1.
Can phytotherapy with polyphenols serve as a powerful approach for the prevention and therapy tool of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
Levy, E, Delvin, E, Marcil, V, Spahis, S
American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism. 2020;(4):E689-E708
Abstract
Much more serious than the previous severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus (CoV) outbreaks, the novel SARS-CoV-2 infection has spread speedily, affecting 213 countries and causing ∼17,300,000 cases and ∼672,000 (∼+1,500/day) deaths globally (as of July 31, 2020). The potentially fatal coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by air droplets and airborne as the main transmission modes, clearly induces a spectrum of respiratory clinical manifestations, but it also affects the immune, gastrointestinal, hematological, nervous, and renal systems. The dramatic scale of disorders and complications arises from the inadequacy of current treatments and absence of a vaccine and specific anti-COVID-19 drugs to suppress viral replication, inflammation, and additional pathogenic conditions. This highlights the importance of understanding the SARS-CoV-2 mechanisms of actions and the urgent need of prospecting for new or alternative treatment options. The main objective of the present review is to discuss the challenging issue relative to the clinical utility of plants-derived polyphenols in fighting viral infections. Not only is the strong capacity of polyphenols highlighted in magnifying health benefits, but the underlying mechanisms are also stressed. Finally, emphasis is placed on the potential ability of polyphenols to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection via the regulation of its molecular targets of human cellular binding and replication, as well as through the resulting host inflammation, oxidative stress, and signaling pathways.
2.
Anticancer Effects of Herbal Medicine Compounds and Novel Formulations: a Literature Review.
Abdulridha, MK, Al-Marzoqi, AH, Al-Awsi, GRL, Mubarak, SMH, Heidarifard, M, Ghasemian, A
Journal of gastrointestinal cancer. 2020;(3):765-773
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Many agents disrupt the cell cycle and its signaling circuits leading to cancer progress. Cancer therapy is performed by surgery, radiation, and chemical drugs remaining some side effects. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the anticancer traits of herbal medicines. METHODS We collected previously published data in searching engines (Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, and SCOPUS) by searching key words "herbal medicine," "anticancer effect," "compounds," and "fractions." RESULTS Herbal medicines have unraveled anticancer effects mostly through cancer cells apoptosis via blocking NF-κB pathway by curcumin and terpenoides; CD95 signaling and enhancement of CD95L expression by resveratrol; and inhibiting tyrosine kinas, angiogenesis, and cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase by β-lapachone-genistein and cytochrome-c release into the cytosol and caspase-9 activation by biocalein and quercetin. Additionally, impeding cell cycle in the G1 phase in ovarian cancer cells by 7-hydroxystaurosporine, immune cells enrichment (neutrophils and NK cells activation by Viscum album L., T cells and NK cells activation and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor release by Ganoderma lucidum and microRNAs regulation (by Sinomeniumacutum, shikonin, Oleaeuropaea, curcumin and ginseng). These effects have implications for proper cancer cells elimination. It has been revealed that cytotoxic effects of herbal compounds (mostly those secondary metabolites) have exerted anticancer properties against several cancer cell lines. In addition, targeting microRNAs, nanoparticle-assisted herbal synergism, and novel drug delivery systems and combination chemotherapies have also emerged exerting higher efficacies for specific cell targeting as novel cancer therapy approaches. CONCLUSION Considering side effects, toxicity, and higher costs of common cancer therapy approaches, application of novel herbal medicine-based therapies will confer promising insights for health outcomes.
3.
"Autoimmune(-Like)" Drug and Herb Induced Liver Injury: New Insights into Molecular Pathogenesis.
Sebode, M, Schulz, L, Lohse, AW
International journal of molecular sciences. 2017;(9)
Abstract
Idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and hepatic injury due to herbal and dietary supplements (HDS) can adapt clinical characteristics of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), such as the appearance of autoantibodies and infiltration of the liver by immune competent cells. To describe these cases of DILI/HDS, the poorly-defined term "autoimmune(-like)" DILI/HDS came up. It is uncertain if these cases represent a subgroup of DILI/HDS with distinct pathomechanistic and prognostic features different from "classical" DILI/HDS. Besides, due to the overlap of clinical characteristics of "immune-mediated" DILI/HDS and AIH, both entities are not easy to differentiate. However, the demarcation is important, especially with regard to treatment: AIH requires long-term, mostly lifelong immunosuppression, whereas DILI/HDS does not. Only through exact diagnostic evaluation, exclusion of differential diagnoses and prolonged follow-up can the correct diagnosis reliably be made. Molecular mechanisms have not been analysed for the subgroup of "autoimmune(-like)" DILI/HDS yet. However, several pathogenetic checkpoints of DILI/HDS in general and AIH are shared. An analysis of these shared mechanisms might hint at relevant molecular processes of "autoimmune(-like)" DILI/HDS.
4.
Phytotherapeutic approach: a new hope for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons induced cellular disorders, autophagic and apoptotic cell death.
Das, DN, Panda, PK, Naik, PP, Mukhopadhyay, S, Sinha, N, Bhutia, SK
Toxicology mechanisms and methods. 2017;(1):1-17
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) comprise the major class of cancer-causing chemicals and are ranked ninth among the chemical compounds threatening to humans. Moreover, interest in PAHs has been mainly due to their genotoxic, teratogenic, mutagenic and carcinogenic property. Polymorphism in cytochrome P450 (CYP450) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has the capacity to convert procarcinogens into carcinogens, which is an imperative factor contributing to individual susceptibility to cancer development. The carcinogenicity potential of PAHs is related to their ability to bind to DNA, thereby enhances DNA cross-linking, causing a series of disruptive effects which can result in tumor initiation. They induce cellular toxicity by regulating the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which arbitrate apoptosis. Additionally, cellular toxicity-mediated apoptotic and autophagic cell death and immune suppression by industrial pollutants PAH, provide fertile ground for the proliferation of mutated cells, which results in cancer growth and progression. PAHs play a foremost role in angiogenesis necessary for tumor metastasization by promoting the upregulation of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) in human cancer cells. This review sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of PAHs induced cancer development as well as autophagic and apoptotic cell death. Besides that authors have unraveled how phytotherapeutics is an alternate potential therapeutics acting as a savior from the toxic effects of PAHs for safer and cost effective perspectives.