Topic Review
Therapeutic Actions of Anthocyanins in Chronic Diseases
Anthocyanins are secondary metabolites and distributed in flowers, fruits and vegetables. They provide various colours such as red, pink, blue and purple. To date, more than 700 anthocyanins have been identified in nature. These anthocyanins have been associated with many health benefits through different mechanisms. Some of the therapeutic potentials of anthocyanins and their mechanisms of action are highlighted.
  • 922
  • 18 Sep 2022
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.
  • 918
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Liposomal Delivery Systems
The versatility of liposomal carriers does not just simply rely on their capability to encapsulate various types of therapeutic substances, but also on the large array of components used for constructing liposome-based nanoformulations that allow for a straightforward control over targeting and the release of the encapsulated contents. This leads to a wide array of design strategies which can be easily adapted to any desired theraupetic effect, rendering liposomes one of the most promising systems for drug delivery. 
  • 915
  • 20 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Lipid-Based Nanoparticles as a Versatile Drug Delivery System
Liposomes, nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid nanocarriers, and lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles are developed for cancer treatment which is well confirmed and documented. cancer nanotechnology that overcomes the drawbacks of conventional drug delivery systems starting from small-scale barricades such as intracellular trafficking and site-specific targeting to large-scale barriers such as biodistribution.
  • 916
  • 27 Sep 2022
Topic Review
HIV-1
The HIV-1 integrase enzyme (IN) plays a critical role in the viral life cycle by integrating the reverse-transcribed viral DNA into the host chromosome. This function of IN has been well studied, and the knowledge gained has informed the design of small molecule inhibitors that now form key components of antiretroviral therapy regimens. Recent discoveries unveiled that IN has an under-studied yet equally vital second function in HIV-1 replication. This involves IN binding to the viral RNA genome in virions, which is necessary for proper virion maturation and morphogenesis. Herein we describe these two functions of IN within the context of the HIV-1 life cycle, how IN binding to the viral genome is coordinated by the major structural protein, Gag, and discuss the value of targeting the second role of IN in virion morphogenesis.
  • 914
  • 17 Sep 2020
Topic Review
The Applications of Phlorotannins
Phlorotannins are a type of natural active substance extracted from brown algae, which belong to a type of important plant polyphenol. Phloroglucinol is the basic unit in its structure. Phlorotannins have a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-tumor, anti-hypertensive, hypoglycemic, whitening, anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory, etc. Phlorotannins are mainly used in the fields of medicine, food and cosmetics. 
  • 907
  • 12 Dec 2022
Topic Review
CYP2D6 and Tamoxifen Metabolism
Tamoxifen is an important adjuvant endocrine therapy in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer patients. It is metabolized into its most active antiestrogenic metabolite endoxifen, predominantly by cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). Many factors, including genetic variation in CYP2D6, influence tamoxifen metabolism and pharmacokinetics.
  • 906
  • 09 Mar 2021
Topic Review
JNKs in Development of Disease
c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) have emerged as suitable therapeutic strategies. In fact, it has been demonstrated that some unspecific JNK inhibitors exert antidiabetic and neuroprotective effects, albeit they usually show high toxicity or lack therapeutic value. In this sense, natural specific JNK inhibitors, such as Licochalcone A, are promising candidates. Nonetheless, research on the understanding of the role of each of the JNKs remains mandatory in order to progress on the identification of new selective JNK isoform inhibitors. In the present review, a summary on the current gathered data on the role of JNKs in pathology is presented, as well as a discussion on their potential role in pathologies like epilepsy and metabolic-cognitive injury. Moreover, data on the effects of synthetic small molecule inhibitors that modulate JNK-dependent pathways in the brain and peripheral tissues is reviewed.
  • 903
  • 23 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Ion Channels of Nociception
Acute pain plays the vital role protecting our health whereas chronic and pathological pain are debilitating conditions.  However molecular mechanisms of pain which are the keys for pain relief remain largely unaddressed. Nevertheless, new molecular actors with important roles in pain mechanisms are being characterized, such as the mechanosensitive Piezo ion channels. This study presents modern trends and promising advances in the field of molecular mechanisms of pain. 
  • 898
  • 24 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Natural Products from Actinomycetes of Marine Organisms
The actinomycetes have proven to be a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites and play a critical role in the development of pharmaceutical researches. With interactions of host organisms and having special ecological status, the actinomycetes associated with marine animals, marine plants, macroalgae, cyanobacteria, and lichens have more potential to produce active metabolites acting as chemical defenses to protect the host from predators as well as microbial infection. This entry focuses on 536 secondary metabolites (SMs) from actinomycetes associated with these marine organisms covering the literature to mid-2021, which will highlight the taxonomic diversity of actinomycetes and the structural classes, biological activities of SMs. Among all the actinomycetes listed, members of Streptomyces (68%), Micromonospora (6%), and Nocardiopsis (3%) are dominant producers of secondary metabolites. Additionally, alkaloids (37%), polyketides (33%), and peptides (15%) comprise the largest proportion of natural products with mostly antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the data analysis and clinical information of SMs have been summarized in this article, suggesting that some of these actinomycetes with multiple host organisms deserve more attention to their special ecological status and genetic factors.
  • 897
  • 22 Nov 2021
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