A Comprehensive Review about the Molecular Structure of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Insights into Natural Products against COVID-19

Deciphering the therapeutic potential of trimetazidine in rheumatoid arthritis via targeting mi-RNA128a, TLR4 signaling pathway, and adenosine-induced FADD-microvesicular shedding: In vivo and in silico study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune condition characterized by chronic synovitis, joint damage, and inflammation, leading to impaired joint functionality. Existing RA treatments, although effective to some extent, are not without side effects, prompting a search for more potent therapies. Recent research has revealed the critical role of FAS-associated death domain protein (FADD) microvesicular shedding in RA pathogenesis, expanding its scope beyond apoptosis to include inflammatory and immune pathways. This study aimed to investigate the intricate relationship between mi-RNA 128a, autoimmune and inflammatory pathways, and adenosine levels in modulating FADD expression and microvesicular shedding in a Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) induced RA rat model and further explore the antirheumatoid potency of trimetazidine (TMZ). The FCA treated model exhibited significantly elevated levels of serum fibrogenic, inflammatory, immunological and rheumatological diagnostic markers, confirming successful RA induction. Our results revealed that the FCA-induced RA model showed a significant reduction in the expression of FADD in paw tissue and increased microvesicular FADD shedding in synovial fluid, which was attributed to the significant increase in the expression of the epigenetic miRNA 128a gene in addition to the downregulation of adenosine levels. These findings were further supported by the significant activation of the TLR4/MYD88 pathway and its downstream inflammatory IkB/NFB markers. Interestingly, TMZ administration significantly improved, with a potency similar to methotrexate (MTX), the deterioration effect of FCA treatment, as evidenced by a significant attenuation of fibrogenic, inflammatory, immunological, and rheumatological markers. Our investigations indicated that TMZ uniquely acted by targeting epigenetic miRNA128a expression and elevating adenosine levels in paw tissue, leading to increased expression of FADD of paw tissue and mitigated FADD microvesicular shedding in synovial fluid. Furthermore, the group treated with TMZ showed significant downregulation of TLR4/MYD88 and their downstream TRAF6, IRAK and NF-kB. Together, our study unveils the significant potential of TMZ as an antirheumatoid candidate, offering anti-inflammatory effects through various mechanisms, including modulation of the FADD-epigenetic regulator mi-RNA 128a, adenosine levels, and the TLR4 signaling pathway in joint tissue, but also attenuation of FADD microvesicular shedding in synovial fluid. These findings further highlight the synergistic administration of TMZ and MTX as a potential approach to reduce adverse effects of MTX while improving therapeutic efficacy.

Venomous gland transcriptome and venom proteomic analysis of the scorpion Androctonus amoreuxi reveal new peptides with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity

The recent COVID-19 pandemic shows the critical need for novel broad spectrum antiviral agents. Scorpion venoms are known to contain highly bioactive peptides, several of which have demonstrated strong antiviral activity against a range of viruses. We have generated the first annotated reference transcriptome for the Androctonus amoreuxi venom gland and used high performance liquid chromatography, transcriptome mining, circular dichroism and mass spectrometric analysis to purify and characterize twelve previously undescribed venom peptides. Selected peptides were tested for binding to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and inhibition of the spike RBD - human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) interaction using surface plasmon resonance-based assays. Seven peptides showed dose-dependent inhibitory effects, albeit with IC50 in the high micromolar range (117-1202 µM). The most active peptide was synthesized using solid phase peptide synthesis and tested for its antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 (Lineage B.1.1.7). On exposure to the synthetic peptide of a human lung cell line infected with replication-competent SARS-CoV-2, we observed an IC50 of 200 nM, which was nearly 600-fold lower than that observed in the RBD - hACE2 binding inhibition assay. Our results show that scorpion venom peptides can inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 replication although unlikely through inhibition of spike RBD - hACE2 interaction as the primary mode of action. Scorpion venom peptides represent excellent scaffolds for design of novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 constrained peptides. Future studies should fully explore their antiviral mode of action as well as the structural dynamics of inhibition of target virus-host interactions.

Development of canagliflozin nanocrystals sublingual tablets in the presence of sodium caprate permeability enhancer: formulation optimization, characterization, in-vitro, in silico, and in-vivo study

Canagliflozin (CFZ) is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2) that lowers albuminuria in type-2 diabetic patients, cardiovascular, kidney, and liver disease. CFZ is classified as class IV in the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS) and is characterized by low permeability, solubility, and bioavailability, most likely attributed to hepatic first-pass metabolism. Nanocrystal-based sublingual formulations were developed in the presence of sodium caprate, as a wetting agent, and as a permeability enhancer. This formulation is suitable for children and adults and could enhance solubility, permeability, and avoid enterohepatic circulation due to absorption through the sublingual mucosa. In the present study, formulations containing various surfactants (P237, P338, PVA, and PVP K30) were prepared by the Sono-homo-assisted precipitation ion technique. The optimized formula prepared with PVP-K30 showed the smallest particle size (157 ± 0.32 nm), Zeta-potential (-18 ± 0.01), and morphology by TEM analysis. The optimized formula was subsequently formulated into a sublingual tablet containing Pharma burst-V® with a shorter disintegration time (51s) for the in-vivo study. The selected sublingual tablet improved histological and biochemical markers (blood glucose, liver, and kidney function), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and protein kinase B (AKT) pathway compared to the market formula, increased CFZ's antidiabetic potency in diabetic rabbits, boosted bioavailability by five-fold, and produced faster onset of action. These findings suggest successful treatment of diabetes with CFZ nanocrystal-sublingual tablets.

Anti-Viral Activity of Bioactive Molecules of Silymarin against COVID-19 via In Silico Studies

The severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection drove the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, causing a huge loss of human life and a negative impact on economic development. It is an urgent necessity to explore potential drugs against viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. Silymarin, a mixture of herb-derived polyphenolic flavonoids extracted from the milk thistle, possesses potent antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Accumulating research studies have demonstrated the killing activity of silymarin against viruses, such as dengue virus, chikungunya virus, and hepatitis C virus. However, the anti-COVID-19 mechanisms of silymarin remain unclear. In this study, multiple disciplinary approaches and methodologies were applied to evaluate the potential mechanisms of silymarin as an anti-viral agent against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In silico approaches such as molecular docking, network pharmacology, and bioinformatic methods were incorporated to assess the ligand-protein binding properties and analyze the protein-protein interaction network. The DAVID database was used to analyze gene functions, such as the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment. TCMSP and GeneCards were used to identify drug target genes and COVID-19-related genes. Our results revealed that silymarin compounds, such as silybin A/B and silymonin, displayed triplicate functions against SARS-CoV-2 infection, including directly binding with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells, directly binding with viral proteins RdRp and helicase to inhibit viral replication and proliferation, and regulating host immune response to indirectly inhibit viral infection. Specifically, the targets of silymarin molecules in immune regulation were screened out, such as proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-6 and cell growth factors VEGFA and EGF. In addition, the molecular mechanism of drug-target protein interaction was investigated, including the binding pockets of drug molecules in human ACE2 and viral proteins, the formation of hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and other drug-protein ligand interactions. Finally, the drug-likeness results of candidate molecules passed the criteria for drug screening. Overall, this study demonstrates the molecular mechanism of silymarin molecules against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Unveiling the antitumor potential of novel N-(substituted-phenyl)-8-methoxycoumarin-3-carboxamides as dual inhibitors of VEGFR2 kinase and cytochrome P450 for targeted treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Being the sixth most diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, liver cancer is considered as a serious disease with a high prevalence and poor prognosis. Current anticancer drugs for liver cancer have drawbacks, such as limited efficacy in later stages of the disease, toxicity to healthy cells, and the potential for drug resistance. There is ample evidence that coumarin-based compounds are potent anticancer agents, with numerous analogues currently being investigated in preclinical and clinical studies. The current study aimed to explore the antitumor potency of a new class of 8-methoxycoumarin-3-carboxamides against liver cancer. Toward this aim, we have designed, synthesized, and characterized a new set of N-(substituted-phenyl)-8-methoxycoumarin-3-carboxamide analogues. The assessment of antitumor activity revealed that the synthesized class of compounds possesses substantial cytotoxicity toward Hep-G2 cells when compared to staurosporine, without significant impact on normal cells. Out of the synthesized compounds, compound 7 demonstrated the most potent cytotoxic effect against Hep-G2 cells with an IC50 of 0.75 µM, which was more potent than the drug staurosporine (IC50 = 8.37 µM). The investigation into the mechanism behind the antiproliferative activity of compound 7 revealed that it interferes with DNA replication and induces DNA damage, leading to cell cycle arrest as demonstrated by a significant decrease in the percentage of cells in the G1 and G2/M phases, along with an increase in the percentage of cells in the S phase. Flow cytometric analysis further revealed that compound 7 has the ability to trigger programmed cell death by inducing necrosis and apoptosis in HepG-2 cells. Further explorations into the mechanism of action demonstrated that compound 7 displays a potent dual-inhibitory activity toward cytochrome P450 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) proteins, as compared to sorafenib drug. Further, detailed computational studies revealed that compound 7 displays a considerable binding affinity toward the binding cavity of VEGFR2 and CYP450 proteins. Taken together, our findings indicate that the newly synthesized class of compounds, particularly compound 7, could serve as a promising scaffold for the development of highly effective anticancer agents against liver cancer.

Digestive system infection by SARS‑CoV‑2: Entry mechanism, clinical symptoms and expression of major receptors (Review)

Besides causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), SARS‑coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) also harms the digestive system. Given the appearance of numerous cases of SARS‑CoV‑2, it has been demonstrated that SARS‑CoV‑2 is able to harm target organs such as the gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas, and either worsen the condition of patients with basic digestive illnesses or make their prognosis poor. According to several previously published studies, angiotensin‑converting enzyme II (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease II (TMPRSS2) are expressed either singly or in combination in the digestive system and in other regions of the human body. In order to change the viral conformation, create a fusion hole and release viral RNA into the host cell for replication and transcription, SARS‑CoV‑2 is capable of binding to these two proteins through the spike protein on its surface. As a result, the body experiences an immune reaction and an inflammatory reaction, which may lead to nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and even gastrointestinal bleeding, elevated levels of liver enzymes, acute liver injury, pancreatitis and other serious lesions. In order to provide possible strategies for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of digestive system diseases during the COVID‑19 pandemic, the molecular structure of SARS‑CoV‑2 and the mechanism via which SARS‑CoV‑2 enters the human body through ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were discussed in the present review, and the clinical manifestations of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection in the digestive system were also summarized. Finally, the expression characteristics of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the main target organs of the digestive system were described.

Causal associations of tea intake with COVID-19 infection and severity

Tea ingredients can effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection at adequate concentrations. It is not known whether tea intake could impact the susceptibility to COVID-19 or its severity. We aimed to evaluate the causal effects of tea intake on COVID-19 outcomes. We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to assess the causal associations between tea intake (N = 441,279) and three COVID-19 outcomes, including SARS-CoV-2 infection (122,616 cases and 2,475,240 controls), hospitalized COVID-19 (32,519 cases and 2,062,805 controls), and critical COVID-19 (13,769 cases and 1,072,442 controls). The MR analyses indicated that genetic propensity for tea consumption conferred a negative causal effect on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR: 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78-0.97, P = 0.015). No causal effects on hospitalized COVID-19 (0.84, 0.64-1.10, P = 0.201) or critical COVID-19 (0.73, 0.51-1.03, P = 0.074) were detected. Our study revealed that tea intake could decrease the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, highlighting the potential preventive effect of tea consumption on COVID-19 transmission.

Insight into the phytochemical profile and antimicrobial activities of Amomum subulatum and Amomum xanthioides: an in vitro and in silico study

Introduction

Medicinal plants have been considered as potential source of therapeutics or as starting materials in drugs formulation.

Methods

The current study aims to shed light on the therapeutic potential of the Amomum subulatom and Amomum xanthioides Fruits by analyzing the phytochemical composition of their seeds and fruits using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques to determine the presence of bioactive components such as flavonoids, phenols, vitamins, steroids, and essential oils.

Results and Discussion

The protein content is usually higher than the total lipids in both species except the fruit of A. subulatum which contain more lipids than proteins. The total protein contents for A. subulatum were 235.03 ± 21.49 and 227.49 ± 25.82 mg/g dry weight while for A. xanthioides were 201.9 ± 37.79 and 294.99 ± 37.93 mg/g dry weight for seeds and fruit, respectively. The Carvacrol levels in A. subulatum is 20 times higher than that in A. xanthioides. Lower levels of α-Thujene, Phyllanderenes, Ascaridole, and Pinocarvone were also observed in both species. According to DPPH (2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) assay, seed the extract of A. subulatum exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (78.26±9.27 %) followed by the seed extract of A. xanthioides (68.21±2.56 %). Similarly, FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) assay showed that the highest antioxidant activity was exhibited by the seed extract of the two species; 20.14±1.11 and 21.18±1.04 µmol trolox g-1 DW for A. subulatum and A. xanthioides, respectively. In terms of anti-lipid peroxidation, relatively higher values were obtained for the fruit extract of A. subulatum (6.08±0.35) and the seed extract of A. xanthioides (6.11±0.55). Ethanolic seed extracts of A. subulatum had the highest efficiency against four Gram-negative bacterial species which causes serious human diseases, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Salmonella typhimurium. In addition, P. aeruginosa was also inhibited by the fruit extract of both A. subulatum and A. xanthioides. For the seed extract of A. xanthioides, large inhibition zones were formed against P. vulgaris and the fungus Candida albicans. Finally, we have in silico explored the mode of action of these plants by performing detailed molecular modeling studies and showed that the antimicrobial activities of these plants could be attributed to the high binding affinity of their bioactive compounds to bind to the active sites of the sterol 14-alpha demethylase and the transcriptional regulator MvfR.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate the two species extracts possess high biological activities and therapeutical values, which increases their potential value in a number of therapeutic applications.

Antidiabetic Potential of Novel 1,3,5-Trisubstituted-2-Thioxoimidazloidin-4-One Analogues: Insights into α-Glucosidase, α-Amylase, and Antioxidant Activities

As the ninth leading cause of death globally, diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered to be the worst chronic metabolic disease requiring an enormous need for healthcare with over 578 million expected cases by 2023. Several recent findings have demonstrated that mediating the activity of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes, including α-amylase and α-glucosidase, could be a potential strategy for managing the development of DM. In the presented study, a novel set of 1,3,5-trisubstituted-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-ones was designed, synthesized, and characterized. The antidiabetic activity of the synthesized compounds was explored by assessing their inhibitory activity toward α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. The results demonstrated that this class of compounds exhibits considerable inhibitory activity toward both α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Among the synthesized compounds, compound 5a demonstrated the most inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ of 5.08 and µg/mL and 0.21 µg/mL toward α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, respectively, as compared to the drug Acarbose (IC₅₀ = 5.76 µg/mL and 0.39 µg/mL, respectively). To gain insights into the antidiabetic potential of compound 5a, we assessed the cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. Our findings indicated that compound 5a displays considerable cytotoxicity toward WI-38 cells with an IC₅₀ of 88.54 µg/mL, as compared to the drug Celecoxib (IC₅₀ = 93.05 µg/mL). Further, compound 5a exhibited a high scavenging activity toward 2,2-Diphenyl1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals (IC₅₀ = 51.75 µg/mL) and showed a low potential to produce ROS as indicated by the monitoring of the generated H₂O₂ (132.4 pg/mL), as compared to Trolox (IC₅₀ = 58.09 µg/mL) and Celecoxib (171.6 pg/mL). Finally, we performed extensive molecular modeling studies to affirm the binding affinity of this class of compounds to the binding pocket of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Collectively, our findings indicate that this class of compounds, particularly compound 5a, could be utilized as a lead structure for the development of novel compounds with potential antidiabetic and antioxidant activities.

Signs, Symptoms, and Side-Effects Presented by Different Types of COVID-19 Vaccines: A Prospective Cohort Study

The concern about post-COVID-19 vaccine complications still remains. In addition, the evidence on Sinopharm, Sputnik V, Covaxin, and, in particular, COVIran Barekat, as well as comparisons between them by dosage after post-vaccination, is scarce. This study aimed to investigate and compare the prevalence of self-reported post-vaccination signs and symptoms following the first and second doses of different types of COVID-19 vaccines. Research design and methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on more than 1500 health professionals who had received at least one dose of any type of Sputnik V, Sinopharm, Oxford AstraZeneca, Covaxin, and COVIran Barekat vaccines in Iran. The survey questionnaire was sent to participants online, 28 days after receiving each dose of the vaccine. Results: About 73% of health professionals reported at least one post-vaccination sign or symptom, developing mostly within the first 12 h (69.9%) and lasting up to 12 h (59.0%). Pain and tenderness at the injection site, fever, and muscle pain were the most common post-vaccination signs and symptoms in all vaccines, which were significantly higher in the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine (p < 0.001) for both the first and second doses. The incidence rate of all post-vaccination signs and symptoms was significantly higher in the first dose than in the second dose (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine showed the highest incidence rate, onset, and lasting time of signs and symptoms in both doses; however, they were not life-threatening. The onset time of signs and symptoms was significantly higher for the COVIran Barekat and Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines in both the first and second doses.

Discovery of Novel Thioquinazoline-N-aryl-acetamide/N-arylacetohydrazide Hybrids as Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents: Synthesis, in vitro Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies

In the current investigation, two novel series of (tetrahydro)thioquinazoline-N-arylacetamides and (tetrahydro)thioquinazoline-N-arylacetohydrazides were designed, synthesized and investigated for their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. The thioquinazoline-N-arylacetamide 17g as well as the tetrahydrothioquinazoline-N-arylacetohydrazides 18c and 18f showed potent antiviral activity with IC₅₀ of 21.4, 38.45 and 26.4 µM, respectively. In addition, 18c and 18f demonstrated potential selectivity toward the SARS-CoV-2 over the host cells with SI of 10.67 and 16.04, respectively. Further evaluation of the mechanism of action of the three derivatives 17g, 18c, and 18f displayed that they can inhibit the virus at the adsorption as well as at the replication stages, in addition to their virucidal properties. In addition, 17g, 18c, and 18f demonstrated satisfactory physicochemical properties as well as drug-likeness properties to be further optimized for the discovery of novel antiviral agents. The docking simulation predicted the binding pattern of the target compounds rationalizing their differential activity based on their hydrophobic interaction and fitting in the hydrophobic S2 subsite of the binding site

Novel Copper Oxide Bio-Nanocrystals to Target Outer Membrane Lectin of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm): In Silico, Bioavailability, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Potential

In present study, we used Olea europaea leaf extract to biosynthesize in situ Copper Oxide nanocrystals (CuO @OVLe NCs) with powerful antibacterial and anti-cancer capabilities. Physio-chemical analyses, such as UV/Vis, FTIR, XRD, EDX, SEM, and TEM, were applied to characterize CuO @OVLe NCs. The UV/Vis spectrum demonstrated a strong peak at 345 nm. Furthermore, FTIR, XRD, and EDX validated the coating operation's contact with colloidal CuO @OVLe NCs. According to TEM and SEM analyses, CuO @OVLe NCs exhibited a spherical shape and uniform distribution of size with aggregation, for an average size of ~75 nm. The nanoparticles demonstrated a considerable antibacterial effect against E. faecium bacterial growth, as well as an increased inhibition rate in a dose-dependent manner on the MCF-7, PC3, and HpeG2 cancer cell lines and a decreased inhibition rate on WRL-68. Molecular docking and MD simulation were used to demonstrate the high binding affinity of a ligand (Oleuropein) toward the lectin receptor complex of the outer membrane to vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VREfm) via amino acids (Leu 195, Thr 288, His 165, and Ser 196). Hence, our results expand the accessibility of OVLe's bioactive components as a promising natural source for the manufacture of physiologically active components and the creation of green biosynthesis of metal nanocrystals.

Effectiveness of the Fungal Metabolite 3-O-Methylfunicone towards Canine Coronavirus in a Canine Fibrosarcoma Cell Line (A72)

Canine coronavirus (CCoV), an alphacoronavirus, may cause self-limiting enteric disease in dogs, especially in puppies. The noteworthy plasticity of coronaviruses (CoVs) occurs through mutation and recombination processes, which sometimes generate new dangerous variants. The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the isolation of a novel canine-feline recombinant alphacoronavirus from humans emphasizes the cross-species transmission ability of CoVs. In this context, exploring antiviral compounds is essential to find new tools for fighting against CoVs infections. Fungi produce secondary metabolites, which are often developed as antibiotics, fungicides, hormones, and plant growth regulators. Previous examinations of benzo-γ-pyrone 3-O-methylfunicone (OMF), obtained from Talaromyces pinophilus, showed that it reduces the infectivity of hepatitis C virus and bovine herpesvirus 1. Based on this evidence, this study evaluated the antiviral ability of OMF against CCoV infection in a canine fibrosarcoma (A72) cell line. During CCoV infection, a non-toxic dose of OMF markedly increased features of cell viability. Moreover, OMF induced a significant reduction in virus yield in the presence of an intense downregulation of the viral nucleocapsid protein (NP). These findings occurred in the presence of a marked reduction in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression. Taken together, preliminary findings suggest that OMF inhibiting AhR shows promising activity against CCoV infection.

Non-Mammalian Eukaryotic Expression Systems Yeast and Fungi in the Production of Biologics

Biologics have become an important area of medical research generating therapeutics essential for the treatment of many disease states. Biologics are defined as biologically active compounds manufactured by living cells or through biological processes termed bioprocessing. Compared to small molecules which are chemically synthesised they are relatively complex and therapeutically specific molecules. Biologics include hormones, vaccines, blood products, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant therapeutic proteins, enzymes, gene and cellular therapies amongst others. For biologic production prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells (mammalian and non-mammalian) are used as expression systems. Eukaryotic expression systems offer many advantages over prokaryotic based systems. The manufacture of high-quality proteins for human clinical use via recombinant technologies has been achieved in yeast and filamentous fungal systems. Advances in bioprocessing such as genetic engineering, bioreactor design, continuous processing, and quality by design has allowed for increased productivity and higher yield in in these non-mammalian eukaryotic systems with protein translation similar to mammalian systems. The application of eukaryotic expressions systems for the manufacture of biologics of therapeutic importance are described herein.

Vitamin D and Swimming Exercise Prevent Obesity in Rats under a High-Fat Diet via Targeting FATP4 and TLR4 in the Liver and Adipose Tissue

The prevalence of obesity has risen in the last decades, and it has caused massive health burdens on people's health, especially metabolic and cardiovascular issues. The risk of vitamin D insufficiency is increased by obesity, because adipose tissue alters both the requirements for and bioavailability of vitamin D. Exercise training is acknowledged as having a significant and long-term influence on body weight control; the favorable impact of exercise on obesity and obesity-related co-morbidities has been demonstrated via various mechanisms. The current work illustrated the effects of vitamin D supplementation and exercise on obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and hepatic steatosis in rats and explored how fatty acid transport protein-4 (FATP4) and Toll-like receptor-4 antibodies (TLR4) might be contributing factors to obesity and related hepatic steatosis. Thirty male albino rats were divided into five groups: group 1 was fed a normal-fat diet, group 2 was fed an HFD, group 3 was fed an HFD and given vitamin D supplementation, group 4 was fed an HFD and kept on exercise, and group 5 was fed an HFD, given vitamin D, and kept on exercise. The serum lipid profile adipokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were analyzed, and the pathological changes in adipose and liver tissues were examined. In addition, the messenger-ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of FATP4 and immunohistochemical expression of TLR4 in adipose and liver tissues were evaluated. Vitamin D supplementation and exercise improved HFD-induced weight gain and attenuated hepatic steatosis, along with improving the serum lipid profile, degree of inflammation, and serum adipokine levels. The expression of FATP4 and TLR4 in both adipose tissue and the liver was downregulated; it was noteworthy that the group that received vitamin D and was kept on exercise showed also improvement in the histopathological picture of this group. According to the findings of this research, the protective effect of vitamin D and exercise against obesity and HFD-induced hepatic steatosis is associated with the downregulation of FATP4 and TLR4, as well as a reduction in inflammation.

Development of Novel 1,3-Disubstituted-2-Thiohydantoin Analogues with Potent Anti-Inflammatory Activity; In Vitro and In Silico Assessments

Inflammation is the main cause of several autoimmune diseases, including type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, bullous pemphigoid, paraneoplastic pemphigoid, and multiple sclerosis. Currently, there is an urgent demand for the discovery of novel anti-inflammatory drugs with potent activity but also safe for long-term application. Toward this aim, the present study reported the design, synthesis, and characterization of a set of novel 1,3-disubstituted-2-thiohydantoins derivatives. The anti-inflammatory activity of synthesized compounds was assessed against murine leukemia cell line (RAW264.7) by evaluating the cytotoxicity activity and their potency to prevent nitric oxide (NO) production. The results revealed that the synthesized compounds possess a considerable cytotoxic activity together with the ability to reduce the NO production in murine leukemia cell line (RAW264.7). Among synthesized compounds, compound 7 exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ of 197.68 μg/mL, compared to celecoxib drug (IC₅₀ value 251.2 μg/mL), and demonstrated a significant ability to diminish the NO production (six-fold reduction). Exploring the mode of action responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity revealed that compound 7 displays a significant and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β. Furthermore, compound 7 demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce the expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α at 50 μg/mL, as compared to Celecoxib. Finally, detailed molecular modelling studies indicated that compound 7 exhibits a substantial binding affinity toward the binding pocket of the cyclooxygenase 2 enzyme. Taken together, our study reveals that 1,3-disubstituted-2-thiohydantoin could be considered as a promising scaffold for the development of potent anti-inflammatory agents.

Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors from a Library of Minor Cannabinoids by Biochemical Inhibition Assay and Surface Plasmon Resonance Characterized Binding Affinity

The replication of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is mediated by its main protease (M^pro), which is a plausible therapeutic target for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although numerous in silico studies reported the potential inhibitory effects of natural products including cannabis and cannabinoids on SARS-CoV-2 M^pro, their anti-M^pro activities are not well validated by biological experimental data. Herein, a library of minor cannabinoids belonging to several chemotypes including tetrahydrocannabinols, cannabidiols, cannabigerols, cannabichromenes, cannabinodiols, cannabicyclols, cannabinols, and cannabitriols was evaluated for their anti-M^pro activity using a biochemical assay. Additionally, the binding affinities and molecular interactions between the active cannabinoids and the M^pro protein were studied by a biophysical technique (surface plasmon resonance; SPR) and molecular docking, respectively. Cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabutol and cannabigerolic acid were the most active M^pro inhibitors (IC₅₀ = 3.62 and 14.40 μM, respectively) and cannabigerolic acid had a binding affinity KD=2.16×10-4 M). A preliminary structure and activity relationship study revealed that the anti-Mpro effects of cannabinoids were influenced by the decarboxylation of cannabinoids and the length of cannabinoids' alkyl side chain. Findings from the biochemical, biophysical, and computational assays support the growing evidence of cannabinoids' inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 M^pro.

In Situ Biosynthesis of Reduced Alpha Hematite (α-Fe2O3) Nanoparticles by Stevia Rebaudiana L. Leaf Extract: Insights into Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Properties

In the present study, we utilized Stevia rebaudiana L. (SRLe) extract to in situ biosynthesize nanoscale alpha hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles (NPs) with potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. SRLe-α-Fe₂O₃ was characterized using physiochemical analyses, including UV/Vis, FTIR, XRD, DLS, EDX, SEM, and TEM studies. Among tested solvents, CHCl₃/MeOH (2:1 v/v) SRL extract (least polar solvent) contained the highest EY, TPC, and antioxidant capacity of ~3.5%, ~75 mg GAE/g extract, and IC₅₀ = 9.87 ± 0.7 mg/mL, respectively. FTIR confirmed the engagement of coating operation to the colloidal α-Fe₂O₃ NPs. TEM, SEM, and DLS revealed that SRLe-α-Fe₂O₃ has a spherical shape, uniform size distribution with aggregation for an average size of ~18.34 nm, and ζ = −19.4 mV, forming a repulsive barrier that helped to improve stability. The synthesized nanoparticles displayed considerable antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus bacterial growth, and exhibited superior activity against the A549 lung cancer cell lines. These findings indicate that the increased availability of bioactive substances with antioxidant properties of SRLe makes it a potentially interesting material for the preparation of biologically active compounds and green synthesis of nanoparticles.

Assessment of Pharmacological Potential of Novel Exopolysaccharide Isolated from Marine Kocuria sp. Strain AG5: Broad-Spectrum Biological Investigations

With more than 17 clinically approved Drugs and over 20 prodrugs under clinical investigations, marine bacteria are believed to have a potential supply of innovative therapeutic bioactive compounds. In the current study, Kocuria sp. strain AG5 isolated from the Red Sea was identified and characterized by biochemical and physiological analysis, and examination of a phylogenetic 16S rRNA sequences. Innovative exopolysaccharide (EPS) was separated from the AG5 isolate as a major fraction of EPS (EPSR5, 6.84 g/L⁻¹). The analysis of EPSR5 revealed that EPSR5 has a molecular weight (Mw) of 4.9 × 10⁴ g/mol and number average molecular weight (Mn) of 5.4 × 10⁴ g/mol and contains sulfate (25.6%) and uronic acid (21.77%). Analysis of the monosaccharide composition indicated that the EPSR5 fraction composes of glucose, galacturonic acid, arabinose, and xylose in a molar ratio of 2.0:0.5:0.25:1.0, respectively. Assessment of the pharmacological potency of EPSR5 was explored by examining its cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-acetylcholine esterase influences. The antioxidant effect of EPSR5 was dose- and time-dependently increased and the maximum antioxidant activity (98%) was observed at 2000 µg/mL after 120 min. Further, EPSR5 displayed a significant repressive effect regarding the proliferation of HepG-2, A-549, HCT-116, MCF7, HEP2, and PC3 cells with IC₅₀ 453.46 ± 21.8 µg/mL, 873.74 ± 15.4 µg/mL, 788.2 ± 32.6 µg/mL, 1691 ± 44.2 µg/mL, 913.1 ± 38.8 µg/mL, and 876.4 ± 39.8 µg/mL, respectively. Evaluation of the inhibitory activity of the anti-inflammatory activity of EPSR5 indicated that EPSR5 has a significant inhibitory activity toward lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) activities (IC₅₀ 15.39 ± 0.82 µg/mL and 28.06 ± 1.1 µg/mL, respectively). Finally, ESPR5 presented a substantial hemolysis suppressive action with an IC₅₀ of 65.13 ± 0.89 µg /mL, and a considerable inhibitory activity toward acetylcholine esterase activity (IC₅₀ 797.02 μg/mL). Together, this study reveals that secondary metabolites produced by Kocuria sp. strain AG5 marine bacteria serve as an important source of pharmacologically active compounds, and their impact on human health is expected to grow with additional global work and research.

Promising natural products against SARS-CoV-2: Structure, function, and clinical trials

The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS‐COV‐2) poses a severe threat to human health and still spreads globally. Due to the high mutation ratio and breakthrough infection rate of the virus, vaccines and anti‐COVID‐19 drugs require continual improvements. Drug screening research has shown that some natural active products can target the critical proteins of SARS‐CoV‐2, including 3CLpro, ACE2, FURIN, and RdRp, which could produce great inhibitory effects on SARS‐COV‐2. In addition, some natural products have displayed activities of immunomodulation, antiinflammatory, and antihepatic failure in COVID‐19 clinical trials, which may relate to their non‐monomeric structures. However, further evaluation and high‐quality assessments, including safety verification tests, drug interaction tests, and clinical trials, are needed to substantiate natural products' multi‐target and multi‐pathway effects on COVID‐19. Here, we review the literature on several promising active natural products that may act as vaccine immune enhancers or provide targeted anti‐COVID‐19 drugs. The structures, mechanisms of action, and research progress of these natural products are analyzed, to hopefully provide effective ideas for the development of targeted drugs that possess better structure, potency, and safety.

Novel Exopolysaccharide from Marine Bacillus subtilis with Broad Potential Biological Activities: Insights into Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Cytotoxicity, and Anti-Alzheimer Activity

In the presented study, Bacillus subtilis strain AG4 isolated from marine was identified based on morphological, physiological, phylogenetic characteristics and an examination of 16S rRNA sequences. Novel exopolysaccharide (EPSR4) was extracted and isolated from the Bacillus subtilis strain as a major fraction of exopolysaccharide (EPS). The analysis of structural characterization indicated that EPSR4 is a β-glycosidic sulphated heteropolysaccharide (48.2%) with a molecular weight (Mw) of 1.48 × 104 g/mole and has no uronic acid. Analysis of monosaccharide content revealed that EPSR4 consists of glucose, rhamnose and arabinose monosaccharide in a molar ratio of 5:1:3, respectively. Morphological analysis revealed that EPSR4 possess a high crystallinity degree with a significant degree of porosity, and its aggregation and conformation in the lipid phase might have a significant impact on the bioactivity of EPSR4. The biological activity of EPSR4 was screened and evaluated by investigating its antioxidant, cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, and anti-Alzheimer activities. The antioxidant activity results showed that EPSR4 has 97.6% scavenging activity toward DPPH free radicals at 1500 µg/mL, with an IC50 value of 300 µg/mL, and 64.8% at 1500 µg/mL toward hydrogen peroxide free radicals (IC50 = 1500 µg/mL, 30 min). Furthermore, EPSR4 exhibited considerable inhibitory activity towards the proliferation of T-24 (bladder carcinoma), A-549 (lung cancer) and HepG-2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) cancer cell lines with IC50 of 244 µg/mL, 148 µg/mL and 123 µg/mL, respectively. An evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity revealed that EPSR4 has potent lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory activity (IC50 of 54.3 µg/mL) and a considerable effect on membrane stabilization (IC50 = 112.2 ± 1.2 µg/mL), while it showed cyclooxygenase (COX2) inhibitory activity up to 125 µg/mL. Finally, EPSR4 showed considerable inhibitory activity towards acetylcholine esterase activity. Taken together, this study reveals that Bacillus subtilis strain AG4 could be considered as a potential natural source of novel EPS with potent biological activities that would be useful for the healthcare system.

Novel 1,3-Thiazole Analogues with Potent Activity against Breast Cancer: A Design, Synthesis, In Vitro, and In Silico Study

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, responsible for over half a million deaths in 2020. Almost 75% of FDA-approved drugs are mainly nitrogen- and sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds, implying the importance of such compounds in drug discovery. Among heterocycles, thiazole-based heterocyclic compounds have demonstrated a broad range of pharmacological activities. In the present study, a novel set of 1,3-thiazole derivatives was designed and synthesized based on the coupling of acetophenone derivatives, and phenacyl bromide was substituted as a key reaction step. The activity of synthesized compounds was screened against the proliferation of two breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). Almost all compounds exhibited a considerable antiproliferative activity toward the breast cancer cells as compared to staurosporine, with no significant cytotoxicity toward the epithelial cells. Among the synthesized compounds, compound 4 exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity, with an IC₅₀ of 5.73 and 12.15 µM toward MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively, compared to staurosporine (IC₅₀ = 6.77 and 7.03 µM, respectively). Exploring the mechanistic insights responsible for the antiproliferative activity of compound 4 revealed that compound 4 possesses a significant inhibitory activity toward the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) with (IC₅₀ = 0.093 µM) compared to Sorafenib (IC₅₀ = 0.059 µM). Further, compound 4 showed the ability to induce programmed cell death by triggering apoptosis and necrosis in MCF-7 cells and to induce cell cycle arrest on MCF-7 cells at the G1 stage while decreasing the cellular population in the G2/M phase. Finally, detailed in silico molecular docking studies affirmed that this class of compounds possesses a considerable binding affinity toward VEGFR2 proteins. Overall, these results indicate that compound 4 could be a promising lead compound for developing potent anti-breast cancer compounds.

Hepatoprotective Role of Carvedilol against Ischemic Hepatitis Associated with Acute Heart Failure via Targeting miRNA-17 and Mitochondrial Dynamics-Related Proteins: An In Vivo and In Silico Study

Acute heart failure (AHF) is one of the most common diseases in old age that can lead to mortality. Systemic hypoperfusion is associated with hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury, which may be irreversible. Ischemic hepatitis due to AHF has been linked to the pathogenesis of liver damage. In the present study, we extensively investigated the role of mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins and their epigenetic regulation in ischemic liver injury following AHF and explored the possible hepatoprotective role of carvedilol. The biochemical analysis revealed that the ischemic liver injury following AHF significantly elevated the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes, the level of total and direct bilirubin, and the expression of hepatic mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), dynamin-1-like protein (DNM1L), and hepatic miRNA-17. At the same time, it significantly reduced the serum albumin level, the activity of hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the expression of mitochondrial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-1α (PGC-1α), and mitofusin 2 (Mtf2). The histological examination of the liver tissue revealed degenerated hepatocytes. Interestingly, administration of carvedilol either prior to or after isoprenaline-induced AHF significantly improved the liver function and reversed the deterioration effect of AHF-induced ischemic hepatitis, as demonstrated by biochemical, immunohistochemical, and histological analysis. Our results indicated that the hepatoprotective effect of carvedilol in ameliorating hepatic ischemic damage could be attributed to its ability to target the mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins (Mtf2, DNM1L and PGC-1α), but also their epigenetic regulator miRNA-17. To further explore the mode of action of carvedilol, we have investigated, in silico, the ability of carvedilol to target dynamin-1-like protein and mitochondrial dynamics protein (MID51). Our results revealed that carvedilol has a high binding affinity (−14.83 kcal/mol) toward the binding pocket of DNM1L protein. In conclusion, our study highlights the hepatoprotective pharmacological application of carvedilol to attenuate ischemic hepatitis associated with AHF.

Diversity of Toxigenic Fungi in Livestock and Poultry Feedstuffs

The purpose of this study was to discover how abundant toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins are in animal feedstuff samples. A total of ninety samples representing various types of animal feedstuff samples were collected from ninety sites in Egypt. Isolation, identification, and determination of mycotoxins (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, and ochratoxin A) were performed. The results revealed that 79 (87.77%) of the samples were contaminated with fungi, and 1.1 × 10⁵ CFU/g were recovered, including 41 fungal species belonging to 18 genera, such as Zygomycota, which was represented by three species (7.31% of the total species number), teleomorphic Ascomycota (10 species, 24.39%), and anamorphic Ascomycota (28 species, 69.29%). When taxonomically investigated, these species were categorized into 2 phyla, 4 classes, 6 orders, and 12 families (one of them with an uncertain position). Moreover, the genus Aspergillus exhibited 16 species (39.02%). Notably, site no. 6 showed the highest Margalef species richness index at 10.87 followed by site no. 4, while the Shannon diversity index (H) of the recovered taxa was 2.20. Based on the frequency of occurrence, Aspergillus flavus recorded the highest percentage (65.56%) followed by A. niger (50%) and Penicillium chrysogenum (40%). Genus Aspergillus was recorded in 75 samples (88.33%), while Penicillium appeared only in 43 samples, accounting for 47.77% out of 90 samples. The High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was recorded in two animal feedstuff samples at a ratio of 0.851 and 1.363 µg/kg, While AFB2 was discovered in only one animal feedstuff sample at a ratio of 0.479 g/kg. The aflatoxins levels in the positive samples (AFB1 and AFB2) Beef cattle sample components were below the permissible limit for animal feedstuff which is (20 g/kg). Although aflatoxins were found in certain samples, the amounts were much below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) defined by the international authorities or Egyptian guidelines. toxigenic fungi found in contaminated animal feed samples pose a major threat to animal and poultry health, productivity, and even human health. Therefore, periodic monitoring is an excellent way to keep track of their existence and mitigate their hazards.

Protective Effect of Pycnogenol against Methotrexate-Induced Hepatic, Renal, and Cardiac Toxicity: An In Vivo Study

Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most commonly used chemotherapies for various types of cancer, including leukemia, breast cancer, hepatocarcinoma, and gastric cancers. However, the efficacy of MTX is frequently limited by serious side effects. Several studies have reported that the cytotoxic effect of MTX is not limited to cancer cells but can also affect normal tissues, leading to prospective damage to many organs. In the present study, we extensively investigated the molecular and microscopic basis of MTX-induced toxicity in different organs (liver, kidney, and heart) and explored the possible protective effect of pycnogenol, a polyphenolic component extracted from the bark of P. pinaster, to attenuate these effects. Biochemical analysis revealed that administration of MTX significantly reduced the function of the liver, kidney, and heart. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis indicated that MTX treatment caused damage to tissues of different organs. Interestingly, administration of pycnogenol (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the deterioration effects of MTX on different organs in a dose-dependent manner, as demonstrated by biochemical and histological analysis. Our results reveal that pycnogenol successfully ameliorated oxidative damage and reduced toxicity, inflammatory response, and histological markers induced by methotrexate treatment. Taken together, this study provides solid evidence for the pharmacological application of pycnogenol to attenuate damage to different organs induced by MTX treatment.

Al-Shammery K, Al-Khalaf AA. The Binary Mixtures of Lambda-Cyhalothrin, Chlorfenapyr, and Abamectin, against the House Fly Larvae, Musca domestica L

The house fly Musca domestica L. is one of the medical and veterinary pests that can develop resistance to different insecticides. Mixing insecticides is a new strategy for accelerating pest control; furthermore, it can overcome insect resistance to insecticides. This study aims to evaluate three insecticides, chlorfenapyr, abamectin, and lambda-cyhalothrin, individually and their binary mixtures against 2nd instar larvae of M. domestica laboratory strain. Chlorfenapyr exhibited the most toxic effect on larvae, followed by abamectin then the lambda-cyhalothrin. The half-lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) values were 3.65, 30.6, and 94.89 ppm, respectively. These results revealed that the high potentiation effect was the mixture of abamectin/chlorfenapyr in all the mixing ratios. In contrast, the tested combination of lambda-cyhalothrin/abamectin showed an antagonism effect at all mixing ratios against house fly larvae. The total protein, esterases, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and cytochrome P-450 activity were also measured in the current investigation in the larvae treated with chlorfenapyr. Our results indicate that GST may play a role in detoxifying chlorfenapyr in M. domestica larvae. The highest activity of glutathione-S-transferase was achieved in treated larvae with chlorfenapyr, and an increase in cytochrome P-450 activity in the larvae was observed post-treatment with Abamectin/chlorfenapyr.

Insights into the Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Cytotoxic Activities of Pistacia lentiscus Bark and Phytochemical Profile; In Silico and In Vitro Study

Foodborne infections and antibiotic resistance pose a serious threat to public health and must be addressed urgently. Pistacia lentiscus is a wild-growing shrub and has been utilized for medicinal applications as well as for culinary purposes. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of P. lentiscus bark in vitro, as well as the phytochemical composition, are the focus of this inquiry. The bark extract of P. lentiscus showed significant antimicrobial activity in experiments on bacteria and yeast isolated from human and food sources. The exposure time for the complete inhibition of cell viability of P. aeruginosa in the extracts was found to be 5% at 15 min. Phytochemical inquiry of the methanol extract demonstrates the existence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, triterpenes, and alkaloids. Deep phytochemical exploration led to the identification of methyl gallate, gallic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, kaempferol 3-O-α-rhamnoside, kaempferol 3-O-β-glucoside, and Quercetin-3-O-β-glucoside. When tested using the DPPH assay, the methanol extracts of P. lentiscus bark demonstrated a high free radical scavenging efficiency. Further, we have performed a molecular modelling study which revealed that the extract of P. lentiscus bark could be a beneficial source for novel flavonoid glycosides inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Taken together, this study highlights the Pistacia lentiscus bark methanol extract as a promising antimicrobial and antiviral agent.

Novel Insights Into the Sulfated Glucuronic Acid-Based Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Mechanism of Exopolysaccharides From Halophilic Archaeon Haloarcula hispanica

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is the most widely spread disease in the 21st century. Due to the continuous emergence of variants across the world, it is necessary to expand our understanding of host-virus interactions and explore new agents against SARS-CoV-2. In this study, it was found exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from halophilic archaeon Haloarcula hispanica ATCC33960 can bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 with the binding constant KD of 2.23 nM, block the binding of spike protein to Vero E6 and bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells, and inhibit pseudovirus infection. However, EPSs from the gene deletion mutant △HAH_1206 almost completely lost the antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. A significant reduction of glucuronic acid (GlcA) and the sulfation level in EPSs of △HAH_1206 was clearly observed. Our results indicated that sulfated GlcA in EPSs is possible for a main structural unit in their inhibition of binding of SARS-CoV-2 to host cells, which would provide a novel antiviral mechanism and a guide for designing new agents against SARS-CoV-2.

Anti-Salmonella and Antibiofilm Potency of Salvia officinalis L. Essential Oil against Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella enterica

Raw milk is a significant vehicle for the transmission of different infections. In the present study, we focused on Salmonella enterica from raw milk and its resistance to various antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, we have investigated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of essential oil (EO) obtained from Salvia officinalis L. leaves that were collected from the Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia, against S. enterica. One-dozen strains of S. enterica were found in a batch of a hundred milk samples, and those S. enterica strains were shown to be resistant to several antibiotics, particularly the β-lactam group of antimicrobial drugs. Against multidrug-resistant S. enterica, the inhibitory zones for EO from S. officinalis leaves were found to be 21 mm in diameter. S. officinalis EO at 5% concentration showed a remarkable in vitro inhibitory activity toward the biofilm growth of different S. enterica isolates. Analysis of EO by GC–MS identified 21 distinct components, accounting for 89.94% of the total oil component. The most prominent compounds were 1,8-cineole (39.18%), β-caryophyllene (12.8%), and α--terpineol (10.3%). Taken together, our results unequivocally confirm that the S. officinalis EOs exert numerous bioactivities. Thus, the well-deserved attention on S. officinalis EO usage as a food preservative and adjunctive remedy for bacterial food-borne diseases is justified.

Secondary Metabolites of Actinomycetales as Potent Quorum Sensing Inhibitors Targeting Gram-Positive Pathogens: In Vitro and In Silico Study

Anti-virulence agents are non-bacteriostatic and non-bactericidal emerging therapeutic options which hamper the production of virulence factors in pathogenic flora. In Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, regulation of virulence genes’ expression occurs through the cyclic peptide-mediated accessory gene regulator (agr) and its ortholog fsr quorum sensing systems, respectively. In the present study, we screened a set of 54 actinomycetales secondary metabolites as novel anti-virulence compounds targeting quorum sensing system of the Gram-positive bacteria. The results indicated that four compounds, Phenalinolactones A–D, BU–4664LMe, 4,5-dehydrogeldamycin, and Questinomycin A, potentially inhibit the agr quorum sensing system and hemolytic activity of S. aureus. On the other hand, Decatromicin A and B, Okilactomycin, Rishirilide A, Abyssomicin I, and Rebeccamycin selectively blocked the fsr quorum sensing system and the gelatinase production in E. faecalis at sub-lethal concentrations. Interestingly, Synerazol uniquely showed the capability to inhibit both fsr and agr quorum sensing systems. Further, in silico molecular docking studies were performed which provided closer insights into the mode of action of these compounds and proposed that the inhibitory activity of these compounds could be attributed to their potential ability to bind to the ATP-active site of S. aureus AgrA. Taken together, our study highlights the potential of actinomycetales secondary metabolites with diverse structures as anti-virulence quorum sensing inhibitors.

Acetylsalicylic Acid Suppresses Alcoholism-Induced Cognitive Impairment Associated with Atorvastatin Intake by Targeting Cerebral miRNA155 and NLRP3: In Vivo, and In Silico Study

Alcoholism is one of the most common diseases that can lead to the development of several chronic diseases including steatosis, and cognitive dysfunction. Statins are lipid-lowering drugs that are commonly prescribed for patients with fatty liver diseases; however, the exact effect of statins on cognitive function is still not fully understood. In the present study, we have investigated the molecular and microscopic basis of cognitive impairment induced by alcohol and/or Atorvastatin (ATOR) administration to male Wistar albino rats and explored the possible protective effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). The biochemical analysis indicated that either alcohol or ATOR or together in combination produced a significant increase in the nucleotide-binding domain–like receptor 3 (NLRP3), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) miRNA155 expression levels in the frontal cortex of the brain tissue. The histological and morphometric analysis showed signs of degeneration in the neurons and the glial cells with aggregations of inflammatory cells and a decrease in the mean thickness of the frontal cortex. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a significant increase in the caspase-8 immunoreaction in the neurons and glial cells of the frontal cortex. Interestingly, administration of ASA reversed the deleterious effect of the alcohol and ATOR intake and improved the cognitive function as indicated by biochemical and histological analysis. ASA significantly decreased the expression levels of miRNA155, NLRP3, and IL1B, and produced a significant decrease in caspase-8 immunoreaction in the neurons and glial cells of the frontal cortex with a reduction in the process of neuroinflammation and neuronal damage. To further investigate these findings, we have performed an extensive molecular docking study to investigate the binding affinity of ASA to the binding pockets of the NLRP3 protein. Our results indicated that ASA has high binding scores toward the active sites of the NLRP3 NACHT domain with the ability to bind to the NLRP3 pockets by a set of hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions. Taken together, the present study highlights the protective pharmacological effect of ASA to attenuate the deleterious effect of alcohol intake and long term ATOR therapy on the cognitive function via targeting miRNA155 and NLRP3 proteins.

Spectrum of Kidney Injury Following COVID-19 Disease: Renal Biopsy Findings in a Single Italian Pathology Service

The onset of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as a pandemic infection, has led to increasing insights on its pathophysiology and clinical features being revealed, such as a noticeable kidney involvement. In this study, we describe the histopathological, immunofluorescence, and ultrastructural features of biopsy-proven kidney injury observed in a series of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases in our institution from April 2020 to November 2021. We retrieved and retrospectively reviewed nine cases (two pediatric and seven adults) that experienced nephrotic syndrome (six cases), acute kidney injury (two cases), and a clinically silent microhematuria and leukocyturia. Kidney biopsies were investigated by means of light microscopy, direct immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy. The primary diagnoses were minimal change disease (four cases), acute tubular necrosis (two cases), collapsing glomerulopathy (two cases), and C3 glomerulopathy (one case). None of the cases showed viral or viral-like particles on ultrastructural analysis. Novel and specific histologic features on kidney biopsy related to SARS-CoV-2 infection have been gradually disclosed and reported, harboring relevant clinical and therapeutic implications. Recognizing and properly diagnosing renal involvement in patients experiencing COVID-19 could be challenging (due to the lack of direct proof of viral infection, e.g., viral particles) and requires a proper integration of clinical and pathological data.

Dynamic Gene Clusters Mediating Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates

Acinetobacter baumanni (A. baumannii), a nonfermenting Gram-negative bacterium, has recently been associated with a broad range of nosocomial infections. To gain more meaningful insight into the problem of nosocomial illnesses caused by the multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii, as well as the factors that increase the risk of catching these infections, this investigation included a total of 86 clinical A. baumannii infections. Repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP)-PCR was used to investigate imipenem-resistant A. baumannii isolates for dynamic gene clusters causing carbapenem resistance. Four distinct A. baumannii lineages were found in the REP-PCR-DNA fingerprints of all isolates, with 95% of the samples coming from two dominant lineages. Imipenem, amikacin, and ciprofloxacin were less effective against genotype (A) isolates because of enhanced antibiotic tolerance. Lastly, to gain more insight into the mode of action of imipenem, we explored the binding affinity of imipenem toward different Acinetobacter baumannii OXA beta-lactamase class enzymes.

Insights into Asparaginase from Endophytic Fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae: Purification, Characterization and Antileukemic Activity

Endobiotic fungi are considered as a reservoir of numerous active metabolites. Asparaginase is used as an antileukemic drug specially to treat acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The presented study aims to optimize the media conditions, purify, characterize, and test the antileukemic activity of the asparaginase induced from Lasiodiplodia theobromae. The culture medium was optimized using an experiment designed by The Taguchi model with an activity ranging from 10 to 175 IU/mL. Asparaginase was induced with an activity of 315 IU/mL. Asparaginase was purified with a specific activity of 468.03 U/mg and total activity of 84.4 IU/mL. The purified asparaginase showed an approximate size of 70 kDa. The purified asparaginase showed an optimum temperature of 37 °C and an optimum pH of 6. SDS reduced the activity of asparaginase to 0.65 U/mL while the used ionic surfactants enhanced the enzyme activity up to 151.92 IU/mL. The purified asparaginase showed a K_m of 9.37 µM and V_max of 127.00 µM/mL/min. The purified asparaginase showed an IC₅₀ of 35.2 ± 0.7 IU/mL with leukemic M-NFS-60 cell lines and CC₅₀ of 79.4 ± 1.9 IU/mL with the normal WI-38 cell line. The presented study suggests the use of endophytic fungi as a sustainable source for metabolites such as asparaginase, provides an opportunity to develop a facile, eco-friendly, cost-effective, and rapid synthesis of antileukemic drugs, which have the potential to be used as alternative and reliable sources for potent anticancer agents.