Recent Patents on Biotechnology - Volume 17, Issue 1, 2023

Drug discovery and development are critical processes that enable the treatment of wide variety of health-related problems. These are time-consuming, tedious, complicated, and costly processes. Numerous difficulties arise throughout the entire process of drug discovery, from design to testing. Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recently posed a significant threat to global public health. SARS-Cov-2 and its variants are rapidly spreading in humans due to their high transmission rate. To effectively treat COVID-19, potential drugs and vaccines must be developed quickly. The advancement of artificial intelligence has shifted the focus of drug development away from traditional methods and toward bioinformatics tools. Computer-aided drug design techniques have demonstrated tremendous utility in dealing with massive amounts of biological data and developing efficient algorithms. Artificial intelligence enables more effective approaches to complex problems associated with drug discovery and development through the use of machine learning. Artificial intelligence-based technologies improve the pharmaceutical industry's ability to discover effective drugs. This review summarizes significant challenges encountered during the drug discovery and development processes, as well as the applications of artificial intelligence-based methods to overcome those obstacles in order to provide effective solutions to health problems. This may provide additional insight into the mechanism of action, resulting in the development of vaccines and potent substitutes for repurposed drugs that can be used to treat not only COVID-19 but also other ailments.

The enzyme α-glucosidases (EC 3.2.1.20) catalyzes the hydrolysis of α-1,4- glucopyranoside bond in oligosaccharides and disaccharides, and thus plays an essential role in regulating glucose content and the level of postprandial hyperglycemia. The inhibition of α-glucosidases is considered a viable strategy to develop new and effective antidiabetic drugs. Many patents like ZA201905405B; US9073897B2 have been published on α- glucosidase inhibitors. In recent years, several classes of fungal metabolites possessing a varying degree of α-glucosidases inhibitory activity have been reported. The primary chemical classes include xanthone, phenanthrene, terpenoid, coumarin, isocoumarin, naphthalene, piperazine, and polyketides. Few of the identified inhibitors exhibited severalfold better activities than well-known α-glucosidases inhibitor acarbose and can be used as a lead to develop new antidiabetic drugs. The present review highlights the recent development in the identification of α-glucosidases inhibitors from various fungal sources. Their chemical class, structures, and inhibitory activity in terms of IC50 or MIC are discussed here.

COVID-19 pandemic has been depicted to possess a robust association with psychological disorders. SARS-CoV-2 is the most recent virus of the coronavirus family and has the potential to bind the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) receptor. The receptor is mainly present peripherally and to some extent in the brain. Different psychological and neurodegenerative disorders can arise due to the peripheral origin of destruction. These triggers could be inflammatory pathways releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines reaching the brain and causing neuroinflammation. In continuation with traditional viruses, SARS-CoV-2 too might lead to brain diseases like meningitis, encephalitis, etc. Besides, several peripheral hormonal changes like cortisol can influence neurochemical alterations, thereby inflicting mood-related activities and psychological phenomena. In this regard, health care workers, frontline line warriors and relatives of COVID-19 patients can be the secondary victims; however, patients with COVID-19 remain the primary ones prone to neurological health problems. Several strategies like socialization, engagement, physical activity, etc., are well-opted measures to get relief from and check psychiatric disturbances. The worth of this review can be attributed to the understanding of brain-related mechanisms of COVID-19 in the context of its mechanism of action to create the pathology pertaining to brain disorder, precisely psychological devastation. Likewise, its epidemiological relevance has concisely been mentioned. Furthermore, different categories and classes of people prone to psychological deterioration are briefly elaborated on. Lastly, some coping strategies and approaches have been discussed to minimize or combat mental health problems.

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an autoimmune disease that distress keratinized cells of the oral epithelium. Topical corticosteroids and other potential therapies like immunosuppressives, hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, mycophenolate, dapsone, retinoids, biologic agents are used for the management of OLP. However, their effectiveness, best dose, duration of treatment and safety remain mostly unidentified. Moreover, recurrence of disease and dose-related side effects are the other issues. Objective: The primary objective of the review is to explore the existing clinical trials for the efficacy of phytochemicals in treating OLP in comparison to corticosteroids. A comprehensive information about their mode of action is also discussed. Methods: We have discussed different clinical trials conducted on various phytochemicals and plant extracts/formulations like curcumin, lycopene, quercetin, glycyrrhizin, purslane, raspberry, aloe vera gel and aloe vera mouthwash for the treatment of OLP. Results: The current therapy for the management of OLP has numerous adverse effects and requires a long-term treatment. Phytochemicals can be a very good alternative in overcoming these side effects and reducing the course of treatment. Conclusion: Herbal extracts and their formulations can be an effective alternative to the current therapy due to their proven therapeutic effects, reduced side effects, long-term applicability, prevention of recurrence as well as progression into cancer.

Trans-Himalayan region has been a major component of the India’s opulent medicinal plant heritage that encompasses numerous critically endangered plant species. Arnebia euchroma (Royle ex Benth.) Johnston (common name: Ratanjot), a Trans- Himalayan native, is amongst them, and it belongs to the family Boraginaceae. Ratanjot has long been used as a colourant in food and cosmetics besides a major ingredient of traditional remedies prescribed for curing mild constipation, dermatitis, frostbite, and eczema like health disorders. Though principally harvested for its roots, almost all the parts of this plant have been used in pharmaceutical products, food, dyes and beverages since prehistoric times. Its roots are a rich source of naphthoquinone pigment(s) mainly shikonin, acetylshikonin and deoxyshikonin, accountable for its medicinal value as antimicrobial, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant agent(s). Considering the medicinal importance and critically endangered status of this taxon, the need of the hour is to conserve and propagate it for supplying sufficient raw materials for its commercial exploitation.