Natural forces as agents: Reconceptualizing the animate–inanimate distinction

Actinopyga lecanora Hydrolysates as Natural Antibacterial Agents

Actinopyga lecanora, a type of sea cucumber commonly known as stone fish with relatively high protein content, was explored as raw material for bioactive peptides production. Six proteolytic enzymes, namely alcalase, papain, pepsin, trypsin, bromelain and flavourzyme were used to hydrolyze A. lecanora at different times and their respective degrees of hydrolysis (DH) were calculated. Subsequent...

Natural polyphenols as anti-inflammatory agents.

Celiac Disease is a worldwide spread condition affecting 1:100-1:200 individuals. It is a permanent food intolerance to ingested gluten in genetically predisposed subjects. In this review we analyze the biochemical markers of the disease going from laboratory findings to histology passing through genetics. Gluten intolerance is a unique model of autoimmune disease in which we can recognize the ...

Natural Products as Sources of Antitumor Agents

Natural Products as Therapeutic Agents for Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis (known as Bilharziasis) is the disease caused by a blood born fluke (trematode) of the genus Schistosoma. The intermediate hosts of all digenetic trematodes are snails and schistosomes are no exception. Adult schistosome worms live in a mammalian host, Schistosomiasis is the second most prevalent tropical disease in Africa after malaria and is of great public health and socio-ec...

7. Marine natural alkaloids as anticancer agents

Alkaloids are naturally occurring nitrogen containing biologically active heterocyclic compounds. Over the last few years, a large number of biologically important alkaloids with antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antioxidant and anticancer activities have been isolated from marine source. Present article summarizes the isolation and anticancer activity evaluation of nat...