Lactobacillus plantarum J9, a potential probiotic isolated from cereal/pulses based fermented batter for traditional Indian food and its microencapsulation.

This work analyzed the probiotic properties of isolates from cereal-based Indian fermented food. The isolates were tested for lactic acid production, cell hydrophobicity, antibiotic sensitivity, sensitivity to acidic conditions, and increased salt concentration. This study also evaluated the ability of the probiotic isolates to ferment sugars and their antioxidant activity. The potential probiotic L. plantarum J9 isolated from jangri batter was encapsulated using 2.5% sodium alginate and CaCl2 by extrusion method with an encapsulation efficiency greater than 99%. After 2 h of incubation, in simulated gastric juice the encapsulated J9 cells reduced from 11.8 to 6.8 log10 CFU/ml however, free J9 cells reduced from 11.8 to 1.89 log10 CFU/ml. Similarly, encapsulated J9 cells reduced from 11.8 to 8.0 log10 CFU/ml but free J9 cells reduced from 11.6 to 0.890 log10 CFU/ml in simulated intestinal juice after 2 h incubation. The microencapsulation of L. plantarum J9 with alginate proves effective in delivering viable bacterial cells at required levels. Probiotic with antioxidant activity and antagonistic properties against food-borne pathogens is reported for the first time from jangri batter. The sodium alginate microencapsulation allows viable cells to reach a beneficial level, and hence this study aids in developing new probiotic products.

Drug interaction risk between cardioprotective drugs and drugs used in treatment of COVID-19: A evidence-based review from six databases.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This Review discusses the potential drug interactions risk between Drugs used in treating COVID-19 infection and Drugs used in treating comorbid conditions (Diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular illness). METHOD: Six Databases were consulted a) Micromedex drug interaction b) Medicine complete.com c) Liverpool Drug Interaction Group for COVID-19 therapies d) Epocrates e) Medscape f) drugs.com. To acquire information on possible interaction effects between drugs used for COVID-19 treatment such as atazanavir, lopinavir/ritonavir, remdesivir, molnupiravir, paxlovid(nirmatrelvir/ritonavir), dexamethasone, azithromycin, chloroquine, and FDA approved monoclonal antibodies with primarily used antidiabetic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, and drugs acting on the cardiovascular system. RESULTS: Potential interaction effects such as worsening glycemic control were prominent with lopinavir/ritonavir and the primarily used antidiabetic drugs, which needs dosage adjustment and close monitoring. The risk of hypotension and irregular heart rhythm is the potential interaction effects with concomitant use of drugs for COVID-19 treatment and antihypertensive drugs. Caution is advised with drugs such as atazanavir and lopinavir/ritonavir when concomitantly used in treating comorbid conditions. Drugs such as remdesivir, molnupiravir, and some monoclonal antibodies are safer in use with drugs used in treating the comorbid condition. CONCLUSIONS: Drug-drug interaction remains one of the significant factors in altering the therapeutic efficacy. Drugs used to manage comorbid conditions may influence the COVID-19 treatment with potential interaction effects. These enhance the view on safety concerns about the drug interaction risk in managing COVID-19 infection in patients with comorbid conditions. This primary evidence may concern preventing potential or unintentional effects resulting from Drug-drug interaction, Improving patient quality of life.

Repurposing of a drug scaffold: Identification of novel sila analogues of rimonabant as potent antitubercular agents.

The structural similarity between an MmpL3 inhibitor BM212, and a cannabinoid receptor modulator rimonabant, prompted us to investigate the anti-tubercular activity of rimonabant and its analogues. Further optimization, particularly through incorporation of silicon into the scaffold, resulted in new compounds with significant improvement in anti-tubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv). The sila analogue 18a was found to be the most potent antimycobacterial compound (MIC, 31 ng/mL) from this series with an excellent selectivity index.