Therapeutic potential of phytochemicals for cystic fibrosis

Abstract

The aim of this review was to review and discuss various phytochemicals that exhibit beneficial effects on mutated membrane channels, and hence, improve transmembrane conductance. These therapeutic phytochemicals may have the potential to decrease mortality and morbidity of CF patients. Four databases were searched using keywords. Relevant studies were identified, and related articles were separated. Google Scholar, as well as gray literature (i.e., information that is not produced by commercial publishers), were also checked for related articles to locate/identify additional studies. The relevant databases were searched a second time to ensure that recent studies were included. In conclusion, while curcumin, genistein, and resveratrol have demonstrated effectiveness in this regard, it should be emphasized that coumarins, quercetin, and other herbal medicines also have beneficial effects on transporter function, transmembrane conductivity, and overall channel activity. Additional in vitro and in vivo studies should be conducted on mutant CFTR to unequivocally define the mechanism by which phytochemicals alter transmembrane channel function/activity, since the results of the studies evaluated in this review have a high degree of heterogenicity and discrepancy. Finally, continued research be undertaken to clearly define the mechanism(s) of action and the therapeutic effects that therapeutic phytochemicals have on the symptoms observed in CF patients in an effort to reduce mortality and morbidity.

Exploring the Mechanism of Activation of CFTR by Curcuminoids: An Ensemble Docking Study

“…In the last few years, a number of small molecule drugs capable of binding and recovering the function of a number of defective CFTR protein mutants, named modulators, were introduced in the clinic and also used in combination [ 11 ]. The search for new modulators is still ongoing, and the therapeutic arsenal against CF can also be enriched by various natural substances exhibiting CFTR modulation capability [ 12 , 13 ]. Interestingly, combinations of natural modulators [ 14 ] or synthetic and natural modulators [ 15 ] can synergistically act against CF, holding the promise of more options to improve the treatment of this disease.…”

Exploring the Mechanism of Activation of CFTR by Curcuminoids: An Ensemble Docking Study

“…In the last few years, a number of small molecule drugs capable to bind and recover the function of a number of defective CFTR protein mutants, named modulators, were introduced in the clinic and also used in combination [11]. The search of new modulators is still ongoing and the therapeutic arsenal against CF can be enriched also by various natural substances exhibiting CFTR modulation capability [12,13]. Interestingly, combinations of synthetic and natural modulators can act synergistically against CF holding promise in more options to improve the treatment of this disease [14].…”