Phytochemicals enriched in spices: a source of natural epigenetic therapy

Mechanism of Action and Interaction of Garlic Extract and Established Therapeutics in Prostate Cancer

A detailed characterization of the mechanism of action of garlic extract (GE) on prostate cancer (PCa) cells is essential to ensure its safe use as a complementary therapy, particularly when combined with established treatments. A case report highlighted the potential benefits of GE in PCa management. A patient diagnosed with PCa, presenting an initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of 11.8 ng/mL, maintained PSA levels between 3.5 and 6 ng/mL for over 14 years with daily GE intake. To study GE's anti-proliferative effects and interactions with established therapeutics, healthy prostate epithelial cells (PNT2) and PCa cells (LNCaP, PC3, VCaP) were treated with GE. Proliferation, Integrin β1 pattern, DNA-damage, as well as androgen receptor (AR) and Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) expression were investigated. GE reduced the proliferation of LNCaP and PC3 cells compared to healthy PNT2 cells but had contrary effects on VCaP cells. The combination of GE with standard therapies, including chemotherapy, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and Poly-(ADP-ribose)-Polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), reduced the efficacy of these treatments in tumor cells, potentially due to the GE-induced upregulation of the metabolic enzyme CYP2C9 in PCa cell lines. These findings indicate that while GE has anti-proliferative effects, the use of highly concentrated natural extracts must be carefully assessed by expert physicians on a case-by-case basis, especially when combined with established therapies.

Gingerol, a Natural Antioxidant, Attenuates Hyperglycemia and Downstream Complications

Hyperglycemia is seen in approximately 68 percent of patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit (ICU). In many acute circumstances, such as myocardial infarction, brain, injury and stroke, it is an independent predictor of mortality. Hyperglycemia is induced by a mix of genetic, environmental, and immunologic variables in people with type 1 diabetes. These factors cause pancreatic beta cell death and insulin insufficiency. Insulin resistance and irregular insulin production cause hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes patients. Hyperglycemia activates a number of complicated interconnected metabolic processes. Hyperglycemia is a major contributor to the onset and progression of diabetes' secondary complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, cataracts, periodontitis, and bone and joint issues. Studies on the health benefits of ginger and its constituent's impact on hyperglycemia and related disorders have been conducted and gingerol proved to be a potential pharmaceutically active constituent of ginger (Zingiber officinale) that has been shown to lower blood sugar levels, because it possesses antioxidant properties and it functions as an antioxidant in the complicated biochemical process that causes hyperglycemia to be activated. Gingerol not only helps in treating hyperglycemia but also shows effectivity against diseases related to it, such as cardiopathy, kidney failure, vision impairments, bone and joint problems, and teeth and gum infections. Moreover, fresh ginger has various gingerol analogues, with 6-gingerol being the most abundant. However, it is necessary to investigate the efficacy of its other analogues against hyperglycemia and associated disorders at various concentrations in order to determine the appropriate dose for treating these conditions.

A review on the epigenetics modifications to nanomaterials in humans and animals: novel epigenetic regulator

In the nanotechnology era, nanotechnology applications have been intensifying their prospects to embrace all the vigorous sectors persuading human health and animal. The safety and concerns regarding the widespread use of engineered nanomaterials (NMA) and their potential effect on human health still require further clarification. Literature elucidated that NMA exhibited significant adverse effects on various molecular and cellular alterations. Epigenetics is a complex process resulting in the interactions between an organism’s environment and genome. The epigenetic modifications, including histone modification and DNA methylation, chromatin structure and DNA accessibility alteration, regulate gene expression patterns. Disturbances of epigenetic markers induced by NMA might promote the sensitivity of humans and animals to several diseases. Also, this paper focus on the epigenetic regulators of some dietary nutrients that have been confirmed to stimulate the epigenome and, more exactly, DNA histone modifications and non-histone proteins modulation by acetylation, and phosphorylation inhibition, which counteracts oxidative stress generations. The present review epitomizes the recent evidence of the potential effects of NMA on histone modifications, in addition to in vivo and in vitro cytosine DNA methylation and its toxicity. Furthermore, the part of epigenetic fluctuations as possible translational biomarkers for uncovering untoward properties of NMA is deliberated.

A review on health benefits of phenolics derived from dietary spices

Spices are an affluentpool of polyphenolcompounds that possessgigantic medicinal peculiarities such as remedying microbial infections, oxidative stress, inflammation, diabetes, cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiac disorders, etc. On that account, thepresent review illustrates the therapeutic potential, mechanism of action, and different procedures for conscious extraction of polyphenols. The various ethnopharmacological properties; reasons for their diverse pharmacological actions and the mechanism of action of spices-derived phenolics have also been discussed. The findings of this review may be utilized by the food and pharmaceutical industries for developing suitable alternatives to synthetic antioxidants and can be developed into effective food supplements. Further in-depth scientific studies are needed to find out their actual and exact relevance as natural health boosters. Moreover, clinical and toxicological studies are also required for harnessing the full therapeutic potential of polyphenols derived from dietary spices.

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Spices are the treasure house of polyphenols and other useful bioactive compounds.

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Clove, oregano, thyme and rosemary contains highest amount of phenolic compounds.

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They provide protection from microbial infection and oxidative stress related disorders.

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Polyphenols obtained from spices improve the functioning of beneficial gut microbiota.

A focused review on CB2 receptor-selective pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential of β-caryophyllene, a dietary cannabinoid

The endocannabinoid system (ECS), a conserved physiological system emerged as a novel pharmacological target for its significant role and potential therapeutic benefits ranging from neurological diseases to cancer. Among both, CB1 and CB2R types, CB2R have received attention for its pharmacological effects as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antiapoptotic that can be achieved without causing psychotropic adverse effects through CB1R. The ligands activate CB2R are of endogenous, synthetic and plant origin. In recent years, β-caryophyllene (BCP), a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene in cannabis as well as non-cannabis plants, has received attention due to its selective agonist property on CB2R. BCP has been well studied in a variety of pathological conditions mediating CB2R selective agonist property. The focus of the present manuscript is to represent the CB2R selective agonist mediated pharmacological mechanisms and therapeutic potential of BCP. The present narrative review summarizes insights into the CB2R-selective pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential of BCP such as cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, gastroprotective, chemopreventive, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulator. The available evidences suggest that BCP, can be an important candidate of plant origin endowed with CB2R selective properties that may provide a pharmacological rationale for its pharmacotherapeutic application and pharmaceutical development like a drug. Additionally, given the wide availability in edible plants and dietary use, with safety, and no toxicity, BCP can be promoted as a nutraceutical and functional food for general health and well-being. Further, studies are needed to explore pharmacological and pharmaceutical opportunities for therapeutic and preventive applications of use of BCP in human diseases.