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Phytomedicine Research Papers - 2026-01-18
18/01/2026
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Enterococcus faecalis, a Gram-positive bacterium that causes nosocomial infections, has been reported to be resistant to several antibiotics, posing a significant threat to public healthcare. In the present study, we explored a combinatorial therapeutic approach involving conventional antibiotics alongside phytochemicals against E. faecalis. Vancomycin and ciprofloxacin were chosen for the current study due to their different modes of action. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cuminaldehyde and thymoquinone was found to be 500 µg/mL and 30 µg/mL, respectively. Co-administering vancomycin with thymoquinone or cuminaldehyde reduced the MIC of vancomycin from 5 to 2 µg/mL, resulting in a 60% drop in MIC dose. Ciprofloxacin's MIC reduced from 1.5 to 1 µg/mL in the presence of the same phytochemicals, resulting in 33% reduction in its MIC dose. Furthermore, fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICI) suggested additive interactions (FICI range: 0.66-1) between the antibiotics and phytochemicals against E. faecalis. Since precision dosing is important for any combinatorial application, we explored response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize dosing regimens of the selected compounds. It was observed that the predicted optimal concentrations of the test compounds (in different combinations) could closely match the actual observations when tested under the in-vitro laboratory conditions (R2 range: 0.97-0.99). These findings suggested that combining conventional antibiotics with phytochemicals may offer a promising strategy to enhance the antimicrobial efficacy for effective control of infections caused by E. faecalis.
Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, plays a critical role in the progression of asthma, yet its therapeutic modulation remains underexplored. Luteolin (Lut), a natural flavonoid known for its anti-inflammatory properties, presents a potential candidate for targeting ferroptosis in asthma. However, the precise mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects are unclear. This study used a combination of bioinformatics, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro and in vivo experiments to investigate the role of luteolin in the treatment of ferroptosis in asthma. A collection of natural flavonoid compounds with high oral bioavailability and drug-like properties was assembled from the Chinese herbal medicine database. Through network pharmacology analysis, it was discovered that these flavonoids can effectively treat ferroptosis in asthma by regulating Arachidonic acid 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15) and arachidonic acid metabolism. Further investigation through virtual docking revealed that luteolin is a key compound in the treatment of ferroptosis in asthma, targeting ALOX15. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the ALOX15-luteolin complex is stable and flexible. Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA) confirmed the thermal stability of luteolin and ALOX15, while Drug affinity response target stability (DARTS) assay showed that luteolin inhibits the proteolysis of ALOX15 by pronase. In in vitro experiments, it was observed that luteolin treatment reduced Fe2+ content and lipid ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner, while also downregulating ALOX15 and ACSL4 and upregulating SLC7A11 and GPX4, effectively alleviating ferroptosis induced by house dust mite (HDM) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in 16HBE cells. ALOX15 was specifically knocked down in 16HBE cells, and it was found that ALOX15 silencing and luteolin treatment could also inhibit ferroptosis in asthma. In vivo experiments and serum metabolomics analyses further confirmed that luteolin inhibits ferroptosis by suppressing ALOX15 expression and regulating arachidonic acid metabolism, ultimately alleviating asthma symptoms in mice. This study found that luteolin inhibited ALOX15-mediated ferroptosis in bronchial epithelial cells to alleviate asthma, highlighting the potential of luteolin as a promising therapeutic agent for asthma treatment.
Heat stress significantly affects plant growth by compromising cellular membranes. This review examines the mechanisms by which plants perceive heat at the plasma membrane, initiate lipid changes, and activate protective proteins to maintain membrane integrity. The investigation focuses on essential signaling pathways that encompass heat shock transcription factors, phospholipid messengers, reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium, and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). We underscore lipid modification, especially in plasma and thylakoid membranes, to preserve membrane fluidity during thermal stress, alongside the functions of small heat shock proteins, Hsp70, and Hsp90. We examine ways to enhance thermotolerance, including conventional breeding, genetic engineering, and genome editing focused on desaturases, membrane lipids, and heat shock protein regulators. The relationship between antioxidant and osmolyte responses, along with their interplay with salinity and drought stress, is analyzed. Significant research deficiencies are recognized, especially regarding the relationships among field performance, organelle interactions, proteostasis, and lipidomics. This review synthesizes novel notions of inter-organelle coordination, thermomemory, and sophisticated biophysical imaging tools to investigate membrane dynamics and thermotolerance, presenting new opportunities for cultivating crops adaptable to increasing temperatures.
IntroductionDetectable plasma HIV viral loads remain a major public health concern due to its association with increased HIV transmission and disease progression. The aim of this study is to assess the factors associated with a detectable HIV viral load in People Living with HIV (PLHIV) aged between 15 and 60 at the Cité des Palmiers District Hospital in Cameroon.MethodologyThis is a cross-sectional study conducted between July 2023 and January 2024 using a non-probability convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to PLHIV aged between 15 and 65 years (n = 309). Analyses were performed using logistic regression, with a p-value <0.05.ResultsOut of 511 patients recruited, 309 consented to participate, representing a participation rate of 60%. Among the participants, 17% had a detectable viral load. Analyses revealed that living in a rural area [aOR = 4.40, p-value = 0.040], having a primary education as the highest level attained [aOR = 4.82, p-value = 0.025], frequently forgetting to take medication [aOR = 5.67, p-value = 0.002], eating only one meal a day [aOR = 13.02, p-value = 0.007], and fearing that therapy would no longer be effective in the future [aOR = 4.45, p-value = 0.009] significantly increased the probability of having a detectable HIV viral load.ConclusionThese result provide insight into targeting adherence support for PLWH in Cameroon to reduce the community HIV viral load. By improving access to care and providing psychosocial support, it may be possible to reduce community viral load, and reducing HIV transmission.
The human gut microbiota exhibits significant diversity across populations, influenced by factors such as geography, diet, and lifestyle, particularly between the Han Chinese and non-Chinese populations. While previous studies have predominantly focused on the taxonomic abundance of the gut microbiome, the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in driving population-specific differences remains largely underexplored.
In this study, we systematically investigated gut microbial differences between the Han Chinese and non-Chinese populations using the Human Gut Microbiome Reference Genome Catalog (HGMRGC). We observed geography was the primary driver of microbial variation of abundance and SNPs. We identified 689 population-specific genome clusters from the Collinsella genus with functional differences in carbohydrate utilization and 108 species exhibiting distinct prevalence related to vitamin biosynthesis, antibiotic resistance, and carbohydrate metabolism. Beta diversity analysis highlighted significant inter-population differences in both microbial abundance and SNPs, while alpha diversity analysis revealed that non-Chinese populations exhibited higher diversity in microbial abundance, and Han Chinese populations displayed greater diversity in SNPs.
This study offers a comprehensive analysis of gut microbial differences between Han Chinese and non-Chinese populations, highlighting the profound influence of population-specific traits on microbial diversity and function. We also provide a comprehensive human gut microbial reference genome catalog, with a particular focus on the Han Chinese population, laying a foundation for future research on gut microbiota genomic variations.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) remains a global health threat, with efflux pump-based mechanisms being a significant contributor to bacterial drug resistance, highlighting the importance of exploring alternative strategies such as plant-based phytochemicals. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen that heavily depends on its Resistance-Nodulation-Division (RND) efflux systems, like MexAB-OprM, as its resistance pathway against antibiotics. By inhibiting these efflux pumps, the pathogen can potentially be susceptible to the same antibiotics it was resistant to. Phytochemicals derived from medicinal plants offer a large scale of bioactive compounds with potential efflux inhibitory properties. However, the inhibitory effects and activity of bioactive compounds from Brassica nigra and Foeniculum vulgare remain largely unexplored, especially with P. aeruginosa. In this study, the crude extracts from mustard and fennel were evaluated for their ability to affect the efflux resistance in P. aeruginosa PA7 (MTCC 1688). Mustard extract demonstrated a stronger inhibitory effect and increased antibiotic susceptibility compared to Fennel extract, which was supported by intracellular accumulation and bacterial growth behaviour. GC-MS profiling helped identify key components of the extract, and molecular docking revealed that mustard-based compounds showed a higher affinity towards the MexB protein. Molecular dynamics simulations further confirmed the stability of compounds from mustard and MexB interactions as potential ligands. Overall, the findings suggest that the mustard phytochemicals may be a promising natural efflux pump inhibitor capable of increasing the potency of antibiotic activity against P.aeruginosa, increasing their relevance in combating AMR.
