Elder properties

Aniracetam (6), launched in 1993 in both Japan and Italy for the treatment of cognition disorders, is in Phase II trials in the United States as of this writing. In clinical studies it has been shown to cause some improvement in elderly patients with mild to moderate mental deterioration (63), and in geriatric patients with cerebral insufficiency (64). In a multicenter double-blind placebo-controUed trial involving 109 patients with probable AD, positive effects were observed in 36% of patients after six months of treatment (65), a result repeated in a separate study of 115 patients (66). A review of the biological and pharmacokinetic properties, and clinical results of aniracetam treatment in cognitively impaired individuals is available (49). 

In Ancient Rome, Pliny the Elder (c. a.d. 23-79) dedicated 37 volumes of Natural History to the emperor Titus. In the last of these books, dealing with gems and precious stones, he describes the properties of the fossil resin, amber. The ability of amber to attract dust was recognised and in fact the word electricity is derived from elektron, the Greek for amber. 

Elder, S., Luder, G.M., Hollander, E.J. and Bartlett, N. (2001) Synthesis of Au(II) Eluoro Complexes and Their Structural and Magnetic Properties. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 123, 4223. 

P-blocker therapy was ineffective in preventing coronary heart disease, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality when compared to diuretics for elderly patients (60 years of age or greater) treated for primary hypertension. Clearly, the effects of P-blockers on blood pressure are complex and difficult to ascribe to one or two mechanisms. Rather, the varied effects of negative chronotropic and inotropic properties along with reduced renin levels (Fig. 2-3) appear to result in an overall reduction in cardiac output and/or reduction in peripheral resistance. 

Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine are known for their sedating properties and are frequently used over-the-counter medications (usual doses 25-50 mg) for difficulty sleeping. Diphenhydramine is approved by the FDA for the treatment of insomnia and can be effective at reducing sleep latency and increasing sleep time.43 However, diphenhydramine produces undesirable anticholinergic effects and carryover sedation that limit its use. As with TCAs and BZDRAs, diphenhydramine should be used with caution in the elderly. Valerian root is an herbal sleep remedy that has inconsistent effects on sleep but may reduce sleep latency and efficiency at commonly used doses of 400 to 900 mg valerian extract. Ramelteon, a new melatonin receptor agonist, is indicated for insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset. The recommended dose is 8 mg at bedtime. Ramelteon is not a controlled substance and thus may be a viable option for patients with a history of substance abuse. 

Also in the 17th century John Evelyn wrote in his Herbal, "If the medicinal properties of its leaves, bark and berries were fully known, I cannot tell what our countryman could all for which he might not fetch a remedy from every hedge, either for sickness or wounds." Evelyn also claimed that elder would help assist longevity and was effective "against all infirmities, whatever."... 

Elderberries were listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1831 and the flowers from 1831 to 1905. Elder is still an official herb in the British Pharmacopoeia. Elder is grown on most German properties and the German Office of Health recommends elder flower tea for the treatment of colds with fever. 

Elder has an amazing range of healing properties. It would be difficult to think of any other herb that can serve so many functions and help the body find the balance of health in so many ways. A list of its actions follow ... 

Elder blossoms, eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) and goldenrod herb make a beneficial infusion to treat hay fever due to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Elder blossom tea can be added to the bath to soften and soothe the skin. Elder flowers can be brewed into a tea, strained and added to the bath alternatively, take 2 handfuls of elder blossoms, tie them into a washcloth and place in the tub. Run the bath water quite hot and turn off when it reaches the right level. Allow the blossom-filled cloth to "brew" in the tub. When the temperature has cooled down enough, immerse yourself in the tub, use the cloth to wash your skin as you bathe in the wonderful properties of elder. This is very beneficial for nervous people. 

You will find elder products in natural food and herb stores. You may discover elder growing in your area and feast free on its many edible and medicinal properties. With all the marvelous benefits of the elder, be it as a flu remedy, elderberry pie or its... 

It is medicinally used from Korea to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. In Korea, the plant is used as an aphrodisiac for males and the elderly. In Japan, a decoction of the root is drunk to treat cough, invigorate, and treat tuberculosis. In Taiwan, the plant is an external remedy for snake bites. In Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, the roots are used to treat bronchitis, amnesia, and to stimulate memory and urination. The antitussive property is very probably owed to polygalasaponins, which are known to abound in the plant (24-26). It would be interesting to know whether the tonic properties mentioned here are owed to serotoninergic mechanisms. What is the alkaloidal content of this herb ... 

With the exception of Elder et. al., who used EXAFS to look at redox properties of copper complexes diffused in Nafion film modified electrodes (21), no in-situ studies have been reported on modified electrodes using EXAFS. 

Lechevallier-Michel N, Molimard M, Dartigues JF et al. (2005) Drags with anticholinergic properties and cognitive performance in the elderly results from the PAQUID Study. Br J Clin Pharmacol 59(2) 143-151... 

Significant side effects have been estimated to occur in about 5% of patients on TCAs, most of these effects being attributed to their antimuscarinic properties, for example, blurred vision, dry mouth, tachycardia and disturbed gastrointestinal and urinary tract function. Orthostatic hypotension due to the block of alphai adrenoceptors and sedation resulting from antihistaminic activity frequently occur at therapeutic doses, particularly in the elderly. Excessive sweating is also a fairly common phenomenon, but its precise mechanism is uncertain. In the elderly patient, the precipitation of prostatic hypertrophy and glaucoma by the TCAs is also a frequent cause of concern. 

The elderly are especially susceptible to PM effects, which are associated with fine rather than coarse particles. A recent epidemiological study found that particle number—reflecting ambient ultrafine particles—correlated better than fine particle mass with increased symptoms in asthmatics. Moreover, animal studies have shown that ultrafine particles have a significantly greater pulmonary inflammatory potency than larger submicron particles. Surface properties such as surface chemistry appear to play an important role in... 

Endothelial progenitor cell numbers appear to decrease in the presence of risk factors for CAD and to correlate negatively with Framingham cardiovascular risk factors [31]. Therefore, stem cell therapy with EPCs may prove very useful in the clinical setting of cardiovascular disease. The kinetic and biological properties of EPCs may be especially appropriate for autologous transplantation. EPCs may also be safe to use in elderly and diabetic patients, populations in which they do not tend to migrate as much or induce neovascularization [68]. 

Because of its anticholinergic properties, disopyramide should not be used in patients with glaucoma. Urinary retention and benign prostatic hypertrophy are also relative contraindications to disopyramide therapy. Patients with myasthenia gravis may have a myasthenic crisis after disopyramide administration as a result of the drug s local anesthetic action at the neuromuscular junction. The elderly patient may exhibit increased sensitivity to the anticholinergic actions of disopyramide. 

The antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadry/), because it has anticholinergic properties, is used for mild parkinsonism and with the elderly, who may not be able to tolerate the more potent anticholinergics, levodopa, or the dopamine agonists. 

Very sedating antidepressant with minimal anticholinergic effects good choice for elderly patients in whom sedating properties would be desirable... 

Amitriptyline (Elavil), chlordiazepoxide-amitriptyline (Limbitrol), and perphenazine-amitriptyline (Triavil) Because of its strong anticholinergic and sedation properties, amitriptyline is rarely the antidepressant of choice for elderly patients. High... 

Anticholinergics and antihistamines chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Vistaril and Atarax), cyproheptadine (Periactin), promethazine (Phenergan), dexchlorpheniramine (Polaramine) All nonprescription and many prescription antihistamines may have potent anticholinergic properties. Nonanticholinergic antihistamines are preferred in elderly patients when treating allergic reactions. High... 

His most fruitful chemical work was done in three fields the nature of iron and its production, niter and other salts, and the analysis of plants and animals. In 1731 he succeeded Geoffroy the Elder as professor of chemistry at the Jardin Royal. After M. Lemery died on June 9, 1743, Dortous de Mairan said in the eulogy, He was kind and polished in his conversation, capable of friendship, generous and liberal. Everything that suffered had a claim upon his heart and his property, and he sometimes gave to the poor sums which were exorbitant for one with so modest a fortune (194). 

Nevertheless, the GABAergic properties of benzodiazepines remain their most important clinical application. Over the past 30 years, the most widely used benzodiazepine drug has been diazepam (1.6). It is an anxiolytic, sedative, and muscle relaxant the anxious, depressed person becomes more outgoing and relaxed. There have been many diazepam analogs. Oxazepam (4.177) and lorazepam (4.178) have similar effects. Temazepam (4.179), flunitrazepam (4.180), and flurazepam (4.181) are useful sedative-hypnotics. Clonazepam (4.182) is a clinically useful anticonvulsant. Brotizolam (4.183), a novel benzodiazepine analog, seems to be an effective sedative-hypnotic. Midazolam (4.184) is an imidazolo-benzodiazepine that is water soluble and thus easily injectable. It is a hypnotic sedative with marked amnestic (i.e., memory loss) properties and is used in dentistry, endoscopic procedures, and induction to anesthetics in the elderly and in... 

Antihistaminics are better tolerated by elderly patients who do not tolerate anticholinergics. Antihistaminics do not cause blurring of vision and xerostomia and also possess some central anticholinergic properties. 

The cost of drug development continues to spiral upward. Inflation and increased regulatory requirements, however, only account for a small portion of this increase. At this time, productivity is a major issue. A review of 198 new drug candidates that reached phase I clinical studies indicates a 60% failure rate due to poor pharmacokinetic properties or toxicity [23]. On the average, less than 2% of the drug failures could be attributed to drug interactions that resulted in adverse reactions [24], In elderly patients, however, drug interactions could contribute... 

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