Acta Marisiensis - Seria Medica

Biological Profiles of Quercus cerris, Quercus dalechampii, and Quercus robur Bark Extracts: A Characterization Study

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of the present study was to characterize the extracts obtained from the bark of three oak species in order to assess their use in potential cosmetic products.

Methods: The extracts were obtained from the oak barks (periderm and rhytidome) using an ultrasonic probe. The total polyphenolic content was assessed afterwards, using the Folin–Ciocâlteu method, while the antioxidant capacity was determined using methods based on the neutralization of the 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals. For the assessment of the tyrosinase inhibitory effect, a protocol using L–DOPA as the substrate of the enzyme was used.

Results: The extracts presented high levels of polyphenolic compounds, Q. cerris having the highest content. Because of the high concentration of the extracts in polyphenolic compounds, they revealed a great reducing capacity against both radicals, but unfortunately the tyrosinase inhibitory effect was very weak when compared to the positive control.

Conclusions: The extracts may have beneficial effects when used in cosmetic products because of the antioxidant effects, but more studies must be conducted for the determination of the main phytochemical compounds comprised in the extracts and their correlation to the biological effects.

Anti-obesity and Antioxidant Effects of Ethanol Extract of Fingerroot Rhizomes (Boesenbergia pandurata Roxb.) on High-Carbohydrate Diet-induced Mice

Ari Yuniarto, Abdul Aziz Setiawan, Wulan Safitri, Emir Rizky Taptajani — Sat, 30 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Objective: Obesity is defined as the abnormal and excessive accumulation of fat. Enlargement of white adipose tissue due to obesity activates the sympathetic nervous system to stimulate lipolysis to break down fat extensively. This causes a lot of free fatty acids to circulate in the body. Excessive circulating free fatty acids affect many cells and produce oxidative stress, which spreads throughout the body. This research aimed to determine the anti-obesity and antioxidant effects of ethanol extract of B. pandurata rhizome (EEBP). Methods: Fingerroot rhizomes were extracted using maceration and the extract was used for in vivo, antioxidant, and total flavonoid concentration tests. Anti-obesity test was carried out by dividing mice into 6 groups such as normal controls, obese controls, standard groups, and extract-treated groups (100, 200, 400 mg/kg b.w). The in vivo test parameters observed included measurement of body weight and also liver, kidney, spleen, and retroperitoneal fat index measurement. Furthermore, in this research antioxidant test was performed using the DPPH method. Results: In vivo test showed that the administration of EEBP at a dose of 400 mg/kg b.w. effectively decreased body weight and retroperitoneal fat, but slightly affected the organ index of mice such as the liver, renal, and spleen. Furthermore, the antioxidant test showed that the IC₅₀ EEBP results obtained were 37,05 µg/ml. In addition, the total flavonoid content found in the EEBP is 15,775 mgQE/g. Conclusion: The present study showed that EEBP may have a considerable potential anti-obesity agent and also has a very strong antioxidant effect.

Maternal sepsis - challenges in diagnosis and management - a mini-summary of the literature

Mihaela Alexandra Budianu, Andrada Ioana Crişan, Septimiu Voidăzan — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0200

Sepsis is still one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and morbidity, being the third most common cause of maternal death, after hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders. Maternal sepsis may appear due to obstetric causes such as: chorioamnionitis, endometritis, abortion-related uterine infections, and wound infections. For non-obstetric causes of maternal sepsis the most common are urinary tract infections and respiratory tract infections. This mini-summary presents the challenges in early diagnosis and prompt management, caused by pregnancy physiological changes. Physiological alterations during pregnancy, like an increase in white cell count, heart rate, and respiratory rate, associated with a decrease in blood pressure are also known sings of infection, making the diagnosis of sepsis during pregnancy more difficult. The three pillars of sepsis treatment are early antibiotic, vital organ support and fluid therapy, the last one being controversial. A more restrictive approach for fluid resuscitation could be more suitable for pregnant women, taking into account the risk of fluid overload and pulmonary edema. Criteria for early recognition and appropriate management customized for maternal sepsis are mandatory.

Smart Science: How Artificial intelligence is Revolutionizing Pharmaceutical Medicine

Swapna BV, Shibani Shetty, Manjunath Shetty, Smitha Sammith Shetty — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a discipline within the field of computer science that encompasses the development and utilization of machines capable of emulating human behavior, particularly regarding the astute examination and interpretation of data. AI operates through the utilization of specialized algorithms, and it includes techniques such as deep (DL), and machine learning (ML), and natural language processing (NLP). As a result, AI has found its application in the study of pharmaceutical chemistry and healthcare. The AI models employed encompass a spectrum of methodologies, including unsupervised clustering techniques applied to drugs or patients to discern potential drug compounds or appropriate patient cohorts. Additionally, supervised ML methodologies are utilized to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic drug monitoring. Further, AI-aided prediction of the clinical outcomes of clinical trials can improve efficiency by prioritizing therapeutic intervention that are likely to succeed, hence benefiting the patient. AI may also help create personalized treatments by locating potential intervention targets and assessing their efficacy. Hence, this review provides insights into recent advances in the application of AI and different tools used in the field of pharmaceutical medicine.

Oligosymptomatic form of Melkersson-Rosenthal Syndrome possibly triggered by Covid-19 infection: a case report

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Introduction: Melkersson Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a disease of multifactorial origin typically presented with a triad of symptoms including peripheral facial nerve paralysis, plicated tongue and orofacial edema. Diagnosing MRS requires the exclusion of other granulomatous diseases and the correlation of clinical with histopathological finding.

Case presentation: We present the case of a 56-year-old female with a four-month history of lower lip and right mandible angle swelling together with a plicated tongue that appeared during COVID-19 infection. The patient was successfully treated with intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide at a dose of 40 mg.

Conclusion: The presented case is specific by its late onset since the patient experienced their first symptoms in fifties, which differs from the majority of cases where the diagnosis is usually established in young adults. Infectious factors are established as possible etiologic factors of MRS, but few cases are described to be triggered or worsened by COVID-19 infection. There is a need for further research to elucidate the impact of COVID-19 on the development and progression of Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome.

Keywords: Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, granulomatous cheilitis, COVID-19, oligosymptomatic