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American Journal of Health Behavior Apr 2022Despite numerous assessments of the public health impact of menthol cigarettes, a rigorous synthesis related to menthol cigarettes and behavioral outcomes is lacking.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Assessing the Evidence on the Differential Impact of Menthol versus Non-menthol Cigarette Use on Initiation and Progression to Regular Smoking: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Despite numerous assessments of the public health impact of menthol cigarettes, a rigorous synthesis related to menthol cigarettes and behavioral outcomes is lacking. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the question: Does menthol cigarette use have a differential impact on initiation and progression to regular smoking compared to non-menthol cigarette use? We consulted 6 databases from their inception to October 15, 2021. We included articles comparing menthol versus non-menthol smokers among 4 predefined smoking initiation and progression outcomes. We assessed risk of bias was using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Evidence-Based Practice Center approach. We applied a random-effects model to pool adjusted odds ratios. We qualitatively synthesized 16 adjusted studies across the outcomes. Results from one meta-analysis suggested no difference between menthol and non-menthol smokers in likelihood to report daily versus non-daily smoking. This systematic review and meta-analysis did not identify a consistent, statistically significant, or differential association between menthol use and progression to regular smoking. Varying definitions of outcome measures and lack of longitudinal evidence limited the confident conclusions that could be drawn from this evidence base.
Topics: Humans; Menthol; Public Health; Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Tobacco Products
PubMed: 35501962
DOI: 10.5993/AJHB.46.2.5 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2020Herbicides are natural or synthetic chemicals used to control unwanted plants (weeds). To avoid the harmful effects of synthetic herbicides, considerable effort has been... (Review)
Review
Herbicides are natural or synthetic chemicals used to control unwanted plants (weeds). To avoid the harmful effects of synthetic herbicides, considerable effort has been devoted to finding alternative products derived from natural sources. Essential oils (EOs) from aromatic plants are auspicious source of bioherbicides. This review discusses phytotoxic EOs and their chemical compositions as reported from 1972 to 2020. Using chemometric analysis, we attempt to build a structure-activity relationship between phytotoxicity and EO chemical composition. Data analysis reveals that oxygenated terpenes, and mono- and sesquiterpenes, in particular, play principal roles in the phytotoxicity of EOs. Pinene, 1,8 cineole, linalool, and carvacrol are the most effective monoterpenes, with significant phytotoxicity evident in the EOs of many plants. Caryophyllene and its derivatives, including germacrene, spathulenol, and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone, are the most effective sesquiterpenes. EOs rich in iridoids (non-terpene compounds) also exhibit allelopathic activity. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the phytotoxic activity of these compounds in pure forms, determine their activity in the field, evaluate their safety, and assess their modes of action.
PubMed: 33375618
DOI: 10.3390/plants10010036 -
Toxicon : Official Journal of the... Oct 2021Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong (Fabaceae) is a plant widely distributed in several regions of Brazil, occurring in the phytogeographic domains of Atlantic... (Review)
Review
Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong (Fabaceae) is a plant widely distributed in several regions of Brazil, occurring in the phytogeographic domains of Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga. Cases of serious poisoning in cattle, goats, and sheep in the country caused by the ingestion of beans of this species have been reported by several studies. The present work aimed to carry out a systematic review of cases of poisoning by E. contortisiliquum in ruminants and list the main chemical compounds isolated from this plant. For this, searches were performed in the Google Academic, PubMed®, ScienceDirect®, and SciELO databases. A total of 26 articles published in the last 20 years (2001-2021) were included. Studies on cases of natural and experimental poisoning indicate that this species mainly causes photosensitization, abortions, digestive problems, and acute ruminal lactic acidosis in animals that ingest the pods of the plant. The main chemical compounds that occur in the species belong to the triterpene saponins, monoterpene, phenylpropene, and triterpene classes. It is likely that triterpene saponins isolated from E. contortisiliquum are associated with reported cases of photosensitization in cattle. New studies must be conducted to assess the mechanisms of action of chemical compounds isolated from this species in in vivo systems.
Topics: Animals; Brazil; Cattle; Fabaceae; Photosensitivity Disorders; Plant Poisoning; Ruminants; Sheep
PubMed: 34411592
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.08.008 -
Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem 2022to map the strategies for managing thirst in postoperative adult patients. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
to map the strategies for managing thirst in postoperative adult patients.
METHODS
scoping review was conducted in October 2021 in 19 data sources: 14 databases and 5 platforms to search in the grey literature. It was prepared according to the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute and the checklist of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Nine selected articles were part of the final sample.
RESULTS
there is evidence of strategies to manage postoperative thirst using interventions such as water, ice, mentholated measures, carbohydrate and protein enriched fluid, oral hydrator, flavored gargling, cold gargling, wet gauze, 0.75% citric acid spray, and cold water.
FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
the strategies observed may be reduced to cold and menthol use, salivary stimulants, and early introduction of fluids. The outcomes were positive in all the studies reviewed.
Topics: Adult; Carbohydrates; Citric Acid; Humans; Ice; Menthol; Research Design; Thirst; Water
PubMed: 36228294
DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0154 -
Clinical and Translational... Oct 2020In randomized controlled trials, L-menthol inhibits gastrointestinal peristalsis during endoscopy. Our goal was to quantitatively synthesize the available evidence to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
In randomized controlled trials, L-menthol inhibits gastrointestinal peristalsis during endoscopy. Our goal was to quantitatively synthesize the available evidence to evaluate the efficacy and safety of L-menthol for gastrointestinal endoscopy.
METHODS
We comprehensively searched for relevant studies published up to January 2020 in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The main outcomes consisted of the proportion of no peristalsis, proportion of no or mild peristalsis, adenoma detection rate, and adverse events.
RESULTS
Eight randomized controlled trials analyzing 1,366 subjects were included. According to the pooled data, L-menthol significantly improved the proportion of no peristalsis (odds ratio [OR] = 6.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.94-8.57, P < 0.00001), and the proportion of no or mild peristalsis (OR = 7.89, 95% CI = 5.03-12.39, P < 0.00001) compared with the placebo, whereas it was not associated with an improvement in the adenoma detection rate (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 0.54-1.99, P = 0.92). Adverse events did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 0.75-2.59, P = 0.29).
DISCUSSION
The findings of this study support the use of L-menthol to suppress gastrointestinal peristalsis during endoscopic procedure.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Gastric Mucosa; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Menthol; Peristalsis; Preoperative Care; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Spasm; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33031198
DOI: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000252 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology May 2022Paeoniflorin, a bioactive compound extracted from the traditional Chinese herb, Paeonia lactiflora Pall, has been demonstrated to possess efficient antidepressant... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Paeoniflorin, a bioactive compound extracted from the traditional Chinese herb, Paeonia lactiflora Pall, has been demonstrated to possess efficient antidepressant activity in previous studies.
AIM OF THE STUDY
Our systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of paeoniflorin in relieving depressive-like behaviors in animal models.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We searched for in vivo studies on the antidepressant effects of paeoniflorin in rodents using electronic databases from their inception to April 2021. The measurements of animal behavioral tests, including the sucrose consumption, forced swimming, tail suspension, and open field tests, were regarded as the outcomes.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies involving 416 animals met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Statistical analysis revealed remarkable differences between the paeoniflorin and control groups. Furthermore, the paeoniflorin group showed great efficiency in improving depressive-like symptoms of animals in the sucrose consumption, forced swimming, tail suspension, and open field tests.
CONCLUSIONS
Our meta-analysis demonstrates that paeoniflorin can significantly improve depressive-like symptoms in animals and suggests that it can be a potential therapy for patients with depression in the future.
Topics: Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Behavior, Animal; Depression; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Glucosides; Mice; Monoterpenes; Paeonia; Rats
PubMed: 35143936
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115067 -
Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2021Herb, Zanthoxylum armatum DC., commonly called Indian prickly ash, and Nepal pepper (family Rutaceae), is widely utilized in the traditional medicinal system. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Herb, Zanthoxylum armatum DC., commonly called Indian prickly ash, and Nepal pepper (family Rutaceae), is widely utilized in the traditional medicinal system.
OBJECTIVE
The current review provides requisite data for collecting descriptive information on the organoleptic, microscopical, ethnobotanical use, and phytochemicals and pharmacological properties of Z. armatum; therefore, it may help in forming a bridge between research gaps and the upcoming future findings for most of the researches.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The systematic literature survey was conducted using the PRISMA methodology. The collective information was gathered from books, renowned journals, and electronic databases including Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed from 1966 to 2020.
RESULTS
Most of the bioactive metabolites are isolated and characterized till date, such as monoterpenes in essential oil and lignan components are reported to be present in the herbs. Several in vitro and in vivo pharmacological bioassays revealed the potential of Z. armatum having as possessing antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective effects and so on.
CONCLUSION
Therefore, the current review summarizes the organoleptic, microscopy, phytochemistry and biological activities of Z. armatum, providing more emphasis on in vitro as well as in-vivo studies along with clinical research, helpful in exploring the potential efficacy of the plant.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Fungi; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Medicine, Traditional; Oils, Volatile; Phytochemicals; Plant Components, Aerial; Plant Extracts; Zanthoxylum
PubMed: 33390134
DOI: 10.2174/1389557521999201230200503 -
PLoS Medicine Mar 2014Pyrethroid insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) help contribute to reducing malaria deaths in Africa, but their efficacy is threatened by insecticide resistance in some... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Pyrethroid insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) help contribute to reducing malaria deaths in Africa, but their efficacy is threatened by insecticide resistance in some malaria mosquito vectors. We therefore assessed the evidence that resistance is attenuating the effect of ITNs on entomological outcomes.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
We included laboratory and field studies of African malaria vectors that measured resistance at the time of the study and used World Health Organization-recommended impregnation regimens. We reported mosquito mortality, blood feeding, induced exophily (premature exit of mosquitoes from the hut), deterrence, time to 50% or 95% knock-down, and percentage knock-down at 60 min. Publications were searched from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 2013 using MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Sciences Citation Index, African Index Medicus, and CAB Abstracts. We stratified studies into three levels of insecticide resistance, and ITNs were compared with untreated bed nets (UTNs) using the risk difference (RD). Heterogeneity was explored visually and statistically. Included were 36 laboratory and 24 field studies, reported in 25 records. Studies tested and reported resistance inconsistently. Based on the meta-analytic results, the difference in mosquito mortality risk for ITNs compared to UTNs was lower in higher resistance categories. However, mortality risk was significantly higher for ITNs compared to UTNs regardless of resistance. For cone tests: low resistance, risk difference (RD) 0.86 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.01); moderate resistance, RD 0.71 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.88); high resistance, RD 0.56 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.95). For tunnel tests: low resistance, RD 0.74 (95% CI 0.61 to 0.87); moderate resistance, RD 0.50 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.60); high resistance, RD 0.39 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.54). For hut studies: low resistance, RD 0.56 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.68); moderate resistance, RD 0.39 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.61); high resistance, RD 0.35 (95% CI 0.27 to 0.43). However, with the exception of the moderate resistance category for tunnel tests, there was extremely high heterogeneity across studies in each resistance category (chi-squared test, p<0.00001, I² varied from 95% to 100%).
CONCLUSIONS
This meta-analysis found that ITNs are more effective than UTNs regardless of resistance. There appears to be a relationship between resistance and the RD for mosquito mortality in laboratory and field studies. However, the substantive heterogeneity in the studies' results and design may mask the true relationship between resistance and the RD, and the results need to be interpreted with caution. Our analysis suggests the potential for cumulative meta-analysis in entomological trials, but further field research in this area will require specialists in the field to work together to improve the quality of trials, and to standardise designs, assessment, and reporting of both resistance and entomological outcomes.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Culicidae; Insecticide Resistance; Insecticide-Treated Bednets; Insecticides; Malaria; Mosquito Control; Pyrethrins
PubMed: 24642791
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001619 -
Future Medicinal Chemistry Apr 2024The scope of the study was to analyze original preclinical studies on the antimicrobial effects of carvacrol and derivatives on the genus. According to the Preferred... (Review)
Review
The scope of the study was to analyze original preclinical studies on the antimicrobial effects of carvacrol and derivatives on the genus. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS and EMBASE) were searched. The search retrieved 392 records, of which 11 papers were selected. Heterogeneity in the techniques and mycobacterial targets was observed. Carvacrol demonstrated synergistic antimycobacterial activity with rifampicin against multidrug-resistant on membranes and biofilms. approaches showed specific targets in mycobacteria, by inhibition and molecular docking assays, on the enzyme chorismate mutase and the heat shock protein 16.3. Carvacrol has been shown to be a scaffold candidate for future molecules with activity against mycobacteria.
Topics: Molecular Docking Simulation; Cymenes; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38390753
DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0249 -
European Journal of Pharmacology Sep 2020Plants are a natural source of bioactive compounds such as secondary metabolites. These molecules, also called phytochemicals, are fundamental for plant survival and...
Plants are a natural source of bioactive compounds such as secondary metabolites. These molecules, also called phytochemicals, are fundamental for plant survival and often show therapeutic properties used for the treatment of human diseases. Asperuloside is a secondary metabolite which belongs to iridoid glycosides and is commonly present in the plant family Rubiaceae. In this review we aim to summarize the scientific knowledge on asperuloside, with a special emphasis on its pharmacological properties as anti-viral, anti-malarial, anti-protozoal, anti-tumorigenic, anti-hypertensive, anti-obesity, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Preclinical studies in animal models suggest that asperuloside has therapeutic potential that could be evaluated in humans. However, despite its tangible phytochemical characteristics, no clinical trial has been performed so far. Thus, we hope that this review will facilitate scientific dissemination of asperuloside pharmacological properties and encourage researchers to evaluate both pharmacokinetic and toxicity of asperuloside in animal models. This will be the first step towards clinical studies in humans.
Topics: Animals; Cyclopentane Monoterpenes; Disease Models, Animal; Glucosides; Humans; Phytochemicals; Pyrans
PubMed: 32659300
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173344