scholarly journals Biological Functions of Diallyl Disulfide, a Garlic-Derived Natural Organic Sulfur Compound

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Xiuxiu Song ◽  
Ziqi Yue ◽  
Lulingxiao Nie ◽  
Pengfei Zhao ◽  
Kangjian Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Diallyl Disulfide ◽  
Organic Sulfur Compound ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Bioactive Component ◽  
Pharmacologically Active ◽  
Excellent Source ◽  
Insight Into

Garlic is widely accepted as a functional food and an excellent source of pharmacologically active ingredients. Diallyl disulfide (DADS), a major bioactive component of garlic, has several beneficial biological functions, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, and anticancer activities. This review systematically evaluated the biological functions of DADS and discussed the underlying molecular mechanisms of these functions. We hope that this review provides guidance and insight into the current literature and enables future research and the development of DADS for intervention and treatment of multiple diseases.

scholarly journals Angiostatic cues from the matrix: Endothelial cell autophagy meets hyaluronan biology

2020 ◽  
Vol 295 (49) ◽  
pp. 16797-16812
Author(s):  
Carolyn G. Chen ◽  
Renato V. Iozzo
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Binding Partner ◽  
Master Regulators ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Vascular Endothelia ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Review Current

The extracellular matrix encompasses a reservoir of bioactive macromolecules that modulates a cornucopia of biological functions. A prominent body of work posits matrix constituents as master regulators of autophagy and angiogenesis and provides molecular insight into how these two processes are coordinated. Here, we review current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying hyaluronan and HAS2 regulation and the role of soluble proteoglycan in affecting autophagy and angiogenesis. Specifically, we assess the role of proteoglycan-evoked autophagy in regulating angiogenesis via the HAS2-hyaluronan axis and ATG9A, a novel HAS2 binding partner. We discuss extracellular hyaluronan biology and the post-transcriptional and post-translational modifications that regulate its main synthesizer, HAS2. We highlight the emerging group of proteoglycans that utilize outside-in signaling to modulate autophagy and angiogenesis in cancer microenvironments and thoroughly review the most up-to-date understanding of endorepellin signaling in vascular endothelia, providing insight into the temporal complexities involved.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome: From Pathophysiology to Novel Translational Applications

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 47
Author(s):  
Pasquale Ambrosino ◽  
Anna Lanzillo ◽  
Mauro Maniscalco
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Lung Abnormalities ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Rehabilitation Strategies

The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was responsible for a global emergency, with the declaration of a pandemic in March 2020. SARS-CoV-2 can determine coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), ranging from a mild illness to a serious condition requiring hospitalization in an intensive care unit. Furthermore, reports of persistent lung abnormalities and residual disability after a negative swab test suggest the presence of a post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, with the need for multidisciplinary rehabilitation strategies in the majority of survivors. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms of the acute and post-acute manifestations of COVID-19 have not been fully elucidated. In this Special Issue, a number of review and original articles provided a stimulating insight into the pathophysiology and diagnostics of COVID-19 and post-acute COVID-19 syndrome. Moreover, some novel prognostic and therapeutic applications were analyzed, with potential repercussions in clinical practice and future research. The need for further laboratory and translational research seems to emerge from this collection of articles, with the aim of elucidating the molecular mechanisms of COVID-19 at different stages of the disease. This could enable personalized prevention, interventional and rehabilitation strategies aimed at reducing disease progression and long-term disability.

scholarly journals The function of LncRNA-H19 in cardiac hypertrophy

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenhua Su ◽  
Qian Huo ◽  
Hao Wu ◽  
Lulin Wang ◽  
Xiaoxue Ding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Hypertrophy ◽  
Adaptive Response ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Myocardial Hypertrophy ◽  
Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Pathological Mechanism ◽  
First Time ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractCardiac hypertrophy, characterized by the enlargement of cardiomyocytes, is initially an adaptive response to physiological and pathological stimuli. Decompensated cardiac hypertrophy is related to fibrosis, inflammatory cytokine, maladaptive remodeling, and heart failure. Although pathological myocardial hypertrophy is the main cause of hypertrophy-related morbidity and mortality, our understanding of its mechanism is still poor. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are noncoding RNAs that regulate various physiological and pathological processes through multiple molecular mechanisms. Recently, accumulating evidence has indicated that lncRNA-H19 is a potent regulator of the progression of cardiac hypertrophy. For the first time, this review summarizes the current studies about the role of lncRNA-H19 in cardiac hypertrophy, including its pathophysiological processes and underlying pathological mechanism, including calcium regulation, fibrosis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, inflammation, and methylation. The context within which lncRNA-H19 might be developed as a target for cardiac hypertrophy treatment is then discussed to gain better insight into the possible biological functions of lncRNA-H19 in cardiac hypertrophy.

scholarly journals Muscle transcriptome provides the first insight into the dynamics of gene expression with progression of age in sheep

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reena Arora ◽  
Naveen Kumar Siddaraju ◽  
S. S. Manjunatha ◽  
S. Sudarshan ◽  
Mohamed Nadeem Fairoze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Metal Binding ◽  
Skeletal Muscles ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Muscle Development ◽  
Muscle Protein ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractThe dynamic synergy of genes and pathways in muscles in relation to age affects the muscle characteristics. Investigating the temporal changes in gene expression will help illustrate the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle development. Here we report the gene expression changes in skeletal muscles through successive age groups in Bandur, a meat type sheep of India. RNA sequencing data was generated from the longissimus thoracis muscles from four age groups, ranging from lamb to adult. Analysis of 20 highest expressed genes common across the groups revealed muscle protein, phosphorylation, acetylation, metal binding and transport as significant functions. Maximum differentiation was observed after 2.5–3 years on transition from lambs to adult. Transcriptional regulation by the TFAP2 transcription factors, IL-6 signaling and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways were enriched in younger animals. The gene-protein network demarcated key interactive genes involved in muscle development and proliferation that can be used as candidates for future research on improvement of muscle characteristics.

Development of Solid-Self Micron Emulsifying Drug Delivery Systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 2014-2021
Author(s):  
Preethi Sudheer ◽  
Koushik Y ◽  
Satish P ◽  
Uma Shankar M S ◽  
R S Thakur
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Systemic Circulation ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Steady Increase ◽  
Liquid Form ◽  
Lipophilic Compounds ◽  
Modern Drug ◽  
Pharmaceutical Scientist ◽  
Pharmacologically Active

As a consequence of modern drug discovery techniques, there has been a steady increase in the number of new pharmacologically active lipophilic compounds that are poorly water soluble and solubility is one of the most important parameter to achieve desired concentration of drug in systemic circulation for therapeutic response. It is a great challenge for pharmaceutical scientist to convert those molecules into orally administered formulation with sufficient bioavailability.  Among the several approaches to improve oral bioavailability of these molecules, Self-micron emulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) is one of the approaches usually used to improve the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs. However, conventional SMEDDS are mostly prepared in a liquid form, which can have several disadvantages. Accordingly, solid SMEDDS (S-SMEDDS) prepared by solidification of liquid/semisolid self-micron emulsifying (SME) ingredients into powders have gained popularity. This article provides an overview of the recent advancements in S-SMEDDS such as methodology, techniques and future research directions.

Impact of Natural Dietary Agents on Multiple Myeloma Prevention and Treatment: Molecular Insights and Potential for Clinical Translation

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lavinia Raimondi ◽  
Angela De Luca ◽  
Gianluca Giavaresi ◽  
Agnese Barone ◽  
Pierosandro Tagliaferri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Bone Disease ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Plasma Cells ◽  
Hematologic Malignancy ◽  
Signal Transduction Pathways ◽  
Pharmacologically Active ◽  
Dietary Agents

: Chemoprevention is based on the use of non-toxic, pharmacologically active agents to prevent tumor progression. In this regard, natural dietary agents have been described by the most recent literature as promising tools for controlling onset and progression of malignancies. Extensive research has been so far performed to shed light on the effects of natural products on tumor growth and survival, disclosing the most relevant signal transduction pathways targeted by such compounds. Overall, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and cytotoxic effects of dietary agents on tumor cells are supported either by results from epidemiological or animal studies and even by clinical trials. : Multiple myeloma is a hematologic malignancy characterized by abnormal proliferation of bone marrow plasma cells and subsequent hypercalcemia, renal dysfunction, anemia, or bone disease, which remains incurable despite novel emerging therapeutic strategies. Notably, increasing evidence supports the capability of dietary natural compounds to antagonize multiple myeloma growth in preclinical models of the disease, underscoring their potential as candidate anti-cancer agents. : In this review, we aim at summarizing findings on the anti-tumor activity of dietary natural products, focusing on their molecular mechanisms, which include inhibition of oncogenic signal transduction pathways and/or epigenetic modulating effects, along with their potential clinical applications against multiple myeloma and its related bone disease.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Unraveling the Conundrum in Skeletal Muscle?

2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 5372-5381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel K Stepto ◽  
Alba Moreno-Asso ◽  
Luke C McIlvenna ◽  
Kirsty A Walters ◽  
Raymond J Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Polycystic Ovary ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ovary Syndrome

Abstract Context Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition affecting 8% to 13% of women across the lifespan. PCOS affects reproductive, metabolic, and mental health, generating a considerable health burden. Advances in treatment of women with PCOS has been hampered by evolving diagnostic criteria and poor recognition by clinicians. This has resulted in limited clinical and basic research. In this study, we provide insights into the current and future research on the metabolic features of PCOS, specifically as they relate to PCOS-specific insulin resistance (IR), that may affect the most metabolically active tissue, skeletal muscle. Current Knowledge PCOS is a highly heritable condition, yet it is phenotypically heterogeneous in both reproductive and metabolic features. Human studies thus far have not identified molecular mechanisms of PCOS-specific IR in skeletal muscle. However, recent research has provided new insights that implicate energy-sensing pathways regulated via epigenomic and resultant transcriptomic changes. Animal models, while in existence, have been underused in exploring molecular mechanisms of IR in PCOS and specifically in skeletal muscle. Future Directions Based on the latest evidence synthesis and technologies, researchers exploring molecular mechanisms of IR in PCOS, specifically in muscle, will likely need to generate new hypothesis to be tested in human and animal studies. Conclusion Investigations to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving IR in PCOS are in their early stages, yet remarkable advances have been made in skeletal muscle. Overall, investigations have thus far created more questions than answers, which provide new opportunities to study complex endocrine conditions.

scholarly journals Clinical Candidates Targeting the ATR–CHK1–WEE1 Axis in Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 795
Author(s):  
Lukas Gorecki ◽  
Martin Andrs ◽  
Jan Korabecny
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Phase Ii Trials ◽  
Anticancer Treatment ◽  
Positive Outlook ◽  
Insight Into

Selective killing of cancer cells while sparing healthy ones is the principle of the perfect cancer treatment and the primary aim of many oncologists, molecular biologists, and medicinal chemists. To achieve this goal, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms that distinguish cancer cells from healthy ones. Accordingly, several clinical candidates that use particular mutations in cell-cycle progressions have been developed to kill cancer cells. As the majority of cancer cells have defects in G1 control, targeting the subsequent intra‑S or G2/M checkpoints has also been extensively pursued. This review focuses on clinical candidates that target the kinases involved in intra‑S and G2/M checkpoints, namely, ATR, CHK1, and WEE1 inhibitors. It provides insight into their current status and future perspectives for anticancer treatment. Overall, even though CHK1 inhibitors are still far from clinical establishment, promising accomplishments with ATR and WEE1 inhibitors in phase II trials present a positive outlook for patient survival.

scholarly journals Ketamine—50 years in use: from anesthesia to rapid antidepressant effects and neurobiological mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-345
Author(s):  
Samuel Kohtala
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Active Metabolites ◽  
The Past ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Pharmacologically Active ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Different Doses

AbstractOver the past 50 years, ketamine has solidified its position in both human and veterinary medicine as an important anesthetic with many uses. More recently, ketamine has been studied and used for several new indications, ranging from chronic pain to drug addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder. The discovery of the rapid-acting antidepressant effects of ketamine has resulted in a surge of interest towards understanding the precise mechanisms driving its effects. Indeed, ketamine may have had the largest impact for advancements in the research and treatment of psychiatric disorders in the past few decades. While intense research efforts have been aimed towards uncovering the molecular targets underlying ketamine’s effects in treating depression, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain elusive. These efforts are made more difficult by ketamine’s complex dose-dependent effects on molecular mechanisms, multiple pharmacologically active metabolites, and a mechanism of action associated with the facilitation of synaptic plasticity. This review aims to provide a brief overview of the different uses of ketamine, with an emphasis on examining ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effects spanning molecular, cellular, and network levels. Another focus of the review is to offer a perspective on studies related to the different doses of ketamine used in antidepressant research. Finally, the review discusses some of the latest hypotheses concerning ketamine’s action.

scholarly journals Production, characterization, and cross-reactivity of a polyclonal antibody against Arabidopsis TARGET OF RAPAMYCIN

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gyeong-Im Shin ◽  
Sun Young Moon ◽  
Song Yi Jeong ◽  
Myung Geun Ji ◽  
Joon-Yung Cha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Purification Method ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Related Family ◽  
Large Gene ◽  
Truncated Variants

AbstractTARGET OF RAPAMYCIN (TOR), a member of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-related family of protein kinases, is encoded by a single, large gene and is evolutionarily conserved in all eukaryotes. TOR plays a role as a master regulator that integrates nutrient, energy, and stress signaling to orchestrate development. TOR was first identified in yeast mutant screens, as its mutants conferred resistance to rapamycin, an antibiotic with immunosuppressive and anticancer activities. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the loss-of-function tor mutant displays embryo lethality, but the precise mechanisms of TOR function are still unknown. Moreover, a lack of reliable molecular and biochemical assay tools limits our ability to explore TOR functions in plants. Here, we produced a polyclonal α-TOR antibody using two truncated variants of TOR (1–200 and 1113–1304 amino acids) as antigens because recombinant full-length TOR is challenging to express in Escherichia coli. Recombinant His-TOR1−200 and His-TOR1113−1304 proteins were individually expressed in E. coli, and a mixture of proteins (at a 1:1 ratio) was used for immunizing rabbits. Antiserum was purified by an antigen-specific purification method, and the purified polyclonal α-TOR antibody successfully detected endogenous TOR proteins in wild-type Arabidopsis and TOR orthologous in major crop plants, including tomato, maize, and alfalfa. Moreover, our α-TOR antibody is useful for coimmunoprecipitation assays. In summary, we generated a polyclonal α-TOR antibody that detects endogenous TOR in various plant species. Our antibody could be used in future studies to determine the precise molecular mechanisms of TOR, which has largely unknown multifunctional roles in plants.

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