Turmeric: from spice to cure. A review of the anti-cancer, radioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric sourced compounds.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been extensively studied for its diverse pharmacological properties, including its potential role as an anticancer agent, antioxidant, and radioprotector. This review provides an overview of the chemical composition of turmeric, focusing on its main bioactive compounds, such as curcuminoids and volatile oils. Curcumin, the most abundant curcuminoid in turmeric, has been widely investigated for its various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the ability of curcumin to modulate multiple signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis, leading to inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and suppression of metastasis. Furthermore, curcumin has shown promising potential as a radioprotective agent by mitigating radiation-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage. Additionally, turmeric extracts containing curcuminoids have been reported to exhibit potent antioxidant activity, scavenging free radicals and protecting cells from oxidative damage. The multifaceted pharmacological properties of turmeric make it a promising candidate for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for cancer prevention and treatment, as well as for the management of oxidative stress-related disorders. However, further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of turmeric and its bioactive constituents in cancer therapy and radioprotection. This review consolidates the most recent relevant data on turmeric's chemical composition and its therapeutic applications, providing a comprehensive overview of its potential in cancer prevention and treatment, as well as in radioprotection.

Development and Functionalization of a Novel Chitosan-Based Nanosystem for Enhanced Drug Delivery.

Nowadays, infection diseases are one of the most significant threats to humans all around the world. An encouraging strategy for solving this issue and fighting resistant microorganisms is to develop drug carriers for a prolonged release of the antibiotic to the target site. The purpose of this work was to obtain metronidazole-encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles using an ion gelation route and to evaluate their properties. Due to the advantages of the ionic gelation method, the synthesized polymeric nanoparticles can be applied in various fields, especially pharmaceutical and medical. Loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency varFied depending on the amount of antibiotic in each formulation. Physicochemical characterization using scanning electron microscopy revealed a narrow particle size distribution where 90% of chitosan particles were 163.7 nm in size and chitosan-loaded metronidazole nanoparticles were 201.3 nm in size, with a zeta potential value of 36.5 mV. IR spectra revealed characteristic peaks of the drug and polymer nanoparticles. Cell viability assessment revealed that samples have no significant impact on tested cells. Release analysis showed that metronidazole was released from the chitosan matrix for 24 h in a prolonged course, implying that antibiotic-encapsulated polymer nanostructures are a promising drug delivery system to prevent or to treat various diseases. It is desirable to obtain new formulations based on drugs encapsulated in nanoparticles through different preparation methods, with reduced cytotoxic potential, in order to improve the therapeutic effect through sustained and prolonged release mechanisms of the drug correlated with the reduction of adverse effects.

Understanding How Minerals Contribute to Optimal Immune Function.

Sufficient mineral supply is vital not only for the innate immune system but also for the components of the adaptive immune defense, which encompass defense mechanisms against pathogens and the delicate balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory regulation in the long term. Generally, a well-balanced diet is capable of providing the necessary minerals to support the immune system. Nevertheless, specific vulnerable populations should be cautious about obtaining adequate amounts of minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, and selenium. Inadequate levels of these minerals can temporarily impair immune competence and disrupt the long-term regulation of systemic inflammation. Therefore, comprehending the mechanisms and sources of these minerals is crucial. In exceptional circumstances, mineral deficiencies may necessitate supplementation; however, excessive intake of supplements can have adverse effects on the immune system and should be avoided. Consequently, any supplementation should be approved by medical professionals and administered in recommended doses. This review emphasizes the crucial significance of minerals in promoting optimal functioning of the immune system. It investigates the indispensable minerals required for immune system function and the regulation of inflammation. Moreover, it delves into the significance of maintaining an optimized intake of minerals from a nutritional standpoint.

TREATMENT OF METABOLIC ALTERATIONS IN POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common endocrinopathy characterized by oligo ovulation or anovulation, signs of androgen excess and multiple small ovarian cysts. It includes various metabolic abnormalities: insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, impaired glucose tolerance, visceral obesity, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, hypertension and dyslipidemia. All these metabolic abnormalities have long-term implications. Treatment should be individualized and must not address a single sign or symptom. Studies are still needed to determine the benefits and the associated risks of the medication now available to practitioners.

STRESS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS--THE EFFECT OF PROLONGED HOSPITALIZATION.

Long-term hospitalization emotionally impacts any patient, especially children, and is defined as a long period of time during which the patient is hospitalized and experiences isolation from his or her family, friends and home. Stressful situations trigger a nonspecific response that involves multiple physiological mechanisms. Currently, because of the complexity of these mechanisms, there are no laboratory markers that allow the quantification of the stress intensity felt by the patient. Laboratory determinations currently used in evaluating the response to stress are neuroendocrine, immunological and metabolic. The neuroendocrine system is the first to respond to stressful events. Stress stimulates the hypothalamus, leading to the release of CRH, which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce ACTH. Chronic stress directs the synthesis towards cortisol, which may lead to hypo secretion of the other adrenal steroid hormones. The hospital and the disease are stressors for children and caregivers, since stress can interfere with the normal development of young patients, affecting them in the long term. Admitting a child to hospital means interrupting his or her normal daily life and changing the environment that is familiar to him or her. Therefore, the involvement of the family doctor is very important, as many conditions can be solved by visiting his or her office and thus eliminating the need for hospitalization in a pediatric hospital. If, however, the nature of the condition requires that the child should be seen by a pediatrician, the period of hospitalization should not be much extended so as to prevent the appearance of other possible problems that might influence the child's state.

[Clinical and epidemiologic considerations in the role of newborn diseases causing asthma in children]. / Consideratii clinico-epidemiologice privind implicarea patologiei neonatale în inducerea astmului bronsic la copil.

The authors present results of a multidisciplinary study in 712 children with asthma concerning the role of certain newborns events and the role of feeding in the onset of disease: resuscitation during the delivery--82.68%, respiratory distress--75.5%, Apgar score = 7 - 58.56%, bottle-feeding 50.50%, multi-pregnancy--44.23%, abnormal pregnancy--20.11%, premature infant and small for gestational age infant 10.60%, mother age less then 20 years 8.6%.

[Prospective epidemiologic considerations on asthma morbidity in patients admitted to the St. Maria Emergency Hospital Clinic for Children, Iasi]. / Consideratii epidemiologice retroprospective asupra morbiditatii prin astm bronsic la pacientii asistati în Spitalul Clinic de Urgenta pentru Copii "Sf. Maria" Iasi.

Authors present the results of a clinical epidemiological assessment of a retroprospective study carried out on a sample of 6717 records of children assisted for asthma in the "Sf. Maria" Emergency Clinic Hospital for Children Iasi, between 1990-2004. The epidemiological and statistical mathematics methods, both classical and computerized, highlighted an increase in the incidence and prevalence values in 2000, as a consequence of National Program for Asthma. For the entire period of study, the morbidity values increased in the cold and transit season, due to the acute respiratory infections, and in the warm season, by the atmospheric pollen. The anatomic-physiological peculiarities of the respiratory tubes explained the higher prevalence of asthma in males aged until 10 years old. Asthma had an increased incidence in the age groups of 4-6 years old (28.21%) and 7-9 (30.42%), as a result of the entrance in collectivities where there is a high risk for acute respiratory infections. A lower prevalence of asthma in young-age groups was explained by a difficult diagnosis. The results above-mentioned can offer orientations for the clinical epidemiological surveillance programs of asthma.

[Epidemiologic, clinical and laboratory observations of some Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes implicated in the evolution of asthma in children]. / Observatii epidemiologice, clinice si de laborator asupra implicarii unor serotipuri de Streptococcus pneumoniae în evolutia astmului bronsic la copii.

The Authors present the results of a multidisciplinary study carried out on a sample of 103 children comprised in a programme of vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, in order to avoid the worsening of their asthma. In the nasopharyngeal exudate of 39 children, we detected the presence of S. pneumoniae strains of serotypes 6, 8, 14, and 19 and their absence after vaccination with PNEUMO 23. This was followed by a significant decrease in the incidence of pneumococcal infections and also by the reduction in the frequency of crises and severity of the disease.