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This study evaluated the volatile components of Cannabis sativa L. essential oils (CSEOs) and their pharmacological potential in vitro, in animal, and in silico. The anti-oxidant capacities of volatile compounds were tested using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Anti-microbial activity against bacterial and fungal strains was assessed using disk diffusion and micro-dilution, and acute toxicity was examined on mice using OECD 423 criteria. The results indicate that the main components were β-caryophyllene (31.54%), α-humulene (12.62%), β-myrcene (4.83%), and α-pinene (4.69%). The essential oil showed high anti-oxidant ability (IC50 = 0.981 ± 0.059 mg/ml for DPPH, EC50 = 1.74 ± 0.05 for FRAP), and TAC of 0.101 ± 0.001 mg AAE/g. Additionally, it showed significant antibacterial action against Gram-negative organisms, such as Escherichia coli (11.33 ± 0.00 mm), Klebsiella pneumonia (9 ± 0.00 mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.34 ± 0.00), with MICs ranging from 0.0052 to 0.0208 mg/CSEO demonstrated antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Fusarium proliferatum, with activity levels of 18.66 ± 0.88 mm, 41.89 ± 3.60%, and MICs of 0.39 and 0.013 mg/ml, respectively. In toxicological studies, CSEO proved to be safe for animals. Docking identified bioactive components and explored anti-oxidant and antibacterial properties. Docking proved that bulnesol and champacol caused indicated actions.

This research study’s objective was to formulate interpenetrating pH-sensitive polymeric networks interpenetrating networks (IPNs) based on hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)/Primojel for use in the treatment of various malignant conditions. For controlled release, letrozole (LTZ) was selected as a model drug in HPMC and Primojel-based IPN hydrogels. HPMC and Primojel based IPN hydrogels were fabricated through the free radical polymerization method by utilizing HPMC and Primojel as polymers, methacrylic acid as monomer, ammonium persulfate as initiator, and methylenebisacrylamide as cross-linker. For structural characterization, various techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), DSC, TGA, and Powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) were applied to IPN samples. In vitro and swelling studies were also employed to observe the response of these polymeric networks against 1.2 and 7.4 pH. TGA and DSC of an optimized loaded formulation possess better thermal stability as compared to individual drug. PXRD depicted minor crystallinity and a significant amorphous nature. SEM images show that polymeric networks possess an uneven and porous surface. Significant swelling and enhanced in-vitro outcomes at a high pH of 7.4 confirmed the IPN pH responsive properties. Toxicological studies performed on rabbits revealed no harm in the results. Thus, IPN based on HPMC/Primojel was successfully synthesized and can be used for LTZ’s controlled release.

This research aimed to prepare and characterize a new type of polymeric cross-linked topical hydrogel patches for the treatment of wound infections. The free radical polymerization method was used to prepare the topical hydrogel patches by utilizing natural polymers, i.e., agarose and gelatin. These natural polymers were chemically cross-linked with monomer (acrylic acid) using ammonium persulfate as an initiator via the cross-linker N,N methylene bisacrylamide. An antibiotic, i.e., gentamicin sulfate was loaded into a designed polymeric system. The polymeric cross-linked topical hydrogel patches were made in a spherical shape, which was revealed to be stable and elastic. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray powder diffraction investigation were used to characterize the topical hydrogel patches. Polymeric cross-linked hydrogel patches were evaluated for their sol–gel analysis, swelling studies, in vitro drug release studies against pH 5.5, 6.5, and 7.4, ex vivo drug permeation, and the deposition study on the rabbit’s skin by using a Franz diffusion cell. In addition, the skin irritation study and wound healing performance of drug-loaded topical patches were also assessed and compared to commercially available formulations. The topical hydrogel patches were found to be non-irritating to the skin for up to 72 h as determined by a Draize patch test and when compared to marketed formulations, these topical patches resulted in faster wound healing. The prepared formulation showed promising potential for the treatment of skin wound infection.

Multiple stresses in waste dumpsite soils can drive antibiotic production as one of the strategies for survival. Bacteria are the most prolific producers of antibiotics. This study investigated the antibiotic production potential of bacteria isolated from Bahir Dar city municipal solid waste dumpsite (MSWDS). Bacteria were isolated from soil collected from the dumpsite on starch casein or nutrient agar. The isolates were carefully screened for antimicrobial activity against six pathogenic bacterial test strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were also determined from cell-free metabolites of the most promising isolates. Isolates showing antimicrobial activity were identified using cultural and biochemical methods. A total of 143 distinctive colonies were obtained and tentatively identified to 13 bacterial genera. Twenty-six (18.18%) of the isolates (six Bacillus and 20 actinobacteria related) demonstrated antimicrobial activities at least against one of the tested bacterial strains. These isolates were related to two actinobacterial and 11 other bacterial genera. Seven out of 26 isolates showed a broad-spectrum of antibiotic activities. Two isolates, which showed a wide spectrum, were selected for the MIC and MBC tests against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The MIC and MBC of the isolates were recorded to be 250–500 µg/mL against the test strains. Bahir Dar city MSWDS contained a high incidence of antibiotic-producing bacteria. Strain level identification of the isolates and detailed characterization of the metabolites will give a good insight into the antimicrobial production potential in the waste dumpsite.

Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC) is a malignant tumor that carries a substantial risk of morbidity and mortality. The MMP family assumes a crucial role in tumor invasion and metastasis. This study aimed to uncover the mechanistic relevance of the MMP gene family as a therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC) through a comprehensive approach encompassing both computational and molecular analyses. STRING, Cytoscape, UALCAN, GEPIA, OncoDB, HPA, cBioPortal, GSEA, TIMER, ENCORI, DrugBank, targeted bisulfite sequencing (bisulfite-seq), conventional PCR, Sanger sequencing, and RT-qPCR based analyses were used in the present study to analyze MMP gene family members to accurately determine a few hub genes that can be utilized as both therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers for KIRC. By performing STRING and Cytohubba analyses of the 24 MMP gene family members, MMP2 (matrix metallopeptidase 2), MMP9 (matrix metallopeptidase 9), MMP12 (matrix metallopeptidase 12), and MMP16 (matrix metallopeptidase 16) genes were denoted as hub genes having highest degree scores. After analyzing MMP2, MMP9, MMP12, and MMP16 via various TCGA databases and RT-qPCR technique across clinical samples and KIRC cell lines, interestingly, all these hub genes were found significantly overexpressed at mRNA and protein levels in KIRC samples relative to controls. The notable effect of the up-regulated MMP2, MMP9, MMP12, and MMP16 was also documented on the overall survival (OS) of the KIRC patients. Moreover, targeted bisulfite-sequencing (bisulfite-seq) analysis revealed that promoter hypomethylation pattern was associated with up-regulation of hub genes (MMP2, MMP9, MMP12, and MMP16). In addition to this, hub genes were involved in various diverse oncogenic pathways. The MMP gene family members (MMP2, MMP9, MMP12, and MMP16) may serve as therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers in KIRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to investigate the phytochemical profile, and the, in vitro, and, in silico, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the essential oil (EO) extracted from Origanum compactum. EO phytochemical screening was examined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The antioxidant potential, in vitro, was assessed using reducing power(FRAP), free 2,2 diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity tests. Antibacterial properties against two Gram (−) and two Gram (+) bacteria were assessed using the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the disc diffusion methods. By use of molecular docking, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of oregano EO were also tested. Thymol (75.53%) was the major compound among the nine compounds identified in the EO of Origanum compactum, followed by carvacrol (18.26%). Oregano EO showed an important antioxidant capacity, as tested by FRAP and DPPH assays, with EC50 and IC50 values of 13.300 ± 0.200 and 0.690 ± 0.062 mg/mL, respectively. The same EO has a total antioxidant capacity of 173.900 ± 7.231 mg AAE/g EO. The antibacterial results showed significant activity of Origanum compactum EO against all tested bacteria, especially against S. aureus (MIC = 0.25 mg/mL) and B. subtilis (MIC = 0.06 mg/mL). In silico, carvacrol was the most active molecule against nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (2CDU) and S. aureus nucleoside diphosphate kinase (3Q8U) with a glide score of −6.082, and −6.039 kcal/mol, respectively. Regarding the inhibition of E. coli beta-ketoacyl-[acyl carrier protein] synthase (1FJ4), piperitenone was the most active molecule with a glide score of −7.112 kcal/mol. In light of the results obtained, the EO of Origanum compactum Moroccan species can be used as promising natural food conservatives and an agent to fight antibiotic-resistant nosocomial microbes.