Discussion on traceability, resources development and efficacies of fragrant herbs based on "One Belt and One Road" / 中草药

As a traditional medicine gradually introduced into China by the communication and development of "The Ancient Silk Road", scented herbs supplement and enrich Chinese medicinal resources. In order to advocate the construction of national "One Belt and One Road", promote the further development and utilization of external scented herbs resources in China, and serve the health and drug use of the vast number of people, especially the ethnic minority groups, of other Belt and Road countries. This paper reviewed a large number of literatures and combed the sources of scented herbs in countries along "One Belt and One Road" route. These medicinal herbs are classified from the perspective of the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the fragrant substance basis, efficacy and clinical use of the representative drugs are clarified. We herein proposed strategies for the further development and utilization of scented herbs to promote the rapid development of scented herbs, and further enhance the confidence of national medicine culture.

Elucidation of the profound antagonism of contractile action of phenylephrine in rat aorta effected by an atypical sympathomimetic decongestant

Vasoconstrictive properties of sympathomimetic drugs are the basis of their widespread use as decongestants and possible source of adverse responses. Insufficiently substantiated practice of combining decongestants in some marketed preparations, such are those containing phenylephrine and lerimazoline, may affect the overall contractile activity, and thus their therapeutic utility. This study aimed to examine the interaction between lerimazoline and phenylephrine in isolated rat aortic rings, and also to assess the substrate of the obtained lerimazoline-induced attenuation of phenylephrine contraction. Namely, while lower concentrations of lerimazoline (10⁻⁶ M and especially 10⁻⁷ M) expectedly tended to potentiate the phenylephrine-induced contractions, lerimazoline in higher concentrations (10⁻⁴ M and above) unexpectedly and profoundly depleted the phenylephrine concentration-response curve. Suppression of NO with NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10⁻⁴ M) or NO scavanger OHB₁₂ (10⁻³ M), as well as non-specific inhibition of K⁺-channels with tetraethylammonium (TEA; 10⁻³ M), have reversed lerimazoline-induced relaxation of phenylephrine contractions, while cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10⁻⁵ M) did not affect the interaction between two vasoconstrictors. At the receptor level, non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist methiothepin reversed the attenuating effect of lerimazoline on phenylephrine contraction when applied at 3×10⁻⁷ and 10⁻⁶ M, but not at the highest concentration (10⁻⁴ M). Neither the 5-HT1D-receptor selective antagonist BRL 15572 (10⁻⁶ M) nor 5-HT₇ receptor selective antagonist SB 269970 (10⁻⁶ M) affected the lerimazoline-induced attenuation of phenylephrine activity. The mechanism of lerimazoline-induced suppression of phenylephrine contractions may involve potentiation of activity of NO and K⁺-channels and activation of some methiothepin-sensitive receptors, possibly of the 5-HT(2B) subtype.

Avaliação da prática de automedicação com descongestionantes nasais por estudantes da área da saúde / Evaluation of self-medication practice with nasal decongestants for students in the health field

Objetivo ­ Evidenciar a prática de automedicação e o uso indiscriminado de descongestionantes nasais pelos estudantes da área da saúde. Métodos ­ Para elaboração da pesquisa, foi realizada coleta de dados por meio de aplicação de questionário, com intuito de evidenciar a prática de automedicação e a frequência do uso indiscriminado dos descongestionantes nasais, a pesquisa foi feita entrevistando 100 participantes, sendo 50 homens e 50 mulheres no período de 18 de Novembro de 2015 a 11 de Março de 2016. Resultados ­ Avaliou-se através dos dados obtidos que a prática de automedicação e o uso indiscriminado e irracional desses medicamentos entre os estudantes ocorrem com frequência. Conclusão ­ Através dos dados obtidos foi possível concluir que o uso de descongestionantes nasais entre os alunos de ambos os sexos ocorrem, de maneira indiscriminada, de modo contínuo e dependente, sendo que, o fato da ausência de orientação adequada no momento da dispensação pode contribuir para o uso irracional.

Objective ­ Highlight the widespread use of nasal decongestants for health care students. Methods ­ To prepare the study, data collection was performed by application of questionnaire, in order to Highlight the frequency of the indiscriminate use of nasal decongestants, the research was done by interviewing 100 participants, 50 men and 50 women in period from 18 November 2015 to 11 March 2016. Results ­ Reviewed up through the data that the indiscriminate and irrational use of these drugs among students occur frequently. Conclusion ­ Through the data we found that the use of nasal decongestants among students of both sexes occur indiscriminately, continuous and dependent manner, and the fact of the absence of proper guidance at the time of dispensation can contribute to the irrational use.

Optimization, Development and evaluation of Microemulsion for the release of combination of Guaifenesin and Phenylephrine.

Guaifenesin and Phenylephrine possess greater water solubility but lower permeability and bioavailability. The aim of this study is to develop a microemulsion to overcome these issues. Castor oil, Oleic acid and Emu oil were selected as oil phase. Tween 80 and Span 80 were selected as surfactants.2-propanol and ethanol were selected as co-surfactants. Optimization of co-surfactant was done by taking a series of O/W microemulsions which were formulated by titration method. 32 formulations were formed initially and based on various physical parameters like clarity, Stability, density, viscosity, pH and electrical conductivity, 17 formulations were narrowed down. The particle size study was carried out by zeta analysis and the results proved that the formulations were nano sized. FTIR studies proved that there was not much interaction between the drugs in the formulation. In-vitro dissolution studies were performed for all the 17 formulations individually for both the drugs was found. The optimum formulation where sustained release for both the drugs was found to be in the combination of Oleic acid: Tween 80: Water: 2-propanol (1:3:5:9). This formulation was subjected to ex-vivo diffusion study and the permeation through the membrane was found.

Septoplasty and Decongestant Improve Distribution of Nasal Spray / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study prospectively examined the intranasal distribution of nasal spray after nasal septal correction and decongestant administration.A cohort of 20 patients was assessed for the distribution of nasal spray before and after nasal septum surgery.Sprays were dyed and administered one puff per nostril when patients hold their head up in an upright position.Before and after decongestant administration,the intranasal distribution was semi-quantitatively determined by nasal endoscopy.The results showed that the dyed drug was preferentially sprayed onto the nasal vestibule,the head of the inferior turbinate,the anterior part of septum and nasal floor.As far as the anterior-inferior segment of the nasal cavity was concerned,the distribution was found to be influenced neither by the decongestant nor by the surgery (P＞0.05).However,both the decongestant and surgery expanded the distribution to the anatomical structures in the superior and posterior nasal cavity such as olfactory fissure,middle turbinate head and middle nasal meatus.No distribution was observed in the sphenoethmoidal recess,posterior septum,tail of inferior turbinate and nasopharynx.It was concluded that nasal septum surgery and decongestant administration significantly improves nasal spray distribution in the nasal cavity.

A Prospective Randomized Open Trial of Nasal Irrigation and Nasal Decongestant for Sinusitis in Children / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: The management of sinusitis in children is controversial. Antibiotic is known as the most essential management. Despite nasal irrigation and nasal decongestant have been used as adjunctive treatments of sinusitis, it is still unclear whether these are effective on sinusitis. Therefore, we used antibiotics with either nasal irrigation and an oral nasal decongestant and tried to estimate the outcome of each case. METHODS: This study was conducted with sinusitis patients who visited our pediatric respiratory disease clinic. They were randomized into 4 groups: Group 1 were treated with a high dose of amoxicillin only; Group 2 were treated with nasal irrigation and a high dose of amoxicillin; Group 3 were treated with a nasal decongestant and a high dose of amoxicillin; and Group 4 were treated with nasal irrigation, a oral nasal decongestant, and a high dose of amoxicillin. Responses to treatment were estimated more than 4 days after the beginning of the therapy in acute or subacute sinusitis, and more than 7 days chronic sinusitis. RESULTS: The responses to the treatments the 4 groups were not comparable. A favorable therapy was not found, regardless of whether a patient had suppurative rhinorrhea, nasal stuffness, typical findings of PNS plain radiograph, or adenoid hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: The use of nasal irrigation or a oral nasal decongestant as an additional therapy to antibiotics for the symptoms of pediatric sinusitis showed no additional effects on sinusitis.