Current Indian Science - Current Issue

The excessive exploitation of antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial illnesses has resulted in the emergence of several strains that are resistant to different drugs. Due to the widespread occurrence of antibiotic resistance and the emergence of bacterial strains that are resistant to various drugs, significant efforts are being made to identify appropriate alternative medicines to combat harmful microorganisms. Given the observed link between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance, recent efforts have been directed towards a promising strategy that aims to control and prevent biofilm formation. This strategy involves targeting and inhibiting the quorum sensing system, which has been extensively shown to play a central role in biofilm formation. The conventional approach to controlling infectious disorders involves the use of substances that are designed to either kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics poses a significant challenge to public health. This therapeutic target has been extensively explored globally. However, the scientific data on it are not up-to-date, and only recent studies have begun to explore its potential as a target for combating infectious diseases. An important issue with this strategy is the commonly observed emergence of resistance to antimicrobial agents. This paper aimed to present a comprehensive overview of the quorum sensing system in bacteria, focusing on its role in biofilm formation and the development of antibiotic resistance. Additionally, it provides an update on the significance of targeting this system with natural substances for therapeutic purposes.

The field of public healthcare has witnessed a transformative shift with the introduction of synthetic biomaterials and biomedical implants, aiming to enhance the interaction between living systems and therapeutic interventions. Despite these advancements, a significant challenge has emerged in the form of microbial colonization and biofilm formation on these materials, leading to an alarming rise in multidrug-resistant infections and subsequent implant rejections. In this review, we present recent breakthroughs in the development of anti-infective biomaterials designed to address wound infections and prevent infections associated with implants. We present various approaches for incorporating antimicrobial properties into diverse wound healing biomaterials such as hydrogels and hemostatic sponges, through covalent and non-covalent modifications or both. Additionally, to counter microbial colonization, we explore different surface modification strategies applied to titanium and catheter implants via covalent grafting as well as physical encapsulation of antibiotics, small molecular biocides, inorganic biocides and antimicrobial peptides. These coatings not only exhibit bacteria-killing capabilities upon contact but also effectively reduce biofilm formation, thereby prolonging the lifespan of implants and devices. Providing an overview of anti-infective biomaterials in clinical pipelines, we discuss the significant challenges hindering the clinical translation of these biomaterials. Finally, we share our perspective on overcoming these obstacles for the successful integration of anti-infective biomaterials into mainstream healthcare practices.

Cognition is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the brain and its processes, which include the intelligence and behaviour of living beings. Humans are generally equipped with a capacity for cognitive function at birth, but some conditions, such as infection and oxidative stress, lead to impaired cognition. Herbal drugs/phytochemicals are utilized in order to get better cognitive functions and alleviate symptoms associated with impaired cognition function. Yet, there still remains no complete cure for cognitive dysfunction, with most current treatments offering symptomatic relief. This has prompted us to review the importance of phytochemicals and the mechanism by which they may augment cognitive functions. For the present review, a comprehensive literature search was conducted by referring to the research and review articles published by authentic journals and available on web databases. Indeed, numerous plant-based drugs have traditionally been used to combat learning and memory-associated deficits, but many available drugs are potentially toxic alkaloidal cholinesterase inhibitors. Findings by various researchers exhibited that many plant-based drugs act through a different mechanisms, such as inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), activation of antioxidant defence, and augmenting the blood flow to the brain. The aim of the present review is to highlight the importance of phytochemicals in the modulation of cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathways (CAP) in neurodegenerative disease. For this, available literature was critically analysed. Through a comprehensive review of the recent research findings, this article concludes that medicinal plants serve as reservoirs of various successful drugs for cognition improvement, which belong to different classes of secondary metabolites. We also observe that phytochemicals can modulate cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathways (CAP) in neurodegenerative disease, although the mechanism of action of most natural/herbal extracts and their compounds is not yet fully explored.

Mitapivat (AG-348) is a novel, first-in-class oral small-molecule allosteric activator of the pyruvate kinase enzyme. Mitapivat has been shown to significantly upregulate both wild-type and numerous mutant forms of erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (PKR), increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and reducing levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. Given this mechanism, mitapivat has been evaluated in clinical trials in a wide range of hereditary hemolytic anaemias, including pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), sickle cell disease, and thalassemia.

The technique entails searching numerous search engines, such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Sci Finder, for relevant citations to the current subject matter. This is done in order to obtain the data that is required. In relation to medicine, mitapivat has been examined for its ability to cure a wide variety of inherited haemolytic anaemias in clinical investigations. Some examples of these conditions include pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), sickle cell disease, and thalassemias.

It has been demonstrated that mitapivat is both safe and effective in treating adults with PKD in two phases III clinical trials, and the development of the medicine is very close to being finished. Based on these findings, mitapivat may end up becoming the very first medication in the history of the world to receive regulatory approval.

Allosteric activator of pyruvate kinase mitapivat has shown promise in treating various hereditary hemolytic anemias, including sickle cell disease, PKD, and alpha- and beta-thalassemia.