Current Drug Metabolism - Volume 18, Issue 10, 2017

Background: Honey is known for its therapeutic properties from ancient civilizations. Recently, the mechanism of action of Manuka honey in wound healing, epithelial regeneration, and ulcer treatments has been revealed. Objective: In the current review, the health perspectives of honey, its chemical composition with special reference to flavonoids, polyphenol, and other bioactive trace compounds used in tissue regeneration have been discussed in detail. Methods: We undertook a structured search using wide spectrum sources like Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. Results: The included papers showed that Manuka honey can inhibit the process of carcinogenesis by controlling different molecular processes, and progression of cancer cells. Manuka honey has been found to have various biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-proliferative capacities. Scientists try to use Manuka honey in the area of tissue engineering to design a template for regeneration. Naturally derived antibacterial agents of Manuka honey are numerous mixtures of different compounds, which can influence antibacterial capacity. The non-peroxide bacteriostatic properties of Manuka honey are associated with the presence of methylglyoxal (MGO). Conclusion: In addition to bacterial growth inhibition, glyoxal (GO) and MGO from Manuka honey can enhance wound healing and tissue regeneration by their immunomodulatory property. Further studies are needed to provide detailed information about active components of Manuka honey and their potential efficacy in different diseases.

Background: Several disease conditions require controlled or sustained drug release leading to complete recovery. In recent years, there has been a considerable research interest in bio-inspired biomaterials due to their potential as an alternative to the traditional synthetic counterparts. Methods: Herein, we extensively reviewed, analyzed and compiled salient information from the authentic bibliographic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, Springer, Bentham Science and other scientific databases. A focused review question and inclusion/exclusion criterion were adopted to appraise the quality of retrieved peerreviewed research literature. Results: Research is underway around the globe on the development of “greener ” technologies with an aim to engineer novel drug delivery systems (DDS). Bio-based constructs are being engineered for target applications in different bio- and non-bio sectors of the modern world, to address growing concerns about a global dependence on nonrenewable petroleum-based resources. Therefore, in recent years, bio-inspired biomaterials have gained a considerable attention with high-value biomedical and pharmaceutical potentials. Moreover, owing to their novel characteristics like non-toxicity, biocompatibility, together with the adjustable thermo-mechanical and controllable properties, collagen, poly (lactic acid) (PLA), and chitosan-based novel constructs have raised interesting applications in many sectors of the medical world. So far, many of such bio-constructs have been implicated in drug delivery systems, tissue repair, nutritional and therapeutic uses. Conclusions: In conclusion, this review comprised of different bio-based novel materials including collagen, PLA, and chitosan and their valorization for DDS. In this review, detailed information is summarized on various geometries like microspheres, composites, and nano-films, etc. from each material. Towards the end, information is also given on their future perspectives and concluding remarks.

Background: Polyphenols are plant secondary metabolites present in the human and animal diet, and numerous studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of polyphenol-rich ingredients. Methods: To date, the research for natural antioxidants as alternative to synthetic products is of great interest among scientists. The present review emphasizes the importance of knowing the content and the quality of phenolic compounds present in natural ingredients. Results: The aim of the present review is also a critical analysis of achievements related to polyphenols action in livestock production with a particular emphasis on their antioxidant-related properties both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, this paper includes information related to the relationships between dietary consumption of polyphenols and risk of disease occurrence in both animal and human. Conclusion: From the current scientific understanding, polyphenolic compounds offer significant expectation for health promotion.

Background: Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) based novel constructs have been engineered for targeted applications in various biomedical sectors of the modern world. In this context, a special focus has been given to pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries. Methods: In this review, we extensively reviewed, analyzed and compiled salient information from the authentic bibliographic sources including PubMed, Scopus, Elsevier, Springer, Bentham Science and other scientific databases. A focused review question and inclusion/exclusion criterion were adopted to appraise the quality of retrieved peer-reviewed research literature. Results: Recently, bio-based constructs are being engineered for target applications in different bio- and non-bio sectors of the modern world to address the growing human health-related serious concerns. The utilization of properly designed and structured materials thus allows the creation of a well-defined environment that induces a series of directed measures, and so on. Over the last few years, PLA-based novel constructs have received exceptional attention as potential candidates for various biotechnological and biomedical applications at large and drug delivery in particular. Owing to their unique characteristics including biocompatibility, together with the adjustable thermomechanical and tunable control drug release, PLA has raised interesting applications in many sectors of the medical world. So far, many of such PLA-based bio-constructs have been exploited in drug delivery systems, cosmeceutical products, and therapeutic uses. In recent years, many new applications have been reported for PLA-based materials at the micro- and nano- level, resulting in novel requests for specific drug delivery and cosmeceutical sectors. Conclusions: In summary, this review summarizes recent research on different aspects of PLA and PLA-based novel constructs and their potential biomedical applications. Moreover, with the aid of nanotechnology, PLA has made a positive impact in emerging sectors such as cosmetics, drug delivery technologies, and healthcare advances.

Background: Angiogenesis is an essential physiological process for growth and maintenance of the body. Especially its role becomes indispendable during the embryonic development stage but lacks in adults with some exceptions like while wound repair and menstrual cycle. It is a tightly regulated process and relies on the cascade of several molecular signaling pathways with the involvement of many effectors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF) etc. Methods: Related literature/ information were retrieved, analyzed and compiled from the online published resources available in Medline, Pubmed, Pubmed Central, Science Direct and other scientific databases. Results: Excessive angiogenesis leads to disorders like tumor, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetic retinopathy, endometriosis, psoriasis, and adiposity. While, reduced angiogenesis also results in several ailments like cardiac ischemia, low capillary density in brain of Alzheimer's patients and delayed wound healing. Therefore, both angio-proliferative and anti-angiogenic approaches may be of use in developing novel therapeutics. Bacterial toxins are known for modulating the process of angiogenesis by mimicking pro-angiogenic factors and/ or competing with them. Furthermore, they inactivate the receptors or keep them in ON status, hence can be used to treat angiogenic disorders. The ease in handling, cultivation and manipulating the toxins structure has enabled the use of bacteria as an ideal choice for novel therapeutic developments. Conclusion: This review intends to elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which certain bacteria may alter the level of angiogenesis and consequently can work as therapeutics against angiogenic disorders.

Background: Viruses are the most devastating pathogens of almost all life forms including humans and animals. Viruses can replicate very fast and may affect any metabolic and physiological function of the host cell. Therefore, it has been a challenge to develop a universal and common treatment against viral pathogens, in contrast to bacterial pathogens. Virus-host interaction is a complex phenomenon and often is virus- and host cell-specific. Exciting new insights into the molecular pathogenesis and host-virus interactions have been gained over the past few decades. These advances have enabled researchers to design better antiviral drugs. Methods: The literature related to various aspects of virus-host interactions: new insights and advances in drug development was collected from several scientific research related databases such as Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, AGRICOLA, and Medline, etc. Total number of 319 research papers was used to compile the information regarding drug development against viral pathogens. Results: Clinical adequacy of antiviral drugs and their bioavailability are important parameters for effective treatment of viral infections. The problems associated with effective delivery of a drug in a safe and desired quantity have led to the search for (and design of) better drug delivery systems. In recent past, several new antiviral drugs have been developed, which have high therapeutic effectiveness against life-threatening viral diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B virus, herpes virus, dengue virus and influenza virus infections. The majority of recent advances in antiviral drug discovery were possible due to the developments in allied fields such as in vitro virus cultivation technology, molecular biology of viral-genome-encoded enzymes, complete-genome-sequence-based studies of viruses and identification of suitable targets for antiviral drugs in viral genomes. Recently, several novel drug delivery approaches including small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have emerged to aid antiviral therapy. Conclusion: The present review is aimed at providing an update on research and development efforts being made to create effective antiviral chemotherapeutic agents and approaches to their delivery to appropriate targeted cells or tissues.