Curcumin Formulations and Trials: What’s New in Neurological Diseases

Curcumin’s pharmacological properties and its possible benefits for neurological diseases and dementia have been much debated. In vitro experiments show that curcumin modulates several key physiological pathways of importance for neurology. However, in vivo studies have not always matched expectations. Thus, improved formulations of curcumin are emerging as powerful tools in overcoming the bioavailability and stability limitations of curcumin. New studies in animal models and recent double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trials using some of these new formulations are finally beginning to show that curcumin could be used for the treatment of cognitive decline. Ultimately, this work could ease the burden caused by a group of diseases that are becoming a global emergency because of the unprecedented growth in the number of people aged 65 and over worldwide. In this review, we discuss curcumin’s main mechanisms of action and also data from in vivo experiments on the effects of curcumin on cognitive decline.

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Update on Functional Inhibitors of Acid Sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs) in SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Pharmaceuticals ◽

10.3390/ph14070691 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (7) ◽

pp. 691

Author(s):

Gwenolé Loas ◽

Pascal Le Corre

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

In Silico ◽

Acid Sphingomyelinase ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Controlled Clinical Trials ◽

Off Label ◽

Double Blinded

The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak is characterized by the need of the search for curative drugs for treatment. In this paper, we present an update of knowledge about the interest of the functional inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs) in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Forty-nine FIASMAs have been suggested in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection using in silico, in vitro or in vivo studies. Further studies using large-sized, randomized and double-blinded controlled clinical trials are needed to evaluate FIASMAs in SARS-CoV-2 infection as off-label therapy.

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Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of the genus Nymphaea L.: A review.

Current Bioactive Compounds ◽

10.2174/1573407218666220111110352 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Boniface Pone Kamdem ◽

Eutrophe Le Doux Kamto ◽

Aboubakar ◽

Dieudonné Emmanuel Pegnyemb ◽

Ferreira Elizabeth Igne

Keyword(s):

Uterine Cancer ◽

Mechanisms Of Action ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Pharmacological Activities ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

Wide Range ◽

Available Information ◽

Ethnomedicinal Uses

Background: Plants from the genus Nymphaea L. have been used for decades to treat various diseases, including dysentery, diarrhea, uterine cancer, gonorrhea, inflammation conditions, among others. The present study aims to critically analyze comprehensive literature on ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of Nymphaea L. Methods: The available information on Nymphaea L. was obtained from textbooks, theses, as well as published articles through libraries, and electronic databases. Results: More than 150 compounds, including flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, miscellaneous compounds, etc. were identified from Nymphaea L. extracts and pure molecules from Nymphaea L. exhibited a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, cytotoxic, among others. Conclusion: Referring to in vitro and in vivo studies, Nymphaea sp. are very promising medicinal plants, however, more in vivo experiments, cytotoxicity tests, and detailed mechanisms of action of their extracts, and compounds are recommended to confirm their ethnomedicinal claims into scientific rationale-based information.

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ANTITUMOR EFFECT OF COLLOIDAL SILVER BISILICATE IN EXPERIMENTAL IN VITRO AND IN VIVO STUDIES

Problems in oncology ◽

10.37469/0507-3758-2019-65-5-760-765 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 65 (5) ◽

pp. 760-765

Author(s):

Margarita Tyndyk ◽

Irina Popovich ◽

A. Malek ◽

R. Samsonov ◽

N. Germanov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antitumor Activity ◽

Tumor Growth ◽

Tumor Cells ◽

Human Tumor ◽

Significant Inhibition ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Ehrlich Carcinoma ◽

In Vivo Experiments

The paper presents the results of the research on the antitumor activity of a new drug - atomic clusters of silver (ACS), the colloidal solution of nanostructured silver bisilicate Ag6Si2O7 with particles size of 1-2 nm in deionized water. In vitro studies to evaluate the effect of various ACS concentrations in human tumor cells cultures (breast cancer, colon carcinoma and prostate cancer) were conducted. The highest antitumor activity of ACS was observed in dilutions from 2.7 mg/l to 5.1 mg/l, resulting in the death of tumor cells in all studied cell cultures. In vivo experiments on transplanted Ehrlich carcinoma model in mice consuming 0.75 mg/kg ACS with drinking water revealed significant inhibition of tumor growth since the 14th day of experiment (maximally by 52% on the 28th day, p < 0.05) in comparison with control. Subcutaneous injections of 2.5 mg/kg ACS inhibited Ehrlich's tumor growth on the 7th and 10th days of the experiment (p < 0.05) as compared to control.

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The Potential Neuroprotective Role of Free and Encapsulated Quercetin Mediated by miRNA against Neurological Diseases

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041318 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1318

Author(s):

Tarek Benameur ◽

Raffaella Soleti ◽

Chiara Porro

Keyword(s):

Inflammatory Responses ◽

Pathological Condition ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

Neuronal Cell Death ◽

Neuronal Cell ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Innovative Drug ◽

Chronic Neuroinflammation

Chronic neuroinflammation is a pathological condition of numerous central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and many others. Neuroinflammation is characterized by the microglia activation and concomitant production of pro-inflammatory cytokines leading to an increasing neuronal cell death. The decreased neuroinflammation could be obtained by using natural compounds, including flavonoids known to modulate the inflammatory responses. Among flavonoids, quercetin possess multiple pharmacological applications including anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, antiapoptotic and anti-thrombotic activities, widely demonstrated in both in vitro and in vivo studies. In this review, we describe the recent findings about the neuroprotective action of quercetin by acting with different mechanisms on the microglial cells of CNS. The ability of quercetin to influence microRNA expression represents an interesting skill in the regulation of inflammation, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and immune responses. Moreover, in order to enhance quercetin bioavailability and capacity to target the brain, we discuss an innovative drug delivery system. In summary, this review highlighted an important application of quercetin in the modulation of neuroinflammation and prevention of neurological disorders.

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The Challenging Melanoma Landscape: From Early Drug Discovery to Clinical Approval

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10113088 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 3088

Author(s):

Mariana Matias ◽

Jacinta O. Pinho ◽

Maria João Penetra ◽

Gonçalo Campos ◽

Catarina Pinto Reis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Drug Evaluation ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Experimental Models ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Murine Models ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Melanoma is recognized as the most dangerous type of skin cancer, with high mortality and resistance to currently used treatments. To overcome the limitations of the available therapeutic options, the discovery and development of new, more effective, and safer therapies is required. In this review, the different research steps involved in the process of antimelanoma drug evaluation and selection are explored, including information regarding in silico, in vitro, and in vivo experiments, as well as clinical trial phases. Details are given about the most used cell lines and assays to perform both two- and three-dimensional in vitro screening of drug candidates towards melanoma. For in vivo studies, murine models are, undoubtedly, the most widely used for assessing the therapeutic potential of new compounds and to study the underlying mechanisms of action. Here, the main melanoma murine models are described as well as other animal species. A section is dedicated to ongoing clinical studies, demonstrating the wide interest and successful efforts devoted to melanoma therapy, in particular at advanced stages of the disease, and a final section includes some considerations regarding approval for marketing by regulatory agencies. Overall, considerable commitment is being directed to the continuous development of optimized experimental models, important for the understanding of melanoma biology and for the evaluation and validation of novel therapeutic strategies.

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Effect of Resveratrol on In Vitro and In Vivo Models of Diabetic Retinophathy: A Systematic Review

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20143503 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (14) ◽

pp. 3503 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mario D. Toro ◽

Katarzyna Nowomiejska ◽

Teresio Avitabile ◽

Robert Rejdak ◽

Sarah Tripodi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetic Retinopathy ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Exclusion Criteria ◽

In Vivo Models ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

Retinal Pathology ◽

Full Text Review

A large number of preclinical studies suggest the involvement of resveratrol in the prevention and treatment of eye diseases induced by oxidative stress and inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that resveratrol influences many pathways of in vitro and in vivo models of diabetic retinopathy through a systematic literature review of original articles. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A literature search of all original articles published until April 2019 was performed. The terms “resveratrol” in combination with “retina”, “retinal pathology”, “diabetic retinopathy” and “eye” were searched. Possible biases were identified with the adopted SYRCLE’s tool. Eighteen articles met inclusion/exclusion criteria for full-text review. Eleven of them included in vitro experiments, 11 studies reported in vivo data and 3 studies described both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Most of the in vivo studies did not include data that would allow exclusion of bias risks, according to SYRCLE’s risk of bias tool. Both in vitro and in vivo data suggest anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative actions of resveratrol in models of diabetic retinopathy. However, results on its anti-angiogenic effects are contradictory and need more rigorous studies.

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Scrophulariae Radix: An Overview of Its Biological Activities and Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Applications

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26175250 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (17) ◽

pp. 5250

Author(s):

Hae-Jin Lee ◽

Hae-Lim Kim ◽

Dong-Ryung Lee ◽

Bong-Keun Choi ◽

Seung-Hwan Yang

Keyword(s):

Biological Activities ◽

Neuroprotective Effect ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Amnesic Effect ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

Toxicological Studies ◽

Apoptotic Effect ◽

Pharmaceutical Industries

Scrophulariae Radix (SR) has an important role as a medicinal plant, the roots of which are recorded used to cure fever, swelling, constipation, pharyngitis, laryngitis, neuritis, sore throat, rheumatism, and arthritis in Asia for more than two thousand years. In this paper, the studies published on Scrophularia buergeriana (SB) and Scrophularia ningpoensis (SN) in the latest 20 years were reviewed, and the biological activities of SB and SN were evaluated based on in vitro and in vivo studies. SB presented anti-inflammatory activities, immune-enhancing effects, bone disorder prevention activity, neuroprotective effect, anti-amnesic effect, and anti-allergic effect; SN showed a neuroprotective effect, anti-apoptotic effect, anti-amnesic effect, and anti-depressant effect; and SR exhibited an immune-enhancing effect and cardioprotective effects through in vitro and in vivo experiments. SB and SN are both known to exert neuroprotective and anti-amensice effects. This review investigated their applicability in the nutraceutical, functional foods, and pharmaceutical industries. Further studies, such as toxicological studies and clinical trials, on the efficacy and safety of SR, including SB and SN, need to be conducted.

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Mg-Zn-Ca Alloys for Hemostasis Clips for Vessel Ligation: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Their Degradation and Response

Materials ◽

10.3390/ma13133039 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (13) ◽

pp. 3039 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yen-Hao Chang ◽

Chun Chieh Tseng ◽

Chih-Yeh Chao ◽

Chung-Hwan Chen ◽

Sung-Yen Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Degradation Rate ◽

Protective Layer ◽

Dip Coating ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Surface Measurement ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

Degradation Rates ◽

And Behavior

To control the degradation rate of magnesium (Mg) alloys, chitosan (CHI) and L-glutamic acid (LGA) were used as coatings on Mg-Zn-Ca alloys via dip coating. In this study, either two or seven CHI/LGA layers were applied as a coating on Mg-2.8Zn-0.8Ca alloy (ZX31) and Mg-2.8Zn-0.8Ca hemostasis clips (ZX31 clips). The morphologies, compositions, and surface roughness of the specimens were characterized via scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and surface measurement devices. The degradation rates and behavior of the specimens were evaluated by immersing them in simulated body fluids and by applying these ZX31 clips on rabbits’ uterine tubes for five weeks. The specimen with seven layers (ZX31(CHI/LGA)7) exhibited improved corrosion behavior when compared with ZX31 or ZX31(CHI/LGA)2, with a reduced degradation rate of the Mg alloy in a simulated body environment. In vivo experiments showed that ZX31 clips exhibited good biocompatibilities in each group but could not maintain the clamping function for five weeks. The weight loss of ZX31(CHI/LGA)7 was significantly lower than that of the other groups. Consequently, it was verified that CHI can be used as a protective layer on a magnesium alloy surface via in vitro and in vivo experiments.

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Are Fe-Based Stenting Materials Biocompatible? A Critical Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Journal of Functional Biomaterials ◽

10.3390/jfb11010002 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 2

Author(s):

Eleonora Scarcello ◽

Dominique Lison

Keyword(s):

In Vivo Studies ◽

Design Strategies ◽

Indirect Contact ◽

Cardiovascular Stents ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

Local Toxicity ◽

Wide Range ◽

Fe Toxicity

Fe-based materials have increasingly been considered for the development of biodegradable cardiovascular stents. A wide range of in vitro and in vivo studies should be done to fully evaluate their biocompatibility. In this review, we summarized and analyzed the findings and the methodologies used to assess the biocompatibility of Fe materials. The majority of investigators drew conclusions about in vitro Fe toxicity based on indirect contact results. The setup applied in these tests seems to overlook the possible effects of Fe corrosion and does not allow for understanding of the complexity of released chemical forms and their possible impact on tissue. It is in particular important to ensure that test setups or interpretations of in vitro results do not hide some important mechanisms, leading to inappropriate subsequent in vivo experiments. On the other hand, the sample size of existing in vivo implantations is often limited, and effects such as local toxicity or endothelial function are not deeply scrutinized. The main advantages and limitations of in vitro design strategies applied in the development of Fe-based alloys and the correlation with in vivo studies are discussed. It is evident from this literature review that we are not yet ready to define an Fe-based material as safe or biocompatible.

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Comparative Study Regarding the Properties of Methylene Blue and Proflavine and Their Optimal Concentrations for In Vitro and In Vivo Applications

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics10040223 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 223 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Maria-Eliza Nedu ◽

Mihaela Tertis ◽

Cecilia Cristea ◽

Alexandru Valentin Georgescu

Keyword(s):

Methylene Blue ◽

Fluorescent Dyes ◽

Tissue Level ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

Cell Nuclei ◽

In Vivo Experiments ◽

Bacteriostatic Agent ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Methylene blue and proflavine are fluorescent dyes used to stain nucleic acid from the molecular level to the tissue level. Already clinically used for sentinel node mapping, detection of neuroendocrine tumors, methemoglobinemia, septic shock, ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy, and photodynamic inactivation of RNA viruses, the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effect of methylene blue has been demonstrated in different in vitro and in vivo studies. Proflavine was used as a disinfectant and bacteriostatic agent against many gram-positive bacteria, as well as a urinary antiseptic involved in highlighting cell nuclei. At the tissue level, the anti-inflammatory effects of methylene blue protect against pulmonary, renal, cardiac, pancreatic, ischemic-reperfusion lesions, and fevers. First used for their antiseptic and antiviral activity, respectively, methylene blue and proflavine turned out to be excellent dyes for diagnostic and treatment purposes. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that both dyes are efficient as perfusion and tissue tracers and permitted to evaluate the minimal efficient concentration in different species, as well as their pharmacokinetics and toxicity. This review aims to identify the optimal concentrations of methylene blue and proflavine that can be used for in vivo experiments to highlight the vascularization of the skin in the case of a perforasome (both as a tissue tracer and in vascular mapping), as well as their effects on tissues. This review is intended to be a comparative and critical presentation of the possible applications of methylene blue (MB) and proflavine (PRO) in the surgical field, and the relevant biomedical findings from specialized literature to date are discussed as well.

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