Selected natural and synthetic agents effective against Parkinson’s disease with diverse mechanisms

: Similar to other neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been extensively investigated with respect to its neuropathological background and possible treatment options. Since the symptomatic outcomes are generally related to dopamine deficiency, the current treatment strategies towards PD mainly employ dopaminergic agonists as well as the compounds acting on dopamine metabolism. These drugs do not provide disease modifying properties; therefore alternative drug discovery studies focus on targets involved in the progressive neurodegenerative character of PD. This study has aimed to present the pathophysiology of PD concomitant to the representation of drugs and promising molecules displaying activity against the validated and non-validated targets of PD.

A Review on Himalayan Medicinal Plants against Cancer

Background: Plants contributed numerous novel compounds for prophylactic and curative medicine to modern science.They are the important source of natural agents used in various pharmaceutical industries. Himalayan plants are abundant in various secondary metabolites such as anthraquinones, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and terpenes. The Himalayan plants grown in high altitude and have around 6500 years old history as traditional medicines. Aim: This review article systematically presents information onHimalayan medicinal plants having anti-cancer potentials. Methodology: Around 160 articles were reviewed by using online search engines like PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and floras of different Himalayan countries. Results: An attempt has been made to review anticancer plants and active constituents isolated from several anti-cancerous plants of Himalayan regions. Eighty three anticancer plants are reported in this review and total twenty two active chemical constituents including phenolic compounds, glycosides, terpenoidsand alkaloids from the plants were reported active against various cancer cell lines. Conclusion: Several synthetic agents are used to cure cancer but number of undesired side effects occurs during chemotherapy. Hence, the research is going on to investigate natural therapies, such as the use of the plant derived productsin cancer treatment. They may reduce adverse side effects.

Antibacterial Effect of Disinfectants and Antiseptics

Disinfectants and antiseptics are substances or solvents which play a key role inthe control of infections. Their wide functionality is applied in almost all human activities. Theseagents can have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effects. Disinfectants are synthetic agents thebiocidal effect of which destroys microorganisms in the environment, while antiseptics are appliedlocally, primarily on skin and/or mucosae. The morphological differences between Gram (+) andGram (–) bacteria raise questions regarding the biocidal effects of antibacterial agents againstdifferent types of infectious agents. The aim of our study is to evaluate the biocidal effect ofdisinfectants and antiseptics available on the market. The study uses a reference strain ofEscherichia coli and a laboratory isolate of Staphylococcus aureus. The analysis was conductedusing the agar well diffusion method. Results show that sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxideH2O2 and mouthwashing water demonstrate strong bactericidal effect on both Gram (+) and Gram(–) bacteria. The bath cleaner gel, which is considered effective against Escherichia coli,demonstrated effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus instead. The dishwashing gel,ethacridine lactate, silver water and lavandula water show intermediate or zero effect againstEscherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Natural Superdisintegrants for the Formulation of Orally Disintegrating Tablets

Oral route is the most favoured and preferred route for the administration for most of the dosage forms because it offers so many advantages over other routes of administration. Sometimes the oral route is associated with a problem called dysphagia. This condition can be seen in a population of paediatric, geriatric, patients with neurological problems, bedridden patients and so on. In order to overcome such a problem orodispersible tablets will be a better choice, because it will disintegrate within seconds when comes in contact with saliva. Natural agents offers so many advantages like nontoxic, easy availability, low cost, biocompatible and biodegradable in nature over synthetic agents. This superdisintegrants will cause the increase in drug release and decrease the disintegration time. This natural superdisintegrants will be a good option for the preparation of ODTs. Keywords: orodispersible tablets, natural superdisintegrants, advantages, dysphagia .

Pharmacological Potentials of Royal Jelly in Dentistry: A Review

“Royal Jelly” is a viscous material which is secreted by the cephalic gland of the “worker bee.” This is the key component of the “queen bee’s” diet, rendering it with longer life span compared to worker bees.“Royal Jelly” possess various pharmacological properties. These includes antioxidant, neurotropic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antibiotic, anti-aging, antihypertensive properties. This article summarizes biological properties, composition, criteria of quality evaluation of “Royal Jelly”and published studies on the efficacy of “Royal Jelly” as a “wound healing agent” , as a component of mouth wash used in treatment of oral mucositis, periodontal diseases, as a storage media and as a pulp capping agent.“Royal Jelly” can emerge as a viable alternative to conventional synthetic agents, which may avoid usual drawbacks of synthetic medicaments.

Local Oral Delivery Agents with Anti-Biofilm Properties for the Treatment of Periodontitis and Peri-Implantitis. A Narrative Review

Despite many discoveries over the past 20 years regarding the etiopathogenesis of periodontal and peri-implant diseases, as well as significant advances in our understanding of microbial biofilms, the incidence of these pathologies continues to rise. For this reason, it was clear that other strategies were needed to eliminate biofilms. In this review, the literature database was searched for studies on locally delivered synthetic agents that exhibit anti-biofilm properties and their potential use in the treatment of two important oral diseases: periodontitis and peri-implantitis.

The robot-to-robot service encounter: an examination of the impact of inter-robot warmth

Purpose This study aims to examine humans’ reactions to service robots’ display of warmth in robot-to-robot interactions – a setting in which humans’ impressions of a service robot will not only be based on what this robot does in relation to humans, but also on what it does to other robots. Design/methodology/approach Service robot display of warmth was manipulated in an experimental setting in such a way that a service robot A expressed low versus high levels of warmth in relation to another service robot B. Findings The results indicate that a high level of warmth expressed by robot A vis-à-vis robot B boosted humans’ overall evaluations of A, and that this influence was mediated by the perceived humanness and the perceived happiness of A. Originality/value Numerous studies have examined humans’ reactions when they interact with a service robot or other synthetic agents that provide service. Future service encounters, however, will comprise also multi-robot systems, which means that there will be many opportunities for humans to be exposed to robot-to-robot interactions. Yet, this setting has hitherto rarely been examined in the service literature.

Lightweight Insulation Boards Based on Lignocellulosic Particles Glued with Agents of Natural Origin

In this study, the possibility of using adhesives of natural origin for the manufacture of wood fiber-based lightweight panels was investigated. The boards, of a density ranging from 150 to 250 kg/m3, were glued together using commercial urea–formaldehyde resin (control board), solutions of rye flour and potato starch and two types of starch: oxidized and gelatinized. The density and density profile, compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, acoustic properties and thermal conductivity were determined in the produced boards. These studies show that when food components are used as binding agents in the manufacture of lightweight wood fiberboards, the properties obtained can be comparable with those of commercial boards manufactured using synthetic agents.

Chronic cerebral venous dysfunction: diagnostic and treatment-and-prophylactic aspects

As a continuation of the topic of the article in the previous issue of the International Neurological Journal, which presents an analytical review of domestic and foreign studies on the syndrome of chronic cerebral venous dysfunction (SСCVD), this section discusses the classification of pathology, key issues of diagnosis and treatment. It is noted that in Ukraine and in most countries of the post-Soviet space, clinical classifications of M.Ya. Berdychevsky and A.V. Shemagonov are still used, where clinical forms, etiological factors, stages and types of the pathology were identified. In the ICD-10, venous cerebral insufficiency may correspond to the following chapters: G46, I87.8, I98, I99. Diagnosis of SCСVD, first of all, is based on a clinical assessment. Having quite characteristic general clinical symptoms, the pathology nevertheless differs in certain features of the course. Most often patients with SCСVD complain of chronic stabbing, monotonous headache, a feeling of heaviness in the head and so on. In addition, most patients have constant or intermittent noise in the head, ears, dizziness and vertigo. Additional verification methods are ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head and neck, plethysmography, magnetic resonance angiography. Since SCСVD is not an independent unit, the treatment of this pathology primarily requires the elimination of the underlying disease that provoked cerebral venous discirculation. As important preventive and curative measures, non-drug methods that reduce congestion in the body should be considered: regular physical activity, dosed exercises for the spine, various types of massage and physiotherapy, reflexology. It is important to adhere to a certain diet and quality of food. Among venotonic drugs, there are those of plant origin (flavonoids and saponins), synthetic agents, combined drugs.

AB0543 CHARACTERISTICS AND TREATMENT CHANGES IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS SEEN IN A COMBINED DERMATOLOGY-RHEUMATOLOGY CLINIC

Background:Data on patients with Psoriasis (PSO) referred to a combined Dermatology-Rheumatology outpatient Clinic (Derm-Rheum) with suspected psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are limited.Objectives:To assess patient characteristics and treatment changes in PsA patients referred to a Derm-Rheum Clinic.Methods:Prospective study of PSO patients referred to a combined Derm - Rheum Clinic from February 2018 to June 2020 in a Tertiary University Hospital.Results:Among 151 patients with PSO referred to the Clinic, 129 (85%) with a final diagnosis of PsA were included. In 73% of patients (n=94) PsA was diagnosed there for the 1st time. 56% were females with a mean age of 55 years and a median disease duration of 14.2 years. At initial evaluation, 95% had peripheral arthritis, 45% nail involvement, 23% axial involvement, 12% enthesitis and 6% dactylitis with a median DAPSA score of 20.5 and PASI score of 1.6, respectively. 31% of the patients were not receiving any systemic treatment, 45% were on biologics (30% as monotherapy, 15% in combination with non-biologics), 29% were on non-biologics (14% as monotherapy, 15% in combination with biologics or targeted synthetic agents] and 10% were on targeted synthetic (ts) agents. At last visit (median follow-up: 15 months) only 8% did not receive any systemic therapy (p<0.001 compared to 1st visit), 62% were on biologics (39% monotherapy – 23% in combination with non-biologics, p=0.009), 46% were on non-biologics (20% as monotherapy – 26% in combination with biologics or ts agents, p=0.01) and 10% of the patients were on apremilast. The median DAPSA and PASI scores at last visit were 5.3 and 0, respectively.Conclusion:About 2/3 of patients with PSO referred to a combined Derm - Rheum Clinic with suspicious musculoskeletal complaints were diagnosed for the 1st time as PsA. During follow-up the percentage of PsA patients who started or continued systemic therapy significantly increased with significant improvement of disease activity indices. These data emphasize the value of combined Derm - Rheum Clinics for earlier diagnosis and more efficacious treatment of PsA patients.Acknowledgements:This work was supported by research grants from the Special Account for Research Grants (S.A.R.G.), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.