This article contains findings obtained from research on animals:
- The results from animal research studies should not be directly applied to humans and the results may not generalise to the human population.
- There may be significant differences between species in terms of physiology, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as differences in the way diseases and treatments are modelled in animals.
- Any conclusions drawn from animal research should be considered with caution and in the context of other types of research studies such as observational studies, clinical trials, and reviews of the literature.
Insights & Discussion
Pumpkin extract exhibits potential antidepressant effects similar to fluoxetine and ameliorates biochemical and structural changes in rat brains resulting from chronic stress.
The researchers used forty male albino rats, split into four different groups: a negative control group, a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) group, a fluoxetine-treated group, and a pumpkin-treated group. These rats were exposed to CUMS for 28 days, with the treatments applied during the last 14 days of this exposure period. After these 28 days, the scientists evaluated the behavioral, biochemical, and histopathological alterations in these rats.
The application of pumpkin extract significantly reduced markers of stress and inflammation, while increasing antioxidant levels. Additionally, the extract helped reduce structural damage in the hippocampal region of the brain caused by exposure to CUMS. These effects were comparable to those observed by administering fluoxetine, a conventional antidepressant.
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Despite some indications of improved clinical pregnancy rates, the overall effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for couples with subfertility undergoing assisted reproduction therapy remains inconclusive and requires further high-quality research.
2018 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Effects of Acupuncture on the Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Technology: An Overview of Systematic Reviews Xi, J., Chen, H., Peng, Z., et al.
Systematic Review Female Fertility Stress
This abstract summarizes the findings of systematic reviews and meta-analyses assessing the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating couples with subfertility undergoing assisted reproduction therapy (ART). The review included eleven studies published between 2009 and 2017 and examined primary outcomes of live birth and clinical pregnancy, and secondary outcomes of ongoing pregnancy, miscarriage, and adverse events. The results suggest that acupuncture may improve the clinical pregnancy rate in ART patients. However, there was insufficient evidence to support its impact on live birth rate, ongoing pregnancy rates, or miscarriage, mainly due to the low quality of the included studies. The overall effectiveness of acupuncture in treating subfertility during ART remains uncertain, emphasizing the need for further high-quality research and well-reported trials.