Hyperpigmentant activity of leaves and flowers extracts of Pyrostegia venusta on murine B16F10 melanoma

AbstractEthnopharmacological relevancePyrostegia venusta is a native Brazilian plant which has a variety of uses in traditional folk medicine including the treatment of vitiligo. However, its effectiveness on melanogenesis is not yet elucidated.Aim of the studyThis study aimed to investigate the melanogenic activity of hydroalcoholic extracts from the leaves and flowers of P. venusta on murine B16F10 melanoma cells.Materials and methodsDifferent concentrations of the hydroalcoholic extracts of flowers and leaves of P. venusta were evaluated in trials of spontaneous melanin content (4 days), and cell viability by the MTT assay in murine B16F10 cells, and in the mushroom tyrosinase activity in vitro.ResultsBoth extracts, leaves (0.1; 0.3; 1 and 3μg/mL) and flowers (0.03 and 0.1μg/mL) increased the melanin content in a concentration dependent manner after 4 days of incubation on melanoma cells. Leaves extract promoted enhancement of melanogenesis with maximum effect of 33.3±3% (3μg/mL), and the flower extract increased in 23.4±3% (0.1μg/mL). The cell viability test using MTT showed that in the same tested concentrations of both extracts no cell death was detected. Actually, either extract was not able to cause any change in the tyrosinase activity. HPLC analysis of P. venusta extracts found 0.09% and 1.08% of allantoin on leaves and flowers extracts, respectively.ConclusionsThe leaves and flowers extracts of P. venusta stimulates B16F10 melanogenesis at very low concentrations. These findings support the folk medicinal use of P. venusta on the treatment of hypopigmentation diseases, such as vitiligo

Simvastatin impairs murine melanoma growth

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Statins induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, reduction of angiogenic factors, inhibition of the endothelial growth factor, impairing tissue adhesion and attenuation of the resistance mechanisms. The aim of this study was evaluate the anti-tumoral activity of simvastatin in a B16F10 melanoma-mouse model.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Melanoma cells were treated with different concentrations of simvastatin and assessed by viability methods. Melanoma cells (5 × 10⁴) were implanted in two month old C57Bl6/J mice. Around 7 days after cells injection, the oral treatments were started with simvastatin (5 mg/kg/day, p.o.). Tumor size, hematological and biochemical analyses were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Simvastatin at a concentration of 0.8 μM, 1.2 μM and 1.6 μM had toxic effect. Concentration of 1.6 μM induced a massive death in the first 24 h of incubation. Simvastatin at 0.8 μM induces early cell cycle arrest in G0/G1, followed by increase of hypodiploidy. Tumor size were evaluated and the difference of treated group and control, after ten days, demonstrates that simvastatin inhibited the tumor expansion in 68%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Simvastatin at 1.6 μM, presented cytototoxicity after 72 h of treatment, with an intense death. <it>In vivo</it>, simvastatin being potentially useful as an antiproliferative drug, with an impairment of growth after ten days.</p

Avaliação econômica das anticitocinas adalimumabe, etanercepte e infliximabe no tratamento da artrite reumatoide no Estado do Paraná

Este estudo objetivou realizar uma avaliação econômica das anticitocinas adalimumabe (ADA), etanercepte (ETA) e infliximabe (IFX) para o tratamento da artrite reumatoide no Estado do Paraná, sob a perspectiva do SUS. Os dados de eficácia e segurança dos tratamentos foram buscados na literatura, e os custos foram calculados com valores gastos pelo SUS para cada um dos tratamentos. Foi elaborado o modelo de Markov para obter a relação custo-efetividade de cada tratamento. A relação custo-efetividade incremental (ICER) comparado ao tratamento padrão também foi calculada para cada anticitocina. Análises de sensibilidade e taxas de desconto foram aplicadas. Na avaliação custo-efetividade, encontraram-se custos por QALY de R$511.633,00, R$ 437.486,00 e R$657.593,00 para ADA, ETA e IFX, respectivamente. O ICER por QALY foi R$ 628.124,00, R$509.974,00 e R$ 965.927,00 para ADA, ETA e IFX, respectivamente. Nas análises de sensibilidade, o ETA e o ADA apresentaram valores próximos. Cabe aos gestores públicos e aos médicos prescritores a escolha adequada para cada paciente, entre os tratamentos disponibilizados.This study aimed to perform an economic evaluation of anticytokines adalimumab (ADA), etanercept (ETA) and infliximab (IFX) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the State of Parana, in Brazil, in the perspective of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Data on efficacy and safety of treatment were collected in literature, and costs were calculated on the amounts spent by the Government for each treatment. A Markov model was performed to get the cost-effectiveness of each treatment. The incremental cost-effectiveness relationship (ICER) compared to a standard treatment was also calculated for each anticytokine. Sensitivity analysis and discount rates were applied. In assessing cost-effectiveness we found the following values (cost at R$per QALY): 511,633.00, 437,486.00 and 657,593.00 (respectively for ADA, ETA and IFX). The ICER (R$ per QALY) was 628,124.00, 509,974.00 and 965,927.00 (for ADA, ETA and IFX). In the sensitivity analysis, ETA and ADA showed similar values. It is for public managers and physicians the choice for each patient, among the treatments available

Review of the efficacy and safety of over-the-counter medicine

Over-the-counter medicines are available without prescription because of their safety and effectiveness, to treat minor ailments and symptoms. The objective of the study was to analyze the availability and quality of systematic reviews published about nonprescription medicines, identifying the groups for which there are gaps in evidence. We identified published articles through the Cochrane Database of Systematic Review and MEDLINE, from the start of the database until May 2012, using the search terms "nonprescription drugs," "over the counter," and "OTC." We searched for articles that describe systematic reviews addressing the efficacy and safety of drugs dispensed without a prescription, according to the lists published by the Association of the European Self-Medication Industry and in Brazil, in the clinical conditions listed in Groups and Specified Therapeutic Indications. We included 49 articles, 18 articles were of moderate quality and 31 of high quality. Of the studies, 74.5% demonstrated efficacy in favor of the use of drugs evaluated. Of the 24 studies that evaluated safety, 21% showed evidence unfavorable to the drug. Overall, the evidence found in the studies included in the overview is favorable to the use of the drugs evaluated. However, there are gaps in evidence for some therapy groups.</p

Three new triterpenes from the resinous bark of Protium kleinii and their antinociceptive activity

Three novel pentacyclic triterpenes have been isolated from the resin of Protium kleinii and their structures elucidated by NMR spectroscopy as 3-oxo-11beta,16beta-dihydroxy-urs-12-ene (1), 3-oxo-11beta-hydroxy-urs-12-ene (2) and 3-oxo-11beta-hydroxy-olean-12-ene (3). The systemic administration of the above compounds (10-100 mg kg-1, i.p.) was able to inhibited both first and second phase of the formalin-induced nociception in mice. The known triterpenes 3beta,16beta-dihydroxy-olean-12-ene (brein) (4) and a mixture of alpha (5)- and beta-amyrin (6) were also found