A comprehensive systematic review of the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of action of quercetin in sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Several studies have indicated that flavonoids exhibit a wide variety of biological actions including free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities. Quercetin, one of the most extensively distributed flavonoids in the vegetables and fruits, presents various biological activities including modulation of oxidative stress, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities. METHODS: The present systematic review was conducted according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statements. We searched Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases up to February 2021 by using the relevant keywords. RESULTS: Out of 672 records screened, 35 articles met the study criteria. The evidence reviewed here indicates that quercetin supplementation may exert beneficial effects on sepsis by attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress, downregulating the mRNA expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs), modulating the immune response, and alleviating sepsis-related organ dysfunctions. CONCLUSION: Due to the promising therapeutic effects of quercetin on sepsis complications and the lack of clinical trials in this regard, future human randomized clinical trials are warranted.

The efficacy of vaginal suppository based on myrtle in patients with cervicovaginal human papillomavirus infection: A randomized, double-blind, placebo trial.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) can be detected in most of cervical cancers. Due to antiviral, antimutagenic, and proapoptotic activities of myrtle, this study was designed to investigate the effect of a herbal suppository based on myrtle in cervicovaginal HPV infections. This study was performed as a double-blind randomized trial at the Clinic of Traditional Medicine in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences between 2016 and 2017. Sixty women, 18 to 50 years old, with cervicovaginal HPV infection, were included and randomly allocated to two groups. Sixty placebo or herbal vaginal suppositories were prescribed for 3 months (20 suppositories at each menstrual cycle). Each herbal vaginal suppository contained 10% of myrtle aqueous extract and 0.5% of myrtle essential oil. The HPV test and colposcopic findings were evaluated after treatment. There was no difference between two groups as regards lesion site, diagnosis time of disease, and HPV type before intervention (p ≥ 0.05). At the end of the study, the HPV test was negative in 92.6% and 62.6% of the intervention and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.036). The change in cervical lesion size was 71.4% and 30.4% in the intervention and placebo groups, respectively, based on colposcopic findings (p = 0.015). It seems that herbal suppository can speed up virus clearance and can be effective in treating HPV infection.

Therapeutic potential of novel formulated forms of curcumin in the treatment of breast cancer by the targeting of cellular and physiological dysregulated pathways.

Breast cancer is among the most important causes of cancer related death in women. There is a need for novel agents for targeting key signaling pathways to either improve the efficacy of the current therapy, or reduce toxicity. There is some evidence that curcumin may have antitumor activity in breast cancer. Several clinical trials have investigated its activity in patients with breast cancer, including a recent trial in breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy, in whom it was shown that curcumin reduced the severity of radiation dermatitis, although it is associated with low bioavailability. Several approaches have been developed to increase its absorption rate (e.g., nano crystals, liposomes, polymers, and micelles) and co-delivery of curcumin with adjuvants as well as different conjugation to enhance its bioavailability. In particular, micro-emulsions is an option for transdermal curcumin delivery, which has been reported to increase its absorption. Lipid-based nano-micelles is another approach to enhance curcumin absorption via gastrointestinal tract, while polymer-based nano-formulations (e.g., poly D, L-lactic-co-glycolic [PLGA]) allows the release of curcumin at a sustained level. This review summarizes the current data of the therapeutic potential of novel formulations of curcumin with particular emphasis on recent preclinical and clinical studies in the treatment of breast cancer.

Inhibitory and Cytotoxic Activities of Chrysin on Human Breast Adenocarcinoma Cells by Induction of Apoptosis.

OBJECTIVES: Chrysin, an active natural bioflavonoid found in honey and many plant extracts, was first known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The fact that antioxidants have several inhibitory effects against different diseases, such as cancer, led to search for food rich in antioxidants. In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of chrysin on the cultured human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium and treated with different chrysin concentrations for three consecutive days. Cell viability was quantitated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by flow cytometry using Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate. RESULTS: The MTT assay showed that chrysin had an antiproliferative effect on MCF-7 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The 50% cell growth inhibition values for chrysin against MCF-7 cells were 19.5 and 9.2 µM after 48 and 72 h, respectively. Chrysin induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells as determined by flow cytometry. Chrysin inhibits the growth of the breast cancer cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosis which may, in part, explain its anticancer activity. CONCLUSION: This study shows that chrysin could also be considered as a promising chemotherapeutic agent and anticancer activity in treatment of the breast cancer cells in future. SUMMARY: Chrysin had an antiproliferative effect on human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) cells in a dose- and time-dependent mannerChrysin induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, as determined by flow cytometryChrysin inhibits the growth of the breast cancer cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosisChrysin may have anticancer activity. Abbreviations used: Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), normal fibroblast mouse (L929).