Alternative and Complementary Medicine Commons^™

Bridging The Gap From Preschool To Primary: From Policy To Practice, Aimee O'Connor, Cóilín O’ Braonáin

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Psilocybin In End-Of-Life Care: Evidence, Mechanisms, And Guidelines, Mackenzie E. Unsworth, Mary Lou Galantino, Robert Sandoval

Oncology Rehabilitation in Practice

This article aims to provide a brief overview of the evidence and mechanisms for psilocybin use in EOL care. Additionally, this article will provide guidelines for clinicians to assess patient use and integrate psilocybin into their clinical practice with respect to its current legal status.

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

Kratom As A Therapeutic Option For Opioid Use Disorder​: A Comprehensive Review​, Harmann Singh, Abdullah Noory, Akash M. Patel, Kush C. Patel, Simran Gandhi

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) has gained significant attention for its potential role in managing opioid use disorder (OUD). This review examines kratom’s pharmacology, safety profile, addiction potential, and ethical considerations in research, while exploring its future as a therapeutic option. Kratom’s primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, act as partial mu-opioid receptor agonists, producing analgesic and sedative effects at higher doses and stimulant-like effects at lower doses. Preclinical and observational studies suggest kratom may alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings, but concerns remain regarding its dependency potential and adverse effects, including gastrointestinal distress, hepatotoxicity, and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. While kratom carries …

The Anxiolytic Effects Of Ashwagandha Supplementation In Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder And Anxiety, Jessica Mitchell, Andrea Iannuzzelli, Wendy Aita

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

BACKGROUND: The neuroendocrine system activates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during stress,1 and individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have atypical stress responses linked to HPA axis dysregulation.2 Prolonged activation of this system increases cortisol secretion, the body’s primary stress hormone.3 Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is a traditional herbal remedy believed to reduce stress by modulating the HPA axis and lowering cortisol levels.5

HYPOTHESIS: Following four weeks of Ashwagandha supplementation, the treatment group is expected to exhibit reduced cortisol levels, improved Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) scores, and decreased stress-related behaviors, reflecting its anxiolytic effects.

METHODS: Forty-two adult participants with ASD and …

To Heal A Mind: A Comparison Of Functional And Conventional Treatments In Major Depressive Disorder, Gillian Chambers

Senior Honors Theses

Incidence of major depressive disorder is increasing year over year, with little able to be done to halt the spread of the condition. However, there are many treatment possibilities considered unconventional by the healthcare system. This thesis examines the respective benefits and risks, in comparison to one another, between conventional pharmacological treatment and functional, holistic treatment of depression. This was done via integrative review of available clinical literature, synthesizing evidence on both conventional and functional treatments for depression, as dictated by Whittemore and Knafl (2005). Exploratory search methods revealed 758 records fulfilling inclusion criteria, which were screened and narrowed down …

Optimization Of Reaction Conditions For Synthesizing Kasa-Targeting Drug Candidates For Tuberculosis Treatment, Megan A. Baxter

Research and Creativity Symposium

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge, with increasing drug resistance pressing for the development of novel treatments. KasA, a key enzyme in mycobacterial fatty acid biosynthesis, is a promising drug target for TB treatment. This research focuses on the design and synthesis of potential KasA inhibitors, specifically optimizing reaction conditions to efficiently produce 1-methyl-6-aminoindazole. This molecule is an intermediate in the synthesis of drugs targeting TB. Characterization of synthesized compounds is performed using NMR, mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography to confirm structure and purity. The first step involved optimizing the solvent and base for the methylation of nitroindazole. We …

The Impact Of An Iron-Rich Diet On Fatigue In Menstruating Women With Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency, Meagan Seraydar, Lauren Latimer, Sam Miragliatto

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Fatigue without diagnosed anemia is prevalent in menstruating women, with iron deficiency being a potential contributor. While iron supplementation is a standard intervention, dietary sources of iron may offer a sustainable alternative. This study aims to assess the impact of an iron-rich diet on fatigue levels in menstruating women. A 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, assigning participants to either an iron-rich diet group or a control group following their usual diet without specific iron recommendations. Fatigue will be measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks, alongside iron status biomarkers, including …

Exploring Cucurbitacin D'S Protective Mechanism Against Benzo[A]Pyrene-Induced Liver Injury Through Nrf2 Activation, Shabnam Malik, Mohammed Sikander, Anyssa Rodriguiez, Daniel Zubieta, Debanhi Esparaza, Fathi T. Halaweish, Sheema Khan, Murali M. Yallapu, Meena Jaggi, Subhash C. Chauhan

Research Symposium

Background: Numerous studies have established a strong association between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and various co-morbidity factors, including smoking. Tobacco smoke is a significant source of benzo[a]pyrene, a highly carcinogenic compound known to cause liver damage. Cucurbitacin, a triterpene with diverse biological activities, exhibits antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anticancer effects. However, its hepatoprotective properties have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of cucurbitacin D, a novel analog of cucurbitacin, against liver injury induced by benzo[a]pyrene in human HepG2 cells.

Method: To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of cucurbitacin D against benzo[a]pyreneinduced liver damage, proliferation, clonogenicity, …

Evaluating The Potential Of Herbal Extracts As Treatment In Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Review Of Evidence And Limitations, Russell Wiggins, Jihoo Woo, John Cauba, Shizue Mito

Research Symposium

Immune thrombocytopenia, formerly idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), is an autoimmune disease characterized by the depletion of platelets below 100,000/µl when other causes of thrombocytopenia have been ruled out. It is associated with several infectious pathologies, disease states, and as a known side effect and complication of several drugs and chemotherapies. Standard treatment calls for glucocorticoid mediated immunosuppression, intravenous immunoglobin transfusion, platelet stimulation, platelet transfusion, and splenectomy in instances of chronic and severe disease. While standard treatments are often effective, some cases prove resistant, and more commonly, some patients are unable to tolerate standard treatment protocols or opt out of surgical …

Role Of Urolithin A In Cancer Therapy, Aanya S. Chauhan, Vinita Karumuru, Mahi P. Yallapu, Anupam Dhasmana

Research Symposium

Background: Cancer is a big health problem around the world, causing many deaths even though there have been improvements in treatments. Some of the main challenges in treating cancer include side effects, resistance to treatments, cancer spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis), and the disease coming back (recurrence). Scientists are looking for safer and better ways to treat cancer. One promising option is using natural substances that come from plants, which are less toxic and have a lot of potential for fighting diseases. One of these substances is Urolithin A (UA), a compound made in the body when …

Poor Birth Outcomes Related To Cannabis Use In Pregnancy, Reese Weissenfluh, Madison Hall, Branden Kadlubowski, Makayla Eversole, Elizabeth Clary, Layla Dials, Brenna Hissong, Brianna Lu, Joshua Honaker, Manoranjan D'Souza

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Pregnancy, a period of dynamic physiological changes, necessitates careful consideration of external influences on maternal and fetal health. Despite increasing legalization and prevalence, the impact of cannabis use during gestation remains a topic of significant concern and investigation.

Recent studies have shed light on the consequences of in utero cannabis exposure, encompassing both fetal and maternal outcomes. Notably, several studies have identified associations between cannabis exposure during pregnancy and adverse fetal outcomes, including small-for-gestational-age birth, altered neurodevelopment, preterm birth, and increased risk of neonatal morbidity. Evidence to date underscores the urgent need for education, intervention, and regulatory oversight regarding cannabis …

Rwanda's Natural Remedies: A Fresh Look At The Fight Against Malaria, Leandre Nsabimana Ndisanze

Pomona Senior Theses

Malaria remains one of the most devastating parasitic diseases globally, disproportionately affecting sub-Saharan Africa, where Rwanda continues to face high transmission rates and rising resistance to conventional interventions. Despite decades of control efforts, the emergence of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum and insecticide-resistant Anopheles mosquitoes threatens to reverse recent gains. This research responds to the urgent need for sustainable and culturally relevant alternatives by exploring the therapeutic potential of Rwandan traditional medicinal plants. These indigenous remedies, long used by local healers, offer an underexplored reservoir of bioactive compounds that may provide the basis for novel antimalarial drugs.

The central hypothesis of this …

Green Design Of Plant Based Pharmaceutical Drugs: Example Of A Wound Healing Topical Cream With Plectranthus Bojeri (Benth) Hedge Lamiaceae Extract, Helga Rim Farasoa, Marie Louise Razafindravao, Rojo Fanambinantsoa Andriamiarantsoa, Gerard Cecilien Raboanary, Jean Marie Razafindrakoto, Voahangy Ramanandraibe Vestalys

Journal of Bioresource Management

To ensure the perennity of natural resources, the valorisation process of herbal pharmaceuticals must be assessed for sustainability from the very beginning of its design. No specific tools have been developed for this particular field so far. We demonstrate in this study that existing green design tools can be adapted to evaluate plant-based products manufacturing process. As the example of a topical cream using Plectranthus bojeri (Benth) Hedge LAMIACEAE extract was considered, we first confirmed the traditional use of this plant for wound healing. It acts by accelerating the re-epithelialisation phase. Using the Vermeer Cosmolife version 0.24 software tool the …

Comparing Multivalent Cross-Linked Sodium Alginate/ Montmorillonite Beads Containing Curcumin Or Cayenne Pepper As Drug Carriers And Their Antimicrobial Resistance, Shionainn Traynor, Shubham Sharma

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

The aim of the following work was to investigate and compare curcumin and cayenne pepper in microbeads composed of sodium alginate (SA) crosslinked with montmorillonite (MMT) to act as drug carriers and their antimicrobial resistance. The microbeads were prepared through ion-exchange in multivalent solutions of CaCl₂, MgCl₂ and AlCl₃. The microbeads were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and the time required for intercalation of curcumin and cayenne pepper with MMT. Simulated intestinal fluid (pH 7.3) and gastric fluid (pH 1.2) at 37°C were used for comparison in swelling studies. …

Editorial - Sure Journal Vol 6, Anne M. Friel, Eva Campion, Sinead Loughran

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

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The Implementation Of Ketamine-Assisted-Psychotherapy On Healthcare Workers Suffering From Workplace-Related Ptsd Due To Covid-19, Ziluolan Zou

Nursing | Student Research Posters

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare workers were exposed to a deadly disease with limited knowledge and personal protective equipment, subjected to long hours, forced to ration care due to limited critical care resources and ventilators, and isolated from their families due to fear of spreading the virus. These factors further compounded the occupational stress associated with being a healthcare worker. The literature shows that the physical, mental, and emotional challenges frontline healthcare workers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic had lasting impacts on their mental health. The prevalence of mental health illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, among …

Providing End-Of-Life Counseling: A Narrative Inquiry, Carol Hecht, Sibyl West

Adultspan Journal

This qualitative study aimed to address the gap in the research related to end-of-life counseling by exploring the experiences of counselors working with clients at end of life. While counseling literature and education are lacking regarding end of life, many counselors will work alongside clients approaching death. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to better understand the nuanced experiences of counselors providing end-of-life counseling and (b) to explore the supports and preparations helpful for counselors to provide end-of-life counseling. A narrative approach, using the Listening Guide (Gilligan, 2015), was employed to analyze and present the stories of three …

Considerations Of Medicare Telehealth Services With Older Adults, Sonah Kho, Amanda Dediego

Adultspan Journal

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic set in motion a rapid expansion of mental health services offered via telehealth. With this rapid expansion came the need to examine how policy and practice should be shaped in a future where telehealth is considered common in counseling practice. For counselors to understand how to support older adult clients in using telehealth services, they must understand telehealth policy. Following the eligibility of licensed counselors to participate in Medicare, counselors need to stay abreast of regulatory changes regarding restrictions and regulations on use of telehealth for mental and behavioral health services, including video and …

In Silico Modelling And Docking Simulation Of Egfr-Targeted Diphtheria Toxin Chimera With Various Targeting Moieties, Muhammad Afif Naufal Bmed, Benedictus Ansell Susanto Bmed, Talitha Dinda Gunawan Bmed, Azhar Ridha Lukman Bmed, Alifa Rahma Rizqina Bmed, Muhammad Misbahul Fuad Bmed

Indonesian Journal of Medical Chemistry and Bioinformatics

Introduction: Cancer is a major etiology of death worldwide due to high mortality and suboptimal medicine. However, an emerging field, targeted therapy enabled a more selective and effective therapeutic action. This article aims to analyze in-silico the hypothetical targeted therapy agent that is combinations of conjugate consisting of EGFR targeting moieties and diphtheria toxin (DT-390).

Method: Our novel peptide is a conjugate of a novel EGFR targeting peptide and DT-390, forming a chimera. The tertiary structure was predicted using AlphaFold 2.0. The best IDDT scoring and stereochemistry profiles were utilized. The HADDOCK2.4 webserver modelled the docking between our …

Psilocybin Utilization In Alcohol Use Disorder, Hannah Hall, Sarah Turske, Hannah Blake, Abigail Carter, Connor Dains, Haylee Whyde, Brianna Lu, Joshua Honaker, Lindsey Peters

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition that arises from the inability to control alcohol consumption regardless of negative consequences. Over 10% of the US population met the diagnostic criteria for having AUD in 2022.1 Each individual presents with symptoms of AUD differently and may therefore need more personalized treatment. Research has shown that using a combination of currently available pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options provides the best results for patients with AUD. However, there still remains a pressing need for the development of newer treatment options. Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound, is currently under investigation due to …

Emotion Regulation Strategies And Perceived Emotional Intelligence: The Effect Of Age., Iwanna Sepiadou

Adultspan Journal

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between perceived emotional intelligence and the reported use of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression. We also investigated the possible effects of age on the aforementioned variables. The total sample consisted of 379 people (158 men, 220 women, 1 unreported). Across participants, 273 were young (20-39 years old) and 106 were middle-aged (40-65 years old). We found statistically significant positive correlations between the dimensions of perceived emotional intelligence and the reported use of cognitive reappraisal and negative primarily correlations between the dimensions of perceived emotional intelligence and the reported use of …

Investigating The Efficacy Of Myo-Inositol In Adolescents With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Scoping Review, Mariam Sharobeem

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 6 to 13% of adolescent girls in the United States.6 PCOS poses difficulty with diagnosing and treatment with adolescents as its symptoms are heterogenous and are often rationalized with other diagnoses. Key diagnostic features of PCOS include irregular menstruation, infertility, obesity, hirsutism, increased risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lipid abnormalities and metabolic syndrome.12 Currently, there are no pharmacological therapies approved by the FDA to treat PCOS.5 Alternatives include pharmacological management of symptoms with medications like combined oral contraceptive pills, metformin and anti-obesity agents.6 Recently, more discussion about the lack of PCOS treatment has been …

Brain Connectivity Pattern Changes Associated With Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, Prince Patel, Samrat Gollapudi, Brian Joseph Mathew, Bhaumik Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has shown promising therapeutic benefits for various psychiatric disorders, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of psychedelics on brain connectivity patterns using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar databases using relevant keywords related to psychedelics, connectivity, therapy, and fMRI. Only studies involving major psychedelic compounds (LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca) and measuring outcomes via fMRI were included.

The findings from the reviewed studies suggest that psychedelics induce acute disruptions in normal large-scale brain network patterns, leading to a compromised modular but …

The Impact Of Vitamin Supplementation (D, B12, B9) On Behaviors Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rohan Mehra

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: One in 36 children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although heritability of the condition ranges from 40 to 80%, other factors such as vitamin levels, may have a significant impact on the risk of development. These vitamins include D, B12, and B9.

Purpose: To assess the impact vitamin supplementation has on behaviors associated with ASD, and to determine which specific aspects of ASD may be improved with vitamin supplementation.

Methods: A literature review was performed. The search was utilized PubMed, JSTOR and Web of Science. Keyword strings included: “Vitamin D B12 B9 folate …

Vitamin Level Differences Across The Asd Spectrum, Rohan Mehra, Wendy F. Aita, Andrea Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: In the United States, 2.7% of children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Environmental factors such as vitamin levels, including D, B9, and B12, may have a significant impact on the risk of development. Children conceived in winter months, with low sunlight and Vitamin D levels, have a higher risk of developing ASD. Vitamin B12 deficiency is generally linked with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. Additionally, vitamin B9 deficiency of a mother during gestation is linked to a higher risk of her child developing ASD.

Purpose: To assess potential differences in vitamin levels between patients of differing …

Investigating The Antibacterial Properties Of Capsaicin In Synergy With Antibiotics Against A. Baumannii, Jack Guffey

Undergraduate Theses

As the ever-increasing issue of antibiotic resistance looms, naturally derived compounds have been increasingly investigated as possible synergists with antibiotics. One of these compounds, capsaicin, is a potent vanilloid that is the dominant cause of Capsicum peppers’ spiciness. Capsaicin’s intrinsic ability to inhibit a wide array of bacterial growth has been well documented. The focal organism of this study, Acinetobacter baumannii, has become an increasingly common hospital acquired infection due to its persistence on fomites. Capsaicin, however, is able to inhibit this growth at higher concentrations as well as reduce the necessary minimum inhibitory concentration while decreasing biofilm formation …

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: An Emerging Best Practice For Trauma Care?, Amelie Neubert '24

Social Work Student Scholarship

Amelie Neubert ’24, Social Work major
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Katherine Kranz, Social Work

An Exploration Of The Effectiveness Of Xanthorrhiza Simplicissima And Its Secondary Alkaloids As Antibiotics Against Staphylococcus Aureus With The Use Of Reserpine, Donald Bothe, Savita Chaurasia

Undergraduate Theses

Xanthorhiza simplicissima is a plant that is steeped in medical history. It has been used for hundreds of years by the Native Americans, and later by the Europeans, of Appalachia for its medicinal properties. One of the most useful medical applications of this plant are its antibiotic properties, as typified by its use as a tea that was consumed to treat mouth sores. These antibiotic properties can be attributed to some of its secondary alkaloids such as berberine, liriodenine, oxyacanthine, and magnoflorine. These compounds have been studied in other systems; however, oxyacanthine and magnoflorine have not been researched in tandem …

Remodeling Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer's Aggressive Profile And Metabolic Signature By Natural Alkaloid Berberine, Tara Elizabeth Jarboe

NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Anaplastic thyroid cancer is a rare, fatal cancer with a five-year survival of 4%. Universally diagnosed at stage IV, anaplastic thyroid cancer is characterized by its lack of differentiation, rapid proliferative rate, highly inflammatory tumor microenvironment, and metabolic dysregulation. Refractory to all established therapies, anaplastic thyroid cancer requires a novel therapeutic approach that targets all of these drivers of anaplastic thyroid cancer carcinogenesis. We propose natural alkaloid berberine as a therapeutic with multitarget efficacy to alter mitochondrial metabolism and reprogram anaplastic thyroid cancer’s aggressive phenotype. Our in vitro model uses monocyte cell line U937, anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines T238 …