Can pentoxifylline and similar xanthine derivatives find a niche in COVID-19 therapeutic strategies? A ray of hope in the midst of the pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic presents an unprecedented challenge to identify effective drugs for treatment. Despite multiple clinical trials using different agents, there is still a lack of specific treatment for COVID-19. Having the potential role in suppressing inflammation, immune modulation, antiviral and improving respiratory symptoms, this review discusses the potential role of methylxanthine drugs like pentoxifylline and caffeine in the management of COVID-19 patients.

Role of the serotonergic pathway in uterotonic activity of Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. - An in vitro and in vivo study.

Background: Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. has been used as a traditional medicine in inducing abortion in many countries.

Potent tocolytic activity of ethyl acetate fraction of Ananas comosus on rat and human uteri.

The aim of this study was to investigate the tocolytic properties of Ananas comosus extract in rat and human uterine tissue in vitro and in the rat in vivo. Organ bath technique was employed to perform functional studies in vitro. The PhysioTel transmitter was implanted in SD rats to measure the changes in intrauterine pressure (IUP) in vivo.

Endothelial colony forming cells from human umbilical cord blood improved severe erectile dysfunction in obese type II diabetic rats.

Aim: To investigate the effect of intracavernous injection of human umbilical cord blood derived endothelial colony forming cells (HUCB ECFCs) on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat model.

Methods: Erectile function was assessed by cavernous nerve electrostimulation in ZDF rats aged 20-28 weeks. Following confirmation of severe ED at the age of 28 weeks, 21 ZDF rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: 1 million ECFCs, 2 million ECFCs, and phosphate buffered saline (PBS).

Short-chain fatty acid receptors inhibit invasive phenotypes in breast cancer cells.

Short chain fatty acids (2 to 6 carbons in length) are ubiquitous lipids that are present in human plasma at micromolar concentrations. In addition to serving as metabolic precursors for lipid and carbohydrate synthesis, they also act as cognate ligands for two known G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), FFAR2 and FFAR3. While there is evidence that these receptors may inhibit the progression of colorectal cancer, their roles in breast cancer cells are largely unknown.