Unraveling the miRNA Puzzle in Atherosclerosis: Revolutionizing Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapeutic Approaches.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To eradicate atherosclerotic diseases, novel biomarkers, and future therapy targets must reveal the burden of early atherosclerosis (AS), which occurs before life-threatening unstable plaques form. The chemical and biological features of microRNAs (miRNAs) make them interesting biomarkers for numerous diseases. We summarized the latest research on miRNA regulatory mechanisms in AS progression studies, which may help us use miRNAs as biomarkers and treatments for difficult-to-treat diseases. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent research has demonstrated that miRNAs have a regulatory function in the observed changes in gene and protein expression during atherogenesis, the process that leads to atherosclerosis. Several miRNAs play a role in the development of atherosclerosis, and these miRNAs could potentially serve as non-invasive biomarkers for atherosclerosis in various regions of the body. These miRNAs have the potential to serve as biomarkers and targets for early treatment of atherosclerosis. The start and development of AS require different miRNAs. It reviews new research on miRNAs affecting endothelium, vascular smooth muscle, vascular inflammation, lipid retention, and cholesterol metabolism in AS. A miRNA gene expression profile circulates with AS everywhere. AS therapies include lipid metabolism, inflammation reduction, and oxidative stress inhibition. Clinical use of miRNAs requires tremendous progress. We think tiny miRNAs can enable personalized treatment.

Nephroprotective effect of Physalis peruviana L. calyx extract and its butanolic fraction against cadmium chloride toxicity in rats and molecular docking of isolated compounds.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium is an environmentally toxic metal that has deleterious effects on both animals and humans due to its accumulation in different body tissues. Physalis peruviana L. fruit and calyx contain many active constituents which are used traditionally for their different biological activities. Based on the traditional uses of P. peruviana L. calyx, we aimed to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of their 80% aqueous methanol extract (AME) and n-butanol fraction (Bu.F.) against cadmium chloride-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and to correlate this activity with phytoconstituents isolated using molecular docking studies. METHODS: The n-butanol fraction of P. peruviana L. calyx was fractionated using various chromatographic techniques and the isolated compounds were identified based on their chemical and spectroscopic data. The nephroprotective activity was assessed using cadmium chloride-induced nephrotoxicity in the rat model, by measuring some important parameters such as body weight, kidney weight, serum urea, and creatinine levels, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory markers, and histopathological examinations of kidney tissue. Molecular docking studies of the isolated compounds were performed. RESULTS: Three withanolides named 4 ß-hydroxywithanolide E (1), Physalin B (2) and 3α, 14ß-dihydroxywithaphysalin N (3) were isolated and identified from the n-butanol fraction of P. peruviana L calyx extract. The extract and its butanol fraction significantly improved the serum kidney function markers and tissue oxidative status including malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT). Additionally, the extracts significantly decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κß). Moreover, the histological changes were ameliorated by the extracts. The molecular docking study showed that the isolated compounds displayed a remarkable inhibitory activity against IκB kinase. CONCLUSION: The AME and its butanol fraction of P. peruviana L calyx showed potential nephroprotective activity against cadmium chloride-induced nephrotoxicity which is correlated at least in part to its considerable withanolides content.