PMID: 

Biomedicine (Taipei). 2019 Sep ;9(3):20. Epub 2019 Aug 27. PMID: 31453801

Abstract Title: 

The effect of nigella sativa oil on the prevention of phlebitis induced by chemotherapy: a clinical trial.

Abstract: 

INTRODUCTION: Phlebitis, that disrupts chemotherapy, is the inflammation of the vein and the most common complication of intravenous injection of chemotherapy drugs.AIM: the aim was determine the effect of topical application of N. sativa oil on the prevention of phlebitis caused by chemotherapy.METHODS: This single-blind clinical trial was conducted on 60 cancer patients. In the intervention group, five drops of N. sativa oil was applied on the distal area of the catheter, two times per day and every 12 hours from the first day of chemotherapy to the third day; no intervention was conducted for the subjects in the control group.RESULTS: Results showed that there was a significant difference between the two groups at 60 and 72 hours in regard with incidence of phlebitis. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups at 12 and 72 hours in terms of severity (degree) of phlebitis.CONCLUSION: topical application of N. sativa oil is effective in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced phlebitis.

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PMID: 

J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact. 2019 Sep 1 ;19(3):362-369. PMID: 31475944

Abstract Title: 

Chondroprotective effect ofoil in the early stages of osteoarthritis: an experimental study in rabbits.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: oil possesses a well-known ability to protect certain organs from oxidative, neoplastic, and inflammatory damage. This study investigated the potential chondroprotective effects of intraarticular injections ofoil in a rabbit osteoarthritis model.METHODS: Osteoarthritis models were created by performing anterior cruciate ligament transections in 20 New Zealand rabbits. Rabbits were randomly divided into two groups of 10 and given intraarticular injections in their right knees weekly for 5 weeks, beginning in the third week post-operation. Injections given to the first group contained wholeoil, whereas the second group was injected with a saline solution. Knee joints were harvested 8 weeks after surgery. Knee joint surfaces were examined macroscopically, and medial femoral condyle sections were examined microscopically.RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in the macroscopic grading results of the groups, with thegroup having better results (p=0.001). Thea group also received significantly better total Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores (p=0.035).CONCLUSIONS: Intraarticular administration ofoil has the potential to protect cartilage from degeneration in the early stages of osteoarthritis.

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PMID: 

J Invest Surg. 2019 Aug 29:1-9. Epub 2019 Aug 29. PMID: 31462122

Abstract Title: 

The Healing Effects of Thymoquinone and Dexpanthenol in Sciatic Nerve Compression Injury in Rats.

Abstract: 

Functional healing of peripheral nerve injuries is still difficult. In this study, potential healing effects of thymoquinone and dexpanthenol in sciatic nerve compression injury (SCI) were investigated.Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats which were applied compression injury to their sciatic nerves were randomly separated into four groups as following:"control"group contained six rats administered no pharmacological agent;"TMK"group consisted of six rats administered 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal thymoquinone once a day for one week;"DXP"group contained six rats administered 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal dexpanthenol once a day for one week; and"TMK-DXP"group consisted of six rats administered separately 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal thymoquinone and 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal dexpenthanol once a day for one week. Four weeks later from SCI, sciatic nerve function index (SFI) was applied before sacrifice of all rats, and then their crushed sciatic nerves were histopathologically examined, in terms of"Schwann cell count","axon and myelin degeneration","axon shape/size differences","fibrosis", and"neovascularisation"."Schwann cell count"( = 0.011),"axon and myelin degeneration"( = 0.001),"axon shape/size differences"( = 0.011), and"fibrosis and neovascularisation"( = 0.026) scores were different between the control and TMK-DXP groups. SFI scores were different between the control and TMK groups ( = 0.002), between the control and TMK-DXP groups ( 

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PMID: 

Optom Vis Sci. 2019 Sep ;96(9):678-685. PMID: 31479023

Abstract Title: 

The Tear Function in Electronic Cigarette Smokers.

Abstract: 

SIGNIFICANCE: Prominent ocular surface dryness and poor tear film quality among electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) smokers (or vapers) indicate potential harm to the eyes from vaping. These findings may serve as precautionary signs for e-cigarette users and exposed bystanders.PURPOSE: Little is known about the effect of e-cigarettes on the eyes except for reported eye irritation among individuals who were exposed to e-cigarette vapors and e-liquids. This study aims to investigate the effect of vaping on ocular surface health of long-term vapers.METHODS: Twenty-one vapers and 21 healthy nonsmokers who are all male underwent measurements of the Ocular Surface Disease Index, noninvasive tear breakup time, fluorescein breakup time, ocular surface staining, tear meniscus height, and the Schirmer test. The effect of voltage used during vaping was also evaluated against the measurements.RESULTS: Vapers experienced moderate-to-severe eye dryness (25.0 [interquartile range, 14.6 to 43.7]) as indicated by the Ocular Surface Disease Index. Significant reductions of noninvasive tear breakup time (3.13± 0.97 vs. 6.57 ± 2.31 seconds; P

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PMID: 

J Clin Invest. 2019 Sep 4. Epub 2019 Sep 4. PMID: 31483291

Abstract Title: 

Electronic cigarettes disrupt lung lipid homeostasis and innate immunity independent of nicotine.

Abstract: 

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes have emerged as a popular recreational tool among adolescents and adults. Although the use of ENDS is often promoted as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, few comprehensive studies have assessed the long-term effects of vaporized nicotine and its associated solvents, propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). Here, we show that compared with smoke exposure, mice receiving ENDS vapor for 4 months failed to develop pulmonary inflammation or emphysema. However, ENDS exposure, independent of nicotine, altered lung lipid homeostasis in alveolar macrophages and epithelial cells. Comprehensive lipidomic and structural analyses of the lungs revealed aberrant phospholipids in alveolar macrophages and increased surfactant-associated phospholipids in the airway. In addition to ENDS-induced lipid deposition, chronic ENDS vapor exposure downregulated innate immunity against viral pathogens in resident macrophages. Moreover, independent of nicotine, ENDS-exposed mice infected with influenza demonstrated enhanced lung inflammation and tissue damage. Together, our findings reveal that chronic e-cigarette vapor aberrantly alters the physiology of lung epithelial cells and resident immune cells and promotes poor response to infectious challenge. Notably, alterations in lipid homeostasis and immune impairment are independent of nicotine, thereby warranting more extensive investigations of the vehicle solvents used in e-cigarettes.

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PMID: 

J Sleep Res. 2019 Sep 4:e12902. Epub 2019 Sep 4. PMID: 31486154

Abstract Title: 

Electronic cigarette use and sleep health in young adults.

Abstract: 

Poor sleep health is associated with numerous health concerns, and sleep problems are exacerbated by cigarette smoking. Although rates of traditional tobacco use are declining, rates of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use are comparatively high and growing. Given that nicotine is a primary mechanism by which smoking negatively impacts sleep health, e-cigarette use may also be linked to poor sleep health; however, no research has investigated this association. Participants were 1,664 college students, 40.9% of whom reported ever trying or currently using an e-cigarette. Questionnaires assessed demographic information, sleep health and e-cigarette use status and patterns. All measures were completed remotely via a secure online survey. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the sleep health of daily/non-daily e-cigarette users to (a) non-users and (b) users of combustible cigarettes. Gender and drinks per week were included as covariates in analyses. Current combustible and e-cigarette users reported significantly more sleep difficulties than never users. Users of e-cigarettes reported greater use of sleep medication than combustible cigarette users. Similar to combustible cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use (vs. non-use) was associated with worse sleep health, even among non-daily e-cigarette users. These findings may indicate a need for assessment of and education on the role of e-cigarette use in sleep health among individuals who report experimentation with or current use of e-cigarettes. Future research should examine these relationships prospectively.

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PMID: 

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018 ;2018:3957262. Epub 2018 Oct 22. PMID: 30425782

Abstract Title: 

An Overview on the Anti-inflammatory Potential and Antioxidant Profile of Eugenol.

Abstract: 

The bioactive compounds found in foods and medicinal plants are attractive molecules for the development of new drugs with action against several diseases, such as those associated with inflammatory processes, which are commonly related to oxidative stress. Many of these compounds have an appreciable inhibitory effect on oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and may contribute in a preventive way to improve the quality of life through the use of a diet rich in these compounds. Eugenol is a natural compound that has several pharmacological activities, action on the redox status, and applications in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Considering the importance of this compound, the present review discusses its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, demonstrating its mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

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PMID: 

Pharm Biol. 2015 Jul ;53(7):968-74. Epub 2014 Dec 4. PMID: 25473818

Abstract Title: 

Protective effect of eugenol against restraint stress-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction: Potential use in irritable bowel syndrome.

Abstract: 

CONTEXT: Eugenol, an essential constituent found in plants such as Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb. (Myrtaceae) is reported to possess neuroprotective and anti-stress activities. These activities can potentially be useful in the treatment of stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).OBJECTIVE: The protective effect of eugenol was assessed against restraint stress (RS)-induced IBS-like gastrointestinal dysfunction in rats. Further, its centrally mediated effect was evaluated in this model.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eugenol (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg), ondansetron (4.0 mg/kg, p.o.), and vehicle were administered to rats for 7 consecutive days before exposure to 1 h RS. One control group was not exposed to RS-induction. The effect of eugenol (50 mg/kg) with and without RS exposure was evaluated for mechanism of action and per se effect, respectively. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex (HPA)-axis function was evaluated by estimating the plasma corticosterone level. The levels of brain monoamines, namely serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and their metabolites were estimated in stress-responsive regions such as hippocampus, hypothalamus, pre-frontal cortex (PFC), and amygdala. Oxidative damage and antioxidant defenses were also assessed in brain regions.RESULTS: Eugenol (50 mg/kg) reduced 80% of RS-induced increase in fecal pellets similar to that of ondansetron. Eugenol attenuated 80% of stress-induced increase in plasma corticosterone and modulated the serotonergic system in the PFC and amygdala. Eugenol attenuated stress-induced changes in norepinephrine and potentiated the antioxidant defense system in all brain regions.CONCLUSION: Eugenol protected against RS-induced development of IBS-like gastrointestinal dysfunction through modulation of HPA-axis and brain monoaminergic pathways apart from its antioxidant effect.

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PMID: 

J Drug Target. 2016 ;24(1):24-33. Epub 2015 Jun 16. PMID: 26079717

Abstract Title: 

Eugenol nanocapsule for enhanced therapeutic activity against periodontal infections.

Abstract: 

Eugenol is a godsend to dental care due to its analgesic, local anesthetic, and anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. The aim of the present research work was to prepare, characterize and evaluate eugenol-loaded nanocapsules (NCs) against periodontal infections. Eugenol-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) NCs were prepared by solvent displacement method. The nanometric size of the prepared NCs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The in vitro drug release was found to follow a biphasic pattern and followed Michaelis-Menten like model. The percentage cell viability values near to 100 in the cell viability assay indicated that the NCs are not cytotoxic. In the in vivo studies, the eugenol NC group displayed significant difference in the continuity of epithelium of the interdental papilla in comparison to the untreated, pure eugenol and placebo groups. The in vivo performance of the eugenol-loaded NCs using ligature-induced periodontitis model in rats indicated that eugenol-loaded NCs could prevent septal bone resorption in periodontitis. On the basis of our research findings it could be concluded that eugenol-loaded PCL NCs could serve as a novel colloidal drug delivery system for enhanced therapeutic activity of eugenol in the treatment of periodontal infections.

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PMID: 

Mutat Res. 2011 Dec 24 ;726(2):136-45. Epub 2011 Sep 14. PMID: 21933721

Abstract Title: 

In vivo radioprotective potential of thymol, a monoterpene phenol derivative of cymene.

Abstract: 

The radioprotective and anticlastogenic potential of a phenol derivative monoterpene thymol(TOH), against whole-body gamma radiation was studied in Swiss albino mice. Acute toxicity of TOH, with an LD(50(14)) of 1134.03mg/kgbwt., was observed when administered intra-peritoneally (i.p.). The radioprotective potential of TOH was evaluated using the optimal dose of 10mg/kgbwt. TOH, which increased the LD(50/30) by 2.17Gy and resulted in a dose reduction factor (DRF) of 1.25. A significant (p

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