A proprietary extract from the echinacea plant (Echinacea purpurea) enhances systemic immune response during a common cold

In a previous paper, it was reported that Echinilin (Factors R & D Technologies, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada) a formulation prepared from freshly harvested Echinacea purpurea plants and standardized on the basis of three known active components (alkamides, cichoric acid and polysaccharides) is effective for the treatment of a naturally acquired common cold. However, the mechanism by which this effect is achieved remains unknown. In the present study, Echinilin or placebo were administered to volunteers at the onset of their cold for a period of 7 days, with eight doses (5 mL/dose) on day 1 and three doses on subsequent days. Fasting blood samples were obtained before and during their colds. The decrease in total daily symptomatic score was more evident in the echinacea group than in the placebo group. These effects of echinacea were associated with a significant and sustained increase in the number of circulating total white blood cells, monocytes, neutrophils and NK cells. In the later part of the cold, the echinacea treatment suppressed the cold-related increase in superoxide production by the neutrophils. These results suggest that Echinilin, by enhancing the non-specific immune response and eliciting free radical scavenging properties, may have led to a faster resolution of the cold symptoms.     

In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial action of tea: the commonest beverage of Asia

The methanolic extract of leaves of Camellia sinensis (L) O. KUNTZE was screened for antimicrobial property against 111 bacteria comprising 2 genera of Gram positive and 7 genera of Gram negative bacteria. Most of these strains were inhibited by the compound at 10-50 microg/ml level and few strains were sensitive even at lower concentrations (5 microg/ml). The bacteria could be arranged in the decreasing order of sensitivity towards the compound in the following manner: Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Escherichia coli, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Bacillus spp., Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial activity of compound could also be confirmed in vivo. When it was given to Swiss strain of white mice at different dosages (30, 60 microg/mouse), it could significantly protect the animals challenged with 50 MLD of Salmonella typhimurium NCTC 74. According to Chi square test the in vivo data were highly significant (p<0.001).     

Evidence of parallels between mercury intoxication and the brain pathology in autism

The purpose of this review is to examine the parallels between the effects mercury intoxication on the brain and the brain pathology found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This review finds evidence of many parallels between the two, including: (1) microtubule degeneration, specifically large, long-range axon degeneration with subsequent abortive axonal sprouting (short, thin axons); (2) dentritic overgrowth; (3) neuroinflammation; (4) microglial/astrocytic activation; (5) brain immune response activation; (6) elevated glial fibrillary acidic protein; (7) oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation; (8) decreased reduced glutathione levels and elevated oxidized glutathione; (9) mitochondrial dysfunction; (10) disruption in calcium homeostasis and signaling; (11) inhibition of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity; (12) disruption of GABAergic and glutamatergic homeostasis; (13) inhibition of IGF-1 and methionine synthase activity; (14) impairment in methylation; (15) vascular endothelial cell dysfunction and pathological changes of the blood vessels; (16) decreased cerebral/cerebellar blood flow; (17) increased amyloid precursor protein; (18) loss of granule and Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum; (19) increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the brain (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-8); and (20) aberrant nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kappaB). This review also discusses the ability of mercury to potentiate and work synergistically with other toxins and pathogens in a way that may contribute to the brain pathology in ASD. The evidence suggests that mercury may be either causal or contributory in the brain pathology in ASD, possibly working synergistically with other toxic compounds or pathogens to produce the brain pathology observed in those diagnosed with an ASD.     

Tracking problems and possible solutions in the quantitative determination of small molecule drugs and metabolites in biological fluids using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

During the last decade, quantification of low molecular weight molecules using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in biological fluids has become a common procedure in many preclinical and clinical laboratories. This overview highlights a number of issues involving "small molecule drugs", bioanalytical liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, which are frequently encountered during assay development. In addition, possible solutions to these issues are proposed with examples in some of the case studies. Topics such as chromatographic peak shape, carry-over, cross-talk, standard curve non-linearity, internal standard selection, matrix effect, and metabolite interference are presented. Since plasma is one of the most widely adopted biological fluid in drug discovery and development, the focus of this discussion will be limited to plasma analysis. This article is not intended to be a comprehensive overview and readers are encouraged to refer to the citations herein.     

The relation of ADMA and apelin to endothelial dysfunction and angiogenesis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Hyperleptinemia, hypoadiponectinemia, and hyperresistinemia were found to be significantly higher with odds ratios (CI 95%) of 2.15, 2.05 and 3.05, respectively, among cigarette smokers with type 2 diabetes in Saudi Arabian population. Smoking cessation restored the adiponectin and leptin levels while having a modest effect on resistin levels.     

Clinical profile of dasatinib in Asian and non-Asian patients with chronic myeloid leukemia

Resistance and intolerance to imatinib are of particular clinical relevance to Asian patients because of their lower body surface area. Dasatinib is 325-fold more potent than imatinib in inhibiting BCR-ABL in vitro and is indicated for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia resistant or intolerant to imatinib. Data from a series of phase I/II research trials were analyzed to compare the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic profile of dasatinib 70 mg twice daily in Asian and non-Asian patients. Results from 55 Asian and 615 non-Asian patients demonstrated that the efficacy and safety of dasatinib was comparable. Dasatinib was well tolerated, with no observed toxicities exclusive to Asian patients. A higher incidence of adverse events and lower rate of response observed among Asian patients with myeloid blast phase CML reflected the aggressive nature of the disease. Analyses of noncompartmental pharmacokinetics (5 Asian and 49 non-Asian patients) and population pharmacokinetics (17 Asian and 382 non-Asian patients) were also comparable. The efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic profile of dasatinib 70 mg twice daily is similar in Asian and non-Asian patients with CML. Dasatinib is therefore an important therapeutic option for this patient population.