Heterogeneity of adipose tissue-resident macrophages-beyond M1/M2 paradigm.

Adipose tissue-resident macrophages (ATMs) are reported to be important for maintaining adipose tissue remodeling and homeostasis. ATMs were classified for the first time in 2007 into the M1 and M2 types. This theory suggests that in the non-obese adipose tissue, the anti-inflammatory, alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs) predominate, and regulate tissue homeostasis, remodeling, and insulin sensitivity. On the other hand, classically activated M1-type macrophages increase rapidly in obesity, secrete inflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα and IL-6, and induce insulin resistance. In recent years, experimental findings that cannot be explained by this theory have been clarified one after another and the theory is being reconsidered. In this review, based on recent findings, we summarize reports on the novel metabolic regulatory functions of ATMs beyond the M1/M2 paradigm.

Therapeutic approaches for chronic hepatitis C: a concise review.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health concern, prompting the need for effective treatment strategies. This in-depth review critically assesses the landscape of HCV treatment, drawing parallels between traditional interferon/ribavirin therapy historically pivotal in HCV management and herbal approaches rooted in traditional and complementary medicine. Advancements in therapeutic development and enhanced clinical outcomes axis on a comprehensive understanding of the diverse HCV genome, its natural variations, pathogenesis, and the impact of dietary, social, environmental, and economic factors. A thorough analysis was conducted through reputable sources such as Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, books, and dissertations. This review primarily focuses on the intricate nature of HCV genomes and explores the potential of botanical drugs in both preventing and treating HCV infections.

Recent Progress, Challenges, and Trends in Polymer-Based Sensors: A Review.

Polymers are long-chain, highly molecular weight molecules containing large numbers of repeating units within their backbone derived from the product of polymerization of monomeric units. The materials exhibit unique properties based on the types of bonds that exist within their structures. Among these, some behave as rubbers because of their excellent bending ability, lightweight nature, and shape memory. Moreover, their tunable chemical, structural, and electrical properties make them promising candidates for their use as sensing materials. Polymer-based sensors are highly utilized in the current scenario in the public health sector and environment control due to their rapid detection, small size, high sensitivity, and suitability in atmospheric conditions. Therefore, the aim of this review article is to highlight the current progress in polymer-based sensors. More importantly, this review provides general trends and challenges in sensor technology based on polymer materials.

Site-Specific Binding of Anti-Cancer Drugs to Human Serum Albumin.

The interaction of drugs with proteins plays a very important role in the distribution of the drug. Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant protein in the human body, showing great binding characteristics, and has gained a lot of importance pharmaceutically. It plays an essential role in the pharmacokinetics of a number of drugs; hence, several reports are available on the interaction of drugs with HSA. It can bind to cancer drugs; thus, it is crucial to look at the binding characteristics of these drugs with HSA. Herein, we summarize the binding properties of some anti-cancer drugs by specifically looking into the binding site with HSA. The number of drugs binding at the Sudlow's site I situated in subdomain II A is more than the drugs binding at Sudlow's site II.

Astaxanthin, a Marine Carotenoid, Maintains the Tolerance and Integrity of Adipose Tissue and Contributes to Its Healthy Functions.

Recently, obesity-induced insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease have become major social problems. We have previously shown that Astaxanthin (AX), which is a natural antioxidant, significantly ameliorates obesity-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. It is well known that AX is a strong lipophilic antioxidant and has been shown to be beneficial for acute inflammation. However, the actual effects of AX on chronic inflammation in adipose tissue (AT) remain unclear. To observe the effects of AX on AT functions in obese mice, we fed six-week-old male C57BL/6J on high-fat-diet (HFD) supplemented with or without 0.02% of AX for 24 weeks. We determined the effect of AX at 10 and 24 weeks of HFD with or without AX on various parameters including insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, inflammation, and mitochondrial function in AT. We found that AX significantly reduced oxidative stress and macrophage infiltration into AT, as well as maintaining healthy AT function. Furthermore, AX prevented pathological AT remodeling probably caused by hypoxia in AT. Collectively, AX treatment exerted anti-inflammatory effects via its antioxidant activity in AT, maintained the vascular structure of AT and preserved the stem cells and progenitor's niche, and enhanced anti-inflammatory hypoxia induction factor-2α-dominant hypoxic response. Through these mechanisms of action, it prevented the pathological remodeling of AT and maintained its integrity.

Anti-cancer potential of natural products containing (6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one) framework using docking tools.

To explore complex biological and chemical systems, pharmaceutical research has effectively included several molecular modeling tools into a range of drug development initiatives. Molecular docking methods are widely employed in current drug design to investigate ligand conformations within macromolecular targets' binding sites. This method also estimates the ligand-receptor binding free energy by assessing critical phenomena involved in the intermolecular recognition process. In an attempt, several natural products have been synthesized in our laboratory. All the synthesized compounds containing (6H-Dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one) framework were subjected to molecular docking studies for the inhibition of CYP1B1 and BCL2 proteins using Auto Dock Vina software and the interacting amino acid residues were visualized using Discovery Studio, to look into the binding modalities that might influence their anticancer properties. The in silico molecular docking study outcomes showed that all the synthesized compounds having optimum binding energy and have a decent affinity to the active pocket, thus, they may be considered as a respectable inhibitor of CYP1B1 and BCL2 proteins.

Synthesis of Chloro-Substituted 6H-Dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one Natural Products, Graphislactone G, and Palmariols A and B.

A palladium-mediated intramolecular aryl-aryl coupling reaction was applied to the total synthesis of the bioactive natural products, graphislactone G (1), and palmariols A (2) and B (3), which possess an unusual chloro-subsutituent on the 6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one skeleton. Based on the transition state model of the coupling reaction, the mechanistic aspect for the regioselectivity of the aryl-aryl coupling reaction is also discussed.