Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST) is a university in 6th of October City, Giza, Egypt.
Cancer is a major global issue threatening the whole world, especially developing countries. Treatment of cancer using chemotherapy and radiotherapy has several consequences that negatively affect the quality of life of cancer patients. Bee products have numerous pharmacological effects and clinical impacts due to their extraordinary chemical composition. The objective of the current work is to shed light on preclinical studies and clinical trials of bee products, particularly propolis, honey, and royal jelly, with special emphasis on their role in reducing the complications of chemotherapy and radiotherapy by employing a variety of databases. The search used specific keywords, including “bee products”, “propolis”, “honey”, “royal jelly”, “cancer”, “clinical trials”, “radiotherapy”, and “chemotherapy”. Only peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and published research papers were included. According to the literature review, bee-generated propolis, honey, and royal jelly have been used in animal models to reduce the adverse effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Depending on the kind of cancer, different dosages and treatment times were used for certain bee products. Bee products are used in various forms, such as crude, in capsules, mouthwashes, tablets, and oils. Propolis, royal jelly, and honey are used at dosages up to 400 mg, 1 g, and 50 g, respectively. Clinical trials have further confirmed their efficacy in cancer treatment, either as standalone therapies or as supplements to conventional treatments. It is crucial to investigate the active mechanisms of these products further and to include them in additional clinical trials as potential cancer treatments.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and cognitive impairment; yet, there is currently no treatment. A buildup of Aβ, tau protein phosphorylation, oxidative stress, and inflammation in AD is pathogenic. The accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides in these neurocognitive areas is a significant characteristic of the disease. Therefore, inhibiting Aβ peptide aggregation has been proposed as the critical therapeutic approach for AD treatment. Resveratrol has been demonstrated in multiple studies to have a neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant characteristic and the ability to minimize Aβ peptides aggregation and toxicity in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's patients, stimulating neurogenesis and inhibiting hippocampal degeneration. Furthermore, resveratrol's antioxidant effect promotes neuronal development by activating the silent information regulator-1 (SIRT1), which can protect against the detrimental effects of oxidative stress. Resveratrol-induced SIRT1 activation is becoming more crucial in developing novel therapeutic options for AD and other diseases that have neurodegenerative characteristics. This review highlighted a better knowledge of resveratrol's mechanism of action and its promising therapeutic efficacy in treating AD. We also highlighted the therapeutic potential of resveratrol as an AD therapeutic agent, which is effective against neurodegenerative disorders.
Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with a substantial genetic component. Over the past decade, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous loci associated with PD risk; however, interpretation of these findings and their broader applicability remain challenging. In this systematic review, we synthesize results from 35 GWAS published between 2015 and 2025, encompassing diverse study designs and ancestries. Recurrent risk loci, including SNCA, LRRK2, MAPT, and GBA1, were consistently replicated across multiple studies, while several ancestry-specific associations were reported, particularly in East Asian and African ancestry cohorts. Nevertheless, representation of African, South Asian, and Latino populations remains limited, constraining the global generalizability of current findings. We also discuss methodological extensions beyond single-variant GWAS, including rare variant analyses, polygenic risk scores, and machine learning–based approaches, which have been applied to complement traditional analyses but remain primarily research tools due to limited validation and interpretability. Together, this review outlines the current genetic landscape of PD and identifies key methodological and population-based gaps that must be addressed to support robust and equitable translation of GWAS discoveries.
This study was purposed to assess the radioprotective influences of ascorbic acid and Telmisartan, solitary and in combination, on rats exposed to gamma radiation. After different treatment regimens, the study assessed radiographic and histopathological outcomes in bone tissue. Four groups of forty male albino rats were created casually (n = 10). All groups were subjected to fractionated gamma radiation (6 Gy), 2 Gy day after day, three times per week. Group 1 (R) was subjected to fractionated gamma radiation only. Group 2 (MR) received Telmisartan 12 mg/kg orally once/day for 7 days before radiation. Group 3 (CR) received 200 mg/kg orally once/day for 7 days, Ascorbic Acid before radiation. Group 4 (MCR) received Telmisartan 12 mg/kg orally once/day for 7 days, and Ascorbic Acid 200 mg/kg orally once/day for 7 days before radiation. All groups were divided into two subgroups based on two-time intervals (3 days and 10 days). The efficacy of the treatments was evaluated through histological analysis and CBCT, or cone beam computed tomography, for bone density examination. Radiographically, the highest values of bone density measured after 3 days were for the MCR group, while the lowest values of bone density measured after 3 days were for the R group. The histological examination revealed a notable distinction between the 4 groups, with enhanced early matrix deposition in the MCR group at 3 days. The Haversian canals appeared wide and filled with RBCs; also, many reversal lines can be easily noticed and showing that the bone is highly compact with stenosis of Haversian canals at 10 days. A Combination of ascorbic acid with telmisartan demonstrated superiority over ascorbic acid and telmisartan monotherapy.
Abstract Background Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are among the most effective long-acting reversible contraceptive methods. Although their placement is generally straightforward, procedure-related pain is frequently reported and may deter individuals from choosing this contraceptive method. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of paracervical block in reducing pain during IUD placement. Methods Four electronic databases were systematically searched from inception through January 31, 2026, without language or date restrictions, to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software, with pain during IUD placement as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included pain during tenaculum placement, uterine sounding, and post-IUD placement, as well as patient satisfaction. Pain scores were measured using a 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results Seven RCTs involving 664 participants were included. Paracervical block significantly reduced pain scores during IUD placement, tenaculum placement, uterine sounding, and post-IUD placement (p < 0.001). Furthermore, overall patient satisfaction with the procedure was notably higher in the paracervical block group (80%) compared with the control group (63%). Conclusion Paracervical block appears to be an effective and accessible strategy for reducing procedural pain during IUD placement and enhancing patient satisfaction. Incorporating this technique into routine practice could improve the patient experience and potentially increase the acceptability and uptake of IUDs as a contraceptive method. Nevertheless, findings should be interpreted with caution given the limited number of included studies and observed heterogeneity. Future large-scale standardized trials are warranted to consolidate these findings and inform evidence-based clinical guidelines.
