scholarly journals Melatonin in Cancer Treatment: Current Knowledge and Future Opportunities

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2506
Author(s):  
Wamidh H. Talib ◽  
Ahmad Riyad Alsayed ◽  
Alaa Abuawad ◽  
Safa Daoud ◽  
Asma Ismail Mahmod
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Cell Proliferation Inhibition ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Solid Foundation

Melatonin is a pleotropic molecule with numerous biological activities. Epidemiological and experimental studies have documented that melatonin could inhibit different types of cancer in vitro and in vivo. Results showed the involvement of melatonin in different anticancer mechanisms including apoptosis induction, cell proliferation inhibition, reduction in tumor growth and metastases, reduction in the side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, decreasing drug resistance in cancer therapy, and augmentation of the therapeutic effects of conventional anticancer therapies. Clinical trials revealed that melatonin is an effective adjuvant drug to all conventional therapies. This review summarized melatonin biosynthesis, availability from natural sources, metabolism, bioavailability, anticancer mechanisms of melatonin, its use in clinical trials, and pharmaceutical formulation. Studies discussed in this review will provide a solid foundation for researchers and physicians to design and develop new therapies to treat and prevent cancer using melatonin.

Modulation of Matrix Metalloproteinases by Plant-Derived Products

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Najmi Mohamad Anuar ◽  
Nurul Iman Natasya Zulkafali ◽  
Azizah Ugusman
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinases ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Components

: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of zinc-dependent metallo-endopeptidase that are responsible towards the degradation, repair and remodelling of extracellular matrix components. MMPs play an important role in maintaining a normal physiological function and preventing diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Natural products derived from plants have been used as traditional medicine for centuries. Its active compounds, such as catechin, resveratrol and quercetin, are suggested to play an important role as MMPs inhibitors, thereby opening new insights into their applications in many fields, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. This review summarises the current knowledge on plant-derived natural products with MMP-modulating activities. Most of the reviewed plant-derived products exhibit an inhibitory activity on MMPs. Amongst MMPs, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are the most studied. The expression of MMPs is inhibited through respective signalling pathways, such as MAPK, NF-κB and PI3 kinase pathways, which contribute to the reduction in cancer cell behaviours, such as proliferation and migration. Most studies have employed in vitro models, but a limited number of animal studies and clinical trials have been conducted. Even though plant-derived products show promising results in modulating MMPs, more in vivo studies and clinical trials are needed to support their therapeutic applications in the future.

scholarly journals The Therapeutic Effect of Extracellular Vesicles on Asthma in Pre-Clinical Models: A Systematic Review Protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-95
Author(s):  
Patience O. Obi ◽  
Jennifer E. Kent ◽  
Maya M. Jeyaraman ◽  
Nicole Askin ◽  
Taiana M. Pierdoná ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Paracrine Signalling

Asthma is the most common pediatric disease, characterized by chronic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. There are several management options for asthma, but no specific treatment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are powerful cellular mediators of endocrine, autocrine and paracrine signalling, and can modulate biophysiological function in vitro and in vivo. A thorough investigation of therapeutic effects of EVs in asthma has not been conducted. Therefore, this systematic review is designed to synthesize recent literature on the therapeutic effects of EVs on physiological and biological outcomes of asthma in pre-clinical studies. An electronic search of Web of Science, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Scopus will be conducted on manuscripts published in the last five years that adhere to standardized guidelines for EV research. Grey literature will also be included. Two reviewers will independently screen the selected studies for title and abstract, and full text based on the eligibility criteria. Data will be extracted, narratively synthesized and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. This systematic review will summarize the current knowledge from preclinical studies investigating the therapeutic effects of EVs on asthma. The results will delineate whether EVs can mitigate biological hallmarks of asthma, and if so, describe the underlying mechanisms involved in the process. This insight is crucial for identifying key pathways that can be targeted to alleviate the burden of asthma. The data will also reveal the origin, dosage and biophysical characteristics of beneficial EVs. Overall, our results will provide a scaffold for future intervention and translational studies on asthma treatment.

scholarly journals Stem cells and exosomes: promising candidates for necrotizing enterocolitis therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruijie Zeng ◽  
Jinghua Wang ◽  
Zewei Zhuo ◽  
Yujun Luo ◽  
Weihong Sha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Necrotizing Enterocolitis ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pediatric Diseases ◽  
Gastrointestinal Conditions ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

AbstractNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease predominately affecting neonates. Despite therapeutic advances, NEC remains the leading cause of mortality due to gastrointestinal conditions in neonates. Stem cells have been exploited in various diseases, and the application of different types of stem cells in the NEC therapy is explored in the past decade. However, stem cell transplantation possesses several deficiencies, and exosomes are considered potent alternatives. Exosomes, especially those derived from stem cells and breast milk, demonstrate beneficial effects for NEC both in vivo and in vitro and emerge as promising options for clinical practice. In this review, the function and therapeutic effects of stem cells and exosomes for NEC are investigated and summarized, which provide insights for the development and application of novel therapeutic strategies in pediatric diseases. Further elucidation of mechanisms, improvement in preparation, bioengineering, and administration, as well as rigorous clinical trials are warranted.

scholarly journals Contribution to the biological interest of Valeriana officinalis: an update

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. e67649
Author(s):  
Marta Sánchez ◽  
Elena González-Burgos ◽  
Irene Iglesias ◽  
M. Pilar Gómez-Serranillos Cuadrado
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Neuroprotective Activity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Valeriana Officinalis ◽  
Valerenic Acid

Valeriana officinalis L. (Caprifoliaceae family) has been traditionally used to treat mild nervous tension and sleep problems. The basis of these activities are mainly attributed to valerenic acid through the modulation of the GABA receptor. Moreover, V. officinalis is claimed to have other biological activities such as cardiovascular benefits, anticancer, antimicrobial and spasmolytic.  The current review aims to update the biological and pharmacological studies (in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials) of V. officinalis and its major secondary metabolites in order to guide future research. Databases PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus were used for literature search including original papers written in English and published between 2014 and 2020. There have been identified 33 articles which met inclusion criteria. Most of these works were performed with V. officinalis extracts and only a few papers (in vitro and in vivo studies) evaluated the activity of isolated compounds (valerenic acid and volvalerenal acid K). In vitro studies focused on studying antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. In vivo studies and clinical trials mainly investigated activities on the nervous system (anticonvulsant activity, antidepressant, cognitive problems, anxiety and sleep disorders). Just few studies were focused on other different activities, highlight effects on symptoms of premenstrual and postmenopausal syndromes. Valeriana officinalis continues to be one of the medicinal plants most used by today's society for its therapeutic properties and whose biological and pharmacological activities continue to arouse great scientific interest as evidenced in recent publications. This review shows scientific evidence on traditional uses of V. officinalis on nervous system.

Hemoglobin F (HbF) inducers; History, Structure and Efficacies

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Hashemi ◽  
Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Beta Thalassemia ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Hemoglobin F ◽  
Chemical Structures

Abstract: Inherited beta-thalassemia is a major disease caused by irregular production of hemoglobin through reducing beta-globin chains. It has been observed that increasing fetal hemoglobin (HbF) production improves symptoms in the patients. Therefore, an increase in the level of HbF has been an operative approach for treating patients with beta-thalassemia. This review represents compounds with biological activities and pharmacological properties that can promote the HBF level and therefore used in the β-thalassemia patients' therapy. Various natural products with different mechanisms of action can be helpful in this medication cure. Clinical trials were efficient in improving the signs of patients. Association of in vivo, and in vitro studies of HbF induction and γ-globin mRNA growth displays that in vitro experiments could be an indicator of the in vivo response. The current study shows that; (a) HbF inducers can be grouped in several classes based on their chemical structures and mechanism of actions; b) According to several clinical trials, well-known drugs such as hydroxyurea and decitabine are useful HbF inducers; (c) The cellular biosensor K562 carrying genes under the control of the human γ-globin and β-globin gene promoters were applied during the researches; d) New natural products and lead compounds were found based on various studies as HbF inducers.

scholarly journals Further Evidence of Possible Therapeutic Uses of Sambucus nigra L. Extracts by the Assessment of the In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Its PLGA and PCL-Based Nanoformulations

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1181
Author(s):  
Ana Henriques Mota ◽  
Noélia Duarte ◽  
Ana Teresa Serra ◽  
António Ferreira ◽  
Maria Rosário Bronze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oleic Acid ◽  
Encapsulation Efficiency ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Sambucus Nigra ◽  
Therapeutic Uses ◽  
Solvent Displacement ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Sambucus nigra L. is widely used in traditional medicine with different applications. However, confirmative studies are strongly required. This study aimed to assess the biological activities of the S. nigra flower’s extract encapsulated into two different types of nanoparticles for optimizing its properties and producing further evidence of its potential therapeutic uses. Different nanoparticles (poly(lactide-co-glycolide, PLGA) and poly-Ɛ-caprolactone (PCL), both with oleic acid, were prepared by emulsification/solvent diffusion and solvent-displacement methods, respectively. Oleic acid was used as a capping agent. After the nanoparticles’ preparation, they were characterized and the biological activities were studied in terms of collagenase, in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory, and in vitro cell viability. Rutin and naringenin were found to be the major phenolic compounds in the studied extract. The encapsulation efficiency was higher than 76% and revealed to have an impact on the release of the extract, mainly for the PLGA. Moreover, biochemical and histopathological analyses confirmed that the extract-loaded PLGA-based nanoparticles displayed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. In addition to supporting the previously reported evidence of potential therapeutic uses of S. nigra, these results could draw the pharmaceutical industry’s interest to the novelty of the nanoproducts.

scholarly journals Cardioprotective Properties Of Xenon

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-272
Author(s):  
A. I. Shpichko ◽  
O. A. Grebenchikov ◽  
I. V. Molchanov ◽  
A. K. Shabanov ◽  
N. P. Shpichko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Protective Action ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Molecular Targets ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
Ischemia And Reperfusion

Abstract The review presents the main aspects of the cardioprotective properties of the xenon inhalation anesthetic. Based on the analysis of publications, the article discusses modern views on the mechanisms of the protective action of xenon, realized using pre- and post-conditioning mechanisms, shows major molecular targets and their effects. The article presents the results of experimental studies in vivo and in vitro, which showed the protective effect of xenon on the myocardium and the results of recent randomized clinical trials. The analysis of studies demonstrates the ability of xenon to increase myocardial resistance to ischemia and reperfusion and opens up good prospects for its use in clinical practice in patients with a high risk of cardiac complications.

scholarly journals Quercetin as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Lymphoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Saiedeh Razi Soofiyani ◽  
Kamran Hosseini ◽  
Haleh Forouhandeh ◽  
Tohid Ghasemnejad ◽  
Vahideh Tarhriz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Hodgkin’S Lymphoma ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Malignant Diseases ◽  
Antitumor Effects

Lymphoma is a name for malignant diseases of the lymphatic system including Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Although several approaches are used for the treatment of these diseases, some of them are not successful and have serious adverse effects. Therefore, other effective treatment methods might be interesting. Studies have indicated that plant ingredients play a key role in treating several diseases. Some plants have already shown a potential therapeutic effect on many malignant diseases. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in different plants and could be useful in the treatment of different malignant diseases. Quercetin has its antimalignant effects through targeting main survival pathways activated in tumor cells. In vitro/in vivo experimental studies have demonstrated that quercetin possesses a cytotoxic effect on lymphoid cancer cells. Regardless of the optimum results that have been obtained from both in vitro/in vivo studies, few clinical studies have analyzed the antitumor effects of quercetin in lymphoid cancers. Thus, it seems that more clinical studies should introduce quercetin as a therapeutic, alone or in combination with other chemotherapy agents. Here, in this study, we reviewed the anticancer effects of quercetin and highlighted the potential therapeutic effects of quercetin in various types of lymphoma.

scholarly journals Curcumin: Phytochemical Therapy in the Treatment of Hyperlipidemia

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Lipid Lowering ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Synthetic Drugs ◽  
Wide Range

In modern world, hyperlipidemia is the most common disorder mainly caused by lifestyle habits and the major cause of cardiovascular, coronary and atherosclerotic changes. Such disorder is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of any or all lipids or lipoproteins in the blood. A wide range of drugs are available for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, class of antihyperlipidemic drugs, but such drug-therapies are carried out with presence of various side effects. In the last decades, different in vitro and in vivo research have been conducted to confirm the therapeutic effects of various phytochemical agents that overcome the side effects caused by synthetic drugs. According to Ayurvedic recommendations and experimental studies, numerous phytochemical agents have been reported to possess different antihyperlipidemic properties. One of the most studied phytochemical agent - curcumin, herbal polyphenol and active ingredient which can be extracted from the powder rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa, has been reported to possess a wide range of pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidative, antiinflammatory and anticancer property. Recent studies also suggests curcumin as potential lipid lowering candidate in treatment of hyperlipidemia. The aim of this review is to present and discuss phytochemistry, molecular mechanism of hypolipidemic activity of curcumin, demonstrating its importance as potential therapy for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

scholarly journals Hydroxytyrosol, Tyrosol and Derivatives and Their Potential Effects on Human Health

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Karković Marković ◽  
Jelena Torić ◽  
Monika Barbarić ◽  
Cvijeta Jakobušić Brala
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Olive Oil ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Endocrine Effects ◽  
Pharmacological Potential ◽  
A Minor

The Mediterranean diet and olive oil as its quintessential part are almost synonymous with a healthy way of eating and living nowadays. This kind of diet has been highly appreciated and is widely recognized for being associated with many favorable effects, such as reduced incidence of different chronic diseases and prolonged longevity. Although olive oil polyphenols present a minor fraction in the composition of olive oil, they seem to be of great importance when it comes to the health benefits, and interest in their biological and potential therapeutic effects is huge. There is a growing body of in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as intervention-based clinical trials, revealing new aspects of already known and many new, previously unknown activities and health effects of these compounds. This review summarizes recent findings regarding biological activities, metabolism and bioavailability of the major olive oil phenolic compounds—hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein, oleocanthal and oleacein—the most important being their antiatherogenic, cardioprotective, anticancer, neuroprotective and endocrine effects. The evidence presented in the review concludes that these phenolic compounds have great pharmacological potential, however, further studies are still required.

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