Digital Cognitive Training for Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The present article used a pilot study to determine the effectiveness of digital cognitive mindfulness training developed based on dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) in reducing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. The sample consisted of 90 children (8-10 years old) diagnosed with ADHD. The participants were randomized into two groups: an experimental group (n = 45) and a control group (n = 45). Results were assessed at three time points: before, after the study, and one month after the end of the study. Regarding ADHD symptoms, the ANCOVA results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the study groups for inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity after testing. One month after completion of the program, there was a significant alleviation in symptoms of inattention, executive functioning, learning problems, aggression, and peer relationships. Hyperactivity was the only variable that showed a decrease both post-test and during follow-up. These results suggest that a DBT-based mindfulness program is a promising method of reducing ADHD symptoms in children.

Variation in Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Extracts from Different Plant Organs of Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.).

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.) has been widely used in the treatment of various diseases. The pharmacological properties of meadowsweet are derived from the presence of phenolic compounds of a diverse structure in sufficiently large quantities. The purpose of this study was to examine the vertical distribution of individual groups of phenolic compounds (total phenolics, flavonoids, hydroxycinnamic acids, catechins, proanthocyanidins, and tannins) and individual phenolic compounds in meadowsweet and to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activity of extracts from various meadowsweet organs. It was found that the leaves, flowers, fruits, and roots of meadowsweet are characterized by a high total phenolics content (up to 65 mg g-1). A high content of flavonoids was determined in the upper leaves and flowers (117-167 mg g-1), with high contents of hydroxycinnamic acids in the upper leaves, flowers, and fruits (6.4-7.8 mg g-1); high contents of catechins and proanthocyanidins in the roots (45.1 and 3.4 mg g-1, respectively); and high tannin content in the fruits (38.3 mg g-1). Analysis of extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that the qualitative and quantitative composition of individual phenolic compounds in various parts of the meadowsweet varied greatly. Among the flavonoids identified in meadowsweet, quercetin derivatives dominate, namely quercetin 3-O-rutinoside, quercetin 3-ß-d-glucoside, and quercetin 4'-O-glucoside. Quercetin 4'-O-glucoside (spiraeoside) was found only in the flowers and fruits. Catechin was identified in the leaves and roots of meadowsweet. The distribution of phenolic acids across the plant was also uneven. In the upper leaves, a higher content of chlorogenic acid was determined, and in the lower leaves, a higher content of ellagic acid determined. In flowers and fruits, a higher contents of gallic, caftaric, ellagic, and salicylic acids were noted. Ellagic and salicylic acids were also dominant among phenolic acids in the roots. Based on the results of the analysis of antioxidant activity in terms of the ability to utilize the radicals of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazolino-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and in terms of iron-reducing ability (FRAP), the upper leaves, flowers, and fruits of meadowsweet can be considered plant raw materials suitable to obtain extracts with high antioxidant activity. Extracts of plant fruits and flowers also showed high antibacterial activity against the bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Effect of salicylic acid on phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activity of Lamiaceae plants grown in a temperate climate.

BACKGROUND: The Lamiaceae family, one of the most important herbaceous and shrub plant families, includes a wide variety of plants with biological and medicinal uses. This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of phenolic compounds content and biological activity of extracts from eight species of Lamiaceae plants, cultivated in a temperate climate, and to study the effect of the foliar salicylic acid application on these parameters. METHODS: Lamiaceae plants (Lavandula angustifolia, Salvia officinalis, Hyssopus officinalis, Agastache foeniculum, Thymus serpyllum, Mentha × piperita, Origanum vulgare, Monarda didyma) cultivated on field experimental sites. Plants were sprayed with salicylic acid at a concentration of 1 mM. The untreated with salicylic acid plants were used as control. RESULTS: The highest contents of hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids in control plants were observed in the Agastache foeniculum (6.4 ± 0.6 mg g-1 and 6.5 ± 0.4 mg g-1 respectively). The highest content of phenolic compounds was found in Monarda didyma (13.8 ± 0.7 mg g-1). Among the control plants, Agastache foeniculum, Hyssopus officinalis, and Mentha × piperita were characterized by the highest antioxidant activity. All the studied extracts had the ability to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Significant positive correlations were revealed between the antioxidant activity and the contents of hydroxycinnamic acids, total phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. A high degree of correlation was found between the α-amylase inhibitory activity and the content of hydroxycinnamic acids (r = 0.72, p ≤ 0.05), as well as between the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and the content of flavonoids (r = 0.83, p ≤ 0.05) and hydroxycinnamic acids (r = 0.81, p ≤ 0.05). The foliar treatment with salicylic acid led to an increase in the contents of hydroxycinnamic acids (in 6 species), flavonoids (in 2 species), total phenolic compounds (in 7 species), antioxidant activity (in 5 species), as well as in α-amylase (in 4 species) and α-glucosidase (in 5 species) inhibitory activity compared to the control plants. Lavandula angustifolia was the most susceptible to foliar treatment with salicylic acid. In this plant species, a significant increase in all studied biochemical parameters was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained on the stimulating effects of salicylic acid can be used to increase the nutritional and pharmacological value of plants of the Lamiaceae family cultivated in temperate climates.

Effect of Selenium Application and Growth Stage at Harvest on Hydrophilic and Lipophilic Antioxidants in Lamb's Lettuce (Valerianella locusta L. Laterr.).

Lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta L. Laterr.) is a leafy green vegetable that is rich in various biological active compounds and is widely used in ready-to-eat salads. The cultivation conditions and growth stage could affect the secondary metabolism in plants and thereby modify their food value. In the present study, the effect of selenium (Se) application in various concentrations (5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 µM) on the contents of Se, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, carotenoids, chlorophylls, and antioxidant activity of hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts of lamb's lettuce harvested at three growth stages (38, 52, and 66 days after sowing (DAS)) was studied. Se application significantly increased the Se concentration in the shoots (up to 124.4 µg g-1 dry weight), as well as the contents of chlorogenic acid, total flavonoids, total phenolics, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll b, and the antioxidant activity of hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts. A higher content of phenolic compounds and higher antioxidant activity of hydrophilic extracts was observed at the first growth stage (38 DAS). On the contrary, higher contents of lipophilic compounds (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, lutein, ß-carotene) and higher antioxidant activity of lipophilic extracts were found for shoots harvested at later stages (52 and 66 DAS).

Relationship between genetic polymorphism of drug transporters and the efficacy of Rosuvastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin in patients with hyperlipidemia.

BACKGROUND: To determine the effect of genetic polymorphism of drug transporters on the efficacy of treatment with Rosuvastatin, Atorvastatin and Simvastatin in patients with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: The study consists of 180 patients, aged 40-75 years, with hyperlipidemia. All patients were divided into two equal groups: patients with different SLCO1B1 (521CC, 521CT and 521TT) and MDR1 (3435CC, 3435TC and 3435TT) genotypes. Each group was divided into rosuvastatin-treated, atorvastatin-treated and simvastatin-treated subgroups. The lipid-lowering effect of statins was assessed by tracing changes in total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. RESULTS: The use of statins over a 4-month period led to substantial reductions in TC and LDL-C levels. The hypolipidemic effect of studied agents was seen in both groups. However, it was less pronounced in patients with 521CC genotype. No statistically significantly differences were found between carriers of 3435TT, 3435CT and 3435CC genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: The lipid-lowering efficacy of rosuvastatin was higher compared to other two statins. Patients with SLCO1B1 521CC genotype are more likely to encounter a decrease in the hypolipidemic effect of statins. Such a risk should be considered when treating this category of patients. MDR1 polymorphism had no significant effect on statin efficacy.