Pharmacological Effects of Verticine: Current Status

Verticine is the major bioactive constituent of Fritillaria as a kind of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Pharmacological researches have reported various benefits of verticine, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, protecting against acute lung injury, tracheobronchial relaxation, antitussive, expectorant, sedative, and analgesic activities, in addition to inhibiting proliferation of cultured orbital fibroblast, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and inhibiting hERG potassium channels. The underlying mechanisms of verticine are still under investigation. This review will comprehensively summarize the metabolism, biological activities, and possible mechanism of verticine.

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Role of Gut Microbiota in the Pharmacological Effects of Natural Products

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2019/2682748 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Chuyue Pan ◽

Qinglong Guo ◽

Na Lu

Keyword(s):

Natural Products ◽

Chinese Medicine ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Mucosal Immunology ◽

Pharmacological Effects ◽

Microbial Metabolites ◽

Junction Structure ◽

Insight Into

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that natural products derived from traditional Chinese medicine, such as ginseng, berberine, and curcumin, possess a wide variety of biological activities on gut microbiota, which may cause changes in the composition of intestinal microbiota, microbial metabolites, intestinal tight junction structure, and mucosal immunology. These changes will eventually result in the exertion of the pharmacological effects by treatment with these natural products. In this review, we will discuss how gut microbiota is influenced by commonly used natural products. Furthermore, our findings are expected to provide novel insight into how these untargeted natural products function via gut microbiota.

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ANTICANCER EFFECT OF UVARIA GENUS

Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy ◽

10.34071/jmp.2013.6.16 ◽

2014 ◽

pp. 98-101

Author(s):

Thi Bich Hien Le ◽

Viet Duc Ho ◽

Thi Hoai Nguyen

Keyword(s):

Biological Activities ◽

Current Trend ◽

Healthcare Systems ◽

Chemical Compositions ◽

Cancer Therapies ◽

Pharmacological Effects ◽

Anticancer Effect ◽

Anti Cancer ◽

Tropical Areas ◽

Cancer Activity

Nowadays, cancer treatment has been a big challenge to healthcare systems. Most of clinical anti-cancer therapies are toxic and cause adverse effects to human body. Therefore, current trend in science is seeking and screening of natural compounds which possess antineoplastic activities to utilize in treatment. Uvaria L. - Annonaceae includes approximately 175 species spreading over tropical areas of Asia, Australia, Africa and America. Studies on chemical compositions and pharmacological effects of Uvaria showed that several compound classes in this genus such as alkaloid, flavonoid, cyclohexen derivaties, acetogenin, steroid, terpenoid, etc. indicate considerable biological activities, for example anti-tumor, anti-cancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, etc. Specifically, anti-cancer activity of fractions of extract and pure isolated compounds stands out for cytotoxicity against many cancer cell lines. This study provides an overview of anti-cancer activity of Uvaria and suggests a potential for further studies on seeking and developing novel anti-cancer compounds. Key words: Anti-cancer, Uvaria.

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Research of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of leukemia: current status

Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine ◽

10.3736/jcim20080819 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 6 (8) ◽

pp. 867-872 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

YL Fu

Keyword(s):

Chinese Medicine ◽

Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽

Current Status

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Current Advances in the Biological Activity of Polysaccharides in Dendrobium with Intriguing Therapeutic Potential

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/0929867324666170227114648 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (14) ◽

pp. 1663-1681 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Chun-Ting Lee ◽

Heng-Chun Kuo ◽

Yung-Hsiang Chen ◽

Ming-Yen Tsai

Keyword(s):

Biological Activity ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Herbal Medicines ◽

Research Field ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Pharmacological Effects ◽

The Family ◽

Anti Tumor Activity

The polysaccharides in many plants are attracting worldwide attention because of their biological activities and medical properties, such as anti-viral, anti-oxidative, antichronic inflammation, anti-hypertensive, immunomodulation, and neuron-protective effects, as well as anti-tumor activity. Denodrobium species, a genus of the family orchidaceae, have been used as herbal medicines for hundreds of years in China due to their pharmacological effects. These effects include nourishing the Yin, supplementing the stomach, increasing body fluids, and clearing heat. Recently, numerous researchers have investigated possible active compounds in Denodrobium species, such as lectins, phenanthrenes, alkaloids, trigonopol A, and polysaccharides. Unlike those of other plants, the biological effects of polysaccharides in Dendrobium are a novel research field. In this review, we focus on these novel findings to give readers an overall picture of the intriguing therapeutic potential of polysaccharides in Dendrobium, especially those of the four commonly-used Denodrobium species: D. huoshanense, D. offininale, D. nobile, and D. chrysotoxum.

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Anthocyanins As Modulators of Cell Redox-Dependent Pathways in Non-Communicable Diseases

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/0929867325666181112093336 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (12) ◽

pp. 1955-1996 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Antonio Speciale ◽

Antonella Saija ◽

Romina Bashllari ◽

Maria Sofia Molonia ◽

Claudia Muscarà ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Health ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Wide Spectrum ◽

Antioxidant Defenses ◽

Noncommunicable Diseases ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Pathological Conditions ◽

Chronic Pulmonary Diseases ◽

Underlying Mechanisms

: Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), mostly represented by cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic pulmonary diseases, cancers, and several chronic pathologies, are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality, and are mainly related to the occurrence of metabolic risk factors. Anthocyanins (ACNs) possess a wide spectrum of biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardioprotective and chemopreventive properties, which are able to promote human health. Although ACNs present an apparent low bioavailability, their metabolites may play an important role in the in vivo protective effects observed. : This article directly addresses the scientific evidences supporting that ACNs could be useful to protect human population against several NCDs not only acting as antioxidant but through their capability to modulate cell redox-dependent signaling. In particular, ACNs interact with the NF-κB and AP-1 signal transduction pathways, which respond to oxidative signals and mediate a proinflammatory effect, and the Nrf2/ARE pathway and its regulated cytoprotective proteins (GST, NQO, HO-1, etc.), involved in both cellular antioxidant defenses and elimination/inactivation of toxic compounds, so countering the alterations caused by conditions of chemical/oxidative stress. In addition, supposed crosstalks could contribute to explain the protective effects of ACNs in different pathological conditions characterized by an altered balance among these pathways. Thus, this review underlines the importance of specific nutritional molecules for human health and focuses on the molecular targets and the underlying mechanisms of ACNs against various diseases.

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Secondary Metabolites of Plant Origin containing Carbazole as Lead Molecule: A Review

Current Traditional Medicine ◽

10.2174/2215083805666190617110019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 05 ◽

Author(s):

Atul Sharma ◽

Devender Pathak

Keyword(s):

Drug Discovery ◽

Heterocyclic Compounds ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Chemical Compounds ◽

Lethal Effect ◽

Chemical Diversity ◽

Chemical Transformations ◽

Pharmacological Effects ◽

Structural Class ◽

Biological Targets

Keeping this fact that study of a body is biology but life is all about chemicals and chemical transformations, many medicinal chemist start research in finding new and novel chemical compounds which having pharmacological activities. Most of those chemical compounds which are having active pharmacological effects are heterocyclic compounds. Heterocyclic compounds clutch a particular place among pharmaceutically active natural and synthetic compounds. The ability to serve both as biomimetics and reactive pharmacophores of heterocyclic nuclei is incredible and it has principally contributed to their unique value as traditional key elements of numerous drugs. These heterocyclic nuclei offer a huge area for new lead molecules for drug discovery and for generation of activity relationships with biological targets to enhance pharmacological effects. For these reasons, it is not surprising that this structural class has received special attention in drug discovery. The hydrogen bond acceptors and donors arranged in a manner of a semi-rigid skeleton in heterocyclic rings and therefore they can present a varied display of significant pharmacophores. Lead identification and optimization of drug target probable can be achieved by generation of chemical diversity produced by derivatization of heterocyclic pharmacophores with different groups or substituents. A tricyclic carbazole nucleus is an integral part of naturally occurring alkaloids and synthetic derivatives, possessing various potential biological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial and antiviral. Binding mechanism of carbazole with target receptor as a molecule or fused molecule exhibits the potential lethal effect.

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The biogenesis and biological function of PIWI-interacting RNA in cancer

Journal of Hematology & Oncology ◽

10.1186/s13045-021-01104-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Silu Chen ◽

Shuai Ben ◽

Junyi Xin ◽

Shuwei Li ◽

Rui Zheng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Diagnosis ◽

Precancerous Lesions ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Cancer Hallmarks ◽

Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽

Small Ncrnas ◽

Bioinformatics Databases ◽

Non Coding Rnas ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

Proliferative Signaling

AbstractSmall non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are vital regulators of biological activities, and aberrant levels of small ncRNAs are commonly found in precancerous lesions and cancer. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a novel type of small ncRNA initially discovered in germ cells that have a specific length (24–31 nucleotides), bind to PIWI proteins, and show 2′-O-methyl modification at the 3′-end. Numerous studies have revealed that piRNAs can play important roles in tumorigenesis via multiple biological regulatory mechanisms, including silencing transcriptional and posttranscriptional gene processes and accelerating multiprotein interactions. piRNAs are emerging players in the malignant transformation of normal cells and participate in the regulation of cancer hallmarks. Most of the specific cancer hallmarks regulated by piRNAs are involved in sustaining proliferative signaling, resistance to cell death or apoptosis, and activation of invasion and metastasis. Additionally, piRNAs have been used as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and have great potential for clinical utility. However, research on the underlying mechanisms of piRNAs in cancer is limited. Here, we systematically reviewed recent advances in the biogenesis and biological functions of piRNAs and relevant bioinformatics databases with the aim of providing insights into cancer diagnosis and clinical applications. We also focused on some cancer hallmarks rarely reported to be related to piRNAs, which can promote in-depth research of piRNAs in molecular biology and facilitate their clinical translation into cancer treatment.

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Acid sphingomyelinase mediates murine acute lung injury following transfusion of aged platelets

AJP Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajplung.00317.2016 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 312 (5) ◽

pp. L625-L637 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Mark J. McVey ◽

Michael Kim ◽

Arata Tabuchi ◽

Victoria Srbely ◽

Lukasz Japtok ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Lung Injury ◽

Lung Injury ◽

Pulmonary Complications ◽

Acid Sphingomyelinase ◽

Blood Products ◽

Barrier Dysfunction ◽

Neutrophil Accumulation ◽

Characteristic Features ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

Stored Blood

Pulmonary complications from stored blood products are the leading cause of mortality related to transfusion. Transfusion-related acute lung injury is mediated by antibodies or bioactive mediators, yet underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Sphingolipids such as ceramide regulate lung injury, and their composition changes as a function of time in stored blood. Here, we tested the hypothesis that aged platelets may induce lung injury via a sphingolipid-mediated mechanism. To assess this hypothesis, a two-hit mouse model was devised. Recipient mice were treated with 2 mg/kg intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (priming) 2 h before transfusion of 10 ml/kg stored (1–5 days) platelets treated with or without addition of acid sphingomyelinase inhibitor ARC39 or platelets from acid sphingomyelinase-deficient mice, which both reduce ceramide formation. Transfused mice were examined for signs of pulmonary neutrophil accumulation, endothelial barrier dysfunction, and histological evidence of lung injury. Sphingolipid profiles in stored platelets were analyzed by mass spectrophotometry. Transfusion of aged platelets into primed mice induced characteristic features of lung injury, which increased in severity as a function of storage time. Ceramide accumulated in platelets during storage, but this was attenuated by ARC39 or in acid sphingomyelinase-deficient platelets. Compared with wild-type platelets, transfusion of ARC39-treated or acid sphingomyelinase-deficient aged platelets alleviated lung injury. Aged platelets elicit lung injury in primed recipient mice, which can be alleviated by pharmacological inhibition or genetic deletion of acid sphingomyelinase. Interventions targeting sphingolipid formation represent a promising strategy to increase the safety and longevity of stored blood products.

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Tanshinone IIA: Pharmacology, total synthesis, and progress in structure-modifications

Current Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/0929867328666211108110025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

Author(s):

Xing Huang ◽

Hao Deng ◽

Qing-kun Shen ◽

Zhe-Shan Quan

Keyword(s):

Herbal Medicine ◽

Total Synthesis ◽

Chinese Herbal Medicine ◽

Biological Activities ◽

Structural Features ◽

Tanshinone Iia ◽

Structural Modifications ◽

Chinese Herbal ◽

Bioactive Constituent

: Tanshinone IIA, a major bioactive constituent of Danshen, a Chinese herbal medicine, has gained extensive exploration owing to its unique structural features and multiple promising biological activities. This review focuses on the pharmacology, total synthesis, and structural modifications of tanshinone IIA. We hope this review will contribute to a better understanding of the progress in the field and provide constructive suggestions for further study of tanshinone IIA.

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