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Australian Family Physician Jun 2016Recent media coverage has raised public awareness regarding the safety of sunscreens containing zinc (ZnO) and titanium (TiO2) nanoparticles. In Australia, the rates of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Recent media coverage has raised public awareness regarding the safety of sunscreens containing zinc (ZnO) and titanium (TiO2) nanoparticles. In Australia, the rates of skin cancer are among the highest in the world, and sunscreen is a commonly used protective agent against harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. General practitioners (GPs) commonly manage skin cancer and may be faced with questions from patients regarding the safety of sunscreens.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to explain the role of nanoparticles in sunscreen, clarify the results of the literature regarding safety, and provide GPs with knowledge to assist in sun-safety discussion with patients.
DISCUSSION
Current evidence suggests that the likelihood of harm from the use of sunscreens containing nanoparticles is low; however, further research into this area is required. Sunscreens have been proven to reduce rates of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers; hence, their use in prevention should be encouraged.
Topics: General Practice; Humans; Metal Nanoparticles; Skin Neoplasms; Sunscreening Agents; Titanium; Zinc Oxide
PubMed: 27622230
DOI: No ID Found -
Annals of the New York Academy of... Jun 2016The vesicating agents sulfur mustard (SM) and lewisite (LEW) are potent chemical warfare agents that primarily cause damage to the ocular, skin, and respiratory systems.... (Review)
Review
The vesicating agents sulfur mustard (SM) and lewisite (LEW) are potent chemical warfare agents that primarily cause damage to the ocular, skin, and respiratory systems. However, ocular tissue is the most sensitive organ, and vesicant exposure results in a biphasic injury response, including photophobia, corneal lesions, corneal edema, ulceration, and neovascularization, and may cause loss of vision. There are several reports on ocular injury from exposure to SM, which has been frequently used in warfare. However, there are very few reports on ocular injury by LEW, which indicate that injury symptoms appear instantly after exposure and faster than SM. In spite of extensive research efforts, effective therapies for vesicant-induced ocular injuries, mainly to the most affected corneal tissue, are not available. Hence, we have established primary human corneal epithelial cells and rabbit corneal organ culture models with the SM analog nitrogen mustard, which have helped to test the efficacy of potential therapeutic agents. These agents will then be further evaluated against in vivo SM- and LEW-induced corneal injury models, which will assist in the development of potential broad-spectrum therapies against vesicant-induced ocular injuries.
Topics: Animals; Cornea; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Irritants; Protective Agents
PubMed: 27327041
DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13121 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Sep 2019NAFLD is a vital health problem worldwide; however, no effective treatment is currently available for NAFLD. Intensive studies have indicated the efficacy of genistein... (Review)
Review
NAFLD is a vital health problem worldwide; however, no effective treatment is currently available for NAFLD. Intensive studies have indicated the efficacy of genistein (GE), a bioactive isoflavone extracted from soy, in treating NAFLD. In addition to its oestrogen-like effects, GE is known to have multiple molecular effects, for instance, lipid and glucose metabolism-promoting effects and activities against lipid peroxidation, inflammation, fibrosis, and NAFLD-related tumours. Here, this review summarizes the potential role of GE in the treatment and prevention of NAFLD and some of the currently known targets and signalling pathways of GE in NAFLD.
Topics: Animals; Carcinogenesis; Clinical Trials as Topic; Genistein; Humans; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Protective Agents
PubMed: 31176163
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109047 -
Caries Research 2015The effectiveness of fluoride in caries prevention has been convincingly proven. In recent years, researchers have investigated the preventive effects of different... (Review)
Review
The effectiveness of fluoride in caries prevention has been convincingly proven. In recent years, researchers have investigated the preventive effects of different fluoride formulations on erosive tooth wear with positive results, but their action on caries and erosion prevention must be based on different requirements, because there is no sheltered area in the erosive process as there is in the subsurface carious lesions. Thus, any protective mechanism from fluoride concerning erosion is limited to the surface or the near surface layer of enamel. However, reports on other protective agents show superior preventive results. The mechanism of action of tin-containing products is related to tin deposition onto the tooth surface, as well as the incorporation of tin into the near-surface layer of enamel. These tin-rich deposits are less susceptible to dissolution and may result in enhanced protection of the underlying tooth. Titanium tetrafluoride forms a protective layer on the tooth surface. It is believed that this layer is made up of hydrated hydrogen titanium phosphate. Products containing phosphates and/or proteins may adsorb either to the pellicle, rendering it more protective against demineralization, or directly to the dental hard tissue, probably competing with H(+) at specific sites on the tooth surface. Other substances may further enhance precipitation of calcium phosphates on the enamel surface, protecting it from additional acid impacts. Hence, the future of fluoride alone in erosion prevention looks grim, but the combination of fluoride with protective agents, such as polyvalent metal ions and some polymers, has much brighter prospects.
Topics: Cariostatic Agents; Dental Enamel Solubility; Fluorides; Humans; Phosphates; Protective Agents; Protons; Tin Compounds; Tooth Erosion
PubMed: 25871415
DOI: 10.1159/000380886 -
International Journal of Biological... 2019Sepsis is a syndrome comprised of a series of life-threatening organ dysfunctions caused by a maladjusted body response to infection with no effective treatment.... (Review)
Review
Sepsis is a syndrome comprised of a series of life-threatening organ dysfunctions caused by a maladjusted body response to infection with no effective treatment. Molecular hydrogen is a new type of antioxidant with strong free radical scavenging ability, which has been demonstrated to be effective for treating various diseases, such as infection, trauma, poisoning, organ ischemia-reperfusion, metabolic diseases, and tumors. Molecular hydrogen exerts multiple biological effects involving anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis, anti-shock, and autophagy regulation, which may attenuate the organ and barrier damage caused by sepsis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive, but are likely related to the signaling pathways involved. This review focuses on the research progress and potential mechanisms of molecular hydrogen against sepsis to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Hydrogen; Liver; Protective Agents; Sepsis; Shock
PubMed: 31223285
DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.30741 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2016The genus Fagopyrum (Polygonaceae), currently comprising 15 species of plants, includes three important buckwheat species: Fagopyrum esculentum (F. esculentum) Moench.... (Review)
Review
The genus Fagopyrum (Polygonaceae), currently comprising 15 species of plants, includes three important buckwheat species: Fagopyrum esculentum (F. esculentum) Moench. (common buckwheat), Fagopyrum tataricum (F. tataricum) (L.) Gaertn. (tartary buckwheat) and Fagopyrum dibotrys (F. dibotrys) (D. Don) Hara. (perennial buckwheat), which have been well explored due to their long tradition of both edible and medicinal use. This review aimed to present an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis of the phytochemistry and pharmacology of the three Fagopyrum buckwheats. In addition, the scope for future research was also discussed. All available references included in this paper were compiled from major databases, such as MEDLINE, Pubmed, Scholar, Elsevier, Springer, Wiley and CNKI. A total of 106 compounds isolated from three Fagopyrum buckwheats can be mainly divided into six classes: flavonoids, phenolics, fagopyritols, triterpenoids, steroids and fatty acids. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds were considered to be the major active components. Considerable pharmacological experiments both in vitro and in vivo have validated that Fagopyrum buckwheats possess antitumor, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic activities, etc. All reported data lead us to conclude that Fagopyrum buckwheats have convincing medicinal potential. However, further research is needed to explore its bioactive constituents, the relationship to their structural activities and the molecular mechanisms of action.
Topics: Anti-Allergic Agents; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Antioxidants; Fagopyrum; Fatigue; Hypoglycemic Agents; Phytochemicals; Protective Agents
PubMed: 27104519
DOI: 10.3390/ijms17040589 -
Chemical Communications (Cambridge,... Oct 2014Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a newly recognized signaling molecule with very potent cytoprotective actions. The fields of H2S physiology and pharmacology have been rapidly... (Review)
Review
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a newly recognized signaling molecule with very potent cytoprotective actions. The fields of H2S physiology and pharmacology have been rapidly growing in recent years, but a number of fundamental issues must be addressed to advance our understanding of the biology and clinical potential of H2S in the future. Hydrogen sulfide releasing agents (also known as H2S donors) have been widely used in these fields. These compounds are not only useful research tools, but also potential therapeutic agents. It is therefore important to study the chemistry and pharmacology of exogenous H2S and to be aware of the limitations associated with the choice of donors used to generate H2S in vitro and in vivo. In this review we summarized the developments and limitations of currently available donors including H2S gas, sulfide salts, garlic-derived sulfur compounds, Lawesson's reagent/analogs, 1,2-dithiole-3-thiones, thiol-activated donors, photo-caged donors, and thioamino acids. Some biological applications of these donors were also discussed.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Drug Liberation; Garlic; Humans; Hydrogen Sulfide; Organothiophosphorus Compounds; Protective Agents; Sulfur Compounds
PubMed: 25019301
DOI: 10.1039/c4cc00968a -
Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry :... 2017HSPB6(Heat shock protein B6), is also referred to as P20/HSP20. Unlike other many other members of sHSP(small Heat shock protein) family, which tend to form... (Review)
Review
HSPB6(Heat shock protein B6), is also referred to as P20/HSP20. Unlike other many other members of sHSP(small Heat shock protein) family, which tend to form high-molecular-mass oligomers, in solution, human HSPB6 only forms dimers. However, it still exhibits chaperon-like activity comparable with that of HSPB5. It is expressed ubiquitously, with high and constitutive expression in muscular tissues. sHSPs characteristically function as molecular chaperones and HSPB6 also has a molecular chaperone activity. HSPB6 is up-regulated in response to diverse cellular stress or damage and protect cells from otherwise lethal conditions. HSPB6 is widely recognized as a principle mediator of cardioprotective signaling and recent studies have unraveled the protective role of HSPB6 in disease or injury to the central nervous system. Moreover, accumulating evidence has implicated HSPB6 as a key mediator of diverse vital physiological processes, such as smooth muscle relaxation, platelet aggregation. The versatility of HSPB6 can be explained by its direct involvement in regulating different client proteins and its ability to form heterooligomer with other sHSPs, which seems to be dependent on HSPB6 phosphorylation. This review focuses on the properties including expression and regulation pattern, phosphorylation, chaperon activity, multiple cellular targets of HSPB6, as well as its possible role in physical and pathological conditions.
Topics: Animals; Cardiotonic Agents; Cytoplasm; HSP20 Heat-Shock Proteins; Humans; Molecular Chaperones; Muscle, Smooth; Neoplasms; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Platelet Aggregation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational
PubMed: 29132139
DOI: 10.1159/000484889 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2016
Topics: Humans; Ion Channels; Liver; Liver Diseases; Oxidative Stress; Protective Agents; Reactive Oxygen Species
PubMed: 27092207
DOI: 10.1155/2016/9037051 -
Nutrients Feb 2019Mulberry plants belonging to the Moraceae family have been grown for the purpose of being the nutrient source for silk worm and raw materials for the preparation of... (Review)
Review
Mulberry plants belonging to the Moraceae family have been grown for the purpose of being the nutrient source for silk worm and raw materials for the preparation of jams, marmalades, vinegars, juices, wines, and cosmetics. L. (black mulberry) is native to Southwestern Asia, and it has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for animals and humans. In this article, recent research progress on various biological and pharmacological properties of extracts, fractions, and isolated active constituents from different parts of are reviewed. exhibited a wide-spectrum of biological and pharmacological therapeutic effects including antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-melanogenic, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anticancer activities. also showed protective effects against various human organs and systems, mainly based on its antioxidant capacity. These findings strongly suggest that can be used as a promising nutraceutical resource to control and prevent various chronic diseases.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Morus; Plant Preparations; Plants, Medicinal; Protective Agents
PubMed: 30791521
DOI: 10.3390/nu11020437