Frontiers in Pharmacology | New and Recent Articles

Neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke, remain major causes of global disability and mortality, with limited neuroprotective therapies available. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers multi-target therapeutic potential, but its mechanistic complexity requires systematic investigation using appropriate model systems. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has e…

BackgroundAlthough magnesium acts as a natural calcium antagonist with theoretical cardioprotective effects, its clinical value in critically ill patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of intravenous magnesium sulfate on ICU mortality in this population, and to explore potential dose-response relationships and effect modifier…

BackgroundChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by a progressive deterioration of lung function, which occurs at its fastest rate in the early stages (GOLD I-II). Preliminary clinical investigation has suggested that Cordyceps militaris capsules can improve post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in mild-to-moderate COPD. However, previous studies were l…

BackgroundPoorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (PDSCC) is an aggressive oral malignancy with rapid progression, high recurrence, and poor survival. This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological features, immunohistochemical expression of p63 and EGFR, and quality of life (QOL) in PDSCC compared to well-differentiated SCC (WDSCC).MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, 78…

BackgroundPrimary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease characterized by progressive cholestasis. Although ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the standard therapy, a substantial proportion of patients show inadequate response, highlighting the need for alternative or adjunct treatments. Fibrates have emerged as adjunct agents to UDCA, but evidence remains inconsistent across…

IntroductionGlobal medicine use rose 14% in 5 years, causing waste, financial loss, environmental damage, and limited access to therapies. Re-dispensing unused medications is possible, subject to legal and safety restrictions.ObjectiveTo estimate the economic cost of medication waste, characterize patient-related determinants associated with waste, and assess the potential for re-dispensing based…

ObjectiveCarrier-based local hydromorphone delivery using absorbable materials represents an innovative strategy; however, comparative studies on various carriers remain scarce. This study aims to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of artificial dura mater versus gelatin sponge as carriers for hydromorphone in patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).MethodsThis single…

ObjectiveNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the leading cause of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents, and there is no defined treatment for this condition. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted to examine the comparative efficacy of specific mechanism pathways of drugs to achieve improvements in hepatic steatosis in pediatric NAFLD patients.MethodsRandomized cont…

BackgroundPolystyrene nanoplastics (NPs) represent emerging environmental contaminants with potential adverse effects on salivary glands. This study investigated the protective effects of multi-strain probiotics against NPs-induced toxicity in rat parotid glands.MethodsForty male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into five groups (n = 8): control, NPs (10 mg/kg), probiotics (1010 CFU), NPs + pro…

IntroductionOxidative stress-mediated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell injury is a key pathological feature of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Ferroptosis—an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death driven by lipid peroxidation—has been increasingly identified as a critical executor of RPE degeneration and a key pathogenic mechanism in AMD. This study aimed to investigate the mech…

PurposeRikkunshito, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, is used to improve gastrointestinal (GI) function. However, its mechanisms of action in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Rikkunshito on colonic pacemaker activity, inflammation, GI hormones, pain-related behaviors, and transient receptor potential (TRP) channel activity in a zy…

BackgroundKnee osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies to halt disease progression. Isoviolanthin, a natural flavonoid glycoside, has an unclear mechanism of action in KOA.MethodsWe employed network pharmacology and molecular docking, supported by in vitro assays, to investigate the mechanisms of isov…

BackgroundSepsis and septic shock impose severe cardiovascular stress characterized by sympathetic overactivation and detrimental tachycardia, which is strongly linked to poor outcomes. While ultra-short-acting β1-blockers have shown promise in controlled trials for heart rate (HR) control, a critical gap remains regarding the optimal β1-selective regimen for complex, multimorbid, vasopressor-dep…

IntroductionVarious systemic and enteric diseases have been attributed to C. perfringens, including healthcare-associated infections and intoxications. Humans and animals are thus exposed to serious health risks from these bacteria. Infections caused by these antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming an increasing concern. Bacteriophages (phages), which possess specific lytic activity, offer a v…

BackgroundCellular senescence contributes to atherosclerotic plaque progression and instability, yet senescence-related diagnostic biomarkers and actionable targets remain incompletely defined.PurposeTo identify senescence-related diagnostic/therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis using integrative systems biology, and to prioritize natural products that modulate the lead target with experimental …

BackgroundThe incidence and mortality of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) exhibit marked sex-based differences, suggesting a potential role for androgen signaling in disease progression. Although 5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) are widely prescribed for benign prostatic conditions, their potential association with survival in patients with RCC remains poorly understood. We evaluated the association be…

BackgroundPreeclampsia seriously threatens maternal and infant health. Antihypertensive therapy is key to improving perinatal outcomes, yet comparative maternal-fetal evidence for oral agents remains limited.ObjectiveTo compare maternal–fetal outcomes of oral labetalol versus oral nifedipine in preeclampsia, informing individualized clinical treatment.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study includ…

BackgroundPelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a prevalent disease among women, and immune cell and telomere have potential associations with the pathogenesis of POP. The identification and validation of immune cell-related genes (ICRGs) and telomere-related genes (TRGs) in POP are of great significance for elucidating its mechanisms, screening diagnostic key genes, and identifying therapeutic targets.…