With the increment in global energy consumption and severe environmental pollution, it is urgently needed to explore green and sustainable materials. Inspired by nature, catechol groups in mussel adhesion proteins have been successively understood and utilized as novel biomimetic materials. In parallel, cellulose presents a wide class of functional materials rating from macro-scale to nano-scale components. The cross-over among both research fields alters the introduction of impressive materials with potential engineering properties, where catechol-containing materials supply a general stage for the functionalization of cellulose or cellulose derivatives. In this review, the role of catechol groups in the modification of cellulose and cellulose derivatives is discussed. A broad variety of advanced applications of cellulose-based catechol-containing materials, including adhesives, hydrogels, aerogels, membranes, textiles, pulp and papermaking, composites, are presented. Furthermore, some critical remaining challenges and opportunities are studied to mount the way toward the rational purpose and applications of cellulose-based catechol-containing materials.

Levodopa treatment requires the addition of other drugs, such as catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors, to alleviate motor fluctuations in advanced parkinson\'s disease (PD). However, the optimal strategy, including the type and dose of COMT inhibitors remains unknown. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of different COMT inhibitors and for treating PD patients.
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were screened up to November 20, 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of COMT inhibitors (entacapone, opicapone, tolcapone) for PD patients were included. Eligible outcomes were total ON-time, rate of ON-time >1 h, total daily dose of levodopa therapy, mean change from baseline to final follow up in Unified Parkinson\'s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III scores, adverse events and dyskinesia. Network meta-analyses integrated direct and indirect evidence with placebo as a common comparator.
We identified 18 studies with 7564 patients. Opicapone, entacapone, and tolcapone could increase total ON-time when compared with placebo. However, opicapone (25 mg, MD 4.0, 95%CrI: 1.1-7.5) and opicapone (50 mg, MD 5.1, 95%CrI: 2.2-8.7) statistically significant increase the total ON-time. opicapone and entacapone could increase the rate of ON-time >1 h when compared with placebo. Only opicapone (5 mg) showed no statistically significant with placebo (OR 1.4, 95%CrI: 0.74-2.4). We found that opicapone (50 mg, SURCA, 0.796) is the best option compared with other treatments. TOL (200 mg) was ranked highest in the rank probability test for total daily dose of levodopa therapy, followed by OPI (50 mg), TOL (400 mg) and TOL (100 mg) in order. SUCRA rankings identified TOL (200 mg) as the most likely therapy for increasing adverse events (SUCRA 27.19%), followed by TOL (400 mg, SUCRA 27.20%) and OPI (5 mg, SUCRA 30.81%). The SUCRA probabilities were 91.6%, 75.2%, 67.9%, 59.3%, 45.6%, 41.1%, 35.1%, 24.6% and 9.4% for PLA, TOL (400 mg), ENT (100 mg), ENT (200 mg), OPI (5 mg), TOL (100 mg), OPI (25 mg), OPI (50 mg), and TOL (200 mg) respectively.
In conclusion, opicapone (50 mg) may be a better choice for treatment PD when compared with other COMT inhibitors.

Toxicodendron dermatitis is an underappreciated disease seen in the emergency department. Although self-limiting, symptoms can be distressing and can last for weeks if untreated, particularly with re-exposure. Continuing research has improved our understanding of specific inflammatory markers that are associated with exposure to urushiol-the compound responsible for Toxicodendron dermatitis-although consensus for treatment remains varied and poorly supported. Owing to the lack of recent primary literature on the topic, many providers rely on historical precedent, expert opinion, and personal experience when treating this disease. This article provides a narrative review of the literature currently available on the effects of urushiol on key molecular and cellular functions and the prevention and treatment of Toxicodendron dermatitis.

Currently, ginger is one the most consumed plants when dealing with the treatments of various illnesses. So far, it is known that various biologically active molecules, such as gingerols, shogaols and zingerone, among others, are the main responsible for specific biological activities, opening a new window for its utilization as a nutraceutical in foods. In pioneering extraction processes, solvent extraction has been initially used for these applications; however, the drawbacks of this typical extraction method compared with other emergent separation techniques make it possible for the exploration of new extraction pathways, including microwave, ultrasound, supercritical, subcritical and pressurized-assisted extraction, along with three phase partitioning, high-speed counter current chromatography and magnetic solid phase extraction. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report documenting the recent studies and cases of study in this field. Therefore, we comprehensively review the progress and the latest findings (over the last five years) on research developments, including patents and emerging extraction methods, aiming at the purification of biologically active molecules (gingerols, shogaols and zingerone) contained in ginger. Over the course of this review, particular emphasis is devoted to breakthrough strategies and meaningful outcomes in ginger components extraction. Finally, dosage and safety concerns related to ginger extracts are also documented.

Metabolic syndrome is an inflammatory disorder characterized by diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Globally, this disease is increasing, especially in developed countries. Supposedly, herbal treatments for this disease likely have fewer adverse effects than chemical medications. Thus, they can be suitable options among the available chemical treatments. Ginger has been used as a spice and medicinal plant in traditional medicine and cooking. This herbal compound and its derivatives, such as 6-gingerol, have shown promising effects on various molecular aspects of metabolic syndrome. In this study, we reviewed and discussed the significant impacts of gingerol, a derivative of ginger, on metabolic syndrome through various mechanisms. The benefits of 6-gingerol include its effects on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which prevent diabetes, lipid regulating effect (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, PPARs), as well as its effects on enzymes and proteins preventing hyperlipidemia caused by a high-fat diet. In addition, 6-gingerol has anti-atherosclerosis and anti-hypertension effects through several molecular mechanisms. The current review will discuss various effects of 6-gingerol on molecular pathways involved in diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, and hypertension as characterizing features of metabolic syndrome and suggests that 6-gingerol can be a potential treatment agent for metabolic syndrome and shed light on a higher requirement for more pre-clinical and clinical investigations.

Ginger has been widely used for different purposes, such as condiment, functional food, drugs, and cosmetics. Gingerols, the main pungent component in ginger, possess a variety of bioactivities. To fully understand the significance of gingerols in the food and pharmaceutical industry, this paper first recaps the composition and physiochemical properties of gingerols, and the major extraction and synthesis methods. Furthermore, the pungency and bioactivity of gingerols are reviewed. In addition, the food application of gingerols and future perspectives are discussed. Gingerols, characterized by a 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl moiety, are divided into gingerols, shogaols, paradols, zingerone, gingerdiones and gingerdiols. At present, gingerols are extracted by conventional, innovative, and integrated extraction methods, and synthesized by chemical, biological and in vitro cell synthesis methods. Gingerols can activate transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and induce signal transduction, thereby exhibiting its pungent properties and bioactivity. By targeted mediation of various cell signaling pathways, gingerols display potential anticancer, antibacterial, blood glucose regulatory, hepato- and renal-protective, gastrointestinal regulatory, nerve regulatory, and cardiovascular protective effects. This review contributes to the application of gingerols as functional ingredients in the food and pharmaceutical industry.

Recently, the numbers of studies on natural products have considerably increased owing to their exceptional biological activities and health benefits. Their pharmacological attributes have played an immense role in detecting natural and safe alternative therapeutics, consequently extending their industrial applications. In this line, ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been gaining wide attention owing to its bioactive compounds, such as phenolic and terpene compounds. Ginger has a great pharmacological and biological potential in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, namely colds, nausea, arthritis, migraines and hypertension. However, these bioactive compounds are unstable and susceptible to degradation, volatilization and oxidation during extraction and processing, mainly owing to their exposure to environments with adverse conditions, such as high temperature, the presence of O2 and light. In this sense, this current review covers a wide range of topics, starting from the chemical profile and biological properties of ginger bioactive compounds (GBCs), their clinical effectiveness for the treatment of diseases and the application of different encapsulation methods (molecular inclusion, spray drying, complex coacervation, ionic strength and nanoemulsions) to protect and improve their application in food products. This work summarizes the fundamental principles of, recent progress in and effectiveness of different methods regarding the physicochemical, structural and functional properties of encapsulated GBCs. The potential use of encapsulated GBCs as a promising active ingredient to be applied in different food products is discussed in detail.

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) evolves due to genomic instability, dysregulated signaling pathways, and overproduction of inflammatory markers. Reactive oxygen species contribute to the inflammatory response, which causes gene damage, cellular remodeling, and fibrosis. MDS can be a debilitating condition, and management options in patients with MDS aim to improve cytopenias, delay disease progression, and enhance quality of life. High serum ferritin levels, a source of iron for reactive oxygen species production, correlate with a higher risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia, and iron overload is compounded by blood transfusions given to improve anemia. 6-shogaol is a natural phenolic compound formed when ginger is exposed to heat and/or acidic conditions, and it has been shown to possess anti-tumor activity against leukemia cell lines and antioxidant effects. This narrative review assessed the potential benefits of this phytochemical in lower-risk MDS patients through examining the current evidence on the pharmacological and therapeutic properties of ginger and 6-shogaol.

Ginger is a medicinal and valuable culinary plant. Gingerols, as an active constituent in the fresh ginger rhizomes of Zingiber officinale, exhibit several promising pharmacological properties. This comprehensive literature review was performed to assess gingerol\'s protective and therapeutic efficacy against the various chemical, natural, and radiational stimuli. Another objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties of gingerol. It should be noted that the data were gathered from in vivo and in vitro experimental studies. Gingerols can exert their protective activity through different mechanisms and cell signaling pathways. For example, these are mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), Wnt/β-catenin, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE), transforming growth factor beta1/Smad3 (TGF-β1/Smad3), and extracellular signal-related kinase/cAMP-response element-binding protein (ERK/CREB). We hope that more researchers can benefit from this review to conduct preclinical and clinical studies, treat cancer, inflammation, and attenuate the side effects of drugs and industrial pollutants.

Oral opicapone (Ongentys®), a potent third-generation, peripheral catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, is approved as adjunctive therapy to preparations of levodopa/dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor (L-dopa/DDCI) in adults with Parkinson\'s disease (PD) and end-of dose (EoD) motor fluctuations. In pivotal global trials (BIPARK 1 and BIPARK 2; 14-15 weeks\' duration), open-label extensions (OLEs) of BIPARK, and in the real-world setting (OPTIPARK; 3-6 months), opicapone 50 mg once daily was an effective and generally well tolerated adjunctive therapy to L-dopa/DDCI plus other PD therapy in adults with PD and EoD motor fluctuations. Adjunctive opicapone provided better efficacy than placebo for improvements in ON- and OFF-state time and fulfilled noninferiority to adjunctive entacapone for improvements in OFF time in BIPARK 1. These beneficial effects of adjunctive opicapone on motor fluctuations were maintained during 1 year of treatment in OLE studies. Given its efficacy and safety profile, adjunctive opicapone remains an important option in the management of adults with PD and EoD motor fluctuations who cannot be stabilized on preparations of L-dopa/DDCI.