Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Volume:9 Issue: 4, Dec 2023

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J.Presl), which belongs to the Lauraceae family, is a medicinal plant presented in traditional Persian medicine for alleviating headaches. The bark of the cinnamon tree contains cinnamaldehyde as the main volatile constituent. This study aimed to design and prepare a cream-based formulation containing Cinnamon essential oil. Following the preparation and extraction of cinnamon bark essential oil, a Gas chromatography/Mass spectroscopy GC/MS technique was employed to chemically analyze the volatile constituents. Subsequently, the preparation of the cream base and essential oil cream as well as related pharmaceutical evaluations and content determination were carried out. The presence of cinnamaldehyde in the essential oil was confirmed. Afterward, an appropriate formulation was determined, and a semi-solid topical product was prepared. The final product underwent evaluations, including macroscopic and microscopic tests for odor, color, appearance, and phase separation, as well as pH, rheology, centrifugation, microbial limits, and texture analysis. Finally, based on the quantification performed using the Gas chromatography/Flame ionization detector (GC/FID), the amount of cinnamaldehyde in 1 milliliter of the essential oil was calculated as 5310.54±24.72 µg, quantitatively. Regarding the yielded essential oil extracted from the final formulation (50 g cream containing 2.5% of the cinnamon bark essential oil), this amount was 3982.68±116.04 µg. Considering the affirmative responses from clinical trials on the finished product, cinnamon essential oil could be introduced as a herbal topical medicine for the management of headaches and cephalic pain.

Sexual dysfunction is common after using antiepileptic drugs, and anorgasmia can occur as a treatment-emergent adverse event. The positive effect of lamotrigine on improving anorgasmia in epilepsy patients has been reported in a few studies. Anorgasmia is a common manifestation in epileptic patients. Anorgasmia or ejaculation without achieving orgasm is permanent or recurrent, happening despite adequate stimulation. The current paper presented a 31-year-old male with epilepsy since early childhood who received carbamazepine and phenobarbital. He experienced anorgasmia, and by switching to valproate sodium, the seizures and anorgasmia were somewhat improved. However, both problems were completely resolved after receiving lamotrigine. An 18-month follow-up did not reveal any particular issue. Lamotrigine can be recommended alongside other antiepileptic drugs in patients who have cure-induced anorgasmia. Considering the improvement of anorgasmia and reduced number of seizures, long-term follow-up is recommended.

Zoledronic acid (ZLD) is a bisphosphonate drug widely administered against pathological conditions such as hypercalcemia of malignancy, osteoporosis, bone metastases from solid tumors, and multiple myeloma. Unfortunately, renal injury is a serious and dose-limiting adverse effect of ZLD. There is no specific mechanism for ZLD-induced renal damage. The current study aimed to assess the effects of ZLD (10 and 15 mg/kg, i.p., single dose) on the rat kidney. In this regard, several parameters, including oxidative stress biomarkers, serum level of BUN and creatinine, inflammatory cytokines, kidney histopathology, and indices of mitochondrial function were assessed. A significant increase in serum Cr and BUN revealed renal injury. Moreover, kidney histopathological changes, including interstitial inflammation, tissue necrosis, and tubular atrophy, were detected in ZLD-treated rats. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), depletion of kidney glutathione (GSH) stores, increased lipid peroxidation, and suppression of the total antioxidant capacity, were detected in ZLD-treated animals. ZLD also significantly increased renal levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. ZLD exposure was also associated with significantly decreased mitochondrial dehydrogenases activity, mitochondrial depolarization, mitochondrial permeabilization, and ATP depletion. These data highlight mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress as potential mechanisms in ZLD-induced kidney injury.

CRISPR-Cas9, enable precise DNA manipulation via RNA-guided breaks. KHDC3L and PEG3 genes are vital; CRISPR-Cas9 studies their roles in reproduction, development, and gene regulation. Focusing on KHDC3L's impact on PEG3 promoter in HCT116 cells, insights into gene functions and disease mechanisms emerge, informing potential therapies. This study aims to design sgRNAs for the KHDC3L gene using CRISPR tools involved ranking, off-target evaluation, and cloning. HCT116 cells were cultured, synchronized, and transfected with sgRNAs using lipofectamine. Successful transfections were confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. Clonal expansion followed, with DNA extracted and genotyped using PCR and Sanger sequencing. Bisulfite conversion analyzed DNA methylation, employing restriction enzymes for CpG site analysis. Statistical significance (p≤0.05) was assessed using SPSS software. The neighboring regions exhibited significant genomic changes. The designed sgRNAs were cloned into the PX458 plasmid, directing Cas9 to create double-strand breaks (DSBs) in KHDC3L exon 3. Transfected cells showed around 65% efficiency. Gap-PCR confirmed knock-out in 3 out of 17 clones. COBRA analysis revealed allele-specific CpG island methylation in PEG3, indicating the impact of KHDC3L knock-out on PEG3 promoter methylation and expression. The study demonstrates increased PEG3 promoter methylation upon KHDC3L deletion, indicating its role in modulation. Knockout correlates with reduced cell proliferation and colony formation, suggesting KHDC3L's role in promoting cell growth. The gene's relevance in PEG3 regulation and potential therapeutic implications are underscored, though further mechanistic insights are warranted.

Urinary stones after urinary tract infections and prostate disorders are the third most common urinary tract diseases. In recent years various herbal medicines for preventing or treating renal stones have been marketed and may be helpful in prevention and treatment, but still effectiveness and safe drug therapy without surgical intervention is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of L. judaicus in the treatment of urinary stones. In order to form stone in an animal model, 1% Ethylene Glycol (EG) dissolved in drinking water was used. Forty rats were divided into eight groups. After 45 days of drug administration, to determine the effects of the drug on urinary and serum parameters, 24-hour urine and blood samples were obtained. Then animals were sacrificed and kidneys were sent to the pathology laboratory for histological examination. Results of our study showed that prescribing L. judaicus in the co-treatment group reduced serum BUN, elevated urinary citrate and urine pH, and reduced urinary parameters such as urine protein, calcium, oxalate, phosphorus, and creatinine, therefore L. judaicus is effective in inhibition of urinary stones formation. Histopathologic results showed a decline of urinary stones in L. judaicus groups in comparison with ethylene glycol group.

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has emerged as a global health threat. Due to coronovirus mutations and genetic variations, effective treatments remain elusive. Currently, the primary strategy for disease management revolves around coronovirus vaccines, representing the sole avenue for disease control. A prominent factor in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is the severe inflammation triggered by a phenomenon known as cytokine storm. This review delves into the pivotal role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in orchestrating the cytokine storm and explores the intricate network of signaling pathways and inhibitors, including phytochemicals. Numerous clinical trials have explored the potential of anti-cytokine agents and medicinal plants with cytokine-modulating attributes in COVID-19 patients. According to various studies investigating the effects of medicinal plants on COVID-19, four specific plants—Silybum marianum L., Tanacetum parthenium L., Curcuma longa L., and Zingiber officinale Rosc.—have exhibited significant anti-IL-6 signaling properties. However, further rigorous clinical data are needed to establish their prophylactic or therapeutic efficacy. Overall, both in-vivo and clinical studies suggest that the aforementioned medicinal plants, endowed with proven anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory properties, particularly through IL-6 reduction, could make valuable contributions to the management of COVID-19.

Neural prosthetics employ different signals, such as chemical or electrical signals from the human nervous system, for stimulating or restoring the capabilities of injured people or different disease conditions (1). They are artificial extensions of the body that repair or fortify the human nervous system after various injuries or diseases (2).From ancient times, the study of neural systems has been a subject of fascination. Significant progress has been made in our understanding of neural systems, from the ancient understanding of the role of the brain in the body to today's research on artificial intelligence. Three main types of neural systems have been identified today: sensory, motor, and associative (3). These systems work together to let us perceive, process, and react to the world around us.The approach helps patients with various diseases, and implanting neural chips in the brain, is encouraging. These chips can monitor brain activity and relax symptoms such as tremors, seizures, and depression (4, 5). However, before widespread implementation, there is a need to address ethical concerns and potential risks.