303 research outputs found
Pharmacological effects and therapeutic potential of natural compounds in neuropsychiatric disorders: An update
No full textArtemisia spp.: An Update on Its Chemical Composition, Pharmacological and Toxicological Profiles
No full textMM wants to thank ANID Centros Basales, ACE210012.MM quiere agradecer a ANID Centros Basales, ACE210012
Silvestrol, a potent anticancer agent with unfavourable pharmacokinetics: Current knowledge on its pharmacological properties and future directions for the development of novel drugs
No full textCancer remains a leading cause of death, with increasing incidence. Conventional treatments offer limited efficacy and cause significant side effects, hence novel drugs with improved pharmacological properties and safety are required. Silvestrol (SLV) is a flavagline derived from some plants of the Aglaia genus that has shown potent anticancer effects, warranting further study. Despite its efficacy in inhibiting the growth of several types of cancer cells, SLV is characterized by an unfavorable pharmacokinetics that hamper its use as a drug. A consistent research over the recent years has led to develop novel SLV derivatives with comparable pharmacodynamics and an ameliorated pharmacokinetic profile, demonstrating potential applications in the clinical management of cancer. This comprehensive review aims to highlight the most recent data available on SLV and its synthetic derivatives, addressing their pharmacological profile and therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. A systematic literature review of both in vitro and in vivo studies focusing on anticancer effects, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics of these compounds is presented. Overall, literature data highlight that rationale chemical modifications of SLV are critical for the development of novel drugs with high efficacy on a broad variety of cancers and improved bioavailability in vivo. Nevertheless, SLV analogues need to be further studied to better understand their mechanisms of action, which can be partially different to SLV. Furthermore, clinical research is still required to assess their efficacy in humans and their safety
COVID-19 vaccines: ethical framework concerning human challenge studies
No full textBackground: The pandemic associated with the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus continues to spread worldwide. The most favorable epidemic control scenario, which provides long-term protection against COVID-19 outbreak, is the development and distribution of an effective and safe vaccine. The need to develop a new COVID-19 vaccine is pressing; however, it is likely to take a long time, possibly several years. This is due to the time required to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the proposed vaccine. and the time required to manufacture and distribute millions of doses. Objectives: To accelerate this development and associated safety testing, the deliberate infection of healthy volunteers has been suggested. The purpose of this short communication is to describe the ethical aspects of this type of testing, Results: Deliberate infection of volunteers with a dangerous virus such as SARS-CoV-2 was initially considered unethical by researchers; but the current pandemic is so different from previous ones that these studies are considered ethical if certain criteria are met. Participants in human challenge studies must be relatively young, in good health and must receive the highest quality medical care, with frequent monitoring. Tests should also be performed with great caution and specialized medical supervision. Besides, the fact that obtaining vaccines faster through deliberate infection studies of healthy people has greater benefits than risks, has been demonstrated by obtaining other vaccines in other historical pandemics such as: smallpox, influenza, malaria, typhoid fever, Dengue fever and Zika. Conclusions: One possibility to shorten the time required for the development of COVID-19 vaccines is to reduce clinical phases II and III by using human challenge studies through eliberate infection of healthy volunteers with SARS-CoV-2 after administration of the candidate vaccine. Accelerating the development of a COVID-19 vaccine even for a few weeks or months would have a great beneficial impact on public health by saving many lives. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2020, Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Epibatidine: A Promising Natural Alkaloid in Health
No full textEpibatidine is a natural alkaloid that acts at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The present review aims to carefully discuss the affinity of epibatidine and its synthetic derivatives, analogues to nAChRs for α4β2 subtype, pharmacokinetic parameters, and its role in health. Published literature shows a low affinity and lack of binding of epibatidine and its synthetic analogues to plasma proteins, indicating their availability for metabolism. Because of its high toxicity, the therapeutic use of epibatidine is hampered. However, new synthetic analogs endowed from this molecule have been developed, with a better therapeutic window and improved selectivity. All these aspects are also discussed here. On the other hand, many reports are devoted to structure−activity relationships to obtain optically active epibatidine and its analogues, and to access its pharmacological effects. Although pharmacological results are obtained from experimental studies and only a few clinical trials, new perspectives are open for the discovery of new drug therapies
Production, Transmission, Pathogenesis, and Control of Dengue Virus: A Literature-Based Undivided Perspective
No full textThis work was supported by CONICYT PIA/APOYO CCTE AFB170007.Este trabajo fue apoyado por CONICYT PIA/APOYO CCTE AFB170007
Eryngium caeruleum: an update on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biomedical applications
No full textAuthors acknowledge Pyatigorsk Medical-Pharmaceutical Institute (PMPI), Branch of Volgograd State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, Pyatigorsk, Russian Federation. MM wants to thank ANID CENTROS BASALES ACE210012.Los autores agradecen al Instituto Médico-Farmacéutico de Pyatigorsk (PMPI), sucursal de la Universidad Médica Estatal de Volgogrado, Ministerio de Salud de Rusia, Pyatigorsk, Federación de Rusia. MM quiere agradecer a ANID CENTROS BASALES ACE210012
COVID-19 pandemic and alcohol consumption: Impacts and interconnections
No full textAlcohol consumption is associated with multiple diseases and might contribute to vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection. It can also catalyze exacerbations of mental and organic illnesses and predispose to behaviors with an increased risk of infection, severity of disease but also independently of sociopathic behavior and violence. Globally, millions of premature deaths from excessive alcohol consumption occur each year. This paper discusses the effects of increased alcohol consumption and the most important consequences on the health of the population during the social isolation and lockdown during current COVID-19 pandemic
Towards effective COVID‑19 vaccines: Updates, perspectives and challenges (Review)
No full textIn the current context of the pandemic triggered by SARS-COV-2, the immunization of the population through vaccination is recognized as a public health priority. In the case of SARS‑COV‑2, the genetic sequencing was done quickly, in one month. Since then, worldwide research has focused on obtaining a vaccine. This has a major economic impact because new technological platforms and advanced genetic engineering procedures are required to obtain a COVID‑19 vaccine. The most difficult scientific challenge for this future vaccine obtained in the laboratory is the proof of clinical safety and efficacy. The biggest challenge of manufacturing is the construction and validation of production platforms capable of making the vaccine on a large scale
Modulating the p53-MDM2 pathway: The therapeutic potential of natural compounds in cancer treatment
No full textThe p53-MDM2 pathway plays a crucial role regulating tumor suppression and is a focal point of cancer research. This literature review delves into the complex interplay between the tumor suppressor protein p53 and its main regulator MDM2, highlighting their interaction and implications in cancer development and progression. The review compiles and summarizes the existing understanding of the biology and regulation of p53 and MDM2, emphasizing their roles in various cellular processes, including cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, apoptosis, and metabolism. It also discusses the disruption of the p53-MDM2 interaction in different cancer types and its impact on tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Recent studies have highlighted natural products as promising avenues for targeting the p53-MDM2 pathway. This review categorizes these natural compounds into three groups based on their mechanisms: those that inhibit MDM2 expression or stability, those that prevent p53-MDM2 binding, and those that stabilize p53 by inhibiting MDM2’s E3 ligase activity. Detailed mechanisms of action, structural aspects, and potential therapeutic applications of various natural products, including polyphenols, terpenoids, and alkaloids, are presented. Despite significant advances in understanding the p53-MDM2 interaction and the identification of natural products capable of modulating this pathway, further research is necessary to evaluate the clinical efficacy, toxicity, and bioavailability of these compounds. The promising role of natural products in cancer therapy underscores the importance of ongoing investigation and development of these agents as potential treatments for cancer
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