Background: In spite of promising experimental findings, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have yielded mixed results on the impact of quercetin supplementation on plasma lipid levels.
Aim: The ...present study aimed to quantify the effects of quercetin on plasma lipids using a meta-analysis of RCTs.
Methods: A systematic literature search of Medline was conducted for RCTs that investigated the efficacy of quercetin supplementation on plasma lipids comprising total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for net changes in lipid concentrations using a random-effects model. Meta-regression analysis was conducted to assess the effect of quercetin dose and duration of supplementation as moderators on the calculated effect measures.
Results: Five RCTs totaling 442 subjects (221 in the quercetin and 221 in the control group) fulfilled the eligibility criteria and selected for analyses. Combined estimate of effect size for the impact of quercetin on plasma LDL-C (WMD: 1.43 mg/dL, 95% CI: −0.92-3.78, p = 0.23), HDL-C (WMD: 0.26 mg/dL, 95% CI: −0.74-1.25, p = 0.61) and triglycerides (WMD: −9.42 mg/dL, 95% CI: −27.80-8.96, p = 0.32) was not statistically significant. However, a borderline significant but clinically non-relevant increase in total cholesterol was observed (WMD: 3.13 mg/dL, 95% CI: −0.01-6.27, p = 0.05). When the analysis was confined to the subgroups of studies with quercetin doses ≥500 mg/day and follow-up of ≥ 4 weeks, a significant increase in total cholesterol (WMD: 3.57 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.21-6.92, p = 0.04) and a decline in triglycerides (WMD: −24.54 mg/dL, 95% CI: −33.09 to −15.99, p < 0.00001) was observed, but LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Changes in plasma triglycerides, but not other indices of lipid profile, were significantly associated with quercetin dose (slope: −0.057; 95% CI: −0.103 to −0.010; p = 0.02) and duration of supplementation (slope: −5.314; 95% CI: −9.482 to −1.147; p = 0.01).
Conclusion: Available evidence from RCTs does not suggest any clinically relevant effect of quercetin supplementation on plasma lipids, apart from a significant reduction of triglycerides at doses above 50 mg/day.
Accumulation of chemotherapeutic agents in the tumor tissue while reducing adverse effects and drug resistance are among the major goals in cancer therapy. Among nanocarriers, liposomes have been ...found to be more effective in the passive targeting of cancer cells. A promising recent development in targeted drug delivery is the use of aptamer-functionalized liposomes for cancer therapy. Aptamer-targeted liposomes have enhanced uptake in tumor cells as shown in vitro and in vivo. Here, we discuss the aptamer-functionalized liposome platforms and review functionalization approaches as well as the factors affecting antitumor efficiency of aptamer-targeted liposomal systems. Finally, we provide a comprehensive overview of aptamer-targeted liposomes based on the molecular targets on the surface of cancer cells.
•Targeted drug delivery to tumor cells is a major goal in cancer chemotherapy.•Aptamer-functionalized liposomes have emerged as efficient delivery system for chemotherapeutics.•Aptamer-targeted liposomes have enhanced uptake in tumor cells as shown in vitro and in vivo.•We review the experimental findings and design details of aptamer-targeted liposomes.
Curcumin is apolyphenolic compound found in the dietary spice turmeric. Anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric have been known for centuries and extensive studies over the last two to three decades ...revealed that curcumin is a key component in the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric. Chronic inflammation is involved in the various pathologic states and curcumin demonstrated therapeutic effects in different inflammation-related diseases in various in vivo, in vitro and human based studies through regulation of different signaling molecules including transcription factors, chemokines, cytokines, tumor suppressor genes, adhesion molecules and microRNAs. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays important roles in various events during inflammation including regulation of antibody (and autoantibody) production, activation of T cells, differentiation of B cells, increased production of acute-phase proteins, hematopoiesis and angiogenesis, vascular permeability, and osteoclast differentiation. IL-6 is also involved in pathogenesis of different inflammatory diseases. There are numerous studies demonstrating association of down-regulation of IL-6 and/or inhibition of IL-6 signaling with therapeutic effects of curcumin suggesting a role for modulation of IL-6 in anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin. Moreover, curcumin can be considered as potential therapy against IL-6 involved pathologic stats. In this narrative review, the in vitro, experimental and clinical studies that report association of IL-6 inhibition and therapeutic effects of curcumin are discussed.
Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced toxicity and resistance are major obstacles in chemotherapeutic approaches. Despite effective in the treatment of numerous malignancies, some clinicians have voiced concern ...that DOX has the potential to cause debilitating consequences in organ tissues, especially the heart. The mechanisms of toxicity and resistance are respectively related to induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and up-regulation of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter. Curcumin (CUR) with several biological and pharmacological properties is expected to restore DOX-mediated impairments to tissues. This review is intended to address the current knowledge on DOX adverse effects and CUR protective actions in the heart, kidneys, liver, brain, and reproductive organs. Coadministration of CUR and DOX is capable of ameliorating DOX toxicity pertained to antioxidant, apoptosis, autophagy, and mitochondrial permeability.
Curcumin is the major constituent of turmeric (Curcuma longa). Turmeric has been widely used as a spice in foods and for therapeutic applications such as anti‐inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, and ...antimicrobial activities. Turmeric and curcumin are nonmutagenic and nongenotoxic. Oral use of turmeric and curcumin did not have reproductive toxicity in animals at certain doses. Studies on human did not show toxic effects, and curcumin was safe at the dose of 6 g/day orally for 4–7 weeks. However, some adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upsets may occur. Moreover, oral bioavailable formulations of curcumin were safe for human at the dose of 500 mg two times in a day for 30 days, but there are still few trials and more studies are needed specially on nanoformulations and it should be discussed in a separate article. In addition, curcumin is known as a generally recognized as safe substance. This review discusses the safety and toxicity of turmeric and curcumin in medicine. Turmeric and curcumin are nontoxic for human especially in oral administration. Turmeric and curcumin are also safe in animals. They are nonmutagenic and are safe in pregnancy in animals but more studies in human are needed.
Abstract
Background. Curcuminoids are natural products with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. There have been a number of reports on the analgesic effects of curcuminoids in ...clinical trials, yet data have not been fully conclusive.
Objectives. To provide the highest level of evidence on the efficacy of curcuminoids in patients with painful conditions through meta-analysis of data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Methods. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using data reported by RCTs. The primary efficacy measure was pain intensity or algofunctional status. Treatment effect was summarized with standardized mean difference (SMD) calculated from differences in means of pain measures between treatment and control groups using a random-effects model.
Results. A total of eight RCTs met our inclusion criteria that included 606 randomized patients. Curcuminoids were found to significantly reduce pain (SMD: −0.57, 95% CI: −1.11 to −0.03, P = 0.04). This pain-relieving effect was found to be independent of administered dose and duration of treatment with curcuminoids, and was free from publication bias. Curcuminoids were safe and well tolerated in all evaluated RCTs.
Conclusion. Curcuminoids supplements may be a safe and effective strategy to improve pain severity, by warranting further rigorously conducted studies to define the long-term efficacy and safety.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is known as the third common cancer worldwide and an important public health problem in different populations. Several genetics and environmental risk factors are involved in ...the development and progression of CRC including chromosomal abnormalities, epigenetic alterations, and unhealthy lifestyle. Identification of risk factors and biomarkers could lead to a better understanding of molecular pathways involved in CRC pathogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulatory molecules which could affect a variety of cellular and molecular targets in CRC. A large number of studies have indicated deregulations of some known tissue‐specific miRNAs, for example, miR‐21, miR‐9, miR‐155, miR‐17, miR‐19, let‐7, and miR‐24 as well as circulating miRNAs, for example, miR‐181b, miR‐21, miR‐183, let‐7g, miR‐17, and miR‐126, in patients with CRC. In the current review, we focus on the findings of preclinical and clinical studies performed on tissue‐specific and circulating miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the detection of patients at various stages of CRC.
CRC is ranked among the most common types of cancer and a leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. Early diagnosis of CRC is a pre‐requisite for proper management of the patient and increasing survival. Several lines of evidence have indicated that patients with CRC have a poor prognosis due to the lack of simple, reliable, and non‐invasive diagnostic tools for the early stage of the disease. Currently, colonoscopy is the gold standard for early diagnosis of CRC but its invasiveness is a big limitation. MicroRNAs have emerged as non‐coding RNAs which have the potential to be used as promising candidates for the diagnosis of CRC patients. Moreover, exosomal biomarkers including miRNAs, proteins and mRNAs could open new horizons for the diagnosis of CRC.
Most human cells utilize glucose as the primary substrate, cellular uptake requiring insulin. Insulin signaling is therefore critical for these tissues. However, decrease in insulin sensitivity due ...to the disruption of various molecular pathways causes insulin resistance (IR). IR underpins many metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, impairments in insulin signaling disrupting entry of glucose into the adipocytes, and skeletal muscle cells. Although the exact underlying cause of IR has not been fully elucidated, a number of major mechanisms, including oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin receptor mutations, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction have been suggested. In this review, we consider the role these cellular mechanisms play in the development of IR.
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