(Endl.) Manetti ex Carriere is an endemic tree possessing valuable health benefits which has been widely used since time immemorial in international traditional pharmacopoeia. The aim of this ...exploratory investigation is to determine the volatile compounds of
essential oils (CAEOs) and to examine their in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and dermatoprotective properties. In silico simulations, including molecular docking and pharmacokinetics absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET), and drug-likeness prediction were used to reveal the processes underlying in vitro biological properties. Gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) was used for the chemical screening of CAEO. The antioxidant activity of CAEO was investigated using four in vitro complementary techniques, including ABTS and DPPH radicals scavenging activity, ferric reductive power, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation (β-carotene test). Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibition and tyrosinase inhibitory assays were used for testing the anti-inflammatory and dermatoprotective properties. GC-MS analysis indicated that the main components of CAEO are
-himachalene (28.99%),
-himachalene (14.43%), and longifolene (12.2%). An in vitro antimicrobial activity of CAEO was examined against eleven strains of Gram-positive bacteria (three strains), Gram-negative bacteria (four strains), and fungi (four strains). The results demonstrated high antibacterial and antifungal activity against ten of them (>15 mm zone of inhibition) using the disc-diffusion assay. The microdilution test showed that the lowest values of MIC and MBC were recorded with the Gram-positive bacteria in particular, which ranged from 0.0625 to 0.25 %
/
for MIC and from 0.5 to 0.125 %
/
for MBC. The MIC and MFC of the fungal strains ranged from 0.5 to 4.0% (MIC) and 0.5 to 8.0%
/
(MFC). According to the MBC/MIC and MFC/MIC ratios, CAEO has bactericidal and fungicidal activity. The results of the in vitro antioxidant assays revealed that CAEO possesses remarkable antioxidant activity. The inhibitory effects on 5-LOX and tyrosinase enzymes was also significant (
< 0.05). ADMET investigation suggests that the main compounds of CAEO possess favorable pharmacokinetic properties. These findings provide scientific validation of the traditional uses of this plant and suggest its potential application as natural drugs.
Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), calculated from pulse transit time (PTT) using 2 separate pulse recordings over a known distance, is a significant biomarker of cardiovascular risk. This study ...evaluates a novel method of determining PTT from waveform decomposition of central aortic pressure using a single pulse measurement. Aortic pressure was estimated from a transformed radial pulse and decomposed into forward and backward waves using a triangular flow wave. Pulse transit time was determined from cross-correlation of forward and backward waves. Pulse transit time, representing twice the PTT between 2 specific sites, was compared with independent measurements of carotid-femoral PTT in a cohort of 46 subjects (23 females; age 57+/-14 years). Linear regression between measured PTT (y; milliseconds) and calculated PTT (x; milliseconds) was y=1.05x-2.1 (r=0.67; P<0.001). This model was tested in a separate group of 44 subjects (21 females; age 55+/-14 years) by comparing measured carotid-femoral PWV (y; meters per second) and PWV calculated using the estimated value of PTT (eTR/2) and carotid femoral distance (x; meters per second; y=1.21x-2.5; r=0.82; P<0.001). Findings indicate that the time lag between the forward and backward waves obtained from the decomposition of aortic pressure wave can be used to determine PWV along the aortic trunk and shows good agreement with carotid-femoral PWV. This technique can be used as a noninvasive and nonintrusive method for measurement of aortic PWV using a single pressure recording.
The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly spreading, and health care systems are being overwhelmed with the huge number of cases, with a good number of cases requiring intensive care. It has become imperative ...to develop safe and effective treatment strategies to improve survival. In this regard, understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is highly important. Many hypotheses have been proposed, including the ACE/angiotensin-II/angiotensin receptor 1 pathway, the complement pathway, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/mitochondrial assembly receptor (ACE2/MasR) pathway. SARS-CoV-2 binds to the ACE2 on the cell surface, downregulating the ACE2, and thus impairs the inactivation of bradykinin and des-Arg9-bradykinin. Bradykinin, a linear nonapeptide, is extensively distributed in plasma and different tissues. Kininogens in plasma and tissue are the main sources of the two vasoactive peptides called bradykinin and kallidin. However, the role of the dysregulated bradykinin pathway is less explored in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Understanding the pathogenesis of COVID-19 is crucial for the development of new effective treatment approaches which interfere with these pathways. In this review, we have tried to explore the interaction between SARS-CoV-2, ACE2, bradykinin, and its metabolite des-Arg9-bradykinin in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.
Carbon nanosheets are two-dimensional nanostructured materials that have applications as energy storage devices, electrochemical sensors, sample supports, filtration membranes, thanks to their high ...porosity and surface area. Here, for the first time, carbon nanosheets have been prepared from the stems and leaves of a nettle fibre clone, by using a cheap and straight-forward procedure that can be easily scaled up. The nanomaterial shows interesting physical parameters, namely interconnectivity of pores, graphitization, surface area and pore width. These characteristics are similar to those described for the nanomaterials obtained from other fibre crops. However, the advantage of nettle over other plants is its fast growth and easy propagation of homogeneous material using stem cuttings. This last aspect guarantees homogeneity of the starting raw material, a feature that is sought-after to get a nanomaterial with homogeneous and reproducible properties. To evaluate the potential toxic effects if released in the environment, an assessment of the impact on plant reproduction performance and microalgal growth has been carried out by using tobacco pollen cells and the green microalga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. No inhibitory effects on pollen germination are recorded, while algal growth inhibition is observed at higher concentrations of leaf carbon nanosheets with lower graphitization degree.
This exploratory investigation aimed to determine the chemical composition and evaluate some biological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activities, ...of Matricaria chamomilla L. essential oils (EOs). EOs of M. chamomilla were obtained by hydrodistillation and phytochemical screening was performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS). The antimicrobial activities were tested against different pathogenic strains of microorganisms by using disc diffusion assay, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. The antidiabetic activity was performed in vitro using the enzyme inhibition test. The antioxidant activity of EOs was tested using the free radical scavenging ability (DPPH method), ferrous ion chelating (FIC) ability, and β-carotene bleaching assay. The anti-inflammatory effects were tested in vivo using the carrageenan-induced paw edema method and in vitro using the inhibition of the lipoxygenase test. The analysis of the phytochemical composition by GC-MS revealed that camphor (16.42%) was the major compound of EOs, followed by 3-carene (9.95%), β-myrcene (8.01%), and chamazulene (6.54%). MCEO, honey, and their mixture exhibited antioxidant activity against the DPPH assay (IC50 ranging from 533.89 ± 15.05 µg/mL to 1945.38 ± 12.71 µg/mL). The mixture exhibited the best radical scavenging activity, with an IC50 of 533.89 ± 15.05 µg/mL. As antidiabetic effect, EO presented the best values against α-glucosidase (265.57 ± 0.03 μg/mL) and α-amylase (121.44 ± 0.05 μg/mL). The EOs and honey mixture at a dose of 100 mg/kg exhibited a high anti-inflammatory effect, with 63.75% edema inhibition after 3 h. The impact of EOs on the studied species showed an excellent antimicrobial (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 (22.97 ± 0.16 mm)), antifungal (Aspergillus niger (18.13 ± 0.18 mm)) and anti-yeast (Candida albicans (21.07 ± 0.24 mm) effect against all the tested strains. The results obtained indicate that the EOs of M. chamomilla could be a potential drug target against diabetes, inflammation and microbial infections; however, further investigations to assess their bioactive molecules individually and in combination are greatly required.
The preparation of tungsten oxide (WO3) thin film by direct current (DC) reactive sputtering magnetron method and its photoelectrocatalytic properties for water oxidation reaction are investigated ...using ultraviolet-visible radiation. The structural, morphological, and compositional properties of WO3 are fine-tuned by controlling thin film deposition time, and post-annealing temperature and environment. The findings suggest that the band gap of WO3 can be controlled by adjusting the post-annealing temperature; the band gap decreased from 3.2 to 2.7 eV by increasing the annealing temperature from 100 to 600 °C. The theoretical calculations of the WO3 bandgap and the density of state are performed by density functional theory (DFT). Following the band gap modification, the photoelectrocatalytic activity increased and the maximum photocurrent (0.9 mA/cm2 at 0.6 VSCE) is recorded with WO3 film heated at 500 °C. The WO3 film heated under air exhibits much better performance in photoelectrochemical water oxidation process than that of annealed under inert atmosphere, due to its structural variation. The change in sputtering time leads to the formation of WO3 with varying film thickness, and the maximum photocurrent is observed when the film thickness is approximately 150 nm. The electrical conductivity and charge transfer resistance are measured and correlated to the properties and the performance of the WO3 photoelectrodes. In addition, the WO3 photoelectrode exhibits excellent photoelectrochemical stability.
This study aimed to determine the chemical composition of the essential oils (EOs) of
L., as well as to evaluate the antibacterial, antidiabetic, dermatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties, ...and the EOs and aqueous extracts of
. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against bacterial strains, Gram-positive and Gram-negative, using the well diffusion and microdilution methods, whereas the antidiabetic activity was assessed in vitro using two enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. On the other hand, the dermatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities were studied by testing tyrosinase and lipoxygenase inhibition activity, respectively. The results showed that the chemical composition of
EO (OBEO) is dominated by methyl chavicol (86%) and
-anethol (8%). OBEO exhibited significant antibacterial effects against Gram-negative and Gram-positive strains, demonstrated by considerable diameters of the inhibition zones and lower MIC and MBC values. In addition, OBEO exhibited significant inhibition of α-amylase (IC
= 50.51 ± 0.32 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC
= 39.84 ± 1.2 μg/mL). Concerning the anti-inflammatory activity, OBEO significantly inhibited lipoxygenase activity (IC
= 18.28 ± 0.03 μg/mL) compared to the aqueous extract (IC
= 24.8 ± 0.01 μg/mL). Moreover, tyrosinase was considerably inhibited by OBEO (IC
= 68.58 ± 0.03 μg/mL) compared to the aqueous extract (IC
= 118.37 ± 0.05 μg/mL). The toxicological investigations revealed the safety of
in acute and chronic toxicity. The finding of in silico analysis showed that methyl chavicol and
-anethole (main compounds of OBEO) validate the pharmacokinetics of these compounds and decipher some antibacterial targets.
The
Thymus vulgaris
(
T. vulgaris
) has been used in foods for the flavor, aroma, and preservation and in folk medicines. The objective of the present work was to determine the antioxidant and ...protective effects of
T. vulgaris
extract against lead (Pb)-intoxicated rats. A thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley were randomly assigned into 4 equal groups and treated for six weeks as follows: group I (GP-I), served as negative control; GP-II, -III, and -IV received either Pb acetate in drinking water (500 mg/L),
T. vulgaris
extract (500 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage or Pb acetate with
T. vulgaris
extract, respectively. Blood samples were collected at the end of the study week 6 to measure the hepatic and renal biochemical markers, complete blood count alongside the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ. Additionally, liver and kidney tissue specimens were collected for histopathology as well as to measure the antioxidant-reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) alongside the lipid peroxidation marker, malonaldehyde (MDA). The results indicated that Pb toxicity increased the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, whereas IL-10 and IFN-γ were reduced. The results showed disturbed liver and renal functions; increased serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin, creatinine, and urea; and decreased total protein, albumin, and calcium. The GSH, Gpx, and CAT levels were significantly decreased in the Pb-administrated group, while MDA was increased. However, regarding the hepatorenal markers, those animals treated with
T. vulgaris
alone did not induce any significant changes. Moreover, the combined treatment with
T. vulgaris
extract together with Pb showed significant improvement in Pb-induced toxicity in all the tested parameters compared to the negative control group. We investigated the potential protective effects of the medicinal plant
T. vulgaris
in vivo, since there are no publications that address the potential protective effect of this leaf extract against Pb-induced hepatorenal toxicity. Our studies concluded that the
T. vulgaris
extract reduces Pb overload in hepatorenal tissues, and that this has a potential immunomodulatory role, antioxidant activity, and a protective effect against Pb toxicity.
Energy harvesting and energy storage are two critical aspects of supporting the energy transition and sustainability. Many studies have been conducted to achieve excellent performance devices for ...these two purposes. As energy‐storing devices, supercapacitors (SCs) have tremendous potential to be applied in several sectors. Some electrochemical characterizations define the performance of SCs. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is one of the most powerful analyses to determine the performance of SCs. Some parameters obtained from this analysis include bulk resistance, charge‐transfer resistance, total resistance, specific capacitance, response frequency, and response time. This work provides a holistic and comprehensive review of utilizing EIS for SC characterization. Overall, researchers can benefit from this review by gaining a comprehensive understanding of the utilization of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for characterizing supercapacitors (SCs), enabling them to enhance SC performance and contribute to the advancement of energy harvesting and storage technologies.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is an advanced and facile technique for assessing supercapacitor performance. EIS data, particularly Nyquist plots, allow us to discern phenomena occurring in the electrode, electrolyte, or electrode‐electrolyte interface. This article presents a comprehensive review of studies on three types of supercapacitors: EDLC, pseudocapacitor, and hybrid supercapacitor, along with their corresponding EIS analyses.
This work evaluated in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties of Salvia officinalis (S. officinalis) and Mentha suaveolens (M. suaveolens) essential oils (EO). The EOs were ...extracted, and their chemical composition was determined using GC-MS analysis. The in vitro antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antibacterial activities of S. officinalis and M. suaveolens EO were shown to be remarkable. Furthermore, S. officinalis EO demonstrated better antioxidant findings (using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP test) than M. suaveolens EO (p<0.5). There were no significant differences in the inhibitory effects of the EOs on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities in the antidiabetic assays. All of the examined bacterial strains (10 different strains), with the exception of P. aeruginosa, demonstrated significant sensitivity to the tested EOs, with M. suaveolens EO exhibiting better activity than S. officinalis EO. Thus, the research indicated that EO from these two medicinal plants has considerable potential for application in the formulation of antibacterial, antioxidant, and antidiabetic pharmaceuticals. However, more research studies are required to interpret the pharmacologic action of the studied EOs and their principal constituents and to confirm their safety.
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