Etiopathophysiological role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in age-related muscular weakening: RAAS-independent beneficial role of ACE2 in muscle weakness.

Aging is accompanied by major changes in body composition that can negatively affect functional status in older adults, including a progressive decrease in muscle mass, strength, and quality. The prevalence of sarcopenia has varied considerably, depending on the definition used and the population surveyed-a 2014 meta-analysis across several countries found estimates ranging from 1% to 29% for people aged 60 years or older, who live independently. The potentially relevant studies were retrieved from the ScienceDirect/Medline/PubMed/Public library of science/Mendeley/Springer link and Google Scholar. Multiple keywords were used for the literature search both alone and in combination. Some of the important keywords used for literature search were as follows: "Epidemiology of muscle weakness/muscle disorders," "Pathogenesis of RAAS in muscle weakness," "Role of Angiotensin 1-7/ACE-2/Mas R axis in muscle weakness," and "Correction pathophysiology of muscle weakness via ACE2." The renin-angiotensin system (RAAS), a major blood pressure regulatory system, is a candidate mediator that may promote aging-associated muscle weakness. Previously, studies explored the proof concept for RAAS inhibition as a therapeutic target. Furthermore, in RAAS, angiotensin II, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) have been reported to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress via glucose-regulated protein 78/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α)/activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)/CHOP axis in the liver. In addition, other mitochondria and ER physical interactions contribute to skeletal muscle dysfunction. However, very few studies have investigated the relationship between RAAS and ER stress-associated pathophysiological events and ACE2-mediated biological consequences in muscle weakness. Thus, the study has been designed to investigate the RAAS-independent beneficial role of ACE2 in muscle weakness.

Natural cyclic polypeptides as vital phytochemical constituents from seeds of selected medicinal plants.

Cyclopolypeptides are among the most predominant biomolecules in nature, especially those derived from plant seeds. This category of compounds has gained extraordinary attention due to remarkable variety of structures and valuable biofunctions. These congeners display enormous variation in terms of both structure and function and are the most significant biomolecules due to their widespread bioproperties. The estrogenic activity, immunosuppressive activity, cytotoxicity, vasorelaxant activity, and other properties possessed by cyclic peptides from seeds of plants make these congeners attractive leads for the drug discovery process. The current study covers the important structural features, structure-activity relationship, synthesis methods, and bioproperties of plant seeds-originated bioactive peptides from Vaccaria segetalis, Linum usitatissimum, and Goniothalamus leiocarpus, which may prove vital for the development of novel therapeutics based on a peptide skeleton.

Mechanistic insights into the beneficial effects of curcumin on insulin resistance: Opportunities and challenges.

The past couple of decades in particular have seen a rapid increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a debilitating metabolic disorder characterised by insulin resistance. The insufficient efficacy of current management strategies for insulin resistance calls for additional therapeutic options. The preponderance of evidence suggests potential beneficial effects of curcumin on insulin resistance, while modern science provides a scientific basis for its potential applications against the disease. Curcumin combats insulin resistance by increasing the levels of circulating irisin and adiponectin, activating PPARγ, suppressing Notch1 signalling, and regulating SREBP target genes, among others. In this review, we bring together the diverse areas pertaining to our current understanding of the potential benefits of curcumin on insulin resistance, associated mechanistic insights, and new therapeutic possibilities.

Regenerative Potential of Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous (SHED) Teeth during Engineering of Human Body Tissues.

The current decade witnesses the regenerative potential of Stem Cells (SCs) based lifesaving therapies for the treatment of various disease conditions. Human teeth act as a reservoir for SCs that exist in high abundance in baby, wisdom, and permanent teeth. The collection of Stem cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous teeth (SHED) is considered a simple process as it offers the convenience of little or no pain. In comparison to the SCs from dental or bone marrow or other tissues, the SHED offers the benefit of higher cellular differentiation and proliferation. Massive in vitro and in vivo studies reveal the regenerative potential of SHED in the engineering of the dental pulp tissue, neuronal tissue, root, bio root, cardiovascular tissues, lymphatic tissues, renal tissues, dermal tissues, hepatic tissues, and bone tissues. The current review describes the methods of collection/ isolation/storage, various biomarkers, and types of SHED. This review highlights the regenerative potential of SHED in the engineering of different tissues of the human body. As per the available research evidence, the present study supports that SHED may differentiate into the endothelial cells, neurons, odontoblasts, pancreatic ß-cells, hepatocytes, renal cells, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and many other types of cells. The present study recommends that further clinical trials are required before the clinical application of SHED-based therapies.

Long Noncoding RNA UCA1 in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Molecular Regulatory Roles and Patterns, Mechanisms, and Interactions.

The rising trend of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer has become a global burden due to its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been reported to be overexpressed in different GI cancers and may contribute to cancer progression and chemoresistance. They are featured with more than 200 nucleotides, commonly polyadenylated, and lacking an open reading frame. LncRNAs, particularly urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (UCA1), are oncogenes involved in regulating cancer progression, such as cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and chemoresistance, particularly in GI cancer. This review was aimed to present an updated focus on the molecular regulatory roles and patterns of lncRNA UCA1 in progression and chemoresistance of different GI cancers, as well as deciphering the underlying mechanisms and its interactions with key molecules involved, together with a brief presentation on its diagnostic and prognostic values. The regulatory roles of lncRNA UCA1 are implicated in esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatobiliary cancer, and colorectal cancer, where they shared similar molecular mechanisms in regulating cancer phenotypes and chemoresistance. Comparatively, gastric cancer is the most intensively studied type in GI cancer. LncRNA UCA1 is implicated in biological roles of different GI cancers via interactions with various molecules, particularly microRNAs, and signaling pathways. In conclusion, lncRNA UCA1 is a potential molecular target for GI cancer, which may lead to the development of a novel chemotherapeutic agent. Hence, it also acts as a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker for GI cancer patients.

Antimicrobial evaluation of imines and thiazolidinones derived from 3-phenylpropane hydrazide.

Methyl 3-phenylpropanoate (1), after hydrazination into 3-phenylpropanehydrazide (2), was converted into N-arylidene-3-phenylpropane hydrazides (3a-e), which on cyclization with thioglycolic acid yielded N-(4-oxo-2-arylthiazolidin-3-yl)-3-phenylpropanamides (4a-e). All the proposed structures of newly synthesized compounds were in full agreement with the spectral data. Due to para substitution, compound 3a, 4a and 4b were found to be the most potent when evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities.