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Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of... Nov 2022Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), also known as the Chinese skullcap, has a long history of being used in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions ranging from... (Review)
Review
Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), also known as the Chinese skullcap, has a long history of being used in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions ranging from microbial infections to metabolic syndrome and malignancies. Numerous studies have reported that treatment with total SB extract or two main flavonoids found in its root and leaves, baicalin (BA) and baicalein (BE), can prevent or alleviate the detrimental toxic effects of exposure to various chemical compounds. It has been shown that BA and BE are generally behind the protective effects of SB against toxicants. This paper aimed to review the protective and therapeutic effects of SB and its main components BA and BE against chemical compounds that can cause intoxication after acute or chronic exposure and seriously affect different vital organs including the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. In this review paper, we had a look into a total of 221 in vitro and in vivo studies from 1995 to 2021 from the scientific databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science which reported protective or therapeutic effects of BA, BE, or SB against drugs and chemicals that one might be exposed to on a professional or accidental basis and compounds that are primarily used to simulate disease models. In conclusion, the protective effects of SB and its flavonoids can be mainly attributed to increase in antioxidants enzymes, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, reduction of inflammatory cytokines, and suppression of apoptosis pathway.
Topics: Antidotes; Antioxidants; Cytokines; Flavanones; Flavonoids; Plant Extracts; Protective Agents; Scutellaria baicalensis
PubMed: 35676380
DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02258-8 -
Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... Dec 2023Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most prevalent mycotoxins in feed, which causes organ toxicity in animals. Therefore, reducing DON-induced organ toxicity can now be... (Review)
Review
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most prevalent mycotoxins in feed, which causes organ toxicity in animals. Therefore, reducing DON-induced organ toxicity can now be accomplished effectively using protective agents. This review provides an overview of multiple studies on a wide range of protective agents and their molecular mechanisms against DON organ toxicity. Protective agents include plant extracts, yeast products, bacteria, peptides, enzymes, H2, oligosaccharides, amino acids, adsorbents, vitamins and selenium. Among these, biological detoxification of DON using microorganisms to reduce the toxicity of DON without affecting the growth performance of pigs may be the most promising detoxification strategy. This paper also evaluates future developments related to DON detoxification and discusses the detoxification role and application potential of protective agents. This paper provides new perspectives for future research and development of safe and effective feed additives.
Topics: Swine; Animals; Trichothecenes; Mycotoxins; Bacteria; Protective Agents; Animal Feed; Food Contamination
PubMed: 37890761
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.114121 -
Analytical Biochemistry Mar 2022Fungi can be used as a potent chemotherapeutic agent to treat various cancers. In current study acetone and methanol extracts of Terfezia claveryi, Terfezia boudieri,...
Fungi can be used as a potent chemotherapeutic agent to treat various cancers. In current study acetone and methanol extracts of Terfezia claveryi, Terfezia boudieri, Terfezia olbiensis, Picoa lefebvrei, Picoa juniperi were used to assess total phenolic contents, antioxidant activity, ion-chelating impact, antimicrobial activity, the cytotoxic and protective effects. Both methanol and acetone extracts of T. boudieri had the highest FRAP and DPPH scavenging abilities. Dose-dependent increased ion-chelating impact of all tested truffles species was found. Extracts of T. boudieri, T. claveryi, and T. albiensis exhibited higher antimicrobial activities. T. claveryi and T. boudieri showed the highest protective effects against HO-induced genotoxicity (P < 0.05), in S. cerevisiae BY4741. The least protective effect was showed by the acetone extracts of T. olbiensis (144 ± 8); methanol extracts of P. lefebvrei (140 ± 8) and P. juniperi (140 ± 10). MCF 7 cells showed more sensitivity against to methanol extracts of T. boudieri at 10-100 μg/mL concentrations. HepG2 cells showed more sensitivity against the methanolic extracts of T. boudieri at both doses. Overall, P. lefebvrei and P. juniperi extracts had the least cytotoxic effects. The species of Terfezia exhibit significant protective effects against DNA damage and also have the potential of cytotoxicity effects.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Ascomycota; Biphenyl Compounds; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Picrates; Protective Agents; Tumor Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 35085547
DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114566 -
Cardiovascular & Hematological... 2019Curcumin is the one of the main phenolic ingredients in curcuma species rhizome. Curcuma species have traditionally been used for the treatment of diabetes,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Curcumin is the one of the main phenolic ingredients in curcuma species rhizome. Curcuma species have traditionally been used for the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular, and renal diseases.
METHODS
The present study was designed to review the scientific literature on the protective effects of curcumin against nephrotoxic agents.
RESULTS
Studies have shown the protective effects of curcumin against nephrotoxic agents such as gallic acid, glucose, tartrazine, streptozotocin, lead, cadmium, fluoride, maleate, malathion, nicotine, cisplatin, gentamicin, and methotrexate. However, further investigations are needed to determine the efficacy of curcumin as an antidote agent due to the lack of clinical trial studies. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct clinical trials in humans to confirm these effects.
CONCLUSION
The current review indicated that curcumin may be effective against nephrotoxicity by modulating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Curcumin; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Oxidative Stress; Protective Agents
PubMed: 30205807
DOI: 10.2174/1871529X18666180905160830 -
Open Biology Jul 2019Viral infections cause substantial human morbidity and mortality, and are a significant health burden worldwide. Following a viral infection, the host may initiate... (Review)
Review
Viral infections cause substantial human morbidity and mortality, and are a significant health burden worldwide. Following a viral infection, the host may initiate complex antiviral immune responses to antagonize viral invasion and replication. However, proinflammatory antiviral immune responses pose a great threat to the host if not properly held in check. Interleukin (IL)-17 is a pleiotropic cytokine participating in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological conditions, including tissue integrity maintenance, cancer progression, autoimmune disease development and, more intriguingly, infectious diseases. Abundant evidence suggests that while IL-17 plays a crucial role in enhancing effective antiviral immune responses, it may also promote and exacerbate virus-induced illnesses. Accumulated experimental and clinical evidence has broadened our understanding of the seemingly paradoxical role of IL-17 in viral infections and suggests that IL-17-targeted immunotherapy may be a promising therapeutic option. Herein, we summarize current knowledge regarding the protective and pathogenic roles of IL-17 in viral infections, with emphasis on underlying mechanisms. The various and critical roles of IL-17 in viral infections necessitate the development of therapeutic strategies that are uniquely tailored to both the infectious agent and the infection environment.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunotherapy; Interleukin-17; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Protective Agents; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 31337278
DOI: 10.1098/rsob.190109 -
International Journal of Radiation... 2021Radiation exposure is an on going and serious threat in military and public health concern. There is an unmet need for effective preventative or mitigative treatments... (Review)
Review
Radiation exposure is an on going and serious threat in military and public health concern. There is an unmet need for effective preventative or mitigative treatments against radiation-induced injuries. The handful of Food and Drug Administration in the US approved radiation protection agents cannot be widely used due to their side effects. Some natural nontoxic compounds such as bee products have been reported to prevent and treat radiation-induced injuries (e.g. scavenging free radicals, inhibiting cell apoptosis and reducing DNA damage), indicating that they may be a potential option as a safe radioprotective agent. Bee products are nontoxic and have no known side effects on the human body, and are effective in the field of radiation protection. They are expected to be interesting drug candidates for preventing and treating radiation-induced injuries. This article reviews the prevention and treatment of bee products on radiation-induced injuries.
Topics: Animals; Bees; Humans; Radiation-Protective Agents
PubMed: 33464164
DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1876949 -
Biogerontology Feb 2019Apart from being a safe, effective and globally affordable glucose-lowering agent for the treatment of diabetes, metformin has earned much credit in recent years as a... (Review)
Review
Apart from being a safe, effective and globally affordable glucose-lowering agent for the treatment of diabetes, metformin has earned much credit in recent years as a potential anti-aging formula. It has been shown to significantly increase lifespan and delay the onset of age-associated decline in several experimental models. The current review summarizes advances in clinical research on the potential role of metformin in the field of geroprotection, highlighting findings from pre-clinical studies on known and putative mechanisms behind its beneficial properties. A growing body of evidence from clinical trials demonstrates that metformin can effectively reduce the risk of many age-related diseases and conditions, including cardiometabolic disorders, neurodegeneration, cancer, chronic inflammation, and frailty. Metformin also holds promise as a drug that could be repurposed for chemoprevention or adjuvant therapy for certain cancer types. Moreover, due to the ability of metformin to induce autophagy by activation of AMPK, it is regarded as a potential hormesis-inducing agent with healthspan-promoting and pro-longevity properties. Long-term intake of metformin is associated with low risk of adverse events; however, well-designed clinical trials are still warranted to enable potential use of this therapeutic agent as a geroprotector.
Topics: Aging; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Longevity; Metformin; Protective Agents
PubMed: 30255224
DOI: 10.1007/s10522-018-9773-5 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2020is a plant with high bioactive potential. It contains marrubiin, a labdane diterpene that is characteristic for this genus, as well as a complex mixture of phenolic... (Review)
Review
is a plant with high bioactive potential. It contains marrubiin, a labdane diterpene that is characteristic for this genus, as well as a complex mixture of phenolic compounds. According to numerous studies, acts as a good antioxidant agent, and due to this, it could potentially be useful in treatments of cancer, diabetes mellitus, and liver diseases. In addition, its anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, and sedative potential are discussed. Apart from that, its antimicrobial activity, especially against Gram+ bacteria, fungi, herpes simplex virus, and parasites such as , , and was recorded. Additionally, it could be used as a chicken lice repellent, herbicide, and natural insecticide against mosquito larvae and natural molluscicide. In veterinary medicine, can be used as an anthelmintic against the eggs and larvae of bovine strongyles parasites, and as an antibiotic against bovine mastitis caused by resistant bacterial strains. Due to the mentioned benefits, there is a tendency for the cultivation of in order to ensure high-quality raw material, but more firm scientific evidence and well-designed clinical trials are necessary for the well-established use of herb and its preparations.
Topics: Animals; Anthelmintics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Antioxidants; Biological Control Agents; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Marrubium; Phytochemicals; Plants, Medicinal; Protective Agents; Wound Healing
PubMed: 32599693
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122898 -
Journal of Cellular and Molecular... Nov 2019The liver is composed of hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, Kupffer cells, sinusoidal endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and dendritic cells; all these... (Review)
Review
The liver is composed of hepatocytes, cholangiocytes, Kupffer cells, sinusoidal endothelial cells, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and dendritic cells; all these functional and interstitial cells contribute to the synthesis and secretion functions of liver tissue. However, various hepatotoxic factors including infection, chemicals, high-fat diet consumption, surgical procedures and genetic mutations, as well as biliary tract diseases such as sclerosing cholangitis and bile duct ligation, ultimately progress into liver cirrhosis after activation of fibrogenesis. Melatonin (MT), a special hormone isolated from the pineal gland, participates in regulating multiple physiological functions including sleep promotion, circadian rhythms and neuroendocrine processes. Current evidence shows that MT protects against liver injury by inhibiting oxidation, inflammation, HSC proliferation and hepatocyte apoptosis, thereby inhibiting the progression of liver cirrhosis. In this review, we summarize the circadian rhythm of liver cirrhosis and its potential mechanisms as well as the therapeutic effects of MT on liver cirrhosis and earlier-stage liver diseases including liver steatosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and liver fibrosis. Given that MT is an antioxidative and anti-inflammatory agent that is effective in eliminating liver injury, it is a potential agent with which to reverse liver cirrhosis in its early stage.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Melatonin; Protective Agents
PubMed: 31475778
DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.14634 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2020Quercetin is a flavonoid abundantly found in fruits and vegetables. It possesses a wide spectrum of biological activities, thus suggesting a role in disease prevention... (Review)
Review
Quercetin is a flavonoid abundantly found in fruits and vegetables. It possesses a wide spectrum of biological activities, thus suggesting a role in disease prevention and health promotion. The present review aimed to uncover the bone-sparing effects of quercetin and its mechanism of action. Animal studies have found that the action of quercetin on bone is largely protective, with a small number of studies reporting negative outcomes. Quercetin was shown to inhibit RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis, osteoblast apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammatory response while promoting osteogenesis, angiogenesis, antioxidant expression, adipocyte apoptosis and osteoclast apoptosis. The possible underlying mechanisms involved are regulation of Wnt, NF-κB, Nrf2, SMAD-dependent, and intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. On the other hand, quercetin was shown to exert complex and competing actions on the MAPK signalling pathway to orchestrate bone metabolism, resulting in both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on bone in parallel. The overall interaction is believed to result in a positive effect on bone. Considering the important contributions of quercetin in regulating bone homeostasis, it may be considered an economical and promising agent for improving bone health. The documented preclinical findings await further validation from human clinical trials.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Bone Resorption; Bone and Bones; Humans; Protective Agents; Quercetin
PubMed: 32899435
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176448