Current Status and Trends in Nucleic Acids for Cancer Therapy: A Focus on Polysaccharide-Based Nanomedicines.

The efficacious delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids to cancer still remains an open issue. Through the years, several strategies are developed for the encapsulation of genetic molecules exploiting different materials, such as viral vectors, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). Indeed, the rapid approval by regulatory authorities and the wide use of LNPs complexing the mRNA coding for the spark protein for COVID-19 vaccination paved the way for the initiation of several clinical trials exploiting lipid nanoparticles for cancer therapy. Nevertheless, polymers still represent a valuable alternative to lipid-based formulations, due to the low cost and the chemical flexibility that allows for the conjugation of targeting ligands. This review will analyze the status of the ongoing clinical trials for cancer therapy, including vaccination and immunotherapy approaches, exploiting polymeric materials. Among those nanosized carriers, sugar-based backbones are an interesting category. A cyclodextrin-based carrier (CALAA-01) is the first polymeric material to enter a clinical trial complexed with siRNA for cancer therapy, and chitosan is one of the most characterized non-viral vectors able to complex genetic material. Finally, the recent advances in the use of sugar-based polymers (oligo- and polysaccharides) for the complexation of nucleic acids in advanced preclinical stage will be discussed.

Polysaccharides Produced by Microalgae

The class of polysaccharides is recognized to be of paramount importance in modern technology;the possible molecular chemodiversity of these biomaterials that can be found in microalgae can play an important role in industrial sectors such as food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, and aquaculture. Some species of microalgae are already commercially available and studies about their bioculturing are advanced, thus offering high-value products for commercial applications. In this chapter the results of a searching the literature from 2013 to 2019 has been conducted on the structural identification and characterization of polysaccharides from these microorganisms. This report has been restricted to species commercially available, which are well known and prone to possible utilization and will not cover any possible discovery about rare or new species. In addition, prompted by the recent sudden outbreak of COVID-19, some literature reports on antiviral potential of microalgae polysaccharides among the commercial species are underlined. The overall results of this analysis seem not encouraging about flourishing of new detailed knowledge of fine structural features of these polysaccharides. The situation is reflecting the historical one observed for the launch of polysaccharides in biotechnology since 1950s. Intensive studies on possible exploitation using crude or partially purified and hardly standardized biomass preexisted to more demanding applications with standardized preparations with possible applications in more demanding fields. Only an interdisciplinary effort can lead soon to research for new chemical knowledge on fine structural details that are necessary to increase possible extensions of applications of pure material. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022.

Antiviral polysaccharide and antiviral peptide delivering nanomaterials for prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 caused COVID-19 and other viral diseases.

Antiviral peptides and antiviral polysaccharides can play a major role in the prevention and treatment of emerging viral health problems. These antiviral compounds are biocompatible, environmentally friendly, non-toxic, and cost-effective, yet are poorly water soluble and vulnerable to enzymatic (protease) degradation within the aggressive intercellular microenvironment. Therefore, they should be properly protected and delivered to viruses and host cells by the well-designed nanocarriers that mimic viruses in terms of size, morphology, and smart function. This literature review is meant to introduce the latest advances (mainly within the past five years) in antiviral nano-assemblies comprising antiviral peptides or antiviral polysaccharides. To the best of our knowledge, there is no similar study in the literature that has solely and sufficiently investigated such antiviral nanomaterials partially or totally derived from nature. The rational classification of microorganism-, plant-, and animal-derived antiviral polysaccharide and antiviral peptide delivering nanomaterials and exploration of their relevant applications will clarify the promising capacity of these state-of-the-art materials for a number of technologies developed to inactivate viruses.

Tolerance Increase in Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus USA300 Exposed to Low-Power Continuous Ultraviolet Radiation from Narrow-Wavelength Sources

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a major cause of foodborne disease outbreaks throughout the world, while methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for many difficult-to-treat infections in humans. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is commonly used for disinfection in food processing, medical facilities, and water treatment to prevent the transmission of these pathogen. With increased use of UV disinfection technologies over the last few years because of COVID-19 and concerns about other communicable disease, it has become a concern that microbial species could develop tolerance to UV irradiation, especially when it is applied continuously. To elucidate the effect of continuous UV exposure at different wavelengths and power levels on the tolerance development of bacteria, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and MRSA)USA300 growths were investigated by continuously exposing inoculated agar plates to six different commercially available UV sources at wavelengths of 222 nm, 254 nm, 275 nm, and 405 nm. The agar plates in these experiments were partially covered by a thin acrylic sheet, which provided either complete protection from the UV to the cells directly under the sheet, no protection if significantly away from the sheet, or partial protection near the edges of the sheet due to shading or small amounts of UV reflection under the sheet at the edges. In these experiments, tolerant cells of E. coli and S. aureus were found from the 222 nm, the 405 nm, and one of the 254 nm sources. Upon examination of the power of each UV source, it was shown that the 275 nm and 254 nm sources that resulted in no tolerant cells had surface power densities [at 25 cm (10 in.)] that were more than 10-200 times greater than those that had tolerant cells. These results suggests that bacterial cells have a higher chance to develop UV tolerance under lower power UV sources (under the experimental conditions in our laboratory). Genome investigation of the tolerant colonies revealed that there are no significant differences between the cells that developed tolerance and the original organism, hinting at the need to explore the role of epigenetics mechanisms in the development of UV tolerance in these bacteria. © 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.

Sulfated polysaccharides act as baits to interfere with the binding of the spike protein (SARS-CoV-2) to the ACE2 receptor and can be administered through food.

Human civilization is experiencing a global crisis involving an unprecedented viral pandemic, with a high mortality rate, uncontrolled spread, and few effective drugs for treatment. Here, we critically evaluate how sulfated polysaccharides can be applied via foods to reduce the infectious process and increase the chances of an adequate immune response. The approach is directed to the infectious process by SARS-CoV-2 and protein S as a therapeutic focus. We discuss the antiviral activities of certain natural and specific sulfated polysaccharides that bind tightly to protein S. Finally, we identified that sulfated polysaccharides act as baits to interfere with the binding of the spike protein (SARS-CoV-2) to the ACE2 receptor and can be administered through food.

Studying the Effect of Glycosylation towards SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD and ACE2 Interaction by Native Mass Spectrometry

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has serious consequences on global public health and social development. The binding of receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike protein to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 host cell initiates the infection progress. Spike and ACE2 are both glycoproteins, the impact of glycosylation on protein structures and protein-protein interactions remains largely elusive. Characterizing the structural and dynamics of protein-protein binding progress will improve mechanism understanding of viral infection and facilitate targeted drug design. Structural mass spectrometry (MS) method is widely used in protein structural studies, providing complementary information to conventional biophysical methods, such as X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Native mass spectrometry (native MS) is an emerging technology that enables the study of intact protein, non-covalent protein-protein, and protein-ligand complexes in their biological state, which can provide structural stability, binding stoichiometry, and spatial arrangement information. Here, native MS was used to examine the interaction between RBD and ACE2 as well as the impact of deglycosylation on the interaction stability of the RBD-ACE2 complex. The results revealed that both RBD and ACE2 are highly glycosylated, ACE2 presents as a dimer while RBD as a monomer, and they form a (RBD-ACE2)2 complex. The conditions of using PNGasc F to remove the N-glycan were optimized. At least two Oglycans including NcuAc(2) and GalNAcC 1) Gal( 1) NcuAc(2) or GlcNAcd ) Gal(l) NeuAc(2) were observed for the N-glycan removed RBD. Furthermore, the stability of the complexes formed by glycosylated and deglycosylated RBD with ACE2 was compared, and the results showed that the removal of N-glycan significantly drops the interaction stability of the RBD-ACE2 complex. Therefore, we recommend that glycosyla-tion should not be removed for structural and functional studies. Additional glycosyla-tion, structural and dynamics studies on Spike (including separated RBD) and ACE2 complexes would help us to understand the process of viral infection, advance drug design and vaccine developments. Nowadays, a comprehensive MS-based toolbox has been developed for the analysis of protein structure, function, and dynamics, including hydrogen-deuterium exchange MS (HDX-MS), native top-down (nTD) MS, cross-linking MS (XL-MS), and covalent labelling MS (CL-MS), etc. Through integrating structural MS methods, more detailed and comprehensive structural information about glycoproteins and their complexes will be uncovered. © 2022 Chinese Society for Mass Spectrometry. All rights reserved.

Studying the Effect of Glycosylation towards SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD and ACE2 Interaction by Native Mass Spectrometry

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has serious consequences on global public health and social development. The binding of receptor binding domain (RBD) of spike protein to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 host cell initiates the infection progress. Spike and ACE2 are both glycoproteins, the impact of glycosylation on protein structures and protein-protein interactions remains largely elusive. Characterizing the structural and dynamics of protein-protein binding progress will improve mechanism understanding of viral infection and facilitate targeted drug design. Structural mass spectrometry (MS) method is widely used in protein structural studies, providing complementary information to conventional biophysical methods, such as X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Native mass spectrometry (native MS) is an emerging technology that enables the study of intact protein, non-covalent protein-protein, and protein-ligand complexes in their biological state, which can provide structural stability, binding stoichiometry, and spatial arrangement information. Here, native MS was used to examine the interaction between RBD and ACE2 as well as the impact of deglycosylation on the interaction stability of the RBD-ACE2 complex. The results revealed that both RBD and ACE2 are highly glycosylated, ACE2 presents as a dimer while RBD as a monomer, and they form a (RBD-ACE2)2 complex. The conditions of using PNGasc F to remove the N-glycan were optimized. At least two Oglycans including NcuAc(2) and GalNAcC 1) Gal( 1) NcuAc(2) or GlcNAcd ) Gal(l) NeuAc(2) were observed for the N-glycan removed RBD. Furthermore, the stability of the complexes formed by glycosylated and deglycosylated RBD with ACE2 was compared, and the results showed that the removal of N-glycan significantly drops the interaction stability of the RBD-ACE2 complex. Therefore, we recommend that glycosyla-tion should not be removed for structural and functional studies. Additional glycosyla-tion, structural and dynamics studies on Spike (including separated RBD) and ACE2 complexes would help us to understand the process of viral infection, advance drug design and vaccine developments. Nowadays, a comprehensive MS-based toolbox has been developed for the analysis of protein structure, function, and dynamics, including hydrogen-deuterium exchange MS (HDX-MS), native top-down (nTD) MS, cross-linking MS (XL-MS), and covalent labelling MS (CL-MS), etc. Through integrating structural MS methods, more detailed and comprehensive structural information about glycoproteins and their complexes will be uncovered. © 2022 Chinese Society for Mass Spectrometry. All rights reserved.

Immunomodulatory meaning of diet and COVID-19

Introduction and objective:The latest scientific reports showed that there is a relationship between the state of the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system, and the incidence of COVID-19. Diet can exert an immunomodulatory effect and regulate the immune response of an organism. The aim of the review is to show the effects of immunomodulators contained/supplemented in a diet on the infection SARS-CoV-2 and the course of COVID-19. Review methods:The literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar and the Medline database. Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge:Regular vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces the risk of respiratory infection with SARS-CoV-2;vitamin C may inhibit the expression of the ACE2 receptor in human small alveolar epithelial cells and limit the penetration of SARS-CoV-2;reduced iron levels predispose people to severe COVID-19 symptoms;selenium deficiency may be responsible for a decreased level of antibodies and NK cell cytotoxicity. Alo.. vera isolated polysaccharides strengthens the immune system;the quercetin and ellagic acid in combination with virus proteins show potential antiviral activity against SARSCoV- 2. Subsequently, adaptogens, ginger, echinacea and curcumin - showed anti-inflammatory effects. Also, the optimal composition of the gut microbiota improved/maintained the integrity of the lymphoid tissue found in the gastrointestinal tract (GALT) and the functioning of the gut-pulmonary axis. Summary:Natural immunomodulators may be a relatively safe therapeutic option in patients during the course of COVID-19, but there are still no official recommendations for their practical use in therapy. It should be emphasized that there is a need for further scientific research into the mechanisms of action and efficacy of phytotherapy in the context of the effectiveness of plant-based immunostimulants in alleviating the course of COVID-19 disease.

Research progress on the analysis of active ingredients and elements in Fritillaria ussuriensis Bulbus

Fritillaria ussuriensis Bulbus, a genuine medicinal material of Northeast China, is the dry bulb of Fritillaria ussuriensis Maxim. It contains various active ingredients, such as alkaloids, alkaloids glycosides, adenosines, polysaccharides, and trace elements . It has antitussive, eliminating phlegm, antiasthmatic, antiulcer, antiplatelet aggregation, and anti-inflammatory. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of alkaloids, polysaccharides, nucleosides, and trace elements in Fritillaria ussuriensis Bulbus were reviewed, which is helpful for its cultivation and accurate application, and would provide a new choice for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). © 2022

Lectins and polysaccharides against SARS-CoV-2

Proteins with hemagglutination properties that were later demonstrated to be sugar-specific and eventually termed lectins have been found in nature but they sparked little interest until around two decades ago. Lectins are naturally occurring bioactive proteins and glycoproteins that have the potential to bind glycans found on viruses' envelope glycoproteins or viral surface glycans, inhibiting virus penetration into host cells and transmission. The infectious virion particles of SARS-CoV-2 are surrounded by a lipoprotein envelope generated from the host cell during budding. The envelope glycoproteins of SARS-CoV-2, like those of other enveloped viruses, play a role in viral adherence and entrance. In SARS, coronavirus is susceptible to mannose-specific lectins. These lectins inhibit viral development by interfering with viral attachment during the early stages of the replication cycle. Similarly, certain sulfated polysaccharides bind firmly to the heparan sulfate co-receptor in host tissues and interfere with the S-protein of SARS-CoV-2 (in vitro), thus inhibiting the COVID-19 infection. Lectins and polysaccharides might be considered leading compounds for developing novel antiviral strategies owing to their capacity to block viral entrance and replication in the host cell. Lectin-carbohydrate interactions can also be utilized to create diagnostic devices that target viral glycoproteins or host glycoprotein changes during viral infections, allowing for quick, accurate, and cost-effective detection of infected people. Altogether, the data compiled in this chapter highlights the importance of lectins and polysaccharides against SARS-CoV-2 to provide potential solutions for emerging complex aspects of different health challenges. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A review on biochemical constituents of pumpkin and their role as pharma foods, a key strategy to improve health in post COVID 19 period

Progression of today's world has been given setback due to the adversity of a novel, viral, deadly outbreak COVID 19, which raised the concerns of the scientists, researchers and health related officials about the inherent and adaptive immune system of the living body and its relation with healthy diet balanced with pharma foods. Now world is coming out of the destructive pandemic era, the choice of right food can help to build and boost adaptive immunity and pumpkin due to excellent profile of functional and nutraceutical constituents could be the part of both infected and non-infected person's daily diet. Vitamins like A, C and E, minerals like zinc, iron and selenium, essential oils, peptides, carotenoids and polysaccharides present in pumpkin could accommodate the prevailing deficiencies in the body to fought against the viral pathogens. In current post COVID 19 scenario adequate supply of healthy diet, balanced with pharma foods could play a basic role in boosting immune system of the populations. This review covers the pharmacological activities of pumpkin functional constituents in relation with COVID 19 pandemic. Pumpkins are well equipped with nutraceuticals and functional bioactives like tocopherols, polyphenols, terpenoids and lutein therefore, consumption and processing of this remarkable vegetable could be encouraged as pharma food due to its antihyperlipidemic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, antimicrobial and antioxidant potential. Need of healthy eating in current post COVID 19 period is very crucial for healthy population, and medicinal foods like pumpkin could play a vital role in developing a healthy community around the globe. Graphical : [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2023, The Author(s).

Polysaccharides to Combat Viruses (COVID-19) and Microbes: New updates.

COVID-19, which is speedily distributed across the world and presents a significant challenge to public health, is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Following MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and SARS, this is the third severe coronavirus outbreak in less than 20 years. To date, there are no exact agents and vaccines available for the treatment of COVID-19 that are clinically successful. Antimicrobial medications are effective in controlling infectious diseases. However, the extensive use of antibiotics makes microbes more resistant to drugs and demands novel bioactive agents' development. Polysaccharides are currently commonly used in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries for their remarkable applications. Polysaccharides appear to have a wide range of anti-virus (anti-coronavirus) and antimicrobial applications. Polysaccharides are able to induce bacterial cell membrane disruption as they demonstrate potency in binding onto the surfaces of microbial cells. Here, the antiviral mechanisms of such polysaccharides and their success in the application of antiviral infections are reviewed. Additionally, this report provides a summary of current advancements of well-recognized polysaccharides as antimicrobial and anti-biofilm agents.

[Molecular basis of biological activity of polysaccharides in COVID-19 associated conditions]. / Molekuliarnye osnovy biologicheskoi aktivnosti polisakharidov pri assotsiirovannykh s COVID-19 sostoianiiakh.

The review considers the main molecular biological features of the COVID-19 causative agent, the SARS-CoV-2 virus: life cycle, viral cell penetration strategies, interactions of viral proteins with human proteins, cytopathic effects. We also analyze pathological conditions that occur both during the course of the COVID-19 disease and after virus elimination. A brief review of the biological activities of polysaccharides isolated from various sources is given, and possible molecular biological mechanisms of these activities are considered. Data analysis shows that polysaccharides are a class of biological molecules with wide potential for use in the treatment of both acute conditions in COVID-19 and post-COVID syndrome.

Plant polysaccharides with anti-lung injury effects as a potential therapeutic strategy for COVID-19.

When coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) develops into the severe phase, lung injury, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and/or respiratory failure could develop within a few days. As a result of pulmonary tissue injury, pathomorphological changes usually present endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory cell infiltration of the lung interstitium, defective gas exchange, and wall leakage. Consequently, COVID-19 may progress to tremendous lung injury, ongoing lung failure, and death. Exploring the treatment drugs has important implications. Recently, the application of traditional Chinese medicine had better performance in reducing fatalities, relieving symptoms, and curtailing hospitalization. Through constant research and study, plant polysaccharides may emerge as a crucial resource against lung injury with high potency and low side effects. However, the absence of a comprehensive understanding of lung-protective mechanisms impedes further investigation of polysaccharides. In the present article, a comprehensive review of research into plant polysaccharides in the past 5 years was performed. In total, 30 types of polysaccharides from 19 kinds of plants have shown lung-protective effects through the pathological processes of inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and immunomodulation by mediating mucin and aquaporins, macrophage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, neutrophil, TGF-ß1 pathways, Nrf2 pathway, and other mechanisms. Moreover, the deficiencies of the current studies and the future research direction are also tentatively discussed. This research provides a comprehensive perspective for better understanding the mechanism and development of polysaccharides against lung injury for the treatment of COVID-19.

A case series report on successful management of patients with COVID-19-associated lymphopenia and potential application of PG2.

Background: Lymphopenia and the resultant high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are hallmark signs of severe COVID-19, and effective treatment remains unavailable. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of COVID-19 in a cohort of 26 patients admitted to Chung Shan Medical University Hospital (Taichung City, Taiwan). Twenty-five of the 26 patients recovered, including 9 patients with mild/moderate illness and 16 patients with severe/critical illness recovered. One patient died after refusing treatment. Case presentation: We report the cases of four patients with high NLRs and marked lymphopenia, despite receiving standard care. A novel injectable botanical drug, PG2, containing Astragalus polysaccharides, was administered to them as an immune modulator. The decrease in the NLR in these four patients was faster than that of other patients in the cohort (0.80 vs. 0.34 per day). Conclusion: All patients recovered from severe COVID-19 showed decreased NLR and normalized lymphocyte counts before discharge. Administration of PG2 may be of benefit to patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 and lymphopenia.

Caveolae-Mediated Extracellular Vesicle (CMEV) Signaling of Polyvalent Polysaccharide Vaccination: A Host-Pathogen Interface Hypothesis.

We published a study showing that improvement in response to splenectomy associated defective, in regards to the antibody response to Pneumovax® 23 (23-valent polysaccharides, PPSV23), can be achieved by splenocyte reinfusion. This study triggered a debate on whether and how primary and secondary immune responses occur based on humoral antibody responses to the initial vaccination and revaccination. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine sheds new light on the interpretation of our previous data. Here, we offer an opinion on the administration of the polyvalent polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), which appears to be highly relevant to the primary vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 and its booster dose. Thus, we do not insist this is a secondary immune response but an antibody response, nonetheless, as measured through IgG titers after revaccination. However, we contend that we are not sure if these lower but present IgG levels against pneumococcal antigens are clinically protective or are equally common in all groups because of the phenomenon of "hyporesponsiveness" seen after repeated polysaccharide vaccine challenge. We review the literature and propose a new mechanism-caveolae memory extracellular vesicles (CMEVs)-by which polysaccharides mediate prolonged and sustained immune response post-vaccination. We further delineate and explain the data sets to suggest that the dual targets on both Cav-1 and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins may block the viral entrance and neutralize viral load, which minimizes the immune reaction against viral attacks and inflammatory responses. Thus, while presenting our immunological opinion, we answer queries and responses made by readers to our original statements published in our previous work and propose a hypothesis for all vaccination strategies, i.e., caveolae-mediated extracellular vesicle-mediated vaccine memory.

Chapter 22 - Antiviral biomolecules from marine inhabitants

In recent years, the healthcare community has faced challenges with viral infections, which they believe pose a significant threat to humanity. Because of the emergence and reemergence of these viral diseases, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need for novel drug discovery and potential antiviral therapeutics to combat these situations. Scientists are increasing focusing on marine-derived biomaterials, which have been shown to have a variety of effective antiviral activities, although there is some lag. This chapter highlights some of the studies that have been conducted on the antiviral activities of polysaccharides and antimicrobial peptides derived from marine organisms. It will specifically recall the antiviral activities of peptides and sulfated polysaccharides derived from the marine environment, such as tachyplesin, polyphemusin, chitin, chitosan, carrageenans, alginates, and fucans, among others. Furthermore, recent findings on the anti-SARS-CoV-2 action of some marine polysaccharides are also briefly summarized.

In-Silico Investigation Based Plant Secondary Metabolites as Promising Immunostimulants against Covid-19

Objectives : The present study is focused to introduce a better preventive and treatment prospective to fight against the COVID-19 crisis by improving the immune system along with inhibiting the viral activity by a comprehensive review and supportive in-silico study.Methodology : The study was conducted with a systemic review on the phytochemicals possessing immunostimulatory potentiality, which was further supported by an in-silico investigation of thosephytocomponents in improving the immunity of the patient as well as in preventive measures which cancontribute a major part to manage the dangerous consequences of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).Results : In in-silico study showed that scutellarein, hesperidin andbaicalin exhibited strong binding affinity with ACE2, PAK1, Protease by strong molecular interaction forming several hydrogen bonds.Conclusion : The present finding interprets scutellarein, hesperidin and baicalin to be potential herbal immune boosters with antiviral potentiality which are to be further explored by in-vitro and in-vivo methods.

Lentinus edodes Polysaccharides Alleviate Acute Lung Injury by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a kind of lung disease with acute dyspnea, pulmonary inflammation, respiratory distress, and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, accompanied by the mid- and end-stage characteristics of COVID-19, clinically. It is imperative to find non-toxic natural substances on preventing ALI and its complications. The animal experiments demonstrated that Lentinus edodes polysaccharides (PLE) had a potential role in alleviating ALI by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation, which was manifested by reducing the levels of serum lung injury indicators (C3, hs-CRP, and GGT), reducing the levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6), and increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) in the lung. Furthermore, PLE had the typical characteristics of pyran-type linked by ß-type glycosidic linkages. The conclusions indicated that PLE could be used as functional foods and natural drugs in preventing ALI.

Molecular modifications, biological activities, and applications of chitosan and derivatives: A recent update.

Polysaccharides arouse great interest due to their structure and unique properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and absence of toxicity. Polysaccharides from marine sources are particularly useful due to the wide variety of applications and biological activities. Chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, is an example of an interesting bioactive marine-derived polysaccharide. Moreover, a wide variety of chemical modifications and conjugation of chitosan with other bioactive molecules are responsible for improvements in physicochemical properties and biological activities, expanding the range of applications. An overview of the synthetic approaches for preparing chitosan, chitosan derivatives, and conjugates is described and discussed. A recent update of the biological activities and applications in different research fields, mainly focused on the last 5 years, is presented, highlighting current trends.