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Abstract: The overwhelming globalburden of cancer has posed numerous challenges and opportunities for developing anti-cancer therapies. Phytochemicalshave emerged as promising synergistic compounds with potential anti-cancer effects to supplement chemo- and immune-therapeutic regimens. Anti cancer synergistic effects have been investigated in the interaction between phytocompounds derived from flavonoids such as quercetin, apigenin, kaempferol, hesperidin, emodin etc., and conventional drugs. Xanthohumol is one of the prenylatedphytoflavonoid that has demonstrated key anti-cancer activities in in vitro (anti proliferation of cancer cell lines) and in vivo(animal models of xenograft tumours)studies, and has been explored from different dimensions for targeting cancer subtypes. In the last decade, xanthohumol has been investigated how it induces the anti-cancer effects at cellular and molecular level.The different signalling cascades and targets of xanthohumolare summarized in thisreview.Overall, this reviewsummarizes the current advances made in the field of natural compounds with special reference to xanthohumol and its promising anti-cancer effectsto inhibit tumour progression.The present review hasalso touched upon the potential of xanthohumol transitioning into a lead candidate from nano-therapy viewpoint along with the challenges which need to be addressed for extensive pre-clinical and clinical anti-cancer studies.

Abstract Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is one of the most renowned and revered medicinal plants in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine. Ashwagandha Rasayanas (tonics), capsules, tablets, and powdered herbs (churna) have been used for curing a wide variety of ailments, including reproductive problems, and for improving fertility in men and women as well as erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Iron accumulation in reproductive organs is caused by excessive dietary intake of iron, dysregulation of iron transporters, chronic blood transfusions, and hemochromatosis. Iron overload produces oxidative stress and causes atrophy of ovaries and testes and hypogonadism, which leads to infertility in men and women. Emerging evidence from preclinical and clinical studies suggests that excessive iron-induced infertility results from dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and consequently perturbs the secretion of reproductive hormones (GnRH, FSH, LH, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone). The focus of this review is to summarize the pathophysiology of iron-overload toxicity of sex organs and the reversal of male/female infertility and libido with Ashwagandha. The bioactive ingredients of Ashwagandha appear to restore iron–overload infertility by acting on iron chelation and capturing iron free radicals (Fe+++) produced by the Fenton reaction. Many synthetic drugs have been tried for treating iron overload infertility, but the outcome has been inconsistent. Considering the high cost of these drugs, Ashwagandha may be a safer and more cost-effective phytomedicine to cure iron-overload infertility and enhance libido in humans. Collectively, the iron chelation and antioxidant effects of Ashwagandha seem to reverse iron-overload infertility in men and women by improving testicular and ovarian functions.

Bovine colostrum supplementation has been suggested as a potential factor in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of six months of bovine colostrum supplement intake (3.2 g; four capsules/day) in highly trained female athletes on changes in oxidative stress level, inflammation, and iron metabolism biomarkers after intense exercise. In this study, 20 trained female athletes were recruited. Participants were divided into two groups: 11 in the bovine colostrum (6-month supplementation) and 9 in the placebo group (6-month placebo supplementation). All participants completed an intense exercise test at the beginning of the experiment and after six months post-treatment. Blood samples were taken before, following exercise, and after 3 h recovery. Compared to the placebo group, the colostrum group showed a significant decrease in TBARS level (p< 0.01) at all time points, whereas a marked increase was observed in IL-6 (p < 0.01; pre-exercise) and SOD activity (p < 0.01), and transferrin (p < 0.01; rest period) and lactoferrin (p < 0.05; post-exercise) levels. The results suggested that 6-months of bovine colostrum supplementation is beneficial in the reduction of the harmful effects produced by free radicals (ROS), oxidative stress, and inflammation. In consequence, alleviation of the inflammatory response by bovine colostrum supplementation may also cause positive action on iron homeostasis in female athletes.

Background: Bovine colostrum (BC) contains a myriad of bioactive molecules that are renowned for possessing unique medicinal benefits in children and adults, and BC supplements are considered safe and cost-effective options to manage/prevent the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections and gut-related problems in athletes. In this review, we will try to answer the question: How will BC supplementation ameliorate gut permeability problems among athletes? Methods: Literature searches were performed using PRISMA guidance to identify studies assessing the influence of BC supplements on gut permeability. Studies were selected using four databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO, and a total number of 60 articles were retrieved by using appropriate keywords. Results: Nine studies were selected that met the eligibility criteria for this review. The data analysis revealed that vigorous exercise profoundly increases intestinal permeability, and BC supplementation helps to reverse gut permeability in athletes. Conclusion: BC supplementation may be highly beneficial in improving gut permeability in athletes. However, well-designed, placebo-controlled, and randomized studies are needed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy and to determine the optimal dose schedules of BC supplementation in high-performance athletes.

Baicalein is a medicinally important flavonoid present in Scutellaria baicalensis, which has numerous biological benefits like anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxicity, anticancer properties, etc. Recent studies have revealed that baicalein is an efficient antihepatoma agent and has the strongest antiproliferative effect toward cancerous bladder cell lines, and suppression of cell cycle progression in prostate cancer cells. This natural substance has a high commercial value because it strengthens the heart and cerebral vessels and protects the nervous system and also reduces diabetes and diabetic complications. In addition, baicalein is known to decrease inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. In this review, we have attempted to compile the list of recent therapeutic patents of baicalein used for treating different disorders.