Investigation into the prophylactic and therapeutic activity of coenzyme Q10 against COVID-19

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-SARS CoV-2 effect of Coenzyme Q 10, Ubiquinol-10, and idebenone, which have beneficial therapeutic applications against diverse virus types, using molecular docking approach.Methods: The potential activity of Coenzyme Q10, Ubiquinol-10, and Idebenone against viral infections was explored through the collection of data from relevant literature, and by modelling these compounds virtually, using in silico investigation methods.Results: Coenzyme Q10 and ubiquinol-10 showed significant docking performance. They interacted with numerous amino acid residues of the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 ACE2 (7C8J), Alpha thrombin (1AE8), TYRO (4TS1) protein targets sides, SARS-coronavirus Orf7a accessory protein (1XAK), TNF (1RJ8), and Cytokine/receptor (1I1R).Conclusion: The findings of our study showed promising inhibitory activities of the selected compounds against the main proteases of SARS-CoV-2. Consequently, these compounds have theoretical effects on inhibiting the viral entry, reproduction, and ultimately the prevention and/or treatment of the SARSCoV2 infection

Nephroprotective Activity of Green Microalgae, Chlorella sorokiniana Isolated from Jordanian Water

Nephropathy is a global health issue that affects more than 20% of the adult population. Nephropathy is expected to be the fifth leading cause of death worldwide over the coming two decades. The introduction of green microalgae in nutrition and therapeutics for their biological activities is increasing. The current study examined the effect of Chlorella sorokiniana on renal health after inducing nephrotoxicity in mice. Preliminary screening of the algal aqueous extract revealed the presence of soluble polyphenols and triterpenoids. Successive intraperitoneal doses of gentamicin were administered to mice to induce nephrotoxicity. Concurrent intraperitoneal doses of the algal extract were administered to the infected mice to evaluate their nephroprotective activity. Two different concentrations of the treatment agent were administered in successive doses to two groups of mice. The tested concentrations were 150 and 300 mg/kg of mouse weight, respectively. The other two groups were either left untreated (normal control) or treated only with antibiotics (negative control). Creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels were analyzed in both serum and urine samples to evaluate the renal health of each animal group. Histochemical examination of the renal tissues was performed to assess the damage and improvement status. In vivo studies revealed a promising and significant nephroprotective activity of C. sorokiniana

Preparation, Characterization, and Anticancer Effects of Capsaicin-Loaded Nanoliposomes

Background: Medicinal plants have proven their value as a source of molecules with therapeutic potential, and recent studies have shown that capsaicin has profound anticancer effects in several types of human cancers. However, its clinical use is handicapped due to its poor pharmacokinetics. This study aims to enhance capsaicin’s pharmacokinetic properties by loading the molecule into nanoliposomes model and testing its anticancer activity. Methods: Nanoliposomes were prepared using the thin-film method, and characteristics were examined followed by qualitative and quantitative analyses of encapsulation efficiency and drug loading using HPLC at different lipid/capsaicin ratios. Cell viability assay (MTT) was used to determine IC50. Results: Capsaicin-loaded nanoliposomes showed optimum characteristics of morphology, particle size, zeta potential, and stability. In vitro anticancer activity of capsaicin and capsaicin-loaded nanoliposomes were compared against MCF7, MDA-MB-231, K562, PANC1, and A375 cell lines. Capsaicin-loaded nanoliposomes showed significant improvement in anticancer activity against cancers cell lines studied (p < 0.001), with increased selectivity against cancer cells compared to capsaicin. Conclusion: The encapsulated capsaicin nanoliposomes produced an improvement in pharmacokinetics properties, enhancing the anticancer activity and selectivity compared with capsaicin. This model seems to offer a potential for developing capsaicin formulations for the prevention and treatment of cancer

In vitro Anti-Helicobacter pylori Activity of Capsaicin

Worldwide, peptic ulcer and gastritis considered to be one ofthe biggest health challenge, Helicobacter pylori is responsible for more than eighty percent of chronic active gastritis where continual infection remains for decennary. However, the success of commercially available drugs for the management of H. pylori has overwhelmed by antibiotic-resistantstrains, especially, metronidazole and clarithromycin, therefore, an urgent need arise to search for new options for treatment with enhanced anti- H. pylori activities, while being lesstoxic to human cells.Naturally occurring plant products, including spices, are one ofthese strategiesthatshowed activity against H.pylori. Presentstudy aim to testthe antibacterial activity of capsaicin and other pure plant-derived compounds against a standard (NCTC 11916)H. pylori strain In vitro and to test for possible synergistic effect when combined with conventional therapy. Capsaicin shows good antibacterial activity on regular antimicrobialsensitivity testing methods(AntiMSTM) and titration checkerboard assay MIC (0.0625 mg/ml), whereas piperine MIC was (0.125 mg/ ml). While for curcumin no inhibition wasfound. The strain wasfound to be resistantto metronidazole with (MIC=250 μg/ml). When combining capsaicin with metronidazole, (FIC) Fractional inhibitory concentration values shown a synergistic effect, While the additive effect was found for capsaicin combination with piperine.Our obtained data indicate that capsaicin possesses promising anti H.pylori bioactivity and synergistic activity when combined with metronidazole but more work is necessary to examine the mechanisms by which these happened. Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure its activity against H.pylori In vivo and clinical settings

Preparation, Characterization, Wound Healing, and Cytotoxicity Assay of PEGylated Nanophytosomes Loaded with 6-Gingerol

Background: Nutrients are widely used for treating illnesses in traditional medicine. Ginger has long been used in folk medicine to treat motion sickness and other minor health disorders. Chronic non-healing wounds might elicit an inflammation response and cancerous mutation. Few clinical studies have investigated 6-gingerol’s wound-healing activity due to its poor pharmacokinetic properties. However, nanotechnology can deliver 6-gingerol while possibly enhancing these properties. Our study aimed to develop a nanophytosome system loaded with 6-gingerol molecules to investigate the delivery system’s influence on wound healing and anti-cancer activities. Methods: We adopted the thin-film hydration method to synthesize nanophytosomes. We used lipids in a ratio of 70:25:5 for DOPC(dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine): cholesterol: DSPE/PEG2000, respectively. We loaded the 6-gingerol molecules in a concentration of 1.67 mg/mL and achieved size reduction via the extrusion technique. We determined cytotoxicity using lung, breast, and pancreatic cancer cell lines. We performed gene expression of inflammation markers and cytokines according to international protocols. Results: The synthesized nanophytosome particle sizes were 150.16 ± 1.65, the total charge was −13.36 ± 1.266, and the polydispersity index was 0.060 ± 0.050. Transmission electron microscopy determined the synthesized particles’ spherical shape and uniform size. The encapsulation efficiency was 34.54% ± 0.035. Our biological tests showed that 6-gingerol nanophytosomes displayed selective antiproliferative activity, considerable downregulation of inflammatory markers and cytokines, and an enhanced wound-healing process. Conclusions: Our results confirm the anti-cancer activity of PEGylated nanophytosome 6-gingerol, with superior activity exhibited in accelerating wound healing

Determination of dehydroepiandrosterone in dietary supplements by reversed-phase HPLC

Purpose: To develop a reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in dietary supplements. Methods: A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed for the determination of DHEA in dietary supplements. An isocratic system consisting of methanol and water (70:30 v/v) was run at a flow rate of 1 mL/min on a C18 HPLC column to achieve the separation. The method was validated with regard to linearity, intra-day and inter-day precision, and limits of both detection and quantification. Results: The method achieved a retention time of 10.8 min, a resolution of 4.12, a detection limit (LOD) of 50 ng/μL, a quantification limit (LOQ) of 166.7 ng/μL and a label claim of 108.6 % with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.38 % over a range of 0.0625 – 0.50 mg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997. Conclusion: The method is simple, cost effective, time-saving and reliable for determining DHEA when compared to other reported methods in literature. Thus, it will be of benefit to manufacturers of this dietary supplement to adopt the method for quantitative laboratory analysis

Formulating co-loaded nanoliposomes with gallic acid and quercetin for enhanced cancer therapy

Cancer is considered one of the top global causes of death. Natural products have been used in oncology medicine either in crude form or by utilizing isolated secondary metabolites. Biologically active phytomolecules such as gallic acid and quercetin have confirmed antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and neoplastic properties. There is an agreement that microorganisms could mediate oncogenesis or alter the immune system. This research project aims to develop a novel formulation of co-loaded gallic acid and quercetin into nanoliposomes and investigate the efficacy of the free and combined agents against multiple cancerous cell lines and bacterial strains. Thin-film hydration technique was adopted to synthesize the nanocarriers. Particle characteristics were measured using a Zetasizer. The morphology of nanoliposomes was examined by scanning electron microscopy, Encapsulation efficiency and drug loading were evaluated using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Cytotoxicity was determined against Breast Cancer Cells MCF-7, Human Carcinoma Cells HT-29, and A549 Lung Cancer Cells. The antibacterial activities were evaluated against Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Therapeutic formulas were categorized into groups: free gallic acid, free quercetin, free-mix, and their nano-counterparts. Findings revealed that drug loading capacity was 0.204 for the mix formula compared to 0.092 and 0.68 for free gallic acid and quercetin, respectively. Regarding the Zeta potential, the mix formula showed more amphiphilic charge than the free quercetin and free gallic acid formulas (P-values 0.003 and 0.002 receptively). On the contrary, no significant difference in polydispersity indices was reported. Lung cancerous cells were the most affected by the treatments. The best estimated IC50 values were observed in breast and lung cancer lines for the nano-gallic acid and co-loaded particles. The nano-quercetin formula exhibited the least cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of ≥200 μg/mL in both breast (MCF-7) and colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines (HT-29) with no activity against the lung. A remarkable improvement in the efficacy of quercetin was measured after mixing it with gallic acid against the breast and lungs. The tested therapeutic agents exhibited antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria. Nano-liposomes can either enhance or reduce the cytotoxicity activity of active compounds depending on the physical and chemical properties of drug-loaded and type of cancer cells

Synergistic Effects of AgNPs and Biochar: A Potential Combination for Combating Lung Cancer and Pathogenic Bacteria

The synthesis of reliable biological nanomaterials is a crucial area of study in nanotechnology. In this study, Emericella dentata was employed for the biosynthesis of AgNPs, which were then combined with synthesized biochar, a porous structure created through biomass pyrolysis. The synergistic effects of AgNPs and biochar were evaluated through the assessment of pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-apoptotic gene expression, and antibacterial activity. Solid biosynthesized AgNPs were evaluated by XRD and SEM, with SEM images revealing that most of the AgNPs ranged from 10 to 80 nm, with over 70% being less than 40 nm. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of stabilizing and reducing functional groups in the AgNPs. The nanoemulsion’s zeta potential, hydrodynamic diameter, and particle distribution index were found to be −19.6 mV, 37.62 nm, and 0.231, respectively. Biochar, on the other hand, did not have any antibacterial effects on the tested bacterial species. However, when combined with AgNPs, its antibacterial efficacy against all bacterial species was significantly enhanced. Furthermore, the combined material significantly reduced the expression of anti-apoptotic genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to individual treatments. This study suggests that low-dose AgNPs coupled with biochar could be a more effective method to combat lung cancer epithelial cells and pathogenic bacteria compared to either substance alone