Physiological Mini Reviews (Volume 18 - Issue 1)

The Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ Uniporter (MCU) Complex: A Key Regulator In Cardiovascular Disease

2026-03-15

Calcium (Ca²⁺) is a crucial signaling molecule that significantly influences various cellular processes, including mitochondrial respiration, ATP production, and autophagy. Within the mitochondria, Ca²⁺ enters through the mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uniporter (MCU), which is a low-affinity, high-capacity ion channel driven by the negative membrane potential. This uptake of Ca²⁺ is essential for regulating ATP synthesis, primarily by activating calcium-dependent dehydrogenases. Under both resting and stress conditions, the MCU aligns mitochondrial energy production with the increased demands of cardiac cells, particularly in terms of contractility and Ca2+ handling. Dysregulation of the MCU has been linked to several cardiovascular diseases. For instance, its deletion has been shown to reduce myocardial injury during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) events by preventing Ca2+ overload, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. In contrast, during heart failure (HF) and cardiac hyper-trophy, moderate overexpression of the MCU has been found to enhance cardiac contractility, while excessive expression can lead to mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, worsening oxidative damage. The regulatory subunits of the MCU complex, including the MICU1-MICU2 complex and the essential MCU regulator (EMRE), play crucial roles in maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis. MICU proteins function as gatekeepers, regulating calcium influx in response to cytosolic Ca2+ levels, while EMRE is crucial for the structural and functional integrity of the MCU. Targeting these subunits could offer a promising therapeutic strategy for managing cardiovascular diseases. Overall, the regulatory functions of the MCU and potential pharmacological or molecular interventions targeting mitochondrial Ca2+ homeo-stasis are crucial for maintaining cardiac health and preventing the progression of cardiovascular disorders.

Vesicular Assemblies of Non-ionic Surfactants Niosomes: Design, Preparation, and Applications in Drug Delivery

2026-03-15

As long-lasting, biodegradable, low-toxicity, and economically appealing vesicular nanocarriers, niosomes offer an intriguing replacement for lipid-based systems, for example, liposomes. As a means to get past major challenges in drug delivery, including drug instability, rapid degradation, lower bioavailability, and insolubility, this review underscores their critical relevance as reconfigurable nanocarriers. Ever since L'Oréal's landmark approval in 1975 for use in beauty products, niosomes have shown remarkable potential for precisely delivering a vast array of therapeutic compounds. This comprises chemicals that are antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, as well as in chemotherapy. Considering niosomes' common application in cosmetics, their demonstrated effectiveness in research also extends to a number of various other uses. These include supporting gene therapy, supporting the treatment of cancer, combating infections, and operating as adjuvants for medication. These results underscore the flexible nature of niosomes as biocompatible nanocarriers that provide a range of therapeutic compounds with increased stability, much greater bioavailability, and controlled release. Niosomes have unquestionably been positioned as a major development in drug delivery technology based on this centre of investigations.

Exploring the Potential of Wild Weeds and Grasses as Nutraceuticals: A Comprehensive Review

2026-03-15

Introduction: Wild weeds and grasses, often overlooked as unwanted plants, have recently gained recognition for their potential as nutraceuticals. This comprehensive review aims to explore the nutritional and medicinal properties of wild weeds and grasses, with a specific focus on their role as nutraceutical sources. Nutraceuticals, derived from natural sources, have gained significant interest for their potential health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

Methods: We performed a thorough literature search on PubMed-MEDLINE and approximately 145 SCOPUS-indexed journals across the scientific databases, using keywords such as “Wild Weeds and Grasses,” “Health Benefits of Common Grasses,” “Botanical Nutraceuticals,” “Plant-based Nutraceuticals,” etc. All peer-reviewed journals were referenced in our review, from the inception to 2024.

Results: The key finding of this review presents an in-depth analysis of the nutritional composition, bioactive compounds, health benefits, formulation, and applications of wild weeds and grasses as nutraceuticals. The review also addresses the challenges and future perspectives in utilizing these underutilized plants with an understanding that the potential of wild weeds and grasses as nutraceuticals can lead to innovative approaches to promoting human health and well-being through sustainable and natural resources.

Discussion: This comprehensive review highlights the untapped potential of wild weeds and grasses as nutraceuticals and emphasizes their rich reservoir of bioactive compounds with therapeutic and health-promoting properties.

Conclusion: This review concluded that wild weeds and grasses are used as potential nutraceutical sources and have rich nutritional composition, including macronutrients and micronutrients, highlighting their potential as alternative sources of essential nutrients. Additionally, the presence of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, in wild weeds and grasses indicates their potential for promoting health and preventing chronic diseases. Unlocking the nutraceutical potential of wild weeds and grasses presents a transformative opportunity to advance human health, sustainable development, and environmental stewardship.

Shaping the Future: The Emerging Role of 4D Technology in Orthopaedics

2026-03-15

4D printing is rapidly emerging as a transformative technology in orthopaedics due to its ability to respond dynamically to physiological stimuli. Unlike conventional static materials, 4D-printed structures can alter their shape, stiffness, or functionality in response to pressure, temperature, or movement, making them ideal for customized medical applications. One significant advantage lies in prosthetic development, where 4D materials allow limbs to adapt in real time to the user’s activity, enhancing fit, comfort, and overall performance. For amputees, this adaptability improves mobility and quality of life. Additionally, 4D printing enables the creation of intelligent surgical guides that adjust to a patient’s anatomy during procedures, ensuring greater accuracy and optimal alignment in complex surgeries such as joint replacements.

Genetic Basis of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

2026-03-15

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) significantly elevates the risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs), including coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction, and stroke. While traditional risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance are well established, growing evidence suggests a strong genetic and epigenetic component underlying the increased cardiovascular susceptibility in diabetic individuals. This review aims to synthesize current findings on the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that contribute to CVEs in T2DM, highlighting key gene variants, path-ways, and emerging tools for risk prediction and personalized intervention. Numerous loci, such as CDKN2A/B, TCF7L2, and APOE, have been associated with both T2DM and cardiovascular risk, often through their roles in insulin secretion, lipid metabolism, and atherogenesis. Other genes, such as ADIPOQ, NOS3, and SOD2, influence vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial function. Additionally, epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (e.g., miR-126 and MALAT1), mediate long-lasting effects on vascular health through metabolic memory. Furthermore, polygenic risk scores (PRS) integrating multiple variants are emerging as promising tools for stratifying cardiovascular risk in diabetic populations. Under-standing the genetic architecture of CVEs in T2DM offers crucial insights for improved risk stratification, gene-targeted therapies, and precision medicine based on pharmacogenomic profiles. The integration of genomic data into clinical practice holds promise for reducing the cardiovascular burden in the growing diabetic population.

Insights into the Comprehensive Role of Free Radicals in the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review

2026-03-15

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that accounts for more than half of all dementia cases and is a major cause of death worldwide, especially among the aging population. The brain experiences oxidative stress due to an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) combined with a decline in cellular antioxidant defences. Elevated ROS levels can harm cellular structures and molecules, leading to oxidation of proteins, lipids, DNA, and RNA, which con-tributes to the build-up of amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau. In the brain, free radicals can accumulate due to various factors such as aging, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Methods: In this review, we aim to explore the role of free radicals in the progression of AD and to furnish insights into various antioxidants that have been shown to be beneficial in combination with conventional therapy.

Results and Discussion: The findings of various epidemiological and clinical studies demonstrate the synergistic role of antioxidants with established medication in reducing progression and symptoms of AD. Antioxidant strategies involving dietary supplements and use of phytochemicals like polyphenols, resveratrol, etc. can reduce the neuroinflammation and oxidative stress caused by various free radicals in the brain. Natural compounds exhibiting antioxidant properties can offer potential therapeutic approaches for future research in managing AD.

Conclusion: The review aims to outline the fundamentals of AD and the importance of antioxidants in its management. It also seeks to assist researchers in developing more effective antioxidant-based therapeutic strategies for AD, incorporating insights from relevant clinical trials in the field.

Physiological Mini Reviews (Volume 18 - Issue 1)

The Mitochondrial Ca2+ Uniporter (MCU) Complex: A Key Regulator In Cardiovascular Disease

Vesicular Assemblies of Non-ionic Surfactants Niosomes: Design, Preparation, and Applications in Drug Delivery

Exploring the Potential of Wild Weeds and Grasses as Nutraceuticals: A Comprehensive Review

Shaping the Future: The Emerging Role of 4D Technology in Orthopaedics

Genetic Basis of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Insights into the Comprehensive Role of Free Radicals in the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review

The Mitochondrial Ca²⁺ Uniporter (MCU) Complex: A Key Regulator In Cardiovascular Disease