Publications by authors named "Lekshmi R Nath"

Curcumin, a well-known bioactive component, has profound effects against colon cancer. However, the limitations are poor systemic absorption, off-target distribution, chemical instability, short half-life, and less concentration reaching tumor tissues. Several drug delivery systems have been evaluated so far to deliver effective concentrations of curcumin to the malignant tissues.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Glypican-3 (GPC-3) is predominantly found in the placenta and fetal liver, with limited expression in adult tissues. Its re-expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and secretion into the serum highlights its potential as a diagnostic marker. GPC-3 is involved in important cellular processes such as proliferation, metastasis, apoptosis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through various signaling pathways including Wnt, IGF, YAP, and Hedgehog.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and its progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are influenced by unique molecular and immune features, especially connected to the gut microbiome.
  • The "gut-liver axis" reflects the crucial interaction between the gut microbiota and the liver, impacting the development and disease progression through microbial metabolites and immune responses.
  • A literature review from various databases highlights the gut microbiota's significant role in MASH and HCC, calling for more clinical research to improve diagnostic methods and create targeted therapies to help treat liver diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Eighteen compounds derived from two sub-series, (HC1-HC9) and (HF1-HF9), were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activities against monoamine oxidase (MAO). HC (chalcone) series showed higher inhibitory activity against MAO-B than against MAO-A, whereas the HF (chromone) series showed reversed inhibitory activity. Compound HC4 most potently inhibited MAO-B with an IC value of 0.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays a crucial role in adult liver repair by promoting the expansion and differentiation of hepatic progenitor cells into mature hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Elevated Hh signaling is associated with severe chronic liver diseases, making Hh inhibitors a promising therapeutic option. Sonidegib and vismodegib, both FDA-approved Smoothened (Smo) inhibitors for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), have shown potential for application in chronic liver disorders based on clinical evidence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The role of mast cells, traditionally recognized for their involvement in immediate hypersensitivity reactions, has garnered significant attention in liver diseases. Studies have indicated a notable increase in mast cell counts following hepatic injury, underscoring their potential contribution to liver disorder pathogenesis. Predominantly situated in connective tissue that envelops the hepatic veins, bile ducts, and arteries, mast cells are central to both initiating and perpetuating liver disorders.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Scope: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) results from various etiologies, such as Hepatitis B and C, Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disorders, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. About 80 to 90% of HCC cases possess cirrhosis, which is brought on by persistent liver inflammation. TGF-β is a multifunctional polypeptide molecule that acts as a pro-fibrogenic marker, inflammatory cytokine, immunosuppressive agent, and pro-carcinogenic growth factor during the progression of HCC.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Liposomes have gained prominence as nanocarriers in drug delivery, and the number of products in the market is increasing steadily, particularly in cancer therapeutics. Remote loading of drugs in liposomes is a significant step in the translation and commercialization of the first liposomal product. Low drug loading and drug leakage from liposomes is a translational hurdle that was effectively circumvented by the remote loading process.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Embelin, a natural para-benzoquinone product, is derived from plants of the Embelia genus, particularly Burm.f. A staple in traditional medicinal formulations for centuries, Embelin's pharmacological actions are attributed to the hydroxyl benzoquinone present in its structure.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the primary malignancy of hepatocytes and the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality across the globe. Despite significant advancements in screening, diagnosis, and treatment modalities for HCC, the mortality-to-incidence ratio remain unacceptably high. A recent study indicates that a minor population of HCCs are AFP negative or express the normal range of AFP levels.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Despite the significant improvement in the treatment modalities, cancer is one of the fastest-growing chronic disease conditions all over the world. Genetic and Epigenetic alterations in the normal physiology of the cell are the key factor for tumor development. These changes can trigger the production of abnormal protein expressions through stimulation of different signaling pathways and can deeply affect normal cell growth and proliferation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Keap1-Nrf2 is a fundamental signaling cascade known to promote or prevent carcinogenesis. Extensive studies identify the key target of modulatory aspects of Keap1-Nrf2 signaling against cancer. Nutraceuticals are those dietary agents with many health benefits that have immense potential for cancer chemoprevention.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often recognized as an inflammation-linked cancer, which possesses an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Curative treatments such as surgical resection, liver transplantation, and percutaneous ablation are mainly applicable in the early stage and demonstrate significant improvement of survival rate in most patients. However, 70-80% of patients report HCC recurrence within 5 years of curative treatment, representing an important clinical issue.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Context: Phytochemicals have been promising candidates for cancer therapy, affecting various cancer initiation and progression stages. Kaempferide is a mono methoxy flavone that shows potent anticancer effects on multiple cancers both in vitro and in vivo.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated the anticancer activity of kaempferide against HCC using an MTT ((3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Indian traditional medicinal plants are known for their great potential in combating viral diseases. Previously, we reported a systematic review approach of seven plausible traditional Indian medicinal plants against SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: Molecular docking was conducted with Biovia Discovery Studio.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Nimbamritadi Panchatiktam Kashayam (NPK) is an ayurvedic formulation composed of ingredients with potent anti-viral activities. We studied the interaction energy of 144 phytoconstituents present in NPK against spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) complexed with ACE2 protein (PDB ID: 6LZG) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase protein (PDB ID: 7BTF) using Biovia Drug Discovery studio. The result indicated that 2,4-hydroxycinnamic acid exerts more significant binding affinities (28.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that performs a dual role as a tumor suppressor and tumor promoter during cancer progression. Among different ligands of the TGF-β family, TGF-β1 modulates most of its biological outcomes. Despite the abundant expression of TGF-β1 in the liver, steatosis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression triggers elevated TGF-β1 levels, contributing to poor prognosis and survival.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The World Health Organization has declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic and emerging threat to people in the 21st century. SARS-CoV-2 constitutes RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase (RdRp) viral proteins, a critical target in the viral replication process. No FDA-approved drug is currently available, and there is a high demand for therapeutic strategies against COVID-19.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an autoimmune condition affecting oral tissues, and while there are several treatments like corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, their effectiveness and safety are not well established.
  • The review aims to investigate clinical trials that compare the efficacy of phytochemicals, such as curcumin and aloe vera, to traditional corticosteroid treatments for OLP.
  • Findings suggest phytochemicals could serve as a safer and effective alternative to existing therapies, potentially reducing long-term side effects and recurrence of the disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The ethnomedicinal plant from the Cucurbitaceae family, , or its bioactive derivatives have been widely utilized in traditional medicine owing to their distinct applications against various human ailments and have lured the interest of ethnobotanists and biochemists. Here, we report for the first time, the anti-cancer potential of a bio-active fraction isolated from the dried rhizome of , and the bioactive principle identified as cucurbitacin B (Cu-B). The purification processes involving the utilization of multiple organic extracts of rhizome powder, yielded Cu-B from the Ethyl acetate Cytotoxic Fraction (ECF), obtained by the chromatographic separation of the ethyl acetate extract.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

One-third of the world population suffer from kidney complications such as acute and chronic renal failure, renal calculi, kidney stones, Fanconi's syndrome and urethritis which doesn't have a proper effective treatment regimen. The current study explores the nephroprotective effect of herbal drug by both and methods. MTT assay was applied to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of leaves extract on HEK 293 cell line.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF