RESUMEN
While arsenic has been used medicinally and as a poison for thousands of years, Fowler's solution, an arsenic compound, has had a fascinating history in medicine during the past 200 years. The use of Fowler's solution was first described and published as a treatment for malaria and syphilis in the late 1700s. Many clinical applications for Fowler's solutions have been studied and utilized over the years, but toxicities have limited its utility. Even so, arsenic trioxide, chemically related to Fowler's solution, was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating acute promyelocytic leukemia. The history of Fowler's solution, its applications and uses, and benefits and risks are discussed.
Asunto(s)
Arsenicales/uso terapéutico , Arsenitos , Óxidos/uso terapéutico , Compuestos de Potasio , Trióxido de Arsénico , Arsenicales/historia , Arsenitos/historia , Arsenitos/envenenamiento , Arsenitos/uso terapéutico , Historia del Siglo XVIII , Historia del Siglo XIX , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , Humanos , Leucemia Promielocítica Aguda/tratamiento farmacológico , Malaria/tratamiento farmacológico , Malaria/historia , Óxidos/historia , Óxidos/envenenamiento , Compuestos de Potasio/historia , Compuestos de Potasio/envenenamiento , Compuestos de Potasio/uso terapéutico , Sífilis/tratamiento farmacológico , Sífilis/historia , Estados UnidosAsunto(s)
Investigación Biomédica/historia , Hematología/historia , Antineoplásicos/historia , Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Trióxido de Arsénico , Arsenicales/historia , Arsenicales/uso terapéutico , China , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , Humanos , Leucemia/tratamiento farmacológico , Leucemia/historia , Óxidos/historia , Óxidos/uso terapéutico , Retratos como AsuntoRESUMEN
The aim of this research is to present syphilis among women described as "indecent" according to the records of the Venereal Diseases Hospital "Andreas Syggros", which is located in Athens, during the period 1931-1935. In impoverished Greece of the Interwar period, factors such as criminal ignorance, or lack of information on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) along with inadequate health controls of sex workers, resulted in a dramatic spread of syphilis, whereas "Andreas Syggros" hospital accommodated thousands of patients. The inflow of 1.300.000 Greek refugees from Asia Minor, after the Greek defeat by the Turkish army in the war of 1922, resulted in a notable change in the demographics of the country, while the combination of miserable living conditions, unemployment, economic crisis of the Interwar period, political instability and dysfunction of the State led to an increased number of illegal sex workers and syphilis outbreaks. Despite the introduction of an ad hoc Act to control STDs since 1923, the State was unable to limit the transmissibility of syphilis and to control prostitution. Unfortunately, the value of this historical paradigm is borne out by a contemporary example, i.e. the scandal of HIV seropositive sex workers in -beset by economic crisis- Greece in May 2012. It turns out that ignorance, failure to comply with the law, change in the mentality of the citizens in an economically ruined society, and most notably dysfunction of public services during periods of crisis, are all risk factors for the spread of serious infectious diseases.
Asunto(s)
Refugiados/historia , Trabajadores Sexuales/historia , Sífilis/historia , Arsenicales/historia , Bismuto/historia , Recesión Económica/historia , Femenino , Grecia , Historia del Siglo XX , Hospitales de Aislamiento/historia , Humanos , Compuestos de Mercurio/historia , Yoduro de Potasio/historia , Pobreza/historia , Refugiados/estadística & datos numéricos , Trabajadores Sexuales/legislación & jurisprudencia , Sífilis/diagnóstico , Sífilis/tratamiento farmacológico , Sífilis/epidemiología , Primera Guerra Mundial , Segunda Guerra MundialRESUMEN
Despite its many therapeutic qualities, arsenic trioxide has been more commonly remembered as Madame Bovary's poison than as an anticancer drug. The ability of arsenic trioxide to treat acute promyelocytic leukaemia has radically changed this view, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of this malignancy and raising hopes that arsenicals might be useful in treating other cancers.
Asunto(s)
Arsenicales/uso terapéutico , Leucemia Promielocítica Aguda/tratamiento farmacológico , Proteínas Nucleares , Óxidos/uso terapéutico , Animales , Trióxido de Arsénico , Arsenicales/historia , Diferenciación Celular , China , Europa (Continente) , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Historia del Siglo XV , Historia del Siglo XVI , Historia del Siglo XVIII , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , Historia Antigua , Humanos , Leucemia Promielocítica Aguda/genética , Leucemia Promielocítica Aguda/metabolismo , Leucemia Promielocítica Aguda/patología , Proteínas de Neoplasias/metabolismo , Óxidos/historia , Proteína de la Leucemia Promielocítica , Receptores de Ácido Retinoico/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción/metabolismo , Proteínas Supresoras de TumorRESUMEN
Williamson serendipitously discovered (1851) a new and efficient way to produce esters using ethyl iodide and potassium salts and in doing so elucidated the molecular mechanism behind ether formation. Lassaigne (1820) made the analogy between sulphovinic and phosphovinic acids and demonstrated the existence of phosphovinic acid, while Pelouze (1833) synthesised monoethyl phosphovinic acid. Finally 1848 Voegeli produced diethyl phosphovinic acid and the first neutral ester of phosphoric acid, the triethyl phosphate (TEP). The successes of Lassaigne and Pelouze in producing phosphovinic acids and Mitscherlich's theory of isomorphism fuelled the search for the vinic acids of arsenic, phosphorus neighbor in the periodic system. This short report attempts to identify the (less known) pharmacists and chemists involved in the quest for both arsenovinic acids and the neutral esters of arsenic and pyroarsenic acids.
Asunto(s)
Arsenicales/historia , Química/historia , Éteres/historia , Arsenicales/síntesis química , Éteres/síntesis química , Francia , Historia del Siglo XIX , Indicadores y ReactivosAsunto(s)
Intoxicación por Arsénico/historia , Arsénico/historia , Arsenicales/historia , Tolerancia a Medicamentos , Folclore , Farmacología/historia , Animales , Arsénico/farmacología , Arsénico/toxicidad , Intoxicación por Arsénico/etiología , Intoxicación por Arsénico/genética , Arsenicales/farmacología , Austria , Historia del Siglo XIX , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , Humanos , Ratas , América del SurRESUMEN
Iron-arsenic alloys are described in many medieval chemical recipes as a means to "liquefy" iron. In fact, while such alloys have relatively low melting points, they are not the only examples of iron being known as a liquid metal. There is evidence from the analysis of swords, as well as from written references, that crucible steel, probably imported from the Middle East, was known in Western Europe from the Early Middle Ages. In addition, the "blast furnace", which produced liquid pig iron, is now known from archaeological evidence to have been operated from at least the thirteenth century in Scandinavia. The descriptions of iron-smelting and iron-working given in the accounts written by scholastic alchemists are in fact closely related to the contemporary practices of craftsmen operating iron furnaces.
Asunto(s)
Alquimia , Arsenicales/historia , Compuestos de Hierro/historia , Acero/historia , Aleaciones/historia , Europa (Continente) , Historia MedievalRESUMEN
Abu ul-Ala Shirazi, who lived around the 10th century at the Court of Amir Azud ul-Duleh Bueieh (902-951) from the Dailami Dynasty, found that arsenic, known as sam-al-far, could cure malaria. A clinical trial dating from the 10th century demonstrates Abu ul-Ala's intelligence and careful clinical observation, in the tradition of Rhazes' practice based on experimentation and clinical trial.
Asunto(s)
Arsenicales/historia , Malaria/historia , Antimaláricos/historia , Antimaláricos/uso terapéutico , Arsenicales/uso terapéutico , Historia Medieval , Humanos , Malaria/tratamiento farmacológico , PersiaRESUMEN
In August 2003, 44 victims were poisoned by chemical warfare agents (CWAs) leaked from five drums that were excavated at a construction site in Qiqihar, Northeast China. The drums were abandoned by the former Japanese imperial army during World War II and contained a mixture of Sulfur mustard (SM) and Lewisite. We carried out a total of six regular check-ups between 2006 and 2014, and from 2008 we added neurological evaluations including neuropsychological test and autonomic nervous function test in parallel with medical follow-up as much as was possible. Severe autonomic failure, such as hyperhidrosis, pollakiuria, diarrhoea, diminished libido, and asthenia appeared in almost all victims. Polyneuropathy occurred in 35% of the victims and constricted vision occurred in 20% of them. The rates of abnormal response on cold pressor test (CPT), active standing test (AST), Heart rate variability (CVR-R), performed in 2014, were 63.1%, 31.6%, and 15.9%, respectively. On neuropsychological testing evaluated in 2010, a generalized cognitive decline was observed in 42% of the victims. Memories and visuospatial abilities were affected in the remaining victims. Finally, a 17-item PTSD questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory evaluated in 2014 revealed long-lasting severe PTSD symptoms and depression of the victims. Our findings suggest that an SM/Lewisite compound have significant adverse consequences directly in cognitive and emotional network and autonomic nervous systems in the brain.
Asunto(s)
Intoxicación por Arsénico/historia , Arsenicales , Sustancias para la Guerra Química/envenenamiento , Guerra Química/psicología , Trastornos Mentales/inducido químicamente , Trastornos Mentales/psicología , Gas Mostaza/envenenamiento , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso/inducido químicamente , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso/psicología , Segunda Guerra Mundial , Adulto , Arsenicales/historia , Pueblo Asiatico , Enfermedades del Sistema Nervioso Autónomo/inducido químicamente , Guerra Química/historia , Sustancias para la Guerra Química/historia , China , Femenino , Historia del Siglo XX , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fuerza Muscular/efectos de los fármacos , Gas Mostaza/historia , Pruebas Neuropsicológicas , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Trastornos por Estrés Postraumático/psicología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
By comprehensively reviewing the origin and history of Niuhuang Jiedu Wan and its "derivatives", we studied the clinical records of realgar, investigated its clinical usage, dosage, efficacy, and toxicity in the literatures. We pinpointed the factors that might be associated with safety problems of Niuhuang Jiedu Pian (Wan) and other traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations containing arsenic substances. In this article we also put forward suggestions for strengthening the surveillance and administration of similar TCM preparations.
Asunto(s)
Intoxicación por Arsénico/prevención & control , Arsenicales/efectos adversos , Medicina Tradicional China , Sulfuros/efectos adversos , Intoxicación por Arsénico/historia , Arsenicales/análisis , Arsenicales/historia , Combinación de Medicamentos , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , Historia Antigua , Historia Medieval , Humanos , Sulfuros/análisis , Sulfuros/historiaRESUMEN
The work done in the Department of Biochemistry in Oxford during World War II is recounted. Reference is made to the research on burns, nutrition and malaria, but it is mainly concerned with the search for antidotes to mustard gas and lewisite. The discovery of a successful antidote to lewisite is described in some detail.
Asunto(s)
Antídotos/historia , Bioquímica/historia , Sustancias para la Guerra Química/historia , Universidades/historia , Arsenicales/historia , Sustancias para la Guerra Química/envenenamiento , Inglaterra , Historia del Siglo XX , Humanos , Gas Mostaza/historia , Gas Mostaza/envenenamiento , Segunda Guerra MundialAsunto(s)
Arsenicales/historia , Química Farmacéutica/historia , Descubrimiento de Drogas/historia , Sífilis/historia , Arsenicales/uso terapéutico , Arsfenamina/análogos & derivados , Arsfenamina/historia , Arsfenamina/uso terapéutico , Alemania , Historia del Siglo XIX , Historia del Siglo XX , Sífilis/tratamiento farmacológicoRESUMEN
Manufacture of an Ayurvedic arsenic-containing compound is described, which is currently in use in India to control blood counts of patients with haematological malignancies. The efficacy and side effects of this compound are evaluated in the light of the fact that arsenic was recognised to be of use in the control of blood counts from patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia as long as 100 years ago, in the West.
Asunto(s)
Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Arsenicales/uso terapéutico , Recuento de Células Sanguíneas/efectos de los fármacos , Leucemia/tratamiento farmacológico , Medicina Ayurvédica , Metales/uso terapéutico , Azufre/uso terapéutico , Antineoplásicos/efectos adversos , Antineoplásicos/síntesis química , Arsenicales/síntesis química , Arsenicales/historia , Niño , Historia del Siglo XIX , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia Antigua , Humanos , India , Queratosis/inducido químicamente , Leucemia/sangre , Trastornos de la Pigmentación/inducido químicamente , Plantas Medicinales , Esplenomegalia/tratamiento farmacológicoAsunto(s)
Arsenicales/historia , Investigación Biomédica/historia , Metalurgia/historia , Exposición Profesional/historia , Óxidos/historia , Trióxido de Arsénico , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , Humanos , Enfermedades Profesionales/etiología , Enfermedades Profesionales/historia , Exposición Profesional/normas , Óxidos/toxicidad , Estados Unidos , United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration/historia , United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration/normasAsunto(s)
Antitreponémicos/historia , Arsfenamina/historia , Sífilis/historia , Alergia e Inmunología/historia , Animales , Antitreponémicos/farmacología , Antitreponémicos/uso terapéutico , Arsenicales/historia , Arsenicales/uso terapéutico , Arsfenamina/análogos & derivados , Arsfenamina/farmacología , Arsfenamina/uso terapéutico , Alemania , Historia del Siglo XIX , Historia del Siglo XX , Premio Nobel , Sífilis/tratamiento farmacológico , Treponema pallidum/efectos de los fármacosRESUMEN
The metalloid arsenic is a natural environmental contaminant to which humans are routinely exposed in food, water, air, and soil. Arsenic has a long history of use as a homicidal agent, but in the past 100 years arsenic, has been used as a pesticide, a chemotherapeutic agent and a constituent of consumer products. In some areas of the world, high levels of arsenic are naturally present in drinking water and are a toxicological concern. There are several structural forms and oxidation states of arsenic because it forms alloys with metals and covalent bonds with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and other elements. Environmentally relevant forms of arsenic are inorganic and organic existing in the trivalent or pentavalent state. Metabolism of arsenic, catalyzed by arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase, is a sequential process of reduction from pentavalency to trivalency followed by oxidative methylation back to pentavalency. Trivalent arsenic is generally more toxicologically potent than pentavalent arsenic. Acute effects of arsenic range from gastrointestinal distress to death. Depending on the dose, chronic arsenic exposure may affect several major organ systems. A major concern of ingested arsenic is cancer, primarily of skin, bladder, and lung. The mode of action of arsenic for its disease endpoints is currently under study. Two key areas are the interaction of trivalent arsenicals with sulfur in proteins and the ability of arsenic to generate oxidative stress. With advances in technology and the recent development of animal models for arsenic carcinogenicity, understanding of the toxicology of arsenic will continue to improve.
Asunto(s)
Intoxicación por Arsénico/historia , Arsenicales/historia , Carcinógenos Ambientales/historia , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/historia , Toxicología/historia , Animales , Arsenicales/efectos adversos , Carcinógenos Ambientales/toxicidad , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/efectos adversos , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia del Siglo XXI , HumanosRESUMEN
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Arsenicals have been known as poisons and paradoxically as therapeutic agents. In the early 1970s, Chinese physicians from Harbin revived the medicinal use of arsenicals as anticancer agents. Notable success was observed in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) with arsenic trioxide (ATO). The FDA approved ATO injection in the year 2000 for the treatment of APL. In contrast, the clinical use of the other arsenical, realgar (As4S4), is currently much less established, though it has also long been used in medical history. According to ancient medical records and recent findings in clinical trials, realgar was found as effective as ATO, but with relatively good oral safety profiles even on chronic administration. These give realgar an advantage over ATO in maintenance treatment. Though there is increasing understanding on the mechanisms of action and metabolic profiles of ATO, similar aspects of realgar are unclear to date. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We outline the use of realgar in traditional medicines, especially in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) from ancient times to present. The clinical and experimental observations on realgar as a therapeutic agent are described with an emphasis on those findings that may imply the rationale and future directions of realgar as a potential anticancer drug candidate. RESULTS: There is an increasing understanding in the mechanisms of action of realgar as an antileukemic agent. However, there is still sparse information on its metabolism and toxicity profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Realgar is poorly soluble in water. Recently, several types of realgar nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed. Some of these realgar NPs also possess the unique optical properties of quantum dots. The activities and bioavailability of realgar NPs are much influenced by their sizes, making realgar an interesting biomedical and pharmaceutical research candidate.