Alternative Medicine and Molecular Mechanisms in Chronic Degenerative Diseases

Abstract

Knowledge of healing plants worldwide properties it has been extensively studied by their biological activities. The increasing number of plant users for healthcare originated the Research Center in Complementary Alternative Medicine, National Institute of Health (NIH) whose primary function is to be alert with a strictly scientific sense about de use of plants as main source of Complementary Alternative Medicine. It is currently about the synergy known that Is achieved on the hepatoprotective, antioxidant and hypoglycaemic activities with mixtures formed by selected plants and combined. These plants are characterized by their content of hidroxyphenolic compounds as cynarin, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids silybin and among others. Actually this kind of herbal preparations are investigated in patients with cirrhosis, type II diabetes mellitus, breast cancer and arthritis diseases. Patients with Chronic Degenerative Diseases are in state of stress and Its metabolism produces free radicals such as superoxide ºO<sub>2</sub>, hydroxyl ºOH and peroxynitrite highly reactive with unsaturated fatty acids of cell membranes producing lipid peroxidation. The main product of this process is the peroxyl, that when it’s reduced forms hydroxiperoxyle its decomposition forms MDA and 4-hidroxialquenal. These substances bind to R-SH<sub>2</sub> of the aminoacids of the proteins and to the thymine of DNA, altering their biological function. Before the treatments with selected and micropulverized plants to patients, it is necessary and required in animal models demonstrate that plants do not produce toxic effects. Using mixtures of plants micropulverized is good choice because these microparticles behave as micro-releasing their constituents with increased activity and bioavailability to target cells so it will be possible to achieve greater power to control their activity and perhaps cure the disease, and provide patients an effective herbal medicine safe, free of toxic effects and low cost

Phytochemical Screening And Antidiabetic Test Of Ethanol Extract Of Turmeric Leaves (Curcuma domestica Val.) On Decreasing Blood Glucose Of Diabetic Rats

“…This indicates that the components of the active chemical compounds contained in the ethanol extract of turmeric leaves have a synergistic effect. Velazquez et al (2011) stated that complementary alternative medicines derived from nature synergise in treating a disease [19].Based on the results obtained, administration of 100 mg/kg bw EEDK suspension, 200 mg/kg bw EEDK, 400 mg/kg EDK, and 0.45 mg/kg bb glibenclamide proved to have a reduced effect on Blood Glucose Level until the 28th day, except for the negative control. This is due to the induction of STZ; STZ is a diabetogenic chemical compound that damages pancreatic β cells directly.…”

Rice brain administration reduces malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the heart of carbon tetrachloride-induced rats

“…The resulting hydroperoxides will fragment into MDA and 4-HNE compounds due to their less stable nature. 16 The higher the level of oxidative stress, the higher the expected production of MDA compounds and vice versa.…”