Ipomoea carnea mitigates ethanol-induced ulcers in irradiated rats via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway: an in vivo and in silico study

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Ipomoea carnea flower methanolic extract (ICME) as a natural gastroprotective therapy against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers, particularly in individuals exposed to ionizing radiation (IR). The study focused on the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role in protecting the gastrointestinal mucosa from oxidative stress and inflammation. Male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups, the control group received distilled water orally for one week, while other groups were treated with ethanol to induce stomach ulcers, IR exposure, omeprazole, and different doses of ICME in combination with ethanol and/or IR. The study conducted comprehensive analyses, including LC-HRESI-MS/MS, to characterize the phenolic contents of ICME. Additionally, the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, oxidative stress parameters, gastric pH, and histopathological changes were examined. The results showed that rats treated with IR and/or ethanol exhibited histopathological alterations, increased lipid peroxidation, decreased antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduced expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1. However, pretreatment with ICME significantly improved these parameters. Phytochemical analysis identified 39 compounds in ICME, with flavonoids, hydroxybenzoic acids, and fatty acids as the predominant compounds. Virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulations suggested that ICME may protect against gastric ulceration by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of ICME as a natural gastroprotective therapy for preventing gastric ulcers. These findings contribute to the development of novel interventions for gastrointestinal disorders using natural plant extracts particularly in individuals with a history of radiation exposure.

Casuarina glauca branchlets' extract as a potential treatment for ulcerative colitis: chemical composition, in silico and in vivo studies

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that is often resistant to current treatment options, leading to a need for alternative therapies. Herbal products have shown promise in managing various conditions, including UC. However, the potential of Casuarina glauca branchlets ethanolic extract (CGBRE) in treating UC has not been explored. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of CGBRE and evaluate its efficacy in UC treatment through in silico and in vivo experiments. LC-ESI-MS/MS was used to identify 86 compounds in CGBRE, with 21 potential bioactive compounds determined through pharmacokinetic analysis. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 171 potential UC targets for the bioactive compounds, including EGFR, LRRK2, and HSP90 as top targets, which were found to bind to key CGBRE compounds through molecular docking. Molecular docking findings suggested that CGBRE may be effective in the prevention or treatment of ulcerative colitis mediated by these proteins, where key CGBRE compounds exhibited good binding affinities through formation of numerous interactions. In vivo studies in rats with acetic acid-induced UC demonstrated that oral administration of 300 mg/kg CGBRE for 6 days reduced UC symptoms and colonic expression of EGFR, LRRK2, and HSP90. These findings supported the therapeutic potential of CGBRE in UC and suggested the need for further preclinical and clinical investigation.

Bioactive secondary metabolites from marine Actinomyces sp. AW6 with an evaluation of ADME-related physicochemical properties

This study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic potentials of the marine actinomycetes spp. isolated from the Red Sea water, Hurghada, Egypt. Out of 80 actinomycetes isolates, one isolate AW6 was selected based on its antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ about 5.24 µg/mL which scavenged 91% of formed DPPH free radicals) and antimicrobial potential against E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis, and P. aeruginosa, A. niger, and C. albicans. The strain was identified based on phenotypic and genotypic analysis, and deposited in the GenBank with accession number OK090864.1. Cultivation of the selected strain on rice, chromatographic purification, and structural elucidation led to the isolation of two compounds C1: umbelliferone, and C2: 1-methoxy-3-methyl-8-hydroxy-anthraquinone. The antimicrobial activity of the obtained compounds showed that C1 and C2 have low antibacterial activity toward S. aureus and E. coli with no pronounced activity toward P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, and A. niger. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of C1 and C2 revealed that C2 has a good antioxidant activity, with DPPH scavenging activity reaching (55.25%), followed by C1 (30.20%). Moreover, both compounds displayed anti-Gyr-B enzyme activity with IC₅₀ value of (3.79 ± 0.21 µM) for C1, and (IC₅₀ = 13 ± 0.71 µM) for C2. The ADME-related physicochemical properties of the obtained compound were predicted using SwissADME web tools and the ProToxii webserver was used to estimate in silico toxicity.