Punica protopunica Balf. is one of only two species housed by the Punica genera. Punica protopunica. Balf., known as Socotran pomegranate, is an endemic, isolated species found only in Socotra archipelago in the northwestern Indian Ocean, and is considered to be the ancestor of pomegranate. This review stems from the fact that in many Punica granatum L. articles, Punica protopunica Balf. is mentioned, but just in an informative way, without mentioning their taxonomic and genetic relationship and their medicinal properties. It is there where the need arises to know more about this forgotten species: “the other pomegranate tree.” A large part of the human population does not know of its existence, since only its “sister” has spread throughout the world. The present review deals with the taxonomy and origin of Punica protopunica Balf., the morphology of the tree, distribution, cultivation, vulnerability, and as well as its relationship with Punica granatum L. It also discusses its uses in traditional medicine, its antioxidant capacity, and the medicinal properties of this forgotten species.

Chronopharmacokinetics is a specialized field within pharmacokinetics that focuses on how the timing of drug administration affects the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs. The circadian rhythm, governed by the body's biological clock, plays a crucial role in pharmacokinetics, which encompasses the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of drugs. These pharmacokinetic processes are subject to daily variations influenced by the circadian rhythm. Drug absorption can fluctuate due to changes in gastrointestinal function, such as motility and gastric pH, and blood circulation. Similarly, the distribution of drugs in the body is influenced by factors such as tissue perfusion, plasma protein binding, and cell membrane permeability, all of which are modulated by the circadian rhythm. Metabolism, especially hepatic metabolism, can also experience circadian variations that affect the rate at which drugs are processed and converted into active or inactive metabolites. Finally, the elimination of drugs, primarily through renal function, can show circadian rhythms that impact the excretion of compounds from the body. Understanding these circadian fluctuations is essential to optimize the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments, as dosages and administration times could be adjusted to align with the peaks of biological clock activity. Thus, treatments can be more effective and have fewer side effects by leveraging the circadian variability in pharmacokinetic processes.

Pharmacological treatment of pain often causes undesirable effects, so it is necessary to look for natural, safe, and effective alternatives to alleviate painful behavior. In this context, it is known that different parts of pomegranate have been widely consumed and used as preventive and therapeutic agents since ancient times. For example, it has been shown to have an antinociceptive effect, however, there are many varieties. Each part has been found to display unique and attractive pharmacological activities. The content of the active phytochemicals in pomegranate depends on the cultivar, geographical region, the maturity, and the processing method. In this context, the effects of various pomegranate varieties and other parts of the pomegranate (e.g., peel and juice) on pain behavior have not been examined. The aim was to evaluate and compare the antinociceptive effect of ethanolic extracts (PEx) and lyophilized juices (Lj) of three varieties of pomegranate in the formalin test. In addition, computer-aided analysis was performed for determining biological effects and toxicity. Peels were extracted with ethanol and evaporated by rotary evaporation, and juices were filtered and lyophilized. Wistar rats (N = 48) were randomly distributed into 8 groups (n = 6) (Vehicle, Acetylsalicylic Acid, PEx1, PEx2, PEx3, Lj1, Lj2, and Lj3). The formalin test (2%) was carried out, which consists of administering formalin in paw and counting the paw flinches for 1 h, with prior administration of treatments. All samples have an antinociceptive effect (phase 1: 2.8–10%; phase 2: 23.2–45.2%). PEx2 and Lj2 had the greatest antinociceptive effect (57.8–58.9%), and bioactive compounds such as tannins and flavonoids showed promising pharmacodynamic properties that may be involved in the antinociceptive effect, and can be considered as a natural alternative for the treatment of nociceptive and inflammatory pain.

Introducción: en México, la cuantificación de fármacos en plasma se utiliza para comprobar la toxicidad, el cumplimiento y la titulación de dosis en el tratamiento con fármacos anticonvulsivos como el ácido valproico (AVP), pero sin considerar los principios de farmacocinética debido a la ausencia de farmacéuticos clínicos en el Sistema de Salud. Método: el presente estudio es un análisis retrospectivo que incluye los datos de concentración plasmática de ácido valproico en pacientes pediátricos de 1 a 15 años de edad, con diagnóstico confiable de epilepsia. Resultados: se revisaron los archivos de 260 pacientes, se encontró que solo el 56,5% de los pacientes tenían niveles séricos en estado estacionario. Los niveles plasmáticos de AVP se encontraron a nivel subterapéutico en el 22% de los pacientes y el 15% tenían niveles tóxicos. El análisis muestra que los niños menores de cinco años aparecen como un grupo heterogéneo para las variables estudiadas. Conclusiones: debido a la falta de reconocimiento de los farmacéuticos clínicos en México, recomendamos que el mejor resultado clínico se evalúe mediante el monitoreo de los parámetros farmacocinéticos y no solo mediante la dosificación de prueba y error.

The appropriate use of medications is essential to ensure patient safety and improve healthcare outcomes. This study aimed to analyze prescribing and medication consumption patterns in the internal medicine department of a second-level hospital in Mexico. An observational, retrospective study was conducted in hospitalized patients between June and November 2023. Demographic data, medical conditions, and prescribed medications were collected, and the World Health Organization’s Defined Daily Dose (DDD) methodology was applied to assess antibiotic consumption. A total of 104 patients were included, with a predominance of women (59.6%) and a mean age of 67.8 years. The average number of medications prescribed per patient was 7.7, reflecting a high level of polypharmacy. The most frequent conditions were diabetes mellitus (18.5%), arterial hypertension (16.7%), and chronic kidney disease (12.3%). The most frequently used medication groups were analgesics, anesthetics, anti-inflammatory agents, and antibiotics (14.5% each). Ceftriaxone was the most prescribed antibiotic, with a DDD of 84.0, highlighting a potential overuse. The findings reflect the high burden of chronic diseases, frequent use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and the need for strategies to optimize hospital pharmacotherapy. It is concluded that it is essential to strengthen rational drug use programs, implement safe prescribing protocols, and promote the inclusion of clinical pharmacists to improve patient safety and the quality of hospital medical care.

La farmacocinética se puede definir como la “relación entre la dosis administrada y la concentración plasmática de un fármaco”, y esto implica el estudio de los diferentes procesos de absorción, distribución, metabolismo y excreción. Las modificaciones en la farmacocinética ayudan a explicar las diferentes respuestas que se presentan entre diferentes sujetos, dándose así la variabilidad interindividual, a su vez, la aproximación farmacocinética para definir la variabilidad interindividual en la respuesta a los fármacos necesita obligatoriamente de una explicación genética para entender dicho concepto. La farmacogenética estudia las causas genéticas de las variaciones individuales del ADN en la respuesta a los fármacos, y la farmacogenómica, analiza todo el genoma (nivel de ADN, ARN) de los determinantes genéticos de la eficacia y toxicidad de los fármacos.