Investigating antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of synthetic curcuminoids.

The concept of intratumoral microbiota is gaining attention in current research. Tumor-associated microbiota can activate oncogenic signaling pathways such as NF-κB, thereby promoting tumor development and progression. Numerous studies have demonstrated that curcumin and its analogs possess strong antitumor effects by targeting the NF-κB signaling pathway, along with potent antibacterial properties.

Cyanine dyes in the mitochondria-targeting photodynamic and photothermal therapy.

Mitochondrial dysregulation plays a significant role in the carcinogenesis. On the other hand, its destabilization strongly represses the viability and metastatic potential of cancer cells. Photodynamic and photothermal therapies (PDT and PTT) target mitochondria effectively, providing innovative and non-invasive anticancer therapeutic modalities.

The Role of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Polymorphisms in the Risk of Development and Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is responsible for the production of angiotensin II, and increased production of angiotensin II is observed in diabetes. What is more, polymorphisms may play a role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to assess the role of selected polymorphisms (rs4343 and rs4646994) in the risk of development of diabetic nephropathy and in the likelihood of renal replacement therapy.

Investigation of the potential effects of estrogen receptor modulators on immune checkpoint molecules.

Immune checkpoints regulate the immune system response. Recent studies suggest that flavonoids, known as phytoestrogens, may inhibit the PD-1/PD-L1 axis. We explored the potential of estrogens and 17 Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) as inhibiting ligands for immune checkpoint proteins (CTLA-4, PD-L1, PD-1, and CD80).

Combination of quinoxaline with pentamethinium system: Mitochondrial staining and targeting.

Pentamethinium indolium salts are promising fluorescence probes and anticancer agents with high mitochondrial selectivity. We synthesized two indolium pentamethinium salts: a cyclic form with quinoxaline directly incorporated in the pentamethinium chain (cPMS) and an open form with quinoxaline substitution in the γ-position (oPMS). To better understand their properties, we studied their interaction with mitochondrial phospholipids (cardiolipin and phosphatidylcholine) by spectroscopic methods (UV-Vis, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopy).