Naphtho[2,1-b]furan derived triazole-pyrimidines as highly potential InhA and Cytochrome c peroxidase inhibitors: Synthesis, DFT calculations, drug-likeness profile, molecular docking and dynamic studies

Napthofuran and its fused heterocyclic derivatives evaluated with varied biological activity functional groups comprise an important class of compounds for new chemical entities. We here in reporting synthesis of new 3-(4-substituted phenyl)naphtho[1′,2′:4,5]furo[2,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-c]pyrimidines 6(a-f). Structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by making use of spectroscopic techniques like IR, NMR and Mass. The DFT calculations were taken for the selected molecules using B3LYP hybrid functional with a 6–31+G (d, p) all-electron basis set using the Gaussian 09 package. The bioactivity predictions were evaluated for the synthesized compounds. The In vitro biological activities were reported for the all compounds 6(a-f). The compound 6a showed high activity of anti-TB and antioxidant activity with at MIC 1.6 μg/ml and at percentage of inhibition (72.54±0.21) at 10μg/ml respectively. The compound 6f (73.21±0.11) showed antioxidant activity better than standard drug BHA (71.32±0.13) at 10 μg/ml. Furthermore, the docking studies for the newly synthesized molecules were carried out by Auto dock software with proteins InhA (4TZK),Cytochrome c peroxidase (2 × 08) and protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (PDB ID: 7TOB). All the compounds showed a strong binding affinity for the docked proteins. The outcome of docking results showed that compound 6ahad excellent binding energies -10.8, -9.4, and -9.0 kcal/mol with 4TZK, 2 × 08, and 7TOB respectively. Lastly, the protein stability, fluctuations of APO-Protein, protein-ligand complexes were investigated through Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations studies using Desmond Maestro 11.3 and potential lead molecules were identified. © 2023

Analysis of antioxidant and hedonic acceptance of turmeric extract-enriched milk

Since COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increasing of people adopting a healthy lifestyle through health supplement and functional foods. This study aimed to develop turmeric milk which has high antioxidant activity that can be accepted by the community. The difference in the concentration of turmeric powder added (0.9%, 1.9%, and 2.8%) was carried out to determine the antioxidant activity by DPPH method and the curcumin level by HPLC method. Hedonic tests were used to evaluate the effect of turmeric powder into consumer acceptance. Results showed that the addition of turmeric is lowering the hedonic value. Turmeric milk with 2.8% turmeric powder had the highest levels of curcumin (53.95 mg/260 mL) and antioxidant activity (90.51%) but had the lowest acceptance rate (4.02) while turmeric milk with 0.9% of turmeric powder) had the lowest levels of curcumin (25.28 mg/260 mL) and antioxidant activity (81.76%) but had the highest acceptance rate (4.97). Turmeric milk with 1.9% was the most favourable due to overall value in the hedonic test is 4.58 and antioxidant activity of 86.61%.

Purchase Behavior According to the Development of Sustainable Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Rice Cake: For Korean Consumers

In recent years, the rice cake market has grown considerably in terms of research and development of products suitable for consumer needs and beneficial to health at the same time. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the number of consumers consuming antioxidant-rich foods and immunity-boosting foods to improve health and promote healthy eating habits has increased. Pistachio rice cakes have been tested and found to be high in polyphenols, which have good antioxidant activity and strengthen the immune system. Therefore, research was conducted on pistachio rice cakes to develop safe, health functional, and sustainable food. In order to maximize the sales potential of pistachio rice cakes, a survey was conducted among Korean adults to investigate perception of pistachio, pistachio rice cake purchasing behavior, and popularization plans. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to examine the correlation between pistachio perception, pistachio rice cake purchasing behavior, and pistachio rice cake popularization measures, and they were found to have a close relationship. In addition, as a result of multiple regression analysis, perception and purchasing behavior of pistachio rice cake products were found to have a significant positive (+) effect on rice cake technology development, development of brand specializing in rice cakes, and cultivation of traditional rice cake experts. This study suggests that continuous research and development of food safety and sustainability of rice cakes are required, and it is expected to be utilized as basic data to form a research basis that can be a strategy for increasing sales in the rice cake industry.

Randomized Clinical Trial of Antioxidant Therapy Patients with Septic Shock and Organ Dysfunction in the ICU: SOFA Score Reduction by Improvement of the Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant System.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Here, we assess the effect of adjuvant antioxidant therapies in septic shock patients with organ dysfunction and their effect on the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial run between 2018 and 2022. One hundred and thirty-one patients with septic shock were included in five groups with 25, 27, 24, 26 and 29 patients each. Group 1 received vitamin C (Vit C), Group 2 vitamin E (Vit E), Group 3 n-acetylcysteine (NAC), Group 4 melatonin (MT) and group 5 no treatment. All antioxidants were administered orally or through a nasogastric tube for 5 days as an adjuvant to standard therapy. RESULTS: All patients had multiple organ failure (MOF) and low Vit C levels. Vit C therapy decreased CRP, PCT and NO3-/NO2- but increased Vit C levels. The SOFA score decreased with MT in 75%, Vit C 63% and NAC 50% vs. controls 33% (p = 0.0001, p = 0.03 and p = 0.001 respectively). MT diminished lipid peroxidation (LPO) (p = 0.01) and improved total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (p = 0.04). Vit E increased thiol levels (p = 0.02) and tended to decrease LPO (p = 0.06). Selenium levels were decreased in the control group (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Antioxidants used as an adjuvant therapy in the standard treatment of septic shock decrease MOF and oxidative stress markers. They increase the TAC and thiols, and maintain selenium levels.

Chemistry Related to the Catalytic Cycle of the Antioxidant Ebselen.

The antioxidant drug ebselen has been widely studied in both laboratories and in clinical trials. The catalytic mechanism by which it destroys hydrogen peroxide via reduction with glutathione or other thiols is complex and has been the subject of considerable debate. During reinvestigations of several key steps, we found that the seleninamide that comprises the first oxidation product of ebselen underwent facile reversible methanolysis to an unstable seleninate ester and two dimeric products. In its reaction with benzyl alcohol, the seleninamide produced a benzyl ester that reacted readily by selenoxide elimination, with formation of benzaldehyde. Oxidation of ebselen seleninic acid did not afford a selenonium seleninate salt as previously observed with benzene seleninic acid, but instead generated a mixture of the seleninic and selenonic acids. Thiolysis of ebselen with benzyl thiol was faster than oxidation by ca. an order of magnitude and produced a stable selenenyl sulfide. When glutathione was employed, the product rapidly disproportionated to glutathione disulfide and ebselen diselenide. Oxidation of the S-benzyl selenenyl sulfide, or thiolysis of the seleninamide with benzyl thiol, afforded a transient thiolseleninate that also readily underwent selenoxide elimination. The S-benzyl derivative disproportionated readily when catalyzed by the simultaneous presence of both the thiol and triethylamine. The phenylthio analogue disproportionated when exposed to ambient or UV (360 nm) light by a proposed radical mechanism. These observations provide additional insight into several reactions and intermediates related to ebselen.

Vitamin C use as a preventive measure against COVID-19

The SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) disease caused a global health crisis. The World Health Organization shows high morbidity and mortality figures and it is essential to delve into the epidemiological and clinical aspects of diagnosis and treatment to face and defeat this disease. Some researchers have shown that the use of vitamin C, both from food as well as oral or intravenous vitamin supplements, has a positive effect on the body. The potential effect of vitamin C is the reduction of lung inflammation that could play a key role in lung injury caused by coronavirus infection.

Curcumin as a natural systemic disease modulator

In the prevention and treatment of various diseases, a variety of preparations based on medicinal plants are now generally acknowledged and well-documented. The main advantages of traditional medicine in underdeveloped nations are safety and affordability. As diferuloylmethane, curcumin is a naturally occurring polyphenol that is mostly produced in the rhizomes of plant roots. Curcumin has a long history of usage in conventional medicine, although its therapeutic effects and health advantages are still little understood. The therapeutic benefits of curcumin include the treatment of malignancies, neurodegenerative, ocular, and COVID diseases as well as inflammatory and digestive disorders, rheumatic and skin issues, and tumors. Apoptosis-related genes, cytokines, enzymes, and other targets have all been found in certain studies to be modulated by curcumin. Furthermore, little is known about the biological mechanisms that underlie these activities. We will examine some of the known molecular targets and biological processes of curcumin in this chapter. The processes through which curcumin functions in neuroprotection and/or mental health disorders will be covered in this chapter. We will also talk about curcumin's protective role in how bone may impact neurological function. © 2023 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

II International Convention on Science and Consciousness, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, December 8-10, 2021

This conference proceedings contains 15 articles that discuss various topics in the fields of medicine, psychology, and technology. The articles focus on the adaptation and validation of psychological scales, the effects of COVID-19 on physical and psychological health, the development of biomedical applications, and the evaluation of obstetric risks during the pandemic. It also covers topics related to family influence on child development, coping strategies for infertile couples, and the antioxidant potential of natural products. The pedagogical works included in the proceedings focus on neuropsychological interventions and vulnerability to successful aging and mental health. A literature review delves into the theoretical considerations regarding the study of family, self-determination, and disability in health contexts.

Antioxidant and Anti-Breast Cancer Properties of Hyaluronidase from Marine Staphylococcus aureus (CASMTK1)

This work studied the antioxidant and anti-breast cancer properties of hyaluronidase, extracted from a potential marine strain, Staphylococcus aureus (CASMTK1), isolated from Parangipettai coastal waters in southeast coast of India. The Staphylococcal enzyme production was tested under different carbon and nitrogen sources;and recorded the maximum production when the microbial strain was cultured with starch as the carbon source and ammonium sulphate as the inorganic nitrogen source with the enzyme production of 92.5 U/mL and 95.0 U/mL, respectively. The hyaluronidase enzyme production was also tested in different pH and temperature;and recorded the maximum yield of 102.5 U/mL in pH 5 and that of 95.5 U/mL in 45 °C. The partially purified enzyme was subjected to FTIR and FT Raman technique and found the presence of the amide- I and II, Carboxyl, N-H bending, C-H stretching and α-helices and β-sheet proteins between wave number 1500–1700 cm−1. The partially purified enzyme also exhibited strong antioxidant and in-vitro breast cancer properties. The enzyme showed the highest hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of 79% at the 50 µg/mL concentration, and this activity increased in a dose-dependent manner. The enzyme inhibited proliferation of the breast cancer cell line of MCF-7, and it caused 100% cell death at the concentration of 80 µg/mL. The enzyme generated capacity of producing free radicles that damage the cancer cells, and this effect was very nearer to the standard drug, paclitaxel. The enzyme damaged the cancer cells and induced apoptosis in 78% of cancer cells as evident by condensed or fragmented chromatin at 40 µg/mL. Further purification of the enzyme, analysis of its molecular aspects, and elucidation of exact mechanisms of its biological activities will throw new light on the utility of staphylococcal hyaluronidase in anticancer chemotherapy.

Assessment of Antioxidant, Anti-Lipid Peroxidation, Antiglycation, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Tyrosinase Properties of Dendrobium sulcatum Lindl

Dendrobium sulcatum Lindl or "Ueang Jampa-Nan” (Orchidaceae family) is widely dis-tributed in Thailand and Laos. It is classified in the genus Dendrobium, which is used in both traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine for health enhancement and anti-aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the phytochemical constituents and bioefficacy of stems, leaves and flowers from D. sulcatum for cosmetic and cosmeceutical applications. Phenolic and flavonoid contents were tested for the phytochemical evaluation. The antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays), anti-lipid peroxidation, antiglycation, anti-inflammatory and anti-tyrosinase properties were assessed for their bioefficacy. The results showed that the extracts of stem and leaf had higher total phenolic content than that of the flower, and the leaf extract had the highest flavonoid content. The antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts were greater in those from the stem and leaf compared with that of the flower. The leaf extract exhibited the greatest antiglycation property. The results of anti-tyrosinase analysis of the extracts showed that the leaf and flower exhibited potent activities with a percentage inhibition greater than 70% (at a concentration of 50 µg/mL). In conclusion, these findings suggest that the ethanolic extracts from different parts of D. sulcatum are promising sources of natural active ingredients for further cosmetic and cosmeceutical products.

Natural Ingredients to Improve Immunity.

The immune system protects the body from infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Once encountered with pathogens or antigens, the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system trigger a strong immune response to eliminate them from the system and protect the body. Thus, well-balanced immunity is pivotal for maintaining human health, as an insufficient level of immune defense leads to infections and tumors. In contrast, the excessive functioning of the immune system causes the development of autoimmune diseases and allergies. Strong immunity requires adequate nutrition, dietary interventions, and sufficient intake of certain vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin D, and folic acid) and minerals (magnesium, zinc, and selenium). Therefore, nutritional and micronutrient deficiencies lead to compromised immunity. Several natural ingredients have shown potent immunomodulatory properties. The immune-enhancing properties of many plants and fungi are due to containing bioactive phytoconstituents such as polyphenols, terpenoids, ß-glucans, vitamins, etc. Probiotics and prebiotics can be used as innovative tools to reduce intestinal inflammation and downregulate hypersensitivity reactions. Plant sources of melatonin, a multifunctional molecule with proven anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, have been discovered relatively recently. The bioactive compounds augment the immune response by directly increasing the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. Many phytoconstituents prevent cell damage due to their powerful antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The present review attempts to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune-enhancing properties of some bioactive compounds from plants, fungi, animals, microorganisms, and other natural sources.

Bioactive molecules from haloarchaea: Scope and prospects for industrial and therapeutic applications.

Marine environments and salty inland ecosystems encompass various environmental conditions, such as extremes of temperature, salinity, pH, pressure, altitude, dry conditions, and nutrient scarcity. The extremely halophilic archaea (also called haloarchaea) are a group of microorganisms requiring high salt concentrations (2-6 M NaCl) for optimal growth. Haloarchaea have different metabolic adaptations to withstand these extreme conditions. Among the adaptations, several vesicles, granules, primary and secondary metabolites are produced that are highly significant in biotechnology, such as carotenoids, halocins, enzymes, and granules of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Among halophilic enzymes, reductases play a significant role in the textile industry and the degradation of hydrocarbon compounds. Enzymes like dehydrogenases, glycosyl hydrolases, lipases, esterases, and proteases can also be used in several industrial procedures. More recently, several studies stated that carotenoids, gas vacuoles, and liposomes produced by haloarchaea have specific applications in medicine and pharmacy. Additionally, the production of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers by haloarchaea to store carbon makes them potent candidates to be used as cell factories in the industrial production of bioplastics. Furthermore, some haloarchaeal species can synthesize nanoparticles during heavy metal detoxification, thus shedding light on a new approach to producing nanoparticles on a large scale. Recent studies also highlight that exopolysaccharides from haloarchaea can bind the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This review explores the potential of haloarchaea in the industry and biotechnology as cellular factories to upscale the production of diverse bioactive compounds.

The Multifaceted Role of Glutathione S-Transferases in Health and Disease.

In humans, the cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) family of proteins is encoded by 16 genes presented in seven different classes. GSTs exhibit remarkable structural similarity with some overlapping functionalities. As a primary function, GSTs play a putative role in Phase II metabolism by protecting living cells against a wide variety of toxic molecules by conjugating them with the tripeptide glutathione. This conjugation reaction is extended to forming redox sensitive post-translational modifications on proteins: S-glutathionylation. Apart from these catalytic functions, specific GSTs are involved in the regulation of stress-induced signaling pathways that govern cell proliferation and apoptosis. Recently, studies on the effects of GST genetic polymorphisms on COVID-19 disease development revealed that the individuals with higher numbers of risk-associated genotypes showed higher risk of COVID-19 prevalence and severity. Furthermore, overexpression of GSTs in many tumors is frequently associated with drug resistance phenotypes. These functional properties make these proteins promising targets for therapeutics, and a number of GST inhibitors have progressed in clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Diarylheptanoid and SAR-CoV-2

The recent outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed a serious challenge to mankind. The need for an urgent cure for SARS-CoV-2 increased, as there was no specific treatment protocol designed for this global pandemic. Previous studies show similarities in the genomic structure of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV. So, the treatment strategy applied for SARS-CoV can be applied on SARS-CoV-2 as well. This chapter focuses on the effectiveness of diarylheptanoids against SARS-CoV-2. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Potential Health Survey of Traditional Spices & Herbs in Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19: A Review

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is a global public health pandemic disease emerged from the novel strain of the coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that caused severe acute respiratory syndrome. It is the most significant respiratory illness that has affected the world since World War II. Currently, there is no globally approved drug for the treatment of pandemic COVID-19 except for some recently approved vaccines. Instead, various non-specific treatment options are being utilized by different countries. While some of these are effective, there is a lack of well-documented studies on the impact of traditional medicines on the management of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in silico. For thousands of years, traditional healers have been using various herbs and spices products and dietary plants to treat various diseases. This review aims to provide information on the use of traditional spices & herbs in COVID-19 protection and treatment and present the main characteristics of these products and their potential antiviral actions. Various databases were searched for articles related to the use of various herbs for the treatment of viral infections. Many of these studies show that various plant compounds can be utilized for the treatment of viral infections. This study aims to summarize the common used of herbal products and dietary supplements with potent bioactive compounds in treatment or prevent of COVID-19.

Male fertility: Review of the publications of July-September 2020.

The article provides an overview of the most significant publications on the male infertility topic. The main selection criteria were considered the practical significance of the article, as well as the impact factor of the journal in which it was published, according to the SCImago Journal Rank (SJR). As a result, a list of 10 works published in the third quarter (July-September) of 2020 was formed. The review included articles on the following issues: Redox balance in the male reproductive system, advanced paternal age, the effect of a new nasal form of testosterone on fertility, the correlation of PSA levels with infertility, as well as new data on the effect of COVID-19 on male fertility.Copyright © 2021 Vestnik Urologii. All rights reserved.

Male fertility: Review of the publications of April - June 2020.

The article provides an overview of the most significant publications on the topic of male infertility. The main selection criteria are the practical relevance of the article, as well as the impact factor of the journal in which it was published, according to the ScImago Journal Rank (SJR). as a result, a list of 10 works published in the II quarter (april - June) of 2020 was formed. The review includes articles on the following topics: the effect of asymptomatic genital tract infection on male fertility, methods of spermatogonia transplantation, the effect of alcohol on fertility, the role of folate status in male fertility, lumicrine regulation of spermatogenesis, oxidative-reductive balance in the male reproductive system, comparison of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and micro-TESE results, natural conception and intrauterine insemination (IUI) at high MaR test values, and the first data on the effect of cOVID-19 on male fertility.Copyright © 2020 Rostovskii Gosudarstvennyi Meditsinskii Universitet. All rights reserved.

The growth, adventitious bud formation, bioactive flavonoid production, antioxidant response, and cryptochrome-mediated light signal transduction in Isatis tinctoria L. hairy root cultures exposed to LED lights

The root of Isatis tinctoria L. is highly appreciated as a Traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the prevention and adjuvant treatment of respiratory diseases caused by coronaviruses viruses such as SARS and COVID-19. I. tinctoria hairy root cultures (ITHRCs) provide a better alternative to field cultivation for the production of antiviral flavonoids. For the first time, ITHRCs were exposed to different colors of LED lights i.e., red, green, blue, red/green/blue (1/1/1, RGB), and white, in an attempt to promote the root growth and enhance the production of bioactive flavonoids. Results revealed that the biomass productivity (7.15 ± 0.63 g/L) in ITHRCs with an initial inoculum size of 0.2% cultured for 50 days under blue light increased by 1.86-fold relative to that under dark (control), and yields of rutin (320.49 ± 27.56 μg/g DW), quercetin (388.75 ± 9.17 μg/g DW), kaempferol (787.90 ± 83.43 μg/g DW), and isorhamnetin (269.11 ± 20.08 μg/g DW) increased by 4.15-fold, 9.31-fold, 9.09-fold, and 2.88-fold as compared with control, respectively. Interestingly, the emergence of adventitious buds was noticed in ITHRCs under all light treatments. Additionally, the enhanced densities of chloroplasts and root hairs were found in blue-light grown ITHRCs as against control, which might account for the elevated biomass productivity. Moreover, blue light induced oxidative stress in ITHRCs in terms of the overproduction of oxidation products and the enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activity. Furthermore, blue light significantly activated photoreceptor (CRY1) and key regulator of light signaling (HY5), thus leading to the up-regulated expression of MYB4 and structural genes (such as CHS and FLS) responsible for flavonoid biosynthesis. And, the transcriptional activation of CUC1 was likely related to the formation of adventitious buds in ITHRCs. Overall, the simple supplementation of blue LED light makes ITHRCs more attractive as plant factories for obtaining higher productivity of biomass and medicinally important flavonoids. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.

Long COVID: diagnosis and treatment of respiratory syndrome in post COVID-19 conditions

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to another medical burden that came from the symptoms experienced by patients after acute infection with SARS-CoV-2, a condition often called as Long COVID. As the number of COVID-19 cases remain rising, various studies and scientific researches are being conducted to understand more about Long COVID, and findings have consistently shown increased burden due to Long COVID that needs more attention from the clinical world. This article review collects various sources regarding the diagnosis and management of respiratory syndrome in post-COVID-19 conditions. Long COVID, currently referred to as a post-COVID-19 condition, consists of symptom(s) that occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, with symptoms lasting at least two months and cannot be explained by any alternative diagnosis. Symptoms that occur are very diverse from various organ systems, including the respiratory system. Knowledge regarding the possible symptoms as well as a thorough evaluation is needed to identify and diagnose post-COVID-19 conditions, and multidisciplinary management through a tiered system may help reach more cases of post-COVID-19 conditions. The treatment for post-COVID-19 conditions needs to be adjusted to the patient's condition, and the administration of pharmacological therapy such as steroids, bronchodilators, and mucolytics/antioxidants has to be based on clinical symptoms and radiological abnormalities.