scholarly journals Pomegranate Peel Extract as an Inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Binding to Human ACE2 Receptor (in vitro): A Promising Source of Novel Antiviral Drugs

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annalisa Tito ◽  
Antonio Colantuono ◽  
Luciano Pirone ◽  
Emilia Pedone ◽  
Daniela Intartaglia ◽  
...  

Plant extracts are rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, sesquiterpenes, and triterpenes, which potentially have antiviral activities. As a consequence of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, thousands of scientists have been working tirelessly trying to understand the biology of this new virus and the disease pathophysiology, with the main goal of discovering effective preventive treatments and therapeutic agents. Plant-derived secondary metabolites may play key roles in preventing and counteracting the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections by inhibiting the activity of several viral proteins, in particular those involved in the virus entry into the host cells and its replication. Using in vitro approaches, we investigated the role of a pomegranate peel extract (PPE) in attenuating the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, and on the activity of the virus 3CL protease. Although further studies will be determinant to assess the efficacy of this extract in vivo, our results opened new promising opportunities to employ natural extracts for the development of effective and innovative therapies in the fight against SARS-CoV-2.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annalisa Tito ◽  
Antonio Colantuono ◽  
Luciano Pirone ◽  
Emilia Pedone ◽  
Daniela Intartaglia ◽  
...  

AbstractPlant extracts are rich in bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, sesquiterpenes and triterpenes, with potential antiviral activities. As the dramatic outbreak of the pandemic COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thousands of scientists are working tirelessly trying to understand the biology of this new virus and the disease pathophysiology, with the main goal to discover effective preventive treatments and therapeutic agents. Plant-derived secondary metabolites may play key roles in preventing and counteracting the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections by inhibiting the activity of several viral proteins, in particular those involved in the virus entry into the host cells and its replication. In this study, by using different in vitro approaches, we uncovered the role of a pomegranate peel extract in attenuating the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein and the human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, and in inhibiting the activity of the virus 3CL protease. Although further studies will be determinant to assess the efficacy of this extract in vivo, our results open up new promising opportunities to employ natural extracts for the development of effective and innovative therapies in the fight against SARS-CoV-2.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed A. Haroun ◽  
Abdel-Tawab H. Mossa ◽  
Samia M.M. Mohafrash

Background: Funcionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (ox-MWCNTs) were used for the preparation of therapeutic nanoparticles for delivery of some bioactive compounds. Consequently, this work deals with the preparation of grafted MWCNTs with n-vinyl caprolactam in the presence of pomegranate peel extract (P. granatum), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and/or silver nanoparticeles and their toxic effects on male mice using in vivo biological examination (liver and kidney dysfunction biomarkers) and the histopathological analysis. Methods: P. granatum extract was immobilized onto functionalized MWCNTs using simple adsorption technique. Moreover, The prepared materials were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM). In vivo examination using liver and kidney dysfunction biomarkers was investigated. In addition, the histopathological study was carried out. Results: The ox-MWCNTs induced significant elevation in the liver enzymes including AST, ALT and ALP relative to the control group. While, the treatment with P. granatum extract only did not induce any change in the liver and kidney biomarkers. In other words, P. granatum extract loaded onto functionalized MWCNTs showed low effects on liver enzymes and kidney function biomarkers in the treated mice in comparison with ox-MWCNTs and extract separately. Moreover, histopathological analysis revealed that the P. granatum extract functionalized MWCNTs exhibited normal renal tissue with no histopathological alteration. Conclusion: The grafted MWCNTs with n-vinyl caprolactam in the presence of pomegranate peel extract (P. granatum), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and/or silver nanoparticeles were successfully prepared. SEM-micrographs showed complete coating of MWCNTs fiber with the extract. The prepared materials resulted in no toxic effects and the histopathological findings were confirmed by inflammation of the liver and kidney tissues.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 705
Author(s):  
Asmaa M. El-Kady ◽  
Iman A. M. Abdel-Rahman ◽  
Samer S. Fouad ◽  
Khaled S. Allemailem ◽  
Taghrid Istivan ◽  
...  

Giardiasis is a major diarrheal disease affecting approximately 2.5 million children annually in developing countries. Several studies have reported the resistance of Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) to multiple drugs. Therefore, identifying an effective drug for giardiasis is a necessity. This study examined the antiparasitic effect of Punica granatum (pomegranate) and evaluated its therapeutic efficacy in rats infected with G. lamblia. In vitro study showed high efficacy of pomegranate peel ethanolic extract in killing G. lamblia cysts as demonstrated by eosin vital staining. We showed that treating infected rats with pomegranate extract resulted in a marked reduction in the mean number of G. lamblia cysts and trophozoites in feces and intestine respectively. Interestingly, the number of G. lamblia trophozoites and cysts were significantly lower in the pomegranate extract-treated group compared to the metronidazole-positive control group. Moreover, pomegranate extract treatment significantly induced nitric oxide (NO) and reduced serum IL-6 and TNF-α, compared to infected untreated rats. Histological and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of the jejunum and duodenum of pomegranate extract-treated animals confirmed the antiparasitic effect of the extract, and demonstrated the restoration of villi structure with reduction of villi atrophy, decreased infiltration of lymphocytes, and protection of intestinal cells from apoptotic cell death. In conclusion, our data show that the pomegranate peel extract is effective in controlling G. lamblia infections, which suggests that it could be a viable treatment option for giardiasis.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105145
Author(s):  
Relja Suručić ◽  
Maja Travar ◽  
Miroslav Petković ◽  
BiljanaTubić ◽  
Miloš P. Stojiljković ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 246 (9) ◽  
pp. 1765-1772
Author(s):  
I. Belgacem ◽  
L. Schena ◽  
N. Teixidó ◽  
F. V. Romeo ◽  
G. Ballistreri ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-140
Author(s):  
Thais M. Silva ◽  
Thays C. A. Bolzan ◽  
Marcos S. Zanini ◽  
Taiana Alencar ◽  
Winner D. Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Herbal therapies are used worldwide to treat a variety of health conditions, including dental conditions in veterinary medicine. In this context, the use of medicinal plant-based formulations as potential therapeutics and preventatives in veterinary dentistry is worth highlighting. The objective of the present study was to develop a mucoadhesive ointment formulation, named orabase, that contained pomegranate extract for use in the oral cavity of dogs, with the aim of improving their oral hygiene. The hydroalcoholic extracts of pomegranate peels was incorporated into the orabase in 3 different concentrations. The formulations were subjected to in vitro microbiological testing by a modified disc-diffusion method to study the susceptibility of microorganisms collected from the oral cavities of the dogs. The samples were taken from the buccal mucosa of dogs having the same management and diet. The most effective formulation was submitted to physicochemical tests to evaluate the functionality of the product, namely pH, swelling index, spreadability, and mechanical properties (hardness, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness). The formulation containing 25.0% w/w of the extract was considered most suitable for the intended use as it showed antiseptic activity and demonstrated a swelling index of approximately 35% in the first 20 minutes of the test, high spreadability, and suitable mechanical properties. The results suggest that the product obtained from pomegranate peel extract is a viable option for use to improve oral hygiene, helping to reduce the bacterial component of dental plaque in dogs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Amelia ◽  
Diana K Jasaputra ◽  
Rita Tjokropranoto

Helminths infections caused by Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) are found in manypeople living in developing countries, especially in rural areas. People often use pomegranate asan anthelmintic. The aim of this research is to find out the effects of pomegranate peel (Punicagranatum L.) as an anthelmintic to female Ascaris suum in vitro. The research on the effects ofpomegranate peel extract has been conducted on 900 female Ascaris suum in vitro. Ascaris suumare divided into 5 groups, group I: pomegranate peel extract of dose 25%, group II: pomegranatepeel extract of 50%, group III: pomegranate peel extract of 75%, group IV: 0.9% NaCl as anegative control, and group V is given mebendazole 0.5% as a positive control. The meanpercentage of dead worms in group I is 39%, in group II 61%, while in group III 82%, but itspotential is lower than mebendazole, which kills 100%. The treatment using pomegranate peelextract of 25%, 50% and 75% respectively has significant differences with p < 0.05 againstnegative control (NC) using a 0.9% NaCl. The research concludes that the pomegranate peelextract has an anthelmintic effect against Ascaris suum females in vitro.Keywords: pomegranate peel extract, anthelmintic effect, in vitro


Planta Medica ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (11) ◽  
pp. 749-759
Author(s):  
Mayuree Kanlayavattanakul ◽  
Wichayada Chongnativisit ◽  
Puxvadee Chaikul ◽  
Nattaya Lourith

AbstractThe pomegranate phenolics are reported to have cutaneous benefits and to be effective in treating skin disorders, including hyperpigmentation. In this context, a preparation method was developed by which to obtain phenolic-rich pomegranate peel extract. Sinapic acid was presented as the major pomegranate peel phenolics, followed by gallic and ellagic acids, and 4 additional phenolics. The extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity with an in vitro tyrosinase inhibitory effect. The skin hyperpigmentation treating potency was confirmed by the suppression of cellular melanogenesis through tyrosinase and TRP-2 inhibitions as examined in the B16F10 melanoma cells. Cellular antioxidant and proliferative activities of the extract toward human dermal fibroblasts were evidenced, as well as an inhibitory effect against MMP-2. The extract was developed into the stable serum and mask. The products were proved to be non-irritated in 30 Thai volunteers participating in a single application closed patch test. A split-face, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled test of the skin lightening effect was evaluated in the 30 volunteers over 28 consecutive daily treatments and monitored by the Mexameter MX 18. The active serum and mask were better in facial skin lightening efficacy than the placebo (p < 0.005). That was in accordance with the sensory evaluation scored by the volunteers. Phenolic-rich pomegranate peel extract is evidenced as a safe herbal derived material promising for skin hyperpigmentation treatment. Supportive information regarding chemical and biological profiles is presented with the confirmed safety and cutaneous benefits in volunteers.


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