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1.
Pharmacol Res ; 206: 107288, 2024 Jul 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38977208

ABSTRACT

Cancer is a serious global public health issue, and a great deal of research has been made to treat cancer. Of these, discovery of promising compounds that effectively fight cancer always has been the main point of interest in pharmaceutical research. Carnosic acid (CA) is a phenolic diterpenoid compound widely present in Lamiaceae plants such as Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.). In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that CA has significant anti-cancer activity, such as leukaemia, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, lymphoma, prostate cancer, oral cancer, etc. The potential mechanisms involved by CA, including inhibiting cell proliferation, inhibiting metastasis, inducing cell apoptosis, stimulating autophagy, regulating the immune system, reducing inflammation, regulating the gut microbiota, and enhancing the effects of other anti-cancer drugs. This article reviews the biosynthesis, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, safety and toxicity, as well as the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of the anticancer activity of CA. This will contribute to the development of CA or CA-containing functional foods for the prevention and treatment of cancer, providing important advances in the advancement of cancer treatment strategies.

2.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 16027, 2024 Jul 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38992035

ABSTRACT

Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen has among its main bioactive compounds saponins, with the phytoestroid ß-ecdysone as its chemical marker. In this study, pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), a green extraction technique used to obtain bioactive compounds from plants, was employed to extract beta-ecdysone from P. glomerata leaves, stems, and roots. The 22 factorial design was used with the variables temperature (333 K and 353 K) and flow rate (1.5 and 2 mL min-1), pressure (300 Bar), time (60 min), and solvent [ethanol and distilled water (70:30 (v/v)] were kept constant for all parts of the plant. The results of experimental responses demonstrated that the factors temperature and flow rate significantly interfere with the yields of leaf (0.499%), root (0.65%) and stem (0.764%) extracts. The latter presented presents the highest yield compared to the other parts of the plant. HPLC results showed the presence of beta-ecdysone in all parts of the plant with concentrations of ß-ecdysone 86.82, 76.53 and 195.86 mg L-1 to leaf, root and stem, respectively. FT Raman results exhibited typical peaks of beta-ecdysone, such as 3310 cm-1, 1654 cm-1, and 1073 cm-1 for all plant parts. Another interesting result was the presence of the peak at 1460 cm-1 in the PLE root extract can be associated with selenium. This foundational knowledge confirms that the PLE extraction process was efficient in obtaining the chemical marker of Pfaffia glomerata in all plant parts.


Subject(s)
Plant Extracts , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/analysis , Plant Roots/chemistry , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Liquid-Liquid Extraction/methods , Plant Stems/chemistry , Pressure , Temperature , Amaranthaceae/chemistry
3.
Pharmacol Res ; : 107289, 2024 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38960011

ABSTRACT

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease characterized by lipid metabolism disorder and lipid accumulation. Equisetin (EQST) is a hemiterpene compound isolated from fungus of marine sponge origin, which has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, and weight loss effects. Whether EQST has anti-atherosclerotic activity has not been reported. In this study, we revealed that EQST displayed anti- atherosclerosis effects through inhibiting macrophage inflammatory response, lipid uptake and foam cell formation in vitro, and finally ameliorated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced atherosclerosis in AopE-/- mice in vivo. Mechanistically, EQST directly bound to STAT3 with high-affinity by forming hydrophobic bonds at GLN247 and GLN326 residues, as well as hydrogen bonds at ARG325 and THR346 residues. EQST interacted with STAT3 physically, and functionally inhibited the transcription activity of STAT3, thereby regulating atherosclerosis. Therefore, these results supports EQST as a candidate for developing anti-atherosclerosis therapeutic agent.

4.
Bioresour Bioprocess ; 11(1): 62, 2024 Jun 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38926327

ABSTRACT

Currently, several studies have demonstrated the benefits of medicinal plants in managing type 2 diabetes. In this work, we evaluated the beneficial effects of the polyphenolic extract (PESB) from Salvia blancoana subsp. mesatlantica in the management of hypercaloric-feeding and small-dose alloxan-brought type 2 diabetes in rats. We analyzed the chemical constituents of the extract, including flavones and flavonols content, to understand its biological action. The antioxidant activities were evaluated by total antioxidant action, scavenging effect of the free radical DPPH, and reducing power. The obtained results showed that the value of TFC was estimated at 31.90 ± 0.34 mgEQ/g in the PESB extract. The total antioxidant capacity was estimated at 593.51 ± 4.09 mg (EAA)/g, the value of DPPH IC50 was 7.3 ± 0.00 µg/mL, and the value of EC50 of reducing power was estimated at 6.43 ± 0.01 µg/mL. In total, 14 phenolic compounds were identified and the naringin was the most dominant (63.19%) while the vanillin was the less recorded (0.10%). Serum glucose decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in rats given PESB (100 mg/kg) after four weeks. Glibenclamide (GLB) and PESB reduced HbA1c and increased plasma insulin in diabetic rats, restoring HOMA-ß and HOMA-IR levels to near-normal. Additionally, diabetic rats treated with GLB or PESB showed statistically equivalent results to those of non-diabetic rats regarding hepatic enzymes, renal and lipid markers, as well as cardiovascular indices. The weight loss was significantly lower in diabetic rats receiving a dose of PESB (100 mg/kg), and GLB compared to corresponding untreated diabetic rats (p < 0.01). PESB and GLB showed a prominent protective function in the pancreas, liver, and kidney tissues. This investigation demonstrates the capacity of extracts from leaves of S. blancoana subsp. mesatlantica to manage diabetes mellitus due to their richness in a wide range of bioactive compounds. Therefore, more investigations are required to estimate the safety of the plant use.

5.
J Chem Ecol ; 50(5-6): 222-236, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38748380

ABSTRACT

In myrmecophilous organisms, which live in symbiosis with ants, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) play a pivotal role in interspecific communication and defense against chemical-oriented predators. Although these interactions form complex information webs, little is known about the influence of biotic environmental factors on the CHC profiles of myrmecophiles. Here, we analyzed the effect of different host plants and tending ants on the larval CHC profile of Synargis calyce (Lepidoptera: Riodinidae), a polyphagous species with facultative myrmecophily. Groups of caterpillars were fed individually with three host plant species (without tending ants), and with two tending ant species. Through gas chromatography analysis, we compared the cuticular profiles of treatments and found a high similarity between plants and caterpillars (65-82%), but a low similarity between caterpillars and their tending ants (30 - 25%). Cluster analysis showed that caterpillars, ants, and plants form distinct groups, indicating that S. calyce caterpillars have their own chemical profile. These results are similar to those observed for Lycaenidae caterpillars indicating that there is functional convergence in the chemical strategies used by myrmecophilous caterpillar species with similar ecology. Also, the results suggest that the cuticular compounds of S. calyce are primarily influenced by their host plants rather than their tending ants. Thus, we propose that these caterpillars present a trade-off between camouflage and directly informing their presence to ants, maintaining their unique chemical profile, though slightly affected by biotic environmental factors.


Subject(s)
Ants , Hydrocarbons , Larva , Animals , Ants/physiology , Ants/chemistry , Ants/metabolism , Hydrocarbons/metabolism , Hydrocarbons/chemistry , Hydrocarbons/analysis , Larva/physiology , Larva/chemistry , Symbiosis , Butterflies/physiology , Butterflies/chemistry
6.
Foods ; 13(10)2024 May 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38790841

ABSTRACT

Research regarding meat analogues is mostly based on formulation and process development. Information concerning their safety, shelf life, and long-term nutritional and health effects is limited. This article reviews the existing literature and analyzes potential hazards introduced or modified throughout the processing chain of plant-based meat analogues via extrusion processing, encompassing nutritional, microbiological, chemical, and allergen aspects. It was found that the nutritional value of plant-based raw materials and proteins extracted thereof increases along the processing chain. However, the nutritional value of plant-based meat analogues is lower than that of e.g., animal-based products. Consequently, higher quantities of these products might be needed to achieve a nutritional profile similar to e.g., meat. This could lead to an increased ingestion of undigestible proteins and dietary fiber. Although dietary fibers are known to have many positive health benefits, they present a hazard since their consumption at high concentrations might lead to gastrointestinal reactions. Even though there is plenty of ongoing research on this topic, it is still not clear how the sole absorption of metabolites derived from plant-based products compared with animal-based products ultimately affects human health. Allergens were identified as a hazard since plant-based proteins can induce an allergic reaction, are known to have cross-reactivities with other allergens and cannot be eliminated during the processing of meat analogues. Microbiological hazards, especially the occurrence of spore- and non-spore-forming bacteria, do not represent a particular case if requirements and regulations are met. Lastly, it was concluded that there are still many unknown variables and open questions regarding potential hazards possibly present in meat analogues, including processing-related compounds such as n-nitrosamines, acrylamide, and heterocyclic aromatic amino acids.

7.
Molecules ; 29(10)2024 May 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38792057

ABSTRACT

Coleus scutellarioides (L.) Benth. is a globally spread species, known for its characteristic spectacularly colorful leaves of decorative value. Thanks to its rich chemical composition, the plant is used in ethnopharmacology, and it is also regarded as having high medicinal potential. The application of in vitro cultures enables the acquisition of homogeneous certified material of high quality. Additionally, excluding the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on the plants is a way to fully recognize the influence of phytohormones on the plant morphology and the biosynthetic pathways of compound production. The best way to grow C. scutellarioides "Electric Lime" under in vitro conditions is to use the basic MS medium (Murashige and Skoog medium), enriched with naphthyl-1-acetic acid at a concentration of 0.5 mg dm-3. The analysis of volatile compounds demonstrated that the content of volatile compounds in the plants cultivated under in vivo conditions was expressed at a level of 2848.59 µg g-1, whereas in the plants bred in vitro without supplementation with phytohormones, the level was 8191.47 µg g-1. The highest content was noted for copaene, α-pinene, 1-octene-3-ol, α-selinene, sabinen, γ- and δ-cadinene, 3-octanol, and ß-pinene. Aroma profiling revealed a lack of boranyl acetate, 2-hexenal, and 2-hexen-1-ol in the plants cultivated under in vivo conditions. Differences were found in the volatile composition between plants bred in vivo and in vitro, with the most significant recorded for the contents of 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanol. The addition of plant growth regulators into the basic medium under in vitro conditions affected the percentage ratio and contents of specific compounds in plant tissues. The most intense biosynthesis of volatile compounds took place in the plants cultivated on the medium enriched with NAA at 10,579.11 µg g-1, whereas the least intense was noted for plants cultivated on the medium supplemented with BA, where it was recorded at the level of 5610.02 µg g-1. So far, there has been no research published which would pertain to the profiling of volatile compounds performed using the SPME (solid-phase microextraction) technique. Moreover, the very few studies conducted on the chemical composition of these compounds do not mention the specific variety of C. scutellarioides under analysis.


Subject(s)
Volatile Organic Compounds , Volatile Organic Compounds/metabolism , Volatile Organic Compounds/chemistry , Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis , Plant Growth Regulators/pharmacology , Plant Leaves/metabolism , Plant Leaves/growth & development , Plant Leaves/chemistry
8.
Microsc Res Tech ; 87(8): 1889-1903, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38556928

ABSTRACT

This article describes detailed and novel data on the anatomy and histochemistry of leaves, stems, and roots of Camonea umbellata (L.) A.R.Simões & Staples in different environments for the identification of characters with taxonomical value and of ecological importance, with provision of light and scanning electron microscopy images. To analyze the characters, we collected samples of the vegetative organs of three individuals in each of three populations, which were in a grazing area, an urban environment, and a biological reserve. The main diagnostic anatomical markers for the identification of C. umbellata include amphistomatic leaves, tetracytic and brachyparatetracytic stomata, peltate trichomes, long simple trichomes, epidermis with striated cuticle ornamentation, mesophyll with acute borders, presence of druses, secretory channels, angular collenchyma, fibrous pericycle in the stem, intraxylary phloem in the vegetative organs, oil bodies throughout the midrib, petiole, stem and root, and epicuticular waxes of the crust and coiled rodlet types. Since the characters above did not show variation in the environments evaluated, we consider these characters taxonomically useful for the identification of C. umbellata. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The anatomy of the aerial vegetative organs of Camonnea umbellata retains common Convolvulaceae characters. The sinuosity of the epidermal cell walls and the density of trichomes in the epidermis of the petiole were visually variable characters among the analyzed individuals. Amphistomatic leaves, tetracytic and brachyparatetracytic stomata, peltate trichomes, epidermis with striated cuticle ornamentation, dorsiventral mesophyll with border acute, presence of druses, secretory structures, angular collenchyma, fibrous pericycle in the stem, intraxillary phloem, presence of oil bodies in all organs, and epicuticular waxes of the crust type and coiled rods were considered important anatomical markers for the recognition and correct identification of Camonea umbellata.


Subject(s)
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Microscopy , Plant Leaves , Plant Roots , Plant Stems , Trichomes , Plant Leaves/anatomy & histology , Plant Leaves/ultrastructure , Plant Stems/anatomy & histology , Plant Stems/ultrastructure , Trichomes/ultrastructure , Trichomes/anatomy & histology , Plant Roots/anatomy & histology , Plant Roots/ultrastructure , Plant Stomata/ultrastructure , Plant Stomata/anatomy & histology , Plant Epidermis/ultrastructure , Plant Epidermis/anatomy & histology
9.
Front Pharmacol ; 15: 1388747, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38638866

ABSTRACT

Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey (S. grosvenorii), a perennial indigenous liana from the Cucurbitaceae family, has historically played a significant role in southern China's traditional remedies for various ailments. Its dual classification by the Chinese Ministry of Health for both medicinal and food utility underscores its has the potential of versatile applications. Recent research has shed light on the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and toxicity of S. grosvenorii. Its active ingredients include triterpenoids, flavonoids, amino acids, volatile oils, polysaccharides, minerals, vitamins, and other microconstituents. Apart from being a natural sweetener, S. grosvenorii has been found to have numerous pharmacological effects, including alleviating cough and phlegm, preventing dental caries, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects, anti-aging and anti-oxidative, hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, anti-depression, anti-fatigue, anti-schizophrenic, anti-Parkinson, anti-fibrotic, and anti-tumor activities. Despite its versatile potential, there is still a lack of systematic research on S. grosvenorii to date. This paper aims to address this gap by providing an overview of the main active components, pharmacological efficacy, toxicity, current status of development and application, development dilemmas, and strategies for intensive exploitation and utilization of S. grosvenorii. This paper aims to serve as a guide for researchers and practitioners committed to exploiting the biological resources of S. grosvenorii and further exploring its interdisciplinary potential.

10.
J Cheminform ; 16(1): 42, 2024 Apr 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38622746

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Wiswesser Line Notation (WLN) is a old line notation for encoding chemical compounds for storage and processing by computers. Whilst the notation itself has long since been surpassed by SMILES and InChI, distribution of WLN during its active years was extensive. In the context of modernising chemical data, we present a comprehensive WLN parser developed using the OpenBabel toolkit, capable of translating WLN strings into various formats supported by the library. Furthermore, we have devised a specialised Finite State Machine l, constructed from the rules of WLN, enabling the recognition and extraction of chemical strings out of large bodies of text. Available open-access WLN data with corresponding SMILES or InChI notation is rare, however ChEMBL, ChemSpider and PubChem all contain WLN records which were used for conversion scoring. Our investigation revealed a notable proportion of inaccuracies within the database entries, and we have taken steps to rectify these errors whenever feasible. SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: Tools for both the extraction and conversion of WLN from chemical documents have been successfully developed. Both the Deterministic Finite Automaton (DFA) and parser handle the majority of WLN rules officially endorsed in the three major WLN manuals, with the parser showing a clear jump in accuracy and chemical coverage over previous submissions. The GitHub repository can be found here: https://github.com/Mblakey/wiswesser .

11.
Food Chem ; 449: 139193, 2024 Aug 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38604037

ABSTRACT

The desirable wine aroma compounds 3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol (3SH) and 3-sulfanylhexyl acetate (3SHA) are released during fermentation from non-volatile precursors present in the grapes. This work explores the relative contribution of four precursors (E-2-hexenal, 3-S-glutathionylhexan-1-ol, 3-S-glutathionylhexanal, and 3-S-cysteinylhexan-1-ol) to 3SH and 3SHA. Through the use of isotopically labelled analogues of these precursors in defined fermentation media, new insights into the role of each precursor have been identified. E-2-Hexenal was shown to contribute negligible amounts of thiols, while 3-S-glutathionylhexan-1-ol was the main precursor of both 3SH and 3SHA. The glutathionylated precursors were both converted to 3SHA more efficiently than 3-S-cysteinylhexan-1-ol. Interestingly, 3-S-glutathionylhexanal generated 3SHA without detectable concentrations of 3SH, suggesting possible differences in the way this precursor is metabolised compared to 3-S-glutathionylhexan-1-ol and 3-S-cysteinylhexan-1-ol. We also provide the first evidence for chemical conversion of 3-S-glutathionylhexan-1-ol to 3-S-(γ-glutamylcysteinyl)-hexan-1-ol in an oenological system.


Subject(s)
Fermentation , Vitis , Wine , Wine/analysis , Vitis/chemistry , Vitis/metabolism , Acetates/metabolism , Acetates/chemistry , Aldehydes/metabolism , Aldehydes/chemistry , Odorants/analysis , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism , Saccharomyces cerevisiae/chemistry
12.
Heliyon ; 10(5): e26820, 2024 Mar 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38463881

ABSTRACT

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) could be applied to study the provenance of wood, specifically the differentiation of wood resources, as well as the identification of chemical compounds that are connected to the changes that occur in wood as a result of drying treatments. To test this hypothesis, the bark of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) from trees belonging to seven different geographical provenances was studied, using samples dried at three different temperatures (60, 80, and 100 °C). FT-IR spectroscopy revealed different band assignments in the mid-infrared region depending on fir provenances, whereas the vibrational bands of the biomass functional groups tended to shift to lower wavenumbers. Significant differences were identified between the chemical compounds in the bark depending on the provenances. The largest proportion of the total phenolics was represented by the epicatechin gallate, epicatechin, catechin, and procyanidin dimer B1. Exploratory data analysis was performed using principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering, and Pearson correlations. This allowed a comparative evaluation of the samples and interpret the findings according to the geographical provenances, respectively ecological conditions in the areas of origin, but also the influence of the drying temperatures of the samples on chemical compounds. The precipitation in the areas of origin decreased total phenolics in silver fir bark samples, and total phenolics differed not only due to the geographic provenance, but also due to drying temperature.

13.
Front Pharmacol ; 15: 1329011, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38444943

ABSTRACT

De novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis (DNPNB) consists of sequential reactions that are majorly conserved in living organisms. Several regulation events take place to maintain physiological concentrations of adenylate and guanylate nucleotides in cells and to fine-tune the production of purine nucleotides in response to changing cellular demands. Recent years have seen a renewed interest in the DNPNB enzymes, with some being highlighted as promising targets for therapeutic molecules. Herein, a review of two newly revealed modes of regulation of the DNPNB pathway has been carried out: i) the unprecedent allosteric regulation of one of the limiting enzymes of the pathway named inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), and ii) the supramolecular assembly of DNPNB enzymes. Moreover, recent advances that revealed the therapeutic potential of DNPNB enzymes in bacteria could open the road for the pharmacological development of novel antibiotics.

14.
Heliyon ; 10(6): e27622, 2024 Mar 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38515733

ABSTRACT

Polygalae radix (PR) is a famous herbal medicine obtained by drying the root of Polygala tenuifolia Willd., one of the traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) that can be used for healthy food. There are three main processed methods of PR, including removing the xylem of roots (Polygalae Cortex, PC), frying PC with licorice (LP), and frying PC with honey (HP). While processing is believed to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity, it is crucial to understand the differences in chemical composition and biological activities between crude and processed PR. This study used ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) combined with multivariate statistical analysis to analyze the chemical profiles and differences between the crude and processed products. Total polyphenol contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), total saponin contents (TSC) and antioxidant activity of the processed and crude PR were also investigated. A total of 131 chemical compounds, including 42 saponins, 44 oligosaccharide esters, 25 xanthones, 2 organic acids, 3 Carbohydrates, and 15 components detected in auxiliary materials, were detected in all samples. Notably, PC exhibited significant changes among the three processed products, with the content of 62 compounds being higher. Processing of licorice (LP) and honey (HP) decreased the content of several compounds due to temperature and moisture influences. Comprehensive comparison of the antioxidant capacity of crude and processed PR showed that the antioxidant capacity of PC was higher than that of PR, HP, and LP. Our results can provide a scientific basis for further developing and applying P. tenuifolia resources.

15.
Gen Comp Endocrinol ; 351: 114481, 2024 05 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38408711

ABSTRACT

The pituitary gland is a small endocrine gland located below the hypothalamus. This gland releases several important hormones and controls the function of many other endocrine system glands to release hormones. Fish pituitary hormonal cells are controlled by neuroendocrine and sex steroid feedback. To study the complex pituitary function in vivo, we established an in vitro pituitary spheroid assay and evaluated its suitability for monitoring the annual reproductive physiological conditions in Takifugu rubripes, also known as torafugu, is one of the most economically important species distributed in the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, in the western part of the East China Sea, and in more northern areas near Hokkaido, Japan. Fish pituitary spheroids can be easily constructed in liquid or solid plates. The culture medium (L-15) made the aggregation faster than MEM (Hank's). A Rho-kinase inhibitor (Y-27632, 10 µM) and/or fish serum (2.5 %) also promoted spheroid formation. Laser confocal microscopy analysis of spheroids cultured with annual serum of both sexes revealed that luteinizing hormone (LH) synthesis has the highest peak in the final maturation stage (3 years old, May) in accordance with the highest serum sex steroid levels; in contrast, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) synthesis has no correlation with the dose of serum or nutrients. Similarly, 3D cell propagation assays using female serum showed that total pituitary cells displayed the highest proliferation at puberty onset (2 years old, October) before half a year of the spawning season. These results indicate that pituitary spheroids are useful in vitro models for monitoring the reproductive physiological status of fish in vivo and may be applicable to the in vitro screening of environmental chemicals and bioactive compounds affecting reproductive efficiency in aquaculture.


Subject(s)
Pituitary Gland , Sexual Maturation , Animals , Male , Female , Luteinizing Hormone , Follicle Stimulating Hormone , Endocrine System , Gonadal Steroid Hormones , Steroids , Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/physiology
16.
Heliyon ; 10(4): e26125, 2024 Feb 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38390130

ABSTRACT

Medicinal herbs are being widely accepted as alternative remedies for preventing various diseases especially in India and other Asian countries. However, most plant-based herbal medicines are not yet being scientifically accepted worldwide. "Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook.F. & Thomson", one of the most promising plant species of Tinospora known as "Giloy" or Guduchi that is used in several traditional medicines in treating diseases e.g., metabolic and immune disorders, diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, has been widely investigated. Varieties of bioactive phytochemical constituents isolated from the stem, root and whole plant of T. cordifolia have been identified. In the last two decades, the diverse pharmacological activities of T. cordifolia have been continuously studied. Due to its therapeutic efficacy in immune modulation, it could be effective in viral and other diseases treatment as well. A medicinal plant could be well-suited not only for the treatment of target site but also for boosting the body's immune system. As an alternate source of medication, medicinal herbs are continuously showing better compatibility with the human body with minimal side effects than other therapies. Keeping this in mind, the present review highlights the pharmacological potential of T. cordifolia against various diseases.

17.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel) ; 17(2)2024 Feb 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38399442

ABSTRACT

Melanoma is the principal cause of death in skin cancer due to its ability to invade and cause metastasis. Hypoxia, which characterises the tumour microenvironment (TME), plays an important role in melanoma development, as cancer cells can adapt and acquire a more aggressive phenotype. Carbonic anhydrases (CA) activity, involved in pH regulation, is related to melanoma cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, already known for its role in physiological processes, is a pivotal character in cancer cell growth and can represent a promising pharmacological target. In this study, we targeted Hh pathway components with cyclopamine, glabrescione B and C22 in order to observe their effect on carbonic anhydrase XII (CAXII) expression especially under hypoxia. We then performed a migration and invasion assay on two melanoma cell lines (SK-MEL-28 and A375) where Smoothened, the upstream protein involved in Hh regulation, and GLI1, the main transcription factor that determines Hh pathway activation, were chemically inhibited. Data suggest the existence of a relationship between CAXII, hypoxia and the Hedgehog pathway demonstrating that the chemical inhibition of the Hh pathway and CAXII reduction resulted in melanoma migration and invasion impairment especially under hypoxia. As in recent years drug resistance to small molecules has arisen, the development of new chemical compounds is crucial. The multitarget Hh inhibitor C22 proved to be effective without signs of cytotoxicity and, for this reason, it can represent a promising compound for future studies, with the aim to reach a better melanoma disease management.

18.
Data Brief ; 53: 110209, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38419767

ABSTRACT

Aquilaria oil, specifically agarwood oil, is esteemed for its unique fragrance and potential therapeutic qualities, primarily attributed to the presence of significant chemical compounds. These compounds play a vital role in shaping the quality and attributes of Aquilaria oil. The distinct aroma, characterized by intricate, woody, and multifaceted notes, originates directly from specific sesquiterpenes, with notable contributors like agarospirol defining this aromatic profile. The richness and complexity of the oil's scent are closely linked to the concentration and variety of noteworthy compounds within it. Oils containing a diverse range of sesquiterpenes are often considered superior, providing a more refined olfactory experience. This dataset presents a statistical analysis of the chemical compounds present in agarwood oil obtained through the hydrodistillation method from three distinct Aquilaria (A.) species: A. crassna, A. malaccensis, and A. subintegra. The analysis of these chemical compounds utilized Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) coupled with Gas Chromatography - Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). This study's data is crucial for highlighting compounds that contribute to the significance of agarwood oil as a valuable and versatile natural resource. This significance is emphasized by the oil's diverse applications and distinctive chemical composition.

19.
Heliyon ; 10(4): e25908, 2024 Feb 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38380048

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies demonstrate a strong intrinsic relationship between the boiling and melting temperatures, among other chemical properties, of chemical compounds and pharmaceutical and their molecular structures. Using topological indices, researchers can learn more about the physical traits, chemical stability, and bioactivities of these chemical molecular structures. Topological indices on the chemical structure of chemical materials and drugs are investigated in order to make up for the absence of chemical experiments and provide a theoretical basis for the manufacture of medications and chemical materials. According to well-known degree-based topological indices, the chemical structures of drugs used to treat hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E) are assessed in this study. The atoms are thought of as the vertices of a graph, and the borders that separate them are thought of as the edges. Using degree-based topological indices, a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) investigation was conducted to predict the physical properties of 16 hepatitis medications. These topological indices link the chemical structure to specific physical characteristics, such as the surface tension of hepatitis medication molecules and molecular weight, enthalpy, boiling point, density, vapor pressure, and logP. Using their molecular structures, the study's drugs are represented as molecular graphs, and 14 topological indices are computed.

20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38194183

ABSTRACT

Teucrium polium L. is used to treat many diseases like abdominal pains, indigestion, colds, and reproductive system diseases in Iranian folk medicine. This study was designed to investigate the yield, chemical profile of essential oil, and antibacterial and antifungal activity of this species. The flowering aerial parts of T. polium were collected from the Margh region of Kashan, Iran. The essential oil of the plant was extracted and separated using the Clevenger apparatus and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil against a variety of standard microbial strains was investigated with the Agar well-diffusion method and determination of the lowest growth inhibitory and lethal concentration (MIC and MBC). The results showed that the yield of T. polium essential oil (TPEO) was 0.5778%. Based on the results of GC-MS, 76 compounds (99.3%) were identified in the TPEO, of which α-pinene (9.67%), ß-caryophyllene (8.07%), ß-pinene (5.04%), nerolidol (4.94%), and oleic acid (4.57%) were the dominant components. The results of antimicrobial tests showed that the TPEO on Staphylococcus aureus created the largest zone of inhibition (~ 14.29 mm). The dominant inhibitory activity of this essential oil was against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (~ 9.00 mm), which was almost similar to rifampin (~ 11 mm). It seems that the predominance of terpenoid and acidic compounds of the essential oil is one of the possible factors of the anti-bacterial activity of this essential oil. Therefore, the TPEO may be a promising and potential strategy to inhibit some bacterial strains.

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