Search

Orthopedic infections are challenging pathologies that impose a heavy burden on patients and the healthcare system. Antimicrobial therapy is a critical component of the successful management of orthopedic infections, but its effectiveness depends on patient-, surgery-, drug-, and hospital-related factors. The dramatic increase in the emergence of multidrug-resistant microbial strains necessitates new clinical approaches in order to prevent or limit this phenomenon and to ensure a favorable therapeutic outcome. The present paper reviews the currently available antimicrobial strategies in the management of orthopedic infections, highlighting their clinical use related to the occurrence of microbial resistance. Some approaches for reducing antibiotic resistance emergence in orthopedics are also presented. The use of antibiotics tailored to the microorganism's sensitivity profile, patient factors, and pharmacokinetic profile in terms of monotherapy or combinations, the understanding of microbial pathogenicity and resistance patterns, strict control measures in healthcare facilities, the development of new antimicrobial therapies (drugs, devices, technologies), and patient education for improving compliance and tolerance are some of the most important tools for overcoming microbial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous hydrogels have brought more advantages than conventional hydrogels when used as chromatographic materials, controlled release vehicles for drugs and proteins, matrices for immobilization or separation of molecules and cells, or as scaffolds in tissue engineering. Polysaccharide-based porous hydrogels, in particular, can address challenges related to bioavailability, solubility, stability, and targeted delivery of natural antioxidant compounds. Their porous structure enables the facile encapsulation and controlled release of these compounds, enhancing their therapeutic effectiveness. In this context, in the present study, the cryogelation technique has been adopted to prepare novel dextran (Dx)-based porous hydrogels embedding polyphenol-rich natural extract from Picea abies spruce bark (SBE). The entrapment of the SBE within the Dx network was proved by FTIR, SEM, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). SEM analysis showed that entrapment of SBE resulted in denser cryogels with smaller and more uniform pores. Swelling kinetics confirmed that higher concentrations of Dx, EGDGE, and SBE reduced water uptake. The release studies demonstrated the effective stabilization of SBE in the Dx-based cryogels, with minimal release irrespective of the approach selected for SBE incorporation, i.e., during synthesis (~3–4%) or post-synthesis (~15–16%). In addition, the encapsulation of SBE within the Dx network endowed the hydrogels with remarkable antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. These porous biomaterials could have broad applications in areas such as biomedical engineering, food preservation, and environmental protection, where stability, efficacy, and safety are paramount. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A polyphenol-rich diet protects against chronic pathologies by modulating numerous physiological processes, such as cellular redox potential, enzymatic activity, cell proliferation and signaling transduction pathways. However, polyphenols have a low oral bioavailability mainly due to an extensive biotransformation mediated by phase I and phase II reactions in enterocytes and liver but also by gut microbiota. Despite low oral bioavailability, most polyphenols proved significant biological effects which brought into attention the low bioavailability/high bioactivity paradox. In recent years, polyphenol metabolites have attracted great interest as many of them showed similar or higher intrinsic biological effects in comparison to the parent compounds. There is a huge body of literature reporting on the biological functions of polyphenol metabolites generated by phase I and phase II metabolic reactions and gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation. In this respect, the review highlights the pharmacokinetic fate of the major dietary polyphenols (resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, rutin, genistein, daidzein, ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins) in order to further address the efficacy of biometabolites as compared to parent molecules. The present work strongly supports the contribution of metabolites to the health benefits of polyphenols, thus offering a better perspective in understanding the role played by dietary polyphenols in human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Thymus species are important aromatic, medicinal and culinary plants with a significant economic value. This study evaluated for the first time the chemical composition and in vitro bioactivities of the essential oils (EOs) from five Moldavian Thymus species (T. vulgaris, T. × citriodorus, T. calcareus) and cultivars (T. vulgaris 'Faustini', T. citriodorus 'Aureus'). The main compounds in Thymus EOs were: thymol in T. vulgaris and T. calcareus EOs (55.44% and 55.45%, respectively), lavandulol in T. × citriodorus EO (54.27%), and geraniol in T. citriodorus 'Aureus' and T. vulgaris 'Faustini' EOs (60.31% and 31.45%, respectively). T. vulgaris and T. calcareus EOs showed the most potent antioxidant activities (EC50=0.003 mg/mL in ABTS radical cation scavenging assay) and exhibited significant inhibitory effects against aflatoxin‐producing Aspergillus flavus fungus (MIC=0.25 μL/mL). At doses that provided micromolar concentrations of thymol, T. vulgaris and T. calcareus EOs acted genoprotective at preventive and interventional levels against H2O2‐induced genomic damage in V79 cells, the former being more active (6.21% and 5.52% vs. 25.13% and 7.26% tail DNA in pre‐ and post‐treatment protocols, respectively). The genoprotective effects may be ascribed to antioxidant potential and, possibly, to stimulation of DNA repair processes. The Moldavian Thymus species are valuable resources of bioactive EOs for pharmaceutical and food industries (T. vulgaris, T.calcareus) but also for flavor industry and perfumery (T. × citriodorus, T. citriodorus 'Aureus', T. vulgaris 'Faustini'). The Moldavian Thymus species are valuable resources of bioactive EOs for pharmaceutical and food industries (T. vulgaris, T. calcareus) but also for flavor industry and perfumery (T. citriodorus, T. citriodorus 'Aureus', T. vulgaris 'Faustini'). Thymol‐rich T. vulgaris and T. calcareus essential oils showed the most potent antioxidant and antifungal activities. Besides, they acted genoprotective at preventive and interventional levels against oxidative genomic damage in V79 cells.Photomicrographs of comet length in normal (a) and treated V79 cells with genotoxic agent (b), genotoxic agent and Thymus essential oils (c, d) and Thymus essential oils (e, f) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Plant species of Verbascum genus have been intensively investigated in the last decades but most studies focused on evaluation of their biological activities; there are only few studies dealing with their chemical characterisation. Objective: Detailed investigation of the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition, antioxidant and cytogenotoxic activities of a previously non‐studied Verbascum species (V. ovalifolium Donn ex Sims). Methods: Qualitative analysis of secondary metabolites was performed by HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS, whereas quantitative data were obtained through HPLC‐DAD. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using in vitro assays; cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were assessed by 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium (MTT) and comet assays, respectively. Results: More than 50 secondary bioactive metabolites belonging to various classes (iridoids, phenylethanoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids) were detected in the methanolic extract of V. ovalifolium and its fractions. The fragmentation pathways of acylated catalpol‐type iridoid diglycosides are thoughtfully described herein. The extracts showed good free radical scavenging and ferric ion reducing properties correlated with phenolic, flavonoid, chlorogenic acid and verbascoside contents. Moreover, 24 h treatment of SK‐MEL‐2 cells with V. ovalifolium extracts produced significant changes in terms of tumour cell viability. The crude extract and the ethyl acetate fraction showed no important signs of cytogenotoxicity in non‐tumour cells. Conclusion: The performed phytochemical and biological analyses contribute to the preclinical knowledge about V. ovalifolium and they could help exploiting it in novel herbal medicinal products. More than 50 bioactive secondary metabolites (iridoids, phenylethanoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids) were detected in the aerial parts of Verbascum ovalifolium Donn ex Sims (Scrophulariaceae) by HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS. Moreover, the fragmentation pathways of acylated catalpol‐type iridoid diglycosides are thoughtfully described herein. Biological activity results showed a significant in vitro antioxidant capacity of the methanolic extract and its fractions, a promising antiproliferative activity in malignant melanoma SK‐MEL‐2 cells and no important cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in V79 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluated the antioxidant, antihyperglycemic and antimicrobial effects of both ethanolic and hydromethanolic extracts of the fruiting bodies of wild edible mushrooms Boletus edulis (penny bun) and Cantharellus cibarius (golden chanterelle) sampled in Poiana Stampei (Suceava county, Romania). The total phenolic contents of extracts were also determined. Boletus edulis hydromethanolic extract showed the highest total phenolic content (72.78±0.29 mg/g). This extract was also the most active as scavenger of DPPH and ABTS radicals (EC50=151.44±0.85 and 65.4±0.4 μg/mL, respectively) and reducing agent (EC50=46.77±0.34 μg/mL). Cantharellus cibarius ethanolic extract showed high ferrous ion chelating (EC50=82.9±0.6 μg/mL), 15-lipoxygenase (EC50=236.7±1.5 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (EC50=9.77±0.06 μg/mL) inhibitory activities. For both mushrooms, the ethanolic extracts were more active against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 than the hydromethanolic ones. The antioxidant and antihyperglycemic effects revealed in this study support further investigations for a possible valorization of both mushrooms in the dietary supplement and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)