Target identification of small molecules: an overview of the current applications in drug discovery.

Target identification is an essential part of the drug discovery and development process, and its efficacy plays a crucial role in the success of any given therapy. Although protein target identification research can be challenging, two main approaches can help researchers make significant discoveries: affinity-based pull-down and label-free methods. Affinity-based pull-down methods use small molecules conjugated with tags to selectively isolate target proteins, while label-free methods utilize small molecules in their natural state to identify targets. Target identification strategy selection is essential to the success of any drug discovery process and must be carefully considered when determining how to best pursue a specific project. This paper provides an overview of the current target identification approaches in drug discovery related to experimental biological assays, focusing primarily on affinity-based pull-down and label-free approaches, and discusses their main limitations and advantages.

Neutrophil Myeloperoxidase-Mediated N-Demethylation of Quetiapine Leads to N-Desalkylquetiapine, a Pharmacologically Active Cytochrome P450 Metabolite.

The atypical antipsychotic drugs, quetiapine and clozapine, are associated with idiosyncratic drug reactions (such as agranulocytosis or neutropenia) that are thought to involve reactive metabolites. Neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) metabolism of quetiapine is not well-studied, but is metabolized by cytochrome P450. Based on structural similarity to clozapine, we hypothesized that quetiapine can be metabolized by MPO and that there is overlap between cytochrome P450 and MPO metabolism of quetiapine. The interaction of quetiapine and clozapine with MPO and MPO chlorination activity was studied using UV-vis spectrophotometry. The metabolites were characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used for detecting drug-catalyzed glutathione oxidation. In the presence of quetiapine, MPO compound II accumulated for about 7.5 min, whereas in the presence of clozapine, MPO compound II was not observed as it was rapidly reduced back to the resting state. Increasing quetiapine concentrations resulted in a decrease in MPO chlorination activity, while the opposite result was found in the case of clozapine. UV-vis spectral studies showed no change when quetiapine was oxidized in the absence and presence of chloride anion (Cl-, to catalyze chlorination reactions). Significant changes, however, were observed in the same assay with clozapine, where Cl- appeared to hinder the rate of clozapine metabolism. The MPO-catalyzed hydroxylated and dealkylated metabolites of quetiapine and hydroxylated metabolites of clozapine were observed from the LC-MS analyses, particularly when Cl- was included in the reaction. In addition, hydroxylated, dealkylated, and a proposed sulfoxide metabolite of quetiapine were also observed in the reaction catalyzed by human microsomes/NADPH. Lastly, compared to quetiapine, clozapine metabolism by MPO/H2O2 and glutathione produced more glutathionyl radicals using EPR spin trapping. In conclusion, MPO/H2O2/Cl- was shown to metabolize quetiapine to S-oxidation and P450-like dealkylation products, and quetiapine metabolites were generally less reactive than clozapine.

The Effect of Aflatoxin B1 on Tumor-Related Genes and Phenotypic Characters of MCF7 and MCF10A Cells.

The fungal toxin aflatoxin B1 (AB1) and its reactive intermediate, aflatoxin B1-8, 9 epoxide, could cause liver cancer by inducing DNA adducts. AB1 exposure can induce changes in the expression of several cancer-related genes. In this study, the effect of AB1 exposure on breast cancer MCF7 and normal breast MCF10A cell lines at the phenotypic and epigenetic levels was investigated to evaluate its potential in increasing the risk of breast cancer development. We hypothesized that, even at low concentrations, AB1 can cause changes in the expression of important genes involved in four pathways, i.e., p53, cancer, cell cycle, and apoptosis. The transcriptomic levels of BRCA1, BRCA2, p53, HER1, HER2, cMyc, BCL2, MCL1, CCND1, WNT3A, MAPK1, MAPK3, DAPK1, Casp8, and Casp9 were determined in MCF7 and MCF10A cells. Our results illustrate that treating both cells with AB1 induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis with reduction in cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, AB1 reduced reactive oxygen species levels. Phenotypically, AB1 caused cell-cycle arrest at G1, hypertrophy, and increased cell migration rates. There were changes in the expression levels of several tumor-related genes, which are known to contribute to activating cancer pathways. The effects of AB1 on the phenotype and epigenetics of both MCF7 and MCF10A cells associated with cancer development observed in this study suggest that AB1 is a potential risk factor for developing breast cancer.

ß-Caryophyllene Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Angiogenesis in Colorectal Cancer Models.

Beta-Caryophyllene (BCP), a naturally occurring sesquiterpene abundantly found in cloves, hops, and cannabis, is the active candidate of a relatively new group of vascular-inhibiting compounds that aim to block existing tumor blood vessels. Previously, we have reported the anti-cancer properties of BCP by utilizing a series of in-vitro anti-tumor-related assays using human colorectal carcinoma cells. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of BCP on in-vitro, ex-vivo, and in-vivo models of anti-angiogenic assays and evaluate its anti-cancer activity in xenograft tumor (both ectopic and orthotopic) mice models of human colorectal cancer. Computational structural analysis and an apoptosis antibody array were also performed to understand the molecular players underlying this effect. BCP exhibited strong anti-angiogenic activity by blocking the migration of endothelial cells, tube-like network formation, suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion from human umbilical vein endothelial cells and sprouting of rat aorta microvessels. BCP has a probable binding at Site#0 on the surface of VEGFR2. Moreover, BCP significantly deformed the vascularization architecture compared to the negative control in a chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay. BCP showed a remarkable reduction in tumor size and fluorescence molecular tomography signal intensity in all the mice treated with BCP, in a dose-dependent relationship, in ectopic and orthotopic tumor xenograft models, respectively. The histological analysis of the tumor from BCP-treated mice revealed a clear reduction of the density of vascularization. In addition, BCP induced apoptosis through downregulation of HSP60, HTRA, survivin, and XIAP, along with the upregulation of p21 expressions. These results suggest that BCP acts at multiple stages of angiogenesis and could be used as a promising therapeutic candidate to halt the growth of colorectal tumor cells.

Isoniazid induces a monocytic-like phenotype in HL-60 cells.

Isoniazid (INH) is one of the oldest drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) and is of continual clinical and research interest. The aim of the current study is to investigate the ability of INH to induce monocyte differentiation and the underlying signaling pathway involved in this phenomenon using HL-60 cells. In this study, HL-60 cells were treated with different non-cytotoxic concentrations of INH or vitamin D (a well-known inducer of monocytic differentiation) to determine key functional changes in the phenotype of these cells using several biochemical and cytobiological experiments. HL-60 cells are derived from human promyelocytic leukemia and bear some resemblance to promyelocytes, which differentiate into various cell types. INH-induced differentiation was confirmed to occur in a concentration-dependent manner through several functional markers such as nonspecific esterase activity, NADPH oxidase activity and expression of surface markers CD14 and CD16 (characteristic of monocytes). INH-induced monocytic-like differentiation in HL-60 cells and demonstrated that at least 25% of cells were differentiated within the range of the pharmacological concentrations of INH. To determine the effects of INH on HL-60 cells, we applied quantitative proteomics that revealed 32 proteins were altered significantly in pathways that could involve differentiation signals. Lastly, INH activated the ERK-1/MAPK signaling pathway based on detection of phosphorylated ERK-1. These in vitro findings in HL-60 cells warrant further study using promyelocytes or hematopoietic stem cells to evaluate the physiological capability of INH to induce monocytic differentiation that may aid in host defense against TB.

Addiction to Snake Venom.

The nature of addiction depends on various factors. The tendency to have already used several addictive substances and to seek high sensation experiences as a result of specific personality traits may lead to extreme and peculiar forms of addictions. Even belonging to specific social and cultural background may lead to such forms of addiction such as intentional snake bite and willful envenomation. In this article, we have discussed the peculiarities and practical insight of such addiction to snake venom. The possible molecular mechanism behind such venom-mediated reinforcement has also been highlighted. Finally, we have stressed upon the treatment and de-addiction measures.

Antioxidant potential of CORM-A1 and resveratrol during TNF-α/cycloheximide-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in murine intestinal epithelial MODE-K cells.

Targeting excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) could be an effective therapeutic strategy to prevent oxidative stress-associated gastrointestinal inflammation. NADPH oxidase (NOX) and mitochondrial complexes (I and II) are the major sources of ROS production contributing to TNF-α/cycloheximide (CHX)-induced apoptosis in the mouse intestinal epithelial cell line, MODE-K. In the current study, the influence of a polyphenolic compound (resveratrol) and a water-soluble carbon monoxide (CO)-releasing molecule (CORM-A1) on the different sources of TNF-α/CHX-induced ROS production in MODE-K cells was assessed. This was compared with H2O2-, rotenone- or antimycin-A-induced ROS-generating systems. Intracellular total ROS, mitochondrial-derived ROS and mitochondrial superoxide anion (O2(-)) production levels were assessed. Additionally, the influence on TNF-α/CHX-induced changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψm) and mitochondrial function was studied. In basal conditions, CORM-A1 did not affect intracellular total or mitochondrial ROS levels, while resveratrol increased intracellular total ROS but reduced mitochondrial ROS production. TNF-α/CHX- and H2O2-mediated increase in intracellular total ROS production was reduced by both resveratrol and CORM-A1, whereas only resveratrol attenuated the increase in mitochondrial ROS triggered by TNF-α/CHX. CORM-A1 decreased antimycin-A-induced mitochondrial O2(-) production without any influence on TNF-α/CHX- and rotenone-induced mitochondrial O2(-) levels, while resveratrol abolished all three effects. Finally, resveratrol greatly reduced and abolished TNF-α/CHX-induced mitochondrial depolarization and mitochondrial dysfunction, while CORM-A1 only mildly affected these parameters. These data indicate that the cytoprotective effect of resveratrol is predominantly due to mitigation of mitochondrial ROS, while CORM-A1 acts solely on NOX-derived ROS to protect MODE-K cells from TNF-α/CHX-induced cell death. This might explain the more pronounced cytoprotective effect of resveratrol.

A review on the traditional uses, nutritive importance, pharmacognostic features, phytochemicals, and pharmacology of Momordica cymbalaria Hook F.

Momordica cymbalaria Hook F. (MC), belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, is a plant with several biological activities. This detailed, comprehensive review gathers and presents all the information related to the geographical distribution, morphology, therapeutic uses, nutritional values, pharmacognostic characters, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities of MC. The available literature showed that MC fruits are utilized as a stimulant, tonic, laxative, stomachic, and to combat inflammatory disorders. The fruits are used to treat spleen and liver diseases and are applied in folk medicine to induce abortion and treat diabetes mellitus. The phytochemical screening studies report that MC fruits contain tannins, alkaloids, phenols, proteins, amino acids, vitamin C, carbohydrates, ß-carotenes, palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, α-eleostearic acid, and γ-linolenic acid. The fruits also contain calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper, manganese, zinc, and phosphorus. Notably, momordicosides are cucurbitacin triterpenoids reported in the fruits of MC. Diverse pharmacological activities of MC, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, anticancer, antiangiogenic, antifertility, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal and anthelmintic, have been reported by many investigators. M. cymbalaria methanolic extract is safe up to 2,000 mg/kg. Furthermore, no symptoms of toxicity were found. These pharmacological activities are mechanistically interpreted and described in this review. Additionally, the microscopic, powder and physiochemical characteristics of MC tubers are also highlighted. In summary, possesses remarkable medicinal values, which warrant further detailed studies to exploit its potential benefits therapeutically.

The Anticancer Potential of Psidium guajava (Guava) Extracts.

The fruits, leaves, and bark of the guava (Psidium guajava) tree have traditionally been used to treat a myriad of ailments, especially in the tropical and subtropical regions. The various parts of the plant have been shown to exhibit medicinal properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities. Recent studies have shown that the bioactive phytochemicals of several parts of the P. guajava plant exhibit anticancer activity. This review aims to present a concise summary of the in vitro and in vivo studies investigating the anticancer activity of the plant against various human cancer cell lines and animal models, including the identified phytochemicals that contributes to their activity via the different mechanisms. In vitro growth and cell viability studies, such as the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, and the trypan blue exclusion test, were conducted using P. guajava extracts and their biomolecules to assess their effects on human cancer cell lines. Numerous studies have showcased that the P. guajava plant and its bioactive molecules, especially those extracted from its leaves, selectively suppress the growth of human cancer cells without cytotoxicity against the normal cells. This review presents the potential of the extracts of P. guajava and the bioactive molecules derived from it, to be utilized as a feasible alternative or adjuvant treatment for human cancers. The availability of the plant also contributes towards its viability as a cancer treatment in developing countries.

Acknowledging the use of botanicals to treat diabetic foot ulcer during the 21st century: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a serious health issue of diabetes mellitus that affects innumerable people worldwide. Management and treatment of this complication are challenging, especially for those whose immune system is weak. AIM: To discuss the plants and their parts used to heal DFU, along with the mode of their administration in diabetic patients. METHODS: The original articles on "the plants for the treatment of DFU" studied in clinical cases only were obtained from various bibliographic databases using different keywords. RESULTS: The search resulted in 22 clinical cases records with 20 medicinal plants belonging to 17 families on 1553 subjects. The fruits and leaves were the most preferentially used parts for DFU treatment, regardless of whether they were being administered orally or applied topically. Of the 20 medicinal plants, 19 reported their effectiveness in increasing angiogenesis, epithelialization, and granulation, thus hastening the wound-healing process. The efficacy of these botanicals might be attributed to their major bioactive compounds, such as actinidin and ascorbic acid (in Actinidia deliciosa), 7-O-(ß-D-glucopyranosyl)-galactin (in Ageratina pichinchensis), omega-3-fatty acid (in Linum usitatissimum), isoquercetin (in Melilotus officinalis), anthocyanins (in Myrtus communis), and plantamajoside (in Plantago major). CONCLUSION: The validation of mechanisms of action underlying these phytocompounds contributing to the management of DFU can aid in our better understanding of creating efficient treatment options for DFU and its associated problems.

A Perspective on Therapeutic Applications and Strategies to Mitigate Toxicity of Metallic Nanoparticles.

Metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been widely used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in clinical practice. A number of MNP formulations are being investigated in clinical trials for various applications. This increase in the use of NPs results in higher exposure to humans, leading to toxicity issues. Hence, it is necessary to determine the possible undesirable effects of the MNPs after in-vivo application and exposure. One of the main reasons for the toxicity of MNPs is the release of their respective metallic ions throughout the body. Many research studies are in progress investigating the various strategies to reduce the toxicity of MNPs. These research studies aim to change the size, dose, agglomeration, release, and excretion rates of MNPs. In this perspective review, we discussed the possible strategies to improve the therapeutic effects of MNPs through various processes, with lessons learned from the studies involving silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). We also discussed the ways to manage the toxicity of MNPs by purification, surface functionalization, synergistic effect, and targeted therapy approach. All these strategies could reduce the dose of the MNPs without compromising their therapeutic benefits, which could decrease the toxicity of MNPs. Additionally, we briefly discussed the market and toxicology testing for FDA-regulated MNPs.

Clinical Profile and Factors Associated with Adverse Outcomes in Coronavirus Disease 2019-associated Mucormycosis: A Single-centre Study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was associated with an increased incidence of mucormycosis globally. However, the clinical pattern, epidemiologic features and risk factors for adverse outcomes are not well established. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the data from patients hospitalized with proven mucormycosis between April 2021 and August 2021. Patients were managed with a multi-disciplinary approach involving medical, surgical, and comorbidity treatment. The clinical presentation, management details, complications and outcomes, including mortality, were reviewed from clinical records. Results: The mean age of presentation was 53.7 (± 11.8) years, and 88 (84.6%) were men. Of the 104 cases with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis, 97 (93.27%) patients had diabetes, and 80.8% had a haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) of ≥6.4% at diagnosis. Seventy percent of diabetes cases experienced steroid-induced hyperglycaemia during treatment. Even with appropriate treatment, 17 (16.35%) patients died. High HbA1c and creatinine levels, presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), need for intensive care unit admission, and orbital evisceration were the risk factors associated with high mortality on multivariate logistic regression analysis. Cox regression analysis revealed that the overall mortality increased by a factor of 12% with each 1 percentage point increase in HbA1c ≥6.4% (hazard ratio 1.12; 95% confidence interval 0.95- 1.31). The mortality risk was even higher when diabetes was associated with CKD (hazard ratio 1.82; 95% confidence interval 0.24-14.00). Conclusion: High HbA1c and creatinine levels, intensive care unit admission, CKD, and aggressive disease requiring orbital evisceration are the predictors of mortality in patients with COVID-19-associated mucormycosis. Patients with these risk factors should be managed more actively to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Proof of concept: Pull down assay using bovine serum albumin and an immunomodulator small molecule.

In the past decade, there has been increasing interest in use of small molecules for immunomodulation. The affinity-based pull-down purification is an essential tool for target identification of small molecules and drug discovery. This study presents our recent efforts to investigate the cellular target(s) of Compound A, a small molecule with demonstrated immunomodulatory properties in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). While we have previously observed the immunomodulatory activity of Compound A in PBMCs, the specific molecular targets underlying its effects remains elusive. To address this challenge, we synthesized a trifluoromethyl phenyl diazirine (TPD)-bearing trifunctional Probe 1 based on the chemical structure of Compound A, which could be used in a pull-down assay to efficiently bind to putative cellular targets via photoaffinity labelling. In this report, we utilized bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a model protein to establish a proof-of-concept in order to assess the suitability of Probe 1 for binding to an endogenous target. By the successful synthesis of Probe 1 and demonstrating the efficient binding of Probe 1 to BSA, we propose that this method can be used as a tool for further identification of potential protein targets of small molecules in living cells. Our findings provide a valuable starting point for further investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects of Compound A.

Efficient gene editing in induced pluripotent stem cells enabled by an inducible adenine base editor with tunable expression.

The preferred method for disease modeling using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is to generate isogenic cell lines by correcting or introducing pathogenic mutations. Base editing enables the precise installation of point mutations at specific genomic locations without the need for deleterious double-strand breaks used in the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing methods. We created a bulk population of iPSCs that homogeneously express ABE8e adenine base editor enzyme under a doxycycline-inducible expression system at the AAVS1 safe harbor locus. These cells enabled fast, efficient and inducible gene editing at targeted genomic regions, eliminating the need for single-cell cloning and screening to identify those with homozygous mutations. We could achieve multiplex genomic editing by creating homozygous mutations in very high efficiencies at four independent genomic loci simultaneously in AAVS1-iABE8e iPSCs, which is highly challenging with previously described methods. The inducible ABE8e expression system allows editing of the genes of interest within a specific time window, enabling temporal control of gene editing to study the cell or lineage-specific functions of genes and their molecular pathways. In summary, the inducible ABE8e system provides a fast, efficient and versatile gene-editing tool for disease modeling and functional genomic studies.

Adenosine triphosphate induced cell death: Mechanisms and implications in cancer biology and therapy.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) induced cell death (AICD) is a critical cellular process that has garnered substantial scientific interest for its profound relevance to cancer biology and to therapeutic interventions. This comprehensive review unveils the intricate web of AICD mechanisms and their intricate connections with cancer biology. This review offers a comprehensive framework for comprehending the multifaceted role of AICD in the context of cancer. This is achieved by elucidating the dynamic interplay between systemic and cellular ATP homeostasis, deciphering the intricate mechanisms governing AICD, elucidating its intricate involvement in cancer signaling pathways, and scrutinizing validated key genes. Moreover, the exploration of AICD as a potential avenue for cancer treatment underscores its essential role in shaping the future landscape of cancer therapeutics.

Efficient deletion of microRNAs using CRISPR/Cas9 with dual guide RNAs.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that play crucial roles in gene regulation, exerting post-transcriptional silencing, thereby influencing cellular function, development, and disease. Traditional loss-of-function methods for studying miRNA functions, such as miRNA inhibitors and sponges, present limitations in terms of specificity, transient effects, and off-target effects. Similarly, CRISPR/Cas9-based editing of miRNAs using single guide RNAs (sgRNAs) also has limitations in terms of design space for generating effective gRNAs. In this study, we introduce a novel approach that utilizes CRISPR/Cas9 with dual guide RNAs (dgRNAs) for the rapid and efficient generation of short deletions within miRNA genomic regions. Through the expression of dgRNAs through single-copy lentiviral integration, this approach achieves over a 90% downregulation of targeted miRNAs within a week. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of various parameters influencing efficient deletion formation. In addition, we employed doxycycline (Dox)-inducible expression of Cas9 from the AAVS1 locus, enabling homogeneous, temporal, and stage-specific editing during cellular differentiation. Compared to miRNA inhibitory methods, the dgRNA-based approach offers higher specificity, allowing for the deletion of individual miRNAs with similar seed sequences, without affecting other miRNAs. Due to the increased design space, the dgRNA-based approach provides greater flexibility in gRNA design compared to the sgRNA-based approach. We successfully applied this approach in two human cell lines, demonstrating its applicability for studying the mechanisms of human erythropoiesis and pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) biology and differentiation. Efficient deletion of miR-451 and miR-144 resulted in blockage of erythroid differentiation, and the deletion of miR-23a and miR-27a significantly affected iPSC survival. We have validated the highly efficient deletion of genomic regions by editing protein-coding genes, resulting in a significant impact on protein expression. This protocol has the potential to be extended to delete multiple miRNAs within miRNA clusters, allowing for future investigations into the cooperative effects of the cluster members on cellular functions. The protocol utilizing dgRNAs for miRNA deletion can be employed to generate efficient pooled libraries for high-throughput comprehensive analysis of miRNAs involved in different biological processes.

Guillain-barré syndrome without limb weakness: A rare variant with acute bulbar palsy.

A 76-year-old male was brought to the emergency room with an acute onset of breathlessness and difficulty swallowing. Examination revealed bilateral ptosis, bilateral vocal cord abductor palsy with diaphragmatic paralysis. He did not have any limb weakness. A diagnosis of acute bulbar palsy was made. Cerebrospinal fluid showed albumino-cytological dissociation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (MRI) was normal, and a nerve conduction study (NCS) showed Acute Motor and Sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN). Guillain-Barré syndrome with acute bulbar palsy was considered. Here, we report a case of suspected Acute Bulbar Palsy plus (ABPp) syndrome. ABPp may be considered as a variant of GBS between the Miller-fisher and Pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant and does not have any definite limb weakness. This patient also had ABPp with diaphragmatic palsy. However, whether this syndrome is an isolated variant of GBS or a continuum between the Miller-fisher syndrome (MFS) and Pharyngo-cervical brachial (PCB) variants remains to be elucidated. This case is relevant to primary care physicians as the disability with GBS remains high and may render a large burden to carers. The initial symptom of acute dysphagia must lead on the primary care physician to keep this disease in mind to prevent an unwarranted delay in diagnosis.

Heating of consumer cannabis oils can lead to free radical initiated degradation, causing CBD and THC depletion.

Commercial cannabis oil products are widely available in Canada even though there is a significant gap in scientific information regarding them. Oils, such as vegetable oils, are known to undergo oxidative changes through free radical mechanisms when they are heated or aged, but the cannabis oils used in this study did not have expiry dates or best-before usage dates. This led to the question of how these products would be affected with time. We hypothesized that cannabis oils would produce increased concentrations of free radicals in aging-simulated conditions, which would be related to a decrease in cannabidiol (CBD) or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content. Cannabis oils and their respective vehicles (oils) were heated using two protocols: One (moderate aging method) used a 2-day heating protocol at 50 °C, and the other (enhanced aging method) used a 14-day heating protocol at 70 °C. We used electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy for free radical analysis using the spin trapping technique using 200 mM PBN and 0.02 mM CuCl2 (for peroxide breakdown to free radicals). For active ingredient analysis (CBD, THC), we used LC/MS. Cannabis oils that contained unsaturated oils as their vehicles, such as olive or sunflower oil, all showed varying degrees of free radical formation. In both aged and unaged oils containing CBD or THC, less free radical formation was detected compared to the vehicle controls. Cannabis oils using medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) showed little or no free radical formation. The most significant decrease in CBD or THC was observed in the products using sunflower oil, to a lesser extent in MCT oil, and THC also decreased in olive oil. These findings are important for consumers and policymakers considering using such products in hot beverages or cooking and highlighting the importance of appropriate storage conditions.

Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system of aqueous leaf extracts of Justicia adhatoda and Psidium guajava to enhance platelet count.

Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) containing aqueous leaf extracts of Justicia adhatoda (JA) and Psidium guajava (PG), was designed to evaluate their ability to enhance platelet count. The ternary phase diagram was constructed to identify the self-emulsifying regions and nanoemulsion prepared using clove oil, tween 80 and transcutol. The globule size of the prepared SNEDDS formulation at different folds of dilution in buffers of various pH was evaluated. The average globule size of the optimized JA2- and PG2-loaded SNEDDS at different folds of dilutions was in the range of 103.4 ± 7.1 to 238.3 ± 5.4 nm and 240.2 ± 7.9 to161.7 ± 3.7 nm, respectively. The viscosity of JA2 and PG2 loaded SNEDDS formulations were found to be 621 and 642 centipoise, respectively with no observed signs of phase separation, turbidity or precipitation during the freeze-thaw process. Oral administration of combined JA2 and PG2 loaded SNEDDS formulation to Wistar rats depleted with platelets showed a significant increase in platelet count when compared to a marketed tablet Caripill. Pharmacodynamic studies in platelet-depleted Wistar rats enhanced the platelet count after administration of SNEDDS containing lyophilized aqueous extracts JA2 and PG2.

Hybrid Assembly and Annotation of the Genome of the Indian Punica granatum, a Superfood.

The wonder fruit pomegranate (Punica granatum, family Lythraceae) is one of India's economically important fruit crops that can grow in different agro-climatic conditions ranging from tropical to temperate regions. This study reports high-quality de novo draft hybrid genome assembly of diploid Punica cultivar "Bhagwa" and identifies its genomic features. This cultivar is most common among the farmers due to its high sustainability, glossy red color, soft seed, and nutraceutical properties with high market value. The draft genome assembly is about 361.76 Mb (N50 = 40 Mb), ∼9.0 Mb more than the genome size estimated by flow cytometry. The genome is 90.9% complete, and only 26.68% of the genome is occupied by transposable elements and has a relative abundance of 369.93 SSRs/Mb of the genome. A total of 30,803 proteins and their putative functions were predicted. Comparative whole-genome analysis revealed Eucalyptus grandis as the nearest neighbor. KEGG-KASS annotations indicated an abundance of genes involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and secondary metabolites, which are responsible for various medicinal properties of pomegranate, including anticancer, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. The genome and gene annotations provide new insights into the pharmacological properties of the secondary metabolites synthesized in pomegranate. They will also serve as a valuable resource in mining biosynthetic pathways for key metabolites, novel genes, and variations associated with disease resistance, which can facilitate the breeding of new varieties with high yield and superior quality.