Molecular docking studies of bioactive compounds from the leaves of Epiphyllum oxypetalum against Treponema pallidum, Zika virus and liver cirrhosis

The Epiphyllum oxypetalum is a unique plant that belongs to a cactaceae family. Traditionally, this plant mainly curessexually transmitted diseases, liver infection, and antiviral disease. The molecular docking analysis was done againstvirulent bacterial and viral enzymes. The protein responsible for bacterial and viral disease were studied and retrievedfrom Protein Data Bank. The bioactive compounds of E. oxypetalum were docked against Treponema pallidum,liver cirrhosis, and Zika virus (ZIKV). The result obtained with better binding interactions against T. pallidum wasMegastigmatrienone with −5.02Kcal/mol followed by liver cirrhosis was Megastigmatrienone with −4.58Kcal/moland against ZIKV was Testerone cypionate with −7.84Kcal/mol. Thus, the molecular docking interactions showsbetter potential of inhibition against virulent enzymes and the bioactive compounds of E. oxypetalum leave whichcould be used as a lead for treating the diseases, such as Syphilis, liver cirrhosis, and ZIKV.

Cerebral aspergilloma presenting as atypical meningioma in an immunologically competent patient: a case report.

A 36-year-old man presented with history suggestive of intracranial space occupying lesion. Computed tomography of brain revealed a large lobulated, extra axial, hyperdense lesion in the right fronto-temporal region extending up to to the right frontal and ethmoidal sinuses, eroding the bone, enhancing homogeneously with contrast, which was suggestive of atypical meningioma. He had no predisposing factors that could lead to the suspicion of opportunistic infection. Craniotomy and total excision of the lesion was done. Histopathological study revealed aspergilloma.

Biological significance of singlet oxygen.

The biological significance of singlet oxygen (1O2), an electronically excited species of oxygen, has been realized only in the last two decades. This was mainly due to the lack of proper methodology to generate this reactive oxygen species (ROS) in pure form and its reactions with biological molecules. Recent studies, using newly developed detection methods, show that 1O2 being generated in many biological systems, can significantly and quite often adversely alter several crucial biomolecules including DNA, proteins and lipids with undesirable consequences including cytotoxicity and/or disesase development. The reactions of 1O2 with the biological molecules are rather specific, as compared to other ROS. There are various compounds, mainly derived from natural sources that offer protection against damage induced by 1O2. Among the antioxidants carotenoids are the most effective singlet oxygen quenchers followed by tocopherols and others. The same reactive species if generated specifically in diseased states such as cancer can lead to the cure of the disease, and this principle is utilized in the newly developing modality of cancer treatment namely photodynamic therapy. Singlet oxygen, in low concentrations can also act as signaling molecule with several biological implications. This review clearly brings out the biological significance of 1O2.