Cold Remedies Research Articles

A Burning Issue: Wildfire Smoke Exposure, Retail Sales, and Demand for Adaptation in Healthcare

Wildfire events have increased in frequency and severity across the United States in recent decades. While a growing literature has documented the effects of wildfire smoke exposure on a wide range of health and socioeconomic outcomes, little is known about its impact on consumer behavior and household demand for adaptation in healthcare. We combine a newly developed and digitized dataset on daily wildfire smoke PM2.5 concentrations across the contiguous United States from 2006 to 2019 with weekly NielsenIQ retail scanner data to quantify how wildfire smoke exposure affects retail sales of air purifiers, bottled water, cold remedies, nasal products, cough products, and nutritional products. We find a positive and statistically significant impact of wildfire smoke exposure on the retail sales of these products. Dynamic effects are evident as wildfire smoke exposure in previous weeks also increases current sales. Nonlinear effects arising from the varying intensity of wildfire smoke exposure also reveal distinct patterns of demand for adaptation. We further explore how the effects of wildfire smoke exposure vary with socio-demographic characteristics, focusing on social vulnerability and highlighting the implications of environmental justice. Our results underscore the need for proactive policies to address the increased demand for emergency supplies and healthcare products as household adaptive measures during the wildfire season, particularly targeting socioeconomically vulnerable populations who may be prone to limited access to preventive measures against wildfire smoke.

Pseudoephedrine-Induced Risks of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome and Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome

Abstract Background Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug used as a nasal/sinus decongestant in common cold remedies. Objective The purpose of this review article is to discuss the pseudoephedrine-associated posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), which have been reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of United Kingdom and Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) and Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of European Medicines Agency (EMA). Methods The aim is to review the literature pertinent to PRES and RCVS linked to the use of pseudoephedrine; the literature was searched in databases such as Medline/PubMed/PMC, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Ebsco, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and reference lists. Results The review by MHRA of the United Kingdom and PRAC and CHMP of EMA, all available evidence, including postmarketing safety data, and a few case reports, have confirmed the rare risk of PRES and RCVS associated with the use of pseudoephedrine. Conclusion Health care professionals should be aware of pseudoephedrine-associated PRES and RCVS. Patients with severe or uncontrolled hypertension or those with severe acute or chronic renal disease should avoid using products containing pseudoephedrine.

An econometric identification of ineffective common-cold advertising

PurposeThis study aims to highlight potential savings in advertising budgets.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses modern computer-based tools including stochastic dominance to check if advertising expenses are increasing sales by using modern causality assessment tools which allow for nonlinearities and use sophisticated assessment of causal impact of ads on sales.FindingsThis study identifies specific media spots where ad budget savings are possible. The marketing managers can take the next step to make small-scale local experiments to reassess this study’s findings.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is a statistical observational assessment not based on controlled experiments.Practical implicationsThe authors have tools to identify ineffective advertising which can produce huge savings for the organization. The over-the-counter cold remedies have become important due to the pandemic. The tools have wider applicability in marketing research.Social implicationsLess wasteful expenses always benefit the society.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this may be the first such attempt to use sophisticated causal identification tools. Remedies for the common cold sold by seven major US retailers help identify specific retailers and specific media with negative returns on investment.

IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT MARKETED BRANDS OF PARACETAMOL TABLETS USING QUALITY CONTROL TESTS

Paracetamol is an active ingredient in the antipyretic and pain relievers class. Various brands of certain formulations are available on the market. The primary goal of the study was to compare 500 mg paracetamol tablet brands in vitro. In vitro evaluation guarantees quality, bioavailability and optimal therapeutic activity. The active metabolite of phenacetin, paracetamol, is widely used for headaches and pains and is one of the main ingredients in many cold and flu remedies. In the study, 500mg of paracetamol were selected from 5 different manufacturer’s standard tablets. The study was purely experimental and used in vitro testing (IP) and other official literature to evaluate the in vitro quality of paracetamol tablets using various analytical methods and procedures. In the post-evaluation phase, the following post-evaluation parameters were observed: Weight variation, Friability, Hardness, Content uniformity Within the prescribed limit KEYWORDS: Paracetamol, Comparative, Quality control parameters, Evaluation

Flowering phenophases influence the antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil

BackgroundEssential oils are becoming increasingly popular in medicinal applications because of their antimicrobial effect. Thymus vulgaris L. (Lamiaceae) is a well-known and widely cultivated medicinal plant, which is used as a remedy for cold, cough and gastrointestinal symptoms. Essential oil content of thyme is responsible for its antimicrobial activity, however, it has been reported that the chemical composition of essential oils influences its biological activity. In order to explore flowering phenophases influence on the chemical composition of thyme essential oil and its antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity, plant materials were collected at the beginning of flowering, in full bloom and at the end of flowering periods in 2019.MethodsEssential oils from fresh and dried plant materials were distilled and analyzed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The antibacterial activity was performed by broth microdilution and thin layer chromatography-direct bioautography (TLC-DB) assays and the anti-biofilm effect by crystal violet assay, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to illustrate the cellular changes of bacterial cells after essential oil treatment.ResultsThymol (52.33–62.46%) was the main component in the thyme essential oils. Thyme oil distilled from fresh plant material and collected at the beginning of flowering period exerted the highest antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity against Haemophilus influenzae, H. parainfluenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.ConclusionThe different flowering periods of Thymus vulgaris influence the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity of its essential oils, therefore, the collection time has to be taken into consideration and not only the full bloom, but the beginning of flowering period may provide biological active thyme essential oil.

Chemical Profiling and Therapeutic Evaluation of Standardized Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Terminalia chebula Fruits Collected from Different Locations in Manipur against Colorectal Cancer

Terminalia chebula Retz. (Fam. Combretaceae), locally called Manahei, is a well-known medicinal plant that grows wildly in Manipur, a Northeastern state of India. It is used as a mild laxative, an anti-inflammatory agent, and a remedy for piles, colds, and ulcers by ethnic communities of the state. The hydroalcoholic extract obtained from four fruit samples of T. chebula collected from different locations in Manipur were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) for their chemical constituents and evaluated for their anticancer activity against the colon cancer cell HCT 116. GC-MS analysis results indicated significant variation in the composition and percentage of major compounds present in the extracts. 1,2,3-Benzenetriol was the most abundant chemical constituent present in all four extracts of T. chebula, ranging from 20.95 to 43.56%. 2-Cyclopenten-1-one, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and catechol were commonly present in all extracts. Two marker compounds, gallic acid and ellagic acid, were also quantified usingHPTLC in all four extracts of T. chebula. The highest content of gallic acid (22.44 ± 0.056 µg/mg of dried extract) was observed in TCH, and that of ellagic acidwas found in TYH (11.265 ± 0.089 µg/mg of dried extract). The IC50 value of TYH for the DPPH and ABTS assays (12.16 ± 0.42 and 7.80 ± 0.23 µg/mL) was found to be even lower than that of Trolox (18 ± 0.44 and 10.15 ± 0.24 µg/mL), indicating its strong antioxidant properties among the four extracts of T. chebula. The MTT assay determined the effect of T. chebula extracts on the viability of HCT 116 cells. TYH showed the highest activity with anIC50 value of 52.42 ± 0.87 µg/mL, while the lowest activity was observed in TCH (172.05 ± 2.0 µg/mL). The LDH assay confirmed the cytotoxic effect of TYH in HCT 116 cells. TYH was also found to induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in HCT 116 cells after 48 h of treatment. Our study provides insight into the diversity of T. chebula in Manipur and its potential activity against colon cancer.

Sensorium

Sensorium

Ethnobotanical research of Sambucus nigra L. in the Stara Planina Mt area in Serbia

The plant species Sambucus nigra L., commonly known as an elder has significant ethnobotanical importance with a rich history of traditional uses across various cultures. This study provides a comprehensive ethnobotanical analysis of the utilization of S. nigra across different regions at Stara Planina Mt, especially in traditional medicine, food, and for other purposes. The research methodology involved a review of ethnobotanical literature and interviews with local communities. The collected data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative approaches to ascertain the prevalence and significance of Sambucus nigra in various traditional knowledge systems. Results revealed that S. nigra had been employed for centuries in treating various ailments. Its flowers, berries, leaves, and bark have been used to formulate natural remedies for respiratory disorders, colds, flu, and inflammation. The plant has held cultural significance, blending into culinary practices such as jams, wines, juices and teas. Given that S. nigra has antiviral, immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties, one of the goals of this study was to determine the potential of S. nigra as a source of bioactive compounds for use in the pharmaceutical and food industries. The bioactive constituents in various parts of the plant have garnered attention of researchers for their potential therapeutic properties. Sambucus nigra is used in traditional medicine, culinary arts, and this research consolidates existing ethnobotanical knowledge and highlights the need for sustainable conservation efforts to ensure the continued availability of this valuable botanical resource.

Green HPTLC-method to estimate trans-Cinnamaldehyde in Ayurvedic formulation Sitopaladi Churna

Traditional medicine is a preferred home remedy for common cold, cough, allergic conditions, etc. in South East Asia. Ayurveda, originated in India, has a long history of treating upper respiratory disorders. Sitopaladi churn (powder) is one of the most sold “over-the-counter” herbal medicine for upper respiratory ailments cure. Quality control and validation is a hindrance for Ayurvedic product development. This study was conducted to estimate and validate for quantitative study of trans-Cinnamaldehyde in Ayurvedic medicine Sitopaladi Churna (SPC) through high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method. The quantitative study was performed at the wavelength 294[Formula: see text]nm and validated as per ICH guidelines. The content of trans-Cinnamaldehyde in SPC was found to be 0.093%. Green HPTLC method is simple and sensitive for standardization and is validated for trans-Cinnamaldehyde in Sitopaladi powder. This method would add a different approach for quality control and assay of SPC.

Common cold remedies

COVID-19 may have pushed the common cold out of the limelight, but we're about to enter a new cold season. While there is a vaccine for COVID-19, there is no vaccine or cure for the common cold. Some patients, with typical complaints of congestion, runny nose, sore throat, coughing, and sneezing, may reach for remedies like echinacea, ginger, or zinc. But do any of these help?

Practical Efficacy of Prior Checks on Athletes’ Medication Use for the Prevention of Unintentional Doping

Background: Athletes are subjected to disciplinary action for even unintentional doping. This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness of prior checks on athletes’ drug regimens by medical personnel with knowledge of anti-doping to prevent unintentional doping. Methods: This is a retrospective evaluation of the inquiries to the Anti-Doping Committee by the Japan Table Tennis Association national team athletes and athlete support personnel between 2011 and 2019 regarding whether the drug in question was permitted and whether it contained any prohibited substance. Discrete evaluations were performed for ethical and over-the-counter drugs, in addition to the evaluation of all drugs. Additionally, we evaluated the drugs according to therapeutic category and World Anti-Doping Agency’s classification. Results: Overall, 85/1238 (6.9%) ethical drugs, 49/259 (18.9%) over-the-counter drugs and 134/1497 (9.0%) total drugs were considered as not allowed for use. The proportion of over-the-counter drugs judged as not allowed for use was higher than that of ethical drugs (p < 0.001). When tabulating the drugs not allowed for use in the therapeutic category, numerous prohibited substances were identified in adrenal hormone preparations, Kampo products, synthetic narcotics, antitussives, antihemorrhoidals, and bronchodilators among ethical drugs and in cold remedies, gastrointestinal drugs, and antitussives and expectorants among over-the-counter drugs. Conclusions: Of the ethical and over-the-counter drugs that elite athletes wanted to use, approximately 10% were not allowed because of the risk of unintentional doping. These results suggest that conducting prior checks of the athletes’ drug regimens by medical personnel with anti-doping knowledge are effective measures to prevent unintentional doping.

Self-medication practices and their characteristics among Iranian university students

BackgroundSelf-medication in students, as educated people, is one of the most important health issues. It is known that inappropriate self-medication is harmful for individuals as it has potential risks, disrupts the drug market and increases the per capita financial drug consumption. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the habits related to drug use and the prevalence of self-medication practices among university students.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 at Jahrom universities/Iran, using an electronic “self-medication practices and medication habits” questionnaire. A total of 848 students from four healthcare and non-healthcare universities participated in the study.ResultsThe prevalence of self-medication among students was 44.8%. The most common medicines used for self-medication included cold remedies and sedatives that were used by 33% of the students. About 47% of students stated that they have used antibiotics without a physician’s prescription. The internet and social networks were the source of information on self-medication in about 40% of students. There was no significant difference in self-medication between medical and non-medical students (OR = 0.865, 95% CI: 0.659–1.134). Self-medication in students with underlying disease was higher than students without underlying disease (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.39–5.60).ConclusionsSelf-medication had a high prevalence among students. The best strategy to reduce or eliminate self-medication is to raise students’ awareness and knowledge about potential risk of self-medication practices.

Food Interactions Observed in a Pharmacokinetic Investigation Comparing Two Marketed Cold Preparations (BNO1016 and ELOM-080) after Administration to Beagle Dogs - A Pilot Study.

Sinupret extract (BNO 1016) and Gelomyrtol forte (ELOM-080) represent the two top-selling cold remedies in Germany nowadays. Whereas BNO 1016 is a typical immediate release coated tablet, ELOM-080 is an enteric-coated soft gelatin capsule. The latter formulation, however, is at risk of pharmacokinetic interactions affecting absorption, especially in cases of concomitant food intake. In the present pilot study, we investigated the risk of a possible food effect in three male beagle dogs. Single doses of BNO 1016 and ELOM-80 were administered under fasting and fed conditions. Blood was sampled up to 30 h post-administration and plasma concentrations of the characteristic ingredients of BNO 1016 as well as ELOM-080 analytes were determined. Pharmacokinetic parameters focusing on the rate and extent of absorption were derived. BNO 1016 analytes demonstrated a similar course in both the fasted and fed states. ELOM-080 analytes also showed a similar picture in the fasted state. However, lag times (time from administration to first quantifiable time point in plasma) of up to 2 h post-administration with corresponding time to reach maximum concentration (obtained directly from the measured concentration) values of 3 to 4 h were observed, reflecting a longer gastric residence time. In the fed state, ELOM-080 showed significant pharmacokinetic characteristics, suggesting a clear food effect. A major observation was a double peak phenomenon that could be observed in two of three dogs. Furthermore, lag times of some analytes, up to 3 - 4 h, and corresponding time to reach maximum concentration values, up to 6 - 8 h, occurred. In contrast to BNO 1016, these findings suggest that, as with other enteric-coated formulations, there may also be a significant risk for food effects with ELOM-080 in humans.

In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cotula&amp;nbsp;anthemoides Essential Oil and In Silico Molecular Docking of Its Bioactives.

The genus Cotula (Asteraceae) comprises about 80 species, amongst them Cotula anthemoides L. It is a wild plant growing in Egypt that possesses many traditional uses as a headache, colic, and chest cold remedy. In our study, the chemical composition of C. anthemoides essential oils was analyzed using GC-MS spectroscopy. Sixteen components of leave and stem oils and thirteen components of flower oils were characterized. The main components in both essential oil parts were camphor (88.79% and 86.45%) and trans-thujone (5.14% and 10.40%) in the leaves and stems and the flowers, respectively. The anti-inflammatory activity of the oils in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells was evaluated. The flower oil showed its predominant effect in the amelioration of proinflammatory cytokines and tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as cyclooxygenase-2. The bornyl acetate showed the highest affinity for the cyclooxygenase-2 receptor, while compound cis-p-menth-2-ene-1-ol had the best affinity for the tumor necrosis factor receptor, according to the results of molecular docking. In addition, the molecule cis-β-farnesene showed promising dual affinity for both studied receptors. Our findings show that essential oils from C. anthemoides have anti-inflammatory properties through their control over the generation of inflammatory mediators. These findings suggest that C. anthemoides essential oils could lead to the discovery of novel sources of anti-inflammatory treatments.

A single-dose, open-label, randomized, scintigraphic study to investigate the gastrointestinal behavior of 2 triple-combination cold products (acetaminophen, phenylephrine, and dextromethorphan) in healthy male volunteers

BackgroundCommon cold symptoms may be mitigated by products in caplet, nasal spray, and oral solution formulations, although variations exist in the bioavailability of the active ingredients contained within these products. Rapid gastric emptying (GE) of these active ingredients is important for reducing the delay between drug absorption and onset of cold symptom relief. Hot drink cold remedies are associated with greater comfort and may enhance the bioavailability of active ingredients. The objective of this study was to characterize the gastrointestinal transit of powder (reconstituted in hot water) and caplet formulations of commercially available multisymptom cold medications.MethodsThis was an open-label, single-dose, parallel-group study. Healthy male adults under fasted conditions were randomized 1:1 to receive a single dose of radiolabeled Theraflu Daytime Severe Cold and Cough powder for oral solution or radiolabeled Theraflu ExpressMax Daytime Severe Cold and Cough caplet. External gamma scintigraphy was utilized to monitor GE and intestinal transit of two radiolabeled drug formulations.ResultsA total of 28 participants completed the study. The mean ± SE GE onset times were 1.1 ± 0.3 min and 8.5 ± 1.8 min for powder and caplet formulations, respectively. The mean ± SE GE completion times were 121 ± 13 min and 65 ± 13 min, respectively. Despite the similar mean times to GE25%, the powder had later mean GE50% (23 ± 3.0 vs 16 ± 3.2 min, respectively) and GE90% (85 ± 12 vs 36 ± 9 min, respectively) than caplets. Caplets had a shorter overall GE half-life, lower total gastric exposure, and faster transit time through the small intestine versus the powder formulation. No serious safety events were observed.ConclusionThe results of this study in healthy male adults suggest that the Theraflu powder formulation had a more rapid GE onset but longer time to GE completion than the caplet formulation.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.govNCT03415243

The immunomodulatory activity of ethanol extract of attarasa bark and fruit (Litsea cubeba (lour.) pers.) toward carbon clearance of mice (Mus musculus)

Abstract Background: Attarasa (L.a cubeba (Lour.) Pers.) is a potential Indonesian medicinal plant that is used as a cold remedy, head ulcers, antimicrobials, antioxidants, and anticancer drugs. Objective: This research was conducted to analyze the immunomodulatory effect of bark (EEKBA) and fruit of attarasa ethanolic extract (EEBA) by detecting its phagocytosis activity in male mice using carbon clearance method. Method: Total of 24 male mice were divided into 6 groups. Extract was orally administered to mices for 7 days at the dose of 100 mg/kg BW, 200 mg/kg BW, and 400 mg/kg BW. Imboost® suspension at the dose of 32.5 mg/kg BW and CMC-Na 1 % suspension was orally administered in positive control, negative control and normal groups. On the 8th day, 0.1 ml carbon suspension was given through intravenous tail injection. The blood samples were withdrawn at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes after injection of carbon suspension to find out the carbon absorbance contained in the blood that was measured using spectrophotometer then the carbon elimination speed, phagocytic index, and the stimulation index has been calculated Result: EEKBA and EEBA at the dose of 400 mg/kg BW induced the higher carbon elimination rate in mice compared to EEKBA and EEBA dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg BW. Phagocytic index of macrophage in mice given with EEKBA and EEBA at dose of 100, 200, dan 400 mg/kg BW were 3.429, 3.501, and 3.925 for EEKBA consecutively; 4.289, 4.375 and 4.732 for EEBA respectively. Stimulation index of macrophage in mice given with EEKBA and EEBA at dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW were 1.00; 1.20, 1,02; 1,23, and 1,13; 1,33. Based on the results of statistical test, EEKBA and EEBA administration at the dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW stimulate the phagocytosis activity of the macrophage of male mice and significantly has different result compared to normal control group (p &lt; 0.05). Phagocytosis activity was best shown at the mice group that administered EEKBA and EEBA at dose of 400 mg/kg BW and was shown not significantly different compared to positive control group (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: EEKBA and EEBA have immunomodulatory effect by increasing the phagocytosis activity of mice. Keywords: immunomodulatory, Litsea cubeba, carbon clearance, phagocytosis activity

Powdered cold and flu remedies recalled in Canada

Powdered cold and flu remedies recalled in Canada

Use of antitussive medications in acute cough in young children.

Acute cough, a common complaint in young children, is often the result of a viral upper respiratory infection. Cough and cold remedies generate billions of dollars in annual sales in the United States, despite a lack of evidence of their efficacy and multiple warnings by the US Food and Drug Administration. The current article begins with the best available evidence for common over‐the‐counter (OTC) and prescription antitussive remedies in children. The article concludes with a discussion of the pros and cons for the use of antitussives in children with cough. In general, OTC antitussive medications should not be routinely used in children under 2 years of age. In certain cases, antitussives with minimal adverse profile and some evidence of benefit may be recommended after informed counseling.

White Sage (Salvia apiana)-a Ritual and Medicinal Plant of the Chaparral: Plant Characteristics in Comparison with Other Salvia Species.

Salvia apiana, commonly known as white sage, is an aromatic evergreen subshrub of the chaparral, commonly found in coastal plains in California and Baja California. It has been traditionally used by the Chumash people as a ritual and medicinal plant and used as a calmative, a diuretic, and a remedy for the common cold. However, until recently, relatively little has been known about the composition and biological activity of white sage. Phytochemical studies on S. apiana revealed the presence of substantial amounts of essential oil, accompanied by a variety of triterpenes, C23 terpenoids, diterpenes, and flavonoids. Extracts of the plant have been shown to exhibit antioxidative, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic effects. The influence of white sage constituents on the nervous system, including GABA, opioid, and cannabinoid receptors, has also been documented. The review aimed to compile information on the taxonomy, botany, chemical composition, and biological activities of S. apiana. White sage was compared with other representatives of the genus in terms of chemical composition. The differences and similarities between S. apiana and other sage species were noted and discussed in the context of their therapeutic applications. Reports on ethnomedicinal uses of white sage were confronted with reports on chemistry, bioactivity, and bioavailability of S. apiana constituents. Finally, a critical assessment of the available data was made and perspectives for the use of white sage preparations in modern phytomedicine were discussed.

Morphology, phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects of Carica papaya, an review

Present review focuses on theMorphology, phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects of Carica papaya (Linn). The plant is well known to us since ancient time. The plants are traditionally used to treat several conditions such as stomach disorders, diarrhea, skin diseases, male contraceptives, and home remedies for colds. Phytochemically, the whole plant contains lycopene, carotenoids, alkaloids, monoterpenoids, flavonoids, mineral, vitamins enzyme papain. This nutritious fruits feed the body and immune system. Various medicinal properties attributed to the plant and parts thereof includes antibacterial, anticancer, insecticidal, wound healing etc.