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The present pandemic has posed a crisis to the economy of the world and the health sector. Therefore, the race to expand research to understand some good molecular targets for vaccine and therapeutic development for SARS-CoV-2 is inevitable. The newly discovered coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is a positive sense, single-stranded RNA, and enveloped virus, assigned to the beta CoV genus. The virus (SARS-CoV-2) is more infectious than the previously detected coronaviruses (MERS and SARS). Findings from many studies have revealed that S protein and RdRp are good targets for drug repositioning, novel therapeutic development (antibodies and small molecule drugs), and vaccine discovery. Therapeutics such as chloroquine, convalescent plasma, monoclonal antibodies, spike binding peptides, and small molecules could alter the ability of S protein to bind to the ACE-2 receptor, and drugs such as remdesivir (targeting SARS-CoV-2 RdRp), favipir, and emetine could prevent SASR-CoV-2 RNA synthesis. The novel vaccines such as mRNA1273 (Moderna), 3LNP-mRNAs (Pfizer/BioNTech), and ChAdOx1-S (University of Oxford/Astra Zeneca) targeting S protein have proven to be effective in combating the present pandemic. Further exploration of the potential of S protein and RdRp is crucial in fighting the present pandemic.

The presence of phenolics and flavonoids in fruits and vegetables is well recognized for their potent preventative effects against agerelated disorders, mostly owing to their abundant hydroxyl groups. This study examined the potential enhancement of neuromuscular function and anti-aging effects of a diet supplemented with a fraction rich in polyphenols from Terminalia catappa in Drosophila melanogaster model. Three-day-old flies of both sexes were supplemented with a diet rich in polyphenols for seven days. Upon establishment of the effective doses, an experiment was performed to assess the impact of the fraction on the lifespan, antioxidant capacity, and the process of aging of the flies. The procedures consist of the lifespan determination assay, the behavioral assay, and the biochemical assay. The study found that D. melanogaster flies that were fed a diet with a phenolics-rich fraction at concentrations of 2.0 mg/g and 4.0 mg/g lived longer and emerged more often than the control group. Additionally, these flies exhibited significantly reduced activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathiones- transferase (GST) in the experimental flies was also elevated by the fraction-supplemented diet in a concentration-dependent manner. The phenolics derived from T. catappa, exhibited robust biological activities and caused the experiment's discernible changes. The fraction strengthened the flies' antioxidant system by increasing the activities of several phase II antioxidant enzymes in D. melanogaster. The present research provides a better understanding of the wider society's viewpoints on the possible use of plant-derived natural chemicals to avert aging and age-related ailments, thereby enhancing the well-being and standard of living for both animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low glycemic index (GI) diets have been recommended for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases including diabetes, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. One of the high glycemic index diets consumed daily by many people around the world is the white bread, which is rich in carbohydrates. This study aimed at reducing the glycemic index of white bread by modifying the recipe with finger millet flour and to determine its effect on postprandial blood glucose response on Wister rats. Rats were grouped into five groups (n=5); group I normal control rats feed with white bread only (PC), group II fed with bread made from 15% finger millet composite flour (15%), group III fed with bread made from composite flour of 30% finger millet (30%), group IV fed with standard diabetic bread (commercially available) and group V rats were fed with standard commercial rat feed (NC). The rats were fasted overnight and fed with the bread samples. Blood glucose levels of all the rats were measured using glucometer by pricking the tail vein, at intervals of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 mins. From the result obtained, 30% showed lower postprandial blood glucose responses when compared to PC, 15% and NC group (p = 0.05) and the AUC result showed increased clearance of blood glucose in 30% group when compared with the PC, 15% and NC group. In conclusion, decreasing the glycemic index of white bread with finger millet composite flour can reduce postprandial blood glucose level and also increase the clearance of blood glucose from circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart diseases and ischemia that leading to high rates of mortalities. Conventionally, hyperlipidemia is managed using agents that facilitate the clearance of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerides (TAG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) from the body. Despite the use of these drugs, the disease still remained a global burden that affects the quality of life. The current study was done to investigate hypolipidemic properties of the methanolic extract of Boswellia dalzielli hutch (MEBDH) stem bark in rodents. The phytochemicals of the MEBDH were screened and determined qualitatively before performing acute toxicity study to determine the LD50 of the extract. Twenty five male albino rats 2-3 months old (150-210) g were distributed randomly into five groups [Group 1: normal control received 200 µL normal saline daily for 3 weeks, Group 2: hyperlipidemic control induced by a single dose of Triton X-100 (150 mg/kg body weight) subcutaneously, followed by oral administration of 200 µL normal saline daily for 3 weeks. Group 2 and 4: hyperlipidemic rats treated orally with MEBDH (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) respectively for 21 days. Group 5: hyperlipidemic rats treated with Simvastatin (5 mg/kg body weight) daily throughout the experimental period as positive control]. Administration of the extract did not cause any mortality regardless of the dose. However, the extract caused significant (p<0.05) decrease in TC, TAG and LDL-cholesterol levels in the treated rats. The decrease observed is significantly lower than that of untreated rats. In contrast, the level of HDL increased significantly (p<0.05) after treating the rats with the MEBDH stem bark. The extract of MEBDH possessed hypolipidemic agents and could be the potential substitute hyperlipidemic agents with side effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of prostate cancer malignancy along with other cancer types is increasing worldwide, resulting in high mortality rate due to lack of effective medications. Moringa oleifera has been used for the treatment of communicable and non-communicable ailments across tropical countries, yet, little has been documented regarding its effect on prostate cancer. We evaluated the acute toxicity and apoptosis inducing effect of glucomoringin-isothiocyanate rich soluble extracts (GMG-ITC-RSE) from M. oleifera in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Glucomoringin was isolated, identified, and characterized using fundamental analytical chemistry tools where Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, murine fibroblast (3T3), and human prostate adenocarcinoma cells (PC-3) were used for acute toxicity and bioassays experiments. GMG-ITC-RSE did not instigate adverse toxic reactions to the animals even at high doses (2000 mg/kg body weight) and affected none of the vital organs in the rats. The extract exhibited high levels of safety in 3T3 cells, where more than 90% of the cells appeared viable when treated with the extract in a time-dependent manner even at high dose (250 µg/mL). GMG-ITC-RSE significantly triggered morphological aberrations distinctive to apoptosis observed under microscope. These findings obviously revealed the putative safety of GMG-ITC-RSE in vivo and in vitro, in addition to its anti-proliferative effect on PC-3 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crucifer vegetables, Brassicaceae and other species of the order Brassicales, e.g., Moringaceae that are commonly consumed as spice and food, have been reported to have potential benefits for the treatment and prevention of several health disorders. Though epidemiologically inconclusive, investigations have shown that consumption of those vegetables may result in reducing and preventing the risks associated with neurodegenerative disease development and may also exert other biological protections in humans. The neuroprotective effects of these vegetables have been ascribed to their secondary metabolites, glucosinolates (GLs), and their related hydrolytic products, isothiocyanates (ITCs) that are largely investigated for their various medicinal effects. Extensive pre-clinical studies have revealed more than a few molecular mechanisms of action elucidating multiple biological effects of GLs hydrolytic products. This review summarizes the most significant and up-to-date in vitro and in vivo neuroprotective actions of sulforaphane (SFN), moringin (MG), phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), 6-(methylsulfinyl) hexyl isothiocyanate (6-MSITC) and erucin (ER) in neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of prostate cancer malignancy along with other cancer types is increasing worldwide, resulting in high mortality rate due to lack of effective medications. Moringa oleifera has been used for the treatment of communicable and non-communicable ailments across tropical countries, yet, little has been documented regarding its effect on prostate cancer. We evaluated the acute toxicity and apoptosis inducing effect of glucomoringin-isothiocyanate rich soluble extracts (GMG-ITC-RSE) from M. oleifera in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Glucomoringin was isolated, identified, and characterized using fundamental analytical chemistry tools where Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, murine fibroblast (3T3), and human prostate adenocarcinoma cells (PC-3) were used for acute toxicity and bioassays experiments. GMG-ITC-RSE did not instigate adverse toxic reactions to the animals even at high doses (2000 mg/kg body weight) and affected none of the vital organs in the rats. The extract exhibited high levels of safety in 3T3 cells, where more than 90% of the cells appeared viable when treated with the extract in a time-dependent manner even at high dose (250 µg/mL). GMG-ITC-RSE significantly triggered morphological aberrations distinctive to apoptosis observed under microscope. These findings obviously revealed the putative safety of GMG-ITC-RSE in vivo and in vitro, in addition to its anti-proliferative effect on PC-3 cells.