Formulation, biopharmaceutical evaluation and in-vitro screening of polyherbal phytosomes for breast cancer therapy.

Saudi Arabia has a rich culture of folk medicines and three such common herbs used by Saudi people for therapy of breast cancer are Turmeric (Kurkum) Curcuma longa, Chamomile (Babunaj) Matricaria chamomilla, and Aswaghantha (Aswaghadh) Withania somnifera. Hence, the present study aims to develop a polyherbal phytosome formulation by thin film hydration technique with a synergistic anti-cancer effect for the treatment of breast cancer. The phytosomes were standardized for their phytoconstituents by HPTLC and showed the best optimal properties with a mean vesicle diameter of less than 200 nm, zeta potential in the range of -24.43 to -35.70 mV, and relatively integrated structure with fairly uniform size on TEM. The in vitro MTT assay on MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines and MDA MB 231 breast adenocarcinoma cell lines was carried out. MTT assay on MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines indicated that plant extract-loaded phytosomes exhibited enhanced cytotoxic effects at IC50 values. of 55, 50, 45, 52, 42, 44, and 20 µg/mL compared to the extracts of C. longa, M. chamomilla, W. somnifera, and their combined extracts (80, 82, 74, 60, 70, 60, and 35 µg/mL respectively). Moreover, intracellular reactive oxygen species production was found to be higher for phytosomes treated cells at respective IC50 concentrations when compared to extracts. Overall, the developed polyherbal phytosomes were found to be effective and afford synergistic effects for breast cancer therapy.

Post-vaccination survey for monitoring the side effects associated with COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare professionals of Jazan province, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the self-reported vaccine-related side effects among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the Jazan province, Saudi Arabia, and determine the associated socio-demographic factors. With the recent second and third waves of coronavirus disease -19 (COVID-19) infections worldwide, the race is not only to encourage but also to achieve mass vaccination. METHODS: A total of 397 HCPs from across Jazan province participated in an anonymous online cross-sectional survey conducted for a period of 45 days (March 30, 2021 to May 13, 2021) in Jazan province, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a validated 22-items self-report survey. RESULTS: For both COVID-19 vaccines, majority of reports were related to flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, headache, fatigue, tiredness, and myalgia. Statistically significant associations were observed between the severity of side effects and gender (χ2=73.32; p<0.001), type of vaccine (χ2=112.08; p<0.001), and presence of known allergies (χ2=99.69; p<0.001). Female HCPs were more likely to report any side effects compared with male HCPs (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 3.72; p<0.001). Furthermore, HCPs with known allergies were more likely to report any side effects than their counterparts with unknown allergies (AOR: 16.29; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study would help in designing educational programs aimed at combating the misconstrued fear of vaccination and highlighting the urgent need of getting vaccinated. This study also helps in the identification of factors affecting the presence and severity of side effects.

Spectroscopic and molecular docking studies for characterizing binding mechanism and conformational changes of human serum albumin upon interaction with Telmisartan.

Human serum albumin (HSA), one of the most copious plasma proteins is responsible for binding and transportation of many exogenous and endogenous ligands including drugs. In this study, we intended to explore the extent and types of binding interaction present between HSA and the antihypertensive drug, telmisartan (TLM). The conformational changes in HSA due to this binding were also studied using different spectroscopic and molecular docking techniques. The spectral shifting and intensity variations upon interaction with TLM were studied using FT-IR spectroscopy. Binding constant and the change in absorption of HSA at its λmax was analyzed using absorption spectroscopy. Eventually, the types and extent of binding interactions were confirmed using molecular docking technique. Results have shown that TLM significantly interacts with the binding site-1 of HSA utilizing strong hydrogen bonding with Glu292, and Lys195 residues. The UV-absorption intensities were found to be decreased serially as the drug concentration increased with a binding constant of 1.01 × 103 M-1. The secondary structure analysis using FT-IR spectroscopy also revealed a marked reduction in the α-helix (56%) component of HSA on interaction. This study gives critical insights into the interaction of TLM with HSA protein which eventually affects the concentration of TLM reaching the site of action and ultimately its therapeutic profile.

Treatment of SARS-CoV-2: How far have we reached?

The virus severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently affecting more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. It has been declared as pandemic by World Health Organization (WHO) and the whole world is suffering from corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Currently, no treatment for SARS-CoV-2 are approved because of lack of evidence, but a number of clinical trials are in process and we are expecting fruitful results very soon. This review focuses on various approaches of treatment and few of the most recent clinical trials carried out in this field.

Comparing monolithic and fused core HPLC columns for fast chromatographic analysis of fat-soluble vitamins.

HPLC stationary phases of monolithic and fused core type can be used to achieve fast chromatographic separation as an alternative to UPLC. In this study, monolithic and fused core stationary phases are compared for fast separation of four fat-soluble vitamins. Three new methods on the first and second generation monolithic silica RP-18e columns and a fused core pentafluoro-phenyl propyl column were developed. Application of three fused core columns offered comparable separations of retinyl palmitate, DL-α-tocopheryl acetate, cholecalciferol and menadione in terms of elution speed and separation efficiency. Separation was achieved in approx. 5 min with good resolution (Rs > 5) and precision (RSD ≤ 0.6 %). Monolithic columns showed, however, a higher number of theoretical plates, better precision and lower column backpressure than the fused core column. The three developed methods were successfully applied to separate and quantitate fat-soluble vitamins in commercial products.

Metabolomic profiling reveals that Drosophila melanogaster larvae with the y mutation have altered lysine metabolism.

Yellow (y) encodes a protein which is closely similar to major royal jelly proteins produced by bees. However, the function of y remains largely unknown. Metabolomic profiling was carried out on third instar Oregon R (OR) and yellow (y) Drosophila melanogaster larvae. Phenylalanine, tyrosine and DOPA were all elevated in y as might be expected since the mutation blocks melanin biosynthesis. The most consistent effects were related to lysine metabolism, with the lysine metabolite saccharopine being much higher in y. In addition, lysine acetate was elevated, and the levels of methyl lysines were lower, in y than in OR.