The Role of Gut-derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition affecting the central nervous system (CNS), where the interplay of genetic and environmental factors influences its pathophysiology, triggering immune responses and instigating inflammation. Contemporary research has been notably dedicated to investigating the contributions of gut microbiota and their metabolites in modulating inflammatory reactions within the CNS. Recent recognition of the gut microbiome and dietary patterns as environmental elements impacting MS development emphasizes the potential influence of small, ubiquitous molecules from microbiota, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These molecules may serve as vital molecular signals or metabolic substances regulating host cellular metabolism in the intricate interplay between microbiota and the host. A current emphasis lies on optimizing the health-promoting attributes of colonic bacteria to mitigate urinary tract issues through dietary management. This review aims to spotlight recent investigations on the impact of SCFAs on immune cells pivotal in MS, the involvement of gut microbiota and SCFAs in MS development, and the considerable influence of probiotics on gastrointestinal disruptions in MS. Comprehending the gut-CNS connection holds promise for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches, particularly probiotic-based supplements, for managing MS.

Recent advances in natural nanoclay for diagnosis and therapy of cancer: A review.

Cancer is still one of the deadliest diseases, and diagnosing and treating it effectively remains difficult. As a result, advancements in earlier detection and better therapies are urgently needed. Conventional chemotherapy induces chemoresistance, has non-specific toxicity, and has a meager efficacy. Natural materials like nanosized clay mineral formations of various shapes (platy, tubular, spherical, and fibrous) with tunable physicochemical, morphological, and structural features serve as potential templates for these. As multifunctional biocompatible nanocarriers with numerous applications in cancer research, diagnosis, and therapy, their submicron size, individual morphology, high specific surface area, enhanced adsorption ability, cation exchange capacity, and multilayered organization of 0.7-1 nm thick single sheets have attracted significant interest. Kaolinite, halloysite, montmorillonite, laponite, bentonite, sepiolite, palygorskite, and allophane are the most typical nanoclay minerals explored for cancer. These multilayered minerals can function as nanocarriers to effectively carry a variety of anticancer medications to the tumor site and improve their stability, dispersibility, sustained release, and transport. Proteins and DNA/RNA can be transported using nanoclays with positive and negative surfaces. The platform for phototherapeutic agents can be nanoclays. Clays with bio-functionality have been developed using various surface engineering techniques, which could help treat cancer. The promise of nanoclays as distinctive crystalline materials with applications in cancer research, diagnostics, and therapy are examined in this review.

The bioengineered and multifunctional nanoparticles in pancreatic cancer therapy: Bioresponisive nanostructures, phototherapy and targeted drug delivery.

The multidisciplinary approaches in treatment of cancer appear to be essential in term of bringing benefits of several disciplines and their coordination in tumor elimination. Because of the biological and malignant features of cancer cells, they have ability of developing resistance to conventional therapies such as chemo- and radio-therapy. Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a malignant disease of gastrointestinal tract in which chemotherapy and radiotherapy are main tools in its treatment, and recently, nanocarriers have been emerged as promising structures in its therapy. The bioresponsive nanocarriers are able to respond to pH and redox, among others, in targeted delivery of cargo for specific treatment of PC. The loading drugs on the nanoparticles that can be synthetic or natural compounds, can help in more reduction in progression of PC through enhancing their intracellular accumulation in cancer cells. The encapsulation of genes in the nanoparticles can protect against degradation and promotes intracellular accumulation in tumor suppression. A new kind of therapy for cancer is phototherapy in which nanoparticles can stimulate both photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy through hyperthermia and ROS overgeneration to trigger cell death in PC. Therefore, synergistic therapy of phototherapy with chemotherapy is performed in accelerating tumor suppression. One of the important functions of nanotechnology is selective targeting of PC cells in reducing side effects on normal cells. The nanostructures are capable of being surface functionalized with aptamers, proteins and antibodies to specifically target PC cells in suppressing their progression. Therefore, a specific therapy for PC is provided and future implications for diagnosis of PC is suggested.

Silver nanoparticles inhibit goatpox virus replication.

No effective drugs against goatpox virus (GTPV) exist despite the high morbidity and mortality (up to 100%) caused by this virus. In this study, the antiviral activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against GTPV, a member of the genus Capripoxvirus, was evaluated. Piper betle leaf extract was used as a reducing agent during the biological synthesis of AgNPs from silver nitrate. The AgNPs were characterized using ultraviolet/visible (UV/vis) absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). AgNPs were tested at different concentrations as antiviral agents against GTPV, and the reduction in the median tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50/mL) was used to quantitate antiviral activity. AgNPs caused significant inhibition of GTPV replication by preventing virus entry into the host cell. Pre-treatment of cells with AgNPs caused a slight reduction in infectivity, but this did not significantly correlate with the effect on virus attachment. AgNPs also appeared to significantly reduce the viral genome copy number. This study demonstrates that the AgNPs are capable of inhibiting GTPV replication in vitro.

Ameliorative effect of selenium yeast in combination with pioglitazone on diabetes outcomes in streptozotocin-induced.

Anti-diabetic therapies possess many side effects; thus, searching for alternative strategies with low cost, minimal side effects, and high therapeutic value is very important. The present study aimed to explore the combined use of selenium yeast (SY) and standard anti-diabetic drug pioglitazone (PGZ) for diabetes mellitus (DM) treatment in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM. STZ was injected daily intraperitoneally with a low dose (40 mg/kg) into Sprague-Dawley rats to induce DM. The synergistic effect of the SY (0.2 mg/kg) and PGZ (0.65 mg/kg) on DM complications was evaluated after 88 weeks of treatment. The impact of our medication on glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, lipid abnormalities, oxidative mediators, and inflammatory markers was assessed by biochemical techniques. STZ-induced diabetes has toxic effects, including toxic hepatic tissues, lipid disturbances, massive oxidative damage, and hyperinflammation. Experimental rats either treated with monotherapy alone or combined therapy resulted in a significant anti-diabetic effect. The PGZ+ SY combination has the best effect, as illustrated by significant (P < 0.05) decreases in fasting blood glucose, (FBG) insulin, HbA1c, and HOMA-IR levels. This combination attenuated (P < 0.05) lipid disturbances and their associated elevated atherogenicity biomarkers. At the same time, treatments with PGZ+ SY exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect as they ameliorated the increase in inflammatory parameters (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6). Also, it restored the total antioxidant capacity and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARƔ) levels that were decreased by STZ-DM induction. In conclusion, this study finds PGZ+ SY as a promising DM therapeutic alternative. This synergistic combination alleviates most DM-related complications and insulin resistance.