Investigating Bacopa monnieri L. Therapeutic Potential for the Treatment of Neurological Diseases.

The popular perennial creeping plant known as Bacopa monnieri (also known as Brahmi) is being utilized in the Indian Ayurvedic medicine practice. It has a variety of bioactive phytoconstituents that have been used therapeutically to treat a number of serious illnesses. Ancient Vedic scholars used this herb because of its pharmacological effects, particularly as a nerve booster and nootropic supporter. However, it is vital to comprehend the active phytochemical components of Bacopa monnieri extract (BME) and their molecular mechanisms in order to better grasp the effect of BME on neurological illnesses and diseases. Understanding its active phytochemical constituents and their molecular processes is essential. Numerous clinical investigations indicated that BME may have neuroprotective benefits, so it is worthwhile to re-evaluate this wellknown plant. Here, we focused on neurological problems as we examined the pharmacological and phytochemical characteristics of BME. For their effective usage in neuroprotection and cognition, many clinical concerns and the synergistic potential of Bacopa extract have been investigated. Alzheimer's disease is a neurological condition caused by the production of reactive oxygen species, which also causes amyloid-beta (A) and tau protein aggregation and increases neuro-inflammation and neurotoxicity. Our review offers a more indepth molecular understanding of the neuroprotective functions of BME, which can also be connected to its therapeutic management of neurological illnesses and cognitive-improving effects.

Markers of Oxidative Stress and Tyrosinase Activity in Melasma Patients: A Biochemical Investigation.

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a skin hyperpigmentary disorder that develops over time. Genetic factors, oxidative stress, female sex hormones, and UV light may all play a role in the disorder's progression. AIMS: To compare the levels of oxidative stress and tyrosinase activity in melasma patients with healthy volunteers. METHODS: After written consent, 130 patients were enrolled in a case-control study. 65 cases were of melasma disorder, and 65 were served as control. Homogenized skin tissues were taken and used to estimate superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (antioxidants), malondialdehyde (MDA) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). RESULTS: Melasma patients had lower basal levels of systemic antioxidants than healthy subjects. Tyrosinase activity was shown to be greater in lesional skin than in non-lesional skin. In controls, there was a good positive relationship between TH and MDA and an excellent negative relationship between GPx and GSH. In melasma patients, there were significant associations between CAT, GPx, SOD and MDA. CONCLUSIONS: Increased oxidative stress may affect tyrosinase activity and eumelanin synthesis via the anabolic pathway of melanin synthesis, according to our findings. In conclusion, we discovered a negative relationship between antioxidants and tyrosinase activity.

Red Seaweed-derived Compounds: A Desired Approach for Treating Cancer.

Cancer is a collection of diseases in which aberrant cells grow uncontrolled and invade surrounding tissues. Cancer can be classified as carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia, or lymphoma. The deadliest cancers are lung, breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy are the usual cancer treatments. However, drug resistance poses a significant barrier to cancer treatment. Macroalgae are wellknown producers of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Red algae, in particular, are a prominent source of bioactive substances, such as polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, lipids, sterols, alkaloids, and terpenoids. Therefore, molecules from marine resources could be an appealing way to identify new cancer treatment alternatives. This study aimed to provide a brief overview of what is currently known regarding the potential of red macroalgae in cancer treatment by discussing the primary therapeutic targets of the disease and identifying compounds or extracts with bioactive characteristics against them.

Predictive and Prognostic Role of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Patients with Advanced Breast Cancer Treated with Primary Systemic Therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are gaining recognition as an important immunological biomarker with therapeutic potential in breast cancer. In this cohort study conducted on patients with advanced breast cancer treated with primary systemic therapy (PST), the TILs concentration was correlated with response to PST and survival outcomes. METHODS: Patients with primary breast cancer treated with PST between 2016 and 2020 were included in this study, approved by IEC, and registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05250336). Tumor core biopsies obtained prior to starting treatment from 489 patients were assessed for the proportion of stromal TILs by standardized method and categorized into low (0-10% immune cells), intermediate (11-59%), and high (≥ 60%) TILs. TIL concentration and complete pathological response (pCR), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were correlated. RESULTS: Of the 489 patients, 372 matched the eligibility criteria for assessment of TILs and made the final study cohort. Among these, 135 were luminal, 129 HER2-enriched, and 108 triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC). Proportions of patients with high TILs were greater in TNBC (15.7%) and HER2-enriched (9.3%), compared to luminal cancers (4.4%). High TIL concentration was correlated with higher pCR in all subtypes. A pCR was achieved in 33.3, 50, and 52.9% of high TIL patients in luminal, HER2-enriched, and TNBC subtypes, respectively (p < 0.05). High TILs were linked to longer DFS and OS in TNBC and HER2-enriched breast cancers. CONCLUSION: In this first study of its kind from a low- and middle-income country, high TILs concentration was found to be a predictor of response to PST across all breast cancer subtypes. TILs concentration was found predictive of better DFS and OS in TNBC and HER2-enriched cancers. Prognostic role of TILs in luminal cancers was not so apparent.

Correlation of Oxidative Stress with Melasma: An Overview.

Melasma is a hypermelanotic skin disorder characterized by dark brown macules of symmetrical sizes and shapes that develop over time. Apart from the multiple etiological factors for melasma, such as hormonal imbalances, thyroid dysfunction, drugs, and contraceptive pills, a new and significant cause has been discovered: the effect of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the result of disequilibrium between reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in the cells. It is a key element that can cause skin hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. The physiological significance of reactive oxygen species and its function in skin health are addressed in this study. The development process and pathophysiology of reactive oxygen species with melasma disorder are also highlighted and the advantages of integrating antioxidants in clinical and experimental environments are discussed.

Liquid-based cytology versus conventional cytology in fine-needle aspirates of salivary gland neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is a method of retrieving and processing of cytological material for the assessment of both gynecological and nongynecological cases introduced in 1996. Mostly conventional smears (CS) are prepared in Indian scenario; however, due to increasing popularity of LBC in nongynecology specimens, LBC is also used in few centers for diagnosing salivary gland neoplasm. AIM: The aim of this study is to compare CS and LBC in fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the salivary gland neoplasms in terms of cytomorphological details, adequacy, ease of interpretation, pitfalls, and diagnostic efficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational, comparative study which included 64 salivary gland neoplasms. Both CS and LBC (SurePath) were prepared as per standard protocols and examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In our study, specificity and positive predictive value of both the techniques (conventional and LBC) were found to be 100%. Sensitivity of both the techniques was found to be similar (66.7%). Negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of conventional technique were found to be almost similar to that of LBC technique (97.6% vs. 97.2% and 97.7% vs. 97.4%). In terms of adequacy and cellularity, CSs were better than LBC. Ease of interpretation was better with CSs due to abundant chondromyxoid stroma, an important clue in the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma. Nuclear details and background were better in LBC as compared to CS. Hence, we conclude that in salivary gland FNAC, both CS and LBC have similar diagnostic efficiency. however, interpretation of conventional smears is easier than Liquid Based Cytology especially in cases of pleomorphic adenoma. However, some advantages of LBC in respect to conventional cytology, with better-preserved morphology obtained from LBC becomes furthermore obligatory.