Conifers have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential in different disorders. Alkaloids, terpenes and polyphenols are the most abundant naturally occurring phytochemicals in these plants. Here, we provide an overview of the phytochemistry and related commercial products obtained from conifers. The pharmacological actions of different phytochemicals present in conifers against bacterial and fungal infections, cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are also reviewed. Data obtained from experimental and clinical studies performed to date clearly underline that such compounds exert promising antioxidant effects, being able to inhibit cell damage, cancer growth, inflammation and the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, an attempt has been made with the intent to highlight the importance of conifer-derived extracts for pharmacological purposes, with the support of relevant in vitro and in vivo experimental data. In short, this review comprehends the information published to date related to conifers' phytochemicals and illustrates their potential role as drugs.

• MeSH
• cévnaté rostliny chemie   MeSH
• fytonutrienty chemie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• klinické zkoušky jako téma MeSH
• lesy * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neuroprotekce účinky léků   MeSH
• rostlinné extrakty terapeutické užití   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Therapeutic interventions that can delay age associated diseases and ensure a longer health-span is a major goal of aging research. Consequent to understanding that aging is a modifiable trait, a large number of studies are currently being undertaken to elucidate the mechanism(s) of the aging process. Research on human aging and longevity is difficult, due to longer time frame, ethical concerns and environmental variables. Most of the present day understanding about the aging process comes through studies conducted on model organisms. These provide suitable platforms for understanding underlying mechanism(s) which control aging and have led to major discoveries that emphasize the evolutionarily conserved molecular pathways as key players that respond to extra and intracellular signals. This is a review of various invertebrate and vertebrate models including yeast, Drosophila, C. elegans, rodents, naked mole rat, and birds, currently used in aging research with emphasis on how well they can mimic aging in higher animals and humans.

• MeSH
• biomedicínský výzkum MeSH
• Caenorhabditis elegans MeSH
• dlouhověkost * MeSH
• Drosophila MeSH
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikroftalmičtí podzemní hlodavci MeSH
• modely u zvířat * MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ptáci MeSH
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae MeSH
• stárnutí * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Background. Exposure to high concentrations of oxygen radicals, the lack of nucleus and mitochrondria, inability to synthesise new protein and degradation of detoxifying enzymes makes red blood cells (RBCs) uniquely vulnerable to oxidative stress. This review summarizes the changes in biochemical parameters that primarily contribute to alterations in red blood cells during oxidative stress. Methods. PubMed, Science Direct and Springer online databases and updates from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Results and Conclusion. As one of the first cells to be affected by changes in the redox status of the body, alterations in red blood cells are widely used in first step-diagnoses of a number of pathological conditions. The information presented in this review provides an update on biomarkers of redox balance in red blood cells. These biomarkers may be used for assessment of oxidative stress during human health and disease.

• MeSH
• antioxidancia metabolismus   MeSH
• biologické markery krev   MeSH
• erytrocyty metabolismus   MeSH
• hemoglobiny metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• membránové proteiny MeSH
• oxidační stres MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Background. Studies have shown that oxidative stress increases with increasing human age. Protein carbonyl accumulation is an indicator of oxidative damage to proteins during aging in cells and tissues. The present study is focused on the relationship between human age and protein oxidation in erythrocyte membranes in a healthy Indian population. Materials and Methods. The sample included healthy human subjects (n = 49) between the ages of 17 to 80 years. Their blood was collected and assayed spectrophotometrically for oxidative protein damage in terms of protein carbonyls and plasma antioxidant capacity in terms of FRAP. Results. Protein carbonyl content was found to increase in an age-related pattern indicating an increase in oxidative protein damage in older subjects (p <0.0001, r = 0.8269). There was also a significant negative correlation between protein oxidation and plasma antioxidant capacity measured in terms of ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) values (p<0.0001; r = -0.8695). Conclusion. Our results substantiate the occurrence of oxidative stress during human aging. Elevated erythrocyte membrane carbonyl levels found with increasing age in this study may be viewed as a biomarker for aging.

• MeSH
• antioxidancia metabolismus   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• erytrocytární membrána metabolismus   MeSH
• karbonylace proteinů MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• oxidační stres MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• spektrofotometrie MeSH
• stárnutí metabolismus   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH