Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Salar Hafez Ghoran, Mohamed El-Shazly, Nazim Sekeroglu, Anake Kijjoa
Summary: Following the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, global scientific communities have been focusing on finding antiviral therapeutic agents to combat the spread of the virus. Research on natural products, particularly those derived from medicinal plants, has gained attention for their potential effectiveness in treating viral infections. This review summarizes studies on plants and their constituents used for treating infections related to the coronavirus family, aiming to provide critical analysis and insights for discovering novel therapeutic leads to fight against COVID-19.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dinar Mutia Rani, Hendris Wongso, Reza Yuridian Purwoko, Naura Bathari Winarto, Alvan Febrian Shalas, Bawon Triatmoko, Antonius Nugraha Widhi Pratama, Paul A. Keller, Ari Satia Nugraha
Summary: The Indonesian archipelago is known for its rich biodiversity and diverse ethnic groups. Traditional medicine practices, particularly those using plant-based remedies, are still prevalent among the indigenous population. This manuscript reviews the phytochemical and pharmacological studies on medicinal plants from Indonesia related to cancer therapy. The findings shed light on the potential of Indonesian medicinal plants in the development of new cancer therapeutics.
Article
Plant Sciences
Marziyeh Esmaeilzadeh Kashi, Vahid Soheili, Javad Asili, Javid Davoodi, Saman Soleimanpour, Gholamreza Karimi, Seyedeh Faezeh Taghizadeh, Ramin Rezaee, Abolfazl Shakeri
Summary: The methanol-dichloromethane extracts of nine medicinal plants were screened for their antibacterial, anti-tuberculosis, and cytotoxic activities. Among them, Hypericum scabrum extract showed significant activity against several bacteria and moderate cytotoxicity against certain cancer cell lines. It also exhibited moderate inhibition against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The extract of Hypericum scabrum holds promise for the development of novel agents against bacteria and tuberculosis.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
John M. Macharia, Ruth W. Mwangi, Nora Rozmann, Kaposztas Zsolt, Timea Varjas, Paschal O. Uchechukwu, Isabel N. Wagara, Bence L. Raposa
Summary: The development and identification of molecular compounds that can kill or inhibit transformed cells promoting carcinogenesis without toxic effects on normal cells are extremely important. This study conducted a systematic review and evaluated pharmacotherapeutic biomolecules active against colon cancer carcinogenesis. The research found that natural antioxidants in certain plants have inhibitory effects on the occurrence and progression of colon cancer.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sijia Sun, Min Jo Kim, Dya Fita Dibwe, Ashraf M. Omar, Sirivan Athikomkulchai, Ampai Phrutivorapongkul, Takuya Okada, Kiyoshi Tsuge, Naoki Toyooka, Suresh Awale
Summary: In this study, researchers identified four active Thai indigenous medicinal plants that showed anti-austerity activity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells, with Kaempferia parviflora extract inhibiting cancer cell colony formation. Among the compounds isolated from K. parviflora extract, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activity against PANC-1 cells, inducing apoptosis and inhibiting colony formation. Compound 3 may serve as a potential lead compound for anticancer drug development based on the anti-austerity strategy.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Most Afia Akhtar
Summary: This article reviews the use of traditional medicinal plants in Bangladesh for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and discusses their anti-inflammatory potential and future research directions. A total of 48 plant species have been reviewed, and the mechanisms, habitats, and anti-inflammatory studies conducted outside of Bangladesh are also discussed.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Emmanuel Ayodeji Ayeni, Yuzhou Gong, Hao Yuan, Yikao Hu, Xiaolin Bai, Xun Liao
Summary: This review provides an overview of major neurodegenerative diseases and the use of medicinal plants in managing these diseases in West Africa. It highlights the potential neuroprotective effects of various plant families and their chemical compounds, suggesting them as natural sources for anti-neurodegenerative drug discovery.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tahani Maher, Raha Ahmad Raus, Djabir Daddiouaissa, Farah Ahmad, Noor Suhana Adzhar, Elda Surhaida Latif, Ferid Abdulhafiz, Arifullah Mohammed
Summary: Leukemia is a type of cancer characterized by uncontrolled growth of immature immune cells, and the best course of therapy and patient survival depend on the specific type of leukemia. Natural products have been shown to have potential anti-leukemic effects, and new therapeutic approaches are crucial for improving treatment outcomes.
Article
Plant Sciences
Windmi Kagambega, Hadidjatou Belem, Roland Nag-Tiero Meda, Benjamin Kouliga Koama, Anne-Flora Drabo, Jacques Kabore, Amadou Traore, Georges Anicet Ouedraogo, Daniela Benedec, Daniela Hanganu, Laurian Vlase, Ana-Maria Vlase, Oliviu Vostinaru, Cristina Mogosan, Ilioara Oniga
Summary: The present study aimed to investigate the polyphenolic profile and anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of four traditionally used medicinal plants from Burkina Faso. The results showed that these plants contained high levels of phenolic compounds and demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on inflammation and pain.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kimberly Calonico, Julian De La Rosa-Millan
Summary: Medicinal plants contain bioactive compounds that can inhibit digestive enzymes, contributing to the management of diseases and metabolic disturbances.
Review
Virology
Wenyu Liao, Lin Huang, Shuyu Han, Dasheng Hu, Youhou Xu, Mingzhu Liu, Qing Yu, Shuaishuai Huang, Dongdong Wei, Pengfei Li
Summary: Aquaculture provides a promising source of economic and healthy protein for human consumption, but viral diseases are a major obstacle. Medicinal plants and their active pharmaceutical ingredients have shown potential in preventing and treating viral diseases in aquaculture, with fewer side effects and drug resistance compared to chemical drugs and antibiotics.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Goabaone Gaobotse, Srividhya Venkataraman, Phenyo D. Brown, Kabo Masisi, Tebogo E. Kwape, David O. Nkwe, Gaolathe Rantong, Abdullah Makhzoum
Summary: Cancer is a major cause of premature death in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly cervical cancer due to high HIV prevalence. This review provides an inventory of African plants with anticancer activity and evidence supporting their use in cancer management. It highlights the need for further research on other African medicinal plants to isolate and evaluate their anticancer potential.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Nouralhuda Alateyah, Mohammed Alsafran, Kamal Usman, Allal Ouhtit
Summary: Breast cancer is a common malignancy with conventional medicine failing to establish efficient treatment modalities. However, complementary and alternative medicine modalities are drawing attention. A study found that a super-combination of extracts from Qatari medicinal plants inhibited the growth and migration of breast cancer cells and induced apoptosis through specific pathways. Future experiments aim to validate these findings in vivo.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Simon Sauer, Leon Dlugosch, Felix Milke, Thorsten Brinkhoff, Dietmar R. Kammerer, Florian C. Stintzing, Meinhard Simon
Summary: Compared to the fermentation of food and beverages, the fermentation of medicinal plants has been relatively understudied. This study applied a community approach and found both general and plant-specific patterns in the composition and succession of microbial communities during fermentation.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jingrong Li, Hongen Chang, Nan Zhang, Yongzhi He, Di Zhang, Boshi Liu, Yuxin Fang
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive overview of enzyme inhibition-based electrochemical biosensors, discussing the design strategies and research progress of enzyme-based electrochemical biosensors for the detection of enzymatic inhibitors, and concludes with an overview of current challenges and future development trends.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fai-Chu Wong, Joe-Hui Ong, D. Thirumal Kumar, Tsun-Thai Chai
Summary: Seven potential non-toxic, non-allergenic, multi-target anti-SARS-CoV-2 peptides were identified from quinoa seed proteins, showing stable interactions with viral targets and predicted to be non-toxic and non-allergenic. These peptides deserve further attention for in vitro and in vivo testing against SARS-CoV-2.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Choi-Wen Hiew, Li-Juan Lee, Silvara Junus, Yen-Nee Tan, Tsun-Thai Chai, Kah-Yaw Ee
Summary: The study focused on the effects of optimization of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and microencapsulation on the components and antioxidant activity of mangosteen rind extract. By optimizing the parameters of MAE and using microencapsulation technology, a high yield of extract was obtained, but further research is needed to understand the specific factors influencing the results.
FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mun-Yee Chan, Chong-Siang Tee, Tsun-Thai Chai, Yoke-Leng Sim, Woan-Lin Beh
Summary: EAPR effectively reduced heavy metals, BOD, color, and turbidity in synthetic leachate. Water lettuce could be an alternative plant for remediating difficult-to-treat real leachate. Further research on upregulated genes is needed to understand the molecular basis of heavy metal stress tolerance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joe-Hui Ong, Jiun-An Koh, Hui Cao, Sheri-Ann Tan, Fazilah Abd Manan, Fai-Chu Wong, Tsun-Thai Chai
Summary: This study successfully extracted 29 antioxidant peptides from corn silk proteins, which exhibited strong binding affinity to oxidants, potential cellular mechanisms, low toxicity, and cell-penetrating potential. Overall, these peptides have potential applications as natural antioxidant additives and functional food ingredients.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tsun-Thai Chai, Clara Chia-Ci Wong, Mohamad Zulkeflee Sabri, Fai-Chu Wong
Summary: In this study, the potential of seafood paramyosins (SP) as sources of anti-angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) and anti-dipeptidyl-peptidase (DPP-IV) peptides was investigated. Through in silico digestion and analysis, several known and novel anti-ACE and anti-DPP-IV peptides were identified in SP. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations revealed the mechanisms of interaction between these peptides and ACE/DPP-IV. The study suggests that SP could be a promising source of bioavailable and safe anti-ACE and anti-DPP-IV peptides. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the potential therapeutic applications of SP-derived peptides.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vasso Apostolopoulos, Joanna Bojarska, Tsun-Thai Chai, Jack Feehan, Krzysztof Kaczmarek, John M. Matsoukas, Octavio Paredes Lopez, Michele Saviano, Mariusz Skwarczynski, Jillian Smith-Carpenter, Mariano Venanzi, Wojciech M. Wolf, Piotr Zielenkiewicz, Zyta M. Ziora
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jia Ying Lim, Tsun-Thai Chai, Ming Quan Lam, Wen Jie Ng, Kah Yaw Ee
Summary: Soy sauce cake, a waste product from soy sauce manufacturing, can be transformed into functional food ingredient to solve waste disposal issue. Enzymatic analysis reveals the presence of abundant bioactive peptides in soy sauce cake, which have potential bioactivity and application value.
JOURNAL OF FOOD MEASUREMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yixian Quah, Shi-Ruo Tong, Joanna Bojarska, Katrin Giller, Sheri-Ann Tan, Zyta Maria Ziora, Tuba Esatbeyoglu, Tsun-Thai Chai
Summary: In the past decade, researchers have shown increasing interest in exploring bioactive peptides derived from edible insects. These peptides have the potential to address human health issues and protect crops and livestock from pathogens. The diversity of bioactive peptides identified from edible insects suggests their potential in addressing various health problems such as inflammation, diabetes, and obesity. While most experiments have been conducted in vitro, evidence is emerging on the in vivo efficacy of some peptides.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fai-Chu Wong, You-Han Lee, Joe-Hui Ong, Fazilah Abd Manan, Mohamad Zulkeflee Sabri, Tsun-Thai Chai
Summary: This computational study investigated the potential of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) proteins to release health-promoting peptides after human gastrointestinal (GI) digestion. The results showed that the digestion of BSFL proteins can generate peptides with high GI absorption and non-toxicity, some of which have antioxidant, anti-angiotensin-converting enzyme, and anti-dipeptidyl peptidase IV activities. The findings suggest that BSFL proteins may have potential health benefits when consumed as a functional food ingredient.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ali Yassoralipour, Jun Xian Wong, Wen Han Chow, Sook Ngoh Chen, Chee Hao Kuan, Eng Tong Phuah, Ji Tan, Tsun-Thai Chai
Summary: This study simulated and evaluated the formation and transmission of Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on plastic cutting boards. The biofilms were found to mature within 24 hours, with the strongest adhesion. The transfer rates of L. monocytogenes from contaminated cutting boards to cabbage, chicken fillet, and bread were determined during the cutting process. Scrubbing with a commercial dish-washing liquid was effective in reducing microbial concentrations, while tap water rinsing was less effective. The findings highlight the importance of proper cleaning and sanitization of cutting boards.
Review
Biology
Fai-Chu Wong, Tsun-Thai Chai
Summary: This review discusses the role of lipoxygenases in causing inflammation and the potential use of compounds that block their action in disease prevention and treatment. It explores the bioactive peptides derived from various sources that can inhibit lipoxygenases and their mechanisms of action. The review also suggests future research directions for the discovery of new anti-lipoxygenase peptides.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jiun-An Koh, Joe-Hui Ong, Fazilah Abd Manan, Kah-Yaw Ee, Fai-Chu Wong, Tsun-Thai Chai
Summary: Proteins from housefly larvae can be digested in the gastrointestinal tract to release numerous bioactive peptides, including single-function peptides with activities such as anti-dipeptidyl peptidase and anti-angiotensin converting enzyme, as well as bifunctional peptides. Five bifunctional dipeptides were identified as potential inhibitors for dipeptidyl peptidases and angiotensin converting enzyme.
BIOINTERFACE RESEARCH IN APPLIED CHEMISTRY
(2022)