Category Archives: Original Research

In Vitro Proof of Antiproliferative Effect of Soy Total Extract Via Mytochondrial Dehidrogenase Activity

Danciu (Țiulea) Corina1, Peev Camelia1, Feflea Ștefana1, Dehelean Cristina2, Motoc A3

1 Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
2 Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania
3 Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania

Introduction: Soy, Glycine max, Fam. Fabaceae is a species of vegetables originary from East Asia. The vegetal product used both in the pharmaceutical and nutritional area are the beans, Sojae semen. Vegetable soybean is rich in phytochemicals beneficial to the human being and is therefore considered a nutraceutical or a functional food crop. The aim of this study is to test the antiproliferative effect of soy total extract, employing different concentrations, on B164A5 murinic melanoma cell line, using the MTT proliferation assay.
Material and method: Soybean seeds were grounded and a solvent formed of DMSO-ethanol-water in 5-70-25 v/v/v ratio was prepared. The extraction was made at room temperature using an ultrasonic bath (Falc LCD Series) for 30 minutes, 59 kHz. The solvent was evaporated with a rotary evaporator at 50ºC. B164A5 cells were incubated 24 h with 100 µM, 50 µM, 30 µM, 15 µM, 1 µM, 0 µM soy total extract. Results: MTT analysis showed an inhibition of all chosen concentrations of soy total extract. The inhibition was directly proportional with the concentration of soy total extract. Additionally, a change in the number and morphology of B164A5 cells was noticed starting from the concentration of 15 µM.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that soy total extract presents an antiproliferative effect in vitro on B164A5 murinic melanoma cell line.

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Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome as Risk Factors of Colorectal Polyps and Colorectal Cancer

Crosnoi Daniela1, Bățagă Simona2, Macarie Melania2, Chindriș V3

1 County Emergency Clinical Hospital, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
2 Gastroenterology Clinic 1, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania
3 Nova Vita Hospital, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

Purpose: Obesity and metabolic syndrome, each represent one of the risk factors in colon cancer and colon polyps. We have studied the association between obesity, metabolic syndrome and the risk of developing colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps.
Materials and methods: Our study refers to patients with mucosal modifications at the level of the colon, hospitalized and investigated through colonoscopy in the Gastroenterology Clinic 1, Tîrgu Mureș between 2008–2011.
Results: There were 324 patients with colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps, compared with 345 control patients investigated in the same hospital. In the study group, 69 patients (21.29%) were overweight (BMI 25–29.99 kg/m2) and 71 patients (30.90%) were obese (BMI> 30 kg/m2), compared with the control group, where 53 patients (15.36%) were overweight and 32 patients (9.26%) were obese. There was a significant association between obesity and risk for colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps: BMI >30 kg/m2 – OR = 2.89, CI: 1.64–5.10. We also observed a significant increase in the risk for colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer in parallel with the increase of the number of metabolic syndrome components: 1 component – OR = 1.55, CI: 1.09–2.20; 2 components OR = 2.42, CI: 1.54–3.81; 3 components OR = 2.37, CI: 1.16–4.81; 4 or more components OR = 5.27, CI: 1.07–25.85.
Conclusions: The results of our study showed that obesity and metabolic syndrome are associated with an increased risk for the development of colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer.

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Presence of Nitrite and Nitrate Anions in Precipitation in Tîrgu Mureş and Surrounding Areas as a Result of Nitric Oxide Pollution

Croitoru MD, Szabó Zs, Kincses Ajtay Mária, Fülöp Ibolya

Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureș, Romania

Objective: The city of Tîrgu Mureş, and of course other cities around the world, is polluted with nitrogen oxides. Most of the time, nitrogen oxides concentration into the air is between legal limits. However, this measurement is made on ground level and most of the pollutant gases are raised into the atmosphere from where is possible to return to the ground in form of nitrite and nitrate. These substances can contaminate soil and groundwater. The objective of the study was to measure nitrite and nitrate contents in groundwater and precipitation in and around Tîrgu Mureş.
Methods: A simple ion pair high pressure liquid chromatographic method with UV detection was used.
Results: High amounts of nitrite and nitrate were measured up to 25 km from the city of Tîrgu Mureş. An astonishing 4200 mg/ml melted snow was measured at about 100 m from the polluting plant. Other concentrations were between tens and hundreds of μg/ml melted snow. Rain water concentrations were in the same range. Most of the spring water samples we tested were over the drinking water limits stated by EU.
Conclusions: The high amounts of nitrites and nitrates found in precipitations around the city of Tîrgu Mureş show that pollution with nitrogen oxides goes beyond expected extent. This pollution is a health risk since precipitation will contaminate soil, and possibly crops will be contaminated too. Presence of airborne free radicals and activated pollutants will also increase due to the presence of these anions in unusual high amounts in air moisture.

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Researches Upon Indigenous Herbal Products for Therapeutic Valorification in Metabolic Diseases.Note I. Polyphenols’ Analysis of Rubi idaei folium

Costea Teodora, Istudor Viorica, Nencu Ioana

Department of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania

Introduction: Raspberry leaves (Rubi idaei folium) are a source of flavonoids, gallic tannins, phenolcarboxylic acids, sterols, vitamin C and oligoelements (selenium, vanadium). The leaves are not mentioned by the scientific literature for their possible use in metabolic diseases (diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hyperuricaemia), but among their compounds, polyphenols, sterols and vitamin C might be responsible for these properties. The aim of the study was to determine the optimum time for harvesting the leaves, in order to obtain pharmacological active extracts, with the highest content of flavonoids, phenolcarboxylic acids and tannins.
Material and methods: Qualitative (specific chemical reactions and thin layer chromatography, TLC) and quantitative (spectrophotometric methods and high liquid chromatography, HPLC) analyses upon leaves, harvested at different stages of development (before and after blossom, at fruits’ ripening and at the end of vegetative state) were applied.
Results: Flavonoids, tannins and phenolcarboxylic acids were present in all vegetative states; rutin, hyperoside and chlorogenic acid were identified using TLC. The greatest amount of total polyphenols (16.0317 g% tannic acid), tannins (11.4376 g% tannic acid), flavonoids (2.6347 g% hyperoside) and phenolcarboxylic acids (2.4011 g% chlorogenic acid) were found in young leaves. Using HPLC, gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, p-coumaric and ferulic acids, tannin, rutin, quercetin and catechin were identified in young leaves; rutin (0.0540 g%) and p-coumaric acid (0.03174 g%) were also quantified.
Conclusions: The highest content of flavonoids, phenolcarboxylic acids and tannins were found in leaves, harvested before blossom. The tannins content were higher, compared with scientific literature.

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Genetic Polymorphism of GSTP1 Gene and Lung Cancer Risk in Northern Romania

Cătană Andreea1, Popp RA1, Pop Monica2, Porojan MD3, Petrișor Felicia1, Fărcaș M1, Pop IV1

1 Department of Molecular Sciences, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
2 Department of Medical Specialities, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
3 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Background: Glutathione S transferase P1 – an important member of the xenobiotic encoding enzymes, might contribute to the variability in individual susceptibility to lung cancer and may be important in exposure to carcinogens and therefore lung cancer development in smokers.
Objectives: This is a cross-sectional, randomized, case-control study for the evaluation of the frequency of GSTP1 alleles among patients with lung cancer.
Subjects and methods: The study included 108 cases of lung cancer diagnosed patients (histopathological examination), and 123 healthy unrelated controls. GSTP1 genotyping was carried out using PCR amplification of relevant gene fragment, followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Detection of GSTP1 alleles was determined by analysis of resulting restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), followed by gel electrophoresis.
Results: Molecular analysis revealed an increased frequency of GSTP1 mutant genotype in the study group compared to the control group (X2 = 0.133, p = 0.049, OR = 1.726, CI = 1–2.977). It appears that the effect of the GSTP1 mutant allele may vary according to histological subtype. The polymorphic I105V allele of GSTP1 gene was associated with an increased risk of lung adenocarcinoma.
Conclusions: GSTP1 polymorphism may be associated with increased risk to lung cancer and the homozygous Ile105Val genotype was found at a significantly higher frequency in the adenocarcinoma group.

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Quality of Life in Cervical Cancer Survivors

Boicea Ancuța1, Nemes R2, Scurtu S2, Shencker M4, Iliescu D3

1 Department of Ocupational Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova
2 Department of General Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova
3 Department of Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova
4 Department of Oncology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova

Introduction: Cervical cancer is a public health problem, in Romania 5 women die every day and 8 are diagnosed each day with cervical cancer. Cervical cancer survivors experience a complexity of problems – physical, psychological and sexual-related to the consequences of disease and treatment. Quality of life in cervical cancer patients, as in all cancer diagnosed patients as well, depends on multiple variables. Aim: to determine the emotional and social impact of cervical cancer diagnoses and cancer-related quality of life.
Material and method: study was made over one year, between 2010 and 2011, on 50 patients who accepted to enter in our study, within a 3 year interval from diagnose to actual study.
Results: 60% presented anxiety and 80% distress. Weakness, fatigue was present in about 25% of patients. Sexual life was affected in 40% from cases.
Conclusion: quality of life in cervical cancer patients, as in all cancer diagnosed patients as well, depends on multiple variables; treatment present many side-effects and capacity to work can be affected as well.

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Clinical Study on the Prevalence of Tooth Decay in a Group of Children in First Year at Elementary School in Tîrgu Mureș

Bereşescu Liana1, Păcurar Mariana2, Petcu Blanka1, Kovács Mónika3

1 Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
2 Department of Pedodontics-Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
3 Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of caries in a group of 7 year-old schoolchildren.
Methods: We carried out a survey on a group of 385 children, all pupils in first year at elementary school in Tîrgu Mureş. For the assessment of dental health we used the DMF index: DMF for permanent teeth, and dmf for temporary teeth.
Results: The average value of dmf index was 4.81 (SD 2.82) and the average value of DMF index was 0.92 (SD 1.05).
Conclusions: This study shows that in Tîrgu Mureș the actual level and pattern of dental caries development is extremely severe and there is an urgent need to improve and provide oral health through a preventive program.

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Smoking Related Habits and Attitudes of Dental Students

Benedek (Bukhari) Csilla1, Kerekes-Máthé Bernadette2, Borș Andreea2, Kovács Mónika1, Pop M1, Fazakas Zita3, Székely Melinda2

1 Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
2 Department of Morphology of Teeth and Dental Arches, Technology of Dental Prosthesis and Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
3 Department of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania

Objective: It has been established that smoking causes four million deaths each year worldwide. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the students’ smoking habits and their attitude towards smoking cessation.
Methods: The survey conducted in 2011 was based on a questionnaire filled in anonymously by dental students from each year of study at the Faculty of Dental Medicine in Tîrgu Mureș. Six-hundred ninety-two students (454 female, 238 male) aged 18 to 30+ years were questioned. The statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney test.
Results: 35.25% of the participants were smoking. Statistically significant differences could not be observed in gender distribution of the smokers group (p=0.728). The majority of subjects were smoking less than one cigarette/day, however significant differences were found in student’s smoking habits (p=0.006). 38.11% of the smokers have already tried to quit smoking more than five times without success and 32.37% never tried to quit smoking in the last year. 94% of the participants agreed that both the active and the passive smoking is harmful for the general health. The dental students explained very rarely the risks of tobacco smoking to their smoking patients: 30.78% ignored it and 15.17% of students did not respond this question.
Conclusions: The prevalence of smoking was high in the surveyed students, however the majority of the smokers had tried to quit smoking. The results call for relevant educational measures for smoking prevention and cessation.

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Preferences of Use and Attitudes Towards Contraceptive Methods Among Peninsula Festival Visitors Tîrgu Mureş 2011

Finta Hajnal¹, Böjte Anna², Kelemen L³, Ábrám Z¹, Domokos L², Tarcea Monica¹

1 Department of Hygiene, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
² Doctoral School, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
³ Department of Pharmacy Industry and Pharmaceutical Management, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania

Background: The main objective of the study was to establish the preferences of use and attitudes towards contraceptive methods among women and men aged 14 to 45 years, visitors of the 2011 Peninsula Festival. The objectives of the present analysis were to describe and compare contraceptive use among Romanian women and men, and to investigate the effects of age, education, profession, marital status on contraceptive use.
Material and method: The study was carried out as a cross-sectional survey of randomly selected women and men, aged 14–45 years, who participated at the 2011 Peninsula Festival in Tîrgu Mureş, Romania. For data collection anonymous self-evaluation questionnaires were used, completed by a total number of 644 subjects, both males and females.
Results: The gender proportion of the sample was: 50.3% femaleS, 49.7% maleS. Mean age was 21.76 years, SD 4.65. The most common method used by all the surveyed visitors were condoms (72.5%), oral contraceptives (19.9%), and withdrawal method (14.9%). Contraceptive methods that are the least used: vasectomy (not used by anyone), female surgical sterilization and hormonal injections (0.2%), female barrier (0.3%), intrauterine device (0.8%). Significant differences were observed among the different age and marital status groups: the condom is the most used method among young adults and teenagerss, but the less used method among married subjects.
Conclusions: Our results suggest the need for information, education and provision of contraceptive services. An appropriate health education of the population and the need for an adequate level of knowledge regarding different and available contraceptive methods is imperative.

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Characterization Of Albendazole – Random Methyl Beta-Cyclodextrin Binary Systems By Infrared Spectroscopy

Trandafirescu Cristina1, Szabadai Z2, Gyéresi Á3, Kata M4, Aigner Z2

1 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
2 Department of Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
4 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to investigate the host-guest interaction in solid state between anthelmintic drug albendazole and random methyl-beta-cyclodextrin using spectrophotometric method.
Material and method: Binary systems between albendazole and random methyl-beta-cyclodextrin were prepared in four molar ratios using two laboratory methods and the host-guest interaction was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Results: The absorption spectra of albendazole display some absorption bands in the 1800–1000 cm-1 domain and the absorption spectra of random methyl-beta-cyclodextrin present a wide absorption band the 1200–1000 cm-1 region. In order to examine the spectral changes of the binary systems, five characteristic bands in albendazole spectrum were chosen and their absorbances were represented for each molar ratio of albendazole in the binary systems.
Conclusions: The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the binary system reveals an emphasis of molecular interaction between albendazole and cyclodextrin as the amount of cyclodextrin in the binary system is increasing.

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