Flavonoids, gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease: Dynamics and interplay.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Extensive efforts have been invested to explicate mechanisms implicated in the onset and progression of CVD. Besides the usual suspects as risk factors (obesity, diabetes, and others), the gut microbiome has emerged as a prominent and essential factor in the pathogenesis of CVD.

Epac as a tractable therapeutic target.

In 1957, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was identified as the first secondary messenger, and the first signaling cascade discovered was the cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. Since then, cAMP has received increasing attention given its multitude of actions. Not long ago, a new cAMP effector named exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) emerged as a critical mediator of cAMP's actions.

Therapeutic potential of flavonoids in cancer: ROS-mediated mechanisms.

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the globe. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play contradicting roles in cancer incidence and progression. Antioxidants have attracted attention as emerging therapeutic agents.