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International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024Correct nutrition and diet are directly correlated with mental health, functions of the immune system, and gut microbiota composition. Diets with a high content of some...
Correct nutrition and diet are directly correlated with mental health, functions of the immune system, and gut microbiota composition. Diets with a high content of some nutrients, such as fibers, phytochemicals, and short-chain fatty acids (omega-3 fatty acids), seem to have an anti-inflammatory and protective action on the nervous system. Among nutraceuticals, supplementation of probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids plays a role in improving symptoms of several mental disorders. In this review, we collect data on the efficacy of nutraceuticals in patients with schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, major depression, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. This narrative review aims to provide an overview of recent evidence obtained on this topic, pointing out the direction for future research.
Topics: Humans; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Mental Disorders; Probiotics
PubMed: 38732043
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094824 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024A robust, well-functioning immune system is the cornerstone of good health. Various factors may influence the immune system's effectiveness, potentially leading to... (Review)
Review
A robust, well-functioning immune system is the cornerstone of good health. Various factors may influence the immune system's effectiveness, potentially leading to immune system failure. This review aims to provide an overview of the structure and action of immunomodulators isolated from African medicinal plants. The research was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Full-text access research articles published in English up to December 2023, including plant characteristics, isolated phytochemicals, and immuno-modulatory activities, were screened. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were generated using ChemDraw (version 12.0.1076), and convergent and distinctive signaling pathways were highlighted. These phytochemicals with demonstrated immunostimulatory activity include alkaloids (berberine, piperine, magnoflorine), polysaccharides (pectin, glucan, acemannan, CALB-4, GMP90-1), glycosides (syringin, cordifolioside, tinocordiside, aucubin), phenolic compounds (ferulic acid, vanillic acid, eupalitin), flavonoids (curcumin, centaurein, kaempferin, luteolin, guajaverin, etc.), terpenoids (oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, boswellic acids, corosolic acid, nimbidin, andrographolides). These discussed compounds exert their effects through various mechanisms, targeting the modulation of MAPKs, PI3K-Akt, and NF-kB. These mechanisms can support the traditional use of medicinal plants to treat immune-related diseases. The outcomes of this overview are to provoke structural action optimization, to orient research on particular natural chemicals for managing inflammatory, infectious diseases and cancers, or to boost vaccine immunogenicity.
Topics: Plants, Medicinal; Phytochemicals; Humans; Plant Extracts; Immunomodulating Agents; Immunologic Factors; Africa; Animals
PubMed: 38731500
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29092010 -
Current Cardiology Reviews Apr 2024Myocardial infarction (MI), also referred to as a "heart attack," is brought on by a partial or total interruption of blood supply to the myocardium. Myocardial...
BACKGROUND
Myocardial infarction (MI), also referred to as a "heart attack," is brought on by a partial or total interruption of blood supply to the myocardium. Myocardial infarction can be "silent," go undiagnosed, or it can be a catastrophic occurrence that results in hemodynamic decline and untimely death. In recent years, herbal remedies for MI have become effective, secure, and readily accessible.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review was to examine the medicinal plants and phytochemicals that have been used to treat MI in order to assess the potential contribution of natural substances to the development of herbal MI treatments.
METHODOLOGY
A literature search was employed to find information utilizing electronic databases, such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, Sci Finder, Reaxys, and Cochrane.
RESULTS
The identification of 140 plants from 12 families led to the abstraction of data on the plant families, parts of the plant employed, chemical contents, extracts, model used, and dose.
CONCLUSION
The majority of the MI plants, according to the data, belonged to the Fabaceae (11%) and Asteraceae (9%) families, and the most prevalent natural components in plants with MI were flavonoids (43%), glucosides (25%), alkaloids (23%), phenolic acid (19%), saponins (15%), and tannins (12%).
PubMed: 38685783
DOI: 10.2174/011573403X278881240405044328 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Aug 2024Bupleuri Radix (BR) has been recognized as an essential herbal medicine for relieving liver depression for thousands of years. Contemporary research has provided...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
Bupleuri Radix (BR) has been recognized as an essential herbal medicine for relieving liver depression for thousands of years. Contemporary research has provided compelling evidence of its pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, metabolic regulation, and anticancer properties, positioning it as a promising treatment option for various liver diseases. Hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer are among the prevalent and impactful liver diseases worldwide. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive systematic reviews that explore the prescription, bio-active components, and underlying mechanisms of BR in treating liver diseases.
AIM OF THE REVIEW
To summarize the BR classical Chinese medical prescription and ingredients in treating liver diseases and their mechanisms to inform reference for further development and research.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Literature in the last three decades of BR and its classical Chinese medical prescription and ingredients were collated and summarized by searching PubMed, Wiley, Springer, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, etc. RESULTS: BR and its classical prescriptions, such as Xiao Chai Hu decoction, Da Chai Hu decoction, Si Ni San, and Chai Hu Shu Gan San, have been utilized for centuries as effective therapies for liver diseases, including hepatitis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. BR is a rich source of active ingredients, such as saikosaponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, sterols, organic acids, and so on. These bioactive compounds exhibit a wide range of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and lipid metabolism regulation. However, it is important to acknowledge that BR and its constituents can also possess hepatotoxicity, which is associated with cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes and oxidative stress. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using BR in therapeutic applications to ensure the safe and appropriate utilization of its potential benefits while minimizing any potential risks.
CONCLUSIONS
To sum up, BR, its compounds, and its based traditional Chinese medicine are effective in liver diseases through multiple targets, multiple pathways, and multiple effects. Advances in pharmacological and toxicological investigations of BR and its bio-active components in the future will provide further contributions to the discovery of novel therapeutics for liver diseases.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Bupleurum; Chronic Disease; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Liver Diseases; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Phytochemicals; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38663781
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118244 -
Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi... Dec 2023Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is a plant species known for its rich pharmacological and phytochemical properties. This systematic review aims to...
Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is a plant species known for its rich pharmacological and phytochemical properties. This systematic review aims to comprehensively evaluate the potential of Madagascar periwinkle as a dietary supplement. A thorough search of relevant databases yielded studies focusing on the pharmacological activities and phytochemical constituents of Madagascar periwinkle. The review highlights the diverse pharmacological effects of Madagascar periwinkle, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, among others. Furthermore, the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolics, which contribute to its medicinal properties. Despite the promising findings, further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of action, safety profile, and potential interactions of Madagascar periwinkle as a dietary supplement. Overall, this systematic review provides valuable insights into the pharmacological and phytochemical profiles of Madagascar periwinkle, suggesting its potential as a natural dietary supplement with diverse health benefits.
Topics: Dietary Supplements; Phytochemicals; Catharanthus; Plant Extracts; Humans; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Flavonoids; Anti-Infective Agents; Hypoglycemic Agents; Madagascar
PubMed: 38651238
DOI: 10.62958/j.cjap.2023.002 -
Nutrition Reviews Apr 2024Over the past few years, there has been an increasing amount of scholarly literature suggesting a connection between the nutritional status of pregnant mothers and early...
CONTEXT
Over the past few years, there has been an increasing amount of scholarly literature suggesting a connection between the nutritional status of pregnant mothers and early fetal development, as well as the long-term health consequences of their offspring. Multiple studies have documented that alterations in dietary patterns prior to conception have the potential to affect the initial stages of embryonic development.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to perform a comprehensive review of the research pertaining to the correlation between phytochemicals ( specifically, polyphenols, carotenoids and phytoestrogens) and assisted reproductive technology (ART).
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Clinical Trials databases were searched from January 1978 to March 2023.
STUDY SELECTION
This study comprised observational, randomized controlled, and cohort studies that examined the effects of phytochemicals on ART results. The study's outcomes encompass live birth rate, clinical pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy.
DATA EXTRACTION
The assessment of study quality was conducted by 2 researchers, independently, using the Quality Criteria Checklist for Primary Research.
RESULTS
A total of 13 studies were included, of which there were 5 randomized controlled studies, 1 nonrandomized controlled study, 6 prospective cohort studies, and 1 retrospective cohort study.
CONCLUSION
This research focused on investigating the impact of phytochemicals on ART and has highlighted a dearth of articles addressing that topic. Collaboration among patients, physicians, and nutritionists is crucial for doing novel research.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023426332.
PubMed: 38641329
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae037 -
Phytochemistry Jun 2024Forsythiae Fructus (FF), the dried fruit of F. suspensa, is commonly used to treat fever, inflammation, etc in China or other Asian countries. FF is usually used as the... (Review)
Review
Forsythiae Fructus (FF), the dried fruit of F. suspensa, is commonly used to treat fever, inflammation, etc in China or other Asian countries. FF is usually used as the core herb in traditional Chinese medicine preparations for the treatment of influenza, such as Shuang-huang-lian oral liquid and Yin-qiao powder, etc. Since the wide application and core role of FF, its research progress was summarized in terms of traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, quality control, and toxicity. Meanwhile, the anti-influenza substances and mechanism of FF were emphasized. Till now, a total of 290 chemical components are identified in F. suspensa, and among them, 248 components were isolated and identified from FF, including 42 phenylethanoid glycosides, 48 lignans, 59 terpenoids, 14 flavonoids, 3 steroids, 24 cyclohexyl ethanol derivatives, 14 alkaloids, 26 organic acids, and 18 other types. FF and their pure compounds have the pharmacological activities of anti-virus, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, anti-bacteria, anti-tumor, neuroprotection, hepatoprotection, etc. Inhibition of TLR7, RIG-I, MAVS, NF-κB, MyD88 signaling pathway were the reported anti-influenza mechanisms of FF and phenylethanoid glycosides and lignans are the main active groups. However, the bioavailability of phenylethanoid glycosides and lignans of FF in vivo was low, which needed to be improved. Simultaneously, the un-elucidated compounds and anti-influenza substances of FF strongly needed to be explored. The current quality control of FF was only about forsythoside A and phillyrin, more active components should be taken into consideration. Moreover, there are no reports of toxicity of FF yet, but the toxicity of FF should be not neglected in clinical applications.
Topics: Forsythia; Quality Control; Humans; Fruit; Phytochemicals; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Animals; Molecular Structure
PubMed: 38641141
DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114096 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024(L.) Dunal is a medicinal plant belonging to the traditional Indian medical system, showing various therapeutic effects such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory,... (Review)
Review
(L.) Dunal is a medicinal plant belonging to the traditional Indian medical system, showing various therapeutic effects such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, and hepatoprotective activity. Of great interest is 's potential beneficial effect against neurodegenerative diseases, since the authorized medicinal treatments can only delay disease progression and provide symptomatic relief and are not without side effects. A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus databases was performed to identify preclinical and clinical studies focusing on the applications of in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Only English articles and those containing the keywords ( AND "neurodegenerative diseases", "neuroprotective effects", "Huntington", "Parkinson", "Alzheimer", "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis", "neurological disorders") in the title or abstract were considered. Reviews, editorials, letters, meta-analyses, conference papers, short surveys, and book chapters were not considered. Selected articles were grouped by pathologies and summarized, considering the mechanism of action. The quality assessment and the risk of bias were performed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions checklist. This review uses a systematic approach to summarize the results from 60 investigations to highlight the potential role of and its specialized metabolites in treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
PubMed: 38592845
DOI: 10.3390/plants13060771 -
American Journal of Cancer Research 2024Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, African countries have been faced with a rapid increase in morbidity and mortality due to this... (Review)
Review
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, African countries have been faced with a rapid increase in morbidity and mortality due to this pathology. Management is often complicated by the high treatment costs, side effects and the increasing occurrence of resistance to treatments. The identification of new active ingredients extracted from endemic medicinal plants is definitively an interesting approach for the implementation of new therapeutic strategies: their extraction is often lower cost; their identification is based on an ethnobotanical history and a tradipratic approach; their use by low-income populations is simpler; this can help in the development of new synthetic molecules that are more active, more effective and with fewer side effects. The objective of this review is to document the molecules derived from African medicinal plants whose anti-cancer activities and the mechanisms of molecular actions have been identified. From the scientific databases , PubMed and Google Scholar, we searched for publications on compounds isolated from African medicinal plants and having activity on cancer cells in culture. The data were analyzed in particular with regard to the cytotoxicity of the compounds and their mode of action. A total of 90 compounds of these African medicinal plants were selected. They come from nine chemical groups: alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, quinones, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, xanthones and organic sulfides. These compounds have been associated with several cellular effects: i) Cytotoxicity, including caspase activation, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential, and/or induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS); ii) Anti-angiogenesis; iii) Anti-metastatic properties. This review points out that the cited African plants are rich in active ingredients with anticancer properties. It also stresses that screening of these anti-tumor active ingredients should be continued at the continental scale. Altogether, this work provides a rational basis for the selection of phytochemical compounds for use in clinical trials.
PubMed: 38590420
DOI: 10.62347/AUHB5811 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2024Plants from the genus (Aizoaceae) have been traditionally used for millennia by the Khoe and Khoen people in southern Africa, as an appetite suppressant as well as a...
Plants from the genus (Aizoaceae) have been traditionally used for millennia by the Khoe and Khoen people in southern Africa, as an appetite suppressant as well as a mood elevator. In more recent times, this mood-elevating activity has been commercialised in the South African natural products industry for the treatment of anxiety and depression, with several products available both locally and abroad. Research on this species has seen rapid growth with advancements in analytical and pharmacological tools, in an effort to understand the composition and biological activity. The Web of Science (WoS) database was searched for articles related to 'Sceletium' and 'Mesembrine'. These data were additionally analysed by bibliometric software (VOSviewer) to generate term maps and author associations. The thematic areas with the most citations were South African Traditional Medicine for mental health (110) and anxiolytic agents (75). Pioneer studies in the genus focused on chemical structural isolation, purification, and characterisation and techniques such as thin layer chromatography, liquid chromatography (HPLC, UPLC, and more recently, LC-MS), gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to study mesembrine alkaloids. Different laboratories have used a diverse range of extraction and preanalytical methods that became routinely favoured in the analysis of the main metabolites (mesembrine, mesembranol, mesembranone, and Sceletium A4) in their respective experimental settings. In contrast with previous reviews, this paper identified gaps in the research field, being a lack of toxicology assays, a deficit of clinical assessments, too few bioavailability studies, and little to no investigation into the minor alkaloid groups found in . Future studies are likely to see innovations in analytical techniques like leaf spray mass spectrometry and direct analysis in real-time ionisation coupled with high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DART-HR-TOF-MS) for rapid alkaloid identification and quality control purposes. While has been the primary focus, studying other species may aid in establishing chemotaxonomic relationships and addressing challenges with species misidentification. This research can benefit the nutraceutical industry and conservation efforts for the entire genus. At present, little to no pharmacological information is available in terms of the molecular physiological effects of mesembrine alkaloids in medical clinical settings. Research in these fields is expected to increase due to the growing interest in as a herbal supplement and the potential development of mesembrine alkaloids into pharmaceutical drugs.
PubMed: 38576783
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1268101