Proteome based mapping and reverse vaccinology techniques to contrive multi-epitope based subunit vaccine (MEBSV) against Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus pyogenes is a root cause of human infection like pharyngitis, tonsillitis, scarlet fever, impetigo, and respiratory tract infections. About 11 million individuals in the US suffer from pharyngitis every year. Unfortunately, no vaccine against S. pyogenes is available yet. The purpose of this study is to create a multiepitope-based subunit vaccine (MEBSV) targeting S. pyogenes top four highly antigenic proteins by using a combination of immunological techniques and molecular docking to tackle term group A streptococcal (GAS) infections. T-cell (HTL & CTL), B-cell, and IFN-γ of target proteins were forecasted and epitopes having high antigenic properties being selected for subsequent research. For designing of final vaccine, 5LBL, 9CTL, and 4HTL epitopes were joined by the KK, AAY, and GPGPG linkers. To enhance the immune response, the N-end of the vaccine was linked by adjuvant (Cholera enterotoxin subunit B) with a linker named EAAAK. With the addition of adjuvants and linkers, the construct size was 421 amino acids. IFN-γ and B-cell epitopes illustrate that the modeled construct is optimized for cell-mediated immune or humoral responses. The developed MEBSV structure was assessed to be highly antigenic, non-toxic, and non-allergenic. Moreover, disulphide engineering further enhanced the stability of the final vaccine protein. Molecular docking of the MEBSV with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was conducted to check the vaccine's compatibility with the receptor. Besides, in-silico cloning has been carried out for credibility validation and proper expression of vaccine construct. These findings suggested that the multi-epitope vaccine produced might be a potential immunogenic against Group A streptococcus infections but further experimental testing is required to validate this study.

Nematicidal activity of Trigonella foenum-graecum L

The aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts of Trigonella foenum-graecum caused significant (p < 0.05) mortality of Meloidogyne javanica larvae. The methanol soluble fraction eluted from pure distilled water showed the highest (>92%) nematicidal activity compared with the fractions eluted from pure methanol and different ratios of chloroform and methanol indicate that the nematicidal compound was polar in nature.

Evaluation of the oral hypoglycaemic effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (methi) in normal mice

Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) (Leguminosae) is employed as a herbal medicine. Its seeds are known for their carminative, tonic and antidiabetic effects. A curative dose of Trigonella foenum-graecum also produces antiulcer action. In this study we have investigated the hypoglycaemic activities of the aqueous extract of the seeds Trigonella foenum-graecum in normal mice using oral route of adminstration. The methanolic extract administered through the same route produced hypoglycaemic effect only at the dose of 1 g/kg body weight. The aqueous extract is under further investigation to determine the chemical structure of the active component. The presence of hypoglycaemic activity in aqueous and methanolic extract indicates that the active compounds are polar in nature.