Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Rocio Rivera Rodriguez, Jeremy James Johnson
Summary: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by intestinal inflammation. The incidence of IBD is rapidly increasing in newly developed countries, making it a global concern. Two major types of IBD, ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), have different manifestations and locations of inflammation in the digestive tract. Current FDA-approved treatments for IBD are only effective for 50% of patients and come with serious side effects, highlighting the need for safer and more effective therapies. Plant-based diets, such as the Mediterranean diet rich in anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, have shown benefits in preventing and improving symptoms of IBD. Terpenes, a class of phytochemicals abundant in Mediterranean herbs and citrus fruits, have been studied for their potential to modulate inflammatory signaling in IBD. However, there is still conflicting and inconclusive evidence regarding their effectiveness. This review evaluates preclinical studies on terpenes and their impact on basic inflammatory signaling in IBD.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amanda Shen-Yee Kong, Sathiya Maran, Polly Soo-Xi Yap, Swee-Hua Erin Lim, Shun-Kai Yang, Wan-Hee Cheng, Yong-Hui Tan, Kok-Song Lai
Summary: The rapid evolution of antimicrobial resistance is a major public health issue, and natural products such as plant extracts and essential oils have the potential to combat this issue due to their complex chemistry. The pro-oxidant and antioxidant activities in essential oils represent a promising strategy to tackle antimicrobial resistance.
Article
Oncology
Benedetto Neri, Maria Lia Scribano, Alessandro Armuzzi, Fabiana Castiglione, Renata D'Inca, Ambrogio Orlando, Stefano Festa, Gabriele Riegler, Walter Fries, Gianmichele Meucci, Patrizia Alvisi, Filippo Mocciaro, Claudio Papi, Michelangela Mossa, Giorgia Sena, Luisa Guidi, Anna Testa, Sara Renna, Iris Frankovic, Anna Viola, Marta Patturelli, Carlo Chiaramonte, Livia Biancone
Summary: The sequence chronic inflammation-dysplasia-cancer is involved in the development of several gastrointestinal cancers. The characteristics of IBD, including CRC-related symptoms at onset, play a role in the long-term outcome of CRC in IBD patients. CRC has a higher incidence in UC and CD patients. Surveillance programs should focus on high-risk subgroups of patients.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jiyoon Yang, Su-Yeon Lee, Soo-Kyeong Jang, Ki-Joong Kim, Mi-Jin Park
Summary: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of various citrus cultivars and their active anti-inflammatory components. The essential oils from Citrus japonica and Citrus maxima exhibited superior anti-inflammatory activities, and α-terpineol was identified as an active anti-inflammatory compound.
Article
Plant Sciences
Monica Zuzarte, Catia Sousa, Carlos Cavaleiro, Maria Teresa Cruz, Ligia Salgueiro
Summary: Portuguese lavenders remain undervalued in global markets due to the lack of high-quality end-products and scarcity of scientific-based studies validating their bioactive potential. This study assessed the anti-inflammatory potential of L. luisieri and L. pedunculata, two prevalent species in Portugal, and correlated it with their chemical variability. The results demonstrated that L. luisieri essential oil with low quantities of necrodane derivatives was the most effective at inhibiting inflammation.
Article
Polymer Science
Teuku Rihayat, Agung Efriyo Hadi, Nurhanifa Aidy, Aida Safitri, Januar Parlaungan Siregar, Tezara Cionita, Agustinus Purna Irawan, Mohammad Hazim Mohamad Hamdan, Deni Fajar Fitriyana
Summary: The study focuses on producing biodegradable PLA-based composites with chitosan and Turmeric Essential Oil as an antimicrobial biomaterial. The addition of TEO creates intermolecular hydrogen bonds within the polymer matrix, improving antibacterial properties. Through FTIR and TGA analysis, it was observed that the biofilm with 4g chitosan, 0.3mL TEO, and 0.5mL glycerol displayed the highest thermal stability at 315.74°C. SEM analysis confirmed that the added TEO bound chitosan molecules, enhancing antibacterial activity.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Shailja C. Shah, Steven H. Itzkowitz
Summary: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Chronic inflammation plays a key role in the development of neoplastic progression, resulting in dysplastic precursor lesions. Colitis-associated CRC shares molecular similarities with sporadic CRC and the microbiome and host immune system may also play a role. However, further research is needed to understand the specific molecular differences and their role in inflammation-associated cancers.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Obaid Afzal, Abdulmalik S. A. Altamimi, Bismillah Mubeen, Sami Alzarea, Waleed Hassan Almalki, Salwa D. Al-Qahtani, Eman M. Atiya, Fahad A. Al-Abbasi, Fatima Ali, Inam Ullah, Muhammad Shahid Nadeem, Imran Kazmi
Summary: mTOR plays a crucial role in cellular activities and its inhibitors have potential therapeutic applications for microbial infections, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer. Dysfunctional autophagy is related to the pathogenesis of these diseases, making the regulation of the mTOR pathway and its inhibitors important for treatment.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Tianyu Hou, Siva Sankar Sana, Huizhen Li, Yun Xing, Anima Nanda, Vasudeva Reddy Netala, Zhijun Zhang
Summary: This article summarizes the antibacterial and antifungal properties of essential oils, their mechanisms, and ingredients, to identify areas of study that can promote implementation in various bacterial and fungal properties.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Tianyu Hou, Siva Sankar Sana, Huizhen Li, Yun Xing, Anima Nanda, Vasudeva Reddy Netala, Zhijun Zhang
Summary: Essential oils are versatile and can be used as substitutes in various sectors. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive understanding about the components and molecular mechanisms of essential oils. Their bioactivity can be compared with synthetic pharmaceutical formulations, and further research is needed to explore their potential applications in nutrition or pharmaceutical companies.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Van-Long Truong, Woo-Sik Jeong
Summary: Polyphenols, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and procyanidins, are abundant in food and beverage derived from plants. Tea polyphenols have established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and their supplementation can prevent inflammatory conditions and improve the outcome of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN WELLNESS
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Stefania Garzoli, Pedro Alarcon-Zapata, Gulnaz Seitimova, Barbara Alarcon-Zapata, Miquel Martorell, Farukh Sharopov, Patrick Valere Tsouh Fokou, Darline Dize, Lauve Rachel Tchokouaha Yamthe, Francisco Les, Guillermo Casedas, Victor Lopez, Marcello Iriti, Javad Sharifi Rad, Eda Sonmez Gurer, Daniela Calina, Raffaele Pezzani, Sara Vitalini
Summary: This paper reviews the preclinical studies on the role and mechanisms of essential oils in colorectal cancer (CRC). The results showed that essential oils exhibited a wide range of bioactive effects like cytotoxicity, antiproliferative, and antimetastatic effects on cancer cells through various mechanisms of action. Therefore, essential oils can be considered as efficient complementary therapies in chemotherapy in CRC.
CANCER CELL INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edina Pandur, Giuseppe Micalizzi, Luigi Mondello, Adrienn Horvath, Katalin Sipos, Gyorgyi Horvath
Summary: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of thymol and two TEOs prepared at different times against P. aeruginosa infections. The results showed that these essential oils can increase antioxidant enzyme activity and antioxidant capacity, with the earlier prepared TEO exhibiting significant inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine synthesis.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hatun A. Alomar, Noha Fathallah, Marwa M. Abdel-Aziz, Taghreed A. Ibrahim, Wafaa M. Elkady
Summary: This study demonstrates that the essential oil from Cuminum cyminum has the strongest anti-H. pylori activity and good potential for inhibiting H. pylori. It also shows anti-inflammatory activity. The investigated phytochemicals in this study can be used as adjunct therapies with conventional antibiotics for the treatment of H. pylori.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniela Gheorghita, Alina Robu, Aurora Antoniac, Iulian Antoniac, Lia Mara Ditu, Anca-Daniela Raiciu, Justinian Tomescu, Elena Grosu, Adriana Saceleanu
Summary: This study evaluates the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of five essential oils and finds that thyme essential oil shows the highest antimicrobial efficacy among all tested microbial species.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Flavio Labriola, Caterina Marcato, Chiara Zarbo, Ludovica Betti, Arianna Catelli, Maria Chiara Valerii, Enzo Spisni, Patrizia Alvisi
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the quality and amount of nutrient intake in pediatric patients with Crohn's Disease (CD). The results showed that the diet of CD patients was deficient in fibers, polyphenols, vitamin A, beta-carotene, and fatty acids, while it was rich in animal proteins, vitamin B12, and niacin. CD dietary habits reflected the so-called Western diet, possibly contributing to the pathogenesis of CD.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ilaria Maria Saracino, Claudio Foschi, Matteo Pavoni, Renato Spigarelli, Maria Chiara Valerii, Enzo Spisni
Summary: This study aimed to test the antifungal activity and potential synergistic effect of five essential oil components. The results showed that cinnamaldehyde and eugenol had the best inhibitory effects on Candida strains, with a highly additive effect.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giovannamaria Petrocelli, Luca Pampanella, Provvidenza M. Abruzzo, Carlo Ventura, Silvia Canaider, Federica Facchin
Summary: This article reviews the role of endogenous opioids in stem cell biology, particularly their ability to regulate stem cell proliferation, stress response, and differentiation into various lineages. This has important implications for understanding the characteristics of stem cells and their application in regenerative medicine.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Truzzi, Anne Whittaker, Eros D'Amen, Camilla Tibaldi, Antonella Abate, Maria Chiara Valerii, Enzo Spisni, Giovanni Dinelli
Summary: The combination of SPD and EUG can stimulate autophagy, reduce inflammation, and show potential in treating COVID-19 risk groups.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Enzo Spisni, Silvia Turroni, Patrizia Alvisi, Renato Spigarelli, Demetrio Azzinnari, Dario Ayala, Veronica Imbesi, Maria Chiara Valerii
Summary: There is increasing interest in the pharmaceutical industry regarding the human intestinal microbiota due to its association with non-communicable diseases. While probiotics and prebiotics have been explored for modulating the gut microbiota, this review highlights other potential interventions such as postbiotics, essential oils, fungus, and officinal plants. Further research, especially clinical studies using fungus, officinal and aromatic plants or their extracts, is necessary to fully understand and harness the potential of these interventions in modulating the intestinal microbiota for improved pharmacological therapy of non-communicable diseases.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Valeria Pizzuti, Provvidenza Maria Abruzzo, Alexandros Chatgilialoglu, Silvia Zia, Pasquale Marrazzo, Giovannamaria Petrocelli, Chiara Zannini, Cosetta Marchionni, Paola Poggi, Giuliana Simonazzi, Silvia Canaider, Francesco Alviano, Federica Facchin, Laura Bonsi
Summary: Cell culture conditions can influence the membrane lipid profile of stem cells, and this study found that in vitro culture altered the fatty acid signature of human Amniotic Epithelial Cells (hAECs). Adding a tailored lipid supplement partially restored the membrane fatty acid signature and improved cell morphology, senescence resistance, migratory capacity, and ability to inhibit PBMC proliferation.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Eva Bianconi, Riccardo Tassinari, Andrea Alessandrini, Gregorio Ragazzini, Claudia Cavallini, Provvidenza Maria Abruzzo, Giovannamaria Petrocelli, Luca Pampanella, Raffaella Casadei, Margherita Maioli, Silvia Canaider, Federica Facchin, Carlo Ventura
Summary: Cytoskeletal proteins play a crucial role in providing architectural and signaling cues within cells, influencing cell shape, proliferation, and differentiation. Changes in cytoskeletal proteins modulate the viscoelastic properties of cells, thereby affecting their fate in adipogenesis.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Chiara Ricci, Fernando Rizzello, Maria Chiara Valerii, Enzo Spisni, Paolo Gionchetti, Silvia Turroni, Marco Candela, Federica D'Amico, Renato Spigarelli, Irene Bellocchio, Giovanni Marasco, Giovanni Barbara
Summary: Geraniol, an acyclic monoterpene alcohol, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties and positive effects on gut microbiota in IBS patients. In this study, IBS patients treated with a low-absorbable geraniol food supplement (LAGS) showed a significant reduction in IBS symptoms severity score compared to placebo. Geraniol administration also resulted in changes in gut microbiota composition, with a decrease in Oscillospira and an increase in Faecalibacterium. The findings suggest that LAGS is effective in treating overall IBS symptoms and improving gut microbiota profile, particularly in the IBS mixed subtype.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Pavan, Anna Bianchi, Giada Botti, Luca Ferraro, Maria Chiara Valerii, Enzo Spisni, Alessandro Dalpiaz
Summary: Eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, and D-limonene, the main components of natural essential oils, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can have beneficial effects on the intestine, heart, and nervous system. New analytical procedures were developed to study their pharmacokinetics and ability to penetrate the central nervous system in rats. Eugenol showed the highest permeability in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), while cinnamaldehyde could only reach the CSF through intravenous administration and limonene had no ability to penetrate the CSF. Eugenol also increased cell viability and induced dopamine release, suggesting potential beneficial effects against Parkinson's disease after oral administration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesca Truzzi, Anne Whittaker, Eros D'Amen, Maria Chiara Valerii, Veronika Abduazizova, Enzo Spisni, Giovanni Dinelli
Summary: Increases in non-communicable and auto-immune diseases have led to research on natural products and the interrelationship between autophagy and inflammation. The study investigates the effects of wheat-germ spermidine and clove eugenol combination supplement on inflammation and autophagy. Results show that the supplement reduces ROS levels and midkine expression, stimulates autophagy, and improves intestinal health.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Luca Pampanella, Provvidenza Maria Abruzzo, Riccardo Tassinari, Andrea Alessandrini, Giovannamaria Petrocelli, Gregorio Ragazzini, Claudia Cavallini, Valeria Pizzuti, Nicoletta Collura, Silvia Canaider, Federica Facchin, Carlo Ventura
Summary: Human Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (hWJ-MSCs) derived from the umbilical cord are attractive for cell-based therapy in regenerative medicine due to their unique characteristics. This study investigated the effects of a cyto-permeable mycotoxin, Cytochalasin B (CB), on hWJ-MSCs. The results showed that CB treatment influenced the cytoskeletal organization of hWJ-MSCs, leading to changes in cell properties and promoting the osteogenic commitment of the cells.
Review
Biology
Giovannamaria Petrocelli, Pasquale Marrazzo, Laura Bonsi, Federica Facchin, Francesco Alviano, Silvia Canaider
Summary: Phytochemicals from medicinal plants have antioxidant properties and anti-cancer effects. Some of these compounds show anti-inflammatory effects, including naphthoquinones. Plumbagin, a plant-derived naphthoquinone, has shown potential anti-inflammatory effects, but further scientific research is needed to fully understand its beneficial effects and potential as a drug against human diseases.