Involvement of Antioxidant in the Prevention of Cellular Damage

Oxidative stress occurs when the body’s enzymatic or non-enzymatic antioxidants are outweighed by endogenous or exogenous free radicals. Oxidative radicals, reactive oxygen species, and other biomolecule-damaging free radicals can be generated during normal cellular metabolism and react with proteins, lipids, and DNA. In the domains of biology and medicine, free radicals have become increasingly important. They can accumulate in a variety of ways, both endogenously and exogenously. Mitochondria are the primary source of cell-level endogenous reactive oxygen species. In several chronic and degenerative disorders, this results in tissue destruction. In addition to being produced endogenously, antioxidants can also be delivered exogenously to the biological system, most frequently through nutrition. Antioxidants are generally used to counteract the effects of free radicals produced by metabolic processes. In this chapter, the crucial function of reactive oxygen species in human health, as well as exploring the functioning of antioxidative defense systems in reducing toxicity caused by excess reactive oxygen species were discussed

Potential surface active agent production using very low grade and cheap substrate by Bacillus subtilis as microbial cell factory

Bio-surfactants are surface-active molecules which are produced by the wide range of microbes including bacteria, fungi, moulds, and yeast. This study was conducted to identify bio-surfactants by Bacillus subtilis combined with use of cheap substrates and industrial wastes (Mustard cake, Whey and Soya cake) which are found locally in Nepal. Bacillus subtilis, one of the most potential bio-surfactants producer; was isolated from soil sample of hydrocarbon contaminated site. Isolates were grown in a Minimal Salt Media (MSM) with 10% (v/v) mustard oil cake, whey and soya cake separately. The presence and potential of surfactant was determined by the oil spreading technique, emulsification index (%E24) and surface tension measurement. It was revealed that the surface tensions of cell free extract were 54.41, 60.02 and 56.64 mN/m for from mustard cake, whey and soya cake respectively as compared to distilled water (72.09) at 25oC. The emulsification index values was found to be highest in engine oil from the bio-surfactant extracted from mustard cake, soya cake and whey respectively. Similarly, mustard oil showed the lowest value of emulsification index. The highest emulsification activity was shown in mustard oil i.e. 1.13 from the cell free extract from mustard oil and lowest in engine oil i.e., 0.07, by the extract from soya cake medium, when measured in spectrophotometer at 540 nm. In conclusion, strain of Bacillus subtilis was found to be the potential surface active agent producers on the mustard oil cake, which can be useful medium for various environmental, food, medicinal and industrial processes

COVID-19 in relation to hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), triggered by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), may lead to extrapulmonary manifestations like diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperglycemia, both predicting a poor prognosis and an increased risk of death. SARS-CoV-2 infects the pancreas through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), where it is highly expressed compared to other organs, leading to pancreatic damage with subsequent impairment of insulin secretion and development of hyperglycemia even in non-DM patients. Thus, this review aims to provide an overview of the potential link between COVID-19 and hyperglycemia as a risk factor for DM development in relation to DM pharmacotherapy. For that, a systematic search was done in the database of MEDLINE through Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine (CBM), and Wanfang Data. Data obtained underline that SARS-CoV-2 infection in DM patients is more severe and associated with poor clinical outcomes due to preexistence of comorbidities and inflammation disorders. SARS-CoV-2 infection impairs glucose homeostasis and metabolism in DM and non-DM patients due to cytokine storm (CS) development, downregulation of ACE2, and direct injury of pancreatic beta-cells. Therefore, the potent anti-inflammatory effect of diabetic pharmacotherapies such as metformin, pioglitazone, sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is), and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors may mitigate COVID-19 severity. In addition, some antidiabetic agents and also insulin may reduce SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and severity through the modulation of the ACE2 receptor expression. The findings presented here illustrate that insulin therapy might seem as more appropriate than other anti-DM pharmacotherapies in the management of COVID-19 patients with DM due to low risk of uncontrolled hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). From these findings, we could not give the final conclusion about the efficacy of diabetic pharmacotherapy in COVID-19; thus, clinical trial and prospective studies are warranted to confirm this finding and concern

Physostigmine: A Plant Alkaloid Isolated from Physostigma venenosum: A Review on Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities

Medicinal plants have been documented as an important source for discovering new pharmaceutical molecules that have been used to treat serious diseases. Strikingly, previous reports stated that natural products and their derived compounds exhibit lesser side effects and improved efficacy than other synthetic counterparts. Physostigmine, a parasympathomimetic plant alkaloid isolated from the West African perennial shrub Physostigma venenosum, it shows a narrow therapeutic index and a short life span, despite its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). It is a widely known reversible butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor and has been documented to treat various ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacologically, physostigmine was first reported as an antidote for atropine scopolamine and belladonna alkaloids toxicity. Recently, it has been documented as a therapy for treating several ailments including glaucoma, myasthenia gravis and the intoxication caused by tricyclic antidepressant overdoses, anti-histamines, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines. Physostigmine has been reported to be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and showed short half-life, as, after the oral administration of 2 mg of physostigmine salicylate, the peak plasma concentration reached to 30 minutes. This review examines the biological activities, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of physostigmine extracted from P. venenosum. Keywords: Physostigma venenosum, Physostigmine, pharmacological activities, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor

Pirfenidone and post-Covid-19 pulmonary fibrosis: invoked again for realistic goals

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGPirfenidone (PFN) is an anti-fbrotic drug with signifcant anti-infammatory property used for treatment of fbrotic conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fbrosis (IPF). In the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) era, severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) could initially lead to acute lung injury (ALI) and in severe cases may cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which is usually resolved with normal lung function. However, some cases of ALI and ARDS are progressed to the more severe critical stage of pulmonary fbrosis commonly named post-Covid-19 pulmonary fbrosis which needs an urgent address and proper management. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to highlight the potential role of PFN in the management of post-Covid-19 pulmonary fbrosis. The precise mechanism of post-Covid-19 pulmonary fbrosis is related to the activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1), which activates the release of extracellular proteins, fbroblast proliferation, fbroblast migration and myofbroblast conversion. PFN inhibits accumulation and recruitment of infammatory cells, fbroblast proliferation, deposition of extracellular matrix in response to TGFβ1 and other pro-infammatory cytokines. In addition, PFN suppresses furin (TGFβ1 convertase activator) a protein efector involved in the entry of SARS-CoV-2 and activation of TGFβ1, and thus PFN reduces the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. Besides, PFN modulates signaling pathways such as Wingless/Int (Wnt/β-catenin), Yes-Associated Protein (YAP)/Transcription CoActivator PDZ Binding Motif (TAZ) and Hippo Signaling Pathways that are involved in the pathogenesis of post-Covid-19 pulmonary fbrosis. In conclusion, the anti-infammatory and anti-fbrotic properties of PFN may attenuate post-Covid-19 pulmonary fbrosis

Fenofibrate for COVID-19 and related complications as an approach to improve treatment outcomes: the missed key for Holy Grail

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGIntroduction Fenofbrate is an agonist of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), that possesses antiinfammatory, antioxidant, and anti-thrombotic properties. Fenofbrate is efective against a variety of viral infections and diferent infammatory disorders. Therefore, the aim of critical review was to overview the potential role of fenofbrate in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 and related complications. Results By destabilizing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and preventing it from binding angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry, fenofbrate can reduce SARS-CoV-2 entry in human cells Fenofbrate also suppresses infammatory signaling pathways, which decreases SARS-CoV-2 infection-related infammatory alterations. In conclusion, fenofbrate anti-infammatory, antioxidant, and antithrombotic capabilities may help to minimize the infammatory and thrombotic consequences associated with SARSCoV-2 infection. Through attenuating the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2, fenofbrate can directly reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions As a result, fenofbrate could be a potential treatment approach for COVID-19 control

Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and Herbs

Human beings have relied on herbs and medicinal plants as sources of food and remedy from time immemorial. Bioactive compounds from plants are currently the subject of much research interest, but their extraction as part of phytochemical and/or biological investigations present specific challenges. Herbalists or scientists have developed many protocols of extraction of bioactive ingredients to ensure the effectiveness and the efficacy of crude drugs that were used to get relief from sickness. With the advent of new leads from plants such as morphine, quinine, taxol, artemisinin, and alkaloids from Voacanga species, a lot of attention is paid to the mode of extraction of active phytochemicals to limit the cost linked to the synthesis and isolation. Thus, the extraction of active compounds from plants needs appropriate extraction methods and techniques that provide bioactive ingredients-rich extracts and fractions. The extraction procedures, therefore, play a critical role in the yield, the nature of phytochemical content, etc. This chapter aims to present, describe, and compare extraction procedures of bioactive compounds from herbs and medicinal plants

Fabrication and Biological Assessment of Antidiabetic α-Mangostin Loaded Nanosponges: In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Studies

From MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2021-10-29, pub-electronic 2021-11-01Publication status: PublishedFunder: King Saud University; Grant(s): RSP-2021/406Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been a major health issue with increasing morbidity and mortality due to macrovascular and microvascular complications. The urgent need for improved methods to control hyperglycemic complications reiterates the development of innovative preventive and therapeutic treatment strategies. In this perspective, xanthone compounds in the pericarp of the mangosteen fruit, especially α-mangostin (MGN), have been recognized to restore damaged pancreatic β-cells for optimal insulin release. Therefore, taking advantage of the robust use of nanotechnology for targeted drug delivery, we herein report the preparation of MGN loaded nanosponges for anti-diabetic therapeutic applications. The nanosponges were prepared by quasi-emulsion solvent evaporation method. Physico-chemical characterization of formulated nanosponges with satisfactory outcomes was performed with Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Zeta potential, hydrodynamic diameter, entrapment efficiency, drug release properties, and stability studies at stress conditions were also tested. Molecular docking analysis revealed significant interactions of α-glucosidase and MGN in a protein-ligand complex. The maximum inhibition by nanosponges against α-glucosidase was observed to be 0.9352 ± 0.0856 µM, 3.11-fold higher than acarbose. In vivo studies were conducted on diabetic rats and plasma glucose levels were estimated by HPLC. Collectively, our findings suggest that MGN-loaded nanosponges may be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes since they prolong the antidiabetic response in plasma and improve patient compliance by slowly releasing MGN and requiring less frequent doses, respectively

Phytochemical and antioxidant potential of selected plants from Mianwali, Pakistan

Plants have been used since ancient times as an important source of biologically active substances. Specific activities of these plant extracts are generally linked to the presence of secondary metabolites together with their phenolic contents. Present study aimed at investigating the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity of selected plants from five different families. The total phenolic content was measured using Folin-Ciocalteu assay and total flavonoid content by aluminum chloride colorimetric method. The antioxidant capacity was estimated by phosphomolybdinium assay. Our findings indicates that total phenolic content for methanolic extracts ranged from 27.07 to 59.11 mg GAE/g DW, and total flavonoid content ranged from 38.37 to 124.23 mg QE/g DW, with an antioxidant activity ranging from 55.82 to 129.06 mg AAE/g DE. Following trend was shown in the assessment of total phenolic and flavonoid contents: Rhazya stricta>Cicer arietinum>Solanum melongena>Solanum surattense>Solanum nigrum>Withania sominifera>Sisymbrium irio>Withania coagulans>Raphanus sativus>Fagonia indica>Brassica napus. While the antioxidant capacity followed the trend: Cicer arietinum>Solanum nigrum>Withania coagulans>Rhazya stricta>Raphanus sativus>Solanum melongena>Withania sominifera>Solanum surratense>Fagonia indica>Brassica napus>Sisymbrium irio. It is also seen that both wild and cultivated plants have higher medicinal value, which can be linked to the phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant potential. Findings of the study revealed that wild plants possess higher phenolic content compared to cultivated plants, whereas cultivated plants had higher antioxidant activity

In vitro production of steroidal saponin, total phenols and antioxidant activity in callus suspension culture of Paris polyphylla Smith: an important Himalayan medicinal plant

Paris polyphylla Smith (Melanthiaceae) family, which is native to the Himalayan region, has received a lot of attention recently due to its extensive history of usage in traditional medicine. The production of steroidal saponin from callus suspension cultures of P. polyphylla was observed in the current study. The current study attempted to develop a P. polyphylla plant callus suspension culture through optimization of cultivation technique for callus suspension, quantification of total phenolic components and estimation of the extract’s antioxidant activity. A light-yellow callus was formed within six weeks of cultivating rhizomes on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with Thidiazuron (TDZ). Furthermore, the effect of TDZ, Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA), and Yeast Extract (YE) on callus growth, steroidal saponin (dioscin and diosgenin), total phenolic content, total flavonoids, total tannin, and total antioxidant activity was also measured. The medium containing 0.5 μM TDZ depicted the maximum callus biomass (2.98 g fresh weight). Significantly high phenolic and tannin content was observed in the MS medium containing 50 μM MeJA, whereas, no significant increase was observed in total tannin production in any treatment. Three in vitro assays, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid)) and FRAP (ferric ion reducing antioxidant potential) and FC (Folin-Ciocalteu), were used to assess antioxidant potential of callus. Maximum antioxidant analysis reported in 1.0 μM TDZ (6.89 mM AAE/100 g) containing medium followed by 50 μM MeJA (6.44 mM AAE/100 g). The HPLC analysis showed a high presence of dioscin and diosgenin (5.43% and 21.09%, respectively) compared to the wild sample (2.56% and 15.05%, respectively). According to the results, callus produced on media supplemented with 50 μM MeJA have significant phenolic contents and elevated antioxidant activity; nevertheless, callus growth was greater in the presence of 0.5 μM TDZ. The findings of the current study have commercial implications since greater biomass production will result in active phytochemicals that the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors are in need desperately