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Tanwar M, Singh A, Singh TP, Sharma S, Sharma P. Comprehensive Review on the Virulence Factors and Therapeutic Strategies with the Aid of Artificial Intelligence against Mucormycosis. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1431-1457. [PMID: 38682683 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Mucormycosis, a rare but deadly fungal infection, was an epidemic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in cases (COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, CAM) is attributed to excessive steroid and antibiotic use, poor hospital hygiene, and crowded settings. Major contributing factors include diabetes and weakened immune systems. The main manifesting forms of CAM─cutaneous, pulmonary, and the deadliest, rhinocerebral─and disseminated infections elevated mortality rates to 85%. Recent focus lies on small-molecule inhibitors due to their advantages over standard treatments like surgery and liposomal amphotericin B (which carry several long-term adverse effects), offering potential central nervous system penetration, diverse targets, and simpler dosing owing to their small size, rendering the ability to traverse the blood-brain barrier via passive diffusion facilitated by the phospholipid membrane. Adaptation and versatility in mucormycosis are facilitated by a multitude of virulence factors, enabling the pathogen to dynamically respond to various environmental stressors. A comprehensive understanding of these virulence mechanisms is imperative for devising effective therapeutic interventions against this highly opportunistic pathogen that thrives in immunocompromised individuals through its angio-invasive nature. Hence, this Review delineates the principal virulence factors of mucormycosis, the mechanisms it employs to persist in challenging host environments, and the current progress in developing small-molecule inhibitors against them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansi Tanwar
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Anamika Singh
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Tej Pal Singh
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Sujata Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
| | - Pradeep Sharma
- Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India
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Pandey R, Pandey B, Bhargava A. The Emergence of N. sativa L. as a Green Antifungal Agent. Mini Rev Med Chem 2024; 24:1521-1534. [PMID: 38409693 DOI: 10.2174/0113895575282914240217060251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nigella sativa L. has been widely used in the Unani, Ayurveda, Chinese, and Arabic medicine systems and has a long history of medicinal and folk uses. Several phytoconstituents of the plant are reported to have excellent therapeutic properties. In-vitro and in-vivo studies have revealed that seed oil and thymoquinone have excellent inhibitory efficacy on a wide range of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi. OBJECTIVE The present review aims to undertake a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of the antifungal effects of different phytochemical constituents of black cumin. METHOD An exhaustive database retrieval was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar, and CABI to collect scientific information about the antifungal activity of N. sativa L. with 1990 to 2023 as a reference range using 'Nigella sativa,' 'Nigella oil,' 'antifungal uses,' 'dermatophytic fungi,' 'candidiasis,' 'anti-aflatoxin,' 'anti-biofilm' and 'biological activity' as the keywords. RESULTS Black cumin seeds, as well as the extract of aerial parts, were found to exhibit strong antifungal activity against a wide range of fungi. Among the active compounds, thymoquinone exhibited the most potent antifungal effect. Several recent studies proved that black cumin inhibits biofilm formation and growth. CONCLUSION The review provides an in-depth analysis of the antifungal activity of black cumin. This work emphasizes the need to expand studies on this plant to exploit its antifungal properties for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghvendra Pandey
- Department of Botany, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari-845401 (Bihar), India
| | - Brijesh Pandey
- Department of Biotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari-845401 (Bihar), India
| | - Atul Bhargava
- Department of Botany, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari-845401 (Bihar), India
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Caglar K, Dokuyucu R, Agturk G, Tumer C, Tutuk O, Gocmen HD, Gokce H, Tas ZA, Ozcan O, Gogebakan B. Effect of thymoquinone on transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) channels in rats with liver ischemia reperfusion model in rats. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2024; 27:319-325. [PMID: 38333755 PMCID: PMC10849204 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2023.71990.15647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Objectives We aimed to investigate the levels of transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) gene expression, and the antioxidant and histopathologic effect of thymoquinone (Tmq) in the hepatic I/R rat model. Materials and Methods Fifty Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups. Group 1: Control; Group 2: Sham; Group 3: Hepatic I/R (45 min/45 min); Group 4: Tmq (50 mg/kg); Group 5: Tmq+I/R (ten days before I/R at the dose of 50 mg/kg of Tmq). The hepatic I/R (45min/45min) model was performed at the portal vein and the hepatic artery with atraumatic vascular clamp in the ischemia groups. The liver tissues and blood samples that were taken at the end of the study were evaluated for histopathologic and biochemical analysis. Besides TRPM gene expression levels were determined in liver tissues. It was seen that cellular swelling, congestion, PNL, and apoptosis parameters statistically decreased in Tmq and Tmq+I/R groups in comparison with the I/R group in histopathological evaluation. Results It was observed that biochemical parameters, AST, ALT, GGT, LDH, creatinine, and urea levels significantly increased in the I/R group as compared with, sham, Tmq, and Tmq+I/R groups. It was found that TRPM2,6,7,8 gene expression decreased significantly in Tmq+I/R groups as compared to the I/R group. Conclusion We showed that thymoquinone can inhibit the entry of Ca+2 into the cell by decreasing TRPM2,6,7,8 gene expression. Based on our findings, we think that Tmq application in the treatment of liver diseases due to I/R damage may be important in terms of both ischemia and apoptosis and can also be used in the treatment of liver-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerem Caglar
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Recep Dokuyucu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Atlas University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Agturk
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Health Sciences, Istanbul University Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Halic University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cemil Tumer
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Okan Tutuk
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Hatice Dogan Gocmen
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Hasan Gokce
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Zeynel Abidin Tas
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Oguzhan Ozcan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Bulent Gogebakan
- Department of Medical Biology, Private Sevgi Hospital, Osmaniye, Turkey
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Chaniad P, Techarang T, Phuwajaroanpong A, Plirat W, Na-Ek P, Konyanee A, Viriyavejakul P, Septama AW, Punsawad C. Preclinical evaluation of antimalarial activity of CPF-1 formulation as an alternative choice for the treatment of malaria. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:144. [PMID: 37143036 PMCID: PMC10158254 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-03973-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kheaw Hom remedy is a traditional Thai medicine used to treat fever. Some plants used in the Kheaw Hom remedy show promising in vitro antimalarial activity. This study prepared novel formulations of plants from the Kheaw Hom remedy and evaluated their antimalarial and toxicological activities. METHODS Seven new formulations were prepared by combining at least three herbs of six selected plants from the Kheaw Hom remedy, namely Mammea siamensis Kosterm., Mesua ferrea L., Dracaena loureiroi Gagnep., Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth., Kaempferia galanga L, and Eupatorium stoechadosmum Hance. In vitro antimalarial activities of each formulation's aqueous and ethanolic extracts were evaluated using the parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay. Cytotoxicity in Vero and HepG2 cells was assessed using the MTT assay. An extract with good antimalarial potency and selectivity index (SI) was selected for in vivo antimalarial activity using Peter's 4-day suppressive test and acute oral toxicity test in mice. In addition, bioactive compounds were identified using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. RESULTS Among the seven new formulations, ethanolic extracts of CPF-1 (Formulation 1) showed the highest activity with an IC50 value of 1.32 ± 0.66 µg/ml, followed by ethanolic extracts of Formulation 4 and Formulation 6 with an IC50 value of 1.52 ± 0.28 µg/ml and 2.48 ± 0.34 µg/ml, respectively. The highest SI values were obtained for the ethanolic extract of CPF-1 that was selected to confirm its in vivo antimalarial activity and toxicity. The results demonstrated a significant dose-dependent reduction in parasitemia. Maximum suppressive effect of the extract (72.01%) was observed at the highest dose administered (600 mg/kg). No significant toxicity was observed after the administration of 2000 mg/kg. Using GC-MS analysis, the most abundant compound in the ethanolic extract of CPF-1 was ethyl p-methoxycinnamate (14.32%), followed by 2-propenoic acid, 3-phenyl-, ethyl ester, (E)- (2.50%), and pentadecane (1.85%). CONCLUSION The ethanolic extract of CPF-1 showed promising in vitro and in vivo antimalarial efficacy, with no toxic effects at a dose of 2000 mg/kg, suggesting that the ethanolic extract of CPF-1 may serves as a new herbal formulation for the treatment of malaria. Additional research is required for safety and clinical pharmacology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prapaporn Chaniad
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
- Research Center in Tropical Pathobiology, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
| | - Tachpon Techarang
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Arisara Phuwajaroanpong
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
- Research Center in Tropical Pathobiology, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
| | - Walaiporn Plirat
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
- Research Center in Tropical Pathobiology, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
| | - Prasit Na-Ek
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
- Research Center in Tropical Pathobiology, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
| | - Atthaphon Konyanee
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
- Research Center in Tropical Pathobiology, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand
| | - Parnpen Viriyavejakul
- Department of Tropical Pathology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Abdi Wira Septama
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Traditional Medicine, Cibinong Science Center, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), West Java, 16915, Indonesia
| | - Chuchard Punsawad
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.
- Research Center in Tropical Pathobiology, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat, 80160, Thailand.
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Kerachian MA, Amel Jamehdar S, Azghandi M, Keyvanlou N, Mozaffari-Jovin S, Javadmanesh A, Amini M. Developing novel liquid biopsy by selective capture of viral RNA on magnetic beads to detect COVID-19. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2022; 25:762-766. [PMID: 35949306 PMCID: PMC9320198 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2022.65260.14379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Early, specific, and sensitive detection methods of COVID-19 are essential for force stopping its worldwide infection. Although CT images of the lung and/or viral RNA extraction followed by real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) are widely used; they have some limitations. Here, we developed a highly sensitive magnetic bead-based viral RNA extraction assay followed by rRT-PCR. Materials and Methods Case group included oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal and blood samples from 30 patients diagnosed positive by PCR test for COVID-19 and control group included 30 same samples from COVID-19 negative PCR test individuals. RNA was extracted, using viral RNA extraction kit as well as using our hand-made capture bead-based technique. A one-step cDNA synthesis and Real Time PCR was conducted. A two-step comparison of the different viral RNA extraction methods for oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal and blood samples was performed. Student t-test was applied with a P<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results In the case group, all 30 mucosal samples extracted either with viral RNA extraction kit or with beads-based assay were COVID-19 positive although in the latter category, Cqs were much lower. Although 43% of plasma samples extracted by bead-based method were found to be positive but no plasma samples extracted with column-based kit were detected positive by Real Time PCR. Conclusion Bead-based RNA extraction method can reduce RNA loss by its single-tube performance and enhance the test sensitivity. It is also more sensitive to lower viral loads as shown in the detection of blood samples and the lower Cqs of mucosal samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Amin Kerachian
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran,Genetics Research Unit, Reza Radiotherapy and Oncology Center, Mashhad, Iran,Corresponding author: Mohammad Amin Kerachian. Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Tel/ Fax: +98-5138002244;
| | - Saeid Amel Jamehdar
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Marjan Azghandi
- Genetics Research Unit, Reza Radiotherapy and Oncology Center, Mashhad, Iran,Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nasrin Keyvanlou
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Sina Mozaffari-Jovin
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Javadmanesh
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran,Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Amini
- Lung Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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