Frontiers in pharmacology
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Frontiers in pharmacology · Jan 2018
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Xinmailong Injection for the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure: A Meta-Analysis.
Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is one of the most stubborn cardiovascular disease. Xinmailong (XML), a bioactive fraction extracted from Periplaneta americana L., has been commonly used for CHF treatment in China. However, there is few comprehensive evaluation for the clinical efficacy and safety of XML for CHF. ⋯ Poor methodological quality and the limitations also existed in this study. Conclusions: The combinational use of XMLI on conventional treatment may exert better therapeutic effects on improving cardiac function in CHF patients, indicating that XMLI was suggested to be considered during the conventional treatment of CHF. High-quality and large scale RCTs are still required to confirm the impacts of XMLI.
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Frontiers in pharmacology · Jan 2018
Interplay of miRNAs and Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide and the activation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway is universal in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. MicroRNAs are found to participate in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma by activating or inhibiting components in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. ⋯ Pharmacological inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis and other cancers by microRNAs are now in clinical trials despite the challenges of identifying efficient microRNAs candidates and safe delivery vehicles. The focus of this review is on the interplay mechanisms between microRNAs and canonical Wnt signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma, and a deep understanding of the crosstalk will promote to develop a better management of this disease.
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Frontiers in pharmacology · Jan 2018
In vitro and in vivo Pharmacological Activities of 14-O-Phenylpropyloxymorphone, a Potent Mixed Mu/Delta/Kappa-Opioid Receptor Agonist With Reduced Constipation in Mice.
Pain, particularly chronic pain, is still an unsolved medical condition. Central goals in pain control are to provide analgesia of adequate efficacy and to reduce complications associated with the currently available drugs. Opioids are the mainstay for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. ⋯ POMO-induced antinociception is mediated through the activation of the mu-opioid receptor, and it does not involve delta- and kappa-opioid receptors. In the charcoal test, POMO produced fourfold less inhibition of the gastrointestinal transit than 14-OMO and morphine. In summary, POMO emerges as a new potent mixed mu/delta/kappa-opioid receptor agonist with reduced liability to cause constipation at antinociceptive doses.
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Frontiers in pharmacology · Jan 2018
ReviewThe Protectin Family of Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators: Potent Immunoresolvents Enabling Innovative Approaches to Target Obesity and Diabetes.
A western type diet and lifestyle play an important role in the development of chronic diseases, yet little insight into the precise cellular and biomolecular mechanisms has emerged. It is known that an unbalanced diet may result in obesity and diabetes. Sufficient amounts and proper balance of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is key for maintenance of health. ⋯ This review covers the bioactions, G-coupled protein receptors pharmacology, biosynthesis, and medicinal chemistry of the PD family of specialized pro-resolving mediators with an emphasis on obesity and anti-diabetic effects. In order to enable drug development and medicinal chemistry efforts against these diseases, stereoselective total organic synthesis of each of these mediators is required for confirmation of structure, stereochemical biosynthesis, and their functions. We provide an overview of our ongoing efforts and the current knowledge.
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Frontiers in pharmacology · Jan 2018
Lack of Effects of Extended Sessions of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) Over Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex on Craving and Relapses in Crack-Cocaine Users.
Background: Non-invasive brain stimulation such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been investigated as additional therapeutic tool for drug use disorder. In a previous study, we showed that five sessions of tDCS applied bilaterally over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) reduced craving to the use of crack-cocaine in inpatients from a specialized clinic. In the present study, we examine if an extended number of sessions of the same intervention would reduce craving even further and affect also relapses to crack-cocaine use. ⋯ Relapse rates were high and quite similar between groups in the 30- and 60-days follow-up after discharge from the hospital. Conclusion: Extended repetitive bilateral tDCS over the dlPFC had no add-on effects over regular treatment when considering craving and relapses to the crack-cocaine use in a sample of crack-cocaine patients with severe use disorder. Different tDCS montages targeting other cortical regions and perhaps additional extension of sessions need to be investigated to reach more efficiency in managing craving and relapses to crack-cocaine use.