OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine is an international peer-reviewed Open Access journal published quarterly online by LIDSEN Publishing Inc. It covers all evidence-based scientific studies on integrative, alternative and complementary approaches to improving health and wellness.

Topics contain but are not limited to:

  • Acupuncture
  • Acupressure
  • Acupotomy
  • Bioelectromagnetics applications
  • Pharmacological and biological treatments including their efficacy and safety
  • Diet, nutrition and lifestyle changes
  • Herbal medicine
  • Homeopathy
  • Manual healing methods (e.g., massage, physical therapy)
  • Kinesiology
  • Mind/body interventions
  • Preventive medicine
  • Research in integrative medicine
  • Education in integrative medicine
  • Related policies

The journal publishes a variety of article types: Original Research, Review, Communication, Opinion, Comment, Conference Report, Technical Note, Book Review, etc.

There is no restriction on paper length, provided that the text is concise and comprehensive. Authors should present their results in as much detail as possible, as reviewers are encouraged to emphasize scientific rigor and reproducibility.

Publication Speed (median values for papers published in 2023): Submission to First Decision: 5.9 weeks; Submission to Acceptance: 14.7 weeks; Acceptance to Publication: 8 days (1-2 days of FREE language polishing included)

Special Issue

Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome

Submission Deadline: December 31, 2019 (Closed) Submit Now

Guest Editor

Srinivas Nammi, PhD

1. School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
2. National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM), Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia

Website | E-Mail

Research Interests: chronic kidney disease; fatty liver disease; herbal pharmacology; insulin resistance; lipid disorders; metabolic syndrome; obesity; pharmacokinetics and drug interactions; type 2 diabetes and its complications

About This Topic

Metabolic syndrome is posed as a significant health burden around the world and is a major high‐risk factor of type 2 diabetes. It is described as a pre-diabetic condition that includes obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance, and reduced insulin sensitivity. The development of metabolic syndrome is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The modern lifestyle of increased intake of high-calorie cafeteria fast food associated with decreased energy expenditure is among the environmental factors that contribute to the pandemic of metabolic syndrome. To reduce the constellation of events of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, a multi-targeted approach controlling both glucose and lipid metabolism is needed. The currently available therapeutic options such as exercise, dietary modification, or a combination of synthetic anti‐diabetic, and anti-hyperlipidemic drugs possess their own limitations and a multitude of undesirable side effects. Hence, there is an increased demand to search and evaluate traditional approaches for the treatment of metabolic disorders, particularly the use of herbal medicines. Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in the use of herbal medicines because of their reduced side effects compared to synthetic drugs. Thus, herbal medicines may represent future hope for the pharmacological management of metabolic syndrome firstly, as an important source of new lead molecules for the development of future single molecule-based synthetic drugs, and secondly as single- or multi-herbal formulae due to their multi-component, multi-targeted actions.

This special issue is dedicated to integrate the pharmacological actions and mechanisms of herbal preparations, extracts, isolated compounds, and semi-synthetic derivatives in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome. We cordially invite researchers to contribute their original research articles and reviews on preclinical and clinical evaluation of herbal medicines in our special issue titled "Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome”

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Preclinical studies on anti-obesity and antidiabetic potential of herbal extracts/compounds
  • Effects of herbal medicines on endocrine pharmacology, metabolic syndrome and obesity
  • Herbal medicines diabetic complications and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Role of herbal medicines in ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammatory conditions associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes
  • Clinical trials/reports on the efficacy of herbal medicines for the prevention/treatment of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes
  • Safety evaluation of known anti-obesity and antidiabetic herbs
  • Standardization of herbal preparations used in ameliorating metabolic diseases
  • Bioavailability and pharmacokinetic of herbal medicines used in ameliorating metabolic diseases

Planned Papers

Title: The effects of Herbal medicines used with Jamaican women and their infants during pregnancy, postpartum and infancy
Authors: Dr. Jean Hannan: Affiliation: Florida International University/Jackson Memorial Hospital
Skye Nguyen: Florida International University
Faith Irving: Jackson Memorial Hospital
Oliver Fowler: Jackson Memorial Hospital
Donna Williams: Jackson Memorial Hospital

Title: The mechanistic view of Gymnema sylvestre herbal medicine of diabetes and obesity in yeast cells
Author: Govindsamy Vediyappan, PhD
Affiliations: Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan KS 66506, USA

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted through the LIDSEN Submission System. Detailed information on manuscript preparation and submission is available in the Instructions for Authors. All submitted articles will be thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process and will be processed following the Editorial Process and Quality Control policy. Upon acceptance, the article will be immediately published in a regular issue of the journal and will be listed together on the special issue website, with a label that the article belongs to the Special Issue. LIDSEN distributes articles under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) License in an open-access model. The authors own the copyright to the article, and the article can be free to access, distribute, and reuse provided that the original work is correctly cited.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). Research articles and review articles are highly invited. Authors are encouraged to send the tentative title and abstract of the planned paper to the Editorial Office (icm@lidsen.com) for record. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Editorial Office.

Welcome your submission!

Publication

Open Access Research Article

Preclinical Investigation of the Acute Effects of Trigonella foenum-graecum Seed Powder on Blood Glucose in Normal and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits

Received: 03 May 2020;  Published: 07 August 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2003036

Abstract

To investigate the blood glucose lowering effect of the seed powder of T. foenum-graecum Linn (Papilionaceae) in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. The blood glucose lowering effect of the seed powder was determined in normal and alloxan-induced (100 mg/kg, i.v.) diabetic rabbits, after oral administration of doses of 50, 100 and [...]
Open Access Review

Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei) Exerts Possible Beneficial Effects on Metabolic Syndrome

Received: 18 July 2018;  Published: 23 January 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901005

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition comprising a combination of glucose metabolism disorder, high blood pressure and obesity. The main underlying risk factors for metabolic syndrome are abdominal obesity and insulin resistance. Various studies have shown that herbal medicines can be effective against these aspects of metabolic [...]
Open Access Review

Fructose Increases Uric Acid Contributing to Metabolic Syndrome - Herbal, Nutritional and Dietary Strategies to Reduce Uric Acid

Received: 09 July 2018;  Published: 28 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1803022

Abstract

The metabolism of fructose by the liver produces uric acid and elevated serum uric acid levels is an independent risk factor for hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Fructose occurs in fruits and fruit juices, honey and in the sweeteners sucrose (common white sugar) and High Fructose Corn Syrup. Dietary fructose ma [...]
Open Access Review

Potentially Beneficial Effects of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Received: 27 June 2018;  Published: 27 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1803021

Abstract

St. John’s wort (SJW), or Hypericum perforatum, is a perennial herb that is used for the treatment of depression in several countries. However, its effects in other common conditions, such as the metabolic syndrome, have not been elucidated. Some studies have investigated the effects of SJW extract on differentiation of adipocytes, inflammat [...]
Open Access Original Research

Thai Ethnomedicinal Plants Used for Diabetes Treatment

Received: 25 April 2018;  Published: 24 September 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1803020

Abstract

(1) Background: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder and a serious global health problem. Over 400 million people suffer from diabetes and it is estimated that the number will dramatically increase in the future. The cost of diabetes treatment for a single patient is very high. However, traditional knowledge could support poor patients for their [...]
Open Access Case Report

Dietary Supplements in Dyslipidemia

Received: 04 March 2018;  Published: 23 May 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1802008

Abstract

Lifestyle and dietary interventions can have a significant impact on patients with dyslipidemia and should be encouraged with the use of dietary supplements. With new research, there is evidence that using dietary supplements, specifically nutraceuticals can be helpful for cholesterol management. Four commonly used supplements are: Red Yeast [...]
Open Access Review

Obesity and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver - Therapies in Ayurvedic Medicines

Received: 10 February 2018;  Published: 28 March 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1801002

Abstract

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicinal practice. The present review includes translational research characterizing obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We reviewed published research on improving function through Ayurvedic medicine by searching electronic databases (Medline, Embase [...]
Newsletter

TOP