Natural AMPK Activators in Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), as a life-threatening global disease, is receiving worldwide attention. Seeking novel therapeutic strategies and agents is of utmost importance to curb CVD. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators derived from natural products are promising agents for cardiovascular drug development owning to regulatory effects on physiological processes and diverse cardiometabolic disorders. In the past decade, different therapeutic agents from natural products and herbal medicines have been explored as good templates of AMPK activators. Hereby, we overviewed the role of AMPK signaling in the cardiovascular system, as well as evidence implicating AMPK activators as potential therapeutic tools. In the present review, efforts have been made to compile and update relevant information from both preclinical and clinical studies, which investigated the role of natural products as AMPK activators in cardiovascular therapeutics.

The Hepato-protective Effects of Portulaca oleracea L. extract: Review.

BACKGROUND: Portulaca oleracea L. (Purslane) has been used in traditional medicine against hepatic injury, although its actual efficacy has not been fully understood. The present study aimed to critically review the recent literature data from 1990 to 2017 regarding the hepato-protective effects of Portulaca oleracea L. and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Online literature resources were checked using different search engines such as Medline, PubMed, Iran Medex, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify articles, editorials, and reviews about antidotal effects of Portulaca oleracea L. against hepatotoxic agents. RESULTS: Few studies have indicated that Portulaca oleracea L. shows protective effects against hepatotoxic agents. However, due to lack of information in humans, more studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of Portulaca oleracea L. as a hepato-protective agent. CONCLUSION: The study found that Portulaca oleracea L. may be effective on hepatotoxicity by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation.

Therapeutic effects of thymoquinone for the treatment of central nervous system tumors: A review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to review the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) against central nervous systems (CNS) tumors. METHODS: In this study, we extensively reviewed all articles on the terms of N. sativa, TQ, CNS tumors, and different disorders in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases between the years 1990 and 2017. RESULTS: The present study found that TQ has many therapeutic effects due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-proliferative activities. Experimental studies indicated the protective effects of TQ against CNS tumors. The anti-tumor effects of TQ are mainly caused by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest, apoptotic pathways, inhibiting autophagy, angiogenesis, invasion, and migration and also by enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs. Although, the study observed no significant toxicity of TQ in the experimental models, more clinical studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of TQ for human. CONCLUSIONS: The present review found that TQ treatment can be considered as a promising therapeutic strategy for human malignant CNS in future.