Pub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-29DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100240
Dylan Le Jan , Sandrine Destrumelle , Chantal Thorin , Jean-Claude Desfontis , Eric Betti , Mohamed Yassine Mallem
Background
Obesity impairs cardiovascular health through endothelial dysfunction, which is exacerbated by high-fat high-sugar (HFHS) diets through mechanisms involving chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. Nutritional interventions, specifically vitamin D (VD) and omega-3 fatty acids (ω3), have emerged as potential therapies to improve endothelial function and mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with obesity.
Objective
This study investigated the effects of VD, ω3 and their combination on endothelial dysfunction induced by an HFHS diet in Wistar rats.
Methods
Sixty-four male Wistar rats were fed either a Standard (S) or HFHS diet for 26 weeks. After 13 weeks, rats were supplemented with VD (600 IU/kg/day), ω3 (300 mg/kg/day), both (VD/ω3), or a control (C) for an additional 13 weeks. Endothelial function was assessed using aortic ring assays, focusing on acetylcholine (ACh)-mediated endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, phenylephrine (Phe)-mediated vasoconstriction, and insulin responsiveness.
Results
VD and/or ω3 supplementation effectively improved ACh-mediated vasorelaxation and counteracted HFHS-induced endothelial dysfunction. VD enhanced insulin-mediated vasorelaxation, while ω3 showed a non-significant trend towards improved Phe-mediated vasoconstriction.
Conclusion
VD and ω3 supplementation, alone or in combination, significantly improved endothelial function and mitigated the adverse effects of an HFHS diet. The combination did not show clear additive effects. These findings suggest their potential as therapeutic strategies for managing obesity-related cardiovascular issues.
{"title":"Therapeutic effects of vitamin D and omega-3 supplementation on HFHS diet-induced endothelial dysfunction in Wistar rats","authors":"Dylan Le Jan , Sandrine Destrumelle , Chantal Thorin , Jean-Claude Desfontis , Eric Betti , Mohamed Yassine Mallem","doi":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100240","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100240","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Obesity impairs cardiovascular health through endothelial dysfunction, which is exacerbated by high-fat high-sugar (HFHS) diets through mechanisms involving chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance. Nutritional interventions, specifically vitamin D (VD) and omega-3 fatty acids (ω3), have emerged as potential therapies to improve endothelial function and mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with obesity.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study investigated the effects of VD, ω3 and their combination on endothelial dysfunction induced by an HFHS diet in Wistar rats.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Sixty-four male Wistar rats were fed either a Standard (S) or HFHS diet for 26 weeks. After 13 weeks, rats were supplemented with VD (600 IU/kg/day), ω3 (300 mg/kg/day), both (VD/ω3), or a control (C) for an additional 13 weeks. Endothelial function was assessed using aortic ring assays, focusing on acetylcholine (ACh)-mediated endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, phenylephrine (Phe)-mediated vasoconstriction, and insulin responsiveness.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>VD and/or ω3 supplementation effectively improved ACh-mediated vasorelaxation and counteracted HFHS-induced endothelial dysfunction. VD enhanced insulin-mediated vasorelaxation, while ω3 showed a non-significant trend towards improved Phe-mediated vasoconstriction.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>VD and ω3 supplementation, alone or in combination, significantly improved endothelial function and mitigated the adverse effects of an HFHS diet. The combination did not show clear additive effects. These findings suggest their potential as therapeutic strategies for managing obesity-related cardiovascular issues.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10877,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100240"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Drug combinations have shown promise in suppressing drug resistance, improving drug efficacy, and reducing side effects in anticancer therapy. Considering that the anticancer activity of melatonin may be due to its antiproliferative, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities, the combined administration of this endogenous indoleamine with anticancer drugs has been extensively explored. This review provides an overview of the advances in the last five years in the anticancer activity of melatonin in combination with synthetic drugs and natural products. Papers on this topic were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and Scopus within the period 2018–2024. A total of 47 papers were retrieved showing a synergistic antitumor effect of melatonin combined with different drugs in the treatment of breast, colorectal, prostate, gastric, thyroid, and pancreatic cancer, as well as in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and glioblastoma. The evidence gathered in this review will contribute to our knowledge of the use of melatonin. In addition, it may allow us to develop novel approaches to the treatment of cancer to be evaluated in preclinical and/or clinical trials.
{"title":"Melatonin combined with antineoplastic drugs or natural products for cancer treatment: An update","authors":"Cristina Trejo-Solís , Irma Susana Rojas-Tomé , Helgi Jung-Cook , Francisca Palomares-Alonso","doi":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100239","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100239","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Drug combinations have shown promise in suppressing drug resistance, improving drug efficacy, and reducing side effects in anticancer therapy. Considering that the anticancer activity of melatonin may be due to its antiproliferative, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities, the combined administration of this endogenous indoleamine with anticancer drugs has been extensively explored. This review provides an overview of the advances in the last five years in the anticancer activity of melatonin in combination with synthetic drugs and natural products. Papers on this topic were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and Scopus within the period 2018–2024. A total of 47 papers were retrieved showing a synergistic antitumor effect of melatonin combined with different drugs in the treatment of breast, colorectal, prostate, gastric, thyroid, and pancreatic cancer, as well as in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and glioblastoma. The evidence gathered in this review will contribute to our knowledge of the use of melatonin. In addition, it may allow us to develop novel approaches to the treatment of cancer to be evaluated in preclinical and/or clinical trials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10877,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100239"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145568491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-09-10DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100233
Dana F. AlKharboush , Frank Kozielski , Geoffrey Wells , Exequiel O.J. Porta
Three decades after its introduction, fragment-based drug (or lead) discovery (FBDD or FBLD) has become a mature and powerful strategy for generating novel leads, offering distinct advantages for challenging or previously “undruggable” targets where traditional screening (e.g., high throughput screening) often fails. The FBDD approach identifies low molecular weight fragments (MW < 300 Da) that bind weakly to a target; these interactions are detected using highly sensitive biophysical methods such as NMR, X-ray crystallography, and SPR. These initial hits are then optimised into potent leads through structure-guided strategies, including fragment growing, linking, or merging. This graphical review illustrates the modern FBDD workflow, highlighting the critical integration of experimental and computational methods. We discuss how innovations in library design, hybrid screening platforms, and the application of AI/ML are accelerating discovery cycles and improving hit validation. The power of this approach is demonstrated through case studies of FDA-approved drugs, including Vemurafenib and Venetoclax, which progressed from simple fragments to transformative medicines. Finally, we provide an outlook on the future of FBDD as it continues to evolve with emerging technologies to push the boundaries of drug discovery.
{"title":"Fragment-based drug discovery: A graphical review","authors":"Dana F. AlKharboush , Frank Kozielski , Geoffrey Wells , Exequiel O.J. Porta","doi":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100233","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100233","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Three decades after its introduction, fragment-based drug (or lead) discovery (FBDD or FBLD) has become a mature and powerful strategy for generating novel leads, offering distinct advantages for challenging or previously “undruggable” targets where traditional screening (e.g., high throughput screening) often fails. The FBDD approach identifies low molecular weight fragments (MW < 300 Da) that bind weakly to a target; these interactions are detected using highly sensitive biophysical methods such as NMR, X-ray crystallography, and SPR. These initial hits are then optimised into potent leads through structure-guided strategies, including fragment growing, linking, or merging. This graphical review illustrates the modern FBDD workflow, highlighting the critical integration of experimental and computational methods. We discuss how innovations in library design, hybrid screening platforms, and the application of AI/ML are accelerating discovery cycles and improving hit validation. The power of this approach is demonstrated through case studies of FDA-approved drugs, including Vemurafenib and Venetoclax, which progressed from simple fragments to transformative medicines. Finally, we provide an outlook on the future of FBDD as it continues to evolve with emerging technologies to push the boundaries of drug discovery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10877,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100233"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044499","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2024.100212
Jing Zhang , Zequn Wang , Xihua Wei , Mengyuan Han , Ribai Yan , Lijie Ma , Yan Pan
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a predominant histological subtype of lung cancer, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. Despite significant advancements in therapeutic strategies and a deeper understanding of targeted therapies in recent years, tumor resistance remains an inevitable challenge, leading to poor prognostic outcomes. Several studies have indicated that sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) plays a regulatory role in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, and its elevated expression may be associated with resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Furthermore, the catalytic product of SPHK1, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), along with its receptor, sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 3 (S1PR3), plays a regulatory role in the function of the EGFR. However, the specific effects of the SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 axis on EGFR in NSCLC, as well as the combined effects of SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 inhibitors with the EGFR-TKI gefitinib, remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the correlation between SPHK1 expression levels and the survival rates of NSCLC patients, the relationship between SPHK1 or S1PR3 and EGFR, and the impact of SPHK1 expression on the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of gefitinib in NSCLC. In A549 cells, the phosphorylation of EGFR was significantly reduced following SPHK1 knockdown. Utilizing SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 inhibitors, namely PF543, TY52156, and FTY720, we established that the SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 axis modulates EGFR activation in NSCLC. Furthermore, these signaling inhibitors enhanced the anti-proliferative efficacy of the EGFR-TKI gefitinib. RNA sequencing analysis revealed substantial alterations in 85 differentially expressed genes in NSCLC cells treated with the combination of FTY720 and gefitinib. These genes were predominantly associated with pathways such as axon guidance, microRNAs in cancer, and the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, among others. Overall, targeting the SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 signaling pathway represents a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance gefitinib sensitivity in NSCLC.
{"title":"The suppression of the SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 signaling pathway diminishes EGFR activation and increases the sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer to gefitinib","authors":"Jing Zhang , Zequn Wang , Xihua Wei , Mengyuan Han , Ribai Yan , Lijie Ma , Yan Pan","doi":"10.1016/j.crphar.2024.100212","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crphar.2024.100212","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a predominant histological subtype of lung cancer, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. Despite significant advancements in therapeutic strategies and a deeper understanding of targeted therapies in recent years, tumor resistance remains an inevitable challenge, leading to poor prognostic outcomes. Several studies have indicated that sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) plays a regulatory role in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, and its elevated expression may be associated with resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). Furthermore, the catalytic product of SPHK1, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), along with its receptor, sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 3 (S1PR3), plays a regulatory role in the function of the EGFR. However, the specific effects of the SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 axis on EGFR in NSCLC, as well as the combined effects of SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 inhibitors with the EGFR-TKI gefitinib, remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the correlation between SPHK1 expression levels and the survival rates of NSCLC patients, the relationship between SPHK1 or S1PR3 and EGFR, and the impact of SPHK1 expression on the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC<sub>50</sub>) of gefitinib in NSCLC. In A549 cells, the phosphorylation of EGFR was significantly reduced following SPHK1 knockdown. Utilizing SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 inhibitors, namely PF543, TY52156, and FTY720, we established that the SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 axis modulates EGFR activation in NSCLC. Furthermore, these signaling inhibitors enhanced the anti-proliferative efficacy of the EGFR-TKI gefitinib. RNA sequencing analysis revealed substantial alterations in 85 differentially expressed genes in NSCLC cells treated with the combination of FTY720 and gefitinib. These genes were predominantly associated with pathways such as axon guidance, microRNAs in cancer, and the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, among others. Overall, targeting the SPHK1/S1P/S1PR3 signaling pathway represents a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance gefitinib sensitivity in NSCLC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10877,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100212"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11787445/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143078650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading global health burden, with a particularly high prevalence in South Africa. Despite therapeutic advancements, chemoresistance remains a major challenge, limiting the efficacy of docetaxel and contributing to treatment failure and disease progression. Multidrug resistance (MDR), primarily mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as ABCC1 and ABCC10, has been implicated in reduced chemotherapy effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the association between ABCC1 and ABCC10 expression levels and docetaxel treatment response in PCa patients. A retrospective case-control study was conducted using pre-treated formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue biopsies from PCa patients. Patients were classified into good responders (cases) and poor responders (cases) based on treatment outcomes. For each patient, tumour and adjacent normal sections were excised from FFPE samples, with normal sections serving as the control group. RNA was extracted and subjected to quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to assess ABCC1 and ABCC10 expression levels. ABCC1 and ABCC10 were significantly upregulated in tumour sections of poor responders, whereas good responders exhibited downregulated expression in tumour sections. Importantly, normal tissue sections (controls) displayed significantly lower expression levels of both transporter genes compared to tumour sections. The overexpression of ABCC1 and ABCC10 in tumour tissues, particularly in poor responders, suggests their potential role in mediating docetaxel resistance. These findings highlight ABCC1 and ABCC10 as potential predictive biomarkers for docetaxel treatment response in PCa, warranting further investigation in prospective clinical studies.
{"title":"ABCC1 and ABCC10 as predictive biomarkers of docetaxel treatment response in prostate cancer","authors":"Nandi Ngesi , Beynon Abrahams , Aubrey Shoko , Mamello Sekhoacha","doi":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100216","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100216","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading global health burden, with a particularly high prevalence in South Africa. Despite therapeutic advancements, chemoresistance remains a major challenge, limiting the efficacy of docetaxel and contributing to treatment failure and disease progression. Multidrug resistance (MDR), primarily mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters such as ABCC1 and ABCC10, has been implicated in reduced chemotherapy effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the association between ABCC1 and ABCC10 expression levels and docetaxel treatment response in PCa patients. A retrospective case-control study was conducted using pre-treated formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue biopsies from PCa patients. Patients were classified into good responders (cases) and poor responders (cases) based on treatment outcomes. For each patient, tumour and adjacent normal sections were excised from FFPE samples, with normal sections serving as the control group. RNA was extracted and subjected to quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to assess ABCC1 and ABCC10 expression levels. ABCC1 and ABCC10 were significantly upregulated in tumour sections of poor responders, whereas good responders exhibited downregulated expression in tumour sections. Importantly, normal tissue sections (controls) displayed significantly lower expression levels of both transporter genes compared to tumour sections. The overexpression of ABCC1 and ABCC10 in tumour tissues, particularly in poor responders, suggests their potential role in mediating docetaxel resistance. These findings highlight ABCC1 and ABCC10 as potential predictive biomarkers for docetaxel treatment response in PCa, warranting further investigation in prospective clinical studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10877,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100216"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Asprosin, a novel adipokine released under fasting conditions, may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of metformin on serum asprosin levels and FBN1 gene expression in white adipose tissue in male rats.
Methods
Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups (n = 8): 1. Control Group (CON): Received standard food; 2. Non-Diabetic Metformin Group (CON + MET): Received standard food and were treated with metformin (400 mg/kg/day) for four weeks; 3. Diabetic Group (DM): Induced with T2DM; and 4. Diabetic Metformin Group (DM + MET): Induced with T2DM and treated with metformin (400 mg/kg/day) for four weeks. Finally, serum asprosin levels, lipid profiles, fasting glucose, and insulin concentrations were measured. The expression level of the FBN1 gene in white adipose tissue was quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
Results
Serum asprosin levels were significantly higher in the DM group compared to both the CON and CON + MET groups (P < 0.0001). However, serum asprosin levels were significantly lower in the DM + MET group than in the DM group (P = 0.0003). Additionally, the FBN1 gene expression level in white adipose tissue was significantly higher in the DM group compared to the CON group (P = 0.0053), while FBN1 gene expression was significantly lower in the DM + MET group than in the DM group (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, lipid profile, insulin resistance, and fasting blood sugar improved in the CON + MET and DM + MET groups compared to the CON and DM groups, respectively.
Discussion
Our findings in diabetic male rats reveal that metformin treatment significantly downregulates FBN1 gene expression and reduces serum asprosin levels, suggesting a potential mechanism for its therapeutic benefits beyond improving insulin sensitivity.
{"title":"Metformin's impact on asprosin and FBN1 expression: Potential mechanisms beyond insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes in rats","authors":"Ali Dashtkar , Mansour Karajibani , Mohsen Saravani , Roya zanganeh , Hamed Fanaei","doi":"10.1016/j.crphar.2024.100207","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crphar.2024.100207","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Asprosin, a novel adipokine released under fasting conditions, may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of metformin on serum asprosin levels and FBN1 gene expression in white adipose tissue in male rats.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups (n = 8): 1. Control Group (CON): Received standard food; 2. Non-Diabetic Metformin Group (CON + MET): Received standard food and were treated with metformin (400 mg/kg/day) for four weeks; 3. Diabetic Group (DM): Induced with T2DM; and 4. Diabetic Metformin Group (DM + MET): Induced with T2DM and treated with metformin (400 mg/kg/day) for four weeks. Finally, serum asprosin levels, lipid profiles, fasting glucose, and insulin concentrations were measured. The expression level of the FBN1 gene in white adipose tissue was quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Serum asprosin levels were significantly higher in the DM group compared to both the CON and CON + MET groups (P < 0.0001). However, serum asprosin levels were significantly lower in the DM + MET group than in the DM group (P = 0.0003). Additionally, the FBN1 gene expression level in white adipose tissue was significantly higher in the DM group compared to the CON group (P = 0.0053), while FBN1 gene expression was significantly lower in the DM + MET group than in the DM group (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, lipid profile, insulin resistance, and fasting blood sugar improved in the CON + MET and DM + MET groups compared to the CON and DM groups, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Our findings in diabetic male rats reveal that metformin treatment significantly downregulates FBN1 gene expression and reduces serum asprosin levels, suggesting a potential mechanism for its therapeutic benefits beyond improving insulin sensitivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10877,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100207"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11721834/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142969859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Flavonoids are hydroxylated polyphenols that are abundantly produced by plants as secondary metabolites. These flavonoids hold vast therapeutic potential as they possess numerous medicinal benefits encompassing anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anticancer and antiviral properties. Flavonoids render anti-inflammatory effect either by activating antioxidant pathways or by inhibiting enzymatic secretions involved in inflammatory reactions. Flavonoids like quercetin targets inflammation by modulating expression of cytokines and pro-inflammatory molecules and by inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes. Mode of action, absorption and bioavailability of flavonoids greatly affect their biological activity. On-going research is focussing on isolation, synthesis of flavonoid analogs and effect of flavonoids on human health by manifestation of different techniques and animal models. Unravelling the anti-inflammatory potential of flavonoids can manifest better treatment options against variety of diseases and metabolic syndromes. Additionally, enhanced bioavailability of flavonoids can result in superior pharmaceutical activities.
{"title":"Anti-inflammatory potential of quercetin: From chemistry and mechanistic insight to nanoformulations","authors":"Diwakar Aggarwal , Mayank Chaudhary , Sachin Kumar Mandotra , Hardeep Singh Tuli , Ritu Chauhan , Naveen Chandra Joshi , Damandeep Kaur , Laurent Dufossé , Abhishek Chauhan","doi":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100217","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100217","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Flavonoids are hydroxylated polyphenols that are abundantly produced by plants as secondary metabolites. These flavonoids hold vast therapeutic potential as they possess numerous medicinal benefits encompassing anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anticancer and antiviral properties. Flavonoids render anti-inflammatory effect either by activating antioxidant pathways or by inhibiting enzymatic secretions involved in inflammatory reactions. Flavonoids like quercetin targets inflammation by modulating expression of cytokines and pro-inflammatory molecules and by inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes. Mode of action, absorption and bioavailability of flavonoids greatly affect their biological activity. On-going research is focussing on isolation, synthesis of flavonoid analogs and effect of flavonoids on human health by manifestation of different techniques and animal models. Unravelling the anti-inflammatory potential of flavonoids can manifest better treatment options against variety of diseases and metabolic syndromes. Additionally, enhanced bioavailability of flavonoids can result in superior pharmaceutical activities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10877,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100217"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143705524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-29DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100241
Hsuan-Yin Tung , Yi-Ling Ye , Chi-Maw Lin , Li-Shian Shi
Arecoline, which is a primary alkaloid in areca nuts, contributes in key ways to the development of oral submucous fibrosis and the subsequent oral cancer through the induction of oxidative stress, promotion of fibrosis, and activation of oncogenic signaling. Salvianolic acid B (SAB) is the most abundant water-soluble phenolic compound found in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. SAB appears to have the potential to mitigate the effects of arecoline. However, the interaction between SAB and arecoline in oral cancer has been less frequently discussed. Therefore, we conducted this study in which SCC-4 tongue cancer cells were treated with arecoline alone or in combination with SAB. The effects on collagen contraction, cell migration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and transcriptomic alterations were assessed. Arecoline increased collagen contraction, ROS accumulation, and the activation of tumor-promoting pathways, including TGF-β/Smad, EGFR, MAPK, and ferroptosis. In contrast, SAB effectively decreased collagen contraction, reduced cell migration, and attenuated oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, in the presence of arecoline, SAB supplementation reversed fibrosis-related processes, modulated metabolic activity, and enhanced DNA repair mechanisms, thereby counteracting arecoline-induced oncogenic effects. Therefore, SAB, through its ability to reduce oxidative stress, fibrosis, and metabolic dysregulation, is a promising therapeutic candidate for mitigating arecoline-induced tumor progression. Our study offers novel insights into the role of SAB in protecting against the pathophysiology of oral cancer and highlights its potential as a natural compound for the prevention and treatment of this disease.
{"title":"Salvianolic acid B decreases oxidative stress and alleviates the tumor-promoting effects of arecoline in oral cancer","authors":"Hsuan-Yin Tung , Yi-Ling Ye , Chi-Maw Lin , Li-Shian Shi","doi":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100241","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100241","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Arecoline, which is a primary alkaloid in areca nuts, contributes in key ways to the development of oral submucous fibrosis and the subsequent oral cancer through the induction of oxidative stress, promotion of fibrosis, and activation of oncogenic signaling. Salvianolic acid B (SAB) is the most abundant water-soluble phenolic compound found in <em>Salvia miltiorrhiza</em> Bunge. SAB appears to have the potential to mitigate the effects of arecoline. However, the interaction between SAB and arecoline in oral cancer has been less frequently discussed. Therefore, we conducted this study in which SCC-4 tongue cancer cells were treated with arecoline alone or in combination with SAB. The effects on collagen contraction, cell migration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and transcriptomic alterations were assessed. Arecoline increased collagen contraction, ROS accumulation, and the activation of tumor-promoting pathways, including TGF-β/Smad, EGFR, MAPK, and ferroptosis. In contrast, SAB effectively decreased collagen contraction, reduced cell migration, and attenuated oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, in the presence of arecoline, SAB supplementation reversed fibrosis-related processes, modulated metabolic activity, and enhanced DNA repair mechanisms, thereby counteracting arecoline-induced oncogenic effects. Therefore, SAB, through its ability to reduce oxidative stress, fibrosis, and metabolic dysregulation, is a promising therapeutic candidate for mitigating arecoline-induced tumor progression. Our study offers novel insights into the role of SAB in protecting against the pathophysiology of oral cancer and highlights its potential as a natural compound for the prevention and treatment of this disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10877,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100241"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145681174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01Epub Date: 2025-11-11DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100237
Szabolcs Hambalkó , Csilla Pelyhe , Csenger Kovácsházi , Bence Kenyeres , Bernadett Kiss , Bence Ágg , Tamás G. Gergely , Bennet Y. Weber , András Makkos , Gábor B. Brenner , Tímea Komlódi , László Tretter , Csaba Horváth , Izabela Jarabicová , Adriana Adameová , Anikó Görbe , Paola Poggi , Alexandros Chatgilialoglu , Ildikó Horváth , Domokos Máthé , Zoltán Giricz
Background
Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. However, recent research shows that moderate obesity reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. We evidenced before that MAO-B inhibitor selegiline reduced visceral adiposity.
Aim
Therefore, our aim was to investigate cardiac effects of selegiline in moderate obesity in rats treated with a high-fat diet (HFD).
Key findings
We demonstrated that HFD improved cardiac contractility parameters, which were reversed by selegiline. Enhanced contractility might be attributed to an increased sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) expression and phospholamban pentamerization. Selegiline reduced SERCA2a expression in HFD. HFD increased Tumor necrosis factor and Nuclear factor-kappa B expression which were not affected by selegiline. HFD induced proapoptotic processes, which were restored by selegiline.
Conclusion
In conclusion, moderate obesity improves cardiac function through Ca2+ homeostasis and inflammatory processes and MAO-B inhibition reverses these effects.
{"title":"MAO-B inhibition by selegiline blunts cardiac functions improved by high-fat diet: Role of inflammation, apoptosis, and calcium-handling","authors":"Szabolcs Hambalkó , Csilla Pelyhe , Csenger Kovácsházi , Bence Kenyeres , Bernadett Kiss , Bence Ágg , Tamás G. Gergely , Bennet Y. Weber , András Makkos , Gábor B. Brenner , Tímea Komlódi , László Tretter , Csaba Horváth , Izabela Jarabicová , Adriana Adameová , Anikó Görbe , Paola Poggi , Alexandros Chatgilialoglu , Ildikó Horváth , Domokos Máthé , Zoltán Giricz","doi":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100237","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100237","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. However, recent research shows that moderate obesity reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. We evidenced before that MAO-B inhibitor selegiline reduced visceral adiposity.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>Therefore, our aim was to investigate cardiac effects of selegiline in moderate obesity in rats treated with a high-fat diet (HFD).</div></div><div><h3>Key findings</h3><div>We demonstrated that HFD improved cardiac contractility parameters, which were reversed by selegiline. Enhanced contractility might be attributed to an increased sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca<sup>2+</sup>-ATPase (SERCA2a) expression and phospholamban pentamerization. Selegiline reduced SERCA2a expression in HFD. HFD increased Tumor necrosis factor and Nuclear factor-kappa B expression which were not affected by selegiline. HFD induced proapoptotic processes, which were restored by selegiline.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In conclusion, moderate obesity improves cardiac function through Ca<sup>2+</sup> homeostasis and inflammatory processes and MAO-B inhibition reverses these effects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10877,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100237"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145568490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This review highlights the current status of cyclodextrin-based formulations tested in human participants, highlighting ongoing clinical research in this area. It provides a comprehensive link between the structure, properties, and clinical applications of these formulations, bridging the gap between medical theory and practical use. The aim of this work is to support the future commercialization of cyclodextrin-based therapies for patient care. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for expanded clinical investigations on cyclodextrin-based formulations, particularly cyclodextrin-based polymers, to pave the way for their successful introduction to the market. This is related to the potential of cyclodextrin-based polymers as advanced drug delivery systems, improving the therapeutic efficacy of numerous drugs. Expanding clinical trials will contribute to the optimization of cyclodextrin-based polymer synthesis, boosting their effectiveness as nanocarriers and facilitating the discovery of new disease treatments.
This review also explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to support clinical and medical solutions.
{"title":"Cyclodextrin-based therapeutics delivery systems: A review of current clinical trials","authors":"Gjylije Hoti , Neha Bajwa , Fabrizio Caldera , Preet Amol Singh , Ibrahim Hussein , Claudio Cecone , Adrián Matencio , Rita Spagnolo , Monica Argenziano , Roberta Cavalli , Jitender Madan , Francesco Trotta","doi":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crphar.2025.100232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review highlights the current status of cyclodextrin-based formulations tested in human participants, highlighting ongoing clinical research in this area. It provides a comprehensive link between the structure, properties, and clinical applications of these formulations, bridging the gap between medical theory and practical use. The aim of this work is to support the future commercialization of cyclodextrin-based therapies for patient care. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for expanded clinical investigations on cyclodextrin-based formulations, particularly cyclodextrin-based polymers, to pave the way for their successful introduction to the market. This is related to the potential of cyclodextrin-based polymers as advanced drug delivery systems, improving the therapeutic efficacy of numerous drugs. Expanding clinical trials will contribute to the optimization of cyclodextrin-based polymer synthesis, boosting their effectiveness as nanocarriers and facilitating the discovery of new disease treatments.</div><div>This review also explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to support clinical and medical solutions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10877,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100232"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145018491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}