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The public health importance of myiasis [infestation with dipterous (fly) larvae] remains unknown. This disease is spread worldwide in animals and humans, but baseline data on its prevalence are limited. In particular, knowledge on human urogenital myiasis (UGM) is scattered. As such, a systematic search was undertaken of five English and five Persian databases for publications describing UGM cases in English or Persian published between 1975 and 2017. In total, 45 papers reporting 59 UGM cases from various regions of the world are included in this review. All included papers were from the English databases. The age of patients ranged from 5 to 89 years, and the mean age was 40.6 years. Thirty-six of the patients were female and 19 were male. The highest number of cases (n = 12) was reported from Brazil. The most common genera causing UGM were Psychoda spp. (23.7%) and Cochliomyia spp. (11.8%). The vagina was the most commonly reported anatomical location of UGM for women, and the urogenital tract was the most commonly reported location for men. Thirteen cases were reported from rural areas and eight cases from urban areas; the location of other cases was not specified. The incidence of UGM is likely to be substantially underestimated when evaluated based on published case reports. Epidemiological studies, such as questionnaires to medical doctors, could help to gather the necessary baseline data on the occurrence of UGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim of the study: Species of Lychnophora are used in Brazilian folk medicine as analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and their analogues are important components of polar extracts of these species, as well in several European and Asian medicinal plants. Some of these phenolic compounds display anti-inflammatory effects. In this paper we report the isolation of CGA from Lychnophora salicifolia and its effects on functions involved in neutrophils locomotion. Materials and methods: LC–MS n data confirmed the presence of CGA in the plant. Actions of CGA were investigated on neutrophils obtained from peritoneal cavity of Wistar rats (4h after 1% oyster glycogen solution injection; 10ml), and incubated with vehicle or with 50, 100 or 1000μM CGA in presence of lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli (LPS, 5μg/ml). Nitric oxide (NO; Griess reaction); prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA)]; protein (flow cytometry) and gene (RT-PCR) expression of L-selectin, β2integrin and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) were quantified. In vitro neutrophil adhesion to primary culture of microvascular endothelial cell (PMEC) and neutrophil migration in response to formyl-methionil-leucil-phenilalanine (fMLP, 10−8M, Boyden chamber) was determined. Results: CGA treatment did not modify the secretion of inflammatory mediators, but inhibited L-selectin cleavage and reduced β2 integrin, independently from its mRNA synthesis, and reduced membrane PECAM-1 expression; inhibited neutrophil adhesion and neutrophil migration induced by fMLP. Conclusions: Based on these findings, we highlight the direct inhibitory actions of CGA on adhesive and locomotion properties of neutrophils, which may contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects and help to explain the use of Lychnophora salicifolia as an anti-inflammatory agent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cordia verbenacea DC is a plant whose geographical distribution is all over Brazil, but mainly on the country's coastal areas. It is used by folk medicine to treat inflammations and chronic pain with application of the raw extract of macerated leaves in the region of pain. This paper aims to provide an integrative review of the role of chemical compounds present in the extract and the essential oil of Cordia verbenacea DC for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and healing properties. The extract of Cordia verbenacea DC is widely found within popular culture as teas, decoctions, infusions, pomades/creams for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and healing uses. Its extract is mainly composed of α-humulene, α-pinene, trans-caryophyllene, artemetin, spathulenol and allo-aromadrendene. The described effects of the chemical compounds found in the extract are applied to muscle bruising and myofascial pain, edema reduction and chronic tendonitis, when used topically (with a comercial product being marketed); and to rheumatic, neuralgic and arthritic processes, when used orally as an anti-ulcerative agent; as well as for its healing and analgesic properties when used topically or as infusion according to test results using animals. Besides its use in chronic pain and topical application, in vitro studies have revealed the importance of antimicrobial action by inhibiting the bacterial growth of the components present in the Cordia verbenacea DC extract. In addition to expanding knowledge about Cordia verbenacea, other studies are being developed with the extract and essential oil in order to expand knowledge about healing aspects of topical use. Although other studies are being conducted, the results presented in this analysis provide a rich database of the activities found in the compounds found in the extract and the essential oil, in addition to promoting knowledge of the best extraction method cited. Therefore, such studies constitute a preliminary source of information to encourage new pieces of research, species conservation, safe management of the species, use of the extract/essential oil and development of plant-based products. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]