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Antihistamines, Decongestants, and Expectorants during Pregnancy
Published in “Bert” Bertis Britt Little, Drugs and Pregnancy, 2022
Antihistamine medications act primarily by competing with histamine for H 1-receptor binding (Table 11.2). Antihistamines are chemically related to local anesthetics, and are sometimes used for this effect. Effects of other antihistamines include sedation, antiemetic, anti-motion sickness, and anti-dyskinesia.
Marine Fungi-Derived Secondary Metabolites: Potential as Future Drugs for Health Care
Published in Hafiz Ansar Rasul Suleria, Megh R. Goyal, Health Benefits of Secondary Phytocompounds from Plant and Marine Sources, 2021
Syed Shams Ul Hassan, Hui-Zi Jin, Abdur Rauf, Saud Bawazeer, Hafiz Ansar Rasul Suleria
A bioactive Terretrion D (image 81 in Figure 8.6) with 1,4-diazepane skeleton was isolated from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. that was obtained from inner tissue of tunicate Didemnum sp. in Suez Canal-Egypt at a depth of 1–2 m. Terretrion D possessed potent anti-migratory efficacy, much better than the positive control Z-4-ethylthio-phenylmethylene hydantoin (S-Ethyl) with IC50 value of 43.4 µM. The compound also showed weak anti-proliferation potential against HeLa cell lines with IC50>50 µM/ml. Furthermore, the compound also displayed antifungal activity [48] and it was evaluated for its anti-enzymatic activity [53]. The methanolic extracts of marine-derived fungi isolated from a tunicate Didemnum sp. that was obtained from Red sea were evaluated for anti-proliferative and cytotoxic activities. The extracts showed potent cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cell lines with IC50 value of 5.93 µg/ml and 11.37 µg/ml, respectively. Therefore, marine tunicates-derived fungi have great potential as cytotoxic compounds [2].
Whence the Drugs?
Published in Mickey C. Smith, E.M. (Mick) Kolassa, Walter Steven Pray, Government, Big Pharma, and the People, 2020
Mickey C. Smith, E.M. (Mick) Kolassa, Walter Steven Pray
Mention has already been made of the role of natural materials in folk medicine. Often overlooked is the fact that most of today’s antibiotic therapy is a result of the systematic exploration of the anti-infective properties of various living organisms. The ability to synthesize certain antibiotics by no means lessens the potential contribution of natural materials. Many expect “Drugs from the sea” to be the next major frontier for natural product Drug development. (The television ad tells us many times daily of the memory enhancer found in jelly fish!)
Deciphering the anti-filarial potential of bioactive compounds from Ocimum sanctum: a combined experimental and computational study
Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2022
Ayushi Mishra, Vipin Kumar, Anchal Singh
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a major health concern of tropical and sub-tropical countries. The disease is caused by three nematode worms: Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori. Presently 893 million people in 49 countries are living at the risk of LF (Cromwell et al. 2020). The World Health Organisation (WHO) sponsored the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) and recommends Triple Drug Therapy to block the transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis. The triple drug therapy comprises drugs ivermectin (IVM), diethylcarbamazine (DEC), and albendazole which have to be administered to the entire population living in endemic areas. These drugs are effective only on the larval stages and are completely ineffective on adult worms (Wadhawan et al. 2014). Several adverse effects are associated with anti-filarial drugs which include fever, headache, myalgia, fatigue, hypertension, vomiting, cough, seizures, vision problems, etc. (Behera and Bhatnagar 2018). Hence, there is an urgent need to find anti-filarial drugs with adulticidal activity and minimal side effects.
Discovery of polymethoxyflavones as potential cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) inhibitors
Published in Journal of Receptors and Signal Transduction, 2022
Muhd Hanis Md Idris, Siti Norhidayah Mohd Amin, Siti Norhidayu Mohd Amin, Agustono Wibowo, Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria, Zurina Shaameri, Ahmad Sazali Hamzah, Manikandan Selvaraj, Lay Kek Teh, Mohd Zaki Salleh
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COX-2 inhibitors are the most widely used drug for reducing inflammation and pain. The drugs inhibit COX and stop arachidonic acid from transforming into prostaglandins, thromboxane, and prostacyclin. The traditional nonselective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen are capable of inhibiting both COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms [5]. Nevertheless, adverse gastrointestinal events such as gastric mucosal damage and gastroduodenal ulcers have been reported due to the use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. More selective COX-2 inhibitors were developed to minimize the side effects but chronic use of some of these inhibitors still cause cardiovascular adverse effects and increase thrombotic risk due to blockage of prostaglandin I2 [6]. In addition, PDE4 inhibitors that are used for treating inflammation have been discontinued due to side effects such as emesis, mild to moderate nausea, headache, and diarrhea [7]. The only 5-LOX inhibiting drug, known as zileuton, was also withdrawn from the market due to its hepatotoxicity adverse effect [8].
The state-of-the-art pharmacotherapeutic options for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain
Published in Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2022
Ryan S. D’Souza, Brendan Langford, Rachel E. Wilson, Yeng F. Her, Justin Schappell, Jennifer S. Eller, Timothy C. Evans, Jonathan M. Hagedorn
The most commonly reported side effects of anti-convulsant agents include somnolence, dizziness, difficulty with concentration, and nausea [55]. Black box warning for serious rashes such as Steven-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) or Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) have been placed for carbamazepine and lamotrigine. Even though phenytoin, levetiracetam, and gabapentin do not have a black box warning for dermatologic rash, there is a small risk for SJS/TEN [55]. Phenytoin carries a black box warning for severe hypotension and cardiac arrhythmia with its intravenous formulation [55]. Hyponatremia is a side effect unique to carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, and warrants close monitoring with interval laboratory workup. Metabolic acidosis is associated with topiramate and zonisamide use due to its carbonic anhydrase inhibition property. Lastly, development of withdrawal symptoms is associated with discontinuation of any anti-convulsant medication [55].