-
Scientific Reports Jan 2024We aimed to summarize the cancer risk among patients with indication of group I pharmaceuticals as stated in monographs presented by the International Agency for... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
We aimed to summarize the cancer risk among patients with indication of group I pharmaceuticals as stated in monographs presented by the International Agency for Research on Cancer working groups. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed database. Pharmaceuticals with few studies on cancer risk were identified in systematic reviews; those with two or more studies were subjected to meta-analysis. For the meta-analysis, a random-effects model was used to calculate the summary relative risks (SRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Heterogeneity across studies was presented using the Higgins I square value from Cochran's Q test. Among the 12 group I pharmaceuticals selected, three involved a single study [etoposide, thiotepa, and mustargen + oncovin + procarbazine + prednisone (MOPP)], seven had two or more studies [busulfan, cyclosporine, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, methoxsalen + ultraviolet (UV) radiation therapy, melphalan, and chlorambucil], and two did not have any studies [etoposide + bleomycin + cisplatin and treosulfan]. Cyclosporine and azathioprine reported increased skin cancer risk (SRR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.07-1.62; SRR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.25-1.93) compared to non-use. Cyclophosphamide increased bladder and hematologic cancer risk (SRR = 2.87, 95% CI 1.32-6.23; SRR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.65-3.58). Busulfan increased hematologic cancer risk (SRR = 6.71, 95% CI 2.49-18.08); melphalan was associated with hematologic cancer (SRR = 4.43, 95% CI 1.30-15.15). In the systematic review, methoxsalen + UV and MOPP were associated with an increased risk of skin and lung cancer, respectively. Our results can enhance persistent surveillance of group I pharmaceutical use, establish novel clinical strategies for patients with indications, and provide evidence for re-categorizing current group I pharmaceuticals into other groups.
Topics: Humans; Etoposide; Methoxsalen; Azathioprine; Melphalan; Busulfan; Neoplasms; Hematologic Neoplasms; Cyclophosphamide; Cyclosporins; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 38172159
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50602-6 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2023Language development starts during the fetal period when the brain is sensitive to endocrine disruptions from environmental contaminants. This systematic review aims to... (Review)
Review
Language development starts during the fetal period when the brain is sensitive to endocrine disruptions from environmental contaminants. This systematic review aims to systematically summarize the existing literature on early-life exposure to PFAS and children's language and communication development, which is an indicator of neurocognitive development. A structured literature search was conducted using three databases, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL, last updated in April 2023. The population was defined as children and young adults. PFAS exposure was assessed pre- or postnatally. The outcome was defined as a language and communication ability assessed with validated instruments, parental self-reports, or clinical language disorder diagnoses. In total, 15 studies were identified for subsequent analyses. Thirteen were performed in background-exposed populations and two in highly exposed populations. There were some indications of potential adverse effects; however, these were not consistent across child sex, age of assessment, or PFAS exposure levels. No systematic effect of early-life PFAS exposure on language and communication development was found. These inconclusive findings may partly be explained by the use of general test instruments with limited validity as to children's language and communication development. Further studies over a wider exposure range using specific language test instruments are needed.
Topics: Child; Female; Young Adult; Humans; Child Language; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Fluorocarbons; Language Development; Communication; Environmental Pollutants; Alkanesulfonic Acids
PubMed: 38131721
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20247170 -
Archives of Dermatological Research Dec 2023There is increasing demand for natural and sustainable products for the treatment of dermatologic conditions. This systematic review aims to critically analyze published... (Review)
Review
There is increasing demand for natural and sustainable products for the treatment of dermatologic conditions. This systematic review aims to critically analyze published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and provide evidence-based recommendations on the therapeutic use of curcumin for a variety of dermatological diseases. A systematic search of published literature was performed on July 18, 2023 using PRISMA guidelines for turmeric or curcumin for the treatment of skin diseases. Clinical recommendations were made based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines. We identified 18 original randomized controlled trials for use of turmeric or curcumin for psoriasis, radiation dermatitis, oral lichen planus, pruritis, vitiligo, tinea capitis, facial erythema, and scarring. Psoriasis, cesarean section scar, and pruritus received grade of recommendation B. Radiation dermatitis, oral lichen planus, vitiligo, tinea capitis, and facial redness received grade of recommendation C or D. Curcumin was demonstrated to have an excellent safety profile in all clinical trials analyzed. Further research is required to determine optimal dosing and treatment parameters of turmeric. Additional, larger, RCTs and non-RCTs should be conducted to further investigate the safety and efficacy of curcumin as a treatment option for dermatological diseases.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Lichen Planus, Oral; Vitiligo; Psoriasis; Tinea Capitis; Dermatitis
PubMed: 38085369
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-023-02754-8 -
International Journal of Oral and... Mar 2024The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin in improving mouth opening (MO), burning sensation (BS), and tongue protrusion (TP) symptoms in patients with oral... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin in improving mouth opening (MO), burning sensation (BS), and tongue protrusion (TP) symptoms in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). An electronic search up to November 2022 was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library databases to identify studies using curcumin in the treatment of OSF with comparison to control groups (drugs previously proven to be effective for OSF treatment) or placebo. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were considered. RevMan 5.3 software was used for the meta-analysis. Thirteen RCTs met the eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. The results showed no significant improvement in MO (in millimetres) for curcumin when compared to control at 1 month (P = 0.91), 2 months (P = 0.54), 3 months (P = 0.56), or 6 months (P = 0.17) of treatment. There was no significant difference in BS (assessed using a visual analogue scale) between curcumin and control after 1 month (P = 0.05), 2 months (P = 0.64), 3 months (P = 0.13), or 6 months (P = 0.56) of treatment. Compared with the control groups, treatment with curcumin for 1 month (P = 0.32), 2 months (P = 0.07), and 3 months (P = 0.14) did not significantly improve the TP (in millimetres) of patients. The administration of curcumin, whether topically applied or taken orally, did not confer statistically significant improvements in MO, BS, or TP in comparison to the control treatments, among patients with OSF. The results of this meta-analysis showed that compared to placebo, the application of curcumin for 6 months markedly alleviated BS (P < 0.001). Curcumin treatment in OSF reaches a clinically effective range, but more bioavailability-centred outcomes should be reported. Robust multicentre RCTs are warranted to elucidate the efficacy of curcumin in improving specific outcomes like MO, BS, and TP in patients with this condition. Defining the therapeutic role of this natural compound may provide an effective botanical alternative for managing OSF.
Topics: Humans; Oral Submucous Fibrosis; Curcumin; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Tongue Diseases
PubMed: 38057194
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2023.11.005 -
Environmental Research Feb 2024Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a heterogeneous group of synthetic compounds widely used in industrial applications. The estimation of PFAS... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) constitute a heterogeneous group of synthetic compounds widely used in industrial applications. The estimation of PFAS half-life (t) is essential to quantify their persistence, their toxicity and mechanism of action in humans.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence on PFAS half-lives in humans from the available literature, and to investigate the limitations and uncertainties characterizing half-life estimation.
METHODS
The search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases up to July 03, 2023 and was aimed at identifying all papers that estimated PFAS half-life in human populations. We excluded studies on temporal trends or providing estimates of half-life based solely on renal clearance. As persistent and ongoing exposures can influence half-life estimation, we decided to include only studies that were conducted after the main source of exposure to PFAS had ceased. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on studies that reported perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) or perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) half-life estimation. Risk of bias was evaluated using the OHAT tool.
RESULTS
A total of 13 articles were included in the review, with 5 studies conducted in exposed general populations and 8 studies conducted in exposed workers; the estimated mean half-life ranged from 1.48 to 5.1 years for PFOA, from 3.4 to 5.7 years for total PFOS, and from 2.84 to 8.5 years for PFHxS. High heterogeneity among studies was observed; potential reasons include the variability among the investigated populations, discrepancies in considering ongoing exposures, variability in PFAS isomeric compositions, accounting for background exposure, time since exposure stopped and methods used for half-life estimation.
DISCUSSION
Despite the efforts made to better understand PFAS toxicokinetics, further studies are needed to identify important characteristics of these persistent chemicals. Biomonitoring studies should focus on persistent and unaccounted sources of exposure to PFAS and on individual characteristics potentially determining half-life, to ensure accurate estimates.
Topics: Humans; Alkanesulfonic Acids; Caprylates; Environmental Pollutants; Fluorocarbons; Half-Life; Sulfonic Acids
PubMed: 38008199
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117743 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... May 2024Guilandina bonduc L. is popularly known as a fever nut that grows widely in evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests with a pantropical distribution. The plant is... (Review)
Review
Guilandina bonduc L. is popularly known as a fever nut that grows widely in evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests with a pantropical distribution. The plant is highly therapeutic in various systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Siddha, and homeopathy. The purpose of this review is to analyze the published data on G. bonduc, including traditional uses, taxonomic position, botanical description, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and toxicological assessment of its various parts. Phytochemical and pharmacological studies were the main focus of this review. The previously published research on G. bonduc was tracked from scientific databases such as Online Library, Google, Taylor and Francis, PubMed, Research Gate, Scopus, Springer, Wiley, Web of Sciences. Numerous phytochemical, pharmaceutical, and pharmacological studies have been carried out on the various parts of G. bonduc. To date, more than 97 phytochemicals have been isolated from the leaves, roots, stems, stem bark, flowers, twigs, and seeds of this plant. The phytochemicals isolated from the plants are flavonoids, homoisoflavonoids, terpenoids, diterpenoids, steroids, fatty acids, alkanes, acids, phenols, ketones, esters, amides, azides, silanes, and ether groups. This plant has been extensively studied in in vitro and in vivo pharmacological experiments, where it showed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antidiabetic, abortive, anticataleptic, immunomodulatory, and antiestrogenic effects. This comprehensive review revealed that phytochemicals isolated from various parts of G. bonduc have significant therapeutic efficacy, with promising anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities. This review provides a good source of information for the development of a drug using modern scientific tools, in view of its underexplored traditional uses. Further studies on preclinical and clinical trials and toxicological studies on the bioactive molecules of G. bonduc to validate its traditional uses are warranted.
Topics: Phytochemicals; Animals; Humans; Medicine, Traditional; Plant Extracts; Phytotherapy; Ethnopharmacology
PubMed: 37987793
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02822-w -
The British Journal of Nutrition Mar 2024Curcumin is a phytocompound found in the root of turmeric, a common herbal ingredient in many Asian cuisines. The compound contains anti-inflammatory activity, which is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The effect of curcumin supplementation on circulating adiponectin and leptin concentration in adults: a GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
Curcumin is a phytocompound found in the root of turmeric, a common herbal ingredient in many Asian cuisines. The compound contains anti-inflammatory activity, which is mediated through an upregulation of adiponectin and reduction of leptin. Results of randomised controlled trials (RCT) have shown that the effects of curcumin on adipokines are conflicting. Therefore, the current systematic review and meta-analysis of RCT were conducted with the aim of elucidating the role of curcumin supplementation on serum adiponectin and leptin. The search included PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar from inception to August 2023. For net changes in adipokines, standardised mean differences (SMD) were calculated using random effects models. Thirteen RCT with fourteen treatment arms were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. Curcumin supplementation was effective in increasing serum adiponectin (SMD = 0·86, 95 % CI (0·33, 1·39), < 0·001; = 93·1 %, < 0·001) and reducing serum leptin (SMD = -1·42, 95 % CI (-2·29, -0·54), < 0·001; = 94·7 %, < 0·001). In conclusion, curcumin supplementation significantly increased circulating adiponectin and decreased leptin levels in adults.
Topics: Adiponectin; Leptin; Curcumin; Adipokines; Dietary Supplements; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37980942
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114523002428 -
International Heart Journal Nov 2023Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) is a large group of fluorinated synthetic chemicals, e.g., perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) is a large group of fluorinated synthetic chemicals, e.g., perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). Many epidemiological studies have found that PFAS exposure is associated with hypertension risk, but others possess a different opinion. Overall, the relationship between PFASs and hypertension risk remains controversial. We sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the association between PFAS exposure and human risk of hypertension.We conducted a meta-analysis based on population-involving studies published from 1975 to 2023, which we collected from Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases. The odds ratio (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD), with their 95% confidence interval (CI), were used to assess the risk of hypertension with PFAS exposure. The statistical heterogeneity among studies was assessed with the Q-test and I statistics. Research publications related to our meta-analysis topic were systematically reviewed.Fourteen studies involving 71,663 participants, in which 26,281 suffered hypertension, met the inclusion criteria. Our analyses suggest that exposure to general PFAS (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04-1.14) or PFOS (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05-1.30) is associated with hypertension risk. Specifically, elevated levels of general PFAS (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.08-0.42), PFHxS (SMD = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.07-0.27), and PFDA (SMD = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.02-0.13) are associated with a high risk of hypertension.Our meta-analysis indicates that PFAS exposure is a risk factor for hypertension, and increased hypertension risk is associated with higher PFAS levels. Further study may eventually provide a better and more comprehensive elucidation of the potential mechanism of this association.
Topics: Humans; Environmental Pollutants; Alkanesulfonic Acids; Fluorocarbons
PubMed: 37967990
DOI: 10.1536/ihj.23-036 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... May 2024Curcumin is an ingredient of the root Curcuma longa, which is responsible for the characteristic yellow color of curcuma. Curcumin is said to have the potential ability... (Review)
Review
Curcumin is an ingredient of the root Curcuma longa, which is responsible for the characteristic yellow color of curcuma. Curcumin is said to have the potential ability to fight malignant diseases and to have an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, it is used as a dietary supplement. However, one problem with the use of curcumin is its extremely low bioavailability. The aim of this study is to systematically review and critically analyze clinical studies related to the pharmacokinetics (or bioavailability) and to the use of curcumin in the treatment of malignant diseases. The platforms clinicaltrials.gov and PubMed served as the database for the literature research. A total of 293 available studies on curcumin were filtered according to their focus (bioavailability, therapy of malignant diseases) and other criteria (study results, main substance, topic reference, existing disease/other research purpose, reference to malignant diseases). The studies were further analyzed regarding their outcome measures, their design (number of participants, randomization, placebo group, masking, ethical standards, sponsor, primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, study bias) and their findings. The analysis failed to convincingly demonstrate that curcumin has a significant, positive effect on the therapy of malignant diseases. Regarding the increase in bioavailability, positive results have been obtained, which are in proximity to the pharmaceutical industry. Independent studies could not achieve increased bioavailability of curcumin. The available reviews in the literature also do not provide convincing evidence for the efficacy of curcumin. Thus, at the time being, the use of curcumin in malignant diseases is not justified scientifically.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Antineoplastic Agents; Biological Availability; Clinical Trials as Topic; Curcumin; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37966571
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02825-7 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2023We report on a systematic review of the efficacy of turmeric derivatives for the in vivo treatment of peripheral neuropathies. Our review protocol followed the PRISMA...
We report on a systematic review of the efficacy of turmeric derivatives for the in vivo treatment of peripheral neuropathies. Our review protocol followed the PRISMA Statement. The Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and Scielo databases were used. The search strategy was ("neuropathy" OR "neuropathies" OR "nerve injury" OR "nerve injuries") AND ("curcumin" OR "turmeric yellow" OR "yellow, turmeric" OR "diferuloylmethane"). Eligibility criteria were in vivo animal models, published in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or French, evaluating the efficacy of turmeric derivatives in the treatment of peripheral neuropathies. We have included 30 papers, and all consisted of pre-clinical trials with good methodological quality. Animals treated with turmeric derivatives (i.e., curcumin, curcumin by-products and curcumin loaded delivery systems) demonstrated remarkable amelioration in the injuries caused by diabetic and sciatic neuropathy, as well as for vincristine, cisplatin, and alcohol-induced neuropathy, especially with regards to the functional recovery of the affected nerve. Turmeric has great potential for the treatment of peripheral neuropathies, including those associated with diabetes mellitus. Clinical trials still need to be performed to assess the feasibility of human treatment as an alternative or adjuvant to existing pharmacological therapy.
Topics: Animals; Curcuma; Curcumin; Models, Animal; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 37937613
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202320200447