Quercetin (QUA), a flavonoid compound, is ubiquitously found in plants and has demonstrated a diverse range of biological activities. The primary objective of the current study is to assess the potential antiemetic properties of QUA using an in vivo and in silico approach. In this experiment, 4-day-old chicks were purchased to induce emesis by orally administering copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O) at a dose of 50 mg/kg (orally). Domperidone (DOM) (6 mg/kg), Hyoscine (HYS) (21 mg/kg), and Ondansetron (OND) (5 mg/kg) were treated as positive controls (PCs), and distilled water and a trace amount of Tween 80 mixture was employed as a negative control (NC). QUA was given orally at two distinct doses (25 and 50 mg/kg). Additionally, QUA (50 mg/kg) and PCs were administered separately or in combination to assess their antagonistic or synergistic effects on the chicks. The binding affinity of QUA and referral ligands towards the serotonin receptor (5HT3), dopamine receptors (D2 and D3), and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1–M5) were estimated, and ligand–receptor interactions were visualized through various computational tools. In vivo findings indicate that QUA (25 and 50 mg/kg) has a significant effect on reducing the number of retches (16.50 ± 4.65 and 10.00 ± 4.19 times) and increasing the chick latency period (59.25 ± 4.75 and 94.25 ± 4.01 s), respectively. Additionally, QUA (50 mg/kg) in combination with Domperidone and Ondansetron exhibited superior antiemetic effects, reducing the number of retches and increasing the onset of emesis-inducing time. Furthermore, it is worth noting that QUA exhibited the strongest binding affinity against the D2 receptor with a value of −9.7 kcal/mol through the formation of hydrogen and hydrophobic bonds. In summary, the study found that QUA exhibited antiemetic activity in chicks, potentially by interacting with the D2 receptor pathway.

Scientific evidence suggests that quercetin (QUR) has anxiolytic-like effects in experimental animals. However, the mechanism of action responsible for its anxiolytic-like effects is yet to be discovered. The goal of this research is to assess QUR’s anxiolytic effects in mouse models to explicate the possible mechanism of action. After acute intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatment with QUR at a dose of 50 mg/kg (i.p.), behavioral models of open-field, hole board, swing box, and light–dark tests were performed. QUR was combined with a GABAergic agonist (diazepam) and/or antagonist (flumazenil) group. Furthermore, in silico analysis was also conducted to observe the interaction of QUR and GABA (α5), GABA (β1), and GABA (β2) receptors. In the experimental animal model, QUR had an anxiolytic-like effect. QUR, when combined with diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.), drastically potentiated an anxiolytic effect of diazepam. QUR is a more highly competitive ligand for the benzodiazepine recognition site that can displace flumazenil (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.). In all the test models, QUR acted similar to diazepam, with enhanced effects of the standard anxiolytic drug, which were reversed by pre-treatment with flumazenil. QUR showed the best interaction with the GABA (α5) receptor compared to the GABA (β1) and GABA (β2) receptors. In conclusion, QUR may exert an anxiolytic-like effect on mice, probably through the GABA-receptor-interacting pathway.

Introduction: Farnesol (C₁₅H₂₆O) is a sesquiterpene alcohol found in essential oils. This substance is reported to have different pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antitumor and antioxidant effects, as well as actions in different body systems. Areas covered: This study aimed to analyse pharmaceutical patents containing this substance in their formulations. Patent search was carried out through the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), LatiPat and INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) electronic banks using the following descriptors and combinations: “farnesol”, “pharmaceutical product”, “pharmacology” and “pharmacy”. Expert opinion: Primary research identified 54 patents, from which 17 were selected for the final analysis after applying the inclusion criteria. The selected patents referred to products presenting different pharmaceutical activities of interest such as the prevention and treatment of diseases affecting the dermis, central nervous and cardiovascular systems, diseases caused by different microorganisms and cancers, among others. A minority of the articles included in this review reported the type of farnesol isomer that was investigated, this becoming a major limitation for the development of future pharmaceutical products. With the completion of this study, farnesol presents itself as a potential agent with pharmacological application both in the prevention and treatment of different diseases.

Yeasts from the Candida parapsilosis complex are clinically relevant due to their high virulence and pathogenicity potential, such as adherence to epithelial cells and emission of filamentous structures, as well as their low susceptibility to antifungals. D-limonene, a natural compound, emerges as a promising alternative with previously described antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antifungal activity; however, its mechanisms of action and antivirulence activity against C. parapsilosis complex species have not been elucidated. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the antifungal and antivirulence action, as well as the mechanism of action of D-limonene against isolates from this complex. D-limonene exhibited relevant antifungal activity against C. parapsilosis complex yeasts, as well as excellent antivirulence activity by inhibiting yeast morphogenesis and adherence to the human epithelium. Furthermore, the apoptotic mechanism induced by this compound, which is not induced by oxidative stress, represents an important target for the development of new antifungal drugs.

Background: Phytol is a diterpene from the long-chain unsaturated acyclic alcohols, known for its diverse biological effects, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Present in essential oils, phytol is a promising candidate for various applications in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological sectors. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and drug-potentiating effects of phytol against multidrug-resistant bacteria and to evaluate its in silico properties: ADME and molecular docking. Methods: The in vitro antibacterial activity of phytol and the phytol combined with conventional drugs was evaluated by microdilution tests against standard and resistant bacterial strains. Finally, the SwissADME platform was employed to analyse the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of phytol. Results: Phytol significantly reduced the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of norfloxacin and gentamicin required to inhibit multidrug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Additionally, ADME analysis revealed that phytol exhibits low toxicity and favourable pharmacokinetic properties; in addition, it is revealed through molecular docking that phytol showed a relevant affinity with the proteins 6GJ1 and 5KDR, however, with values lower than the drugs gentamicin and ampicillin. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings suggest that phytol holds potential as an effective adjuvant in combating antimicrobial resistance.