The present paper is a review on hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic frequently used in therapeutics, also underlining several particularities observed in time and correlated with the results in the literature in what concerns the phototoxic action of this diuretic on skin.

Toothpastes containing different components which could have beneficial effects on oral health and the identification of better composition are always a research challenge. Our study aims are to evaluate the synergistic effect of propolis, myrrh, and chlorhexidine, separated and combined in some formulated toothpaste. To assess the electrochemical capacity by monitoring of physico-chemical parameters (pH conductivity), the mixture of these components in toothpaste into artificial saliva solution was performed in ambient medium and at 37 o C. The antioxidant activity and the antimicrobial potential in vitro of toothpastes formulated against microorganisms that frequently colonize the oral cavity was performed also. It has been found that mixtures of chlorhexidine, propolis, and myrrh exhibit synergistic antioxidant activity with better potential than some commercial toothpaste, also the antibacterial activity shown that this activity is maintained in time against some strains.

The present study reports an eco-friendly synthesis method of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using two different extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) of Tagetes erecta flowers. When exposed to different biocompounds found in the plant, silver ions are reduced, thus, resulting in the green synthesis of nanoparticles. After performing the optimization of synthesis, the obtained AgNPs were characterized using various techniques. The UV–Vis spectrum of the synthesized nanoparticles showed maximum peaks at 410 and 420 nm. TEM analysis revealed that the particles were spherical with a size ranging from 10 to 15 nm, and EDX analysis confirmed the presence of silver metal. The average diameter value obtained through DLS analysis for the two types of AgNPs (obtained using aqueous and ethanolic extracts) was 104 and 123 nm. The Zeta potentials of the samples were −27.74 mV and −26.46 mV, respectively, which indicates the stability of the colloidal solution. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities assays showed that nanoparticles obtained using the aqueous extract presented enhanced antioxidant activity compared to the corresponding extract, with both types of AgNPs exhibiting improved antifungal properties compared to the initial extracts.

Numerous articles on Salvia officinalis L. have been published regarding the composition of their essential oil. The considerable variation found may be due to the quality of the plant material as well as to the methods used for analysis. A simple GC-MS method was developed and optimized in the QbD approach, for the determination of sage essential oils. The optimization of GC-MS analysis was performed using different mobile phase flows, injection volumes, split ratios and temperature programs. The optimized method proved to be simple and can be successfully applied for the determination of sage essential oils.

Conyza canadensis is a plant widely used in traditional medicine in Morocco for the treatment of varied health challenges. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no scientific study justifying the traditional use of Conyza extract as an anxiolytic and antidepressant agent. Moreover, data regarding the polyphenolic fraction is limited. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the chemical composition of an aqueous extract obtained from the aerial parts of Conyza, its antioxidant potential, and the anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects of the sample (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight (bw)) in the scopolamine (Sco) (0.7 mg/kg bw) rat model. To achieve this purpose, a variety of antioxidant tests (including free radical-scavenging activity and lipoxygenase-inhibitory potential assays) and behavioral procedures, such as the elevated plus-maze and forced swimming tests, were performed. The results demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Conyza canadensis is rich in catechins and flavonoids which possess good antioxidant activity. Additionally, concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract exhibited significant anxiolytic and antidepressant-like profiles following scopolamine treatment. Therefore, we propose that the use of Conyza canadensis could be a new pharmacological target for the amelioration of major depression.

(1) Background: Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. is an important pharmaceutical crop that remains a focus point for researchers worldwide due to its complex phytochemical constituents, medicinal effects, and nutraceutical properties. The literature data are based on animal and cell culture studies, so the clinical evidence for the therapeutic effects is poorly outlined. The aim of this review was to provide an updated and thorough understanding of Perilla frutescens applications in clinical practice using data derived from human studies, and to outline the potential directions and perspectives for further studies on this crop. (2) Methods: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were used to find relevant studies. All interventional studies that evaluated the effect of Perilla frutescens in human subjects were assessed. (3) Results: The main perspectives that can be contoured from the presented literature evaluation are an important clinical effect of Perilla frutescens extracts on allergic rhinoconjuctivitis, especially in young populations, a potent hypolipemiant effect that, in conjunction with increased serum biological antioxidant potential, determines significant improvements in cognitive function and a wide variety of miscellaneous clinical effects that need further exploration. (4) Conclusions: Supplementary research is needed in order to demonstrate the therapeutic effects of Perilla frutescens in controlled clinical settings.

(1) Background: Chronic renal disorders (CRD) are associated with significant comorbidities and necessitate complex therapeutic management. As time passed, Perilla frutescens (PF) became a promising therapeutic option for CRD. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to outline the therapeutic effects of PF extracts on various models of immunoglobulin a (IgA) nephropathy; (2) Methods: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were used to find relevant studies. All prospective interventional studies that evaluated the effect of PF extract versus placebo on rat models of chronic renal disorders were assessed according to the international guidelines; (3) Results: Our search yielded 23 unique records, out of which only five were included in the analysis. Our results showed that administration of PF extracts led to a statistically significant reduction in proteinuria and PCNA levels in rats that received high doses of the extract as well as in the PCNA level and DNA synthesis in rats that received low doses of the extract. The evaluated outcomes benefited from a low degree of heterogeneity; (4) Conclusions: Some of the evaluated outcomes were significantly reduced by both high and low doses of extracts from Perilla frutescens. Further studies are needed to determine the exact effect over IgA nephropathy in human subjects.

The objective of the current study is represented by the determination of silica and a phytochemical screening of phenolic derivates of some Equisetum species. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity for Equisetum pratense Ehrh.,, Equisetum sylvaticum L. and Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. (sin. Equisetum maximum Lam.) were also investigated. The concentration of silicon (Si) in plants was determined by the spectrophotometric method using previous treatment with NaOH 50% both for the stem and the nodal branches [1]. Results obtained varied from 95.12 to 162.10 SiO2 mg/g dry plant which represents 4.44% to 7.58% Si/100g dry sample. Two types of total extracts were obtained using different solvents and were subjected to qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis considering total phenolic content [2]. The highest concentration of investigated compounds was found in the methanolic extract, E. sylvaticum, 196.5mg/g dry sample. Antioxidant activity was monitored spectrophotometrically and expressed in terms of IC50 (�g/mL) [3]. Values gathered ranged from 261.7 to 429.5 �g/mL. The highest capacity to neutralized DPPH radicals was found in E. sylvaticum. In vitro antimicrobial activity was determined using difusimetric method [4]. Testing was performed on four microorganisms: three strains of bacteria and one species of fungi. Different effects were noticed against the bacteria, furthermore the methanol extract appeared to be most efficient. All extracts showed significand antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Candida albicans (ATCC 90028) and weak to no activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922).