Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprotrophic fungus; its primary habitat is the soil. In its ecological niche, the fungus has learned how to adapt and proliferate in hostile environments. This capacity has helped the fungus to resist and survive against human host defenses and, further, to be responsible for one of the most devastating lung infections in terms of morbidity and mortality. In this review, we will provide (i) a description of the biological cycle of A. fumigatus; (ii) a historical perspective of the spectrum of aspergillus disease and the current epidemiological status of these infections; (iii) an analysis of the modes of immune response against Aspergillus in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients; (iv) an understanding of the pathways responsible for fungal virulence and their host molecular targets, with a specific focus on the cell wall; (v) the current status of the diagnosis of different clinical syndromes; and (vi) an overview of the available antifungal armamentarium and the therapeutic strategies in the clinical context. In addition, the emergence of new concepts, such as nutritional immunity and the integration and rewiring of multiple fungal metabolic activities occurring during lung invasion, has helped us to redefine the opportunistic pathogenesis of A. fumigatus.

Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillosis in 2019

Herbs/Botanical plants are considered as God's gift to human beings in the form of natural medicines, like the one well known "Sanjeevani booti" described in Hindu Mythology. The traditional and ethno-veterinary practices have been in use for centuries, transferring the knowledge from generation to generation and they are accessible, easy to prepare and administer, with little or no cost at all. Even though the modern developments in therapeutic field brought about a rapid decline in traditional medicine, the plant-based remedies are still having a crucial role as potential source of therapeutic aids in health systems all over the world for both humans and animals. Among the 21,000 medicinal plants listed by the World Health Organization (WHO), 2500 species are native to India, which stands first in the production of medicinal herbs. This innumerable treasure of medicinal herbs brings India the distinction of 'the botanical garden of the world'. Nowadays immune-based therapies are gaining more importance than monovalent approaches which are having limited benefits. Apart from the actions like treating diseases, control of ecto- and endo-parasites, fertility enhancement, bone setting and poor mothering management, an array of herbal medicines have been reported which are having immunomodulatory effects like modulation of cytokine secretion, histamine release, immunoglobulin secretion, class switching, cellular co-receptor expression, lymphocyte expression, phagocytosis and so on. The present article describes in brief few of these important ones viz., ashwagandha, amla, tulsi, arjuna, aloe vera, garlic, turmeric, ginger, shatavari, neem, guduchi, kiwifruit, tut, kamala, palashlata, kokilaksha etc. being used for human and animal health benefits.

/pdf/immunomodulatory-and-therapeutic-potentials-of-herbal-5fpadzxnz8.pdf

Immunomodulatory and therapeutic potentials of herbal, traditional/indigenous and ethnoveterinary medicines.

Herbal beverages: Bioactive compounds and their role in disease risk reduction - A review.

Context: Radix Bupleuri has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years with functions of relieving exterior syndrome, clearing heat, regulating liver-qi, and lifting yang...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13880209.2016.1262433

A systematic review of the active saikosaponins and extracts isolated from Radix Bupleuri and their applications

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) being an annual herb is most commonly used for seasoning purpose. Its plant seeds, leaves and roots are edible, although they have very distinct flavors and uses. The herb has a light and fresh flavor. Coriander can be used as whole plant and can be processed because of its perishable nature of leaves and to increase the palatability of ripe fruits (seeds) before using it as flavoring agent in different food preparations. Whole plant of coriander mainly fresh leaves and ripe fruits are used for culinary purposes. Coriander leaves have different taste than its seeds, with citrus overtones. Coriander plant is a rich reservoir of micronutrients and nutritional elements which leads us to focus our study on this herb. Coriander is very low in saturated fat however, contains good amount of linoleic acid which is a good source of α-tocopherol and vitamin K. Leaves of plant are rich source of vitamins while seeds are rich in polyphenols and essential oils. Coriander taste is devoted to its essential oil comprising a significant content of linoleic and furanocoumarins (coriandrine and dihydrocoriandrine). Coriander is also well known for its antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-mutagenic, anti-anxiety and antimicrobial activity along with analgesic and hormone balancing effect that promotes its use in foods due to numerous health benefits and its protective effect to preserve the food for longer period. The aim of present study was to highlight the processing, nutritional and functional aspects of coriander.

	Key words: Coriander, processing, fatty acids, antioxidant content, anti-diabetic, anti-mutagenic, anti-anxiety, diuretic activity, metal detoxification, anti-hyperglycemic activity.

/pdf/coriander-coriandrum-sativum-l-processing-nutritional-and-mfjzk1f21i.pdf

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.): Processing, nutritional and functional aspects

Aegle marmelos (linn) Correa commonly known as Bael (or Bel) belonging to the family rutaceae, is a moderate – sized, slender and aromatic tree. A number of chemical constituents and various therapeutic effects of A. marmelos have been reported by different workers. Extensive investigations have been carried out on different parts of A. marmelosand as a consequence, varied classes of compounds Coumarins (Marmelosin, marmesin, imperatorin), alkaloids (Aeglin, aegelenine), Tannins (skimmianine), Carotenoids and seed oils and other miscellaneous compounds have been isolated from this plant. Various phytochemical and biological evaluations have been reported in the literature for the importance of the A. marmelos. So, it has been used in ethnomedicine to exploit its medicinal properties including antidiabetic, antiulcer, antioxidant, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, radioprotective, antihyperlipidaemic, antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral activities. The presented review summarizes the information concerning the botany, ethnopharmacology query, phytochemistry, biological activity and toxicity of A. marmelos plant.

	 

	Key words: Aegle marmelos, phytochemical, biological and ethnopharmacology evaluations, phytochemistry, coumarin, tannins.

https://africaneditors.org/journal/JMPR/full-text-pdf/91551-128840

Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa: A potential source of Phytomedicine

It has been established that up to 25% of the drugs prescribed in conventional medicines are allied directly or indirectly to natural substances mostly of plant origin. Hence, during the last few decades there has been an increasing interest in the study of medicinal plants and their long-established use in different countries. However, today it is compulsory to afford scientific testimony as to whether it is reasonable to use a plant or its active principles. As far as contemporary drugs are concerned they must be further characterized after their pharmacological screening by studying the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, including toxicity. Therefore the present communication constitutes a review on the medicinal properties, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic and toxicity of an Indian medicinal plant, Justicia adhatoda. A wide range of phytochemical constituents have been isolated from J. adhatoda which possesses activities like antitussive, abortifacient, antimicrobial, cardiovascular protection, anticholinesterase, anti-inflammatory and other important activities. Although the medicinal values of this plant is due to the presence of small doses of active compounds which produce physiological actions in the human and animal body. Some important bioactive compounds have been reported in various part of J. adhatoda are essential oil and quinazoline alkaloids. Hence, extract of J.adhatoda could form one of the best options for developing novel natural medicine.

	 

	Key words: Justicia adhatoda, pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic, phytochemistry, toxicity.

https://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1380099647_Dhankhar et al.pdf

A review on Justicia adhatoda: A potential source of natural medicine

Introduction: The recent emergence of resistance, toxicity paradigm and limited efficacy of conventional antifungal drugs necessitate the identification of de novo targets in fungal metabolism. One of the most critical physiological processes during in vivo pathogenesis is maintenance of iron homeostasis. The most life threatening opportunistic human fungal pathogens like Aspergillus, Candida and Cryptococcus exploit the siderophore mediated iron uptake mechanism either for survival, virulence, propagation or resistance to oxidative stress envisaged in vivo during infection.Areas covered: In this review, we will highlight the metabolic pathways; specifically siderophore biosynthesis, uptake and utilisation, triggered in the fungal pathogens in iron starving conditions and the various putative targets viable in these pathways to be recruited as novel therapeutic antidotes either via biosynthetic enzymes catalytic site inhibitors or as drug conjugates through trojan horse approach and further role i...

Siderophores; iron scavengers: the novel & promising targets for pathogen specific antifungal therapy.

The antimicrobial activities of four medicinal plants Argemona mexicana, Achyranthes aspera, Catharanthus roseus, and Syzygium cumini were evaluated against Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi and three Aspergillus species. Extracts from Achyranthes aspera and Catharanthus roseus showed the highest antimicrobial potential (MIC 0.375-0.750 mg/ml) while extract from Argemona mexicana and Syzygium cumini, showed less activity. In disc diffusion assay, only eight out of twenty extracts showed antimicrobial activity at a concentration of 25.0 μg/ disc. The GCMS investigation reveals the existence of 2-bornanone; 1, 2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-methylpropyl) ester; hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester and hexatriacontane in water extract fraction of C. roseus. The present research article provides a review of some medicinal plants incorporating antimicrobial drugs, together with recent advances in emerging therapeutics in clinical development and related patents for exploitation of herbal medicine.

Analysis Toward Innovative Herbal Antibacterial & Antifungal Drugs

The COPD has been an important respiratory condition that affects people worldwide and its incidence has been alarming. The increasing incidence of this disorder has been attributed to global industrialization and environmental pollution. Although the exposures to environmental pollutants and smoking have been important triggers, the genetic component of individuals has been shown to be important for development and progression of COPD. Recent literature reported that protease-antiprotease imbalance to be important in etiopathogenesis of COPD. The enzymes namely neutrophil elastase and matrix metalloprotienases are considered to be foremost proteolytic molecules released by neutrophils and macrophages during inflammatory events in COPD. Normally, the lungs remain protected from the destructive effect of these two antiproteases by α1-antitrypsin (α1AT) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) respectively. In this review, we are trying to highlight the work by various research groups in exploring the SNPs of various genes of inflammatory pathways and the protease-antiprotease pathway, which may have some degree of association with COPD.

Meenakshi Balhara

Papers

Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa: A potential source of Phytomedicine

A review on Justicia adhatoda: A potential source of natural medicine

Siderophores; iron scavengers: the novel & promising targets for pathogen specific antifungal therapy.

Analysis Toward Innovative Herbal Antibacterial & Antifungal Drugs

Genomics of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); Exploring the SNPs of Protease-Antiprotease Pathway.