Influence of rutin and its combination with metformin on vascular functions in type 1 diabetes.

The present work examined the effect of oral administration of rutin and its combination with metformin, an antidiabetic drug on blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides level and vascular function in streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). Rutin and metformin were orally administered to diabetic rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively, for 4 weeks.

Hypoglycaemic Molecules for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus from Marine Sources.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder recognized as a major health problem globally. A defective insulin activity contributes to the prevalence and expansion of DM. Treatment of DM is often hampered by limited options of conventional therapies and adverse effects associated with existing procedures.

Swietenine Alleviates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Diabetic Mice via Lipogenesis Inhibition and Antioxidant Mechanisms.

Our previous studies have reported the effect of swietenine (a major bioactive component of Swietenia macrophylla seeds) in reversing and potentiating the effect of metformin in hyperglycemia and hyperlipidaemia in diabetic rats. Moreover, we reported that the anti-inflammatory effect of swietenine is mediated via the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). This study evaluated the effect of swietenine and its mechanisms in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Quercetin and metformin synergistically reverse endothelial dysfunction in the isolated aorta of streptozotocin-nicotinamide- induced diabetic rats.

The antidiabetic effects of quercetin and metformin are well known. However, their synergistic effect in reversing the symptoms of diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction remains unknown. In this study, we have investigated their synergistic effect in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats.

Targeting the mitochondria in chronic respiratory diseases.

Mitochondria are one of the basic essential components for eukaryotic life survival. It is also the source of respiratory ATP. Recently published studies have demonstrated that mitochondria may have more roles to play aside from energy production.

Exploring the role of antibiotics and steroids in managing respiratory diseases.

Respiratory diseases (RDs), such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, asthma, and pneumonia, are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment usually consists of antibiotics and steroids. Relevant published literature reviews, studies, and clinical trials were accessed from institutional and electronic databases.

Autoantibodies and autoimmune disorders in SARS-CoV-2 infection: pathogenicity and immune regulation.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease associated with the respiratory system caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The aim of this review article is to establish an understanding about the relationship between autoimmune conditions and COVID-19 infections. Although majority of the population have been protected with vaccines against this virus, there is yet a successful curative medication for this disease.

Locomotor and histological changes in a cuprizone-induced animal model of multiple sclerosis: comparison between alpha-tocopherol and fingolimod.

Background And Purpose: Fingolimod is a sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). Alpha-tocopherol (AT) has been found to improve motor function in an animal model of MS. In the present study, the effects of AT and fingolimod on the locomotor function and histological evidence of demyelination were compared in a cuprizone-induced rat model of MS.

Unravelling the molecular mechanisms underlying chronic respiratory diseases for the development of novel therapeutics via in vitro experimental models.

Chronic respiratory diseases have collectively become a major public health concern and have now taken form as one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Most chronic respiratory diseases primarily occur due to prolonged airway inflammation. In addition, critical environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, industrial pollutants, farm dust, and pollens may also exacerbate such diseases.

Protein and peptide delivery to lungs by using advanced targeted drug delivery.

The challenges and difficulties associated with conventional drug delivery systems have led to the emergence of novel, advanced targeted drug delivery systems. Therapeutic drug delivery of proteins and peptides to the lungs is complicated owing to the large size and polar characteristics of the latter. Nevertheless, the pulmonary route has attracted great interest today among formulation scientists, as it has evolved into one of the important targeted drug delivery platforms for the delivery of peptides, and related compounds effectively to the lungs, primarily for the management and treatment of chronic lung diseases.

Nutritional Profile, Antioxidative and Antihyperglycemic Properties of from Tioman Island, Malaysia.

Seaweeds are an important ingredient of functional foods recommended for daily food, due to their unique compositions and nutritional value. is a brown edible seaweed that is commonly found along the coastal regions of Peninsular Malaysia and consumed as food by some coastal communities. This study investigates the nutritional and antihyperglycaemic potential of extracts, which is generally accepted as an important functional food.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) Virus-Pathophysiological Axis and the Current Treatment Strategies.

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a lethal respiratory disease with its first case reported back in 2012 (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia). It is a novel, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA beta coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that was isolated from a patient who died from a severe respiratory illness. Later, it was found that this patient was infected with MERS.

Evaluation of neuroprotective effects of alpha-tocopherol in cuprizone-induced demyelination model of multiple sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by demyelination and axonal loss. Quantitative estimation of behavioral, locomotor, and histological changes following the use of alpha-tocopherol (AT) in the animal model of MS have not been reported. The present study was planned to evaluate whether AT can improve sensorimotor dysfunction and reduce demyelination in the cuprizone (CPZ)-induced rat model of MS.

Anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Naringenin-loaded liquid crystalline nanoparticles in vitro.

In this study, we had developed Naringenin-loaded liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNs) and investigated the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of Naringenin-LCNs against human airway epithelium-derived basal cells (BCi-NS1.1) and human lung epithelial carcinoma (A549) cell lines, respectively. The anti-inflammatory potential of Naringenin-LCNs evaluated by qPCR revealed a decreased expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and TNF-α in lipopolysaccharide-induced BCi-NS1.

Bioprospecting Cultivated Tropical Green Algae, (Forsskal) J. Agardh: A Perspective on Nutritional Properties, Antioxidative Capacity and Anti-Diabetic Potential.

(Forsskal) J. Agardh is a green seaweed used as food and folk medicine since ancient times in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in southeast Asia. In this study, the proximate nutrient composition, phytochemical, anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic properties of sea grape collected from culture fishponds in Johor, Malaysia were analysed.

Applications of Nanocarriers as Drug Delivery Vehicles for Active Phytoconstituents.

Many plant-based bioactive compounds have been serving as the origin of drugs since long ago and many of them have been proven to have medicinal value against various chronic diseases, including, cancer, arthritis, hepatic diseases, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, their clinical applications have been limited due to their poor water solubility, stability, low bioavailability and extensive transformation due to the first-pass metabolism. The applications of nanocarriers have been proven to be able to improve the delivery of bioactive phytoconstituents, resulting in the enhancement of various pharmacokinetic properties and thereby increasing the therapeutic value of phytoconstituents.

Molecular mechanisms of action of naringenin in chronic airway diseases.

Chronic airway inflammatory diseases are characterized by persistent proinflammatory responses in the respiratory tract. Although, several treatment strategies are currently available, lifelong therapy is necessary for most of these diseases. In recent years, phytophenols, namely, flavonoids, derived from fruits and vegetables have been gaining tremendous interest and have been extensively studied due to their low toxicological profile.

Targeting neutrophils using novel drug delivery systems in chronic respiratory diseases.

Neutrophils are essential effector cells of immune system for clearing the extracellular pathogens during inflammation and immune reactions. Neutrophils play a major role in chronic respiratory diseases. In respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer and others, there occurs extreme infiltration and activation of neutrophils followed by a cascade of events like oxidative stress and dysregulated cellular proteins that eventually result in apoptosis and tissue damage.

Therapeutic potential of Artemisia vulgaris: An insight into underlying immunological mechanisms.

Artemisia vulgaris is a traditional Chinese herb believed to have a wide range of healing properties; it is traditionally used to treat numerous health ailments. The plant is commonly called mugwort or riverside wormwood. The plant is edible, and in addition to its medicinal properties, it is also used as a culinary herb in Asian cooking in the form of a vegetable or in soup.

Interactions between microbiome and lungs: Paving new paths for microbiome based bio-engineered drug delivery systems in chronic respiratory diseases.

Background: The human body is a home to thousands of microbiotas. It is defined as a community of symbiotic, commensal and pathogenic microorganisms that have existed in all exposed sites of the body, which have co-evolved with diet, lifestyle, genetic factors and immune factors. Human microbiotas have been studied for years on their effects with relation to health and diseases.

Antiretroviral agents in pre-exposure prophylaxis: emerging and advanced trends in HIV prevention.

Objectives: Antiretroviral agents (ARVs) have been the most promising line of therapy in the management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Some of these ARVs are used in the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to suppress the transmission of HIV. Prophylaxis is primarily used in uninfected people, before exposure, to effectively prevent HIV infection.

Formulation and characterization of glibenclamide and quercetin-loaded chitosan nanogels targeting skin permeation.

Our aim was to develop and characterize a nanogel formulation containing both glibenclamide and quercetin and to explore the permeation profile of this combination. Drug-loaded nanogel was prepared by ionic gelation. In addition, optimum encapsulation efficiencies of glibenclamide and quercetin were also obtained.

Current Status on Immunological Therapies for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Purpose Of Review: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) occurs when there is destruction of beta cells within the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas due to autoimmunity. It is considered a complex disease, and different complications can surface and worsen the condition if T1D is not managed well. Since it is an incurable disease, numerous treatments and therapies have been postulated in order to control T1D by balancing hyperglycemia control while minimizing hypoglycemic episodes.

Gene therapy and type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by T cell-mediated self-destruction of insulin-secreting islet β cells. Management of T1DM is challenging and complicated especially with conventional medications. Gene therapy has emerged as one of the potential therapeutic alternatives to treat T1DM.