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1.
Home pharmacological therapy in early COVID-19 to prevent hospitalization and reduce mortality: Time for a suitable proposal.
Pandolfi, S, Chirumbolo, S, Ricevuti, G, Valdenassi, L, Bjørklund, G, Lysiuk, R, Doşa, MD, Lenchyk, L, Fazio, S
Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology. 2022;(2):225-239
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is a highly dramatic concern for mankind. In Italy, the pandemic exerted its major impact throughout the period of February to June 2020. To date, the awkward amount of more than 134,000 deaths has been reported. Yet, post-mortem autopsy was performed on a very modest number of patients who died from COVID-19 infection, leading to a first confirmation of an immune-thrombosis of the lungs as the major COVID-19 pathogenesis, likewise for SARS. Since then (June-August 2020), no targeted early therapy considering this pathogenetic issue was approached. The patients treated with early anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet, anticoagulant and antibiotic therapy confirmed that COVID-19 was an endothelial inflammation with immuno-thrombosis. Patients not treated or scarcely treated with the most proper and appropriate therapy and in the earliest, increased the hospitalization rate in the intensive care units and also mortality, due to immune-thrombosis from the pulmonary capillary district and alveoli. The disease causes widespread endothelial inflammation, which can induce damage to various organs and systems. Therapy must be targeted in this consideration, and in this review, we demonstrate how early anti-inflammatory therapy may treat endothelia inflammation and immune-thrombosis caused by COVID-19, by using drugs we are going to recommend in this paper.
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Phenylethyl Isothiocyanate: A Bioactive Agent for Gastrointestinal Health.
Coscueta, ER, Sousa, AS, Reis, CA, Pintado, MM
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2022;(3)
Abstract
The incidence of gastrointestinal pathologies (cancer in particular) has increased progressively, with considerable morbidity and mortality, and a high economic impact on the healthcare system. The dietary intake of natural phytochemicals with certain bioactive properties has shown therapeutic and preventive effects on these pathologies. This includes the cruciferous vegetable derivative phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a bioactive compound present in some vegetables, such as watercress. Notably, PEITC has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, and anticarcinogenic properties. This review summarized the current knowledge on the role of PEITC as a potential natural nutraceutical or an adjuvant against oxidative/inflammatory-related disorders in the gastrointestinal tract. We also discussed the safe and recommended dose of PEITC. In addition, we established a framework to guide the research and development of sustainable methodologies for obtaining and stabilizing this natural molecule for industrial use. With PEITC, there is great potential to develop a viable strategy for preventing cancer and other associated diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. However, this topic still needs more scientific studies to help develop new PEITC products for the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, or food industries.
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The Biodiversity of the Genus Dictyota: Phytochemical and Pharmacological Natural Products Prospectives.
Rushdi, MI, Abdel-Rahman, IAM, Attia, EZ, Saber, H, Saber, AA, Bringmann, G, Abdelmohsen, UR
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2022;(3)
Abstract
Although a broad variety of classes of bioactive compounds have already been isolated from seaweeds of the genus Dictyota, most different species are still chemically and biologically unexplored. Dictyota species are well-known brown seaweeds belonging to the Dictyotaceae (Phaeophyta). The phytochemical composition within the genus Dictyota has recently received considerable interest, and a vast array of components, including diterpenes, sesquiterepenes, sterols, amino acids, as well as saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, have been characterized. The contribution of these valued metabolites to the biological potential, which includes anti-proliferative, anti-microbial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hyperpigmentation activities, of the genus Dictyota has also been explored. Therefore, this is the most comprehensive review, focusing on the published literature relevant to the chemically and pharmacologically diverse biopharmaceuticals isolated from different species of the genus Dictyota during the period from 1976 to now.
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Treatment of pouchitis, Crohn's disease, cuffitis, and other inflammatory disorders of the pouch: consensus guidelines from the International Ileal Pouch Consortium.
Shen, B, Kochhar, GS, Rubin, DT, Kane, SV, Navaneethan, U, Bernstein, CN, Cross, RK, Sugita, A, Schairer, J, Kiran, RP, et al
The lancet. Gastroenterology & hepatology. 2022;(1):69-95
Abstract
Pouchitis, Crohn's disease of the pouch, cuffitis, polyps, and extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease are common inflammatory disorders of the ileal pouch. Acute pouchitis is treated with oral antibiotics and chronic pouchitis often requires anti-inflammatory therapy, including the use of biologics. Aetiological factors for secondary pouchitis should be evaluated and managed accordingly. Crohn's disease of the pouch is usually treated with biologics and its stricturing and fistulising complications can be treated with endoscopy or surgery. The underlying cause of cuffitis determines treatment strategies. Endoscopic polypectomy is recommended for large, symptomatic inflammatory polyps and polyps in the cuff. The management principles of extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease in patients with pouches are similar to those in patients without pouches.
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Biological properties and therapeutic applications of garlic and its components.
Melguizo-Rodríguez, L, García-Recio, E, Ruiz, C, De Luna-Bertos, E, Illescas-Montes, R, Costela-Ruiz, VJ
Food & function. 2022;(5):2415-2426
Abstract
Garlic is one of the most widely employed condiments in cooking. It has also been used since ancient times in traditional plant-based medicine, largely based on its organosulfur compounds. The objective of this study was to provide updated information on the biological and therapeutic garlic properties. Garlic has been found to possess important biological properties with high therapeutic potential, which is influenced by the mode of its utilization, preparation, and extraction. It has been attributed with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory capacities. Garlic, in particular its organosulfur compounds, can maintain immune system homeostasis through positive effects on immune cells, especially by regulating cytokine proliferation and expression. This may underlie their usefulness in the treatment of infectious and tumor processes. These compounds can also offer vascular benefits by regulating lipid metabolism or by exerting antihypertensive and antiaggregant effects. However, further clinical trials are warranted to confirm the therapeutic potential of garlic and its derivatives.
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Nutraceuticals: Transformation of Conventional Foods into Health Promoters/Disease Preventers and Safety Considerations.
AlAli, M, Alqubaisy, M, Aljaafari, MN, AlAli, AO, Baqais, L, Molouki, A, Abushelaibi, A, Lai, KS, Lim, SE
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland). 2021;(9)
Abstract
Nutraceuticals are essential food constituents that provide nutritional benefits as well as medicinal effects. The benefits of these foods are due to the presence of active compounds such as carotenoids, collagen hydrolysate, and dietary fibers. Nutraceuticals have been found to positively affect cardiovascular and immune system health and have a role in infection and cancer prevention. Nutraceuticals can be categorized into different classes based on their nature and mode of action. In this review, different classifications of nutraceuticals and their potential therapeutic activity, such as anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-lipid activity in disease will be reviewed. Moreover, the different mechanisms of action of these products, applications, and safety upon consumers including current trends and future prospect of nutraceuticals will be included.
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7.
Possible Beneficial Actions of Caffeine in SARS-CoV-2.
Romero-Martínez, BS, Montaño, LM, Solís-Chagoyán, H, Sommer, B, Ramírez-Salinas, GL, Pérez-Figueroa, GE, Flores-Soto, E
International journal of molecular sciences. 2021;(11)
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has established an unparalleled necessity to rapidly find effective treatments for the illness; unfortunately, no specific treatment has been found yet. As this is a new emerging chaotic situation, already existing drugs have been suggested to ameliorate the infection of SARS-CoV-2. The consumption of caffeine has been suggested primarily because it improves exercise performance, reduces fatigue, and increases wakefulness and awareness. Caffeine has been proven to be an effective anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator. In airway smooth muscle, it has bronchodilator effects mainly due to its activity as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and adenosine receptor antagonist. In addition, a recent published document has suggested the potential antiviral activity of this drug using in silico molecular dynamics and molecular docking; in this regard, caffeine might block the viral entrance into host cells by inhibiting the formation of a receptor-binding domain and the angiotensin-converting enzyme complex and, additionally, might reduce viral replication by the inhibition of the activity of 3-chymotrypsin-like proteases. Here, we discuss how caffeine through certain mechanisms of action could be beneficial in SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, further studies are required for validation through in vitro and in vivo models.
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8.
Medication Trends for Age-Related Macular Degeneration.
Cho, YK, Park, DH, Jeon, IC
International journal of molecular sciences. 2021;(21)
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is central vision loss with aging, was the fourth main cause of blindness in 2015, and has many risk factors, such as cataract surgery, cigarette smoking, family history, hypertension, obesity, long-term smart device usage, etc. AMD is classified into three categories: normal AMD, early AMD, and late AMD, based on angiogenesis in the retina, and can be determined by bis-retinoid N-retinyl-N-retinylidene ethanolamine (A2E)-epoxides from the reaction of A2E and blue light. During the reaction of A2E and blue light, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are synthesized, which gather inflammatory factors, induce carbonyl stress, and finally stimulate the death of retinal pigment epitheliums (RPEs). There are several medications for AMD, such as device-based therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-VEGFs, and natural products. For device-based therapy, two methods are used: prophylactic laser therapy (photocoagulation laser therapy) and photodynamic therapy. Anti-inflammatory drugs consist of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Anti-VEGFs are classified antibodies for VEGF, aptamer, soluble receptor, VEGF receptor-1 and -2 antibody, and VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Finally, additional AMD drug candidates are derived from natural products. For each medication, there are several and severe adverse effects, but natural products have a potency as AMD drugs, as they have been used as culinary materials and/or traditional medicines for a long time. Their major application route is oral administration, and they can be combined with device-based therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and anti-VEGFs. In general, AMD drug candidates from natural products are more effective at treating early and intermediate AMD. However, further study is needed to evaluate their efficacy and to investigate their therapeutic mechanisms.
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From the distinctive smell to therapeutic effects: Garlic for cardiovascular, hepatic, gut, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Ribeiro, M, Alvarenga, L, Cardozo, LFMF, Chermut, TR, Sequeira, J, de Souza Gouveia Moreira, L, Teixeira, KTR, Shiels, PG, Stenvinkel, P, Mafra, D
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2021;(7):4807-4819
Abstract
Garlic, a member of the Allium family, widely used in cooking for many centuries, displays well described antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as a result of its constituent organosulfur compounds, such as alliin, allicin, ajoene S-allyl-cysteine, diallyl sulfide and diallyl disulfide, among others. Although garlic has demonstrated beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, its efficacy as a therapeutic intervention in chronic kidney disease remains to be proven. This review thus focuses on the potential benefits of garlic as a treatment option in chronic kidney disease. and its ability to mitigate associated cardiovascular complications and gut dysbiosis.
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10.
Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Scorzonera Species.
Lendzion, K, Gornowicz, A, Bielawski, K, Bielawska, A
International journal of molecular sciences. 2021;(10)
Abstract
The genus Scorzonera comprises nearly 200 species, naturally occurring in Europe, Asia, and northern parts of Africa. Plants belonging to the Scorzonera genus have been a significant part of folk medicine in Asia, especially China, Mongolia, and Turkey for centuries. Therefore, they have become the subject of research regarding their phytochemical composition and biological activity. The aim of this review is to present and assess the phytochemical composition, and bioactive potential of species within the genus Scorzonera. Studies have shown the presence of many bioactive compounds like triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, or caffeic acid and quinic acid derivatives in extracts obtained from aerial and subaerial parts of the plants. The antioxidant and cytotoxic properties have been evaluated, together with the mechanism of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hepatoprotective activity. Scorzonera species have also been investigated for their activity against several bacteria and fungi strains. Despite mild cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines in vitro, the bioactive properties in wound healing therapy and the treatment of microbial infections might, in perspective, be the starting point for the research on Scorzonera species as active agents in medical products designed for miscellaneous skin conditions.