Riya Sarkar

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an extremely complex metabolic disorder, with many factors contributing to persistent hyperglycaemia, redox dysregulation, and micro- and macrovascular damage over time. There is growing evidence that oxidative stress is one of the main mechanisms of β-cell damage, insulin resistance, and consequent tissue damage, pointing to the need for therapies to modulate metabolic and redox responses. The extensive nature of quinones has revealed that they can be potential dual-acting redox-active compounds that may have antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. Objectives: This review aims to evaluate quinones from a pharmaceutical perspective, considering the chemical diversity and structure–activity relationships, the physicochemical parameters pertinent to drug development, and the mechanisms of action in terms of glucose homeostasis, insulin signalling, mitochondrial protection, and glycoxidative damage. Methods: Narrative review of the evidence from medicinal chemistry, experimental pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, formulation research, and clinical studies of the potential role of quinones in diabetes and its complications. The paper addresses the relationship between chemical structure and biological activity, redox-dependent mechanisms of action, tissue-protective actions, challenges associated with delivery, toxicity, and recent approaches to formulation. Results: Quinones influence several processes implicated in diabetes, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, pancreatic β-cell injury, insulin signalling impairment, AGE-RAGE activation, and chronic inflammation. Currently, CoQ10 has the strongest evidence in humans, while thymoquinone (TQ), pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), anthraquinones, and mitochondria-targeted derivatives have mainly cellular and animal studies to support them. Low solubility, variable systemic exposure, rapid metabolism, and the potential for pro-oxidant effects at high concentrations continue to hamper therapeutic development of these compounds. Conclusions: Future research scopes will rely on rational derivatisation, precision delivery technologies, and clinically validated safety frameworks to translate redox pharmacology into effective therapeutic interventions.

Neurodegeneration results from the convergence of several molecular processes, including inflammation in the brain (i.e., neuroinflammation), elevated levels of free radicals that damage cells, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the inability to remove damaged proteins from the brain. Even though many agents provide neuroprotection in research models, their clinical use is limited because they cannot effectively cross the blood-brain barrier to reach the areas of the brain where they are needed. Limitations include the inability to cross the blood-brain barrier, poor bioavailability, rapid metabolism and clearance, non-specific targeting, efflux by transport proteins, toxicity, and low solubility and stability. The classification of micronutrients (e.g., vitamins, polyphenols, minerals), which are naturally present antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances, plays a role in modulating the most important signaling pathways in the body, including those mediating the inflammatory response (i.e., NF-κB and NLRP3) and the process that causes glial cell death (i.e., JAK/STAT). Micronutrients have a significant drawback for therapeutic use because they are rapidly metabolized and cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Developments in synthetic biomaterials and nanotechnology offer a potential avenue for addressing the challenges of delivering micronutrients to the brain by targeting them to specific areas and releasing them over a sustained period. This study presents current information on the mechanisms by which micronutrients modulate molecular pathways and their potential application in emerging biomaterials to develop a new class of neuroprotective therapeutic agents that may ultimately be used to treat patients with degenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's). Additionally, clinical challenges are addressed to translate these products from the laboratory to the clinic. The idea presented in this review connects molecular neuromodulation via micronutrients and bioactive nutraceuticals with a new strategy for pharmacological delivery using biomaterials. Instead of considering nutrition and those biomaterials as separate therapeutic areas, an integrated mechanistic model is presented that shows how micronutrients can act as endogenous pathway regulators and how biomaterials can enhance pharmacokinetics and targeting.

Globally, more than 78 million people have acquired HIV, and more than 40 million of those individuals are currently afflicted. About 9% of them have neurological issues. In the great majority of instances, accurate diagnoses may be obtained by doing clinical and neurodiagnostic exams with a thorough understanding of the spectrum of neurologic disorders that could affect these people. Our current knowledge of how HIV-related neurological disorders develop is still incomplete, which limits the range of therapy options. Brain damage, however, may have its root cause in alterations in the dendritic spine, according to a number of studies. HIV is a major global health concern, and for people who are infected, neurological symptoms is a major source of concern. HIV-positive individuals still have a high risk of neurological issues even with the widespread availability and efficacy of antiretroviral drugs. Thus, further preventive measures to protect HIV patients from developing neurological issues should be given top priority in the 2030 HIV vision. Thus, neurocognitive deterioration and HIV-associated dementia are often correlated with HIV infection. The reader is intended to get a brief overview of the neurological problems that might arise from HIV infection from this article. The ways by which HIV either directly or indirectly affects the central nervous system are examined in this article.

Pranayama, an ancient Indian breathing exercise technique, regulates the length, frequency, and timing of breaths. Pranayama releases the breath and allows prana also facilitates the flow of life force throughout the body, helping it to heal, relax, and become more energized. Cardiovascular endurance, also known as aerobic fitness. Benefits of cardiovascular endurance include lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart and blood vessel problems, strengthening the heart and lungs, enhancing mental performance and improving the overall quality of life. Nose is the primary system for inhalation and exhalation in many breathing exercises. This technique is based on the extraordinary sensitivity of our lungs, optimizing the air we breathe for entry into the respiratory system, where the air's temperature and humidity are adjusted. This chapter will explain how Pranayama enhances airflow into the body, generating both physical and subtle heat that ignites the internal fires of the body and mind and that improves cardio-pulmonary health by enhancing the circulation.

Diabetes-related ulcers and slow-healing wounds pose a significant health risk to individuals due to their uncertain causes. Mortality rates for diabetes foot ulcers (DFUs) range from 10% after 16 months to 24% after five years. The use of bioactive phytochemicals can play a key role in healing wounds in a predictable time. Recent literature has demonstrated that various natural substances, including flavonoids, saponins, phenolic compounds, and polysaccharides, play key roles at different stages of the wound-healing process through diverse mechanisms. These studies have categorized the compounds according to their characteristics, bioactivities, and modes of action. In this study, we evaluated the role of natural compounds derived from plant sources that have been shown to play a crucial role in immunomodulation. Macrophages are closely involved in immunomodulation within the wound microenvironment and are key players in efferocytosis, inflammation resolution, and tissue regeneration, all of which contribute to successful wound healing. Phytochemicals and their derivatives have shown capabilities in immune regulation, including macrophage migration, nitric oxide synthase inhibition, lymphocyte and T-cell stimulation, cytokine activation, natural killer cell enhancement, and the regulation of NF-κβ, TNF-α, and apoptosis. In this review, we have studied the role of phytochemicals in immunomodulation for the resolution of diabetic wound inflammation.