Cholesterol-Lowering Phytochemicals: Targeting the Mevalonate Pathway for Anticancer Interventions

Phytoactives for Obesity Management: Integrating Nanomedicine for Its Effective Delivery

Obesity is a global health concern that requires urgent investigation and management. While synthetic anti-obesity medications are available, they come with a high risk of side-effects and variability in their efficacy. Therefore, natural compounds are increasingly being used to treat obesity worldwide. The proposition that naturally occurring compounds, mainly polyphenols, can be effective and safer for obesity management through food and nutrient fortification is strongly supported by extensive experimental research. This review focuses on the pathogenesis of obesity while reviewing the efficacy of an array of phytoactives used for obesity treatment. It details mechanisms such as enzyme inhibition, energy expenditure, appetite suppression, adipocyte differentiation, lipid metabolism, and modulation of gut microbiota. Comprehensive in vitro, in vivo, and preclinical studies underscore the promise of phytoactives in combating obesity, which have been thoroughly reviewed. However, challenges, such as poor bioavailability and metabolism, limit their potential. Advances in nanomedicines may overcome these constraints, offering a new avenue for enhancing the efficacy of phytoactives. Nonetheless, rigorous and targeted clinical trials are essential before applying phytoactives as a primary treatment for obesity.

Phytochemicals Targeting Inflammatory Pathways in Alcohol-Induced Liver Disease: A Mechanistic Review

Alcoholic beverages play a significant role in social engagement worldwide. Excessive alcohol causes a variety of health complications. Alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD) is responsible for the bulk of linked fatalities. The activation of immune mechanisms has a crucial role in developing ALD. No effective medication promotes liver function, shields the liver from harm, or aids in hepatic cell regeneration. Alcohol withdrawal is one of the most beneficial therapies for ALD patients, which improves the patient's chances of survival. There is a crucial demand for safe and reasonably priced approaches to treating it. Exploring naturally derived phytochemicals has been a fascinating path, and it has drawn attention in recent years to modulators of inflammatory pathways for the prevention and management of ALD. In this review, we have discussed the roles of various immune mechanisms in ALD, highlighting the importance of intestinal barrier integrity and gut microbiota, as well as the roles of immune cells and hepatic inflammation, and other pathways, including cGAS-STING, NLRP3, MAPK, JAK-STAT, and NF-kB. Further, this review also outlines the possible role of phytochemicals in targeting these inflammatory pathways to safeguard the liver from alcohol-induced injury. We highlighted that targeting immunological mechanisms using phytochemicals or herbal medicine may find a place to counteract ALD. Preclinical in vitro and in vivo investigations have shown promising results; nonetheless, more extensive work is required to properly understand these compounds' mechanisms of action. Clinical investigations are very crucial in transferring laboratory knowledge into effective patient therapy.

Computational Approaches for PPARγ Inhibitor Development: Recent Advances and Perspectives

The development of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) inhibitors has attracted significant interest for treating metabolic disorders, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. This review highlights the crucial role of computational modelling in advancing PPARγ inhibitor development, emphasizing how these techniques streamline the identification, optimization, and evaluation of new drug candidates. Key methods include molecular docking, QSAR, and molecular dynamics simulations, which enhance the efficiency and accuracy of inhibitor design. Computational modelling has deepened our understanding of PPARγ binding mechanisms and conformational dynamics, allowing researchers to predict and optimize ligand-receptor complex stability. Despite these advancements, challenges remain, such as improving predictions of pharmacokinetic properties (ADME) to evaluate drug-like qualities. In conclusion, computational modelling has significantly enhanced PPARγ inhibitor discovery and development, offering new opportunities to address complex diseases. Continued refinement of these models, combined with experimental validation and emerging technologies, is crucial for overcoming current limitations and achieving successful clinical outcomes.

Cholesterol Functionalized Nanoparticles Are Effective against Helicobacter pylori, the Gastric Bug: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Helicobacter pylori chronic infection is the highest risk factor for the development of gastric cancer, being this Gram-negative bacterium classified as carcinogenic. The mounting resistance of H. pylori to antibiotics calls for innovative therapeutic strategies. Here, the proof-of-concept studies that support the development of a "trojan horse" therapeutic strategy based on cholesterol-grafted nanoparticles (Chol-NP) to counteract H. pylori infection are depicted. The bacterium ability to specifically recognize and bind to surface grafted cholesterol is demonstrated by its adhesion to cholesterol(Chol)-functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold substrates (2D Chol-SAMs) in a concentration dependent manner, with optimal Chol-SAMs prepared with 25% Chol-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-thiol in solution (75% tetra(ethylene glycol)-thiol). These results further show that cholesterol functionalized gold nanoparticles (3D Chol-SAMs, Chol-NP) eradicate H. pylori at a minimum bactericidal concentration of 125 µg mL-1. Chol-NP kill H. pylori through internalization and membrane rupture, as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Chol-NP are cytocompatible (human gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cell line), non-hemolytic and innocuous to bacteria representative of the gut microbiota (Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus acidophilus). This study supports the further development of cholesterol functionalized biomaterials as an advanced and targeted treatment for H. pylori infection.

Biological Activities and Phytochemical Profile of Hawm Gra Dang Ngah Rice: Water and Ethanolic Extracts

Hawm Gra Dang Ngah rice (HDNR) is a red rice variety cultivated in Thailand's southern border region, yet its biological properties have not been extensively studied. This study investigates the effects of HDNR extracts on bioactive constituents, spectral fingerprints, and antioxidant capacities. We evaluated the inhibitory effects of aqueous (HDNR-W) and ethanolic (HDNR-E) extracts on monoamine oxidase (MAO), α-glucosidase, and HMG-CoA reductase activities, as well as their cytotoxicity in normal and cancer cells. The results demonstrated that HDNR-E contained significantly higher concentrations of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins compared to HDNR-W. In contrast, HDNR-W exhibited greater amino acid content than HDNR-E. FT-IR analysis revealed solvent-specific interactions that influenced compound solubility, highlighting distinct extraction efficiencies. Antioxidant assays showed HDNR-E to be markedly more potent, with superior performance in DPPH, ABTS, metal chelation, and FRAP assays, as evidenced by its lower IC50 values relative to HDNR-W. Furthermore, HDNR-E displayed significantly stronger inhibitory activity against both MAO and α-glucosidase compared to HDNR-W. Conversely, HDNR-W demonstrated greater inhibitory efficacy toward HMG-CoA reductase than HDNR-E. Furthermore, HDNR-E exhibited significant antiproliferative effects against A549 lung cancer and MCF-7 breast cancer cells without affecting normal cells. These results highlight the potential of HDNR-E as a valuable source of bioactive compounds and underscore the importance of solvent selection in enhancing the health benefits of rice extracts.

Phytochemical-based nanosystems: recent advances and emerging application in antiviral photodynamic therapy

Phytochemicals are typically natural bioactive compounds or metabolites produced by plants. Phytochemical-loaded nanocarrier systems, designed to overcome bioavailability limitations and enhance therapeutic effects, have garnered significant attention in recent years. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has intensified interest in the therapeutic application of phytochemicals to combat viral infections. This review explores nanoparticle-based treatment strategies incorporating phytochemicals for antiviral application, highlighting their demonstrated antiviral mechanisms. It specifically examines the antiviral activities of phytochemical-loaded nanosystems against (i) influenza virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); (ii) mosquito-borne viruses [dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and Chikungunya (CHIKV)]; and (iii) sexually transmitted/blood borne viruses [e.g. herpes simplex virus (HSV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)]. Furthermore, this review highlights the emerging role of these nanosystems in photodynamic therapy (PDT)-mediated attenuation of viral proliferation, and offers a perspective on the future directions of research in this promising area of multimodal therapeutic approach.

Investigation of the Cholesterol Biosynthesis by Heart-Cut Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometric Detection

The biosynthesis and homeostasis of cholesterol are essential for cellular function. Cholesterol is a major lipid with multiple roles in membrane stability, signaling, or as a precursor for other molecules. Because of the structural similarity of the sterols involved in the biosynthesis, their accurate identification and quantification is still challenging. Moreover, the huge difference in the concentration of cholesterol and its precursors can cause interferences during the detection. To overcome these problems, a heart-cut liquid chromatographic method was developed by evaluating 38 different columns to achieve optimal separation. The method efficiently separates all sterol biosynthesis intermediates, with detection limits in the low nmol/L-range and an upper limit of quantification of 9 mmol/L for cholesterol by using triple quadrupole mass spectrometric detection. Investigation of lung carcinoma cells treated with statins demonstrated the capability to detect a biological response, showing inhibition of sterol synthesis. This technique offers a robust tool for studying cholesterol biosynthesis and its role in disease.

The plant extract PNS mitigates atherosclerosis via promoting Nrf2-mediated inhibition of ferroptosis through reducing USP2-mediated Keap1 deubiquitination

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Atherosclerosis is the basis of cardiovascular disease. Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation, which contributes to atherogenesis. The plant extract PNS (Panax notoginseng saponins), containing the main active ingredients of Panax notoginseng, exhibits anti-atherogenic properties. Herein, we determined whether PNS and its major components could attenuate atherosclerosis by suppressing ferroptosis and revealed the underlying mechanism(s).

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

The anti-atherogenic effects of PNS and their association with inhibition of ferroptosis was determined in apoE-/- mice. In vitro, the anti-ferroptotic effect and mechanism(s) of PNS components were demonstrated in the presence of ferroptosis inducers. Expression of ferroptosis markers and the ubiquitination of Keap1 were evaluated in USP2-/- macrophages. Finally, the anti-atherogenic effect of USP2 knockout was determined by using USP2-/- mice treated with high-fat diet (HFD) and AAV-PCSK9.

KEY RESULTS

PNS inhibited ferroptosis and atherosclerosis in vivo. PNS suppressed ferroptosis and ferroptosis-aggravated foam cell formation and inflammation in vitro. Mechanistically, PNS and its components activated Nrf2 by antagonizing Keap1, which was attributed to the inhibition of USP2 expression. USP2 knockout antagonized ferroptosis and ferroptosis-aggravated foam cell formation and inflammation, thus mitigating atherosclerosis. USP2 knockout abolished inhibitory effects of PNS on foam cell formation and inflammation in vitro.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

PNS reduced USP2-mediated Keap1 de-ubiquitination and promoted Keap1 degradation, thereby activating Nrf2, improving iron metabolism and reducing lipid peroxidation, thus contributing to an anti-atherosclerotic outcome. Our study revealed the mechanism(s) underlying inhibition of ferroptosis and atherosclerosis by PNS.

New Emerging Therapeutic Strategies Based on Manipulation of the Redox Regulation Against Therapy Resistance in Cancer

Background: Resistance to standard therapeutic methods, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, remains a critical challenge in effective cancer treatment. Redox homeostasis modification has emerged as a promising approach to address medication resistance. Objective: This review aims to explore the mechanisms of redox alterations and signaling pathways contributing to treatment resistance in cancer. Methods: In this study, a comprehensive review of the molecular mechanisms underlying drug resistance governed by redox signaling was conducted. Emphasis was placed on understanding how tumor cells manage increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels through upregulated antioxidant systems, enabling resistance across multiple therapeutic pathways. Results: Key mechanisms identified include alterations in drug efflux, target modifications, metabolic changes, enhanced DNA damage repair, stemness preservation, and tumor microenvironment remodeling. These pathways collectively facilitate tumor cells' adaptive response and resistance to various cancer treatments. Conclusion: Developing a detailed understanding of the interrelationships between these redox-regulated mechanisms and therapeutic resistance holds potential to improve treatment effectiveness, offering valuable insights for both fundamental and clinical cancer research. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 00, 000-000.

Modulation of cholesterol metabolism with Phytoremedies in Alzheimer's disease: A comprehensive review

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurological ailment that causes cognitive decline and memory loss. Cholesterol metabolism dysregulation has emerged as a crucial element in AD pathogenesis, contributing to the formation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and tau tangles, the disease's hallmark neuropathological characteristics. Thus, targeting cholesterol metabolism has gained attention as a potential therapeutic method for Alzheimer's disease. Phytoremedies, which are generated from plants and herbs, have shown promise as an attainable therapeutic option for Alzheimer's disease. These remedies contain bioactive compounds like phytochemicals, flavonoids, and polyphenols, which have demonstrated potential in modulating cholesterol metabolism and related pathways. This comprehensive review explores the modulation of cholesterol metabolism by phytoremedies in AD. It delves into the role of cholesterol in brain function, highlighting disruptions observed in AD. Additionally, it examines the underlying molecular mechanisms of cholesterol-related pathology in AD. The review emphasizes the significance of phytoremedies as a potential therapeutic intervention for AD. It discusses the drawbacks of current treatments and the need for alternative strategies addressing cholesterol dysregulation and its consequences. Through an in-depth analysis of specific phytoremedies, the review presents compelling evidence of their potential benefits. Molecular mechanisms underlying phytoremedy effects on cholesterol metabolism are examined, including regulation of cholesterol-related pathways, interactions with Aβ pathology, influence on tau pathology, and anti-inflammatory effects. The review also highlights challenges and future perspectives, emphasizing standardization, clinical evidence, and personalized medicine approaches to maximize therapeutic potential in AD treatment. Overall, phytoremedies offer promise as a potential avenue for AD management, but further research and collaboration are necessary to fully explore their efficacy, safety, and mechanisms of action.

Mitochondrial inhibitors: a new horizon in breast cancer therapy

Breast cancer, due to resistance to standard therapies such as endocrine therapy, anti-HER2 therapy and chemotherapy, continues to pose a major health challenge. A growing body of research emphasizes the heterogeneity and plasticity of metabolism in breast cancer. Because differences in subtypes exhibit a bias toward metabolic pathways, targeting mitochondrial inhibitors shows great potential as stand-alone or adjuvant cancer therapies. Multiple therapeutic candidates are currently in various stages of preclinical studies and clinical openings. However, specific inhibitors have been shown to face multiple challenges (e.g., single metabolic therapies, mitochondrial structure and enzymes, etc.), and combining with standard therapies or targeting multiple metabolic pathways may be necessary. In this paper, we review the critical role of mitochondrial metabolic functions, including oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and fatty acid and amino acid metabolism, in metabolic reprogramming of breast cancer cells. In addition, we outline the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction on metabolic pathways in different subtypes of breast cancer and mitochondrial inhibitors targeting different metabolic pathways, aiming to provide additional ideas for the development of mitochondrial inhibitors and to improve the efficacy of existing therapies for breast cancer.

Multifunctional in vitro, in silico and DFT analyses on antimicrobial BagremycinA biosynthesized by Micromonospora chokoriensis CR3 from Hieracium canadense

Among the actinomycetes in the rare genera, Micromonospora is of great interest since it has been shown to produce novel therapeutic compounds. Particular emphasis is now on its isolation from plants since its population from soil has been extensively explored. The strain CR3 was isolated as an endophyte from the roots of Hieracium canadense, and it was identified as Micromonospora chokoriensis through 16S gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The in-vitro analysis of its extract revealed it to be active against the clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Candida tropicalis (15 mm). No bioactivity was observed against Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 706003. The Micromonospora chokoriensis CR3 extract was also analyzed through the HPLC-DAD-UV-VIS resident database, and it gave a maximum match factor of 997.334 with the specialized metabolite BagremycinA (BagA). The in-silico analysis indicated that BagA strongly interacted with the active site residues of the sterol 14-α demethylase and thymidylate kinase enzymes, with the lowest binding energies of - 9.7 and - 8.3 kcal/mol, respectively. Furthermore, the normal mode analysis indicated that the interaction between these proteins and BagA was stable. The DFT quantum chemical properties depicted BagA to be reasonably reactive with a HOMO-LUMO gap of (ΔE) of 4.390 eV. BagA also passed the drug-likeness test with a synthetic accessibility score of 2.06, whereas Protox-II classified it as a class V toxicity compound with high LD50 of 2644 mg/kg. The current study reports an endophytic actinomycete, M. chokoriensis, associated with H. canadense producing the bioactive metabolite BagA with promising antimicrobial activity, which can be further modified and developed into a safe antimicrobial drug.

Consequences of dietary cinnamon and ginger oils supplementation on blood biochemical parameters, oxidative status, and tissue histomorphology of growing Japanese quails

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of various concentrations of ginger and cinnamon oils as antibiotic substitutes on some blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, and histopathological profile of the liver and gut of growing Japanese. A total of 900 Japanese quails were randomly allotted into 6 treatment groups. Each group had 5 replicates (30 chicks each). The first group received a basal diet and served as the control, while the second received a basal diet plus 0.5 g of colistin antibiotic/kg diet. The third and fourth groups were supplemented with 0.5 mL and 1.0 mL of ginger oil (GO)/kg diet, respectively. While the fifth and sixth groups received basal diet with 0.5 and 1.0 mL of cinnamon oil (CO)/kg diet, respectively. Results showed that adding herbal oils significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and urea levels compared to control and colistin groups. Various levels of GO and CO significantly (P < 0.05) reduced cholesterol levels compared to control birds. Compared to the control and antibiotic groups, Japanese quails supplemented with various levels of herbal oils (GO and CO) had more extraordinarily significant (P < 0.05) values for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GSR). Regarding histopathologic examination, the jejunum displayed a nearly empty lumen, a few fusions, and mild goblet cell metaplasia. On the other hand, the duodenum looked tall and had a few fusions of villi and remnants of removal in its lumina. It could be concluded that cinnamon and GO improved birds' blood biochemical parameters, electorate oxidative stress, and enhanced intestinal and hepatic histology of the treated quails. Also, the levels of 0.5 mL CO and 0.5 mL GO may be an acceptable substitute for antibiotics (colistin) in the diets of growing Japanese quail.

Plant-Based Nutrition: Exploring Health Benefits for Atherosclerosis, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome-A Comprehensive Review

Atherosclerosis, chronic non-communicable diseases, and metabolic syndrome are highly interconnected and collectively contribute to global health concerns that reduce life expectancy and quality of life. These conditions arise from multiple risk factors, including inflammation, insulin resistance, impaired blood lipid profile, endothelial dysfunction, and increased cardiovascular risk. Adopting a plant-based diet has gained popularity as a viable alternative to promote health and mitigate the incidence of, and risk factors associated with, these three health conditions. Understanding the potential benefits of a plant-based diet for human health is crucial, particularly in the face of the rising prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Thus, this review focused on the plausible advantages of consuming a type of food pattern for the prevention and/or treatment of chronic diseases, emphasizing the dietary aspects that contribute to these conditions and the evidence supporting the benefits of a plant-based diet for human health. To facilitate a more in-depth analysis, we present separate evidence for each of these three concepts, acknowledging their intrinsic connection while providing a specific focus on each one. This review underscores the potential of a plant-based diet to target the underlying causes of these chronic diseases and enhance health outcomes for individuals and populations.

Concurrent Activation of Both Survival-Promoting and Death-Inducing Signaling by Chloroquine in Glioblastoma Stem Cells: Implications for Potential Risks and Benefits of Using Chloroquine as Radiosensitizer

Lysosomotropic agent chloroquine was shown to sensitize non-stem glioblastoma cells to radiation in vitro with p53-dependent apoptosis implicated as one of the underlying mechanisms. The in vivo outcomes of chloroquine or its effects on glioblastoma stem cells have not been previously addressed. This study undertakes a combinatorial approach encompassing in vitro, in vivo and in silico investigations to address the relationship between chloroquine-mediated radiosensitization and p53 status in glioblastoma stem cells. Our findings reveal that chloroquine elicits antagonistic impacts on signaling pathways involved in the regulation of cell fate via both transcription-dependent and transcription-independent mechanisms. Evidence is provided that transcriptional impacts of chloroquine are primarily determined by p53 with chloroquine-mediated activation of pro-survival mevalonate and p21-DREAM pathways being the dominant response in the background of wild type p53. Non-transcriptional effects of chloroquine are conserved and converge on key cell fate regulators ATM, HIPK2 and AKT in glioblastoma stem cells irrespective of their p53 status. Our findings indicate that pro-survival responses elicited by chloroquine predominate in the context of wild type p53 and are diminished in cells with transcriptionally impaired p53. We conclude that p53 is an important determinant of the balance between pro-survival and pro-death impacts of chloroquine and propose that p53 functional status should be taken into consideration when evaluating the efficacy of glioblastoma radiosensitization by chloroquine.

VIM‑AS1 promotes proliferation and drives enzalutamide resistance in prostate cancer via IGF2BP2‑mediated HMGCS1 mRNA stabilization

VIM‑AS1, a cancer‑specific long non‑coding RNA, has been recognized as a pivotal regulator in multiple types of cancer. However, the role of VIM‑AS1 in the proliferation and resistance to anti‑androgen therapy of LNCaP and C4‑2 prostate cancer cells remains to be determined. In the current study, gain‑and‑loss experiments were used to investigate the effects of VIM‑AS on the proliferation and anti‑androgen therapy of LNCaP and C4‑2 cells. RNA sequencing, RNA pulldown and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to elucidate the underlying mechanism of VIM‑AS1 driving prostate progression. It was demonstrated that VIM‑AS1 was upregulated in C4‑2 cells, an established castration‑resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cell line, compared with in LNCaP cells, an established hormone‑sensitive prostate cancer cell line. The present study further demonstrated that VIM‑AS1 was positively associated with the clinical stage of prostate cancer. Functionally, overexpression of VIM‑AS1 decreased the sensitivity to enzalutamide treatment and enhanced the proliferation of LNCaP cells in vitro, whereas knockdown of VIM‑AS1 increased the sensitivity to enzalutamide treatment and reduced the proliferation of C4‑2 cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, 3‑hydroxy‑3‑methylglutaryl‑CoA synthase 1 (HMGCS1) was identified as one of the direct downstream targets of VIM‑AS1, and VIM‑AS1 promoted HMGCS1 expression by enhancing HMGCS1 mRNA stability through a VIM‑AS1/insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2)/HMGCS1 RNA‑protein complex. Rescue assays indicated that knockdown of HMGCS1 expression ameliorated the increase in proliferation and enzalutamide resistance of prostate cancer cells induced by VIM‑AS1 overexpression. Overall, the present study determined the roles and mechanism of the VIM‑AS1/IGF2BP2/HMGCS1 axis in regulating proliferation and enzalutamide sensitivity of prostate cancer cells and suggested that VIM‑AS1 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with CRPC.

Semisynthesis and Pesticidal Activities of Novel Cholesterol Ester Derivatives Containing Cinnamic Acid-like Fragments

Due to the extensive use of agrochemicals resulting in the emergence of pesticide resistance and ecological environment problems, the research and development of new alternatives for crop protection is highly desirable. In order to discover potent natural product-based insecticide candidates, a series of new cholesterol ester derivatives containing cinnamic acid-like fragments at the C-7 position were synthesized. Some derivatives showed potent pesticidal activities. Against Mythimna separata Walker, compounds 2a, Id, Ig, and IIg showed 2.1-2.4-fold growth-inhibitory activity of the precursor cholesterol. Against Plutella xylostella Linnaeus, compounds Ig, IIf, and IIi exhibited 1.9-2.1-fold insecticidal activity of cholesterol. These results will pave the way for the future synthesis of cholesterol-based derivatives as agrochemicals.

Regulation of Cholesterol Metabolism by Phytochemicals Derived from Algae and Edible Mushrooms in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Cholesterol synthesis occurs in almost all cells, but mainly in hepatocytes in the liver. Cholesterol is garnering increasing attention for its central role in various metabolic diseases. In addition, cholesterol is one of the most essential elements for cells as both a structural source and a player participating in various metabolic pathways. Accurate regulation of cholesterol is necessary for the proper metabolism of fats in the body. Disturbances in cholesterol homeostasis have been linked to various metabolic diseases, such as hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). For many years, the use of synthetic chemical drugs has been effective against many health conditions. Furthermore, from ancient to modern times, various plant-based drugs have been considered local medicines, playing important roles in human health. Phytochemicals are bioactive natural compounds that are derived from medicinal plants, fruit, vegetables, roots, leaves, and flowers and are used to treat a variety of diseases. They include flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, vitamins, and more. Many of these compounds have been proven to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity and antihypercholesteremic activity. The multifaceted role of phytochemicals may provide health benefits to humans with regard to the treatment and control of cholesterol metabolism and the diseases associated with this disorder, such as NAFLD. In recent years, global environmental climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, the current war in Europe, and other conflicts have threatened food security and human nutrition worldwide. This further emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable sources of functional phytochemicals to be included in the food industry and dietary habits. This review summarizes the latest findings on selected phytochemicals from sustainable sources-algae and edible mushrooms-that affect the synthesis and metabolism of cholesterol and improve or prevent NAFLD.