Current Drug Targets - Volume 18, Issue 13, 2017

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is one of the serious complications of diabetes and the leading cause of decreased vision and blindness worldwide. Neurodegeneration has been recognized as initiating factor in causing the retinal damage, which leads to micro-vascular damage in diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes-induced oxidative stress is believed to be the key factor that damages neurons in the diabetic retina. Vari Read More

Background: The Mediterranean diet includes olive oil as its primary source of fat. This diet is frequently associated to longevity and a lower incidence of chronic diseases due to its biological activities and health effects. Apart from oleic acid, olive oil contains many bioactive components including polyphenols that have been reported to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Polyphenols may almost in part be r Read More

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most widespread age-related neurodegenerative disease. Recently, a growing body of evidence suggested the phytochemical use to slow down AD onset and progression. Objective: To review the phytochemical role potentially involved in AD treatment. Method: A systematic review from existing literature on phytochemicals used in the treatment of AD patients was conducted. Read More

Background: The evolution of the Green movement in western society has changed attitudes in the general population who now perceive natural compounds as being inherently harmless and more desirable than artificial chemical products. Objective: Considering the growing interest towards introducing naturally emerged medicines, the purpose of this review was to overview the ongoing research into prevention and treatme Read More

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases are increasingly inevitable as the population gets older, with enormous socio-economic costs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that by 2040, neurodegenerative diseases will overtake cancer to become the second leading cause of death, after cardiovascular disease. Objective: Herein, this review outlines the neuroprotective effects and clinical implications of ellagit Read More

Background: The plant milk thistle and silymarin has been traditionally used as a natural remedy for the treatment of various ailments including neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and cerebral ischemia for over 2000 years. Objective: In this article we review the neuroprotective effects of silymarin against various neurological dysfunctions. Results: The neuroprotective effects conferred by sily Read More

Background: Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and loss of cholinergic neurons. Literature review: The localization of Aβ plaques particularly in the cholinergic neuron-rich areas has led to the discovery that Aβ binds to α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with very high affinity. This discovery has led to extensive ex Read More

Abstract: Background: Stress is involved in memory impairment through multiple mechanisms, including activation of hypothalamic-pituitary axis, which in turn activates release of corticosterone in blood. Cholinergic system blockade by the muscarinic antagonist, scopolamine, also impairs memory. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of turmeric (20mg/kg) on learning and memory and cholinergic system in Read More

Immune-based inflammatory diseases involve immune related dysregulation in different sites of body, which includes rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, etc. Advancements in molecular research have facilitated investigation of their pathogenesis that is involved in inflammatory cytokines cells and several genes. The available drug therapy provides suboptimal therape Read More

Background & Objective: The Hsp90 chaperone protein regulates the folding, maturation and stability of a wide variety of oncoproteins. In recent years, many Hsp90 inhibitors have entered into the clinical trials while all of them target ATPase showing similar binding capacity and kinds of side-effects so that none have reached to the market. During the regulation progress, numerous protein- protein interactions (PPI) such as H Read More