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Topic Review
Biography
Peer Reviewed Entry
Video Entry
Topic Review
Cyclodextrin-Based Drug Delivery Systems
Cyclodextrin-based nanosponges (CDNSs) are complex macromolecular structures composed of individual cyclodextrins (CDs) and nanochannels created between cross-linked CD units and cross-linkers.
324
01 Apr 2024
Topic Review
Myeloid Differentiation 88 (MyD88)
Myeloid differentiation 88 (MyD88) is a well-established inflammatory adaptor protein.
323
05 May 2021
Topic Review
The Role of Endocannabinoid System
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is one of the most relevant neurotransmitter systems in the brain and plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cognitive abilities, mood, stress, and sleep.
322
23 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Polymersomes in Drug Delivery Systems
Polymersomes are artificial nanoparticles formed by the self-assembly process of amphiphilic block copolymers composed of hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks. They can encapsulate hydrophilic molecules in the aqueous core and hydrophobic molecules within the membrane. The composition of block copolymers can be tuned, enabling control of characteristics and properties of formed polymersomes and, thus, their application in areas such as drug delivery, diagnostics, or bioimaging. The preparation methods of polymersomes can also impact their characteristics and the preservation of the encapsulated drugs. Due to the shortcomings related to the stability, efficacy, and safety of some therapeutics in the human body, polymersomes as drug delivery systems have been good candidates to improve the quality of therapies against a wide range of diseases, including cancer. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy can be improved by using polymersomes to deliver the drugs, protecting and directing them to the exact site of action.
322
25 Jan 2024
Topic Review
pH-Responsive Vaccine Delivery System in Cancer Vaccines Formulation
Cancer vaccination as an immunotherapy to increase the immune system’s anti-tumor immunity has been extensively studied. Extracellular and intracellular pH measurements reveal that the endocytic spaces of DCs have a somewhat acidic pH. While being surrounded by endosomal structures, proteases are more quickly destroyed as a consequence of antigen import by endocytosis and the consequent acidification of the lysosome. Low endosomal pH is a suitable internal signal for pH-responsive vaccine delivery techniques for regulating antigen production. Reacting to changes in pH, this intracellular distribution may be achieved by using acid-catalyzed disintegration, particle phase shift, and the “proton sponge effect”. When it comes to the administration of cancer vaccines, pH-responsive biomaterials have attracted the greatest attention.
321
14 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Vortioxetine´s Effects on Sleep of Adolescent Major Depression
The relationship between depression and insomnia is bidirectional and both conditions need to be treated adequately, especially in a vulnerable neurodevelopmental stage of adolescence. Sleep disturbances in adolescents have been associated with a more severe clinical course of depression (i.e., suicidal behavior, worse psychosocial functioning, and risk of recurrence). Due to the rising incidence of both disorders, it is crucial to understand the underlying pathophysiology (e.g., disrupted neuroplasticity and neurotransmitter dysbalance), especially in the vulnerable adolescent age period characterized by developmental changes and sensitivity to endogenous and exogenous factors.
321
20 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Pharmacogenetics of Antidepressants
Pharmacotherapy for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, has been characterized by significant inter-individual variability in drug response and the development of side effects. Pharmacogenetics, as a key part of personalized medicine, aims to optimize therapy according to a patient’s individual genetic signature by targeting genetic variations involved in pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic processes. Pharmacokinetic variability refers to variations in a drug’s absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination, whereas pharmacodynamic variability results from variable interactions of an active drug with its target molecules.
318
29 May 2023
Topic Review
Pharmacological Activities of
Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus
Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus (Rupr. & Maxim.) S.Y.Hu (E. sessiliflorus), a member of the Araliaceae family, is a valuable plant widely used for medicinal and dietary purposes. The tender shoots of E. sessiliflorus are commonly consumed as a staple wild vegetable. The fruits of E. sessiliflorus, known for their rich flavor, play a crucial role in the production of beverages and fruit wines. The root barks of E. sessiliflorus are renowned for their therapeutic effects, including dispelling wind and dampness, strengthening tendons and bones, promoting blood circulation, and removing stasis. To compile a comprehensive collection of information on E. sessiliflorus, extensive searches were conducted in databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, and CNKI.
318
21 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Anti-Breast Cancer Effects of Fucoxanthin
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers diagnosed and the leading cause of cancer-related death in women. Although there are first-line treatments for BC, drug resistances and adverse events have been reported. Given the incidence of BC keeps increasing, seeking novel therapeutics is urgently needed. Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a dietary carotenoid commonly found in seaweeds and diatoms. Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that Fx and its deacetylated metabolite fucoxanthinol (Fxol) inhibit and prevent BC growth. The NF-κB signaling pathway is considered the major pathway contributing to the anti-proliferation, anti-angiogenesis and pro-apoptotic effects of Fx and Fxol. Other signaling molecules such as MAPK, MMP2/9, CYP and ROS are also involved in the anti-cancer effects by regulating the tumor microenvironment, cancer metastasis, carcinogen metabolism and oxidation. Besides, Fx also possesses anti-obesity effects by regulating UCP1 levels and lipid metabolism, which may help to reduce BC risk. More importantly, mounting evidence demonstrates that Fx overcomes drug resistance.
316
27 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Nanovesicles for Enhanced Drug Delivery
Liposomes are the classic and first investigated phospholipid vesicles. These are rigid nanovesicles, and their ability to enhance drug permeability to the deeper skin layers is limited.
316
22 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Bête Noire of Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy
Tumor cells struggle to survive following treatment. The struggle ends in either of two ways. The drug combination used for the treatment blocks the proliferation of tumor cells and initiates apoptosis of cells, which is a win for the patient, or tumor cells resist the effect of the drug combination used for the treatment and continue to evade the effect of anti-tumor drugs, which is a bête noire of therapy. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are the most abundant non-transformed element of the microenvironment in solid tumors. Tumor cells play a direct role in establishing the cancer-associated fibroblasts’ population in its microenvironment.
315
31 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Curcumin Inorganic Nanoparticles and its Anti-cancer Potential
Curcumin is a natural compound that has been widely investigated thanks to its various biological properties, including antiproliferative. This molecule acts on different cancers such as lung, breast, pancreatic, colorectal, etc. However, the bioactive actions of curcumin have limitations when its physicochemical properties compromise its pharmacological potential. As a therapeutic strategy against cancer, curcumin has been associated with inorganic nanoparticles. These nanocarriers are capable of delivering curcumin and offering physicochemical properties that synergistically enhance anticancer properties.
314
31 Jan 2024
Topic Review
The Skin and Natural Cannabinoids
The chemical constituents of the Cannabis plant known as cannabinoids have been extensively researched for their potential therapeutic benefits. The use of cannabinoids applied to the skin as a potential method for both skin-related benefits and systemic administration.
313
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Fusarium
-Derived Secondary Metabolites with Antimicrobial Effects
Fungal microbes are important in the creation of new drugs, given their unique genetic and metabolic diversity. As one of the most commonly found fungi in nature, Fusarium spp. has been well regarded as a prolific source of secondary metabolites (SMs) with diverse chemical structures and a broad spectrum of biological properties. However, little information is available concerning their derived SMs with antimicrobial effects. By extensive literature search and data analysis, as many as 185 antimicrobial natural products as SMs had been discovered from Fusarium strains by the end of 2022.
312
21 Apr 2023
Biography
José Juan escobar-Chávez
Dr. Escobar-Chávez is a professor at the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy; Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He joined the faculty in 1998. Doctor Degree in Chemical Sciences from the National Autonomous University of Mexico; Bachelor's Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemist Biologist in the area of Pharmacy. He has carried out 2 postdoctoral research stays with a duration of one year in
309
18 Jan 2024
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).
308
27 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Clinical Application of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Inhibitors
Hypoxia is a common phenomenon amongst physiological and pathological conditions, and is a strong stressor for cells and organisms, which can lead to metabolic disorders, and even cause cell death. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is the only transcription factor that has been found to be active under hypoxia, and is also the main nuclear transcription factor that mediates the adaptive response to hypoxia in mammals. It is closely related to the growth and development of organisms and the pathogenesis of some diseases. HIF-1α has low expression in the human brain, lung, placenta, heart, skeletal muscle, kidney, and pancreas under normoxia, but there is an exponentially large increase of HIF-1α in the brain, lung, kidney, heart, and other tissues under hypoxia. HIF-1α inhibitors can be widely used in the treatment of various diseases related to HIF-1 overexpression, such as tumors; leukemia; diabetes and its complications; ischemic, cardiovascular and brain diseases; and inflammatory diseases, etc.
306
20 Jul 2023
Topic Review
URAT1 and Other UA Transporters with Metabolic Syndrome
Urate transporter 1 (URAT1), which is a urate anion exchanger that regulates serum uric acid (UA) levels in the human kidney, was identified in 2002, and it has been targeted by uricosuric agents. In humans, renal reabsorption of UA into the blood plays an important role in controlling serum UA levels. The UA exchange is mediated by various molecules expressed in the renal proximal tubule. UA enters the proximal tubule epithelial cells in exchange for monocarboxylate via apical URAT1 and for dicarboxylate via the apical organic anion transporter (OAT) 4. OAT1 and OAT3 on the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells transport UA from the renal interstitial into the renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. Renal UA reabsorption is mainly mediated by URAT1 and glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9). Apical GLUT9b plays a significant role in UA reabsorption; the reabsorbed UA exits the proximal tubule epithelial cells into the blood through basolateral GLUT9a. The ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) has been identified as a high-capacity UA exporter that mediates renal and/or extra-renal (intestinal) UA excretion.
302
27 Mar 2024
Topic Review
LncRNAs HNF1α-AS1/HNF4α-AS1 in Drug Metabolism and Human Diseases
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNAs with a length of over 200 nucleotides that do not have protein-coding abilities. Recent studies suggest that lncRNAs are highly involved in physiological functions and diseases. lncRNAs HNF1α-AS1 and HNF4α-AS1 are transcripts of lncRNA genes HNF1α-AS1 and HNF4α-AS1, which are antisense lncRNA genes located in the neighborhood regions of the transcription factor (TF) genes HNF1α and HNF4α, respectively. HNF1α-AS1 and HNF4α-AS1 have been reported to be involved in several important functions in human physiological activities and diseases. In the liver, HNF1α-AS1 and HNF4α-AS1 regulate the expression and function of several drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes, which also further impact P450-mediated drug metabolism and drug toxicity. In addition, HNF1α-AS1 and HNF4α-AS1 also play important roles in the tumorigenesis, progression, invasion, and treatment outcome of several cancers. Through interacting with different molecules, including miRNAs and proteins, HNF1α-AS1 and HNF4α-AS1 can regulate their target genes in several different mechanisms including miRNA sponge, decoy, or scaffold.
302
18 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Nanoemulsion in Management of Colorectal Cancer
The second most significant cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity in the United States is colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most diagnosed malignancy. People over 50 have an increased risk of CRC everywhere in the world. Genetic and environmental risk factors significantly influence CRC development. Early detection is critical in the treatment and prevention of CRC. The population’s incidence rate of CRC is reduced by screening techniques and medicines, although recurrence of the disease may result from the cancer’s ability to spread locally. Nanotechnology is crucial for cancer treatment because it allows for the delivery of targeted chemotherapies to cancer cells directly and with greater therapeutic potency. Nanoemulsions have broad application in pharmaceutics, cosmetics, and food; their outstanding properties include enhanced dispersion of active hydrophobic components, small size, high surface area per unit volume, and improved absorption in cancer treatment.
300
14 Aug 2023
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