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Sciencelet Molecular Discovery
Antidiarrheal effects of caffeic acid in castor oil–induced diarrhea in broiler chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus)
Aug 20, 2026
The antidiarrheal potential of natural compounds has attracted increasing attention due to growing concerns regarding antibiotic use in animal production. Caffeic acid, a naturally occurring phenolic acid widely distributed in plant sources, is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the antidiarrheal efficacy of caffeic acid in broiler chicks using a castor oil–induced diarrhea model and to compare its effects with the standard antidiarrheal drug loperamide. Two-day-old broiler chicks (<i>Gallus gallus domesticus</i>, 40–42 g) were randomly assigned to a vehicle control group, a positive control group treated with loperamide, three experimental groups receiving different doses of caffeic acid, and a combined treatment group receiving caffeic acid with loperamide. Diarrhea was induced by oral administration of castor oil, and treatments were administered orally prior to induction. The onset of diarrhea (latent period) and the frequency of diarrheic stools were recorded during the observation period. Caffeic acid treatment significantly delayed the onset of diarrhea and reduced the frequency of diarrheic stools compared with the vehicle-treated group. The highest dose of caffeic acid demonstrated greater antidiarrheal efficacy than lower doses. Notably, co-administration of caffeic acid with loperamide produced the most pronounced antidiarrheal effect, indicated by a prolonged latent period and a marked reduction in diarrheal frequency relative to either treatment alone. These findings suggest that caffeic acid possesses significant antidiarrheal activity in broiler chicks and may serve as a promising natural antidiarrheal agent, either alone or as an adjunct to conventional therapy. Further studies are warranted to elucidate its underlying mechanisms of action and to assess its broader therapeutic applicability.
Sciencelet Molecular Discovery
In silico molecular docking and ADMET profiling of the phytochemicals from Abies alba against mpox virus
Jul 11, 2026
Mpox virus (MPXV) is a zoonotic, double-stranded DNA virus from the <i>Orthopoxvirus</i> genus. It has become a concern due to its recent outbreak. To date, there are no antiviral drugs specifically designed and officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for mpox. This study aims to investigate the phytochemicals from the <i>Abies alba</i> plant to find its antiviral properties against MPXV. Molecular docking and ADMET profiling were performed in this study to find the best-scoring compounds. The DNA polymerase enzyme and the E8L cell surface-binding protein of MPXV were involved as the targets in molecular docking. The E8L cell surface-binding protein was modelled since there was no deposited structure available. A total of 82 phytochemicals from <i>A. alba</i> and two standard compounds—tecovirimat and trifluridine—were subjected to site-specific molecular docking. Against the DNA polymerase enzyme, neoabietic acid and palustric acid showed the lowest binding affinities (−9.70 and −9.34 kcal/mol, respectively), which surpass those of tecovirimat (−8.54 kcal/mol) and trifluridine (−7.31 kcal/mol). In contrast, isocembrene and neoabietic acid showed the lowest and the nearest binding affinities (−7.20 kcal/mol for both) against the E8L cell surface-binding protein compared to that of tecovirimat (−7.59 kcal/mol) and trifluridine (−5.90 kcal/mol). Adequate protein-ligand interactions were observed, which involved hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions. Moreover, the ADMET profiles of these compounds were also found acceptable. These findings indicate the promising activities of the phytochemicals from <i>A. alba</i>, which may play a significant role in future drug development against the mpox virus. However, this study relies on computational analyses only. Further in silico analysis through molecular dynamics, followed by in vitro and in vivo investigations, is recommended for establishing the potential of these compounds.
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