The Zika virus (ZIKV), an arbovirus within the Flavivirus genus, is associated with severe neurological complications, including Guillain-Barré syndrome in affected individuals and microcephaly in infants born to infected mothers. With no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments available, there is an urgent need for effective therapeutic options. This study aimed to identify new natural compounds with inhibitory potential against the NS2B-NS3 protease (PDB ID: 5LC0), an essential enzyme in viral replication.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe study aimed to evaluate the anticancer potential of hinokitiol in treating oral cancer by using in vitro models and examining its interaction with the Pim-1 protein through in silico methods. Hinokitiol was applied to KB-1 oral squamous carcinoma cells, where the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC) was determined. Morphologic changes in treated cells were observed using phase contrast microscopy, while acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining was used to assess nuclear changes and apoptosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndophytic bacteria live in the internal tissues of plants, forming symbiotic, mutualistic, commensalistic and trophobiotic relationships. Some are spread via seeds after sprouting from the rhizosphere or phyllosphere. These bacteria capable of promoting plant growth and impart biotic stress by synthesing plant growth hormones, ACC deaminase, organic acids and siderophore.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPetroleum-based plastics levy significant environmental and economic costs that can be alleviated with sustainably sourced, biodegradable, and bio-based polymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). However, industrial-scale production of PHAs faces barriers stemming from insufficient product yields and high costs. To address these challenges, we must look beyond the current suite of microbes for PHA production and investigate non-model organisms with versatile metabolisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Breast cancer, a leading cause of female mortality, is closely linked to mutations in estrogen receptor beta (ESR2), particularly in the ligand-binding domain, which contributed to altered signaling pathways and uncontrolled cell growth.
Objectives/aims: This study investigates the molecular and structural aspects of ESR2 mutant proteins to identify shared pharmacophoric regions of ESR2 mutant proteins and potential therapeutic targets aligned within the pharmacophore model.
Methods: This study was initiated by establishing a common pharmacophore model among three mutant ESR2 proteins (PDB ID: 2FSZ, 7XVZ, and 7XWR).
Three Cd resistant bacterium's minimal inhibition concentrations were assessed and their percentages of Cd accumulation were determined by measurements using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The results revealed that two isolates Bacillus paramycoides (PM51) and Bacillus tequilensis (PM52), identified by 16S rDNA gene sequencing, showed a higher percentage of Cd accumulation i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, we demonstrate the green synthesis of bimetallic silver-copper nanoparticles (Ag-Cu NPs) using Aerva lanata plant extract. These NPs possess diverse biological properties, including in vitro antioxidant, antibiofilm, and cytotoxic activities. The synthesis involves the reduction of silver nitrate and copper oxide salts mediated by the plant extract, resulting in the formation of crystalline Ag-Cu NPs with a face-centered cubic structure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this context, phytochemicals were extracted from Ranunculus constantinopolitanus using ethyl acetate (EA), ethanol, ethanol/water (70%), and water solvent. The analysis encompassed quantification of total phenolic and flavonoid content using spectrophotometric assays, chemical profiling via high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for the extracts, and assessment of antioxidant activity via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), Cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), metal chelating (MCA), and phosphomolybdenum (PBD) assays. Moreover, antimicrobial activity was assessed against four different bacterial strains, as well as various yeasts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOne of the primary reasons for complications and death worldwide are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), with a death toll of approximately 18 million per year. CVDs include cardiomyopathy, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, heart attack, hearth failure, etc. Over 80% of the CVD mortality is recorded from lower and middle-income countries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Methods like the bio-synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using plant extracts have become promising due to their eco-friendly approach. The study aimed to examine the utilization of fruit phytochemicals as agents in the biosynthesis of Ag NPs, evaluation of the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-cancerous properties, as well as the photocatalytic ability of bio-synthesized Ag NPs against Crystal Violet (CV), a triphenylmethane dye.
Methods: The characterization of the physical properties of the Ag NPs synthesized via the green route was done using UV-Vis spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Zeta potential analysis, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
Healthy humans and animals commonly harbor lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on their mucosal surfaces, which are often associated with food fermentation. These microorganisms can produce amphiphilic compounds, known as microbial surface-active agents, that exhibit remarkable emulsifying activity. However, the exact functions of these microbial surfactants within the producer cells remain unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith the increasing demand for sustainably produced renewable resources, it is important to look towards microorganisms capable of producing bioproducts such as biofuels and bioplastics. Though many systems for bioproduct production are well documented and tested in model organisms, it is essential to look beyond to non-model organisms to expand the field and take advantage of metabolically versatile strains. This investigation centers on TIE-1, a purple, non-sulfur autotrophic, and anaerobic bacterium capable of producing bioproducts that are comparable to their petroleum-based counterparts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPolyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a bio-based, biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. PHB production at industrial scales remains infeasible, in part due to insufficient yields and high costs. Addressing these challenges requires identifying novel biological chassis for PHB production and modifying known biological chassis to enhance production using sustainable, renewable inputs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnzymes are biologically active complex protein molecules that catalyze most chemical reactions in living organisms, and their inhibitors accelerate biological processes. This review emphasizes medicinal food plants and their isolated chemicals inhibiting clinically important enzymes in common diseases. A mechanistic overview was investigated to explain the mechanism of these food bases enzyme inhibitors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAs the demand for botanical food additives and eco-friendly food packaging materials grows, the use of essential oils, edible biodegradable films and coatings are becoming more popular in packaging. In this review, we discussed the recent research trends in the use of natural essential oils, as well as polysaccharide-based coatings and films: from the composition of the substrates to preparing formulations for the production of film-forming technologies. Our review emphasized the functional properties of polysaccharide-based edible films that contain plant essential oils.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOBJECTIVE: β-Elemene, a sesquiterpene with a broad anti-cancer spectrum, is particularly effective against drug-resistant and complex tumors. It can also be efficient against FLT3-expressed acute myeloid leukemia. This research aims to determine whether β-Elemene has cytotoxic effects on FLT3 ITD-mutated AML cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe main objective of the present research work is to assess the biological properties of the aqueous plant extract (ACAE) synthesised silver nanoparticles from the herbal plant , and their biological applications. The silver nanoparticle syntheses from Ageratum conyzoides (Ac-AgNPs) were optimised with different parameters, such as pH (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) and varied silver nitrate concentration (1 mM and 5 mM). Based on the UV-vis spectroscopy analysis of the synthesised silver nanoparticles, the concentration of 5 mM with the pH at 8 was recorded as the peak reduction at 400 nm; and these conditions were optimized were used for further studies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPott's puffy tumor (PPT) is a life-threatening complication of infectious sinusitis/osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. It occurs due to infection or trauma and is often seen in late childhood and adolescence. If left untreated for a protracted period, intracranial complications such as epidural abscess, subdural empyema, meningitis, and a cerebral abscess may occur.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent technological advances in the medical field have increased the plausibility of exposing humans to high-intensity wavelength radiations like x-rays and gamma rays while diagnosing or treating specific medical maladies. These radiations induce nucleotide changes and chromosomal alterations in the exposed population, intentionally or accidentally. A radiological investigation is regularly used in identifying the disease, especially by the technicians working in intensive care units.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiabetes mellitus is one of the major non-communicable diseases accounting for millions of death annually and increasing economic burden. Hyperglycemic condition in diabetes creates oxidative stress that plays a pivotal role in developing diabetes complications affecting multiple organs such as the heart, liver, kidney, retina, and brain. Green tea from the plant is a common beverage popular in many countries for its health benefits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst
November 2022
Background: Anemia is one of the predominant hematological conditions, whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a predominant respiratory disease. These two diseases were found to be interlinked, but the physiological pathways are still unclear.
Aim: The current study has been aimed at analysing the genetic interrelationship between anemia and COPD in accordance with different altitudes.
Dark chocolate gets popularity for several decades due to its enormous health benefits. It contains several health-promoting factors (bioactive components - polyphenols, flavonoids, procyanidins, theobromines, etc, and vitamins and minerals) that positively modulate the immune system of human beings. It confers safeguards against cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancers, and other brain-related disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe tracing of an alternative drug, Phytochemicals is a promising approach to the viral threats that have emerged over the past two years. Across the world, herbal medicine is a better solution against anti-viral diseases during pandemic periods. is an herbal plant, which has diverse bioactive compounds with anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-viral properties.
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