INTRODUCTION Modern phytotherapy and quality assurance requires stability data on bioactive metabolites to identify and minimise decomposing factors during processing and storage. A compound's stability in a complex matrix can be different from the stability of the purified compound. OBJECTIVE To test the stability of iridoids and acteoside and quantify changes in colour and microbiological q...

The transfer of pesticide residues from herbal teas to their infusion is a subject of particular interest. In this study, a multi-residue analytical method for the determination of pyrethroids (fenpropathrin, beta-cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and fenvalerate) in honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, wolfberry, and licorice and their infusion samples was validated. The transfer of pyrethroid residues...

BACKGROUND The fermented leaves and stems of Cyclopia intermedia are used to brew honeybush tea, an herbal tea indigenous to South Africa with reported anti-wrinkle effects. Wrinkle formation caused by photoaging clearly involves changes in extracellular matrix components and mechanical properties of the skin. METHODS The inhibitory effects of honeybush extract and fermented honeybush on wrin...

INTRODUCTION Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is garnering increasing interest and acceptance among the general population. Although usage is thought to be widespread among paediatric cancer patients, local studies have not been done. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of CAM usage in paediatric cancer patients in a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pare...

Traditional concoctions sold in marketplaces are always assumed to be safe and efficient; however, they can be potentially toxic because of poor hygienic practices in plant processing or storage. The present study aimed to assess for the microbial quality of market-sold vegetable drugs in Lomé. Thus, a total of 209 plant remedies were collected in marketplaces and analysed for the presence of t...

BACKGROUND Complementary and alternative medicines often are advocated for infantile colic, yet there has been no synthesis of the evidence to inform current practice about their use. OBJECTIVE To critically evaluate all randomized clinical trials of nutritional supplements and other complementary and alternative medicines as a treatment for infantile colic. METHODS Five electronic database...

Consumption of herbal leafy porridges is a reputed dietary remedy among Sri Lankans in treating diabetes. The aim of the study was to develop a rice based herbal porridge [rice: fresh leaves: scraped coconut kernel 13 15: 25 30: 10 13 (w/w/w)] commercially with Scoparia dulcis leaves which has proven antidiabetic effects and low GI (fresh porridge) which benefits diabetics. Two porridges with t...

BACKGROUND Very high levels of prenatal maternal mercury have adverse effects on the developing fetal brain. It has been suggested that all possible sources of mercury should be avoided. However, although seafood is a known source of mercury, little is known about other dietary components that contribute to the overall levels of blood mercury. OBJECTIVE Our goal was to quantify the contributi...

Alternate medicine which has a long history has been relegated to the background by the evolution of modern medicine. In recent times, however, alternative medical therapy has been growing in popularity and getting increasing attention and interest. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude and use by urban dwellers of alternative medical therapies. This was a cross-sectional descriptive stud...