Aims and Scope
Recent Articles
Study of the Interaction of Zinc Cation with Azithromycin and its Significance in the COVID-19 Treatment: A Molecular Approach
Jacques H. Poupaert, Blanche Aguida, Codjo HountondjiIntroduction:
On account of the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have explored the importance of azithromycin and zinc in the treatment of the coronavirus disease by studying the interaction between the cation Zn++ and azithromycin with the tools of the semi-empirical quantum mechanics PM3 method.
Methods:
By this approach, the niche in which Zn++ is located was determined. Zn++ creates a strong clastic binding between an amine and a hydroxyl group located on the amino-hexose side-chain. Such an interaction serves as a shuttle and allows zinc cation to invade endocellular structures.
Results:
In this triple collaborative association, the role of hydroxychloroquine would be more that of a chaotropic agent at plasmic membranes, which facilitates access to the azithromycin-Zn++ equipage into key internal compartments.
Conclusion:
Finally, we show that both azithromycin and Zn++ are susceptible to play a direct role against the replication and the assembly of SARS-CoV-2 particles.
September 22, 2020
Articles
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February 18, 2020
β-Glucan Improves Conditions of Chronic Fatigue in Mice by Stimulation of Immunity
April 21, 2020
Role of Immunoinformatics in Accelerating Epitope-Based Vaccine Development against Dengue Virus
July 31, 2020
Nitric Oxide Balance in Health and Diseases: Implications for New Treatment Strategies
Editor's Choice
Pyridoxine Decreases Oxidative Stress on Human Erythrocyte Membrane Protein in vitro
Margarita Velásquez, Darío Méndez, Carlos Moneriz
Background:
Pyridoxine has reduction and prevention against the levels of reactive oxygen species in in vitro studies. However, the biochemical mechanism that explains this behavior has not yet been fully clarified.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of pyridoxine against oxidative damage on the membrane of human erythrocytes.
Methods:
Cumene hydroperoxide was used to induce oxidative stress in protein and lipid. Human erythrocytes were incubated with pyridoxine and cumene hydroperoxide, either alone or together for 8 h. Oxidative damage was determined by measuring lipid peroxidation and membrane protein carbonylation.
Results:
The results indicate that the malondialdehyde concentration decreased with increasing concentration of pyridoxine. The membrane protein content also decreased with increasing concentration of vitamin B6, which was confirmed by the decreased signal intensity in the western blot when compared to control without pyridoxine. Results demonstrate that pyridoxine can significantly decrease lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation in red cell membrane exposed to high concentrations of oxidant agent.
Conclusion:
Pyridoxine showed a protective effect against the oxidative stress in human erythrocytes in vitro, inhibiting the carbonylation and the oxidative damage of erythrocyte membrane proteins. To date, such an effect has not yet been reported in terms of protein oxidation.
May 31, 2019
