Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets - Infectious Disorders) - Online First

The COVID-19 epidemic in recent years has been produced by various coronavirus strains that nearly destroyed world health policies and economics. Emerging viral strains exacerbated the pandemic. Huge investments have been made in preventative vaccines to combat the disease, but the genetic instability of these viruses has hampered their usefulness. However, in addition to traditional therapeutic approaches, nutraceuticals have been considered efficacious in preventing and or treating COVID-19 and post-COVID syndrome. In this context, nutraceuticals such as vitamins or dietary supplements including multiple vitamins and minerals and propolis have been widely studied for their significant impact on viral respiratory diseases like SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Some of these nutraceuticals having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory properties have been highly recommended for use as an adjunct option to moderate the adverse effects associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, we intend to present the recent understanding and converse scientific implications for the use of nutraceutical antioxidants such as vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and polyphenols like bee propolis, in the management of viral respiratory diseases and post-COVID-19 syndrome. Future challenges and limitations regarding the use and bioavailability of these ingredients, and dose-response studies are further emphasized.

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) pose a significant global health threat, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. These infections can lead to severe illness and death, placing a significant financial burden on healthcare systems. Fungi were not previously considered a substantial risk to human health, but this perception changed with the rise of the HIV epidemic. The emergence of drug-resistant fungal strains further complicates the management of these infections, highlighting the urgent need for effective antifungal therapies. Innovative approaches in antifungal drug delivery formulations. This article explores the role of effective antifungal drug delivery formulations in combating the rise of IFIs. These formulations, ranging from lipid-based systems like liposomes and lipid emulsions to polymeric nanoparticles and microparticles, offer several advantages over conventional drug delivery methods. Optimizing these formulations may improve drug efficacy, reduce the risk of drug resistance, and enhance patient outcomes. Furthermore, advancements in nanotechnology and targeted drug delivery systems hold promise in overcoming existing limitations and expanding the scope of antifungal therapies.

SARS-CoV-2, also called coronavirus causes SARS-CoV-2 or severe acute respiratory syndrome, a highly transmissible disease that has rapidly spread worldwide, straining healthcare systems and leading to a substantial number of fatalities. Interestingly, SARS-CoV-2 has revealed a gender difference, with males dying at a greater rate and with more severe cases than women. It's worth noting that the male reproductive system might be particularly susceptible to damage during periods of moderate to severe sickness, which has been linked to cases of orchitis and erectile dysfunction. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 virus particles have been found in the tissues of the testes and penile of both living patients who have recovered from the virus and in post-mortem analyses of males who have died from it. For males who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2, sexual transmission is not a big concern, even though moderate to severe infections may have detrimental effects on male reproductive health. This includes the depletion of germ cells and Leydig cells that leads to a decrease in the formation of sperm, potentially decreasing the release of male sex hormones. These adverse effects may result in issues such as infertility and sexual dysfunction, which are of growing concern for couples looking to conceive or those in need of assisted reproduction. Numerous investigations have examined SARS-CoV-2's effects on male reproductive health from a variety of perspectives. The purpose of this review is to give a general summary of how SARS-CoV-2 has affected male reproductive health.

The resistance of biofilms to antimicrobial agents presents numerous challenges. The formation of biofilms leads to enhanced resistance to adverse environmental conditions, as well as to antimicrobial agents. Natural compounds have been of interest as potential therapeutic agents. Emodin, a natural anthraquinone compound, has recently attracted attention for its potential as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent. This ability could potentially help combat biofilm-associated infections and enhance the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies. This review was carried out to evaluate the effects of emodin on microbial biofilms, determine its effectiveness in inhibiting and reducing biofilm formation, eradicate biofilms, and examine its antimicrobial effects. Our study shows that the use of emodin as an additional therapeutic agent in combating microbial biofilms holds considerable promise. As researchers continue to investigate how emodin interacts with microbial biofilms, there is excitement about the potential applications of this natural compound in addressing biofilm-related issues. However, it is suggested to pay more attention to evaluating the effects of emodin on microbial biofilms in future studies