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Plant-derived extracellular vesicles as potential smart nano drug delivery systems for antioxidant vitamins C and E in Alzheimer's disease

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  1. Introduction Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by memory loss, disorientation, and cognitive decline. It is histopathologically marked by: Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque accumulation Neurofibrillary tangles (tau proteins) Oxidative stress and inflammation Oxidative stress plays a central role in AD pathology, leading to neuronal damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. Antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E counteract ROS, but their therapeutic potential is limited by poor brain bioavailability , rapid degradation , and limited absorption . 2. The Promise of Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles (PDEVs) 2.1 What Are PDEVs? Plant-derived extracellular vesicles are nano- to micro-sized vesicles (50–500 nm) secreted by plant cells for intercellular communication. They are structurally similar to mammalian exosomes but are non-toxic, naturally abundant, and edible . Sources: Ginger, grapefruit, ...
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Research progress of small-molecule drugs in targeting telomerase in human cancer and aging

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  Research Progress of Small-Molecule Drugs in Targeting Telomerase in Human Cancer and Aging Introduction Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein enzyme that maintains telomere length, playing a key role in cellular immortality. While it is largely inactive in most somatic cells, telomerase is abnormally activated in ~85–90% of cancers. In aging, reduced telomerase activity contributes to telomere shortening, genomic instability, and cellular senescence. Hence, telomerase represents a dual therapeutic target: inhibition for cancer and activation for age-related disorders . 1. Telomerase Structure and Function Composed mainly of two core components: TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) and TERC (telomerase RNA component) . Adds TTAGGG repeats to telomeres, preventing shortening during DNA replication. Its activity is tightly regulated and essential for stem cell renewal and genomic stability. 2. Telomerase in Cancer Overexpressed TERT enables cancer cells to bypass ...
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Cancer surveillance in the Eastern Mediterranean region: a 10-year International Agency for Research on Cancer–WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean collaboration

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  Cancer Surveillance in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A 10-Year IARC–WHO EMRO Collaboration  Introduction Cancer surveillance is essential for informed policy-making, prevention strategies, and treatment services. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR)—a diverse region comprising 22 countries with a combined population of approximately 700 million—the cancer burden is rapidly increasing. Recognizing this, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO) launched a decade-long collaboration in 2013 to build and strengthen cancer surveillance systems across the region.  📈 Overview and Context From 2013 through 2023/24 , IARC and WHO EMRO collaborated to build sustainable and high‑quality cancer surveillance systems across the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), serving 22 countries and territories and a population of ≈700 million Wikipedia +12 IARC +12 EMRO ...
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High-dose vitamin C: A promising anti-tumor agent, insight from mechanisms, clinical research, and challenges

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  Meaning Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential nutrient known for its antioxidant properties and immune support. When administered at high pharmacological doses (typically via intravenous infusion ), vitamin C behaves differently than at nutritional levels. It reaches plasma concentrations that cannot be achieved through oral intake, enabling pro-oxidant effects which can selectively target and destroy cancer cells without harming normal cells. Introduction Over the decades, vitamin C has been explored for its role in disease prevention. Its potential anticancer effects were first proposed by Nobel laureate Linus Pauling in the 1970s. Although controversial at the time, recent advances in pharmacokinetics and molecular oncology have renewed scientific interest. High-dose intravenous vitamin C is now being investigated not only for its direct tumor-killing potential but also for its synergistic effects with chemotherapy, immune system modulation , and improvement in pat...
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