The Crab Heparin-Like Compound Exhibits A Strong Inhibitory Effect On Infections By Dengue Virus-2

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlyanne Maria Carvalho Silva de Almeida ◽  
Renato Ferreira de Almeida Júnior ◽  
Ana Alice de Aquino ◽  
Lívia de Lourdes Pinto ◽  
Paula Renata Lima Machado ◽  
...  

Background: - According to the World Health Organization (WHO), two fifths of the world population is at risk of infection by DENV. There are not any safe and effective vaccine established. Sulfated glycosaminoglycans such as heparin, used as anticoagulant inhibit the initial step of dengue viral replication. Recently, an isolated heparin analogue Goniopsis cruentata (cCTH) has presented low anticoagulant effect with reduced bleeding risk. Methods : - The antiviral activity of cCTH and heparin compounds against DENV-2 in Vero cell culture was determined by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and titration. For this, it was carried out four trials: treatment of the cells for 2 h before viral inoculation, concomitant viral inoculation treatment, treatment after viral inoculation and virucidal assay. Subsequently, the culture supernatants were collected for periods of 24, 48 and 72 h. Results: - Our results have been demonstrated that cCTH and heparin showed antiviral activity against DENV-2. Conclusion : - These data suggest that both compounds prevented viral replication in cultured Vero cells.

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 607
Author(s):  
Henry Lowe ◽  
Blair Steele ◽  
Joseph Bryant ◽  
Emadelden Fouad ◽  
Ngeh Toyang ◽  
...  

Plants have had historical significance in medicine since the beginning of civilization. The oldest medical pharmacopeias of the African, Arabian, and Asian countries solely utilize plants and herbs to treat pain, oral diseases, skin diseases, microbial infections, multiple types of cancers, reproductive disorders among a myriad of other ailments. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 65% of the world population solely utilize botanical preparations as medicine. Due to the abundance of plants, plant-derived medicines are more readily accessible, affordable, convenient, and have safer side-effect profiles than synthetic drugs. Plant-based decoctions have been a significant part of Jamaican traditional folklore medicine. Jamaica is of particular interest because it has approximately 52% of the established medicinal plants that exist on earth. This makes the island particularly welcoming for rigorous scientific research on the medicinal value of plants and the development of phytomedicine thereof. Viral infections caused by the human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2), hepatitis virus B and C, influenza A virus, and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) present a significant global burden. This is a review of some important Jamaican medicinal plants, with particular reference to their antiviral activity.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jéssica Vasques Raposo ◽  
Luciana Rodrigues Carvalho Barros ◽  
Lauana Ribas Torres ◽  
Rafaela Barbosa da Silva Pinto ◽  
Amanda de Oliveira Lopes ◽  
...  

Abstract HSV-1 affects approximately 67% of the world population. Here, we sought to use the CRISPR / Cas9 system with the UL39 target, essential for virus replication. The sgRNA sequence was inserted into plasmid (PX459-UL39). Vero cells were transfected with PX459-UL39, and inhibition of viral replication was assessed 24 and 48 hours later using plaque assays and fluorescence and qPCR. Fluorescence analyzes revealed the presence of anti-HSV-1 CRISPR/Cas9 within Vero cells, and qPCR showed that the viral load decreased by> 95% of cells transfected with anti-HSV-1 CRISPR / Cas9. Our data demonstrate the usefulness of the PX459-UL39 to inhibit HSV-1 infection.


Author(s):  
Henry Lowe ◽  
Blair Steele ◽  
Joseph Bryant ◽  
Emadelden Fouad ◽  
Ngeh Toyang ◽  
...  

Plants have had historical significance in medicine since the beginning of civilization. The oldest medical pharmacopeias of the African, Arabian, and Asian countries solely utilize plants and herbs to treat pain, oral diseases, skin diseases, microbial infections, multiple types of cancers, reproductive disorders among a myriad of other ailments. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 65% of the world population solely utilize botanical preparations as medicine. Due to the abundance of plants, plant-derived medicines are more readily accessible, affordable, convenient, and have safer side-effect profiles than synthetic drugs. Plant-based decoctions have been a significant part of Jamaican traditional folklore medicine. Jamaica is of particular interest because it has approximately 52% of the established medicinal plants that exist on earth. This makes the island particularly welcoming for rigorous scientific research on the medicinal value of plants and the development of phytomedicine thereof. Viral infections like human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2), hepatitis virus B and C, influenza A virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) have significant global burden. This is a review of some important Jamaican medicinal plants, with particular reference to their antiviral activity.


Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
Gaurav M. Doshi ◽  
Hemen S. Ved ◽  
Ami P. Thakkar

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently announced the spread of novel coronavirus (nCoV) globally and has declared it a pandemic. The probable source of transmission of the virus, which is from animal to human and human to human contact, has been established. As per the statistics reported by the WHO on 11th April 2020, data has shown that more than sixteen lakh confirmed cases have been identified globally. The reported cases related to nCoV in India have been rising substantially. The review article discusses the characteristics of nCoV in detail with the probability of potentially effective old drugs that may inhibit the virus. The research may further emphasize and draw the attention of the world towards the development of an effective vaccine as well as alternative therapies. Moreover, the article will help to bridge the gap between the new researchers since it’s the current thrust area of research.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2541
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Massimo Sangiorgi ◽  
Alberto Cereda ◽  
Nicola Porchetta ◽  
Daniela Benedetto ◽  
Andrea Matteucci ◽  
...  

Nowadays, obesity represents one of the most unresolved global pandemics, posing a critical health issue in developed countries. According to the World Health Organization, its prevalence has tripled since 1975, reaching a prevalence of 13% of the world population in 2016. Indeed, as obesity increases worldwide, novel strategies to fight this condition are of the utmost importance to reduce obese-related morbidity and overall mortality related to its complications. Early experimental and initial clinical data have suggested that endovascular bariatric surgery (EBS) may be a promising technique to reduce weight and hormonal imbalance in the obese population. Compared to open bariatric surgery and minimally invasive surgery (MIS), EBS is much less invasive, well tolerated, with a shorter recovery time, and is probably cost-saving. However, there are still several technical aspects to investigate before EBS can be routinely offered to all obese patients. Further prospective studies and eventually a randomized trial comparing open bariatric surgery vs. EBS are needed, powered for clinically relevant outcomes, and with adequate follow-up. Yet, EBS may already appear as an appealing alternative treatment for weight management and cardiovascular prevention in morbidly obese patients at high surgical risk.


2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 225-229
Author(s):  
Gorica Sbutega-Milosevic ◽  
Zorica Djordjevic ◽  
Zoran Marmut ◽  
Boban Mugosa

Introduction. Combating nutritional deficiencies of micronutrients, such as iodine, represents a priority task of health care organizations. In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the publication: Global Prevalence of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD), according to which some 2,2 billion people live in areas poor in naturally occurring iodine. Approximately 13% of the world population suffer from goitre - one of the IDD. The recommended iodine content in table salt is 20-40 mg/kg, which should satisfy the daily iodine requirements of an adult. Objective. The authors sought to ascertain whether iodization of table salt in Montenegro was carried out in accordance with the existing legislature. An assessment was also carried out of the attitudes and habits of the population regarding the use of salt in nutrition and the level of awareness in relation to the relevance of table salt iodization. Methods. The research was carried out in 2004 and was sponsored by UNICEF. A sample of 594 homes from the municipalities of Bar and Podgorica was chosen: 354 homes from urban and 240 from rural areas. The participants completed a questionnaire related to the daily use and intake of salt, as well as their understanding of the relevance of table salt iodization. Iodine content was tested in 15 samples of table salt at production level, 170 samples at retail level and 126 samples taken from domestic use. Results. The analysis of table salt samples showed an optimal iodine level in 73.3% of samples from production, in 81.2% from retail, and in 73.0% from domestic use. A lower level of iodine was found in 8.8% retail samples and 15.1% samples from home use. A greater concentration of iodine was found in 26.7% production, 10.0% retail and 11.9% samples from domestic use. Conclusion. Although the application of the WHO programme has led to an improvement in iodization of table salt in Montenegro, both at production and retail levels, this still falls short of the standards recommended by WHO to combat IDD. The levels of iodine in table salt in domestic use also fail to comply with the WHO criteria for elimination of IDD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Gabriela Mitea ◽  
Marius Daniel Radu ◽  
Ana Maria Ionescu ◽  
Nicoleta Blebea

In infectious diseases, viral hepatitis has an increased incidence, being an important cause of morbidity and mortality, being a "sentinel" indicator of the socio-economic and hygienic-cultural standard of a geographical area. The World Health Organization (WHO) admits the following types of hepatitis viruses: A, B, B + D, C, E, F and G. Among the viral entities recognized by the WHO, a special importance in terms of incidence, evolution over time with the risk of chronicity and the therapeutic options are presented by hepatitis B and C. There is currently an effective vaccine as well as treatment for hepatitis B. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but in recent years considerable progress has been made in treating this disease. Also, the introduction of drugs known as direct-acting antivirals makes it possible to cure over 90% of patients within 2-3 months. But in many countries, current drug policies, regulations and prices keep treatment out of the reach of most people with hepatitis. Eradication of viral hepatitis is possible if greater emphasis is placed on prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Vaccination is very important, as it is possible for types A and B of hepatitis. Early diagnosis is also extremely important, given that there are currently very effective drugs that can prevent the development of liver cancer. The WHO also noted that about two million people worldwide become ill each year due to the reuse of syringes and stressed the importance of checking blood donors to see if they are not carriers of hepatitis B or C viruses. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to highlight the pharmacological treatment and the main therapeutic and prevention schemes currently used for patients with these liver diseases. The paper was based on the most popular methods of identification of the latest international information about the treatment of hepatitis (by electronic search using Pubmed, SciFinder, Scirus, GoogleScholar and Web of Science). We also consulted the global literature cited in the hepatitis database of the World Health Organization (WHO) updated frequent from the current literature on this topic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nícia Rosário-Ferreira ◽  
António J. Preto ◽  
Rita Melo ◽  
Irina S. Moreira ◽  
Rui M. M. Brito

Influenza (flu) is a contagious viral disease, which targets the human respiratory tract and spreads throughout the world each year. Every year, influenza infects around 10% of the world population and between 290,000 and 650,000 people die from it according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Influenza viruses belong to the Orthomyxoviridae family and have a negative sense eight-segment single-stranded RNA genome that encodes 11 different proteins. The only control over influenza seasonal epidemic outbreaks around the world are vaccines, annually updated according to viral strains in circulation, but, because of high rates of mutation and recurrent genetic assortment, new viral strains of influenza are constantly emerging, increasing the likelihood of pandemics. Vaccination effectiveness is limited, calling for new preventive and therapeutic approaches and a better understanding of the virus–host interactions. In particular, grasping the role of influenza non-structural protein 1 (NS1) and related known interactions in the host cell is pivotal to better understand the mechanisms of virus infection and replication, and thus propose more effective antiviral approaches. In this review, we assess the structure of NS1, its dynamics, and multiple functions and interactions, to highlight the central role of this protein in viral biology and its potential use as an effective therapeutic target to tackle seasonal and pandemic influenza.


2016 ◽  
Vol 04 (02) ◽  
pp. 067-070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranabir Salam

AbstractNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 68% of all deaths in 2012. Eighty-two percent of these “premature” deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Most of the NCD deaths are caused by cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, mental health, road traffic accidents, and violence. The World Health Organization, several governments, and nongovernmental organizations have taken up numerous programs to curb the menace of NCDs. However, the present programs do not include some common chronic medical conditions which also lead to considerable morbidity and mortality. The present review highlights three important chronic disorders: chronic kidney disease (CKD), liver disease (cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver), and thyroid diseases. CKD is an internationally recognized public health problem affecting 5–10% of the world population. CKD resulted in 956,000 deaths in 2013 and proposes them to be included in the world wide accepted definition of NCD. Cirrhosis and chronic liver disease were the tenth leading cause of death for men and the twelfth for women in the United States in 2001. Moreover, 4–10% of the global population have thyroid dysfunction. This mini-review proposes to expand the definition of NCD to include these three major illnesses.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bapi Gorain ◽  
Hira Choudhury ◽  
Nagashekhara Molugulu ◽  
Rajani B. Athawale ◽  
Prashant Kesharwani

Sudden outbreak of a new pathogen in numbers of pneumonic patients in Wuhan province during December 2019 has threatened the world population within a short period of its occurrence. This respiratory tract–isolated pathogen was initially named as novel coronavirus 2019 (nCoV-2019), but later termed as SARS-CoV-2. The rapid spreading of this infectious disease received the label of pandemic by the World Health Organization within 4 months of its occurrence, which still seeks continuous attention of the researchers to prevent the spread and for cure of the infected patients. The propagation of the disease has been recorded in 215 countries, with more than 25.5 million cases and a death toll of more than 0.85 million. Several measures are taken to control the disease transmission, and researchers are actively engaged in finding suitable therapeutics to effectively control the disease to minimize the mortality and morbidity rates. Several existing potential candidates were explored in the prevention and treatment of worsening condition of COVID-19 patients; however, none of the formulation has been approved for the treatment but used under medical supervision. In this article, a focus has been made to highlight on current epidemiology on the COVID-19 infection, clinical features, diagnosis, and transmission, with special emphasis on treatment measures of the disease at different stages of clinical research and the global economic influence due to this pandemic situation. Progress in the development on vaccine against COVID-19 has also been explored as important measures to immunize people. Moreover, this article is expected to provide information to the researchers, who are constantly combating in the management against this outbreak.


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