Salsoline derivatives, genistein, semisynthetic derivative of kojic acid, and naringenin as inhibitors of A42R profilin-like protein of monkeypox virus: in silico studies

Nutritional value antioxidant strength and antimicrobial efficacy of fig pastes from eastern morocco

Figs are delectable, beneficial, nutritious, and seasonal; nevertheless, they deteriorate quickly, making processing the optimal method for preservation. Drying figs is the most practical and efficient way to preserve them. Paste is another possibility. The present study emphasizes the nutritional value of two fig pastes, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Ghoudane (GD) and Chetoui (CH) fig pastes are high in sugars, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants, making them nutritious. The HPLC-UV-MS/MS analysis identified bioactive compounds of the two fig pastes under investigation. The CH paste was found mainly to contain gallic acid, quercetin, 3'-methyl ether, and neochlorogenic acid. Similarly, the GD paste notably comprises catechin, 3'-methyl ether, and neochlorogenic acid. GD paste has more polyphenols (374.6 ± 4.57 mg GAE/100 g) and flavonoids (102.5 ± 2.16 mg QE/100 g) than CH paste. The GD paste was shown a strong antioxidant, as shown by its DPPH IC50 value of 5.62 ± 0.02 mg/mL and TAC value of 80.16 ± 0.83 µg AAE /mg extract. Also, it revealed a strong correlation between the contents of bioactive polyphenols and flavonoids and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Furthermore, hydroethanol fig paste extracts have shown high antibacterial and fungal activity. In silico analysis showed that the bioactive chemicals in both pastes demonstrated different levels of inhibition against the targeted proteins. The quercetin 3-methyl ether demonstrated the highest efficacy in blocking NADPH oxidase, with a glide gscore of -6.307 K/mol. On the other hand, neochlorogenic acid exhibited the highest efficacy in inhibiting the activity of two enzymes: diphosphate kinase from Staphylococcus aureus (-10.493 kcal/mol) and β-ketoacyl-[acyl carrier protein] synthase from Escherichia coli (-7.357 kcal/mol). Catechin is highly potent in inhibiting the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans by targeting sterol 14-α demethylase (CYP51) with a glide gscore of -7.638 kcal/mol. The fig paste is an important source of nutrients and biologically active substances that can be used in several fields, such as food and phytopharmaceuticals. This confirms the importance of the fig paste process as a way of increasing the value of the fig fruit, enhancing its utility, and thereby increasing its reputation and appreciation.

In Vitro Evaluation, Chemical Profiling, and In Silico ADMET Prediction of the Pharmacological Activities of Artemisia absinthium Root Extract

Artemisia absinthium L., is a plant with established pharmacological properties, but the A. absinthium root extract (AARE) remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to examine the chemical composition of AARE and assess its biological activity, which included antidiabetic, antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. GC-MS was used to analyze the chemical components. The antioxidant activity of the total phenolic and flavonoid content was evaluated. Antibacterial activity and cytotoxic effects were identified. Enzyme inhibition experiments were performed to determine its antidiabetic potential. Molecular docking was utilized to evaluate the potential antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activities of the compounds from AARE using Maestro 11.5 from the Schrödinger suite. AARE exhibited moderate antioxidant activity in DPPH (IC50: 172.41 ± 3.15 μg/mL) and ABTS (IC50: 378.94 ± 2.18 μg/mL) assays. Cytotoxicity tests on MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cells demonstrated significant anticancer effects, with IC50 values of 150.12 ± 0.74 μg/mL and 137.11 ± 1.33 μg/mL, respectively. Apoptotic studies indicated an upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (caspase-3, 8, 9, Bax) and a downregulation of anti-apoptotic markers (Bcl-2 and Bcl-Xl). AARE also inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase, suggesting potential antidiabetic effects, with IC50 values of 224.12 ± 1.17 μg/mL and 243.35 ± 1.51 μg/mL. Antibacterial assays revealed strong activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Molecular docking and pharmacokinetic analysis identified promising inhibitory effects of key AARE compounds on NADPH oxidase, E. coli Gyrase B, and Topoisomerase IIα, with favorable drug-like properties. These findings suggest AARE's potential in treating cancer, diabetes, and bacterial infections, warranting further in vivo and clinical studies.