History Of Use In Medicine Research Articles

Investigating the antioxidant potential of licorice extracts obtained through different extraction modes

In the current study, antioxidant potential of licorice extracts was determined through different assays. For optimum recovery of bioactive components, three solvents (ethanol, methanol, and ethyl acetate) were employed at different ratios with water (25:75, 50:50, and 75:25) and supercritical fluid extracts (SFE) were obtained at varying pressures (3,500, 4,500, and 5,500 psi). Results exhibited that the extraction of antioxidant compounds from licorice increased with increasing solvent concentration. Among solvent extracts, 75% ethanolic extract showed highest total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TF), and antioxidant activity. The supercritical CO₂ extract obtained at 5,500 psi pressure exhibited highest values for TPC, TF, and antioxidant capacity. It was evident from HPLC analysis that the highest recovery of major bioactive components (glycyrrhizin and glabridin) was obtained through supercritical CO₂ extraction at elevated pressures. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Licorice is a rich source of biologically active components with history of medicinal use. The current study provides an approach to maximize the recovery of desired components from licorice that can be used in different formulations with antioxidant potential.

From Woohwang Cheongsimwon* to Ginseng - The History of Medicine Use in the Joseon Era -*.

In Korean traditional medicine, though herbal decoction, acupuncture, and moxibustion are all used to treat diseases, restorative medicines are the most widely preferred treatment method. This paper explores the historical background of restorative herbal medicines and ginseng among the Korean public and Korean traditional medicine practice. It also seeks to clarify how social and cultural perspectives on drug use have changed since restorative medicine became mainstream during the Joseon era. Drug use tendencies were affected by the medical system of the Joseon Dynasty, patients' desires for reliable treatment, and perceptions of the human body and the causes of disease. In the late Joseon Dynasty, medicine, an industry originally monopolized by the government, began to be manufactured and traded on the free market, and medical personnel began to participate in medical activities on a large scale. As the health preserving theory became more popular and medical personnel became more accessible, medicinal preferences also changed. Specifically, whereas preference was first given to common medicines, such as Cheongsimwon, which are effective for various symptoms, restorative medicines, such as ginseng, gradually became more popular. These restorative medicines were faithful to the basic tenet of East Asian traditional medicine: to avoid disease by making the body healthy before the onset of illness. Patients' desires for safe treatment and growing competition among commercial doctors who wanted stable profits further increased the popularity of milder medicines. Ultimately, as ginseng cultivation was realized, its use expanded even further in a wave of commercialization.

Annona cherimola Mill. (Custard apple): a review on its plant profile, nutritional values, traditional claims and ethnomedicinal properties

Annona cherimola Mill., commonly known as Custard apple has recently gained attention of researchers because of copious anticancer bioactive chemicals and nutrients. Plants of the Annonaceae family have a long history of medicinal use in the treatment of several disease conditions such as epilepsy, cardiac diseases, pathogenic infections, hemorrhage, ulcer, cancer, liver disorders and other ailments. Annona cherimola Mill. (Custard apple) is widely used in the traditional and folkloric systems of medicine. It contains numerous bioactive chemicals like annonaceous acetogenins, annocherine A, cherianoine, annocherine B, cherimoline, annomolin, romucosine H, anonaine etc. The fruit of Annona cherimola Mill. is nutritionally important as it contains high amount of carbohydrates and is a rich source of diverse vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamine, riboflavin and folate. Several phytopharmacological studies have proved and explored medicinal properties of Annona cherimola Mill. Annonaceous acetogenins isolated from the seeds were found to posses potent cytotoxicity against different cancer cell lines. The crude extracts as well as isolated compounds from different plant parts exhibited pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antidepressant, anxiolytic, antiviral, antitumor and cytoprotective. The present review focuses in detail the plant profile, nutritional and traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of different parts of Annona cherimola Mill. plant.

The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future.

Plant-based psychedelics, such as psilocybin, have an ancient history of medicinal use. After the first English language report on LSD in 1950, psychedelics enjoyed a short-lived relationship with psychology and psychiatry. Used most notably as aids to psychotherapy for the treatment of mood disorders and alcohol dependence, drugs such as LSD showed initial therapeutic promise before prohibitive legislature in the mid-1960s effectively ended all major psychedelic research programs. Since the early 1990s, there has been a steady revival of human psychedelic research: last year saw reports on the first modern brain imaging study with LSD and three separate clinical trials of psilocybin for depressive symptoms. In this circumspective piece, RLC-H and GMG share their opinions on the promises and pitfalls of renewed psychedelic research, with a focus on the development of psilocybin as a treatment for depression.

Investigation on Curcumin nanocomposite for wound dressing

Curcuma longa (turmeric) has a long history of use in medicine as a treatment for inflammatory conditions. The primary active constituent of turmeric and the one responsible for its vibrant yellow color is curcumin. Curcumin is used for treatment of wound and inflammation. It had antimicrobial and antioxidant property. It has low intrinsic toxicity and magnificent properties like with comparatively lesser side-effects. Cotton cloth is one of the most successful wound dressings which utilize the intrinsic properties of cotton fibers. Modern wound dressings, however, require other properties such as antibacterial and moisture maintaining capabilities. In this study, conventional cotton cloth was coated with Curcumin composite for achieving modern wound dressing properties. Curcumin nanocomposite is characterized. The results show that coated cotton cloth with Curcumin nanocomposite has increased drying time (74%) and water absorbency (50%). Furthermore, they show antibacterial efficiency against bacterial species present in wounds.

Disparate Effects of Stilbenoid Polyphenols on Hypertrophic Cardiomyocytes In Vitro vs. in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Heart Failure Rat.

Stilbenoids are bioactive polyphenols, and resveratrol (trans-3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a representative stilbenoid that reportedly exerts cardioprotective actions. As resveratrol exhibits low oral bioavailability, we turned our attention to other stilbenoid compounds with a history of medicinal use and/or improved bioavailability. We determined the effects of gnetol (trans-3,5,2′,6′-tetrahydroxystilbene) and pterostilbene (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-4′-hydroxystilbene) on cardiac hypertrophy. In vitro, gnetol and pterostilbene prevented endothelin-1-induced indicators of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy including cell enlargement and protein synthesis. Gnetol and pterostilbene stimulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and inhibition of AMPK, using compound C or shRNA knockdown, abolished these anti-hypertrophic effects. In contrast, resveratrol, gnetol, nor pterostilbene reduced blood pressure or hypertrophy in the spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) rat. In fact, AMPK levels were similar between Sprague-Dawley and SHHF rats whether treated by stilbenoids or not. These data suggest that the anti-hypertrophic actions of resveratrol (and other stilbenoids?) do not extend to the SHHF rat, which models heart failure superimposed on hypertension. Notably, SHHF rat hearts exhibited prolonged isovolumic relaxation time (an indicator of diastolic dysfunction), and this was improved by stilbenoid treatment. In conclusion, stilbenoid-based treatment as a viable strategy to prevent pathological cardiac hypertrophy, a major risk factor for heart failure, may be context-dependent and requires further study.

Anticancer Activity of Ganoderic Acid DM: Current Status and Future Perspective.

Ganoderma lucidum is a mushroom that has a long history of medicinal use in the Far East countries as this mushroom is revered for its supposed miracle cures and life improving properties. Recently, this mushroom has come under scientific scrutiny to examine the possibility of finding biologically active compounds that may have an impact on human physiology. The main category of biologically active compounds produced in the G. lucidum, are the triterpenoids, which are known as Ganoderic Acids. In this review, we discuss one Ganoderic Acid in particular known as Ganoderic Acid-DM (GA-DM) that is extracted from the Ganoderma lucidum mushroom. We will discuss GA-DM as a potential therapeutic candidate for treating a number of diseases yet will focus on the potential to be used as an alternative or supplemental therapeutic agent in regards to various cancer types. The urge for this promising therapeutic agent is that GA-DM is capable of inducing cell death in cancer cells while exhibiting minimal toxicity to normal bystander cells. Furthermore, this review will look at GA-DM’s ability to stimulate an immune response in the tumor environment to potentially provide long-term protection from the malignant tumors. We will also discuss the known routes of administration of GA-DM and pose the advantages and disadvantages of each route in a comparative manner. Finally, we will cover current status of the roles GA-DM may have as a therapeutic agent in respect to different cancer types as wells as discuss about its future perspective as a therapeutic candidate in other diseases as well.

Bioactive Turmerosaccharides from Curcuma longa Extract (NR-INF-02): Potential Ameliorating Effect on Osteoarthritis Pain.

Background:Curcuma longa has long history of medicinal use in Ayurveda. A unique product NR-INF-02 was prepared from C. longa that was standardized to contain turmerosaccharides.Objective:The present study investigated the effect of turmerosaccharides rich fraction of NR-INF-02 on monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA pain animal model that mimics human OA. Further, the analgesic effect of turmerosaccharides rich fraction was compared to turmerosaccharides less fraction of NR-INF-02.Materials and Methods:OA pain was chemically induced by intra-articular administration of single dose of 25 μl of 0.9% saline containing 0.3 mg MIA into the right knee of male albino Wistar rat. Turmerosaccharides rich fraction and turmerosaccharides less fraction (at 22.5, 45 and 90 mg/kg rat body weight dose levels) were administered as a single dose orally on day 5 of post-MIA injection. OA pain was measured using hind limb weight-bearing ability at 1, 3, 6, and 24 h post-test substance administration on day 5.Results:Oral administration of turmerosaccharides rich fraction and turmerosaccharides less fraction (at 45 and 90 mg/kg) although significantly decreased the OA pain at all the intervals, the effect of turmerosaccharides rich fraction (57%) on OA pain was superior to turmerosaccharides less fraction (35%).Conclusion:Bioactive turmerosaccharides from C. longa extract contribute to the observed anti-arthritic effect in rats.SUMMARY Osteoarthritic pain was induced by intra-articular injection of MIA into the right kneeSingle administration of TRF/TLF on day 5 resulted in dose-dependent significant reduction of OA painTRF showed better analgesic activity than TLFTRF at 45 and 90 mg/kg has similar effects on OA pain as that of tramadolTurmerosaccharides identified as bioactive constituents of C. longa extract. Abbreviations used: MIA: Monosodium iodoacetate; i.ar: Intra-articular; OA: Osteoarthritis; TRF: Turmerosaccharides rich fraction; TLF: Turmerosaccharides less fraction; PGE2: Prostaglandin E2; ROS: Reactive oxygen species.

Neuroprotective properties of dietary saffron: more than just a chemical scavenger?

Neuroprotective properties of dietary saffron: more than just a chemical scavenger?

In vivo assessment of the antimalarial and spleen-protective activities of the Saudi propolis methanolic extract

Antimalarial drug resistance is the main therapeutic challenge to the control of the disease, making the search for new compounds as alternative treatments of central importance. Propolis has a long history of medicinal use due to its antifungal, antibacterial and antiprotozoal properties. The present study therefore aimed to evaluate the antimalarial activity of the Saudi propolis methanolic extract against Plasmodium chabaudi infection in mice. To this end, albino mice were divided into five groups: the first group was the normal control; the second, third, fourth and fifth groups were infected intraperitoneally with 106 P. chabaudi-parasitized erythrocytes. The last three groups of mice were gavaged with 100μl of propolis extract (PE) at a dose of 25, 50 and 100mg PE/kg, respectively, once daily for 7days. PE significantly suppressed the parasitaemia and showed significant efficacy in ameliorating anaemic conditions in P. chabaudi-infected mice in a dose-dependent manner. Histological investigation of the spleen tissue of treated and untreated mice further supports the antimalarial potential of PE. In addition, our study proved that Saudi PE reduced oxidative damage by decreasing the malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing the catalase (CAT) activity and the glutathione (GSH) levels. Also, Saudi PE increased the level of some pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, GM-CSF and G-CSF, with the most effective dose being 100mg PE/kg. In conclusion, PE showed antimalarial and antioxidant activities and provided protection against spleen tissue damage in P. chabaudi-infected mice.

Curcumin as Natural Bioactive compound of Medicinal Plant Curcuma longa to combat against different Diseases

Plants are gifts by nature as they gives alot of benefits to human race. Medicinal herb Curcuma longa has a long history of use in medicine due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial and against cancer progression. Turmeric contain two classes of secondary metabolites, Curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) and turmeric essential oils (TEO). Curcumin is an active constituent of it and is highly pleriopiotic molecule. It works as antimicrobial agent against different strains of fungus, bacteria and viruses by targeting their membrane efficiency and can active against various types of cancers by targeting molecular markers. This compound also shows drastic effects against various diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases and can also prevent selenium and ionizing radiations induced cataractogenesis. Bioavailability, stability and solubility power of curcumin is increasing as research expands by modifying it by functional groups or in combinational therapeutics. These effects are mediated through its regulation of various transcription factors, modulates mitochondrial functions, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, protein kinases and other enzymes. Spoilage of food is also minimized by design of a papain that is immobilized in food packaging with curcumin is crosslinked and act as antimicrobial. Curcumin as natural medicinal compound is a novel targeted agent of modern era as it shows beneficial effects in different health perspectives without giving comparatively any side effects. Research reveals that it also has capability to target stem cells, restores immune system and activate self-renewal pathways. This component is easily available, safe and target different diseases at molecular level to eradicate it.

Suppression of reactive oxygen species‐mediated ERK and JNK activation sensitizes dihydromyricetin‐induced mitochondrial apoptosis in human non‐small cell lung cancer

Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer with a high mortality rate and still remains a therapeutic challenge. A strategy for targeting NSCLC is to identify agents that are effective against NSCLC cells while sparing normal cells. Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is the major flavonoid component derived from Ampelopsis grossedentata, which has a long history of use in medicine. Herein, the molecular mechanisms by which DHM exerts its anticancer effects against NSCLC cells were investigated. Results from MTS, colony formation, Western blot, flow cytometric, and JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assays revealed that DHM showed a selective cytotoxic effect against NSCLC cells (A549 and H1975), but not against normal lung (WI-38) fibroblasts, by inducing apoptosis. DHM-induced cell apoptosis occurred through Bcl-w suppression-mediated mitochondrial membrane depolarization, caspase-9/-7/-3 activation, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage in A549 and H1975 cells. Moreover, treatment of A549 and H1975 cells with DHM induced increase of intracellular peroxide and sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)1/2, and the reactive oxygen species scavenger, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), reversed DHM-induced ERK and JNK activation. Furthermore, treatment of cells with specific inhibitors of ERK and JNK or NAC significantly promoted the DHM-induced activation of caspase-9/-7/-3 and PARP cleavage and also sensitized the antitumorigenic effect of DHM on NSCLC cells. These findings define and support a novel function of DHM of inducing mitochondrion-derived apoptosis in human NSCLC cells, and a combination of DHM with ERK and JNK inhibitors should be a good strategy for preventing NSCLC proliferation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1426-1438, 2017.

The Antioxidant Effects of Radix Astragali (Astragalus membranaceus and Related Species) in Protecting Tissues from Injury and Disease.

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Antioxidants protect the cells and tissues from oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and reactive oxygen species. These antioxidants may be endogenous or exogenous. Plants are considered as potential and powerful exogenous source of antioxidants. Astragalus species (spp.), especially Astragalus membranaceus, have a long history of medicinal use in traditional Chinese medicine. Specifically, constituents of the dried roots of Astragalus spp. (Radix Astragali) provide significant protection against heart, brain, kidney, intestine, liver and lung injury in various models of oxidative stress-related disease. Different isolated constituents of Astragalus spp., such as astragalosides, flavonoids and polysaccharides also displayed significant prevention of tissue injury via antioxidant mechanisms. In this article, the antioxidant benefits of Astragalus spp. and its isolated components in protecting tissues from injury are reviewed, along with identification of the various constituents that possess antioxidant activity.

Anticancer activity of Morus nigra on human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) the role of fresh and dry fruit extracts.

Black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) has a long history of medicinal use in folk medicine. In this study, in vitro anticancer properties of fresh and dry black mulberry (BM) ethanolic extracts on breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) were investigated. Cytotoxic effect of both extracts was investigated by neutral red uptake method and the IC50 was assessed. The morphological changes, apoptosis and/or necrosis, were detected by Giemsa staining and acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual fluorescent staining methods, in addition to DNA fragmentation assay by gel electrophoresis and comet assay. Mitotic index was evaluated in MCF-7 groups to investigate the antiproliferative potential of fresh and dry BM extracts. Furthermore, micronucleus and other nuclear abnormalities were also investigated. BM extracts administration gave significant (p < 0.05) morphological evidence of apoptosis and increased cell death after 48 hours more than that of 24 hours-treated MCF-7 cells among fresh and dry extract groups. DNA analysis after 24 h of BM extracts treated groups has no fragmentation while apoptosis is generated after 48h showing more fragmentation in fresh BM groups. The mitotic index records were significantly decreased in dose and time dependent manner showing the better antiproliferative effect with fresh extract treatments. DNA single strand breaks were also increased among the treatment groups at dose and time dependent manner with the best results with fresh extract. It can be concluded that black mulberry fruit is a considerable source of health dietary supplement and its integration for pharmaceutical industries has to be in concern.

Effect of a polysaccharide from Poria cocos on humoral response in mice immunized by H1N1 influenza and HBsAg vaccines

Poria cocos has a long history of medicinal use in China. Polysaccharides and their derivatives in the medicine exhibit many beneficial biological activities including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral activities. In this study, a new polysaccharide (PCP-II) was isolated from sclerotium of Poria cocos. Its physico-chemical characters were identified and its adjuvant activity was investigated in mice co-immunized with H1N1 influenza vaccine and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). The results revealed that PCP-II has a molecular weight of 29.0kDa. It was composed of fucose, mannose, glucose and galactose in molar ration of 1.00:1.63:0.16:6.29 respectively. Pharmacological data demonstrated that PCP-II increased antigen-specific antibody levels in mice immunized with influenza vaccine. PCP-II also elicited anti-HBsAg antibodies at significantly higher titers and generated robust and durable immunity compared to mice immunized with HBsAg-alum following two administrations. PCP-II improved proliferation of splenocytes, stimulated IL-12p70 and TNF-α productions in dendritic cells and macrophages respectively. These results suggested that PCP-II-adjuvanted vaccines enhanced humoral and cellular immunity. PCP-II could be developed as an efficacious adjuvant in human and animal vaccines.

Berberine ameliorates chronic relapsing dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice by suppressing Th17 responses

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an increasingly common condition particularly in developed countries. The lack of satisfactory treatment has fueled the search for alternative therapeutic strategies. In recent studies, berberine, a plant alkaloid with a long history of medicinal use in Chinese medicine, has shown beneficial effects against animal models of acute UC. However, UC usually presents as a chronic condition with frequent relapse in patients. How berberine will act on chronic UC remains unclear. In the present study, we adopted dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced chronic relapsing colitis model to assess the ameliorating activity of berberine. Colitis was induced by two cycles of 2.0% DSS for five days followed by 14days of drinking water plus a third cycle consisting of DSS only for five days. The colitis mice were orally administered 20mg/kg berberine from day 13 onward for 30days and monitored daily. The body weight, stool consistency, and stool bleeding were recorded for determination of the disease activity index (DAI). At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed and samples were collected and subjected to histological, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and LC–MS analyses. Lymphocytes were isolated from spleens and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and cultured for flow cytometry analysis of IL-17 secretion from CD4+ cells and the Th17 cell differentiation. Results showed that berberine significantly ameliorated the DAI, colon shortening, colon tissue injury, and reduction of colonic expression of tight junction (TJ) protein ZO-1 and occludin of colitis mice. Notably, berberine treatment pronouncedly reduced DSS-upregulated Th17-related cytokine (IL-17 and ROR-γt) mRNAs in the colon. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-23, and the phosphorylation of STAT3 in colon tissues from DSS-treated mice were pronouncedly inhibited by berberine. Moreover, the up-regulation of IL-17 secretion from CD4+ cells of spleens and MLNs caused by DSS were significantly reversed by berberine treatment. Furthermore, Th17 cell differentiation from naive CD4+ cells isolated from above DSS colitis mice were suppressed by berberine in a concentration-dependent manner. In summary, we demonstrated for the first time that berberine reduced the severity of chronic relapsing DSS-induced colitis by suppressing Th17 responses. The demonstration of activity in this mouse model supports the possibility of clinical efficacy of berberine in treating chronic UC.

Possible involvement of L-arginine-nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway in the antidepressant-like effect of Wuling mycelia powder in rat.

Wuling mycelia powder is the dry powder of rare a fungi Xyla ria sp., Carbon species, with a long history of medicinal use in Chinese medicine. Recently it has shown a powerful antidepressant activity in clinic. The present study explores the antidepressant activity of Wuling mycelia powder in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats and its possible involvement of l-arginine-nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway. Experiments were performed in the rat CUMS model. CUMS rats were treated with Wuling mycelia powder (0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 g/kg, i.g.) to test behavioral changes including the sucrose preference, the crossing number and food consumption. Further, L-arginine (substrate for nitric oxide) (750 mg/kg), 7-nitroindazole (a specific neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) (25 mg/kg), sildenafil (phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor) (5 mg/kg) and methylene blue (direct inhibitor of both nitric oxide synthase and soluble guanylate cyclase) (10 mg/kg) were treated for 60 min before each test to detect the possible mechanism of antidepressant-like effect of Wuling mycelia powder. After 4 weeks of administration, both 1.0 or 2.0 g/kg Wuling mycelia powder suppressed the behavioral changes including the sucrose preference [F(3, 31)=50.87, p<0.001], the crossing number [F(3, 31)=68.98, p<0.05], and food consumption [F(3, 31)=19.04, p<0.05] in the CUMS rats. The antidepressant-like effect of Wuling mycelia powder was prevented by pretreatment with l-arginine and sildenafil. Pretreatment of rats with 7-nitroindazole and methylene blue potentiated the effect of Wulin mycelia powder. Our findings demonstrate that Wuling mycelia powder has an antidepressant-like effect in the CUMS rats, and possible involvement of L-arginine-nitric oxide-cyclic GMP signaling pathway in its antidepressant effect.

Silver nanoparticles in resin luting cements: Antibacterial and physiochemical properties

Background Silver has a long history of use in medicine as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent. Silver nanoparticles (NAg) offer the possibility to control the formation oral biofilms through the use of nanoparticles with biocidal, anti-adhesive, and delivery abilities. This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial effect of resin luting cements with and without NAg, and their influence on color, sorption and solubility.Material and Methods NAg were incorporated to two dual-cured resin cements (RelyX ARC (RA) color A1 and RelyX U200 (RU) color A2) in two concentrations (0.05% and 0.07%, in weight), obtaining six experimental groups. Disc specimens (1x6mm) were obtained to verify the antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans in BHI broth after immersion for 1min, 5min, 1h, 6h, and 24h (n=3), through optical density readings. Specimens were evaluated for color changes after addition of NAg with a spectrophotometer (n=10). Sorption and solubility tests were also performed, considering storage in water or 75% ethanol for 28 days (n=5), according to ISO 4049:2010. Data were subjected to statistical analysis with ANOVA and Tukey (p=0.05).Results The optical density of the culture broths indicated bacterial growth, with and without NAg. NAg produced significant color change on the resin cements, especially in RA. Solubility values were very low for all groups, while sorption values raised with NAg. The cements with NAg did not show antibacterial activity against S. mutans. They also showed perceptible color change and higher sorption than the materials without NAg.Conclusions The resin luting cements with NAg addition did not show antibacterial activity against SS. mutans. They also showed perceptible color change and higher sorption than the materials without NAg. Key words:Silver, resin cements, products with antimicrobial action, solubility, color perception tests.

An extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. stimulates insulin secretion from β cells, activates AMPK and suppresses inflammation

Ethnopharmacological relevanceArtemisia dracunculus L. (Russian tarragon) is a perennial herb belonging to the family Compositae and has a history of medicinal use in humans, particularly for treatment of diabetes. Aim of the study: In this study a defined plant extract from A. dracunculus L. (termed PMI-5011) is used to improve beta(β) cells function and maintain β cell number in pancreatic islets as an alternative drug approach for successful treatment of diabetes. Materials and methodsMouse and human pancreatic beta cells were treated with defined plant extract of A. dracunculus L. (PMI-5011) to understand the mechanism(s) that influence beta cell function and β cell number. ResultsWe found that the PMI-5011 enhances insulin release from primary β cells, isolated mouse and human islets and it maintains β cell number. Insulin released by PMI-5011 is associated with the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and protein kinase B (PKB). Furthermore, PMI-5011 suppresses LPS/INFγ-induced inflammation and inflammatory mediator(s) in macrophages. PMI-5011 inhibited Nitric oxide (NO) production and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) at the protein level and also attenuated pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6) production in macrophages. ConclusionPMI-5011 has potential therapeutic value for diabetes treatment via increasing insulin release from β cells and decreases capacity of macrophages to combat inflammation.

Current Status and Future of Cannabis Research

Cannabis sativa has a long history of medicinal use and contains phytocannabinoids that demonstrate therapeutic activity in preclinical models of numerous disease states. Widespread clinical use of cannabis has preceded the evidence base. Randomized controlled trials are needed to understand the safety, efficacy, and optimal dosages of standardized cannabis preparations. In addition to regulatory and legal challenges,certain botanical and pharmacologic factors that complicate the collection and interpretation of clinical data on the efficacy of cannabinoid therapies are reviewed.