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Nutraceuticals: New Perspective and Approach to Prevent Dysmenorrhea
Abstract
Background
The words "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical" are combined to form the phrase "nutraceutical." Nutraceuticals are foods or dietary components that have an important role in regulating and sustaining normal physiological function in humans. For the treatment of dysmenorrhoea, a variety of pharmacological medications are available, however, they all have significant side effects. Dietary supplements and lifestyle management, on the other hand, were found to have a major influence on the occurrence and control of dysmenorrhea.
Objective
The objective of this paper is to study a comprehensive review of the dietary and nutritional supplements with special emphasis on dysmenorrhea. This paper focuses on understanding and interpreting the details of menstrual pain and its effective nutritional diet that can be used as a treatment for avoiding menstrual discomfort.
Methods
The selection of data has been done by studying a combination of various research and review papers from different databases like PubMed, NCBI, Science Direct, WHO, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from the year 2000-2022.
Results
Based on various papers and literature reviews, we have concluded about various dietary supplements and herbs that can be used to avoid pain during mensuration followed by its all-daily requirement of nutrition on different age groups and efficacy of treatments.
Conclusion
According to current evidence, young women should be instructed in the proper use of dietary supplements, nutrition, and vitamins, as well as the inclusion of effective diet and lifestyle changes such as exercise and a well-balanced diet with adequate nutrition, as these are likely to reduce the negative effects of dysmenorrhea.
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Listeriosis outbreaks were associated with contaminated fruits and vegetables, including cantaloupe, apples, and celery. Grape seed extract (GSE) is a natural antimicrobial with potential for reducing Listeria monocytogenes contamination in food. This study assessed the effectiveness of GSE to reduce L. monocytogenes on fresh produce and the impact of food matrices on its antilisterial activity. GSE showed MIC values of 30–35 μg/mL against four Listeria strains used in this study. A total of 100 g portions of cantaloupe, apples, and celery were inoculated with L. monocytogenes and treated with 100–1000 μg/mL of GSE for 5 or 15 min. Results were analyzed using Rstudio and a Tukey’s test. Treated produce had significantly lower L. monocytogenes counts than the control samples (p-value < 0.05). The inhibition was significantly higher on apples and lowest on cantaloupe. Moreover, a 15 min treatment was found to be more effective than a 5 min treatment in reducing L. monocytogenes on all produce types. The reduction in L. monocytogenes levels varied between 0.61 and 2.5 log10 CFU reduction, depending on the treatment concentration, duration, and produce matrix. These findings suggest that GSE is an effective antilisterial treatment for fresh produce, with varying levels of effectiveness depending on the food matrix and treatment time.
Background: Since its outbreak, the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The full spectrum of disease severity of COVID-19 is still unknown.
In this study which is the first report from Iran, we showed that olfactory dysfunction is a frequent clinical
manifestation among COVID-19 patients.
Methods: All patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection were admitted to Arak hospitals in Iran. We
retrospectively collected and analyzed data on patients with either laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2
infection by real-time RT-PCR and/or chest CT
Results: Most patients in our cohort had mild COVID-19 (104 [60.4%] of 172) . Common symptoms at
the onset of disease included (subjective) fever (131 [76%] of 172 patients), cough (130 [75.5%]), myalgia
(107 [62%]) dyspnea (92 [53.5%]), chills (96 [55.8%]), and headache (94 [54.6%]). Olfactory dysfunction
(OD), including anosmia, hyposmia, hyperosmia, and dysosmia, were reported by 61 ([36.5%] of 167)
patients. The most common concurrent symptoms beside the olfactory dysfunctions, were fever (39 [69.6%]
of 56 patients) and chills (26 [46.4%]), respectively. For the most part, the patient’s condition worsened
after the notice of anosmia/dysgeusia (48 [85.7%] of 56 patients). The majority of anosmic patients were
recovered from COVID-19 (50 [89.3%] of 56 patients). The anosmia/dysgeusia was resolved in 42 [75%]
of 56 patients after two weeks.
Conclusion: Taken together, this study reports the disease spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of
172 Iranian adult patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report from Iran.
Black pepper, the 'King of spices' (Piper nigrum L.), is a widely used spice, it has a pungent odour. Plant sources were used in time-honored systems of medicine and daily regular uses, such as in food preparation and cosmetic purposes. This is outstanding to their infinite pharmacological activity with few side effects. Among the variety of species of the Piperaceae family, black pepper is one of the trendiest due to its principle pharmacological component, piperine. Which is an alkaloid that has a wide range of pharmacological activities like antioxidant, anti-obesity, antitumor, antipyretic, anticonvulsant, anti-thyroid, antifungal, antibacterial, insecticidal, hepatoprotective, anti-asthmatic, larvicidal, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antidiarrheal, bio-availability enhancer, immunomodulator, antiepileptic, antifertility, GI stimulant, lipid metabolism accelerator, anticancer, CNS stimulant, diuretic, aphrodisiac, blood purifier, and antiplatelet activities, etc. Due to some spiritual value of black pepper, it's being admired from ancient times to modern generation. This review article is designed to provide recent advancement of pharmacognosy, pharmacological activities, cell-based studies, other traditional use and role of Nutraceuticals.
Nutraceuticals are products used as medicines in addition to nutrition. Nutraceuticals can be defined as substances that have physiological benefits or provide protection against chronic disease. Nutraceuticals can be used to improve health, slow down the aging process, prevent chronic diseases, increase life expectancy or support body structure or function. Nutraceuticals are getting a lot of attention these days because of their potential nutritional, safety and therapeutic benefits. Recent studies have shown that these compounds have promising results in various complications. In this review, we have made a great effort in proposing new concepts for nutraceuticals based on disease indications. Highlights herbal remedies that are effective for harsh therapeutic conditions associated with oxidative stress, including allergies, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, eye, immunity, inflammation, and Parkinson's disease and obesity. These nutraceuticals are used in various diseases, their application, and current market demand. Examples of fish oil preparations, prebiotics and probiotics reviewed. KEYWORDS: Nutraceutical, Dietary supplements, Antioxidants, Probiotics, Health benefits
BACKGROUND: There are growing interests in the use of medicinal mushrooms in controlling overweight and obesity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of Lingzhi on anthropometric indices, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile and blood pressure of overweight individuals METHODS: This randomized double-blind clinical trial was performed on seventy-two overweight individuals (Body Mass Index (BMI) = 25–29.9 kg/m2) received 3 capsule Ganoderma Lucidum (each capsule containing 220 mg of whole powder and 30 mg of pure aqueous extract) daily or matching placebo for 6 weeks. Anthropometric indices, metabolic tests (fasting blood sugar (FBS) and serum lipid profile) and blood pressure were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: Data analyses indicated that body weight and BMI were decreased after 6-week intervention (P < 0.05). The beneficial effect of supplementation was evident on some anthropometric indices. Changes in LDL-cholesterol were significantly different between two treatment and placebo groups (P < 0.05). FBS, other components of lipid profile and blood pressure did not significantly change by Lingzi treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed that Ganoderma Lucidum might have some potential benefits on anthropometric indices and mild effects on lipid profile, but and there is no claim for weight lose function. Hence, further long-term studies are recommended.
Plants provide us with not only nutritional value but have been used throughout history for medicinal purposes [...]
Objectives
To investigate the effects of vitamin K2 supplementation on the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).
Methods
Vitamin K2 and rheumatoid arthritis were searched in Pubmed from inception until December 2020.
Results
Study 1: Vitamin K2 inhibited the proliferation of mitogen-activated PBMCs of RA patients with an IC50 value of 3,288.47 ± 4,910.02 ng/mL. There was a significant correlation between IC50 values of vitamin K2 and patient-related factors of RA patients (p < 0.05), such as C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA), matrix metalloproteinase-3, Pre-DAS-28 (CRP), and ∆DAS-28 (CRP). Methotrexate inhibited the proliferation of mitogen-activated PBMCs of RA patients with a IC50 value of 22.83 ± 12.47 ng/mL. IC50 values of methotrexate only showed significant correlation with ACPA (p = 0.0158, r = 0.6905); Study 2: A significant decrease in MK-7 treated group for the levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), disease activity score assessing 28 joints with ESR (DAS28-ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-3) was found. In MK-7 treated group, a marked decrease in RA clinical and biochemical markers for moderate and good response compared to non-responders was observed in ucOC, ESR and DAS28-ESR. A marked increase in the levels of MK-7 for the moderate and good responders compared to non-responders was observed; Study 3: as compared to the MK-4-naïve group, the MK-4-treated group showed lower serum CRP (1.7 ± 0.2 vs. 0.5 ± 0.1 mg/dl; P < 0.001), MMP-3 (220.4 ± 21.9 vs. 118.0 ± 14.4 ng/ml; P < 0.001), and DAS28-CRP (2.9 ± 0.1 vs. 2.4 ± 0.1; P < 0.05). The patients who were additionally treated with MK-4 showed significant decreases in serum CRP (1.1 ± 0.2 to 0.6 ± 0.2 mg/dl; P < 0.001), MMP-3 (160.1 ± 25.6 to 125.0 ± 17.8 ng/ml; P < 0.05), and DAS28-CRP (3.1 ± 0.2 to 2.4 ± 0.1; P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Vitamin K2 supplementation could provide a benefit for the prevention and treatment of RA patients via its immunosuppressive function and improving disease activity.
Funding Sources
No.
Many women are familiar with the experience of spasmodic dysmenorrhoea, one of the commonest gynaecological conditions that affects the quality of life of many in their reproductive years.This condition manifested as painful menstruation, is the most frequently encountered gynaecological complaint and it can be included under Udavartha yonivyapat, caused by Apana vata vaigunya described in Ayurvedic classics. Nidana samprapthi and Rupa of Udavartha yonivyapat can well explain the etiopathogenesis and clinical features of Spasmodic dysmenorrhoea. “Arthave sa vimukthe tu tat kshanam labhate sukham” mentioned by Acharya Charaka substantiate the close similarity of Udavarta with Spasmodic dysmenorrhoea. Vegodavarthana leading to Pratiloma gati of Apana vata and rajas is the pathology behind Udavartha yonivyapath. So treatment should aim at the relief of pain by normalising the direction of menstrual flow which in turn is by normalising the vitiated Apana vayu. The present paper is aimed at incorporating all the references regarding Udavartha including Nidana panchakas from Ayurvedic classics and tried to give an Ayurvedic view to the concept and postulated theories on spasmodic dysmenorrhoea.
Background:
Magnesium (Mg) is commonly used in clinical practice for acute and chronic pain and has been reported to reduce pain intensity and analgesics consumption in a number of studies. Results are, however, contested.
Objectives:
This review aims to investigate randomised clinical trials (RCTs) on the effectiveness of Mg treatment on pain and analgesics consumption in situations including post-operative pain, migraine, renal pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.
Results:
The literature search identified 81 RCTs (n = 5447 patients) on Mg treatment in pain (50 RCTs in post-operative pain, 18 RCTs in migraine, 5 RCTs in renal pain, 6 RCTs in chronic/neuropathic pain, 2 RCTs in fibromyalgia).
Conclusion:
The level of evidence for the efficacy of Mg in reducing pain and analgesics consumption is globally modest and studies are not very numerous in chronic pain. A number of gaps have been identified in the literature that need to be addressed especially in methodology, rheumatic disease, and cancer. Additional clinical trials are needed to achieve a sufficient level of evidence and to better optimize the use of Mg for pain and pain comorbidities in order to improve the quality of life of patients who are in pain.
Introduction
Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a prevalent low respiratory infection. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, radiologic evidence and culture. Biomarkers such as IL6, CRP and procalcitonin are helpful in diagnosis. Procalcitonin is a soluble biomarker in serum that increase in systemic inflammation and bacterial infections. People with normal procalcitonin have low risk to infect pneumonia. Patient with CAP have more oxidative stress than normal people. Studies show that receiving vitamin C can reduce incidence of pneumonia. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of vitamin C supplement on procalcitonin biomarker in patient with CAP.
Methods
Patients with CAP who passed inclusion and exclusion criteria after obtaining informed consent, were assigned randomly in two groups of drug and placebo. The drug group received vitamin C (1000 mg/d) daily and medications that physician prescribed for treating CAP for 10 days and placebo group received placebo and medications that physician prescribed. The serum level of procalcitonin was measured at the beginning of the study and after 10 days of intervention.
Results
35 patients finished the study. Serum level of procalcitonin on the first and tenth day did not show any significant difference between drug and placebo groups.
Conclusions
To clarify the relationship between the effects of vitamin C on procalcitonin in CAP, a larger sample size is required.
Japan has a long history of using foods with health benefits and Japanese people are well-known for their longevity. In 1991, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare introduced a functional food regulation called “foods for specified health uses” (FOSHU) in Japan. After the introduction of the functional food system, many clinically proven FOSHU products with health benefits have been developed and launched in the market. As a result, the net sales of FOSHU products reached 6.2 billion dollars in 2007. Most of the health claims relate to improving gastro-intestinal health using probiotics. Triglycerides, high blood pressure, high LDL-cholesterol, and high blood glucose are mainly associated with the related health claims. After 2007, the market for FOSHU products was almost saturated. However, a novel functional regulatory system\called “Foods with Function Claims” was established in 2015 based on the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act system established in the USA. Major health claims in the new regulation system are associated with fatigue, eyes, memory, stress, sleep, joints, blood flow, body temperature, muscles, and Body Mass Index. After the introduction of the new system, the total sales for functional foods including FOSHU products reached 8 billion dollars in 2018. The new functional regulatory system is more flexible in terms of health claims, the protocol for clinical studies, and the required results. Therefore, the market for new regulatory products is still growing. In the present paper, the potential of both regulatory systems and some related issues will be discussed.
Background: propolis is a honeybee product displaying an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant effect on several tested animal models. Curcumin a polyphenol extracted from turmeric that gained interest as a potential safe and inexpensive treatment for kidney diseases.
The present study aimed to compare the protective effects of curcumin and propolis on endotoxemia- induced renal dysfunction.
The results: Sepsis induction caused a marked decline in renal GSH, GPx and GR, as well as, antioxidant enzyme activities; CAT and SOD. Elevation in LPO, NO, IL-1β and PGE2 contents were observed as well. A marked Induction in Bax contents, Bax\Bcl2 ratio, accompanied by activation of NF-kB in the kidney of sepsis-induced rats was reported. However, Prop pretreatment of endotoxemic rats was effective in controlling the depletion of renal GSH content and its correlated enzymes, Cur was more potent in maintaining the renal CAT and SOD contents, as well as, dimensioning LPO content. Despite the renal inflammatory marker IL-1β, PGE2, NO contents, Bax\Bcl2 ratio and NF-kB activation were greatly reduced by both curcumin and propolis, only Cur pretreatment attenuated NF-kB activation in kidney tissue of septic rat.
Conclusion: Though pretreatment of either Cur or Prop to septic rats protected their kidneys against oxidation, inflammation and apoptosis status, Cur pretreatment was superior in protecting rats’ kidney after sepsis induction.
Key Words: Nephrotoxicity; Endotoxemia; Anti-inflammatory markers; Anti-apoptotic markers; Oxidative stress.
Background
Dangguijagyag-san, also known as Dangguishaoyao-san in Chinese and Toki-shakuyakui-san in Japanese, has been frequently used to treat symptoms associated with dysmenorrhea. The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the herbal medicine, Dangguijagyag-san, relative to those of active control, Gamisoyo-san, and a placebo control for primary dysmenorrhea.
Methods
This protocol details a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multi-center, investigator-initiated, controlled trial evaluating treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. Two hundred and forty participants will be randomly divided into one of three groups: 1) the Dangguijagyag-san experimental group (EG) (n = 105), 2) the Gamisoyo-san active control group (ACG) (n = 30), and 3) the placebo control group (PCG) (n = 105). The interventions will be administered for two menstrual cycles, and the follow-up will be carried out for the following six menstrual cycles. The primary outcomes are difference in response rates between the EG and the ACG (non-inferiority comparison) and difference in changes from baseline in average pain intensity measured by the visual analogue scale between the EG and PCG (superiority comparison). The secondary outcomes are pain scores derived from pain assessment tools (verbal multidimensional scoring system, retrospective symptom scale, and short form McGill pain questionnaire), dosage of analgesics, pattern diagnosis questionnaires, and short form 36 health survey. Adverse events and vital signs will be checked at every visit, and laboratory tests will be performed for safety evaluation.
Discussion
The results of this clinical trial will offer evidence for the efficacy and safety of Dangguijagyag-san for primary dysmenorrhea.
Trial registration
Clinical Research Information Service (https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/en/): KCT0003005
Dysmenorrhea often significantly reduces the quality of women’s life and is still an important public health problem. Despite numerous studies, the pathomechanism of dysmenorrhea is not fully understood. Previous research indicates the complexity of biochemical reactions between the endocrine, vascular, and immune systems. Prostaglandins play a major role in the pathomechanism of dysmenorrhea. In contrast, cytokines and other proinflammatory factors in primary dysmenorrhea are less studied. In addition to the applied pharmacotherapy, more and more studies proving the effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods appear. Therefore, the present work contains a review of the latest research concerning factors involved in dysmenorrhea, as well as therapeutic options. In the literature search, authors used online databases, PubMed, and clinitrials.gov and browsed through individual gynecology, physiotherapy journals and books.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe and debilitating neuropsychiatric condition that is characterized by recurrent and intrusive thought that the affected individual feels compelled to perform in order to reduce the distress. It affects between 1 to 3% of the general population around the world and has some gender-related features. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapy are the first line medication and treatment of OCD, an estimated 30% of patients are treatment-resistant and complete functional recovery is rare. Therefore, several researches and trials have been done to develop new pharmacotherapeutic agents or modulate different neurotransmitters for treatment of OCD. In this concept alternative medicine and particular herbal medicine are very interesting in this issue. We focus on some herbal medicine in the treatment of OCD in this review.
The menopausal transition, or perimenopause, is characterized by menstrual irregularities, vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbances, mood symptoms, and urogenital tract atrophy. These changes can also affect the quality of life and one’s self-esteem. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is considered the best option to achieve therapeutic relief of different menopausal symptoms but is usually restricted to moderate or severe symptoms. Moreover, many women refuse HRT for a variety of reasons concerning the fear of cancer and other adverse effects. According to these considerations, new topics are emerging: Dissatisfaction with drug costs and conventional healthcare, desire for personalized medicines, and the public perception that “natural is good”. In this context, nonhormonal therapies are mostly evolving, and it is not unusual that women often request a “natural” approach for their symptoms. The aim of this study is to investigate nonhormonal therapies that have been identified to reduce the menopausal symptoms.
Abstract:
Background: Menstrual cramps is the occurrence of labor-like pain in the lower abdomen, accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and dizziness. A natural approach towards the treatment of painful menstruation is the need of the hour to be imparted in mind/body practices to be considered for long term relief from the pain of menstrual cramp forever.
Objective: The current research is aimed at the review of the various aspects of plant alternates serving in different ways to relieve the cramps occurring in menstruation.
Materials and Methods: The herbal alternates as relievers were categorized on the basis of the respective role being played by them as nutritional supplements, analgesics, anti-inflammatory and as aromatherapy agents.
Results: There are various plant sources which are mild as well as effective reliever of menstrual cramps. This review highlights the various plants which have been proven to be useful in dealing the various issues of painful menstruation. They deal with all the complications and issues, arising during this time.
Conclusion: These herbs are potent source of active medicaments that strengthens the body to overcome the cramps and pain occurring in menstruation. The demand of the present hour is to rely on the beneficial effects of various herbs, which relieve these complications in the most soothing and efficacious manner.
Keywords: dysmenorrhea, cramps, herbs, pain, reliever, menstruation
Background: The incidence and severity of primary dysmenorrhea are influenced by various factors. The aim of the present study was to review nutritional factors influencing primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: Academic databases including Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, and PubMed (including Medline) were searched using keywords of nutrition, diet, and primary dysmenorrhea. In this study, observational studies that were published in English from 1990 to April 2018, which focused on nutritional factors affecting primary dysmenorrhea, were selected. The evaluation of studies was performed using a modified STROBE checklist with 10 items. Results: Out of 5,814 retrieved studies, 38 articles met inclusion criteria and were included for final data synthesis. The increased consumption of fruits and vegetables as the sources of vitamins and minerals, as well as fish and milk and dairy products have positive associations with less menstrual pain. Inconsistent results were reported on the consumption of other nutritional groups. Studies showed negative associations of meal skipping and following diet to lose weight with severity of dysmenorrhea. Conclusion: A few studies showed inconclusive findings due to methodological heterogeneities for assessing nutritional habits and different methods of measuring dysmenorrhea pain. Therefore, further analysis and future interventional studies with stronger methodologies are required.
Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is the painful menses with spasmodic cramping in the lower abdomen in the absence of any discernable macroscopic pelvic pathology. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea changes between 16% and 91% in women. About 2%–29% of the women studied suffer from severe pain. This review focuses on the current knowledge, particularly with regard to the latest research on the etiology of PDM. Full-text manuscripts on PDM were searched on PubMed and Google Scholar. One or more of the following search terms were used to obtain articles published: PDM, pain, functional magnetic resonance imaging, brain image, etiology, epidemiology, metabolism, hormone, gene variation, and quality of life. In this review, we detailed four potential etiology aspects of PDM: brain abnormality, gene expression, metabolism, and hyperalgesia. We highlighted the latest brain research on PDM patients and investigated genetic aspects. We are dedicated to identifying more metabolic variations and expand the previous knowledge on the sensitive pain threshold.
Background
Dysmenorrhoea is a common health problem among females in their reproductive years. Available information on dysmenorrhoea in university student in abah, Saudi Arabia is limited. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of dysmenorrhea and associated menstrual symptoms and their self-management techniques among female university students of King Khalid University (KKU).
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted at College of health science in KKU, Saudi Arabia. Sample: A total of 197 students aged between 18 and 23 years. A Self-administrated questionnaire was used to collect data.
Results
Dysmenorrhea was reported by more than two-thirds of the girls (70.6%). In the 139 girls, who reported dysmenorrhea, its related information on severity of pain, medication use, and care-seeking behavior is detailed in the table. Severe pain was reported by (35.2%) respondents. Two-third of the respondents (66%) reported using medications for pain relief and use of herbal medicine was also found to be quite prevalent (69.1%). The gastrointestinal problems were the most common symptoms experienced by the students and were significantly high among the dysmenorrheal students. Less than one in four respondents (23%) reported consulting a doctor for their dysmenorrheal while most of them consulted with friends and family.
Conclusion
Dysmenorrhea is a very common problem among the university students. A number of symptoms were related with dysmenorrhea. Even though it is common, and may not have a pathological cause, few students seek medical advice. Increasing the awareness can help in relieving the burden of this common health problem.
Background:
Primary dysmenorrhoea is common in girls who have begun menstruating. However, few studies have examined its effect on the quality of life of a young population. The study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of adolescent girls with dysmenorrhoea in Hong Kong.
Methods:
The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive approach. A convenience sample of 653 girls aged 13 to 19 years old was recruited from three secondary schools in Hong Kong. The 36-item Short-Form Health Survey was used to examine the health-related quality of life of the participants. The severity of dysmenorrhoea was assessed using a 10-point visual analog scale.
Results:
Girls suffering from dysmenorrhoea reported high pain prevalence and intensity. However, the majority of girls with dysmenorrhoea did not seek medical advice (93.2%) or self-medicate (82%). The role-physical, bodily pain, general health and social functioning domain scores of girls with dysmenorrhoea were significantly lower than those without dysmenorrhoea. Moreover, girls with severe dysmenorrhoea had a significantly lower quality of life in the bodily pain domain than those with mild and moderate forms of condition.
Conclusions:
Findings suggest that dysmenorrhoea is highly prevalent among adolescent girls in Hong Kong. Girls may suffer severe pain, which degrades their quality of life.
Background: Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological disorder in young women and is seen in almost 50% of women. The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between physical activity and nutrition with primary dysmenorrhea in students at Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences (Sari, Iran) in 2015.
Methods: This comparative descriptive study was conducted on 250 students with and without primary dysmenorrhea. Data were collected using personal-demographic, nutrition and physical activity questionnaires. The output was then analyzed in SPSS-18 using independent t-test, Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.
Results: The results showed significant differences between the two groups in terms of nutrition and physical activity, as the mean score of nutrition was 57.91 in the group with dysmenorrhea and 61.68 in the group without, while the mean intensity of physical activity was 5518.75 metric in the group with dysmenorrhea and 4666.42 metric in the group without. Physical activity was calculated by MET scale (minutes/week). This index measured the amount of consumed energy at the time of activity relative to that consumed at resting time.
Conclusions: A healthier and more favorable nutrition style and more regular physical activity reduces the severity of dysmenorrhea in girls. Therefore, educational measures are required to raise awareness among young women about the effects of proper nutrition and physical activity on the prevention and reduction of dysmenorrhea complications.
Turmeric, a spice that has long been recognized for its medicinal properties, has received interest from both the medical/scientific world and from culinary enthusiasts, as it is the major source of the polyphenol curcumin. It aids in the management of oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, and hyperlipidemia. It may also help in the management of exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, thus enhancing recovery and performance in active people. In addition, a relatively low dose of the complex can provide health benefits for people that do not have diagnosed health conditions. Most of these benefits can be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Ingesting curcumin by itself does not lead to the associated health benefits due to its poor bioavailability, which appears to be primarily due to poor absorption, rapid metabolism, and rapid elimination. There are several components that can increase bioavailability. For example, piperine is the major active component of black pepper and, when combined in a complex with curcumin, has been shown to increase bioavailability by 2000%. Curcumin combined with enhancing agents provides multiple health benefits. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of the plethora of research regarding the health benefits of curcumin.
Background
Dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological complaint in adolescent and young females. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of Shaofu Zhuyu (SFZY) decoctions as treatments for primary dysmenorrhea.
Methods/design
Fifteen (four English, seven Korean, three Chinese, and one Japanese) databases will be searched from their inception without a language restriction. These include PubMed, AMED, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, seven Korean Medical Databases (Korean Studies Information, DBPIA, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Research Information Service System, KoreaMed, The Town Society of Science Technology, and the Korean National Assembly Library), three Chinese Medical Databases [the Chinese Medical Database (CNKI), Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), and WanFang Database], and one Japanese Database (J global). Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) included those that examined an SFZY decoction or a modified SFZY decoction. The control groups include no treatment, placebo, and medication. Trials testing a combination of SFZY decoction and medication compare to the same medication alone will be also included. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments will be performed by two independent reviewers. All statistical analyses will be conducted using Review Manager software (RevMan V.5.3.0). Methodological quality will be assessed with the Cochrane risk of bias tool.
Discussion
This systematic review will provide a detailed summary of the available evidence testing the effects of SFZY decoctions for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea. The review will benefit patients and practitioners in the fields of traditional and complementary medicine.
Systematic review registration
PROSPERO registration number: CRD42015016386
Trichoderma is one of the most common fungi in soil. However, little information is available concerning the diversity of Trichoderma in soil with no previous history of cultivation. This study was conducted to investigate the most common species and the level of genetic relatedness of Trichoderma species from uncultivated soil in relation to cultivated soil and potting media.
A total of 24, 15 and 13 Trichoderma isolates were recovered from 84 potting media samples, 45 cultivated soil samples and 65 uncultivated soil samples, respectively. Analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and the translation elongation factor gene (EF1) indicated the presence of 9 Trichoderma species: T. harzianum (16 isolates), T. asperellum (13), T. citrinoviride (9), T. orientalis (3), T. ghanense (3), T. hamatum (3), T. longibrachiatum (2), T. atroviride (2), and T. viride (1). All species were found to occur in potting media samples, while five Trichoderma species were recovered from the cultivated soils and four from the uncultivated soils. AFLP analysis of the 52 Trichoderma isolates produced 52 genotypes and 993 polymorphic loci. Low to moderate levels of genetic diversity were found within populations of Trichoderma species (H = 0.0780 to 0.2208). Analysis of Molecular Variance indicated the presence of very low levels of genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.0002 to 0.0139) among populations of the same Trichoderma species obtained from the potting media, cultivated soil and uncultivated soil.
The study provides evidence for occurrence of Trichoderma isolates in soil with no previous history of cultivation. The lack of genetic differentiation among Trichoderma populations from potting media, cultivated soil and uncultivated soil suggests that some factors could have been responsible for moving Trichoderma propagules among the three substrates. The study reports for the first time the presence of 4 Trichoderma species in Oman: T. asperellum, T. ghanense, T. longibrachiatum and T. orientalis.
Drug delivery systems based on ring-like nanocarriers such as 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and genipin-crosslinked chitosan (GCS) are increasingly used in the treatment of cancer. The ability of these carriers to deliver the cytarabine anticancer drug (Ara-C) was evaluated. For HP-β-CD and GCS, fifteen (HP-β-CD/Ara-C1-15) and nine (GCS/Ara-C1-9) configurations were optimized at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) in aqueous solution. The energy of these configurations was also recalculated to account for dispersion correction at M06-2X/6-31G(d,p). The absolute value of the average binding energy for HP-β-CD/Ara-C1-15 was found to be higher than that of GCS/Ara-C1-9. However, these values were higher than 100 kJ mol⁻¹ for both drug delivery systems, indicating that drug loading was acceptable. Quantum molecular descriptors demonstrated that the electronic properties of the drug remained almost unchanged in the HP-β-CD/Ara-C1-15 configurations and the toxicity of the drug was reduced in the GCS/Ara-C1-9 configurations. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) revealed the essential role of hydrogen bonds in these drug delivery systems.
Drug delivery systems including the 5-aminolevulinic acid anticancer drug (ALA) and carbon nanotube (CN), COOH functionalized carbon nanotube (FCN) and iron oxide nanoparticle (ION) were examined. For each of the CN, FCN and ION nanocarriers, four (CN/ALA1-4), three (FCN/ALA1-3) and three (ION/ALA1-3) configurations were considered, respectively. All structures were optimized at B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) in aqueous solution. Dispersion corrections were considered using M06-2X density functional. Binding energies, solvation energies and the contribution of each configuration in the drug delivery system were calculated. The binding energies of FCN/ALA1-3 and ION/ALA1-3 are about the same and much larger than those of CN/ALA1-4. On the other hand, the solvation energies of ION/ALA1-3 are more negative than those of CN/ALA1-4 and FCN/ALA1-3, which is an important advantage for iron oxide nanoparticles. Quantum molecular descriptors indicate that the reactivity of ALA increases in the vicinity of CN, FCN and ION. The AIM analysis showed that the hydrogen bonds play important roles in FCN/ALA1-3 and ION/ALA1-3 configurations.
Background: Inguinal hernia repair is a commonly performed surgical procedure. Surgical repair is a widely accepted treatment option as a corrective measure for inguinal hernias, but it is not without its potential for complications, including chronic postinguinal herniorrhaphy pain. Neuropathic pain, which is the result of nerve damage during inguinal herniorrhaphy, can be caused by compression, irritation, or entrapment by sutures, staples, mesh, tacks, or prosthetic material. It can also occur secondary to periosteal reactions or by actual nerve injuries, such as neurapraxia, axonotmesis, neurotmesis, or complete transection, which can cause end neuroma formation and pain. Nociceptive pain, however, can occur as a result of inflammatory changes at the surgical site leading to chronic pain. Foreign bodies, such as mesh, sutures, and staples, are all possible triggers for the inflammatory reaction. Case Report: Ultrasound (US) is a noninvasive and affordable diagnostic tool that showed benefit in identifying dystrophic calcification as a potential cause for postinguinal herniorrhaphy chronic pain. It is also used to successfully guide the administration of local pharmacologic agents to control this pain. Use of US in this case allowed us to detect the densely calcified part of the abdominal wall muscles as a hyperechoic area at the surgical bed. The ability of US to detect calcification is not limited to macroscopic calcification only. It was also found to be useful in early detection of microscopic calcification in certain musculoskeletal conditions. Conclusion: We suggest that US should be considered routinely in the evaluation of cases of postinguinal herniorrhaphy chronic pain. Key words: Postherniorrhaphy pain, neuropathic pain, muscle calcification, radiofrequency ablation, ultrasound
Study Objective
To explore key aspects of menstrual health literacy and menstrual management in young women at school or in tertiary education.
Design
Cross-sectional online survey.
Setting
Australia-wide.
Participants
A total of 4202 adolescent and young women (13-25 years of age; median age 17 years), having reached menarche, living in Australia and currently attending school (n = 2421) or tertiary education (n = 1781).
Interventions
Online survey hosted by Qualtrics between November 2017 and January 2018. Data were collected on contraceptive use, management strategies, sources of information, and knowledge of menstruation.
Main Outcome Measures
Information on prevalence and effectiveness of different management strategies, health-seeking behavior, knowledge about menstruation, and common menstrual disorders such as endometriosis.
Results
The majority of young women did not seek medical advice for their menstrual symptoms, but used information from the Internet (50%) and engaged in self-management, most commonly with over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol (51%) or ibuprofen (52%). Oral contraceptive use was relatively common (35%), and mostly for reduction of menstrual pain (58%). Despite having significant dysmenorrhea, approximately one-half of the participants (51%) thought that their period was normal. Women with higher pain scores were more likely to rate their period as “abnormal” (P < .0001) but not more likely to consult a doctor (P = .13). Only 53% of those at school had heard of endometriosis.
Conclusion
Self-management of menstrual symptoms is common, but a significant minority of women are underdosing or choosing ineffective methods. Most women do not seek medical advice even when symptoms are severe, and cannot identify symptoms suggestive of secondary dysmenorrhea. Improved education on menstruation is vital.
*En los últimos años, el problema de la seguridad de la atención en obstetricia ha tenido especial relevancia debido al interés de los profesionales de la salud en reducir los eventos adversos y mejorar su atención. Sin embargo, esta se realiza en escenarios de complejidad variable e incertidumbre, donde existen riesgos múltiples y el comportamiento del factor humano es proclive a incrementar la probabilidad de errores. Al atenderse dos pacientes simultáneamente -la madre y el feto-, en muchos casos debemos tomar decisiones a corto plazo y la madre espera un trato deferencial con expectativa permanente en cualquiera de los momentos de la atención prenatal, parto y puerperio. Estos procesos involucran excesivas actividades y tareas donde la frecuencia de fallas es significativamente alta. Ante el cambio de paradigma, donde el paciente es involucrado en el proceso de atención y colabora en la toma de decisiones, debemos de brindar la información más completa, basada en la mejor evidencia, para evitar eventos adversos prevenibles y lograr los mejores resultados.
Background: Dysmenorrhea refers to painful menstruation with associated symptoms such as backache, headache etc. and is quite common among young women. In many, it hampers normal day to day activities resulting in lost work-hours.Aim: This study was taken up to estimate the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among female medical students, its impact on sufferers’ daily activities and their knowledge of treatment options.Materials and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 150 medical students of ages 18 – 21 in Tagore Medical College, Chennai. All subjects were given a questionnaire with questions pertaining to pain during menstruation, its severity, other associated symptoms, effect on day-to-day activities as well as management options. Using information from the questionnaire, grading of subjects into mild, moderate and severe dysmenorrhea was done.Results and Discussion: Overall prevalence of dysmenorrhea among the study population was found to be 72.67 % with commonest symptoms associated being headache (88%) and backache (64%). Of the dysmenorrheic population, 42% had mild, 39% had moderate and 19% had severe dysmenorrhea. Low class concentration (59%), class absenteeism (34%), college absenteeism (20%), limitation of social activity (52%) and curtailment of sporting activities (57%) of sufferers were found, all of these being more in the severe dysmenorrhea group. Regarding knowledge of medication, only 12% and 20% knew that paracetamol and mefenamic acid were treatment options. Dysmenorrhea was managed mainly by rest (52%) while 19% used analgesics. The majority considered dysmenorrhea to be a normal female experience and did not think it warranted any treatment.Conclusion: Painful menstruation is considered to be a normal female experience by young female medicos. They need to be educated on effective management methods and given knowledge of appropriate medications so that dysmenorrhea will no longer be the cause of lost work hours or poor quality of life. © 2019, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All rights reserved.
Objectives
Primary dysmenorrhoea is a common complaint experienced by many females in their reproductive years. The use of medicinal plants in the treatment of various gynaecological conditions is on the increase, despite the limited evidence available regarding efficacy and safety of their use. The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise the most recent evidence relating to the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea with medicinal plants.
Methodology
A thorough database search was conducted using defined search terms, and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English between 2008 and 2016, pertaining to the use of medicinal plants (single use) for the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea, were assessed. Studies evaluating dysmenorrhoeal pain and associated symptoms as a primary or secondary outcome were considered and assessed by two reviewers independently of each other, using the JADAD scale and the Cochrane risk of bias tool,.
Results
22 RCTs were included in the review; 9 were placebo-controlled trials and 13 were comparative studies to pharmacological treatment or nutritional supplements. Most of the evaluated medicinal plants showed evidence of efficacy in relieving menstrual pain in at least one RCT. The low or unclear quality of the majority of these studies however warrants caution in interpreting these results.
Conclusion
This review adds to the knowledge-base on the use of these medicinal plants in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea. Further research is needed before definitive conclusions can be made regarding the efficacy and safety of the use of these medicinal plants.
Menstruation is very important phase of reproductive cycle which involves many hormonal changes. Hormone production is known to be affected by diet. Poor nutrition in female diet can affect menstrual cycle and lead to menstrual disorders and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS). A cross-sectional study was undertaken to analyze the association of dietary habits and socio-economic status with menstrual disorders among the college going and young working females of Amritsar, Punjab, India during the month of Jan-March 2013. Students who did not attain menarche; were suffering from any chronic health condition or using any medicines for long duration (more than a month) were excluded from the study. A total of 100 females were selected, among 300 surveyed, for this study and each student was given a questionnaire to complete. Majority of the females (87%) belong to middle socio-economic status, having higher prevalence of menstrual disorders due to sedentary lifestyle and western dietary habits. Greater prevalence of menstrual disorders was observed in vegetarian women as compared to non-vegetarian women except for dysmenorrhea. Prevalence of menorrhagia was higher (56.25% vs. 32.69%) in women not taking salad daily while percentages of menorrhagia (44.68% vs. 43.40%) as well as oligomenorrhea (46.81% vs. 45.28%) were found higher in women not eating fruits daily. 93% respondents took junk food and a positive association was observed between consumption of junk food and menstrual disorders.
The paper discusses the relationship of juvenile dysmenorrhea with connective tissue dysplasia, which biochemical marker is hydroxyproline, and magnesium level in blood serum depending on hormonal profile during the second phase of the menstrual cycle. Stu dy showed that in young woman with dysmenorrhea and phenomena of connective tissue dysplasia hydroxyproline level in urine was increased; it was associated with increased degradation of collagen, decreased level of magnesium and hormonal changes in blood serum.
Nutraceuticals exist in a legal limbo and the existing legislative efforts remain confusing, complex and not harmonized throughout the many regions of the Globe. These compounds are believed to contribute to improvements in physical and/or mental health and to ameliorate or avoid disease or health-related conditions. However, the promised food and health revolution is yet to come. Although some of these compounds have been shown to improve health, similar claims made for others have not been unequivocally demonstrated.
Background:
Dysmenorrhoea refers to painful menstrual cramps and is a common gynaecological complaint. Conventional treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), which both reduce myometrial activity (contractions of the uterus). A suggested alternative approach is dietary supplements. We used the term 'dietary supplement' to include herbs or other botanical, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. We excluded traditional Chinese medicines.
Objectives:
To determine the efficacy and safety of dietary supplements for treating dysmenorrhoea.
Search methods:
We searched sources including the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group Specialised Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, PsycINFO (all from inception to 23 March 2015), trial registries, and the reference lists of relevant articles.
Selection criteria:
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of dietary supplements for moderate or severe primary or secondary dysmenorrhoea. We excluded studies of women with an intrauterine device. Eligible comparators were other dietary supplements, placebo, no treatment, or conventional analgesia.
Data collection and analysis:
Two review authors independently performed study selection, performed data extraction and assessed the risk of bias in the included trials. The primary outcomes were pain intensity and adverse effects. We used a fixed-effect model to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous data, and mean differences (MDs) or standardised mean differences (SMDs) for continuous data, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We presented data that were unsuitable for analysis either descriptively or in additional tables. We assessed the quality of the evidence using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methods.
Main results:
We included 27 RCTs (3101 women). Most included studies were conducted amongst cohorts of students with primary dysmenorrhoea in their late teens or early twenties. Twenty-two studies were conducted in Iran and the rest were performed in other middle-income countries. Only one study addressed secondary dysmenorrhoea. Interventions included 12 different herbal medicines (German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, M recutita, Chamomilla recutita), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, C. verum), Damask rose (Rosa damascena), dill (Anethum graveolens), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), guava (Psidium guajava), rhubarb (Rheum emodi), uzara (Xysmalobium undulatum), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), and zataria (Zataria multiflora)) and five non-herbal supplements (fish oil, melatonin, vitamins B1 and E, and zinc sulphate) in a variety of formulations and doses. Comparators included other supplements, placebo, no treatment, and NSAIDs.We judged all the evidence to be of low or very low quality. The main limitations were imprecision due to very small sample sizes, failure to report study methods, and inconsistency. For most comparisons there was only one included study, and very few studies reported adverse effects. Effectiveness of supplements for primary dysmenorrhoea We have presented pain scores (all on a visual analogue scale (VAS) 0 to 10 point scale) or rates of pain relief, or both, at the first post-treatment follow-up. Supplements versus placebo or no treatmentThere was no evidence of effectiveness for vitamin E (MD 0.00 points, 95% CI -0.34 to 0.34; two RCTs, 135 women).There was no consistent evidence of effectiveness for dill (MD -1.15 points, 95% CI -2.22 to -0.08, one RCT, 46 women), guava (MD 0.59, 95% CI -0.13 to 1.31; one RCT, 151 women); one RCT, 73 women), or fennel (MD -0.34 points, 95% CI -0.74 to 0.06; one RCT, 43 women).There was very limited evidence of effectiveness for fenugreek (MD -1.71 points, 95% CI -2.35 to -1.07; one RCT, 101 women), fish oil (MD 1.11 points, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.77; one RCT, 120 women), fish oil plus vitamin B1 (MD -1.21 points, 95% CI -1.79 to -0.63; one RCT, 120 women), ginger (MD -1.55 points, 95% CI -2.43 to -0.68; three RCTs, 266 women; OR 5.44, 95% CI 1.80 to 16.46; one RCT, 69 women), valerian (MD -0.76 points, 95% CI -1.44 to -0.08; one RCT, 100 women), vitamin B1 alone (MD -2.70 points, 95% CI -3.32 to -2.08; one RCT, 120 women), zataria (OR 6.66, 95% CI 2.66 to 16.72; one RCT, 99 women), and zinc sulphate (MD -0.95 points, 95% CI -1.54 to -0.36; one RCT, 99 women).Data on chamomile and cinnamon versus placebo were unsuitable for analysis. Supplements versus NSAIDSThere was no evidence of any difference between NSAIDs and dill (MD 0.13 points, 95% CI -1.01 to 1.27; one RCT, 47 women), fennel (MD -0.70 points, 95% CI -1.81 to 0.41; one RCT, 59 women), guava (MD 1.19, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.96; one RCT, 155 women), rhubarb (MD -0.20 points, 95% CI -0.44 to 0.04; one RCT, 45 women), or valerian (MD points 0.62 , 95% CI 0.03 to 1.21; one RCT, 99 women),There was no consistent evidence of a difference between Damask rose and NSAIDs (MD -0.15 points, 95% CI -0.55 to 0.25; one RCT, 92 women).There was very limited evidence that chamomile was more effective than NSAIDs (MD -1.42 points, 95% CI -1.69 to -1.15; one RCT, 160 women). Supplements versus other supplementsThere was no evidence of a difference in effectiveness between ginger and zinc sulphate (MD 0.02 points, 95% CI -0.58 to 0.62; one RCT, 101 women). Vitamin B1 may be more effective than fish oil (MD -1.59 points, 95% CI -2.25 to -0.93; one RCT, 120 women). Effectiveness of supplements for secondary dysmenorrhoea There was no strong evidence of benefit for melatonin compared to placebo for dysmenorrhoea secondary to endometriosis (data were unsuitable for analysis). Safety of supplements Only four of the 27 included studies reported adverse effects in both treatment groups. There was no evidence of a difference between the groups but data were too scanty to reach any conclusions about safety.
Authors' conclusions:
There is no high quality evidence to support the effectiveness of any dietary supplement for dysmenorrhoea, and evidence of safety is lacking. However for several supplements there was some low quality evidence of effectiveness and more research is justified.