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Introduction: DEAH-box helicase 8 (DHX8) is a crucial DEAH-box RNA helicase involved in splicing and required for the release of mature mRNA from the splice. Here, we report the interaction study of human DHX8 and four test compounds namely etoposide, netropsin, nogalamycin, and novobiocin. Materials and Methods: Molecular docking and fluorescence emission spectra techniques were employed to determine the binding and inhibitory effect of test compounds. Results: Our docking and fluorescence emission spectra results showed that DHX8 has a good binding preference for novobiocin among these four test compounds. Moreover, fluorescence emission spectra of DHX8 with novobiocin also revealed the 2.5 µM concentration is an effective novobiocin concentration to inhibit the activity of DHX8. Conclusion: These findings provide an in-depth understanding of the inhibition of DHX8 and contribute insights towards the development of novobiocin as a therapeutic molecule against the DHX8 in targeted diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional medicines have been an accessible, affordable, and culturally acceptable model of healthcare that is trusted across the globe in terms of disease management, symptoms relief and patient satisfaction. The natural products derived from plant sources are the fundamental ingredients of traditional and folk medicine and serve as lead compounds or pharmacophore for most effective drugs in modern pharmacology for treatment of infectious and chronic diseases. Ochradenus baccatus, which belongs to family Resedaceae, is a perennial shrub, widely distributed in the arid regions of Arabian Peninsula and finds mention in the traditional medicine for reproductive health, inflammation and infection. Results: As a proof-of-concept, this study has investigated the various bioactive properties of the plant vis-à-vis anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and inhibition of xanthine oxidase using standard in vitro experimental models. The bioactive molecules found in the extract included flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, saponins and alkaloids in varying quantities, which are known to be associated with a multitude of pharmacological properties. Our results show that the extract caused a progressive inhibition of DPPH radical and neutralizes superoxide anions in a dose-dependent manner. The extract demonstrated its redox-active potential by means of its ability to reduce Cu (II) to Cu (I) that is detected using bathocuproine, a Cu (I)-specific sequestering agent. Progressive doses of the extracts inhibited the denaturation of protein (a factor associated with inflammation), with maximum inhibition of 70.6% observed at concentration of 600 µg/ml, after which the effect plateaued for further doses. Moreover, the extract displayed a progressive inhibitory property against the enzymatic activity of xanthine oxidase with a maximum inhibition of 66% observed at a dose of 300 µg/ml. Conclusion: Inhibition of xanthine oxidase reduces the hyperuricemia in patients with gout and nephrolithiasis as it alleviates the tendency of salt accumulation in the joints and kidney. The interest in the natural products pharmacology is escalating and exploring novel bioactive properties in plants of interest is a significant stride from the traditional knowledge to evidence-based practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus limon L. is an ingenious alternative medication and has a broad scope in managing several health conditions as part of natural remedies. Recently, medicinal plants have witnessed incredible consideration worldwide in the field of neuroscience for remedial intervention. The present work has investigated the phytochemical compounds and neuropharmacological potential of the seed extract of Citrus limon as a step to partially validate its formulations as nutraceuticals using an in vivo model. Diverse phytochemical groups such as alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, gums, saponins, steroids were qualitatively identified through colorimetric methods utilizing standard compounds. The neuropharmacological properties were studied in Swiss albino mice with the sleep time induced by thiopental sodium taken as an end-point, in standard hole cross, hole board, and open-field experiments at varying doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight. Phytochemical screening showed that alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, and glycosides are present in the aqueous extract of the seed. The extracts demonstrated a significant reduction in sleep onset and enhanced the sleep duration in a dose-dependent manner in thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time, along with a marked decrease in unconstrained locomotors and explorative properties in both hole cross and open field tests. Moreover, in the hole board study, the extracts minimized the count of head dips observed in the treated mice. The results shown in this study demonstrate that Citrus limon extracts have neuropharmacological properties that can be further examined for their potential role as an adjuvant with conventional medications or nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myristica fragransderivatives are used as spices in cuisines and also serve as an important source of traditional medicine worldwide. The present study has evaluated the antioxidative potential of the hydro-methanolic extract of the fruit aril ofM. fragrans, which is also referred to as mace. This study also includes a quantitative phytochemical assessment of the extract and focuses on the ability of the extract to inhibit xanthine oxidase, a molecular target involved in nucleic acid metabolism and the enzyme responsible for the development of gout disease. The extract was found to contain different classes of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins. Furthermore, the antioxidative potential of the extract was evaluated against the radicals 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline- 6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt and 2,2-diphenyl-1-pycrylhydrazyl, and there was a progressive reduction of the radicals with increasing doses of the extract. Moreover, a ferric reducing power assay also showed the antioxidant activity of the crude extract as compared to ascorbic acid, a well-known antioxidant. Another significant finding of the study is that the mace extract also considerably inhibits the enzyme xanthine oxidase in a concentration-dependent manner. Our results partially support the use of mace in dietary regimens as a nutraceutical that could serve as a prophylactic strategy or an adjuvant for the prevention and therapy of gout disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]