Histamine H1-receptor antagonists inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB and activator protein-1 activities via H1-receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Background: Histamine H1-receptor antagonists are used to relieve the symptoms of an immediate allergic reaction. They have additional anti-inflammatory effects that could result from an inhibition of the transcription factors activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). The implication of the H1-receptor in these effects is controversial.

Anti-inflammatory properties of desipramine and fluoxetine.

Background: Antidepressants are heavily prescribed drugs and have been shown to affect inflammatory signals. We examined whether these have anti-inflammatory properties in animal models of septic shock and allergic asthma. We also analysed whether antidepressants act directly on peripheral cell types that participate in the inflammatory response in these diseases.

[Glucocorticoids and their receptor: mechanisms of action and clinical implications].

Background: Glucocorticoids are used as anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, anti-proliferative and cytotoxic drugs, but they also trigger important side-effects. These hormones bind to glucocorticoid receptor alpha (GRalpha), an intracellular protein, which acts essentially in the nucleus.

Main Points: GRalpha is a ligand-activated transcription factor that positively or negatively regulates gene expression by distinct mechanisms.

Studies on medicinal plants of Ivory Coast: investigation of Sida acuta for in vitro antiplasmodial activities and identification of an active constituent.

Sida acuta Burm. (Malvaceae) originating from Ivory Coast was selected after an ethnobotanical survey: traditional healers of malaria commonly used this plant for the treatment. Extracts were tested on two strains of Plasmodium falciparum: FcM29-Cameroon (chloroquine-resistant strain) and a Nigerian chloroquine-sensitive strain.

Fluticasone propionate and mometasone furoate have equivalent transcriptional potencies.

Background: Glucocorticoids exert their anti-inflammatory effects mainly through transrepression of the transcription factors activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB). Certain adverse effects of glucocorticoids are mediated through gene transactivation. Fluticasone propionate (FP) and mometasone furoate (MF) are the most recently developed topical glucocorticoids for the treatment of airway disorders.