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PMID: 

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2019 May ;26(15):15685-15697. Epub 2019 Apr 4. PMID: 30949948

Abstract Title: 

Selenium attenuates apoptosis and p-AMPK expressions in fluoride-induced NRK-52E cells.

Abstract: 

Fluoride is widely distributed in the environment, and excessive fluoride intake can induce cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and cell cycle changes in many tissues and organs, including the kidney. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that selenium (Se) administration ameliorates sodium fluoride (NaF)-induced kidney damage. However, the potentially beneficial effects of Se against NaF-induced cytotoxicity of the kidney and the underlying molecular mechanisms of this protection are not fully understood. At present, in this study, the normal rat kidney cell (NRK-52E) was used to investigate the potentially protective mechanism of Se against NaF-induced apoptosis, by using the methods of pathology, colorimetric 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, and Western blot. The experiment was designed with a control group, two NaF-treated groups (NaF, 5, 20 mg/L), two sodium selenite-treated groups (NaSeO, 17.1, 34.2 μg/L), and four Se + NaF-treated groups (NaSeO, 17.1, 34.2 μg/L; NaF, 5, 20 mg/L). The results indicate that selenium can attenuate apoptosis and AMPK phosphorylation in the NRK-52E cell induced with fluoride. These results imply that selenium is capable to modulate fluoride-induced NRK-52E cell apoptosis via regulating the expression levels of the proteins involved in mitochondrial pathway and changes in p-AMPK expressions may also be a key process in preventing fluorosis.

PMID: 

Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2019 Sep 1 ;378:114608. Epub 2019 Jun 5. PMID: 31173788

Abstract Title: 

Effects of long-term fluoride exposure on cognitive ability and the underlying mechanisms: Role of autophagy and its association with apoptosis.

Abstract: 

Autophagy and apoptosis are two important cellular processes that are crucial for neurodevelopment. Evidence shows that apoptosis is implicated in fluoride neurotoxicity. However, the biological roles of autophagy, especially its interplay with apoptosis in the neurotoxicity induced by long-term fluoride exposure remain unclear. Here we present in vivo and in vitro evidence that fluoride-induced defective autophagy elicits excessive apoptosis, thus inducing neurotoxicity. Using Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to sodium fluoride from 60 days before pregnancy until 6 months post-delivery as in vivo model, we showed that fluoride impaired the learning and memory abilities of offspring rats, with decreased neuronal number, suppressed autophagy and enhanced apoptosis in hippocampus. These results were validated in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells in vitro. Mechanistically, mTOR signaling, responsible for autophagy induction, was activated in vivo and in vitro, and targeting inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin protected SH-SY5Y cells from defective autophagy and excessive apoptosis, thereby enhancing neuronal survival. Furthermore, circulating levels of autophagy markers were low in children with higher fluoride body burden and lower intelligence quotient scores. Collectively, our results suggest that defective autophagy plays a pivotal role in fluoride neurotoxicity, and mTOR might be a promising target for the prevention and treatment of fluoride neurotoxicity.

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PMID: 

Can J Microbiol. 2018 Oct ;64(10):647-663. Epub 2018 May 10. PMID: 29746162

Abstract Title: 

Antifungal activity of essential oils against azole-resistant and azole-susceptible vaginal Candida glabrata strains.

Abstract: 

Candida glabrata is an opportunistic pathogen, associated with endocarditis, meningitis, and disseminated disease, and also with complicated vaginitis. Essential oils derived from aromatic plants are known in traditional medicine as antimicrobial agents and have antifungal properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether 12 tested essential oils (tea tree, laurel, anise, basil, bergamot, lavender, mint, oregano, grapefruit, rosemary, winter savory, and ginger) could have a transverse effect on C. glabrata sensitive strains but above all on strains resistant to the three main azole antifungals used (clotrimazole, fluconazole, itraconazole). For this reason, different strains of C. glabrata, vaginal isolated, were characterized (disk diffusion assay, minimal inhibitory concentration) with respect to their response to such antifungals. Electron microscopy analyses were performed to examine cellular damages in depth. Subsequently, we wanted to evaluate the effect of the oils on human cells to estimate their potential cytotoxicity. Oregano and winter savory were the two most effective essential oils, inducing growth inhibition, cell damage of C. glabrata strains (both sensitive and resistant to azole antifungal drugs), and medium-high level of toxicity against human keratinocytes. The results of this work support the research for new alternatives or complementary therapies against vaginal candidiasis.

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PMID: 

Biomed Pharmacother. 2018 Oct ;106:946-955. Epub 2018 Jul 12. PMID: 30119267

Abstract Title: 

Cytotoxicity and apoptosis enhancement in breast and cervical cancer cells upon coadministration of mitomycin C and essential oils in nanoemulsion formulations.

Abstract: 

The present study aimed to solubilize the antineoplastic agent, mitomycin C (MMC), in two nanoemulsions (NEs) consisting of different essential oils (ginger (Gi) and frankincense (Fr)) in order to examine their anticancer activities on the HeLa cervical cancer cells and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The two NEs-based Gi and Fr oil were produced by a high-pressure homogenization technique followed by solubilizing of the MMC in both NE formulas. The produced formulas were physically characterized by zetasizer and were applied on HeLa and MCF-7 cells at various concentrations for 24 h. The cytotoxicity assays were performed in vitro, using MTT assay, Coomassie blue staining for cellular morphology evaluation, and DAPI fluorescent staining for molecular cell death assessment. The average droplet diameters of the blank NEs have markedly increased and the charges of the droplets were significantly reversed when MMC was loaded. The potential cytotoxicity of the blank and combined formulas on HeLa and MCF-7 cells were dose-dependent and significantly greater than the toxicities of the free MMC. Among the MMC-loaded NE formulas, Fr-MMC has endured the nuclear apoptosis in HeLa cells at a lower concentration and reported the least % of florescence uptake compared to Gi-MMC. In contrast, the combination formula, Gi-MMC, has the strongest apoptotic effect on the MCF-7 cell line since it has the least % florescence uptake compared to the other formulations. Mixing MMC withGi-NE and Fr-NE has considerably improved its cytotoxicity on the MCF-7 and HeLa cells.

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PMID: 

J Perianesth Nurs. 2019 May 27. Epub 2019 May 27. PMID: 31147268

Abstract Title: 

Essential Oils to Reduce Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if using essential oil products for adult patients reduced the need for antiemetics for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).DESIGN: A prospective and retrospective cross-sectional design using a convenience sample.METHODS: Double blinded to the type of essential oil, subjects randomly selected a nasal inhaler containing peppermint, ginger, or a combination of both. A prophylactic dose was given preoperatively, and during the postoperative period nausea was assessed using verbal descriptive scale.FINDINGS: Overall 322 same day surgical patients were analyzed (control group [n = 179] and intervention group [n = 143]). The intervention group had a greater history of PONV but received fewer doses of antiemetics postoperatively compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of the three types of inhalers.CONCLUSIONS: Aromatherapy demonstrated a statistically significant (P

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PMID: 

Jpn J Nurs Sci. 2019 May 30. Epub 2019 May 30. PMID: 31144450

Abstract Title: 

Effects of aromatherapy massage on pain, functional state, and quality of life in an elderly individual with knee osteoarthritis.

Abstract: 

AIM: To investigate the effects of aromatherapy massage on pain, functional state and life quality of elderly individuals with knee osteoarthritis.METHODS: This controlled and experimental study was conducted in two nursing homes. In this study, 90 elderly individuals with knee osteoarthritis were randomized as aromatherapy, massage and control groups. Data were collected in weeks 0, 4, and 8 using Patient Information Form, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Knee Osteoarthritis Evaluation Scale, OsteoArthritis Knee and Hip Quality of Life Scale (OAKHQoL). Aromatherapy and massage groups received a total of 15-20 min total classic leg massage twice weekly for 3 weeks. In the aromatherapy group, two essential oils (ginger and rosemary) were added to the black seed oil.RESULTS: In the aromatherapy group, WOMAC (pain and functional state) scores were lower and quality of life scores were higher than the massage and control groups in week 4, and these differences were statistically significant (p 

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PMID: 

J Oleo Sci. 2018 ;67(10):1339-1345. PMID: 30305562

Abstract Title: 

Nephroprotective Effect of Essential Oils from Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Rhizomes against Cadmium-induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats.

Abstract: 

Several studies have shown that cadmium (Cd) induces nephrotoxicity and many plant foods phytochemicals have been found useful but their possible mechanism of action still remains unexplored. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the nephroprotective effect of essential oils from Nigeria ginger and turmeric rhizomes in cadmium-treated rats by examining their effect on renal function biomarkers (creatinine, urea and BUN), inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-Alpha) and renal adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity. The result revealed that essential oils from ginger and turmeric rhizomes exert anti-inflammatory effect by preventing alterations of renal function markers and cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-Alpha) levels in Cd-treated rats. In addition, the essential oils inhibited renal ADA activity in Cdtreated rats. In conclusion, inhibition of ADA activity and modulation of inflammatory cytokines could be suggested as the possible mechanism of action by which essential oils from ginger and turmeric rhizomes exert their nephroprotective activities.

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PMID: 

Complement Ther Med. 2019 Feb ;42:417-421. Epub 2018 Dec 28. PMID: 30670276

Abstract Title: 

A randomized placebo-controlled study of aromatherapy for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the aromatherapy treatment effects on PONV patients using ginger, lavender and rose oils and a placebo.DESIGN: A randomized 4-armed placebo controlled study.SETTING: Gaziosmanpasa University, School of Medicine, Health Research and Application Center.INTERVENTION: The total of 184 patients were randomized into 4 groups: Aromatherapy with lavender essential oil (Lavender group), with rose essential oil (Rose group), with ginger essential oil (Ginger group) or with pure water (Placebo group).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative nausea (0-3 Likert type; 0=no nausea, 1=some, 2=a lot, 3=severe) and vomiting scores (0-3 Likert type; 0=no vomiting, 1 = 1 time, 2 = 2 or 3 time, 3 = 4 times and up) and antiemetic medication requirement.RESULTS: The nausea scores at 15 min were statistically significantly different between the groups (p = 0.00). The postoperative nausea scores improved in 20 (43.5%) subjects in the placebo group, 38 (82.6%) subjects in the lavender group, 22 (47.8%) subjects in the rose group and 30 (65.2%) subjects in the ginger group (p = 0.00). There were statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to the vomiting and antiemetic drug requirements (p = 0.00).CONCLUSION: The aromatherapy can be used as an alternative or complementary method for managing PONV. Specifically, the ginger and lavender essential oils were superior to the rose oil and pure water for the aromatherapy treatments. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm these results.

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PMID: 

Biomolecules. 2019 01 2 ;9(1). Epub 2019 Jan 2. PMID: 30609771

Abstract Title: 

Non-Curcuminoids from Turmeric and Their Potential in Cancer Therapy and Anticancer Drug Delivery Formulations.

Abstract: 

Over the past decades curcuminoids have been extensively studied for their biological activities such as antiulcer, antifibrotic, antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antimutagenic, antifertility, antidiabetic, anticoagulant, antivenom, antioxidant, antihypotensive, antihypocholesteremic, and anticancer activities. With the perception of limited toxicity and cost, these compounds forms an integral part of cancer research and is well established as a potential anticancer agent. However, only few studies have focused on the other bioactive molecules of turmeric, known as non-curcuminoids, which are also equally potent as curcuminoids. This review aims to explore the comprehensive potency including the identification, physicochemical properties, and anticancer mechanism inclusive of molecular docking studies of non-curcuminoids such as turmerones, elemene, furanodiene (FN), bisacurone, germacrone, calebin A (CA), curdione, and cyclocurcumin. An insight into the clinical studies of these curcumin-free compounds are also discussed which provides ample evidence that favors the therapeutic potential of these compounds. Like curcuminoids, limited solubility and bioavailability are the most fragile domain, which circumscribe further applications of these compounds. Thus, this review credits the encapsulation of non-curcuminoid components in diverse drug delivery systems such as co-crystals, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, microspheres, polar-non-polar sandwich (PNS) technology, which help abolish their shortcomings and flaunt their ostentatious benefits as anticancer activities.

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