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Topic Review
Fucoidans and Bowel Health
Fucoidans are cell wall polysaccharides found in various species of brown seaweeds. They are fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (FCSPs) and comprise 5–20% of the algal dry weight. Fucoidans possess multiple bioactivities, including antioxidant, anticoagulant, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-lipidemic, anti-metastatic, anti-diabetic and anti-cancer effects. Dietary fucoidans provide small but constant amounts of FCSPs to the intestinal tract, which can reorganize the composition of commensal microbiota altered by FCSPs, and consequently control inflammation symptoms in the intestine. Although the bioactivities of fucoidans have been well described, there is limited evidence to implicate their effect on gut microbiota and bowel health.
  • 1.3K
  • 27 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Curcumin-Loaded Silica Nanoparticles
Curcumin has multiple properties that are used to cure different diseases such as cancer, infections, inflammatory, arthritic disease, etc. Despite having many effects, the inherent physicochemical properties—such as poor water solubility, chemical instability, low bioavailability, photodegradation, fast metabolism, and short half-life—of curcumin’s derivatives have limited its medical importance. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) are promising drug delivery systems for more effective and safer treatment of several diseases, such as infections, cancers, and osteoporosis. Achieving a high drug loading in MSNs is critical to the success of this type of treatment. Their notable inherent properties—such as adjustable size and porosity, high pore volume, large surface area, functionality of versatile surfaces, as well as biocompatibility—have prompted extraordinary research on MSNs as multi-purpose delivery platforms.
  • 1.3K
  • 08 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Fusarium Cyclodepsipeptide Mycotoxins
Most of the fungi from the Fusarium genus are pathogenic to cereals, vegetables, and fruits, and the products of their secondary metabolism mycotoxins may accumulate in foods and feeds. Non-ribosomal cyclodepsipeptides are one of the main mycotoxin groups and include beauvericins (BEAs), enniatins (ENNs), and beauvenniatins (BEAEs).
  • 1.3K
  • 08 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Tauvid™
Tauvid has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of adult patients with cognitive impairments undergoing evaluation for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) based on tau pathology.
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Nanocarriers in Enhanced Antifungal Delivery
Fungal infections are an extremely serious health problem, particularly in patients with compromised immune systems. Most antifungal agents have low aqueous solubility, which may hamper their bioavailability. Their complexation with cyclodextrins (CDs) could increase the solubility of antifungals, facilitating their antifungal efficacy. Nanoparticulate systems are promising carriers for antifungal delivery due to their ability to overcome the drawbacks of conventional dosage forms. CD-based nanocarriers could form beneficial combinations of CDs and nanoparticulate platforms. These systems have synergistic or additive effects regarding improved drug loading, enhanced chemical stability, and enhanced drug permeation through membranes, thereby increasing the bioavailability of drugs. 
  • 1.3K
  • 08 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Ligands of Adrenergic Receptors
Adrenergic receptors are G protein-coupled receptors for epinephrine and norepinephrine. They are targets of many drugs for various conditions, including treatment of hypertension, hypotension, and asthma. Adrenergic receptors are intensively studied in structural biology, displayed for binding poses of different types of ligands.
  • 1.3K
  • 19 Jul 2021
Topic Review
β-Caryophyllene
β-caryophyllene (BCP) is a cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonist that tempers inflammation. An interaction between the CB2 receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) has been suggested and PPAR-γ activation exerts anti-arthritic effects. The aim of this study was to characterize the therapeutic activity of BCP and to investigate PPAR-γ involvement in a collagen antibody induced arthritis (CAIA) experimental model. CAIA was induced through intraperitoneal injection of a monoclonal antibody cocktail and lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 50 µg/100 µL/ip). CAIA animals were then randomized to orally receive either BCP (10 mg/kg/100 µL) or its vehicle (100 µL of corn oil). BCP significantly hampered the severity of the disease, reduced relevant pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-13. BCP also decreased joint expression of matrix metalloproteinases 3 and 9. Arthritic joints showed increased COX2 and NF-kB mRNA expression and reduced expression of the PPARγ coactivator-1 alpha, PGC-1α, and PPAR-γ. These conditions were reverted following BCP treatment. Finally, BCP reduced NF-kB activation and increased PGC-1α and PPAR-γ expression in human articular chondrocytes stimulated with LPS. These effects were reverted by AM630, a CB2 receptor antagonist. These results suggest that BCP ameliorates arthritis through a cross-talk between CB2 and PPAR-γ.
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Formulation Strategies to Improve Pharmacokinetics Profile
The oral route is the most common and practical means of drug administration, particularly from a patient’s perspective. However, the pharmacokinetic profile of oral drugs depends on the rate of drug absorption through the intestinal wall before entering the systemic circulation. However, the enteric epithelium represents one of the major limiting steps for drug absorption, due to the presence of efflux transporters on the intestinal membrane, mucous layer, enzymatic degradation, and the existence of tight junctions along the intestinal linings. These challenges are more noticeable for hydrophilic drugs, high molecular weight drugs, and drugs that are substrates of the efflux transporters. Another challenge faced by oral drug delivery is the presence of first-pass hepatic metabolism that can result in reduced drug bioavailability. Over the years, a wide range of compounds have been investigated for their permeation-enhancing effect in order to circumvent these challenges. There is also a growing interest in developing nanocarrier-based formulation strategies to enhance the drug absorption.
  • 1.3K
  • 26 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Marine Carotenoids Astaxanthin
Photodamage is an umbrella term that includes general phototoxicity, photoaging, and cancer caused by UVR. All these phenomena are mediated by direct or indirect oxidative stress and inflammation and are strictly connected one to the other. Astaxanthin (ASX) is a peculiar marine carotenoids characterized by outstanding antioxidant properties. In particular, ASX has an exceptional efficacy in counteracting all categories of photodamages, in vitro and in vivo, thanks to both antioxidant potential and activation of different pathways.
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Feb 2021
Topic Review
FAK as Promising Cancer Therapy
FAK is an intracellular non-receptor tyrosine kinase that promotes tumor cell growth by controlling cell adhesion, migration, proliferation, and survival. Therefore, targeting FAK is considered to be a promising cancer therapy with small molecules.
  • 1.3K
  • 03 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Medical Uses of Iron/Copper/Zinc Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles (NPs) improve delivery of ions and confer targeting capabilities, with the potential for use in treatment and diagnosis. Iron deficiency, cancer, and sepsis are persisting major issues. While targeted delivery using Fe NPs can be used as food fortifiers, chemotherapeutic agents against cancer cells and microbes have been developed using both Fe and Cu NPs. A fast and accurate means of diagnosis is a major impacting factor on outcome of patients, especially when critically ill. Good quality imaging and bed side diagnostic tools are possible using NPs, which may positively impact outcome. 
  • 1.3K
  • 13 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Application of Probiotics for Acne Vulgaris Topical Therapies
The skin microbiome is an essential barrier for preventing the invasion of pathogens and regulating the immune responses. When this barrier is disrupted, several dermatoses, including acne vulgaris, may arise. Probiotics have proven to be an alternative to the use of antibiotics, often associated with undesirable effects, in the treatment and prevention of dermatological disorders such as acne. 
  • 1.3K
  • 30 May 2023
Topic Review
Natural Peptides and Their Beneficial Effects on Skin
Peptides, functional nutrients with a size between those of large proteins and small amino acids, are easily absorbed by the human body. Therefore, they are seeing increasing use in clinical medicine and have revealed immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties which could make them effective in healing skin wounds.
  • 1.3K
  • 17 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Activators
The guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is heme-containing enzyme, which causes an increase in the level of cyclic 3′-5′-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in smooth muscle and subsequent vascular relaxation.
  • 1.3K
  • 10 May 2023
Topic Review
Lipopolysaccharide, Inflammation and Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidants
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is the most abundant proinflammatory agent. Considerable evidence indicates that LPS challenge inescapably causes oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to cell and tissue damage. Increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) generation triggered by LPS is known to play a key role in the progression of the inflammatory response. mtROS at excessive levels impair electron transport chain functioning, reduce the mitochondrial membrane potential, and initiate lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage of mitochondrial proteins and mtDNA. Over the past 20 years, a large number of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants (mito-AOX) of different structures that can accumulate inside mitochondria and scavenge free radicals have been synthesized. Their protective role based on the prevention of oxidative stress and the restoration of mitochondrial function has been demonstrated in a variety of common diseases and pathological states.
  • 1.3K
  • 16 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Treatment Options of Helicobacter pylori
Helicobacter pylori is among the most common infections worldwide, and it can lead to burdensome sequela for the patient and the healthcare system, without appropriate treatment. Due to constantly fluctuating resistance rates, regimens must be constantly assessed to ensure effectiveness. 
  • 1.3K
  • 21 Dec 2022
Topic Review
CCL-11 or Eotaxin-1
CCL-11 (eotaxin) is a chemokine with an important role in allergic conditions. Recent evidence indicates that CCL-11 plays a role in brain disorders as well. CCL-11 is rapidly transported from the blood to the brain through the blood-brain barrier. Age-related increases in CCL-11 are associated with cognitive impairments in executive functions and episodic and semantic memory, and therefore, this chemokine has been described as an “Endogenous Cognition Deteriorating Chemokine” (ECDC) or “Accelerated Brain-Aging Chemokine” (ABAC).
  • 1.3K
  • 16 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Steroidal (Glyco)Alkaloids: Classification
Steroidal (glycol)alkaloids S(G)As are secondary metabolites made of a nitrogen-containing steroidal skeleton linked to a (poly)saccharide, naturally occurring in the members of the Solanaceae and Liliaceae plant families. The genus Solanum is familiar to all of us as a food source (tomato, potato, eggplant), but a few populations have also made it part of their ethnobotany for their medicinal properties. The recent development of the isolation, purification and analysis techniques have shed light on the structural diversity among the SGAs family, thus attracting scientists to investigate their various pharmacological properties. 
  • 1.3K
  • 11 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Eggshell Membrane Ameliorates Hyperuricemia
Hyperuricemia is the primary cause of gouty arthritis and other metabolic disorders. Eggshell membrane (EM) is an effective and safe supplement for curing pain and stiffness connected with osteoarthritis. However, the effect of EM on hyperuricemia is unclear. This study determines the effects of EM on potassium oxonate-injected hyperuricemia. Uric acid, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen concentrations in the serum, and xanthine oxidase activity in the liver are measured. Protein levels of renal urate transporter 1 (URAT1), organic anion transporters 1 (OAT1), glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), and ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) in the kidney are determined with renal histopathology. The results demonstrate that EM reduces serum uric acid levels and increases urine uric acid levels in hyperuricemic rats. Moreover, EM downregulates renal URAT1 protein expression, upregulates OAT1 and ABCG2, but does not change GLUT9 expression. Additionally, EM does not change xanthine oxidase activity in the liver or the serum. EM also decreases uric acid uptake into oocytes expressing hURAT1. Finally, EM markedly reduces renal inflammation and serum interleukin-1β levels. These findings suggest that EM exhibits antihyperuricemic effects by promoting renal urate excretion and regulating renal urate transporters. Therefore, EM may be useful in the prevention and treatment of gout and hyperuricemia.
  • 1.3K
  • 08 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Bioplastic-Based Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery Systems
Plastics have changed human lives, finding a broad range of applications from packaging to medical devices. Biodegradable plastic materials have been introduced on the market. These polymers are biodegradable but also bioresorbable and, indeed, are fundamental tools for drug formulations, thanks to their transient ability to pass through biological barriers and concentrate in specific tissues.
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Nov 2023
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