Deciphering the chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of Prangos pabularia Lindl. using LC-MS/MS in combination with experimental evaluation and computational studies.

This study meticulously explores the antimicrobial potential of Prangos pabularia Lindl.'s aerial parts through a comprehensive blend of in vitro and in silico analysis. Extracts with varying polarities underwent LC-MS/MS identification of active components, followed by in vitro and in silico assessments of antimicrobial efficacy against Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida paropsilosis. The methanolic extract exhibited significant antimicrobial activity with a MIC value of 48 µg/mL against all tested strains. Molecular docking revealed the compound 9-(3-methylbut-2-enoxy)-furo-(3,2-g)-chromen-7-one's highest binding affinity against the penicillin-binding protein (PBP) bacterial drug target molecule. Other compounds also displayed substantial interactions with key antimicrobial drug target proteins. Further, Molecular dynamics simulations affirmed the stability of protein and ligand conformations. Collectively, these results underscore Prangos pabularia Lindl.'s aerial parts as a promising botanical resource in combating diverse microbial infections. This comprehensive approach not only validates it's in vitro antimicrobial properties but also provides molecular insights into interaction mechanisms, advancing our comprehension of the plant's therapeutic potential.

In-vitro evaluation of Indigofera heterantha extracts for antibacterial, antifungal and anthelmintic activities.

BACKGROUND: Multidrug-resistant bacterial strains cause several serious infections that can be fatal, such as Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae (often referred to as ESKAPE pathogens). Since ancient times, several indigenous medical systems in India have utilized diverse medicinal plants (approximately 80,000 species) as conventional treatments for a variety of illnesses. A member of the Fabaceae family, also referred to as "Himalayan indigo," Indigofera heterantha Wall, is well known for its therapeutic properties. METHODS: The present study investigated the antibacterial, antifungal and antihelmintic properties of the roots, bark, leaves, and flowers of I. heterantha from the Kashmir Himalayas. The effectiveness of the extracts against bacteria, fungi, and earthworms. Three of the tested organisms for bacteria were ESKAPE pathogens, as they are responsible for creating fatal bacterial infections. The antifungal potency of I. heterantha aqueous and methanolic extracts was evaluated using the Agar Well Diffusion Assay. The antihelmintic activity was carried out on an adult Pheretima posthuma Indian earth worm, which shares physiological and anatomical similarities with human intestinal roundworm parasites. RESULTS: The methanolic extracts of root and bark have shown prominent activity against all bacterial strains, whereas aqueous extracts of flower, root, and leaves have shown promising activity against Staphylococcus aureus. The aqueous extract demonstrated good activity against S. cerevisiae at a concentration of 200 mg/ml with a zone of inhibition of 16 mm, while the methanolic extract displayed comparable activity against the fungal strains. The remaining two strains, P. crysogenum and A. fumigatus, were only moderately active in response to the extracts. All the extracts have shown anthelmintic activity except aqueous flower. CONCLUSION: These results will pave the way for the bioassay-guided isolation of bioactive constituents that may act as hits for further development as potential antibacterial agents against drug-resistant microbial and helminthic infections.

A review on chitosan and alginate-based microcapsules: Mechanism and applications in drug delivery systems.

Natural polymers, like chitosan and alginate have potential of appearance, as well as the changes and handling necessary to make it acceptable vehicle for the controlled release of medicines and biomolecules. Microcapsules are characterized as micrometer-sized particulate that can be employed to store chemicals within them. In the present review, we have discussed various advantages, components of microcapsules, release mechanisms, preparation methods, and their applications in drug delivery systems. The preparation methods exhibited strong encapsulation effectiveness and may be used in a wide range of pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. The major advantages of using the microencapsulation technique are, sustained and controlled delivery of drugs, drug targeting, improvement of shelf life, stabilization, immobilization of enzymes and microorganisms. As new biomaterials are developed for the body, they are better suited to the development of pharmaceutical systems than traditional pharmaceuticals because they are more reliable, biocompatible, biodegradable, and nontoxic. Furthermore, the designed microcapsules had been capable of shielding the essential components from hostile environments. More advanced techniques could be developed in the future to facilitate the formulation and applications of microcapsules and working with the pharmaceutical and medical industries.

Luminescent and self-healing hybrid ionotropic hydrogel beads of ammonium metavanadate and chitosan: promising biomaterial as an antimicrobial agent, efficient dye adsorbent and ascorbic acid sensor.

Biopolymers have received widespread attention due to their beneficial characteristics, such as like easy processing, biodegradability and biocompatibility. Concurrently, inorganic polyoxometalates (POMs), a class of metal-oxygen anionic and nanosized clusters of early transition metals, have a wide range of attractive functions and are used in biomedical and industrial fields. In this communication, we report a simple approach to create ammonium metavanadate (AMV)-biopolymer composite hydrogel beads that combine the advantages of biopolymers and POM clusters. Crosslinking was achieved through electrostatic interactions between cationic chitosan, chitosan/gelatin, chitosan/methylcellulose and AMV (NH4VO3). The as-prepared hydrogel beads were yellow in colour and exhibited a high mechanical strength. They were characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy and SEM, to confirm hydrogel formation and evaluate their surface morphology. It was demonstrated that the fabricated hydrogel blend possessed tuneable physicochemical properties, good swelling behaviour (with a maximum swelling of 432%), excellent luminescence and adsorption, and remarkable biomedical properties. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that the beads had an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 539 mg g-1 for the removal of Congo red dye from aqueous solutions, which was more efficient than the most reported natural biosorbents. Due to their luminescence properties these hydrogel beads showed excellent selective sensing behaviour toward ascorbic acid with a LOD of 1.06 µM. The hydrogels were also assessed for their antibacterial activity, and were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus anginosus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The cytotoxicity results showed that the embedded POMs exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against the embryonic kidney cell line (HEK).

Recent advance of herbal medicines in cancer- a molecular approach.

Bioactive compounds are crucial for an extensive range of therapeutic uses, and some exhibit anticancer activity. Scientists advocate that phytochemicals modulate autophagy and apoptosis, involved in the underlying pathobiology of cancer development and regulation. The pharmacological aiming of the autophagy-apoptosis signaling pathway using phytocompounds hence offers an auspicious method that is complementary to conventional cancer chemotherapy. The current review aims to explore the molecular level of the autophagic-apoptotic pathway to know its implication in the pathobiology of cancer and explore the essential cellular process as a druggable anticancer target and therapeutic emergence of naturally derived phytocompound-based anticancer agents. The data in the review were collected from scientific databases such as Google search, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Medline, and Clinical Trials. With a broad outlook, we investigated their cutting-edge scientifically revealed and/or searched pharmacologic effects, a novel mechanism of action, and molecular signaling pathway of phytochemicals in cancer therapy. In this review, the evidence is focused on molecular pharmacology, specifically caspase, Nrf2, NF-kB, autophagic-apoptotic pathway, and several mechanisms to understand their role in cancer biology.

Bergenia stracheyi extract-based hybrid hydrogels of biocompatible polymers with good adhesive, stretching, swelling, self-healing, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties.

An ultra-stretchable, quickly self-healable, adhesive hydrogel with efficient anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial activities makes it potential wound dressing material, particularly in healing skin wounds. However, it is highly challenging to prepare such hydrogels with a facile and efficient material design. Given this, we opine the synthesis of medicinal plant Bergenia stracheyi extract-loaded hybrid hydrogels of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers like Gelatin, Hydroxypropyl cellulose, and Polyethylene glycol with acrylic acid via in situ free radical polymerization reaction. The selected plant extract is rich in phenols, flavonoids, and tannins and found to have important therapeutic benefits such as anti-ulcer, anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus, anti-inflammatory, and burn wound healing effects. The polyphenolic compounds in the plant extract interacted strongly via hydrogen bonding with -OH, -NH2, -COOH, and C-O-C groups of the macromolecules. The synthesized hydrogels were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and rheology. The as-prepared hydrogels demonstrate ideal tissue adhesion, excellent stretchability, good mechanical strength, broad-band anti-bacterial capability, and efficient anti-oxidant properties, in addition to quick self-healing and moderate swelling properties. Thus, the aforementioned properties attract the potential use of these materials in the biomedical field.

Silk Fibroin as an Efficient Biomaterial for Drug Delivery, Gene Therapy, and Wound Healing.

Silk fibroin (SF), an organic material obtained from the cocoons of a silkworm Bombyx mori, is used in several applications and has a proven track record in biomedicine owing to its superior compatibility with the human body, superb mechanical characteristics, and its controllable propensity to decay. Due to its robust biocompatibility, less immunogenic, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and biodegradable properties, it has been widely used in biological and biomedical fields, including wound healing. The key strategies for building diverse SF-based drug delivery systems are discussed in this review, as well as the most recent ways for developing functionalized SF for controlled or redirected medicines, gene therapy, and wound healing. Understanding the features of SF and the various ways to manipulate its physicochemical and mechanical properties enables the development of more effective drug delivery devices. Drugs are encapsulated in SF-based drug delivery systems to extend their shelf life and control their release, allowing them to travel further across the bloodstream and thus extend their range of operation. Furthermore, due to their tunable properties, SF-based drug delivery systems open up new possibilities for drug delivery, gene therapy, and wound healing.

Phytochemical Profiling and Antibacterial Activity of Methanol Leaf Extract of Skimmia anquetilia.

Skimmia anquetilia is a plant species native to the Western Himalaya region that has tremendous potential for phytochemical activities. This study aimed to identify bioactive compounds and assess the antibacterial activity of S. anquetilia. To determine the major bioactive chemicals in the methanol leaf extract of S. anquetilia, we used a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The presence of 35 distinct phytoconstituents was discovered using GC-MS, which could contribute to the therapeutic capabilities of this plant species. The most predominant compound was 2R-acetoxymethyl-1,3,3-trimethyl-4t-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-1t-cyclohexanol (23.9%). Further, the leaf extract was evaluated for antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus. The extract showed the highest zone of inhibition against E. coli (19 mm) followed by P. aeruginosa (18 mm) and K. Pneumoniae (17 mm) at 160 mg mL-1. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of methanol extract against the strain of P. aeruginosa (2 mg mL-1) demonstrated significant antibacterial activity. The findings of the present study highlight the potential of S. anquetilia for the development of herbal medicines for the treatment of various pathogenic infections.

Effect of nanoemulsion-loaded hybrid biopolymeric hydrogel beads on the release kinetics, antioxidant potential and antibacterial activity of encapsulated curcumin.

Nanoemulsion encapsulated in the hydrogel beads are important entrants for loading hydrophobic active ingredients for enhancing their bioavailability and biological activities relevant in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries. Herein, we report the formulation of curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion encapsulated in ionotropic hybrid hydrogel beads of alginate, chitosan, gelatin and polyethylene oxide for effective delivery of curcumin. The release behaviour in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF and SIF) at 37 °C showed faster release in SGF which could be explained on the basis of mesh size, the extent of hydration and the complexation of the curcumin with the Ca2+ ions present within the hydrogel network. The free radical scavenging and antibacterial activities of the released curcumin in SGF were significantly greater than in SIF. This study shows promises of such hybrid systems, ignored so far, for proper encapsulation, protection and delivery of curcumin for the development of functional foods and pharmaceutics. The high structural stability of these nanoemulsion carriers and their effective delivery of curcumin provide a novel and tailored formulation out of existing polymers with plethora of advantages for oral drug delivery. Moreover, this study opens new door for different possibilities to improve the physicochemical characteristics and delivery of bioactive molecules like curcumin.

Efficacy of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Rheum Spiciformis against Pathogenic Bacterial and Fungal Strains.

INTRODUCTION: Rheum spiciformis is a newly identified edible medicinal plant of genus Rheum. The plant is used to treat various diseases on traditional levels in Kashmir Valley, India. AIM: To evaluate the phytochemical screening, antibacterial and antifungal potential of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Rheum spiciformis, a traditionally used edible medicinal plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanolic and aqueous extracts of Rheum spiciformis were tested for their antimicrobial activities against six bacterial strains namely Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli and four fungal strains Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The susceptibility of microbial strains to the two extracts was determined using agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening was carried out by using various standard procedures. RESULTS: Methanolic extract showed potent antimicrobial activity as compared to aqueous extract at the concentrations of 10, 30, 50, 80 and 100mg/ml. The most susceptible bacterial strains were Staphylococcus aureus with zone of inhibition (25±0.10mm), Klebsiella pneumonia (23±0.25mm), Proteus vulgaris (22±0.10mm) at the concentration of 100mg/ml. Aqueous extracts at the higher concentration were found effective against Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus subtilis with zone of inhibition (17±0.24mm) and (17±0.10mm), respectively. Among fungal strains the most susceptible were Aspergillus fumigatus (21±0.10mm), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (20±0.20mm) and Penicillium Chrysogenum (17±0.15mm) at the concentration of 100mg/ml methanol extract. The zone of inhibition for aqueous extract against fungal strains ranged between 14±0.13mm to 16±0.19mm at the highest concentration of plant extract. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites like flavonoids, saponins, volatile oils, phenols, steroids, terpenoids and alkaloids. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that this plant has enough potential to serve as an excellent candidate for obtaining antimicrobial compounds to combat bacterial and fungal infections.

Evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Bergenin and its derivatives obtained by chemoenzymatic synthesis.

Bergenin pentacetate (2), a peracetate derivative of biologically active lead compound Bergenin (1) isolated from Bergenia stracheyi was subjected to lipase catalyzed regioselective alcoholysis to obtain 3,4,10,11-tetracetate of Bergenin (3). The free hydroxyl group of 3 was derivatised using higher carboxylic acids to obtain acyl derivatives (4-7). These compounds synthesized via chemoenzymatic route were characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral data and evaluated for DPPH radical scavenging, antimicrobial and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. The studies revealed that biological activity of Bergenin can be optimized by selective modification of its structure.