Topic Review
Therapeutic Potential of Fungal Terpenes and Terpenoids
Terpenes and their derivatives comprise a diverse group of natural compounds with versatile medicinal properties. This article elucidates the general characteristics of fungal terpenes and terpenoids, encompassing their structure and biogenesis. The focal point of this work involves a comprehensive overview of these compounds, highlighting their therapeutic properties, mechanisms of action, and potential applications in treating specific skin conditions. Numerous isolated terpenes and terpenoids have demonstrated noteworthy anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects, rivalling or surpassing the efficacy of currently employed treatments for inflammation or skin infections. Due to their well-documented antioxidant and anti-cancer attributes, these compounds exhibit promise in both preventing and treating skin cancer. Terpenes and terpenoids sourced from fungi display the capability to inhibit tyrosinase, suggesting potential applications in addressing skin pigmentation disorders and cancers linked to melanogenesis dysfunctions.
  • 187
  • 15 Apr 2024
Topic Review
Therapeutic Indications and Mechanisms of Action in Biologics
The year 2022 witnessed the control of the COVID-19 pandemic in most countries through social and hygiene measures and also vaccination campaigns. It also saw a decrease in total approvals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nevertheless, there was no fall in the Biologics class, which was boosted through the authorization of 15 novel molecules, thus maintaining the figures achieved in previous years. Indeed, the decrease in approvals was only for the category of small molecules. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) continued to be the drug class with the most approvals, and cancer remained the most targeted disease, followed by autoimmune conditions, as in previous years. Interestingly, the FDA gave the green light to a remarkable number of bispecific Biologics (four), the highest number in recent years. Indeed, 2022 was another year without the approval of an antimicrobial Biologic, although important advancements were made in targeting new diseases, which are discussed herein. This work analyzes the Biologics authorized in 2022. Furthermore, the orphan drugs authorized was considered. A quantitative analysis was applied to this year’s harvest, the efficacy of the Biologics with those authorized in previous years was compared. On the basis of their chemical structure, the Biologics addressed fall into the following classes: monoclonal antibodies; antibody-drug conjugates; and proteins/enzymes.
  • 254
  • 17 May 2023
Topic Review
Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines
Vaccines have played a significant role in protecting public and personal health against infectious diseases and proved their great potential in battling cancers as well. 
  • 285
  • 20 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Therapeutic Applications of Solid Dispersions
Solid dispersions (SDs) are a technological strategy to improve the pharmacological potential of natural or synthetic bioactive molecules, due to the increase in its solubility and bioavailability, leading to a possible improvement of its biological activities. In this sense, the review sought to synthesize and critically examine the studies that address SDs with therapeutic applications, evaluated through in vitro and/or in vivo tests. This bibliographic survey shows the significant therapeutic potential of SDs in the context of the most diverse biological activities. Among these, including in vitro and/or in vivo antitumor, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or cytoprotective activities, while additional activities, such as gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic or antinociceptive, were highlighted by in vivo studies. Although SDs have already been studied and cited in the literature, the number of studies published with a focus on in vitro and in vivo trials is still relatively small, considering the great potential of these formulations in pharmaceutical technology and with the most diverse applications. The results of biological activity studies showed that SDs, as a drug release tool, is not a limiting factor for the execution of in vitro and in vivo tests. Additionally, it stands out as a promising system in which the active principle and the carrier interact, allowing, in most cases, an increase in the pharmacological potential due to changes in the physicochemical properties of the constituents. Thus, SDs can represent a safe and effective alternative for the development and improvement of drugs directed to a wide range of pharmacological treatments.
  • 700
  • 22 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Therapeutic Antibodies Targeting Glycosylation
We generated a platform for designing optimized functional therapeutic antibodies against cancer glycans. The target tumor-associated carbohydrate antigen is commonly expressed in colon and pancreatic cancers. We developed a system for selection of potent antibodies by yeast surface display against this carbohydrate antigen, then showed that elite clones have potent affinity, specificity, cancer cell binding, and therapeutic efficacy. These tools have broad utility for manipulating and engineering antibodies against carbohydrate antigens, and provide major innovative avenues of research in the field of cancer therapy and diagnostics.
  • 973
  • 20 Oct 2020
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.
  • 907
  • 18 Sep 2022
Topic Review
The Useful Antiviral Properties of Lysozyme
Lysozyme, especially the one obtained from hen’s egg white, continues to show new pharmacological properties. Lysozyme can interact with nucleic acids and alter their function, but this effect is uncoupled from the catalytic activity that determines its antibacterial activity; it is present in intact lysozyme but is equally potent in a heat-degraded lysozyme or in a nonapeptide isolated by proteolytic digestion.
  • 347
  • 08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
The Use of Dendrimers for Biomedical Applications
Dendrimers are three-dimensional nanostructures with a high degree of molecular homogeneity, adjustable size, multivalence, high surface functionality, and high aqueous solubility. Due to these important and attractive properties, dendrimers are already being used to deliver a number of drugs and are being explored as promising carriers for nucleic acid-based vaccines. Here summarizes the literature data on the biosafety of some dendrimers has been evaluated in several clinical trials.
  • 722
  • 25 Apr 2023
Topic Review
The Use of Deferiprone against COVID-19
Deferiprone (L1) is an EMA- and FDA-approved drug used worldwide for the treatment of iron overload and also other conditions where there are no effective treatments. The multi-potent effects and high safety record of L1 in iron loaded and non-iron loaded categories of patients suggests that L1 could be developed as a “magic bullet” drug against COVID-19 and diseases of similar symptomatology.
  • 260
  • 21 Jun 2022
Topic Review
The Subcutaneous Route of Administration for Therapeutic Antibodies
Therapeutic antibodies (Abs) are used in the treatment of numerous diseases, including infection, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, in which they have already demonstrated their efficacy. The success of Abs is due to (I) a high level of specificity and affinity to their target antigen, (II) a favorable safety profile, and (III) a unique pharmacokinetic profile, supporting a longer half-life as compared to other drugs. While the majority of Abs are delivered through IV injection, evidence in the literature showed that beyond the reduction of invasiveness, a better efficacy could be achieved with a local delivery of Abs. Among those routes, one has been in full development these last few years, with already good clinical results and still promising developments: The Subcutaneous route.
  • 591
  • 13 Sep 2022
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