hsa‑miR‑17‑5p: A Possible Predictor of Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/ Ritonavir+Dasabuvir±Ribavirin Therapy Efcacy in Hepatitis C Infection
Zehra Öksüz | Enver Üçbilek | Mehmet Sami Serin | Serkan Yaraş | Gülhan Örekici | Temel Orhan Sezgin
Although persistent sustained viral response rates are increased in hepatitis C infection following administration of direct acting antiviral (DAA) agents, the pre-use predictive parameters of these antivirals and the clinical progression in patients post-treatment remain unknown. To obtain data pertaining to the predictive parameters prior to the use of ombitavir/paritaprevir/ritonavir+dasabuvir and the clinical progression in patients following antiviral treatment. The expression profles of miR-223-3p, miR-17-5p, miR-24-3p, and TLR2 − 196 to − 174 del/ins polymorphisms from the blood/serum of 34 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients pre- and post-ombitavir/paritaprevir/ritonavir+dasabuvir treatment were determined by RT-qPCR. The expression levels of miR-17-5p (P0.05); neverthe...
Exploring bisbenzimidazole-chalcone hybrid compounds: Dual-action as antibacterial agents targeting biofilm formation and E. coli DNA gyrase inhibition
ADAR ERCAN | ÖKSÜZ ZEHRA | DÖĞEN AYLİN | ALGÜL ÖZTEKİN
The emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has reduced the efficacy of current antimicrobial therapies, emphasizing the need for new therapeutic agents. This study presents the design, synthesis, and evaluation of bisbenzimidazole-chalcone hybrid compounds as potential antimicrobial agents. These compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activity against eleven common pathogens, as well as their ability to inhibit biofilm formation and eradicate preformed biofilms in Escherichia coli. Compounds EA1, EA3, EA4, and EA5 demonstrated antibacterial activity against E. coli comparable to ampicillin (31.25 μg/mL) and outperformed the other tested compounds. Notably, EA4 and EA5 inhibited biofilm formation at sub-MIC concentrations and effectively eradicated preformed biofilms, as ...
Nanosponge-based strategies against antimicrobial resistance: investigating the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of drug-free nanosponges
ÇOBANOĞLU ECE | GÜR Çiğdem | ÖKSÜZ ZEHRA | Uluca Han Bahar | ŞAHİN NEFİSE ÖZLEN | SERİN MEHMET SAMİ
Antimicrobial resistance is a critical global health concern, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Nanosponges, porous and biocompatible nanostructures, are widely used to enhance antimicrobial agent efficacy, yet their direct antimicrobial potential in drug-free formulations remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of drug-free nanosponges synthesized via emulsion solvent evaporation and solvent methods. Nanosponges were tested against ten clinically relevant pathogens as well as their ability to inhibit biofilm formation and eradicate preformed biofilms in Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The drug-free nanosponges exhibited low-to-moderate antimicrobial activity against the common pathogens assessed in this study, while al...
Evaluation of phytochemical profiling, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Cionura erecta latex: the first report of the therapeutic potential of a natural exudate
DOĞAN ÇALHAN SELDA | EROĞLU PELİN | OKSUZ ZEHRA | ÇOBANOĞLU ECE | NEKÜK ÖZLEM
This study provides the first detailed evaluation of C. erecta latex, an uncharacterised exudate of the Apocynaceae family, focusing on its phytochemical composition and bioactivity. HPLC analysis revealed nine phenolic compounds, mainly sinapic acid (4876.2 µg/g), ferulic acid (902.6 µg/g), and epicatechin (386.5 µg/g). Although the total phenolic content was relatively low (2.27 ± 4.2 mg GAE/g), DPPH assay indicated moderate antioxidant activity (IC50 = 114 µg/mL), suggesting contributions from other bioactive constituents. Volatile profiling via HS-SPME-GC-MS and solvent-assisted GC–MS identified compounds such as p-cymene (14.05%), 2-hexanol (12.52%), and kaur-16-ene (72.06%). The latex exhibited antimicrobial activity against bacteria and yeasts, with MIC values ...
Study on chemical content and the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of Vincetoxicum hirundinaria seeds growing wild in Turkey
GÜZEL KARA SEVDA | ÖKSÜZ ZEHRA | URAS GÜNGÖR ŞERİFE SELMA
The genus Vincetoxicum belongs to the family Apocynaceae, known for its medicinal properties. This study focuses on fatty acid, amino acid, sterol, total phenolic, and total flavonoid contents; and antioxidant (by 2,-2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthioazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), Cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) tests), antimicrobial, and antibiofilm potential of Vincetoxicum hirundinaria seeds growing wild in Turkey. Chromatographic methods were used for chemical analyses. The most abundant fatty acids were linoleic, oleic, and palmitic acids (48.56%, 28.66%, and 10.15%, respectively). β-sitosterol was the major sterol (61.93%) and glutamic acid was the major amino acid (7463 mg/100 g) in seeds. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents ...