ABSTRACT
Currently, the whole world is facing a life-threatening novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Natural products are well-known for their potential role against viral disease, and some anti-viral agents have been developed to combat these diseases. Herein, the authors investigated the possible effects of this Holy plant Nigella sativa L. (NS), against coronavirus, using evidence-based and mechanistic approaches to conclude the immune-boosting and alleviation of respiratory systemeffects of NS. The pharmacological studies established a prominent role in treating various respiratory, immune systems, cardiovascular, skin, and gastrointestinal disorders. Literature supported the significant anti-viral role and showed an inhibitory role for NS against MHV-A59 CoV (mouse-hepatitis virusA59) infected Hela, i.e., HeLaCEACAM1a (HeLa-epithelial carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1a) cell. NS is a safe herbal product or dietary supplement and could be an effective and affordable community adjuvant treatment for coronavirus in the current scenario.
Actualmente, el mundo entero se enfrenta a una pandemia del nuevo coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) que amenaza la vida. Los productos naturales son bien conocidos por su papel potencial contra las enfermedades virales, y se han desarrollado algunos agentes antivirales para combatir estas enfermedades. En este documento, los autores investigaron los posibles efectos de esta planta sagrada Nigella sativa L. (NS), contra el coronavirus, utilizando enfoques mecanicistas y basados en la evidencia para concluir el refuerzo inmunológico y el alivio de los efectos del SN en el sistema respiratorio. Los estudios farmacológicos establecieron un papel destacado en el tratamiento de diversos trastornos respiratorios, del sistema inmunológico, cardiovasculares, cutáneos y gastrointestinales. La literatura apoyó el importante papel antivírico y mostró un papel inhibidor de NS contra células Hela infectadas con MHV-A59 CoV (virus de la hepatitis de ratón-A59), es decir, HeLaCEACAM1a (molécula de adhesión celular 1a relacionada con el antígeno carcinoembrionario epitelial de HeLa). NS es un producto a base de hierbas o un suplemento dietético seguro y podría ser un tratamiento adyuvante comunitario eficaz y asequible para el coronavirus en el escenario actual.
Subject(s)
Humans , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Nigella sativa/chemistry , COVID-19/drug therapy , Antiviral Agents/immunology , Respiratory System/drug effects , Respiratory System/immunology , Plant Extracts/immunology , Anti-Asthmatic Agents , COVID-19/immunology , Immune System/drug effectsABSTRACT
This review present Gingko biloba (GB) interactions, based on clinical and pre-clinical presentations. Literature was retrieved using databases; ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google scholar, Web of Science, Scopus etc. 14/45 interactions were found with clinical presentations. More interactions (80%) were reported with drugs followed by herbs (11.1%), and nutraceuticals (6.7%) with major mechanisms of interaction observed as; inhibition of Cytochrome metabolizing enzymes (44.4%) and platelet-activating factor (PAF) i.e. 15.6%. Major clinical features were; increased bleeding (eye, parietal), hematomas (subdural), and seizures as well as increased blood pressure, priapism, loss of infection/antiviral failure, and coma. Drugs with major interactions belonged to anti-platelet/anti-coagulant and NSAIDs. Synergistic effects were observed for GB vs herbs (except cannabis which showed rhabdomyolysis), foods, and nutraceuticals (except pyridoxine where neurotoxicity was seen). GB use should be monitored and the patient may seek proper advice from a healthcare professional.
Esta revisión presenta las interacciones de Gingko biloba (GB), basadas en presentaciones clínicas y preclínicas. La literatura se recuperó utilizando bases de datos; ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, etc. Se encontraron 14/45 interacciones con presentaciones clínicas. Se informaron más interacciones (80%) con fármacos seguidos de hierbas (11,1%) y nutracéuticos (6,7%) con los principales mecanismos de interacción observados como; inhibición de las enzimas metabolizadoras del citocromo (44,4%) y factor activador de plaquetas (PAF), es decir, 15,6%. Las principales características clínicas fueron; aumento de sangrado (ojo, parietal), hematomas (subdural) y convulsiones, así como aumento de la presión arterial, priapismo, pérdida de infección / insuficiencia antiviral y coma. Los fármacos con interacciones importantes pertenecían a los antiplaquetarios/anticoagulantes y los AINE. Se observaron efectos sinérgicos para GB frente a hierbas (excepto cannabis que mostró rabdomiólisis), alimentos y nutracéuticos (excepto piridoxina donde se observó neurotoxicidad). Se debe controlar el uso de GB y el paciente puede buscar el asesoramiento adecuado de un profesional de la salud.
Subject(s)
Plant Extracts/pharmacokinetics , Ginkgo biloba , Herb-Drug Interactions/physiology , Plant Extracts/adverse effects , Dietary SupplementsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND RELEVANCE: A plethora of literature is available regarding the clinical trials for natural products however; no information is available for critical assessments of the quality of these clinical trials. AIM OF STUDY: This is a first time report to critically evaluate the efficacy, safety and large scale applications of up-to-date clinical trials for diabetes, based on the three scales of Jadad, Delphi, and Cochrane. METHODOLOGY: An in-depth and extensive literature review was performed using various databases, journals, and books. The keywords searched included, "clinical trials," "clinical trial in diabetes," "diabetes," "natural products in diabetes," "ethnopharmacological relevance of natural products in diabetes," etc. RESULTS: Based on eligibility criteria, 16 plants with 74 clinical trials were found and evaluated. Major drawbacks observed were; "non-randomization and blindness of the studies," "non-blindness of patients/healthcare/outcome assessors," "lack of patient compliance and co-intervention reports," "missing information regarding drop-out/withdrawal procedures," and "inappropriate baseline characteristics." Principal component analysis and Pearson correlation revealed four components with %variability; PC1: 23.12, PC2: 15.83, PC3: 13.11, and PC4: 11.38 (Pâ≤â.000). According to descriptive statistics, "non-blinding of outcome assessors" was the major drawback (82%) whereas, "not mentioning the timing of outcome assessment" was observed lowest (6.8%). An in-house quality grading (scale 0-24) classified these clinical trials as; poor (67.6%), acceptable (19.9%), and good quality trials (13.5%). CONCLUSION: Proper measures in terms of more strict regulations with pharmacovigilance of plants are utmost needed in order to achieve quality compliance of clinical trials.
Subject(s)
Biological Products/therapeutic use , Diabetes Mellitus/therapy , Glycemic Control/methods , Adult , Clinical Trials as Topic , Ethnopharmacology , Female , Humans , Male , Principal Component Analysis , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial agents are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in pregnancy due to the increased susceptibility to infections during pregnancy. Antimicrobials can contribute to different maternal complications. Therefore, it is important to study their patterns in prescription and utilization. The data regarding this issue is scarce in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to generate data on the antimicrobial agents that are most commonly prescribed during pregnancy as well as their indications and safety. METHODS: This is a retrospective study focusing on pregnant women with a known antimicrobial use at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH). The sample included 344 pregnant women with a total of 688 antimicrobial agents prescribed. Data was collected on the proportion of pregnant women who received antimicrobial agents and on the drug safety during pregnancy using the risk categorization system of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). RESULTS: The results showed that urinary tract infections (UTIs) were the most reported (59%) infectious diseases. Around 48% of pregnant women received antimicrobial medications at some point during pregnancy. The top two antimicrobial agents based on prescription frequency were B-lactams (44.6%) and azole anti-fungals (30%). The prescribed drugs in the study were found to be from classes B, C and D under the FDA risk classification system. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a high proportion of antimicrobials prescribed during pregnancy that might pose risks to mothers and their fetuses. Future multicenter studies are warranted to evaluate the rational prescription of antimicrobial medications during pregnancy.
