Pharmacology of boldine: summary of the field and update on recent advances.

Over the past decade, boldine, a naturally occurring alkaloid found in several plant species including the Chilean Boldo tree, has garnered attention for its efficacy in rodent models of human disease. Some of the properties that have been attributed to boldine include antioxidant activities, neuroprotective and analgesic actions, hepatoprotective effects, anti-inflammatory actions, cardioprotective effects and anticancer potential. Compelling data now indicates that boldine blocks connexin (Cx) hemichannels (HCs) and that many if not all of its effects in rodent models of injury and disease are due to CxHC blockade.

Pathophysiological role of connexin and pannexin hemichannels in neuromuscular disorders.

A growing body of research has provided evidence that de novo expression of connexin hemichannels and upregulation of pannexin hemichannels (Cx HCs and Panx HCs, respectively) in the cytoplasmic membrane of skeletal muscle (sarcolemma) are critical steps in the pathogenesis of muscle dysfunction of many genetic and acquired muscle diseases. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating the expression of Cx and Panx HCs in skeletal muscle, as well as their roles in both muscle physiology and pathologies. Additionally, it addresses existing gaps in knowledge and outlines future challenges in the field.

Americans' willingness to give to global immunization programs: Political heterogeneity in preferences for program management and response to priming communications.

To develop effective private donation campaigns that support vaccine distribution in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), one must understand donors' willingness to give, response to stimuli, and preferences for program management. We use a contingent valuation method to estimate United States citizens' willingness to give to nongovernmental COVID-19 immunization programs in LMICs during the emergency phase of the pandemic. Using split-sample treatments, we evaluate the impact of the immunization program administrator (generic NGO or COVAX) and the role of priming communications on inequality in income and vaccination rates between the US and recipient countries.

Boldine modulates glial transcription and functional recovery in a murine model of contusion spinal cord injury.

Membrane channels such as those formed by connexins (Cx) and P2X receptors (P2XR) are permeable to calcium ions and other small molecules such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and glutamate. Release of ATP and glutamate through these channels is a key mechanism driving tissue response to traumas such as spinal cord injury (SCI). Boldine, an alkaloid isolated from the Chilean boldo tree, blocks both Cx and Panx1 hemichannels (HCs).