Decoding Therapeutic Applications of Quercetin: Recent Advancements in Nanotechnological Strategies.

For centuries, people have used herbal medicine to treat a diversity of health complications and as a natural substance, they have a favourable effect on our health. Herbal ingredients can be utilized as lead molecules in the innovation and development of a new drug. Flavonoids are a class of chemical compounds with diverse phenolic structures, and they are found in a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea, and wine. Quercetin is the most prevalent polyphenolic bioflavonoid or flavonoid. Quercetin is found in many food products and has demonstrated a wide range of pharmacological activities, including the treatment of allergies, ocular diseases, metabolic ailments, inflammatory illnesses, cardiovascular ailments and arthritis. Quercetin has attracted interest as an emerging pharmacophore with the potential to significantly advance research and the development of novel therapeutic medicines for a variety of diseases. Despite having a huge therapeutic potential, these flavonoids have unfavourable pharmacokinetic characteristics, low bioavailability, and poor solubility, limiting their application in therapeutics. The objective of the current study is to present a new update on the major therapeutic uses of quercetin and other types of nanocarriers that contain quercetin to treat various ailments.

Unlocking the Pharmacological Potential of Benzimidazole Derivatives: A Pathway to Drug Development.

Heterocyclic molecules have garnered a massive interest in medicinal chemistry. They are heterocyclic compounds that have gained significance due to their diverse variety of pharmacological activities. Benzimidazole is a heterocyclic compound consisting of benzene and imidazole rings. The ease of synthesis and the structural versatility of benzimidazole make it a promising scaffold for drug development. Many biological actions of benzimidazole derivatives have been well documented, including antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antitubercular, and anthelmintic properties. The mechanism of action of benzimidazole derivatives varies with their chemical structure and target enzyme. This review has explored numerous methods for producing benzimidazole derivatives as well as a broad range of pharmacological activities. SAR investigations are also discussed in this review as they provide crucial details regarding the essential structural qualities that benzimidazole derivatives must have in order to be biologically active, which could aid in the rational design of new drug candidates. Benzimidazole scaffold is an exclusive structure in drug design and discovery. Many new pharmaceutical drugs containing benzimidazole are anticipated to be available within the next ten years as a result of the extensive therapeutic applications of benzimidazole and its derivatives. This review inspired many researchers to develop more biologically active compounds bearing benzimidazole, expanding the scope of finding a remedy for other diseases. From this study, we concluded that 2-substituted benzimidazole was considered more extensively by researchers.

A Profound Insight into the Structure-activity Relationship of Ubiquitous Scaffold Piperazine: An Explicative Review.

Despite extensive research in the field of drug discovery and development, still there is a need to develop novel molecular entities. Literature reveals a substantial heterocyclic nucleus named, piperazine, which shows an immense therapeutic voyage. For several decades, molecules having the piperazine nucleus have entered the market as a drug exhibiting biological potential. It was known to possess antipsychotic, antihistamine, antianginal, antidepressant, anticancer, antiviral, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory activity with a specific basis for structural activity relationship. Thus, it is regarded as a key structural feature in most of the already available therapeutic drugs in the market. Reports also suggest that the extensive utilization of these currently available drugs having a piperazine nucleus shows increasing tolerance significantly day by day. In addition to this, various other factors like solubility, low bioavailability, cost-effectiveness, and imbalance between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics profile limit their utilization. Focusing on that issues, various structural modification studies were performed on the piperazine moiety to develop new derivatives/analogs to overcome the problems associated with available marketed drugs. Thus, this review article aims to gain insight into the number of structural modifications at the N-1 and N-4 positions of the piperazine scaffold. This SAR approach may prove to be the best way to overcome the above-discussed drawbacks and lead to the design of drug molecules with better efficacy and affinity. Hence, there is an urgent need to focus on the structural features of this scaffold which paves further work for deeper exploration and may help medicinal chemists as well as pharmaceutical industries.

Role of Apoptosis in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis: An Explicative Review.

Apoptosis is a complex regulatory, active cell death process that plays a role in cell development, homeostasis, and ageing. Cancer, developmental defects, and degenerative diseases are all pathogenic disorders caused by apoptosis dysregulation. Osteoarthritis (OA) is by far the most frequently diagnosed joint disease in the aged, and it is characterized by the ongoing breakdown of articular cartilage, which causes severe disability. Multiple variables regulate the anabolic and catabolic pathways of the cartilage matrix, which either directly or indirectly contribute to cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis. Articular cartilage is a highly specialized tissue made up of an extracellular matrix of cells that are tightly packed together. As a result, chondrocyte survival is crucial for the preservation of an optimal cartilage matrix, and chondrocyte characteristics and survival compromise may result in articular cartilage failure. Inflammatory cytokines can either promote or inhibit apoptosis, the process of programmed cell death. Pro-apoptotic cytokines like TNF-α can induce cell death, while anti-apoptotic cytokines like IL-4 and IL-10 protect against apoptosis. The balance between these cytokines plays a critical role in determining cell fate and has implications for tissue damage and disease progression. Similarly, they contribute to the progression of OA by disrupting the metabolic balance in joint tissues by promoting catabolic and anabolic pathways. Their impact on cell joints, as well as the impacts of cell signalling pathways on cytokines and inflammatory substances, determines their function in osteoarthritis development. Apoptosis is evident in osteoarthritic cartilage; however, determining the relative role of chondrocyte apoptosis in the aetiology of OA is difficult, and the rate of apoptotic chondrocytes in osteoarthritic cartilage is inconsistent. The current study summarises the role of apoptosis in the development of osteoarthritis, the mediators, and signalling pathways that trigger the cascade of events, and the other inflammatory features involved.

Flavone-based dual PARP-Tubulin inhibitor manifesting efficacy against endometrial cancer.

Structural tailoring of the flavone framework (position 7) via organopalladium-catalyzed C-C bond formation was attempted in this study. The impact of substituents with varied electronic effects (phenyl ring, position 2 of the benzopyran scaffold) on the antitumor properties was also assessed. Resultantly, the efforts yielded a furyl arm bearing benzopyran possessing a 4-fluoro phenyl ring (position 2) (14) that manifested a magnificent antitumor profile against the Ishikawa cell lines mediated through dual inhibition of PARP and tubulin [(IC50 (PARP1) = 74 nM, IC50 (PARP2) = 109 nM) and tubulin (IC50 = 1.4 µM)]. Further investigations confirmed the ability of 14 to induce apoptosis as well as autophagy and cause cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Overall, the outcome of the study culminated in a tractable dual PARP-tubulin inhibitor endowed with an impressive activity profile against endometrial cancer.

A Review on Novel Applications of Nanotechnology in the Management of Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer continues to be a serious danger to men's health, despite advances in the field of cancer nanotechnology. Although different types of cancer have been studied using nanomaterials and theranostic systems derived from nanomaterials, they have not yet reached their full potential for prostate cancer due to issues with in vivo biologic compatibility, immune reaction responses, accurate targetability, as well as a therapeutic outcome related to the nano-structured mechanism. METHOD: The ultimate motive of this article is to understand the theranostic nanotechnology-based scheme for treating prostate cancer. The categorization of diverse nanomaterials in accordance with biofunctionalization tactics and biomolecule sources has been emphasized in this review so that they might potentially be used in clinical contexts and future advances. These opportunities can enhance the direct visualization of prostate tumors, early identification of prostate cancer-associated biomarkers at extremely low detection limits, and finally, the therapy for prostate cancer. RESULT: In December 2022, a thorough examination of the scientific literature was carried out utilizing the Web of Science, PubMed, and Medline databases. The goal was to analyze novel applications of nanotechnology in the treatment of prostate cancer, together with their structural layouts and functionalities. CONCLUSION: The various treatments and the reported revolutionary nanotechnology-based systems appear to be precise, safe, and generally successful; as a result, this might open up a new avenue for the detection and eradication of prostate cancer.

Quercetin-based Nanoformulation: A Potential Approach for Cancer Treatment.

Nanoformulations derived from natural products are gaining popularity as a treatment option for several human diseases, including cancer, as they offer a viable alternative to conventional cancer therapies, which are often associated with numerous side effects and complications. Quercetin (Que), a plant-derived phenolic molecule, has demonstrated potential as a chemotherapeutic agent for different types of cancer. However, Que's low water solubility, instability towards antioxidants, low bioavailability, and severe biotransformation constraints make it challenging to use in vivo. Nanoparticles have emerged as a promising technology for the precise targeting of tumor cells, leading to improved efficacy and specificity in cancer therapies. In this review, the impact of flavonoid nanoformulations on enhancing the safety, therapeutic potential, and bioavailability of Que in cancer treatment is highlighted. A variety of nanoparticle types have been developed, including polymeric micelles, liposomes, PLGA nanoparticles, coencapsulation, chitosan NPs, lipid carriers, silver and gold NPs, inorganic NPs, organic metal frameworks, and biomacromolecule- based NPs, all aimed at improving the antineoplastic efficacy of Que. These nanoparticles offer several advantages, including prolonged circulation time, tumor-specific biodistribution, high encapsulation efficiency, enhanced therapeutic efficacy, and controlled release. This review provides fresh insights into the arena of drug discovery for tumor therapies by focusing on the influence of flavonoid nanoformulations on the enhancement of their safety, therapeutic, and bioavailability characteristics.

An Update on Herbal Products for the Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), including Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease (CD), is a continuously increasing healthcare problem mainly characterized by chronic relapsing intestinal inflammation. The common symptoms of UC and CD include inflammation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bleeding, and weight loss. IBD is generally caused by an interaction between genetic and environmental or microbial factors that influence the body's immune response and is responsible for digestive disorders and inflammation of the intestinal tract. However, a complete understanding of the pathophysiology and work-up of IBD is necessary to ensure appropriate treatment for the management of this complex disease. This review enlightens herbal therapeutics and drug delivery systems for the management of IBD, and thus provides new insights into this field and facilitates access to new treatments.

1,3-thiazole Derivatives: A Scaffold with Considerable Potential in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

1,3-thiazoles, which contain nitrogen and a sulfur atom is an unsaturated five-membered heterocyclic ring, have achieved a unique significant place in drug design and development because of their versatile structure and a variety of pharmacological activities, viz. anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antidiabetic, etc. They have inspired researchers to design novel thiazole with different biological activities. The presence of the thiazole moiety has resulted in a large number of clinically useful drugs with a wide range of activities, such as Ritonavir (antiviral), Sulfathiazole (antimicrobial antibiotic), Abafungin, Ravuconazole (antifungal), Meloxicam (NSAID), etc., that further verify this statement. The prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's is increasing at a rapid pace but existing treatments mainly provide symptomatic relief and are associated with undesired effects. Consequently, designing novel compounds with more effectiveness and reduced toxicity are required. 1,3-thiazole derivatives have emerged as excellent candidate in this regard and have an important role for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In the current review, we have gathered all the appropriate literature which demonstrate the remarkable role of 1,3-thiazole and its derivatives in these diseases that may help design new compounds with more desired characteristics. The literature was assessed through worldwide scientific databases like GOOGLE, SCOPUS, and PUBMED using different keywords, and only relevant information published in English was evaluated.

Therapeutic and Health Promoting Potential of Bakuchiol from Psoralea corylifolia: A Comprehensive Review.

Bakuchiol, is a principal bioactive component present in seeds of Psoralea corylifolia. It is one of the important monoterpene phenols and has been reported to possess extensive pharmacological properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and hepatoprotective. Bakuchiol also plays a significant role in mental disorders. With an aim to explore the pharmacological potential of plant Psoralea corylifolia and its bioactive constituent, Bakuchiol; which may act as a lead to develop new molecular entities as drugs. A substantial literature survey was performed by scientific search engines like PubMed, Scopus,Web of Science, Science Direct, etc., and were reviewed with particular emphasis on their scientific impact and novelty. The study concludes that both Psoralea and bakuchiol possess innumerable pharmacological potentials to treat multiple disorders. Altogether, the promising pharmacological activities of bakuchiol may open new probes for therapeutic invention in the management of numerous ailments. Thus, the present review gives the erudition of bakuchiol as d foundation for further studies on the molecular mechanisms of BXXXD in the treatment of T2DM.

Bakuchiol: A Potential Anticancer Compound from Psoralea corylifolia Linn.

BACKGROUND: Bakuchiol is a monoterpene phenol isolated from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia Linn. It is used traditionally in Indian and Chinese medicine and has been reported to possess extensive pharmacological potential against a variety of ailments. A recent study enumerates the anticancer potential of bakuchiol. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present review study is to explore the anticancer potential of bakuchiol which provides insight into the design and develop novel molecular entities against various disorders. METHODS: Current prose and patents emphasizing the anticancer potential of bakuchiol have been identified and reviewed with particular emphasis on their scientific impact and novelty. An extensive literature survey was performed and compiled via the search engine, PubMed, Science Direct, and from many reputed foundations. RESULTS: The study's findings suggested and verified the anticancer potential that Psoralea and bakuchiol against a variety of cancer. Both Psoralea and bakuchiol also portrayed synergistic or potentiating effects when given in combination with other anticancer drugs or natural compounds. CONCLUSION: Altogether, the promising anticancer potential of bakuchiol may open new probes for therapeutic invention in various types of tumors. Thus, the present review gives the erudition of bakuchiol and Psoralea as anticancer which paves the way for further work in exploring their potential.

Synergistic Effect of Piperine and its Derivatives: A Comprehensive Review.

Piperine is a fascinating substance since it can be used as a biomarker in combination with other bioactive compounds or their analogues, as well as therapeutic molecules used for the healing of a variety of diseases. It displays a plentiful therapeutic potential and various health benefits when administered alone or in combination with several other drugs and/or phytochemicals. It has also been used to enhance the pharmacokinetic profile of many nutraceutical compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, beta-carotene, barbiturates, propranolol, metformin, theophylline etc. The present review discloses the synergistic effect of piperine and its derivatives, clinical studies, and patent studies of piperine.

The Mechanistic Role of Different Mediators in the Pathophysiology of Nephropathy: A Review.

Nephropathy has become the most common reason for end-stage renal disease worldwide. The progression of end-stage renal disease occurs caused by decreased glomerular filtration rate, damage to capillaries in renal glomeruli or a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. The involvement of mechanism in the development of nephropathy via generation of AGEs, the elevation of growth factors, altered hemodynamic and metabolic factors, inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress and dyslipidaemia. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease in India will rise from 3.7 million in 1990 to 7.63 million in 2020 becoming the main cause of mortality and morbidity. The pathogenesis of nephropathy mediates by various molecules that cause alterations in the structure and function of the kidney like growth factors, endothelins, transforming growth factor (TGF-ß), and Angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACE), fibronectin and proinflammatory cytokines, mast cells and dyslipidemia. Growth factors like VEGF, IGFs, PDGF, EGFR and TGF-ß contribute to excessive extracellular matrix accumulation, together with thickening of the glomerular and tubular basement membranes and an increase in the mesangial matrix, leading to glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Oxidative stress and inflammation factors like TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 are hypothesized to play a role in the development of pathological changes in nephropathy like renal hyperfiltration and hypertrophy, thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), glomerular lesion and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Dyslipidemia is involved in the progression of nephropathy by impaired action of lipoprotein lipase, lecithincholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and cholesteryl ester transferase protein (CETP) resulting in the increased level of LDL-C, Triglyceride level and decrease HDL-C that enhance macrophage infiltration, excessive extracellular matrix production and accelerate inflammation with the development of proteinuria. Interruption in the RAS, oxidative stress and dyslipidemia have yielded much better results in terms of reno-protection and progression of nephropathy. In this review, we would focus on various factors that have been shown to contribute to renal injury in many experimental models of nephropathy.

Accommodation of ring C expanded deoxyvasicinone in the HDAC inhibitory pharmacophore culminates into a tractable anti-lung cancer agent and pH-responsive nanocarrier.

A fragment recruitment process was conducted to pinpoint a suitable fragment for installation in the HDAC inhibitory template to furnish agents endowed with the potential to treat lung cancer. Resultantly, Ring C expanded deoxyvasicinone was selected as an appropriate surface recognition part that was accommodated in the HDAC three-component model. Delightfully, fused quinazolinone 6 demonstrating a magnificent anticancer profile against KRAS and EGFR mutant lung cancer cell lines (IC50 = 0.80-0.96 µM) was identified. Results of the mechanistic studies confirmed that the cell growth inhibitory effects of compound 6 stems for HDAC6 (IC50 = 12.9 nM), HDAC1 (IC50 = 49.9 nM) and HDAC3 inhibition (IC50 = 68.5 nM), respectively. Compound 6 also suppressed the colony formation ability of A549 cells, induced apoptosis, and increased autophagic flux. Key interactions of HDAC inhibitor 6 within the active site of HDAC isoforms were figured out through molecular modeling studies. Furthermore, a pH-responsive nanocarrier (Hyaluronic acid - fused quinazolinone 6 nanoparticles) was designed and assessed using a dialysis bag approach under both normal and acidic circumstances that confirmed the pH-sensitive nature of NPs. Delightfully, the nanoparticles demonstrated selective cell viability reduction potential towards the lung cancer cell lines (A549 lung cancer cell lines) and were found to be largely devoid of cell growth inhibitory effects under normal settings (L929, mouse fibroblast cells).

Recent updates on development of protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors for treatment of diabetes, obesity and related disorders.

The aim of this review was to discuss an overview of type 2 diabetes; biology of PTP1B; role of PTP1B in metabolic disorders; and recent updates in the development of PTP1B inhibitors reported in literature since 1994. In this study, extensive literature search was carried out on PTP1B inhibitors of natural as well as synthetic origin in various scientific databases and research articles related to discovery of PTP1B inhibitors were selected for this study. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is an important therapeutic target for several human diseases including type 2 diabetes, obesity and cancer because of its seminal part as a negative modulator in both insulin and leptin signaling pathways. A large number of molecules of broad chemical diversity were reported as potent and selective PTP1B inhibitors over other protein tyrosine phosphatases. Several of these molecules have shown their potential in the treatment of various human diseases including type 2 diabetes, obesity, inflammation and cancer in various animal models. But only a very limited number of PTP1B inhibitors (including ertiprotafib, trodusquemine and JTT-551) has entered clinical trials and are finally withdrawn owing to their unsatisfactory effectiveness and undesirable adverse effects. Consequently, it is still highly imperative and of great importance to develop potent, highly selective and safe PTP1B inhibitors.

Emerging Role of Terpenoids for the Treatment of Cancer: A Review.

AIM: Terpenes are natural compounds found in several organisms belonging to the animal and plant kingdom, therefore, constitute the largest class of natural products and were a rich reservoir of candidate compounds for drug discovery. The review aims to focus on the extensive potential of the anti-cancer terpenoid components obtained from natural plant species which may lead to the development of a variety of derived terpenoids moieties. METHOD: Literature survey has been carried out to determine the potential of terpenoids. RESULT: The present article provides an overview of the development of the isoprene unit and the generation of the various types of terpenes that exhibits pharmacological potential. The anti-cancer activity of terpenoids appears promising and will potentially open more opportunities for cancer therapy. However, current studies are restricted to descriptive findings and some of them lack mechanistic insights and systematic structure--activity relationship studies. Future efforts into the systematic identification of the targets of terpenoids are believed to increase the chances of gaining breakthrough insights in the field. CONCLUSION: There is still hope that new therapeutic options for the control of cancer and any other painful syndromes will be developed from terpenes, which were proved to be great candidates for cancer therapeutics.

Inflammation as a Therapeutic Target for Various Deadly Disorders: A Review.

Inflammation is the multifaceted biological response of vascular tissues against injurious stimuli such as pathogens, irritants or infection. However, when inflammation goes away, it leads to produce quite serious life-threatening diseases like Alzheimer's, rheumatoid arthritis, heart attacks, colon cancer, etc. Therefore, inflammation suddenly has become one of the hottest areas of medical research. The present review article is aimed to provide a detailed outline of the fundamental causes and the surprising relationship of inflammation in the onset of sundry diseases or illnesses. Furthermore, the role of various anti-inflammatory drugs alone and in combination with other therapeutic drugs, in alleviating the life-threatening diseases has also been discussed.

Imidazole: An Emerging Scaffold Showing its Therapeutic Voyage to Develop Valuable Molecular Entities.

OBJECTIVE: Imidazole is a heterocyclic moiety having immense biological importance. Since ancient times, the imidazole nucleus is considered to be a promising moiety in the field of chemistry. Preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies have provided valuable scientific evidence for its use. Subsequently, imidazole constitutes a new class of compounds for new drug development as the presence of this nucleus in diverse therapeutic categories viz; antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, immunomodulator, antiviral etc. has made it an interesting moiety for the design and development of new pharmacological agents. Thus, this review aims to summarize the reported molecular entities which were synthesized by using conventional as well as microwave processes, chemistry and biological potential of imidazole containing heterocyclic molecules while identifying potential areas of further research on imidazole. RESULTS: The review comprises literature pertaining to the evidence-based pharmacological or therapeutic potential of imidazole using published articles and worldwide databases. Various pharmacological experiments using different models exclusively proved the potential of imidazole. SUMMARY: Focusing on the discovery and development of new imidazole nucleus based molecules at a faster rate, there is a need to search previous information available in the market in the field of medicinal chemistry. Therefore, the present review aims to elaborate the therapeutic worth of imidazole and its analogs.

Therapeutic Potential of N-heterocyclic Analogs as Anti-inflammatory Agents.

BACKGROUND: Various mediators and anti-inflammatory drugs were used since from a long time but it is still a challenge for the medicinal chemists to treat or reduce the symptoms of inflammatory diseases. Most of the clinically used anti-inflammatory drugs such as NSAIDs, Coxibs and GCs are allied with considerable toxicity. OBJECTIVE: The search of novel anti-inflammatory agent is not an ending process. Although the drug treatment has been improved steadily but yet, it is still there is a need to develop more potent therapeutic agents. METHOD: Reported literature survey has been studied to summarize the nitrogen containing moieties which were utilized as potential therapeutic agents. RESULTS: A variety of N-heterocyclic analogs are known to exhibit a wide range of interesting biological activities like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, analgesic, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiplatelet, cardioprotective, anthelmintic, antidiabetic, antitubercular, trypanocidal and anti-HIV. However, numerous approaches were used to overcome the toxicity level such as co-administration with suitable agent/substance which provides protection against toxicity as well to synthesise new potent and safe anti-inflammatory drug. CONCLUSION: The present review summarizes the synthetic methodology and therapeutic potential of some N-heterocyclic analogs as potent anti-inflammatory agents.

An update on Anti-inflammatory Compounds: A Review.

Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process. Also, it has been reported to be associated with the onset of various cancers. An effective anti-inflammatory drug should be able to inhibit the development of inflammation without interfering in normal homeostasis. Current approaches to overcome the inflammation include the use of immune selective anti-inflammatory derivatives, selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist, resolvins and protectins and TNF inhibitors. A number of herbal drugs have been identified in the past that can target inflammatory cytokines. This review mainly focuses on the newer molecules to combat the inflammation and also emphasise on various studies carried out in the past. Thus, the high prevalence of inflammation obliges the development of new drugs; therefore, a safe and efficient drug molecule to confer protection against inflammation is urgently needed.