In silico Study Phytosterol Cymbopogon citratus and Curcuma longa as Inhibitor Agent 3C-Like Protease SARS-CoV-2.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Lemongrass (<i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>) and turmeric (<i>Curcuma longa</i>) are widely used by the community for traditional medicinal spices and cooking spices. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, people use lemongrass and turmeric to increase immunity and protect the body from infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the antiviral mechanisms have not been studied much. This study aims to predict the bioactivity of the phytosterol compounds of lemongrass and turmeric for COVID-19 therapy through inhibition of 3C-like protease (3CLPro) <i>in silico</i>. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The 3CLPro protein 3D structure was downloaded from the PDB database with the access code 2ZU2 and the phytosterol compounds of lemongrass and turmeric were taken from PubChem. A total of 59 total phytosterol compounds from turmeric and lemongrass were screened for their bioactivity as an antiviral by using online PASS. Compounds with a high activating potential (Pa) were interacted with 3CLPro protein with the PyRx program and analyzed by Discovery Studio version 19.0 and LigPlus. <b>Results:</b> A total of 22 total phytosterol compounds were identified as potential antiviral agents. Based on the Pa value, 15 phytosterol compounds have the potential to act as inhibitor agents for 3CLPro SARS-CoV-2. The phytosterol compounds of lemongrass and turmeric bind to the 3CLPro protein in the N-finger domain region and the A and B domain inhibitors connect residues of the 3CLPro protein. The phytosterols of lemongrass and turmeric show a low binding affinity with 3CLPro SARS-CoV-2, indicating a strong interaction between ligand and protein. The inhibition of phytosterols against 3CLPro protein can be used as a basis for determining candidates for COVID-19 therapeutic agents. <b>Conclusion:</b> The phytosterol compounds contained in lemongrass and turmeric have the potential to act as 3CLPro inhibitors. Further studies both <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> need to be done to prove the inhibitory potential of phytosterol compounds.

A cross-sectional and histological analysis to understand the cytological effects of cell phone radiation on buccal mucosa of children.

Context: The ongoing pandemic has affected all the spheres of life and one of the severely affected avenues is the education of a child. The online education has seen an upward curve since the start of COVID-19 pandemic. Schools globally have adopted online class tutorials as the main method to impart education and directly increasing the screen time for a child. Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytological effects of prolonged mobile phone usage on the buccal mucosa of children. Settings and Design: Stratified sampling was used for the selection of subjects for the study. After a questionnaire regarding the usage of a mobile phone was distributed among the parents of children. Among them, 90 children were selected on the basis of pattern and frequency of mobile phone usage in the child. Materials and Methodology: The children were divided into three groups based on the per day hours of viewing of mobile phone, i.e., Group 1: Usage of 1-2 h a day, Group 2: Usage of 3-6 h a day, and Group 3: Usage of >6 h a day. The time frame taken into consideration was 1 year after the pandemic started. This was specifically to understand the impact of the online education. Swab was obtained by using the conventional ice-cream stick method from the buccal mucosa. Statistical Analysis: The samples were subjected to histological and microscopical analysis to observe for cytological changes. One-way ANOVA was used to determine the statistical significance if any. Results: The results obtained clearly showed that Group 3 (>6 h usage per day) showed the highest number of cellular and chromosomal aberrations which was significant. Conclusion: The results indicated that impact due to the prolonged screen time on the buccal mucosa is significant. A direct proportionality was seen between the apoptotic changes and chromosomal aberrations and the number of daily hour usage.

The coronavirus disease 2019 and effect on liver function: a hidden and vital interaction beyond the respiratory system

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan province, China. SARS-CoV-2 causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has an essential role as a receptor in the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 into the host cells. It has been declared, ACE2 expresses in the lungs, heart, kidneys, placenta, and liver. This study reviews the liver's markers' characteristics in patients with COVID-19 to achieve novel insights in improving clinical treatment. Liver disease and chronic kidney disease patients are susceptible to COVID-19. There is limited information about the effects of SARS-COV-2 on patients with preexisting liver associated disorders, including chronic hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus, primary biliary cirrhosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and more are yet to be understood. By considering conducted studies in this manner since ACE2 receptors, which are the primary receptors for SRAS-CoV-2, exist on the liver and lungs, heart, kidneys, and placenta, SRAS-CoV-2 can infect liver cells too. Consequently, this infection will have resulted in liver function tests' escalated levels and total bilirubin as biochemical biomarkers. Further investigations need to be done to point out the hepatic manifestations of COVID-19's infected patients with chronic liver disease and improve clinical management and more stringent preventive measures for this type of infected patients. Copyright (C) 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.