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Objectives: To evaluate central quadrantectomy and nipple resection with areola preservation (CQ-NR-AP) as a new reconstructive oncoplastic technique Versus Grisotti flap mammoplasty (GFM) in central malignant tumors of the breast extending to the nipple, in terms of time procedures, breast symmetry, patient satisfaction, postoperative complications, and local recurrence., Patients and Methods: The current study is a single-blind, single-center, randomized, controlled trial that was performed between May 2018 and May 2023 in the breast surgery unit of University Hospitals. This trial involved 40 individuals who had central breast lesions that extended to the nipple and were monitored for two years following surgery., Results: As regards the mean intra-operative time in minutes, in the group (I) was 80.1 with a standard deviation of ± 13.9, and ingroup (II) was 138.9 with a standard deviation of ± 14.02 (p = 0.001). The seroma was detected in zero cases in group (I) and 2(10%) cases in group II (p = 0.487) and those two cases were managed by aspiration only. Regarding, the wound infection was found in one case (5%) in group (I) and 3(15%) cases in group II (p = 0.605). Regarding patient satisfaction and breast, symmetry was much better in the group (I)., Conclusion: The safety and ease of central quadrantectomy and nipple resection with areola preservation were demonstrated in a two-year follow-up, with a lower incidence of complications compared to the Grisotti flap mammoplasty technique. Furthermore, this approach was associated with higher patient satisfaction, which is a significant achievement in the management of centrally located breast tumors., Trial Registration: PACTR202405688323721. 28/05/2024., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: To protect patients’ privacy and information, all methods were carried out in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations and all experimental protocols were approved by Ain Shams University ethical committee with informed consent had been taken from all the patients. Consent of publication: Written informed consent for publication of their details was obtained from all participants included in the study. Competing interests: I confirm that neither I nor my colleague nor any business with which I am associated has any personal or business interest or potential for personal gain from any of the organizations., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

With an increase in the longevity and thus the proportion of the elderly, especially in developed nations, there is a rise in pathological conditions that accompany ageing, such as neurodegenerative disorders. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive and memory decline. The pathophysiology of the disease is poorly understood, with several factors contributing to its development, such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, cholinergic neuronal apoptotic death, and the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain. Current medications are only palliative and cannot stop or reverse the progression of the disease. Recent clinical trials of synthetic compounds for the treatment of AD have failed because of their adverse effects or lack of efficacy. Thus, there is impetus behind the search for drugs from natural origins, in addition to the discovery of novel, conventional therapeutics. Mints have been used traditionally for conditions relevant to the central nervous system. Recent studies showed that mint extracts and/or their phenolic constituents have a neuroprotective potential and can target multiple events of AD. In this review, we provide evidence of the potential role of mint extracts and their derivatives as possible sources of treatments in managing AD. Some of the molecular pathways implicated in the development of AD are reviewed, with focus on apoptosis and some redox pathways, pointing to mechanisms that may be modulated for the treatment of AD, and the need for future research invoking knowledge of these pathways is highlighted.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with an unclear cause. It appears that multiple factors participate in the process of neuronal damage including oxidative stress and accumulation of the protein amyloid β (Aβ) in the brain. The search for a treatment for this disorder is essential as current medications are limited to alleviating symptoms and palliative effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of mint extracts on selected mechanisms implicated in the development of AD. To enable a thorough investigation of mechanisms, including effects on β-secretase (the enzyme that leads to the formation of Aβ), on Aβ aggregation, and on oxidative stress and apoptosis pathways, a neuronal cell model, SH-SY5Y cells, was selected. Six Mentha taxa were investigated for their in vitro β-secretase (BACE) and Aβ-aggregation inhibition activities. Moreover, their neuroprotective effects on H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells were evaluated through caspase activity. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were carried out for the two most promising extracts to determine their effects on signalling pathways in SH-SY5Y cells. All mint extracts had strong BACE inhibition activity. M. requienii extracts showed excellent inhibition of Aβ-aggregation, while other extracts showed moderate inhibition. M. diemenica and M. requienii extracts lowered caspase activity. Exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to M. diemenica extracts resulted in a decrease in the expression of pro-apoptotic protein, Bax, and an elevation in the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-xL, potentially mediated by down-regulation of the ASK1-JNK pathway. These results indicate that mint extracts could prevent the formation of Aβ and also could prevent their aggregation if they had already formed. M. diemenica and M. requienii extracts have potential to suppress apoptosis at the cellular level. Hence, mint extracts could provide a source of efficacious compounds for a therapeutic approach for AD.