Antimicrobial Potential of Curcumin: Therapeutic Potential and Challenges to Clinical Applications

Coumarin linked to 2-phenylbenzimidazole derivatives as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors

α-Glucosidase inhibitors have emerged as crucial agents in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In the present study, a new series of coumarin-linked 2-phenylbenzimidazole derivatives 5a-m was designed, synthesized, and evaluated as anti-α-glucosidase agents. Among these derivatives, compound 5k (IC50 = 10.8 µM) exhibited a significant inhibitory activity in comparison to the positive control acarbose (IC50 = 750.0 µM). Through kinetic analysis, it was revealed that compound 5k exhibited a competitive inhibition pattern against α-glucosidase. To gain insights into the interactions between the title compounds and α-glucosidase molecular docking was employed. The obtained results highlighted crucial interactions that contribute to the inhibitory activities of the compounds against α-glucosidase. These derivatives show immense potential as promising starting points for developing novel α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Irreversible colorimetric bio-based curcumin bilayer membranes for smart food packaging temperature control applications

Research into innovative food safety technologies has led to the development of smart packaging with embedded chemical sensors that can monitor food quality throughout the supply chain. Thermochromic materials (TM), which are able to dynamically change colour in response to temperature fluctuations, have proven to be reliable indicators of food quality in certain environments. Natural colourants such as curcumin are becoming increasingly popular for smart packaging due to their low toxicity, environmental friendliness and ability to change colour. The innovation in this research lies in the production of a bio-based bilayer membrane specifically designed for irreversible temperature monitoring. Membrane A was prepared by dissolving cellulose acetate and curcumin in acetone at room temperature, with glycerol serving as a plasticiser. At the same time, membrane B was carefully formulated by dissolving cellulose acetate and triethanolamine in acetone, with sorbitol as plasticiser. The preparation of these different membranes revealed a remarkable event: a gradual and irreversible colour transition from an initial yellow to a brick-red hue after 24 hours of storage at 25 °C. The chemical structure and morphological analyses of the membranes were performed using several techniques, including FTIR, DSC and SEM. The membrane labels were adhered to aluminium cans and their colorimetric response was observed over a period of 10 days. Minimal colour variations were observed, confirming the reproducibility and stability of the curcumin-based membranes as temperature sensors.

pH-Sensitive Nanoparticles of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate in Enhanced Colorectal Cancer Therapy

AIM

Encapsulating epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in pH-sensitive polymeric nanoparticles for targeted delivery of drugs could revolutionize colorectal cancer treatment.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Nanoparticles were synthesized to release drugs at colon pH. Dynamic light scattering measured their average diameter and ζ-potential, while differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction assessed EGCG encapsulation.

RESULTS

The nanoparticles showed stability and bioavailability in the gastrointestinal tract, efficiently encapsulating and releasing over 93% of EGCG at pH 7.2. They enhanced cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells and demonstrated antibacterial properties, increasing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

CONCLUSION

The study underscores the potential of nanoparticles in enhancing EGCG delivery for colorectal cancer therapy, aiming to minimize side effects and improve therapeutic outcomes.

Physiochemical and Sensory Properties of a Turmeric, Ginger, and Pineapple Functional Beverage with Effects of Pulp Content

Beverage mixtures based on pineapple juice (80-100%), with varying concentrations of turmeric (0-20%) and ginger (0-20%) juice were developed. The pineapple juice alone exhibited a total soluble solid (TSS) content of 15.90-16.03 °Brix. The total polyphenols content (TPC) varied between 0.32 and 1.79 mg GAE/mL, and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition was between 40.56% and 86.19% and correlated with the TPC and curcumin and other curcuminoids. The formulations with a high pulp content showed a significantly higher TPC and greater DPPH inhibition than those with a low pulp content. Turmeric and ginger with a high amount of pulp had a higher abundance of volatile compounds. Significant differences were observed by the panelists in the taste and mouthfeel attributes and the low-pulp juices were associated with increased palatability due to the better mouthfeel, higher sweetness, and decreased bitterness, pepperiness, pulpiness, and spiciness. The pineapple juice mixtures with 10% turmeric juice and 10% or less ginger juice were most preferred by sensory panelists.

Curcumin Loaded onto Folic acid Carbon dots as a Potent drug Delivery System for Antibacterial and Anticancer Applications

Numerous malignancies have been shown to be successfully treated with Curcumin. Despite its promising effects, Curcumin has limitations in clinical studies because of its stability, low water solubility, and adsorption. Carbon quantum dots with high biocompatibility can be employed as nanostructured material carriers to enhance Curcumin availability. In this study, folic acid was used as the raw material for the hydrothermal preparation of carbon dots, followed by the loading of Curcumin onto the carbon dots to form a folic acid carbon dot/Curcumin nanocomposite. The morphology and the chemical structure of the synthesized carbon dots were investigated. Folic acid carbon dots displayed robust emission peaks with a quantum yield of 41.8%. Moreover, the adsorption effectiveness of Curcumin on carbon dots was determined to be 83.11%. The liberating pattern of Curcumin was pH-dependent and reached 36 and 27% after a few hours at pH 5 and 7.4, respectively. The release occurs via the Fickiann diffusion mechanism with ah n value less than 0.45.The nanocomposite was tested for antibacterial activity against gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27,853 and gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25,923. The nanocomposite displayed antibacterial behavior with MIC 12.5 µg/mL. The anticancer activities of the nanocomposite were further tested against high-folate receptor-expressing Hela cells (cervical malignancy) and low-folate receptor-expressing HepG2 cells (hepatocellular carcinoma). Folic acid carbon dot/Curcumin nanocomposite reduced Hela cell viability at an IC50 of 88.723 ± 0.534 g/mL. On the other hand, HepG2 cells showed no toxicity response.

Apricot polysaccharides as new carriers to make curcumin nanoparticles and improve its stability and antibacterial activity

Apricot polysaccharides (APs) as new types of natural carriers for encapsulating and delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients can achieve high-value utilization of apricot pulp and improve the solubility, the stability, and the antibacterial activity of insoluble compounds simultaneously. In this research, the purified APs reacted with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by the Maillard reaction, and with d-α-tocopheryl succinate (TOS) and pheophorbide A (PheoA) by grafting to fabricate two materials for the preparation of curcumin (Cur)-encapsulated AP-BSA nanoparticles (CABNs) and Cur-embedded TOS-AP-PheoA micelles (CTAPMs), respectively. The biological activities of two Cur nano-delivery systems were evaluated. APs consisted of arabinose (22.36%), galactose (7.88%), glucose (34.46%), and galacturonic acid (31.32%) after the optimized extraction. Transmission electron microscopy characterization of CABNs and CTAPMs displayed a discrete and non-aggregated morphology with a spherical shape. Compared to the unencapsulated Cur, the release rates of CABNs and CTAPMs decreased from 87% to 70% at 3 h and from 92% to 25% at 48 h, respectively. The antioxidant capacities of CABNs and CTAPMs were significantly improved. The CTAPMs exhibited a better antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli than CABNs due to the synergistic photosensitive effect between Cur and PheoA.

On-Demand Sequential Release of Dual Drug from pH-Responsive Electrospun Janus Nanofiber Membranes toward Wound Healing and Infection Control

Drugs against bacteria and abnormal cells, such as antibiotics and anticancer drugs, may save human lives. However, drug resistance is becoming more common in the clinical world. Nowadays, a synergistic action of multiple bioactive compounds and their combination with smart nanoplatforms has been considered an alternative therapeutic strategy to fight drug resistance in multidrug-resistant cancers and microorganisms. The present study reports a one-step fabrication of innovative pH-responsive Janus nanofibers loaded with two active compounds, each in separate polymer compartments for synergistic combination therapy. By dissolving one of the compartments from the nanofibers, we could clearly demonstrate a highly yielded anisotropic Janus structure with two faces by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. To better understand the distinctive attributes of Janus nanofibers, several analytical methods, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy, and contact angle goniometry, were utilized to examine and compare them to those of monolithic nanofibers. Furthermore, a drug release test was conducted in pH 7.4 and 6.0 media since the properties of Janus nanofibers correlate significantly with different environmental pH levels. This resulted in the on-demand sequential codelivery of octenidine (OCT) and curcumin (CUR) to the corresponding pH stimulus. Accordingly, the antibacterial properties of Janus fibers against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, tested in a suspension test, were pH-dependent, i.e., greater in pH 6 due to the synergistic action of two active compounds, and Eudragit E100 (EE), and highly satisfactory. The biocompatibility of the Janus fibers was confirmed in selected tests.

Anti-gout and Urate-lowering Potentials of Curcumin: A Review from Bench to Beside

BACKGROUND

Gouty arthritis is a complex form of inflammatory arthritis, triggered by the sedimentation of monosodium urate crystals in periarticular tissues, synovial joints, and other sites in the body. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol compound, isolated from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa, possessing countless physiological features, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-rheumatic qualities.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to discuss the beneficial impacts of curcumin and its mechanism in treating gout disease.

METHODS

Ten English and Persian databases were used to conduct a thorough literature search. Studies examining the anti-gouty arthritis effects of curcumin and meeting the inclusion criteria were included.

RESULTS

According to the studies, curcumin has shown xanthine oxidase and urate transporter- 1 inhibitory properties, uric acid inhibitory characteristics, and antioxidant and anti- inflammatory effects. However, some articles found no prominent reduction in uric acid levels.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we emphasized the potency of curcumin and its compounds against gouty arthritis. Despite the potency, we suggest an additional well-designed evaluation of curcumin, before its therapeutic effectiveness is completely approved as an antigouty arthritis agent.

Therapeutic Management of Malignant Wounds: An Update

OPINION STATEMENT

Malignant fungating wounds (MFW) are severe skin conditions generating tremendous distress in oncological patients with advanced cancer stages because of pain, malodor, exudation, pruritus, inflammation, edema, and bleeding. The classical therapeutic approaches such as surgery, opioids, antimicrobials, and application of different wound dressings are failing in handling pain, odor, and infection control, thus urgently requiring the development of alternative strategies. The aim of this review was to provide an update on the current therapeutic strategies and the perspectives on developing novel alternatives for better malignant wound management. The last decade screened literature evidenced an increasing interest in developing natural treatment alternatives based on beehive, plant extracts, pure vegetal compounds, and bacteriocins. Promising therapeutics can also be envisaged by involving nanotechnology due to either intrinsic biological activities or drug delivery properties of nanomaterials. Despite recent progress in the field of malignant wound care, the literature is still mainly based on in vitro and in vivo studies on small animal models, while the case reports and clinical trials (less than 10 and only one providing public results) remain scarce. Some innovative treatment approaches are used in clinical practice without prior extensive testing in fungating wound patients. Extensive research is urgently needed to fill this knowledge gap and translate the identified promising therapeutic approaches to more advanced testing stages toward creating multidimensional wound care strategies.

Melatonin and cisplatin co-treatment against cancer: A mechanistic review of their synergistic effects and melatonin's protective actions

Combination chemotherapy appears to be a preferable option for some cancer patients, especially when the medications target multiple pathways of oncogenesis; individuals treated with combination treatments may have a better prognosis than those treated with single agent chemotherapy. However, research has revealed that this is not always the case, and that this technique may just enhance toxicity while having little effect on boosting the anticancer effects of the medications. Cisplatin (CDDP) is a chemotherapeutic medicine that is commonly used to treat many forms of cancer. However, it has major adverse effects such as cardiotoxicity, skin necrosis, testicular toxicity, and nephrotoxicity. Many research have been conducted to investigate the effectiveness of melatonin (MLT) as an anticancer medication. MLT operates in a variety of ways, including decreasing cancer cell growth, causing apoptosis, and preventing metastasis. We review the literature on the role of MLT as an adjuvant in CDDP-based chemotherapies and discuss how MLT may enhance CDDP's antitumor effects (e.g., by inducing apoptosis and suppressing metastasis) while protecting other organs from its adverse effects, such as cardio- and nephrotoxicity.

Antimicrobial Surface for Devices Used in Stem Culture Manipulation and In Vitro Biofabrication of Tissues

Cell therapy and engineered tissue creation based on the use of human stem cells involves cell isolation, expansion, and cell growth and differentiation on the scaffolds. Microbial infections dramatically can affect stem cell survival and increase the risk of implant failure. To prevent these events, it is necessary to develop new materials with antibacterial properties for coating scaffold surfaces as well as medical devices, and all other surfaces at high risk of contamination. This chapter describes strategies for obtaining antibacterial blends for coating inert surfaces (polymethylmethacrylate, polycarbonate, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)). In particular, the procedures for preparing antibacterial blends by mixing polymer resins with two types of antibacterial additives and depositing these blends on inert surfaces are described.

Dendrosomal Curcumin Showed Cytotoxic Effects on Breast Cancer Cell Line by Inducing Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway and Cell Division Arrest

Background

Mutations in the p53 gene have been linked to the initiation and progression of breast cancer, as well as resistance to chemotherapy. Therefore, the development of novel treatment approaches is essential to combat this disease.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dendrosomal curcumin (DNC) on the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB231.

Methods

MDA-MB231 cells were treated with 20 μM DNC, and the apoptosis rate and cell proliferation cycles were assessed using flow cytometry. Additionally, after RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, the expression levels of Lnc-DANCR, EZH2, Noxa, bcl-2, bax, PUMA, p21, and p53 genes were analyzed using RT-PCR. Protein expression levels of P53, P21, Bcl-2, and Bax were evaluated through western blotting.

Results

Dendrosomal curcumin induced apoptosis in MDA-MB231 cells and caused cell cycle arrest at the SubG1 phase. Dendrosomal curcumin treatment downregulated Lnc-DANCR, EZH2, bcl-2, and p53 gene expression, while upregulating bax, Noxa, PUMA, and p21 gene expression in a time-dependent manner. Bax and P21 protein levels were significantly upregulated following DNC treatment, whereas Bcl-2 and P53 protein levels were downregulated in DNC-treated breast cancer cells.

Conclusions

In summary, dendrosomal nanocurcumin demonstrated potent anti-tumor effects against breast cancer cells, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent in breast cancer treatment.

Biological Potential and Bioaccessibility of Encapsulated Curcumin into Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals

Curcumin is a natural phenolic compound with important biological functions. Despite its demonstrated efficacy in vitro, curcumin biological activities in vivo are dependent on its bioaccessibility and bioavailability, which have been highlighted as a crucial challenge. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-CTAB) have been shown to be effective in curcumin encapsulation, as they have the potential to enhance biological outcomes. This study evaluated the biological effects of curcumin encapsulated within CNC-CTAB structures, namely its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, as well as the release profile under digestion conditions and intestinal permeability. Encapsulated curcumin demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively reducing reactive oxygen species and cytokine production by intestinal cells. The delivery system exhibited antimicrobial properties against Campylobacter jejuni bacteria, further suggesting its potential in mitigating intestinal inflammation. The system showed the ability to protect curcumin from degradation and facilitate its interaction with the intestinal epithelium, highlighting the potential of CNC-CTAB as carrier to enhance curcumin intestinal biological functions.

Biofilms in Periprosthetic Orthopedic Infections Seen through the Eyes of Neutrophils: How Can We Help Neutrophils?

Despite advancements in our knowledge of neutrophil responses to planktonic bacteria during acute inflammation, much remains to be elucidated on how neutrophils deal with bacterial biofilms in implant infections. Further complexity transpires from the emerging findings on the role that biomaterials play in conditioning bacterial adhesion, the variety of biofilm matrices, and the insidious measures that biofilm bacteria devise against neutrophils. Thus, grasping the entirety of neutrophil-biofilm interactions occurring in periprosthetic tissues is a difficult goal. The bactericidal weapons of neutrophils consist of the following: ready-to-use antibacterial proteins and enzymes stored in granules; NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS); and net-like structures of DNA, histones, and granule proteins, which neutrophils extrude to extracellularly trap pathogens (the so-called NETs: an allusive acronym for "neutrophil extracellular traps"). Neutrophils are bactericidal (and therefore defensive) cells endowed with a rich offensive armamentarium through which, if frustrated in their attempts to engulf and phagocytose biofilms, they can trigger the destruction of periprosthetic bone. This study speculates on how neutrophils interact with biofilms in the dramatic scenario of implant infections, also considering the implications of this interaction in view of the design of new therapeutic strategies and functionalized biomaterials, to help neutrophils in their arduous task of managing biofilms.

Polyphenolic natural products as photosensitizers for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy: recent advances and future prospects

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has become a potent contender in the fight against microbial infections, especially in the context of the rising antibiotic resistance crisis. Recently, there has been significant interest in polyphenolic natural products as potential photosensitizers (PSs) in aPDT, given their unique chemical structures and inherent antimicrobial properties. Polyphenolic natural products, abundant and readily obtainable from natural sources, are generally regarded as safe and highly compatible with the human body. This comprehensive review focuses on the latest developments and future implications of using natural polyphenols as PSs in aPDT. Paramount polyphenolic compounds, including curcumin, hypericin, quercetin, hypocrellin, celastrol, riboflavin, resveratrol, gallic acid, and aloe emodin, are elaborated upon with respect to their structural characteristics, absorption properties, and antimicrobial effects. Furthermore, the aPDT mechanism, specifically its targeted action on microbial cells and biofilms, is also discussed. Polyphenolic natural products demonstrate immense potential as PSs in aPDT, representing a promising alternate approach to counteract antibiotic-resistant bacteria and biofilm-related infections.

Searching for Virulence Factors among Staphylococcus lugdunensis Isolates from Orthopedic Infections: Correlation of β-hemolysin, hemolysin III, and slush Genes with Hemolytic Activity and Synergistic Hemolytic Activity

Staphylococcus lugdunensis is an emerging high-virulent pathogen. Here, the presence and expression of virulence genes (icaA, fbl, vwbl, fbpA, slush A, B and C, and genes of the putative β-hemolysin and hemolysin III) and the ability to induce synergistic hemolytic activity and hemolysis after 24, 48 and 72 h were investigated in a collection of twenty-two S. lugdunensis clinical isolates. The collection of isolates, mainly from implant orthopedic infections, had previously been grouped by ribotyping/dendrogram analysis and studied for biofilm matrices, biomasses and antibiotic resistances. Two isolates, constituting a unique small ribogroup sharing the same cluster, exhibited an amplicon size of the slush operon (S. lugdunensis synergistic hemolysin) which was shorter than the expected 977 bp. This outcome can predict the genetic lineage of the S. lugdunensis strains. One isolate (cra1342) presented two deletions: one of 90 bp in slush A and the other of 91 bp in slush B. Another isolate (N860314) showed a single 193 bp deletion, which encompassed part of the slush B terminal sequence and most of slush C. The isolate N860314 was devoid of hemolytic activity after 24 h, and the first consideration was that the deleted region deals with the coding of the active enzymatic site of the slush hemolysin. On the other hand, cra1342 and N860314 isolates with different slush deletions and with hemolytic activity after 24 and 48 h, respectively, could have replaced the hemolytic phenotype through other processes.

Physicochemical and Functional Properties and Storage Stability of Chitosan-Starch Films Containing Micellar Nano/Microstructures with Turmeric and Hibiscus Extracts

The dynamic development of the food industry and the growing interest of consumers in innovative solutions that increase the comfort and quality of life push the industry towards seeking pioneering solutions in the field of food packaging. Intelligent and active packaging, which affects the quality and durability of food products and allows one to determine their freshness, is still a modern concept. The aim of our study was to obtain two types of films based on chitosan and starch with micellar nanostructures containing extracts from turmeric rhizomes and hibiscus flowers. The presence of spherical nanostructures was confirmed using a scanning electron microscope. The structural and optical properties of the obtained composites were characterised by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), UltraViolet-Visible (UV-VIS), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the presence of spherical micellar structures with a size of about 800 nm in the obtained biocomposites. The presence of nano-/microstructures containing extracts affected the mechanical properties of the composites: it weakened the strength of the films and improved their elongation at break (EAB). Films with nano-/microparticles were characterised by a higher water content compared to the control sample and lower solubility, and they showed stronger hydrophilic properties. Preliminary storage tests showed that the obtained biocomposites are sensitive to changes occurring during the storage of products such as cheese or fish. In addition, it was found that the film with the addition of turmeric extract inhibited the growth of microorganisms during storage. The results suggest that the obtained bionanocomposites can be used as active and/or intelligent materials.

Plant Food Dyes with Antioxidant Properties and Allergies-Friend or Enemy?

Color is an important food attribute which increases its attractiveness, thus influencing consumer preferences and acceptance of food products. The characteristic color of fresh, raw food is due to natural dyes present in natural food sources. Food loses its natural color during processing or storage. Loss of natural color (e.g., graying) often reduces the appeal of a product to consumers. To increase the aesthetic value of food, natural or synthetic dyes are added to it. Interestingly, the use of food coloring to enhance food attractiveness and appetizing appearance has been practiced since antiquity. Food coloring can also cause certain health effects, both negative and positive. Dyes added to food, both natural and synthetic, are primarily chemical substances that may not be neutral to the body. Some of these substances have strong antioxidant properties. Thanks to this activity, they can also perform important pro-health functions, including antiallergic ones. On the other hand, as foreign substances, they can also cause various adverse food reactions, including allergic reactions of varying severity and anaphylactic shock. This article discusses food dyes of plant origins with antioxidant properties (anthocyanins, betanins, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and curcumin) and their relationship with allergy, both as sensitizing agents and immunomodulatory agents with potential antiallergic properties.

Curcumin: Overview of Extraction Methods, Health Benefits, and Encapsulation and Delivery Using Microemulsions and Nanoemulsions

Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid found in the rhizomes of turmeric. Due to its therapeutic action against cancer, depression, diabetes, some bacteria, and oxidative stress, it has been used widely in medicine since ancient times. Due to its low solubility, the human organism cannot completely absorb it. Advanced extraction technologies, followed by encapsulation in microemulsion and nanoemulsion systems, are currently being used to improve bioavailability. This review discusses the different methods available for curcumin extraction from plant material, methods for the identification of curcumin in the resulting extracts, its beneficial effects on human health, and the encapsulation techniques into small colloidal systems that have been used over the past decade to deliver this compound.

Dendrimers as Nanocarriers for the Delivery of Drugs Obtained from Natural Products

Natural products have proven their value as drugs that can be therapeutically beneficial in the treatment of various diseases. However, most natural products have low solubility and poor bioavailability, which pose significant challenges. To solve these issues, several drug nanocarriers have been developed. Among these methods, dendrimers have emerged as vectors for natural products due to their superior advantages, such as a controlled molecular structure, narrow polydispersity index, and the availability of multiple functional groups. This review summarizes current knowledge on the structures of dendrimer-based nanocarriers for natural compounds, with a particular focus on applications in alkaloids and polyphenols. Additionally, it highlights the challenges and perspectives for future development in clinical therapy.

Phytochemicals and Cancer Treatment: Cell-Derived and Biomimetic Vesicles as Promising Carriers

The majority of anticancer agents currently used derive from natural sources: plants, frequently the ones employed in traditional medicines, are an abundant source of mono- and diterpenes, polyphenols, and alkaloids that exert antitumor activity through diverse mechanisms. Unfortunately, many of these molecules are affected by poor pharmacokinetics and limited specificity, shortcomings that may be overcome by incorporating them into nanovehicles. Cell-derived nanovesicles have recently risen to prominence, due to their biocompatibility, low immunogenicity and, above all, targeting properties. However, due to difficult scalability, the industrial production of biologically-derived vesicles and consequent application in clinics is difficult. As an efficient alternative, bioinspired vesicles deriving from the hybridization of cell-derived and artificial membranes have been conceived, revealing high flexibility and appropriate drug delivery ability. In this review, the most recent advances in the application of these vesicles to the targeted delivery of anticancer actives obtained from plants are presented, with specific focus on vehicle manufacture and characterization, and effectiveness evaluation performed through in vitro and in vivo assays. The emerging overall outlook appears promising in terms of efficient drug loading and selective targeting of tumor cells, suggesting further engrossing developments in the future.

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm potentiation by a triple combination of dual biocides and a phytochemical with complementary activity

The failure of current sanitation practices requires the development of effective solutions for microbial control. Although combinations using antibiotics have been extensively studied to look for additive/synergistic effects, biocide combinations are still underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of dual biocide and triple biocide/phytochemical combinations, where phytochemicals are used as quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors. The biocides selected were benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and peracetic acid (PAA) - as commonly used biocides, and glycolic acid (GA) and glyoxal (GO) - as alternative and sustainable biocides. Curcumin (CUR) and 10-undecenoic acid (UA) were the phytochemicals selected, based on their QS inhibition properties. A checkerboard assay was used for the screening of chemical interactions based on the cell growth inhibitory effects against Bacilluscereus and Pseudomonasfluorescens. It was observed that dual biocide combinations resulted in indifference, except the PAA + GA combination, which had a potential additive effect. PAA + GA + CUR and PAA + GA + UA combinations also triggered additive effects. The antimicrobial effects of the combinations were further evaluated on the inactivation of planktonic and biofilm cells after 30 min of exposure. These experiments corroborated the checkerboard results, in which PAA + GA was the most effective combination against planktonic cells (additive/synergistic effects). The antimicrobial effects of triple combinations were species- and biocide-specific. While CUR only potentiate the antimicrobial activity of GA against B.cereus, GA + UA and PAA + GA + UA combinations promoted additional antimicrobial effects against both bacteria. Biofilms were found to be highly tolerant, with modest antimicrobial effects being observed for all the combinations tested. However, this study demonstrated that low doses of biocides can be effective in bacterial control when combining biocides with a QS inhibitor, in particular, the combination of the phytochemical UA (as a QS inhibitor) with GA and PAA.

Physical Properties and Antimicrobial Release Ability of Gentamicin-Loaded Apatite Cement/α-TCP Composites: An In Vitro Study

Apatite cement (AC), which has excellent osteoconductive ability, and alpha-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP), which can be used for bone replacement, are useful bone substitute materials. The objective of this study was to clarify the physical properties and antimicrobial release ability of antibiotic-loaded AC/α-TCP composites in vitro. Gentamicin-loaded, rapid setting AC/α-TCP composites were prepared in 2 mixing ratios (10:3 and 10:6). The cement paste of AC/α-TCP composites was prepared in a plastic mold and dried in a thermostatic chamber at 37 °C and 100% relative humidity for 24 h. A diametral tensile strength test, powder X-ray diffraction analysis, and gentamicin release test were performed. The diametral tensile strengths of the AC/α-TCP composites were significantly less than that of AC alone. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited the characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite in the AC/α-TCP composites and gentamicin-loaded AC/α-TCP composites. The concentration of the released gentamicin was maintained above the minimum inhibitory concentration of Staphylococcus aureus until Day 30 in both the gentamicin-loaded AC/α-TCP composites (10:3 and 10:6). Our results suggest that a gentamicin-loaded AC/α-TCP composite has potential as a drug delivery system. Further study is essential to investigate the antimicrobial activity and safety of the gentamicin-loaded AC/α-TCP composites in animal models.

Anti-viral drug discovery against monkeypox and smallpox infection by natural curcumin derivatives: A Computational drug design approach

Background

In the last couple of years, viral infections have been leading the globe, considered one of the most widespread and extremely damaging health problems and one of the leading causes of mortality in the modern period. Although several viral infections are discovered, such as SARS CoV-2, Langya Henipavirus, there have only been a limited number of discoveries of possible antiviral drug, and vaccine that have even received authorization for the protection of human health. Recently, another virial infection is infecting worldwide (Monkeypox, and Smallpox), which concerns pharmacists, biochemists, doctors, and healthcare providers about another epidemic. Also, currently no specific treatment is available against Monkeypox. This research gap encouraged us to develop a new molecule to fight against monkeypox and smallpox disease. So, firstly, fifty different curcumin derivatives were collected from natural sources, which are available in the PubChem database, to determine antiviral capabilities against Monkeypox and Smallpox.

Material and method

Preliminarily, the molecular docking experiment of fifty different curcumin derivatives were conducted, and the majority of the substances produced the expected binding affinities. Then, twelve curcumin derivatives were picked up for further analysis based on the maximum docking score. After that, the density functional theory (DFT) was used to determine chemical characterizations such as the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), softness, and hardness, etc.

Results

The mentioned derivatives demonstrated docking scores greater than 6.80 kcal/mol, and the most significant binding affinity was at -8.90 kcal/mol, even though 12 molecules had higher binding scores (-8.00 kcal/mol to -8.9 kcal/mol), and better than the standard medications. The molecular dynamic simulation is described by root mean square deviation (RMSD) and root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF), demonstrating that all the compounds might be stable in the physiological system.

Conclusion

In conclusion, each derivative of curcumin has outstanding absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) characteristics. Hence, we recommended the aforementioned curcumin derivatives as potential antiviral agents for the treatment of Monkeypox and Smallpox virus, and more in vivo investigations are warranted to substantiate our findings.

Preparation, Characterization, and Evaluation of Curcumin-Graphene Oxide Complex-Loaded Liposomes against Staphylococcus aureus in Topical Disease

This study describes the development and characterization of curcumin with graphene oxide complex (CUR + GO) loaded into liposomes for treating skin disease. The developed complex was characterized by X-ray diffraction and showed a broad halo pattern, confirming the amorphous nature of the resulting complex. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy revealed the irregular porous morphology of the complex-highlighting loss of the crystallinity and the emergence of the amorphous phase. Additionally, the liposomes showed long-term stability at 2-8 °C and 25 ± 2 °C/60 ± 5%RH with nonsignificant variations in the particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. Overall, optical and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images of liposomes showed a consistent shape, and no aggregation with uniform particle size distribution was observed. Furthermore, the cumulative drug release in the first 6 h was 71.24 and 64.24% for CUR-loaded liposomes and CUR-GO-loaded liposomes, respectively. The lower value of drug release might be attributed to the complex development. The drug release model found the first order with non-Fickian diffusion process, which is often observed at higher n > 0.5. The antibacterial activity of the CUR with GO-loaded liposome (D2) offered higher anti-microbial activity over other formulations against the mentioned bacterial microorganism that causes skin diseases.

The Impact of Curcumin on Immune Response: An Immunomodulatory Strategy to Treat Sepsis

Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies cause an alteration in the immune response which can increase the rate of infectious diseases and worsened prognoses. They can also alter the immune response, thus, making the infection even worse. Curcumin is the most biologically active component of the turmeric root and appears to be an antimicrobial agent. Curcumin cooperates with various cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, B, T, and natural killer cells to modify the body's defence capacity. Curcumin also inhibits inflammatory responses by suppressing different metabolic pathways, reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines, and increases the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Curcumin may also affect oxidative stress and the non-coding genetic material. This review analyses the relationships between immunodeficiency and the onset of infectious diseases and discusses the effects of curcumin and its derivatives on the immune response. In addition, we analyse some of the preclinical and clinical studies that support its possible use in prophylaxis or in the treatment of infectious diseases. Lastly, we examine how nanotechnologies can enhance the clinical use of curcumin.

Plant Spices as a Source of Antimicrobial Synergic Molecules to Treat Bacterial and Viral Co-Infections

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the lack of antiviral agents available for human use, while the complexity of the physiological changes caused by coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) imposed the prescription of multidrug pharmacotherapy to treat infected patients. In a significant number of cases, it was necessary to add antibiotics to the prescription to decrease the risk of co-infections, preventing the worsening of the patient's condition. However, the precautionary use of antibiotics corroborated to increase bacterial resistance. Since the development of vaccines for COVID-19, the pandemic scenario has changed, but the development of new antiviral drugs is still a major challenge. Research for new drugs with synergistic activity against virus and resistant bacteria can produce drug leads to be used in the treatment of mild cases of COVID-19 and to fight other viruses and new viral diseases. Following the repurposing approach, plant spices have been searched for antiviral lead compounds, since the toxic effects of plants that are traditionally consumed are already known, speeding up the drug discovery process. The need for effective drugs in the context of viral diseases is discussed in this review, with special focus on plant-based spices with antiviral and antibiotic activity. The activity of plants against resistant bacteria, the diversity of the components present in plant extracts and the synergistic interaction of these metabolites and industrialized antibiotics are discussed, with the aim of contributing to the development of antiviral and antibiotic drugs. A literature search was performed in electronic databases such as Science Direct; SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online); LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences); Elsevier, SpringerLink; and Google Scholar, using the descriptors: antiviral plants, antibacterial plants, coronavirus treatment, morbidities and COVID-19, bacterial resistance, resistant antibiotics, hospital-acquired infections, spices of plant origin, coronaviruses and foods, spices with antiviral effect, drug prescriptions and COVID-19, and plant synergism. Articles published in English in the period from 2020 to 2022 and relevant to the topic were used as the main inclusion criteria.

Novel Herbal Nanocarriers for Treatment of Dermatological Disorders

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

In the present scenario, the use of novel nanocarriers to provide a better therapy regimen is noteworthy. Nanotechnology with the advanced system enables the herbs for encapsulation within the smart carrier and boosts the nanotherapeutic. These emerging innovations of herbal nanocarriers have paved the way for dermal targeting by eliciting the desired response for particular diseases.

METHODS

In this current manuscript, an extensive search is conducted for the original research papers using databases, viz., Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, etc. Furthermore, painstaking efforts are made to compile and update the novel herbal nanocarriers, such as liposomes, ethosomes, transferosomes, niosomes, nanoemulsions, nanogels, nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid carriers, etc., which are mostly used for the treatment of several skin maladies, viz., eczema, psoriasis, acne, etc. This article highlights the recent findings that the innovators are exclusively working on herbal drug delivery systems for dermal targeting, and these are enumerated in the form of tables.

CONCLUSION

Herbal formulations employing a suitable nanocarrier could be a promising approach for the treatment of several pathological conditions, including skin ailments. Therefore, scientific research is still being carried out in this specific area for a better perspective in herbal drug delivery and targeting.

Curcumin and capsaicin regulate apoptosis and alleviate intestinal inflammation induced by Clostridioides difficile in vitro

BACKGROUND

The dramatic upsurge of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) by hypervirulent isolates along with the paucity of effective conventional treatment call for the development of new alternative medicines against CDI. The inhibitory effects of curcumin (CCM) and capsaicin (CAP) were investigated on the activity of toxigenic cell-free supernatants (Tox-S) of C. difficile RT 001, RT 126 and RT 084, and culture-filtrate of C. difficile ATCC 700057.

METHODS

Cell viability of HT-29 cells exposed to varying concentrations of CCM, CAP, C. difficile Tox-S and culture-filtrate was assessed by MTT assay. Anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of CCM and CAP were examined by treatment of HT-29 cells with C. difficile Tox-S and culture-filtrate. Expression of BCL-2, SMAD3, NF-κB, TGF-β and TNF-α genes in stimulated HT-29 cells was measured using RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

C. difficile Tox-S significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the cell viability of HT-29 cells in comparison with untreated cells. Both CAP and CCM significantly (P < 0.05) downregulated the gene expression level of BCL-2, SMAD3, NF-κB and TNF-α in Tox-S treated HT-29 cells. Moreover, the gene expression of TGF-β decreased in Tox-S stimulated HT-29 cells by both CAP and CCM, although these reductions were not significantly different (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study highlighted that CCM and CAP can modulate the inflammatory response and apoptotic effects induced by Tox-S from different clinical C. difficile strains in vitro. Further studies are required to accurately explore the anti-toxin activity of natural components, and their probable adverse risks in clinical practice.

Co-delivery of curcumin and Bcl-2 siRNA to enhance therapeutic effect against breast cancer cells using PEI-functionalized PLGA nanoparticles

PURPOSE

Breast cancer is the second major cause of death worldwide among women. Co-delivery of anticancer drugs and nucleic acids targeting the apoptosis pathway could be a promising new approach.

METHODS

In the present study, we synthesized a novel nanostructure for co-delivery of curcumin and siRNA to breast cancer cells. Curcumin-loaded polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) was synthesized using an O/W emulsion-solvent diffusion method. It was coated with polyethylenimine (PEI) and subsequently complexed with Bcl-2 siRNA. Also nanoparticles were characterized such as zeta potential, size distribution and drug encapsulation. Finally the cytotoxicity of NP and Bcl2 experession was evaluated.

RESULTS

The curcumin loaded PLGA nanoparticles were 70nm in size, and increased to 84 nm after incorporation of PEI plus Bcl-2 siRNA. The encapsulation ratio of drug in our nanoparticle was 78%. Cellular internalization PLGA-CUR-PEI/Bcl-2 siRNA NPs was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy with broadcasting of the fluorescence in the cytoplasm and into the nucleus. The results of the cell viability assay revealed that curcumin-loaded PLGA coated with PEI and Bcl-2 siRNA exhibited the highest cytotoxicity against the T47D cell line, while the siRNA decreased the Bcl-2 expression by 90.7%.

CONCLUSION

The co-delivery of curcumin plus Bcl-2 siRNA with the PLGA-PEI nanosystem could be a synergistic drug carrier against breast cancer cells.

Cassia alata, Coriandrum sativum, Curcuma longa and Azadirachta indica: Food Ingredients as Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Atopic Dermatitis-A Comprehensive Review

Traditional medicine is critical in disease treatment and management. Herbs are gaining popularity for disease management and treatment. Therefore, they can be utilised as complementary and alternative treatment (CAT) ingredients. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the common non-communicable diseases. It is characterised by chronic inflammatory skin disease with intense pruritus and eczematous lesions. AD is associated with oxidative stress, microbial infection, and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines. Both children and adults could be affected by this skin disorder. The prevalence of AD is increasing along with the country’s level of development. This review revisited the literature on four medicinal herbs widely used as complementary medicine to manage AD. These therapeutic herbs are commonly eaten as food and used as spices in Asian cuisine. The four food herbs reviewed are Cassia alata, Coriandrum sativum, Curcuma longa Linn, and Azadirachta indica. Their traditional uses and phytochemical content will be covered. Four relevant pharmacological and biological activities of the plants crucial in AD management have been reviewed and discussed, including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, and wound recovery.

Demonstration of the efficacy of curcumin on carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Galleria mellonella larvae model

Due to increasing antimicrobial resistance, studies where new treatment options are investigated along with the synergistic effects of natural products with antibiotics have arisen. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an opportunistic pathogen and infection with multi-drug resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa poses a critical problem during treatment. Curcumin (CUR) is listed in the literature as one of the promising natural ingredients with its strong antimicrobial activity. In our study, our aim was to investigate the in vitro synergistic effect of CUR with imipenem (IMP) and Colistin (CST) in MDR P. aeruginosa isolates and in vivo activity on Galleria mellonella (G. mellonella) larvae. Three clinical isolates of MDR P. aeruginosa, which were determined to be phenotypically resistant to carbapenems, were used, and KPC and OXA48 resistance genes were determined by PCR method. The synergistic effect of CUR with antibiotics were investigated by the checkerboard method. Larval survival and bacterial load were compared with the in vivo study. In this study, IMP MIC values were significantly reduced (two to eight-fold decrease) in the presence of CUR, and partial synergy was observed. For CST, this value decreased two-fold. Bacterial load was evaluated to investigate the effect of antimicrobials during infection. While the CFUs increased over time in non-treated larvae as compared to the initial inoculum, bacterial load was significantly decreased for the groups treated with CUR, IMP and CST compared to the untreated group (p < 0.05). It was concluded CUR-antibiotic combinations can provide an alternative approach in the treatment of infections with MDR bacteria.

Recent Research on Hybrid Hydrogels for Infection Treatment and Bone Repair

The repair of infected bone defects (IBDs) is still a great challenge in clinic. A successful treatment for IBDs should simultaneously resolve both infection control and bone defect repair. Hydrogels are water-swollen hydrophilic materials that maintain a distinct three-dimensional structure, helping load various antibacterial drugs and biomolecules. Hybrid hydrogels may potentially possess antibacterial ability and osteogenic activity. This review summarizes the recent progress of different kinds of antibacterial agents (including inorganic, organic, and natural) encapsulated in hydrogels. Several representative hydrogels of each category and their antibacterial mechanism and effect on bone repair are presented. Moreover, the advantages and disadvantages of antibacterial agent hybrid hydrogels are discussed. The challenge and future research directions are further prospected.