Natural products attenuate PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway: A promising strategy in regulating neurodegeneration.

BACKGROUND: As common, progressive, and chronic causes of disability and death, neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) significantly threaten human health, while no effective treatment is available. Given the engagement of multiple dysregulated pathways in neurodegeneration, there is an imperative need to target the axis and provide effective/multi-target agents to tackle neurodegeneration. Recent studies have revealed the role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in some diseases and natural products with therapeutic potentials. PURPOSE: This is the first systematic and comprehensive review on the role of plant-derived secondary metabolites in managing and/or treating various neuronal disorders via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A systematic and comprehensive review was done based on the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane electronic databases. Two independent investigators followed the PRISMA guidelines and included papers on PI3K/Akt/mTOR and interconnected pathways/mediators targeted by phytochemicals in NDDs. RESULTS: Natural products are multi-target agents with diverse pharmacological and biological activities and rich sources for discovering and developing novel therapeutic agents. Accordingly, recent studies have shown increasing phytochemicals in combating Alzheimer's disease, aging, Parkinson's disease, brain/spinal cord damages, depression, and other neuronal-associated dysfunctions. Amongst the emerging targets in neurodegeneration, PI3K/Akt/mTOR is of great importance. Therefore, attenuation of these mediators would be a great step towards neuroprotection in such NDDs. CONCLUSION: The application of plant-derived secondary metabolites in managing and/or treating various neuronal disorders through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway is a promising strategy towards neuroprotection.

Tribulus terrestris and female reproductive system health: A comprehensive review.

BACKGROUND: Tribulus terrestris L. (T. terrestris) positive performance on the male sexual system has been confirmed, but little is known about its effects on the female reproductive system. PURPOSE: This review discussed in detail the beneficial impact of T. terrestris and its secondary metabolites on the female reproductive system. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: In this review, the scientific Databases of Science direct, Pubmed, Web of Science, Google, Google Scholar, Researchgate, EMBASE, Scientific Information (SID), and Elsevier were searched profoundly. Studies about the pharmacological activities of T. terrestris on the female reproductive system in each aspect of investigations: human, in vivo, and in vitro studies, in the period from 1998 to 2020 were admitted. Our study was not limited by the language of publications. RESULTS: 23 articles about the effects of T. terrestris on the female reproductive system were found. These studies approved the T. terrestris efficacy on improvements in histological features of the ovary and uterus of polycystic ovary syndrome patients as well as the well-working of normal ovaries, enhancements in the sexual desire of postmenopausal syndrome, improve ovarian and breast cancers. CONCLUSION: These studies showed that the positive effect of T. terrestris on the female reproductive system was due to the presence of a secondary metabolite called protodioscin; a steroidal saponin compound, as the dominant active component of this plant.