Computational search for potential COVID-19 drugs from FDAapproved drugs and small molecules of natural origin identifies several anti-virals and plant products

The world is currently facing the COVID-19 pandemic, for which mild symptoms include fever and dry cough.In severe cases, it could lead to pneumonia and ultimately death in some instances. Moreover, the causativepathogen is highly contagious and there are no drugs or vaccines for it yet. The pathogen, SARS-CoV-2, is oneof the human coronaviruses which was identified to infect humans first in December 2019. SARS-CoV-2shares evolutionary relationship to other highly pathogenic viruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). We have exploited this similarity to model atarget non-structural protein, NSP1, since it is implicated in the regulation of host gene expression by the virusand hijacking of host machinery. We next interrogated the capacity to repurpose around 2300 FDA-approveddrugs and more than 3,00,000 small molecules of natural origin towards drug identification through virtualscreening and molecular dynamics. Interestingly, we observed simple molecules like lactose, previously knownanti-virals and few secondary metabolites of plants as promising hits. These herbal plants are already practicedin Ayurveda over centuries to treat respiratory problems and inflammation. Disclaimer: we would not like torecommend uptake of these small molecules for suspect COVID patients until it is approved by competentnational or international authorities.

Anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability for optimal compatibility ratio of Aconiti Radix Cocta and Paeoniae Radix Alba / 中国中药杂志

Trace metals deficiency or excess are associated with the etiology and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Aconiti Radix Cocta(A) and Paeoniae Radix Alba(B) are commonly used together for the treatment of RA. In this study, we aim to determine anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability in the compatibility of herb A and B for avoiding metal deficiency or excess, and optimize the combination ratio of herb A and B, accordingly. Anti-arthritic-related metal bioaccessibility were evaluated by in vitro simulator of all gastrointestinal tract(including mouth, stomach, small and large intestines), and the roles of gastrointestinal digestive enzymes and intestinal microflora were investigated. Anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability was assessed by the affinity adsorption with liposomes. The results indicated that compatibility proportion of corresponding herbal plants, gastrointestinal digestion and microbial metabolic, which could affect metal digestion and absorption. The optimal compatibility proportion of 1 A∶1 B is recommended, according to the dose of anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability, which is often chosen for clinical practice of RA therapy. Thus, anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability might be the key active substances for RA treatment.

A Short Review on Aphrodisiac.

Aphrodisiacs can be categorized according to their mode of action into three groups: substances that increase libido (i.e., sexual desire, arousal), substances that increase sexual potency (i.e., effectiveness of erection) and substances that increase sexual pleasure. An aphrodisiac is a type of food or drink that has the effect of making those who eat or drink it more aroused in a sexual way. Some well-known aphrodisiacs are ginko, ashwaganda, oysters and chocolate. Ethnobotanical surveys have indicated a large number of plants as a aphrodisiac. This review summarizes the herbal plants with their experimental study, constituents and their potent aphrodisiac activity.

Stems and their ashes of some herbal plants as adsorbents in the removal of chromium (VI) from waste waters.

A thorough investigation is made to explore the surface sorption abilities of powders of stems and their ashes of some herbal plants in controlling the Chromium (VI) pollution in waste waters. It is found that the powders of stems and their ashes of Achyranthes aspera, Mentha, Emblica officinalis, Hybiscus roja sinensis, Ocimum sanctum and Psidium guajava have strong affinity towards Chromate at low pH values. % of removal of Chromate is found to be pH sensitive and also depends on sorption concentration and time of equilibration. The conditions for the maximum extraction of Chromate at minimum dosage of sorbent and equilibration time have been optimized. More than 90.0% of removal of Chromate is found. Sorbent concentrations and time needed for the maximum removal of Chromate is less for the ashes of stems than with the raw stem powders. The presence of ten fold excesses of Cations : Ca2+, Mg2+ , Cu2, Zn2+ and Ni2 + and anions like NO3 - ,Chloride, Fluoride and Carbonate have marginally effected the % removal of Chromium (VI) while Sulphate and Phosphate showed some interference with some sorbents but even with them, the % of extractability never comes down to 71.0%. The adoptability of the methodologies developed in this work are tested with respect to diverse waste water samples collected from industrial effluents and in natural lakes and found to be remarkably successful.

Pagdikta (The Dictation): The Meanings In Filipino Mothers’ Experience Of Using Herbal Plants In The Management Of Their Children’s Fever

One of the main indicators of an illness is fever and it is managed in different ways by mothers based on their existing culture. After a health diagnosis, dominant fever management of a certain community with inaccessible health center was the use of herbal plants despite easy access to relatively expensive over-the-counter medicine. Hence, we explored the meanings of using herbal plants in the management of children’s fever by Filipino using qualitative-phenomenological research philosophy (Colaizzi, ). Seven mothers were interviewed with the aid of recorders, journals, field notes and memos with the mothers’ consents. The narrative data were analyzed using the Morse and Field process. Themes were discovered highlighting the process of how the mothers managed their children’s fever through the utilization of herbal plants. Thematic variations in the use of herbal plants and their preparation, utilization and application were ascertained. From these thematic analysis emerged a cultural relationality which provided an integrated process of PAGDIKTA (Eng. dictation), the major theme of the experience. This summarized the selection, adoption and transfer of the herbal plants for management of fever with cultural involvement. PAGDIKTA [acronym which means PAG-pitas, DIK-dik, TA-pal] is the concept learned to present the views of cultural selection, adoption and transfer of fever management practice of motherinformants. PAGDIKTA can be further analyzed with the following subconcepts: Pagpitas (Eng. picking) is the process of choosing a culturally accepted herbal plant for their fever. Dikdik (Eng. pounding) is the progression of cultural adoptation and imbuement of practice by mother-informants. Tapal (Eng. application) is the application and transmission of the feverpractice based on the perceived and observed efficacy of practices directed to their children’s fever. Cultural awareness, assessment and competence are needed to completely understand specific populations with special needs such as the mothers in a community in the Philippines.