Journal of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology

Background: Advanced malignant melanoma continues to be a highly invasive type of cancer with an unfavorable prognosis and limited therapeutic outcomes. Methods: The current study investigated the cytotoxic potential and morphological effects of genistein (GEN) and dexamethasone (DEX), administered individually and in combination, on murine melanoma cells B164A5, using normal epidermal cells JB6 Cl 41-5a as controls. Results: Treatment with GEN induced a dose-dependent decrease in the viability of melanoma cells, reaching 60.52% at 50 µM, in accordance with its known capacity to both inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis by modulating NF-κB and Akt signaling pathways. DEX demonstrated moderate cytotoxic activity (71.34% viability at 50 µM), mirroring its recognized adjuvant role in cancer therapy. Combined treatment with both GEN (25 µM) and DEX (50 µM) resulted in the highest cytotoxicity (48.97% viability), suggesting a synergistic effect likely mediated by augmented apoptotic signaling and oxidative stress. The MTT assay and morphological analyses confirmed apoptotic characteristics, including cell contraction and detachment, while normal cells remained over 90% viable. Conclusions: These results show that GEN, especially when combined with DEX, has selective cytotoxicity against melanoma cells and may serve as a potentially promising adjuvant candidate for future pharmacological strategies targeting malignant melanoma. Full article

The growing interest in natural-based products as complementary and alternative therapies reflects the need for safer and more acceptable anticancer agents compared to conventional chemotherapy. This study aimed to analyze the phytochemical composition and anticancer potential of Capsella bursa-pastoris and Trifolium pratense, two species that are traditionally used in herbal medicine. Phytochemical screening was performed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), which allowed for the qualitative identification of the main bioactive compounds. Densitometric analysis confirmed the presence of nine main compounds that absorb UV radiation, mainly polyphenols and isoflavones. The results showed that Trifolium pratense has a richer and more complex phytochemical profile compared to Capsella bursa-pastoris, with higher concentrations of phenolic compounds and isoflavones. These constituents are recognized for their antioxidant and chemoprotective properties, which support cellular defense against oxidative stress and contribute to potential anticarcinogenic activity, particularly in skin-related processes. The TLC method has proved to be an effective preliminary tool for differentiating phytochemical profiles and standardizing plant extracts. In conclusion, Trifolium pratense is a promising candidate for the development of standardized phytotherapeutic formulations. Future studies should focus on the isolation and characterization of its active compounds, the evaluation of biological mechanisms, and the formulation of topical products with validated efficacy and safety. Full article

Background: In the current context, characterized by a significant increase in patient demands and in the risk of malpractice in dentistry, the study of defensive dentistry proves to be of particular importance, being motivated by the need to understand the impact of defensive practices on the dentist–patient relationship and on the quality of the medical act as a whole. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of defensive dentistry on the professional relationship between the dentist and the patient in an attempt to identify and describe the main defensive practices adopted in the context of the risk of malpractice, and to evaluate the impact of these practices. Materials and Methods: The research instrument developed consists of a questionnaire distributed to dentists through the Google Forms platform, being structured in four sections, totaling 16 questions. The first section of the questionnaire includes demographic and professional data of the study participants, the second section covers legal knowledge and experiences, the third section refers to defensive practices, while the last section evaluates the impact on the dentist–patient relationship. Results and Discussions: The results confirm the achievement of the proposed objectives, with most respondents stating that they have varying degrees of legal knowledge, which suggests the existence of a general, but not necessarily in-depth, information base regarding malpractice legislation. At the same time, almost half of the participants admit to applying—frequently or occasionally—some practices associated with defensive dentistry, although a significant part declares that they are not familiar with the concept. This fact confirms the hypothesis that defensive dentistry is often practiced unconsciously, as a mechanism of professional self-protection. Conclusions: The present study represents a valuable contribution to understanding the phenomenon of defensive dentistry and its implications in dental practice in the context of malpractice. Full article

Background: Myocarditis is a challenging polymorphic disease with extensive variability in clinical presentation. The etiology of myocarditis often remains undetermined without an endomyocardial biopsy. Case presentation: A 25-year-old male with no prior cardiovascular history presented with acute severe retrosternal chest pain, dyspnea, fatigability, and diaphoresis, preceded by mild respiratory symptoms. Physical exam revealed stability, and ECG showed inferolateral ST-segment elevation. Laboratory tests indicated significant myocardial injury with elevated troponin and CK levels, alongside inflammatory markers. Coronary angiography excluded acute coronary syndrome, and cardiac MRI confirmed active myocarditis with characteristic late gadolinium enhancement and myocardial edema. The patient remained hemodynamically stable during hospitalization. Guideline-directed medical therapy was initiated, including a beta-blocker, an ACE inhibitor, and dapagliflozin as an SGLT2 inhibitor to support ventricular recovery and prevent remodeling. At one-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic with normalized biomarkers and unremarkable imaging, indicating clinical recovery. Conclusion: This case illustrates that acute myocarditis may lead to early cardiac dysfunction even in young individuals and highlights the potential benefit of adding an SGLT2 inhibitor to standard therapy to support recovery. Full article