Mammalian sirtuins (SIRT1–7) are involved in a myriad of cellular processes, including apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, aging, DNA repair, senescence, viability, survival, and stress response. In this review, we discuss the current information on the mechanistic roles of SIRT1–7 and their downstream effects (tumor promotion or suppression) in cancers of the breast and prostate. Specifically, we highlight the involvement of sirtuins in the regulation of various proteins implicated in proliferation, apoptosis, autophagy, chemoresistance, invasion, migration, and metastasis of breast and prostate cancer. Additionally, we highlight the available information regarding SIRT1–7 regulation by miRNAs, laying much emphasis on the consequences in the progression of breast and prostate cancer.

Garlic (Allium sativum) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) are globally utilized herbal medicinal spices. This systematic review discussed available evidence on the direct and indirect antiviral activities of garlic and ginger. Studies investigating the antiviral activities of garlic and ginger were searched and retrieved from four databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science direct, and MEDLINE. Data search and retrieval were done up to 15 October 2021. A total of 28 studies were included in this systematic review (garlic = 18 studies; ginger = 10 studies). Fresh garlic aqueous extract and fresh ginger hot water extract were the most investigated forms of garlic and ginger, respectively. There was minimal evidence on the prophylactic antiviral effect of garlic and ginger, moderate evidence on the therapeutic and prophylactic/therapeutic antiviral effects, and minimal evidence on the enhancement of the immune system against viral infections. The low-moderate quality evidence on the direct and indirect antiviral effects of garlic and ginger has provided the necessary background to instigate further high-quality investigations to validate the current information, address the grey areas, and provide valuable insights into the possible utility of garlic and ginger as raw materials in drug development against viral infections.

Background: Mitochondrial-mediated cell death begins with opening of mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (mPT) pore and medicinal plants contain phytochemicals that modulate the mPT pore. Hypothesis and Purpose: We investigated the modulatory effects of crude methanol extract of Daniellia oliveri leaves (CMDO) on mPT pore in vitro. Study Design and Methods: Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activities of crude methanol extract of Daniellia oliveri leaves (CMDO) were evaluated according to standard procedures. CMDO was partitioned into chloroform fraction (CFDO), ethyl acetate fraction (EFDO) and methanol fraction (MFDO) by Vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC). Effects of CMDO, CFDO, EFDO and MFDO on mPT pore were assessed by spectrophotometry. Effects of the most potent fraction on mitochondrial ATPase, Fe-induced lipid peroxidation and cytochrome c release were assessed by spectrophotometry. CMDO was subjected to GC-MS analysis to identify the bioactive compounds present. Results: CMDO contains phytochemicals and showed appreciable total flavonoid content (0.483±0.02 QE mg/100g), total phenolic content (0.886±0.12 GAE mg/100g), total antioxidant capacity (0.039±0.001 AE mg/100 g), ferric antioxidant reducing power (IC50=350 µg/ml) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (IC50=166 µg/ml). The maximum induction of mPT pore opening in the absence and presence of calcium, respectively, were as follows: CMDO (10.11 folds, 5.18 folds), CFDO (19.9 folds, 16.3 folds), EFDO (7.5 folds, 23.2 folds), MFDO (22.2 folds, 31.3 folds). The most potent mPT pore-opening fraction (MFDO) enhanced mitochondrial ATPase activity, inhibited Fe-induced lipid peroxidation and caused cytochrome c release. GC-MS analysis of CMDO revealed the presence of bioactive compounds including methyl propanamide, Dibutyl phthalate, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Conclusion: Methanol fraction (MFDO) of CMDO most potently induced mPT pore opening via enhancement of mitochondrial ATPase activity, which was substantiated by the release of cytochrome c (in vitro). This includes MFDO as a candidate pharmacologic remedy for diseases associated with insufficient apoptosis.

The influence of regular market selling conditions and storage methods on β-carotene stability and retention were investigated in two different biofortified gari types. Freshly processed gari samples obtained from TMS 01/1412 and TMS 01/1371 respectively were exposed to 35-450C sunlight (ESL) and 60 watts electric bulb light (EEB); stored in black polyethylene bag (SPB) and air-tight aluminum container (SAC) respectively. The stability (using area under curve analysis) and retention (%) of β-carotene in all the experiments were monitored and compared over a period of 4 weeks. Results revealed that ESL had a huge negative influence on the stability and retention of β-carotene in the two biofortified gari types. Although EEB showed minimal but progressive negative influence, SAC followed by SPB showed the least negative influence on the nutrient stability. The overall retention of β-carotene in gari processed from TMS 01/1412 and TMS 01/1371 respectively were as follows: ESL (12.1%, 12.8%), EEB (58.5%, 47.5%), SPB (61.9%, 50.8%) and SAC (60.2%, 82.6%). SAC retained the most appreciable amount of the nutrient thus suggesting it as a better form of storage while ESL lost the largest amount of the nutrient thus portraying it a detrimental market selling condition for the biofortified gari.