Nano-drug delivery is a promising tactic to enhance the activity and minimize the cytotoxicity of antimicrobial drugs. In the current study, chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) were used as a carrier for the delivery of gentamicin sulfate (GM) and ascorbic acid (AA). The particles were synthesized by ionotropic gelation method and characterized by FT-IR, Zeta potential, and transmission electron microscope imaging. The obtained particles were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity. The prepared particles (GM–AA–CSNPs) under the optimal condition of 4:1:1 of chitosan to drug ratio showed encapsulation efficiency and loading capacities of 89% and 22%, respectively. Regarding biological activities, GM–AA–CSNPs showed a lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) than free gentamicin sulfate and GMCSNPs mixture without presenting cytotoxicity against normal cells (HSF). Moreover, the GM–AA–CSNPs did not exhibit hemolytic activity. These results highlight that the GM–AA–CSNPs are confirmed as a hopeful formula for future investigations on the development of antimicrobial preparations.

Background: The emergence of different viral infections calls for the development of new, effective, and safe antiviral drugs. Glycyrrhiza glabra is a well-known herbal remedy possessing antiviral properties. Objective: The objective of our research was to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed combination of the probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus and G. glabra root extract against two viral models, namely the DNA virus Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and the RNA virus Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), with regards to their antiviral properties. Methodology: To examine the antiviral impacts of various treatments, we employed the MTT assay and real-time PCR methodology. Results: The findings of our study indicate that the co-administration of L. acidophilus and G. glabra resulted in a significant improvement in the survival rate of Vero cells, while also leading to a reduction in the titers of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) and Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in comparison to cells that were not treated. Additionally, an investigation was conducted on glycyrrhizin, the primary constituent of G. glabra extract, utilizing molecular docking techniques. The results indicated that glycyrrhizin exhibited a greater binding energy score for HSV-1 polymerase (− 22.45 kcal/mol) and VSV nucleocapsid (− 19.77 kcal/mol) in comparison to the cocrystallized ligand (− 13.31 and − 11.44 kcal/mol, respectively). Conclusions: The combination of L. acidophilus and G. glabra extract can be used to develop a new, natural antiviral agent that is safe and effective.

The increasing prevalence of obesity has become a demanding issue in both high-income and low-income countries. Treating obesity is challenging as the treatment options have many limitations. Recently, diet modification has been commonly applied to control or prevent obesity and its risks. In this study, we investigated novel therapeutic approaches using a combination of a potential probiotic source with prebiotics. Forty-eight adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were selected and divided into seven groups (eight rats per group). The first group was fed a high-fat diet, while the second group was a negative control. The other five groups were orally administered with a probiotic, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum), and potential prebiotics sources (chia seeds, green tea, and chitosan) either individually or in combination for 45 days. We collected blood samples to analyze the biochemical parameters and dissected organs, including the liver, kidney, and pancreas, to evaluate obesity-related injuries. We observed a more significant decrease in the total body weight by combining these approaches than with individual agents. Moreover, treating the obese rats with this combination decreased serum catalase, superoxide dismutase, and liver malondialdehyde levels. A histopathological examination revealed a reduction in obesity-related injuries in the liver, kidney, and pancreas. Further docking studies indicated the potential role of chia seeds and green tea components in modulating obesity and its related problems. Therefore, we suggest that the daily administration of a pre- and probiotic combination may reduce obesity and its related problems.

One of the most dangerous problems that the world faced recently is viral respiratory pathogens. Marine creatures, including Echinodermata, specially Asteroidea class (starfish) have been extensively studied due to their miscellaneous bioactivities, excellent pharmacological properties, and complex secondary metabolites, including steroids, steroidal glycosides, anthraquinones, alkaloids, phospholipids, peptides, and fatty acids. These chemical constituents show antiviral activities against a wide range of viruses, including respiratory viruses. The present study aimed at the identification of potential antiviral compounds from some starfish species. The bioactive compounds from Pentaceraster cumingi, Astropecten polyacanthus, and Pentaceraster mammillatus were extracted using two different solvents (ethyl acetate and methanol). The antiviral activity against influenza A/H1N1 virus showed that ethyl acetate extract from Pentaceraster cumingi has the highest activity, where the selective index was 150.8. The bioactive compounds of this extract were identified by GC/MS analysis. The molecular docking study highlighted the virtual mechanism of binding of the identified compounds towards polymerase basic protein 2 and neuraminidase for H1N1 virus. Interestingly, linoleic acid showed promising binding energy of -10.12 Kcal/mol and -24.20 Kcal/mol for the selected two targets, respectively, and it formed good interactive modes with the key amino acids inside both proteins. The molecular docking analysis showed that linoleic acid was the most active antiviral compound from P. cumingi. Further studies are recommended for in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of this compound against influenza A/H1N1 virus.

Purpose: There is an immense need to develop new antiviral compounds that are effective and have little side effects. Natural compounds provide a good candidate that is gaining popularity. Probiotics as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and plant-derived medicines as star anise extract have been investigated to treat viral diseases, cancer, and inflammation. This work aimed to investigate the antiviral effect of probiotics ( Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ) and (star anise) against Herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) and Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Patients and methods: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and star anise extract had been prepared and tested against vero cell lines for cytotoxicity assay. The antiviral effect of L. plantarum and star anise against HSV-1 and VSV was evaluated by titration calculation (TCID50). The expression of MX genes were measured in infected cells before and after treatment with L. plantarum and star anise. Results: We found that L. planterum is more effective against HSV-1 and caused 2.5 log reduction in virus titre while star anise extract is more effective against VSV and caused 1.25 log reduction in virus titre. Evaluation of MX genes expression revealed higher expression in HSV-1 infected cell treated with L. planterum and VSV infected cells treated with star anise extract. Conclusion: L. planterum and star anise could be useful antiviral natural compounds that have minimal side effects Plain language Summary: Both Herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) and Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) caused infection characterized by lytic lesions. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and star anise had shown promising antiviral effects. So, we investigated the antiproliferative effect of L. plantarum and star anise against HSV-1 and VSV by assessment of virus titre before and after treatment and assessment of MX gene coding for antiviral proteins. We found that L. plantarum and star anise could inhibit proliferation of HSV-1 and VSV and increase expression of MX gene. L. plantarum and star anise could be good antiviral candidate.