observational

Use of Artemisinin (Qinghaosu) derivatives in the treatment of malaria.:

Use of Artemisinin (Qinghaosu) derivatives in the treatment of malaria.

Afr J Health Sci. 1998 Feb;5(1):8-11

Authors: Kokwaro GO

Derivatives of the Chinese herbal remedy ginghaosu (artemisinin) are useful in the treatment of multiple-drug resistant malaria. This review covers the discovery, development, clinical pharmacology and toxicology of these compounds, with emphasis on those derivatives currently in use in parts of Africa.

PMID: 17580987 [PubMed - in process]

A pilot trial evaluating Meta050, a proprietary combination of reduced iso-alpha acids, rosemary extract and oleanolic acid in patients with arthritis and fibromyalgia.: Phytother Res. 2005 Oct;19(10):864-9 Authors: Lukaczer D, Darland G, Tripp M, Liska D, Lerman RH, Schiltz B, Bland JS

The aim of this open-label, 8-week observational trial was to investigate the efficacy of Meta050 (a proprietary, standardized combination of reduced iso-alpha-acids from hops, rosemary extract and oleanolic acid) on pain in patients with rheumatic disease. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia patients were given 440 mg Meta050 three times a day for 4 weeks, which was changed to 880 mg twice a day for the subsequent 4 weeks in the majority of patients. Pain and condition-specific symptoms were assessed using a standard visual analog scale (VAS), an abridged arthritis impact measurement scale (AIMS2) and the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire. Fifty-four subjects with rheumatic disease completed the trial. Following treatment, a statistically significant decrease in pain of 50% and 40% was observed in arthritis subjects using the VAS (p < 0.0001; Wilcoxon-ranked sums) and AIMS2 (p < 0.0001), respectively. Fibromyalgia subject scores did not significantly improve. A decreasing trend of C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation, was also observed in those subjects who presented with elevated C-reactive protein. No serious side effects were observed. These observations suggest that Meta050 at a dosage of 440 mg three times a day has a beneficial effect on pain in arthritis subjects.

Use of over-the-counter medications and herbal remedies in pregnancy.: Am J Perinatol. 2005 Aug;22(6):321-4 Authors: Refuerzo JS, Blackwell SC, Sokol RJ, Lajeunesse L, Firchau K, Kruger M, Sorokin Y

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and herbal remedies used by pregnant women. A prospective observational study was performed at a single tertiary-care hospital. Postpartum women completed a questionnaire that included a list of more than 120 medications, herbal remedies, and alternative therapies listed by both brand and common name. Patients were asked to identify any and all medications or treatments used during pregnancy. Of 418 patients who completed questionnaires, 96.9% took at least one medication during their pregnancy. After excluding prenatal vitamins and iron supplements, 76.5% took at least one other medication; 62.8% used OTC medications, and 4.1% used herbal and/or alternative remedies. Multiple drug use occurred in 33.5% of patients, with up to 13.6% consuming four or more medications. The use of prescribed and OTC, medications, and herbal/alternative therapy, is common in pregnancy, with many patients consuming more than one agent at a time.