A proprietary herbal extract titred in verbascoside and aucubin suppresses lipopolysaccharide-stimulated expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 in human neutrophils.

Introduction: Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) initiates several major cellular responses that play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of inflammation, including activation of neutrophils and production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).

Material And Methods: Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in natural compounds as promising alternatives to synthetic COX-2 inhibitors. In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of a proprietary herbal extract from Lippia citriodora and Plantago lanceolata, titred in verbascoside (≥ 5%) and aucubin (≥ 2%), against LPS-stimulated expressions of COX-2 in human neutrophils using both reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and a PGE2 immunoassay.

Effects of a nutraceutical combination of fermented red rice, liposomal berberine, and curcumin on lipid and inflammatory parameters in patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia: an 8-week, open-label, single-arm pilot study.

Introduction: The present open-label, single-arm pilot study sought to evaluate the effects of a nutraceutical combination containing fermented red rice, liposomal berberine, and curcumin on lipid and inflammatory parameters in patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Material And Methods: Forty patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia received the nutraceutical combination containing fermented red rice, liposomal berberine, and curcumin, once a day for 8 weeks. The study outcomes included changes from baseline in lipid (total cholesterol (TC), low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG)) and inflammatory parameters (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)).

Comparative effects of a fixed Polypodium leucotomos/Pomegranate combination versus Polypodium leucotomos alone on skin biophysical parameters.

Objectives: Polypodium leucotomos extract is a commonly used systemic photoprotective agent. In an exploratory fashion, the current study aimed to compare the effects of oral supplementation with a fixed Polypodium leucotomos/pomegranate combination (PPmix®) versus Polypodium leucotomos alone (Fernblock®) on skin biophysical parameters of Caucasian adults.

Methods: Forty healthy adult volunteers (20 males and 20 females; mean age: 37.

Baicalin supplementation reduces serum biomarkers of skeletal muscle wasting and may protect against lean body mass reduction in cancer patients: Results from a pilot open-label study.

Objectives: Muscle wasting in patients with cancer has been linked to an increased activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and higher circulating levels of activin-A (ActA), a negative growth factor for muscle mass. Baicalin is a natural flavonoid that can reduce skeletal muscle atrophy in animal models of cancer cachexia by inhibiting NF-κB. This pilot open-label study assessed the effects of baicalin supplementation (50 mg daily for 3 months) in cancer patients who showed involuntary weight loss >5% over the past 6 months.

Protective effect of trehalose-loaded liposomes against UVB-induced photodamage in human keratinocytes.

Trehalose, a naturally occurring non-reducing disaccharide, is known to act as a major protein stabilizer that can reduce ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced corneal damage when topically applied to the eye. However, due to the low skin permeability of trehalose, which makes the development of topical formulations difficult, its use as a skin photoprotective agent has been limited. Previous findings demonstrated that liposomes may significantly improve the intracellular delivery of trehalose.

Anti-inflammatory effects of a topical preparation containing nicotinamide, retinol, and 7-dehydrocholesterol in patients with acne: a gene expression study.

Purpose: Acne vulgaris is a skin disorder of the sebaceous follicles, involving hyperkeratinization and perifollicular inflammation. Aberrant extracellular matrix remodeling due to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been associated with the presence of acne conditions. Given the complex pathophysiology of acne, novel topical therapies should include combination products that target multiple pathogenetic mechanisms.

Reduced ultraviolet-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in human skin with topical application of a photolyase-containing DNA repair enzyme cream: clues to skin cancer prevention.

The exposure of human skin to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) results in the formation of DNA photolesions that give rise to photoaging, mutations, cell death and the onset of carcinogenic events. Photolyase (EC 4.1.

An open-label trial of L-5-hydroxytryptophan in subjects with romantic stress.

This open-label trial assessed the clinical efficacy of L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a natural serotonin precursor, in nondepressed young subjects with high levels of romantic stress. Since both neurotrophins and serotonin have been linked to human romantic attachment, we sought to investigate the changes in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and platelet serotonin content in relation to the changes in romantic stress throughout the study. A total of 15 healthy subjects (11 females and 4 males, mean age: 23.

Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in patients with severe autism.

Objective: To study vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its soluble receptors sVEGFR-1 and -2 in autism.

Design And Methods: We measured serum levels of angiogenic molecules in 22 patients with severe autism and 28 controls.

Results: Patients and controls had similar sVEGFR-2 levels, but VEGF levels were lower and sVEGFR-1 higher in patients with autism.

Serum omega-3 fatty acids are associated with ultimatum bargaining behavior.

In the ultimatum game (UG), two players are involved to bargain over a division of a given sum of money. The proposer makes an ultimatum offer of a fraction of money, while the responder can either accept or reject the proposer's decision. In case of rejection of the proposed splitting by the responder, neither player gets anything.

Relationship between platelet serotonin content and rejections of unfair offers in the ultimatum game.

The ultimatum game (UG), a well-studied decision task used in experimental neuroeconomics, represents a simple two-person bargaining between a proposer and a responder. The proposer offers the responder how to split a sum of money. The responder decides whether to accept or reject the offer.

The M694V variant of the familial Mediterranean fever gene is associated with sporadic early-onset Alzheimer's disease in an Italian population sample.

Background: Inflammation is deemed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We sought to determine whether the proinflammatory M694V mutation of pyrin, the gene responsible for familial Mediterranean fever, could lead to an increased risk for AD.

Methods: We compared the M694V variant genotypes in 378 sporadic AD patients and 384 healthy control subjects of Italian descent.

QT interval duration in apparently healthy men is associated with depression-related personality trait neuroticism.

Objective: High levels of neuroticism and low self-esteem are markers for vulnerability to depression, a condition associated with a higher risk of arrhythmias. The question as to whether these depression-related personality domains are related to cardiac repolarization (duration of QT interval) in apparently healthy men has been addressed in this study.

Methods: Participants were 658 clinically healthy males who underwent a health screening programme.

The T393C polymorphism of the GNAS1 gene is associated with deficit schizophrenia in an Italian population sample.

Programmed cell death and alterations in intracellular G-protein signaling may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The Galphas subunit of heterotrimeric G-proteins, encoded by the gene GNAS1, may play a role in both of these processes. Additionally, transgenic mice expressing a constitutively active form of Galphas provide a reliable model of certain endophenotypes of schizophrenia.

Raised plasma nerve growth factor levels associated with early-stage romantic love.

Our current knowledge of the neurobiology of romantic love remains scanty. In view of the complexity of a sentiment like love, it would not be surprising that a diversity of biochemical mechanisms could be involved in the mood changes of the initial stage of a romance. In the present study, we have examined whether the early romantic phase of a loving relationship could be associated with alterations in circulating levels of neurotrophins (NTs).

Association of plasma eotaxin levels with the presence and extent of angiographic coronary artery disease.

Eotaxin (CCL11) is an eosinophil-specific chemoattractant which has been found to be highly expressed at sites of vascular pathology. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the association of plasma eotaxin levels with the presence and extent of angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD). Three hundred and fifty six consecutive patients attending for elective coronary angiography were investigated.

Genetic association of alpha2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein polymorphism with late-onset Alzheimer's disease in Italians.

Alpha2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein (AHSG), also known as fetuin-A, is a highly glycosylated protein which has been recently reported to be decreased in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease. AHSG is genetically polymorphic and two common alleles, AHSG*1 and AHSG*2, have been described. The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of AHSG gene polymorphism in 235 Caucasian Italian patients with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) and 235 age- and gender-matched healthy controls.