Myrsinane-Type Diterpenes: A Comprehensive Review on Structural Diversity, Chemistry and Biological Activities.

species are important sources of polycyclic and macrocyclic diterpenes, which have been the focus of natural-product-based drug research due to their relevant biological properties, including anticancer, multidrug resistance reversal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities. Premyrsinane, cyclomyrsinane, and myrsinane diterpenes are generally and collectively designated as myrsinane-type diterpenes. These compounds are derived from the macrocyclic lathyrane structure and are characterized by having highly oxygenated rearranged polycyclic systems.

Sleep Patterns, Eating Behavior and the Risk of Noncommunicable Diseases.

Sleep is extremely important for the homeostasis of the organism. In recent years, various studies have been carried out to address factors related to sleep patterns and their influence on food choices, as well as on the onset of chronic noncommunicable diseases. The aim of this article is to provide a scientific literature review on the possible role of sleep patterns on eating behavior and the risk of noncommunicable diseases.

Triterpenes from Momordica balsamina (African pumpkin): ABCB1 inhibition and synergistic interaction with doxorubicin in resistant cancer cells.

Aiming at overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer, we have been studying Momordica balsamina, a vegetable known as African pumpkin. Five undescribed cucurbitane-type triterpenoids (balsaminaepoxide, balsaminatriol, balsaminoic acid, balsaminal, and balsaminol G) along with five known cucurbitacins were isolated from the methanol extract of Momordica balsamina aerial parts, whose structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data, mainly 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compounds were evaluated for their ability as P-glycoprotein (P-gp/ABCB1) inhibitors in multidrug resistant human ABCB1-transfected mouse lymphoma cells (L5178Y, MDR) and resistant human colon adenocarcinoma cells (COLO 320), using the rhodamine-123 exclusion test, by flow cytometry.

Outcome measurement instruments in Rett syndrome: A systematic review.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify and characterize outcome measures for objective and subjective assessment in persons with Rett syndrome (RS).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted consulting the EBSCO, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scielo, MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases for published studies describing the use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and other outcome measures in persons with RS. Validation studies and observational studies were included.

Plant Terpenoids as Hit Compounds against Trypanosomiasis.

Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) are vector-borne neglected tropical diseases, caused by the protozoan parasites and , respectively. These diseases were circumscribed to South American and African countries in the past. However, human migration, military interventions, and climate changes have had an important effect on their worldwide propagation, particularly Chagas disease.