Therapeutics Role of Azadirachta indica

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is a member of the Meliaceae family and its role as health-promoting effect is attributed because it is rich source of antioxidant. It has been widely used in Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Unani medicines worldwide especially in Indian Subcontinent in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Earlier finding confirmed that neem and its constituents play role in the scavenging of free radical generation and prevention of disease pathogenesis. The studies based on animal model established that neem and its chief constituents play pivotal role in anticancer management through the modulation of various molecular pathways including p53, pTEN, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, Bcl-2, and VEGF. It is considered as safe medicinal plants and modulates the numerous biological processes without any adverse effect. In this review, I summarize the role of Azadirachta indica in the prevention and treatment of diseases via the regulation of various biological and physiological pathways

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among outpatients attending primary health care centers: a comparative study of two cities in Saudi Arabia and Egypt

AbstractEpidemiological and molecular data on community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) are still scarce in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. There is almost no data regarding methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevalence in both countries. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of S. aureus and MRSA nasal carriage among outpatients attending primary health care centers in two big cities in both countries. A total of 206 nasal swabs were obtained, 103 swabs from each country. S. aureus isolates were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility, presence of mecA and PVL genes, SCCmec-typing and spa typing, the corresponding Multi locus sequence typing clonal complex was assigned for each spa type based on Ridom StaphType database. MRSA was detected in 32% of the Egyptian outpatients while it was found in 25% of the Saudi Arabian outpatients. All MRSA isolates belonged to SCCmec type V and IVa, where some isolates in Saudi Arabia remained nontypeable. Surprisingly PVL+ isolates were low in frequency: 15% of MRSA Egyptian isolates and 12% of MRSA isolates in Saudi Arabia. Two novel spa types were detected t11839 in Egypt, and t11841 in Saudi Arabia. We found 8 spa types among 20 isolates from Egypt, and 12 spa types out of 15 isolates from Saudi Arabia. Only two spa types t008 and t223 coexisted in both countries. Four clonal complexes (CC5, CC8, CC22, and CC80) were identified in both Egypt and Saudi Arabia. However, the data collected lacked a representation of isolates from different parts of each country as only one health center from each country was included, it still partially illustrates the CA-MRSA situation in both countries. In conclusion a set of control measures is required to prevent further increase in MRSA prevalence

Polyphenols and Their Nanoformulations: Protective Effects against Human Diseases

Polyphenols are the secondary metabolites synthesized by the plants as a part of defense machinery. Owing to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancerous, antineoplastic, and immunomodulatory effects, natural polyphenols have been used for a long time to prevent and treat a variety of diseases. As a result, these phytochemicals may be able to act as therapeutic agents in treating cancer and cardiovascular and neurological disorders. The limited bioavailability of polyphenolic molecules is one issue with their utilization. For the purpose of increasing the bioavailability of these chemicals, many formulation forms have been developed, with nanonization standing out among them. The present review outlines the biological potential of nanoformulated plant polyphenolic compounds. It also summarizes the employability of various polyphenols as nanoformulations for cancer and neurological and cardiovascular disease treatment. Nanoencapsulated polyphenols, singular or in combinations, effective both in vitro and in vivo, need more investigation

Biosynthesized ZnO-NPs from Morus indica attenuates methylglyoxal-induced protein glycation and RBC damage: In-vitro, in-vivo and molecular docking study

The development of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) inhibitors is considered to have therapeutic potential in diabetic complications inhibiting the loss of the biomolecular function. In the present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized from aqueous leaf extract of Morus indica and were characterized by various techniques such as ultraviolet (UV)-Vis spectroscopy, Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Further, the inhibition of AGEs formation after exposure to ZnO-NPs was investigated by in-vitro, in-vivo, and molecular docking studies. Biochemical and histopathological changes after exposure to ZnO-NPs were also studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. ZnO-NPs showed an absorption peak at 359 nm with a purity of 92.62% and ~6–12 nm in size, which is characteristic of nanoparticles. The images of SEM showed agglomeration of smaller ZnO-NPs and EDS authenticating that the synthesized nanoparticles were without impurities. The biosynthesized ZnO-NPs showed significant inhibition in the formation of AGEs. The particles were effective against methylglyoxal (MGO) mediated glycation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by inhibiting the formation of AGEs, which was dose-dependent. Further, the presence of MGO resulted in complete damage of biconcave red blood corpuscles (RBCs) to an irregular shape, whereas the morphological changes were prevented when they were treated with ZnO-NPs leading to the prevention of complications caused due to glycation. The administration of ZnO-NPs (100 mg Kg−1) in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats reversed hyperglycemia and significantly improved hepatic enzymes level and renal functionality, also the histopathological studies revealed restoration of kidney and liver damage nearer to normal conditions. Molecular docking of BSA with ZnO-NPs confirms that masking of lysine and arginine residues is one of the possible mechanisms responsible for the potent antiglycation activity of ZnO-NPs. The findings strongly suggest scope for exploring the therapeutic potential of diabetes-related complications.Fil: Anandan, Satish. University of Mysore; IndiaFil: Mahadevamurthy, Murali. University of Mysore; IndiaFil: Ansari, Mohammad Azam. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University; Arabia SauditaFil: Alzohairy, Mohammad A.. Al Qassim University; Arabia SauditaFil: Alomary, Mohammad N.. King Abdulaziz City For Science And Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Siraj, Syeda Farha. University of Mysore; IndiaFil: Nagaraja, Sarjan Halugudde. University of Mysore; IndiaFil: Chikkamadaiah, Mahendra. University of Mysore; IndiaFil: Ramachandrappa, Lakshmeesha Thimappa. University of Mysore; IndiaFil: Krishnappa, Hemanth Kumar Naguvanahalli. University of Mysore; IndiaFil: Ledesma, Ana Estela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Centro de Investigación en Biofísica Aplicada y Alimentos. - Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Centro de Investigación en Biofísica Aplicada y Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Nagaraj, Amruthesh Kestur. University of Mysore; IndiaFil: Urooj, Asna. University of Mysore; Indi

TAT-peptide conjugated repurposing drug against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CLpro): potential therapeutic intervention to combat COVID-19

The Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that originated in Chinese city of Wuhan has caused around 906,092 deaths and 28,040,853 confirmed cases worldwide (WHO, 11 September, 2020). In a life-threatening situation, where there is no specific and licensed anti-COVID-19 vaccine or medicine available; the repurposed drug might act as a silver bullet. Currently, more than 211 vaccines, 80 antibodies, 31 antiviral drugs, 35 cell-based, 6 RNA-based and 131 other drugs are in clinical trials. It is therefore utter need of the hour to develop an effective drug that can be used for the treatment of COVID-19 before a vaccine can be developed. One of the best-characterized and attractive drug targets among coronaviruses is the main protease (3CL^{pro}). Therefore, the current study focuses on the molecular docking analysis of TAT-peptide^{47–57} (GRKKRRQRRRP)-conjugated repurposed drugs (i.e., lopinavir, ritonavir, favipiravir, and hydroxychloroquine) with SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3CL^{pro} to discover potential efficacy of TAT-peptide (TP) - conjugated repurposing drugs against SARS-CoV-2. The molecular docking results validated that TP-conjugated ritonavir, lopinavir, favipiravir, and hydroxychloroquine have superior and significantly enhanced interactions with the target SARS-CoV-2 main protease. In-silico approach employed in this study suggests that the combination of the drug with TP is an excelling alternative to develop a novel drug for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. The development of TP based delivery of repurposing drugs might be an excellent approach to enhance the efficacy of the existing drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. The predictions from the results obtained provide invaluable information that can be utilized for the choice of candidate drugs for in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials. The outcome from this work prove crucial for exploring and developing novel cost-effective and biocompatible TP conjugated anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic agents in immediate future

Tuberculosis Trends in Saudis and Non-Saudis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – A 10 Year Retrospective Study (2000–2009)

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health problem in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which has a very large labour force from high TB endemic countries. Understanding the epidemiological and clinical features of the TB problem, and the TB burden in the immigrant workforce, is necessary for improved planning and implementation of TB services and prevention measures

Protective Effect of Quercetin, a Flavonol against Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Lung Injury via Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Angiogenesis and Cyclooxygenase-2 Signalling Molecule

Quercetin (Qu) is an important polyphenolic flavonoid which exhibits tremendous antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other health promoting effects. The aim of the current study was to explore the therapeutic role of Qu on benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]-induced lung injury in rats. B(a)P was given to the rats at dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. for continues 8 weeks through oral gavage. The rats were treated with Qu at dose of 50 mg/kg b.w prior 30 min before the oral administration of B(a)P. The effects of Qu were studied by measuring the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), anti-oxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory cytokines, lung tissues architecture and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The level of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β (27.30 vs. 22.80 pg/mL), IL-6 (90.64 vs. 55.49 pg/mL) and TNF-α (56.64 vs. 40.49 pg/mL) increased significantly and antioxidant enzymes decreased significantly in benzopyrene-induced lung injury in comparison to the control group. The treatment with Qu potentially reversed the effects of B(a)P to a great extent, as it led to the enhancement of antioxidant enzymes and decreased proinflammatory cytokines level. A significant surge of VEGF level was noticed in the B(a)P group as compared to the control group, while the Qu treatment groups exhibited less angiogenesis as lower level of VEGF levels, compared with the B(a)P treatment group. The Qu treatment significantly decreased the degrees of histopathological changes and collagen deposition in B(a)P-induced lung injury. The B(a)P-treated group showed higher cytoplasmic expression of COX-2 protein, which significantly decreased in the Qu treatment group. These outcomes recommend an effective role of Qu in the protection of lung injury against B(a)P through the regulation of the inflammatory factors, oxidative stress and the maintenance lung tissue architecture

Colonization and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among farm animals in Saudi Arabia

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major human pathogen that causes severe morbidity and mortality worldwide. Additionally MRSA is widely spread in different animals. There are a growing number of MRSA cases have been reported in dogs, cats, horses, sheep, and other animals indicating the animal health treat too. To assess the frequency of MRSA among animals in Qassim region, a total of 400 samples were collected from camels, sheep, cows, and goats from 334 Staphylococci recovered, 158 (47.3%) were coagulase positive Staphylococcus, among them 90 (57%) were MRSA and 68 (43%) were methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The reaming strains 176 (52.7%) were coagulase negative Staphylococcus, including 32 (18.2%) were methicillinresistant coagulase negative Staphylococcus and 144 (81.8%) were methicillin-sensitive coagulase negative Staphylococcus. High rate of MRSA and MRCoNS were isolated from camel and sheep while lower rates were observed in goat and cow. Multi drug resistance (MDR) rate among MRSA and MRCoNS isolates was high. MRSA strains are highly prevalent among animals in Qassim region and they may play a potential role of disseminating pathogens between animal and human as well as to the community. Detection of MRSA will be essential for early prevention and control of community acquired infections