Chlorella vulgaris: A Multifunctional Dietary Supplement with Diverse Medicinal Properties

Chlorella vulgaris is a green unicellular microalgae with biological and pharmacological properties important for human health. C. vulgaris has a long history of use as a food source and contains a unique and diverse composition of functional macro- and micro-nutrients including proteinsChlorella vulgaris is a green unicellular microalgae with biological and pharmacological properties important for human health. C. vulgaris has a long history of use as a food source and contains a unique and diverse composition of functional macro- and micro-nutrients including proteins, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, polysaccharides, vitamins and minerals. Clinical trials have suggested that supplementation with C. vulgaris can ameliorate amelioration hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia, and protect against oxidative stress, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this review, we summarize the findings on the health benefits of Chlorella supplementation and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects., omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, polysaccharides, vitamins and minerals. Clinical trials have suggested that supplementation with C. vulgaris can ameliorate amelioration hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia, and protect against oxidative stress, cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In this review, we summarize the findings on the health benefits of Chlorella supplementation and the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects.

An update on applications of nanostructured drug delivery systems in cancer therapy: a review

Cancer is a main public health problem that is known as a malignant tumor and out-of-control cell growth, with the potential to assault or spread to other parts of the body. Recently, remarkable efforts have been devoted to develop nanotechnology to improve the delivery of anticancer drug to tumor tissue as minimizing its distribution and toxicity in healthy tissue. Nanotechnology has been extensively used in the advance of new strategies for drug delivery and cancer therapy. Compared to customary drug delivery systems, nano-based drug delivery method has greater potential in different areas, like multiple targeting functionalization, in vivo imaging, extended circulation time, systemic control release, and combined drug delivery. Nanofibers are used for different medical applications such as drug delivery systems.

Evaluation of the pharmacoeconomics of drugs used for the treatment of long-term complications of sulfur mustard

Sulfur mustard (SM), a cytotoxic vesicant chemical warfare agent, has powerful irritant and blistering effects on the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. Since during the Iraq-Iran war, many Iranian soldiers and civilians were exposed to SM, there are several victims still suffering from long-term cutaneous, ocular and pulmonary complications. Currently, there is no definite treatment for long-term complications of SM, and only supportive medical care is being taken to minimize the symptoms. In this study, we compared the cost-effectiveness of common drugs that are used against long-term SM-induced complications in Iranian patients. In this review article, electronic databases were checked using the following key words: sulfur mustard, lung, skin, eye, cost-effectiveness, pharmacoeconomics and treatment. Abstracts of non-English papers and proceedings of congresses on SM were also assessed. Among the studied drugs, high-dose oral N-acetyl cysteine and long-acting inhaled corticosteroids against respiratory complications, topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines against cutaneous complications and NSAIDS and corticosteroids ophthalmic drops against ocular complications were found to be cost-effective. Usage of different drugs in the treatment of SM injuries in Iran, have imposed a significant economic burden to patients and their families because many drugs that are effective against chemical injuries are not covered by insurance. In addition, development of more effective drugs in this field is considered as an urgent demand that should be noticed by the pharmaceutical industry.

The impact of saffron (Crocus sativus) supplementation on visual function in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration

The aim was to evaluate the impact of saffron supplementation on visual function in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). Fifty-four participants, 23 male and 31 female, with dry ARMD were assigned to one of the following two groups. The treatment group (n=29) consumed 50 mg saffron daily during a 3- month period, while 25 subjects served as the control group. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and retinal thickness were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study. Quality of life was evaluated using the Melbourne Low Vision Index (MLVI) before and after treatment. Significant increases in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity were found in the saffron group but not in the control group. Changes in macular thickness were not statistically different between the two groups. Short-term consumption of saffron may slow down the progression of disease and improve visual function, especially contrast sensitivity, in patients with dry ARMD.

Sulfur mustard causes oxidants/antioxidants imbalance through the overexpression of free radical producing-related genes in human mustard lungs

The aim of this study is to analyze oxidative stress (OS) and changes in expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) producing-related genes in mustard lungs. Human lung biopsies provided from controls (n=5) and sulfur mustard (SM)-exposed patients (n=6). Changes in expression of dual oxidases (DUOXs), aldehyde oxidase 1 (AOX1), thyroid peroxidase (TPO), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and eosinophil Peroxidase (EPO) were measured using RT(2) Profiler(™) PCR Array. OS was evaluated by determining bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Higher TAC value was observed in BALF of controls compared with patients (0.138±0.02683μmol/l vs 0.0942±0.01793μmol/l), whereas a significant increase in MDA concentration was found in patients (0.486±0.04615 nmol/l vs 0.6467±0.05922 nmol/l). All ROS producing-related genes were overexpressed in the order AOX1>MPO>DUOX2>DUOX1>TPO>EPO. Upregulation of these genes may be a reason for overproduction of ROS, oxidants/antioxidants imbalance, OS and respiratory failures in mustard lungs.

Angiographic Findings after Supplementation with Heracleum persicum Extract: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background:

Heracleum persicum is a common dietary spice with several traditional medicinal properties important for cardiovascular health including antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and anti-inflammatory effects. This study explored the effects of supplementation with H. persicum fruit on the angiographic findings of patients with minimal coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods:

Subjects who were diagnosed with <50% stenosis in any of their coronary arteries by angiography were selected for this trial and randomly assigned to H. persicum hydroalcoholic fruit extract (n = 15; 300 mg/day) or placebo (n = 12) for 6 months. At the end of the trial, participants underwent a second coronary angiography in order to evaluate the progression of their disease.

Results:

Posttrial angiography did not reveal any improvement in the number of stenosed vessels after consumption of H. persicum extract versus placebo (P > 0.05). Similarly, there was no significant difference between the study groups in terms of disease progression and chest pain score (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

The present results do not support any clinically significant benefit of supplementation with H. persicum extract on the angiographic findings of in patients with minimal CAD.

Application of nanostructured drug delivery systems in immunotherapy of cancer: a review

The cancer immunotherapy method uses the specificity of the immune system to provide a more effective than more conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Immunotherapy has two main strategies (passive or active) to organize the immune system. Passive strategies use advantage of tumor-hyperpermeable cells, which have enhanced permeability and retention effects. Nanoparticles due to their better accumulation within tissues and cells of the immune system are well suitable for delivery of immune therapies such as vaccines or adjuvants. In this review, we explained application of nanotechnology in immunotherapy of cancer.

Investigation of the efficacy of generic and brand-name tiotropium bromide in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomized comparative trial

Introduction: The beneficial effects of tiotropium bromide, a long acting anticholinergic bronchodilator, in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been shown in previous studies. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of generic (Tiova®) and brand-name (Spiriva®) tiotropium preparations in patients with COPD. Methods and materials: In this randomized double-blind parallel-group trial, 79 patients with documented COPD were assigned to Tiova® or Spiriva® for a period of 4 weeks. Assessment of pulmonary function (using spirometry), quality-of-life (using St. George respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ]) and severity of respiratory symptoms (using breathlessness, cough and sputum scale [BCSS]) was performed at baseline and at the end of treatment period. Results: There were significant increases in FEV₁ and reductions in FVC by the end of study in both Tiova® and Spiriva® groups. FEV₁/FVC ratio did not change significantly neither in the Tiova® nor in Spiriva® group. Overall SGRQ score as well as subscale scores of symptoms, activity and impacts were improved by both drugs. In the BCSS scale, the frequency and severity of three main symptoms (dyspnea, cough and sputum) was decreased by both drugs. Baseline as well as post-treatment values of spirometric parameters, SGRQ and BCSS scores was comparable between the groups, apart from a lower post-treatment frequency of cough and sputum in the Spiriva® versus Tiova® group. There was no report of adverse events in either of the study groups. Conclusion: The findings of this comparative trial showed equivalent efficacy and safety of Spiriva® and Tiova® in lessening the symptoms as well as improving the quality of life in patients with COPD. This finding has an important translational value given the significantly lower costs of generic versus brand-name products.

Magnetic nanoparticles in cancer diagnosis and treatment: a review

Diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer have been characterized with a variety of challenges. However, with the advancement in magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) technology, many challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer are on the decline. The MNPs have led to many break-through in cancer therapy. This paper seeks to establish the role of MNPs in diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. It proposes that the existing challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer can be addressed through application of MNPs in the process.

Gene expression profile of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in lung tissue of patients exposed to sulfur mustard

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a potent alkylating agent that targets several organs, especially lung tissue. Although pathological effects of SM on mustard lung have been widely considered, molecular and cellular mechanisms for these pathologies are poorly understood. We investigated changes in expression of genes related to oxidative stress (OS) and antioxidant defense caused by SM in lung tissue of patients. We performed gene expression profiling of OS and antioxidant defense in lung tissue samples from healthy controls (n=5) and SM-exposed patients (n=6). Changes in gene expression were measured using a 96-well RT(2) Profiler ™PCR Array: Human Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense, which arrayed 84 genes functionally involved in cellular OS response. 47 (55.95%) genes were found to be significantly upregulated in patients with mustard lung compared with controls (p<0.05), whereas 7 (8.33%) genes were significantly downregulated (p<0.05). Among the most upregulated genes were OS responsive-1 (OXSR1), forkhead box M1 (FOXM1), and glutathione peroxidase-2 (GPX2), while metallothionein-3 (MT3) and glutathione reductase (GSR) were the most downregulated genes. Expression of hypoxia-induced genes (CYGB and MB), antioxidants and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-producing genes were significantly altered, suggesting an increased oxidative damage in mustard lungs. Mustard lungs were characterized by hypoxia, massive production of ROS, OS, disruption of epithelial cells, surfactant dysfunction, as well as increased risk of lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis. Oxidative stress induced by ROS is the major mechanism for direct effect of SM exposure on respiratory system. Antioxidant treatment may improve the main features of mustard lungs.

Efficacy of Elaeagnus Angustifolia extract in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders all over the world. Available anti-arthritic medications have only partial efficacy and their long-term use is associated with adverse events. Elaeagnus Angustifolia (EA) is a medicinal plant with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study evaluated the impact of two doses of EA extract compared with ibuprofen on the severity of disease in patients with knee OA. This study was designed as a randomized, double blind, active-controlled and parallel group trial. Patients with OA were randomized to receive 300 mg/day (n=33) or 600 mg/day (n=32) of EA aqueous extract, or 800 mg/day ibuprofen (n=32) for 7 weeks. EA extract contained 0.21 % (w/w) kaempferol according to HPLC. Efficacy of treatment was assessed using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain, Lequesne's Pain-Function Index (LPFI), and patient's global assessment (PGA) index. The amount of kaempferol in the extract was determined by HPLC method to be 0.21 % w/w. There were significant reductions in WOMAC, VAS, LPFI and PGA scores by the end of trial with all three interventions. Comparison of the changes in WOMAC, VAS and LPFI scores among the treatment groups did not reveal any significant difference between EA and ibuprofen, and between low and high doses of EA. EA was safe and well tolerated during the course of trial and no adverse event was reported. The present results suggest beneficial effects of aqueous EA extract in reducing the symptoms of OA with an efficacy comparable to that of ibuprofen.