Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Sci Total Environ 2019 Mar 2;657:926-937. Epub 2018 Dec 2.

Department of Biology, Aveiro University, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Campus de Santiago, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal. Electronic address:

In the last years the environmental presence of pharmaceuticals has gained increasing attention. Research data show that these compounds can cause toxicological effects in different species of fish, mollusks and macroinvertebrates. However, the literature is scarce in terms of ecotoxicity data especially focusing on plants as test organisms. Read More

Chem Biol Interact 2019 Feb 3;300:18-26. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Institute of Acute Abdominal Diseases of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, 300100, PR China; Nankai Clinical College, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300107, PR China. Electronic address:

Chronic pancreatitis is characterized by pancreatic fibrosis, associated with excessive activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and increased expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Recently, our studies have shown that autophagy inhibitor could inhibit PSCs activation and reduce collagen secretion. Saikosaponin d (SSd), the major active component of bupleurum falcatum (a medicinal plant), has anti-fibrosis effects in liver. Read More

Minerva Pediatr 2019 Feb;71(1):82-99

Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.

Unlike fever, which is often over-treated especially in children, pain is underestimated and under-treated in pediatric age. The pharmacological agents approved for treating pain in these patients are few, also considering the recent limitation for codeine in children younger than 12 years. Paracetamol and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen are the most used at this purpose. Read More

Eur J Med Chem 2019 Feb 26;163:307-319. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China. Electronic address:

A series of resveratrol dimer derivatives against Alzheimer's disease (AD) was obtained by structural modification and transformation using resveratrol as substrate. Biological analysis revealed that these derivatives had moderate inhibitory activity against human monoamine oxidase B (hMAO-B). In particular, 3 and 7 showed the better inhibitory activity for hMAO-B (IC = 3. Read More

Int J Nanomedicine 2018 9;13:7363-7374. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,

Background: The aim of this study was to prepare curcumin nanoemulsion (CR-NE) to solve the problems associated with poor water solubility and low bioavailability of CR and to test its efficiency in the treatment of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in mouse models.

Materials And Methods: CR-NE 1% was prepared using spontaneous emulsification by soybean as oil phase; a mixture of Tween 80 and Tween 85 as surfactant; ethanol as cosurfactant and distilled water. Particle size and zeta potential of NE were assessed using Nano-ZS90 dynamic light scattering. Read More

J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2018 Dec 5;37(1):303. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, People's Republic of China.

Background: We and others have previously shown that the STAT3 signaling pathway is activated in some esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells and is required for the survival and growth of these primary ESCC-derived xenografts. It has also been shown that the natural polyphenol curcumin is an effective anti-tumor agent.

Methods: Luciferase assay and immunoblotting were performed to examine whether curcumin suppressed STAT3 signaling. Read More

Cell Physiol Biochem 2018 30;51(4):1894-1907. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, UNT Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas,

Background/aims: Targeting survivin, an anti-apoptotic protein and mitotic regulator, is considered as an effective therapeutic option for pancreatic cancer (PaCa). Tolfenamic acid (TA) showed anti-cancer activity in pre-clinical studies. A recent discovery demonstrated a copper(II) complex of TA (Cu-TA) can result in higher activity. Read More

Oxid Med Cell Longev 2018 30;2018:8152373. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Neuroscience and Cell Biology Graduate Program, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and neurodegenerative disorder of the cortex and hippocampus, which eventually leads to cognitive impairment. Although the etiology of AD remains unclear, the presence of -amyloid (A) peptides in these learning and memory regions is a hallmark of AD. Therefore, the inhibition of A peptide aggregation has been considered the primary therapeutic strategy for AD treatment. Read More

Chemosphere 2019 Mar 16;218:299-307. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu 610059, Sichuan, PR China. Electronic address:

Diclofenac was frequently found in various waters, indicating conventional wastewater treatment methods ineffective in its removal. In this study, LaFeO (LFO) was synthesized and its catalytic activity of LFO as the activator of different oxidants such as persulfate (PS), hydrogen peroxide and peroxylmonosulfate (PMS) was evaluated in terms of DCF degradation. The influence of calcination temperature was examined on the catalytic activity of LFO. Read More

Life Sci 2019 Jan 22;216:147-155. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

School of Public Health Jilin University, Changchun 130021, Jilin, China. Electronic address:

Aims: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a damage of spinal cord caused by trauma or diseases. Here, we explored the effects of tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) on SCI oxidative damage in vitro and in vivo.

Materials And Methods: In vitro, PC-12 cells were treated by HO to stimulate oxidative injury. Read More

Phytomedicine 2018 Nov 17;50:73-87. Epub 2018 Sep 17.

School of Advanced Medical Science, Shandong University, 44 Wenhuaxilu road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China; The Second Hospital of Shandong University, 247 Beiyuan Ave, Jinan, Shandong 250033, China; Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 4655 Daxue Road, Jinan, Shandong 250355, China. Electronic address:

Background: Radix Bupleuri (RB) has been widely used in Chinese Traditional Medicine for over 2000 years and is currently marketed in China as Chai-Hu-Shu-Gan tablets and Xiao-Yao-Wan tablets. Saikosaponins (SSs, especially SSa, SSc and SSd), as the major bioactive compounds in RB, represent anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-viral and hepatoprotective effects.

Purpose: To summarize recent findings regarding to the extraction, detection, biosynthesis, metabolism, pharmacological/toxicological effects of SSs. Read More

Cell Physiol Biochem 2018 21;51(2):681-691. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Department of Rehabilitation, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.

Background/aims: We aimed to explore the protective role of curcumin (Cur) in a cell model of Parkinson's disease (PD) and its underlying mechanism.

Methods: In this study, genes concerned with PD-related keywords were screened within DiGSeE database. The association network between Cur and selected genes was downloaded from STITCH, with the interactions analyzed by STRING. Read More

Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2018 Dec 26;64:181-186. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

Veterinary Pharmacology/Toxicology, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa; University of Pretoria Biotechnology Research Centre, South Africa. Electronic address:

Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical agent was responsible for the death of millions of Gyps vulture's in the Indian sub-region with the safety of the other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) being questionable. With preclinical safety testing not well established for avian species unlike for mammalian and environmental toxicity, we ask the question if a preclinical model could have predicted the toxic effect of the drug. For this study, we test an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guideline 223 for assessing the acute toxic potential of pesticides in birds by exposing three avian species to the drug. Read More

Chem Biol Interact 2019 Jan 5;298:57-65. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt.

Objective: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic and recurrent disorders of the gastrointestinal tract with unknown etiology and have two major forms, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn diseases. In view of the adverse effects and incomplete efficacy of currently administered drugs, it is essential to investigate new and harmless drugs with more desirable beneficial effects. Statins have many additional pleiotropic effects other than their lipid-lowering effect. Read More

Transplant Proc 2018 Nov 16;50(9):2854-2859. Epub 2018 Mar 16.

Department of Surgery, Ulsan University, College of Medicine, Gangneung Asan Hospital, Gangneung, South Korea.

Background: Calcineurin inhibitors are effective immunosuppressive agents, but associated adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity may limit efficacy. Tacrolimus (FK506) is an immunosuppressive drug used mainly to lower the risk of organ rejection after allogeneic organ transplant. Adverse effects of FK-506 can prompt patients to end treatment despite the efficacy. Read More

J Neuroinflammation 2018 Nov 6;15(1):308. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Division of Life Science and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Background: Inflammation plays a critical role in accelerating the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and ataxia telangiectasia (A-T). In A-T mouse models, LPS-induced neuroinflammation advances the degenerative changes found in cerebellar Purkinje neurons both in vivo and in vitro. In the current study, we ask whether ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), can have the opposite effect and delay the symptoms of the disease. Read More

Anticancer Res 2018 Nov;38(11):6253-6261

Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, National Taipei University of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.

Background/aim: Dichloroacetate (DCA) and curcumin have been shown to be potent drug candidates in cancer therapy. Our study aimed to investigate the combined effects of DCA and essential oil-blended curcumin (ECUR) using the hepatoma Huh-7 cell model.

Materials And Methods: Muse™ Cell Cycle assay, Muse™ Annexin V & Dead Cell assay, Muse™ Oxidative Stress assay, and western blot analysis were applied to explore the underlying mechanisms. Read More

Toxicol Lett 2019 Jan 28;300:59-66. Epub 2018 Oct 28.

Shandong Academy of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan Shandong 250062, China. Electronic address:

To study the role of pirfenidone in rats exposed to silica dust, we established the rat silicosis model with 50 mg/ml silica by intratracheal instillation. From the first day after silica instillation, rats were given pirfenidone (50, 100 mg/kg/day) and rats were sacrificed at 14 days and 28 days to observe the histopathology of lungs, to analyze the level of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 in lung tissues and to measure the expression of TGF-β1, Smad2/3, vimentin, and E-cadherin in lung tissues. Results showed that pirfenidone (50, 100 mg/kg/day) reduced the silica-induced alveolar inflammation, the damage of alveolar structure and the blue areas of collagen fibers in the lungs of rats. Read More

Chem Biol Interact 2019 Jan 2;298:80-85. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Bundeswehr Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Neuherbergstraße 11, 80937, Munich, Germany; Walther-Straub-Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Goethestraße 33, 80336, Munich, Germany. Electronic address:

Although its first military use in Ypres was 100 years ago, no causal therapy for sulfur mustard (SM) intoxications exists so far. To improve the therapeutic options for the treatment of SM intoxications, we developed a co-culture of keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and immunocompetent cells (THP-1 cells) to identify potential substances for further research. Here, we report on the influence of necrosulfonamide (NSA) on the course of a SM intoxication in vitro. Read More

Biotech Histochem 2018 2;93(7):485-495. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

e Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty , Inonu University , Malatya , Turkey.

We evaluated the effects of melatonin on acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) induced gastroduodenal and jejunal mucosal injury. We used 40 postpubertal rats divided randomly into five groups of eight animals. The control group consisted of untreated animals. Read More

Chem Commun (Camb) 2018 Nov;54(92):12990-12993

State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, International Joint Research Laboratory of Nano-Micro Architecture Chemistry (NMAC), College of Chemistry, Jilin University, 2699 Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, P. R. China.

Upon surface functionalization and stabilization of β-NaYF4:Yb/Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with phosphoryl pillar[5]arenes (PP5) via a facile ligand exchange method, we constructed a new hybrid material (PP5-UCNPs) with good water dispersibility especially in a physiological environment and superior capability of controlled cargo release and cell imaging. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019 Jan 1;26(1):179-187. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Student Research committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

Curcumin (Cur) effects on renal injury induced by zinc oxide nanoparticles (NZnO) in rats were investigated. NZnO at a dose of 50 mg/kg for 14 days was administered to rats as intoxicated group. In protection group, Cur at a dose of 200 mg/kg was administered for 7 days prior to NZnO treatment and followed by concomitant administration of NZnO for 14 days. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Oct 31;19(11). Epub 2018 Oct 31.

CF-UM-UP, Centro de Física das Universidades do Minho e Porto, Departamento de Física da Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.

Diclofenac (DCF), the most widely consumed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) worldwide, is associated with adverse typical effects, including gastrointestinal (GI) complications. The present study aims to better understand the topical toxicity induced by DCF using membrane models that mimic the physiological, biophysical, and chemical environments of GI mucosa segments. For this purpose, phospholipidic model systems that mimic the GI protective lining and lipid models of the inner mitochondrial membrane were used together with a wide set of techniques: derivative spectrophotometry to evaluate drug distribution at the membrane; steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence to predict drug location at the membrane; fluorescence anisotropy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and calcein leakage studies to evaluate the drug-induced disturbance on membrane microviscosity and permeability; and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering studies (SAXS and WAXS, respectively), to evaluate the effects of DCF at the membrane structure. Read More

J Chemother 2018 Jul;30(4):240-246

c Department of Pharmacology , Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China.

To evaluate the impact of voriconazole on the pharmacokinetics of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Pharmacokinetic and physiochemical properties of voriconazole and NSAIDs are applied to build physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models using Gastroplus. The PBPK models of voriconazole and NSAIDs are verified by published studies, respectively. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2019 Jan 25;167:505-512. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia in Katowice, Jagiellońska 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland. Electronic address:

High level of naproxen consumption leads to the appearance of this drug in the environment but its possible effects on non-target organisms together with its biodegradation are not well studied. The aim of this work was to evaluate naproxen ecotoxicity by using the Microbial Assay for Risk Assessment. Moreover, Bacillus thuringiensis B1(2015b) was tested for both ecotoxicity and the ability of this strain to degrade naproxen in cometabolic conditions. Read More

J Colloid Interface Sci 2019 Feb 19;536:196-207. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

"Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of Romanian Academy, Iasi, Romania. Electronic address:

The paper focuses on the synthesis and characterization of new drug delivery systems for local therapy. They were prepared by in situ hydrogelation of chitosan biopolymer with nitrosalicylaldehyde in the presence of a model drug, varying the crosslinking density. The structural, supramolecular and morphological characteristics of the systems were studied by FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and, POM and SEM microscopy. Read More

Carbohydr Polym 2019 Jan 29;204:142-151. Epub 2018 Sep 29.

College of Life Science, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, 271018, PR China. Electronic address:

The present work investigated the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and pulmonary protective effects of enzymatic- and acid- hydrolysed mycelia polysaccharides (En-MPS and Ac-MPS) from Oudemansiella radicata on LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mice. The results demonstrated that both En-MPS and Ac-MPS showed potential pulmonary protective effects by decreasing serum levels of hs-CRP and C3, increasing pulmonary enzyme values of SOD, GSH-Px, CAT and the level of T-AOC; reducing the activity of MPO; and down-regulating the contents of MDA and LPO. In addition, the levels of TNF-ɑ, IL-1β, and IL-6 in BALF of mice treated with En-MPS at a dosage of 400 mg/kg/d were significantly lower than those in the ALI mice. Read More

Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992) 2018 Jul;64(7):590-594

Internal Medicine Department - III, District Hospital of Santarem, Portugal.

The authors report a case of a 69-year-old man with idiopathic leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis. For three years, the lesions recurred with progressive worsening and were associated with systemic manifestations of low-grade fever, weight loss and raised inflammatory markers. The patient latter presented a 6th cranial nerve involvement, raising the concern of a possible systemic vasculitis, which was latter evidenced by the development of deep vein thrombosis and angina pectoris. Read More

Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2018 Dec 22;100:105-117. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

Division of Risk Assessment, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-9501, Japan. Electronic address:

Benzyl salicylate is used as a fragrance ingredient and an ultraviolet light absorber, but its toxicity is unknown. Therefore, toxicity tests and hazard classification were conducted for screening assessment under the Japanese Chemical Substances Control Law. Benzyl salicylate was found to be non-genotoxic in vitro based on the chromosomal aberration test using Chinese hamster lung cells. Read More

Cell Physiol Biochem 2018 24;50(3):1100-1112. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Background/aims: Aseptic loosening is a common reason for failed artificial hip replacement after total hip arthroplasty. Aseptic loosening is mostly the result of wear debris that causes osteolysis and weakens the structures that support the prosthesis. Wear debris plays a crucial role in osteolysis during the loosening process, and polyethylene (PE) particles are found as wear debris more frequently than any other type of particle. Read More

Talanta 2019 Jan 18;192:248-254. Epub 2018 Sep 18.

School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 76# Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China. Electronic address:

Radix Salviae Miltiorrhiae (also known as DanShen (DS) in China), a popular herbal drug in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for promoting blood circulation and treating blood stasis, has been reported to possess potential anti-tumor effects. The aim of the study was to develop an effective and practical method for screening and identifying bioactive compounds from Radix Salviae Miltiorrhiae. In this work, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and fibroblast growth factor receptors 4 (FGFR4) dual-mixed/cell membrane chromatography (CMC) coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-ion trap-time of flight-multistage mass spectrum (HPLC-ESI-IT-TOF-MSn) was established and successfully used to identify the active components from Radix Salviae Miltiorrhiae. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Oct 19;19(10). Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Department of Experimental Oncology, Ludwik Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy Polish Academy of Science, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most deadly cancers in the world due to late diagnosis and poor response to available treatments. It is important to identify treatment strategies that will increase the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of the currently used therapeutics. In this study, the PDAC cell lines AsPC-1, BxPC-3, and Capan-1 were treated with sorafenib and betulinic acid alone and in combination. Read More

Aquat Toxicol 2018 Dec 13;205:89-99. Epub 2018 Oct 13.

University of Namur, Institute of Life, Earth & Environment, Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, 61 rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium. Electronic address:

Because of their intrinsic biological activity and ubiquitous environmental occurrence, human pharmaceutical compounds have received increasing attention from health and environmental agencies. In the present study, all-female juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were exposed to environmentally-realistic concentrations of a mixture of nonsteroidal pharmaceuticals for 42 days, and the effects on plasma levels of sex-steroids and the expression of genes encoding key proteins involved in ovarian development were assessed. Paracetamol, carbamazepine, diclofenac, irbesartan and naproxen were selected, as these have been detected in the Meuse River in Belgium. Read More

Comput Biol Chem 2018 Dec 9;77:178-186. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, 230, Réduit, Mauritius.

The genus Silene is renowned in Turkey for its traditional use as food and medicine. Currently, there are 138 species of Silene in Turkey, amongst which have been several studies for possible pharmacological potential and application in food industry. However, there is currently a paucity of data on Silene salsuginea Hub. Read More

Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2019 Jan 15;215:56-66. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Wuxi Fisheries College, Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxi 214081, China; Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fisheries and Germplasm Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Fish Immunopharmacology, Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China. Electronic address:

Resveratrol, a dietary polyphenol, has been shown to exert antioxidation, hepatoprotection, anti-inflammation and immunostimulation. However, the effects and underlying mechanism of resveratrol on liver injury in fish are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the potential protective effects and mechanism of resveratrol on oxidative stress-induced liver damage in tilapia. Read More

Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2019 Jan 15;215:41-46. Epub 2018 Oct 15.

Department of Paraclinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa; Biomedical Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Asian Gyps vulture species are gradually recovering from the devastating effect of diclofenac being present in contaminated carcasses. This drug was responsible for the death of over 10 million vultures in India, Nepal and Pakistan. To prevent the extinction of vultures, meloxicam was introduced after the ban of veterinary diclofenac. Read More

Mol Med Rep 2018 Dec 10;18(6):5076-5086. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510990, P.R. China.

Drug‑induced liver injury (DILI) is a common hepatic disease. The identification of biomarkers for DILI prediction is critical for rational drug use. The aim of the present study was to investigate liver injury caused by binaprofen and identify proteins that may serve as early biomarkers to predict DILI. Read More

Int J Med Mushrooms 2018 ;20(9):809-823

Laboratory for Immunopharmacology of Microbial Products, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Science, Tokyo, Japan.

Ganoderma lingzhi (reishi) (GL) is a widely used medicinal mushroom in the treatment of several diseases, including metabolic syndrome and cancer. We recently performed autodigestion of GL and found enhanced release of hypotensive peptides and immunomodulating beta-1,3-glucan. In the present study, we examined the protective effects of G. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2019 May 14;234(5):5728-5740. Epub 2018 Oct 14.

Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Cancer is the second cause of death worldwide. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most common modalities for the treatment of cancer. Experimental studies have shown that inflammation plays a central role in tumor resistance and the incidence of several side effects following both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Read More

Phytochemistry 2018 Dec 9;156:167-175. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China. Electronic address:

Tripterygium hypoglaucum (H. Lév.) Hutch. Read More

Eur J Med Chem 2018 Nov 4;159:339-356. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

School of Stomatology of Lanzhou University; Lanzhou, 730000, China.

A series of HSCO dual-donors [Mn(CO)CSNRR] was synthesized, and evaluated from toxicity and bioactivity. The COHS measuring test showed all the complexes not only released CO, but released HS. The resulting data of cytotoxicity showed all the complexes had activities against the cell proliferation; among them, complexes 1, 2 and 7 displayed higher activities than the others, and their potencies were close to cis-platinum (DDP); whereas the precursors A-A had almost no activities against all five tumor cell lines and W138 cell line proliferation. Read More

J Vet Med Sci 2018 Dec 5;80(12):1801-1807. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.

The control of inflammation, which arises from complex biological responses to harmful stimuli, is an important determinant of both clinical outcomes and patient comfort. However, the side effects of many current therapies such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs mean that new safe treatments are required. We previously reported that 12. Read More

BMC Vet Res 2018 Oct 5;14(1):304. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Department of Clinical Sciences and Animal Pharmacology Research Group of Quebec (GREPAQ; Groupe de recherche en pharmacologie animale du Québec), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, 3200 rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, J2S 2M2, Canada.

Background: Buprenorphine is a potent lipophilic opioid analgesic that is largely used in the multimodal treatment of acute pain. Simbadol (buprenorphine hydrochloride) is the first and only FDA-approved high-concentration formulation of buprenorphine for use in cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of carprofen in combination with one of two commercial formulations of buprenorphine (Simbadol and Vetergesic, 1. Read More

J Emerg Med 2018 12 2;55(6):e141-e145. Epub 2018 Oct 2.

Department of Pediatrics at Schulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, and the Children's Health Research Institute, Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.

Background: Pediatric exposure to prazosin is unusual because it is most commonly indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Prazosin's increase in popularity as a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder makes it important for emergency physicians to be aware of how to manage potential toxic ingestion because of prazosin overdose.

Case Report: A 16-year-old, 76-kg female presented after ingesting 110 mg of prazosin, 209. Read More

Dig Dis Sci 2019 01 3;64(1):93-101. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, EH 511 SGEN, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.

Introduction: Loss of hepatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression is a cause for the increased perioperative risk for complications and death in patients with obesity and fatty liver undergoing liver resection. Herein, we set out to identify agents that might increase EGFR expression and improve recovery for patients with fatty liver undergoing resection. Using the diet-induced obese (DIO) mouse model of fatty liver, we examined resveratrol as a therapy to induce EGFR expression and improve outcomes following 80% partial hepatectomy (PH) in a murine model. Read More

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl 2018 Dec 25;93:178-190. Epub 2018 Jul 25.

Metallurgy and Materials Science Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Natural Products for Ageing and Chronic Diseases Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Electronic address:

Curcumin diglutaric acid (CG) is a prodrug of curcumin that shows better solubility and antinociceptive activity compared to curcumin. To improve its properties further, CG was encapsulated into polysaccharide-based nanoparticles in this study. A chitosan/alginate nanoparticulate system was chosen for encapsulation of CG due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, mucoadhisiveness and good film formation. Read More

Food Chem Toxicol 2018 Nov 28;121:687-700. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Institute of Bioproduct Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia; Department of Bioprocess and Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Electronic address:

Rosmarinic acid is a bioactive phytochemical that can be found in many herbs as ethnomedicines. It possesses remarkable pharmacological activities, and thus leading to its exploration as a therapeutic drug in diabetes treatment recently. This article reviews the extraction and fractionation techniques for plant-based natural rosmarinic acid and its anti-diabetic potential based on literature data published in journals, books, and patents from 1958 to 2017. Read More

Int J Nanomedicine 2018 21;13:5625-5635. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Macao Special Administrative Region, People's Republic of China,

Background: As an immune-mediated skin disease, psoriasis encounters therapeutic challenges on topical drug development due to the unclear mechanism, and complicated morphological and physiological changes in the skin.

Methods: In this study, imiquimod-induced psoriatic mouse skin (IMQ-psoriatic skin) was chosen as the in vitro pathological model to explore the penetration behaviors of drugs and nanoparticles (NPs).

Results: Compared with normal skin, significantly higher penetration and skin accumulation were observed in IMQ-psoriatic skin for all the three model drugs. Read More

Environ Pollut 2018 Dec 21;243(Pt B):1263-1273. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

Homosalate is an organic ultraviolet filter used in most sunscreens but has been reported to be toxic to marine organisms. The estrogenic activity of homosalate has also been reported, but its endocrine-disrupting effect remains unclear. Although homosalate has been detected in human placental tissues, its effect on the survival of human trophoblast cells needs to be investigated. Read More

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2018 Oct;28(10):735-738

Department of Anatomy, Sahara Medical College, Mureedkey Road, Narowal, Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the histological effects of Nigella sativa on kidneys against aspirin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats.

Study Design: An experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Anatomy Department, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from January 2014 to December 2015. Read More