Antimicrobial, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, and Anticoagulant Activities of Cupressus sempervirens In Vitro and In Silico.

In the last decade, the urgent need to explore medicinal plants or drug development has increased enormously around the world to overcome numerous health problems. In the present investigation, HPLC indicated the existence of 18 phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the Cupressus sempervirens extract. Hesperetin represents the greatest concentration (25,579.57 µg/mL), while other compounds, such as pyro catechol, rutin, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, naringenin, and quercetin, were recognized in concentrations of 2922.53 µg/mL, 1313.26 µg/mL, 1107.26 µg/mL, 389.09 µg/mL, 156.53 µg/mL, and 97.56 µg/mL, respectively. The well diffusion method documented the antibacterial/antifungal activity of C. sempervirens extract against E. faecalis, E. coli, C. albicans, S. typhi, S.aureus, and M. circinelloid with 35, 33, 32, 25, 23, and 21 mm inhibition zones, respectively, more than the standard antibiotic/antifungal agent. Low values ranging from 7.80 to 15.62 µg/mL of MIC and MBC were recorded for E. faecalis, E. coli, and C. albicans. From the 1- diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) assay, promising antioxidant activity was recorded for C. sempervirens extract with IC50 of an 8.97 µg/mL. Moreover, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity assays (TAC) confirmed the antioxidant activity of the extract, which was expressed as the ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) of 366.9 ± 0.2 µg/mg and 102 ± 0.2 µg/mg of extracts, respectively. α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition % were determined to express the antidiabetic activity of the extract in vitro, with promising IC50 value (27.01 µg/mL) for α-amylase compared to that of acarbose (50.93 µg/mL), while IC50 value of the extract for α-glucosidase was 19.21µg/mL compared to that of acarbose 4.13 µg/mL. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) revealed the role of C. sempervirens extract as an anticoagulant agent if compared with the activity of heparin. Binding interactions of hesperetin and gallic acid were examined via the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) Dock software against E. faecalis (PDB ID: 3CLQ), C. albicans (PDB ID: 7RJC), α-amylase (PDB ID: 4W93), and α-glucosidase (PDB ID: 3TOP). The obtained results shed light on how molecular modeling methods might inhibit the tested compounds, which have the potential to be useful in the treatment of target proteins.

Assessing some Cladosporium species in the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon for treating oil contamination.

AIM: Biodegradation is a cost-effective and eco-friendly treatment for oil-contaminated materials using microorganisms. Bacteria and fungi can degrade petroleum by using it as an energy source and this may provide an enormous scope to remediate soils contaminated with petroleum and oil. This study aimed to assess the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons by certain Cladosporium species. METHODS AND RESULTS: By using traditional and spectroscopic assessment analysis, qualitative screening was carried out using Cladosporium spores isolated from air and cultured on mineral salt medium supplemented with petroleum hydrocarbon as the sole carbon source, followed by quantitative assessment using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Nineteen Cladosporium strains from a total of 212 isolates exhibited remarkable capability to degrade petroleum hydrocarbon, representing four species (C. herbarum, C. macrocarpum, C. sphaerospermum, and C. cladosporioides). The results were expressed in terms of biodegradation percentage and optical density of hydrocarbon using a standard calibration curve. The highest reduction of petroleum hydrocarbon was observed with five Cladosporium strains belonging to two species (C. sphaerospermum and C. cladosporioides). CONCLUSION: This study succeeded in isolating several Cladosporium strains (from the air) with a high ability to degrade crude oil that can be used as biological agents to control petroleum pollution in soils and seas. The addition of a surfactant (Tween 80) enhanced the degradation of crude oil reaching a final concentration of 0.4%. Based on these results, the present study could indicate some unique prospects in the field of bioremediation and biodegradation of petroleum-contaminated soil. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: This study gives unique prospects in the field of bioremediation and biodegradation of petroleum-contaminated soil.

Molecular Interaction Studies and Phytochemical Characterization of Mentha pulegium L. Constituents with Multiple Biological Utilities as Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anticancer and Anti-Hemolytic Agents.

Multiple biological functions of Mentha pulegium extract were evaluated in the current work. Phytochemical components of the M. pulegium extract were detected by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Moreover, M. pulegium extract was estimated for antioxidant potential by 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) free radical scavenging, antimicrobial activity by well diffusion, and anticoagulant activity via prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). GC-MS analysis detected compounds including cholesterol margarate, stigmast-5-en-3-ol, 19-nor-4-androstenediol, androstan-17-one, pulegone-1,2-epoxide, isochiapin B, dotriacontane, hexadecanoic acid and neophytadiene. Chrysoeriol (15.36 µg/mL) was followed by kaempferol (11.14 µg/mL) and 7-OH flavone (10.14 µg/mL), catechin (4.11 µg/mL), hisperdin (3.05 µg/mL), and luteolin (2.36 µg/mL) were detected by HPLC as flavonoids, in addition to ferulic (13.19 µg/mL), cinnamic (12.69 µg/mL), caffeic (11.45 µg/mL), pyrogallol (9.36 µg/mL), p-coumaric (5.06 µg/mL) and salicylic (4.17 µg/mL) as phenolics. Antioxidant activity was detected with IC50 18 µg/mL, hemolysis inhibition was recorded as 79.8% at 1000 µg/mL, and PT and APTT were at 21.5 s and 49.5 s, respectively, at 50 µg/mL of M. pulegium extract. The acute toxicity of M. pulegium extract was recorded against PC3 (IC50 97.99 µg/mL) and MCF7 (IC50 80.21 µg/mL). Antimicrobial activity of M. pulegium extract was documented against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonasaureus, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but not against black fungus Mucor circinelloides. Molecular docking was applied using MOE (Molecular Operating Environment) to explain the biological activity of neophytadiene, luteolin, chrysoeriol and kaempferol. These compounds could be suitable for the development of novel pharmacological agents for treatment of cancer and bacterial infections.

Structural, optical and antibacterial activity of pure and co-doped (Fe & Ni) tin oxide nanoparticles.

In this investigation, ferric (Fe) and nickel (Ni) co-doped tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles structural, optical, morphological, and antibacterial characteristics were synthesised, characterised, and examined. By employing SnCl2·2H2O and the transition metal precursors FeCl3 and NiCl2·6H2O with various Fe/Ni molar ratios, thermal annealing was carried out at a high temperature (700 °C). X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL), FT-IR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray techniques (EDX) were used to examine the materials' structural, chemical, optical, morphological, and anti-microbial capabilities. The average particle size of pure and co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles was determined to be around 52 nm and 15 nm, and SnO2 crystallites were observed to present tetragonal rutile structure with space group P42/mmm (No.136). Metal ions were replaced in the Sn lattice, as shown by Fe and Ni co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles. Pure and co-doped samples have capsule and sphere-like features in their SEM morphology. Using UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, the optical property was examined, and it was observed that the band gaps for pure and co-doped SnO2 were 3.73 eV and 3.53 eV, respectively. The functional groups and incorporation of Fe and Ni in the prepared powder were also validated by FT-IR and EDX studies. By utilising the agar well diffusion technique and Nutrient agar, the antibacterial properties of pure, Ni-Fe co-doped SnO2 nanoparticles annealed at 700 °C were assessed. They were evaluated against various Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus pheumoniae) and Gram-negative bacteria (Shigella dysenteria). The zone of incubation was found against the Gram +Ve and Gram -Ve bacterial strains.

Anticancer, antioxidant, antiviral and antimicrobial activities of Kei Apple (Dovyalis caffra) fruit.

Secondary plant metabolites remain one of the key sources of therapeutic agents despite the development of new approaches for the discovery of medicinal drugs. In the current study, chemical analysis, and biological activities of Kei apple (Dovyalis caffra) methanolic extract were evaluated. Chemical analysis was performed using HPLC and GC-MS. Antiviral and anticancer effect were assessed using the crystal violet technique and activity against human liver cells (HepG2), respectively. Antibacterial activity was tested with the disc diffusion method. The obtained results showed that chlorogenic acid (2107.96 ± 0.07 µg/g), catechin (168 ± 0.58 µg/g), and gallic acid (15.66 ± 0.02 µg/g) were the main bioactive compounds identified by HPLC techniques. While, compounds containing furan moieties, as well as levoglucosenone, isochiapin B, dotriacontane, 7-nonynoic acid and tert-hexadecanethiol, with different biological activities were identified by GC-MS. Additionally, inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) scavenging was 79.25% at 2000 µg/mL, indicating its antioxidant activity with IC50 of 728.20 ± 1.04 µg/mL. The tested extract exhibited potential anticancer activity (58.90% toxicity) against HepG2 cells at 1000 µg/mL. Potential bacterial inhibition was observed mainly against Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris, followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with a diameter of growth inhibition ranging from 13 to 24 mm. While weak activities were recorded for fungi Candida albicans (10 mm). The extract showed mild antiviral activity against human coronavirus 229E with a selective index (SI) of 10.4, but not against human H3N2 (SI of 0.67). The molecular docking study's energy ratings were in good promise with the experiment documents of antibacterial and antiviral activities. The findings suggest that D. caffra juice extract is a potential candidate for further experiments to assess its use as potential alternative therapeutic agent.

SARS-CoV-2, the other face to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV: Future predictions.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is proving to be an unprecedented disaster that lays its dark shadow on global health, economics and personal freedom. Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS) epidemics provide scientific data that is useful in better understanding and resolution of COVID-19. Similarities among SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 have been investigated in the light of available data. SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 evolved in bats and have positive-sense RNA genomes of 27.9 kb, 30.1 kb and 29.9 kb, respectively. Molecular and serological tools used for diagnosis of SARS and MERS patients resemble COVID-19 diagnostic tools. Stability and longevity data of SARS and MERS epidemics contribute in the current pandemic precaution policies. Trials to produce vaccines for SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV failed, therefore different strategies were employed for SARS-CoV2 vaccines production and during the past period antiviral agents, Convalescent plasma and monoclonal antibodies provide potential treatments for sever patients. The mortality rate caused by the SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV reached 15% and 37%, respectively. The first declarations about mortality rate of SARS-CoV-2 was around 2-4% but now this rate differed globally and reached more than 13% in some countries. A realistic COVID-19 outbreak scenario suggest that the pandemic might last for three years with fluctuation in the number of infected cases, unless vaccination process goes faster and/or antiviral drug is discovered.

Clostridium difficile in ready-to-eat salads, Scotland.

Of 40 ready-to-eat salads, 3 (7.5%) were positive for Clostridium difficile by PCR. Two isolates were PCR ribotype 017 (toxin A-, B+), and 1 was PCR ribotype 001. Isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and metronidazole but variably resistant to other antimicrobial drugs. Ready-to-eat salads may be potential sources for virulent C. difficile.

Assessment of the potential risk of infection associated with Clostridium difficile from porcine xenografts.

There are numerous concerns over the potential for transfer of pathogens between species during clinical xenotransplantation, and although current clinical application is limited, porcine xenografts have been previously used to treat patients with severe burns. Donor animals providing the xenografts are sourced from a healthy commercial herd, however, as pigs are a known source of zoonotic agents, a number of diseases are required to be excluded from pigs used for xenotransplantation purposes. Many studies have indicated the relevance of viral zoonoses, however, little has been done with regard to the potential for transfer of pathogens related to health care associated infections. Clostridium difficile is a major cause of neonatal enteritis in pigs and an important feature of this organism is that pigs can be asymptomatic carriers. This study has examined the incidence of C. difficile PCR ribotypes present in healthy donor pigs to determine if pig faeces, and in particular, contamination of skin with faecal matter, is a potential route for the transfer of C. difficile. Animals were found to have human ribotype 017 present in the faecal matter, however, no C. difficile was isolated from skin samples taken from the same animals. In addition, due to the risk factors associated with C. difficile infection, the antimicrobial susceptibility of the C. difficile isolates has been determined.

Prevalence of Clostridium difficile in raw cow, sheep, and goat meat in Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

Background:Clostridium difficile has been shown to be a nosocomial infection associated with diarrhoea and pseudomembranous colitis in hospitalized patients especially old patients. In my previous studies, it was shown the occurrence of C. difficile in animals feces and vegetables which may act as a source of infection to humans. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of C. difficile in retail raw cow, sheep, and goat, meat in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Method: A total of 600 raw meat samples from cow, sheep, and goat were collected during June-December 2015, and tested for the presence of C. difficile. The method used to check for the presence of C. difficile was by choosing selective enrichment media in C. difficile broth, followed by alcohol shock-treatment and plating onto C. difficile selective medium. C. difficile isolates were typed using PCR ribotyping and also analyzed for antibiotic susceptibility. Results: It was shown that, 9 of 600 meat samples (1.5%) were contaminated with C. difficile. The prevalence of C. difficile was as follow: 7 out of 600 (1.17%) were found in cow, 2 out of 600 (0.3%) were found in sheep, while was no C. difficile was isolated from goat. Eleven out of 18 C. difficile isolates were positive for tcdA, tcdB and cdtB toxin genes and were classified as ribotype 078. Three strains were positive tcdA, and tcdB, and two strains possessed only tcdB. C. difficile strains showed high resistance to ampicillin, gentamycin, erythromycin and nalidixic acid. Conclusions: The present work shows the potential risk of raw meet in transmitting C. difficile to humans.

Antimicrobial activity of some plant extracts against bacterial strains causing food poisoning diseases.

Prevention of food spoilage and food poisoning pathogens is usually achieved by use of chemical preservatives which have negative impacts including: human health hazards of the chemical applications, chemical residues in food & feed chains and acquisition of microbial resistance to the used chemicals. Because of such concerns, the necessity to find a potentially effective, healthy safer and natural alternative preservatives is increased. Within these texts, Plant extracts have been used to control food poisoning diseases and preserve foodstuff. Antimicrobial activity of five plant extracts were investigated against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi using agar disc diffusion technique. Ethanolic extracts of Punica granatum, Syzygium aromaticum, Zingiber officinales and Thymus vulgaris were potentially effective with variable efficiency against the tested bacterial strains at concentration of 10 mg/ml while extract of Cuminum cyminum was only effective against S. aureus respectively. P. granatum and S. aromaticum ethanolic extracts were the most effective plant extracts and showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities against the highly susceptible strains of food borne pathogenic bacteria (S. aureus and P. aeruginosa) with MIC's ranged from 2.5 to 5.0 mg/ml and MBC of 5.0 and 10 mg/ml except P. aeruginosa which was less sensitive and its MBC reached to 12.5 mg/ml of S. aromaticum respectively. These plant extracts which proved to be potentially effective can be used as natural alternative preventives to control food poisoning diseases and preserve food stuff avoiding healthy hazards of chemically antimicrobial agent applications.

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and the incidence of ureA and clarithromycin resistance gene 23S rRNA genotypes status in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori ureA and clarithromycin resistance gene 23S rRNA genotypes among H. pylori in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A total of 100 serum and fecal samples from 70 patients and 30 healthy volunteers, from patients who presented with symptoms suggestive of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease, were taken from the main hospital in the Southern region of Saudi Arabia from September 2010 C.E. to March 2011 C.E. corresponding to Shawwal 1431 A.H. to Rabi Al-Thani 1432 A.H. We cultured the samples for H. pylori and a polymerase chain reaction was carried out to check for the presence or absence of ureA gene and clarithromycin resistance gene 23S rRNA genotypes. RESULTS: Among the 70 suspected patients, the suspected bacteria isolated from the fecal samples of 60, (85.7%) were positive using the culture techniques. The presence of ureA gene and clarithromycin resistance gene 23S rRNA was determined by using the polymerase chain reaction, Among the 100 fecal specimens, 65 fecal specimens from 70% patients showed positive results to clarithromycin resistance gene 23S rRNA (sensitivity, 93%; Specificity, 100% and Accuracy, 95%), Only 60 fecal specimens were positive with ureA gene (sensitivity, 86%; Specificity, 100% and Accuracy, 90%). CONCLUSION: 23S rRNA gene was associated with clarithromycin resistance in H. pylori. There was a high prevalence of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin in Saudi Arabia. H. pylori is a neutrophilic bacteria that has been able to colonize the human stomach by using a variety of acid-adaptive mechanisms as Urease activity that hydrolyzed the Urea producing 2 NH3 and H2CO3.