Menthol 17.5% / Peppermint oil 0.2% liquid

BackgroundAccording to evidence, medicinal plants such as thyme, rosemary, and fenugreek were beneficial for human health. Recently, these plants showed a great impact in animal health, particularly in poultry.ObjectivesTo map the body of literature on the impact of medicinal plants on poultry health, including growth performance, gut microbiota, and mortality.Eligibility criteriaArticles published in the English language from January 2019 to February 2023 randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, conducted on hens, chickens, or chicks that aimed to assess the effect of medicinal plants with or without prebiotics, on health-related outcomes including growth performance, mortality rate, and gut microbiota composition.Sources of evidenceFrom December 2022 to February 2023, a systematic search on PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines.Charting methodsData charting was performed using a standardized form on Excel 365 that included study identification features, population and sample size, study groups, intervention description, follow-up period, and main outcomes.ResultsAfter the second screening, 38 articles were included. Results showed that thyme, rosemary, and peppermint were widely tested, and they were effective in promoting body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, live body weight, and microbiota, and in reducing mortality rate and intestinal multiple resistant bacteria. Cinnamon, lemon, garlic, and fenugreek were less commonly experimented. However, some studies that they were effective in improving growth performance and improving gut microbiota in healthy chickens.ConclusionsVarious studies confirmed that 5 to 6 g/kg of thyme powder was effective in improving growth performance and gut microbiota in healthy chickens. Further experiments are needed to compare the impact of thyme to antibiotics in chickens infected with multiple drug-resistant bacteria.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Background/Objectives: Gastrointestinal disorders include a broad spectrum of clinical conditions due to various symptoms. Abdominal pain claims attention as it can be associated with multiple diseases, and some of them can lead to chronic abdominal pain, such as chronic gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome. Moreover, dyspepsia is also a prevalent condition, and its symptoms are postprandial fullness, epigastric pain or burn, and early satiety. Conventional therapeutic approaches for gastrointestinal disorders exist, but the Mentha plant has a millenary tradition. Mentha aerial parts and leaves hold therapeutic and pharmacological value, and its components are characterized as non-essential oil with superabundant phenolic compounds, and essential oil classified as volatile secondary metabolites like menthol and menthone. Studies have shown that Mentha species can exert benefits by modulating the inflammatory process and scavenging free radicals, which can benefit gastrointestinal tract disorders. The aim of this review was to systematically investigate the effects of Mentha species on gastrointestinal disorders. Methods: Sixteen clinical trials included patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, and functional abdominal pain, as well as some healthy volunteers. The COCHRANE tool was utilized to assess the bias of the included studies. Results: Most studies reported significant outcomes for Mentha oil-treated groups, such as better control of abdominal pain and discomfort, even though two trials did not report superior outcomes. Conclusions: Due to the increasing interest in natural compounds, further clinical trials are necessary to confirm the status of Mentha for improvement in gastrointestinal disorders.

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AimThis study systematically compared the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions that may improve thirst in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.BackgroundThirst is among the most intense and distressing symptoms experienced by ICU patients. Recently, various non-pharmacological interventions have been applied to alleviate thirst symptoms and have shown positive effects. However, there is no consensus on which non-pharmacological intervention is the most effective, making it difficult to choose interventions to alleviate thirst in ICU patients.DesignSystematic review and network meta-analysis based on PRISMA.MethodsComputer searches were conducted in eight Chinese and English databases to identify randomized controlled trials published before October 12, 2024, on non-pharmacological interventions to improve thirst symptoms in ICU patients. Two researchers performed literature screening and data extraction, and RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software were used for literature quality assessment and data analysis.Results24 articles involving 2480 ICU patients and 14 types of non-drug interventions were included. The network meta-analysis results revealed that compared with those in routine care, the degree of thirst in ICU patients was significantly different significant for menthol lozenges, ice water injection, menthol water spray, ice saline water spray, ice menthol water spray, and ice water spray (all P ConclusionIce menthol water spray is the best non-pharmacological intervention for reducing thirst in ICU patients. When patients experience thirst, such as in the ICU ward, medical staff can use ice peppermint water spray to relieve the patient's thirst symptoms. Future research should focus on directly comparing the effects of different non-pharmacological interventions and evaluating their cost-effectiveness. PROSPERO (INTERNATIONAL PROSPECTIVE REGISTER OF SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS)REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024614636.Relevance to clinical practiceThe results of this study can provide a basis for medical staff to alleviate the thirst of ICU patients, with the results particularly supporting the use of ice mint water spray to reduce the level of thirst in ICU patients.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC-ND

BackgroundChemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a major burden for cancer patients, often poorly managed by conventional antiemetics, prompting exploration of medicinal plant therapies for better supportive care.ObjectiveThis systematic review critically evaluates medicinal plants for CINV, detailing bioactive compounds, diverse antiemetic mechanisms, and promising chemosensitizing and immunomodulatory properties.MethodsA comprehensive literature search and critical analysis of studies investigating medicinal plants for CINV were performed.Key findingsThis review synthesizes evidence for 22 botanicals. Ginger (gingerols, shogaols) acts via 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT₃) receptor antagonism and substance P/neurokinin-1 (NK-1) inhibition, and offers chemosensitization by downregulating P-glycoprotein. Cannabis (THC, CBD) modulates the endocannabinoid system and 5-HT₃ receptors for CINV relief and may enhance chemotherapy sensitivity. Mint (menthol, menthone) relaxes gastrointestinal smooth muscle and offers anti-inflammatory benefits. Chamomile (apigenin) has antispasmodic/anxiolytic effects; its apigenin also sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapy. Turmeric (curcumin) acts on neurotransmitter systems, offers potent anti-inflammatory/antioxidant effects, and boosts chemosensitivity via NF-κB/P-gp modulation. Plants like Pinellia ternata, lemon, fennel, and licorice show varied mechanisms (gastrointestinal regulation, anti-inflammatory, neurotransmitter modulation). Many botanicals show chemosensitizing (inhibiting efflux pumps, promoting apoptosis) and immunomodulatory (affecting cytokines, immune cells) properties. Synergistic plant combinations (eg, ginger with P. ternata or turmeric) are noted for enhanced efficacy and safety.ConclusionMedicinal plants offer a compelling, multi-targeted approach for CINV management, with potential beyond symptomatic relief via their antiemetic, chemosensitizing, and immunomodulatory actions. Rigorous clinical trials are needed to integrate these botanicals into evidence-based supportive cancer care.

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects 4-15% of the global population, and the limited efficacy of existing pharmacologic therapies has driven growing interest in plant-based therapeutic options among both patients and clinicians. A comprehensive assessment of all plant extracts investigated in IBS is therefore essential, given the limited effectiveness of conventional treatments and the increasing interest in complementary approaches. Evidence from recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses consistently indicates that peppermint oil is the most effective botanical agent, particularly for reducing abdominal pain and overall IBS symptom severity. Iberogast (STW-5 and STW-5 II) has also demonstrated clinical improvements across multiple trials, while curcumin shows mechanistic and preliminary clinical potential by modulating several IBS-related pathways. In contrast, extracts such as Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Fumaria officinalis, and various Ayurvedic formulations have not shown significant clinical benefit. Other agents, including Aloe vera, flavonoids, St John's wort, and ginger, exhibit mixed or inconsistent results, reflecting heterogeneity in study designs and underlying mechanisms. A review of international guidelines reveals that peppermint oil is the only plant-based therapy consistently acknowledged across adult and pediatric recommendations. The aim of this review is to summarize, compare, and critically evaluate all plant extracts studied for the prevention and treatment of IBS, integrating mechanistic pathways, clinical evidence, and current international guideline recommendations to clarify their therapeutic relevance for clinical practice.

Abstract licence: CC BY