-
Daru : Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy,... May 2015Saffron (Crocus sativus) is an extensively used food additive for its color and taste. Since ancient times this plant has been introduced as a marvelous medicine... (Review)
Review
Saffron (Crocus sativus) is an extensively used food additive for its color and taste. Since ancient times this plant has been introduced as a marvelous medicine throughout the world. The wide spectrum of saffron pharmacological activities is related to its major constituents including crocin, crocetin and safranal. Based on several studies, saffron and its active ingredients have been used as an antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antinociceptive, antidepressant, antitussive, anticonvulsant, memory enhancer, hypotensive and anticancer. According to the literatures, saffron has remarkable therapeutic effects. The protective effects of saffron and its main constituents in different tissues including brain, heart, liver, kidney and lung have been reported against some toxic materials either natural or chemical toxins in animal studies.In this review article, we have summarized different in vitro and animal studies in scientific databases which investigate the antidotal and protective effects of saffron and its major components against natural toxins and chemical-induced toxicities. Due to the lake of human studies, further investigations are required to ascertain the efficacy of saffron as an antidote or a protective agent in human intoxication.
Topics: Animals; Antidotes; Crocus; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Plant Extracts; Protective Agents
PubMed: 25928729
DOI: 10.1186/s40199-015-0112-y -
Journal of Diabetes Research 2020Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of kidney morbidity. Despite the multilayered complexity of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of DN, the... (Review)
Review
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of kidney morbidity. Despite the multilayered complexity of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of DN, the conventional treatment is limited to just a few drug classes fraught with the risk of adverse events, including the progression of renal dysfunction. Phytoceuticals offer a promising alternative as they act on the many-sidedness of DN pathophysiology, multitargeting its intricacies. This paper offers a review of the mechanisms underlying the protective action of these phytoagents, including boosting the antioxidant capabilities, suppression of inflammation, averting the proliferative and sclerosing/fibrosing events. The pathogenesis of DN is viewed as a continuum going from the original offense, high glucose, through the noxious products it generates (advanced glycation end-products, products of oxidative and nitrosative stress) and the signaling chains consequently brought into action, to the harmful mediators of inflammation, sclerosis, and proliferation that eventually lead to DN, despite the countervailing attempts of the protective mechanisms. Special attention was given to the various pathways involved, pointing out the ability of the phytoagents to hinder the deleterious ones (especially those leading to, driven by, or associated with TGF- activation, SREBP, Smad, MAPK, PKC, NF-B, NLRP3 inflammasome, and caspase), to promote the protective ones (PPAR-, PPAR-, EP4/Gs/AC/cAMP, Nrf2, AMPK, and SIRT1), and to favorably modulate those with potentially dual effect (PI3K/Akt). Many phytomedicines have emerged as potentially useful out of and studies, but the scarcity of human trials seriously undermines their usage in the current clinical practice-an issue that stringently needs to be addressed.
Topics: Animals; Diabetic Nephropathies; Humans; Inflammasomes; Kidney; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Protective Agents; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 32695828
DOI: 10.1155/2020/5710513 -
Cardiovascular Therapeutics Apr 2016The process of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is known as a key player in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. The proposed mechanism for... (Review)
Review
The process of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is known as a key player in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. The proposed mechanism for apoptosis is the activation of two main apoptotic signaling pathways (the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways), which lead to cell death. As the rate and amount of cardiomyocyte loss is the most important determinant of patient morbidity and mortality, novel treatment strategies targeting apoptosis are crucial. Recently, Humanin has been shown to exert protective effects against cellular apoptosis in both experimental and clinical studies. The potential cardioprotective mechanisms of Humanin have been shown to involve both the extracellular and intracellular signaling pathways. In this review, the current knowledge and the mechanisms inhibiting cellular apoptosis by Humanin during cardiac injury are comprehensively summarized. In addition, both research and clinical findings regarding the effects of Humanin on the heart and vasculature are also presented and discussed. Currently available information suggests that Humanin may exert cardioprotective benefits and could potentially be used as a novel pharmacological intervention against cellular apoptosis during myocardial injury.
Topics: Apoptosis; Humans; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Myocytes, Cardiac; Protective Agents; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 26667157
DOI: 10.1111/1755-5922.12168 -
Toxins Jan 2018Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), among other aflatoxins of the aflatoxin family, is the most carcinogenic and hazardous mycotoxin to animals and human beings with very high potency... (Review)
Review
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), among other aflatoxins of the aflatoxin family, is the most carcinogenic and hazardous mycotoxin to animals and human beings with very high potency leading to aflatoxicosis. Selenium is an essential trace mineral possessing powerful antioxidant functions. Selenium is widely reported as an effective antioxidant against aflatoxicosis. By preventing oxidative liver damage, suppressing pro-apoptotic proteins and improving immune status in AFB1 affected animals; selenium confers specific protection against AFB1 toxicity. Meticulous supplementation of animal feed by elemental selenium in the organic and inorganic forms has proven to be effective to ameliorate AFB1 toxicity. Curcumin is another dietary agent of importance in tackling aflatoxicosis. Curcumin is one of the major active ingredients in the tubers of a spice L., a widely reported antioxidant, anticarcinogenic agent with reported protective potential against aflatoxin-mediated liver damage. Curcumin restricts the aflatoxigenic potential of Curcumin inhibits cytochrome P450 isoenzymes, particularly CYP2A6 isoform; thereby reducing the formation of AFB1-8, 9-epoxide and other toxic metabolites causing aflatoxicosis. In this review, we have briefly reviewed important aflatoxicosis symptoms among animals. With the main focus on curcumin and selenium, we have reviewed their underlying protective mechanisms in different animals along with their extraction and production methods for feed applications.
Topics: Aflatoxin B1; Animals; Curcumin; Diet; Livestock; Protective Agents; Selenium
PubMed: 29301315
DOI: 10.3390/toxins10010025 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2019Amphibian skin is not to be considered a mere tegument; it has a multitude of functions related to respiration, osmoregulation, and thermoregulation, thus allowing the... (Review)
Review
Amphibian skin is not to be considered a mere tegument; it has a multitude of functions related to respiration, osmoregulation, and thermoregulation, thus allowing the individuals to survive and thrive in the terrestrial environment. Moreover, amphibian skin secretions are enriched with several peptides, which defend the skin from environmental and pathogenic insults and exert many other biological effects. In this work, the beneficial effects of amphibian skin peptides are reviewed, in particular their role in speeding up wound healing and in protection from oxidative stress and UV irradiation. A better understanding of why some species seem to resist several environmental insults can help to limit the ongoing amphibian decline through the development of appropriate strategies, particularly against pathologies such as viral and fungal infections.
Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Amphibians; Animals; Antioxidants; Exocrine Glands; Free Radical Scavengers; Humans; Peptides; Protective Agents; Skin; Ultraviolet Rays; Wound Healing
PubMed: 30669405
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24020347 -
Current Opinion in Pharmacology Apr 2017Both morbidity and mortality as a result of cardiovascular disease remain significant worldwide and account for approximately 31% of annual deaths in the US. Current... (Review)
Review
Both morbidity and mortality as a result of cardiovascular disease remain significant worldwide and account for approximately 31% of annual deaths in the US. Current research is focused on novel therapeutic strategies to protect the heart during and after ischemic events and from subsequent adverse myocardial remodeling. After cardiac insult, the immune system is activated and plays an essential role in the beginning, development, and resolution of the healing cascade. Uncontrolled inflammatory responses can cause chronic disease and exacerbate progression to heart failure and therefore, constitute a major area of focus of cardiac therapies. In the present overview, we share novel insights and promising therapeutic cardioprotective strategies that target the immune response.
Topics: Animals; Cardiotonic Agents; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Immune System; Protective Agents
PubMed: 28388508
DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2017.03.002 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2019is a popular medicinal mushroom that is widely used in China, Korea, Japan, and other Asian countries. . linteus comprises various bioactive components, such as... (Review)
Review
is a popular medicinal mushroom that is widely used in China, Korea, Japan, and other Asian countries. . linteus comprises various bioactive components, such as polysaccharides, triterpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and furans, and has proven to be an effective therapeutic agent in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment and the prevention of various diseases. A number of studies have reported that . linteus possesses many biological activities useful for pharmacological applications, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidative, and antifungal activities, as well as antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects. This review article briefly presents the recent progress made in understanding the bioactive components, biological activities, pharmacological applications, safety, and prospects of . linteus, and provides helpful references and promising directions for further studies of . linteus.
Topics: Agaricales; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Basidiomycota; Biological Products; Fungal Polysaccharides; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Molecular Structure; Propanols; Protective Agents; Terpenes
PubMed: 31100959
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24101888 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2022Foods rich in antioxidants such as lycopene have a major role in maintaining cardiac health. Lycopene, 80% of which can be obtained by consuming a common vegetable such... (Review)
Review
Foods rich in antioxidants such as lycopene have a major role in maintaining cardiac health. Lycopene, 80% of which can be obtained by consuming a common vegetable such as tomato, can prevent the disturbances that contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The present work begins with a brief introduction to CVD and lycopene and its various properties such as bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, etc. In this review, the potential cardio-protective effects of lycopene that reduce the progression of CVD and thrombotic complications are detailed. Further, the protective effects of lycopene including in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials conducted on lycopene for CVD protective effects are explained. Finally, the controversial aspect of lycopene as a protective agent against CVD and toxicity are also mentioned.
Topics: Antioxidants; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotenoids; Heart Disease Risk Factors; Humans; Lycopene; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35630709
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103235 -
Life Sciences May 2018Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by the progressive loss of lung function due to tissue scarring. A variety of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic... (Review)
Review
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by the progressive loss of lung function due to tissue scarring. A variety of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic factors including interleukin‑17A, transforming growth factor β, Wnt/β‑catenin, vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factors, endotelin‑1, renin angiotensin system and impaired caveolin‑1 function are involved in the IPF pathogenesis. Current therapies for IPF have some limitations and this highlights the need for effective therapeutic agents to treat this fatal disease. Melatonin and its metabolites are broad-spectrum antioxidants that not only remove reactive oxygen and nitrogen species by radical scavenging but also up-regulate the expression and activity of endogenous antioxidants. Via these actions, melatonin and its metabolites modulate a variety of molecular pathways in different pathophysiological conditions. Herein, we review the signaling pathways involved in the pathophysiology of IPF and the potentially protective effects of melatonin on these pathways.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Humans; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis; Melatonin; Protective Agents; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 29567077
DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.03.032 -
Journal of Cancer Research and... 2016The use of compounds which can selectively protect normal tissues against radiation injury is of immense use because in addition to it protecting the normal tissue, will... (Review)
Review
The use of compounds which can selectively protect normal tissues against radiation injury is of immense use because in addition to it protecting the normal tissue, will also permits use of higher doses of radiation to obtain better cancer control and possible cure. However, most of the radio protective compounds investigated possess inadequate clinical application principally due to their inherent systemic toxicity at their optimal protective concentrations. Plants commonly used as medicinal and dietary agents have recently been the focus of attention and studies have shown that Ocimum sanctum Linn. commonly known as the Holy Basil and its water soluble flavonoids, orientin and vicenin protects experimental animals against the radiation-induced sickness and mortality at nontoxic concentrations. Studies with tumor bearing mice have also shown that both Tulsi extract and its flavonoids selectively protect the normal tissues against the tumoricidal effects of radiation. Preclinical studies have also shown that the aqueous extract of the Tulsi leaves; its flavanoids orientin and vicenin, and eugenol, the principal nonpolar constituent present in Tulsi prevent radiation-induced clastogenesis. Mechanistic studies have indicated that free radical scavenging, antioxidant, metal chelating and anti-inflammatory effects may contribute toward the observed protection. In addition, clinical studies with a small number of patients have shown that Tulsi was effective as a radio protective agent. This review summarizes the results related to the radio protective properties of Tulsi and its phytochemicals and also emphasizes the aspects that warrant future research to establish its use as a radio protective agent.
Topics: Animals; Flavonoids; Humans; Medicine, Ayurvedic; Mice; Neoplasms; Ocimum sanctum; Plant Extracts; Plant Leaves; Radiation Injuries; Radiation-Protective Agents; Radiotherapy
PubMed: 27072205
DOI: 10.4103/0973-1482.151422