Sideritis scardica Griseb. and Clinopodium vulgare L., belonging to the Lamiaceae family, are rich in terpenoids and phenolics and exhibit various pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, ...anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. While the memory-enhancing impacts of S. scardica are well documented, the cognitive benefits of C. vulgare remain unexplored. This study assessed the potential effect of C. vulgare on learning and memory in healthy and scopolamine (Sco)-induced memory-impaired male Wistar rats, comparing it with the effects of S. scardica. Over a 21-day period, rats orally received extracts of cultivated S. scardica (200 mg/kg) and C. vulgare (100 mg/kg), either individually or in combination, with administration starting 10 days before and continuing 11 days simultaneously with Sco injection at a dose of 2 mg/kg intraperitoneally. The results showed that both extracts effectively mitigated Sco-induced memory impairment. Their combination significantly improved recognition memory and maintained monoaminergic function. S. scardica excelled in preserving spatial working memory, while C. vulgare exhibited comparable retention of recognition memory, robust antioxidant activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. The extracts alleviated Sco-induced downregulation of p-CREB/BDNF signaling, suggesting neuroprotective mechanisms. The extract combination positively affected most of the Sco-induced impairments, underscoring the potential for further investigation of these extracts for therapeutic development.
Allium hookeri (AH) is a medicinal food that has been used in Southeast Asia for various physiological activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the activation of the cholinergic ...system and the anti-neuroinflammation effects of AH on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) impaired the performance of the mice on the Y-maze test, passive avoidance test, and water maze test. However, the number of error actions was reduced in the AH groups supplemented with leaf and root extracts from AH. AH treatment improved working memory and avoidance times against electronic shock, increased step-through latency, and reduced the time to reach the escape zone in the water maze test. AH significantly improved the cholinergic system by decreasing acetylcholinesterase activity, and increasing acetylcholine concentration. The serum inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ) increased by scopolamine treatment were regulated by the administration of AH extracts. Overexpression of NF-κB signaling and cytokines in liver tissue due to scopolamine were controlled by administration of AH extracts. AH also significantly decreased Aβ and caspase-3 expression but increased NeuN and ChAT. The results suggest that AH extracts improve cognitive effects, and the root extracts are more effective in relieving the scopolamine-induced memory impairment. They have neuroprotective effects and reduce the development of neuroinflammation.
Lycium barbarum is used both as a food additive and as a medicinal herb in many countries, and L. barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs), a major cell component, are reported to have a wide range of ...beneficial effects including neuroprotection, anti-aging and anticancer properties, and immune modulation. The effects of LBPs on neuronal function, neurogenesis, and drug-induced learning and memory deficits have not been assessed. We report the therapeutic effects of LBPs on learning and memory and neurogenesis in scopolamine (SCO)-treated rats. LBPs were administered via gastric perfusion for 2 weeks before the onset of subcutaneous SCO treatment for a further 4 weeks. As expected, SCO impaired performance in novel object and object location recognition tasks, and Morris water maze. However, dual SCO- and LBP-treated rats spent significantly more time exploring the novel object or location in the recognition tasks and had significant shorter escape latency in the water maze. SCO administration led to a decrease in Ki67- or DCX-immunoreactive cells in the dentate gyrus and damage of dendritic development of the new neurons; LBP prevented these SCO-induced reductions in cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation. LBP also protected SCO-induced loss of neuronal processes in DCX-immunoreactive neurons. Biochemical investigation indicated that LBP decreased the SCO-induced oxidative stress in hippocampus and reversed the ratio Bax/Bcl-2 that exhibited increase after SCO treatment. However, decrease of BDNF and increase of AChE induced by SCO showed no response to LBP administration. These results suggest that LBPs can prevent SCO-induced cognitive and memory deficits and reductions in cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation. Suppression of oxidative stress and apoptosis may be involved in the above effects of LBPs that may be a promising candidate to restore memory functions and neurogenesis.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this large, randomized trial, the investigators compared outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with once-daily inhalation of tiotropium or placebo. There ...was no benefit of treatment on the rate of loss of lung function over time, although benefits were observed in some secondary end points.
These investigators compared outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated with once-daily inhalation of tiotropium or placebo. There was no benefit of treatment on the rate of loss of lung function over time, although benefits were observed in some secondary end points.
Prospective studies testing effects on the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) through the evaluation of the slope of the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV
1
) have not shown that inhaled short-acting anticholinergic drugs, inhaled corticosteroids, or
N
-acetylcysteine alter this marker of disease progression.
1
–
7
To date, only smoking cessation has prospectively been shown to alter the rate of decline of FEV
1
in patients with COPD.
2
Tiotropium is a once-daily, inhaled anticholinergic drug that provides at least 24-hour improvements in airflow and hyperinflation in patients with COPD.
8
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10
Clinical trials lasting 6 weeks to . . .
We evaluated the hypothesis that central orexin application could counteract motion sickness responses through regulating neural activity in target brain areas.
Thec effects of ...intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of orexin-A and SB-334867 (OX
antagonist) on motion sickness-induced anorexia, nausea-like behaviour (conditioned gaping), hypoactivity and hypothermia were investigated in rats subjected to Ferris wheel-like rotation. Orexin-A responsive brain areas were identified using Fos immunolabelling and were verified via motion sickness responses after intranucleus injection of orexin-A, SB-334867 and TCS-OX2-29 (OX
antagonist). The efficacy of intranasal application of orexin-A versus scopolamine on motion sickness symptoms in cats was also investigated.
Orexin-A (i.c.v.) dose-dependently attenuated motion sickness-related behavioural responses and hypothermia. Fos expression was inhibited in the ventral part of the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMV) and the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), but was enhanced in the ventral part of the premammillary nucleus ventral part (PMV) by orexin-A (20 μg) in rotated animals. Motion sickness responses were differentially inhibited by orexin-A injection into the DMV (anorexia and hypoactivity), the PVN (conditioned gaping) and the PMV (hypothermia). SB-334867 and TCS-OX2-29 (i.c.v. and intranucleus injection) inhibited behavioural and thermal effects of orexin-A. Orexin-A (60 μg·kg
) and scopolamine inhibited rotation-induced emesis and non-retching/vomiting symptoms, while orexin-A also attenuated anorexia with mild salivation in motion sickness cats.
Orexin-A might relieve motion sickness through acting on OX
and OX
receptors in various hypothalamus nuclei. Intranasal orexin-A could be a potential strategy against motion sickness.
The alkaloid L-(-)-scopolamine L-(-)-hyoscine competitively inhibits muscarinic receptors for acetylcholine and acts as a nonselective muscarinic antagonist, producing both peripheral antimuscarinic ...properties and central sedative, antiemetic, and amnestic effects. The parasympatholytic scopolamine, structurally very similar to atropine (racemate of hyoscyamine), is used in conditions requiring decreased parasympathetic activity, primarily for its effect on the eye, gastrointestinal tract, heart, and salivary and bronchial secretion glands, and in special circumstances for a CNS action. Therefore, scopolamine is most suitable for premedication before anesthesia and for antiemetic effects. This alkaloid is the most effective single agent to prevent motion sickness. Scopolamine was the first drug to be made commercially available in a transdermal therapeutic system (TTS-patch) delivering alkaloid. Recently, pharmacokinetic data on scopolamine in different biozlogic matrices were obtained most efficiently using liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) or gas chromatography online coupled to mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters are dependent on the dosage form (oral dose, tablets; parenteral application; IV infusion; SC and IM injection). Scopolamine has a limited bioavailability if orally administered. The maximum drug concentration occurs approximately 0.5 hours after oral administration. Because only 2.6% of nonmetabolized L-(-)-scopolamine is excreted in urine, a first-pass metabolism is suggested to occur after oral administration of scopolamine. Because of its short half-life in plasma and dose-dependent adverse effects (in particular hallucinations and the less serious reactions, eg, vertigo, dry mouth, drowsiness), the clinical use of scopolamine administered orally or parenterally is limited. To minimize the relatively high incidence of side effects, the transdermal dosage form has been developed. The commercially available TTS-patch contains a 1.5-mg drug reservoir and a priming dose (140 microg) to reach the steady-state concentration of scopolamine quickly. The patch releases 0.5 mg alkaloid over a period of 3 days (releasing rate 5 microg/h). Following the transdermal application of scopolamine, the plasma concentrations of the drug indicate major interindividual variations. Peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of approximately 100 pg/mL (range 11-240 pg/mL) of the alkaloid are reached after about 8 hours and achieve steady state. During a period of 72 hours the plaster releases scopolamine, so constantly high plasma levels (concentration range 56-245 pg/mL) are obtained, followed by a plateau of urinary scopolamine excretion. Although scopolamine has been used in clinical practice for many years, data concerning its metabolism and the renal excretion in man are limited. After incubation with beta-glucuronidase and sulfatase, the recovery of scopolamine in human urine increased from 3% to approximately 30% of the drug dose (intravenously administered). According to these results from enzymatic hydrolysis of scopolamine metabolites, the glucuronide conjugation of scopolamine could be the relevant pathway in healthy volunteers. However, scopolamine metabolism in man has not been verified stringently. An elucidation of the chemical structures of the metabolites extracted from human urine is still lacking. Scopolamine has been shown to undergo an oxidative demethylation during incubation with CYP3A (cytochrome P-450 subfamily). To inhibit the CYP3A located in the intestinal mucosa, components of grapefruit juice are very suitable. When scopolamine was administered together with 150 mL grapefruit juice, the alkaloid concentrations continued to increase, resulting in an evident prolongation of tmax (59.5 +/- 25.0 minutes; P < 0.001). The AUC0-24h values of scopolamine were higher during the grapefruit juice period. They reached approximately 142% of the values associated with the control group (P < 0.005). Consequently, the related absolute bioavailabilities (range 6% to 37%) were significantly higher than the corresponding values of the drug orally administered together with water (range 3% to 27%). The effect of the alkaloid on quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) and cognitive performance correlated with pharmacokinetics was shown in studies with healthy volunteers. From pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling techniques, a direct correlation between serum concentrations of scopolamine and changes in total power in alpha-frequency band (EEG) in healthy volunteers was provided. The alkaloid readily crosses the placenta. Therefore, scopolamine should be administered to pregnant women only under observation. The drug is compatible with nursing and is considered to be nonteratogenic. In conclusion, scopolamine is used for premedication in anesthesia and for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of scopolamine depend on the dosage form. Effects on different cognitive functions have been extensively documented.
Objective To systematically review the risk of mortality associated with long term use of tiotropium delivered using a mist inhaler for symptomatic improvement in chronic obstructive pulmonary ...disease.Data sources Medline, Embase, the pharmaceutical company clinical trials register, the US Food and Drug Administration website, and ClinicalTrials.gov for randomised controlled trials from inception to July 2010.Study selection Trials were selected for inclusion if they were parallel group randomised controlled trials of tiotropium solution using a mist inhaler (Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler, Boehringer Ingelheim) versus placebo for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; the treatment duration was more than 30 days, and they reported data on mortality. Relative risks of all cause mortality were estimated using a fixed effect meta-analysis, and heterogeneity was assessed with the I2 statistic.Results Five randomised controlled trials were eligible for inclusion. Tiotropium mist inhaler was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality (90/3686 v 47/2836; relative risk 1.52, 95% confidence interval, 1.06 to 2.16; P=0.02; I2=0%). Both 10 µg (2.15, 1.03 to 4.51; P=0.04; I2=9%) and 5 µg (1.46, 1.01 to 2.10; P=0.04; I2=0%) doses of tiotropium mist inhaler were associated with an increased risk of mortality. The overall estimates were not substantially changed by sensitivity analysis of the fixed effect analysis of the five trials combined using the random effects model (1.45, 1.02 to 2.07; P=0.04), limiting the analysis to three trials of one year’s duration each (1.50, 1.05 to 2.15), or the inclusion of additional data on tiotropium mist inhaler from another investigational drug programme (1.42, 1.01 to 2.00). The number needed to treat for a year with the 5 µg dose to see one additional death was estimated to be 124 (95% confidence interval 52 to 5682) based on the average control event rate from the long term trials.Conclusions This meta-analysis explains safety concerns by regulatory agencies and indicates a 52% increased risk of mortality associated with tiotropium mist inhaler in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Background Some patients with severe asthma remain symptomatic and obstructed despite maximal recommended treatment. Tiotropium, a long-acting inhaled anticholinergic agent, might be an effective ...bronchodilator in such patients. Objective We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of 2 doses of tiotropium (5 and 10 μg daily) administered through the Respimat inhaler with placebo as add-on therapy in patients with uncontrolled severe asthma (Asthma Control Questionnaire score, ≥1.5; postbronchodilator FEV1 , ≤80% of predicted value) despite maintenance treatment with at least a high-dose inhaled corticosteroid plus a long-acting β2 -agonist. Methods This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover study with three 8–week treatment periods. The primary end point was peak FEV1 at the end of each treatment period. Results Of 107 randomized patients (54% female patients; mean, 55 years of age; postbronchodilator FEV1 , 65% of predicted value), 100 completed all periods. Peak FEV1 was significantly higher with 5 μg (difference, 139 mL; 95% CI, 96-181 mL) and 10 μg (difference, 170 mL; 95% CI, 128–213 mL) of tiotropium than with placebo (both P < .0001). There was no significant difference between the active doses. Trough FEV1 at the end of the dosing interval was higher with tiotropium (5 μg: 86 mL 95% CI, 41-132 mL; 10 μg: 113 mL 95% CI, 67-159 mL; both P < .0004). Daily home peak expiratory flow measurements were higher with both tiotropium doses. There were no significant differences in asthma-related health status or symptoms. Adverse events were balanced across groups except for dry mouth, which was more common on 10 μg of tiotropium. Conclusion The addition of once-daily tiotropium to asthma treatment, including a high-dose inhaled corticosteroid plus a long-acting β2 -agonist, significantly improves lung function over 24 hours in patients with inadequately controlled, severe, persistent asthma.
•Development of a modified QuEChERS extraction procedure of atropine and scopolamine.•Suitable performance characteristics (sensitivity and recovery) were obtained.•Different samples as buckwheat and ...related matrices (soy, chia) were analyzed.•Qualitative identification of transformation products by Exactive-Orbitrap-MS was carried out.
A method was developed for the determination of atropine and scopolamine in buckwheat and related products. A modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) extraction procedure was evaluated. Dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE) was studied as clean-up step, using graphitized black carbon (GBC) and primary secondary amine (PSA). The extract was diluted with water (50:50, v/v) prior to chromatographic analysis. The method was validated and recoveries (except chia samples spiked at 10μg/kg) ranged from 75% to 92%. Intra and inter-day precision was lower than or equal to 17%. The limit of quantification of atropine and scopolamine was 0.4 and 2μg/kg, respectively. Eight types of samples (buckwheat, wheat, soy, buckwheat flour, buckwheat noodle, amaranth grain, chia seeds and peeled millet) were analyzed. Target compounds were not found above the detection limits of the method, but three transformation products of scopolamine (norscopine, hydroscopolamine and dihydroxyscopolamine) were putative identified in the tested samples using high resolution mass spectrometry (Exactive-Orbitrap).