Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of global cancer-related mortality. Dioscin-6'-O-acetate (DA), a novel natural steroidal saponin, was firstly isolated from the rhizomes of Dioscorea althaeoides R. Knuth. Until now, there were no studies on its pharmacological activities. ⋯ Overall, our study indicated that DA suppressed lung cancer cells proliferation via inducing cell-cycle arrest and enhancing caspase-dependent apoptosis, at least partly, through ROS-mediated PI3K/AKT, MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways.
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With the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) the 196 member countries have agreed that organisms and their derivatives are the property of the country of their origin (CBD Art.3, Art 15). While the spirit of the CBD is generally acknowledged, the ownership causes considerable problems, last not least for research which by the CBD is considered as "use of genetic (=biological) resources" (GR). Such resources include all kinds of material which might contain functional genetic units while the derivatives consist of other materials of biological origin. ⋯ Apart from all legal uncertainties on both sides the provider country and the researcher, respect of legal commitments and mutual trust are indispensable for overcoming ABS-difficulties in basic research.
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In 2014 the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization entered into force. The Protocol aims to further concretize and improve the implementation of the access and benefit-sharing (ABS) obligations already foreseen under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since 1993. The European Union has accepted the challenge to establish the necessary monitoring and compliance measures which are envisaged in the Nagoya Protocol. For this two ABS Regulations (Regulation (EU) No 511/2014 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1866) were adopted in the European Union. ⋯ The paper concludes that the implementation of ABS in general and the Nagoya Protocol in particular remain a highly complicated task influenced by rapid technological developments and a general lack of trust between countries as well as stakeholders.
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Similar to the leaves of P. Quinquefolius, American ginseng berry (AGB) is another important part of P. Quinquefolius with alternative therapeutic potential. The liver protection capabilities of the former have been demonstrated previously, however, the later has not yet been evaluated. ⋯ The present study demonstrated that AGB pretreatment protected liver cells against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity through inhibition of oxidative stress, inflammation responses via TNF-α-mediated caspase-3/-8/-9 signaling pathways.
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Meta Analysis
Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: An evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis.
Withania somnifera Dunal, commonly known as Indian ginseng, has been in use since ancient times as anti-stress agent, aphrodisiac, for impotence and infertility treatment. ⋯ Due to a small number of eligible studies, the available data, though promising, are too limited to provide novel and sufficiently robust evidence of the benefits of W. somnifera in male infertility. Additional RCTs of high quality with a larger sample size are warranted to further strength clinical use of W. somnifera in treating male factor infertility. Future research also needs to elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) of W. somnifera as well its active principles in male infertility.