scholarly journals Fucoidan Structure and Its Impact on Glucose Metabolism: Implications for Diabetes and Cancer Therapy

Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Blessing Mabate ◽  
Chantal Désirée Daub ◽  
Samkelo Malgas ◽  
Adrienne Lesley Edkins ◽  
Brett Ivan Pletschke

Fucoidans are complex polysaccharides derived from brown seaweeds which consist of considerable proportions of L-fucose and other monosaccharides, and sulphated ester residues. The search for novel and natural bioproduct drugs (due to toxicity issues associated with chemotherapeutics) has led to the extensive study of fucoidan due to reports of it having several bioactive characteristics. Among other fucoidan bioactivities, antidiabetic and anticancer properties have received the most research attention in the past decade. However, the elucidation of the fucoidan structure and its biological activity is still vague. In addition, research has suggested that there is a link between diabetes and cancer; however, limited data exist where dual chemotherapeutic efforts are elucidated. This review provides an overview of glucose metabolism, which is the central process involved in the progression of both diseases. We also highlight potential therapeutic targets and show the relevance of fucoidan and its derivatives as a candidate for both cancer and diabetes therapy.

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Dr. Sudhir V. Nikam ◽  
Mr. Rajkiran J. Biraje

This present research undertakes the extensive study of horror fiction genre with reference to the select novels of one of the finest and celebrated horror fiction writers of all time, Stephen King. This paper is a substantial assessment of the select horror fiction of King. The research problem revolves extensively around the word fear. Stephen King has conjured up the images of most horrific creatures, monsters, places, and stories, and some of the most enduring villains in fiction. These unimaginable evil beings test the limits of the protagonist. Some of these villains have gone to the extent of becoming as famous (or infamous) as the writer himself. Many of Stephen King villains are monsters of the human variety such as serial killers, power hungry despots, nihilists, etc. His most memorable and monumental characters are the supernatural ones who use their dark powers to twist the orderly world around them into a special place of chaos and pain. It has been assumed that the horror elements in the fiction of Stephen King are the result of his strategic use of supernaturalist and non-supernaturalist elements. The techniques that he uses to evoke horror in reader have been treated as a site for research attention by the researcher.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phuong H.L. Tran ◽  
Beom-Jin Lee ◽  
Thao T.D. Tran

: Aspirin has emerged as a promising intervention in cancer in the past decade. However, there are existing controversies regarding the anticancer properties of aspirin as its mechanism of action has not been clearly defined. In addition, the risk of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract from aspirin is another consideration that requires medical and pharmaceutical scientists to work together to develop more potent and safe aspirin therapy in cancer. This review presents the most recent studies of aspirin with regard to its role in cancer prevention and treatment demonstrated by highlighted clinical trials, mechanisms of action as well as approaches to develop aspirin therapy best beneficial to cancer patients. Hence, this review provides readers with an overview of aspirin research in cancer that covers not only the unique features of aspirin, which differentiates aspirin from other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but also strategies that can be used in the development of drug delivery systems carrying aspirin for cancer management. These studies convey optimistic messages on continuing efforts of scientist on the way of developing an effective therapy for even patients with a low response to current cancer treatments.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (18) ◽  
pp. 5987-6002 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Paden King ◽  
Hendryck A. Gellineau ◽  
Samantha N. MacMillan ◽  
Justin J. Wilson

A subset of fluorinated Co(iii) Schiff base complexes was synthesized, and their structural, ligand exchange, and anticancer properties were investigated.


In this paper an extensive study is reported of the very remarkable, and thus far apparently unique, case of the deformation in three dimensions of protocatechuic acid, to which attention was drawn many years ago by Otto Lehmann. The deformations are spontaneous, and are probably due to progressive gliding of the lattice planes, which exist in two configurations, one stable and the other unstable, the latter being the condition of the long prismatic rods when they first form. Such a prism presently deforms into a zigzag crystal, with stable and unstable sections in alternation which, with continuation of the deformation, becomes again straight, but now in the stable configuration. The bending is progressive, like that of an umbrella case, pendant from the end of an oblique cane pointed down, when the latter is pushed into it. The movements are so rapid that motion pictures, made with a microscope, were necessary for the observation of certain stages of the deformation. The deformations have been shown to many chemists and physicists during the past decade or more, none of whom had ever seen or heard of this remarkable type of crystal movement. The deformations are usually observed as the warm saturated solution cools, but they also occur after the crystal has been dried for many hours.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maochen Xing ◽  
Qi Cao ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Han Xiao ◽  
Jiarui Zhao ◽  
...  

Alginate is a natural polysaccharide present in various marine brown seaweeds. Alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) is a degradation product of alginate, which has received increasing attention due to its low molecular weight and promising biological activity. The wide-ranging biological activity of AOS is closely related to the diversity of their structures. AOS with a specific structure and distinct applications can be obtained by different methods of alginate degradation. This review focuses on recent advances in the biological activity of alginate and its derivatives, including their anti-tumor, anti-oxidative, immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antibacterial, hypolipidemic, antihypertensive, and hypoglycemic properties, as well as the ability to suppress obesity and promote cell proliferation and regulate plant growth. We hope that this review will provide theoretical basis and inspiration for the high-value research developments and utilization of AOS-related products.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Congxiao Zhang ◽  
Fusheng Sun ◽  
Congjiang Zhang ◽  
Yunjing Luo

Abstract Background: Insulin is one of the most important versatile hormones that is central to regulating the energy and glucose metabolism in the body. There has been accumulating evidence supporting that diabetes was associated with peroxynitrite and protein nitration, and insulin nitration induced by peroxynitrite affected its biological activity. Methods: In this paper, the kinetics of insulin nitration by peroxynitrite in physiological conditions was studied by the stopped flow technique. Results: We determined the values of the reactive rate constants of peroxynitrite decomposition and peroxynitrite-induced tyrosine nitration in the presence of insulin. The activation energy of peroxynitrite decomposition and 3-nitrotyrosine yield in the presence of insulin is 48.8 kJ·mol−1 and 42.7 kJ·mol−1 respectively. Conclusions: It is inferred that the glutamate residue of insulin accelerated peroxynitrite decomposition and tyrosine nitration by reducing the activation energy of reactions. The results could be beneficial for exploring the molecular mechanism of diabetes and offering a new target for diabetes therapies.


2020 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2019-055417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Schiff ◽  
Fei Liu ◽  
Tess Boley Cruz ◽  
Jennifer B Unger ◽  
Sam Cwalina ◽  
...  

BackgroundTobacco 21 (T21) laws, which raise the minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products to 21, have been proposed and implemented in states and cities across the USA. However, limited data are available on the effect of T21 laws on youth tobacco purchasing behaviours and access to tobacco products.MethodsParticipants in a population-based prospective cohort in southern California completed questionnaires before (n=1609, age=18–19 y) and after (n=1502, age=19–20 y) T21 was implemented in California (June 2016). We examined the prevalence of past 30-day cigarette and e-cigarette use, and among past 30-day users, purchase location of tobacco products before (pre-) versus after (post-) T21. We also examined whether, post-T21, participants were refused purchase of tobacco products due to their age, and the perceived relative ease of purchasing cigarettes and e-cigarettes (vs pre-T21).ResultsNegligible changes in cigarette and e-cigarette use were observed pre-T21 versus post-T21. At both time points, the majority of past 30-day users purchased cigarettes from gas stations and e-cigarettes from vape shops. Post-T21, the proportion of participants who reported purchasing cigarettes at gas stations decreased. Post-T21, most past 30-day cigarette or e-cigarette users were not refused purchase of cigarettes (65.4%) or e-cigarettes (82.0%) in the past 30 days, despite being under 21; half of the participants felt it was harder to purchase cigarettes (54.3%) and e-cigarettes (43.6%) post-T21.ConclusionPost-T21, few participants were refused purchase of any tobacco product, despite the illegality of such sales. Better enforcement of T21 is needed to improve the efficacy of T21 legislation.


Planta Medica ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (02) ◽  
pp. 103-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadezhda Dyrkheeva ◽  
Olga Luzina ◽  
Aleksandr Filimonov ◽  
Olga Zakharova ◽  
Ekaterina Ilina ◽  
...  

AbstractUsnic acid, a lichen secondary metabolite produced by a whole number of lichens, has attracted the interest of researchers owing to its broad range of biological activity, including antiviral, antibiotic, anticancer properties, and it possessing a certain toxicity. The synthesis of new usnic acid derivatives and the investigation of their biological activity may lead to the discovery of compounds with better pharmacological and toxicity profiles. In this context, a series of new usnic acid derivatives comprising a terpenoid moiety were synthesized, and their ability to inhibit the catalytic activity of the human DNA repair enzyme tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 was investigated. The most potent compounds (15a, 15b, 15g, and 16a, 16b, 16g) had IC50 values in the range of 0.33 – 2.7 µM. The inhibitory properties were mainly dependent on the flexibility and length of the terpenoid moiety, but not strongly dependent on the configuration of the asymmetric centers. The synthesized derivatives showed low cytotoxicity against human cell lines in an MTT assay. They could be used as a basis for the development of more effective anticancer therapies when combined with topoisomerase 1 inhibitors.


2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (7) ◽  
pp. 904-915 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail Kusaykin ◽  
Irina Bakunina ◽  
Victoria Sova ◽  
Svetlana Ermakova ◽  
Tatyana Kuznetsova ◽  
...  

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