Clinical study of a multivitamin and polymineral complex associated with Panax ginseng extract (Natus Gerin®)

This study aimed to stablish the efficacy of a multivitamin and polyminerals supplemented with Panax ginseng extract (Natus Gerin®) on patients subjected to common physical or mental stress. Patients were randomly divided in two groups and underwent a thorough clinical examination. Group A received Natus Gerin® capsules and B placebo capsules. Two capsules were taken daily during meals during four weeks. Mood and physical activity were evaluated through a questionnaire assessing quality of life. From the 176 patients enrolled, 17 were excluded due to voluntary withdrawal, 81 completed the study in group A and 78 in group B. The treatment with Natus Gerin® increased the quality of life when compared to placebo. After 15 and 30 days, group A showed a significant increase in average scoring score from 1.78 to 3.78, and finally 5.32 points. The study has shown that the daily use of Natus Gerin® can be effective in improving quality of life in patients suffering from physical and mental stressColegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Preclinical study of the interference of different nutritional diets on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions of etoricoxib

The aim of this research was to evaluate the interference of the association of different types of nutritional diet in the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of etoricoxib in in vivo models. The following assays were used: a) Rat paw edema induced by carrageenan; b) Induction of the granulomatous tissue by cotton pellet; c) Dermatitis induced by croton oil; d) Vascular permeability by histamine in rats; e) Writhing test by acetic acid in mice; f) Formalin test in mice and; g) Stress-induced gastric lesions. The association of etoricoxib with the different types of diet did not alter the anti-inflammatory effect in the assays employed, but potentialized the analgesic effect, particularly when associated with hyperproteic diet for peripheral pain and hyperglucidic diet for central pain. The association of etoricoxib with hyperglucidic diet decreased the gastric lesion rate.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Clinical study of a multivitamin and polymineral complex associated with Panax ginseng extract (Natus Gerin®)

This study aimed to stablish the efficacy of a multivitamin and polyminerals supplemented with Panax ginseng extract (Natus Gerin®) on patients subjected to common physical or mental stress. Patients were randomly divided in two groups and underwent a thorough clinical examination. Group A received Natus Gerin® capsules and B placebo capsules. Two capsules were taken daily during meals during four weeks. Mood and physical activity were evaluated through a questionnaire assessing quality of life. From the 176 patients enrolled, 17 were excluded due to voluntary withdrawal, 81 completed the study in group A and 78 in group B. The treatment with Natus Gerin® increased the quality of life when compared to placebo. After 15 and 30 days, group A showed a significant increase in average scoring score from 1.78 to 3.78, and finally 5.32 points. The study has shown that the daily use of Natus Gerin® can be effective in improving quality of life in patients suffering from physical and mental stressColegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Hypericum brasiliense (Willd) standardized extract

The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the standardized leaves extract (HBSE) of Hypericum brasiliense (Guttiferae) were evaluated in animal models. Male Wistar rats were treated with H. brasiliense extract (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) in 3% Tween 80 0.9% saline solution. The treatment of the edema induced by carrageenin with HBSE (500 mg/kg) showed significant inhibition when compared to the control group. At this dose, the edema decreased by 31.25% in the third hour after treatment (edema peak), but the dose of 50 mg/kg has inhibited the edema by 53.13% (p < 0.05). At the dose of 50 mg/kg, the decrease of the edema induced by dextran was similar to that caused by cyproheptadine. The decrease of the formation of granulomatous tissue (6.6%) was comparable to the control group. The HBSE inhibited the abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid. At a dose of 50 mg/kg, the inhibition of the abdominal constrictions (46.4%) was comparable to that produced by indomethacin (42.9%). A dose of 250 mg/kg inhibited these constrictions by 70.66% when compared to control (p < 0.001). In the hot-plate test, an increase in the latency time was observed at a 50 mg/kg dose. These data suggest that HBSE has anti-inflammatory activity on acute process, developed principally by arachdonic acid derivates and analgesic effect due to its probable involvement in the Central Nervous System

Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Effects of Crude Extract, Fractions and 4-Nerolidylcathecol from Aerial Parts of Pothomorphe umbellata L. (Piperaceae)

The crude ethanolic extract from aerial parts of Pothomorphe umbellata L. (Piperaceae) and fractions obtained by partitions sequentially among water-methanol, methylene chloride, and ethyl acetate, as well as the major constituent, 4-nerolidylcatechol, were, respectively, evaluated and evidenced for antioxidant and cytotoxic effects through fluorometric microplate and microculture tetrazolium assays in HL-60 cells. The crude ethanolic extract demonstrated the preeminent antioxidant activity (IC50=1.2 μg/mL) against exogenous cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species, followed by the water-methanolic (IC50=4.5 μg/mL), methylene chloride (IC50=5.9 μg/mL), ethyl acetate (IC50=8.0 μg/mL), 4-nerolidylcatechol (IC50=8.6 μg/mL), and the sterol fractions (IC50>12.5 μg/mL). Vitamin C, the positive control used in this assay, presented IC50 value equivalent to 1.7 μg/mL. 4-Nerolidylcatechol (IC50=0.4 μg/mL) and methylene chloride fraction (IC50=2.3 μg/mL) presented considerable cytotoxicity probably because of the presence of an o-quinone, an auto-oxidation by product of the catechol. Polar compounds, present in the ethanol extract, appear to increase the solubility and stability of the major active constituent, acting synergistically with 4-nerolidylcatechol, improving its pharmacokinetic parameters and increasing significantly its antioxidant activity which, in turn, suggests that the aqueous-ethanolic extract, used in folklore medicine, is safe and effective

Synadenium umbellatum and the ehrlich's solid tumor treatment assessment of inflammatory regulators (transforming growth factor protein-β1 and tumor necrosis factor-α) gene expression, hepatotoxicity and myelotoxicity

Studies have been attributed to cancer treatment, including the potential of several plants with putative anticancer activity. Among these is “Cola-note” (Synadenium umbellatum). We evaluated the effects of macerated S umbellatum at a concentration of 10 mg/kg in Bagg albino strain c mice and its myelotoxic, hepatotoxic, and antitumor activity as well as the expression of inflammatory genes (TGF-β1 and TNF-α). Cells from Ehrlich tumor were implanted in the dorsolateral region of 8 mice of the Bagg albino strain c mice; these animals were divided into control (treated with NaCl 0.9%) and treatment group (treated with macerated Cola-Nota 10 mg/kg). Treatment group animals showed no hepatotoxicity, but a potential myelotoxicity. The results suggest that treatment with Cola-Note macerate causes a decrease in expression of TNF-α and an increased expression of TGF-β1. The S umbellatum (10 mg/kg) is shown to be effective in reducing the concentration of neoplastic cachexia, but there was no antitumor activity21e

Antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of crude extract, fractions and 4-nerolidylcathecol from aerial parts of pothomorphe umbellata L. (Piperaceae)

The crude ethanolic extract from aerial parts of Pothomorphe umbellata L. (Piperaceae) and fractions obtained by partitions sequentially among water-methanol, methylene chloride, and ethyl acetate, as well as the major constituent, 4-nerolidylcatechol, were, respectively, evaluated and evidenced for antioxidant and cytotoxic effects through fluorometric microplate and microculture tetrazolium assays in HL-60 cells. The crude ethanolic extract demonstrated the preeminent antioxidant activity (IC50 = 1.2 μg/mL) against exogenous cytoplasmic reactive oxygen species, followed by the water-methanolic (IC50 = 4.5 μg/mL), methylene chloride (IC 50 = 5.9 g/mL), ethyl acetate (IC50 = 8.0 g/mL), 4-nerolidylcatechol (IC50 = 8.6 g/mL), and the sterol fractions (IC50 > 12.5 μg/mL). Vitamin C, the positive control used in this assay, presented IC50 value equivalent to 1.7 μg/mL. 4-Nerolidylcatechol (IC50 = 0.4 μg/mL) and methylene chloride fraction (IC50 = 2.3 μg/mL) presented considerable cytotoxicity probably because of the presence of an o-quinone, an auto-oxidation by product of the catechol. Polar compounds, present in the ethanol extract, appear to increase the solubility and stability of the major active constituent, acting synergistically with 4-nerolidylcatechol, improving its pharmacokinetic parameters and increasing significantly its antioxidant activity which, in turn, suggests that the aqueous-ethanolic extract, used in folklore medicine, is safe and effective. © 2013 Andrey P. Lopes et al

Effect of betamethasone and diclofenac sodium on serum and tissue concentration of amoxicillin: in vivo study in rats Efeito da betametasona e do diclofenaco sódico na concentração sérica e tecidual da amoxicilina: estudo in vivo em ratos

OBJECTIVE: Antimicrobial agents in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs have been usually prescribed in both Medicine and Dentistry. However, few scientific reports support this clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of betamethasone and diclofenac sodium on serum and tissue concentration of amoxicillin in rats. METHODS: Four polyurethane sponges were implanted in the back skin of 48 rats. After seven days the animals were divided into 6 groups (n=8). Group 1: amoxicillin (25 mg/kg); G2: diclofenac sodium (2.5 mg/kg); G3: betamethasone (0.1 mg/kg); G4: diclofenac sodium and amoxicillin; G5: betamethasone and amoxicillin; and G6: 0.9% sodium chloride solution (1.0 mL - control group). All drugs were administered in a single dose. After 90 minutes, the granulomatous tissues of each animal were surgically removed and weighed. Blood was collected from cervical plexus, centrifuged and 10µL of serum was placed on paper discs. In order to estimate amoxicillin concentration, serum and granulomatous tissues were separately submitted to microbiological assay, which used 10(8)cfu/mL of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (penicillin-susceptible strain). After incubation (18 hours, 37ºC) the inhibition zones were measured and compared to a regression curve. RESULTS: No inhibition zones were observed for groups 2, 3 and 6. Tissue and serum concentrations of both G1 (4.14µg/g and 2.06µg/mL, respectively) and G5 (3.87µg/g and 1.70µg/mL, respectively) showed statistically significant differences (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0.05) in comparison to G4 (1.45µg/g and 0.41µg/mL, respectively). G1 and G5 did not differ significantly (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Considering single doses, betamethasone did not interfere with amoxicillin levels but diclofenac sodium reduced both tissue and serum levels of amoxicillin in rats.<br>OBJETIVO: A prescrição de antimicrobianos associados a antiinflamatórios é uma prática comum em odontologia, embora na maioria das vezes não haja justificativa para tal conduta. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, em um estudo in vivo em ratos, os efeitos da betametasona e do diclofenaco sódico nas concentrações sérica e tecidual da amoxicilina. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 48 ratos Wistar machos (6 grupos, n=8), com idade de 60 dias. Esponjas de PVC (policlorovinil) foram implantadas em quatro pontos no dorso de cada animal. Após sete dias, foram administrados por via intragástrica ou intramuscular: Grupo 1: amoxicilina (25 mg/kg); G2: diclofenaco sódico (2,5 mg/kg/i.m.); G3: betametasona (0,1 mg/kg/i.m.); G4: diclofenaco sódico e amoxicilina; G5: betametasona e amoxicilina; e G6: solução de cloreto de sódio a 0,9% (1,0 mL - grupo controle). Após 90 minutos, foram colhidos 2 tecidos granulomatosos e amostras séricas de cada animal e colocados em meios de cultura inoculados com 10(8) ufc/mL de Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Os halos de inibição foram medidos após 18 horas de incubação (37ºC), e através do teste microbiológico foram obtidas as concentrações séricas e teciduais da amoxicilina. RESULTADOS: Não foram observados halos de inibição para os grupos 2, 3 e 6. As concentrações séricas e teciduais de G1 (4,14µg/g e 2,06µg/mL, respectivamente) e G5 (3,87µg/g e 1,70µg/mL, respectivamente) demonstraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0,05) em comparação a G4 (1,45µg/g e 0,41µg/mL, respectivamente). G1 e G5 não apresentaram diferença estatística (p>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Considerando uma dose única, a betametasona não interferiu nas concentrações sérica e tecidual de amoxicilina, enquanto o diclofenaco sódico reduziu as concentrações sérica e tecidual de amoxicilina em ratos