Comparative Effect of Honey Bee Venom and Common Antifungal Agents on Candida albicans

Fungal infections, can cause various symptoms in different forms, and are associated with high morbidity and mortality in vulnerable groups. one of the most significant fungal infection is candidiasis which caused by Candida. In recent years, there has been growing worried about the challenging of fungal diseases treatment and unwanted consequence of synthetic antifungal drugs. This necessitates the searching for new classes of broad-spectrum anti-fungal drugs to bring pharmaceutical characteristics and more efficient treatments. Bee venom (BV) is an antimicrobial agent which has been widely used to treat various diseases. the aim of the current study was to examine the antifungal properties of honey bee venom on Candida albicans to compare it to some common antifungal drugs (ketoconazole and amphotericin B). to perform this assay, the standard strains of C. albicans (ATCC10231) was used for antimicrobial assessment, and Disc diffusion assay and the microbroth dilution method were used to evaluate the anti fungal activity of (BV). The result of this study showed that BV, amphotericin B and ketoconazole had inhibitory effects on C. albicans which MIC of the were measured to be 118.2, 3.3 and 2 respectively, furthermore, Comparison of BV and common antifungal drugs demonstrated that, amphotricin B and ketoconazole have a better effect on C. albicans

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of some herbal essential oils against Streptococcus mutans

Background and aims: One of the most common chronic diseases in the world is tooth decay. A variety of bacteria are involved in this disorder of which Streptococcus mutants is the most common. Essential oils are considered as new natural compounds for use in combating drug-resistant bacteria. This study was aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of some essential oils prepared from Eucalyptus caesia Benth, Cuminum cyminum L. and Satureja hortensis L. on S. mutants. Methods: In this study, essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation method. E. caesia Benth, C. cyminum L. and S. hortensis L. were characterized by using gas chromatography‒mass spectrophotometry (GC‒MS). Antibacterial activity indices including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and zone of inhibition for the above essential oils against Streptococcus mutans were determined using broth macro-dilution and disk diffusion methods. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey test. Results:Results showed that all three extracts had antibacterial activity against S. mutants. S. hortensis L. essential oil with the lowest MIC and MBC value (13.2 and 18.4 µg/ml, respectively) and the biggest inhibition zone showed the strongest antibacterial effect against S. mutants in all exposure times and at all concentrations, compared with two other essential oils. Furthermore, C. cyminum L. essential oil had higher anti-bacterial activity against S. mutant than E. caesia Benth essential oil. Conclusions:The essential oils used in the present study with different components showed antibacterial activity (especially S. hortensis L essential oil), and therefore they can be used as a new antibacterial substance. Keywords: Dental caries, Streptococcus mutans, Essential oils, Antimicrobial

Cardiotoxicity Effects of Herbal Medicine, A Review Article

With the development of human's modern society more and more people tend to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Toxicological studies indicated that many herbal medicines have direct toxic effects on the circulatory system or cardiovascular system and cause harmful effects on the body. Cardiotoxicity or heart damage is a serious issue defined as heart electrophysiology dysfunction, affecting the cardiac structure, and muscle damage that arises from the drug or chemical poisoning agents, that may lead to heart failure. The aim of this review article is to provide various information about the potential adverse effects of herbal medicine on the cardiovascular system and introduce herbs that induced cardiac toxicity. To provide this review, all reported cases of cardiac toxicity induced by herbal medicines and natural products were collected through research articles and documents, and the most relevant articles, and books in various authentic search engines including Scopus, PubMed, SID (scientific information database), Science Direct and Google Scholar, from 1984 to April 2022 were searched, and selected herbs with therapeutic properties which induce toxic effects on the cardiovascular system are introduced. In this review, scientific data regarding cardiotoxicity showed that 16 herbs from 11 families may increase cardiac toxicity. Therefore, it's important to use herbal medicines and natural products under the guidance of medical professionals

The Antiviral Potential of Iranian Herbal Pharmacopoeia (IHP) on Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV): A Review Article

Herpes Simplex Viruses (HSV) viruses are highly contagious that commonly cause dermatitis, encephalitis, meningitis and genitourinary infections and also can lead to cervical cancer. For treatment of HSV infections, several physical methods and antiviral drugs are introduced, antiviral medications can also prevent or reduce outbreaks. The use of herbal medicine with antiviral effects attracted worldwide attentions. The aim of this review article is to introduce the Iranian Herbal Pharmacopoeia (IHP) with antiviral potential against two HSV serotypes and help to evaluate and develop the new drugs from natural sources. To provide this review, relevant articles in some authentic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar and SID (scientific information database), from 1967 to April 2022 were collected, and selected botanicals from (IHP) with their scientific names and classifications and their outcome (CC50 and IC50) were introduced. In this review, scientific data regarding anti-herpetic activities of Iranian Herbal Pharmacopoeia (IHP) showed that 34 herbs from 17 families have antiviral potential to inhibit two HSV serotypes. According to families, Lamiaceae family has the highest percentage (29.41 %) of plants with antiviral activity against two HSV serotypes, also review of recent data showed that Salvia officinalis, Melissa officinalis, Securigera Securidaca, Hyssopus officinalis, Quercus brantii, Artemisia aucheri and Curcuma longa have remarkable antiviral activity against two HSV serotypes. Results of this review suggest that further research to identify and purify the bioactive compounds to determine the molecular mechanisms of action is needed

Computational Prediction for the Binding Affinity of Interleukins 3 and 5 and GM- CSF to Cell Surface Receptors on Human Eosinophils

Abstract. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a 14.477 kD glycoprotein comprising 144 amino acids residues. The respective encoding gene is located on chromosome 5 in human. This protein stimulates proliferation and differentiation of macrophages. N-terminally seventeen amino acid residues are serving as a signal peptide while, the rest of 127 amino acids, known to have therapeutics application, is termed Molgramostim. Previous studies have revealed a high affinity of this protein for binding to a heterodimer receptor on surface of the cell. The respective receptor includes α and β chains which the β chain is similar to interleukins 3 and 5 receptors. Due to this similarity, interleukins 3 and 5 are capable to compete with GM-CSF in binding to the shared receptor. In the present study, to evaluate the binding affinity of interleukins 3 and 5 and GM-CSF to the same receptor, a computational prediction study carried out using Modeller, Hex and Molegro softwares. According to the results, interleukin 3 with -517.09 kJ/mole, interleukin 5 with -538.05 kJ/mole and GM-CSF with -606.17 kJ/mole energy could bind to the α and β chains of receptor. In the next step the two chains of the receptor were separated and the affinity of each protein to both chains was studied. Based on the results the binding affinity of all three considered proteins to α chain of the protein was weaker than the binding to β chain. The binding energy of interleukin 3, interleukin 5 and GM-CSF to β chain of receptors was -620.37 kJ/mole,-663.80 kJ/mole and -696.07 kJ/mole respectively. According to the results, interleukin 3 and interleukin 5 strongly compete with GM-CSF in binding to cell surface receptors on human eosinophils

The effect of extract of Punica granatum var. pleniflora for treatment of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Background: Herbal drugs are considered alternative agents and have been used for several years around the world. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common problems recognized by dentists and skin specialists. This problem is characterized by recurring, painful, small oral mucosal ulcers with a round or oval aspect that mostly appear in keratinized mucosa, cheeks, and on the surface of the mouth under the tongue. Methods: In our experiment, the alcoholic and water extracts of Punica granatum var. pleniflora, P. granatum var. Sweet Alak, and P. granatum var. Saveh Black were tested on minor RAS. The study was carried out using the double-blind method. The study population consisted of 210 participants, of whom 69 were females (32%) and 141 were males (68%). In addition to checking several factors, the pain and the degree of the participant's satisfaction had been determined based on visual analog scale. Data analysis was done in the form of a nonparametric method using Kruskal–Wallis test and SPSS version 20 software. Results: The results show that the alcoholic and water extracts of P. granatum var. pleniflora have a meaningful therapeutic effect on minor RAS. Results from the antioxidant activity and its relation to total phenolics show that P. granatum var. pleniflora and P. granatum var. Sweet Alak are rich in phenols. Conclusion: The water and alcoholic extracts of P. granatum varpleniflora decreased the entire time of complete treatment, and the treatment was meaningfully satisfactory for patients who participated in this experiment

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic evaluation of some herbal essential oils in comparison with common antibiotics in bioassay condition

Background: Since ancient times, various infectious diseases have been treated using herbal drugs. Today, efforts regarding the discovery of the effectual components of plants possessing antimicrobial properties are advanced. Herbal essential oils are widely used for treatment of various diseases, and they play an important role in health care considerations. Methods: The antibacterial activity of Artemisia kermanensis, Lavandula officinalis, and Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oils against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PTCC 1310), and Klebsiella pneumonia (PTCC 1053) was evaluated using the disk diffusion method as well as determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration. The composition of the three essential oils was determined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Variable amounts of different components (such as oxygenated monoterpenes, thymol, carvacrol, and 1,8-cineol) were found in all three oils. Among the tested bacteria, S. aureus was the most sensitive to the three essential oils. Results: The obtained results showed that each of the three essential oils has an inhibitory effect on pathogenic strains. Of these three oils, Z. multiflora Boiss essential oil showed the highest inhibitory effect on microbial strains. Furthermore, comparison of the antibacterial effects of these three essential oils with ampicillin and tetracycline revealed that these antibiotics have a better effect in controlling pathogenic strains. Conclusion: The essential oils used in the present study with different components showed antibacterial activity (especially Z. multiflora Boiss essential oil), and therefore they can be used as a new antibacterial substance

Comparative efficacy of herbal essences with amphotricin B and ketoconazole on Candida albicans in the in vitro condition

Background: The Candida species are the most important factors of fungal infections in humans and animals. It is necessary to prepare antifungal or antimicrobial drugs because of increasing drug resistance. The natural treatment of diseases of bacterial origin using medicinal plants is important. In this study the effect of antimicrobial medicinal herbal essential oils and conventional antifungal drugs were evaluated on Candida albicans in vitro. Methods: Disc diffusion assay and the microbroth dilution method were used to investigate the anticandidal effects of Foeniculum vulgare Mill, Satureja hortensis L, Cuminum cyminum, and Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oils. The anticandidal effect of these essential oils was compared with that of amphotricin B and ketoconazole in vitro. We then measured the chemical composition of the studied essential oils using gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. Results: Z. multiflora Boiss essential oil at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 34 μg/mL and minimal lethal concentration [i.e., minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC)] of 64 μg/mL had more powerful anti-Candida activity than the other essential oils. C. cyminum essential oil showed the least effect on the tested fungus. A comparison of the effect of the studied essential oils and antifungal drugs showed that the antifungal effect on the C. albicans fungus was better with the fungicides than with the essential oils. Conclusion: In the present study, essential oils with different components showed antifungal activity (especially Z. multiflora Boiss essential oil). They can therefore be used as new antifungal substances

Forecasting of interaction between bee propolis and protective antigenic domain in anthrax using the software and bioinformatics web servers

Background: Protective antigen of anthrax toxin, after touching the cell receptors, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of toxin. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction of anthrax toxin protective antigen and four great combination propolis included caffeic acid, benzyl caffeate, cinnamic acid and kaempferol using the softwares and bioinformatics web servers. Methods: Three-dimensional structure of protective antigen (receptor) obtains from Protein Data Bank (PDB). Four of the main components from propolis were selected          as ligand and their 3D-structures were obtained from ChemSpider and ZINC     compound database. The interaction of each ligand and receptor was assessed                   by SwissDock server (http://www.swissdock.ch/) and BSP-SLIM server (http://zhanglab.ccmb.med.umich.edu/BSP-SLIM). Docking results appears with Fullfitness numbers (in kcal/mol). Identification of amino acids involved in ligand and receptor interaction, was performed using the Chimera software; UCSF Chimera program (http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/). Results: The results of interaction between propolis components and protective antigen by BSP-SLIM server showed that the most interaction was related with benzyl caffeate, caffeic acid, kaempferol and cinnamic acid, respectively. Results for the desired ligand Interaction with protective antigen genes using SwissDock server showed that the caffeic acid had ΔG equals -9.10 kcal/mol and FullFitness equal to -993.16 kcal/mol respectively. The analysis of interaction between ligands with amino-acids of protective antigen indicated that the interaction of Caffeic acid whit Glutamic acid 117 had energy -15.5429 kcal/mol. Conclusion: Finding strong and safe inhibitors for anthrax toxin is very useful method for inhibiting its toxicity to cell. In this study the binding ability of four flavonoids to protective antigen was studied. Glutamic acid 117 is very effective in protective antigen binding and cell receptor and subsequent in virulent of anthrax toxin. Effective interaction of caffeic acid in propolis and glutamic acid 117 can be as useful in preventing the toxic effect on cell. According to our results, all four flavonoids tested in this study have binding activity to protective antigen and are good choices for fighting against anthrax

Integrated Electro-Ozonation and Fixed-Bed Column for the Simultaneous Removal of Emerging Contaminants and Heavy Metals from Aqueous Solutions

In the current study, an integrated physiochemical method was utilized to remove tonalide (TND) and dimethyl phthalate (DMP) (as emerging contaminants, ECs), and nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) (as heavy metals), from synthetic wastewater. In the first step of the study, pH, current (mA/cm2), and voltage (V) were set to 7.0, 30, and 9, respectively; then the removal of TND, DMP, Ni, and Pb with an electro-ozonation reactor was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). At the optimum reaction time (58.1 min), ozone dosage (9.4 mg L−1), initial concentration of ECs (0.98 mg L−1), and initial concentration of heavy metals (28.9 mg L−1), the percentages of TND, DMP, Ni, and Pb removal were 77.0%, 84.5%, 59.2%, and 58.2%, respectively. For the electro-ozonation reactor, the ozone consumption (OC) ranged from 1.1 kg to 3.9 kg (kg O3/kg Ecs), and the specific energy consumption (SEC) was 6.95 (kWh kg−1). After treatment with the optimum electro-ozonation parameters, the synthetic wastewater was transferred to a fixed-bed column, which was filled with a new composite adsorbent (named BBCEC), as the second step of the study. BBCEC improved the efficacy of the removal of TND, DMP, Ni, and Pb to more than 92%