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Planta Medica May 2019has been traditionally used as a medicinal plant owing to its anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, tonic, antihyperglycemic, and diaphoretic properties. We hypothesized...
has been traditionally used as a medicinal plant owing to its anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, tonic, antihyperglycemic, and diaphoretic properties. We hypothesized that might have therapeutic potential in alleviating allergy and atopic dermatitis. Thus, we investigated the inhibitory effects of extract against allergic responses and 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis-like dorsal skin lesions using immunoglobulin E-sensitized rat basophilic leukemia-2H3 mast cells and NC/Nga mice. Degranulation and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were conducted to measure degranulation, proinflammatory cytokine levels, and prostaglandin E concentrations in immunoglobulin E/antigen-sensitized RBL-2H3 mast cells. The therapeutic efficacy of extract in 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis was evaluated through morphological, physiological, and immunological analysis. extract inhibited -hexosaminidase and histamine release and reduced tumor necrosis factor-, interleukin-4, and prostaglandin E secretion. Furthermore, extract suppressed atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by regulating the serum levels of immunoglobulin E and immunoglobulin G2a, and messenger ribonucleic acid expression of T helper cell 1- and T helper cell 2-related mediators in the skin lesions. Histopathological analyses showed a decrease in epidermal thickness and intradermal inflammatory cell infiltration. These results suggested that extract might have beneficial effects in treating allergic and atopic dermatitis-like skin disorders.
Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Dermatitis, Atopic; Dermatologic Agents; Dinitrofluorobenzene; Female; Immunoglobulin E; Immunoglobulin G; Mast Cells; Mice; Plant Extracts; Pterocarpus; Rats
PubMed: 30609435
DOI: 10.1055/a-0824-1282 -
The American Surgeon Jun 2023Perforated ulcers of the gastric remnant and duodenum seem to be a rare complication after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Diagnosis of this complication can be difficult...
Perforated ulcers of the gastric remnant and duodenum seem to be a rare complication after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Diagnosis of this complication can be difficult given a vague presentation, however, early intervention is critical to prevent further morbidity. We present the case of a 38-year-old male with a perforated duodenal ulcer nearly a year after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Upon presentation, he complained of 8 hours of epigastric pain. His medical history was significant for chronic peptic ulcer disease and a negative history of H. pylori. Recently, he had been prescribed naproxen by his primary care physician for knee pain. His vital signs were normal with the exception of his systolic blood pressure which was 190 mmHg. He was diaphoretic and peritonitic on exam. He was taken emergently for a diagnostic laparoscopy and found to have a perforation of ∼5 mm of the anterior portion of his duodenum. This was repaired laparoscopically with an omental patch and the patient recovered without any further intervention required. While this is a rare complication reported in the literature, this or similar complications of the remnant stomach may be underrepresented in publications. The surgical intervention of this disease will either be resection of the remnant or an omental patch. However, controversy remains as to the proper post-operative medical treatment. For our patient, the inciting agent was likely the naproxen he was given and this was stopped immediately. Patient education and ownership should remain a cornerstone for patients that have undergone a Roux-en-y gastric bypass.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Gastric Bypass; Naproxen; Peptic Ulcer Perforation; Duodenum; Peptic Ulcer; Laparoscopy; Abdominal Pain; Obesity, Morbid
PubMed: 34730448
DOI: 10.1177/00031348211050582 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports Jul 2021Serotonin toxicity is a known side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and has previously also been described as a possible side effect of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Serotonin toxicity is a known side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and has previously also been described as a possible side effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonist (triptan) medications. However, the literature is conflicted about the risk of developing serotonin toxicity as a result of drug interaction between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and triptans.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 30-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of depression on regular fluvoxamine presented to the emergency department with right-sided facial and lower limb twitching. The patient had recently been prescribed sumatriptan for migraines and had taken her first ever dose shortly prior to the onset of symptoms. She was tachycardic, diaphoretic, and hypertonic on initial assessment with bilateral lower limb and ocular clonus. Electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia with QT interval under the treatment interval, and pathology and imaging findings were unremarkable. Her symptoms improved with supportive management and cyproheptadine.
CONCLUSIONS
This patient's presentation fulfilled both Sternbach and Hunter criteria for serotonin toxicity, illustrating a potential case of serotonin toxicity as a result of drug interaction between a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a triptan.
Topics: Adult; Drug Interactions; Female; Humans; Serotonin; Serotonin Receptor Agonists; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Tryptamines
PubMed: 34304734
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-021-02946-8 -
Cureus Nov 2021Methamphetamine is the second most commonly abused drug worldwide. It is a sympathomimetic agent that works by inhibiting the reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters,...
Methamphetamine is the second most commonly abused drug worldwide. It is a sympathomimetic agent that works by inhibiting the reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Methamphetamine use is associated with early mortality, and cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of increased mortality. We discuss the case of a 41-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with a sudden abdominal pain of eight hours' duration. The pain was located in the epigastric area with radiation to the back. Upon examination, the patient appeared agitated and diaphoretic. His pupils were dilated bilaterally. His vital signs included tachycardia (120 bpm), tachypnea (24 bpm), hypertension (150/90 mmHg), and normal temperature (36.9 ℃). Abdominal examination revealed a soft and lax abdomen with no tenderness. His bowel sounds were normal. Given the physical signs, a toxicology screen was conducted and was positive for methamphetamine use. The patient reported that he used recreational drugs occasionally and admitted that the abdominal pain developed a few hours following methamphetamine use. The patient was treated with fluid resuscitation, analgesic, antihypertension medications, and anticoagulant therapy. The patient had significant improvement in his condition within 48 hours with complete resolution of the abdominal pain. Isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection is a very rare clinical condition. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing the cardiovascular adverse effects that may develop after methamphetamine use.
PubMed: 34917433
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19551 -
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) Nov 2017A 71-year-old male with a medical history of hypertension was admitted to emergency department with hypertensive pulmonary edema. The patient appeared anxious and...
A 71-year-old male with a medical history of hypertension was admitted to emergency department with hypertensive pulmonary edema. The patient appeared anxious and diaphoretic, and physical examination revealed tachypnea, crepitant rales in the both lungs and a systolic ejection murmur at the right sternal border, radiating to the both carotid arteries. The electrocardiography showed sinus tachycardia with indications of left ventricle hypertrophy Before the aortic valve surgery, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed for detailed evaluation of the aortic valve. Two-dimensional TEE showed mild tricuspid valve regurgitation and only two of three leaflets of the tricuspid valve at a time.
Topics: Aged; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Electrocardiography; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Male; Pulmonary Edema; Tricuspid Valve; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency
PubMed: 29071741
DOI: 10.1111/echo.13728 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2021Cicadae Periostracum (CP), derived from the slough of , has been used as traditional medicine in Korea and China because of its diaphoretic, antipyretic,...
Extract and Its Main Active Component, Oleic Acid, Inhibit Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation through Inhibition of Th2/GATA-3 and Interleukin-17/RORγt Signaling Pathways in Asthmatic Mice.
Cicadae Periostracum (CP), derived from the slough of , has been used as traditional medicine in Korea and China because of its diaphoretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antianaphylactic activities. The major bioactive compounds include oleic acid (OA), palmitic acid, and linoleic acid. However, the precise therapeutic mechanisms underlying its action in asthma remain unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the antiasthmatic effects of CP in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mouse model. CP and OA inhibited the inflammatory cell infiltration, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and production of interleukin (IL)7 and Th2 cytokines (IL-5) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and OVA-specific imunoglobin E (IgE) in the serum. The gene expression of IL-5, IL-13, CCR3, MUC5AC, and COX-2 was attenuated in lung tissues. CP and OA might inhibit the nuclear translocation of GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3) and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) via the upregulation of forkhead box p3 (Foxp3), thereby preventing the activation of GATA-3 and RORγt. In the in vitro experiment, a similar result was observed for Th2 and GATA-3. These results suggest that CP has the potential for the treatment of asthma via the inhibition of the GATA-3/Th2 and IL-17/RORγt signaling pathways.
Topics: Animals; Asthma; Complex Mixtures; GATA3 Transcription Factor; Hemiptera; Interleukin-17; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3; Oleic Acid; Ovalbumin; Signal Transduction; Th2 Cells
PubMed: 33806085
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26071854 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Apr 2021Genus Canna is used in folk medicine as demulcent, diaphoretic, antipyretic, mild laxative and in gastrointestinal upsets therapy. Canna x generalis (CG) L.H. Bailey is...
Canna x generalis L.H. Bailey rhizome extract ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis via modulating intestinal mucosal dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and TLR4/ NF-ҡB and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Genus Canna is used in folk medicine as demulcent, diaphoretic, antipyretic, mild laxative and in gastrointestinal upsets therapy. Canna x generalis (CG) L.H. Bailey is traditionally used as anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic. Besides, CG is used in Ayurvedic medicines' preparations and in the treatment of boils, wounds, and abscess. Nevertheless, its anti-inflammatory effects against ulcerative colitis (UC) are not yet investigated.
AIM
This study aimed to investigate the phytoconstituents of CG rhizome ethanol extract (CGE). Additionally, we aimed to comparatively evaluate its therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms against the reference drug "sulphasalazine (SAS)" in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC in mice.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Metabolic profiling of CG rhizomes was performed via UHPLC/qTOF-HRMS; the total phenolic, flavonoid and steroid contents were determined, and the main phytoconstituents were isolated and identified. Next, DSS-induced (4%) acute UC was established in C57BL/6 mice. DSS-induced mice were administered either CGE (100 and 200 mg/kg) or SAS (200 mg/kg) for 7 days. Body weight, colon length, disease activity index (DAI) and histopathological alterations in colon tissues were examined. Colon levels of oxidative stress (GSH, MDA, SOD and catalase) and pro-inflammatory [Myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), IL-1β, IL-12, TNF-α, and INF-γ] markers were colourimetrically determined. Serum levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and relative mRNA expressions of occludin, TLR4 and ASC (Apoptosis-Associated Speck-Like Protein Containing CARD) using RT-PCR were measured. Protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome and cleaved caspase-1 were determined by Western blot. Furthermore, immunohistochemical examinations of caspase-3, NF-ҡB and claudin-1 were performed.
RESULTS
Major identified constituents of CGE were flavonoids, phenolic acids, phytosterols, beside five isolated phytoconstituents (β-sitosterol, triacontanol fatty alcohol, β-sitosterol-3-O-β-glucoside, rosmarinic acid, 6-O-p-coumaroyl-β-D-fructofuranosyl α-D-glucopyranoside). The percentage of the phenolic, flavonoid and steroid contents in CGE were 20.55, 6.74 and 98.09 μg of gallic acid, quercetin and β-sitosterol equivalents/mg extract, respectively. In DSS-induced mice, CGE treatment ameliorated DAI, body weight loss and colon shortening. CGE attenuated the DSS-induced colonic histopathological alternations, inflammatory cell infiltration and histological scores. CGE elevated GSH, SOD and catalase levels, and suppressed MDA, pro-inflammatory mediators (MPO and NO) as well as cytokines levels in colonic tissues. Moreover, CGE downregulated LPS/TLR4 signaling, caspase-3 and NF-ҡB expressions. CGE treatment inhibited NLRP3 signaling pathway as indicated by the suppression of the protein expression of NLRP3 and cleaved caspase-1, and the ASC mRNA expression in colonic tissues. Additionally, CGE restored tight junction proteins' (occludin and claudin-1) expressions.
CONCLUSION
Our findings provided evidence for the therapeutic potential of CGE against UC. CGE restored intestinal mucosal barrier's integrity, mitigated oxidative stress, inflammatory cascade, as well as NF-ҡB/TLR4 and NLRP3 pathways activation in colonic tissues. Notably, CGE in a dose of 200 mg/kg was more effective in ameliorating DSS-induced UC as compared to SAS at the same dose.
Topics: Animals; Colitis; Dextran Sulfate; Inflammation; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NF-kappa B; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Signal Transduction; Toll-Like Receptor 4
PubMed: 33301917
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113670 -
BMJ Case Reports Dec 2023A previously fit and well male in his early 40s, presented to the emergency department, hypotensive, bradycardic and hypothermic with reduced levels of consciousness...
A previously fit and well male in his early 40s, presented to the emergency department, hypotensive, bradycardic and hypothermic with reduced levels of consciousness after being found diaphoretic and unwell at his home. Despite fluid resuscitation with warmed saline, he remained hypotensive and required vasopressor support leading to intensive care admission. Initially, the patient was managed for suspected meningoencephalitis but was later found to have hypopituitarism leading to secondary hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. Subsequent investigations revealed it is due to empty sella syndrome.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adrenal Insufficiency; Bradycardia; Empty Sella Syndrome; Hypopituitarism; Hypothyroidism; Adult
PubMed: 38081743
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-255879 -
Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology Apr 2019Leaf extracts of plants of the genus have traditionally been used as diuretic, anti-rheumatic and diaphoretic preparations. One of the main active ingredients of bark...
Modulating effect of a new ester, 28--phosphatidylbetulin (DAPB), obtained from hen egg yolk lecithin and betulin on lymphocyte subsets and humoral immune response in mice.
Leaf extracts of plants of the genus have traditionally been used as diuretic, anti-rheumatic and diaphoretic preparations. One of the main active ingredients of bark is betulin, lupane-type triterpene alcohol, with multiple biological activities. The aim of this study was to investigate and immunomodulatory effects of a newly synthesized ester of betulin: 28--phosphatidylbetulin [28--(1,2-diacyl--glycero-3-phospho)-betulin, DAPB] in comparison with betulin in mice. Cytotoxic activity of DAPB or betulin was tested against non-cancer (D10.G4.1 and J774E.1) and cancer (GL-1; CL-1 and Jurkat) cell lines. The part assessed total lymphocyte count, weight ratio and subsets of lymphocytes in the lymphatic organs, and humoral immune response to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC). assay showed that DAPB, contrary to betulin, had no antiproliferative activity. Exposure to four doses of DAPB increased the absolute count of immature CD4CD8 thymic cells as well as the percentage and absolute count of mature CD4 and CD8 thymocytes. DAPB enhanced the percentage or absolute count of CD3 cells in spleen and lymph nodes with corresponding decrease in the percentage and/or absolute count of CD19 cells. Both DAPB and betulin enhanced the percentage and absolute count of CD8 lymphocytes in lymph nodes. In SRBC-immunized mice, betulin contrary to DAPB enhanced the number of splenocytes producing anti-SRBC antibodies (PFC). Both DAPB and betulin increased the level of total (IgM + IgG) and IgG titers. Despite the lack of cytotoxic activity, DAPB shows valuable immunomodulatory properties.
Topics: Animals; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Egg Yolk; Female; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; Immunity, Humoral; Jurkat Cells; Lecithins; Male; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Neoplasms; Sheep; Triterpenes
PubMed: 31056969
DOI: 10.1080/08923973.2019.1578972 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2018Periostracum cicadae, the cast-off shell of the cicada Fabricius, is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its diaphoretic, anticonvulsive, sedative, antipyretic,...
Periostracum cicadae, the cast-off shell of the cicada Fabricius, is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its diaphoretic, anticonvulsive, sedative, antipyretic, and antiallergic effects. However, the exact pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) remains unclear, thereby hindering investigations to identify novel therapeutic agents. A rat IgAN model was established by administration of bovine serum albumin, lipopolysaccharide, and carbon tetrachloride, which simultaneously established blood stasis and a heat syndrome model. The animals were sacrificed to detect changes in protein levels in urine and blood. Immunofluorescence was performed to assess IgA deposition in the glomeruli. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematology and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling), and immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate histopathological changes in kidney tissues. Additionally, target-related proteins were measured by Western blotting. Periostracum cicadae resulted in a reduction in blood and urine protein levels. Serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels significantly decreased in the periostracum cicadae-treated groups compared to the IgAN group. Furthermore, a reduction in MCP-1 (Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1), TLR4 ((Toll-Like Receptor 4)), and IgA expression levels and a dose-dependent increase in caspase 3 expression were observed in response to periostracum cicadae treatment. TGF-β1(Transforming Growth Factor-β) levels decreased, whereas that of Fas increased in the kidney tissues of the periostracum cicadae-treated groups. The findings of the present study indicate that periostracum cicadae induces apoptosis and improves kidney inflammation and fibrosis in IgA nephropathy rat models.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; Complex Mixtures; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Glomerulonephritis, IGA; Hemiptera; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley
PubMed: 29844269
DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061599