Pharmacological research : the official journal of the Italian Pharmacological Society
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Review
The clinical benefits of Chinese patent medicines against COVID-19 based on current evidence.
The outbreak of emerging infectious pneumonia caused by 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has posed an enormous threat to public health, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have made vast contribution to the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) among Chinese population. As an indispensable part of TCM, Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) are highly valued and critically acclaimed in their campaign to contain and tackle the epidemic, they can achieve considerable effects for both suspected cases under medical observation period, and confirmed individuals with serious underlying diseases or critical conditions. ⋯ With regard to infected patients with different stages and syndrome, the preferable potentials and therapeutic mechanism of CPMs were addressed through the comprehensive collection of relevant literatures and on-going clinical trials. This study could provide an insight into clinical application and underlying mechanism of recommended CPMs against COVID-19, with the aim to share the Chinese experience in clinical practice and facilitate scientific development of TCM, especially CPMs in the fierce battle of COVID-19.
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Review Meta Analysis
The effect of Nigella sativa on the measures of liver and kidney parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.
The aim of this systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis was to determine the effect of Nigella sativa (N. S) supplementation on liver and kidney parameters. We searched PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane central register for controlled trials and Google Scholar from database inception to April 2019 for relevant controlled trials. ⋯ S supplements on liver and kidney parameters, due to the herbal nature of N. S, more studies with high-quality, large-scale, long-term intervention and precise baseline characteristics are needed to assess the exact effective dose, duration and efficacy of N. S supplementation on kidney and liver parameters.
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Review Meta Analysis
The effect of Nigella sativa on the measures of liver and kidney parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials.
The aim of this systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis was to determine the effect of Nigella sativa (N. S) supplementation on liver and kidney parameters. We searched PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane central register for controlled trials and Google Scholar from database inception to April 2019 for relevant controlled trials. ⋯ S supplements on liver and kidney parameters, due to the herbal nature of N. S, more studies with high-quality, large-scale, long-term intervention and precise baseline characteristics are needed to assess the exact effective dose, duration and efficacy of N. S supplementation on kidney and liver parameters.
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The effect of roxadustat (FG-4592) on individuals with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) patients receiving or not receiving the dialysis was unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of roxadustat for the treatment of anemia in patients who are dialysis dependent (DD) or dialysis independent (NDD) CKD. We performed a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing treatment with roxadustat versus placebo or epoetin alfa up to November 2019. ⋯ The percentage change in the transferrin saturation levels was -2.07 % (-6%, NDD patients versus placebo, and +3.7 % in DD patients versus epoetin alfa) in anemia associated CKD patients. This review found roxadustast increases the levels of hemoglobin, serum transferrin, intestinal iron absorption, and reduces hepcidin in both NDD and DD-CKD patients. Safety data is still emerging.
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Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is a pleiotropic mediator, significantly involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 (T2) asthma because of its biologic actions exerted on both immune/inflammatory and airway structural cells. In particular, the pro-inflammatory and pro-remodelling effects of PGD2 are mainly mediated by stimulation of chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2). ⋯ Indeed, fevipiprant appears to be safe and effective, especially in consideration of its ability to inhibit eosinophilic bronchial inflammation and improve forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Further ongoing phase III trials will definitely clarify if fevipiprant can prospectively become a valid option for an efficacious add-on treatment of moderate-to-severe T2-high asthma.