Sophora interrupta Bedd. root-derived flavonoids as prominent antiviral agents against Newcastle disease virus

Maackiain: A comprehensive review of its pharmacology, synthesis, pharmacokinetics and toxicity

Maackiain is an important component of some herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), such as Sophora flavescens Aiton, Spatholobus suberectus Dunn and Paeonia lactiflora Pall. Maackiain belongs to the second largest group of isoflavonoids the pterocarpans that is widespread in several plant genera, for example Maackia, Sophora, Caragana, Trifolium and Millettia. Recently, maackiain has attracting more attention because of its numerous pharmacological properties. This review offers the first extensive overview of maackiain natural isolation sources, pharmacological activities, synthesis, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic properties. The literature search published between 1962 and 2023 were reported by collecting the data from Google Scholar, Science Direct, SpringerLink, Web of Science, PubMed, Wiley Online, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Scopus and structure search in SciFinder. Finding reveals the broad range of pharmacological activities of maackiain, such as anti-inflammatory, sepsis prevention, anti-cancer, anti-allergic, anti-osteolytic, anti-obesity, nephroprotective, antifungal, neuroprotective, anti-leukemic, antimalarial and inflammasome activation. Based on findings of pharmacokinetic studies, it is observed that maackiain possesses a low level of bioavailability and absorption and a rapid rate of elimination, but maackiain absorption rates in the extract were comparatively much higher than pure forms because of higher solubility and may reduce the metabolism by other ingredients present in the extract. Toxicity investigations revealed that maackiain is non-toxic to the majority of cells and selectively cytotoxic. After witnessing the beneficial pharmacological properties of maackiain, it is believed to be an emerging drug candidate for the treatment of inflammation, allergic, nephroprotection in T2D, depression, or Alzheimer's disease and obesity. However, future research topics should likely to include that elucidates its mechanism of toxicity and in vivo proper tracking of its conducts in drug delivery system. Integrating toxicity and efficiency, as well as structure modification, are critical approaches to enhancing its pharmacological properties and oral bioavailability.

Pongamia pinnata L. seed-derived karanjin as prominent antiviral agent against Newcastle disease virus

Current study aim to explore Karanjin (Kar) isolated from the seeds of Pongamia pinnata as a potential antiviral polyphenol against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) through comprehensive investigations. For the in vitro study, plaque assays, gene and protein expression were used to analyse the inhibitory impact of Kar on NDV, where it reduced NDV replication as shown by a 13-fold suppression of the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) gene and decrease about 60% in virus activity. In ovo study showed that Kar mitigates NDV effects in chicken embryos. In silico studies involving molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations showed strong binding between Kar and HN protein of NDV. Kar also influenced glucose metabolism, enhancing antiviral responses, as showed by the upregulation of GLUT1 and HEX genes through RT-qPCR and HPLC analyses. The study contributes valuable insights for future investigations into therapeutic applications of Kar against viral infections.

Bioassay-guided isolation of two antiproliferative metabolites from Pterocarpus indicus Willd. against TGF-β-induced prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) proliferation via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Introduction

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the enlargement of the prostate gland, primarily occurring in aging men, in which transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) plays a critical role in prostate cell hyperproliferation and leads to uncomfortable urinary symptoms in BPH patients. Pterocarpus indicus Willd. is well known for its ethnopharmacological applications for treating ailments such as diuresis and bladder stones.

Methods

This study aimed to examine the effect of P. indicus extract (PI extract) on TGF-β-induced WPMY-1 cell proliferation, followed by bioassay-guided fractionation to isolate the active metabolites. Angolensin (Ang) and maackiain (Mac) were isolated from bioassay-guided fractionation. Network analysis was performed to investigate the potential mechanisms. Furthermore, network analysis of the Ang-Mac combination in BPH highlighted the potential top ten pathways, including PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Accordingly, subsequent investigation focused on evaluating the effect of PI extract, Ang, Mac, and Ang-Mac combination on the expression of PCNA, p53, and PI3K/AKT protein localization and expression.

Results and discussion

Results revealed inhibition of cell proliferation in TGF-β-induced WPMY-1 cells, correlating with downregulated PCNA expression. While PI extract and Mac induced apoptosis via p53 upregulation, Ang and Ang-Mac combination did not significantly affect apoptosis through the p53 pathway. Additionally, both metabolites exhibited potent inhibition of p-PI3K and p-AKT protein localization and expression in the nucleus of TGF-β-induced WPMY-1 cells. This study suggests that PI extract, Ang, and Mac are promising compounds for treating BPH, as evidenced by in silico and in vitro studies. Additionally, Ang and Mac could be used to standardize PI extract in future investigations.

Virus-like particles (VLPs): A promising platform for combating against Newcastle disease virus

The global poultry industry plays a pivotal role in providing eggs and meat for human consumption. However, outbreaks of viral disease, especially Newcastle virus disease (NDV), within poultry farms have detrimental effects on various zootechnical parameters, such as body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, as well as the quality of egg and meat production. Cases of vaccine failure have been reported in regions where highly pathogenic strains of NDV are prevalent. To tackle this challenge, virus-like particles (VLPs) have emerged as a potential solution. VLPs closely resemble natural viruses, offering biocompatibility and immune-stimulating properties that make them highly promising for therapeutic applications against NDV. Hence, this review emphasizes the significance of NDV and the need for effective treatments. The manuscript will contain several key aspects, starting with an exploration of the structure and properties of NDV. Subsequently, the paper will delve into the characteristics and benefits of VLPs compared to conventional drug delivery systems. A comprehensive analysis of VLPs as potential vaccine candidates targeting NDV will be presented, along with a discussion on strategies for loading cargo into these NDV-targeting VLPs. The review will also examine various expression systems utilized in the production of NDV-targeting VLPs. Additionally, the manuscript will address future prospects and challenges in the field, concluding with recommendations for further research.

Assessment on facile Diels-Alder approach of α-pyrone and terpenoquinone for the expedient synthesis of various natural scaffolds

The development of highly facile synthetic procedures for the expedient synthesis of complex natural molecules is always in demand. As this aspect, the Diels-Alder reaction (DAR) has a versatile approach to the synthesis of complex natural compounds and highly regio-/stereoselcetive heterocyclic scaffolds. Additionally, α-pyrone and terpenoquinone are two versatile key intermediates that are prevalent in various bioactive natural compounds for instance, (±)-crinine, (±)-joubertinamine, (±)-pancratistatin, (-)-cyclozonarone, and 8-ephipuupehedione, etc. Hence, the current review summarizes the Diels-Alder reaction application of α-pyrone and terpenoquinone to the constructive synthesis of various natural products over the past two decades (2001-2021). Equally, it serves as a stencil for the invention and development of new synthetic strategies for high-complex molecular structured natural and heterocyclic molecules.