Self-reproducing molecules abound in nature where they support growth and motion of living systems. In artificial settings, chemical reactions can also show complex kinetics of reproduction, however integrating self-reproducing molecules into larger chemical systems remains a challenge towards achieving higher order functionality. Here, we show that self-reproducing lipids can initiate, sustain and accelerate the movement of octanol droplets in water. Reciprocally, the chemotactic movement of the octanol droplets increases the rate of lipid reproduction substantially. Reciprocal coupling between bond-forming chemistry and droplet motility is thus established as an effect of the interplay between molecular-scale events (the self-reproduction of lipid molecules) and microscopic events (the chemotactic movement of the droplets). This coupling between molecular chemistry and microscopic motility offers alternative means of performing work and catalysis in micro-heterogeneous environments.
Background
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal lung disease of unknown cause which disrupts the normal lung architecture and functions by deregulating immune responses and ultimately leads to the death of the individual. A number of factors can lead to its development and currently there is no cure for this disease.
Main text
There are synthetic drugs available to relieve the symptoms and decelerate its development by targeting pathways involved in the development of IPF, but there had also been various side effects detected by their usage. It is known since decades that medicinal plants and their compounds have been used all over the world in natural medicines to cure various diseases. This review article is focused on the effects of various natural bioactive compounds of 26 plant extracts that show prophylactic and therapeutic properties against the disease and so can be used in treating IPF replacing synthetic drugs and reducing the side effects.
Short conclusion
This review includes different mechanisms that cause pulmonary fibrosis along with compounds that can induce fibrosis, drugs used for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, diagnosis, the biochemical tests used for the experimental study to determine the pathogenesis of disease with a special note on Isoquinoline alkaloids and their role in reducing various factors leading to IPF thus providing promising therapeutic approach.
<p>Self-reproducing chemical systems are essential for organic
matter to reproduce, move and grow. In artificial settings, chemical reactions can
show rich dynamics and auto-catalytic characteristics, however achieving higher
order functionality from self-reproducing chemical systems remains a current
challenge. Here, we show that <a></a><a>self-reproducing lipids can initiate, sustain
and accelerate the movement of microscopic oil droplets in water and, in
return, the chemotactic movement of these droplets significantly accelerates
the autocatalytic production of the lipids</a>. As droplet motion accelerates
the chemical reaction through active chemotactic movement, a reciprocal, two-way
interplay is established across length scales, between bond-forming chemistry at
the molecular scale, and droplet motility at the near macroscopic level. This chemo-motile
coupling between the self-reproducing chemistry of lipids and the microscopic movement
of droplets offers new means of performing work and catalysis in micro-heterogeneous
environments. </p>
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