Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with no clear causative event making the disease difficult to diagnose and treat. The pathological hallmarks of AD include amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and widespread neuronal loss. Amyloid‐beta has been extensively studied and targeted to develop an effective disease‐modifying therapy, but the success rate in clinical practice is minimal. Recently, neuroinflammation has been focused on as the event in AD progression to be targeted for therapies. Various mechanistic pathways including cytokines and chemokines, complement system, oxidative stress, and cyclooxygenase pathways are linked to neuroinflammation in the AD brain. Many cells including microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes work together to protect the brain from injury. This review is focused to better understand the AD inflammatory and immunoregulatory processes to develop novel anti‐inflammatory drugs to slow down the progression of AD.

Chronic kidney disease presents a health challenge that has a complex underlying pathophysiology, both acquired and inherited. The pharmacotherapeutic treatment options available today lower the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life but cannot completely cure it. This poses a challenge to the healthcare provider to choose, from the available options, the best way to manage the disease as per the presentation of the patient. As of now, the recommended first line of treatment to control the blood pressure in chronic kidney disease is the administration of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system modulators. These are represented mainly by the direct renin inhibitor, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers. These modulators are varied in their structure and mechanisms of action, hence showing varying treatment outcomes. The choice of administration of these modulators is determined by the presentation and the co-morbidities of the patient, the availability and affordability of the treatment option, and the expertise of the healthcare provider. A direct head-to-head comparison between these significant renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system modulators is lacking, which can benefit healthcare providers and researchers. In this review, a comparison has been drawn between the direct renin inhibitor (aliskiren), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers. This can be of significance for healthcare providers and researchers to find the particular loci of interest, either in structure or mechanism, and to intervene as per the case presentation to obtain the best possible treatment option.

Chitosan is a biocompatible polysaccharide that has been widely exploited in biomedical and drug delivery applications.This study explores the renoprotective effect of chitosan nanoparticles in viv...

Background: Artemisia absinthium L is an ornamental plant widespread in Saudi Arabia. Traditionally, the plant has been used in the Arabic medicine. But the scientific evidence of the bioactive compounds and their medicinal value was not yet explored widely. Objective: The study was designed to analyse the bioactive principles and medicinal properties of Artemisia absinthium L, a traditional herb grown in southern part of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The bioactive compounds present in Hot Methanolic Extract of the Leaves (HMEL) of Artemisia absinthium L. was explored by GC-MS analysis. The cytotoxicity effect of HMEL was determined against MCF-7 breast cancer cells ATCC and human colon cancer cells HCT 116 ATCC by performing MTT assay. Morphological changes of HMEL treated MCF-7 were observed under a phasecontrast microscope by staining the cells with neutral red. A Reaction Mixture (RM) of HMEL was prepared in Milli-Q water and antibacterial susceptibility was performed against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, in vivo wound healing properties of the RM was screened in male rats and their efficacy was compared with standard povidone iodine cream. Biomarkers such as IL-1β, IL- 6, TNF- α, caspase-9 and caspase-3 levels were determined to qualify the wound healing property. Results: Epiyangambin, flavone, octadecanoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester, palmitic acid β - monoglyceride, á-D-mannofuranoside, camphor, and terpineol were identified as possible compounds through GC-MS analysis. The HMEL of Artemisia absinthium L was actively inhibiting the proliferation of breast cancer cells MCF-7 ATCC at the concentration of 80.96 ± 3.94 μg/ml as IC50 value but failed to inhibit the proliferation against the treated human colon cancer cells HCT 116 cells ATCC. HMEL of Artemisia absinthium L was showing a moderate spectrum of antibacterial effect against the screened bacteria. RM showed better wound healing property than standard povidone iodine cream that modulates cytokine networks and apoptosis markers levels indicated the healing of wound. Conclusion: The study suggested that novel anticancer, antibacterial and immune modulatory molecules can be developed from the leaves of Artemisia absinthium L.

This study investigated the potential hepatoprotective activity of curcumin-incorporated nano-lipid carrier (Cur-NLC) against cypermethrin (Cyp) toxicity in adult Wistar male rats. All animals in groups III, IV, V, and VI were subjected to Cyp (50 mg/kg) toxicity for 15 days. Three different doses of Cur-NLC (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg/day) were administered orally for 10 days. The toxic effects were evaluated considering the increases in serum hepatic biomarkers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein and albumin, and lipid peroxidation (LPO), as well as a decrease in antioxidative activity (reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase) and the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). Immunohistochemistry studies of proteins (NF-κB, Apaf-1, 4-HNE, and Bax) showed enhanced expression, and histopathological examination revealed architectural changes in liver cells, indicating liver toxicity in animals. Toxicity was determined by quantitative and qualitative determinations of DNA fragmentation, which show massive apoptosis with Cyp treatment. The administration of Cur-NLC significantly ameliorates all changes caused by Cyp, such as a decrease in the levels of serum liver markers, an increase in antioxidative parameters, a decrease in expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB), and apoptosis (caspases-3, 9, Apaf-1, 4-HNE, and Bax), according to calorimetric and immunohistochemistry studies. The smear-like pattern of DNA is ameliorated similarly to the control at a high dose of Cur-NLC. Furthermore, all histopathological changes were reduced to a level close to the control. In conclusion, Cur-NLC could be a potent nutraceutical that exhibits a hepatoprotective effect against Cyp-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Background: Food is indispensable for human life and determines the health and wellbeing of the consumer. As food is the source of energy for humans, it also emerges as one of the most important sources of exposure to deleterious chemicals both natural and synthetic. The food exposed chemicals cause a number of detrimental health effects in humans, with endocrine disruption being of serious concern amongst these effects. Such chemicals disrupting the health of endocrine system are known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The food exposed EDCs need to be identified and classified to effectuate a cautious consumption of food by all and especially by vulnerable groups.Aim: The aim of the present review was to discuss food as a source of exposure to common endocrine disruptors in humans. This review presents the occurrence and levels of some of the critical endocrine disruptors exposed through frequently consumed diets.Methods: The major source of data was PubMed, besides other relevant publications. The focus was laid on data from the last five years, however significant earlier data was also considered.Conclusion: The food as a source of endocrine disruptors to humans cannot be neglected. It is highly imperative for the consumer to recognize food as a source of EDCs and make informed choices in the consumption of food items.