International Journal of Natural Medicine and Health Sciences

BASIL (Ocimum sanctum L.) aromatic medicinal plant: a review

Zarnab Anwar — 2023-09-30

Ocimum sanctum (Basil; Tulssi) is important traditional herb and used for therapeutic purpose
all over the world. It has been used in traditional medicine from 3000 years, because of its
miraculous healing properties. In India it is consider as the holiest herb. It is considered as
assign of goddness in Hinduism. Each part of this plant is worshipped in India. It is used in
numerous ailments such as insomnia, malaria, skin and digestive disorders, diarrhoea and also
used in cough, cold and flu. Studies revealed its antifungal, antiviral, analgesic,
bronchodilators, anti-asthmatic and anti-oxidant activites. Volatile oil, eugenol, urosolic acid,
linalool, carvacrol, limatrol, sesquiterpene, methyl eugenol, estragole and caryophyllene are
phytoconstituents present in Ocimum sanctum.

A mini review on food preservatives

Mussarat Jabeen — 2023-09-30

Food additives are not recently discovered, humans used food additives from ancient times.
These food additives enhance the color and taste of food but also, kill harmful pathogens and
keep food safe for a long time. Ancient people used salting, smoking, jugging and many more
techniques to preserve food but in modern times, lifestyles changed, and people used advanced
techniques like ultra-sonication, vacuum packing, electro plasmolysis, bio preservation,
nanotechnology, etc. There are many natural compounds extracted from plants like caffeine,
anthocyanin, turmeric, saffron used as food additives. Similarly, many synthetic additives can
be used in food for example ampicillin, benzoic acid, tetrazine and many more. These synthetic
additives are more dangerous as compared to natural additives; therefore, many additives are
banned in the world. These additives are given E codes (European union numbers) and INS
(International numbering system of food), but E code is used more commonly and labelled on
all food items like chips, biscuit, pharmaceutics, cosmetics etc. In this review, we summarize
some traditional and modern food preservation techniques and give some most commonly used
food additives with E codes.

Advancement, applications, and future directions of 3D models in breast cancer research: a comprehensive review

Rahmana Wazir — 2023-09-30

3D models have popped up as indispensable tools for breast cancer study, they provide a closer
semblance of the multiplex cellular and cancer tissue microenvironment as compared to
ancient 2D cultures. Their utilization in BC research permits a better interpretation of
hemostasis, cell-to-cell, and cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions, differentiation of cells,
and tissue organization. 3D models qualify the exploration of numerous aspects regarding
cancer progression, it also includes invasion of the tumor, cancer metastasis, and drug
resistance, in a way that more precisely contemplates in vivo conditions. Hence, they provided
a precise environment for research as compared to a complex in vivo host cell environment.
This review highlights the importance of different 3D models in BC research, focusing on their
capability to enumerate complex disease physio-pathological features. This review explains
the variety of 3D models utilized in BC research, encompassing Multicellular Tumor
Spheroids (MCTS), Three-Dimensional (3D) bioprinting, Organoid Models, Microfluidic
technologies, Organ on chip models, 3D hydrogel models and in silico approaches for BC,
challenges and future of 3D models.

Medical perspective of cupping therapy (Ḥijama): a review

Farooq Hassan — 2023-03-30

Traditional and alternative medicine practitioners have used cupping therapy for centuries.
Growing data suggests that it may help treat disorders that are associated to pain in recent
years. An overview of the use of cupping therapy is provided in this article. One of the
most effective treatments for Ilaj bil Tadbeer is hijama. A vacuum is created to either
release blood from beneath the skin's surface or merely suction the area without allowing
any blood out in this unique therapeutic method, which involves positioning cup-shaped
veins on the body's surface. However, the effects in certain clinical trials were really strong.
It is suggested that medical professionals or researchers in order to ascertain the efficacy
of hijama in the treatment of various illnesses.

A comprehensive review on role of phytochemicals in human health

Umer Amjad — 2023-09-30

Phytochemicals are plant extracts that are widely used due to their ability to provide health
benefits and their therapeutic activity against several disorders. They are also called
phytonutrients as they are not really the part of our diet but have several positive effects on our
health. They are found to decrease the risk factor of cardiovascular disorders and coronary
heart disorders. It has also been found that phytochemicals diminish the risk ratio of several
types of cancers including breast, colon and skin cancers. This article revolves around taking
carotenoids, chlorophyll and fibers as examples of phytonutrients to evaluate their beneficial
role in several diseases. These phytochemicals have been found to be associated with
antioxidant activity, retinol activity, cell signaling, improvement of glycemic control,
protection against high blood pressure, facilitation in defecation and anti-cancerous activity.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections in patients visiting to gestroenterology department Rehman Medical Institute Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Paris Anwar — 2023-09-30

Gastritis and peptic ulcer is common worldwide as well in Pakistan. H. pylori is causative
agent and can survive in acidic medium like stomach. H. pylori is unique bacteria that
capable to cause stomach cancer. The objective of present study was to report the
prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infections in patients visiting to Rehman Medical
Institute Peshawar. In the present descriptive cross-sectional study, a total number of 150
patients visiting to Gastroenterology Department Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar were
gone through H. pylori screening test by Immunochromatography (BD ICT) method and
test was performed to find out prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients
visiting to Gastroenterology Department Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar. Data was
recorded and analysed by SPSS-22 and shown here in the form of tables. Total number of
patients was 150, out of them 44 (29.3%) patients were H. pylori positive and 106(70.7%)
were H. pylori negative. The prevalence of H. pylori infection is higher in the patients
visiting to gastroenterology department of Rehman Medical Institute Peshawar. It is more
common in males as compared to female patients. We conclude here that patients of
gastroenterology should be screened for H. pylori to cope with treatment & prevention from
further complications.