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Toxicology Letters Apr 2012For the appropriate protection of human health it is necessary to accurately estimate the health effects of human exposure to toxic compounds. In the present review,... (Review)
Review
For the appropriate protection of human health it is necessary to accurately estimate the health effects of human exposure to toxic compounds. In the present review, epidemiological studies on the health effects of human exposure to organophosphorus (OP) and pyrethroid (PYR) insecticides have been critically assessed. This review is focused on studies where the exposure assessment was based on quantification of specific biomarkers in urine or plasma. The 49 studies reviewed used different epidemiological approaches and analytical methods as well as different exposure assessment methodologies. With regard to OP pesticides, the studies reviewed suggested negative effects of prenatal exposure to these pesticides on neurodevelopment and male reproduction. Neurologic effects on adults, DNA damage and adverse birth outcomes were also associated with exposure to OP pesticides. With regard to exposure to PYR pesticides, there are currently few studies investigating the adverse health outcomes due to these pesticides. The effects studied in relation to PYR exposure were mainly male reproductive effects (sperm quality, sperm DNA damage and reproductive hormone disorders). Studies' findings provided evidence to support the hypothesis that PYR exposure is adversely associated with effects on the male reproductive system. The validity of these epidemiological studies is strongly enhanced by exposure assessment based on biomarker quantification. However, for valid and reliable results and conclusions, attention should also be focused on the validity of the analytical methods used, study designs and the measured toxicants characteristics.
Topics: Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants; Humans; Insecticides; Organophosphorus Compounds; Pyrethrins
PubMed: 22020228
DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2011.10.007 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... 2000Scabies is a common public health problem with an estimated global prevalence of 300 million. Infestation can cause considerable discomfort and intense itching. Severe... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Scabies is a common public health problem with an estimated global prevalence of 300 million. Infestation can cause considerable discomfort and intense itching. Severe adverse effects have been reported for some drugs used to treat scabies.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this review is to assess the effects and toxicity of topical and systemic drug treatment for scabies.
SEARCH STRATEGY
We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE, military records, traditional medicine databases. We also contacted international specialist centres and drug manufacturers.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials of any drug treatment for scabies. Tolerability and toxicity were sought in any study of humans taking any drug treatments for scabies.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two reviewers assessed trial quality and extracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
Thirteen trials were included (nine compared drug treatments, two compared treatment regimens, one compared the drug vehicle, and one was a community intervention). In one small trial, ivermectin was associated with a significant higher clinical cure rate at seven days when compared with placebo. Permethrin appeared to be more effective than crotamiton for clinical and parasitic cure rates. Permethrin appeared to be better than lindane for clinical cure rates in two small trials, but had no advantage in the largest trial (test for heterogeneity P < 0.001). Permethrin also appeared more effective in reducing itch persistence than lindane. There appeared to be no difference in clinical cure rates between crotamiton and lindane or benzyl benzoate and sulphur. Two trials assessed: the effectiveness of oral versus topical treatment (ivermectin versus benzyl benzoate and ivermectin ); single trial assessed treatment vehicle (pork fat versus cold cream); and mass community treatment (ivermectin), but all were too small to demonstrate an effect. No randomised trials of malathion were identified. Serious adverse drug reactions (including death and convulsions), most notably to lindane, permethrin and ivermectin, have been reported elsewhere.
REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS
The evidence that permethrin is more effective than lindane is inconsistent. Lindane, permethrin, and ivermectin appear to be associated with rare but serious drug reactions although this is not derived from trial data. More research is needed on the safety and effectiveness of ivermectin and malathion compared to permethrin, on community management, and on different regimens and vehicles for topical treatment.
Topics: Hexachlorocyclohexane; Humans; Insecticides; Ivermectin; Pyrethrins; Scabies; Sulfur; Toluidines
PubMed: 10908470
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000320 -
Journal of the American Academy of... Jan 2018
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
Topics: Antiparasitic Agents; Humans; Insecticides; Ivermectin; Permethrin; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Scabies
PubMed: 29241784
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.09.006 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2017Cortex Moutan (CM), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is commonly used for treating various diseases in China and other eastern Asian countries. Recorded in... (Review)
Review
Cortex Moutan (CM), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is commonly used for treating various diseases in China and other eastern Asian countries. Recorded in Pharmacopeias of several countries, CM is now drawing increasing attention and under extensive studies in various fields. Phytochemical studies indicate that CM contains many valuable secondary metabolites, such as monoterpene glycosides and phenols. Ample evidence from pharmacological researches suggest that CM has a wide spectrum of activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective effects. Moreover, various analytical methods were established for the quality evaluation and safety control of CM. This review synopsizes updated information concerning the origins, phytochemistry, pharmacology, analytical method and safety of CM, aiming to provide favorable references for modern CM research and application. In conclusion, continuing pharmacological investigations concerning CM should be conducted to unravel its pharmacological mechanisms. Further researches are necessary to obtain comprehensive and applicable analytical approach for quality evaluation and establish harmonized criteria of CM.
Topics: Chromatography, Liquid; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Ethnopharmacology; Humans; Mass Spectrometry; Paeonia; Phytochemicals
PubMed: 28590441
DOI: 10.3390/molecules22060946 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Oct 2019A fixed combination of hawthorn and camphor (Korodin Herz-Kreislauf-Tropfen) has been used in the therapy of hypotension for decades. Although its efficacy was evaluated... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
A fixed combination of hawthorn and camphor (Korodin Herz-Kreislauf-Tropfen) has been used in the therapy of hypotension for decades. Although its efficacy was evaluated in clinical trials, these studies have not been critically assessed in meta-analyses.
PURPOSE
To systematically evaluate the efficacy of a fix combination of camphor and hawthorn extract (Korodin) on blood pressure and cognition compared to placebo, in a meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
STUDY DESIGN
The meta-analysis was carried out following the PRISMA guidelines, using the PICO format, and it was registered in the PROSPERO register.
METHODS
The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant studies. Placebo-controlled clinical studies involving adult patients receiving a fix combination of hawthorn extract and camphor were included. No language or publication year restrictions were applied.
RESULTS
Four randomized trials including a total of 221 patients were pooled for statistical analysis. According to the present meta-analysis, the fixed combination of hawthorn and camphor significantly increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo (p-values: 0.017 and 0.049, respectively) and had a beneficial, but not statistically significant effect on the cognitive performance in the connect-the-numbers test (p-value: 0.071).
CONCLUSION
Korodin is an effective and presumably safe complementary therapy for the treatment of hypotension. Its blood pressure increasing effect is confirmed; however, the evidence supporting its use is very limited. The optimum dose and duration of treatment is still unclear. The comprehensive evaluation of efficacy and safety is required in further, high-quality clinical studies, involving larger patient populations and comparable endpoints.
Topics: Adult; Blood Pressure; Camphor; Cognition; Crataegus; Humans; Hypotension; Plant Extracts; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31255877
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.152984 -
Current Pharmaceutical Design 2021Cancer is a complex, multifactorial disease, and a major public health problem, as it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although treatments have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Cancer is a complex, multifactorial disease, and a major public health problem, as it is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although treatments have significantly improved, still more effective drugs are searched. One source for these drugs is natural products (NPs). One NP that has shown anticancer activity is Limonene. However, the mechanisms of limonene's antiproliferative, anticancer and antineoplastic activity are not fully understood.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on this subject.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was performed using the Scopus, MEDLINE-PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases using the keywords: "limonene", "cancer", "neoplasm", and "tumor". The inclusion criteria were: in vivo and in vitro studies on the use of limonene in cancer published in English, Portuguese and Spanish until December 2019. Review articles, meta-analyses, abstracts, conference papers, editorials/ letters and case reports were excluded.
RESULTS
The search identified 3568 articles, of which, 126 were selected for full reading, with 11 papers meeting the review criteria. Six more papers were added from the references of the initial 11 texts, giving a total of 17 papers. There was a high level of agreement in inclusion/exclusion (Kappa index > 80%). The risk of bias in the texts was shown to be high.
CONCLUSION
The meta-analysis suggests that limonene acts mainly on tumor regression induced apoptosis and is a promising natural product for use in the treatment of several types of cancer.
Topics: Databases, Factual; Limonene; Research Design
PubMed: 33106139
DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666201026152902 -
Critical Reviews in Toxicology Jul 2018No systematic reviews are available on data from humans on cancer risk from exposure to permethrin, a widely used insecticide for which some animal studies have reported...
No systematic reviews are available on data from humans on cancer risk from exposure to permethrin, a widely used insecticide for which some animal studies have reported positive findings based on mechanisms that may not be relevant to humans. We identified potentially relevant articles through a search of electronic databases which included all studies of pesticide exposure and human cancer. A total of 18 articles were selected, including six identified from the list of references of other articles. Most articles were based on analyzes of the Agriculture Health Study (AHS); they provided no evidence of an increased risk of cancers of colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, melanoma, female breast, prostate, urinary bladder, as well as non-Hodgkin lymphoma (including its main subtypes), and leukemia. An increased risk of multiple myeloma was reported among AHS members with the highest tertile of estimated permethrin exposure (odds ratio 5.01; 95% confidence interval 2.41-10.42; p for trend <0.01). A subsequent analysis with a larger number of cases found a less pronounced association between permethrin exposure and risk of multiple myeloma; no exposed cases were reported in a separate study. Two case-control studies of childhood leukemia reported an association with biological markers of permethrin metabolites; in another study self-reported exposure to permethrin was associated with risk in children below 1 year of age, but not in older children. In conclusion, permethrin exposure does not seem to entail a risk of cancer in humans. Results on multiple myeloma and childhood leukemia are weak and inconsistent, and require replication in independent populations.
Topics: Carcinogens; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Insecticides; Male; Neoplasms; Permethrin; Risk
PubMed: 29687728
DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2018.1439449 -
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Jan 2017
Review
Topics: Anemia, Hemolytic; Asymptomatic Diseases; Food; Food Coloring Agents; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency; Humans; Menthol; Naphthalenes; Pollen; Prunus persica; Trigonella; Vicia faba
PubMed: 27650490
DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13091 -
The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Feb 2019The treatment of wounds accounts for a considerable fraction of health expenses as well as serious socioeconomic problems. The use of natural substances stands out as a...
OBJECTIVES
The treatment of wounds accounts for a considerable fraction of health expenses as well as serious socioeconomic problems. The use of natural substances stands out as a source of new therapeutic discoveries for the wound healing. Thus, this review compiled scientific findings on the applicability of carvacrol and thymol, or essential oils containing at least one of these compounds, for the treatment of wounds.
METHODS
This review was performed at PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science databases using keywords as wound healing, thymol/carvacrol and essential oils. Thirteen studies were selected for discussion.
KEY FINDINGS
Thymol/carvacrol was able to act in the three phases of wound healing. In the first phase, they showed modulatory effect of the inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and antimicrobial power. In the second phase, they promoted re-epithelialization, angiogenesis and development of granulation tissue. Finally, in the third phase, they improve the collagen deposition and modulated the growth of fibroblasts and keratinocytes.
CONCLUSIONS
These compounds present a high potential for the development of new therapeutic for wound repair. However, dose, efficacy and safety of these compounds for the treatment of wounds, as well as the mechanisms by which those effects can be observed, are challenges for future studies.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Cymenes; Cytokines; Humans; Monoterpenes; Oils, Volatile; Oxidative Stress; Thymol; Wound Healing
PubMed: 30537169
DOI: 10.1111/jphp.13054 -
Environmental Research Nov 2022Pyrethroid metabolites are widely detectable in urine from the general population, including pregnant women and children. Pyrethroids are neurotoxic and suggested... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Pyrethroid metabolites are widely detectable in urine from the general population, including pregnant women and children. Pyrethroids are neurotoxic and suggested endocrine disruptors. Exposure during vulnerable developmental time windows may have long-term impacts on neurodevelopment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the epidemiological evidence for neurodevelopmental effects related to prenatal and childhood pyrethroid exposure in a systematic review and to assess biological plausibility by evaluating mechanistic evidence.
METHODS
We searched PubMed and Web of Science up to September 1, 2021 and included original studies published in English in which pyrethroid exposure was measured or estimated during pregnancy or childhood and associations with neurodevelopmental outcomes in the children were investigated. The Navigation Guide Systematic Review Methodology was used to evaluate the epidemiological evidence. For mechanistic evidence, we focused on relevant key events (KEs) suggested in Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) using the OECD-supported AOP-wiki platform. A systematic search combining the KEs with pyrethroids, including 26 individual compounds, was performed in the ToxCast database.
RESULTS
Twenty-five epidemiological studies met the inclusion criteria, 17 presented findings on prenatal exposure, 10 on childhood exposure and two on both exposure windows. The overall body of evidence was rated as "moderate quality" with "sufficient evidence" for an association between prenatal pyrethroid exposure and adverse neurodevelopment. For childhood exposure, the overall rating was "low quality" with "limited evidence" because of cross-sectional study design. Regarding mechanistic evidence, we found that pyrethroids are able to interfere with neurodevelopmental KEs included in established AOPs for adverse neurodevelopmental. The evidence was strongest for interference with thyroid hormone (TH) function.
CONCLUSION
Pyrethroids are probably human developmental neurotoxicants and adverse impacts of pyrethroid exposure on neurodevelopment are likely at exposure levels occurring in the general population. Preventive measures to reduce exposure among pregnant women and children are warranted.
Topics: Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epidemiologic Studies; Female; Humans; Insecticides; Pregnancy; Pyrethrins; Thyroid Hormones
PubMed: 35870501
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113935