Effects of the aroma of lemone verbena (Aloysia citriodora Paláu) essential oil on anxiety and the hemodynamic profile before cesarean section: A randomized clinical trial.

Researchers studied the effect of lemon verbena aromatherapy on 80 patients with anxiety. The patients were divided into two groups, with one group receiving a placebo scent and the other group receiving the lemon verbena scent. Results showed a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms in the group exposed to the lemon verbena scent. These findings support the use of aromatherapy as a complementary treatment for anxiety.

Haryalchi K et al (2023).

Health Sci Rep.

DOI:

10.1002/hsr2.1282

PubMed:

37216059

Origanum majorana L. protects against neuroinflammation-mediated cognitive impairment: a phyto-pharmacological study.

The study investigated the potential of using Origanum majorana L. extract to delay the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress were found to play a critical role in the development of these diseases. The study assessed the phytochemical characteristics of the extract and its neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of neuroinflammation. The findings indicate that natural phenolics such as Origanum majorana L. may have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that could be useful in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Wagdy R et al (2023).

BMC Complement Med Ther.

DOI:

10.1186/s12906-023-03994-x

PubMed:

37210483

Neuroprotective effect of herbal extracts inhibiting soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) and cyclooxygenase (COX) against chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment in mice.

Chemotherapy can cause memory and motor function deficits. This study tested the effectiveness of inhibitors of the enzyme sEH, known to reduce inflammation and improve memory, in an animal model of chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment. The inhibitors successfully preserved cognitive function by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. The herbal extract Mentat was also effective, and Lepidium meyenii less so. Overall, sEH inhibition shows promise in protecting against chemotherapy's adverse effects on the brain.

Kulkarni R et al (2023).

Biochem Biophys Res Commun.

DOI:

10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.008

PubMed:

37209564

The potential of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) essential oil as an anti-anxiety agent - is the citronellal the activity carrier?

The hunt for anxiolytic drugs has been challenging, leading to increased use of ethnomedicines like Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) for self-managing anxiety symptoms. The herb has been traditionally used for its calming effects and has shown efficacy in clinical studies. Its active principles, including rosmarinic acid and flavonoids, modulate neurotransmitter systems implicated in anxiety disorders. This highlights the potential of natural products as alternative therapies.

Stojanović NM et al (2023).

J Ethnopharmacol.

DOI:

10.1016/j.jep.2023.116661

PubMed:

37207879

Evaluation of potential inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase, pancreatic lipase, and cancer cell lines using raw leaves extracts of three fabaceae species.

This study looked at the biological potential and phytochemicals of three Methi species. They performed anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-lipase assays and found that one species had the highest inhibition percentage and cytotoxic potential against certain cell lines. They also identified several bioactive therapeutic compounds that could be useful in the pharmaceutical industry.

Fatima I et al (2023).

Heliyon.

DOI:

10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15909

PubMed:

37206037

Fresh Gastrodia elata Blume alleviates simulated weightlessness-induced cognitive impairment by regulating inflammatory and apoptosis-related pathways.

Blume, a traditional medicinal plant, has been used to treat neurological diseases due to its neuroprotective effect. To study its effect on cognition impaired by simulated weightlessness, mice subjected to hindlimb unloading were given fresh Blume orally. Behavioral tests showed significant improvement in short- and long-term spatial memory, while biochemical tests demonstrated a reduction in oxidative stress levels and maintenance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factor balance in the hippocampus. Fresh Blume also corrected abnormal changes in synapse- and glutamate neurotransmitter-related protein. These results suggest a potential application of fresh Blume in the prevention of cognitive impairment in space.

Zhang Y et al (2023).

Front Pharmacol.

DOI:

10.3389/fphar.2023.1173920

PubMed:

37205911

Application of omics technology to investigate the mechanism underlying the role of San Hua Tang in regulating microglia polarization and blood-brain barrier protection following ischemic stroke.

Luo S et al (2023).

J Ethnopharmacol.

DOI:

10.1016/j.jep.2023.116640

PubMed:

37196812

Development of metal free carbon catalyst derived from Parthenium hysterophorus for the electrochemical detection of dopamine.

Researchers synthesized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using Parthenium hysterophorus weed leaf extract through a hydrothermal-assisted carbonization method. The resulting nanomaterial was confirmed to have crystallinity and geometry through X-ray diffraction. The nanomaterial was used as an electrochemical biosensor for dopamine and was highly sensitive with low detection limits and excellent reproducibility, outcompeting many metal-based nanocomposites. This study suggests that waste plant biomass can be a potent source for synthesizing metal-free carbon-based nanomaterials.

Rana DS et al (2023).

Environ Res.

DOI:

10.1016/j.envres.2023.116151

PubMed:

37196695