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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023infections are highly common amongst the global population. Such infections have been shown to be the cause of gastric ulcers and stomach carcinoma and, unfortunately,...
infections are highly common amongst the global population. Such infections have been shown to be the cause of gastric ulcers and stomach carcinoma and, unfortunately, most cases are asymptomatic. Standard treatment requires antibiotics such as metronidazole or azithromycin to which many strains are now resistant. species have been used as a natural treatment for gastrointestinal diseases throughout history and essential oils (EOs) derived from these plants show promising results as potential antimicrobial agents. In this study, EOs obtained from the leaves and flowers of five cultivars of × and were examined by GC-MS. The investigated mints are representatives of four chemotypes: the menthol chemotype ( × 'Multimentha' and × 'Swiss'), the piperitenone oxide chemotype ( × 'Almira'), the linalool chemotype ( × 'Granada'), and the carvone chemotype ( 'Moroccan'). The chemical composition of EOs from mint flowers and leaves was comparable with the exception of the Swiss cultivar. Menthol was the most abundant component in the leaves while menthone was highest in flowers. The ATCC 43504 reference strain and 10 other clinical strains were examined for their sensitivity to the EOs in addition to their major monoterpenoid components (menthol, menthone, carvone, dihydrocarvone, linalool, 1,8-cineole, and limonene). All tested mint EOs showed inhibitory activity against both the reference ATCC 43504 strain (MIC 15.6-31.3 mg/L) and clinical strains (MIC 31.3-250 mg/L/62.5-500 mg/L). Among the reference monoterpenes, menthol (MIC 7.8/31.3 mg/L) and carvone (MIC 31.3/62.5 mg/L) had the highest anti- activity, which also correlated with a higher activity of EOs containing these compounds ( × 'Swiss' and 'Moroccan'). A synergistic and additive interaction between the most active EOs/compounds and antibiotics possibly points to a new plant-based anti- treatment.
Topics: Humans; Oils, Volatile; Menthol; Mentha; Helicobacter pylori; Helicobacter Infections; Mentha piperita; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37570659
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155690 -
Respiratory Research Jan 2024Electronic cigarette (e-cig) vaping has increased in the past decade in the US, and e-cig use is misleadingly marketed as a safe cessation for quitting smoking. The main...
BACKGROUND
Electronic cigarette (e-cig) vaping has increased in the past decade in the US, and e-cig use is misleadingly marketed as a safe cessation for quitting smoking. The main constituents in e-liquid are humectants, such as propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG), but different flavoring chemicals are also used. However, the toxicology profile of flavored e-cigs in the pulmonary tract is lacking. We hypothesized that menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cig (nicotine-free) exposure results in inflammatory responses and dysregulated repair in lung fibroblast and epithelium.
METHOD
We exposed lung fibroblast (HFL-1) and epithelium (BEAS-2B) to Air, PG/VG, menthol flavored, or tobacco-flavored e-cig, and determined the cytotoxicity, inflammation, and wound healing ability in 2D cells and 3D microtissue chip models.
RESULTS
After exposure, HFL-1 showed decreased cell number with increased IL-8 levels in the tobacco flavor group compared to air. BEAS-2B also showed increased IL-8 secretion after PG/VG and tobacco flavor exposure, while menthol flavor exposure showed no change. Both menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cig exposure showed decreased protein abundance of type 1 collagen α 1 (COL1A1), α-smooth-muscle actin (αSMA), and fibronectin as well as decreased gene expression level of αSMA (Acta2) in HFL-1. After tobacco flavor e-cig exposure, HFL-1 mediated wound healing and tissue contractility were inhibited. Furthermore, BEAS-2B exposed to menthol flavor showed significantly decreased tight junction gene expressions, such as CDH1, OCLN, and TJP1.
CONCLUSION
Overall, tobacco-flavored e-cig exposure induces inflammation in both epithelium and fibroblasts, and tobacco-flavored e-cig inhibits wound healing ability in fibroblasts.
Topics: Nicotine; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Menthol; Interleukin-8; Epithelium; Fibroblasts; Inflammation; Tobacco Products
PubMed: 38200492
DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02537-9 -
The Clinical Respiratory Journal Dec 2023About 40% of nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) have already progressed in an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. Development of effective prevention and therapy...
BACKGROUND
About 40% of nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) have already progressed in an advanced stage at the time of diagnosis. Development of effective prevention and therapy approaches against NSCLC is critical for reducing mortality. As a fundamental ingredient of peppermint oil, menthol has been demonstrated to possess an antitumor activity in several types of carcinomas. However, the potential role of menthol on NSCLC has not been reported. The present study aims to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of menthol on proliferation, apoptosis, and mobility of human lung adenocarcinoma.
METHODS
Cell apoptosis was examined by MTT and flow cytometry. The motility of cells was determined by Transwell assay. Western blot analysis was performed to determine expression level of proteins. In vivo model of nude mice was established for evaluating the influence of menthol on tumorigenicity of A549 cells. The expression lentiviral vector of Akt was established in NSCLC cells for further verifying the inhibiting effect of menthol on survival and mobility of NSCLC cells via Akt pathway.
RESULTS
The results showed that menthol promoted A549 cell apoptosis, suppressed cell proliferation, and motility by altering the phosphorylated protein level of Akt. Menthol enhanced the expression level of Bax while decreasing expression of Bcl-2, Caspase-3, and MMPs proteins. In vivo experiments suggested that menthol exhibited an inhibitory effect in tumor growth on xenografts. These results were further validated in Akt over-expressed A549 and H1299 cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Menthol could display an inhibitory effect on NSCLC cells through Akt signaling pathway, making it a potential target for NSCLC treatment.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Humans; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Lung Neoplasms; Menthol; Mice, Nude; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Apoptosis; Cell Proliferation; Carcinoma; Lung; Cell Line, Tumor
PubMed: 38012058
DOI: 10.1111/crj.13713 -
Health Promotion Practice Nov 2023Although menthol cigarettes are a starter product for youth, menthol was exempted from the 2009 Tobacco Control Act, which banned all other characterizing flavors....
Although menthol cigarettes are a starter product for youth, menthol was exempted from the 2009 Tobacco Control Act, which banned all other characterizing flavors. Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota, implemented menthol tobacco sales restrictions in 2018 to advance health equity for youth, African American, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ), and other communities adversely affected by menthol. This evaluation assesses the policy impact on youth access to menthol tobacco, exposure to menthol advertising, and tobacco use. A core group of youth aged 14 to 17 years (n = 30) was recruited from Minneapolis and Duluth to gather data through photo voice and peer interviews 2 months before and after policy implementation. This evaluation shares the results of focus groups with these core youth where they reflected on what they observed in the community and heard from peers. The core youth identified and categorized emergent themes using the evaluation questions. Following the focus groups, the evaluation staff used these preliminary themes and coded remaining transcripts. The core youth had mixed reactions to the impact of policies on access and use because many tobacco users in their age group obtain tobacco informally through peers, family members, and online. They observed decreases in retail advertising of menthol cigarettes, although many felt e-cigarettes and online advertising were more significant issues for their age group. Findings show a need for increased education and more comprehensive policy approaches, including addressing use of flavored e-cigarettes, online tobacco sales, and informal access, making youth access to tobacco more difficult.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adolescent; Minnesota; Menthol; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Tobacco Products; Nicotiana
PubMed: 36263446
DOI: 10.1177/15248399221127046 -
Tobacco Control Nov 2023As the US Food and Drug Administration takes regulatory action on menthol cigarettes, debate continues about how restricting menthol e-liquids might impact adult menthol... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Menthol versus non-menthol flavouring and switching to e-cigarettes in black and Latinx adult menthol combustible cigarette smokers: secondary analyses from a randomised clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
As the US Food and Drug Administration takes regulatory action on menthol cigarettes, debate continues about how restricting menthol e-liquids might impact adult menthol smokers in switching to e-cigarettes.
METHODS
Switching patterns and e-cigarette acceptability were assessed at week 6 among 64 black and Latinx menthol cigarette smokers who used JUUL menthol (n=39) or non-menthol e-cigarettes ((n=25), primarily mint or mango) as part of a randomised switching trial.
RESULTS
No clear evidence of effects was found between menthol versus non-menthol e-cigarettes on use or subjective effects/acceptability, effect sizes for all comparisons were small (effect size=0.0-0.2), and Bayes factor ranged from 0.10 to 0.15. Specifically, 82.1% of participants who used menthol-flavoured e-cigarettes fully or partially switched to e-cigarettes compared with 88.0% of participants who used a non-menthol (p=0.75). Further, both groups demonstrated substantial reductions in cigarettes per day (menthol e-cigarettes: -8.5±10.4 vs non-menthol e-cigarettes: -8.8±5.8, p=0.87), comparable grams of e-liquid consumed (menthol e-cigarettes: 9.2±9.8 g vs non-menthol e-cigarettes: 11.0±11.0 g, p=0.47), and positive subjective effects, including 'just right' throat hit (menthol e-cigarettes: 70.7% vs non-menthol e-cigarettes: 66.7%, p=0.93) and flavour liking (menthol e-cigarettes: 75.6% vs non-menthol e-cigarettes: 66.7%, p=0.32).
CONCLUSIONS
Both menthol and non-menthol e-cigarettes were associated with high rates of use and acceptability among menthol smokers. Findings require confirmation in a fully powered non-inferiority or equivalence study but provide preliminary evidence to inform regulatory action on menthol e-cigarettes that could slow youth initiation without impacting black and Latinx menthol cigarette smokers interested in switching to e-cigarettes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT03511001.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Humans; Bayes Theorem; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Flavoring Agents; Hispanic or Latino; Menthol; Smokers; Tobacco Products; Black or African American; Smoking
PubMed: 35351805
DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-057180 -
Addictive Behaviors Sep 2023Electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) device and liquid characteristics (e.g., wattage, nicotine concentration) are diverse and important in determining product...
INTRODUCTION
Electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) device and liquid characteristics (e.g., wattage, nicotine concentration) are diverse and important in determining product appeal, aerosol volume/nicotine levels, and toxicity. Little is known about how device and liquid characteristics vary by flavor; we address this gap to identify potential regulatory implications.
METHODS
Data are from a longitudinal cohort study (Waves 2 and 3; December 2020-December 2021) of adult (≥21 years) U.S. ENDS users (≥5 days of use/week). Participants (n = 1809) reported on and submitted photos of their most used device and liquid. Participants were categorized into flavor groups of high prevalence in our sample and in prior literature: sweet, menthol/mint, or tobacco. Participants using liquids without nicotine or flavors other than sweet, menthol/mint, or tobacco were excluded (n = 320). Data were analyzed cross-sectionally. Chi-square and linear regression (n = 1489) were used to examine device and liquid characteristics by flavor.
RESULTS
Sweet flavors were most common (n = 1135; 76.2%), followed by menthol/mint (n = 214, 14.4%) and tobacco (n = 140, 9.4%). Sweet flavors were less common among participants using reusable devices with disposable pods/cartridges (nicotine salt) than those using other device-liquid groupings (5.2% vs 86.5-93.9%; p < 0.001). Sweet flavors were less common among those using ENDS for non-flavor reasons vs the flavor (73.5% vs 90.4%; p < 0.001). Sweet flavors correlated with lower nicotine concentrations, higher wattages, and lower ages of ENDS first use (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Regulatory agencies must consider how regulations on device and liquid characteristics may affect ENDS users' behaviors (e.g., limiting availability of sweet flavors may encourage use of non-sweet flavors and lower wattages).
Topics: Adult; Humans; Nicotine; Smokers; Menthol; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Longitudinal Studies; Flavoring Agents; Tobacco Products
PubMed: 37119714
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107727 -
Cureus Nov 2023The availability of a wide range of flavored e-cigarettes is one of the primary reasons for vaping initiation and persistent use among adolescents and young people. This... (Review)
Review
The availability of a wide range of flavored e-cigarettes is one of the primary reasons for vaping initiation and persistent use among adolescents and young people. This plethora of flavors available on the market are crafted using different flavoring agents such as cinnamaldehyde, vanillin, benzaldehyde, ethyl maltol, menthol, and dimethylpyrazine. Recent studies have brought to light the potential risks associated with e-cigarette flavoring agents and their effects on various organ systems, both with and without nicotine. Research has demonstrated that flavoring agents can induce inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, epithelial barrier disruption, oxidative stress, DNA damage, electrophysiological alterations, immunomodulatory effects, and behavioral changes, even independently of nicotine. Notably, these negative outcomes adversely affect cardiovascular system by reducing cell viability, decreasing endothelial nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide bioavailability, soluble guanylyl cyclase activity and cyclic guanosine monophosphate accumulation, impairing endothelial proliferation and tube formation, and altering vasoreactivity resulting in vascular dysfunction. In the heart, these agents decrease parasympathetic activity, induce depolarization of resting membrane potential, loss of rhythmicity, increase isovolumic relaxation time, and change in ventricular repolarization and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. It is found that the specific response elicited by flavoring agents in different organ systems varies depending on the flavor used, the concentration of the flavoring agent, and the duration of exposure. However, the literature on the effects of flavoring agents is currently limited, emphasizing the need for more preclinical and randomized clinical trials to gain a deeper understanding and provide further evidence of the harmful effects of flavored e-cigarette use. In summary, recent research suggests that flavoring agents themselves can have detrimental effects on the body. To fully comprehend these effects, additional preclinical and clinical studies are needed to explore the risks associated with flavored e-cigarette usage.
PubMed: 38111420
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48995 -
Tobacco Control Apr 2024Menthol and filter ventilation (FV) contribute to cigarette appeal. This observational study examines the US prevalence of menthol versus non-menthol cigarette use by FV...
INTRODUCTION
Menthol and filter ventilation (FV) contribute to cigarette appeal. This observational study examines the US prevalence of menthol versus non-menthol cigarette use by FV and how harm perceptions, cigarettes per day and biomarkers of exposure vary.
METHODS
Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (2013-2014) was merged with FV levels of cigarettes and restricted to daily smoking adults who had a usual cigarette variety and did not regularly use other tobacco (N=1614). Weighted descriptive statistics identified the prevalence of menthol and non-menthol use by low (0.02%-10.04%), moderate (10.05%-23.40%), high (23.41%-28.12%) and very high FV (28.13%-61.10%). Weighted linear regression was used to examine differences in outcomes by menthol/FV adjusted for potential confounders.
RESULTS
The prevalence of a usual brand that was non-menthol, low FV was the lowest at 2.91%. Using non-menthol cigarettes with high and very high FV (≥23.4%) vs low FV (≤10.04%) was associated with a greater likeliness of misperceiving one's cigarette variety to be less harmful than other varieties (p values<0.05). Total nicotine equivalent, biomarker for nicotine exposure, was elevated (p values<0.05) among three non-menthol groups (low, moderate and very high FV) compared with two menthol groups (moderate, very high FV).
CONCLUSION
The well-documented harm misperception linked to higher FV is more apparent in those using non-menthol than menthol cigarettes. Increased exposures were observed among some non-menthol cigarette users compared with some menthol cigarette users. These results should by no means delay a menthol ban but rather motivate concerted public health efforts to accompany the menthol ban to maximise smoking cessation.
PubMed: 38658056
DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058495 -
Translational Behavioral Medicine Aug 2023Banning flavors in e-cigarettes and other tobacco products may decrease their use. To examine how current users of flavored e-cigarettes might react to a ban on flavored...
Banning flavors in e-cigarettes and other tobacco products may decrease their use. To examine how current users of flavored e-cigarettes might react to a ban on flavored e-cigarettes when: (i) menthol flavor is banned together with other flavors, or (ii) this ban on e-cigarettes is combined with a ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. A national cross-sectional survey of 2,347 current users of flavored e-cigarettes was conducted in May 2022. For each hypothetical ban scenario, respondents reported if they would quit all tobacco product use, continue to use e-cigarettes with no flavor or flavors that were not banned, or switch to alternative tobacco products. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to estimate the associations between responses and ban scenarios, adjusting for tobacco use and demographic variables. If e-cigarettes with any flavors except menthol and tobacco were banned, the majority of current e-cigarette users would keep using e-cigarettes with no flavor or tobacco and menthol flavor. When menthol flavor was added to a ban, a greater proportion of respondents would quit all tobacco use; however, more would also switch to cigarettes or cigars. When menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars were added to a ban, those who used menthol flavor only would be less likely to switch to cigarettes and cigars. Among current e-cigarette users, the harm reduction (i.e., from quitting all use) from a ban on flavored e-cigarettes, particularly if menthol is also banned, may be outweighed by the harm increases (i.e., switching to cigarettes or cigars, or other products that are more harmful than using e-cigarettes). A concurrent ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars would secure more certain net reductions to public health harms from e-cigarette use and smoking.
Topics: Humans; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Menthol; Cross-Sectional Studies; Flavoring Agents; Tobacco Products; Nicotiana
PubMed: 36694931
DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibac109 -
Preventive Medicine Reports Dec 2023Concept flavor e-cigarettes, defined as products with vague/ambiguous flavor (tobacco flavor and non-tobacco flavor) names, may limit the intended impact and enforcement...
INTRODUCTION
Concept flavor e-cigarettes, defined as products with vague/ambiguous flavor (tobacco flavor and non-tobacco flavor) names, may limit the intended impact and enforcement of flavored tobacco restrictions. This study assessed trends in unit sales of concept flavor e-cigarettes in the U.S. by volume, nicotine concentration levels (NCL), flavor and device type.
METHODS
We analyzed NielsenIQ Retail Scanner point-of-sales data collected from 2182 Local Trade Areas in the contiguous 48 U.S. states and the District of Columbia aggregated weekly from August 10, 2019, through April 9, 2022. Concept flavors were categorized by: flavor type (tobacco, fruity, menthol, mint, and other); device type (pods/refillable cartridges, disposables, e-liquids, and other); and NCL (0 %-2.0 %, 2.1 %-4.0 %, > 4.1 %, unknown). Joinpoint regression was used to assess sales trends.
RESULTS
Overall unit sales during the study period increased by 33.63 % from 1040.85 to 1390.88 thousand units per month (p = 0.006). Between August 2019 and September 2021, unit sales increased and peaked; between September 2021 and April 2022 sales decreased by 14.46 % (from 1626.02 to 1390.88 thousand units; p = 0.002). Sales of fruity, menthol and mint flavors concept flavor e-cigarettes increased by > 1000 %; disposable devices by 302.18 %; pods and refillable cartridges by 33.81 % overall; and products NCL > 4.0 % increased by 110.18 %. Tobacco flavor concept flavors (93.28 %), pods (94.63 %), and products with 2.1 %-4.0 % NCL (88.40 %) dominated unit share.
CONCLUSION
Sustaining the recent overall decline in the unit sales of concept flavor e-cigarettes and monitoring the sales of products with nicotine concentration greater than 2.0%, non-tobacco flavor, and pod products warrant prioritization in tobacco control efforts.
PubMed: 38116272
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102506