Comparison of supercritical CO2 extraction and pressurized fluid extraction for isolation of alkaloids from Anacardium occidentale with the study of its anti-inflammatory activity.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of natural compounds, particularly of plant origin, owing to their demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Among these, Anacardium occidentale, commonly known as cashew, has garnered significant attention due to its reputed health benefits. This study aim to establish a correlation between the bioactive compounds contained in the extracts of Anacardium occidentale and its anti-inflammatory activity. Dried Anacardium occidentale leaves powder was used as the extraction matrix. Extraction techniques are maceration, pressurized fluid extraction (PFE), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The preliminary analysis of extracts was made by LC-MS/MS. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and heat maps were employed to model the influence of experimental conditions on extraction yield and peak area of specific compounds from the plant. To evaluate anti-inflammatory activity, RAW 264.7 cells were cultured, activated with LPS, and treated with varying concentrations of the plant extracts. Cell proliferation was assessed using the XTT assay. Indeed, Anacardium occidentale extracts contain anacardic acids, cardanols, and cardol, with distinct profiles yielded by SFE and ethanol-based methods. RSM shows that temperature and ethanol, as additives to CO2, significantly affect extraction efficiency in both PFE and SFE. Moreover, this composition with SFE demonstrate higher selectivity for specific group of compounds. The extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory properties without cytotoxicity in macrophages, reducing levels of pro-inflammatory proteins COX-2, COX-1, and TLR4 in activated cells. This suggests their potential as anti-inflammatory agents without adverse effects on cell viability or pro-inflammatory protein levels in non-activated cells. Overall, these findings underscore the promising therapeutic potential of Anacardium occidentale extracts in mitigating inflammation, while also providing crucial insights into optimizing the extraction process for targeted compound isolation. Thus, this makes a good prospect for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs from this plant.

The toxicological analysis of Cu, Mn and Zn as elemental impurities in pharmaceutical herbal products for teething available in pharmacies in Poland.

The monitoring of elemental impurities (EIs) in pharmaceutical materials is often not adequately treated, although it is a very important topic because the directive ICH Q3D requires a wide range of elements, often at low concentrations, to be monitored. This article describes the quantitative toxicological analysis of copper, manganese and zinc as EIs in the pharmaceutical gels for teething containing herbs available in Poland. The levels of EIs were measured to evaluate whether the intake of these metals through the gels was within recommended levels. The flame absorption spectrometry (FAAS) following microwave induced digestion (concentrated nitric acid) was applied to determine the levels of Cu, Mn and Zn in the products. This article was motivated especially by the facts that: (i) herbs can be a potential source of EIs; (ii) Cu, Mn and Zn are essential trace elements in the infancy period; (iii) there is a general lack of data around the risk assessment associated with exposure to these EIs in this kind of pharmaceutical. Our safety assessment is based on triple approach including: (1) profile of EIs in gels; (2) the actual amount of EIs in the appropriate amount of gel applied with a single administration (one drop) and (3) the daily exposure of EIs in analysed teething pharmaceuticals due to the maximum daily dose. Our results show that all EI levels meet the standards of directive ICH Q3D. It can be concluded that all of the teething gels investigated, based on herbs, available in Polish pharmacies do not represents a health hazard to babies.

Toxicological analysis of Pb and Cd by ET AAS in local anaesthetics for teething (teething gels) based on herbs available in Polish pharmacies.

Studies related to the toxicological analyses of metallic impurities in pharmaceuticals (drugs) is an important issue but there is a lack of refereed literature around the safety of teething remedies from herbal origin related to toxic metals impurities. In this article, the levels of Pb and Cd were measured in samples of local anaesthetics for teething (gels) based on herbs. This article was motivated by the fact that Pb and Cd are relevant toxic metals that may cause an adverse effect in babies even at low levels. Additional justifications were (1) the insufficient control of metal impurities in teething gels, (2) the lack of sufficient validation steps and (3) the inadequate sensitivity of applied analytical techniques. The aim of this article was a qualitative and quantitative analysis of Pb and Cd in the most popular and available local anaesthetic for teething (teething gels) based on herbs (n = 5) available in Poland. Metals were determined by ET AAS (electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry), after digestion in a microwave unit using concentrated nitric acid. It was observed that all samples contained Pb and Cd. The levels of Pb and Cd as impurities (independently of the producer and declared composition) are similar. The concentrations of Pb and Cd, at ng/day levels, to which the user is exposed at daily doses meet the standards of the directive ICH Q3D.

Safety Assessment of the Trace Element Impurities Ni and Cr in Pharmaceutical Herbal Products for Teething from Polish Pharmacies.

Control of elemental impurities (EIs) in pharmaceutical herbal products is currently important but not a very popular topic in modern toxicological analysis. The occurrence and concentration of EIs in the pharmaceutical herbal products should be controlled and meet the standards of directive International Conference on Harmonisation's Q3D Guideline on Elemental Impurities. An interesting area of interest is measuring EIs including toxic and allergic metals in pharmaceutical herbal products for teething. The aim of this article was determination of Ni and Cr impurities in pharmaceutical herbal products for teething available in Polish pharmacies. Justifications were (1) herbs as an important source of EIs and (2) infants may be particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of metals because they tend to absorb a higher fraction of an oral dose. The analysis was carried out using microwave-assisted wet digestion with concentrated nitric acid and electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectrometry. The safety assessment involved a triple approach: (1) level of Ni and Cr impurities in pharmaceutical samples; (2) level of Ni and Cr impurities including one-time administration of teething gels and (3) daily intake of metals. In all three cases, the results indicate that the standards of directive ICH Q3D are met for Ni and Cr. Overall, it can be concluded that none of the teething gels represents a health hazard to infants.

Phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities of wild and cultivated white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) seeds.

The aim of this study was to compare the antioxidant capacities and phenolic compound profiles of wild and cultivated Lupinus albus L. seeds. The total phenolic content (TPC), radical scavenging activity, ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and antioxidant activity in an ß-carotene-linoleic acid emulsion were determined. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify phenolics. The TPC of lupin seeds ranged from 4.36 to 7.24 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry matter (d.m.). The dominant phenolics of all genotypes were two p-coumaric acid derivatives (0.74-1.61 and 0.66-1.63 mg/g d.m.) and apigenin-6,8-di-C-glucoside (1.13-1.31 mg/g d.m.). The results of antioxidant assays of wild lupin extracts were similar to or lower than those of the cultivated variety. FRAP and ABTS+ scavenging activity were correlated with the contents of the more polar p-coumaric acid derivative and apigenin-6,8-di-C-glucoside. Generally, significant differences between cultivated and wild L. albus seeds were not found in antioxidant capacities and phenolic compound contents.

[Others physical methods in psychiatric treatment based on electromagnetic stimulation]. / Inne fizykalne metody leczenia w psychiatrii oparte o stymulacje elektromagnetyczna.

In the last decades a few new physical methods based on the electromagnetic head stimulation were subjected to the clinical research. To them belong:--vagus nerve stimulation (VNS),--magnetic seizure therapy/magnetoconvulsive therapy (MST/MCT),--deep stimulation of the brain (DBS) and--transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The paper presents a description of mentioned techniques (nature, advantages, defects, restrictions), which were compared to the applied electroconvulsive treatment ECT, earlier described transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS and the pharmacotherapy (the basis of the psychiatric treatment).

The involvement of the GPR39-Zn(2+)-sensing receptor in the pathophysiology of depression. Studies in rodent models and suicide victims.

Zinc is one of the most important trace elements in our body. Patients suffering from depression show lower serum zinc levels compared to healthy controls. Zincs antagonism to the glutamatergic system seems to be responsible for mood recovery. Recent years have shown that zinc may regulate neurotransmission via the metabotropic GPR39 receptor. Activation of the GPR39-Zn(2+)-sensing receptor (GPR39) triggers diverse neuronal pathways leading to a cAMP-responsive element binding the protein (CREB) expression, which then induces synthesis of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and, in turn, activation of the Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptor. In the present study, we investigated the alteration of the GPR39 in different models of depression, such as zinc deficiency and olfactory bulbectomy and in suicide victims. Additionaly, we focused on CREB-BDNF/TrkB under zinc deficient conditions in mice. To demonstrate depressive-like behaviour, a standard and modified forced swim test (FST) was performed. To evaluate expression of GPR39, CREB, BDNF and TrkB, Western Blot analysis was used. Zinc deficient mice and rats showed decreased GPR39 expression in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. A decreased level of hippocampal and cortical GPR39 was also observed in suicide victims. In contrast, increased GPR39 in the hippocampus of olfactory bulbectomized rats was observed. Additionally, we found a decreased expression of CREB, BDNF and TrkB only in the hippocampus of zinc-deficient mice. Our present study demonstrates the associacion of the GPR39 Zn(2+)-sensing receptor in the pathomechanism of depression. Down-regulation of CREB, BDNF, TrkB and GPR39 receptor found under zinc-deficient conditions in the hippocampus, may play an important role in the pathophysiology of mood disorders, since most of patients suffering from depression show lower serum zinc.

[Marihuana and cannobinoids as medicaments]. / Marihuana i kanabinoidy jako leki.

Biological activity of cannabinoids is caused by binding to two cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Psychoactive is not only tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) but also: cannabidiol, cannabigerol or cannabichromen. Formerly, the usefulness of hemp was assessed in the relation to temporary appeasement of the symptoms of some ailments as nausea or vomiting. Present discoveries indicates that cannabis-based drugs has shown ability to alleviate of autoimmunological disorders such as: Multiple sclerosis (MS), Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or inflammatory bowel disease. Another studies indicates that cannabinoids play role in treatment of neurological disorders like Alzheimer disease or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or even can reduce spreading of tumor cells. Cannabinoids stand out high safety profile considering acute toxicity, it is low possibility of deadly overdosing and side-effects are comprise in range of tolerated side-effects of other medications. In some countries marinol and nabilone are used as anti vomiting and nausea drug. First cannabis-based drug containg naturally occurring cannabinoids is Sativex. Sativex is delivered in an mucosal spray for patients suffering from spasticity in MS, pain relevant with cancer and neuropathic pain of various origin. Despite the relatively low acute toxicity of cannabinoids they should be avoid in patients with psychotic disorders, pregnant or breastfeeding woman. Cannabinoids prolong a time of reaction and decrease power of concentration that's why driving any vehicles is forbidden. Cannabis side-effects varies and depend from several factors like administrated dose, rout of administration and present state of mind. After sudden break from long-lasting use, withdrawal symptoms can appear, although they entirely disappear after a week or two.

Serum zinc level in depressed patients during zinc supplementation of imipramine treatment.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent major depression is associated with decreased blood zinc concentrations that may be increased by effective antidepressant therapy. Some clinical investigations point to alterations of the zinc level in blood as a potential marker of depression. METHODS: A placebo-controlled, double blind study of zinc supplementation to imipramine therapy was conducted on sixty patients fulfilling the DSM-IV criteria for major depression (18-55 years old, 40 females, 20 males). Moreover, a group of 25 healthy volunteers was recruited (16 females, 9 males). Blood samples were drawn for the assay of serum zinc once from the control subjects and four times (before, and then 2, 6 and 12 weeks after the beginning of treatment) from the depressed subjects. RESULTS: We report that: 1) the serum zinc level was significantly lower (by 22%) in depressed patients than in healthy volunteers, 2) all groups demonstrated a gradual increase in zinc concentrations over the period of imipramine treatment with or without zinc supplementation, 3) treatment-resistant patients demonstrated lower concentrations of zinc (by 14%) than treatment-non-resistant patients, 4) zinc concentrations were higher in zinc-supplemented patients than in placebo-supplemented patients, 5) zinc supplementation increased zinc concentrations over the period of treatment, and 6) at a 12-week imipramine treatment, a significant negative correlation was demonstrated between the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and the serum zinc level together with a concomitant increase in serum zinc in patients in remission. CONCLUSIONS: Serum zinc is a state marker of depression.

[Speed drugs]. / Dopalacze.

Until recently "speed drugs" have not awake higher social emotions. Usually they associate with Red Bull, allowed driving long time, and workaholic from modern enterprise to regenerate before next task. Currently on the base of new regulation on the list of controlled substances benzylpyperazine, its related compounds and 17 plants products were added. The article discussed the sources and biological action of these psychoactive substances, which are illegal in Poland.

Antepartum/postpartum depressive symptoms and serum zinc and magnesium levels.

In the present study, we investigated the relationship between depressive symptoms and serum zinc and magnesium level in antepartum and postpartum women. All women received standard vitamin, zinc and magnesium supplementation. Sixty-six pregnant women in the Czerwiakowski Hospital in Kraków were assessed for prepartum depressive symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Sixty-two and fifty-eight women were also assessed for postpartum depressive symptoms (using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Rating Scale, EPDRS) at 3 and 30 days after delivery, respectively. Serum zinc and magnesium levels were also determined at these time points, however, the number of examined subjects were diminished. A significantly higher EPDRS score (by 45%), indicating severity of depressive symptoms, was found on the 3rd day after childbirth compared with the 30th postpartum day. Moreover, the early post-delivery period (3rd day) was characterized by a 24% lower serum zinc concentration than that found on the 30th day after childbirth. BDI scores assessed a month before childbirth revealed mild depressive symptoms, which was accompanied by a serum zinc concentration similar to that found on the 3rd day after delivery. No significant alterations were found in the magnesium levels between these time points. The present results demonstrated a relationship between severity of depressive symptoms and decreased serum zinc (but not magnesium) concentration in a very specific type of affective disorder, the postpartum depression.

The role of laboratory examinations in medical toxicology.

Medical toxicology is a medical subspecialty focusing on the diagnosis, management and prevention of poisoning and other adverse health effects due to medications, occupational and environmental toxins, and biological agents. The medical toxicology laboratories operates an analytical facility for clinical toxicology (intentional or unintentional drug overdose), environmental medicine (occupational and environmental toxicology, workplace drug monitoring), drug of abuse management, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and in some cases forensic toxicology. This article is focus on clinical toxicology, monitoring of drug abused patients and TDM. Still the most popular in medical toxicology is determination of xenobiotics in classic biological materials (blood/plasma, urine) however alternative materials (saliva, hairs) cause increasing attention. Alternative materials has special value in drug of abuse management (evaluation of drug abstinence), when collecting the blood create some problems and urine samples can be adulterated. For screening usually immunology based assays are applied and for some xenobiotics thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method. Conformation and quantitative analysis are carrying on using chromatographic method. In clinical toxicology chemical analysis are performed for diagnostic, therapeutic and some time for legal purposes. If results of toxicological analysis have direct influence on diagnosis or treatment they should be available during 2 hours other determination ought to be performed during 24 or 48 hours. Integral part of toxicological analysis is interpretation of results carried over by well-trained analyst with close co-operation with clinical toxicologist (physician).