Bioavailability of oral methylnaltrexone increases with a phosphatidylcholine-based formulation.

Objective: Methylnaltrexone (MNTX), a peripherally restricted opioid antagonist with mu-opioid receptor selectivity, can reduce opioid activity in the gastrointestinal tract while sparing the pain relief afforded by opioids. Since the bioavailability of oral MNTX is low, it is necessary to explore the oral formulations of MNTX that increase its bioavailability.

Materials And Methods: An MNTX-phosphatidylcholine complex (MNTX-PC) formulation was prepared.

Effects of Triterpenoid Glycosides from Fresh Ginseng Berry on SW480 Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Line.

Purpose: The pharmacological activities, notably the anticancer properties, of bioactive constituents fromfresh American ginseng berry have not yet been well studied. In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative effects of fresh American ginseng berry extract (AGBE) and its representative triterpenoid glycosides using the human colorectal cancer cell line SW480.

Materials And Methods: Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the contents of 8 ginsenosides in AGBE were determined.

Methylnaltrexone, a peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonist, enhances tumoricidal effects of 5-Fu on human carcinoma cells.

Background: Methylnaltrexone, a novel peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonist, is used to treat opiate-induced constipation in cancer patients. Its effects on the activities of chemotherapeutic agents, however, have not been evaluated. In this study, the effect of methylnaltrexone on the action of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was tested in three human cancer cell lines.

Cisplatin's tumoricidal effect on human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells was not attenuated by American ginseng.

Purpose: We previously observed that American ginseng berry and ginsenoside Re attenuated cisplatin-induced emesis in a rat model, suggesting that the herb may have a value in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting. However, it is not clear whether consuming ginseng concurrently with chemotherapy affects the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we explored if the ginseng extract and its constituents, ginsenosides Rb1, Rb3, and Re, alter tumoricidal activity of cisplatin in human cancer cells.

Saponins composition in American ginseng leaf and berry assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography.

The root of American ginseng is a commonly used herbal medicine in the United States. However, the compositions of American ginseng leaves and berries are not clear to date. In this study, we improved a method for the analysis of 12 ginsenosides based on solid phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet.

Effects of ganoderma lucidum extract on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in a rat model.

Chemotherapy is highly cytotoxic, causing a number of severe adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting. Herbal medicines, which can often be used on a daily basis for prolonged treatment, may be clinically beneficial. Ganoderma lucidum or Lingzhi mushroom has been recognized as a remedy in treating a number of medical conditions, including balancing immunity and decreasing drug-induced side effects.