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Journal of Applied Microbiology Nov 2017Silver has attracted a lot of attention as a powerful, broad spectrum and natural antimicrobial agent since the ancient times because of its nontoxic nature to the human... (Review)
Review
Silver has attracted a lot of attention as a powerful, broad spectrum and natural antimicrobial agent since the ancient times because of its nontoxic nature to the human body at low concentrations. It has been used in treatment of various infections and ulcers, storage of water and prevention of bacterial growth on the surfaces and within materials. However, there are numerous medical and health benefits of colloidal or nanosilver apart from its microbicidal ability which as yet has not been fully embraced by the medical community. These include antiplatelet activity, antioxidant effect, anticancer activity, wound healing and bone regeneration, enhancement of immunity, and increase in antibiotic efficiency. Additionally silver also provides protection against alcohol toxicity, upper respiratory tract infections and stomach ailments. Although nanosilver has been proposed for various topical applications, its usage by ingestion and inhalation remains controversial due to the lack of detailed and precise toxicity information. These beneficial properties of silver can be utilized by using silver at very low concentrations which are not harmful to the human body and environment. The following review discusses the diverse medical applications of silver and further recommends human clinical studies for its in vivo usage.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Humans; Silver
PubMed: 28650591
DOI: 10.1111/jam.13525 -
Basic & Clinical Pharmacology &... Feb 2012Anacardic acid (AA) is a bioactive phytochemical found in nutshell of Anacardium occidentale. Chemically, it is a mixture of several closely related organic compounds,... (Review)
Review
Anacardic acid (AA) is a bioactive phytochemical found in nutshell of Anacardium occidentale. Chemically, it is a mixture of several closely related organic compounds, each consisting of salicylic acid substituted with an alkyl chain. The traditional Ayurveda depicts nutshell oil as a medicinal remedy for alexeritic, amebicidal, gingivitis, malaria and syphilitic ulcers. However, the enduring research and emerging evidence suggests that AA could be a potent target molecule with bactericide, fungicide, insecticide, anti-termite and molluscicide properties and as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of the most serious pathophysiological disorders like cancer, oxidative damage, inflammation and obesity. Furthermore, AA was found to be a common inhibitor of several clinically targeted enzymes such as NFκB kinase, histone acetyltransferase (HATs), lipoxygenase (LOX-1), xanthine oxidase, tyrosinase and ureases. In view of this, we have made an effort to summarize the ongoing research on the therapeutical role of AA and its derivatives. The current MiniReview sheds light on the pharmacological applications, toxicity and allergic responses associated with AA and its derivatives. Although the available records are promising, much more detailed investigations into the therapeutical properties, particularly the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities, are urgently needed. We hope the present MiniReview will attract and encourage further research on elucidating and appreciating the possible curative properties of AA and its derivatives in the management of multifactorial diseases.
Topics: Anacardic Acids; Anacardium; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Obesity Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Antiparasitic Agents; Histone Acetyltransferases; Humans; Inflammation; NF-kappa B; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 22103711
DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2011.00833.x -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2015Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural terpene compound exhibiting many pharmaceutical properties. In this review the current state of knowledge about the health-promoting... (Review)
Review
Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural terpene compound exhibiting many pharmaceutical properties. In this review the current state of knowledge about the health-promoting properties of this widespread, biologically active compound, as well as information about its occurrence and biosynthesis are presented. Particular attention has been paid to the application of ursolic acid as an anti-cancer agent; it is worth noticing that clinical tests suggesting the possibility of practical use of UA have already been conducted. Amongst other pharmacological properties of UA one can mention protective effect on lungs, kidneys, liver and brain, anti-inflammatory properties, anabolic effects on skeletal muscles and the ability to suppress bone density loss leading to osteoporosis. Ursolic acid also exhibits anti-microbial features against numerous strains of bacteria, HIV and HCV viruses and Plasmodium protozoa causing malaria.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Brain; Heart; Humans; Liver; Plant Extracts; Triterpenes; Ursolic Acid
PubMed: 26610440
DOI: 10.3390/molecules201119721 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Oct 1989The fluoroquinolones, a new class of potent orally absorbed antimicrobial agents, are reviewed, considering structure, mechanisms of action and resistance, spectrum,... (Review)
Review
The fluoroquinolones, a new class of potent orally absorbed antimicrobial agents, are reviewed, considering structure, mechanisms of action and resistance, spectrum, variables affecting activity in vitro, pharmacokinetic properties, clinical efficacy, emergence of resistance, and tolerability. The primary bacterial target is the enzyme deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase. Bacterial resistance occurs by chromosomal mutations altering deoxyribonucleic acid gyrase and decreasing drug permeation. The drugs are bactericidal and potent in vitro against members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, Haemophilus spp., and Neisseria spp., have good activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococci, and (with several exceptions) are less potent against streptococci and have fair to poor activity against anaerobic species. Potency in vitro decreases in the presence of low pH, magnesium ions, or urine but is little affected by different media, increased inoculum, or serum. The effects of the drugs in combination with a beta-lactam or aminoglycoside are often additive, occasionally synergistic, and rarely antagonistic. The agents are orally absorbed, require at most twice-daily dosing, and achieve high concentrations in urine, feces, and kidney and good concentrations in lung, bone, prostate, and other tissues. The drugs are efficacious in treatment of a variety of bacterial infections, including uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections, bacterial gastroenteritis, and gonorrhea, and show promise for therapy of prostatitis, respiratory tract infections, osteomyelitis, and cutaneous infections, particularly when caused by aerobic gram-negative bacilli. Fluoroquinolones have also proved to be efficacious for prophylaxis against travelers' diarrhea and infection with gram-negative bacilli in neutropenic patients. The drugs are effective in eliminating carriage of Neisseria meningitidis. Patient tolerability appears acceptable, with gastrointestinal or central nervous system toxicities occurring most commonly, but only rarely necessitating discontinuance of therapy. In 17 of 18 prospective, randomized, double-blind comparisons with another agent or placebo, fluoroquinolones were tolerated as well as or better than the comparison regimen. Bacterial resistance has been uncommonly documented but occurs, most notably with P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and occasionally other species for which the therapeutic ratio is less favorable. Fluoroquinolones offer an efficacious, well-tolerated, and cost-effective alternative to parenteral therapies of selected infections.
Topics: 4-Quinolones; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Humans
PubMed: 2680058
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.2.4.378 -
Concise evaluation and therapeutic guidelines for severe periodontitis: A public health perspective.Periodontology 2000 Oct 2022The main goal of periodontology is to prevent and arrest gingivitis and periodontitis to avoid tooth loss and focal infection of periodontal origin. Periodontal scaling...
The main goal of periodontology is to prevent and arrest gingivitis and periodontitis to avoid tooth loss and focal infection of periodontal origin. Periodontal scaling or flap surgery of moderate-to-severe periodontitis have shortcomings, most likely because removal of herpesviruses and bacterial pathogens in deep periodontal lesions and the adjacent inflamed gingiva requires systemic antimicrobial treatment (or gingivectomy). Valacyclovir (1000 mg twice daily on day 1, and 500 mg twice daily on day 2 and on day 3) is a potent anti-herpesvirus agent. Antibiotic combinations against bacterial pathogens include amoxicillin-metronidazole (250 mg of each, thrice daily for 4 days; for systemically healthy adults) and ciprofloxacin-metronidazole (500 mg of each, twice daily for 4 days; for immunosuppressed individuals and patients exposed to contaminated water and poor sanitation). Supportive antiseptic treatment may consist of 0.1%-0.2% sodium hypochlorite (regular household bleach) as cooling spray in ultrasonic scalers, flosser fluid in oral irrigators, and mouthrinse in patient self-care. The anti-infective treatment described here helps control cases of severe periodontitis and constitutes an exceedingly inexpensive alternative to conventional (mechanical) periodontal therapy.
Topics: Adult; Amoxicillin; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Ciprofloxacin; Dental Scaling; Humans; Metronidazole; Periodontitis; Public Health; Sodium Hypochlorite; Valacyclovir; Water
PubMed: 35913496
DOI: 10.1111/prd.12463 -
International Journal of Oral Science Oct 2019Effective control of oral biofilm infectious diseases represents a major global challenge. Microorganisms in biofilms exhibit increased drug tolerance compared with... (Review)
Review
Effective control of oral biofilm infectious diseases represents a major global challenge. Microorganisms in biofilms exhibit increased drug tolerance compared with planktonic cells. The present review covers innovative antimicrobial strategies for controlling oral biofilm-related infections published predominantly over the past 5 years. Antimicrobial dental materials based on antimicrobial agent release, contact-killing and multi-functional strategies have been designed and synthesized for the prevention of initial bacterial attachment and subsequent biofilm formation on the tooth and material surface. Among the therapeutic approaches for managing biofilms in clinical practice, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy has emerged as an alternative to antimicrobial regimes and mechanical removal of biofilms, and cold atmospheric plasma shows significant advantages over conventional antimicrobial approaches. Nevertheless, more preclinical studies and appropriately designed and well-structured multi-center clinical trials are critically needed to obtain reliable comparative data. The acquired information will be helpful in identifying the most effective antibacterial solutions and the most optimal circumstances to utilize these strategies.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Bacterial Infections; Biofilms; Humans; Mouth; Plankton
PubMed: 31570700
DOI: 10.1038/s41368-019-0062-1 -
Molecular Diversity Jun 2023The discovery of nalidixic acid is one pinnacle in medicinal chemistry, which opened a new area of research that has led to the discovery of several life-saving... (Review)
Review
The discovery of nalidixic acid is one pinnacle in medicinal chemistry, which opened a new area of research that has led to the discovery of several life-saving antimicrobial agents (generally referred to as fluoroquinolones) for over decades. Although fluoroquinolones are frequently encountered in the literature, the utility of quinolone compounds extends far beyond the applications of fluoroquinolones. Quinolone-based compounds have been reported for activity against malaria, tuberculosis, fungal and helminth infections, etc. Hence, the quinolone scaffold is of great interest to several researchers in diverse disciplines. This article highlights the versatility of the quinolone pharmacophore as a therapeutic agent beyond the fluoroquinolone profile.
Topics: Humans; Quinolones; Fluoroquinolones; Anti-Infective Agents; Tuberculosis; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 36527518
DOI: 10.1007/s11030-022-10581-8 -
Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience 2011The literature is filled with reports that link medications with the onset or progression of depression. Because depression is so common in patients with medical... (Review)
Review
The literature is filled with reports that link medications with the onset or progression of depression. Because depression is so common in patients with medical illness, assessing whether a medication has in fact caused depression, or whether the relationship is coincidental, can be challenging. In this article, we review the literature on the association between medications and depression. For most agents, there are case reports or small studies linking the medication with the onset of depression, but more rigorous prospective studies are either lacking or found no association between the agent and depression. However, several medications, (eg, barbiturates, vigabatrin, topiramate, flunarizine, corticosteroids, mefloquine, efavirenz, and interferon-alpha) do appear to cause depression in some patients and should be used with caution in patients at risk for depression.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Antihypertensive Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Cardiovascular Agents; Depression; Humans
PubMed: 21485751
DOI: 10.31887/DCNS.2011.13.1/ccelano -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2021Among the various types of nanoparticles and their strategy for synthesis, the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has gained much attention in the biomedical,... (Review)
Review
Among the various types of nanoparticles and their strategy for synthesis, the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles has gained much attention in the biomedical, cellular imaging, cosmetics, drug delivery, food, and agrochemical industries due to their unique physicochemical and biological properties. The green synthesis strategies incorporate the use of plant extracts, living organisms, or biomolecules as bioreducing and biocapping agents, also known as bionanofactories for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The use of green chemistry is ecofriendly, biocompatible, nontoxic, and cost-effective. We shed light on the recent advances in green synthesis and physicochemical properties of green silver nanoparticles by considering the outcomes from recent studies applying SEM, TEM, AFM, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, and XRD techniques. Furthermore, we cover the antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic activities of silver nanoparticles.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Green Chemistry Technology; Humans; Metal Nanoparticles; Plant Extracts; Silver
PubMed: 34769419
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111993 -
Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia :... Apr 2016Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) programs are a current and widely spread trend in clinical practice because of it's a cost-effective option, it's... (Review)
Review
Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) programs are a current and widely spread trend in clinical practice because of it's a cost-effective option, it's associated with a greater comfort for the patient, a lower risk of nosocomial complications and an important cost saving for the health care system. OPAT is used for treating a wide range of infections, including skin and soft tissue infections, osteoarticular infections, bacteraemia, endocarditis and complex intra-abdominal and urinary tract infections, even in presence of multiresistant microorganisms. Correct choice of antimicrobial agent and adequate patient selection are crucial for reaching therapeutic success and avoiding readmissions, treatment prolongation or treatment-related toxicity. The optimal antimicrobial for OPAT must be highly effective, have a long half-life and an adequate spectrum of action. Ceftriaxone and teicoplanin are currently the most prescribed antibiotics for OPAT, though daptomycin and ertapenem are also on the rise, due to their high efficiency, safety and wide spectrum of action. Antibiotics that are stable at room temperature can be administered through a continuous perfusion, though self-administration is preferable although it requires training of the patient or the caregiver. Factors that are most frequently associated with OPAT failure include advanced age, recent hospitalization and isolation of multiresistant microorganisms.
Topics: Ambulatory Care; Anti-Infective Agents; Humans; Infusions, Parenteral; Outpatients; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 27014770
DOI: No ID Found