From Molecular Pathology of COVID 19 to Nigella Sativum as a Treatment Option: Scientific Based Evidence of Its Myth or Reality / 中国结合医学杂志

COVID-19 virus is a causative agent of viral pandemic in human beings which specifically targets respiratory system of humans and causes viral pneumonia. This unusual viral pneumonia is rapidly spreading to all parts of the world, currently affecting about 105 million people with 2.3 million deaths. Current review described history, genomic characteristics, replication, and pathogenesis of COVID-19 with special emphasis on Nigella sativum (N. sativum) as a treatment option. N. sativum seeds are historically and religiously used over the centuries, both for prevention and treatment of different diseases. This review summarizes the potential role of N. sativum seeds against COVID-19 infection at levels of in silico, cell lines and animal models.

Homozygous mutations in NTRK1 gene underlie congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis in Pakistani families

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder presenting with loss of pain sensation, thermal sensation defects, and self-mutilating behavior. In the present study, we recruited two consanguineous pedigree showing pain insensitivity symptoms from Pakistan for clinical and molecular investigations. In family A, one female patient displayed classical CIPA symptoms along with microcephaly and severe intellectual disability. During course of the disease, her right foot was amputated and had remarkable dental degeneration and teeth shedding. In family B, one boy presented with classical symptoms of congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis. Blood was collected from both families for molecular studies. Sequencing with the Ilumina Trusight One Sequencing Panel covering 4813 OMIM genes revealed a known homozygous mutation c.2084C>T; p.P695L of NTRK1 in family A and a novel truncated mutation c.2025C>G; p.Y681X in family B. Protein modeling analysis of both mutations (p.P695L and p.Y681X) predicted loss of the rigidity in tyrosine kinase domain of NTRK1 that led to conformational changes as well as deleterious effect on protein function. The known mutation was reported more than a decade ago in a family from Northern Israel and other non-sense mutation is newly identified. It is interested that most of NTRK1 mutations are associated with this domain. This is first ever report of NTRK1 variants in congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis patients from Pakistan.

Antibacterial effect of mango [mangifera indica Linn.] leaf extract against antibiotic sensitive and multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi

Alternative herbal medicine has been used to treat various infections from centuries. Natural plants contain phytoconstituents having similar chemical properties as of synthetic antibiotics. Typhoid fever is a serious infection and failure of its treatment emerged multi-drug resistant [MDR] bugs of Salmonella typhi. Due to multiple and repeated issues with antibiotics efficacy, it became essential to evaluate biological properties of plants from different geographical origins. Mango leaves have been reported for various medicinal effects like antioxidant, antimicrobial, antihelminthic, antidiabetic and antiallergic etc. Objective of present study was to investigate anti-typhoid properties of acetone mango leaf extract [AMLE] against antibiotic sensitive and MDR S. typhi isolates. A total of 50 isolates of S. typhi including MDR [n=30] and antibiotic sensitive [n=20] were investigated. Staphylococcus aureus [ATCC 25923] and Salmonella typhimurium [ATCC14028] were used as quality control strains. AMLE was prepared and its antibacterial activity was evaluated by agar well diffusion screening method and minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC], by agar dilution technique. Zone of inhibition [mm] of AMLE against MDR and antibiotic sensitive isolates was 18 +/- 1.5mm [Mean +/- S.D]. Zone of S. aureus [ATCC 25923] and S. typhimurium [ATCC14028] was 20 +/- 1.5mm [Mean +/- S.D]. MIC of AMLE was reported in range from 10-50 mg/ml. The present study described the inhibitory effects of mango leaves against S. typhi

Anti-mycobacterial activity of garlic [Allium Sativum] against multi-drug resistant and non-multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Emergence of multi-drug resistant [MDR] and extensively drug resistant [XDR] TB throughout the developing world is very disturbing in the present scenario of TB management. There is a fundamental need to explore alternative anti-TB agents. Hence natural plants should be investigated to understand their antimicrobial properties and safety. Garlic [Allium sativum] is one of natural plant which possesses variety of biological properties like anti-tumor, anti-hyperlipedemic and anti-microbial etc. The present study was evaluated for antibacterial activity of garlic against non-MDR and MDR isolates of M. tuberculosis. A total of 20 clinical isolates of MTB including 15 MDR and 5 non-MDR were investigated. Ethanolic extract of garlic was prepared by maceration method. Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] was performed by using 7H9 middle brook broth dilution technique. MIC of garlic extract was ranged from 1 to 3 mg/ml; showing inhibitory effects of garlic against both non-MDR and MDR M. tuberculosis isolates. Alternate medicine practices with plant extracts including garlic should be considered to decrease the burden of drug resistance and cost in the management of diseases. The use of garlic against MDR-TB may be of great importance regarding public health

Level of interferon gamma in the blood of tuberculosis patients

Interferon gamma [IFN- gamma], a cytokine produced by a variety of cells is involved in the immune response against M. tuberculosis. It activates the production of other cytokines and molecules that kill mycobacterium. IFN- gamma also has diagnostic role in identification of active and latent tuberculosis. To determine the level of IFN- gamma in the blood of TB patients. Ninety-one subjects were selected, including 54 active TB patients and 37 healthy controls. Among 54 TB patients, 27 had confirmed TB and 27 were clinically diagnosed as having TB. IFN- gamma concentration was determined in their blood by an ELISA technique. In TB patients, Mean +/- SD of IFN- gamma was 48.69 +/- 28.78 pg/ml while it was 12.99 +/- 5.70pg/ml in the control group [p <0.001]. Significant differences in the level of IFN- gamma were observed among confirmed TB patients, clinically diagnosed TB patients and the control group [Mean +/- SD 59.68 +/- 28.78, 36.85 +/- 24.76 and 12.99 +/- 5.70 pg/ml, respectively]. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was observed between the concentration of IFN- gamma in TB patients and the duration of anti-tuberculosis therapy. IFN- gamma level was high in both clinically diagnosed and confirmed TB patients as compared to a control group. Measurement of IFN- gamma production is helpful to diagnose active tuberculosis, but further research is required