Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Effects of Salbutamol on Acute and Chronic Models of Inflammation in Rats: Involvement of an Antioxidant Mechanism

The possible role of β-2 adrenergic receptors in modulation of inflammatory and nociceptive conditions suggests that the β-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, salbutamol, may have beneficial anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Therefore, in this study, we induced inflammatory and nociceptive responses with carrageenan-induced paw edema or cotton-pellet-induced granuloma models, both of which result in oxidative stress. We hypothesized that salbutamol would prevent inflammatory and nociceptive responses by stimulating β-2 adrenergic receptors and the prevention of generation of ROS during the acute inflammation process in rats. Both doses of salbutamol used in the study (1 and 2 mg/kg) effectively blocked the acute inflammation and inflammatory nociception induced by carrageenan. In the cotton-pellet-induced granuloma test, both doses of salbutamol also significantly decreased the weight of granuloma tissue on the cotton pellets when compared to the control. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of salbutamol were found to be comparable with those of indomethacin. Salbutamol decreased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and lipid peroxidation (LPO) level and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and level of glutathione (GSH) during the acute phase of inflammation. In conclusion, salbutamol can decrease acute and chronic inflammation, possibly through the stimulation of β-2 adrenergic receptors. This anti-inflammatory effect may be of significance in asthma treatment, where inflammation also takes part in the etiopathology. This study reveals that salbutamol has significant antioxidative effects, which at least partially explain its anti-inflammatory capabilities. These findings presented here may also shed light on the roles of β-2 adrenergic receptors in inflammatory and hyperalgesic conditions

Bis(2-amino­pyridinium) 2,5-dicarb­oxy­benzene-1,4-dicarboxyl­ate

In the title compound, 2C5H7N2 +·C10H4O8 2−, the 2-amino­pyridinium (2-apyH) cation and 2,5-dicarb­oxy­benzene-1,4-dicarboxyl­ate (btcH2) anion are both nearly planar, with r.m.s. deviations of 0.015 and 0.050 Å, respectively. The angle between the latter least-squares planes is 17.68 (9)°. The overall crystal structure results from the packing of two-dimensional networks, formed by alternating 2-apyH and btcH2 linked by hydrogen bonds, parallel to (100)

The Effect of Play Activities for COVID-19 Positive and MIS-C Pediatric Patients on the Anxiety and Fear of Children and Their Parents

Cilj: Ova studija imala je za cilj utvrditi učinke igre na anksioznost i strah pedijatrijskih pacijenata pozitivnih na COVID-19 i pacijena- ta s MIS-C-om te njihovih roditelja Metode: Ovo je eksperimentalna studija koja je pripremljena putem STROBE smjernica. Ispitanu populaciju činilo je 38 djece koja su liječena u odjelu sveučilišne COVID-19 bolnice. Dječji mjerač anksioznosti Rezultati: Utvrđene su značajne razlike dječje anksioznosti i straha u eksperimentalnoj skupini prije i nakon igre te značajne razlike između rezultata anksioznosti roditelja i djece (<0,05). Međutim, nije pronađena značajna razlika između rezultata anksioznosti i straha nakon igre djece u eksperimentalnoj skupini i rezultata kontrolne skupine. Diskusija: Eksperimentalna skupina imala je niske prosječne rezultate anksioznosti i straha nakon igre.Aim: This study aims to determine the effects of play activities for COVID-19 positive and MIS-C pediatric patients on the anxiety and fear of children and their parents. Methods: This is an experimental study that was prepared through STROBE. The study population consisted of 38 children treated in a university hospital COVID-19 unit. The Children’s Anxiety Meter-State and the Children’s Fear Scale were administered before and after the play activities. The parents’ fear and anxiety were assessed using the COVID-19 Phobia Scale and the Beck Anxiety Inven- tory. The book and coloring set was prepared in advance and delivered to the experimental group in a package. After the sets were given to the parents, the parents read the book to their children the same day. Afterward, they were asked to color pictures of coro- navirus precautions together with the children. SPSS 22.00 package program was used to analyze the study data. The Mann-Whit- ney U test was used to compare independent groups, and Wilcoxon analysis was used to analyze dependent variables before and after the play activities. Results: Based on the children’s anxiety and fear scores in the experimental group, significant differences were found before and after the play activities and significant differences between the anxiety scores (<0.05) of parents and children. However, no significant difference was found between post-play anxiety and fear scores of children in the experimental group and the scores of the control group. Discussion: The experimental group had low mean anxiety and fear scores after the play activities. Play activities should be used to reduce the anxiety and fear of children who are treated in isolation in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if children are restricted to isolation rooms, their daily routines should be maintained, and their parents should be supported

The Effects of Montelukast on Antioxidant Enzymes and Proinflammatory Cytokines on the Heart, Liver, Lungs, and Kidneys in a Rat Model of Cecal Ligation and Puncture–Induced Sepsis

We investigated the potential protective effects of montelukast (MLK) on cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)–induced tissue injury in vital organs — liver, heart, kidneys, and especially lungs — through inhibition of the proinflammatory cytokine response and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rats. The rat groups were (1) a 10-mg/kg MLK-treated CLP group; (2) a 20-mg/kg MLK-treated CLP group; (3) a 20-mg/kg MLK-treated, sham-operated group; (4) a CLP control group; and (5) a sham-operated control group. MLK treatment significantly decreased proinflammatory (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6) cytokine levels following CLP. The lipid peroxide level increased in the lung, heart, liver, and kidney tissues after CLP-induced sepsis, and myeloperoxidase activity increased in the lung, heart, and liver tissues. MLK attenuated this elevation in all tissues except the kidney, dose dependently. The glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly increased in the lung, liver, and kidney tissues after MLK treatment. MLK treatment after CLP also potentially reduced mortality. The lung and kidney tissues were the most protected by MLK under sepsis conditions. We can suggest that MLK reverses the systemic inflammatory reaction to polymicrobial sepsis and thereby reduces multiple organ failure

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Activities of Five Lichen Species

The antioxidative, antimicrobial and antiproliferative potentials of the methanol extracts of the lichen species Parmelia sulcata, Flavoparmelia caperata, Evernia prunastri, Hypogymnia physodes and Cladonia foliacea were evaluated. The total phenolic content of the tested extracts varied from 78.12 to 141.59 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GA)/g of extract and the total flavonoid content from 20.14 to 44.43 mg of rutin equivalent (Ru)/g of extract. The antioxidant capacities of the lichen extracts were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals scavenging. Hypogymnia physodes with the highest phenolic content showed the strongest DPPH radical scavenging effect. Further, the antimicrobial potential of the lichen extracts was determined by a microdilution method on 29 microorganisms, including 15 strains of bacteria, 10 species of filamentous fungi and 4 yeast species. A high antimicrobial activity of all the tested extracts was observed with more potent inhibitory effects on the growth of Gram (+) bacteria. The highest antimicrobial activity among lichens was demonstrated by Hypogymnia physodes and Cladonia foliacea. Finally, the antiproliferative activity of the lichen extracts was explored on the colon cancer adenocarcinoma cell line HCT-116 by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) viability assay and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining. The methanol extracts of Hypogymnia physodes and Cladonia foliacea showed a better cytotoxic activity than the other extracts. All lichen species showed the ability to induce apoptosis of HCT-116 cells

Antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activity of the lichens Cladonia furcata, Lecanora atra and Lecanora muralis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of this study is to investigate in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer activity of the acetone extracts of the lichens <it>Cladonia furcata, Lecanora atra </it>and <it>Lecanora muralis</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Antioxidant activity was evaluated by five separate methods: free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, reducing power, determination of total phenolic compounds and determination of total flavonoid content. The antimicrobial activity was estimated by determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration by the broth microdilution method against six species of bacteria and ten species of fungi. Anticancer activity was tested against FemX (human melanoma) and LS174 (human colon carcinoma) cell lines using MTT method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the lichens tested, <it>Lecanora atra </it>had largest free radical scavenging activity (94.7% inhibition), which was greater than the standard antioxidants. Moreover, the tested extracts had effective reducing power and superoxide anion radical scavenging. The strong relationships between total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant effect of tested extracts were observed. Extract of <it>Cladonia furcata </it>was the most active antimicrobial agent with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 0.78 to 25 mg/mL. All extracts were found to be strong anticancer activity toward both cell lines with IC₅₀values ranging from 8.51 to 40.22 μg/mL.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present study shows that tested lichen extracts demonstrated a strong antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer effects. That suggest that lichens may be used as as possible natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer agents to control various human, animal and plant diseases.</p

Tannins, Peptic Ulcers and Related Mechanisms

This review of the current literature aims to study correlations between the chemical structure and gastric anti-ulcer activity of tannins. Tannins are used in medicine primarily because of their astringent properties. These properties are due to the fact that tannins react with the tissue proteins with which they come into contact. In gastric ulcers, this tannin-protein complex layer protects the stomach by promoting greater resistance to chemical and mechanical injury or irritation. Moreover, in several experimental models of gastric ulcer, tannins have been shown to present antioxidant activity, promote tissue repair, exhibit anti Helicobacter pylori effects, and they are involved in gastrointestinal tract anti-inflammatory processes. The presence of tannins explains the anti-ulcer effects of many natural products