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Plant extracts as emerging modulators of neuroinflammation and immune receptors in Alzheimer's pathogenesis

Mohamed IE, Osman EE, Saeed A, Ming LC, Goh KW, Razi P, et al.

Heliyon, 2024 Aug 30;10(16):e35943.
PMID: 39229544 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35943

Memory loss is becoming an increasingly significant health problem, largely due to Alzheimer's disease (AD), which disrupts the brain in several ways, including causing inflammation and weakening the body's defenses. This study explores the potential of medicinal plants as a source of novel therapeutic agents for AD. First, we tested various plant extracts against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in vitro, following molecular docking simulations with key AD-related protein targets such as MAO-B, P-gp, GSK-3β, and CD14. Rosemary extract was found to be the most inhibitory towards AChE. The compounds found in rosemary (oleanolic acid), sage (pinocembrin), and cinnamon (italicene) showed promise in potentially binding to MAO-B. These chemicals may interact with a key protein in the brain and alter the production and removal of amyloid-β. Luteolin (from rosemary), myricetin (from sage), chamigrene, and italicene (from cinnamon) exhibited potential for inhibiting tau aggregation. Additionally, ursolic acid found in rosemary, sage, and chamigrene from cinnamon could modulate CD14 activity. For the first time, our findings shed light on the intricate interplay between neuroinflammation, neuroprotective mechanisms, and the immune system's role in AD. Further research is needed to validate the in vivo efficacy and safety of these plant-derived compounds, as well as their interactions with key protein targets, which could lead to the development of novel AD therapeutics.
Fulltext Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal and aromatic plants used by the population of Settat Province, Morocco

Lahyaoui M, Dakka N, El Menyiy N, Sobeh M, Razi P, Goh KW, et al.

Heliyon, 2025 Feb 15;11(3):e42323.
PMID: 39991244 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42323

To promote Morocco's medicinal and aromatic plants, an ethnobotanical study was conducted in the Settat Province, part of the Casablanca-Settat region, Morocco. The methodology employed in this study involved a direct, oral survey conducted with 30 herbalists from various villages in the Settat province, after obtaining their informed consent. Additionally, an online survey was distributed, to which 212 individuals from the local population, representing different age groups, responded. The sample size was chosen to ensure a confidence level of 88 %. The results provided a database on the modes of use, plant parts utilized, treated pathologies, and recommended dosages for 51 medicinal and aromatic plants from the Settat province and enabled us to calculate their Familiarity Index (FI). The data collected showed that the Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, and Fabaceae families are the most represented. The calculated Familiarity Index indicated that the most commonly used species were Verbena, Pimpinella anisum L., and Origanum vulgare, with Familiarity Index of 0.22, 0.22, and 0.18, respectively. The most frequently utilized plant part was the leaves, and 70.59 % of respondents preferred drying the plants before preparing them as infusions or decoctions. The results highlighted the primary ailments treated with these plants, such as diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, oral conditions, cancers, insomnia, and stress. Additionally, the study referenced traditional medicinal uses from various national studies and international scientific research that validated the therapeutic properties of each plant.
Fulltext Recent advances and molecular mechanisms of TGF-β signaling in colorectal cancer, with focus on bioactive compounds targeting

Bakrim S, El Hachlafi N, Khalid A, Abdalla AN, El Omari N, Aboulaghras S, et al.

Biomed Pharmacother, 2024 Aug;177:116886.
PMID: 38945700 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116886

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most significant forms of human cancer. It is characterized by its heterogeneity because several molecular factors are involved in contiguity and can link it to others without having a linear correlation. Among the factors influencing tumor transformation in CRC, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) plays a key promoter role. This factor is associated with human colorectal tumors with a very high prognosis: it increases the survival, invasion, and metastasis of CRC cells, thus functioning as an oncogene. The inhibition of this factor can constitute a major therapeutic route for CRC treatment. Various chemical drugs including synthetic molecules and biotherapies have been developed as TGF-β inhibitors. Moreover, the scientific community has recently shown a major interest in screening natural drugs inhibiting TGF-β in CRC. In this context, we carried out this review article using computerized databases, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Springer Link, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus, to highlight the molecular mechanism of TGF-β in CRC induction and progression and current advances in the pharmacodynamic effects of natural bioactive substances targeting TGF-β in CRC.
Fulltext The prevalence of thromboembolic events among COVID-19 patients admitted to a single centre intensive care unit (ICU): an epidemiological study from a Malaysian population

Mansor NF, Abdul Halim Zaki I, Kiok LC, Seng EK, Ravi T, Pathmanathan M, et al.

J Pharm Policy Pract, 2025;18(1):2449044.
PMID: 39917475 DOI: 10.1080/20523211.2024.2449044

INTRODUCTION: Thromboembolic (TE) complications in COVID-19 patients are rising globally, contributing significantly to mortality, particularly in severe cases. However, their prevalence, characteristics, and impact on mortality in Malaysia remain unclear.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of thromboembolic (TE) events and associated mortality among COVID-19 patients admitted within a single centre intensive care unit (ICU). The proportions of patients with TE events who died, and factors associated with TE events were explored.
METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, patients with PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 virus and who received thromboprophylaxis within February 2020-2021 were included. TE event is a combination of venous [(deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE)] and arterial (myocardial infarction (MI), stroke) thromboembolism.
RESULTS: Mean (SD) age 56.6 (13.7), 63.5% were male, 61.6% Malays, median (IQR) 7 (3-14) days of ICU stay, 64.2%, 53.2% and 20.9% had underlying hypertension, diabetes and obesity respectively. In total, 240 (44.9%) developed TE event. Significantly higher proportions of COVID-19 patients who developed complications of DVT (2.5% vs. 0.2%; p = 0.013), PE (47.5% vs 34.0%; p = 0.006), stroke (12.3% vs. 1.5; p<0.001) and MI (16.4% vs. 4.6%; p<0.001) died. Predictors of TE events were age [HR 1.01 (95% CI 1.00-1.02)], obesity [HR 1.98 (95% CI 1.51-2.6)], D-dimer [HR 1.01 (95% CI 1.00-1.01)], and duration of ICU stay [HR 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-0.99)].
CONCLUSION: In severely ill COVID-19 patients, TE complications were common, and patients with DVT, PE, stroke, or MI faced increased mortality, even with thromboprophylaxis. Age, obesity, elevated D-Dimer levels, and longer ICU stays were significant predictors of TE events. Considering these findings, a more aggressive approach, combining thromboprophylaxis with enhanced anti-inflammatory treatments, may be necessary for high-risk COVID-19 ICU patients to reduce TE events and mortality.
Fulltext Initial report on the multiple biological and pharmacological properties of hispolon: Exploring stochastic mechanisms

Aanniz T, Zeouk I, Elouafy Y, Touhtouh J, Hassani R, Hammani K, et al.

Biomed Pharmacother, 2024 Aug;177:117072.
PMID: 38991301 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117072

The development of natural substances derived from nature poses a significant challenge as technologies for the extraction and characterization of active principles advance. Hispolon has received a lot of attention in recent years, ascribable to its wide range of biological activities. It is a phenolic molecule that was extracted from several mushroom species such as Phellinus igniarius, Phellinus linteus, Phellinus lonicerinus, Phellinus merrillii, and Inonotus hispidus. To provide a comprehensive overview of the pharmacological activities of hispolon, this review highlights its anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-diabetic activities. Several scientific research databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, SpringerLink, Science Direct, Scopus, and, Wiley Online were used to gather the data on hispolon until May 2024. The in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that hispolon exhibited significant anticancer properties through modifying several signaling pathways including cell apoptosis, cycle arrest, autophagy, and inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. Hispolon's antimicrobial activity was proven against many bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens, highlighting its potential use as a novel antimicrobial agent. Additionally, hispolon displayed potent anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression of key inflammatory mediators, such as inducible NO synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and cyclooxygenases-2 (COX-2), and the modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. The antioxidant potential of hispolon was attributed to its capacity to neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes, indicating a possible involvement in the prevention of oxidative stress-related illnesses. Hispolon's antidiabetic activity was associated with the inhibition of aldose reductase and α-glucosidase. Studies on hispolon emphasized its potential use as a promising scaffold for the development of novel therapeutic agents targeting various diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, inflammatory disorders, and diabetes.