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Journal of Biomedical Science Jan 2019Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) is a medicinal plant native to the Mediterranean region and cultivated around the world. Besides the therapeutic purpose, it is... (Review)
Review
Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) is a medicinal plant native to the Mediterranean region and cultivated around the world. Besides the therapeutic purpose, it is commonly used as a condiment and food preservative. R. officinalis L. is constituted by bioactive molecules, the phytocompounds, responsible for implement several pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, antitumor and protective, inhibitory and attenuating activities. Thus, in vivo and in vitro studies were presented in this Review, approaching the therapeutic and prophylactic effects of R. officinalis L. on some physiological disorders caused by biochemical, chemical or biological agents. In this way, methodology, mechanisms, results, and conclusions were described. The main objective of this study was showing that plant products could be equivalent to the available medicines.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Humans; Oils, Volatile; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis; Protective Agents; Rosmarinus
PubMed: 30621719
DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0499-8 -
Cells Feb 2019and , two well-known medical plants with economic value, have a long history of use for managing various diseases in Asian countries. Accumulating clinical and... (Review)
Review
and , two well-known medical plants with economic value, have a long history of use for managing various diseases in Asian countries. Accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests that notoginsenosides and ginsenosides, which are the major bioactive components of the plants, have a variety of beneficial effects on several types of disease, including metabolic, vascular, and central nervous system disease. Considerable attention has been focused on ginsenoside Rb1 derived from their common ownership as an anti-diabetic agent that can attenuate insulin resistance and various complications. Particularly, in vitro and in vivo models have suggested that ginsenoside Rb1 exerts various pharmacological effects on metabolic disorders, including attenuation of glycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, which depend on the modulation of oxidative stress, inflammatory response, autophagy, and anti-apoptosis effects. Regulation of these pathophysiological mechanisms can improve blood glucose and insulin resistance and protect against macrovascular/microvascular related complications. This review summarizes the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of action of ginsenoside Rb1 in the management of diabetes or diabetic complications. Moreover, a multi-target effect and mechanism analysis of its antidiabetic actions were performed to provide a theoretical basis for further pharmacological studies and new drug development for clinical treatment of type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, ginsenoside Rb1 exerts significant anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-diabetic effects by regulating the effects of glycolipid metabolism and improving insulin and leptin sensitivities. All of these findings suggest ginsenoside Rb1 exerts protective effects on diabetes and diabetic complications by the regulation of mitochondrial energy metabolism, improving insulin resistance and alleviating the occurrence complications, which should be further explored. Hence, ginsenoside Rb1 may be developed as a potential anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycemic, and anti-diabetic agent with multi-target effects.
Topics: Animals; Diabetes Complications; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Gene Regulatory Networks; Ginsenosides; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Protective Agents
PubMed: 30823412
DOI: 10.3390/cells8030204 -
Nutrients May 2020Vitamin C has been known for decades. It is common in everyday use as an element of the diet, supplementation, and a preservative. For years, research has been conducted... (Review)
Review
Vitamin C has been known for decades. It is common in everyday use as an element of the diet, supplementation, and a preservative. For years, research has been conducted to precisely determine the mechanism of action of ascorbate in the cell. Available results indicate its multi-directional cellular effects. Vitamin C, which belongs to antioxidants scavenging free radicals, also has a 'second face'-as a pro-oxidative factor. However, whether is the latter nature a defect harmful to the cell, or whether a virtue that is a source of benefit? In this review, we discuss the effects of vitamin C treatment in cancer prevention and the role of ascorbate in maintaining redox balance in the central nervous system (CNS). Finally, we discuss the effect of vitamin C supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative DNA damage and review the evidence that vitamin C has radioprotective properties.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Biomarkers; Central Nervous System; DNA Damage; Free Radicals; Humans; Neoplasms; Oxidants; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Radiation-Protective Agents
PubMed: 32455696
DOI: 10.3390/nu12051501 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2022Chronic liver disease (CLD), manifested as hepatic injury, is a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. CLD progresses to fibrosis, cirrhosis,... (Review)
Review
Chronic liver disease (CLD), manifested as hepatic injury, is a major cause of global morbidity and mortality. CLD progresses to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and-ultimately-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) if left untreated. The different phenotypes of CLD based on their respective clinical features and causative agents include alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and drug-induced liver injury (DILI). The preferred treatment modality for CLD includes lifestyle modification and diet, along with limited pharmacological agents for symptomatic treatment. Moreover, oxidative stress (OS) is an important pathological mechanism underlying all CLD phenotypes; hence, the use of antioxidants to manage the disease is justified. Based on available clinical evidence, silymarin can be utilized as a hepatoprotective agent, given its potent antioxidant, antifibrotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The role of silymarin in suppressing OS has been well established, and therefore silymarin is recommended for use in ALD and NAFLD in the guidelines approved by the Russian Medical Scientific Society of Therapists and the Gastroenterology Scientific Society of Russia. However, to discuss the positioning of the original silymarin in clinical guidelines and treatment protocols as a hepatoprotective agent for managing CLD concomitantly with other therapies, an expert panel of international and Russian medical professionals was convened on 11 November 2020. The panel reviewed approaches for the prevention and treatment of OS, existing guidelines for patient management for CLD, and available evidence on the effectiveness of silymarin in reducing OS, fibrosis, and hepatic inflammation and presented in the form of a narrative review. Key messagesAn expert panel of international and Russian medical professionals reviewed existing guidelines for ALD, NAFLD, MAFLD, and DILI to establish consensus recommendations that oxidative stress is the common pathophysiological mechanism underlying these conditions.The panel also discussed the positioning of original silymarin in clinical guidelines and treatment protocols as a hepatoprotective agent for managing CLD concomitantly with other therapies.The panel reviewed the effectiveness of 140 mg original silymarin three times a day in reducing oxidative stress in chronic liver diseases such as ALD, NAFLD, MAFLD, and DILI.
Topics: Antioxidants; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Protective Agents; Silymarin
PubMed: 35635048
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2069854 -
Cell Death & Disease Dec 2020Peroxiredoxin 4 (Prdx4), a member of the Prdx family, is a vital ER-resident antioxidant in cells. As revealed in our previous study, Prdx4 expression was detected in...
Peroxiredoxin 4 (Prdx4), a member of the Prdx family, is a vital ER-resident antioxidant in cells. As revealed in our previous study, Prdx4 expression was detected in ovarian granulosa cells and was closely related to ovarian function. This research aimed to explore the effect and underlying molecular mechanism of the protective role of Prdx4 against D-gal-induced ovarian ageing in mice. The D-gal-induced ovarian ageing model has been extensively used to study the mechanisms of premature ovarian failure (POF). In this study, adult Prdx4 and wild-type mice were intraperitoneally injected with D-gal (150 mg/kg/day) daily for 6 weeks. Ovarian function, granulosa cell apoptosis, oxidative damage and ER stress in the ovaries were evaluated in the two groups. Ovarian weight was significantly lower, the HPO axis was more strongly disrupted, and the numbers of atretic follicles and apoptotic granulosa cells were obviously higher in Prdx4 mice. In addition, Prdx4 mice showed increased expression of oxidative damage-related factors and the ovarian senescence-related protein P16. Moreover, the levels of the proapoptotic factors CHOP and activated caspase-12 protein, which are involved in the ER stress pathway, and the level of the apoptosis-related BAX protein were elevated in the ovaries of Prdx4 mice. Thus, D-gal-induced ovarian ageing is accelerated in Prdx4 mice due to granulosa cell apoptosis via oxidative damage and ER stress-related pathways, suggesting that Prdx4 is a protective agent against POF.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress; Female; Galactose; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Models, Animal; Ovary; Oxidative Stress; Peroxiredoxins; Protective Agents; Reproduction
PubMed: 33311472
DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03253-8 -
Cells Feb 2020Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), members of the nuclear hormone receptor family, attract wide attention as promising therapeutic targets for the... (Review)
Review
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), members of the nuclear hormone receptor family, attract wide attention as promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of multiple diseases, and their target selective ligands were also intensively developed for pharmacological agents such as the approved drugs fibrates and thiazolidinediones (TZDs). Despite their potent pharmacological activities, PPARs are reported to be involved in agent- and pollutant-induced multiple organ toxicity or protective effects against toxicity. A better understanding of the protective and the detrimental role of PPARs will help to preserve efficacy of the PPAR modulators but diminish adverse effects. The present review summarizes and critiques current findings related to PPAR-mediated types of toxicity and protective effects against toxicity for a systematic understanding of PPARs in toxicology and applied pharmacology.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Models, Biological; Organ Specificity; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Protective Agents
PubMed: 32028670
DOI: 10.3390/cells9020352 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Oct 2020In recent years, many studies have shown that hydrogen has therapeutic and preventive effects on various diseases. Its selective antioxidant properties were well... (Review)
Review
In recent years, many studies have shown that hydrogen has therapeutic and preventive effects on various diseases. Its selective antioxidant properties were well noticed. Most of the ionizing radiation-induced damage is caused by hydroxyl radicals (OH) from radiolysis of HO. Since hydrogen can mitigate such damage through multiple mechanisms, it presents noteworthy potential as a novel radio-protective agent. This review analyses possible mechanisms for hydrogen's radioprotective properties and effective delivery methods. We also look into details of vitro and vivo studies for hydrogen's radioprotective effects, and clinical practices. We conclude that hydrogen has good potential in radio-protection, with evidence that warrants greater research efforts in this field.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Hydrogen; Radiation Injuries; Radiation, Ionizing; Radiation-Protective Agents
PubMed: 32763820
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110589 -
Nephron 2018It has become clear that metformin exerts pleiotropic actions beyond its glucose-lowering agent effect. In this review, we summarise the state of the art concerning the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND/AIMS
It has become clear that metformin exerts pleiotropic actions beyond its glucose-lowering agent effect. In this review, we summarise the state of the art concerning the potential renoprotective effects of metformin in vitro, animal models and clinical nephrology.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in PUBMED, ScienceDirect, between January 1957 and March 2017 using the following keywords: "metformin," "nephroprotection," "renoprotection," "survival," "renal failure," "chronic kidney diseases," "fibrosis," "polycystic kidney disease" and "microalbuminuria."
RESULTS
A recent review of 17 observational studies concluded that metformin use appeared associated with reduced all-cause mortality in patients with CKD. Metformin has been shown to exert positive effects on the kidney in vitro and animal models representing different types of renal diseases, from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease. A retrospective cohort study from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients indicated that metformin was associated with lower adjusted hazards for living donor and deceased donor allograft survival at 3 years posttransplant, and with lower mortality.
CONCLUSION
Based on experimental evidence and some relevant clinical observations, metformin seems to be a promising drug in the treatment of progressive renal damage. RCT studies are the next essential step.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Kidney Diseases; Metformin; Protective Agents
PubMed: 29241197
DOI: 10.1159/000481951 -
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Mar 2016Sulforaphane (SFN), a natural compound occurring in cruciferous vegetables, has been known for years as a chemopreventive agent against many types of cancer. Recently,... (Review)
Review
Sulforaphane (SFN), a natural compound occurring in cruciferous vegetables, has been known for years as a chemopreventive agent against many types of cancer. Recently, it has been investigated as an antioxidant and anti-aging agent, and interesting conclusions have been made over the last decade. SFN demonstrated protective effects against ultraviolet (UV)-induced skin damage through several mechanisms of action, for example, decrease of reactive oxygen species production, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase expression, and induction of phase 2 enzymes. SFN used as a protective agent against UV damage is a whole new matter, and it seems to be a very promising ingredient in upcoming anti-aging drugs and cosmetics.
Topics: Anticarcinogenic Agents; Humans; Isothiocyanates; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; NF-E2-Related Factor 2; NF-kappa B; Radiation-Protective Agents; Signal Transduction; Skin; Skin Aging; Sulfoxides; Transcription Factor AP-1; Ultraviolet Rays
PubMed: 26799467
DOI: 10.1111/jocd.12176 -
Arhiv Za Higijenu Rada I Toksikologiju Dec 2016Ectoine is a compatible water molecule-binding solute (osmoprotectant) produced by several bacterial species in response to osmotic stress and unfavourable environmental... (Review)
Review
Ectoine is a compatible water molecule-binding solute (osmoprotectant) produced by several bacterial species in response to osmotic stress and unfavourable environmental conditions. This amino acid derivative can accumulate inside cells at high concentrations without interfering with natural processes and can protect the cell against radiation or osmotic stress. This brief review presents the current state of knowledge about the effects of ectoine on animals and focuses on its practical use for enzyme stabilisation, human skin protection, anti-inflammatory treatment, inhibitory effects in neurodegenerative diseases, and other therapeutic potential in human or veterinary medicine.
Topics: Amino Acids, Diamino; Animals; Cell Membrane; Humans; Osmotic Pressure; Protective Agents; Radiation Injuries
PubMed: 28033102
DOI: 10.1515/aiht-2016-67-2837