China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Dignity and older people
Published in Milika Ruth Matiti, Lesley Baillie, Paula McGee, Dignity in Healthcare, 2020
Wilfred McSherry, Helen Coleman
Ageing is non-discriminatory, it comes to all people because it is a natural and inevitable process as one moves along the life span continuum from birth to death. However, in contemporary society, ageing seems to be feared and discussions on the subject avoided. Until the advent of an ‘elixir of life’ or the development of genetic engineering that switches off or halts the ageing process, everyone is destined to grow old – unless they die prematurely. Therefore, the fact that we are all destined to live longer, fuller and healthier lives should be a cause for celebration, and the contribution that older people make to the fabric, culture and social structure of society remembered and welcomed. For some older people, retirement or social ageing is positive, enjoyable and life enhancing. It is an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, participating in recreational activities, engaging in new pursuits and experiences. However, for others ageing will mean a decline in physical and cognitive functioning as a result of illness, disease or trauma. This may result in increased morbidity, a loss of independence and social isolation. The onset of illness or disease may result in periods of hospitalisation. Depending on the nature and severity of an illness or disease, this may necessitate long-term health and social care. The quality of this care has the potential to preserve the older person’s dignity and identity or rob them of a fundamental aspect of their humanity and human rights.
Herbs in Health Management
Published in Raj K. Keservani, Anil K. Sharma, Rajesh K. Kesharwani, Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements, 2020
Tulsi is called “Elixir of Life” because it promotes longevity. It is a popular remedy of Ayurvedic and Siddha systems of medicine for the cure of general ailments like sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, colic pain, fever, insomnia, stress, scorpio sting, snake bite, and so forth. Nowadays, different brands of distilled tulsi water are available in the market that claim to provide antioxidant, antiaging, antibacterial (Mishra and Mishra, 2011), antiviral, antiseptic, stimulant, and diuretic properties.
The Arab influence
Published in Michael J. O’Dowd, The History of Medications for Women, 2020
In the Arabian schools of medicine, the principal courses held were clinical medicine, pharmacology and therapeutics. Arabian medicine gave birth to alchemy and these early chemists explored the notion of an ‘elixir of life’ that would cure all diseases and confer immortality. That elixir came to be known as the Aurum potabile (drinkable gold). According to Garrison, the Arabian pharmacists (sandalani) introduced a number of new drugs to Western medicine (see below), and described alcohol, aldehydes, juleps and syrups, all of which are named from the Arabic. They also introduced flavoring extracts made of lemon peel, orange, rosewater, tragacanth and other ingredients.
Deciphering the anti-filarial potential of bioactive compounds from Ocimum sanctum: a combined experimental and computational study
Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2022
Ayushi Mishra, Vipin Kumar, Anchal Singh
The genus Ocimum (Lamiaceae) encompasses most popular medicinal herbs and culinary ingredients. Ocimum basilicum L., Ocimum gratissimum L., and Ocimum sanctum L. are extensively studied for their therapeutic properties. The ethanol extract of Ocimum basilicum (OB) is hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic, and can modulate the activity of macrophage surface scavenger receptors (Bravo et al. 2008). The OB leaf extract was also shown to minimize drug induced nephrotoxicity in mice (Karaali et al. 2018). The herb Ocimum gratissimum (OG) is widely consumed across the world for its medicinal and nutritional value and its alcohol extract can counteract cyclophosphamide induced nephrotoxicity (Alabi et al. 2021) and lead acetate toxicity in Wistar rats (Oyem et al. 2021). Ocimum sanctum (OS) is an herbaceous plant, rich in medicinal properties. Ocimum sanctum is also known as the elixir of life in Ayurveda because of its curative effects. In India OS is considered a holy plant and is grown in almost every household. Ocimum species are found in India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and is widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical countries. The plant is a potent antioxidant and has immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-HIV properties (Rege et al. 2010; Mallikarjun et al. 2016). It is widely used for the treatment of cough, headache, cancer, stress, diseases of the CNS, Leishmaniasis, etc. (Pattanayak et al. 2010; Bhalla et al. 2017; Venuprasad et al. 2017).
Role of oxidative stress in pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis: insights into NRF2-KEAP1 signalling
Published in Autoimmunity, 2021
Gurjasmine Kaur, Aman Sharma, Archana Bhatnagar
Though obscure complexity in etiopathogenesis widely impacts disease diagnosis, classification, and treatment, RA deeply influences social, mental, and economic well-being. Oxidative stress is a critical pathogenic marker eliciting a role in disease onset, severity, activity, perpetuation, and therapeutics. Apart from being an oxidant stress response transcription factor, Nrf2 regulates inflammation, autophagy, proteostasis, mitochondrial physiology, and immune responses. Although not an elixir of life, but Nrf2 has been considered a potential prophylactic/therapeutic agent for various cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, lung and liver disorders, cancer, metabolic diseases, sepsis, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, epilepsy, etc. Insights into Nrf2-Keap1 cytoprotective signalling uncovered beneficial aspects in attenuation of articular and extra-articular complications in RA, via anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant action. Nrf2 activators including a range of natural antioxidant-rich nutrients. i.e. phenolics, PUFAs, carotenoids, isothiocyanates, sulphur compounds, and synthetic drugs, nano-compositions, and synthetic peptides, along with caloric restriction in diet and modification to lifestyle, could effectively contribute to modest redox sustainability (Figure 3). Peremptory is for advancement in the understanding of Nrf2-Keap1 signalling in disease etiopathogenesis, immunopathology, and progression, which could prove beneficial for better disease management.