Narrow Results

Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) is a well-known and commonly used Chinese herbal medicine in Asian countries. As one of the major species in the Panax genus, it has a distinct chemical composition and medical application compared with other species. P. notoginseng attracts attention and interest due to its potential therapeutic effects not only on blood diseases, but also other kinds of human chronic disorders. This paper critically reviewed the latest advance of knowledge on the pharmacological effects of P. notoginseng on a variety of chronic diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, ischemia, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer disease and trauma, as well as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and so on. As inflammation is considered the fundamental factor involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, our review therefore focuses on understanding the involvement of classical inflammatory pathways underlying the mechanism of action of P. notoginseng. Potential clinical application was also discussed. Furthermore, by combining with network pharmacology, we introduced the major bioactive components of P. notoginseng, analyzed their cellular targets and associated signaling pathways. In conclusion, this review identified inflammatory pathway as the key signaling for determining the efficacy of P. notoginseng on chronic diseases. It is speculated that P. notoginseng is a multi-targeted agent with an anti-inflammatory property in the adjuvant and alternative treatment of human chronic diseases.

Whole-grain foods are good choices for a nutritious diet and play an important role in lowering the risk of chronic diseases. China is a large cereal-consuming country that is experiencing rapid economic growth and an increased burden of noncommunicable diseases. Studies have shown that insufficient intake of whole grains has increased the burden on public health to some extent. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the characteristics and trends of whole-grain consumption in China to contribute to the development of a healthy Chinese population. We searched for important policies, standards, and dietary recommendations related to whole grains through the official websites of the China State Council and its affiliated ministries. Official and public databases, such as the National Bureau of Statistics and the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), were utilized to obtain data on whole grains and different foods. This approach was employed to gain insight into changes in whole-grain intake levels and dietary structure. Since 2010, the development of whole grains in China has received significant attention. Supportive policies have been continuously introduced on both the supply and demand sides. Numerous whole-grain standards have been developed, and terms and definitions related to whole grains have been preliminarily defined. The consumption of whole grains has fluctuated among Chinese residents since 2000, with a downward trend from 2000 to 2009, followed by an upward trend from 2009 to 2018. However, despite this increasing trend, the whole-grain intake of 80% of the adult residents was still lower than the minimum recommended dietary intake (50g/day). Furthermore, the dietary structure of Chinese residents has undergone a significant transformation, characterized by high consumption of high-fat foods, excessive consumption of meat, low intake of dietary fiber, and insufficient consumption of whole grains. These findings highlight the need for further monitoring of whole-grain intake in China. In addition, a sound whole-grain standardization system should be established, and the availability and consumer awareness of whole grains should be improved, with the goal of increasing the intake of whole grains.

Oxidative stress represents a pivotal mechanism in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic diseases. The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1–transcription factor NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (KEAP1–NRF2) pathway plays a crucial role in maintaining redox homeostasis and regulating a multitude of biological processes such as inflammation, protein homeostasis, and metabolic homeostasis. In this paper, we present the findings of recent studies on the KEAP1–NRF2 pathway, which have revealed that it is aberrantly regulated and induces oxidative stress injury in a variety of diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, respiratory diseases, digestive diseases, and cancer. Given this evidence, targeting KEAP1–NRF2 represents a highly promising avenue for developing therapeutic strategies for chronic diseases, and thus the development of appropriate therapeutic strategies based on the targeting of the NRF2 pathway has emerged as a significant area of research interest. This paper highlights an overview of current strategies to modulate KEAP1–NRF2, as well as recent advances in the use of natural compounds and traditional Chinese medicine, with a view to providing meaningful guidelines for drug discovery and development targeting KEAP1–NRF2. Additionally, it discusses the challenges associated with harnessing NRF2 as a therapeutic target.

Geographic pathology provides information that a disease may have a quite different incidence and mortality as function of area of residence. Research in animals can model fairly precisely what is learned through geographic pathology, and provides the basis for understanding possible mechanisms of action. These approaches can yield public health recommendations and health promotion activities. Frequent intake of foods with saturated fats such as meat and dairy products raises the risk of coronary heart disease, especially so in smokers. The total mixed fat intake accounts for the high incidence of the nutritionally linked cancers, i.e. of the post-menopausal breast, distal colon, prostate, pancreas, ovary and endometrium, in Western countries, and of increasing impact in Asia, as people there adopt Western eating habits. Monounsaturated oils such as olive oil are low risk fats, as found in animal models, and through the fact that the incidence of coronary heart and neoplastic diseases is lower in the Mediterranean region, where such oils are customarily used. Fish and fish oils are protective, as is noted in countries with a high intake. The genotoxic carcinogens for a number of these cancers are heterocyclic amines that are produced during the broiling or frying of meaty foods that contain creatinine. Excessive salt intake can cause high blood pressure and with stomach cancer, especially with inadequate intake of potassium, from fruits and vegetables, and calcium from certain vegetables and low fat dairy products. Bran cereal fiber intake, especially with adequate calcium, yields an increased stool bulk, eliminating factors involved in colon and breast cancer. Vegetables and fruits, as well as soy products, are rich in antioxidants that are essential to lower disease risk stemming from reactive oxygen species in the body. Green and black tea are excellent sources of such beneficial antioxidants of a polyphenol nature, as is cocoa and chocolates. Antioxidants also extend healthy aging and may protect against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Nutritional lifestyles can be described for most populations in the world that offer the possibility of a healthy long life.

Cellular Biomedicine Group (CBMG) and GE Healthcare Life Sciences China Announce Strategic Partnership to Establish Joint Technology Laboratory to Develop Control Processes for the Manufacture of CAR-T and Stem Cell Therapies.

Zuellig Pharma to Invest over $50 Million in Singapore-Based Innovation Centre.

Holmusk: Using Data to Improve Clinical Outcomes for Cardiovascular Disease in Singapore.

Singapore Eye Bank Sets Another Record in Local Cornea Donations in 2016.

Plasticell and King’s College London to Collaborate in Trials of Blood Platelet Substitute.

Merck Partners with University of California, San Diego (UCSD) to Fight Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Mundipharma Wins Approval for Antineoplastic Agent mundesine® as Treatment for Relapsed/Refractory Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma in Japan.

Asian Myeloma Network (AMN) Brings Clinical Trials to Cancer Patients in Asia and Provides Early Access to Effective Drugs.

APBN Interview with Professor Chng Wee Joo.

NUS Researchers Create Palm-Size Device for Quick, Effective Treatment of Common Hearing Disorder.

World Asthma Day: Managing and Living with Asthma.

DARZALEX^® (daratumumab) Available in Singapore, Following Accelerated Approval by the Health Sciences Authority.

Managing Liver Cancer as a Global Health Problem.

Bayer and NUS Enterprise Announce Winners of Grants4Apps^® Singapore Open Innovation Challenge.

Exclusive Interviews with the Grants4Apps^® winners: I. EyeDEA, Singapore, II. GlycoLeap by Holmusk, Singapore and III. PillPocket, Thailand.

Genetic mechanism behind aging rate uncovered.

China launches survey of endangered porpoises in Yangtze River.

Academic institutes and companies join forces to boost precision nutrition research.

Gigantic DNA database to be built in Nanjing.

Home test kit for cervical screening developed by BGI.

Chinese HPV vaccine gets permission for clinical testing.

Ineffective baby vaccines by two companies recalled.

Robot scores high result on national doctor qualification test.

Head transplant ‘never’ to be allowed.

China ranks second in Global Science Innovation.

Veolia to support Danone Nutricia Wuxi plant in China.

Chinese drug delivery devices market to reach USD638.4 million by 2023.

ASIA – The first Greater Bay Area biotechnology and translational medicine international collaboration.

ASIA – New insight on therapeutic treatment for mental disorders.

OCEANIA – Multiple chronic diseases leave patients with adversely high costs.

AMERICAS – Measuring the risks and rewards of drug development.

AMERICAS – Ketone drink could help diabetics by lowering blood sugar.

The global climate crisis poses large risks to public health through many exposure pathways, from heat waves and air pollution, to malnutrition, infectious diseases and social dislocation. At the same time, confronting the cause of climate change — reducing greenhouse gas emissions — offers health and financial benefits, especially by reducing chronic diseases. First, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) more than seven million people die prematurely every year from air pollution. Therefore, departing from fossil fuel-based energy can save millions of lives. Second, a diet with less red meat (particularly in wealthy countries) will both mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and reduce saturated fat and the risk of cardiac disease. And third, over five million people are dying annually from lack of exercise due to a growing trend in sedentary lifestyles — caused in large part by overreliance on motorized transportation. Thus, opportunities abound to enhance physical fitness through smart urban design that promotes safe, low-carbon, “active” transportation (via walking and biking) that will reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, strokes, diabetes, depression and colon, and breast cancer.