The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) represents a sophisticated communication network between the brain and the gut, involving immunological, endocrinological, and neural mediators. This bidirectional interaction is facilitated through the vagus nerve, sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers, and is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Evidence shows that alterations in gut microbiota composition, or dysbiosis, significantly impact neurological disorders (NDs) like anxiety, depression, autism, Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dysbiosis can affect the central nervous system (CNS) via neuroinflammation and microglial activation, highlighting the importance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) in disease pathogenesis. The microbiota influences the immune system by modulating chemokines and cytokines, impacting neuronal health. Synbiotics have shown promise in treating NDs by enhancing cognitive function and reducing inflammation. The gut microbiota's role in producing neurotransmitters and neuroactive compounds, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), is critical for CNS homeostasis. Therapeutic interventions targeting the MGBA, including dietary modulation and synbiotic supplementation, offer potential benefits for managing neurodegenerative disorders. However, more in-depth clinical studies are necessary to fully understand and harness the therapeutic potential of the MGBA in neurological health and disease.

Cancer is a complex and multifaceted group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. While cancer can be challenging and life-altering, advances in research and development have led to the identification of new promising anti-cancer targets. Telomerase is one such target that is overexpressed in almost all cancer cells and plays a critical role in maintaining telomere length, which is essential for cell proliferation and survival. Inhibiting telomerase activity can lead to telomere shortening and eventual cell death, thus presenting itself as a potential target for cancer therapy. Naturally occurring flavonoids are a class of compounds that have already been shown to possess different biological properties, including the anti-cancer property. They are present in various everyday food sources and richly present in fruits, nuts, soybeans, vegetables, tea, wine, and berries, to name a few. Thus, these flavonoids could inhibit or deactivate telomerase expression in cancer cells by different mechanisms, which include inhibiting the expression of hTERT, mRNA, protein, and nuclear translocation, inhibiting the binding of transcription factors to hTERT promoters, and even telomere shortening. Numerous cell line studies and in vivo experiments have supported this hypothesis, and this development could serve as a vital and innovative therapeutic option for cancer. In this light, we aim to elucidate the role of telomerase as a potential anti-cancer target. Subsequently, we have illustrated that how commonly found natural flavonoids demonstrate their anti-cancer activity via telomerase inactivation in different cancer types, thus proving the potential of these naturally occurring flavonoids as useful therapeutic agents.

Newly emerged COVID-19 performs its activity through spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD). A strong competitive binding on this site can inhibit the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) activity against host cells. A significant plant bioactive molecule, Baicalein (5,6,7-Trihydroxyflavone), has noteworthy effects on viral S protein. The biomolecule was isolated from an endangered medicinal tree Oroxylum indicum L. Vent. Therapeutic use various parts of Oroxylum have been mentioned in ancient literature, Ayurveda and is also being used a folklore medicine in many tribal areas of India. Molecular docking has been applied to screen the binding pattern and bond strength of biomolecule with ten amino acids. The binding site was defined with site findder algorithm. The residues were found Arg403, Glu406, Lys417, Tyr453, Ser494, Tyr495, Gly496, Phe497, Asn501, Tyr505. The biomolecule Baicalein showed effective binding capacity towards active site residues of SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain. It was found to have a strong binding affinity with RBD of S-protein of viral residues with high negative binding free energy (-12.5545 kcal/mol). Such competitive interruption of hydrogen bond formation between the viral S- protein and biomolecules’ active sites would inhibit the potency of COVID-19 infectivity.