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Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024This present study aims to characterize the essential oil compositions of the aerial parts of L. and endemic ssp. (Heinr. Braun) Harley by using GC-FID and GC/MS...
This present study aims to characterize the essential oil compositions of the aerial parts of L. and endemic ssp. (Heinr. Braun) Harley by using GC-FID and GC/MS analyses simultaneously. In addition, it aims to perform multivariate statistical analysis by comparing with the existing literature, emphasizing the literature published within the last two decades, conducted on both species growing within the Mediterranean Basin. The major essential oil components of were determined as carvone (67.8%) and limonene (10.6%), while the major compounds of ssp. essential oil were pulegone (64.8%) and 1,8-cineole (10.0%). As a result of statistical analysis, three clades were determined for : a carvone-rich chemotype, a carvone/-carveol chemotype, and a pulegone/menthone chemotype, with the present study result belonging to the carvone-rich chemotype. Carvone was a primary determinant of chemotype, along with menthone, pulegone, and -carveol. In , the primary determinants of chemotype were identified as pulegone and menthone, with three chemotype clades being pulegone-rich, combined menthone/pulegone, and combined menthone/pulegone with caryophyllene enrichment. The primary determinants of chemotype were menthone, pulegone, and caryophyllene. The present study result belongs to pulegone-rich chemotype.
Topics: Oils, Volatile; Mentha; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Mentha spicata; Multivariate Analysis; Mediterranean Region; Cyclohexane Monoterpenes; Monoterpenes; Limonene; Terpenes; Menthol
PubMed: 38731461
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29091970 -
Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official... May 2024Menthol influences the appeal and addictiveness of cigarette smoking, however the data regarding menthol's effects on nicotine pharmacokinetics (PK) and smoking...
INTRODUCTION
Menthol influences the appeal and addictiveness of cigarette smoking, however the data regarding menthol's effects on nicotine pharmacokinetics (PK) and smoking topography are inconsistent. This study investigated the impact of different cigarette menthol levels on nicotine pharmacology and smoking topography in current menthol smokers.
AIMS AND METHODS
The study was a double-blind, randomized, four-period, crossover study to investigate the effects of smoking cigarettes with varying menthol content (0, 3, 6, and 12 mg menthol) on nicotine PK, smoking topography, and subjective effects in current menthol smokers. Each experimental session consisted of a prescribed use session, followed by 145 min of no smoking and a 1-h ad libitum smoking session. Serial blood samples were collected; smoking topography was recorded using CReSS Lab topography device.
RESULTS
There was no significant effect of menthol on nicotine PK after prescribed smoking of cigarettes with varying menthol contents. During ad libitum smoking, there was significantly smaller total puff volume and puff duration in the 12 mg menthol condition compared to other menthol conditions. Subjective and sensory measures indicated significantly higher overall positive ratings for the 3 mg and 6 mg menthol cigarettes compared to the 0 mg menthol cigarette; the 12 mg menthol cigarette was less liked and harsher than the 3 mg condition.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that menthol, at concentrations reflecting the marketplace (3-6 mg), contributes to positive subjective smoking experiences among menthol smokers, but does not have a significant effect on nicotine PK or smoking topography in an acute laboratory setting.
IMPLICATIONS
While our data indicate that varying menthol content does not have a significant impact on nicotine's pharmacological effects under acute exposure conditions, these data highlight the contribution of menthol's flavor and sensory effects to product preference and positive smoking experiences, which facilitate repeated experimentation, progression to regular use, and subsequent dependence.
PubMed: 38728416
DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntae102 -
Substance Use & Misuse 2024People's reaction to the FDA's ban on flavored cigarettes and cigars may be modified by a concurrent ban on flavored e-cigarettes. We aim to estimate the prevalence of...
INTRODUCTION
People's reaction to the FDA's ban on flavored cigarettes and cigars may be modified by a concurrent ban on flavored e-cigarettes. We aim to estimate the prevalence of smoking and e-cigarette use among U.S. adults under various ban scenarios.
METHODS
We collected the reactions of people who used cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes reactions to three hypothetical ban scenarios, (1) restricting menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars only, or (2) further restricting e-cigarettes with any flavors except menthol or tobacco, or (3) further restricting e-cigarettes with all flavors. The above data were analyzed to identify determinants of reactions and to estimate and calibrate the probabilities of quitting and switching to non-flavored cigarettes and cigars. Afterward, the probabilities were applied to 2018-2019 TUS-CPS respondents to estimate the prevalence of smoking and e-cigarette use.
RESULTS
Compared with the baseline, the prevalence of smoking decreased from 12.6% to 10.5%, and e-cigarette use increased from 2.6% to 3.8% in Scenario No.1. In Scenario No.2 and No.3, the prevalence of smoking was 10.5% and 10.7%, and the prevalence of e-cigarette use were 3.1% and 2.4%, respectively. For black people, the prevalence of smoking decreased from 14.2% in baseline to 8.1%-8.8% in three scenarios.
CONCLUSIONS
The result indicated that for a ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, a concurrent ban on flavored e-cigarettes with an exemption of menthol flavor could be more effective in encouraging people to quit smoking. Black people may see a disproportionate benefit from all ban scenarios compared with other race/ethics groups.
Topics: Humans; Adult; United States; Menthol; Female; Male; Prevalence; Flavoring Agents; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Young Adult; Tobacco Products; Middle Aged; Vaping; Adolescent; Smoking
PubMed: 38725334
DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2352616 -
Advances in Experimental Medicine and... 2024Atopic dermatitis has a substantial impact on sleep, appearance, psychological well-being, and other qualities of life. The visual appearance of lichenification,...
Atopic dermatitis has a substantial impact on sleep, appearance, psychological well-being, and other qualities of life. The visual appearance of lichenification, cheilitis, hyperpigmentation, ichthyosis, and erythema can be socially stigmatizing, and treatment of these symptoms is challenging. In managing pruritus in patients, practitioners should assess and document pruritus through questionnaires at each routine visit. Initially, practitioners should advise patients to employ nonpharmaceutical treatments such as emollients with wet wraps, elimination of triggers, changing scratching habits, and psychological interventions. If these methods of treatment are not successful or if the disease presentation is severe, pharmacological therapies should be employed. This chapter describes the therapeutic ladder for pruritus in atopic dermatitis and discusses each treatment modality in further detail for practitioners to advise their patients.First-line topical pharmaceutical agents include topical glucocorticoids and topical calcineurin inhibitors. Second-line topical agents include coal tar, menthol, capsaicin, or doxepin. After the use of topical agents has been exhausted, primary systemic agents can be applied. These include sedating antihistamines, nonsedating antihistamines, oral glucocorticoids, or cyclosporine A. Finally, neuromodulating or immunomodulating agents can be attempted, including SSRI/SNRIs, TCAs, immunosuppressants, neural modulators, and opioid receptor modulators. Outside of pharmacological treatments, phototherapy has been shown to provide a dramatic improvement of pruritus in atopic dermatitis and can be used at any stage of treatment including as a first-line agent.
Topics: Humans; Antipruritics; Calcineurin Inhibitors; Dermatitis, Atopic; Glucocorticoids; Histamine Antagonists; Phototherapy; Pruritus
PubMed: 38724794
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-54513-9_16 -
Scientific Reports May 2024Bosentan is a drug used to treat pulmonary hypertension via dual endothelial receptor antagonism. Bosentan has a restricted oral bioavailability, a problem that's mostly...
Bosentan is a drug used to treat pulmonary hypertension via dual endothelial receptor antagonism. Bosentan has a restricted oral bioavailability, a problem that's mostly due to poor solubility and hepatic metabolism. It is extensively used for the elderly and children who require a friendly dosage form like orodispersible tablets. So, the goal of this research work was to hasten the dissolution rate of bosentan to produce an orodispersible tablet with immediate drug release. Bosentan was exposed to ethanol-assisted kneading with a rise of xylitol or menthol concentrations (1:1 and 1:2 molar ratio of bosentan with excipient). In addition to observing the dissolution behavior, the resulting dry products were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The FTIR reflected possible hydrogen bonding with xylitol and menthol. DSC studies reflected a reduction in the enthalpy and Tm. These results with XRD data reflected partial co-amorphization in the case of xylitol and eutaxia in the case of menthol. These modifications were related to an accelerated dissolving rate. The developed systems were fabricated as orodispersible tablets which exhibited immediate release of bosentan. Thus, the current study offered simple co-processing for the preparation of orodispersible bosentan tablets.
Topics: Bosentan; Xylitol; Tablets; Menthol; Solubility; Administration, Oral; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Drug Liberation; X-Ray Diffraction; Excipients; Humans; Drug Compounding; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning
PubMed: 38724608
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60494-9 -
Immunology May 2024Our newly developed menthyl esters of valine and isoleucine exhibit anti-inflammatory properties beyond those of the well-known menthol in macrophages stimulated by...
Our newly developed menthyl esters of valine and isoleucine exhibit anti-inflammatory properties beyond those of the well-known menthol in macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and in a mouse model of colitis induced by sodium dextran sulfate. Unlike menthol, which acts primarily through the cold-sensitive TRPM8 channel, these menthyl esters displayed unique mechanisms that operate independently of this receptor. They readily penetrated target cells and efficiently suppressed LPS-stimulated tumour necrosis factor-alpha (Tnf) expression mediated by liver X receptor (LXR), a key nuclear receptor that regulates intracellular cholesterol and lipid balance. The menthyl esters showed affinity for LXR and enhanced the transcriptional activity through their non-competitive and potentially synergistic agonistic effect. This effect can be attributed to the crucial involvement of SCD1, an enzyme regulated by LXR, which is central to lipid metabolism and plays a key role in the anti-inflammatory response. In addition, we discovered that the menthyl esters showed remarkable efficacy in suppressing adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes at the mitotic clonal expansion stage in an LXR-independent manner as well as in mice subjected to diet-induced obesity. These multiple capabilities of our compounds establish them as formidable allies in the fight against inflammation and obesity, paving the way for a range of potential therapeutic applications.
PubMed: 38720202
DOI: 10.1111/imm.13798 -
Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi =... May 2024An elderly woman with a 1-year history of pulmonary shadows was admitted because of intermittent cough and sputum production for 2 months. Chest computed tomography (CT)...
An elderly woman with a 1-year history of pulmonary shadows was admitted because of intermittent cough and sputum production for 2 months. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans showed bilateral consolidations and ground-glass opacities, with areas of low attenuation inside consolidative opacities on the mediastinal window. Previous history of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and long-term use of a compound menthol nasal drops provided were important clues to the diagnosis. CT scan-guided needle lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed, and lipid-laden macrophages were confirmed in both bronchoalveolar lavage and lung tissue. Final diagnosis of exogenous lipoid pneumonia was made on the basis of her risk factors for aspiration, history of oil exposure, and classic radiological and histopathological features. Symptoms improved after discontinuation of causative exposure. It is important for clinicians to raise awareness of exogenous lipoid pneumonia and other aspiration lung diseases.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Pneumonia, Lipid; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Lung
PubMed: 38706066
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112147-20231103-00290 -
The Lancet. Oncology Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Menthol; Tobacco Products; United States; Tobacco Industry; Government Regulation
PubMed: 38705165
DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00254-7 -
Harm Reduction Journal May 2024Although electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) appear to be effective in helping people who smoke to stop smoking, concerns about use of e-cigarettes among young people...
Exploring the opinions and potential impact of unflavoured e-liquid on smoking cessation among people who smoke and smoking relapse among people who previously smoked and now use e-cigarettes: findings from a UK-based mixed methods study.
BACKGROUND
Although electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) appear to be effective in helping people who smoke to stop smoking, concerns about use of e-cigarettes among young people have led to restrictions on non-tobacco flavoured e-liquids in some countries and some US states. These restrictions could reduce the appeal of these products to non-smoking youth but could have negative consequences for people who smoke or use e-cigarettes.
METHODS
In this mixed methods study, we recruited UK adults who smoked or used to smoke and subsequently vaped to explore their opinions of unflavoured e-liquids and their beliefs about how they would be impacted by hypothetical e-liquid flavour restrictions. Participants trialled an unflavoured e-liquid instead of their usual nicotine product for four hours and completed a survey and an online interview.
RESULTS
Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis and graphically presented data, we found differences in participants' opinions of unflavoured e-liquid. If only unflavoured, tobacco flavoured, and menthol flavoured e-liquids remained on the UK market, some people who smoke or vape may be unaffected, but some may relapse to smoking or continue smoking. Despite most wanting to prevent young people from initiating vaping, participants had varying opinions on whether flavour restrictions would be an effective method.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings highlight that people who smoke and vape could be impacted by flavour restrictions in a range of ways, some of which could have a potential adverse impact on harm reduction efforts in the UK (e.g., by making smoking more appealing than vaping).
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; United Kingdom; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Adult; Smoking Cessation; Flavoring Agents; Vaping; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Recurrence
PubMed: 38702809
DOI: 10.1186/s12954-024-01003-z -
MedRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Apr 2024Massachusetts (MA) enacted statewide regulation on all flavored tobacco products in June 2020. Thereafter, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) labeled 'clear' emerged...
INTRODUCTION
Massachusetts (MA) enacted statewide regulation on all flavored tobacco products in June 2020. Thereafter, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) labeled 'clear' emerged on the market. We aimed to combine cardiovascular health effects with chemical analysis of 'clear' e-cigarettes.
METHODS
We measured acute changes in blood pressure and heart rate following a 10-minute structured use of participants' own e-cigarette, comparing 'clear' e-cigarette users with other flavored e-cigarette users and non-users. Chemical characterization and quantification of relevant flavorings and cooling agents (WS-3, WS-23) of 19 'clear'-labeled disposable e-cigarette liquids was carried out by GC/MS.
RESULTS
After the ban, participants that used 'clear' labeled e-cigarettes increased from 0% to 21%. Increase in diastolic blood pressure and heart rate was significantly greater in 'clear' e-cigarettes users (n=22) compared to both non-'clear' flavored e-cigarette users (n=114) and non-users (n=72). We saw similar results in heart rate when comparing Juul e-cigarette and 'clear' users; Juul was used as a reference as synthetic coolants WS-3 or WS-23 were not detected in these.All (19/19) 'clear' e-liquids were found to contain synthetic cooling agents WS-23 and/or WS-3, menthol (18/19), as well as other flavorings (12/19).
DISCUSSION
The detected presence of menthol alongside other flavorings in tested 'clear' products is a direct violation of the MA flavored tobacco product regulation, warranting stricter monitoring for new products and constituents. 'clear' e-cigarette use led to greater hemodynamic effects compared to other flavored e-cigarettes and Juul, which raises questions about the effect of cooling agents on users.
PubMed: 38699355
DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.18.24305863