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Viral and microbial infections constitute one of the most important life-threatening problems. The emergence of new viral and bacterial infectious diseases increases the demand for new therapeutic drugs. The objective of this study was to use the aqueous and hexane extracts of and F. Aizoaceae for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, and to investigate its possible antiviral activity. In addition to the investigation of the phytochemical composition of the crude methanolic extracts of the two plants through UPLC-MS metabolomic profiling, and it was followed by molecular docking in order to explore the chemical compounds that might contribute to the antiviral potential. The formation of SNPs was further confirmed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-Visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antiviral activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated using MTT assay against HSV-1, HAV-10 virus and Coxsackie B4 virus. Metabolomics profiling was performed using UPLC-MS and molecular docking was performed via Autodock4 and visualization was done using the Discovery studio. The early signs of SNPs synthesis were detected by a color change from yellow to reddish brown color. The TEM analysis of SNPs showed spherical nanoparticles with mean size ranges between 10.12 nm to 27.89 nm, and 8.91 nm 14.48 nm for and aqueous and hexane extracts respectively. The UV-Visible spectrophotometric analysis showed an absorption peak at λmax of 417 nm.The green synthesized SNPs of and showed remarkable antiviral activity against HSV-1, HAV-10, and CoxB4 virus. Metabolomics profiling of the methanolic extract of and resulted in identifying 12 compounds. The docking study predicted the patterns of interactions between the compounds of and with herpes simplex thymidine kinase, hepatitis A 3c proteinase, and Coxsackievirus B4 3c protease, which was similar to those of the co-crystal inhibitors and this can provide a supposed explanation for the antiviral activity of the aqueous and nano extracts of and . These results highlight that SNPs of and could have antiviral activity against HSV-1, HAV-10, and CoxB4 virus.

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) using plant extracts is an eco-friendly method. It is a single step and offers several advantages such as time reducing, cost-effective and environmental non-toxic. Silver nanoparticles are a type of Noble metal nanoparticles and it has tremendous applications in the field of diagnostics, therapeutics, antimicrobial activity, anticancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In the present work, the aqueous extracts of aerial parts of Lampranthus coccineus and Malephora lutea F. Aizoaceae were successfully used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The formation of silver nanoparticles was early detected by a color change from pale yellow to reddish-brown color and was further confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDX). The TEM analysis of showed spherical nanoparticles with a mean size between 12.86 nm and 28.19 nm and the UV- visible spectroscopy showed λmax of 417 nm, which confirms the presence of nanoparticles. The neuroprotective potential of SNPs was evaluated by assessing the antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activity. Metabolomic profiling was performed on methanolic extracts of L. coccineus and M. lutea and resulted in the identification of 12 compounds, then docking was performed to investigate the possible interaction between the identified compounds and human acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and glutathione transferase receptor, which are associated with the progress of Alzheimer's disease. Overall our SNPs highlighted its promising potential in terms of anticholinesterase and antioxidant activity as plant-based anti-Alzheimer drug and against oxidative stress.

The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been steadily increasing over the past few decades, prompting an urgent need to develop novel antibiotic classes to combat the growing threat of multidrug-resistant bacteria. In this context, a phytochemical investigation of Citrus australasica F. Muell. (finger lime, Rutaceae) leaves yielded seven metabolites (1–7) , including coumarins and flavonoid glycosides. These compounds were identified as marmin ( 1 ), xanthyletin ( 2 ), rutin ( 3 ), narcissin ( 4 ), lactic acid ( 5 ), glycerol ( 6 ), and β -sitosterol ( 7 ). The structures of these isolated compounds were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR. The compounds were evaluated against the MRSA strain (ATCC 33591) using the agar well diffusion method, and compound 1 was the most active. Using a comprehensive protein-protein interaction (PPI) network constructed from the STRING database and visualized using Cytoscape software, we identified key proteins involved in MRSA pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. Molecular docking simulations assessed these compounds’ binding interactions and affinities with PBP2a, a critical protein in MRSA resistance. Among the tested compounds, marmin exhibited a notable docking score of -6.488 kcal/mol and a low RMSD value of 0.956, indicating a strong and stable interaction. To validate the docking results, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to provide insights into the stability and efficacy of these interactions over time. The MD simulations revealed that the protein-ligand complex of PBP2a and marmin ( 1 ) maintained stability throughout a 10-nanosecond simulation, with minor fluctuations indicating consistent binding interactions. Based on our findings, the compounds isolated from C. australasica showed promise as potential anti-MRSA therapeutic leads for future development.

Herbal supplements are currently available as a safer alternative to manage obesity, which has become a rising problem over the recent years. Many chemical drugs on the market are designed to prevent or manage obesity but high cost, low efficacy, and multiple side effects limit its use. Nano lipo-vesicles phytosomal thermogel of Soybean, ( .) Merrill, was formulated and evaluated in an attempt to investigate its anti-obesity action on body weight gain, adipose tissue size, and lipid profile data. Three different techniques were used to prepare phytosome formulations including solvent evaporation, cosolvency, and salting out. The optimized phytosome formulation was then selected using Design Expert (version 7.0.0) depending on the highest entrapment efficiency, minimum particle size (PS), and maximum drug release within 2 hours as responses for further evaluation. The successful phytosome complex formation was investigated by means of Fourier-transform infrared spec troscopy and determination of PS and zeta potential. Phytosome vesicles' shape was evaluated using transmission electron microscope to ensure its spherical shape. After characterization of the optimized phytosome formulation, it was incorporated into a thermogel formulation. The obtained phytosomal thermogel formulation was evaluated for its clarity, homogeneity, pH, and gel transformation temperature besides rheology behavior and permeation study. An in vivo study was done to investigate the anti-weight-gain effect of soy phytosomal ther mogel. EE was found to be >99% for all formulations, PS ranging from 51.66-650.67 while drug release was found to be (77.61-99.78) in range. FTIR and TEM results confirmed the formation of phytosome complex. In vivo study showed a marked reduction in body weight, adipose tissue weight and lipid profile. Concisely, soy phytosomal thermogel was found to have a local anti-obesity effect on the abdomen of experimental male albino rats with a slight systemic effect on the lipid profile data.

The growing challenge of drug-resistant pathogens has forced the urgent need for natural and sustainable antimicrobial alternatives. This research explores the green chemistry-based synthesis of zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO-QDs) employing the ethanolic root extract of Brassica rapa (L.) to assist their formation and stabilization. Characterization of ZnO-QDs confirmed their hexagonal crystalline structure with a nanoscale size (0.8–2.6 nm) and their good stability. GC/MS assay identified β -phenylethyl isothiocyanate and hydroquinone as the main antimicrobial compounds in the essential oil, while LC-ESI-TOF-MS profiling pinpointed the existence of glucosinolates, flavonoids, and phenolic acids as potential active compounds contributing to nanoparticle formation and antimicrobial potential. The combination of B. rapa essential oil and ZnO-QDs exhibited the strongest antibacterial and antifungal activity among the all investigated samples, showing the highest inhibition against Listeria monocytogenes (30.5 mm), Aspergillus niger (20.5 mm), and Fusarium verticillioides (18.2 mm). Molecular docking revealed powerful binding affinities of key phytochemicals to fungal sterol demethylase CYP51B and bacterial DNA gyrase 2, reinforcing their antimicrobial activity. The study’s outcomes reveal that B. rapa -derived ZnO-QDs could be a novel, eco-friendly antimicrobial agent for controlling food spoilage bacteria and mycotoxigenic fungi in food products. Future research should focus on in-vivo efficacy and biocompatibility to fully utilize their potential in food preservation, the pharmaceutical industry, and biomedicine.

Infectious diseases caused by viruses and bacteria are a major public health concern worldwide, with the emergence of antibiotic resistance, biofilm-forming bacteria, viral epidemics, and the lack of effective antibacterial and antiviral agents exacerbating the problem. In an effort to search for new antimicrobial agents, this study aimed to screen antibacterial and antiviral activity of the total methanol extract and its various fractions of Pulicaria crispa (P. crispa) aerial parts. The P. crispa hexane fraction (HF) was found to have the strongest antibacterial effect against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including biofilm producers. The HF fraction reduced the expression levels of penicillin binding protein (PBP2A) and DNA gyrase B enzymes in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. Additionally, the HF fraction displayed the most potent antiviral activity, especially against influenza A virus, affecting different stages of the virus lifecycle. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of the HF fraction identified 27 compounds, mainly belonging to the sterol class, with β-sitosterol, phytol, stigmasterol, and lupeol as the most abundant compounds. The in silico study revealed that these compounds were active against influenza A nucleoprotein and polymerase, PBP2A, and DNA gyrase B. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the chemical composition and mechanism of action of the P. crispa HF fraction, which may lead to the development of more effective treatments for bacterial and viral infections.

Tea tree oil (TTO) is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae). This oil has traditionally been used for the treatment of various skin infections. The present study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of TTO against two representative types of human skin cancer, namely malignant melanoma (A-375) and squamous cell carcinoma (HEp-2).To outline the basic molecular mechanism involved in apoptosis induction in A-375 and HEp-2 cell lines, Annexin V/PI staining for apoptosis detection, cell cycle analysis were monitored using flow cytometry and mRNA expression levels of the apoptosis-regulatory genes P53, BAX, and BCL-2 were determined by real-time PCR and western blot after treatment with TTO. Results showed that TTO exhibited a strong cytotoxicity towards A-375 and HEp-2 cell lines, with IC50 values of 0.038% (v/v) and 0.024% (v/v) respectively. This cytotoxicity resulted from TTO induced apoptosis in both A-375 and HEp-2 cell lines as evidenced by morphological features of apoptosis and Annexin V/PI staining results in addition to the activation of caspase-3/7 and -9, upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (P53 and BAX) and downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2. Additionally, cell cycle analysis showed that TTO caused cell cycle arrest mainly at G2/M phase. Taken together, the results of this study reveal that TTO is an effective apoptosis inducer in A-375 and HEp-2 cancer cell lines, indicating that it could be a promising chemopreventive candidate to be used in topical formulations against melanoma and squamous cell cancers; however, further in vivo studies may be warranted.

Free volume plays a key role on transport in proton exchange membranes (PEMs), including ionic conduction, species permeation, and diffusion. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are used to characterize the pore size distribution and ionic conductivity of synthesized PEMs from polysulfone/polyphenylsulfone multiblock copolymers with different degrees of sulfonation (SPES). The experimental data are combined with a bundle-of-tubes model at the cluster-network scale to examine water uptake and proton conduction. The results show that the free pore size changes little with temperature in agreement with the good thermo-mechanical properties of SPES. However, the free volume is significantly lower than that of Nafion®, leading to lower ionic conductivity. This is explained by the reduction of the bulk space available for proton transfer where the activation free energy is lower, as well as an increase in the tortuosity of the ionic network.

Breast and liver cancers remain significant global health challenges, necessitating the discovery of novel anticancer agents. Marine cyanobacteria, such as belonging to the family: Oscillatoriaceae, are rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential anticancer properties. This study aims to identify and characterize bioactive compounds from and evaluate their anticancer activity against breast and liver cancer cell lines. was collected and authenticated using 16S rRNA sequencing. The ethanolic extract was analyzed using LC-QTOF-MS/MS to identify the potential bioactive metabolites. Network pharmacology analysis was employed to predict the potential targets of these compounds. The crude extract was fractionated, and the fractions were screened for the anticancer activity against MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines. LC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis identified 25 metabolites, including apocarotenoids, spirovetivane alkaloids, and toxins. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that malyngamide D, isomalyngamide I, mueggelone, 11,12-didehydrospironostoic acid, and 12-hydroxy-2-oxo-11-epi-hinesol were potential bioactive compounds targeting proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase (Src), mitogen-activated protein kinase 3(MAPK3), and MAPK1 kinases. Molecular docking studies further supported these findings, with 11,12-didehydrospironostoic acid exhibiting strong binding affinities to Src and MAPK1 kinases. Among the nine fractions obtained, Fraction 1 showed the most potent anticancer activity against both MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines, with IC values, 59.63 ± 7.1 and 149.23 ± 0.9 µg/mL, respectively. The results of this study highlight the potential of as a source of novel anticancer compounds. Further investigation of the bioactive compounds in Fractions 1 and 2 may lead to the discovery of promising anticancer agents.

Diabetes mellitus is a major challenge for global health, and Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. (B. spectabilis) is a widely used herbal remedy with diverse cultivars traditionally used for diabetes treatment. However, the comparative efficacy of these cultivars remains ambiguous. This study aimed to evaluate the D-pinitol content and DPPH radical-scavenging activity of methanolic leaves extracts of five B. spectabilis cultivars. Furthermore, the effects of these cultivars on various parameters, including blood glucose levels, oxidative stress markers, inflammatory cytokines, lipid profiles, liver enzymes, renal function markers, and histopathological changes, were assessed in STZ-induced diabetic rats after one month of oral daily treatment. All tested cultivars demonstrated significant improvements in the measured parameters, albeit to varying extents. Notably, the LOE cultivar, distinguished by its orange bracts, exhibited the highest efficacy, surpassing the effectiveness of glibenclamide, an antidiabetic medication, and displayed the highest concentration of D-pinitol. These findings underscore the importance of carefully selecting the appropriate B. spectabilis cultivar to maximize the antidiabetic efficacy, with a particular emphasis on the correlation between antidiabetic activity and D-pinitol concentrations.