Current Chemical Biology - Volume 17, Issue 2, 2023

Unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) as bioactive compounds possess a wide range of biomedical functions and a lack or shortage of them may cause serious harm to human body health. Biochemically, UFAs have attracted growing interest, and this attention arises not only from biomedical reasons but also economic ones. Among these fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are considered the most efficient and safe compounds which can be used for expanding and identification of novel functionalities. They are considered essential membrane components and are associated with a variety of biological processes. For example, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play a central role in the proper functioning of the nervous system like anti-atherogenic properties and improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Briefly, understanding the relationship between these properties and potential biomedical applications of UFAs may help to elucidate and facilitate the development of novel pathogenesis strategies regarding their disorders in human health and diseases. This review provides the most suitable functional roles and potential mechanisms of UFAs associated with human health and nutrition.

Hexokinase catalyses the first regulatory step of the glycolytic pathway. We can say without any exaggeration that both hexokinase and glycolysis are involved in the control of brain cells' life and death. To perform these pivotal roles, hexokinase occurs in four different isoforms in mammalian cells. Type I isozyme is best suited for energy generation, introducing glucose in glycolysis. In contrast, Type II and Type III isoforms product is directed to generation of NADPH through the pentose phosphate pathway, utilized in biosynthetic processes. Nevertheless, hexokinase has another unique property to accomplish its multiple functions: the capacity for mitochondrial binding. Linked to its role in apoptosis control, the binding of hexokinase inhibits the action of apoptosis inducers, such as Bax, from initiating the release of intramitochondrial proteins. Akt mediates HKII binding to mitochondria. Overexpression of the phosphatase SHIP2 reduces Akt activity and enhances apoptosis, emphasizing the role of hexokinase in cell death. Furthermore, hexokinase also participates in cellular signaling and functional regulation. Adding complexity to this multidimensional enzyme´s attributes, glycolysis occurs in aerobic or anaerobic situations. “Aerobic glycolysis” participates in the control of cell excitability, in synapse formation and neurite growth. Here we provide an overview of the multiple roles of hexokinase and glycolysis in neuronal metabolic association with astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. We also provide an update on the role of hexokinase and glycolysis in microglia activation and in brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Background: The genus Onopordum (Asteraceae), with about 40 species, is composed of perennials and spermatophyte plants, which are widely used in popular medicine for the treatment of several human diseases. Plants of this genus constitute an interesting source of bioactive molecules with a wide range of pharmacological applications. Objective: In this context, the current study describes a critical review of traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects of the genus Onopordum in order to establish a valuable database for future ethnopharmacological surveys on this genus. Methods: For this, all bibliographic data covering the period of 1970 to 2022 were collected and analyzed. Results: Only 19 species from the genus Onopordum were studied. They are traditionally used to treat gastric, renal, respiratory, urinary, and gynecological diseases and in the food industry for cheese production. Indeed, it was found that Onopordum species are rich in flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, and steroids. These plants exhibit several interesting biological activities including: antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, apoptotic, cytotoxic, antitumor, anticholinergic, larvicidal, analgesic and antipyretic, hypotensive, antiepileptic, and anticonvulsant activities. Furthermore, their hemostatic, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties, increase their usefulness in the cosmetic field. Conclusion: According to the present study, Onoporadum species constitute an important natural source of secondary metabolites with potential therapeutic, cosmetic, and nutritional applications. However, the focus has been only on 19 species and the publications were not very explanatory, Therefore, in-depth pharmacological and phytochemical studies are needed to fully exploit the therapeutic potential and the chemical composition of Onopordum species.

Background: Achillea wilhelmsii used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat a variety of disorders, has been proven to contribute to some signaling pathways in cancers. Evidence suggests that the Hippo pathway, which regulates organ size, is altered in a few conditions like lung cancer. In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of this plant on the viability and mRNA expression of some Hippo signaling pathway-associated oncogenes and suppressors in A549 lung cancer cell lines. Methods: Hydroalcoholic extract was prepared using a Soxhlet extractor and its antiproliferative activity was studied by MTT assay. Then, the mRNA expressions of "large tumour suppressor kinases 1 and 2" (LATS1 and LATS2), "Yes1 Associated Transcriptional Regulator" (YAP1), and "Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif" (TAZ) were measured using real-time PCR. Results: According to MTT, the viability was decreased significantly after 24 h treatment with A. wilhelmsii at the concentrations of 800-1000 μg/ml and after 48 h treatment at the concentration of 400- 1000 μg/ml. While the mRNA levels of LATS1, TAZ, and YAP1 decreased significantly compared to untreated cells at the concentration of 200 μg/ml after 48 h treatment. However, the mRNA expression of LATS2 did not change. Conclusion: Our findings showed that hydroalcoholic extract of A. wilhelmsii inhibited the viability of lung cancer cells as well as it could decrease the expression of both oncogenes in the Hippo pathway. However, it had suppressing effects on LATS1, which should be considered in further studies.