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Prostatitis-like symptoms: diagnosis and management in a Malaysian primary care population

Lee SW, Liong ML, Yuen KH, Leong WS, Khan N, Cheah PY, et al.

Urol Int, 2009;82(1):32-7.
PMID: 19172094 DOI: 10.1159/000176022

BACKGROUND: Little is known about how primary care physicians (PCPs) in Asia diagnose and manage prostatitis-like symptoms. This study investigated the clinical diagnosis of and care provided for prostatitis-like symptoms by PCPs in a Malaysian population, and compared these findings to reports from other areas.
METHODS: All members of the Penang Private Medical Practitioners' Society were asked to complete a self-administered survey. Nonresponders were contacted after 3 weeks and received a telephone request after 6 weeks.
RESULTS: Of the 786 practitioners contacted, 669 considered themselves to be PCPs, including 279 (42%) who responded to the survey. Adult males with prostatitis-like symptoms typically constitute <1% of the patients seen by PCPs. Most PCPs (72%) believe that prostatitis-like symptoms are caused by bacterial infection. 61% of PCPs base their diagnosis of prostatitis-like symptoms on clinical history, a physical examination and dipstick urinalysis. Standard management was to prescribe 1 or 2 courses of antimicrobials.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite the 8.7% prevalence found in a previous survey in this population, prostatitis remains underdiagnosed in Malaysia. In contrast to many other clinical settings, urologists in Malaysia see a large proportion of newly diagnosed and treatment-naive prostatitis patients, providing an opportunity for clinical diagnostic and treatment studies.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Fulltext Hospital-acquired vancomycin-resistant enterococci: now appearing in Kuala Lumpur Hospital

Zubaidah AW, Ariza A, Azmi S

Med J Malaysia, 2006 Oct;61(4):487-9.
PMID: 17243529 MyJurnal

Hospital-acquired vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were first reported in the late 1980s and have since been an increasing problem worldwide. Kuala Lumpur Hospital thus far, to the best of our knowledge has been spared from this pathogen. We describe the first confirmed case of Enterococcus faecium exhibiting the van A phenotype in our hospital, in a patient with chronic renal failure who was successfully treated with linezolid. The microbiology laboratory plays an important role in the identification and detection of VRE.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Fulltext Intravenous followed by oral ofloxacin in the treatment of community acquired lower respiratory tract infections in adults requiring hospitalisation

Liam CK, Aziah AM, Lim KH, Wong CMM

Med J Malaysia, 2000 Sep;55(3):304-7.
PMID: 11200708

Forty patients were treated with ofloxacin for community acquired lower respiratory tract infections. Eighteen pathogens were isolated in sputum; Streptococcus pneumoniae (4) and Haemophilus influenzae (4) were the most common, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (3), Klebsiella spp. (2), Staphylococcus anreus (2), Pseudomonas spp. (2), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1). Ofloxacin 200 mg every 12 hours was administered for an average of 3.7 days intravenously followed by 5.4 days orally. Response to therapy was judged to be cure in 38 (95%; 95% C.I., 85%-95%) patients, failure in one (2.5%) and "indeterminate" in one (2.5%).

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Parotid abscess: a five-year review--clinical presentation, diagnosis and management

Tan VE, Goh BS

J Laryngol Otol, 2007 Sep;121(9):872-9.
PMID: 17112392

Parotid abscess is an uncommon complication of suppurative infection of the parotid gland parenchyma, commonly bacterial or viral. Ductal ectasis, primary parenchymal involvement, or infection of the intraparotid or periparotid lymph nodes can result in abscess formation. Parotid abscess may arise from ductal ectasis, primary parenchymal involvement, or infection of the subcapsular lymph nodes. The operative records for all the patients who underwent surgeries in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of the National University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between January 2001 and December 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Our case series comprises 15 patients, with 10 males and five females with a median age at presentation of 51 years old. Diabetes mellitus is a significant comorbid factor, with six patients being diabetics. Among the diabetics, two patients presented with facial nerve palsy and one of them also died due to overwhelming septicaemia. Here, we discuss the presenting symptoms, predisposing factors, investigations, microbiology and complications of this condition.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Auricular pseudocyst in the tropics: a multi-racial Singapore experience

Tan BY, Hsu PP

J Laryngol Otol, 2004 Mar;118(3):185-8.
PMID: 15068513

Endochondral pseudocyst of the auricle is an uncommon condition that affects predominantly Chinese males, with many reports studying this condition in homogenous Chinese populations. There have been few large-scale reports describing the features of this disease among the other Asian groups. In one of the largest series described to date, we report the epidemiological features, clinico-pathologic characteristics, and success of surgical treatment in 40 patients of different Asian groups presenting with pseudocyst of the auricle. Results showed a Chinese predominance (90 per cent), followed by Malays (five per cent) and Eurasians (five per cent). All had unilateral presentations apart from one patient. Most (55 per cent) presented within two weeks of auricular swelling. Few (10 per cent) had a history of trauma. The pseudocysts predominantly affected the concha (61 per cent). Surgery comprised excision of the anterior wall followed by local pressure application. Only 2.5 per cent had recurrence after surgery. These findings confirm earlier understood features of this disease while revealing some notable variations.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Chromobacterium violaceum septicaemia from north India

Ray P, Sharma J, Marak RS, Singhi S, Taneja N, Garg RK, et al.

Indian J Med Res, 2004 Dec;120(6):523-6.
PMID: 15654137

Though Chromobacterium violaceum is a common inhabitant of soil and water in tropical and sub-tropical regions, human infections are rare but when they do occur result in high mortality. Since the first case from Malaysia in 1927, about 150 cases have been reported in world literature. Till date 6 cases have been reported from southern and eastern parts of India. We report here a case of C. violaceum septicaemia, probably the first case from north India. The patient, a 6 and a half year old boy was admitted with high fever. The patient had anaemia, neutrophilic leucocytosis and bilateral chest infiltrates. Routine and bacteriological investigations were carried out to establish the aetiological diagnosis. C. violaceum was isolated in pure culture from blood and pus. The patient was successfully treated with ciprofloxacin and amikacin. This is probably the first documented case report of C. violaceum infection from north India and the only Indian case with septicaemia which survived.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Fulltext Antimicrobial dressings for the prevention of catheter-related infections in newborn infants with central venous catheters

Lai NM, Taylor JE, Tan K, Choo YM, Ahmad Kamar A, Muhamad NA

Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2016 Mar 23;3:CD011082.
PMID: 27007217 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011082.pub2

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheters (CVCs) provide secured venous access in neonates. Antimicrobial dressings applied over the CVC sites have been proposed to reduce catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI) by decreasing colonisation. However, there may be concerns on the local and systemic adverse effects of these dressings in neonates.
OBJECTIVES: We assessed the effectiveness and safety of antimicrobial (antiseptic or antibiotic) dressings in reducing CVC-related infections in newborn infants. Had there been relevant data, we would have evaluated the effects of antimicrobial dressings in different subgroups, including infants who received different types of CVCs, infants who required CVC for different durations, infants with CVCs with and without other antimicrobial modifications, and infants who received an antimicrobial dressing with and without a clearly defined co-intervention.
SEARCH METHODS: We used the standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group (CNRG). We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2015, Issue 9), MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE (EBCHOST), CINAHL and references cited in our short-listed articles using keywords and MeSH headings, up to September 2015.
SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials that compared an antimicrobial CVC dressing against no dressing or another dressing in newborn infants.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We extracted data using the standard methods of the CNRG. Two review authors independently assessed the eligibility and risk of bias of the retrieved records. We expressed our results using risk difference (RD) and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
MAIN RESULTS: Out of 173 articles screened, three studies were included. There were two comparisons: chlorhexidine dressing following alcohol cleansing versus polyurethane dressing following povidone-iodine cleansing (one study); and silver-alginate patch versus control (two studies). A total of 855 infants from level III neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) were evaluated, 705 of whom were from a single study. All studies were at high risk of bias for blinding of care personnel or unclear risk of bias for blinding of outcome assessors. There was moderate-quality evidence for all major outcomes.The single study comparing chlorhexidine dressing/alcohol cleansing against polyurethane dressing/povidone-iodine cleansing showed no significant difference in the risk of CRBSI (RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.53 to 2.65; RD 0.01, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.03; 655 infants, moderate-quality evidence) and sepsis without a source (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.52; RD 0.01, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.06; 705 infants, moderate-quality evidence). There was a significant reduction in the risk of catheter colonisation favouring chlorhexidine dressing/alcohol cleansing group (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.86; RD -0.09, 95% CI -0.15 to -0.03; number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome (NNTB) 11, 95% CI 7 to 33; 655 infants, moderate-quality evidence). However, infants in the chlorhexidine dressing/alcohol cleansing group were significantly more likely to develop contact dermatitis, with 19 infants in the chlorhexidine dressing/alcohol cleansing group having developed contact dermatitis compared to none in the polyurethane dressing/povidone-iodine cleansing group (RR 43.06, 95% CI 2.61 to 710.44; RD 0.06, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.08; number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH) 17, 95% CI 13 to 33; 705 infants, moderate-quality evidence). The roles of chlorhexidine dressing in the outcomes reported were unclear, as the two assigned groups received different co-interventions in the form of different skin cleansing agents prior to catheter insertion and during each dressing change.In the other comparison, silver-alginate patch versus control, the data for CRBSI were analysed separately in two subgroups as the two included studies reported the outcome using different denominators: one using infants and another using catheters. There were no significant differences between infants who received silver-alginate patch against infants who received standard line dressing in CRBSI, whether expressed as the number of infants (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.14 to 1.78; RD -0.12, 95% CI -0.33 to 0.09; 1 study, 50 participants, moderate-quality evidence) or as the number of catheters (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.89; RD -0.05, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.10; 1 study, 118 participants, moderate-quality evidence). There was also no significant difference between the two groups in mortality (RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.15 to 2.05; RD -0.04, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.05; two studies, 150 infants, I² = 0%, moderate-quality evidence). No adverse skin reaction was recorded in either group.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on moderate-quality evidence, chlorhexidine dressing/alcohol skin cleansing reduced catheter colonisation, but made no significant difference in major outcomes like sepsis and CRBSI compared to polyurethane dressing/povidone-iodine cleansing. Chlorhexidine dressing/alcohol cleansing posed a substantial risk of contact dermatitis in preterm infants, although it was unclear whether this was contributed mainly by the dressing material or the cleansing agent. While silver-alginate patch appeared safe, evidence is still insufficient for a recommendation in practice. Future research that evaluates antimicrobial dressing should ensure blinding of caregivers and outcome assessors and ensure that all participants receive the same co-interventions, such as the skin cleansing agent. Major outcomes like sepsis, CRBSI and mortality should be assessed in infants of different gestation and birth weight.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use*
Fulltext Use of gallium-67 in the assessment of response to antibiotic therapy in malignant otitis externa--a case report

Paramsothy M, Khanijow V, Ong TO

Singapore Med J, 1997 Aug;38(8):347-9.
PMID: 9364890

Malignant Otitis Externa (MOE) can cause considerable morbidity and mortality in affected individuals. The outlook is now much improved with the use of ciprofloxacin, but it is important to ascertain that the infection has been completely eradicated before stopping treatment, as undertreatment may lead to a recurrence which is usually more resistant than the initial infection. Gallium-67 Single Photon Emmision Computerised Tomography (SPECT) is a sensitive and cost effective tool in monitoring the disease activity of MOE, and should be used in the assessment of the response to antibiotic therapy.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use*
Ofloxacin, a new quinolone for the treatment of gonorrhea

Rajakumar MK, Ngeow YF, Khor BS, Lim KF

Sex Transm Dis, 1988 1 1;15(1):25-6.
PMID: 3162781

Forty-three patients with uncomplicated gonorrhea were treated with 400 mg of ofloxacin. All had cultures negative for Neisseria gonorrhoeae at follow-up within two weeks of treatment. Minimal side effects were reported. Ofloxacin appears to be satisfactory as a single-dose oral drug for the treatment of gonococcal urethritis, including those cases caused by penicillinase-producing strains of N. gonorrhoeae.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use*
Melioidosis imported into Nepal

Shrestha N, Sharma S, Khanal B, Bhatta N, Dhakal S

Scand. J. Infect. Dis., 2005;37(1):64-6.
PMID: 15764193

This is a report of the first recognized case of melioidosis in Nepal. Illness began 1 month after returning from Malaysia after a 1 y stay. The case highlights the importance of ascertaining the travel history in any patient with a suspected infectious disease in this age of global travel.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Fulltext Perceptions and Practices of Community Pharmacists towards Antimicrobial Stewardship in the State of Selangor, Malaysia

Khan MU, Hassali MA, Ahmad A, Elkalmi RM, Zaidi ST, Dhingra S

PLoS One, 2016;11(2):e0149623.
PMID: 26901404 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149623

BACKGROUND: Increasing antimicrobial resistance is one of the pressing concerns globally. Injudicious use of antibiotics is one of the modifiable factors responsible for antimicrobial resistance. Given the widespread use of antimicrobials in community settings, pharmacists have an important role in ensuring appropriate use of antibiotics. The objective of this study was to assess the perception and self-reported practices of community pharmacists towards antimicrobial stewardship.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among community pharmacists between March-April, 2015, using a self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire in the State of Selangor, Malaysia. A simple random sampling approach was used to select pharmacy sites. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the data.
RESULTS: A total of 188 pharmacists responded to the survey, giving a response rate of 83.5%. The majority of participants (n = 182, 96.8%) believed that antimicrobial stewardship program helps healthcare professionals to improve the quality of patient care. However, more than half of pharmacists were neutral in their opinion about the incorporation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in community pharmacies (n = 102, 54.2%). Though collaboration was often done by pharmacists with other health professionals over the use of antibiotics (n = 104, 55.3%), a significant proportion of participants (n = 102, 54.2%) rarely/occasionally participate in antimicrobial awareness campaigns. Pharmacists having postgraduate qualification were more likely to held positive perceptions of, and were engaged in, antimicrobial stewardship than their non-postgraduate counterpart (p<0.05). Similarly, more experienced pharmacists (> 10 years) held positive perceptions towards antimicrobial stewardship (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: The study highlighted some gaps in the perception and practices of community pharmacist towards antimicrobial stewardship. Development of customized interventions would be critical to bridging these gaps and improve their perception and practices towards antimicrobial stewardship.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use*
Fulltext Experimental Phage Therapy for Burkholderia pseudomallei Infection

Guang-Han O, Leang-Chung C, Vellasamy KM, Mariappan V, Li-Yen C, Vadivelu J

PLoS One, 2016;11(7):e0158213.
PMID: 27387381 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158213

Burkholderia pseudomallei is an intracellular Gram-negative bacterial pathogen intrinsically resistant to a variety of antibiotics. Phages have been developed for use as an alternative treatment therapy, particularly for bacterial infections that do not respond to conventional antibiotics. In this study, we investigated the use of phages to treat cells infected with B. pseudomallei. Phage C34 isolated from seawater was purified and characterised on the basis of its host range and morphology using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Phage C34 was able to lyse 39.5% of B. pseudomallei clinical strains. Due to the presence of contractile tail, phage C34 is classified as a member of the family Myoviridae, a tailed double-stranded DNA virus. When 2 × 105 A549 cells were exposed to 2 × 107 PFU of phage C34, 24 hours prior to infection with 2 × 106 CFU of B. pseudomallei, it was found that the survivability of the cells increased to 41.6 ± 6.8% as compared to 22.8 ± 6.0% in untreated control. Additionally, application of phage successfully rescued 33.3% of mice infected with B. pseudomallei and significantly reduced the bacterial load in the spleen of the phage-treated mice. These findings indicate that phage can be a potential antimicrobial agent for B. pseudomallei infections.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Antimicrobial activity of tiger's betel (Piper porphyrophyllum N.E. Br., Piperaceae)

Wiart C, Hannah NA, Yassim M, Hamimah H, Sulaiman M

Phytother Res, 2004 Sep;18(9):783-4.
PMID: 15478188

The ethanol extract of leaves of Piper porphyrophyllum N.E. Br. showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The activity was increased on fractionation (hexane, dichloromethane and aqueous), particularly in the aqueous fraction. No activity was shown against tested Candida albicans.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Medicinal uses, chemistry and pharmacology of Dillenia species (Dilleniaceae)

Sabandar CW, Jalil J, Ahmat N, Aladdin NA

Phytochemistry, 2017 Feb;134:6-25.
PMID: 27889244 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.11.010

The genus Dillenia is comprised of about 100 species of evergreen and deciduous trees or shrubs of disjunct distribution in the seasonal tropics of Madagascar through South and South East Asia, Malaysia, North Australia, and Fiji. Species from this genus have been widely used in medicinal folklore to treat cancers, wounds, jaundice, fever, cough, diabetes mellitus, and diarrhea as well as hair tonics. The plants of the genus also produce edible fruits and are cultivated as ornamental plants. Flavonoids, triterpenoids, and miscellaneous compounds have been identified in the genus. Their extracts and pure compounds have been reported for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antidiabetes, antioxidant, antidiarrheal, and antiprotozoal activities. Mucilage from their fruits is used in drug formulations.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Fulltext Anti-biofilm agents: recent breakthrough against multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Chung PY, Toh YS

Pathog Dis, 2014 Apr;70(3):231-9.
PMID: 24453168 DOI: 10.1111/2049-632X.12141

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogen that causes potentially life-threatening nosocomial- and community-acquired infections, such as osteomyelitis and endocarditis. Staphylococcus aureus has the ability to form multicellular, surface-adherent communities called biofilms, which enables it to survive in various sources of stress, including antibiotics, nutrient limitations, heat shock, and immune responses. Biofilm-forming capacity is now recognized as an important virulence determinant in the development of staphylococcal device-related infections. In light of the projected increase in the numbers of elderly patients who will require semi-permanent indwelling medical devices such as artificial knees and hips, we can anticipate an expanded need for new agents and treatment options to manage biofilm-associated infections in an expanding at-risk population. With better understanding of staphylococcal biofilm formation and growth, novel strategies that target biofilm-associated infections caused by S. aureus have recently been described and seem promising as future anti-biofilm therapies.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Fulltext Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng: Botanical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological and Nutritional Significance

Arumugam G, Swamy MK, Sinniah UR

Molecules, 2016 Mar 30;21(4):369.
PMID: 27043511 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21040369

Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng. is a perennial herb belonging to the family Lamiaceae which occurs naturally throughout the tropics and warm regions of Africa, Asia and Australia. This herb has therapeutic and nutritional properties attributed to its natural phytochemical compounds which are highly valued in the pharmaceutical industry. Besides, it has horticultural properties due to its aromatic nature and essential oil producing capability. It is widely used in folk medicine to treat conditions like cold, asthma, constipation, headache, cough, fever and skin diseases. The leaves of the plant are often eaten raw or used as flavoring agents, or incorporated as ingredients in the preparation of traditional food. The literature survey revealed the occurrence 76 volatiles and 30 non-volatile compounds belonging to different classes of phytochemicals such as monoterpenoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, esters, alcohols and aldehydes. Studies have cited numerous pharmacological properties including antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antitumor, wound healing, anti-epileptic, larvicidal, antioxidant and analgesic activities. Also, it has been found to be effective against respiratory, cardiovascular, oral, skin, digestive and urinary diseases. Yet, scientific validation of many other traditional uses would be appreciated, mainly to discover and authenticate novel bioactive compounds from this herb. This review article provides comprehensive information on the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and nutritional importance of P. amboinicus essential oil and its various solvent extracts. This article allows researchers to further explore the further potential of this multi-utility herb for various biomedical applications.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Fulltext A Comprehensive Review on the Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Pogostemon cablin Benth.: An Aromatic Medicinal Plant of Industrial Importance

Swamy MK, Sinniah UR

Molecules, 2015 May 12;20(5):8521-47.
PMID: 25985355 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20058521

Pogostemon cablin Benth. (patchouli) is an important herb which possesses many therapeutic properties and is widely used in the fragrance industries. In traditional medicinal practices, it is used to treat colds, headaches, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, insect and snake bites. In aromatherapy, patchouli oil is used to relieve depression, stress, calm nerves, control appetite and to improve sexual interest. Till now more than 140 compounds, including terpenoids, phytosterols, flavonoids, organic acids, lignins, alkaloids, glycosides, alcohols, aldehydes have been isolated and identified from patchouli. The main phytochemical compounds are patchouli alcohol, α-patchoulene, β-patchoulene, α-bulnesene, seychellene, norpatchoulenol, pogostone, eugenol and pogostol. Modern studies have revealed several biological activities such as antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, antithrombotic, aphrodisiac, antidepressant, antimutagenic, antiemetic, fibrinolytic and cytotoxic activities. However, some of the traditional uses need to be verified and may require standardizing and authenticating the bioactivity of purified compounds through scientific methods. The aim of the present review is to provide comprehensive knowledge on the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of essential oil and different plant extracts of patchouli based on the available scientific literature. This information will provide a potential guide in exploring the use of main active compounds of patchouli in various medical fields.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Silver nanoparticles: Advanced and promising technology in diabetic wound therapy

Choudhury H, Pandey M, Lim YQ, Low CY, Lee CT, Marilyn TCL, et al.

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2020 Jul;112:110925.
PMID: 32409075 DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.110925

Wounds associated with diabetes mellitus are the most severe co-morbidities, which could be progressed to cause cell necrosis leading to amputation. Statistics on the recent status of the diabetic wounds revealed that the disease affects 15% of diabetic patients, where 20% of them undergo amputation of their limb. Conventional therapies are found to be ineffective due to changes in the molecular architecture of the injured area, urging novel deliveries for effective treatment. Therefore, recent researches are on the development of new and effective wound care materials. Literature is evident in providing potential tools in topical drug delivery for wound healing under the umbrella of nanotechnology, where nano-scaffolds and nanofibers have shown promising results. The nano-sized particles are also known to promote healing of wounds by facilitating proper movement through the healing phases. To date, focuses have been made on the efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in treating the diabetic wound, where these nanoparticles are known to exploit potential biological properties in producing anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. AgNPs are also known to activate cellular mechanisms towards the healing of chronic wounds; however, associated toxicities of AgNPs are of great concern. This review is an attempt to illustrate the use of AgNPs in wound healing to facilitate this delivery system in bringing into clinical applications for a superior dressing and treatment over wounds and ulcers in diabetes patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Fulltext High-value components and bioactives from sea cucumbers for functional foods--a review

Bordbar S, Anwar F, Saari N

Mar Drugs, 2011;9(10):1761-805.
PMID: 22072996 DOI: 10.3390/md9101761

Sea cucumbers, belonging to the class Holothuroidea, are marine invertebrates, habitually found in the benthic areas and deep seas across the world. They have high commercial value coupled with increasing global production and trade. Sea cucumbers, informally named as bêche-de-mer, or gamat, have long been used for food and folk medicine in the communities of Asia and Middle East. Nutritionally, sea cucumbers have an impressive profile of valuable nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin), and minerals, especially calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. A number of unique biological and pharmacological activities including anti-angiogenic, anticancer, anticoagulant, anti-hypertension, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antithrombotic, antitumor and wound healing have been ascribed to various species of sea cucumbers. Therapeutic properties and medicinal benefits of sea cucumbers can be linked to the presence of a wide array of bioactives especially triterpene glycosides (saponins), chondroitin sulfates, glycosaminoglycan (GAGs), sulfated polysaccharides, sterols (glycosides and sulfates), phenolics, cerberosides, lectins, peptides, glycoprotein, glycosphingolipids and essential fatty acids. This review is mainly designed to cover the high-value components and bioactives as well as the multiple biological and therapeutic properties of sea cucumbers with regard to exploring their potential uses for functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use
Fulltext Algae Metabolites in Cosmeceutical: An Overview of Current Applications and Challenges

Thiyagarasaiyar K, Goh BH, Jeon YJ, Yow YY

Mar Drugs, 2020 Jun 19;18(6).
PMID: 32575468 DOI: 10.3390/md18060323

Cosmetics are widely used by people around the world to protect the skin from external stimuli. Consumer preference towards natural cosmetic products has increased as the synthetic cosmetic products caused adverse side effects and resulted in low absorption rate due to the chemicals' larger molecular size. The cosmetic industry uses the term "cosmeceutical", referring to a cosmetic product that is claimed to have medicinal or drug-like benefits. Marine algae have gained tremendous attention in cosmeceuticals. They are one of the richest marine resources considered safe and possessed negligible cytotoxicity effects on humans. Marine algae are rich in bioactive substances that have shown to exhibit strong benefits to the skin, particularly in overcoming rashes, pigmentation, aging, and cancer. The current review provides a detailed survey of the literature on cosmeceutical potentials and applications of algae as skin whitening, anti-aging, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and antimicrobial agents. The biological functions of algae and the underlying mechanisms of all these activities are included in this review. In addition, the challenges of using algae in cosmeceutical applications, such as the effectiveness of different extraction methods and processing, quality assurance, and regulations concerning extracts of algae in this sector were also discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use

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