Ginger and its constituents in asthma: a mini-review.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this review is to focus on research findings that aim to determine the immunomodulatory action of ginger's active components and the molecular mechanisms that reduce asthma. The study aims to provide an overview of the scientific literature available on ginger's efficacy in treating allergic asthma. DATA SOURCE: The mouse model of asthma has been used to investigate the actions of ginger and its active compounds on allergies and asthma. Various studies and scientific literature on ginger's health-improving qualities and its traditional use have been examined. RESULTS: The findings indicate that ginger and its active ingredients have anti-asthmatic features and a suppressive impact on mast cell production of histamine. Animals given ginger and compounds derived from ginger demonstrate a notable reduction in allergic response, suggesting a significant role in lowering the allergic reaction. CONCLUSION: While ginger shows promise as a potential treatment for allergies and asthma due to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic, anticancer, and antioxidant effects, further examination, extrapolation, and confirmation of these results are necessary before utilizing ginger and its active components in human treatments. This review highlights the need for additional research and provides an overview of the current scientific literature on ginger's efficacy in treating allergic asthma.

Transcription factor 7 like 2 gene polymorphism and advanced glycation end products as risk factors for diabetic nephropathy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multifactorial disease with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to its pathogenesis. ACYP2 is a gene that is related to cell differentiation, apoptosis and prevention of malignant tumors. The ACYP2 gene also affects telomere length. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between ACYP2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs843711), and (rs843706) and incidence of HCC in Egyptian HCC patients. The study included 30 patients with HCC and 30 normal controls. Detection of ACYP2 gene SNPs rs843711, and rs843706 in all study participants was done using real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that all participants including HCC patients and controls carried the heterozygous CA (100%) of the rs843706 SNP (p> 0.05). As for the rs843711, 3.3% of HCC patients had the homozygous TT genotype, 46.7% had the heterozygous CT genotype and 50% had the wild CC genotype, while in the control group, 60% had the heterozygous CT genotype and 40% had the wild CC genotype with no significant difference between both groups (p>0.05). We concluded that there was no association between SNPs ACYP2 rs843706 and rs843711 and occurrence of HCC.

Lab-scale Preparation of Recombinant Human Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 in Escherichia coli and its Potential Safety on Normal Human Lung Cell Line.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is structurally similar to insulin and acts as an endocrine hormone secreted by the liver. OBJECTIVE: Production of recombinant human IGF-1 (rhIGF-1) in Escherichia coli (E.coli) and evaluation of its proliferation stimulatory activity. METHODS: hIGF-1 gene cloned into pBSK (+) simple vector was transformed into TOP 10 chemically competent cells of E. coli. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was achieved using specific hIGF-1 gene primers to confirm the successful transformation. To express the rhIGF-1 in E. coli (Rosetta (DE3) pLysS); the hIGF-1 gene was cloned into the pET-15b expression vector and then the recombinant pET-15b/IGF-1 vector was transformed into a chemically prepared competent expression bacterial cells; Rosetta (DE3) pLysS. The rhIGF-1 was expressed as insoluble aggregates called inclusion bodies (IBs) using a 2 mM Isopropyl ß-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) inducer. IBs were solubilized in a denatured form using 6 M guanidinium hydrochloride (GdmCl), followed by in vitro protein refolding using the rapid dilution method. The refolded hIGF-1 was purified using the HiTrap- ANX anion exchange column. Western blot and ELISA using rabbit polyvalent anti-hIGF- 1 were performed to confirm the protein antigenic identity. Cell proliferation activity of rhIGF-1 was testified on normal human lung cell line (WI-38). RESULTS: rhIGF-1 was purified from the HiTrap-ANX column at a concentration of 300 µg/ml. Western blot showed a single 7.6 kDa band obtained in the induced Rosetta (DE3) pLYsS. ELISA confirmed the molecular identity of the rhIGF-1 epitope, the concentration of purified rhIGF-1 obtained from the ELISA standard curve using rhIGF-1 reference protein as a standard was 300 µg/ml, and activity on WI-38 cells was 2604.17I U/mg. CONCLUSION: Biologically active native rhIGF-1 protein was successfully expressed. Patents related to the preparation of IGF-1 were mentioned along the text.