Exploring the role of tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase and associations with inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients: A case-control study

Tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (WRS) is a critical enzyme involved in protein synthesis, responsible for charging tRNA with the essential amino acid tryptophan. Recent studies have highlighted its novel role in stimulating innate immunity against bacterial and viral infections. However, the significance of WRS in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains elusive. In this study, we aimed to investigate the complex interplay between WRS, inflammatory markers, Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), and clinical outcomes in coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) patients. A case-control investigation comprised 127 COVID-19 patients, carefully classified as severe or moderate upon admission, and 112 healthy individuals as a comparative group. Blood samples were meticulously collected before treatment initiation, and WRS, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were quantified using a well-established commercial ELISA kit. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the blood samples, and RNA was extracted for cDNA synthesis. Semi-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to assess the relative expression of TLR-4. COVID-19 patients exhibited elevated levels of WRS, IL-6, CRP, and TLR-4 expression compared to healthy individuals, with the severe group displaying significantly higher levels than the moderate group. Notably, severe patients demonstrated substantial fluctuations in CRP, IL-6, and WRS levels over time, a pattern not observed in their moderate counterparts. Although no significant distinctions were observed in the dynamic alterations of WRS, IL-6, CRP, and TLR-4 expression between deceased and surviving patients, a trend emerged indicating higher IL-6_1 levels in deceased patients and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in severe patients who succumbed to the disease. This pioneering research highlights the dynamic alterations of WRS in COVID-19 patients, providing valuable insights into the correlation between WRS, inflammatory markers, and disease severity within this population. Understanding the role of WRS in SARS-CoV-2 infection may open new avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting innate immunity to combat COVID-19.

Multicenter study of some liver and heart function tests in SARS-Cov-2 patients from three ethnic groups in Iran

The liver and cardiovascular system disorders are not common in COVID-19 patients, but the patients suffering from these complications are exposed to a higher rate of mortality and disease progression. Hepatic injuries can drive to increased levels of liver enzymes, including ALT, AST, and LDH. Abundant levels of AST, LDH, and CPK can be indicators of cardiac injuries. The current study comparise 366 individuals who are divided into COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals groups, in which we have examined hepatic and cardiac function parameters. Moreover, the clinical characteristics of the participants, ethnicities, and their difference with studied parameters were assessed. The results showed Fars individuals are more susceptible to the disease progression, including liver and heart damage. COVID-19 infection is associated with aging, which indicates that the mean age of the case group is ten years older than the control group (P < 0.001). The blood sugar in the case group (140.50) was higher than in the control group (131.66), although there was no difference between the infection and BS (P = 0.505). Similarly, the increased- mean of the ALT level in the case group (102.369) compared with the control group (68.324) resulted in no significant difference (P = 0.318). Other parameters, including CPK, LDH, and AST showed an increase in the control group values compared to the case group; however, the differences were not significant (P = 0.264, P = 0.795, P = 0.417). Considering the involvement of cardiac and hepatic organs by SARS-CoV-2, paying particular attention to the disorders of these organs through assessing the hepatic and cardiac function parameters can enhance the patient's recovery and survival. However, in this study, we not observed significant differences, except for the Fars people. There is need for further assessment of this issue.

The emerging role of probiotics as a mitigation strategy against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is an acute respiratory infection accompanied by pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has affected millions of people globally. To date, there are no highly efficient therapies for this infection. Probiotic bacteria can interact with the gut microbiome to strengthen the immune system, enhance immune responses, and induce appropriate immune signaling pathways. Several probiotics have been confirmed to reduce the duration of bacterial or viral infections. Immune fitness may be one of the approaches by which protection against viral infections can be reinforced. In general, prevention is more efficient than therapy in fighting viral infections. Thus, probiotics have emerged as suitable candidates for controlling these infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, any approach with the capacity to induce mucosal and systemic reactions could potentially be useful. Here, we summarize findings regarding the effectiveness of various probiotics for preventing virus-induced respiratory infectious diseases, especially those that could be employed for COVID-19 patients. However, the benefits of probiotics are strain-specific, and it is necessary to identify the bacterial strains that are scientifically established to be beneficial.

Chemical composition, cytotoxic effect and antimicrobial activity of Stachys koelzii Rech.f. essential oil against periodontal pathogen Prevotella intermedia

Prevotella intermedia is associated with periodontal diseases and endodontic infections. Periodontitis can be suppressed by utilizing the antiseptics, which target the infectious bacteria. The member of Stachys sp. has been used traditionally in the form of decoction or infusion for management of infectious diseases. The subject of this article was to evaluate the chemical composition, antimicrobial and cytotoxic effect of Stachys koelzii essential oil and its main components against Prevotella intermedia. GC-FID and GC-MS analysis were used to determine the chemical composition. The antimicrobial effects of S. koelzii essential oil was evaluated by micro-broth dilution assay. Time kill curve assays, leakage of cytoplasmic materials and anti-biofilm effects were determined. Its cytotoxic effect was evaluated by MTT assay. Essential oil with main components of α-pinene, trans-caryophyllene and 1,8-cineole inhibited P. intermedia with MIC and MBC values of 0.1 and 0.2 mg/mL. Its biofilm formation was higher than α-pinene, followed by trans-caryophyllene and 1,8-cineole. Essential oil and its main components increased the leakage of cytoplasmic components. Essential oil showed cytotoxic effect on HeLa cell lines with IC₅₀ 0.06 mg/mL. The cytotoxic effect of α-pinene on healthy cell lines was higher than essential oil. S. koelzii essential oil can be used in mouthwash formulations and its efficacy should be evaluated in large clinical studies.

INVESTIGATION ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTIOXIDANT, AND CYTOTOXIC PROPERTIES OF ESSENTIAL OIL FROM DRACOCEPHALUM KOTSCHYI BOISS

BACKGROUND

Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss is a herb with wide-spread applications. Lorestan traditional healers have applied it for the treatment of rheumatoid diseases and stomach disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hydrodistillation process was used for essential oil extraction, the extracted essential oil was then analyzed through combination of capillary GC-FID, GC-MS and RI. The in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of this essential oil were examined. Results indicate that the essential oil has a broad range of anti-microbial activity against all of the tested microorganisms.

RESULTS

The 50% of cytotoxic concentrations was 26.4 μg/ml and 4266.7 μg/ml for Hela cells and human lymphocytes, respectively. The oil cytotoxicity against the human tumor cell line was far higher than the amount required for human healthy cells. Conversely, the essential oil's IC50 value of 49.2 μg/ml in the DPPH assay, could be regarded as its strong antioxidant potential.

CONCLUSION

According to the data obtained, it can be concluded that D. kotschyi essential oil could be applied as a safe antibacterial and antioxidant agent for food and pharmaceutical purposes.

Antibacterial activity and chemical constitutions of essential oils of Thymus persicus and Thymus eriocalyx from west of Iran

The essential oils of Thymus persicus and Thymus eriocalyx were collected in Lorestan province, west of Iran and were examined by GC/MS and bacteriological tests. Twenty seven compounds representing 92.095% of T. persicus and 99.77% of Thymus eriocalyx essential oils were identified. The major constituents of T. persicus were thymol (10.71%), carvacrol (25.71%), gamma-terpinene (5.63%), alpha-pinene (1.14%), beta-pinene (1.02%), limonene (11.65%) trans-sabinene hydrate (7.78%) and 1-borneol (4.07%) and the major compounds of T. eriocalyx. were 1, 8-cinole (3.07%), L-linalool (1.01%), thymol (66.34%), caryophyllene oxide (2.96%) and carvacrol (7.5%). The oils also were examined for antibacterial activities against 6 standard bacteria by the broth microdilution and disc diffusion methods. They exhibited significant antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC =1 : 235, MBC =1:20), Escherichia coli (MIC = 1:320, MBC =1:80) and Pseudomonas aeroginosa (MIC = MBC = 1:1280). The results were compared with control antibiotics.