Sericin coats of silk fibres, a degumming waste or future material?

Silk is a fibrous biopolymer with a recorded history in the textile industries for centuries. This fibre is constituted of two different proteins: fibroin and sericin, of which the latter accounting for approximately 20-30 % of the silk mass. Silk sericin (SSER) was previously considered as a waste by-product in silk fibroin extraction.

The influence of apigenin on cellular responses to radiation: From protection to sensitization.

Apigenin, a dietary flavonoid, has gained increasing attention for its potential therapeutic applications in radiation protection and radiosensitization. Ionizing radiation (IR) can harm healthy cells, but as radiotherapy remains crucial in cancer treatment. Owing to the remarkable application of radiotherapy in the treatment of cancers, it is vital to protect healthy cells from radiation hazards while increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation.

Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Plant-derived Hypoglycemic Medicines: An Systematic Review.

Background: The activation of oxidative stress and inflammatory conditions has been associated with acceleration in diabetes (DM) onset and complications. Despite various anti-DM medications, there is a growing trend to discover inexpensive and effective treatments with low adverse effects from plants as one of the promising sources for drug development.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically investigate the simultaneous anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of plant-derived hypoglycemic medicines in diabetic experimental models.

Investigation of Burn Wound Healing Properties.

Objective: (Roxb. Ex Lamb.) G.

Phytochemical analysis and anticholinesterase activity of aril of Myristica fragrans Houtt.

In this study, the ethyl acetate fraction of Myristica fragrans Houtt. was investigated for its in vitro anticholinesterase activity as well as neuroprotectivity against HO-induced cell death in PC12 neuronal cells and the ability to chelate bio-metals (Zn, Fe, and Cu). The fraction was inactive toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE); however, it inhibited the butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) with IC value of 68.

The potential of pumpkin seed oil as a functional food-A comprehensive review of chemical composition, health benefits, and safety.

The growing interest in foods that can be beneficial to human health is bringing into focus some products that have been used locally for centuries but have recently gained worldwide attention. One of these foods is pumpkin seed oil, which has been used in culinary and traditional medicine, but recent data also show its use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In addition, some sources refer to it as a potential functional food, mainly because it is obtained from pumpkin seeds, which contain many functional components.

Cytotoxic abietane diterpenoids from Salvia leriifolia Benth.

The Phytochemical profiling of the root extract of Salvia leriifolia, an endemic plant of Iran, was investigated and 16 abietane diterpenes were isolated, and three were original compounds. 1D and 2D NMR and HRMS performed structural elucidation. The absolute configuration of the previously unreported compounds was determined by circular dichroism (ECD).

Characteristics of published/registered clinical trials on COVID-19 treatment: A systematic review.

Objectives: Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide, many countries have designed clinical trials to find efficient treatments. We aimed to critically report the characteristics of all the registered and published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) conducted on COVID-19, and summarize the evaluation of potential therapies developed in various regions.

Evidence Acquisition: We comprehensively searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and Clinicaltrial.

Phytochemical investigation and biological activity of L. roots against Alzheimer's disease.

The methanol extract of L. was fractionated using -hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate to evaluate their cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activity modified Ellman's method. It was perceived that only the ethyl acetate fraction was active toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with IC value of 172.

Arglabin could target inflammasome-induced ARDS and cytokine storm associated with COVID-19.

Arglabin (l(R),10(S)-epoxy-5(S),5(S),7(S)-guaia-3(4),ll(13)-dien-6,12-olide), is a natural sesquiterpene γ-lactone which was first isolated from Artemisia glabella. The compound has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of the NLR Family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and production of proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. A more hydrophilic derivative of the compound also exhibited antitumor activity in the breast, colon, ovarian, and lung cancer.

The pro-apoptosis effects of Echinacea purpurea and Cannabis sativa extracts in human lung cancer cells through caspase-dependent pathway.

Background: Considering the advantages of using medicinal herbs as supplementary treatments to sensitize conventional anti-cancer drugs, studying functional mechanisms and regulatory effects of Echinacea purpurea (as a non-cannabinoid plant) and Cannabis sativa (as a cannabinoid plant) are timely and required. The potential effects of such herbs on lung cancer cell growth, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, caspase activity and their cannabinomimetic properties on the CB2 receptor are addressed in the current study.

Methods: The cytotoxic effect of both herb extracts on the growth of lung cancer cells (A549) was assessed using the MTT assay.

Phytostilbenes as agrochemicals: biosynthesis, bioactivity, metabolic engineering and biotechnology.

Covering: 1976 to 2020. Although constituting a limited chemical family, phytostilbenes represent an emblematic group of molecules among natural compounds. Ever since their discovery as antifungal compounds in plants and their ascribed role in human health and disease, phytostilbenes have never ceased to arouse interest for researchers, leading to a huge development of the literature in this field.

Phytochemical investigation and anticholinesterase activity of ethyl acetate fraction of Houtt. seeds.

In this work, -hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions of the methanol extract of Houtt. seeds were evaluated against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) Ellman's method. It was found that all fractions depicted no anti-AChE activity, however, they were active toward BChE with IC values of 361.

Effects of Monoterpenes of on the Viability of Spermatogonia Stem Cells In Vitro.

(Apiaceae) plants have several medicinal and condimentary applications and are considered an aphrodisiac agent in Iranian Traditional Medicine. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of oil from Iranian plants on the viability of spermatogonial stem cells in vitro. The essential oil of fruits was extracted by hydrodistillation, and the amount of thymol was calculated by a gas-chromatography method.

Targeting Hedgehog signaling pathway: Paving the road for cancer therapy.

The Hedgehog pathway is essential for embryonic development but also for tissue and organ homeostasis in adult organisms. Activation of this pathway leads to the expression of target genes involved in proliferation, angiogenesis and stem cell self-renewal. Moreover, abnormal persistence of Hedgehog signaling is directly involved in a wide range of human cancers.

Natural activators of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and their pharmacological activities.

Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric enzyme which monitors cellular energy status and regulates metabolism with energy balance. AMPK activation, as a master regulator of metabolism, plays role in key tissues like liver, skeletal muscles, and heart as well as central nervous system (CNS). Activation of the enzyme by indirect activators attracts scientific attentions to treat diabetes, obesity, cancer, and other related metabolic disorders like physiological and pathophysiological states in CNS.

Investigation of β-Sitosterol and Prangol Extracted from Along with Whole Root Extract on Isolated Rat Pancreatic Islets.

The genus (Asteraceae) consisting of important medicinal species, growing wildly in Iran, of which is found in Iran-o-Turan regions. Regarding the traditional use of species for treatment of diabetes and also lack of information on phyto-constituents of underground parts, in this study anti-diabetic activity of the plant have been reported. In order to find the main active components, underground parts of the plant were extracted with water and fractioned by hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol and the separation of the main compounds were carried out medium pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC).

Chemical Constituents of (DC.) Boiss., and Evaluation of Its Anti- Activity.

Objective: (Apiaceae) is an endemic species in Iran. Up to now, there have been no phytochemical and biological investigations on this species. Therefore, isolation of the main secondary metabolites of the plant along with its anti- activity have been considered in this paper.

Bio-guided isolation of subsp. cytotoxic components.

subsp was extracted by 80% ethanol. The total extract was then partitioned into four fractions including chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. Cytotoxic effect of fractions was examined by MTT assay in K562 (chronic myelogenous leukemia), AGS (gastric adenocarcinoma), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) and SW742 (colon adenocarcinoma) cell lines.

Therapeutic potential of flavonoids in inflammatory bowel disease: A comprehensive review.

The inflammatory process plays a central role in the development and progression of numerous pathological situations, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disorders. IBDs involve inflammation of the gastrointestinal area and mainly comprise Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Both pathological situations usually involve recurring or bloody diarrhea, pain, fatigue and weight loss.

Advances in the Anticancer Value of the Ursolic Acid Through Nanodelivery.

Ursolic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid is commonly found in plants and foods with promising biological and pharmacological activities. The compound has been under the attention of researchers due to its considerable anticancer effects through suppression of differentiation, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells via different pathways with low toxicity. Bioavailability of ursolic acid is poor due to poor solubility of the compound in water.

Piperine as a Potential Anti-cancer Agent: A Review on Preclinical Studies.

Recently many studies showed anticancer activities of piperine, a pungent alkaloid found in black pepper and some other Piper species. We attempted to summarize acquired data that support anticancer potential of this natural agent. Piperine has been reported to possess effective chemopreventive activity.

Evaluation of the Effects of Local Application of Thyme Honey in Open Cutaneous Wound Healing.

Background: Clinicians have been searching for ways to obtain "super normal" wound healing. Honey is a traditional remedy for the treatment of infected wounds. We aimed to evaluate the wound contraction and antibacterial properties of locally produced Thyme honey on managing full-thickness wounds in vivo.

The arguments for and against cannabinoids application in glaucomatous retinopathy.

Glaucoma represents several optic neuropathies leading to irreversible blindness through progressive retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. Reduction of intraocular pressure (IOP) is known as the only modifiable factor in the treatment of this disorder. Application of exogenous cannabinoids to lower IOP has attracted attention of scientists as potential agents for the treatment of glaucoma.