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Biological Trace Element Research Jun 2024Current trends are promoting youth, beauty, health, and fitness. Individuals often seek out remedies, such as medicines or dietary supplements (DS), to achieve these...
Current trends are promoting youth, beauty, health, and fitness. Individuals often seek out remedies, such as medicines or dietary supplements (DS), to achieve these goals. However, highly processed foods, chronic stress, and environmental pollution contribute to the development of civilization diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mercury (Hg) content in medicines and DS that are available in Poland. A total of 139 preparations were tested (75 drugs, 64 DS). The medicines contained preparations belonging to antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal; analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory; heart and blood vessel disease preventatives; respiratory tract infections treatment; diuretics; aiding digestion; supplements; antidiarrhoeals; anti-allergics; anti-rheumatics; antibiotics; and others. The tested dietary supplements had an effect on the following: improve the condition of skin, hair, and nails; vitamins; minerals; probiotics; weight loss; special for women; and others. The Hg content of the samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The Hg content of all the preparations varied widely (0.1-57.4 µg/kg), with a median Hg concentration of 1.2 µg/kg. The median Hg concentration for medicines was 0.8 µg/kg, prescription medicines having higher Hg concentrations (0.9 µg/kg) than over-the-counter (OTC) drugs (0.5 µg/kg). For DS, the Hg content was found to be higher than for drugs, at 2.0 µg/kg. The herbal preparations showed the highest Hg content among the individual DS groups (3.4 µg/kg). The Hg concentrations in the tested drug and DS samples did not exceed acceptable standards. However, if multiple pharmaceutical preparations are taken simultaneously over a long period of time, and there is existing environmental exposure, there is a possibility of Hg concentration accumulation and adverse health effects.
PubMed: 38935258
DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04269-3 -
Genes Jun 2024Grapevine varieties from "Douro Superior" (NE Portugal) experience high temperatures, solar radiation, and water deficit during the summer. This summer's stressful...
Grapevine varieties from "Douro Superior" (NE Portugal) experience high temperatures, solar radiation, and water deficit during the summer. This summer's stressful growing conditions induce nucleic acids, lipids, and protein oxidation, which cause cellular, physiological, molecular, and biochemical changes. Cell cycle anomalies, mitosis delay, or cell death may occur at the cellular level, leading to reduced plant productivity. However, the foliar application of kaolin (KL) can mitigate the impact of abiotic stress by decreasing leaf temperature and enhancing antioxidant defence. Hence, this study hypothesised that KL-treated grapevine plants growing in NE Portugal would reveal, under summer stressful growing conditions, higher progression and stability of the leaf mitotic cell cycle than the untreated (control) plants. KL was applied after veraison for two years. Leaves, sampled 3 and 5 weeks later, were cytogenetically, molecularly, and biochemically analysed. Globally, integrating these multidisciplinary data confirmed the decreased leaf temperature and enhanced antioxidant defence of the KL-treated plants, accompanied by an improved regularity and completion of the leaf cell cycle relative to the control plants. Nevertheless, the KL efficacy was significantly influenced by the sampling date and/or variety. In sum, the achieved results confirmed the hypothesis initially proposed.
Topics: Vitis; Plant Leaves; Kaolin; Seasons; Stress, Physiological; Cell Cycle; Antioxidants
PubMed: 38927683
DOI: 10.3390/genes15060747 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Diarrhoea remains an important public health concern, particularly in developing countries, and has become difficult to treat because of antibacterial resistance. The...
Diarrhoea remains an important public health concern, particularly in developing countries, and has become difficult to treat because of antibacterial resistance. The development of synergistic antimicrobial agents appears to be a promising alternative treatment against diarrhoeic infections. In this study, the combined effect of tetracycline together with either nitroxoline, sanguinarine, or zinc pyrithione (representing various classes of plant-based compounds) was evaluated in vitro against selected diarrhoeic bacteria (, , , , , and ). The chequerboard method in 96-well microtiter plates was used to determine the sum of the fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICIs). Three independent experiments were performed per combination, each in triplicate. It was observed that the combination of tetracycline with either nitroxoline, sanguinarine, or zinc pyrithione produced synergistic effects against most of the pathogenic bacteria tested, with FICI values ranging from 0.086 to 0.5. Tetracycline-nitroxoline combinations produced the greatest synergistic action against at a FICI value of 0.086. The combinations of the agents tested in this study can thus be used for the development of new anti-diarrhoeic medications. However, studies focusing on their in vivo anti-diarrhoeic activity and safety are required before any consideration for utilization in human medicine.
Topics: Drug Synergism; Tetracycline; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Alkaloids; Bacteria; Diarrhea; Humans; Pyridines; Nitroquinolines; Organometallic Compounds
PubMed: 38892226
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116038 -
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... Jun 2024Berberine (BBR), a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid obtained from natural medicines such as coptidis rhizoma, has a wide range of pharmacological activities such as... (Review)
Review
Berberine (BBR), a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid obtained from natural medicines such as coptidis rhizoma, has a wide range of pharmacological activities such as protecting the nervous system, protecting the cardiovascular system, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antitumor, antibacterial, and antidiarrheal. However, factors such as poor solubility, low permeability, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux, and hepatic-intestinal metabolism result in BBR having a low bioavailability (< 1%), which restricts its application in clinical settings. Therefore, improving its bioavailability is a prerequisite for its clinical applications. This review summarizes the various pharmacological effects of BBR and analyzes the main reasons for its poor bioavailability. It introduces methods to improve the bioavailability of BBR through the use of absorption enhancers and P-gp inhibitors, structural modification of BBR, and preparation of BBR salts and cocrystals as well as the development of new formulations and focuses on the bioavailability study of the new formulations of BBR. The research of BBR was also prospected in order to provide reference for the further research of BBR.
PubMed: 38888754
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03199-0 -
Chemical Communications (Cambridge,... Jul 2024Ultra-small Ag nanoparticles (<5 nm) loaded on a kaolinite surface were successfully prepared in large batches by a dry-process, displaying excellent broad-spectrum...
Ultra-small Ag nanoparticles (<5 nm) loaded on a kaolinite surface were successfully prepared in large batches by a dry-process, displaying excellent broad-spectrum antimicrobial ability and size-dependent activity. This Ag-loaded kaolinite (Ag@AT/K) inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria and accelerated wound healing in experiments on MRSA-infected wounds. This work provides a new strategy for the preparation of mineral-based nanoscale antibacterial materials.
Topics: Silver; Kaolin; Metal Nanoparticles; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Particle Size; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Animals; Wound Healing; Mice
PubMed: 38884113
DOI: 10.1039/d4cc01650e -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jun 2024The bark of Canarium schweinfurthii is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of diabetes, pain, malaria, fever and diarrhoea.
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
The bark of Canarium schweinfurthii is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of diabetes, pain, malaria, fever and diarrhoea.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The chemical phytoconstituents, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects and safety profile of the aqueous extract of Canarium schweinfurthii bark (AECSB) were investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyse the phytochemical composition. In the acute toxicity test, AECSB were administered up to 2 g/kg by oral gavage. For the subacute toxicity test (28 days), rats in group 1 (control) received no AECSB, while rats in groups 2-4 were administered different doses of AECSB. Charcoal meal transit and castor oil-induced diarrhoea models were used to study the antidiarrheal effect, while egg albumin/carrageenan and acetic acid/tail immersion models were used for the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive studies, respectively. With the exception of the acute toxicity experiment, AECSB was administered orally at doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg.
RESULTS
Bioactive phytoconstituents identified include p-cymene, δ-terpinene, linalool and phytol. No adverse effects or mortality were observed in acute and subacute studies. Treatment with AECSB (28 days) had no significant effect on organ weight, biochemical, hematologic and histopathologic parameters compared to the control groups (p > 0.05). Comparable antidiarrheal and antinociceptive effects were observed in both AECSB- and standard drug-treated groups, while the 400 and 800 mg/kg AECSB-treated groups showed remarkable anti-inflammatory effects compared to the standard drug-treated and control groups (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
AECSB has antidiarrheal, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects and can be safely used for therapeutic purposes.
PubMed: 38878840
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118460 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Pullorum disease (PD) is a bacterial infection caused by () that affects poultry. It is highly infectious and often fatal. Antibiotics are currently the mainstay of...
Pullorum disease (PD) is a bacterial infection caused by () that affects poultry. It is highly infectious and often fatal. Antibiotics are currently the mainstay of prophylactic and therapeutic treatments for PD, but their use can lead to the development of resistance in pathogenic bacteria and disruption of the host's intestinal flora. We added neomycin sulfate and different doses of tannic acid (TA) to the drinking water of chicks at 3 days of age and infected them with PD by intraperitoneal injection of at 9 days of age. We analyzed intestinal histopathological changes and the expression of immune-related genes and proteins by using the plate smear method, histological staining, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, ELISA kits, and 16S rRNA Analysis of intestinal flora. The results demonstrate that induces alterations in the immune status and impairs the functionality of the liver and intestinal barrier. We found that tannic acid significantly ameliorated -induced liver and intestinal damage, protected the intestinal physical and chemical barriers, restored the intestinal immune barrier function, and regulated the intestinal flora. Our results showed that TA has good anti-diarrhoeal, growth-promoting, immune-regulating, intestinal barrier-protecting and intestinal flora-balancing effects, and the best effect was achieved at an additive dose of 0.2%.
PubMed: 38863452
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1382288 -
Future Oncology (London, England) May 2024To understand the real-world use of abemaciclib in Japanese patients with early breast cancer (EBC). This retrospective observational study was conducted using a...
To understand the real-world use of abemaciclib in Japanese patients with early breast cancer (EBC). This retrospective observational study was conducted using a Japanese administrative claims database in patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative EBC who received abemaciclib adjuvant therapy from December 2021-March 2023. Patient characteristics and treatment patterns were summarized. Among 374 patients, 38.2, 51.6 and 63.4% patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy, respectively; 13.1% were chemotherapy naive. Tamoxifen (37.7%), letrozole (35.6%), anastrozole (24.3%) were the commonly prescribed concomitant adjuvant endocrine therapies. Abemaciclib dose reductions were observed in 42.0% patients. Use of abemaciclib for treatment of high-risk EBC was described, which could help inform patient selection and treatment patterns.
PubMed: 38861285
DOI: 10.1080/14796694.2024.2346464 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Aug 2024Rheum palmatum, R. tanguticum, and R. officinale, integral species of the genus Rheum, are widely used across global temperate and subtropical regions. These species are... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Rheum palmatum, R. tanguticum, and R. officinale, integral species of the genus Rheum, are widely used across global temperate and subtropical regions. These species are incorporated in functional foods, medicines, and cosmetics, recognized for their substantial bioactive components.
PURPOSE
This review aims to synthesize developments from 2014 to 2023 concerning the botanical characteristics, ethnopharmacology, nutritional values, chemical compositions, pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action, and toxicity of these species.
METHODS
Data on the three Rheum species were gathered from a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed articles, patents, and clinical trials accessed through PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and CNKI.
RESULTS
The aerial parts are nutritionally rich, providing essential amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals, suitable for use as health foods or supplements. Studies have identified 143 chemical compounds, including anthraquinones, anthrones, flavonoids, and chromones, which contribute to their broad pharmacological properties such as laxative, anti-diarrheal, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, antidiabetic, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. Notably, the materials science approach has enhanced understanding of their medicinal capabilities through the evaluation of bioactive compounds in different therapeutic contexts.
CONCLUSION
As medicinal and economically significant herb species, Rheum species provide both edible aerial parts and medicinal underground components that offer substantial health benefits. These characteristics present new opportunities for developing nutritional ingredients and therapeutic products, bolstering the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Topics: Rheum; Humans; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts; Animals; Ethnopharmacology
PubMed: 38852474
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155772 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jul 2024The widespread utilization of plastic products ineluctably leads to the ubiquity of nanoplastics (NPs), causing potential risks for aquatic environments. Interactions of...
Heteroaggregation and deposition behaviors of carboxylated nanoplastics with different types of clay minerals in aquatic environments: Important role of calcium(II) ion-assisted bridging.
The widespread utilization of plastic products ineluctably leads to the ubiquity of nanoplastics (NPs), causing potential risks for aquatic environments. Interactions of NPs with mineral surfaces may affect NPs transport, fate and ecotoxicity. This study aims to investigate systematically the deposition and aggregation behaviors of carboxylated polystyrene nanoplastics (COOH-PSNPs) by four types of clay minerals (illite, kaolinite, Na-montmorillonite, and Ca-montmorillonite) under various solution chemistry conditions (pH, temperature, ionic strength and type). Results demonstrate that the deposition process was dominated by electrostatic interactions. Divalent cations (i.e., Ca, Mg, Cd, or Pb) were more efficient for screening surface negative charges and compressing the electrical double layer (EDL). Hence, there were significant increases in deposition rates of COOH-PSNPs with clay minerals in suspension containing divalent cations, whereas only slight increases in deposition rates of COOH-PSNPs were observed in monovalent cations (Na, K). Negligible deposition occurred in the presence of anions (F, Cl, NO, CO, SO, or PO). Divalent Ca could incrementally facilitate the deposition of COOH-PSNPs through Ca-assisted bridging with increasing CaCl concentrations (0-100 mM). The weakened deposition of COOH-PSNPs with increasing pH (2.0-10.0) was primarily attributed to the reduce in positive charge density at the edges of clay minerals. In suspensions containing 2 mM CaCl, increased Na ionic strength (0-100 mM) and temperature (15-55 C) also favored the deposition of COOH-PSNPs. The ability of COOH-PSNPs deposited by four types of clay minerals followed the sequence of kaolinite > Na-montmorillonite > Ca-montmorillonite > illite, which was related to their structural and surface charge properties. This study revealed the deposition behaviors and mechanisms between NPs and clay minerals under environmentally representative conditions, which provided novel insights into the transport and fate of NPs in natural aquatic environments.
Topics: Clay; Calcium; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Osmolar Concentration; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Aluminum Silicates; Polystyrenes; Temperature; Minerals; Bentonite; Nanoparticles; Kaolin; Static Electricity
PubMed: 38850697
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116533