Therapeutic potential of phenylethanoid glycosides: A systematic review

Phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs) are generally water-soluble phenolic compounds that occur in many medicinal plants. Until June 2020, more than 572 PhGs have been isolated and identified. PhGs possess antibacterial, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, antioxidant, antiviral, and neuroprotective properties. Despite these promising benefits, PhGs have failed to fulfill their therapeutic applications due to their poor bioavailability. The attempts to understand their metabolic pathways to improve their bioavailability are investigated. In this review article, we will first summarize the number of PhGs compounds which is not accurate in the literature. The latest information on the biological activities, structure–activity relationships, mechanisms, and especially the clinical applications of PhGs will be reviewed. The bioavailability of PhGs will be summarized and factors leading to the low bioavailability will be analyzed. Recent advances in methods such as bioenhancers and nanotechnology to improve the bioavailability of PhGs are also summarized. The existing scientific gaps of PhGs in knowledge are also discussed, highlighting research directions in the future.     

Comparative Cytotoxicity of Glycyrrhiza glabra Roots from Different Geographical Origins Against Immortal Human Keratinocyte (HaCaT), Lung Adenocarcinoma (A549) and Liver Carcinoma (HepG2) Cells

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as ‘liquorice’, is a well‐known medicinal plant. Roots of this plant have long been used as a sweetening and flavouring agent in food and pharmaceutical products, and also as a traditional remedy for cough, upper and lower respiratory ailments, kidney stones, hepatitis C, skin disorder, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, gastrointestinal ulcers and stomach ache. Previous pharmacological and clinical studies have revealed its antitussive, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and cardioprotective properties. While glycyrrhizin, a sweet‐tasting triterpene saponin, is the principal bioactive compound, several bioactive flavonoids and isoflavonoids are also present in the roots of this plant. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of the methanol extracts of nine samples of the roots of G. glabra, collected from various geographical origins, was assessed against immortal human keratinocyte (HaCaT), lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and liver carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines using the in vitro 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide cell toxicity/viability assay. Considerable variations in levels of cytotoxicity were observed among various samples of G. glabra. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Urinary Tract Infection in Patients of Gynecological Malignancies Undergoing External Pelvic Radiotherapy

A total of 216 midstream urine (MSU) samples from 36 patients with gynecological malignancies undergoing external pelvic radiotherapy (RT) were studied periodically every week for any evidence of urinary tract infection (UTI). UTI was detected in 33.3% patients of whom 8.3% had infection at the onset of RT and the rest developed UTI during the course of therapy. All three patients who had UTI at the onset of RT underwent cystoscopy as a part of routine pretreatment workup. A higher preponderance of UTI was observed in patients of stage III carcinoma cervix (33.3%) compared to stage II (16.7%) during the course of RT. Half of the patients with UTI had repealed episodes of infection despite appropriate antibiotic treatment. The study emphasizes the importance of conducting periodic MSU examination in patients with gynecological malignancies during RT and its treatment with appropriate antibiotics to minimize the risks of further injury to the already susceptible uroepithelium following radiotherapy.     

Iridoid glycosides from Eremostachys glabra

Reversed-phase preparative HPLC of a methanol extract of the rhizomes of Eremostachys glabra yielded three new iridoid glycosides, namely, 6,9-epi-8-O-acetylshanziside methyl ester, 5,9-epi-penstemoside, and 5,9-epi-7,8-didehydropenstemoside. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. The free-radical scavenging activity of these compounds was assessed using the DPPH assay.     

Impact of information leaflets on HIV test uptake amongst GUM clinic attendees: an update

In the Sexual Health Strategy, the targets of HIV testing uptake in genitourinary medicine clinics (GUM) are set at 40% by year 2004 and 60% by 2007. We assessed the uptake of HIV test amongst GUM clinic attendees, more than six months after introducing an information leaflet in place of verbal pre-test counselling (PTC). The uptake rate was significantly higher than in a previous audit conducted in the same year, two weeks after introduction of the leaflets (62% vs 50%, P =0.001).     

Feruhermonins A-C: three daucane esters from the seeds of Ferula hermonis (Apiaceae)

Seventeen daucane esters have been isolated from the seeds of Ferula hermonis Boiss (Apiaceae). Three of these sesquiterpenes, 4beta-hydroxy-6alpha-benzoyl-7-daucen-9-one (1), 4beta, 8beta-dihydroxy-6alpha-benzoyl-dauc-9-ene (2), and 4beta, 9alpha-dihydroxy-6alpha-benzoyl-dauc-7-ene (4), named feruhermonins A-C, respectively, are novel natural products. The structures of these compounds were elucidated unequivocally by a series of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. Although 4beta, 8beta-dihydroxy-6alpha-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoyl)-dauc-9-ene (3) was reported previously, the complete spectroscopic data for this compound are presented here for the first time.     

Prospective evaluation of unexplained chronic liver transaminase abnormalities in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients

OBJECTIVES: It is currently recommend to perform a liver biopsy for patients with chronically elevated liver function tests (LFT) of unknown etiology (marker negative). The necessity and benefits of these recommendations are unknown. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of marker-negative LFT in patients referred for evaluation of chronically elevated LFT; to determine the prevalence of diseases that may be associated with marker-negative abnormal LFT; and to assess whether a liver biopsy alters the management of such patients. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of 1124 adults referred for evaluation of chronically elevated LFT. Patients who consented to a liver biopsy were eligible. Marker-negative abnormal LFT was defined as the absence of accepted serum markers for infectious, metabolic, autoimmune, or hereditary liver disease, the absence of a history of alcohol or hepatotoxic drug use, and the absence of signs of chronic liver disease. RESULTS: Eighty-one of 1124 eligible patients were marker-negative. Liver biopsies in the 81 marker-negative patients revealed: normal histology (eight), steatosis (41), steatohepatitis (26), fibrosis (four), and cirrhosis (two). All 73 abnormal liver biopsies had some degree of steatosis. There were no significant associations between histological findings and the presence of obesity (p = 0.13), hyperlipidemia (p = 0.4), or diabetes (p = 0.9). There were no significant associations when classifying patients by gender or by symptoms. CONCLUSION: In the setting of marker-negative elevated LFT, the most likely histological diagnosis is fatty metamorphosis of the liver with occasional associated fibrosis.