Annual Committed Effective Dose from Various Phytotherapeutic Preparations (due to 238U, 232Th, 222Rn and 220Rn) Estimated for Adult Moroccan Patients

We use a nuclear technique based on the determination of the detection efficiencies of solid state nuclear track detectors CR-39 and LR-115 type II (SSNTDs) for alpha particles emitted from the series of uranium-238 and thorium-232 in a phytotherapeutic sample and the measurement of alpha track densities registered on these detectors to assess alpha activities due to uranium-238;thorium-232;radon and thoron in samples of phytotherapeutic preparations consumed by Moroccan adult patients. For modern preparations, the alpha activities due to 238U, 232Th and 222Rn range from 14.27 mBq/kg to 22.02 mBq/kg, from 6.27 mBq/kg to 9.64 mBq/kg and from 14.27 Bq/kg to 22.02 Bq/kg respectively. For classical preparations, the alpha activities due to 238U, 232Th and 222Rn range from 16.73 mBq/kg to 24 mBq/kg, from 7.34 mBq/kg to 10.82 mBq/kg and from 16.73 Bq/kg to 24.72 Bq/kg respectively. A dosimetric model for ingestion has been highlighted to determine committed equivalent dose to different compartments of human gastrointestinal system due to the ingestion of phytotherapeutic preparations by Moroccan adult patients. The maximum overall effective dose due to 238U, 232Th, and 222Rn after the ingestion of the studied phytotherapeutic preparations, was found equal to 38 × 10-8 S·vy-1 which is less than the dose limit given by the international commission for radiological protection in it publication 56.

Possible Uses for Silymarin in Human Health: Systematic Review

Silymarin, from the fruit of Silybum marianum, is known for its hepatoprotective action. The aim of this study was to review the mechanisms of action of the silymarin phytocomplex to expand the possibilities for its application in human health. The search for published articles was carried out on the CAPES Journals Portal platform, which covers worldwide scientific databases. Publications from 2010 to 2022 were included. Of the 311 articles retrieved, 21 were included. The articles discuss the diversity of silymarin’s applications and the possibility of optimizing its bioavailability using drug delivery systems. Silymarin shows promise in numerous diseases, such as liver, kidney, cardiovascular, respiratory and others. Its antiviral action has been demonstrated in studies and silymarin has the potential to be used as a complementary therapy in the treatment of many diseases, with the expectation that, in the future, it will be used in therapeutic protocols for exclusive use.

An Update on Pathophysiology and Medical Management of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is an inflammatory oestrogen dependent disease defined by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma at extrauterine sites. The modern advance in treatment of endometriosis management is tackling the debilitating pain it causes, besides the infertility in patients desiring fertility in reproductive age group. This can be achieved by surgical or medical means, although in most cases a combination of both treatments is required. Usually, long term treatment is required in most cases. Unfortunately in most cases, pain symptoms recur between 6months and 12 months once treatment is stopped. A lot of research has gone in understanding the pathogenesis and further medical management of endometriosis besides surgery to be useful in relieving pain and use in patients desiring fertility besides hormonal treatments used earlier like hormonal contraceptives (oral, transdermal or vaginal administration), progestogens, danazol, Gonadotrophic releasing hormone agonist (GnRH), aromatase inhibitors. Newer agents like antiangiogenic drugs, phytochemical agents like resveratrol, TNF-α inhibitors, GnRH antagonists like egalogolix, statins, antiinflammatory agents like COX2 Inhibitors and PPARγ inhibitors like pioglitazone etc., with recent work of combined efficacy of telmesartan of both PPARγ partial agonism along with angiotensin 1 receptor agonism having more efficacy, role of immunomodulators like rapamycin, lipoxin 4 and pentoxyphylline, GnRH antagonists like egalogolix are still under study undergoing phase III trials although preliminary results show promising results with fewer side effects as compared to similar duration of GnRH agonist and much less BMD side effects. Increasing number of trials show the safety of SPRM’s, along with efficacy although disadvantage is suppression of fertility so cannot be used for women desiring fertility. Currently, only mifepristone and ulipristal have received FDA approval for indication in fibroid treatment, MTP and not for endometriosis as yet. The advantages and disadvantages of all the recent advances are discussed in an update in the pathophysiology as well medical treatment of endometriosis.

The pharmacological mechanism of quercetin as adjuvant therapy of COVID-19

The emergence of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2)has caused the global outbreak and major public health concern.After the outbreak human-to-human transmission was confirmed with or without symptoms of upper and lower respiratory tract involvement.Up to date,there has been evidence that COVID-19 is beyond that of a typi­cal pulmonary disease and revealing pathomechanics of COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome(CARDS),which include severe inflammation and pulmonary edema leading to impaired alveolar homeostasis,and resulting in an alter­ation of lung physiology,lung fibrosis,inflammation of endothelium,vascular thrombosis,as well as exaggerated immune re­sponse.Concerning this pathophysiology,the use of quercetin as phytotherapeutic may merit in the management of COVID-19 patients.In this review,the authors wish to elaborate on the molecular effect of quercetin on SARS-CoV-2 by giving a detailed mechanism of quercetin against the binding of the S-protein of the virus to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)recep­tors,the main protease(M^(pro))or 3C-like protease(3CL^(pro)),papain-like protease(PL^(pro)),and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase(RdRP).Recent clinical evidence supporting the use of quercetin in COVID-19 management is also discussed in this paper.