ABSTRACT
Background: The recent emergence of fungal resistance strains has caused concern in medical settings. Medicinal plants continue to be viable sources of bioactive chemicals with therapeutic potential. These compounds can be extracted in different techniques using various solvents that give rise to a wide variety of extracted bioactive compounds that act as anti-fungal. The research aimed to evaluate the effect of fenugreek seed extracts on resistant isolates of Candida spp. isolated from sever COVID-19 patients.Methodology: The study was conducted from August 2021 to November 2022 at Al-Imam Al -Hussein Medical City and Al-Hayat Respiratory Diseases Units. Under a specialist's physician's supervision, severe COVID-19 cases were collected. The collected 455 sputum samples were examined directly and cultured on Sabouraud ' s Dextrose agar (SDA) media;growth colonies were distinguished and used Grams stain with the API system before the antifungal susceptibility test was performed in accordance with clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI 2020) by disc diffusion method to differentiate the resistance microorganism. The extraction process was conducted using the soxhlet technique (100 grams of seed powder and 800 milliliters of solvents (chloroform, methanol, and water) for eight hours. Electrical rotatory evaporators were used to evaporate the extract to get the concentrated crude extracts. FTIR and GC -MS instruments used to detection of bioactive compounds in crude fenugreek seed extracts(aqueous, methanol, and chloroform). Then, different concentrations of each extract (25, 50, 100, and 150 mg/ml) and their effect against the tested resistance study isolated were examined by well diffusion method and Minimum inhibitory concentration was measured.Results: A 455 were enrolled in this study. Patients' ages ranged from 20 to 91 years (mean 52.23, SD 15.009). This study indicated that more than half of the samples were males [(262) 57.6%] and [(193) 42.4%] were females. The FTIR and GC-MS showed the methanolic extract potent the most bioactive compounds, followed by the chloroform and water extracts. Evaluation of antimicrobial effects at 50 mg/ml, the methanolic extract showed the greatest effect, with a mean inhibition zone of 9.33 mm and a significant value of 0.01;at 100 mg/ml, the chloroform extract showed the next greatest effect, with a mean inhibition zone of 10.33 mm and a significant value of 0.005. At 150 mg/ml, the aqueous extracts showed the least effect, with a mean inhibition zone of 8.33 mm and a non-significant value of 0.024.Conclusions: Candida spp. were most frequent isolated yeast from sputum of patients with severe COVID-19. Methanol extract was the most effective anti-candida, followed by chloroform extract, and the aqueous extract was the least effective. The most effective anti-candida drug is ketoconazole.
ABSTRACT
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and quickly spread across the worldwide. It becomes a global pandemic and risk to the healthcare system of almost every nation around the world. In this study thirty natural compounds of 19 Indian herbal plants were used to analyze their binding with eight proteins associated with COVID -19. Based on the molecular docking as well as ADMET analysis, isovitexin, glycyrrhizin, sitosterol, and piperine were identified as potential herbal medicine candidates. On comparing the binding affinity with Ivermectin, we have found that the inhibition potentials of the Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Tinospora cordifolia (giloy) and Piper nigrum (black pepper) are very promising with no side-effects.
ABSTRACT
Background: The rapid spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) globally has created unprecedented health care and economic crisis. The ever-in-creasing death toll highlights an urgent need for the development of specific antiviral to combat Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective(s): In the present study, we aimed to identify potential SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease inhibitors from regularly used spices. Method(s): A structure-based virtual screening (VS) of our in-house databank of 1152 compounds was employed to identify small molecule inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro), which are important protease for virus replication. The databank was built of the compounds from ten spices and two medicinal plants. Result(s): The top three potential hits that resulted from VS were myricetin (1) available in Alium cepa and Mentha piperita;alpha-hydroxyhydrocaffeic acid (2) available in M. Piperita;and luteolin (3) available in M. Piperita, Curcuma longa, A. cepa, and Trigonella foenum-graecum, which showed fair binding affinity to PLpro of SARS-CoV-2 compared to known SARS-CoV PLpro in-hibitors. The predicted Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) properties of the selected hits showed that all are drug-like. The compounds bind to biologically critical regions of the target protein, indicating their potential to inhibit the functionality of this component. Conclusion(s): There are only a few reports available in the literature on the in-silico identification of PLpro inhibitors and most of them used homology modeling of protein. Here, we used the recently uploaded X-ray crystal structure of PLpro (PDB ID: 6WX4) with a well-defined active site. Our computational approach has resulted in the identification of effective inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2PL-pro. The reported edible spices may be useful against COVID-19 as a home remedy after an in--vitro study.Copyright © 2021 Bentham Science Publishers.
ABSTRACT
Chilblain, also known as pernio, has gained publicity in recent years as a result of its association with 'COVID toes' during the COVID-19 pandemic. Long before this, chilblain had left its mark throughout history and literature. The word 'chilblain' has Anglo-Saxon roots. 'Chil' comes from Old English ciele meaning 'chill' or 'frost', while 'blain' comes from the Old English blegen meaning 'inflammatory swelling' or 'sore'. The two words were brought together in the 1540s. The choice of words somehow acknowledges that cold is the aetiological factor that brings on this painful swelling. The Victorian novel Jane Erye, written by Charlotte Bronte in 1847, described the physical hardships that children had to struggle with through the winter at Lowood, the charity school for poor and orphaned girls. Her work masterfully sculptured the essence of chilblain and its effects on the children. Multiple notable figures proposed various remedies to treat the bothersome symptoms of chilblains. Pedanius Dioscorides was a Greek physician and botanist whose monumental work De Materia Medica in the first century AD compiled a list of topical remedies for chilblains, including quince oil, fenugreek oil, frankincense gum, burnt figs in wax, a mixture of gentian, crab ashes and honey, burnt ass hooves, bear grease and decoction of turnip as a warm pack. To cure chilblains, Nicholas Culpeper, an English herbalist, advised grating horseradish and applying it as a mustard plaster. We now know grated horseradish root produces a powerful mustard oil that acts as a rubefacient, which irritates the skin and increases its blood flow. Dr Lewis Johns was a recognized medical officer in the field of medical electricity in charge of the Electrical Department of St Bartholomew's Hospital. He noted a reduced incidence of chilblains in children with poliomyelitis who were treated with a warm electric footbath in 1899. The beneficial effects most likely originated from the warm bath rather than the electricity itself. Sir Thomas Lewis, a British cardiologist, investigated skin responses to injury and vascular reactions of the skin to cold exposure. His careful observations and descriptions of chilblains published in the British Medical Journal in 1941 remain true to this day. Practices such as praying to the statue of St Benignus of Dijon with chilblains, wearing electric patent socks (invented in 1882) and using an electrical vacuum tube in 1922 had also made their way into the lives of sufferers as a potential cure. Despite the epidemiological study of chilblain in over 3000 servicewomen, carried out by the Auxiliary Territorial Service in the winter of 1942, no specific remedy was found. When it comes to chilblain, prevention is better than cure by keeping the hands and feet warm and dry and staying active, and chilblains usually resolve spontaneously within a few weeks.
ABSTRACT
Background: The recent emergence of fungal resistance strains has caused concern in medical settings. Medicinal plants continue to be viable sources of bioactive chemicals with therapeutic potential. These compounds can be extracted in different techniques using various solvents that give rise to a wide variety of extracted bioactive compounds that act as anti-fungal. The research aimed to evaluate the effect of fenugreek seed extracts on resistant isolates of Candida spp. isolated from sever COVID-19 patients. Methodology: The study was conducted from August 2021 to November 2022 at Al-Imam Al-Hussein Medical City and Al-Hayat Respiratory Diseases Units. Under a specialist's physician's supervision, severe COVID-19 cases were collected. The collected 455 sputum samples were examined directly and cultured on Sabouraud's Dextrose agar (SDA) media;growth colonies were distinguished and used Grams stain with the API system before the antifungal susceptibility test was performed in accordance with clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI 2020) by disc diffusion method to differentiate the resistance microorganism. The extraction process was conducted using the soxhlet technique (100 grams of seed powder and 800 milliliters of solvents (chloroform, methanol, and water) for eight hours. Electrical rotatory evaporators were used to evaporate the extract to get the concentrated crude extracts. FTIR and GC-MS instruments used to detection of bioactive compounds in crude fenugreek seed extracts(aqueous, methanol, and chloroform). Then, different concentrations of each extract (25, 50, 100, and 150 mg/ml) and their effect against the tested resistance study isolated were examined by well diffusion method and Minimum inhibitory concentration was measured. Result(s): A 455 were enrolled in this study. Patients' ages ranged from 20 to 91 years (mean 52.23, SD 15.009). This study indicated that more than half of the samples were males [(262) 57.6%] and [(193) 42.4%] were females. The FTIR and GC-MS showed the methanolic extract potent the most bioactive compounds, followed by the chloroform and water extracts. Evaluation of antimicrobial effects at 50 mg/ml, the methanolic extract showed the greatest effect, with a mean inhibition zone of 9.33 mm and a significant value of 0.01;at 100 mg/ml, the chloroform extract showed the next greatest effect, with a mean inhibition zone of 10.33 mm and a significant value of 0.005. At 150 mg/ml, the aqueous extracts showed the least effect, with a mean inhibition zone of 8.33 mm and a non-significant value of 0.024. Conclusion(s): Candida spp. were most frequent isolated yeast from sputum of patients with severe COVID-19. Methanol extract was the most effective anti-candida, followed by chloroform extract, and the aqueous extract was the least effective. The most effective anti-candida drug is ketoconazole.Copyright © 2022.
ABSTRACT
Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially fatal occurrence with a broad spectrum of risk factors. A 75-year-old male presented to the emergency room with five days of shortness of breath, back pain, and hemoptysis. A CT angiogram demonstrated bilateral pulmonary emboli with a larger thrombus on the right, as well as signs of right heart strain. The patient was started on IV heparin and ultimately underwent a successful embolectomy. Evaluation to determine the underlying etiology of this patient's first-time PE was performed to further stratify his risk of recurrence and the length of anticoagulation required. The provoking factor for his PE was initially unclear as he lacked any risk factors such as recent surgeries, periods of immobility, or previous diagnosis of malignancy. The patient was noted to be on an erectile dysfunction supplement called "Eroxin," and he had been taking it for the past six months. Eroxin contains an ingredient called fenugreek, which is believed to enhance testosterone levels by inhibiting aromatase and 5-alpha-reductase activity. Fenugreek has previously been associated with the formation of PEs, and likely contributed to the PE in this patient. This is likely due to testosterone-induced polycythemia and increased platelet aggregation. This case highlights the concern around supplements as their ingredients are poorly regulated and occasionally found to be tainted with unlisted ingredients. This also highlights the importance of gathering a complete supplement history from patients as their use can lead to serious illness. Lastly, it encourages considering testosterone use as a potential thrombogenic risk factor.
ABSTRACT
Plant Secondary Metabolites (PSMs) are naturally occurring organic compounds inside the plant produced in response to any internal or external environmental stress. These organic chemicals are in different forms (Terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, etc.). PSMs are an active source of medicines against many types of viral as well as microbial diseases. Pakistani flora is also a rich source of medicinal plants, and their therapeutic range has great importance. These plants are already in use against various types of microbial diseases. The primary aim to write this paper is to highlight PSMs of medicinal plants of Pakistani flora, which can be effective against COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affected 9.3% of adults worldwide in 2019. Its co-occurrence is suspected to increase mortality from COVID-19. The treatment of diabetes is mainly based on the long-term use of pharmacological agents, often expensive and causing unpleasant side effects. There is an alarming increase in the number of pharmaceuticals taken in Europe. The aim of this paper is to concisely collect information concerning the few antidiabetic or hypoglycaemic raw plant materials that are present in the consciousness of Europeans and relatively easily accessible to them on the market and sometimes even grown on European plantations. The following raw materials are discussed in this mini-review: Morus alba L., Cinnamomum zeylanicum J.Presl, Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Zingiber officinale Rosc., and Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer in terms of scientifically tested antidiabetic activity and the presence of characteristic biologically active compounds and their specific properties, including antioxidant properties. The characteristics of these raw materials are based on in vitro as well as in vivo studies: on animals and in clinical studies. In addition, for each plant, the possibility to use certain morphological elements in the light of EFSA legislation is given.