Promising roles of Zingiber officinale roscoe, Curcuma longa L., and Momordica charantia L. as immunity modulators against COVID-19: A bibliometric analysis.

Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, and Momordica charantia are medicinal plants that are commonly used in the form of herbal tea, which is formulated to strengthen the immune system, especially against COVID-19 infection. Excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulatory properties have been reported for their bioactive compounds, which have been shown to aid in stimulating immune systems as well as lowering the risk of severe COVID-19 such as lung injury. Yet, no bibliometric study on the subject is available. Hence, the purpose of this study is to quantitatively examine the existing articles related to the therapeutic potential of these three herbs, as well as their mechanisms of action in combating the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A total of 121 papers were retrieved from Scopus database up to 14th March 2023. The bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer software. Based on the literature search, Z. officinale was the most researched plant. India appeared as the most prolific country, with the highest number of articles contributed by two authors from India (Rathi, R. and Gayatri Devi, R.). In terms of keywords, the plants were associated with immune modulation, management of symptoms, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities. Several important bioactive compounds were responsible for these effects such as gingerol, paradol, shogaol, curcumin, calebin A, momordicoside, karaviloside and cucurbitadienol. These compounds were hypothesized to prevent and cure COVID-19 by regulating inflammatory response, downregulating oxidative stress and modulating immunostimulatory activity. This review paper therefore supports the potential of Z. officinale, C. longa, and M. charantia to be formulated as a herbal blend for treating and preventing COVID-19 infection.

Macrolactin A as a Novel Inhibitory Agent for SARS-CoV-2 Mpro: Bioinformatics Approach.

COVID-19 is a disease that puts most of the world on lockdown and the search for therapeutic drugs is still ongoing. Therefore, this study used in silico screening to identify natural bioactive compounds from fruits, herbaceous plants, and marine invertebrates that are able to inhibit protease activity in SARS-CoV-2 (PDB: 6LU7). We have used extensive screening strategies such as drug likeliness, antiviral activity value prediction, molecular docking, ADME, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and MM/GBSA. A total of 17 compounds were shortlisted using Lipinski's rule in which 5 compounds showed significant predicted antiviral activity values. Among these 5, only 2 compounds, Macrolactin A and Stachyflin, showed good binding energy of -9.22 and -8.00 kcal/mol, respectively, within the binding pocket of the Mpro catalytic residues (HIS 41 and CYS 145). These two compounds were further analyzed to determine their ADME properties. The ADME evaluation of these 2 compounds suggested that they could be effective in developing therapeutic drugs to be used in clinical trials. MD simulations showed that protein-ligand complexes of Macrolactin A and Stachyflin with the target receptor (6LU7) were stable for 100 nanoseconds. The MM/GBSA calculations of Mpro-Macrolactin A complex indicated higher binding free energy (-42.58 ± 6.35 kcal/mol). Dynamic cross-correlation matrix (DCCM) and principal component analysis (PCA) on the residual movement in the MD trajectories further confirmed the stability of Macrolactin A bound state with 6LU7. In conclusion, this study showed that marine natural compound Macrolactin A could be an effective therapeutic inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 protease (6LU7). Additional in vitro and in vivo validations are strongly needed to determine the efficacy and therapeutic dose of Macrolactin A in biological systems.

Amylases: Biofilm Inducer or Biofilm Inhibitor?

Biofilm is a syntrophic association of sessile groups of microbial cells that adhere to biotic and abiotic surfaces with the help of pili and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). EPSs also prevent penetration of antimicrobials/antibiotics into the sessile groups of cells. Hence, methods and agents to avoid or remove biofilms are urgently needed. Enzymes play important roles in the removal of biofilm in natural environments and may be promising agents for this purpose. As the major component of the EPS is polysaccharide, amylase has inhibited EPS by preventing the adherence of the microbial cells, thus making amylase a suitable antimicrobial agent. On the other hand, salivary amylase binds to amylase-binding protein of plaque-forming Streptococci and initiates the formation of biofilm. This review investigates the contradictory actions and microbe-associated genes of amylases, with emphasis on their structural and functional characteristics.

Microbiologically-Synthesized Nanoparticles and Their Role in Silencing the Biofilm Signaling Cascade.

The emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has led to the search for alternate antimicrobial treatment strategies. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) for efficient penetration into a living system have become more common in the world of health and hygiene. The use of microbial enzymes/proteins as a potential reducing agent for synthesizing NPs has increased rapidly in comparison to physical and chemical methods. It is a fast, environmentally safe, and cost-effective approach. Among the biogenic sources, fungi and bacteria are preferred not only for their ability to produce a higher titer of reductase enzyme to convert the ionic forms into their nano forms, but also for their convenience in cultivating and regulating the size and morphology of the synthesized NPs, which can effectively reduce the cost for large-scale manufacturing. Effective penetration through exopolysaccharides of a biofilm matrix enables the NPs to inhibit the bacterial growth. Biofilm is the consortia of sessile groups of microbial cells that are able to adhere to biotic and abiotic surfaces with the help extracellular polymeric substances and glycocalyx. These biofilms cause various chronic diseases and lead to biofouling on medical devices and implants. The NPs penetrate the biofilm and affect the quorum-sensing gene cascades and thereby hamper the cell-to-cell communication mechanism, which inhibits biofilm synthesis. This review focuses on the microbial nano-techniques that were used to produce various metallic and non-metallic nanoparticles and their "signal jamming effects" to inhibit biofilm formation. Detailed analysis and discussion is given to their interactions with various types of signal molecules and the genes responsible for the development of biofilm.

Sex, Race, and Age Differences of Cardiovascular Outcomes in Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy RCTs: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is beneficial in patients who have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction or arrhythmic events. However, most randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showing survival benefits primarily enrolled older white men. This study aims to evaluate CRT efficacy by sex, race, and age in RCTs. METHODS: Five electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, Medline, and PubMed) were searched from inception to July 12, 2021 for RCTs with CRT in adult patients. Data were analyzed for clinical outcomes including all-cause or cardiovascular (CV) death, worsening heart failure (HF), and HF hospitalization (HFH) according to sex, race, and age. RESULTS: Among six RCTs with up to moderate risk of bias, 54% (n = 3,630 of 6,682; mean age 64 years, 22% female, 8% black patients) had CRT device implantation. All-cause death (odds ratio [OR], 0.51; P = 0.053) was reduced in female versus male CRT patients, whereas CV death, HFH, or all-cause death with worsening HF or HFH did not differ significantly. No difference was seen in CRT patients for all-cause death and worsening HF (OR, 1.32; P = 0.46) among white vs black patients or for all-cause death and HFH (OR, 1.19; P = 0.55) among ≥ 65 versus < 65 years. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas all-cause death was lower in female CRT patients, other reported outcomes did not significantly differ by sex, race, or age. Only 6 studies partially reported outcomes. Thus, enhanced reporting and analyses are required to overcome such paucity of data to evaluate the impact of these factors on clinical outcomes in distinct patient cohorts with CRT indication.

CONTEXTE: La thérapie de resynchronisation cardiaque (TRC) est salutaire chez les patients qui souffrent d'insuffisance cardiaque avec fraction d'éjection réduite ou qui subissent des épisodes arythmiques. Toutefois, la plupart des essais contrôlés randomisés (ECR) montrant des bienfaits en matière de survie ont été principalement menés chez des hommes blancs âgés. Cette étude vise à évaluer l'efficacité de la TRC en fonction du sexe, de la race et de l'âge des participants aux ECR. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Nous avons effectué des recherches dans cinq bases de données électroniques (CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, Medline et PubMed) en ciblant une période allant de la date de leur création jusqu'au 12 juillet 2021 afin de recenser les ECR menés chez des patients adultes ayant subi une TRC. Les données ont fait l'objet d'une analyse axée sur les résultats cliniques, notamment les décès toutes causes confondues ou d'origine cardiovasculaire (CV), l'aggravation de l'insuffisance cardiaque (IC) et les hospitalisations pour cause d'IC (HIC), en fonction du sexe, de la race et de l'âge des patients. RÉSULTATS: Dans six ECR présentant un risque de biais tout au plus modéré, 54 % des patients (n = 3 630 sur 6 682; âge moyen : 64 ans, 22 % de femmes, 8 % de patients noirs) étaient porteurs d'un dispositif de RC. Les décès toutes causes confondues (rapport de cotes [RC] : 0,51; p = 0,053) étaient moins nombreux chez les femmes que chez les hommes parmi les patients ayant subi une TRC. En revanche, aucune différence significative entre les deux sexes n'a été relevée en ce qui concerne les décès d'origine CV, les HIC ou les décès toutes causes confondues liés à l'aggravation de l'IC ou aux HIC. Au sein de la population ayant subi une TRC, aucune différence n'a été observée quant aux décès toutes causes confondues et à l'aggravation de l'IC (RC : 1,32; p = 0,46) chez les patients blancs par rapport aux patients noirs. Il y avait aussi absence de différence quant aux décès toutes causes confondues et aux HIC (RC : 1,19; p = 0,55) chez les patients âgés de 65 ans ou plus par rapport aux patients âgés de moins de 65 ans au sein de la même population. CONCLUSIONS: Les décès toutes causes confondues étaient moins nombreux chez les femmes qui avaient subi une TRC, mais les autres résultats rapportés ne différaient pas significativement selon le sexe, la race ou l'âge des patients. Seulement six études ont signalé partiellement les résultats. Des rapports et des analyses plus détaillés sont nécessaires pour remédier à la paucité des données et ainsi permettre d'évaluer l'effet des facteurs étudiés sur les résultats cliniques au sein de cohortes distinctes de patients chez qui la TRC est indiquée.

Sex, Race, and Age Differences in Cardiovascular Outcomes in Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Randomized Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Data are limited regarding the use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in diverse populations. This study explores cardiovascular (CV) outcomes and mortality from ICD randomized controlled trials (RCTs), by sex, race, and age. METHODS: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Emcare, Embase, MEDLINE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature CINAHL) were searched for dates from their inception to July 12, 2021, for RCTs of ICD therapy in adult patients. Data were analyzed for clinical outcomes, including all-cause or CV death, and heart failure hospitalization (HFH). RESULTS: Among 5 RCTs (mean age: 63 years; 78% male; 76% White) with moderate overall risk of bias, clinical outcomes in patients with an ICD (n = 3260) vs a control group (n = 3685) were compared. No between-group sex differences were observed for all-cause death (odds ratio [OR] 0.86, P = 0.51), CV death (OR 0.98, P = 0.96), HFH (OR 0.95, P = 0.87), or HFH and all-cause death (OR 0.83, P = 0.51) in the ICD group, in a comparison of male vs female sex. All-cause death (OR 1.20, P = 0.67) did not differ for White vs Black patients receiving ICD therapy. Outcomes data for other non-White, non-Black race groups were often unreported. Most RCTs originated in North America, had male leadership, and were evenly sponsored by industry vs peer-reviewed funding. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes data are sparse, by sex, race, and age, in current RCTs evaluating ICD therapy. Although ICD patient outcomes did not significantly differ by sex or race, improved data analyses and reporting are needed to determine the relationship between these sociocultural factors and clinical outcomes among distinct ICD patient cohorts.

CONTEXTE: Les données sur l'utilisation des défibrillateurs cardioverteurs implantables (DCI) dans diverses populations sont limitées. Cette étude porte sur les résultats cardiovasculaires (CV) et les décès liés aux DCI qui ont été signalés dans le cadre d'essais contrôlés randomisés (ECR), en fonction du sexe, de la race et de l'âge. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Des recherches ont été effectuées dans cinq bases de données électroniques (PubMed, EmCare, Embase, Medline et CINAHL [Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature]) en ciblant une période allant de la date de leur création jusqu'au 12 juillet 2021 afin de recenser les ECR menés chez des patients adultes ayant reçu un DCI. Les données ont été analysées en fonction des résultats cliniques, notamment les décès toutes causes confondues ou d'origine CV et les hospitalisations pour insuffisance cardiaque (hIC). RÉSULTATS: Cinq ECR (âge moyen des patients : 63 ans; 78 % d'hommes; 76 % de race blanche) présentant globalement un risque de biais modéré ont permis de comparer les résultats cliniques obtenus chez les patients ayant reçu un DCI (n = 3 260) et ceux du groupe témoin (n = 3 685). Aucune différence intergroupe entre les sexes n'a été observée pour les décès toutes causes confondues (rapport de cotes [RC] : 0,86, p = 0,51), les décès d'origine CV (RC : 0,98, p = 0,96) et les hIC (RC : 0,95, p = 0,87), ou les hIC et les décès toutes causes confondues (RC : 0,83, p = 0,51) au sein du groupe de patients ayant reçu un DCI, dans une comparaison entre les sexes. Aucune différence entre les patients de race blanche et de race noire ayant reçu un DCI n'a été notée pour ce qui est des décès toutes causes confondues (RC : 1,20, p = 0,67). Souvent, les données sur les résultats obtenus au sein de groupes de patients de race autre que blanche ou noire n'étaient pas signalées. La plupart des ECR avaient été menés en Amérique du Nord, étaient dirigés par des hommes et commandités à parts égales par l'industrie et des organismes offrant du financement approuvé par les pairs. CONCLUSIONS: Les ECR portant sur l'utilisation des DCI fournissent actuellement peu de données sur les résultats en fonction du sexe, de la race et de l'âge. Les résultats obtenus chez les patients ayant reçu un DCI ne différaient pas significativement selon le sexe ou la race. Néanmoins, des analyses de données et des rapports plus détaillés sont nécessaires pour déterminer la relation entre ces facteurs socioculturels et les résultats cliniques au sein de cohortes distinctes de patients ayant reçu un DCI.

Characterization of phytochemicals, minerals and in vitro medicinal activities of bael (Aeglemarmelos L.) pulp and differently dried edible leathers.

Aegle marmelos (L.) is a seasonal fruit that contains significant amounts of bioactives like, phenolic acids (gallic acids, 2,3-dihydroxy benzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid), flavonoid (rutin), organic acids (oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, propionic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid), vitamin C, vitamin B group (thiamine, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, biotin, cobalamins, riboflavin), tocopherols (α-tocopherol, ß-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, δ-tocopherol), carotenes (α-carotene, ß-carotene, γ-carotene, δ-carotene) and also rich in essential minerals (potassium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, copper, manganese). This study provides a comprehensive composition analysis (determined using RP-HPLC and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Spectroscopy). In vitro medicinal activities (antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-diabetic activity) are quantified for different bael samples. The study also investigates the changes of these bioactive components with freeze, sun, hot air, and microwave drying. The study gives a proper vision to preserve the nutraceutically rich pulp by converting it into fruit leather.

Stereospermum fimbriatum as a Potential Source of Phytochemicals: A Review of Stereospermum Genus.

Stereospermum fimbriatum is one of the medicinal plants that has been claimed to be used traditionally to treat several illnesses such as stomachache, earache, skin irritation and postpartum illness. The genus of this plant is known to possess medicinal properties in every part of the plant. Therapeutic potential of S. fimbriatum is anticipated based on numerous previous studies that documented variety of phytochemical contents and bioactivity of the genus. The most reported bioactivities of its genus are antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrheal and analgesic activities. S. fimbriatum is a rare species that has not been discovered yet. Thus, this review aims at highlighting the potentials of S. fimbriatum by collecting available data on the bioactivities of its genus and set the directions for future research on this plant.