The development of drug resistance is a primary factor in the failure of malaria treatment strategies. For example, artemisinin is the drug most commonly used to treat human malaria worldwide, but some malaria parasites have developed resistance to it. Overcoming the development of resistance is therefore a key objective in the search for improved malariaContinueContinue reading “Using the whole plant to treat malaria”
Tag Archives: natural compounds
Beer boosts brainpower—but only in the young
Flavonoids are compounds found in many plants whose nutritional benefits and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have been widely studied. The hops used to make beer contain a flavonoid called xanthohumol, which can help to control body weight and blood sugar in a rat model of obesity. New findings from researchers at Oregon State University (Corvallis)ContinueContinue reading “Beer boosts brainpower—but only in the young”
Snail venom speeds pain relief
Cone snails, such as Conus magus, or the magical cone, are predatory marine mollusks that use venom to paralyze their prey. The venom has properties that make it potentially useful to humans, too. Scientists have derived a compound called ziconotide from the venom of C. magus that has painkilling power up to three orders ofContinueContinue reading “Snail venom speeds pain relief”
Exploring the molecular underpinnings of convergent evolution
Similar phenotypic traits such as anatomical structures and physiological functions often evolve independently in different organisms. Nonetheless, the evolutionary paths leading to these convergent phenotypes were typically thought to be quite different. Many such phenotypes are quite complex, requiring coordination among many different genes, suggesting that their development likewise involved multiple evolutionary twists and turns.ContinueContinue reading “Exploring the molecular underpinnings of convergent evolution”
Berries benefit the brain
Berries are considered nutritional ‘superfoods,’ packed with antioxidants believed to scavenge potentially damaging compounds in the body, reducing inflammation and ameliorating the effects of stress. Shibu Poulouse (Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA) and colleagues specifically evaluated whether berries could protect the brain by reducing the accumulation of toxic proteins. LabContinueContinue reading “Berries benefit the brain”
Grapefruit nanovectors for drug delivery
Synthetic nanoparticles can be used to target drug delivery within the body, increasing treatment efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. But these nanoparticles may have toxic side effects of their own, carry high costs to produce on a large scale and generate biohazardous waste. So Huang-Ge Zhang and colleagues (University of Louisville, KY) looked to natureContinueContinue reading “Grapefruit nanovectors for drug delivery”
Snake venom points out a new pain pathway
Natural toxins, such as snake venom, are used by various organisms for protection against potential predation. These toxins work by creating irritation, disease or pain in predators. Their mechanisms of action are of interest to researchers because they may elucidate new or poorly understood biological processes, such as those involved in pain sensation, nerve activationContinueContinue reading “Snake venom points out a new pain pathway”
Saffron offers protection from liver cancer
As a recipe ingredient, saffron’s golden color and bright flavor and aroma make it one of the world’s most popular seasoning agents. It’s also one of the costliest, collected from the stigmas and style of the flowering plant Crocus sativus, which is native to southwest Asia. In addition to its culinary qualifications, saffron has longContinueContinue reading “Saffron offers protection from liver cancer”
Thirty-seven strawberries a day?
The old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” may have a new star: strawberries. Thirty-seven of them, actually. That’s how many a person might need to eat each day to reap the benefits of the fruit, as reported recently in PLoS One (6, e21226; 2011. The report discussed how fisetin, a compoundContinueContinue reading “Thirty-seven strawberries a day?”
Channeling the power of scorpion venom
Scorpions, cockroaches and clawed frogs may sound like ingredients in an ancient recipe for witches’ brew. But bringing these animals together in a series of experiments has uncovered a new understanding of a more mundane problem: pesticide resistance in insects. The results of this recent study may help scientists to develop better pesticides—no spell bookContinueContinue reading “Channeling the power of scorpion venom”
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