Dyclonine relieves the Parkinson's disease progression in rotenone-induced Drosophila model

It has been estimated that there will be 930 million Parkinson's disease (PD) patients in 2030 in the whole world. However, no therapy has been effective for PD until now. Only levodopa is the available primary drug for the treatment of motor symptoms. Therefore, it is an urgent task to develop new drugs to inhibit the progression of PD and improve the quality of the patient's life. Dyclonine which was found to have antioxidant activity and would benefit patients with Friedreich's ataxia, is a commonly used local anesthetic. Here, we reported that dyclonine improved the motor ability and loss of dopaminergic neurons in the rotenone-induced Drosophila PD model for the first time. Furthermore, dyclonine upregulated the Nrf2/HO pathway, decreased the ROS and MDA levels, and inhibited the apoptosis of neurons in the brain of PD model flies. Hence, dyclonine might be an attractive FDA-approved drug for the exploration of effective PD therapy.

Antagonism of cadmium-induced liver injury in ducks by α-bisabolol

Cadmium (Cd) is an ecological pollutant which causes hazardous effects in animals and humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of α-bisabolol (BISA) in antagonizing the Cd-induced hepatotoxicity in ducks. Two-week old ducks were allocated into 8 groups (10 ducks/group): Group I received basal diet and was gavaged with sunflower oil (BISA vehicle, 1.1 mL/kg/day); group II was administered BISA orally (50 mg/kg/day; diluted with sunflower oil); groups III, IV, and V were fed the basal diet mixed with CdCl2 at 37.5, 75, and 150 mg/kg diet, respectively, and were gavaged with sunflower oil; group VI, VII, and VIII were given basal diet containing CdCl2 at the aforementioned consecutive doses plus BISA. All treatments were provided daily for 4 weeks. Exposure to CdCl2 induced mortality in ducks, increased hepatic Cd content and serum levels of hepatopathic biomarkers, and caused oxidative stress and morphological alterations in ducks' liver. Furthermore, exposure to Cd caused upregulation of the mRNA of proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α and apoptotic gene Bax, and that of cyclooxygenase-2 protein in the liver. All effects of Cd were dose-dependent. BISA antagonized all of the aforementioned CdCl2-induced changes. These findings suggested that BISA exert the hepatoprotective effect against Cd toxicity through reducing the hepatic content of Cd as well as antagonizing oxidative insults, inflammation, and apoptosis. Thus, BISA has a great potential to be used as an antidote in the control of Cd poisoning.

Pharmacological and biological effects of alpha-bisabolol: An updated review of the molecular mechanisms

Alpha-bisabolol (α-bisabolol), an unsaturated monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol, is known as one of the "most-used herbal constituents" in the world. Various therapeutic and biological properties of α-bisabolol in preventing oxidative stress, inflammatory disorders, infections, neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and metabolic disorders have been reported. In this review, we evaluated new findings regarding the molecular mechanisms of α-bisabolol published from 2010 until 2021 in PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. The antioxidant mechanism of α-bisabolol is mainly associated with the reduction of ROS/RNS, MDA, and GSH depletion, MPO activity, and augmentation of SOD and CAT. Additionally, upregulating the expression of bcl-2 and suppression of bax, P53, APAF-1, caspase-3, and caspase-9 activity indicates the anti-apoptotic effects of α- bisabolol. It possesses anti-inflammatory effects via reduction of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS, and COX-2 and suppresses the activation of ERK1/2, JNK, NF-κB, and p38. The antimicrobial effect is mediated by inhibiting the viability of infected cells and improves cognitive function via downregulation of bax, cleaved caspases-3 and 9 levels, β-secretase, cholinesterase activities, and upregulation of bcl-2 levels. Finally, due to multiple biological activities, α-bisabolol is worthy to be subjected to clinical trials to achieve new insights into its beneficial effects on human health.

Roles for Mitochondrial Complex I Subunits in Regulating Synaptic Transmission and Growth

To identify conserved components of synapse function that are also associated with human diseases, we conducted a genetic screen. We used the Drosophila melanogaster neuromuscular junction (NMJ) as a model. We employed RNA interference (RNAi) on selected targets and assayed synapse function and plasticity by electrophysiology. We focused our screen on genetic factors known to be conserved from human neurological or muscle functions (300 Drosophila lines screened). From our screen, knockdown of a Mitochondrial Complex I (MCI) subunit gene (ND-20L) lowered levels of NMJ neurotransmission. Due to the severity of the phenotype, we studied MCI function further. Knockdown of core MCI subunits concurrently in neurons and muscle led to impaired neurotransmission. We localized this neurotransmission function to the muscle. Pharmacology targeting MCI phenocopied the impaired neurotransmission phenotype. Finally, MCI subunit knockdowns or pharmacological inhibition led to profound cytological defects, including reduced NMJ growth and altered NMJ morphology. Mitochondria are essential for cellular bioenergetics and produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. Five multi-protein complexes achieve this task, and MCI is the largest. Impaired Mitochondrial Complex I subunits in humans are associated with disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Leigh syndrome, and cardiomyopathy. Together, our data present an analysis of Complex I in the context of synapse function and plasticity. We speculate that in the context of human MCI dysfunction, similar neuronal and synaptic defects could contribute to pathogenesis.

Health Benefits, Pharmacological Effects, Molecular Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potential of α-Bisabolol

α-Bisabolol is one of the important monocyclic sesquiterpenes, derived naturally from essential oils of many edible and ornamental plants. It was first obtained from Matricaria chamomilla, commonly known as chamomile or German chamomile. The available literature indicates that this plant along with other α-Bisabolol containing plants is popularly used in traditional medicine for potential health benefits and general wellbeing. Nutritional studies are indicative of the health benefits of α-Bisabolol. Numerous experimental studies demonstrated pharmacological properties of α-Bisabolol including anticancer, antinociceptive, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and antimicrobial. This review aims to collectively present different pharmacological activities based on both in vitro and in vivo studies. In the present review using synoptic tables and figures, we comprehensively present that α-Bisabolol possesses therapeutic and protective activities, therefore, it can be used for potential health benefits based on pharmacological effects, underlying molecular mechanism, and favorable pharmaceutical properties. Based on the studies mostly performed on cell lines or animal models, it is evident that α-Bisabolol may be a promising nutraceutical and phytomedicine to target aberrant biological mechanisms which result in altered physiological processes and various ailments. Given the polypharmacological effects and pleiotropic properties, along with favorable pharmacokinetics, and dietary availability and safety, α-Bisabolol can be used as a dietary agent, nutraceutical or phytopharmaceutical agent or as an adjuvant with currently available modern medicines. The regulatory approval of this molecule for use as food additives, and in cosmetics and fragrance industry is also supportive of its human usage. Moreover, further studies are necessary to address pharmaceutical, pharmacological, and toxicological aspects before clinical or nutritional usage in humans. The biological actions and health benefits open opportunities for pharmaceutical development with pharmacological basis of its use in future therapeutics.

Cannabis terpenes display variable protective and anti-aggregatory actions against neurotoxic β amyloid in vitro: highlighting the protective bioactivity of α-bisabolol in motorneuronal-like NSC-34 cells

BACKGROUND

Terpenes form a diverse class of naturally occurring chemicals ascribed various biological activities. Cannabis contains over 400 different terpenes of varying chemical complexity which may add to the known biological activities of phytocannabinoids of relevance to the increasing use of medical cannabis; however, to date have been incompletely characterized. We assessed three terpenes predominant in cannabis: α-bisabolol, myrcene and β-caryophyllene for neuroprotective and anti-aggregative properties in both undifferentiated and differentiated NSC-34 motorneuronal-like cells as a sensitive model for neurotoxicity to oxidative stress and amyloid β (Aβ_1-42) protein exposure.

METHODS

Cell viability was assessed biochemically using the MTT assay in the presence of either α-bisabolol, myrcene and β-caryophyllene (1-1000µM) for 48hr. Sub-toxic threshold test concentrations of each terpene were then applied to cells, alone or with concomitant incubation with the lipid peroxidant tert-butyl hyrdroperoxide (t-BHP) or amyloid β (Aβ_1-42; 0-1µM) to assess neuroprotective effects. Direct effects of each terpene on Aβ fibril formation and aggregation were also evaluated using the Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorometric kinetic assay, circular dichroism and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to visualise fibril and aggregate morphology.

RESULTS

Terpenes were intrinsically benign to NSC-34 cells up to 100µM. No significant antioxidant effects were observed following t-BHP administration with myrcene and β-caryophyllene, however α-bisabolol provided a modest but significant increase in cell viability in undifferentiated cells. α-bisabolol also demonstrated a significant neuroprotective effect against amyloid β exposure, with β-caryophyllene also providing a lesser, but significant increase in cell viability. Protective effects of terpenes were more pronounced in undifferentiated versus differentiated cells, attributable more so to an attenuated loss of cell viability in response to Aβ_1-42 following NSC-34 cell differentiation. Neuroprotection was associated with a direct inhibition of Aβ_1-42 fibril and aggregate density, evidenced by both attenuated ThT fluorescence kinetics and both spectral and microscopic evidence of altered and diminished density of Aβ aggregates. While myrcene and β-caryophyllene also elicited reductions in ThT fluorescence and alterations in Aβ aggregation, these were less well associated with neuroprotective capacity.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight a neuroprotective role of α-bisabolol against Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity associated with an inhibition of Aβ fibrillization and modest antioxidant effect against lipid peroxidation, while β-caryophyllene also provided a small but significant measure of protection to Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity. Anti-aggregatory effects were not directly correlated with neuroprotective efficacy. This demonstrates that bioactivity of selected terpenes should be a consideration in the emergent use of medicinal cannabis formulations for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Evaluation of Benzaldehyde as an Antibiotic Modulator and Its Toxic Effect against Drosophila melanogaster

Products of natural origin remain important in the discovery of new bioactive molecules and are less damaging to the environment. Benzaldehyde is a product of the metabolism of plants, and similarly to oxygenated terpenes, it can have antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and toxic action against Drosophila melanogaster; we aimed to verify these activities. The broth microdilution tests determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of benzaldehyde alone and in association with antibiotics and ethidium bromide (EtBr). Toxicity against Drosophila melanogaster was determined by fumigation tests that measured lethality and damage to the locomotor system. The results indicated that there was an association of norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin with benzaldehyde, from 64 μg/mL to 32 μg/mL of ciprofloxacin in the strain K6028 and from 256 μg/mL to 128 μg/mL of norfloxacin in the strain 1199B; however, the associations were not able to interfere with the functioning of the tested efflux pumps. In addition, benzaldehyde had a toxic effect on flies. Thus, the results proved the ability of benzaldehyde to modulate quinolone antibiotics and its toxic effects on fruit flies, thus enabling further studies in this area.

Contraceptive and biochemical effect of juice extract of Allium cepa, Allium sativum, and their combination in Canton S fruit flies

This study determines the contraceptive activity of Allium sativa (Garlic) and Allium cepa (Onion) juices on reproductive output and development of Drosophila melanogaster. The fruit flies were divided and grouped into 5, group A serves as the control, group B serves as the onion group, group C serves as the garlic group, group D serves as the onion + garlic group, while group E serves as the standard contraceptive group. Biochemical parameters measured were superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, mating test, and negative geotaxis. There was a significant reduction in the levels of MDA in onion, garlic, onion + garlic groups when compared with the control, in contrast, a significant increase was observed in SOD, CAT, and GST activities. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in nitric oxide levels in garlic, onion + garlic extract with a corresponding increase in the standard contraceptive group. There was a significant reduction in the concentration of TC and HMG-CoA in garlic and standard contraceptive groups when compared with the control while triglyceride revealed a considerable increase in the garlic group when compared with the control. The mating test showed there was a considerable reduction in the onion, garlic, onion + garlic, and standard contraceptive when compared with the control. Taken together, Allium sativum proved to serve as a better contraceptive in D. melanogaster as a possible effective option for contraceptives, which is further, supported by their strong antioxidant activity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: A. cepa and A. sativum are sources of dietary phytocompounds with proven antioxidant activities. The contraceptive activity of A. cepa and A. sativum juice extract was investigated. The results showed that A. cepa and A. sativum and their combination prove to serve as a better effective option for contraceptives in D. melanogaster. The observed results could provide the potential application of A. cepa and A. sativum as an alternative therapy for contraceptives.

Antifungal Effect of Liposomal α-Bisabolol and When Associated with Fluconazole

Fungal pathologies caused by the genus Candida have increased in recent years due to the involvement of immunosuppressed people and the advance of resistance mechanisms acquired by these microorganisms. Liposomes are nanovesicles with lipid bilayers in which they store compounds. α-Bisabolol is a sesquiterpene with proven biological activities, and in this work it was tested alone in liposomes and in association with Fluconazole in vitro to evaluate the antifungal potential, Fluconazole optimization, and virulence inhibitory effect in vitro. Antifungal assays were performed against standard strains of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei by microdilution to identify the IC50 values and to obtain the cell viability. The Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) was performed by subculturing on the solid medium, and at their subinhibitory concentration (Matrix Concentration (MC): 16,384 µg/mL) (MC/16), the compounds, both isolated and liposomal, were associated with fluconazole in order to verify the inhibitory effect of this junction. Tests to ascertain changes in morphology were performed in microculture chambers according to MC concentrations. Liposomes were characterized from the vesicle size, polydispersity index, average Zeta potential, and scanning electron microscopy. The IC50 value of the liposomal bisabolol associated with fluconazole (FCZ) was 2.5 µg/mL against all strains tested, revealing a potentiating effect. Liposomal bisabolol was able to potentiate the effect of fluconazole against the CA and CT strains by reducing its concentration and completely inhibiting fungal growth. α-Bisabolol in liposomal form inhibited the morphological transition in all strains tested at a concentration of MC/8. The liposomes were homogeneous, with vesicles with diameters of 203.8 nm for the liposomal bisabolol and a surface charge potential of −34.2 mV, conferring stability to the nanosystem. Through scanning microscopy, the spherical shapes of the vesicles were observed.

α-Bisabolol, a Dietary Bioactive Phytochemical Attenuates Dopaminergic Neurodegeneration through Modulation of Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation and Apoptosis in Rotenone-Induced Rat Model of Parkinson's disease

Rotenone (ROT), a plant-derived pesticide is a well-known environmental neurotoxin associated with causation of Parkinson’s disease (PD). ROT impairs mitochondrial dysfunction being mitochondrial complex-I (MC-1) inhibitor and perturbs antioxidant-oxidant balance that contributes to the onset and development of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in PD. Due to the scarcity of agents to prevent the disease or to cure or halt the progression of symptoms of PD, the focus is on exploring agents from naturally occurring dietary phytochemicals. Among numerous phytochemicals, α-Bisabolol (BSB), natural monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol found in many ornamental flowers and edible plants garnered attention due to its potent pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential. Therefore, the present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of BSB in a rat model of ROT-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration, a pathogenic feature of PD and underlying mechanism targeting oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. BSB treatment significantly prevented ROT-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons and fibers in the substantia nigra and striatum respectively. BSB treatment also attenuated ROT-induced oxidative stress evidenced by inhibition of MDA formation and GSH depletion as well as improvement in antioxidant enzymes, SOD and catalase. BSB treatment also attenuated ROT-induced activation of the glial cells as well as the induction and release of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and inflammatory mediators (iNOS and COX-2) in the striatum. In addition to countering oxidative stress and inflammation, BSB also attenuated apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons by attenuating downregulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, cleaved caspases-3 and 9. Further, BSB was observed to attenuate mitochondrial dysfunction by inhibiting mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, cytochrome-C release and reinstates the levels/activity of ATP and MC-I. The findings of the study demonstrate that BSB treatment salvaged dopaminergic neurons, attenuated microglia and astrocyte activation, induction of inflammatory mediators, proinflammatory cytokines and reduced the expression of pro-apoptotic markers. The in vitro study on ABTS radical revealed the antioxidant potential of BSB. The results of the present study are clearly suggestive of the neuroprotective effects of BSB through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties in ROT-induced model of PD.

Inhibition of the glutathione biosynthetic pathway increases phytochemical toxicity to Spodoptera litura and Nilaparvata lugens

Phytochemicals are toxic to insects, but their insecticidal efficiencies are usually low compared to synthetic insecticides. Understanding the mechanism of insect adaptation to phytochemicals will provide guidance for increasing their efficacy. Reduced glutathione (GSH) is a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by phytochemicals. However, in insects, the pathway of GSH biosynthesis in response to phytochemicals is unclear. We found that exposure to 0.5% indole-3-methanol (I3C), xanthotoxin, and rotenone (ROT) significantly retarded the growth of Spodoptera litura larvae. The oxidative stress in S. litura larvae exposed to phytochemicals was increased. The up-regulation of glutamate cysteine ligase but not glutathione reductase revealed that the de novo synthesis pathway is responsible for GSH synthesis in phytochemical-treated larvae. Treatment with the inhibitor (BSO) of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gclc), a subunit of glutamate cysteine ligase, resulted in decreases of GSH levels and GST activities, increases of ROS levels in I3C-treated larvae, which finally caused midgut necrosis and larval death. Treatment with BSO or I3C alone did not cause larval death. The addition of GSH could partly reduce the influence of I3C and BSO on S. litura growth. Nilaparvata lugens gclc RNAi confirmed the result of BSO treatment in S. litura. N. lugens gclc RNAi significantly increased the mortality of ROT-sprayed N. lugens, in which ROS levels were significantly increased. All data indicate that gclc is involved in insect response to phytochemical treatment. Treatment with dsgclc will increase the insecticidal efficacy of plant-derived compounds.

Terpenoids as Potential Geroprotectors

Terpenes and terpenoids are the largest groups of plant secondary metabolites. However, unlike polyphenols, they are rarely associated with geroprotective properties. Here we evaluated the conformity of the biological effects of terpenoids with the criteria of geroprotectors, including primary criteria (lifespan-extending effects in model organisms, improvement of aging biomarkers, low toxicity, minimal adverse effects, improvement of the quality of life) and secondary criteria (evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of action, reproducibility of the effects on different models, prevention of age-associated diseases, increasing of stress-resistance). The number of substances that demonstrate the greatest compliance with both primary and secondary criteria of geroprotectors were found among different classes of terpenoids. Thus, terpenoids are an underestimated source of potential geroprotectors that can effectively influence the mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases.

Insights from Drosophila on mitochondrial complex I

NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, more commonly referred to as mitochondrial complex I (CI), is the largest discrete enzyme of the oxidative phosphorylation system (OXPHOS). It is localized to the mitochondrial inner membrane. CI oxidizes NADH generated from the tricarboxylic acid cycle to NAD+, in a series of redox reactions that culminates in the reduction of ubiquinone, and the transport of protons from the matrix across the inner membrane to the intermembrane space. The resulting proton-motive force is consumed by ATP synthase to generate ATP, or harnessed to transport ions, metabolites and proteins into the mitochondrion. CI is also a major source of reactive oxygen species. Accordingly, impaired CI function has been associated with a host of chronic metabolic and degenerative disorders such as diabetes, cardiomyopathy, Parkinson's disease (PD) and Leigh syndrome. Studies on Drosophila have contributed to our understanding of the multiple roles of CI in bioenergetics and organismal physiology. Here, we explore and discuss some of the studies on Drosophila that have informed our understanding of this complex and conclude with some of the open questions about CI that can be resolved by studies on Drosophila.

Anti-hyperalgesic effect of (-)-α-bisabolol and (-)-α-bisabolol/β-Cyclodextrin complex in a chronic inflammatory pain model is associated with reduced reactive gliosis and cytokine modulation

Chronic pain is a continuous or recurring pain which exceeds the normal course of recovery to an injury or disease. According to the origin of the chronic pain, it can be classified as inflammatory or neuropathic. This study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of (-)-α-bisabolol (BIS) alone and complexed with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) in preclinical models of chronic pain. Chronic pain was induced by Freund's Complete Adjuvant (FCA) or partial lesion of the sciatic nerve (PLSN). Swiss mice were treated with BIS, BIS-βCD (50 mg/kg, p.o) or vehicle (control) and mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia, muscle strength and motor coordination were evaluated. In addition, levels of TNF-α and IL-10 and expression of the ionized calcium-binding adapter protein (IBA-1) were assessed in the spinal cord of the mice. The complexation efficiency of BIS in βCD was evaluated by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. BIS and BIS-βCD reduced (p < 0.001) mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. No alterations were found in force and motor coordination. In addition, BIS and BIS-βCD inhibited (p < 0.05) TNF-α production in the spinal cord and stimulated (p < 0.05) the release of IL-10 in the spinal cord in PLSN-mice. Further, BIS and BIS-βCD reduced IBA-1 immunostaining. Therefore, BIS and BIS-βCD attenuated hyperalgesia, deregulated cytokine release and inhibited IBA-1 expression in the spinal cord in the PLSN model. Moreover, our results show that the complexation of BIS in βCD reduced the therapeutic dose of BIS. We conclude that BIS is a promising molecule for the treatment of chronic pain.

Guarana improves behavior and inflammatory alterations triggered by methylmercury exposure: an in vivo fruit fly and in vitro neural cells study

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a well-known environmental pollutant associated with neurological and developmental deficits in animals and humans. However, epidemiological data showed that people living in the Amazon region although exposed to MeHg do not present these effects probably due to the protective effect of certain foods. We hypothesized here if guarana, a highly caffeinated fruit and consumed on a daily basis by Amazon people, could have some protective effect against MeHg toxicity using two complementary approaches. To assess locomotor impairment and sleep disruption, we used fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) model, and to evaluate neuroinflammation, we used human SH-SY5Y neural cells by measuring inflammatory cytokines levels. Results showed that guarana had a protective effect on the locomotor activity of male fruit flies reducing the excessive sleepiness caused by MeHg and increasing daily activity. Also, guarana increased the viability of flies and attenuated neural cells mortality. In addition, guarana reduced all pro-inflammatory cytokines levels increased by MeHg, along with caspase-1, caspase -3, caspase-8, and 8-dOHG levels, whereas increased the anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokine levels, which was decreased by MeHg. Our study provides new insights on the protective effects of guarana on the viability, locomotor activity, sleep, and activity patterns in vivo and the in vitro neuronal anti-inflammatory effect against MeHg toxicity.

Possible involvement of Fas/FasL-dependent apoptotic pathway in α-bisabolol induced cardiotoxicity in zebrafish embryos

α-Bisabolol, an unsaturated monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol, is a common ingredient in many pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Despite being widely used, little is known about its toxic effects on organisms and aquatic environment. In this study, we investigated the developmental toxicity of α-Bisabolol, especially its effects on the cardiac development using zebrafish embryos as a model. Embryos at 4 h post-fertilization (hpf) were exposed to 10, 30, 50, 70, 90, and 100 μM α-Bisabolol until 144 hpf. α-Bisabolol caused phenotypic defects and the most striking one is the heart malformation. Treatment of α-Bisabolol significantly increased the cardiac malformation rate, the SV-BA distance, as well as the pericardial edema area, and reduced heart rate in a concentration-dependent manner. Notably, considerable numbers of apoptotic cells were mainly observed in the heart region of zebrafish treated with α-Bisabolol. Further study on α-Bisabolol induced apoptosis in the zebrafsh heart suggested that an activation of Fas/FasL-dependent apoptotic pathway. Taken together, our study investigated the cardiotoxicity of α-Bisabolol on zebrafish embryonic development and its underlying molecular mechanism, shedding light on the full understanding of α-Bisabolol toxicity on living organisms and its environmental impact.

Medicinal properties of terpenes found in Cannabis sativa and Humulus lupulus

Cannabaceae plants Cannabis sativa L. and Humulus lupulus L. are rich in terpenes - both are typically comprised of terpenes as up to 3-5% of the dry-mass of the female inflorescence. Terpenes of cannabis and hops are typically simple mono- and sesquiterpenes derived from two and three isoprene units, respectively. Some terpenes are relatively well known for their potential in biomedicine and have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, while others are yet to be studied in detail. The current, comprehensive review presents terpenes found in cannabis and hops. Terpenes' medicinal properties are supported by numerous in vitro, animal and clinical trials and show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, anxiolytic, anticancer, antitumor, neuroprotective, anti-mutagenic, anti-allergic, antibiotic and anti-diabetic attributes, among others. Because of the very low toxicity, these terpenes are already widely used as food additives and in cosmetic products. Thus, they have been proven safe and well-tolerated.