Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant and Anti-Enzymatic Activities of Selected Adaptogenic Plants from South America, Asia, and Africa

Despite the fact that there are many studies related to the adaptogenic and pro-healthy activities of plant-based compounds, there are some adaptogenic plants whose activities are not fully known, especially those coming from the wild regions of Asia, Africa, and South America. The aim of these studies was to examine the contents of non-nutritional compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids in ten adaptogenic species (Astragalus membranaceus (AM), Uncaria rhynchophylla (UR), Polygonum multiflorum (PM), Angelica sinensis (AS), Andrographis paniculatea (AP), Tinospora cordifolia (TC), Uncaria tomentosa (UT), Pfaffia paniculate (PP), Sutherlandia frutescens (SF), and Rhaponticum carthamoides (RC)). Considering biological activity, their antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and ferrous-ion-chelating ability assays), anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-hyaluronidase, and anti-tyrosinase activities were evaluated. The richest in polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids was UR (327.78 mg GAE/g, 230.13 mg QE/g, and 81.03 mg CA/g, respectively). The highest inhibitions of acetylcholinesterase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase were observed for TC, UR, and PM, respectively. In the case of antioxidant properties, extract from PM appeared to most strongly reduce DPPH, extract from UR inhibited ABTS, and extract from SF showed the best chelating properties. It should be noted that a particularly interesting plant was Ulcaria rhynchophylla. The results mean that there were compounds in UR with broad biological activities, and this species should be explored in more detail. Additionally, our results justify the traditional use of these species in the nutripharmacological or ethnopharmacological care systems of different regions.

Intracranial hemorrhages associated with meningiomas: Own experience and literature review

Intracranial hemorrhage associated with meningioma is rare. Relatively, few such cases are described in the source literature, and it is estimated that intracranial meningiomas presenting with hemorrhage account for about one percent of all meningiomas. Hemorrhage can occur in both meningioma tissue and on the tumor surface. It can lead to intracerebral, subdural and subarachnoid hematoma. This can in turn cause high intracranial pressure with rapid neurological deterioration. Urgent neurosurgical intervention is often necessary. In our department, three patients with meningioma-related hemorrhage were treated surgically from 2006 to 2020. One patient was operated on as an emergency, due to the patient's poor neurological condition, while the two others underwent surgery following supplementary diagnosis several days following their admission. The outcomes of the three patients were good. The three meningiomas associated with hemorrhage described in the present manuscript constitute 2.2% of all 136 meningiomas treated surgically from 2006 to 2020 at our department. All three hemorrhages described in this study were associated with WHO I convexity meningiomas. Similar data can be found in some sources also describing meningioma WHO I-related hemorrhages; nevertheless, other literature references indicate a higher risk of bleeding into meningiomas of a higher degree of malignancy. The hemorrhage mechanism remains unclear; however, the proposed mechanism is rupture of defective intratumoral blood vessels and stretching of the superficial veins including bridge veins by the growing tumor, leading to their rupture. Our observations regarding the incidence of meningioma hemorrhage and tumor location are consistent with the source literature data.

Plasma HGF concentration in patients with brain tumors

The Hepatocyte Growth Factor is a strong mitogenic factor and seems to play important role in tumor angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to analyse the plasma concentration of this factor in patients treated surgically because of intracranial tumors. The study included 47 patients, both sexes treated surgically for intracranial tumors and 30 adult volunteers of both sexes, without cancer diagnosis. In study group 4 measurements of plasma HGF were taken: measurement 1: within 24 hours to 1 hour before the operation (preoperative), measurement 2: on the first day after the operation, i.e. after 24 hours, measurement 3: between the third and fifth day following the treatment, i.e. within 72-120 hours, and measurement 4: on the seventh day after the operation, i.e. after 840 hours. In control group only one measurement was taken. The distribution of the analyzed parameters was different from the normal distribution, therefore nonparametric statistics were used. The result values are presented in the form of a median (Me). The analysis revealed that HGR plasma levels in the patients with intracranial tumors in all 4 measurements (Me1 = 543.16 pg/ml, Me2 = 762.59 pg/ml, Me3 = 819.82 pg/ml, Me4 = 804.82 pg/ml) in the perioperative period were elevated in comparison to healthy subjects (Me = 361.04 pg/ml). The association has been shown to exist between postoperative HGF plasma levels and the clinical condition of patients with intracranial tumors (p = 0.0342). Postoperative HGF levels correlated negatively with the patients' postoperative condition. It was also found that in patients with supratentorial tumors HGF plasma levels were higher (Me = 557.74 pg/ml) in comparison to patients with posterior fossa tumors (Me = 325.00 pg/ml). These results suggest increased angiogenic and mitogenic activity in patients with intracranial tumors and its even greater intensity in the postoperative period. Greater angiogenic activity appears to occur in patients with supratentorial tumors.

Phosphate depletion and repletion: relation to parenteral nutrition and oxygen transport

Phosphate depletion occurring during total parenteral nutrition has been frequently reported during the part 4 years. Hypophosphatemia may be associated with confusion, hyperventilation, and neuromuscular irritability, suggesting a total body phosphate deficiency. If inorganic phosphate levels fall below 1.0 mg %, diminished red cell glycolysis occurs with low erythrocyte levels of 2,3 diphosphoglycerate and adenosine triphosphate. Lowered red cell organic phosphates are associated with increased hemoglobin oxygen affinity. If severe hypophosphatemia occurs, hemolytic anemia, which is correctible by phosphate infusion, may result. In addition, leucocyte function is impaired by low levels of serum inorganic phosphate. While recognized as a needed additive, recommended phosphate supplements vary. Different infusion regimens have been suggested over the past 4 years, based primarily on assumed daily requirements. In the 19 trauma patients described who received hyperalimentation as part of their treatment, phosphate administration was calculated retrospectively and prospectively as a function of non-protein calories infused. Four different groups were studied. Group A received no phosphate additive and quickly became severely hypophosphatemic. Group B received from one to 15 meg of potassium acid phosphate per 1,000 K cal and developed a more gradual lowering of serum inorganic phosphate levels. Group C received 15 to 25 meg of potassium acid phosphate per 1,000 K cal and maintained normal phosphate levels throughout the course of treatment. Group D received greater than 25 meq of potassium acid phosphate per 1,000 K cal and gradually increased their serum inorganic phosphate levels. A significant positive correlation was found between serum inorganic phosphate levels, 2,3 diphosphoglycerate levels, adenosine triphosphate levels, and P50 of the oxy-hemoglobin dissociation curve. No patients developed hemolytic or neuromuscular syndromes which were attributable to hypophosphatemia. This study describes a simple method for the maintenance of adequate phosphate levels in patients whose dextrose-protein solutions may vary from day to day, by relating it to non-protein calories. Provision of 20 to 25 meq of potassium dihydrogen phosphate per 1,000 K cal will maintain normal serum levels of inorganic phosphate during total parenteral nutrition.