Hot yoga is more than a sweaty fitness trend: it can help people with high blood pressure shift in a calm, soothing direction — away from high blood pressure and heart disease

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J Biomed Phys Eng. 2020 Apr ;10(2):161-166. Epub 2020 Apr 1. PMID: 32337183

Abstract Title: 

Rapid Delivery of Gold Nanoparticles into Colon Cancer HT-29 Cells by Electroporation: In-vitro Study.

Abstract: 

Background: Electroporation has become a routine technique for rapid drug delivery for the treatment of cancer. Because of its simplicity and wide range of application, it has been applied for the transfer of gold-nanoparticles and can facilitate entry into target cancer cells.Objective: The aim of this study is finding optimal conditions in order to obtain high GNPs- uptake and cell viability by means of electroporation.Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, exponential electrical pulse with electric field intensity ranging from 0.2 -2 kV/cm, pulse length of 100µs and the pulse number of 2 was used. Electroporated cell viability was investigated using MTS assay and GNPs-cellular uptake was assayed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Finally, electroporation results were compared with passive method.Results: The maximum uptake occurred at 1.2 to 2 kV/cm and passive method happened. The cell viability of 1.2 kV/cm and passive method was about 90%, while the cell viability in 2 kV/cm drastically decreased to 50%. The findings showed that using two pulses of 1.2 kV/cm and 100µs is a convenient way and surrogate of passive method for internalizing GNPs into cells.Conclusion: It is concluded that the electroporation-GNPs method could create an opportunistic context for colon cancer therapy. This type of treatment is especially attractive for highly immunogenic types of cancers in patients who are otherwise not surgical candidates or whose tumors are unresectable.

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J Diet Suppl. 2020 Jan 20:1-20. Epub 2020 Jan 20. PMID: 31958022

Abstract Title: 

Neuroprotective Effect of Ashwagandha Extract against the Neurochemical Changes Induced in Rat Model of Hypothyroidism.

Abstract: 

The current aim is to evaluate the effect of ashwagandha root extract (AE) on the neurochemical changes induced in the cortex and hippocampus as a consequence of thyroid dysfunction induced by propylthiouracil (PTU).were divided into; control, AE treated rats, rat model of hypothyroidism and rat model of hypothyroidism treated with either AE or L-thyroxine (T4) for 1 month. Rat model of hypothyroidism showed a significant decrease in serum levels of tri-iodothyronine (T3) and T4 and a significant increase in cortical and hippocampal lipid peroxidation (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). However, reduced glutathione (GSH) decreased significantly. This was associated with a significant increase in hippocampal tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and cortical dopamine levels. Both L-thyroxine and AE restored T3 and T4 levels. In the hippocampus L-Thyroxine prevented the increase in MDA and restored GSH but failed to restore the increased NO and TNF-α. In the cortex L-thyroxine didn't change the increased MDA and NO and the decreased GSH induced by PTU. L-thyroxine increased cortical and hippocampal SOD and CAT. AE prevented the increased hippocampal MDA, NO and TNF-α and the decreased GSH level induced by PTU. In the cortex AE failed to restore MDA and NO but prevented the decrease in GSH. The increase in cortical dopamine level induced by PTU was ameliorated by L-thyroxine and improved by AE. The present data indicate that AE could prevent thyroid dysfunction and reduce its complications on the nervous system including oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.

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IET Nanobiotechnol. 2020 May ;14(3):245-252. PMID: 32338634

Abstract Title: 

Bacteriocin-capped silver nanoparticles for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy against food pathogens.

Abstract: 

Bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria are safer alternatives to the more popularly used chemical preservatives which exhibit several adverse effects. The bacteriocins have an advantage of being efficient in controlling food pathogens without possessing any side-effects. However, the bacteriocins have a limitation of exhibiting a narrow antimicrobial spectrum and having a high-dosage requirement. With an aim to combat these limitations, the present study involved the biosynthesis of bacteriocin-capped nanoparticles, using two bacteriocins (Bac4463 and Bac22) extracted and purified fromstrains. Nanoconjugates synthesised at optimum conditions were characterized using various physico-chemical techniques. The interaction of bacteriocin-capped silver nanoparticles with the pathogenic bacteria was observed using scanning electron microscopy, wherein the deformed and elongated cells were clearly visible.antimicrobial efficacy of both Bac4463-capped silver nanoparticles and Bac22-capped silver nanoparticles against different food pathogens was observed to be enhanced in comparison to the antimicrobial activity of bacteriocins alone. Minimum inhibitory concentration was observed to be as low as 8 μg/ml for Bac4463-capped silver nanoparticles against, and 2 μg/ml for Bac22-capped silver nanoparticles against. This study, therefore, recommends the use of bacteriocin-capped nanoparticles as food preservatives to control the growth of food spoiling bacteria.

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PMID: 

Saudi J Biol Sci. 2020 May ;27(5):1340-1351. Epub 2019 Dec 19. PMID: 32346344

Abstract Title: 

Biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Antibacterial and cytotoxic potential.

Abstract: 

In green chemistry, the application of a biogenic material as a mediator in nanoparticles formation is an innovative nanotechnology. Our current investigation aimed at testing the cytotoxic potential and antimicrobial ability of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that were prepared usingroots andleaf extracts as stabilizing and reducing agents. An agar well diffusion technique was employed to detect synthesized AgNPs antibacterial ability on, andbacterial strains. Furthermore, their cytotoxic capability against LoVo, MDA-MB231 and HepG2 ca cells was investigated. For phyto-chemical detection in the biogenic AgNPs the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was considered. Zeta sizer, TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) and FE-SEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope) were used to detect biogenic AgNPs' size and morphology. The current results showed the capability of tested plant extract for conversion of Ag ions to AgNPs with a mean size ranging between 90.8 ± 0.8 and 183.2 ± 0.7 nm in diameter. Furthermore, prepared AgNPs exhibited apoptotic potential against HepG2, LoVo, and MDA-MB 231cell with ICranging between 10.9 and 21.4 μg/ml and antibacterial ability in the range of 16.0 ± 0.1 to 22.0 ± 1.8 mm diameter. Activation of caspases in AgNPs treated cells could be the main indicator for their positive effect causing apoptosis. The current investigation suggested that the green production of AgNPs could be a suitable substitute to large-scale production of AgNPs, since stable and active nanoparticles could be obtained.

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J Cell Physiol. 2019 Aug ;234(8):12404-12414. Epub 2019 Jan 4. PMID: 30609023

Abstract Title: 

Curcumin as a therapeutic agent in leukemia.

Abstract: 

Leukemia comprises a group of hematological malignancies responsible for 8% of all cancers and is the most common cancer in children. Despite significant improvements in leukemia treatment, the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutic agents is low and the disease carries a poor prognosis with frequent relapses and high mortality. Curcumin is a yellow polyphenol compound with diverse pharmacological actions including anticancer, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, lipid-regulating, antidepressant, and antiarthritic. Many cellular and experimental studies have reported the benefits of curcumin in treating leukemia. Curcumin's anticancer effects are exerted via various mechanisms. Here, we review the effects of curcumin on various types of leukemia whilst considering its mechanisms of action.

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PMID: 

Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Apr 18 ;20(8). Epub 2019 Apr 18. PMID: 31003422

Abstract Title: 

Curcumin and Intestinal Inflammatory Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms of Protection.

Abstract: 

Intestinal inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and necrotizing enterocolitis, are becoming increasingly prevalent. While knowledge of the pathogenesis of these related diseases is currently incomplete, each of these conditions is thought to involve a dysfunctional, or overstated, host immunological response to both bacteria and dietary antigens, resulting in unchecked intestinal inflammation and, often, alterations in the intestinal microbiome. This inflammation can result in an impaired intestinal barrier allowing for bacterial translocation, potentially resulting in systemic inflammation and, in severe cases, sepsis. Chronic inflammation of this nature, in the case of inflammatory bowel disease, can even spur cancer growth in the longer-term. Recent research has indicated certain natural products with anti-inflammatory properties, such as curcumin, can help tame the inflammation involved in intestinal inflammatory diseases, thus improving intestinal barrier function, and potentially, clinical outcomes. In this review, we explore the potential therapeutic properties of curcumin on intestinal inflammatory diseases, including its antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, as well as its potential to alter the intestinal microbiome. Curcumin may play a significant role in intestinal inflammatory disease treatment in the future, particularly as an adjuvant therapy.

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Nutrients. 2020 Jan 1 ;12(1). Epub 2020 Jan 1. PMID: 31906278

Abstract Title: 

Antidiabetic Properties of Curcumin I: Evidence from In Vitro Studies.

Abstract: 

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Current preventative and treatment strategies for T2DM and insulin resistance lack in efficacy resulting in the need for new approaches to prevent and manage/treat the disease better. In recent years, epidemiological studies have suggested that diets rich in fruits and vegetables have beneficial health effects including protection against insulin resistance and T2DM. Curcumin, a polyphenol found in turmeric, and curcuminoids have been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory and antidiabetic properties. The current review (I of II) summarizes the existing in vitro studies examining the antidiabetic effects of curcumin, while a second (II of II) review summarizes evidence from existing in vivo animal studies and clinical trials focusing on curcumin's antidiabetic properties.

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PMID: 

J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2020 Mar 2:e22478. Epub 2020 Mar 2. PMID: 32124518

Abstract Title: 

Role of curcumin and its nanoformulations in neurotherapeutics: A comprehensive review.

Abstract: 

Curcumin, a dietary polyphenol and major constituent of Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), is extensively used as a spice in Asian countries. For ages, turmeric has been used in traditional medicine systems to treat various diseases, which was possible because of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancerous, antiepileptic, antidepressant, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, antiapoptotic, and antiproliferativeeffects. Curcumin has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, neurotrophic activities, which support its plausible neuroprotective effects in neurodegenerative disease. However, there is limited information available regarding the clinical efficacy of curcumin in neurodegenerative cases. The low oral bioavailability of curcumin may be speculated as a plausible factor that limits its effects in humans. Therefore, utilization of several approaches for the enhancement of bioavailability may improve clinical outcomes. Furthermore, the use of nanotechnology and a targeted drug delivery system may improve the bioavailability of curcumin. The present review is designed to summarize the molecular mechanisms pertaining to the neuroprotective effects of curcumin and its nanoformulations.

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1 out of 3 Americans suffer from high blood pressure, a precursor to many forms of cardiovascular disease. Researchers believe cinnamon may be a novel and therapeutic answer