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Phytotherapy Research : PTR Sep 2021Quercetin is the major representative of the flavonoid subgroup of flavones, with good pharmacological activities for the treatment of liver diseases, including liver... (Review)
Review
Quercetin is the major representative of the flavonoid subgroup of flavones, with good pharmacological activities for the treatment of liver diseases, including liver steatosis, fatty hepatitis, liver fibrosis, and liver cancer. It can significantly influence the development of liver diseases via multiple targets and multiple pathways via antifat accumulation, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity, as well as the inhibition of cellular apoptosis and proliferation. Despite extensive research on understanding the mechanism of quercetin in the treatment of liver diseases, there are still no targeted therapies available. Thus, we have comprehensively searched and summarized the different targets of quercetin in different stages of liver diseases and concluded that quercetin inhibited inflammation of the liver mainly through NF-κB/TLR/NLRP3, reduced PI3K/Nrf2-mediated oxidative stress, mTOR activation in autophagy, and inhibited the expression of apoptotic factors associated with the development of liver diseases. In addition, quercetin showed different mechanisms of action at different stages of liver diseases, including the regulation of PPAR, UCP, and PLIN2-related factors via brown fat activation in liver steatosis. The compound inhibited stromal ECM deposition at the liver fibrosis stage, affecting TGF1β, endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERs), and apoptosis. While at the final liver cancer stage, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and spread via the hTERT, MEK1/ERK1/2, Notch, and Wnt/β-catenin-related signaling pathways. In conclusion, quercetin is an effective liver protectant. We hope to explore the pathogenesis of quercetin in different stages of liver diseases through the review, so as to provide more accurate targets and theoretical basis for further research of quercetin in the treatment of liver diseases.
Topics: Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Humans; Liver Diseases; Protective Agents; Quercetin; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34159683
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7104 -
Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis : An... Mar 2019: Freeze-drying is an effective means of storing platelets. In this study, we investigated the effects of a protective agent on freeze-dried platelet-rich plasma...
: Freeze-drying is an effective means of storing platelets. In this study, we investigated the effects of a protective agent on freeze-dried platelet-rich plasma (FD-PRP) after a 12-week preservation period. Platelet structure was measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the expression levels of procaspase activating compound (PAC)-1 and CD62P were measured by flow cytometry. The levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined by ELISA. The effect of FD-PRP on cell proliferation was measured by cell counting. TEM revealed that most platelets were intact, and their internal structure was evident. The expression levels of the platelet activation marker CD62P in FD-PRP and fresh PRP were 36.83% ± 8.21 and 35.47% ± 4.11, respectively, without a significant difference (P > 0.05). The expression levels of PAC-1 in FD-PRP and fresh PRP were 3.23% ± 0.49 and 2.83% ± 0.44, respectively, without a significant difference (P > 0.05). Upon activation of FD-PRP and fresh PRP by thrombin, the levels of TGF-β, PDGF and VEGF were not significantly decreased in FD-PRP. Moreover, FD-PRP promoted cell proliferation in a manner similar to that of fresh PRP. The protective agent maintained the biological activity of FD-PRP after a 12-week preservation period.
Topics: Blood Preservation; Cell Proliferation; Freeze Drying; Humans; Hydrazones; P-Selectin; Piperazines; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Protective Agents; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
PubMed: 30720489
DOI: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000000796 -
Natural Product Research Feb 2019We report the characterisation of Salvia clandestina L. shoots and roots aqueous extract using HPLC-ESI/MS-TOF. Among the 29 compounds detected, we observed the presence...
We report the characterisation of Salvia clandestina L. shoots and roots aqueous extract using HPLC-ESI/MS-TOF. Among the 29 compounds detected, we observed the presence of danshensu (3-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl) 2-hydroxy-propinic acid), a powerful antioxidant and a cardio-protective agent. The danshensu content found in the shoots of S. clandestina was considerable (4.96 mg g DW) if compared with previous studies on S. miltiorrhiza Bunge, the main source of this compound. We also determined the total phenolic concentration and we evaluated their antioxidant activity by ABTS, FRAP and Superoxide anion scavenging methods. All the three assays confirmed a greater antioxidant activity for the shoots in comparison to roots. S. clandestina shoots may represent a valuable and natural unexploited source of danshensu and other phenolic compounds, so that it may be useful for future applications in functional foods and pharmaceutical industries.
Topics: Antioxidants; Cardiotonic Agents; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Lactates; Phenols; Plant Extracts; Plant Shoots; Salvia
PubMed: 29553808
DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2018.1452015 -
Cardiovascular & Hematological... 2017The impact of diet strategies to manage cardiovascular disease has been focused in recent years. The food ingredients, such as flavonoids, are known as cardioprotective... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The impact of diet strategies to manage cardiovascular disease has been focused in recent years. The food ingredients, such as flavonoids, are known as cardioprotective agents; however, it is not fully understood how these compounds are effective against cardiovascular problems. Catechins are polyphenolic compounds exhibiting several biological activities in the human body, potentially in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. The present study indicates that catechins may be effective against cardiovascular problems through modulating blood lipid metabolism, protecting vascular endothelial, and decreasing blood pressure.
CONCLUSION
The current review has evaluated various studies on the role of catechins in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders by focusing on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Cardiotonic Agents; Cardiovascular Diseases; Catechin; Humans; Hypertension; Oxidative Stress; Protective Agents
PubMed: 28933274
DOI: 10.2174/1871529X17666170921115735 -
Journal of Endocrinological... Jan 2020Metformin is the first prescribed drug for hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mainly by activating AMPK pathway, this drug exerts various functions that among... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Metformin is the first prescribed drug for hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mainly by activating AMPK pathway, this drug exerts various functions that among them protective effects are of the interest.
PURPOSE
Herein, we aimed to gather data about the protective impacts of metformin against various natural or chemical toxicities.
RESULTS
An extensive search among PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted by keywords related to protection, toxicity, natural and chemical toxins and, metformin. Our literature review showed metformin alongside its anti-hyperglycemic effect has a wide range of anti-toxic effects against anti-tumour and routine drugs, natural and chemical toxins, herbicides and, heavy metals.
CONCLUSION
It is evident that metformin is a potent drug against the toxicity of a broad spectrum of natural, chemical toxic agents which is proved by a vast number of studies. Metformin mainly through AMPK axis can protect different organs against toxicities. Moreover, metformin preserves DNA integrity and can be an option for adjuvant therapy to ameliorate side effect of other therapeutics.
Topics: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Drug Repositioning; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Metformin; Protective Agents
PubMed: 31098946
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-019-01060-3 -
Antioxidants & Redox Signaling May 2024Radiotherapy, which employs ionizing radiation to destroy or prevent the multiplication of tumor cells, has been increasingly used in the treatment of neoplastic... (Review)
Review
Radiotherapy, which employs ionizing radiation to destroy or prevent the multiplication of tumor cells, has been increasingly used in the treatment of neoplastic diseases, especially cancers. However, radiation collaterally leads to prolonged periods of sperm count suppression, presumably due to impaired spermatogenesis by depleting the germ cell pool, which has long-term side effects for male reproduction. Studies of antioxidant compounds as a potential strategy for male fertility preservation have been performed mainly from animal models, aiming to prevent and restore the male germinal tissue and its function, particularly against the oxidative stress effects of radiation. Evidence in preclinical and clinical trials has shown that inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system and other drugs, such as statins and metformin, are candidates for ameliorating radiation-induced damage to several tissues, including the testis and prostate. Research for developing an ideal radioprotective agent is challenging due to toxicity in the normal tissue, tumor radioresistance, cellular response to radiation, costs, regulation, and timeline development. Moreover, male radioprotection experiments in humans, mainly clinical trials, are scarce and use few individuals. This scenario is reflected in the slow progress of innovation in the radioprotection field. Expanding human studies to provide clues on the efficacy and safety of radioprotective compounds in the human reproductive system is necessary. Drug repurposing, frequently used in clinical practice, can be a way to shorten the development pipeline for innovative approaches for radioprotection or radiomitigation of the repercussions of radiotherapy in the male reproductive system.
Topics: Male; Humans; Antioxidants; Animals; Infertility, Male; Oxidative Stress; Radiation-Protective Agents; Spermatogenesis
PubMed: 37917108
DOI: 10.1089/ars.2023.0282 -
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents... 2022Essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile compounds, primarily composed of terpenes and abundant aromatic plants. For example, Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) is...
INTRODUCTION
Essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile compounds, primarily composed of terpenes and abundant aromatic plants. For example, Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass) is an aromatic plant that produces a monoterpene-rich essential oil, and studies show that this essential oil has excellent antioxidant activity. Erythrocytes incubated under high sugar levels are constantly exposed to reactive oxygen species, which results in the oxidation of their membranes.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to investigate the antioxidant activity of lemongrass essential oil and its protective effect on erythrocytes exposed to high levels of glucose.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The essential oil was obtained by steam dragging distillation; blood cell suspensions were incubated with glucose 5, 20, 50, and 100 mmol/L. The amount of TBARS produced was measured at 532 nm. In addition, the percentage of antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH free radical assay.
RESULTS
Lemongrass essential oil showed an increase in the antioxidant activity up to 240 mg/ml, while ascorbic acid used as positive control showed a dose-dependent increase in antioxidant activity starting at 1 mmol/L up to 18 mmol/L. However, such a lemongrass dose prevented peroxidation in erythrocytes incubated under a high glucose media, whereas ascorbic acid showed a protective effect only at a concentration of 1 mmol/L.
CONCLUSION
Lemongrass essential oil has high antioxidant activity compared to standard antioxidant as ascorbic acid, and also acts as a protective agent against erythrocyte lipoperoxidation due to hyperglycemia in vitro.
Topics: Antioxidants; Cymbopogon; Erythrocytes; Lipid Peroxidation; Oils, Volatile
PubMed: 34488600
DOI: 10.2174/1871525719666210906122948 -
The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology Nov 2020Ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is defined as the damage to the tissue which is caused when blood supply returns to tissue after ischaemia. To protect the ischaemic... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
OBJECTIVE
Ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is defined as the damage to the tissue which is caused when blood supply returns to tissue after ischaemia. To protect the ischaemic tissue from irreversible injury, various protective agents have been studied but the benefits have not been clinically applicable due to monotargeting, low potency, late delivery or poor tolerability.
KEY FINDINGS
Strategies involving preconditioning or postconditioning can address the issues related to the failure of protective therapies. In principle, postconditioning (PoCo) is clinically more applicable in the conditions in which there is unannounced ischaemic event. Moreover, PoCo is an attractive beneficial strategy as it can be induced rapidly at the onset of reperfusion via series of brief I/R cycles following a major ischaemic event or it can be induced in a delayed manner. Various pharmacological postconditioning (pPoCo) mechanisms have been investigated systematically. Using different animal models, most of the studies on pPoCo have been carried out preclinically.
SUMMARY
However, there is a need for the optimization of the clinical protocols to quicken pPoCo clinical translation for future studies. This review summarizes the involvement of various receptors and signalling pathways in the protective mechanisms of pPoCo.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Ischemic Postconditioning; Ischemic Preconditioning; Protective Agents; Reperfusion Injury; Signal Transduction; Time Factors
PubMed: 33460133
DOI: 10.1111/jphp.13336 -
Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and... Jan 20151-acetyl,2-docosahexaenoyl-glycerophosphocholine (AceDoPC) has been made to prevent docosahexaenoyl (DHA) to move to the sn-1 position as it rapidly does when present in... (Review)
Review
1-acetyl,2-docosahexaenoyl-glycerophosphocholine (AceDoPC) has been made to prevent docosahexaenoyl (DHA) to move to the sn-1 position as it rapidly does when present in 1-lyso,2-docosahexaenoyl-GPC (lysoPC-DHA), an efficient DHA transporter to the brain. When incubated with human blood, AceDoPC behaves closer to lysoPC-DHA than PC-DHA in terms of binding to plasma albumin and lipoproteins, and DHA incorporation into platelets and red cells. In addition, AceDoPC prevents more efficiently the deleterious effects of the experimental stroke in rats than does unesterified DHA. Also, AceDoPC inhibits platelet-activating factor-induced human blood platelet aggregation. Overall, AceDoPC might act as an efficient DHA transporter to the brain, and as a neuro-protective agent by itself.
Topics: Animals; Brain; Humans; Neuroprotective Agents; Phosphatidylcholines; Phospholipids; Stroke
PubMed: 24582148
DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2014.01.005 -
Current Vascular Pharmacology 2017Leaves of Ginkgo biloba, a "living fossil," have been used as traditional herbal medicine for hundreds of years in China. Currently, its application in vascular... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Leaves of Ginkgo biloba, a "living fossil," have been used as traditional herbal medicine for hundreds of years in China. Currently, its application in vascular protection is garnering much attention.
METHODS
In this manuscript, preclinical studies were reviewed to discuss various mechanisms underlying the vascular protection by Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE). Additionally, we reviewed clinical studies to present the application of GBE in the ischaemic disease.
RESULTS
GBE, a commonly used dietary supplement, has been shown to act as an antioxidant and freeradical scavenger, a membrane stabilizer, an inhibitor of the platelet-activating factor, a vasodilator, and a regulator of metabolism. Currently, there exist a growing number of clinical studies about GBE in the application of cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and diabetic vascular complications.
CONCLUSION
GBE, a promising therapeutic agent for cardiovascular and ischaemic diseases, exerts vascular- protection function by a comprehensive mechanisms.
Topics: Animals; Dietary Supplements; Ginkgo biloba; Humans; Plant Extracts; Protective Agents; Vascular Diseases
PubMed: 28707602
DOI: 10.2174/1570161115666170713095545