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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. As current therapies toward CRC, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, pose limitations, such as multidrug resistance (MDR) as well as the intrinsic and potential cytotoxic effects, necessitating to find more effective treatment options with fewer side effects, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has an advantage in complementary therapies. In the present study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiozol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT assays), trypan blue staining, colony formation, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining, cell cycle determination, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining were used to examine the efficacy of Sanjie Yiliu Formula (SJYLF) against CRC proliferation and to investigate its underlying molecular mechanisms through protein expression of various proapoptotic factors by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and Western blotting. This four-herb-TCM SJYLF can be suggested as one of the decoctions clinically effective in late-stage cancer treatment. Our results suggest that SJYLF robustly decreased the viability of only CRC cell lines (HCT-8, SW-480, HT-29, and DLD-1) and not the normal human kidney cells (HK-2). Moreover, SJYLF significantly suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis in HCT-8 and downregulated cyclin D1, CDK4, and BCL-2, while Bax expression was upregulated at both mRNA and protein expression levels.

Continuous inhalation of coal dust among coal workers leads to a variety of disorders. The present study aims to evaluate the potential oxidative stress associated with coal dust generated from coal mining activities among exposed workers through the antioxidant enzyme system, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). In this study cohort, intensive coal mine workers were assessed for antioxidant variations. Blood samples were collected from dust-exposed workers (engaged in different activities at coal mines; n = 311) and residents of the same city (nonexposed, control group; n = 50). The workers' exposure to coal dust was categorized based on working area (administrative group, surface workers, underground workers), working hours (up to 8 h and more than 8 h), and time of service. The results showed significantly altered activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH among the whole exposed group and its categories compared to the control group. A significant difference was also observed between high- and low-exposure groups. Statistical analysis revealed a negative correlation between antioxidant activity (catalase and SOD) and coal dust levels. Besides, coal exposure was associated with the time of service, smoking status, and dietary habits. The findings of this study reveal higher oxidative stress among highly exposed coal mine workers (underground workers > surface workers > administrative group > nonexposed group), and longer working hours have more pronounced adverse effects on workers' health.

The SARS CoV-2 pandemic has affected millions of people around the globe. Despite many efforts to find some effective medicines against SARS CoV-2, no established therapeutics are available yet. The use of phytochemicals as antiviral agents provides hope against the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2. Several natural compounds were analyzed by virtual screening against six SARS CoV-2 protein targets using molecular docking simulations in the present study. More than a hundred plant-derived secondary metabolites have been docked, including alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, and steroids. SARS CoV-2 protein targets include Main protease (MPro), Papain-like protease (PLpro), RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), Spike glycoprotein (S), Helicase (Nsp13), and E-Channel protein. Phytochemicals were evaluated by molecular docking, and MD simulations were performed using the YASARA structure using a modified genetic algorithm and AMBER03 force field. Binding energies and dissociation constants allowed the identification of potentially active compounds. Ligand-protein interactions provide an insight into the mechanism and potential of identified compounds. Glycyrrhizin and its metabolite 18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid have shown a strong binding affinity for MPro, helicase, RdRp, spike, and E-channel proteins, while a flavonoid Baicalin also strongly binds against PLpro and RdRp. The use of identified phytochemicals may help to speed up the drug development and provide natural protection against SARS-CoV-2.

Hesperidin and naringenin are heteropolycyclic, aromatic bioflavonoids with a wide range of therapeutic and physiological effects. Hesperidin is a flavanone glycoside, while naringenin exists as an aglycon. Both compounds are widely present in citrus fruits, grapefruits, tomatoes, and some other plants. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities are found to be the most important properties of these compounds and complement their protective effects against a plethora of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, neurodegeneration, diabetes, renal diseases, and skin damage. This chapter discusses the properties and therapeutic mechanisms/targets of hesperidin and naringenin in the treatment of various diseases. We have also discussed the metabolism and bioavailability of these flavanones in human and animal models. Besides, recent developments regarding the modulation and regulation of disease markers, clinical studies, and trial data assembled encourage future studies to develop improved clinical formulations for hesperidin and naringenin with better efficacy, bioavailability, delivery methods, and therapeutic potentials.

Arsenic (As) polluted food chain has become a serious issue for the growth and development of humans, animals and plants. Nitric oxide (NO) or silicon (Si) may mitigate As toxicity. However, the combined application of NO and Si in mitigating As uptake and phytotoxicity in Brassica juncea is unknown. Hence, the collegial effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor and Si application on B. juncea growth, gas exchange parameters, antioxidant system and As uptake was examined in a greenhouse experiment. Arsenic toxicity injured cell membrane as signposted by the elevated level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), thus decreasing the growth of stressed plants. Moreover, As stress negatively affected gas exchange parameters and antioxidative system of plants. However, NO or/and Si alleviated As induced oxidative stress through increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH), along with thiol and proline synthesis. Furthermore, plants treated with co-application of NO and Si showed improved growth, gas attributes and decreased As uptake under As regimes. The current study highlights that NO and Si synergistically interact to mitigate detrimental effects of As stress through reducing As uptake. Our findings recommend combined NO and Si application in As spiked soils for improvement of plant growth and stress alleviation.

Environmental changes as well as a worsening environmental quality, strongly affect women lives. A woman goes through a wide range of changes throughout her lifetime, from fetal development through her post-menopause years, which involves a direct relationship between body metallic ion concentration and development and function. When this relationship is balanced, it helps to create conditions for good health. However, when this relationship is out of balance, it can lead to a range of health problems that can be painful and devastating. With exposure, women and girls are at greater risk for developing reproductive health problems including early puberty, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and breast cancer. These health problems can be devastating to woman’s fertility, overall health and quality of life. In this scenario, the present investigation study was carried out to analyze the concentration of different metallic elements in female body by using scalp hairs. Hairs being noninvasive material are good indicator of metallic element in human body. Three categories of females viz. unmarried, pregnant and menopause were selected. Concentration of iron, copper and zinc were found lower among pregnant ones as compared to unmarried and menopausal females. Moreover, concentration of iron, zinc and copper were significantly higher among unmarried females. Key words: Pregnant, unmarried, menopause, hairs.