China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Cenostigma pyramidale: Ethnomedicinal Properties and Perspectives on A Legume Tree Highly Adapted to Semiarid ‘Caatinga’ Region
Published in Mahendra Rai, Shandesh Bhattarai, Chistiane M. Feitosa, Ethnopharmacology of Wild Plants, 2021
Livia Maria Batista Vilela, Carlos André dos Santos-Silva, Ricardo Salas Roldan Filho, Silvany de Sousa Araújo, José Ribamar Costa Ferreira-Neto, Wilson Dias de Oliveira, Lidiane Lindinalva Barbosa Amorim, Valesca Pandolfi, Ana Maria Benko-Iseppon
Natural products are often less toxic than synthetic compounds. Despite this assumption, treatments with medicinal plants—as, for example, teas and infusions—can contain toxic substances that may have mutagenic and cytotoxic effects (Silva et al. 2015b). Toxicity is defined as an inherent property of compounds that cause harmful effects to exposed organisms over a specified time and concentration. The effects caused by these compounds include immobility, mortality, and inhibition of reproduction and reduction of cell growth of the test organism. As highlighted by Araujo et al. (2016), several steps and procedures are involved in the evaluation of possible cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic and even carcinogenic processes of a given compound. Some plant-based phytochemicals, including some flavonoids and aromatic compounds (as estragole, safrole and methyl-eugenol), have mutagenic and carcinogenic potential (Rietjens et al. 2005). Van den Berg et al. (2011) listed compounds of plant origin that have such effects. Monoterpenes, coumarin, polyphenols, alkaloids and anthraquinones figure among them, besides those above mentioned.
Gold Nanomaterials at Work in Biomedicine *
Published in Valerio Voliani, Nanomaterials and Neoplasms, 2021
Xuan Yang, Miaoxin Yang, Pang Bo, Madeline Vara, Younan Xia
In the short-term approach, the Au nanoparticles are first synthesized with controlled size and shape, followed by various means of characterization. Then, surface modification is carried out to endow the nanoparticles with prolonged circulation and targeting capabilities. The nanoparticles are subsequently subjected to in vitro assessment for their cytotoxicity prior to in vivo studies of their pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and degradation. A histology examination is also normally carried out to evaluate the toxicity. A similar procedure can also be employed for a long-term study, but with an extended period of time for the examination. The current, albeit limited, data suggests that Au nanoparticles are not toxic in the long term. For instance, Hainfeld and coworkers studied the X-ray contrast and radiotherapy enhancement with Au clusters 1.9 nm in diameter, and found an enhanced survival rate after a year with no apparent adverse effect being observed [555, 556]. They also evaluated Au nanoparticles of larger sizes (4, 13, and 100 nm) for their toxicity up to 6 months [735]. Studies from other groups indicate that the Au nanoparticles tended to accumulate in the major organs for the period of time being evaluated without effective excretion [709, 736, 737]. However, the nanoparticles were not found to exert any adverse impact on the animals during the time frame (a few weeks to a year), in spite of major differences in biodistribution.
Diseases of the Peripheral Nerve and Mononeuropathies
Published in Philip B. Gorelick, Fernando D. Testai, Graeme J. Hankey, Joanna M. Wardlaw, Hankey's Clinical Neurology, 2020
Diana Mnatsakanova, Charles K. Abrams
Used in the manufacture of glass and optical lenses, semiconductors, cardiac scans, artists' paints, gamma radiation detectors, low temperature thermometers, and fireworks. (In the past, it was found in insecticides and rodenticides). Toxicity most often occurs in relation to its use in criminal activity or after exposure to contaminated food, water, illicit drugs, or herbal products.
Aesculus indica: an updated review on its pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and pharmacological profile
Published in Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 2022
Neha Yadav, Aakash Partap Singh, Avtar Chand Rana, Sunil Kumar, Prabhjeet Kaur, Jitender Singh, Ashok Jangra, Dinesh Kumar
Traditionally, plant-based medicines have been used for treatments of various diseases. However, the uniformity of doses has not been specified scientifically, so the toxicity may induce, and prevention toxicity studies must be carried out to ensure the safety of the plant extract [22]. Toxicity generally refers to the interaction between biological systems and chemical compounds. Newly grown leaves and flowers are considered to be the toxic parts of this plant, and the seeds consist of poisonous saponins. Different parts of A. indica showed beneficial effects in both animals and human beings. The LD50 was found to be 10.6 mg/g body weight for chicks with one single dose of horse-chestnut seed extract and 10.7 mg/g body weight with hamster. Administration of A. indica for two consecutive days showed 6.5 mg/g LD50. Toxic manifestation of A. indica included fatigue, paralysis, coma and death [23]. Enlargement of pupils, diarrhea, consciousness disorder, thirst and flushing of the face were the other indications of consumption of a high amount of A. indica seeds. Only processed seeds were taken for medicinal occasions. In 1986, decoction of A. indica seed led to liver damage accompanied by another anaphylactic shock when given with intravenous injection [24].
Lung cell toxicity of co-exposure to airborne particulate matter and extremely low-frequency magnetic field
Published in Xenobiotica, 2022
Zahra Panjali, Parviz Abdolmaleki, Behnam Hajipour-Verdom, Omar Hahad, Rezvan Zendehdel
Based on the viability assessment in A549 cells, it was found that the toxicity of airborne TPM was lower than the Fe–Cr and Fe–Si and higher than the Fe–Mn. The specific chemical composition is a crucial factor influencing toxicity. The elemental analysis showed that 51% of the total mass in Fe–Si consists of silica (Panjali et al. 2021), while more than 1.3% of silica was determined in air samples. In this case, the stronger toxicity of Fe–Cr compared to air samples may be related to the presence of Ni, Cr, and Cu in the furnace feeding component. However, the smaller silica content in Fe-Mn compared to other particles highlighted higher cell viability in this treatment. On the other hand, the previous studies have sampled from pure silica (Lison et al. 2008), while co-exposure to silica and metals caused the increased toxicity (Simone et al. 2013). Also, exposure to the mixture of Cr and heavy metals enhanced cell toxicity (Saud Alarifi and Alkahtani 2016; Terpilowska and Siwicki 2018).
Bioengineering lungs — current status and future prospects
Published in Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy, 2021
Vishal Swaminathan, Barry R. Bryant, Vakhtang Tchantchaleishvili, Taufiek Konrad Rajab
Subsequently, decellularization was begun using larger-scale organs [9,14]. In order to upscale the decellularization to a clinically usable size, the method first confirmed in rodents was subsequently tested in porcine, macaque, and human lungs [15,16]. Large-scale decellularized lung scaffolds have been confirmed to have a similar rate of architecture preservation and matrix composition to rat scaffolds, which supports the potential use of these constructs for clinical applications [11]. However, prior to use in humans, minimally acceptable criteria for a scaffold may be necessary. Firstly, the scaffolds should be nontoxic. Toxicity describes the harm to the recipient organism. Such harm can occur at the level of the cell, tissue, organ or organism. Secondly, the scaffolds should be biocompatible. Biocompatibility describes the absence of undesirable effects after implantation. Such undesirable effects can occur locally or systemically. Moreover, the scaffold should be conducive to the growth of many reintroduced cell types, such as epithelium, endothelium and resident macrophages without inhibiting their function or altering their phenotype. Importantly, human cells thrived equally on porcine and human scaffolds. If such xenogenic scaffolds are proven non-immunogenic in human patients, this could open an unlimited supply of scaffolds derived from pigs.