Journal of Medicinal and Chemical Sciences
Volume:7 Issue: 2, Feb 2024

This mini review aims to explore the potential of alpha-mangostin as an antiviral candidate. Alpha-mangostin is a natural compound found in the fruit of the Garcinia mangostana tree. Over the years, it has attracted considerable attention due to its diverse pharmacological properties, including antiviral activity. This review provides an overview of the current literature on the antiviral effects of alpha-mangostin, focusing on its mechanisms of action and its efficacy against various viral infections. The potential application of alpha-mangostin as a therapeutic agent against viral diseases is discussed, along with future research directions and challenges in the development of alpha-mangostin-based antiviral therapies.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is more severe than moderate fatty liver disease (NAFL) and is associated with an increased risk of liver cirrhosis and consequences, is a common disorder characterised by the build-up of triglycerides in liver cells. NAFLD frequently presents symptom-free until complications emerge, makes early detection difficult. The most invasive and limited diagnostic method is liver biopsy. Promising solutions for NAFLD screening and early diagnosis are non-invasive imaging methods. This study assessed the precision of CT Hounsfield units, ultrasound elastography, and MR chemical shift imaging (mDIXON) in determining early NAFLD stages. At a tertiary care facility in India, we did a prospective cross-sectional study with 80 patients who had NAFLD that had been discovered by incidentally. To measure hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, the study compared m-DIXON, ultrasound grayscale imaging, CT Hounsfield unit, and ultrasound point shear wave elastography (US- pSWE). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and regression analysis were used in the data analysis. Our findings revealed that the majority (56.25%) of participants had grade I fatty liver, with hepatomegaly observed in 72.5% of participants. Strong correlations were identified between CT attenuation values and ultrasound greyscale imaging for fatty liver grading and between CT values and MRI chemical shift imaging for fat percentage determination. However, the CT's relation with US- pSWE for hepatic fibrosis evaluation was inconsistent. Remarkably, MRI's proton-density fat fraction emerged as a precise non-invasive biomarker for steatosis measurement. In conclusion, non-invasive imaging modalities like mDIXON, CT Hounsfield units, and MRI chemical shift imaging contribute to NAFLD screening and early diagnosis. They offer precise assessments of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, facilitating timely management and enhanced patient care.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP), an autoimmune condition that mostly affects the elderly and is marked by subepidermal blisters. Although the pathophysiology of this condition is still not entirely known, it is thought to have a close relationship with a number of medications. The treatment effectiveness is dependent on the severity of the patient's ailment and comorbidities.

Case: 

A 76-year-old man with many blisters and bodily erosions. The patient expresses discomfort and itching. Upon physical examination, it is seen that the upper and lower extremities have a large number of tense-walled bullae with numerous erosions and crusts. Subepidermal blistering with eosinophilic and lymphocytic infiltrate is visible on skin biopsy. Desoximetasone was applied topically to him, and oral methylprednisolone (MP) was administered. MP is gradually reduced in accordance with the patient's development. Treatment for hypertension was also suspended till the condition became better. The patient's condition improved as a result, and no new blisters appeared.

The best methods for ruling out other blistering diseases when diagnosing bullous pemphigoid, besides clinical symptoms, continue to be direct immunofluorescence and skin biopsy. Other than a mix of oral and topical glucocorticoids for the treatment of drug-induced BP, stopping some medications will have an immediate effect and is typically more responsive. Reducing the dosage and overall duration of oral glucocorticoids is crucial since systemic glucocorticoids can have some negative effects, particularly in the elderly.

Bullous pemphigoid patients should constantly be wary of drug-induced bullous pemphigoid when receiving several therapies. Because most patients respond quickly to treatment after the suspected substance is stopped, this possibility should be taken into account.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) may occur as a complication in cases of open globe injury (OGI), where full-thickness injuries occur on the cornea or sclera. PVR arises due to excessive healing of vitreoretinal wound, significantly affecting poor visual outcomes. Although there have been advancements in vitreoretinal surgical techniques, effective prevention and management of PVR remain elusive. The use of pharmacological agents, especially intravitreal corticosteroids and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies has gained considerable attention. This article explores the phases of wound healing in OGI, highlighting the role of inflammatory responses in both wound healing and potential complications like PVR. Corticosteroids exhibit anti-inflammatory effects and reduce blood-retinal barrier (BRB) damage. Triamcinolone acetonide (TA), dexamethasone, and fluocinolone are among the most common locally administered corticosteroids. In addition, the role of anti-VEGF agents in PVR prevention is explored. VEGF plays a significant role in angiogenesis and neovascularization, making it a target for intervention. Various anti-VEGF agents, such as bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept, are discussed for their potential to inhibit PVR progression. Intravitreal administration of these agents is a strategy to target PVR while minimizing systemic side effects. Even so, further clinical trials to establish the efficacy of intravitreal corticosteroids and anti-VEGF therapies in preventing PVR among OGI patients are still needed. PVR remains a complex challenge, and pharmacological approach is a promising treatment strategy to improve visual outcomes and quality of life for affected individuals.

Fresh meat is easily damaged by chemical, enzymatic, and bacterial reactions. Bacterial growth can be inhibited by preservation. In addition to cooling, packaging using vacuum plastic bags/vacuum is a method of preservation.Aim(s) (including purpose setting): To analyze the differences in meat storage using a vacuum, freezer, and a combination of vacuum and freezer against spoilage bacteria. Experimental research with "Post Test Only Control Group Design" and quantitative methods. Samples of beef outer scrub muscle (Longissimus dorsi) were obtained from Surabaya Slaughterhouse (Slaughterhouse). The Independent variables are temperature and packaging, and the dependent variable is physical changes in meat and the discovery of spoilage microorganisms. There are differences in storing meat using vacuum, freezer, and a combination of vacuum and freezer against spoilage bacteria. Meat samples that were left in the open air showed an increase in odor intensity and changes in meat color. While meat samples were vacuumed and placed in the refrigerator and freezer, odor intensity and meat color remained unchanged until the 15th day. Changes in the texture of meat occurred in samples in open air since the 5th day of the study, while samples in a vacuum and placed in a refrigerator and freezer did not change in texture until the 15th day of the study. There was a significant difference in bacterial colonies on the day of observation and meat packaging where the number of bacterial colonies was least in meat with vacuum packaging and stored in the refrigerator. Likewise, there was a relationship between meat packaging and days of observation on the growth of bacterial colonies.

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), a zoonotic virus transmitted through mosquito bites, can cause dengue-like fever in humans. Despite the lack of specific clinical treatments and vaccines, there has been limited attention given to CHIKV in recent decades. This study utilized an immunoinformatics approach to design a potential multi-epitope vaccine for CHIKV. The CHIKV multi-epitope vaccine (CHIKV-MEV) was created by combining predicted linear B-cell lymphocyte (LBL), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL), and helper T-lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes targeting the viral envelope glycoprotein E1/E2 of CHIKV. The selection of each epitope was based on parameters such as antigenicity, immunogenicity, toxicity, and allergenicity. These selected epitopes were incorporated to generate refined and validated 3D models of CHIKV-MEV. Molecular docking simulations were performed to assess the interaction between the generated 3D model of CHIKV-MEV and TLR-1/2. Immune response simulations and population coverage analysis were conducted to evaluate the potential effectiveness of the vaccine. The proposed CHIKV-MEV consists of 439 amino acids, encompassing 18 epitopes, and exhibits predicted properties of being antigenic, immunogenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic. The binding energy of -1079.0 kcal/mol indicated that CHIKV-MEV can interact with TLR-1/2, leading to immune responses. Immune response simulations of CHIKV-MEV demonstrated an increase in immunoglobulin levels, as well as population of LBL, CTL, and HTL, and cytokine levels associated with the defence against viral infections. Furthermore, based on compatibility with human leukocyte antigen (HLA), CHIKV-MEV potentially covers 96.25% of the global population. This research contributes to the development of a globally applicable multi-epitope peptide-based vaccine against CHIKV, supported by comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies.

Radiographic abnormalities on first CT scans may correspond with increased risk of severe COVID-19 infections in cancer patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to use CT scans to identify the radiological characteristics of COVID-19 in deceased cancer patients from Jordan's King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC), and to quantify the mortality rate in a subgroup analysis of individual cancers, all while comparing our findings to the existing literature. The inpatient and outpatient records of 785 patients diagnosed with cancer who tested positive for COVID-19 by RT-PCR between September 2020 and December 2020 were reviewed, along with the chest CT scans of 24 patients who died of the disease. Microsoft Excel 2013 was used for all data analysis. We just make use of descriptive statistics. In total, 82 (10.5%) of COVID-19-positive cancer patients passed away. Patients' median ages at death were 58.8 15.5. There were 38 male deaths (47.3%) and 44 female deaths (53.7%). In our research, COVID-19 was most frequently associated with diagnoses of breast cancer. Patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer and hematological cancer had the highest rates of death due to COVID-19. Multiple myeloma patients had the greatest mortality rate compared to the total number of cases. Ground glass opacities with or without consolidations were the most often observed CT finding in the deceased. CT scans showing pleural effusion were more common in patients with severe COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 clinical features of KHCC cancer patients are assessed in this study. Patients with COVID-19-related malignancy had a low overall death rate, and the radiological findings of COVID-19 in the deceased were determined to be typical for the population as a whole.

This research aims to analyse the influence of social aspects (knowledge, parity, local policies, and economic support) and diet on the incidence of anemia in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. The type of research was analytical with a cross-sectional study approach carried out in Selayar Islands Regency. The population in this study was the number of pregnant women in Buki District, Selayar Islands Regency in 2020 and 2021, about 284 people, and the total number of respondents was 95 people. Research variables were age, education, parity, diet, upper arm circumference, knowledge about anemia, local policy, economic aspects, anemia, and degree of anemia severity. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS and the Chi-Square statistical test. The results of the research were that 65 respondents were anemic (68.4%), and the degree of anemia was mild (66.2% of respondents) and moderate (29.2%). Lack of knowledge about anemia has a significant relationship with the incidence of anemia (p = 0.024), and then a diet that does not meet balanced nutritional needs during pregnancy has a significant relationship with the severity of anemia (p = 0.001). Other social factors, such as parity, local policies, and family income, do not significantly affect the incidence of anemia in pregnant women. The conclusion is that knowledge about anemia and the respondents' eating patterns significantly affect the incidence of anemia and the degree of anemia in pregnant women.

The conjunctiva has a significant role in maintaining the health of the eye's surface, particularly the cornea. Preserving the integrity of the conjunctival tissue is essential, as extensive damage, coupled with inadequate treatment, can lead to a spectrum of eye disorders, ranging from mild conditions to severe cases resulting in blindness. Various techniques are available for repairing such conjunctival damage, including conjunctival autograft, amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT), oral mucosal graft, and the latest innovation, the use of PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin) membrane. Nevertheless, it has remained unclear whether there are distinct effects on VEGF expression and angiogenesis following conjunctival excision when comparing PRF membrane grafts to conjunctival autografts. This study employs a true experimental design, utilizing a randomized post-test only two-group design, to compare the impact of PRF membrane transplantation and conjunctival autografting on VEGF expression and angiogenesis subsequent to conjunctival excision in adult New Zealand white rabbits. Twenty adult male rabbits were randomly split into two categories: the autograft cohort and the PRF membrane cohort. Conjunctival excisions were performed on the temporal conjunctival aspect of the right eye in each rabbit. In the first group, the conjunctival defect was repaired through conjunctival autografting, while in the second group, the defect was closed using a PRF membrane. After a period of 14 days following treatment, all samples were collected, and the right eyes that had undergone treatment were enucleated. The conjunctival tissues from the treated areas were then processed for histopathological examination. Immunohistochemical and Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining were conducted on each sample. The Independent T-Test used for statistical analysis demonstrated a notably elevated VEGF expression level in the PRF membrane group in comparison to the conjunctival autograft group (p<0.05). Additionally, a significant variance in angiogenesis was evident between the PRF membrane and the conjunctival autograft groups (p<0.05).

Down’s syndrome (DS) is a prevalent autosomal disorder that is widely observed on a global scale. Children diagnosed with DS have several environmental and hormonal factors that impact their development. Vitamin D (VD) plays a crucial role in conferring a protective effect to the human body. However, there is a scarcity of study on VD and the factors that influence its level in Indonesian Down's syndrome children. The primary purpose of this research was to examine the levels of VD and the factors that influence them among children in Indonesia diagnosed with DS. Using a cross-sectional method of Indonesian DS and control children (aged 1 month to18 years), the subjects’ VD concentration was evaluated using Elisa and classified into sufficient and non-sufficient groups based on the results. The determinant factors consisted of the subjects’ characteristics: demographic characteristics, milk intake, sun exposure, and meat consumption. Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-Squared, Spearman’s correlation, and regression tests were used for statistical analysis; outcome was considered significant if p-values <0.05. Thirty children with DS and 30 healthy controls were recruited as participants. The mean VD levels in the DS and control groups were 38.74 ng/mL and 70.109 ng/mL, respectively. The rate of VD insufficiency was 33.3% and 26.7% in the DS children and healthy controls, respectively. A significant difference in age, milk intake, body mass index, sun exposure, and meat consumption was observed (p-values lower than 0.05). The VD concentration in the DS was below the control group. The key determining factors were the level of milk consumption and exposure to sunlight.

COVID-19 pandemic has high incidence and mortality, including in Indonesia. One of the prevention efforts is the provision of vaccines, but the ageing of the immune system (immunosenescence) may reduce the immune response to vaccination. Studies reported the decline of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) could be one of markers of immune cell ageing. Besides, the increases soluble CD28 (sCD28) reported has good correlation with membrane CD28 (mCD28), thus it could be used as an alternative marker for immunosenescence. To determine the differences in levels of sCD28, IFN-γ and anti-S-RBD antibodies in the group suspected of having an ageing immune system with the control group after vaccination. Sample consisted of 24 control (healthy adult) and 32 case (elderly and adult with comorbid) subjects. Blood samples were examined for anti-S-RBD antibody, IFN-γ, and sCD28 levels. Analysis of data performed by Median test and Spearman tests. Mean level of anti-S-RBD antibodies, IFN-γ, and sCD28 in case group compared to control group was 33.0 ±17.47 BAU/mL vs. 45.97 ± 23.13 BAU/mL (p = 0.007); 41.61 ± 38.79 ng/mL vs. 98.59 ± 94.31 ng/mL (p = 0.007); and 3.80 ± 3.68 ng/mL vs. 7.81 ± 7.97 ng/mL (p = 0.280), respectively. The anti-S-RBD antibodies and IFN-γ levels are lower in case group and sCD28 is lower in case group although not statistically significant. Anti-S-RBD antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination are lower in elderly or comorbid people than in adults without comorbid because of ageing of immune system.

In this study, we explore a steroid compound from the endophytic of the mangrove (Avicennia marina). Penicillium sp. is one of the microbes endophytic isolated from the mangrove and induced in the chitin medium by the so-called "cultivation". The cultivation in the medium is a strategy to enhance secondary metabolites production. In addition, the steroid compound of the secondary metabolites can be extracted and isolated from the purified fraction, followed by analysis and characterization to validate the target compound. Using the acquired 14MA15 fraction as a representative sample, we found that it presents a peak in the UV spectrum at a wavelength of 206 nm from the carbonyl group. The stretching vibration of C=O group in the IR spectrum is also confirmed at 1712 cm-1. Furthermore, other stretching vibrations from the O-H group, C-O group, and –C–H group are detected at 3410 cm-1, 1055 cm-1, and 1463 - 723 cm-1, respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the steroid compound proposed has a molecular formula of C26H40O2 according to MS fragmentation analysis.

Bleeding is a significant complication of cardiac surgeries, leading to increased blood product utilization, higher rates of reoperation, and mortality. Tranexamic acid is one of the main medications used to control postoperative bleeding in these patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of intravenous, topical, and oral tranexamic acid in reducing postoperative bleeding after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. This clinical trial was conducted on 96 patients scheduled for CABG surgery. The patients were divided into three groups of 32, receiving oral, intravenous, and topical tranexamic acid. After the surgery and administration of the respective medication, the amount of bleeding within 72 hours postoperatively, as well as the amount of packed red blood cells, platelets, and fresh frozen plasma received within 24 hours postoperatively were assessed. The mean age of the participating patients was 64±5.4 years, and the three groups did not significantly differ in terms of age, gender distribution, number of grafts (P=0.421), and duration of surgery (P=0.624). There was no significant difference in the bleeding score among the three groups, with scores of 3.9±0.88 in the intravenous group, 4.1±1.1 in the oral group, and 4.4±0.98 in the topical group (P=0.221). The average amount of packed red blood cells, platelets, and fresh frozen plasma received during and after surgery was similar in all three groups, with values of 2 (P=0.422), 3.5 (P=0.402), and 2.4 (P=0.412), respectively. In general, the results of this study indicate that the use of tranexamic acid in all three available forms (oral, intravenous, and topical) leads to a reduction in postoperative bleeding with similar outcomes. Therefore, concerning the fewer side effects of the topical and oral forms and their sufficient effectiveness, physicians can utilize these methods for prescribing tranexamic acid.

Velopharyngeal port is a vital structure in human body for carrying out important functions such as speech, swallowing, etc. Velopharyngeal incompetence arises due to ineffective or incomplete seal between oral and nasal cavity. The study of soft palate patterns like shape, length, and width offers an evidence to evaluate any risk factors for velopharyngeal insufficiency. This study was conducted to assess various palatal shapes and lengths using Magnetic resonance (MR) images and to establish their association with age and gender. A retrospective pilot study with 60 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images belonging to 30 males and 30 females were assessed for soft palate shape, soft palate length, and vertical length. The data was entered in Microsoft Office Excel Sheet and was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 26.0. Descriptive statistics like frequencies and percentages for categorical data, mean, and standard deviation (SD) for numerical data, comparison of frequencies of categories was done using chi-square test. ‘Butt’ variant was the most commonly encountered type, followed by the ‘Rat-tail’ variant as the second common type in our sample. A statistically non-significant difference was seen for the frequencies between the groups (p>0.05). The range of soft palate length (SPL) varied from 1.2 cm to 4.3 cm (S.D-0.674). The soft palate vertical length (SPVL) range is from 1.2 cm to 4.3 cm (S.D.-0.687). No statistically significant association of SPVL with the type of soft palate was seen (p>0.05). However, soft palate length (SPL) increases significantly with age. The study showed soft palate length increases significantly with age.  Hence older individuals can be screened for soft palate related abnormalities for evaluation of sleep related disorder. Further such studies with more sample size are required to establish a correlation between the shape and length of the soft palate. This can aid as a diagnostic clue in the early diagnosis of soft palatal abnormalities during the patient examination.

Colorectal cancer is the third most frequent cancer worldwide, whereas histopathologically, adenocarcinoma is the most common type. High expression of CXCL12 in tumor cells influences tumor cell metastasis. CXCL12 will activate CXCR4, which progressively upregulates MMP-7 expression and degrades the extracellular matrix, causing the migration of cancer cells. The status of regional lymph node metastases influences prognosis. Therefore, accurate biomarkers are required to diagnose lymph node metastases. The research analyzed the expression of CXCL12 and MMP-7 to reveal their role in the process of colorectal cancer regional lymph node metastasis. This research applies an analytical observational method with a cross-sectional approach. The number of samples was 47, divided into 3 groups based on regional metastasis stage (N0, N1, and N2). Immunohistochemistry was performed with CXCL12 and MMP-7 antibodies. The relationship between CXCL12 and MMP-7 expression was analyzed using statistical tests. There were significant differences in CXCL12 and MMP-7 expression at various N stages (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001). There was a positive correlation between CXCL12 expression and MMP-7 expression in various N stage of colorectal adenocarcinoma (p=0.004). According to this study, CXCL12 and MMP-7 expression are associated with regional lymph node metastases in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Results suggest CXCL12 and MMP-7 represent an essential role in lymph node metastasis in colorectal adenocarcinoma.