Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of Bursera copallifera.

BACKGROUND: The plant species Bursera copallifera (DC) bullock is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation. The leaves of this plant can be prepared as an infusion to treat migraines, bronchitis, and dental pain. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of organic extracts from the stems, stem bark, and leaves of B. copallifera, which was selected based on the knowledge of its traditional use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the ability of extracts to inhibit mouse ear inflammation in response to topical application of 12-O tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. The extracts with anti-inflammatory activity were evaluated for their inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxic activities of the organic extracts were evaluated using the sulforhodamine B assay. RESULTS: The hydroalcoholic extract of the stems (HAS) exhibited an anti-inflammatory activity of 54.3% (0.5 mg/ear), whereas the anti-inflammatory activity of the dichloromethane-methanol extract from the leaves (DMeL) was 55.4% at a dose of 0.1 mg/ear. Methanol extract from the leaves (MeL) showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 = 4.4 µg/mL), hydroalcoholic extract of leaves, and DMeL also reduce the enzyme activity, (IC50 = 6.5 µg/mL, IC50 = 5.7 µg/mL), respectively, from stems HAS exhibit activity at the evaluated concentrations (IC50 =6.4 µg/mL). The hydroalcoholic extract of the stems exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity against a breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF7, IC50 = 0.90 µg/mL), whereas DMeL exhibited an IC50 value of 19.9 µg/mL. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, extracts from leaves and stems inhibited cyclooxygenase-1, which is the target enzyme for nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs, and some of these extracts demonstrated substantial antiproliferative effects against the MCF7 cell line. These results validate the traditional use of B. copallifera.

A case-control study of food hyper-sensitivity, timing of weaning and family history of allergies in young children with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between food hypersensitivity and atopic dermatitis (AD) in young children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a case-control design, 28 patients < 3 years old, with AD and 28 age-matched healthy children were included in the study. A detailed medical history of allergies and timing of weaning was obtained. Children underwent skin tests (prick and patch) to evaluate food hypersensitivity. The status of DA and food allergies in the study participants was investigated 4 years later. RESULTS: There were more children with positive skin tests for food hypersensitivity among cases than controls, OR 4.2 (95%CI 1.3 to 13.4). In contrast, there were no differences in the number of children with positive family history of allergic diseases or weaned at < or = 6 months of age between groups. Four years later, out of the 28 original cases, the state of AD was investigated in 13 (46.4%) infants. Of them, 11 followed an exclusion diet; 6 (46.1%) remained with AD. Of 28 original controls, 15 (51.7%) infants were investigated 4 years later; only one case developed AD. CONCLUSIONS: Young children who had hypersensitivity to cow's milk, hen egg, wheat, fish, soy, or legumes were found to have a higher risk of AD. Positive family history of allergies and early weaning were not found to be relevant risk factors.

[Direct cost of medical treatment to the asthmatic patient in the pediatric emergency service of a medical care tier-two hospital]. / Costo directo del tratamiento médico del paciente asmático en el servicio de urgencias pediátricas en un hospital de segundo nivel de atención médica.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is one of the most common breathing pathologies in the pediatric population that causes many consults to the emergency service, generating a high cost for the services of health. OBJECTIVE: To determine the direct cost of the treatment in the pediatric patients with acute crisis of asthma in the emergency service from 1998 to 2001 in a hospital of second level of medical attention of the health sector. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was done in the emergency service of pediatrics patients with ages from 12 months to 18 years 11 months, who visited the service during the period of study. To calculate the total cost that these patients generated, the unitary price of medications, nebulize, oxygen, consults and hospitalization in the emergency service were determine. RESULTS: A total of 106,813 consultations was provided from 1998 to 2001 in emergency service, 26,387 were hospitalized and of these, 9,328, with diagnosis of asthma, required handling with inhalotherapy. The total direct cost in the period of study was of $17,620,517.83, nebulize: $213,292.60, oxygen: $788,287.57, steroids: $253,619.70, aminophylline: $152,589.00, medical attention: $3,232,360.38, hospitalization in the emergency service: $12,980,468.58. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the biggest costs were generated by the oxygen consume and the hospitalizations. Asthma generates an important demand in emergency services, thus it is necessary to improve alternatives in the control and education of patients, in order to reduce the number of events, severity of the crises and to improve the quality of the patients' life and their families.