Pinetonina^TM, an Intranasally Administered Essential Oil Preparation, Is Effective in Decrease of Cortisol Levels and on the Glutamate Release Modulation

Background: Most anxiety complaints are treated with pharmacological measures involving barbiturates and benzodiazepines, in which they may end up causing tolerance and pharmacological dependence. Integrative approaches such as aromatherapy are used in addition to medications to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety. Thus, PinetoninTM, a phytocomplex obtained from a blend of essential oils aims to aid in the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Methods: The cytotoxicity of PinetoninTM was evaluated MTT assay using fibroblasts and astrocytes showed reduction in the cell viability only at high concentrations. Evaluation of intracellular calcium and determination of residual glutamate in the supernatant of astrocyte cultures showed agonist action of dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) increasing linearly the concentration of intracellular calcium and the glutamate levels in the supernatants of the cultures. On the other hand, cultures of astrocytes treated with PinetoninTM showed residual glutamate levels in the supernatants reducing proportionally, as well as, intracellular calcium reduction. The determination of salivary cortisol showed a significant reduction in salivary cortisol levels in the group that received PinetoninTM. The evaluation of the electroencephalogram in patients treated with PinetoninTM had a significant increase (P Results: A reduction in dose-dependent cell viability was observed when compared to cultures of PinetoninTM treated fibroblasts with control culture. When PinetoninTM and linole are administered in astrocytic cells, there was a reduction of the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ against a control group treated with DHPG agonist. The evaluation of salivary cortisol demonstrated a reduction when the patient group was treated with PinetoninTM by purchasing the results against the group of patients treated with saline. Reinforcing the relaxed state of that group, alpha waves have been increased and reductions in beta waves. Conclusion: The results obtained after intranasal administration of PinetoninTM suggest that this phytocomplex can help reduce the symptoms of stress and the better quality of life.

Artemisia vulgaris Induces Tumor-Selective Ferroptosis and Necroptosis via Lysosomal Ca^(2+) Signaling

Objective To evaluate the chemical composition and effects of Artemisia vulgaris(AV)hydroalcoholic extract(HEAV)on breast cancer cells(MCF-7 and SKBR-3),chronic myeloid leukemia(K562)and NIH/3T3 fibroblasts.Methods Phytochemical analysis of HEAV was done by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass(HPLC)spectrometry.Viability and cell death studies were performed using trypan blue and Annexin/FITC-7AAD,respectively.Ferrostatin-1(Fer-1)and necrostatin-1(Nec-1)were used to assess the mode of HEAV-induced cell death and acetoxymethylester(BAPTA-AM)was used to verify the involvement of cytosolic calcium in this event.Cytosolic calcium measurements were made using Fura-2-AM.Results HEAV decreased the viability of MCF-7,SKBR-3 and K562 cells(P<0.05).The viability of HEAV-treated K562 cells was reduced compared to HEAV-exposed fibroblasts(P<0.05).Treatment of K562 cells with HEAV induced cell death primarily by late apoptosis and necrosis in assays using annexin V-FITC/7-AAD(P<0.05).The use of Nec-1 and Fer-1 increased the viability of K562 cells treated with HEAV relative to cells exposed to HEAV alone(P<0.01).HEAV-induced Ca^(2+)release mainly from lysosomes in K562 cells(P<0.01).Furthermore,BAPTA-AM,an intracellular Ca^(2+)chelator,decreased the number of non-viable cells treated with HEAV(P<0.05).Conclusions HEAV is cytotoxic and activates several modalities of cell death,which are partially dependent on lysosomal release of Ca^(2+).These effects may be related to artemisinin and caffeoylquinic acids,the main compounds identified in HEAV.

Research methods in complementary and alternative medicine： an integrative review

The scientific literature presents a modest amount ot evidence m the use or complementary ana al[erna- tire medicine （CAM）. On the other hand, in practice, relevant results are common. The debates among CAM practitioners about the quality and execution of scientific research are important, Therefore, the aim of this review is to gather, synthesize and describe the differentiated methodological models that encompass the complexity of therapeutic interventions. The process of bringing evidence-based medicine into clinical practice in CAM is essential for the growth and strengthening of complementary medicines worldwide.