Despite steady progress in therapeutics of liver disease, portal systemic encephalopathy remains to be a great challenge for clinicians because of the heterogeneity of neuropsychiatric symptoms, multiple risk factors and complexity on achieving a sustained response. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of L-Ornithin, L-Aspartate versus lactulose in Mexican patients with hyperammonemic hepatic encephalopathy. A total of 20 patients were randomly allocated to receive either lactulose(n = 10) or L-ornithine - L-aspartate (n = 10) for 2 weeks. At baseline, patients of both groups were comparable in age (64 +/- 7 versus 60 +/- 6) and degree of hepatic failure according to the Child-Pugh scale (9.2 +/- 1.3 versus 9.2 +/- 1.1). A significant decrease in ammonia levels was observed both in the lactulose group (120.4 +/- 8.1 versus 91.4 +/- 10, p < 0.05) and in the LOLA group (141.6 +/- 9.1 versus 96.9 +/- 9.3, p < 0.05). Moreover, in patients who received LOLA a significant improvement was observed in mental status (1.0 +/- 0.14 versus 0.4 +/- 0.16, p < 0.05), Number Connection Test (184 +/- 43 versus 88 +/- 7, p < 0.05), asterixis (14.6 +/- 2.8 versus 6.7 +/- 1.5, p < 0.05), as well as EEG findings (6.8 +/- 0.6 versus 8.1 +/- 0.2 cycles per second, p < 0.05). Compliance with study medications was similar between the lactulose group (94%) and the LOLA group (100%). No serious adverse events were reported in the two groups; however, in the lactulose group an increase in the number of weekly defecations was reported, as well as a higher incidence of abdominal pain or flatulence. Finally, both patient groups reported an improvement in the Visual Analogue Scale for EuroQol index (51.1 +/- 24.1 versus 61.5 +/- 15.8, p < 0.05, in the lactulose group; 56.5 +/- 24.5 versus 70 +/- 19.4, p < 0.05, in the LOLA group). In conclusion, oral administration of lactulose or L-ornithine - L-aspartate to Mexican patients with cirrhosis and hyperammonemic encephalopathy significantly reduced serum ammonia levels in study groups and additionally improved mental status parameters, number connection test, asterixis scores, and EEG activity in the group receiving L-ornithine-L-aspartate.

This review examined a collection of studies regarding the molecular properties of some polyene antibiotic molecules as well as their properties in solution and in particular environmental conditions. We also looked into the proposed mechanism of action of polyenes, where membrane properties play a crucial role. Given the interest in polyene antibiotics as therapeutic agents, we looked into alternative ways of reducing their collateral toxicity, including semi-synthesis of derivatives and new formulations. We follow with studies on the role of membrane structure and, finally, recent developments regarding the most important clinical applications of these compounds.

Among the eight Calophyllum species found on the American continent, Calophyllum brasiliense is the most widely distributed. Chemical analysis of this species has shown the presence of xanthones with cancer chemopreventive properties and antifungal activity. Recently, three new coumarins with antineoplastic properties have been found. In this study, we have evaluated the biological effects of the antiproliferative activity of coumarins isolated from C. brasiliense on the survival, cell cycle and apoptosis of cells in-vitro and their antitumour effects in mice. The cytological study showed that coumarins from C. brasiliense reduce the survival of BMK cells (baby mouse kidney cells) by inducing apoptosis and, to a lesser degree, necrosis. The cell cycle was arrested in S-phase and the division of BMK cells was inhibited. Coumarins had caused a reduction of experimental tumours in 83% of animals by the end of the treatment. Therefore, coumarins have the potential to be used alone or in combination with other antineoplastic drugs, and they might increase the effectiveness of other treatments for cancer.