The effects of circuit exercise training strategy on health-related physical fitness level and biomarkers in elderly people with cardiovascular diseases

This study investigated the effects of a 12-week circuit exercise training intervention on health-related physical fitness and biomarkers in elderly adults with cardiovascular diseases. A total of 69 participants underwent the circuit exercise training program, which included stretching, aerobic activity, and weight training. The results showed that the participants had improved performance in cardiovascular and strength tests, with grip and back muscle strength showing improvement. However, sit-ups were lower than the average, and power, reaction time, and agility needed more effort. The high sensitivity C-reactive protein value reached a medium infection risk level for cardiovascular illnesses. The study concluded that there was a strong association between health-related physical fitness and biomarker index in senior persons with a medium risk cluster of cardiovascular illnesses. The study also found that BMI correlated positively with biomarker index, while cardiovascular fitness, agility, and flexibility correlated negatively with biomarker index

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) essential oil as a potent anti-inflammatory, wound healing and anti-nociceptive drug

The present investigation was designed to study the chemical composition of Algerian peppermint essential oil (PEO) as well as the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and anti-nociceptive properties. Twenty-three compounds were identified in the PEO with the main chemical component as menthol (53.29%). Also, PEO showed a high content of oxygenated monoterpene compounds (92.75%). Topical application of PEO at doses of 200 and 20 µL/kg significantly reduced the acute ear edema in 38.09% and 36.50, respectively. Histological observation confirmed that PEO inhibited the skin inflammatory response. In-vivo wound healing activity of the cream prepared from PEO (0.5% w/w) was assessed by circular excision wound model followed by histological examination. The topical administration of PEO cream showed a significant decrease of unhealed wound area rate between the 6th (1.67±0.14 mm2) and the 9th (0.49±0.22 mm2) days of treatment when compared with the vehicle (2.32±0.77 mm2; p<0.05) and Madecassol® 0.1% creams (2.23±0.35 mm2; p<0.05). The PEO reduced nociceptive behavior at all doses tested in the acetic acid-induced nociception test (p<0.05). These findings support the anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and analgesic properties of PEO. We suggest that PEO is a promising candidate for use in skin care products with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.383104

Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) essential oil from tipaza (Algeria): in vivo anti-infl ammatory and analgesic activities in experimental animal models

Introduction: Although analgesic and nonsteroidal anti-infl ammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually used to treat a diversity of illnesses, their administration is linked with acute kidney injury and gastrointestinal side eff ects. The research of new biomolecules and natural products is still needed such as medicinal plants. Aims: The present research was aimed to investigate, for the fi rst time, the anti-infl ammatory and anti-nociceptive eff ects of spearmint essential oil (SEO) in mouse models of acute infl ammation and pain. Materials and Method: Chemical analysis of SEO was done by gas chromatography. The anti-infl ammatory activity was tested using two models of acute infl ammation namely carrageenan-induced paw edema and xylene-induced ear edema. Histological examination of both non-infl amed and infl amed tissues was evaluated. The anti-nociceptive activity was tested using the pain model induced by acetic acid. Results: The main constituent of the SEO was found to be carvone (52.60%). The SEO exhibited a promising anti-infl ammatory eff ect as demonstrated by statistically signifi cant (p<0.05) inhibition of paw volume by 77.24% at the dose of 20 μL/kg and 65.87% at the dose of 200 μL/kg. Furthermore, topical administration of the SEO inhibited xylene-induced ear edema in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). The higher dose (200 μL /kg) signifi cantly (p<0.001) reduced xylene-induced ear edema which was similar to that observed with positive control (ketoprofen). The pathological analysis of the paws and ears revealed that SEO was capable of reducing cellular infi ltration and subcutaneous edema. Else, the SEO produced signifi cant anti-nociceptive activity (p<0.001) at higher dose by inhibiting spontaneous nociception. Conclusion: These results support the use of SEO in the development of pharmaceuticals for the management of infl ammation and pain

Melatonin as a new postharvest treatment for increasing cut carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) vase life

The marketability of cut flowers is directly affected by their vase life, which determines acceptability for commercial purposes. In carnations and other species of cut flowers, corolla is one of the most affected parts during flower senescence due to the petal withering which is accelerated by metabolic processes occurring after separation from the mother plant. Melatonin (MT) is a compound with antioxidant properties, naturally present in plant tissues that plays important roles in the regulation of different metabolic processes. In this research work the effect of different MT concentrations (0.01, 0.1 and 1 mM) on the vase life of cut carnations flowers cv. Baltico was evaluated. The greatest delay in senescence was observed with 0.1 mM MT concentration, increasing vase life up to 10 days more as compared to control carnations. Although all MT concentrations assayed significantly (P < 0.05) maintained initial levels of fresh weight, membrane stability index, bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity for longer time, the lowest concentrations were those that had the most relevant impact on vase life. The highest dose evaluated (1 mM) maintained all the parameters evaluated but showed the wilting symptoms earlier. For this reason, 0.1 MT concentration could be a tool capable of improving carnation vase life for longer time, increasing the commercial potential of this cut flower

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) essential oil as a potent anti-inflammatory, wound healing and anti-nociceptive drug

The present investigation was designed to study the chemical composition of Algerian peppermint essential oil (PEO) as well as the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and anti-nociceptive properties. Twenty-three compounds were identified in the PEO with the main chemical component as menthol (53.29%). Also, PEO showed a high content of oxygenated monoterpene compounds (92.75%). Topical application of PEO at doses of 200 and 20 µL/kg significantly reduced the acute ear edema in 38.09% and 36.50, respectively. Histological observation confirmed that PEO inhibited the skin inflammatory response. In-vivo wound healing activity of the cream prepared from PEO (0.5% w/w) was assessed by circular excision wound model followed by histological examination. The topical administration of PEO cream showed a significant decrease of unhealed wound area rate between the 6th (1.67±0.14 mm2) and the 9th (0.49±0.22 mm2) days of treatment when compared with the vehicle (2.32±0.77 mm2; p<0.05) and Madecassol® 0.1% creams (2.23±0.35 mm2; p<0.05). The PEO reduced nociceptive behavior at all doses tested in the acetic acid-induced nociception test (p<0.05). These findings support the anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and analgesic properties of PEO. We suggest that PEO is a promising candidate for use in skin care products with anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.383104