Deciphering the emerging role of phytocompounds: Implications in the management of drug-resistant tuberculosis and ATDs-induced hepatic damage

Effects of Kanamycin on Hearing and Vestibular Function in Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients

Kanamycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), poses a significant risk of ototoxicity, potentially affecting hearing and balance. This study aimed to investigate the impact of kanamycin on auditory and vestibular function in MDR-TB patients focusing on the development of Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL), dizziness, and tinnitus. A cohort of primarily young patients (44.4% aged 19-30, 69.4% female) underwent interviews, tuning fork tests, and Pure Tone Audiometry before and after treatment. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between kanamycin use SNHL, dizziness, and tinnitus. A substantial proportion of participants experienced hearing loss and balance-related symptoms post-treatment. The findings underscore the need for routine auditory and vestibular monitoring in MDR-TB patients, particularly those at higher risk. Further research on minimizing kanamycin-induced ototoxicity, exploring alternative therapies, and conducting longitudinal studies to assess long-term auditory and vestibular outcomes in MDR-TB treatment.

Robust anti-tubercular profile of Solanum virginianum extract in enhancing isoniazid bioavailability and curtailing stress tolerance in Mycobacterium smegmatis

Introduction

The formidable survival mechanisms employed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), combined with the low bioavailability of anti-tubercular drugs and their associated hepatotoxicity, worsen tuberculosis management. Traditional medicinal plants offer potential solutions to these challenges. This study focuses on exploring the anti-tubercular potential of Solanum virginianum against Mycobacterium smegmatis, mc2155.

Methods and results

HPTLC and UHPLC phytochemically characterized the hydro-methanolic extract of Solanum virginianum (SVE). SVE curtails the growth and viability of mc2155 under normal and in vitro stress conditions. The compromised cell wall integrity of mc2155 with SVE is depicted through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) while EtBr permeability assays and TLC-based comparative changes in lipids extraction addressed the integrity of the cell wall. Furthermore, SVE augmented the susceptibility of mc2155 towards Isoniazid (INH) through enhanced bioavailability. Adjunct treatment of SVE with INH demonstrated a markedly reduced survival of the intracellular bacilli. The study also uncovered the hepatoprotective potential of SVE in HepG2 cells.

Conclusion

This research paves the way for deeper exploration into the potential of Solanum virginianum against virulent Mtb strains, emphasizing over the significance of traditional medicinal plants in tuberculosis treatment. Collectively, the findings suggest SVE as a potent candidate for independent or adjunct anti-tubercular therapy.

The advances in adjuvant therapy for tuberculosis with immunoregulatory compounds

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial disease, as well as a complex immune disease. The occurrence, development, and prognosis of TB are not only related to the pathogenicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), but also related to the patient's own immune state. The research and development of immunotherapy drugs can effectively regulate the body's anti-TB immune responses, inhibit or eliminate Mtb, alleviate pathological damage, and facilitate rehabilitation. This paper reviews the research progress of immunotherapeutic compounds for TB, including immunoregulatory compounds and repurposing drugs, and points out the existing problems and future research directions, which lays the foundation for studying new agents for host-directed therapies of TB.

Antitubercular drugs: possible role of natural products acting as antituberculosis medication in overcoming drug resistance and drug-induced hepatotoxicity

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a pathogenic bacterium which causes tuberculosis (TB). TB control programmes are facing threats from drug resistance. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Mtb strains need longer and more expensive treatment with many medications resulting in more adverse effects and decreased chances of treatment outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasised the development of not just new individual anti-TB drugs, but also novel medication regimens as an alternative treatment option for the drug-resistant Mtb strains. Many plants, as well as marine creatures (sponge; Haliclona sp.) and fungi, have been continuously used to treat TB in various traditional treatment systems around the world, providing an almost limitless supply of active components. Natural products, in addition to their anti-mycobacterial action, can be used as adjuvant therapy to increase the efficacy of conventional anti-mycobacterial medications, reduce their side effects, and reverse MDR Mtb strain due to Mycobacterium's genetic flexibility and environmental adaptation. Several natural compounds such as quercetin, ursolic acid, berberine, thymoquinone, curcumin, phloretin, and propolis have shown potential anti-mycobacterial efficacy and are still being explored in preclinical and clinical investigations for confirmation of their efficacy and safety as anti-TB medication. However, more high-level randomized clinical trials are desperately required. The current review provides an overview of drug-resistant TB along with the latest anti-TB medications, drug-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress. Further, the role and mechanisms of action of first and second-line anti-TB drugs and new drugs have been highlighted. Finally, the role of natural compounds as anti-TB medication and hepatoprotectants have been described and their mechanisms discussed.

TMT-based quantitative proteomics analysis of Sprague-Dawley rats liver reveals Triphenyltin induced liver damage and lipid metabolism disorders

Triphenyltin (TPT) is a widely used pesticide that has a negative impact on biological health and production efficiency. In addition, TPT poses a threat to human health through the food chain and environmental pollution. However, the exact mechanism of TPT toxicity remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the hepatotoxicity of TPT and its effects on lipid metabolism using male SD rats as an animal model. Our results from HE and serum biochemical analysis suggested that TPT could damage liver structure and function, resulting in disruption of lipid metabolism. We therefore proceeded to analyze the proteomic response of rat liver tissue after 28 days of treatment with 2 mg/kg/d TPT. Our study demonstrates that TPT has a variety of effects on liver protein expression in rats. Through bioinformatic analysis, we observed significant changes in proteins related to fatty acid oxidation and synthesis due to TPT exposure. Furthermore, western blot and RT-qPCR experiments confirmed that TPT can affect lipid metabolism through the PPAR pathway. These findings suggest that TPT exposure can lead to liver damage, lipid accumulation and metabolic disorders.