In vitro models of the human microbiota and microbiome

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A.K. McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Longitudinal Studies ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Disease Status ◽  
Mechanistic Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Gut Fermentation

Gut microbiome studies have been gaining popularity over the years, especially with the development of new technologies (e.g. metataxonomics, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metabonomics) that makes it easier for researchers to characterize the composition and functionality of these complex microbial communities. The goal of these studies is to identify a microorganism, group of microbes, or microbial metabolite which correlates with a disease state (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and obesity). Many of these are cross-sectional studies, where fecal samples from a group of diseased individuals are compared with those from a group of healthy individuals at a single time point. However, there are a wide range of variables that can affect the gut microbiota of humans which make mechanistic studies challenging. Longitudinal studies are required for research to more reliably correlate interventions or disease status to microbiota composition and functionality. However, longitudinal studies in humans and animals are difficult, expensive, and time-consuming. This review will discuss in vitro gut fermentation models and how they can be used to perform longitudinal studies that complement in vivo microbiome studies. Gut fermentation models support the growth of stable, reproducible, and diverse microbial communities in a tightly controlled environment set to mimic the conditions microbes encounter in the gastrointestinal tract. Gut fermentation models will make it easier for researchers to perform mechanistic studies and aid in the development of novel treatments that are both targeted and maintained over time.

Evaluation of 99mTc-Label led Vitamin K4 as an Agent for Testicular Imaging

1991 ◽  
Vol 30 (01) ◽  
pp. 35-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. Durak ◽  
M. Kitapgi ◽  
B. E. Caner ◽  
R. Senekowitsch ◽  
M. T. Ercan
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Left Testis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Activity Ratios ◽  
The Right ◽  
Radioactivity Levels

Vitamin K4 was labelled with 99mTc with an efficiency higher than 97%. The compound was stable up to 24 h at room temperature, and its biodistribution in NMRI mice indicated its in vivo stability. Blood radioactivity levels were high over a wide range. 10% of the injected activity remained in blood after 24 h. Excretion was mostly via kidneys. Only the liver and kidneys concentrated appreciable amounts of radioactivity. Testis/soft tissue ratios were 1.4 and 1.57 at 6 and 24 h, respectively. Testis/blood ratios were lower than 1. In vitro studies with mouse blood indicated that 33.9 ±9.6% of the radioactivity was associated with RBCs; it was washed out almost completely with saline. Protein binding was 28.7 ±6.3% as determined by TCA precipitation. Blood clearance of 99mTc-l<4 in normal subjects showed a slow decrease of radioactivity, reaching a plateau after 16 h at 20% of the injected activity. In scintigraphic images in men the testes could be well visualized. The right/left testis ratio was 1.08 ±0.13. Testis/soft tissue and testis/blood activity ratios were highest at 3 h. These ratios were higher than those obtained with pertechnetate at 20 min post injection.99mTc-l<4 appears to be a promising radiopharmaceutical for the scintigraphic visualization of testes.

Ethnomedicinal uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Aspects of the Genus Berberis Linn: A Comprehensive Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roohi Mohi-ud-din ◽  
Reyaz Hassan Mir ◽  
Prince Ahad Mir ◽  
Saeema Farooq ◽  
Syed Naiem Raza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Pharmacological Activities ◽  
Traditional Use ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Ethnomedicinal Uses

Background: Genus Berberis (family Berberidaceae), which contains about 650 species and 17 genera worldwide, has been used in folklore and various traditional medicine systems. Berberis Linn. is the most established group among genera with around 450-500 species across the world. This comprehensive review will not only help researchers for further evaluation but also provide substantial information for future exploitation of species to develop novel herbal formulations. Objective: The present review is focussed to summarize and collect the updated review of information of Genus Berberis species reported to date regarding their ethnomedicinal information, chemical constituents, traditional/folklore use, and reported pharmacological activities on more than 40 species of Berberis. Conclusion: A comprehensive survey of the literature reveals that various species of the genus possess various phytoconstituents mainly alkaloids, flavonoid based compounds isolated from different parts of a plant with a wide range of pharmacological activities. So far, many pharmacological activities like anti-cancer, anti-hyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory both in vitro & in vivo and clinical study of different extracts/isolated compounds of different species of Berberis have been reported, proving their importance as a medicinal plant and claiming their traditional use.

Current Status and Future Perspective for Research on Medicinal Plants with Anticancerous Activity and Minimum Cytotoxic Value

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1227-1243
Author(s):  
Hina Qamar ◽  
Sumbul Rehman ◽  
D.K. Chauhan
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Drug Targets ◽  
Psidium Guajava ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Perspective ◽  
Wide Range

Cancer is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although chemotherapy and radiotherapy enhance the survival rate of cancerous patients but they have several acute toxic effects. Therefore, there is a need to search for new anticancer agents having better efficacy and lesser side effects. In this regard, herbal treatment is found to be a safe method for treating and preventing cancer. Here, an attempt has been made to screen some less explored medicinal plants like Ammania baccifera, Asclepias curassavica, Azadarichta indica, Butea monosperma, Croton tiglium, Hedera nepalensis, Jatropha curcas, Momordica charantia, Moringa oleifera, Psidium guajava, etc. having potent anticancer activity with minimum cytotoxic value (IC50 >3μM) and lesser or negligible toxicity. They are rich in active phytochemicals with a wide range of drug targets. In this study, these medicinal plants were evaluated for dose-dependent cytotoxicological studies via in vitro MTT assay and in vivo tumor models along with some more plants which are reported to have IC50 value in the range of 0.019-0.528 mg/ml. The findings indicate that these plants inhibit tumor growth by their antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic molecular targets. They are widely used because of their easy availability, affordable price and having no or sometimes minimal side effects. This review provides a baseline for the discovery of anticancer drugs from medicinal plants having minimum cytotoxic value with minimal side effects and establishment of their analogues for the welfare of mankind.

Approach in improving potency and selectivity of kinase inhibitors: Allosteric kinase inhibitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shangfei Wei ◽  
Tianming Zhao ◽  
Jie Wang ◽  
Xin Zhai
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Binding Modes ◽  
Allosteric Inhibitors ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Allosteric Sites ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
Regulate Protein

: Allostery is an efficient and particular regulatory mechanism to regulate protein functions. Different from conserved orthosteric sites, allosteric sites have distinctive functional mechanism to form the complex regulatory network. In drug discovery, kinase inhibitors targeting the allosteric pockets have received extensive attention for the advantages of high selectivity and low toxicity. The approval of trametinib as the first allosteric inhibitor validated that allosteric inhibitors could be used as effective therapeutic drugs for treatment of diseases. To date, a wide range of allosteric inhibitors have been identified. In this perspective, we outline different binding modes and potential advantages of allosteric inhibitors. In the meantime, the research processes of typical and novel allosteric inhibitors are described briefly in terms of structureactivity relationships, ligand-protein interactions and in vitro and in vivo activity. Additionally, challenges as well as opportunities are presented.

In Silico Assessment of ADME Properties: Advances in Caco-2 Cell Monolayer Permeability Modeling

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (26) ◽  
pp. 2209-2229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai Pham-The ◽  
Miguel Á. Cabrera-Pérez ◽  
Nguyen-Hai Nam ◽  
Juan A. Castillo-Garit ◽  
Bakhtiyor Rasulev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Absorption ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Review Paper ◽  
Cell Monolayer ◽  
Cell Permeability ◽  
Drug Substances ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Modeling Techniques

One of the main goals of in silico Caco-2 cell permeability models is to identify those drug substances with high intestinal absorption in human (HIA). For more than a decade, several in silico Caco-2 models have been made, applying a wide range of modeling techniques; nevertheless, their capacity for intestinal absorption extrapolation is still doubtful. There are three main problems related to the modest capacity of obtained models, including the existence of inter- and/or intra-laboratory variability of recollected data, the influence of the metabolism mechanism, and the inconsistent in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) of Caco-2 cell permeability. This review paper intends to sum up the recent advances and limitations of current modeling approaches, and revealed some possible solutions to improve the applicability of in silico Caco-2 permeability models for absorption property profiling, taking into account the above-mentioned issues.

Pleiotropic Effect of Mahanine and Girinimbine Analogs: Anticancer Mechanism and its Therapeutic Versatility

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 1983-1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Lenin Maruthanila ◽  
Ramakrishnan Elancheran ◽  
Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkar ◽  
Senthamaraikannan Kabilan ◽  
Jibon Kotoky
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Pleiotropic Effect ◽  
In Vivo Evaluation ◽  
Chemopreventive Agents ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Anticancer Mechanism ◽  
Metastasis Development

Emerging evidence present credible support in favour of the potential role of mahanine and girinimbine. Non-toxic herbal carbazole alkaloids occur in the edible part of Murraya koenigii, Micromelum minutum, M. zeylanicum, and M. euchrestiolia. Mahanine and girinimbine are the major potent compounds from these species. In fact, they interfered with tumour expansion and metastasis development through down-regulation of apoptotic and antiapoptotic protein, also involved in the stimulation of cell cycle arrest. Consequently, these compounds were well proven for the in-vitro and in vivo evaluation that could be developed as novel agents either alone or as an adjuvant to conventional therapeutics. Therefore, mahanine and girinimbine analogs have the potential to be the promising chemopreventive agents for the tumour recurrence and the treatment of human malignancies. In this review, an updated wide-range of pleiotropic anticancer and biological effects induction by mahanine and girinimbine against cancer cells were deeply summarized.

Phytochemical, Analytical and Medicinal Studies of Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb. Planch - A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijay Kumar ◽  
Simranjeet Singh ◽  
Ragini Bhadouria ◽  
Ravindra Singh ◽  
Om Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Thin Layer ◽  
Thin Layer Chromatography ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Layer Chromatography

Holoptelea integrifolia Roxb. Planch (HI) has been used to treat various ailments including obesity, osteoarthritis, arthritis, inflammation, anemia, diabetes etc. To review the major phytochemicals and medicinal properties of HI, exhaustive bibliographic research was designed by means of various scientific search engines and databases. Only 12 phytochemicals have been reported including biologically active compounds like betulin, betulinic acid, epifriedlin, octacosanol, Friedlin, Holoptelin-A and Holoptelin-B. Analytical methods including the Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Liquid Chromatography With Mass Spectral (LC-MS) analysis have been used to analyze the HI. From medicinal potency point of view, these phytochemicals have a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor. In the current review, it has been noticed that the mechanism of action of HI with biomolecules has not been fully explored. Pharmacology and toxicological studies are very few. This seems a huge literature gap to be fulfilled through the detailed in-vivo and in-vitro studies.

Associated microflora of medicinal ferns: biotechnological potentials and possible applications

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (03) ◽  
pp. 4927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shubhi Srivastava ◽  
Paul A. K.
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Growth Promotion ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽  
In Vitro Production ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi

Plant associated microorganisms that colonize the upper and internal tissues of roots, stems, leaves and flowers of healthy plants without causing any visible harmful or negative effect on their host. Diversity of microbes have been extensively studied in a wide variety of vascular plants and shown to promote plant establishment, growth and development and impart resistance against pathogenic infections. Ferns and their associated microbes have also attracted the attention of the scientific communities as sources of novel bioactive secondary metabolites. The ferns and fern alleles, which are well adapted to diverse environmental conditions, produce various secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, phenols, triterpenoid compounds, variety of amino acids and fatty acids along with some unique metabolites as adaptive features and are traditionally used for human health and medicine. In this review attention has been focused to prepare a comprehensive account of ethnomedicinal properties of some common ferns and fern alleles. Association of bacteria and fungi in the rhizosphere, phyllosphere and endosphere of these medicinally important ferns and their interaction with the host plant has been emphasized keeping in view their possible biotechnological potentials and applications. The processes of host-microbe interaction leading to establishment and colonization of endophytes are less-well characterized in comparison to rhizospheric and phyllospheric microflora. However, the endophytes are possessing same characteristics as rhizospheric and phyllospheric to stimulate the in vivo synthesis as well as in vitro production of secondary metabolites with a wide range of biological activities such as plant growth promotion by production of phytohormones, siderophores, fixation of nitrogen, and phosphate solubilization. Synthesis of pharmaceutically important products such as anticancer compounds, antioxidants, antimicrobials, antiviral substances and hydrolytic enzymes could be some of the promising areas of research and commercial exploitation.

scholarly journals Occupational Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Nanofibres: More Than a Cobweb

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 745
Author(s):  
Enrico Bergamaschi ◽  
Giacomo Garzaro ◽  
Georgia Wilson Jones ◽  
Martina Buglisi ◽  
Michele Caniglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Biological Behavior ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Carbon Nanofibres ◽  
Material Entity ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are erroneously considered as singular material entities. Instead, they should be regarded as a heterogeneous class of materials bearing different properties eliciting peculiar biological outcomes both in vitro and in vivo. Given the pace at which the industrial production of CNTs/CNFs is increasing, it is becoming of utmost importance to acquire comprehensive knowledge regarding their biological activity and their hazardous effects in humans. Animal studies carried out by inhalation showed that some CNTs/CNFs species can cause deleterious effects such as inflammation and lung tissue remodeling. Their physico-chemical properties, biological behavior and biopersistence make them similar to asbestos fibers. Human studies suggest some mild effects in workers handling CNT/CNF. However, owing to their cross-sectional design, researchers have been as yet unable to firmly demonstrate a causal relationship between such an exposure and the observed effects. Estimation of acceptable exposure levels should warrant a proper risk management. The aim of this review is to challenge the conception of CNTs/CNFs as a single, unified material entity and prompt the establishment of standardized hazard and exposure assessment methodologies able to properly feeding risk assessment and management frameworks.

Application of the EYTEX™ System to the Evaluation of Cosmetic Products and their Ingredients

1992 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-163
Author(s):  
Francis H. Kruszewski ◽  
Laura H. Hearn ◽  
Kyle T. Smith ◽  
Janice J. Teal ◽  
Virginia C. Gordon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Double Blind ◽  
Eye Irritation ◽  
Ocular Irritation ◽  
Rabbit Eye ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Alkaline Membrane ◽  
Positive Agreement

465 cosmetic product formulations and raw ingredients were evaluated with the EYTEX™ system to determine the potential of this in vitro alternative for identifying eye irritation potential. The EYTEX™ system is a non-animal, biochemical procedure developed by Ropak Laboratories, Irvine, CA, that was designed to approximate the Draize rabbit eye irritation assay for the evaluation of ocular irritation. Avon Products Inc. provided all the test samples, which included over 30 different product types and represented a wide range of eye irritancy. All the EYTEX™ protocols available at the time of this study were used. Samples were evaluated double-blind with both the membrane partition assay (MPA) and the rapid membrane assay (RMA). When appropriate, the standard assay (STD) and the alkaline membrane assay (AMA) were used, as well as specific, documented protocol modifications. EYTEX™ results were correlated with rabbit eye irritation data which was obtained from the historical records of Avon Products Inc. A positive agreement of EYTEX™ results with the in vivo assay was demonstrated by an overall concordance of 80%. The assay error was 20%, of which 18% was due to an overestimation of sample irritancy (false positives) and 2% was attributed to underestimation (false negatives). Overestimation error in this study was due in part to the inability of the protocols to accurately classify test samples with very low irritation potential. Underestimation of sample irritancy was generally associated with ethoxylated materials and high concentrations of specific types of surfactants. 100% sensitivity and 85% predictability were described by the data, indicating the efficiency of EYTEX™ in identifying known irritants. A specificity rate of 39% showed the EYTEX™ assay to be weak in discerning non-irritants. However, the EYTEX™ protocols used in this study were not designed to identify non-irritants. A compatibility rate of 99% proved the effectiveness of the EYTEX™ assay in accommodating a diversity of product types. The EYTEX™ system protocols, when used appropriately, can provide a conservative means of assessing the irritant potential of most cosmetic formulations and their ingredients.

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