The myrrh-like furanosesquiterpene isofuranodiene (IFD) is the main constituent of wild celery (Smyrnium olusatrum L., Apiaceae), an overlooked vegetable that was cultivated during the Roman Empire. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of IFD pre-treatment against oxidative stress and inflammatory response in an animal model of ischemic stroke. IFD was isolated by the crystallization of Smyrnium olusatrum essential oil, and its structure and purity were confirmed by NMR and HPLC analyses. Acute pre-treatment of IFD (10 mg/kg i.p.) significantly reduced the levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α, the expression of pNF-κB/NF-κB, and the lipid peroxidation indicator MDA. Finally, IFD boosted a faster recovery and better scores in grid-walking and modified neurological severity scores (mNSS) tests. Taken together, these findings indicate IFD as a promising lead compound for the discovery of new treatments of brain ischemia.
Cisplatin (CDDP) is a well-known platinum-based drug used in the treatment of various malignancies. However, the widespread side effects that this drug leaves on normal tissues make its use limited. Since cisplatin is mainly eliminated from the kidneys, CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity is the most significant dose-limiting complication attributed to cisplatin, which often leads to dose withdrawal. Considering the high efficiency of cisplatin in chemotherapy, finding renoprotective drug delivery systems for this drug is a necessity. In this regard, we can take advantages of different nanoparticle-based approaches to deliver cisplatin into tumors either using passive targeting or using specific receptors. In an effort to find more effective cisplatin-based nano-drugs with less nephrotoxic effect, the current 2011–2022 review study was conducted to investigate some of the nanotechnology-based methods that have successfully been able to mitigate CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity. Accordingly, although cisplatin can cause renal failures through inducing mitochondria dysfunction, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and endoplasmic reticulum stress, some CDDP-based nano-carriers have been able to reverse a wide range of these advert effects. Based on the obtained results, it was found that the use of different metallic and polymeric nanoparticles can help renal cells to strengthen their antioxidant systems and stay alive through reducing CDDP-induced ROS generation, inhibiting apoptosis-related pathways and maintaining the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane. For example, nanocurcumin could inhibit oxidative stress and acting as a ROS scavenger. CONPs could reduce lipid peroxidation and pro-inflammatory cytokines. CDDP-loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) could inhibit mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. In addition, tea polyphenol-functionalized SeNPs (Se@TE) NPs could mitigate the increased level of dephosphorylated AKT, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) induced by cisplatin. Moreover, exosomes mitigated cisplatin-induced renal damage through inhibiting Bcl2 and increasing Bim, Bid, Bax, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3. Hence, nanoparticle-based techniques are promising drug delivery systems for cisplatin so that some of them, such as lipoplatins and nanocurcumins, have even reached phases 1–3 trials.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of beetroot (BR) or nitrate supplements on body composition indices. A systematic search was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to August 2022 among online databases including Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Embase. Meta-analyses were carried out using a random-effects model. The I2 index was used to assess the heterogeneity of RCTs. A total of 12 RCTs met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. The pooled effect size of included studies indicated that BR or nitrate supplementation did not change body weight (WMD: −0.14 kg, 95% CI: −1.22, 1.51; P=0.836; I2 = 0%), body mass index (BMI) (WMD: -0.07 kg/m2, 95% CI: -0.19,0.03; P= 0.174, I2 = 0%), fat mass (FM) (WMD: −0.26 kg, 95% CI: −1.51, 0.98; P= 0.677, I2 = 0%), waist circumference (WC) (WMD: −0.28 cm, 95% CI: −2.30, 1.74; P= 0.786, I2 = 0%), body fat percentage (BFP) (WMD: 0.18%, 95% CI: −0.62, 0.99; P= 0.651, I2 = 0%), fat-free mass (FFM) (WMD: 0.31 kg, 95% CI: −0.31, 1.94; P= 0.703, I2 = 0%), and WHR (WMD: 0, 95% CI: −0.01, 0.02; P= 0.676, I2 = 0%). Subgroup analyses based on trial duration, BR or nitrate dose, study design, baseline BMI, and athletic status (athlete versus nonathlete) demonstrated similar results. Certainty of evidence across outcomes ranged from low to moderate. This meta-analysis study suggests that BR or nitrate supplements cannot efficiently ameliorate body composition indices regardless of supplement dosage, trial duration, and athletic status.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.