Aims Flavonoids and related compounds, such as quercetin‐based antiviral drug Gene‐Eden‐VIR/Novirin, inhibit the protease of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). The alkylated chalcones isolated from Angelica keiskei inhibit SARS‐CoV proteases. In this study, we aimed to compare the anti‐SARS CoV‐2 activities of both newly synthesized chalcone derivatives and these two drugs. Methods Determination of the potent antiviral activity of newly synthesized chalcone derivatives against SARS‐CoV‐2 by calculating the RT‐PCR cycling threshold ( C t ) values. Results Antiviral activities of the compounds varied because of being dose dependent. Compound 6 , 7 , 9 , and 16 were highly effective against SARS‐CoV‐2 at the concentration of 1.60 µg/mL. Structure‐based virtual screening was carried out against the most important druggable SARS‐CoV‐2 targets, viral RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase, to identify putative inhibitors that could facilitate the development of potential anti‐coronavirus disease‐2019 drug candidates. Conclusions Computational analyses identified eight compounds inhibiting each target, with binding affinity scores ranging from −4.370 to −2.748 kcal/mol along with their toxicological, ADME, and drug‐like properties.

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease usually characterised by chronic airway inflammation. Respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness and wheezing are detected in asthma patients depending on the degree of airway inflammation. The frequency and intensity of symptoms may vary over time, and symptoms may resolve spontaneously or with appropriate treatment. Many asthma types have been defined, such as allergic asthma, nonallergic asthma, late-onset asthma and chronic asthma associated with airway inflammation, and it is thought that this disease affects approximately 300 million people worldwide. 1 Drugs used in the treatment of asthma are in two groups: controlling and reliever (symptom-improving) drugs. The anti-inflammatory effects of controlling drugs ensure that the disease is kept under control.It is important that such drugs should be used for a long time and daily.

Flavonoids and related compounds, such as quercetin-based antiviral drug Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin, inhibit the protease of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The alkylated chalcones isolated from Angelica keiskei inhibit SARS-CoV proteases. Hydroxychloroquine and Favipiravir have been used in many countries since the beginning of the pandemic with the thought that they may have antiviral activity against SARS CoV-2. In this study, we aimed to compare the anti-SARS CoV-2 activities of both newly synthesized chalcone derivatives and these two drugs.The current study aimed to determine the potent antiviral activity of newly synthesized chalcone derivatives against SARS-CoV-2 by calculating the RT-PCR cycling threshold (Ct) values. Antiviral activities of the compounds varied due to being dose dependent. Compound 6, 7, 9 and 16 were highly effective against SARS-CoV-2 at concentrations of 1.60 µg/mL. Structure-based virtual screening was carried out against the most important druggable SARS-CoV-2 targets, viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), to identify putative inhibitors that could facilitate the development of potential anti-COVID-19 drug candidates. Computational analyses identified eight compounds inhibiting each target, with binding affinity scores ranging from − 4,370 to -2,748 kcal/mol along with their toxicological, ADME, and drug-like properties.

The increasing drug resistance in herpes viruses in recent years brings with it new treatment approaches. In recent years, it has been tried to overcome drug resistance, especially with the use of herbal products in combination with existing drugs. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of eucalyptol in combination with acyclovir. A Vero cell line was used for toxicity tests and viral culture isolation studies in the study. The non-toxic concentrations of eucalyptol and acyclovir were determined by the MTT method. Antiviral efficacy studies were performed within non-toxic concentrations. Antiviral activity was determined by calculating the IC50 values of the compounds against HSV-2. In addition, it was evaluated by the RT-PCR method. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) and Fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index values determined during 24 hours and 48 hours of action showed that Eucalyptol exhibited a potent activity. This efficacy was found to be stronger when used in combination with acyclovir. These results show that the combination of Eucalyptol and acyclovir may be beneficial against resistant HSV infections. We suggest that the results of these studies, which are planned as in-vitro, be supported by in-vivo studies.

Nigella is a medicinal plant that has various pharmacological properties. It is widely used in folk medicine to treat many diseases in the world. It was aimed to investigate the essential oils Nigella sativa L. on two human melanoma cells (A-375 and A-2058 cell lines). In this study, two different cancer cell lines (A-375and A-2058 cell lines) and one normal cell culture (vero cells) were used. Firstly, the non-toxic concentrations the essential oils of Nigella sativa L. were determined on normal cells (Vero cell line). And then, the cytotoxicity test were applied at these non-toxic concentrations. The cytotoxic activity of the essential oils of Nigella sativa L. on the cell lines was measured by MTT and Trypan blue assays. The chemical components analyses of the Nigella sativa L. oils were carried out by GC-MS. Medically important various components of Nigella sativa L. were determined in the GC-MS analysis. Some of these components are as follows; anethole (22.97%), thymoquinone (21.36%), α-thujene (6.22%), longifolene (5.76%), trans-isoeugenol (3.55%), carvacrol (2.23%). A total of 24 compounds were identified. The essential oils of Nigella sativa L. were found to inhibit the cell proliferation of human malignant melanoma cells. The IC50 values of the essential oils of Nigella sativa L. It were investigated as compared with a standard drug (methotrexate). Statistically significant decrease on the cell proliferations was found in the cells treated with the essential oils of Nigella sativa L. It was found to be non-toxic on normal cells (on Vero cell line) at the effective concentrations of the essential oils. While the non-toxic concentrations of essential oils on Vero cell line were found to be 12.5 µg/ml, the effective concentrations for A-375 and A-2058 cell lines were as 1.56 µg/ml and 3.12 µg/ml, respectively. In conclusion, the essential oils of Nigella sativa L. were found to be significantly inhibited the cell proliferation on the human melanoma cells. The effect may arise from the components situated in the structure of Nigella sativa L. such asanethole, thymoquinone, αthujene, longifolene, trans-isoeugenol and carvacrol. These components of this plant have been found promising in the treatment for human melanomas. But further studies, especially further animal studies should be needed to explain the action mechanisms of these components.