HS Arun Kumar
Editor in Chief, Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine
DOI: 10.4103/0976-9668.82303
It is our pleasure to bring in the second issue of the Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine (JNSBM). In this issue we have included state-of-the-art reviews on some key topics, which will be of equal interest to the scientific, general, and industrial audience. One such review is on intellectual property management in India. Considering the metamorphosis of the Indian R and D system from the development to discovery frontline, we believe that this review will not only be of interest to the Indian audience, but also to all the global industries who are interested in establishing business in India. Another review is on novel protein kinase C modulators, for the management of pain. Better anti-inflammatory agents and analgesics are the need of the hour, especially due to the major cardiovascular side effects of the painkillers used at present. In accordance with the novel small molecules being the focus of discovery, certain natural products may also prove to be better alternatives. The ethanolic extract of the Dalbergia sissoo bark may prove to be one such alternative, which is also reviewed in the current issue. A collateral topic to painkillers, which is also of scientific and therapeutic interest, is the aspect of neurogenesis in adults. Although the major focus is on the area of stem cell and progenitor cell approach, the pharmacological approach can also be enhanced from the aspect of clinical compliance. To this effect a critical review on the role of acetylcholine and dopamine in achieving neurogenesis in adults is presented in the current issue. It will be interesting to see if such a pharmacological approach can be refined from stem / progenitor cell secretome or by small molecule-based strategies. Nevertheless, the potential of stem / progenitor cell therapy cannot be underestimated, as new therapeutic areas keep emerging, once such an area is in the treatment of periodontal diseases, which is considered a key risk factor among several others, as an etiology for premature labor and low birth weight especially in developing countries. These topics are covered in detail in three reviews appearing in this issue. We also present an interesting review on the spontaneous regression of cancer, which may be attributed to the activation of endogenous progenitor cells, thus providing a novel target for therapeutic exploration. Also presented in this issue is a book review on ‘Biomedical Research – From Ideation to Publication’. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in establishing a career in science and research. It is excellently compiled and written by international experts. Read more…