Tincture Research Articles

Plant Sources of Formulated Homoeopathic Drugs

A survey was conducted in the homoeopathic pharmacies in Chennai to study the plant sources of formulated homoeopathic drugs that are common and popularly sold in commercial outlets. This study deals with 127 homoeopathic medicinal plants that are used in various formulated preparations such as cosmetics, drops, oils, ointments, powders, tablets and tonics. Medicinal plants that are exclusively used as mother tinctures diluted and prescribed by homoeopathic practitioners for treatment are excluded. Many practitioners of homoeopathic system prescribe formulated drugs manufactured by the pharmaceutical companies that specialize in homoeopathic drugs. Another survey was conducted to explore the most frequent prescriptions given by the homoeopathic practitioners in Tamil Nadu. Plant sources of these prescriptions are studied. It is found that 34 of these plant sources are commonly used as ingredients in many formulated drugs sold in the commercial outlets.

Review of Perspectives on Increasing Demand for "Cardamom Tincture Aromatic" in the Global Market

Abstract: Cardamom belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and is indigenous to India and Malesia. The crude drug has potential pharmacological applications such as antioxidant, analgesic, antibacterial antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Cardamom also contains bioactive constituents, including terpenoids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, essential oils, and carotenoids. The demand for herbal medicines has increased in most emerging nations, and their supply has steadily grown worldwide. Around 80% of people worldwide use herbal medicines to treat their illnesses. There are many dosage forms for herbal products, including tinctures, powders, liniments, lotions, capsules, balms, syrups, and tablets. "Herbal tincture" refers to concentrated herbal extracts with ethanol generally functioning as the solvent. Cardamom can be used as a tincture to extract its beneficial compounds and create a concentrated liquid form for various purposes. These are widely used as folk medicines and are even well-known in many medical systems, including Ayurveda and homeopathy. There are numerous herbal tinctures on the market, including those of tulsi, compound cardamom, and ginger. These preparations are simple to use and store. The current manuscript discusses several tincture preparation techniques, focusing on cardamom tincture and stability conditions, a market overview, and a few patents. : This article briefly overviews the global trading markets for herbal tinctures, particularly cardamom tinctures. Even the paper has explored the general information of cardamom and a market overview of the herbal tinctures.

Description of a novel robotic early post-prostatectomy anastomotic repair technique and institutional outcomes

ObjectiveA vesicourethral anastomotic leak (VUAL) is a known complication following robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. The natural history of a VUAL has been well described and is frequently managed with prolonged catheterization. With increasing emphasis on patient reported outcomes, catheter duration and VUAL are associated with significant short-term quality of life impairment. We aimed to present a case series of our robotic early post-prostatectomy anastomotic repair technique, defined as revision within 6 weeks from index surgery. MethodsA single institution prospective database identified eleven patients with a VUAL from July 2016 to October 2022 who underwent robotic early post-prostatectomy anastomotic repair by a single surgeon. Patients were diagnosed with a VUAL on pre-operative CT urogram or CT/fluoroscopic cystogram. The primary outcome was resolution of the anastomotic leak, defined as no contrast extravasation on post-operative cystography. Secondary outcomes included post-repair catheter duration and continence on the last follow-up defined as pad(s) per day. ResultsThe mean time to intervention after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy was 21 days. Eight of the eleven (72.7%) patients had no evidence of extravasation on post-repair cystogram. The range from intervention to first cystogram was 7–20 days. The median catheter duration for those with successful intervention was 10 days. The median catheter duration for those with the leak on initial post-operative cystogram was 20 days. At a mean follow-up time of 25 months, eight (72.7%) patients reported using no pads per day, and three (27.3%) patients reported one pad per day. ConclusionManagement of a VUAL has traditionally relied on prolonged catheter drainage and the tincture of time. As the role of robotic reconstruction has been shown to be a viable modality for management of bladder neck contracture, it is important to reconsider prior dogmas of urologic care. Our case series suggests that an early repair is safe and has a high success rate. Early robotic intervention gives providers an additional tool in aiding patient recovery.

Optimizing extraction of Pelargonium sidoides roots: Impact of ethanol concentration on biological activity of extracts

Pelargonium sidoides DC. (Geraniaceae) is an important indigenous medicinal plant in South Africa, historically employed by various ethnic groups to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal ailments. The proprietary herbal tincture, Umckaloabo®, utilizes an ethanolic extract (EPs® 7630) from the roots of P. sidoides, and has demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of respiratory infections.P. sidoides roots contain numerous highly oxygenated coumarins and phenolic metabolites, notably the marker compound umckalin. While Umckaloabo® is prepared using 11 % ethanol extraction, the South African commercial market predominantly employs 60 % ethanol extraction due to its consistent umckalin yield and antimicrobial activity. The effects of these extraction methods on chemical composition and in vitro pharmacological activity remain poorly understood.This study confirmed superior antibacterial and antifungal activity in the 60 % ethanol extracts prepared from six root samples compared to the 11 % ethanol extracts. MIC values for both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria ranged from 0.078 to 2.5 mg/mL in the 60 % extracts. Remarkably, two of the root extracts exhibited excellent to very good activity against C. albicans and C. neoformans with MIC values of 0.039 and 0.078 mg/mL, respectively.A positive correlation was identified between total minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) levels and polyphenol content, rather than umckalin levels. The influence of these extracts on the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 was assessed. Both 60 % and 11 % root extracts of P. sidoides at 100 µg/mL significantly reduced IL-6 production, with the 60 % extracts demonstrating a more pronounced effect (p = 0.008).Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between 11 % and 60 % ethanol extractions in terms of average MIC overall, average Gram-negative MIC, average Gram-positive MIC, fungal MIC, and IL-6 levels. Extracts with higher polyphenol values exhibited superior antimicrobial activity and antioxidant potential, suggesting that polyphenol content may serve as a more reliable indicator of antimicrobial activity than umckalin levels. Additionally, polyphenol levels in the roots may vary with altitude and other environmental factors, warranting further research.

Beneficial properties of olive tree leaves concerning personal care ingredients: Herbal tincture

ABSTRACT Background: The skin is essential for our survival and daily functioning. Everyday use and constant exposure to a wide range of personal care products and different types of chemicals coming from various sources may cause serious problems. Therefore, the use of natural and organic cosmetics becomes increasingly essential. The olive tree is one of the oldest cultivated fruit trees and has been used in cosmetics for centuries. This study aimed to present a method for the easy preparation of an olive tree leaf tincture that may be incorporated into a cosmetic product and reproduced in a domestic environment. Materials and Methods: All equipment employed was cleaned and disinfected beforehand. Fresh olive tree leaves were ground to a powder. A 20% olive tree leaf tincture was made. Olive tree leaves and alcohol were mixed in a sterilized jar. The mixture was shaken daily for two weeks. Results: The pH of the olive tree leaf tincture was determined with pH stripes and was in the range of 5.5 to 6.5. This may impact how much of the tincture will be used and how it will be used. For this reason, we suggest using it at a concentration of 1%. The chosen herb-to-solvent ratio of 1:5 (w/v) yielded a concentrated tincture with enhanced potency. A higher concentration of active constituents in the tincture is expected to offer a more potent and effective form of herbal extract. Conclusion: The findings in this study supported the potential of olive tree leaves as a valuable resource for developing natural and sustainable interventions targeting DNA damage and related health conditions. Continued research in this field will contribute to a better understanding of the therapeutic potential and applications of olive tree leaves in the field of natural cosmetics and medicine. Key words: Olive Tree Leaves, Herbal Tincture, Natural Cosmetics, Natural Ingredients

The Long Game: A Functional Cure Is Possible with Nucleoside Analogues and the Tincture of Time

Chronic hepatitis B is still prevalent globally. Many patients are treated for many years with nucleos(t)ide analogues to prevent the virus from actively replicating. However, although it typically requires consecutive treatment for more than 10 years, patients can achieve a functional cure from this virus. This case series presents details of functional cures in patients who received varying nucleos(t)ide therapies for an average of 15.3 years before losses of hepatitis B surface antigen and viral load were observed. It is imperative to understand that abbreviating therapy once a functional cure is achieved may be a possibility in treating patients in order to limit the associated costs and side effects of an otherwise lifelong therapy until other cure drugs are approved.

The Management of Salivary Fistulas.

Postoperative salivary fistula is an especially undesirable complication because it can be difficult to address, may delay postoperative radiation, and always delays enteral nutrition. Patients who are malnourished, have already undergone radiotherapy, or are hypothyroid are at higher risk of developing this problem. Conservative measures work in most patients, but a significant percentage of patients require intervention beyond pressure dressings and tincture of time. Medications, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and surgical intervention may be required when fistulas do not heal in a timely manner. Decisions about the approach and timing of more aggressive interventions are part of the art of medicine since definitive scientific protocols are lacking.

Oxidation during Fresh Plant Processing: A Race against Time

Oxidation is a major concern in the food and cosmetics industry; however, little information is available in the literature about its effect during the production of herbal medicines. The impact of oxidation on herbal mother tincture (MT) manufacturing was investigated by performing an oxidative stress test, in which cryogenically ground fresh plants (Echinacea purpurea, Mentha piperita, Ginkgo biloba, and Hypericum perforatum) were exposed to air in a time-controlled manner before extraction. The effect of oxidation on the resulting extracts was evaluated using UV–Vis spectroscopy and potassium permanganate antioxidant assay. Furthermore, a tyrosinase enzymatic assay was performed on MTs to evaluate the behavior of the absorbance spectra of phenolic compounds during oxidation. Additionally, several commercially available herbal mother tinctures were examined for oxidative changes. The exposure of the fresh plant material to air for 30 min decreased the antioxidant activity in all four tested plants by 10% to 44%. This decrease occurred along with an intensity diminution and flattening of the typical UV–Vis absorption spectra of the MTs. The results have shown that the impact of oxidation during MT manufacturing is a serious issue and could be monitored by means of simple UV–Vis spectra recording.

Nanoflow liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method for quantitative analysis and target ion screening of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in honey, tea, herbal tinctures, and milk

A method for the determination of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in tea, honey, herbal tinctures, and milk samples was developed by employing nano-LC-MS with high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry. Quantitation was performed using the available analytical standards, and a MS2 target ion screening approach was developed using fragment ions that were specific for pyrrolizidine alkaloids under collision-induced dissociation. Proof of concept was delivered for the screening approach, proposing that the C6H8N+ fragment ion is a highly selective fragment ion for the detection of potential pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The elaborated quantitation was applied for the occurrence study of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food products available on the Latvian market, including samples of tea (n = 15), honey (n = 40), herbal tinctures (n = 15), and milk (n = 10). The median LOQ over all analytes was 0.33 µg kg-1 in honey, 3.6 µg kg-1 in tea, 3.3 µg kg-1 in herbal tinctures, and 0.32 µg kg-1 in milk. The herbal tinctures samples and milk samples did not contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids above LOQ values. Analytes were detected in 33% of honey and 47% of tea samples. Most common were echimidine, intermedine, and enchinatine N-oxide. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in tea samples were mainly N-oxides, with the highest total concentration being 215 µg kg-1 among the samples, exceeding the maximum limit of 200 µg kg-1 set by Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/2040. In honey samples, lycopsamine-type alkaloids were detected most frequently, with the highest total concentration equal to 74 µg kg-1. Advantages of the developed nano-LC-MS methods included increased sensitivity in comparison with conventional flow LC-MS, low solvent consumption typical with nano-LC and the novel use of a selective common target ion for detection and discovery of potential pyrrolizidine alkaloids using high resolution mass spectrometry.

A Possible Synergistic Herbal Solution for COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity for repurposing of drugs, including complex, natural drugs, to meet the global need for safe and effective antiviral medicines which do not promote multidrug resistance nor inflate medical costs. The author herein describes his own repurposing of herbal tinctures, previously prepared for oncology, into a possibly synergistic, anti-COVID 41 "herb" formula of extracts derived from 36 different plants and medicinal mushrooms. A method of multi-sample in vitro testing in green monkey kidney vero cells is proposed for testing the Hypothesis that even in such a large combination, antiviral potency may be preserved, along with therapeutic synergy, smoothness, and complexity. The possibility that the formula's potency may improve with age is considered, along with a suitable method for testing it. Collaborative research inquiries are welcome.

Спектр протимікробних властивостей настоянок лікарських рослин

У статті обговорені біологічні властивості рослинних препаратів, що не є настільки широко використовуваними в практичній медицині, тому їх призначення при гнійно-септичних інфекціях не могло спричинити поширеної стійкості до них. Метою роботи було встановлення та порівняння спектра протимікробних властивостей настоянок лікарських рослин для формування резерву нових джерел протимікробних засобів, одними з яких можуть бути екстракти з рослин. Скринінг протимікробних властивостей іn vitro провели для 12 рослинних настоянок на 15 тест-штамах мікроорганізмів. Виявлено наявність протимікробних властивостей у настоянок лікарських рослин, найпереконливіші результати відзначені в настоянок арніки гірської, ехінацеї пурпурової та евкаліпту. Щодо референтних штамів мікроорганізмів, мінімальна інгібуюча та мінімальна бактерицидна концентрації яких коливались від 1 : 128 до 1 : 32, помірна активність відзначена у настоянок м’яти перцевої та софори японської з показниками від 1 : 32 до 1 : 8. У свою чергу, спектр протимікробних властивостей виявився широким до колекційних штамів, що було прогнозованим, але на особливу увагу заслуговують результати, отримані з дослідження впливу на клінічні штами мікроорганізмів, які є поліантибіотикорезистентними. Так, протимікробна активність настоянок рослинного походження зменшувалась на одне розведення щодо кожного чутливого виду, а інколи співпадала, що свідчить про відсутність стійкості до даних препаратів і визначає як рівномірно чутливі референтні колекційні та клінічні штами до екстрактів рослин. Отримані результати продемонстрували, що екстракти рослин є потенційним резервом для формування нових джерел протимікробних засобів, особливо стосовно антибіотикорезистентних клінічних штамів мікроорганізмів, які формуються під постійним впливом синтетичних і напівсинтетичних препаратів.

Tincture of Time: The Evolution of Goals in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer.

Purpose: A diagnosis of cancer often derails an individual's goals. The purpose of this mixed-methods analysis was to describe the evolution of adolescent and young adult (AYA)-reported goals in the year after a diagnosis of new or advanced cancer. Methods: As part of the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) phase 2 randomized controlled trial, AYAs with cancer (ages 12-25 years) were asked at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months: "Please give an example of a goal you hope to accomplish over the next month/year." We used content analysis to categorize goals as follows: life milestones, physical health, mental/emotional health, cancer specific, and hobbies/interests. We summarized goal categories at each time point: for the entire cohort, by baseline diagnosis status (new vs. advanced cancer), treatment status (on-therapy vs. off-therapy), and baseline health-related quality of life (high vs. low). Results: Eighty-six participants completed the study and were included in the analysis (control: n = 41, PRISM: n = 45); 69 reported their goals at 6 months, and 54 at 12 months. Participants submitted a total of 169 goals at baseline, 148 at 6 months, and 126 at 12 months. At baseline, cancer-specific goals were most common for the short-term (35%), whereas milestone goals were most common for the long-term (46%). At 6 months, milestone goals were most common in both short- (38%) and long-term (51%) categories. A similar pattern was seen at 12 months. Conclusion: AYAs' goals change over the first year of their cancer experience, with a shift in short-term goals from cancer-specific goals at baseline to milestone goals at later time points. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02340884).

Two Cases of Graves’ Hyperthyroidism Treated With Homeopathic Remedies Containing Herbal Extracts from Lycopus spp. and Melissa officinalis

Background: Plant extracts from species of Lycopus (bugleweed) and Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) have long been used as folk remedies in the treatment of hyperthyroidism1. In vitro studies have shown that extracts from bugleweed and lemon balm inhibit stimulation of thyroid hormone production by both TSH and Graves’ antibodies1. An in vivo study in rats showed that oral bugleweed extract alters extra-thyroidal T4 conversion2.Case 1: A 64 year-old woman presented for routine examination and was found to have a TSH of 0.01 mIU/L on 6/6/2016. Labs the next month showed FT4 1.4ng/dL (0.8-1.8) and FT3 4.7pg/mL (2.3-4.2). TSI was elevated to 275% (Normal<140%), consistent with Graves’. She did not have symptoms of hyperthyroidism. The patient’s cat had been treated for hyperthyroidism with Thyrosoothe (TS), a formulation containing extracts from bugleweed and lemon balm. After being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, the patient began taking TS. On 9/12/16 the patient’s labs were improved with TSH 0.02mIU/L, FT4 0.88 ng/dL (0.8-1.8) and Total T3 86 (76-181). Three months later, the patient’s TSH was 1.89 with normal FT4, Total T3 and TSI. She took TS for 9 months. Her thyroid function tests have remained normal since starting TS, without the need for any other anti-thyroid medications.Case 2: A 46 year-old female presented with periorbital edema in July 2018 and was referred to an ophthalmologist, who diagnosed her with thyroid eye disease. She was also complaining of palpitations and “jitteriness”. She was found to be hyperthyroid on labs and was treated with methimazole (MMI) between August 2018 and February 2019, requiring doses of up to 10mg BID. In March 2019 she stopped MMI due to transaminitis and began taking a thyroid tincture containing bugleweed and lemon balm extract. She has remained euthyroid on the herbal tincture, her transaminitis has resolved, and she has not required any further anti-thyroid medication. Her TSI, which was 0.84 IU/L (Normal<0.55) in May 2019, normalized to 0.36 IU/L in June 2020, after 15 months on this tincture, which she is still taking.Conclusion: In vitro and rat studies of bugleweed and lemon balm extract have demonstrated anti-thyroidal effects. This is the first report of the use of these plant extracts in the treatment of two patients with Graves’ disease, in whom it led to restoration of euthyroidism and normalization of TSI titers. Further study of the anti-thyroidal effects of bugleweed and lemon balm in humans is warranted to evaluate its potential role as an adjunctive therapy in Graves’ disease.

Effect of Drying Methods on Volatile Compounds of Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) Root Tea as Revealed by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics.

Burdock (Arctium lappa L.) is one of the nutritional foods widely planted in many countries. Dried burdock root (BR) is available as a herbal tincture and tea in many Asian countries with good flavor and taste. In this study, the volatile components in dried BR were identified and the effects of different drying methods on the volatile components were investigated by HS-GC-MS method. A total of 49 compounds were identified. Different drying methods including hot-air drying (HD, at 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C), vacuum drying (VD, at 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C), sunlight drying (SD), natural drying (ND), and vacuum freeze drying (VFD) were evaluated by HS-GC-MS-based metabolomics method. Results showed that different drying methods produced different effects on the volatile compounds. It was observed that 2,3-pentanedione, 1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-ethanone, furfural, and heptanal were detected at higher concentrations in HD 80 and VD 70. The traditional HD and SD methods produced more flavor substances than VFD. The BR treated by the VFD method could maintain the shape of the fresh BR pieces while HD50 and VD80 methods could maintain the color of fresh BR pieces. These findings could help better understand the flavor of the corresponding processed BR and provide a guide for the drying and processing of BR tea.

Evaluation of an herbal therapy to alleviate acute pain and stress of disbudded dairy calves under organic management.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate a herbal therapy used in place of standard synthetic analgesia to mitigate disbudding pain of dairy calves. For this experiment, 54 calves were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 1) local anesthetic lidocaine given as a cornual nerve block before cautery disbudding (AD); 2) sham disbudding (SD); or 3) herbal tincture (Dull It, Dr. Paul’s Lab, Mazomanie, WI) composed of white willow (Salix alba L.) bark, St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.), chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.), arnica (Arnica montana L.), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) administered orally before and after cautery disbudding (TD). Behaviors were assessed during disbudding, and behaviors and blood plasma cortisol concentrations were assessed following disbudding. Tail wag, head movement, forcing ahead, and kick rates recorded during disbudding were similar among treatments. When averaged across the 360-min observation period following disbudding, injury-directed behavioral rates of head jerks, head shakes, horn bud scratches, and head rubs were greater (P ≤ 0.03) for calves in the AD group than calves in the SD group, calves in the TD group had greater (P < 0.01) horn bud scratch and head rub rates compared to calves in the SD group, and calves in the AD group had a greater (P < 0.01) horn bud scratch rate than calves in the TD group. Calves in the AD group took 1.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0 to 2.4, P = 0.03] times longer to lie down after disbudding compared to calves in the TD group. Serum cortisol concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.01) for calves in the TD group compared to calves in the SD group at 10, 30, and 90 min after disbudding. At 30 min after disbudding, calves in the AD group had 5.8 ng/mL (95% CI = −1.1 to 12.7 ng/mL, P = 0.02) greater serum cortisol compared to calves in the SD group, while calves in the TD group had 14.3 ng/mL (95% CI = 1.5 to 27.1 ng/mL, P < 0.01) greater serum cortisol than calves in the AD group. In conclusion, neither the local anesthetic lidocaine nor the orally administered herbal tincture attenuated both acute injury-directed behaviors and blood plasma cortisol concentrations in disbudded calves, and the tincture was clearly less effective at mitigating cortisol; therefore, additional analgesic may be required to properly manage disbudding pain effectively.

Acid hydrolysis of saponins extracted in tincture.

Saponins are secondary metabolites from plants added to shampoos and beverages to make them foam, and the sapogenins released from them upon acid hydrolysis are commonly used as starting materials for steroidal drugs. However, current methods embed the saponin in a thick "gum" material consisting of multiple impurities. This gum limits access to the saponin, reducing the efficiency of hydrolysis and requiring large amounts of heat, organic solvents and effort to recover the sapogenin. For centuries, herbalists have been making tinctures by soaking plant materials at room temperature, in mixtures of alcohol and water. Many herbal tinctures contain saponins floating freely in solution, gum free. The saponin from sarsaparilla (Smilax spp), sarsasaponin, yields the sapogenin, sarsasapogenin, upon acid hydrolysis. The retail price of sarsasapogenin is very high but would be lower if the "gum problem" could be avoided. We incubated sarsaparilla tincture under different conditions of temperature, acidity and duration then used quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) to measure the amount of sarsasapogenin produced by hydrolysis as well as the amount of its epimer, smilagenin. Most, if not all the sarsasaponin in sarsaparilla root powder is extracted into a solution of 45% ethanol (55% water) at room temperature and stays suspended without formation of any particles (gum). Acid hydrolysis of the saponin in this solution is very efficient, approaching 100%. The sarsasapogenin released by hydrolysis and the smilagenin produced by its epimerisation, migrate into the chloroform phase. Sarsaparilla saponin diffuses into and disperses in a solution of alcohol:water (45:55) at room temperature. Hydrolysis of saponins in tincture provides a simple, inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative.

Influence of farm conditions on sows’ morphological blood indicators

The article summarizes the influence of farm conditions on sows blood morphological parameters. Our research was carried out in the farms of Zolochiv and Starosambir districts of the Lviv region (Ukraine) and revealed strong violations of animals feeding, both in terms of nutrition, and on the macro- and microelement composition. In all the farms, there was practically no appropriate way to feeding sows from different physiological groups, which may further adversely affect the growth and development of the resulting offspring. The parameters of the microclimate in the premises were invested in the limits of permissible norms. The differences between farms were production process and pigs keeping. Animals of the Zolochiv region were not registered and had the opportunity to move freely, to nest before the farrowing, to satisfy their physiological needs for food search (to dig, to throw the bedding), without barriers to consume food and water. In the farm of the Starosambir district the sows were kept in individual fixing machines, they were restricted in movement, free choice of place for rest, manifestation of natural behavior, the ability to satisfy the instinct of nesting and show the instinct of caring for the offspring. Free holding of sows have a positive effect on the processes of hematopoiesis. The blood of these animals had more red blood cells and the hemoglobin concentration was higher. It was also proved that the most susceptible to the conditions of containment were farrowing sows from both farms, as evidenced by the morphological indices of blood. Thus, the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit magnitude and red blood indices in animals of this physiological group are recorded at the lower limit of the physiological norm.

When Less Is More, or Acknowledging the Value of Tincture of Time.

When Less Is More, or Acknowledging the Value of Tincture of Time.

Tinctures of time and Schrödinger's virus

Literature and science converge in a pandemic

Cadmium and Chromium Determination in Herbal Tinctures Employing Direct Analysis by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS)

In this study, herbal tinctures prescribed by the Brazilian public health system were analyzed for their Cd and Cr concentrations by direct analysis using electrothermal graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). The acidic decomposition assisted by microwave radiation was employed to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method, demonstrating no significant differences between the methods. The accuracy of the method was evaluated obtaining adequate recoveries (106 ± 4) % for Cr and (108 ± 4) % for Cd, as well as precision regarding the repeatability with a standard deviation below 10% for both analytes. The proposed method presented limits of detection of 0.47 and 1.3 μg kg−1 for Cd and Cr, respectively. No matrix effects were observed and, as a result, the external calibration curve was used, demonstrating an important advantage for the method for routine applications. Twenty-one herbal tinctures samples were evaluated, and measurable concentrations of Cd and Cr were present in some of these samples. The Cr concentration varied between 4.45 and 21.4 μg kg−1, while the Cd level was from 0.76 to 40.8 μg kg−1. Although these contaminant concentrations may be considered toxic to human beings, they are below the maximal limits permitted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in finished herbal products.