The vasorelaxant profile of quercetin 3,7-dimethyl ether, a flavonoid isolated from Croton schiedeanus Schlecht (Euphorbiaceae), was assessed in aortic rings isolated from Wistar rats. To gain insight into its structure-activity relationship, we compared this substance with quercetin 3,4′,7- trimethyl ether (ayanin), another flavonoid isolated from this plant, quercetin 3,3′,4′,7-tetramethyl ether, a flavonoid synthesized by us, and quercetin. In addition we examined the interaction of quercetin 3,7-dimethyl ether with the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway. According to their pEC50 values (concentration producing a 50% inhibition of the maximal contractile response) to phenylephrine-induced precontraction in rat isolated aorta, the potency order was quercetin 3,7-dimethyl ether > quercetin > quercetin 3,4′,7-trimethyl ether > quercetin 3,3′,4′,7-tetramethyl ether (4.70 ± 0.18; 3.96 ± 0.07; 3.64 ± 0.02; 3.11 ± 0.16). The relaxant effect of quercetin 3,7-dimethyl ether was significantly decreased by the removal of endothelium as well as by methylene blue, an inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase, and by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME), an NO-synthase inhibitor. Therefore, quercetin 3,7-dimethyl ether has a NO/cGMP pathway-related profile, with increased vasorelaxant activity due to hydroxylation at positions 3 and 4 of the B ring. In addition, methylation at positions 3 and 7 with respect to quercetin of the C and A rings, respectively, seems to further enhance the vasorelaxant activity of quercetin 3,7-dimethyl ether.

Wound healing, a complex physiological process orchestrating intricate cellular and molecular events, seeks to restore tissue integrity. The burgeoning interest in leveraging the therapeutic potential of natural substances for advanced wound dressings is a recent phenomenon. Notably, Sericin, a silk-derived protein, and Chelidonium majus L. (C. majus), a botanical agent, have emerged as compelling candidates, providing a unique combination of natural elements that may revolutionize conventional wound care approaches. Sericin, renowned for its diverse properties, displays unique properties that accelerate the wound healing process. Simultaneously, C. majus, with its diverse pharmacological compounds, shows promise in reducing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration. As the demand for innovative wound care solutions increases, understanding the therapeutic potential of natural products becomes imperative. This review synthesizes current knowledge on Sericin and C. majus, envisioning their future roles in advancing wound management strategies. The exploration of these natural substances as constituents of wound dressings provides a promising avenue for developing sustainable, effective, and biocompatible materials that could significantly impact the field of wound healing.

Anxiolytics (N05B) are one of the most widely used pharmacological groups. This study aimed to analyze the progression of the consumption of anxiolytics (ATC classification: N05B) dispensed in pharmacies in Castile and Leon, Spain, from 2015 to 2020, with a special focus on the possible impact of COVID-19 on the use of these drugs. A quantitative-qualitative analysis of usage was carried out using the total number of packs and the packs per 1000 inhabitants. Overall, the use of anxiolytics grew by 14.41% during 2015–2020. The most commonly used drugs were the short-acting benzodiazepine derivatives lorazepam (whose use increased by 15.18%) and alprazolam (whose use increased by 21.40%), and the dispensing of the long-acting derivative diazepam increased the most, by 31.83%. Anxiolytics consumption increased significantly in 2020 and peaked in March. The pattern of use remained the same in 2020. The consumption of anxiolytics has continued to increase in Castile and Leon over the last six years. The COVID-19 pandemic situation affected the dispensing of these drugs, causing a sharp increase in prescriptions, especially during March, when the confinement of the population was initiated.

Renal vasculature, which is highly innervated by sympathetic fibers, contributes to cardiovascular homeostasis. This renal sympathetic outflow is inhibited by 5-HT in normoglycaemic rats. Considering that diabetes induces cardiovascular complications, we aimed to determine whether diabetic state modifies noradrenergic input at renal level and its serotonergic modulation in rats. Alloxan diabetic rats were anaesthetized (pentobarbital; 60 mg/kg i.p.) and prepared for in situ autoperfusion of the left kidney to continuously measure systemic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), and renal perfusion pressure (RPP). Electrical stimulation of renal sympathetic outflow induces frequency-dependent increases (Δ) in RPP (23.9 ± 2.1, 59.5 ± 1.9, and 80.5 ± 3.5 mm Hg at 2, 4, and 6 Hz, respectively), which were higher than in normoglycaemic rats, without modifying HR or SBP. Intraarterial bolus of 5-HT and 5-CT (5-HT_1/5/7 agonist) reduced electrically induced ΔRPP. Only L-694,247 (5-HT_1D agonist) reproduced 5-CT inhibition on sympathetic-induced vasoconstrictions, whereas it did not modify exogenous noradrenaline-induced ΔRPP. 5-CT inhibition was exclusively abolished by i.v. bolus of LY310762 (5-HT_1D antagonist). An inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase, ODQ (i.v.), completely reversed the L-694,247 inhibitory effect. In conclusion, diabetes induces an enhancement in sympathetic-induced vasopressor responses at the renal level. Prejunctional 5-HT_1D receptors, via the nitric oxide pathway, inhibit noradrenergic-induced vasoconstrictions in diabetic rats.

The incorporation of bioactive natural compounds into biomedical applications offers a promising route to enhance therapeutic efficacy while supporting sustainability. In this study, we investigated the synergistic potential of Sericin, a silk-derived biopolymer, and Chelidonium majus L. (C. majus), a medicinal plant with a diverse phenolic profile, in relation to biological activities relevant for wound care and infection control. A combined experimental strategy was applied, integrating detailed chemical characterization of C. majus extracts with antimicrobial and cytocompatibility assays across different Sericin–plant extract ratios (1:1, 1:2, 2:2, and 2:1). Phytochemical analysis identified and quantified 57 phenolic compounds, including high levels of flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin) and phenolic acids (caffeic and ferulic acid). Salicylic acid (123.6 µg/g), feruloyltyramine (111.8 µg/g), and pinocembrin (98.4 µg/g) were particularly abundant, compounds previously reported to disrupt microbial membranes and impair bacterial viability. These metabolites correlated with the strong antimicrobial activity of C. majus against Gram-positive strains (MIC = 5–10 mg/mL). In combination with Sericin, antimicrobial performance was ratio-dependent, with higher proportions of C. majus (2:1) retaining partial inhibitory effects. Cytocompatibility assays with HFF1 fibroblasts demonstrated low antiproliferative activity across most formulations (GI₅₀ > 400 µg/mL), supporting their potential safety in topical applications. Collectively, the results indicate a concentration-dependent interaction between C. majus phenolics and the Sericin protein matrix, reinforcing their suitability as candidates for natural-based wound healing materials. Importantly, the valorization of Sericin, an underutilized byproduct of the silk industry, together with a widely accessible medicinal plant, underscores the ecological and economic sustainability of this approach. Overall, this work supports the exploration of the development of biomaterials with potential for advancing tissue repair and wound management.