Biological activities of the aerial and undergound parts of Rchb.f. (syn. (L.) Rchb. f.) from the Italian Alps.

This study investigated the bioactivity of both aerial (GNAR) and underground (GNUG) parts of Rchb.f. (syn.

Antiviral mechanisms of two broad-spectrum monoclonal antibodies for rabies prophylaxis and therapy.

Rabies is an acute and lethal encephalomyelitis caused by lyssaviruses, among which rabies virus (RABV) is the most prevalent and important for public health. Although preventable through the post-exposure administration of rabies vaccine and immunoglobulins (RIGs), the disease is almost invariably fatal since the onset of clinical signs. Two human neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), RVC20 and RVC58, have been shown to be effective in treating symptomatic rabies.

Host Response of Syrian Hamster to SARS-CoV-2 Infection including Differences with Humans and between Sexes.

The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has highlighted the importance of having proper tools and models to study the pathophysiology of emerging infectious diseases to test therapeutic protocols, assess changes in viral phenotypes, and evaluate the effects of viral evolution. This study provided a comprehensive characterization of the Syrian hamster () as an animal model for SARS-CoV-2 infection using different approaches (description of clinical signs, viral load, receptor profiling, and host immune response) and targeting four different organs (lungs, intestine, brain, and PBMCs). Our data showed that both male and female hamsters were susceptible to the infection and developed a disease similar to the one observed in patients with COVID-19 that included moderate to severe pulmonary lesions, inflammation, and recruitment of the immune system in the lungs and at the systemic level.

Digestive and gastroprotective effects of Achillea erba-rotta subsp. moschata (Wulfen) I.Richardson (syn. A. moschata Wulfen) (Asteraceae): From traditional uses to preclinical studies.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Achillea erba-rotta subsp. moschata (Wulfen) I.Richardson (syn.

Alternative Methods to Current In Vivo Procedures to Address the 3Rs Tenet in Rabies Proficiency Testing.

Canine rabies is responsible for an estimated 59,000 human deaths every year. In an attempt to reach the ZeroBy30 goal, robust disease surveillance coupled with improved diagnostics play a paramount role in ensuring reliable data and gradually attesting rabies control advancements. In this context, proficiency testing is organized to harmonize rabies diagnostic capacities.

Identification of Dobrava-Belgrade Virus in from North-Eastern Italy during Enhanced Mortality.

Hantaviruses include several zoonotic pathogens that cause different syndromes in humans, with mortality rates ranging from 12 to 40%. Most commonly, humans get infected through the inhalation of aerosols or dust particles contaminated with virus-containing rodent excreta. Hantaviruses are specifically associated with the host species, and human cases depend on the presence and the dynamics of reservoir hosts.

Targeting the Regulatory Subunit R2Alpha of Protein Kinase A in Human Glioblastoma through shRNA-Expressing Lentiviral Vectors.

Glioblastoma is the most malignant and most common form of brain tumor, still today associated with a poor 14-months median survival from diagnosis. Protein kinase A, particularly its regulatory subunit R2Alpha, presents a typical intracellular distribution in glioblastoma cells compared to the healthy brain parenchyma and this peculiarity might be exploited in a therapeutic setting. In the present study, a third-generation lentiviral system for delivery of shRNA targeting the regulatory subunit R2Alpha of protein kinase A was developed.

Anticancer Effects of Wild Mountain Extract in Adrenocortical Tumor Cell Models.

Mint [ (L.) Hudson] is an aromatic plant that belongs to Lamiaceae family. It is traditionally used as herbal tea in Europe, Australia and North Africa and shows numerous pharmacological effects, such as spasmolytic, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-hemolytic.

Sisymbrium officinale, the Plant of Singers: A Review of Its Properties and Uses.

(hedge mustard and formerly called ) is a common plant in wild lands of Europe and Africa. It is also cultivated for its seeds and leaves to be used in salad or mustard. is useful not only in culinary preparations, but it also seems to possess interesting therapeutic properties, especially for throat diseases such as aphonia and hoarseness.

Preclinical Pharmacological Activities of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate in Signaling Pathways: An Update on Cancer.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the main bioactive component of catechins predominantly present in svarious types of teas. EGCG is well known for a wide spectrum of biological activity as an anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor agent. The effect of EGCG on cell death mechanisms via the induction of apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy has been documented.

Biological Effects of EF24, a Curcumin Derivative, Alone or Combined with Mitotane in Adrenocortical Tumor Cell Lines.

Background: Curcumin has numerous properties and is used in many preclinical conditions, including cancer. It has low bioavailability, while its derivative EF24 shows enhanced solubility. However, its effects have never been explored in adrenocortical tumor cell models.

Investigation of the molecular reactivity of bioactive oxiranylmethyloxy anthraquinones.

The design of a multitarget and multifunctional small molecule containing two functional groups reacting through different mechanisms represents an attractive goal for the medicinal chemist. The preparation of two bifunctional oxiranylmethyloxy anthraquinones, previously investigated as anticancer agents, is described here. These compounds combine a planar, DNA-intercalating and pro-oxidant anthraquinone scaffold and the alkylating epoxide functions which can covalently react with the nucleic acid.

Crude extract of L. induced cell death and suppressed MAPK and PI3/Akt signaling pathways in SW13 and H295R cell lines.

Oregano ( L.) is a common aromatic plant used in Mediterranean and Asian Regions for treating respiratory diseases, painful menstruation, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Recently its role as an anticancer plant has been suggested, although oregano has been never evaluated into adrenocortical tumour cell models.

Antiproliferative activity of Juglone derivatives on rat glioma.

Malignant gliomas are aggressive and life-threatening tumours that still show a poor prognosis: the current therapeutic approach based on surgical resection and chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy does not provide a satisfactory chance of long-term survival to patients. Natural bioactive compounds represent a precious source of molecules with antiproliferative activity, potentially effective also against glioma cells. Among these, Juglone is a known allelopathic compound extracted from the eastern black walnut (Juglans nigra) whose antimitotic effect has been extensively described in mammalian cells.

Semi-synthetic derivatives of natural isoflavones from Maclura pomifera as a novel class of PDE-5A inhibitors.

Natural (iso)flavonoids have been recently reported to inhibit cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) and induce vasorelaxation, albeit the results described in the literature are discordant. The cGMP-selective isoform PDE-5A, in particular, represents the target of sildenafil and its analogues in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and pulmonary hypertension by promoting relaxation in vascular smooth muscle through the activation of the NO/cGMP pathway. We undertook this study to verify if osajin and pomiferin, two natural prenylated isoflavones and major constituents of Maclura pomifera extracts previously investigated for their anticancer, antibacterial and antidiabetic properties, show inhibitory activity on PDE-5A.

Molecular targets in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma is the most lethal brain tumor. The poor prognosis results from lack of defined tumor margins, critical location of the tumor mass and presence of chemo- and radio-resistant tumor stem cells. The current treatment for glioblastoma consists of neurosurgery, followed by radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy.