Phytochemical composition of cedar tar of the atlas and it's in vitro antifungal activity against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis.

The objective of this study was to identify the major compounds present in Cedar tar obtained by distillation of Cedrus atlantica wood from the Taza forest (Morocco) and to evaluate its antidermatophytic activity in vitro against the three strains of dermatophytes most widespread in Morocco, considered the main prevailing causes of fungal infections of the skin, hair and nails. GC/MS analysis revealed that cedar tar is composed mainly of hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenes, with nine major compounds identified, including α-Cedrene, ß-Cadinene, γ-Cadinene, ß-Himachelene, α-Turmerone, ß-Turmerone, Ar-tumerone, α-Atlantone and Himachalol. The evaluation of antifungal activity was carried out by the micro dilution technique. The MIC values found were 100µg/mL, 2µg/mL and 0.1µg/mL on Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis strains respectively. The observed strong antifungal activity of cedar tar is attributed to the prevalence of oxygenated and hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes, known for their established antidermatophytic properties. This study highlights the potential of the Atlas Cedar tar as an effective antifungal agent for the treatment of superficial mycoses, particularly dermatophytoses.

Kinetics of orthostatic blood pressure in primary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Primary Hypertension (HT) is the most prevalent cardiovascular disorder worldwide and is accompanied by significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the kinetics of orthostatic Blood Pressure (BP) in primary hypertensive patients during the change from supine position to standing position as well as during the standing position using the Orthostatic Test (OT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included a group of 107 primary hypertensive patients (mean age: 55.82 ± 11.35 years, ranging from 39 to 80 years). Orthostatic systolic BP (Ortho SBP) was recorded for 10 minutes at the rhythm of 3 measurements per minute and was compared to the values of supine systolic preorthostatic (Preortho SBP). According to the changes in Ortho SBP, three subgroups of primary hypertensive patients were selected as follows: Subgroup A: Ortho SBP was higher than mean Preortho SBP by 10 mmHg or more. Subgroup B: Ortho SBP was lower than mean Preortho SBP by 20 mmHg or more. Subgroup C: -20 mmHg < (Ortho SBP - Preortho SBP) < + 10 mmHg. The kinetics of each group was then recorded. RESULTS: In this study, the prevalence of subgroups A, B, and C was 27.1%, 15.9%, and 57.0%, respectively. In subgroup A, the adrenergic peripheral sympathetic alpha response was 20% during the OT. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensives with very similar supine SBP behavior could exhibit widely different Ortho SBP. Thus, careful and effective treatment of hypertensives requires careful consideration and assessment of orthostatic BP.

Cardiovascular autonomic response to amlodipine in primary hypertension.

Sympathetic hyperactivity may be involved in primary hypertension. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both sympathetic and vagal activity responses in patients receiving amlodipine as antihypertensive agent. Patients and Methods. This prospective study included a group of primary hypertensive patients (N = 32, mean age 54.6 ± 7.6 years). The cardiovascular autonomic tests performed in this group, before and after 3 months of daily oral administration of amlodipine, included deep breathing, hand-grip, and mental stress tests. Statistical analysis was done using the Student's t-test. Results. Cardiovascular autonomic reflexes responses before and after 3 months of amlodipine oral administration were as follows: the mental stress test stimulation method produced a central alpha adrenergic response of 23.9 ± 8.7% versus 11.2 ± 2.0% (P < 0.05), a central beta sympathetic response of 16.7 ± 9.2% versus 10.4 ± 1.3% (P < 0.05), a blood pressure increase in response to hand grip test of 20.5 ± 7.3% versus 10.7 ± 2.4% (P < 0.05), vagal response to deep breathing test was 21.2 ± 6.5% versus 30.8 ± 2.9%, (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The results attest that amlodipine may have an anti-sympathetic effect.