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Biomed Res Int 2021 7;2021:6674988. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Beijing Tibetan Hospital, China Tibetology Research Center, 218 Anwaixiaoguanbeili Street, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China.

Background: Oxidative stress is implicated in the progression of many neurological diseases, which could be induced by various chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide (HO) and acrylamide. Triphala is a well-recognized Ayurvedic medicine that possesses different therapeutic properties (e.g. Read More

J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther 2021 31;26(3):311-314. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is a first-generation antihistamine that is used primarily to treat allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, urticaria, and allergic rhinitis. Despite its availability as an over-the-counter medication, toxicity may occur with its use especially when administered in large doses or via the intravenous route. We present a 3-month-old infant with Trisomy 21 who suffered a cardiac arrest immediately following administration of a single 1. Read More

Glob Pediatr Health 2021 22;8:2333794X21992170. Epub 2021 Feb 22.

Yarmouk University (YU), Irbid, Jordan.

. To provide a qualitative and a quantitative analysis of H1-antihistamines pharmacological uses pattern among children (<6 years old) and to evaluate the parental-related awareness. . Read More

Toxicol Res (Camb) 2020 Dec 28;9(6):798-807. Epub 2020 Nov 28.

Department of Zoology, SVU College of Sciences, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati 517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Polyherbal compound (Bronco-T) has been extensively used as a traditional medicine for various therapies. However, very few report studies on anti-inflammatory and lung regeneration properties are evidenced. In the present study, we evaluated the beneficial actions and anti-inflammatory properties of polyherbal medicine, Bronco-T, exhibited by treating the lungs of rats exposed to formaldehyde to evaluate the beneficial properties. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 Feb 26;756:144079. Epub 2020 Nov 26.

Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, Thessaloniki, GR-57001, Greece. Electronic address:

The present study comprehensively investigates the phototransformation and ecotoxicity of a mixture of twelve pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) susceptible to photolysis. Namely, three antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin), three antidepressants (bupropion, duloxetine, olanzapine), three anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, ketoprofen, nimesulide), two beta-blockers (propranolol, timolol) and the antihistamine ranitidine were treated under simulated solar irradiation in ultra-pure and river water. A total of 166 different transformation products (TPs) were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap HRMS), revealing the formation of twelve novel TPs and forty-nine not previously described in photolytic studies. Read More

Toxicology 2021 01 8;448:152651. Epub 2020 Dec 8.

Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. Electronic address:

A human microfluidic four-cell liver acinus microphysiology system (LAMPS), was evaluated for reproducibility and robustness as a model for drug pharmacokinetics and toxicology. The model was constructed using primary human hepatocytes or human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hepatocytes and 3 human cell lines for the endothelial, Kupffer and stellate cells. The model was tested in two laboratories and demonstrated to be reproducible in terms of basal function of hepatocytes, Terfenadine metabolism, and effects of Tolcapone (88 μM), Troglitazone (150 μM), and caffeine (600 μM) over 9 days in culture. Read More

Toxicology 2021 01 28;448:152649. Epub 2020 Nov 28.

Laboratory of Neuroimmunoendocrinology and Toxinology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil. Electronic address:

Bothrops leucurus is the major causative agent of venomous snakebites in Northeastern Brazil. Severe pain is the most frequent symptom in these envenomings, with an important inflammatory component. This work characterized the pronociceptive effects evoked by B. Read More

Korean J Gastroenterol 2020 11;76(5):232-237

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in clinical practice. The long-term use of NSAIDs is one of the main causes of peptic ulcers and the increased risk of upper gastrointestinal tract complications, such as perforation and bleeding. Thus, the prevention of NSAID-induced peptic ulcers is an important clinical issue. Read More

Aquat Toxicol 2021 Jan 2;230:105673. Epub 2020 Nov 2.

Biology Department & CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal. Electronic address:

The negative effects induced in marine organisms by Climate Change related abiotic factors consequences, namely ocean warming, are well-known. However, few works studied the combined impacts of ocean warming and contaminants, as pharmaceutical drugs. Carbamazepine (CBZ) and cetirizine (CTZ) occur in the marine environment, showing negative effects in marine organisms. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 Nov 11;21(22). Epub 2020 Nov 11.

Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Biotecnologiche, Università di Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy.

Combined treatments which use nanoparticles and drugs could be a synergistic strategy for the treatment of a variety of cancers to overcome drug resistance, low efficacy, and high-dose-induced systemic toxicity. In this study, the effects on human colon adenocarcinoma cells of surface modified FeO magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in combination with sodium butyrate (NaBu), added as a free formulation, were examined demonstrating that the co-delivery produced a cytotoxic effect on malignant cells. Two different MNP coatings were investigated: a simple polyethylene glycol (PEG) layer and a mixed folic acid (FA) and PEG layer. Read More

Virol Sin 2020 Nov 9. Epub 2020 Nov 9.

State Key Lab of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) belongs to Hepadnaviridae family and mainly infects hepatocytes, which can cause acute or chronic hepatitis. Currently, two types of antiviral drugs are approved for chronic infection clinically: interferons and nucleos(t)ide analogues. However, the clinical cure for chronic infection is still rare, and it is a huge challenge for all researchers to develop high-efficiency, safe, non-tolerant, and low-toxicity anti-HBV drugs. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 Oct 31;21(21). Epub 2020 Oct 31.

Department of Regulation Biochemistry, Kitasato University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanagawa 252-0374, Japan.

Dysbiosis, an imbalance of intestinal flora, can cause serious conditions such as obesity, cancer, and psychoneurological disorders. One cause of dysbiosis is inflammation. Ulcerative enteritis is a side effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Read More

Biochem Pharmacol 2021 01 29;183:114310. Epub 2020 Oct 29.

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. Electronic address:

During the molecular transduction of itch, the stimulation of pruriceptors on sensory fibers leads to the activation or sensitization of ion channels, which results in a consequent depolarization of the neurons. These ion channels mostly belong to the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which are involved in nociception and thermosensation. In particular, TRPV1 and TRPA1 were described in the transduction of both thermal nociception as well as histaminergic and non-histaminergic itch. Read More

Phytomedicine 2021 Jan 17;80:153391. Epub 2020 Oct 17.

Center for Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061 China; Key Laboratory for Tumor Precision Medicine of Shaanxi Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China. Electronic address:

Background: Pseudo-allergic reactions are potentially fatal hypersensitivity responses caused by mast cell activation. α-linolenic acid (ALA) is known for its anti-allergic properties. However, its potential anti-pseudo-allergic effects were not much investigated. Read More

Neurol Clin 2020 11 12;38(4):867-879. Epub 2020 Sep 12.

Department of Neurology, Indiana University, Indiana University Neuroscience Center, 355 West 16th Street, Suite 4700, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine-Toxicology, Indiana University, Indiana University Neuroscience Center, 355 West 16th Street, Suite 4700, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.

New toxins are emerging all the time. In this article, the authors review common toxins that cause seizure, their mechanisms, associated toxidromes, and treatments. Stimulants, cholinergic agents, gamma-aminobutyric acid antagonists, glutamate agonists, histamine and adenosine antagonists, and withdrawal states are highlighted. Read More

Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2021 Mar 7;77(3):381-388. Epub 2020 Oct 7.

Department of Pharmacy, Hokkaido University Hospital, Kita 14-jo, Nishi 5-chome, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8648, Japan.

Purpose: Gefitinib is one of the standard treatments for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations. It has been reported that acid suppressants (AS) decrease the anti-tumor effect of gefitinib by reducing its solubility. AS is sometimes necessary in cancer patients; however, previous reports have not shown the most compatible AS with gefitinib administration in cancer patients. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020 12 4;533(4):1102-1108. Epub 2020 Oct 4.

Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, 5200 Kihara, Kiyotake, Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki, 889-1692, Japan. Electronic address:

An itch is defined as an unpleasant sensation that evokes a desire to scratch. Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system and has a crucial role in pruriceptive processing in the spinal dorsal horn. It is well known that glutamate exerts its effects by binding to various glutamate receptors including α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, and that AMPA/kainate receptors play a crucial role in pruriceptive processing; however, the precise role of AMPA receptors remains uncertain. Read More

Molecules 2020 Sep 15;25(18). Epub 2020 Sep 15.

Pharmacognosy Department, College of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr el Aini St., Cairo P.B. 11562, Egypt.

has been commonly used as a multi-use medicinal plant in folk medicine worldwide. The objectives of our study were to determine the different metabolites in the Rottb. methanol extract, and to assess its in vivo gastroprotective effect in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Read More

Water Res 2020 Oct 7;185:116278. Epub 2020 Aug 7.

State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, PR China. Electronic address:

Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) is an appealing oxidant for organic contaminant destruction relying on radical generation after activation. Herein, we report PMS-promoted rapid degradation of histamine H-receptor antagonists (HRAs) through non-radical process for the first time. Five commonly used HRAs, i. Read More

Am J Nurs 2020 08;120(8):23

Diane S. Aschenbrenner is an assistant professor at Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore. She also coordinates Drug Watch:

Int J Pharm 2020 Aug 2;586:119439. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC-Centre for Advanced Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India. Electronic address:

Mirtazapine, an antidepressant drug has been proved to exert antipruritic effect upon oral administration in numerous clinical trial studies. The objective of the current study was to develop mirtazapine loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and evaluate its potential as a topical drug delivery system for management of pruritus. Mirtazapine loaded SLNs were successfully developed and optimized applying Box-Behnken design. Read More

Transplant Proc 2020 Nov 17;52(9):2817-2819. Epub 2020 Jun 17.

Department of Pharmacy, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. Electronic address:

The significance of serotonin syndrome due to drug-drug interactions has emerged as a prominent consideration when the effects of polypharmacy are reviewed. The emergence of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors has most likely fueled the increased reporting of serotonin syndrome in the literature, leading to increased awareness of this phenomenon. However, their presence is not necessarily inclusive to a case and the utilization of agents precipitating an occurrence may be unavoidable. Read More

Eur J Pharmacol 2020 Sep 15;882:173255. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

The Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Rabin Medical Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. Electronic address:

The anticancer prodrug butyroyloxymethyl diethylphosphate (AN-7), upon metabolic hydrolysis, releases the histone deacetylase inhibitor butyric acid and imparts histone hyperacetylation. We have shown previously that AN-7 increases doxorubicin-induced cancer cell death and reduces doxorubicin toxicity and hypoxic damage to the heart and cardiomyocytes. The cardiofibroblasts remain unprotected against both insults. Read More

Curr Drug Metab 2020 ;21(4):281-290

Federal University of Sao Joao del-Rei, Av. Sebastiao Goncalves Coelho, 400, Campus Centro-Oeste, Chanadour, Divinopolis-MG, CEP: 35501-296, Brazil.

Background: Maytenus ilicifolia is a Brazilian popular medicine commonly used to treat ulcer and gastritis. Despite the absence of toxicity regarding its consumption, possible interactions when co-administrated with conventional drugs, are unknown.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of M. Read More

Molecules 2020 May 7;25(9). Epub 2020 May 7.

Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Milan State University, via G. Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.

Nootkatone (NTK) is a sesquiterpenoid found in essential oils of many species of (Rutaceae). Considering previous reports demonstrating that NTK inhibited inflammatory signaling pathways, this study aimed to investigate the effects of this compound in mice models of acute and chronic inflammation. Murine models of paw edema induced by carrageenan, dextran, histamine, and arachidonic acid, as well as carrageenan-induced peritonitis and pleurisy, were used to evaluate the effects of NTK on acute inflammation. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 May 3;21(9). Epub 2020 May 3.

Korea Institute of Dermatological Science, GeneCellPharm Corporation, 375 Munjeong 2(i)-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05836, Korea.

Developing dermatitis therapeutics has been faced with challenges including adverse effects of topical steroid and high cost of new developing drugs. Here, we found the expression levels of dopamine receptor D2 is higher in skin biopsies of dermatitis patients and an oxazolone-induced animal model of dermatitis. We used perphenazine, an FDA-approved dopamine receptor antagonist to determine the therapeutic effect. Read More

J Pharm Biomed Anal 2020 Jul 18;186:113305. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Medicinal Plant Laboratory, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki, 852-8521, Japan.

The competence of hydrophilic interaction (HILIC) and reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) modes, employing two new stationary phases: triazole- and pentabromobenzyl-bonded silica (PBr), respectively, was inspected for separation of two polar basic analytes: famotidine (FAM) and its acidic degradant famotidone (FON). Comparison of the chromatographic efficiency, greenness, and economy aspects showed that the RPLC is superior to the HILIC. Hence, the RPLC method was adopted and validated adhering to the FDA guidelines showing excellent linearity for FAM (1. Read More

Molecules 2020 Apr 27;25(9). Epub 2020 Apr 27.

School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.

Creatine supplementation of the population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) combined with an exercise program is known to be a possible therapy adjuvant with hypoglycemic effects. However, excessive administration of creatine leads to the production of methylamine which is deaminated by the enzyme semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) and as a result, cytotoxic compounds are produced. SSAO activity and reaction products are increased in the serum of T2DM patients. Read More