Tackling Nontuberculous Mycobacteria by Repurposable Drugs and Potential Leads from Natural Products.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) refer to bacteria other than all Mycobacterium species that do not cause tuberculosis or leprosy, excluding the species of the Mycobacterium tu-berculosis complex, M. leprae and M. lepromatosis. NTM are ubiquitous and present in soils and natural waters. NTM can survive in a wide range of environmental conditions. The direct inocu-lum of the NTM from water or other materials is most likely a source of infections. NTMs are re-sponsible for several illnesses, including pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, cystic fibrosis, bronchi-ectasis, chronic obstructive pneumoconiosis, and pulmonary disease. Recent reports suggest that NTM species have become insensitive to sterilizing agents, antiseptics, and disinfectants. The ef-ficacy of existing anti-NTM regimens is diminishing and has been compromised due to drug re-sistance. New and recurring cases of multidrug-resistant NTM strains are increasing. Thus, there is an urgent need for ant-NTM regimens with novel modes of action. This review sheds light on the mode of antimicrobial resistance in the NTM species. Then, we discussed the repurposable drugs (antibiotics) that have shown new indications (activity against NTM strains) that could be developed for treating NTM infections. Also, we have summarised recently identified natural leads acting against NTM, which have the potential for treating NTM-associated infections.

Ethnopharmacological and Phytopharmaceutical Evaluation of Prosopis cineraria: An Overview and Future Prospects.

BACKGROUND: Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce ('khejri') is an important tree that occurs worldwide in arid regions. It has been mentioned in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicines as having several clinical properties. Different parts of this plant are used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Iran for treating various ailments such as leprosy, leucoderma, dysentery, asthma, bronchitis, piles, jaundice and muscular tremors. Since all parts of the tree are useful, it is called 'Kalp Taru' or 'Wonder Tree' in India. Phytochemical studies of P. cineraria have underlined the presence of various classes of phytochemicals, such as flavone derivatives (prosogerin A, B, C, D and E), alkaloids (spicigerine and prosophylline), tannins (gallic acid), steroids (stigmasterol, campesterol and sitosterol, etc.), fatty acids and amino acids, etc., that have been obtained from different parts of the plant. METHODS: We undertook a comprehensive, critical and systematic literature survey on ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of P. cineraria. Efforts were made to establish/corroborate the scientific reasons of ethnomedicinal use with the help of published modern studies. RESULTS: Based on in-depth analysis of more than 200 studies, we were able to corroborate a large number of facts pertaining to uses of different parts of this plant for treating various maladies. Further, it yielded several new insights on phyto-pharmacological aspects of P. cineraria. CONCLUSION: Results of this study are useful for commercialization of the products derived from phytochemicals of P. cineraria.