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Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing :... May 2024This study aimed to determine the effect of menthol ice application on thirst, dry mouth, mouth taste, and bad mouth odor in patients who underwent laparoscopic...
PURPOSE
This study aimed to determine the effect of menthol ice application on thirst, dry mouth, mouth taste, and bad mouth odor in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the postoperative period.
DESIGN
The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial with an experimental design.
METHODS
The study sample consisted of 90 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and met the inclusion criteria. Patients were divided into three groups by randomization program. Patients in the menthol ice and ice popsicle (ice prepared with drinking water only) group were administered menthol ice/ice popsicle (10 mL) twice at 20 minutes intervals. Patients in the control group did not receive any intervention. Routine practices of the clinic were performed by the nurses of the general surgery clinic. Postoperative thirst intensity, severity of dry mouth, bad taste, and bad odor in the mouth were evaluated at 0, 20, and 40 minutes.
FINDINGS
No statistically significant difference was found between the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients in the control group, menthol ice group, and ice popsicle group (P > .05). A statistically significant difference was found between the 3 groups in terms of thirst intensity and severity of dry mouth at times at the 20th and 40th minutes after the application (P < .01). We found a statistically significant difference between the bad taste and bad odor sensation scores of the patients in the control and intervention groups at the 20th and 40th minutes after the application (P < .05).
CONCLUSIONS
The study concluded that menthol ice and ice popsicle application are effective strategies to reduce the intensity of thirst, severity of dry mouth, bad taste, and bad odor in postoperative patients.
PubMed: 38795086
DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2023.12.024 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2024Microglia are key players in the brain's innate immune response, contributing to homeostatic and reparative functions but also to inflammatory and underlying mechanisms... (Review)
Review
Microglia are key players in the brain's innate immune response, contributing to homeostatic and reparative functions but also to inflammatory and underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Targeting microglia and modulating their function may have therapeutic potential for mitigating neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils suggest that some of their components may be useful in regulating microglial function and microglial-associated neuroinflammation. This study, starting from the ethnopharmacological premises of the therapeutic benefits of aromatic plants, assessed the evidence for the essential oil modulation of microglia, investigating their potential pharmacological mechanisms. Current knowledge of the phytoconstituents, safety of essential oil components, and anti-inflammatory and potential neuroprotective effects were reviewed. This review encompasses essential oils of spp., spp., , , spp., and others as well as some of their components including 1,8-cineole, -caryophyllene, -patchoulene, carvacrol, -ionone, eugenol, geraniol, menthol, linalool, thymol, -asarone, and -thujone. Essential oils that target PPAR/PI3K-Akt/MAPK signalling pathways could supplement other approaches to modulate microglial-associated inflammation to treat neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in cases where reactive microglia play a part in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Microglia; Neuroprotective Agents; Humans; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Animals
PubMed: 38791205
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105168 -
ACS Chemical Neuroscience Jun 2024Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the aging brain are correlated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The...
Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the aging brain are correlated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses a significant challenge to the effective delivery of therapeutics for AD. Prior research has demonstrated that menthol (Men) can augment the permeability of the BBB. Consequently, in the current study, we modified Men on the surface of liposomes to construct menthol-modified quercetin liposomes (Men-Qu-Lips), designed to cross the BBB and enhance quercetin (Qu) concentration in the brain for improved therapeutic efficacy. The experimental findings indicate that Men-Qu-Lips exhibited good encapsulation efficiency and stability, successfully crossed the BBB, improved oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the brains of aged mice, protected neurons, and enhanced their learning and memory abilities.
Topics: Quercetin; Animals; Liposomes; Alzheimer Disease; Mice; Brain; Menthol; Blood-Brain Barrier; Male; Aging; Oxidative Stress; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38780450
DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00109 -
Planta May 2024Transcription factors MhMYB1 and MhMYB2 correlate with monoterpenoid biosynthesis pathway in l-menthol chemotype of Mentha haplocalyx Briq, which could affect the...
Transcription factors MhMYB1 and MhMYB2 correlate with monoterpenoid biosynthesis pathway in l-menthol chemotype of Mentha haplocalyx Briq, which could affect the contents of ( -)-menthol and ( -)-menthone. Mentha haplocalyx Briq., a plant with traditional medicinal and edible uses, is renowned for its rich essential oil content. The distinct functional activities and aromatic flavors of mint essential oils arise from various chemotypes. While the biosynthetic pathways of the main monoterpenes in mint are well understood, the regulatory mechanisms governing different chemotypes remain inadequately explored. In this investigation, we identified and cloned two transcription factor genes from the M. haplocalyx MYB family, namely MhMYB1 (PP236792) and MhMYB2 (PP236793), previously identified by our research group. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that MhMYB1 possesses two conserved MYB domains, while MhMYB2 contains a conserved SANT domain. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) analysis results demonstrated that both MhMYB1 and MhMYB2 interacted with the promoter regions of MhMD and MhPR, critical enzymes in the monoterpenoid biosynthesis pathway of M. haplocalyx. Subsequent virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of MhMYB1 and MhMYB2 led to a significant reduction (P < 0.01) in the relative expression levels of MhMD and MhPR genes in the VIGS groups of M. haplocalyx. In addition, there was a noteworthy decrease (P < 0.05) in the contents of ( -)-menthol and ( -)-menthone in the essential oil of M. haplocalyx. These findings suggest that MhMYB1 and MhMYB2 transcription factors play a positive regulatory role in ( -)-menthol biosynthesis, consequently influencing the essential oil composition in the l-menthol chemotype of M. haplocalyx. This study serves as a pivotal foundation for unraveling the regulatory mechanisms governing monoterpenoid biosynthesis in different chemotypes of M. haplocalyx.
Topics: Transcription Factors; Mentha; Monoterpenes; Plant Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Menthol; Oils, Volatile; Biosynthetic Pathways; Promoter Regions, Genetic
PubMed: 38767800
DOI: 10.1007/s00425-024-04441-y -
Journal of Natural Medicines May 2024Menthae Herba is an herbal medicine whose name is written with the same kanji characters () in both the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, 18th Edition (JP) and in the...
Menthae Herba is an herbal medicine whose name is written with the same kanji characters () in both the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, 18th Edition (JP) and in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (CP). However, the original plant are Mentha arvensis Linné var. piperascens Malinvaud in JP and Mentha haplocalyx Briq. in CP. To clarify the similarities and differences between Menthae Herba in Japan and that in China, morphological observations, essential oil component analysis, and DNA analysis were performed on marketed products of Menthae Herba in Japan and in China. The morphological observations based on the description of JP Menthae Herba showed that most of the samples matched the items listed in the description. Essential oil component analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that the amount of menthol varied among samples and that menthol was not always the principal compound in the oil. The original plant species was confirmed by DNA analysis of the rpl16 intron region in chloroplast DNA and all samples matched the sequence of M. canadensis. The results showed that Menthae Herba products distributed in both Japan and China contained M. canadensis, but they had different compositions of essential oil, with menthol-rich Menthae Herba being dominant in the Japanese market.
PubMed: 38764002
DOI: 10.1007/s11418-024-01822-1 -
Drug and Alcohol Dependence Jul 2024E-cigarette flavors that produce cooling sensations may reduce nicotine harshness and enhance appeal among youth. While previous research has shown that use of cooling...
BACKGROUND
E-cigarette flavors that produce cooling sensations may reduce nicotine harshness and enhance appeal among youth. While previous research has shown that use of cooling flavors is associated with more frequent vaping among youth, it is unknown whether the same holds true for e-cigarette dependence. This study examines the relationship between cooling flavor use and e-cigarette dependence among youth accounting for vaping frequency.
METHODS
In Fall 2022, a survey was conducted among Connecticut high school students to assess past-month nicotine e-cigarette use, ever use of cooling flavors, cooling flavor types (e.g., fruit-cooling), and e-cigarette dependence. Analyses were restricted to those with past-month nicotine and nicotine-free e-cigarette use and complete data (n=204). Multivariable linear regressions were run to examine the association between cooling flavor use and e-cigarette dependence, adjusting for demographics, e-cigarette use characteristics, and other tobacco product use.
RESULTS
78.4% of the sample used cooling e-cigarette flavors, with 55.0% using mint-cooling flavors and 52.5% using fruit-cooling flavors. Regression results observed that cooling flavor use was associated with higher e-cigarette dependence (ꞵ=1.53, SE=0.63, p=0.017), with those who used cooling flavors having higher e-cigarette dependence than those who did not (M=5.78 [SD=5.33] vs. 2.84 [3.19]).
CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that cooling flavor use is significantly associated with e-cigarette dependence among youth. While regulations often target menthol flavor, tobacco control agencies should consider restricting any flavor that can produce cooling sensations, even if they are not traditional menthol products, as cooling flavors is associated with youth e-cigarette dependence.
Topics: Humans; Adolescent; Female; Flavoring Agents; Male; Vaping; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Connecticut; Tobacco Use Disorder; Students
PubMed: 38744108
DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111325 -
Preventive Medicine Jul 2024E-cigarette flavors can create sensations of sweetness and coolness while masking the aversiveness of nicotine. Recently, non-tobacco nicotine (NTN) products were...
BACKGROUND
E-cigarette flavors can create sensations of sweetness and coolness while masking the aversiveness of nicotine. Recently, non-tobacco nicotine (NTN) products were introduced to the market, but little is known about flavors in NTN e-cigarette use. We examined associations between flavors (i.e., sweet, mint/menthol) and susceptibility to and use of NTN e-cigarettes.
METHODS
1239 US young adults (18-25 years) completed an anonymous, online survey in Fall 2021. The analytic sample included 520 participants who had used e-cigarettes and heard of NTN. Multinomial logistic regression models analyzed associations of flavored e-cigarette use (sweet and mint/menthol) with NTN e-cigarette use status (i.e., current [past-month] use, past [ever but not current] use, susceptible to use, and non-susceptible to use [reference]).
RESULTS
Overall, 46.2% of participants reported current NTN use, 14.8% reported past use, 16.7% were susceptible to use, and 22.3% reported no susceptibility. Participants reported dual-use of sweet and mint/menthol NTN e-cigarette flavors (56.5%), sweet flavors use (24.8%), and mint/menthol flavor use (1.7%). Ever dual use of sweet and mint/menthol flavors was associated with current (OR = 9.64, 95%CI: 3.21-28.98) and past NTN e-cigarette use (8.30, [2.10-32.80]). Ever sweet flavor use was associated with current NTN use (3.80, 95%CI: 1.44-10.03) and susceptibility to future use (4.25, [1.53-11.81]). Similar findings were observed for mint/menthol flavors (current: 5.03, [1.41-17.99]; susceptible: 5.65, [1.64-19.51]).
CONCLUSION
The use of sweet and mint/menthol flavors was significantly associated with NTN e-cigarette use among US young adults, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance of flavored NTN e-cigarettes and appropriate regulations to discourage use.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Flavoring Agents; United States; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Adult; Young Adult; Vaping; Adolescent; Surveys and Questionnaires; Nicotine
PubMed: 38735588
DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108001 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024spp. are normal intestinal tract microflorae found in poultry. However, the last decades have shown that several species, e.g., , have become emerging pathogens in...
spp. are normal intestinal tract microflorae found in poultry. However, the last decades have shown that several species, e.g., , have become emerging pathogens in broilers and may cause numerous losses in flocks. In this study, two combinations (H1 and H2) of menthol, 1,8-cineol, linalool, methyl salicylate, γ-terpinene, p-cymene, -anethole, terpinen-4-ol and thymol were used in an in vitro model, analyzing its effectiveness against the strains , , , and isolated from broiler chickens from industrial farms. To identify the isolated strains classical microbiological methods and VITEK 2 GP cards were used. Moreover for a PCR test was used.. Antibiotic sensitivity (MIC) tests were performed for all the strains. For the composition H1, the effective dilution for and strains was 1:512, and for , and , 1:1024. The second mixture (H2) showed very similar results with an effectiveness at 1:512 for and and 1:1024 for , and . The presented results suggest that the proposed composition is effective against selected strains of in an in vitro model, and its effect is comparable to classical antibiotics used to treat this pathogen in poultry. This may suggest that this product may also be effective in vivo and provide effective support in the management of enterococcosis in broiler chickens.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Enterococcus; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Poultry Diseases; Probiotics; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections
PubMed: 38732016
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094797 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Solvents prepared from natural terpenes (menthol and thymol), as H-bond acceptors, and a series of organic acids (chain lengths of 8, 10, and 14 C atoms), as H-bond...
Solvents prepared from natural terpenes (menthol and thymol), as H-bond acceptors, and a series of organic acids (chain lengths of 8, 10, and 14 C atoms), as H-bond donors, were characterized and tested as reaction media for liquid-liquid extraction purposes. Due to their high hydrophobicity, they seem to be promising alternatives to conventional (nonpolar and toxic) solvents, since they possess relatively less toxic, less volatile, and consequently, more environmentally friendly characteristics. Assuming that the equilibrium is established between solvent and analyte during a ligandless procedure, it can be concluded that those nonpolar solvents can efficiently extract nonpolar analytes from the aqueous environment. Previous investigations showed a wide range of applications, including their use as solvents in extractions of metal cations, small molecules, and bioactive compounds for food and pharmaceutical applications. In this work, hydrophobic solvents based on natural terpenes, which showed chemical stability and desirable physicochemical and thermal properties, were chosen as potential reaction media in the liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) procedure for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solutions. Low viscosities and high hydrophobicities of prepared solvents were confirmed as desirable properties for their application. Extraction parameters were optimized, and chosen solvents were applied. The results showed satisfactory extraction efficiencies in simple and fast procedures, followed by low solvent consumption. The best results (98%) were obtained by the thymol-based solvent, thymol-decanoic acid (Thy-DecA) 1:1, followed by L-menthol-based solvents: menthol-octanoic acid (Men-OctA) 1:1 with 97% and menthol-decanoic acid (Men-DecA) 1:1 with 94.3% efficiency.
PubMed: 38731611
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092122