An integrated network pharmacology approach to discover therapeutic mechanisms of Commiphora wightii for the treatment of Bell's palsy.

Bell's palsy (BP) can result in facial paralysis. Inflammation or injury to the cranial nerves that regulate the facial muscles is primarily responsible for that disease. Commiphora wightii remains recognized as a cure for a few human ailments. This study focused on therapeutic phenomena of C. wightii for the treatment of Bell's palsy, utilizing the network drug discovery and molecular docking techniques. Active biological constituents of C. wightii were retrieved from literature and independent databases. Potential therapeutic targets (431) of 13 bioactive phytochemicals were fetched via SwissTargetPrediction tool. Putative intersecting targets (855) of Bell's palsy were computed through the DisGeNET and GeneCards datasets. Subsequently, by the analysis of potential shared targets (87) of C. wightii and Bell's palsy, a Venn diagram was drawn. DAVID database was used to evaluate gene functional annotations and enriched pathways that are involved in Bell's palsy. STRING database was used for generating the protein-protein relationship complex. Visual presentations of the interactions of potential targets to active chemical constituents were done by the Cytoscape. Whereas, the conformational research sorted out 10 key targets through the protein-protein interactions network. Moreover, the capacity of therapeutic ingredients to interact with a target inhibiting Bell's palsy was confirmed by molecular docking, which might ratify the findings of network pharmacology. In the molecular complex of AKT1-cholesterol, a 100-ns simulation unveiled a graceful stability, with a minimal 0.167 Å ligand shift and resilient hydrogen bonds (ASN54 and SER205). The final 20 ns showcased a P1 motif pirouette, gracefully forming aromatic bonds with H165 and W186, underscoring the complex's dynamic finesse. This study evaluated compound-target interactions and their impact on disease-related genes. It revealed that five genes (AKT1, TNF, MAPK3, EGFR and SRC) of C. wightii might be useful therapeutic targets for the treatment of Bell's palsy, as well as helping in lowering down the blood pressure.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A review on toxicity of nanomaterials in agriculture: Current scenario and future prospects.

Phytonanotechnology plays a crucial part in the production of good quality and high-yield food. It can also alter the plant's production systems, hence permitting the efficient, controlled and stable release of agrochemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. An advanced understanding of nanomaterials interaction with plant responses like localization and uptake, etc. could transfigure the production of crops with high disease resistance and efficient nutrients utilization. In agriculture, the use of nanomaterials has gained acceptance due to their wide-range applications. However, their toxicity and bioavailability are the major hurdles for their massive employment. Undoubtedly, nanoparticles positively influence seeds germination, growth and development, stress management and post-harvest handling of vegetables and fruits. These nanoparticles may also cause toxicity in plants through oxidative stress by generation of excessive reactive oxygen species thus affecting the cellular biomolecules and targeting different channels. Nanoparticles have shown to exert various effects on plants that are mainly affected by various attributes such as physicochemical features of nanomaterials, coating materials for nanoparticles, type of plant, growth stages and growth medium for plants. This article discusses the interaction, accretion and toxicity of nanomaterials in plants. The factors inducing nanotoxicity and the mechanisms followed by nanomaterials causing toxicity are also instructed. At the end, detoxification mechanism of plant is also presented.

Integrated molecular modeling and dynamics approaches revealed potential natural inhibitors of NF-κB transcription factor as breast cancer therapeutics.

Breast cancer is a silent killer malady among women and a serious economic burden in health care management. A case of breast cancer is diagnosed among women every 19 s, and every 74 s, a woman dies of breast cancer somewhere in the world. Despite the pop-up of progressive research, advanced treatment approaches, and preventive measures, breast cancer remains amplifying ailment. The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a key transcription factor that links inflammation with cancer and is demonstrated as being involved in the tumorigenesis of breast cancer. The NF-κB transcription factor family in mammals consists of five proteins; c-Rel, RelA(p65), RelB, NF-κB1(p50), and NF-κB2(p52). The antitumor effect of NF-κB has also been explored in breast cancer, however, the actual treatment for breast cancer is yet to be discovered. This study is attributed to the identification of novel drug targets against breast cancer by targeting c-Rel, RelA(p65), RelB, NF-κB1(p50), and NF-κB2(p52) proteins. To identify the putative active compounds, a structure-based 3D pharmacophore model to the protein active site cavity was generated followed by virtual screening, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Initially, a library of 45000 compounds were docked against the target protein and five compounds namely Z56811101, Z653426226, Z1097341967, Z92743432, and Z464101066 were selected for further analysis. The relative binding affinity of Z56811101, Z653426226, Z1097341967, Z92743432, and Z464101066 with NF-κB1 (p50), NF-κB2 (p52), RelA (p65), RelB, and c-Rel proteins were -6.8, -8, -7.0, -6.9, and -7.2 kcal/mol, respectively which remained stable throughout the simulations of 200 ns. Furthermore, all of these compounds depict maximum drug-like properties. Therefore, the proposed compounds can be a potential candidate for patients with breast cancer, but, experimental validation is needed to ensure their safety.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Bioplastics from waste biomass of marine and poultry industries.

Plastics are indispensable and typically derived from non-renewable sources. The extensive production and indiscriminate use of synthetic plastics pose a serious threat to the environment and lead to problems due to their non-biodegradability. Various forms of plastics that are used in daily life should be limited and replaced by biodegradable materials. To deal with the challenges of sustainability or environmental issues that occur due to the production and disposal of synthetic plastics, biodegradable and environment-friendly plastics are crucial. Utilizing renewable sources such as keratin derived from chicken feathers and chitosan from shrimp cell wastes as an alternative to obtain safe bio-based polymers has gained much attention because of rising environmental issues. Approximately, 2-5 billion tons of waste are produced by the poultry and marine industries each year, adversely impacting the environment. These polymers are more acceptable and ecofriendly compared with conventional plastics due to their biostability, biodegradability, and excellent mechanical properties. The replacement of synthetic plastic packaging with biodegradable polymers from animal by-products significantly reduces the volume of waste generated. This review highlights important aspects such as the classification of bioplastics, properties and use of waste biomass for bioplastics production, their structure, mechanical properties, and demand in industrial sectors such as agriculture, biomedicine, and food packaging.

Efficacy of Saccharothrix algeriensis NRRL B-24137 to suppress Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum induced wilt disease in cotton.

Fusarium cotton wilt is a devastating disease of the cotton crop throughout the world, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum (FOV). Chemical control has many side effects, so, biological controls have been widely used for the management of Fusarium wilt. This study aimed to investigate the possible use of an actinomycetes Saccharothrix algeriensis (SA) NRRL B-24137 to control FOV. To access in-vitro anti-Fusarium ability of SA NRRL B-24137, dual culture assay, spore germination and seed germination tests were carried out. Following in-vitro investigations, several pot tests in a greenhouse environment were used to evaluate the biological control potential of SA NRRL B-24137 against FOV. Dual culture assay and spore germination revealed that SA NRRL B-24137 showed significant anti-Fusarium activity.During spore germination 87.77% inhibition of spore germination were observed. In pot experiments, SA NRRL B-24137 primed cotton seeds resulted in a 74.0% reduction in disease incidence. In soil there was a significant reduction in FOV spores in the presence of SA NRRL B-24137. Positive correlation was also observed on different concentrations of SA NRRL B-24137 towards FOV reduction. The results of this study showed that SA NRRL B-24137 has the potential to be employed as a biocontrol agent against Fusarium cotton wilt, improving cotton growth characteristics and yield.

Effects of Drying Temperature and Solvents on In Vitro Diabetic Wound Healing Potential of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extracts.

The delayed healing of wounds among people with diabetes is a severe problem worldwide. Hyperglycemia and increased levels of free radicals are the major inhibiting factors of wound healing in diabetic patients. Plant extracts are a rich source of polyphenols, allowing them to be an effective agent for wound healing. Drying temperature and extraction solvent highly affect the stability of polyphenols in plant materials. However, there is a need to optimize the extraction protocol to ensure the efficacy of the final product. For this purpose, the effects of drying temperature and solvents on the polyphenolic composition and diabetic wound healing activity of Moringa oleifera leaves were examined in the present research. Fresh leaves were oven dried at different temperatures (10 °C, 30 °C, 50 °C, and 100 °C) and extracted in three solvents (acetone, ethanol, and methanol) to obtain twelve extracts in total. The extracts were assessed for free radical scavenging and antihyperglycemic effects using DPPH (2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl) and α- glucosidase inhibition assays. Alongside this, a scratch assay was performed to evaluate the cell migration activity of M. oleifera on the human retinal pigment epithelial cell line. The cytotoxicity of the plant extracts was assessed on human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh-7) cell lines. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, phenolic compounds in extracts of M. oleifera were identified. We found that an ethanol-based extract prepared by drying the leaves at 10 °C contained the highest amounts of identified polyphenols. Moringa oleifera extracts showed remarkable antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cell migration properties. The best results were obtained with leaves dried at 10 °C and 30 °C. Decreased activities were observed with drying temperatures of 50 °C and above. Moreover, M. oleifera extracts exhibited no toxicity on RPE cells, and the same extracts were cytotoxic for Huh-7 cells. This study revealed that M. oleifera leaves extracts can enhance wound healing in diabetic conditions due to their antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and cell migration effects. The leaves of this plant can be an excellent therapeutic option when extracted at optimum conditions.

Reconnoitering the capabilities of nodule endophytic Pantoea dispersa for improved nodulation and grain yield of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).

Microorganisms belonging to root and soil provide a wide range of services and benefits to the plant by promoting plant growth and controlling phytopathogens. This study aimed to isolate endophytic bacteria from the root nodules of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and determine their potential in improving plant growth. A total of nineteen different bacterial morphotypes were isolated from root nodules of chickpea and characterized in vitro for plant growth promotion abilities. All bacterial isolates were able to produce indole acetic acid at varying levels, out of which MCA19 was screened as the most efficient indole acetic acid producer (10.25 µg mL-1). MCA8, MCA9, MCA10, MCA11, MCA16, MCA17 and MCA19 were positive for phosphate solubilization, out of which MCA9 was best phosphate solubilizer (18.8 µg mL-1). All bacterial strains showed varying ability to grow on nitrogen-free media. Hydrogen cyanide, pectinase, and cellulase production ability were also observed in isolates, in which MCA9, MCA12, MCA17 and MCA19 were found best. Based on in vitro testing, five isolates MCA2, MCA9, MCA11, MCA17 and MCA19 were selected for further studies. Bacterial isolates MCA9, MCA11, MCA17 and MCA19 were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as Pantoea dispersa while MCA2 as Rhizobium pusense. This is the first report on the existence of Pantoea dispersa in the root nodules of chickpea. In pot experiment, a maximum increase of 30% was recorded in plant dry weight upon the application of MCA19. Under field conditions, bacterial isolates, MCA2, MCA11 and MCA19 significantly enhanced nodulation and yield parameters of chickpea, compared to control. Pantoea dispersa MCA19 displayed the highest plant growth-promoting potential by increasing 38% grain yield. Our results indicate that Pantoea dispersa MCA19 is a promising biofertilizer for future applications.

Molecular Mechanisms of Cassia fistula against Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Approaches.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the deadliest reproductive tract malignancies that form on the external tissue covering of an ovary. Cassia fistula is popular for its anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties in conventional medications. Nevertheless, its molecular mechanisms are still unclear. The current study evaluated the potential of C. fistula for the treatment of EOC using network pharmacology approach integrated with molecular docking. Eight active constituents of C. fistula were obtained from two independent databases and the literature, and their targets were retrieved from the SwissTargetPrediction. In total, 1077 EOC associated genes were retrieved from DisGeNET and GeneCardsSuite databases, and 800 potential targets of eight active constituents of C. fistula were mapped to the 1077 EOC targets and intersected targets from two databases. Ultimately, 98 potential targets were found from C. fistula for EOC. Finally, the protein-protein interaction network (PPI) topological interpretation revealed AKT1, CTNNB1, ESR1, and CASP3 as key targets. This is the first time four genes have been found against EOC from C. fistula. The major enriched pathways of these candidate genes were established by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) investigations. To confirm the network pharmacology findings, the molecular docking approach demonstrated that active molecules have higher affinity for binding to putative targets for EOC suppression. More pharmacological and clinical research is required for the development of a drug to treat EOC.

Genome-wide analysis of potassium transport genes in Gossypium raimondii suggest a role of GrHAK/KUP/KT8, GrAKT2.1 and GrAKT1.1 in response to abiotic stress.

Potassium (K+) is an important macro-nutrient for plants, which comprises almost 10% of plant's dry mass. It plays a crucial role in the growth of plants as well as other important processes related to metabolism and stress tolerance. Plants have a complex and well-organized potassium distribution system (channels and transporters). Cotton is the most important economic crop, which is the primary source of natural fiber. Soil deficiency in K+ can negatively affect yield and fiber quality of cotton. However, potassium transport system in cotton is poorly studied. Current study identified 43 Potassium Transport System (PTS) genes in Gossypium raimondii genome. Based on conserved domains, transmembrane domains, and motif structures, these genes were classified as K+ transporters (2 HKTs, 7 KEAs, and 16 KUP/HAK/KTs) and K+ channels (11 Shakers and 7 TPKs/KCO). The phylogenetic comparison of GrPTS genes from Arabidopsis thaliana, Glycine max, Oryza sativa, Medicago truncatula and Cicer arietinum revealed variations in PTS gene conservation. Evolutionary analysis predicted that most GrPTS genes were segmentally duplicated. Gene structure analysis showed that the intron/exon organization of these genes was conserved in specific-family. Chromosomal localization demonstrated a random distribution of PTS genes across all the thirteen chromosomes except chromosome six. Many stress responsive cis-regulatory elements were predicted in promoter regions of GrPTS genes. The RNA-seq data analysis followed by qRT-PCR validation demonstrated that PTS genes potentially work in groups against environmental factors. Moreover, a transporter gene (GrHAK/KUP/KT8) and two channel genes (GrAKT2.1 and GrAKT1.1) are important candidate genes for plant stress response. These results provide useful information for further functional characterization of PTS genes with the breeding aim of stress-resistant cultivars.

Subtractive genomics and molecular docking approach to identify drug targets against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a multidrug resistant pathogen associated with high mortality and morbidity in patients having compromised immunity. The efflux systems of S. maltophilia include SmeABC and SmeDEF proteins, which assist in acquisition of multiple-drug-resistance. In this study, proteome based mapping was utilized to find out the potential drug targets for S. maltophilia strain k279a. Various tools of computational biology were applied to remove the human-specific homologous and pathogen-specific paralogous sequences from the bacterial proteome. The CD-HIT analysis selected 4315 proteins from total proteome count of 4365 proteins. Geptop identified 407 essential proteins, while the BlastP revealed approximately 85 non-homologous proteins in the human genome. Moreover, metabolic pathway and subcellular location analysis were performed for essential bacterial genes, to describe their role in various cellular processes. Only two essential proteins (Acyl-[acyl-carrier-protein]-UDP-N acetyl glucosamine O-acyltransferase and D-alanine-D-alanine ligase) as candidate for potent targets were found in proteome of the pathogen, in order to design new drugs. An online tool, Swiss model was employed to model the 3D structures of both target proteins. A library of 5000 phytochemicals was docked against those proteins through the molecular operating environment (MOE). That resulted in to eight inhibitors for both proteins i.e. enterodiol, aloin, ononin and rhinacanthinF for the Acyl-[acyl-carrier-protein]-UDP-N acetyl glucosamine O-acyltransferase, and rhazin, alkannin beta, aloesin and ancistrocladine for the D-alanine-D-alanine ligase. Finally the ADMET was done through ADMETsar. This study supported the development of natural as well as cost-effective drugs against S. maltophilia. These inhibitors displayed the effective binding interactions and safe drug profiles. However, further in vivo and in vitro validation experiment might be performed to check their drug effectiveness, biocompatibility and their role as effective inhibitors.

Isolation and identification of low-density polyethylene degrading novel bacterial strains.

Plastics are usually made up of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) that serve as the environmental nuisance. The recalcitrant nature of plastics is a huge concern, whereas the increasing demand has made it difficult to handle the plastic waste that eventually leads to plastic pollution. In recent years, due to increasing demand and high pressure for its safe disposal, plastic biodegradation has gained a lot of attention. In the current study, four bacterial strains were isolated from the solid-waste dumpsites of Faisalabad, Pakistan, using enrichment culture technique. The isolated bacterial strains were capable of growing on media having polystyrene as the sole carbon source. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the isolated strains Serratia sp., Stenotrophomonas sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were identified as the potential strains for the biodegradation of LDPE. Serratia sp. resulted in 40% weight loss of the LDPE plastic pieces after 150 days of treatment. Stenotrophomonas sp. and Pseudomonas species resulted in 32 and 21% weight loss of the treated piece of plastics (LDPE), respectively. Polyethylene pieces were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis before and after biodegradation. The FTIR spectra indicated that the isolated bacterial strains have a good potential to degrade LDPE. Future studies are required to investigate the bacterial genetic makeup, mechanisms of LDPE biodegradation and the factors that can enhance the biodegradable characteristics of these indigenously isolated bacterial strains.

Eco-Environmental Aspects of COVID-19 Pandemic and Potential Control Strategies.

A new coronavirus-strain from a zoonotic reservoir (probably bat)-termed as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-has recently claimed more than two million deaths worldwide. Consequently, a burst of scientific reports on epidemiology, symptoms, and diagnosis came out. However, a comprehensive understanding of eco-environmental aspects that may contribute to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread is still missing, and we therefore aim to focus here on these aspects. In addition to human-human direct SARS-CoV-2 transmission, eco-environmental sources, such as air aerosols, different public use objects, hospital wastes, livestock/pet animals, municipal wastes, ventilation facilities, soil and groundwater potentially contribute to SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Further, high temperature and humidity were found to limit the spread of COVID-19. Although the COVID-19 pandemic led to decrease air and noise pollution during the period of lockdown, increased use of masks and gloves is threatening the environment by water and soil pollutions. COVID-19 badly impacted all the socio-economic groups in different capacities, where women, slum dwellers, and the people lacking social protections are the most vulnerable. Finally, sustainable strategies, waste management, biodiversity reclaim, eco-friendly lifestyle, improved health infrastructure and public awareness, were proposed to minimize the COVID-19 impact on our society and environment. These strategies will seemingly be equally effective against any future outbreak.

Microbial L-asparaginase: purification, characterization and applications.

L-asparaginase (E.C.3.5.1.1) is an important enzyme that has been purified and characterized for over decades to study and evaluate its anti-carcinogenic activity against different lymphoproliferative disorders such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and Hodgkin's lymphoma. The ability of the enzyme to convert L-asparagine into aspartic acid and ammonia is the reason behind its anti-cancerous activity. Apart from its medicinal uses, it is widely used in food industry to tackle acrylamide, a probable human carcinogen and, production in carbohydrate-rich foods cooked at high temperatures. There are variety of organisms including microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants that produce L-asparaginase. The enzyme obtained from different microbial and plant sources have different physiochemical properties and kinetic parameters. L-asparaginases have an optimum pH range between 6 and 10 and an optimum temperature between 37 and 85 °C. This article has reviewed the lowest molecular mass for L-asparaginase in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Q66CJ2 which is 36.27 kDa, while the highest for Pseudomonas otitidis which has a molecular mass of 205 ± 3 kDa. This review is an attempt to summarize most of the available sources, their phylogenetic relationships, purification methods, data regarding different physiochemical and kinetic properties of L-asparaginase.

Biodegradation of plastics: current scenario and future prospects for environmental safety.

Plastic is a general term used for a wide range of high molecular weight organic polymers obtained mostly from the various hydrocarbon and petroleum derivatives. There is an ever-increasing trend towards the production and consumption of plastics due to their extensive industrial and domestic applications. However, a wide spectrum of these polymers is non-biodegradable with few exceptions. The extensive use of plastics, lack of waste management, and casual community behavior towards their proper disposal pose a significant threat to the environment. This has raised growing concerns among various stakeholders to devise policies and innovative strategies for plastic waste management, use of biodegradable polymers especially in packaging, and educating people for their proper disposal. Current polymer degradation strategies rely on chemical, thermal, photo, and biological procedures. In the presence of proper waste management strategies coupled with industrially controlled biodegradation facilities, the use of biodegradable plastics for some applications such as packaging or health industry is a promising and attractive option for economic, environmental, and health benefits. This review highlights the classification of plastics with special emphasis on biodegradable plastics and their rational use, the identified mechanisms of plastic biodegradation, the microorganisms involved in biodegradation, and the current insights into the research on biodegradable plastics. The review has also identified the research gaps in plastic biodegradation followed by future research directions.

Bacterial lipases: A review on purification and characterization.

Lipase (E.C.3.1.1.3) belongs to the hydrolases and is also known as fat splitting, glycerol ester hydrolase or triacylglycerol acylhydrolase. Lipase catalyzes the hydrolysis of triglycerides converting them to glycerol and fatty acids in an oil-water interface. These are widely used in food, dairy, flavor, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, leather, cosmetics, detergent, and chemical industries. Lipases are of plant, animal, and microbial origin, but microbial lipases are produced at industrial level and represent the most widely used class of enzymes in biotechnological applications and organic chemistry. Phylogenetic analysis and comparison of residues around GxSxG motif provided an insight to the diversity among bacterial lipases. A variety of para-Nitrophenyl (p-NP) esters having C2 to C16 (p-NP acetate to p-NP palmitate) in their fatty acid side chain can be hydrolyzed by bacterial lipases. Large heterogeneity has been observed in molecular and catalytic characteristics of lipases including molecular mass; 19-96 kDa, Km; 0.0064-16.58 mM, Kcat; 0.1665-1.0 × 104 s-1 and Kcat/Km; 26.02-7377 s-1/mM. Optimal conditions of their working temperature and pH have been stated 15-70 °C and 5.0-10.8, respectively and are strongly associated with the type and growth conditions of bacteria. Surface hydrophobicity, enzyme activity, stability in organic solvents and at high temperature, proteolytic resistance and substrate tolerance are the properties of bacterial lipases that have been improved by engineering. Bacterial lipases have been extensively studied during last decade. However, their wider applications demand a detailed review on purification, catalytic characterization and applications of lipases.

Genetically Modified Aedes aegypti to Control Dengue: A Review.

Dengue is an acute infectious disease of viral etiology characterized by lymphadenopathy, leucopenia, headache, biphasic fever, pain in various parts of the body, rashes, and extreme physical weakness. It is a vector-borne disease caused by a positive-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus. Dengue inflicts a significant health, economic, and social burden on populations of endemic areas. Dengue virus is transmitted to humans by the mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. Vaccines against dengue viruses have been claimed to be developed, but as yet no effective treatment is available. Alternative therapeutic strategies to overcome this disease and its spread are direly needed. A traditional sterile insect technique (SIT) harms the health of male insects, leading to their reduced ability to compete for wild-type female insects for breeding. Oxitec (Abingdon, UK) has developed genetically modified (GM) strains of A. aegypti via the release of insects carrying a dominant lethal (RIDL) strategy. RIDL male mosquitoes offer a resolution to many of the limitations of traditional SIT, which has resulted in reduced application of SIT in mosquitoes. The technique using RIDL mosquitoes is considered to be ecologically friendly and specific. Homing endonuclease genes, also called selfish genes, can also be used in genetic modification methods in such a way that the vector population and its competency can be reduced. GM mosquitoes carrying a gene that transcribes RNA interference can also be crucial to control expression of RNA viruses. The RNA virus interference pathway is one of the most critical components of the innate immune system of insects that can frustrate a variety of RNA viruses such as Flaviviruses. Here, we summarize and focus on alternative techniques used to control dengue spread.

Pectins functionalized biomaterials; a new viable approach for biomedical applications: A review.

Pectins are natural complex heteropolysaccharides, composed of (1, 4)-linked α-d-galacturonic acid residues and variety of neutral sugars such as rhamnose, galactose and arabinose. It is second most abundant component of the cell wall of all land plants. It has wide applications in various fields due to its use as gelling, emulsifying or stabilizing agent and as well as its non-toxic, biocompatible and biodegradable nature. Considering these versatile properties this review sheds a light on the synthesis, modification, characterization and applications of pectin based polymers. Most of them are used in industries, pharmaceutics, nutraceutics, drug delivery, tissue engineering, food packaging and cosmetics. Properties of pectin can be improved and modified by forming derivatives, blends and composites.

Screening and design of anti-diabetic compounds sourced from the leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica).

Diabetes Mellitus is affecting people of all age groups worldwide. Many synthetic medicines available for type 2 diabetes mellitus in the market. However, there is a strong requirement for the development of better anti-diabetes compounds sourced especially from natural sources like medicinal plants. The extracts from the leaves of neem (Azadirachta indica) is traditionally known to have anti-diabetes properties. Therefore, there is an increased interest to identify potential compounds identified from neem leaf extracts showing predicted binding property with the known diabetes mellitus type 2 protein enzyme target phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxykinase(PEPCK). The structure data for compounds found in the leaf extract of neem was screened against PEPCK using molecular docking simulation and screening techniques. Results show that the compound 3-Deacetyl-3-cinnamoyl-azadirachtin possesses best binding properties with PEPCK. This observation finds application for further consideration in in vitro and in vivo validation.