Cardiac Glycosides Research Articles

Phytochemical Analysis and In Vivo Antimalarial Activities of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Spilanthes filicaulis on Mice Subjected to Plasmodium berghei.

Background and Objectives: Malaria airs a life-threatening risk in Tropical African countries, stemming from infection by Plasmodium species. This region is richly endowed by nature with a wealth of diverse and largely unexplored plants that hold the potential for managing this protozoan parasite. The currently accessible over-the-counter drugs for disease management often present affordability challenges for the average person, exacerbated by the parasite's increasing resistance to them. This study investigated the phytoconstituents present in the ethyl acetate fraction of Spilanthes filicaulis (EFSF) and explored the antimalarial effects of EFSF on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Methods: Standard methods and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to identify phytoconstituents. Chloroquine phosphate-sensitive P. berghei (NK-65) was intraperitoneally inoculated into Swiss mice. The invivo antimalarial activity of EFSF was assessed at dose levels of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg, using 4-day suppressive and curative antimalarial models. Parameters evaluated in the inoculated mice included rectal temperature (RT), body weight (BW), packed cell volume (PCV), level of parasitemia, and mean survival time (MST). Results: Steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, and cardiac glycosides were the identified phytochemicals present in EFSF, and GC-MS alongside reveals the presence of 20 bioactive compounds predominantly fatty acids and alcohol esters. Significant prevention of reductions in RT, BW, and PCV was observed in the EFSF-treated groups dose dependently relative to the untreated group. In addition, EFSF-treated groups significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed parasitemia and exhibited chemosuppression of 79.46% and 77.38% in 4-day suppressive, whereas suppression of 59.74% and 58.66% in curative treatment, respectively, at 500 and 750 mg/kg thus consequently extending the MST of infected treated mice compared with the untreated group. Interpretation and Conclusion: Put together, the EFSF exhibited enhanced antimalarial efficacy against mice infected with P. berghei thus affirming that plants still maintain lead way as a potential source of novel antimalarial remedies.

Assessment of Phytochemical Properties of Nigella sativa Seeds Essential Oil and Its Potential Antimicrobial Activity against Staphylococcus aureus in the Context of Safety Profiles and Therapeutic Applications in Neurosurgical Interventions

This comprehensive study explored the phytochemical properties of Nigella sativa L (N. sativa L) seeds essential oil using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, with a specific focus on its potential compound Thymoquinone (TQ) exhibiting antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in the context of neurosurgical interventions.The study employs a meticulous methodology, encompassing the preparation of N. sativa essential oil, qualitative phytochemical screening, quantitative GC-MS analysis, and the antimicrobial analysis, employing Disc Diffusion, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) evaluations to demonstrate the substantial inhibitory and bactericidal effects against Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus}. comprehensive assessment of antimicrobial activity.The qualitative analysis reveals the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, saponins, and terpenoids, underscoring the multifaceted pharmacological potential of the essential oil. The quantitative GC-MS analysis provides a detailed breakdown of the chemical composition under different extraction conditions, showcasing the complexity of N. sativa essential oil. The study thoroughly compares the antimicrobial efficacy of N. sativa essential oil with various antibiotics, employing Disc Diffusion, MIC, and MBC analyses. N. sativa demonstrates substantial inhibitory effects, with a 29 mm zone comparable to Gentamycin. The MIC and MBC values align with established antibiotics, indicating similar bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties. Despite slightly lower potency than Vancomycin and Methicillin, N. sativa exhibits considerable antimicrobial effectiveness. This study contributes valuable insights into the phytochemical composition of N. sativa seeds essential oil and its potential as an antimicrobial agent in the context of neurosurgical interventions paves the way for future research.

Comparative Analysis of Antioxidant, Nutritional, Phytochemical and Enzyme Inhibition Properties of Justicia carnea and Alchornea cordifolia Leaf Meals

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in plant-derived compounds for their potential health benefits and therapeutic applications. In this study, two botanical species, Alchornea cordifolia and Justicia carnea leaf meals were examined for their antioxidant characteristics, phytochemical and proximate composition, anti-proteinase properties and lipase, albumin, alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory properties. A. cordifolia exhibited significantly higher levels of vitamin C, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate scavenging activity and flavonoid content compared to J. carnea, indicating superior antioxidant potential. Conversely, J. carnea showed higher saponin and cardiac glycoside content. Notably, A. cordifolia demonstrated stronger inhibition of lipase albumin and anti-proteinase activities, as well as higher inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes compared to J. carnea. Proximate composition analysis revealed differences in moisture, nitrogen-free extract, crude fat, crude fiber and crude protein contents between the two leaf meals. In conclusion, A. cordifolia emerges as a promising source of antioxidants and enzyme inhibitors, highlighting its potential as a valuable nutraceutical resource. Its superior properties to J. carnea suggest its potential application as a functional food ingredient for promoting health and preventing metabolic disorders. This study provides valuable insights into the biochemical and nutritional composition of these leaf meals, contributing to the understanding of their potential health benefits.

Exploring Vernonia amygdalina’s leaf extracts for phytochemical screening and its anti-bacterial activities

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to screen the phytochemicals and assess the antibacterial properties of crude extracts from Vernonia amygdalina leaves against specific pathogenic bacteria. Qualitative and qauntitave analysis was performed on both ethanol and ethyl acetate crude extracts using standardized techniques. The analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenol, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, and cardiac glycosides in the ethanol extract, while saponins and glycosides were absent in the ethyl acetate extract. The quantities of phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids were determined using Gallic acid, quercetin, and atropine assays, respectively. The ethanol extract contained 154.7 ± 3.6 (mg GAE/g) of total phenols, 33.3 ± 1.8 (mg QE/g) of flavonoids, and 2.4 ± 0.08 (mg AE) of alkaloids, whereas the ethyl acetate extract contained 93.7 ± 3.9 (mg GAE/g) of total phenols, 30.7 ± 8.3 (mg QE/g) of flavonoids, and 1.57 ± 0.3 (mg GAE/g) of alkaloids. This study identified 44 components in the ethanol crude extract and 10 components in the ethyl acetate crude extract. The presence of alkanes, alkenes, amines, carboxylic acids, and alcohols was confirmed by FT-IR analysis. Each crude extract was tested at concentrations of 500 mg/mL, 250 mg/mL, 125 mg/mL, and 62.5 mg/mL using the same method. A concentration of 0.001 mg/mL of Penicillin capsule standard drugs and dimethyl sulfoxide were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Overall, the results of the study indicated that both crude extracts exhibited antibacterial activity at higher concentrations.

Qualitative Phytochemical Detection of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Two Medicinal Plant Such as Ocimum basilicum and Coleus amboinicus

Study on phytochemical detection of ethanoic leaf by qualitative analysis focuses on the presence of phytochemicals in two different plant leaves. Ocimum basilicum and Coleus amoboinicus the findings are expected to contribute to the development of natural products and enhance the utilization of plant as a medicine.The method of extraction using ethanol as a solvent is attributed to its efficacy in extracting broad spectrum of phytochemicals, ensuring the comprehensive analysis of the bioactive constituents present in these plants. Preliminary phytochemical tests are being carried out by following standard procedure. Qualitative analysis revealed that Coleus amboinicus contained alkaloids, betacyanin, carbohydrates, Flavonoids, Cardiac glycosides, Phenol,and Starch. In contrast Ocimum basilicum exhibited a broad spectrum including Alkaloids, Anthocyaninand betacyanin, carbohydrates, Coumarine, Flavanoids, Cardiac glycosides, phenols, Saponins, Starch, Tannins, Terpenoids. The findings highlight the diverse bioactive compounds present in the leaves consideredfir studyshows their potential in the development of medicinal agricultural and cosmetics products.Further research in these phytochemicals such as terpenoids, terpenes in herbal plants as insecticide is recommended for sustainable agricultural practices.

Tapping the potential of Calotropis procera hairy roots for cardiac glycosides production and their identification using UHPLC/QTOF-MS.

The present work deals with the establishment of hairy root cultures from different explants of C. procera using Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain A4. A high transformation frequency (95%) was obtained from leaves followed by cotyledons (81.6%) and hypocotyls (38.3%). Genetic transformation of hairy roots was confirmed through PCR by amplifying a 400 bp fragment of the rolB gene. Hairy roots were highly branched, possessed plagiotropic and rapid growth on hormone-free ½ B5 medium. Ten cardiac glycosides, including calotropagenin, calotoxin, frugoside, coroglaucigenin, calotropin, calactin, uzarigenin, asclepin, uscharidin, and uscharin, based on their specific masses and fragmentation properties were identified in ethanolic extracts of hairy roots by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry UHPLC/QTOF-MS. This protocol could be used as a powerful tool for large-scale in vitro production of highly valued cardiac glycosides and for further transcriptomics or metabolomics studies.

Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Methanol Extracts of Usteria guineensis and Sphaerocoryne gracilipes on Pathogens and ESBL-Producing Escherichia coli

Antibiotic resistance of microbial pathogens has become a threat to public health, with observed increase in outbreak of infections, therapeutic failure, morbidity and mortality. Pathogenic Escherichia coli and other extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria causes serious health challenges due to antimicrobial resistance. This has caused an increasing research on medicinal plants as a source of alternative potential therapeutic agents. In this study, antimicrobial activity of Usteria guineensis (UG) and Sphaerocoryne gracilipes (SG) was investigated on standard organisms and clinical isolates of ESBL-producing E. coli. The leaves of Usteria guineensis and Sphaerocoryne gracilipes were extracted using methanol. Phytochemical analysis was carried out on the medicinal plants according to standard procedure. The clinical isolates of E. coli were screened for the production of ESBL using double disc synergy test, with E. coli ATCC 25922 as standard. Agar well diffusion method was used to determine antibacterial activity of the extracts at 100 and 25 mg/mL while Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were assessed using broth micro-dilution method. Statistical analysis was done using ANNOVA. The two plants contain cardiac glycoside, alkaloids and saponin and 11/15 (80%) of the E. coli isolates show the production of the ESBL. The extracts of the two plants showed antibacterial activity against ESBL E. coli with zone of inhibition ranging between 11 to 18 mm for Usteria guineensis and 12 to 15 mm for Sphaerocoryne gracilipes. The MIC of the extracts ranged between 0.78 to 50 mg/mL and MBC from 12.5 to &gt;50 mg/mL for the ESBL producers and the standard strains. Therefore, the two plants, especially Usteria guineensis have potentials to be developed as alternative therapeutic agents for the treatment of infections caused by ESBL-producing pathogens like Escherichia coli.

A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Activities of Digera muricata (L.)

Digera muricata (L.) Mart belonging to the Pigweed family that is the Amaranthaceae. These are commonly known as “False Amaranth” or “Tartara”. It is an annual medicinal herb native to Egypt to E. Kenya and Malesia. In India it is found throughout states as a weed. It is traditionally folk system of medicine. D.muricata (L.) Mart is a medicinal plant use as cooling agent and astringent in Ayurveda. D. muricata (L.) Mart is pharmacologically known for it's Antimicrobial, Antibacterial,Antifungal, Antidiabetic, Anti-fertility, Antioxidant ,Anticancer, Antileishmanial, Antitesticular, Prophylactic agent, Allopathic and Protective effect. It also used in Nephrotoxicity, laxative, diuretic, treat renal disorder, and prevent pus formation locally. Boiled root infusion of D. muricata (L.) Mart is used in mother child birth for lactation purpose. The phytochemical screening of D. muricata (L.) Mart revealed the presence of various primary metabolite such a Proteins, Carbohydrates, Chlorophylls, Amino acids, Reducing sugars, Lipids and Secondary metabolite such as Phenols, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Saponins, Tannins,Cardiac glycosides, Anthraquinone. It also contains an Alpha and beta Spinosterol,Rutin, Vitamins like Ascorbic acid, Thiamine, Riboflavin also Enzymes superoxide, Peroxidase. It contains a mineral such as K&gt;Ca&gt;Mg&gt;Na&gt;P&gt;Fe&gt;Zn&gt;Cu.

Bio-efficacy of Essential Oil Extracted from Locally Available Orange (Citrus sinensis) Peels from Nepal

Essential oils from various plants are valued for their therapeutic, aromatic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. The majority of them are employed in cleaning procedures, aromatherapy, stress reduction, food flavouring and preservation, and beauty products. The present investigation focuses on elucidating the chemical composition along with the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of essential oil extracted from locally available orange (Citrus sinensis) peels, mainly exploring its bio-efficacy. The antibacterial property was studied against the gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli and the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. The analysis results revealed significant antimicrobial activity with zones of inhibition of 4 mm and 5.5 mm, respectively. The antifungal property was studied against the opportunistic pathogenic yeast Candida albicans, which showed positive activity, producing 4.5 mm of zone of inhibition. The antioxidant activity of the oil was determined using DPPH free radical scavenging assay, which showed an IC50 value of 1.3532 µL/mL. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the essential oil as determined using some standard colour-developing methods showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, cardiac glycosides, and saponins. The above results were validated by FT-IR and GC/MS analysis. The FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of nitrogen-containing and oxygen-containing functional groups. The GC/MS analysis showed the presence of limonene, d-limonene, 1S-α-Pinene, 1R-α-Pinene, β-myrcene, linalool, α-humulene, α-terpineol, etc. These findings demonstrated that orange peels from Nepal that are readily available locally could be a source of compounds with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.

Screening and identification of reactive metabolic compounds of Cortex Periplocae based on glutathione capture-mass spectrometry.

As a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Cortex Periplocae (CP) has a wide range of pharmacological effects, as well as toxic side effects. The main toxic components of it are cardiac glycosides, which tend to cause cardiotoxicity. Currently, it has also been reported in studies to cause hepatotoxicity, but it is not clear whether the hepatotoxicity is related to the toxicity caused by the reactive metabolites. This study aims to investigate the target components of CP that generate reactive metabolic toxicity. The fluorescent probe method was used to detect glutathione (GSH)-trapped reactive metabolites in a co-incubation system of CP extract with rat liver microsomes. Identification of GSH conjugates was performed by LC-MS/MS and that of the possible precursor components that produce reactive metabolites was conducted by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Cell viability assays were performed onHepG2 and L02 cells to determine the cytotoxicity of the target components. The findings of our study demonstrate that the extract derived from CP has the ability to generate metabolites that exhaust the intracellular GSH levels, resulting in the formation of GSH conjugates and subsequent cytotoxic effects. Through the utilization of the UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technique, we were able to accurately determine the molecular weight of the precursor compound in CP to be 355.1023. The primary evidence to determining the GSH conjugetes relies on the appearance of characteristic product ions resulting from central neutral loss (CNL) scanning of 129Da and product scanning of m/z 660 in the positive MS/MS spectrum. Through analysis, it was ultimately ascertained that the presence of chlorogenic acid (CGA) and its isomers, namely neochlorogenic acid (NCGA) and cryptochlorogenic acid (CCGA), could lead to the production of GSH conjugates, resulting in cytotoxicity at elevated levels. Taking these findings into consideration, the underlying cause for the potential hepatotoxicity of CP was initially determined.

Evaluation of the Phytochemical and Elemental Composition of Andrographic paniculata Leaves

This research work was designed to determine the phytochemical and elemental composition of Andrographic paniculata leaves grown in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The analysis was carried out using standard procedures. The results of the phytochemical constituents were as follows: alkaloids (2.48 + 0.36%), saponins (9.56 + 0.77%), Flavonoids (4.57 + 0.07%), Tannins ((12.34 + 0.36%) and cardiac glycosides (0.39 + 0.01%). The results of the elemental composition were as follows: Magnesium (3.02 + 0.05mg/kg), calcium (5.57 + 0.07 mg/kg), potassium (20.70 + 0.11 mg/kg), sodium (1.58 + 0.61 mg/kg), Zinc (2.17 + 0.08 mg/kg), Copper (10.45 + 0.14 mg/kg) and Iron (12.50 + 0.21 mg/kg). The phytochemicals present in this plant may be responsible for its medicinal properties. The elemental composition shows that the plant may be rich in minerals.

Ninth Pharmacologic-Historical Forum, 2024, Munich, Germany: the development of experimental pharmacology in Munich at the Walther Straub Institute.

In 1887, Hermann Tappeiner (1847-1927) was appointed as professor for medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. He studied the role of intestinal bacteria and contributed to better understanding of digestion. In 1923, Walther Straub (1874-1944) succeeded. He was at the zenith of his scientific career, gained habilitation in Leipzig already in 1900, accepted the direction of the Institute of Pharmacology at Marburg in 1905, of Würzburg in 1906, before he moved to Freiburg in 1907. Straub preferred quantitative studies with various alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, and Senna glycosides on isolated organs. One important legacy is his contribution "Die Digitalisgruppe" in Hefters Handb. Exp. Pharmakol. 1924. Walther Straub was editor of Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology and founded the Deutsche Pharmakologische Gesellschaft in 1920. In 1944 when most of the institute was destroyed by air raids, Walther Straub retired and succumbed in Bad Tölz. In 1946, August Wilhelm Forst (1890-1981), a pupil of Straub, was appointed to head the institute ruins. We owe to him the provisional reconstruction of the old building, institution of an Insulin Control Laboratory, and the development of a vibratory cage that allowed the registration of psychomotor activity in rodents. Forst published the first comprehensive review on "Detoxication." In 1961, Manfred Kiese (1910-1983), a pupil of W. Heubner, came from Tübingen and accompanied the erection of a new building. Kiese made important contributions to the understanding of the biotransformation of foreign compounds and was the first to describe the biological N-oxygenation. His studies on ferrihemoglobin formation resulted in the development of an effective cyanide antidote, 4-dimethylaminophenol. "Methemoglobinemia, a Comprehensive Treatise" is part of his scientific legacy. In 1980, Wolfgang Forth (1932-2009) from Bochum headed the institute and convinced the medical faculty of LMU to rename the building into Walther Straub Institute. His scientific interests were centered on interactions between essential and toxic metals during intestinal absorption. He was co-editor of the German Textbook on Pharmacology and Toxicology founded in 1975, which is presently in its 13th edition. In 2000, Peter Eyer (1942) was commissioned to lead the institute until Thomas Gudermann (1960) was appointed to direct the chair in 2008.

Exploring the phytochemicals and in-vitro anticancer activities of Torenia crustacea

Recent advances in herbal medicine have given it a unique place within society. This is perhaps due to its less harmful effects and plant-based products' use. The plants that we now call herbal remedies were used for centuries by many communities who relied on their traditional healers. The current study examines the phytochemicals and in-vitro anticancer activities properties of the Torenia crustacea after it have been extracted using various solvents. The plant was collected and authenticated, followed by drying, grinding and extraction using liquids with increasing polarity. The extracts obtained were subjected to phytochemical screening and TLC. The results were interpreted and used as a basis for the in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activities. The presence of phytoconstituents was further proved by TLC analysis, during which it was seen that the acetone extract exhibited two spots on the TLC plate, and the chloroform extract exhibited seven spots on the TLC plate. Various identification tests showed the presence of flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and anthraquinone glycosides. This was used as a basis for the in vitro studies, including antioxidant and anticancer studies. The results suggest that the plant under research exhibits promising in vitro antioxidant activity compared to the standard ascorbic acid with a low IC50 value. The in vitro anticancer experiments also yielded good findings, indicating that this plant has the potential to be used as a strong anticancer agent.

Identification of methyl jasmonate-induced cardiac glycosides and related biosynthetic transcripts from callus culture of Calotropis gigantea using transcriptome and metabolite profiling

Identification of methyl jasmonate-induced cardiac glycosides and related biosynthetic transcripts from callus culture of Calotropis gigantea using transcriptome and metabolite profiling

Antioxidant Capacity, Toxicity, Phytochemicals, Total Alkaloids and Phenolic Levels Bamboo Shoot Extract ( Bambusa vulgaris )

The imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and endogenous antioxidants can cause various diseases, so exogenous antioxidants from plants such as bamboo shoots (Bambusa vulgaris) are needed. This study explored the antioxidant capacity, toxicity, and phytochemical content of bamboo shoot extracts. Using an in vitro experimental design, we analyzed bamboo shoot extracts for phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity using the DPPH method, and toxicity using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT). The research was conducted from December 2020 to June 2021 at the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Tarumanagara University. Data were analyzed using Graph Pad Prism V.8 software with the level of significance set at p&lt;0.05. Phytochemical test results showed the presence of alkaloids, anthocyanins, betasianins, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolics, quinones, saponins, terpenoids, and tannins. The bamboo shoot extract showed antioxidant capacity with IC50 value of 673.54 µg/mL, total phenolic content of 2923.65 µg/mL, and total alkaloid content of 7.34 µg/mL. The toxicity test showed an LC50 value of 362.16 µg/mL. The bamboo shoot extract showed potential as an antioxidant and anti-mitotic agent, although its antioxidant capacity was lower than that of ascorbic acid. The presence of various secondary metabolites contributes to its bioactive properties. Further research is needed to explore its potential applications in preventing diseases caused by free radicals. Bamboo shoot extract contains significant amounts of phenolic compounds and other phytochemicals, which exhibit antioxidant and toxic properties, making it a potential natural source for antioxidant agents.

Inflammation in the COVID-19 airway is due to inhibition of CFTR signaling by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

SARS-CoV-2-contributes to sickness and death in COVID-19 patients partly by inducing a hyper-proinflammatory immune response in the host airway. This hyper-proinflammatory state involves activation of signaling by NFκB, and unexpectedly, ENaC, the epithelial sodium channel. Post-infection inflammation may also contribute to "Long COVID"/PASC. Enhanced signaling by NFκB and ENaC also marks the airway of patients suffering from cystic fibrosis, a life-limiting proinflammatory genetic disease due to inactivating mutations in the CFTR gene. We therefore hypothesized that inflammation in the COVID-19 airway might similarly be due to inhibition of CFTR signaling by SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and therefore activation of both NFκB and ENaC signaling. We used western blot and electrophysiological techniques, and an organoid model of normal airway epithelia, differentiated on an air–liquid-interface (ALI). We found that CFTR protein expression and CFTR cAMP-activated chloride channel activity were lost when the model epithelium was exposed to SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. As hypothesized, the absence of CFTR led to activation of both TNFα/NFκB signaling and α and γ ENaC. We had previously shown that the cardiac glycoside drugs digoxin, digitoxin and ouabain blocked interaction of spike protein and ACE2. Consistently, addition of 30 nM concentrations of the cardiac glycoside drugs, prevented loss of both CFTR protein and CFTR channel activity. ACE2 and CFTR were found to co-immunoprecipitate in both basal cells and differentiated epithelia. Thus spike-dependent CFTR loss might involve ACE2 as a bridge between Spike and CFTR. In addition, spike exposure to the epithelia resulted in failure of endosomal recycling to return CFTR to the plasma membrane. Thus, failure of CFTR recovery from endosomal recycling might be a mechanism for spike-dependent loss of CFTR. Finally, we found that authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus infection induced loss of CFTR protein, which was rescued by the cardiac glycoside drugs digitoxin and ouabain. Based on experiments with this organoid model of small airway epithelia, and comparisons with 16HBE14o- and other cell types expressing normal CFTR, we predict that inflammation in the COVID-19 airway may be mediated by inhibition of CFTR signaling by the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, thus inducing a cystic fibrosis-like clinical phenotype. To our knowledge this is the first time COVID-19 airway inflammation has been experimentally traced in normal subjects to a contribution from SARS-CoV-2 spike-dependent inhibition of CFTR signaling.

Prophylactic Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Momordica balsamina Against CCL4 Induced Liver Injury in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Liver injury can result from various causes, including alcohol consumption, viral infections (such as hepatitis), autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, and exposure to certain chemicals, drugs or toxins. It can manifest as inflammation, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, or acute liver failure, depending on the cause and severity. Treatment often involves addressing the underlying cause, lifestyle changes (such as avoiding alcohol or certain medications), and sometimes medication to support liver function or manage specific conditions. Early detection and management are crucial for preventing further damage and promoting liver health. Studies have reported the effects of Momordica balsamina on liver injury. Aim: This study aim to evaluate the prophylactic effect of methanolic leaf extract of Momordica balsamina against CCL4-induced liver injury in Wistar Rats. Methodology: The fresh leaves of Momordica balsamina were purchased at Marina Market, Sokoto, the plant was air dry at room temperature for 2 weeks and the air-dried leaves were processed with methanol to obtain methanolic extract. An acute toxicity study of M. balsamina extract was conducted with six doses (10, 100, 1000, 1600, 2900 and 5000 mg/kg) to evaluate its safety. Phytochemical analysis of the extract was carried out to detect the presence or absence of carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, protein, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and steroids. A total of 42 Wistar rats (170±20g) of either sex roughly of the same age (8-10 weeks) were used for the study. After two weeks of acclimatization, the rats were randomly divided into six groups of seven rats each; group 1 (normal control) treated with distilled water and vital feeds; groups 2 (Negative control) CCl4 treated with liver injury not on treatment; group 3 (Standard control) CCl4 liver injury treated with 50 mg/kg Silymarin; group 4 (500 mg/kg M. balsamina + 2mL CCl4); group 5 (1000 mg/kg M. balsamina + 2mL CCl4) and group 6 (1500 mg/kg M. balsamina + 2mL CCl4) for 4 weeks. On the last day, the rats were anaesthetized, and blood and liver organ were collected for biochemical and histomorphology study. Results: The prophylactic effects of methanolic leaf extract of Momordica balsamina against CCl4-induced liver injury were evaluated on liver function tests (LFTs) and Malondialdehyde (MDA). This study shows that Momordica balsamina extract significantly (P&lt; 0.05) decreased the level of serum AST, ALT, ALP, TB and DB positively by inhibiting their raise at dose-dependent manner compared to the negative control, equally, the extract increased the serum level of Albumin and total protein when compared to the negative control. On the other hand, the extract shows significant reduction of serum level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) near to normal at varying dose. The finding of the prophylactic effect of methanolic leaf extract of Momordica balsamina on histology shows significant improvement on liver cell with notable recovery and appearance of the histological architecture of the hepatocyte at the highest dose (1500 mg/kg+2mL CCl4) compared to negative control group. Conclusion: The presence of phytochemical compounds and antioxidant properties as well as a gene that is responsible for its prophylactic effect may be one of the mechanisms through which the plant extract was able to exert prophylactic effect on CCl4 induced liver injury in Wistar rats. This study suggests that M. balsamina extract may be considered as an affordable and non-invasive treatment option for liver injury in human.

Study on Phytochemical Composition, Biosynthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Using Sargassum ilicifolium

Nanotechnology involves producing nanoscale materials with specific properties. Zinc oxide nanoparticles have potential applications in various fields. Due to toxic chemicals and environmental concerns, green methods using plants, fungi, bacteria, and algae have been adopted. An emerging area of nanotechnology is the green synthesis of nanoparticles using biological systems, particularly seaweed extracts. The green synthesis method has synthesized the zinc oxide nanoparticles using the aqueous extract of the brown seaweed Sargassum ilicifolium. The algal extract has greatly reduced the zinc acetate dihydrate salt solution to form zinc oxide nanoparticles. The synthesized zinc oxide (Zn-O) nanoparticles have been confirmed through Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), Raman spectroscopy, UltraViolet (UV)- Visible (Vis) spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The study used Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Particle Size Analyzer (PSA) to examine the size and shape of the Zn-O nanoparticles. Raman spectroscopy and UltraViolet-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the formation of Zn-O nanoparticles. The SEM results exhibited a range of 24.4 nm to 83.4 nm. The occurrence of Zn-O nanoparticles was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy with peaks at 276.98 cm-1, 414.67 cm-1, 462.03 cm-1, 514.99 cm-1, and 998.28cm-1 and UltraViolet-Vis spectroscopy with peak at 370 nm. The present study also deals with the qualitative phytochemical constituent analysis using the aqueous extracts of Sargassum ilicifolium. Alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycoside, tannins, amino acids, carbohydrates, and saponins were analyzed. Anthraquinone, anthocyanin, vitamin C, quinone, and phlobatannins were considered absent in the aqueous extract.

Antibacterial, mosquito larvicidal, and cytotoxicity potential of AgNPs synthesized using Pittosporum undulatum under in vitro conditions

In this study, the phytochemical profile and silver nanoparticle (AgNPs)-synthesizing ability of Pittosporum undulatum methanol extract were investigated. Furthermore, biological applications of the AgNPs, such as antibacterial effect (against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli), mosquito larvicidal effect (against Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Aedes aegypti), and cytotoxicity (against fibroblast cell line L929) were evaluated using in vitro experiments. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the methanol extract contained cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, coumarins, phenolics, and tannins. Furthermore, standard characterization techniques such as UV–Vis spectrometry, SEM, TEM, FTIR, and XRD confirmed that the methanol extract of P. undulatum effectively synthesized the AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs had a spherical shape and size of 20–200 nm. The bactericidal analysis revealed that the AgNPs have dose-dependent antibacterial activity. The MTT assay showed that the AgNPs were bio-compatible up to a dosage of 250 μg mL−1 in the normal fibroblast cell line L929. Furthermore, the LC50 values for AgNPs against larvae of An. stephensi, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and Ae. aegypti were 0.4, 4.7, and 1.2 ppm, respectively. Field trials demonstrated that the larvicidal effect was enhanced within 24–72 h, and the rate of reduction increased over time. Thus, our findings provide an ideal sustainable AgNP bio-pesticide to combat filarial, dengue, and malaria vectors.

"Cardiac glycosides"-quo vaditis?-past, present, and future?

Up to date, digitalis glycosides, also known as "cardiac glycosides", are inhibitors of the Na+/K+-ATPase. They have a long-standing history as drugs used in patients suffering from heart failure and atrial fibrillation despite their well-known narrow therapeutic range and the intensive discussions on their raison d'être for these indications. This article will review the history and key findings in basic and clinical research as well as potentially overseen pros and cons of these drugs.