Therapeutic effects of Stemmoside C against Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium infected BALB/c mice

Natural compounds as possible anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic agents: an in-vitro and in-silico study

WHO declared severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2' (SARS-CoV-2) was global health emergency since 2020. In our study eighteen natural compounds were investigated for possible anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential, where the most potent natural compounds were ursolic acid and dioscin with IC50 value of 4.49 µg/mL and 7.11 µg/mL, respectively. Hesperidin, catechin, diosmin, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside and hyperoside showed medium antiviral activity with IC50 value of 20.87, 22.57, 38.92, 39.62 and 47.10 µg/mL, respectively. Molecular modelling studies including docking study and predictive ADME study were performed on all tested molecules. Their binding energies after docking were calculated and their orientations at the active sites of both SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) and spike (S) receptors were visualised and compared to the downloaded ligands. Also, the predictive ADME studies showed good pharmacokinetic properties of most of the tested compounds. The obtained in silico results obtained confirmed that many of the tested compounds are promising SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors.

Unraveling the treasure trove of phytochemicals in mitigating the Salmonella enterica infection

Foodborne diseases triggered by various infectious micro-organisms are contributing significantly to the global disease burden as well as to increasing mortality rates. Salmonella enterica belongs to the most prevalent form of bacteria accountable for significant burden of foodborne illness across the globe. The conventional therapeutic approach to cater to Salmonella enterica-based infections relies on antibiotic therapy, but the rapid emergence of the antibiotic resistance strains of Salmonella sp. necessitates the development of alternative treatment and prevention strategies. In light of this growing concern, the scientific community is rigorously exploring novel phytochemicals harnessed from medicinally important plants as a promising approach to curb Salmonella enterica infections. A variety of phytochemicals belonging to alkaloids, phenols, flavonoid, and terpene classes are reported to exhibit their inhibitory activity against bacterial cell communication, membrane proteins, efflux pumps, and biofilm formation among drug resistant Salmonella strains. The present review article delves to discuss the emergence of antibiotic resistance among Salmonella enterica strains, various plant sources, identification of phytochemicals, and the current state of research on the use of phytochemicals as antimicrobial agents against Salmonella enterica, shedding light on the promising potential of phytochemicals in the fight against this pathogen.

Lactobacillus salivarius and Berberine Alleviated Yak Calves' Diarrhea via Accommodating Oxidation Resistance, Inflammatory Factors, and Intestinal Microbiota

Yaks are important food animals in China; however, bacterial diarrheal diseases frequently occur on the plateau, with limited effective therapies. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of Lactobacillus salivarius (LS) and berberine in alleviating diarrhea in yak calves. For this purpose, eighteen healthy yak calves were divided into control (JC), infected (JM), and treatment (JT) groups. Yaks in the JT group were treated with 2 × 1010 CFU/calf L. salivarius and 20 mg/kg berberine, and yaks in the JM and JT groups were induced with multi-drug-resistant Escherichia coli. The results showed that the weight growth rate in the JM group was significantly lower than that in the JC and JT groups. The diarrhea score in the JM group was significantly higher than that in both the JC and JT groups. Additionally, the contents of T-AOC, SOD, GSH-Px, and IL-10 were significantly lower in the JM group than those in the JC and JT groups, while MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were significantly higher in the JM group. Microbiota sequencing identified two phyla and twenty-seven genera as significant among the yak groups. Notably, probiotic genera such as Faecalibaculum and Parvibacter were observed, alongside harmful genera, including Marvinbryantia and Lachnospiraceae UCG-001. Our findings indicate that treatment with L. salivarius and berberine significantly reduced diarrhea incidence, improved growth performance, and positively modulated intestinal microbiota, which could provide novel insights for developing new therapies for ruminant diarrhea.

Argel's stemmoside C as a novel natural remedy for mice with alcohol-induced gastric ulcer based on its molecular mechanistic pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Solenostemma argel is widely distributed in Africa & Asia with traditional usage in alleviating abdominal colic, aches, & cramps. This plant is rich in phytochemicals, which must be explored for its pharmacological effects.

PURPOSE

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) is the digestion of the digestive tube. PUD not only interferes with food digestion & nutrient absorption, damages one of the largest defensive barriers against pathogenic micro-organisms, but also impedes drug absorption & bioavailability, rendering the oral route, the most convenient way, ineffective. Omeprazole, one of the indispensable cost-effective proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) extensively prescribed to control PUD, is showing growing apprehensions toward multiple drug interactions & side effects. Hence, finding a natural alternative with Omeprazole-like activity & limited side effects is a medical concern.

STUDY DESIGN

Therefore, we present Stemmoside C as a new gastroprotective phytochemical agent isolated from Solenostemma argel to be tested in upgrading doses against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice compared to negative, positive, & reference Omeprazole groups.

METHODS

We carried out in-depth pharmacological & histopathological studies to determine the possible mechanistic pathway.

RESULTS

Our results showed that Stemmoside C protected the stomach against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers parallel to Omeprazole. Furthermore, the mechanistic studies revealed that Stemmoside C produced its effect using an orchestrated array of different mechanisms. Stemmoside C stimulates stomach defense by increasing COX-2, PGE-2, NO, & TFF-1 healing factors, IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine, & Nrf-2 & HO-1 anti-oxidant pathways. It also suppresses stomach ulceration by inhibiting leucocyte recruitment, especially neutrophils, leading to subsequent inhibition of NF-κBp65, TNF-α, IL-1β, & iNOS pro-inflammatory cytokines & JAK-1/STAT-3 inflammation-induced carcinogenicity cascade in addition to MMP-9 responsible for tissue degradation.

CONCLUSION

These findings cast light on Stemmoside C's clinical application against gastric ulcer progression, recurrence, & tumorigenicity & concurrently with chemotherapy.