A multifunctional cellulose- and starch-based composite hydrogel with iron-modified biochar particles for enhancing microalgae growth.

A multifunctional polysaccharide-based hydrogel was studied as an additive for enhancing microalgae growth. The hydrogel was fabricated by physically and chemically crosslinking renewable ingredients of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), arrowroot starch, and activated biochar modified with iron using a bio-crosslinker of oxidized sucrose and a plasticizer of glycerol. The optimum formula for the hydrogel with a high swelling ratio, BET surface area, and electrical conductivity was found to include 1 g starch, 3 g CMC, 1.5 g biochar, 15 mL oxidized sucrose, and 1.5 mL glycerol in 200 mL deionized water. The algal yield and cell concentration after 14 days of growth in a Bold basal medium with an optimum concentration of 2.5 g hydrogel/L increased by 65.7 % and 92.2 %, respectively, compared to those of the control without the hydrogel. However, if the hydrogel concentration in the culture increased to 12.5 g/L, the algal yield was decreased by 67.8 % compared to the control due to oxidative injury. The hydrogel additive could significantly increase the nitrogen but decrease the carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur contents of the microalgae. The algal yield with 2.5 g/L hydrogel additive improved by 13.9 % compared to the algal yield with the same amounts of individual non-crosslinked hydrogel ingredients.

Dietary supplements, vitamins and minerals as potential interventions against viruses: Perspectives for COVID-19.

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causing COVID-19 disease pandemic has infected millions of people and caused more than thousands of deaths in many countries across the world. The number of infected cases is increasing day by day. Unfortunately, we do not have a vaccine and specific treatment for it. Along with the protective measures, respiratory and/or circulatory supports and some antiviral and retroviral drugs have been used against SARS-CoV-2, but there are no more extensive studies proving their efficacy. In this study, the latest publications in the field have been reviewed, focusing on the modulatory effects on the immunity of some natural antiviral dietary supplements, vitamins and minerals. Findings suggest that several dietary supplements, including black seeds, garlic, ginger, cranberry, orange, omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins (e.g., A, B vitamins, C, D, E), and minerals (e.g., Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Se, Zn) have anti-viral effects. Many of them act against various species of respiratory viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronaviruses. Therefore, dietary supplements, including vitamins and minerals, probiotics as well as individual nutritional behaviour can be used as adjuvant therapy together with antiviral medicines in the management of COVID-19 disease.

Hesperetin's health potential: moving from preclinical to clinical evidence and bioavailability issues, to upcoming strategies to overcome current limitations.

Flavonoids are common in the plant kingdom and many of them have shown a wide spectrum of bioactive properties. Hesperetin (Hst), the aglycone form of hesperidin, is a great example, and is the most abundant flavonoid found in Citrus plants. This review aims to provide an overview on the in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies reporting the Hst pharmacological effects and to discuss the bioavailability-related issues. Preclinical studies have shown promising effects on cancer, cardiovascular diseases, carbohydrate dysregulation, bone health, and other pathologies. Clinical studies have supported the Hst promissory effects as cardioprotective and neuroprotective agent. However, further well-designed clinical trials are needed to address the other Hst effects observed in preclinical trials, as well as to a more in-depth understanding of its safety profile.

Cinnamomum Species: Bridging Phytochemistry Knowledge, Pharmacological Properties and Toxicological Safety for Health Benefits.

The genus Cinnamomum includes a number of plant species largely used as food, food additives and spices for a long time. Different traditional healing systems have used these plants as herbal remedies to cure diverse ailments. The aim of this comprehensive and updated review is to summarize the biodiversity of the genus Cinnamomum, its bioactive compounds, the mechanisms that underlie the pharmacological activities and molecular targets and toxicological safety. All the data in this review have been collected from databases and recent scientific literature including Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect etc. The results showed that the bioactive compounds of Cinnamomum species possess antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and neuroprotective effects. The preclinical (in vitro/in vivo) studies provided the possible molecular mechanisms of these action. As a novelty, recent clinical studies and toxicological data described in this paper support and confirm the pharmacological importance of the genus Cinnamomum. In conclusion, the obtained results from preclinical studies and clinical trials, as well as reduced side effects provide insights into future research of new drugs based on extracts and bioactive compounds from Cinnamomum plants.

Three Selected Edible Crops of the Genus Momordica as Potential Sources of Phytochemicals: Biochemical, Nutritional, and Medicinal Values.

Momordica species (Family Cucurbitaceae) are cultivated throughout the world for their edible fruits, leaves, shoots and seeds. Among the species of the genus Momordica, there are three selected species that are used as vegetable, and for medicinal purposes, Momordica charantia L (Bitter melon), Momordica foetida Schumach (Bitter cucumber) and Momordica balsamina L (African pumpkin). The fruits and leaves of these Momordica species are rich in primary and secondary metabolites such as proteins, fibers, minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc), ß-carotene, foliate, ascorbic acid, among others. The extracts from Momordica species are used for the treatment of a variety of diseases and ailments in traditional medicine. Momordica species extracts are reputed to possess anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anthelmintic bioactivity, abortifacient, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and play chemo-preventive functions. In this review we summarize the biochemical, nutritional, and medicinal values of three Momordica species (M. charantia, M. foetida and M. balsamina) as promising and innovative sources of natural bioactive compounds for future pharmaceutical usage.

Nigella Plants - Traditional Uses, Bioactive Phytoconstituents, Preclinical and Clinical Studies.

Nigella is a small genus of the family Ranunculaceae, which includes some popular species due to their culinary and medicinal properties, especially in Eastern Europe, Middle East, Western, and Central Asia. Therefore, this review covers the traditional uses and phytochemical composition of Nigella and, in particular, Nigella sativa. The pharmacological studies reported in vitro, in vivo, and in humans have also been reviewed. One of the main strength of the use of Nigella is that the seeds are rich in the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid and provide an extra-source of dietary phytochemicals, including the bioactive thymoquinone, and characteristics saponins, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Among Nigella species, N. sativa L. is the most studied plant from the genus. Due to the phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties, the seed and seed oil from this plant can be considered as good candidates to formulate functional ingredients on the basis of folklore and scientific knowledge. Nonetheless, the main limations are that more studies, especially, clinical trials are required to standardize the results, e.g. to establish active molecules, dosage, chemical profile, long-term effects and impact of cooking/incorporation into foods.

Characteristics and diversity of mutations in regulatory genes of resistance-nodulation-cell division efflux pumps in association with drug-resistant clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii.

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to characterize the genetic diversity and expression of three putative resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND)-type efflux systems and their contribution to multidrug efflux in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii. METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 95 A. baumannii isolates was determined by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion for 18 antibiotics and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of colistin was determined by the broth microdilution method. Moreover, the MIC of five classes of antibiotics was assessed using E-test strips in the presence and absence of phenylalanine-arginine beta-naphthylamide (PAßN). Regulatory genes of the RND efflux pumps (adeRS, adeL, adeN and baeSR) were subjected to sequencing. The relative expression of adeB, adeG and adeJ genes was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: Overall, the majority of isolates (94%) were extensively drug-resistant (XDR). In the phenotypic assay, efflux pump activity was observed in 40% of the isolates against multiple antibiotics mainly tigecycline. However, we found no efflux activity against imipenem. Several amino acid substitutions were detected in the products of regulatory genes; except in AdeN. Of note, G186V mutation in AdeS was found to be associated with overexpression of its efflux pump. No insertion sequences were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings outlined the role of RND efflux pumps in resistance of A. baumannii to multiple antibiotics particularly tigecycline, and pointed out the importance of a variety of single mutations in the corresponding regulatory systems. Further studies are required to decipher the precise role of RND efflux pumps in multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of A. baumannii.

Phytotherapy and food applications from Brassica genus.

Plants of the genus Brassica occupy the top place among vegetables in the world. This genus, which contains a group of six related species of a global economic significance, three of which are diploid: Brassica nigra (L.) K. Koch, Brassica oleracea L., and Brassica rapa L. and three are amphidiploid species: Brassica carinata A. Braun, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern., and Brassica napus L. These varieties are divided into oily, fodder, spice, and vegetable based on their morphological structure, chemical composition, and usefulness of plant organs. The present review provides information about habitat, phytochemical composition, and the bioactive potential of Brassica plants, mainly antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer activities, and clinical studies in human. Brassica vegetables are of great economic importance around the world. At present, Brassica plants are grown together with cereals and form the basis of global food supplies. They are distinguished by high nutritional properties from other vegetable plants, such as low fat and protein content and high value of vitamins, fibers along with minerals. In addition, they possess several phenolic compounds and have a unique type of compounds namely glucosinolates that differentiate these crops from other vegetables. These compounds are also responsible for numerous biological activities to the genus Brassica as described in this review.

Antioxidant potential of family Cucurbitaceae with special emphasis on Cucurbita genus: A key to alleviate oxidative stress-mediated disorders.

Oxidative stress is the imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and accumulation and the ability of a biological system to clear these reactive products. This imbalance leads to cell and tissue damage causing several disorders in human body, such as neurodegeneration, metabolic problems, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Cucurbitaceae family consists of about 100 genera and 1,000 species of plants including mostly tropical, annual or perennial, monoecious, and dioecious herbs. The plants from Cucurbita species are rich sources of phytochemicals and act as a rich source of antioxidants. The most important phytochemicals present in the cucurbits are cucurbitacins, saponins, carotenoids, phytosterols, and polyphenols. These bioactive phyto-constituents are responsible for the pharmacological effects including antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, diuretic, anti-ulcer activity, and antigenotoxic. A wide number of in vitro and in vivo studies have ascribed these health-promoting effects of Cucurbita genus. Results of clinical trials suggest that Cucurbita provides health benefits for diabetic patients, patients with benign prostate hyperplasia, infertile women, postmenopausal women, and stress urinary incontinence in women. The intend of the present review is to focus on the protective role of Cucurbita spp. phytochemicals on oxidative stress-related disorders on the basis of preclinical and human studies. The review will also give insights on the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant potential of the Cucurbitaceae family as a whole.

Curcumin nanoformulations for antimicrobial and wound healing purposes.

The development and spread of resistance to antimicrobial drugs is hampering the management of microbial infectious and wound healing processes. Curcumin is the most active and effective constituent of Curcuma longa L., also known as turmeric, and has a very long and strong history of medicinal value for human health and skincare. Curcumin has been proposed as strong antimicrobial potentialities and many attempts have been made to determine its ability to conjointly control bacterial growth and promote wound healing. However, low aqueous solubility, poor tissue absorption and short plasma half-life due its rapid metabolism needs to be solved for made curcumin formulations as suitable treatment for wound healing. New curcumin nanoformulations have been designed to solve the low bioavailability problem of curcumin. Thus, in the present review, the therapeutic applications of curcumin nanoformulations for antimicrobial and wound healing purposes is described.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in raw milk samples collected from dairy farms and urban areas of Lahore district, Pakistan.

The current study was employed to investigate the organochlorine pesticides (OCP) concentrations in milk, as the milk we consume, has residues of these notorious pesticides. The residual concentrations of OCP in milk have numerous harmful effects on health especially the children. Therefore, milk was analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with µECD for seven OCP residues, namely α-endosulfan, ß-endosulfan, Endosulfan-sulphate, DDE, γ-HCH, Dieldrin, and DDT. Three hundred and sixty raw milk samples were collected from urban areas (10 areas of Lahore N = 300) and Dairy Farms (10 farms in Lahore N = 60) from September 2012 to September 2013. Samples were collected after an interval of 2 months, for 12 months. Mean values of OCPs in milk samples from urban areas were reported as α-endosulfan, ß-endosulfan, Endosulfan-sulphate, DDE, γ-HCH, and Dieldrin with concentration of 17.44 ± 3.99, 35.74 ± 7.50, 20.28 ± 3.95, 2.51 ± 0.55, 0.93 ± 0.16 and 1.12 ± 0.18 µg kg-1, respectively, while the milk samples from dairy farms with concentration of 26.94 ± 4.63, 59.88 ± 6.76, 32.07 ± 4.51, 4.64 ± 0.48, 1.20 ± 0.17 and 1.93 ± 0.18 µg kg-1, respectively. None of the samples analyzed were found positive for the presence of DDT, just as none of the samples from area milk shops exceeded the Maximum Residual Limits (MRLs). γ-HCH and ß-endosulfan were found higher in dairy farm milk samples than the MRLs. Conclusively, these pesticide residues are present in milk available in Lahore in enough quantity (some exceeding the MRLs) to threaten human health, particularly the infant and children.

Targeting androgen receptor signaling with MicroRNAs and Curcumin: a promising therapeutic approach for Prostate Cancer Prevention and intervention.

Prostate cancer (PC) is a multifactorial disease characterized by the abrogation of androgen receptor signaling. Advancement in microbiology techniques has highlighted the significant role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the progression of PC cells from an androgen-dependent to an androgen-independent state. At that stage, prostate tumors also fail to respond to currently practiced hormone therapies. So, studies in recent decades are focused on investigating the anti-tumor effects of natural compounds in PC. Curcumin is widely recognized and now of huge prestige for its anti-proliferative abilities in different types of cancer. However, its limited solubility, compatibility, and instability in the aqueous phase are major hurdles when administering. Nanoformulations have proven to be an excellent drug delivery system for various drugs and can be used as potential delivery platforms for curcumin in PC. In this review, a shed light is given on the miRNAs-mediated regulation of androgen receptor (AR) signaling and miRNA-curcumin interplay in PC, as well as on curcumin-based nanoformulations that can be used as possible therapeutic solutions for PC.

Phytochemical constituents, biological activities, and health-promoting effects of the genus Origanum.

Origanum species are mostly distributed around the Mediterranean, Euro-Siberian, and Iran-Siberian regions. Since time immemorial, the genus has popularly been used in Southern Europe, as well as on the American continent as a spice now known all over the world under the name "oregano" or "pizza-spice." Origanum plants are also employed to prepare bitter tinctures, wines, vermouths, beer, and kvass. The major components of Origanum essential oil are various terpenes, phenols, phenolic acids, and flavonoids with predominant occurrence of carvacrol and thymol (with reasonable amounts of p-cymen and -terpinene) or of terpinene-4-ol, linalool, and sabinene hydrate. Many species of Origanum genus are used to treat kidney, digestive, nervous, and respiratory disorders, spasms, sore throat, diabetes, lean menstruation, hypertension, cold, insomnia, toothache, headache, epilepsy, urinary tract infections, etc. Origanum essential oil showed potent bioactivities owing to its major constituents' carvacrol, thymol, and monoterpenes. Several preclinical studies evidenced its pharmacological potential as antiproliferative or anticancer, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, renoprotective, antiinflammatory, vasoprotective, cardioprotective, antinociceptive, insecticidal, and hepatoprotective properties. Its nanotechnological applications as a promising pharmaceutical in order to enhance the solubility, physicochemical stability, and the accumulation rate of its essential oils have been investigated. However, Origanum has been reported causing angioedema, perioral dermatitis, allergic reaction, inhibition of platelet aggregation, hypoglycemia, and abortion. Conclusive evidences are still required for its clinical applications against human medical conditions. Toxicity analyses and risk assessment will aid to its safe and efficacious application. In addition, elaborate structure-activity studies are needed to explore the potential use of Origanum-derived phytochemicals as promising drug candidates.

Vicia plants-A comprehensive review on chemical composition and phytopharmacology.

The plants belonging to the genus Vicia are of great interest as a source of many bioactive compounds and micronutrients. A snapshot of their cultivation, habitat, main components, from which essential oils can be obtained, is given. The traditional medicinal uses of Vicia plants are also reported, as well as the wide spectrum of the main biological activities attributed to Vicia plants is discussed regarding potential health beneficial properties, in particular anti-Parkinson, anticholinesterase, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antinociceptive, antidiabetic, antihemolytic, anticoagulant, estrogenic, diuretic, antihypoxic activities.

Human microbiome and homeostasis: insights into the key role of prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotics.

The interest in the study of the gut microbiome has grown exponentially. Indeed, its impact on health and disease has been increasingly reported, and the importance of keeping gut microbiome homeostasis clearly highlighted. However, and despite many advances, there are still some gaps, as well as the real discernment on the contribution of some species falls far short of what is needed. Anyway, it is already more than a solid fact of its importance in maintaining health and preventing disease, as well as in the treatment of some pathologies. In this sense, and given the existence of some ambiguous opinions, the present review aims to discuss the importance of gut microbiome in homeostasis maintenance, and even the role of probiotics, prebiotics, and symbiotics in both health promotion and disease prevention.

Ficus plants: State of the art from a phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological perspective.

Ficus genus is typically tropical plants and is among the earliest fruit trees cultivated by humans. Ficus carica L. is the common fig, Ficus benjamina L. is the weeping fig, and Ficus pumila L. is the creeping fig. These species are commonly used in traditional medicine for a wide range of diseases and contain rich secondary metabolites that have shown diverse applications. This comprehensive review describes for Ficus genus the phytochemical compounds, traditional uses and contemporary pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiulcer, and anticonvulsant. An extended survey of the current literature (Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed) has been carried out as part of the current work. The trends in the phytochemistry, pharmacological mechanisms and activities of Ficus genus are overviewed in this manuscript: antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, antiseizure and anti-Parkinson's diseases, cytotoxic and antioxidant. Health-promoting effects, recent human clinical studies, safety and adverse effects of Ficus plants also are covered. The medical potential and long-term pharmacotherapeutic use of the genus Ficus along with no serious reported adverse events, suggests that it can be considered as being safe.

Astragalus species: Insights on its chemical composition toward pharmacological applications.

Astragalus L. is widely distributed throughout the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. The genus is widely used in folk medicine and in dietary supplements, as well as in cosmetics, teas, coffee, vegetable gums, and as forage for animals. The major phytoconstituents of Astragalus species with beneficial properties are saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Astragalus extracts and their isolated components exhibited promising in vitro and in vivo biological activities, including antiaging, antiinfective, cytoprotective, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabesity, and immune-enhancing properties. Considering their proven therapeutic potential, the aim of this work is to give a comprehensive summary of the Astragalus spp. and their active components, in an attempt to provide new insight for further clinical development of these xenobiotics. This is the first review that briefly describes their ethnopharmacology, composition, biological, and toxicological properties.

Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Native Chilean Plants.

The native flora of Chile has unique characteristics due to the geographical situation of the country, with the vast desert in the North, Patagonia in the South, the Andean Mountains on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. This exclusivity is reflected in high concentrations of phytochemicals in the fruits and leaves of its native plants. Some examples are Aristotelia chilensis (Molina), Stuntz (maqui), Berberis microphylla G. Forst. (calafate), Peumus boldus Molina (boldo), Ribes magellanicum Poir. (Magellan currant), Ugni molinae Turcz. (murtilla), Rubus geoides Sm. (miñe miñe), Drimys winteri J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (canelo), Luma apiculata (DC.) Burret (arrayán) distributed throughout the entire Chilean territory. Some of these Chilean plants have been used for centuries in the country's traditional medicine. The most recent studies of phytochemical characterization of parts of Chilean plants show a wide spectrum of antioxidant compounds, phenolic components, terpenoids and alkaloids, which have shown biological activity in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This manuscript covers the entire Chilean territory characterizing the phytochemical profile and reporting some of its biological properties, focusing mainly on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, chemopreventive and cytotoxic activity, and potential against diabetes, metabolic syndrome and gastrointestinal disorders.

Therapeutic promises of ginkgolide A: A literature-based review.

Ginkgolide A is a highly active platelet activating factor antagonist cage molecule which was isolated from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba L. It is known for its inflammatory and immunological potentials. This review aims to sketch a current scenario on its therapeutic activities on the basis of scientific reports in the databases. A total 30 articles included in this review suggests that ginkgolide A has many important biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anxiolytic-like, anti-atherosclerosis and anti-atherombosis, neuro- and hepatoprotective effects. There is a lack of its toxicological (e.g. toxicity, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenitcity) profile. In conclusion, ginkgolide A may be one of the potential therapeutic lead compounds, especially for the treatment of cardiovascular, hepatological, and neurological diseases and disorders. More studies are necessary on this hopeful therapeutic agent.