Debasis Bagchi

• PhD, MACN, CNS, MAIChE
• University of Houston

Aim: The systematic review summarizes the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of iron replacement in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in electronic databases like PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase up to April 2024. Eligible studies investigating iron replacement therap...

The human brain not only controls the various physiological functions but is also the prime regulator of circadian rhythms, rewards, and behaviors. Environmental factors, professional stress, and social disintegration are regarded as the initial causative factors of addiction behavior. Shift work, artificial light exposure at night, and chronic and...

Diabetes-related ulcers and slow-healing wounds pose a significant health risk to individuals due to their uncertain causes. Mortality rates for diabetes foot ulcers (DFUs) range from 10% after 16 months to 24% after five years. The use of bioactive phytochemicals can play a key role in healing wounds in a predictable time. Recent literature has de...

Lutein, zeaxanthin, and mesozeaxanthin, collectively termed as macular pigments, are key carotenoids integral to optimized central vision of the eye. Therefore, nutraceuticals and functional foods have been developed commercially using carotenoid rich flowers, such as marigold and calendula or single celled photosynthetic algae, such as the Dunalie...

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with or without streptococcal and other bacterial infections (PANDAS/CANS) are emerging as a featured pediatric disorder. Although there is some controversy regarding treatment approaches, especially related to the behavioral sequelae, we have hypothesized in other published work that it is...

There is a complex relationship between circadian rhythm dysfunctions and various psychiatric disorders. Circadian (~24 h) rhythms indicate the rhythmic change of different physiological activities in relation to the environmental light-dark cycle. Shift work, light exposure at night, and chronic and acute jet lag affect circadian rhythm that have...

A specific type of beta-adrenergic receptor was discovered in the decade of 1980s and subsequently recognized as a new type of beta-adrenergic receptor, called beta3-adrenoceptor (β3-AR). β3-AR expresses in different tissues, including adipose tissue, gall bladder, stomach, small intestine, cardiac myocytes, urinary bladder, and brain. Structurally...

Clonidine operates through agonism at the alpha-2A receptor, a specific subtype of the alpha-2-adrenergic receptor located predominantly in the prefrontal cortex. By inhibiting the release of norepinephrine, which is responsible for withdrawal symptoms, clonidine effectively addresses withdrawal-related conditions such as anxiety, hypertension, and...

Objectives: The opioid crisis in the last few decades has mounted to a global level, impacting all areas of socioeconomic, demographic, geographic, and cultural boundaries. Traditional treatments have not been deemed to show the degree of efficacy necessary to address the crisis. The authors of this review paper have set forth an unprecedented...

The fenugreek plant (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is traditionally known for its anti-diabetic properties owing to its high content of furostanolic saponins, which can synergistically treat many human ailments. Non-enzymatic protein glycation leading to the formation of Advanced Glycation End products (AGE) is a common pathophysiology observed in dia...

Background: Fenugreek plant (Trigonella foenum-graecum) constitutes a traditionally acclaimed herbal remedy for many human ailments including diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, and reproductive disorders. It is also used as an effective anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-fungal agent. The seed of the plant is esp...

Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) is an umbrella term encompassing a wide array of addictive behaviors that affect individuals across diverse spectra of society. Our research group has conducted a plethora of studies investigating the utilization of KB220 and its various iterations for addressing Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS), including: dopamine...

The D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) gene has garnered substantial attention as one of the most extensively studied genes across various neuropsychiatric disorders. Since its initial association with severe alcoholism in 1990, particularly through the identification of the DRD2 Taq A1 allele, numerous international investigations have been conducted to...

Ocular health has emerged as one of the major issues of global health concern with a decline in quality of life in an aging population, in particular and rise in the number of associated morbidities and mortalities. One of the chief reasons for vision impairment is oxidative damage inflicted to photoreceptors in rods and cone cells by blue light as...

Global issues on energy and fuel for sustainable development industrial and household system are a major concern in the world economy. Biofuel is a renewable energy source that can potentially be a replacement for fossil fuels. The utilization of algal biomass or seaweed organic matter is a good source of ethanol, methanol, biobutanol, and biodiese...

Objectives An inadequate metabolic response on the part of blood glucose to the usual or even augmented circulating levels of insulin is broadly referred to as “insulin resistance” (IR). IR has been associated with developing a collection of biological perturbations recognized as metabolic syndrome, a less-than-optimal IR status with aging is preva...

A Review on Diverse Neurological Disorders Pathophysiology, Molecular Mechanisms, and Therapeutics

Loneliness, an established risk factor for both, mental and physical morbidity, is a mounting public health concern. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying loneliness-related morbidity are not yet well defined. Here we examined the role of genes and associated DNA risk polymorphic variants that are implicated in loneliness via genetic a...

Background: Oxidative damage has emerged as one of the significant factors in the onset of neurodegenerative disorders, primarily owing to a) higher usage of oxygen by brain cells and b) higher amounts of lipids in the neuronal membranes. Together, these have resulted in higher susceptibility of brain cells to ROS-induced lipid peroxidation, damage...

Addiction, albeit some disbelievers like Mark Lewis [1], is a chronic, relapsing brain disease, resulting in unwanted loss of control over both substance and non- substance behavioral addictions leading to serious adverse consequences [2]. Addiction scientists and clinicians face an incredible challenge in combatting the current opioid and alcohol...

Lemongrass contains a variety of substances that are known to have antioxidant and disease-preventing properties, including essential oils, compounds, minerals, and vitamins. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Spp.) essential oil (LGEO) has been demonstrated to ameliorate diabetes and accelerate wound healing. A member of the Poaceae family, Lemongrass, a frag...

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, popularly known as Ashwagandha or Indian ginseng, is well acclaimed for its health-enhancing effects, including its potent immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-tumorigenic properties. The prime biological effectors of these attributes are a diverse group of ergostane-based steroidal lactones...

Background: Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) is an extensively researched phytotherapeutic for the management of Type 2 diabetes without any associated side effects. The major anti-diabetic bioactive constituents present in the plant are furostanolic saponins, which are more abundantly available in the seed of the plant. However, the bioavail...

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, abundant in the Indian subcontinent as Ashwagandha or winter cherry, is a herb of unprecedented therapeutic value. The number of ailments for which crude Ashwagandha extract can be used as a preventive or curative is practically limitless; and this explains why its use has been in vogue in ancient Ayurveda since at-le...

Non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, represent the cause of 60% of all deaths around the globe. With proper diet and natural dietary antioxidant supplements, these diseases can be prevented by up to 40% according to the British Nutrition Foundation. This book provides a comprehensiv...

Neurodegenerative diseases are a serious problem throughout the world. There are several causes of neurodegenerative diseases; these include genetic predisposition, accumulation of misfolded proteins, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and excitotoxicity. Oxidative stress increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that advance lipi...

One important area for consideration especially in terms of combating the ongoing never ending opioid crisis, relates to novel newer assessments for all addictive behaviors both substance and non-substance behaviors (RDS). It is very important to identify early in one's life the possibility of, because of known DNA antecedents, the presence of pre-...

Background:Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, popularly known as Ashwagandha, is an ethnomedicinal plant with multiple pharmacotherapeutic applications. The diverse medicinal properties of the plant are largely due to the presence of withanolides, a group of C28 ergostane based steroidal lactones, with several sites of unsaturation and oxygenation. Wit...

It is with a saddened heart that we are dedicating this article to the loving memory of our dear departed friend and associate B. William Downs. Bill was well known in the nutritional space worldwide for his major contributions to the health and welfare of millions around the globe. The founder of Victory Nutrition International (VNI) in conjunctio...

In this nonsystematic review and opinion, including articles primarily selected from PubMed, we examine the pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in order to craft a reasonable opinion to help forge a paradigm shift in the treatment and prevention of primarily opioid-induced NAS. Newborns of individ...

Introduction: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder which accounts for infertility around the world. The disease is characterized by elevated secretion of androgens in the women which results in enlargement of ovaries with accumulation of fluid filled cysts, irregular menstrual cycles, and hirsutism. This study reports the effi...

Scientific studies have provided evidence that there is a relationship between violent and aggressive behaviors and addictions. Genes involved with the reward system, specifically the brain reward cascade (BRC), appear to be associated with various addictions and impulsive, aggressive, and violent behaviors. In our previous research, we examined th...

Scientific studies have provided evidence that there is a relationship between violent and aggressive behaviors and addictions. Genes involved with the reward system, specifically the brain reward cascade (BRC), appear to be associated with various addictions and impulsive, aggressive, and violent behaviors. In our previous research, we examined th...

This case series presents the novel genetic addiction risk score (GARS), which shows a high prevalence of polymorphic risk alleles of reward genes in a nuclear family with multiple reward deficiency syndrome (RDS) behavioral issues expressing a hypodopaminergic antecedent. The family consists of a mother, father, son, and daughter. The mother exper...

Since 1990, when our laboratory published the association of the DRD2 Taq A1 allele and severe alcoholism in JAMA, there has been an explosion of genetic candidate association studies, including genome-wide association studies (GWAS). To develop an accurate test to help identify those at risk for at least alcohol use disorder (AUD), a subset of rew...

Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) is defined as a breakdown of reward neurotransmission that results in a wide range of addictive, compulsive, and impulsive behaviors. RDS is caused by a combination of environmental (epigenetic) influences and DNA-based (genetic) neurotransmission deficits that interfere with the normal satisfaction of human physiol...

The onset of inflammation takes place in a human body due to an injury or infection during which the tissue becomes inflamed/reddened, swollen, hot, and painful. Basically, it is a collection of host defenses that occurs during an injury and infection in which the white blood cells protect the body from infection from bacteria, fungi, parasites, or...

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenemia, a quite common heterogenous endocrine/hormonal disorder, and accompanied by elevated androgen level, menstrual irregularity, and hirsutism. The consequences include infertility or miscarriage. It is a challenging problem to the physicians. In a one-arm, non-rando...

The current addiction crisis has destroyed a multitude of lives, leaving millions of fatalities worldwide in its wake. At the same time, various governmental agencies dedicated to solving this seemingly never-ending dilemma have not yet succeeded or delivered on their promises. We understand that addictive behavioral seeking is a multi-faceted neur...

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with group A streptococcal infections (PANDAS) is a concept that is used to characterize a subset of children with neuropsychiatric symptoms, tic disorders, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), whose symptoms are exacerbated by group A streptococcal (GAS) infection. PANDAS has been known...

Addiction is a complex multifactorial condition. Established genetic factors can provide clear guidance in assessing the risk of addiction to substances and behaviors. Chronic stress can accumulate, forming difficult to recognize addiction patterns from both genetic and epigenetic (environmental) factors. Furthermore, psychological/physical/chemica...

Since 1990, when our laboratory published the association of the DRD2 Taq A1 allele and severe alcoholism in JAMA, there has been an explosion of genetic candidate association studies, including GWAS. To develop an accurate test to help identify those at risk for at least Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), Blum’s group developed the Genetic Addiction Risk...

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is an essential cofactor required for proper functioning of all cells and its decline is correlated with advancing age and disease. This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover pilot study assessed the efficacy and safety of a combination of nicotinamide with D-ribose (RiaGev) for NAD metabol...

Objective: Initial results gathered from previously published observations dealing with nondiabetic volunteers reveal that both the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level employed as a surrogate for insulin resistance (IR) and the amount of body fat mass (FM) correlate significantly with the strength and pathological direction of many harmful elements...

Introduction: Undenatured type II collagen, derived from chicken sternum cartilage, is a novel functional ingredient, which has been demonstrated to improve joint health, flexibility and mobility, and enhancing motor functions. Undenatured type II collagen has been commercially available as functional dietary supplement worldwide for many years. Re...

Data gathered from healthy and non-diabetic volunteers who previously had participated in assorted clinical research trials, reveal that many medical risk factors primarily related to insulin resistance (IR) and the metabolic syndrome (MS) gradually intensify between ages 25 and 70 years. This phase here labeled “Continuum of risks” (CR) is a perio...

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a potent coenzyme antioxidant naturally occurring in foods, has been demonstrated to protect brain cells by enhancing the expression of nerve growth factors (NGF) and NGF receptors, and suppressing the fibril formation and aggression of amyloid β. We developed mnemoPQQ®, a novel PQQ disodium salt and assessed its saf...

Obesity and overweight are now defined as an epidemic. An array of evidence substantiates that existing weight loss strategies and programs have not worked. Fat is the lightest of macromolecules, the highest energy reserve of the body, and the last reservoir of survival insurance to be expended. Conventional weight loss concepts and therapies, for...

Cognitive dysfunctions are increasing alarmingly around the world, and researchers are exploring preventive measures for improving brain performance. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a naturally occurring coenzyme in foods, exhibits potent antioxidant activity, and improves diverse functions which includes mitochondrial activation, growth, repair, p...

Despite the advancement in wound care, the effective therapy of chronic diabetic ulcers continues to be a challenge. Wound healing is a highly controlled process, which involves a sequence of complex overlapping steps. This healing pathway comprises of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferative, and remodeling phases. Recent evidence suggests that phy...

Background: The prevalence of obesity has increased an astounding 30.5% to 42.2% over the last two decades despite numerous weight loss products and programs, thus qualifying it as an epidemic. Fat is the lightest of macromolecules, the highest energy reserve of the body, and the last reservoir of survival insurance to be expended. Water, muscle, a...

Prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) is increasing alarmingly worldwide. Slowing down the progression of OA and diverse locomotive organ disorders is gaining interest in improving the quality of life (QOL) and extending healthy life-span. In a pilot study, intake of a small amount of undenatured type II collagen exhibited suppression of damage to the...

Background: In advancing age population worldwide, joint discomfort and poor locomotive functions are symptoms, which are often detected. Aggravation of such symptoms potentially develops into osteoarthritis (OA) as characterized by the loss of articular cartilage in the joints of the hand, spine, knee, foot, and hip. For joint health complications...

The researchers demonstrate the development of a novel Prodosome technology-derived PL425 PEC phytonutrient-enriched electrolyte formulation and its significant contribution in fluid homeostasis as well as enhanced neuromuscular function, cardio-protection, pulmonary, and other physiological cellular and organ functions. Electrolytes enriched in ph...

Recent years have marked food allergy development as a common and major problem with detrimental immune reactions in response to various food proteins. In many cases of food allergy, probiotics and prebiotics have emerged as potential therapeutic agents. This type of treatment is aimed to minimize inflammation and correct diverse allergic symptoms,...

The gastrointestinal tract consists of the alimentary canal from mouth cavity to the anus and attached to associated glandular organs that empty their contents into the tract. It absorbs nutrients and water into circulation and eliminates waste materials. Most of the foodstuff in the diet is taken in as solid and as macromolecules; therefore, diges...

Enzymes play a vital role in biometabolic functions. Insufficient enzyme availability leads to impaired metabolism including digestive and immune dysfunctions. Digestive enzymes enable disintegration, dissolution, and absorption of foods, significantly improving gastro-intestinal integrity, immunity, cellular functionality, and overall health. An a...

A growing body of research suggests that elevated circulating levels of glucose and insulin, even in their nondiabetic ranges but still relatively high, can over time accelerate risk factors for a wide range of disorders linked to the metabolic syndrome and the aging process. Accordingly, low-risk interventions that could reduce circulating glucose...

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) reports that approximately 60–70 million people are affected by a plethora of chronic digestive disorders and problems, including irritable bowel syndrome, bloating and gas, constipation, diarrhea, lactose intolerance, fecal incontinence, acid reflux, Crohn’s disease, celi...

The gut microflora plays a significant role in host human health. Alteration in these microflora influences the setting in of diseases such as metabolic disorders, cardiovascular health, and obesity. The composition of our gut microbiota and its functions are highly influenced by diet. Changes in the gut microbial composition (dysbiosis) have been...

A variety of behavioral disorders are associated with addictions, impulsivity, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and some personality disorders, which are collectively known as reward deficiency syndrome. These disorders are also associated with diverse digestive disorders. The enteric nervous system, a complex subdivision of the peripheral nervous s...

This is a review of research on “Precision Behavioral Management” of substance use disorder (SUD). America is experiencing a high prevalence of substance use disorder, primarily involving legal and illegal opioid use. A 3000% increase in treatment for substance abuse has occurred between 2000 and 2016. Unfortunately, present day treatment of opioid...

Metabolic competence in conjunction with well-balanced nutritional support is extremely important for normal biochemical and physiological functions, as well as for enhanced athletic performance. Research-affirmed nutraceuticals enriched in structurally diverse phytonutrients including bioflavonoids may help to boost athletic, functional, and bioph...

An increase in anaerobic (oxygen-deprived) pathogenesis significantly increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inflicting damage on cell membranes and intracellular constituents. Generation of ROS and concomitant inflammatory response is the two hallmarks of cellular damage caused by cellular injury or invasion by pathogens. Oxygen...

Alcohol and other substance use disorders share comorbidity with other RDS disorders, i.e. a reduction in dopamine signaling within the reward pathway. RDS is a term that connects addictive, obsessive, compulsive, and impulsive behavioral disorders. An estimated 2 million individuals in the United States have opioid use disorder related to prescrip...

Background The medicinal herb fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds, fortified with dietary fibers and furostanolic saponins including protodioscin, have demonstrated a significant contribution to human health. In our laboratories, Furosap®, a patented 20% protodioscin-enriched extract was developed from fenugreek seeds. Objective In an open...

Background While a consistent, gradual decline in the renal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a characteristic occurrence over the human life span, the exact pathophysiology behind this event remains unresolved. Evidence to date suggests that the endogenous glucose-insulin system could be involved at some level. Diabetic-induced nephropathy, one...

SARS-COV2 has emerged as the second biggest threat to humanity of all times, after the Spanish Flu massacre. Due to its brisk rate of mutation, especially that of the host receptor docking Spike protein, a safe immunization is still questioned by some, and protection or recovery has been dependent largely on immune system competence and overall bio...

Background: The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates a total obesity rate of 30% for 12 states and a 20% obesity rate nationwide. The obesity epidemic continues to increase in spite of preventative measures undertaken worldwide. Pharmacological treatments promise to reduce total fat mass. However, medications may...

Background Cognitive dysfunctions are increasing alarmingly around the world, and researchers are exploring preventive measures for improving brain performance. Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a naturally occurring coenzyme in foods, exhibits potent antioxidant activity, and improves diverse functions which include mitochondrial activation, growth,...

Background Conventional medical therapies for neurodegenerative diseases primarily target anti-inflammatory interventions, immune suppression of autoimmune pathologies, and, depending on the diagnosed pathological mechanisms, neurotransmitter reuptake inhibition, among other tactics. However, the incidence of neuroinflammatory pathologies appears t...

Background A gradual upward progression of blood pressure (BP) occurs regularly in most humans during aging. This is unfortunate, because it is generally recognized that elevation of BP, even when relatively mild, is eventually detrimental to human health. Accordingly, considerably more understanding of the pathophysiology behind such a phenomenon...

This article describes a unique therapeutic precision intervention, a formulation of enkephalinase inhibitors, enkephalin, and dopamine-releasing neuronutrients, to induce dopamine homeostasis for detoxification and treatment of individuals genetically predisposed to developing reward deficiency syndrome (RDS). The formulations are based on the res...

Saving lives and flattening the curve are the foremost priorities during the ongoing pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2. Developing cutting-edge technology and collating available evidence would support frontline health teams. Nutritional adequacy improves general health and immunity to prevent and assuage infections. This review aims to outline the pot...

In 2019, the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention provided vital statistics related to drug overdoses in the United State1. They concluded that in the USA the number of deaths at almost 72,000 was due to 66.6% of opioid overdoses. In fact, the rate is alarming and increasing yearly. To make 2021 even more scary is the daunting effect on inc...

This chapter discusses the particular function of lipids and fatty acids and their metabolism are discussed in light of metabolomic, lipidomic, and observational studies of the elderly population with and without diagnosed neurodegenerative diseases. The major mechanistic and dietary conclusions are examined in the light of potential prevention and...

Introduction Polymorphic gene variants, particularly the genetic determinants of low dopamine function (hy-podopaminergia), are known to associate with Substance Use Disorder and a predisposition to PTSD. Addiction research and molecular genetic applied technologies supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have revealed the com-plex fun...