Anu taila, an herbal nasal drop, suppresses mucormycosis by regulating host TNF-α response and fungal ergosterol biosynthesis

Abstract

Aim:The intractable, mucormycosis, caused by Mucorales primarily targets immunocompromised individuals. The first-line therapy, intravenous liposomal amphotericin B and surgical debridement of necrotic tissue, is contraindicative in individuals with compromised kidneys. This invokes a pressing need to identify safer treatment options. Methods and Results:The antifungal effect of the classical nasal drop, Anu taila, against Mucor spp. was investigated through microbiological, cytological, analytical chemical (HPLC and GS-MS/MS) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) approaches. Anu taila-pretreated spores germinated late, resulting in reduced infectivity, observed as milder monocytic immune response. Conversely, Anu tailapretreated human THP-1 cells exhibited an improved immune response against Mucor spores, through TNF-α. Repeated Anu taila application rapidly abolished fungal microarchitectures than amphotericin B, evident from swift replacement of hyphae, sporangiophores and sporangia with fused biomass, in the SEM images. HPLC analysis showed that Anu taila treatment significantly reduced overall ergosterol content in Mucor biomass. Anu taila also downregulated sterol-C5-desaturase-coding ERG3 gene, crucial for ergosterol biosynthesis and resultant structural integrity, in Mucor spp. Conclusion:Taken together, Anu taila was found effective against Mucor spp., with both prophylactic and curative implications, which is attributable to the phytochemical composition of this classical nasal drop. Significance and Impact Statement:The potential remedial effects of a classical nasal drop against an obdurate and challenging fungal infection are identified.

Effect of Ayurvedic Intervention as an adjunct therapy in Post COVID-19 Mucormycosis (PCM): A non-randomized parallel group study

“…This mechanism of action of this herbal nasal‐drops is that they can suppresses mucormycosis by regulating host TNF‐α response and inhibiting the fungal ergosterol biosynthesis. [ 21 ] The level of evidence comes from case reports/invitro reports 11 , 20 , 21 in ayurvedic literature, whilst the current study adds valuable evidence from a clinical study with comparisons with conventional therapies. It difficult to contrast the exact observations from outcomes of the current study with the above existing evidence, as study designs are not the same (case reports vs original experimental study).…”

Current Perspectives of Antifungal Therapy: A Special Focus on <em>Candida auris</em>

“…Its mechanism of action was associated with disturb in the membrane integrity of C. auris cells, evidenced through ergosterol binding and sorbitol protection assays. However, seed oil was inactive against mature biofilm formed by C. auris [51].…”

An emergence of mucormycosis during the COVID‑19 pandemic (Review)

“…Ziziphus mauritiana exhibited moderate activity against Mucor circinelloides (71). Balakrishna et al (72) implemented Anu taila to cure mucormycosis; Anu taila is comprised of tej patra, vidang, nagkesar, chandan, tavak, bala, yeshtimadhu and daru haldi. The consumption of Anu taila improved the immune response against Mucor spores by activating pre-treated human THP-1 cells and TNF-α.…”

“…Anu taila downregulated the sterol-c5-desaturase coding ERG3 gene, crucial for maintaining structural integrity in Mucor spp. and also blocks ergosterol biosynthesis (72).…”