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PloS One 2018Birch buds (Gemmae Betulae) are widely used in Russian and Chinese traditional medicine mainly as a diuretic and diaphoretic agent but also as an antiseptic,...
Birch buds (Gemmae Betulae) are widely used in Russian and Chinese traditional medicine mainly as a diuretic and diaphoretic agent but also as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Despite the long history of therapeutic use of birch buds in folk medicine, the existing information on their chemical composition and pharmacological effects is insufficient. This circumstance warrants further study of the chemistry and pharmacology of birch buds. The present study was designed to investigate (a) the chemical composition of buds from two species of white birch and (b) the in vitro cytotoxic effect of extracts from these sources on selected tumour cells. Extracts from Betula pubescens Ehrh. and Betula pendula Roth. buds were obtained using three different methods: carbon dioxide supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), washing of exudate covering whole buds, and extraction of milled buds with diethyl ether. The chemical composition of extracts was investigated by GC-MS. Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay, and cell proliferation was determined by [3H]thymidine uptake in cancer cells and normal skin fibroblasts. The GC-MS investigation identified a total of 150 substances of different classes. The chemical composition of B. pubescens and B. pendula buds differed, with bud extracts from the former containing a relatively high quantity of sesquiterpenoids and flavonoids, while the main components of extracts from the latter were triterpenoids. The results of the biological assay indicated that birch bud extracts demonstrated time- and concentration-dependent and differential cytotoxicity. The highest cytotoxic activity demonstrated bud exudates and SFE extracts obtained from both Betula species. The rich chemical composition of birch buds suggests the possibility of a wider spectrum of biological activity than previously thought. Birch bud extracts could be a promising source of compounds with cytotoxic activity against various cancers.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Betula; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Humans; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Neoplasms; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 30106978
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201949 -
Case Reports in Emergency Medicine 2018Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare but important cause of acute coronary syndrome with a spectrum of disease that can include unstable angina, acute...
INTRODUCTION
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare but important cause of acute coronary syndrome with a spectrum of disease that can include unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, or sudden cardiac death. It has also been found in case reports to be caused by shear stress from physical exertion. We present a rare cycling induced SCAD that occurred in our institution in an otherwise healthy male with no cardiac risk factors.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 36-year-old male presented to the emergency department with complaints of lightheadedness and diaphoresis after a bicycle fall. In the emergency department, he complained of feeling lightheaded and diaphoretic and having mid back pain. Patient had an ECG performed which showed lateral ST segment elevation and troponin I that was positive. A coronary angiography was subsequently performed demonstrating a spontaneous coronary artery dissection of left anterior descending coronary artery.
CONCLUSION
SCAD is a rare cause of myocardial infarction, occurring in healthy individuals, which is rarely reported in the literature. Nearly 70% are diagnosed in postmortem studies after sudden cardiac death. Only 12 cases have been reported from activities involving physical exertion and no studies to our knowledge demonstrate this.
PubMed: 29984009
DOI: 10.1155/2018/2740513 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2018Periostracum cicadae, the cast-off shell of the cicada Fabricius, is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its diaphoretic, anticonvulsive, sedative, antipyretic,...
Periostracum cicadae, the cast-off shell of the cicada Fabricius, is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its diaphoretic, anticonvulsive, sedative, antipyretic, and antiallergic effects. However, the exact pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) remains unclear, thereby hindering investigations to identify novel therapeutic agents. A rat IgAN model was established by administration of bovine serum albumin, lipopolysaccharide, and carbon tetrachloride, which simultaneously established blood stasis and a heat syndrome model. The animals were sacrificed to detect changes in protein levels in urine and blood. Immunofluorescence was performed to assess IgA deposition in the glomeruli. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematology and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling), and immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate histopathological changes in kidney tissues. Additionally, target-related proteins were measured by Western blotting. Periostracum cicadae resulted in a reduction in blood and urine protein levels. Serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels significantly decreased in the periostracum cicadae-treated groups compared to the IgAN group. Furthermore, a reduction in MCP-1 (Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1), TLR4 ((Toll-Like Receptor 4)), and IgA expression levels and a dose-dependent increase in caspase 3 expression were observed in response to periostracum cicadae treatment. TGF-β1(Transforming Growth Factor-β) levels decreased, whereas that of Fas increased in the kidney tissues of the periostracum cicadae-treated groups. The findings of the present study indicate that periostracum cicadae induces apoptosis and improves kidney inflammation and fibrosis in IgA nephropathy rat models.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; Complex Mixtures; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Glomerulonephritis, IGA; Hemiptera; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley
PubMed: 29844269
DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061599 -
Journal of Functional Foods Jan 2018European black elderberry naturally occurs in most of Europe and has been introduced into various parts of the world for fruit and flower production. Elderberry is rich... (Review)
Review
European black elderberry naturally occurs in most of Europe and has been introduced into various parts of the world for fruit and flower production. Elderberry is rich in nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fatty acids, organic acids, minerals, vitamins and essential oils. Elderberry also contains cyanogenic glycosides which are potentially toxic. Polyphenols, known for their free radical scavenging (antioxidant) activity, are the most important group of bioactive compounds present in elderberry in relatively high concentration. The high antioxidant activity of elderberry fruit and flowers is associated with their therapeutic properties. Elderberry has for a long time been used in folk medicine as a diaphoretic, antipyretic and diuretic agent. In recent years it was also found to have antibacterial, antiviral antidepressant and antitumour and hypoglycemic properties, and to reduce body fat and lipid concentration. Due to its health-promoting and sensory properties, elderberry is used primarily in food and pharmaceutical industry.
PubMed: 32362939
DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2017.11.025 -
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) Nov 2017A 71-year-old male with a medical history of hypertension was admitted to emergency department with hypertensive pulmonary edema. The patient appeared anxious and...
A 71-year-old male with a medical history of hypertension was admitted to emergency department with hypertensive pulmonary edema. The patient appeared anxious and diaphoretic, and physical examination revealed tachypnea, crepitant rales in the both lungs and a systolic ejection murmur at the right sternal border, radiating to the both carotid arteries. The electrocardiography showed sinus tachycardia with indications of left ventricle hypertrophy Before the aortic valve surgery, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was performed for detailed evaluation of the aortic valve. Two-dimensional TEE showed mild tricuspid valve regurgitation and only two of three leaflets of the tricuspid valve at a time.
Topics: Aged; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Electrocardiography; Humans; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Male; Pulmonary Edema; Tricuspid Valve; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency
PubMed: 29071741
DOI: 10.1111/echo.13728 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2017Ephedra have been used as a common traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. However, the perspiration effect of the unprocessed ephedra was too strong....
Comparative Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Three Ephedrines in Rat after Oral Administration of Unprocessed and Honey-Fried Ephedra Extract by Response Surface Experimental Design.
Ephedra have been used as a common traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. However, the perspiration effect of the unprocessed ephedra was too strong. Clinical trials have shown that processing methods play a critical role in moderating the perspiration property of ephedra according to the needs. A LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated to compare the pharmacokinetic properties of the three ephedrines after oral administration of unprocessed and honey-fried ephedra extract. The contents of honey, frying temperature, and frying time were set at 20%, 116°C, and 7 min by the Box-Behnken response surface method, respectively. In the pharmacokinetics study, the biosamples were pretreated and extracted by protein precipitation method with acetonitrile and separated on an Agilent TC-C column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 m) using a mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid methanol and 5 mM ammonium acetate aqueous solution (5 : 95, v/v). All calibration curves were linear ( > 0.9932) with lower limits of quantitation (LLOQs) < 12 ng/mL. The mean recoveries of the three analytes were higher than 75%. The pharmacokinetics study indicated that the reduced absorption of ephedrine hydrochloride (EH) and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PEH) in honey-fried ephedra group might be the main reason for the moderation of the diaphoretic property.
PubMed: 28706557
DOI: 10.1155/2017/2802193 -
Journal of Renal Nutrition : the... Sep 2017Diaphoresis therapy to remove water and solutes for the treatment of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic dialysis patients is an inadequately characterized... (Review)
Review
Diaphoresis therapy to remove water and solutes for the treatment of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic dialysis patients is an inadequately characterized treatment that was first reported over 50 years ago. Intensive diaphoresis, induced by heat treatment with saunas (dry heat) or hot baths (wet heat), can substantially increase cutaneous losses of water, urea, sodium, potassium, chloride, lactate, and possibly other solutes. How effectively diaphoresis therapy might remove many uremic toxins is not known. Diaphoresis therapy is not sufficiently effective to replace dialysis treatments, but theoretically it might be used to delay the start of chronic dialysis, supplement infrequent dialysis therapy, or augment chronic dialysis treatment perhaps especially for dialysis patients with excessive salt and water intake. Diaphoresis might be helpful for managing edema resistant states. Because it is inexpensive, diaphoresis may be particularly valuable in lower income countries where some patients may need to pay for dialysis. Diaphoresis might enhance some aspects of dietary treatment. The short-term and long-term effectiveness, safety, and patient acceptance of diaphoretic therapy need to be more carefully investigated.
Topics: Baths; Humans; Renal Dialysis; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Steam Bath; Sweat; Sweating
PubMed: 28668284
DOI: 10.1053/j.jrn.2017.04.008 -
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin Sep 2017Sulfuretin is a natural flavonoid found in the plant Rhus verniciflua STOKES. The plant has been traditionally used as medicinal agent for antiviral, cathartic,...
Sulfuretin is a natural flavonoid found in the plant Rhus verniciflua STOKES. The plant has been traditionally used as medicinal agent for antiviral, cathartic, diaphoretic, anti-rheumatic and sedative activities in East Asia. In this study we isolated and identified sulfuretin from R. verniciflua and investigated its anti-adipogenic activity against 3T3-L1 preadipocytes cells. We evaluated the effects of sulfuretin on the adipogenic transcription factors like peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), fatty acid synthase (FAS), Fabp4, adiponectin and zinc fingerprint protein (Zfp) 521 by gene expression (real-time QPCR) and Western blot analysis. Sulfuretin treatment at Day 0 and 2 showed significant reduction of lipid production in 3T3-L1 cells in concentration dependent manner. Gene expression analysis (real-time PCR) revealed that sulfuretin inhibited the both major adipogenic factors (C/EBPα, C/EBPβ and PPARγ) and minor adipogenic factors (sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP1c), adiponectin, FAS, Fabp4, Zfp423, and Ebf1). Western blot analysis showed the increased expression of β-catenin and suppression of PPARγ after sulfuretin treatment. Overall, sulfuretin is a natural flavonoid having potent anti-adipogenic activity through the suppression of major adipogenic factors C/EBPα, C/EBPβ and PPARγ, which initiate adipogenesis.
Topics: 3T3-L1 Cells; Adipocytes; Adipogenesis; Adipose Tissue; Animals; Anti-Obesity Agents; Benzofurans; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins; DNA-Binding Proteins; Flavonoids; Gene Expression; Mice; Obesity; PPAR gamma; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Rhus; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1; Transcription Factors; beta Catenin
PubMed: 28579594
DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b17-00049 -
The American Journal of Case Reports May 2017BACKGROUND Isolated ST elevation in lead aVR in combination with global ST depression with normalization after rehydration is a unique electrocardiographic pattern that...
BACKGROUND Isolated ST elevation in lead aVR in combination with global ST depression with normalization after rehydration is a unique electrocardiographic pattern that is associated with a broad range of diagnoses. Its association with left main coronary artery disease and other acute coronary syndromes suggest the need for early and aggressive cardiac evaluation. CASE REPORT A 53-year-old man presented with altered mental status and loss of consciousness. He was unresponsive, hypotensive, tachycardiac, and diaphoretic. An initial ECG showed diffuse ST depression with isolated ST elevation in lead aVR, and initial troponin levels were negative. After rehydration, a repeat ECG showed sinus rhythm without ischemic changes. An emergent echocardiogram showed severe aortic stenosis and global hypokinesis. Repeat troponin results were elevated. The patient had 2 subsequent cardiac arrests. Emergent cardiac catheterization showed an occluded right coronary artery with collaterals and complete occlusion of the LAD. Urgent intra-aortic balloon pump was placed, followed by coronary artery bypass graft, aortic valve replacement, and a placement of a left ventricular assist device. Despite maximal hemodynamic support, the patient died after cardiac arrest due to massive myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS Normalization of diffuse ST depression with isolated aVR ST elevation on electrocardiography with improvement in clinical and hemodynamic status through fluid resuscitation can mask a stuttering myocardial infarction given its association with left main coronary artery disease and partial right coronary artery occlusion.
Topics: Aortic Valve Stenosis; Coronary Occlusion; Electrocardiography; Fatal Outcome; Fluid Therapy; Heart Arrest; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction
PubMed: 28529306
DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.902510 -
BMC Research Notes May 2017Ventricular tachycardia is a life threatening cardiac arrhythmia. It needs management with defibrillation, without which, immediate death may occur.
BACKGROUND
Ventricular tachycardia is a life threatening cardiac arrhythmia. It needs management with defibrillation, without which, immediate death may occur.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 66 year old black African patient with a 2 year history of hypertension was admitted to the emergency department of the Buea Regional hospital, a semi-urban setting in Cameroon, after presenting with syncope while in church. The wife described a similar episode 2 weeks prior without any further evaluation. Upon arrival at the emergency, patient had regained consciousness but lethargic, tachypneic and diaphoretic. The blood pressure was 85/61 mmHg; the pulse was 219/min, weak and thready. He had cold extremities. A 12 lead electrocardiogram performed showed a sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia at 230/min. He was administered six tablets of amiodarone, oxygen by nasal cannula and intravenous fluids. No electrical cardioversion was attempted due to the non availability of a defibrillator. Outcome was fatal with death of the patient 30 min after his arrival to the emergency.
CONCLUSION
Our health facilities should be well equipped for resuscitative measures by adopting Advanced Cardiac Life Support as cardiovascular diseases are becoming more frequent in our settings.
Topics: Aged; Amiodarone; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Cameroon; Electrocardiography; Fatal Outcome; Heart Rate; Humans; Male; Syncope; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Treatment Failure
PubMed: 28482930
DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2501-4