Unprecedented NES non-antagonistic inhibitor for nuclear export of Rev from Sida cordifolia

Sida cordifolia L.: Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, Phytonanotechnology, and Commercial Application

BACKGROUND

After a period of prolonged indifference, where synthetic drugs were preferred, interest in the biological aspects and bioactive ingredients of plants accountable for therapeutic potential has been explored eminently. Sida cordifolia L. is a perennial herb that has been widely utilized in Indian (Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha), American, and Chinese folk medicine and herbalism practice for curing a wide range of ailments in human beings.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this review is to elucidate indigenous knowledge parallelly with the pharmacotherapeutics potential of Sida cordifolia L. against various diseases. It is also intended to display pertinent information related to nanoparticle profiling.

METHODS

In the current comprehensive study, web-based searches were performed by using several databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ResearchGate, Science Direct, and Scopus, to figure out relevant research work and data published in academic journals from 1930 to July, 2023 using single or combination of keywords listed herewith.

RESULTS

More than 50 chemical constituents, including quinazoline and phenethylamine alkaloids, flavones, flavonol, phytosterol, fatty acids, etc., were reported to be found in different parts of healthy plants. Apart from traditional claims and pharmacological aspects, several marketed herbal formulations and granted patents were also described.

CONCLUSION

Several in-vitro and in-vivo studies validated the usage of S. cordifolia as antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anthelmintic, anticancer, antiulcer, cardioprotective, hypoglycemic, etc. agent. Few patents are also related to S. cordifolia, and more research work needs to be carried out for its potential granted to use as an antiviral agent and other new drug discovery molecules.

Bioefficacy of Sida cordifolia L. phytoextract against foodborne bacteria: optimization and bioactive compound analysis

Aim: To elucidate the antibacterial activity of Sida cordifolia L. phytoextract, evaluate its polyphenol profile and optimize conditions against certain common foodborne bacteria. Methods: After polarity-based sequential extraction, S. cordifolia phytoextracts were tested for antibacterial potential against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Box-Behnken design was used to optimize several process parameters and ultra-performance liquid chromatography confirmed the phenolic composition of the best possible outcome. Results: Agar well diffusion and MIC/MBC assay confirmed a strong bactericidal effect of ethanolic (SC04-ET) extract against ampicillin and colistin-resistant Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. The direct interactive effect of optimized conditions showed maximum antibacterial performance and ultra-performance liquid chromatography revealed a high amount of phenolic compounds. Conclusion: The results confirmed that ethanolic extract of S. cordifolia has potent bactericidal action against foodborne bacteria.

Quality by design based optimization of Soxhlet extraction and identification of Ephedrine by HPTLC method for Sida rhombifolia and Sida Cordifolia

The study objective was to analyse the phytochemical constituents in aerial extracts of these plants by HPTLC method and optimization by Quality by design. Qualitative analysis of ephedrine in hydro-alcoholic extract was done via HPTLC, using a mobile phase of Toluene: ethyl acetate: chloroform: formic acid in the ratio of 1:0.5:0.5:01 and the peaks were monitored at 366 nm. In hydro-alcoholic aerial part extract Ephedrine was identified by using HPTLC method and the Rf value was found to be 0.69+/-0.01 and 0.69+/-0.01, as compared to the standard sample. The extraction of plant materials was done using different concentration of water and alcohol solvents and Quality by design was applied to optimize the extraction process and to find out the best extraction in 80:20 ration of hydro-alcoholic extract. In hydro-alcoholic extract, the ephedrine was characterized by HPTLC method and compared to standard solution, and this method was used in herbal as well as academic research for identification of ephedrine in poly herbal formulation and ephedrine present in different plant extract. Response surface methodology (RSM) software was utilized to predict the way or choose the best extraction method. Sida rhombifolia and Sida cordifolia can be used as a substitute for Ephedra gerardiana based on HPTLC profile.

Potential Inhibitors Identification of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 and Main Protease from Anatolian Traditional Plants

Background:

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused a global health catastrophe by affecting the whole human population around the globe. Unfortunately, there is no specific medication or treatment for COVID-19 currently available.

Objective:

It’s extremely necessary to apply effective drug treatment in order to end the pandemic period and return daily life to normal. In terms of the urgency of treatment, rather than focusing on the discovery of novel compounds, it is critical to explore the effects of existing herbal agents with proven antiviral properties on the virus.

Method:

Molecular docking studies were carried out with three different methods, Glide extra precision (XP) docking, Induced Fit docking (IFD), and Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA), to determine the potential effects of 58 phytochemicals in the content of Rosmarinus officinalis, Thymbra spicata, Satureja thymbra, and Stachys lavandulifolia plants -have antiviral and antibacterial effects- against Main Protease (Mpro) and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) enzymes.

Results:

7 compounds stand out among all molecules by showing very high binding affinities. According to our findings, the substances chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, and rosmanol exhibit extremely significant binding affinities for both Mpro and ACE2 enzymes. Furthermore, it was discovered that carnosic acid and alpha-cadinol showed potential anti-Mpro activity, whereas caffeic acid and carvacrol had promising anti-ACE2 activity.

Conclusion:

Chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, rosmanol, carnosic acid, alpha-cadinol, caffeic acid, and carvacrol compounds have been shown to be powerful anti-SARS-COV-2 agents in docking simulations against Mpro and ACE2 enzymes, as well as ADME investigations.

A systematic review on COVID-19 pandemic with special emphasis on curative potentials of Nigeria based medicinal plants

Despite the frightening mortality rate associated with COVID-19, there is no known approved drug to effectively combat the pandemic. COVID-19 clinical manifestations include fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, and other complications. At present, there is no known effective treatment or vaccine that can mitigate/inhibit SARS-CoV-2. Available clinical intervention for COVID-19 is only palliative and limited to support. Thus, there is an exigent need for effective and non-invasive treatment. This article evaluates the possible mechanism of actions of SARS-CoV-2 and present Nigeria based medicinal plants which have pharmacological and biological activities that can mitigate the hallmarks of the pathogenesis of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 mode of actions includes hyper-inflammation characterized by a severe and fatal hyper-cytokinaemia with multi-organ failure; immunosuppression; reduction of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to enhance pulmonary vascular permeability causing damage to the alveoli; and further activated by open reading frame (ORF)3a, ORF3b, and ORF7a via c-Jun N- terminal kinase (JNK) pathway which induces lung damage. These mechanisms of action of SARS-CoV-2 can be mitigated by a combination therapy of medicinal herbs based on their pharmacological activities. Since the clinical manifestations of COVID-19 are multifactorial with co-morbidities, we strongly recommend the use of combined therapy such that two or more herbs with specific therapeutic actions are administered to combat the mediators of the disease.

Synthesis of chemically edited derivatives of the endogenous regulator of inflammation 9-PAHSA

Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) are a growing class of natural products found in organisms ranging from plants to humans. The roles these endogenous derivatives of fatty acids play in biology and their novel pathways for controlling inflammation have increased our understanding of basic human physiology. FAHFAs incorporate diverse fatty acids into their structures, however, given their recent discovery non-natural derivatives have not been a focus and as a result structure-activity relationships remain unknown. The importance of the long chain hydrocarbons extending from the ester linkage as they relate to anti-inflammatory activity is unknown. Herein the systematic removal of carbons from either the hydroxy fatty acid or fatty acid regions of the most studied FAHFA, palmitic acid ester of 9-hydroxystearic acid (9-PAHSA), was achieved and these synthetic, abridged analogs were tested for their ability to attenuate IL-6 production. Reduction of the carbon chain lengths of the 9-hydroxystearic acid portion or palmitic acid hydrocarbon chain resulted in lower molecular weight analogs that maintained anti-inflammatory activity or in one case enhanced activity.

The genus Sida L. - A traditional medicine: Its ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacological data for commercial exploitation in herbal drugs industry

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sida L. (Malvaceae) has been used for centuries in traditional medicines in different countries for the prevention and treatment of different diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, gastrointestinal and urinary infections, malarial and other fevers, childbirth and miscarriage problems, skin ailments, cardiac and neural problems, asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems, weight loss aid, rheumatic and other inflammations, tuberculosis, etc.

AIMS OF THIS REVIEW

To assess the scientific evidence for therapeutic potential of Sida L. and to identify the gaps of future research needs.

METHODS

The available information on the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Sida species was collected via a library and electronic searches in SciFinder, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar for the period, 1933-2015.

RESULTS

A variety of ethnomedicinal uses of Sida species have been found in India, China, Afrian and American countries. Phytochemical investigation of this genus has resulted in identification of about 142 chemical constituents, among which alkaloids, flavonoids and ecdysteroids are the predominant groups. The crude extracts and isolates have exhibited a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects involving antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, abortifacient, neuroprotective, cardiovascular and cardioprotective, antimalarial, antitubercular, antidiabetic and antiobesity, antioxidant and nephroprotective activities among others. Ethnopharmacological preparations containing Sida species as an ingredient in India, African and American countries possess good efficacy in health disorders. From the toxicity perspective, only three Sida species have been assessed and found safe for oral use in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmacological results supported some of the uses of Sida species in the traditional medicine. Alkaloids, flavonoids, other phenolics and ecdysteroids were perhaps responsible for the activities of extracts of the plants of this genus. No clinical study was reported. The detailed study on mechanism of action of isolates and extracts and their clinical study are needed for their use in modern medicine. More attention should be paid to Sida acuta, Sida cordifolia, Sida spinosa, Sida rhombifolia and Sida veronicaefolia in the domain of diarrhea, dysentery, gastrointestinal and urinary infections, skin ailments, asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems, malaria, childbirth and miscarriage problems, cardiac and neural problems, weight loss aid, and rheumatic and other inflammations, etc. Furthermore, detailed study on quality and safety assurance data on available ethnopharmacological preparations is needed for their commercial exploitation in local and global markets.

Identification of benzenesulfonamide quinoline derivatives as potent HIV-1 replication inhibitors targeting Rev protein

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Rev protein facilitates the export of viral RNA from nucleus to cytoplasm, which is a key step in HIV-1 pathogenesis and transmission. In this study, we have screened a commercial library and identified the hit compound 1 bearing a benzenesulfonamide quinoline scaffold that inhibited Rev activity and HIV-1 infectivity. Compounds bearing this scaffold were synthesized and their SAR was studied. We identified compound 20 with low toxicity and potent activity to inhibit HIV-1 replication by affecting Rev function.

Development of Fluorine-18 Labeled Metabolically Activated Tracers for Imaging of Drug Efflux Transporters with Positron Emission Tomography

Increased activity of efflux transporters, e.g., P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), at the blood-brain barrier is a pathological hallmark of many neurological diseases, and the resulting multiple drug resistance represents a major clinical challenge. Noninvasive imaging of transporter activity can help to clarify the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance and facilitate diagnosis, patient stratification, and treatment monitoring. We have developed a metabolically activated radiotracer for functional imaging of P-gp/BCRP activity with positron emission tomography (PET). In preclinical studies, the tracer showed excellent initial brain uptake and clean conversion to the desired metabolite, although at a sluggish rate. Blocking with P-gp/BCRP modulators led to increased levels of brain radioactivity; however, dynamic PET did not show differential clearance rates between treatment and control groups. Our results provide proof-of-concept for development of prodrug tracers for imaging of P-gp/BCRP function in vivo but also highlight some challenges associated with this strategy.

Targeting nucleocytoplasmic transport in cancer therapy

The intracellular location and regulation of proteins within each cell is critically important and is typically deregulated in disease especially cancer. The clinical hypothesis for inhibiting the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport is based on the dependence of certain key proteins within malignant cells. This includes a host of well-characterized tumor suppressor and oncoproteins that require specific localization for their function. This aberrant localization of tumour suppressors and oncoproteins results in their their respective inactivation or over-activation. This incorrect localization occurs actively via the nuclear pore complex that spans the nuclear envelope and is mediated by transport receptors. Accordingly, given the significant need for novel, specific disease treatments, the nuclear envelope and the nuclear transport machinery have emerged as a rational therapeutic target in oncology to restore physiological nucleus/cytoplasmic homeostasis. Recent evidence suggests that this approach might be of substantial therapeutic use. This review summarizes the mechanisms of nucleo-cytoplasmic transport, its role in cancer biology and the therapeutic potential of targeting this critical cellular process.

Prenylcoumarin with Rev-export inhibitory activity from Cnidii Monnieris Fructus

By use of the fission yeast expressing the model fusion protein comprised of GST, SV40 T antigen NLS, GFP, and Rev-NES in the bioassay, the prenylcoumarin osthol (1) was disclosed as the new Rev-export inhibitor from the MeOH extract of Cnidii Monnieris Fructus. Furthermore, 1 was also found to inhibit export the genuine Rev in HeLa cells by indirect fluorescent antibody technique. By the competitive experiment using the biotinylated probe 3, osthol (1) was revealed to inhibit nuclear export of Rev through a NES non-antagonistic mode. Structure-activity relationship analysis of several analogs of 1 clarified that both prenyl side chain and double bond adjacent to the lactone carbonyl residue play an important role in the Rev-export inhibitory potency of 1.