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
Extraction, Isolation and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds
Diverse medicinal plants such as those from the genus Artemisia have been employed globally for centuries by individuals belonging to different cultures. Universally, Artemisia species have been used to remedy various maladies that range from simple fevers to malaria. 
  • 1.5K
  • 03 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Plasma Proteins
Blood contains various plasma proteins and cells to which endogenous and exogenous molecules can bind together to be transported throughout the circulatory system. Among the different plasma proteins, the binding of small molecular weight drug molecules is mostly associated with serum albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein and, to a lesser extent globulins and lipoproteins. Although linear binding applies for most clinically used drugs, some physiopathological factors and/or dietary-drug interactions may lead to alterations of the drug-protein binding, which in turn may result in clinically changes in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug. As polyphenols (flavonoids and non-flavonoids) are widely present in plant-derived feeds, beberages, herbal medicines, and dietary supplements, the knowledge of how they bind to plasma proteins can prevent/avoid such interactions.
  • 1.5K
  • 30 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Modified Pectin Binding Galectin-3 in SARS-CoV-2
Modified pectin (MP) is a bioactive complex polysaccharide that is broken down into smaller fragments of units and used as an oral dietary supplement for cell proliferation. MP is safe and non-toxic with promising therapeutic properties with regard to targeting galectin-3 (GAL-3) toward the prevention and inhibition of viral infections through the modulation of the immune response and anti-inflammatory cytokine effects. This effect of MP as a GAL-3 antagonism, which has shown benefits in preclinical and clinical models, may be of relevance to the progression of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in coronavirus disease 2019 patients. The outbreak of emerging infectious diseases continues to pose a threat to human health. Further to the circulation of multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2, an effective and alternative therapeutic approach to combat it has become pertinent. The use of MP as a GAL-3 inhibitor could serve as an antiviral agent blocking against the SARS-CoV-2-binding spike protein. 
  • 1.5K
  • 14 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Drug Delivery for Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year, representing one third of global mortality. As existing therapies still have limited success, due to the inability to control the biodistribution of the currently approved drugs, the quality of life of these patients is modest. The advent of nanomedicine has brought new insights in innovative treatment strategies.
  • 1.5K
  • 08 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Thapsigargin
Thapsigargin (Tg), a guaianolide-type sesquiterpene lactone, is abundant in the common Mediterranean weed Thapsia garganica (Apiaceae), known as “deadly carrot” due to its high toxicity to sheep and cattle.
  • 1.5K
  • 18 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Amorphization of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs
Amorphization technology has been the subject of continuous attention in the pharmaceutical industry, as a means to enhance the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. Being in a high energy state, amorphous formulations generally display significantly increased apparent solubility as compared to their crystalline counterparts, which may allow them to generate a supersaturated state in the gastrointestinal tract and in turn, improve the bioavailability. Conventionally, hydrophilic polymers have been used as carriers, in which the amorphous drugs were dispersed and stabilized to form polymeric amorphous solid dispersions. However, the technique had its limitations, some of which include the need for a large number of carriers, the tendency to recrystallize during storage, and the possibility of thermal decomposition of the drug during preparation. Therefore, emerging amorphization technologies have focused on the investigation of novel amorphous-stabilizing carriers and preparation methods that can improve the drug loading and the degree of amorphization. 
  • 1.5K
  • 08 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Food–Drug Interactions with Fruit Juices
Fruit juices contain a large number of phytochemicals that, in combination with certain drugs, can cause food–drug interactions that can be clinically significant and lead to adverse events. The mechanisms behind such interactions are in most cases related to phytochemical interference with the activity of cytochrome P450 metabolizing enzymes (CYPs) or drug transporters. Moreover, alterations in their activity can have a clinical relevance if systemic exposure to the drug is decreased or increased, meaning that the pharmacological drug effects are suboptimal, or the drug will cause toxicity. In general, the common pharmacokinetic parameters found to be altered in food–drug interactions regarding fruit juices are the area under the concentration–time curve, bioavailability, and maximum plasma concentration. In most cases, the results from the drug interaction studies with fruit juices provide only limited information due to the small number of subjects, which are also healthy volunteers. Moreover, drug interactions with fruit juices are challenging to predict due to the unknown amounts of the specific phytochemicals responsible for the interaction, as well as due to the inter-individual variability of drug metabolism, among others. Therefore, this work aims to raise awareness about possible pharmacological interactions with fruit juices. 
  • 1.5K
  • 29 May 2021
Topic Review
Bifunctional Beta-Lactam Antibiotics
The molecular structure of β-lactam antibiotics can be modified either to introduce another β-lactam ring (the pharmacophore conferring bactericidal activities to these molecules), or to add other pharmacophores that modify their pharmacological properties and spectrum of action.
  • 1.5K
  • 07 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Chitosan in Lowering Cholesterol
Chitosan is one of the polymers containing acetyl glucosamine and glucosamine.
  • 1.5K
  • 28 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Salvia hispanica and Salviae hispanicae semen
Salvia hispanica L. is a plant species that has been used since antiquity and is now highly valued for its unique nutritional and potential medicinal properties. Chia seeds have recently become one of the most popular food ingredients, with a number of beneficial effects on the functioning of the human body. The data presented under our review indicate that they are also a valuable health-promoting dietary supplement as well as cosmetic ingredient. Scientific studies on pharmacological activities of chia seeds proved their potential valuable role in the prevention of diseases which currently are considered a global health problem. The research confirmed the cardioprotective, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antiatherosclerotic, nephroprotective, anti-inflammatory, as well as antioxidant properties.
  • 1.5K
  • 16 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Antioxidant Agents Against the Neurotoxicity
Cancer represents one of the most pernicious public health problems with a high mortality rate among patients worldwide. Chemotherapy is one of the major therapeutic approaches for the treatment of various malignancies. Platinum-based drugs (cisplatin, oxaliplatin, carboplatin, etc.) are highly effective chemotherapeutic drugs used for the treatment of several types of malignancies, but their application and dosage are limited by their toxic effects on various systems, including neurotoxicity. Simultaneously, researchers have tried to improve the survival rate and quality of life of cancer patients and decrease the toxicity of platinum-containing drugs by combining them with non-chemotherapy-based drugs, dietary supplements and/or antioxidants. Additionally, recent studies have shown that the root cause for the many side effects of platinum chemotherapeutics involves the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in naive cells. Therefore, suppression of ROS generation and their inactivation with antioxidants represents an appropriate approach for platinum drug-induced toxicities. The aim of this paper is to present an updated review of the protective effects of different antioxidant agents (vitamins, dietary antioxidants and supplements, medicaments, medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds) against the neurotoxicity induced by platinum-based chemotherapeutics. This review highlights the high potential of plant antioxidants as adjuvant strategies in chemotherapy with platinum drugs.
  • 1.5K
  • 01 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Animal Models for DOHaD Research
Diverse animal models resembling human illnesses and pregnancy complications have been evaluated, such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy , preeclampsia , chronic kidney disease , diabetes , polycystic ovary syndrome , maternal inflammation , maternal hypoxia , and sleep disorder .
  • 1.4K
  • 11 Jun 2021
Topic Review
CDK4/6 and MAPK
Despite the development of targeted therapies and novel inhibitors, cancer remains an undefeated disease. Resistance mechanisms arise quickly and alternative treatment options are urgently required. Protein kinases as signaling switchboards are frequently deregulated in cancer and signify vulnerable nodes and potential therapeutic targets.
  • 1.4K
  • 14 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Therapeutic Proteins
Reinventing approved therapeutic proteins for a new dose, a new formulation, a new route of administration, an improved safety profile, a new indication, or a new conjugate with a drug or a radioactive source is a creative approach to benefit from the billions spent on developing new therapeutic proteins. These new opportunities were created only recently with the arrival of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) tools and high throughput screening technologies. Furthermore, the complex nature of proteins offers mining opportunities that are not possible with chemical drugs; bringing in newer therapies without spending billions makes this path highly lucrative financially while serving the dire needs of humanity. 
  • 1.4K
  • 15 May 2023
Topic Review
Anti-NLRP3 Inflammasome Natural Compounds
The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat related (NLR) family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multimeric protein complex that recognizes various danger or stress signals from pathogens, the host, and the environment, leading to activation of caspase-1 and inducing inflammatory responses. This pro-inflammatory protein complex plays critical roles in pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, autoinflammatory diseases, and metabolic disorders. Therefore, intensive efforts have been devoted to understanding its activation mechanisms and to searching for its specific inhibitors. Approximately forty natural compounds with anti-NLRP3 inflammasome properties have been identified.
  • 1.4K
  • 26 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Doxorubicin
The antibiotic doxorubicin is often used as an anti-neoplastic drug; however, many patients showed very unpleasant side-effects. Previous studies have demonstrated that dietary substances such as Aloe arborescens, Annona muricata, Morinda citrifolia, Beta rubra, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Vaccinium myrtillus may have anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of a mixture of these components in an experimental model of doxorubicin toxicity. Rats (n = 30) received doxorubicin (5 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks and were randomized to receive the dietary mixture 2 hours following the first doxorubicin injection and until the end of the experiment. Animals were killed following 4 weeks, and blood, liver, and heart were collected for further analysis. The dietary supplement improved the depressed body weight and food consumption induced by DOX. In addition, the nutraceutical mixture reduced oxidative stress, ameliorated the morphological score, and preserved liver and heart structure, demonstrating a protective effect. These data show for the first time that the mixture of Aloe arborescens, Annona muricata, Morinda citrifolia, Beta rubra, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Vaccinium myrtillus may be useful to reduce the side effects following treatment with doxorubicin, and might ameliorate the quality of life of patients following chemotherapy.
  • 1.4K
  • 06 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Novel 1,2,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives
Five-membered 1,2,4-oxadiazole heterocyclic ring has received considerable attention because of its unique bioisosteric properties and an unusually wide spectrum of biological activities. Thus, it is a perfect framework for the novel drug development. After a century since the 1,2,4-oxadiazole have been discovered, the uncommon potential attracted medicinal chemists’ attention, leading to the discovery of a few presently accessible drugs containing 1,2,4-oxadiazole unit. It is worth noting that the interest in a 1,2,4-oxadiazoles’ biological application has been doubled in the last fifteen years. Herein, after a concise historical introduction, we present a comprehensive overview of the recent achievements in the synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazole-based compounds and the major advances in their biological applications in the period of the last five years as well as brief remarks on prospects for further development.
  • 1.4K
  • 03 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Local Anesthesia in Cancer Surgeries
The application of local anaesthetics is frequently involved in anaesthesia in the surgical treatment of various cancers. It is used in addition to or instead of general anaesthesia as a way to provide control of sensation and pain to specific regions or parts of the patients' bodies. They are thought to reduce the requirement for volatile anaesthetics and opioids used in the surgery.
  • 1.4K
  • 28 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Transporters Expressed at the BBB
The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective and restrictive semipermeable network of cells and blood vessel constituents. All components of the neurovascular unit give to the BBB its crucial and protective function, i.e., to regulate homeostasis in the central nervous system (CNS) by removing substances from the endothelial compartment and supplying the brain with nutrients and other endogenous compounds. Many transporters have been identified that play a role in maintaining BBB integrity and homeostasis. The restrictive nature of the BBB provides an obstacle for drug delivery to the CNS. Drug transporters functionally expressed on various compartments of the BBB involve numerous proteins from either the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) or the solute carrier (SLC) superfamilies. 
  • 1.4K
  • 26 May 2021
Topic Review
Thymoquinone and Cancer
Thymoquinone (TQ) is a bioactive molecule with anticancer as well as anti-inflammatory activities via the downregulation of several chemokines and cytokines. Administering it as a nanoformulation increases its therapeutic value.
  • 1.4K
  • 22 Sep 2021
  • Page
  • of
  • 53
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Books

>>
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of COVID-19
Encyclopedia of Fungi
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
ScholarVision Creations
Feedback