In vivo anti-arthritic and antioxidant effects from the standardized ethanolic extract of Moussonia deppeana

ABSTRACT Moussonia deppeana (Schltdl. & Cham.) Klotzsch ex Hanst., Gesneriaceae, known as tlachichinole, is a Mexican medicinal plant used for treatment of chronic inflammation-related diseases such as arthritis. In this paper, the main metabolite verbascoside was quantified in ethanolic extract; anti-arthritic and antioxidant activities were also evaluated in Complete Freund's Adjuvant induced arthritis in mice, with complete hematological evaluation, and oxidative stress measure in edema and ganglionic tissues on day 28. In popliteal ganglion, CD4+ lymphocytes and tumor necrosis factor alpha concentration were measured in addition to histological analysis. Ethanolic extract contained 79.2 mg of verbascoside/g extract, and this extract at 450 mg/kg generated an inhibition of 24% over paw edema development and increased body weight gain on final day. For hematological parameters, same dose decreased total leukocytes and lymphocytes, as well as decreased oxidation rate over biomolecules in edema and ganglionic tissues, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. In ganglionic tissue, CD4+ lymphocytes and tumor necrosis factor alpha level showed no differences at any tested dose compared to complete Freund's adjuvant untreated group. Histological analysis of popliteal ganglion revealed moderate reduction of follicular hyperplasia, leukocyte infiltration and lipid inclusions at 450 mg/kg dose. Ethanolic extract of M. deppeana possesses anti-edematous activity associated to a moderate reduction in follicular hyperplasia, with immune-modulatory and antioxidant effects during experimental arthritis in mice.

Síndrome serotoninérgico / Serotonin syndrome

El síndrome serotoninérgico (SS) es una condición clínica asociada al uso de medicamentos agonistas de la serotonina, prescritos para el manejo de enfermedades psiquiátricas y no psiquiátricas como trastornos afectivos, de ansiedad, por dolor, etcétera. Se presenta por una excesiva estimulación de los receptores centrales y perifé-ricos de serotonina produciendo cambios mentales, autonómicos y neuromusculares. Usualmente se resuelve en las primeras 24 horas de iniciados los síntomas con tan solo la suspensión de los medica-mentos y medidas de soporte, sin embargo puede progresar a falla multisistémica y a la muerte de los pacientes. El presente artículo es una revisión teórica de los aspectos fundamentales del SS, iniciando con una breve revisión del sistema de serotonina en cuanto a su anatomía y fisiología para luego revisar los aspectos históricos, de diagnóstico, clínicos y de tratamiento más relevantes.[Muñoz H, Vargas A. Síndrome serotoninérgico. MedUNAB 2004; 7:144-50]

Serotonin syndrome. The serotonin syndrome is a clinical condi-tion associated with serotonin agonists, prescribed to treat some psychiatric and non psychiatric diseases like affective, anxiety and pain disorders. Is due to an excessive stimulation of central and peripheral serotonin receptors that leads to mental, autonomic and neuromuscular changes. Usually the disorder resolves within the first 24 hours after the medications are discontinued, however some patients progress to a multiple organ failure and die. This paper is a theoretical review of the fundamental aspects of the serotonin syndrome, beginning with a brief review of the anatomic and phy-siologic features of serotonin system, to continue to examine the most relevant historic, diagnosis, clinical and treatment aspects of the syndrome

Edema pulmonar de las alturas. Informe de un caso con historia familiar / High altitude pulmonary edema

Se presenta un caso clínico de edema pulmonar de las alturas en un niño de 10 años de edad que ingresó para estudio de patología infecciosa pulmonar. El padre había presentado cuadro similar diez años antes. Se discute sobre aspectos fisiopatológicos, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad