Selected adjuvants as carriers of a dry extract of common ivy (Hedera helix L.)

The usefulness was tested of selected adjuvants: Vivapur 112, Carmellose calcium, Calcium carbonate CA 740, Calcium carbonate CA 800, Hypromellose as carriers of a dry extract of common ivy (Hedera helix L.) leaves in the process of direct tableting. The quality of the produced tablets was determined by examining their appearance, diameter, thickness, mass resistance to abrasion, crushing and disintegration time. Furthermore, the rate of release of biologically active components from the produced drug form to acceptor fluid was tested in accordance with the requirements of Polish Pharmacopoeia VII (PPVII). An attempt was made to estimate the effect of the used adjuvants on the course of this process. The applied adjuvants and acceptor fluid osmolarity decide significantly about the pharmaceutical availability of the therapeutic agents contained in the extract. The obtained model tablets are characterized by controlled release of biologically active substances, in majority of batches they fulfil the requirements as regards physicochemical properties. The formulation composition of the first batch (Extr. Hederae helices e fol.spir. sicc., Vivapur 112, Carmellose calcium, Sodium Stearyl Fumarate) appeared to be the most effective. The worked out method is optimal and provides technological reproducibility and high durability of the drug form.     

Saponins of the ivy plant, Hedera helix, and their leishmanicidic activity

Antileishmanial activity is reported for the first time for saponins of ivy, Hedera helix L., in vitro on promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania tropica. The compounds tested were an extract containing 60% of saponic complex (CS 60), the bidesmosides hederasaponin B, C, and D (saponin K10), their corresponding monodesmosides alpha-, beta-, and delta-hederin, and hederagenin. CS 60 and bidesmosides have shown no effect. Monodesmosides were found to be as effective on promastigote forms as the reference compound (pentamidine). Against amastigote forms only hederagenin exhibited a significant activity which was equivalent to that of the reference compound (N-methylglucamine antimonate).     

Identification and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds from the dry extract of Hedera helix

A thorough investigation of phenolic constituents of commercial dry extract of Hedera helix L. (Araliaceae) was carried out. Rutin (1), kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside (2), quercetin 3-O-glucoside (isoquercitrin, 5), and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside (astragalin, 12), quercetin (10), kaempferol (11), chlorogenic acid (3), neochlorogenic acid (4), 4,5- (6) and 3,5-O-dicaffeoyl-quinic (7) acids as well as rosmarinic (13), caffeic (8), and protocatechuic (9) acids were isolated and identified by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 4, 6, 7, 12, and 13 are reported for the first time for H. helix. Six main phenolics (1 -3, 6, 7, 9) were quantified by means of HPLC and capillary electrophoresis (CE).     

An unusual case of death: suffocation caused by leaves of common ivy (Hedera helix). Detection of hederacoside C,alpha-hederin,and hederagenin by LC-EI/MS-MS

We report one fatal case of asphyxia caused by leaves of common ivy. Macroscopic examination of the corpse during the autopsy disclosed an incredible quantity of leaves of Hedera helix in the mouth and throat of the decedent. In order to rule out the possibility of poisoning by the toxic saponins contained in the plant, we have developed an efficient LC-EI/MS-MS assay of hederacoside C, alppha-hederin, and hederagenin in biological fluids and plant material. Sample cleanup involved solid-phase extraction of the toxins on C18 cartridges followed by LC analysis under reversed-phase conditions in the gradient elution mode. Solute identification was performed using full scan MS-MS spectrum of the analytes. Oleandrine was used as internal standard. Under these conditions, saponins in powdered dried leaves of Hedera helix were measured at a concentration of 21.83 mg/g for hederacoside C, 0.41 mg/g for alpha-hederin and 0.02 mg/g for hederagenin. No toxin was detected in cardiac blood, femoral blood, or urine of the deceased, but hederacoside C was quantitated at 857 ng/mL in the gastric juice. These findings led us to conclude that the man committed suicide and that the death was caused by suffocation by leaves of common ivy.     

利奈唑胺致血小板减少的回顾性研究

目的探讨利奈唑胺对血小板的影响。方法以万古霉素为对照,采用回顾性队列研究方法,收集我院2009年1月至2012年4月住院感染患者215例,其中,利奈唑胺组(观察组)102例,万古霉素组(对照组)113例。比较2组治疗前后血小板减少的发生率。结果观察组和对照组的血小板发生率分别为40.2%和8.0%;利奈唑胺组发生血小板减少的相对危险度较高[RR=6.30,95%CI(2.69～14.77),P<0.01]。结论利奈唑胺致血小板减少的发生率显著高于万古霉素,临床使用利奈唑胺时应密切监测血小板变化。     

Safety of ginger use in pregnancy: results from a large population-based cohort study

Purpose

The objective of the study was to examine the safety of ginger use during pregnancy on congenital malformations and selected pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort study, a large population-based cohort, provided the data used in this study. Our study population consisted of 68,522 women. Data on ginger use and socio-demographic factors were retrieved from three self-administered questionnaires completed by the women during weeks 17 and 30 of the pregnancy and when their child was 6 months old. Data on pregnancy outcomes were provided by the Medical Birth Registry of Norway.

Results

Among the 68,522 women in the study, 1,020 (1.5 %) women reported using ginger during pregnancy. The use of ginger during pregnancy was not associated with any increased risk of congenital malformations. No increased risk for stillbirth/perinatal death, preterm birth, low birth weight, or low Apgar score was detected for the women exposed to ginger during pregnancy compared to women who had not been exposed.

Conclusion

Use of ginger during pregnancy does not seem to increase the risk of congenital malformations, stillbirth/perinatal death, preterm birth, low birth weight, or low Apgar score. This finding is clinically important for health care professionals giving advice to pregnant women with NPV.     

Adaptogenic and safety evaluation of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) leaf extract: a dose dependent study.

The effects of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L., Elaeagnaceae), leaf aqueous extract were examined in rats for its adaptogenic activity and toxicity. Dose dependent adaptogenic study of extract was carried out at different doses administered orally, 30min prior to cold (5 degrees C)-hypoxia (428mmHg)-restraint (C-H-R) exposure. After sub-acute toxicity studies on 10 and 20 times doses of maximal effective dose administered for 14 days (single oral dose of 1g/kg and 2g/kg once daily) and maximal effective dose administered for 30 days (single oral dose of 100mg/kg once daily), biochemical and hematological parameters were studied in the serum and blood. The maximal effective adaptogenic dose of the extract was 100mg/kg body weight. No significant changes were observed in organ weight/body weight ratios, of any vital organ studied (except liver and kidney in 1g/kg and 2g/kg body weight doses, respectively), and biochemical and hematological parameters of the sub-acute drug treated animals in comparison to control rats. In acute toxicity study LD(50) of the extract was observed to be >10g/kg when given orally. These results indicate that seabuckthorn leaf aqueous extract possess potent adaptogenic activity with no toxicity even after sub-acute (30 days) maximal effective dose administration.