The current advancements in nanotechnology are as an outcome of the development of engineered nanoparticles. Various metallic nanoparticles have been extensively explored for various biomedical ...applications. They attract lot of attention in biomedical field due to their significant inert nature, and nanoscale structures, with size similar to many biological molecules. Their intrinsic characteristics which include electronic, optical, physicochemical and, surface plasmon resonance, that can be changed by altering certain particle characteristics such as size, shape, environment, aspect ratio, ease of synthesis and functionalization properties have led to numerous applications in various fields of biomedicine. These include targeted drug delivery, sensing, photothermal and photodynamic therapy, imaging, as well as the modulation of two or three applications. The current article also discusses about the various properties of metallic nanoparticles and their applications in cancer imaging and therapeutics. The associated bottlenecks related to their clinical translation are also discussed.
•Functionalization of metallic nanoparticles have led to their multifaceted applications in various fields of biomedicine.•Metallic nanoparticles are used for various biomedical applications such as cancer imaging and therapeutics.•Role of metallic nanoparticles in cancer management and bottlenecks related to their clinical translation are discussed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis involves vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration and proliferation followed by an inflammation mediated by activated macrophages in the tunica intima of blood ...vessels. Cepharanthine (CEP) belongs to bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids found in the plant Stephania cepharantha, which has been used for various diseases like cancer, alopecia areata, venomous snakebites, and malaria. In this study, we investigated whether CEP suppresses VSMC migration and proliferation and inhibits inflammatory mediator production in macrophage (RAW264.7). Our results showed that CEP possessed significant DPPH scavenging and metal chelating activities. It also markedly inhibited lipid peroxidation. Similarly, CEP suppressed the nitric oxide (NO) production and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, the level of prostaglandin E2 was also suppressed and the formation of macrophage derived foam cell was attenuated in RAW264.7 cells. Likewise, NO production in isolated peritoneal macrophage and VSMC migration in response to LPS stimulated RAW264.7 was also halted by CEP treatment. Also, VSMC migration induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) was inhibited by CEP dose dependently. The anti-migratory effect of CEP on VSMCs was due to its inhibitory effect on metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression, preventing the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) component. Furthermore, CEP suppressed PDGF-BB induced VSMC proliferation by down-regulation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling molecules. CEP also inhibited the translocation of NF-κB from cytosol to nucleus. Thus, our results suggest that CEP exerts potent anti-atherosclerotic effect through attenuation of inflammation, lipid peroxidation and VSMC migration and proliferation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L., Urticaceae) is commonly found in Asia, Africa, and Europe and has a long history of being used as food and traditional medicine. Recently, this plant is gaining ...attention as a highly nutritious food, where fresh leaves are dried and used as powder or in other forms. Leaves are rich in many bioactive compounds. This review aims to cover the traditional uses in food and medicine, as well as its nutritional composition, including its bioactive chemical constituents and reported food functional activities. Various bioactive chemical constituents have been isolated from stinging nettle to date, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, amino acid, carotenoids, and fatty acids. Stinging nettle extracts and its compounds, such as rutin, kaempferol, and vitamin A, are also used for their nutritional properties and as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Future studies should focus on the proper formulation and stability testing of the functional foods containing stinging nettle and their detailed activities in clinical studies.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Microparticles (MPs) are extracellular vesicles (0.1–1.0 μm in size), released in response to cell activation or apoptosis. Endothelial microparticles (EC-MP), vascular smooth muscle cell ...microparticles (VSMC-MP), and macrophage microparticles (MØ-MP) are key hallmarks of atherosclerosis progression. In our current study, we investigated the potent antioxidant activity of baicalin to ameliorate MP-induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction and endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction, as well as the production of inflammatory mediators in macrophage (RAW264.7). In our study, baicalin suppressed the apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, NO production, foam cell formation, protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in MØ-MP-induced RAW264.7. In addition, VSMC migration induced by VSMC-MP was dose-dependently inhibited by baicalin. Likewise, baicalin inhibits metalloproteinase-9 expression and suppresses VSMC-MP-induced VSMC proliferation by down-regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expressions. Baicalin also inhibited ROS production and apoptosis in VSMC. In EC, the marker of endothelial dysfunction (endothelial senescence, upregulation of ICAM, and ROS production) induced by EC-MP was halted by baicalin. Our results suggested that baicalin exerts potent biological activity to restore the function of EC and VSMC altered by their corresponding microparticles and inhibits the release of inflammation markers from activated macrophages.
Juglans regia Linn. （Juglandaceae）, popularly known as English or Persian walnut, is a valuable medicinal plant with a potency to cure various diseases in traditional medicine, Since ancient time, ...different local ethnic groups have used various part of J. regia for a wide array of ailments including helminthiasis, diarrhea, sinusitis, stomach ache, arthritis, asthma, eczema, scrofula, skin disorders, diabetes mellitus, anorexia, thyroid dysfunction, cancer and infectious diseases. Biological activities of J. regia have been reported in several peer review journals and scientific attention is increasing. The present review attempts to provide comprehensive information on plant description, ethnobotanical use, toxicity, phytochemical profile, pharmacology, clinical studies and current research prospective of the J. regia. Currently, there is an immense interest on isolation/identification of active constituents from walnut and screening those active compounds for pharmacological activities. In addition, researchers are performing clinical trials as well as screening various solvent extracts or fractions of J. regia in several animal diseases models to identify promising therapeutic benefits. In the present work, we review the latest information based on published scientific investigations of J. regia.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The interest in the plant-derived healthy foods, nutraceuticals, functional foods and food supplements is increasing in recent times as potential agents in maintenance of health and the prevention ...and treatment of diseases. Matcha tea powder is obtained from the leaves of tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) grown under specific condition using about 90% shade. As compared to green tea, a hot water extract of tea leaves, matcha is consumed as a powder of whole leaves. Matcha powder is reported to have higher content of some bioactive components such as catechins, theanine and caffeine. In recent years, there is an increased market demand and consumption of matcha as a drink and as a component in various beverages, snacks and other food products.
In this review, the available scientific information of the chemical constituents and their analysis and biological activities were critically analyzed. These results may help to understand current status of research on matcha and the gaps which help to guide future research related to evidence based product formulations.
Various studies have reported the difference in bioactive compounds in matcha as compared to green tea and other tea formulations. The content and composition were mostly affected by the cultivation and processing techniques. Analysis of marketed samples in various countries have shown the variable content of the bioactive compounds. Thus, there is a need for proper standardization for maintaining the quality. Matcha as a whole, its extract and compounds have shown promising biological activities in in vitro and animal studies. However, comparatively only a few clinical studies are performed, which need future attention. There should also be more detailed studies regarding matcha-containing food products' formulation, quality control and biological activities.
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•Matcha tea powder is obtained from the leaves of tea plant grown under specific condition.•The food market demand of matcha is increasing rapidly in recent years.•Catechins, phenolic compounds, amino acids, and caffeine are major components.•Studies have shown its antioxidant, antianxiety and anti-stress activities among others.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Plant-derived compounds, specifically antioxidants, have played an important role in scavenging the free radicals present under diseased conditions. The persistent generation of free radicals in the ...body leads to inflammation and can result in even more severe diseases such as cancer. Notably, the antioxidant potential of various plant-derived compounds prevents and deregulates the formation of radicals by initiating their decomposition. There is a vast literature demonstrating antioxidant compounds' anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer potential. This review describes the molecular mechanism of various flavonoids, such as quercetin, kaempferol, naringenin, epicatechin, and epicatechin gallate, against different cancers. Additionally, the pharmaceutical application of these flavonoids against different cancers using nanotechnologies such as polymeric, lipid-based nanoparticles (solid-lipid and liquid-lipid), liposomes, and metallic nanocarriers is addressed. Finally, combination therapies in which these flavonoids are employed along with other anti-cancer agents are described, indicating the effective therapies for the management of various malignancies.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, in part due to a lack of early diagnostic tools and effective pharmacological interventions. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are ...lipid-based membrane-bound particles released from all living cells in both physiological and pathological states. To understand the effects of lung-cancer-derived EVs on healthy cells, we isolated and characterized EVs derived from A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells and transferred them to healthy human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBe14o). We found that A549-derived EVs carry oncogenic proteins involved in the pathway of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) that are regulated by β-catenin. The exposure of 16HBe14o cells to A549-derived EVs resulted in a significant increase in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via upregulating EMT markers such as E-Cadherin, Snail, and Vimentin and cell adhesion molecules such as CEACAM-5, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, with concomitant downregulation of EpCAM. Our study suggests a role for cancer-cell-derived EVs to induce tumorigenesis in adjacent healthy cells by promoting EMT via β-catenin signaling.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an irreversible inflammatory respiratory disease characterized by frequent exacerbations and symptoms such as cough and wheezing that lead to ...irreversible airway damage and hyperresponsiveness. The primary risk factor for COPD is chronic cigarette smoke exposure, which promotes oxidative stress and a general pro-inflammatory condition by stimulating pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory pathways and, simultaneously, inactivating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant detoxification pathways. These events cause progressive damage resulting in impaired cell function and disease progression. Treatments available for COPD are generally aimed at reducing the symptoms of exacerbation. Failure to regulate oxidative stress and inflammation results in lung damage. In the quest for innovative treatment strategies, phytochemicals, and complex plant extracts such as agarwood essential oil are promising sources of molecules with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, their clinical use is limited by issues such as low solubility and poor pharmacokinetic properties. These can be overcome by encapsulating the therapeutic molecules using advanced drug delivery systems such as polymeric nanosystems and nanoemulsions. In this study, agarwood oil nanoemulsion (agarwood-NE) was formulated and tested for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential in cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated BCi-NS1.1 airway basal epithelial cells. The findings suggest successful counteractivity of agarwood-NE against CSE-mediated pro-inflammatory effects by reducing the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, and GDF-15. In addition, agarwood-NE induced the expression of the anti-inflammatory mediators IL-10, IL-18BP, TFF3, GH, VDBP, relaxin-2, IFN-γ, and PDGF. Furthermore, agarwood-NE also induced the expression of antioxidant genes such as GCLC and GSTP1, simultaneously activating the PI3K pro-survival signalling pathway. This study provides proof of the dual anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of agarwood-NE, highlighting its enormous potential for COPD treatment.
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