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Purpose: Medicines derived from natural sources have been used for thousands of years throughout the world. Because natural compounds are thought to have less toxic effects and fewer side effects, these products are becoming more popular by the day., Case Report: In this case report, we presented a case of acute kidney injury, rhabdomyolysis, and hepatotoxicity after ingestion of black seed oil. Although black seed oil is widely used around the world, there is currently limited knowledge on its adverse effects., Conclusion: It is important to keep in mind that rhabdomyolysis, acute renal damage, and hepatotoxicity might occur following the use of black seed oil. Black seed oil ingestion should be considered when making a differential diagnosis for these conditions in patients suspected of taking herbal products., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The influence of baseline severity on the efficacy of Silexan, a proprietary essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia , in anxiety disorders has not been investigated in a pooled dataset. We report on an individual patient data analysis of all five double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials with Silexan in anxiety disorders. Eligible participants received Silexan 80 mg/d or placebo for 10 weeks. Analyses were based on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), its psychic and somatic anxiety subscores, and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale. To correlate baseline severity with outcome, patients were segregated into mild, moderate, and severe cases. Altogether 1,172 patients (Silexan, n = 587; placebo, n = 585) were analyzed. For the HAMA total score, we found a significant association between the score at baseline and the treatment effect of Silexan versus placebo at week 10 ( p  < 0.001). HAMA items from the somatic domain scored lower at baseline and showed less improvement than items from the psychic domain, particularly in patients with mild or moderate baseline symptoms. For CGI item 2 (global improvement), significant efficacy favoring Silexan were observed in mild, moderate, and severe baseline symptom severity. Although significant improvements were found for all subsets, the more severe the initial symptoms, the greater the treatment effects documented by the HAMA. Overall this analysis confirms that Silexan is an effective treatment option in early or mild stages of anxiety disorder. Given its favorable safety profile, Silexan can thus fill a therapeutic gap in the treatment of (subsyndromal) anxiety disorders.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Pinus halepensis Mill. seed (Pinaceae), commonly known as "Zgougou," is widely consumed in the Mediterranean region and has long been used to treat diseases including bronchitis, rheumatism, infection, and inflammation., Aim of the Study: The present study was focused on the investigation of some pharmacological activities, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing effects, of cold-pressed oil of Pinus halepensis Mill. seed (COPHS)., Materials and Methods: The fixed oil of Pinus halepensis seed was extracted by a cold pressing process. The analgesic activity of COPHS was examined by acetic acid and formalin-induced contortion and pain tests. The anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated in carrageenan and formalin induced paw and ear edema models. Wound healing potential was assessed on an experimental skin wound, and the expression levels of inflammation mediators were determined by RT-qPCR in skin wound healing., Results: The results showed analgesic efficacy through significant inhibition of abdominal cramps (59.15%) and pain (75.91%). In addition, this oil exerted an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting ear (62.25%) and paw (70.00%) edema. The COPHS stimulated wound contraction in experimental skin wound healing with a contraction rate of 89.23% with notable reduction of TNF-α and NF-kB expression levels in the treated groups., Conclusions: This study provided for the first time the pharmacological profile, particularly the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and healing effects, of fixed oil extracted by cold pressing from the seed of Pinus halepensis Mill., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This systematic review aims to assess whether edible vegetable oils and fats fortified with vitamin A and/or D are effective and safe in improving vitamin intake and ameliorating deficiency states in the general population. In November 2022, we systematically searched MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, Global Index Medicus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP (International Clinical Trials Registry Platform) for randomized controlled trials (RCT) and non-randomized studies of interventions (NRSI) investigating the fortification of edible vegetable oils and fats with either vitamin A or vitamin D or both as compared to the same vegetable oils and/or fats without vitamin A and D fortification or no interventions, in the general population, without age restriction. We assessed the methodological quality of included RCTs using Cochrane's risk of bias tool 2.0 and of NRSIs using ROBINS-I tool. We performed random-effects meta-analysis and assessed certainty of evidence using GRADE. We included eight studies. Available evidence showed no significant effect of fortification with vitamin A on serum retinol levels (RCTs: MD 0.35 µmol/L, 95% CI -0.43 to 1.12; two trials; 514 participants; low-certainty evidence; CCTs: MD 0.31 µmol/L, 95% CI -0.18 to 0.80; two trials; 205 participants; very low-certainty evidence) and on subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Low-certainty evidence showed no effect of vitamin D fortification on serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration (MD 6.59 nmol/L, 95% CI -6.89 to 20.07; one trial; 62 participants). In conclusion, vitamin A-fortified vegetable oils and fats may result in little to no difference in serum retinol levels in general populations. The dose of vitamin A used in the trials may be safe but may not be sufficient to reduce subclinical vitamin A deficiency. Further, the evidence suggests that vitamin D fortification results in little to no difference in serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration. Several aspects of providing fortified oils and fats to the general population as a public health intervention should be further investigated, including optimal fortification dose, effects on vitamin D deficiency and its clinical symptoms and potential adverse effects.

Purpose of Review: This narrative review summarizes the current peer-reviewed literature and mechanisms surrounding the cardiovascular health impact of coconut oil., Recent Findings: No randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and/or prospective cohort studies have investigated the effect or association of coconut oil with cardiovascular disease. Evidence from RCTs indicated that coconut oil seems to have less detrimental effects on total and LDL-cholesterol compared to butter, but not compared to cis-unsaturated vegetable oils, such as safflower, sunflower, or canola oil. The isocaloric replacement (by 1% of energy intake) of carbohydrates with lauric acid (the predominant fatty acid in coconut oil) increased total cholesterol by 0.029 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.014; 0.045), LDL-cholesterol by 0.017 mmol/L (0.003; 0.031), and HDL-cholesterol by 0.019 mmol/L (0.016; 0.023). The current evidence from shorter term RCTs suggests that replacement of coconut oil with cis-unsaturated oils lowers total and LDL-cholesterol, whereas for the association between coconut oil intake and cardiovascular disease, less evidence is available., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The seed of the African walnut, Plukenetia conophora Mull.-Arg is well-known for its nutritional and medicinal values. The seed oil is widely used in massages to relieve pain, as nerve tonic and to enhance sexual performance., Objective: The study aimed at investigating the chemical profile, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of P. conophora oil (PCO)., Methods: Seed oil of P. conophora was characterized using Gas-Liquid Chromatographic method (GC-MS) and oral acute toxicity evaluated at 2000 mg/kg. Antinociceptive effects were evaluated in hot plate, acetic acid and formalin-induced paw licking tests. The anti-inflammatory effects were investigated in egg albumin and carrageenan-, formalin and complete Freund adjuvant (CFA)-induced paw oedema models. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the fluid exudates were also evaluated in carrageenan air pouch model., Results: PCO exhibited high content of alpha linolenic acid (ALA). No toxicity was observed at 2000 mg/kg of PCO. PCO (50-200 mg/kg) demonstrated significant anti-nociceptive activity in pain models. PCO exhibited anti-inflammatory activity against oedema formation by phlogistic agents. The increased inflammatory oedema and oxidative stress in CFA-treated rats were also attenuated by PCO. The PCO (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α (59.3% and 85.2%) and IL-6 (27.5% and 72.5%) in carrageenan-induced air pouch model., Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that ALA-rich seed oil of Plukenetia conophora demonstrated anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities via inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress, lending supportive evidences for its use in painful inflammatory conditions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Authors declares no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Peppermint oil capsules are prescribed to manage abdominal colic and distension, a common complaint in postcaesarean section patients. Arachis (peanut) oil is contained within one frequently prescribed peppermint formulation: Colpermin. This ingredient is contraindicated in patients with peanut and soya allergy; however, this is not stated in the side effects or contraindications section of the British National Formulary, or present on the medication packaging. A postpartum woman in her early 30s had an unexpected allergic reaction to the capsules, in the form of a generalised body rash, fortunately with no anaphylactic features. The patient reported the same reaction to soya in the past. After review of the patient's clinical and medication history, Colpermin capsules were thought to be responsible for the patient's symptoms. This case highlights the necessity for clearer documentation in prescribing formularies and on medication packaging to ensure patient safety., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Competing Interests: J.W. is president and cofounder of SC Laboratories, Inc. B.L.A. has served as a research investigator and/or consultant to AbbVie and Skin Research Institute, LLC. The remaining authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction: Early data suggest use of a mixed lipid emulsion (LE) with a soybean oil reduction strategy in parenteral nutrition (PN) may improve clinical outcomes. Duke University Hospital made a full switch to a Soybean oil/MCT/Olive/Fish Oil lipid (4-OLE) from pure soybean oil-based LE (Intralipid, Baxter Inc) in May 2017. Since 4-OLE has limited evidence related to its effects on clinical outcome parameters in US hospitals, evidence for clinical benefits of switching to 4-OLE is needed. Therefore, we examined the clinical utility of a hospital-wide switch to 4-OLE and its effect on patient outcomes., Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study among adult patients (> 18 years) requiring PN from 2016 to 2019. Our primary exposure was treatment period (1-year pre-4-OLE switch versus 2-year post). We used multivariable regression models to examine our primary outcomes, the association of treatment period with hospital length of stay (LOS), and secondary outcomes liver function, infections, and ICU LOS. Analyses were stratified into critically ill and entire adult cohort., Results: We identified 1200 adults hospitalized patients. 28% of PN patients (n = 341) were treated pre-4-OLE switch and 72% post-4-OLE (n = 859). In the adult cohort, 4-OLE was associated with shorter hospital LOS (IRR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95-0.99, p = 0.039). The ICU cohort included 447 subjects, of which 25% (n = 110) were treated pre-4-OLE switch and 75% (n = 337) were post-switch. ICU patients receiving 4-OLE were associated with shorter hospital LOS (IRR 0.91, 95% CI 0.87-0.93, p < 0.0001), as well as a shorter ICU LOS (IRR 0.90, 95% CI 0.82-0.99, p = 0.036). 4-OLE ICU patients also had a significantly lower delta total bilirubin (- 1.6, 95% CI - 2.8 to - 0.2, p = 0.021) and reduced urinary tract infection (UTI) rates (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.26-0.96, p = 0.038). There were no associations in AST, ALT, or total bilirubin in ICU and all adult patients., Conclusion: 4-OLE was successfully implemented and reduced soybean oil LE exposure in a large academic hospital setting. The introduction of 4-OLE was associated with reduced LOS, UTI rates, and mitigated hepatic dysfunction in critically ill patients. Overall, these findings prove a switch to a soybean oil-LE sparing strategy using 4-OLE is feasible and safe and is associated with improved clinical outcomes in adult PN patients., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, like Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), is suspected of playing a role in the occurrence of breast cancer. Moreover, there is growing evidence that food chemical contaminants, especially lipophilic ones such as PBDEs, could interact with different components of the diet. The objective of the present study was to assess the association between dietary intake of PBDEs and breast cancer risk in the French E3N cohort study, and to investigate the potential modification of this association by vegetable oil consumption. The study included 67879 women. Intakes of eight PBDEs were estimated using food consumption data from a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and food contamination levels measured by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES). Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate Hazard Ratios (HR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) for the association between total PBDEs dietary intake and breast cancer risk. Interaction measures for vegetable oil consumption were estimated on both additive and multiplicative scales. The women were followed for a maximum of 21.4 years, and 5 686 developed an incident breast cancer. A positive linear trend was highlighted between dietary intake of PBDEs in quintile groups and breast cancer risk, borderline with statistical significance (p-trend = 0.06, HR Q5vsQ1 and 95% CI: 1.09 [0.99;1.20]). Interaction measures for vegetable oil consumption were significant in both additive and multiplicative scales. Higher effect sizes of the association were highlighted in high consumers of vegetable oil, i.e. ≥4.6 g/day (HR Q5vsQ1 and 95% CI: 1.23 [1.08; 1.40]), and almost no effect were found in low consumers (HR Q5vsQ1 and 95% CI: 0.97 [0.86; 1.10]). Highlighting such interactions between nutrients and chemicals is crucial to develop efficient dietary recommendations to limit the negative health effects associated with exposure to food chemical contaminants., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background and Aims: Despite recent scientific evidence indicating absence of cardiometabolic benefit resulting from coconut oil intake, its consumption has increased in recent years, which can be attributed to a promotion of its use on social networks. We evaluated the patterns, reasons and beliefs related to coconut oil consumption and its perceived benefits in an online survey of a population in southern Brazil., Methods and Results: We conducted a before-and-after study using an 11-item online questionnaire that evaluated coconut oil consumption. In the same survey, participants who consumed coconut oil received an intervention to increase literacy about the health effects of coconut oil intake. We obtained 3160 valid responses. Among participants who consumed coconut oil (59.1%), 82.5% considered it healthy and 65.4% used it at least once a month. 81.2% coconut oil consumers did not observe any health improvements. After being exposed to the conclusions of a meta-analysis showing that coconut oil does not show superior health benefits when compared to other oils and fats, 73.5% of those who considered coconut oil healthy did not change their opinion. Among individuals who did not consume coconut oil, 47.6% considered it expensive and 11.6% deemed it unhealthy., Conclusions: Coconut oil consumption is motivated by the responders' own beliefs in its supposed health benefits, despite what scientific research demonstrates. This highlights the difficulty in deconstructing inappropriate concepts of healthy diets that are disseminated in society., (Copyright © 2022 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Plant and seed oils have been used for centuries and possibly millennia in Nigeria and Africa for the maintenance of healthy skin and the traditional treatment of skin disorders. In recent times, some of these oils have regained popularity due to their availability and affordability coupled with concerns about the side effects of commercially processed skin care products. This is to assess the chemical properties, current knowledge, source of procurement, indications for topical use, benefits, and possible adverse effects of six plant oils and one animal fat commonly used in Nigeria. This is a literature review and interview with traditional healers and alternative health practitioners to document the traditional, medical, cosmetics, and other usage of oils for skin and scalp care in the African context. Literature review was done on the biochemical and pharmacological properties of each of the seven oils. Searches were made from PubMed, African Journal online, Medline, and Google scholar. Medical subject heading terms used in the search include shea butter, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, palm oil, soy oil, Baobab oil, and python oil. Plant and seed oils used locally in Nigeria and other African countries for skin care and treatment have several benefits due to the constituents of the plant oils (free fatty acids, triglycerides, ceramides, phospholipids, vitamins and antioxidants) which have been shown to promote healthy skin barrier function, wound healing and have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. They are however not without adverse effects, which may be mainly due to processing and storage hygiene. Further studies are required on these oils in view of their potential in the development of novel skincare products and dermatological therapies., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Central precocious puberty (CPP) is caused by early activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis but its major cause remains unclear. Studies have indicated an association between chronic environmental exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pubertal onset. Essential oil is widely used in homes worldwide for relief of respiratory symptoms, stress, and/or sleep disturbance., Methods: To evaluate this association, we compared the hormone levels and timing of vaginal opening (VO) in female rats exposed to lavender oil (LO) through different routes (study groups: control, LO nasal spray [LS], and indoor exposure to LO [LE]) during the prepubertal period. The body weights of the animals were also compared every 3 days until the day of VO, at which time gonadotropin levels and internal organ weights were assessed., Results: The LS group showed early VO at 33.8 ± 1.8 days compared with the control (38.4 ± 2.9 days) and LE (36.6 ± 1.5 days) groups. Additionally, luteinizing hormone levels were significantly higher in the LE and LS groups than those in the control group. Body weights did not differ significantly among the groups., Conclusion: Inhalation exposure to an exogenic simulant during the prepubertal period might trigger early pubertal onset in female rats. Further evaluation of exposure to other endocrine-disrupting chemicals capable of inducing CPP through the skin, orally, and/or nasally is warranted., Competing Interests: The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose., (© 2022 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.)

Herpes labialis, caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, is usually characterized by painful skin or mucosal lesions. Penciclovir (PV) tablets are found to be effective against herpes labialis but suffer from poor oral bioavailability. This study aimed to combine the benefits of PV and lavender oil (LO), which exhibits anesthetic activity, in the form of a self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) for the treatment of herpes labialis. Toward this purpose, LO (oil), Labrasol:Labrafil M1944 CS in the ratio of 6:4 (surfactant mixture), and Lauroglycol-FCC (co-surfactant, selected based on the solubility of PV) were evaluated as the independent factors using a distance quadratic mixture design. The formulation was optimized for the minimum globule size and maximum stability index and was determined to contain 14% LO, 40.5% Labrasol:Labrafil 1944 (6:4), and 45.5% Lauroglycol-FCC. The optimized PV-LO-SNEDDS was embedded in chitosan hydrogel and the resulting formulations coded by (O3) were prepared and evaluated. The rheological studies demonstrated a combined pseudoplastic and thixotropic behavior with the highest flux of PV permeation across sheep buccal mucosa. Compared to a marketed 1% PV cream, the O3 formulation exhibited a significantly higher and sustained PV release, nearly twice the PV permeability, and a relative bioavailability of 180%. Overall, results confirm that the O3 formulation can provide an efficient delivery system for PV to reach oral mucosa and subsequent prolonged PV release. Thus, the PV-LO-SNEDDS embedded oral gel is promising and can be further evaluated in clinical settings to establish its therapeutic use in herpes labialis.

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is very common in aging men. We aimed to compare the effects of tamsulosin and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seed oil on BPH symptoms., Methods: This single-blind randomized clinical trial included patients with BPH aged ≥ 50 years referred to the Urology Clinic of Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Hamadan, Iran, from August 23, 2019 to February 19, 2020. Patients were randomized into two groups. One group received 0.4 mg tamsulosin every night at bedtime and the other received 360 mg pumpkin seed oil twice a day. Patients' age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) was filled out by the patients at baseline and then 1 month and 3 months after the initiation of treatment. The BPH-associated quality of life (QoL), serum prostate-specific antigen, prostate and postvoid residual volume, and maximum urine flow were also assessed at baseline and 3 months later. Drug side effects were also noted., Results: Of the 73 patients included in this study with a mean age of 63.59 ± 7.04 years, 34 were in the tamsulosin group and 39 in the pupkin seed oil group. Patients were comparable with respect to age, weight, height, BMI, and baseline principal variables in both groups. Also, there was no significant difference between groups in terms of principal variables at any time point. However, there was a significant decrease in IPSS and a significant improvement in QoL in both groups. Although the decrease in IPSS from baseline to 1 month and 3 months was significantly higher in the tamsulosin group compared to the pumpkin group (P = 0.048 and P = 0.020, respectively), the decrease in IPSS from 1 to 3 months was similar (P = 0.728). None of the patients in the pumpkin group experienced drug side effects, while dizziness (5.9%), headache (2.9%), retrograde ejaculation (2.9%), and erythema with pruritus occurred in the tamsulosin group., Conclusions: Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seed oil relieved BPH symptoms with no side effects, but was not as effective as tamsulosin. Further studies are required to confirm the role of pumpkin seed oil as an option for the treatment of BPH symptoms. Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20120215009014N340. Registered 19.02.2020. Retrospectively registered, https://en.irct.ir/trial/45335 ., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Objective: This study examined the association between predominant vegetable oil consumed and BMI of adult women and men in India, with emphasis on predominant consumption of mustard oil., Design: Two nationally representative data, the consumer expenditure survey of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)-68th round (2011-2012) for food consumption and National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-2016) for weight status, were analysed. Data from both surveys were combined by matching households through common matching variables ('family size', 'religion', etc.) using Nearest-Neighbour Hot-Deck matching. The association of overweight/obesity with predominant mustard oil consumption in the household was examined using logistic regression adjusted for confounders. The NSSO reports household consumption of mustard, groundnut, coconut, refined oils (sunflower, safflower, soyabean) and all other edible oils., Setting: Two nationally representative surveys from India., Participants: Total of 638 445 women and 92 312 men, respectively., Results: Mustard oil was the most predominantly consumed oil (51 %) followed by refined oils (32·4 %). Prevalence of overweight/obesity in women and men was lower in households with predominant mustard oil consumption (17 and 15 %) v. all other refined and other oils combined (27 and 26 %). The adjusted OR for predominant mustard oil use was 0·88 (95 % CI 0·86, 0·87) for women and 0·80 (95 % CI 0·76, 0·83) for men. A similar analysis with predominant groundnut oil consumption showed no association with overweight/obesity., Conclusions: The data from a large national level survey suggest an inverse association between mustard oil consumption and overweight/obesity which needs to be explored with further research studies.

Background: Peppermint oil is well known to inhibit smooth muscle contractions, and its topical administration during colonoscopy is reported to reduce colonic spasms., Aims: We aimed to assess whether oral administration of IBGard™, a sustained-release peppermint oil formulation, before colonoscopy reduces spasms and improves adenoma detection rate (ADR).  METHODS: We performed a single-center randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Patients undergoing screening or surveillance colonoscopies were randomized to receive IBGard™ or placebo. The endoscopist graded spasms during insertion, inspection, and polypectomy. Bowel preparation, procedure time, and time of drug administration were documented. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test., Results: There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics or dose-timing distribution between IBGard™ and placebo groups. Similarly, there was no difference in ADR (IBGard™ = 47.8%, placebo = 43.1%, p = 0.51), intubation spasm score (1.23 vs 1.2, p = 0.9), withdrawal spasm score (1.3 vs 1.23, p = 0.72), or polypectomy spasm score (0.52 vs 0.46, p = 0.69). Limiting the analysis to patients who received the drug more than 60 min prior to the start of the procedure did not produce any significant differences in these endpoints., Conclusions: This randomized controlled trial failed to show benefit of orally administered IBGard™ prior to colonoscopy on the presence of colonic spasms or ADR. Because of its low barrier to widespread adoption, the use of appropriately formulated and timed oral peppermint oil warrants further study to determine its efficacy in reducing colonic spasms and improving colonoscopy quality.

Competing Interests: Nil.

Background: Perilla seed oil (PSO) is the main constituent of perilla seeds currently being used in the food industry, however it also has great clinical potential in the regulation of lung function as a nutrition supplement because of the high content of α-linolenic acid (ALA). In this study, the pharmacological activities including anti-tussive, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect of PSO were performed. Furthermore, the 90-day sub-chronic oral toxicity with a 30 day recovery period was evaluated in Wistar rats., Results: The pharmacological studies demonstrated that PSO inhibited cough frequency induced by capsaicine in mice. PSO also inhibited the leukotriene B4 (LTB4) release from the calcium ionophore A23187-induced polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) to some extent. In this sub-chronic toxicity study, mortality, clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, hematology, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, organ weight, necropsy, and histopathology were used to evaluate the toxicity of PSO. Lower body weight and various negative impacts on liver related parameters without histopathological lesion were observed in the 16 g kg -1 groups. No clinically significant changes were discovered in the 4 g kg -1 group during the test period., Conclusion: In summary, PSO exhibited anti-tussive and anti-inflammatory activities in vivo and in vitro. These sub-chronic toxicity studies inferred that the 'no-observed adverse effect level' (NOAEL) of PSO in Wistar rats was determined to be 4 g kg -1 . These results may provide a safety profile and a valuable reference for the use of PSO. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Introduction: Introduction: a lipid emulsion (LE) may result in different immunomodulatory effects depending on its fatty acid composition. LEs enriched with fish oil and those based on olive oil (OOBE) have shown advantages over those derived from soybean oil, although very few studies have compared these with each other, and none was performed in critically ill surgical patients. Objectives: to demonstrate non-inferiority for the therapeutic efficacy of SMOFlipid® (enriched with fish oil) versus Clinoleic® (OOBE) in relation to the occurrence of nosocomial infection and other evolutionary parameters. To demonstrate non-inferiority in the safety profile of SMOFlipid® versus Clinoleic® in terms of mortality and adverse events. Material and method: a phase-III, non-inferiority clinical trial performed in critically ill postsurgical patients. The subjects were randomized to receive SMOFlipid® or Clinoleic®. For comparison of qualitative variables case frequencies and percentages were obtained using the Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test. Means were compared between groups using Student's t-test. A p-value lower than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The Farrington-Manning, Miettinen-Nurminen, and Gart-Nam tests were applied in the main non-inferiority analysis of the primary endpoint. Results: during de inclusion period 73 patients were selected, 37 of whom received Clinoleic® and 36 SMOFlipid®. Regarding the variable "decrease in nosocomial infections", SMOFlipid® proved to be non-inferior to Clinoleic®. Regarding the main variable "mortality", SMOFlipid® proved to be non-inferior to Clinoleic®. There were no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of adverse effects either. Conclusions: in our study, SMOFlipid® proved to be non-inferior to Clinoleic® in terms of efficacy and safety.

Objectives, Design, Setting: The ketogenic effect of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil offers potential for Alzheimer's disease prevention and treatment. Limited literature suggests a linear B-hyroxybutyrate (BHB) response to increasing MCT doses. This pharmacokinetic study evaluates factors affecting BHB response in three subject groups., Participants: Healthy subjects without cognitive deficits <65years, similarly healthy subjects >=65years, and those with Alzheimer's Disease were assessed., Intervention: Different doses (0g,14g, 28g, 42g) of MCT oil (99.3% C8:0) were administered, followed by fasting during the study period., Measurements: BHB measured by finger prick sampling hourly for 5 hours after ingestion. Each subject attended four different days for each ascending dose. Data was also collected on body composition, BMI, waist/hip ratio, grip strength, gait speed, nutrient content of pre-study breakfast and side effects., Results: Twenty-five participants: eight healthy; average age of 44yr (25-61), nine healthy; 79yr (65-90) and eight with AD; 78.6yr (57-86) respectively. Compiled data showed the expected linear dose response relationship. No group differences, with baseline corrected area under the blood vs. time curve (r2=0.98) and maximum concentrations (r2=0.97). However, there was notable individual variability in maximum BHB response (42g dose: 0.4 -2.1mM), and time to reach maximum BHB response both, within and between individuals. Variability was unrelated to age, sex, sarcopenic or AD status. Visceral fat, BMI, waist/hip ratio and pretest meal CHO and protein content all affected the BHB response (p<0.001)., Conclusion: There was a large inter-individual variability, with phenotype effects identified. This highlights challenges in interpreting clinical responses to MCT intake., Competing Interests: Angela G Juby, Dion R Brocks, David A Jay, Christopher MJ Davis, Diana R Mager, all have no conflicts of interest with respect to this study.

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; The continuous use of pesticides in the ecosystem is of great concern, as some of them are highly stable and impact non-target organisms. The effect was tested of different concentrations of insecticides such as (Deltamethrin and Malathion) and natural products, Including, lemongrass oil on Fruit Fly (&lt;i&gt;Drosophila melanogaster&lt;/i&gt;), to calculate the concentration at which the highest mortality occurred and death half the number of individuals after 96 hrs, as well as calculating the half-lethal time for individuals. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; This study, which evaluated the toxicity of five different concentrations (0.75, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50 and 1.75 mg L&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;) of Malathion, (0.05, 0.10, 0.21, 0.53 and 1.48 mg L&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;) of Deltamethrin and lemongrass oil (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.50 mg L&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;) on the insect of &lt;i&gt;Drosophila melanogaster&lt;/i&gt; after 96 hrs of treatment. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; From the results of this study, the concentration (LC&lt;sub&gt;50 &lt;/sub&gt;= 2.938 mg L&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;) of Malathion leads to kills half of the individuals, compared to Deltamethrin a higher concentration (LC&lt;sub&gt;50 &lt;/sub&gt;= 4.8673 mg L&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;) that leads to killing half of the individuals. While lemongrass oil the concentration (LC&lt;sub&gt;50 &lt;/sub&gt;= 9.7478 mg L&lt;sup&gt;1&lt;/sup&gt;) leads to kills half of individuals. Also, when used Deltamethrin it takes (LT&lt;sub&gt;50 &lt;/sub&gt;= 660.277) hours to kill half of the individuals compared to Malathion, which takes approximately (LT&lt;sub&gt;50&lt;/sub&gt; = 321.862) hours to death half of the individuals. But lemongrass oil (LT&lt;sub&gt;50 &lt;/sub&gt;= 819.745) hours to kill half of the individuals. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; In conclusion, the lemon plant and its components have excellent potential for being used in the control of &lt;i&gt;Drosophila melanogaster&lt;/i&gt;, which had an effective role in biological control.

Background: Brucea javanica oil emulsion (BJOE), extracted from the Chinese herb Bruceae Fructus (Yadanzi), is a broad-spectrum anti-tumor drug and has been widely used for the treatment of liver cancer in China. The aim of this study is to systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of BJOE for the treatment of liver cancer., Methods: Seven electronic databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Excerpt Medica Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Scientific Journal Database, and Wanfang Database will be systematically retrieved for data extraction from their inceptions to September 2020. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool will be used to assess the risk of bias of included studies. The RevMan 5.4 and Stata 16.0 software will be applied for statistical analyses. Statistical heterogeneity will be computed by I tests. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted to evaluate the stability of the results. The publication bias will be evaluated by funnel plots and Egger test. The quality of evidence will be assessed by the GRADE system., Results: The results of our research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal or presenting the findings at a relevant conference., Conclusion: The conclusion of this study will provide helpful evidence of the effect and safety of BJOE for the treatment of liver cancer in clinical practice., Osf Registration Number: 10.17605/OSF.IO/UC8XQ.

Background: Testing cosmetics and their ingredients is essential to avoid missing relevant allergens and to monitor fluctuating incidence of hypersensitivity., Objective: The aim of this study was to review the usefulness of patch testing with a customized antimicrobials, vehicles, and cosmetics (AVC) series over 15 years at a single Canadian site., Methods: Between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2019, patients suspected of having cosmetics allergy were patch tested with a 40-allergen AVC series in addition to the North American Contact Dermatitis Group standard screening series. We reviewed the patch test results of 2868 patients., Results: We consecutively patch tested with the baseline series 6103 patients, of which 2868 (47%) were also tested with the AVC series. Of 53 different allergens that were tested at some point, 26 remained in the series throughout the 15-year span. The most common positive allergens were thimerosal (4.52%), polyvidone-iodine (2.25%), propolis (2.06%), sodium metabisulfite (1.94%), dodecyl gallate (1.53%), carmine (1.10%), lauryl glucoside (1.01%), sandalwood oil (0.7%), and tert-butylhydroquinone (0.7%)., Conclusions: Although the expansion of the North American Contact Dermatitis Group standard screening series has decreased the yield from the AVC series from 21.1% to 13.9%, it still remains a useful adjunct for patients suspected of having cosmetics or disinfectants allergy.

The current study aimed to investigate the role of cooking with mustard oil and other dietary factors in relation to gallbladder cancer (GBC) in high- and low-incidence regions of India. A case-control study was conducted including 1,170 histologically confirmed cases and 2,525 group-matched visitor controls from the largest cancer hospital in India. Dietary data were collected through a food frequency questionnaire. For oil consumption, we enquired about monthly consumption of 11 different types of cooking oil per family and the number of individuals usually sharing the meal to estimate per-individual consumption of oil. Information about method of cooking was also requested. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) quantifying the association of GBC risk consumption of different types of oil, method of cooking, and dietary food items, were estimated using logistic regression models, after adjusting for potential confounders. High consumption of mustard oil was associated with GBC risk in both high- and low-risk regions (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 0.99-1.78; OR = 3.01, 95% CI = 1.66-5.45), respectively. An increased risk of GBC was observed with deep frying of fresh fish in mustard oil (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 0.99-2.47, p-value = 0.052). A protective association was observed with consumption of leafy vegetables, fruits, onion and garlic. No association was observed between consumption of meat, spicy food, turmeric, pulses or with any other oil as a cooking medium. The effect of high consumption of mustard oil on GBC risk, if confirmed, has implications for the primary prevention of GBC, via a reduced consumption., (© 2020 UICC.)

Today, the numbers of people suffering from lifestyle diseases like diabetes, obesity, allergies and depression increases mainly in industrialised states. That does not only lower patients' quality of life but also severely stresses the health care systems of these countries. Essential oils (EO) have been in use as therapeutic remedies for centuries against various complaints, but still their effectiveness is being underestimated. In the last decades, a great number of controlled studies have supported efficacy of these volatile secondary plant metabolites for various therapeutic indications. Besides others, EO has antidepressant, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, antifirogenic and antiallergic effects. In this review the pharmacological mechanisms for selected EO are summarised and discussed with the main attention on their impact against public health disorders. Additionally, toxicity of these oils as well as possible drug interactions is presented.

Background: Statins are considered as standard drugs to control cholesterol levels, but their use is also associated with renal hypertrophy, hemorrhagic stroke, hepatomegaly, and myopathy. Murraya koenigii is an herb that is used in traditional cuisine and as a medicine in South Asia. Here we assessed the antidyslipidemic and antiatherosclerotic effects of this spice in repeated heated mix vegetable oils (RHMVO)-induced atherosclerotic models., Methods: Aqueous extract of M. koenigii leaves (Mk LE) was prepared and its phytoconstituents were determined. Rabbits were divided into 5 groups (n = 10). Except for the control group, all the other four groups were treated with RHMVO for 16 weeks (dose = 2 ml/kg/day) to induce dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. These groups were further treated for 10 weeks either with 300 and 500 mg/kg/day Mk LE, lovastatin, RHMVO, or left untreated. Body and organ weights were measured along with oxidative stress and tissue damage parameters. Lipid profile and hepatic function markers were studied. Atheroma measurement and histopathological examination were also performed in control and treated groups., Results: Mk LE significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated RHMVO-induced dyslipidemia and atheroma formation. Furthermore, fat accumulation and lipid peroxidation in hepatic tissues were reduced by Mk LE in a dose-dependent manner. Our results indicated that the antidyslipidemic effects of Mk LE in 500 mg/kg/day dose were comparable to lovastatin. Additionally, oxidative stress markers were reduced much more significantly in Mk LE-500 than in the statin group (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: This study recommends Mk LE as a potent antioxidant and lipid-lowering natural medicine that can attenuate the RHMVO-induced atherosclerotic in optimal doses and duration. Therefore, Mk LE can be accessible, cheap, and free of adverse effects alternate to statins.

Objective: The moisturizing and irritation effects of sacha inchi oil were evaluated., Study Design: The moisturizing effect on the skin was clinically assessed using a regression study design. Sacha inchi oil or olive oil (benchmark) was applied on the left or right lower leg of the subjects for 14 days followed by application discontinuation for 2 days. The TEWL, skin moisture content and dryness appearance were observed., Methods: The fatty acid composition and characteristics of cold-pressed sacha inchi seed oil were determined. Skin tissues cultured ex vivo were used to assess primary irritation induced by the oil by examining keratin 1 expression and TNF-α and IL-1α release from the oil-applied tissues., Results: The sacha inchi oil contained 42.3% linolenic acid and 39.5% linoleic acid. This oil's saponification, iodine, acid and peroxide values were 168.58 ± 1.55 mg KOH/g, 203.00 ± 0.04 g I 2 /100 g, 1.68 ± 0.03 mg KOH/g, and 1.95 ± 0.26 mEq peroxide/kg, respectively. Compared with nontreated skin tissues, induced secretion of TNF-α and IL-1α and disruption of keratin 1 integrity in the stratum corneum layer were not found in the sacha inchi oil-treated tissues. In a clinical study with 13 volunteers, the improvement in moisture content and skin dryness appearance at the sacha inchi oil-applied site was comparable with that observed at the olive oil-applied site., Conclusions: The sacha inchi oil was mild to the skin and benefited dry skin., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Introduction: This study was intended to assess the efficacy and safety of a rosehip seed oil (RHO) extract in the prevention and treatment of skin lesions in the hands of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) caused by finger prick blood glucose monitoring., Patients and Method: A prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label, rater-blinded trial in patients aged 6-17 years with T1DM and intensive blood glucose control (≥7 finger pricks daily) for 12 days. Three main variables (erythema, skin thickening, and loss of skin integrity) were assessed using a scale ranging from 0 (absent) to 3 (severe involvement). The study was approved by the ethics committee of the hospital., Results: Sixty-eight children, and thus 136 hands, were included; 80 hands received rosehip seed oil and 56 hands acted as controls. Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar, with 76.3% and 78.6% of the hands respectively showing skin lesions at study start. Median final global assessment was 0.10 (0.03; 0.30) in the group that received rosehip seed oil and 0.06 (0.00; 0.23) in the control group. A statistically significant improvement in global assessment was found in the control group (P=0.049). No significant differences were found when the medians of the other main variables were compared. No adverse effects were recorded., Conclusion: A high prevalence of skin lesions secondary to finger prick glucose monitoring, most of them mild lesions, was found at study start. Treatment with rosehip seed oil was safe and was not effective for improving skin lesions., (Copyright © 2019 SEEN y SED. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Essential oils are common ingredients in personal care products, little is known about the effects of chronic exposure to these ingredients in human health. It has been suggested that these two essential oils cause prepubertal gynecomastia and premature thelarche in children. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the evidence related to the proposed link between these essential oils and endocrine disruption METHODS: This study sought to investigate the proposed link between LEO and TTEO and endocrine disrupting outcomes by identifying and evaluating the clinical evidence regarding this topic. Studies qualified if the participants included prepubertal children who have experienced either prepubertal gynecomastia or premature thelarche. The Case Series Critical Appraisal Tool (CSCAT) was used to identify the reliability of the identified case series. The potential for evidence of causality was evaluated using the tool proposed by Murad., Results: A total of four manuscripts were identified, describing a total of eleven cases reported to have experienced both the exposure and the outcome. Reporting of inclusion, demographic data, clinical data, and the potential for causality was found to be insufficient. This study did not find evidence to support the claim that tea tree essential oil is related to endocrine disruption in children, and little to no evidence to substantiate the proposed link between lavender essential oil and endocrine disruption in children., Conclusion: Because this potential link remains a concern among pediatric care providers and parents, epidemiological research to address the proposed link is needed., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Dementia is a neurological condition that affects the cognitive and functional ability of the brain and is the leading cause of disability among those aged 65 years and above. More effective ways to manage dementia symptoms are needed because current treatment options (antidepressants and antipsychotics) can be ineffective and are associated with substantial side effects, including increased rate of mortality. Cannabinoid-based medicine (CBM) has shown an ability to inhibit some symptoms associated with dementia, and the adverse effects are often minimal; yet, little research has explored the use of CBM among this population., Aim: To monitor the safety of a purified dose of CBM oil (3:2 delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol:cannabidiol) on behaviour symptoms, quality of life and discomfort caused by pain., Methods/design: We will carry out an 18-week, randomised, double-blind crossover trial that consists of a 2-week eligibility period, two 6-week treatment cycles, and two 2-week washout periods (between both cycles and after the second treatment cycle). We aim to recruit 50 participants with dementia who are living in residential aged-care facilities. The participants will be randomised into two groups and will receive a dose of either CBM oil or placebo for the first treatment cycle and the opposite medication for the second. Data will be collected using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease questionnaire, and the Abbey Pain Scale on seven occasions. These will be completed by the participants, aged-care staff, and nominated next of kin or family members. The participants' heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored weekly, and their body composition and weight will be monitored fortnightly by a research nurse, to assess individual dose response and frailty. In addition, pre- and post-surveys will be administered to aged-care staff and family members to understand their perceptions of CBM and to inform proposed focus groups consisting of the aged-care staff and next of kin., Discussion: The study design has been informed by medical professionals and key stakeholders, including those working in the residential aged-care industry to ensure patient safety, collection of non-invasive measures, and methodological rigor and study feasibility., Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12619000474156. Registered on 21 March 2019.

Objectives: Fish oil (FO)-based lipid emulsions (LEs) have been reported to prevent hepatic dysfunction in patients treated with parenteral nutrition (PN). We studied patients with alterations of γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) associated with the administration of PN containing olive/soybean (O/S)-based LE. The aim of this study was to determine whether the strategy of reducing the lipid dose by 50%, by changing to an FO-based LE, reduced plasma levels of phytosterols (PS) and GGT more effectively and safely, than the strategy of reducing lipid contribution by 50% while maintaining the same LE composition., Methods: A randomized double-blind clinical trial was carried out in patients with normal initial GGT, who after a minimum of 1 wk of daily PN (0.8 g/kg of O/S-based LE) presented with GGT values twice the upper normal value. At the time of randomization 1:1, lipids were reduced to 0.4 g/kg daily. Group A maintained O/S LE and group B changed to FO LE. The primary endpoints were reduction of plasmatic PS and GGT on day 7 after randomization, performed in the study population per protocol by Student's t test and simple linear regression. Secondary outcomes included alkaline phosphatase (AP), alanine transaminase (ALT), and total bilirubin (BIL), and safety variables., Results: Nineteen patients were included. On day 7 after randomization, GGT and AP values were higher in the O/S group (n = 10; GGT: median [Med], 4.99; interquartile range [IQR], 4.09; AP: Med, 2.59 μkat/L; IQR 1.74) than in the FO group (n = 9; GGT: Med, 2.26 μkat/L; IQR, 1.07; AP: Med, 1.2 μkat/L; IQR 1.44). Although there were no differences in ALT and BIL values, the ALT decrease was larger and more statistically significant in the FO group than in the O/S group (P = 0.009). Total PS (Med, 21.10 μg/mL; IQR, 5.50) in the O/S group was higher than in the FO group (Med, 13.4 μg/mL; IQR, 10.65; P = 0.002). Significant decreases in PS and their fractions were observed, with the exception of campesterol and stigmasterol., Conclusion: Plasma accumulation of PS and high values of GGT, AP, and ALT can be prevented with the exclusive administration of FO-based LE., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Electronic cigarettes, pens, cartridges and other devices were developed as nicotine delivery systems not requiring combustion of tobacco leaves. This technology was subsequently employed to deliver the cannabis component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) via products often manufactured without adequate quality oversight and sold illegally. Recently, five patients presenting within a 2-month period with acute respiratory failure due to acute lipoid pneumonia after inhaling THC-containing concentrates or oils have been described. We report a 28-year-old previously healthy man who presented in acute respiratory failure 2 weeks after initiating use of a street-purchased THC-containing vape cartridge. Bronchoalveolar lavage cytology with oil red O staining confirmed the diagnosis of acute lipoid pneumonia. Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and eosinophilic pneumonia were excluded. Evolving evidence supports a clinical entity of acute respiratory failure due to acute, exogenous lipoid pneumonia induced by THC-containing concentrates or oils inhaled through a variety of vaping products. All six patients reported to date received intravenous corticosteroids and survived to hospital discharge.

We herein report a case of refractory exogenous lipoid pneumonia that was successfully attributed to vegetable oil through a lipidomic analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). As a 25-year-old woman diagnosed with lipoid pneumonia experienced repeated exacerbations and improvement, we performed a BALF lipidomic analysis. The major lipid components were oleic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid, which are constituents of vegetable oil. She stopped consuming any vegetable oil and has since experienced no instances of lipoid pneumonia relapse. A lipidomic analysis appears to be useful for identifying causative lipids, since patients with lipoid pneumonia are sometimes unaware of aspiration episodes.