Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research
Volume:8 Issue: 1, Mar 2022

Amygdalin has a wide range of pharmacological activities including analgesic and anti-asthmatic effects. In spite of several studies that have shown the cytotoxic effects of amygdalin on the different cancer cell lines, no general agreement has yet been reached on the anti-cancer aspect of amygdalin.

The review aims to focus on the pharmacological activities and toxicological effects of amygdalin and provide a reference and perspective for its further investigation.

Electronic databases including the Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar and sciencedirect were searched up to identify eligible studies about of the pharmacological activities and toxicological effects of amygdalin and provide a reference and perspective for its further investigation. Generally, a total of 90 papers about in vitro/in vivo studies on amygdalin have been reviewed.

Pharmacological activities of amygdalin have been well documented over the years, however, in some cases; dose-dependent toxicity has been reported in the human body. Since the acute toxicity experiments of amygdalin has proved that the toxicity of oral administration route is far greater than the intravenous route. Thus, several in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to assess the amygdalin’s pharmacological value as the induction of apoptosis and anti-cancer drug.

Amygdalin is known to have generally dose-dependent effects with positive or desirable effects at lower doses and undesirable effects generally above this level of intake in some in the treatment of some diseases, although there is substantial inter-individual variation.

Arsenic is a heavy metal that causes malformation. It affects the reproductive system of men by induction of oxidative stress. 

This study investigated the effect of Vitamin C (Vit C), as a potent antioxidant, on sperm quality and testicular tissue in mice that received sodium arsenite.

A total of 28 adult male NMRI mice were divided into four groups: control, sodium arsenite (7 mg/kg/d), Vitamin C (Vit C; 150 mg/kg/d), and sodium arsenite+Vit C (with previous doses). Gavage treatments were administered for 35 days. At the end of the treatments, the right testis was used for histopathological observations and apoptosis assessment, and the left testis to evaluate sperm parameters. 

Sperm parameters such as count, motility, viability, morphology, tail length, Daily Sperm Production (DSP), the diameter of seminiferous tubules, the height of the germinal epithelium, and the number of germ cells and Sertoli cells were significantly decreased in the sodium arsenite group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Malondialdehyde levels were significantly increased, and serum testosterone levels were significantly reduced in the sodium arsenite group. The mentioned parameters were compensated for in the sodium arsenite+Vit C group compared to the sodium arsenite group (P<0.05).

Vitamin C can decrease the undesired changes induced by sodium arsenite in the male reproductive system.

Because of its stimulating and valuable effects, tea is the most commonly used beverage in the world after water. These effects are due to caffeine and phenolic compounds in tea. Also, most of the tea in Iran is planted in Gilan Province. However, food pollution from heavy metals is one of the most important problems. 

In this research, we measured the total phenolic content, caffeine, lead, cadmium, and chromium in green and black tea cultivated in Gilan Province.

Ten samples of green and black tea were purchased from different regions of Gilan Province. Methanol and dichloromethane extracts were prepared. Total phenol and caffeine were detected by spectroscopy. Quantification of heavy metals was done by digestion methods and examined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

The Mesn±SD amounts of total phenolic content, caffeine, lead, cadmium, and chromium in green tea from all regions comprised 27.13±1.54%, 3.20±0.01%, 0.81±0.66 ppm, 1.54±1.39 ppm, and 0.28±0.20 ppm, respectively, and these amounts in black tea were 14.90±1.53%, 3.20±0.05%, 1.00±0.79 ppm, 1.65±0.93 ppm, and 0.24±0.15 ppm, respectively.

The content of total phenol and lead in tea was different in various regions of Gilan Province. Green tea contains more phenolic compounds than black tea, but the caffeine in green and black tea is almost equal. The amounts of cadmium and chromium in some Gilan Province areas are higher than the standard level, which needs to be investigated.

Lymphopenia is an important but nonspecific laboratory indicator of COVID-19.

To describe epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of the first cases of the COVID-19 referred to a center dedicated to COVID-19 patients in Iran. 

This research is a retrospective cross-sectional study on 100 confirmed cases with COVID-19, hospitalized from February 25 to March 10, 2020, in Qaemshahr Razi Hospital in Mazandaran Province, Iran. The main demographic data, clinical features, including outcomes, laboratory findings, and therapeutic protocols, were collected in a structured form and analyzed.

The Mean±SD age of the patients was 56.7±15.6 years. Fifty-nine percent (n=59) of the patients were male. Nineteen percent (n=19) were admitted to the ICU. The median (IQR) time from disease onset to hospital admission was 5 (3-7) days. The most common symptoms were fever (73%), dyspnea (67%), dry cough (61%), and myalgia (61%). The severity of the disease was moderate in most patients (n=54). The average hospital stay for patients was 7 days. The non-survivor cases in comparison to survived ones were from a higher age group (65 vs 52 years; P=0.001), had a higher frequency of underlying diseases (68.4% vs 39.5%; P=0.039), had a lower peripheral capillary O2 saturation at the time of admission (79% vs 94%; P<0.001), and were more likely to have lymphopenia (63.2% vs 37%; P=0.034).

Lymphopenia, increased neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio and decreased peripheral capillary O2 saturation are commonly seen in COVID-19 patients, especially among severe cases, and can be used in developing clinical prediction rules.

Much evidence suggests that increased uterine blood flow resistance (reduced uterine perfusion) raises the risk of Recurrent Miscarriage (RM). 

This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids, alone or in combination with aspirin, in reducing uterine blood flow resistance in women with a history of RM.

A total of 45 women with a history of two or more miscarriages and increased uterine artery blood flow resistance were included in this randomized clinical trial. They were randomly assigned to aspirin (80 mg/d) (group A, n=15), omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids (4800 mg/d) (group O, n=15), or combination therapy (group AO, n=15). The patients were visited after two months, and the uterine artery blood flow resistance was measured by Doppler sonography.

The Mean±SD age of participants was 32±3.5 years in group A, 32±3 years in group O, and 32.4±3 years in group AO. There was no significant difference between three groups in age (P=0.7), duration of marriage (P=0.55), duration of infertility (P=0.43) and number of previous miscarriages (P= 0.51). In all three groups, after two months of treatment, the average uterine artery blood flow resistance reduced considerably compared with the beginning of the trial (P=0.0001); however, there was no significant difference between the three groups (P=0.56). 

According to the study results, omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids can reduce uterine artery blood flow resistance and improve the uterine blood flow in women with RM, with equal efficacy to aspirin. Also, combination therapy offers no advantages over monotherapy.

Scutellaria orientalis subsp. virens is a species of Scutellaria genus (the Lamiaceae family). The aqueous root extract of S. orientalis has been traditionally used by Iranians to treat neurological disorders, dermatitis, and bronchitis. The active compounds in the roots and shoots of S. orientalis are mainly flavones such as baicalin, wogonoside, scutellarin, and their aglycons. These compounds have anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial activities.
This study aimed to identify the root and shoot methanolic extracts components of S. orientalis.
The Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) method was used to identify components of S. orientalis.
GC/MS analysis of methanolic root extract identified 63 components, such as flavonoids, fatty acids, ketones, glucosides, amino acids, steroids, and alkaloids, with flavonoids like wogonin (12.6%) as the main components. S. orientalis methanolic shoot extract analysis also identified 79 components such as ketones, alcohols, sesquiterpenes, fatty acids, steroids, vitamins, and diterpenoids, with digitoxin and neocurdione as the main components. In addition, the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis of roots and shoots confirmed the presence of normal polymeric O-H stretch, aliphatic alkenes, aromatic alkenes, amides, ammonium ions, alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids, esters, amines, and alkanes in the structure of identified compounds by GC/MS analysis.
The obtained results revealed the presence of biologically active compounds that can be used for various herbal formulations.

Boswellia serrata has been known for many decades and mentioned in the ancient Ayurvedic texts. Many previous studies have demonstrated its role in depression and anxiety in animal models.

The present study is carried out to evaluate the effect of Boswellia serrata on neurotransmitter levels of Swiss albino mice by spectrophotometer.

Eighteen (n=18) Swiss albino male mice were procured for this study. All mice were divided into three groups of six mice in each. The first group of mice (control) received normal saline (10 mg/kg); the second group (standard) received imipramine (10 mg/kg), and the third group (test) received Boswellia serrata (100 mg/kg) orally for 21 days. On the 22nd day, all mice were sacrificed as per CPCSEA (Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals) guidelines. The mice brains were dissected, and their brain tissue was collected and stored in a preservative. The mice brain tissue was centrifuged, and samples were used for the estimation of serotonin (5-HT), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), dopamine, Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), and glutamate levels by spectrophotometry. 

The levels of neurotransmitters are expressed in Mean±SE. Analysis of results was done by 1-way ANOVA and Tukey Kramer tests. The statistical tests revealed that imipramine-treated mice have significantly increased the levels of AChE, GABA, and glutamate when compared to control (P<0.05). However, imipramine treated group showed statistically significant lower levels of 5-HT and dopamine levels when compared to the control (P<0.05). Similarly, the test drug Boswellia serrata-treated group had significantly higher levels of 5-HT, AChE, GABA, and glutamate when compared to the control group (P<0.05) and lower levels of dopamine when compared to the control (P<0.05).

The present study establishes the role of Boswellia serrata in various psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety in animal models by modulating multiple neurotransmitters in the brain.

Co-processing is a process that manipulates available excipients to produce better functional excipients. 

This study aims to prepare a co-processed excipient from starch extracted from Dioscorea rotundata (WYS) and gum extracted from pods of Abelmoschus esculentus fruit (OKG). 

The co-processed excipients (CYG) were prepared by co-fusing WYS and OKG at concentrations of 99:1, 97:3, 95:5 to produce CYG1, CYG3, and CYG5, respectively. Then, they were evaluated for their flow and swelling properties. Metronidazole tablets (MT1, MT3, and MT5) were prepared by direct compression. Similarly, tablets containing reference excipients of CombiLac® (MTC) and Prosolv® (MTP) were prepared. The tablets were evaluated for uniformity of weight, crushing strength, friability, disintegration time, and in vitro release. Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) was used to monitor the interaction between the excipients and metronidazole.

CYG1, CYG3, and CYG5 have good flow; their swelling profile was between 170% and 200%, more than WYS (80%). FTIR spectra showed no interaction between the excipients and metronidazole. The crushing strength-friability ratio was 42.03>39.65>25.63 for MT3, MT5, and MT1, respectively. MT5 had a longer disintegration time (63.87 s) than MT1 and MT3, which were similar to that of MTC; however, MTP had the longest disintegration time (111.50 s). The disintegration efficiency ratio showed that CYG1 and CYG3 have better disintegration properties than Prosolv®. All the co-processed excipients produced robust tablets comparable to those of CombiLac®.

CYG can be exploited as a multifunctional excipient in preparing oral tablet formulations.

In December 2019, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) appeared and spread worldwide, triggering a pandemic of respiratory illness. So, there was an urgent need for vaccines worldwide. The mRNA-based vaccines are undergoing an accelerated phase of development during this pandemic. WHO has issued interim guidelines for administering the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine against COVID-19 based on advice given by the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE). The significant future directions for study would be comparing and elucidating the immune processes triggered by mRNA vaccine platforms, developing existing methods focused on these mechanisms, and introducing new clinical trials of these vaccines against additional disease targets. This study aims to reveal the important role and contribution of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine to COVID-19 vaccinology.  Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine could be the keystone of modern vaccinology in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.