Physiological and Therapeutical Roles of Ginger and Turmeric on Endocrine Functions

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (02) ◽  
pp. 215-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebtesam A. Al-Suhaimi ◽  
Noorah A. Al-Riziza ◽  
Reham A. Al-Essa
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Potent Inhibitor ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Signal Pathways ◽  
Endocrine Gland ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Natural Agents

The natural product ginger (Zingiber officinale) has active constituents gingerol, Shogaol and Zerumbone, while turmeric (Curcuma longa) contains three active major curcuminoids, namely, curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. They have the same scientific classification and are reported to have anti-inflammatory and many therapeutic effects. This article reviews the physiological and therapeutic effects of ginger and turmeric on some endocrine gland functions, and signal pathways involved to mediate their actions. With some systems and adipose tissue, ginger and turmeric exert their actions through some/all of the following signals or molecular mechanisms: (1) through reduction of high levels of some hormones (as: T4, leptin) or interaction with hormone receptors; (2) by inhibition of cytokines/adipokine expression; (3) acting as a potent inhibitor of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating enzymes, which play an essential role between inflammation and progression of diseases; (4) mediation of their effects through the inhibition of signaling transcription factors; and/or (5) decrease the proliferative potent by down-regulation of antiapoptotic genes, which may suppress tumor promotion by blocking signal transduction pathways in the target cells. These multiple mechanisms of protection against inflammation and oxidative damage make ginger and curcumin particularly promising natural agents in fighting the ravages of aging and degenerative diseases, and need to be paid more attention by studies.

scholarly journals Cell Models to Study Regulation of Cell Transformation in Pathologies of Retinal Pigment Epithelium

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alla V. Kuznetsova ◽  
Alexander M. Kurinov ◽  
Maria A. Aleksandrova
Keyword(s):  
Retinal Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Transformation ◽  
Pigment Epithelium ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Signal Pathways ◽  
Culture Models

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a key role in the development of many eye diseases leading to visual impairment and even blindness. Cell culture models of pathological changes in the RPE make it possible to study factors responsible for these changes and signaling pathways coordinating cellular and molecular mechanisms of cell interactions under pathological conditions. Moreover, they give an opportunity to reveal target cells and develop effective specific treatment for degenerative and dystrophic diseases of the retina. In this review, data are presented on RPE cell sources for culture models, approaches to RPE cell culturing, phenotypic changes of RPE cellsin vitro, the role of signal pathways, and possibilities for their regulation in pathological processes.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms of Curcumin in COVID-19 Treatment and Prevention: A Global Health Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Roberts ◽  
Robert Brown ◽  
L. Buja ◽  
Priya Weerasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Free Radical Scavenger ◽  
Radical Scavenger ◽  
Respiratory Disorder ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Electron Transfer Mechanism ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
History Of

Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) has a near 4000-year history of extensive medical use in South Asia. Its main physiologically active phytochemical is curcumin (diferuloylmethane), derived from the rhizome of turmeric. Curcumin is a hydrophobic polyphenol with a diketone moiety connecting two phenoxy rings. It is widely available, and exerts systemic and pleiotropic effects via several key mechanisms. Most famously, it is known to inhibit pro-inflammatory pathways such as PI3k/akt/NF-kB activation. It is also a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger via a sequential proton loss electron transfer mechanism in ionizing solvents due to its extended conjugating ability across the entire molecule, and its ability to induce NRF-2. It has been implicated in the treatment of diseases ranging from asthma to various cancers, and is also a broad spectrum anti-microbial. COVID-19 is a novel beta-coronavirus that was declared a pandemic by the WHO in March, 2020. It is primarily a respiratory disorder, but it can spread hematogenously and effect many other organs such as the heart, nervous system, and kidneys. There is a significant intersection between the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 and curcumin’s therapeutic effects. In addition, curcumin has been shown to inhibit initial viral infectivity. Thus, there is potential for curcumin to safely both prevent and treat COVID-19 infection across the globe.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Curcumin-Mediated Therapeutic Effects in Type 2 Diabetes and Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzena Wojcik ◽  
Michal Krawczyk ◽  
Pawel Wojcik ◽  
Katarzyna Cypryk ◽  
Lucyna Alicja Wozniak
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Age Related

The growing prevalence of age-related diseases, especially type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer, has become global health and economic problems. Due to multifactorial nature of both diseases, their pathophysiology is not completely understood so far. Compelling evidence indicates that increased oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their clearance by antioxidant defense mechanisms, as well as the proinflammatory state contributes to the development and progression of the diseases. Curcumin (CUR; diferuloylmethane), a well-known polyphenol derived from the rhizomes of turmeric Curcuma longa, has attracted a great deal of attention as a natural compound with beneficial antidiabetic and anticancer properties, partly due to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory actions. Although this polyphenolic compound is increasingly being recognized for its growing number of protective health effects, the precise molecular mechanisms through which it reduces diabetes- and cancer-related pathological events have not been fully unraveled. Hence, CUR is the subject of intensive research in the fields Diabetology and Oncology as a potential candidate in the treatment of both T2DM and cancer, particularly since current therapeutic options for their treatment are not satisfactory in clinics. In this review, we summarize the recent progress made on the molecular targets and pathways involved in antidiabetic and anticancer activities of CUR that are responsible for its beneficial health effects.

scholarly journals A Review of Plant Extracts and Plant-Derived Natural Compounds in the Prevention/Treatment of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 833
Author(s):  
Hadi Mohsenpour ◽  
Mirko Pesce ◽  
Antonia Patruno ◽  
Azam Bahrami ◽  
Pardis Mohammadi Pour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Damage ◽  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Newborn Infants ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Neurological Dysfunction ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Natural Agents

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury is one of the major drawbacks of mortality and causes significant short/long-term neurological dysfunction in newborn infants worldwide. To date, due to multifunctional complex mechanisms of brain injury, there is no well-established effective strategy to completely provide neuroprotection. Although therapeutic hypothermia is the proven treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), it does not completely chang outcomes in severe forms of HIE. Therefore, there is a critical need for reviewing the effective therapeutic strategies to explore the protective agents and methods. In recent years, it is widely believed that there are neuroprotective possibilities of natural compounds extracted from plants against HIE. These natural agents with the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and neurofunctional regulatory properties exhibit preventive or therapeutic effects against experimental neonatal HI brain damage. In this study, it was aimed to review the literature in scientific databases that investigate the neuroprotective effects of plant extracts/plant-derived compounds in experimental animal models of neonatal HI brain damage and their possible underlying molecular mechanisms of action.

Pim Kinases Mediate Viability Signals Downstream of the Tyrosine Kinase Oncogenes BCR-ABL and FLT3-ITD.

Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 557-557
Author(s):  
Martin Sattler ◽  
Emily Babendreier ◽  
Stephanie C. Chu ◽  
Jessica L. Gramlich ◽  
Klaus Podar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Cell Growth ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Tyrosine Kinases ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Hematopoietic Cells ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Pim Kinases

Abstract Pim1 and Pim2 belong to a family of serine/threonine kinases that are overexpressed in many leukemias. Pim1 has previously been shown to cooperate with the v-myc oncogene to transform hematopoietic cells with murine transforming viruses and overexpression of Pim2 has been shown to induce growth factor independence in a factor dependent murine BaF3 cell line. Protein expression of both Pim1 and Pim2 is low or absent in non-transformed hematopoietic cells but was found to be rapidly increased upon transformation by BCR-ABL or FLT3 with an internal tandem duplication (ITD). The exact contribution of the Pim kinases to transformation in these cells is unknown. BaF3 cell lines were created that stably expressed either BCR-ABL or FLT3-ITD tyrosine kinases, and in which either Pim1 or Pim2 could be induced with doxycycline. Treatment of BCR-ABL or FLT3-ITD expressing cells with small molecule kinase inhibitors specific for either ABL or FLT3 led to inhibition of cell growth, increased apoptosis, and downregulation of Pim expression as expected. However, if Pim2, and to a lesser extent, Pim1 expression was maintained by doxycycline, there was a substantial increase in both viability and cell growth. The molecular mechanisms by which Pim proteins exhibit their effects on target cells are not known. Using parental growth factor dependent BaF3 cell lines with doxycycline inducible Pim1 and Pim2, we show that expression of either of the Pim proteins is sufficient, by itself, to reduce apoptosis and induce modest cell growth. The effects of Pim overexpression on several pathways known to be associated with viability were studied. We found that while Pim over-expression does not activate Akt, it does result in the phosphorylation of a known Akt target, GSK-3β, a regulator of cell cycle progression by targeting the stability of cyclin D proteins. This suggests that Pim proteins may mediate their biological effects through regulation of components in the phosphatidylinositol-3′ kinase signaling cascade, independent of Akt activation. These results further suggest that upregulation of Pim kinases significantly contributes to transformation. Inhibition of Pim kinases could have beneficial therapeutic effects in leukemias.

scholarly journals Oxidative Stress and BPA Toxicity: An Antioxidant Approach for Male and Female Reproductive Dysfunction

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosaria Meli ◽  
Anna Monnolo ◽  
Chiara Annunziata ◽  
Claudio Pirozzi ◽  
Maria Carmela Ferrante
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Redox Homeostasis ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Methyl Donors ◽  
Cell Signaling Pathways

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a non-persistent anthropic and environmentally ubiquitous compound widely employed and detected in many consumer products and food items; thus, human exposure is prolonged. Over the last ten years, many studies have examined the underlying molecular mechanisms of BPA toxicity and revealed links among BPA-induced oxidative stress, male and female reproductive defects, and human disease. Because of its hormone-like feature, BPA shows tissue effects on specific hormone receptors in target cells, triggering noxious cellular responses associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. As a metabolic and endocrine disruptor, BPA impairs redox homeostasis via the increase of oxidative mediators and the reduction of antioxidant enzymes, causing mitochondrial dysfunction, alteration in cell signaling pathways, and induction of apoptosis. This review aims to examine the scenery of the current BPA literature on understanding how the induction of oxidative stress can be considered the “fil rouge” of BPA’s toxic mechanisms of action with pleiotropic outcomes on reproduction. Here, we focus on the protective effects of five classes of antioxidants—vitamins and co-factors, natural products (herbals and phytochemicals), melatonin, selenium, and methyl donors (used alone or in combination)—that have been found useful to counteract BPA toxicity in male and female reproductive functions.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Secretome

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Harrell ◽  
Crissy Fellabaum ◽  
Nemanja Jovicic ◽  
Valentin Djonov ◽  
Nebojsa Arsenijevic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cell ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Tissue Repair And Regeneration

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-sourced secretome, defined as the set of MSC-derived bioactive factors (soluble proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and extracellular vesicles), showed therapeutic effects similar to those observed after transplantation of MSCs. MSC-derived secretome may bypass many side effects of MSC-based therapy, including unwanted differentiation of engrafted MSCs. In contrast to MSCs which had to be expanded in culture to reach optimal cell number for transplantation, MSC-sourced secretome is immediately available for treatment of acute conditions, including fulminant hepatitis, cerebral ischemia and myocardial infarction. Additionally, MSC-derived secretome could be massively produced from commercially available cell lines avoiding invasive cell collection procedure. In this review article we emphasized molecular and cellular mechanisms that were responsible for beneficial effects of MSC-derived secretomes in the treatment of degenerative and inflammatory diseases of hepatobiliary, respiratory, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and nervous system. Results obtained in a large number of studies suggested that administration of MSC-derived secretomes represents a new, cell-free therapeutic approach for attenuation of inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Therapeutic effects of MSC-sourced secretomes relied on their capacity to deliver genetic material, growth and immunomodulatory factors to the target cells enabling activation of anti-apoptotic and pro-survival pathways that resulted in tissue repair and regeneration.

scholarly journals From Menopause to Neurodegeneration—Molecular Basis and Potential Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8654
Author(s):  
Yu-Jung Cheng ◽  
Chieh-Hsin Lin ◽  
Hsien-Yuan Lane
Keyword(s):  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
Hormone Therapy ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Steroid Hormone ◽  
Steroid Hormone Receptors ◽  
Signal Pathways ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
The Brain

The impacts of menopause on neurodegenerative diseases, especially the changes in steroid hormones, have been well described in cell models, animal models, and humans. However, the therapeutic effects of hormone replacement therapy on postmenopausal women with neurodegenerative diseases remain controversial. The steroid hormones, steroid hormone receptors, and downstream signal pathways in the brain change with aging and contribute to disease progression. Estrogen and progesterone are two steroid hormones which decline in circulation and the brain during menopause. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which plays an import role in neuroprotection, is rapidly decreased in serum after menopause. Here, we summarize the actions of estrogen, progesterone, and IGF-1 and their signaling pathways in the brain. Since the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is higher in women than in men, the associations of steroid hormone changes and AD are emphasized. The signaling pathways and cellular mechanisms for how steroid hormones and IGF-1 provide neuroprotection are also addressed. Finally, the molecular mechanisms of potential estrogen modulation on N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptors (NMDARs) are also addressed. We provide the viewpoint of why hormone therapy has inconclusive results based on signaling pathways considering their complex response to aging and hormone treatments. Nonetheless, while diagnosable AD may not be treatable by hormone therapy, its preceding stage of mild cognitive impairment may very well be treatable by hormone therapy.

Role of Resveratrol in Modulating microRNAs in Human Diseases: From Cancer to Inflammatory Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 360-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atefeh Amiri ◽  
Maryam Mahjoubin-Tehran ◽  
Zatollah Asemi ◽  
Alimohammad Shafiee ◽  
Sarah Hajighadimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Inflammatory Disorder ◽  
Inflammatory Disorders ◽  
Therapeutic Modalities ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
Current Therapies ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

: Cancer and inflammatory disorders are two important public health issues worldwide with significant socio.economic impacts. Despite several efforts, the current therapeutic platforms are associated with severe limitations. Therefore, developing new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of these diseases is a top priority. Besides current therapies, the utilization of natural compounds has emerged as a new horizon for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory disorders as well. Such natural compounds could be used either alone or in combination with the standard cancer therapeutic modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that is found in grapes as well as other foods. It has been found that this medicinal agent displays a wide pharmacological spectrum, including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antioxidant activities. Recently, clinical and pre-clinical studies have highlighted the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol. Increasing evidence revealed that resveratrol exerts its therapeutic effects by targeting various cellular and molecular mechanisms. Among cellular and molecular targets that are modulated by resveratrol, microRNAs (miRNAs) have appeared as key targets. MiRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that act as epigenetic regulators. These molecules are involved in many processes that are involved in the initiation and progression of cancer and inflammatory disorders. Herein, we summarized various miRNAs that are directly/indirectly influenced by resveratrol in cancer and inflammatory disorders.

Traditional aspects to sciatic pain and allied therapies from Persian medical reports

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Ansari ◽  
Amirhossein Dadbakhsh ◽  
Fatemeh Hasani ◽  
Fatemeh Hosseinzadeh ◽  
Zohreh Abolhassanzadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
School Of Medicine ◽  
Sciatic Pain ◽  
Novel Drugs ◽  
Zingiber Officinale Roscoe ◽  
Medical Reports ◽  
Traditional Persian Medicine ◽  
Increasing Demand

: Sciatica is a common back pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. Current pharmacologic therapies have proven inadequate for many patients with sciatic pain. On the other hand, there is a global increasing demand toward the use and administration of natural medicaments for this disorder. Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) is a school of medicine and a medicinal plant based resource for clinical studies put forward by Persian scholars. The aim of the present study is to gather and study the effectiveness of all medicinal plants from five main Persian pharmacopeias. Furthermore, different data bases such as PubMed and Scopus have been checked to derive relevant activities for these plants. In all, 99 medicinal plants related to 42 families have been authenticated. Asteraceae and Apiaceae were the most frequent families and Roots and Seeds were the most reported botanical parts. The employed routs of administration were oral (54%), topical (33%) and rectal (13%). Anti-inflammatory, analgesic activity and anti-nociceptive properties of medicines are known as some main mechanisms to manage sciatic pain. These functions are possessed by 30%, 15%, and 15% of the studied plants, respectively. Medicaments that can be introduced as lead agents for further investigation are Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Olea europaea L., Strychnos nux-vomica L and Artemisia vulgaris L which showed all of these properties in previous studies. Hence, conducting adducible clinical trials using these lead agents may lead to novel drugs with lesser undesirable and much more therapeutic effects on controlling sciatic pain.

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