The Chemical Space of Terpenes: Insights from Data Science and AI

Natural Guardians: Natural Compounds as Radioprotectors in Cancer Therapy

Cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with millions of deaths attributed to it annually. Radiotherapy, a cornerstone in cancer treatment, aims to destroy cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissues. However, the harmful effects of irradiation on normal cells present a formidable obstacle. To mitigate these effects, researchers have explored using radioprotectors and mitigators, including natural compounds derived from secondary plant metabolites. This review outlines the diverse classes of natural compounds, elucidating their roles as protectants of healthy cells. Furthermore, the review highlights the potential of these compounds as radioprotective agents capable of enhancing the body's resilience to radiation therapy. By integrating natural radioprotectors into cancer treatment regimens, clinicians may improve therapeutic outcomes while minimizing the adverse effects on healthy tissues. Ongoing research in this area holds promise for developing complementary strategies to optimize radiotherapy efficacy and enhance patient quality of life.

Terpenes in the management of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a chronic and progressive systemic condition that characterizes irreversible alterations in the kidneys' function and structure over an extended period, spanning months to years. CKD is the one of the major causes of mortality worldwide. However, very limited treatment options are available in the market for management of the CKD. Diabetes and hypertension are the key risk factors for the progression of CKD. It is majorly characterised by glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. Plants are considered safe and effective in treating various chronic conditions. A diverse group of phytoconstituents, including polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and terpenes, have found significant benefits in managing chronic ailments. Terpenes constitute a diverse group of plant compounds with various therapeutic benefits. Evidence-based pharmacological studies underscore the crucial role played by terpenes in preventing and managing CKD. These substances demonstrate the capacity to hinder detrimental pathways, such as oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis, thereby demonstrating benefit in renal dysfunction. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the roles and positive attributes of commonly occurring terpenes in managing the causes and risk factors of CKD and the associated conditions.

From Plants to Wound Dressing and Transdermal Delivery of Bioactive Compounds

Transdermal delivery devices and wound dressing materials are constantly improved and upgraded with the aim of enhancing their beneficial effects, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and cost effectiveness. Therefore, researchers in the field have shown an increasing interest in using natural compounds as constituents for such systems. Plants, as an important source of so-called "natural products" with an enormous variety and structural diversity that still exceeds the capacity of present-day sciences to define or even discover them, have been part of medicine since ancient times. However, their benefits are just at the beginning of being fully exploited in modern dermal and transdermal delivery systems. Thus, plant-based primary compounds, with or without biological activity, contained in gums and mucilages, traditionally used as gelling and texturing agents in the food industry, are now being explored as valuable and cost-effective natural components in the biomedical field. Their biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity compensate for local availability and compositional variations. Also, secondary metabolites, classified based on their chemical structure, are being intensively investigated for their wide pharmacological and toxicological effects. Their impact on medicine is highlighted in detail through the most recent reported studies. Innovative isolation and purification techniques, new drug delivery devices and systems, and advanced evaluation procedures are presented.