Role Of Other Compounds Research Articles

Withania somnifera Extracts Promote Resilience against Age-Related and Stress-Induced Behavioral Phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster; a Possible Role of Other Compounds besides Withanolides.

Withania somnifera (WS) extracts have been used in traditional medicine for millennia to promote healthy aging and wellbeing. WS is now also widely used in Western countries as a nutritional supplement to extend healthspan and increase resilience against age-related changes, including sleep deficits and depression. Although human trials have supported beneficial effects of WS, the study designs have varied widely. Plant material is intrinsically complex, and extracts vary widely with the origin of the plant material and the extraction method. Commercial supplements can contain various other ingredients, and the characteristics of the study population can also be varied. To perform maximally controlled experiments, we used plant extracts analyzed for their composition and stability. We then tested these extracts in an inbred Drosophila line to minimize effects of the genetic background in a controlled environment. We found that a water extract of WS (WSAq) was most potent in improving physical fitness, while an ethanol extract (WSE) improved sleep in aged flies. Both extracts provided resilience against stress-induced behavioral changes. WSE contained higher levels of withanolides, which have been proposed to be active ingredients, than WSAq. Therefore, withanolides may mediate the sleep improvement, whereas so-far-unknown ingredients enriched in WSAq likely mediate the effects on fitness and stress-related behavior.

The role of micronutrients in the risk of urinary tract cancer.

Prostate, bladder and kidney cancers remain the most common urological malignancies worldwide, and the prevention and treatment of these diseases pose a challenge to clinicians. In recent decades, many studies have been conducted to assess the association between supplementation with selected vitamins and elements and urinary tract tumour initiation and development. Here, we review the relationship between vitamins A, B, D, and E, in addition to calcium, selenium, and zinc, and the risk of developing prostate, kidney and bladder cancer. A relatively consistent body of evidence suggests that large daily doses of calcium (> 2,000 mg/day) increase the risk of prostate cancer. Similarly, supplementation with 400 IU/day of vitamin E carries a significant risk of prostate cancer. However, there have been many conflicting results regarding the effect of these nutrients on kidney and bladder neoplasms. Moreover, the role of other compounds in urinary tract carcinogenesis needs further clarification.

Antimalarials: Reversing the autoimmune “mal-area”?

Antimalarial agents are one of the oldest discovered drugs which are still in wide clinical use. In fact, these drugs, originally used, as obvious from the name, for the treatment of malaria, have found use in many other infective conditions as well. Experimental studies show that their radio- and chemo- sensitizing effects may be utilized for use as anticancer agents also! The history of their use in autoimmune rheumatological diseases dates to more than a century back, when quinine was used in the treatment of discoid lupus. 1 Several decades later, improvement in arthritis and skin lesions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus was reported. 2 Subsequently many studies confirmed their role in management of diseases like RA and SLE. 3 However, all this while and even until as late as 1980s, the exact mechanism of their action contributing to improvement in autoimmune diseases remained unclear!! Owing to significant toxicity, the original antimalarial, quinine is now rarely used in autoimmune diseases. Until recently, chloroquine remained the most widely used agent in India, both due to its cheap cost and easy availability. Due to its ocular toxicity, its hydroxylated sibling, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), has now practically taken it over in routine clinical usage. Some reports have also established role of other compounds like quinacrine especially in patients not responding to HCQ. 4 Considering their novel mechanisms of action, low cost and relative safety, antimalarials are nearly recommended as “must-use” drugs for all autoimmune rheumatological conditions. Recent years have also seen their usage in many immunologically mediated dermatological conditions. 5 A number of their effects on the autoimmune system are being unraveled which explain the scientific rationale behind their use in non-infective systemic inflammatory

Chemical Composition during Maturing and Spawning of the Sponge Dysidea herbacea (Porifera: Demospongiae)

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) have been implicated in many biochemical processes in marine organisms, but the major emphasis has been directed to their role as UV protectant compounds. The quantitation of MAAs, mycosporine-glu-gly, mycosporine-gly, usujirene and palythene in the sponge Dysidea herbacea[34] suggests that whereas some mycosporine amino acids may serve in this capacity, others are intrinsically involved in the reproductive process. The role of other compounds, such as homarine, gadusol and arachidonic acid, in reproduction of this sponge is also discussed.