RSC Advances Blog

We are very pleased to introduce Asmaa Ibrahim, corresponding author of the paper ‘Flavonoids of Salvadora persica L. (meswak) and its liposomal formulation as a potential inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2‘. Her article has been very well received and handpicked by our reviewers and handling editors as one of our HOT articles. Asmaa told us more about the work that went into this article and what she hopes to achieve in the future. You can find out more about Asmaa and her co-authors and their article below and find more HOT articles in our online collection.

Meet the authors

Dr Asmaa Ibrahim is an Associate Professor of Pharmacognosy at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University and Beni-Suef University. She obtained her B.Sc., M.Sc. and PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacognosy) from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University. Her field of specialization is production of medicinal plants, isolation, structure elucidation, analysis and testing biological activity of natural products especially those related with COVID-19.

Marwa Salah Elhawary received her B.S. degree in Pharmaceutical sciences from Nahda University Beni suef in 2013. She joined Deraya University in Minia as a Teaching assistant at the department of Pharmacognosy. Her research focused on the isolation of active constituents from plants to develop various and unique biological activities of natural products.

Dr Dalia El Amir received her PhD in Pharmacognosy from Beni-Suef University, Egypt (2015). She is now a lecturer of Pharmacognosy at faculty of Pharmacy. She is interested in natural products isolation and structural elucidation using spectroscopic and metabolomic techniques to discover lead compounds as anti-infectives.

Hesham Refaat received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Pharmaceutical sciences and Pharmaceutics from Minia University. In 2017. He joined in Deraya University in Minia as a Teaching assistant at the department of Pharmaceutical technology. His research focused on the delivery of natural products through the development of various nanocarrier systems such as liposomes and spanlastics.

Dr Eman Alaaeldin is an assistant Prof. of Pharmaceutics at Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University/Egypt. She received her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from Minia University (2015) under the channel system and joint supervision scheme between Minia University and Tokushima University/Japan. Dr Eman’s research interests are currently focused on design and development nanocarriers and targeted delivery of drugs.

Dr Omar Mohammed Aly is a Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Egypt. Dr. Omar worked ahead of the medicinal and organic chemistry department from September, 2009,till 2015. Prof. Omar’s research interest is focused on computer-aided drug design and the discovery of new anticancer and antiviral drugs.

Dr Mahmoud Abdul-Aziz Elrehany is a Prof. of Biochemistry at Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Egypt. He is graduated from faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University in 1985, and received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Minia University in 1994. His research interests are currently focused on protein isolation, purification and characterization, also molecular biology research and gene therapy.

Dr Mohamed S. Kamel is a Professor of natural products chemistry, Deraya and Minia Universities. He studied and carried out research in Hiroshima University, Japan, Oulu University, Finland and Hohenheim University, Germany. He got a grant for carrying out research in Japan by JSPS and got awards for international publication 4 times from Minia University. His research focused on Isolation of naturally occurring compounds from plants & plant endophytes using normal and advanced tools such as CC,MPLC and HPLC with different stationary phases, Interpretation of the compounds by using advanced techniques as EI,FAB,ESI/MS in addition to 1-and 2-D NMR procedures including H-H COSY,NOESY,HSQC & HMBC and biological investigation of the identified compounds such as antihyperglycemic,antioxidant and hepatoprotective actions.

Could you briefly explain the focus of your article to the non-specialist (in one or two sentences only) and why it is of current interest?
Since the emergence of the new coronavirus at the end of 2019, our tremendous interest around-the-clock was to identify a safe and effective medicine to combat COVID-19 that has afflicted the world. This study deals with potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 virus from a natural plant and proved this postulate through a laboratory basis and not just a virtual study.

How big an impact could your results potentially have?
It was worthy to find a cheap, readily available, safe natural source for promising anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents if administered during outbreak, could help to protect from person-to-person transmission, prevent disease progression and limit viral load. The results move towards producing a drug that can eradicate the COVID-19 epidemic.

Could you explain the motivation behind this study?
The world health organization (WHO) declared SARS-CoV-2 as a world health emergency pandemic. Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases and deaths are still steadily increasing due to its rapid human to human transmission, leading to a massive strain on healthcare system, with several reports of inadequate medical supplies and deaths of hospital workers. Hospitals are forced to face the kind of life-and-death choice encountered only in times of war. Moreover, few non-approved protocols are being used to treat laboratory-confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients with serious side effects. All these factors motivated us to hopefully find a cure for this pandemic.

In your opinion, what are the key design considerations for your study?
The key design is to experimentally inspect a mixture of eleven flavonol glycosides prepared from Salvadora persica that was hypothesized from molecular docking study to affect SARS-CoV-2 through inhibiting M^pro and blocking contact surface of hACE2-COVID 19 spike protein complex.

Which part of the work towards this paper proved to be most challenging?
The most challenging part is the comparison of RT-PCR test results of flavonol mixture and its liposomal formulation with that of the FDA-approved anti-COVID-19 agent, remidisivir. Encapsulation in the form of liposomal formulation resulted in a significant improvement in human coronavirus inhibition by 2.25-fold than un-encapsulated fraction approaching that of remidisivir. Moreover, when we tested the cytotoxicity effect of flavonol mixture, we found that it had established a safety profile for human use. This study represents a transition step from a screening computational hit to a practical laboratory-based proof.

What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?
Surprisingly, Salvadora persica or chewing stick, commonly known in Arabic as Meswak, is one of the popular plants between Muslims as oral hygiene tool that could leak its anti-SARS-CoV-2 phytochemicals in the aqueous saliva during regular mechanical use as a brushing tool.

What is the next step? What work is planned?
Clinical studies will be continued recently for further investigation of the anti-viral and the anti-inflammatory effects of the liposomal formulation prepared from the flavonol mixture of S. persica on treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Flavonoids of Salvadora persica L. (meswak) and its liposomal formulation as a potential inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2tudies
Asmaa I. Owis, Marwa S. El-Hawary, Dalia El Amir, Hesham Refaat, Eman Alaaeldin, Omar M. Aly, Mahmoud A. Elrehany and Mohamed S. Kamel
RSC Adv., 2021,11, 13537-13544
DOI: 10.1039/D1RA00142F, Paper

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We are very pleased to introduce Suresh Kumar Mohankumar and Jubie Selvaraj, corresponding and first authors of the paper ‘Identification of (2R,3R)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)chroman-3-yl-3,4,5-trihydroxy benzoate as multiple inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 targets; a systematic molecular modelling approach‘. Their article has been very well received and handpicked by our reviewers and handling editors as one of our HOT articles. Suresh and Jubie told us more about the work that went into this article and what they hope to achieve in the future. You can find out more about the authors and their article below and find more HOT articles in our online collection.

Could you briefly explain the focus of your article to the non-specialist (in one or two sentences only) and why it is of current interest?
Nature’s oldest pharmacy has always been a treasure of novel drugs and medicines, and should any of these compounds assist us in battling the COVID-19 pandemic? We have screened and sorted the natural compounds that can fight against COVID-19 in more than one way using the artificial intelligence-aided computer program to answer this.

How big an impact could your results potentially have?
Our findings suggested that one of the compounds in Green Tea can protect/battle with coronavirus virtually. It is still a preliminary step, but it urges further research to establish the scientific shreds of evidence for its safe use in clinics.

Could you explain the motivation behind this study?
As basic researchers in the pharmaceutical sciences, we thought of possible contributions to managing the most devastating pandemic.

In your opinion, what are the key design considerations for your study?

• The systematic molecular modeling approach
• Poly targeting: Can the bioactive work in more than one possible way?
• Structure-based analogs synthesis and its impact

Which part of the work towards this paper proved to be most challenging?
Sorting natural compounds that can work on multiple anti-covid targets and designing the analogs were the most challenging.

What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?
The sorted compound, gallocatechin, is present in Green tea, could be readily available, accessible, and affordable if further studies and proven clinically safe for use to prevent or treat COVID-19.

What is the next step? What work is planned?
We need to establish that the sorted lead works biologically, as hypothesized. We welcome potential collaborators and partners to further this up with relevant pre-clinical and clinical studies.

Identification of (2R,3R)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)chroman-3-yl-3,4,5-trihydroxy benzoate as multiple inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 targets; a systematic molecular modelling approach
Jubie Selvaraj, Shyam Sundar P, Logesh Rajan, Divakar Selvaraj, Dhanabal Palanisamy, Krishnan Namboori PK and Suresh Kumar Mohankumar
RSC Adv., 2021,11, 13051-13060
DOI: 10.1039/D1RA01603B, Paper

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We are very pleased to introduce Muhammad Munir Sajid, one of the corresponding authors of the paper ‘Construction of 1T-MoS₂ quantum dots-interspersed (Bi_1−xFe_x)VO₄ heterostructures for electron transport and photocatalytic properties‘, and his co-authors. Their article has been very well received and handpicked by our reviewers and handling editors as one of our HOT articles. Munir told us more about the work that went into this article and what they hopes to achieve in the future. You can find out more about the authors and their article below and find more HOT articles in our online collection.

Meet the authors

Dr. Muhammad Munir Sajid is currently working as a postdoc employee at School of Physics at Henan Normal University. He has obtained his PhD in Physics from Government College University (GCU), Faisalabad-Pakistan. His research interests includes; synthesis of composite nanoparticles & thin films synthesis via chemical methods for multifaceted applications i.e. Photocatalysis, bio-sensing, antimicrobial functions, and hydrogen storage applications.

Dr. Haifa Zhai is currently an associate professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Henan Normal University, China. He received his PhD degree in Materials Physics and Chemistry at Nanjing University (NJU) in 2011, China and worked as a postdoctoral researcher in NJU from 2011 to 2013 and visiting scholar in Chemical Engineering at the Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) from 2018 to 2019. His current research interests focus on sustainable energy and environmental science based on nanostructured functional materials.

Dr. Naveed Akhter Shad is currently working as PSA (Senior Researcher) at National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad-Pakistan. He has obtained his PhD in Physics from Government College University (GCU), Faisalabad-Pakistan. His research interests includes; synthesis of novel nanomaterials for multifarious applications i.e. Photocatalysis, Photo electrochemical, Electrochemical bio-sensing, HRP, super capacitors and Hydrogen storage features.

Dr. Muhammad Shafique completed his doctorate degree in Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands in 2013. After completing PhD, I am working as Assistant Professor in Department of Microbiology, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan. His research is focused on viral/bacterial diseases of humans like HCV, HBV, RSV & Measles as well as animals such as NDV and IBDV. The group is also working for development and evaluation of animal vaccines (poultry) by using novel techniques against Newcastle Disease virus.

Dr. Amir Muhammad Afzal is currently working as an Assistant Professor at Riphah International University, Lahore. He has obtained his PhD degree in Physics from Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea. Besides, he has also completed Postdoc from Kwangwoon University, Seoul, South Korea. His research interests includes TMDs based Nano devices such as FETs, photodetectors, Solar cells and sensors.

Dr. Yasir Javed did his PhD at Universite denis diderot-Paris 7, France. He is currently working as assistant professor in University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. His research interests are synthesis of metal oxide nanomaterials for biomedical, sensing and photocatalysis applications.

Dr. Sadaf Bashir Khan is currently working as a postdoc researcher in Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), China. She received her Ph.D. degree in Material Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. She has expertise in thin films fabrication and nanaparticles sysnthesis via PVd techniques and chemical methods. She did simulation and modeling of a single layer, bilayer, and multilayer or composite coatings and synthesizing nanoparticles according to photocatalytic and optoelectronic applications for solar cell applications and eliminating environmental pollution.

Prof. Nasir Amin is currently working as a Professor of Physics at Government College University Faisalabad-Pakistan. He had worked as Acting Vice Chancellor, Dean Faculty of Physical Sciences, Chairman Department of Physics and chaired various key administrative positions at Government College University Faisalabad. He had established state of the art laser spectroscopy lab at UAF and modern Nanomaterials Bio-sensing research centre & PLD lab at Government College University Faisalabad-Pakistan.

Prof. Zhengjun Zhang received his B.S., MS and Ph.D degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University in 1991, 1993, and 1995, respectively. He is currently a Professor at School of Materials Science and Engineering in Tsinghua University. His major research interests are nanostructures and thin films fabrication and characterization, plasmonic nanostructures, chemical and biological sensors, nano-photocatalysts.

Could you briefly explain the focus of your article to the non-specialist (in one or two sentences only) and why it is of current interest?
The focus of the present study is to:

• Construct 1T-MoS₂@(Bi_1-xFe_x) VO₄ heterostructures through the sonication-assisted hydrothermal method and analyze its visible light-dependent photocatalytic activity.
• Besides this, the mechanism involved for the synthesis of heterostructures and optimum condition for photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet (CV) dye is explored and discussed thoroughly.

How big an impact could your results potentially have?
Semiconductor photocatalysts compounds have an array of emergent properties of interest to the materials science community. The outcomes of this study will contribute to synthesize stable, resistant and reusable catalyst to handle the industrial organic pollutant degradation in an economical, cost-effective and easy way. However; it would take some time to get mature for industrial applications.

Could you explain the motivation behind this study?
This study is part of a larger effort to understand and control the surface area and electron-hole pairs separation to enhance the photocatalytic activity, From the literature survey, Bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄) and Ferric Vanadate (FeVO₄) are potential candidates for light-driven photocatalysts due to narrowband gaps ranging from 2.0 to 2.72 eV due to their remarkable chemical stability, noble catalytic activity, minimal optical damage and commercial cost-effective availability Both BiVO₄ and FeVO₄ possess a suitable energy band in a visible light range indicating tremendous photocatalytic and electrochemical applications. It is also observed that in scheelite ABO₄ the B site was partially filled by substituted material. Taking the same idea in the monoclinic BiVO₄, Bi³⁺ is 8 coordinated with ionic radius 1.17 Å, and the ionic radius of 4-coordinated V⁵⁺ is 0.355 Å. FeVO₄ has two different crystal structures including triclinic (P-1) and orthorhombic (cm) symmetry respectively. The ionic radius of 8-coordinated Fe³⁺ is 0.78 Å. Reviewed literature has suggested that the heterostructures of BiVO₄-FeVO₄ would be useful in generating efficiency of electron-hole pair and thus enhancing the photocatalytic activity of (Bi_1-xFe_x) VO₄ heterostructures nano photocatalyst. Meanwhile, from a literature study, MoS₂ is very sensitive for photodetection, moreover large electronic conductivity, substitute for noble metals co-catalysts, the abundance of existence, cost-effectiveness. MoS₂ in cooperation with (Bi_1-xFex)VO₄ and enhanced the light absorption intensity range in the visible region of light. The small MoS₂ co-catalysts particles close intact with (Bi_1-xFex)VO₄ and generate a nanoporous structure that offering more active agent sites.

Inspired by these concepts, 1T-MoS₂ quantum dots-interspersed in (Bi_1-xFe_x)VO₄ hereafter 1T-MoS₂@(Bi_1-xFe_x)VO₄ heterostructures were prepared through sonication assisted hydrothermal method. The synthesized 1T-MoS₂@(Bi_1-xFe_x)VO₄ heterostructures exhibit excellent visible light-dependent photocatalytic activity. Photoluminance study revealed excellent controlled electron-hole transfer activity. The 1T-MoS₂@(Bi_0.40Fe_0.60)VO₄ heterostructures with 2.0 wt% of 1T-MoS₂ loading with mix phase exhibited optimal enhanced photocatalytic response, as well as good stability and reusability.

In your opinion, what are the key design considerations for your study?
The key design considerations were elaborated in the schematic figure below:

• Key design considerations of 1T-MoS₂ quantum dots-interspersed (Bi_1-xFe_x)VO₄ heterostructures
• Increment in the electron-hole separation mechanism
• To enhance catalyst surface area
• Control electron transport
• Heightened photocatalytic properties

Which part of the work towards this paper proved to be most challenging?
Optimum conditions prerequisite for the construction of 1T-MoS₂@(Bi_1-xFe_x) VO₄ by the dosage variation effect of 1T-MoS₂ on the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalysts were the most challenging task.

What aspect of your work are you most excited about at the moment?
We feel excited at two moments firstly, when we synthesize 1T-MoS₂@(Bi_1-xFe_x) VO₄ heterostructures appropriately and secondly when we practically and experimentally improve photocatalytic response which is ascribed due to the higher electron transfer from semiconductor to the MoS₂ surface and as a result, hinders the fast electron-hole recombination.

What is the next step? What work is planned?
In the future, we are planning to extend the current design using biocompatible polymers to fabricate and synthesize multifunctional bendable polymer-based nanocomposites thin films for sensing or energy storage application besides degradation of environmental pollutants.

Construction of 1T-MoS₂ quantum dots-interspersed (Bi_1−xFe_x)VO₄ heterostructures for electron transport and photocatalytic properties
Muhammad Munir Sajid, Haifa Zhai, Naveed Akhtar Shad, Muhammad Shafique, Amir Muhammad Afzal, Yasir Javed, Sadaf Bashir Khan, Nasir Amin and Zhengjun Zhang
RSC Adv., 2021,11, 13105-13118
DOI: 10.1039/D1RA00807B, Paper

Submit to RSC Advances today! Check out our author guidelines for information on our article types or find out more about the advantages of publishing in a Royal Society of Chemistry journal.

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