An update on novel and emerging therapeutic targets in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) remains a significant focus of extensive research aimed at developing effective therapeutic strategies. Current treatments primarily target symptom management, with limited success in altering the course of the disease. This shortfall underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches that can modify the progression of PD.

Targeting Adipokines: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Epilepsy.

Epilepsy affects 65 million people globally and causes neurobehavioral, cognitive, and psychological defects. Although research on the disease is progressing and a wide range of treatments are available, approximately 30% of people have refractory epilepsy that cannot be managed with conventional medications. This underlines the importance of further understanding the condition and exploring cutting-edge targets for treatment.

New Insights in Psoriasis Management using Herbal Drug Nanocarriers.

Psoriasis (Pso) is an autoimmune inflammatory skin disease characterized by red plaques covered in silver scales. The existing treatments provide limited benefits and are associated with certain drawbacks which limit their use. Thus, there is a need to explore more options that are highly target-specific and associated with minimal side effects.

Epigenetic aging in major depressive disorder: Clocks, mechanisms and therapeutic perspectives.

Depression, a chronic mental disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest, and difficulty in daily tasks, impacts millions globally with varying treatment options. Antidepressants, despite their long half-life and minimal effectiveness, leave half of patients undertreated, highlighting the need for new therapies to enhance well-being. Epigenetics, which studies genetic changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype without altering the underlying Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) sequence, is explored in this article.

Artesunate attenuates isoprenaline induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats via SIRT1 inhibiting NF-κB activation.

Cardiac Hypertrophy is an adaptive response of the body to physiological and pathological stimuli, which increases cardiomyocyte size, thickening of cardiac muscles and progresses to heart failure. Downregulation of SIRT1 in cardiomyocytes has been linked with the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Artesunate against isoprenaline induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats via SIRT1 inhibiting NF-κB activation.

Empowering lung cancer treatment: Harnessing the potential of natural phytoconstituent-loaded nanoparticles.

Lung cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, accounts for a substantial portion, representing 18.4% of all cancer fatalities. Despite advances in treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, surgery, and immunotherapy, significant challenges persist, including chemoresistance, non-specific targeting, and adverse effects.

Advances in Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Functionalization Strategies, and Theranostic Applications in Cancer.

Cancer is among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the world. Metallic nanoparticles, especially gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have emerged to be attractive systems to circumvent the associated adverse effects. By the virtue of their unique properties of tunable size, shape, composition, optical properties, biocompatibility, minimal toxicity, multivalency, fluorescence-luminescence property and surface plasmon resonance; AuNPs have the potential to be used as drug delivery systems.

Exploring the therapeutic opportunities of potassium channels for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the synovial joint, which leads to inflammation, loss of function, joint destruction, and disability. The disease biology of RA involves complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors and is strongly associated with various immune cells, and each of the cell types contributes differently to disease pathogenesis. Several immunomodulatory molecules, such as cytokines, are secreted from the immune cells and intervene in the pathogenesis of RA.

Revolutionizing Infertility Management through Novel Peptide-based Targets.

Around 48 million couples and 186 million people worldwide have infertility; of these, approximately 85% have an identifiable cause, the most common being ovulatory dysfunctions, male infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, and tubule disease. The remaining 15% have infertility for unknown reasons, including lifestyle and environmental factors. The regulation of the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is crucial for the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are essential for female reproductive functions.

PAQR4 oncogene: a novel target for cancer therapy.

Despite decades of basic and clinical research and trials of promising new therapies, cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality due to the emergence of drug resistance to anticancer drugs. These resistance events have a very well-understood underlying mechanism, and their therapeutic relevance has long been recognized. Thus, drug resistance continues to be a major obstacle to providing cancer patients with the intended "cure".

In-silico screening and identification of glycomimetic as potential human sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) is one of the important targets against type II diabetes mellitus. A typical SGLT2 inhibitor acts by inhibiting glucose reabsorption, thus lowering the blood glucose level. Unlike SGLT1, SGLT2 is responsible for almost 90% glucose reabsorption from glomerular filtrate.

Transmucosal Delivery of Peptides and Proteins Through Nanofibers: Current Status and Emerging Developments.

Advancements in recombinant DNA technology have made proteins and peptides available for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, but their effectiveness when taken orally leads to poor patient compliance, requiring clinical administration. Among the alternative routes, transmucosal delivery has the advantage of being noninvasive and bypassing hepato-gastrointestinal clearance. Various mucosal routes-buccal, nasal, pulmonary, rectal, and vaginal-have been explored for delivering these macromolecules.

T-cell metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis: focus on mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by immune cell dysregulation, synovial hyperplasia, and progressive cartilage destruction. The loss of immunological self-tolerance against autoantigens is the crucial insult responsible for the pathogenesis of RA. These immune abnormalities are experienced many years before the onset of clinical arthritis.

siRNA as potential therapeutic strategy for hypertension.

Hypertension, a well-known cardiovascular disorder noticed by rise in blood pressure, poses a significant global health challenge. The development RNA interfering (RNAi)-based therapies offers a ground-breaking molecular tool, holds promise for addressing hypertension's intricate molecular mechanisms. Harnessing the power of small interfering RNA (siRNA), researchers aim to selectively target and modulate genes associated with hypertension.

Recent Advances in Biomedical Applications of Mannans and Xylans.

Plant-based phytochemicals, including flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and other metabolites, have attracted considerable attention due to their central role in synthesizing nanomaterials with various biomedical applications. Hemicelluloses are the second most abundant among naturally occurring heteropolymers, accounting for one-third of all plant constituents. In particular, xylans, mannans, and arabinoxylans are structured polysaccharides derived from hemicellulose.

Identification of potential focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitors: a molecular modeling approach.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is an enzyme of paramount importance as it is involved in several critical roles, which are linked to proliferation of cancer cells. FAK is quintessential for cancer cell mitigation, adhesion and survival, downregulation of which interferes with the growth of cancer cells. The expression of FAK is elevated in breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinomas, neuroblastoma cells, demonstrating the need for FAK inhibitors as a potential treatment.

Polymeric microneedles for the eye: An overview of advances and ocular applications for minimally invasive drug delivery.

Ocular drug delivery is challenging due to the presence of tissue barriers and clearance mechanisms. Most widely used topical formulations need frequent application because of poor permeability, short retention, and low bioavailability. Invasive intraocular injections and implants that deliver drugs at the target site are associated with infections, inflammation, and even vision loss post-use.

Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of Progesterone in Bilosome Formulation: Fabrication, Statistical Optimization, and Pharmacokinetic Study.

Progesterone, a female sex steroid hormone, is highly lipophilic, leading to poor oral bioavailability. This study aimed to develop a progesterone bilosome system to enhance its oral bioavailability and retain it longer in the body. Progesterone vesicles were formulated with bile salts by thin film hydration method to prevent enzymatic and bile acid degradation.

Emerging Phytochemical Formulations for Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a T-cell-mediated chronic inflammatory disorder affecting 0.5-1% of the global population. The disease with unknown etiology causes slow destruction of joints, advancing to significant deterioration of an individual's quality of life.

Unraveling the Role of the Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3β, Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase, and Sphingosine 1 Phosphate Pathways in Multiple Sclerosis.

Inflammation, demyelination, and neurodegeneration are symptoms of the central nervous system (CNS) condition known as Multiple sclerosis (MS). Due to its crucial function in controlling immune cell activation and inflammation, the glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK- 3β), Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), and Sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) signaling pathway have become a viable target for the therapy of MS. The GSK-3β signaling system, which controls several biological target processes, including cell survival, proliferation, and inflammation, depends on the GSK-3β enzyme.

Zebrafish Experimental Animal Models for AD: A Comprehensive Review.

AD disease (AD) is a multifaceted and intricate neurodegenerative disorder characterized by intracellular neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) formation and the excessive production and deposition of Aβ senile plaques. While transgenic AD models have been found instrumental in unravelling AD pathogenesis, they involve cost and time constraints during the preclinical phase. Zebrafish, owing to their simplicity, well-defined behavioural patterns, and relevance to neurodegenerative research, have emerged as a promising complementary model.

Glutamate Receptors and C-ABL Inhibitors: A New Therapeutic Approach for Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second-most prevalent central nervous system (CNS) neurodegenerative condition. Over the past few decades, suppression of BCR-Abelson tyrosine kinase (c-Abl), which serves as a marker of -synuclein aggregation and oxidative stress, has shown promise as a potential therapy target in PD. c-Abl inhibition has the potential to provide neuroprotection against PD, as shown by experimental results and the first-in-human trial, which supports the strategy in bigger clinical trials.

Terazosin produces an antidepressant-like effect in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress behavioral alteration.

Terazosin is an α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist that can relax smooth muscle and is prescribed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and, rarely, hypertension. The present study investigated the antidepressant-like actions of terazosin (TZ) in mice. They were first subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and then the effects of TZ were assessed using the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), sucrose preference test (SPT), actophotometer test (APT).

A cross talk on the role of contemporary biomarkers in depression.

Biomarkers can be used to identify determinants of response to various treatments of mental disorders. Evidence to date demonstrates that markers of inflammatory, neurotransmitter, neurotrophic, neuroendocrine, and metabolic function can predict the psychological and physical consequences of depression in individuals, allowing for the development of new therapeutic targets with fewer side effects. Extensive research has included hundreds of potential biomarkers of depression, but their roles in depression, abnormal patients, and how bioinformatics can be used to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis have not been determined or defined.

Intranasal Drug Delivery by Nanotechnology: Advances in and Challenges for Alzheimer's Disease Management.

Alzheimer's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative condition, is characterized by a gradual decline in cognitive functions. Current treatment approaches primarily involve the administration of medications through oral, parenteral, and transdermal routes, aiming to improve cognitive function and alleviate symptoms. However, these treatments face limitations, such as low bioavailability and inadequate permeation.