It has been estimated that every year, millions of people are affected by neurodegenerative disorders, which complicate their lives and their caregivers’ lives. To date, there has not been an approved pharmacological approach to provide the complete treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. The only available drugs may only relieve the symptoms or slow down the progression of the disease. The absence of any treatment is quite rational given that neurodegeneration occurs by the progressive loss of the function or structure of the nerve cells of the brain or the peripheral nervous system, which eventually leads to their death either by apoptosis or necrotic cell death. According to a recent study, even though adult brain cells are injured, they can revert to an embryonic state, which may help to restore their function. These interesting findings might open a new path for the development of more efficient therapeutic strategies to combat devastating neurodegenerative disorders. Gene and protein therapies have emerged as a rapidly growing field for various disorders, especially neurodegenerative diseases. Despite these promising therapies, the complete treatment of neurodegenerative disorders has not yet been achieved. Therefore, the aim of this review is to address the most up-to-date data for neurodegenerative diseases, but most importantly, to summarize the available delivery systems incorporating proteins, peptides, and genes that can potentially target such diseases and pass into the blood–brain barrier. The authors highlight the advancements, at present, on delivery based on the carrier, i.e., lipid, polymeric, and inorganic, as well as the recent studies on radiopharmaceutical theranostics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional interaction of Glycyrrhiza glabraroot extract (GGRE) on the large conductance Ca2+-activated K+(BKCa) channels expressed in the peripheral nervous system by using nociception and inflammation models in rodents in vivo. Besides toxicity studies and open field tests, nociception and inflammation tests were performed on rodents. Different doses of GGRE were given orally to rats and mice. Naloxone, indomethacin, morphine, NS1619 and iberiotoxin (IbTX) were administered. GGRE had both anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity in rats and mice. GGRE exhibited an analgesic effect by decreasing the time-course of the pain threshold or reaction time insome nociceptive tests. Furthermore, GGRE reduced level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-1β. As a conclusion, GGRE can alleviate the pain sensation of the afferent nerves and can reduce inflammation and associated pain by activating BKCa channels and reducing the levels of TNF-α, IL1β.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is frequently linked with problems of several organ systems, including retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy. Additionally, patients have changes in sexual functioning, such as decreased libido and fertility. Vincamine, a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid, has hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects. Objectives: This research assessed the impact of vincamine on testicular dysfunction in alloxan-induced male rats by measuring fasting blood glucose, oxidative stress, seminal analysis, and histological examination of the testis. Methods: Wister-albino male rats were randomized into the following groups at random: untreated-healthy, untreated-DM, vincamine-treated (20 mg/kg) DM, vincamine-treated (40 mg/kg) DM, and clomiphene-treated DM (5 mg/kg). On day 14, rats were sacrificed, and semen/blood samples were collected. Sperm count, motility, and morphological abnormalities were noted by microscopic examination. The testis was examined histopathologically and assessed using Johnsen’s score. Results: Compared with the untreated diabetic group, a dosage of 40 mg/kg vincamine generate a significant reduction in fasting blood sugar (FBG). Compared with the untreated diabetic group, the vincamine-treated rats produced greater plasma testosterone levels and Johnsen scores. In the vincamine 20 mg/kg group, sperm concentration was higher than in the vincamine 40 mg/kg group. Conclusions: It is possible that vincamine has a potential preventive effect against diabetes-related reproductive problems attributable to its antioxidant activity and capacity to restore testicular steroidogenesis.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia. Early treatment is very important in terms of preventing diabetes-related late complications with high treatment costs and increasing the patient’s quality of life. In addition to investigating the pathophysiology of the disease studied, animal experiments pave the way for new approaches in treatments. Although there are many methods that can be used when creating a diabetes model, induction of diabetes with alloxan and streptozotocin are the most preferred ones. The aim of this article is to review the available information on diabetes-related methods, common problems and solutions, with known mechanisms of action, dose and time-determined methods.

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for high percentages of dementia cases in elderly individuals. This type of brain disease is caused by damage of the brain cells affecting the ability of the patients to communicate, as well as their thinking, behavior, and feelings. Although numerous research laboratories focus on advancements for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, the currently approved pharmacological approaches seem to only alleviate the symptoms. Consequently, there is an urgent need for alternative pharmacological options which can prevent the progressive impairment of neurons. Natural substances were used from ancient times for the treatment of various disorders given their biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. Besides, their cost-effectiveness as well as their accessibility to anyone who needs them, are their most significant characteristics. Therefore, the possible use of phytochemical compounds for the possible management or even prevention of Alzheimer’s disease is currently under investigation. In this review article, the present status of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and underlying mechanisms, the potential phytochemicals, and their carriers along with future perspectives are summarized. It is suggested that in the future natural substances can play a role as an adjunct therapy for neurodegenerative forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.