Category: Biology
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Berberine: Health Benefits, Side Effects, and Uses
Continue ReadingWhat is Berberine?
Berberine is one of the chemical compounds, which is found in several plants including those of European barberry, goldenseal, goldthreads, Oregon grape, greater celamdine, tree turmeric, phellodendron.
Berberine has medical properties including those of controlling the diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and also in controlling high blood pressure. It is also used in curing the burns, canker sores, liver diseases and also in maintaining many other conditions.
Berberine is one of the natural compounds, which is most effective in treating many abnormal diseases in our body. It has a high amount of impressive health benefits which has the capability to affect our body up to a molecular level.
Berberine also works in lowering the blood sugar level, and aiding in weight loss and also in improving the health of vascular systems.
Berberine Source
Berberine is one of the most significant bioactive compounds which is extracted from different types of plants including some species of shrubs which are known as Berberis. Technically, berberine also belongs to the class go the alkaline compounds, which has its characteristic yellow color which can also be used in the form of dye.
It has also been found that berberine has been used traditionally in the cheese medicines, to treat the various kinds of ailments. In recent times, modern science has also confirmed that berberine has impressive benefits for curing different type of health issues.
Physiology of Berberine
It has also been tested in different types of studies, and also concluded that it has many powerful effects on dealing with many biological irregularities. When we consume berberine by food supplements, after the completion of the digestion process, ingested berberine is taken by the body, through the process of absorption and it is transported via bloodstream to all the cells of the body, after passing to the cells, via blood, berberine starts to bind up with the molecular targets and changes their function and helps in curing the mechanisms if it has any defects.
Simply, Berberine works in the same way how pharmaceutical drugs works in treating the ailments. One of the important actions of the berberine activation is due to presence of the enzyme named AMP-activated protein kinase, which is present inside the cells.
This enzyme can also be sometimes referred to as Metabolic master switch. This enzyme can also be found in cells of various organs in our body, including those of brain, muscle, kidney, liver and heart.
This enzyme also plays a vital role in regulating the metabolism of the body cells. Berberine also plays a role in affecting the other molecules that are found inside our cells, which participates in turning on and off the genes.
Berberine Benefits
Berberine acts as an effective antimicrobial agent, which helps us to inhibit the growth of the species of bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus. As Staphylococcus aureus has the ability to cause many of the health defects like pneumonia, sepsis, meningitis and also a wide variety of skin infections.
It has also been proved that Berberine has the ability to damage the DNA and the protein so the several species of bacteria. Berberine also aids in treating many of the inflammation processes and in treating many of the health factors like heart diseases and diabetes.
Some researchers also suggests that berberine has an anti-inflammatory property, which helps us to treat the diseases like diabetes and other inflammation related conditions.
Berberine plays an effective role in lowering the blood level in the blood and also in controlling the blood pressures. Berberine acts as a promising factor in treating the diabetes, especially for the people who are unaware or not in a condition to take the pharmaceutical drugs in case of heart or liver abnormalities.
Berberine also worked in changing the ailments caused by lifestyle factors like blood glucose level, cholesterols, etc. High levels of lipoprotein, triglycerides, cholesterols, etc. plays a significant role in increasing the risk of stroke and other cardio vascular diseases.
Berberine also helps in lowering the LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, along with human, animals also indicate the cholesterol lowering effects in the blood.
Berberine works equal to those drugs which aids in reducing the high cholesterol levels in the blood. We all know that high blood pressure is one of the major causes for heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.
Berberine acts as a significant agent in lowering the blood pressure and also in reducing the severity of the cases with high risk of heart diseases.
The common symptom for having type 2 diabetes is obesity, having heart sleazes and increased cholesterol and blood sugar levels, People who are suffering from the obesity are insisted to take berberine of about 750 grams in twice a day for about 3 months, which shows efficient positive results.
Berberine also plays a role in treating the Polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a condition occurring mostly in females, as they have a high number of male hormones.
This condition is often referred to as metabolic imbalances that leads to infertility and several mensural problems. Metformin is a drug used for treating this condition.
Berberine also has the same characteristics as of metformin and aids in treating this syndrome. Berberine also plays a vital role in fighting against the cancer-causing cells.
Berberine Citations
- Berberine and barberry (Berberis vulgaris): A clinical review. Phytother Res . 2019 Mar;33(3):504-523.
- Berberine, an epiphany against cancer. Molecules . 2014 Aug 15;19(8):12349-67.
- The metabolism of berberine and its contribution to the pharmacological effects. Drug Metab Rev . 2017 May;49(2):139-157.
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Glutathione: Source, Benefits, and Side Effects
Continue ReadingGlutathione Introduction
Glutathione is generally known as GSH, this molecule is naturally found in our body. It is usually performed by the nerve cells (neurons) in the central nervous system and in the liver. Glutathione is a complex molecule made up of three amino acids, namely L-cysteine, Glycine and L-glutamate. Clinically it has also been said that glutathione supplements help us to treat and prevent the various defects in our body.
What is Glutathione?
In order to maintain a stable health conditions, it is important is take note that there should a proper balance between antioxidants and the free radicals, Free radicals are one of the types of oxygen which contains the molecules in the body.
If this balance is not maintained, then there exists a lot of free radicals in the body which causes the oxidative cell damage. Glutathione is an antioxidant which helps is to keep the necessary balance in our system.
Apart from acting as an antioxidant, Glutathione also plays an important part in performing many activities like metabolizing the toxic and the cancer-causing substances in our body, it also helps in repairing the DNA and natural creation of the DNA.
It also plays an important role in synthesizing the proteins and the prostaglandin, and also in activating the enzymes in the body. Glutathione also helps us in breaking the nutrients, and in regulating the important body process by activating the immune response.
Role of Glutathione in Cellular Physiology
Glutathione is one of the compounds of the amino acid which is naturally present in all the cells in the body. Glutathione acts as an antioxidant which helps in preventing and delaying the damages in the cell, and also in detoxifying the chemicals that are present in the liver.
According to recent studies it is also proven that glutathione also plays an important role in improving the immune system and also in regulating the cell growth and in regularizing the death of the cell.
Glutathione Source
Glutathione is usually known as building blocks it is usually found in the meat and in other diary products and in many vegetables. New York research suggests that, to increase the level of glutathione in our body, we can opt for the food which is rich in precursor nutrients thus helping us to form a sulfur amino acid in our body.
Generally, Brussel sprouts, onions, broccoli, cauli flower are considered as sulfur rich foods which is needed for our body in maintaining its proper functions. Glutathione is also present in potatoes, pepper, etc. Glutathione is also readily supplied commercially, it also now a days purchased in pharmacies or through online.
Glutathione is also found in natural food and it is also supplemented with personal care products. The oral glutathione supplements while digesting turns into three peptides in the form of cysteine, glycine and the glutamic acid, which brings more benefits to our body.
Glutathione Metabolism
Glutathione is a tripeptide molecule made up of three amino acids namely cysteine, glycine and the glutamic acid which is generally found in five higher levels in about five millimolar concentrations in almost all the cells.
It consists the same concentration as of glucose, cholesterol and potassium. Considering the high level of the metabolic activity that is needed for producing glutathione. Glutathione usually exists in two states as reduced GSH and the oxidized GSSG.
Oxidized glutathione is reduced into two glutathione’s which are bound together at the sulfur atoms. The redox status of the cell is usually determined by the ratio of GSH and GSSG. In some cases, glutathione is also recognized as thio buffer which maintains the sulfhydryl groups present in many of the proteins in their reduced form.
On the other hand, Glutathione is produced extensively in the cytosol and is actively pumped in to the mitochondria. Glutathione is being made available in the cells in 3 ways such as De novo synthesis, Regeneration of the oxidized GSSG and in recycling of cysteine.
Glutathione Benefits
The nerve damages that are caused by the drug cisplatin, can be cured by administrating the glutathione intravenously, which helps to prevent the nerve damages and the other toxicities from the cancer drug cisplatin.
It also plays an important role in making DNA, which is the building blocks of the proteins and the cells.
Glutathione helps in supporting the immune system and its functions.]
Forming sperm cells.
It also helps in breaking down some of the free radicals.
It also helps us to cure various health problems like hardened arteries which is also known as atherosclerosis.
Helps in treating the Lyme disease.
Helps in treating the chronic fatigue syndromes.
It also deals with high cholesterols.
Glutathione also plays an important role in curing diabetes, glaucoma, hepatitis, liver disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
Glutathione Citations
- Glutathione: subcellular distribution and membrane transport. Biochem Cell Biol . 2019 Jun;97(3):270-289.
- Glutathione: overview of its protective roles, measurement, and biosynthesis. Mol Aspects Med . Feb-Apr 2009;30(1-2):1-12.
- A Review of Dietary (Phyto)Nutrients for Glutathione Support. Nutrients . 2019 Sep 3;11(9):2073.
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Lycopene: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions
Continue ReadingWhat is Lycopene?
Lycopene is one of the natural compounds, which is found in almost all the bright red fruits and vegetables such as tomato, watermelon and grape fruit.
Lycopene is also considered a carotenoid, which are yellow, red or orange pigments that gives color to the plants accordingly.
Lycopene also gives many health benefits and in preventing variety of diseases. Tomato products contains highest amounts of the lycopene. The substances like Ketchup, tomato juice and the pizza sauce contain lycopene which is also most commonly used in the average diet of every individual.
Cardiovascular disorders are now a days play a peak role increasing the mortality rate across the country, while consuming the nutritious foods and improving the life style factors also plays an important role in preventing such conditions.
Lycopene plays a great role in acting as an anti-inflammatory action and in reducing the risk of heart diseases. Dietary lycopene is considered as an important factor in conferring the cardio vascular significant.
However, vascular health of the individual plays an important role in improving the endothelial function of the body and in stiffening the arteries and in inducing the growth of atherosclerotic plaques, this can be prevented by improving the lycopene intake in our body.
Lycopene Benefits
One of the most important amounts of lycopene is it is an antioxidant which protects the body from damaging the free radical stress, that hurts the DNA and the other structures of the cell. These antioxidant properties play an important role in balancing the free radical activities in the body which helps us to protect against certain diseases like and also in strengthening our bones, improving our eyesight’s, preventing cataracts and muscular degenerations and preventing other age-related eye disorders.
Lycopene and Cancer
Lycopene also plays an important role in preventing the growth of cancer and in initiating the synthesis of enzymes in our body which breaks down the cancer-causing agents in our body. It is also to be considered that every fruits and vegetables has the capability to prevent the cancer, in that lycopene also plays one of its roles.
The people who take higher amount of lycopene reduces the risk of cancer in our body and also benefits by nourishing various factors in our body. Lycopene also helps us to prevent the stroke which are due to age factors and blood clotting.
Apart from these, lycopene also plays a role in reducing the cholesterol level in our body and in reducing the inflammations. When lycopene combines with other carotenoids, it helps our body to protect our body against ultra violet radiations which are caused by the sun. Clinically Lycopene plays an important role in acting as an antioxidant and preventing the cancer inducing substances in our body.
Lycopene Side Effects
However, we consume lycopene in our day-to-day life on the regular basis, Lycopene is safe and edible, but on the other hand, when lycopene is taken in excess, it leads to a condition called lycopene, which causes the orange or red discoloration in the skin. This condition is harmless and this condition degrades on reducing the lycopene in the diet.
It is often suggested that pregnant women should not intake lycopene in higher amounts, and also during breast feeding. It also increases the risk of premature births and the babies may be lower in weight.
Lycopene also increases the risk of bleeding when it is consumed at high levels while consuming certain medications like aspirin, antiplatelet drugs, nonsteroidal anti. inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants etc.
It also leads to bleeding when lycopene is mixed with herbs such as ginkgo biloba. Hence, the persons who are consuming medicines for lowering the blood pressure should avoid taking lycopene, as lycopene plays a major role in reducing the blood pressure.
Lycopene should also not be mixed with the herbs that are used to treat the asthma, cancer, inflammations, cholesterol, inducing fertility, and also while taking medicines for problems in the heart, lung and stomach or any disorders in the immune system or in the nervous system or in case of any skeletal damage.
On consuming lycopene with Beta-carotene, calcium and Lutein it decreases the amount of lycopene that is absorbed by the gut. On consuming alcohol while intaking the lycopene decreases the ability of the body to develop immunity against certain diseases.
People who have lower amount of lycopene in the diet take it in the form of a medications or supplements, which will be easy for the body to absorb and also plays the same role as the dietary lycopene that is consumed like preventing the inflammatory diseases and the other cardio vascular diseases like hardening of the arteries and increasing the breast, lung and the cancers formed in bladders and in ovaries.
It also aids in improving the bone health and good oral health; thus, lycopene is considered as one of the important compounds that is needed for our body as of other vitamins and minerals.
Lycopene Citations
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Astaxanthin: Definition, Benefits, and Uses
Continue ReadingSource of Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is one of the most widely and the naturally distributed in the marine animals including those of crustaceans like shrimps, crabs and in fish variety like salmon and the trout. Astaxanthin and its esters are isolated from the shells of the lobsters and exoskeletons od the shrimps.
Generally, in crustaceans, astaxanthin accumulates initially in the shell which is associated with the red organ color only when it is released and it is further followed but rating with thermal or solvent.
Astaxanthin is also considered as one of the most dominant carotenoids, which shows both strong quenching effects against the singlet oxygen and the strong scavenging effect against all the free radicals.
What is Astaxanthin?
Astaxanthin is one of the reddish pigments which belongs to the family of carotenoid which is one of chemical compound. It can also be naturally found in many of the marine species like salmon, lobster, trout, shrimp and in several marine species that are consumed and also in some species of algae.
Astaxanthin is one among the seven hundred known natural carotenoids and is most abundantly found carotenoid in the marine environment. It is in such a way in what colors does the salmon flesh, shrimp red and the lobster shell looks.
Natural astaxanthin alone is derived from the micro algae and the year which is now a days commercially sale for direct consumption of the humans. This natural Astaxanthin was released in the late 1990 s in the human nutrition market.
Astaxanthin is also considered as one of the superior antioxidants and it is also known as super Vitamin E as it has an efficient antioxidant activity.
Astaxanthin Benefits
As mentioned above, astaxanthin is one of the superior antioxidants and is also therefore known as super vitamin E as its antioxidant activity suppress the characteristics of the other carotenoids like Beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein along with the vitamins like C and E which quences the singlet oxygens and the scavenging free radicals.
Increasing evidences also detects the role of the astaxanthin by protecting it from the chemically induced cancers, which also helps in enhancing the activity of the immune system, and also in preventing the effects of damages which are due to the effects of the ultra violet rays and also helps in curing the various diseases that affects human like atherosclerosis and other age-related muscular degenerations.
Astaxanthin is now a days marketed as one of the functional ingredients across many places in the world. Apart from all these benefits Astaxanthin also plays it role as a functional food ingredient and as a dietary supplement. One of the major applications of astaxanthin is that is used as the feed additive in the field of aquaculture and in the poultry industries.
In aquaculture is used as an important additive fish feed for improving flesh coloration which is generally pink in color and this is one which the customer wishes when he buys. This technique is most commonly used in salmonids, as salmonids does not have the ability to synthesize their own astaxanthin de novo pigments. In the field of poultry astaxanthin plays a very important role in increasing the color of the yolk in the egg.
Astaxanthin SideEffects
We generally come across the term, whatever we take than needed it is absolutely not good. In the same way, large does of these antioxidants disrupts the adaptations of the mitochondrial biogenesis. As mentioned above astaxanthin is one of the most powerful antioxidants, and in some cases, even adding or consuming it in smaller amount can cause higher impacts. But these are not clearly determined till now.
Astaxanthin Precaution
If you want to take astaxanthin then you must talk with your physician, and should be examined whether this dose is allergic or else whether it causes any of the side effects.
Astaxanthin also contains some of the inactive ingredients which results in serious allergic reactions. It generally occurs in patients who have some of the disorders in bleeding, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, causing low blood calcium levels, hypertension, asthma.
Astaxanthin Uses
Usually, Astaxanthin is recommended to use it in a dosage of wither 6 or 8 milligram per day. It is well enough; it is enriched with salmon oil which contains adequate levels of oil supplements. This dose is nearly equal to 1.6 kg of a fresh salmon. However, daily consumption of Astaxanthin leads to many significant benefits like protecting the skin against ultra violet radiations, improving the elasticity of the skin, clearing the wrinkles, and treating the dry skin and age spots, etc. On the other hand, over dose of these doses leads to many of the side effects which may also sometimes results in complications.
Astaxanthin Storage
Astaxanthin is not recommended to be placed directly under the heat of sun, direct exposure to light or air, which has the high chances of damaging the medicine. These medicines should be kept in a safe place and it must also be out of the children. Mostly these drugs are maintained at a room temperature of about 20 to 25 degree Celsius.
Astaxanthin Citations
- Astaxanthin: sources, extraction, stability, biological activities and its commercial applications–a review. Mar Drugs . 2014 Jan 7;12(1):128-52.
- Astaxanthin: a review of its chemistry and applications. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr . 2006;46(2):185-96.
- Astaxanthin in Skin Health, Repair, and Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients . 2018 Apr 22;10(4):522.
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Nicotinamide Mononucleotide: Definition, Benefits, and Uses
Continue ReadingWhat is Nicotinamide Mononucleotide?
Nicotinamide mononucleotide is considered as one of the intermediate in the biosynthesis of NAD+ and it also acts as a bioactive nucleotide, which is formed during the reaction between the nucleoside containing ribosome and the phosphate group.
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide plays an important role in converting the NAM into NMN directly with the help of a nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase.
The molecular weight of the NMN is about 334.221 gram per mol. There are about two anomeric forms of the NMN which are named as alpha and the beta, in this beta is in the active form.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide can be found in various types of natural food substances like vegetables, meat and fruits. Recent clinical studies have determined that on administration of the NMN is generally compensated for the deficiency of NAD+ and the NMN supplements which has the ability to affect the various pharmacological activities in various diseases.
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Biosynthesis
Nicotinamide mononucleotide is one of the nucleotides which is derived from the ribosome and the nicotinamide. Nicotinamide is derived from the niacin. Human contains enzymes which utilizes Nicotinamide mononucleotides to generate the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.
Generally, in mice Nicotinamide mononucleotide is used proposed into the cells of them through the small intestine within 10 minutes of converting them into NAD+ with the help of a Sic 12a8 transporter.
As NADH acts a cofactor in the processes that takes place in the mitochondria, for skirtinis and the PARP, nicotinamide mononucleotide can also be used for the purpose of studying the animal models, which acts as a potential neuroprotective and the antiaging agent.
Usually, the Dietary suppling industries use these aggressively marketed nicotinamide mononucleotide proceeds for utilizing the advantages of this.
The molecular structures of the Nicotinamide mononucleotide and the Nicotinamide riboside looks almost similar, except the phosphate groups which makes the nicotinamide mononucleotide as a large molecule.
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Benefits
It greatly helps in suppressing the age-related problems like weight again, enhancing the energy metabolisms and in improving the physical activities.
NMN also greatly helps in improving the sensitivity of the insulin.
It also helps in increasing the functioning of the eye and also in improving the mitochondrial metabolisms.
NMN also plays a vital role in preventing the age-linked changes which affects the expression of the genes.
Pharmacological Benefits of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
NMN plays an important role in modern therapeutic agents which demonstrates the various beneficial biochemical activities in many preclinical diseases including those of myocardial and the cerebral ischemia, neurodegenerative disorders like the diabetes and the Alzheimer’s disease. Recently it has also been identified that NMN play a major role in treating the antiaging effects.
NAD+ Biosynthesis Pathways
There are about three different pathways of NAD+ biosynthesis which are described in cells of the mammals. It includes
i. Preiss-Handler Pathway – where the NAD is synthesized from nictonic acid.
ii. De novo Synthesis – which starts from the tryptophan
iii. Salvage Pathway – is one of the most predominant in the cells of the mammals.
i. Preiss – Handler Pathway
This pathway starts with conversion of the Nictotinamide into nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NAMN) with the help of an enzyme nicotinic acid phosphoribosyl transferase. Further NAMN is used for the biosynthesis of nicotinamide. At last, the NAD+ synthetase converts NAAD+ into NAD+ with the help of the ammonia and the ATP action as the extra ingredients.
ii. De novo Synthesis from Tryptophan
De novo synthesis pathway usually occurs in eight step process which is being initiated by the indoleamine 2, 3- dioxygenase or the tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenase which helps in converting the tryptophan into the N-formylkynureine.
Formylkynureinine is further transferred into kynurenine, to which the hydroxyl is added through the kynurenine -3-hydroxylase. The resultant product 3-hydroxy kynurenine which will be converted into 3-hydroxyanthranilate which will be further followed by the 2-amino-3-carboxymuconate semialdehyde through the enzyme kynureninase and the 3-hydroxyxyanthramilate-3, 4-dioxygenase. The formed 2-amino-3 carboxymuconate further cyclizes to form a quinolic acid which participates in the process of NAMN biosynthesis in the quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase.
iii. Salvage Pathway
Salvage pathway most predominantly occurs in the mammalian cells. During this pathway, the intermediate degradative products of the NAD+ such as the nicotinamide and the nicotinic acids are reused to form a new product named NAD+.
This pathway is most commonly involved in the conversion of the nicotinic into the nicotinic acid mononucleotide with the help of the enzyme nicotinate phosphoribosyl transferase which is further followed by adenylation of the nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide during the presence of the nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase-1, 3.
In few cases, nicotinic acid will be directly converted into nicotinic acid phosphoribosyl transferase which is further converted into NAD+ with the help of the NAD+ synthetase enzyme. During this pathway, NAD+ is degraded to form a nicotinamide by the NAD+ consuming enzymes.
Which is further followed by converting the NMN by the catalytic activity of the nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase. This enzyme helps in transferring the phosphoribosyl residue from the phosphoribosylpyrophospahte.
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Citations
- Multi-targeted Effect of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide on Brain Bioenergetic Metabolism. Neurochem Res . 2019 Oct;44(10):2280-2287.
- Nicotinamide Mononucleotide: A Promising Molecule for Therapy of Diverse Diseases by Targeting NAD+ Metabolism. Front Cell Dev Biol . 2020 Apr 28;8:246.
- Nicotinamide Mononucleotide: Exploration of Diverse Therapeutic Applications of a Potential Molecule. Biomolecules . 2019 Jan 21;9(1):34.
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Curcumin: Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, and Dosage
Continue ReadingCurcumin: Source and Health Benefits
Turmeric is considered to be the foremost antibiotic from the ancient times. It contains many antimicrobial and the disease resistant properties. Turmeric contains curcumin, an antioxidant which plays an important role in the turmeric to perform these antimicrobial functions.
Turmeric is also considered as an important spice which has been recognized for its medicinal properties. It also aids in managing the oxidative and the inflammatory conditions, and diseases and disorders like arthritis, hyperlipidemia and anxiety.
Curcumin also helps us to manage the inflammations that are caused during exercises like muscle soreness, which helps us to enhance the recovery and the performance in those active people.
Turmeric is one of the rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the family plant known as Curcuma longa which is same as of the ginger family. The medicinal properties in the turmeric are due to the source of the curcumin which have been known for about thousands of years, however, the ability of determining the exact mechanism of the bioactive components is recently investigated.
Curcumin is also called as diferuloylmethane, one of the main natural polyphenols which is found in the rhizome of the turmeric and also in other species of curcuma species.
Curcuma longa, i.e., turmeric is used traditionally from the ancient times in all the Asian countries as a medicinal herb as it contains various antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties along with the antimutagenic, antimicrobial and anticancer resistances.
What is Curcumin?
Curcumin is a chemical polyphenol compound, which targets multiple signaling molecules that demonstrates the activity of the cellular level, and which also helps in supporting the various health benefits and also in curing the inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndromes, pain and it also help in managing the inflammatory and degenerating the eye conditions.
Apart from these conditions, they also help in benefiting the kidneys and also in aiding the therapeutic benefits. These benefits arise as a result of antioxidant and the anti-inflammatory agents that are present in the curcumin.
Curcumin is recognized and used across every parts of the world in many different ways for multiple potential health benefits.
For example, In India, turmeric is used widely which contains curcumin, whereas in china curcumin is served along with the tea, and they are used as cosmetics in Thailand, in china curcumin is used as a colorant, In Unites states it has been used in the form of mustard sauces, cheese and in butter.
How Curcumin Act?
Curcumin performs two main mechanisms which play a very vital role in acting as an antioxidant and the anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin plays a great role in improving the systemic markers of the oxidative stress.
There are evidences that curcumin increases the serum activities of the antioxidants like superoxide dismutase. Like many other spices, turmeric also has its own history in its usage in the traditional medicine.
This flavor filled spice is cultivated from the rhizomes, or roots in the flowering plant in the India and other Parts in the south east Asia. One of the primary active components of the turmeric which gives its characteristic yellow color is due to the presence of the compound curcumin.
Curcumin not only provides color to the turmeric, it also responsible for the health benefits of the turmeric. Curcumin plays a vital role in acting as a natural antioxidant and it also acts as a anti inflammatory benefits to the individual.
Curcumin also helps in slowing the process of aging and also in preventing the Alzheimer’s diseases and the potential depressions. On the other hand, turmeric does not absorb well in our blood stream, so it can be added in our day-to-day food habits to give a necessary anti-inflammatory and the anti-oxidant benefits.
Curcumin Benefits in Cancer
We all known that inflammation is linked with tumor growth, the anti-inflammation compounds that is present in the curcumin helps us to cure the inflammation, and also in treating the various types of cancer, including the cancer forming with the colorectal, prostate, pancreas and in breast, and also in the gastric tracts and stomach.
However, curcumin helps in treating the cancer in human are detected, but the research is still under process. Chronic inflammations lead to the development of various chronic diseases, curcumin helps in treating the inflammatory diseases in the bowel arthritis and pancreatitis.
Curcumin Benefits in Heart Disease
Curcumin has a great role in improving the endothelial functions, and in characterizing the hear and the blood vessels. It also plays an important role in regulating the blood pressure. Lower endothelial system in our body has the capability of controlling the factors of aging which increases the rate of heart diseases.
Thus, curcumin helps in protecting the lower endothelial functions and reduces the rate of developing the heart diseases. Recent studies prove that, on comparing with the eight weeks of aerobic exercise with the curcumin supplement in the food, curcumin supplement helps in improving the endothelial functions of the postmenopausal women.
Curcumin Citations
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Gastrulation: Definition, Process, and Mechanism
Continue ReadingWhat is Gastrulation?
We all know that giving birth to the organisms including mammals is considered as one of the vital process in every class of animals as it gives rise to next generation. Formation of the embryo, is a very complex process and it involves various process of developmental stages.
Embryogenesis is one of important field in the biology, it is the first eight-week process of development after fertilization. It is one of the amazing and the complicated process where a single cell is transferred into the multi-level body. During this stage, circulatory, excretory and the neurologic systems which all being to develop at this stage.
The terms Gastrula and the Gastrulation was first coined by the scientist named Ernst Haeckel in the year 1872 during his work on Sponges. Each species has its own gestation period. Human embryogenesis is one of the complex process which occurs during the first wight weeks of the gestation period after the process of fertilization.
This process begins by fertilization of an egg or ovum by the sperm and results in formation of a zygote. The zygote is a cell which is surrounded by a strong membrane and is made up of glycoproteins, where the fertilization occurs after penetration of the sperm.
After this process, the zygote undergoes various cell divisions by the process of cleavage, Gastrulation is one among them and it is discussed as follows.
Gastrulation Process
Gastrulation plays an important role in developmental biology during the embryonic development of most of the animals. In gastrulation blastula changes from its single layered hollow sphere of cells into a multilayered structure.
Before the process of gastrulation, the embryo continuous to form an epithelial sheet of cells by end of the gastrulation process and the embryo begins to differentiate and establish the distinct cell lineages, by setting up the basic axed needed for the body such as dorsal-ventral anterior position and the prospective gut formation.
In the triploblastic organisms, the gastrula is a three layered, which is known as trilaminar. The three germ layers are differentiated as ectoderm, mesoderm and the endoderm. Ectoderm forms an outer layer; mesoderm forms a middle layer and the endoderm forms an inner layer.
In diploblastic organisms, the gastrula is formed with two distinct germ layers namely ectoderm and the endoderm. Examples of diploblastic organisms include Cnidaria and the Ctenophora.
Gastrula containing only two layers are sometimes referred to as hypoblast and the epiblast.
Gastrulation Stages
Generally, the process of gastrulation occurs after the cleavage process which occurs after the stage of blastula. Further the process of organogenesis, where the individual organs start arising and give rise to newly formed germ layers.
Further these layers give rise to specific tissues and the organs in the developing embryo. As mentioned above, the gastrula is formed of three germ layers namely ectoderm, endoderm and the mesoderm. In which ectoderm gives rise to epidermis, the nervous system and in forming the neural crest in the vertebrates.
The endoderm results in the formation of the epithelium of the digestive system and in forming the respiratory system and the other organs which are all associated with the digestive system including those of pancreas and the liver.
From mesoderm arises many types of cells such as bone, muscle and other connective tissues of the body, especially in vertebrates, the mesoderm gives rise to notochord, the near and the blood vessels, blood, cartilages, ribs and it is also associated with formation of the dermis.
After completing the process of gastrulation, our body is organized into the either the sheets od the connected cells as of epithelia or into a mesh of the isolated cells, as of mesenchyme.
Though the process of gastrulation exhibits various patterns of changes and classification in the animal kingdom there are very important and they are unified by the presence of five basic types of cellular movements which involves during the process of gastrulation. They are invagination, involution, ingression, delamination and Epiboly.
Gastrulation and Cellular Signalling
During the process of gastrulation, the cells are differentiated usually into two layers as ectoderm or me endoderm, when then the mesendoderm is further divided into mesoderm and endoderm, this differentiation occurs due to the nodal signaling.
Nodal signaling uses ligands which belongs to the family of TGFβ. These ligands play a role in signaling to the transmembrane serine or threonine kinase receptors and this will then it attaches itself against the Smad2 and Smad3. This protein then attaches itself against the Smad4 and it relocates it to the nucleus where the mesendoderm genes are transcribed.
The Wnt pathway along with the Beta-catenin plays an important role in performing the nodal signaling and in the formation of the endoderm. Then the other factors like Fibroblast growth factors, canonical Wnt pathway, bone morphogenetic protein and retinoic acid is important for the development of the endoderm.
These are considered as very much significant in forming the gene known as homeobox, which is helpful in regulating the early development of the anatomical features. Bone Morphogenetic Protein plays a vital role in detecting the fate of the liver and the hepatic cells. Retinoic acid signaling also results in initiating the induction of the homeobox genes.
Gastrulation Citations
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Cytoskeleton: Description, Structure, Types, and Function
Continue ReadingWhat Does the Cytoskeleton Do?
We all know that cells form the structural and functional unit of the all the living organisms. Each and every cell in our body has its own structure. Have you all ever thinked how this stable structure is maintained.
Cytoskeleton plays an important role in maintaining the structure and shape of the cell. Our cell organelles start moving here and there and loses its appropriate shape thus losing its functions, which makes various critical conditions in our body.
If considering basically, what would happen if our internal organs move from its own places of origin, we find very difficult to move, speak and to do any kind of activities. In the same way, our cell also finds difficult to perform their activities.
We all think that each and every cell are just a bilobed round structures which does not have its own properties, but the truth is that these cells have their magnifies appropriate structure which contains a network of filaments known as Cytoskeleton, which is literally explained as Cells skeleton”.
It does not maintain the shape of the outer membranes like plasma membranes, it gives the overall structure of the cell and also plays an important role in placing the organelles in their correct positions and also aids in tracking the transport of the vesicles.
What is Cytoskeleton?
As mentioned above cytoskeleton is a group of fibers, which plays an important role in minting the structure and tracking the changes. Generally, in eukaryotes, there are about three types of protein fibers, which are named as follows:
i. Microfilaments
ii. Intermediate filaments
iii. Microtubules
i. Microfilaments
Microfilaments are one of the three types of protein filaments that are present in our cytoskeletons. Of the three, microfilament is the narrowest one having a diameter of about 7 nm which are being made up of many linked monomers of the protein known ad actin, these actions are present as a monomer and combines together to form a double helical structure.
Actin filaments usually have a directionality which means that they posses tow structurally different ends. Actin filaments usually consists of a variety of important functions in the cell.
Actin filaments also consists of numerous important roles in the functioning of the cell. It also serves as a track for the movement of a motor protein which is known as myosin.
As it has a relationship with the muscle protein myosin, actin is usually involved in performing many of the cellular functions. Microfilaments also aid in many functions of the cell like cytokinesis and in motility of the cell.
ii. Intermediate Filaments
These filaments are about 8 to 12 nm wide. They are called as intermediate filaments as their size is between the microfilaments and the microtubules. Intermediate filaments are generally made up of different kinds of proteins linked keratin, desmin, vimentin and lamin.
All the intermediate filaments are found in the cytoplasm of the cell, except those of lamins, as they are found in the nucleus and they help in supporting the nuclear envelope. Intermediate filaments present in the cytoplasm maintains the shape of the cell, cell tension and also provides structural support to the cell.
iii. Microtubules
Among these three protein filaments, microtubules are considered as the largest cytoskeleton fibers which is about 23nm in size. These are hallow tubes that are made up of alpha and beta tubulin. Microtubules forms a structure like flagella, which are the tails that propels forward.
Most of the microtubules in the cell usually comes from the cell organelles, the centrosome which is generally called as the organizing center of the cell.
Cytoskeleton Function
As mentioned above, cytoskeleton consists of several functions. The first and fore most function of the cytoskeleton is to give its cytoskeleton the appropriate shape.
Cytoskeleton is very much important in the cells without cell walls, as such animal cells do not get their shape from the thick outer layer. It provides the cell a good movement.
he microfilaments and the microtubules help in reassembling and disassembling the cells. It also helps the cell to crawl and migrate. The cytoskeleton also plays an important role in keeping the cell organelles in the place and it also helps in movement of the organelles throughout the cell.
Cytoskeleton Citations
- Movers and shakers: cell cytoskeleton in cancer metastasis. Br J Pharmacol . 2014 Dec;171(24):5507-23.
- Overview of the Cytoskeleton from an Evolutionary Perspective. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol . 2018 Jul 2;10(7):a030288.
- The Cytoskeleton as a Modulator of Aging and Neurodegeneration. Adv Exp Med Biol . 2019;1178:227-245.
- Cell mechanics and the cytoskeleton. Nature . 2010 Jan 28;463(7280):485-92.
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Resveratrol: Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, and Dosage
Continue ReadingResveratrol Introduction
Many of the compounds are found in the natural resources like fruits and its products which gives abundant of nutrient to our body and whereas few of them can also be used as the source of the medicines. On the other hand, few has its own side effects.
Resveratrol is one of the compounds which is found in red grapes and its products like juice or wine, which is very helpful for hay fever and it also deals with weight loss. Resveratrol has many effects in the bogy including those of expanding the blood vessels and in clotting the blood.
This also helps in treating the pain and swelling and also helps in reducing the sugar levels in the blood and it also helps the body to fight against infections. This compound, Resveratrol is usually used in dealing with many conditions like high cholesterol, cancer and heart disease and also in curing many abnormal conditions in the body.
What is Resveratrol?
Resveratrol is one of the natural compounds that is found in the skin of the red grape, in peanuts, and in berries like blue berries. Resveratrol is considered as one of the most powerful antioxidants which is produced by some species of plants to protect them against the environmental stresses.
These antioxidants help in neutralizing the free radicals, that are believed to decline the symptoms of aging. Japanese knotweed is one of the species of plant which has the highest source of resveratrol content. Large amount of the resveratrol is produced in the skin of the red grapes which helps the plant to protect it from various kind of fungal diseases and protecting the plant and fruits from skin diseases and sun radiations. It is therefore considered that grapes have a higher amount of resveratrol in it comparing it with other natural food materials.
However, red wine consists of a small amount of resveratrol which is less than 1 to 2 milligrams per eight ounces of red wine. But on the other hand, red wine contains more resveratrol comparing with the white wine as these red wines are fermented along with the skin of the red grapes than that of the white wine.
Thus, a greater number of antioxidants that includes resveratrol which are naturally present in the skin of the grapes are extracted to form a wine. This is also found in seeds and in pomace of the grapes. Grapes that have been grown in humid environments contains more amount of resveratrol than in grapes which are grown in arid areas. Resveratrol is also been very responsible for lowering the rate of the heart diseases in French populations comparing to that of the other populations.
Resveratrol is also found in many of the dietary supplements which are extracted from the grape seeds and the Japanese knotweed to form the red wine. Where as the most of the supplements that are found in the market is usually derived from the Japanese knotweed as this plant is considered as one of the highest concentrations of the resveratrol, found naturally.
However, the amount and the purity of the resveratrol in the supplements varies widely. Now-a days micronized resveratrol is available which is found in the form of powder or in pills. Resveratrol has a low systemic bioavailability and it is not well absorbed orally. This process of microionisation greatly reduces the average particle size of the compound. Resveratrol is also available in the form of solution or as transdermal patch.
How Resveratrol Works?
First of all, Resveratrol protects the DNA of the cell, it is considered as one of the powerful antioxidants, which prevents the cell damage that are caused by free radicals. Free radicals are one of the unstable atoms that are caused due to pollution, sunlight and where as the bodies, burning fat leads to cancer and other aging problems.
Resveratrol Benefits
Resveratrol has many of the health benefits like protecting the heart and the circulatory system, lowering the cholesterol and it also helps to protect the body from heart attacks, stroke, clots.
It also acts as an antioxidant and helps us to lower the blood sugar levels and it also reduces the risk of various cancers.
Resveratrol greatly increasing on the heart disease, people who consume higher amounts of the dietary resveratrol have a lower risk of heart diseases.
People who take resveratrol orally does not improves the levels of cholesterol or the blood cholesterol which are known as triglycerides.
The grouping of symptoms sometimes increases the risk of diabetes and the heart diseases.
They also build up a fat in the liver, when drinking little or no alcohol.
Resveratrol Side Effects
Patients having disorders in the blood, results in bleeding on consuming resveratrol.
Women who are pregnant or under breast feeding should not consume resveratrol.
Resveratrol has its mild estrogenic activities, women with cancers is more sensitive to estrogenic activities.
Resveratrol reduces the activity of the enzymes that are involved in metabolizing the drugs.
Resveratrol Citations
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Disaccharide: Definition, Structure, and Examples
Continue ReadingCarbohyderate and Disaccharide
Carbohydrates are one of the organic molecules that are made up of carbon hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of 1:2:1. These are considered as the major classes of the biomolecules which serves as an important source of an energy. These compounds also play a role in serving as the structural components. Carbohydrates are generally classified into two major groups as simpler carbohydrates and the complex carbohydrates.
Simpler carbohydrates are also known as simple sugar which can be easily digested and it can also be served as the rapid source of energy. Whereas the Complex carbohydrates like cellulose, starch and glycogen takes more time to get digested and metabolized as they are high in fiber unlike simple carbohydrates as they are less likely to cause spikes in the blood sugar.
What are Disaccharide?
The term disaccharide generally refers to the two molecules of monosaccharides. A saccharide generally refers to the structural unit of the carbohydrates. Hence, disaccharide is a compound of carbohydrate which is made up two units of monosaccharides. The term sugar can be referred to as both Monosaccharides and disaccharides.
Monosaccharides are also known as simple sugars as they form the most fundamental type of sugar which is generally known as sucrose. Where as the term table sugar refers to the granulated form of sugar which is referred to as the sucrose. Disaccharide is made up of two monosaccharides namely glucose and fructose.
Characteristic of Disaccharide
Like carbohydrates, disaccharides are also made up of molecules like carbon, hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of 2:1 which are then referred to as the hydrates of the carbon. Disaccharide are the organic compounds which are linked together by a covalent bond. Disaccharides are the sugar base that comprises of two molecules of monosaccharides that are linked together by a glycosidic bond. Monosaccharides are considered as the most fundamental compound of the carbohydrate.
Glycosidic bonds are considered as the covalent bonds which are formed by two hydroxyl groups having two monosaccharides. Though disaccharides are made up of same chemical formula they are classified into three different kinds however they differ in bond formation and they constitute different properties.
However, disaccharides vary from the other forms of carbohydrates, oligosaccharides and the polysaccharides which all make up the unit of the sugar. Thus, disaccharides are made up of two monosaccharides and the oligosaccharides are made up of three to ten molecules of monosaccharides. Whereas the polysaccharide is made up of several units of monosaccharides.
Disaccharide Synthesis
The chemical process in which the monosaccharides are joined together are known as dehydration synthesis as it results in release of the byproduct, water. Disaccharides are generally formed by displacing a molecule of hydroxyl from the one monosaccharide and the proton taken form the other molecules of monosaccharide.
Thus, formation of two monosaccharides linked together by a covalent bond. Further the proton and the hydroxyl groups are detached and joined to form a water molecule. Thus, disaccharides are formed by the condensation process of two monosaccharide molecules.
Disaccharide is reverted into the monomeric components of monosaccharides by the process of hydrolysis along with the helps of an enzyme disaccharidase. Whereas the condensation process involves the elimination of the water, where it is utilized by the process of hydrolysis.
Classification of Disaccharide and Disaccharide Examples
Disaccharides are generally classified into two types namely reducing and the non-reducing.
A reducing disaccharide is one of the types of disaccharide in which the reducing sugar contains a free hemiacetal unit which serves as the reducing aldehyde group. Examples of one such reducing disaccharide is maltose or cellobiose.
On the other hand, the Non-reducing disaccharides are the ones which do not act as a reducing agent. Both monosaccharides which makes up the molecule of disaccharide does not have hemiacetal unit as they bond through the linkage of the acetal between the anomeric centers. Examples of such non-reducing disaccharides are sucrose and the trehalose.
Importance of Disaccharide
Dietary disaccharides are the other form of carbohydrates which serves as a source of energy. As we intake and digest the disaccharides they are break down into units of monosaccharides which play an important role in metabolizing them for synthesizing the ATP molecules and thus generating the energy. ATPs are thus considered as the biologically synthesized molecules through the process of aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
Glucose is considered as one of the most common form of monosaccharide, where the cellulitis’s the synthesized ATP through the substrate level of phosphorylation. Whereas one of the sources of glucose is disaccharide which contains diet.
However, too much of glucose is considered as hazardous as too much of glucose and leads to diabetes and the obesity risks, and other issues like cardiovascular diseases and formation of tooth decay.
Lactose is one of the disaccharides which is found in the breast milk and it is considered as one of the most important nutrient sources for the infants. Where as the micro-organisms like Lactobacilli has its ability to convert lactose into lactic acid, which is used in the food industry for the production of diary products like yogurt and cheese. The other form of disaccharide named maltose is generally used as a sweetener even it is less in its sugar source.
Disaccharide Citations
- Disaccharide structure code for the easy representation of constituent oligosaccharides from glycosaminoglycans. Nat Methods . 2008 Apr;5(4):291-2.
- The clinical significance of disaccharide maldigestion. Am J Clin Nutr . 1994 Mar;59(3 Suppl):735S-741S.
- Disaccharide digestion: clinical and molecular aspects. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol . 2006 Mar;4(3):276-87.
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