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1.
Challenging microalgal vitamins for human health.
Del Mondo, A, Smerilli, A, Sané, E, Sansone, C, Brunet, C
Microbial cell factories. 2020;(1):201
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamins' deficiency in humans is an important threat worldwide and requires solutions. In the concept of natural biofactory for bioactive compounds production, microalgae represent one of the most promising targets filling many biotechnological applications, and allowing the development of an eco-sustainable production of natural bioactive metabolites. Vitamins are probably one of the cutting edges of microalgal diversity compounds. MAIN TEXT Microalgae can usefully provide many of the required vitamins in humans, more than terrestrial plants, for instance. Indeed, vitamins D and K, little present in many plants or fruits, are instead available from microalgae. The same occurs for some vitamins B (B12, B9, B6), while the other vitamins (A, C, D, E) are also provided by microalgae. This large panel of vitamins diversity in microalgal cells represents an exploitable platform in order to use them as natural vitamins' producers for human consumption. This study aims to provide an integrative overview on vitamins content in the microalgal realm, and discuss on the great potential of microalgae as sources of different forms of vitamins to be included as functional ingredients in food or nutraceuticals for the human health. We report on the biological roles of vitamins in microalgae, the current knowledge on their modulation by environmental or biological forcing and on the biological activity of the different vitamins in human metabolism and health protection. CONCLUSION Finally, we critically discuss the challenges for promoting microalgae as a relevant source of vitamins, further enhancing the interests of microalgal "biofactory" for biotechnological applications, such as in nutraceuticals or cosmeceuticals.
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2.
Isochlorogenic acid (ICGA): natural medicine with potentials in pharmaceutical developments.
Wang, HN, Shen, Z, Liu, Q, Hou, XY, Cao, Y, Liu, DH, Jiang, H, DU, HZ
Chinese journal of natural medicines. 2020;(11):860-871
Abstract
Natural products have attracted a great deal of attention as significant resources in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and in chemical medicine, as well as in cosmetic ingredients, nutraceuticals and food products. Isochlorogenic acid (ICGA), which has medicinal value, has been discovered in various plants. As a widespread natural medicine, ICGA should be the subject of further research and development. However, there have been no systematic analyses of ICGA. According to our investigation, ICGA was initially isolated from green coffee extracts by Barnes et al. in 1950. To date, it has been discovered in a variety of tea, vegetables, medicinal diet and TCM materials. ICGA is used as a chemical marker for the quality control of these TCM materials. The metabolic process of ICGA has been studied in detail, conforming to be linear dynamics. Thus, the clear pharmacokinetics of ICGA offers a solid foundation for its research and development. ICGA has multiple biological and pharmacological effects, and studies have mainly focused on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective effects, and hepatoprotective properties. The mechanisms underlying these effects are summarized in this review to provide scientific support and inspiration for the future research and development of ICGA and ICGA-rich natural products.
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3.
Ambrafuran (AmbroxTM) Synthesis from Natural Plant Product Precursors.
Ncube, EN, Steenkamp, L, Dubery, IA
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2020;(17)
Abstract
Ambergris, an excretion product of sperm whales, has been a valued agent in the formulation of perfumes. The composition of ambergris consists of two major components: 40-46% cholestanol type steroids and approximately 25-45% of a triterpenoid known as ambrein. Ambergris undergoes oxidative decomposition in the environment to result in odorous compounds, such as ambraoxide, methylambraoxide, and ambracetal. Its oxidized form, ambrafuran (IUPAC name: 3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl-2,4,5,5a,7,8,9,9b-octahydro-1H-benzo[e][1]benzofuran), is a terpene furan with a pleasant odor and unique olfactive and fixative properties. The current state of the fragrance industry uses ambrafuran materials entirely from synthetic or semisynthetic sources. However, natural compounds with the potential to be converted to ambergris-like odorants have been extracted from several different types of plants. Here we review plant terpenoids suitable as starting materials for the semisyntheses of ambrafuran or intermediates, such as ambradiol, that can be used in biocatalytic transformations to yield ambrafuran.
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Special considerations for biologic medications in pediatric ulcerative colitis.
Jerger, L, Hyams, JS
Expert opinion on biological therapy. 2020;(4):429-435
Abstract
Introduction: More extensive disease, high rates of corticosteroid refractory and dependent disease, and the potential impact of disease on growth and development differentiate inflammatory bowel disease in children from adults. This is particularly evident in ulcerative colitis where pancolitis predominates, success of mesalamine alone in achieving remission is less than 50%, and there is a high need for immunomodulator or biologic therapies.Areas Covered: This review describes the use of infliximab, adalimumab, golimumab, and vedolizumab in the treatment of children with ulcerative colitis but is limited in scope due to the paucity of controlled clinical trials. A search of existing literature with keywords of these specific biological therapies as well as 'pediatric', 'ulcerative colitis,' and 'inflammatory bowel disease' was used to complete this review.Expert Opinion: Therapeutic drug monitoring has become standard of care when assessing dosing and changes in therapy and will play a role in future treatment planning.
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Thiopurines in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Current and Future Place.
van Hoeve, K, Vermeire, S
Paediatric drugs. 2020;(5):449-461
Abstract
Thiopurines have been widely used to maintain steroid-free remission in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, within the expanding treatment armamentarium, the role of these non-selective immunomodulators has been questioned, especially in pediatric patients, who often present with a more aggressive disease course, which can impact growth and development. The less favorable safety but also inferior efficacy profile associated with thiopurines, in contrast to the newer biological therapies, has interfered with their use. The future place of thiopurines in the management of childhood IBD, therefore, needs revisiting. This review provides a practical overview on the historical and current use of thiopurines in pediatric IBD with specific attention for thiopurine S-methyltransferase testing and monitoring of thiopurine metabolite levels as an approach to improve outcomes. We also give a personal expert opinion on the future role of these drugs in childhood IBD.
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Harnessing the biocatalytic potential of iron- and α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases in natural product total synthesis.
Zwick, CR, Renata, H
Natural product reports. 2020;(8):1065-1079
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Abstract
Covering: up to the end of 2019Iron- and α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (Fe/αKGs) represent a versatile and intriguing enzyme family by virtue of their ability to directly functionalize unactivated C-H bonds at the cost of αKG and O2. Fe/αKGs play an important role in the biosynthesis of natural products, valuable biologically active secondary metabolites frequently pursued as drug leads. The field of natural product total synthesis seeks to contruct these molecules as effeciently as possible, although natural products continue to challenge chemists due to their intricate structural complexity. Chemoenzymatic approaches seek to remedy the shortcomings of traditional synthetic methodology by combining Nature's biosynthetic machinery with traditional chemical methods to efficiently construct natural products. Although other oxygenase families have been widely employed for this purpose, Fe/αKGs remain underutilized. The following review will cover recent chemoenzymatic total syntheses involving Fe/αKG enzymes. Additionally, related information involving natural product biosynthesis, methods development, and non-chemoenzymatic total syntheses will be discussed to inform retrosynthetic logic and synthetic design.
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7.
Natural Products and Their Therapeutic Effect on Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Deb, S, Phukan, BC, Dutta, A, Paul, R, Bhattacharya, P, Manivasagam, T, Thenmozhi, AJ, Babu, CS, Essa, MM, Borah, A
Advances in neurobiology. 2020;:601-614
Abstract
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that is evident in early childhood and can persist throughout the entire life. The disease is basically characterized by hurdles in social interaction where the individuals demonstrate repetitive and stereotyped interests or patterns of behavior. A wide number of neuroanatomical studies with autistic patients revealed alterations in brain development which lead to diverse cellular and anatomical processes including atypical neurogenesis, neuronal migration, maturation, differentiation, and degeneration. Special education programs, speech and language therapy, have been employed for the amelioration of behavioral deficits in autism. Although commonly prescribed antidepressants, antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and stimulants have revealed satisfactory responses in autistic individuals, adverse side effects and increased risk of several other complications including obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, etc. have compelled the researchers to turn their attention toward herbal remedies. Alternative approaches with natural compounds are on continuous clinical trial to confirm their efficacy and to understand their potential in autism treatment. This chapter aims to cover the major plant-based natural products which hold promising outcomes in the field of reliable therapeutic interventions for autism.
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Bacillus subtilis: a universal cell factory for industry, agriculture, biomaterials and medicine.
Su, Y, Liu, C, Fang, H, Zhang, D
Microbial cell factories. 2020;(1):173
Abstract
Due to its clear inherited backgrounds as well as simple and diverse genetic manipulation systems, Bacillus subtilis is the key Gram-positive model bacterium for studies on physiology and metabolism. Furthermore, due to its highly efficient protein secretion system and adaptable metabolism, it has been widely used as a cell factory for microbial production of chemicals, enzymes, and antimicrobial materials for industry, agriculture, and medicine. In this mini-review, we first summarize the basic genetic manipulation tools and expression systems for this bacterium, including traditional methods and novel engineering systems. Secondly, we briefly introduce its applications in the production of chemicals and enzymes, and summarize its advantages, mainly focusing on some noteworthy products and recent progress in the engineering of B. subtilis. Finally, this review also covers applications such as microbial additives and antimicrobials, as well as biofilm systems and spore formation. We hope to provide an overview for novice researchers in this area, offering them a better understanding of B. subtilis and its applications.
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The Treatment of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease with Biologic Therapies.
Conrad, MA, Kelsen, JR
Current gastroenterology reports. 2020;(8):36
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Biologics for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been transformative to the therapeutic goals in the pediatric population. We review the biologics used to treat IBD, highlighting the importance of patient selection, dosing considerations, and therapeutic drug monitoring in children. RECENT FINDINGS Infliximab is well-established as a safe and efficacious therapy for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Both dose escalation strategies and therapeutic drug monitoring increase the likelihood of response to anti-TNFα therapies. Early real-world experience of vedolizumab and ustekinumab in pediatric IBD shows promising results, including clinical response rates comparable to what is seen in adults, but there are limited data using them as first-line therapies. Biologic therapies have improved outcomes in pediatric IBD, including achieving mucosal healing as well as improved growth and pubertal development. Therapeutic drug monitoring improves likelihood of response to anti-TNFα therapies, but further studies for vedolizumab and ustekinumab are necessary.
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The potential use of natural products to negate hepatic, renal and neuronal toxicity induced by cancer therapeutics.
Prša, P, Karademir, B, Biçim, G, Mahmoud, H, Dahan, I, Yalçın, AS, Mahajna, J, Milisav, I
Biochemical pharmacology. 2020;:113551
Abstract
Different types of chemotherapeutics are used for cancer treatment. These drugs act on several signal pathways, lead to programmed cell death, and damage cancer cells. Although many specific mechanisms of action have been suggested for chemotherapeutics, there are still gaps in understanding their effects. They may affect different components of the cell, particularly proteins with specific functions, such as enzymes. Recently, targeted and immuno therapies were introduced for treatment of different cancers. However, many cancer patients still depend on traditional and well-known drugs. Doxorubicin and platinum-based drugs are among the most frequently used chemotherapeutics. They are highly cytotoxic for cancer cells, but they also act on healthy cells. Hence, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms involved in order to decrease their side effects. Natural products, many of which are also available over-the-counter, may be considered to decrease various cancer drug-induced side effects. This review focuses on the use of these compounds to overcome side effects of chemotherapeutics, primarily doxorubicin and cisplatin, in the liver, kidney, and neuronal systems.