Anaphylactic shock reaction to dibutyl-phthalate-containing capsules

Is Myrtol® Standardized a New Alternative toward Antibiotics?

GeloMyrtol^® and GeloMyrtol^® forte, also known as Myrtol^® standardized, is an herbal medical product (phytomedicine) obtained by a multistep distillation procedure from essential oils. The major biological marker of in vivo and ex vivo activity of Myrtol^® standardized is the monoterpenes, d-limonene, 1,8-cineole, and alpha-pinene. Myrtol^® standardized is estimated to have antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial potential while many studies confirmed its secretolytic and bronchospasmolytic effects. As such, the medication is proposed to be initiated in several acute and chronic infections of the upper and lower airway system as acute and chronic rhinosinusitis, acute and chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This review intends to give an insight into several prescription indications of Myrtol^® standardized, all involved mechanisms, and potential advantages toward antibiotic therapy, especially in cases when bacterial infection is uncertain.

Lack of sensitization for trimellitate, phthalate, terephthalate and isobutyrate plasticizers in a human repeated insult patch test

Two hundred and three human volunteers were tested for evidence of sensitization to several plasticizers following 3 weeks of dermal application three times a week. Tris(2-ethylhexyl)mellitate (TOTM; 1%, v/v), 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol-diisobutyrate (TXIB; 1%, v/v), di(2-ethylhexyl)terephthalate (DEHT; 0.5%, v/v) and diethylphthalate (DEP; 2%, v/v) were applied to the skin of volunteers under semi-occlusive patch for 3 consecutive weeks and the reactions to a challenge application noted following a 2-week rest period. Slight erythema was observed in four individuals exposed to TOTM, two of which resolved within 96 h and one that occurred only after 96 h. Slight erythema was noted in three subjects exposed to TXIB, one of which resolved by 96 h and one that occurred only after 96 h. Two subjects had slight erythema to DEHT, one that resolved by 96 h and one that occurred only after 96 h. One reaction occurred with DEP at 96 h after challenge. Of the positive responses, one subject reacted to all test substances. No subject had a response grade of 1.0 or greater. Because of the low response, the overall conclusion is that none of the plasticizers demonstrated evidence of sensitization or irritation.