Despite the profound cultural and medicinal heritage of traditional African medicines (TAM), their global recognition remains notably limited. This study investigates the factors behind this issue, focusing on cultura...Despite the profound cultural and medicinal heritage of traditional African medicines (TAM), their global recognition remains notably limited. This study investigates the factors behind this issue, focusing on cultural perceptions, scientific validation, regulatory frameworks, and pharmaceutical industry influence. Utilizing a systematic literature review (SLR) to provide a thorough and structured overview, the research addresses these factors with transparency and reproducibility. Key findings reveal that negative cultural perceptions, the dominance of Western medicine, and skepticism towards traditional healers, especially in urban and educated populations, marginalize TAM. Additionally, religious beliefs and historical influences, such as colonialism, further devalue indigenous knowledge systems. The study also highlights a significant lack of scientific research and clinical trials, which challenges the conventional validation of TAM’s efficacy. Moreover, inconsistent international and national regulatory frameworks and the pharmaceutical industry’s dominance impede TAM’s integration into global healthcare systems. To enhance TAM’s credibility and global acceptance, the study advocates for standardized regulatory policies, increased scientific research, and a reevaluation of intellectual property laws. This shift towards a more inclusive and integrative approach in global health systems could bridge the gap between traditional and modern medical practices, promoting a more holistic understanding of health and wellness.展开更多
Objective： To investigate the effects of soluble factors secreted by acute myeloid leukemia （AML） cells on the phenotypical and functional properties of DCs derived from normal mononuclear cells. Methods： Mononucl...Objective： To investigate the effects of soluble factors secreted by acute myeloid leukemia （AML） cells on the phenotypical and functional properties of DCs derived from normal mononuclear cells. Methods： Mononuclear cells were cultured with interleukin-4 （IL-4） and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor （GM-CSF）, in the presence or absence of 24 h culture supematants from fresh pdmary AML cells, to generate immature DCs. The maturation of DCs was induced by cytokines IL-lbeta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-alpha）, and prostaglandin-2 （PGE-2）. The phenotypic alterations of DCs and DCs-primed CD4＋ T cells were evaluated using flow cytometry. Precursor frequency （PF） was calculated to monitor the allostimulatory effects of DCs on CD4^＋ and CD8^＋ T cells. Results：AML cell supernatant-treated DCs showed significantly lower expression of co-stimulatory molecules CDS0 and CD86, and reduced response to cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and PGE-2. The allostimulatory effects of AML cell supematant-treated DCs on CD4^＋ and CD8^＋ T cells were significantly lower than those of normal mature DCs [PF： （1.8 ±0.5）% vs. （5.2 ± 1.6）% for CD4^＋ T cells, （2.1 ±0.6）% vs. （6.5 ± 2.0）% for CD8^＋ T cells, P 〈 0.01]. These AML supernatantoinduced DCs could also induce allogeneic CD4^＋ T cells to differentiate into CD4^＋CD25high T cells, which had immunophenotyping characteristics of regulatory T cells, i.e. they expressed Foxp3 but not active maker CD69. Conclusion： This study demonstrates that soluble factors secreted by AML cells can inhibit development and functions of DCs. In addition, AML supernatant-induced DCs can induce the generation of CD4^＋CD25^high T cells from CD4^＋ T cells, which may be a mechanism of increased prevalence of CD4^＋CD25^high regulatory T cells and immune dysfunction in AML patients.展开更多
文摘Despite the profound cultural and medicinal heritage of traditional African medicines (TAM), their global recognition remains notably limited. This study investigates the factors behind this issue, focusing on cultural perceptions, scientific validation, regulatory frameworks, and pharmaceutical industry influence. Utilizing a systematic literature review (SLR) to provide a thorough and structured overview, the research addresses these factors with transparency and reproducibility. Key findings reveal that negative cultural perceptions, the dominance of Western medicine, and skepticism towards traditional healers, especially in urban and educated populations, marginalize TAM. Additionally, religious beliefs and historical influences, such as colonialism, further devalue indigenous knowledge systems. The study also highlights a significant lack of scientific research and clinical trials, which challenges the conventional validation of TAM’s efficacy. Moreover, inconsistent international and national regulatory frameworks and the pharmaceutical industry’s dominance impede TAM’s integration into global healthcare systems. To enhance TAM’s credibility and global acceptance, the study advocates for standardized regulatory policies, increased scientific research, and a reevaluation of intellectual property laws. This shift towards a more inclusive and integrative approach in global health systems could bridge the gap between traditional and modern medical practices, promoting a more holistic understanding of health and wellness.
基金grants from the National Outstanding Young Investigator Program (30225038)Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation (070413094)+1 种基金Scientific Research Fund of Anhui Provincial Education Department (2006KJ072C)Science and Technological Fund of Anhui Province for Outstanding Youth.
文摘Objective： To investigate the effects of soluble factors secreted by acute myeloid leukemia （AML） cells on the phenotypical and functional properties of DCs derived from normal mononuclear cells. Methods： Mononuclear cells were cultured with interleukin-4 （IL-4） and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor （GM-CSF）, in the presence or absence of 24 h culture supematants from fresh pdmary AML cells, to generate immature DCs. The maturation of DCs was induced by cytokines IL-lbeta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-alpha）, and prostaglandin-2 （PGE-2）. The phenotypic alterations of DCs and DCs-primed CD4＋ T cells were evaluated using flow cytometry. Precursor frequency （PF） was calculated to monitor the allostimulatory effects of DCs on CD4^＋ and CD8^＋ T cells. Results：AML cell supernatant-treated DCs showed significantly lower expression of co-stimulatory molecules CDS0 and CD86, and reduced response to cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and PGE-2. The allostimulatory effects of AML cell supematant-treated DCs on CD4^＋ and CD8^＋ T cells were significantly lower than those of normal mature DCs [PF： （1.8 ±0.5）% vs. （5.2 ± 1.6）% for CD4^＋ T cells, （2.1 ±0.6）% vs. （6.5 ± 2.0）% for CD8^＋ T cells, P 〈 0.01]. These AML supernatantoinduced DCs could also induce allogeneic CD4^＋ T cells to differentiate into CD4^＋CD25high T cells, which had immunophenotyping characteristics of regulatory T cells, i.e. they expressed Foxp3 but not active maker CD69. Conclusion： This study demonstrates that soluble factors secreted by AML cells can inhibit development and functions of DCs. In addition, AML supernatant-induced DCs can induce the generation of CD4^＋CD25^high T cells from CD4^＋ T cells, which may be a mechanism of increased prevalence of CD4^＋CD25^high regulatory T cells and immune dysfunction in AML patients.
