Nutraceutical Features of the Phycobiliprotein C-Phycocyanin: Evidence from Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina).

Arthrospira platensis, commonly known as Spirulina, is a photosynthetic filamentous cyanobacterium (blue-green microalga) that has been utilized as a food source since ancient times. More recently, it has gained significant popularity as a dietary supplement due to its rich content of micro- and macro-nutrients. Of particular interest is a water soluble phycobiliprotein derived from Spirulina known as phycocyanin C (C-PC), which stands out as the most abundant protein in this cyanobacterium. C-PC is a fluorescent protein, with its chromophore represented by the tetrapyrrole molecule phycocyanobilin B (PCB-B). While C-PC is commonly employed in food for its coloring properties, it also serves as the molecular basis for numerous nutraceutical features associated with Spirulina. Indeed, the comprehensive C-PC, and to some extent, the isolated PCB-B, has been linked to various health-promoting effects. These benefits encompass conditions triggered by oxidative stress, inflammation, and other pathological conditions. The present review focuses on the bio-pharmacological properties of these molecules, positioning them as promising agents for potential new applications in the expanding nutraceutical market.

Isolation and characterization of novel Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage Hesat from dairy origin.

A novel temperate phage, named Hesat, was isolated by the incubation of a dairy strain of Staphylococcus aureus belonging to spa-type t127 with either bovine or ovine milk. Hesat represents a new species of temperate phage within the Phietavirus genus of the Azeredovirinae subfamily. Its genome has a length of 43,129 bp and a GC content of 35.11% and contains 75 predicted ORFs, some of which linked to virulence. This includes (i) a pathogenicity island (SaPln2), homologous to the type II toxin-antitoxin system PemK/MazF family toxin; (ii) a DUF3113 protein (gp30) that is putatively involved in the derepression of the global repressor Stl; and (iii) a cluster coding for a PVL. Genomic analysis of the host strain indicates Hesat is a resident prophage. Interestingly, its induction was obtained by exposing the bacterium to milk, while the conventional mitomycin C-based approach failed. The host range of phage Hesat appears to be broad, as it was able to lyse 24 out of 30 tested S. aureus isolates. Furthermore, when tested at high titer (108 PFU/ml), Hesat phage was also able to lyse a Staphylococcus muscae isolate, a coagulase-negative staphylococcal strain. KEY POINTS: • A new phage species was isolated from a Staphylococcus aureus bovine strain. • Pathogenicity island and PVL genes are encoded within phage genome. • The phage is active against most of S. aureus strains from both animal and human origins.

Ferroptosis precedes apoptosis to facilitate specific death signalling by fatty acids.

Cell death is physiologically induced by specific mediators. However, our power to trigger the process in selected cells is quite limited. The protandric shrimp Hippolyte inermis offers a possible answer. Here, we analyse a de novo transcriptome of shrimp post-larvae fed on diatoms. The sex ratio of diatom-fed shrimps versus shrimps fed on control diets was dramatically altered, demonstrating the disruption of the androgenic gland, and their transcriptome revealed key modifications in gene expression. A wide transcriptomic analysis, validated by real-time qPCR, revealed that ferroptosis represents the primary factor to re-shape the body of this invertebrate, followed by further apoptotic events, and our findings open biotechnological perspectives for controlling the destiny of selected tissues. Ferroptosis was detected here for the first time in a crustacean. In addition, this is the first demonstration of a noticeable effect prompted by an ingested food, deeply impacting the gene networks of a young metazoan, definitely determining its future physiology and sexual differentiation.

Tanshinone IIA and Cryptotanshinone Counteract Inflammation by Regulating Gene and miRNA Expression in Human SGBS Adipocytes.

Inflammation of the adipose tissue contributes to the onset and progression of several chronic obesity-related diseases. The two most important lipophilic diterpenoid compounds found in the root of Salvia milthorrhiza Bunge (also called Danshen), tanshinone IIA (TIIA) and cryptotanshinone (CRY), have many favorable pharmacological effects. However, their roles in obesity-associated adipocyte inflammation and related sub-networks have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the gene, miRNAs and protein expression profile of prototypical obesity-associated dysfunction markers in inflamed human adipocytes treated with TIIA and CRY. The results showed that TIIA and CRY prevented tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induced inflammatory response in adipocytes, by counter-regulating the pattern of secreted cytokines/chemokines associated with adipocyte inflammation (CCL2/MCP-1, CXCL10/IP-10, CCL5/RANTES, CXCL1/GRO-α, IL-6, IL-8, MIF and PAI-1/Serpin E1) via the modulation of gene expression (as demonstrated for CCL2/MCP-1, CXCL10/IP-10, CCL5/RANTES, CXCL1/GRO-α, and IL-8), as well as related miRNA expression (miR-126-3p, miR-223-3p, miR-124-3p, miR-155-5p, and miR-132-3p), and by attenuating monocyte recruitment. This is the first demonstration of a beneficial effect by TIIA and CRY on adipocyte dysfunction associated with obesity development and complications, offering a new outlook for the prevention and/or treatment of metabolic diseases.

Omega-3 PUFAs as a Dietary Supplement in Senile Systemic Amyloidosis.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6), two omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), are the main components in oil derived from fish and other marine organisms. EPA and DHA are commercially available as dietary supplements and are considered to be very safe and contribute to guaranteeing human health. Studies report that PUFAs have a role in contrasting neurodegenerative processes related to amyloidogenic proteins, such as ß-amyloid for AD, α-synuclein in PD, and transthyretin (TTR) in TTR amyloidosis. In this context, we investigated if EPA and DHA can interact directly with TTR, binding inside the thyroxin-binding pockets (T4BP) that contribute to the tetramer stabilization. The data obtained showed that EPA and DHA can contribute to stabilizing the TTR tetramer through interactions with T4BP.

Bioactive Molecules from Marine Diatoms and Their Value for the Nutraceutical Industry.

The search for novel sources of nutrients is among the basic goals for achievement of sustainable progress. In this context, microalgae are relevant organisms, being rich in high-value compounds and able to grow in open ponds or photobioreactors, thus enabling profitable exploitation of aquatic resources. Microalgae, a huge taxon containing photosynthetic microorganisms living in freshwater, as well as in brackish and marine waters, typically unicellular and eukaryotic, include green algae (Chlorophyceae), red algae (Rhodophyceae), brown algae (Phaeophyceae) and diatoms (Bacillariophyceae). In recent decades, diatoms have been considered the most sustainable sources of nutrients for humans with respect to other microalgae. This review focuses on studies exploring their bio-pharmacological activities when relevant for human disease prevention and/or treatment. In addition, we considered diatoms and their extracts (or purified compounds) when relevant for specific nutraceutical applications.

The phenolic compounds tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol counteract liver fibrogenesis via the transcriptional modulation of NADPH oxidases and oxidative stress-related miRNAs.

Liver fibrosis is the result of a chronic pathological condition caused by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which induces the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Fibrogenesis is sustained by an exaggerated production of reactive oxidative species (ROS) by NADPH oxidases (NOXs), which are overactivated in hepatic inflammation. In this study, we investigated the antifibrotic properties of two phenolic compounds of natural origin, tyrosol (Tyr) and hydroxytyrosol (HTyr), known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We assessed Tyr and HTyr antifibrotic and antioxidant activity both in vitro, by a co-culture of LX2, HepG2 and THP1-derived Mϕ macrophages, set up to simulate the hepatic microenvironment, and in vivo, in a mouse model of liver fibrosis obtained by carbon tetrachloride treatment. We evaluated the mRNA and protein expression of profibrotic and oxidative markers (α-SMA, COL1A1, NOX1/4) by qPCR and/or immunocytochemistry or immunohistochemistry. The expression of selected miRNAs in mouse livers were measured by qPCR. Tyr and HTyr reduces fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo, by downregulating all fibrotic markers. Notably, they also modulated oxidative stress by restoring the physiological levels of NOX1 and NOX4. In vivo, this effect was accompanied by a transcriptional regulation of inflammatory genes and of 2 miRNAs involved in the control of oxidative stress damage (miR-181-5p and miR-29b-3p). In conclusion, Tyr and HTyr exert antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models of liver fibrosis, by modulating hepatic oxidative stress, representing promising candidates for further development.

Complexing the Marine Sesquiterpene Euplotin C by Means of Cyclodextrin-Based Nanosponges: A Preliminary Investigation.

Euplotin C is a sesquiterpene of marine origin endowed with significant anti-microbial and anti-tumor properties. Despite the promising functional profile, its progress as a novel drug candidate has failed so far, due to its scarce solubility and poor stability in aqueous media, such as biological fluids. Therefore, overcoming these limits is an intriguing challenge for the scientific community. In this work, we synthesized ß-cyclodextrin-based nanosponges and investigated their use as colloidal carriers for stably complex euplotin C. Results obtained proved the ability of the carrier to include the natural compound, showing remarkable values of both loading efficiency and capacity. Moreover, it also allowed us to preserve the chemical structure of the loaded compound, which was recovered unaltered once extracted from the complex. Therefore, the use of ß-cyclodextrin-based nanosponges represents a viable option to vehiculate euplotin C, thus opening up its possible use as pharmacologically active compound.

Pro-Apoptotic Activity of the Marine Sponge Dactylospongia elegans Metabolites Pelorol and 5-epi-Ilimaquinone on Human 501Mel Melanoma Cells.

The natural environment represents an important source of drugs that originates from the terrestrial and, in minority, marine organisms. Indeed, the marine environment represents a largely untapped source in the process of drug discovery. Among all marine organisms, sponges with algae represent the richest source of compounds showing anticancer activity. In this study, the two secondary metabolites pelorol (PEL) and 5-epi-ilimaquinone (EPI), purified from Dactylospongia elegans were investigated for their anti-melanoma activity. PEL and EPI induced cell growth repression of 501Mel melanoma cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. A cell cycle block in the G1 phase by PEL and EPI was also observed. Furthermore, PEL and EPI induced significant accumulation of DNA histone fragments in the cytoplasmic fraction, indicating a pro-apoptotic effect of both compounds. At the molecular level, PEL and EPI induced apoptosis through the increase in pro-apoptotic BAX expression, confirmed by the decrease in its silencing miR-214-3p and the decrease in the anti-apoptotic BCL-2, MCL1, and BIRC-5 mRNA expression, attested by the increase in their silencing miRNAs, i.e., miR-193a-3p and miR-16-5p. In conclusion, our data indicate that PEL and EPI exert cytotoxicity activity against 501Mel melanoma cells promoting apoptotic signaling and inducing changes in miRNA expression and their downstream effectors. For these reasons could represent promising lead compounds in the anti-melanoma drug research.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity of New CB2 Receptor Ligands: from Orthosteric and Allosteric Modulators to Dualsteric/Bitopic Ligands.

The design of dualsteric/bitopic agents as single chemical entities able to simultaneously interact with both the orthosteric and an allosteric binding site represents a novel approach in medicinal chemistry. Biased dualsteric/bitopic agents could enhance certain signaling pathways while diminishing the others that cause unwanted side effects. We have designed, synthesized, and functionally characterized the first CB2R heterobivalent bitopic ligands. In contrast to the parent orthosteric compound, our bitopic ligands selectively target CB2R versus CB1R and show a functional selectivity for the cAMP signaling pathway versus ßarrestin2 recruitment. Moreover, the most promising bitopic ligand FD-22a displayed anti-inflammatory activity in a human microglial cell inflammatory model and antinociceptive activity in vivo in an experimental mouse model of neuropathic pain. Finally, computational studies clarified the binding mode of these compounds inside the CB2R, further confirming their bitopic nature.

From Life in the Sea to the Clinic: The Marine Drugs Approved and under Clinical Trial.

In the last decades Blue Growth policy in european and non-european countries produced a great impulse in applied marine sciences, comprehending the research of new bioactive molecules in marine organisms. These organisms are a great source of natural compounds with unique features resulting from the huge variability of marine habitats and species living in them. Most of the marine compounds in use and in clinical trials are drugs for cancer therapy and many of them are conjugated to antibody to form antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Severe pain, viral infections, hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, Alzheimer's and other CNS diseases are further target conditions for these pharmaceuticals. This review summarizes the state-of-the-art marine drugs focusing on the most successful results in the fast expanding field of marine pharmacology.

Pharmacological Activities of Extracts and Compounds Isolated from Mediterranean Sponge Sources.

Marine pharmacology is an exciting and growing discipline that blends blue biotechnology and natural compound pharmacology together. Several sea-derived compounds that are approved on the pharmaceutical market were discovered in sponges, marine organisms that are particularly rich in bioactive metabolites. This paper was specifically aimed at reviewing the pharmacological activities of extracts or purified compounds from marine sponges that were collected in the Mediterranean Sea, one of the most biodiverse marine habitats, filling the gap in the literature about the research of natural products from this geographical area. Findings regarding different Mediterranean sponge species were individuated, reporting consistent evidence of efficacy mainly against cancer, infections, inflammatory, and neurological disorders. The sustainable exploitation of Mediterranean sponges as pharmaceutical sources is strongly encouraged to discover new compounds.

The Extra Virgin Olive Oil Polyphenol Oleocanthal Exerts Antifibrotic Effects in the Liver.

Liver fibrosis, which is the outcome of wound-healing response to chronic liver damage, represents an unmet clinical need. This study evaluated the anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects of the polyphenol oleocanthal (OC) extracted from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) by an in vitro/in vivo approach. The hepatic cell lines LX2 and HepG2 were used as in vitro models. The mRNA expression of pro-fibrogenic markers, namely alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), a panel of metalloproteinases (MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP7, MMP9) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) as well as the pro-oxidant genes NADPH oxidases (NOXs) 1 and 4 were evaluated in TGF-ß activated LX2 cells by qRT-PCR. α-SMA and COL1A1 protein expression was assessed by immunofluorescence coupled to confocal microscopy. VEGFA release from LX2 was measured by ELISA. We also evaluated the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by H2O2 activated- HepG2 cells. In vivo, OC was administered daily by oral gavage to Balb/C mice with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. In this model, we measured the mRNA hepatic expression of the three pro-inflammatory interleukins (IL) IL6, IL17, IL23, chemokines such as C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2) and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCL12), and selected miRNAs (miR-181-5p, miR-221-3p, miR-29b-3p and miR-101b-3p) by qRT-PCR. We demonstrated that OC significantly downregulated the gene/protein expression of α-SMA, COL1A1, MMP2, MMP3, MMP7 and VEGF as well as the oxidative enzymes NOX1 and 4 in TGFß1-activated LX2 cells, and reduced the production of ROS by HepG2. In vivo OC, beside causing a significant reduction of fibrosis at histological assessment, counteracted the CCl4-induced upregulation of pro-fibrotic and inflammatory genes. Moreover, OC upregulated the anti-fibrotic miRNAs (miR-29b-3p and miR-101b-3p) reduced in fibrotic mice, while downregulated the pro-fibrotic miRNAs (miR-221-3p and miR-181-5p), which were dramatically upregulated in fibrotic mice. In conclusion, OC exerts a promising antifibrotic effect via a combined reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation involving putative miRNAs, which in turn reduces hepatic stellate cells activation and liver fibrosis.

Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism and Oxidative Stress in Human Peripheral Blood Cells: Can Physical Activity Reactivate the Proteasome System through Epigenetic Mechanisms?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by proteasome activity impairment, oxidative stress, and epigenetic changes, resulting in ß-amyloid (Aß) production/degradation imbalance. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is implicated in Aß clearance, and particularly, the ApoE ε4 isoform predisposes to AD development. Regular physical activity is known to reduce AD progression. However, the impact of ApoE polymorphism and physical exercise on Aß production and proteasome system activity has never been investigated in human peripheral blood cells, particularly in erythrocytes, an emerging peripheral model used to study biochemical alteration. Therefore, the influence of ApoE polymorphism on the antioxidant defences, amyloid accumulation, and proteasome activity was here evaluated in human peripheral blood cells depending on physical activity, to assess putative peripheral biomarkers for AD and candidate targets that could be modulated by lifestyle. Healthy subjects were enrolled and classified based on the ApoE polymorphism (by the restriction fragment length polymorphism technique) and physical activity level (Borg scale) and grouped into ApoE ε4/non-ε4 carriers and active/non-active subjects. The plasma antioxidant capability (AOC), the erythrocyte Aß production/accumulation, and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mediated proteasome functionality were evaluated in all groups by the chromatographic and immunoenzymatic assay, respectively. Moreover, epigenetic mechanisms were investigated considering the expression of histone deacetylase 6, employing a competitive ELISA, and the modulation of two key miRNAs (miR-153-3p and miR-195-5p), through the miRNeasy Serum/Plasma Mini Kit. ApoE ε4 subjects showed a reduction in plasma AOC and an increase in the Nrf2 blocker, miR-153-3p, contributing to an enhancement of the erythrocyte concentration of Aß. Physical exercise increased plasma AOC and reduced the amount of Aß and its precursor, involving a reduced miR-153-3p expression and a miR-195-5p enhancement. Our data highlight the impact of the ApoE genotype on the amyloidogenic pathway and the proteasome system, suggesting the positive impact of physical exercise, also through epigenetic mechanisms.

Tailoring of silica-based nanoporous pod by spermidine multi-activity.

Ubiquitous in nature, polyamines (PAs) are a class of low-molecular aliphatic amines critically involved in cell growth, survival and differentiation. The polycation behavior is validated as a successful strategy in delivery systems to enhance oligonucleotide loading and cellular uptake. In this study, the chemical features and the functional roles of the PA spermidine are synergistically exploited in the synthesis and bioactive functionalization of SiO2-based structures. Inspired by biosilicification, the role of spermidine is assessed both as catalyst and template in a biomimetic one-pot synthesis of dense silica-based particles (SPs) and as a competitive agent in an interfacial reassembly strategy, to empty out SPs and generate spermidine-decorated hollow silica nanoporous pods (spd-SNPs). Spermidine bioactivity is then employed for targeting tumor cell over-expressed polyamine transport system (PTS) and for effective delivery of functional miRNA into melanoma cells. Spermidine decoration promotes spd-SNP cell internalization mediated by PTS and along with hollow structure enhances oligonucleotide loading. Accordingly, the functional delivery of the tumor suppressor miR-34a 3p resulted in intracellular accumulation of histone-complexed DNA fragments associated with apoptosis. Overall, the results highlight the potential of spd-SNP as a multi-agent anticancer therapy.

Positive Allosteric Modulation of CB1 and CB2 Cannabinoid Receptors Enhances the Neuroprotective Activity of a Dual CB1R/CB2R Orthosteric Agonist.

Preclinical studies highlighted that compounds targeting cannabinoid receptors could be useful for developing novel therapies against neurodegenerative disorders. However, the chronic use of orthosteric agonists alone has several disadvantages, limiting their usefulness as clinically relevant drugs. Positive allosteric modulators might represent a promising approach to achieve the potential therapeutic benefits of orthosteric agonists of cannabinoid receptors through increasing their activity and limiting their adverse effects. The aim of the present study was to show the effects of positive allosteric ligands of cannabinoid receptors on the activity of a potent dual orthosteric agonist for neuroinflammation and excitotoxic damage by excessive glutamate release. The results indicate that the combination of an orthosteric agonist with positive allosteric modulators could represent a promising therapeutic approach to the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

pH-Responsive Nanostructures Based on Surface Active Fatty Acid-Protic Ionic Liquids for Imiquimod Delivery in Skin Cancer Topical Therapy.

For topical treatment of skin cancer, the design of pH-responsive nanocarriers able to selectively release the drug in the tumor acidic microenvironment represents a reliable option for targeted delivery. In this context, a series of newly synthesized surface-active fatty acid-protic ionic liquids (FA-PILs), based on tetramethylguanidinium cation and different natural hydrophobic fatty acid carboxylates, have been investigated with the aim of developing a pH-sensitive nanostructured drug delivery system for cutaneous administration in the skin cancer therapy. The capability of FA-PILs to arrange in micelles when combined with each other and with the non-ionic surfactant d-α-Tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (vitamin E TPGS) as well as their ability to solubilize imiquimod, an immuno-stimulant drug used for the treatment of skin cancerous lesions, have been demonstrated. The FA-PILs-TPGS mixed micelles showed pH-sensitivity, suggesting that the acidic environment of cancer cells can trigger nanostructures' swelling and collapse with consequent rapid release of imiquimod and drug cytotoxic potential enhancement. The in vitro permeation/penetration study showed that the micellar formulation produced effective imiquimod concentrations into the skin exposed to acid environment, representing a potential efficacious and selective drug delivery system able to trigger the drug release in the tumor tissues, at lower and less irritating drug concentrations.

The endocannabinoid system dual-target ligand N-cycloheptyl-1,2-dihydro-5-bromo-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-pyridine-3-carboxamide improves disease severity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system that eventually leads to progressive neurodegeneration and disability. Recent findings highlighted the emerging role of each target of the endocannabinoid system in controlling the symptoms and disease progression of multiple sclerosis. Therefore, multi-target modulators of the endocannabinoid system could provide a more effective pharmacological strategy as compared to the single target modulation. In this work, N-cycloheptyl-1,2-dihydro-5-bromo-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-pyridine-3-carboxamide (B2) was identified as the most promising compound with dual agonism at cannabinoid receptors type-1 and cannabinoid receptors type-2 and good drug-like properties. In in vitro assays, B2 reduced glutamate release from rat synaptosomes through interaction with cannabinoid receptors type-1 and modulated the production of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukins IL-1ß and IL-6 and interleukin IL-10 respectively) via cannabinoid receptors type-2 activation. Furthermore, B2 demonstrated antinociceptive effects in an animal model of neuropathic pain and efficacy in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis.