Elucidating Molecular Interactions of Ten Natural Compounds Targeting E6 HPV High Risk Oncoproteins Using Microsecond Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Recent advances in exploiting carrageenans as a versatile functional material for promising biomedical applications

Carrageenans are a group of biopolymers widely found in red seaweeds. Commercial carrageenans have been traditionally used as emulsifiers, stabilizers, and thickening and gelling agents in food products. Carrageenans are regarded as bioactive polysaccharides with disease-modifying and microbiota-modulating activities. Novel biomedical applications of carrageenans as biocompatible functional materials for fabricating hydrogels and nanostructures, including carbon dots, nanoparticles, and nanofibers, have been increasingly exploited. In this review, we describe the unique structural characteristics of carrageenans and their functional relevance. We summarize salient physicochemical features, including thixotropic and shear-thinning properties, of carrageenans. Recent results from clinical trials in which carrageenans were applied as both antiviral and antitumor agents and functional materials are discussed. We also highlight the most recent advances in the development of carrageenan-based targeted drug delivery systems with various pharmaceutical formulations. Promising applications of carrageenans as a bioink material for 3D printing in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are systematically evaluated. We envisage some key hurdles and challenges in the commercialization of carrageenans as a versatile material for clinical practice. This comprehensive review of the intimate relationships among the structural features, unique rheological properties, and biofunctionality of carrageenans will provide novel insights into their biomedicine application potential.

Carotenoids: Therapeutic Strategy in the Battle against Viral Emerging Diseases, COVID-19: An Overview

Carotenoids, a group of phytochemicals, are naturally found in the Plant kingdom, particularly in fruits, vegetables, and algae. There are more than 600 types of carotenoids, some of which are thought to prevent disease, mainly through their antioxidant properties. Carotenoids exhibit several biological and pharmaceutical benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immunity booster properties, particularly as some carotenoids can be converted into vitamin A in the body. However, humans cannot synthesize carotenoids and need to obtain them from their diets or via supplementation. The emerging zoonotic virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), originated in bats, and was transmitted to humans. COVID-19 continues to cause devastating international health problems worldwide. Therefore, natural preventive therapeutic strategies from bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, should be appraised for strengthening physiological functions against emerging viruses. This review summarizes the most important carotenoids for human health and enhancing immunity, and their potential role in COVID-19 and its related symptoms. In conclusion, promising roles of carotenoids as treatments against emerging disease and related symptoms are highlighted, most of which have been heavily premeditated in studies conducted on several viral infections, including COVID-19. Further in vitro and in vivo research is required before carotenoids can be considered as potent drugs against such emerging diseases.