Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is an important inflammatory chronic skin disease that brings many complications in its management and treatment. Although several chemical agents are used for treatment, the search for better anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents of plant origin has been ongoing, since natural compounds, it is commonly believed, are less dangerous than synthetic ones. Therefore, the present study explored a medicinal plant—Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.—for its anti-inflammatory activity alone and in combination with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), diclofenac. The plant extract was used to make a cream formulation for treating atopic dermatitis and as an antibacterial agent against Staphylococcus aures, the major infectious agent associated with AD. The phytochemical analysis of the E. prostrata extract showed the presence of various phytochemicals, including flavonoids, Tannin, saponin, terpenoids, glycosides, phenol, alkaloids, quinone, and protein. The GC-MS profiling of methanolic E. prostrata extract was performed predicted the presence of twenty important phytochemicals, including 2-[5-(2-Hydroxypropyl) oxolan-2-yl]propanoic acid, dl-Menthol, dodecane, undecane, 4,7-dimethyl-, dodecane, 2,6,10-trimethyl-, decane, 2,3,5,8-tetramethyl-, cholest-5-en-3-ol, (3.alpha.)-, TMS derivative, cyclopropane carboxylic acid, 1-hydroxy-, (2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenyl) ester, alpha.-farnesene, propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-ethyl-1-propyl-1,3-propanediyl ester, diethyl phthalate, corticosterone, 2-methylpropionate, hentriacontan-13-ol, O-TMS, phthalic acid, 2,4-dimethylpent-3-yl dodecyl ester, hexasiloxane, 1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7,9,9,11,11-dodecamethyl-, acetic acid, 4-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-1,5-dimethyl-hex-2-ynyl ester, octadecane, 2-methyl- octacosane, 1-iodo-, nonacosane, and eicosyl isopropyl ether. Using an egg albumin denaturation inhibition assay, the anti-inflammatory activities of E. prostrata alone and in combination with diclofenac were investigated, and they showed 93% and 99% denaturation inhibition at 5 mg concentration of E. prostrata in alone and combination with diclofenac, respectively. Heat-induced haemolysis showed 2.5% and 2.4% of haemolysis at 5 mg of E. prostrata alone and in combination with diclofenac, respectively. An MTT assay performed using L₉₂₉ cells proved that the extract has no cytotoxic effect. The plant extract displayed potential antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus; the growth was inhibited at 1 mg/mL of E. prostrata extract. Thus, based on this evidence, the authors suggest that E. prostrata extract should be studied further for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities and topical application in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Osteomyelitis is a bacterial infection of the bone that affects millions globally. Due to problems in drug delivery, bacterial resistance through biofilm formation, adverse effects of the medications in use, etc, the scientists are searching for novel antimicrobial agents. As drug repurposing is an excellent method to develop new antimicrobials, this study evaluates the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of the antidepressant paroxetine, combined with hydroxyapatite (HA), against drug-resistant, biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus . The antibacterial activity of paroxetine was assessed using the agar diffusion assay, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the microdilution method. The antibiofilm potential of paroxetine was quantified through the crystal violet assay and further examined using scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The bacterial load on drug-loaded hydroxyapatite was determined using the viable colony count method. The expression of bacterial adhesion genes following paroxetine treatment was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Molecular docking studies were performed to evaluate the binding affinity of paroxetine to bacterial adhesion proteins and penicillin-binding proteins. The study demonstrated promising antibacterial properties of the drug and the drug-HA combination against S aureus with a MIC of 18.75 µg/mL. Paroxetine prevented the biofilms formation by S aureus , and could eradicate mature biofilms, with 83%, 86%, and 89% efficacy after 1X MIC, and 2X treatment. The antibiofilm effect was further confirmed by in silico, in vitro methods, wherein a strong affinity was noted for biofilm adhesion protein and paroxetine. Paroxetine treatment revealed downregulation of biofilm-adhering genes, like icaA, clfA, cna, fnbpA, and fib, using RT-PCR. When combined with HA, paroxetine displayed synergistic activity, and this was visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy, which showed 81% and 19% dead/live cells after treatment, respectively. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopy analysis displayed the impact of the drug paroxetine on S aureus cell morphology, which showed remarkable damage to the bacterial cells. In silico docking revealed that paroxetine’s mode of action was mediated through binding with proteins and penicillin-binding protein, thereby inducing cell death. These results suggest that the paroxetine–HA combination may serve as a promising adjunctive strategy for treating biofilm-associated infections caused by S aureus .

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that causes significant disability and persistent inflammation. Currently, there are no appropriate treatments for RA other than systemic immunosuppressants, which have a variety of undesirable effects after long-term use. Thus, this study aims to determine the anti-arthritis effect of chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) and/or bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), separately and combined, on CFA (complete Freund’s adjuvant)-induced arthritis in rats as an animal model of RA. Methods: Male Wistar rats were injected with 100 μL of CFA/rat/day in the paw of the right hind limb for two consecutive days to induce RA. Arthritic rats received chrysin in an oral dose of 100 mg/kg bw each day, BM-MSCs at 1 × 106 cells/rat once per week in complete culture medium into the lateral tail vein, and a combination for 21 days. Results: The oral administration of chrysin and intravenous injection of BM-MSCs significantly reduced the increased anteroposterior thickness, volume, and circumference of the right hind paw, as well as serum levels of RF, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-17, as well as serum MDA level, besides augmenting serum levels of GPx, GST, GSH, and SOD. The arthritic rats treated with chrysin and/or BMMSCs exhibited a significant improvement in the elevated expression levels of IκBα, NF-κB p50, and NF-κB p65 proteins in ankle joint articular tissue. Similarly, the histopathological score and histological sections provided additional evidence of the improvement in arthritic lesions. Discussion: The treatment with chrysin and BM-MSCs has potential anti-arthritic effects, which may be attributed to their abilities to suppress the inflammation and oxidative stress and enhance the antioxidant defense system. The combinatory effect of chrysin and BM-MSCs was found to be the most effective. However, further clinical studies are required to assess their safety and efficacy in patients with arthritis. Conclusion: Due to their strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the combined administration of chrysin and BM-MSCs was found to be more effective in treating arthritis than either treatment alone in Wistar rats.