Taxol reduces cell regeneration obstacles after spinal cord injury...

Scientists of the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology in Martinsried and their colleagues from the Kennedy Krieger Institute and University of Miami in the United States, and the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, have now shown that the cancer drug Taxol (see structure)  reduces both regeneration obstacles. Frank Bradke and his team at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology in Martinsried study the mechanisms inside CNS nerve cells responsible for stopping their growth. As per the claim by the researchers,  protein tubes (micro tubules) have a parallel arrangement in the tip of growing nerve cells, stabilizing cells and actively pushing the cell end forward. This arrangement is lost in injured CNS cells. So how can the order of the microtubule be kept or regained in these cells? And once the cells start growing, how can they overcome the barrier of the scar tissue? Together with their colleagues from the United States and the Netherlands, the Max Planck scientists have now found a common solution for both problems. Taxol, the trade name of a drug currently used for cancer treatment, has now been shown to promote regeneration of injured CNS-nerve cells.

Researchers claim that,  Taxol promotes regeneration of injured CNS-nerve cells in two ways: Taxol stabilizes the microtubules so that their order is maintained and the injured nerve cells regain their ability to grow. In addition, Taxol prevents the production of an inhibitory substance in the scar tissue. The scar tissue, though reduced by Taxol, will still develop at the site of injury and can thus carry out its protective function. Yet growing nerve cells are now better able to cross this barrier. 

"This is literally a small breakthrough", says Bradke.

Experiments in rats performed by this group verified the effects of Taxol. These researchers supplied the injury site after a partial spinal cord lesion with Taxol via a miniature pump. After just a few weeks, animals showed a significant improvement in their movements. So far researchers  tested the effects of Taxol immediately after a lesion.  Researchers next plan  is to investigate whether Taxol is as effective when applied onto an existing scar several months after the injury.  As the research is still in the state of basic research and a variety of obstacles remain  and eventually, pre-clinical trials will need to be done,  "however,  researchers believe that this is a very promising path........

Ref: Farida Hellal et. al., 

Protective properties of green tea uncovered

In continuation of my up date on the benefits of green tea...

Protective properties of green tea uncovered

Ref : doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2010.11.004

Iniparib Phase III study in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer does not meet primary goal

A randomized Phase III trial evaluating iniparib (BSI-201) in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) did not meet the pre-specified criteria for significance for co-primary endpoints of overall survival and progression-free survival......

Iniparib Phase III study in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer does not meet primary goal

Discovery of a Biochemical Basis for Broccoli's Cancer-Fighting Ability

In continuation of my update on broccoli and its anticancer activity.....

Fung-Lung Chung and colleagues showed in previous experiments that substances called isothiocyanates (or ITCs)  found in broccoli, cauliflower, watercress, and other cruciferous vegetables appear to stop the growth of cancer. But nobody knew exactly how these substances work, a key to developing improved strategies for fighting cancer in humans. The tumor suppressor gene p53 appears to play a key role in keeping cells healthy and preventing them from starting the abnormal growth that is a hallmark of cancer. When mutated, p53 does not offer that protection, and those mutations occur in half of all human cancers. ITCs might work by targeting this gene, the report suggests.

Scientists studied the effects of certain naturally-occurring ITCs on a variety of cancer cells, including lung, breast and colon cancer, with and without the defective tumor suppressor gene. They found that ITCs are capable of removing the defective p53 protein but apparently leave the normal one alone. Drugs based on natural or custom-engineered ITCs could improve the effectiveness of current cancer treatments or lead to new strategies for treating and preventing cancer.

Ref : http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jm101199t

Small Molecules (Isoxazole derivatives) May Prevent Ebola Infection

A new study by University of Illinois at Chicago scientists has uncovered a family of small molecules (isoxazole derivatives), which appear to bind to the virus's outer protein coat and may inhibit its entry into human cells.

The new findings demonstrate that it is possible for a small molecule to bind to the virus before it has a chance to enter the cell and thereby prevent infection. Wardrop collaborated with UIC virologist Lijun Rong, who created a screening system that uses a chimeric HIV-Ebola virus bearing the protein coat of the Ebola virus. The chimera looks like Ebola but isn't life-threatening for scientists to work with.

After screening more than 230 candidate compounds, Wardrop and Rong found two molecules that inhibited cell entry, but only one that demonstrated specificity for the Ebola virus plus a bonus.

We found that our lead compound also inhibits Marburg," Wardrop said, referring to a related virus that, along with Ebola, is one of the deadliest pathogens known. "That was a nice surprise. There's growing evidence the two viruses have the same cell-entry mechanism, and our observations appear to point to this conclusion."

In an effort to find even more potent anti-Ebola agents, Wardrop and Maria Yermolina synthesized a series of derivatives of the lead molecule called isoxazoles. Researchers found that the compounds, displayed increased activity against Ebola infection. Though the mechanism of action of these class of compounds is still to be established, in my opinion its an achievement. More interestingly, the mode of study is being studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, done by Michael Caffrey, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics. While it's too early to predict whether the findings will lead to a new treatment for Ebola or Marburg infections, the positive results so far raise the hope....

Ref : http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jm1008715

FDA Panel Backs Amyvid (Florbetapir) Approval

FDA approve a new chemical, Florbetapir, E)-4-(2-(6-(2-(2-(2-([¹⁸F]-fluoroethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)- pyridin-3-yl)vinyl)-N-methyl benzenamine (see structure) that can highlight the telltale signs of Alzheimer's in brain scans may one day help doctors diagnose the neurodegenerative disease, experts said. Amyvid (trade name), with one critical caveat, however manufacturer Eli Lilly and Co. must demonstrate that standards for interpreting brain scans that show amyloid plaques illuminated by Amyvid can be made consistent enough to routinely guarantee an accurate diagnosis.

Amyvid (florbetapir) is injected into patients who then undergo a PET scan; a negative result can help rule out Alzheimer's, according to Lilly. Experts agreed that the test could become a critical part of spotting Alzheimer's before symptoms have taken hold, but they noted that the clinical reality of that is far from imminent.

"It may well be that amyloid imaging will join colonoscopy, mammography, etc. as mid-life surveillance tests, and that anti-amyloid interventions are most effective in the pre-symptomatic stages of Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Sam Gandy, the Mount Sinai Chair in Alzheimer's Disease Research in New York City. However, this possibility is years away, he added..............

Ref : http://newsroom.lilly.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=544894

First drug to treat Fragile X?

First drug to treat Fragile X?

Bioactive Compounds (anthocyanins) in Berries Can Reduce High Blood Pressure

We have already seen the benefits of anthocyanins, and also how useful the blue berries are. Now the researchers from University of East Anglia (UEA) and Harvard University, have further substantiated the usefulness of blue berries. As per the claim by the researchers eating blueberries can guard against high blood pressure.

The new findings show that bioactive compounds in blueberries called anthocyanins offer protection against hypertension. Compared with those who do not eat blueberries, those eating at least one serving a week reduce their risk of developing the condition by 10 per cent.

Anthocyanins (see structure) belong to the bioactive family of compounds called flavonoids and are found in high amounts in blackcurrants, raspberries, aubergines, blood orange juice and blueberries. Other flavonoids are found in many fruits, vegetables, grains and herbs. The flavonoids present in tea, fruit juice, red wine and dark chocolate are already known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

During the study, 35,000 participants developed hypertension. Dietary information identified tea as the main contributor of flavonoids, with apples, orange juice, blueberries, red wine, and strawberries also providing important amounts. When the researchers looked at the relation between individual subclasses of flavonoids and hypertension, they found that participants consuming the highest amounts of anthocyanins (found mainly in blueberries and strawberries in this US-based population) were eight per cent less likely to be diagnosed with hypertension than those consuming the lowest amounts. The effect was even stronger in participants under 60.

The effect was stronger for blueberry rather than strawberry consumption. Compared to people who ate no blueberries, those eating at least one serving of blueberries per week were 10 per cent less likely to become hypertensive.

"Our findings are exciting and suggest that an achievable dietary intake of anthocyanins may contribute to the prevention of hypertension," said lead author Prof Aedin Cassidy of the Department of Nutrition at UEA's Medical School".......

Ref: http://www.uea.ac.uk/mac/comm/media/press/2011/January/berries .

Immunitor reports positive safety imm01 clinical trial against tuberculosis

Immunitor reports positive safety imm01 clinical trial against tuberculosis

How natural drug, abscisic acid, fights inflammation

In continuation of my update on abscisic acid...

How natural drug, abscisic acid, fights inflammation

Contrave, new weight loss pill gets FDA panel nod

In continuation of my update on contrave....
Contrave, new weight loss pill gets FDA panel nod

Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammation, disease symptoms and cartilage degeneration

In continuation of my update on Omega-3 fatty acids...
Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammation, disease symptoms and cartilage degeneration

Platinum and Blue Light Combine to Combat Cancer...

Research led by the University of Warwick, along with researchers from Ninewells Hospital Dundee, and the University of Edinburgh, have found a new light-activated platinum-based compound that is up to 80 times more powerful than other platinum-based anti-cancer drugs and which can use “light activation” to kill cancer cells in a much more targeted way than similar treatments. 

The University of Warwick team had already found a platinum-based compound that they could activate with ultra-violet light but that narrow wave length of light would have limited its use. Their latest breakthrough has discovered a new platinum based compound known as trans,trans,trans-[Pt(N₃)₂(OH)₂(py)₂] (see structure)  that can be activated by normal visible blue, or even green, light. It is also stable and easy to work with, and it is water soluble so it can simply dissolve and be flushed out of the body after use. Tests show that once activated by blue light the compound was highly effective requiring a concentration of just 8.4 micro moles per litre to kill 50% of the cancer cells. The researchers are also beginning to examine the compound’s effectiveness against ovarian and liver cancer cells. Early results there are also excellent but that testing work is not yet complete.

“This compound could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of future cancer treatments. Light activation provides this compound’s massive toxic power and also allows treatment to be targeted much more accurately against cancer cells...claims Prof.  Peter Sadler...

Ref : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2980786/

Ginseng just got better -- not as bitter

Ginseng just got better -- not as bitter

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2011

WISHING ONE AND ALL "A HAPPY,  PROSPEROUS AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR-2011.