Porphyrin-derived carbon dots for an enhanced antiviral activity targeting the CTD of SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid.

BACKGROUND: Since effective antiviral drugs for COVID-19 are still limited in number, the exploration of compounds that have antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 is in high demand. Porphyrin is potentially developed as a COVID-19 antiviral drug. However, its low solubility in water restricts its clinical application. Reconstruction of porphyrin into carbon dots is expected to possess better solubility and bioavailability as well as lower biotoxicity. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we investigated the antiviral activity of porphyrin and porphyrin-derived carbon dots against SARS-CoV-2. Through the in silico analysis and assessment using a novel drug screening platform, namely dimer-based screening system, we demonstrated the capability of the antivirus candidates in inhibiting the dimerization of the C-terminal domain of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid. It was shown that porphyrin-derived carbon dots possessed lower cytotoxicity on Vero E6 cells than porphyrin. Furthermore, we also assessed their antiviral activity on the SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero E6 cells. The transformation of porphyrin into carbon dots substantially augmented its performance in disrupting SARS-CoV-2 propagation in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, this study comprehensively demonstrated the potential of porphyrin-derived carbon dots to be developed further as a promisingly safe and effective COVID-19 antiviral drug.

The differentiation of mesenchymal bone marrow stem cells into nerve cells induced by Chromolaena odorata extracts.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into nerve cells with an induction from chemical compounds in medium culture. Chromolaena odorata contains active compounds, such as alkaloids and flavonoids, that can initiate the transformation of MSCs into nerve cells. The aim of this study was to determine the potential of methanol extracted C. odorata leaf to induce the differentiation of bone marrow MSCs into nerve cells. Methods: A serial concentration of C. odorata leaf extract (0.7-1.0 mg/mL) with two replications was used. The parameters measured were the number of differentiated MSCs into nerve cells (statistically analyzed using ANOVA) and cell confirmation using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The results showed that the C. odorata extract had a significant effect on the number MSCs differentiating into nerve cells ( p < 0.05) on the doses of 0.8 mg/ml with 22.6%. Molecular assay with RT-PCR confirmed the presence of the nerve cell gene in all of the samples. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study showed the potential application of C. odorata leaf extract in stem cell therapy for patients experiencing neurodegeneration by inducing the differentiation of MSCs into nerve cells.

Modified allele-specific PCR improves HER2 Ile655Val detection by reducing genotyping errors

Background: A reliable method to detect gene polymorphisms must be established to eliminate genotyping errors due to false PCR amplification. In the previous study, we have developed AS-PCR (Allele Specific-Polymerase Chain Reaction) to detect HER2 Ile655Val gene polymorphism with good specificity and sensitivity, yet it produces some errors. This study is aimed to eliminate the source of genotyping errors mainly by betaine treatment and PCR program modification. Methods: Genotyping errors produced by AS-PCR was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated using two genomic DNA that each contained AA genotype and GG genotype of HER2 Gene. Betaine treatment or PCR program modification was tested to eliminate the occurrence of genotyping errors during AS-PCR amplification. Results: The types of genotyping errors exhibited by HER2 Ile655Val AS-PCR are diverse, ranging from LDO (Locus Drop Out), preferential amplification to ADO (Allele Drop Out). The rate of genotyping errors was from 10% to 50% depending on the amount and ratio of DNA template and the annealing temperature of PCR. In the mixed DNA template model, the betaine treatment has shown to reduce ADO only in preferentially amplified GG genotype amplicon. Alternatively, reducing the template of the heterozygous DNA by half ( -0.5 ng of DNA template) for such case has effectively recovered the AS-PCR from ADO. Furthermore, increasing the denaturation temperature to 96 °C with an annealing time of 40 s at the first 10 cycles of AS-PCR has succeeded in eliminating severe preferential amplification of AA genotype amplicon by preventing the DNA template with GG genotype from forming into a G-quadruplex structure. The guideline offered in this study has been successfully applied for clinical samples of breast cancer that show preferential amplification. Conclusion: Betaine and the modifying AS-PCR program can reduce significantly genotyping errors making AS-PCR for HER2 Ile655Val detection more reliable to be used as a molecular tool for genotyping purpose (AU)