Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2026 in |
Silica (silicon dioxide) is a naturally abundant mineral found on earth. During the last decade, silica has received a lot of attention due to its newly proposed potential health benefits. To date, silica is an important bioactive dietary component that plays a critical role in its bioavailability and in maintaining human health in relation to skeletal and connective tissue health. Recent studies related to silica as a dietary component include bioavailability and analysis of silica within the body, nutrigenomics, biomedical technology, effects on bone health, potential cosmetic applications, and relationship with probiotics. In this review, silica will be defined, from where it came about, what it is composed of, and where it can be found. Special attention will be focused on silica-rich sands that are found throughout the world. Dietary silica and naturally occurring silica in plant-based foods, beverages, and functional products will be discussed. Topics including absorption, metabolism, biological roles of silica within the human body, and interactions with calcium and trace minerals will be reviewed. Special attention...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2026 in |
In ancient systems like Unani, Tibb, Ayurveda, and Siddha, Nigella sativa is a frequently utilized medicinal herb. Its oil and seeds have long been used in food and healing. N. sativa is suggested in Tibb-e-Nabwi (Prophetic Medicine) and is considered a key medicinal cure in Islamic literature. In addition to being used as analgesics, diuretics, and hunger stimulants, the seeds have been used to treat hypertension, liver ailments, digestive difficulties, diarrhea, and skin concerns. Numerous pharmacological actions, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, renal-protective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, bronchodilator, spasmolytic, hepato-protective, gastro-protective, and antioxidant properties, are shown by scientific research. The main bioactive substance, thymoquinone, is responsible for the majority of therapeutic advantages. This review aims to provide a comprehensive survey of the pharmacognosy, chemical composition, and pharmacological properties of N. sativa...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2026 in |
In recent decades, oral health management has witnessed a paradigm shift by integrating bioactive materials into dental therapeutics. Among these, bioactive glasses (BGs) that were originally developed by Larry Hench in 1969 have garnered significant attention because of their distinctive capacity to bond with bones and soft tissues of the body, while stimulating biological responses that promote healing and regeneration. Bioglass was the first synthetic material that formed a chemical bond with bone. The principal mechanism underlying the bioactivity of BGs lies in their surface reactions in aqueous environments, where they release therapeutic ions like Ca²⁺, Na⁺, PO₄³⁻, and Si⁴⁺, that lead to the formation of a hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) layer that mimics natural bone mineral. Furthermore, functionalization of bioactive glasses (BGs) with therapeutic metal ions like Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Sr²⁺ and herbal bioactives has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance their antimicrobial, osteogenic, angiogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties, thereby broadening their applications in dental and ocular implantology, orthopedics, and wound healing. Despite the widespread recognition of its benefits,...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2026 in |
Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder leading to non-scarring hair loss and affecting millions worldwide across all age groups. Despite extensive research, the precise molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood, arising from complex interactions among immune dysregulation, genetic susceptibility, and environmental triggers. Emerging evidence also implicates lifestyle factors, psychological stress, gut microbiome imbalance, and drug exposures in disease onset and progression. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the immunopathogenesis of AA, integrating insights from T-cell mediated autoimmunity, genetic variations, and epigenetic regulation. Advances in diagnostic strategies, including trichoscopy, histopathology, and severity assessment tools, are critically evaluated with attention to their clinical applicability and limitations. Importantly, the therapeutic landscape of AA is rapidly evolving: beyond traditional approaches such as corticosteroids and minoxidil, recent progress in biologics, JAK inhibitors, regenerative strategies including stem cell and exosome-based therapies, nanotechnology, and microneedle-assisted delivery systems is reshaping treatment paradigms. By bridging mechanistic understanding with therapeutic innovation, this review highlights unmet clinical needs, emphasizes opportunities for precision and regenerative medicine, and outlines future directions...
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Posted by admin on Mar 31, 2026 in |
Aromatherapy is a complementary therapeutic approach based on the use of volatile essential oils derived from aromatic medicinal plants. The practice has a long history, originating in ancient medical systems of Egypt, India, China, and Greece, where aromatic plants were employed for therapeutic, cosmetic, and spiritual purposes. In contemporary pharmacognostic research, aromatherapy is recognized for the bioactive potential of essential oils, which are complex mixtures of secondary metabolites such as terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, aldehydes, alcohols, and esters. The mechanisms of action involve olfactory stimulation of the limbic system as well as transdermal absorption, leading to neuropharmacological, autonomic, and systemic effects. Essential oils have demonstrated a range of pharmacological activities including anxiolytic, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and sedative effects. Aromatherapy has found applications in the management of stress-related disorders, pain, insomnia, dermatological and respiratory conditions, and as supportive therapy in chronic diseases and palliative care. Medicinal plants frequently employed in aromatherapy include Lavandula angustifolia, Mentha piperita, Eucalyptus globulus, Rosa damascena, and Melaleuca alternifolia. This review consolidates current knowledge on the historical...
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