scholarly journals Bioactive Compounds as Potential Agents for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Management: A Review to Explore Molecular Mechanisms of Action

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javad Sharifi-Rad ◽  
Cristina Quispe ◽  
Amirhossein Rahavian ◽  
Joara Nályda Pereira Carneiro ◽  
Janaína Esmeraldo Rocha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Complementary Therapies ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Antiviral Effects

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are produced by pathogens like bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses, and may generate severe health problems such as cancer, ulcers, and even problems in the newborn. This narrative review aims to present updated information about the use of natural bioactive compounds for the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. A search of the literature was performed using databases and search engines such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Science Direct. From the pharmacotherapeutic management point of view, any strategies for prevention should contain medical approaches. The bioactive compounds obtained from natural products have shown biological effects against different microorganisms for the treatment of these diseases. The main results showed antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antifungal and antiviral effects such as HIV. Also, the molecular mechanisms, signalling pathways and action targets of natural compounds were highlighted, thus justifying bacterial and antifungal inhibition, apoptosis or reduction of viral replication. From the data of our study, we can conclude that natural compounds may be a significant source for adjuvant drugs / complementary therapies in the treatment of STDs. With all these benefits, the future must conduct extensive clinical trials and the development of pharmaceutical nanotechnologies for a greater therapeutic effect.

Pharmacophore based virtual screening for identification of marine bioactive compounds as inhibitors against macrophage infectivity potentiator (Mip) protein of Chlamydia trachomatis

RSC Advances ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (23) ◽  
pp. 18946-18957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vijayan Ramachandran ◽  
Elavarasi Padmanaban ◽  
Kalaiarasan Ponnusamy ◽  
Subbarao Naidu ◽  
Manoharan Natesan
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Virtual Screening ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Virulence Factor ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Macrophage Infectivity Potentiator ◽  
Macrophage Infectivity

Macrophage infectivity potentiator (Mip) is the virulence factor fromChlamydia trachomatisthat is primarily responsible for causing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and blindness.

scholarly journals Plant-Based Bioactive Molecules in Improving Health and Preventing Lifestyle Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2991
Author(s):  
Rosaria Acquaviva ◽  
Giuseppe Antonio Malfa ◽  
Claudia Di Giacomo
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Life Style ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Research Papers ◽  
Lifestyle Diseases

The Special Issue, “Plant-Based Bioactive Molecules in Improving Health and Preventing Life-style Diseases”, includes original research papers and reviews, which aim to increase knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying multiple biological effects of natural compounds from plants, responsible for maintaining human health and improving many diseases caused by people’s daily lifestyles [...]

scholarly journals The Role of Selected Natural Biomolecules in Sperm Production and Functionality

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (17) ◽  
pp. 5196
Author(s):  
Eva Tvrdá ◽  
Filip Benko ◽  
Tomáš Slanina ◽  
Stefan S. du Plessis
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Dna Integrity ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Reproductive Dysfunction

Emerging evidence from in vivo as well as in vitro studies indicates that natural biomolecules may play important roles in the prevention or management of a wide array of chronic diseases. Furthermore, the use of natural compounds in the treatment of male sub- or infertility has been proposed as a potential alternative to conventional therapeutic options. As such, we aimed to evaluate the effects of selected natural biomolecules on the sperm production, structural integrity, and functional activity. At the same time, we reviewed their possible beneficial or adverse effects on male reproductive health. Using relevant keywords, a literature search was performed to collect currently available information regarding molecular mechanisms by which selected natural biomolecules exhibit their biological effects in the context of male reproductive dysfunction. Evidence gathered from clinical trials, in vitro experiments and in vivo studies suggest that the selected natural compounds affect key targets related to sperm mitochondrial metabolism and motion behavior, oxidative stress, inflammation, DNA integrity and cell death. The majority of reports emphasize on ameliorative, stimulating and protective effects of natural biomolecules on the sperm function. Nevertheless, possible adverse and toxic behavior of natural compounds has been indicated as well, pointing out to a possible dose-dependent impact of natural biomolecules on the sperm survival and functionality. As such, further research leading to a deeper understanding of the beneficial or adverse roles of natural compounds is necessary before these can be employed for the management of male reproductive dysfunction.

Natural Compounds Promoting Weight Loss: Mechanistic Insights from the Point of View of the Medicinal Chemist

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Ribaudo ◽  
Alberto Ongaro ◽  
Giuseppe Zagotto
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Body ◽  
Logical Operators ◽  
Metabolism Regulation ◽  
Glucose And Lipid Metabolism

Background:The adipose tissue acts as a buffer storing and releasing energy according to the needs of the body. In a non-physiological context, the development of obesity is related to an unbalance in the homeostasis between calories intake and energy consumption.Objectives:This review focuses on the natural compounds and the herbal extracts used in dietary supplements that are claimed to suppress appetite and promote weight loss. Such compounds or mixture of compounds act through different molecular mechanisms that will be discussed from the point of view of the Medicinal Chemist. The reader will be also briefly updated on the recurring adulteration cases that affect the market of dietary supplements.Methods:The bibliographic research was performed using online scientific databases (PubMed, Reaxys, Scopus) exploiting different keywords and logical operators to lay the bases for an accurate, quality criteria-based literature update.Results:Over 70 papers were selected for the preparation of this review, preferring the reports that are supported by pre-clinical and clinical data.Conclusion:Activity on adrenergic receptors, modulation of adenosine receptors, interference with glucose and lipid metabolism, regulation of adipocyte cell cycle and inhibition of phosphodiesterases are the main molecular mechanisms by which different natural compounds act in promoting weight loss.

scholarly journals Antiviral Properties of Flavonoids and Delivery Strategies

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolino Ninfali ◽  
Antonella Antonelli ◽  
Mauro Magnani ◽  
Emanuele Salvatore Scarpa
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Antiviral Agents ◽  
Synthetic Drugs ◽  
Antiviral Therapies ◽  
Antiviral Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Antiviral Activities ◽  
Delivery Strategies

This review summarizes the latest advancements in phytochemicals as functional antiviral agents. We focused on flavonoids, like apigenin, vitexin, quercetin, rutin and naringenin, which have shown a wide range of biological effects including antiviral activities. The molecular mechanisms of their antiviral effects mainly consist in the inhibition of viral neuraminidase, proteases and DNA/RNA polymerases, as well as in the modification of various viral proteins. Mixtures of different flavonoids or combination of flavonoids with antiviral synthetic drugs provide an enhancement of their antiviral effects. Recent strategies in drug delivery significantly contribute to overcoming the low bioavailability of flavonoids. Frequent viral infections worldwide have led to the need for new effective antiviral agents, which can be identified among the various phytochemicals. In this light, screening the antiviral activities of a cocktail of flavonoids would be advantageous in order to prevent viral infections and improve current antiviral therapies.

Role of p38 MAPK pathway in BMP4-mediated Smad-dependent premature senescence in lung cancer cells

2010 ◽  
Vol 433 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongmei Su ◽  
Xiue Peng ◽  
Shan Zhu ◽  
Ying Huang ◽  
Zhixiong Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
P38 Mapk ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Lung Cancer Cells ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
Premature Senescence ◽  
P38 Mapk Pathway

BMP4 (bone morphogenetic protein 4) is a multifunctional cytokine known to exert its biological effects through a variety of signalling pathways. The diverse function of BMP4 appears to be due to multiple pathways activated by BMP4 itself. Our previous studies have demonstrated that BMP4 is able to drive lung cancer cells into a process of premature senescence; however, the signalling pathways, as well their interplays and roles associated with this process, are not well understood. To address these questions, in the present study we investigated the signalling and molecular mechanisms underlying the BMP4-induced senescence, and our data demonstrated that p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and Smad pathways were necessary for this process. Meanwhile, the ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2) pathway, which is required for senescence, was not activated by BMP4 in the lung cancer cell line NCI-H460. We also showed that the BMP4-responsive R-Smads (receptor-regulated Smads), i.e. Smad1 and Smad5, were necessary for the up-regulation of p16INK4a and p21WAF1/cip1 and for the induction of premature senescence. Furthermore, we found that activation of the p38 MAPK pathway by BMP4 was essential for the full activation of transcription potential of Smad1/5. Overall, the results of the present study implicate a complex co-operation between p38 MAPK and Smad pathways in BMP4-mediated premature senescence.

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