Salvia officinalis L. extract increase the antitumor effect of Doxorubicin on Ehrlich carcinoma tumor cells

The current study demonstrated the superior in vivo antitumor activity of the association between Salvia officinalis L. and Doxorubicin as compared with Doxorubicin alone and its lack of toxicity. The study was carried out on 32 Mus musculus female mice, for 14 days long. The tumor model was Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC). Animals were divided in four equal groups of 8 mice: normal control, tumor control, EAC + doxorubicin and EAC + doxorubicin + Salvia officimalis L. All the values that reflect the tumor development (difference in body weight, EAC volume and cellular concentration) were improved in significant manner. Hematological and biochemistry parameters determination were performed for all four groups of mice and no cytotoxicity was found. The efficacy of Salvia officinalis L. as an adjuvant therapy in cancer has been demonstrated

Formulation of Topical Dosage Forms Containing Synthetic and Natural Anti-Inflammatory Agents for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Topical anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is of major interest because of their fewer side effects compared to oral therapy. The purpose of this study was to prepare different types of topical formulations (ointments and gels) containing synthetic and natural anti-inflammatory agents with different excipients (e.g.,: surfactants, gel-forming) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The combination of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), diclofenac sodium, a topical analgesic agent methyl salicylate, and a lyophilized extract of Calendula officinalis with antioxidant effect were used in our formulations. The aim was to select the appropriate excipients and dosage form for the formulation in order to enhance the diffusion of active substances and to certify the antioxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects of these formulations. To characterize the physicochemical properties of the formulations, rheological studies, and texture profile analysis were carried out. Membrane diffusion and permeability studies were performed with Franz-diffusion method. The therapeutic properties of the formulations have been proven by an antioxidant assay and a randomized prospective study that was carried out on 115 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results showed that the treatment with the gel containing diclofenac sodium, methyl salicylate, and lyophilized Calendula officinalis as active ingredients, 2-propenoic acid homopolymer (Synthalen K) as gel-forming excipient, distilled water, triethanolamine, and glycerol had a beneficial analgesic and local anti-inflammatory effect