Candidate Vaccines and Therapeutics against Monkeypox Infection

While human beings are still facing the challenges of the pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a new viral disease, monkeypox raises concerns among healthcare authorities about this new threat. Since May 2022, thousands of people have been affected by a continuous monkeypox outbreak linked to close contact transmission in numbers of nonendemic nations. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved any medications to treat monkeypox in humans. However, medications created for smallpox patients, such as antivirals and other medical countermeasures, might also be effective against monkeypox. Tecovirimat (TPOXX), brincidofovir, cidofovir antivirals and Vaccinia Immune Globulin Intravenous (VIGIV) are the medical countermeasures for the treatment of monkeypox. The second and third generations of smallpox vaccinations have been developed after many years of research. Some of these vaccines may also be beneficial for monkeypox. Three vaccinations, MVA-BN, LC16, or ACAM2000 can be used for monkeypox. Two of these (MVA-BN and LC16) have received approval for the purpose of preventing monkeypox. Considering the current vaccine shortage, widespread immunisation is not advised. Therefore, prevention is the best policy to keep everyone safe. The current review highlights the treatment available for the management of monkeypox. It also reviewed the preventive measures that human beings should take to protect themselves from monkeypox infection

An International Outburst of New Form of Monkeypox Virus

A new strain of the old pandemic, Monkeypox (MPX), has emerged with a more complicated clinical appearance. It is a source of relief that the fatality rate in the new monkeypox is lower, but communicability is higher. This infection’s diagnosis and therapy are still challenging and unknown. Researchers are reporting increased human-to-human transmission in the modified version of MPX. There have been several reports of the updated version of monkeypox in the European and American areas. Brazil, Colombia, France, Spain, Germany, Peru, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America have recorded over three thousand new cases of monkeypox through October 2022. Few antiviral medicines and vaccines are available on the market, making treatment of this condition difficult. MPX was previously declared an epidemic disease, but ignorance about it can bring devastation in the shape of the next pandemic-like COVID-19. This review aims to assess the virology, transmission, diagnosis, and therapy of MPX

Molecular docking study of Zingiber officinale Roscoe compounds as a mumps virus nucleoprotein inhibitor

Background: Mumps virus (MuV) can trigger severe infections, such as parotitis, epididymo-orchitis, and meningitis. The effectiveness of MuV vaccine administration has been proven, but current outbreaks warrant the development of antivirals against MuV. Zingiber officinale var. Roscoe or ginger is often used as an alternative remedy. Currently, there are no known in vitro or in vivo studies that investigate ginger as an MuV antiviral. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the antiviral potency of the bioactive compounds in Zingiber officinale var. Roscoe against MuV. Methods: Antiviral activity screening was conducted by druglikeness analysis, antiviral probability, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulation. Results: As an antiviral, 6-shogaol from Zingiber officinale var. Roscoe has potency against MuV. It has a good binding affinity and can establish interactions with the binding domain of the target protein by forming hydrogen, Van der Waals, and alkyl bonds. Conclusion: The complex of 6-shogaol_NP was predicted to be volatile but stable for triggering inhibitory activity. However, these results must be proved by in vivo and in vitro approaches to strengthen the scientific evidence

Bioactive compounds screening of Rafflesia sp. and Sapria sp. (Family: Rafflesiaceae) as anti-SARS-CoV-2 via tetra inhibitors: An in silico research

Context: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread, causing a global pandemic with diverse symptoms and increased risk of mortality. Various symptoms and comorbidities contribute to a higher likelihood of death in patients. Additionally, existing antiviral drugs have shown incomplete efficacy. Rafflesia sp. and Sapria sp. are parasitic plants with potential medical applications as anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents. Aims: To evaluate the bioactive compounds derived from Rafflesia sp. and Sapria sp. as dual inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. Methods: Ligand samples were obtained from the PubChem database. Target proteins essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry were obtained from the RCSB PDB. The antiviral potential of the bioactive compounds was evaluated using the Pass Online webserver. The bioactivity and inhibitory potential of selected ligands were analyzed using the SwissADME and Molinspiration web servers. In addition, a specific docking method was performed using PyRx software to determine binding activity and molecular interactions. Results: Computational analysis revealed that leucoanthocyanidin, ellagic acid, and catechin functioned as dual inhibitors, targeting angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), furin, and cathepsin L for antiviral activity. However, valrubicin and diminazene, serving as control drugs for ACE2 and furin, respectively, demonstrated the most effective results through this mechanism. Further studies are required to validate these findings. Conclusions: The combination of bioactive compounds derived from Rafflesia sp. and Sapria sp. shows potential antiviral activity through a dual inhibitor mechanism involving leucoanthocyanidin, ellagic acid, and catechin, which target SARS-CoV-2 proteins, namely ACE2, TMPRSS2, furin, and cathepsin L

Garcinoxanthones from Garcinia mangostana L. against SARS-CoV-2 infection and cytokine storm pathway inhibition: A viroinformatics study

Context: Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) is used in traditional medicine as an antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. Aims: To determine the molecular mechanism and potential of garciniaxanthone derivate compounds from G. mangostana as SARS-CoV-2 antiviral and prevent cytokine storm through in silico approach. Methods: Ligand and protein samples were obtained from databases such as PubChem and Protein Databank, then drug-likeness analysis using Lipinski, Ghose, Veber, Egan, and Muege rules on SwissADME server, prediction of antiviral probability through PASSOnline server. Furthermore, molecular docking simulation with PyRx v1.0 software (Scripps Research, USA) with an academic license, identification of interactions and chemical bond positions of ligands on the target by PoseView server, 3D visualization of PyMOLv.2.5.2 software (Schrödinger, Inc., USA) with an academic license, molecular dynamics simulation for molecular stability prediction by CABS-flex v2.0 server, target prediction of antiviral candidate compounds by SwissTargetPrediction server, pathway analysis through STRING v11.5 database, and toxicity by ProTox-II server were used. Results: Garciniaxanthone C from G. mangostana was found to be a drug-like molecule with low toxicity. This can be a candidate for SARS-Cov-2 antiviral through inhibitor activity on two viral enzymes consisting of Mpro and replicase with a binding affinity value that is more negative than other garciniaxanthone derivates and is stable. Garciniaxanthone C is predicted to bind and inhibit pro-inflammatory proteins that trigger cytokine storms, such as NFKB1 and PTGS2. Conclusions: Garciniaxanthone derivative compounds from G. mangostana may be candidates for SARS-CoV-2 antiviral and preventing cytokine storm through garciniaxanthone C activity

Potential action of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) against triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been known as havoc among females globally. It is a heterogeneous group of cancer encompassing many breast cancers basically distinct by the lack of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and overextension of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 gene. It can be caused by various factors, namely unbalanced diet, beverage consumption, smoking, hormonal imbalance, medication, genetic factor, and decreased levels of physical activity. It represents one of the most aggressive types of breast cancer, and researchers revealed that the chemical components of cardamom, namely limonene, cymene, pinene, linalool, borneol, cardamonin, indole-3-carbinol, and diindolylmethane, primarily target the programmed cell death lignin-1 gene of cancer which is more abundant in cancer cells than in healthy cells. There is no standard chemotherapy session for eradicating TNBC because targeted receptor absents in cancer cells as present in common breast cancer. Cardamonin has been identified as an effective component that targets most of the signaling pathways against TNBC. Metallic chelates of cardamonin with copper ion help to improve lipophilicity and bioavailability in cancer cells. The literature included in this review was assessed from the international databases, namely PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, Google Scholar, Bentham, and Research Gate journals published between 2010 and 2023. Utilizing keywords for literature searching are breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer, cardamom, bioavailability, and cardamonin. A safe and efficient targeted therapy for this cancer has been difficult to develop due to its rapid proliferation and indefinite signaling pathway. Literature investigation enlightened that phytoconstituent reported in the cardamom reporting anticancer potential action against TNBC. Data concluded from this review can prove beneficial to the communal population in the treatment of TNBC and improve the health indicator in the future

Geographical Distribution, Chemical Constituents and Activity Profile of Magnolia

Many Asian countries use the bark of the Magnolia for medicinal purposes. Magnolia has many medical uses, including regulating GI motility, treating cough and asthma, preventing cardiovascular disease, and treating mental illness and brain disorders. To date, 118 magnolia species have been discovered. However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has designated 231 species as vulnerable and critically endangered. Magnolia leaves yielded 20 isolated chemicals, including 16 lignans with 6 distinct structural types, such as honokiol, veraguensin, sitosterol, and magliflonenone. Magnolia species show pharmacological activities like Neuroprotective, anti-cancer, Anti-microbial, Antiplatelets, Anti-asthmatic, Gastrointestinal, and Hormone regulation. Magnolia bark extracts such as honokiol 2',6-di-(5-propenyl)-1,1'-biphenyl-2,2'-diol, have been demonstrated to benefit health. In recent in vitro and preclinical research, honokiol was found to have anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, anti-oxidative, and anti-cancer activities. Honokiol and magnolol prevented the thromboxane B2 synthesis in response to thrombin, arachidonic acid, and collagen. So, soon, if we cultivate and save the endangered magnolia species through biotechnological means, it will be a boon for mankind

Prediction of Aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1) Molecular Mechanism Network and Interaction to Oncoproteins Growth Factor in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1) is a common contaminant for staple foods during the storage process. Chronic exposure to AFB1 is widely known to induce the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is a lack of understanding of AFBi role in HCC mechanism. This research aims to identify protein(s) in HCC that might interact with AFB1 and to predict the pathway effected by AFB1. Analyses were performed using bioinformatics tools. SMILES notation of AFB1 was submitted into Swiss Target Prediction. Interaction among predicted proteins were analyzed by using STRING. The 3D structure of target protein was constructed by homology modeling. Reverse docking was performed, and the result was ranked based on binding affinity score. Furthermore, protein interaction network was constructed and analyzed by using Cytoscape. Results showed that three protein groups were predicted as target of AFB1, such as kinases, phosphatases, and G protein-coupled receptor with probability of 46.7%, 20%, and 6.7%, respectively. Seven proteins of kinases were strongly related to HCC, including RAF1, MAPK1, MAPK3, AKT1, EGFR, GSK3B, and mTOR. Reverse docking considered the AKT1-AFB1 as the most potential complex with the lowest affinity score -10.2 kcal.mol-1. It has hydrophobic bonds in Trp80, Val270, Tyr272, Asp292, Thr211, Leu210, Leu264, and Lys268 residues, whereas hydrogen bond in Ser205 residues. Moreover, further analysis demonstrated that interaction of AKT1-AFB1 is related to the metastasis pathway in HCC mechanism

Biological activity of kencur (Kaempferia galanga L.) against SARS-CoV-2 main protease: In silico study

COVID-19 is a syndrome affecting pulmonary function but rather in serious conditions leads to death. Kencur (Kaempferia galanga L.) is a type of rhizome plant in Indonesia that is used as an herbal medicine called Jamu because it is believed to be able to cure various types of diseases. One of which is for anti-virus. The goal of this study was to see how effective the compounds in kencur are against COVID-19 with a molecular docking strategy. Kencur biological activities were obtained from the library and the design of the Acute Respiratory Syndrome Main protease (Mpro) has been gained from the protein data bank website. In addition, the biological activities in kencur were examined utilizing Lipinski's five-point concept was used to evaluate their substance molecular characteristics. Molecular docking analysis was performed with the PyRx Virtual Screening Tool software. The PyRx program was used for molecular docking simulation. While, the Discovery Studio Visualizer program was used to visualize the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) and the pharmacologically active metabolites in kencur. The docking evaluation on three antiviral substances revealed that Quercetin had the lowest binding energy when bound with Mpro and thus had the greatest potential as a viral inhibitor

Application of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology in various fields: A review

CRISPR-Cas9 has emerged as a revolutionary tool that enables precise and efficient modifications of the genetic material. This review provides a comprehensive overview of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its applications in genome editing. We begin by describing the fundamental principles of CRISPR-Cas9 technology, explaining how the system utilizes a single guide RNA (sgRNA) to direct the Cas9 nuclease to specific DNA sequences in the genome, resulting in targeted double-stranded breaks. In this review, we provide in-depth explorations of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its applications in agriculture, medicine, environmental sciences, fisheries, nanotechnology, bioinformatics, and biotechnology. We also highlight its potential, ongoing research, and the ethical considerations and controversies surrounding its use. This review might contribute to the understanding of CRISPR-Cas9 technology and its implications in various fields, paving the way for future developments and responsible applications of this transformative technology