Search

AbstractSince the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic, researchers have been working on figuring out ways to tackle multi-organ failure and hyperinflation, which are brought on by a cytokine storm. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein’s cellular receptor, is involved in complicated molecular processes that result in hyperinflammation. Cordyceps militarisis one of the traditional Chinese medicines that is used as an immune booster, and it has exhibited efficacy in lowering blood glucose levels, seminal emissions, and infertility. In the current study, we explored the potential of Cordyceps militarissteroids as key agents in managing the anger of cytokine storm in Covid-19 using network ethnopharmacological techniques and structure-based drug designing approaches. The steroids present in Cordyceps militariswere initially screened against the targets involved in inflammatory pathways. The results revealed that out of 16 steroids, 5 may be effective against 17 inflammatory pathways by targeting 11 pathological proteins. Among the five steroids, beta-sitosterol, Cholest-5-en-3β-ol, 3β, and 7α-Dihydroxycholest-5-ene were found to interact with thrombin (F2), an important protein reported to reduce the severity of inflammatory mediators and Cholest-4-en-3-one was found to target Glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1). The top docked steroid displayed key interactions with both targets, which retained key interactions throughout the 100 ns simulation period. These compounds were also shown high binding free energy scores in water swap studies. Based on obtained results the current study suggests the use of Cordyceps militarisas an add-on therapy that may reduce the progression of inflammatory co-morbidities among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Bio-molecules are the most important target to be considered while designing any drug delivery system. The logic lies in using such bio-sensing or bio-mimicking systems in their formulations that can mimic the active site of those receptors to which the drug is going to bind. Polymers mimicking the active site of target enzymes are regarded as bio-inspired polymers and can be used to ameliorate many diseased conditions. Nowadays, this strategy is also being adopted against diabetes and its complications. Under hyperglycemic conditions, many pathways get activated which are responsible for the progression of diabetes-associated secondary complications viz. retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy. The enzymes involved in the progression of these complications can be mimicked for their effective management. For an instance, Aldose Reductase (ALR2), a rate-limiting enzyme of the polyol pathway (downstream pathway) which gets over-activated under hyperglycemic condition is reported to be mimicked by using polymers which are having same functionalities in their structure. This review aims at critically appraising reports in which target mimicking bio-inspired formulations have been envisaged against diabetes and its complications. The information summarized in this review will provide an idea about the bio-sensing approaches utilized to manage blood glucose level and the utility of bio-inspired polymers for the management of diabetic complications (DC). Such type of information may be beneficial to pharmaceutical companies and academia for better development of targeted drug delivery systems with sustained-release property against these diseased conditions.