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Progress in Lipid Research Jul 2020In this review, steroids with a tertiary butyl group, which are usually called neo steroids, are a small group of natural lipids isolated from higher plants, fungi,... (Review)
Review
In this review, steroids with a tertiary butyl group, which are usually called neo steroids, are a small group of natural lipids isolated from higher plants, fungi, marine sponges, and yeast. In addition, steroids with a tertiary butyl group have been synthesized in some laboratories in Canada, USA, Europe, and Japan and their biological activity was studied. Some natural neo steroids demonstrate antitumor or hepatoprotective activities. In addition, synthetic neo steroids exhibit anticancer and neuroprotective properties. However, to confirm the above data, both practical and clinical experimental studies are necessary. Nevertheless, the results may be useful for pharmacologists, chemists, biochemists, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Biological Products; Humans; Liver; Molecular Structure; Neoplasms; Protective Agents; Steroids
PubMed: 32603672
DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2020.101048 -
Biomolecules Dec 2019Biotic stress causes immense damage to agricultural products worldwide and raises the risk of hunger in many areas. Plants themselves tolerate biotic stresses via... (Review)
Review
Biotic stress causes immense damage to agricultural products worldwide and raises the risk of hunger in many areas. Plants themselves tolerate biotic stresses via several pathways, including pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), which trigger immunity and plant resistance (R) proteins. On the other hand, humans use several non-ecofriendly methods to control biotic stresses, such as chemical applications. Compared with chemical control, melatonin is an ecofriendly compound that is an economical alternative strategy which can be used to protect animals and plants from attacks via pathogens. In plants, the bactericidal capacity of melatonin was verified against , as well as multidrug-resistant Gram-negative and -positive bacteria under in vitro conditions. Regarding plant-bacteria interaction, melatonin has presented effective antibacterial activities against phytobacterial pathogens. In plant-fungi interaction models, melatonin was found to play a key role in plant resistance to , to increase fungicide susceptibility, and to reduce the stress tolerance of . In plant-virus interaction models, melatonin not only efficiently eradicated apple stem grooving virus (ASGV) from apple shoots in vitro (making it useful for the production of virus-free plants) but also reduced tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) viral RNA and virus concentration in infected and seedlings. Indeed, melatonin has unique advantages in plant growth regulation and increasing plant resistance effectiveness against different forms of biotic and abiotic stress. Although considerable work has been done regarding the role of melatonin in plant tolerance to abiotic stresses, its role in biotic stress remains unclear and requires clarification. In our review, we summarize the work that has been accomplished so far; highlight melatonin's function in plant tolerance to pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi; and determine the direction required for future studies on this topic.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Flexiviridae; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Melatonin; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Phytophthora infestans; Protective Agents; Stress, Physiological
PubMed: 31905696
DOI: 10.3390/biom10010054 -
European Review For Medical and... Dec 2021Quercetin (Qct) is a flavonoid that belongs to the group of the most bioactive polyphenolic compounds. It is abundantly found in our diet, and it has many beneficial... (Review)
Review
Quercetin (Qct) is a flavonoid that belongs to the group of the most bioactive polyphenolic compounds. It is abundantly found in our diet, and it has many beneficial effects on human health because of its potent antioxidant properties. Qct has shown cardioprotective effects against doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, and lindane and nephroprotective effects against methotrexate, doxorubicin, gentamicin, valproic acid, cadmium, potassium dichromate, fluoride, mercury chloride, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, and gold nanoparticles. In the current review, we discussed the molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in the cardio- and nephroprotective effects of Qct. The main purpose of this review was to identify the cardio- and the nephroprotective mechanisms of Qct against several drugs and chemicals to encourage further studies to investigate the potential protective effect of Qct.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Cardiotonic Agents; Cardiotoxicity; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Metal Nanoparticles; Protective Agents; Quercetin
PubMed: 34919245
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202112_27440 -
Molecular Medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) Mar 2022Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is a more severe form of ALI, are life-threatening clinical syndromes observed in critically ill... (Review)
Review
Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is a more severe form of ALI, are life-threatening clinical syndromes observed in critically ill patients. Treatment methods to alleviate the pathogenesis of ALI have improved to a great extent at present. Although the efficacy of these therapies is limited, their relevance has increased remarkably with the ongoing pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which causes severe respiratory distress syndrome. Several studies have demonstrated the preventive and therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogen in the various diseases. The biological effects of molecular hydrogen mainly involve anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and autophagy and cell death modulation. This review focuses on the potential therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogen on ALI and its underlying mechanisms and aims to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of ALI and COVID-19.
Topics: Acute Lung Injury; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Humans; Hydrogen; Protective Agents; Sepsis; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 35240982
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00455-y -
International Journal of Biological... Dec 2019Chronic hepatic injury caused by hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infection, high fat diet and alcohol intake has increased to be the critical promoter of... (Review)
Review
Chronic hepatic injury caused by hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infection, high fat diet and alcohol intake has increased to be the critical promoter of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These high risk factors set into motion a vicious cycle of hepatocyte death, inflammation and fibrosis that finally results in cirrhosis and HCC after several decades. However, the treatment options for HCC are very limited. Therefore, early treatment of liver injury may reduce the incidence and probability of HCC or delay the progression of HCC. Substantial ongoing research has focused on nontoxic biological macromolecules, mainly polysaccharides, which possess prominent efficacies on hepatoprotective activity. Based on these encouraging observations, a great deal of effort has been devoted to discovering novel polysaccharides for the development of effective therapeutics for hepatic injury. This review focuses on the protective effects of polysaccharides on liver injury, including hepatitis virus infection, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and other hepatic injuries, and describes the underlying mechanisms.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Disease Susceptibility; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Diseases; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Polysaccharides; Protective Agents
PubMed: 31487518
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.09.002 -
Food & Function Jan 2022Aging is frequently accompanied by various types of physiological deterioration, which increases the risk of human pathologies. Global public health efforts to increase... (Review)
Review
Aging is frequently accompanied by various types of physiological deterioration, which increases the risk of human pathologies. Global public health efforts to increase human lifespan have increasingly focused on lowering the risk of aging-related diseases, such as diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, and cancers. Dietary intervention is a promising approach to maintaining human health during aging. Lactoferrin (LF) is known for its physiologically pleiotropic properties. Anti-aging interventions of LF have proven to be safe and effective for various pharmacological activities, such as anti-oxidation, anti-cellular senescence, anti-inflammation, and anti-carcinogenic. Moreover, LF has a pivotal role in modulating the major signaling pathways that influence the longevity of organisms. Thus, LF is expected to be able to attenuate the process of aging and greatly ameliorate its effects.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Humans; Lactoferrin; Mice; Models, Biological; Protective Agents
PubMed: 34928288
DOI: 10.1039/d1fo02750f -
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety Nov 2019: A radiation countermeasure that can be used prior to radiation exposure to protect the population from the harmful effects of radiation exposure remains a major unmet... (Review)
Review
: A radiation countermeasure that can be used prior to radiation exposure to protect the population from the harmful effects of radiation exposure remains a major unmet medical need and is recognized as an important area for research. Despite substantial advances in the research and development for finding nontoxic, safe, and effective prophylactic countermeasures for the acute radiation syndrome (ARS), no such agent has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). : Despite the progress made to improve the effectiveness of amifostine as a radioprotector for ARS, none of the strategies have resolved the issue of its toxicity/side effects. Thus, the FDA has approved amifostine for limited clinical indications, but not for non-clinical uses. This article reviews recent strategies and progress that have been made to move forward this potentially useful countermeasure for ARS. : Although the recent investigations have been promising for fielding safe and effective radiation countermeasures, additional work is needed to improve and advance drug design and delivery strategies to get FDA approval for broadened, non-clinical use of amifostine during a radiological/nuclear scenario.
Topics: Acute Radiation Syndrome; Amifostine; Animals; Drug Approval; Drug Design; Humans; Radiation-Protective Agents; United States; United States Food and Drug Administration
PubMed: 31526195
DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2019.1666104 -
Journal of Cellular Physiology Oct 2020Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are earmarked as perfect candidates for cell therapy and tissue engineering due to their capacity to differentiate into different cell... (Review)
Review
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are earmarked as perfect candidates for cell therapy and tissue engineering due to their capacity to differentiate into different cell types. However, their potential for application in regenerative medicine declines when the levels of the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) increase from the physiological levels, a phenomenon which is at least inevitable in ex vivo cultures and air-exposed damaged tissues. Increased levels of RONS can alter the patterns of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation and inhibit proliferation, as well. Besides, oxidative stress enhances senescence and cell death, thus lowering the success rates of the MSC engraftment. Hence, in this review, we have selected some representatives of antioxidants and newly emerged nano antioxidants in three main categories, including chemical compounds, biometabolites, and protein precursors/proteins, which are proved to be effective in the treatment of MSCs. We will focus on how antioxidants can be applied to optimize the clinical usage of the MSCs and their associated signaling pathways. We have also reviewed several paralleled properties of some antioxidants and nano antioxidants which can be simultaneously used in real-time imaging, scaffolding techniques, and other applications in addition to their primary antioxidative function.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Oxidative Stress; Protective Agents; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 32239727
DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29660 -
Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2020Ginseng is a traditional medicine with a complex chemical composition, wide bioactivity and unique pharmacological action. Many studies have confirmed that ginsenosides... (Review)
Review
Ginseng is a traditional medicine with a complex chemical composition, wide bioactivity and unique pharmacological action. Many studies have confirmed that ginsenosides are the active ingredients of ginseng, and ginsenosides have always been the focus of different researchers. With the development of modern separation and analysis technology, more than 150 kinds of ginsenosides have been isolated. The ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rg1 and Re account for more than 80% of total ginsenosides, and other saponins, such as Rd, Rg3 and Rh2, which are minor constituents, accounting for only a small portion of the total amount. In recent years, ginsenosides have been found to possess strong pharmacological activities, such as antioxidation, clearing of oxygen free radicals, reducing calcium overload and anti-apoptosis. Ginsenosides play a protective role in ischemia-reperfusion injury. This paper reviews the protective effects of ginsenosides on myocardial ischemia and ischemiareperfusion injury.
Topics: Animals; Ginsenosides; Humans; Molecular Conformation; Myocardial Ischemia; Protective Agents; Reperfusion Injury
PubMed: 32560603
DOI: 10.2174/1389557520666200619115444 -
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