scholarly journals Ginger from Farmyard to Town: Nutritional and Pharmacological Applications

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremiah Oshiomame Unuofin ◽  
Nelisiwe Prenate Masuku ◽  
Oluwatomiwa Kehinde Paimo ◽  
Sogolo Lucky Lebelo
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Nausea And Vomiting ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Tract Infections

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the most widely used natural products consumed as a spice and medicine for treating diabetes, flatulent intestinal colic, indigestion, infertility, inflammation, insomnia, a memory booster, nausea, rheumatism, stomach ache, and urinary tract infections. To date, over 400 bioactive components, such as diarylheptanoids, gingerol analogues, phenylalkanoids, sulfonates, monoterpenoid glycosides, steroids, and terpene compounds have been derived from ginger. Increasing evidence has revealed that ginger possesses a broad range of biological activities, especially protective effects against male infertility, nausea and vomiting, analgesic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and other effects. The pharmacological activities of ginger were mainly attributed to its active phytoconstituents such as 6-gingerol, gingerdiol, gingerol, gingerdione, paradols, shogaols, sesquiterpenes, zingerone, besides other phenolics and flavonoids. In recent years, in silico molecular docking studies revealed that gingerol (6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, and 10-gingerol) and Shogaol (6-shogaol, 8-shogaol, 10-shogaol) had the best binding affinities to the receptor protein in disease conditions such as diabetes, inflammation, obesity, and SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, some clinical trials have indicated that ginger can be consumed for alleviation of nausea and vomiting induced by surgery, pain, diabetes, obesity, inflammation, male infertility. This review provides an updated understanding of the scientific evidence on the development of ginger and its active compounds as health beneficial agents in future clinical trials.

Vasculoprotective effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and underlying molecular mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao Li ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
Feng Jiang ◽  
Nikolay T. Tzvetkov ◽  
Jaroslaw O. Horbanczuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Bioactive Constituents ◽  
Zingiber Officinale Roscoe

Bioactive constituents of ginger are reviewed. Vascular protective effects of ginger and a variety of mechanisms are presented. Ginger and its components show vasculoprotective effects in clinical trials.

scholarly journals Probiotics against Viral Infections: Current Clinical Trials and Future Perspectives

Immuno ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 468-498
Author(s):  
Pedro A. Reyes-Castillo ◽  
Raquel González-Vázquez ◽  
Edgar Torres-Maravilla ◽  
Mario Tello ◽  
Luis G. Bermúdez-Humarán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Viruses ◽  
Etiological Agents ◽  
Tract Infections

Viral infections represent a major health problem worldwide. Due to the wide variety of etiological agents and their increasing resistance to anti-virals and antibiotics treatments, new strategies for effective therapies need to be developed. Scientific evidence suggests that probiotics may have prophylactic and therapeutic effects in viral diseases. Indeed, these microorganisms interact harmoniously with the intestinal microbiota and protect the integrity of the intestinal barrier as well as modulate the host immune system. Currently, clinical trials with probiotics have been documented in respiratory tract infections, infections caused by human immunodeficiency viruses, herpes, human papillomavirus and hepatic encephalopathy. However, the benefits documented so far are difficult to extrapolate, due to the strain-dependent effect. In addition, the dose of the microorganism used as well as host characteristics are other parameters that should be consider when advocating the use of probiotics to treat viral infections. This review addresses the scientific evidence of the efficacy of probiotics in clinical strains perspective in viral infectious diseases in the last 10 years.

Design, Synthesis and Docking Studies of Some Novel Fluoroquinolone Compounds with Antibacterial Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 815-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Pintilie ◽  
Amalia Stefaniu ◽  
Alina Ioana Nicu ◽  
Maria Maganu ◽  
Miron Teodor Caproiu
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Elemental Analysis ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Receptor Protein ◽  
Chemical Methods ◽  
Design Synthesis ◽  
Gram Negative

A new series of fluoroquinolone compounds have been obtained by Gould-Jacobs method. The compounds have been characterized by physic-chemical methods (elemental analysis, FTIR, NMR, UV-Vis) and by antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. For the synthesized compounds have been performed calculations of characteristics and molecular properties, using Spartan�14 Software from Wavefunction, Inc. Irvine, CA. and molecular docking studies using CLC Drug Discovery Workbench 2.4 software, to identify and visualize the most likely interaction ligand (fluoroquinolone) with the receptor protein.

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

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (14) ◽  
pp. 1663-1681 ◽  
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.

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

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (12) ◽  
pp. 1955-1996 ◽  
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.

The Protective Effect of Metformin against Oxandrolone-Induced Infertility in Male Rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulqader Fadhil Abed ◽  
Yazun Bashir Jarrar ◽  
Hamzeh J Al-Ameer ◽  
Wajdy Al-Awaida ◽  
Su-Jun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Male Infertility ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Histological Examination ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
P Value ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Rt Pcr

Background: Oxandrolone is a synthetic testosterone analogue that is widely used among bodybuilders and athletes. However, oxandrolone causes male infertility. Recently, it was found that metformin reduces the risk of infertility associated with diabetes mellitus. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of metformin against oxandrolone-induced infertility in male rats. Methods: Rats continuously received one of four treatments (n=7) over 14 days: control DMSO administration, oxandrolone administration, metformin administration, or co-administration of oxandrolone and metformin. Doses were equivalent to those used for human treatment. Subsequently, testicular and blood samples were collected for morphological, biochemical, and histological examination. In addition, gene expression of the testosterone synthesizing enzyme CYP11A1 was analyzed in the testes using RT-PCR. Results: Oxandrolone administration induced male infertility by significantly reducing relative weights of testes by 48%, sperm count by 82%, and serum testosterone levels by 96% (ANOVA, P value < 0.05). In addition, histological examination determined that oxandrolone caused spermatogenic arrest which was associated with 2-fold downregulation of testicular CYP11A1 gene expression. However, co-administration of metformin with oxandrolone significantly ameliorated toxicological alterations induced by oxandrolone exposure (ANOVA, P value < 0.05). Conclusion: Metformin administration protected against oxandrolone-induced infertility in male rats. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm the protective effect of metformin against oxandrolone-induced infertility among athletes.

Naphthoquinone Derivatives Isolated from Plants: Recent Advances in Biological Activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 2019-2035
Author(s):  
Esmaeil Sheikh Ahmadi ◽  
Amir Tajbakhsh ◽  
Milad Iranshahy ◽  
Javad Asili ◽  
Nadine Kretschmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Biological Activity ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Anticancer Activity ◽  
Clinical Significance ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Phase Ii Clinical Trials ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
The Subject

Naturally occurring naphthoquinones (NQs) comprising highly reactive small molecules are the subject of increasing attention due to their promising biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, apoptosis-inducing activities, and especially anticancer activity. Lapachol, lapachone, and napabucasin belong to the NQs and are in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of many cancers. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and updated overview on the biological activities of several new NQs isolated from different species of plants reported from January 2013 to January 2020, their potential therapeutic applications and their clinical significance.

Novel Iodinated Hydrazide-hydrazones and their Analogues as Acetyl- and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (23) ◽  
pp. 2106-2117
Author(s):  
Martin Krátký ◽  
Šárka Štěpánková ◽  
Michaela Brablíková ◽  
Katarína Svrčková ◽  
Markéta Švarcová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Covalent Binding ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Potent Inhibition ◽  
Brain Barrier Permeability ◽  
Electric Eel ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Ellman’S Method

Background: Hydrazide-hydrazones have been known as scaffold with various biological activities including inhibition of acetyl- (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Cholinesterase inhibitors are mainstays of dementias’ treatment. Objective: Twenty-five iodinated hydrazide-hydrazones and their analogues were designed as potential central AChE and BuChE inhibitors. Methods: Hydrazide-hydrazones were synthesized from 4-substituted benzohydrazides and 2-/4- hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzaldehydes. The compounds were investigated in vitro for their potency to inhibit AChE from electric eel and BuChE from equine serum using Ellman’s method. We calculated also physicochemical and structural parameters for CNS delivery. Results: The derivatives exhibited a moderate dual inhibition with IC50 values ranging from 15.1-140.5 and 35.5 to 170.5 μmol.L-1 for AChE and BuChE, respectively. Generally, the compounds produced a balanced or more potent inhibition of AChE. N'-[(E)-(4-Hydroxy-3,5-diiodophenyl)methylidene]-4- nitrobenzohydrazide 2k and 4-fluoro-N'-(2-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzyl)benzohydrazide 3a were the most potent inhibitors of AChE and BuChE, respectively. Structure-activity relationships were established, and molecular docking studies confirmed interaction with enzymes. Conclusion: Many novel hydrazide-hydrazones showed lower IC50 values than rivastigmine against AChE and some of them were comparable for BuChE to this drug used for the treatment of dementia. They interact with cholinesterases via non-covalent binding into the active site. Based on the BOILEDEgg approach, the majority of the derivatives met the criteria for blood-brain-barrier permeability.

Medicinal Chemistry of Alternative Therapeutics: Novelty and Hopes with Genus Ammannia

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 784-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harish C. Upadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Traditional Medicines ◽  
Drug Molecules ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Pharmacologically Active ◽  
Herbal Formulations

The plants have formed the basis of folklore remedy since the beginning of human civilization. The cumulative human endeavor and experience over a period of thousands of years developed into well to organize traditional medicine systems viz. Ayurvedic, Unani, Chinese amongst others. Across the world, traditional medicine is either the mainstay of health care or serves as a complement to modern drugs. In view of worldwide use of traditional medicines, World Health Organization launched ‘WHO-Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023’ for the development of strong policies regarding knowledge-base, safety, quality-control and effectiveness of traditional/alternative therapeutics for national health systems. Besides their use in traditional medicine, plants have always been a good source of modern drug/pharmacologically active molecules. More than half of the modern pharmaceuticals are either plant isolates or their derivatives. The plant-based drugs are not only effective, but have better compatibility with human biological systems because of more biologically relevant chemistry, hence lesser side effects. Some of the species of genus Ammannia (Lythraceae) have been reported for their magical medicinal values. Many herbal formulations containing Ammannia spp. have been patented for treatment of serious diseases/disorders like cancer, spinal disease, human female infertility, chronic tonsillitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, treatment of bladder stones, urinary tract infections, dermatitis etc. The uses of Ammannia spp. in traditional medicine have been further verified by the biological activities of their extracts as well as isolation of bioactive phytomolecules. The current review provides details about Ammannia spp.; its use in folklore remedy, herbal formulations, biological activities of extracts, isolation of bioactive phytomolecules and SAR study of semi-synthetic derivatives to analyze the possibility of new drug molecules of plant origin.

Elucidating the anti-biofilm and anti-quorum sensing potential of selenocystine against respiratory tract infections causing bacteria: in vitro and in silico studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bharti Patel ◽  
Subrata Mishra ◽  
Indira K. Priyadarsini ◽  
Sirisha L. Vavilala
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Protein Function ◽  
Docking Studies ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumonia ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
In Silico Studies ◽  
Specific Proteins ◽  
Tract Infections

Abstract Bacteria are increasingly relying on biofilms to develop resistance to antibiotics thereby resulting in their failure in treating many infections. In spite of continuous research on many synthetic and natural compounds, ideal anti-biofilm molecule is still not found thereby warranting search for new class of molecules. The current study focuses on exploring anti-biofilm potential of selenocystine against respiratory tract infection (RTI)-causing bacteria. Anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm assays demonstrated that selenocystine inhibits the growth of bacteria in their planktonic state, and formation of biofilms while eradicating preformed-biofilm effectively. Selenocystine at a MIC50 as low as 42 and 28 μg/mL effectively inhibited the growth of Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antibacterial effect is further reconfirmed by agar cup diffusion assay and growth-kill assay. Selenocystine showed 30–60% inhibition of biofilm formation in K. pneumonia, and 44–70% in P. aeruginosa respectively. It also distorted the preformed-biofilms by degrading the eDNA component of the Extracellular Polymeric Substance matrix. Molecular docking studies of selenocystine with quorum sensing specific proteins clearly showed that through the carboxylic acid moiety it interacts and inhibits the protein function, thereby confirming its anti-biofilm potential. With further validation selenocystine can be explored as a potential candidate for the treatment of RTIs.

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