Chemical and in vitro toxicity analysis of a supercritical fluid extract of Kava kava (Piper methysticum)
ConclusionsKAVOA™, a supercritical carbon dioxide extract of kava displays a similar kavalactone profile to a noble variety of kava. In relation to total kavalactone content, KAVOA™ also has a lower content of the cytotoxic compound FKB. Aqueous extractions of KAVOA™ and noble kava root had no significant negative impact on cell viability and toxicity on HepG2 cells when compared to vehicle controlled treated cells. Results indicate KAVOA™ demonstrates a similar in vitro safety profile to that of noble kava root when experiments are normalized to kavalactone content.Graphical abstract (Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology - February 20, 2019 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Powered standing wheelchairs promote independence, health and community involvement in adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a common neuromuscular disorder occurring in approximately 1 in 5000 live male births [1] and caused by a mutation on the dystrophin gene located on the X chromosome [2]. The dystrophin gene encodes the protein dystrophin, which is essential to healthy muscle growth and functioning. In its absence, muscles deteriorate and break down [3]. Health and functioning are subsequently compromised. Mobility becomes progressively more difficult with increased risk of musculoskeletal deformity [4]. (Source: Neuromuscular Disorders)
Source: Neuromuscular Disorders - February 1, 2019 Category: Neurology Authors: Nitamarie Vorster, Kerry Evans, Nada Murphy, Maina Kava, Anita Cairns, Damian Clarke, Monique M. Ryan, Aris Siafarikas, Peter W. Rowe, Stephanie Parkinson, Odette Gaynor, Linda Chiu, Janine Anderson, Klair Bayley, Peter Jacoby, Donna Cross, Jenny Downs Source Type: research
Chemical and in vitro Toxicity Analysis of a Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Kava kava (Piper methysticum)
ConclusionsKAVOA™, a supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of kava displays a similar kavalactone profile to a noble variety of kava. In relation to total kavalactone content, KAVOA™ also has a lower content of the cytotoxic compound FKB. Aqueous extractions of KAVOA™ and noble kava root had no significant negative impact on cell viability and toxicity on HepG2 cells when compared to vehicle controlled treated cells. Results indicate KAVOA™ demonstrates a similar in vitro safety profile to that of noble kava root when experiments are normalized to kavalactone content.Graphical abstract (Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology - January 31, 2019 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Distinguishing Dementia With Lewy Bodies From Alzheimer's Disease: What is the Influence of the GBA Genotype in Ashkenazi Jews?
Authors: Bregman N, Kavé G, Mirelman A, Thaler A, Gana Weisz M, Bar-Shira A, Orr-Urtreger A, Giladi N, Shiner T
Abstract
Cognitive deficits beyond memory impairment, such as those affecting language production or executive functioning, can be useful in clinically distinguishing between dementia syndromes. We tested the hypothesis that Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) patients who have dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and carry glucocerebrosidase (GBA) mutations will have verbal fluency deficits different from those found in Alzheimer's disease (AD), whereas AJ patients with DLB who have no GBA mutations will have sim...
Source: Alzheimer Disease and Associated Disorders - January 15, 2019 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord Source Type: research
Selected α-pyrones from the plants Cryptocarya novoguineensis (Lauraceae) and Piper methysticum (Piperaceae) with activity against Haemonchus contortus in vitro
Publication date: Available online 4 January 2019Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug ResistanceAuthor(s): H.M.P. Dilrukshi Herath, Sarah Preston, Abdul Jabbar, Jose Garcia-Bustos, Russell S. Addison, Sasha Hayes, Topul Rali, Tao Wang, Anson V. Koehler, Bill C.H. Chang, Andreas Hofmann, Rohan A. Davis, Robin B. GasserAbstractDue to the widespread occurrence and spread of anthelmintic resistance, there is a need to develop new drugs against resistant parasitic nematodes of livestock animals. The Nobel Prize-winning discovery and development of the anti-parasitic drugs avermectin and artemisinin has...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance - January 5, 2019 Category: Parasitology Source Type: research
Chalcone flavokawain A attenuates TGF- β1-induced fibrotic pathology via inhibition of ROS/Smad3 signaling pathways and induction of Nrf2/ARE-mediated antioxidant genes in vascular smooth muscle cells.
In this study, flavokawain A (FKA, 2-30 μM), a naturally occurring chalcone in kava extracts, was evaluated for its anti-fibrotic and antioxidant properties in TGF-β1-stimulated vascular smooth muscle (A7r5) cells, as well as its underlying molecular mechanism of action. Immunofluorescence data showed down-regulated F-actin expression with FKA treatment in TGF-β1-stimulated A7r5 cells. Western blotting demonstrated that FKA treatment suppressed the expression of α-SMA and fibronectin proteins under TGF-β1 stimulation. Findings from wound-healing and invasion experiments showed that FKA inhibits TGF-β1-mediated migra...
Source: J Cell Mol Med - December 13, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Hseu YC, Yang TY, Li ML, Rajendran P, Mathew DC, Tsai CH, Lin RW, Lee CC, Yang HL Tags: J Cell Mol Med Source Type: research
Changes in plasma concentrations and mRNA expression of hepatokines fetuin A, fetuin B and FGF21 in physiological pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus.
Abstract
We measured plasma concentrations, adipose tissue and placental mRNA expression of hepatokines fetuin A, fetuin B and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in 12 healthy pregnant women (P group), 12 pregnant women with gestational diabetes (GDM) and 10 healthy non-pregnant women (N group) to explore their potential role in the etiopathogenesis of GDM. GDM and P group had comparable BMI, C-reactive protein (CRP) and glycated hemoglobin levels while IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels were higher in GDM group. Fetuin A and fetuin B levels were higher in pregnancy as compared to N group and decreased after deli...
Source: Physiological Research - November 28, 2018 Category: Physiology Authors: Šimják P, Cinkajzlová A, Anderlová K, Kloučková J, Kratochvílová H, Lacinová Z, Kaválková P, Krejčí H, Mráz M, Pařízek A, Kršek M, Haluzík M Tags: Physiol Res Source Type: research
Technology makes older adults feel older.
Abstract
The current study aims to examine the effect of technology use on the assessment of subjective age across the adult lifespan, with the assumption that using technology might make older people feel older. One-hundred and fifty-one participants (ages 18-83) assessed their subjective age before and after using familiar and unfamiliar applications on a touchscreen tablet. Subjective age was assessed either by line marking or by numerical response. The oldest participants felt older after the manipulation relative to their pre-manipulation baseline, unlike the youngest participants in the sample. This ...
Source: Aging and Mental Health - November 26, 2018 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Caspi A, Daniel M, Kavé G Tags: Aging Ment Health Source Type: research
The effectiveness and safety of Kava Kava for treating anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and analysis of randomized clinical trials.
CONCLUSIONS: Kava Kava appears to be a short-term treatment for anxiety, but not a replacement for prolonged anti-anxiety use. Although not witnessed in this review, liver toxicity is especially possible if taken longer than 8 weeks.
PMID: 30396607 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice)
Source: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice - November 1, 2018 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Smith K, Leiras C Tags: Complement Ther Clin Pract Source Type: research
Pharmacologic Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder: a Review of Pharmacotherapy, Adjuncts, and Toxicity.
Abstract
Opioid use disorder continues to be a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the USA and the world. Pharmacologic treatment with methadone and buprenorphine has been shown to be effective at retaining people in treatment programs, decreasing illicit opioid use, decreasing rates of hepatitis B, and reducing all cause and overdose mortality. Unfortunately, barriers exist in accessing these lifesaving medications: users wishing to start buprenorphine therapy require a waivered provider to prescribe the medication, while some states have no methadone clinics. As such, users looking to wean t...
Source: Journal of Medical Toxicology - October 30, 2018 Category: Toxicology Authors: Toce MS, Chai PR, Burns MM, Boyer EW Tags: J Med Toxicol Source Type: research
Erythropoietic protoporphyria: A rare cause of painful hands and feet
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, EarlyView. (Source: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health)
Source: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health - October 5, 2018 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Anne ‐Marie Juengling,
Emily L Boulter,
Maina P Kava Source Type: research
Commercial insurance coverage for inflatable penile prosthesis at a tertiary care center
ConclusionsThe largest insurer of IPP in the Miami region is Medicare. While patients seeking IPPs can receive insurance coverage, a large percentage (48.0%) of patients are not able to receive coverage despite having a medical necessity for treatment of ED. (Source: Urology Practice)
Source: Urology Practice - September 20, 2018 Category: Urology & Nephrology Source Type: research
Prostate Artery Embolization in Patients with Prostate Volumes of 80 mL or More: A Single-Institution Retrospective Experience of 93 Patients
ConclusionsPAE achieved a clinically and statistically significant improvement in symptom burden and secondary outcome measures in patients with PVs ≥ 80 mL. PAE may be an alternate treatment for patients for whom conventional surgical options are limited or associated with significant morbidity. (Source: Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology)
Source: Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology - September 12, 2018 Category: Radiology Source Type: research
Prostate Artery Embolization in Patients with Prostate Volumes of 80 mL or More: A Single-Institution Retrospective Experience of 93 Patients
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of prostate artery embolization (PAE) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia for prostates ≥ 80 mL. (Source: Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology : JVIR)
Source: Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology : JVIR - September 11, 2018 Category: Radiology Authors: Shivank Bhatia, Vishal K. Sinha, Sardis Harward, Christopher Gomez, Bruce R. Kava, Dipen J. Parekh Tags: Clinical Study Source Type: research
Yangonin protects against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through farnesoid X receptor
ConclusionsYangonin protects against NAFLD due to its activation of FXR signalling to inhibit hepatic lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis, and to promote lipid metabolism and glycogen synthesis, as well as insulin sensitivity.Graphical abstract (Source: Phytomedicine)
Source: Phytomedicine - September 5, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
