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For centuries, research has been conducted on the therapeutics of Brassicaceae plants and their health-promoting effects. Cato the Elder (234-149 BCE) documented their properties in his work De agri cultura and recommended using cabbage to compress wounds, swelling, burns, and bone dislocations. For arthritis, he recommended chopped raw cabbage mixed with coriander and cured cabbage mixed with vinegar and honey. In a groundbreaking discovery in the 1990s, scientists at Johns Hopkins University isolated sulforaphane from broccoli, revealing its potent anticancer properties. This naturally occurring compound has proven highly effective, safe, and tolerable and holds immense promise as a chemoprevention agent. It has the potential to combat various cancers, including breast, prostate, gastrointestinal, melanoma, lung, brain, and bladder. But its potential does not stop there. It also shows promise in treating cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes, offering hope for those affected. The cancer-protecting properties of Brassica plants are mediated through compounds that induce a variety of physiological processes, including antioxidant action, detoxifying enzymes, inducing apoptosis, and cell cycle regulation. Glucosinolate breakdown products can affect several stages of cancer development, including the inhibition of activation enzymes (phase I) and the induction of detoxification enzymes (phase II). Isothiocyanates and indole products formed from glucosinolates regulate cancer cell development by regulating target enzymes, controlling apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis, metastasis, and the migration of cancer cells, and blocking the cell cycle. Sulforaphane, found in abundance in broccoli sprouts, plays a crucial role in upregulating the transcriptional activity of specific genes and restoring epigenetic alterations. This is particularly significant as it modifies epigenetic pathways by targeting histone deacetylases and DNA methyltransferases. These modifications, in turn, alter gene transcription and expression, particularly in the case of cancers. This intricate process of gene regulation is a fascinating study area, making broccoli sprouts a compelling component of the'epigenetic diet.'Sulforaphane induces the cytoprotective enzyme NQO1. The inducible expression of NQO1 is regulated principally through the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway. The activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway heralds the beneficial actions of drugs known to affect Nrf2 signaling, such as dimethyl fumarate, an FDA-approved treatment for multiple sclerosis, and bardoxolone methyl for chronic kidney disease. There is optimism that the overall strategies are moving forward. Sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprout extracts provide one avenue toward this end.

This book is designed to provide comprehensive literature on nanotechnology, with a special emphasis on its role in the development of phytomedicines. It explores how nanomedicine can effectively deliver phytochemicals to targeted sites, thereby improving bioavailability and efficacy. This book is aimed at young researchers and budding pharmacy graduates, offering an accessible and informative resource. It covers regulations, safety concerns, and limitations of nanomedicine as a therapeutic approach, along with the benefits and technology involved in its development. Additionally, this book presents the latest information on phyto-nanomedicines used in treating various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular complications, and wound healing. It also discusses the current clinical status of nano-phytomedicines, providing detailed explanations of their role in drug delivery and discovery through case studies and recent examples. Visual aids, including images explaining the mechanisms and activities of nano-phytomedicines, will be included. This book will present data in a well-organized manner, with chapters dedicated to specific diseases and tabulated presentations of therapeutics to enhance understanding.

Many herbal treatments are chemical substances that are physiologically active but are not involved in the growth and development of the herbs themselves. Maceration, infusion, and decoction, percolation, soxhlet extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction or sonication extraction, accelerated solvent extraction, and supercritical fluid extraction are all methods for extracting and isolating biologically active chemical compounds from herbs. However, the efficacy of herbal medications is often reduced as a result of traditional delivery techniques. This book covers a wide range of topics, including herbal medicines, herbal extractions, herbal drug delivery systems, and various characterizations and in vitro studies of both oral and transdermal drug delivery systems, which can be used to determine the formulation and biologically active chemical compounds of herbal formulations. It offers a one-stop source of information on the essentials of herbal drug delivery systems, and will be useful as both an introduction and a more in-depth reference on recent advances in the field of herbal drug delivery systems.

CARBON MONOXIDE IN DRUG DISCOVERY An insightful reference for the latest physiological and therapeutic studies of carbon monoxide In Carbon Monoxide in Drug Discovery: Basics, Pharmacology, and Therapeutic Potential, a team of distinguished authors delivers foundational knowledge, the latest research, and remaining challenges regarding the physiological roles and therapeutic efficacy of carbon monoxide (CO). The editors have included a broad selection of resources from leading experts in the field that discuss the background and physiological roles of CO, a variety of delivery forms including CO prodrugs using benign carriers, CO sensing, therapeutic applications, and clinical trials. Organized by topic to allow each chapter to be read individually, the book covers a wide range of topics, from physiological and patho-physiological mechanisms at the molecular level to clinical applications for multiple disease processes. The editors of Carbon Monoxide in Drug Discovery have created a compelling argument for shifting the accepted understanding of CO from poison to bioactive molecule with enormous clinical benefits. Readers will also benefit from: A thorough introduction to the background and physiological actions of carbon monoxide, including endogenous CO production in sickness and in health Comprehensive explorations of CO delivery forms, including non-carrier formulations, metal-carbonyl complexes, and organic CO donors Practical discussions of carbon monoxide sensing and scavenging, including fluorescent probes for intracellular carbon monoxide detection In-depth examinations of the therapeutic applications of CO, including CO in solid organ transplantation Perfect for professors, graduate students, and postdocs in the fields of biology, pharmacology, immunology, medicinal chemistry, toxicology, and drug delivery, Carbon Monoxide in Drug Discovery: Basics, Pharmacology, and Therapeutic Potential is also an invaluable resource for industrial scientists in these areas.

Frontiers in Drug Design and Discovery is a book series devoted to publishing the latest and the most important advances in drug design and discovery. Eminent scientists have contributed chapters focused on all areas of rational drug design and drug discovery including medicinal chemistry, in-silico drug design, combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput screening, drug targets, and structure-activity relationships. This book series should prove to be of interest to all pharmaceutical scientists who are involved in research in drug design and discovery and who wish to keep abreast of rapid and important developments in the field.Volume 11 of this series brings together reviews covering immunotherapy of sepsis, new antimalarials, and the medicinal use of onions for respiratory diseases, among other topics.Topics included in this volume are:- Heme-oxygenase and autophagy connected as a cytoprotective mechanism: potential therapeutic target- Development of recombinant therapeutic proteins in animal cells: Challenges and solutions- Artemisinin Analogues as a Novel Class of Antimalarial Agents: Recent Developments, Current Scenario and Future Perspectives- The effects of Allium cepa and their derivatives on respiratory diseases and the possible mechanisms of these effects- Immunotherapy of Sepsis

The Chemistry inside Spices $#38; Herbs: Research and Development brings comprehensive information about the chemistry of spices and herbs with a focus on recent research in this field. The book is an extensive 2-part collection of 20 chapters contributed by experts in phytochemistry with the aim to give the reader deep knowledge about phytochemical constituents in herbal plants and their benefits. The contents include reviews on the biochemistry and biotechnology of spices and herbs, herbal medicines, biologically active compounds and their role in therapeutics among other topics. Chapters which highlight natural drugs and their role in different diseases and special plants of clinical significance are also included.Part I focuses on the general aspects of spice biotechnology, structure activity relationships and the natural products that can be used to treat different diseases - such as neurological diseases, inflammation, pain and infections. This part also covers information about phenolic compounds, flavonoids and turmeric supplements.This book is an ideal resource for scholars (in life sciences, phytomedicine and natural product chemistry) and general readers who want to understand the importance of herbs, spices and traditional medicine in pharmaceutical and clinical research.

Phytochemistry, Computational Tools and Databases in Drug Discovery presents the state-of-the-art in computational methods and techniques for drug discovery studies from medicinal plants. Various tools and databases for virtual screening and characterization of plant bioactive compounds and their subsequent predictions on biological targets for the discovery of new drugs against specific diseases are presented, along with computational tools for the prediction of the toxic effects of phytochemicals on living systems. The book also provides in-depth insight on the applications of these computational tools as well as the databases that describe the interactions of phytochemicals with diseases along with predictions for druggable bioactive compounds. Useful for drug developers, medicinal chemists, toxicologists, phytochemists, plant biochemists and analytical chemists, this book clearly presents the various computational techniques, tools and databases for phytochemical research. - Provides the various databases, methods and procedures for computational drug discovery in plants - Includes insights into the predictors for properties of phytochemicals against different diseases - Discusses the applications of computational tools and their databases

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has emerged as an important gas signalling molecule in a series of organs/tissues, on the diseases of which it plays protective roles, such as proangiogenic effects in ischemic tissues, antiapoptotic effects in the cardiomyocytes, regularization of fatal arrhythmia in myocardial infarction, amelioration of inflammation in autoimmune diseases, modification of neuronal transmission, increase in sodium excretion from the kidney, and amelioration of insulin resistance, etc. This book focuses on the effect of hydrogen sulfide in cardiovascular system, immune system, nervous system, kidney, as well as on the metabolism of glucose and lipids and regulation of ion channels and so on. This book also provides the advances in the understanding of endogenous H2S metabolism and H2S protein targets, as well as H2S donors. It will benefit researchers in both academics and industry working on the underlying mechanism of H2S field and the future of translational medicine of H2S.

Recent Advances in Mitochondrial Medicine and Coenzyme Q10 (eds. Anna Gvozdjáková, Germaine Cornélissen, Ram B Singh) is an updated version of a book Mitochondrial Medicine (ed. A. Gvozdjáková) published by Springer, The Netherlands, in 2008. International contributors and world specialists in Mitochondrial Medicine and Coenzyme Q10 provide up-to-date knowledge in mitochondrial physiology, and review the role played by mitochondria in relation to diseases, diagnosies and therapies pertinent to various fields of medicine. This monograph covers topics related to mitochondrial physiology, mitochondrial sirtuins, supercomplexes, chronobiology, epigenetics, genetics, neurology, cardiology, nephrology, immunology, diabetology, oncology, and reproductive medicine. A chapter on the history of coenzyme Q10 focuses on the work of Prof. Frederick L Crane, discoverer of coenzyme Q10, who died in 2015. Current diagnostic methods of mitochondrial disturbances are reviewed, including a new non-invasive approach using high-resolution respirometry in human blood cells. The effectiveness of supplementary therapies of mitochondrial disturbances is examined for the case of natural antioxidants, melatonin, high protein diet, omega-3-PUFA, omega-6-PUFA, natural mineral water sources and polarized light. Targeting mitochondrial therapy involves coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, ubiquinol), prospective mitochondrial replacement therapy and mitochondrial transplantation. This book is intended for general medical practitioners and specialists in various fields of medicine, including neurologists, cardiologists, geneticists, nephrologists, diabetologists, lipidologists, immunologists, oncologists, pharmacists, biochemists and nutritionists. Pre- and post-graduate education physicians, pharmacists and biochemists will also benefit from material covered in this monograph.

Leading researchers are specially invited to provide a complete understanding of a key topic within the multidisciplinary fields of physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. In a form immediately useful to scientists, this periodical aims to filter, highlight and review the latest developments in these rapidly advancing fields.

Comprehensive Toxicology, Third Edition, Fifteen Volume Set discusses chemical effects on biological systems, with a focus on understanding the mechanisms by which chemicals induce adverse health effects. Organized by organ system, this comprehensive reference work addresses the toxicological effects of chemicals on the immune system, the hematopoietic system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, hepatic toxicology, renal toxicology, gastrointestinal toxicology, reproductive and endocrine toxicology, neuro and behavioral toxicology, developmental toxicology and carcinogenesis, also including critical sections that cover the general principles of toxicology, cellular and molecular toxicology, biotransformation and toxicology testing and evaluation. Each section is examined in state-of-the-art chapters written by domain experts, providing key information to support the investigations of researchers across the medical, veterinary, food, environment and chemical research industries, and national and international regulatory agencies. Thoroughly revised and expanded to 15 volumes that include the latest advances in research, and uniquely organized by organ system for ease of reference and diagnosis, this new edition is an essential reference for researchers of toxicology. - Organized to cover both the fundamental principles of toxicology and unique aspects of major organ systems - Thoroughly revised to include the latest advances in the toxicological effects of chemicals on the immune system - Features additional coverage throughout and a new volume on toxicology of the hematopoietic system - Presents in-depth, comprehensive coverage from an international author base of domain experts

Nitric Oxide Donors: Biomedical Applications and Perspectives presents the current state of art, challenges and innovations in the design of therapeutics nitric oxide donors with great impact in several aspects of human physiology and pathophysiology. Although considerable innovative progress has been achieved using Nitric Oxide donors in biomedical applications, certain drawbacks still need to be overcome to successfully translate these research innovations into clinical applications. This book encompasses several topics on nitric oxide such as its sources and biological properties; its performance in the cardiovascular and neurologic systems, in the human skin and its application in the treatment of neglected diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. Additionally, it covers its role in inflammation and immunity, penile erection function, photodynamic therapy, antimicrobial activities. It also discusses the future of nitric oxide donors in combination with other therapeutic drugs, in implantable sensors, and nitric oxide releasing hydrogels and medical devices for topical applications. The book is a valuable source for researchers on different areas of biomedical field who are interested in the improvements that these molecules can make in the treatment of several conditions. - Provides background information about biology and chemistry of nitric oxide - Discusses the state-of-the-art in the design of nitric oxide releasing nanomaterials for biomedical applications - Covers the usage of nitric oxide donors in the treatment of several conditions, such as cancer, human skin, cardiovascular system, and immunity - Discusses the future of nitric oxide donors and their FDA approval

This book reviews current science and applications in fields including thrombosis and hemostasis, signal transduction, and non-thrombotic conditions such as inflammation, allergy and tumor metastasis. It is a detailed, up-to-date, highly referenced text for clinical scientists and physicians, including recent developments in this rapidly expanding field. More than a scientific resource, this is also an authoritative reference and guide to the diagnosis.

This volume aims to connect current ideas and concepts about GI disorders with the search for novel therapeutics. Towards this goal, authors provide a timely state-of-the-art overview of the GI tract in health and disease, current treatment approaches and ongoing developments in drug discovery, and their potential for the better treatment of patients with GI disorders.

Design of Hybrid Molecules for Drug Development reviews the principles, advantages, and limitations involved with designing these groundbreaking compounds. Beginning with an introduction to hybrid molecule design and background as to their need, the book goes on to explore a range of important hybrids, with hybrids containing natural products, molecules containing NO- and H2S-donors, dual-acting compounds acting as receptor ligands and enzyme inhibitors, and the design of photoresponsive drugs all discussed. Drawing on practical case studies, the hybridization of molecules for development as treatments for a number of key diseases is then outlined, including the design of hybrids for Alzheimer's, cancer, and malaria. With its cutting-edge reviews of breaking developments in this exciting field, the book offers a novel approach for all those working in the design, development, and administration of drugs for a range of debilitating disorders. - Highlights an approach unimpaired by the limitations of the classical search for lead structures - one of the core problems in modern drug development processes, making the content of high relevance for both academic and non-academic drug development processes - Pulls together research and design techniques in a novel way to give researchers the best possible platform from which to review the approaches and techniques applied - Compares the advantages and disadvantages of these compounds - Includes the very latest developments, such as photoactivatable and photo-responsive drugs

This comprehensive volume focuses on anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals and their role in various chronic diseases. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs such as steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), statins and metformin have been shown to modulate inflammatory pathways, but their long-term intake has been associated with numerous side effects. This means that there is enormous potential for dietary agents that can modulate inflammatory pathways in humans. Leading experts describe the latest research on the role of anti-inflammatory nutraceuticals in preventing and treating chronic diseases.

This volume addresses neuronal pain mechanisms at the peripheral, spinal and supraspinal level which are thought to significantly contribute to pain and which may be the basis for the development of new treatment principles. Chapters on nociceptive mechanisms in the peripheral nociceptive system address the concept of hyperalgesic priming, the role of voltage-gated sodium channels in different inflammatory and neuropathic pain states, the hyperalgesic effects of NGF in different tissues and in inflammatory and neuropathic pain states, and the contribution of proteinase activated receptors (PAR) to the development of pain in several chronic pain conditions. Chapters on nociceptive mechanisms in the spinal cord address the particular role of NO and of glial cell activation in the generation and maintenance of inflammatory and neuropathic pain and it discusses the potential role of local inhibitory interneurons, of the endogenous endocannabinoid system and the importance of non-neuronal immune mechanisms in opioid signaling in the control of pain. Furthermore, it is presented how spinal mechanisms contribute to the expression of peripheral inflammation.

Every three years, the International Society for Arterial Chemoreception (ISAC) arranges a Meeting to bring together all of the major International research groups investigating the general topic of oxygen sensing in health and disease, with a prime focus upon systemic level hypoxia and carotid body function. This volume summarises the proceedings of the XIXth meeting of the Society, held in Leeds, UK during the summer of 2014. As such this volume represents a unique collection of state of the art reviews and original, brief research articles covering all aspects of oxygen sensing, ranging from the molecular mechanisms of chemotransduction in oxygen sensing cells such as the carotid body type I cells, to the adverse, reflex cardiovascular outcomes arising from carotid body dysfunction as seen, for example, in heart failure or obstructive sleep apnoea. This volume will be of tremendous interest to basic scientists with an interest in the cellular and molecular biology of oxygen sensing and integrative, whole organism physiologists as well as physicians studying or treating the clinical cardiovascular consequences of carotid body dysfunction.

Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) has been used in popular medicine since ancient times, being explored for its effects anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, anti-microbial and several other properties by both common folk and scientific community. Apart from its well-known folklore uses, there are several more studies that can be found in scientific research which describe many other capabilities of this plant. Also, several investigations have associated ginger with medicinal benefits, as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, antiemetic, anti-diarrheal, anti-ulcer, anti-cancer, anti-cholinesterasic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitary and preventing intoxications. This book discusses all of the properties, as well as its functions and the medicinal benefits of ginger.

Cellular and Molecular Pathobiology of Cardiovascular Disease focuses on the pathophysiology of common cardiovascular disease in the context of its underlying mechanisms and molecular biology. This book has been developed from the editors'experiences teaching an advanced cardiovascular pathology course for PhD trainees in the biomedical sciences, and trainees in cardiology, pathology, public health, and veterinary medicine. No other single text-reference combines clinical cardiology and cardiovascular pathology with enough molecular content for graduate students in both biomedical research and clinical departments. The text is complemented and supported by a rich variety of photomicrographs, diagrams of molecular relationships, and tables. It is uniquely useful to a wide audience of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in areas from pathology to physiology, genetics, pharmacology, and more, as well as medical residents in pathology, laboratory medicine, internal medicine, cardiovascular surgery, and cardiology. - Explains how to identify cardiovascular pathologies and compare with normal physiology to aid research - Gives concise explanations of key issues and background reading suggestions - Covers molecular bases of diseases for better understanding of molecular events that precede or accompany the development of pathology

Examples of plant-derived pharmaceuticals that have become the focus of continuous and exponential research and development interest have, to date, been somewhat scarce. After a long period, the last two decades have been characterized by a 100-fold increase in the number of scientific articles published annually that are of relevance to the use of curcumin in biomedicine. Today, the already-wide spectrum of potential clinical applications of this natural drug and its synthetic derivatives continues to grow, including chemoprevention and the treatment of cancers, inflammatory and immune diseases, diabetes, bacterial and viral infections, parasitosis, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Over the last two decades, numerous findings have confirmed the safety of curcumin, both in preclinical and clinical studies. Its physicochemical properties, low bioavailability and rapid metabolism have, however, somewhat limited its potential therapeutic applications. To overcome these limitations, the last few years have seen an impressive development of research on analogs, prodrugs and nanostructured systems, a number of which are already demonstrating improved properties compared with the parent structure. In parallel, new administration routes have been explored, and additional pharmacological properties have been documented, leading in particular to promising prospects for pain management. This is the first book devoted to all of these aspects of research. It comprises 20 chapters (by 71 contributors) with 32 tables, 100 figures and about 2000 references, organized into three sections, with a progression from basic sciences to clinical applications. The first section relates to photophysical and photochemical properties, structure-activity relationships, the design of curcumin derivatives, its biological targets and pharmacology, prodrug concepts, and the development of nanoformulations of curcumin. The second section covers the exploration of the antinociceptive role of curcumin and its clinical applications for pain management, treatment of neurological diseases and burn wounds, its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, and its pharmacological effects for the treatment of parasitosis. The third section describes various aspects of the antitumor activities of curcumin and emerging therapeutic strategies using this drug and its many derivatives. The various chapters of this book have been written by experts from five continents, representing 15 countries and 33 teams, who have agreed to present their viewpoints and experience in this field. It provides a systematic reference source for scientists, clinical researchers and students who wish to become familiar with the different areas of investigation in the subject.

The use of the chemical modification of proteins has evolved over the past 80 years, benefiting from advances in analytical, physical, and organic chemistry. Over the past 30 years, the use of chemical reagents to modify proteins has been crucial in determining the function and structure of purified proteins. This groundbreaking work is part of the

Propolis is a natural product, collected by honeybees Apis mellifera, from various plant sources. Honeybees use it for the construction and repair of their hive as well as for defense purposes. Propolis has gained popularity in alternative medicine. It is extensively used as a popular remedy in foods and beverages. The purpose of this book is to present readers with an integrated view on molecular mechanisms of beneficial effects of propolis in acute and chronic humans. This book will provide current and comprehensive information on the protective effects of propolis on human health and treatment chronic human diseases.

One major example of the synergy of bioactive foods and extracts is their role as an antioxidant and the related remediation of cardiovascular disease. There is compelling evidence to suggest that oxidative stress is implicated in the physiology of several major cardiovascular diseases including heart failure and increased free radical formation and reduced antioxidant defences. Studies indicate bioactive foods reduce the incidence of these conditions, suggestive of a potential cardioprotective role of antioxidant nutrients. Bioactive Food as Dietary Interventions for Cardiovascular Disease investigates the role of foods, herbs and novel extracts in moderating the pathology leading to cardiovascular disease. It reviews existing literature, and presents new hypotheses and conclusions on the effects of different bioactive components of the diet. - Addresses the most positive results from dietary interventions using bioactive foods to impact cardiovascular disease - Documents foods that can affect metabolic syndrome and other related conditions - Convenient, efficient and effective source that allows readers to identify potential uses of compounds – or indicate those compounds whose use may be of little or no health benefit - Associated information can be used to understand other diseases that share common etiological pathways

Adiponectin has recently emerged as an anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, and insulin-sensitizing factor providing possible link between white adipose tissue and cardiovascular disease. Adiponectin also plays an important pathophisiological role in the metabolic syndrome. Recent topics concerning production, regulation and roles in disease of adiponectin are the focus of in this book.

Curcumin is a natural product found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa. Ongoing research and clinical trials prove this natural phenolic compound to possess diverse pharmacological potency and is effective as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial/antiviral property and is also being considered as a cancer chemo-preventive agent. Topics discussed in this book include the implications of curcumin treatment of central nervous system disease; phosphorylase kinase inhibition in skin disease; PEGylated curcumin; the potential role of curcumin as a chemotherapeutic drug and the pharmaceutical implications of curcumin in the development of drugs for cystic fibrosis pharmacotherapy.

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is an enigmatic compound abounding in animal tissues. It is present at relatively high concentrations in all electrically excitable tissues such as brain, sensory organs, heart, and muscle, and in certain endocrine glands. Some of its physiological functions are already established, for example as an essential nutrient during development and as a neuromodulator or osmolyte, but the cellular mechanisms are still mostly a matter of conjecture. Moreover, there are a number of other putative functions of taurine less well known at present. Taurine 7 contains the proceedings of the 16th International Taurine Meeting. This meeting is a multidisciplinary symposium, with participants presenting different fields of biological science. This volume focuses on all aspects of taurine research from immunology and its effect on health to chemistry and biochemistry, including future clinical applications.

Considerable progress has been made in our healthcare system, in particular with respect to sensitive diagnostic tools, reagents and very effective and precise drugs. On the other hand, high-throughput screening technology can screen vast numbers of compounds against an array of targets in a very short time, and leads thus - tained can be further explored. In developing countries, the exploding population exerts pressure not only on natural resources but also on the human population - self, whose members strive to become successful and advance in society. This leads to increased blood pressure, anxiety, obesity-associated lipid disorders, cardiov- cular diseases and diabetes. Most of these diseases result in disturbed family life, including sexual behaviour. Despite technological developments, herbal drugs still occupy a preferential place in a majority of the population in the Third World and terminal patients in the West. Herbal drugs, in addition to being cost effective and easily accessible, have been used since time immemorial and have passed the test of time without having any side effects. The multitarget effects of herbs (holistic approaches) are the fun- mental basis of their utilization. This approach is already used in traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, which has become more popular in the West in recent years. However, the integration of modern science with traditional uses of herbal drugs is of the utmost importance if ones wishes to use ancient knowledge for the betterment of humanity.

Oxidants, like other aspects of life, involves tradeoffs. Oxidants, whether intentionally produced or by-products of normal metabolism can either mediate a variety of critical biological processes but when present inappropriately cause extensive damage to biological molecules (DNA, proteins, and lipids). These effects can lead to either damage that is a major contributor to aging and degenerative diseases (or to other diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, immune-system decline, brain dysfunction, and cataracts) or normal physiological function- tissue repair, defense against pathogens and cellular proliferation. On the other hand the body is equipped with a complex antioxidant/oxidant handling system which includes both enzymatic and nonenzymatic (i.e. small molecules such as flavonoids, ascorbate, tocopherol, and carotenoids) produced endogenously or derived from the diet. This book focuses on how the same molecules can have favorable or noxious effects depending on location, level and timing. Each chapter focuses on one particular molecule or oxidant/antioxidant system and provides a state of the art review of the current understanding regarding both positive and negative actions of the system under review.

Written by more than 400 subject experts representing diverse academic and applied domains, this multidisciplinary resource surveys the vanguard of biomaterials and biomedical engineering technologies utilizing biomaterials that lead to quality-of-life improvements. Building on traditional engineering principles, it serves to bridge advances in materials science, life sciences, nanotechnology, and cell biology to innovations in solving medical problems with applications in tissue engineering, prosthetics, drug delivery, biosensors, and medical devices. In nearly 300 entries, this four-volume Encyclopedia of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, Second Edition, covers: essential topics integral to tissue engineering research: bioreactors, scaffolding materials and fabrication, tissue mechanics, cellular interaction, and development of major tissues and organs being attempted by researchers worldwide; artificial lungs and muscles, bio-artificial livers, and corneal, dental, inner ear, and total hip implants; tissue engineering of blood vessels, heart valves, ligaments, microvascular networks, skeletal muscle, and skin; bone remodeling, bone cement, and bioabsorbable bone plates and screws; controlled drug delivery, insulin delivery, and transdermal and ocular implant-based drug delivery; endovascular stent grafts, vascular grafts, and xenografts; 3-D medical imaging, electrical impedance imaging, and intravascular ultrasound; biomedical, protein adsorption, and in vivo cardiovascular modeling; polymer foams, biofunctional and conductive polymers, and electroactive polymeric materials; blood–material interactions, the bone–implant interface, host reactions, and foreign body responses and much more.

Moving rapidly from science fiction to science fact, cryopreservation is an integral part of many research, development, and production processes in industry and academia. The preservation sciences have emerged as an interdisciplinary platform that incorporates the fundamentals of cell and molecular biology, and bioengineering, with the classic met

This is the first book that provides a comprehensive review of the entire area of artificial cells. The author, a pioneer of the field, invented the first artificial cells some 50 years ago and has continued to carry out active research in this field. Since then, there have been explosive research activities around the world on artificial cells, especially in fields related to biotechnology, nanomedicine, cell therapy, blood substitutes, drug delivery and others. However, instead of the term “artificial cells,” many authors use other terminologies such as blood substitutes, bioencapsulation, liposomes, nanoparticles and so on. Furthermore, papers in this highly interdisciplinary area are published in numerous journals specializing in chemistry, medicine, surgery, bioengineering and others, while books in this area are mostly multi-authored, describing very specific and narrow areas. As a result, any meaningful literature search for a complete idea of the present status of the whole field of artificial cells is impossible.This monograph is written to fill this gap by including all those areas in artificial cells that are disguised under different terminologies. Each chapter begins with a detailed overview, followed by detailed examples of the author's own research and a full description of his methods and procedures. Readers interested in a detailed overview of the whole area can read from cover to cover, omitting the methods section at the end of each chapter; while those entering this area of research will find the detailed methods and procedures very useful.

Curcumin is derived from the root of the plant Curcuma longa (also called turmeric) and its medicinal uses have been described for over 5000 years. More than 1500 papers published within last half a century has revealed that curcumin has a potential in the treatment of wide variety of inflammatory diseases including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, Alzheimer, psoriasis etc, through modulation of numerous molecular targets. This is the first monograph to deal specifically with this subject.

Molecular chaperones are involved in a wide variety of essential cellular processes in living cells. A subset of molecular chaperones have been initially described as heat shock proteins protecting cells from stress damage by keeping cellular proteins in a folding competent state and preventing them from irreversible aggregation. Later it became obvious that molecular chaperones are also expressed constitutively in the cell and are involved in complex processes such as protein synthesis, intracellular protein transport, post-translational modification and secretion of proteins as well as receptor signalling. Hence, it is not surprising that molecular chaperones are implicated in the pathogenesis of many relevant diseases and could be regarded as potential pharmacological targets. Starting with the analysis of the mode of action of chaperones at the molecular, cellular and organismic level, this book will then describe specific aspects where modulation of chaperone action could be of pharmacological and therapeutic interest.

Neurotoxicity assessment with in vitro systems offers not only a means to better understand mechanisms of action of toxicants and decrease reliance on laboratory animals, but also provides a basis for reliable, high throughput screening of new and untested chemicals. In In Vitro Neurotoxicology: Principles and Challenges, well-respected leaders in the field take a fresh look at their own and others'work, critically and comparatively analyzing it across experimental systems and toxicants, and synthesizing essential principles for in vitro neurotoxicity testing. In thematically organized chapters, the authors employ examples comprised of multiple experimental systems and endpoints, and discuss the use of complementary in vivo/in vitro strategies. Neurotoxicants of significance to human health are emphasized, especially those for which metabolism and dose-responses are well studied both in vivo and in vitro: lead, mercury, organophosphorus insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and dioxin, ethanol, and endogenous proteins. Several neurotoxicology topics covered provide insight into neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, including the concept of astroglia as depots for lead and other metals in the central nervous system, the elucidation of factors involved in the onset of puberty in females, and the exploration of endogenous proteins as neurotoxicants. Authoritative and forward-looking, In Vitro Neurotoxicology: Principles and Challenges sets out new concepts and research directions that will facilitate significant improvement in today's methods and systems for in vitro neurotoxicity testing.

Title from e-book title screen (viewed on April 8, 2005)

Akin to nitric oxide, carbon monoxide (CO) was initially viewed as a pure toxic gas, yet it has been recently demonstrated to be an important endogenous molecule of gas that has profound physiological and pathophysiological effects on the cardiovascular system. In spite of the growing understanding achieved in this field, until now a comprehensive

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), also termed poly (ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS) is a nuclear enzyme with a wide range of functions, including regulation of DNA repair, cell differentiation, and gene expression. More than a decade after the identification of PARP-like enzymatic activities in mammalian cells, a novel role was proposed for this e