http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/58 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:48:51 GMT 2010-09-08T01:48:51Z http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2193 Title: Aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves exhibits anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects. Authors: Noriko, Otsuki; Dang, Nam H; Kumagai, Emi; Kondo, Akira; Iwata, Satoshi; Morimoto, Chikao Abstract/Caption: Aim of the study: Various parts of Carica papaya Linn. (CP) have been traditionally used as ethnomedicine for a number of disorders, including cancer. There have been anecdotes of patients with advanced cancers achieving remission following consumption of tea extract made from CP leaves. However, the precise cellular mechanism of action of CP tea extracts remains unclear. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of aqueous-extracted CP leaf fraction on the growth of various tumor cell lines and on the anti-tumor effect of human lymphocytes. In addition, we attempted to identify the functional molecular weight fraction in the CP leaf extract. Materials and methods: The effect of CP extract on the proliferative responses of tumor cell lines and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and cytotoxic activities of PBMC were assessed by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Flow cytometric analysis and measurement of caspase-3/7 activities were performed to confirm the induction of apoptosis on tumor cells. Cytokine productions by PBMC were measured by ELISA. Gene profiling of the effect of CP extract treatment was performed by microarray analysis and real-time RT-PCR. Results: We observed significant growth inhibitory activity of the CP extract on tumor cell lines. In PBMC, the production of IL-2 and IL-4 was reduced following the addition of CP extract, whereas that of IL- 12p40, IL-12p70, IFN- and TNF- was enhanced without growth inhibition. In addition, cytotoxicity of activated PBMC against K562 was enhanced by the addition of CP extract. Moreover, microarray analyses showed that the expression of 23 immunomodulatory genes, classified by gene ontology analysis, was enhanced by the addition of CP extract. In this regard, CCL2, CCL7, CCL8 and SERPINB2 were representative of these upregulated genes, and thus may serve as index markers of the immunomodulatory effects of CP extract. Finally, we identified the active components of CP extract, which inhibits tumor cell growth and stimulates anti-tumor effects, to be the fraction with M.W. less than 1000. Conclusion: Since Carica papaya leaf extract can mediate a Th1 type shift in human immune system, our results suggest that the CP leaf extract may potentially provide the means for the treatment and prevention of selected human diseases such as cancer, various allergic disorders, and may also serve as immunoadjuvant for vaccine therapy. Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:00:00 GMT http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2193 2009-12-31T17:00:00Z http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2190 Title: Quality of Life of Patients Attending Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department at Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital Authors: Chalermphanaphan, Phanthita; Wongkumsin, Theerapat Abstract/Caption: Purposes of study: (1) to assess the level of self-care behavior, social support, and quality of life of patients,(2) to compare patients’ quality of life according to personal factors, (3) to study the relationship between self-care behavior and quality of life of patients, (4) to study the relationship between social support and quality of life of patients attending Thai traditional and alternative medicine services. Materials and Methods: Subjects were consisted of 280 out-patients attending the Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine Department at Chao Phya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital, Prachinburi province. Data collected using questionnaires were analyzed by using a computer program package. Statistical procedures included t-test, one-way ANOVA, multiple comparison (LSD) and Pearson’s Coefficient. Statistical significance was set at 0.05 and 0.01. Results: (1) the self-care behavior of patients was at a high level, the social support of patients was at a moderate level and the quality of life of patients was also high; (2) patients with different profiles, such as sex, age, average family income, occupation, symptoms, treatment period, and treatment mode, disclosed no difference in quality of life, while patients with different levels of education and duration of sickness had a different quality of life (statistical significance at 0.05); (3) self-care behaviors were positively correlated with the quality of life at 0.01; and (4) social support was correlated to the quality of life at 0.01. Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:00:00 GMT http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2190 2006-12-31T17:00:00Z http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2189 Title: Essential Factors in the Successful Management of an Alternative Medicine Service in the Damnoernsaduak Hospital, Ratchaburi Province Authors: Limsila, Boonjai Abstract/Caption: Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that confer success on alternative medicine services. Methodology: The study was carried out in the period from December 2005 to May 2006 to obtain information from 15 executives and personnel, and 100 patients treated on aspects of: (1) leadership, (2) administration, i.e., teamwork, service provision, and service expense, (3) facility of service, i.e., place, workers, and budget, (4) tourist resources, (5) budget support from central and provincial levels, and (6) client satisfaction. The data were obtained by in-depth interviews of 15 workers and questionnaires of satisfaction from 100 patients. Data analysis was quantitative verification, with mean values and their standard deviations. Results: The study disclosed that the success of alternative medicine services was due principally to: (1) leadership with vision for the improvement of health care according to informal administration policy; (2) the management pattern showing efficient teamwork and systematic service; (3) proper hospital facility, i.e., place, personnel, and financial support; (4) taking the role of being a tourist resource. In addition, the minor factors involved (1) financial support from central and provincial resources; (2) firm and sustained policies to develop and place alternative medicine into government health service; (3) good information and marketing; (4) management by a professional executive. Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:00:00 GMT http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2189 2006-12-31T17:00:00Z http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2188 Title: Status and Direction of Research on Indigenous Wisdom for Health Authors: Kulsomboon, Saowanee; Adthasit, Rujinart Abstract/Caption: Indigenous or local wisdom for health (LWH) is a cultural aspect for health care and treatment among multi-ethnic groups in Thai society. LWH is the art and science crystallized from observation, application, selection, filtration, and accumulation from previous to current generations. LWH reflects the thinking system, belief, and means to take care of life and health based on Eastern ways. LWH is a simple and appropriate technology. It enables Thai people to access, utilize and rely on themselves. The objectives of this research are (1) to summarize and analyze the status of research on LWH during the period from 1992 to 2004 and (2) to synthesize the overall situation and propose the direction of future research into LWH. Documentary research during the period from 1992 to 2004 were used. There are three categories including (1) research on LWH related to folk culture, (2) research on LWH related to secular folk, and (3) research on LWH related to religious and healing rites. The study found that there were 155 items in the literature related to LWH classified in relation to: (a) folk culture (38), (b) secular folk (79), and (c) religious and healing rites (38). The majority of the literature comprised qualitative research, followed by survey research, experimental research, and action research. Most studies are dissertations, theses and research from educational institutes. Knowledge of the social sciences is mainly used for conducting research. It was also found that, during the last 10 years, medical anthropology and medical ethnography were frequently used for such studies. Overall, there is a limited number of items in the LWH literature; the research in this area lacks a framework and research direction; morever, the extent of study is not well defined. There is also no supporting system for LWH research and a lack of mechanisms for knowledge management to benefit from research to be used in policy or operational levels. The recommendation related to future LWH research is to establish an effective support system, a mechanism to utilize research, and a way to communicate the research results on LWH to the public. Research on LWH should start with medical anthropology and medical ethnography followed by other research fields which can be studied in parallel, or further exploration is needed to gain more knowledge and understanding about LWH in several dimensions. The integration of research and development on LWH will help assist the utilization of research results at the policy and operational levels. Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:00:00 GMT http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2188 2006-12-31T17:00:00Z http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2187 Title: Survey of the Compensation for Health Massage Service Providers in Songkhla Province Authors: Chaibu, Banjong Abstract/Caption: The objective of this study was to determine the factors affecting health massage service providers in Songkhla. A survey was used to collect data. A questionnaire was designed to obtain three major types of data, namely, general information, masseuses/masseurs’ income, and their attitude toward their present job. The general information part included general information on the masseuses/masseurs and their places of work, while the compensation part obtained information about their income and any fringe-benefits they might have received. The third part included data on their attitudes toward the compensation, changing work place, changing career, and attitudes toward their career. Descriptive analyses were used in this study to examine the average, standard deviation, minimum, and maximum for each variable. The study results showed that the average monthly income of the masseuses/masseurs came from two major sources, payment and tips for massage services. Not many masseuses enjoyed a guaranteed minimum hourly rate of pay. The results also showed that the average monthly income the masseuses in Songkhla Province received barely covered their monthly expenses. They also received other fringe benefits, such as food and housing. Some of the masseuses believed that they still did not receive enough fringe benefits, even though some of the benefits were compulsory, such as social security benefits. In conclusion, this study can be used as a basis for designing ways to improve the massage business in the province, especially workforce planning. Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:00:00 GMT http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2187 2006-12-31T17:00:00Z http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2186 Title: Comparison of the Chemical Constituents in Michelia alba Flower Oil Extracted by Steam Distillation, Hexane Extraction and Enfleurage Method Authors: Worraruethai, Pensuk; Padumanonda, Tanit; Pichaensoonthon, Chayan Abstract/Caption: White champaka (Michelia alba DC.) is a fragrant flower with a gentle scent that has long been utilized by Thai people; M. alba products remain widely popular in the Thai market. There are several methods for extracting aromatic oil from M. alba flowers and one of them is the enfleurage method which is believed to yield an aromatic oil with closely similar odor to fresh flowers. In this study, M. alba flower oil was extracted by a newly modified enfleurage method using developed buffalo fats along with other aromatic extraction methods; steam distillation and hexane extraction. The chemical composition of M. alba oil extracted from each technique was studied and compared using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) data. According to the comparison study of M. alba flower oil, the enfleurage method gave a light yellow oil with similar odor to fresh M. alba flowers and its main composition was indole (1H) (35.5%), whereas the steam distillation method gave a colorless oil with similar odor to boiled M. alba flowers rather than fresh ones. Its major component was linalool (66.92%). The hexane extraction method gave a transparent oil sample with similar but more pungent odor to that of fresh M. alba flowers and its major compounds were 2-methyl butanoic acid and linolool (33.01% and 28.92%, respectively). Indole was also found as a minor component in M. alba flower oil extracted by the steam distillation technique, but was absent in oil extracted by hexane. With further comparison, linalool and 2-methyl butanoic acid were also found in oil extracted by the enfleurage method but in negligible amounts. With regard to perfumery, indole is the natural compound that increases the perceived odor strength and improves the stability of other aromatic compounds in volatile oils. The major components of indole in M. alba flower oil extracted by the enfleurage method could be an obvious benefit of this method. In conclusion, M. alba flower oil extracted by the enfleurage method, using developed buffalo fats, has a desirable quality of aromatic oil, which should meet the high demands of the aromatherapy market. Sun, 31 Dec 2006 17:00:00 GMT http://herbalnet.healthrepository.org/handle/123456789/2186 2006-12-31T17:00:00Z