Publications by authors named "M V Tsurkan"

Adaptive drug release can combat coagulation and inflammation activation at the blood-material interface with minimized side effects. For that purpose, poly(styrene-alt-maleic-anhydride) copolymers were conjugated to heparin via coagulation-responsive linker peptides and shown to tightly adsorb onto poly(ethersulfone) (PES)-surfaces from aqueous solutions as monolayers. Coagulation-responsive release of unfractionated as well as low molecular weight heparins from the respective coatings was demonstrated to be functionally beneficial in human plasma and whole blood incubation with faster release kinetics resulting in stronger anticoagulant effects.

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Article Synopsis
  • Type 2 diabetes involves high blood sugar and reduced function of insulin-producing β-cells, prompting research into potential treatments.
  • This study tested the effects of betulin, a natural compound from birch bark, on diabetic rats, focusing on various health parameters over a 28-day period.
  • Results indicated that betulin improved blood sugar levels and reduced liver and kidney damage in diabetic rats while promoting the regeneration of β-cells, suggesting it could be a promising treatment for diabetes.
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We have designed and synthesized a series of bioinspired pyrano[2,3-]coumarin-based Calanolide A analogs with anti-HIV activity. The design of these new calanolide analogs involved incorporating nitrogen heterocycles or aromatic groups in lieu of ring C, effectively mimicking and preserving their bioactive properties. Three directions for the synthesis were explored: reaction of 5-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-10-propyl-2,8-pyrano[2,3-]chromen-8-one with (i) 1,2,4-triazines, (ii) sulfonylation followed by Suzuki cross-coupling with (het)aryl boronic acids, and (iii) aminomethylation by Mannich reaction.

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Article Synopsis
  • Betulin, a natural triterpene derived mainly from birch bark, shows potential for wound healing and various pharmacological benefits across several diseases, including cardiovascular issues, cancer, and inflammation.
  • The compound exhibits multitarget anti-inflammatory properties, which help regulate important signaling pathways like MAPK and NF-κB, potentially influencing diverse biological networks.
  • There is a hypothesis that betulin could serve as a new lead for drug development due to its ability to modify multiple pharmacological targets and improve responses to oxidative stress and inflammation.
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This review summarizes and systematizes the literature on the anti-HIV activity of plant coumarins with emphasis on isolation and the mechanism of their antiviral action. This review summarizes the information on the anti-HIV properties of simple coumarins as well as annulated furano- and pyranocoumarins and shows that coumarins of plant origin can act by several mechanisms: inhibition of HIV reverse transcriptase and integrase, inhibition of cellular factors that regulate HIV-1 replication, and transmission of viral particles from infected macrophages to healthy ones. It is important to note that some pyranocoumarins are able to act through several mechanisms or bind to several sites, which ensures the resistance of these compounds to HIV mutations.

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