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At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Screening of herbal extracts for activation of the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors play a pivotal role in metazoan lipid and glucose homeostasis. Synthetic activators of PPARalpha (fibrates) and PPARgamma (glitazones) are therefore widely used for treatment of dislipidemia and diabetes, respectively. There is growing evidence for herbal compounds to influence nuclear receptor signalling e.g. the PPARs. We recently reported carnosic acid and carnosol, both being diterpenes found in the labiate herbs sage and rosemary, to be activators of PPARgamma. The subsequent screening of a variety of ethanolic extracts, obtained from traditionally used herbs, for PPAR activation, led to an exceptionally high hit rate. Among 52 extracts nearly the half significantly activated PPARgamma and 14 activated PPARalpha in addition, whereas three of them were pan-PPAR activators, which also activated PPARdelta. The most active extracts, for which a concentration dependent effect could be shown, were the extracts of Alisma plantago aquatica (ze xie/european waterplantain), Catharanthus roseus (madagascar periwinkle), Acorus calamus (sweet calamus), Euphorbia balsamifera (balsam spurge), Jatropha curcas (barbados nut), Origanum majorana (marjoram), Zea mays (corn silk), Capsicum frutescens (chilli) and Urtica dioica (stinging nettle). The results of the present study provide a possible rationale for the traditional use of many herbs as antidiabetics.

Drug Evaluation, Preclinical↗
PubMed2005

An early glimpse at western medicine in Jerusalem 1700-1840: the case of the Jews and the Franciscans' medical activity.

During the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, the monks of the Franciscan Order were the only representatives of the Catholic Church in Jerusalem and they provided medical treatment for Christians. This article looks at the activities of the Franciscans, in particular in their pharmacy, which was associated with the production of Jerusalem balsam, famous both in the East and in Europe. It compares these activities with those of Jewish physicians in Jerusalem and looks at the relationships between the two groups and their effects on medical development in the Levant.

Ancient Lands↗
PubMed2006

[New thoughts on the hypothesis of the origin of the balm of Commander of Pernes: it originated from the balm of Jerusalem].

The Baume du commandeur appears in France in 1694 in the Histoire générale des drogues... written by Pomet. It is a drug for healing wounds which also has numerous internal uses. Still present in formularies and occasionally used, its invention is attributed to Gaspard de Pernes, commander of the Order of Malta in Toul, in France, at this period. However, some observations have induced me to think that the drug originated in the Ottoman Empire at the end of the XVIlth century, and was derived from the Jerusalem Balsam of the Franciscans of St. Savior Monastery's pharmacy, in Jerusalem.

France↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Immunohistochemical localization of beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart.

Polyclonal specific antisera to beta-receptors were prepared by immunization of rabbits with beta-receptors isolated from a dog myocardium according to Becker et al. (1988). Cryostat sections of the dog heart were fixed in paraformaldehyde in PBS, and incubated with polyclonal antisera to beta-receptors. Sections were then washed and incubated in peroxidase-labelled anti-rabbit antibody. After visualization of the tissue-bound peroxidase with diaminobenzidine, sections were dehydrated in graded alcohols and mounted in Canada balsam. The results demonstrate specific reaction of antibodies on the myocyte sarcolemma.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Improving drug prescription in primary care: a controlled and randomized study of an educational method].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to assess whether educational intervention on the primary care physician may be an effective method to improve drug prescription. METHODS: An experimental randomized controlled study was carried out in 244 physicians of the management area No. 5 of the Institut Català de la Salut. Intervention consisted in 3 individualized interviews with the 123 physicians of the study group (IG), during which written informative material was also presented. The issues were: cerebral and peripheral vasodilators (CPVD) and antibiotics. The changes in the prescription of CPVD, combination of anti-infective agents with expectorants, mucolytics and/or balsamics (R05C1) and cephalosporins were specially evaluated in both groups. Subsequently, a stratified analysis was carried out depending on the volume of prescription of the physicians. RESULTS: The IG showed a greater reduction in the prescription of CPVD (9.78 bottles per physicians and months versus 6.43, p less than 0.01). The relative reduction in R05C1 prescription was also higher in the IG (12.3% versus 6.7%, p less than 0.01). The expenditure showed similar results. The use of oral cephalosporins increased in the IG and was reduced in the CG (p less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results show a favorable impact of personalized information in the groups with high prescription volume, which is particularly remarkable in the highest prescribers.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed1991

[Contact eczema and epicutaneous tests--distribution of allergens and changes in the spectrum in Vienna].

Thousands of contact antigens have been defined. It is, however, remarkable that only a small group of substances (15 to 20) have proved to be frequent or otherwise important causes of allergic contact dermatitis. In agreement with reports from comparable centres, metals are high up on the "hitlist" of frequent allergens (nickel 24%, cobalt 9%, chromates 6%), followed by ingredients of cosmetics and toiletries (fragrances 16%, balsam of Peru 10%, Kathon 5%), whilst already way back are topical medicines (neomycin 4%, parabens 3%, lanolin 2%, benzocaine 1%) and rubber additives (thiuram-mix 2% and carba-mix 1%). Almost all other substances lie below the 1% limit. There was only one remarkable exception in comparison with the results of most other European studies, namely thiomersal, which is widely distributed as a preservative in vaccines in Austria and climbed to second place, with a sensitization rate of 18%. Although the phenylborate mercurials (historic sensitizations due to topical antiseptics) still reached a surprisingly high incidence of 6%, there were hardly any cases of cross-sensitization with thiomersal. A comparison with the international literature illustrates Austria-specific trends and a change in the spectrum over the past years. Interpretation of patch testing requires great specialist knowledge and experience.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Epidemiology of hand eczema in an industrial city.

To elucidate the importance of hand eczema in the population of Gothenburg, a questionnaire was sent to 20,000 individuals aged 20-65 years, randomly selected from the population register of the city. After two reminders, a response rate of 83% was obtained. Those individuals considering themselves to have had hand eczema within the previous 12 months were invited to a dermatological examination including patch testing. 1385 persons (71%) participated. Analysis of drop-outs was performed by interview by telephone and post. The 1-year period prevalence of hand eczema was estimated to be about 11% and the point prevalence 5.4%. Hand eczema was twice as common among females as among males. The most common type of hand eczema was irritant contact dermatitis (35%), followed by atopic hand eczema (22%) and allergic contact dermatitis (19%). The most common contact allergies were to nickel, cobalt, fragrance-mix, balsam of Peru and colophony. Comparing these results with a 20-year earlier study on hand eczema, an increased prevalence, especially of atopic hand eczema, was found. The only occupational group that reported a significantly higher period prevalence of hand eczema was service workers. Of all occupations, cleaners had the highest period prevalence, 21.3%. Hand eczema was more common among people reporting some kind of occupational exposure. The most harmful exposure turned out to be to unspecified chemicals, water and detergents and dust and dry dirt. The only contact allergen that was statistically related to an occupational group was colophony among female office workers. Change of work, where the hand eczema was the main reason, was reported by 8% and was most common in service work. Hairdressers had the highest frequency of change. Hand eczema was shown to be a long-lasting disease with a relapsing course. 69% of the patients had consulted a doctor and 21% had been on sick-leave at least once because of their hand eczema. The mean total sick-leave time was 18.9 weeks, median 8 weeks. Treatment with topical steroids was reported by 51%, emollients by 85%. Frequent itching was reported by 54% of the patients. 81% experienced some kind of disturbance of their daily life considered to be caused by the hand eczema. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the most important predictive factor for hand eczema was a history of childhood eczema. Number two was female sex, followed by occupational exposure, a history of asthma and/or hayfever and a service occupation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Systemically induced (hematogenous) contact eczema.

The oral or parenteral application of certain contact allergens may elicit eczematous skin reactions "from the inside" in sensitized individuals; this phenomenon has been called "systemically induced eczema" or "hematogenous contact eczema". Both the clinical morphology and dermatopathology are very similar to classical allergic contact eczema. The distribution of skin lesions is mostly symmetrical and may affect the face or the anogenital area. The pathophysiology involves T-lymphocytes and probably secretion of cytokines similar to the well-known phenomenon of "flare-up". The most important contact allergens known to elicit systemically induced contact eczema are metal salts, drugs, phytoallergens and balsam of Peru. After careful diagnosis, a specific allergen avoidance is the basis of prophylaxis and therapy.

Allergens↗
PubMed1990

[Diagnosis of dermatitis due to plants].

Contact dermatitis from plants may occur by several mechanisms. It may arise as a result of simple irritation or by allergic mechanism; co-exposure to sunlight can evoke the phenomena of phototoxicity or photoallergy. Etiologic diagnosis require botanical, chemical and immunologic knowledges. Patch testing can be performed with pure allergens (primin, sesquiterpene lactones etc.), plant extracts (balsams, oleoresins etc.) or with the plant itself. The validity of patch test results is often difficult to determine: false positive reactions due to the presence of pesticides or herbicides, active sensitizations, cross-reactions.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Study on Chinese common allergens of contact dermatitis.

Patch tests were performed according to the European Standard Allergens (ESA) in 204 cases suspected of contact dermatitis. The reaction was positive in 58.33% of the cases. The common allergens were nickel (15.7%), fragrance mix (11.8%) p-phenylenediamine (8.8%), colophony (6.9%), benzocaine (6.4%), formaldehyde (5.9%), black rubber mix (4.9%), cobalt (4.4%), balsam of Peru (3.9%), potassium dichromate (3.4%), thiuram mix (2.9%) and mercapto mix (2.9%). In 85 cases of negative reaction to the European Standard Allergens, 36 were patch tested to suspected agents based on the individual case histories, of which 21 positively reacted. The common sensitizing agents were ampicillin and thiomersal. Of 204 cases, 107 were cases of facial contact dermatitis. Patch tests showed that the most common allergens were p-phenylenediamine (15.9%), nickel (13.1%) and fragrance mix (14.95%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Shampoo residue profiles in human head hair.

Washing hair with shampoo results in an accumulation of shampoo components in the hair. Hair of individuals using different shampoos can be distinguished by analysis of shampoo residues. A method for extraction and analysis of such residues is presented. The hair is extracted using a methanol/water mixture, and the extract is analyzed by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The detector system consists of two ultraviolet (UV) detectors connected in series. The method is nondestructive to hair and is sensitive enough to be applied to a single hair 5 to 10 cm in length. Residues from hair balsams are analyzed by this technique as well. The use of this method in forensic science examination of human head hair is demonstrated.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1988

Permanent metachromatic effect of 1,9-dimethyl-methylene blue on acidic mucopolysaccharides of mastocytes.

The 1,9-dimethyl-methylene blue (SERVA) has a very strong metachromatic reaction with sulphated mucopolysaccharides of mastocytes at pH = 1 (Tris-HCl buffer). This metachromasia is retained also at increasing pH (2.5-5), and is not affected either by the quality or by the concentration of the ions present (1/240 M Tris-HCl, and 0.2 M phosphate buffer). The smears do not need any special mounting medium, only Canada balsam. The metachromasia is preserved for a considerable length of time.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Fluorescence microscopy detection of mycopathogens using Rylux BSU].

Rylux BSU (Synthesia, Pardubice--Semtín), a derivative of diaminostilbendisulphonic acid, has a good affinity to chitin of fungal cell walls as well as to cellulose of algae. A histologic method using this compound for detection of fungi in dermatology is presented accompanied with results of a quick diagnostic procedure. Pathogenic fungi were stained with a 2 per cent solution of Rylux BSU in phosphate buffer (pH 7.3) or in a 2 per cent aqueous solution of NaOH with an admixture of 10 per cent dimethylsulphoxide. A yellow green fluorescence of the cell walls of fungi (tested on 52 species) and algae (2 species) was evoked by incident blue light (max. filter transmission for 405 nm) combined with a barrier filter (max. 578 nm). Fluorescence was not fading and remained stable in Canada balsam. Moreover, the method could be applied on sections previously stained (HE, Weigert, Giemsa, KOH-preparations) because of more information offered by a combined procedure.

Benzenesulfonates↗
PubMed1989

Allergic contact dermatitis in children and young adults.

We evaluated the results of a 5-year period of epicutaneous testing in children and teenagers younger than 16 years of age. In an overall-tested population of 2671 persons, 67 were younger than 16 years. In 16 (23.8%) of these 67 children, a positive epicutaneous test was considered to be clinically relevant for the diagnosis allergic contact dermatitis. From the total of 44 positive tests, the most common allergen was nickel sulfate (18%), followed by balsam of Peru, Carba mix, colophony, and fragrance mix (6% each). As our test population consisted of only a few children, no conclusions were drawn in respect to children younger than 10 years. Despite our careful selection of children with allergic contact dermatitis, the prevalence of positive epicutaneous tests was no different than that reported for unselected populations of children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Hand eczema and long-term prognosis in atopic dermatitis.

A follow-up study of 1177 adult patients who had had atopic dermatitis (AD) (Groups 1 and 2) or respiratory allergy (Group 3) in childhood is reported. Patients who had had AD in childhood had received in-patient (Group 1) or out-patient treatment (Group 2) for their dermatitis. 183 patients in Group 1 and 162 in Group 2 were examined clinically. Further, 445 patients who had recently been treated for hand eczema at a department for occupational dermatoses were studied (Group 5). A group of 199 people who had no personal or family history of atopy served as controls (Group 4). The essential findings were as follows: The healing rate was lower (38%) in patients with severe (Group 1) than in those with moderate (60%) childhood dermatitis (Group 2). Although the healing rate was comparatively low in both groups, persistent eczema was in most cases of mild degree. The commonest localization of persistent dermatitis was the hands. The AD had developed earlier in patients who had had severe childhood dermatitis than in those whose childhood AD was moderate. Severe childhood AD was also associated with a significantly higher frequency of family history of atopy and associated respiratory allergy. The inheritance pattern was specific for the different types of atopic disease. A family history of AD was significantly commoner in people with AD than in people with respiratory allergy, and, conversely, people with a family history of respiratory allergy had developed asthma or allergic rhinitis rather than AD. The serum IgE level was raised in 45% and 26% of the clinically examined individuals in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. A comparatively large proportion of patients with persistent or recurrent dermatitis had normal IgE values. There was a strong correlation between the extent of persistent dermatitis and serum IgE levels. It is concluded that the serum IgE cannot be used to establish the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis. The number of contact sensitized people was greater in Group 2 (23%) than in Group 1 (17%). Occurrence of contact sensitivity, which was demonstrable in a total of 20% of the patch tested individuals from Groups 1 and 2, was not correlated to prevalence of healing at the time of examination. Fragrance-mix and balsam of Peru were the commonest contact sensitizers. People with a history of AD showed a higher incidence of recurrent (greater than 5 episodes per year) cold sores, upper respiratory infection, and herpes zoster than non-atopic controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Contact allergy without skin disease.

Patch tests with a standard series were performed in 274 non-dermatologic patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Allergic reactions were observed in 22%, particularly to nickel (7%) and balsam of Peru (5%). Contact allergy in patients without previous or present skin disease was observed in 9%. A certain frequency of contact allergy in the general population should be held in mind when considering the incidence in patients with skin disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Changes in disease pattern in a skin clinic 1947 to 1977.

The changes in disease pattern in a Danish skin clinic during the period 1947 to 1977 is reported. The data rest upon comparisons from patient registrations taken with ten years interval. The study also comprises comparison of frequencies of positive patch tests between 1947 and 1977. The data show, that the disease pattern was far from stable. An increased frequency was registered in atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, drug eruptions, urticaria, skin cancer, psoriasis and viral diseases. While reductions were found in all other infectious diseases, seborrheic dermatitis, and so called "non classified eczema". The changes are postulated to be of a multifactorial origine. Environment was supposed to be the main factor in regard to contact dermatitis and some infections and to be of great importance to skin cancer, while better therapeutic posibilities seem to have influenced the frequency of most of the remaining disease groups. Pronounced changes were also registered among the ten most commonly detected contact allergens. It is stated that preventive measures are extremely important within this area. The decrease in contact allergy to balsam of Peru is used as an example of the effects of good preventive medicine.

Denmark↗
PubMed1987

[Current contact allergens].

We present the patch test results of 2,623 patients treated at the Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, from July, 1984 to June, 1986. One test at least was positive in 680 patients (25.9%). 257 allergens produced a total of 1,450 positive reactions. (average: 2.1 per patient). 9.7% of the allergens caused 64.4% of the positive reactions. The 5 most frequent allergens were nickel sulfate, balsam of Peru, formaldehyde, neomycin sulfate, and cobalt sulfate. Mixed fragrances and Kathon CG were among the 20 most frequent allergens though only tested during half of the study period. Glyceril monothioglycolate was the leading allergen with hairdressers. Other allergens clinically relevant were rubber gloves, bufexamac, bronopol, and propolis.

Allergens↗