Senaka Pilapitiya¹ and Sisira Siribaddana¹    -  
biography

¹Rajarata University of Sri Lanka

Ayurveda is a system of complementary and alternative medicine which originated more than 3500 years ago and is practiced widely in India and Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, CAM medicine is dominated by practitioners who practice both Ayurveda and Deshiya Chikithsa; an indigenous system of medicine unique to Sri Lanka [7]

Contrary to the common belief that its pharmacopeia was developed by trial and error over a period of time, Ayurveda is based on a sound philosophical and logical basis. Continue reading →

Simona Romano¹ and Maria Fiammetta Romano¹  - biography
¹ Federico II University of Naples, Italy

The use of statins is essential for the treatment of hyperlipidemia as well as for the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease and strokes. Statins decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR). HMGCR in turn catalyses the conversion of HMG-CoA into mevalonic acid, an important intermediate metabolite in hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis. Continue reading →

Francesco Ramirez^1, and Daniel B Rifkin² – biography
¹Mount Sinai School of Medicine
²NYU School of Medicine, New York

Recent studies have raised the intriguing possibility that losartan, the prototypical angiotensin II (AngII) receptor type 1 (AT1r) blocker (ARB), should be used as a prophylactic drug akin to aspirin and statins. Other reports however have questioned whether losartan is the real thing or is this a case of unbridled enthusiasm fueling yet another bubble. While only time will tell, it is worth reviewing the pros and cons regarding losartan’s broad therapeutic potential. Continue reading →

Nikos K. Karamanos^1,2 and George N. Tzanakakis³ - biography
¹University of Patras
²ICE-HT/FORTH
³University of Crete

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), linear macromolecular heteropolysaccharides consisting of disaccharide repeating units, are classified in several types. Hexuronic acid based GAGs include heparin and heparan sulfate (HS), which are glucosamine containing sulfated GAGs, chondroitin and dermatan sulphates (CS and DS), based on galactosamine, and hyaluronan which is a glucosamine based non-sulfated GAG.. Continue reading →

Robert J. Linhardt¹ and Jian Liu² - biography
¹Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
²University of North Carolina

Heparin is a complex  polysaccharide-based anticoagulant drug that is essential for the practice of modern medicine [1]. Used in extracorporeal therapies, such as kidney dialysis, in the treatment of coagulation disorders, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and to passivate the surfaces of indwelling devices, such as catheters, a heparin-based product is the first choice whenever blood clotting needs to be prevented or controlled. Continue reading →

David Nutt – biography
Imperial College London

Antidepressants have a peculiar place in the public mind. Almost every family in the UK will have someone taking these drugs; yet, the media are often very hostile to them with disparaging terms such as “happy pills” used to cast aspersions on their efficacy and utility [1]. Moreover, claims that they may cause suicidal ideation particularly in young people have lead to warning labels in the USA. Yet, despite the repeated media criticism, the use of antidepressants continues to be widespread. So what are the reasons for this? Continue reading →