Allopurinol mouth rinse for prophylaxis of fluorouracil-induced mucositis.

To prepare and evaluate an allopurinol mouth rinse for prophylaxis of fluorouracil-induced mucositis, 33 patients with malignant disorders, who were going to receive 5-fluorouracil containing chemotherapy, were enrolled in a placebo-controlled double-blinded randomized clinical trial. Allopurinol mouthwash (1 mg/ml) or placebo was administered 1, 2 and 3 h after chemotherapy and three consecutive nights. A questionnaire consisting of demographic parameters, medical status, quality of life survey and mucosal injury scoring table (based on World Health Organization scales for mucositis) was completed for each patient at Day 1, 3 and 7 after chemotherapy. In allopurinol group nine participants (60.0%) were female and in placebo group, 10 (66.7%) (P = 0.705). Mean ages were 56.9 +/- 10.3 and 49.5 +/- 13.8 years in allopurinol and placebo groups respectively (P = 0.107). The analysis showed that the higher education level and the use of dentures significantly reduced the occurrence of mucositis, and allopurinol mouth rinse (1 mg/ml) was ineffective in the prophylaxis of fluorouracil-induced mucositis.

Inhibitory effects of Sage extract on the growth of enteric bacteria.

Antibacterial activity of Sage extract at concentrations of 0.1, 0.05, 0.025, 0.0125, 0.00625, 0.003125, 0.00156, 0.0005 and 0.00025 g dL(-1) against Salmonella typhi, Shigella sonnei, S. flexneri, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, ETEC Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated. Susceptibility testing of bacterial strains against 18 antibiotics was also performed for comparison. The results showed that P. aeruginosa and ETEC E. coli were completely resistant to Sage extract even at concentration of 0.1 g dL(-1). Its antibacterial activity (0.1 g dL(-1)) against P. vulgaris, S. flexneri and S. sonnei was the same as nitrofurantoin and ampicilline respectively. Sage extract (0.1 and 0.05 g dL(-1)) exhibited the same effects as ampicilline and streptomycin against S. typhi. Its antibacterial activity (0.1, 0.05 and 0.25 g dL(-1)) against S. aureus was the same as ceftazidim, chloramphenicol, gentamycin, neomycin and nitrofurantoin and was more significant compared to streptomycin and vancomycin. The results suggest Sage can be considered as an alternative herbal in the treatment of infections caused by the above-mentioned bacteria.