Paralemnalia thyrsoides-associated fungi: phylogenetic diversity, cytotoxic potential, metabolomic profiling and docking analysis.

Background: Cancer continues to be one of the biggest causes of death that affects human health. Chemical resistance is still a problem in conventional cancer treatments. Fortunately, numerous natural compounds originating from different microbes, including fungi, possess cytotoxic characteristics that are now well known.

Alginate-chitosan-microencapsulated tyrosols/oleuropein-rich olive mill waste extract for lipopolysaccharide-induced skin fibroblast inflammation treatment.

The Ca ion-driven emulsification-ionotropic gelation method produced chitosan-alginate microspheres (CAMSs) with a narrow particle size distribution (PSD). Particle size distribution and zeta potential studies, as well as spectral electron microscopy, were used to assess the microspheres' physicochemical properties and morphology. The tyrosols (hydroxytyrosol (HT), tyrosol (TY), and oleuropein (OE) were loaded into these microspheres using a polyphenol extract (PPE) from Koroneki olive mill waste (KOMW).

Computational Insights into Natural Antischistosomal Metabolites as SmHDAC8 Inhibitors: Molecular Docking, ADMET Profiling, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease with a significant socioeconomic impact. It is caused by several species of blood trematodes from the genus , with being the most prevalent. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug available for treatment, but it is vulnerable to drug resistance and ineffective in the juvenile stage.

Molecular and Biological Investigation of Isolated Marine Fungal Metabolites as Anticancer Agents: A Multi-Target Approach.

Cancer is the leading cause of death globally, with an increasing number of cases being annually reported. Nature-derived metabolites have been widely studied for their potential programmed necrosis, cytotoxicity, and anti-proliferation leading to enrichment for the modern medicine, particularly within the last couple of decades. At a more rapid pace, the concept of multi-target agents has evolved from being an innovative approach into a regular drug development procedure for hampering the multi-fashioned pathophysiology and high-resistance nature of cancer cells.

Phenylboronic Acid-Grafted Chitosan Nanocapsules for Effective Delivery and Controllable Release of Natural Antioxidants: Olive Oil and Hydroxytyrosol.

Olives and virgin olive oil (VOO) are a staple of Mediterranean diets and are rich in several beneficial phenolic compounds, including hydroxytyrosol (HT). Therefore, VOO was extracted from Koroneiki olive fruits, and its volatile as well as phenolic components were identified. Meanwhile, in order to upgrade the pharmaceutical capabilities of VOO and HT, a new conjugate phenylboronic acid-chitosan nanoparticles (PBA-CSNPs, NF-1) was fabricated and applied as nanocapsules for implanting high loading and efficient delivery of VOO and HT nanoformulations (NF-2 and NF-3).

Evaluation of Conspiracy Beliefs, Vaccine Hesitancy, and Willingness to Pay towards COVID-19 Vaccines in Six Countries from Asian and African Regions: A Large Multinational Analysis.

Vaccination protects people from serious illness and associated complications. Conspiracy theories and misinformation on vaccines have been rampant during the COVID-19 pandemic and are considered significant drivers of vaccine hesitancy. Since vaccine hesitancy can undermine efforts to immunize the population against COVID-19 and interferes with the vaccination rate, this study aimed to ascertain the COVID-19-vaccine-related conspiracy beliefs, vaccine hesitancy, views regarding vaccine mandates, and willingness to pay for vaccines among the general population.

Comparative Estimation of the Cytotoxic Activity of Different Parts of L.: Crude Extracts versus Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles with Apoptotic Investigation.

Different parts of L. and their green synthesized eco-friendly silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were screened for their cytotoxicity and apoptotic activity. Results showed that flower extract AgNPs exhibited more potent cytotoxicity compared to the normal form against PC-3 and A549 cell lines with IC values of 2.

Silver Nanoparticles Formulation of Flower Head's Polyphenols of L.: A Promising Candidate against Prostate (PC-3) Cancer Cell Line through Apoptosis Activation.

L. (Family: Compositae) or artichoke is a nutritious edible plant widely used for its hepatoprotective effect. Crude extracts of flower, bract, and stem were prepared and evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant activity and phenolic content.

Design, Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity Evaluation of Newly Synthesized Amides-Based TMP Moiety as Potential Anticancer Agents over HepG2 Cells.

A novel series of amides based TMP moiety was designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative as well as enzyme inhibition activity. Compounds and showed remarkable cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells with IC values 0.65 and 0.

Thioctamer: a novel thioctic acid-glatiramer acetate nanoconjugate expedites wound healing in diabetic rats.

The current work aims to design thioctic acid (TA) and glatiramer acetate (GA) nanoconjugate (thioctamer) loaded hydrogel formula as well as evaluation of thioctamer preclinical efficacy in expediting wound healing in a rat model of the diabetic wound. Thioctamer was prepared by conjugation of GA and TA in a 1:1 molar ratio. Particle size, zeta potential, and thermodynamic stability of the prepared thioctamer were assessed.

New Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Metabolites from Pericarps of .

Two new benzophenones: garcimangophenones A () and B () and five formerly reported metabolites were purified from the pericarps EtOAc fraction of ((GM) Clusiaceae). Their structures were characterized by various spectral techniques and by comparing with the literature. The α-amylase inhibitory (AAI) potential of the isolated metabolites was assessed.

Recent Updates on Sinularia Soft Coral.

Marine organisms are recognized as a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites. The remarkable abundance and diversity of bioactive small molecules isolated from soft corals displayed their essential role in drug discovery for human diseases. Sterols and terpenes, particularly cembranolides, 14-membered cyclic diterpene, demonstrated numerous biological activities, such as antitumor, antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiabetic, anti-osteoporosis and anti-inflammatory.

Chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive potentials of ρ-coumaric acid - Squid chitosan nanogel loaded with Syzygium aromaticum essential oil.

One of the most important trends in chemotherapy is the development of green chemotropic drugs with maximal activity and minimal side effects. The nanoencapsulation of phytochemical oils with natural polymers has been documented as a promising approach to producing nanodrugs with sustainable bioactivity and prolonged stability. In this context, Syzygium aromaticum essential oil (SAEO) and ultrasound-assisted deacetylated chitosan (UCS) were successfully extracted from clove buds and squid pens, respectively.

Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation Study of Isolated Scalarane Sesterterpenes as Potential SARS-CoV-2 Dual Target Inhibitors.

Presently, the world is under the toll of pandemic coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by SARS-CoV-2. Lack of effective and safe therapeutics has stressed the scientific community for developing novel therapeutics capable of alleviating and stopping this pandemic. Within the presented study, molecular docking, ADME properties and all-atom molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, along with two standard antiviral agents (lopinavir and benzopurpurin-4B), were applied to investigate 15 scalaranes sesterterpenes natural compounds, purified from the Red Sea marine sponge  , as potential COVID-19 dual-target inhibitors.

Co-delivery of imidazolium Zn(II)salen and Origanum Syriacum essential oil by shrimp chitosan nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications.

This study reports preparation and physicochemical characterization of natural antimicrobials (Origanum Syriacum essential oil (OSEO), shrimp chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs)) and new imidazolium ionic liquid-supported Zn(II)Salen. These antimicrobials were separately or co-encapsulated by CSNPs to fabricate novel antimicrobial nanoplatforms "NPFs" (OSEO-loaded CSNPs (NPF-1), Zn(II)Salen-loaded CSNPs (NPF-2), and Zn(II)Salen@OSEO-loaded CSNPs (NPF-3)). The finding of loading, encapsulation, and antimicrobial release studies confirm the suitability of CSNPs for nanoencapsulation of Zn(II)Salen and OSEO.

Antioxidant Property of the Egyptian Propolis Extract Versus Aluminum Silicate Intoxication on a Rat's Lung: Histopathological Studies.

In this study, we evaluated the inflammatory responses induced by aluminum silicate (AS) cytotoxicity in rat lungs. The prophylactic effect of propolis extract was evaluated in 60 adult male albino rats. The rats were divided into six groups: (1) a normal, healthy control group; (2) a normal group fed with 200 mL of propolis extract/Kg; (3) a low-dose positive control group injected with 5 mg/kg of AS; (4) a treated group given propolis and a low dose of AS; (5) a high-dose positive control group injected with 20 mg/kg of AS; and (6) a treated group given propolis with a high-dose of AS.

Production of a New Cyclic Depsipeptide by the Culture Broth of sp. Isolated from L.

A new cyclic depsipeptide () has been isolated from culture broth of sp. (No. P-100826-4-6) derived from L.

In Vitro Antitumor Evaluation of Some Hybrid Molecules Containing Coumarin and Quinolinone Moieties.

Background: Hybrid molecules furnished by merging two or more pharmacophores is an emerging concept in the field of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Currently, coumarin hybrids have attracted the keen attention of researchers to discover their therapeutic capability against cancer.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antitumor activity of a new series of hybrid molecules containing coumarin and quinolinone moieties 4 and 5 against four cancer cell lines.

Cucumol B, a new triterpene benzoate from seeds with cytotoxic effect toward ovarian and human breast adenocarcinoma.

Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of L. (Cucurbitaceae) seeds furnished a new triterpene benzoate derivative: cucumol B () and four known flavonoids: quercetin-3---D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)--L-rhamnopyranoside (), quercetin-3---D-glucopyranoside (), quercetin (), and luteolin (). Their structures were identified by UV, IR, 1D (C and H), 2D (HSQC, H-H COSY, HMBC, and NOESY) NMR, and HRESIMS spectral as well as comparing with literature data.

γ-Butyrolactones from Aspergillus Species: Structures, Biosynthesis, and Biological Activities.

Recently, numerous metabolites possessing uncommon structures and potent bioactivity have been isolated from strains of fungi collected from diverse environments. The genus Aspergillus is known as a rich source of y-butyrolactones. These are a group of fungal secondary metabolites, consisting of a five- membered lactone bearing two aromatic rings, which shows a great variety of biological activities.

Anti-oxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Cyclic Diarylheptanoids from Stem Bark.

A new cyclic diarylheptanoid namely alnuheptanoid B (3), along with four known cyclic diarylheptanoids: myricanone (1), (+)--myricanol (2), myricanone 5-- -D-glucopyranoside (4), and (+)--myricanol 5-- -D-glucopyranoside (5) were isolated from the EtOAc fraction of Steud (family: Betulaceae) stem bark. Their structures were established by different spectroscopic analyses, as well as optical rotation measurement. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 are isolated for the first time from .

New ursane triterpenoids from Ficus pandurata and their binding affinity for human cannabinoid and opioid receptors.

Phytochemical investigation of Ficus pandurata Hance (Moraceae) fruits has led to the isolation of two new triterpenoids, ficupanduratin A [1β-hydroxy-3β-acetoxy-11α-methoxy-urs-12-ene] (11) and ficupanduratin B [21α-hydroxy-3β-acetoxy-11α-methoxy-urs-12-ene] (17), along with 20 known compounds: α-amyrin acetate (1), α-amyrin (2), 3β-acetoxy-20-taraxasten-22-one (3), 3β-acetoxy-11α-methoxy-olean-12-ene (4), 3β-acetoxy-11α-methoxy-12-ursene (5), 11-oxo-α-amyrin acetate (6), 11-oxo-β-amyrin acetate (7), palmitic acid (8), stigmast-4,22-diene-3,6-dione (9), stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione (10), stigmasterol (12), β-sitosterol (13), stigmast-22-ene-3,6-dione (14), stigmastane-3,6-dione (15), 3β,21β-dihydroxy-11α-methoxy-olean-12-ene (16), 3β-hydroxy-11α-methoxyurs-12-ene (18), 6-hydroxystigmast-4,22-diene-3-one (19), 6-hydroxystigmast-4-ene-3-one (20), 11α,21α-dihydroxy-3β-acetoxy-urs-12-ene (21), and β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (22). Compound 21 is reported for the first time from a natural source. The structures of the 20 compounds were elucidated on the basis of IR, 1D ((1)H and (13)C), 2D ((1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) NMR and MS spectroscopic data, in addition to comparison with literature data.

Activity of Aristolochia bracteolata against Moraxella catarrhalis.

A bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extract of Aristolochia bracteolata whole plant was carried out in order to evaluate its antimicrobial activity and to identify the active compounds in this extract. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extract against gram-positive, gram-negative, and fungal strains were investigated by the agar disk diffusion method. Among the strains tested, Moraxella catarrhalis and sea urchin-derived Bacillus sp.