Article
Agronomy
Priscila Sarai Flores-Aguilar, Amanda Kim Rico-Chavez, Eloy Rodriguez-deLeon, Humberto Aguirre-Becerra, Sergio Aurelio Zamora-Castro, Genaro Martin Soto-Zarazua
Summary: This study analyzed the effect of aquaponics cultivation on the content of bioactive compounds in Cuphea hyssopifolia and Cuphea cyanea. The results showed that aquaponics cultivation can increase the bioactive compounds in medicinal plants, but the effect varies between species.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xue-Feng Bao, Pei-Hong Cao, Jin Zeng, Luo-Min Xiao, Zhi-Hui Luo, Jian Zou, Chuan-Xi Wang, Zhong-Xiang Zhao, Zheng-Qun Zhou, Hui Zhi, Hao Gao
Summary: Eleven unknown and three known pterocarpans were isolated and identified from Huang-qi, a traditional Chinese medicine. Among them, nine rare apiosyl-containing pterocarpan glycosides were discovered. These compounds exhibited hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities.
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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Raveevatoo Buathong, Sutsawat Duangsrisai
Summary: Many plant ingredients in Thai food possess anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, which can delay and prevent severe health conditions. This review article provides a comprehensive compilation of 69 Thai food plants with biological activities, suggesting their potential as a source of bioactive agents for health benefits.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Bunu Tamang, Qi Liang, Biju Balakrishnan, Su Peng, Wei Zhang
Summary: This study compared the yield and antiproliferative activity of polysaccharide-rich extracts from Hengshan Astragalus Shiitake (HAS) using three different extraction techniques. The results showed that both HAS-A and HAS-B extracts contained significantly higher amounts of polysaccharides compared to the control (Shiitake extract). The HAS-B extract also exhibited significantly higher antiproliferative activity in human colorectal carcinoma cells when using the ultrasound-enzyme assisted extraction method.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giuseppe Venturella, Valeria Ferraro, Fortunato Cirlincione, Maria Letizia Gargano
Summary: Medicinal mushrooms have a wide range of pharmacological activities and health benefits, requiring a strong commitment from the scientific community to expand clinical trials and propose supplements of safe origin and genetic purity. This review reports on bioactive compounds of selected medicinal mushrooms, as well as their effects and mechanisms in clinical studies, and analyzes the therapeutic use and pharmacological activities of mushrooms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Qianyu Dong, Zhen Li, Qian Zhang, Yueyu Hu, Huazheng Liang, Lize Xiong
Summary: Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, a widely used herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been historically used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Its bioactive compounds possess various pharmacological effects and can effectively manage Alzheimer's disease through multiple mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Talha Bin Emran, Fahadul Islam, Saikat Mitra, Shyamjit Paul, Nikhil Nath, Zidan Khan, Rajib Das, Deepak Chandran, Rohit Sharma, Clara Mariana Goncalves Lima, Ahmed Abdullah Al Awadh, Ibrahim Abdullah Almazni, Abdulaziz Hassan Alhasaniah, Raquel P. F. Guine
Summary: Pectin is a natural acidic polysaccharide found in plant cell walls that plays an important role in preventing chronic diseases and cancer. Specific modifications of pectin are believed to have anti-cancer characteristics, supported by human clinical trials and animal studies.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Jian-Yong Wu, Ka-Chai Siu, Ping Geng
Summary: Grifola frondosa, also known as hen-of-the-woods or maitake, is an edible mushroom with bioactive constituents like polysaccharides, proteins, and small organic molecules, showing antitumor, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities. Research suggests that this mushroom may have potential value for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications, but further investigation is needed to understand its structure-bioactivity relationship and mechanisms of action.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Maher Mahmoudi, Raoudha Abdellaoui, Faycal Boughalleb, Boutheina Yahia, Mahmoud Mabrouk, Nizar Nasri
Summary: This study investigated the lipid, protein, and bioactive compound contents in the seeds of Astragalus armatus, A. caprinus, and A. gombiformis, finding that they could be valuable assets for functional foods and/or food ingredients.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Gayathri Rajendran, Deepu Bhanu, Baladhandapani Aruchamy, Prasanna Ramani, Nanjan Pandurangan, Kondapa Naidu Bobba, Eun Jung Oh, Ho Yun Chung, Prakash Gangadaran, Byeong-Cheol Ahn
Summary: This review summarizes the structures, synthesis methods, biological characteristics, and applications of chalcones over the past decade, and provides detailed insights into their structure-activity relationship studies. It offers guidelines for future design and synthesis of promising drug candidates, and provides important support for the development of drugs against infectious and non-infectious diseases.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Fen Yao, Hong Gao, Chao-Min Yin, De-Fang Shi, Xiu-Zhi Fan
Summary: The effects of different cooking methods and times on the bioactive components, color, texture, microstructure, and volatiles in shiitake mushrooms were investigated in this study. Steaming, boiling, and air frying decreased the contents of bioactive components, while oven baking showed higher contents of phenolics and flavonoids. The lightness of shiitake mushrooms decreased with all treatments, but steaming had a higher brightness. All cooking methods damaged the microstructure, and steaming and air frying decreased the hardness the most. Cooking treatments also decreased the complexity of flavors and volatile compounds. These results provide valuable information for cooking and processing shiitake mushrooms and other fungi.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Idrees Khan, Abdelhakim Bouyahya, Naoufal E. L. Hachlafi, Naoual El Menyiy, Muhammad Akram, Sabira Sultana, Gokhan Zengin, Lilya Ponomareva, Mohammad Ali Shariati, Oluwafemi Adeleke Ojo, Stefano Dall'Acqua, Tobiloba Christiana Elebiyo
Summary: This article introduces the role of medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds in the treatment of breast cancer. It is found that compounds in natural products have anti-cancer effects on breast cancer cells, and they work through various mechanisms, including inhibiting apoptotic pathways, blocking the cell cycle, and activating autophagy. In addition, they also exhibit anti-angiogenesis and anti-metastatic effects. However, the chemopreventive effects of different compounds on breast cancer vary.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chaochao Yu, Yi Li, Guopeng Chen, Chaoyan Wu, Xiuping Wang, Yingwen Zhang
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge on active components of animal-derived traditional Chinese medicinal materials (TCMMs) with marked anti-breast cancer effects. Further investigations and clinical trials are needed to validate the efficacy of these bioactive constituents alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs for breast cancer treatment.
JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY-SCIENCE B
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dezhi Pan, Xue Gong, Xiaoqin Wang, Minhui Li
Summary: Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones, involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Active components of food have been shown to have a regulatory effect on angiogenesis, which can help prevent complications and promote healthier dietary habits. This review provides a theoretical basis for the development of highly efficient anti-angiogenic drugs with low toxicity.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Correction
Chemistry, Applied
Renao Bai, Peng Su, Guo Zhen, Trung T. Nguyen, Yong Diao, Kirsten Heimann, Wei Zhang
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emmanuel Makinde, Linlin Ma, George D. Mellick, Yunjiang Feng
Summary: Mitochondria are essential for energy metabolism and play key roles in calcium homeostasis, ROS balance, cell apoptosis, and biosynthetic pathways. Disruption of mitochondrial function is associated with various diseases. This review discusses the physiological and pathological functions of mitochondria, as well as bioactive compounds that protect mitochondria and their mechanisms of action. The article provides insights into promising compounds, challenges in therapeutic use, and future research directions on mitochondrial modulators.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Fuhang Song, Wei Dai, Honghua Li, Xinwan Zhang, Xiuli Xu, Linlin Ma, Long Wang
Summary: Fuzhuan brick tea (FBT), a traditional beverage in China, is popular among frontier ethnic groups. FBT is known for its health benefits, but the mechanisms and key compounds responsible remain unclear. This study investigated the liposoluble extract of FBT and found that it alleviated symptoms related to metabolic diseases. The chemical characterization identified isodihydroauroglaucin and flavoglaucin as the bioactive ingredients contributing to the health benefits of FBT.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xuan Luo, Wenjin Xing, Iliana Delcheva, Fayed Abdullah Alrashaidi, Amir Heydari, Dennis Palms, Vi Khanh Truong, Krasimir Vasilev, Zhongfan Jia, Wei Zhang, Peng Su, Kasturi Vimalanathan, Aghil Igder, Gregory A. Weiss, Youhong Tang, Melanie MacGregor, Colin L. Raston
Summary: A shear-stress-mediated platform called portable vortex-fluidic device (P-VFD) has been developed to overcome the diffusion-limit and achieve fast reaction rates. The platform consists of a plasma oxazoline-coated polyvinyl chloride (POx-PVC) film with tough hydrogel covalently bound to its surface and a reactor tube for reactions. The hydrogel arrays on the film provide a strong matrix for entrapping biomolecules and tolerate shear stress, resulting in a >6-fold increase in reaction rate.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Wanling Cai, Wei Zhang, Zuliang Chen
Summary: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with high surface area and biodegradability have potential in drug release. Fe3O4 nanoparticles and MOFs composite materials, with magnetic features, were investigated for norfloxacin loading and release. The composite showed pH-sensitive properties and high release efficiency, making it suitable for targeted drug delivery. Its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli was also tested, indicating its potential as a microbial inhibitor.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Gohar Shaghayegh, Clare Cooksley, George Bouras, Roshan Nepal, Ghais Houtak, Beula Subashini Panchatcharam, Kevin Aaron Fenix, Alkis James Psaltis, Peter-John Wormald, Sarah Vreugde
Summary: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic inflammation of the sinus mucosa characterized by dysfunction of the sinuses' defense mechanisms and induction of different inflammatory pathways. The presence of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in the sinonasal mucosa is associated with CRS, but it is also observed in healthy individuals, which challenges its significance in CRS pathogenesis. This study investigated the relationship between CRS inflammatory markers, S. aureus biofilm properties/virulence genes, and disease severity.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Trung T. T. Nguyen, Thanh Hoang, Tuyet Pham, Vi Khanh Truong, Xuan Luo, Jian Qin, Wei Zhang
Summary: Shell wastes impose burdens on the shellfish industry, but they can be used for commercial chitin production to minimize negative impacts and maximize economic value.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Renao Bai, Trung T. Nguyen, Yali Zhou, Yong Diao, Wei Zhang
Summary: Arthrospira maxima is a sustainable source of proteins with diverse functionalities. The residue of spent biomass still contains proteins with potential for biopeptide production. The hydrolyzed product with the highest antioxidative activity was further fractionated and purified, and the resulting biopeptides have potential applications in food and nutraceutical products.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bimala Dhakal, Yoko Tomita, Paul Drew, Timothy Price, Guy Maddern, Eric Smith, Kevin Fenix
Summary: Cancer metabolic plasticity, particularly fatty acid metabolism, plays a crucial role in cancer cell growth and malignancy. The drug perhexiline, which inhibits mitochondrial enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism, has shown promising anti-cancer properties both as a monotherapy and in combination with traditional chemotherapeutics. This review explores the mechanisms of perhexiline's anti-cancer activities, including both CPT1/2 dependent and independent pathways, and discusses its potential as an anti-cancer agent, limitations, and ability to reduce cardiotoxicity induced by other chemotherapeutics.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiaoyi Chen, Yunjiang Feng, Ronald J. Quinn, Dean L. Pountney, Des R. Richardson, George D. Mellick, Linlin Ma
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a neurode-generative disorder caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain, leading to motor symptoms. Understanding the biological targets and pathways involved in the disease is crucial for developing effective treatments. Ion channels, particularly potassium channels, play important roles in neuronal function and neuroinflammation, making them potential therapeutic targets. This review discusses the role of specific potassium channel subfamilies in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis and their potential as targets for neuroprotective drugs.
PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Bimala Dhakal, Celine Man Ying Li, Mahnaz Ramezanpour, Ghais Houtak, Runhao Li, George Bouras, Alex Collela, Nusha Chegeni, Tim Kennion Chataway, Paul Drew, Benedetta C. Sallustio, Sarah Vreugde, Eric Smith, Guy Maddern, Giovanni Licari, Kevin Fenix
Summary: This study investigated the effect of Perhexiline (PHX) treatment on macrophage activation and polarization. The results showed that PHX promoted M1 macrophage polarization and led to changes in metabolic and immune signaling pathways.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Celine Man Ying Li, Yoko Tomita, Bimala Dhakal, Runhao Li, Jun Li, Paul Drew, Timothy Price, Eric Smith, Guy J. Maddern, Kevin Aaron Fenix
Summary: This review systematically assessed the efficacy of cytokine-induced killer cell (CIK) therapy for colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment and found that CIK therapy improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and overall response rate without increasing toxicity. Further investigation into CIK therapy for CRC treatment is warranted.
JOURNAL FOR IMMUNOTHERAPY OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tuyet Pham, Tien Thanh Nguyen, Ngoc Huu Nguyen, Andrew Hayles, Wenshao Li, Duy Quang Pham, Chung Kim Nguyen, Trung Nguyen, Jitraporn Vongsvivut, Neethu Ninan, Ylias Sabri, Wei Zhang, Krasimir Vasilev, Vi Khanh Truong
Summary: This study presents a novel sustainable technology, using argon atmospheric plasma jet, to transform microalgae into bioactive coatings with excellent antibacterial activity and biological compatibility. This technology has the potential to combat wound infections and advance wound care research.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dechao Chen, Muhammad Usman Zia, Fan Yang, Yuting Wang, Frederic D. L. Leusch, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Wei Zhang, Yongsheng Gao, Dongyuan Zhao, Colin L. L. Raston, Qin Li
Summary: A ligand-mediated, spatially-confined synthesis method is developed to produce high-quality carbon dots from crude bioresources. The choice of solvent plays a critical role in the formation and properties of the carbon dots. The ligand-carbon interactions and electron transfer result in the formation of uniform colloidal carbon dots with multiple emissions. These carbon dots can be easily dispersed in various solvents and fabricated into thin-film devices, making them suitable for optoelectronic applications.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Suvimol Charoensiddhi, Pawadee Methacanon, Peng Su, Wei Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the anti-skin aging potential of three Southern Australian brown seaweed extracts. The results showed that the extracts from Cystophora moniliformis and Cystophora siliquosa exhibited strong inhibitory effects on glycation activity and stimulated collagen production, suggesting their potential as skin anti-aging supplements. Further in vivo studies are warranted.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
