Naturally occurring antibodies isolated from PD patients inhibit synuclein seeding in vitro and recognize Lewy pathology

Photochemotherapy is one of the most interesting current therapeutic approaches for the treatment of melanoma. Different classes of naturally occurring phytochemicals demonstrated interesting photoactive properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the photocytotoxic potential of two Cachrys species from Southern Italy: C. sicula and C. libanotis (Apiaceae). The enriched-coumarin extracts were obtained from aerial parts through both traditional maceration and pressurized cyclic solid-liquid (PCSL) extraction using Naviglio extractor®. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of furanocoumarins were performed with GC-MS. The photocytotoxic effects were verified on C32 melanoma cells irradiated at a dose of 1.08 J/cm2. The apoptotic responses were also assessed. Moreover, phenolic content and the in vitro antioxidant potential were estimated. Xanthotoxin, bergapten, and isopimpinellin were identified. All the samples induced concentration-dependent photocytotoxic effects (IC50 ranging from 3.16 to 18.18 μg/mL). The C. libanotis sample obtained with Naviglio extractor® was the most effective one (IC50 = 3.16 ± 0.21 μg/mL), followed by C. sicula sample obtained with the same technique (IC50 = 8.83 ± 0.20 μg/mL). Both Cachrys samples obtained through PCSL induced up-regulation of apoptotic signals such as BAX (Bcl2-associated X protein) and PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase) cleavage. Moreover, these samples proved to be more photoactive, giving a greater upregulation of p21 protein in the presence of UVA radiation. Obtained results suggest that investigated species could be promising candidates for further investigations aimed to find new potential drugs for the photochemotherapy of skin cancer.

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Conifers Phytochemicals: A Valuable Forest with Therapeutic Potential

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26103005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (10) ◽

pp. 3005

Author(s):

Kanchan Bhardwaj ◽

Ana Sanches Silva ◽

Maria Atanassova ◽

Rohit Sharma ◽

Eugenie Nepovimova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Experimental Data ◽

Potential Role ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Fungal Infections ◽

Cell Damage ◽

Cancer Growth ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Antioxidant Effects

Conifers have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential in different disorders. Alkaloids, terpenes and polyphenols are the most abundant naturally occurring phytochemicals in these plants. Here, we provide an overview of the phytochemistry and related commercial products obtained from conifers. The pharmacological actions of different phytochemicals present in conifers against bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are also reviewed. Data obtained from experimental and clinical studies performed to date clearly underline that such compounds exert promising antioxidant effects, being able to inhibit cell damage, cancer growth, inflammation and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, an attempt has been made with the intent to highlight the importance of conifer-derived extracts for pharmacological purposes, with the support of relevant in vitro and in vivo experimental data. In short, this review comprehends the information published to date related to conifers’ phytochemicals and illustrates their potential role as drugs.

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Development and Evaluation of Rifampicin Loaded Alginate–Gelatin Biocomposite Microfibers

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13091514 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 1514

Author(s):

Ameya Sharma ◽

Vivek Puri ◽

Pradeep Kumar ◽

Inderbir Singh ◽

Kampanart Huanbutta

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Xanthan Gum ◽

In Vitro Release ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

Entrapment Efficiency ◽

Tissue Proliferation ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Reinforcing Material ◽

Vitro Release

Various systematic phases such as inflammation, tissue proliferation, and phases of remodeling characterize the process of wound healing. The natural matrix system is suggested to maintain and escalate these phases, and for that, microfibers were fabricated employing naturally occurring polymers (biopolymers) such as sodium alginate, gelatin and xanthan gum, and reinforcing material such as nanoclay was selected. The fabrication of fibers was executed with the aid of extrusion-gelation method. Rifampicin, an antibiotic, has been incorporated into a biopolymeric solution. RF1, RF2, RF3, RF4 and RF5 were coded as various formulation batches of microfibers. The microfibers were further characterized by different techniques such as SEM, DSC, XRD, and FTIR. Mechanical properties and physical evaluations such as entrapment efficiency, water uptake and in vitro release were also carried out to explain the comparative understanding of the formulation developed. The antimicrobial activity and whole blood clotting of fabricated fibers were additionally executed, hence they showed significant results, having excellent antimicrobial properties; they could be prominent carriers for wound healing applications.

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Naturally-occurring antibodies reacting with some buried determinants of homologous IgG exposed by spleen protease digestion

Immunochemistry ◽

10.1016/0019-2791(74)90117-7 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 467-473 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

T Shinomiya ◽

J Koyama

Keyword(s):

Naturally Occurring ◽

Protease Digestion ◽

Naturally Occurring Antibodies

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Hemisynthesis and Biological Evaluation of Cinnamylated, Benzylated, and Prenylated Dihydrochalcones from a Common Bio-Sourced Precursor

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10060620 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 620

Author(s):

Anne Ardaillou ◽

Jérôme Alsarraf ◽

Jean Legault ◽

François Simard ◽

André Pichette

Keyword(s):

Biological Activities ◽

Biological Evaluation ◽

Pharmacological Properties ◽

Cytotoxic Potential ◽

Naturally Occurring

Several families of naturally occurring C-alkylated dihydrochalcones display a broad range of biological activities, including antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties, depending on their alkylation sidechain. The catalytic Friedel–Crafts alkylation of the readily available aglycon moiety of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone was performed using cinnamyl, benzyl, and isoprenyl alcohols. This procedure provided a straightforward access to a series of derivatives that were structurally related to natural balsacones, uvaretin, and erioschalcones, respectively. The antibacterial and cytotoxic potential of these novel analogs was evaluated in vitro and highlighted some relations between the structure and the pharmacological properties of alkylated dihydrochalcones.

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Functional and Biochemical Characterization of Immunologically Derived Equine Platelet-Activating Factor

Veterinary Pathology ◽

10.1177/030098588502200413 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 375-386 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

H. C. Wimberly ◽

D. O. Slauson ◽

N. R. Neilsen

Keyword(s):

Functional Activity ◽

Biochemical Characterization ◽

Platelet Activating Factor ◽

Biochemical Properties ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Rabbit Platelets ◽

Rapid Reaction ◽

Specific Challenge

Antigen-specific challenge of equine leukocytes induced the non-lytic release of a platelet-activating factor in vitro. The equine platelet-activating factor stimulated the release of serotonin from equine platelets in a dose-responsive manner, independent of the presence of cyclo-oxygenase pathway inhibitors such as indomethacin. Rabbit platelets were also responsive to equine platelet-activating factor. The release of equine platelet-activating factor was a rapid reaction with near maximal secretion taking place in 30 seconds. Addition of equine platelet-activating factor to washed equine platelets stimulated platelet aggregation which could not be inhibited by the presence of aspirin or indomethacin. Platelets preincubated with equine platelet-activating factor became specifically desensitized to equine platelet-activating factor while remaining responsive to other platelet stimuli such as collagen and epinephrine. The following biochemical properties of equine platelet-activating factor are identical to those properties of 1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine (AGEPC): stability upon exposure to air and acid; loss of functional activity after basecatalyzed methanolysis with subsequent acylation that returned all functional activity; and identical relative mobilities on silica gel G plates developed with chloroform:methanol:water (65:35:6, volume/volume). The combined functional and biochemical characteristics of equine platelet-activating factor strongly suggest identity between this naturally occurring, immunologically derived equine factor and AGEPC.

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Effect of Photosensitization Mediated by Curcumin on Carotenoid and Aflatoxin Content in Different Maize Varieties

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11135902 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (13) ◽

pp. 5902

Author(s):

Rafael Nguenha ◽

Maral Seidi Damyeh ◽

Anh D. T. Phan ◽

Hung T. Hong ◽

Mridusmita Chaliha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Risks ◽

Carotenoid Content ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Maize Varieties ◽

Food And Feed ◽

Maize Kernels ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

Preservation Technique ◽

Scanning Electron

Mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins produced by certain types of fungi that contaminate food and feed, posing serious health risks to human and livestock. This study evaluated the combination of blue light with curcumin to inactivate Aspergillus flavus spores, its effect on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production and maintaining carotenoid content in three maize varieties. The study was first conducted in vitro, and the spore suspensions (104 CFU·mL−1) were treated with four curcumin concentrations (25 and 50 µM in ethanol, 1000 and 1250 µM in propylene glycol) and illuminated at different light doses from 0 to 130.3 J·cm−2. The photoinactivation efficiency was light-dose dependent with the highest photoinactivation of 2.3 log CFU·mL−1 achieved using 1000 µM curcumin at 104.2 J·cm−2. Scanning electron microscopy revealed cell wall deformations as well as less density in photosensitized cells. Photosensitization of maize kernels gave rise to a complete reduction in the viability of A. flavus and therefore inhibition of AFB1 production, while no significant (p > 0.05) effect was observed using either light or curcumin. Moreover, photosensitization did not affect the carotenoids in all the studied maize varieties. The results suggest that photosensitization is a green alternative preservation technique to decontaminate maize kernels and reduce consumer exposure to AFB1 without any effect on carotenoid content.

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