The Hepatoprotective Effects of Ginsenoside from Ginseng: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials.

Treatment of hepatic diseases presents a significant challenge due to their diverse nature. Ginsenosides, bioactive compounds derived from the root of Panax ginseng and widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, offer multifaceted protection to various organs in the body. Their versatile effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and more, make them a promising approach for addressing hepatic disorders. This review explores the intricate molecular mechanisms and properties of ginsenosides in the prevention and treatment of liver ailments, from mild conditions to severe damage and liver fibrosis. Given the increasing prevalence of hepatic disorders, this article sheds light on the significant pharmaceutical potential of ginsenosides in the realm of hepatic disease management.

Trichomonas vaginalis infection and risk of cervical neoplasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The evidence in the literature regarding the relationship between Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection and cervical neoplasia is conflicting. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of the risk of cervical neoplasia associated with TV infection. METHODS: A meta-analysis of observational studies, which provided raw data on the association of TV infection with cervical neoplasia, was performed. For this aim, we searched scientific databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, the Web of Sciences, and Embase) from inception to March 15, 2023. A random-effects model was applied by Stata 17.0 to calculate the pooled and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), including subgroup, sensitivity, and cumulative analyses to explore sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Of the 2584 records initially identified, 35 eligible studies contributed data for 67,856 women with cervical neoplasia, and 933,697 healthy controls from 14 countries were included. The pooled (2.15; 1.61-2.87; I2 = 87.7%) and adjusted (2.17; 1.82-2.60; I2 = 31.27%) ORs indicated a significant positive association between TV infection and the development of cervical neoplasia. There was no significant change in pooled and adjusted ORs by applying sensitivity and cumulative analyses, indicating the robustness of our findings. The pooled OR was significant in most sub-group analyses. There was no publication bias in the included studies. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that women with a TV infection are at significantly greater risk of cervical neoplasia. Future research, particularly longitudinal and experimental studies, should be done to better understand the various aspects of this association.

Role of cancer stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in cancer progression and metastasis.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Numerous strategies have been developed for cancer treatment. Metastasis, heterogeneity, chemotherapy resistance, recurrence, and evasion of immune surveillance are the primary reasons for the failure of cancer treatment. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) can give rise to tumors via self-renewal and differentiation into various cell types. They show resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and have a strong capability of invasion and metastasis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are bilayered vesicles that carry biological molecules and are released under both healthy and unhealthy conditions. It has been shown that one of the leading causes of cancer treatment failure is cancer stem cell-derived EVs (CSC-EVs). CSC-EVs have essential roles in tumor progression, metastasis, tumor angiogenesis, chemoresistance, and immunosuppressants. In the future, controlling EV production in CSCs may be one of the most promising strategies to stop cancer treatment failures.