Thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives are potent anti-platelet drugs, inhibiting platelet activation, aggregation and showing synergy with aspirin

Drugs which inhibit platelet function are commonly used to prevent blood clot formation in patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) or those at risk of stroke. The thieno[3,2-c]pyridine class of therapeutic agents, of which clopidogrel is the most commonly used, target the P2Y12 receptor, and are often used in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Six thieno[2,3-b]pyridine were assessed for in vitro anti-platelet activity; all derivatives showed effects on both platelet activation and aggregation, and showed synergy with ASA. Some compounds demonstrated greater activity when compared to clopidogrel. These compounds, therefore, represent potential novel P2Y12 inhibitors for improved treatment for patients

Does varicocele repair improve conventional semen parameters? A meta-analytic study of before-after data

Purpose The purpose of this meta-analysis is to study the impact of varicocele repair in the largest cohort of infertile males with clinical varicocele by including all available studies, with no language restrictions, comparing intra-person conventional semen parameters before and after the repair of varicoceles. Materials and Methods The meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA-P and MOOSE guidelines. A systematic search was performed in Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases. Eligible studies were selected according to the PICOS model (Population: infertile male patients with clinical varicocele; Intervention: varicocele repair; Comparison: intra-person before-after varicocele repair; Outcome: conventional semen parameters; Study type: randomized controlled trials [RCTs], observational and case-control studies). Results Out of 1,632 screened abstracts, 351 articles (23 RCTs, 292 observational, and 36 case-control studies) were included in the quantitative analysis. The before-and-after analysis showed significant improvements in all semen parameters after varicocele repair (except sperm vitality); semen volume: standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.203, 95% CI: 0.129–0.278; p<0.001; I2=83.62%, Egger’s p=0.3329; sperm concentration: SMD 1.590, 95% CI: 1.474–1.706; p<0.001; I2=97.86%, Egger’s p<0.0001; total sperm count: SMD 1.824, 95% CI: 1.526–2.121; p<0.001; I2=97.88%, Egger’s p=0.0063; total motile sperm count: SMD 1.643, 95% CI: 1.318–1.968; p<0.001; I2=98.65%, Egger’s p=0.0003; progressive sperm motility: SMD 1.845, 95% CI: 1.537%–2.153%; p<0.001; I2=98.97%, Egger’s p<0.0001; total sperm motility: SMD 1.613, 95% CI 1.467%–1.759%; p<0.001; l2=97.98%, Egger’s p<0.001; sperm morphology: SMD 1.066, 95% CI 0.992%–1.211%; p<0.001; I2=97.87%, Egger’s p=0.1864. Conclusions The current meta-analysis is the largest to date using paired analysis on varicocele patients. In the current meta-analysis, almost all conventional semen parameters improved significantly following varicocele repair in infertile patients with clinical varicocele. Keywords Controlled before-after studies; Infertility, male; Meta-analysis; Varicocel

Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antibiofilm Properties and Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Manuka Honey: A Nature’s Bioactive Honey

Honey has a history of medical use and is known as bio-alternative therapy. This research assessed the phytochemical and biological activity of the medical grade manuka honey (MH). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was chosen to investigate bioactive compounds of the MH. The DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging and beta-carotene antioxidant activities as well as the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects against S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli and P. aeruginosa were all determined. Furthermore, to gauge anticancer properties of MH, a MTT assay was opted towards three cell lines, including HCT-116 (colon), A549 (lung) and MCF-7 (breast) cancer cells. The GC–MS analysis of the tested MH revealed the identification of various chemical constituents belonging to the fatty acids, phenols, and esters. The MH was found to have higher reducing power activity (DPPH IC50: 7.36; ABTS IC50: 4.49 mg/mL) than the beta-carotene bleaching power (IC50: 37.51 mg/mL). Similarly, the MH was noted to be more active against the planktonic and biofilm of Gram-positive bacteria. Furthermore, a dose-dependent anticancer potential was observed, although a significant anticancer potential was pointed out against the MCF-7 and A549 cell conforming to the IC50 values of 9.05 and 9.37 mg/mL, respectively. This study’s results have highlighted the MH’s chemical composition with significant bioactivities