A review of medicinal plant of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as source in tuberculosis drug discovery

The chemical composition of the essential oils of two Mediterranean species of Convolvulaceae: Convolvulus althaeoides subsp. tenuissimus collected in Sicily (Italy) and Calystegia silvatica collected in Algeria

Convolvulus L. and Calystegia R.Br. are two closely related genera of the Convolvulaceae family distributed in Asia, Mediterranean, Macaronesia, East Africa, and Arabia, including about 210 and 30 accepted species, respectively, of flowering plants, present as trees, shrubs, and herbs. The ethnomedical use of Convolvulus species dates to 1730s as they displayed profuse medicinal properties. In the present study, the not previously investigated chemical compositions of the essential oils from aerial parts of Convolvulus althaeoides subsp. tenuissimus (Sm.) Bat., collected in Sicily, and Calystegia sylvatica (Kit.) Griseb., collected in Algeria, were evaluated by GC-MS. The main components of the essential oil of the first one were β-caryophyllene (28.68%), γ-muurolene (23.75%), and γ-elemene (17.55%), whereas the C. silvatica essential oil was shown to be rich of valeranone (10.77%), viridiflorol (9.45%), and germacrene D (8.61%). Furthermore, a complete literature review on the ethno-pharmacological uses of Convolvulus and Calystegia species was performed.

Computational insights into the role of structurally diverse plant secondary metabolites as inhibitors against Imidazole Glycerol Phosphate Dehydratase of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is one of the major causes of death worldwide and there is a pressing need for the development of novel drug leads. The Imidazole Glycerol Phosphate Dehydratase (IGPD) of Mtb is one of the key enzymes in the histidine biosynthesis pathway and has been recognized as the potentially underexploited drug target for anti-tuberculosis treatment. In the present study, 6063 structurally diverse plant secondary metabolites (PSM) were screened for their efficiency in inhibiting the catalytic activity of IGPD through molecular docking. The top 150 PSMs with the lowest binding energy represent the chemical classes, including Tannins (34%), Flavonoid Glycosides (14%), Terpene Glycosides (10%), Steroid Lactones (9.3%), Flavonoids (6.6%), Steroidal Glycosides (4.6%), etc. Bismahanine, Ashwagandhanolide, and Daurisoline form stable IGPD-inhibitor complexes with binding free energies of -291.3 ± 16.5, -279.0 ± 25.0, and -279.8 ± 17.6 KJ/mol, respectively, as determined by molecular dynamics simulations. These PSM demonstrated strong H-bond interactions with the amino acid residues Ile279, Arg281, and Lys276 in the catalytic region of IGPD, as revealed by structural snapshots. On the basis of our findings, these three PSM could be considered as possible leads against IGPD and should be explored in vitro and in vivo.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Analysis of the impact of ERAS-based respiratory function training on older patients’ ability to prevent pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

In China, as the population grows older, the number of elderly people who have died from respiratory problems has increased.

AIM

To investigate whether enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)-based respiratory function training may help older patients who had abdominal surgery suffer fewer pulmonary problems, shorter hospital stays, and improved lung function.

METHODS

The data of 231 elderly individuals having abdominal surgery was retrospectively analyzed. Based on whether ERAS-based respiratory function training was provided, patients were divided into ERAS group (n = 112) and control group (n = 119). Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and respiratory tract infection (RTI) were the primary outcome variables. Secondary outcome variables included the Borg score Scale, FEV1/FVC and postoperative hospital stay.

RESULTS

The percentage of 18.75% of ERAS group participants and 34.45% of control group participants, respectively, had respiratory infections (P = 0.007). None of the individuals experienced PE or DVT. The ERAS group’s median postoperative hospital stay was 9.5 d (3-21 d) whereas the control groups was 11 d (4-18 d) (P = 0.028). The Borg score decreased on the 4^th d following surgery in the ERAS group compared to the 2^nd d prior (P = 0.003). The incidence of RTIs was greater in the control group than in the ERAS group among patients who spent more than 2 d in the hospital before surgery (P = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

ERAS-based respiratory function training may reduce the risk of pulmonary complications in older individuals undergoing abdominal surgery.

Phytochemical Analysis and Profiling of Antitumor Compounds of Leaves and Stems of Calystegia silvatica (Kit.) Griseb

Anti-tumor compounds from natural products are being investigated as possible alternatives for cancer chemotherapeutics that have serious adverse effects and tumor resistance. Calystegia silvatica was collected from the north coast of Egypt and extracted via methanol and n-hexane sub-fraction. The biologically active compounds of Calystegia silvatica were identified from the methanol and n-hexane extracts from the leaves and stems of the plant using GC-MS and HPLC. The antitumor properties of both parts of the plant were investigated against cancer and non-cancer cell lines using the MTT assay, and the IC₅₀ in comparison to doxorubicin was calculated. The main compounds identified in the methanol extract were cis-vaccenic acid and trans-13-octadecenoic acid in the leaves and stems, respectively, and phenyl undecane and 3,7,11,15 tetramethyl-2-hexadeca-1-ol in the n-hexane extracts of the leaves and stems, respectively. Both parts of the plant contained fatty acids that have potential antitumor properties. The methanol extract from the stems of C. silvatica showed antitumor properties against HeLa, with an IC₅₀ of 114 ± 5 μg/mL, PC3 with an IC₅₀ of 137 ± 18 μg/mL and MCF7 with an IC₅₀ of 172 ± 15 μg/mL, which were greater than Caco2, which had an IC₅₀ of 353 ± 19 μg/mL, and HepG2, which had an IC₅₀ of 236 ± 17 μg/mL. However, the leaf extract showed weak antitumor properties against all of the studied cancer cell lines (HeLa with an IC₅₀ of 208 ± 13 μg/mL, PC3 with an IC₅₀ of 336 ± 57 μg/mL, MCF7 with an IC₅₀ of 324 ± 17 μg/mL, Caco2 with an IC₅₀ of 682 ± 55 μg/mL and HepG2 with an IC₅₀ of 593 ± 22 μg/mL). Neither part of the plant extract showed any cytotoxicity to the normal cells (WI38). Therefore, C. silvatica stems may potentially be used for the treatment of cervical, prostate and breast cancer.

Ruta montana (L.) L.: An insight into its medicinal value, phytochemistry, biological properties, and toxicity

Ruta montana (RM) is a medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) used in folk medicine, especially in North Africa, to treat digestive, infectious, respiratory, neurological, gynecological, and diabetic diseases. The current work aims to review the scientifically validated ethno-medicinal usage, bioactivities and phytochemistry of RM, in order to provide data support for further investigations. Data were procured from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PubChem. The present study revealed that RM could be used to manage many diseases involved in public health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, neurological disorders, infections, reproductive system disorders, and cancer. It might also replace chemical insecticides and fungicides since it exhibits antifungal, insecticidal, and larvicidal properties. RM extracts also contain mainly coumarins and alkaloids. The volatile oil of RM is characterized by an abundance of ketone compounds and 2-undecanone as major constituents. In the case of a high-dose administration, RM infusion can cause poisoning through the oral path. Thus, in-depth in vivo pharmacological studies and clinical trials are needed to transmute the traditional applications of RM into scientific-based information.

Evaluation of anticandidal activities and phytochemical examination of extracts prepared from Vitex agnus-castus: a possible alternative in treating candidiasis infections

BACKGROUND

Candidiasis infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Fungicidal resistance of some commercially used fungicides ascended the need for a naturally effective alternative. The current study aimed to evaluate the fungicidal activity of Vitex agnus-castus extracts in vitro against some Candida species.

METHODS

The bioactive compounds contained in the crude and alcoholic extracts were compared, and the antioxidant activity was tested, as well. The phytochemical analysis was carried out by Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The scavenger activity of the tested extracts was tested, as well. The anticandidal activity was tested to detect the effect of the tested extracts on the mycelial growth of Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida parapsilosis, Candia tropicalis, Candida famata, Candida rhodotorula, and Candida dublinesis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were calculated for all reported activities. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used to detect the morphological and ultrastructure response in some selected species.

RESULTS

FTIR and GC/MS revealed the existence of different bioactive chemical groups such as polyphenols, fatty acids, terpenes, terpenoids, steroids, aldehydes, alcohols, and esters, phytol which is a diterpene. DPPH results confirmed the antioxidant activity of all extracts where the methanolic extract was the strongest scavenging substrate. All extracts showed strong inhibitory effects against different species at a concentration of 200 µg/ml (P < 0.001). SEM and TEM showed morphological and ultrastructure changes in C. famata.

CONCLUSION

The current study suggested a reliable antifungal activity of different extracts of Vitex agnus-castus against different Candida species and strains. However, further studies are required to confirm the safety of these extracts to be used in medical applications.

Thymoquinone against infectious diseases: Perspectives in recent pandemics and future therapeutics

The recent pandemics caused by coronavirus infections have become major challenges in 21st century human health. Scientists are struggling hard to develop a complete cure for infectious diseases, for example, drugs or vaccines against these deadly infectious diseases. We have searched papers on thymoquinone (TQ) and its effects on different infectious diseases in databases like Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and reviewed them in this study. To date research suggests that natural products may become a potential therapeutic option for their prodigious anti-viral or anti-microbial effects on infectious diseases. TQ, a natural phytochemical from black seeds, is known for its health-beneficial activities against several diseases, including infections. It is evident from different in vitro and in vivo studies that TQ is effective against tuberculosis, influenza, dengue, Ebola, Zika, hepatitis, malaria, HIV, and even recent pandemics caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome of coronaviruses (SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2). In these cases, the molecular mechanism of TQ is partly clear but mostly obscure. In this review article, we have discussed the role of TQ against different infectious diseases, including COVID-19, and also critically reviewed the future use of TQ use to fight against infectious diseases.