1
|
Asadbeigi A, Bakhtiarizadeh MR, Saffari M, Modarressi MH, Sadri N, Kafi ZZ, Fazilaty H, Ghalyanchilangeroudi A, Esmaeili H. Protection of animals against devastating RNA viruses using CRISPR-Cas13s. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102235. [PMID: 39021763 PMCID: PMC11253668 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
The intrinsic nature of CRISPR-Cas in conferring immunity to bacteria and archaea has been repurposed to combat pathogenic agents in mammalian and plant cells. In this regard, CRISPR-Cas13 systems have proved their remarkable potential for single-strand RNA viruses targeting. Here, different types of Cas13 orthologs were applied to knockdown foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), a highly contagious disease of a wide variety of species with genetically diverse strains and is widely geographically distributed. Using programmable CRISPR RNAs capable of targeting conserved regions of the viral genome, all Cas13s from CRISPR system type VI (subtype A/B/D) could comprehensively target and repress different serotypes of FMDV virus. This approach has the potential to destroy all strains of a virus as targets the ultra-conserved regions of genome. We experimentally compared the silencing efficiency of CRISPR and RNAi by designing the most effective short hairpin RNAs according to our developed scoring system and observed comparable results. This study showed successful usage of various Cas13 enzymes for suppression of FMDV, which provides a flexible strategy to battle with other animal infectious RNA viruses, an underdeveloped field in the biotechnology scope.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adnan Asadbeigi
- Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran 1417613151, Iran
| | | | - Mojtaba Saffari
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran 1417613151, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Modarressi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran 1417613151, Iran
| | - Naser Sadri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1419963111, Iran
| | - Zahra Ziafati Kafi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1419963111, Iran
| | - Hassan Fazilaty
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Arash Ghalyanchilangeroudi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1419963111, Iran
| | - Hossein Esmaeili
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran 1419963111, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ashie WB, Awewomom J, Ettey ENYO, Opoku F, Akoto O. Assessment of irrigation water quality for vegetable farming in peri-urban Kumasi. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24913. [PMID: 38356531 PMCID: PMC10865262 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Polluted water contains a variety of toxic compounds that tend to affect human health. Farmers have recently looked at runoff wastewater as a source of irrigation water because it comes at no cost and is a more efficient alternative to potable water due to the high demand but limited supply. This present study assesses the quality and suitability of water sources used for irrigation at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology vegetable farmlands. The study specifically investigated the quality of water used for irrigation with the following parameters: pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, chloride, chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, oil and grease, fluoride, nitrate, nitrite, sulphate, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sodium adsorption potential, alkalinity, conductivity, phosphate, Escherichia coli, fecal and total coliforms. The results revealed that the water contained moderate levels of chloride and could be good for plant growth. The total coliform counts range from 2.1 × 106 to 4.15 × 107 MPN/100 mL, suggesting a relatively high microbial load in the irrigation water. The results also suggested that the sodium absorption ratio was very low and may not affect the quality of water for irrigation purposes. Fe levels far exceed the 5 mg/L maximum acceptable limits recommended by the WHO and FAO for the irrigation of vegetables. The high Fe concentration could discolor the leaves of some plants, especially foliage leaves. However, the levels of Cd were within the WHO maximum permissible limit of 0.01 mg/L.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Winfred Bediakoh Ashie
- Faculty of Physical and Computational sciences,Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Jonathan Awewomom
- College of Natural Sciences, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
| | - Emil Nana Yaw Osei Ettey
- Faculty of Physical and Computational sciences,Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Francis Opoku
- Faculty of Physical and Computational sciences,Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Osei Akoto
- Faculty of Physical and Computational sciences,Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shahrajabian MH, Sun W. The Importance of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Intervention and Treatment of HIV while Considering its Safety and Efficacy. Curr HIV Res 2023; 21:331-346. [PMID: 38047360 DOI: 10.2174/011570162x271199231128092621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Natural products have been considered a potential resource for the development of novel therapeutic agents, since time immemorial. It is an opportunity to discover cost-effective and safe drugs at the earliest, with the goal to hit specific targets in the HIV life cycle. Natural products with inhibitory activity against human immunodeficiency virus are terpenes, coumarins, flavonoids, curcumin, proteins, such as lectins, laccases, bromotyrosines, and ribosome-inactivating proteins. Terpenes inhibit virus fusion, lectins and flavonoids have an inhibitory impact on viral binding, curcumin and flavonoids inhibit viral DNA integration. The most important medicinal plants which have been used in traditional Chinese medicinal sciences with anti-HIV properties are Convallaria majalis, Digitalis lanata, Cassia fistula, Croton macrostachyus, Dodonaea angustifolia, Ganoderma lucidum, Trametes versicolor, Coriolus versicolor, Cordyceps sinensis, Gardenia jasminoides, Morus alba, Scutellaria baicalensis, Ophiopogon japonicus, Platycodon grandiflorus, Fritillaria thunbergii, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Trichosanthes kirilowii, Citrus reticulata, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Rheum officinale, Poria cocos, Rheum palmatum, Astragalus membranaceus, Morinda citrifolia, Potentilla kleiniana, Artemisia capillaris, Sargassum fusiforme, Piperis longi fructus, Stellera chamaejasme, Curcumae rhizoma, Dalbergia odorifera lignum, Arisaematis Rhizoma preparatum, and Phellodendron amurense. The information provided is gathered from randomized control experiments, review articles, and analytical studies and observations, which are obtained from different literature sources, such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct from July 2000 to August 2023. The aim of this review article is to survey and introduce important medicinal plants and herbs that have been used for the treatment of HIV, especially the medicinal plants that are common in traditional Chinese medicine, as research to date is limited, and more evidence is required to confirm TCM,s efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenli Sun
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nyagumbo E, Pote W, Shopo B, Nyirenda T, Chagonda I, Mapaya RJ, Maunganidze F, Mavengere WN, Mawere C, Mutasa I, Kademeteme E, Maroyi A, Taderera T, Bhebhe M. Medicinal plants used for the management of respiratory diseases in Zimbabwe: Review and perspectives potential management of COVID-19. PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY OF THE EARTH (2002) 2022; 128:103232. [PMID: 36161239 PMCID: PMC9489988 DOI: 10.1016/j.pce.2022.103232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory diseases have in the recent past become a health concern globally. More than 523 million cases of coronavirus disease (COVID19), a recent respiratory diseases have been reported, leaving more than 6 million deaths worldwide since the start of the pandemic. In Zimbabwe, respiratory infections have largely been managed using traditional (herbal) medicines, due to their low cost and ease of accessibility. This review highlights the plants' toxicological and pharmacological evaluation studies explored. It seeks to document plants that have been traditionally used in Zimbabwe to treat respiratory ailments within and beyond the past four decades. Extensive literature review based on published papers and abstracts retrieved from the online bibliographic databases, books, book chapters, scientific reports and theses available at Universities in Zimbabwe, were used in this study. From the study, there were at least 58 plant families comprising 160 medicinal plants widely distributed throughout the country. The Fabaceae family had the highest number of medicinal plant species, with a total of 21 species. A total of 12 respiratory ailments were reportedly treatable using the identified plants. From a total of 160 plants, colds were reportedly treatable with 56, pneumonia 53, coughs 34, chest pain and related conditions 29, asthma 25, tuberculosis and spots in lungs 22, unspecified respiratory conditions 20, influenza 13, bronchial problems 12, dyspnoea 7, sore throat and infections 5 and sinus clearing 1 plant. The study identified potential medicinal plants that can be utilised in future to manage respiratory infections.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elliot Nyagumbo
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - William Pote
- Ethnobiology-based Drug discovery, Research and Development Trust, Gweru, Zimbabwe
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
| | - Bridgett Shopo
- Department of Applied Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
- Ethnobiology-based Drug discovery, Research and Development Trust, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Trust Nyirenda
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
| | - Ignatius Chagonda
- Department of Agriculture Practice, Faculty of Agriculture, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Ruvimbo J Mapaya
- Department of Applied Bioscience and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - Fabian Maunganidze
- Ethnobiology-based Drug discovery, Research and Development Trust, Gweru, Zimbabwe
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| | - William N Mavengere
- Ethnobiology-based Drug discovery, Research and Development Trust, Gweru, Zimbabwe
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Harare Institute of Technology, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Cephas Mawere
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Harare Institute of Technology, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Ian Mutasa
- Ethnobiology-based Drug discovery, Research and Development Trust, Gweru, Zimbabwe
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
| | - Emmanuel Kademeteme
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
| | - Alfred Maroyi
- Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa
| | - Tafadzwa Taderera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Physiology Unit, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP167, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Michael Bhebhe
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
- Ethnobiology-based Drug discovery, Research and Development Trust, Gweru, Zimbabwe
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Diversity and Conservation through Cultivation of Hypoxis in Africa—A Case Study of Hypoxis hemerocallidea. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12040122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Africa has the largest diversity of the genus Hypoxis, accounting for 61% of the current globally accepted taxa within the genus, including some endemic species. Using Hypoxis hemerocallidea as a case study, this review addresses the conservation concerns arising from the unsustainable, wild harvesting of a number of Hypoxis species. Hypoxis hemerocallidea is one of the wild-harvested, economically important, indigenous medicinal plants of southern Africa, with potential in natural product and drug development. There are several products made from the species, including capsules, tinctures, tonics and creams that are available in the market. The use of H. hemerocallidea as a “cure-all” medicine puts an important harvesting pressure on the species. Unsustainable harvesting causes a continuing decline of its populations and it is therefore of high priority for conservation, including a strong case to cultivate the species. Reviewing the current knowledge and gaps on cultivation of H. hemerocallidea, we suggest the creation of a platform for linking all the stakeholders in the industry.
Collapse
|
6
|
Prinsloo G, Marokane CK, Street RA. Anti-HIV activity of southern African plants: Current developments, phytochemistry and future research. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2018; 210:133-155. [PMID: 28807850 PMCID: PMC7125770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The African continent is home to a large number of higher plant species used over centuries for many applications, which include treating and managing diseases such as HIV. Due to the overwhelming prevalence and incidence rates of HIV, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, it is necessary to develop new and affordable treatments. AIM OF THE STUDY The article provides an extensive overview of the status on investigation of plants from the southern African region with ethnobotanical use for treating HIV or HIV-related symptoms, or the management of HIV. The review also provide an account of the in vitro assays, anti-viral activity and phytochemistry of these plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Peer-reviewed articles investigating plants with ethnobotanical information for the treatment or management of HIV or HIV-related symptoms from the southern African region were acquired from Science Direct, PubMed central and Google Scholar. The selection criteria was that (1) plants should have a record of traditional/popular use for infectious or viral diseases, HIV treatment or symptoms similar to HIV infection, (2) if not traditionally/popularly used, plants should be closely related to plants with popular use and HIV activity identified by means of in vitro assays, (3) plants should have been identified scientifically, (4) should be native to southern African region and (5) anti-HIV activity should be within acceptable ranges. RESULTS Many plants in Africa and specifically the southern African region have been used for the treatment of HIV or HIV related symptoms and have been investigated suing various in vitro techniques. In vitro assays using HIV enzymes such as reverse transcriptase (RT), integrase (IN) and protease (PR), proteins or cell-based assays have been employed to validate the use of these plants with occasional indication of the selectivity index (SI) or therapeutic index (TI), with only one study, that progressed to in vivo testing. The compounds identified from plants from southern Africa is similar to compounds identified from other regions of the world, and the compounds have been divided into three groups namely (1) flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides, (2) terpenoids and terpenoid glycosides and (3) phenolic acids and their conjugated forms. CONCLUSIONS An investigation of the plants from southern Africa with ethnobotanical use for the treatment of HIV, management of HIV or HIV-related symptoms, therefore provide a very good analysis of the major assays employed and the anti-viral compounds and compound groups identified. The similarity in identified anti-viral compounds worldwide should support the progression from in vitro studies to in vivo testing in development of affordable and effective anti-HIV agents for countries with high infection and mortality rates due to HIV/AIDS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Prinsloo
- Department of Agriculture and Animal health, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Florida 1710, South Africa.
| | - Cynthia K Marokane
- Department of Agriculture and Animal health, University of South Africa (UNISA), Florida Campus, Florida 1710, South Africa.
| | - Renée A Street
- Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban 4041, South Africa; Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Maroyi A. Phytochemical and ethnopharmacological review of Elephantorrhiza goetzei (Harms) Harms. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2017; 10:107-113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2017.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Revised: 12/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
|