Genistein: A Review on its Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Approaches based on natural products and miRNAs in pituitary adenomas: unveiling therapeutic intervention

Pituitary adenomas (PAs) are tumors originating in the pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain. They are the most common type of pituitary tumor, affecting approximately 1 in 10 people over their lifetime. Common symptoms include headaches, vision problems, hormonal imbalances, and weight changes. Treatment options depend on the type and size of the adenoma and may consist of medication, surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination. PAs are typically benign and slow-growing, but they can cause significant health issues if left untreated. Proper diagnosis and management by an experienced multidisciplinary team is important for achieving the best outcomes. Natural compounds like celastrol, curcumin, quercetin, apigenin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and genistein have shown the ability to inhibit cell growth, promote cell death, and suppress hormone activity in pituitary tumor cells, suggesting their potential as alternative or complementary treatments for PAs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a kind of tiny RNA molecules that do not code for proteins and have a vital function in controlling gene expression. These 21-23 nucleotide-long molecules regulate gene expression by binding to complementary sequences in mRNA molecules, leading to mRNA degradation. miRNAs participate in a wide range of biological activities, including apoptosis, metastasis, differentiation, and proliferation. The research indicates that miRNAs play a crucial role in the pathogenesis, therapeutic approaches, diagnosis, and prognosis of PAs. This review article will provide a comprehensive analysis of the current understanding of the efficacy of naturally derived anti-cancer agents in the treatment of PAs. Furthermore, the study provides a comprehensive assessment of the miRNAs in PAs, their role in the development of PAs, and their potential application in the treatment of the condition.

Augmented ocular uptake and anti-inflammatory efficacy of decorated Genistein-loaded NLCs incorporated in in situ gel

Genistein (Gen); a naturally occurring isoflavone, acts as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor and efficiently downregulates inflammatory cytokines, which are pivotal in eye inflammation. Also, Gen suffers from sparse ocular bioavailability due to poor solubility. In this work, nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) were successfully fabricated by using solid (stearic acid and compritol) and liquid (oleic acid) lipids. The optimized Gen-loaded NLCs showed a nanosize range of 140-246 nm, ≥ 98 % entrapment efficiency, and controlled release over 48 h. The ζ-potential of NLCs was increased from -27.3 mV to 25-27.4 mV due to surface modification with chitosan (CS) or eudragit RS100 (ERS 100). All NLCs showed prominent biocompatibility with enhanced cellular uptake on corneal stromal fibroblasts. Moreover, the different NLCs were incorporated into a mucoadhesive in situ gel. The optimized in situ gel (G9), containing 20 % poloxamers and 0.5 % hydroxyethyl cellulose, exhibited excellent gelling ability within 10.5 s, gelling temperature at 33.1 ± 0.6 ℃, spreadability diameter of 4.73 ± 0.12 cm, shear-thinning behavior, and 20 min ex vivo mucoadhesion time with drug release for 120 h. The in vivo results showed distinguished permeation and distribution potential for ocular delivery. In vivo anti-inflammatory effects after 3 days of treatment with CS-Gen-NLCs/G9 and ERS-Gen-NLCs/G9 revealed a downregulation of interleukin-6 levels in the cornea and retina compared to the untreated group. Our research highlights the promising anti-inflammatory potential of ERS-Gen-NLCs/G9 as an efficient, non-irritant Gen nanodelivery system for managing anterior and posterior ocular inflammation.

Pterocarpus soyauxii (Fabaceae) aqueous extract to prevent neuropsychiatric disorders associated with menopause by triggering ROS-dependent oxidative damage and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, GABA-transaminase, and monoamine oxidase A: In vitro, in vivo, and in silico approaches

Pterocarpus soyauxii (PS) is traditionally used in Cameroon medicine to alleviate postmenopausal symptoms. Previous research has shown that it has tissue-selective potential and estrogen-mimetic effects on vaginal atrophy. Phytoestrogens like 7-O-acetyl formononetin, khrinone A, and 3',5'-dimethoxy-4-stilbenol were found in its water extract by UHPLC, but there is no evidence of its effects on neurological disorders linked to post-menopause (ND-PO). The study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile of PS aqueous extract, assess its neuroprotective potential in rats, and explore possible underlying pathways. We used colorimetric assays to study the phytochemical profile of PS extract. Effects of the extract on behavioral parameters, neuronal signaling, and integrity in an 84-day ovariectomized rat model. Molecular docking was performed to assess the ability of 7-O-acetyl formononetin, an isoflavone contained in PS, to cross the BBB and its binding affinity to the active sites of AChE, MAO-A, and GABA-T. Besides, the anti-AChE/BChE, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of PS were assessed by in vitro tests. PS aqueous extract contains polyphenols (656.58 ± 9.18 mgEAG/100gMS), flavonoids (201.25 ± 5.52 mgEQ/100gDW), and tannins (18.42 ± 1.25 mg/100gDW). It slows down anxiety, depressive disorders, cellular disorganization, and neuronal death in the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, and neocortex. In silico modeling was a powerful tool to assess the 7-O-acetylformononetin's ability to cross the BBB and strongly bind and inhibit AChE, MAO-A, and GABA-T. Thus, by combining GABAergic, cholinergic, and serotoninergic modulation, PS aqueous extract also possesses remarkable anti-AChE/BChE in vitro and induces antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential in macrophages. Such estromimetics, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cholinergic, and monoaminergic modulators represent promising activities to develop neuroprotective drugs with optimal therapeutic profiles for menopausal women.

Innovative Strategies to Combat 5-Fluorouracil Resistance in Colorectal Cancer: The Role of Phytochemicals and Extracellular Vesicles

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant public health challenge, with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance being a major obstacle to effective treatment. Despite advancements, resistance to 5-FU remains formidable due to complex mechanisms such as alterations in drug transport, evasion of apoptosis, dysregulation of cell cycle dynamics, tumor microenvironment (TME) interactions, and extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated resistance pathways. Traditional chemotherapy often results in high toxicity, highlighting the need for alternative approaches with better efficacy and safety. Phytochemicals (PCs) and EVs offer promising CRC therapeutic strategies. PCs, derived from natural sources, often exhibit lower toxicity and can target multiple pathways involved in cancer progression and drug resistance. EVs can facilitate targeted drug delivery, modulate the immune response, and interact with the TME to sensitize cancer cells to treatment. However, the potential of PCs and engineered EVs in overcoming 5-FU resistance and reshaping the immunosuppressive TME in CRC remains underexplored. Addressing this gap is crucial for identifying innovative therapies with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicities. This review explores the multifaceted mechanisms of 5-FU resistance in CRC and evaluates the synergistic effects of combining PCs with 5-FU to improve treatment efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. Additionally, it investigates engineered EVs in overcoming 5-FU resistance by serving as drug delivery vehicles and modulating the TME. By synthesizing the current knowledge and addressing research gaps, this review enhances the academic understanding of 5-FU resistance in CRC, highlighting the potential of interdisciplinary approaches involving PCs and EVs for revolutionizing CRC therapy. Further research and clinical validation are essential for translating these findings into improved patient outcomes.

Autophagy: A potential target for natural products in the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the mucosa of the colon and rectum. UC is characterized by recurrent episodes, often necessitating lifelong medication use, imposing a significant burden on patients. Current conventional and advanced treatments for UC have the disadvantages of insufficient efficiency, susceptibility to drug resistance, and notable adverse effects. Therefore, developing effective and safe drugs has become an urgent need. Autophagy is an intracellular degradation process that plays an important role in intestinal homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that aberrant autophagy is involved in the development of UC, and modulating autophagy can effectively alleviate experimental colitis. A growing number of studies have established that autophagy can interplay with endoplasmic reticulum stress, gut microbiota, apoptosis, and the NLRP3 inflammasome, all of which contribute to the pathogenesis of UC. In addition, a variety of intestinal epithelial cells, including absorptive cells, goblet cells, and Paneth cells, as well as other cell types like neutrophils, antigen-presenting cells, and stem cells in the gut, mediate the development of UC through autophagy. To date, many studies have found that natural products hold the potential to exert therapeutic effects on UC by regulating autophagy. This review focuses on the possible effects and pharmacological mechanisms of natural products to alleviate UC with autophagy as a potential target in recent years, aiming to provide a basis for new drug development.

Decoding the biochemical dialogue: metabolomic insights into soybean defense strategies against diverse pathogens

Soybean, a crucial global leguminous crop, confronts persistent threats from diverse pathogens, exerting a profound impact on global yields. While genetic dimensions of soybean-pathogen interactions have garnered attention, the intricate biochemical responses remain poorly elucidated. In this study, we applied targeted and untargeted liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolite profiling to dissect the complex interplay between soybeans and five distinct pathogens. Our analysis uncovered 627 idMS/MS spectra, leading to the identification of four main modules, encompassing flavonoids, isoflavonoids, triterpenoids, and amino acids and peptides, alongside other compounds such as phenolics. Profound shifts were observed in both primary and secondary metabolism in response to pathogenic infections. Particularly notable were the bidirectional changes in total flavonoids across diverse pathogenic inoculations, while triterpenoids exhibited a general declining trend. Noteworthy among the highly inducible total flavonoids were known representative anti-pathogen compounds (glyceollin I), backbone forms of isoflavonoids (daidzein, genistein, glycitein, formononetin), and newly purified compounds in this study (prunin). Subsequently, we delved into the biological roles of these five compounds, validating their diverse functions against pathogens: prunin significantly inhibited the vegetative growth and virulence of Phytophthora sojae; genistein exhibited a pronounced inhibitory effect on the vegetative growth and virulence of Phomopsis longicolla; daidzein and formononetin displayed significant repressive effects on the virulence of P. longicolla. This study underscores the potent utility of metabolomic tools, providing in-depth insights into plant-pathogen interactions from a biochemical perspective. The findings not only contribute to plant pathology but also offer strategic pathways for bolstering plant resistance against diseases on a broader scale.

Emerging phosphodiesterase inhibitors for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) cause progressive loss of neuron structure and ultimately lead to neuronal cell death. Since the available drugs show only limited symptomatic relief, NDs are currently considered as incurable. This review will illustrate the principal roles of the signaling systems of cyclic adenosine and guanosine 3',5'-monophosphates (cAMP and cGMP) in the neuronal functions, and summarize expression/activity changes of the associated enzymes in the ND patients, including cyclases, protein kinases, and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). As the sole enzymes hydrolyzing cAMP and cGMP, PDEs are logical targets for modification of neurodegeneration. We will focus on PDE inhibitors and their potentials as disease-modifying therapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. For the overlapped but distinct contributions of cAMP and cGMP to NDs, we hypothesize that dual PDE inhibitors, which simultaneously regulate both cAMP and cGMP signaling pathways, may have complementary and synergistic effects on modifying neurodegeneration and thus represent a new direction on the discovery of ND drugs.

Nanophytomedicine: A promising practical approach in phytotherapy

The long and rich history of herbal therapeutic nutrients is fascinating. It is incredible to think about how ancient civilizations used plants and herbs to treat various ailments and diseases. One group of bioactive phytochemicals that has gained significant attention recently is dietary polyphenols. These compounds are commonly found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, drinks, legumes, and grains. Despite their incredible therapeutic properties, one challenge with polyphenols is their poor water solubility, stability, and bioavailability. This means that they are not easily absorbed by the body when consumed in essential diets. Because of structural complexity, polyphenols with high molecular weight cannot be absorbed in the small intestine and after arriving in the colon, they are metabolized by gut microbiota. However, researchers are constantly working on finding solutions to enhance the bioavailability and absorption of these compounds. This study aims to address this issue by applying nanotechnology approaches to overcome the challenges of the therapeutic application of dietary polyphenols. This combination of nanotechnology and phytochemicals could cause a completely new field called nanophytomedicine or herbal nanomedicine.

Unlocking the potential of flavonoid-based co-crystal and co-amorphous systems

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that have multiple benefits in treating various life-threatening diseases. Despite their diverse pharmacological activities, the market potential of flavonoids is hampered due to their poor solubility and low bioavailability after oral administration. The current review highlights the role of co-crystals and co-amorphous systems (CAMs) in enhancing the solubility, permeability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy of flavonoids. It also explains the significance of flavonoid-based co-formers in the formation of co-crystals and CAMs with other APIs to improve their efficacy. Future perspectives, patented formulations, commercial medications (including their phases of clinical trials), and challenges associated with the use of flavonoid-based co-crystals and CAMs are also mentioned in the review.

Widely Targeted Metabolomics Provides New Insights into Nutritional Profiling and Reveals the Flavonoid Pathway of Pea (Pisum sativum L.)

To learn more about the nutritional composition and health benefits for human consumers of peas, we used a widely targeted metabolomics-based approach to reveal the metabolite components from three main varieties, and a total of 1095 metabolites were identified. A comparison of 487 differentially accumulated metabolites shared among three varieties of fresh and dried peas found most of the amino acids and derivatives were downregulated and most of the lipids and flavonoids were upregulated in dried peas. Furthermore, comparing the main nutrient profiles exclusively showed that there were few differences in free fatty acids, sugars, vitamins, and alkaloids between dried and fresh peas. Peas are especially enriched with B-group vitamins. Through detailed identification and classification, the flavonoid pathway of peas was revealed; a variety of glycosylated derivatives from kaempferol, quercetin, and luteolin were confirmed to be abundant in peas. It was also found that isoflavones are richer in peas than in many other plants, and putatively the isoflavone synthesis pathway originates from liquiritigenin and naringenin. Our study not only offers guidance for understanding the nutritional components of peas, but also provides the basis for healthy diet analysis of the edible value and health benefits of peas.

Genistein Promotes M2 Macrophage Polarization via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Alleviates Intestinal Inflammation in Broilers with Necrotic Enteritis

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that regulates the immune system through complicated transcriptional programs. Genistein, an AhR ligand, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. However, its role in modulating immune responses via the AhR signaling pathway remains unclear. In this study, 360 male Arbor Acre broilers (1-day-old) were fed a basal diet supplemented with 40 or 80 mg/kg genistein and infected with or without Clostridium perfringens (Cp). Our results demonstrated that genistein ameliorated Cp-induced intestinal damage, as reflected by the reduced intestinal lesion scores and improved intestinal morphology and feed-to-gain ratio. Moreover, genistein increased intestinal sIgA, TGF-β, and IL-10, along with elevated serum IgG, IgA, and lysozyme levels. Genistein improved intestinal AhR and cytochrome P450 family 1 subfamily A member 1 (CYP1A1) protein levels and AhR+ cell numbers in Cp-challenged broilers. The increased number of AhR+CD163+ cells in the jejunum suggested a potential association between genistein-induced AhR activation and anti-inflammatory effects mediated through M2 macrophage polarization. In IL-4-treated RAW264.7 cells, genistein increased the levels of AhR, CYP1A1, CD163, and arginase (Arg)-1 proteins, as well as IL-10 mRNA levels. This increase was attenuated by the AhR antagonist CH223191. In summary, genistein activated the AhR signaling pathway in M2 macrophages, which enhanced the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines and attenuated intestinal damage in Cp-infected broilers Cp.

Characterization and Biosynthetic Regulation of Isoflavone Genistein in Deep-Sea Actinomycetes Microbacterium sp. B1075

Deep-sea environments, as relatively unexplored extremes within the Earth's biosphere, exhibit notable distinctions from terrestrial habitats. To thrive in these extreme conditions, deep-sea actinomycetes have evolved unique biochemical metabolisms and physiological capabilities to ensure their survival in this niche. In this study, five actinomycetes strains were isolated and identified from the Mariana Trench via the culture-dependent method and 16S rRNA sequencing approach. The antimicrobial activity of Microbacterium sp. B1075 was found to be the most potent, and therefore, it was selected as the target strain. Molecular networking analysis via the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) platform identified 25 flavonoid compounds as flavonoid secondary metabolites. Among these, genistein was purified and identified as a bioactive compound with significant antibacterial activity. The complete synthesis pathway for genistein was proposed within strain B1075 based on whole-genome sequencing data, with the key gene being CHS (encoding chalcone synthase). The expression of the gene CHS was significantly regulated by high hydrostatic pressure, with a consequent impact on the production of flavonoid compounds in strain B1075, revealing the relationship between actinomycetes' synthesis of flavonoid-like secondary metabolites and their adaptation to high-pressure environments at the molecular level. These results not only expand our understanding of deep-sea microorganisms but also hold promise for providing valuable insights into the development of novel pharmaceuticals in the field of biopharmaceuticals.

Polyphenols mediated attenuation of diabetes associated cardiovascular complications: A comprehensive review

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic metabolic disorder that is characterized by increased levels of glucose for prolonged periods of time. Incessant hyperglycemia leads to diabetic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, and cardiovascular complications such as ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, diabetic cardiomyopathy, stroke, etc. There are many studies that suggest that various polyphenols affect glucose homeostasis and can help to attenuate the complications associated with diabetes.

Objective

This review focuses on the possible role of various dietary polyphenols in palliating diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications. This review also aims to give an overview of the interrelationship among ROS production (due to diabetes), inflammation, glycoxidative stress, and cardiovascular complications as well as the anti-hyperglycemic effects of dietary polyphenols.

Methods

Various scientific databases including Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer Link, and Wiley Online Library were used for searching articles that complied with the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

This review lists several polyphenols based on various pre-clinical and clinical studies that have anti-hyperglycemic potential as well as a protective function against cardiovascular complications.

Conclusion

Several pre-clinical and clinical studies suggest that various dietary polyphenols can be a promising intervention for the attenuation of diabetes-associated cardiovascular complications.

A combination of myokines and genistein suppresses cancer stemness in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Breast cancer is considered a serious health issue worldwide and is influenced by risk factors, including physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. Myokines secreted by muscles during physical activity play a crucial role in cancer development and the immune system. Genistein (Gen), an isoflavone primarily in legumes, induces anti-cancer activity by regulating cancer stem cells (CSCs). Therefore, this study investigated the potential anti-cancer effect of a combination of myokine and Gen on the human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

MATERIALS/METHODS

MCF-7, a human breast cancer cell line, was used for in vitro study. The cell viability of MCF-7 cells was evaluated in response to treatment with myokines, irisin (Iri), oncostatin M (OSM), and Gen using the MTT assay. Clonogenic and sphere formation assays were used to evaluate the self-renewal capacity of breast CSCs. The mRNA expression levels of stem cell markers were analyzed in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

RESULTS

Administering Iri or OSM with Gen significantly inhibited the self-renewal capacity of MCF-7 cells. In addition, mRNA expression of breast CSC markers SOX2 and OCT4, which are characteristic of CSCs, was suppressed by both myokine and Gen. However, combining Iri or OSM with Gen was the most effective treatment.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that combining Iri or OSM with Gen has an additive effect on breast CSCs by regulating self-renewal capacity and expression of CSCs markers. Therefore, the combination of myokines and Gen may have the therapeutic potential for treating breast cancer and improving the quality of life of cancer patients.

Bioactive Flavonoids in Protecting Against Endothelial Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a common cardiovascular disease closely associated with factors such as hyperlipidaemia and chronic inflammation. Among them, endothelial dysfunction serves as a major predisposing factor. Vascular endothelial dysfunction is manifested by impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation, enhanced oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, leukocyte adhesion and hyperpermeability, endothelial senescence, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT). Flavonoids are known for their antioxidant activity, eliminating oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby preventing the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, reducing platelet aggregation, alleviating ischemic damage, and improving vascular function. Flavonoids have also been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity and to protect the cardiovascular system. This review focuses on the protective effects of these naturally-occuring bioactive flavonoids against the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis through their effects on endothelial cells including, but not limited to, their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and lipid-lowering properties. However, more clinical evidences are still needed to determine the exact role and optimal dosage of these compounds in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Potential use of antioxidants for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases

The excessive production of various reactive oxidant species over endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms leads to the development of a state of oxidative stress, with serious biological consequences. The consequences of oxidative stress depend on the balance between the generation of reactive oxidant species and the antioxidant defense and include oxidative damage of biomolecules, disruption of signal transduction, mutation, and cell apoptosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that oxidative stress is involved in the physiopathology of various debilitating illnesses associated with chronic inflammation, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, or neurodegenerative processes, that need continuous pharmacological treatment. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are tightly linked pathophysiological processes, one of which can be simply promoted by another. Although, many antioxidant trials have been unsuccessful (some of the trials showed either no effect or even harmful effects) in human patients as a preventive or curative measure, targeting oxidative stress remains an interesting therapeutic approach for the development of new agents to design novel anti-inflammatory drugs with a reliable safety profile. In this regard, several natural antioxidant compounds were explored as potential therapeutic options for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Several metalloenzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, are among the essential enzymes that maintain the low nanomolar physiological concentrations of superoxide (O2•-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the major redox signaling molecules, and thus play important roles in the alteration of the redox homeostasis. These enzymes have become a striking source of motivation to design catalytic drugs to enhance the action of these enzymes under pathological conditions related to chronic inflammation. This review is focused on several major representatives of natural and synthetic antioxidants as potential drug candidates for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Genistein-Aspirin Combination Exerts Cytotoxic and Anti-Migratory Effects in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogenous pathology with high incidence and mortality rates globally, but it is also preventable so finding the most promising candidates (natural compounds or repurposed drugs) to be chemopreventive alternatives has become a topic of interest in recent years. The present work aims to elucidate the potential effects of a combination between genistein (GEN), an isoflavone of natural origin, and aspirin (ASA) in CRC prevention/treatment by performing an in vitro evaluation in human colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116) and an in ovo analysis using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. Cell viability was verified by an MTT (migratory potential by scratch) assay, and the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were analyzed using RT-qPCR. Our results indicated a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect of ASA (2.5 mM) + GEN (10-75 µM) combination characterized by reduced cell viability and morphological changes (actin skeleton reorganization and nuclei deterioration), an inhibition of HCT-116 cells' migratory potential by down-regulating MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions, and an antiangiogenic effect by modifying the vascular network. These promising results raise the possibility of future in-depth investigations regarding the chemopreventive/therapeutical potential of ASA+GEN combination.

Dissecting the genetic overlap between severe mental disorders and markers of cellular aging: Identification of pleiotropic genes and druggable targets

Patients with severe mental disorders such as bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SCZ) and major depressive disorder (MDD) show a substantial reduction in life expectancy, increased incidence of comorbid medical conditions commonly observed with advanced age and alterations of aging hallmarks. While severe mental disorders are heritable, the extent to which genetic predisposition might contribute to accelerated cellular aging is not known. We used bivariate causal mixture models to quantify the trait-specific and shared architecture of mental disorders and 2 aging hallmarks (leukocyte telomere length [LTL] and mitochondrial DNA copy number), and the conjunctional false discovery rate method to detect shared genetic loci. We integrated gene expression data from brain regions from GTEx and used different tools to functionally annotate identified loci and investigate their druggability. Aging hallmarks showed low polygenicity compared with severe mental disorders. We observed a significant negative global genetic correlation between MDD and LTL (rg = -0.14, p = 6.5E-10), and no significant results for other severe mental disorders or for mtDNA-cn. However, conditional QQ plots and bivariate causal mixture models pointed to significant pleiotropy among all severe mental disorders and aging hallmarks. We identified genetic variants significantly shared between LTL and BD (n = 17), SCZ (n = 55) or MDD (n = 19), or mtDNA-cn and BD (n = 4), SCZ (n = 12) or MDD (n = 1), with mixed direction of effects. The exonic rs7909129 variant in the SORCS3 gene, encoding a member of the retromer complex involved in protein trafficking and intracellular/intercellular signaling, was associated with shorter LTL and increased predisposition to all severe mental disorders. Genetic variants underlying risk of SCZ or MDD and shorter LTL modulate expression of several druggable genes in different brain regions. Genistein, a phytoestrogen with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, was an upstream regulator of 2 genes modulated by variants associated with risk of MDD and shorter LTL. While our results suggest that shared heritability might play a limited role in contributing to accelerated cellular aging in severe mental disorders, we identified shared genetic determinants and prioritized different druggable targets and compounds.

Genistein Prevents Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress Induced by Methylglyoxal in Endothelial Cells

Glycolytic overload promotes accumulation of the highly reactive dicarbonyl compounds, resulting in harmful conditions called dicarbonyl stress. Methylglyoxal (MG) is a highly reactive dicarbonyl species and its accumulation plays a crucial pathophysiological role in diabetes and its vascular complications. MG cytotoxicity is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, a key event underlying the intracellular signaling pathways leading to inflammation and apoptosis. The identification of compounds able to inhibit ROS signaling pathways and counteract the MG-induced toxicity is a crucial step for developing new therapeutic strategies in the treatment of diabetic vascular complications. In this study, the effect of genistein, a natural soybean isoflavone, has been evaluated on MG-induced cytotoxicity in human endothelial cells. Our results show that genistein is able to counteract the MG-induced apoptosis by restraining ROS production, thus inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathways and caspase-3 activation. These findings identify a beneficial role for genistein, providing new insights for its potential clinical applications in preserving endothelial function in diabetic vascular complications.

Safety assessment of a proprietary fermented soybean solution, Symbiota®, as an ingredient for use in foods and dietary supplements: Non-clinical studies and a randomized trial

A safety evaluation was performed of Symbiota®, which is made by a proprietary anaerobic fermentation process of soybean with multistrains of probiotics and a yeast. The battery of genotoxicity studies showed that Symbiota® has no genotoxic effects. Safety and tolerability were further assessed by acute or repeated dose 28- and 90-day rodent studies, and no alterations in clinical observations, ophthalmological examination, blood chemistry, urinalysis, or hematology were observed between the control group and the different dosing groups (1.5, 5, and 15 mL/kg/day). There were no adverse effects on specific tissues or organs in terms of weight and histopathology. Importantly, the Symbiota® treatment did not perturb hormones and other endocrine-related endpoints. Of note, the No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level was determined to be 15 mL/kg/day in rats. Moreover, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was recently conducted with healthy volunteers who consumed 8 mL/day of placebo or Symbiota® for 8 weeks. Only mild adverse events were reported in both groups, and the blood chemistry and blood cell profiles were also similar between the two groups. In summary, this study concluded that the oral consumption of Symbiota® at 8 mL/day by the general population does not pose any human health concerns.

Immunoprotection of cellular transplants for autoimmune type 1 diabetes through local drug delivery

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune condition that results in the destruction of insulin-secreting β cells of the islets of Langerhans. Allogeneic islet transplantation could be a successful treatment for T1DM; however, it is limited by the need for effective, permanent immunosuppression to prevent graft rejection. Upon transplantation, islets are rejected through non-specific, alloantigen specific, and recurring autoimmune pathways. Immunosuppressive agents used for islet transplantation are generally successful in inhibiting alloantigen rejection, but they are suboptimal in hindering non-specific and autoimmune pathways. In this review, we summarize the challenges with cellular immunological rejection and therapeutics used for islet transplantation. We highlight agents that target these three immune rejection pathways and how to package them for controlled, local delivery via biomaterials. Exploring macro-, micro-, and nano-scale immunomodulatory biomaterial platforms, we summarize their advantages, challenges, and future directions. We hypothesize that understanding their key features will help identify effective platforms to prevent islet graft rejection. Outcomes can further be translated to other cellular therapies beyond T1DM.

Genistein stimulates the viability and prevents myofibroblastic transformation in human trabecular meshwork cells stimulated by TGF-β

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the most common type of glaucoma leading to blindness. The search for ways to prevent/treat this entity is one of the main challenges of today's ophthalmology. One of such solution seems to be biologically active substances of natural origin, such as genistein (GEN), which can affect the function of isolated trabecular meshwork by the inhibition of protein tyrosine kinase. However, the role of GEN in viability as well as myofibroblastic transformation in human trabecular meshwork cells stimulated by TGF-β is unknown. Using human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMCs) we investigated the effect of genistein on cell viability and myofibroblastic transformation stimulated by TGF-β1 and TGF-β2. Using Real-Time PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence we determined the effect on the expression changes of αSMA, TIMP1, collagen 1 and 3 at mRNA and protein level. We found that genistein increases the viability of HTMCs (1, 2, 3 μg/ml; P < 0.05 and 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 μg/ml; P < 0.01). Moreover, we found that addition of 10, 15 and 20 μg/ml is able to prevent myofibroblastic transformation of HTMCs by decreasing αSMA, TIMP1, collagen 1 and 3 mRNA and protein expression (P < 0.01). Based on the obtained results, we can conclude that genistein is a potential factor that can prevent the myofibroblastic transformation of HTMCs accompanying glaucoma. Describing GEN influence on myofibroblastic transformation processes in HTMC allows us to conclude that it can be considered a potential therapeutic agent or a substance supporting treatment in patients with glaucoma.

Efficacy of a Combination Therapy with Laronidase and Genistein in Treating Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I in a Mouse Model

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-L-iduronidase deficiency. The standard treatment, enzyme replacement therapy with laronidase, has limited effectiveness in treating neurological symptoms due to poor blood-brain barrier penetration. An alternative is substrate reduction therapy using molecules, such as genistein, which crosses this barrier. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a combination of laronidase and genistein in a mouse model of MPS I. Over 12 weeks, MPS I and wild-type mice received laronidase, genistein, or both. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) storage in visceral organs and the brain, its excretion in urine, and the serum level of the heparin cofactor II-thrombin (HCII-T) complex, along with behavior, were assessed. The combination therapy resulted in reduced GAG storage in the heart and liver, whereas genistein alone reduced the brain GAG storage. Laronidase and combination therapy decreased liver and spleen weights and significantly reduced GAG excretion in the urine. However, this therapy negated some laronidase benefits in the HCII-T levels. Importantly, the combination therapy improved the behavior of female mice with MPS I. These findings offer valuable insights for future research to optimize MPS I treatments.

Comprehensive and critical view on the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory role of natural phenolic antioxidants

The immune response encompasses innate and adaptive immunity, each with distinct and specific activities. The innate immune system is constituted by phagocytic cells, macrophages, monocytes and neutrophils, the cascade system, and different classes of receptors such as toll-like receptors that are exploited by the innate immune cells. The adaptive immune system is antigen-specific, encompassing memory lymphocytes and the corresponding specific receptors. Inflammation is understood as an activation of different signaling pathways such as toll-like receptors or nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, with an increase in nitric oxide, inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Increased oxidative stress has been identified as main source of chronic inflammation. Phenolic antioxidants modulate the activities of lymphocytes and macrophages by impacting cytokines and nitric oxide release, exerting anti-inflammatory effect. The nuclear-factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells signaling pathway and the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway are targeted, alongside an increase in nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor mediated antioxidant response, triggering the activity of antioxidant enzymes. The inhibitive potential on phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase in the arachidonic acid pathway, and the subsequent reduction in prostaglandin and leukotriene generation, reveals the potential of phenolics as inflammation antagonists. The immunomodulative potential encompasses the capacity to interfere with proinflammatory cytokine synthesis and with the expression of the corresponding genes. A diet rich in antioxidants can result in prevention of inflammation-related pathologies. More investigations are necessary to establish the role of these antioxidants in therapy. The appropriate delivery system and the prooxidant effects exhibited at large doses, or in the presence of heavy metal cations should be regarded.

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate and Genistein for Decreasing Gut Dysbiosis, Inhibiting Inflammasomes, and Aiding Autophagy in Alzheimer's Disease

There are approximately 24 million cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) worldwide, and the number of cases is expected to increase four-fold by 2050. AD is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to severe dementia in most patients. There are several neuropathological signs of AD, such as deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), neuronal loss, activation of inflammasomes, and declining autophagy. Several of these hallmarks are linked to the gut microbiome. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract contains microbial diversity, which is important in regulating several functions in the brain via the gut-brain axis (GBA). The disruption of the balance in the gut microbiota is known as gut dysbiosis. Recent studies strongly support that targeting gut dysbiosis with selective bioflavonoids is a highly plausible solution to attenuate activation of inflammasomes (contributing to neuroinflammation) and resume autophagy (a cellular mechanism for lysosomal degradation of the damaged components and recycling of building blocks) to stop AD pathogenesis. This review is focused on two bioflavonoids, specifically epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and genistein (GS), as a possible new paradigm of treatment for maintaining healthy gut microbiota in AD due to their implications in modulating crucial AD signaling pathways. The combination of EGCG and GS has a higher potential than either agent alone to attenuate the signaling pathways implicated in AD pathogenesis. The effects of EGCG and GS on altering gut microbiota and GBA were also explored, along with conclusions from various delivery methods to increase the bioavailability of these bioflavonoids in the body.

Natural Products as Dietary Agents for the Prevention and Mitigation of Oxidative Damage and Inflammation in the Intestinal Barrier

Food intake is a basic need to sustain life, but foodborne pathogens and food-related xenobiotics are also the main health concerns regarding intestinal barrier homeostasis. With a predominant role in the well-being of the entire human body, intestinal barrier homeostasis is strictly regulated by epithelial and immune cells. These cells are also the main intervenients in oxidative stress and inflammation-related diseases in the intestinal tract, triggered, for example, by genetic/epigenetic factors, food additives, pesticides, drugs, pathogens, and their metabolites. Nevertheless, the human diet can also be seen as a solution for the problem, mainly via the inclusion of functional foods or nutraceuticals that may act as antioxidant/anti-inflammatory agents to prevent and mitigate acute and chronic oxidative damage and inflammation. A literature analysis of recent advances in this topic highlights the significant role of Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) and NF-kB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) pathways in these biological processes, with many natural products and phytochemicals targeting endogenous antioxidant systems and cytokine production and balance. In this review, we summarized and discussed studies using in vitro and in vivo models of the intestinal tract used to reproduce oxidative damage and inflammatory events, as well as the role of natural products as modulators of Nrf2 and NK-kB pathways.

Articulating the Pharmacological and Nanotechnological Aspects of Genistein: Current and Future Prospectives

Throughout the past several centuries, herbal constituents have been the subject of scientific interest and the latest research into their therapeutic potential is underway. Genistein is a soy-derived isoflavone found in huge amounts in soy, along with the plants of the Fabaceae family. Scientific studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of genistein on various health conditions. Genistein presents a broad range of pharmacological activities, including anticancer, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antiulcer, anti-diabetic, wound healing, anti-bacterial, antiviral, skin, and radioprotective effects. However, the hydrophobic nature of genistein results in constrained absorption and restricts its therapeutic potential. In this review, the number of nanocarriers for genistein delivery has been explored, such as polymeric nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, transferosomes, and nanoemulsions and nanofibers. These nano-formulations of genistein have been utilized as a potential strategy for various disorders, employing a variety of ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo models and various administration routes. This review concluded that genistein is a potential therapeutic agent for treating various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, diabetes, ulcers, etc., when formulated in suitable nanocarriers.

Genistein Co-Amorphous Systems with Amino Acids: An Investigation into Enhanced Solubility and Biological Activity

Genistein, an isoflavone known for its antioxidant and antidiabetic effects, suffers from the drawback of low solubility. To overcome this limitation, co-amorphous systems were synthesized by incorporating amino acids that were chosen through computational methods. The confirmation of the amorphous state of lysine and arginine-containing systems was ascertained by X-ray powder diffraction. Subsequently, the characterization of these systems was extended by employing thermo-gravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The investigation also included an assessment of the physical stability of the samples during storage. The apparent solubility of the systems was studied in an aqueous medium. To evaluate the in vitro permeability through the gastrointestinal tract, the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay was employed. The biological properties of the systems were assessed with regard to their antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and cupric ion-reducing antioxidant capacity assays, as well as their ability to inhibit α-glucosidase. The systems' glass transition temperatures were determined, and their homogeneity confirmed via differential scanning calorimetry analysis, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis provided data on molecular interactions. Stability was maintained for the entire 6-month storage duration. The co-amorphous system containing lysine displayed the most pronounced apparent solubility improvement, as well as a significant enhancement in antioxidant activity. Notably, both systems demonstrated superior α-glucosidase inhibition relative to acarbose, a standard drug for managing type 2 diabetes. The results indicate that co-amorphous systems with lysine and arginine have the potential to significantly enhance the solubility and biological activity of genistein.

Recent Strategies for Cancer Therapy: Polymer Nanoparticles Carrying Medicinally Important Phytochemicals and Their Cellular Targets

Cancer is a leading cause of death in the world today. In addition to the side effects of the chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat cancer, the development of resistance to the drugs renders the existing drugs ineffective. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel anticancer agents. Medicinally important phytochemicals such as curcumin, naringenin, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate, thymoquinone, kaempferol, resveratrol, genistein, and apigenin have some drawbacks, including low solubility in water, stability and bioavailability issues, despite having significant anticancer effects. Encapsulation of these natural compounds into polymer nanoparticles (NPs) is a novel technology that could overcome these constraints. In comparison to the free compounds, phytochemicals loaded into nanoparticles have greater activity and bioavailability against many cancer types. In this review, we describe the preparation and characterization of natural phytochemical-loaded polymer NP formulations with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, their in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities, as well as their possible cellular targets.

Estrogens, Estrogen Receptors and Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers in women and the most concerning issues in gynecological oncology in recent years. It is postulated that many factors may contribute to the development of ovarian cancer, including hormonal imbalance. Estrogens are a group of hormones that have an important role both in physiological and pathological processes. In ovarian cancer, they may regulate proliferation, invasiveness and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Estrogen signaling also takes part in the regulation of the biology of the tumor microenvironment. This review summarizes the information connected with estrogen receptors, estrogens and their association with a tumor microenvironment. Moreover, this review also includes information about the changes in estrogen receptor expression upon exposition to various environmental chemicals.

Revolutionizing anti-cancer drug discovery against breast cancer and lung cancer by modification of natural genistein: an advanced computational and drug design approach

Breast and lung cancer are two of the most lethal forms of cancer, responsible for a disproportionately high number of deaths worldwide. Both doctors and cancer patients express alarm about the rising incidence of the disease globally. Although targeted treatment has achieved enormous advancements, it is not without its drawbacks. Numerous medicines and chemotherapeutic drugs have been authorized by the FDA; nevertheless, they can be quite costly and often fall short of completely curing the condition. Therefore, this investigation has been conducted to identify a potential medication against breast and lung cancer through structural modification of genistein. Genistein is the active compound in Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), and it exhibits solid anticancer efficiency against various cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, and brain cancer. Hence, the design of its analogs with the interchange of five functional groups-COOH, NH2 and OCH3, Benzene, and NH-CH2-CH2-OH-have been employed to enhance affinities compared to primary genistein. Additionally, advanced computational studies such as PASS prediction, molecular docking, ADMET, and molecular dynamics simulation were conducted. Firstly, the PASS prediction spectrum was analyzed, revealing that the designed genistein analogs exhibit improved antineoplastic activity. In the prediction data, breast and lung cancer were selected as primary targets. Subsequently, other computational investigations were gradually conducted. The mentioned compounds have shown acceptable results for in silico ADME, AMES toxicity, and hepatotoxicity estimations, which are fundamental for their oral medication. It is noteworthy that the initial binding affinity was only -8.7 kcal/mol against the breast cancer targeted protein (PDB ID: 3HB5). However, after the modification of the functional group, when calculating the binding affinities, it becomes apparent that the binding affinities increase gradually, reaching a maximum of -11.0 and -10.0 kcal/mol. Similarly, the initial binding affinity was only -8.0 kcal/mol against lung cancer (PDB ID: 2P85), but after the addition of binding affinity, it reached -9.5 kcal/mol. Finally, a molecular dynamics simulation was conducted to study the molecular models over 100 ns and examine the stability of the docked complexes. The results indicate that the selected complexes remain highly stable throughout the 100-ns molecular dynamics simulation runs, displaying strong correlations with the binding of targeted ligands within the active site of the selected protein. It is important to further investigate and proceed to clinical or wet lab experiments to determine the practical value of the proposed compounds.

Phytochemicals for the prevention and treatment of pancreatic cancer: Current progress and future prospects

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, owing to its aggressive nature and suboptimal treatment options, emphasizing the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Emerging studies have exhibited promising results regarding the therapeutic utility of plant-derived compounds (phytochemicals) in pancreatic cancer. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the potential of phytochemicals in the treatment and prevention of pancreatic cancer. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was applied to collect articles for this review. Scholarly databases, including PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect, were queried for relevant studies using the following keywords: phytochemicals, phenolics, terpenoids, alkaloids, sulfur-containing compounds, in vitro, in vivo, clinical studies, pancreatic cancer, tumour, treatment and prevention. Aggregate results pooled from qualified studies indicate phytochemicals can inhibit pancreatic cancer cell growth or decrease tumour size and volume in animal models. These effects have been attributed to various mechanisms, such as increasing proapoptotic factors, decreasing antiapoptotic factors, or inducing cell death and cell cycle arrest. Notable signalling pathways modulated by phytochemicals include the rat sarcoma/mitogen activated protein kinase, wingless-related integration site/β-catenin and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signal transduction pathways. Clinically, phytochemicals have been found to increase survival while being well-tolerated and safe, though research is scarce. While these promising results have produced great interest in this field, further in-depth studies are required to characterize the anticancer activities of phytochemicals before they can be utilized to prevent or treat pancreatic cancer in clinical practice.

Non-Targeted Screening of Metabolites in Aqueous-Ethanol Extract from Spiraea hypericifolia (Rosaceae) Using LC-HRMS

By means of liquid chromatography combined with high-resolution mass spectrometry, metabolite profiling was performed on an aqueous-ethanol extract from Spiraea hypericifolia (Rosaceae) collected in Siberia (Russia). Up to 140 compounds were found in the extract, of which 47 were tentatively identified. The identified compounds were amino acids, sugars, phenylpropanoids, fatty acids and their derivatives, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and others. A quantitative analysis showed the predominance of phenolcarboxylic acids and flavonoids in the studied extract, but a qualitative analysis revealed the higher structural diversity of flavonoids. Of the 23 identified flavonoids, 13 were flavonols: quercetin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, reynoutrin, avicularin, rutin, quercetin-3-O-(6″-O-malonyl)-β-D-glucoside, 3-O-methylquercetin-3'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin, rhamnetin-3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, kaempferol, tiliroside, and trifolin; six were catechins: catechin, (-)-epicatechin, (+)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin-7-O-β-D-xyloside, (2S,3R)-3,5-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-7-yl-β-D-glucopyranoside, and catechin 7-O-apiofuranoside; two are isoflavones: genistin and genistein; and one was a flavone (luteolin-4'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) and another was an anthocyanidin (pelargonidin). The aqueous-ethanol extract from S. hypericifolia showed antioxidant activity (half-maximal inhibitory concentration 102.95 μg/mL), which was likely related to the high concentrations of phenolcarboxylic acids (229.6 mg/g), flavonoids (118.3 mg/g), and tannins (62.9 mg/g).

Evaluating chemotherapeutic potential of soya-isoflavonoids against high penetrance genes in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive molecular subtype of breast cancer (BC) associated with a poor prognosis. Owing to the structural similarity with 17-β-estradiol, consumption of soya-isoflavonoids are associated with a reduced rate of hormone-receptive BC incidence, but their role in TNBC is not deciphered in detail. This present study thus aims to investigate the therapeutic binding dynamics of dietary soya-flavonoids with the six high penetrance (HP) receptors in TNBC, viz. BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, PTEN, STK11 and TP53. Out of the 14 soya-flavonoids screened based on ADMET descriptors and several other physicochemical, bioavailability, drug and lead-likeness properties, four hits were shortlisted (Daidzein, Genistein, Glycitein and Biochanin A). Docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation revealed Genistein as the most potential multi-target inhibitor of the six TNBC HP genes. Additionally, Genistein exhibited excellent binding specificity with PTEN, a potent mediator of the PI3K signaling pathway in TNBC. The binding interaction of PTEN and Genistein was further compared against a standardized FDA-approved chemotherapeutic inhibitor, Olaparib, computed through various MD trajectory analysis, principal component analysis and computation of free energy landscape. This study reveals a comparatively better binding dynamics of PTEN-Genistein than PTEN-Olaparib. With a significant global surge in biomarker-based precision therapeutics in oncology, the results of this exhaustive in-silico study thus encourage the prospect of validating PTEN as a druggable target of Genistein, a unique drug-receptor combination in the future.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoid derivates

Background and purpose

Flavonoids are a group of phytochemicals found abundantly in various plants. Scientific evidence has revealed that flavonoids display potential biological activities, including their ability to alleviate inflammation. This activity is closely related to their action in blocking the inflammatory cascade and inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory factors. However, as flavonoids typically have poor bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile, it is quite challenging to establish these compounds as a drug. Nevertheless, progressive advancements in drug delivery systems, particularly in nanotechnology, have shown promising approaches to overcome such challenges.

Review approach

This narrative review provides an overview of scientific knowledge about the mechanism of action of flavonoids in the mitigation of inflammatory reaction prior to delivering a comprehensive discussion about the opportunity of the nanotechnology-based delivery system in the preparation of the flavonoid-based drug.

Key results

Various studies conducted in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials have deciphered that the anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoids are closely linked to their ability to modulate various biochemical mediators, enzymes, and signalling pathways involved in the inflammatory processes. This compound could be encapsulated in nanotechnology platforms to increase the solubility, bioavailability, and pharmacological activity of flavonoids as well as reduce the toxic effects of these compounds.

Conclusion

In Summary, we conclude that flavonoids and their derivates have given promising results in their development as new anti-inflammatory drug candidates, especially if they formulate in nanoparticles.

Flavonoids: Overview of Biosynthesis, Biological Activity, and Current Extraction Techniques

Recently, increased attention has been paid to natural sources as raw materials for the development of new added-value products. Flavonoids are a large family of polyphenols which include several classes based on their basic structure: flavanones, flavones, isoflavones, flavonols, flavanols, and anthocyanins. They have a multitude of biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Current trends of research and development on flavonoids relate to identification, extraction, isolation, physico-chemical characterization, and their applications to health benefits. This review presents an up-to-date survey of the most recent developments in the natural flavonoid classes, the biological activity of representative flavonoids, current extraction techniques, and perspectives.

Endometriosis Treatment: Role of Natural Polyphenols as Anti-Inflammatory Agents

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent common chronic inflammatory disease defined by the presence of extrauterine endometrial tissue that promotes pelvic pain and fertility impairment. Its etiology is complex and multifactorial, and several not completely understood theories have been proposed to describe its pathogenesis. Indeed, this disease affects women's quality of life and their reproductive system. Conventional therapies for endometriosis treatment primarily focus on surgical resection, lowering systemic levels of estrogen, and treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to counteract the inflammatory response. However, although these strategies have shown to be effective, they also show considerable side effects. Therefore, there is a growing interest in the use of herbal medicine for the treatment of endometriosis; however, to date, only very limited literature is present on this topic. Polyphenols display important anti-endometriotic properties; in particular, they are potent phytoestrogens that in parallel modulates estrogen activity and exerts anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on anti-inflammatory activity of polyphenols in the treatment of endometriosis.

The Integral Role of Diets Including Natural Products to Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Narrative Review

Genetic and environmental factors including lifestyle are thought to play a key role in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There is evidence that diet can enhance the inflammatory response in genetically predisposed individuals. On the other hand, certain types of diets can alleviate RA symptoms due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Also, natural compounds with potential effectiveness in RA management belong to different chemical classes such as flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids, and alkaloids with their antioxidant characteristics as well as probiotics. The nutritional approaches to prevent or extenuate the disease progress were examined in this narrative review which was conducted using the PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases and conforms to the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) guidelines. Mediterranean and vegan diets equally have been shown to exhibit positive effects on RA as the consumption of dietary fiber, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds from fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds are high. Whereas Mediterranean diet additionally includes beneficial nutrients of animal origin such as omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish and seafood, patients on vegan diet need to be monitored closely for intake of all critical nutrients. Certain calorie restrictions and intermittent fasting diets have been shown to benefit RA patients although there is an obvious need for further studies to establish solid evidence-based recommendations and guidelines. The research data available strongly suggest that dietary approaches with anti-inflammatory properties may help delay the onset of RA and/or improve symptoms and thus nutrition should be routinely addressed to facilitate management of the disease.

Recent advances in exploring and exploiting soybean functional peptides-a review

Soybeans are rich in proteins and phytochemicals such as isoflavones and phenolic compounds. It is an excellent source of peptides with numerous biological functions, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antidiabetic activities. Soy bioactive peptides are small building blocks of proteins that are released after fermentation or gastrointestinal digestion as well as by food processing through enzymatic hydrolysis, often in combination with novel food processing techniques (i.e., microwave, ultrasound, and high-pressure homogenization), which are associated with numerous health benefits. Various studies have reported the potential health benefits of soybean-derived functional peptides, which have made them a great substitute for many chemical-based functional elements in foods and pharmaceutical products for a healthy lifestyle. This review provides unprecedented and up-to-date insights into the role of soybean peptides in various diseases and metabolic disorders, ranging from diabetes and hypertension to neurodegenerative disorders and viral infections with mechanisms were discussed. In addition, we discuss all the known techniques, including conventional and emerging approaches, for the prediction of active soybean peptides. Finally, real-life applications of soybean peptides as functional entities in food and pharmaceutical products are discussed.

Phytochemical interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder: A cluster co-occurrence network analysis using CiteSpace

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated trends in the study of phytochemical treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

METHODS

The Web of Science database (2007-2022) was searched using the search terms "phytochemicals" and "PTSD," and relevant literature was compiled. Network clustering co-occurrence analysis and qualitative narrative review were conducted.

RESULTS

Three hundred and one articles were included in the analysis of published research, which has surged since 2015 with nearly half of all relevant articles coming from North America. The category is dominated by neuroscience and neurology, with two journals, Addictive Behaviors and Drug and Alcohol Dependence, publishing the greatest number of papers on these topics. Most studies focused on psychedelic intervention for PTSD. Three timelines show an "ebb and flow" phenomenon between "substance use/marijuana abuse" and "psychedelic medicine/medicinal cannabis." Other phytochemicals account for a small proportion of the research and focus on topics like neurosteroid turnover, serotonin levels, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression.

CONCLUSION

Research on phytochemicals and PTSD is unevenly distributed across countries/regions, disciplines, and journals. Since 2015, the research paradigm shifted to constitute the mainstream of psychedelic research thus far, leading to the exploration of botanical active ingredients and molecular mechanisms. Other studies focus on anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammation. Please cite this article as: Gao B, Qu YC, Cai MY, Zhang YY, Lu HT, Li HX, Tang YX, Shen H. Phytochemical interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder: A cluster co-occurrence network analysis using CiteSpace. J Integr Med. 2023; Epub ahead of print.

Autophagy characteristics of phytoestrogens in management and prevention of diseases: A narrative review of in-vivo and in-vitro studies

Phytoestrogens are non-steroid polyphenolic materials present in 300 plants. Regarding their structural similarities to estradiol, phytoestrogens attach to estrogen receptors and display anti- or pro-estrogenic activities. This review explored phytoestrogens' potential advantages and autophagy properties in light of their future application for disease management, highlighting how phytoestrogens could modulate autophagy. Research has examined the prospective benefits of phytoestrogens for the anticipation and management of various conditions, including signs of menopause, tumors, skin deterioration, osteoporosis, heart disease, neurodegenerative conditions, disorders of the immune system, and metabolic syndrome, owing to their therapeutic effects. As phytoestrogens can activate or inhibit autophagy, which has antioxidant, apoptotic, anti-mutagenic, anticancer, transcriptional, and genomic impacts on cancer and aging illnesses, phytoestrogens could influence diseases through the modulation of autophagy. The collaborative research on animal models, utilization of genetic techniques, and administration of pharmacologically active substances has indicated the possible therapeutic benefits of autophagy modulation in various illnesses. Further research is required to illustrate the pathways by which phytoestrogens modulate autophagy and the possible therapeutic effects on these diseases.

The radioprotectant nano-genistein enhances radiotherapy efficacy of lung tumors in mice

Background

Radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be dose-limiting due to treatment-related toxicities. Genistein has been shown to be a robust radioprotective agent in preclinical models. A novel genistein oral nanosuspension formulation (nano-genistein) has demonstrated efficacy in mitigating radiation-induced lung damage in preclinical animal models. However, while those studies have confirmed that nano-genistein can protect normal lung tissue from radiation-induced toxicities, no studies have assessed the effect of nano-genistein on lung tumors. Here, we evaluated the impact of nano-genistein on the efficacy of radiation treatment of lung tumors in a mouse xenograft model.

Methods

Two separate studies were conducted utilizing human A549 cells implanted either dorsally within the upper torso or in the flank. Daily oral administration of nano-genistein (200 or 400 mg/kg/day) occurred prior to and after exposure to a single dose of thoracic or abdominal 12.5 Gy radiation. Tumor growth was monitored twice weekly, nano-genistein treatment continued for up to 20 weeks and histopathology of tissues was completed post euthanasia.

Results

Continuous nano-genistein dosing was safe across all study groups in both studies. Animals receiving nano-genistein better maintained body weight following irradiation compared to corresponding vehicle treated animals. Animals that received nano-genistein also had reduced tumor growth and improved normal lung histopathology compared to those receiving vehicle suggesting that nano-genistein does not protect tumors from radiotherapy but is radioprotective of the lungs. There were no treatment-related histopathological findings noted in the skin adjacent to the tumor, esophagus, or uterus.

Conclusions

These results, including the safety following extended dosing, support the continued evaluation of nano-genistein as an adjunctive treatment for patients with NSCLC undergoing radiotherapy and serve as the basis of a phase 1b/2a multicenter clinical trial.

Bioprospecting of endophytes associated with Solanum species: a mini review

Endophytes are considered the repository of bioactive compounds as they contain a wide variety of chemically and structurally diverse secondary metabolites. The endophytes associated with Solanum species have been studied for the last few years. Therefore, the present study aimed to discuss the bioactive compounds produced by endophytes associated with Solanum species and their biological activities. Our study reveals that among the Solanum species, only 13 species have been studied in the context of endophytes so far. Overall, a total number of 98 bioactive compounds have been reported from endophytes associated with Solanum species, of which 64 compounds are from fungi and 34 compounds from bacteria. These bioactive compounds belong to different chemical groups such as sterols, flavonoids, volatiles, and many others and exhibited diverse biological activities including antimicrobial, anticancer, antiparasitic, antioxidants, and plant growth-promoting activity. Moreover, the endophytic fungi were reported to produce two compounds that are often present in the host plants. These condensed data may open the door for further research and provide details on potent endophytes associated with Solanum species.

Conjugation, Prodrug, and Co-Administration Strategies in Support of Nanotechnologies to Improve the Therapeutic Efficacy of Phytochemicals in the Central Nervous System

Phytochemicals, produced as secondary plant metabolites, have shown interesting potential therapeutic activities against neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Unfortunately, poor bioavailability and rapid metabolic processes compromise their therapeutic use, and several strategies are currently proposed for overcoming these issues. The present review summarises strategies for enhancing the central nervous system's phytochemical efficacy. Particular attention has been paid to the use of phytochemicals in combination with other drugs (co-administrations) or administration of phytochemicals as prodrugs or conjugates, particularly when these approaches are supported by nanotechnologies exploiting conjugation strategies with appropriate targeting molecules. These aspects are described for polyphenols and essential oil components, which can improve their loading as prodrugs in nanocarriers, or be part of nanocarriers designed for targeted co-delivery to achieve synergistic anti-glioma or anti-neurodegenerative effects. The use of in vitro models, able to simulate the blood-brain barrier, neurodegeneration or glioma, and useful for optimizing innovative formulations before their in vivo administration via intravenous, oral, or nasal routes, is also summarised. Among the described compounds, quercetin, curcumin, resveratrol, ferulic acid, geraniol, and cinnamaldehyde can be efficaciously formulated to attain brain-targeting characteristics, and may therefore be therapeutically useful against glioma or neurodegenerative diseases.

The Potential of Ginkgo biloba as a Source of Biologically Active Compounds-A Review of the Recent Literature and Patents

Ginkgo biloba is a relict tree species showing high resistance to adverse biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Its fruits and leaves have high medicinal value due to the presence of flavonoids, terpene trilactones and phenolic compounds. However, ginkgo seeds contain toxic and allergenic alkylphenols. The publication revises the latest research results (mainly from 2018-2022) regarding the chemical composition of extracts obtained from this plant and provides information on the use of extracts or their selected ingredients in medicine and food production. A very important section of the publication is the part in which the results of the review of patents concerning the use of Ginkgo biloba and its selected ingredients in food production are presented. Despite the constantly growing number of studies on its toxicity and interactions with synthetic drugs, its health-promoting properties are the reason for the interest of scientists and motivation to create new food products.

Advanced Delivery System of Polyphenols for Effective Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Polyphenols from plants such as fruits and vegetables are phytochemicals with physiological and pharmacological activity as potential drugs to modulate oxidative stress and inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease, chronic disease, and cancer. However, due to the limited water solubility and bioavailability of many natural compounds, their pharmacological applications have been limited. Researchers have made progress in the development of nano- and micro-carriers that can address these issues and facilitate effective drug delivery. The currently developed drug delivery systems maximize the fundamental effects in various aspects such as absorption rate, stability, cellular absorption, and bioactivity of polyphenols. This review focuses on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols enhanced by the introduction of drug delivery systems, and ultimately discusses the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, growth, and angiogenesis.

Targeting Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway by Flavonoids: Implication for Cancer Therapeutics

The Wnt pathway has been recognized for its crucial role in human development and homeostasis, but its dysregulation has also been linked to several disorders, including cancer. Wnt signaling is crucial for the development and metastasis of several kinds of cancer. Moreover, members of the Wnt pathway have been proven to be effective biomarkers and promising cancer therapeutic targets. Abnormal stimulation of the Wnt signaling pathway has been linked to the initiation and advancement of cancer in both clinical research and in vitro investigations. A reduction in cancer incidence rate and an improvement in survival may result from targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. As a result, blocking this pathway has been the focus of cancer research, and several candidates that can be targeted are currently being developed. Flavonoids derived from plants exhibit growth inhibitory, apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-migratory effects against various malignancies. Moreover, flavonoids influence different signaling pathways, including Wnt, to exert their anticancer effects. In this review, we comprehensively evaluate the influence of flavonoids on cancer development and metastasis by focusing on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and we provide evidence of their impact on a number of molecular targets. Overall, this review will enhance our understanding of these natural products as Wnt pathway modulators.

Flavonoids nanostructures promising therapeutic efficiencies in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is among the frequently diagnosed cancers with high mortality rates around the world. Polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids are secondary plant metabolites which exhibit anti-cancer activities along with anti-inflammatory effects. However, due to their hydrophobicity, sensitivity to degradation and low bioavailability, therapeutic effects have shown poor therapeutic effect. Nano delivery systems such as nanoliposomes, nanomicelles, silica nanoparticles have been investigated to overcome these difficulties. This review provides a summary of the efficiency of certain flavonoids and polyphenols (apigenin, genistein, resveratrol, quercetin, silymarin, catechins, luteolin, fisetin, gallic acid, rutin, and curcumin) on colorectal cancer models. It comprehensively discusses the influence of nano-formulation of flavonoids on their biological functions, including cellular uptake rate, bioavailability, solubility, and cytotoxicity, as well as their potential for reducing colorectal cancer tumor size under in vivo situations.

Prospects of Novel and Repurposed Immunomodulatory Drugs against Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Associated with COVID-19 Disease

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is intricately linked with SARS-CoV-2-associated disease severity and mortality, especially in patients with co-morbidities. Lung tissue injury caused as a consequence of ARDS leads to fluid build-up in the alveolar sacs, which in turn affects oxygen supply from the capillaries. ARDS is a result of a hyperinflammatory, non-specific local immune response (cytokine storm), which is aggravated as the virus evades and meddles with protective anti-viral innate immune responses. Treatment and management of ARDS remain a major challenge, first, because the condition develops as the virus keeps replicating and, therefore, immunomodulatory drugs are required to be used with caution. Second, the hyperinflammatory responses observed during ARDS are quite heterogeneous and dependent on the stage of the disease and the clinical history of the patients. In this review, we present different anti-rheumatic drugs, natural compounds, monoclonal antibodies, and RNA therapeutics and discuss their application in the management of ARDS. We also discuss on the suitability of each of these drug classes at different stages of the disease. In the last section, we discuss the potential applications of advanced computational approaches in identifying reliable drug targets and in screening out credible lead compounds against ARDS.

Estrogenic flavonoids and their molecular mechanisms of action

Flavonoids are a major group of phytoestrogens associated with physiological effects, and ecological and social impacts. Although the estrogenic activity of flavonoids was reported by researchers in the fields of medical, environmental and food studies, their molecular mechanisms of action have not been comprehensively reviewed. The estrogenic activity of the respective classes of flavonoids, anthocyanidins/anthocyanins, 2-arylbenzofurans/3-arylcoumarins/α-methyldeoxybenzoins, aurones/chalcones/dihydrochalcones, coumaronochromones, coumestans, flavans/flavan-3-ols/flavan-4-ols, flavanones/dihydroflavonols, flavones/flavonols, homoisoflavonoids, isoflavans, isoflavanones, isoflavenes, isoflavones, neoflavonoids, oligoflavonoids, pterocarpans/pterocarpenes, and rotenone/rotenoids, was summarized through a comprehensive literature search, and their structure-activity relationship, biological activities, signaling pathways, and applications were discussed. Although the respective classes of flavonoids contained at least one chemical mimicking estrogen, the mechanisms varied, such as those with estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, non-estrogenic, and biphasic activities, and additional activities through crosstalk/bypassing, which exert biological activities through cell signaling pathways. Such mechanistic variations of estrogen action are not limited to flavonoids and are observed among other broad categories of chemicals, thus this group of chemicals can be termed as the "estrogenome". This review article focuses on the connection of estrogen action mainly between the outer and the inner environments, which represent variations of chemicals and biological activities/signaling pathways, respectively, and form the basis to understand their applications. The applications of chemicals will markedly progress due to emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence for precision medicine, which is also true of the study of the estrogenome including estrogenic flavonoids.