Cannabidiol (CBD), a standout constituent of Cannabis sativa, displays a spectrum of pharmacological actions. Nevertheless, the utility of CBD is primarily limited by its low absorption rate when taken orally. Accordingly, researchers are dedicated to developing novel strategies for the efficient delivery of CBD, increasing its oral bioavailability. In this particular context, nanocarriers have been conceptualized by researchers to overcome the limitations imposed by cannabidiol. The therapeutic benefits, accuracy of delivery, and regulated dispersion of CBD are improved by CBD-loaded nanocarriers, with minimal toxicity, for treating a range of medical conditions. We have reviewed and discussed in detail a multitude of molecular targets, targeting methods, and nanocarrier types within CBD-based delivery systems with the goal of effective disease management. This strategic information is essential for researchers to establish novel nanotechnology interventions aimed at CBD targeting.
Glaucoma's pathophysiological processes are suggested to be intertwined with neuroinflammation and the decreased blood flow experienced by the optic nerve. Utilizing a glaucoma model, induced by the microbead injection into the right anterior chamber of 50 wild-type and 30 transgenic toll-like receptor 4 knockout mice, this investigation explored the neuroprotective potential of azithromycin, an anti-inflammatory macrolide, and sildenafil, a selective phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, on retinal ganglion cell survival. The treatment regimens comprised three groups: intraperitoneal azithromycin (0.1 mL, 1 mg/0.1 mL), intravitreal sildenafil (3 L), and intraperitoneal sildenafil (0.1 mL, 0.24 g/3 L). Left eyes functioned as controls. find more The injection of microbeads led to a rise in intraocular pressure (IOP), peaking on day 7 across all groups and on day 14 in the azithromycin-treated mouse cohort. Furthermore, an upregulation of inflammatory and apoptosis-related genes was observed in the retinas and optic nerves of microbead-injected eyes, most pronounced in wild-type and, to a slightly lesser extent, in TLR4 knockout mice. In ON and WT retina, azithromycin treatment led to a decrease in the BAX/BCL2 ratio, TGF, TNF, and CD45 expression. Sildenafil's action involved the activation of TNF-mediated pathways. The neuroprotective effects of azithromycin and sildenafil were observed in both wild-type and TLR4 knockout mice exhibiting microbead-induced glaucoma, but followed distinct biological pathways, without influencing intraocular pressure. A relatively weak apoptotic response was seen in microbead-injected TLR4 knockout mice, implying an inflammatory mechanism within glaucomatous damage.
Human cancer cases stemming from viral infections account for roughly 20% of all such cases. In spite of a large number of viruses having the ability to induce a wide variety of tumors in animals, only seven of these viruses are currently linked to human malignancies and classified as oncogenic. The following list of viruses constitutes Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), alongside other viruses, is implicated in the presence of highly oncogenic activities. The potential impact of virally encoded microRNAs (miRNAs), acting as excellent non-immunogenic tools for viruses, on carcinogenic processes cannot be underestimated. Both host-originating microRNAs (host miRNAs) and virus-derived microRNAs (v-miRNAs) have the capacity to modulate the expression levels of genes originating from both the host and the infecting virus. This current review of literature commences by elucidating the potential oncogenic mechanisms of viral infections within human neoplasms, and subsequently analyzes the impact of diverse viral infections on the advancement of various types of malignant cancers by way of v-miRNA expression. Concluding the discussion, the role of future anti-oncoviral therapies for the treatment of these neoplasms is scrutinized.
The global public health sector confronts a critical and extremely serious challenge in tuberculosis. The worsening incidence is a result of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Observations from recent years highlight more significant forms of drug resistance. Consequently, the process of finding and/or producing novel, potent, and less toxic anti-tubercular compounds is extremely important, particularly considering the substantial implications and delays in treatment brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) enzyme plays a pivotal role in the production of mycolic acid, a significant component of the cell wall of M. tuberculosis. This enzyme, simultaneously, is integral to the advancement of drug resistance, and is thus a noteworthy target for the development of new antimycobacterial compounds. Various chemical structures, including hydrazide hydrazones and thiadiazoles, have been scrutinized for their effect on the inhibition of InhA. Recently described hydrazide, hydrazone, and thiadiazole derivatives are reviewed here, with a focus on their effects on InhA activity and resulting antimycobacterial outcomes. A brief review of the mechanisms of action for currently marketed anti-tuberculosis drugs is presented, including new approvals and substances undergoing clinical trial evaluations.
Fe(III), Gd(III), Zn(II), and Cu(II) ions were used to physically crosslink chondroitin sulfate (CS), a well-known glycosaminoglycan, creating CS-Fe(III), CS-Gd(III), CS-Zn(II), and CS-Cu(II) polymeric particles, designed for broad biological applications. CS-metal ion particles, injectable and spanning the size range from micrometers to a few hundred nanometers, are applicable for intravenous administration. CS-metal ion-laden particles are deemed suitable for biological applications owing to their perfect blood compatibility and the negligible cytotoxicity observed on L929 fibroblast cells, up to a concentration of 10 mg/mL. Importantly, the antimicrobial efficacy of CS-Zn(II) and CS-Cu(II) particles is evident in their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 25-50 mg/mL against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Subsequently, the in vitro contrast-boosting attributes of aqueous chitosan-metal ion suspensions within magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were determined through the acquisition of T1 and T2 weighted MR images using a 0.5 Tesla MRI scanner, in conjunction with calculations of water proton relaxation times. These CS-Fe(III), CS-Gd(III), CS-Zn(II), and CS-Cu(II) particles have substantial potential for application as antibacterial additive materials and MRI contrast agents with decreased toxicity.
Traditional medicine, a significant alternative in Mexico and Latin America, provides crucial support in treating a wide array of diseases. Indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge of plant medicine is a rich cultural legacy, employing diverse plant species to treat conditions including gastrointestinal, respiratory, and mental illnesses, as well as other diseases. The beneficial effects derive from the active components within these plants, primarily antioxidants like phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenes, and tannins. Immune adjuvants By exchanging electrons, antioxidants, at low concentrations, impede or forestall the oxidation of substrates. To establish the level of antioxidant activity, several methods are applied, and the review details the most widely adopted ones. In cancer, cells proliferate uncontrollably, metastasizing to various parts of the body. Lumps of tissue, termed tumors, can originate from these cells; these tumors may display cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign) characteristics. silent HBV infection This disease is typically treated with surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy, all of which can cause side effects that impact patients' quality of life. Consequently, the development of new therapies derived from natural sources like plants is a promising avenue for improvement. This review compiles scientific support for antioxidant compounds extracted from plants traditionally used in Mexican medicine, specifically examining their potential in combating various cancers such as breast, liver, and colorectal cancers.
An effective anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory agent is methotrexate (MTX). However, this condition triggers a serious pneumonitis, leading to the irreversible scarring of lung tissue. The natural flavonoid, dihydromyricetin (DHM), is examined in this study for its ability to mitigate MTX-induced pneumonitis, specifically through its influence on Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathways.
Male Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: a control group, receiving only the vehicle; an MTX group, treated with a single dose of methotrexate (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) on day nine; an MTX plus DHM group, receiving 14 days of oral DHM (300 mg/kg), along with a single methotrexate injection (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) on day nine; and a DHM group receiving daily oral DHM (300 mg/kg) for 14 days.
The histopathological evaluation of lung tissue, alongside scoring, showcased a decline in MTX-induced alveolar epithelial damage and a decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration, attributable to DHM treatment. Additionally, DHM notably reduced oxidative stress markers, such as MDA, while concurrently boosting the levels of GSH and SOD antioxidants. DHM's impact on the lungs included a decrease in pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis, brought about by reductions in NF-κB, IL-1, and TGF-β, as well as an increase in the expression of Nrf2, a positive regulator of antioxidant genes, and its downstream mediator, HO-1.
By activating the Nrf2 antioxidant response and simultaneously inhibiting the NF-κB inflammatory response, this research found DHM to be a promising treatment for MTX-induced pneumonitis.
Through the activation of Nrf2 antioxidant signaling and the suppression of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory pathways, this study posited DHM as a promising therapeutic avenue against MTX-induced pneumonitis.