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International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023The growing popularity of the use of nutraceuticals in the prevention and alleviation of symptoms of many diseases in humans and dogs means that they are increasingly... (Review)
Review
The growing popularity of the use of nutraceuticals in the prevention and alleviation of symptoms of many diseases in humans and dogs means that they are increasingly the subject of research. A representative of the nutraceutical that deserves special attention is turmeric. Turmeric belongs to the family and is grown extensively in Asia. It is a plant used as a spice and food coloring, and it is also used in traditional medicine. The biologically active factors that give turmeric its unusual properties and color are curcuminoids. It is a group of substances that includes curcumin, de-methoxycurcumin, and bis-demethoxycurcumin. Curcumin is used as a yellow-orange food coloring. The most important pro-health effects observed after taking curcuminoids include anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to characterize turmeric and its main substance, curcumin, in terms of their properties, advantages, and disadvantages, based on literature data.
Topics: Humans; Dogs; Animals; Curcumin; Curcuma; Food Coloring Agents; Diarylheptanoids; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37834009
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914561 -
Bioresource Technology Feb 2024Diverse factors influence biogas production, such as material properties, testing conditions, reporting methods and other additional processing techniques. This... (Review)
Review
Diverse factors influence biogas production, such as material properties, testing conditions, reporting methods and other additional processing techniques. This complexity makes it difficult to compare biochemical methane potential (BMP) data, replicate experiments' results, and improve efficiencies associated with engineering applications. This study has taken preliminary attempts to build a sliced and structured BMP database, but optimizing the organization of data information and collecting more comprehensive and manually checked data information to cope with the increasing richness of the BMP test content. The first-generation BMP database contains 746 sets of data, covering 7 major substrate categories, including 187 key indicators and 26 supplementary indicators. It offers functions including data screening, comparing, uploading, and visual display of BMP data. The application of the database in comparing different types of substrates and additives is shown. In the future, the BMP database will be regularly upgraded to become more comprehensive.
Topics: Methane; Anaerobiosis; Biofuels
PubMed: 38013033
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130111 -
Journal of Nanobiotechnology Sep 2023Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths in humans, and effective treatments are still needed in clinical practice. Despite significant...
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths in humans, and effective treatments are still needed in clinical practice. Despite significant developments in anticancer drugs and inhibitors, their poor stability, water solubility, and cellular membrane permeability limit their therapeutic efficacy. To address these issues, multifunctional CaCO nanoparticles loaded with Curcumin (Cur) and protein deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor QTX125, and coated with hyaluronic acid (HA) (CaCO@Cur@QTX125@HA), were prepared through a one-step gas diffusion strategy. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that CaCO@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles have uniform spherical morphology and elemental distribution, with diameters around 450 nm and a Zeta potential of - 8.11 mV. The controlled release of Cur from the nanoparticles was observed over time periods of 48 h. Cellular uptake showed that CaCO@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles were efficiently taken up by cancer cells and significantly inhibited their growth. Importantly, CaCO@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles showed specific inhibitory effects on CRC cell growth. Encouragingly, CaCO@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles successfully internalized into CRC patient-derived organoid (PDO) models and induced apoptosis of tumor cells. The multifunctional CaCO@Cur@QTX125@HA nanoparticles hold promise for the treatment of CRC.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Hyaluronic Acid; Antineoplastic Agents; Nanoparticles; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 37773145
DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02104-w -
Current Opinion in Biotechnology Dec 2023A wide variety of wasted or underutilized organic feedstocks can be leveraged to build a sustainable bioeconomy, ranging from crop residues to food processor residues... (Review)
Review
A wide variety of wasted or underutilized organic feedstocks can be leveraged to build a sustainable bioeconomy, ranging from crop residues to food processor residues and municipal wastes. Leveraging these feedstocks is both high-risk and high-reward. Converting mixed, variable, and/or highly contaminated feedstocks can pose engineering and economic challenges. However, converting these materials to fuels and chemicals can divert waste from landfills, reduce fugitive methane emissions, and enable more responsible forest management to reduce the frequency and severity of wildfires. Historically, low-value components, including ash and lignin, are poised to become valuable coproducts capable of supplementing cement and valuable chemicals. Here, we evaluate the challenges and opportunities associated with converting a range of feedstocks to renewable fuels and chemicals.
Topics: Methane; Recycling; Waste Management; Renewable Energy
PubMed: 37935087
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103017 -
Current Opinion in Microbiology Jun 2024This review synthesizes recent discoveries of novel archaea clades capable of oxidizing higher alkanes, from volatile ones like ethane to longer-chain alkanes like... (Review)
Review
This review synthesizes recent discoveries of novel archaea clades capable of oxidizing higher alkanes, from volatile ones like ethane to longer-chain alkanes like hexadecane. These archaea, termed anaerobic multicarbon alkane-oxidizing archaea (ANKA), initiate alkane oxidation using alkyl-coenzyme M reductases, enzymes similar to the methyl-coenzyme M reductases of methanogenic and anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME). The polyphyletic alkane-oxidizing archaea group (ALOX), encompassing ANME and ANKA, harbors increasingly complex alkane degradation pathways, correlated with the alkane chain length. We discuss the evolutionary trajectory of these pathways emphasizing metabolic innovations and the acquisition of metabolic modules via lateral gene transfer. Additionally, we explore the mechanisms by which archaea couple alkane oxidation with the reduction of electron acceptors, including electron transfer to partner sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). The phylogenetic and functional constraints that shape ALOX-SRB associations are also discussed. We conclude by highlighting the research needs in this emerging research field and its potential applications in biotechnology.
Topics: Alkanes; Archaea; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidoreductases; Phylogeny; Electron Transport; Archaeal Proteins; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Bacteria
PubMed: 38733792
DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2024.102486 -
Zhurnal Nevrologii I Psikhiatrii Imeni... 2024N-Hexane is a solvent widely used in manufacturing as a cleaner, degreaser and component of rubber cement. Chronic exposure to -hexane either through contact with...
N-Hexane is a solvent widely used in manufacturing as a cleaner, degreaser and component of rubber cement. Chronic exposure to -hexane either through contact with unprotected skin or inhalation can lead to the development of clinical symptoms and electrophysiological changes similar to those of inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy which requires careful differential diagnosis. This article presents three cases of severe predominantly motor polyneuropathy with demyelinating features in 15- and 16-year-old adolescents. The results of laboratory tests were within normal limits; electroneuromyography revealed symmetrical involvement of sensory and motor fibers of the nerves of the legs and arms with a decrease in the speed of propagation of excitation and conduction blocks. Sural nerve biopsy revealed intraneural and perineural swelling without any signs of inflammation or fibrosis confirming the genesis of the neuropathy. Despite a relatively favorable prognosis there is no specific therapy for hexane poisoning and the recovery period can last up to several years.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Hexanes; Electromyography; Neural Conduction; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
PubMed: 38529872
DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2024124031120 -
Environmental Research Dec 2023Curcumin is a natural herb and polyphenol that is obtained from the medicinal plant Curcuma longa. It's anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-mutagenic,... (Review)
Review
Curcumin is a natural herb and polyphenol that is obtained from the medicinal plant Curcuma longa. It's anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-mutagenic, antioxidant and antifungal properties can be leveraged to treat a myriad of oral and systemic diseases. However, natural curcumin has weak solubility, limited bioavailability and undergoes rapid degradation, which severely limits its therapeutic potential. To overcome these drawbacks, nanocurcumin (nCur) formulations have been developed for improved biomaterial delivery and enhanced treatment outcomes. This novel biomaterial holds tremendous promise for the treatment of various oral diseases, the majority of which are caused by dental biofilm. These include dental caries, periodontal disease, root canal infection and peri-implant diseases, as well as other non-biofilm mediated oral diseases such as oral cancer and oral lichen planus. A number of in-vitro studies have demonstrated the antibacterial efficacy of nCur in various formulations against common oral pathogens such as S. mutans, P. gingivalis and E. faecalis, which are strongly associated with dental caries, periodontitis and root canal infection, respectively. In addition, some clinical studies were suggestive of the notion that nCur can indeed enhance the clinical outcomes of oral diseases such as periodontitis and oral lichen planus, but the level of evidence was very low due to the small number of studies and the methodological limitations of the available studies. The versatility of nCur to treat a diverse range of oral diseases augurs well for its future in dentistry, as reflected by rapid pace in which studies pertaining to this topic are published in the scientific literature. In order to keep abreast of the latest development of nCur in dentistry, this narrative review was undertaken. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a contemporaneous update of the chemistry, properties, mechanism of action, and scientific evidence behind the usage of nCur in dentistry.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Biocompatible Materials; Lichen Planus, Oral; Dental Caries; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Periodontitis; Dentistry
PubMed: 37717805
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116971 -
Phytotherapy Research : PTR Dec 2023Cancer is the world's second leading cause of mortality and one of the major public health problems. Cancer incidence and mortality rates remain high despite the great... (Review)
Review
Cancer is the world's second leading cause of mortality and one of the major public health problems. Cancer incidence and mortality rates remain high despite the great advancements in existing therapeutic, diagnostic, and preventive approaches. Therefore, a quest for less toxic and more efficient anti-cancer strategies is still at the forefront of the current research. Traditionally important, curcumin commonly known as a wonder molecule has received considerable attention as an anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant candidate. However, limited water solubility and low bioavailability restrict its extensive utility in different pathological states. The investigators are making consistent efforts to develop newer strategies to overcome its limitations by designing different analogues with better pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. The present review highlights the recent updates on curcumin and its analogues with special emphasis on various mechanistic pathways involved in anti-cancer activity. In addition, the structure-activity relationship of curcumin analogues has also been precisely discussed. This article will also provide key information for the design and development of newer curcumin analogues with desired pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles and will provide in depth understanding of molecular pathways involved in the anti-cancer activities.
Topics: Humans; Curcumin; Antineoplastic Agents; Neoplasms; Structure-Activity Relationship; Biological Availability; Anti-Inflammatory Agents
PubMed: 37649266
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7983 -
Pharmacological Research Nov 2023Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) is an increasingly significant global public health concern. It encompasses the coexistence of multiple cardiometabolic diseases,... (Review)
Review
Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) is an increasingly significant global public health concern. It encompasses the coexistence of multiple cardiometabolic diseases, including hypertension, stroke, heart disease, atherosclerosis, and T2DM. A crucial component to the development of CMM is the disruption of endothelial homeostasis. Therefore, therapies targeting endothelial cells through multi-targeted and multi-pathway approaches hold promise for preventing and treatment of CMM. Curcumin, a widely used dietary supplement derived from the golden spice Carcuma longa, has demonstrated remarkable potential in treatment of CMM through its interaction with endothelial cells. Numerous studies have identified various molecular targets of curcumin (such as NF-κB/PI3K/AKT, MAPK/NF-κB/IL-1β, HO-1, NOs, VEGF, ICAM-1 and ROS). These findings highlight the efficacy of curcumin as a therapeutic agent against CMM through the regulation of endothelial function. It is worth noting that there is a close relationship between the progression of CMM and endothelial damage, characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation, abnormal NO bioavailability and cell adhesion. This paper provides a comprehensive review of curcumin, including its availability, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutics, and therapeutic application in treatment of CMM, as well as the challenges and future prospects for its clinical translation. In summary, curcumin shows promise as a potential treatment option for CMM, particularly due to its ability to target endothelial cells. It represents a novel and natural lead compound that may offer significant therapeutic benefits in the management of CMM.
Topics: Humans; Endothelial Cells; Curcumin; Multimorbidity; NF-kappa B; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; Spices; Atherosclerosis
PubMed: 37804925
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106953 -
Bioresource Technology Sep 2023Pretreatment of waste before anaerobic digestion (AD) has been extensively studied during the last decades. One of the biological pretreatments studied is the... (Review)
Review
Pretreatment of waste before anaerobic digestion (AD) has been extensively studied during the last decades. One of the biological pretreatments studied is the microaeration. This review examines this process, including parameters and applications to different substrates at the lab, pilot and industrial scales, to guide further improvement in large-scale applications. The underlying mechanisms of accelerating hydrolysis and its effects on microbial diversity and enzymatic production were reviewed. In addition, modelling of the process and energetic and financial analysis is presented, showing that microaerobic pretreatment is commercially attractive under certain conditions. Finally, challenges and future perspectives were also highlighted to promote the development of microaeration as a pretreatment before AD.
Topics: Bioreactors; Anaerobiosis; Methane; Hydrolysis; Sewage
PubMed: 37268090
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129249