107 results match your criteria: "Center of Molecular Biology and Pharmacogenetics[Affiliation]"

Grape pomace is a source of anthocyanins, which can prevent cardiovascular diseases due to their antioxidant properties. Anthocyanin activity is associated with the ability to regulate oxidative stress through the transcription factor Nrf2. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate if the anthocyanins found in Pinot noir pomace extract can affect the target genes related to the Nrf2 signalling pathway in endothelial cells.

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Thymoquinone (TQ) is a secondary metabolite found in abundance in very few plant species including Nigella sativa L., Monarda fistulosa L., Thymus vulgaris L.

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is a genus of herbaceous and perennial plants belonging to the Commelinaceae family and organized into three infrageneric classifications and 12 sections. More than 80 species within the genus have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Phytochemical compounds (from various species of the genus) such as coumarins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, steroids and terpenoids have recently been characterized and described with antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer or antimicrobial properties.

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The treatment of hypercholesterolemia is mainly based on statins. However, the response to pharmacological therapy shows high inter-individual variability, resulting in variable effects in both lipid lowering and risk reduction. Thus, a better understanding of the lipid-lowering mechanisms and response variability at the molecular level is required.

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Bergapten (BP) or 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) is a furocoumarin compound mainly found in bergamot essential oil but also in other citrus essential oils and grapefruit juice. This compound presents antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hypolipemic, and anticancer effects and is successfully used as a photosensitizing agent. The present review focuses on the research evidence related to the therapeutic properties of bergapten collected in recent years.

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Cisplatin (DDP) is a well-known anticancer drug used for the treatment of numerous human cancers in solid organs, including bladder, breast, cervical, head and neck squamous cell, ovarian, among others. Its most important mode of action is the DNA-platinum adducts formation, inducing DNA damage response, silencing or activating several genes to induce apoptosis; these mechanisms result in genetics and epigenetics modifications. The ability of DDP to induce tumor cell death is often challenged by the presence of anti-apoptotic regulators, leading to chemoresistance, wherein many patients who have or will develop DDP-resistance.

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Diterpenes and their derivatives have many biological activities, including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. To date, several diterpenes, diterpenoids, and their laboratory-derived products have been demonstrated for antiarthritic activities. This study summarizes the literature about diterpenes and their derivatives acting against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) depending on the database reports until 31 August 2021.

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PEP-PRED: A web server for prediction of highly specific peptides targeting voltage-gated Na channels using machine learning techniques.

Comput Biol Med

June 2022

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile. Electronic address:

Voltage-gated sodium channel activity has long been associated with several diseases including epilepsy, chronic pain, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, immune system, neuromuscular and respiratory disorders. The strong participation of these channels in the development of diseases makes them excellent promising therapeutic targets. Voltage-gated Na channel blocking peptides come from a wide source of organisms such as venoms.

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Controlled Release of Caffeic Acid and Pinocembrin by Use of nPSi-βCD Composites Improves Their Antiangiogenic Activity.

Pharmaceutics

February 2022

Center of Molecular Biology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Basic Sciences, Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN-UFRO), Universidad de La Frontera, Avenida Francisco Salazar 01145, Temuco 4811230, Chile.

Although polyphenols have great pharmacological potential, the main disadvantage is that they have low bioavailability at the desired site. Thus, the use of biocompatible systems for drug delivery is a strategy that is currently gaining great interest. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of microencapsulation of caffeic acid and pinocembrin on the antioxidant and antiangiogenic activity of both polyphenols, by the use of nPSi-βCD composite microparticles.

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Coronary in-stent restenosis is a late complication of angioplasty. It is a multifactorial process that involves vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), endothelial cells, and inflammatory and genetic factors. In this study, the transcriptomic landscape of VSMCs' phenotypic switch process was assessed under stimuli resembling stent injury.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The text discusses a genus of plants that is noteworthy for its diverse phytochemical components and various biological activities, particularly among epiphytic species found in different forest habitats.
  • - The review summarizes research on the medicinal potential of these plants, compiling data from various scientific sources to highlight their health-promoting effects, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • - While no toxicity has been reported, further clinical trials are needed to validate the promising biological effects observed in preclinical studies, reinforcing the traditional uses of these species.
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belongs to the Urticaceae family and is found in many countries around the world. This plant contains a broad range of phytochemicals, such as phenolic compounds, sterols, fatty acids, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and lignans, that have been widely reported for their excellent pharmacological activities, including antiviral, antimicrobial, antihelmintic, anticancer, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antiarthritis, antidiabetic, antiendometriosis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiaging effects. In this regard, this review highlights fresh insight into the medicinal use, chemical composition, pharmacological properties, and safety profile of to guide future works to thoroughly estimate their clinical value.

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(Roxb.) is a plant used to cure coughs, dysentery, fevers, joint aches, rheumatic pain, inflammation, and a variety of skin diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ethyl acetate extract of () leaves and their effects on mice for neuropharmacological, analgesic, and antidiarrheal activities.

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species are mainly distributed in North Africa, Southern and Central Europe, and Western Asia, used in gardens and parks as ornamental plants, while L. (saffron) is the only species that is cultivated for edible purpose. The use of saffron is very ancient; besides the use as a spice, saffron has long been known also for its medical and coloring qualities.

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Diabetes is a metabolic disease with multifactorial causes which requires lifelong drug therapy as well as lifestyle changes. There is now growing scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of the use of herbal supplements in the prevention and control of diabetes. Curcumin is one of the most studied bioactive components of traditional medicine, but its physicochemical characteristics are represented by low solubility, poor absorption, and low efficacy.

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The use of phytochemicals is gaining interest for the treatment of metabolic syndromes over the synthetic formulation of drugs. is evolving as one of the important plants which have been vastly studied for its beneficial effects. Various parts of species including the root, stem, leaves, and flower are found rich in numerous phytochemicals.

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Andrographolide (ANDRO), a bitter diterpene lactone found in (Burm.f.) Nees, possesses several biological effects such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and organo-protective effects.

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Study Question: Does oxidative stress (OS) activate autophagy in human sperm?

Summary Answer: Human spermatozoa subjected to OS activate an autophagic response.

What Is Known Already: Autophagy is a regulated pathway of lysosomal degradation which helps eukaryotic cells to maintain or restore homeostasis, being a cellular stress response mechanism. OS is a main cause of impaired sperm function and is linked to male infertility; however, whether OS activates autophagy in human spermatozoa is unknown.

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The roots, leaves, and seeds of L., popularly known as Garden cress in different regions, have high economic importance; although, the crop is particularly cultivated for the seeds. In traditional medicine, this plant has been reported to possess various biological activities.

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Potent Phosphodiesterase 1 Inhibition of Flavone Isolated from Galls.

Biomed Res Int

April 2022

Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Azuay, Cuenca, Ecuador.

To prospect an isozyme-specific, effective inhibitor against the physiologically-crucial enzyme phosphodiesterase 1 (PDE1), phytochemicals from galls were screened. The chloroform fraction of gall extract was subjected to column chromatographic which led to the isolation of compound , elucidated to be 5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-chromen-4-one (a flavone). and in silico PDE1 inhibitory activity of the compound was investigated.

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Autophagy and Polyphenols in Osteoarthritis: A Focus on Epigenetic Regulation.

Int J Mol Sci

December 2021

Center of Molecular Biology and Pharmacogenetics, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4811230, Chile.

Autophagy is an intracellular mechanism that maintains cellular homeostasis in different tissues. This process declines in cartilage due to aging, which is correlated with osteoarthritis (OA), a multifactorial and degenerative joint disease. Several studies show that microRNAs regulate different steps of autophagy but only a few of them participate in OA.

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(L.) is used ethnobotanically for the treatment of various diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation of the lungs, bleeding cough, hemorrhoids, intestinal diseases, stomach pain, and uterine cancer. This review is aimed at summarizing phytochemistry and pharmacological data with their molecular mechanisms of action.

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Medicinal plants are being used worldwide for centuries for their beneficial properties. Some of the most popular medicinal plants belong to the genus, and different health beneficial effects have already been identified for this genus. Among these species, in particular, the L.

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Dengue remains one of the most serious and widespread mosquito-borne viral infections in human beings, with serious health problems or even death. About 50 to 100 million people are newly infected annually, with almost 2.5 billion people living at risk and resulting in 20,000 deaths.

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VirVACPRED: A Web Server for Prediction of Protective Viral Antigens.

Int J Pept Res Ther

December 2021

Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universidad de La Frontera, Ave. Francisco Salazar, 01145, Temuco, Chile.

Viral antigens are key in the development of vaccines that prevent or eradicate infections caused by these pathogens. Bioinformatics tools are modern alternatives that facilitate the discovery of viral antigens, reducing the costs of experimental assays. We developed a bioinformatics tool called VirVACPRED, which is highly efficient in predicting viral antigens.

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