Background: Medicinal plants are widely used for healthcare needs, including oral health. In the Philippines, garlic, guava, tsaang-gubat, and hierba buena, although primarily recognized as plants used for the treatment of systemic diseases, are indicated as analgesics for dental pain, treatment of gingival inflammation, and oral health maintenance. Despite studies focusing on the effectiveness of these plants for oral health, there is little to no research on the populace’s knowledge, attitude, and practices on these medicinal plants. Objectives: The study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of Oral Medicine patients from a dental college in Manila on four medicinal plants (garlic, guava, tsaang-gubat, and hierba buena) for oral health. Methods: A descriptive study design was used. Oral Medicine patients (694) were invited to participate in the study through daily text messages containing brief research details. The link to the three-part online questionnaire (Google Forms) was sent via text and Facebook messages, and was answerable within 15-20 minutes. Results: Two hundred fourteen (214) Oral Medicine patients participated, with 147 (68.69%) having knowledge on using medicinal plants for oral health which they mostly knew through friends and acquaintances. Most participants had a generally positive attitude toward medicinal plants for oral health and believed they were beneficial (177, 82.71%), safe, effective, and cheaper than conventional medicine (175, 81.78%), and accessible (171, 79.91%). Only 64 (29.91%) personally used medicinal plants to address their oral health conditions. Garlic (144, 97.96%) was the most widely known and used, followed by guava (52, 35.37%), hierba buena (12, 8.16%), and tsaang-gubat (4, 2.72%). Conclusion Most participants were knowledgeable with a generally positive attitude toward the four medicinal plants for oral health but did not use these to address their oral health problems.
Garlic ; Psidium ; Mentha ; Plants, Medicinal ; Oral Health

BACKGROUND

Medicinal plants are widely used for healthcare needs, including oral health. In the Philippines, garlic, guava, tsaang-gubat, and hierba buena, although primarily recognized as plants used for the treatment of systemic diseases, are indicated as analgesics for dental pain, treatment of gingival inflammation, and oral health maintenance. Despite studies focusing on the effectiveness of these plants for oral health, there is little to no research on the populace’s knowledge, attitude, and practices on these medicinal plants.

The study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of Oral Medicine patients from a dental college in Manila on four medicinal plants (garlic, guava, tsaang-gubat, and hierba buena) for oral health.

A descriptive study design was used. Oral Medicine patients (694) were invited to participate in the study through daily text messages containing brief research details. The link to the three-part online questionnaire (Google Forms) was sent via text and Facebook messages, and was answerable within 15-20 minutes.

Two hundred fourteen (214) Oral Medicine patients participated, with 147 (68.69%) having knowledge on using medicinal plants for oral health which they mostly knew through friends and acquaintances. Most participants had a generally positive attitude toward medicinal plants for oral health and believed they were beneficial (177, 82.71%), safe, effective, and cheaper than conventional medicine (175, 81.78%), and accessible (171, 79.91%). Only 64 (29.91%) personally used medicinal plants to address their oral health conditions. Garlic (144, 97.96%) was the most widely known and used, followed by guava (52, 35.37%), hierba buena (12, 8.16%), and tsaang-gubat (4, 2.72%).

Most participants were knowledgeable with a generally positive attitude toward the four medicinal plants for oral health but did not use these to address their oral health problems.

Skin mycoses have been a major problem affecting millions around the globe. The threat of resistance to synthetic antifungal agents however is a major obstacle in its management. As an alternative to these, a thorough investigation of natural products is being performed to develop medicines that are effective and safe. In this review, we described three antifungal herbal plants that are available in the Philippines, namely Senna alata (Linn.) Roxb. (akapulko), Allium sativum (Linn.) (garlic) and Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (lemongrass). In vitro studies showed promising results that can be used as a basis for drug formulation for community use as well as commercial products. So far, there have been no reported toxic effects from these plants. The common ground for these plants’ mechanism of action was the effect of their phytochemicals in the cell membrane and cell wall organelles, inhibition of major biosynthetic pathways, and prevention of biofilm formation. Formulation and clinical studies also revealed promising results comparable to the synthetic ones.
Tinea ; Garlic

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the initial clinical experience and follow-up results of the treatment for ureteroileal anastomotic stricture after radical cystectomy with Allium coated metal ureteral stent. METHODS: From September 2018 to September 2019, 8 patients with ureteroileal anastomotic stricture after radical cystectomy underwent Allium ureteral stent insertion in Peking University People's Hospital and People's Hospital of Daxing District. The preoperative renal pelvis width under ultrasound was collected to evaluate the postoperative hydronephrosis, creatinine and urea nitrogen (BUN) before and after surgery, perioperative infection, and stent-related complications. The serum creatinine and BUN, renal pelvis width under ultrasound, urography and abdominal plain film (KUB) were reviewed at the end of 1, 3, and 6 months and annually postoperatively to observe the stent position and morphology. The long-term stent patency rate, complication rate, renal function and hydronephrosis were followed up and analyzed. The t-test or rank-sum test was used to compare the measurement data of the matched sample from the preoperative to the last follow-up. RESULTS: In the study, 6 cases (7 sides) were ureteral ileal conduit stricture, and 2 cases (3 sides) ureteral orthotopic neobladder stricture. Before surgery, 5 patients underwent long-term indwelling of a single J ureteral stent, with an average indwelling time of (20.6±8.8) months and an average replacement frequency of (3.6±1.3) months/time. The mean width of renal pelvis was (26.5±9.1) mm on preoperative renal ultrasonography. Among them, 6 patients were successfully indwelled with Allium coated metal ureteral stent by retrograde approach, and 2 patients by combination of double-endoscopy and ante-retrograde approach. No surgery-related complications during perioperative period were observed. The mean follow-up period was 9.8 months and Allium stent and ureter remained unobstructed in all the patients at the last follow-up without replacement or removal. Compared with preoperative data, the mean width of renal pelvis and mean blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in the last follow-up period were significantly reduced [(26.5±9.1) mm vs. (13.4±2.5) mm, P=0.008; (11.6±2.3) mmol/L vs. (10.2±2.2) mmol/L, P=0.017], however, there were no significant differences in the average serum creatinine or hemoglobin (P>0.05). Ureteroileal anastomotic re-stricture and other stent-related complications were not observed in all the patients by antegrade urography. CONCLUSION Allium coated metal ureteral stent could be used for the treatment for ureteroileal anastomotic stricture, which could maintain relatively long-term patency rate and protect renal function. The indwelling time was longer and it could improve quality of life of patients.
Allium ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Cystectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Metals ; Quality of Life ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome ; Ureter ; Ureteral Obstruction/surgery* ; Urinary Diversion

Congchi Decoction in Zhouhou Beiji Fang is a prescription commonly used in treating light exterior wind-cold syndrome.Fistular Onion Stalk in the prescription has the effects in inducing sweat and dispelling exogenous evils and accelerating Yang Qi,and has been recorded in many medical books. In addition to be used to treat light exterior wind-cold syndrome,Fistular Onion Stalk is also used extensively and uniquely to treat restlessness after cholera,febrile disease,thoracic obstruction,Yin-Yang toxin syndrome,consumptive disease,bellyache due to spleen Qi deficiency according to Zhouhou Beiji Fang. However,there is still lack of the research on whether Fistular Onion Stalk is derived from shallot or scallion. The authors analyzed the sources of Fistular Onion Stalk in the prescription of Congchi Decoction by consulting ancient books,and studying the plant morphology of shallot,the characteristic and effect of Fistular Onion Stalk and the historical physicians' clinical application of Fistular Onion Stalk,the completion and popularity of Zhouhou Beiji Fang,the ratio of water to medicine of Congchi Decoction and the chemical ingredients of Fistular Onion Stalk. Finally,the authors concluded that Fistular Onion Stalk in the Congchi Decoction refers to Scallion bulbs.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Onions ; chemistry ; Yin-Yang

The objective of this study was to develop fermented vegetable juices that possess antidiabetic and antioxidant activities. Lactobacillus plantarum MKHA15 (MKHA15) and Leuconostoc mesenteroides MKSR (MKSR) were applied to ferment onion, cabbage, and tomato juices at 37℃ and 30℃ for 72 h, respectively, and their functionality was tested using the 12 h hour-fermented juice by MKHA15, and 48 h hour-fermented juice by MKSR. Inhibition of α-glucosidase activity was observed in all fermented juices. The onion juice fermented by MKHA15 showed significantly higher α-glucosidase inhibition activity compared to other juices. All juices showed more than 70% inhibition of α-amylase activity. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of onion juice fermented by MKSR showed significantly lower activity than cabbage and tomato juices; however, no difference was observed between the types of starter cultures. The SOD-like activity of cabbage juice fermented by MKSR was the highest among the fermented juices. The juices fermented by MKHA15 showed higher reducing power than those by MKSR. Therefore, we believe that cabbage, onion and tomato juice fermented by MKHA15 and MKSR would be useful in probiotic juices, as they possess antidiabetic and antioxidant activities.
Brassica ; Fruit and Vegetable Juices ; Lactobacillus plantarum ; Lactobacillus ; Leuconostoc ; Lycopersicon esculentum ; Onions ; Probiotics ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although aged black garlic has various biological activities such as anti-allergy, anti-inflammation and neuroprotection, effect of aged black garlic on chemically contact dermatitis is unclarified. MATERIALS/METHODS: To evaluate anti-dermatitic activity of aged black garlic extract, we investigated effects of a fraction of aged black garlic extract (BG10) on both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: BG10 almost inhibited formation of nitric monoxide and interleukin-6 (IL-6; IC50, 7.07 µg/mL) at 25 µg/mL, and dose-dependently reduced production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α; IC50, 52.07 µg/mL) and prostaglandin E2 (IC50, 38.46 µg/mL) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. In addition, BG10 significantly inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2 and nuclear NF-κB, and improved that of cytosolic levels of NF-κB and IκBα in the cells. Consistent with in vitro studies, BG10 (0.5 mg/mL) not only reduced ear edema but also suppressed the formation of IL-6 and TNF-α induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in ear tissues of mice. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest BG10 has anti-dermatitic activity through inhibiting activation of macrophages. Therefore, such effects of BG10 may provide information for the application of aged black garlic for prevention and therapy of contact dermatitis.
Animals ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Cytokines ; Cytosol ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dinoprostone ; Ear ; Edema ; Garlic ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Interleukin-6 ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Necrosis ; Neuroprotection ; NF-kappa B ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II

Sperm function and male fertility are closely related to pH dependent K⁺ current (KSper) in human sperm, which is most likely composed of Slo3 and its auxiliary subunit leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 52 (LRRC52). Onion peel extract (OPE) and its major active ingredient quercetin are widely used as fertility enhancers; however, the effect of OPE and quercetin on Slo3 has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of quercetin on human Slo3 channels. Human Slo3 and LRRC52 were co-transfected into HEK293 cells and pharmacological properties were studied with the whole cell patch clamp technique. We successfully expressed and measured pH sensitive and calcium insensitive Slo3 currents in HEK293 cells. We found that OPE and its key ingredient quercetin inhibit Slo3 currents. Inhibition by quercetin is dose dependent and this degree of inhibition decreases with elevating internal alkalization and internal free calcium concentrations. Functional moieties in the quercetin polyphenolic ring govern the degree of inhibition of Slo3 by quercetin, and the composition of such functional moieties are sensitive to the pH of the medium. These results suggest that quercetin inhibits Slo3 in a pH and calcium dependent manner. Therefore, we surmise that quercetin induced depolarization in spermatozoa may enhance the voltage gated proton channel (Hv1), and activate non-selective cation channels of sperm (CatSper) dependent calcium influx to trigger sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction.
Acrosome Reaction ; Calcium ; Fertility ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Male ; Onions ; Phosphatidylinositols ; Protons ; Quercetin ; Sperm Capacitation ; Spermatozoa

BACKGROUND: NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) is a widely-distributed flavin adenine dinucleotide-dependent flavoprotein that promotes obligatory 2-electron reductions of quinones, quinoneimines, nitroaromatics, and azo dyes. This reduces quinone levels and thereby minimizes generation of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed by redox cycling, and concurrent depletion of intracellular thiol pools. Ajoene is derived from crushed garlic. It is formed by a reaction involving two allicin molecules, and is composed of allyl sulfide and vinyl disulfide. Ajoene is present in two isomers, E- and Z-form. METHODS: Expression of antioxidant enzymes and nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) was measured by Western blot analysis. NQO1 promoter activity was assessed by the luciferase reporter gene assay. ROS accumulation was monitored by using the fluorescence-generating probe 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. The intracellular glutathione levels were measured by using a commercially available kit. RESULTS: Z-ajoene significantly up-regulated the expression of representative antioxidant enzyme NQO1 in non-tumorigenic breast epithelial MCF-10A cells at non-toxic concentrations. Z-ajoene enhanced up-regulation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2, which plays a pivotal role in the induction of many genes encoding antioxidant enzymes and other cytoprotective proteins. Z-ajoene treatment also increased the activity of nqo1-promoter harboring antioxidant response element consensus sequences in MCF-10A cells. Silencing of Nrf2 by small interfering RNA abrogated ajoene-induced expression of NQO1. Z-ajoene activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Inhibition of ERK activation by U0126 abrogated ability of Z-ajoene to activate Nrf2 and to induce NQO1 expression. Intracellular ROS accumulation was observed after treatment with Z-ajoene, whereas the E-isoform was not effective. The inhibition of ROS by treatment with N-acetylcysteine, a radical scavenger, abrogated Z-ajoene-induced expression of NQO1 as well as activation of ERK and Nrf2, suggesting that Z-ajoene augments the Nrf2-dependent antioxidant defense via ROS generation and ERK activation. CONCLUSIONS: Z-ajoene induces NQO1 expression in MCF-10A cells through ROS-mediated activation of Nrf2.
Acetylcysteine ; Adenine ; Antioxidant Response Elements ; Azo Compounds ; Blotting, Western ; Breast ; Consensus Sequence ; Epithelial Cells ; Flavoproteins ; Garlic ; Genes, Reporter ; Glutathione ; Humans ; Luciferases ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Phosphotransferases ; Quinones ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Up-Regulation

While most types of malignancies remain recalcitrant to treatment, application of natural products or their analogs in daily life has offered some hopes as an effective prophylaxis against cancer onset and progression in the past decades. Emerging evidence supports a link between garlic consumption and decreased cancer incidence. Notably, aged garlic extract (AGE) exhibits stronger anti-cancer activities than that of fresh garlic, by virtue of enrichment of several AGE-specific organosulfur compounds, including S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC). In this review, we summarize the up-to-date mechanistic pathways associated with the anti-proliferative, anti-metastatic and pro-apoptotic effects of SAMC in various cancer models. Based upon the proven safety and improved understanding on its anti-neoplastic properties, SAMC has gained recognition as a promising daily food supplement for cancer prevention or management.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cysteine ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Garlic ; chemistry ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects