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Glutathione (GSH) has been the focus of increased scientific interest in the last decades. It plays a crucial role in all major physiological processes by supplying antioxidant defenses through participating in cellular redox reactions in the human body and other living organisms. GSH also participates in detoxifying xenobiotics, protecting protein thiols from crosslinking and oxidation, regulating the cell cycle, storing cysteine, etc. The significant role of GSH in the most important physiological processes has been highlighted, such as maintaining the redox balance and reducing oxidative stress due to its ability to inactivate the reactive oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur species. It can also enhance metabolic detoxification and regulate the function of the immune system. All of these characteristics make it a universal biomarker since its proper balance is essential for improving health and treating some age-related disorders. This review presents a current concept of the synthesis and metabolism of GSH; its main functions in a living organism, and as a precursor and cofactor; data on the use of GSH for medicinal purposes in the prevention and treatment of some diseases, as well as a nutritional strategy to maintain a normal pool of GSH in the body. The data were gathered by searching relevant information in multiple databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic still has tremendous impacts on the global socio-economy and quality of living. The traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) approach showed encouraging results during previous outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-related Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). With limited treatment availability, TCM herbs and formulations could be useful to reduce COVID-19 symptoms and potential sources for discovering novel therapeutic targets. We reviewed 12 TCM herbs and formulations recommended for COVID-19 management by the National Health Commission and as National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China. This article explored the Chinese national authorities' guidelines from 2003 to 2020, the scientific data in public databases for the recommended TCM remedies, and their potential mechanistic actions in COVID-19 management. Several TCM herbs and formulations could potentially benefit COVID-19 management. The recommended TCM oral preparations list includes Huoxiang zhengqi, Jinhua Qinggan, Lianhua Qingwen , and Shufeng jiedu ; the recommended injection preparations comprise Xiyanping Xuebijing, Re-Du-Ning, Tanreqing, Xingnaojing, Shenfu, Shengmai , and Shenmai . TCM remedies are viable options for symptom alleviation and management of COVID-19. The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presents an opportunity to find novel therapeutic targets from TCM-active ingredients. Despite the recommendations in Chinese National guidelines, these remedies warrant further assessments in well-designed clinical trials to ascertain their efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Iron deficiency and iron-related disorders are common health issues worldwide, affecting a significant proportion of the population. Diagnosis and management of these disorders rely heavily on using various iron-related biomarkers that can provide valuable clinical information., Objective: This review article provides an overview of the most commonly used iron-related biomarkers, including serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, soluble transferrin receptor, zinc protoporphyrin, and free erythrocyte protoporphyrin. Other emerging biomarkers, such as hepcidin and retinol-binding protein 4, are also discussed., Results: Iron plays a vital role in various physiological processes, including oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and DNA synthesis. The article highlights the advantages and limitations of iron biomarkers and their clinical applications in diagnosing and managing iron deficiency and iron-related anemia., Conclusion: Using iron-related biomarkers in screening and monitoring programs can improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Propolis and its major phenolic compound, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), have garnered considerable scientific interest due to their anti- inflammatory properties and potential therapeutic applications., Objectives: This narrative review explores the potential utility of CAPE in cancer treatment., Methods: We comprehensively reviewed relevant studies from scientific databases (PubMed and Web of Science) from 2000 to 2022. Our search focused on keywords such as cancer, natural drugs, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, CAPE, cancer cell lines, antitumor effects, and propolis., Results: CAPE exhibits diverse biological benefits, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and potentially anti-carcinogenic properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated its wide-ranging antitumor effects on various cancer cell lines, including growth inhibition, apoptosis induction, tumor invasiveness prevention, malignancy suppression, and anti-angiogenic activity., Conclusion: Following comprehensive preclinical toxicity assessments, further evaluation of CAPE's efficacy and safety through clinical trials is highly recommended to elucidate its potential health benefits in diverse forms of human cancer., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Lead (Pb) does not have any biological function in a human, and it is likely no safe level of Pb in the human body. The Pb exposure impacts are a global concern for their potential neurotoxic consequences. Despite decreasing both the environmental Pb levels and the average blood Pb levels in the survey populations, the lifetime redistribution from the tissues-stored Pb still poses neurotoxic risks from the low-level exposure in later life. The growing fetus and children hold their innate high-susceptible to these Pb-induced neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral effects., Objective: This article aims to evaluate cumulative studies and insights on the topic of Pb neurotoxicology while assessing the emerging trends in the field., Results: The Pb-induced neurochemical and neuro-immunological mechanisms are likely responsible for the high-level Pb exposure with the neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral impacts at the initial stages. Early-life Pb exposure can still produce neurodegenerative consequences in later life due to the altered epigenetic imprints and the ongoing endogenous Pb exposure. Several mechanisms contribute to the Pb-induced neurotoxic impacts, including the direct neurochemical effects, the induction of oxidative stress and inflammation through immunologic activations, and epigenetic alterations. Furthermore, the individual nutritional status, such as macro-, micro-, or antioxidant nutrients, can significantly influence the neurotoxic impacts even at low-level exposure to Pb., Conclusion: The prevention of early-life Pb exposure is, therefore, the critical determinant for alleviating various Pb-induced neurotoxic impacts across the different age groups., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Berberine is the main active compound of different herbs and is defined as an isoquinoline quaternary botanical alkaloid found in barks and roots of numerous plants. It exhibits a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as anti-obesity and antidiabetic effects. Berberine has antibacterial activity against a variety of microbiota, including many bacterial species, protozoa, plasmodia, fungi, and trypanosomes., Objective: This review describes the role of berberine and its metabolic effects. It also discusses how it plays a role in glucose metabolism, fat metabolism, weight loss, how it modulates the gut microbiota, and what are its antimicrobial properties along with its potential side effects with maximal tolerable dosage., Methods: Representative studies were considered and analyzed from different scientific databases, including PubMed and Web of Science, for the years 1982-2022., Results: Literature analysis shows that berberine affects many biochemical and pharmacological pathways that theoretically yield a positive effect on health and disease. Berberine exhibits neuroprotective properties in various neurodegenerative and neuropsychological ailments. Despite its low bioavailability after oral administration, berberine is a promising tool for several disorders. A possible hypothesis would be the modulation of the gut microbiome. While the evidence concerning the aging process in humans is more limited, preliminary studies have shown positive effects in several models., Conclusion: Berberine could serve as a potential candidate for the treatment of several diseases. Previous literature has provided a basis for scientists to establish clinical trials in humans. However, for obesity, the evidence appears to be sufficient for hands-on use., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Iron (Fe) is a necessary trace element in numerous pathways of human metabolism. Therefore, Fe deficiency is capable of causing multiple health problems. Apart from the well-known microcytic anemia, lack of Fe can cause severe psychomotor disorders in children, pregnant women, and adults in general. Iron deficiency is a global health issue, mainly caused by dietary deficiency but aggravated by inflammatory conditions. The challenges related to this deficiency need to be addressed on national and international levels. This review aims to summarize briefly the disease burden caused by Fe deficiency in the context of global public health and aspires to offer some hands-on guidelines., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an enzyme family that plays a crucial role in maintaining the electron transport chain and antioxidant defense. CoQ 10 is the most common form of CoQ in humans. A deficiency of CoQ 10 occurs naturally with aging and may contribute to the development or progression of many diseases. Besides, certain drugs, in particular, statins and bisphosphonates, interfere with the enzymes responsible for CoQ 10 biosynthesis and, thus, lead to CoQ 10 deficiency., Objectives: This article aims to evaluate the cumulative studies and insights on the topic of CoQ 10 functions in human health, focusing on a potential role in maintaining physical activity and extending the life cycle., Results: Although supplementation with CoQ 10 offers many benefits to patients with cardiovascular disease, it appears to add little value to patients suffering from statin-associated muscular symptoms. This may be attributed to substantial heterogeneity in doses and treatment regimens used., Conclusion: Therefore, there is a need for further studies involving a greater number of patients to clarify the benefits of adjuvant therapy with CoQ 10 in a range of health conditions and diseases., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)