Herbal combination from Moringa oleifera Lam. and Curcuma longa L. as SARS-CoV-2 antiviral via dual inhibitor pathway: A viroinformatics approach

Context: The COVID-19 outbreak is caused by the transmission and infection of SARS-CoV-2 at the end of 2019. It has led many countries to implement lockdown policies to prevent the viral spreading. Problems arise in a COVID-19 patient because of viral infection that leads to a systemic response in the immune system, specifically due to cytokine storm. Moreover, the antiviral drugs that have not been found. Indonesia had a variety of traditional medicines, such as is ‘jamu’. It consists of a mixture of natural ingredients such as Moringa oleifera Lam. and Curcuma longa L. Aims: To identify the activity of dual inhibitors as antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents from herbal combination compounds. Methods: Sample was collected from PubChem (NCBI, USA) and Protein Data Bank (PDB), then drug-likeness analysis using Lipinski rule of five in SCFBIO web server and bioactive probability analysis of bioactive compounds were conducted by PASS web server. Furthermore, the blind docking method was performed using PyRx 0.8 software to determine the binding activity and molecular interaction by PoseView web server and PyMol software v2.4.1 (Schrödinger, Inc, USA). Results: Cryptochlorogenic acid and curcumin have been computationally proven as dual inhibitors for antivirals by inhibiting Mpro SARS-CoV-2 and as anti-inflammatory through inhibition of NFKB1 activity. However, the results are merely computational so that it must be validated through a wet lab research. Conclusions: The combination of Moringa oleifera Lam. and Curcuma longa L. is predicted to have antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity through dual inhibitor mechanism played by cryptochlorogenic acid and curcumi

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

Bioactive Components and Health Potential of Endophytic Micro-Fungal Diversity in Medicinal Plants

The endophytic fungi that reside inside medicinal plants have the potential to produce various pharmaco-potential bioactive compounds. The endophytic fungi Graminicolous helminthosporium, Bipolaris australiensis and Cladosporium cladosporioides were isolated from different medicinal plants. The GC-MS analysis of intra- and extracellular products of endophytic fungi revealed the presence of various bioactive metabolites, such as Anthracene, Brallobarbital, Benzo [h] quinolone, Ethylacridine, 2-Ethylacridine, Cyclotrisiloxane, 5 methyl 2 phenylindolizine, and 1,4-Cyclohexadien-1-one, etc. The phytochemical composition analysis of endophytic fungus extracts also revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, saponins, carbohydrates, glycosides, and proteins. The intra- and extracellular endophytic extracts exhibited strong antibacterial and antioxidant activity, which was screened with the agar-well diffusion method and DPPH, H2O2, and nitric oxide scavenging activity, respectively. The bioactive compounds identified in the endophytic extracts from GC-MS profiling served as ligands for molecular-docking analysis to investigate the anticancer potential against non-small cell lung carcinoma receptor EGFR. Molecular docking results showed that compounds, such as Brallobarbital, and 5 methyl 2 phenylindolizine had the lowest E- min values, which suggests that these compounds could be used in anticancer drug development. Thus, the isolated endophytic fungal species can be used to produce various bioactive compounds that could be used in novel drug development from natural sources and reduce the environmental burden of synthetic chemical drugs

Preclinical and Clinical Antioxidant Effects of Natural Compounds against Oxidative Stress-Induced Epigenetic Instability in Tumor Cells

ROS (reactive oxygen species) are produced via the noncomplete reduction in molecular oxygen in the mitochondria of higher organisms. The produced ROS are placed in various cell compartments, such as the mitochondria, cytoplasm, and endoplasmic reticulum. In general, there is an equilibrium between the synthesis of ROS and their reduction by the natural antioxidant defense system, called the redox system. Therefore, when this balance is upset, the excess ROS production can affect different macromolecules, such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and sugars, which can lead to an electronic imbalance than oxidation of these macromolecules. Recently, it has also been shown that ROS produced at the cellular level can affect different signaling pathways that participate in the stimulation of transcription factors linked to cell proliferation and, consequently, to the carcinogenesis process. Indeed, ROS can activate the pathway of tyrosine kinase, MAP kinase, IKK, NF-KB, phosphoinositol 3 phosphate, and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). The activation of these signaling pathways directly contributes to the accelerated proliferation process and, as a result, the appearance of cancer. In addition, the use of antioxidants, especially natural ones, is now a major issue in the approach to cancer prevention. Some natural molecules, especially phytochemicals isolated from medicinal plants, have now shown interesting preclinical and clinical results

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

Heavy Metal Contamination of Natural Foods Is a Serious Health Issue: A Review

Heavy metals play an important role in the homeostasis of living cells. However, these elements induce several adverse environmental effects and toxicities, and therefore seriously affect living cells and organisms. In recent years, some heavy metal pollutants have been reported to cause harmful effects on crop quality, and thus affect both food security and human health. For example, chromium, cadmium, copper, lead, and mercury were detected in natural foods. Evidence suggests that these elements are environmental contaminants in natural foods. Consequently, this review highlights the risks of heavy metal contamination of the soil and food crops, and their impact on human health. The data were retrieved from different databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Google scholar, and the Directory of Open Access Journals. Results show that vegetable and fruit crops grown in polluted soil accumulate higher levels of heavy metals than crops grown in unpolluted soil. Moreover, heavy metals in water, air, and soil can reduce the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. A healthy diet requires a rational consumption of foods. Physical, chemical, and biological processes have been developed to reduce heavy metal concentration and bioavailability to reduce heavy metal aggregation in the ecosystem. However, mechanisms by which these heavy metals exhibit their action on human health are not well elucidated. In addition, the positive and negative effects of heavy metals are not very well established, suggesting the need for further investigation

Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pus wound isolate using a polymerase chain reaction targeting 16S rRNA and gyrB genes: A case from Indonesia

Infectious wounds on the skin surface are easily colonized by bacteria from pyogenic group that manifest as inflammation, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa is a Gram-negative bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen known for causing invasive state in critically ill and immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to detect the 16S rRNA and gyrB genes in P. aeruginosa using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The sample in this study was pus isolate from a 5-year-old boy with leg wounds. The bacteria were isolated on brain heart infusion broth (BHIB) media and identified with molecular identification. Sequencing and BLAST analysis were carried out to determine the similarity of gene identity by comparing sample sequence with other isolate sequences on the Gene Bank. The results of molecular identification showed amplification DNA band of around 934 base pairs (bp) for 16S rRNA and 225 bp for gyrB gene. The BLAST program demonstrated that the sample had 99.89% similarity with P. aeruginosa strain XC4 (accession code ON795960.1) for the 16S rRNA gene. Meanwhile, the gyrB gene exhibited 99.10% similarity with the P. aeruginosa strain PSA-1.2 (accession code KP172300.1)