Smart Physicochemical-triggered Chitosan-based Nanogels for siRNA Delivery and Gene Therapy: A Focus on Emerging Strategies and Paradigms for Cancer Therapy.

Cancer therapy has seen significant advancements in recent years, with the emergence of RNA interference (RNAi) as a promising strategy for targeted gene silencing. However, the successful delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to cancer cells remains a challenge. Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) can be derived from the natural polysaccharide chitin sources. CSNPs have gained considerable attention as a potential solution to encapsulate siRNA due to their biocompatibility, and biodegradability. This article explores the application of CSNPs for siRNA delivery in cancer therapy. Firstly, it discusses the significance of siRNA in gene regulation and highlights its potential to selectively silence oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, making it a powerful tool in cancer treatment. The obstacles associated with effective siRNA delivery, such as degradation by nucleases and poor cellular uptake, are also addressed. Next, the focus shifts to the unique properties of CSNPs that make them attractive for siRNA delivery. The discussion revolves around how chitosan can interact electrostatically with siRNA to create stable complexes, as well as the controlled release of siRNA from CSNPs. This controlled release ensures sustained and efficient delivery of siRNA to cancer cells, maximizing therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, the biocompatibility and biodegradability of CSNPs make them ideal for in vivo applications. Different approaches to modifying and functionalizing surfaces are investigated by emphasizing on enhancement of stability and targeting abilities of CSNPs in cancer treatment. Registered trials for CS and siRNA are summarized, along with ongoing investigations into various applications of chitosan in medical treatments. Overall, the application of CSNPs in siRNA delivery for cancer therapy holds great promise and offers a potential solution to overcome the challenges associated with RNAi-based treatments. Continued advancements in this field will likely lead to improved targeted therapies with reduced side effects, ultimately benefitting cancer patients worldwide.

Lipid-Based Nanocarriers for Targeted Gene Delivery in Lung Cancer Therapy: Exploring a Novel Therapeutic Paradigm.

Lung cancer is a significant cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It can be broadly categorised into small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Surgical intervention, radiation therapy, and the administration of chemotherapeutic medications are among the current treatment modalities. However, the application of chemotherapy may be limited in more advanced stages of metastasis due to the potential for adverse effects and a lack of cell selectivity. Although small-molecule anticancer treatments have demonstrated effectiveness, they still face several challenges. The challenges at hand in this context comprise insufficient solubility in water, limited bioavailability at specific sites, adverse effects, and the requirement for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors that are genetically tailored. Bio-macromolecular drugs, including small interfering RNA (siRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA), are susceptible to degradation when exposed to the bodily fluids of humans, which can reduce stability and concentration. In this context, nanoscale delivery technologies are utilised. These agents offer encouraging prospects for the preservation and regulation of pharmaceutical substances, in addition to improving the solubility and stability of medications. Nanocarrier-based systems possess the notable advantage of facilitating accurate and sustained drug release, as opposed to traditional systemic methodologies. The primary focus of scientific investigation has been to augment the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles composed of lipids. Numerous nanoscale drug delivery techniques have been implemented to treat various respiratory ailments, such as lung cancer. These technologies have exhibited the potential to mitigate the limitations associated with conventional therapy. As an illustration, applying nanocarriers may enhance the solubility of small-molecule anticancer drugs and prevent the degradation of bio-macromolecular drugs. Furthermore, these devices can administer medications in a controlled and extended fashion, thereby augmenting the therapeutic intervention's effectiveness and reducing adverse reactions. However, despite these promising results, challenges remain that must be addressed. Multiple factors necessitate consideration when contemplating the application of nanoparticles in medical interventions. To begin with, the advancement of more efficient delivery methods is imperative. In addition, a comprehensive investigation into the potential toxicity of nanoparticles is required. Finally, additional research is needed to comprehend these treatments' enduring ramifications. Despite these challenges, the field of nanomedicine demonstrates considerable promise in enhancing the therapy of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.

Stimuli-sensitive Chitosan-based Nanosystems-immobilized Nucleic Acids for Gene Therapy in Breast Cancer and Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Chitosan-based nanoparticles have emerged as a promising tool in the realm of cancer therapy, particularly for gene delivery. With cancer being a prevalent and devastating disease, finding effective treatment options is of utmost importance. These nanoparticles provide a unique solution by encapsulating specific genes and delivering them directly to cancer cells, offering immense potential for targeted therapy. The biocompatibility and biodegradability of chitosan, a naturally derived polymer, make it an ideal candidate for this purpose. The nanoparticles protect the genetic material during transportation and enhance its cellular uptake, ensuring effective delivery to the site of action. Furthermore, the unique properties of chitosan-based nanoparticles allow for the controlled release of genes, maximizing their therapeutic effect while minimizing adverse effects. By advancing the field of gene therapy through the use of chitosan-based nanoparticles, scientists are making significant strides toward more humane and personalized treatments for cancer patients.

pH/ Temperature/ Redox and Light-responsive Polymersome Structure and Application in Cancer Therapy: Smart Drug Delivery and Targeted Drug Release.

Improvements in cancer treatment are largely influenced by more people knowing about it and developing new ways to diagnose and treat it. New methods such as nanotheranostics and the use of tiny particles have greatly improved the diagnosis, control and treatment of cancer. They have also helped overcome problems with traditional treatments. Nanotheranostics contribute to personalized medicine by helping doctors choose the right treatment, track how well the treatment works, and plan future treatments. Polymers have many advantages as smart or durable drug formulations among small therapeutic platforms. These small sacks, which can be used for drug delivery and imaging, are not harmful to natural tissues and are becoming more popular. Scientists have found a special group of tiny particles made of polymers that can carry active ingredients. These particles show the potential of creating a useful platform for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases on a very small scale. In the past ten years, people have become more interested in polymersomes. They have been used for various medical purposes, such as controlling blood sugar, treating cancer and fighting bacteria. Polymers are stronger and more stable than liposomes. Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers are very important for faster translation and creation of useful medical formulations. Recent progress in this field includes the creation of intelligent, centralized and responsive containers. In this review, we will examine and provide information about polymersomes. We will discuss their properties and how they can be used as drug delivery systems.

Quantum Dots in Cancer Theranostics: A Thorough Review of Recent Advancements in Bioimaging, Tracking, and Therapy across Various Cancer Types.

Quantum dots (QDs) have attracted considerable interest due to their potential applications and economic viability in various industrial sectors, such as communications, displays, and solar cells. This fascination originates from the quantum size effect-induced remarkable optical properties exhibited by QDs. In recent years, significant progress has been made in producing QDs devoid of cadmium, known to be toxic to cells and living organisms. These QDs have generated considerable interest in bioimaging due to their potential for targeting molecules and cells. There is a developing need for diagnostics and therapy at the individual molecule and single-cell level in the medical field. As a result, the application of QDs in the medical industry is gaining momentum. This study provides an overview of the most recent developments in applying QDs for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, also known as theranostics. It emphasizes specifically the use of QDs in cancer therapy.

Smart Nanobiomaterials for Gene Delivery in Localized Cancer Therapy: An Overview from Emerging Materials and Devices to Clinical Applications.

Researchers in various fields continue to discover improved ways of local delivery of drugs to specific locations and try to increase the efficiency of these methods. Extensive research has been done on smart nano-biomaterials for drug delivery systems (DDS) in different dimensions. With the advancement of biomedical nanotechnology, conventional smart DDS with stimuli- responsive capability has been developed. Smart nano-biomaterials can respond to environmental changes caused by endogenous or exogenous elements: endogenous factors such as environmental pH, temperature gradient, enzymes, oxidation, and reduction potential. As well as exogenous factors, including light radiation, ultrasound, electric and magnetic fields. Currently, smart DDSs count as a major category in DDS and disease treatment. Currently, smart DDS are of great interest in drug delivery and treatment of diseases. With the improvements in gene and protein therapy, new methods have been presented to treat diseases without effective conventional treatment, especially cancer. Finally, the use of nanoparticles expanded due to the need for appropriate gene and protein delivery systems. This review discusses the advantages of protein and gene therapy, their challenges, and gene and protein delivery systems with nanoparticle-based delivery.

A review of DNA nanoparticles-encapsulated drug/gene/protein for advanced controlled drug release: Current status and future perspective over emerging therapy approaches.

In the last ten years, the field of nanomedicine has experienced significant progress in creating novel drug delivery systems (DDSs). An effective strategy involves employing DNA nanoparticles (NPs) as carriers to encapsulate drugs, genes, or proteins, facilitating regulated drug release. This abstract examines the utilization of DNA NPs and their potential applications in strategies for controlled drug release. Researchers have utilized the distinctive characteristics of DNA molecules, including their ability to self-assemble and their compatibility with living organisms, to create NPs specifically for the purpose of delivering drugs. The DNA NPs possess numerous benefits compared to conventional drug carriers, such as exceptional stability, adjustable dimensions and structure, and convenient customization. Researchers have successfully achieved a highly efficient encapsulation of different therapeutic agents by carefully designing their structure and composition. This advancement enables precise and targeted delivery of drugs. The incorporation of drugs, genes, or proteins into DNA NPs provides notable advantages in terms of augmenting therapeutic effectiveness while reducing adverse effects. DNA NPs serve as a protective barrier for the enclosed payloads, preventing their degradation and extending their duration in the body. The protective effect is especially vital for delicate biologics, such as proteins or gene-based therapies that could otherwise be vulnerable to enzymatic degradation or quick elimination. Moreover, the surface of DNA NPs can be altered to facilitate specific targeting towards particular tissues or cells, thereby augmenting the accuracy of delivery. A significant benefit of DNA NPs is their capacity to regulate the kinetics of drug release. Through the manipulation of the DNA NPs structure, scientists can regulate the rate at which the enclosed cargo is released, enabling a prolonged and regulated dispensation of medication. This control is crucial for medications with limited therapeutic ranges or those necessitating uninterrupted administration to attain optimal therapeutic results. In addition, DNA NPs have the ability to react to external factors, including alterations in temperature, pH, or light, which can initiate the release of the payload at precise locations or moments. This feature enhances the precision of drug release control. The potential uses of DNA NPs in the controlled release of medicines are extensive. The NPs have the ability to transport various therapeutic substances, for example, drugs, peptides, NAs (NAs), and proteins. They exhibit potential for the therapeutic management of diverse ailments, including cancer, genetic disorders, and infectious diseases. In addition, DNA NPs can be employed for targeted drug delivery, traversing biological barriers, and surpassing the constraints of conventional drug administration methods.

Liposomal Nano-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Breast Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances and Progresses.

Breast cancer is a highly prevalent disease on a global scale, with a 30% incidence rate among women and a 14% mortality rate. Developing countries bear a disproportionate share of the disease burden, while countries with greater technological advancements exhibit a higher incidence. A mere 7% of women under the age of 40 are diagnosed with breast cancer, and the prevalence of this ailment is significantly diminished among those aged 35 and younger. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical intervention comprise the treatment protocol. However, the ongoing quest for a definitive cure for breast cancer continues. The propensity for cancer stem cells to metastasize and resistance to treatment constitute their Achilles' heel. The advancement of drug delivery techniques that target cancer cells specifically holds significant promise in terms of facilitating timely detection and effective intervention. Novel approaches to pharmaceutical delivery, including nanostructures and liposomes, may bring about substantial changes in the way breast cancer is managed. These systems offer a multitude of advantages, such as heightened bioavailability, enhanced solubility, targeted tumor destruction, and diminished adverse effects. The application of nano-drug delivery systems to administer anti-breast cancer medications is a significant subject of research. This article delves into the domain of breast cancer, conventional treatment methods, the incorporation of nanotechnology into managerial tactics, and strategic approaches aimed at tackling the disease at its core.

Reduction of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity by Co-Administration of Smart Liposomal Doxorubicin and Free Quercetin: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies.

Doxorubicin is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents; however, it has various side effects, such as cardiotoxicity. Therefore, novel methods are needed to reduce its adverse effects. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid with many biological activities. Liposomes are lipid-based carriers widely used in medicine for drug delivery. In this study, liposomal doxorubicin with favorable characteristics was designed and synthesized by the thin-film method, and its physicochemical properties were investigated by different laboratory techniques. Then, the impact of the carrier, empty liposomes, free doxorubicin, liposomal doxorubicin, and quercetin were analyzed in animal models. To evaluate the interventions, measurements of cardiac enzymes, oxidative stress and antioxidant markers, and protein expression were performed, as well as histopathological studies. Additionally, cytotoxicity assay and cellular uptake were carried out on H9c2 cells. The mean size of the designed liposomes was 98.8 nm, and the encapsulation efficiency (EE%) was about 85%. The designed liposomes were anionic and pH-sensitive and had a controlled release pattern with excellent stability. Co-administration of liposomal doxorubicin with free quercetin to rats led to decreased weight loss, creatine kinase (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malondialdehyde (MDA), while it increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase enzymes in their left ventricles. Additionally, it changed the expression of NOX1, Rac1, Rac1-GTP, SIRT3, and Bcl-2 proteins, and caused tissue injury and cell cytotoxicity. Our data showed that interventions can increase antioxidant capacity, reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis in heart tissue, and lead to fewer complications. Overall, the use of liposomal doxorubicin alone or the co-administration of free doxorubicin with free quercetin showed promising results.

Dual targeting of TGF-ß and PD-L1 inhibits tumor growth in TGF-ß/PD-L1-driven colorectal carcinoma.

Immunosuppressive factors within the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), constitute a crucial hindrance to immunotherapeutic approaches in colorectal cancer (CRC). Furthermore, immune checkpoint factors (e.g., programmed death-ligand 1 [PD-L1]) inhibit T-cell proliferation and activation. To cope with the inhibitory effect of immune checkpoints, the therapeutic value of dual targeting PD-L1 and TGF-ß pathways via M7824 plus 5-FU in CRC has been evaluated. Integrative-systems biology approaches and RNAseq were used to assess the differential level of genes associated with 88 metastatic-CRC patients. The level of PD-L1 and TGF-ß was evaluated in a validation cohort. The anti-proliferative, migratory, and apoptotic effects of PD-L1/TGF-ß inhibitor, M7824, were assessed by MTT, wound-healing assay, and flow cytometry. Anti-tumor activity was assessed in a xenograft model, followed by biochemical studies and histological staining, and gene/protein expression analyses by RT-PCR and ELISA/IHC. The result of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis showed 1268 upregulated and 1074 downregulated genes in CRC patients. Among the highest scoring genes and dysregulated pathways associated with CRC, PD-L1, and TGF-ß were identified and further validated in 92 CRC patients. Targeting of PD-L1-TGF-ß inhibited cell growth and migration, associated with modulation of CyclinD1 and MMP9. Furthermore, M7824 inhibited tumor growth via targeting TGF-ß and PD-L1 pathways, resulting in modulation of inflammatory response and fibrosis via TNF-α/IL6/CD4-8 and COL1A1/1A2, respectively. In conclusion, our data illustrated that co-targeting PD-L1 and TGF-ß pathways increased the effect of Fluorouracil (5-FU) and reduced the tumor growth in PD-L1/TGF-ß expressing tumors, providing a new therapeutic option in the treatment of CRC.

Prospects and challenges of synergistic effect of fluorescent carbon dots, liposomes and nanoliposomes for theragnostic applications.

The future of molecular-level therapy, efficient medical diagnosis, and drug delivery relies on the effective theragnostic function which can be achieved by the synergistic effect of fluorescent carbon dots (FCDs) liposomes (L) and nanoliposomes. FCDs act as the excipient navigation agent while liposomes play the role of the problem-solving agent, thus the term "theragnostic" would describe the effect of LFCDs properly. Liposomes and FCDs share some excellent at-tributes such as being nontoxic and biodegradable and they can represent a potent delivery system for pharmaceutical compounds. They enhance the therapeutic efficacy of drugs via stabilizing the encapsulated material by circumventing barriers to cellular and tissue uptake. These agents facilitate long-term drug biodistribution to the intended locations of action while eliminating systemic side effects. This manuscript reviews recent progress with liposomes, nanoliposomes (collectively known as lipid vesicles) and fluorescent carbon dots, by exploring their key characteristics, applications, characterization, performance, and challenges. An extensive and intensive understanding of the synergistic interaction between liposomes and FCDs sets out a new research pathway to an efficient and theragnostic / theranostic drug delivery and targeting diseases such as cancer.

Biological and thermodynamic stabilization of lipid-based delivery systems through natural biopolymers; controlled release and molecular dynamics simulations.

Nowadays, the use of lipid-based nanocarriers for the targeted and controlled delivery of a variety of hydrophobic and hydrophilic bioactive-compounds and drugs has increased significantly. However, challenges such as thermodynamic instability, oxidation, and degradation of lipid membranes, as well as the unintended release of loaded compounds, have limited the use of these systems in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, the present study reviews the latest achievements in evaluating the characteristics, production methods, challenges, functional, and biological stabilization strategies of lipid-based carriers (including changes in formulation composition, structural modification, membrane-rigidity, and finally monolayer or multilayer coating with biopolymers) in different conditions, as well as molecular dynamics simulations. The scientists' findings indicate the effect of natural biopolymers (such as chitosan, calcium alginate, pectin, dextran, xanthan, caseins, gelatin, whey-proteins, zein, and etc.) in modifying the external structure of lipid-based carriers, improving thermodynamic stability and resistance of membranes to physicochemical and mechanical tensions. However, depending on the type of bioactive compound as well as the design and production goals of the delivery-system, selecting the appropriate biopolymer has a significant impact on the stability of vesicles and maintaining the bioaccessibility of the loaded-compounds due to the stresses caused by the storage-conditions, formulation, processing and gastrointestinal tract.

An Overview of Potential Natural Photosensitizers in Cancer Photodynamic Therapy.

Cancer is one of the main causes of death worldwide. There are several different types of cancer recognized thus far, which can be treated by different approaches including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or a combination thereof. However, these approaches have certain drawbacks and limitations. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is regarded as an alternative noninvasive approach for cancer treatment based on the generation of toxic oxygen (known as reactive oxygen species (ROS)) at the treatment site. PDT requires photoactivation by a photosensitizer (PS) at a specific wavelength (λ) of light in the vicinity of molecular oxygen (singlet oxygen). The cell death mechanisms adopted in PDT upon PS photoactivation are necrosis, apoptosis and stimulation of the immune system. Over the past few decades, the use of natural compounds as a photoactive agent for the selective eradication of neoplastic lesions has attracted researchers' attention. Many reviews have focused on the PS cell death mode of action and photonanomedicine approaches for PDT, while limited attention has been paid to the photoactivation of phytocompounds. Photoactivation is ever-present in nature and also found in natural plant compounds. The availability of various laser light setups can play a vital role in the discovery of photoactive phytocompounds that can be used as a natural PS. Exploring phytocompounds for their photoactive properties could reveal novel natural compounds that can be used as a PS in future pharmaceutical research. In this review, we highlight the current research regarding several photoactive phytocompound classes (furanocoumarins, alkaloids, poly-acetylenes and thiophenes, curcumins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and natural extracts) and their photoactive potential to encourage researchers to focus on studies of natural agents and their use as a potent PS to enhance the efficiency of PDT.

Potential micro-/nano-encapsulation systems for improving stability and bioavailability of anthocyanins: An updated review.

Anthocyanins (ACNs) are notable hydrophilic compounds that belong to the flavonoid family, which are available in plants. They have excellent antioxidants, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer activity, and so on. Furthermore, ACNs can be used as a natural dye in the food industry (food colorant). On the other hand, the stability of ACNs can be affected by processing and storage conditions, for example, pH, temperature, light, oxygen, enzymes, and so on. These factors further reduce the bioavailability (BA) and biological efficacy of ACNs, as well as limit ACNs application in both food and pharmaceutics field. The stability and BA of ACNs can be improved via loading them in encapsulation systems including nanoemulsions, liposomes, niosomes, biopolymer-based nanoparticles, nanogel, complex coacervates, and tocosomes. Among all systems, biopolymer-based nanoparticles, nanohydrogels, and complex coacervates are comparatively suitable for improving the stability and BA of ACNs. These three systems have excellent functional properties such as high encapsulation efficiency and well-stable against unfavorable conditions. Furthermore, these carrier systems can be used for coating of other encapsulation systems (such as liposome). Additionally, tocosomes are a new system that can be used for encapsulating ACNs. ACNs-loaded encapsulation systems can improve the stability and BA of ACNs. However, further studies regarding stability, BA, and in vivo work of ACNs-loaded micro/nano-encapsulation systems could shed a light to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy including physicochemical stability, target mechanisms, cellular internalization, and release kinetics.

Effects of Concentration and Heating/Cooling Rate on Rheological Behavior of Sesamum indicum Seed Hydrocolloid.

Hydrocolloids are known as natural hydrophilic biopolymers that can contribute viscosity and gelation in solution, as well as nutritional benefits, thus, they are widely used in the food industry. In our work, hydrocolloid was isolated by aqueous extraction of Sesamum indicum seed at 80 °C and pH 8.0. The chemical composition and functional properties of Sesamum indicum seed hydrocolloid (SISH) were characterized, and the effects of concentration including 1%, 2%, and 3% as well as heating/cooling rate (1, 5, and 10 °C/min) on the rheological behavior of SISH dispersions in aqueous solution were investigated. The viscoelastic properties of SISH dispersions were characterized by small-amplitude oscillatory shear measurement. The resultant SISH consisted of 60.95% carbohydrate and 23.32% protein, and was thus endowed with a relatively high water-holding capacity, solubility, appropriate emulsifying and foaming properties. Rheological results revealed that the aqueous dispersion of SISH exhibited a non-Newtonian shear-thinning flow behavior. The viscoelastic moduli changes were found to be dependent on SISH concentration, temperature, and heating/cooling rate. Increasing SISH concentrations from 1% to 3% promoted the development of stronger cross-link network. The mechanical spectra derived from strain and frequency sweep measurements showed that the storage moduli were always higher than the loss moduli, and the loss tangent was calculated to be above 0.1 and below 1.0. Furthermore, both moduli had slight frequency dependency, and the complex viscosity exhibited an almost linear reduction with the increase of frequency. Therefore, SISH dispersion behaved as a weak gel-like system. The hysteresis of viscoelastic moduli during heating and cooling reduced with decreasing the heating-cooling rates from 10 to 1 °C/min, suggesting that SISH molecules had enough time to develop a stable and thermally irreversible network. Overall, SISH can be regarded as an acceptable hydrocolloid for generating natural food components with intriguing functional and rheological qualities in the formulation of microstructured goods.

Interaction of Epigallocatechin Gallate and Quercetin with Spike Glycoprotein (S-Glycoprotein) of SARS-CoV-2: In Silico Study.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 from the family Coronaviridae is the cause of the outbreak of severe pneumonia, known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was first recognized in 2019. Various potential antiviral drugs have been presented to hinder SARS-CoV-2 or treat COVID-19 disease. Side effects of these drugs are among the main complicated issues for patients. Natural compounds, specifically primary and secondary herbal metabolites, may be considered as alternative options to provide therapeutic activity and reduce cytotoxicity. Phenolic materials such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, polyphenol) and quercetin have shown antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, in this study, molecular docking was applied to measure the docking property of epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin towards the transmembrane spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. Results of the present study showed Vina scores of -9.9 and -8.3 obtained for EGCG and quercetin by CB-Dock. In the case of EGCG, four hydrogen bonds of OG1, OD2, O3, and O13 atoms interacted with the Threonine (THR778) and Aspartic acid (ASP867) amino acids of the spike glycoprotein (6VSB). According to these results, epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin can be considered potent therapeutic compounds for addressing viral diseases.

Efficacy and Safety of Ferrous Bisglycinate and Folinic Acid in the Control of Iron Deficiency in Pregnant Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Iron deficiency in pregnancy is a major public health problem that causes maternal complications. The objective of this randomized, controlled trial was to examine the bioavailability, efficacy, and safety of oral ferrous bisglycinate plus folinic acid supplementation in pregnant women with iron deficiency. Subjects (12−16 weeks of gestation, n = 120) were randomly allocated to receive oral iron as ferrous bisglycinate (equiv. iron 24 mg) in supplement form with folinic acid and multivitamins (test group, n = 60) or as ferrous fumarate (equiv. iron 66 mg iron, control group, n = 60) after breakfast daily. Iron absorption was assessed by measuring fasted serum iron levels at 1 and 2 h immediately after supplementation. Hematological biomarkers and iron status were assessed before intervention, and at 3 and 6 months. Side effects were monitored throughout the intervention. A significant increase in serum iron was seen in both groups (p < 0.001) during the bioavailability assessment; however, the test group increases were comparatively higher than the control values at each timepoint (p < 0.001). Similarly, both test and control groups demonstrated a statistically significant increases in hemoglobin (Hb) (p < 0.001), erythrocytes (p < 0.001), reticulocytes (p < 0.001), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (p < 0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (p < 0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p < 0.001), % transferrin saturation (p < 0.001), and ferritin (p < 0.001) at 3 and 6 months after supplementation. However, in all cases, the test group increases were numerically larger than the control group increases at each timepoint. The test intervention was also associated with significantly fewer reports of nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, or metallic taste (p < 0.001). In conclusion, ferrous bisglycinate with folinic acid as a multivitamin nutraceutical format is comparable to standard ferrous fumarate for the clinical management of iron deficiency during pregnancy, with comparatively better absorption, tolerability, and efficacy and with a lower elemental iron dosage.