Pharmacokinetics,tissue distribution,metabolism, and excretion of ginsenoside Rg<Subscript>1</Subscript> in rats

The pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, metabolism, and excretion of ginsenosides Rg₁ were studied in Wistar rats, by measuring the concentrations of Rg₁ and its metabolites in the blood, tissues, bile, urine, and feces after dosing. After intravenous (i.v.) administration, the elimination half-lives of Rg₁ and its metabolites were 1.82, 5.87, and 6.87 h, and the area under the curves were 1595.7, 597.5, and 805.6 ng· h/mL, respectively. After oral administration, the elimination half-lives of Rg₁ and its metabolites were 2.25, 6.73, 5.44, and 5.06 h, and the area under the curves were 2363.5, 4185.5, 3774.3, and 396.2 ng· h/mL, respectively. After i.v. administration, Rg₁ and its metabolites were well distributed to the tissues analyzed except for the brain. The maximum concentration of Rg₁ was reached in all tissues at 5 min post dose, and it was eliminated from most of the tissues except for the kidney faster than it was eliminated from the blood. The maximum concentration of the metabolites was reached in all tissues between 4 and 6 h post dose. After i.v. administration, the recovery of the Rg₁ prototype in the urine and bile was 27.96% and 60.77%, respectively. The metabolism of Rg₁ in the intestine was via a hydrolization pathway, with the 6- and 20-glucoside bond hydrolyzed gradually under the catalysis of β-glucosaccharase, and then the metabolites were reabsorbed into the blood. Finally, the total recovery of the Rg₁ prototype and its metabolites in the urine and feces were 51.31% and 47.46%, respectively.     

Identification and analytical characterization of six synthetic cannabinoids NNL‐3, 5F–NPB‐22‐7N, 5F–AKB‐48‐7N, 5F–EDMB‐PINACA,EMB‐FUBINACA,and EG‐018

Clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories are continuously confronted by analytical challenges when dealing with the new psychoactive substances phenomenon. The number of synthetic cannabinoids, the chemical diversity, and the speed of emergence make this group of compounds particularly challenging in terms of detection, monitoring, and responding. Three indazole 7N positional isomer synthetic cannabinoids, two ethyl 2‐amino‐3‐methylbutanoate‐type synthetic cannabinoids, and one 9H –carbazole substituted synthetic cannabinoid were identified in seized materials. These six synthetic cannabinoid derivatives included: 1H –benzo[d ] [1,2,3]triazol‐1‐yl 1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H –pyrrolo[2,3‐b ]pyridine‐3‐carboxylate (NNL‐3, 1 ), quinolin‐8‐yl 1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H –pyrrolo[2,3‐b ]pyridine‐3‐carboxylate (5F–NPB‐22‐7N , 2 ), N ‐((1 s,3 s)‐adamantan‐1‐yl)‐1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H –pyrrolo[2,3‐b ]pyridine‐3‐carboxamide (5F–AKB‐48‐7N , 3 ), ethyl 2‐(1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H –indazole‐3‐carboxamido)‐3,3‐dimethylbutanoate (5F–EDMB‐PINACA, 4 ), ethyl 2‐(1‐(4‐fluorobenzyl)‐1H –indazole‐3‐carboxamido)‐3‐methylbutanoate (EMB‐FUBINACA, 5 ), and naphthalen‐1‐yl(9‐pentyl‐9H ‐carbazol‐3‐yl)methanone (EG‐018, 6 ). The identification was based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The analytical characterization of these six synthetic cannabinoids was described, so as to assist forensic laboratories in identifying these compounds or other substances with similar structure in their case work. To our knowledge, no analytical data about the compounds 1 – 5 have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds. The GC–MS data of 6 has been reported, but this study added the LC–MS, NMR, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), data to render the analytical data collection process more complete. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Patient assessment and documentation integrated in community practice: Chat,check, and chart

ObjectiveTo explore how pharmacists integrated the Chat,Check andChart (CCC) tools in community practice and to identify barriers and facilitators to use.DesignConcurrent nested mixed-method study. Open-ended, semi-structured qualitative interviews on tools use and a quantitative survey were completed via telephone.SettingCommunity-based pharmacy practice.Participants39 community pharmacists consented to interviews2 months after the CCC training workshop; 22 completed an interview.InterventionWorkshop training on CCC tools and workplace implementation strategies.Main outcome measuresBarriers, facilitators and implementation strategies for CCC tools.ResultsMore pharmacists were implementing or had made patient assessment part of their practice (54%) than documentation of patient care (36%). Integration was facilitated by patient success, collaborative worksite, personal beliefs, and provincial regulations. Lack of routines, patient expectations, reimbursement, and time were familiar barriers. Strategies to overcome these barriers included practicing new habits, using technology, starting small, using physical reminders, and recognizing benefits.ConclusionPatient care tools for assessment and documentation had both positive and negativeeffects on patients, pharmacists, and community pharmacies because of demands on time, lack of resources, and limited personal, external, and patient expectations of pharmacists’ care. Findings resulted in Alberta College of Pharmacists academic detailing of the CCC tools duringonsite pharmacy assessments to help pharmacists meet or exceed provincial practice standards.     

Attenuation of the LPS‐induced,ERK‐mediated upregulation of fibrosis‐related factors FGF‐2, uPA,MMP‐2, and MMP‐9 by Carthamus tinctorius L in cardiomyoblasts

Severe and potentially fatal hypotension and cardiac contractile dysfunction are common symptoms in patients with sepsis. LPS was previously found to dramatically upregulate expression of fibrosis‐related factors FGF‐2, uPA, MMP‐2, and MMP‐9 in primary cardiac fibroblasts. MMPs are capable of denaturing and degrading fibrillar collagens and other components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Studies have shown that dysregulation of expression of MMPs is associated with development of myocardial extracellular matrix remodeling and cardiac fibrosis, which contribute to progression of heart failure. In this study, H9c2 cells and cardiac fibroblasts were divided into five treatment groups: control, LPS (1 μg/mL) and three concentrations of FC_EtOH (Carthami Flos ethanolic extract) (31.25, 62.5, and 125 μg/mL). Phosphorylation of ERK‐1/2 was observed to be rapidly induced upon treatment with LPS. In contrast, it was significantly suppressed by the administration of FC_EtOH (125 μg/mL). Effects of FC_EtOH on LPS‐induced MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 expression in H9c2 cells occurred directly through ERK1/2 were determined. H9c2 cells were therefore pretreated with EGF‐R to activate ERK pathway. Both protein levels of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 and immunefluorescent signals of MMP‐9 were significantly enhanced by EGFR. In contrast, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 were significantly reduced after FC_EtOH administration. Based on these findings, the authors concluded that FC_EtOH elicits a protective effect against LPS‐induced cardio‐fibrosis through the ERK1/2 pathway. Carthamus tinctorius L may potentially serve as a cardio‐protective agent against LPS‐ induced cardiac fibrosis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 754–763, 2017.     

Clinical trial: endoscopic evaluation of naproxen etemesil,a naproxen prodrug,vs. naproxen – a proof‐of‐concept,randomized, double‐blind,active‐comparator study

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 1091–1101

Summary

Background Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs are associated with upper gastrointestinal mucosal injury. Naproxen etemesil is a lipophilic, non‐acidic, inactive prodrug of naproxen that is hydrolysed to pharmacologically active naproxen once absorbed. We hypothesized that with lesser topical exposure to naproxen from the prodrug, there would be reduced gastroduodenal mucosal injury compared with naproxen. Aim To compare the degree of endoscopic mucosal damage of naproxen etemesil vs. naproxen. Methods This multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy trial compared oral naproxen etemesil 1200 mg twice daily (n = 61) with naproxen 500 mg twice daily (n = 59) for 7.5 days in 120 healthy subjects (45–70 years; mean 51 years; 58% female) with baseline total modified gastroduodenal Lanza score ≤2 (no erosions/ulcers) on endoscopy. The primary endpoint was mean total modified gastroduodenal Lanza score on day 7. A secondary endpoint was incidence of gastric ulcers. Results The day 7 mean total modified gastroduodenal Lanza score was 2.8 ± 1.7 for naproxen etemesil vs. 3.5 ± 2.0 for naproxen (P = 0.03), and significantly fewer naproxen etemesil‐treated subjects (3.3%) developed gastric ulcers compared with naproxen‐treated subjects (15.8%) (P = 0.02). Conclusion In this first proof‐of‐concept study, naproxen etemesil was associated with significantly lower gastroduodenal mucosal injury compared with naproxen after 7 days of exposure (Clinical trial number: NCT00750243).     

Identification of five substituted phenethylamine derivatives 5‐MAPDB, 5‐AEDB,MDMA methylene homolog, 6‐Br‐MDMA,and 5‐APB‐NBOMe

This paper reports analytical properties of five substituted phenethylamine derivatives seized from a clandestine laboratory. These five derivatives include 5‐(2‐methylaminopropyl)‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran (5‐MAPDB, 1 ), 5‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐2,3‐dihydrobenzofuran (5‐AEDB, 2 ), N ,2‐dimethyl‐3‐(3,4‐methylenedioxyphenyl)propan‐1‐amine (MDMA methylene homolog, 3 ), 6‐bromo‐3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (6‐Br‐MDMA, 4 ), and 1‐(benzofuran‐5‐yl)‐N ‐(2‐methoxybenzyl)propan‐2‐amine (5‐APB‐NBOMe, 5 ). These compounds were identified by liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐QTOF‐MS), gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). No analytical properties about compounds 1‐4 have appeared until now, making this the first report on these compounds. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Screening of curcumin‐derived isoxazole,pyrazoles, and pyrimidines for their anti‐inflammatory,antinociceptive, and cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibition

Curcumin has shown pharmacological properties against different phenotypes of various disease models. Different synthetic routes have been employed to develop its numerous derivatives for diverse and improved therapeutic roles. In this study, we have synthesized curcumin derivatives containing isoxazole, pyrazoles, and pyrimidines and then the synthesized molecules were evaluated for their anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in experimental animal models. Acute toxicity of synthesized molecules was evaluated in albino mice by oral administration. Any behavioral and neurological changes were observed at dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. Additionally, cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) enzyme inhibition studies were performed through in vitro assays. In vivo anti‐inflammatory studies showed that curcumin with pyrimidines was the most potent anti‐inflammatory agent which inhibited induced edema from 74.7% to 75.9%. Compounds 7 , 9 , and 12 exhibited relatively higher prevention of writhing episodes than any other compound with antinociceptive activity of 73.2%, 74.9%, and 71.8%, respectively. This was better than diclofenac sodium (reference drug, 67.1% inhibition). Similarly, COX‐2 in vitro inhibition assays results revealed that compound 12 (75.3% inhibition) was the most potent compound. Molecular docking studies of 10 , 11 , and 12 compounds in human COX‐2 binding site revealed the similar binding modes as that of other COX‐2‐selective inhibitors.     

New terpenoids,olibanumols D–G,from traditional Egyptian medicine olibanum,the gum-resin of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Boswellia carterii</Emphasis>

A new prenylaromadendrane-type diterpene, olibanumol D (1), and three new oleanane- and lupane-type triterpenes, olibanumols E (2), F (3), and G (4), were isolated from the traditional Egyptian medicine olibanum, the exuded gum-resin from Boswellia carterii Birdw. Their structures were established mainly on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectral data. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited nitric oxide production inhibitory activity in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages.