Metals-triggered compound CDPDP exhibits anti-arthritic behavior by downregulating the inflammatory cytokines, and modulating the oxidative storm in mice models with extensive ADMET, docking and simulation studies

Unlocking marine microbial treasures: new PBP2a-targeted antibiotics elicited by metals and enhanced by RSM-driven transcriptomics and chemoinformatics

Elicitation through abiotic stress, including heavy metals, is a new natural product drug discovery technique. In this research, three compounds 1, 2, and 6, were achieved by triggering zinc and nickel on marine Sphingomonas sp. and Streptomyces sp., which were absent in normal culture. Compound 5 was obtained for the first time from marine bacteria. All compounds showed potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and bactericidal effect at 300 µm, but 6 was more active. The potent compound 6 production was further enhanced through response surface methodology by optimizing the condition consisting of nickel 1 mM ions, 20 mg/L sucrose, 30 mg/L salt and culture time 14 days. Under these conditions, the SM-6 production was enhanced with a yield of 6.3 mg/L, which was absent in the normal culture. Further transcriptome analysis of compound 6 unveiled its antibacterial activity on S. aureus by modulating heat shock protein genes, disrupting protein folding and synthesis, and perturbing cellular redox balance, leading to a comprehensive inhibition of normal bacterial growth. In addition, ADMET has shown that all compounds are safe for cardiac and hepatotoxicity. To determine the anti-bacterial mechanism, all compounds were docked with PBP2a and DNA gyrase enzyme, and TLR-4 protein for predicting vaccine construct, and the best docking score was achieved against PBP2a enzyme with the highest score of -10.2 for compound 6. In-silico cloning was carried out to ensure the expression of proteins generated and were cloned using S.aureus as a host. The simulation studies have shown that both SM-6-PBP2a and TLR-4-PBP2a complex are stable with the system. This study presents a new approach to anti-bacterial drug discovery from microorganisms through heavy metals triggering and enhancing the compound production through response surface methodology.

Study of Periodontal Bacteria in Diabetic Wistar Rats: Assessing the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Carvacrol and Magnolol Hydrogels

Periodontal disease and diabetes often co-occur; both are characterized by chronic inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of carvacrol and magnolol when incorporated into a periodontal hydrogel and topically applied to Wistar rats with diabetes-associated periodontal disease. Forty male albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups: PD (induced diabetes and periodontitis), PDC (induced diabetes and periodontitis treated with carvacrol), PDM (induced diabetes and periodontitis treated with magnolol), and PDCM (induced diabetes and periodontitis treated with both carvacrol and magnolol). Post treatment, gingival tissue samples were collected to measure levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. The PDCM group exhibited significantly lower levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) compared to the PD group. The combined application of a periodontal hydrogel containing carvacrol and magnolol may significantly reduce gingival inflammation in rats with diabetes-associated periodontal disease.

Evaluation of Habenaria aitchisonii Reichb. for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive effects with in vivo and in silico approaches

Habenaria aitchisonii Reichb was analyzed in this research, including its chemical composition and its in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, acute oral toxicity, and antinociceptive activity. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions were found to be the most powerful based on in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic assays. The acute oral toxicity of the crude methanolic extract was determined before in vivo studies. The acetic acid and formalin tests were used to measure the antinociceptive effect, and the potential mechanisms involved in antinociception were explored. The carrageenan-induced paw edema test was used to examine the immediate anti-inflammatory effect, and many phlogistic agents were used to determine the specific mechanism. Furthermore, for ex vivo activities, the mice were sacrificed, the forebrain was isolated, and the antioxidant levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and catalase (CAT) were estimated using a UV spectrophotometer. No toxicity was seen at oral dosages up to 3,000 mg/kg. The antinociceptive impact was much higher than the standard drug. Both the inflammatory and neurogenic phases of the formalin experiment revealed an analgesic effect in the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions. In carrageenan anti-inflammatory assays, the chloroform fraction (Ha.Chf) was the most potent fraction. We further studied the GC-MS of crude plant extract and found a total of 18 compounds. In the anti-inflammatory mechanism, it was observed that the Ha.Chf inhibits the COX-2 as well as 5-LOX pathways. The results exhibited that this species is a good source of phytocomponents like germacrone, which can be employed as a sustainable and natural therapeutic agent, supporting its traditional use in folk medicine for inflammatory conditions and pain.

Investigation of anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory potential and ADMET studies of pure compounds isolated from Isodon rugosus Wall. ex Benth

The strong ethnopharmacological utilization of Isodon rugosus Wall. Ex. Benth is evident in the treatment of several types of pain and inflammation, including toothache, earache, abdominal pain, gastric pain, and generalized body pain and inflammation. Based on this background, the antinociceptive effects of the crude extract, various fractions, and essential oil have been reported previously. In this research work, we isolate and characterize pure bioactive compounds from I. rugosus and evaluate possible mechanisms using various in vivo and in vitro models. The pure compounds were analyzed for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities through various assays. The column chromatography of the chloroform fraction of I. rugosus led to the identification of two pure compounds, i.e., 1 and 2. Compound 1 demonstrated notable inhibition (62% writhing inhibition, 72.77% COX-2 inhibition, and 76.97% 5-LOX inhibition) and anti-inflammatory potential (>50% paw edema inhibition at various intervals). The possible mechanism involved in antinociception was considered primarily, a concept that has already been elucidated through the application of naloxone (an antagonist of opioid receptors). The involvement of adrenergic receptors was investigated using a hot plate model (an adrenergic receptor antagonist). The strong ethnomedicinal analgesic background of I. rugosus, supported by previous reports and current observations, leads to the conclusion that I. rugosus is a potential source of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds. It may be concluded from the results that the isolated analgesic compounds of I. rugosus may be a possible alternative remedy for pain and inflammation management with admirable efficacy and safety profiles.

Phytochemical characterization of Typha domingensis and the assessment of therapeutic potential using in vitro and in vivo biological activities and in silico studies

Typha domingensis, a medicinal plant with significant traditional importance for curing various human diseases, has potentially bioactive compounds but was less explored previously. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of T. domingensis by evaluating the phytochemical profile through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques and its biological activities (in vitro and in vivo) from the methanolic extract derived from the entire plant (TDME). The secondary metabolite profile of TDME regulated by reverse phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (RP-UHPLC-MS) revealed some bioactive compounds by -ve and +ve modes of ionization. The HPLC quantification study showed the precise quantity of polyphenols (p-coumaric acid, 207.47; gallic acid, 96.25; and kaempferol, 95.78 μg/g extract). The enzyme inhibition assays revealed the IC50 of TDME as 44.75 ± 0.51, 52.71 ± 0.01, and 67.19 ± 0.68 µgmL-1, which were significant compared to their respective standards (indomethacin, 18.03 ± 0.12; quercetin, 4.11 ± 0.01; and thiourea, 8.97 ± 0.11) for lipoxygenase, α-glucosidase, and urease, respectively. Safety was assessed by in vitro hemolysis (4.25% ± 0.16% compared to triton × 100, 93.51% ± 0.36%), which was further confirmed (up to 10 g/kg) by an in vivo model of rats. TDME demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) potential in analgesic activity by hot plate and tail immersion tests and anti-inflammatory activity by the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model. Pain latency decreased significantly, and the anti-inflammatory effect increased in a dose-dependent way. Additionally, in silico molecular docking revealed that 1,3,4,5-tetracaffeoylquinic acid and formononetin 7-O-glucoside-6″-O-malonate possibly contribute to enzyme inhibitory activities due to their higher binding affinities compared to standard inhibitors. An in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicological study also predicted the pharmacokinetics and safety of the chosen compounds identified from TDME. To sum up, it was shown that TDME contains bioactive chemicals and has strong biological activities. The current investigations on T. domingensis could be extended to explore its potential applications in nutraceutical industries and encourage the isolation of novel molecules with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

From seeds to survival rates: investigating Linum usitatissimum's potential against ovarian cancer through network pharmacology

Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor that primarily forms in the ovaries. It often goes undetected until it has spread to the pelvis and abdomen, making it more challenging to treat and often fatal. Historically, natural products and their structural analogues have played a pivotal role in pharmacotherapy, especially for cancer. Numerous studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of Linum usitatissimum against ovarian cancer, but the specific molecular mechanisms remain elusive. This study combines data mining, network pharmacology, and molecular docking analysis to pioneer an innovative approach for ovarian cancer treatment by identifying potent phytochemicals. Findings of current study revealed that Apigenin, Vitamin E, Palmitic acid, Riboflavin, Isolariciresinol, 5-Dehydro-avenasterol, Cholesterol, Pantothenic acid, Nicotinic acid, Campesterol, Beta-Sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Daucosterol, and Vitexin suppress tumor growth by influencing AKT1, JUN, EGFR, and VEGFA. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis spotlighted AKT1, JUN, EGFR, and VEGFA as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for ovarian cancer. However, it is imperative to conduct in vivo and in vitro examinations to ascertain the pharmacokinetics and biosafety profiles, bolstering the candidacy of L. usitatissimum in ovarian cancer therapeutics.

Induced pluripotent stem cells as natural biofactories for exosomes carrying miR-199b-5p in the treatment of spinal cord injury

Background: Induced pluripotent stem cells-derived exosomes (iPSCs-Exo) can effectively treat spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice. But the role of iPSCs-Exo in SCI mice and its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This research intended to study the effects and molecular mechanism of iPSCs-Exo in SCI mice models. Methods: The feature of iPSCs-Exo was determined by transmission electron microscope (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and western blot. The effects of iPSCs-Exo in the SCI mice model were evaluated by Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) scores and H&E staining. The roles of iPSCs-Exo and miR-199b-5p in LPS-treated BMDM were verified by immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, and Cytokine assays. The target genes of miR-199b-5p were identified, and the function of miR-199b-5p and its target genes on LPS-treated BMDM was explored by recuse experiment. Results: iPSCs-Exo improved motor function in SCI mice model in vivo, shifted the polarization from M1 macrophage to M2 phenotype, and regulated related inflammatory factors expression to accelerate the SCI recovery in LPS-treated BMDM in vitro. Meanwhile, miR-199b-5p was a functional player of iPSCs-Exo, which could target hepatocyte growth factor (Hgf). Moreover, miR-199b-5p overexpression polarized M1 macrophage into M2 phenotype and promoted neural regeneration in SCI. The rescue experiments confirmed that miR-199b-5p induced macrophage polarization and SCI recovery by regulating Hgf and Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways. Conclusion: The miR-199b-5p-bearing iPSCs-Exo might become an effective method to treat SCI.

Therapeutic effects of Crataegus monogyna inhibitors against breast cancer

Breast cancer is a silent killer disorder among women and a serious economic burden in healthcare management. Every 19 s, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, and every 74 s, a woman worldwide passes away from the disease. Despite the increase in progressive research, advanced treatment approaches, and preventive measures, breast cancer rates continue to increase. This study provides a combination of data mining, network pharmacology, and docking analysis that surely could revolutionize cancer treatment by exploiting prestigious phytochemicals. Crataegus monogyna is a small, rounded deciduous tree with glossy, deeply lobed leaves and flat sprays of cream flowers, followed by dark red berries in autumn. Various studies demonstrated that C. monogyna is therapeutically effective against breast cancer. However, the particular molecular mechanism is still unknown. This study is credited for locating bioactive substances, metabolic pathways, and target genes for breast cancer treatment. According to the current investigation, which examined compound-target genes-pathway networks, it was found that the bioactive compounds of C. monogyna may operate as a viable solution against breast cancer by altering the target genes implicated in the disease pathogenesis. The expression level of target genes was analyzed using GSE36295 microarray data. Docking analysis and molecular dynamic simulation studies further strengthened the current findings by validating the effective activity of the bioactive compounds against putative target genes. In summary, we propose that six key compounds, luteolin, apigenin, quercetin, kaempferol, ursolic acid, and oleanolic acid, contributed to the development of breast cancer by affecting the MMP9 and PPARG proteins. Integration of network pharmacology and bioinformatics revealed C. monogyna's multitarget pharmacological mechanisms against breast cancer. This study provides convincing evidence that C. monogyna might partially alleviate breast cancer and ultimately lays a foundation for further experimental research on the anti-breast cancer activity of C. monogyna.

Ameliorative Effect of Structurally Divergent Oleanane Triterpenoid, 3-Epifriedelinol from Ipomoea batatas against BPA-Induced Gonadotoxicity by Targeting PARP and NF-κB Signaling in Rats

The pentacyclic triterpenoids (PTs) of plant origin are reputed to restrain prostate cancer (PCa) cell proliferation. This study aims to assess 3-epifriedelinol (EFD) isolated from aerial part of Ipomoea batatas against PCa and its potential mechanism, in vitro and in vivo. Molecular docking affirms good binding affinity of the compound with target proteins exhibiting binding energy of −7.9 Kcal/mol with BAX, −8.1 Kcal/mol (BCL-2), −1.9 Kcal/mol (NF-κB) and −8.5 Kcal/mol with P53. In the MTT assay, EFD treatment (3−50 µM) showed a significant (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) dose and time dependent drop in the proliferative graph of DU145 and PC3, and an upsurge in apoptotic cell population. EFD displayed substantial IC50 against DU145 (32.32 ± 3.72 µM) and PC3 (35.22 ± 3.47 µM). According to Western blots, EFD administration significantly enhanced the cleavage of caspases and PARP, elevated BAX and P53 and decreased BCL-2 and NF-κB expression, thereby triggering apoptosis in PCa cells. When male Sprague Dawley rats were intoxicated with Bisphenol A (BPA), an apparent increase in prostate mass (0.478 ± 0.08 g) in comparison to control (0.385 ± 0.03 g) indicates prostatitis. Multidose treatment of EFD (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced prostate size (0.404 ± 0.05 g). EFD exhibited substantial curative potential in vivo, as hematological, hormonal and histopathological parameters have been significantly improved. Reduced peroxidation (TBARS), and suppression of inflammatory markers i.e., NO, IL-6 and TNF-α, signposts substantial antiinflammatory potential of the compound. Overall, EFD has shown better binding affinity with target molecules, acceptable ADMET profile, potent antiproliferative and apoptotic nature and significant reduction in inflamed prostate mass of rats. The present study demonstrates acceptable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of the compound with excellent drugable nature, hence EFD in the form of standardized formulation can be developed as primary or adjuvant therapy against PCa and toxins-induced gonadotoxicity.

HPLC, FTIR and GC-MS Analyses of Thymus vulgaris Phytochemicals Executing In Vitro and In Vivo Biological Activities and Effects on COX-1, COX-2 and Gastric Cancer Genes Computationally

Medicinal plants have played an essential role in the treatment of various diseases. Thymus vulgaris, a medicinal plant, has been extensively used for biological and pharmaceutical potential. The current study was performed to check the biopotential of active biological compounds. The GC-MS analysis identified 31 compounds in methanolic crude extract, among which thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene, and eugenol are the main phytoconstituents present in T. vulgaris. The HPLC analysis quantified that flavonoids and phenolic acids are present in a good concentration in the active fraction of ethyl acetate and n-butanol. FTIR confirmed the presence of functional groups such as phenols, a carboxylic group, hydroxy group, alcohols, and a benzene ring. Among both fractions, ethyl acetate showed high antioxidant activity in the DPPH (84.1 0.88) and ABTS (87.1 0.89) assays, respectively. The anti-inflammatory activity of the fractions was done in vitro and in vivo by using a carrageenan-induced paw edema assay, while the hexane-based extract showed high anti-inflammatory activity (57.1 0.54) in a dose-response manner. Furthermore, the lead compound responsible for inhibition in the denaturation of proteins is thymol, which exhibits the highest binding affinity with COX1 (-6.4 KJ/mol) and COX2 (-6.3 KJ/mol) inflammatory proteins. The hepatotoxicity analysis showed that plant-based phytoconstituents are safe to use and have no toxicity, with no necrosis, fibrosis, and vacuolar degeneration, even at a high concentration of 800 mg/kg body weight. Furthermore, the in silico analysis of HPLC phytochemical compounds against gastric cancer genes showed that chlorogenic acid exhibited anticancer activity and showed good drug-designing characteristics. Thrombolysis and hemolysis are the major concerns of individuals suffering from gastric cancer. However, the T. vulgaris fractions showed thrombolysis from 17.6 to 5.4%; similarly, hemolysis ranged from 9.73 to 7.1% at a concentration of 12 mg/mL. The phytoconstituents present in T. vulgaris have the potential for multiple pharmacological applications. This should be further investigated to isolate bioactive compounds that can be used for the treatment of different ailments.

The Role of Calmodulin Binding Transcription Activator in Plants under Different Stressors: Physiological, Biochemical, Molecular Mechanisms of Camellia sinensis and Its Current Progress of CAMTAs

Low temperatures have a negative effect on plant development. Plants that are exposed to cold temperatures undergo a cascade of physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes that activate several genes, transcription factors, and regulatory pathways. In this review, the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of Camellia sinensis have been discussed. Calmodulin binding transcription activator (CAMTAs) by molecular means including transcription is one of the novel genes for plants' adaptation to different abiotic stresses, including low temperatures. Therefore, the role of CAMTAs in different plants has been discussed. The number of CAMTAs genes discussed here are playing a significant role in plants' adaptation to abiotic stress. The illustrated diagrams representing the mode of action of calcium (Ca2+) with CAMTAs have also been discussed. In short, Ca2+ channels or Ca2+ pumps trigger and induce the Ca2+ signatures in plant cells during abiotic stressors, including low temperatures. Ca2+ signatures act with CAMTAs in plant cells and are ultimately decoded by Ca2+sensors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review reporting CAMAT's current progress and potential role in C. sinensis, and this study opens a new road for researchers adapting tea plants to abiotic stress.