Viral and microbial infections constitute one of the most important life-threatening problems. The emergence of new viral and bacterial infectious diseases increases the demand for new therapeutic ...drugs.
The objective of this study was to use the aqueous and hexane extracts of
and
F. Aizoaceae for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, and to investigate its possible antiviral activity. In addition to the investigation of the phytochemical composition of the crude methanolic extracts of the two plants through UPLC-MS metabolomic profiling, and it was followed by molecular docking in order to explore the chemical compounds that might contribute to the antiviral potential.
The formation of SNPs was further confirmed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-Visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antiviral activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated using MTT assay against HSV-1, HAV-10 virus and Coxsackie B4 virus. Metabolomics profiling was performed using UPLC-MS and molecular docking was performed via Autodock4 and visualization was done using the Discovery studio.
The early signs of SNPs synthesis were detected by a color change from yellow to reddish brown color. The TEM analysis of SNPs showed spherical nanoparticles with mean size ranges between 10.12 nm to 27.89 nm, and 8.91 nm 14.48 nm for
and
aqueous and hexane extracts respectively. The UV-Visible spectrophotometric analysis showed an absorption peak at λmax of 417 nm.The green synthesized SNPs of
and
showed remarkable antiviral activity against HSV-1, HAV-10, and CoxB4 virus. Metabolomics profiling of the methanolic extract of
and
resulted in identifying 12 compounds. The docking study predicted the patterns of interactions between the compounds of
and
with herpes simplex thymidine kinase, hepatitis A 3c proteinase, and Coxsackievirus B4 3c protease, which was similar to those of the co-crystal inhibitors and this can provide a supposed explanation for the antiviral activity of the aqueous and nano extracts of
and
.
These results highlight that SNPs of
and
could have antiviral activity against HSV-1, HAV-10, and CoxB4 virus.
Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill. (OFI), also known as Indian fig Opuntia or prickly pear, is a member of the family Cactaceae that produces edible, nutritionally rich sweet fruits. It has been ...traditionally used to treat several health disorders and is considered to possess various therapeutic properties. In this work, we have characterized 37 secondary metabolites using HPLC-MS/MS, identified the polysaccharide from the fruits and cladodes pulp, and estimated the neuroprotective activity. All tested extracts exhibited substantial antioxidant activities in-vitro and neuroprotective potential in AlCl3 induced Alzheimer’s condition. Administration of OFI extracts attenuated AlCl3 induced learning and memory impairment as confirmed from passive avoidance test and counteracted the oxidative stress as manifested from decreasein the elevated MDA level, increased TAC, GSH, SOD and CAT levels. OFI extracts significantly decreased the elevated brain levels of proinflammatory cytokines (NF-κβ and TNF-α), increased anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), and monoamine neurotransmitters (NE, DA, 5-HT) as compared to positive control group. The extracts showed a significant decrease in acetylcholinesterase level (AChE) as compared with AlCl3. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed to investigate the ability of the major constituents of OFI extracts to interact with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and serotonin transporter (SERT). Among the tested extracts, cladodes contain highest phenolic content and exhibited the highest antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities, which could be attributed to presence of several polyphenols, which could function as AChE and SERT inhibitors. Opuntia ficus-indica might be promising candidate for treating Alzheimer disease, which makes it a subject for more detailed studies.
The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) using plant extracts is an eco-friendly method. It is a single step and offers several advantages such as time reducing, cost-effective and ...environmental non-toxic. Silver nanoparticles are a type of Noble metal nanoparticles and it has tremendous applications in the field of diagnostics, therapeutics, antimicrobial activity, anticancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In the present work, the aqueous extracts of aerial parts of Lampranthus coccineus and Malephora lutea F. Aizoaceae were successfully used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The formation of silver nanoparticles was early detected by a color change from pale yellow to reddish-brown color and was further confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDX). The TEM analysis of showed spherical nanoparticles with a mean size between 12.86 nm and 28.19 nm and the UV- visible spectroscopy showed λmax of 417 nm, which confirms the presence of nanoparticles. The neuroprotective potential of SNPs was evaluated by assessing the antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activity. Metabolomic profiling was performed on methanolic extracts of L. coccineus and M. lutea and resulted in the identification of 12 compounds, then docking was performed to investigate the possible interaction between the identified compounds and human acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and glutathione transferase receptor, which are associated with the progress of Alzheimer's disease. Overall our SNPs highlighted its promising potential in terms of anticholinesterase and antioxidant activity as plant-based anti-Alzheimer drug and against oxidative stress.
SARS-CoV-2 virus is transmitted in closed settings to people in contact with COVID-19 patients such as healthcare workers and household contacts. However, household person-to-person transmission ...studies are limited. Households participating in an ongoing cohort study of influenza incidence and prevalence in rural Egypt were followed. Baseline enrollment was done from August 2015 to March 2017. The study protocol was amended in April 2020 to allow COVID-19 incidence and seroprevalence studies. A total of 290 households including 1598 participants were enrolled and followed from April to October 2020 in four study sites. When a participant showed respiratory illness symptoms, a serum sample and a nasal and an oropharyngeal swab were obtained. Swabs were tested by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection. If positive, the subject was followed and swabs collected on days three, six, nine, and 14 after the first swab day and a serum sample obtained on day 14. All subjects residing with the index case were swabbed following the same sampling schedule. Sera were collected from cohort participants in October 2020 to assess seroprevalence. Swabs were tested by RT-PCR. Sera were tested by Microneutralization Assay to measure the neutralizing antibody titer. Incidence of COVID-19, household secondary attack rate, and seroprevalence in the cohort were determined. The incidence of COVID-19 was 6.9% and the household secondary attack rate was 89.8%. Transmission within households occurred within two-days of confirming the index case. Infections were asymptomatic or mild with symptoms resolving within 10 days. The majority developed a neutralizing antibody titer by day 14 post onset. The overall seroprevalence among cohort participants was 34.8%. These results suggest that within-household transmission is high in Egypt. Asymptomatic or mild illness is common. Most infections seroconvert and have a durable neutralizing antibody titer.
In Egypt, avian influenza A subtype H5N1 and H9N2 viruses are enzootic in poultry. The control plan devised by veterinary authorities in Egypt to prevent infections in poultry focused mainly on ...vaccination and ultimately failed. Recently, widespread H5N1 infections in poultry and a substantial increase in the number of human cases of H5N1 infection were observed. We summarize surveillance data from 2009 through 2014 and show that avian influenza viruses are established in poultry in Egypt and are continuously evolving genetically and antigenically. We also discuss the epidemiology of human infection with avian influenza in Egypt and describe how the true burden of disease is underestimated. We discuss the failures of relying on vaccinating poultry as the sole intervention tool. We conclude by highlighting the key components that need to be included in a new strategy to control avian influenza infections in poultry and humans in Egypt.
Continuous circulation of influenza A(H5N1) virus among poultry in Egypt has created an epicenter in which the viruses evolve into newer subclades and continue to cause disease in humans. To detect ...influenza viruses in Egypt, since 2009 we have actively surveyed various regions and poultry production sectors. From August 2010 through January 2013, >11,000 swab samples were collected; 10% were positive by matrix gene reverse transcription PCR. During this period, subtype H9N2 viruses emerged, cocirculated with subtype H5N1 viruses, and frequently co-infected the same avian host. Genetic and antigenic analyses of viruses revealed that influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.2.1 viruses are dominant and that all subtype H9N2 viruses are G1-like. Cocirculation of different subtypes poses concern for potential reassortment. Avian influenza continues to threaten public and animal health in Egypt, and continuous surveillance for avian influenza virus is needed.
(1) Background: Drug repositioning is an unconventional drug discovery approach to explore new therapeutic benefits of existing drugs. Currently, it emerges as a rapid avenue to alleviate the ...COVID-19 pandemic disease. (2) Methods: Herein, we tested the antiviral activity of anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, commonly prescribed to relieve respiratory symptoms, against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the viral causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. (3) Results: Of these FDA-approved antimicrobial drugs, Azithromycin, Niclosamide, and Nitazoxanide showed a promising ability to hinder the replication of a SARS-CoV-2 isolate, with IC
of 0.32, 0.16, and 1.29 µM, respectively. We provided evidence that several antihistamine and anti-inflammatory drugs could partially reduce SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro. Furthermore, this study showed that Azithromycin can selectively impair SARS-CoV-2 replication, but not the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). A virtual screening study illustrated that Azithromycin, Niclosamide, and Nitazoxanide bind to the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Protein data bank (PDB) ID: 6lu7) in binding mode similar to the reported co-crystalized ligand. Also, Niclosamide displayed hydrogen bond (HB) interaction with the key peptide moiety GLN: 493A of the spike glycoprotein active site. (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that Piroxicam should be prescribed in combination with Azithromycin for COVID-19 patients.
This study shed light for the first time on the
diabetic wound healing potential activity of natural marine soft coral polymeric nanoparticle
gel using an excision wound model. A
sp. ...methanol-methylene chloride extract loaded with pectin nanoparticles (LPNs) was created. For the preparation of
gel, ion-gelation techniques, the entrapment efficiency, the particle size, the polydispersity index, the zeta potential, the
drug release, and a transmission electron microscope were used and the best formula was selected. Using (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS), 27 secondary metabolites responsible for extract biological activity were identified. Isolation and identification of arachidic acid, oleic acid, nervonic acid, and bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) of
sp. was firstly reported here using NMR and mass spectral analyses. Moreover, LPN
gel has the best effects on regulating the proinflammatory cytokines (NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) that were detected on days 7 and 15. The results were confirmed with an
enzymatic inhibitory effect of the extract against glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), with IC
values of 0.178 ± 0.009 and 0.258 ± 0.011 µg/mL, respectively. The molecular docking study showed a free binding energy of -9.6 kcal/mol for chabrolosteroid E, with the highest binding affinity for the enzyme (GSK-3), while isogosterone B had -7.8 kcal/mol for the enzyme (MMP-1). A pharmacokinetics study for chabrolohydroxybenzoquinone F and isogosterone B was performed, and it predicted the mode of action of wound healing activity.
Infectious diseases caused by viruses and bacteria are a major public health concern worldwide, with the emergence of antibiotic resistance, biofilm-forming bacteria, viral epidemics, and the lack of ...effective antibacterial and antiviral agents exacerbating the problem. In an effort to search for new antimicrobial agents, this study aimed to screen antibacterial and antiviral activity of the total methanol extract and its various fractions of
(
) aerial parts. The
hexane fraction (HF) was found to have the strongest antibacterial effect against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including biofilm producers. The HF fraction reduced the expression levels of penicillin binding protein (PBP2A) and DNA gyrase B enzymes in
and
, respectively. Additionally, the HF fraction displayed the most potent antiviral activity, especially against influenza A virus, affecting different stages of the virus lifecycle. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of the HF fraction identified 27 compounds, mainly belonging to the sterol class, with β-sitosterol, phytol, stigmasterol, and lupeol as the most abundant compounds. The in silico study revealed that these compounds were active against influenza A nucleoprotein and polymerase, PBP2A, and DNA gyrase B. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the chemical composition and mechanism of action of the
HF fraction, which may lead to the development of more effective treatments for bacterial and viral infections.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a huge health crisis all over the globe. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus responsible for the disease and it is highly contagious leaving millions of confirmed infected cases and ...a dangerous death toll.
Carica papaya
is a tropical plant known for its antiviral activity since it possesses different classes of compounds that are believed to combat various viral classes. In this study, the extracts prepared from
C. papaya
leaves cultivated in Egypt were evaluated for their anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity using crystal violet assay and for their cytotoxicity through MTT assay. The total methanolic extract,
n
-hexane, ethyl acetate, and
n
-butanol fractions of papaya leaves were used in the study and the results revealed that the
n
-hexane fraction has a high anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity with an IC
50
value = 1.98 μg mL
−1
. Moreover, it also showed a high selectivity index value = 104.7. Dereplication of the secondary metabolites in the crude methanolic extract of
C. papaya
leaves revealed the presence of different classes of compounds including sterols, terpenes, fatty acid, alkaloids and flavonoids that are known to possess antiviral activities against various classes of viruses. The current study was assisted by molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and MM-PBSA calculations for the annotated compounds against 6 SARS-CoV-2 target proteins. The results of these
in silico
-based investigations showed high to moderate binding on the targeted proteins. This postulation may instigate further research studies concerning the compounds responsible for this high anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of the
n
-hexane fraction of
C. papaya
leaves.
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