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International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2021Mibyou, or pre-symptomatic diseases, refers to state of health in which a disease is slowly developing within the body yet the symptoms are not apparent. Common examples... (Review)
Review
Mibyou, or pre-symptomatic diseases, refers to state of health in which a disease is slowly developing within the body yet the symptoms are not apparent. Common examples of mibyou in modern medicine include inflammatory diseases that are caused by chronic inflammation. It is known that chronic inflammation is triggered by the uncontrolled release of proinflammatory cytokines by neutrophils and macrophages in the innate immune system. In a recent study, it was shown that molecular hydrogen (H) has the ability to treat chronic inflammation by eliminating hydroxyl radicals (·OH), a mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). In doing so, H suppresses oxidative stress, which is implicated in several mechanisms at the root of chronic inflammation, including the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. This review explains these mechanisms by which H can suppress chronic inflammation and studies its applications as a protective agent against different inflammatory diseases in their pre-symptomatic state. While mibyou cannot be detected nor treated by modern medicine, H is able to suppress the pathogenesis of pre-symptomatic diseases, and thus exhibits prospects as a novel protective agent.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Asymptomatic Diseases; Chronic Disease; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Free Radical Scavengers; Hepatitis; Humans; Hydrogen; Hypertension; Inflammation; Models, Biological; Neoplasms; Oxidative Stress; Parkinson Disease; Protective Agents; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic
PubMed: 34281264
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137211 -
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) Oct 2021The blockade of the progression or onset of pathological events is essential for the homeostasis of an organism. Some common pathological mechanisms involving a wide... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The blockade of the progression or onset of pathological events is essential for the homeostasis of an organism. Some common pathological mechanisms involving a wide range of diseases are the uncontrolled inflammatory reactions that promote fibrosis, oxidative reactions, and other alterations. Natural plant compounds (NPCs) are bioactive elements obtained from natural sources that can regulate physiological processes. Inflammation is recognized as an important factor in the development and evolution of chronic renal damage. Consequently, any compound able to modulate inflammation or inflammation-related processes can be thought of as a renal protective agent and/or a potential treatment tool for controlling renal damage. The objective of this research was to review the beneficial effects of bioactive natural compounds on kidney damage to reveal their efficacy as demonstrated in clinical studies.
METHODS
This systematic review is based on relevant studies focused on the impact of NPCs with therapeutic potential for kidney disease treatment in humans.
RESULTS
Clinical studies have evaluated NPCs as a different way to treat or prevent renal damage and appear to show some benefits in improving OS, inflammation, and antioxidant capacity, therefore making them promising therapeutic tools to reduce or prevent the onset and progression of KD pathogenesis.
CONCLUSIONS
This review shows the promising clinical properties of NPC in KD therapy. However, more robust clinical trials are needed to establish their safety and therapeutic effects in the area of renal damage.
Topics: Antioxidants; Berberine; Beta vulgaris; Betalains; Biological Products; Catechin; Curcumin; Disulfides; Flavonoids; Humans; Isothiocyanates; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Plant Extracts; Pomegranate; Protective Agents; Resveratrol; Sulfinic Acids; Sulfoxides; Xanthophylls
PubMed: 34684678
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206096 -
Medicinal Research Reviews May 2018Quinoline and quinazoline alkaloids, two important classes of N-based heterocyclic compounds, have attracted tremendous attention from researchers worldwide since the... (Review)
Review
Quinoline and quinazoline alkaloids, two important classes of N-based heterocyclic compounds, have attracted tremendous attention from researchers worldwide since the 19th century. Over the past 200 years, many compounds from these two classes were isolated from natural sources, and most of them and their modified analogs possess significant bioactivities. Quinine and camptothecin are two of the most famous and important quinoline alkaloids, and their discoveries opened new areas in antimalarial and anticancer drug development, respectively. In this review, we survey the literature on bioactive alkaloids from these two classes and highlight research achievements prior to the year 2008 (Part I). Over 200 molecules with a broad range of bioactivities, including antitumor, antimalarial, antibacterial and antifungal, antiparasitic and insecticidal, antiviral, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, herbicidal, antioxidant and other activities, were reviewed. This survey should provide new clues or possibilities for the discovery of new and better drugs from the original naturally occurring quinoline and quinazoline alkaloids.
Topics: Alkaloids; Animals; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Protective Agents; Quinazolines; Quinolines
PubMed: 28902434
DOI: 10.1002/med.21466 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022CA (cyclosporine A) is a powerful immunosuppressing agent that is commonly utilized for treating various autoimmune illnesses and in transplantation surgery. However,... (Review)
Review
CA (cyclosporine A) is a powerful immunosuppressing agent that is commonly utilized for treating various autoimmune illnesses and in transplantation surgery. However, its usage has been significantly restricted because of its unwanted effects, including nephrotoxicity. The pathophysiology of CA-induced kidney injury involves inflammation, apoptosis, tubular injury, oxidative stress, and vascular injury. Despite the fact that exact mechanism accountable for CA's effects is inadequately understood, ROS (reactive oxygen species) involvement has been widely proposed. At present, there are no efficient methods or drugs for treating CA-caused kidney damage. It is noteworthy that diverse natural products have been investigated both in vivo and in-vitro for their possible preventive potential in CA-produced nephrotoxicity. Various extracts and natural metabolites have been found to possess a remarkable potential for restoring CA-produced renal damage and oxidative stress alterations via their anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative potentials. The present article reviews the reported studies that assess the protective capacity of natural products, as well as dietary regimens, in relation to CA-induced nephrotoxicity. Thus, the present study presents novel ideas for designing and developing more efficient prophylactic or remedial strategies versus CA passive influences.
Topics: Cyclosporine; Kidney; Protective Agents; Oxidative Stress; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Biological Products
PubMed: 36431872
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227771 -
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 -
Medicinal Research Reviews Sep 2018To follow-up on our prior Part I review, this Part II review summarizes and provides updated literature on novel quinoline and quinazoline alkaloids isolated during the... (Review)
Review
To follow-up on our prior Part I review, this Part II review summarizes and provides updated literature on novel quinoline and quinazoline alkaloids isolated during the period of 2009-2016, together with the biological activity and the mechanisms of action of these classes of natural products. Over 200 molecules with a broad range of biological activities, including antitumor, antiparasitic and insecticidal, antibacterial and antifungal, cardioprotective, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-asthma, antitussive, and other activities, are discussed. This survey should provide new clues or possibilities for the discovery of new and better drugs from the original naturally occurring quinoline and quinazoline alkaloids.
Topics: Alkaloids; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Humans; Protective Agents; Quinazolines; Quinolines
PubMed: 29485730
DOI: 10.1002/med.21492 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2011Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality, with a high incidence of severe morbidity in survivors. The treatment to minimize tissue injury after stroke is still... (Review)
Review
Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality, with a high incidence of severe morbidity in survivors. The treatment to minimize tissue injury after stroke is still unsatisfactory and it is mandatory to develop effective treatment strategies for stroke. The pathophysiology of ischemic stroke is complex and involves many processes including energy failure, loss of ion homeostasis, increased intracellular calcium level, platelet aggregation, production of reactive oxygen species, disruption of blood brain barrier, and inflammation and leukocyte infiltration, etc. Tetrandrine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid, has many pharmacologic effects including anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects. In addition, tetrandrine has been found to protect the liver, heart, small bowel and brain from ischemia/reperfusion injury. It is a calcium channel blocker, and can inhibit lipid peroxidation, reduce generation of reactive oxygen species, suppress the production of cytokines and inflammatory mediators, inhibit neutrophil recruitment and platelet aggregation, which are all devastating factors during ischemia/reperfusion injury of the brain. Because tetrandrine can counteract these important pathophysiological processes of ischemic stroke, it has the potential to be a protective agent for ischemic stroke.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Benzylisoquinolines; Brain Infarction; Brain Ischemia; Calcium Channel Blockers; Humans; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Reperfusion Injury
PubMed: 21926947
DOI: 10.3390/molecules16098020 -
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) Mar 2019Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, and these two metabolic conditions cause significant healthcare burden worldwide. Chronic inflammation and increased... (Review)
Review
Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, and these two metabolic conditions cause significant healthcare burden worldwide. Chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress due to exposure of cells to excess nutrients in obesity may trigger insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. Tocotrienol, as a functional food component with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cell signaling-mediating effects, may be a potential agent to complement the current management of obesity and diabetes. The review aimed to summarize the current evidence on the anti-obesity and antidiabetic effects of tocotrienol. Previous studies showed that tocotrienol could suppress adipogenesis and, subsequently, reduce body weight and fat mass in animals. This was achieved by regulating pathways of lipid metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis. It could also reduce the expression of transcription factors regulating adipogenesis and increase apoptosis of adipocytes. In diabetic models, tocotrienol was shown to improve glucose homeostasis. Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors was suggested to be responsible for these effects. Tocotrienol also prevented multiple systemic complications due to obesity and diabetes in animal models through suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress. Several clinical trials have been conducted to validate the antidiabetic of tocotrienol, but the results were heterogeneous. There is no evidence showing the anti-obesity effects of tocotrienol in humans. Considering the limitations of the current studies, tocotrienol has the potential to be a functional food component to aid in the management of patients with obesity and diabetes.
Topics: Adipogenesis; Animals; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Inflammation; Insulin Resistance; Lipid Metabolism; Metabolic Diseases; Molecular Structure; Obesity; Protective Agents; Signal Transduction; Structure-Activity Relationship; Tocotrienols
PubMed: 30845769
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24050923