Effects Of Natural Products Research Articles

A systematic review of nano formulation of natural products for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: drug delivery and pharmacological targets.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which is classified into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are among chronic gastrointestinal diseases with unknown pathogenesis. Diverse strategies have been applied for the treatment of this chronic disease. However, selective and site-specific routes of drug delivery to the inflamed location of the colon remain of high importance. Consequently, the application and effects of natural products in the form of nanoformulation and stimuli responsive nanoparticles as a novel strategy for the treatment of IBD are discussed in this review article. This approach may potentially overcome some complications that are associated with conventional means of colon drug delivery. Meanwhile, in vitro and in vivo studies pave the way for understanding of the mechanism that lies behind this chronic relapsing disease and potentially more effective treatment. Graphical abstractᅟ

Effect of natural products on the production and activity of Clostridium difficile toxins in vitro

Clostridium difficile infection is a toxin-mediated disease of the colon. C. difficile virulence is primarily attributed to the production of toxin A and toxin B; thus this study was aimed to investigate the effect of a range of natural products on the production and activity of C. difficile toxins in vitro. Twenty-two natural products were investigated against four C. difficile strains. The activity of products against toxins was determined using Vero and HT-29 cells cytotoxicity and neutral red uptake assays. The indirect effect of products on toxin-mediated cytotoxicity was determined using the same cell lines. The effect of seven products on toxin production by C. difficile was determined using ELISA. Zingerone (0.3 mg/ml) protected both cell lines from C. difficile cytopathic effects, confirmed by the neutral red uptake assay (P < 0.05). Three Leptospermum honeys (4% w/v), fresh onion bulb extract (12.5% v/v) and trans-cinnamaldehyde (0.005% v/v) all reduced toxin production and activity significantly (P ≤ 0.023). Garlic clove powder (4.7 mg/ml) only reduced toxin activity (P ≤ 0.047). Overall, several natural products had activity against C. difficile toxins in vitro encouraging further investigation against C. difficile toxins in vivo.

A systematic approach to identify therapeutic effects of natural products based on human metabolite information

BackgroundNatural products have been widely investigated in the drug development field. Their traditional use cases as medicinal agents and their resemblance of our endogenous compounds show the possibility of new drug development. Many researchers have focused on identifying therapeutic effects of natural products, yet the resemblance of natural products and human metabolites has been rarely touched.MethodsWe propose a novel method which predicts therapeutic effects of natural products based on their similarity with human metabolites. In this study, we compare the structure, target and phenotype similarities between natural products and human metabolites to capture molecular and phenotypic properties of both compounds. With the generated similarity features, we train support vector machine model to identify similar natural product and human metabolite pairs. The known functions of human metabolites are then mapped to the paired natural products to predict their therapeutic effects.ResultsWith our selected three feature sets, structure, target and phenotype similarities, our trained model successfully paired similar natural products and human metabolites. When applied to the natural product derived drugs, we could successfully identify their indications with high specificity and sensitivity. We further validated the found therapeutic effects of natural products with the literature evidence.ConclusionsThese results suggest that our model can match natural products to similar human metabolites and provide possible therapeutic effects of natural products. By utilizing the similar human metabolite information, we expect to find new indications of natural products which could not be covered by previous in silico methods.

The effects of natural products from a medicinal plant (Cinnamosma fragrans) on contractions of a visceral muscle in the Zika vector Aedes aegypti

Mosquito‐borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika, are a constantly evolving problem with newly emerging and reemerging pathogens threatening the health of millions of individuals worldwide. Prevention of these diseases relies on the effective control of mosquito populations with insecticides. Our group is developing new insecticides derived from natural products of the Madagascan medicinal plant Cinnamosma fragrans by understanding the interactions of these compounds with mosquitoes on a molecular and physiological level and how they exert their toxic effects. The goal of this study is to determine the effects of natural drimane sesquiterpene compounds isolated from the medicinal plant C. fragrans on the visceral muscle contractions of the ventral diverticulum (crop) in adult female yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti), an important vector of Zika virus. Using an established bioassay, we evaluated the acute effects of several drimane sesquiterpenes on contraction rates of isolated crops in Ringer solution. Our results demonstrate that at least two insecticidal drimane sesquiterpenes significantly inhibit the spontaneous and serotonin‐stimulated contractions of the crop. The potency of their inhibition correlates with their potency as insecticides, suggesting that visceral muscle inhibition may be responsible for the toxic effects of the compounds on mosquitoes. Moreover, parallel experiments in the crop with a calcium ionophore (A23187) duplicate the effects of the natural compounds, suggesting that they may elicit muscle inhibition by modulating calcium permeability of the crop muscle cells. Future research will investigate the presence and roles of calcium channels within the crop, attempting to better understand their interaction with C. fragrans natural compounds.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NIH grant R21AI129951.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Chemical studies on protein profile in albino rats under the effect of aqueous extracts of hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves and pomegranate (punica granatum) peels

Hibiscus rosa sinensis (HRS) leaves and pomegranate (punica granatum) peels (PP) have many medicinal applications. Effect of natural products (aqueous extract of Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves (AEHRS leaves),pomegranate (punica granatum) peels (AEPP) and their mixture) on protein profile (total protein (TP), albumin (Alb) and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio) concentrations at 7, 14 and 21 days of male albino rats was studied. Seventy two male albino rats were divided into twelve groups of six animals each (n=6). The first group served as the normal health control (I). Animals of the second group (II) were induced hyperglycemia (diabetic control group) by injection of 65 mg/kg bw of streptozotocin (STZ). Three groups (III, IV and V) were given hibiscus aqueous leaves extracts (AEHRS) orally daily, at doses of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg bw respectively. Also, three groups (VI, VII and VIII) were given P. granatum aqueous peels extracts (AEPP) orally daily, at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg bw respectively. Finally, three groups those IX, X and XI were given mixture of AEHRS leaves and AEPP orally daily, at doses of (125/125,225/225 and 350/350 mg/kg bw). In addition, one of streptozotocin (STZ) rats group was treated with AEHRS leaves and AEPP mixture 400/400 mg/kg bw (XII) respectively. Serum was separated for estimation of total protein (TP) and albumin (alb) as well as albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio was calculated after 7, 14 and 21 days. Protein profile contents results showed different changes at all experimental periods which sometimes observed some increased or decreased values comparing with normal health control group (I) only but highly significant increase was obtained when compared to diabetic control group (II) only. In view of these facts the improving and protective effect of AEHRS leaves, AEPP and their mixture against male albino rats protein profile was showed.

α-Mangostin, A Natural Xanthone, Induces Apoptosis and ROS Accumulation in Human Rheumatoid Fibroblast-Like Synoviocyte MH7A Cells.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complicated and heterogeneous chronic disease with the characteristic of progressive joint destruction, deformity and disability. It is associated with not only genetic but also environmental factors. Many studies suggest that RA-derived fibroblast-like synoviocyte (RA-FLS) is involved in the pathogenic process of RA. The apoptosis and proliferation of RA-FLS is of great importance in the development and progression in RA. Nowadays, more and more traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or natural products are studied in the treatment of RA. To investigate the effects of several natural products and the apoptosisinduced effect of α-mangostin and its underlying mechanisms in RA-FLS MH7A cells. The effects of natural products on MH7A cells were detected by MTT assay. Annexin V-FITC/PI double labeling and DAPI staining were adopted to observe the apoptosis induced by α-mangostin. The apoptosis related proteins were measured with western blotting analysis. ROS accumulation was determined by DHE staining. Xantones, including Garcinone C, α-mangostin and γ-mangostin, significantly inhibited the MH7A cell viability. And α-mangostin induces apoptosis in MH7A cells. Further study showed that α-mangostin increased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and increased the ROS generation in MH7A cells. α-Mangostin induces the apoptosis of MH7A cells through increasing ROS accumulation and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, suggesting that α-mangostin should be benefit to the therapy of RA.

Molecular Responses of Cancers by Natural Products: Modifications of Autophagy Revealed by Literature Analysis.

Although numerous bibliometric studies have examined various aspects of cancer research, the landscape of scientific studies focusing on natural products in cancer research has not been characterized. Using the Web of Science Core Collection online database, we identify and analyze scientific articles on natural products in cancer-related research. English is the language of publication for 99% of articles. In general, annual citation count of an article increases quickly after publication, reaches a plateau in the second year, stays in this plateau for 10 yr, and then begins to fall. The five most contributing journal categories are medicinal chemistry, contributing the most at 1890 articles (24% of 8012 articles); oncology (20%, with 1572 articles); pharmacology and pharmacy (19%, with 1557); biochemistry and molecular biology (15%, with 1225); and plant sciences (11%, with 883 articles). The United States and Spain yield a larger number of articles with high average citations, and China has been increasing since 2009. Apoptosis and cytotoxicity are the two most-frequently used keywords. Effects of natural products on autophagy with a relevance to cancer are mentioned in 69 publications. Our literature analysis reveals a dynamically evolving landscape and an increasing volume of research investigations that are focused on the study of natural products in the context of cancer. Curcumin, flavonoids, and resveratrol are the most-frequently mentioned natural products. Cancer of the breast, prostate, and colon are the most-frequently mentioned cancers.

ID: 1040 Anticancer effects of natural products from animal and plant origin

For last couple of decades, natural products have served us well in combating different types of cancer. The main sources of these useful compounds are from both animal and plant origin. Here we will present anticancer ability of bee venom (BV) and apigenin (API) towards different types of cancer cells in vitro. BV from honey bees is a complex mixture of a variety of different active peptides while API is a natural flavonoid found in several dietary plant foods. Anticancer effect of whole BV was tested in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells and their drug-resistant HeLa CK subline while anticancer effect of API was tested in human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA MB-231 cells. Cytotoxicity of both compounds towards cancer cells was evaluated by MTT assay whereas type of cell death was analysed by differential staining using acridine orange/ethidium bromide and was further verified by Western blot analysis. BV displayed dose-dependent cytotoxicity against both cell lines tested with drug-resistant HeLa CK cells being more sensitive to BV than their parental cell lines. Similarly, API inhibited the growth of both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner with MCF-7 cells being more sensitive. Treatment with BV induced a necrotic type of cell death, as shown by characteristic morphological features, fast staining with ethidium bromide and a lack of cleavage of apoptotic marker poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) on Western blot. On the contrary, cell treated with API showed apoptosis as a dominant type of cell death in both cell lines which was further verified by Western blot analysis detecting cleaved PARP. In view of accumulating evidence on anti-proliferative and pro-cell death activity, both tested compounds could be used in the development of future anticancer drugs. Undoubtedly, therapeutic applications of BV and API are promising, however further in vitro and in vivo studies are warranted to resolve precise mechanisms responsible for their anticancer properties

Deep Sequencing Transcriptome Analysis of Murine Wound Healing: Effects of a Multicomponent, Multitarget Natural Product Therapy-Tr14

Wound healing involves an orchestrated response that engages multiple processes, such as hemostasis, cellular migration, extracellular matrix synthesis, and in particular, inflammation. Using a murine model of cutaneous wound repair, the transcriptome was mapped from 12 h to 8 days post-injury, and in response to a multicomponent, multi-target natural product, Tr14. Using single-molecule RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), there were clear temporal changes in known transcripts related to wound healing pathways, and additional novel transcripts of both coding and non-coding genes. Tr14 treatment modulated >100 transcripts related to key wound repair pathways, such as response to wounding, wound contraction, and cytokine response. The results provide the most precise and comprehensive characterization to date of the transcriptome's response to skin damage, repair, and multicomponent natural product therapy. By understanding the wound repair process, and the effects of natural products, it should be possible to intervene more effectively in diseases involving aberrant repair.

I18 Cancer chemopreventive effects of natural products with anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving activities

The implication of inflammation in the pathophysiology of human cancer is under intense investigation both at the research level and in clinical practice. Numerous studies have identified a series of critical molecules/changes in inflammatory signalling. Some of the key molecules involved in mediating proinflammatory signalling include NF-kB, STAT3, AP-1, HIF-1a, and p53. Nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) plays a crucial role in regulating stress-responsive gene induction. This transcription factor is sequestered in the cytoplasm as an inactive complex with the inhibitory protein Keap1. Upon activation, Nrf2 binds to antioxidant responsive element (ARE) sites, leading to the coordinated up-regulation of target genes that encode many anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant and other cytoprotective proteins. While chronic inflammation is detrimental, acute inflammation is a physiologic response to protect cells from microbial infection and other noxious stimuli. However, if timely resolution of inflammation fails, inflammation persists and can progress to a chronic state which has long been thought as a predisposing factor to many human disorders including cancer. Resolution of inflammation is an active process regulated co-ordinately by distinct anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediators some of which are derived from n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. For efficacious prevention of inflammation-associated disorders, identification of natural products with the capability to stimulate/potentiate pro-resolving/anti-inflammatory processes as well as to suppress aberrant overactivation of proinflammatory ones merits further investigation. Our current research program concerns the identification of cancer chemopreventive and cytoprotective natural products that modulate key redox-sensitive transcription factors involved in proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory/pro-resolving signalling.

Natural Compounds for the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis: A Proposal Based on Multi-Targeted Osteoclastic Regulation and on a Preclinical Study.

BackgroundPsoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis affecting approximately 2% to 3% of the population globally, and is characterized by both peripheral articular manifestations and axial skeletal involvement. Conventional therapies for PsA have not been fully satisfactory, though natural products (NPs) have been shown to be highly effective and represent important treatment options for psoriasis. PsA is a multigenic autoimmune disease with both environmental and genetic factors contributing to its pathogenesis. Accordingly, it is likely that the use of natural compounds with a multi-targeted approach will enable us to develop better therapies for PsA and related disorders.ObjectivePsA, either on joint damage or on bone erosion, has been shown to respond to anti-psoriatic pharmacotherapy (APP), APP-like NPs, and their natural compounds. This study aims to uncover specific natural compounds for improved PsA remedies. Specifically, by targeting bone erosion caused by increased osteoclastic bone resorption, we aim to predict the key signaling pathways affected by natural compounds. Further, the study will explore their anti-arthritis effects using an in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approach. Following the signaling pathway prediction, a preclinical efficacy study on animal models will be undertaken. Collectively, this work will discover lead compounds with improved therapeutic effects on PsA.MethodsWe hypothesize that 9 potential APP-like NPs will have therapeutic effects on arthritis via the modulation of osteoclast bone resorption and signaling pathways. For in silico identification, the Latin name of each NP will be identified using the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Encyclopedia of TCM). The biological targets of NPs will be predicted or screened using the Herbal Ingredients' Targets (HIT) database. With the designed search terms, DrugBank will be used to further filter the above biological targets. Protein ANnotation THrough Evolutionary Relationship (PANTHER) will be used to predict the pathways of the natural compound sources. Subsequently, an in vitro sample preparation including extraction, fractionation, isolation, purification, and bioassays with high-speed counter-current chromatography-high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HSCCC-HPLC-DAD) will be carried out for each identified natural source. In vitro investigations into the effect of NPs on osteoclast signaling pathways will be performed. The experimental methods include cell viability assays, osteoclastogenesis and resorption pit assays, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot, and luciferase reporter gene assays. Finally, an in vivo preclinical efficacy on a collagen-induced arthritis rat model will be carried out using a treatment group (n=10), a control group (n=10), and a non-arthritis group (n=10). Main outcome measure assessments during intervention include daily macroscopic scores and a digital calipers measurement. Post-treatment tissue measurements will be analyzed by serological testing, radiographic imaging, and histopathological assessment.ResultsStudies are currently underway to evaluate the in silico data and the in vitro effects of compounds on osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. The preclinical study is expected to start a year following completion of the in silico analysis.ConclusionsThe in silico rapid approach is proposed as a more general method for adding value to the results of a systematic review of NPs. More importantly, the proposed study builds on a multi-targeted approach for the identification of natural compounds for future drug discovery. This innovative approach is likely to be more precise, efficient, and compatible to identify the novel natural compounds for effective treatment of PsA.

Fos Protein as a Marker of Neuronal Activity: a Useful Tool in the Study of the Mechanism of Action of Natural Products with Analgesic Activity

Pain treatment is still ineffective in many conditions and remains one of the greatest challenges of modern medicine. Historically, due to the incredible variety of pharmacologically promising natural products (NPs) and the chemical complexity of their compounds, scientists have explored their use as a source of treatment for diseases or symptomatology. Fos protein and its precursor, the gene c-Fos, have been the subject of study in relation to the pathophysiology of pain as a possible tool to aid in its understanding. More recently, it has become a useful tool in the study of NPs with analgesic profile. Thus, this systematic review aimed to investigate the analgesic effect of NPs and derivatives through changes in Fos protein or c-Fos expression in nervous system central. The search terms "analgesics," "Fos," and "drug effects" were used in the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase. Forty-six articles were identified. Twenty-five articles investigated Fos expression in the spinal cord, 1 in dorsal root ganglion, 11 in brain areas, and 9 investigated the association between the spinal cord and brain areas. Although Fos protein expression has been used as a tool in the studies of the mechanism of action of pain in relation to NPs with analgesic activity, the associations between brain areas and the spinal cord-and the possible pathways involved-have not yet been fully elucidated and deserve further study.

In silico polypharmacology of natural products.

Natural products with polypharmacological profiles have demonstrated promise as novel therapeutics for various complex diseases, including cancer. Currently, many gaps exist in our knowledge of which compounds interact with which targets, and experimentally testing all possible interactions is infeasible. Recent advances and developments of systems pharmacology and computational (in silico) approaches provide powerful tools for exploring the polypharmacological profiles of natural products. In this review, we introduce recent progresses and advances of computational tools and systems pharmacology approaches for identifying drug targets of natural products by focusing on the development of targeted cancer therapy. We survey the polypharmacological and systems immunology profiles of five representative natural products that are being considered as cancer therapies. We summarize various chemoinformatics, bioinformatics and systems biology resources for reconstructing drug-target networks of natural products. We then review currently available computational approaches and tools for prediction of drug-target interactions by focusing on five domains: target-based, ligand-based, chemogenomics-based, network-based and omics-based systems biology approaches. In addition, we describe a practical example of the application of systems pharmacology approaches by integrating the polypharmacology of natural products and large-scale cancer genomics data for the development of precision oncology under the systems biology framework. Finally, we highlight the promise of cancer immunotherapies and combination therapies that target tumor ecosystems (e.g. clones or 'selfish' sub-clones) via exploiting the immunological and inflammatory 'side' effects of natural products in the cancer post-genomics era.

Effects of Natural Products on Fructose-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).

As a sugar additive, fructose is widely used in processed foods and beverages. Excessive fructose consumption can cause hepatic steatosis and dyslipidemia, leading to the development of metabolic syndrome. Recent research revealed that fructose-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is related to several pathological processes, including: (1) augmenting lipogenesis; (2) leading to mitochondrial dysfunction; (3) stimulating the activation of inflammatory pathways; and (4) causing insulin resistance. Cellular signaling research indicated that partial factors play significant roles in fructose-induced NAFLD, involving liver X receptor (LXR)α, sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1/1c, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α (PPARα), leptin nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Until now, a series of natural products have been reported as regulators of NAFLD in vivo and in vitro. This paper reviews the natural products (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol, and (−)-epicatechin) and their mechanisms of ameliorating fructose-induced NAFLD over the past years. Although, as lead compounds, natural products usually have fewer activities compared with synthesized compounds, it will shed light on studies aiming to discover new drugs for NAFLD.

Antioxidative Effects of Natural Products on Diabetic Cardiomyopathy.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common and severe complication of diabetes and results in high mortality. It is therefore imperative to develop novel therapeutics for the prevention or inhibition of the progression of DCM. Oxidative stress is a key mechanism by which diabetes induces DCM. Hence, targeting of oxidative stress-related processes in DCM could be a promising therapeutic strategy. To date, a number of studies have shown beneficial effects of several natural products on the attenuation of DCM via an antioxidative mechanism of action. The aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive and concise overview of the previously reported antioxidant natural products in the inhibition of DCM progression. Clinical trials of the antioxidative natural products in the management of DCM are included. In addition, discussion and perspectives are further provided in the present review.

Effect of natural products on diabetes associated neurological disorders.

Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder, is associated with neurological complications such as depression, anxiety, hypolocomotion, cognitive dysfunction, phobias, anorexia, stroke, pain, etc. Traditional system of medicine is long known for its efficient management of diabetes. The current review discusses the scope of some common medicinal herbs as well as secondary metabolites with a special focus on diabetes-mediated central nervous system complications. Literatures suggest that natural products reduce diabetes-mediated neurological complications partly by reducing oxidative stress and/or inflammation or apoptosis in certain brain regions. Natural products are known to modulate diabetes-mediated alterations in the level of acetylcholinesterase, choline acetyltransferase, monoamine oxidase, serotonin receptors, muscarinic receptors, insulin receptor, nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neuropeptide in brain. Further, there are several natural products reported to manage diabetic complications with unknown mechanism. In conclusion, medicinal plants or their secondary metabolites have a wide scope and possess therapeutic potential to effectively manage neurological complications associated with chronic diabetes.

Function and Malfunction of the Immune Cell-Adipocytes Axis and its Modulation by Natural Products and Probiotics

In obesity, the immune cell-adipocyte axis in the context of white adipose tissue (WAT) represents a source of several mediators, such as adipokines, cytokines and chemokines. Within WAT, both innate and adaptive immune cells contribute to a condition of low grade inflammation, which, in turn, accounts for obesity-associated complications. In this review, the effects of natural products and probiotics on WAT cells will be illustrated. Polyphenols are ubiquitously present in the vegetal kingdom and, when assumed with diet or as supplements, they exert anti-inflammatory effects also acting upon WAT cells. Vitamin A and vitamin D, thanks to their receptors dis- tributed on several cell types, are able to modulate WAT cell functions. Polyunsatu- rated fatty acids are also endowed with anti-obesogenic activities, acting upon the immune cell-adipocyte axis. Finally, probiotics are able to correct the altered obese microbiota, partici- pating to the interplay between immune cells and adipocytes. Keywords: Adipocytes, adipokines, chemokines, cytokines, natural products, obesity, probiotics.

Isolation and Purification of a Cyclooxygenase-2 from the Blood of a Patient Suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis and Studying the Effect of Natural Products of the Soapwort on the Activity of Purified Enzyme

In this paper to isolate and study the properties of the cyclooxygenase-2 (EC: 1.14.99.1) enzyme in the blood of a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and study the effect of natural products of the Soapwort on the activity of purified enzyme. The study involves taking 30 ml of blood from an adult woman 40 years old, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis disease for 13 years. Serum is separated and subjected to a series of purification processes including: precipitation by ammonium sulfate, filtration by centrifugation radiator, dialysis in presence of ammonium bicarbonate, separation using the technology of ion exchange, lipholization and then estimating approximate molecular weight of the enzyme using gel filtration technique and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-page polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The study also includes isolating the natural products of Soapwort plant and study the effect of isolated natural products on the activity of the purified enzyme. The result of the study indicates that cycloxygenase-2 has an approximate molecular weight of 71.5 kDa and that the extracted oil of the Soapwort has a negative impact on the activity of the enzyme (r= -0.824; P=0.006), while flavonoids and Saponin have no such impact (r= -0.565; P=0.113; r= -0.634; P=0.067 respectively).

Effects of Natural Products on Mcl-1 Expression and Function.

Cancer development is mostly due to a deregulation of cell death as cancer cells become resistant to apoptosis by increasing expression of anti-apoptotic proteins belonging to the Bcl-2 family. Mcl-1 is one anti-apoptotic protein, which is mainly responsible for cancer cell resistance as it is overexpressed by most cancer cell types. Many research projects aim to restore cancer cell death by using natural pharmacological scaffolds targeting anti-apoptotic proteins to inhibit their effect in cancer development. This review introduces natural compound inhibitors of the Bcl-2 protein family with a focus on Mcl-1.

Pharmacological Effects of Natural Products for Cardiovascular Diseases

Pharmacological Effects of Natural Products for Cardiovascular Diseases