Anti-inflammatory effect of Arnica montana in a UVB radiation-induced skin-burn model in mice.

Background: ultraviolet radiation types A and B (UV) (400-315nm and 315-280nm respectively) are the main components present in sunlight known to cause skin injuries. Arnica montana is a plant that has been widely studied for containing anti-inflammatory, healing and analgesic properties capable of preventing or ameliorating lesions. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effect of topical application of Arnica montana after UVB-induced cutaneous injuries in mice.Methods: mice were exposed to UVB radiation (Philips TL40W/12 RS lamp) in a period of 3 hours. After one hour of radiation exposure, the animals were treated with topical application of Arnica montana ointment (250 mg/g) in the ear. At the time of 16 hours after treatment, the parameters of edema, oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction were measured in the ear of mice.Results: our results demonstrated that topical treatment with Arnica montana reduced the UVB-induced inflammatory response as demonstrated by the reduction of ear edema, inhibition of myeloperoxidase activation, decrease of nuclear factor kappa B levels and reduction of proinflammatory cytokines levels, such as interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma. In addition, Arnica montana ameliorated oxidative damage mediated by UVB radiation, as demonstrated by the reduction of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and increase of tissue antioxidant capacity and glutathione levels in the ear.Conclusion: we concluded that Arnica montana ointment is effective in alleviating the auricular inflammatory process and oxidative damage induced by acute UVB radiation, sustaining the traditional use of Arnica montana for the treatment of skin disorders.

An Overview of Renal Cell Carcinoma Hallmarks, Drug Resistance, and Adjuvant Therapies.

Renal neoplasms are highlighted as one of the 10 most common types of cancer. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of renal cancer, considered the seventh most common type of cancer in the Western world. The most frequently altered genes described as altered are VHL, PBRM1, SETD2, KDM5C, PTEN, BAP1, mTOR, TP53, TCEB1 (ELOC), SMARCA4, ARID1A, and PIK3CA. RCC therapies can be classified in three groups: monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and mTOR inhibitors. Besides, there are targeted agents to treat RCC. However, frequently patients present side effects and resistance. Even though many multidrug resistance mechanisms already have been reported to RCC, studies focused on revealing new biomarkers as well as more effective antitumor therapies with no or low side effects are very important. Some studies reported that natural products, such as honey, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), curcumin, resveratrol, and englerin A showed antitumor activity against RCC. Moreover, nanoscience is another strategy to improve RCC treatment and reduce the side effects due to the improvement in pharmacokinetics and reduction of toxicities of chemotherapies. Taking this into account, we conducted a systemic review of recent research findings on RCC hallmarks, drug resistance, and adjuvant therapies. In conclusion, a range of studies reported that RCC is characterized by high incidence and increased mortality rates because of the development of resistance to standard therapies. Given the importance of improving RCC treatment and reducing adverse effects, nanoscience and natural products can be included in therapeutic strategies.