The study was aimed to investigate the effect of technologically treated diclofenac (release-active dilutions of diclofenac (RAD of diclofenac)) on anti-inflammatory activity of diclofenac in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Ninety male Wistar albino rats (6–8 weeks) divided into nine groups (n = 10) were used. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 h after subplantar injection of carrageenan (0.1 ml of a 1 % solution in normal saline). Diclofenac alone was studied at 5 and 20 mg/kg, RAD of diclofenac alone at 7.5 ml/kg and their combination at 5 and 7.5 ml/kg, respectively. Diclofenac reduced (p < 0.05 at least) paw edema at all time points. RAD of diclofenac enhanced (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory effect of diclofenac (5 mg/kg) at 2, 4, and 6 h on concurrent and at 2 and 4 h on sequential administration. Moreover at 2 h, anti-inflammatory effect of combination treatment reached values comparable to those of diclofenac (20 mg/kg). In conclusion, RAD of diclofenac enhanced anti-inflammatory effect of diclofenac.

The Editor has retracted this article [1] because there are concerns about the scientific validity of the study and undeclared conflicts of interest. Specifically, the reagent is diluted beyond the point at which any active molecules are expected to be present and there is no molecular analysis to support the presence of molecules at these dilutions. Additionally, the following statement of conflict of interests should have been included: Y.O. Demidchenko, E.A. Gorbunov, S.A. Tarasov, and O.I. Epstein are affiliated with OOO "NPF "Materia Medica Holding" that provided funding for this work and manufactures the release-active solution used in this study. These concerns have caused the Editor to lose faith in the reliability of the findings.

Background Particulate matter (PM) is the major component of air pollution, which includes emissions from both anthropogenic and natural sources. PM, with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 ± 10 μm can remain in the air for a long time and be deposited in the lungs through inhalation and hence, is a major threat to human health. Objective The objective of the present study was to examine the protective effect of Chyawanprash (CP) on PM-induced pulmonary disease through estimation of cytokines and immunoglobulins. Materials and methods CP, standard drug, and vehicle (Group G1 to Group G7) were administered orally at the dose volume of 10 ml/kg, for 28 consecutive days (Prophylactic treatment; i.e., Day 1 to Day 28) and next 10 days (i.e., Day 29 to Day 38) of co-treatment with inducing agent PM 2.5 intratracheally. Animals of group G6 (Inhalation + control) and G7 (Inhalation + CP) were exposed group-wise to PM 2.5 aerosol (2 mg/5 ml, 15 min) via inhalation in histamine chamber on Days 29, 31, 33, 35, and 37. On Day 38, animals were anesthetised and blood and broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected. Animals were sacrificed and lungs were collected for histology. Results Prophylactic benefit of CP against pulmonary pathology was evidenced by the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (BALF: TNF a, IFN-g, IL-7, IL-6 and lung: TNFa, Histamine and IL-6), chemokines (Lung: MMP-9), inflammatory cell infiltration (cell counts in BALF), and histopatholoy in experimental mice model. Conclusion These findings suggest that CP has potential benefit in protecting from harmful effects caused by air pollutants such as PM 2.5 .