Encyclopedia
Scholarly Community
Encyclopedia
Entry
Video
Image
Journal
Book
News
About
Log in/Sign up
Submit
Entry
Video
Image
and
or
not
All
${ type }
To
Search
Subject:
All Disciplines
Arts & Humanities
Biology & Life Sciences
Business & Economics
Chemistry & Materials Science
Computer Science & Mathematics
Engineering
Environmental & Earth Sciences
Medicine & Pharmacology
Physical Sciences
Public Health & Healthcare
Social Sciences
Sort:
Most Viewed
Latest
Alphabetical (A-Z)
Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All
Topic Review
Biography
Peer Reviewed Entry
Video Entry
Topic Review
Cisplatin-Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent that is widely used to treat various types of cancers. However, its side effects, most commonly nausea and vomiting, limit its widespread use. Although various drugs, such as ondansetron and aprepitant, are used to alleviate these side effects, their efficacy is still debated.
468
23 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Neurodegenerative Disorders Characterized by Mitochondrial Involvement
Neurodegenerative diseases comprise a wide spectrum of pathologies characterized by progressive loss of neuronal functions and structures. Despite having different genetic backgrounds and etiology, many studies have highlighted a point of convergence in the mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration: mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress have been observed in different pathologies, and their detrimental effects on neurons contribute to the exacerbation of the pathological phenotype at various degrees.
467
08 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Vitamin D and Diseases in KSA and UAE
Accumulating evidence supports the potential protective effects of vitamin D against chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune diseases, cancers, cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease and stroke), type 2 diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, stroke, and infectious diseases such as acute respiratory tract diseases, COVID-19, influenza, and pneumonia, as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes. The respective evidence is based on ecological and observational studies, randomized controlled trials, mechanistic studies, and Mendelian randomization studies. However, randomized controlled trials on vitamin D supplementation have largely failed to show benefits, probably due to poor design and analysis.
443
27 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Drug Delivery Innovations for Chronic Inflammatory Respiratory Diseases
Chronic inflammatory respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis, present challenges in terms of effective treatment and management. These diseases are characterized by persistent inflammation in the airways, leading to structural changes and compromised lung function. To achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes while minimizing systemic side effects, targeted therapies and precise drug delivery systems are crucial to the management of these diseases.
409
31 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Effects of
Nigella sativa
on Obesity
Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic and its prevalence continues to increase at an alarming rate. It is considered a major risk factor for the development of several comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, other cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. Conventional treatments for obesity, such as dietary interventions, exercise and pharmacotherapy, have proven to have limited effectiveness and are often associated with undesirable side effects. Therefore, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative therapeutic approaches. Nigella sativa (NS), a medicinal plant with multiple pharmacological properties, has gained attention due to its potential role in the treatment of obesity and its associated complications.
409
20 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Gut Microbiome and Herbal Medicine in Metabolic Disorders
Although most common chemical drugs regulate the gut microbiota, the gut microbiota is also known to be involved in drug metabolism, like the host. Interestingly, many traditional herbal medicines and derived compounds are biotransformed by gut microbiota, manipulating the compounds’ effects. Accordingly, the gut microbiota and its specified metabolic pathways can be deemed a promising target for promoting drug efficacy and safety.
400
20 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Potential Pharmacological Effects of Lucidenic Acids
Ganoderma lucidum has long been used as a multi-purpose plant and functional food. The pharmacological properties of G. lucidum are primarily attributed to its polysaccharides and triterpenoids. Ganoderic and lucidenic acids are the two major triterpenoids groups in G. lucidum. Despite the discovery of 22 types of lucidenic acids, research on lucidenic acids is significantly less extensive compared to that on ganoderic acid.
393
14 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Potential of Timosaponin-AIII in Cancer Prevention and Treatment
Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge, a recognized and well-known medicinal plant for more than two thousand years, has demonstrated its effectiveness against cancer. Timosaponin-AIII (TSAIII), as a bioactive steroid saponin isolated from A. asphodeloides, has shown multiple pharmacological activities and has been developed as an anticancer agent.
393
01 Aug 2023
Topic Review
The Role of Intestinal Microbiome in Constipation
The gut microbiota represents a community of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses, and protozoa) that colonize the gut and are responsible for gut mucosal structural integrity and immune and metabolic homeostasis. The relationship between the gut microbiome and human health has been intensively researched in the past years. The gut microbial population plays a key role in intestinal motility, and dysbiosis has been correlated with chronic constipation.
390
22 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Anticancer Activity of Pentagalloyl Glucose
Pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) is a natural hydrolyzable gallotannin abundant in various plants and herbs. It has a broad range of biological activities, specifically anticancer activities, and numerous molecular targets. PGG has a cytotoxic effect on many cancers, including prostate, breast, lung, head and neck, liver, leukemia, cervical, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. PGG can affect different cancer stages and inhibit tumor growth through multiple mechanisms depending on cell origin, with minimal toxicity against normal cells. PGG targets several aberrant signal-transduction pathways that control cell growth and division, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
383
07 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Breast Cancer Cryoablation in the Multidisciplinary Setting
Breast cancer cryoablation has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative to lumpectomy for treating early-stage breast cancer.
383
23 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Effects of Sacha Inchi on CVD Risk Factors
Plukenetia volubilis Linneo or Sacha Inchi (SI), a traditional natural remedy indigenous to Peru and Brazil, has garnered global attention due to its exceptional nutritional composition. Its protective effects against various non-communicable diseases, notably cardiovascular disease (CVD), have become a subject of interest in recent research.
383
16 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Type I Diabetes Pathoetiology and Pathophysiology
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) arises from the failure of pancreatic β-cells to produce adequate insulin, usually as a consequence of extensive pancreatic β-cell destruction. T1DM is classed as an immune-mediated condition. However, the processes that drive pancreatic β-cell apoptosis remain to be determined, resulting in a failure to prevent ongoing cellular destruction. Alteration in mitochondrial function is clearly the major pathophysiological process underpinning pancreatic β-cell loss in T1DM. This entry highlights the role of intercellular interactions among different cell types in pancreatic islets. It is proposed that the pathoetiology of T1DM arises from mitochondrial interactions among different pancreatic cells, leaving pancreatic B-cells with suppressed capacity to induce the mitochondrial melatonergic pathway, with the associated decrease in pancreatic B-cell melatonin leading to suboptimal mitochondrial function and increased oxidative stress that suppresses PINK1/parkin/mitophagy, leading increased major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-1. This results in the chemoattraction of CD8+ T cells and immune-mediated cell destruction. Variations in different gut bacteria and fungi contribute to pancreatic B-cell loss via their impacts on mitochondrial function within the interacting cells of the pancreatic islets. T1DM may therefore be more of a ‘mitochondria/metabolic’ disorder than an ‘autoimmune’ or ‘immune-mediated’ disorder.
376
15 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Aging Disrupts Circadian Rhythms in Mouse Liver Mitochondria
The circadian clock regulates daily changes in behavioral, endocrine, and metabolic activities in mammals. Circadian rhythms in cellular physiology are significantly affected by aging. Aging induces changes in gene expression levels and rhythms in peripheral and probably central tissues.
368
16 Jun 2023
Topic Review
The Relationship between Sleep, Chronotype, and Dental Caries
Dental caries is a global problem worldwide that contributes to sociological limitations. Numerous factors influence the occurrence of dental caries, from socioeconomic factors to cariogenic bacteria, dietary habits, and oral hygiene. However, sleep disorders and circadian rhythm disturbances represent a new approach in the fight against the increasing prevalence of dental caries worldwide. Bacteria in the oral cavity and the oral microbiome are mainly responsible for the development of caries, and saliva plays an important role in their regulation. The circadian rhythm regulates numerous physiological functions, including sleep and saliva production. Disturbances in sleep and circadian rhythms affect saliva production, which impacts the development of dental caries, as saliva is necessary for regulating and maintaining oral health, especially for controlling oral infections. A person’s preference for a particular time of day depends on the circadian rhythm called chronotype. Individuals with an evening chronotype have a less healthy lifestyle that can lead to a higher caries risk than individuals with a morning chronotype. Because circadian rhythms are critical to maintaining sleep homeostasis and oral health, sleep disturbances can disrupt circadian rhythms and lead to a vicious cycle.
351
25 May 2023
Topic Review
Phytochemicals as Antimicrobials
Among all available antimicrobials, antibiotics hold a prime position in the treatment of infectious diseases. However, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has posed a serious threat to the effectiveness of antibiotics, resulting in increased morbidity, mortality, and escalation in healthcare costs causing a global health crisis. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in global healthcare setups have accelerated the development and spread of AMR, leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, which further limits treatment options. This creates a critical need to explore alternative approaches to combat bacterial infections. Phytochemicals have gained attention as a potential source of alternative medicine to address the challenge of AMR. Phytochemicals are structurally and functionally diverse and have multitarget antimicrobial effects, disrupting essential cellular activities.
351
28 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Glutathione and Its Precursors in Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major worldwide health crisis affecting about 6.2% of the world’s population. Alarmingly, about one in five children in the USA have prediabetes. Glutathione (GSH) and its precursors play a promising role in the prevention and management of type T2D. Oxidative stress (OxS) is a probable factor in both T2D initiation and progression. GSH is the major cytosolic water-soluble chemical antioxidant and emerging evidence supports its role in improving T2D outcomes. Dietary supplementation with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and/or glycine (GLY), which are GSH precursors, has also been studied for possible beneficial effects on T2D.
335
07 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Thymosin α1
Thymosin α1 (Tα1) is an immunostimulatory peptide that is commonly used as an immune enhancer in viral infectious diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Tα1 can influence the functions of immune cells, such as T cells, B cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells, by interacting with various Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Generally, Tα1 can bind to TLR3/4/9 and activate downstream IRF3 and NF-κB signal pathways, thus promoting the proliferation and activation of target immune cells.Moreover, TLR2 and TLR7 are also associated with Tα1. TLR2/NF-κB, TLR2/p38MAPK, or TLR7/MyD88 signaling pathways are activated by Tα1 to promote the production of various cytokines, thereby enhancing the innate and adaptive immune responses. At present, there are many reports on the clinical application and pharmacological research of Tα1, but there is no systematic review to analyze its exact clinical efficacy in these viral infectious diseases via its modulation of immune function.
308
29 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Diagnostic Techniques of Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic carcinoma (Ca Pancreas) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. The malignancies of the pancreas can be diagnosed with the help of various imaging modalities. An endoscopic ultrasound with a tissue biopsy is so far considered to be the gold standard in terms of the detection of Ca Pancreas, especially for lesions <2 mm. However, other methods, like computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are also conventionally used. Moreover, newer techniques, like proteomics, radiomics, metabolomics, and artificial intelligence (AI), are slowly being introduced for diagnosing pancreatic cancer.
307
16 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Obesity Treating Natural Products
Obesity is a global issue faced by many individuals worldwide. However, no drug has a pronounced effect with few side effects. Green tea, a well-known natural product, shows preventive effects against obesity by decreasing lipogenesis and increasing fat oxidation and antioxidant capacity. In contrast, other natural products are known to contribute to obesity. The natural products were classified as single compounds, foods, teas, fruits, herbal medicines—single extract, herbal medicines—decoction, and herbal medicines—external preparation. Then, the mechanisms of these medicines were organized into lipid metabolism, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, appetite loss, and thermogenesis. This research aimed to assess the efficacy and mechanisms of effective natural products in managing obesity. Several clinical studies reported that natural products showed antiobesity effects, including Coffea arabica (coffee), Camellia sinensis (green tea), Caulerpa racemosa (green algae), Allium sativum (garlic), combined Ephedra intermedia Schrenk, Thea sinensis L., and Atractylodes lancea DC extract (known as Gambisan), Ephedra sinica Stapf, Angelica Gigantis Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Coicis semen, Cinnamomi cortex, Paeoniae radixalba, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis (known as Euiiyin-tang formula).
303
27 Sep 2023
Page
of
6
Featured Entry Collections
>>
Featured Books
>>
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Chief Editor:
Kum Fai Yuen
Encyclopedia of COVID-19
Chief Editor:
Stephen Bustin
Encyclopedia of Fungi
Chief Editor:
Luis V. Lopez-Llorca
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Chief Editor:
Sandro Serpa
Entry
Video
Image
Journal
Book
News
About
Log in/Sign up
New Entry
New Video
New Images
About
Terms and Conditions
Privacy Policy
Advisory Board
Contact
Partner
ScholarVision Creations
Feedback
Top
Feedback
×
Help Center
Browse our user manual, common Q&A, author guidelines, etc.
Rate your experience
Let us know your experience and what we could improve.
Report an error
Is something wrong? Please let us know!
Other feedback
Other feedback you would like to report.
×
Did you find what you were looking for?
Love
Like
Neutral
Dislike
Hate
0
/500
Email
Do you agree to share your valuable feedback publicly on
Encyclopedia
’s homepage?
Yes, I agree. Encyclopedia can post it.
No, I do not agree. I would not like to post my testimonial.
Webpage
Upload a screenshot
(Max file size 2MB)
Submit
Back
Close
×