Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
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This study investigated the hypnotic, anti-convulsant and anxiolytic effects of 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (BPNE) obtained from the oil of Dennettia tripetala G. Baker (Annonaceae) and established its mechanism of action. The essential oil (EO) from the leaf, fruit and seed was obtained by hydrodistillation, followed by isolation of BPNE purified to 99.2% by accelerated gradient chromatography on silica, and identified by NMR and GC-MS. ⋯ The essential oil at 5-20 mg/kg dose levels significantly (p<0.05) increased the percentage time spent and number of entries into the open arms. While at the same dose range BPNE significantly (p<0.05) increased the percentage time spent and the number of entries into the open arms respectively. The study concluded that 1-nitro-2-phenylethane exhibited dose dependent significant hypnotic, anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects and it is the compound largely responsible for the neuropharmacological effects of the oil.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Willow bark extract STW 33-I in the long-term treatment of outpatients with rheumatic pain mainly osteoarthritis or back pain.
Efficacy and safety of willow bark extract for pain reduction in patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) has been shown in clinical short term trials. Therefore this observational study over 6 months should evaluate patterns of treatments like mono- or combinations therapy, dosage and safety during long-term treatment under pragmatic conditions with the aqueous willow bark extract STW 33-I, (Proaktiv(®); drug-extract-ratio 16-23:1). ⋯ These data suggest that STW 33-I can be used as a basic treatment in the long-term therapy of painful musculoskeletal disorders and that it can be combined with NSAIDs and opioids if necessary.
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In this study we investigated antinociceptive effects of oxymatrine through regulation of NR2B-containing NMDA receptor-ERK/CREB signaling in a chronic neuropathic pain model induced by chronic constrictive injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. ⋯ Regulation of NMDA NR2B receptor-ERK/CREB signaling maybe the targets for the antinociceptive effects of OMT on a chronic neuropathic pain model induced by chronic constrictive injury of the sciatic nerve.
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β-Lapachone is a phytochemotherapeutic originally isolated from Lapacho tree whose extract has been used medicinally for centuries. It is well known that NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) activity is the principal determinant of β-Lapachone cytotoxicity. As NQO1 is overexpressed in most common carcinomas, recent investigations suggest its potential application against cancer. ⋯ The sensitivity of cancer cells to β-Lapachone treatment increased 24h after PDT and a synergistic inhibitory effect on MCF-7c3 cells was showed. Taken together, these results lead us to conclude that the synergistic interaction between β-Lapachone and PDT in killing cells was consistent with the up-regulation of NQO1. The combination of β-Lapachone and PDT is a potentially promising modality for the treatment of cancer.
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Quorum sensing (QS) is a process of cell-cell communication mechanism occurs between the bacterial cells through the secretary signal molecules. This QS mechanism has been shown to control over the expression of various genes responsible for the production of virulence factors in several bacterial pathogens. ⋯ The methanol extract of Rhizophora apiculata and R. mucronata (1 mg/ml) showed significant inhibition against QS dependent virulence factors production such as LasA protease, LasB elastase, total protease, pyocyanin pigment production and biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa PAO1, CI-I and CI-II. This study for the first time, reports the quorum sensing inhibitory (QSI) potential of Rhizophora spp. against P. aeruginosa infections.