Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology最新文献

Colistin, a multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infection medication, has been associated with renal impairment and failure. Trans-sodium crocetinate (TSC), a saffron-derived chemical recognized for its antioxidant and nephroprotective properties, was studied in this study to determine its potential to alleviate the nephrotoxic effects of colistin. Forty-two male Wistar rats were randomly classified into seven groups (n = 6): (1) control (normal saline, 12 days, i.p.), (2) colistin (22 mg/kg, 7 days, i.p.), (3-5) colistin + TSC (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, 12 days, i.p., starting from 5 days before colistin), (6) TSC (100 mg/kg, 12 days, i.p.), (7) colistin + vitamin E (100 IU/kg, 12 days, i.p). On day 13, the rats were euthanized and the serum content of creatinine, BUN, Na⁺, and K⁺, as well as oxidative stress (GSH, MDA, SOD, CAT), inflammatory (IL-1β), apoptotic (Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, 8, 9), and autophagy (Beclin-1, LC3) markers, NGAL, and histopathological changes in the kidney were measured. Colistin significantly increased serum creatinine, BUN, MDA, IL-1β, caspase-3,8,9, Bax, Beclin-1, LC3, and NGAL levels in kidney tissue. It also caused inflammation, focal necrosis of tubular epithelial cells, protein cast, and acute tubular necrosis. Furthermore, colistin decreased SOD, CAT, GSH, and Bcl-2 levels. TSC and vitamin E administration along with colistin restored most of the alterations induced by colistin. Overall, it could be concluded that colistin induces oxidative stress, inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis, which can cause kidney injury. However, TSC can also be used as a therapeutic agent to reduce injuries caused by colistin.

The purpose of this review study is to provide a condensed compilation of 164 medicinal plants that have been investigated for their neuroprotective aspects by researchers between the years 2012 and 2022 which also includes a recent update of 2023-2024. After using certain keywords to retrieve the data from SCOPUS, it was manually sorted to eliminate any instances of duplication. The article is streamlined into three major segments. The first segment takes a dig into the current global trend and attempts to decrypt vital information related to plant names, families, plant parts used, and neurological disorders investigated. The second segment of the article makes an attempt to present a comprehensive insight into the various mechanistic pathways through which phytochemicals can intervene to exert neuroprotection. The final segment of the manuscript is a bibliometric appraisal of all researches conducted. The study is based on 256 handpicked articles based on decided inclusion criteria. Illustrative compilation of various pathways citing their activation and deactivation channels are also presented with possible hitting points of various phytochemicals. The present study employed Microsoft Excel 2019 and VOS viewer as data visualisation tools.

Depression, considered the most prevalent neuropsychiatric disorder, is multifactorial and complex. Oxidative stress and inflammation significantly contribute to its etiology. Conversely, methane, a novel therapeutic gas, has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing tissue resilience against ischemic injuries and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effect of methane-rich saline (MRS) on depression using the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model. Depressed rats received MRS treatment, and depression-like behaviors and cognitive function were assessed through sucrose preference, open field, forced swimming, and Morris water maze tests. Additionally, we measured serum corticosterone levels, antioxidant enzyme activity, hippocampal malondialdehyde (MDA), and TNFα levels, and investigated histological changes in the hippocampus. Our findings revealed that MRS significantly ameliorated Depressive-like behaviors and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, MRS administration regulated serum corticosterone levels and also MRS reduced hippocampal lipid peroxidation, TNFα, and hippocampus tissue damage. MRS likely exerts its effects by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory factors and modulating the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. These results demonstrate the protective effects of MRS on the hippocampus in CUMS animals.

This review paper provides an in-depth analysis of Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs), a class of nanomaterials with unique optical and electronic properties that hold immense potential for various technological applications. The paper delves into the structural characteristics, synthesis methods, and characterization techniques of PQDs, highlighting their distinct advantages over other Quantum Dots (QDs). Various applications of PQDs in fields such as solar cells, LEDs, bioimaging, photocatalysis, and sensors are discussed, showcasing their versatility and promising capabilities. The ongoing advancements in PQD research and development point towards a bright future for these nanostructures in revolutionizing diverse industries and technologies.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a critical global threat, compromising the effectiveness of antibacterial drugs as bacteria adapt and survive exposure to many classes of these drugs. This phenomenon is primarily fueled by the widespread overuse and misuse of antibacterial drugs, exerting selective pressure on bacteria and promoting the emergence of multi-resistant strains. AMR poses a top-priority challenge to public health due to its widespread epidemiological and economic implications, exacerbated not only by the diminishing effectiveness of currently available antimicrobial agents but also by the limited development of genuinely effective new molecules. In addressing this issue, our research aimed to examine the scientific literature narrating the Italian situation in the common European context of combating AMR. We sought to delineate the current state of AMR and explore future prospects through an analysis of strategies to counter antibacterial drug resistance. Adopting the "One Health" model, our objective was to comprehensively engage diverse sectors, integrate various disciplines, and propose programs, policies, and regulations. This narrative review, based on PubMed research related to antibiotic resistance, emphasizes the urgent need for a coordinated and proactive approach at both national and European levels to mitigate the impact of AMR and pave the way for effective strategies to counter this global health challenge.

Mercury chloride (ME) is a chemical pollutant commonly found in the environment, which can contribute to undesirable health consequence worldwide. The current study investigated the detrimental impact of ME on the cerebellum and spinal cord tissues in 6-8-week-old female rats. We also evaluated the neuroprotective efficacy of β-caryophyllene (BC) against spinal and cerebellar changes caused by ME. Thirty-five young Wistar albino rats were randomly chosen and assigned into five groups: control (CO), olive oil (OI), ME, BC, ME + BC. All samples were analysed by means of unbiased stereological, biochemical, immunohistochemical, and histopathological methods. Our biochemical findings showed that SOD level was significantly increased in the ME group compared to the CO group (p < 0.05). We additionally detected a statistically significant decrease in the number of cerebellar Purkinje cells and granular cells, as well as spinal motor neuron in the ME group compared to the CO group (p < 0.05). In the ME + BC group, the number of Purkinje cells, granular cells, and spinal motor neurons was significantly higher compared to the ME group (p < 0.05). Decreased SOD activity in the ME + BC group was also detected than the ME group (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical (the tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) and histopathological examinations also exhibited crucial information in each of the group. Taken together, ME exposure was associated with neurotoxicity in the cerebellum and spinal cord tissues. BC treatment also mitigated ME-induced neurological alteration, which may imply its potential therapeutic benefits.

Triple negative breast cancer is considered to be a malignancy of grave concern with limited routes of treatment due to the absence of specific breast cancer markers and ambiguity of other potential drug targets. Poor prognosis and inadequate survival rates have prompted further research into the understanding of the molecular pathophysiology and targeting of the disease. To overcome the recurrence and resistance mechanisms of the TNBC cells, various approaches have been devised, and are being continuously evaluated to enhance their efficacy and safety. Chemo-Adjuvant therapy is one such treatment modality being employed to improve the efficiency of standard chemotherapy. Combining chemo-adjuvant therapy with other upcoming approaches of cancer therapeutics such as phytoconstituents and nanotechnology has yielded promising results in the direction of improving the prognosis of TNBC. Numerous nanoformulations have been proven to substantially enhance the specificity and cellular uptake of drugs by cancer cells, thus reducing the possibility of unintended systemic side effects within cancer patients. While phytoconstituents offer a wide variety of beneficial active constituents useful in cancer therapeutics, most favorable outcomes have been observed within the scope of polyphenols, isoquinoline alkaloids and isothiocyanates. With an enhanced understanding of the molecular mechanisms of TNBC and the advent of newer targeting technologies and novel phytochemicals of medicinal importance, a new era of cancer theranostic treatments can be explored. This review hopes to instantiate the current body of research regarding the role of certain phytoconstituents and their potential nanoformulations in targeting specific TNBC pathways for treatment and diagnostic purposes.

Lithium is the gold standard drug in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Despite increasing scientific interest, relatively few patients with bipolar disorder receive lithium therapy. Lithium is the only drug that is effective in the prophylaxis of manic, depressive, and suicidal symptoms. Lithium therapy is also associated with a variety of adverse drug reactions and the need for therapeutic drug monitoring. Numerous studies have focussed on the efficacy and safety of both lithium-monotherapy and lithium-add-on therapy. The aim of this study is to provide a systematic overview of clinical studies on lithium therapy for bipolar disorder from the last 7 years and to present a critical analysis of these studies. The results provide an up-to-date overview of the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of lithium therapy for bipolar disorder and thus improve the pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder. A total of 59 studies were analysed using various analysis parameters. The studies were also categorised into different subgroups. These are lithium-monotherapy, lithium vs. placebo/drug, and lithium + adjunctive therapy. The majority of the studies (N = 20) had a duration of only 3-8 weeks. Only 13 studies lasted for > 40 weeks. Lithium was superior to aripiprazole, valproic acid, and quetiapine in terms of improving manic symptoms. Lithium therapy resulted in a lower relapse rate compared to valproic acid therapy. Lithium was more neuroprotectively effective than quetiapine. Fourteen of the 22 add-on therapies to lithium showed a predominantly positive effect on the treatment outcome compared to lithium-monotherapy. Only the add-on therapy with sertraline led to a higher rate of study discontinuations than lithium-monotherapy. Lithium is a safe and effective treatment option for children. However, risperidone and quetiapine were superior to lithium in some aspects, which is why these drugs should be considered as an alternative treatment option for children. Collectively, current clinical studies highlight the relevance of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Gastric ulcer disease remains one of the common medical burdens affecting millions worldwide due to its prevalent risk factors with the chronic usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs at the top, reportedly through the stimulation of oxidative stress and triggering of inflammatory and apoptotic cascades in the gastric mucosa. Astaxanthin, a dietary keto-carotenoid derived from marine organisms is gaining a wide interest as a nutraceutical for its pronounced antioxidant properties. Here, we aim to examine the potential modulatory role of astaxanthin on indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in experimental mice. Twenty-four Swiss albino mice were randomly distributed into four groups: a control group, an indomethacin group, and two groups pre-treated with either omeprazole or astaxanthin. The gastric tissues were assessed using gross morphology, ulcer scoring, gastric juice acidity, as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Histopathological examination and immunostaining for nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and caspase-3 levels were also employed. Indomethacin group tended to show a higher number of mucosal ulcerations relative to control and pre-treated groups. The indomethacin group also showed significantly lower GSH levels and higher MDA levels relative to control. Immunostaining of gastric tissue sections showed a higher reactivity to NF-κB and caspase-3 in indomethacin group. Astaxanthin pre-treatment significantly elevated gastric juice pH, normalized GSH levels, and lowered the indomethacin-induced elevations in MDA, NF-κB, and caspase-3 levels. These results indicate that astaxanthin exhibits a comparable protective effect to omeprazole, against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration. This anti-ulcerogenic effect could be mediated through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic modulatory activities.

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a gasotransmitter that has been studied for its potential therapeutic effects, including its role in the pathophysiology and treatment of stroke. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the sufficiency of overall preclinical evidence to guide the initiation of clinical stroke trials with H₂S and provide tailored recommendations for their design. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and MEDLINE were searched for studies evaluating the effect of any H₂S donor on in vivo animal models of regional ischemic stroke, and 34 publications were identified. Pooling of the effect sizes using the random-effect model revealed that H₂S decreased the infarct area by 34.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 28.2-40.8%, p < 0.0001), with substantial variability among the studies (I² = 89.8%). H₂S also caused a 37.9% reduction in the neurological deficit score (95% CI 29.0-46.8%, p < 0.0001, I² = 63.8%) and in the brain water content (3.2%, 95% CI 1.4-4.9%, p = 0.0014, I² = 94.6%). Overall, the studies had a high risk of bias and low quality of evidence (median quality score 5/15, interquartile range 4-9). The majority of the included studies had a "high" or "unclear" risk of bias, and none of the studies overall had a "low" risk. In conclusion, H₂S significantly improves structural and functional outcomes in in vivo animal models of ischemic stroke. However, the level of evidence from preclinical studies is not sufficient to proceed to clinical trials due to the low external validity, high risk of bias, and variable design of existing animal studies.