Anti-Parkinson potential of hesperetin nanoparticles: in vivo and in silico investigations

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterised by the gradual demise of dopaminergic neurons. In recent years, there has been significant interest in herbal treatments. In this study, hesperetin nanoparticles (HTN) were developed and compared their anti-PD potential with hesperetin (HT) on rotenone induced PD rats. Molecular docking was also performed to evaluate the binding affinity of hesperetin on pathological protein, i.e. D2 dopamine receptors (DR2), using Auto Dock Vina tools. The results showed a higher binding relationship of HTN on dopamine receptors (-7.2 kcal/mol) compared to L-dopa (-6.4 kcal/mol), supporting their potential as drug candidates for PD therapy. HTN was effectively synthesised using the fabrication technique and characterised by zeta potential and SEM analysis. HTN had favourable characteristics, including a size of 249.8 ± 14.9 nm and a Z-potential of -32.9 mV. After being administered orally, HTN demonstrated a notable anti-Parkinsonian effects, indicated by the significant improvement in motor function as assessed by the rota rod test (p < .001***), pole test (p < .001***), stair test (p < .01**), wood walk test (p < .01**) and an increase in substantia nigra (SN) antioxidant levels, CAT (p < .001***), SOD (p < .001***), GSH (p < .01**). Additionally, HTN led to increased dopamine levels (p < .01**) and a decrease in the oxidant system, MDA levels (p < .01**). Furthermore, histopathological examination revealed decreased SN neuronal necrosis in diseased animals treated with HTN compared to those treated with HT in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. Therefore, HTN can be regarded as a viable platform for efficient therapy of PD.

Cadmium exposure exacerbates immunological abnormalities in a BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J autistic mouse model by upregulating inflammatory mediators in CD45R-expressing cells

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental illness characterized by behavior, learning, communication, and social interaction abnormalities in various situations. Individuals with impairments usually exhibit restricted and repetitive actions. The actual cause of ASD is yet unknown. It is believed, however, that a mix of genetic and environmental factors may play a role in its development. Certain metals have been linked to the development of neurological diseases, and the prevalence of ASD has shown a positive association with industrialization. Cadmium chloride (Cd) is a neurotoxic chemical linked to cognitive impairment, tremors, and neurodegenerative diseases. The BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) inbred mice are generally used as a model for ASD and display a range of autistic phenotypes. We looked at how Cd exposure affected the signaling of inflammatory mediators in CD45R-expressing cells in the BTBR mouse model of ASD. In this study, we looked at how Cd affected the expression of numerous markers in the spleen, including IFN-γ, IL-6, NF-κB p65, GM-CSF, iNOS, MCP-1, and Notch1. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of Cd exposure on the expression levels of numerous mRNA molecules in brain tissue, including IFN-γ, IL-6, NF-κB p65, GM-CSF, iNOS, MCP-1, and Notch1. The RT-PCR technique was used for this analysis. Cd exposure increased the number of CD45R+IFN-γ+, CD45R+IL-6+, CD45R+NF-κB p65+, CD45R+GM-CSF+, CD45R+GM-CSF+, CD45R+iNOS+, and CD45R+Notch1+ cells in the spleen of BTBR mice. Cd treatment also enhanced mRNA expression in brain tissue for IFN-γ, IL-6, NF-κB, GM-CSF, iNOS, MCP-1, and Notch1. In general, Cd increases the signaling of inflammatory mediators in BTBR mice. This study is the first to show that Cd exposure causes immune function dysregulation in the BTBR ASD mouse model. As a result, our study supports the role of Cd exposure in the development of ASD.

Worsening of imiquimod-induced psoriasiform inflammation in mice by environmental pollutant, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate through dysregulation in IL-17A and Nrf2/iNOS signaling in peripheral myeloid and CD4 + T cells

Psoriasis is a devastating autoimmune illness resulting from excessive keratinocyte growth and leukocyte infiltration into the dermis/epidermis. In the pathogenesis of psoriasis, different immune cells such as myeloid cells and CD4 + T cells play a key role. Th17/Th1 immune responses and oxidant-antioxidant responses are critical in regulation of psoriatic inflammation. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is one of the well-known plasticizers and has widespread use worldwide. DEHP exposure through ingestion may produce harmful effects on the skin through systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which may modify psoriatic inflammation. However, the effect of oral DEHP exposure on inflammatory cytokines and Nrf2/iNOS signaling in myeloid cells and CD4 + T cells in the context of psoriatic inflammation has not been investigated earlier. Therefore, this study explored the effect of DEHP on systemic inflammation in myeloid cells (IL-6, IL-17A, IL-23), Th17 (p-STAT3, IL-17A, IL-23R, TNF-α), Th1 (IFN-γ), Treg (Foxp3, IL-10), and Nrf2/iNOS signaling in imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse model of psoriasis-like inflammation. Our study showed increased Th17 signaling in imiquimod model which was further aggravated by DEHP exposure. Further, Nrf2 and iNOS signaling were also elevated in IMQ model where DEHP exposure further increased iNOS expression but did not modify the Nrf2 expression. Most importantly, IL-17A levels were also elevated in myeloid cells along with IL-6 which were further elevated by DEHP exposure. Overall, this study shows that IL-17A signaling is upregulated, whereas there is deficiency of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling by DEHP exposure in mice with psoriasiform inflammation. These observations suggest that DEHP aggravates IL-17A-mediated signaling both in CD4 + T cells as well as myeloid cells which is linked to exacerbation of IMQ-induced psoriatic inflammation in mice. Strategies that counteract the effect of DEHP exposure in the context of psoriatic inflammation through downregulation of IL-17A may be fruitful.

Investigating potential of cholic acid, syringic acid, and mangiferin as cancer therapeutics through sphingosine kinase 1 inhibition

The signaling of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) regulates various diseases, including multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation-related ailments, diabetes, and cancer. SphK1 is considered an attractive potential drug target and is extensively explored in cancer and other inflammatory diseases. In this study, we have investigated the inhibitory potential and binding affinity of SphK1 with cholic acid (CA), syringic acid (SA), and mangiferin (MF) using a combination of docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies followed by experimental measurements of binding affinity and enzyme inhibition assays. We observed these compounds bind to SphK1 with a significantly high affinity and eventually inhibit its kinase activity with IC50 values of 28.23 μM, 33.35 μM, and 57.2 μM for CA, SA, and MF, respectively. Further, the docking and 100 ns MD simulation studies showed that CA, SA, and MF bind with the active site residues of SphK1 with favorable energy and strong non-covalent interactions that might be accountable for inhibiting its kinase activity. Our finding indicates that CA, SA, and MF may be implicated in designing novel anti-cancer therapeutics with an improved affinity and lesser side effects by targeting SphK1.

Ameliorative anticancer effect of dendrimeric peptide modified liposomes of letrozole: In vitro and in vivo performance evaluations

Letrozole (LTZ) loaded dendrimeric nano-liposomes were prepared for targeted delivery to breast cancer cells. Surface modification with cationic peptide dendrimers (PDs) and a cancer specific ligand, transferrin (Tf), was attempted. Arginine-terminated PD (D-1) and Arginine-terminated, lipidated PD (D-2) were synthesized using Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, purified by preparative HPLC and characterized using 1HNMR, MS and DSC analyses. Surface modification of drug loaded liposomes with Tf and/or PD was carried out. Formulations were characterized using FTIR, DSC, 1HNMR, XRD and TEM. Tf-conjugated LTZ liposomes (LTf) and Tf/D-2-conjugated LTZ liposomes (LTfD-2) showed greater cytotoxic potential (IC50 = 95.03 µg/mL and 23.75 µg/mL respectively) with enhanced cellular uptake in MCF7 cells compared to plain LTZ. Blocking studies of Tf (Tf-receptor mediated internalization) revealed decreased uptake of LTf and LTfD-2 confirming the role of Tf in uptake of Tf-conjugated liposomes. Intravenous treatment with LTfD-2 caused highest reduction in tumor volumes of female BALB/c-nude mice (145 mm3) compared to plain LTZ (605 mm3) and unconjugated LTZ liposomes (LP) (300 mm3). In vivo biodistribution studies revealed higher fluorescence in tumor tissue and liver of LTfD-2 treated mice than LTf or LP treatment. Immunohistochemical studies revealed greater apoptotic potential of LTfD-2 as indicated by TUNEL assay and ROS detection assay. The study reveals the superior therapeutic efficacy of the developed LTZ liposomal nanocarriers using PDs to enhance the transfection efficiency in addition to modifying the surface characteristics by attaching a targeting ligand for active drug targeting to breast cancer cells.

Pharmacoscreening, molecular dynamics, and quantum mechanics of inermin from Panax ginseng: a crucial molecule inhibiting exosomal protein target associated with coronary artery disease progression

Background

Exosomes, microvesicles, carry and release several vital molecules across cells, tissues, and organs. Epicardial adipose tissue exosomes are critical in the development and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). It is hypothesized that exosomes may transport causative molecules from inflamed tissue and deliver to the target tissue and progress CAD. Thus, identifying and inhibiting the CAD-associated proteins that are being transported to other cells via exosomes will help slow the progression of CAD.

Methods

This study uses a systems biological approach that integrates differential gene expression in the CAD, exosomal cargo assessment, protein network construction, and functional enrichment to identify the crucial exosomal cargo protein target. Meanwhile, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) screening of Panax ginseng-derived compounds was conducted and then docked against the protein target to identify potential inhibitors and then subjected to molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) to understand the behavior of the protein-ligand complex till 100 nanoseconds. Finally, density functional theory (DFT) calculation was performed on the ligand with the highest affinity with the target.

Results

Through the systems biological approach, Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 protein (SMAD2) was determined as a potential target that linked with PI3K-Akt signaling, Ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, and the focal adhesion pathway. Further, screening of 190 Panax ginseng compounds, 27 showed drug-likeness properties. Inermin, a phytochemical showed good docking with -5.02 kcal/mol and achieved stability confirmation with SMAD2 based on MDS when compared to the known CAD drugs. Additionally, DFT analysis of inermin showed high chemical activity that significantly contributes to effective target binding. Overall, our computational study suggests that inermin could act against SMAD2 and may aid in the management of CAD.

Rituximab alleviates increased disomic sperm in DBA/1J mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis via restoration of redox imbalance

Compared to the general population, patients with arthritis have a higher risk of fertility abnormalities, which have deleterious effects on both reproductive function and pregnancy outcomes, especially in patients wishing to conceive. These may be due to the disease itself or those of drug therapies. Despite the increasing use of rituximab in arthritis, limited data are available on its potential to induce aneuploidy in germ cells. Therefore, the aim of the current investigation was to determine if repeated treatment with rituximab affects the incidence of aneuploidy and redox imbalance in arthritic mouse sperm. Mice were treated with 250 mg/kg rituximab once weakly for 3 weeks, and then sperm were sampled 22 days after the last dose of rituximab. Fluorescence in situ hybridization assay with chromosome-specific DNA probes was used to evaluate the disomic/diploid sperm. Our results showed that rituximab had no aneuploidogenic effect on the meiotic stage of spermatogenesis. Conversely, arthritis induced a significantly high frequency of disomy, and treatment of arthritic mice with rituximab reduced the increased levels of disomic sperm. The occurrence of total diploidy was not significantly different in all groups. Reduced glutathione and8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, markers of oxidative stress were significantly altered in arthritic animals, while rituximab treatment restored these changes. Additionally, arthritis severity was reduced after rituximab treatment. We conclude that rituximab may efficiently alleviate the arthritis-induced effects on male meiosis and avert the higher risk of abnormal reproductive outcomes. Therefore, treating arthritic patients with rituximab may efficiently inhibit the transmission of genetic anomalies induced by arthritis to future generations.

Structural Characteristics of PON1 with Leu55Met and Gln192Arg Variants Influencing Oxidative-Stress-Related Diseases: An Integrated Molecular Modeling and Dynamics Study

Background and Objectives: PON1 is a multi-functional antioxidant protein that hydrolyzes a variety of endogenous and exogenous substrates in the human system. Growing evidence suggests that the Leu55Met and Gln192Arg substitutions alter PON1 activity and are linked with a variety of oxidative-stress-related diseases. Materials and Methods: We implemented structural modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation along with essential dynamics of PON1 and molecular docking with their endogenous (n = 4) and exogenous (n = 6) substrates to gain insights into conformational changes and binding affinity in order to characterize the specific functional ramifications of PON1 variants. Results: The Leu55Met variation had a higher root mean square deviation (0.249 nm) than the wild type (0.216 nm) and Gln192Arg (0.202 nm), implying increased protein flexibility. Furthermore, the essential dynamics analysis confirms the structural change in PON1 with Leu55Met vs. Gln192Arg and wild type. Additionally, PON1 with Leu55Met causes local conformational alterations at the substrate binding site, leading to changes in binding affinity with their substrates. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the structural consequences of the variants, which would increase understanding of the role of PON1 in the pathogenesis of oxidative-stress-related diseases, as well as the management of endogenous and exogenous chemicals in the treatment of diseases.

Carfilzomib Mitigates Lipopolysaccharide/D-Galactosamine/Dimethylsulfoxide-Induced Acute Liver Failure in Mice

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a disease accompanied by severe liver inflammation. No effective therapy is available yet apart from liver transplantation; therefore, developing novel treatments for ALF is urgently required. Inflammatory mediators released by NF-кB activation play an essential role in ALF. Proteasome inhibitors have many medical uses, such as reducing inflammation and NF-кB inhibition, which are believed to account for most of their repurposing effects. This study was undertaken to explore the possible protective effects and the underlying mechanisms of carfilzomib, a proteasome inhibitor, in a mouse model of ALF induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine/dimethylsulfoxide (LPS/GalN/DMSO). Carfilzomib dose-dependently protected mice from LPS/GalN/DMSO-induced liver injury, as indicated by the decrease in serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. LPS/GalN/DMSO increased TNF-α, NF-кB, lipid peroxidation, NO, iNOS, cyclooxygenase-II, myeloperoxidase, and caspase-3 levels. Carfilzomib administration mitigated LPS/GalN/DMSO-induced liver damage by decreasing the elevated levels of TNF-α, NF-кB, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, iNOS, cyclooxygenase-II, myeloperoxidase, caspase-3, and histopathological changes. A restored glutathione level was also observed in the carfilzomib-treated LPS/GalN/DMSO mice. Our results demonstrate that carfilzomib protects against LPS/GalN/DMSO-induced ALF by inhibiting NF-кB, decreasing inflammatory mediators, oxidative/nitrosative stress, neutrophil recruitment, and apoptosis, suggesting that carfilzomib may be a potential therapeutic agent for ALF.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccine Attenuates Haloperidol-Induced TD-like Behavioral and Neurochemical Alteration in Experimental Rats

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a hyperkinetic movement disorder that displays unusual involuntary movement along with orofacial dysfunction. It is predominantly associated with the long-term use of antipsychotic medications, particularly typical or first-generation antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis are major pathophysiological mechanisms of TD. The BCG vaccine has been reported to suppress inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis and exert neuroprotection via several mechanisms. Our study aimed to confirm the neuroprotective effect of the BCG vaccine against haloperidol-induced TD-like symptoms in rats. The rats were given haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 21 days after 1 h single administration of the BCG vaccine (2 × 107 cfu). Various behavioral parameters for orofacial dyskinesia and locomotor activity were assessed on the 14th and 21st days after haloperidol injection. On the 22nd day, all rats were euthanized, and the striatum was isolated to estimate the biochemical, apoptotic, inflammatory, and neurotransmitter levels. The administration of the BCG vaccine reversed orofacial dyskinesia and improved motor function in regard to haloperidol-induced TD-like symptoms in rats. The BCG vaccine also enhanced the levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH) and reduced prooxidants (MDA, nitrite) and pro-apoptotic markers (Cas-3, Cas-6, Cas-9) in rat brains. Besides this, BCG treatment also restored the neurotransmitter (DA, NE, 5-HT) levels and decreased the levels of HVA in the striatum. The study findings suggest that the BCG vaccine has antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and neuromodulatory properties that could be relevant in the management of TD.

Comparative Antibacterial and Efflux Pump Inhibitory Activity of Isolated Nerolidol, Farnesol, and α-Bisabolol Sesquiterpenes and Their Liposomal Nanoformulations

The efflux systems are considered important mechanisms of bacterial resistance due to their ability to extrude various antibiotics. Several naturally occurring compounds, such as sesquiterpenes, have demonstrated antibacterial activity and the ability to inhibit efflux pumps in resistant strains. Therefore, the objective of this research was to analyze the antibacterial and inhibitory activity of the efflux systems NorA, Tet(K), MsrA, and MepA by sesquiterpenes nerolidol, farnesol, and α-bisabolol, used either individually or in liposomal nanoformulation, against multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. The methodology consisted of in vitro testing of the ability of sesquiterpenes to reduce the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and enhance the action of antibiotics and ethidium bromide (EtBr) in broth microdilution assays. The following strains were used: S. aureus 1199B carrying the NorA efflux pump, resistant to norfloxacin; IS-58 strain carrying Tet(K), resistant to tetracyclines; RN4220 carrying MsrA, conferring resistance to erythromycin. For the EtBr fluorescence measurement test, K2068 carrying MepA was used. It was observed the individual sesquiterpenes exhibited better antibacterial activity as well as efflux pump inhibition. Farnesol showed the lowest MIC of 16.5 µg/mL against the S. aureus RN4220 strain. Isolated nerolidol stood out for reducing the MIC of EtBr to 5 µg/mL in the 1199B strain, yielding better results than the positive control CCCP, indicating strong evidence of NorA inhibition. The liposome formulations did not show promising results, except for liposome/farnesol, which reduced the MIC of EtBr against 1199B and RN4220. Further research is needed to evaluate the mechanisms of action involved in the inhibition of resistance mechanisms by the tested compounds.

MAP kinase inhibitor PD98059 regulates Th1, Th9, Th17, and natural T regulatory cells in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), provides significant insights into the mechanisms that initiate and drive autoimmunity. MS is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, characterized by inflammatory infiltration associated with demyelination. T lymphocyte cells play a crucial role in MS, whereas natural T regulatory (nTreg) cells prevent autoimmune inflammation by suppressing lymphocyte activity. This study sought to investigate the role of PD98059, a selective MAP kinase inhibitor, in Th1, Th9, Th17, and nTreg cells using the SJL/J mouse model of EAE. Following EAE development, the mice were intraperitoneally administered PD98059 (5 mg/kg for two weeks) daily. We evaluated the effects of PD98059 on Th1 (IFN-γ and T-bet), Th9 (IL-9 and IRF4), Th17 (IL-17A and RORγT), and nTreg (FoxP3 and Helios) cells in the spleen using flow cytometry. Moreover, we explored the effects of PD98059 on the IFN-γ, T-bet, IL-9, IRF4, IL-17A, RORγT, FoxP3, and Helios mRNA and protein levels in brain tissues using qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. PD98059 treatment significantly decreased the proportion of CD4+IFN-γ+, CD4+T-bet+, CD4+IL-9+, CD4+IRF4+, CD4+IL-17A+, CD4+RORγT+, CD4+IL-17A+, and CD4+RORγT+ cells while increasing that of CD4+FoxP3+ and CD4+Helios+ cells. In addition, PD98059 administration decreased the mRNA and protein levels of IFN-γ, T-bet, IL-9, IRF4, IL-17A, and RORγT but increased those of FoxP3 and Helios in the brain tissue of EAE mice. Our findings suggest that PD98059 corrects immune dysfunction in EAE mice, which is concurrent with the modulation of multiple signaling pathways.

The Exposure to Lead (Pb) Exacerbates Immunological Abnormalities in BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J Mice through the Regulation of Signaling Pathways Relevant to T Cells

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental illness characterized by abnormal social interactions, communication difficulties, and repetitive and limited behaviors or interests. The BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice have been used extensively to research the ASD-like phenotype. Lead (Pb) is a hazardous chemical linked to organ damage in the human body. It is regarded as one of the most common metal exposure sources and has been connected to the development of neurological abnormalities. We used flow cytometry to investigate the molecular mechanism behind the effect of Pb exposure on subsets of CD4+ T cells in the spleen expressing IFN-γ, T-bet, STAT1, STAT4, IL-9, IRF4, IL-22, AhR, IL-10, and Foxp3. Furthermore, using RT-PCR, we studied the effect of Pb on the expression of numerous genes in brain tissue, including IFN-γ, T-bet, STAT1, STAT4, IL-9, IRF4, IL-22, AhR, IL-10, and Foxp3. Pb exposure increased the population of CD4+IFN-γ+, CD4+T-bet+, CD4+STAT1+, CD4+STAT4+, CD4+IL-9+, CD4+IRF4+, CD4+IL-22+, and CD4+AhR+ cells in BTBR mice. In contrast, CD4+IL-10+ and CD4+Foxp3+ cells were downregulated in the spleen cells of Pb-exposed BTBR mice compared to those treated with vehicle. Furthermore, Pb exposure led to a significant increase in IFN-γ, T-bet, STAT1, STAT4, IL-9, IRF4, IL-22, and AhR mRNA expression in BTBR mice. In contrast, IL-10 and Foxp3 mRNA expression was significantly lower in those treated with the vehicle. Our data suggest that Pb exposure exacerbates immunological dysfunctions associated with ASD. These data imply that Pb exposure may increase the risk of ASD.

Targeted Delivery of 5-Fluorouracil and Sonidegib via Surface-Modified ZIF-8 MOFs for Effective Basal Cell Carcinoma Therapy

The therapeutic effectiveness of the most widely used anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is constrained by its high metabolism, short half-life, and rapid drug resistance after chemotherapy. Although various nanodrug delivery systems have been reported for skin cancer therapy, their retention, penetration and targeting are still a matter of concern. Hence, in the current study, a topical gel formulation that contains a metal-organic framework (zeolitic imidazole framework; ZIF-8) loaded with 5-FU and a surface modified with sonidegib (SDG; acting as a therapeutic agent as well as a targeting ligand) (5-FU@ZIF-8 MOFs) is developed against DMBA-UV-induced BCC skin cancer in rats. The MOFs were prepared using one-pot synthesis followed by post drug loading and SDG conjugation. The optimized MOFs were incorporated into hyaluronic acid-hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose gel and further subjected to characterization. Enhanced skin deposition of the 5-FU@ZIF-8-SDG MOFs was observed using ex vivo skin permeation studies. Confocal laser microscopy studies showed that 5-FU@ZIF-8-SDG MOFs permeated the skin via the transfollicular pathway. The 5-FU@ZIF-8-SDG MOFs showed stronger cell growth inhibition in A431 cells and good biocompatibility with HaCaT cells. Histopathological studies showed that the efficacy of the optimized MOF gels improved as the epithelial cells manifested modest hyperplasia, nuclear pleomorphism, and dyskeratosis. Additionally, immunohistochemistry and protein expression studies demonstrated the improved effectiveness of the 5-FU@ZIF-8-SDG MOFs, which displayed a considerable reduction in the expression of Bcl-2 protein. Overall, the developed MOF gels showed good potential for the targeted delivery of multifunctional MOFs in topical formulations for treating BCC cancer.

Dapagliflozin Mitigated Elevated Disomic and Diploid Sperm in a Mouse Model of Diabetes and Recover the Disrupted Ogg1, Parp1, and P53 Gene Expression

Increases in numerical chromosomal syndromes were observed in children of diabetic mothers. However, the effects of diabetes on male reproduction, specifically numerical chromosomal aberrations (aneuploidy), have not been studied. Furthermore, despite the increasing use of dapagliflozin for diabetes treatment, no data exists on its ability to affect aneuploidy levels in germ cells. Thus, our investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of diabetes on spontaneous sperm aneuploidy and whether treatment with dapagliflozin influences the frequency of aneuploidy in the sperm of an experimental diabetic animal model. Our findings show that dapagliflozin has no aneugenic effects on the meiotic stages of spermatogenesis. In contrast, diabetes raised the frequency of aneuploidy, and dapagliflozin administration decreased the elevated levels of disomic and diploid sperm. The level of oxidative stress was markedly increased in diabetic mice, but were reduced by dapagliflozin treatment. Furthermore, the expression of some of DNA repair genes was disrupted in diabetic animals, whereas dapagliflozin therapy restored these disruptions and significantly enhanced DNA repair. Thus, dapagliflozin may effectively ameliorate diabetes-induced aneugenic effects on male meiosis and treating diabetic patients with dapagliflozin may effectively mitigate the transmission of diabetes-induced chromosomal defects to offspring.

Screening of Crucial Cytosolicproteins Interconnecting the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria in Parkinson's Disease and the Impact of Anti-Parkinson Drugs in the Preservation of Organelle Connectivity

Mitochondrial dysfunction is well-established in Parkinson's disease (PD); however, its dysfunctions associating with cell organelle connectivity remain unknown. We aimed to establish the crucial cytosolic protein involved in organelle connectivity between mitochondria and the endopalmic reticulum (ER) through a computational approach by constructing an organelle protein network to extract functional clusters presenting the crucial PD protein connecting organelles. Then, we assessed the influence of anti-parkinsonism drugs (n = 35) on the crucial protein through molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation and further validated its gene expression in PD participants under, istradefylline (n = 25) and amantadine (n = 25) treatment. Based on our investigation, D-aspartate oxidase (DDO )protein was found to be the critical that connects both mitochondria and the ER. Further, molecular docking showed that istradefylline has a high affinity (-9.073 kcal/mol) against DDO protein, which may disrupt mitochondrial-ER connectivity. While amantadine (-4.53 kcal/mol) shows negligible effects against DDO that contribute to conformational changes in drug binding, Successively, DDO gene expression was downregulated in istradefylline-treated PD participants, which elucidated the likelihood of an istradefylline off-target mechanism. Overall, our findings illuminate the off-target effects of anti-parkinsonism medications on DDO protein, enabling the recommendation of off-target-free PD treatments.

Citronellal as a Promising Candidate for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment: A Comprehensive Study on In Silico and In Vivo Anti-Acetylcholine Esterase Activity

One of the primary therapeutic approaches for managing Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves the modulation of Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity to elevate acetylcholine (ACh) levels inside the brain. The current study employed computational chemistry approaches to evaluate the inhibitory effects of CTN on AChE. The docking results showed that Citronellal (CTN) and standard Donepezil (DON) have a binding affinity of -6.5 and -9.2 Kcal/mol, respectively, towards AChE. Further studies using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out on these two compounds. Binding free energy calculations and ligand-protein binding patterns suggested that CTN has a binding affinity of -12.2078. In contrast, DON has a much stronger binding relationship of -47.9969, indicating that the standard DON has a much higher binding affinity than CTN for AChE. In an in vivo study, Alzheimer-type dementia was induced in mice by scopolamine (1.5 mg/kg/day i.p) for 14 days. CTN was administered (25 and 50 mg/kg. i.p) along with scopolamine (SCO) administration. DON (0.5 mg/kg orally) was used as a reference drug. CTN administration significantly improved the mice's behavior as evaluated by the Morris water maze test, evident from decreased escape latency to 65.4%, and in the CPS test, apparent from reduced escape latency to 69.8% compared to the positive control mice. Moreover, CTN significantly increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) compared to SCO. Furthermore, CTN administration significantly decreased SCO-induced elevated AChE levels in mice. These results were supported by histopathological and in silico molecular docking studies. CTN may be a potential antioxidant and neuroprotective supplement.

Effect of Smartphone Use on Sleep in Undergraduate Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Smartphone use, particularly at night, has been shown to provoke various circadian sleep-wake rhythm disorders such as insomnia and excessive daytime tiredness. This relationship has been mainly scrutinized among patient groups with higher rates of smartphone usage, particularly adolescents and children. However, it remains obscure how smartphone usage impacts sleep parameters in adults, especially undergraduate college students. This study sought to (1) investigate the association between smartphone use (actual screen time) and four sleep parameters: Pittsburgh sleep quality score (PSQI), self-reported screen time, bedtime, and rise time; (2) compare the seven PSQI components between good and poor sleep quality subjects. In total, 264 undergraduate medical students (aged 17 to 25 years) were recruited from the Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun, India. All participants completed a sleep questionnaire, which was electronically shared via a WhatsApp invitation link. Hierarchical and multinomial regression analyses were performed in relation to (1) and (2). The average PSQI score was 5.03 ± 0.86, with approximately one in two respondents (48.3%) having a poor sleep index. Smartphone use significantly predicted respondents' PSQI score (β = 0.142, p = 0.040, R2 = 0.027), perceived screen time (β = 0.113, p = 0.043, R2 = 343), bedtime (β = 0.106, p = 0.042, R2 = 045), and rise time (β = 0.174, p = 0.015, R2 = 0.028). When comparing poor-quality sleep (PSQI ≥ 5) to good-quality sleep (PSQI < 5), with good-quality sleep as the reference, except sleep efficiency and sleep medications (p > 0.05), five PSQI components declined significantly: subjective sleep quality (β = -0.096, p < 0.001); sleep latency (β = -0.034, p < 0.001); sleep duration (β = -0.038, p < 0.001); sleep disturbances (β = 1.234, p < 0.001); and sleep dysfunction (β = -0.077, p < 0.001). Consequently, public health policymakers should take this evidence into account when developing guidelines around smartphone use-i.e., the when, where, and how much smartphone use-to promote improved sleep behaviour and reduce the rate of sleep-wake rhythm disorders.

Saxagliptin, a selective dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, alleviates somatic cell aneugenicity and clastogenicity in diabetic mice

Diabetes-related complications are becoming increasingly common as the global prevalence of diabetes increases. Diabetes is also linked to a high risk of developing cancer. This raises the question of whether cancer vulnerability is caused by diabetes itself or the use of antidiabetic drugs. Chromosomal instability, a source of genetic modification involving either an altered chromosomal number or structure, is a hallmark of cancer. Saxagliptin has been approved by the FDA for diabetes treatment. However, the detailed in vivo effects of prolonged saxagliptin treatment on chromosomal instability have not yet been reported. In this study, streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes in mice, and both diabetic and non-diabetic mice received saxagliptin for five weeks. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was conducted in combination with a bone marrow micronucleus test for measuring chromosomal instability. Our results indicated that saxagliptin is neither mutagenic nor cytotoxic, under the given treatment regimen. Diabetic mice had a much higher incidence of micronuclei formation, and a centromeric DNA probe was present inside the majority of the induced micronuclei, indicating that most of these were caused by chromosome nondisjunction. Conversely, diabetic mice treated with saxagliptin exhibited a significant decrease in micronuclei induction, which were centromeric-positive and centromeric-negative. Diabetes also causes significant biochemical changes indicative of oxidative stress, such as increased lipid peroxidation and decreased reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio, which was reversed by saxagliptin administration. Overall, saxagliptin, the non-mutagenic antidiabetic drug, maintains chromosomal integrity in diabetes and reduces micronuclei formation by restoring redox imbalance, further indicating its usefulness in diabetic patients.

BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice differ in oxidant and antioxidant responses in innate and adaptive immune cells in an asthma model induced by cockroach allergens

Asthma is a complex and heterogenous disease affected by a multitude of factors. Several phenotypes of asthma exist which are influenced by various molecular mechanisms that include presence of antioxidant and oxidant enzymes in different immune cells such as dendritic cells (DCs), alveolar macrophages (AMs), neutrophils, and T cells. Close interaction between epithelial cells and dendritic cells initiates complex pathogenesis of asthma followed by involvement of other innate and adaptive immune cells. In chronic phase of the disease, these immune cells support each other in amplification of airway inflammation where oxidant-antioxidant balance is known to be an important contributing factor. Genetic variability in antioxidant response may influence the development of airway inflammation, however it has not been studied in mice yet. The two most studied mice strains, i.e. BALB/c and C57BL/6 are reported to have dissimilar airway responses to the same allergens due to their genetic makeup. In this investigation, we explored whether these strains had any differences in pulmonary oxidant-antioxidant system (Nrf2, SOD2, iNOS, HO-1, nitrotyrosine) in different immune cells (DCs, AMs, neutrophils, T cells), airway inflammation (presence of eosinophils and/or neutrophils) and mucus production in response to repeated cockroach allergen extract (CE) mouse model of asthma. Our data show that C57BL/6 mice had better induction of antioxidant system than BALB/c mice. Consequently, iNOS/nitrotyrosine levels were much exaggerated in BALB/c than C57BL/6 mice. As a result, BALB/c mice developed mixed granulocytic airway inflammation, whereas C57BL/6 developed mostly eosinophilic airway inflammation. Our data suggest that an exaggerated oxidant generation along with a weak antioxidant induction in response to a natural allergen on a susceptible genetic background may determine development of severe asthma phenotype such as mixed granulocyte inflammation.

Elucidating the Histone Deacetylase Gene Expression Signatures in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells That Correlate Essential Cardiac Function and Aid in Classifying Coronary Artery Disease through a Logistic Regression Model

A proinflammatory role of HDACs has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis as an emerging novel epigenetic diagnostic biomarker. However, its association with the clinical and cardiovascular function in coronary artery disease is largely unknown. The study aimed to profile the gene expression of HDAC1-11 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and to evaluate their influence on hematological, biochemical, and two-dimensional echocardiographic indices in CAD. The HDAC gene expression profiles were assessed in 62 angioproven CAD patients and compared with 62 healthy controls. Among the HDACs, upregulated HDACs 1,2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11 were upregulated, and HDAC3 was downregulated, which was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) linked with the hematological (basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils), biochemical (LDL, HDL, and TGL), and echocardiographic parameters (cardiac function: biplane LVEF, GLS, MV E/A, IVRT, and PV S/D) in CAD. Furthermore, our constructed diagnostic model with the crucial HDACs establishes the most crucial HDACs in the classification of CAD from control with an excellent accuracy of 88.6%. Conclusively, our study has provided a novel perspective on the HDAC gene expression underlying cardiac function that is useful in developing molecular methods for CAD diagnosis.

Comparative Efficacy of Metformin and Glimepiride in Modulating Pharmacological Network to Increase BDNF Levels and Benefit Type 2 Diabetes-Related Cognitive Impairment

Cognitive impairment is anotable complication of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), accompanied by reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain and blood. Anti-diabetic drugs reduce hyperglycemia, yet their effect on cognitive improvement is unknown. We aimed to investigate the effect of anti-diabetic drugs regulating BDNF in T2DM through computational and case-control study design. We obtained T2DMproteins viatext-mining to construct a T2DMprotein network. From the T2DMnetwork, the metformin and glimepiride interactomes and their crucial shortest-path-stimulating BDNF were identified. Using qRTPCR, the genes encoding the shortest-path proteins were assessed in four groups (untreated-T2DM, metformin-treated, glimepiride-treated, and healthy controls). Finally, ELISA was used to assess serum BDNF levels to validate drug efficacy. As a result of this investigation, aT2DMnetwork was constructed with 3683 text-mined proteins. Then, the T2DMnetwork was explored to generate a metformin and glimepiride interactome that establishes the critical shortest-path for BDNF stimulation. Metformin stimulates BDNF via APP binding to the PRKAB1 receptor. Whereas, glimepiride increases BDNF by binding to KCNJ11 via AP2M1 and ESR1 proteins. Both drug shortest-path encoding genes differed significantly between the groups. Unlike metformin, BDNF gene and protein expression rise significantly with glimepiride. Overall, glimepiride can effectively increase BDNF, which could benefit T2DM patients with cognitive deterioration.

Unveiling the Cardioprotective Power: Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS)-Analyzed Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser Leaf Ethanolic Extract against Myocardial Infarction in Rats and In Silico Support Analysis

Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser, a member of the Rubiaceae family, is a botanical species with recognized therapeutic properties. It is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat cardiac ailments and other disorders. However, the precise active constituents and the potential mechanisms by which they manage cardiovascular disorders remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to ascertain the bioactive components and investigate their underlying mechanisms of action. N. cadamba is used to treat cardiovascular disorders using the integrated metabolomic methodology. An HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis determined the potential chemicals in the N. cadamba leaf ethanol extract (NCEE). A thorough investigation of the NCEE samples used in this study led to the identification of 32 phytoconstituents. Of the 32 compounds, 19 obeyed Lipinski's rule of five (RO5). A molecular docking study directed towards HMG-CoA reductase used 19 molecules. The reference drug atorvastatin indicated a binding energy of -3.9 kcal/mol, while the other substances, Cinchonain Ib and Dukunolide B, revealed binding energies of -5.7 and -5.3 kcal/mol, respectively. Both phytocompounds showed no toxicity and exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties. In vivo study results concluded that treatment with NCEE significantly reduced the cardiac myocardial infarction (MI) marker CK-MB and atherogenic risk indices, such as the atherogenic index plasma (AIP), cardiac risk ratio (CRR), and atherogenic coefficient (AC) in isoproterenol-induced MI rats. In MI rats, NCEE therapy significantly improved the antioxidant system of the heart tissue, as evidenced by the increased levels of GSH and SOD, lower levels of the oxidative stress marker MDA, and significantly decreased HMG-CoA activity. Additionally, electrocardiogram (ECG) signals from rats treated with NCEE resembled those treated with traditional atorvastatin to treat myocardial infarction. This study used H&E staining to show that administering NCEE before treatment reduced cardiac myocyte degeneration in rats with myocardial infarction, increased the presence of intact nuclei, and increased myocardial fiber strength. The potential cardioprotective effect observed in myocardial infarction (MI) rats treated with NCEE can be extrapolated from computational data to be caused by Cinchonain Ib.

Aflatoxin B1 Exposure Aggravates Neurobehavioral Deficits and Immune Dysfunctions of Th1, Th9, Th17, Th22, and T Regulatory Cell-Related Transcription Factor Signaling in the BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J Mouse Model of Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease characterized by impaired communication, reciprocal social interactions, restricted sociability deficits, and stereotyped behavioral patterns. Environmental factors and genetic susceptibility have been implicated in an increased risk of ASD. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a typical contaminant of food and feed that causes severe immune dysfunction in humans and animals. Nevertheless, the impact of ASD on behavioral and immunological responses has not been thoroughly examined. To investigate this phenomenon, we subjected BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice to AFB1 and evaluated their marble-burying and self-grooming behaviors and their sociability. The exposure to AFB1 resulted in a notable escalation in marble-burying and self-grooming activities while concurrently leading to a decline in social contacts. In addition, we investigated the potential molecular mechanisms that underlie the impact of AFB1 on the production of Th1 (IFN-γ, STAT1, and T-bet), Th9 (IL-9 and IRF4), Th17 (IL-17A, IL-21, RORγT, and STAT3), Th22 (IL-22, AhR, and TNF-α), and T regulatory (Treg) (IL-10, TGF-β1, and FoxP3) cells in the spleen. This was achieved using RT-PCR and Western blot analyses to assess mRNA and protein expression in brain tissue. The exposure to AFB1 resulted in a significant upregulation of various immune-related factors, including IFN-γ, STAT1, T-bet, IL-9, IRF4, IL-17A, IL-21, RORγ, STAT3, IL-22, AhR, and TNF-α in BTBR mice. Conversely, the production of IL-10, TGF-β1, and FoxP3 by CD4+ T cells was observed to be downregulated. Exposure to AFB1 demonstrated a notable rise in Th1/Th9/Th22/Th17 levels and a decrease in mRNA and protein expression of Treg. The results above underscore the significance of AFB1 exposure in intensifying neurobehavioral and immunological abnormalities in BTBR mice, hence indicating the necessity for a more comprehensive investigation into the contribution of AFB1 to the development of ASD.

Network-Derived Radioresistant Breast Cancer Target with Candidate Inhibitors from Brown Algae: A Sequential Assessment from Target Selection to Quantum Chemical Calculation

Despite significant progress in early detection and treatment, a few aggressive breast cancers still exhibit resistance to therapy. This study aimed to identify a therapeutic target for radioresistant breast cancer (RRbc) through a protein network from breast cancer genes and to evaluate potent phytochemicals against the identified target. Our approach includes the integration of differential expression genes from expression datasets to create a protein network and to use survival analysis to identify the crucial RRbc protein in order to discover a therapeutic target. Next, the phytochemicals sourced from brown algae were screened through molecular docking, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, MM-GBSA, and quantum mechanics against the identified target. As a result of our protein network investigation, the proto-oncogene c-KIT (KIT) protein was identified as a potent radioresistant breast cancer target. Further, phytochemical screening establishes that nahocol-A1 from brown algae has high binding characteristics (-8.56 kcal/mol) against the KIT protein. Then, quantum chemical analysis of nahocol-A1 provided insights into its electronic properties favorable for protein binding. Also, MD simulation comprehends the conformational stability of the KIT-nahocol-A1 complex. Overall, our findings suggest nahocol-A1 could serve as a promising therapeutic candidate for radioresistant breast cancer.

Histamine H4 Receptor Antagonist Ameliorates the Progression of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis via Regulation of T-Cell Imbalance

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative condition characterized by immune-mediated attacks on the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in demyelination and recurring T-cell responses. The histamine H4 receptor (H4R) is mainly expressed in cellular populations and plays a vital role in inflammation and immunological responses. The role of H4R in neurons of the CNS has recently been revealed. However, the precise role of H4R in neuronal function remains inadequately understood. The objective of this work was to investigate the impact of JNJ 10191584 (JNJ), a highly effective and specific H4R antagonist, on the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and to gain insight into the underlying mechanism involved. In this study, we examined the potential impact of JNJ therapy on the course of EAE in SJL/J mice. EAE mice were administered an oral dose of JNJ at a concentration of 6 mg/kg once a day, starting from day 10 and continuing until day 42. Afterward, the mice's clinical scores were assessed. In this study, we conducted additional research to examine the impact of JNJ on several types of immune cells, specifically Th1 (IFN-γ and T-bet), Th9 (IL-9 and IRF4), Th17 (IL-17A and RORγt), and regulatory T (Tregs; Foxp3 and TGF-β1) cells in the spleen. In this study, we further investigated the impact of JNJ on the mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ, T-bet, IL-9, IRF4, IL-17A, RORγt, Foxp3, and TGF-β1 in the brain. Daily treatment of JNJ effectively reduced the development of EAE in mice. The percentages of CD4+IFN-γ+, CD4+T-bet+, CD4+IL-9+, CD4+IRF4+, CD4+IL-17A+, and CD4+RORγt+ cells were shown to decrease, whereas the percentages of CD4+TGF-β1+ and CD4+Foxp3+ cells were observed to increase in EAE mice treated with JNJ. Therefore, the HR4 antagonist positively affected the course of EAE by modulating the signaling of transcription factors. The identified results include possible ramifications in the context of MS treatment.

In Silico Approaches to Developing Novel Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK-3β)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is caused by plaque agglomeration and entanglement in several areas of the neural cells, which leads to apoptosis. The main etiology of AD is senile dementia, which is linked to amyloid-beta (Aβ) deregulation and tau perivascular pathogeny. Hyperphosphorylated tau has a propensity for microtubules, which elevate the instability and tau-protein congregates, leading to accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Tau hyperphosphorylation is susceptible to GSK-3, which has led to an emerging hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of AD. Accordingly, attempts have been made to conduct investigations and achieve further advancements on new analogues capable of inhibiting the GSK-3 protein, which are currently in the clinical trials. In this analysis, we have evaluated certain GSK-3 inhibitor variants utilising scaffolding and framework devised techniques with pharmacological characteristics, accompanied by computational screenings (pharmacokinetics and docking). The structure-based designed analogues interacted effectively with the active amino acids of GSK-3β target protein. The in silico pharmacokinetic studies revealed their drug-like properties. The analogues with best interactions and binding scores will be considered in the future to completely demonstrate their potential relevance as viable GSK-3 inhibitors.

Unravelling the Molecular Mechanisms of a Quercetin Nanocrystal for Treating Potential Parkinson's Disease in a Rotenone Model: Supporting Evidence of Network Pharmacology and In Silico Data Analysis

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease places a significant burden on society; therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more effective drugs. However, the development of these drugs is both expensive and risky. Quercetin (QUE) has potent pharmacological effects on neurodegenerative diseases, but its low solubility in water and poor bioavailability limit its use in pharmaceutical applications. In this study, Quercetin nanocrystals (QNC) were synthesized and compared to standard QUE. A network-pharmacology-based methodology was applied, including target prediction, network construction, a gene ontology (GO) analysis, a KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and molecular docking. This study aimed to identify the targets of QUE relevant to the treatment of Parkinson's disease and investigate the associated pharmacological mechanisms. Most of the predicted targets are involved in dopamine uptake during synaptic transmission. QUE regulates the key targets DRD2 and DRD4, which significantly affect dopaminergic synapses. The molecular docking results showed that QUE had a better binding affinity than the standard drug l-Dopa. From these experiments, it can be concluded that QNC effectively reduced the adverse effects caused by rotenone-induced oxidative stress in biochemical, neurochemical, and histopathological alterations. Therefore, QNC can potentially treat Parkinson's disease, and its effectiveness should be assessed in future clinical trials.

Computational Studies to Understand the Neuroprotective Mechanism of Action Basil Compounds

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, pose a significant global health challenge, emphasizing the need for novel neuroprotective agents. Basil (Ocimum spp.) has been recognized for its therapeutic potential, and numerous studies have reported neuroprotective effects. In this manuscript, we present a computational protocol to extricate the underlying mechanism of action of basil compounds in neuroprotective effects. Molecular docking-based investigation of the chemical interactions between selected bioactive compounds from basil and key neuroprotective targets, including AChE, GSK3β, γ-secretase, and sirtuin2. Our results demonstrate that basil compound myricerone caffeoyl ester possesses a high affinity of -10.01 and -8.85 kcal/mol against GSK3β and γ-secretase, respectively, indicating their potential in modulating various neurobiological processes. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to explore the protein-ligand complexes' stability and to analyze the bound basil compounds' dynamic behavior. This comprehensive computational investigation enlightens the putative mechanistic basis for the neuroprotective effects of basil compounds, providing a rationale for their therapeutic use in neurodegenerative disorders after further experimental validation.

Clinical Significance of Adropin and Afamin in Evaluating Renal Function and Cardiovascular Health in the Presence of CKD-MBD Biomarkers in Chronic Kidney Disease

AIM

The study aims to test the hypothesis that concentrations of adropin and afamin differ between patients in various stages of chronic kidney disease when compared with healthy controls. The study also investigates the association of the biomarkers (adropin and afamin) with CKD-MBD and traditional cardiovascular risk parameters in CKD patients.

METHODOLOGY

The cross-sectional study includes the subjects divided into four groups comprising the control group (healthy volunteers = 50), CKD stages 1-2 patients (n = 50), CKD stages 3-4 patients (n = 50), CKD stage 5 patients (n = 50). Serum concentrations of adropin and afamin were determined using ELISA. Clinical variables (renal, lipid, and CKD-MBD parameters) were correlated to adropin and afamin concentrations.

RESULTS

Afamin concentration was found to be higher in group IV, followed by groups III and II when compared to the control group, i.e., (83.243 ± 1.46, 64.233 ± 0.99, and 28.948 ± 0.72 vs. 14.476 ± 0.5) mg/L (p < 0.001), and adropin concentration was found to be lower in group IV as compared to groups III, II, and I (200.342 ± 8.37 vs. 284.682 ± 9.89 vs. 413.208 ± 12.32 vs. 706.542 ± 11.32) pg/mL (p < 0.001), respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that afamin was positively correlated with traditional cardiovascular risk biomarkers, while adropin showed a negative correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

Adropin and afamin may potentially serve as futuristic predictors for the deterioration of renal function and may be involved in the pathological mechanisms of CKD and its associated complications such as CKD-MBD and high lipid levels.

Multi-Target Effect of Aloeresin-A against Bacterial and Host Inflammatory Targets Benefits Contact Lens-Related Keratitis: A Multi-Omics and Quantum Chemical Investigation

Contact lens-mediated microbial keratitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae provokes corneal damage and vision loss. Recently, natural phytochemicals have become complementary medicines for corneal destruction. Herein, we aimed to identify multi-targeting Aloe vera-derived phytochemicals capable of inhibiting bacterial and host targets of keratitis through ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, MMGBSA (molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area) and density functional theory (DFT) investigations. An extensive literature search revealed ExoU, ExoS, ExoT, ExoY, and PLY as virulent bacterial targets. Simultaneously, differential gene expression (DGE) and pathway enrichment analysis-specified host transcription factor (SPI1) influences keratitis pathogenesis. Molecular docking analysis uncovered aloeresin-A as a promising inhibitor against bacterial and host targets, demonstrating strong binding energies ranging from -7.59 to -6.20 kcal/mol. Further, MMGBSA and MD simulation analysis reflect higher binding free energies and stable interactions of aloeresin-A with the targets. In addition, DFT studies reveal the chemical reactiveness of aloeresin-A through quantum chemical calculations. Hence, our findings show aloeresin-A to be a promising candidate for effectively inhibiting keratitis. However, additional research is imperative for potential integration into lens care solutions.

Impacts of the DPP-4 Inhibitor Saxagliptin and SGLT-2 Inhibitor Dapagliflozin on the Gonads of Diabetic Mice

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that can cause systemic problems, including testicular dysfunction. Several diabetes medications have demonstrated potential adverse effects on the male reproductive system; however, the effects of saxagliptin and dapagliflozin have not been sufficiently examined. This investigation studied the impacts of saxagliptin and dapagliflozin treatments on the gonads in a male mouse model of diabetes. Testicular disturbances were assessed by sperm DNA damage, diakinesis-metaphase I chromosome examination, and spermiogram analysis. Our results showed more sperm DNA damage, more spermatocyte chromosome aberrations, lower sperm motility/count, and more sperm morphological anomalies in diabetic mice than in the control mice. Dapagliflozin significantly restored all examined measures to the control values in diabetic mice, unlike saxagliptin, which exacerbated the reduction in sperm count and motility. Both drugs significantly restored the gonadal redox imbalances in diabetic mice by decreasing reactive oxygen species accumulation and increasing glutathione levels. In conclusion, our study presents preliminary evidence for the safety and efficacy of dapagliflozin in alleviating testicular abnormalities induced by diabetes, making it a promising candidate drug for patients with diabetes in their reproductive age. As saxagliptin may have negative effects on fertility, its prescription should be avoided in young male diabetic patients.

Preventive Action of Beta-Carotene against the Indoxyl Sulfate-Induced Renal Dysfunction in Male Adult Zebrafish via Regulations of Mitochondrial Inflammatory and β-Carotene Oxygenase-2 Actions

Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a metabolic byproduct of indole metabolism. IS readily interacts with the mitochondrial redox metabolism, leading to altered renal function. The β-carotene oxygenase-2 (BCO2) enzyme converts carotenoids to intermediate products. However, the role of β-carotene (BC) in IS-induced renal dysfunction in zebrafish and their modulatory action on BCO2 and mitochondrial inflammations have not been explored yet. Hence, the present study is designed to investigate the role of BC in the attenuation of IS-induced renal dysfunction via regulations of mitochondrial redox balance by BCO2 actions. Renal dysfunction was induced by exposure to IS (10 mg/L/hour/day) for 4 weeks. BC (50 and 100 mg/L/hour/day) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10; 20 mg/L/hour/day) were added before IS exposure. BC attenuated the IS-induced increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine concentrations, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and complex I activity levels, and the reduction of renal mitochondrial biomarkers, i.e., BCO2, superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX1), reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio, and carbonylated proteins. Moreover, renal histopathological changes were analyzed by the eosin and hematoxylin staining method. As a result, the administration of BC attenuated the IS-induced renal damage via the regulation of mitochondrial function.

Recent Development of Novel Aminoethyl-Substituted Chalcones as Potential Drug Candidates for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

No drug on the market, as a single entity, participates in different pathways involved in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. The current study is aimed at the exploration of multifunctional chalcone derivatives which can act on multiple targets involved in Alzheimer's disease. A series of novel aminoethyl-substituted chalcones have been developed using in silico approaches (scaffold morphing, molecular docking, and ADME) and reported synthetic methods. The synthesized analogs were characterized and evaluated biologically using different in vitro assays against AChE, AGEs, and radical formation. Among all compounds, compound PS-10 was found to have potent AChE inhibitory activity (IC50 = 15.3 nM), even more than the standard drug (IC50 = 15.68 nM). Further, the in vivo evaluation of PS-10 against STZ-induced dementia in rats showed memory improvement (Morris Water Maze test) in rats. Also, PS-10 inhibited STZ-induced brain AChE activity and oxidative stress, further strengthening the observed in vitro effects. Further, the molecular dynamic simulation studies displayed the stability of the PS-10 and AChE complex. The novel aminoethyl-substituted chalcones might be considered potential multifunctional anti-Alzheimer's molecules.

Auranofin Modulates Thioredoxin Reductase/Nrf2 Signaling in Peripheral Immune Cells and the CNS in a Mouse Model of Relapsing-Remitting EAE

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases. It causes the demyelination of neurons and the subsequent degeneration of the central nervous system (CNS). The infiltration of leukocytes of both myeloid and lymphoid origins from the systemic circulation into the CNS triggers autoimmune reactions through the release of multiple mediators. These mediators include oxidants, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines which ultimately cause the characteristic plaques observed in MS. Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling plays a crucial role in the regulation of inflammation by modulating the transcription of antioxidants and the suppression of inflammatory cytokines. The gold compound auranofin (AFN) is known to activate Nrf2 through the inhibition of TrxR; however, the effects of this compound have not been explored in a mouse model of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Therefore, this study explored the influence of AFN on clinical features, TrxR/Nrf2 signaling [heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD-1)] and oxidative/inflammatory mediators [IL-6, IL-17A, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitrotyrosine] in peripheral immune cells and the CNS of mice with the RR type of EAE. Our results showed an increase in TrxR activity and a decrease in Nrf2 signaling in SJL/J mice with RR-EAE. The treatment with AFN caused the amelioration of the clinical features of RR-EAE through the elevation of Nrf2 signaling and the subsequent upregulation of the levels of antioxidants as well as the downregulation of oxidative/pro-inflammatory mediators in peripheral immune cells and the CNS. These data suggest that AFN may be beneficial in the treatment of RRMS.

Thioredoxin 1 and Thioredoxin Reductase 1 Redox System Is Dysregulated in Neutrophils of Subjects with Autism: In Vitro Effects of Environmental Toxicant, Methylmercury

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental disorder in children that results in abnormal communicative and verbal behaviors. Exposure to heavy metals plays a significant role in the pathogenesis or progression of ASD. Mercury compounds pose significant risk for the development of ASD as children are more exposed to environmental toxicants. Increased concentration of mercury compounds has been detected in different body fluids/tissues in ASD children, which suggests an association between mercury exposure and ASD. Thioredoxin1 (Trx1) and thioredoxin reductase1 (TrxR1) redox system plays a crucial role in detoxification of oxidants generated in different immune cells. However, the effect of methylmercury and the Nrf2 activator sulforaphane on the Trx1/TrxR1 antioxidant system in neutrophils of ASD subjects has not been studied previously. Therefore, this study examined the effect of methylmercury on Trx1/TrxR1 expression, TrxR activity, nitrotyrosine, and ROS in neutrophils of ASD and TDC subjects. Our study shows that Trx1/TrxR1 protein expression is dysregulated in ASD subjects as compared to the TDC group. Further, methylmercury treatment significantly inhibits the activity of TrxR in both ASD and TDC groups. Inhibition of TrxR by mercury is associated with upregulation of the Trx1 protein in TDC neutrophils but not in ASD neutrophils. Furthermore, ASD neutrophils have exaggerated ROS production after exposure to methylmercury, which is much greater in magnitude than TDC neutrophils. Sulforaphane reversed methylmercury-induced effects on neutrophils through Nrf2-mediated induction of the Trx1/TrxR1 system. These observations suggest that exposure to the environmental toxicant methylmercury may elevate systemic oxidative inflammation due to a dysregulated Trx1/TrxR1 redox system in the neutrophils of ASD subjects, which may play a role in the progression of ASD.

Topical Micro-Emulsion of 5-Fluorouracil by a Twin Screw Processor-Based Novel Continuous Manufacturing Process for the Treatment of Skin Cancer: Preparation and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluations

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a BCS class III drug, has low oral bioavailability and is cytotoxic in nature causing severe systemic side effects when administered through the intravenous route. Topical drug delivery could potentially mitigate the systemic side-effects. Microemulsions (MEs) would be an apt solution due to enhanced partitioning of the drug to the skin. However, conventional methods for preparing MEs are inefficient since they are not continuous and are very tedious and time-consuming processes hence revealing the need for the development of continuous manufacturing technology. In our study, 5-FU MEs were prepared using a continuous manufacturing Twin Screw Process (TSP) and its efficiency in the treatment of skin cancer was evaluated. Water-in-oil MEs were prepared using isopropyl myristate as the oil phase and Aerosol OT and Tween 80 as the surfactants. The average particle size was observed to be 178 nm. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to confirm the size and shape of the MEs. FTIR study proved no physical or chemical interaction between the excipients and the drug. In vitro drug release using vertical diffusion cells and ex vivo skin permeation studies showed that the drug was released sustainably and permeated across the skin, respectively. In in vitro cytotoxicity studies, 5-FU MEs were accessed in HaCat and A431 cell lines to determine percentage cell viability and IC50. Skin irritation and histopathological examination implied that the 5-FU MEs did not cause any significant irritation to the skin. In vivo pharmacodynamics studies in rats suggested that the optimised formulation was effective in treating squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Therefore, 5-FU MEs efficiently overcame the various drawbacks faced during oral and intravenous drug delivery. Also, TSP proved to be a technique that overcomes the various problems associated with the conventional methods of preparing MEs.

Histamine H4 Receptor Agonist, 4-Methylhistamine, Aggravates Disease Progression and Promotes Pro-Inflammatory Signaling in B Cells in an Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mouse Model

We sought to assess the impact of 4-Methylhistamine (4-MeH), a specific agonist targeting the Histamine H4 Receptor (H4R), on the progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and gain insight into the underlying mechanism. EAE is a chronic autoimmune, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by demyelination, axonal damage, and neurodegeneration. Over the past decade, pharmacological research into the H4R has gained significance in immune and inflammatory disorders. For this study, Swiss Jim Lambert EAE mice were treated with 4-MeH (30 mg/kg/day) via intraperitoneal administration from days 14 to 42, and the control group was treated with a vehicle. Subsequently, we evaluated the clinical scores. In addition, flow cytometry was employed to estimate the impact of 4-Methylhistamine (4-MeH) on NF-κB p65, GM-CSF, MCP-1, IL-6, and TNF-α within CD19+ and CXCR5+ spleen B cells. Additionally, we investigated the effect of 4-MeH on the mRNA expression levels of Nf-κB p65, Gmcsf, Mcp1, Il6, and Tnfα in the brain of mice using RT-PCR. Notably, the clinical scores of EAE mice treated with 4-MeH showed a significant increase compared with those treated with the vehicle. The percentage of cells expressing CD19+NF-κB p65+, CXCR5+NF-κB p65+, CD19+GM-CSF+, CXCR5+GM-CSF+, CD19+MCP-1+, CXCR5+MCP-1+, CD19+IL-6+, CXCR5+IL-6+, CD19+TNF-α+, and CXCR5+TNF-α+ exhibited was more pronounced in 4-MeH-treated EAE mice when compared to vehicle-treated EAE mice. Moreover, the administration of 4-MeH led to increased expression of NfκB p65, Gmcsf, Mcp1, Il6, and Tnfα mRNA in the brains of EAE mice. This means that the H4R agonist promotes pro-inflammatory mediators aggravating EAE symptoms. Our results indicate the harmful role of H4R agonists in the pathogenesis of MS in an EAE mouse model.

PM2.5-Induced Cardiac Structural Modifications and Declined Pro-Survival Signalling Pathways Are Responsible for the Inefficiency of GSK-3β Inhibitor in Attenuating Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Circulatory GSK3β is recognized as a biomarker and therapeutic target for diseases, including myocardial diseases. However, its potential as a target for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IR) in the presence of PM2.5 exposure is unclear. Wistar rats underwent IR following either a 21-day or single exposure to PM2.5 at a concentration of 250 µg/m3. The effects of GSK3β inhibitor on cardiac physiology, tissue injury, mitochondrial function, and the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β signalling axis were examined. The inhibitor was not effective in improving hemodynamics or reducing IR-induced infarction in the myocardium exposed to PM2.5 for 21 days. However, for a single-day exposure, the inhibitor showed potential in mitigating cardiac injury. In normal hearts undergoing IR, the inhibitor activated the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway, improved mitochondrial function, and reduced oxidative stress. These positive effects were not observed in PM2.5-exposed rats. Furthermore, the inhibitor stimulated autophagy in hearts exposed to PM2.5 for 21 days and subjected to IR, resulting in increased mTOR expression and decreased AMPK expression. In normal hearts and those exposed to a single dose of PM2.5, the inhibitor effectively activated the PI3K/Akt/AMPK axis. These findings suggest that GSK3β may not be a reliable therapeutic target for IR in the presence of chronic PM2.5 exposure.

Enhanced Codelivery of Gefitinib and Azacitidine for Treatment of Metastatic-Resistant Lung Cancer Using Biodegradable Lipid Nanoparticles

Lung cancer is a formidable challenge in clinical practice owing to its metastatic nature and resistance to conventional treatments. The codelivery of anticancer agents offers a potential solution to overcome resistance and minimize systemic toxicity. The encapsulation of these agents within nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) provides a promising strategy to enhance lymphatic delivery and reduce the risk of relapse. This study aimed to develop an NLC formulation loaded with Gefitinib and Azacitidine (GEF-AZT-NLC) for the treatment of metastatic-resistant lung cancer. The physicochemical properties of the formulations were characterized, and in vitro drug release was evaluated using the dialysis bag method. The cytotoxic activity of the GEF-AZT-NLC formulations was assessed on a lung cancer cell line, and hemocompatibility was evaluated using suspended red blood cells. The prepared formulations exhibited nanoscale size (235-272 nm) and negative zeta potential values (-15 to -31 mV). In vitro study revealed that the GEF-AZT-NLC formulation retained more than 20% and 60% of GEF and AZT, respectively, at the end of the experiment. Hemocompatibility study demonstrated the safety of the formulation for therapeutic use, while cytotoxicity studies suggested that the encapsulation of both anticancer agents within NLCs could be advantageous in treating resistant cancer cells. In conclusion, the GEF-AZT-NLC formulation developed in this study holds promise as a potential therapeutic tool for treating metastatic-resistant lung cancer.

Aflatoxin B1 Exacerbates Genomic Instability and Apoptosis in the BTBR Autism Mouse Model via Dysregulating DNA Repair Pathway

The pathophysiology of autism is influenced by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Furthermore, individuals with autism appear to be at a higher risk of developing cancer. However, this is not fully understood. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent food pollutant carcinogen. The effects of AFB1 on genomic instability in autism have not yet been investigated. Hence, we have aimed to investigate whether repeated exposure to AFB1 causes alterations in genomic stability, a hallmark of cancer and apoptosis in the BTBR autism mouse model. The data revealed increased micronuclei generation, oxidative DNA strand breaks, and apoptosis in BTBR animals exposed to AFB1 when compared to unexposed animals. Lipid peroxidation in BTBR mice increased with a reduction in glutathione following AFB1 exposure, demonstrating an exacerbated redox imbalance. Furthermore, the expressions of some of DNA damage/repair- and apoptosis-related genes were also significantly dysregulated. Increases in the redox disturbance and dysregulation in the DNA damage/repair pathway are thus important determinants of susceptibility to AFB1-exacerbated genomic instability and apoptosis in BTBR mice. This investigation shows that AFB1-related genomic instability can accelerate the risk of cancer development. Moreover, approaches that ameliorate the redox balance and DNA damage/repair dysregulation may mitigate AFB1-caused genomic instability.

Naringin from Coffee Inhibits Foodborne Aspergillus fumigatus via the NDK Pathway: Evidence from an In Silico Study

In the tropics, coffee has been one of the most extensively cultivated economic crops, especially Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.). The coffee pulp, which includes phytochemicals with a proven antifungal action, is one of the most insufficiently utilized and neglected byproducts of coffee refining. In the current experiment, we carried out in silico screening of the isolated Arabica coffee phytochemicals for antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus: a foodborne fungus of great public health importance. As determined by the molecular docking interactions of the library compounds indicated, the best interactions were found to occur between the nucleoside-diphosphate kinase protein 6XP7 and the test molecules Naringin (-6.771 kcal/mol), followed by Epigallocatechin gallate (-5.687 kcal/mol). Therefore, Naringin was opted for further validation with molecular dynamic simulations. The ligand-protein complex RMSD indicated a fairly stable Naringin-NDK ligand-protein complex throughout the simulation period (2-16 Å). In ADME and gastrointestinal absorbability testing, Naringin was observed to be orally bioavailable, with very low intestinal absorption and a bioavailability score of 0.17. This was further supported by the boiled egg analysis data, which clearly indicated that the GI absorption of the Naringin molecule was obscure. We found that naringin could be harmful only when swallowed at a median lethal dose between 2000 and 5000 mg/kg. In accordance with these findings, the toxicity prediction reports suggested that Naringin, found especially in citrus fruits and tomatoes, is safe for human consumption after further investigation. Overall, Naringin may be an ideal candidate for developing anti-A. fumigatus treatments and food packaging materials. Thus, this study addresses the simultaneous problems of discarded coffee waste management and antifungal resistance to available medications.

The small molecule Erk1/2 signaling pathway inhibitor PD98059 improves DNA repair in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis SJL/J mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disorder in which the myelin sheath covering the central nervous system axons is damaged or lost, disrupting action potential conduction and leading to various neurological complications. The pathogenesis of MS remains unclear, and no effective therapies are currently available. MS is triggered by environmental factors in genetically susceptible individuals. DNA damage and DNA repair failure have been proposed as MS genetic risk factors; however, inconsistent evidence has been found in multiple studies. Therefore, more investigations are needed to ascertain whether DNA damage/repair is altered in this disorder. In this context, therapies that prevent DNA damage or enhance DNA repair could be effective strategies for MS treatment. The overactivation of the extracellular-signal-related kinase 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) pathway can lead to DNA damage and has been linked to MS pathogenesis. In our study, we observed substantially elevated oxidative DNA damage and slower DNA repair rates in an experimentally autoimmune encephalomyelitis animal model of MS (EAE). Moreover, statistical decreases in oxidative DNA strand breaks and faster repair rates were observed in EAE animals injected with the Erk1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (PD). Moreover, the expression of several genes associated with DNA strand breaks and repair changed in EAE mice at both the mRNA and protein levels, as revealed by the RT² Profiler PCR array and verified by RT-PCR and protein analyses. The treatment with PD mitigated these changes and improved DNA repair gene expression. Our results demonstrate clear associations between Erk1/2 activation, DNA damage/repair, and MS pathology, and further suggest that PD therapy may be a promising adjuvant therapeutic strategy.

Sinapic acid alleviates 5-fluorouracil-induced nephrotoxicity in rats via Nrf2/HO-1 signalling

Fluoropyrimidine 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a DNA analogue broadly used in chemotherapy, though treatment-associated nephrotoxicity limits its widespread clinical use. Sinapic acid (SA) has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects, we investigated its protective effects against 5-FU-induced nephrotoxicity in a rat model. We designated four treatment groups each Group I (control) received five intraperitoneal saline injections (once daily) from days 17 to 21; Group II received five intraperitoneal injections of 5-FU (50 mg/kg/day) from days 17 to 21; Group III received an oral administration of SA (40 mg/kg) for 21 days and five intraperitoneal injections of 5-FU (50 mg/kg/day) from days 17 to 21; and Group IV received an oral administration of SA (40 mg/kg) for 21 days (n-six rats in each group). blood samples were collected on day 22 from each group. Animals were sacrificed and their kidneys removed, and instantly frozen. 5-FU caused oxidative stress, inflammation, and activation of the apoptotic pathway by upregulating Bax and Caspase-3 and downregulating Bcl-2. However, SA exposure reduced serum toxicity indicators, boosted antioxidant defences, and reduced kidney apoptosis, which was confirmed by histopathological analysis. Therefore, prophylactic administration of SA could inhibit 5-FU-induced renal injuries in rats via suppression of renal inflammation and oxidative stress, primarily through regulation of NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokines, inhibition of renal apoptosis, and restoration of tubular epithelial antioxidant activities and cytoprotective defences.

Structure-based identification of potential inhibitors of ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1, targeting cancer therapy: a combined docking and molecular dynamics simulations approach

Ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), commonly known as P70-S6 kinase 1 (p70S6), is a key protein kinase involved in cellular signaling pathways that regulate cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism. Its significant role is reported in the PIK3/mTOR signaling pathway and is associated with various complex diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and different types of cancer. Due to its involvement in various physiological and pathological conditions, S6K1 is considered as an attractive target for drug design and discovery. One way to target S6K1 is by developing small molecule inhibitors that specifically bind to its ATP-binding site, preventing its activation and thus inhibiting downstream signaling pathways necessary for cell growth and survival. In this study, we have conducted a multitier virtual screening of a pool of natural compounds to identify potential S6K1 inhibitors. We performed molecular docking on IMPPAT 2.0 library and selected top hits based on their binding affinity, ligand efficiency, and specificity towards S6K1. The selected hits were further assessed based on different filters of drug-likeliness where two compounds (Hecogenin and Glabrene) were identified as potential leads for S6K1 inhibition. Both compounds showed appreciable affinity, ligand efficiency and specificity towards S6K1 binding pocket, drug-like properties, and stable protein-ligand complexes in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Finally, our study has suggested that Hecogenin and Glabrene can be potential S6K1 inhibitors which are presumably implicated in the therapeutic management of associated diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and varying types of cancer.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Exposure to Methylmercury at Juvenile Stage Worsens Autism-like Symptoms in Adult BTBR T+tf/J Mice Due to Lack of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 Signaling Upregulation in Periphery and Brain

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted developmental condition that first appears in infancy. The condition is characterized by recurrent patterns in behavior and impairments in social and vocalization abilities. Methylmercury is a toxic environmental pollutant, and its derivatives are the major source of organic mercury to human beings. Inorganic mercury, which is released from a variety of pollutants into oceans, rivers, and streams, is transformed into methylmercury by bacteria and plankton in the water, which later builds up in fish and shellfish, and then enters humans through the consumption of fish and shellfish and increases the risk of developing ASD by disturbing the oxidant-antioxidant balance. However, there has been no prior research to determine the effect of juvenile exposure of methylmercury chloride on adult BTBR mice. Therefore, the current study evaluated the effect of methylmercury chloride administered during the juvenile stage on autism-like behavior (three-chambered sociability, marble burying, self-grooming tests) and oxidant-antioxidant balance (specifically Nrf2, HO-1, SOD-1, NF-kB, iNOS, MPO, and 3-nitrotyrosine) in the peripheral neutrophils and cortex of adult BTBR and C57BL/6 (B6) mice. Our results show that exposure to methylmercury chloride at a juvenile stage results in autism-like symptoms in adult BTBR mice which are related to a lack of upregulation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway as demonstrated by no significant changes in the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and SOD-1 in the periphery and cortex. On the other hand, methylmercury chloride administration at a juvenile stage increased oxidative inflammation as depicted by a significant increase in the levels of NF-kB, iNOS, MPO, and 3-nitrotyrosine in the periphery and cortex of adult BTBR mice. This study suggests that juvenile exposure to methylmercury chloride contributes to the worsening of autism-like behavior in adult BTBR mice through the disruption of the oxidant-antioxidant balance in the peripheral compartment and CNS. Strategies that elevate Nrf2 signaling may be useful to counteract toxicant-mediated worsening of ASD and may improve quality of life.

Splenomegaly and Splenic Pseudocyst in a Female Teenage Patient with Sickle Cell Anemia-A Case Report

Splenomegaly is one of the complications of sickle cell disease (SCD) occurring in early childhood. This risk is reduced by the age of five years as the spleen undergoes auto splenectomy as a consequence of recurrent vasooclusion and splenic infarction. However, in some variants of SCD, the persistence of the spleen occurs. This can be complicated rarely by the formation of a splenic pseudocyst. We report a 17-year-old teenager with sickle cell anemia who presented with an 8-year history of gradually increasing left-sided abdominal swelling and a 2-month history of recurrent left upper abdominal pain. A computerized tomography scan revealed splenomegaly and multiple splenic cysts, not responsive to opioid analgesics which necessitated a total splenectomy. The histology report found an absence of epithelial lining confirming splenic pseudocysts. SCD patients with splenomegaly have underlying splenic infarction, which is a predisposition to splenic pseudocyst formation, though a rare occurrence. Many patients with splenic pseudocyst are usually asymptomatic and do not need intervention. However, the index patient developed serious symptoms indicating a need for a total splenectomy. A splenic pseudocyst is rare and found in <1% of splenectomies.

Rituximab exerts its anti-arthritic effects via inhibiting NF-κB/GM-CSF/iNOS signaling in B cells in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis

Rheumatoidarthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by uncontrolled joint inflammation and damage to bone and cartilage. B cells are known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis and development of arthritis. Previous studies have found that B cells may be a potential target for treating RA. Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting B cells, has induced long-term clinical responses in RA. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model is a widely studied autoimmune model of RA. CIA mouse model was used to investigate the effect of rituximab on the RA severity in the mice. Following induction of CIA, animals were treated with rituximab (250 mg/kg/week) intraperitoneally on the days 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 63 after collagen induction. We investigated the effect of rituximab on NF-κB p65, IκBα, GM-CSF, MCP-1, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6 cells in splenic CD19⁺ and CD45R⁺ B cells using flow cytometry. We also assessed the effect of rituximab on NF-κB p65, GM-CSF, IκBα, MCP-1, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6 at mRNA levels using RT-PCR analyses of knee tissues. Rituximab treatment significantly decreased CD19⁺NF-κB p65⁺, CD45R⁺NF-κB p65⁺, CD19⁺GM-CSF⁺, CD45R⁺GM-CSF⁺, CD19⁺MCP-1⁺, CD45R⁺MCP-1⁺, CD19⁺TNF-α⁺, CD45R⁺TNF-α⁺, CD19⁺iNOS⁺, CD45R⁺iNOS⁺, CD19⁺IL-6⁺, and CD45R⁺IL-6⁺, and increased CD45R⁺IκBα⁺ in spleen cells of CIA mice. We further observed that rituximab treatment downregulated NF-κB p65, GM-CSF, MCP-1, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6, whereas it upregulated IκBα, mRNA level. All these findings suggest that rituximab may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of RA.

DAPTA, a C-C Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5), Leads to the Downregulation of Notch/NF-κB Signaling and Proinflammatory Mediators in CD40+ Cells in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Model in SJL/J Mice

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system characterized by motor deficits, cognitive impairment, fatigue, pain, and sensory and visual dysfunction. CD40, highly expressed in B cells, plays a significant role in MS pathogenesis. The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS has been well established, as well as its relevance in MS patients. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of DAPTA, a selective C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) antagonist in the murine model of MS, and to expand the knowledge of its mechanism of action. Following the induction of EAE, DAPTA was administrated (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.) daily from day 14 to day 42. We investigated the effects of DAPTA on NF-κB p65, IκBα, Notch-1, Notch-3, GM-CSF, MCP-1, iNOS, and TNF-α in CD40⁺ spleen B cells using flow cytometry. Furthermore, we also analyzed the effect of DAPTA on NF-κB p65, IκBα, Notch-1, Notch-3, GM-CSF, MCP-1, iNOS, and TNF-α mRNA expression levels using qRT-PCR in brain tissue. EAE mice treated with DAPTA showed substantial reductions in NF-κB p65, Notch-1, Notch-3, GM-CSF, MCP-1, iNOS, and TNF-α but an increase in the IκBα of CD40⁺ B lymphocytes. Moreover, EAE mice treated with DAPTA displayed decreased NF-κB p65, Notch-1, Notch-3, GM-CSF, MCP-1, iNOS, and TNF-α and but showed increased IκBα mRNA expression levels. This study showed that DAPTA has significant neuroprotective potential in EAE via the downregulation of inflammatory mediators and NF-κB/Notch signaling. Collectively, DAPTA might have potential therapeutic targets for use in MS treatment.

CXCR3 antagonist NBI-74330 mitigates joint inflammation in Collagen-Induced arthritis model in DBA/1J mice

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by uncontrolled synovial proliferation, pannus formation, cartilage injury, and bone destruction. We used the CXCR3-specific antagonist NBI-74330 to block T-cell-mediated signaling in a DBA/1J mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). After CIA induction, DBA/1J mice were treated with NBI-74330 (100 mg/kg) daily from day 21 until day 34 and evaluated for arthritic score and histopathological changes. Furthermore, using flow cytometry, we investigated the effects of NBI-74330 on Th1 (IFN-γ, TNF-α, T-bet, STAT4, Notch-3, and RANKL), Th17 (IL-21, IL-17A, STAT3, and RORγt), and Th22 (IL-22) cells in splenic CD4⁺ and CXCR3⁺T-cells. We also used RT-PCR to assess the effect of mRNA levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, T-bet, RANKL, IL-17A, RORγt, and IL-22 in knee tissues. The IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17A serum protein levels were measured using ELISA. Compared to vehicle-treated CIA mice, the severity of arthritic scores and histological severity of inflammation decreased significantly in NBI-74330-treated CIA mice. Moreover, compared to vehicle-treated CIA mice, the percentages of CD4⁺IFN-γ⁺, CD4⁺TNF-α⁺, CD4⁺T-bet⁺, CD4⁺STAT4⁺, CD4⁺Notch-3⁺, CXCR3⁺IFN-γ⁺, CXCR3⁺TNF-α⁺, CXCR3⁺T-bet⁺, CXCR3⁺STAT4⁺, CXCR3⁺Notch-3⁺, CD4⁺RANKL⁺, CD4⁺IL-21⁺, CD4⁺IL-17A⁺, CD4⁺STAT3⁺, CD4⁺RORγt⁺, and CD4⁺IL-22⁺ cells decreased in NBI-74330-treated CIA mice. Furthermore, NBI-74330-treatment downregulated IFN-γ, TNF-α, T-bet, RANKL, STAT3, IL-17A, RORγt, and IL-22 mRNA levels. Serum IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17A levels were significantly lower in NBI-74330-treated CIA mice than in vehicle-treated CIA mice. This study demonstrates the antiarthritic effects of NBI-74330 in CIA mice. Therefore, these data suggest that NBI-74330 could be considered a potential RA treatment.