Colorectal carcinogenesis: Insights into the cell death and signal transduction pathways: A review.

Colorectal carcinogenesis (CRC) imposes a major health burden in developing countries. It is the third major cause of cancer deaths. Despite several treatment strategies, novel drugs are warranted to reduce the severity of this disease.

Cancer stem cells and evolving novel therapies: a paradigm shift.

Accumulating evidence of stem-like cells/cancer stem cells (CSCs) has been gaining attention of cancer researchers over the last decade. Though many tumors harbor CSCs in their dedicated niches, identifying and exterminating those cells has proved to be difficult, due to their heterogenous nature, as the CSC phenotype vary substantially and may undergo reversible phenotypic changes. As a tumor propagation initiator, CSCs are considered as an exciting novel therapy for a better therapeutic outcome.

In vivo anti-ulcer, anti-stress, anti-allergic, and functional properties of gymnemic acid isolated from Gymnema sylvestre R Br.

Background: Gymnema sylvestre is a highly valued ethno pharmacologically important medicinal plant used currently in many poly-herbal formulations due to its potential antidiabetic activity and other health benefits. The present study was carried out to analyze the anti-stress, anti-allergic, and antiulcer activity of the bioactive compounds present in Gymnema sylvestre leaves.

Methods: The preliminary phytochemical screening for bioactive compounds from aqueous extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, triterpenes, flavonoids, steroids, and saponins.