Search

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by abnormal autoantibody production, inflammation, and organ damage. Most SLE treatment strategies aim to induce remission or reduce disease activity while avoiding flares. Baricitinib has been used effectively to manage various inflammatory diseases, and some randomized controlled trials (RCT) have shown that it is beneficial in treating SLE. The current study aims to assess the efficacy of baricitinib in treating SLE patients. Materials and Methods: Various databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct were searched to obtain eligible studies for the present meta‐analysis. Data such as baseline characteristics of patients, doses of the baricitinib, follow‐up duration, and treatment outcome in the form of SLE responder index‐4 (SRI‐4) and lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS) were extracted. Combined odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, and probability values were calculated to study the efficacy of baricitinib in treating SLE patients. A p‐value less than.05 was taken as significant. Comprehensive meta‐analysis v3 was used for all analyses. Results: Three articles were found eligible for the present meta‐analysis comprising 614 patients with placebo, 614 SLE patients receiving 4 mg, and 621 patients with 2 mg of baricitinib. Meta‐analysis revealed a beneficial effect of 4 mg baricitinib in SLE patients compared to placebo, as measured by an increase in the SRI‐4 (p =.006, OR = 1.370) and LLDAS (p =.083, OR = 1.252) rates. In contrast to the placebo group, however, patients receiving 2 mg of baricitinib exhibited no significant improvement. The trial sequential analysis revealed the need for additional RCTs to determine the role of baricitinib in treating SLE patients. Conclusion: In treating SLE patients, administrating a higher dose of baricitinib (4 mg) may be effective. However, additional RCTs in different populations with larger sample sizes are required to validate our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes and are reservoir of bioactive compounds having substantial antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. They serve as a rich source of structurally novel and biologically active metabolites, holding great potential for various pharmaceutical applications. The aim of this study is to investigate in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the extracts of Nostoc punctiforme, a filamentous heterocystous cyanobacterium predominant in the rice fields of Lakhanpur (Bargarh District), Odisha. The heterocystous cyanobacteria was collected from rice field and identified by means of morphological and molecular approach (Nostoc punctiforme Jbr02). Subsequently, in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity was assayed using acetone, methanol, and benzene extract. The cyanobacterial extracts established important antimicrobial actions against bacterial and fungal pathogens with significant MIC values from 62.5 to 500 µg/ml. The methanolic extract displayed better inhibitory activities against both V. Cholerae and P. verrucosun with the MIC value 62.5µg/ml while no such activity was recorded in benzene extract against B. subtilis, A. niger and F. oxysporum pathogens. The antioxidant study, depicted that the methanolic extract showed relatively higher antiradical activity of IC50 542±0.012 µg/ml among the three solvents. The Ferric reducing assay result was also maximum in methanolic extract (0.478±0.78) as compared to benzene and acetone extract. These findings infer that Nostoc punctiforme has potential antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, unveiling its potential as a valuable source of bioactive compounds. Thus, N. punctiforme in specific and cyanobacteria in general are one of the most promising candidates for commercial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]