Review on Camptothecin Producing Medicinal Plant: Nothapodytes Nimmoniana

Nothapodytes nimmoniana is an endangered medicinal plant widely distributed throughout the Western Ghats of India. The plant contains camptothecin (CPT) which is renowned anticancer drugs. Though, CPT found in many plant species but maximum amount of CPT has been reported from N. nimmoniana. Due to very good source of CPT, this plant has been explored for its Phytochemical, Biotechnological and Pharmacological aspects. Looking to the huge global demand for CPT, overexploitation of N. nimmoniana, unplanned deforestation, and lowest production of CPT from intact plant, reduction of seed germination, high market cost and not have economically feasible process of production has optimistic us to investigate this plant in a systematic manner. The proposed article can be utilized for the establishment of extraction methods and analytical protocol for CPT. Also, Bioreactors production of CPT using high yielding cell line of N. nimmoniana. The pharmacological data will be applicable for discovery of new Drug and development lead to novel compounds which are safe and effective.

Influence of Drugs on Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease: Evidence from the PACOS Study

Background: Polytherapy and the anticholinergic activity of several drugs negatively influence cognition in the elderly. However, little is known on the effect on Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Methods: Patients with PD belonging to the baseline PACOS cohort with full pharmacological data, have been included in this study. MCI diagnosis was made according to the MDS level II criteria. Polytherapy was defined as patients assuming ≥6 drugs. Anticholinergic burden has been calculated using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS). Molecules have been classified according to the ATC classification. Association with MCI has been assessed with a multivariate logistic regression analysis with MCI as the dependent variable. Results: Pharmacological data was available for 238 patients (mean age 64.7±9.7). One hundred (42.0%) were diagnosed as MCI. In the full multivariate model (correcting for age, sex, disease duration, education, UPDRS-ME, LEDD-DAs) no association was found with either polytherapy or the ADS. Concerning drug classes, anti-hypertensive medications increased the risk of PD-MCI (OR 2.02;95%CI 1.04-3.89; p=0.035) while gastroprotective agents had a protective effect (OR 0.51; 95%CI 0.27-0.99; p=0.047). Conclusion: The magnitude of polytherapy and anticholinergic drugs burden does not appear to modulate MCI risk in PD, probably due to cautious prescription patterns. The effect of anti-hypertensive and gastroprotective agents on PD-MCI risk, while needing further confirmations, could be relevant for clinical practice.

Phytochemistry and Evidence-Based Traditional Uses of the Genus Achillea L.: An Update (2011–2021)

Knowledge within the field of phytochemistry research has accelerated at a tremendous speed. The excess of literature reports featuring plants of high ethnopharmacological importance, in combination with our interest in the Asteraceae family and traditional medicine, led us to acknowledge the value of the Achillea L. genus. In a broad context, the various Achillea species are used around the globe for the prevention and treatment of different diseases, including gastrointestinal problems, haemorrhages, pneumonia, rheumatic pains, diuresis, inflammation, infections, and wounds, as well as menstrual and gynaecologic abnormalities. The present review aims to provide and summarize the recent literature (2011–2021) on the phytochemistry of the Achillea genus. In parallel, this study attempts to bridge the reports on the traditional uses with modern pharmacological data. Research articles that focused on secondary metabolites, traditional uses and pharmacological activities were collected from various scientific databases such as Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Reaxys and Google Scholar. This study revealed the presence of 141 phytochemicals, while 24 traditionally used Achillea spp. were discussed in comparison to current data with an experimental basis.

Use of antibiotics in patients who were attacked by animals that can transmit rabies v1

Introduction:Animal bites have a high probability of becoming infected. In high-risk wounds, the use of antibiotics that kill the associated microorganisms is recommended. Objective: To determine the use of antibiotics in patients in different regions of Colombia who were attacked in 2020 by animals that can transmit rabies. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective follow-up study of a cohort of patients with wounds caused by animals; the patients were affiliated with the Colombian Health System. Sociodemographic, clinical and pharmacological data were collected. Results: A total of 280 patients were analyzed. The median age was 28.0 years, and 52.1% were men. The attacks were attributed to dogs (85.0%) and cats (15.0%), and 9.6% were classified as severe exposure. Antibiotics were used in 71.1% of cases for prophylaxis and in 4.3% of the cases for the treatment of superinfection; cephalexin (37.5%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (15.7%) and dicloxacillin (10.4%) were the predominant antibiotics used. A total of 72.0% of patients who received antibiotics received inadequate prescriptions, and 49.2% had no indication to receive prophylaxis. Being treated in the Caribbean region (OR:4.09; 95%CI:1.79-9.30) and receiving analgesics (OR:3.15; 95%CI:1.25-7.94) were associated with a greater probability of being prescribed antibiotics inadequately; attacks resulting in severe exposure were associated with a lower probability (OR:0.40; 95%CI:0.16-0.98). Conclusions: A significant proportion of patients had no indication for prophylactic antibiotics or were prescribed antibiotics not recommended by clinical practice guidelines. There was a low prevalence of prescriptions for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, the most recommended antibiotic.

BIOECOLOGY AND COMPONENT COMPOSITION OF EPHEDRINE ALKALOIDS IN SPECIES IN THE DZUNGARIAN ALATAU

Как показывают данные фармакологических исследований, природные алкалоиды обладают более высоким качеством терапевтического эффекта и срок действия их продолжительнее. При полноценном растительном сырье и достаточных его запасах или при успешной культуре растения тот или иной алкалоид, несомненно, удобнее и экономически выгоднее получать из натурального растительного сырья. В связи с этим практический интерес представляют работы по выявлению и пополнению сведений о фитохимическом составе ценных технических растений флоры Казахстана в свете последних достижений биохимии, биоорганической химии. В статье, для выяснения установление закономерностей изменения количественного содержания и качественного состава эфедриновых алкалоидов от экологических факторов были изучены биоэкологические особенности и выявлены популяции с высоким и пониженным содержанием компонентного состава эфедриновых алкалоидов у видов E.Equisetina в Джунгарском Алатау, а также, установлен полный спектр эфедриновых алкалоидов в вегетативных побегах изучаемого вида. Практическое значение результатов работы является основой для использования сырьевой базы вида E.Equisetina рода Ephedra L., в отечественной фармацевтической промышленности. According to pharmacological data, natural alkaloids have better therapeutic quality and longer duration. If the raw material is full and sufficient, or if the plant culture is successful, some alkaloid is certainly more convenient and economically more profitable to obtain from natural plant raw materials. In this connection, work to identify and complete information on the phytochemical composition of valuable technical plants in the flora of Kazakhstan, in the light of recent advances in biochemistry and bioorganic chemistry, is of practical interest. In the article, to determine the main regularities of changes in the quantitative content and qualitative composition of ephedrine alkaloids from environmental factors, bioecological features were studied and populations with high and low content of the component composition of ephedrine alkaloids in E. Equisetina species in the Dzungarian Alatau were identified. Also, was established the full spectrum of ephedrine alkaloids in vegetative shoots of the studied. The practical significance of the results is the basis for using the raw material base of the species E. Equisetina of the genus Ephedra L. in the domestic pharmaceutical industry.

Novel Cephalosporins in Septic Subjects and Severe Infections: Present Findings and Future Perspective

In past decade, cephalosporins have developed significantly, and data regarding novel cephalosporins (i.e., ceftobiprole, ceftaroline, ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam, and cefiderocol) within septic and bacteremic subjects are rising. These compounds generally offer very promising in vitro microbiological susceptibility, although the variability among gram-negative and -positive strains of different cohorts is noticed in the literature. We require further pharmacological data to measure the best dose in order to prevent sub-therapeutic drug levels in critically ill patients. These new compounds in theory are the sparing solution in the Enterobacteriales infection group for different antimicrobial classes such as aminoglycosides notably within endovascular and GNB-bacteremias, as well as colistin and carbapenem-sparing strategies, favoring good safety profile molecules. Moreover, new cephalosporins are the basis for the actual indications to open up new and exciting prospects for serious infections in the future. In future, patients will be addressed with the desirable approach to sepsis and serious infections in terms of their clinical situation, inherent features of the host, the sensitivity profile, and local epidemiology, for which evidence of the use of new cephalosporin in the treatment of severe infections will fill the remaining gaps.

Pharmacology, Toxicity, Bioavailability, and Formulation of Magnolol: An Update

Magnolol (MG) is one of the primary active components of Magnoliae officinalis cortex, which has been widely used in traditional Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine and possesses a wide range of pharmacological activities. In recent years, attention has been drawn to this component due to its potential as an anti-inflammatory and antitumor drug. To summarize the new biological and pharmacological data on MG, we screened the literature from January 2011 to October 2020. In this review, we provide an actualization of already known anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular protection, antiangiogenesis, antidiabetes, hypoglycemic, antioxidation, neuroprotection, gastrointestinal protection, and antibacterial activities of MG. Besides, results from studies on antitumor activity are presented. We also summarized the molecular mechanisms, toxicity, bioavailability, and formulations of MG. Therefore, we provide a valid cognition of MG.

Review on pharmacological and phytochemical prospects of traditional medicinal plant: Persicaria hydropiper (Smartweed)

: Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre (family Polygonacea), commonly known as Polygonum hydropiper, is a popular medicinal plant used in traditional medicine. The plant is indigenous to the tropical northern hemisphere and temperate zone including China, Bangladesh, India, and Japan. The plant is used in folk medicine for numerous ailments such as hemorrhoids, antifertility, diarrhea, and dyspepsia. Its medicinal usage in Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha, and other traditional medicine is well-recognized. So far, a wide range of active phytochemicals of this plant has been identified, such as flavonoids, sulphated flavonoids, terpenoids, anthraquinones, steroids, coumarin, simple phenolics, and others. Pharmacological data reported in the literature suggest that various parts of P. hydropiper exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antidepressant, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, anticancer, and antifertility effects. The present review aim is to compile the coherently document research on the phytochemical, pharmacological, and biological activities of P. hydropiper from different parts of the globe.

Clinical and pharmacological data in COVID-19 hospitalized nonagenarian patients

Introduction. Despite the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in geriatrics, data on nonagenarian patients is scarce. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical features of COVID19-diagnosed nonagenarians, as well as its clinical evolution and therapeutic response. Material and methods. Retrospective observational study of nonagenarians, admitted for COVID-19. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were registered, including previous polypharmacy. Blood analysis data and COVID-19-specific treatment were registered. Results. A total of 79 patients were included, with 50.6% (40 patients) of mortality. None of the comorbidities registered correlated with mortality, which was significantly higher among patients with moderate/complete functional dependence, compared to those mild-dependents/independents (59.5% vs 40.5%; p=0.015). Most prescribed drugs were hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine and azithromycin. Non-survivors presented higher counts of leukocytes and neutrophils, and higher lymphopenia. Conclusions. Nonagenarians with functional dependence presented higher mortality, irrespective of comorbidities or treatment received. Implementing an integral geriatric evaluation would enhance the implementation of personalized therapeutic strategies for nonagenarians.

The mammalian efferent vestibular system utilizes cholinergic mechanisms to excite primary vestibular afferents

Electrical stimulation of the mammalian efferent vestibular system (EVS) predominantly excites primary vestibular afferents along two distinct time scales. Although roles for acetylcholine (ACh) have been demonstrated in other vertebrates, synaptic mechanisms underlying mammalian EVS actions are not well-characterized. To determine if activation of ACh receptors account for efferent-mediated afferent excitation in mammals, we recorded afferent activity from the superior vestibular nerve of anesthetized C57BL/6 mice while stimulating EVS neurons in the brainstem, before and after administration of cholinergic antagonists. Using a normalized coefficient of variation (CV*), we broadly classified vestibular afferents as regularly- (CV* < 0.1) or irregularly-discharging (CV* > 0.1) and characterized their responses to midline or ipsilateral EVS stimulation. Afferent responses to efferent stimulation were predominantly excitatory, grew in amplitude with increasing CV*, and consisted of fast and slow components that could be identified by differences in rise time and post-stimulus duration. Both efferent-mediated excitatory components were larger in irregular afferents with ipsilateral EVS stimulation. Our pharmacological data show, for the first time in mammals, that muscarinic AChR antagonists block efferent-mediated slow excitation whereas the nicotinic AChR antagonist DHβE selectively blocks efferent-mediated fast excitation, while leaving the efferent-mediated slow component intact. These data confirm that mammalian EVS actions are predominantly cholinergic.