported. Due to heterogeneity in FC measures, the meta-analysis was not conducted. Positive alterations on FC of the CNS were consistently observed following long-term acupuncture intervention in patients with musculoskeletal pain. This review provides a preliminary evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture on FC in patients with musculoskeletal pain.
Carrie J Graves
School of Integrative Medicine, USA
Title: Integrating personalized genomic testing in preventative and alternative medicine
Biography:
Carrie J Graves graduated from the Graduate School of Integrative Medicine in 2009. She has been incorporating Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine in her clinic in Clearwater Florida with great success. She has won Best Wellness Center and Best Acupuncture clinic in 2015. She regularly speaks in the community on topics such as nutrition, genomic medicine, hormone regulation, and alternative medicine.
Abstract:
Successful alternative medical practices thrive with the integration of emerging technologies and holistic treatment methodologies. In practicing true preventative medicine, it is the practitioner’s responsibility to use all available resources to optimize the health of their patient. Personalized genomic testing is one such resource that evaluates an individual’s predisposition for nutrient absorption, metabolism, and potential toxic burden. This information facilitates custom approaches to disease prevention that can be incorporated into alternative medical fields such as traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathy, and ayurvedic practices. These holistic modalities examine constitutional patterns in diagnosing and planning patient treatment protocols. Combining genetic testing with alternative medicine can reveal valuable insights, allowing for more precise treatment regimes. This in turn provides the practitioner with additional tools to develop a more individualized disease management program, resulting in both measurable and impactful changes in their patient’s care
Sam C Liang
Golden Needle Acupuncture Inc., USA
Title: Case report of herpes treatment in Chinese medicine
Biography:
Sam C Liang is currently working as an acupuncturist Golden Needle Acupuncture Inc., USA. He has published numerous research papers and articles in reputed journals and has various other achievements in the related studies. He has extended his valuable service towards the scientific community with his extensive research work.
Abstract:
Herpes zoster is caused by varicella-zoster virus, the relapse of latent infection caused by the human varicella virus, and it only reoccurs when the immunity turns low. This virus is transferred from the skin through the nerve fibers to the ganglion lurking, and it relapses when immunity runs down along the nerve fibers to the skin, resulting in erythema and blisters. In most of the cases, the relapse occurs only along certain nerves, and produces zonal distribution. When herpes zoster happens, initially there will be no skin erythema or blisters, but with local nerve pain lasts about 3-5 days, after that the part with the pain will have erythema, followed by blisters. According to Chinese medicine, herpes are caused by the liver and gallbladder fire blazing up combining with the dampness accumulation in the spleen and exterior pathogen attack. In the early stage, the main symptoms are fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, mild fever, and then soon patient will have burning sensation at the infected part. 45-years-old patient, Caucasian, initial visit on January 14th, 2014 with herpes attack, and after 2 weeks acupuncture and herbal treatments, patient claimed no more burning pain, blister totally disappeared, daily life activities and energy completely recovered.
- Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine & Alternative Medicine and Treatment Methods
Session Introduction
Kazunari Ozaki
Itami City Hospital, Japan
Title: An old and new assessment of frailty and heart failure in the elderly: The correlation between kampo-scores, “the timed ‘up and go’ testâ€, and indices with echocardiography
Time : 11:25-11:55
Biography:
Abstract:
Philippe A Souvestre
NeuroKinetics Health Services, Inc., Canada
Title: Leadership development via critical thinking in healthcare practice: a countermeasure to botox® popularity and global aftermaths?
Time : 16:40-17:10
Biography:
Abstract:
Phyllis L MacIntyre
Dickinson University, Canada
Title: Building global leadership to optimize the future of traditional and alternative medicine
Time : 16:10-16:40
Biography:
Abstract:
Hwee-Ling Koh
National University of Singapore, Singapore
Title: Integrating TCM and allopathic medicine for global health care
Time : 15:25-15:55
Biography:
Abstract:
Fatma Sri Wahyuni
Andalas University, Indonesia
Title: The study of dichloromethane fraction of fruit rinds of Asam kandis (Garcinia cowa Roxb) on TNF- ? level of T47D breast cancer cell line using ELISA method
Time : 14:55-15:25
Biography:
Abstract:
Elidahanum Husni
Andalas University, Indonesia
Title: Cytotoxic property of cowanin, isolated compound from the bark of Asam Kadis on T47D breast cancer cell line
Time : 14:25-14:55
Biography:
Abstract:
Tsai Kao-Sung
China Medical University Hospital, Republic of China
Title: Antipruritic effects of hypothermic and hyperthermic stimulation on acupuncture-point for dermatitis
Time : 13:55-14:25
Biography:
Abstract:
Ryutaro Arita
Tohoku University Hospital, Japan
Title: Traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo medicine) could be helpful for control of inflammatory bowel diseases: A case series
Time : 12:25-12:55
Biography:
Abstract:
Dachriyanus
Andalas University, Indonesia
Title: Development and validation of TLC method for determination of ï¡-mangostin in young and ripe pericarp extract of Garcinia manogstana L. using TLC densitometry
Time : 11:55-12:25
Biography:
Abstract:
Domenico V Delfino
University of Perugia, Italy
Title: Utilization and validation of therapy with Artocarpus tonkinensis, a tree growing in North Vietnam
Time : 10:55-11:25
Biography:
Abstract:
Zhang Zhang-Jin
The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Title: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for mental diseases and wellbeing: From ancient period to today
Biography:
Zhang Zhang-Jin is a Tenured Professor and Associate Director of the School of Chinese Medicine, Honorary Professor of Psychiatry, Family Medicine and Primary Care and Anatomy in the University of Hong Kong (HKU). He serves as a Vice-President of the Hong Kong Association for Integration of Chinese-Western Medicine, Deputy Director of Specialty Committee of Mental Diseases of World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS), and Deputy Director of Sleep Medicine Specialty Committee of WFCMS. He received his Chinese medicine, Acupuncture and Western medicine training and earned his PhD in Neuroscience in China. During 1994-2006, he moved to USA to continue his research work in Psychopharmacology and Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University and then Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). His long-term research interest has focused on seeking novel psychotropic agents and developing effective treatment strategies from acupuncture and herbal medicine for neurological and psychiatric disorders, including pain, anxiety, mood disorders, dementia and schizophrenia. He is also interested in investigating neural mechanisms of acupuncture. He has directed numerous clinical studies. He has authored over 100 original papers, reviews and book chapters.
Abstract:
There have been numerous psychological and psychiatric terms recorded in ancient TCM bibliographies, developing a TCM specialty called mental-emotional diseases, in which symptomatology, etiology, psychopathology and various therapeutic approaches have been well established. In TCM practice, herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping, scraping, massage, dietary therapy, psychological consultant, aromatic therapy, exercise therapy (such as tai-qi), meditation and mindfulness, humor therapy, and folk music therapy are often applied in the management of mental symptoms and wellbeing. These TCM therapies also have been increasingly introduced into today’s clinical practice aimed to enhance the clinical efficacy, reduce adverse effects caused by conventional treatment and comorbid symptoms. This fact is further reflected in an increasing number of research publications, showing the potential benefits of herbal medicine, acupuncture and TCM-based exercise therapy in the treatment of various psychiatric symptoms, in particular sleep, anxiety, and mood disorders. This talk will provide an overview of the use of TCM in the management of mental-emotional symptoms and related research results.
Angela K Doolan
University of New England, Australia
Title: The right to health, traditional and complementary medicine
Biography:
Angela K Doolan is pursuing her Law degree from the School of Law at University of New England, Armidale, Australia. Her presentation is from her Honours in Law Thesis “The Right to Health, Traditional and Complementary Medicine and Naturopathy” which was awarded a high distinction. She is also a university trained and experienced Naturopath, having graduated from the Bachelor of Naturopathy program at Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia and worked as a naturopath for 6 years. She was the foundational Chair of the Australian Register of Naturopaths and Herbalists (ARONAH) www.aronah.org and is the national Coordinator of the advocacy group of Naturopaths for Registration
Abstract:
In international human rights law, art 12(1) of the international covenant on economic, social and cultural rights (ICESCR) provides a definition of right to health as the right of everyone to attain standard physical and mental health. Despite millions of people using traditional (T) and complementary medicine (CM) this paper identifies a general gap in international law and discourse regarding the right to health, traditional and complementary medicine. This paper uses persuasive interpretative methodology to determine whether the scope of right to health in international law includes a right to traditional and complementary medicine. It also considers whether the scope of the recently proposed legally binding framework convention on global health (FCGH) should address T and CM and if so, how. This paper also finds a specific gap in international law regarding T and CM. Although not expressly provided in the legally binding treaties, there is substantial evidence available to enable a right to T and CM to be inferred from the body of soft international law. In addressing the identified gaps in international law, this paper concludes by offering a draft article for inclusion in the proposed FCGH that codifies an express and legally binding right to T and CM.
Wen-Long Hu
Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine Taiwan
Title: Laser acupuncture therapy for temporomandibular disorders
Biography:
Wen-Long Hu is the Vice Director of the Department of Chinese Medicine at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Assistant Professor at Fooyin University, Kaohsiung Medical University, and Chang Gung University. He has the experiences of clinical practice in low level laser therapy (LLLT) for 20 years and in acupuncture for 25 years. He is invited speaker for lectures in LLLT at many symposiums held by some medical associations. Recently, he is invited to instruct physicians to practice LLLT in workshops. He is also involved in researches in LLLT and acupuncture, e.g. obesity, metabolic syndrome, stroke, dementia, Parkinsonism, myofascial pain, arthralgia, radiculopathy, autism, etc.
Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of laser acupuncture therapy for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) after ineffective previous treatments. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in 29 treatment-resistant TMD patients (25 women, 4 men; age range 17‒67 years). Subjects were treated 3 times per week for 4 weeks with the Handylaser Trion (GaAlAs laser diode, 810 nm, 150 mW, pulsed waves), which delivered 0.375 J of energy (5 s) to ST7, ST6, and LI4 and 3 J (40 s) to each Ashi point, 7.5‒26.25 J/cm2 in total. The visual analog scale (VAS) and maximal mouth opening (MMO) were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: VAS analysis showed that the patients were free of pain at rest (endpoint) after 5.90±6.08 sessions of laser acupuncture for acute TMD and after 16.21±17.98 sessions for chronic TMD. The VAS score on palpation of the temporomandibular joint reduced to 0.30±0.67 for patients with acute TMD (p=0.005) and to 0.47±0.84 for those with chronic TMD (p<0.001). The MMO significantly increased in patients with acute TMD (7.80±5.43 mm, p=0.008) and in patients with chronic TMD (15.58±7.87 mm, p<0.001). Conclusions: Our patients suffering from treatment-resistant TMD symptoms improved after laser acupuncture therapy. Long-term follow-up and further studies with a larger patient sample and an appropriate design are needed to examine the efficacy.
Luat Le
University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vietnam
Title: The influence of Shenshu acupoints on experimental acupuncture
Biography:
Luat Le completed his MD in 2010 and MD-MSc in 2014 from University of Medicine and Pharmacy, HoChiMinh City, Vietnam. He is working as a Lecture and Doctor in Traditional Medicine Faculty. He researched, manufactured and applied electro-acupuncture and laser-acupuncture. He has published 8 papers in medical journals and attended many medical conferences.
Abstract:
Background: Shenshu acupoints in acupuncture effect as same as internal organ soma theory. However, the influence of Shenshu acupoints on experiment is needed to know. Objectives: To examine the influenced skin regions of Shenshu acupoints on human body. Method: Basic study and experimental analysis was done on pain threshold at examined points of whole body’s dermatomes before and after using anesthesia acupuncture at Shenshu acupoints. 31 healthy volunteers used electronic stimulus parameter with two phases of symmetric thorn pulse, 160 Hz for 20 minutes, cathode on the left acupoint and anode on the right acupoint. Data analysis was done with SPSS16.0 software. Results: Pain threshold was increased symmetrically from dermatome T6 to dermatome S1 on two sides of dorsal body. The highest was at dermatome L2 (p=0.000), the edge ones were dermatome T6 and dermatome S1 (p<0.05). The diastolic blood pressure was increased significantly (p=0.003). This study is a safe procedure and has no side effects. Conclusion: The influenced regions of anesthesia acupuncture at Shenshu acupoints are dermatomes from T6 to S1 and symmetrically on two sides of dorsal body.
Mohammad A Randhawa
Northern Border University, Saudi Arabia
Title: Neuropsychiatric effects of Nigella sativa (Black seed)
Biography:
Mohammad A Randhawa graduated from King Edward Medical College Lahore in 1973, completed his Master of Philosophy from University of Punjab Lahore and obtained PhD from Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad. He also got post-graduate fellowship from Clinical Pharmacology Unit of St Bartholomews Hospital London, UK. Currently, he is appointed as Professor and Head of Department of Pharmacology at the College of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia. He has published more than 40 research articles in reputed scientific journals and has reviewed numerous research projects and manuscripts related to Nigella sativa (Black seed).
Abstract:
Nigella sativa (N. sativa) seed, commonly known as ‘Black Seed’ in English and ‘Al-Habba Al-Sauda’in Arabic, has been frequently used as a folk medicine for a large number of diseases since ancient times. N. sativa was shown to contain many active components, e.g., thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, thymol, carvacrol, nigellimine-N-oxide, nigellicine, nigellidine and alpha-hederin. In addition, N. sativa seed, its oil, various extracts and active components are known to possess very useful pharmacological effects to include: immune stimulation, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, antiasthmatic, antimicrobial, antiparasitic; and effects on neurological and psychiatric disorders. Some authors have reviewed these pharmacological activities in general but their neuropsychiatric effects are not separately and adequately described. The literature search has revealed a lot of publications pertaining to the actions of N. sativa in neurological and psychiatric problems, e.g., the control of pain, Parkinsonism, epilepsy and anxiety, as well as improvement of memory, alertness, elevation of mood and feeling of good health, etc. Moreover, because of its antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects was shown to provide neuroprotection from spinal cord injury and prevent damage to brain cells from various nerve toxins in experimental animal models. The present article is intended to briefly review the valuable efforts of scientists to investigate the pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential of this precious natural herb pertaining to the neuropsychiatric disorders. It is hoped that our manuscript would be of particular interest to the neurologists and psychiatrists, and the information provided would also benefit general physicians, medical students and the community.
Xiaochun Yu
Deputy Director, Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion China
Title: Anti-arrhythmic effect of acupuncture pretreatment in the rats subjected to simulative global ischemia and reperfusion—involvement of intracellular calcium and connexin 43
Biography:
Xiaochun Yu, BMed, MMed and PhD, is a Professor and Deputy Director of the Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Doctoral tutor. His research interest is to explore the mechanism of acupuncture and moxibustion and acupoint specificity as well as joint administration of acupuncture and drugs. So far, totally 7 research projects including National Basic Research Programs of China are/were granted by Ministry of Science and Technology of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China and Natural Science Foundation of Beijing (as the principal investigator). He published more than 90 articles in total in SCI and Chinese journals.
Abstract:
Our previous study showed that the cardiac arrhythmias induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion were attenuated by the pretreatment of acupuncture. The present study explored further, whether intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and connexin 43 (Cx43) are involved in the mediation of the anti-arrhythmic effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) pretreatment in the rats subjected to simulative global ischemia and reperfusion (SGIR). SGIR was made in the isolated heart by a low flow perfusion followed by restoration of the flow to the control level. Adult rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, namely, normal control group, SGIR group, EA group and EA plus 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (EAG) group. For EA pretreatment, bilateral Neiguan acupoints (PC6) of the rats were stimulated for 30 min, once a day for 3 consecutive days. Cx43 antagonist was given to the rats in EAG group 30 minutes before the pretreatment of EA. The resting [Ca2+]i concentration, calcium oscillation, the contents of total Cx43 and non-phosphrylated Cx43, and arrhythmia score were compared among different groups. The results showed that EA pretreatment could produce anti-arrhythmic effect in the rats subjected to SGIR. The anti-arrhythmic effect of EA pretreatment may be due at least partly to the inhibition of SGIR-induced calcium overload and [Ca2+]i oscillations, reduction of non-phosphorylated Cx43 and the enhancement of the corresponding phosphorylated Cx43 in the cardiac cells.
Wendy Wong
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Title: When the east meet the west – Mapping of diagnoses between conventional and traditional Chinese medicine in clinical practice
Biography:
Wendy Wong has completed her PhD from the University of Hong Kong and Post-doctoral studies from the same University. She is working as an Assistant Professor of Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine and School of Chinese Medicine. She has published more than 25 papers in international peer reviewed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute.
Abstract:
Background: There is a global trend of Integrative Medicine (IM) to pursue the best interest of the patients by merging the conventional with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, the communication between the 2 disciplines had not been well explored. To bridge the medical practice from the east to the west, the mapping of diagnoses between the 2 disciplines in Hong Kong serves the ideal platform for investigation. Aims & Objectives: To determine the mapping of diagnoses between conventional and TCM in primary care of Hong Kong. Methods: A cross-sectional study of prospective recording of all clinical encounters that presented to 260 Chinese Medicine Practitioners (CMP) were collected in 2012. All health presenting problems were coded by International Classification of Primary care (ICPC) and the National Classification of disease (NCCD) and Zheng (NCCZ) of TCM. Results: 55,312 encounters were collected from 260 CMPs. Most subjects (64.0%) consulted for chronic problems. Respiratory (24.9%) and musculoskeletal (22.7%) problems were the most common, and specifically cough (11.7%) and low back symptom/complaint (6.6%) being the commonest complaints. The most common TCM diagnoses in the form of NCCD was internal medicine (65.1%). By NCCZ (i.e. syndrome differentiation), Zang Fu & Meridian syndrome (40.5%) was the most common Zheng found by CMP. The top 3 categories of NCCD were tendon injury (9.4%), influenza (8.8%) and cough (6.2%). Tendon injury was mainly diagnosed as injury, Meridian syndrome (14.7%). Influenza was mostly diagnosed as wind-cold syndrome (31.5%). Cough was mainly diagnosed as wind-heat syndrome (25.9%). Conclusion: This was the first study to investigate the mapping between conventional and TCM by means of a morbidity patterns with the parallel coding from ICPC-2, NCCD and NCCZ (i.e. syndrome differentiation). To facilitate the goal of integrative medicine, this study allows a broad spectrum of understanding of terminology used between 2 disciplines.
Pei-Jing Rong
China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences China
Title: Transcutaneous acupuncture stimulation on ear vagus nerve for major depression
Biography:
Pei-Jing Rong is a Professor of the Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. She received her Bachelor’s, Master and PhD degrees from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Hong Kong Baptist University, before she finished two-year Post doctoral visiting study at Faculty of Neurosciences in Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. She has published more than 100 papers in reputed journals. She is one of the academic leaders in China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and the secretary general of Academic Committee for China Association of Acupuncture and Moxibustion.
Abstract:
Depression presents a significant burden to both patients and society. The treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is far from satisfactory. One treatment that has emerged is vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), a FDA approved physical treatment for depressive disorders. However, the application of this intervention has been limited by the involvement of surgery and potential side effects. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of stimulating the superficial branches of the vagus nerve to treat MDD. To investigate the effectiveness of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) as a solo treatment for depression, the first cohort 91 patients only received taVNS for 12 weeks. In the second cohort 69 patients first received 4 weeks of sham taVNS, followed by 8 weeks of taVNS. All treatments were self-administered by the patients at home after they received training from the hospitals. The primary clinical outcome measurement was the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale measured at weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12. After four weeks of treatment, MDD patients in the taVNS group showed greater improvement than that of sham taVNS groups as indicated by both Hamilton score changes as well as rates of good responders. In addition, we also found that the clinical improvements continued until week 12. Our study demonstrated that taVNS is a promising, safe and cost-effective neuromodulation method for MDD treatment.
- Challenges and Future Directions of Traditional Medicine & Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine & Drugs from Natural Sources
Session Introduction
Yibin Feng
The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Title: Drug discovery from Chinese medicines: What’s new in next?
Time : 09:30-10:00
Biography:
Yibin Feng is currently an Associate Professor cum Associate Director in the School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong. He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Chinese Medicine from Mainland China, PhD in Molecular Medicine from Hokkaido University School of Medicine and finished Post-doctoral research in the same University in Japan. His research interest focuses on clinical trial and experimental study for cancer, diabetes, hepatic and renal diseases by using recently developed techniques. He has published over 200 publications in these areas and serve as an editor and reviewer for many international journals.
Abstract:
Chinese medicine has its own science and art. To understand Chinese medicine on scientific basis and to push Chinese medicine has become a part of world medical system. Bioscience and OMICS technologies are powerful approaches in Chinese medicine research. In the past years, drug discovery from Chinese medicines have been acknowledged worldwide, such as artemisinin for antimalarial and arsenic trioxide for treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Actually, as a complementary and alternative medicine, Chinese medicine rarely uses single pure compound or single herb, instead, it always uses blend of several herbs (composite formulae, or Fufang in Chinese) to treat diseases. One of the unique advantages in Chinese medicine is that it can use known Chinese medicinal herbs to create new composite formulae for new diseases such as SARS, new type influenza and other chronic diseases. Facing complicated diseases, Western medicine have been also using combination therapy in modern medical practice, such as “cocktail therapy” for AIDS, combination chemotherapy for cancer. Identification of natural origin, quality control, gut bacteria metabolite, pharmacological effects, molecular targets and clinical trial which are caried out on international platform should be emphasized. Some successful cases will be used as paradigms to illustrate this approach on study of Chinese medicines in in vitro and in vivo, in this presentation.
Natsumi Saito
Tohoku University Hospital, Japan
Title: Simulation training with abdominal simulators in traditional Japanese (Kampo) medicine
Biography:
Abstract:
Shin Takayama
Tohoku University Hospital, Japan
Title: Hands-on experience improved students’ understanding and evaluation of traditional Japanese Kampo medicine
Biography:
Abstract:
Biography:
Abstract:
Biography:
Abstract:
Afsatou Ndama Traore
University of Venda, South Africa
Title: Phenolic contents, antioxidant activity and spectroscopic characteristics of Pterocarpus angolensis DC stem bark fractions
Biography:
Abstract:
Mao-Feng Sun
China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan
Title: Prescription patterns of Chinese herbal products for patients with fractures in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based study
Biography:
Abstract:
Soichiro Kaneko
Tohoku University Hospital, Japan
Title: Literature documentation about the acupuncture for the intractable disease in Japan
Biography:
Abstract:
Willard Mushiwokufa
Chipinge District Hospital, Zimbabwe
Title: A case of a functionally cured HIV patient who took herbal medicine
Biography:
Abstract:
Sumita Satarkar
Founder Director Swasthya Santulan Pvt.Ltd. India
Title: Summary on 100 patterns of pulse in acupuncture for accurate diagnosis and healing
Time : 15:15-15:45
Biography:
Sumita Satarkar Founder and Head of the management Saheacci School of Alternative healing and Acupuncture Insync Pune, India.& Founder Director Swasthya Santulan Pvt.Ltd She has published numerous research papers and articles in reputed journals and has various other achievements in the related studies. She has extended his/her valuable service towards the scientific community with her extensive research work.
Abstract:
‘Acupuncture’ an age old science, also known as an alternative healing technique, is mostly used for prevention of disease to maintain the balance of life. The practice of Acupuncture consists of either stimulation or dispersion of the flow of vital energy within the body by inserting needles into specific points on the body surface, applying heat [moxibustion], or by pressing points [Acupressure]. Pulse is one of the most important diagnostic tool used from ancient times, which needs accuracy and focus. Unlike any other faculty of medicine, this age old science of alternative healing is a study of ‘energy’ which neither can be measured nor be seen .It can only be palpated at the wrist. Palpation and its interpretation bring forth the detail analysis of energy and its patterns and thus further can be accurately diagnose the exact illness or disorder. This is called a ‘’ Pulse diagnosis.’’ Pulse provides valuable clinical information which can be used to gain a deep understanding of the patient’s illness or symptoms on many levels. It warns the patient of the forthcoming illnesses, indicating the present and also the damage done in the past in the body, if the acupuncturist knows the method perfectly.
Harsh Lata Bookel
O P Jindal Global University, India
Title: GUNIS-Traditional healers of Rajasthan, India
Biography:
Abstract:
Mara Doljak
Aromara d.o.o., Croatia
Title: Restoring women’s vaginal health with simple use of essential oils and vegetable oils
Biography:
Mara Doljak has completed her Master’s degree in Pharmacy. She is the Founder and Owner of a certified Aromatherapy school (Aroma Center) and a company (Aromara) that promotes aromatherapy and aromatherapy products intended for health and beauty. In 2015, she held lectures at the following conferences: Phyt’Arom Grasse in France, Pacific Institute of Aromatherapy in San Francisco, USA and International Conference on Natural Products Utilization in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Abstract:
Croatia is a marvellous country but in a post-war aftermath with deep economic, moral and intellectual consequences. Since 1991, we at Aromara have been spreading awareness about aromatherapy through education, products and impact at a Governmental level. When researching product development, we seek common chronic health problems that lack an effective pharmacological cure. This is the case for vaginal infections. Most common forms of vaginitis are bacterial vaginosis (40-45%), vaginal candidiasis (20-25%) and trichomoniasis (15-20%). Up to 70% of women may remain undiagnosed. 498 million people aged 15 to 49 worldwide are infected each year with chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis or trichomoniasis. A synergistic combination of Helianthus annuus, Hypericum perforatum, Calendula officinalis, Prunus armeniaca fixed oils and Melaleuca alternifolia, Cymbopogon martinii, Cananga odorata, Helichrysum italicum, Pogostemon patchouli, Pelargonium graveolens and Matricaria chamomilla essential oils, used daily, showed results in alleviating symptoms and providing clear medical tests of the vaginal flora. Aromatograms and pharmacological properties of the main ingredients demonstrate the health benefits of the formulation. The sociological results of improving women's vaginal health are higher creativity, less depression, better overall health, better sexual life, better motherhood, healthier family - the results of which brings us towards promoting a healthy society.
Y L Gong
Nanjing University, China
Title: Herbal decoction-based combination therapy of Chinese hepatic cell carcinoma: A retrospective clinical study
Biography:
Y L Gong has completed his PhD in Gastroenterology from 2nd Military Medical University of Shanghai in the year 1997. Currently, he is working as a specialist in the Department of Oncology, Nanjing 1st Hospital, and Nanjing Medical University, China. He has published more than 40 scientific papers in various national and international journals and a reviewer for reputed journals. Apart from medical oncology, his area of interest is Chinese traditional medicine therapy of hepatic cell carcinoma.
Abstract:
Aim: The main of the study is to contribute a humble effort to promote Chinese traditional medicine, a retrospective clinical study was performed to assess the efficacy of Chinese herbal decoction-based combination treatment of hepatic cell carcinoma (HCC). Methods:42 hospitalized patients with histologically confirmed HCC from Jan 2012 to Dec 2014 were selected randomly, including 22 cases in the control group for conventional therapy of surgical resection and/or chemo-radiotherapy as usual; and 20 patients in the study group for combined treatment of “warm and removing” decoction (WRD) on the basis of standard care. In the meantime, evaluation of clinical characteristics and quality of life was assessed. Results: There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the comparison of AFP (alpha feto protein)/ALT (alanine transaminase) level between control and study groups. The DCR (disease control rate) was 43% in the study group compared with 34% in the control group. Three-month PFS (Progression-Free-Survival) and TTP (Time-to-Progression) rates were 60%, 35% for WRD patients and 45%, 40% for control patients, respectively. The retrospective clinical study showed no overall survival (OS) benefit for HCC patients treated with WRD compared with control, while the QOL (quality of life) evaluation seemed to predict survival better for WRD patients than that for control patients. Conclusions: Chinese herbs in the WRD may have the ability of increasing cellular immunity and reducing surgical or chemo-radio-therapeutic lesions. Chinese herbs of WRD might be an additional choice with its better benefits and tolerability in the combination treatment of HCC.
Gehan Moustafa Badr
King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
Title: The synergistic effect of aged garlic extract and methotrexate in collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis in male albino rats
Biography:
Gehan Moustafa Badr has completed her PhD from Ain Shams University. She is lectureur in Science college Ain Shams University from 2007, and currently, she works in Science College, King Faisal University in girls sections from 2007 till now. She has published two papers about alternative medicine against gastric ulcers and hepatotoxicity. She gets funds for two projects from King Faisal University. She research papers which published or under press are on Aged garlic extract, Parsly oil, Green tea, proplis and Myrrah plants
Abstract:
Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) exhibit a significant anti inflammatory effect in numerous diseases. However, the anti inflammatory effects of AGE in arthritic conditions not well documented and the Methotrexate (MTX) is an anchor drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but responsiveness is variable in effectiveness and hepatotoxicity in healthy and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)-rats. Therefore, the present study used adult female rats divided into 8 groups of rats: Control healthy, CIA, CIA treated with AGE and/or MTX, healthy treated with AGE and/or MTX. Arthritis induced by intradermally injection of collagen complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) emulsion (4 mg/kg)at the base of the tail in each rat. All treatments started once the peak symptoms of arthritis appeared (20th day). AGE treatment (from day 21 to 50) 200 mg/kg/PO. CIA-rats injected by subcutaneous dose of 1.5 mg/kg per 2 days of MTX from day 21 to 43. Efficacy of AGE alone or combined with the medicine was assessed based on the ability to reduce paw oedema, histopathological changes, reduction of the liver enzyme activities and oxidative parameters, elevation of hepatic antioxidant enzymes, arthritis-induced changes in body weight, C-reactive protein (CRP), Serum Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) α and interleukin (IL)-17 levels. The study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect in CIA-rats of AGE alone and its synergetic activity in combination treatment with methotrexate and its protection against methotrexate induce toxicity.
Heshu Sulaiman Rahman
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
Title: A novel gold biodegradable nanoparticles reduced by Sargassum glaucescens: Preparation, characterization and anticancer activity
Biography:
Heshu Sulaiman Rahman has completed her PhD from University Putra Malaysia. She is the Director of Laboratory Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Northern Iraq. She has published more than 35 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute. She was awarded with more than 10 medals, 10 appreciation letters, and owned 6 patents.
Abstract:
The current study investigated the anticancer properties of gold nanoparticles (SG-stabilized AuNPs) synthesized using water extracts of the brown seaweed Sargassum glaucescens (SG). SG-stabilized AuNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The SG-stabilized AuNPs were stable and small at 3.65±1.69 nm in size. The in vitro anticancer effect of SG-stabilized AuNPs was determined on cervical (HeLa), liver (HepG2), breast (MDA-MB-231) and leukemia (CEM-ss) cell lines using fluorescent microscopy, flow cytometry, and caspase activity determination, and MTT assay. After 72 hours treatment, SG-stabilized AuNPs was shown to be significantly (P<0.05) cytotoxic to the cancer cells in dose- and time-dependent manner. The IC50 of SG-stabilized AuNPs on HeLa, HepG2, CEM-ss, MDA-MB-231 cell lines were 4.75±1.23, 7.14±1.45, 10.32±1.5, and 11.82±0.9 μg/mL, respectively. On the other hand, SG-stabilized AuNPs showed no cytotoxic effect towards the normal human mammary epithelial cells (MCF-10A). SG-stabilized AuNPs significantly (P<0.05) arrest HeLa cell cycle at G2/M phase and significantly (P<0.05) activated caspases-3 and -9 activities. The anticancer effect of SG-stabilized AuNPs is via the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The study showed that SG-stabilized AuNPs is a good candidate to be developed into a chemotherapeutic compound for the treatment of cancers especially cervical cancer.
Mthokozisi B C Simelane
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Title: The potential of Ursolic acid acetate as an agent for malarial chemotherapy
Biography:
Mthokozisi B C Simelane has completed his PhD from University of Zululand in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology. He is working as a Lecturer of Biochemistry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has published more than 6 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as a reviewer to different journals.
Abstract:
Despite the various efforts by governmental and non-governmental organizations aimed at eradicating the disease, malaria is said to kill a child every 30 seconds. Traditional healers use different concoctions prepared from medicinal plants to treat malaria. In the quest to bio-prospect plant-derived triterpenes for anti-malaria activity, we report here the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of Ursolic acid acetate (Ursolic acid isolated from dichloromethane extract of Mimusops caffra was chemically modified to its acetate derivative). The transdermal administration of Ursolic acid acetate (UAA) dose dependently showed complete inhibition of the parasites’ growth at the highest concentration of 400 mg/kg after 15 days of Plasmodium berghei infection. UAA prevented the in vitro aggregation of MDH but did not prevent the expression of PfHsp 70 in E. coli XL1 blue cells. It, however, enhanced PfHsp70 ATPase activity with the specific activity of 65 units (amount of phosphate released 73.83 nmolPi/min.mg). Ursolic acid acetate prevented the formation of hemozoin (60±0.02% at 6 mg/ml). The results suggest that Ursolic acid acetate possesses potential anti-malaria properties.
Olugbenga Morebise
All Saints University School of Medicine, Dominica
Title: Dominican medicinal plants— Uses, chemical constituents, bioactivity reports and prospects
Biography:
Olugbenga Morebise obtained a PhD degree in Biochemistry from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. He has been involved in both teaching and research in Nigeria before moving to the Caribbean. He currently teaches Biochemistry at the All Saints University School of Medicine, Roseau, Dominica. He has done his research work on bioactivities of medicinal plants, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic and allelopathic activities. He has published articles in reputable journals. He currently hopes to team up with his colleagues to establish a phytochemical/ herbal research unit in Dominica.
Abstract:
Dominica, the nature isle of the Caribbean, is a country whose citizens are noted for growing old gracefully and living long healthily. The country has been reported to have the highest percentage of centenarians per capita in the world. This is attributed to the wide consumption of natural products which include herbal medicines and cultivated vegetables and fruits. Bush tea is a common term in Dominica and it refers to the decoction, concoction or infusion made from the medicinal plants. This presentation shows how the popular medicinal plants are usually used by the locals in Dominica and their strong folkloric beliefs on the efficacies of the herbals. The chemical composition of the plants and bioactivity reports on them, based on research finding from different parts of the world, are also presented in this report. Some of the plants still have few or no phytochemical and bioactivity reports on them, indicating ideal areas for novel researches. Future prospects and recommendations in the areas of novel herbal formulations, drug discovery and medicinal plant research in Dominica are also highlighted.
Ajibola Ola Peters
PONAS Herbal Research Healthcare Products and Hospital, Republic of Cameroon
Title: Challenges and future direction of traditional medicine
Biography:
Ajibola Ola Peters completed the National Certificate of Education (NCE) and obtained the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in 1991. Thereafter, he fully joined his family’s hereditary herbal medicine healthcare home as one of the herbalist. Currently, he is the Managing Director of Natural Herbal Solutions Common Initiative Group - (PONAS C.I.G). He is the Author of the popular medicinal plants book titled Herbs, Health and Diseases, published in 2007. He is also an herbal hospital practitioner.
Abstract:
The major challenge of traditional herbal medicine is the availability, which is under serious threat. Over 90% of the medicinal plants used by the traditional doctors and industries worldwide today are collected from the wild. 10% species of plants are under commercial cultivation. Over 80 % of the plant collections involve destructive harvesting by timber exploiter companies and traditional doctors because of the use of parts like roots, bark, stem, leaf and in some cases, the whole plant. This shows a definite threat and challenge to the genetic stocks and to the diversity of medicinal plants as well as the need for conservation and cultivation of endangered species. Presently, 85% of the world population is using and relies on medicinal plant medication for common and emerging diseases. The majority of pharmaceutical processing companies have also diverted their focus to selected effective medicinal plants formulae for re-production because they foresee that in future, 95% of the whole world will prefer natural herbal medication because of their prominent role in treating existing and emerging diseases. There has been a serious investment in herbal medicine and research by public-health bodies in many countries including China, South Africa and USA. In 2004, the National Cancer Institute committed nearly US$ 89 million to study a range of traditional therapies. In recent years, more than $2 billion has been committed by public- health bodies. The growing investment and worldwide faith in its consumption has shown that the future direction of traditional herbal medicine will soon be the world’s popular choice.