Search

Bromelain is a key enzyme found in pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.); a proteolytic substance with multiple beneficial effects for human health such as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic, traditionally used in many countries for its potential therapeutic value. The aim of this updated and comprehensive review focuses on the potential anticancer benefits of bromelain, analyzing the cytotoxic, apoptotic, necrotic, autophagic, immunomodulating, and anti-inflammatory effects in cancer cells and animal models. Detailed information about Bromelain and its anticancer effects at the cellular, molecular and signaling levels were collected from online databases such as PubMed/MedLine, TRIP database, GeenMedical, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The results of the analyzed studies showed that Bromelain possesses corroborated pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, anti-edema, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-coagulant, anti-osteoarthritis, anti-trauma pain, anti-diarrhea, wound repair. Nonetheless, bromelain clinical studies are scarce and still more research is needed to validate the scientific value of this enzyme in human cancer diseases.

M Guida,1 D Maffucci,1 G Iannuzzi,1 M Giordano,1 G Luciano,1 L Di Benedetto,2 R Cantarella,3 A Rescigno,3 L Giugliano1 1Università degli studi di Salerno – Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e Odontoiatria “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, Salerno, Italy; 2Università degli studi di Roma “La Sapienza” – Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Chirurgiche e di Medicina Traslazionale – Facoltà di Medicina e Psicologia Azienda Ospedaliera Sant’ Andrea, Rome, Italy; 3Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona, Salerno, Italy Objective: This paper reports on a rare case of pregnancy after uterine artery embolization (UAE) for uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM). Debate exists about persistence of fertility in women after UAE. Adverse effects of this technique can modify both uterine echostructure, inducing necrosis and infarction, endometrial atrophy and uterine artery rupture, and ovarian reserve, causing persistent amenorrhea. Ovarian reserve appears to be affected by UAE in premenopausal women. However, younger ovaries (according to biological ovarian age) exhibit a greater capacity for recovery after ovarian damage. Therefore, larger studies are needed for more conclusive results. Case report: A 28-year-old woman was admitted to our department due to life-threatening uterine bleeding, resulting in tachycardia, pallor, and sweating. The patient came with a history of two spontaneous miscarriages. After sonography and computed tomography, AVMs were identified at uterine fundus and anterior wall. Conclusion: The pathogenesis of infertility after UAE is not yet known. The peculiarity of this case was that, only few months later, the patient became pregnant and gave birth to a live fetus at 37 weeks with cesarean delivery. Keywords: uterine artery embolization, fertility, uterine arteriovenous malformation, pregnancy, angiography

Cytinus hypocistis (Cytinaceae) and Cynomorium coccineum (Cynomoriaceae) are two Mediterranean parasitic plants, wildly diffused in Sardinia and well-known for several ethnopharmacological activities [1-2]. Nevertheless, only partially confirmation have been reported so far. To explore their potential, we undertook a thorough biological study. Cynomorium coccineum Cytinus hypocistis Antioxidant + ++ Antibacterial(Gram+) + + Antibacterial (Gram-) +/- +/- Antityrosinase + ++ Cytotoxicity against B16F10 + - Pro-erectile + NT Water and methanol extracts from both plants presented intriguing biological activities, due to a high content in phenolics (Table 1). The main active components were identified as gallic acid and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside [2]. Antioxidant activity was determined with both ET (FRAP, DPPH, and TEAC-ABTS) and HAT assays (ORAC-pyrogallol). Both plants were active against clinical isolate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Significant differences were found in the cytotoxic properties of the two plants. In fact, whereas Cynomorium was toxic against tumoral line B16F10, Cytinus did not have a significant effect even at the highest dose (1000μg/mL). In C. coccineum, even pro-erectile function was detected, confirming traditional use. Altogether these activities are promising in the perspective of potential nutraceutical applications., Journal of International Society of Antioxidants in Nutrition & Health, Vol 3, No 4 (2016)

Cynomorium coccineum L. is a non-photosynthetic plant, spread over Mediterranean countries, amply used in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate for the first time the antifungal activity of its extracts. The antifungal activity was evaluated using the macrodilution method against Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans and dermatophyte strains. The methanolic extract was very active against C. neoformans, Candida guilliermondii and Candida krusei, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values of 0.025 mg/mL. This extract is more active than fluconazole against C. krusei H9. The influence of methanolic extract on the dimorphic transition in Candida albicans was also studied through the germ tube inhibition assay. More than 60% of filamentation was inhibited at a concentration of 1/4 MIC. These results are preliminary and further studies are needed to an eventual use of C. coccineum methanolic extract in the treatments of candidiasis and cryptococcosis.

En este trabajo se abordan de manera general los compuestosinhibidores de la tirosinasa, la enzima limitante y el pilar fundamental para el control de la pigmentación en la piel de los humanos. Se presentan las principales características de los agentes despigmentantes utilizados en la práctica médica. También se muestran los compuestos estudiados hasta la actualidad, los que son agrupados teniendo en cuenta su origen: naturales, sintéticos y fármacos con otros usos terapéuticos, descubiertos con actividadinhibidora contra la enzima. Finalmente se discuten los últimos avances en el campo de la quimioinformática y la modelación molecular relacionados con el estudio de la enzima y sus inhibidores.

This work is an updated snapshot of Lamium plants and their biological activities. The main features of the plant are described and the components of its essential oils are summarized. The traditional medicinal uses of Lamium plants has been reported. The presence of these chemicals i.e., hydroxycinnamic acids, iridoids, secoiridoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenylpropanoids, phytoecdysteroids, benzoxazinoids, betaine can provide biological activities. After the discussion of antioxidant properties documented for Lamium plants, the biological activities, studied using in vitro models, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive activity, and pain therapy and cytotoxicity and cytoprotective activity are here described and discussed. Finally, targeted examples of in vivo studies are reported.