Targeting Tumor-Associated Macrophages by Plant Compounds

Macrophages play an important role in cancer development, as they represent almost half of the cells forming the tumor microenvironment. They are called tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and most of them are alternative activated macrophages (M2 polarized), promoting cancer progression, angiogenesis and local immunosuppression. Blocking the macrophages recruitment, preventing their activation or turning M2 cells toward M1 phenotype (classic activated macrophage promoting an efficient immune response) is a modern immunotherapeutic approach for fighting cancer. Several studies showed that plant compounds (phenolics, triterpenes, coumarins, etc.) exert antitumor properties, not only by a direct toxical effect to malignant cells but also by influencing macrophage phenotypic differentiation

Plant Phenolic Compounds as Immunomodulatory Agents

Immunology is a source of continuous discoveries; Immunology was and still is a source of continuous discoveries. Immunomodulation encompasses all therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying the immune response. Immunostimulation is desirable to prevent infection in states of immunodeficiency and to fight infections and cancer. On the other hand, immunosuppressive agents inhibit the activity of the immune system, and they are used to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs and tissues and to treat autoimmune diseases or diseases that are most likely of autoimmune origin (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.), or other nonautoimmune inflammatory diseases (e.g., allergic asthma). The discovery of immunomodulatory agents from medicinal plants devoid of toxic side effects, with enhanced bioavailability and that can be used for a long duration, is of great actuality. Research on natural immunomodulators provides a therapeutic solution that addresses a multitude of disorders. Plant phenolic compounds already proved beneficial effects in cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, exerting mainly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The concepts of “immunomodulatory,” “anti-inflammatory,” and “antioxidant” are often strongly related, and a review of phenolic compound action on immune system should be analyzed in a context, revealing their mechanism of action on effector cells and also on the system as a whole

HPTLC FINGERPRINT USE, AN IMPORTANT STEP IN PLANT-DERIVED PRODUCTS QUALITY CONTROL

Abstract Romanian flora comprises a significant number of vegetal species, some of these already established in terms o

The genus Inula and their metabolites : From ethnopharmacological to medicinal uses

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The genus Inula comprises more than one hundred species widespread in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Uses of this genus as herbal medicines have been first recorded by the Greek and Roman ancient physicians. In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, from the 20 Inula spp. distributed in China, three are used as Traditional Chinese medicines, named Tumuxiang, Xuanfuhua and Jinfeicao. These medicines are used as expectorants, antitussives, diaphoretics, antiemetics, and bactericides. Moreover, Inula helenium L. which is mentioned in Minoan, Mycenaean, Egyptian/Assyrian pharmacotherapy and Chilandar Medical Codex, is good to treat neoplasm, wound, freckles and dandruff. Many other Inula spp. are used in Ayurvedic and Tibetan traditional medicinal systems for the treatment of diseases such as bronchitis, diabetes, fever, hypertension and several types of inflammation. This review is a critical evaluation of the published data on the more relevant ethnopharmacological and medicinal uses of Inula spp. and on their metabolites biological activities. This study allows the identification of the ethnopharmacological knowledge of this genus and will provide insight into the emerging pharmacological applications of Inula spp. facilitating the prioritirization of future investigations. The corroboration of the ethnopharmacological applications described in the literature with proved biological activities of Inula spp. secondary metabolites will also be explored.University of Aveiro, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal), the European Union, QREN, FEDER, COMPETE, for funding the Organic Chemistry Research Unit (QOPNA) (project PEst-/QUI/UI0062/2013; FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-037296). The work was also supported by a grant of UEFISCDI, Romania, PN-II-PT-PCCA-2 no. 134/2012.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Determination of protein fractions in a sports horse with laryngotracheitis, nonspecifically stimulated with a phytotherapeutic extract (case study

In a sports horse with signs of laryngotracheitis that hardly achieved the training program, a phytotherapeutic extract with immunomodulating properties was administered. Following the administration of the extract, on the second day, the horse showed a remarkable comeback in the sense that it did the normal training without the presence of fatigue and coughing. The horse was clinically examined, blood samples were collected and the extract was inoculated s.c., blood samples were collected at 24 hours, 7 days and 10 days for haematological, biochemical examinations and also for electrophoresis, in order to determin the protein fractions. Significant changes are noted for fractions β1, β2 and γ. In terms of albumin, they are found initially at physiological values, and 24 hours after the inoculation of the extract, very significant decreased throughout the experiment. The most spectacular variations of the protein fractions are those for gamma globulins: initially they are drastically decreased, and 24 hours after the inoculation of the extract, they increased spectacularly, about 3 times, and remain close to this level (in physiological parameters), throughout the experiment. The albumin / globulin ratio is clearly in favor of globulins

Research on metabolic status in periparturient cows

In the experiment, hematological and blood biochemical parameters were determined in a batch of 5 cows in the last week of gestation (Group 1) and 5 cows in the first week after calving (Group 2). Cows are clinically healthy and come from a farm where the milk production per fed animal is about 30 liters/day, cows being milked 3 times per day. Hematologic parameters were found within physiological limits, but in both groups the monocytes were found to be low, and in group 1, mild lymphopenia was detected. Investigated blood biochemical parameters allowed to assert that in cows in the last week of gestation, bilirubin was found to be significantly increased when recently-bred cows were within normal limits. In both lots, LDH was found to be significantly increased. Metabolic status also determined the protein fractions by means of electrophoresis: 10 samples were analyzed (Group 3 consisting of 5 cows in the last week of gestation and Group 4 consisting of 5 cows in the first week after calving). The values of the protein fractions were within the physiological limits and the Albumin/Globulin Ratio was found within physiological limits in group 3 and lower in group 4, which confirms gamma globulin reactivation immediately after calving

Erratum to: Methods for evaluating medical tests and biomarkers

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s41512-016-0001-y.]

Evidence synthesis to inform model-based cost-effectiveness evaluations of diagnostic tests: a methodological systematic review of health technology assessments

Background: Evaluations of diagnostic tests are challenging because of the indirect nature of their impact on patient outcomes. Model-based health economic evaluations of tests allow different types of evidence from various sources to be incorporated and enable cost-effectiveness estimates to be made beyond the duration of available study data. To parameterize a health-economic model fully, all the ways a test impacts on patient health must be quantified, including but not limited to diagnostic test accuracy. Methods: We assessed all UK NIHR HTA reports published May 2009-July 2015. Reports were included if they evaluated a diagnostic test, included a model-based health economic evaluation and included a systematic review and meta-analysis of test accuracy. From each eligible report we extracted information on the following topics: 1) what evidence aside from test accuracy was searched for and synthesised, 2) which methods were used to synthesise test accuracy evidence and how did the results inform the economic model, 3) how/whether threshold effects were explored, 4) how the potential dependency between multiple tests in a pathway was accounted for, and 5) for evaluations of tests targeted at the primary care setting, how evidence from differing healthcare settings was incorporated. Results: The bivariate or HSROC model was implemented in 20/22 reports that met all inclusion criteria. Test accuracy data for health economic modelling was obtained from meta-analyses completely in four reports, partially in fourteen reports and not at all in four reports. Only 2/7 reports that used a quantitative test gave clear threshold recommendations. All 22 reports explored the effect of uncertainty in accuracy parameters but most of those that used multiple tests did not allow for dependence between test results. 7/22 tests were potentially suitable for primary care but the majority found limited evidence on test accuracy in primary care settings. Conclusions: The uptake of appropriate meta-analysis methods for synthesising evidence on diagnostic test accuracy in UK NIHR HTAs has improved in recent years. Future research should focus on other evidence requirements for cost-effectiveness assessment, threshold effects for quantitative tests and the impact of multiple diagnostic tests