Impacts of nutritive and bioactive compounds on cancer development and therapy.

For persons who survive with progressive cancer, nutritional therapy and exercise may be significant factors to improve the health condition and life quality of cancer patients. Nutritional therapy and medications are essential to managing progressive cancer. Cancer survivors, as well as cancer patients, are mostly extremely encouraged to search for knowledge about the selection of diet, exercise, and dietary supplements to recover as well as maintain their treatment consequences, living quality, and survival of patients. A healthy diet plays an important role in cancer treatment. Different articles are studied to collect information and knowledge about the use of nutrients in cancer treatment as well as cancer prevention. The report deliberates nutrition and exercise strategies during the range of cancer care, emphasizing significant concerns during treatment of cancer and for patients of advanced cancer, but concentrating mostly on the requirements of the population of persons who are healthy or who have constant disease following their repossession from management. It also deliberates choice nutrition and exercise problems such as dietary supplements, food care, food selections, and weight; problems interrelated to designated cancer sites, and common questions about diet, and cancer survival. Decrease the side effects of medicines both during and after treatment.

Anticancer properties of medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds against breast cancer: a review on recent investigations.

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common and recurring diseases and the second leading cause of death in women. Despite prevention, diagnostics, and therapeutic options such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy, the number of occurrences increases every year. Therefore, novel therapeutic drugs targeting specifically different checkpoints should be developed against breast cancer. Among drugs that can be developed to treat breast cancer, natural products, such as plant-derived compounds, showed significant anti-breast cancer properties. These substances belong to different chemical classes such as flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids. They exert their in vitro and in vivo cytotoxic activities against breast cancer cell lines via different mechanisms, including the inhibition of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, the arrest of the cell cycle, and the activation of autophagy. Moreover, they also exhibit anti-angiogenesis and antimetastatic action. Moreover, chemoprevention effects of these bioactive compounds were signaled only for certain drugs. Therefore, the aim of this review is to highlight the pharmacological actions of medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds on breast cancer. Moreover, the role of these substances in breast cancer chemoprevention was also discussed.

Molecular targets for the management of cancer using Curcuma longa Linn. phytoconstituents: A Review.

Medicinal plants are being used for therapeutic purposes since the dawn of human civilization. The therapeutic efficacy of medicinal plants is due to the presence of wide range phytochemical constituents or secondary metabolites. The medicinal plants are traditionally used for several types of ailments. Even in those pathological conditions where other methods of treatment fail to work. Curcuma longa Linn is very common ingredient used as spice in foods as preservative and coloring material in different part of the world. It has been used as a home remedy for a variety of diseases. Curcuma longa and its isolated constituent curcumin are widely evaluated for anticancer activity. Curcumin possesses broad remedial potential due to its multi-targeting effect against many different carcinoma including leukemia, genitourinary cancers, gastrointestinal cancers and breast cancer etc. Hence, Curcumin has potential for the development of new medicine for the treatment of several diseases.

Traditional and modern management strategies for rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a serious disorder of the joints affecting 1 or 2% of the population aged between 20 and 50 years worldwide. RA is the foremost cause of disability in developing and Western populations. It is an autoimmune disease-causing inflammation and pain involving synovial joints. Pro-inflammatory markers, including cytokines, such as interleukin -1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are involved in RA. RA treatment involves TNF-α blockade, B cell therapy, IL-1 and IL-6 blockade, and angiogenesis inhibition. Synthetic drugs available for the treatment of RA include disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD), such as cyclophosphamide, sulfasalazine, methotrexate, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and intramuscular gold. These agents induce adverse hepatorenal effects, hypertension, and gastric ulcers. We found that patients diagnosed with chronic pain, as in RA, and those refractory to contemporary management are most likely to seek traditional medicine. Approximately 60-90% of patients with arthritis use traditional medicines. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of these traditional medicines need to be established. The treatment for RA entails a comprehensive multidisciplinary strategy to reduce pain and inflammation and to restore the activity of joints. The potential medicinal plants exhibiting anti-arthritic and anti-rheumatic pharmacological activity are reviewed here.

Impacts of climate change on high priority fruit fly species in Australia.

Tephritid fruit flies are among the most destructive horticultural pests posing risks to Australia's multi-billion-dollar horticulture industry. Currently, there are 11 pest fruit fly species of economic concern in Australia. Of these, nine are native to this continent (Bactrocera aquilonis, B. bryoniae, B. halfordiae, B. jarvisi, B. kraussi, B. musae, B. neohumeralis, B. tryoni and Zeugodacus cucumis), while B. frauenfeldi and Ceratitis capitata are introduced. To varying degrees these species are costly to Australia's horticulture through in-farm management, monitoring to demonstrate pest freedom, quarantine and trade restrictions, and crop losses. Here, we used a common species distribution model, Maxent, to assess climate suitability for these 11 species under baseline (1960-1990) and future climate scenarios for Australia. Projections indicate that the Wet Tropics is likely to be vulnerable to all 11 species until at least 2070, with the east coast of Australia also likely to remain vulnerable to multiple species. While the Cape York Peninsula and Northern Territory are projected to have suitable climate for numerous species, extrapolation to novel climates in these areas decreases confidence in model projections. The climate suitability of major horticulture areas currently in eastern Queensland, southern-central New South Wales and southern Victoria to these pests may increase as climate changes. By highlighting areas at risk of pest range expansion in the future our study may guide Australia's horticulture industry in developing effective monitoring and management strategies.

Medicinal Plants Combating Against Insomnia: A Green Anti-Insomnia Approach.

Insomnia is a state defined as trouble with sleep; it is a chronically disabling condition and is now significantly prevalent, imposing enormous health and economic burdens both on individuals and on society. This state includes trouble in falling asleep, problems staying asleep, fragmented sleep (repeatedly awakening at night), and/or awakening before time in the morning. This difficulty in sleeping causes feeling exhausted during the day and trouble with daytime activities including driving, family responsibilities, and completion of valued daily routines. Different types of synthetic sedative drugs are used to handle nervous system changes, but repeated use of sedatives caused tolerance in the human body. After a while, people had to take a heavy dose of sedative to make them feel sleepy, which imposes extra toxic effects on vital organs of the body. Medicinal plants are gaining more and more attention as sedative agents because herbs contained different types of natural bioactive metabolites with not well reported side effects. In addition, medicinal plants have economic, high efficacy and are easy available. So in current review plants possessing sedative activities have been compiled with their constituents responsible to manage insomnia. Review of the literature indicated that medicinal plants from various systems of medicine have been reported to possess sedative activity. This review suggests that medicinal plants are efficacious for insomnia; further laboratory and clinical studies are required.

Therapeutic potential of medicinal plants for the management of urinary tract infection: A systematic review.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most severe public health problem affecting both sexes but females are more susceptible due to the differences in urogenital and reproductive anatomy, physiology and lifestyle. As in UTI, different parts of the urinary tract are affected and morbidity due to UTI is more common in women of all ages and older men. Due to multi-drug resistant strains and high recurrence rate, UTI has become a major socioeconomic burden. The current review article was aimed to describe the natural therapeutic strategies to manage and cure the UTI. For this purpose, different databases including Google Scholar, Cochrane database, and PubMed etc. were explored. Inclusion criteria were any research article investigating the current therapy of UTI. It was found that microbial infections including Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Klebsiella species are the major causes of UTI with different signs and symptoms including painful urination or dysuria, hematuria, urinary urgency, burning micturition, frequent urination, nausea, and vomiting. Antibiotics like trimethoprim, sulfamethoxazole, quinolone etc. as the first choice of the drug are used worldwide. However, due to microbial resistance, several life-threatening side effects, repeated high doses, high cost and low efficacy of these antibiotics motivated the researchers to explore natural remedies for the treatment of UTI. Herbal medicines are effective to combat bacterial resistance with high efficacy, and easy availability with minimal or no side effects. For these reasons it has attained the attention of researchers wanting to explore the herbal treatment of UTI. Vaccinium macrocarpon, Tribulus terrestris, Trachyspermum copticum, Cinnamomum verum and Hybanthusenn easpermus are some common medicinal plants reported to have therapeutic potential for the management and cure of the UTI. Although herbal medicines have more potential over conventional medicine but more discoveries are required to explore the phytoconstituents and their mechanism of action responsible for the management and cure of UTI.

Acute and sub acute toxicity study and randomized clinical trial of polyherbal coded drug candicure in the management of acute vulvo-vaginal candidiasis.

Vulvo-Vaginal Candidiasis is common gynecological disorder. Clinical trials are designed to evaluate the effect of medical intervention with allopathic and herbal medicine to treat vulvo-vaginal candidiasis. The toxicity index and the safety profile of test drug were assessed on animals' model. Toxicity study of polyherbal formulation was done in order to consider it safe before use. In acute toxicity study, a single dose of 2000 mg/kg was given to Swiss Albino mice and in sub-acute toxicity study three different doses were given to Wistar rats. Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials was conducted. Inclusion and exclusion criteria and informed consent from the patients were to be monitored. In acute toxicity study no morbidity and mortality noticed on single administration of dose 2000mg/kg/day. In sub -acute toxicity study no significant changes were observed in consumption of food and water, body weight, hematological parameters, Liver function test, renal function parameters and lipid profile. The statistical analysis showed C. albican was eradicated in 59 participants (78%) out of 75 participants by the use of Candicure (Test drug) and in 56 participants (74%) out of 75 participants by the use of Fluconazole therapy (Control drug). Chi-square test was applied and p-value was calculated 0.3101 which is greater than 0.05 showed that Candicure therapy and Fluconazole therapy is equally significant in eradication of C. albican. The acute and sub-acute toxicity study of polyherbal formulation on experimental animals is safe at a dose of 2000mg/kg/day. The clinical findings of randomized controlled trial revealed that the effect was almost comparable to control drug in eradicating the micro-organism.

Hexose monophosphate shunt, the role of its metabolites and associated disorders: A review.

The hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt acts as an essential component of cellular metabolism in maintaining carbon homeostasis. The HMP shunt comprises two phases viz. oxidative and nonoxidative, which provide different intermediates for the synthesis of biomolecules like nucleotides, DNA, RNA, amino acids, and so forth; reducing molecules for anabolism and detoxifying the reactive oxygen species during oxidative stress. The HMP shunt is significantly important in the liver, adipose tissue, erythrocytes, adrenal glands, lactating mammary glands and testes. We have researched the articles related to the HMP pathway, its metabolites and disorders related to its metabolic abnormalities. The literature for this paper was taken typically from a personal database, the Cochrane database of systemic reviews, PubMed publications, biochemistry textbooks, and electronic journals uptil date on the hexose monophosphate shunt. The HMP shunt is a tightly controlled metabolic pathway, which is also interconnected with other metabolic pathways in the body like glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glucuronic acid depending upon the metabolic needs of the body and depending upon the biochemical demand. The HMP shunt plays a significant role in NADPH2 formation and in pentose sugars that are biosynthetic precursors of nucleic acids and amino acids. Cells can be protected from highly reactive oxygen species by NADPH 2 . Deficiency in the hexose monophosphate pathway is linked to numerous disorders. Furthermore, it was also reported that this metabolic pathway could act as a therapeutic target to treat different types of cancers, so treatments at the molecular level could be planned by limiting the synthesis of biomolecules required for proliferating cells provided by the HMP shunt, hence, more experiments still could be carried out to find additional discoveries.

Effects of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Ipomoea batatas L on mineral contents level (calcium and magnesium) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

In diabetic patients, electrolyte disorders frequently occur with the characteristic changes in minerals like calcium and magnesium etc. Several medicines are used to manage diabetes mellitus but they exert adverse effects. Plants are a valuable alternative to synthetic medicines because they are easily available, economical and have fewer side effects. Ipomoea batatas L is a well-known antidiabetic plant (sweet potato) but its effects on calcium and magnesium concentration have not studied. The prime focus of this study is to estimate the potential of Ipomoea batatas L peel-off on magnesium and calcium level in Alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan monohydrate was mixed in 0.9% NaCl solution and administrated [150 mg/kg (S/C)] to male Wistar rats to induce diabetes. After three days blood samples were collected and blood glucose level was recorded. Wistar rats having a blood glucose level of 200 mg/dl and above were selected for the study. Methanol and water extract of Ipomoea batatas L peel-off was given orally with a dose rate of 4g/day. Calcium and magnesium estimation was done using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Our results revealed an increase in both the calcium and magnesium level in heart, brain, liver, hind limb, and forelimb after Ipomoea batatas extract treatment. In kidneys decreased calcium level was noted as they excrete calcium. Mineral (Calcium, magnesium) level was increased in all organs except kidney after both extracts treatment. Ipomoea batatas being anti-diabetic in nature also maintain the homeostasis of calcium and magnesium in diabetes. Therefore, we propose the long-term use of such agents might help in the prevention of diabetes-associated complications. However, the validation of these results to human population needs further extensive study.

Author Correction: Potential impacts of climate change on habitat suitability for the Queensland fruit fly.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

Review: Medicinal plants combating against hypertension: A green antihypertensive approach.

Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure is a medical condition that accounts 9.4 million deaths all over the world every year. It is leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, diffuse atherosclerosis, cognitive impairment and dementia. Clinically, synthetic antihypertensive drugs have been used to treat hypertension. However, the efficacy of these drugs is low and also produces side effects which include dry mouth, dizziness, emotional distress, gastrointestinal disturbance, visual disorders etc. These distressing side effects adversely affect health-related quality of life. Therefore, there is a need to search natural, cheaper and non-toxic compound. Plant are widely use in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of several diseases. About 80% of the world population relies on traditional medicine for primary healthcare. In the last three decades, a lot of research has been done on local medicinal plants for hypotensive and antihypertensive potentials. Plants are the rich source of secondary metabolites which have been found in vivo to have antihypertensive properties. The current study is focused on reviewing the antihypertensive property of medicinal plants and their metabolites. In the current review, we conducted a literature search using Elsevier, Science direct, Springer Link (Springer), Pub Med and Google Scholar. The search included the keywords "plants", "medicinal plants", "plant extracts", cross-referenced with the keywords "hypertension" "antihypertensive activity". The use of plant origin natural compounds as cardio protective and antihypertensive agents is an interesting strategy for discovering bioactive products. Plants are rich in a variety of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and terpenoids. These have been found in vivo to have antihypertensive effects. The present review therefore; stand for a good basis to choose exact molecules belonging to the indicated categories that in the forthcoming future will become useful therapeutic tools.

Antipyretic effects of hydro-methanol extract of Melia azedarach Linn. seeds and Cucumis melo Linn. seeds in experimental rabbits.

To investigate the antipyretic activity of hydro-methanol extract of Melia azedarach Linn. (HMEMA) seeds and Cucumis melo Linn. (HMECM) seeds in experimental animals. Baker's yeast was used to induce fever in rabbits which were divided into six groups. The animal groups were thereafter administered distilled water (control), paracetamol (reference standard, 150mg/kg), HMEMA (250mg/kg), HMEMA (500mg/kg), HMECM (250mg/kg) and HMECM (500mg/kg) respectively. HMEMA and HMECM were also phytochemically screened for tannins, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. Results indicate that hydro-methanol extract of M. azedarach Linn. Seeds (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001, p<0.05 respectively) reduced the elevated body temperature in dose dependant manner. Insignificant to no antipyretic effect was produced by hydro-methanol extract of Cucumis melo L. seeds. Phytochemical analysis of the HMEMA showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, phenols, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides While HMECM was positive for flavonoids, phenols and saponins. The result shows that there exists a potential benefit in utilizing Melia azedarach L. seeds in treating fever. This property can be attributed to the presence of phytochemical constituents present in the hydro-methanol extract of Melia azedarach L. seeds and the exact mechanism need to be evaluated.

Potential impacts of climate change on habitat suitability for the Queensland fruit fly.

Anthropogenic climate change is a major factor driving shifts in the distributions of pests and invasive species. The Queensland fruit fly, Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt (Qfly), is the most economically damaging insect pest of Australia's horticultural industry, and its management is a key priority for plant protection and biosecurity. Identifying the extent to which climate change may alter the distribution of suitable habitat for Qfly is important for the development and continuation of effective monitoring programs, phytosanitary measures, and management strategies. We used Maxent, a species distribution model, to map suitable habitat for Qfly under current climate, and six climate scenarios for 2030, 2050 and 2070. Our results highlight that south-western Australia, northern regions of the Northern Territory, eastern Queensland, and much of south-eastern Australia are currently suitable for Qfly. This includes southern Victoria and eastern Tasmania, which are currently free of breeding populations. There is substantial agreement across future climate scenarios that most areas currently suitable will remain so until at least 2070. Our projections provide an initial estimate of the potential exposure of Australia's horticultural industry to Qfly as climate changes, highlighting the need for long-term vigilance across southern Australia to prevent further range expansion of this species.

Hepatoprotective evaluation of aqueous-ethanolic extract of Capparis decidua (Stems) in paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in experimental rabbits.

Liver diseases are the most common ailment all over the world mostly caused by viruses, toxic chemicals, excessive intake of alcohol, high doses of paracetamol, carbon tetrachloride, chemotherapeutic agents and peroxides oil, etc. There is a great need to assess the scientific basis for the medicinal plants that are claimed to have hepatoprotective activity. We investigate the hepatoprotective effects of aqueous-ethanolic extract of Capparis decidua (Stems) against paracetamol induced liver injury in experimental animals. To observe the level of improvement, biochemical parameters such as SGPT, SGOT, ALP and Total bilirubin levels as well as histopathological changes in liver tissues were studied. Silymarin (50mg/kg, p.o.) was used as reference drug. The levels of the biochemical parameters were increased in rabbits which were intoxicate by paracetamol. Capparis decidua extract (750mg/kg, b.w.) treated rabbits showed maximum reduction of biochemical parameters in a significant (p<0.001) manner. Histopathological examination of the liver tissues of control and treated groups also confirmed the hepatoprotective activity. The phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids. The results of the present study therefore suggest that the different doses of Capparis decidua possess significant hepatoprotective effect and this effect might be due to the presence of flavonoids and tannins.

HER-2 Positive Breast Cancer - a Mini-Review.

Breast cancer is one of among all cancers with increased incidence, high mortality rate, and high economic and social costs. The the most common type of cancer among females worldwide, breast cancer is actually the uncontrolled proliferation of cells which attain malignancy. Recently it has shown that breast cancer contributes 11% among all types of cancer diagnosed globally on an annual basis and it is one of the leading causes of death among women. The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) is a receptor tyrosine-protein kinase erbB-2 normally involved in the proliferation and division of breast cells. In some abnormal cases the HER2 gene does not work correctly and makes too many copies of itself. HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancers constitute an aggressive type of breast cancer and tend to grow faster and are more likely to spread. However, therapies that specifically target HER2, such as Herceptin® (traztuzumab), are very effective. HER2 targeted therapies, has significantly improved the therapeutic outcome for patients with HER2 positive breast cancer.

Risk Factors and Epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in Pakistan.

Gastric cancer is the 2nd most common cause of death among all cancers and is the 4th most common cancer in the world. The number of deaths due to gastric cancer is about 800,000 annually. Gastric cancer is more common in men as compared to women and is 3rd most common cancer after colorectal and breast cancers in women. A progressive rise in the incidence rate has been observed in females over the last 5 years. The highest incidence of stomach cancer is in China, South America and Eastern Europe. The incidence of gastric cancer has 20 fold variation worldwide. Global variation is linked by two factors which play important role in developing gastric cancer. One is infection with Helicobacter pylori and the 2nd is diet. South Asia is a region with low risk, despite a high prevalence of H.pylori. Gastric carcinoma is common in southern region of India. Gastric cancer is more readily treated if diagnosed early. This study aims to provide awareness about gastric cancer as well as an updated knowledge about risk factors and epidemiology of gastric cancer in Pakistan.

Epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is more common in men over the age of 65 years. There are 15% cases with positive family history of prostate cancer Worldwide. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among the U.S. men. Prostate cancer incidence is strongly related to age with the highest rates in older man. Globally millions of people are suffering from this disease. This study aims to provide awareness about prostate cancer as well as an updated knowledge about the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Medicinal plants combating against cancer--a green anticancer approach.

Cancer is the most deadly disease that causes the serious health problems, physical disabilities, mortalities, and morbidities around the world. It is the second leading cause of death all over the world. Although great advancement have been made in the treatment of cancer progression, still significant deficiencies and room for improvement remain. Chemotherapy produced a number of undesired and toxic side effects. Natural therapies, such as the use of plant-derived products in the treatment of cancer, may reduce adverse and toxic side effects. However, many plants exist that have shown very promising anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo but their active anticancer principle have yet to be evaluated. Combined efforts of botanist, pharmacologist and chemists are required to find new lead anticancer constituent to fight disease. This review will help researchers in the finding of new bioactive molecules as it will focus on various plants evaluated for anticancer properties in vitro and in vivo.

Prevalence, risk factors and disease knowledge of breast cancer in Pakistan.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females all over the world with approximately one million new cases each year as well as one of second leading causes of death among females. In Pakistan, the most frequently diagnosed cancer among females is also breast cancer, accounting for nearly one in nine female patients. Its incidence in Pakistan is 2.5 times higher than that in neighboring countries like Iran and India. The risk factors associated with breast cancer are age, family history, early menarche, intake of combined estrogen and progestin menopausal hormones, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, low socioeconomic status and lack of awareness regarding the disease. This mini-review article aims to provide awareness about breast cancer as well as an updated knowledge about the prevalence, risk factors and disease knowledge of breast cancer in Pakistan.