Inhibitory activity of Enhydra fluctuans Lour. on calcium oxalate crystallisation through in silico and in vitro studies

The decoction of the whole plant of Enhydra fluctuans is used ethno medicinally by various tribes for the treatment of kidney stones and urinary problems. However, no scientific studies were carried out to delineate its influence on urinary stone formation and crystallisation. Hence, the present study is proposed to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of Enhydra fluctuans extract on in vitro crystallisation of calcium oxalate. The present study also evaluated. in silico studies of the metabolites with the target proteins present in the renal calcium oxalate stone matrix. The plant material was subjected to decoction to obtain an aqueous extract. The effect of the extract on calcium oxalate crystallization was evaluated by in vitro nucleation and aggregation assays. Further, the metabolites present in E. fluctuans were mined from the existing literature and their number was found to be 35. The selected 35 metabolites of E. fluctuans were subjected to molecular docking with the 5 proteins which are known to be responsible for calcium oxalate crystal growth. Results of in vitro studies indicated that the extract (50, 100, and 200 μg/mL) and standard drug cystone (1,000 μg/mL) exhibited an inhibitory role in the nucleation process where the percentage inhibitions were 52.69, 43.47, 21.98, and 31.67 μg/mL respectively. The results of molecular docking studies revealed that 2 out of 35 metabolites i.e. Baicalein-7-O-diglucoside and 4',5,6,7-Tetrahydroxy-8-methoxy isoflavone-7-O-beta-D- galactopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)- O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside showed modulatory effects on the four renal stone matrix-associated protein (Human CTP: Phosphoethanolamine Cytidylyltransferase (Protein Data Bank ID: 3ELB), UDP glucose: glycoprotein glucosyltransferase 2 (Gene: UGGT2) (AlphaFold) and RIMS-binding protein 3A (Gene: RIMBP3) (AlphaFold), and Ras GTPase activating-like protein (PDB: 3FAY) based on their docking scores which indicates that they may inhibit the crystallization process. Findings from this study show that Enhydra fluctuans may be effective in the prevention of the crystallization of calcium oxalate. However, further, in vivo studies as well as molecular studies are needed to be conducted to confirm and strengthen its anti-urolithiatic activity and to elucidate the possible mechanism of action involved therein.

Review on Plant-Based Management in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance - Mechanistic Perspective

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes no longer respond to any pharmacological agents, rendering the conventional antimicrobial agents ineffective. AMR has been classified as one of the top 10 life-threatening global health problems needed multilevel attention and global cooperation to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) according to the World Health Organization (WHO), making the discovery of a new and effective antimicrobial agent a priority. The recommended treatments for drug-resistant microbes are available but limited. Furthermore, the transformation of microbes over time increases the risk of developing drug resistance. Hence, plant metabolites such as terpenes, phenolic compounds and alkaloids are widely studied due to their antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic effects. Plant-derived antimicrobials are preferred due to their desirable efficacy and safety profile. Plant metabolites work by targeting microbial cell membranes, interfering with the synthesis of microbial DNA/RNA/enzymes and disrupting quorum sensing and efflux pump expression. They also work synergistically with conventional antibiotics to enhance antimicrobial effects. Accordingly, this review aims to identify currently available pharmacological therapies against microbes and AMR, as well as to discuss the importance of plant and secondary metabolites as a possible solution for AMR together with their mechanisms of action. All the information was obtained from government databases, WHO websites, PubMed, Springer, Google Scholar and Science Direct. Based on the information obtained, AMR is regarded as a significant warning to global healthcare. Plant derivatives such as secondary metabolites may be considered as potential therapeutic targets to mitigate the non-ending AMR.

Potential of histone deacetylase inhibitors in the control and regulation of prostate, breast and ovarian cancer

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes that play a role in chromatin remodeling and epigenetics. They belong to a specific category of enzymes that eliminate the acetyl part of the histones’ -N-acetyl lysine, causing the histones to be wrapped compactly around DNA. Numerous biological processes rely on HDACs, including cell proliferation and differentiation, angiogenesis, metastasis, gene regulation, and transcription. Epigenetic changes, specifically increased expression and activity of HDACs, are commonly detected in cancer. As a result, HDACi could be used to develop anticancer drugs. Although preclinical outcomes with HDACs as monotherapy have been promising clinical trials have had mixed results and limited success. In both preclinical and clinical trials, however, combination therapy with different anticancer medicines has proved to have synergistic effects. Furthermore, these combinations improved efficacy, decreased tumor resistance to therapy, and decreased toxicity. In the present review, the detailed modes of action, classification of HDACs, and their correlation with different cancers like prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer were discussed. Further, the different cell signaling pathways and the structure-activity relationship and pharmaco-toxicological properties of the HDACi, and their synergistic effects with other anticancer drugs observed in recent preclinical and clinical studies used in combination therapy were discussed for prostate, breast, and ovarian cancer treatment.

Pharmacological activities of Curcumin: An update

In the past few years, multiple drugs have been produced from traditional raw materials and recent pandemic disease COVID-19 once again research on this matter is being conducted to determine potential therapeutic purposes of different Ayurvedic Indian medicines and herbs. One such medicinal herb is Curcuma longa. Curcumin is strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiangiogenic, anti-carcinogenic, as shown by multiple in vitro and in vivo studies. The action of the growth factor receptors is inhibited by curcumin. The anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin is obtained on the cytokines, proteolytic enzymes, eicosanoids, and lipid mediators. The superoxide radicals, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide, are sifted by curcumin, while lipid peroxidation is inhibited. Such properties of the compound thus form the foundation for its various therapeutic and pharmacological effects could also hold antiviral properties including COVID-19. The aim of this research is to summarize the updated pharmacological activities of curcumin.

Antioxidant activity of Curcumin

In the past few years, multiple drugs have been produced from traditional raw materials and recent pandemic disease COVID-19 once again research on this matter is being conducted to determine potential therapeutic purposes of different Ayurvedic Indian medicines and herbs. One such medicinal herb is Curcuma longa. Curcumin is strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiangiogenic, anti-carcinogenic, as shown by multiple in vitro and in vivo studies. The action of the growth factor receptors is inhibited by curcumin. The anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin is obtained on the cytokines, proteolytic enzymes, eicosanoids, and lipid mediators. The superoxide radicals, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide, are sifted by curcumin, while lipid peroxidation is inhibited. Such properties of the compound thus form the foundation for its various therapeutic and pharmacological effects could also hold antiviral properties including COVID-19. The aim of this research is to summarize the updated pharmacological activities of curcumin.

Integration of System Biology Tools to Investigate Huperzine A as an Anti-Alzheimer Agent

Aim: The present study aimed to investigate huperzine A as an anti-Alzheimer agent based on the principle that a single compound can regulate multiple proteins and associated pathways, using system biology tools. Methodology: The simplified molecular-input line-entry system of huperzine A was retrieved from the PubChem database, and its targets were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. These targets were matched with the proteins deposited in DisGeNET for Alzheimer disease and enriched in STRING to identify the probably regulated pathways, cellular components, biological processes, and molecular function. Furthermore, huperzine A was docked against acetylcholinesterase using AutoDock Vina, and simulations were performed with the Gromacs package to take into account the dynamics of the system and its effect on the stability and function of the ligands. Results: A total of 100 targets were predicted to be targeted by huperzine A, of which 42 were regulated at a minimum probability of 0.05. Similarly, 101 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were triggered, in which neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions scored the least false discovery rate. Also, huperzine A was predicted to modulate 54 cellular components, 120 molecular functions, and 873 biological processes. Furthermore, huperzine A possessed a binding affinity of -8.7 kcal/mol with AChE and interacted within the active site of AChE via H-bonds and hydrophobic interactions.

Anti-mycobacterial Constituents from Medicinal Plants; A Review

Effective treatment of tuberculosis has been hindered by the emergence of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium therapeutic facilities tuberculosis. With the global resurgence of tuberculosis with the development of multidrug-resistant cases, there is a call for the development of new drugs to combat these diseases. Throughout history, natural products have afforded a rich source of compounds that have found many applications in the fields of medicine, pharmacy and biology, and continued to play a significant role in the drug discovery and development process. This review article depicts the various potential plant extracts as well as plant-derived phytoconstituents against the H37rv, the most persistent strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its multidrug strains.

Antibacterial activities of the extracts, fractions and isolated compounds from Canarium patentinervium Miq. against bacterial clinical isolates

Background

Canarium patentinervium leaves are used by the local indigenous people of Malaysia for wound healing. The current study is undertaken to screen the comprehensive antibacterial activity of the leaves and barks extracts, fractions and isolated compounds from this plant. Bioassay guided fractionation was also undertaken to deeply evaluate the antibacterial activity of the water fraction of the leaves extract. This is to provide preliminary scientific evidence to the ethnopharmacology usage of this plant by investigating antibacterial properties of the plant and its isolated constituents.

Methods

Bio-assay guided fractionation and subsequent isolation of compounds using open column chromatography. The antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative ATCC strain and resistant clinical strains were evaluated using microtiter broth dilution method to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and time-kill assay. The chemical structure of the isolated compounds from the water fraction of the ethanol extract of leaves was elucidated using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).

Results

The ethanol extract of the leaves and barks showed antimicrobial activity against all four ATCC and eight clinical isolates. The ethanol extract of the leaves and the corresponding water fraction had good activity against MRSA S. aureus. (MIC: 250 μg/ml) and had bactericidal effect on eight of the clinical strains (MSSA,MRSA, oxacillin-resistant CONS, oxacillin-sensitive CONS, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiela species, Kleb pneumoniae ESBL and Candida parapsilosis). Further phytochemical investigation of the water fraction of the crude ethanol extract of leaves afforded compound 7 (hyperin) and compound 8 (cynaroside) that had bactericidal activity against tested bacterial species (MIC 50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml). The two compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time.

Conclusions

These results may provide a rational support for the traditional use of Canarium patentinervium Miq. in infections and wound healing, since the antimicrobial compounds isolated were also present in the leaves extract.

The Medicinal Timber Canarium patentinervium Miq. (Burseraceae Kunth.) Is an Anti-Inflammatory Bioresource of Dual Inhibitors of Cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX)

The barks and leaves extracts of Canarium patentinervium Miq. (Burseraceae Kunth.) were investigated for cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition via in vitro models. The corresponding antioxidative power of the plant extract was also tested via nonenzyme and enzyme in vitro assays. The ethanolic extract of leaves inhibited the enzymatic activity of 5-LOX, COX-1, and COX-2 with IC₅₀ equal to 49.66 ± 0.02 μg/mL, 0.60 ± 0.01 μg/mL, and 1.07 ± 0.01 μg/mL, respectively, with selective COX-2 activity noted in ethanolic extract of barks with COX-1/COX-2 ratio of 1.22. The ethanol extract of barks confronted oxidation in the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assay with EC₅₀ values equal to 0.93 ± 0.01 μg/mL, 2.33 ± 0.02 μg/mL, and 67.00 ± 0.32 μg/mL, respectively, while the ethanol extract of leaves confronted oxidation in β-carotene bleaching assay and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay with EC₅₀ value of 6.04 ± 0.02 μg/mL and IC₅₀ value of 3.05 ± 0.01 μg/mL. The ethanol extract acts as a dual inhibitor of LOX and COX enzymes with potent antioxidant capacity. The clinical significance of these data is quite clear that they support a role for Canarium patentinervium Miq. (Burseraceae Kunth.) as a source of lead compounds in the management of inflammatory diseases.

Anti-Inflammatory, Anticholinesterase, and Antioxidant Potential of Scopoletin Isolated from Canarium patentinervium Miq. (Burseraceae Kunth)

Bioassay guided fractionation of an ethanol extract of leaves of Canarium patentinervium Miq. (Burseraceae Kunth.) led to the isolation of scopoletin. The structure of this coumarin was elucidated based on spectroscopic methods including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR-1D and 2D) and mass spectrometry. Scopoletin inhibited the enzymatic activity of 5-lipoxygenase and acetyl cholinesterase with an IC50 equal to 1.76 ± 0.01  μ M and 0.27 ± 0.02 mM, respectively, and confronted oxidation in the ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, and β -carotene bleaching assay with EC50 values equal to 5.62 ± 0.03  μ M, 0.19 ± 0.01 mM, 0.25 ± 0.03 mM and 0.65 ± 0.07 mM, respectively. Given the aforementioned evidence, it is tempting to speculate that scopoletin represents an exciting scaffold from which to develop leads for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

In Vitro Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Activities and Phytochemical Analysis of Canarium patentinervium Miq. from Malaysia

Six different extracts of Canarium patentinervium Miq. (Burseraceae) leaves and barks were screened for their phytochemical composition, and antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activities. Among the different extracts tested, the ethanol extract of leaves showed significant antimicrobial and radical scavenging activities. The most susceptible micro-organisms were found to be Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed that the antimicrobial and the radical scavenging activities are mainly due to the presence of tannins and flavonoids. The results obtained suggest that Canarium patentinervium Miq. could be exploited in the management of various infectious diseases.