The molecular mechanisms underlying anti-inflammatory effects of galangin in different diseases.

When used as an alternative source of drugs to treat inflammation-associated diseases, phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory properties provide beneficial impacts. Galangin is one of the most naturally occurring flavonoids. Galangin has many biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, and anti-genotoxic activities. We observed that galangin was well tolerated and positively impacted disease underlying inflammation for the renal, hepatic, central nervous system, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal system, skin, and respiratory disorders, as well as ulcerative colitis, acute pancreatitis, retinopathy, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Galangin anti-inflammatory effects are mediated mainly by suppressing p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases, nuclear factor-kappa B, and nod-like receptor protein 3 signals. These effects are confirmed and supported by molecular docking. Clinical translational research is required to accelerate the bench-to-bedside transfer and determine whether galangin can be utilised as a safe, natural source of pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory medication for humans.

Protective effects of berberine on various kidney diseases: Emphasis on the promising effects and the underlined molecular mechanisms.

Berberine (BBR) is a pentacyclic benzylisoquinoline alkaloid that can be found in diversity of medicinal plants. BBR has a wide range of pharmacological bioactivities, in addition when administrated orally, it has a broad safety margin. It has been used as an antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic drug in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Several scholars have found that BBR has promising renoprotective effects against different renal illnesses, including diabetic nephropathy, renal fibrosis, renal ischemia, renal aging, and renal stones. Also, it has renoprotective effects against nephrotoxicity induced by chemotherapy, heavy metal, aminoglycosides, NSAID, and others. These effects imply that BBR has an evolving therapeutic potential against acute renal failure and chronic renal diseases. Hence, we report herein the beneficial therapeutic renoprotective properties of BBR, as well as the highlighted molecular mechanism. In conclusion, the studies discussed throughout this review will afford a comprehensive overview about renoprotective effect of BBR and its therapeutic impact on different renal diseases.

Early Autologous Blood-Patch Pleurodesis versus Conservative Management for Treatment of Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

BACKGROUND: Autologous blood-patch pleurodesis has been effectively utilized as a treatment option for the condition of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP). Moreover, it can be used with persistent air leak, with or without residual air space. However, there have been no robust reports for the optimal timing for autologous blood-patch pleurodesis. The aim of this study is to compare early autologous blood-patch pleurodesis with conservative management of SSP. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled study at the Menoufia University Hospital. A total of 47 patients with SSP were randomly allocated into two groups: group A (23 patients) received intrapleural instillation of 50 mL autologous blood 3 days after insertion of chest drain and group B (24 patients) managed conservatively. The duration required for air leak to seal, chest drainage duration, length of hospital stay, and the incidence of complications were compared and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The duration of air leak, duration to drain removal, and length of hospital stay were all significantly shorter in group A than in group B. CONCLUSION: Early intrapleural instillation of autologous blood is successful in sealing air leak in patients with SSP with persistent air leak, who are not fit or not willing to undergo surgery. It is superior to conservative treatment or late instillation of autologous blood, even if their lungs are not fully expanded.

Povidone-iodine pleurodesis versus talc pleurodesis in preventing recurrence of malignant pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pleural effusions continue to be a common problem in patients with metastatic disease, leading to a significant reduction in quality of life with progressive dyspnea, dry cough, chest pain and reduced physical activity. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy, safety, and outcome of Talc Powder Pleurodesis (TPP) with Povidone-iodine Pleurodesis (PIP) through a chest drain as a palliative preventive treatment of recurrent malignant pleural effusion. METHODS: A total of 39 neoplastic patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusion were enrolled in a prospective randomized trial. Twenty-one patients received Talc pleurodesis (group A), and eighteen patients (group B) received Povidone-iodine pleurodesis. The continuous variables were expressed as mean values ± standard deviation (SD) and compared using the unpaired t-test. The discrete variables were expressed as percentage and compared using the chi-square test (χ(2)) test. p-values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Our study included 11 males and 28 females, the mean age was (71.0 ± 5.0) years for group A and (70.9 ± 5.1) years for group B (non-significant). Post-procedure analgesic requirements were recorded in both groups. Four patients in each group had fever (>38°C) within 48 hours of the procedure. Both groups achieved good symptomatic relief. There were no in-hospital deaths. The mean post-procedure hospital stay was (4.7 ± 1.2) days for group A and (4.2 ± 1.0) for group B (non-significant). At follow-up recurrence of significant pleural effusion requiring intervention was noted in four and five patients in group A and group B, respectively (non-significant difference). CONCLUSION: Povidone-iodine pleurodesis can be considered as a good alternative to Talc pleurodesis for recurrent malignant pleural effusion. The drug is available, cost effective, safe and can be administered through an intercostal drain and repeated if necessary.