Inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme 1 (ACE1) is a key strategy for managing hypertension as it prevents the formation of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. Given the adverse effects associated with synthetic inhibitors, there is an increasing focus on exploring natural bioactive peptides as potential ACE1 inhibitors. Hemopressins (Hp) are peptides derived from hemoglobin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAutophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are conserved processes that generally promote survival, but can induce cell death when physiological thresholds are crossed. The pro-survival aspects of these processes are exploited by cancer cells for tumor development and progression. Therefore, anticancer drugs targeting autophagy or ER stress to induce cell death and/or block the pro-survival aspects are being investigated extensively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present study was designed to evaluate the chemical composition, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition and cytotoxic properties of different extracts from aerial parts of (family Scrophulariaceae), a plant that is native to Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. Six extracts, namely, hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), ethanol (EtOH), 70% EtOH, and water (aqueous) were prepared by maceration. The EtOH extract was predominated by the presence of rutin (4280.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which lacks the expression of the three hormone receptors (i.e., estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor), is characterized by a high proliferative index, high invasiveness, poor prognosis, early relapse, and a tendency to be present in advanced stages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPharmaceuticals (Basel)
March 2023
Cancer is the second most life-threatening disease and has become a global health and economic problem worldwide. Due to the multifactorial nature of cancer, its pathophysiology is not completely understood so far, which makes it hard to treat. The current therapeutic strategies for cancer lack the efficacy due to the emergence of drug resistance and the toxic side effects associated with the treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHemorphins, short bioactive peptides produced by enzymatic cleavage of β-hemoglobin, exhibit antihypertensive properties by inhibiting angiotensin-1 converting enzyme (ACE1). ACE1 is a key player in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and regulates blood pressure. ACE1 and its homolog, ACE2, which exhibit opposing activities in the RAS, share considerable similarity in their catalytic domains.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlzheimer's disease remains one of the most widespread neurodegenerative reasons for dementia worldwide and is associated with considerable mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it has been considered a priority for research. Indeed, several risk factors are involved in the complexity of the therapeutic ways of this pathology, including age, traumatic brain injury, genetics, exposure to aluminum, infections, diabetes, vascular diseases, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMolecules
October 2022
The purposes of this investigatory study were to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of from two Moroccan regions (Boulemane and Taounate), as well as the evaluation of their biological effects. Determining EOs' chemical composition was performed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS). The antioxidant activity of EOs was evaluated using free radical scavenging ability (DPPH method), fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAbdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a prevalent condition which causes progressive growth and rupture of aortic wall with a high death rate. Several studies have found that treatment with statins may decrease the progress of AAA and the risk of rupture by suppressing the inflammatory mediators, decreasing oxidative stress, and inhibiting mechanisms involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Moreover, some studies have reported that prehospital therapy with statins can decrease mortality after surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFis a medicinal plant used to treat some diseases, including microbial infections and diabetes. Different studies showed the biological and pharmacological properties of this species. The aim of this study was the determination of the chemical compounds of essential oils and the investigation of their antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDoxorubicin as an anti-cancer drug causes cardiotoxicity, limiting its tolerability and use. The mechanism of toxicity is due to free radical production and cardiomyocytes injury. This research evaluated () extract against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity due to its considerable antioxidant activity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe increased global prevalence of metabolic disorders including obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and diabetes is mirrored by an increased incidence of prostate cancer (PCa). Ample evidence suggests that these metabolic disorders, being characterized by adipose tissue (AT) expansion and inflammation, not only present as risk factors for the development of PCa, but also drive its increased aggressiveness, enhanced progression, and metastasis. Despite the emerging molecular mechanisms linking AT dysfunction to the various hallmarks of PCa, thromboinflammatory processes implicated in the crosstalk between these diseases have not been thoroughly investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDecoctions (leaves and roots) of (L.) Lam. are traditionally used against diabetes in many countries, including Mauritius.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Endocrinol (Lausanne)
February 2022
A healthy adipose tissue (AT) is indispensable to human wellbeing. Among other roles, it contributes to energy homeostasis and provides insulation for internal organs. Adipocytes were previously thought to be a passive store of excess calories, however this view evolved to include an endocrine role.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth leading cause of all cancer-related deaths. Despite major improvements in treating PC, low survival rate remains a major challenge, indicating the need for alternative approaches, including herbal medicine. Among medicinal plants is (family ), which is a thorny shrub rich in bioactive molecules.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCarnosol, a natural polyphenol abundant in edible plants such as sage, rosemary, and oregano, has shown promising anticancer activity against various types of cancers. Nonetheless, very little is known about its molecular mechanism of action or its downstream target(s). We have previously shown that carnosol inhibits cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis as well as triggers autophagy and apoptosis in the highly invasive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is one of the earliest complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D), presenting a silent cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent research relates the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in T2D to an ensuing chronic, low-grade proinflammatory and pro-oxidative environment, being the hallmark of the metabolic syndrome. Metabolic inflammation emerges as adipose tissue inflammatory changes extending systemically, on the advent of hyperglycemia, to reach central regions of the brain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVisfatin/NAMPT (nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase) is an adipocytokine with several intriguing properties. It was first identified as pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor but turned out to possess enzymatic functions in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide biosynthesis, with ubiquitous expression in skeletal muscles, liver, cardiomyocytes, and brain cells. Visfatin exists in an intracellular (iNAMPT) and extracellular (eNAMPT) form.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health concern worldwide and is classified based on severity into mild, moderate, and severe. The mechanical injury in TBI leads to a metabolic and ionic imbalance, which eventually leads to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a state of oxidative stress. To date, no drug has been approved by the food and drug administration (FDA) for the treatment of TBI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are major components of blood vessels. They regulate physiological functions, such as vascular tone and blood flow. Under pathological conditions, VSMCs undergo a remodeling process known as phenotypic switching.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAngiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) is a zinc metallopeptidase that has an important role in regulating the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). It is also an important drug target for the management of cardiovascular diseases. Hemorphins are endogenous peptides that are produced by proteolytic cleavage of beta hemoglobin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFColorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer in terms of incidence and mortality worldwide. Here we have investigated the anti-colon cancer potential of essential oil (OMEO) and its underlying mechanisms of action. We showed that OMEO significantly inhibited the cellular viability and colony growth of human HT-29 colorectal cancer cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe purpose of this study is to analyze the polyphenolic rich extract of L. petals (CSP) in modulating liver oxidative stress and inflammatory response status against rifampicin isoniazid (INH-RIF) drug-induced liver injury. The INH-RIF was administered for 14 days with varying doses in Wistar rats, while silymarin was administered as standard dose.
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