Resveratrol: a natural compound with pharmacological potential in neurodegenerative diseases

A recent update on the connection between dietary phytochemicals and skin cancer: emerging understanding of the molecular mechanism

Constant exposure to harmful substances from both inside and outside the body can mess up the body's natural ways of keeping itself in balance. This can cause severe skin damage, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. However, plant-derived compounds found in fruits and vegetables have been shown to protect against skin cancer-causing free radicals and other harmful substances. It has been determined that these dietary phytochemicals are effective in preventing skin cancer and are widely available, inexpensive, and well-tolerated. Studies have shown that these phytochemicals possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiangiogenic properties that can aid in the prevention of skin cancers. In addition, they influence crucial cellular processes such as angiogenesis and cell cycle control, which can halt the progression of skin cancer. The present paper discusses the benefits of specific dietary phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables, as well as the signaling pathways they regulate, the molecular mechanisms involved in the prevention of skin cancer, and their drawbacks.

3-chymotrypsin-like protease in SARS-CoV-2

Coronaviruses constitute a significant threat to the human population. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, SARS-CoV-2, is a highly pathogenic human coronavirus that has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It has led to a global viral outbreak with an exceptional spread and a high death toll, highlighting the need for effective antiviral strategies. 3-Chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro), the main protease in SARS-CoV-2, plays an indispensable role in the SARS-CoV-2 viral life cycle by cleaving the viral polyprotein to produce 11 individual non-structural proteins necessary for viral replication. 3CLpro is one of two proteases that function to produce new viral particles. It is a highly conserved cysteine protease with identical structural folds in all known human coronaviruses. Inhibitors binding with high affinity to 3CLpro will prevent the cleavage of viral polyproteins, thus impeding viral replication. Multiple strategies have been implemented to screen for inhibitors against 3CLpro, including peptide-like and small molecule inhibitors that covalently and non-covalently bind the active site, respectively. In addition, allosteric sites of 3CLpro have been identified to screen for small molecules that could make non-competitive inhibitors of 3CLpro. In essence, this review serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the structural intricacies and functional dynamics of 3CLpro, emphasizing key findings that elucidate its role as the main protease of SARS-CoV-2. Notably, the review is a critical resource in recognizing the advancements in identifying and developing 3CLpro inhibitors as effective antiviral strategies against COVID-19, some of which are already approved for clinical use in COVID-19 patients.

A comprehensive review on the neuroprotective potential of resveratrol in ischemic stroke

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide. Globally, 68 % of all strokes are ischemic, with 32 % being hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke (IS) poses significant challenges globally, necessitating the development of effective therapeutic strategies. IS is among the deadliest illnesses. Major functions are played by neuroimmunity, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the multiple intricate pathways of IS. Secondary brain damage is specifically caused by the early pro-inflammatory activity that follows cerebral ischemia, which is brought on by excessive activation of local microglia and the infiltration of circulating monocytes and macrophages. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol found in grapes and berries, has shown promise as a neuroprotective agent in IS. This review offers a comprehensive overview of resveratrol's neuroprotective role in IS, focusing on its mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential. Resveratrol exerts neuroprotective effects by activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) pathways. SIRT1 activation by resveratrol triggers the deacetylation and activation of downstream targets like peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) and forkhead box protein O (FOXO), regulating mitochondrial biogenesis, antioxidant defense, and cellular stress response. Consequently, resveratrol promotes cellular survival and inhibits apoptosis in IS. Moreover, resveratrol activates the NRF2 pathway, a key mediator of the cellular antioxidant response. Activation of NRF2 through resveratrol enhances the expression of antioxidant enzymes, like heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), which neutralize reactive oxygen species and mitigate oxidative stress in the ischemic brain. Combined, the activation of SIRT1 and NRF2 pathways contributes to resveratrol's neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in IS. Preclinical studies demonstrate that resveratrol improves functional outcomes, reduces infarct size, regulates cerebral blood flow and preserves neuronal integrity. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms holds promise for the development of targeted therapeutic interventions aimed at promoting neuronal survival and facilitating functional recovery in IS patients and to aid future studies in this matter.

Recent advances in anti-inflammation via AMPK activation

Inflammation is a complex physiological phenomenon, which is the body's defensive response, but abnormal inflammation can have adverse effects, and many diseases are related to the inflammatory response. AMPK, as a key sensor of cellular energy status, plays a crucial role in regulating cellular energy homeostasis and glycolipid metabolism. In recent years, the anti-inflammation effect of AMPK and related signalling cascade has begun to enter everyone's field of vision - not least the impact on metabolic diseases. A great number of studies have shown that anti-inflammatory drugs work through AMPK and related pathways. Herein, this article summarises recent advances in compounds that show anti-inflammatory effects by activating AMPK and attempts to comment on them.

Multidimensional biological activities of resveratrol and its prospects and challenges in the health field

Resveratrol (RES) is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound. Recent studies have identified multiple potential health benefits of RES, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anticancer, anti-diabetic, cardiovascular, and neuroprotective properties. The objective of this review is to summarize and analyze the studies on the biological activities of RES in disease prevention and treatment, as well as its metabolism and bioavailability. It also discusses the challenges in its clinical application and future research directions. RES exhibits significant potential in the prevention and treatment of many diseases. The future direction of RES research should focus on improving its bioavailability, conducting more clinical trials to determine its effectiveness in humans, and investigating its mechanism of action. Once these challenges have been overcome, RES is expected to become an effective health intervention.

The Role of NRF2 in Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion Disorders

Trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders, a diverse group of neurodegenerative diseases, are caused by abnormal expansions within specific genes. These expansions trigger a cascade of cellular damage, including protein aggregation and abnormal RNA binding. A key contributor to this damage is oxidative stress, an imbalance of reactive oxygen species that harms cellular components. This review explores the interplay between oxidative stress and the NRF2 pathway in these disorders. NRF2 acts as the master regulator of the cellular antioxidant response, orchestrating the expression of enzymes that combat oxidative stress. Trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders often exhibit impaired NRF2 signaling, resulting in inadequate responses to excessive ROS production. NRF2 activation has been shown to upregulate antioxidative gene expression, effectively alleviating oxidative stress damage. NRF2 activators, such as omaveloxolone, vatiquinone, curcumin, sulforaphane, dimethyl fumarate, and resveratrol, demonstrate neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress in experimental cell and animal models of these diseases. However, translating these findings into successful clinical applications requires further research. In this article, we review the literature supporting the role of NRF2 in the pathogenesis of these diseases and the potential therapeutics of NRF2 activators.

Resveratrol and its metabolites elicit neuroprotection via high-affinity binding to the laminin receptor at low nanomolar concentrations

Resveratrol prevents various neurodegenerative diseases in animal models despite reaching only low nanomolar concentrations in the brain after oral administration. In this study, based on the quenching of intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and molecular docking, we found that trans-resveratrol, its conjugates (glucuronide and sulfate), and dihydro-resveratrol (intestinal microbial metabolite) bind with high affinities (Kd, 0.2-2 nm) to the peptide G palindromic sequence (near glycosaminoglycan-binding motif) of the 67-kDa laminin receptor (67LR). Preconditioning with low concentrations (0.01-10 nm) of these polyphenols, especially resveratrol-glucuronide, protected neuronal cells from death induced by serum withdrawal via activation of cAMP-mediated signaling pathways. This protection was prevented by a 67LR-blocking antibody, suggesting a role for this cell-surface receptor in neuroprotection by resveratrol metabolites.

Does Resveratrol Improve Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD)?

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is influenced by a variety of factors, including environmental and genetic factors. The most significant outcome is the alteration of free fatty acid and triglyceride metabolism. Lipotoxicity, impaired autophagy, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress, as well as coexisting insulin resistance, obesity, and changes in the composition of gut microbiota, are also considered crucial factors in the pathogenesis of MASLD. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that belongs to the stilbene subgroup. This review summarises the available information on the therapeutic effects of resveratrol against MASLD. Resveratrol has demonstrated promising antisteatotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities in liver cells in in vitro and animal studies. Resveratrol has been associated with inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, activating the SIRT-1 and AMPK pathways, normalizing the intestinal microbiome, and alleviating intestinal inflammation. However, clinical studies have yielded inconclusive results regarding the efficacy of resveratrol in alleviating hepatic steatosis or reducing any of the parameters found in MASLD in human patients. The lack of homogeneity between studies, low bioavailability of resveratrol, and population variability when compared to animal models could be the reasons for this.

Therapeutic potential of stilbenes in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders: A comprehensive review of preclinical and clinical evidence

Neuropsychiatric disorders are anticipated to be a leading health concern in the near future, emphasizing an outstanding need for the development of new effective therapeutics to treat them. Stilbenes, with resveratrol attracting the most attention, are an example of multi-target compounds with promising therapeutic potential for a broad array of neuropsychiatric and neurological conditions. This review is a comprehensive summary of the current state of research on stilbenes in several neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative disorders. We describe and discuss the results of both in vitro and in vivo studies. The majority of studies concentrate on resveratrol, with limited findings exploring other stilbenes such as pterostilbene, piceatannol, polydatin, tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside, or synthetic resveratrol derivatives. Overall, although extensive preclinical studies show the potential benefits of stilbenes in various central nervous system disorders, clinical evidence on their therapeutic efficacy is largely missing.

Effect of resveratrol on SH-SY5Y cells studied by atomic force microscopy

In this paper, the effects of resveratrol on the viability, morphology, biomechanics and bioelectricity of SH-SY5Y cells were studied by atomic force microscopy. MTT assay showed that resveratrol had a dose effect on SH-SY5Y cells, and its activity was related to drug concentration and drug action time. With the increase of resveratrol concentration or the extension of action time, the activity of SH-SY5Y cells decreased obviously. Atomic force microscope (AFM) was employed to quantitatively analyze the physical changes of cells. AFM study shows that resveratrol can transform SH-SY5Y cells from spindle to sphere, and increase the cell height and decrease the cell adhesion. Also, the elastic modulus increases under the action of low concentration of resveratrol decreases under the action of high concentration of resveratrol, and the electric signal decreases. This study reveals the impact of resveratrol on SH-SY5Y cells from the biological and biophysical perspectives, which is helpful for a more comprehensive understanding of the interaction mechanism between resveratrol and SH-SY5Y cells. These techniques have potential applications in evaluating the effects of chemical substances on cells and screening targeted drugs.

The Pharmacological Potential of Resveratrol in Reducing Soft Tissue Damage in Osteoarthritis Patients

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes the cartilage and bone underneath the joint to break down. This causes pain and stiffness. Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound found in various vegetables, fruits, and red wine, has been studied for its beneficial effects on osteoarthritis. Resveratrol has been shown to target a variety of pathways, including the NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK, and AMPK pathways. In particular, resveratrol has been studied for its potential use in treating osteoarthritis, and it has been shown to reduce inflammation, reduce cartilage degradation, and improve joint function. In this review, we discuss the evidence for the pharmacological use of resveratrol in minimizing soft tissue damage associated with osteoarthritis. We summarize the studies on how resveratrol has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects, as well as effects on cartilage degradation, osteoblast and synoviocyte proliferation, and cytokine production. We also discuss the possible mechanisms of action of resveratrol in osteoarthritis and its potential as a therapeutic agent. Finally, we discuss the potential risks and adverse effects of long-term resveratrol supplementation. Overall, resveratrol has been found to be a possible treatment for osteoarthritis because of its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic properties, and its ability to control the production of enzymes that break down cartilage, osteoblasts, and synoviocytes. Although numerous clinical studies have demonstrated resveratrol's efficacy as an osteoarthritis management agent, further long-term studies are needed to better understand the safety and potential benefits of using resveratrol for osteoarthritis management.

The emerging role of medical foods and therapeutic potential of medical food-derived exosomes

Medical food is consumed for the purpose of improving specific nutritional requirements or disease conditions, such as inflammation, diabetes, and cancer. It involves partial or exclusive feeding for fulfilling unique nutritional requirements of patients and is different from medicine, consisting of basic nutrients, such as polyphenols, vitamins, sugars, proteins, lipids, and other functional ingredients to nourish the patients. Recently, studies on extracellular vesicles (exosomes) with therapeutic and drug carrier potential have been actively conducted. In addition, there have been attempts to utilize exosomes as medical food components. Consequently, the application of exosomes is expanding in different fields with increasing research being conducted on their stability and safety. Herein, we introduced the current trends of medical food and the potential utilization of exosomes in them. Moreover, we proposed Medi-Exo, a exosome-based medical food. Furthermore, we comprehensively elucidate various disease aspects between medical food-derived exosomes (Medi-Exo) and therapeutic natural bionanocomposites. This review highlights the therapeutic challenges regarding Medi-Exo and its potential health benefits.

An Appraisal of the Oleocanthal-Rich Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Its Potential Anticancer and Neuroprotective Properties

Dietary consumption of olive oil represents a key pillar of the Mediterranean diet, which has been shown to exert beneficial effects on human health, such as the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases like cancers and neurodegenerative diseases, among others. These health benefits are partly mediated by the high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), which is produced mostly in Mediterranean countries and is directly made from olives, the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.). Preclinical evidence supports the existence of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties exerted by the polyphenol oleocanthal, which belongs to the EVOO minor polar compound subclass of secoiridoids (like oleuropein). This narrative review aims to describe the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of oleocanthal, as well as the potential anticancer and neuroprotective actions of this polyphenol. Based on recent evidence, we also discuss the reasons underlying the need to include the concentrations of oleocanthal and other polyphenols in the EVOO's nutrition facts label. Finally, we report our personal experience in the production of a certified organic EVOO with a "Protected Designation of Origin" (PDO), which was obtained from olives of three different cultivars (Rotondella, Frantoio, and Leccino) harvested in geographical areas located a short distance from one another (villages' names: Gorga and Camella) within the Southern Italy "Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park" of the Campania Region (Province of Salerno, Italy).

Targeting impaired nutrient sensing via the sirtuin pathway with novel compounds to prevent or treat dementia: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Dementia is prevalent in aged populations and is associated with disability and distress for those affected. Therapeutic benefits of drugs targeting dementia are small. Impaired nutrient sensing pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of dementia and may offer a novel treatment target.

AIMS

This systematic review collated evidence for novel therapeutic compounds that modify nutrient sensing pathways, particularly the sirtuin pathway, in preventing cognitive decline or improving cognition in normal ageing, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched using key search terms. Articles were screened using Covidence systematic review software. The risk of bias was assessed using the Systematic Review Center for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE)'s risk of bias tool for animal studies and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool v 2.0 for human studies.

RESULTS

Out of 3841 articles, 68 were included describing 38 different novel therapeutic compounds that modulate the nutrient sensing pathway via the sirtuin pathway. In animal models (58 studies), all investigated novel therapeutic compounds showed cognitive benefits. Ten studies were human intervention trials targeting normal ageing (1 study) and dementia populations (9 studies). Direct sirtuin (silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog) 1 (SIRT1) activators Resveratrol and Nicotinamide derivatives improved cognitive outcomes among human subjects with normal cognition and MCI.

CONCLUSION

Animal studies support that modulation of the sirtuin pathway has the potential to improve cognitive outcomes. Overall, there is a clear lack of translation from animal models to human populations.

Targeting Protein Aggregates with Natural Products: An Optional Strategy for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Protein aggregation is one of the hallmarks of aging and aging-related diseases, especially for the neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and others. In these diseases, many pathogenic proteins, such as amyloid-β, tau, α-Syn, Htt, and FUS, form aggregates that disrupt the normal physiological function of cells and lead to associated neuronal lesions. Protein aggregates in NDs are widely recognized as one of the important targets for the treatment of these diseases. Natural products, with their diverse biological activities and rich medical history, represent a great treasure trove for the development of therapeutic strategies to combat disease. A number of in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that natural products, by virtue of their complex molecular scaffolds that specifically bind to pathogenic proteins and their aggregates, can inhibit the formation of aggregates, disrupt the structure of aggregates and destabilize them, thereby alleviating conditions associated with NDs. Here, we systematically reviewed studies using natural products to improve disease-related symptoms by reducing or inhibiting the formation of five pathogenic protein aggregates associated with NDs. This information should provide valuable insights into new directions and ideas for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Oxidative stress, free radicals and antioxidants: potential crosstalk in the pathophysiology of human diseases

Introduction: Free radicals are reactive oxygen species that constantly circulate through the body and occur as a side effect of many reactions that take place in the human body. Under normal conditions, they are removed from the body by antioxidant processes. If these natural mechanisms are disrupted, radicals accumulate in excess and contribute to the development of many diseases. Methodology: Relevant recent information on oxidative stress, free radicals, reactive oxidative species, and natural and synthetic antioxidants was collected by researching electronic databases such as PubMed / Medline, Web of Science, and Science Direct. Results: According to the analysed studies, this comprehensive review provided a recent update on oxidative stress, free radicals and antioxidants and their impact on the pathophysiology of human diseases. Discussion: To counteract the condition of oxidative stress, synthetic antioxidants must be provided from external sources to supplement the antioxidant defense mechanism internally. Because of their therapeutic potential and natural origin, medicinal plants have been reported as the main source of natural antioxidants phytocompounds. Some non-enzymatic phytocompounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and glutathione, along with some vitamins have been reported to possess strong antioxidant activities in vivo and in vitro studies. Thus, the present review describes, in brief, the overview of oxidative stress-directed cellular damage and the unction of dietary antioxidants in the management of different diseases. The therapeutic limitations in correlating the antioxidant activity of foods to human health were also discussed.

A pharmacological review on SIRT 1 and SIRT 2 proteins, activators, and inhibitors: Call for further research

Sirtuins or Sir (Silent information regulator) are NAD⁺-dependent enzymes playing an important part in the pathogenesis and treatment of various disorders. They have ubiquitously expressed protein deacetylases. They are implicated in several cellular activities like DNA repair, cellular metabolism, mitochondrial function, and inflammation. Deletion of sirtuin protein, SIRT1 in the organs like brain, heart, liver and pancreas can cause inflammation and increases the level of free radical ions causing oxidative stress. Inflammation and oxidative stress are closely associated with pathophysiological events in many chronic diseases, like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative diseases. Modulation of SIRT1 gene expression might help in preventing the progression of chronic diseases related to the brain, heart, liver, and pancreas. SIRT2 proteins play an essential role in tumorigenesis, including tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting functions. Sirtuin activators are molecules that upregulate the activity of Sirtuins in the body. Their multifaceted uses have surprised the global scientific community. They are found to control obesity, lower cardiac risks, battle cancer, etc. This article provides an update on the pharmacological effect of SIRT1 and SIRT 2 proteins, their activators and inhibitors, and their molecular mechanism. It provides novel insights for future research in targeted therapy and drug development.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea-Resveratrol, Sulfotransferases and Sulfatases-A Long and Turbulent Journey from Intestinal Absorption to Target Cells

For nearly 30 years, resveratrol has attracted the scientific community's interest. This has happened thanks to the so-called French paradox, that is, the paradoxically low mortality from cardiovascular causes in the French population despite a diet rich in saturated fat. This phenomenon has been linked to the consumption of red wine, which contains a relatively high level of resveratrol. Currently, resveratrol is valued for its versatile, beneficial properties. Apart from its anti-atherosclerotic activity, resveratrol's antioxidant and antitumor properties deserve attention. It was shown that resveratrol inhibits tumour growth at all three stages: initiation, promotion, and progression. Moreover, resveratrol delays the ageing process and has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and phytoestrogenic properties. These favorable biological properties have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo in animal and human models. Since the beginning of the research on resveratrol, its low bioavailability, mainly due to its rapid metabolism, especially the first-pass effect that leaves almost no free resveratrol in the peripheral circulation, has been indicated as a drawback that has hindered its use. The elucidation of such issues as pharmacokinetics, stability, and the biological activity of resveratrol metabolites is therefore crucial for understanding the biological activity of resveratrol. Second-phase metabolism enzymes are mainly involved in RSV metabolism, e.g., UDP-glucuronyl transferases and sulfotransferases. In the present paper, we took a closer look at the available data on the activity of resveratrol sulfate metabolites and the role of sulfatases in releasing active resveratrol in target cells.

Non-Enzymatic Antioxidants against Alzheimer's Disease: Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. Although substantial research has been conducted to elucidate the complex pathophysiology of AD, the therapeutic approach still has limited efficacy in clinical practice. Oxidative stress (OS) has been established as an early driver of several age-related diseases, including neurodegeneration. In AD, increased levels of reactive oxygen species mediate neuronal lipid, protein, and nucleic acid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic damage, and inflammation. Thus, the identification of novel antioxidant molecules capable of detecting, preventing, and counteracting AD onset and progression is of the utmost importance. However, although several studies have been published, comprehensive and up-to-date overviews of the principal anti-AD agents harboring antioxidant properties remain scarce. In this narrative review, we summarize the role of vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, non-flavonoids, mitochondria-targeting molecules, organosulfur compounds, and carotenoids as non-enzymatic antioxidants with AD diagnostic, preventative, and therapeutic potential, thereby offering insights into the relationship between OS and neurodegeneration.

Current Insight into Novel Delivery Approaches of Resveratrol for Improving Therapeutic Efficacy and Bioavailability with its Clinical Updates

Resveratrol (RSV) is a polyphenolic phytoalexin, and belongs to the stilbene family. RSV has several therapeutic activities such as cardioprotective, anticancer, and antioxidant. Apart from its therapeutic benefits, its pharmacological uses are limited due to low solubility, poor bioavailability, and short biological halflife. A researcher continuously focuses on overcoming the limitations of RSV through nanotechnology platforms to get the optimum health benefits. In this context, nanocarriers are pioneering to overcome these drawbacks. Nanocarriers possess high drug loading capacity, thermal stability, low production cost, longer shelflife, etc. Fortunately, scientists were proficient in delivering resveratrol-based nanocarriers in the present scenario. Nanocarriers can deliver drugs to the target sites without compromising the bioavailability. Thus, this review highlights how the latest nanocarrier systems overcome the shortcomings of RSV, which will be good for improving therapeutic efficacy and bioavailability. Moreover, recent updates on resveratrol-based novel formulations and their clinical trials have been addressed to manage several health-related problems.

Review of the Potential Therapeutic Effects and Molecular Mechanisms of Resveratrol on Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a hormone-dependent inflammatory disease characterized by the existence of endometrial tissues outside the uterine cavity. Pharmacotherapy and surgery are the current dominant management options for endometriosis. The greater incidence of recurrence and reoperation after surgical treatment as well as the adverse effects of medical approaches predispose patients to potential limitations for their long-term usage. Consequently, it is essential to explore novel supplementary and alternative drugs to ameliorate the therapeutic outcomes of endometriotic patients. Resveratrol is a phenolic compound that has attracted increasing interest from many researchers due to its pleiotropic biological activities. Here, we review the possible therapeutic efficacies and molecular mechanisms of resveratrol against endometriosis based on in vitro, animal, and clinical studies. The potential mechanisms of resveratrol include anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, anti-oxidative stress, anti-invasive and anti-adhesive effects, thereby suggesting that resveratrol is a promising candidate for endometriosis. Because most studies have investigated the effectiveness of resveratrol on endometriosis via in vitro trials and/or experimental animal models, further high-quality clinical trials should be undertaken to comprehensively estimate the clinical application feasibility of resveratrol on endometriosis.

Extremely Active Nano-formulation of Resveratrol (XAR™) attenuates and reverses chemotherapy-induced damage in mice ovaries and testes

BACKGROUND

Fertility preservation and restoration in cancer patients/survivors is the need of present times when increased numbers of patients get cured of cancer but face infertility as a serious side effect. Resveratrol has beneficial effects on chemoablated ovaries and testes in mice but has failed to enter the clinics because of extremely poor bioavailability. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective and curative effects of Extremely active Resveratrol (XAR™)- a nano-formulation of resveratrol with significantly improved bioavailability- on mouse ovary and testis after chemotherapy. Effects of XAR™ and FSH were compared on stimulation of follicle growth in adult mice ovaries. XAR™ (25 mg/kg) was administered for two days prior to chemotherapy to study the protective effects on the mouse gonads. XAR™ was also administered for 14 days post chemoablation to study the regenerative effects. Besides effect on numbers of primordial and growing follicles and spermatogenesis, the effect of XAR™ was also evaluated on the transcripts specific for ovarian/testicular stem/progenitor/germ cells, their proliferation, differentiation, meiosis, and the antioxidant indices.

RESULTS

Similar to FSH, XAR™ increased the numbers of primordial follicles (PF) as well as growing follicles. It protected the gonads from the adverse effects of chemotherapy and showed the ability to regenerate non-functional, chemoablated gonads. Besides stimulating follicle growth in adult ovaries similar to FSH, XAR™ also protected the testes from the adverse effects of chemotherapy and improved spermatogenesis. This was accompanied by improved anti-oxidant indices.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study potentiate the use of XAR™ in pilot clinical studies to protect gonadal function during oncotherapy and also regenerate non-functional gonads in cancer survivors by improving antioxidant indices and stem cell-based tissue regeneration.

A meta-analysis of resveratrol protects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury: Evidence from rats studies and insight into molecular mechanisms

Objective: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol (RES) in rat models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Data sources: PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Chinese databases were searched from their inception dates to July 2022. No language restriction was used in the literature search.

Date Selection: Studies were selected that RES were used to treat cerebral I/R injury in vivo. Two reviewers conducted literature screening, data extraction and methodological quality assessment independently.

Outcome measures: Cerebral infarct volume was included as primary outcome. The secondary outcomes included cerebral water content and neurological deficit scores. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were used to evaluate oxidative stress during medication.

Results: A total of 41 studies were included, and only a few of them the methodological quality was relatively low. Compared with the control group, RES significantly reduced the cerebral infarct volume (29 studies, standard mean difference (SMD) = −2.88 [−3.23 to −2.53], p < 0.00001) and brain water content (nine studies, MD = −9.49 [−13.58 to −5.40], p < 0.00001) after cerebral I/R injury, then neurological function was improved (15 studies, SMD = −1.96 [−2.26 to −1.65], p < 0.00001). The MDA level (six studies, SMD = −8.97 [−13.60 to −4.34], p = 0.0001) was decreased notably after treatment of RES, while the SOD level (five studies, SMD = 3.13 [−0.16 to 6.43], p = 0.06) was increased unsatisfactory. Consistently, subgroup analysis of cerebral infarct volume suggested that the optimal therapeutic dose is 30 mg/kg (eight studies, SMD = −5.83 [−7.63 to −4.04], p < 0.00001). Meanwhile, 60 min of occlusion (three studies, SMD = −10.89 [−16.35 to −5.42], p < 0.0001) could get maximum benefit from compared with 90 min and 120 min of occlusion. On the other hand, the publication bias cannot be ignored. The pharmacological mechanisms of RES on cerebral I/R injury models as reported have be summarized, which can be used for reference by researchers to further plan their future experiments.

Conclusion: RES might have a good neuroprotective effect on cerebral I/R injury in rats, then 30 mg/kg RES may be the optimal dose for treatment, and early administration of RES should be more neuroprotective. Also it need to be further verified through exploration of dose effect relationship, or delay administration or not.

Resveratrol (RV): A pharmacological review and call for further research

Resveratrol (RV) is a well-known polyphenolic compound in various plants, including grape, peanut, and berry fruits, which is quite famous for its association with several health benefits such as anti-obesity, cardioprotective neuroprotective, antitumor, antidiabetic, antioxidants, anti-age effects, and glucose metabolism. Significantly, promising therapeutic properties have been reported in various cancer, neurodegeneration, and atherosclerosis and are regulated by several synergistic pathways that control oxidative stress, cell death, and inflammation. Similarly, RV possesses a strong anti-adipogenic effect by inhibiting fat accumulation processes and activating oxidative and lipolytic pathways, exhibiting their cardioprotective effects by inhibiting platelet aggregation. The RV also shows significant antibacterial effects against various food-borne pathogens (Listeria, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli) by inhibiting an electron transport chain (ETC) and F0F1-ATPase, which decreases the production of cellular energy that leads to the spread of pathogens. After collecting and analyzing scientific literature, it may be concluded that RV is well tolerated and favorably affects cardiovascular, neurological, and diabetic disorders. As such, it is possible that RV can be considered the best nutritional additive and a complementary drug, especially a therapeutic candidate. Therefore, this review would increase knowledge about the blend of RV as well as inspire researchers around the world to consider RV as a pharmaceutical drug to combat future health crises against various inhumane diseases. In the future, this article will be aware of discoveries about the potential of this promising natural compound as the best nutraceuticals and therapeutic drugs in medicine.

Natural Compounds With Antimicrobial and Antiviral Effect and Nanocarriers Used for Their Transportation

Due to the increasing prevalence of life-threatening bacterial, fungal and viral infections and the ability of these human pathogens to develop resistance to current treatment strategies, there is a great need to find and develop new compunds to combat them. These molecules must have low toxicity, specific activity and high bioavailability. The most suitable compounds for this task are usually derived from natural sources (animal, plant or even microbial). In this review article, the latest and most promising natural compounds used to combat bacteria, filamentous fungi and viruses are presented and evaluated. These include plant extracts, essential oils, small antimicrobial peptides of animal origin, bacteriocins and various groups of plant compounds (triterpenoids; alkaloids; phenols; flavonoids) with antimicrobial and antiviral activity. Data are presented on the inhibitory activity of each natural antimicrobial substance and on the putative mechanism of action against bacterial and fungal strains. The results show that among the bioactive compounds studied, triterpenoids have significant inhibitory activity against coronaviruses, but flavonoids have also been shown to inhibit SARS-COV-2. The last chapter is devoted to nanocarriers used to improve stability, bioavailability, cellular uptake/internalization, pharmacokinetic profile and reduce toxicity of natural compunds. There are a number of nanocarriers such as liposomes, drug delivery microemulsion systems, nanocapsules, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, etc. However, some of the recent studies have focused on the incorporation of natural substances with antimicrobial/antiviral activity into polymeric nanoparticles, niosomes and silver nanoparticles (which have been shown to have intrinsic antimicrobial activity). The natural antimicrobials isolated from animals and microorganisms have been shown to have good inhibitory effect on a range of pathogens, however the plants remain the most prolific source. Even if the majority of the studies for the biological activity evaluation are in silico or in vitro, their internalization in the optimum nanocarriers represents the future of “green therapeutics” as shown by some of the recent work in the field.

Is resveratrol a prospective therapeutic strategy in the co-association of glucose metabolism disorders and neurodegenerative diseases?

Objectives: The mechanism behind the progression of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains poorly understood. However some evidence pointed out that the co-occurrence of metabolic conditions affecting glucose homeostasis, as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), may be an important catalyst in this context. Notably, candidate drugs which modulate common pathways in the development of MCI-to-AD mediated by T2DM may offer likely therapy for AD. Nonetheless, limited pharmacological alternatives that modulate common pathways in T2DM, MCI, and AD are available. In the recent decades, studies have shown that resveratrol may act as a neuroprotective compound, but little is known about its potential in improving cognitive and metabolic aspects associated with AD progression mediated by the co-association between TDM2-MCI.Methods: In this review, we discuss possible protective mechanisms of resveratrol on shared pathways associated with AD progression mediated by T2DM-MCI co-occurrence.Results: Some studies indicated that insulin resistance and hyperglycemia may be also a T2DM risk factor for the progression of MCI-to-AD, promoting alterations in metabolic pathways associated with neuronal plasticity, and increasing pro-inflammatory environment. Interestingly, basic research and clinical trials indicate that resveratrol may modulate those pathways, showing a potential neuroprotective effect of this polyphenol.Conclusion: Therefore, there is not enough clinical data supporting the translational therapeutic use of resveratrol in this scenario.

An Omega-3-rich Anti-inflammatory Diet Improved Widespread Allodynia and Worsened Metabolic Outcomes in Adult Mice Exposed to Neonatal Maternal Separation

Inflammation plays a key role in the progression and maintenance of chronic pain, which impacts the lives of millions of Americans. Despite growing evidence that chronic pain can be improved by treating underlying inflammation, successful treatments are lacking and pharmaceutical interventions are limited due to drug side effects. Here we are testing whether a 'healthy human' diet (HHD), with or without anti-inflammatory components (HHAID), improves pain-like behaviors in a preclinical model of chronic widespread hypersensitivity induced by neonatal maternal separation (NMS). The HHD and HHAID are isocaloric and macronutrient-matched, have a low glycemic index, and fat content (35 kcal%) that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, while only the HHAID includes a combination of key anti-inflammatory compounds, at clinically relevant doses. Mice on these diets were compared to mice on a control diet with a macronutrient composition commonly used in rodents (20% protein, 70% carbohydrate, 10% fat). Our results demonstrate a benefit of the HHAID on pain-like behaviors in both male and female mice, despite increased caloric intake, adiposity, and weight gain. In female mice, HHAID specifically increased measures of metabolic syndrome and inflammation compared to the HHD and control diet groups. Male mice were susceptible to worsening metabolic measures on both the HHAID and HHD. This work highlights important sexual dimorphic outcomes related to early life stress exposure and dietary interventions, as well as a potential disconnect between improvements in pain-like behaviors and metabolic measures.

Gastroprotective Effects of Polyphenols against Various Gastro-Intestinal Disorders: A Mini-Review with Special Focus on Clinical Evidence

Polyphenols are classified as an organic chemical with phenolic units that display an array of biological functions. However, polyphenols have very low bioavailability and stability, which make polyphenols a less bioactive compound. Many researchers have indicated that several factors might affect the efficiency and the metabolism (biotransformation) of various polyphenols, which include the gut microbiota, structure, and physical properties as well as its interactions with other dietary nutrients (macromolecules). Hence, this mini-review covers the two-way interaction between polyphenols and gut microbiota (interplay) and how polyphenols are metabolized (biotransformation) to produce various polyphenolic metabolites. Moreover, the protective effects of numerous polyphenols and their metabolites against various gastrointestinal disorders/diseases including gastritis, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) like ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) like celiac disease (CED) are discussed. For this review, the authors chose only a few popular polyphenols (green tea polyphenol, curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin), and a discussion of their proposed mechanism underpinning the gastroprotection was elaborated with a special focus on clinical evidence. Overall, this contribution would help the general population and science community to identify a potent polyphenol with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, prebiotic, and immunomodulatory properties to combat various gut-related diseases or disorders (complementary therapy) along with modified lifestyle pattern and standard gastroprotective drugs. However, the data from clinical trials are much limited and hence many large-scale clinical trials should be performed (with different form/metabolites and dose) to confirm the gastroprotective activity of the above-mentioned polyphenols and their metabolites before recommendation.

The involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

In an ageing society, neurodegenerative diseases have attracted attention because of their high incidence worldwide. Despite extensive research, there is a lack of conclusive insights into the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, which limit the strategies for symptomatic treatment. Therefore, better elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases can provide an important theoretical basis for the discovery of new and effective prevention and treatment methods. The innate immune system is activated during the ageing process and in response to neurodegenerative diseases. Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that play an important role in the activation of the innate immune system. They mediate inflammatory reactions and pyroptosis, which are closely involved in neurodegeneration. There are different types of inflammasomes, although the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is the most common inflammasome; NLRP3 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we will discuss the mechanisms that are involved in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its crucial role in the pathology of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. We will also review various treatments that target the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and alleviate neuroinflammation. Finally, we will summarize the novel treatment strategies for neurodegenerative disorders.

Food for Special Medical Purposes and Nutraceuticals for Pain: A Narrative Review

Introduction

The present paper focuses on the possible contribution of food compounds to alleviate symptomatic pains. Chronic pain can more easily be linked to anticipatory signals such as thirst and hunger than it is to sensory perceptions as its chronicity makes it fall under the behavioural category rather than it does senses. In fact, pain often negatively affects one’s normal feeding behavioural patterns, both directly and indirectly, as it is associated with pain or because of its prostrating effects.

Nutritional Compounds for Pain

Several nutraceuticals and Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMPs) are reported to have significant pain relief efficacy with multiple antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Apart from the aforementioned properties, amino acids, fatty acids, trace elements and vitamins may have a role in the modulation of pain signals to and within the nervous system.

Conclusion

In our opinion, this review could be of great interest to clinicians, as it offers a complementary perspective in the management of pain. Trials with well-defined patient and symptoms selection and a robust pharmacological design are pivotal points to let these promising compounds become better accepted by the medical community.

[Network pharmacology-based study of the therapeutic mechanism of resveratrol for Alzheimer's disease]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of resveratrol (RES) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in light of network pharmacology.

METHODS

We searched PubChem, BATMAN-TCM, Genecards, AD, TTD, String 11.0, AlzData, SwissTargetPrediction, Metascape and other databases for the therapeutic targets of RES and human AD-related targets. The intersection was determined using Venny 2.1 to obtain the therapeutic targets of RES for AD. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, the gene ontology (GO) was enriched and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG pathway) were analyzed. Cytoscape 3.7.1 software was used to construct a target-signaling pathway network of RES in the treatment of AD. Molecular docking verification was carried out on SwissDock (http://www.swissdock.ch/docking). We examined a 293Tau cell model of AD for changes in protein levels of pS396, pS199, Tau5, CDK5, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and p-GSK3β in response to RES treatment using Western blotting.

RESULTS

We obtained 182 targets of RES, 525 targets related to AD, and 36 targets of RES for AD treatment, among which 34.6% of the targets were protein-modifying enzymes, 27.7% were metabolite invertase, 13.8% were gene-specific transcriptional regulators, and 10.3% were transporters. The core key targets of RES in the treatment of AD included INS, APP, ESR1, MMP9, IGF1R, CACNA1C, MAPT (microtubule- associated protein Tau), MMP2, TGFB1 and GSK3B. Enrichment analysis of GO biological process suggested that the biological function of RES in AD treatment mainly involved the response to β-amyloid protein, positive regulation of transferase activity, the transmembrane receptor protein tyrosine kinase signaling pathway, regulation of behavior, learning or memory, aging, and transmembrane transport. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the most significantly enriched signaling pathways were AD pathway, PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. Molecular docking results showed that RES had strong binding with ESR1, GSK3B, MMP9, IGF1R, APP and INS. In the cell model of AD, treatment with 50 μmol/L RES for 12 h significantly reduced the levels of pS396 and pS199 by regulating CDK5 and GSK3β activity (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

RES produces therapeutic effects on AD by acting on multiple targets and affecting multiple signaling pathways and improves AD-associated pathologies via a direct action on Aβ and Tau pathological processes.

A Review of Plant Extracts and Plant-Derived Natural Compounds in the Prevention/Treatment of Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury is one of the major drawbacks of mortality and causes significant short/long-term neurological dysfunction in newborn infants worldwide. To date, due to multifunctional complex mechanisms of brain injury, there is no well-established effective strategy to completely provide neuroprotection. Although therapeutic hypothermia is the proven treatment for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), it does not completely chang outcomes in severe forms of HIE. Therefore, there is a critical need for reviewing the effective therapeutic strategies to explore the protective agents and methods. In recent years, it is widely believed that there are neuroprotective possibilities of natural compounds extracted from plants against HIE. These natural agents with the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and neurofunctional regulatory properties exhibit preventive or therapeutic effects against experimental neonatal HI brain damage. In this study, it was aimed to review the literature in scientific databases that investigate the neuroprotective effects of plant extracts/plant-derived compounds in experimental animal models of neonatal HI brain damage and their possible underlying molecular mechanisms of action.

Resveratrol rescued the pain related hypersensitivity for Cntnap2-deficient mice

Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2 or CASPR2) is a neuronal transmembrane protein of the neurexin superfamily which is correlated with pain related hypersensitivity. Recent results indicated that the hyperactive phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway may be a promising therapeutic target for pain-related hypersensitivity in patients with dysfunction of CNTNAP2. Resveratrol is one of the most widely studied polyphenols with several beneficial properties. In the present study, we investigated the effects of resveratrol on the pain related hypersensitivity. And we found that the up-regulated phosphorylation of S6 could be suppressed by resveratrol. The nocifensive behavior duration time to heat and chemical algogens stimulation in Cntnap2-deficiency (Cntnap2-/-) mice could be attenuated by resveratrol. Our results indicated that resveratrol could rescue the pain related hypersensitivity for Cntnap2-/- mice may be via mTOR signaling pathway.

SIRT1 and SIRT2 Activity Control in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Sirtuins are NAD+ dependent histone deacetylases (HDAC) that play a pivotal role in neuroprotection and cellular senescence. SIRT1-7 are different homologs from sirtuins. They play a prominent role in many aspects of physiology and regulate crucial proteins. Modulation of sirtuins can thus be utilized as a therapeutic target for metabolic disorders. Neurological diseases have distinct clinical manifestations but are mainly age-associated and due to loss of protein homeostasis. Sirtuins mediate several life extension pathways and brain functions that may allow therapeutic intervention for age-related diseases. There is compelling evidence to support the fact that SIRT1 and SIRT2 are shuttled between the nucleus and cytoplasm and perform context-dependent functions in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). In this review, we highlight the regulation of SIRT1 and SIRT2 in various neurological diseases. This study explores the various modulators that regulate the activity of SIRT1 and SIRT2, which may further assist in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Moreover, we analyze the structure and function of various small molecules that have potential significance in modulating sirtuins, as well as the technologies that advance the targeted therapy of neurodegenerative disease.

The involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, and it is characterised by progressive deterioration in cognitive and memory abilities, which can severely influence the elderly population's daily living abilities. Although researchers have made great efforts in the field of AD, there are still no well-established strategies to prevent and treat this disease. Therefore, better clarification of the molecular mechanisms associated with the onset and progression of AD is critical to provide a theoretical basis for the establishment of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. Currently, it is generally believed that neuroinflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of AD. Inflammasome, a multiprotein complex, is involved in the innate immune system, and it can mediate inflammatory responses and pyroptosis, which lead to neurodegeneration. Among the various types of inflammasomes, the NLRP3 inflammasome is the most characterised in neurodegenerative diseases, especially in AD. The activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome causes the generation of caspase-1-mediated interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 in microglia cells, where neuroinflammation is involved in the development and progression of AD. Thus, the NLRP3 inflammasome is likely to be a crucial therapeutic molecular target for AD via regulating neuroinflammation. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge on the role and regulatory mechanisms of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenic mechanisms of AD. We also focus on a series of potential therapeutic treatments targeting NLRP3 inflammasome for AD. Further clarification of the regulatory mechanisms of the NLRP3 inflammasome in AD may provide more useful clues to develop novel AD treatment strategies.

Pomegranate-derived anthocyanin regulates MORs-cAMP/CREB-BDNF pathways in opioid-dependent models and improves cognitive impairments

BACKGROUND

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is one of the oldest known edible fruit. Recently, there has been an increased interest in this fruit as a functional food for health benefits due to its use in disease prevention and promotion of overall health wellness.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the effects of pomegranate extract for the development of non-opioid substitution therapy for in-vitro and in-vivo studies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Anthocyanin contents consisting of cyanidin 3-glucoside, diglucoside, and pelargonidin 3-glucoside, diglucoside were detected and quantified in pomegranate extract using high-performance liquid chromatography. The optimum dosage of the extract was determined based on the regulation of MORs and cAMP proteins in U-87 cells. Co-treatment of the extract with morphine was performed to evaluate its potency in reducing the concentration levels of MORs and cAMP. For animal studies, rats were divided into two major groups representing both acute and chronic morphine-induced treatments and the Morris water maze (MWM) study was employed after treatment for each rat. The rats were sacrificed after the treatments and serum samples were collected to evaluate the levels of CREB and BDNF.

RESULTS

The results indicated that each of the anthocyanin content tested in the study was present in the pomegranate extract. Additionally, in-vitro studies using pomegranate extract treatment showed that the extract was effective in decreasing the MORs and cAMP protein levels in U-87 cells at a concentration of 0.125 mg/mL. The memory impairment based on the MWM study in rats was also subsequently improved after treatment with pomegranate extract as compared to treatment with morphine. The blood serum derived from the rats treated with pomegranate extract also showed a significant decrease in CREB level and an increase in BDNF as compared to rats treated with morphine.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study substantiates the potency of pomegranate extract as a non-opioid substitution therapy for in-vitro and in-vivo studies.

Resveratrol in the treatment of neuroblastoma: a review

Resveratrol, polyphenol naturally occurring in grapes or nuts, has anti-cancer properties in the treatment of neuroblastoma - the most common childhood solid tumor. It affects cancer cells by increasing apoptosis, inducing cell necrosis and reducing tumor mass. Mechanism of action - (1) converting procaspases, mainly procaspases three and nine into active forms - caspases, (2) blocking kinases, and also (3) leading the cell to the S-cell cycle, where it is most effective while increasing the concentration of cyclin E and lowering the concentration of p21 protein. In vitro, as well as, rodent animal models studies are available and show promising results. Therapeutic doses, currently within 10-100 μmol/L, are also being tested, as well as other forms of resveratrol, such as its trans-4,4'-dihydroxystilbene analog and polyphenol lipoconjugates. In our review, we presented the known molecular mechanisms of polyphenol anti-tumor activity against neuroblastoma and discussed the studies confirming its effectiveness.

Boosting the autophagy-lysosomal pathway by phytochemicals: A potential therapeutic strategy against Alzheimer's disease

The lysosome is a membrane-enclosed organelle in eukaryotic cells, which has basic pattern recognition for nutrient-dependent signal transduction. In Alzheimer's disease, the already declining autophagy-lysosomal function is exacerbated by an increased need for clearance of damaged proteins and organelles in aged cells. Recent evidence suggests that numerous diseases are linked to impaired autophagy upstream of lysosomes. In this way, a comprehensive survey on the pathophysiology of the disease seems necessary. Hence, in the first section of this review, we will discuss the ultimate findings in lysosomal signaling functions and how they affect cellular metabolism and trafficking under neurodegenerative conditions, specifically Alzheimer's disease. In the second section, we focus on how natural products and their derivatives are involved in the regulation of inflammation and lysosomal dysfunction pathways, including how these should be considered a crucial target for Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.

Resveratrol isoforms and conjugates: A review from biosynthesis in plants to elimination from the human body

The natural isomers of resveratrol, cis- and trans-resveratrol, are natural phenolic substances synthetized via the shikimate pathway and found in many sources, including grapes, peanuts, blackberries, pistachios, cacao, cranberries, and jackfruits. They have functional and pharmacological properties such as anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective activities. The aim of this article is to review the data published on resveratrol and its isomers, and their biosynthesis in plants, food sources, health and toxic effects, and the excretion of their metabolites. Due to its contribution to the promotion of human health, it is convenient to gather more knowledge about its functional properties, food sources, and the interactions with the human body during the processes of eating, digestion, absorption, biotransformation, and excretion, to combine this information to improve the understanding of these substances.

Application of natural cotton fibers as an extraction sorbent for the detection of trans-resveratrol in adulterated peanut oils

The current study develops an effective, convenient, low-cost, and environmentally friendly method for determining trans-resveratrol (TRA) in peanut oils, the unique proportion of peanut oil, by employing natural cotton fibers without any pretreatment as extraction sorbent and an in-syringe extraction device. The primary factors affecting the extraction recovery are optimized in detail. The condition of 200.0 mg of cotton fibers, six push-pull times, 2.0 mL of n-hexane as washing solvent and 2.0 mL of ethanol as desorption solvent is selected as the best. The linear range is demonstrated to be 10-1000 ng/g with a satisfactory correlation coefficient (R² = 0.9995), while the limit of detection is calculated as 2.47 ng/g. In addition, the recoveries of TRA are obtained in the range of 93.8-104.4% with RSDs less than 5.5%. Finally, the developed method is successfully applied to determine TRA concentrations in commercial peanut oils and other edible oils.

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is caused by progressive neurodegeneration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons with abnormal accumulation of α-synuclein in substantia nigra (SN). Studies have suggested the potential involvement of dopamine, iron, calcium, mitochondria and neuroinflammation in contributing to overwhelmed oxidative stress and neurodegeneration in PD. Function studies on PD-causative mutations of SNCA, PRKN, PINK1, DJ-1, LRRK2, FBXO7 and ATP13A2 further indicate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of PD. Therefore, it is reasonable that molecules involved in oxidative stress, such as DJ-1, coenzyme Q10, uric acid, 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosin, homocysteine, retinoic acid/carotenes, vitamin E, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, xanthine oxidase and products of lipid peroxidation, could be candidate biomarkers for PD. Applications of antioxidants to modulate oxidative stress could be a strategy in treating PD. Although a number of antioxidants, such as creatine, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, pioglitazone, melatonin and desferrioxamine, have been tested in clinical trials, none of them have demonstrated conclusive evidence to ameliorate the neurodegeneration in PD patients. Difficulties in clinical studies may be caused by the long-standing progression of neurodegeneration, lack of biomarkers for premotor stage of PD and inadequate drug delivery across blood–brain barrier. Solutions for these challenges will be warranted for future studies with novel antioxidative treatment in PD patients.

The therapeutic effect of resveratrol: Focusing on the Nrf2 signaling pathway

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol derived from grapes, berries, red wine, peanuts amongst other fruits and nuts. Beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, renoprotective, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer of resveratrol have been demonstrated by preclinical and clinical research. A possibility is that these therapeutical effects are associated with modulation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway in the following way: resveratrol may potentiate Nrf2 signaling through blockage of Keap1, by means of changing the Nrf2 mediators, its expression and its nuclear translocation. This article reviews the evidence of the Nrf2 modulating hypothesis as a possible molecular mechanism underlying the medicinal properties of resveratrol.

Neurological recovery and antioxidant effects of resveratrol in rats with spinal cord injury: a meta-analysis

Objective

To critically assess the neurological recovery and antioxidant effects of resveratrol in rat models of spinal cord injury.

Data sources

Using "spinal cord injury", "resveratrol" and "animal experiment" as the main search terms, all studies on the treatment of spinal cord injury in rats by resveratrol were searched for in PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Science Direct, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP, and SinoMed databases by computer. The search was conducted from their inception date to April 2017. No language restriction was used in the literature search.

Data selection

The methodological quality of each study was assessed by the initial Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable recommendations. Two reviewers independently selected studies according to the title, abstract and full text. The risk of bias in the included studies was also evaluated. Meta-analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.3 software.

Outcome measures

Neurological function was assessed by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scale score, inclined plane score and Gale's motor function score. Molecular-biological analysis of antioxidative effects was conducted to determine superoxide dismutase levels, malondialdehyde levels, nitric oxide synthase activity, nitric oxide levels, xanthine oxidase and glutathione levels in spinal cord tissues.

Results

The methodological quality of the 12 included studies was poor. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, resveratrol significantly increased the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scale scores after spinal cord injury (n = 300, mean difference (MD) = 3.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.10, 5.59], P < 0.0001). Compared with the control group, superoxide dismutase levels were significantly elevated (n = 138, standardized mean difference (SMD) = 5.22, 95% CI [2.98, 7.45], P < 0.00001), but malondialdehyde levels were significantly diminished (n = 84, SMD = -3.64, 95% CI [-5.84, -1.43], P = 0.001) in the spinal cord of the resveratrol treatment group.

Conclusions

Resveratrol promoted neurological recovery and exerted antioxidative effects in rat models of spinal cord injury. The limited quality of the included studies reduces the application of this meta-analysis. Therefore, more high-quality studies are needed to provide more rigorous and objective evidence for the pre-clinical treatment of spinal cord injury.

Resveratrol and siRNA in combination reduces Hsp27 expression and induces caspase-3 activity in human glioblastoma cells

GBM cells can easily gain resistance to conventional therapy, and therefore treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is difficult. One of the hallmark proteins known to be responsible for this resistance is heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) which has a key role in the cell survival. Resveratrol, a natural compound, exhibits antitumor effects against GBM, but there are no reports regarding its effect on Hsp27 expression in gliomas. The aim of the present study was to asses the effect of resveratrol on Hsp27 expression and apoptosis in non-transfected and transfected U-87 MG human glioblastoma cells. In order to block the Hsp27 expression, siRNA transfection was performed. Non-transfected and transfected cells were treated with either 10 or 15 μM resveratrol. The effects of resveratrol were compared with quercetin, a well-known Hsp27 inhibitor. Resveratrol was found to induce apoptosis more effectively than quercetin. Our data showed that resveratrol induces dose- and time-dependent cell death. We also determined that silencing of Hsp27 with siRNA makes the cells more vulnerable to apoptosis upon resveratrol treatment. The highest effect was observed in the 15 μM resveratrol and 25 nM siRNA combination group (suppressed Hsp27 expression by 93.4% and induced apoptosis by 101.2%). This study is the first report showing that resveratrol reduces Hsp27 levels, and siRNA-mediated Hsp27 silencing enhances the therapeutic effects of resveratrol in glioma cells. Our results suggest that resveratrol administration in combination with Hsp27 silencing has a potential to be used as a candidate for GBM treatment.

Bioavailability and metabolism of selected cocoa bioactive compounds: A comprehensive review

Cocoa beans and their co-products are a rich source of beneficial compounds for health promotion, including polyphenols and methylxanthines. Knowledge of bioavailability and in vivo bioactivity of these phytochemicals is crucial to understand their role and function in human health. Therefore, many studies concerning bioavailability and bioactivity of cocoa bioactive compound have been done in both in vivo animal models and in humans. This critical review comprehensively summarizes the existing knowledge about the bioavailability and the major metabolic pathways of selected cocoa bioactive compounds (i.e. monomeric flavan-3-ols, procyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonols, phenolic acids, N-phenylpropenoyl-L-amino acids, stilbenes, and methylxanthines). The compiled results indicated that many of these compounds undergo extensive metabolism prior to absorption. Different factors have been suggested to influence the bioavailability of polyphenols and methylxanthines among them the role of gut microbiota, structure of these compounds, food matrix and occurrence of other substances were the most often considered. Aforementioned factors decided about the site where these bioactive compounds are digested and absorbed from the alimentary tract, as well as the pathway by which they are metabolized. These factors also determine of the type of transport through the intestine barrier (passive, involving specific enzymes or mediated by specific transporters) and their metabolic path and profile.

Sarcopenia, Aging and Prospective Interventional Strategies

Sarcopenia, or age-related muscle decline, occurs in most organisms and burdens both human health and the healthcare system. As our population ages, additional options for treating sarcopenia are needed. Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the onset of sarcopenia, so therapies directed at improving mitochondrial function in muscle should be considered. Many naturally-occurring compounds, derived from commonly consumed foods, possess anti-sarcopenic effects, such asnicotinamide riboside, tomatidine, and Urolithin A. These naturally-occurring compounds can improve mitochondrial health and efficiency by modulating mitochondrial biogenesis, cellular stress resistance, or mitophagy. Further research should assess whether compounds that improve mitochondrial health can attenuate sarcopenia in humans.

A Combination of Resveratrol and Curcumin is Effective Against Aluminum Chloride-Induced Neuroinflammation in Rats

BACKGROUND

Experimental studies have demonstrated that aluminum is an environmental toxin that induces neuroinflammation and the development of Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE

In this report, we investigated the beneficial effect of a combination of resveratrol and curcumin to reduce aluminum-induced neuroinflammation.

METHOD

We employed both an in vivo model of aluminum-induced neuroinflammation and an in vitro aluminum stimulated cultured PC-12 cells. Neuroinflammation in rats was assessed by measuring the expression of β-secretase, amyloid-β protein precursor, and γ-subunits (PS-1 and PS-2), along with the inflammatory COX-2, Il-1β, Il-1α, and TNF-α. Furthermore, we measured the expression profiles of neuro-protective Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) protein and let-7c microRNA. In parallel, PC-12 cells were treated with 0.5 mM aluminum to induce a neuroinflammation-like state. In addition, curcumin effect, as a selective COX-2 expression inhibitor, was detected in a time course manner.

RESULTS

An overall significant attenuation of the inflammatory markers, as well as a decrease in the amyloidogenic mediators, was observed in resveratrol-curcumin treated rats. The therapeutic effect was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopic analysis of the brain cortexes. APE1 was significantly induced by resveratrol-curcumin combination. Both in vivo and in vitro studies indicated that Let-7c expression is significantly reduced after aluminum stimulation, an effect that was partially suppressed by co-addition of either resveratrol or curcumin and totally restored to the normal level by their combination.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study clearly indicates the synergistic and therapeutic effect of a  resveratrol-curcumin combination. We also show that both compounds exert beneficial effect either cooperatively or through differential molecular mechanisms in counteracting aluminum-induced neuroinflammation.

Resveratrol-Potential Antibacterial Agent against Foodborne Pathogens

Bacterial foodborne pathogens are a significant health burden and the recent emergence of pathogenic resistant strains due to the excessive use of antibiotics makes it more difficult to effectively treat infections as a result of contaminated food. Awareness of this impending health crisis has spurred the search for alternative antimicrobials with natural plant antimicrobials being among the more promising candidates as these substances have good acceptability and likely low toxicity levels as they have long been used in traditional medicines. Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a naturally occurring stilbenoid which has been gaining considerable attention in medical field due to its diverse biological activities - it has been reported to exhibit antioxidant, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anticancer, and antiaging properties. Given that resveratrol is phytoalexin, with increased synthesis in response to infection by phytopathogens, there has been interest in exploring its antimicrobial activity. This review aims to provide an overview of the published data on the antibacterial activity of resveratrol against foodborne pathogens, its mechanisms of action as well as its possible applications in food packing and processing; in addition we also summarize the current data on its potential synergism with known antibacterials and future research and applications.