The influence of Calendulae officinalis flos extracts on cell cultures, and the chromatographic analysis of extracts.

Three extracts of Calendulae officinalis flos (Asteraceae): heptane, ethyl acetate and methanol were introduced to a human skin fibroblast (HSF) cells culture and a culture of human breast cancer cells (T47D), cell culture collection ECACC number 85102201. The ethyl acetate but not the heptane and methanol extracts in concentrations above 25 microg/mL, can stimulate cell proliferation and cellular metabolism by increase of mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity. However, concentrations exceeding 75 microg/mL are toxic for cells. The second part of the study concerned elaborating of optimal chromatographic systems for quantitative analysis of these extracts by the use of HPTLC with densitometry. Oleanolic acid, beta-amyrin, beta-amyrin acetate, rutin, narcissin, 3-glucoside of isorhamnetin, quercetin, isoquercitrin, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, protokatechuic acid, p-coumaric acid and syringic acid were all identified.

Diagnostic utility of lactate dehydrogenase levels in patients receiving aerosolized pentamidine.

Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels are elevated in patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). In patients receiving aerosolized pentamidine (AP), PCP may be less severe and present with more localized radiographic infiltrates. We evaluated the diagnostic utility of the serum LDH level in 11 patients developing PCP while receiving AP. Serum LDH levels were increased 72.7 +/- 19.0 percent over mean baseline levels and 76.4 +/- 26 percent over the upper limit of normal value for our laboratory with the development of PCP. An elevated serum LDH value remains a useful diagnostic adjunct in the patient developing PCP while receiving AP. Isolated LDH values must be interpreted with caution given the potential for marked variability in the baseline LDH value.