Displaying publications 21 - 40 of 288 in total

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  1. Fulltext Role of Nanoparticles in Environmental Remediation: An Insight into Heavy Metal Pollution from Dentistry
    Thangavelu L, Veeraragavan GR, Mallineni SK, Devaraj E, Parameswari RP, Syed NH, et al.
    Bioinorg Chem Appl, 2022;2022:1946724.
    PMID: 35340422 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1946724
    Environmental damage is without a doubt one of the most serious issues confronting society today. As dental professionals, we must recognize that some of the procedures and techniques we have been using may pose environmental risks. The usage and discharge of heavy metals from dental set-ups pollute the environment and pose a serious threat to the ecosystem. Due to the exclusive properties of nanosized particles, nanotechnology is a booming field that is being extensively studied for the remediation of pollutants. Given that the nanoparticles have a high surface area to volume ratio and significantly greater reactivity, they have been greatly considered for environmental remediation. This review aims at identifying the heavy metal sources and their environmental impact in dentistry and provides insights into the usage of nanoparticles in environmental remediation. Although the literature on various functions of inorganic nanoparticles in environmental remediation was reviewed, the research is still confined to laboratory set-ups and there is a need for more studies on the usage of nanoparticles in environmental remediation.
  2. Fulltext Molecular modulators of celastrol as the keystones for its diverse pharmacological activities
    Ng SW, Chan Y, Chellappan DK, Madheswaran T, Zeeshan F, Chan YL, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2019 Jan;109:1785-1792.
    PMID: 30551432 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.051
    In the recent years, much attention has been focused on identifying bioactive compounds from medicinal plants that could be employed in therapeutics, which is attributed to their potent pharmacological actions and better toxicological profile. One such example that has come into the light with considerable interest is the pentacyclic triterpenoid, celastrol, which has been found to provide substantial therapeutic properties in a variety of diseases. In an effort to further accelerate its potential to be utilized in clinical practice in the future; along with advancing technologies in the field of drug discovery and development, different researchers have been investigating on the various mechanisms and immunological targets of celastrol that underlie its broad spectrum of pharmacological properties. In this review, we have collated the various research findings related to the molecular modulators responsible for different pharmacological activities shown by celastrol. Our review will be of interest to the herbal, biological, molecular scientist and by providing a quick snapshot about celastrol giving a new direction in the area of herbal drug discovery and development.
  3. The role of bevacizumab on tumour angiogenesis and in the management of gynaecological cancers: A review
    Chellappan DK, Leng KH, Jia LJ, Aziz NABA, Hoong WC, Qian YC, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2018 Jun;102:1127-1144.
    PMID: 29710531 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.061
    OBJECTIVE: The study aims to analyze the effectiveness of bevacizumab in addressing the complications associated with gynecological cancers and evaluates effective treatments for various gynecological cancers.

    METHODS: The study follows a systematic review approach that has been implemented to analyze the qualitative published data from previous studies. Studies related with the trials of angiogenesis and bevacizumab were selected in the review.

    RESULTS: In general, the management of gynecological cancers include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. Results suggest bevacizumab as an effective treatment modality for cervical and several other cancers. Overall, bevacizumab showed promising results in improving the overall survival rate of gynecological cancer patients through the combination of bevacizumab with other chemotherapeutic agents.

    CONCLUSION: Bevacizumab possess less documented adverse effects when compared to other chemotherapeutic agents. The manifestation and severity of adverse effects reported varied according to the chemotherapeutic agent(s) that were used with bevacizumab in combination therapy. Overall, bevacizumab effectively improved the survival rate in patients with several gynaecological cancers.

  4. Emerging landscape in psoriasis management: From topical application to targeting biomolecules
    Rapalli VK, Singhvi G, Dubey SK, Gupta G, Chellappan DK, Dua K
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2018 Oct;106:707-713.
    PMID: 29990862 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.06.136
    Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder affecting 2-3% of the world population. It has characteristic features such as increased keratinocyte proliferation and production of inflammatory mediators. The treatment involves various strategies including topical, systemic, phototherapy and biologics. Topical therapies are preferred for mild to moderate psoriasis conditions over the systemic therapies which are ideal in severe disease conditions. The systemic therapies include immunosuppressants, biological agents and recently approved phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors. There are various limitations associated with the existing therapies where the new findings in the pathogenesis of psoriasis are paving a path for newer therapeutics to target at the molecular level. Various small molecules, PDE-4 inhibitors, biologics, and immunomodulator proved efficacious including the new molecules targeting Janus kinases (JAK) inhibitors that are under investigation. Furthermore, the role of genetic and miRNAs in psoriasis is still not completely explored and may further help in improving the treatment efficacy. This review provides an insight into various emerging therapies along with currently approved treatments for psoriasis.
  5. Multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis & oxidative stress complexity: Emerging need for novel drug delivery approaches
    Dua K, Rapalli VK, Shukla SD, Singhvi G, Shastri MD, Chellappan DK, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2018 Nov;107:1218-1229.
    PMID: 30257336 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.08.101
    Tuberculosis (caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mtb) treatment involves multiple drug regimens for a prolonged period. However, the therapeutic benefit is often limited by poor patient compliance, subsequently leading to treatment failure and development of antibiotic resistance. Notably, oxidative stress is a crucial underlying factor that adversely influences the various treatment regimens in tuberculosis. Little information is available with advanced drug delivery systems that could be effectively utilized, in particular, for targeting the oxidative stress in tuberculosis. Thus, this presents an opportunity to review the utility of various available, controlled-release drug delivery systems (e.g., microspheres, liposomes, niosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, dendrimers) that could be beneficial in tuberculosis treatments. This will help the biological and formulation scientists to pave a new path in formulating a treatment regimen for multi-drug resistant Mtb.
  6. Fulltext Gene therapy and type 1 diabetes mellitus
    Chellappan DK, Sivam NS, Teoh KX, Leong WP, Fui TZ, Chooi K, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2018 Dec;108:1188-1200.
    PMID: 30372820 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.09.138
    BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by T cell-mediated self-destruction of insulin-secreting islet β cells. Management of T1DM is challenging and complicated especially with conventional medications. Gene therapy has emerged as one of the potential therapeutic alternatives to treat T1DM. This review primarily focuses on the current status and the future perspectives of gene therapy in the management of T1DM. A vast number of the studies which are reported on gene therapy for the management of T1DM are done in animal models and in preclinical studies. In addition, the safety of such therapies is yet to be established in humans. Currently, there are several gene level interventions that are being investigated, notably, overexpression of genes and proteins needed against T1DM, transplantation of cells that express the genes against T1DM, stem-cells mediated gene therapy, genetic vaccination, immunological precursor cell-mediated gene therapy and vectors.

    METHODS: We searched the current literature through searchable online databases, journals and other library sources using relevant keywords and search parameters. Only relevant publications in English, between the years 2000 and 2018, with evidences and proper citations, were considered. The publications were then analyzed and segregated into several subtopics based on common words and content. A total of 126 studies were found suitable for this review.

    FINDINGS: Generally, the pros and cons of each of the gene-based therapies have been discussed based on the results collected from the literature. However, there are certain interventions that require further detailed studies to ensure their effectiveness. We have also highlighted the future direction and perspectives in gene therapy, which, researchers could benefit from.

  7. Fulltext Overcoming drug delivery barriers and challenges in topical therapy of atopic dermatitis: A nanotechnological perspective
    Hemrajani C, Negi P, Parashar A, Gupta G, Jha NK, Singh SK, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2022 Mar;147:112633.
    PMID: 35030434 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112633
    Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory disorder centered around loss of epidermal barrier function, and T helper 2 (Th2) immune responses. The current understanding of disease heterogeneity and complexity, limits the rational use of existing topical, systemic therapeutic agents, but paves way for development of advanced therapeutic agents. Additionally, advanced nanocarriers that deliver therapeutics to target cells, seem to offer a promising strategy, to overcome intrinsic limitations and challenges of conventional, and traditional drug delivery systems. Ever-evolving understanding of molecular target sites and complex pathophysiology, adverse effects of current therapeutic options, inefficient disease recapitulation by existing animal models are some of the challenges that we face. Also, despite limited success in market translatibility, nanocarriers have demonstrated excellent preclinical results and have been extensively studied for AD. Detailed research on behavior of nanocarriers in different patients and tailored therapy to account for phenotypic variability of the disease are the new research avenues that we look forward to.
  8. Fulltext Molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of tumour suppressor genes in lung cancer
    Lee JY, Bhandare RR, Boddu SHS, Shaik AB, Saktivel LP, Gupta G, et al.
    Biomed Pharmacother, 2024 Apr;173:116275.
    PMID: 38394846 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116275
    Tumour suppressor genes play a cardinal role in the development of a large array of human cancers, including lung cancer, which is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers worldwide. Therefore, extensive studies have been committed to deciphering the underlying mechanisms of alterations of tumour suppressor genes in governing tumourigenesis, as well as resistance to cancer therapies. In spite of the encouraging clinical outcomes demonstrated by lung cancer patients on initial treatment, the subsequent unresponsiveness to first-line treatments manifested by virtually all the patients is inherently a contentious issue. In light of the aforementioned concerns, this review compiles the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of some of the tumour suppressor genes implicated in lung cancer that are either frequently mutated and/or are located on the chromosomal arms having high LOH rates (1p, 3p, 9p, 10q, 13q, and 17p). Our study identifies specific genomic loci prone to LOH, revealing a recurrent pattern in lung cancer cases. These loci, including 3p14.2 (FHIT), 9p21.3 (p16INK4a), 10q23 (PTEN), 17p13 (TP53), exhibit a higher susceptibility to LOH due to environmental factors such as exposure to DNA-damaging agents (carcinogens in cigarette smoke) and genetic factors such as chromosomal instability, genetic mutations, DNA replication errors, and genetic predisposition. Furthermore, this review summarizes the current treatment landscape and advancements for lung cancers, including the challenges and endeavours to overcome it. This review envisages inspired researchers to embark on a journey of discovery to add to the list of what was known in hopes of prompting the development of effective therapeutic strategies for lung cancer.
  9. Combinational effect of angiotensin receptor blocker and folic acid therapy on uric acid and creatinine level in hyperhomocysteinemia-associated hypertension
    Singh Y, Samuel VP, Dahiya S, Gupta G, Gillhotra R, Mishra A, et al.
    Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2019 Sep;66(5):715-719.
    PMID: 31314127 DOI: 10.1002/bab.1799
    Homocysteine [HSCH2 CH2 CH(NH2 )COOH] (Hcy) is a sulfur-containing amino acid of 135.18 Da of molecular weight, generated during conversion of methionine to cysteine. If there is a higher accumulation of Hcy in the blood, that is usually above 15 µmol/L, it leads to a condition referred to as hyperhomocysteinemia. A meta-analysis of observational study suggested an elevated concentration of Hcy in blood, which is termed as the risk factors leading to ischemic heart disease and stroke. Further experimental studies stated that Hcy can lead to an increase in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and functional impairment of endothelial cells. The analyses confirmed some of the predictors for Hcy presence, such as serum uric acid (UA), systolic blood pressure, and hematocrit. However, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) alone are inadequate for controlling UA and creatinine level, although the addition of folic acid may be beneficial in hypertensive patients who are known to have a high prevalence of elevated Hcy. We hypothesized that combination therapy with an ARB (olmesartan) and folic acid is a promising treatment for lowering the UA and creatinine level in hyperhomocysteinemia-associated hypertension.
  10. A new era in oxygen therapeutics? From perfluorocarbon systems to haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers
    Charbe NB, Castillo F, Tambuwala MM, Prasher P, Chellappan DK, Carreño A, et al.
    Blood Rev, 2022 Jan 21.
    PMID: 35094845 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2022.100927
    Blood transfusion is the key to life in case of traumatic emergencies, surgeries and in several pathological conditions. An important goal of whole blood or red blood cell transfusion is the fast delivery of oxygen to vital organs and restoration of circulation volume. Whole blood or red blood cell transfusion has several limitations. Free haemoglobin not only loses its tetrameric configuration and extracts via the kidney leading to nephrotoxicity but also scavenges nitric oxide (NO), leading to vasoconstriction and hypertension. PFC based formulations transport oxygen in vivo, the contribution in terms of clinical outcome is challenging. The oxygen-carrying capacity is not the only criterion for the successful development of haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs). This review is a bird's eye view on the present state of the PFCs and HBOCs in which we analyzed the current modifications made or which are underway in development, their promises, and hurdles in clinical implementation.
  11. Beyond the Obvious: Smoking and Respiratory Infection Implications on Alzheimer's Disease
    Wadhwa R, Paudel KR, Mehta M, Shukla SD, Sunkara K, Prasher P, et al.
    CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets, 2020;19(9):698-708.
    PMID: 33109069 DOI: 10.2174/1871527319999200817112427
    Tobacco smoke is not only a leading cause for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disorders, and lung and oral cancers, but also causes neurological disorders such as Alzheimer 's disease. Tobacco smoke consists of more than 4500 toxic chemicals, which form free radicals and can cross blood-brain barrier resulting in oxidative stress, an extracellular amyloid plaque from the aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide deposition in the brain. Further, respiratory infections such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, respiratory syncytial virus have also been involved in the induction and development of the disease. The necessary information collated on this review has been gathered from various literature published from 1995 to 2019. The review article sheds light on the role of smoking and respiratory infections in causing oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, resulting in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review will be of interest to scientists and researchers from biological and medical science disciplines, including microbiology, pharmaceutical sciences and the translational researchers, etc. The increasing understanding of the relationship between chronic lung disease and neurological disease is two-fold. First, this would help to identify the risk factors and possible therapeutic interventions to reduce the development and progression of both diseases. Second, this would help to reduce the probable risk of development of AD in the population prone to chronic lung diseases.
  12. Role of Brain-Gut-Microbiota Axis in Depression: Emerging Therapeutic Avenues
    Bhatt S, Kanoujia J, Mohana Lakshmi S, Patil CR, Gupta G, Chellappan DK, et al.
    CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets, 2023;22(2):276-288.
    PMID: 35352640 DOI: 10.2174/1871527321666220329140804
    The human gut microbiota plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of central nervous system-related diseases. Recent studies suggest correlations between the altered gut microbiota and major depressive disorder (MDD). It is proposed that normalization of the gut microbiota alleviates MDD. The imbalance of brain-gut-microbiota axis also results in dysregulation of the hypothalamicpituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis. This imbalance has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of depression. Treatment strategies with certain antibiotics lead to the depletion of useful microbes and thereby induce depression like effects in subjects. Microbiota is also involved in the synthesis of various neurotransmitters (NTs) like 5-hydroxy tryptamine (5-HT; serotonin), norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA). In addition to NTs, the gut microbiota also has an influence on brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Recent research findings have exhibited that transfer of stress prone microbiota in mice is also responsible for depression and anxiety-like behaviour in animals. The use of probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and proper diet have shown beneficial effects in the regulation of depression pathogenesis. Moreover, transplantation of fecal microbiota from depressed individuals to normal subjects also induces depression-like symptoms. With the precedence of limited therapeutic benefits from monoamine targeting drugs, the regulation of brain-gut microbiota is emerging as a new treatment modality for MDDs. In this review, we elaborate on the significance of brain-gut-microbiota axis in the progression of MDD, particularly focusing on the modulation of the gut microbiota as a mode of treating MDD.
  13. Luteolin: a flavonoid with a multifaceted anticancer potential
    Prasher P, Sharma M, Singh SK, Gulati M, Chellappan DK, Zacconi F, et al.
    Cancer Cell Int, 2022 Dec 08;22(1):386.
    PMID: 36482329 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-022-02808-3
    Therapeutic effect of phytochemicals has been emphasized in the traditional medicine owing to the presence of bioactive molecules, such as polyphenols. Luteolin is a flavone belonging to the flavonoid class of polyphenolic phytochemicals with healing effect on hypertension, inflammatory disorders, and cancer due to its action as pro-oxidants and antioxidants. The anticancer profile of luteolin is of interest due to the toxic effect of contemporary chemotherapy paradigm, leading to the pressing need for the development and identification of physiologically benevolent anticancer agents and molecules. Luteolin exerts anticancer activity by downregulation of key regulatory pathways associated with oncogenesis, in addition to the induction of oxidative stress, cell cycle arrest, upregulation of apoptotic genes, and inhibition of cell proliferation and angiogenesis in cancer cells. In this review, we discuss about the anticancer profile of luteolin.
  14. Fulltext The FBXW7-NOTCH interactome: A ubiquitin proteasomal system-induced crosstalk modulating oncogenic transformation in human tissues
    Kar R, Jha SK, Ojha S, Sharma A, Dholpuria S, Raju VSR, et al.
    Cancer Rep (Hoboken), 2021 08;4(4):e1369.
    PMID: 33822486 DOI: 10.1002/cnr2.1369
    BACKGROUND: Ubiquitin ligases or E3 ligases are well programmed to regulate molecular interactions that operate at a post-translational level. Skp, Cullin, F-box containing complex (or SCF complex) is a multidomain E3 ligase known to mediate the degradation of a wide range of proteins through the proteasomal pathway. The three-dimensional domain architecture of SCF family proteins suggests that it operates through a novel and adaptable "super-enzymatic" process that might respond to targeted therapeutic modalities in cancer.

    RECENT FINDINGS: Several F-box containing proteins have been characterized either as tumor suppressors (FBXW8, FBXL3, FBXW8, FBXL3, FBXO1, FBXO4, and FBXO18) or as oncogenes (FBXO5, FBXO9, and SKP2). Besides, F-box members like βTrcP1 and βTrcP2, the ones with context-dependent functionality, have also been studied and reported. FBXW7 is a well-studied F-box protein and is a tumor suppressor. FBXW7 regulates the activity of a range of substrates, such as c-Myc, cyclin E, mTOR, c-Jun, NOTCH, myeloid cell leukemia sequence-1 (MCL1), AURKA, NOTCH through the well-known ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-mediated degradation pathway. NOTCH signaling is a primitive pathway that plays a crucial role in maintaining normal tissue homeostasis. FBXW7 regulates NOTCH protein activity by controlling its half-life, thereby maintaining optimum protein levels in tissue. However, aberrations in the FBXW7 or NOTCH expression levels can lead to poor prognosis and detrimental outcomes in patients. Therefore, the FBXW7-NOTCH axis has been a subject of intense study and research over the years, especially around the interactome's role in driving cancer development and progression. Several studies have reported the effect of FBXW7 and NOTCH mutations on normal tissue behavior. The current review attempts to critically analyze these mutations prognostic value in a wide range of tumors. Furthermore, the review summarizes the recent findings pertaining to the FBXW7 and NOTCH interactome and its involvement in phosphorylation-related events, cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis.

    CONCLUSION: The review concludes by positioning FBXW7 as an effective diagnostic marker in tumors and by listing out recent advancements made in cancer therapeutics in identifying protocols targeting the FBXW7-NOTCH aberrations in tumors.

  15. Fulltext Correction: Aljabali, A.A.A.; et al. Albumin Nano-Encapsulation of Piceatannol Enhances Its Anticancer Potential in Colon Cancer via down Regulation of Nuclear p65 and HIF-1α. Cancers 2020, 12, 113
    Aljabali AAA, Bakshi HA, Hakkim FL, Haggag YA, Al-Batanyeh KM, Zoubi MSA, et al.
    Cancers (Basel), 2020 Nov 30;12(12).
    PMID: 33266353 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123587
    The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...].
  16. Fulltext Exosomal mediated signal transduction through artificial microRNA (amiRNA): A potential target for inhibition of SARS-CoV-2
    Vadivalagan C, Shitut A, Kamalakannan S, Chen RM, Serrano-Aroca Á, Mishra V, et al.
    Cell Signal, 2022 Jul;95:110334.
    PMID: 35461900 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110334
    Exosome trans-membrane signals provide cellular communication between the cells through transport and/or receiving the signal by molecule, change the functional metabolism, and stimulate and/or inhibit receptor signal complexes. COVID19 genetic transformations are varied in different geographic positions, and single nucleotide polymorphic lineages were reported in the second waves due to the fast mutational rate and adaptation. Several vaccines were developed and in treatment practice, but effective control has yet to reach in cent presence. It was initially a narrow immune-modulating protein target. Controlling these diverse viral strains may inhibit their transuding mechanisms primarily to target RNA genes responsible for COVID19 transcription. Exosomal miRNAs are the main sources of transmembrane signals, and trans-located miRNAs can directly target COVID19 mRNA transcription. This review discussed targeted viral transcription by delivering the artificial miRNA (amiRNA) mediated exosomes in the infected cells and significant resources of exosome and their efficacy.
  17. Vitamin D, Calbindin, and calcium signaling: Unraveling the Alzheimer's connection
    Acharya M, Singh N, Gupta G, Tambuwala MM, Aljabali AAA, Chellappan DK, et al.
    Cell Signal, 2024 Apr;116:111043.
    PMID: 38211841 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2024.111043
    Calcium is a ubiquitous second messenger that is indispensable in regulating neurotransmission and memory formation. A precise intracellular calcium level is achieved through the concerted action of calcium channels, and calcium exerts its effect by binding to an array of calcium-binding proteins, including calmodulin (CAM), calcium-calmodulin complex-dependent protein kinase-II (CAMK-II), calbindin (CAL), and calcineurin (CAN). Calbindin orchestrates a plethora of signaling events that regulate synaptic transmission and depolarizing signals. Vitamin D, an endogenous fat-soluble metabolite, is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet B radiation. It modulates calcium signaling by increasing the expression of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), stimulating phospholipase C activity, and regulating the expression of calcium channels such as TRPV6. Vitamin D also modulates the activity of calcium-binding proteins, including CAM and calbindin, and increases their expression. Calbindin, a high-affinity calcium-binding protein, is involved in calcium buffering and transport in neurons. It has been shown to inhibit apoptosis and caspase-3 activity stimulated by presenilin 1 and 2 in AD. Whereas CAM, another calcium-binding protein, is implicated in regulating neurotransmitter release and memory formation by phosphorylating CAN, CAMK-II, and other calcium-regulated proteins. CAMK-II and CAN regulate actin-induced spine shape changes, which are further modulated by CAM. Low levels of both calbindin and vitamin D are attributed to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. Further research on vitamin D via calbindin-CAMK-II signaling may provide newer insights, revealing novel therapeutic targets and strategies for treatment.
  18. Pharmacological Evaluation of the Recuperative Effect of Morusin Against Aluminium Trichloride (AlCl3)-Induced Memory Impairment in Rats
    Gupta G, Chellappan DK, Agarwal M, Ashwathanarayana M, Nammi S, Pabreja K, et al.
    Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem, 2017;17(3):196-200.
    PMID: 27834136 DOI: 10.2174/1871524917666161111095335
    BACKGROUND: Elevation in brain levels of aluminium can be neurotoxic and can cause learning and memory deficiencies. In Chinese medicine, Morus alba is used as a neuroprotective herb. The current study was intended to discover the recuperative effect of morusin against aluminium trichloride (AlCl3)-induced memory impairment in rats along with biochemical mechanism of its protective action.

    METHODS: Memory deficiency was produced by AlCl3 (100 mg/kg; p.o.) in experimental animals. Learning and memory activity was measured using Morris water maze (MWM) test model. Central cholinergic activity was evaluated through the measurement of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. In addition to the above, oxidative stress was determined through assessment of brain thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) levels.

    RESULTS: AlCl3 administration prompted significant deficiency of learning and memory in rats, as specified by a noticeable reduction in MWM presentation. AlCl3 administration also produced a significant deterioration in brain AChE action and brain oxidative stress (increase in TBARS and decrease in GSH) levels. Treatment with morusin (5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, dose orally) significantly overturned AlCl3- induced learning and memory shortages along with diminution of AlCl3-induced rise in brain AChE activity and brain oxidative stress levels.

    CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that morusin exerts a memory-preservative outcome in mental discrepancies of rats feasibly through its various activities.

  19. Emerging trends in the novel drug delivery approaches for the treatment of lung cancer
    Sharma P, Mehta M, Dhanjal DS, Kaur S, Gupta G, Singh H, et al.
    Chem Biol Interact, 2019 Aug 25;309:108720.
    PMID: 31226287 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.06.033
    Cancer is one of the major diseases that cause a high number of deaths globally. Of the major types of cancers, lung cancer is known to be the most chronic form of cancer in the world. The conventional management of lung cancer includes different medical interventions like chemotherapy, surgical removal, and radiation therapy. However, this type of approach lacks specificity and also harms the adjacent normal cells. Lately, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising intervention in the management and treatment of lung cancers. Nanotechnology has revolutionized the existing modalities and focuses primarily on reducing toxicity and improving the bioavailability of anticancer drugs to the target tumor cells. Nanocarrier systems are being currently used extensively to exploit and to overcome the obstructions induced by cancers in the lungs. The nano-carrier-loaded therapeutic drug delivery methods have shown promising potential in treating lung cancer as its target is to control the growth of tumor cells. In this review, various modes of nano drug delivery options like liposomes, dendrimers, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes and metallic nanoparticles have been discussed. Nano-carrier drug delivery systems emerge as a promising approach and thus is expected to provide newer and advanced avenues in cancer therapeutics.
  20. Interactions between microbiome and lungs: Paving new paths for microbiome based bio-engineered drug delivery systems in chronic respiratory diseases
    Chellappan DK, Sze Ning QL, Su Min SK, Bin SY, Chern PJ, Shi TP, et al.
    Chem Biol Interact, 2019 Sep 01;310:108732.
    PMID: 31276660 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.108732
    BACKGROUND: The human body is a home to thousands of microbiotas. It is defined as a community of symbiotic, commensal and pathogenic microorganisms that have existed in all exposed sites of the body, which have co-evolved with diet, lifestyle, genetic factors and immune factors. Human microbiotas have been studied for years on their effects with relation to health and diseases.

    METHODS: Relevant published studies, literature and reports were searched from accessible electronic databases and related institutional databases. We used keywords, viz; microbiome, microbiota, microbiome drug delivery and respiratory disease. Selected articles were carefully read through, clustered, segregated into subtopics and reviewed.

    FINDINGS: The traditional belief of sterile lungs was challenged by the emergence of culture-independent molecular techniques and the recently introduced invasive broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) sampling method. The constitution of a lung microbiome mainly depends on three main ecological factors, which include; firstly, the immigration of microbes into airways, secondly, the removal of microbes from airways and lastly, the regional growth conditions. In healthy conditions, the microbial communities that co-exist in our lungs can build significant pulmonary immunity and could act as a barrier against diseases, whereas, in an adverse way, microbiomes may interact with other pathogenic bacteriomes and viromes, acting as a cofactor in inflammation and host immune responses, which may lead to the progression of a disease. Thus, the use of microbiota as a target, and as a drug delivery system in the possible modification of a disease state, has started to gain massive attention in recent years. Microbiota, owing to its unique characteristics, could serve as a potential drug delivery system, that could be bioengineered to suit the interest. The engineered microbiome-derived therapeutics can be delivered through BC, bacteriophage, bacteria-derived lipid vesicles and microbe-derived extracellular vesicles. This review highlights the relationships between microbiota and different types of respiratory diseases, the importance of microbiota towards human health and diseases, including the role of novel microbiome drug delivery systems in targeting various respiratory diseases.

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