CYP1-Activation and Anticancer Properties of Synthetic Methoxylated Resveratrol Analogues.

Naturally occurring stilbenoids, such as the ()-stilbenoid resveratrol and the ()-stilbenoid combretastatin A4, have been considered as promising lead compounds for the development of anticancer drugs. The antitumour properties of stilbenoids are known to be modulated by cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, which contribute to extrahepatic phase I xenobiotic and drug metabolism. Thirty-four methyl ether analogues of resveratrol were synthesised, and their anticancer properties were assessed, using the MTT cell proliferation assay on a panel of human breast cell lines.

Activity of Antioxidants from L. Petals: Potential Preventive Effects towards Cardiovascular System.

The petals of the saffron crocus ( L.) are considered a waste material in saffron production, but may be a sustainable source of natural biologically active substances of nutraceutical interest. The aim of this work was to study the cardiovascular effects of kaempferol and crocin extracted from saffron petals.

Loss of Kat2a enhances transcriptional noise and depletes acute myeloid leukemia stem-like cells.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy with abnormal progenitor self-renewal and defective white blood cell differentiation. Its pathogenesis comprises subversion of transcriptional regulation, through mutation and by hijacking normal chromatin regulation. Kat2a is a histone acetyltransferase central to promoter activity, that we recently associated with stability of pluripotency networks, and identified as a genetic vulnerability in AML.

New Hydrogels Enriched with Antioxidants from Saffron Crocus Can Find Applications in Wound Treatment and/or Beautification.

Saffron extracts have a long history of application as skin protectant, possibly due to their ability to scavenge free radicals. In this work, the performance of a hydrogel enriched with antioxidant compounds isolated from saffron crocus (Crocus sativus L.) petals was tested.

The Synthesis of Chalcones as Anticancer Prodrugs and their Bioactivation in CYP1 Expressing Breast Cancer Cells.

Background: Although the expression levels of many P450s differ between tumour and corresponding normal tissue, CYP1B1 is one of the few CYP subfamilies which is significantly and consistently overexpressed in tumours. CYP1B1 has been shown to be active within tumours and is capable of metabolising a structurally diverse range of anticancer drugs. Because of this, and its role in the activation of procarcinogens, CYP1B1 is seen as an important target for anticancer drug development.

Flavonoids and Their Metabolites: Prevention in Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes.

The occurrence of atherosclerosis and diabetes is expanding rapidly worldwide. These two metabolic disorders often co-occur, and are part of what is often referred to as the metabolic syndrome. In order to determine future therapies, we propose that molecular mechanisms should be investigated.

Use and Evaluation of a Cooling Aid in Laser-Assisted Dental Surgery: An Innovative Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of NeoHeal during laser-assisted oral surgery.

Background Data: Laser-assisted surgery is a less invasive technique than conventional surgery using a blade; however, the heat produced by the laser can damage tissue proximal to the treated area. We hypothesized the hydrogel NeoHeal could be applied during oral surgery and have similar benefits as those already described for dermatological surgery.

Petals of Crocus sativus L. as a potential source of the antioxidants crocin and kaempferol.

Saffron from the province of L'Aquila, in the Abruzzo region of Italy, is highly prized and has been awarded a formal recognition by the European Union with EU Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. Despite this, the saffron regions are abandoned by the younger generations because the traditional cultivation of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is labour intensive and yields only one crop of valuable saffron stamens per year.