ABSTRACT
This study provides the design of a microencapsulation formula, physicochemical characterization, and antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiplasmodial activities of Holothuria atra microcapsules. The ethanolic extract of H. atra was microencapsulated with chitosan (CHI) and sodium tripolyphosphate (Na-TPP) with various stirring times: 60 minutes (CHI60), 90 minutes (CHI90), and 120 minutes (CHI120). The microcapsules were then observed for physicochemical properties using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The microcapsules were tested for antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method. Antiplasmodial bioactivity was assessed through in silico molecular docking. The CHI60 and CHI120 microcapsules exhibited a smaller size and an irregular spherical shape, while the same FTIR profile was observed in CHI90 and CHI120. The bioactivity tests demonstrated that CHI90 exhibited high antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, while CHI120 exhibited high antioxidant performance. Calcigeroside B and Echinoside B exhibited antiplasmodial activity against the Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (PfDHODH) protein, along with an artemisinin inhibition mechanism. In conclusion, the microcapsules with the CHI90 formula demonstrated the best antibacterial activity, while the CHI120 formula exhibited high antioxidant activity. Two terpenoids, Calcigeroside B and Echinoside B, exhibited the best antiplasmodial activity.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to synthesize a new complex of Fe(II) with isoleucine dithiocarbamate ligand and to determine its potential as an anticancer and antiviral agent for SARSCOV-2. METHODS: The synthesized complexes were then characterized by UV-vis and FT-IR spectroscopy and their melting points. The value of the conductivity of the complex compound is also determined. Anti-cancer activity was tested in vitro and molecular docking. Its potential as an antiviral against SARSCOV-2 was also carried out by molecular docking. Pharmacokinetics/ADMET properties were also carried out on the complex. RESULT: Spectral results showed the successful synthesis of Fe(II) isoleucine dithiocarbamate complex. The complex produced UV-vis spectra at 268 and 575 nm, and the IR data at 399-599 cm-1 showed the coordination between the Fe(II) atoms with sulphur, nitrogen and oxygen of the isoleucine dithiocarbamate ligand. Fe(II) isoleucine dithiocarbamate had a cytotoxicity effect on the MCF-7 cell line (IC50 =613 µg/mL). The complex significantly caused morphological changes in the breast cancer cell line, finally leading to cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Cytotoxic test of Fe(II) isoleucine dithiocarbamate showed moderate anticancer activity on MCF-7 cancer cells and showed antiviral activity against SARSCOV-2 by interfering with spike glycoprotein -ACE2 receptors, and inhibiting major proteases and 3Clpro.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents , COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Coordination Complexes , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Coordination Complexes/pharmacology , Ferrous Compounds , Humans , Isoleucine , Ligands , Molecular Docking Simulation , Nitrogen , Oxygen , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , SulfurABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious worldwide health threat since the number of people with DM is forecasted to grow annually. Thus, effective and affordable treatment is urgently needed. Our previous studies used n-hexane and hydroethanolic root extracts of Ruellia tuberosa L. which significantly affected diabetic rats. In this study, aqueous R. tuberosa L. root extracts were used as treatments for the diabetic rat model and their effects were evaluated. Diabetes was generated by the administration of streptozotocin (STZ) at 20 mg/kg within 5 sequential days. Male Wistar rats were orally treated with the extracts and standard drug (metformin 200 mg/kg) and vehicle every day for 4 weeks. Hypoglycemic effects were assessed for normal, diabetic control, standard, and extract-treated groups. Histopathology was also carried out for the pancreatic, hepatic, and kidney tissues. The progression of diabetes was considerably diminished after extract treatment. In treated rats, the highest dose of extract induced a decline in blood glucose and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels at 25% and 35%, respectively. Furthermore, aqueous extract of R. tuberosa L. treatment decreased MDA levels in the pancreas by 12%. Histologic examination of the organ tissues of diabetic rats showed deteriorating alterations. After treatment, histopathological damages to the tissues and cells were reversed. The results of the experiments recommend that aqueous extract of R. tuberosa L. has antidiabetic effects on STZ-induced diabetic rats; nevertheless, a higher dose of the aqueous extracts is needed to achieve more significant results.
