Vol 25, No 7 (2024)

Biotechnology

Probiotics Show Promise as a Novel Natural Treatment for Neurological Disorders

Jha P., Dangi N., Sharma S.

Abstract

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms shown to improve human health when consumed regularly and in sufficient quantities. Numerous health benefits can be attained by possessing important metabolites with nutritional and medicinal qualities. It has been shown through scientific research that these living microbial consortiums can influence a variety of mental health outcomes, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, cognitive processes, stress responses, and behavioral patterns. Selected strains of bacteria and yeasts control how the central nervous system (CNS) communicates with the gut-brain axis (GBA) through neuronal, humoral, and metabolic pathways to ease mood. Psychobiotics are substances that can affect the digestive system as well as mood and anxiety. There is scant evidence to validate the beneficial effects of psychiatric drugs in treating neurological diseases or disorders. The therapeutic method of research into psychobiotics opens exciting prospects for the future of the field of development. This review compiles the current evidence available in the scientific literature on the use of probiotics to influence neurological disorders.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2024;25(7):799-806
pages 799-806 views

Articulating the Pharmacological and Nanotechnological Aspects of Genistein: Current and Future Prospectives

Bansal K., Singh V., Mishra S., Bajpai M.

Abstract

Throughout the past several centuries, herbal constituents have been the subject of scientific interest and the latest research into their therapeutic potential is underway. Genistein is a soy-derived isoflavone found in huge amounts in soy, along with the plants of the Fabaceae family. Scientific studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of genistein on various health conditions. Genistein presents a broad range of pharmacological activities, including anticancer, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antiulcer, anti-diabetic, wound healing, anti-bacterial, antiviral, skin, and radioprotective effects. However, the hydrophobic nature of genistein results in constrained absorption and restricts its therapeutic potential. In this review, the number of nanocarriers for genistein delivery has been explored, such as polymeric nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, micelles, transferosomes, and nanoemulsions and nanofibers. These nano-formulations of genistein have been utilized as a potential strategy for various disorders, employing a variety of ex vivo, in vitro, and in vivo models and various administration routes. This review concluded that genistein is a potential therapeutic agent for treating various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, diabetes, ulcers, etc., when formulated in suitable nanocarriers.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2024;25(7):807-824
pages 807-824 views

Gut Microbiota Exchange in Domestic Animals and Rural-urban People Axis

Nezhadi J., Ahangarzadeh Rezaee M., Asghari Ozma M., Ganbarov K., Samadi Kafil H.

Abstract

In recent years, one of the most critical topics in microbiology that can be addressed is microbiome and microbiota. The term microbiome contains both the microbiota and structural elements, metabolites/signal molecules, and the surrounding environmental conditions, and the microbiota consists of all living members forming the microbiome. Among; the intestinal microbiota is one of the most important microbiota, also called the gut microbiota. After colonization, the gut microbiota can have different functions, including resistance to pathogens, maintaining the intestinal epithelium, metabolizing dietary and pharmaceutical compounds, and controlling immune function. Recently, studies have shown that the gut microbiota can prevent the formation of fat in the body. In this study, we examined the gut microbiota in various animals, including dogs, cats, dairy cows, sheep, chickens, horses, and people who live in urban and rural areas. Based on the review of various studies, it has been determined that the population of microbiota in animals and humans is different, and various factors such as the environment, nutrition, and contact with animals can affect the microbiota of people living in urban and rural areas.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2024;25(7):825-837
pages 825-837 views

Sida cordifolia L.: Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, Phytonanotechnology, and Commercial Application

Kumar S., Kumar S., Vishnoi V.K., Kumar P., Maheshwari D.K.

Abstract

Background:After a period of prolonged indifference, where synthetic drugs were preferred, interest in the biological aspects and bioactive ingredients of plants accountable for therapeutic potential has been explored eminently. Sida cordifolia L. is a perennial herb that has been widely utilized in Indian (Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha), American, and Chinese folk medicine and herbalism practice for curing a wide range of ailments in human beings.

Objective:The goal of this review is to elucidate indigenous knowledge parallelly with the pharmacotherapeutics potential of Sida cordifolia L. against various diseases. It is also intended to display pertinent information related to nanoparticle profiling.

Methods:In the current comprehensive study, web-based searches were performed by using several databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ResearchGate, Science Direct, and Scopus, to figure out relevant research work and data published in academic journals from 1930 to July, 2023 using single or combination of keywords listed herewith.

Results:More than 50 chemical constituents, including quinazoline and phenethylamine alkaloids, flavones, flavonol, phytosterol, fatty acids, etc., were reported to be found in different parts of healthy plants. Apart from traditional claims and pharmacological aspects, several marketed herbal formulations and granted patents were also described.

Conclusion:Several in-vitro and in-vivo studies validated the usage of S. cordifolia as antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anthelmintic, anticancer, antiulcer, cardioprotective, hypoglycemic, etc. agent. Few patents are also related to S. cordifolia, and more research work needs to be carried out for its potential granted to use as an antiviral agent and other new drug discovery molecules.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2024;25(7):838-859
pages 838-859 views

Research Progress of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv and Predictive Analysis of Quality Markers Based on Network Pharmacology

Zhao X., Qu Q., Zhang Y., Zhao P., Qiu J., Zhang X., Duan X., Song X.

Abstract

Du Zhong is a valuable Chinese medicinal herb unique to China. It is a national second- class precious protected tree, known as "plant gold", which has been used to treat various diseases since ancient times. The main active ingredients are lignans, phenylprophetons, flavonoids, iridoids and steroids and terpenoids, which have pharmacological effects such as lowering blood pressure, enhancing immunity, regulating bone metabolism, protecting nerve cells, protecting liver and gallbladder and regulating blood lipids. In this paper, a comprehensive review of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. was summarized from the processing and its compositional changes, applications, chemical components, pharmacological effects, and pharmacokinetics, and the Q-marker of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. is preliminarily predicted from the aspects of traditional efficacy, medicinal properties and measurability of chemical composition, and the pharmacodynamic substance basis and potential Q-marker of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. are further analyzed through network pharmacology. It is speculated that quercetin, kaempferol, β-sitosterol, chlorogenic acid and pinoresinol diglucoside components are selected as quality markers of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., which provide a basis for the quality control evaluation and follow-up research and development of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2024;25(7):860-895
pages 860-895 views

Effect of Nigella sativa Intake on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Hosseini H., Ghavidel F., Aliyari M., Hashemy S., Jamialahmadi T., Sahebkar A.

Abstract

Background:Several studies have shown that the intake of N. sativa has a beneficial effect on metabolic syndrome and related disorders. In this meta-analysis, our primary objective was to assess the impact of Nigella sativa consumption on inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers among individuals diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and its associated conditions.

Methods:Our search was conducted on prominent online databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and EMBASE, utilizing relevant keywords until August 2023.

Results:This meta-analysis was performed on 16 RCTs comprising 1033 participants. Our results showed that intake of Nigella sativa significantly decreased CRP (SMD: -0.60; (95% CI: from -0.96 to -0.23); P = 0.00), TNF-α (SMD: -0.53; (95% CI: from -0.74 to -0.53); P = 0.00); IL-6 (SMD: -0.54 ; (95% CI: from -1.01 to -0.07); P = 0.02), and MDA: (SMD: -1.28; (95% CI: from -2.11 to -0.46); P = 0.00) levels. In addition, SOD: (SMD: 1.35; (95% CI, from 0.77 to 1.93); P = 0.00) and TAC (SMD: 2.82; (95% CI, from 0.55 to 5.084); P = 0.01) levels significantly increased in the intervention group compared to the placebo group.

Conclusion:Our results showed that THE consumption of N. sativa could be associated with improved oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2024;25(7):896-907
pages 896-907 views

Effect of Glycemic Disorders and Habits on the Concentration of Selected Neurotrophic Factors in Patients with Lumbosacral Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

Staszkiewicz R., Sobański D., Bryś K., Och W., Garczarek M., Ulasavets U., Stasiowski M., Dammermann W., Strojny D., Grabarek B.

Abstract

Background:Unhealthy habits, such as overeating processed and high-calorie foods, alcohol abuse, and smoking, negatively impact human health. It has been suggested that the inflammatory process and the resulting growth of nerve fibers within the intervertebral disc (IVD) fissures is the main reason for the pain accompanying IVD degeneration (IVDD).

Objectives:The aim of this study was to determine whether smoking, alcohol consumption, overweight/obesity, or diabetes comorbidity contribute to the development of IVDD and how the aforementioned factors affect the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43) in the study and control groups (intervertebral discs, IVDs from cadavers, and serum samples from voluntary blood donors).

Methods:The study group comprised 113 patients diagnosed with IVDD who qualified for microdiscectomy. Two control groups (I and II) were used in this study. The first included 81 IVDs obtained from Caucasian human cadavers. Control group II, on the other hand, included serum samples obtained from 113 voluntary blood donors. The expression profiles of BDNF, GDNF, and GAP-43 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results:Our statistical analysis confirmed that patients who were overweight/obese, smoked tobacco, consumed alcohol, or had diabetes had a higher risk of IVDD (OR > 1). Statistical analysis showed that BDNF, GAP-43, and GDNF concentrations were significantly higher in the IVDs and serum samples obtained from the study group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, higher levels of BDNF, GDNF, and GAP-43 were noted in IVDD patients who consumed alcohol, smoked tobacco, were overweight/obese, or had comorbid diabetes compared to patients without these risk factors (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:We showed that changes in energy metabolism, habits, and lifestyle, as well as the degenerative process of IVD in the lumbosacral spine contribute to changing the concentration profile of the analyzed neurotrophic factors.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2024;25(7):908-923
pages 908-923 views

Folate-chitosan Coated Quercetin Liposomes for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Chang C., Han D., Ji Y., Wang M., Li D., Xu Z., Li J., Huang S., Zhu X., Jia Y.

Abstract

Background:Although quercetin exhibits promising anti-tumor properties, its clinical application is limited due to inherent defects and a lack of tumor targeting.

Objective:This study aimed to prepare and characterize active targeting folate-chitosan modified quercetin liposomes (FA-CS-QUE-Lip), and its antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo was also studied.

Materials and Methods:Box-Behnken Design (BBD) response surface method was used to select the optimal formulation of quercetin liposomes (QUE-LP). On this basis, FA-CS-QUE-LP was obtained by connecting folic acid chitosan complex (FA-CS) and QUE-LP. The release characteristics in vitro of QUE-LP and FA-CS-QUE-LP were studied. Its inhibitory effects on HepG2 cells were studied by the MTT method. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in vivo were studied in healthy Wistar mice and S180 tumor-bearing mice, respectively.

Results:The average particle size, zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of FA-CS-QUELP were 261.6 ± 8.5 nm, 22.3 ± 1.7 mV, and 98.63 ± 1.28 %, respectively. FA-CS-QUE-LP had a sustained release effect and conformed to the Maloid-Banakar release model (R2=0.9967). The results showed that FA-CS-QUE-LP had higher inhibition rates on HepG2 cells than QUE-Sol (p < 0.01). There was a significant difference in AUC, t1/2, CL and other pharmacokinetic parameters among QUE-LP, FA-CS-QUE-LP, and QUE-Sol (p < 0.05). In in vivo antitumor activity study, the weight inhibition rate and volume inhibition rate of FA-CS-QUE-LP were 30.26% and 37.35%, respectively.

Conclusion:FA-CS-QUE-LP exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells, influenced the pharmacokinetics of quercetin in mice, and demonstrated a certain inhibitory effect on S180 tumor-bearing mice, thus offering novel avenues for cancer treatment.

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 2024;25(7):924-935
pages 924-935 views