Potential target for mitigation of COVID-19 by food-derived bioactive peptides

Oral administration of food protein hydrolysate and naturally occurring peptides exert beneficial effects beyond conventional nutritional functions by supplying amino acids for protein synthesis. These peptides are referred to as food-derived bioactive peptides. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by sever acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Some host and viral proteins are involved in the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into cells and their replication. Peptides with specific sequences can interact with these proteins and have potential prophylactic and therapeutic activities against COVID-19. However, it is difficult to deliver food-derived peptides to target organs without degradation by exopeptidases in the body. Alternatively, food-derived peptides and amino acid metabolites have been suggested to decrease risk factors of COVID-19 by modulating the renin-angiotensin system, the innate immune system, and the antioxidant system. This mini-review is based on in vivo responses to food-derived peptides and aims to introduce potential targets for these peptides in decreasing the risk and severity of COVID-19.

Nigella sativa L. Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities: A Review (2019–2021)

Medicinal and aromatic plants are mainly characterized by the presence of different bioactive compounds which exhibit various therapeutic activities. In order to investigate the different pharmacological properties of different Nigella sativa extracts, a multitude of research articles published in the period between 2019 and 2021 were obtained from different databases (Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, and Web of Science), and then explored and analyzed. The analysis of the collected articles allows us to classify the phytochemicals and the pharmacological activities through their underlying molecular mechanisms, as well as to explore the pharmacological activities exhibited by several identified compounds in Nigella sativa which allow a better understanding, and better elucidation, of the bioactive compounds responsible for the pharmacological effects. Also shown are the existence of other bioactive compounds that are still unexplored and could be of great interest. This review could be taken as a guide for future studies in the field.

Metformin Treatment Attenuates Brain Inflammation and Rescues Pacap/Vip Neuropeptide Alterations in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced comorbid cognitive and behavioural impairments are thought to be the result of persistent low-grade neuroinflammation. Metformin, a first-line medication for the treatment of type-2 diabetes, seems to ameliorate these comorbidities, but the underlying mechanism(s) are not clear. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are neuroprotective peptides endowed with anti-inflammatory properties. Alterations to the PACAP/VIP system could be pivotal during the development of HFD-induced neuroinflammation. To unveil the pathogenic mechanisms underlying HFD-induced neuroinflammation and assess metformin’s therapeutic activities, (1) we determined if HFD-induced proinflammatory activity was present in vulnerable brain regions associated with the development of comorbid behaviors, (2) investigated if the PACAP/VIP system is altered by HFD, and (3) assessed if metformin rescues such diet-induced neurochemical alterations. C57BL/6J male mice were divided into two groups to receive either standard chow (SC) or HFD for 16 weeks. A further HFD group received metformin (HFD + M) (300 mg/kg BW daily for 5 weeks) via oral gavage. Body weight, fasting glucose, and insulin levels were measured. After 16 weeks, the proinflammatory profile, glial activation markers, and changes within the PI3K/AKT intracellular pathway and the PACAP/VIP system were evaluated by real-time qPCR and/or Western blot in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala. Our data showed that HFD causes widespread low-grade neuroinflammation and gliosis, with regional-specific differences across brain regions. HFD also diminished phospho-AKT(Ser473) expression and caused significant disruptions to the PACAP/VIP system. Treatment with metformin attenuated these neuroinflammatory signatures and reversed PI3K/AKT and PACAP/VIP alterations caused by HFD. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that metformin treatment rescues HFD-induced neuroinflammation in vulnerable brain regions, most likely by a mechanism involving the reinstatement of PACAP/VIP system homeostasis. Data also suggests that the PI3K/AKT pathway, at least in part, mediates some of metformin’s beneficial effects.

Secondary Metabolites Found among the Species Trattinnickia rhoifolia Willd

Plant-derived products may represent promising strategies in the treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). From this perspective, it is observed that the Amazon phytogeographic region contains the tribe Canarieae of the Burseraceae family, composed of trees and shrubs supplied with resin channels. Its uses in folk medicine are related to aromatic properties, which have numerous medicinal applications and are present in reports from traditional peoples, sometimes as the only therapeutic resource. Despite its economic and pharmacological importance in the region, and although the family is distributed in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world, most of the scientific information available is limited to Asian and African species. Therefore, the present work aimed to review the secondary metabolites with possible pharmacological potential of the species Trattinnickia rhoifolia Willd, popularly known as “Breu sucuruba”. To this end, an identification key was created for chemical compounds with greater occurrence in the literature of the genus Trattinnickia. The most evident therapeutic activities in the consulted studies were antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, anesthetic and antiparasitic. An expressive chemical and pharmacological relevance of the species was identified, although its potential is insufficiently explored, mainly in the face of the NTDs present in the Brazilian Amazon.

LOGOPEDIA SENSORYCZNA JAKO WSPARCIE ROZWOJU MOWY DZIECKA. STUDIUM INDYWIDUALNEGO PRZYPADKU

The aim of this study is to present the connections between speech disorders and sensory integration processing and disorders in children’s functioning and suggestions of therapeutic activities. Sensory processing dysfunctions may affect the development of cognitive functions and speech. In this study I would like to emphasize the effectiveness of elements of the sensory integration therapy. Multisensory methods influence the sense of balance. They also shape the child's motor skills, coordination, the ability to plan, and communicate at the same time, stimulating communication and general speech development.

Promising Antigens for the New Frontier of Targeted Immunotherapy in Multiple Myeloma

The incorporation of novel agents in recent treatments in multiple myeloma (MM) has improved the clinical outcome of patients. Specifically, the approval of monoclonal antibody (MoAb) against CD38 (daratumumab) and SLAMF7 (elotuzumab) in relapsed and refractory MM (RRMM) represents an important milestone in the development of targeted immunotherapy in MM. These MoAb-based agents significantly induce cytotoxicity of MM cells via multiple effector-dependent mechanisms and can further induce immunomodulation to repair a dysfunctional tumor immune microenvironment. Recently, targeting B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), an even MM-specific antigen, has shown high therapeutic activities by chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR T), antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE), as well as bispecific antibody (BiAb), with some already approved for heavily pretreated RRMM patients. New antigens, such as orphan G protein-coupled receptor class C group 5 member D (GPRC5D) and FcRH5, were identified and rapidly moved to ongoing clinical studies. We here summarized the pathobiological function of key MM antigens and the status of the corresponding immunotherapies. The potential challenges and emerging treatment strategies are also discussed.

Pharmacological Aspects of 6-Gingerol: A Review

Habitual consumption of raw fruits as well as vegetables can trim down the threat of many diseases. Ginger is consumed globally as a cuisine and herbal medicine. It is rich in pungent phenolic phytochemical substances together called gingerols. 6-Gingerol (1-[4’-hydroxy-3’-methoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-3- decanone) is the chief pharmacologically-active moiety of ginger. Molecularly, gingerol is a relative of capsaicin and piperine, the compounds which are alkaloids, though the bioactive pathways are unconnected. It is normally found as pungent yellow oil in the ginger rhizome, but can also form a low-melting crystalline solid. Previous studies have suggested ample of therapeutic activities including anticancer, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation. 6-Gingerol has been found to possess anticancer activities via its effect on a variety of biological pathways involved in apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, cytotoxic activity and inhibition of angiogenesis. Thus, due to its efficacy and regulation of multiple targets, as well as its safety for human use, 6-gingerol has received considerable interest as a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases. Overall, this review encapsulates different therapeutic and pharmacological facets of 6-gingerol along with its possible mechanism of action.

The medicinal importance of Thyme plant (Thymus vulgaris)

Medicinal and aromatic plants are a group of the oldest plants known and used by man throughout the ages for different fields, as they are used as food and medicine, in the middle and modern ages. The importance of these plants has increased, and their uses varied. The term medicinal plants include different types of plants that have therapeutic activities. These medicinal plants are considered among the sources rich in chemical components that can be used for the treatment of a specific disease or to reduce it if they are used in pure extract or in the form of fresh, dried, or partially extracted vegetable herbs. In addition to its medicinal importance, some plants have great nutritional value. One of the important medicinal plants is the thyme plant which contains many benefits that treat many health conditions. So, this article aimed to explain the most important components of thyme, in addition to its extreme role as a medicinal plant and its multiple uses as food and medicine, as well as its importance in preventing viruses, especially Corona virus.