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OBJECTIVES: To epidemiologically assess the influence of COVID-19 pandemic on newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis at the teaching hospital of the university, Eastern province, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: We enrolled newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus cases among pediatric patients attending the emergency department and outpatient clinics during 2019-2021. The participants' data were collected from electronic medical records which included patients' age at diagnosis, sex, nationality, height, weight, year of diagnosis, length of stay, presentation, random blood sugar, blood gas readings, electrolyte panel, and time of resolution of the diabetic ketoacidosis if present. RESULTS: 108 patients were included with an average age of 8.87 ± 4.21 years and 53.70% were females. The demographic characteristics of all diabetic pediatric patients prior to COVID-19 and during COVID-19 were studied and the difference was statistically insignificant. Furthermore, initial pH and HCO3 tests were found to be lower in the moderate to severe diabetic ketoacidosis group (7.17 and 11.2, respectively) compared to the mild group (7.27 and 15.50, respectively) and the differences were statically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus during the COVID-19 pandemic tended to have a more severe presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis in terms of PH and HCO3.

Since its outbreak in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has diverted resources from non-urgent and elective procedures, leading to diagnosis and treatment delays, with an increased number of neoplasms at advanced stages worldwide. The aims of this study were to quantify the reduction in surgical activity for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to evaluate whether delays in surgery led to an increased occurrence of aggressive tumours. In this retrospective, international, cross-sectional study, centres were invited to participate in June 22, 2022; each centre joining the study was asked to provide data from medical records on all surgical thyroidectomies consecutively performed from Jan 1, 2019, to Dec 31, 2021. Patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules were divided into three groups according to when they underwent surgery: from Jan 1, 2019, to Feb 29, 2020 (global prepandemic phase), from March 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021 (pandemic escalation phase), and from June 1 to Dec 31, 2021 (pandemic decrease phase). The main outcomes were, for each phase, the number of surgeries for indeterminate thyroid nodules, and in patients with a postoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancers, the occurrence of tumours larger than 10 mm, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases, vascular invasion, distant metastases, and tumours at high risk of structural disease recurrence. Univariate analysis was used to compare the probability of aggressive thyroid features between the first and third study phases. The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05178186. Data from 157 centres (n=49 countries) on 87 467 patients who underwent surgery for benign and malignant thyroid disease were collected, of whom 22 974 patients (18 052 [78·6%] female patients and 4922 [21·4%] male patients) received surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules. We observed a significant reduction in surgery for indeterminate thyroid nodules during the pandemic escalation phase (median monthly surgeries per centre, 1·4 [IQR 0·6-3·4]) compared with the prepandemic phase (2·0 [0·9-3·7]; p

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent and reoccurring cancers and the second most common reason of death in women. Despite advancements in therapeutic strategies for breast cancer, early tumor recurrence and metastasis in patients indicate resistance to chemotherapeutic medicines, such as paclitaxel due to the abnormal expression of ER and EGF2 in breast cancer cells. Therefore, the development of alternatives to paclitaxel is urgently needed to overcome challenges involving drug resistance. An increasing number of studies has revealed miRNAs as novel natural alternative substances that play a crucial role in regulating several physiological processes and have a close, adverse association with several diseases, including breast cancer. Due to the therapeutic potential of miRNA and paclitaxel in cancer research, the current review focuses on the differential roles of various miRNAs in breast cancer development and treatment. miRNA delivery to a specific target site, the development of paclitaxel and miRNA formulations, and nanotechnological strategies for the delivery of nanopaclitaxel in the management of breast cancer are discussed. These strategies involve improving the cellular uptake and bioavailability and reducing the toxicity of free paclitaxel to achieve accumulation tumor site. Furthermore, a molecular docking study was performed to ascertain the enhanced anticancer activity of the nanoformulation of ANG1005 and Abraxane. An in silico analysis revealed that ANG1005 and Abraxane nanoformulations have superior and significantly enhanced interactions with the proteins α-tubulin and Bcl-2. Therefore, ANG1005 and Abraxane may be more suitable in the therapeutic management of breast cancer than the existing free paclitaxel. miRNAs can revert abnormal gene expression to normalcy; since miRNAs serve as tumor suppressors. Therefore, restoration of particular miRNAs levels as a replacement therapy may be an effective endocrine potential strategy for treating ER positive/ negative breast cancers.

COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, continues to manifest with severe acute respiratory syndrome among the adults, however, it offers a convincing indication of less severity and fatality in pediatric age group (0-18 years). The current trend suggests that children may get infected but are less symptomatic with less fatality, which is concordant to earlier epidemic outbreaks of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, in 2002 and 2012, respectively. According to the available data, children appear to be at lower risk for COVID-19, as adults constitute for maximum number of the confirmed cases (308,592) and deaths (13,069) as on 22nd March (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus). However, rapid publications and information of the adult patients with COVID-19 is in progress and published, on the contrary, almost no comprehensive data or discussion about the COVID-19 in children is available. Therefore, in this review, we outline the epidemiology, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, possible immune response and role of thymus in children to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.

Biomedical electric devices provide great assistance for health and life quality. However, their maintainable need remains a serious issue for the restricted duration of energy storage. Therefore, scientists are investigating alternative technologies such as nanogenerators that could harvest the mechanical energy of the human heart to act as the main source of energy for the pacemaker. Cardiac contraction is not a source for circulation; it utilizes body energy as an alternative energy source to recharge pacemaker devices. This is a key biomedical innovation to protect patients’ lives from possible risks resulting from repeated surgery. A batteryless pacemaker is possible via an implantable energy collecting tool, exchanging the restriction of the current batteries for a sustainable self-energy resource technique. In this context, the physiology of heart energy in the preservation of blood distribution pulse generation and the effects of cardiac hormones on the heart’s pacemaker shall be outlined. In this review, we summarized different technologies for the implantable energy harvesters and self-powered implantable medical devices with emphasis on nanogenerator-based sensors for energy harvesting from cardiac contraction. It could conclude that recent hybrid bio-nanogenerator systems of both piezoelectric and triboelectric devices based on biocompatible biomaterials and clean energy are promising biomedical devices for harvesting energy from cardiac and body movement. These implantable and wearable nanogenerators become self-powered biomedical tools with high efficacy, durability, thinness, flexibility, and low cost. Although many studies have proven their safety, there is a need for their long-term biosafety and biocompatibility. A further note on the biocompatibility of bio-generator sensors shall be addressed.

This chapter reviews the physiological and cellular functions of vitamin K in the cardiovascular system based on the latest pre-clinical and clinical evidence. Vitamin K belongs to a family of structurally similar fat-soluble vitamins, actively required by the body for the synthesis of essential proteins as well as regulate blood clotting, bone metabolism and calcium level. The authors emphasize the quintessential association between dietary vitamin K2 and cardiovascular diseases shown in various studies. The association, through the vitamin K - dependent hormones, plays a primary role in regulating calcification of different cell types, especially their role in calcification of the vascular endothelial cells. The consequences of vitamin K deficiency in the vascular system are unfavorable, shown in various clinical studies on statins - well-known inhibitors of vitamin K production in the body. New clinical insights suggest that vitamin K levels in the body and its dietary supplementation play a crucial role in cardiovascular disease prevention. There is negative influence of these antagonist’s pate in vascular composition and functions. Therefore, there is a need for prospective studies to make more in-depth exploration and increase the current understanding of this critical relationship to confidently apply such knowledge to prevent cardiovascular diseases and improve their outcomes.

Traditional cancer diagnosis has been aided by the application of nanoparticles (NPs), which have made the process easier and faster. NPs possess exceptional properties such as a larger surface area, higher volume proportion, and better targeting capabilities. Additionally, their low toxic effect on healthy cells enhances their bioavailability and t-half by allowing them to functionally penetrate the fenestration of epithelium and tissues. These particles have attracted attention in multidisciplinary areas, making them the most promising materials in many biomedical applications, especially in the treatment and diagnosis of various diseases. Today, many drugs are presented or coated with nanoparticles for the direct targeting of tumors or diseased organs without harming normal tissues/cells. Many types of nanoparticles, such as metallic, magnetic, polymeric, metal oxide, quantum dots, graphene, fullerene, liposomes, carbon nanotubes, and dendrimers, have potential applications in cancer treatment and diagnosis. In many studies, nanoparticles have been reported to show intrinsic anticancer activity due to their antioxidant action and cause an inhibitory effect on the growth of tumors. Moreover, nanoparticles can facilitate the controlled release of drugs and increase drug release efficiency with fewer side effects. Nanomaterials such as microbubbles are used as molecular imaging agents for ultrasound imaging. This review discusses the various types of nanoparticles that are commonly used in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The thymus is the main lymphoid organ that regulates the immune and endocrine systems by controlling thymic cell proliferation and differentiation. The gland is a primary lymphoid organ responsible for generating mature T cells into CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive (SP) T cells, contributing to cellular immunity. Regarding humoral immunity, the thymic plasma cells almost exclusively secrete IgG1 and IgG3, the two main complement-fixing effector IgG subclasses. Deformity in the thymus can lead to inflammatory diseases. Hassall’s corpuscles’ epithelial lining produces thymic stromal lymphopoietin, which induces differentiation of CDs thymocytes into regulatory T cells within the thymus medulla. Thymic B lymphocytes produce immunoglobulins and immunoregulating hormones, including thymosin. Modulation in T cell and naive T cells decrement due to thymus deformity induce alteration in the secretion of various inflammatory factors, resulting in multiple diseases. Influenza virus activates thymic CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes and a large amount of IFNγ. IFNs limit virus spread, enhance macrophages’ phagocytosis, and promote the natural killer cell restriction activity against infected cells. Th2 lymphocytes-produced cytokine IL-4 can bind to antiviral INFγ, decreasing the cell susceptibility and downregulating viral receptors. COVID-19 epitopes (S, M, and N proteins) with ≥90% identity to the SARS-CoV sequence have been predicted. These epitopes trigger immunity for antibodies production. Boosting the immune system by improving thymus function can be a therapeutic strategy for preventing virus-related diseases. This review aims to summarize the endocrine-immunoregulatory functions of the thymus and the underlying mechanisms in the prevention of COVID-19.

The in-vitro experimental model for the development of cancer therapeutics has always been challenging. Recently, the scientific revolution has improved cell culturing techniques by applying three dimensional (3D) culture system, which provides a similar physiologically relevant in-vivo model for studying various diseases including cancer. In particular, cancer cells exhibiting in-vivo behavior in a model of 3D cell culture is a more accurate cell culture model to test the effectiveness of anticancer drugs or characterization of cancer cells in comparison with two dimensional (2D) monolayer. This study underpins various factors that cause resistance to anticancer drugs in forms of spheroids in 3D in-vitro cell culture and also outlines key challenges and possible solutions for the future development of these systems.

In this study, Nd3+ and Ce3+ co-substituted Co ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using a sonochemical approach. The simultaneous substitution of Nd3+ and Ce3+ into CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) affected the structure, magnetic properties, and cation distribution. The structural parameters were investigated and calculated via XRD studies. The nanocrystalline morphology was identified by SEM along with EDX and TEM. The appearance of two vibration bands correlated to the Td and Oh group relevant to the spinel ferrite lattice were confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Magnetization analyses were conducted at room temperature (300K; RT) and low (10K) temperatures. Different magnetic parameters including the remanence (Mr), coercivity (Hc), saturation magnetization (Ms), squareness ratio (SQR = Mr/Ms), and magnetic moment ( n B ) were deduced and discussed. The results demonstrated a superparamagnetic (SPM) nature in the x = 0.00 sample at RT. However, the other samples (0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) exhibited ferromagnetic (FM) natures. At 10K, all of the synthesized NPs displayed FM behavior. An enhancement in the Mr, Ms, Hc, and n B was detected at lower Nd3+ and Ce3+ concentrations (x ≤ 0.10). The SQR values at RT were smaller than 0.5, indicating a single domain nature with uniaxial anisotropy in all of the produced ferrites. However, the SQR values were in a range of 0.687–0.769 at 10K, suggesting a multi-magnetic domain at low temperatures. This study also examined the impact of Nd3+- and Ce3+-doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles on human colon cancer cells (HCT-116) to examine their anti-cancer properties using MTT and morphometric assays. After 48 h of treatment with an optimal dose of Nd3+ and Ce3+, the doped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles demonstrated significant apoptotic effects by decreasing cancer cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. These results could lead to the use of NPs as a drug-screening/potential therapeutic strategy targeting human colorectal cancer.

Background: In this review, protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were defined, and their behaviors in normal in disease conditions are discussed. Their status at nuclear, molecular and cellular level was underscored, as for their interference in many diseases. Finally, the use of protein nanoscale structures as possible carriers for drugs targeting PPIs was highlighted. Objective: The objective of this review is to suggest a novel approach for targeting PPIs. By using protein nanospheres and nanocapsules, a promising field of study can be emerged. Methods: To solidify this argument, PPIs and their biological significance was discussed, same as their role in hormone signaling. Results: We shed the light on the drugs that targets PPI and we suggested the use of nanovectors to encapsulate these drugs to possibly achieve better results. Conclusion: Protein based nanoparticles, due to their advantages, can be suitable carriers for drugs targeting PPIs. This can open a new opportunity in the emerging field of multifunctional therapeutics.

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in a major global pandemic, causing extreme morbidity and mortality. Few studies appear to suggest a significant impact of gender in morbidity and mortality, where men are reported at a higher risk than women. The infectivity, transmissibility, and varying degree of disease manifestation (mild, modest, and severe) in population studies reinforce the importance of a number of genetic and epigenetic factors, in the context of immune response and gender. The present review dwells on several contributing factors such as a stronger innate immune response, estrogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 gene, and microbiota, which impart greater resistance to the SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease progression in women. In addition, the underlying importance of associated microbiota and certain environmental factors in gender-based disparity pertaining to the mortality and morbidity due to COVID-19 in women has also been addressed. Institute for Research and Medical Consultation

Rapid detection of bacteria is a very critical and important part of infectious disease treatment. Sepsis kills more than 25 percent of its victims, resulting in as many as half of all deaths in hospitals before identifying the pathogen for patients to get the right treatment. Raman spectroscopy is a promising candidate in pathogen diagnosis given its fast and label-free nature, only if the concentration of the pathogen is high enough to provide reasonable sensitivity. This work reports a new design of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate which will provide high enough sensitivity and fast and close contact of the target structure to the optical hot spots for immunomagnetic capturing-based bacteria-concentrating technique. The substrate uses inverted nanocone structure arrays made of transparent PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) to funnel the light from the bottom to the top of the cones where plasmonic gold nanorods are located. A high reflective and low loss layer is deposited on the outer surface of the cone. Given the geometry of cones, photons are multi-reflected by the outer layer and thus the number density of photons at hotspots increases by an order of magnitude, which could be high enough to detect immunomagnetically densified bacteria.

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pandemic has brought the world to a standstill and threatened human lives. Many methods are known to date to detect this virus. Due to their relative accuracy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays are the most frequently applied and considered the gold standard. However, some of these assays have the disadvantages of taking time to show the result and might produce false-negative and false-positive ones. Therefore, designing rapid and accurate PCR-based testing assay is of paramount importance for early detection of this virus and for more efficient control of the spread of this disease. We, here, describe a fast, reliable, easy-to- use, and high-throughput multiplex SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR detection method. The assay was designed to detect two viral genes (N2 and RdRP) and a human gene (RP) simultaneously. The performance and the accuracy of the assay was tested in 28 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples and compared with commercial kits, which showed 100% positive percent agreement with a limit of detection (LOD) value of 1.25 copies/µL or 5 copies/reaction. The current assay is found accurate, reliable, simple, sensitive, and specific. It can be used as an optimized SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic assay in hospitals, medical centers, and diagnostic laboratories as well as for research purposes.

Polysaccharides, due to their outstanding properties, have attracted the attention of researchers, working in the biomedical field and especially of those working in drug delivery. Modified/functionalized polysaccharides further increase the importance for various applications. Delivery of therapeutics for diverse ailments in different endocrine glands and hormones safely, is a focal point of researchers working in the field. Among the routes followed, the transdermal route is preferred due to non-exposure of active moieties to the harsh gastric environment and first-pass metabolism. This review starts with the overview of polysaccharides used for the delivery of various therapeutic agents. Advantages of polysaccharides used in the transdermal route are addressed in detail. Types of polysaccharides will be elaborated through examples, and in this context, special emphasis will be on the polysaccharides being used for synthesis of the membranes/films. Techniques employed for their modification to design novel carriers for therapeutics delivery will also be discussed. The review will end with a brief discussion on recent developments and future perspectives for delivery of therapeutic agents, and vaccine development.

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal cancer. Phytomedicine may have benefits and advantages including the potential therapeutic efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness. Decursin, extracted from Angelica gigasNakai, is used in South Korea and China for treating diseases including cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the apoptotic effect of Decursin on the HCC cell line (HepG2). Methods The apoptotic effect of Decursin was evaluated through dose and time dependent manner using HepG2 cell line. The cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay using Decursin (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 μM, for 24h). For the optimal concentration, the following doses were studied: 10, 20 and 50 μM to 24h for dose fixation using western blot technique (p-AMPK, t-AMPK, p-ACC, t-ACC). 20 μM dose was appropriate to evaluate the protein expression in 24h. The time dependent effect of 20 μM Decursin was evaluated at 4h, 8h, 12h and 24h using western blot technique (p-AMPK, t-AMPK, p-ACC, t-ACC). Results Compared with control cells, this time dependent study showed effective upregulation of the activated AMPK pathway at 24h. The apoptotic effect of Decursin was construed using propidium iodide staining for cell cycle analysis. The apoptotic and antiproliferative effect of Decursin were elucidated by protein expression of pro-caspase 3, Bcl-2, and Bax at the concentration of 20 μM dose for 6h, 12h, and 24h. Conclusion Our results confirm that Decursin-induced apoptosis is mediated through inhibition of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and activation of caspase cascade by regulating the expression of AMPK, ACC, and Bax. Decursin might be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of HCC.

Objective: Radiation therapy has gained significant attention for the treatment and prevention of solid and malignant human tumors. However, after periodical exposures, radiation therapy losses its efficacy against cancer cells displaying radio-resistant phenotypes. Therefore, decursin might improve the efficiency of radiotherapy against a variety of human cancers. Methods: The chemopreventive efficacy of decursin was evaluated against B16F10 cancer cell lines and DMBA/croton oil-induced skin carcinogenesis in BALB/c mice. Decursin was administered intraperitoneal at the dose of 20 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks following exposure to 5 Gy of ionizing radiation (IR) after 1 month of DMBA application. Western blot was performed for underlying mechanism of radioresistance. Results: Decursin suppressed the proliferation and viability of melanoma cancer cell lines in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The in vivo data collected from mice model revealed that decursin reduced the precancerous skin lesions and the incidence of tumor bearing in radiation-exposed mice. Decursin also enhanced the effect of IR by downregulation of Akt/NFκB pathway through activation of IκBα. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the activation of Akt/NFκB establishes a pro-survival response to radiation that may account for the development of radioresistance. Decursin blocks the abnormal expression of these proteins and potentiates the radiotherapeutic effect.

In this study, the effects of Cu and Fe additives on the structural, dielectric, magnetic, thermal and morphology of hydroxyapatite (HAp) samples were investigated and reported in detail for the first time. The prepared systems were also modeled and examined theoretically. It can be said that both additives affect the thermal behavior of the HAp structure. The addition of Cu affected the morphology of submicron-sized particles with spherical-like shapes with a low degree of agglomeration. Diffuse reflection data revealed that the energy band gap values decreased as Cu was added to the Fe-based HAp structure. The dielectric constant (epsilon') had high values at low frequencies in all samples and decreased with increasing frequency. It could be concluded that Fe/Cu incorporation to hydroxyapatites enhanced its thermal, magnetic, and dielectric properties required for mimicking natural HAps to open a successful venue for medical application in the healing regeneration of bone. Deanship for Scientific Research of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University [2020-170-IRMC] The authors acknowledge the financial supports provided by the Deanship for Scientific Research of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (Project application No. 2020-170-IRMC) . Also, the authors acknowledge the facilities used at Institute for Research and Medical consultations (IRMC) at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. WOS:000715133400001 2-s2.0-85118341098

Neurological diseases are related to the central nervous system disorders and considered as serious cases. Several drugs are used to treat neurological diseases; however, to date the main issue is to design a therapeutic model which can cross the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) easily. The delivery of neuropeptides into the brain lays as one of the important routes for treating neurological disorders. Neuropeptides have been demonstrated as potential therapeutics for neurological disorders. Among numerous neuropeptides, the oxytocin (OT) hormone is of particular interest as it serves as a neurotransmitter in the brain as well as its role as a hormone. OT has a wide-range of activities in the brain and has a key role in cognitive, neuroendocrine, and social functions. However, OT does not cross the BBB readily coupled with its half-life in the blood being too short. The current literature reveals that the delivery of OT by nanoparticle-based drug delivery system (DDS) improves its efficacy. Nanoparticle based DDS are considered important tools for the targeted delivery of drugs to the brain as they lower toxicity of the drug and improve the drug efficacy. Nanoparticles are advantageous candidates for biomedical applications due to their distinctive characteristics such as quantum effects, large surface area and their ability to carry and transport the drug to its target site. OT can be delivered through oral and intranasal routes, but the bioavailability of OT inside the brain can further be enhanced by the delivery using nanoparticles. The application of nano-based delivery system not only improves the penetration of OT inside brain but also increases its half-life by the application of encapsulation and extended release. The aim of current review is to provide an overview of nanoparticle-based drug-delivery systems for the delivery of OT inside brain.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by demyelination, neuronal injury, and breaching of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Epidemiological studies have shown that immunological, genetic, and environmental factors contribute to the progression and development of MS. T helper 17 (Th17) cells are crucial immunological participant in the pathophysiology of MS. The aberrant production of IL-17 and IL-22 by Th17 cells crosses BBB promotes its disruption and interferes with transmission of nerve signals through activation of neuroinflammation in the CNS. These inflammatory responses promote demyelination through transcriptional activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription-1 (STAT-1), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), interferon ϒ (IFNϒ), and Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1 (SHP-1). B cells also contribute to disease progression through abnormal regulation of antibodies, cytokines, and antigen presentation. Additionally, oxidative stress has been known as a causative agent for the MS. Curcumin is a hydrophobic yellowish diphenolic component of turmeric, which can interact and modulate multiple cell signaling pathways and prevent the development of various autoimmune neurological diseases including MS. Studies have reported curcumin as a potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant agent that could modulate cell cycle regulatory proteins, enzymes, cytokines, and transcription factors in CNS-related disorders including MS. The current study summarizes the reported knowledge on therapeutic potential of curcumin against MS, with future indication as neuroprotective and neuropharmacological drug.

Background Inflammation is one of the key components in the initiation and progression of hepatic diseases. If not treated, inflammation may cause cell dysplasia, and ultimately cancer. In the current study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of plant isolated compound Lirioresinol B Dimethyl Ether (LBDE) extracted from the seeds of Magnolia fargesii CHENG (Magnoliaceae) against HepG2 cells as well as in BALB/C male mice. Methods We assessed the antioxidant and anti-proliferative effects of plant compounds using DPPH assay and HepG2 cell lines. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) were used to induce liver cell dysplasia followed by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in BALB/C male mice for 12 weeks. We investigated the underlying mechanism by using histopathology and immunoblot experiments. Results Intraperitoneal injection of LBDE (50 mg/kg body weight/day) inhibited CCl4-induced HCC. Free radical scavenging assay shows the strong anti-oxidant activity of LBDE. Western blot results show that LBDE down-regulated nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) by preventing the phosphorylation of I kappa B alpha (IκBα) in CCl4 treated group. LBDE also improved liver function by decreasing Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Histopathology results revealed that LBDE decreased granulomas and express normal morphology of hepatocytes. Conclusions These preliminary results show that LBDE has the potential to inhibit CCl4-induced liver cell dysplasia and prevents cancer development by regulating NFκB/COX-2 activation.