Verbascum nigrum: Cytotoxicity Evaluation in A431 Epidermoid Carcinoma Cells and Untargeted LC-HR-MS/MS Metabolite Profiling

Verbascum ponticum (Stef.) Extract Induces Lung Cancer Apoptosis via Mitochondrial-Dependent Apoptosis Pathway

Non-small-cell lung carcinoma remains a significant health concern due to its high incidence and mortality rates. Traditional medicines play a central role in cancer therapy, with plant-derived bioactive compounds being studied for their potential to offer fewer side effects than conventional treatments. In traditional Kurdish medicine, different Verbascum species are used to treat burns, inflammation, and other conditions. While some species extracts have shown cytotoxic effects against several cancer cell lines like A549, the efficacy and mechanisms of action of the other species like Verbascum ponticum (V. ponticum) remain to be elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effect of V. ponticum (Stef.) extract, collected from the Kurdistan region of the Iraq mountains, on A549 cells. A comprehensive approach was employed, utilizing immunocytochemical and functional analyses to assess apoptotic morphology, DNA fragmentation, alongside assays for cellular and mitochondrial function, proliferation, and viability. Additionally, the study investigated AIF mitochondrial translocation and evaluated mitochondrial membrane potential using the Rhodamine 123 assay. The results showed that the V. ponticum flower extract induced mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in A549 cells via disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of AIF, and translocation to the nucleus, independently of the caspase-3-activation pathway. These findings emphasize the potential of V. ponticum in lung cancer strategic treatments, meriting further phytochemical studies to identify the bioactive compounds it contains.

Elucidating the chemical profile and biological studies of Verbascum diversifolium Hochst. extracts

The present study was designed to evaluate the chemical composition, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition and cytotoxic properties of different extracts from aerial parts of V. diversifolium (family Scrophulariaceae), a plant that is native to Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. Six extracts, namely, hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), ethanol (EtOH), 70% EtOH, and water (aqueous) were prepared by maceration. The EtOH extract was predominated by the presence of rutin (4280.20 μg g-1) and p-coumaric acid (3044.01 μg g-1) while the highest accumulation of kaempferol-3-glucoside (1537.38 μg g-1), caffeic acid (130.13 μg g-1) and 4-hydroxy benzoic acid (465.93 μg g-1) was recorded in the 70% EtOH, aqueous, and EtOAc extracts, respectively. The EtOH (46.86 mg TE/g) and 70% EtOH (46.33 mg TE/g) extracts displayed the highest DPPH radical scavenging result. Both these extracts, along with the aqueous one, exerted the highest ABTS radical scavenging result (73.03-73.56 mg TE/g). The EtOH and 70% EtOH extracts revealed the most potent anti-AChE (2.66 and 2.64 mg GALAE/g) and anti-glucosidase (1.07 and 1.09 mmol ACAE/g) activities. The aqueous extract was the most efficacious in inhibiting the proliferation of prostate cancer (DU-145) cells with an IC50 of 8.71 μg/mL and a Selectivity Index of 3.7. In conclusion, this study appraised the use of V. diversifolium aerial parts as a potential therapeutic source for future development of phytopharmaceuticals that target specific oxidative stress-linked diseases including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease among others.

Pathogenesis of Keratinocyte Carcinomas and the Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants and Phytochemicals

Keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) is a form of skin cancer that develops in keratinocytes, which are the predominant cells present in the epidermis layer of the skin. Keratinocyte carcinoma comprises two sub-types, namely basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This review provides a holistic literature assessment of the origin, diagnosis methods, contributing factors, and current topical treatments of KC. Additionally, it explores the increase in KC cases that occurred globally over the past ten years. One of the principal concepts highlighted in this article is the adverse effects linked to conventional treatment methods of KC and how novel treatment strategies that combine phytochemistry and transdermal drug delivery systems offer an alternative approach for treatment. However, more in vitro and in vivo studies are required to fully assess the efficacy, mechanism of action, and safety profile of these phytochemical based transdermal chemotherapeutics.