Background: Obesity is one of the main health problems worldwide and is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this context, butenolides and sulfonamides are known for their anti-obesity effects.
Objectives: The present study aimed to synthesize a novel molecule containing the moieties hydroxybutenolide and sulfonamide [3-chloro-4-(p-chlorophenylsulfonylamino)-5- hydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one] (FS) and evaluate its metabolic effects in an obese mice model with metabolic syndrome.
Methods: 4 groups of mice were divided into standard diet (ST), standard diet with added hydroxybutenolide (ST+FS), high-fat diet (HF), and high-fat diet with added hydroxybutenolide (HF+FS). Over 30 days, FS was administered by gavage at a dose of 70 mg/kg/day. Body weight, food consumption, glycemic tests, total serum cholesterol, highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol, triacylglycerol, histological analyses, and gene expression by RT-PCR for the adipose tissue genes SIRT1, SIRT3, SIRT5, and NFKβ, were evaluated.
Results: A decrease in body weight was observed after FS administration (ST+FS: - 7.81±4.39 and HF+FS: -11.77±9.59), reducing glucose and fasting blood glucose in the treated group. Adipose tissue mass (ST+FS: 0.017 ±0.011; HF+FS: 0.062±0.017), white epididymal adipose tissue volume, triglycerides, as well as the adipocyte area, were lower for the HF+FS group. SIRT1 and SIRT3 expressions were higher in groups that received hydroxybutenolide.
Conclusion: Treatment with FS 3-chloro-4-(p-chlorophenylsulfonylamino)-5-hydroxyfuran- 2(5H)-one improved metabolic profile and increased the SIRT1 expression.
Background: Cyclophosphamide (CYP), a widely used cancer chemotherapeutic agent has been linked with male gonadotoxicity, resulting in infertility. The notion that potent antioxidants could be beneficial in mitigating CYP-induced gonadotoxicity necessitated this research. Therefore, we examined the effects of feed-added quercetin on CYP-induced gonadotoxicity in male rats.
Methods: Male postpubertal rats were randomly assigned into six groups of 10 rats each. The normal control (fed standard rodent diet) and two groups fed quercetin-supplemented diet at 100 and 200 mg/kg of feed received normal saline intraperitoneally at 2 ml/kg daily. A fourth group which served as the CYP control (fed standard rodent diet) and the last two groups fed quercetin at 100 and 200 mg/kg of feed were administered CYP at 150 mg/kg/day. Rats were administered normal saline or CYP intraperitoneally on days 1 and 2, while standard diet or feed-added quercetin was administered daily for 21 days. On day 22, half of the animals were either sacrificed or paired with age-matched females for fertility assessment. Estimation of testosterone levels, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory markers, and histomorphological examination of the testis and epididymis was also assessed.
Results: The administration of CYP was associated with weight loss, decreased food intake, decreased antioxidant capacity, increased gonadosomatic index, increased lipid peroxidation, sub-fertility, and histological evidence of gonadal injury. However, administration of quercetin reversed CYP-induced changes.
Conclusion: The result of this study suggests that dietary quercetin supplementation has the ability to mitigate CYP induced gonadotoxicity and mitigate subfertility in male rats. However, further studies are required to assess its possible use in humans.
In today's time, a diversity of neurodegenerative diseases that widely affect the CNS causing insufficiency in particular brain processes such as memory, mobility, and cognition due to the moderate loss of CNS neurons. This review emphasizes different phytochemical constituents used widely for the prevention or treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Berberin (BBR), which is an isoquinoline class of alkaloid and isolated from the plant Hydrastis condenses and Berberis aaristata, has both acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibiting properties as well as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibiting properties involved in the betterment of AD by decreasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Like BBR, Physostigmine, isolated from the Physostigma venenosum / Calabar bean and belongs to the family Leguminosae, and Morphine, isolated from the plant Papaver somniferum / Opium poppy or Breadseed poppy, also has a significant impact on the management and treatment of AD and PD by reducing both neuroinflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. Morphine bineurodegenerative diseases with μ-opioid receptor (MOR) in CNS elevate GABA levels in the synaptic cleft of the brain and reduces the neurotoxicity via stimulation of MOR. It has been discovered that physostigmine improves cognitive function in AD patients and reduces α-synuclein expression in PD neural cell lines. Isorhyncophylline (IRN) is a Chinese herbal medicine isolated from the plant Uncaria rhyncophylla which provides neuroprotective efficiency against neurotoxicity that occurs by amyloid β (the main component of amyloid plaques) found in the brain of people with AD.
This review seeks to assess the potential of nanomaterials, specifically Nano-structured Lipid Carriers (NLCs), in mitigating challenges associated with inflammation-related disorders, with a particular emphasis on chronic ailments like arthritis. A comprehensive literature review spanning Web of Science, PubMed, and other scholarly repositories from 2000 to 2023 is conducted. Articles are selected based on their focus on NLCs and inflammation management, utilizing keywords, such as "nanomaterials," "targeted drug delivery," and "arthritis." Exclusion criteria involve non-English studies or those lacking adequate detail on NLCs. Synthesized data provide an overview of the advantages, challenges, and prospects of NLCs in addressing chronic inflammatory disorders. This review also examines the therapeutic applications of nanotechnology, including targeted drug delivery and tissue engineering, particularly focusing on the intricate biological responses in chronic inflammation, often involving Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Moreover, the exploration extends to topical delivery methods to enhance control over medication concentration, with a review of lipid nanoparticles, such as liposomes and solid-lipid nanoparticles, highlighting their potential in augmenting drug permeation while addressing challenges like inadequate drug loading. NLCs have emerged as promising candidates for overcoming drug delivery challenges, particularly in arthritis treatment, with a focus on their advantages across diverse lipid compositions. The review underscores significant strides in inflammation management through NLC utilization, offering insights into future research directions. Moreover, it contributes to ongoing advancements in nanomedicine, emphasizing the pivotal role of NLCs in developing innovative therapeutic approaches for inflammation-related disorders, particularly arthritis. NLCs represent a promising avenue for effective interventions, signaling progress in nanotechnology-enabled therapeutics.
Background: Inflammatory, immune, and neurodegenerative diseases constitute a category of persistent and debilitating conditions affecting millions worldwide, with intertwined pathophysiological pathways. Recent research has spotlighted naturally occurring compounds like naringenin for potential therapeutic applications across multiple ailments.
Objectives: This review offers an encompassing exploration of naringenin's anti-inflammatory, immune-protective, and neuroprotective mechanisms, elucidating its pharmacological targets, signal transduction pathways, safety profile, and insights from clinical investigations.
Methods: Data for this review were amassed through the scrutiny of various published studies via search engines such as PubMed and Google Scholar. Content from reputable publishers including Bentham Science, Taylor and Francis, Nature, PLOS ONE, among others, was referenced.
Results: Naringenin exhibits substantial anti-inflammatory effects by restraining the NF-κB signaling pathway. It activates Nrf2, renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties, inducing the release of hemeoxynase-1 by macrophages. Furthermore, naringenin treatment downregulates the expression of Th1 cytokines and inflammatory mediators. It also impedes xanthine oxidase, counteracts reactive oxygen species (ROS), scavenges superoxide radicals, mitigates the accessibility of oxygen-induced K+ erythrocytes, and reduces lipid peroxidation. Naringenin's antioxidant prowess holds promise for addressing neurological conditions.
Conclusion: Extensive research has been undertaken to establish the anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective attributes of naringenin across various medical domains, lending credence to its pharmacological utility. The principal obstacle to naringenin's adoption as a therapeutic agent remains the dearth of in vivo data. Efforts should focus on rendering naringenin delivery patient-friendly, economically viable, and technologically advanced.
Introduction: Eleutherine bulbosa (Miller) Urb, popularly known as "marupazinho", is frequently used in traditional medicine for treating various diseases, including hypertension, ulcers, constipation, and intestinal infection. However, there is little scientific knowledge available regarding the pharmacological effects of this species. Thus in vivo and in silico phytochemical studies are required to establish whether this plant has these effects. Further tests were necessary to evaluate the pharmacological activity of the compounds found in this plant, and demonstrate results related to the anti-inflammatory process, which will serve as the basis for future research in this area.
Methods: Therefore, our study aimed to determine the acute toxicity levels of the hexanoic fraction of the ethanolic extract of Eleutherine bulbosa (referred to as ExtHF) using adult zebrafish, with the determination of the LD50, behavioral and histopathological evaluations, as well as the anti-inflammatory potential of ExtHF, at different doses, in abdominal edema induced by carrageenan. The acute toxicity study and histopathological analysis in zebrafish showed that ExtHF has a high toxic potential, with an LD50 of 346.74 mg/kg. However, ExtHF showed an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting abdominal edema at all doses tested.
Results: The inhibition rate of 66.2% and 62.4%, respectively, was observed with the 2.5 mg/kg dose, respectively, indicating that ExtHF is safe in terms of acute toxicity based on behavioral changes, mortality rate, and histopathological examination. Therefore, ExtHF has an acceptable level of safety for acute toxicity, defined by the analysis of behavioral changes, mortality, and histopathology, showing a significant anti-inflammatory effect in zebrafish at all doses, showing that ExtHF was very efficient in preventing the formation of edema, in addition, it was also revealed that ExtHF has a great effect in reversing the edema which is already installed.
Conclusion: Molecular docking studies revealed that the eleutherol molecule isolated from E. bulbosa has a dual inhibition profile against cyclooxygenase-1 and 2.
Background: A pivotal impetus has driven the development of numerous small molecules aiming to improve therapeutic strategies for type 2 diabetes. Glucokinase (GK) activation has been offered a new realm of therapeutic antidiabetic activity with novel heterocyclic derivatives. In the context of antidiabetic drug design, GK is an interesting and newly validated target. A key enzyme needed for blood glucose homeostasis is Glucokinase, which is dysfunctional in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Heterocyclic derivatives are utilized in this innovative approach to activate GK enzymes as medicinal agents that will significantly improve type 2 diabetes management.
Objectives: To address type 2 diabetes, as well as minimize unwanted side effects, this research endeavor aimed to develop activators of glucokinase.
Methods: A rigorous scrutiny was conducted of the Maybridge online repository, which houses a formidable collection of 53,000 lead compounds. A collection of 125 compounds that contain the thiazolidinedione core was selected from this extensive collection. The structures were generated using ChemDraw 2D, stabilized conformation with ChemBioDraw Ultra, and docked using Auto Dock Vina 1.5.6 in this methodology. In addition, log P was predicted online using the Swiss ADME algorithm. The PKCSM software was used to predict the toxicity of the leading compounds.
Results: The highest binding affinity was found for AS72 and AS108 to GK receptors. GI absorption and excretion of these compounds were efficient due to Lipinski's Rule of Five compliance. When compared with the standard drugs Dorzagliatin (GKA) and MRK (co-crystallized ligand), these substances demonstrated a notable lack of AMES toxicity, skin sensitization, and hepatotoxicity.
Conclusion: In recent studies, lead molecules that possess enhanced pharmacokinetic profiles, increased binding affinity, and lower toxicity were developed to act as glucokinase activators.
Aims: This study aimed at the synthesis of several spiro[benzofuran-3,3'-pyrroles] derivatives by a three-component reaction conducted by mixing DMAD, N-bridgehead heterocycles, and benzofuran-2,3-diones in dichloromethane at room temperature for 24 h. Moreover, in vitro evaluation of their cytotoxicity affinities against FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 was carried out.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to use a one-pot, three-component reaction to synthesize a novel set of spiro[benzofuran-3,3'-pyrroles] derivatives.
Methods: A novel set of spiro[benzofuran-3,3'-pyrroles] ((11-13)a-e) was synthesized by a one-pot three-component reaction involving dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, N-bridgehead heterocycles and benzofuran-2,3-diones in dichloromethane at room temperature for 24 h. The compounds were analyzed using NMR 1H, 13C, 2D-NMR (COSY, HMQC, HMBC), and HRMS. Docking simulations were conducted to elucidate the anticancer activity of synthesized compounds on FLT3 protein, with Gilteritinib as a reference for comparison.
Results: This study demonstrated the successful design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of spiro[benzofuran-3,3'-pyrroles] derivatives as FLT3 inhibitors for AML treatment. The synthesized compounds demonstrated promising binding affinities and significant inhibitory activity against FLT3 kinase. The inhibitors (11a, 11b, 11c, 12d, and 12e) exhibited excellent selectivity profiles against FLT3. Particularly, compound 12e showed strong binding affinity and potent inhibitory activity (IC50 = 2.5 μM).
Conclusion: Fifteen new synthetic spiro[benzofuran-3,3'-pyrroles] were prepared, characterized, and evaluated for cytotoxicity affinities against FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3. Compound 12e showed strong binding affinity and potent inhibitory activity (IC50 = 2.5 μM), making it a promising candidate for further development as a therapeutic option for AML treatment. These findings lay the groundwork for further optimization and development of spiro[benzofuran-3,3'-pyrroles] derivatives as potential therapeutics for AML treatment. Further studies are needed to explore their efficacy and safety profiles in preclinical and clinical settings.
Objectives: This study assessed the In-vitro Antioxidant and In-vivo Analgesics and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Allamanda blanchetii Leaf Extract in Rats.
Introduction: Diverse pharmacological applications of plants from the Apocynaceae family are reported in the literature. Allamanda blanchetii; an ornamental species belonging to the Apocynaceae family, is characterized by diverse biological activities, i.e. antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, membrane-stabilizing, antimicrobial, and anti-proliferative effects. This species represents a perennial flora that thrives in tropical and subtropical climates.
Materials and methods: Ultrasonication-assisted method used for plant extraction. The extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening tests, followed by total phenolic content analysis, using gallic acid as a standard. The antioxidant activity was examined by DPPH scavenging and FRAP assays. The acetic acid-induced writhing test, tail flick, and Hot plate method were used for the determination of analgesic activity. Anti-inflammatory activity by following carrageenan-induced paw edema.
Results: ABLE treatments show analgesic effectiveness against the acid-induced pain source, tail flick, and hot plate methods at different doses of ABLE 400,200,100 mg/kg results showed respectively- 55.32, 38.67, and 22.85 (% inhibition), 89.47%, 62.57 %, 49.57%, and 100%, 92.40%, 65.33% response after 180 min of drug administration. ABLE 400 and 200 mg/kg exhibit effective results (1.43± 0.005 and 1.50± 0.008) against carrageenan- induced intoxication.
Discussion: The fundamental components of antioxidants that can aid in the reduction of free radicals include phenol, flavonoids, and polyphenols. Applying DPPH and FRAP, ABLE exhibits remarkable antioxidant activity. When it comes to both centrally and peripherally acting analgesics, ABLE exhibits highly effective activity. Methanolic ABLE had a noticeable impact on paw edema caused by carrageenan. Antioxidants, alkaloids, and glycosides were present in methanolic ABLE, which allowed it to efficiently combat inflammatory mediators and the cause of pain.
Conclusion: Ultrasonic assistance is beneficial in isolating active metabolites in plants, with phenolic compounds exhibiting antioxidant activity. ABLE, a plant with 55% squalene, effectively combats inflammatory mediators and pain. Further investigation is needed to identify biomarkers in the plant.

