The severe acute respiratory syndrome-novel coronavirus mediated COVID-19 has been recently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The primary target of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is the human lungs governed by the ACE-2 receptor of epithelial type II cells/endothelial cells, which promote modulation of the immune response of host cells through generating cytokine storm, inflammation, severe pneumonia symptoms, and secondary complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although numerous antiviral and anti-parasitic drugs are under clinical trials to combat this pandemic, to date, neither a specific treatment nor any successful vaccine has been established, urging researchers to identify any potential candidate for combating the disease. Mesenchymal stem cells own self-renewal, differentiation, homing, immunomodulation and remains unaffected by the coronavirus on the virtue of the absence of ACE-2 receptors, indicating that MSC's could be used an ameliorative approach for COVID-19. MSCs have shown to combat the disease via various pathways such as repairing the lung epithelial and endothelial cells, reducing hyperimmune response, maintaining the renin-angiotensin system. Although MSCs-based treatment approaches for COVID-19 is still under consideration with limited data, many human clinical trials of MSC's has been initiated to explore their potential for COVID 19 treatment. The current review summarizes and emphasizes on how MSC's modulate the immune response, can repair the lungs from the impact of the virus, and various aspects of MSC's as a remedial source for COVID-19, to provide better insight for biomedical researchers and for those who are fascinated by stem cells as a therapeutic approach.

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Owing to differentiation and self-renewal capacity, hematopoietic stem cells clasp potentiality to engender all blood cell types, leading to their immense competence to play a diverse role in therapeutic applications. Although these stem cells are the most investigated and exploited until now, further research is still essential to comprehend their nature, fate, and potential. Enhanced usage of hematopoietic stem cells in research and therapeutics intensified the requirement of expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells under in vitro conditions. Since these cells remain in senescence for a prolonged period before isolation, selection of appropriate growth medium along with supplements and culture conditions are crucial to initiate their cell division and to designate their destiny. The precise equilibrium between self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells sustained by exclusive medium along with special growth or differentiation factors is accountable for generating diverse cell lineages. Maintenance of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell lines along with the advancement of research work generate an inexorable demand for production and commercialization of specialized stem cell culture media, with or without serum along with specific growth factors and supplements. Media commercialization for precise stem cell types, culturing and differentiation is a cost-effective developing field. Here in this review, we are assembling various types of hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal, expansion and differentiation media along with supplements and culture conditions, either developed and used by various scientists or are available commercially.

Aim: Despite enormous progress in cancer biology, oncologists are still struggling to retrieve the methods and drugs to cure cancer which remains a global threat to humans. Plant-derived natural compounds, also known as phytochemicals, carry therapeutic potential and could be taken as dietary supplements, which are a radical way to resist as well as cure cancer. The present study reveals the anti-cancerous potential of a few phytochemical constituents under in vitro conditions and their mode of action on cervical cancer. SiHa was treated with phytochemicals viz. Quercetin dihydrate, Gallic Acid, and Naringin with varying concentrations to assess their cytotoxicity potential by various methods and also to elucidate their IC 50 values. Methods: All three compounds reduced the cell number and viability, along with alterations in cancer cell morphology. The diagnosed IC 50 values of the compounds were 160µM, 200µM, and 1500µM for Quercetin dihydrate, Gallic Acid, and Naringin, respectively. DNA fragmentation assay and gene expression analysis were also used to assess apoptosis and anti-proliferative activity of compounds. Results: We found fragmented DNA in treated cells as assessed by gel electrophoresis assay. These phytochemicals elicit an apoptotic response in SiHa cells by significantly up-regulating the gene expression level of p53 and p21 (p-value <0.005). Conclusion: Considering the anti-cancer and anti-proliferative potential of Quercetin dihydrate, Gallic Acid, and Naringin on the cervical cancer cell line, these phytochemicals could be used as an alternative or concurrent cancer therapeutic approach. However, further in-depth elucidation of their mode of action, safety, and efficacy should be explored.