Genetic Polymorphism of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase

Genetic polymorphism is referred to the discontinuous interspecies genetic variability among individuals having distinct alleles on a particular locus. Genetic polymorphism of genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes constitutes individual’s susceptibility to drugs, affirmed by having discrete allelic frequencies by the individual, strengthening the concept of precision medicine. To combat with toxic consequences of drugs, the polymorphic genes associated with xenobiotic metabolism must be studied. Up to 70% xenobiotic elimination is believed to be dependent on UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT), an enzyme encoded by polymorphic UGT1A and UGT2B genes. Both bimodal and trimodal distribution patterns of UGT have been reported in various human populations studied. Genetic polymorphisms of UGT may even lead to truncated and shorter gene with grossly diminished enzymatic activity. The extent of phenotypic alteration inflicted by genetic polymorphisms depends on its nature and position on gene locus. The different isoforms of UGT superfamily differ from each other regarding substrate specificity and selectivity. The incidence of genetic polymorphisms and associated altered gene functions results in inter-individual variability in metabolic clearance and elimination of drugs. Hence, the critical interaction between genetics and biotransformation of drugs has recently been the focus of pharmacology research

In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and cytotoxic potential of Epimedium grandiflorum hydroethanolic extract as natural medicine

Medicinal plants are used as fundamental and low-cost source for remedy of numbers of infectious and metabolic diseases in developing and developed countries. Current research work was planned to evaluate the antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic potential of hydroethanolic extract of E. grandiflorum. It was found that selected natural medicinal herb have significant (p<0.05) antibacterial activities tested against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurella multocida, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter species, Pseudomonas Species and Salmonella Species. The results of bacterial biofilm inhibition also explored that selected natural herb has significant (p<0.05) capacity to prevent the microbial biofilm particularly at higher dose. The results of antifungal activities showed that selected medicinal plant has significant (p<0.05) antifungal potential evaluated against Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Fusarium solani, Alternata alternaria, and Schizophyllum species. Moreover, the results of mutagenicity test and DNA damage preventive test explored that selective medicinal plant has significant (p<0.05) DNA protective capacity or in other words it is non-mutagenic or cytotoxic in nature. It could be concluded that E. grandiflorum could be a potential candidate as therapeutic agent to manage infectious diseases especial bacterial and fungal infections with non-toxic nature

Role of Phenylalanine and Its Metabolites in Health and Neurological Disorders

Phenylalanine, an amino acid, is a “building block” of protein. Phenylalanine is a component of food sources and also derived through supplementation. In current treatment, phenylalanine is prescribed as anti-depressant agent. The present study reviewed the possible antidepressant potential of phenylalanine. We reviewed data using the major databases, namely, Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar, and PubMed. This manuscript provides a brief overview of the role of phenylalanine in depressive disorders. Phenylalanine possesses anti-depressant potential. Significant anti-depressant activities have been studied both in-vitro and in-vivo models. Based on current data, phenylalanine could be recommended as a potential candidate for clinical anti-depressant trials. Phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency results in intolerance to the dietetic consumption of the phenylalanine and a variety of syndromes such as deep and permanent logical disability, impaired cognitive development

Using decoction of some vitamin C enriched plants for the management of COVID-19 in Jos, Nigeria: A case report

The worldwide influence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic compelled the global health organizations to prioritize the situation over all other related community health issues. The lack of specific treatment modalities against COVID-19 is a major concern nowadays. Here is a case of a 44-year-old man of 176 cm height and 87 kg body weight, who took some powdered mixture equally composed of bitter kola, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, and turmeric sweetened with three teaspoons full of honey. All ingredients were dissolved in 100 ml hot water and taken three times a day during isolation as a positive COVID-19 patient and reversed all associated signs and symptoms after 7 days as confirmed with rapid diagnostic techniques (RDTs). This case revealed that homogenized herbal tea in Jos Nigeria possesses a potential therapeutic that could be a treatment protocol against COVID-19

Effect of UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A Polymorphism (rs8330 and rs10929303) on Glucuronidation Status of Acetaminophen

Interindividual variability in polymorphic uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) ascribed to genetic diversity is associated with relative glucuronidation level among individuals. The present research was aimed to study the effect of 2 important single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs8330 and rs10929303) of UGT1A1 gene on glucuronidation status of acetaminophen in healthy volunteers (n = 109). Among enrolled volunteers, 54.13% were male (n = 59) and 45.87% were female (n = 50). The in vivo activity of UGT1A1 was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography-based analysis of glucuronidation status (ie, acetaminophen and acetaminophen glucuronide) in human volunteers after oral intake of a single dose (1000 mg) of acetaminophen. The TaqMan SNP genotyping assay was used for UGT1A1 genotyping. The wild-type genotype (C/C) was observed the most frequent one for both SNPs (rs8330 and rs10929303) and associated with fast glucuronidator phenotypes. The distribution of variant genotype (G/G) for SNP rs8330 was observed in 5% of male and 8% of the female population; however, for SNP rs10929303, the G/G genotype was found in 8% of both genders. A trimodal distribution (fast, intermediate, and slow) based on phenotypes was observed. Among the male participants, the glucuronidation phenotypes were observed as 7% slow, 37% intermediate, and 56% fast glucuronidators; however, these findings for the females were slightly different as 8%, 32%, and 60% respectively. The k-statistics revealed a compelling evidence for good concordance between phenotype and genotype with a k value of 1.00 for SNP rs8330 and 0.966 for SNP rs10929303 in our population

Biochemical profiling of tuberculosis patients co-infected with hepatitis C virus

The present research work was planned to investigate the biochemical parameters in tuberculosis (TB) patients in comparison with healthy individual and TB patients co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). For the study, we determined liver enzymes, serum proteins, hemoglobin photometrically, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) by the Westergren method. The results showed a significant ( P 0.05) increase in the level of aspartate aminotransferase was observed in the Test group while a non-significantly ( P >0.05) reduced level was observed in the TB control group when compared with healthy controls. Alkaline phosphatase was increased significantly ( P 0.05) in the TB control group compared to healthy control group. Significant ( P 0.05) variation in serum calcium level was observed among study groups. ESR was found to be lower in the healthy control group while significantly ( P <0.05) increased in the Test and TB control groups. The HCV co-infected patients were investigated through HCV screening by the immunochromatographic method. We concluded that variation in biochemical and hematological parameters observed in the studied population help us to diagnose HCV co-infected TB patients

Acidic and enzymatic saccharification of waste agricultural biomass for biotechnological production of xylitol

Abstract Background The plant biomass and agro-industrial wastes show great potential for their use as attractive low cost substrates in biotechnological processes. Wheat straw and corn cob as hemicellulosic substrates were acid hydrolyzed and enzymatically saccharified for high xylose production. The hydrolysate was concentrated and fermented by using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces for production of xylitol. Results Acid hydrolysis of wheat straw and corn cob in combination with enzymatic hydrolysis showed great potential for production of free sugars from these substrates. Kluyveromyces produced maximum xylitol from acid treated wheat straw residues with enzymatic saccharification. The percentage xylitol yield was 89.807 g/L and volumetric productivity of 0.019 g/L/h. Kluyveromyces also produced maximum xylitol from corn cob acid hydrolyzed liquor with xylitol yield 87.716 g/L and volumetric productivity 0.018 g/L/h. Conclusion Plant and agro-industrial biomass can be used as a carbohydrate source for the production of xylitol and ethanol after microbial fermentation. This study revealed that wheat straw acid and enzyme hydrolyzed residue proved to be best raw material for production of xylitol with S. cerevisiae. The xylitol produced can be utilized in pharmaceuticals after purification on industrial scale as pharmaceutical purposes