Medicinal – Page 178

Mushroom Bioactive Molecules as Anticancerous Agents: An Overview

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Mushrooms contain natural compounds that show promise in fighting cancer by triggering cancer cell death and boosting immune function. Different mushroom species like oyster, shiitake, and button mushrooms contain substances such as beta-glucans and other polysaccharides that have demonstrated anticancer properties in laboratory and animal studies. While these mushroom compounds work through multiple mechanisms including preventing new blood vessel formation to tumors and stopping cancer cell division, more human clinical trials are needed to confirm their effectiveness as cancer treatments.

Evaluating the Potential of Galactosaminogalactan as a Diagnostic Target for Invasive Aspergillosis

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Researchers developed a new test to detect invasive fungal infections caused by Aspergillus by targeting a molecule called galactosaminogalactan (GAG) on the fungus surface. The test worked very well in mice with the infection and showed better specificity than current methods. However, the test did not detect GAG in blood or other body fluids from human patients, suggesting that additional research is needed before it can be used clinically.

The antifungal mechanism of EntV-derived peptides is associated with a reduction in extracellular vesicle release

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Researchers discovered that a small peptide derived from a bacterium called EntV can fight Candida fungal infections by targeting specialized vesicles (tiny sacs) that fungi use to spread infections. Unlike traditional antifungal drugs that kill fungi, EntV works by blocking the release of these vesicles, reducing the fungus’s ability to infect and form protective biofilms. This new approach could lead to treatments that work against drug-resistant fungi without the toxicity issues of current antifungals.

Cryptococcus albidus (Naganishia albida) meningitis in a young patient with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

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A 16-year-old boy with blood cancer developed meningitis caused by a rare fungus called Cryptococcus albidus. Doctors initially thought he had a viral infection, but laboratory tests identified the fungus. He was treated with antifungal medications and improved significantly. This case shows how important it is to identify the correct cause of infection quickly, especially in patients with weakened immune systems.

Co-application of dazomet and azoxystrobin reconstructs soil microbial communities and suppresses the violet root rot of Codonopsis tangshen under a continuous cropping system

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Researchers found that treating soil with a combination of dazomet fumigant and azoxystrobin fungicide effectively eliminated violet root rot disease in Codonopsis tangshen plants grown repeatedly on the same land. The treatment worked by killing harmful disease-causing fungi while promoting beneficial soil bacteria that protect plant roots. This approach increased crop yield by 5-6 fold while maintaining important medicinal compounds in the plant roots, offering farmers a sustainable solution to a serious agricultural problem.

Promoting rational herb-drug use through pharmacy-led advice and home visits in NCD patients

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This study showed that when pharmacists visited NCD patients at home and provided education about the risks of combining herbal products with prescribed medications, patients significantly improved their knowledge and safe usage behaviors. The intervention successfully reduced the number of patients at risk of harmful herb-drug interactions from 37.5% to 25%. The findings suggest that simple home-based pharmacist counseling can be an effective way to help chronic disease patients safely use both herbs and medications together.

Epidemiological profile of dermatophytes at the parasitology-mycology laboratory at Mohammed VI University Hospital in Oujda

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This study examined fungal skin infections caused by dermatophytes in a Moroccan hospital over four years, analyzing 950 samples. The researchers found that nail infections (onychomycosis) were most common, particularly in people over 50 years old, while scalp infections mainly affected children. The fungus Trichophyton rubrum was responsible for most infections, though Microsporum canis increasingly caused scalp infections, likely due to increased pet ownership in Morocco. The study emphasizes the importance of proper laboratory testing to identify the specific fungus and choose appropriate treatment.

Identification of (Z)-2-benzylidene-dihydroimidazothiazolone derivatives as tyrosinase inhibitors: Anti-melanogenic effects and in silico studies

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Scientists developed new chemical compounds that can block tyrosinase, an enzyme that produces skin pigment (melanin). These new compounds, called DHIT derivatives, work much better than existing skin lightening agents like kojic acid and appear to be safer. The best compound tested was 100 times more effective at stopping melanin production than kojic acid in laboratory tests and showed no toxicity to cells.

Harnessing Natural Products to Surmount Drug Resistance in Gastric Cancer: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives

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Gastric cancer is a serious disease that often becomes resistant to chemotherapy drugs, making treatment difficult. This review examines how natural products found in plants and herbs can help overcome this drug resistance. These natural compounds work through multiple mechanisms, including targeting cancer stem cells, boosting the immune system, and enhancing the effectiveness of standard chemotherapy treatments.

Cytotoxic activity of Ganoderma weberianum-sichuanese isolated from the Lower Volta River Basin of Ghana against human prostate carcinoma (PC-3), leukemic T cell (Jurkat), and plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC)-derived acute leukemia (PMDC05) cell lines

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Researchers tested a fungus called Ganoderma weberianum-sichuanese from Ghana’s Lower Volta River to see if it could kill cancer cells. They found that extracts from this fungus could effectively suppress the growth of three types of human cancer cells—prostate cancer, T-cell leukemia, and a rare dendritic cell leukemia—without harming normal liver cells. The most promising components were found in certain fractions of the extract, suggesting this natural fungus could potentially be developed into new cancer treatments.

Research Topic: Medicinal