scholarly journals Therapeutic Potential of Ursonic Acid: Comparison with Ursolic Acid

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1505
Author(s):  
Juhyeon Son ◽  
Sang Yeol Lee
Keyword(s):  
Ursolic Acid ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pentacyclic Triterpenoid ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Ziziphus Jujuba

Plants have been used as drugs to treat human disease for centuries. Ursonic acid (UNA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid extracted from certain medicinal herbs such as Ziziphus jujuba. Since the pharmacological effects and associated mechanisms of UNA are not well-known, in this work, we attempt to introduce the therapeutic potential of UNA with a comparison to ursolic acid (ULA), a well-known secondary metabolite, for beneficial effects. UNA has a keto group at the C-3 position, which may provide a critical difference for the varied biological activities between UNA and ULA. Several studies previously showed that UNA exerts pharmaceutical effects similar to, or stronger than, ULA, with UNA significantly decreasing the survival and proliferation of various types of cancer cells. UNA has potential to exert inhibitory effects in parasitic protozoa that cause several tropical diseases. UNA also exerts other potential effects, including antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant activities. Of note, a recent study highlighted the suppressive potential of UNA against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Molecular modifications of UNA may enhance bioavailability, which is crucial for in vivo and clinical studies. In conclusion, UNA has promising potential to be developed in anticancer and antiprotozoan pharmaceuticals. In-depth investigations may increase the possibility of UNA being developed as a novel reagent for chemotherapy.

scholarly journals Beneficial Effects of Ursolic Acid and Its Derivatives—Focus on Potential Biochemical Mechanisms in Cardiovascular Conditions

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 3900
Author(s):  
Jakub Erdmann ◽  
Marcin Kujaciński ◽  
Michał Wiciński
Keyword(s):  
Ursolic Acid ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pentacyclic Triterpenoid ◽  
Beneficial Impact ◽  
Biochemical Mechanisms ◽  
Oxide Synthase

Ursolic acid (UA) is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid found in a number of plants such as apples, thyme, oregano, hawthorn and others. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have presented its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. The inhibition of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory pathways and the increased scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in numerous ways seem to be the most beneficial effects of UA. In mice and rats, administration of UA appears to slow down the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), especially atherosclerosis and cardiac fibrosis. Upregulation of endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and cystathionine-λ-lyase (CSE) by UA may suggest its vasorelaxant property. Inhibition of metalloproteinases activity by UA may contribute to better outcomes in aneurysms management. UA influence on lipid and glucose metabolism remains inconsistent, and additional studies are essential to verify its efficacy. Furthermore, UA derivatives appear to have a beneficial impact on the cardiovascular system. This review aims to summarize recent findings on beneficial effects of UA that may make it a promising candidate for clinical trials for the management of CVDs.

scholarly journals Plant-Derived Nano and Microvesicles for Human Health and Therapeutic Potential in Nanomedicine

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 498
Author(s):  
Mariaevelina Alfieri ◽  
Antonietta Leone ◽  
Alfredo Ambrosone
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Plant Biotechnology ◽  
Bioactive Metabolites ◽  
Anticancer Activities ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Therapeutic Tools

Plants produce different types of nano and micro-sized vesicles. Observed for the first time in the 60s, plant nano and microvesicles (PDVs) and their biological role have been inexplicably under investigated for a long time. Proteomic and metabolomic approaches revealed that PDVs carry numerous proteins with antifungal and antimicrobial activity, as well as bioactive metabolites with high pharmaceutical interest. PDVs have also been shown to be also involved in the intercellular transfer of small non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs, suggesting fascinating mechanisms of long-distance gene regulation and horizontal transfer of regulatory RNAs and inter-kingdom communications. High loading capacity, intrinsic biological activities, biocompatibility, and easy permeabilization in cell compartments make plant-derived vesicles excellent natural or bioengineered nanotools for biomedical applications. Growing evidence indicates that PDVs may exert anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anticancer activities in different in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, clinical trials are currently in progress to test the effectiveness of plant EVs in reducing insulin resistance and in preventing side effects of chemotherapy treatments. In this review, we concisely introduce PDVs, discuss shortly their most important biological and physiological roles in plants and provide clues on the use and the bioengineering of plant nano and microvesicles to develop innovative therapeutic tools in nanomedicine, able to encompass the current drawbacks in the delivery systems in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical technology. Finally, we predict that the advent of intense research efforts on PDVs may disclose new frontiers in plant biotechnology applied to nanomedicine.

scholarly journals Conifers Phytochemicals: A Valuable Forest with Therapeutic Potential

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 3005
Author(s):  
Kanchan Bhardwaj ◽  
Ana Sanches Silva ◽  
Maria Atanassova ◽  
Rohit Sharma ◽  
Eugenie Nepovimova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Cancer Growth ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Antioxidant Effects

Conifers have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential in different disorders. Alkaloids, terpenes and polyphenols are the most abundant naturally occurring phytochemicals in these plants. Here, we provide an overview of the phytochemistry and related commercial products obtained from conifers. The pharmacological actions of different phytochemicals present in conifers against bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are also reviewed. Data obtained from experimental and clinical studies performed to date clearly underline that such compounds exert promising antioxidant effects, being able to inhibit cell damage, cancer growth, inflammation and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, an attempt has been made with the intent to highlight the importance of conifer-derived extracts for pharmacological purposes, with the support of relevant in vitro and in vivo experimental data. In short, this review comprehends the information published to date related to conifers’ phytochemicals and illustrates their potential role as drugs.

scholarly journals Nanostructure, Self-Assembly, Mechanical Properties, and Antioxidant Activity of a Lupin-Derived Peptide Hydrogel

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 294
Author(s):  
Raffaele Pugliese ◽  
Anna Arnoldi ◽  
Carmen Lammi
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Cd Spectroscopy ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
New Research ◽  
Peptide Hydrogel

Naturally occurring food peptides are frequently used in the life sciences due to their beneficial effects through their impact on specific biochemical pathways. Furthermore, they are often leveraged for applications in areas as diverse as bioengineering, medicine, agriculture, and even fashion. However, progress toward understanding their self-assembling properties as functional materials are often hindered by their long aromatic and charged residue-enriched sequences encrypted in the parent protein sequence. In this study, we elucidate the nanostructure and the hierarchical self-assembly propensity of a lupin-derived peptide which belongs to the α-conglutin (11S globulin, legumin-like protein), with a straightforward N-terminal biotinylated oligoglycine tag-based methodology for controlling the nanostructures, biomechanics, and biological features. Extensive characterization was performed via Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), rheological measurements, and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analyses. By using the biotin tag, we obtained a thixotropic lupin-derived peptide hydrogel (named BT13) with tunable mechanical properties (from 2 to 11 kPa), without impairing its spontaneous formation of β-sheet secondary structures. Lastly, we demonstrated that this hydrogel has antioxidant activity. Altogether, our findings address multiple challenges associated with the development of naturally occurring food peptide-based hydrogels, offering a new tool to both fine tune the mechanical properties and tailor the antioxidant activities, providing new research directions across food chemistry, biochemistry, and bioengineering.

scholarly journals Targeting necroptosis as therapeutic potential in chronic myocardial infarction

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanon Piamsiri ◽  
Chayodom Maneechote ◽  
Natthaphat Siri-Angkul ◽  
Siriporn C. Chattipakorn ◽  
Nipon Chattipakorn
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Coronary Perfusion ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Cell Death Pathways ◽  
Threatening Condition ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

AbstractCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are considered the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Of these, myocardial infarction (MI) is the most common cause of CVD mortality. MI is a life-threatening condition which occurs when coronary perfusion is interrupted leading to cardiomyocyte death. Subsequent to MI, consequences include adverse cardiac remodeling and cardiac dysfunction mainly contribute to the development of heart failure (HF). It has been shown that loss of functional cardiomyocytes in MI-induced HF are associated with several cell death pathways, in particular necroptosis. Although the entire mechanism underlying necroptosis in MI progression is still not widely recognized, some recent studies have reported beneficial effects of necroptosis inhibitors on cell viability and cardiac function in chronic MI models. Therefore, extensive investigation into the necroptosis signaling pathway is indicated for further study. This article comprehensively reviews the context of the underlying mechanisms of necroptosis in chronic MI-induced HF in in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. These findings could inform ways of developing novel therapeutic strategies to improve the clinical outcomes in MI patients from this point forward.

Phytochemical content and potential health applications of pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh) K. Koch] nutshell

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nohemí del C. Reyes-Vázquez ◽  
Laura A. de la Rosa ◽  
Juan Luis Morales-Landa ◽  
Jorge Alberto García-Fajardo ◽  
Miguel Ángel García-Cruz
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Extraction Methods ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Phytochemical Content ◽  
Pecan Nutshell

Background: The pecan nutshell contains phytochemicals with various biological activities that are potentially useful in the prevention or treatment of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and metabolic imbalances associated with heart diseases. Objective: To update this topic by means of a literature review and include those that contribute to the knowledge of the chemical composition and biological activities of pecan nutshell, particularly of those related to the therapeutic potential against some chronic degenerative diseases associated with oxidative stress. Method: Exhaustive and detailed review of the existing literature using electronic databases. Conclusion: The pecan nutshell is a promising natural product with pharmaceutical uses in various diseases. However, additional research related to the assessment of efficient extraction methods and characterization, particularly the evaluation of the mechanisms of action in new in vivo models, is necessary to confirm these findings and development of new drugs with therapeutic use.

Combinatorial Synthesis of Novel 3/5(3,5)-(Di)nitro/chloropaeonol Carbonyl Hydrazone Derivatives as Nematicidal Agents

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genqiang Chen ◽  
Lina Zhu ◽  
Yanfei Xia ◽  
Jinming Yang ◽  
Song Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Nematicidal Activity ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Root Bark ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Whole Plant ◽  
Wide Range

Background: Developing the high-efficiency and low-risk small-molecule green-nematocide is the key of effective control of the nematodes. Paeonol, is a naturally occurring phenolic compound, isolated from the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa and the whole plant of Cynanchum paniculatum. Due to its crucial phenolic ketone skeleton, modern biological science research has indicated that paeonol has a wide range of biological activities. The structural modification of paeonol into paeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives is a potential approach for the development of novel nematodes, which showed more toxicity than paeonol. However, there are no reports on the nematicidal activity of paeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives to control Heterodera glycines. Results: We always endeavor to discover and develop biorational natural products-based pesticidal agents, 4 significant intermediates and 21 novel 3/5(3,5)-(di)nitro/chloropaeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives were prepared, and their structures well characterized by 1H NMR, HRMS, MS, and mp. Due to the steric hindrance, the substituents on the C=N double bond of all hydrazine compounds adopted E configuration. Results of nematicidal activity revealed that, among all compounds, especially 5-nitropaeonol (5) and 3,5-dinitropaeonol (7) displayed the most potent nematicidal activity H. glycines in vivo with LC50 values of 0.0323 and 0.0367 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: It suggested that for the 3/5(3,5)-(di)nitro/chloropaeonol carbonyl hydrazone derivatives, a nitro group introduced at C5 position of 1 was necessary for obtaining the potent compound as nematicidal agents. These preliminary results will pave the way for further modification of paeonol in the development of potential new nematicides.

scholarly journals Alantolactone: A Natural Plant Extract as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Cai ◽  
Kewa Gao ◽  
Bi Peng ◽  
Zhijie Xu ◽  
Jinwu Peng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cancer Colorectal ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Cytotoxic Effects ◽  
Cancer Breast ◽  
Anticancer Effects ◽  
Inula Helenium

Alantolactone (ALT) is a natural compound extracted from Chinese traditional medicine Inula helenium L. with therapeutic potential in the treatment of various diseases. Recently, in vitro and in vivo studies have indicated cytotoxic effects of ALT on various cancers, including liver cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, etc. The inhibitory effects of ALT depend on several cancer-associated signaling pathways and abnormal regulatory factors in cancer cells. Moreover, emerging studies have reported several promising strategies to enhance the oral bioavailability of ALT, such as combining ALT with other herbs and using ALT-entrapped nanostructured carriers. In this review, studies on the anti-tumor roles of ALT are mainly summarized, and the underlying molecular mechanisms of ALT exerting anticancer effects on cells investigated in animal-based studies are also discussed.

scholarly journals Considerable Improvement of Ursolic Acid Water Solubility by Its Encapsulation in Dendrimer Nanoparticles: Design, Synthesis and Physicochemical Characterization

Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Alfei ◽  
Anna Maria Schito ◽  
Guendalina Zuccari
Keyword(s):  
Ursolic Acid ◽  
Water Solubility ◽  
Drug Loading ◽  
Physicochemical Characterization ◽  
Systemic Toxicity ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Design Synthesis ◽  
Pentacyclic Triterpenoid

Ursolic acid (UA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in many medicinal plants and aromas endowed with numerous in vitro pharmacological activities, including antibacterial effects. Unfortunately, UA is poorly administered in vivo, due to its water insolubility, low bioavailability, and residual systemic toxicity, thus making urgent the development of water-soluble UA formulations. Dendrimers are nonpareil macromolecules possessing highly controlled size, shape, and architecture. In dendrimers with cationic surface, the contemporary presence of inner cavities and of hydrophilic peripheral functions, allows to encapsulate hydrophobic non-water-soluble drugs as UA, to enhance their water-solubility and stability, and to promote their protracted release, thus decreasing their systemic toxicity. In this paper, aiming at developing a new UA-based antibacterial agent administrable in vivo, we reported the physical entrapment of UA in a biodegradable not cytotoxic cationic dendrimer (G4K). UA-loaded dendrimer nanoparticles (UA-G4K) were obtained, which showed a drug loading (DL%) much higher than those previously reported, a protracted release profile governed by diffusion mechanisms, and no cytotoxicity. Also, UA-G4K was characterized by principal components analysis (PCA)-processed FTIR spectroscopy, by NMR and elemental analyses, and by dynamic light scattering experiments (DLS). The water solubility of UA-G4K was found to be 1868-fold times higher than that of pristine UA, thus making its clinical application feasible.

Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.): focus on nutraceutical aspects

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amirhossein Nazhand ◽  
Alessandra Durazzo ◽  
Massimo Lucarini ◽  
Amelia M. Silva ◽  
Selma B. Souto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Uncaria Tomentosa ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Microbial Infections ◽  
Health Promoting

: Medicinal plants have been globally exploiting as an alternative to chemical drugs in the treatment of several diseases due to low unwanted side effects, environmentally friendly nature and low production costs, therefore, it is important to analyze the therapeutic properties of various medicinal plants to understand their potential bioactivity. Uncaria tomentosa is one of these medicinal plants with many health-promoting effects. Although the geographical resources of cat's claw go back to the remote tropics of the Amazon, industrialized countries use the plant extensively in trade. Various parts of the plants such as flowers, leaves, Stem, hook, and seed are mainly used medicinally to treat inflammation, asthma, allergies, skin impurities, microbial infections, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, cirrhosis, gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis, heart disease, rheumatism, and fever. The end point of this review article is to prospectively scrutinize in vitro and in vivo the therapeutic potential of this plant, especially in terms of its nutritional applications and health beneficial effects.

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