Fitofármacos en el tratamiento de la insuficiencia venosa crónica / Phytopharmaceuticals in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency

La insuficiencia venosa crónica (IVC) es uno de los desórdenes vascularesmás comunes. Los principales factores de riesgo son el efectogravitacional sobre la circulación venosa, la edad avanzada, una historiafamiliar de enfermedades venosas, la obesidad y el embarazo.También inciden las condiciones de trabajo y el estilo de vida que favorezcanel ortostatismo.Las preparados mas utilizados para el tratamiento de la IVC derivan deAesculus hippocastanum, Ruscus aculeatus, Pinus pinaster y Hamamelisvirginiana, entre otras, y contienen compuestos bioactivos talescomo saponósidos, proantocianidinas y flavonoides. El uso de fitofármacosen el tratamiento de la IVC se asocia al alivio tanto del dolorcomo de la pesadez de piernas, cansancio, calambres y parestesia,síntomas que constituyen el síndrome prevaricoso. Aunque existe unaamplia evidencia de su efecacia y seguridad a corto plazo, se consideranecesaria la realización de más estudios clínicos(AU)

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is one of the most commonvascular disorders. The main risk factors are the gravitationaleffect on the venous circulation, elderly, a familyhistory of venous disease, obesity and pregnancy. Also, theworking conditions and lifestyles favouring orthostatismcan have a role in CVI.The preparations most commonly used for the treatment ofIVC come from Aesculus hippocastanum, Ruscus aculeatus,Pinus pinaster and Hamamelis virginiana, among others,and contain bioactive compounds such as saponins,proanthocyanidins and flavonoids. The use of phytopharmaceuticalsin the treatment of IVC is associated with reliefof pain and heaviness in the legs, fatigue, cramps andparaesthesia, symptoms that constitute the pre-varicosesyndrome. Although there is evidence of its safety and efficacyat short term use, it is considered necessary to carryout further clinical studies(AU)

Revisión de la literatura sobre la toxicidad del sen / No disponible

El objetivo de este artículo es revisar la información de la literatura científica sobre la toxicidad de la hoja y el fruto de sen. Este análisis establece que: -No existen evidencias suficientes de que el uso crónico de sen tenga como consecuencia una alteración estructural y/o funcional de los nervios entéricos o del músculo liso intestinal. -No existe relación entre la administración a largo plazo de un extracto de sen y aparición de tumor es gastrointestinales o de otra índole en la rata. -El sen no es carcinogénico en ratas incluso después de una administración diaria durante dos años en dosis de hasta 300 mg/kg/día. -La evidencia de que se dispone en la actualidad no demuestra que exista un riesgo de genotoxicidad para los pacientes que consumen laxantes que contienen extractos de sen o senósidos (AU)

The aim of this article is to review the scientific literature about the toxicity of senna leaves and senna pods. This analysis stablish that: - There are not definitive evidences about the effects of the chronic uses of senna on the structural or functional alteration on the enteric nerves or on intestinal smooth muscle. -There is no relation between the long term administration of senna and gastrointestinal or another tumours in rats. - Senna is not carcinogenic on rats even after the daily administration, during two years, at doses of at least 300 mg/kg/day. -Nowadays, the evidences do not confirm the genotoxicity risk on patients consuming laxatives containing senna or sennosides (AU)

Nitric oxide, an iceberg in cardiovascular physiology: far beyond vessel tone control.

The endothelium is now recognized not only as a physical barrier between blood and vascular wall, but also as an important and strategically located organ with multiple endocrine and paracrine functions. By releasing vasoactive substances, the endothelium acts as an inhibitory regulator of vascular contraction, leukocyte adhesion, vascular smooth muscle cell growth, and platelet aggregation. This review intends to demonstrate how much the picture of the biological functions of nitric oxide has changed in cardiovascular physiology, extending beyond its vessel-relaxing activity, as well as to highlight new insights into the factors affecting its bioavailability and regulation in relation with many cardiovascular diseases.