A review on extraction, composition, structure, and biological activities of polysaccharides from different parts of Nelumbo nucifera.

Nelumbo nucifera (lotus plant) is an important member of the Nelumbonaceae family. This review summarizes the studies conducted on it since the past 15 years to provide an understanding on future areas of focus. Different parts of this plant, that is, leaves, roots, and seeds, have been used as food and for the treatment of various diseases. Polysaccharides have been extracted from different parts using different methods. The manuscript reviews the methods of extraction of polysaccharides used for leaves, roots, and seeds, along with their yield. Some methods can provide better yield while some provide better biological activity with low yield. The composition and structure of extracted polysaccharides have been determined in some studies. Although monosaccharide composition has been determined in various studies, too little information about the structure of polysaccharides from N. nucifera is available in the current literature. Different useful biological activities have been explored using in vivo and in vitro methods, which include antioxidant, antidiabetic, antitumor, anti-osteoporotic, immunomodulatory, and prebiotic activities. Antitumor activity from polysaccharides of lotus leaves is yet to be explored, besides lotus root has been underexplored as compared to other parts (leaves and seeds) according to our literature survey. Studies dedicated to the successful use of combination of extraction methods can be conducted in future. The plant provides a therapeutic as well as nutraceutical potential; however, antimicrobial activity and synergistic relationships of polysaccharides from different parts of the plant need further exploration.

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes Associated with the Prognosis and Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis.

Objective: The goal of this study was to understand the possible core genes associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis and prognosis. Methods: GEO contains datasets of gene expression, miRNA, and methylation patterns of diseased and healthy/control patients. The GSE62232 dataset was selected by employing the server Gene Expression Omnibus. A total of 91 samples were collected, including 81 HCC and 10 healthy samples as control. GSE62232 was analysed through GEO2R, and Functional Enrichment Analysis was performed to extract rational information from a set of DEGs. The Protein-Protein Relationship Networking search method has been used for extracting the interacting genes. MCC method was used to calculate the top 10 genes according to their importance. Hub genes in the network were analysed using GEPIA to estimate the effect of their differential expression on cancer progression. Results: We identified the top 10 hub genes through CytoHubba plugin. These included BUB1, BUB1B, CCNB1, CCNA2, CCNB2, CDC20, CDK1 and MAD2L1, NCAPG, and NDC80. NCAPG and NDC80 reported for the first time in this study while the remaining from a recently reported literature. The pathogenesis of HCC may be directly linked with the aforementioned genes. In this analysis, we found critical genes for HCC that showed recommendations for future prognostic and predictive biomarkers studies that could promote selective molecular therapy for HCC.

The variation in promoter sequences of the Akt3 gene between cow and buffalo revealed different responses against mastitis.

BACKGROUND: Serine/threonine kinase 3 (AKT3) is a protein-coding gene that is associated with several cattle immune diseases including different tumors and cancers. The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in structures and functions of AKT3 of cow and buffalo cattle. METHODS: The sequence differences of gene-coding sequence (CDS) and core promoter region of AKT3 in cow and buffalo were analyzed by using bioinformatics tools and PCR sequencing. Also, the functional analysis of promoter regulating gene expression by RT-PCR was performed using 500 Holstein cows and buffalos. And, evaluation of AKT3 inflammatory response to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mastitis was performed between both species. RESULTS: The results revealed the variation in 6 exons out of 13 exons of the two species of CDS. Also, 4 different regions in 3-kb promoters of the AKT3 gene were significantly different between cow and buffalo species, in which cow's AKT3 promoter sequence region was started from - 371 to - 1247, while in buffalo, the sequence was started from - 371 to - 969 of the promoter crucial region. Thus, the promoter was overexpressed in cows compared to buffaloes. As a result, significant differences (P < 0.05) between the two species in the AKT3 gene expression level related to the LPS stimulation in their mammary epithelial cell line. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasized the great importance of the structural differences of AKT3 between the animal species on their different responses against immune diseases like mastitis.

Resveratrol (RV): A pharmacological review and call for further research.

Resveratrol (RV) is a well-known polyphenolic compound in various plants, including grape, peanut, and berry fruits, which is quite famous for its association with several health benefits such as anti-obesity, cardioprotective neuroprotective, antitumor, antidiabetic, antioxidants, anti-age effects, and glucose metabolism. Significantly, promising therapeutic properties have been reported in various cancer, neurodegeneration, and atherosclerosis and are regulated by several synergistic pathways that control oxidative stress, cell death, and inflammation. Similarly, RV possesses a strong anti-adipogenic effect by inhibiting fat accumulation processes and activating oxidative and lipolytic pathways, exhibiting their cardioprotective effects by inhibiting platelet aggregation. The RV also shows significant antibacterial effects against various food-borne pathogens (Listeria, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli) by inhibiting an electron transport chain (ETC) and F0F1-ATPase, which decreases the production of cellular energy that leads to the spread of pathogens. After collecting and analyzing scientific literature, it may be concluded that RV is well tolerated and favorably affects cardiovascular, neurological, and diabetic disorders. As such, it is possible that RV can be considered the best nutritional additive and a complementary drug, especially a therapeutic candidate. Therefore, this review would increase knowledge about the blend of RV as well as inspire researchers around the world to consider RV as a pharmaceutical drug to combat future health crises against various inhumane diseases. In the future, this article will be aware of discoveries about the potential of this promising natural compound as the best nutraceuticals and therapeutic drugs in medicine.

In silico screening and identification of deleterious missense SNPs along with their effects on CD-209 gene: An insight to CD-209 related-diseases.

DC-SIGN receptor articulated by macrophages and dendritic cells is encoded by CD209 gene and plays a role to activate and proliferate the T-lymphocytes in response of virus attack. The dysfunctional activity of DC-SIGN receptor because of missense SNPs can lead to cause dengue haemorrhage fever, HIV-1 infection etc. Out of 11 transcripts of CD209, all missense SNPs of canonical transcript were retrieved from Ensembl database and evaluated by their deleteriousness by using Polyphen-2, PMut, SIFT, MutPred, PROVEAN and PhD-SNP together with stimulation of its complete 3D structure. 10 nsSNPs were chosen depending on both the significance value of nsSNP and their prediction among SNPs evaluating servers which are based on different algorithms. Moreover, the position and native role of 10 nsSNPs in wild 3D model has been described which assist to acknowledge their importance. This study urges the researcher's community to experimentally validate these SNPs and their association in causing the diseases like dengue fever, Tuberculosis etc.

Automated multi-class classification of skin lesions through deep convolutional neural network with dermoscopic images.

As an analytic tool in medicine, deep learning has gained great attention and opened new ways for disease diagnosis. Recent studies validate the effectiveness of deep learning algorithms for binary classification of skin lesions (i.e., melanomas and nevi classes) with dermoscopic images. Nonetheless, those binary classification methods cannot be applied to the general clinical situation of skin cancer screening in which multi-class classification must be taken into account. The main objective of this research is to develop, implement, and calibrate an advanced deep learning model in the context of automated multi-class classification of skin lesions. The proposed Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) model is carefully designed with several layers, and multiple filter sizes, but fewer filters and parameters to improve efficacy and performance. Dermoscopic images are acquired from the International Skin Imaging Collaboration databases (ISIC-17, ISIC-18, and ISIC-19) for experiments. The experimental results of the proposed DCNN approach are presented in terms of precision, sensitivity, specificity, and other metrics. Specifically, it attains 94 % precision, 93 % sensitivity, and 91 % specificity in ISIC-17. It is demonstrated by the experimental results that this proposed DCNN approach outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms, exhibiting 0.964 area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) in ISIC-17 for the classification of skin lesions and can be used to assist dermatologists in classifying skin lesions. As a result, this proposed approach provides a novel and feasible way for automating and expediting the skin lesion classification task as well as saving effort, time, and human life.

A review on polysaccharides from Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch seeds, their extraction, modification, structure, and applications.

Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch (ASK) is an important member of Compositae (Asteraceae) family. Its seeds have been widely used as traditional medicine and to improve the quality of food. Water soluble and water insoluble polysaccharides are found in the seeds of this plant. Research has been conducted on the extraction of polysaccharides, their modification and determination of their structure. To date different techniques for extraction purposes have been applied which are reviewed here. Antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-obesogenic, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities have been explored using in vivo and in vitro methods. Moreover, these polysaccharides have been used as packaging material and as a sensing component for monitoring the freshness of packaged food. Some experimental results have shown that the quality of foods is also improved by using them as a food additive. We have also indicated some of the potential areas that are needed to be explored.

A review on structure, extraction, and biological activities of polysaccharides isolated from Cyclocarya paliurus (Batalin) Iljinskaja.

Cyclocarya paliurus is essential and only living specie of the genus Cyclocarya Iljinskaja. The leaves of this plant have been extensively used as food in the form of tea and green vegetable. Many compounds have been isolated from this plant, and their useful aspects explored, including the polysaccharides. Studies conducted on leaves show that different methods of extraction have been used, as well as a combination of different techniques that have been applied to isolate polysaccharides from the leaves. Their structure has been elucidated because the activity of polysaccharides mainly depends upon their composition. It has been reported that different activities exhibited by the isolated crude, purified as well as modified polysaccharides include, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-diabetic activities. In some studies, a comparison of crude extract, as well as purified polysaccharide, has been performed. In this review, we have summarized all the available literature available on the methods of extraction, structure, and biological activities of polysaccharides from the leaves of C. paliurus and indicated the potential research areas that should be focused on future studies. We believe that this review will provide an up to date knowledge regarding polysaccharides of C. paliurus for the researchers.

Pharmacological values and therapeutic properties of black tea (Camellia sinensis): A comprehensive overview.

Medicinal plants are essential parts of traditional medicine due to their phytochemical constituents having pharmacological values and therapeutic applications. Black tea have thousands of various biological compounds such as flavonoids (Thearubigins (TRs) and theaflavins (TFs) and catechins), amino acids (L.theanine), vitamins (A, C, K), phenolic acids (caffeic acid (CA), gallic acid (GA), chlorogenic acids (CGA) and cauramic acid), lipids, proteins, volatile compounds carbohydrates, ß-carotene and fluoride that illustrated many promising pharmacological effects regarded as growth promoter, cardioprotector, potent cholesterol-lowering effect, antioxidant and antimicrobial, etc inhuman. Although there is an exponential growth in molecular evidence of cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant effect in human, there is still a lack of information of the pharmacological effects of black tea. To fill this information gap, therefore, this review article underscores broadening the new insight pertaining to black tea that could be used as safe food additive. This article also illuminates the interesting role of black tea as an herbal medicine that is the future demand to get rid of synthetic health promoters in the human health practice. Moreover, this information would be useful in terms of the low-cost practice of natural medicines with no residual effects, and a natural protection of the human being. In addition, further studies at a molecular level are needed to reveal its mechanism of action particularly for the hypocholesterolemic effect of black tea to overcome the heart-related diseases, fewer side effects and being a natural safeguard of human health.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) and l-theanine: Medicinal values and beneficial applications in humans-A comprehensive review.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is a famous herb, and its extract has been extensively used in traditional Chinese medicinal system. In this context, several studies have revealed its health benefits and medicinal potentialities for several ailments. With ever increasing scientific knowledge, search for safer, potential and novel type of health-related supplements quest, scientists are re-directing their research interests to explore natural resources i.e. medicinal herbs/plant derived compounds. Green tea consumption has gained a special attention and popularity in the modern era of changing lifestyle. The present review is aimed to extend the current knowledge by highlighting the importance and beneficial applications of green tea in humans for safeguarding various health issues. Herein, we have extensively reviewed, analyzed, and compiled salient information on green tea from the authentic published literature available in PubMed and other scientific databases. Scientific literature evidenced that owing to the bioactive constituents including caffeine, l-theanine, polyphenols/flavonoids and other potent molecules, green tea has many pharmacological and physiological functions. It possesses multi-beneficial applications in treating various disorders of humans. This review also provides in-depth insights on the medicinal values of green tea which will be useful for researchers, medical professionals, veterinarians, nutritionists, pharmacists and pharmaceutical industry. Future research emphasis and promotional avenues are needed to explore its potential therapeutic applications for designing appropriate pharmaceuticals, complementary medicines, and effective drugs as well as popularize and propagate its multidimensional health benefits.