Therapeutic Role Research Articles

The Role of the most Important Fruits in the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases in Persian Traditional Medicine

Abstract: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of health problems worldwide. CVD are defined as conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Mortality due to cardiovascular diseases has increased in recent years. However, they can be easily controlled by reducing risk factors, including lipid profile, blood pressure, tobacco, alcohol, and low physical activity. Fruits have an important role in improving the risk factors of CVD. Ancient medical sources can play an important role in generating ideas for new research. In this study, the most common fruits that have been recommended by Persian traditional physicians in patients with CVD were reviewed. New documents supporting these effects were also extracted through a search on electronic databases. The findings showed that some fruits have a therapeutic role in CVD, according to Persian traditional medicine. Old Persian traditional physicians, such as Avicenna, advised fruits, including apples, lemon, pomegranate, pineapple, quince, cucumber, plums, and citron, for the treatment of CVDs. Several studies have been carried out on the effects of the above fruits, including apple (Malus pumila), pomegranate (Punica granatum), pineapple (Ananas comosus), Quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.), fig (Ficus carica L.), and olive (Olea europaea). Modulation of signaling pathways and molecular properties that leads to reducing lipid metabolism disorders, correcting endothelial dysfunction, reducing blood pressure, reducing oxidative stress, and suppressing inflammation responses are the major mechanisms conducted by these fruits in preventing CVD. These pieces of evidence show that the opinion of Iranian medicine physicians regarding choosing fruits for treating CVD is worthy of consideration and an entry for deriving hypotheses for future studies.

Natural Flavonoids as an Intervention for Hepatic Encephalopathy: Preclinical Evidence-based Review

Abstract: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious neuropsychiatric disorder caused in patients with both; acute and chronic liver diseases, which consists of various complications ranging from cognitive impairment, disorientation, confusion, and coma. The available therapies mainly focus on decreasing ammonia levels either through increasing its elimination or decreasing its production, some medications may subside the duration and limit the consequences of HE, but there is no complete available treatment for HE-like manifestation. Thus, there is a need to explore new pharmacotherapy for the treatment and management of HE. Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds easily found in vegetables, fruits, flowers, beverages, and plants based foods. In modern research, flavonoids have gained attention due to their broad pharmacological properties, like anti-oxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, cytoprotective, and neuroprotective activity. Several preclinical studies suggest that various flavonoids have a potential therapeutic role in a variety of metabolic- related neurological disorders, including HE. This review focuses on all pre-clinical reports that highlight the neuroprotective potential of natural flavonoids for the management of HE. Based on numerous pre-clinical studies and taking into account the therapeutic effects of natural flavonoids, the present study illustrates the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the potential role of natural flavonoids as pharmacotherapy for the management and treatment of HE.

The multifaceted therapeutical role of low-density lipoprotein receptor family in high-grade glioma.

The diverse roles of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family (LDLR) have been associated with many processes critical to maintaining central nervous system (CNS) health and contributing to neurological diseases or cancer. In this review, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the LDLR's involvement in common brain tumors, specifically high-grade gliomas, emphasizing the receptors' critical role in the pathophysiology and progression of these tumors due to LDLR's high expression. We delve into LDLR's role in regulating cellular uptake and transport through the brain barrier. Additionally, we highlight LDLR's role in activating several signaling pathways related to tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion, engaging readers with an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms at play. By synthesizing current research findings, this review underscores the significance of LDLR during tumorigenesis and explores its potential as a therapeutic target for high-grade gliomas. The collective insights presented here contribute to a deeper appreciation of LDLR's multifaceted roles and implications for physiological and pathological states, opening new avenues for tumor treatment.

The ABCG2 Transporter Affects Plasma Levels, Tissue Distribution and Milk Secretion of Lumichrome, a Natural Derivative of Riboflavin.

The ABCG2 membrane transporter affects bioavailability and milk secretion of xenobiotics and natural compounds, including vitamins such as riboflavin. We aimed to characterize the in vitro and in vivo interaction of ABCG2 with lumichrome, the main photodegradation product of riboflavin, which has proven in vitro anti-cancer activity and a therapeutical role in antibacterial photodynamic therapy as an efficient photosensitizer. Using MDCK-II polarized cells overexpressing murine Abcg2 and human ABCG2 we found that lumichrome was efficiently transported by both variants. After lumichrome administration to wild-type and Abcg2-/- mice, plasma AUC20-120 min was 1.8-fold higher in Abcg2-/- mice compared with wild-type mice. The liver and testis from Abcg2-/- mice showed significantly higher lumichrome levels compared with wild-type, whereas lumichrome accumulation in small intestine content of wild-type mice was 2.7-fold higher than in Abcg2-/- counterparts. Finally, a 4.1-fold-higher lumichrome accumulation in milk of wild-type versus Abcg2-/- mice was found. Globally, our results show that ABCG2 plays a crucial role in plasma levels, tissue distribution and milk secretion of lumichrome potentially conditioning its biological activity.

Promises and Pitfalls of Calcineurin Inhibitors in COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Controlled Trials.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes a violent attack on the body that leads to multi-organ failure and death in COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing literature on the potential benefits of calcineurin inhibitors (CIs) as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents in improving the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients. We searched various databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane databases, and ClinicalTrials.gov from 31st December, 2019, to 3rd February, 2023, for relevant controlled trials. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software was used for the statistical analyses using a random-effects model. Three trials enrolling 293 participants were reviewed in the present systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed CIs to lead to a significant reduction in mortality rate [risk ratio (RR): 0.598, 95% CI: 0.404-0.885, P-value = 0.010] with a low between-study heterogeneity (Cochrane Q test: I2 = 0.000%, P-value = 0.371). Pooled analysis of two studies (84 patients) illustrated that CIs could not significantly increase the rate of hospital discharge (RR: 1.161, 95% CI: 0.764-1.764, P-value = 0.485) and heterogeneity was not significant (Cochrane Q test: I2 = 26.798%, P-value = 0.242). CIs are able to inhibit the virus nucleocapsid protein so that they can prevent replication and respiratory tract tissue damage caused by SARS-CoV-2. Based on the characteristics mentioned in detail, CIs can play a potential therapeutic role for COVID-19 patients.

The role of digital therapeutics in healthcare systems

The role of digital therapeutics in healthcare systems

Impact of a ketogenic diet on sleep quality in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis

BackgroundSleep disturbance in MS is common and can significantly impair overall quality of life. The ketogenic diet (KD) associates with improved sleep quality in people living with epilepsy and may have similar benefits when used within MS; however, the impact of a KD on sleep in this population remains poorly defined. MethodsForty-five patients with relapsing MS enrolled into a 6-month KD intervention trial and completed self-reported assessments of sleep quality and sleep disorder symptoms prior to diet initiation and while on diet, using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Sleep Disorders Symptom Checklist-25 (SDS). Participants who did not complete sleep assessments at baseline and 6-months were excluded from analysis. In addition to sleep metrics, data collection included anthropometrics and MS-related fatigue scores. ResultsThirty-nine of 45 (87 %) participants completed the required sleep assessments. There was a mean reduction in ESS score of 1.90 (95 % CI [-2.85, −0.94], p < 0.001). Total SDS score decreased at 6-months on KD (−4.4, 95 % CI [-7.1, −1.7], p = 0.002), with improvements noted in insomnia (−1.55, 95 % CI [-2.66, −0.43], p = 0.008), obstructive sleep apnea (−0.91, 95 % CI [-1.57, −0.25], p = 0.008), and restless leg syndrome screening scores (−1.00, 95 % CI [-1.95, −0.051], p = 0.04). Sleep duration was unchanged on KD. ConclusionKD associates with improvements in daytime sleepiness, independent of sleep duration, and common comorbid sleep disorders in people living with relapsing MS. The findings herein support the benefits of KD on sleep quality and highlight the potential role of dietary therapeutics for sleep disorders in neurological disease. Trial registration informationRegistered on Clinicaltrials.gov under registration number NCT03718247, posted on Oct 24, 2018. First patient enrollment date: Nov 1, 2018. Link: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03718247?term=NCT03718247&draw=2&rank=1.

Potential Mechanisms Underlying the Therapeutic Roles of Gancao fuzi Decoction in Cold-dampness Obstruction Syndrome-type Knee Osteoarthritis.

The key active components and potential molecular mechanism of Gancao Fuzi</i> decoction (GFD) in the treatment of cold-dampness obstruction-type knee osteoarthritis (KOA) remain unclear. To explore the mechanism of GFD in the treatment of cold-dampness obstruction syndrome-type KOA by network pharmacology. The potential active components and targets of the four herbs in GFD (Fuzi, Guizhi, Baizhu, and Gancao) were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database. The targets of KOA were obtained with the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), the GeneCards database, and the DisGeNET database, and the common targets of the drugs and disease were ultimately obtained. Cytoscape (v.3.7.1) was used to draw the active component-target network, and the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) (v.11.0) database was used to construct the protein interaction network. The Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) was used for the Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the intersecting targets. A total of 102 potential active components and 208 targets of GFD in the treatment of cold-dampness obstruction syndrome-type KOA were screened. GFD treatment was found to be closely related to many inflammatory signalling pathways in the treatment of KOA. The effect of GFD on cold-dampness obstruction syndrome-type KOA is mediated by multicomponent, multitarget, and multichannel mechanisms, which provides the basis for further experimental study of its pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism.

An Updated Review on Possible Therapeutic Role of Vincamine Via 5-HT Receptors in the Treatment of Depression

Background: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates neuronal activity and a variety of cognitive functions, and medicines that target serotonin receptors are frequently utilized in psychiatry and neurology. Clinical and preclinical research on the role of serotonin in major depressive disorder is growing. These findings demonstrate the intricacy of serotonin transmission across multiple receptors, in a variety of brain areas, and across the lifespan. The serotonin transporter's significance in major depressive disorder has been highlighted in geneenvironment association studies, as well as its participation in the mechanism of the most successful antidepressant medications, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. While most of the 15 known serotonin receptors have been linked to depression or depressive-like behaviour, the serotonin 1A (5-HT) and 1B (5-HT) receptors have received the most attention. Objectives: The primary goal of this study is to review the antidepressant effect of herbal medications by modifying serotonin receptors in the future. Result: Human brain imaging and genetic studies suggest that 5-HT and 5-HT receptors play a role in major depressive disorder and antidepressant treatment response. The availability of tissue-specific and inducible knockout mice lines in rodents has allowed for the detection of 5- HT and 5-HT receptor involvement throughout development and in cell-type specific ways. It may be found that herbal drugs will be effective as the serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Conclusion: This and other future preclinical pharmacology studies show that these receptors' autoreceptor and heteroreceptor populations play different roles in modulating depressionrelated behaviour and antidepressant responses, as well as having different functions during early postnatal development versus adulthood. According to analysis of our research findings, alkaloids may have some therapeutic promise as natural antidepressants. Given their widespread distribution in nature, alkaloids might be a cheap way to treat depression.

Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Use in Glioma Management: Past, Present, and Future.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a membrane-bound metallopeptidase highly expressed in the neovasculature of many solid tumors including gliomas. It is a particularly enticing therapeutic target due to its ability to internalize, thereby delivering radioligands or pharmaceuticals to the intracellular compartment. Targeting the neovasculature of gliomas using PSMA for diagnosis and management has been a recent area of increased study and promise. The purpose of this review is to synthesize the current state and future directions of PSMA use in the histopathologic study, imaging, and treatment of gliomas. PubMed and Scopus databases were used to conduct a literature review on PSMA use in gliomas in June 2023. Terms searched included "PSMA," "Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen" OR "PSMA" OR "PSMA PET" AND "glioma" OR "high grade glioma" OR "glioblastoma" OR "GBM." Ninety-four publications were screened for relevance with 61 studies, case reports, and reviews being read to provide comprehensive context for the historical, contemporary, and prospective use of PSMA in glioma management. PSMA PET imaging is currently a promising and accurate radiographic tool for the diagnosis and management of gliomas. PSMA histopathology likely represents a viable tool for helping predict glioma behavior. More studies are needed to investigate the role of PSMA-targeted therapeutics in glioma management, but preliminary reports have indicated its potential usefulness in treatment.

Role of some intralesional immune therapeutics in verruca vulgaris

Role of some intralesional immune therapeutics in verruca vulgaris

Study of The Effect of Boswellia Leaf Extract on The Activity of Cardiac Enzymes (ALP, AST, ALT, LDH) Using Spectroscopic Methods

This study investigates the impact of Boswellia carterii leaf extracts on serum enzyme activity in myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Employing a comparative analysis between 60 healthy individuals and 40 cardiac patients, we measured the serum activity of ALP, AST, ALT, and LDH enzymes. Our findings reveal elevated enzyme activity in MI patients. We explored the inhibitory effects of aqueous, alcoholic, and ethyl acetate extracts of Boswellia carterii on these enzymes, demonstrating non-competitive inhibition. The inhibition ratio of ALT, ALP, and AST post-treatment was quantitatively assessed. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS-26 with independent t-tests. This research highlights the potential therapeutic role of Boswellia carterii in modulating enzyme activity associated with cardiac events, suggesting avenues for novel treatments in cardiac care.

Exploring Biomedical Engineering (BME): Advances within Accelerated Computing and Regenerative Medicine for a Computational and Medical Science Perspective Exploration Analysis

The field of molecular engineering in medicine has made significant strides in recent years, transforming healthcare, diagnostics, and therapy development. However, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the ongoing need for further innovative progress and detailed investigation. This research delves into the interdisciplinary domain of biomedical engineering with molecular engineering, examining its impact on the domains of regenerative medicine, biomaterials, tissue engineering, and the acceleration of health science through advanced biotechnologies. The primary objective of this research is to conduct an in-depth exploration of biomaterial applications and their roles in regenerative medicine, along with advancements in tissue engineering, organon-a-chip device mechanics, and the transformative potential of bioprinting in creating functional tissues and organs. This research also includes a case study analysis of drug discovery, immune engineering, precision medicine, and gene editing, with insights into the processing, design, and screening pipelines for biologics, as well as the future role of therapeutics and drugs in healthcare. Throughout this exploration, meaningful discussions with conclusions are drawn regarding the advanced technologies investigated, employing systematic technical computing methods at each step of the research process. The rapid advancements in terms of technological computing have brought about significant growth and transformation in various types of domains of biomedical engineering, particularly in the field of medical science and human health. With the progress in artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision, deep learning, image processing, machine learning there has been a revolutionary change in healthcare, addressing a wide range of medical conditions and human anatomy perspectives. The integration of these immersive technologies has not only improved in the realm of medication and disease control but has also provided solutions for complex tasks and issues related to human anatomy threats within the health sector. This research also focuses on the impact of accelerated computing in biomedical engineering, providing insights into the modern utility of toolsets in Bioinformatics and mechanics with artificial intelligence within medical science and also diving into understanding the human anatomy. Additionally, it explores the concept of functional genomics and its potential to provide insights into future disease and health issues, paving the way for advancements in healthcare for the foreseeable future and beyond.

Long non-coding RNA BRE-AS1 inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of clear cell renal cell carcinoma by downregulating miR-106b-5p.

The objective of this study was to investigate the involvement of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) BRE-AS1 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and to explore its potential therapeutic role. The expression of BRE-AS1 and miR-106b-5p was determined by qRT-PCR. Overexpression of BRE-AS1 and miR-106b-5p were performed to study their relationship. Transwell assays were used to evaluate cell movement. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was performed to explore the role of BRE-AS1 in the methylation of the miR-106b-5p gene. The results showed that the expression levels of BRE-AS1 were decreased, while those of miR-106b-5p were increased in ccRCC tissues. BRE-AS1 was found to be closely associated with the prognosis of patients with ccRCC. The expression of BRE-AS1 was inversely correlated with that of miR-106b-5p in tumor tissues. Overexpression of BRE-AS1 led to decreased expression levels of miR-106b-5p and increased methylation of the miR-106b-5p gene, whereas miR-106b-5p did not affect the expression of BRE-AS1. BRE-AS1 inhibited the movement and proliferation of ccRCC cell lines, while miR-106b-5p suppressed the role of BRE-AS1. BRE-AS1 may suppress ccRCC by downregulating the expression of miR-106b-5p.

Therapeutic Role of Vitamin D3, K2, Garlic Extract, Calcium and Spirulina Algae Powder on Induced Hyperlipidemia in Rats

Therapeutic Role of Vitamin D3, K2, Garlic Extract, Calcium and Spirulina Algae Powder on Induced Hyperlipidemia in Rats

Towards Antiviral Potential of Biomolecules Derived from Adhatod avasica as Competent Natural Molecules to Treat COVID-19 Virus Variant

Abstract: Adhatoda vasica (L.) (Acanthaceae) has essential therapeutic roles and is widely used in the indigenous medicine system or Ayurvedic system of medicine. The important goals of the present study are to report the in-silico anti-corona (COVID-19) activity of different phytochemicals present in A. vasica. This study will help to find specific bioactive compounds, and their use as anti- COVID-19 action for human welfare. A. vasica has chemical phytoconstituents with diverse pharmacological activities. These phytoconstituents have been found active against many diseases such as antibacterial, antitubercular, antivirus, antitussive, hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory, antiulcer, antiurolithiatic, abortifacient, radio modulator, cardio-protection, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, thrombolytic, antimutagenic, etc. Researchers have been lured to the use of natural and sustainable products with substantial therapeutic potential in the current climate of environmental preservation and safe use. These materials permit biological activity, safety, and compatibility with the environment. Using the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor (6M0J), we evaluated Adhatoda vasica biomolecules for the Covid-19 variant (RBD- COV-2-S). This study is very encouraging and indicates that herbs should be studied more extensively for their therapeutic benefits.

Gut Microbes in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Associated Comorbidities; Type 2 Diabetes, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), and the Potential of Microbial Therapeutics.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine anomalies among females of reproductive age, highlighted by hyperandrogenism. PCOS is multifactorial as it can be associated with obesity, insulin resistance, low-grade chronic inflammation, and dyslipidemia. PCOS also leads to dysbiosis by lowering microbial diversity and beneficial microbes, such as Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, Akkermenisa, and Bifidobacterium, and by causing a higher load of opportunistic pathogens, such as Escherichia/Shigella, Fusobacterium, Bilophila, and Sutterella. Wherein, butyrate producers and Akkermansia participate in the glucose uptake by inducing glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose metabolism, respectively. The abovementioned gut microbes also maintain the gut barrier function and glucose homeostasis by releasing metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and Amuc_1100 protein. In addition, PCOS-associated gut is found to be higher in gut-microbial enzyme β-glucuronidase, causing the de-glucuronidation of conjugated androgen, making it susceptible to reabsorption by entero-hepatic circulation, leading to a higher level of androgen in the circulatory system. Overall, in PCOS, such dysbiosis increases the gut permeability and LPS in the systemic circulation, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in the circulatory system, chronic inflammation in the adipose tissue and liver, and oxidative stress and lipid accumulation in the liver. Thus, in women with PCOS, dysbiosis can promote the progression and severity of type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). To alleviate such PCOS-associated complications, microbial therapeutics (probiotics and fecal microbiome transplantation) can be used without any side effects, unlike in the case of hormonal therapy. Therefore, this study sought to understand the mechanistic significance of gut microbes in PCOS and associated comorbidities, along with the role of microbial therapeutics that can ease the life of PCOS-affected women.

MicroRNAs in Atrial Fibrillation: Mechanisms, Vascular Implications, and Therapeutic Potential.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most prevalent arrhythmia in clinical practice, presents a growing global health concern, particularly with the aging population, as it is associated with devastating complications and an impaired quality of life. Its pathophysiology is multifactorial, including the pathways of fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA molecules, have emerged as substantial contributors in AFib pathophysiology, by affecting those pathways. In this review, we explore the intricate relationship between miRNAs and the aforementioned aspects of AFib, shedding light on the molecular pathways as well as the potential diagnostic applications. Recent evidence also suggests a possible role of miRNA therapeutics in maintenance of sinus rhythm via the antagonism of miR-1 and miR-328, or the pharmacological upregulation of miR-27b and miR-223-3p. Unraveling the crosstalk between specific miRNA profiles and genetic predispositions may pave the way for personalized therapeutic approaches, setting the tone for precision medicine in atrial fibrillation.

The advent of RNA-based therapeutics for metabolic syndrome and associated conditions: a comprehensive review of the literature.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent and intricate health condition affecting a significant global population, characterized by a cluster of metabolic and hormonal disorders disrupting lipid and glucose metabolism pathways. Clinical manifestations encompass obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and hypertension, contributing to heightened risks of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Existing medications often fall short in addressing the syndrome's multifaceted nature, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes and potential long-term health risks. This scenario underscores the pressing need for innovative therapeutic approaches in MetS management. RNA-based treatments, employing small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), emerge as promising strategies to target underlying biological abnormalities. However, a summary of research available on the role of RNA-based therapeutics in MetS and related co-morbidities is limited. Murine models and human studies have been separately interrogated to determine whether there have been recent advancements in RNA-based therapeutics to offer a comprehensive understanding of treatment available for MetS. In a narrative fashion, we searched for relevant articles pertaining to MetS co-morbidities such as cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, dementia, colorectal cancer, and endocrine abnormalities. We emphasize the urgency of exploring novel therapeutic avenues to address the intricate pathophysiology of MetS and underscore the potential of RNA-based treatments, coupled with advanced delivery systems, as a transformative approach for achieving more comprehensive and efficacious outcomes in MetS patients.

Disentangling the intrinsic relaxivities of highly purified graphene oxide

The chemistry of contrast agents (CAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications is an active area of research and, in recent work, it was shown that CA-based graphene oxide (GO) has valuable properties for biomedical uses. GO has a potential as MRI CAs thanks to several functionalities, like its ability to penetrate tissues and cell membranes, as well as easy coupling with therapeutic agents, therefore showing the potential for both a diagnostic and therapeutic role. In this study, we performed a thorough cleaning of the GO sample (synthesized using a modified Hummers method), minimizing the amount of residual manganese down to 73 ppm. Using a wide range of physical–chemical methods (morphology, chemical composition, elemental analysis, spectroscopies, and imaging), we characterized the intrinsic longitudinal and transverse relaxivities of highly purified GO nanosheets. X-band electron paramagnetic resonance allowed to recognize the paramagnetic species involved, and 1.0 T MRI was used to disentangle the relative contributions to the MRI contrast of pristine GO nanosheets arising from structural defects and residual paramagnetic manganese impurities embedded in the nanomaterial. Although experiments show that the MRI relaxivity of GO nanosheets arises from the cumulative effect of structural defects and paramagnetic impurities, we conclude that the latter contribution to the longitudinal and transverse relaxivities becomes irrelevant for highly purified (pristine) GO. This novel finding clearly demonstrates that, apart from trivial manganese inclusion, pristine GO produces an inherent MRI response via structural defects, and therefore it is on its own a suitable candidate as MRI contrast agent.