Over the years, scientific researches have validated the healing benefits of many psychopharmacotherapeutic plant-based drugs to ameliorate psychiatric disorders. In contrast, the use of chemical procedures to isolate and purify specific compounds from plants that have been used to treat autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and its clinical features may contribute to improve the quality of life of many patients. Also, herbal pharmacological treatments could improve the core symptoms of autism with fewer side effects. This review will focus on the uses and actions of phytopharmaceuticals in the behavioral conditions of ASDs. A large number of natural compound-based plant drugs have been tested in murine models of autism and in clinical trials with remarkable success in reversing the core and associated behaviors with autism such as flavonoids, cannabinoids, curcuminoids, piperine, resveratrol, and bacosides. This plant-based drug alternative is safer given that many psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative pathologies do not often respond well to currently prescribed medications or have significant side effects. However, it is noteworthy to consider the need for large clinical trials to determine safety and efficacy. Many results are based on case reports or small size samples, and often the studies are open label. Standardization of procedures (i.e., purity and concentrations) and quality controls are strictly required to ensure the absence of side effects.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by the core domains of persistent deficits in social communication and restricted-repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. A heterogeneous and complex set of neurodevelopmental conditions are grouped in the spectrum. Pro-inflammatory events and immune system dysfunctions are cellular and molecular events associated with ASD. Several conditions co-occur with ASD: seizures, gastro-intestinal problems, attention deficit, anxiety and depression, and sleep problems. However, language and speech issues are key components of ASD symptoms current therapies find difficult to face. Several speech-stimulating substances have been shown to be effective in increasing speech ability in ASD subjects. The need for large clinical trials to determine safety and efficacy is recommended.

Increased serum lysozyme activity in children with autism spectrum disorder

Gene delivery is a cornerstone of both basic research and gene therapy, where it holds the key to treating genetic disorders at their source. However, it does not adhere to one-size-fits-all solutions. Cargo-tailored and time-saving approaches are urgently needed for different applications. Photoinduced electron/energy transfer reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (PET-RAFT) polymerization is a technique that enables the synthesis of a wide range of well-defined polymers, allowing for rapid reaction condition screening in small volumes. In this work, polymerization-induced electrostatic self-assembly (PIESA) based on PET-RAFT polymerization is demonstrated to facilitate the simultaneous synthesis and assembly of pDNA polyplexes for transfection. The as-prepared polyplexes are shown to be less cytotoxic than their conventionally assembled counterparts and act as more effective gene delivery vehicles in transfection trials. This strategy provides a versatile platform that facilitates rapid screening of cell-compatible copolymer nanoparticle compositions for gene delivery in ultralow volumes.