Vietnamese traditional medicine from a pharmacist’s perspective

Woerdenbag, Herman J.; Nguyen, Thuan; Vu, Duc; Tran, Hoanh; Nguyen, Dieu Thi Xuan; Tran, Tram; Smet, Peter A. G. M. De; Brouwers, Jacobus

doi:10.1586/ecp.12.34

Cited by 26 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 101 publications

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“…It is noteworthy that although one third of respondents reported difficulties in accessing health services, about ninety percent of their sample did not have significant obstacles to approach traditional medications. TM plays an important role in of Vietnamese culture and health system [ 30 ]. In accordance to our observation, these residents tended to use TM or go see traditional healers, which are available in their villages.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the grassroots level, community health centres (CHCs) have a responsibility to provide primary health care services, which combine both modern and traditional medicine (TM). TM has a long history and plays an important role in healthcare system of Vietnam [ 30 ]. Many people believe that TM is safe and efficacious to use and more accessible than modern medicine [ 30 , 31 ], especially in difficult-to-reach terrains.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…TM has a long history and plays an important role in healthcare system of Vietnam [ 30 ]. Many people believe that TM is safe and efficacious to use and more accessible than modern medicine [ 30 , 31 ], especially in difficult-to-reach terrains.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health status and health service utilization in remote and mountainous areas in Vietnam

Tran

Nguyen

Nong

et al. 2016

Health Qual Life Outcomes

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BackgroundSelf-rated health status and healthcare services utilization are important indicators to evaluate the performance of health system. In disadvantaged areas, however, little is known about the access and outcomes of health care services. This study aimed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL), health status and healthcare access and utilization of residents in mountainous and remote areas in Vietnam.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenient sample of residents in two provinces of Vietnam. Information about socio-economic, health status, HRQOL, healthcare seeking and services utilization were interviewed. EuroQol – 5 Dimensions – 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5 L) was used to measure HRQOL.ResultsOf 200 respondents, mean age was 44.9 (SD = 13.9), 38.0 % were male. One third reported having any problem in Mobility, Usual activities, Pain or Discomfort, Anxiety or Depression. Women tended to suffer more problems in Pain/Discomfort and Anxiety/Depression and lower overall HRQOL than men. Over 90 % of respondents reported at least one health problem. Flu, cold and headache were the most commonly reported symptoms (41.5 %). Most of people preferred community health center when they had illness (96.0 %). Only 18.5 % people used traditional healers with the average of 5.8 times per year. Ethnicity, households’ expenditure, illness and morbidity status, difficulty in accessing health care services were related to HRQOL.; Meanwhile, socioeconomic status, health problems, quality of services, and distances were associated with access to healthcare and traditional medicine services.ConclusionsResidents in difficult-to-reach areas had high prevalence of health problems and experienced social and structural barriers of healthcare services access. It is necessary to improve the availability and quality of healthcare and traditional medicine services to improve the health status of disadvantaged people.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Health status and health service utilization in remote and mountainous areas in Vietnam

Tran

Nguyen

Nong

et al. 2016

Health Qual Life Outcomes

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“…Traditional medicine plays an important role in the healthcare system of Vietnam. [8] The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 30 % of the Vietnamese population receives treatment with traditional medicines which is heavily influenced by traditional Chinese medicine. [9] Melodorum fruticosum LOUR.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inhibition of Pro‐Inflammatory Functions of Human Neutrophils by Constituents of Melodorum fruticosum Leaves

Engels

Waltenberger

Michalak

et al. 2018

Chemistry & Biodiversity

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In an initial screening, the dichloromethane extract from the leaves of Melodorum fruticosum showed distinct inhibitory effects on the release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in human neutrophils. Therefore, the aim of the present study was the phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of this extract, to better understand which compounds might be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effect. Phytochemical analysis led to the isolation of 12 known compounds and two new natural products, 5-hydroxy-6-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-4',7-dimethoxyflavanone (13) and 2',4'-dihydroxy-3'-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-4,6'-dimethoxychalcone (14). The influence of the isolated compounds on the production and release of the pro-inflammatory factors IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and adhesion molecules (CD62L and CD11b) in human neutrophils was evaluated. Three constituents, melodamide A, 2',4'-dihydroxy-4,6'-dimethoxychalcone, and 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone, showed significant inhibition of IL-8 release (IC =6.6, 8.6, and 11.6 μm, respectively) and TNF-α production (IC =4.5, 13.3, and 6.2 μm, respectively).

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“…However, knowledge of possible adverse reactions and herb-drug interactions is necessary for safe use of these materials. Although the Vietnamese government supports further scientific development of VTM and its integration with Western medicine [22], TM often competes with evidence-based practices in some geographic areas. In northern Vietnam, however, primary health care staff can sometimes translate Western knowledge into practice.…”

Section: Herbal Medicines and Their Biological Validationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine in Vietnamese Populations: A Review of Health Perceptions and Therapies

Adorisio

Fierabracci

Rossetto

et al. 2016

Natural Product Communications

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In Vietnam, two types of traditional medicine (TM) are practiced: thuoc nam, medicine of the South, and thuoc bac, medicine of the North, both of which are largely based on herbal drugs used by different Vietnamese ethnic groups. This review presents recently published information from various databases regarding TM, especially herbal drugs, and its integration with Western medical practices outside and inside Vietnam. We first discuss the integration of traditional and modern health concepts by Vietnamese immigrants living outside Vietnam. Next, we describe native and emigrated health education and practices of pharmacy students, health professionals, and citizens living in Vietnam. Finally, we report the recent biological validation of medicinal plants and non-herbal therapies emerging from Vietnamese TM and their current and potential medical uses as identified by Western approaches. The main example described here involves utilization of the tree Artocarpus tonkinensis by the ethnic minority of Black Hmong in northern Vietnam, who use a decoction of its leaves to treat arthritis and backache without apparent adverse effects. Our comprehensive review emphasizes that, although Vietnam has a very rich collection of TM practices (particularly the use of herbal drugs), these therapies should be biologically and clinically validated with modern Western methods for optimal integration of Western and traditional medicine in global populations.

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Vietnamese traditional medicine from a pharmacist’s perspective

Cited by 26 publications

References 101 publications

Health status and health service utilization in remote and mountainous areas in Vietnam

Health status and health service utilization in remote and mountainous areas in Vietnam

Inhibition of Pro‐Inflammatory Functions of Human Neutrophils by Constituents of Melodorum fruticosum Leaves

Integration of Traditional and Western Medicine in Vietnamese Populations: A Review of Health Perceptions and Therapies

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