ABSTRACT Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are found in every environmental medium and are chemically diverse. Their presence in water resources can negatively impact the health of both human and wildlife. Currently, there are no mandatory screening mandates or regulations for EDC levels in complex water samples globally. Bioassays, which allow quantifying in vivo or inRead More
Human gut bacterial metabolism drives Th17 activation and colitis
ABSTRACT Bacterial activation of T helper 17 (Th17) cells exacerbates mouse models of autoimmunity, but how human-associated bacteria impact Th17-driven disease remains elusive. We show that human gut Actinobacterium Eggerthella lenta induces intestinal Th17 activation by lifting inhibition of the Th17 transcription factor Rorγt through cell- and antigen-independent mechanisms. E. lenta is enriched in inflammatoryRead More
Bifidobacterium species associated with breastfeeding produce aromatic lactic acids in the infant gut
ABSTRACT Breastfeeding profoundly shapes the infant gut microbiota, which is critical for early life immune development, and the gut microbiota can impact host physiology in various ways, such as through the production of metabolites. However, few breastmilk-dependent microbial metabolites mediating host–microbiota interactions are currently known. Here, we demonstrate that breastmilk-promoted Bifidobacterium species convert aromatic aminoRead More
Olive Leaf-Derived PPAR Agonist Complex Induces Collagen IV Synthesis in Human Skin Models
Abstract Introduction Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists are known to modulate the synthesis of dermal lipids and proteins including collagens. Olive (Olea europaea) leaves have been reported to contain PPAR-binding ligands. Collagen IV, a major dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) protein, degrades with both age and disease. Here, we report the formulation of a novel multi-ligand complex,Read More
Discovery of 2-(Ortho-Substituted Benzyl)-Indole Derivatives as Potent and Orally Bioavailable RORγ Agonists with Antitumor Activity
Abstract RORγ is a dual-functional drug target, which involves not only induction of inflammation but also promotion of cancer immunity. The development of agonists of RORγ promoting Th17 cell differentiation could provide a novel mechanism of action (MOA) as an immune-activating anticancer agent. Herein, we describe new 2-(ortho-substituted benzyl)-indole derivatives as RORγ agonists by scaffoldRead More
A ready-to-use, thermoresponsive, and extended-release delivery system for the paranasal sinuses
Abstract A drug delivery system for the paranasal sinuses consisting of a freeze-dried thermoresponsive hydrogel with degradable microspheres, called FD-TEMPS (Freeze Dried—Thermogel, Extended-release Microsphere-based delivery to the Paranasal Sinuses), was developed. Glass transition temperatures (Tg′) of the maximally freeze concentrated solutions consisting of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAAm) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) were determined by differential scanning calorimetry,Read More
Discovery of 4-Benzyloxy and 4-(2-Phenylethoxy) Chalcone Fibrate Hybrids as Novel PPARα Agonists with Anti-hyperlipidemic and Antioxidant Activities: Design, Synthesis0020and in Vitro/in Vivo Biological Evaluation
Abstract In the current work, a series of novel 4-benzyloxy and 4-(2-phenylethoxy) chalcone fibrate hybrids (10a-o) and (11a-e) were synthesized and evaluated as new PPARα agonists in order to find new agents with higher activity and fewer side effects. The 2-propanoic acid derivative 10a and the 2-butanoic acid congener 10i showed the best overall PPARαRead More
Withanolide Derivative 2,3-Dihydro-3β-methoxy Withaferin-A Modulates the Circadian Clock via Interaction with RAR-Related Orphan Receptor α (RORa)
Abstract Withanolide derivatives have anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and other functions and are components of Indian traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Here, we found that 2,3-dihydro-3β-methoxy withaferin-A (3βmWi-A), a derivative of withaferin-A (Wi-A) belonging to a class of withanolides that are abundant in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), lengthened the period of the circadian clock. This compound dose-dependently elongated circadian rhythmsRead More
Accumulating evidence to support the safe and efficacious use of a proprietary blend of capsaicinoids in mediating risk factors for obesity
ABSTRACT Obesity is a significant public health concern, and finding safe and effective means for combating this condition is needed. This study investigates the safety and efficacy of supplementation of a blend of capsaicinoids on weight gain, fat mass, and blood chemistry in a high-fat diet (HFD) model of obesity in mice and on adipocyteRead More
Synthesis and molecular targets of N-13-hydroxy-octadienoyl-ethanolamine, a novel endogenous bioactive 15-lipoxygenase-derived metabolite of N-linoleoyl-ethanolamine found in the skin and saliva
ABSTRACT N-Arachidonoyl-ethanolamine (AEA) is an endocannabinoid (eCB) and endogenous lipid mimicking many of the effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, notably on brain functions, appetite, pain and inflammation. The eCBs and eCB-like compounds contain fatty acids, the main classes being the monoacylglycerols and the N-acyl-ethanolamines (NAEs). Thus, each long chain fatty acid likely exists under the form ofRead More