Throughout human history, doctors and healers have gathered and refined the knowledge inherited from the previous generations. Different methods of effective therapy have been designed during various historical periods; when each was developed, it was considered “modern scientific medicine” for their time. Mankind has gone through natural and social disasters and survived; hence, history has proved there was no time when medical knowledge was erroneous or ineffective. Classic medicine has grown to be divided into narrow, specialized branches, causing it to lose its holistic approach and general view on health, sickness and therapeutic methods. Many of traditional medicine’s effective methods have been forgotten and removed from the mainstream medicine. It would be good for modern medical education to incorporate the general knowledge of historically effective therapeutic modalities and study practical cases. Medical students should be taught how to choose a “good method” or “good medicine” independent of when that method or remedy was discovered. However, he has to keep in mind the primary goal of medicine: “I will use treatment to help the sick according to my ability and judgment…”(from Hippocratic Oath).

The present market for herbal drugs is estimated about Rupee 40 billion, which is expected to increase by 16% in next 3–4?years. The current production of many Ayurvedic herbs is less than their market demand, which incentivizes adulteration in the Ayurvedic drug supply chain. The present work aims to highlight the most used Ayurvedic plants that have been listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s “red list” of endangered or vulnerable plants. The future of Ayurvedic medicines from these listed plants is uncertain, as the collection of herbs from their natural habitat is prohibited and their cultivation does not meet market demands. Many of these plants, such as Taxus baccata and T. wallichiana, are endangered and are only grown in their natural habitats; their cultivation in other areas is impractical. This is the present state, and will worsen as demand continues to grow, with increasing populations and increasing adoption of this system of medicine. It is possible that in coming years most of the Ayurvedic drugs will be adulterated, and will cause only side effects rather than the therapeutic effects. The Ayurvedic fundamentals are under-explored areas where the Ayurvedic practitioners and research scientists can work together. The scientific work on the basic principles will unravel many unknown or little-known facts of this ancient science. Hence, the present review emphasizes the conservation of Ayurvedic herbs, minimization of the use of medicinal plants and the promotion of the research based on Ayurvedic fundamentals.

The World Health Organization recently raised concerns about antimicrobial resistance and lack of novel antibiotics in the health sector. The success rate of drug discovery is higher when chemical constituents are sourced from natural products and when drug candidates are based on the indigenous knowledge of local communities. Tropical rainforests are an important source of medicinal plants for traditional healthcare systems. The pharmaceutical industry also recognizes the potential of rainforests in novel drug development. However, habitat degradation and loss of traditional knowledge are endangering the healing powers of nature. The islands of Fiji have a rich cultural history of traditional medicine and a number of medicinal plants are sourced from the country’s rainforest ecosystems. While deforestation and forest degradation are decimating unique rainforest biodiversity and reducing access to medicinal plants in the wild, inter-generational erosion of ethnobotanical knowledge is attributed to acculturation, rural-urban migration and their effects on the transmission of oral traditions from one generation to another. Under these conditions, plants may disappear before their therapeutic value is formally identified. This review summarizes the importance of traditional medicinal knowledge and the potential for drug discovery from the tropical rainforest ecosystems of Fiji. However, there are several challenges that need to be addressed to realize the true potential of ethnopharmacology in this country.

Abstract
Background
Autism spectrum disorder is a condition that affects all races, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. With a high incidence ratio of one in every 68, it has become one of the most discussed psychiatric disorders. For this reason, the need for investigating novel treatments has been emerging. Qigong, a traditional Chinese mind-body technique, has already proven to be able to reduce symptoms of several physical and psychological illnesses.
Objective
The purpose of this systematic review is to examine and categorize the current scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of Qigong on children suffering from autism spectrum disorders.
Search strategy
A systematic literature search of the electronic scientific databases PubMed, Clinical Trials.gov, BioMed Central, PubMed Central and Google Scholar, was performed to identify studies of Qigong in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder.
Inclusion criteria
This review included randomized controlled trials, replication studies, retrospective studies and observational follow-up studies of Qigong on children with autism spectrum disorder. Case reports and case series were excluded.
Data extraction and analysis
Two researchers independently evaluated the methodological quality of all included studies. Any discrepancies were solved by discussion until consensus was achieved.
Results
Our literature search identified 157 publications, and 10 additional publications from hand search of references. After duplicate removal, 103 records remained. After the title/abstract screening, 19 publications were obtained for detailed evaluation. After detailed evaluation, 10 studies were included. Seven studies were conducted with small children with 2–6?years old employing Qigong massage, and three studies were conducted with older children aged 7–17?years old applying both Qigong massage (one study) and Neigong (two studies).
Conclusion
Studies demonstrated that Qigong has interesting and promising applicability and effect on children with autism spectrum disorder and should be tested further. Despite the need for more rigorous controlled studies, Qigong seems to be able to decrease severity of individual sensory, behavioural, and language components of autism, and improve self-control, sociability, sensory and cognitive awareness as well as healthy-physical behaviour. Besides positive effect on children and adolescents, benefits seem to extend to parents and caregivers as well. However, quality of methodology seems to be insufficient to state that Qigong is an alternative to common behavioural therapies. We suggest that, until more investigation is performed, Qigong may only be used as a complement, or when behavioural therapies are not accessible.

Objective
Pittosporum angustifolium Lodd. is used to treat a variety of pathogenic diseases and inflammation by Australian aborigines. Practitioners of complementary medicine frequently use herbal medicines concurrently with conventional antibiotics. There is a need to evaluate their effects in combination.

Methods
The bacterial growth inhibitory activity of P. angustifolium leaf extracts was assessed against a panel of pathogenic triggers of some autoimmune diseases by standard disc diffusion and liquid dilution minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods. Combinational effects between the extracts and conventional antimicrobials were classified using the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentration. Synergistic interactions were further assessed across a range of ratios by isobologram analysis. The toxicity of the individual samples and combinations was evaluated by Artemia lethality and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) human dermal fibroblast cell viability assays.

Results
P. angustifolium leaf extracts strongly inhibited the growth of several bacterial triggers of autoimmune diseases. The methanolic, aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts were particularly good inhibitors of Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumonia growth (MIC?=?26 and 57?μg/mL respectively). Some combinations of the extracts and conventional antibiotics significantly potentiated the combined inhibitory activity compared to the individual components. Of the 250 combinations studied, approximately 0.02% showed synergistic interactions, 49.6% were additive, 46.8% showed indifferent interactions and antagonism occurred in only 0.02% of the combinations. Interestingly, all of the synergistic and antagonistic combinations contained tetracycline as their antibiotic component.

Conclusion
P. angustifolium leaf extracts inhibit the growth of pathogenic triggers of some autoimmune diseases. Some extracts also potentiated the activity of conventional antibiotics, without significantly affecting the toxicity of the combination.

Objective
The study examines the effect of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume bark on crystallization of calcium oxalate.
Methods
The antilithiatic effect of various concentrations of the hydro-alcoholic extract of C. zeylanicum was investigated at various stages of stone formation, using Cystone as a standard reference drug. The effect on calcium oxalate crystallization was evaluated by measuring the change in turbidity over time, during crystal nucleation, growth and aggregation, in the metastable solution of calcium chloride and sodium oxalate. The slope from the change in turbidity over time was measured using a spectrophotometer at 620 and 214?nm in respective tests. The inhibition rate was estimated by comparing turbidity in the presence and absence of extract. Crystals formed under experimental conditions were observed under a light microscope, and number and shape of the crystals were assessed in a randomly selected field. Phytochemical analysis and high-performance thin-layer chromatography of the extract was also carried out.
Results
C. zeylanicum significantly reduced crystal nucleation at concentrations of 4, 8 and 10?mg/mL (P? Conclusion
We found that C. zeylanicum hydro-alcoholic extract has notable inhibitory effects on various stages of crystallization, in terms of turbidity of solution, as well as the crystal size, number and morphology.

Objective
Diabetes is a common metabolic disease with several complications in its patients. Often, people living with diabetes develop erectile dysfunction (ED). The primary aim of this work was to investigate the effect of phloroglucinol in diabetes-induced ED in rats.

Methods
Male Wistar rats were given 52?mg/kg of streptozotocin, by intraperitoneal injection, to induce diabetes and ED. Subsequently, animals were grouped into three groups: group 1, diabetic control; group 2, low-dose phloroglucinol (150?mg/kg body weight); and group 3, high-dose phloroglucinol (250?mg/kg body weight). A group of six normal rats served as a normal control. The rats were treated with phloroglucinol for six weeks and then were assessed for treatment effects. Sexual behavior, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values, serum testosterone, serum nitric oxide (NO), blood pressure and sperm count were measured after the end of treatment.

Results
After a 6-week treatment period, the high dose of phloroglucinol significantly decreased HbA1c values in diabetic rats. Rats treated with phloroglucinol had increased serum testosterone, NO and sperm count. Animals treated with 250?mg/kg phloroglucinol performed similar to normal rats in the sexual behavioral study, suggesting the reversal of complications of ED. Conversely, a decrease in the blood pressure in treated groups was observed.

Conclusion
The results highlight the protective effect of phloroglucinol in diabetes-induced ED in rats warranting further studies.

Objective
Kaempferide and 4,2′-dihydroxy-4′,5′,6′-trimethoxychalcone (DTMC) are two major flavonoids found in Chromolaena odorata Linn. leaf extract. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism by which these two flavonoids exerted their effect on adipogenesis. The inhibitory effect of kaempferide and DTMC on adipocyte differentiation and their mechanisms involving mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) and apoptosis during the early stage of adipogenesis were investigated.

Methods
Confluent 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to differentiate and exposed to the flavonoids during various phases of differentiation. Intracellular lipid accumulation, cell density and expression of the transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins α were assessed using AdipoRed, Oil red O and Western blot assays. Effects of both flavonoids on cell proliferation and apoptosis were also determined by carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide-staining assays, respectively.

Results
Kaempferide and DTMC showed significant, concentration-dependent anti-adipogenic activity and effect on cell density in the early phase of adipogenesis. The expression of the transcription factors seemed to be reduced when the treatment was prolonged or in the early phase of adipogenesis. These flavonoids interrupted MCE via inhibition of preadipocyte proliferation and induction of apoptosis. DTMC was nearly three times more potent than kaempferide in inducing apoptosis.

Conclusion
Kaempferide and DTMC exerted their anti-adipogenic activity through inhibition of MCE, either by suppressing cell proliferation or by inducing apoptosis during the early phase of differentiation.

Background
The use of traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is increasing in both developed and developing countries. The school of Persian medicine (PM) in Iran is a comprehensive medical school that is rich in history and has its own special principles, elements, philosophy, and diagnostic and treatment options. Many complementary therapy modalities are also popular and in demand among patients and physicians. The aim of this paper is to provide logic for the policymakers in Iranian medical education to make changes in medical education curricula, particularly on integrating T&CM.

Methods
We reviewed the global experience in teaching T&CM to medical students, and highlighting the strengths of PM, described why it is necessary to integrate T&CM into general medicine curricula in Iran.

Results
PM is a traditional system of medicine that dates back about 7000?years. Although there are few studies about the safety and effectiveness of PM, research into it has recently been accelerated. There is a suitable opportunity for integrating T&CM with conventional medicine. Physicians should be familiar with T&CM to avoid any contraindications, interactions, and unwanted effects.

Conclusion
Traditional medicine is part of Iran’s heritage and, thus, needs special attention. Familiarization of physicians with T&CM can help them choose the best treatment options for their patients. To integrate T&CM into the medical education curricula of Iran, a two-credit course has been proposed for implementation across the country.

Auriculotherapy consists of physical stimuli applied to the outer ear and is commonly associated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The authors present and discuss the development of a course that offers a semi-on-site auriculotherapy course for Brazilian primary health care (PHC) professionals. The course was funded by the Brazilian Ministry of Health and developed at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in 2015 by a team of experts in auriculotherapy. It consisted of 75?h of distance learning (five sequential modules) and 5?h of on-site learning. The modules included the following items: (1) introduction to integrative practices; (2) ear reflexology; (3) introduction to TCM; (4) biomedical view of auriculotherapy; and (5) auriculotherapy in PHC. The teaching material included a workbook for each module, 14 video lectures and an interactive ear (online resource) to study location and application to the main auricular points. The on-site lectures follow a structured script of ear palpation techniques, auricular seed insertion practice and clinical case discussions, under the supervision of trained instructors. The course was offered in 2016 and 2017 and on-site lectures took place in 25 cities, covering all Brazilian regions, in coordination with municipal or state boards of health. A total of 4273 health professionals concluded the training and their evaluation of the course was highly positive. The Brazilian experience of large-scale training shows the potential to disseminate auriculotherapy in the context of PHC, given that its practice is fast, easy to learn, safe, effective for different health problems and well accepted by the patients.