China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Applications of Marine Biochemical Pathways to Develop Bioactive and Functional Products
Published in Se-Kwon Kim, Marine Biochemistry, 2023
Toni-Ann Benjamin, Imran Ahmad, Muhammad Bilal Sadiq
Bioactive compounds, or bioactive ingredients, are compounds that are present in foods, animals, or plants that influence the body once consumed (Fernandes et al., 2019). They are phytochemicals, which can be extracted from food or food by-products and are able to regulate metabolic functions leading to beneficial effects (Galanakis, 2017). Marine sources supply a vast array of bioactive molecules, such as collagen, peptides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, chitin, antioxidant compounds, and catalysts in biodiesel synthesis (Mutalipassi et al., 2021). Aquatic product processing industries produce huge amounts of marine waste through processing by-products that contain valuable bioactive compounds and proteins, which can be used to treat high-risk disorders and/or diseases (Grienke et al., 2014).
Targeting Gene Expression to the Lung
Published in Kenneth L. Brigham, Gene Therapy for Diseases of the Lung, 2020
Jeffrey A. Whitsett, Stephan W. Glasser
Bioactive compounds can be selectively delivered to or activated in specific tissues on the basis of their physical, chemical, and metabolic properties. Such considerations have provided the fundamental principles underlying modern medical pharmacology. These principles also apply to the field of gene therapy. The feasibility of delivering cDNAs or genes to somatic cells for therapy of genetic or acquired diseases has developed rapidly, necessitating the design of vectors that selectively deliver and express genes in target tissues. In contrast to other organs, gene transfer to the lung is facilitated by its unique accessibility, via the trachea, offering a remarkable opportunity to bring gene transfer vectors in direct physical contact with respiratory epithelial cells. In addition, both pulmonary and bronchial arteries provide blood supply to the lung, offering the ability to deliver gene transfer vectors to distinct sites within the pulmonary vasculature. However, successful gene therapy for many diseases will likely require the ability to efficiently deliver and precisely regulate the expression of therapeutic DNAs in target cells.
Role of Natural Polyphenols in Oxidative Stress: Prevention of Diabetes
Published in Megh R. Goyal, Durgesh Nandini Chauhan, Assessment of Medicinal Plants for Human Health, 2020
Brahm Kumar Tiwari, Kanti Bhooshan Pandey
The impact of excess calorie intake and reduced physical activity has been observed into exponential rise in obesity and prevalence of diabetes all over the world. The chronic hyperglycemia due to prolonged increase in blood glucose level due to defect in either insulin action/secretion or both may result into dysfunction/damage of various vital organs such as eyes, kidney, vessels, and brain. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetes by mediating metabolic activities such as: oxidation of glucose, non-enzymatic degeneration of proteins, oxidative degradation of glycated proteins, and simultaneously challenges inherent defense mechanisms. Plant polyphenols are secondary metabolites that are found largely in fruits and vegetables. Clinical trials suggest that these bioactive compounds play a vital role in the prevention of many chronic diseases and promoting overall human health. In the present chapter, the role and emerging mechanisms of plant polyphenols in the intervention of oxidative stress mediated diabetic complications have been described.
Solanaceae glycoalkaloids: α-solanine and α-chaconine modify the cardioinhibitory activity of verapamil
Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2022
Szymon Chowański, Magdalena Winkiel, Monika Szymczak-Cendlak, Paweł Marciniak, Dominika Mańczak, Karolina Walkowiak-Nowicka, Marta Spochacz, Sabino A. Bufo, Laura Scrano, Zbigniew Adamski
The interactions between many bioactive compounds are widespread, both between drugs and nondrug substances (Koziolek et al. 2019). These interactions might change their activity, including the intensity of the expected effects and the type of evoked effects. In recent years, extensive efforts have been made to elucidate the mechanisms that drive pharmacokinetic food–drug interactions: both, those occurring in the gastrointestinal tract and those taking place in the human body after absorption (Koziolek et al. 2019). Considering that verapamil is a common cardiovascular drug, SGAs are present in many popular food products and can be ingested in reasonably large quantities, and that both have cardioactive potential, we wondered whether SGAs can modulate the activity of verapamil. To explore this hypothesis, we performed experiments on semi-isolated insect hearts treated simultaneously with glycoalkaloids and verapamil and analysed the pharmacokinetic parameters of their activity.
Assessing the Protective Effect of Moringa oleifera Extract against Bone Metastasis: An In Vitro Simulated Digestion Approach
Published in Nutrition and Cancer, 2022
Kinjal P. Bhadresha, Nayan K. Jain, Rakesh M. Rawal
Bone metastasis is a common hurdle of progressive cancer, and once cancer has spread to the bones it can rarely be treated, but often it can still be cured to slow its growth (1, 2). Recent treatments that have been approved for the therapies of bone metastasis delay the occurrence of skeletal-related events and can extend the patient’s lifespan by a few years (3). However, they will not cure or cause the deterioration of recognized bone metastasis, and different side effects are developed after extended treatment. Hence, novel treatments are rigorously required. For many years plants and their bioactive compounds have been used as the primary source of medical treatment. Thus, research has developed into studying the potential properties of plants and has attracted the attention of researchers worldwide. There are convincing suggestions from in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies that support the use of compounds derived from plants to treat numerous forms of cancers counting bone metastasis (4).
β-Caryophyllene promotes oxidative stress and apoptosis in KB cells through activation of mitochondrial-mediated pathway – An in-vitro and in-silico study
Published in Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 2022
Duraisamy Ramachandhiran, Chandrasekaran Sankaranarayanan, Raju Murali, Sukumar Babukumar, Veerasamy Vinothkumar
In vitro and in vivo evidence support the contention that eating natural products such as fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of cancer development (Tanaka and Sugie 2007). Bioactive compounds isolated from natural sources have been widely used as safe and affordable anti-cancer drugs. These compounds interfere with diverse machinery of the intracellular signal transduction pathways that control cell cycle, programed cell death (apoptosis) or angiogenesis (Da Rocha et al.2001). One group of natural bioactive compounds are those that inhibit cancer cell proliferation (Wang et al.2012, Efferth et al.2017, Seca and Pinto 2018) Oral cancer (OC) is defined as an aggressive growth of epithelial tissue in oral cavity and develops in any part of head and neck region (Majchrzak et al.2014, Babukumar et al.2019). It is the most prevalent cancer in men than women and constitutes about 3% of all cancers worldwide. Malignancies of the oral cavity are characterised by preneoplastic lesions such as leukoplakia, erythroplakia, erythroleukoplakia and submucous fibrosis (Montero and Patel 2015). The five year survival rate of OC has not changed, still it is 50% due to its metastasis with high recurrence rates and poor prognosis. The common risk factors like tobacco, betel quid chewing, alcohol consumption and dietary nutrient deficiency cause OC (Ramachandhiran et al.2018).