Propofol with Varied Functions: A Potential Therapeutic Opportunity for Postoperative Nausea, Vomiting and Pruritus—A Narrative Review

Background: Despite the advances in anesthetics and non-pharmacological techniques, the prevalence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in all patients remains high. It is one of the most common distressing symptoms that cause dissatisfaction among patients after anesthesia and surgery. A sub-hypnotic dose of propofol has been shown to reduce morphine-induced postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pruritus. This review article will provide sufficient knowledge on the role of propofol in minimizing opioid-induced postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pruritus by providing detailed information on propofol antiemetic and antipruritic effects, as well as discussions based on empirically available data. Method: We conducted a narrative review of the literature published between 1990 and 2023 from a range of databases;PubMed, BioMed Central, Biosis Previews, Nature, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Springer-Link, and Elsevier. Discussion and Conclusion: The literatures reviewed in this study have demonstrated that propofol may have diverse therapeutic effects including antiemetic and antipruritic. The antiemetic effect of propofol may be an effective therapeutic approach for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The literature also demonstrated that the use of propofol for sedation during surgery may as well ameliorates opioids induced postoperative pruritus, which may be beneficial to surgical patients. Also, it was demonstrated that prophylactic use of propofol may be an effective way of preventing nausea and vomiting and pruritus during opioid use.

Clinical Observation of Chuanbai Antipruritic Lotion"Water Film"Wet Compress Combined with Chloramphenicol Prednisone Liniment in the Treatment of Acute Eczema

[Objectives]To observe and analyze the clinical efficacy and possible mechanism of Chuanbai antipruritic lotion"water film"wet compress combined with chloramphenicol prednisone liniment in the treatment of acute eczema.[Methods]A total of 76 acute eczema cases admitted to Shiyan Taihe Hospital from January 2022 to March 2023 were divided into Western medicine treatment group and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group.In the Western medicine treatment group,chloramphenicol and prednisone liniment was applied to the skin lesions and oral administration of cetirizine hydrochloride.The course of treatment in both groups was 2 weeks(w).The levels of interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin-4(IL-4)and the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 in the peripheral blood of patients before and 2 weeks after treatment,as well as serum immunoglobulin E(IgE),anti-IgE antibody and histamine(HA)level,and with skin lesions disappearing time,skin oil,transepidermal water loss(TEWL),eczema area and severity index(EASI)score,total effective rate,degree of pruritus and traditional Chinese medicine quality of life scale(EPQOLS)score to evaluate the efficacy.[Results]Compared with the Western medicine treatment group at 2 w,the disappearance time of skin lesions in the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine group was shortened,TEWL,itching degree and EASI score,serum IgE and HA,and peripheral blood IL-4 levels were all decreased(P<0.05).IFN-γand IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio,anti-IgE antibody,EPQOLS score and total effective rate were all increased(P<0.05),and the difference was statistically significant.[Conclusions]Chuanbai antipruritic lotion"water film"wet compress combined with chloramphenicol prednisone liniment is an optimized and safe and efficient method for the treatment of acute eczema,which can quickly relieve the symptoms of inflammatory damage of eczema and restore the skin barrier function,dry dampness and relieve itch.Inhibition of the release of histamine active substances and regulation of immunity may be the main mechanisms.

Preventive effect of essential oil of Cinnamomum camphora leaves against mice allergic contact dermatitis

This article was aimed to study the antiinflammatory and antipruritic effects of essential oil of camphor leaves and its possible mechanism. The chemical constituents of essential oil of camphor leaves were analyzed by GC-MS. Mice allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) models were induced 0.5% 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) solution. The contents of IL-4, 5-LOX, LTB4 and LTR1 in serum and the histomorphology of mice ear cutaneous tissue were measured after induction. Pathological examination showed a large number of inflammatory cells in the model group. Inflammatory cells were not seen in essential oil high dose group. The dermis slightly thickened in the low doses of essential oil group. The contents of 5-LOX, LTB4 and LTR1 of the drug groups were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) compared with that of the model group. However, the essential oil of camphor leaf had no significant effect on IL-4 (P > 0.05). Essential oil of camphor leaves has significant antiinflammatory and antipruritic effects on ACD by inhibiting the 5-LOX-LTB4-LTR1 pathway.