The effect of the aqueous extract of the roots ofAsparagus racemosuson hepatocarcinogenesis initiated by diethylnitrosamine

Molecular mechanisms of Asparagus racemosus willd. and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal as chemotherapeutic adjuvants for breast cancer treatment

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Despite various treatment modalities, the progression and metastasis of breast cancer (BC) are grave concerns due to the alarming disease-free survival rate (DFS) and overall survival rate (OS) of affected patients. Over the years, many antibiotics, synthetic compounds, medicinal plant isolates and polyherbal combinations have been used as adjuvants in therapy for the management of primary and secondary tumors. Paclitaxel (PTX)-based chemotherapy for breast cancer causes multiple adverse side effects in patients. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS) and Asparagus racemosus Willd. (AR) as Ayurveda-inspired plant-based adjuvants were investigated for their anticancer effects on MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells in mouse model systems.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study focused on evaluating the adjuvant properties of WS and AR plant extracts with PTX and their effectiveness over PTX alone in terms of tumor inhibition.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effects of WS and AR on DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), senescence induction and mitochondrial functions were evaluated in BC cells in vitro. The potential for cancer stem cell (CSC) inhibition was evaluated via mammosphere formation assays and CD44/CD24 immunostaining. In vivo tumor growth studies were conducted in athymic BALB/c mice for MDA-MB-231 cells and in BALB/c mice for 4T1 cells.

RESULTS

Induction of senescence was evident due to DSBs induced by the WS and AR extracts. Mammosphere formation and CD44/CD24 CSC markers were reduced after treatment with WS, AR or the combination of both in MCF-7 cells. WS or AR inhibited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In vivo studies demonstrated that tumor growth inhibition was more pronounced in the treated group than in the PTX alone group and the untreated control group.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that the use of WS or AR plant hydroalcoholic extracts in combination with paclitaxel (PTX) has better effects on sensitivity and efficacy than PTX alone, as demonstrated in in vitro BC cells and mouse models with BC cell grafts. Hence, scheduling adjuvant therapy with WS or AR alone or combined with PTX can be advantageous for the management of triple-negative BC (TNBC). Further studies are warranted in human clinical conditions to ascertain the efficacy of these treatments.

Phytochemical Profile and In Vitro Bioactivities of Wild Asparagus stipularis

In this study, Asparagus stipularis was characterized concerning its phytochemical composition, antioxidant potential, cytotoxicity, and pancreatic lipase inhibitory activities. Twenty-seven compounds were identified and quantified by HPLC-DAD-MS in the leaf, stem, pericarp, and rhizome of ethanolic extracts. Seven steroidal saponins were detected, and the highest content was quantified in rhizome and pericap. A. stipularis also contained significant amounts of flavonoids in the aerial part. Isorhamnetin tetra-glycoside, quercetin-3-glucosyl-rutinoside, and rutin were the main flavonoid derivatives in leaf, stem, and pericarp extracts, respectively. In addition, eleven phenolic acids were also detected; among them, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and ferulic acid were the predominant phenolics, with these having the highest amounts quantified in the rhizome extracts. All the tested extracts possessed antioxidant capacities, with pericarp and rhizome extracts exhibiting the highest activity in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The extracts from pericarp and rhizome were revealed to also be the strongest inhibitors of pancreatic lipase. The rhizome extracts exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against HCT-116 and HepG2 with IC50 values of 30 and 54 µg/mL after 48 h of treatment. The present study demonstrated that A. stipularis can be used as a new source of natural antioxidants and potential anticancer and antiobesity compounds.

Recent Advances in Anticancer Activity of Novel Plant Extracts and Compounds from Curcuma longa in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PURPOSE

Among all forms of cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. There are several treatment options for HCC ranging from loco-regional therapy to surgical treatment. Yet, there is high morbidity and mortality. Recent research focus has shifted towards more effective and less toxic cancer treatment options. Curcumin, the active ingredient in the Curcuma longa plant, has gained widespread attention in recent years because of its multifunctional properties as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer agent.

METHODS

A systematic search of PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar was performed for studies reporting incidence of HCC, risk factors associated with cirrhosis and experimental use of curcumin as an anti-cancer agent.

RESULTS

This review exclusively encompasses the anti-cancer properties of curcumin in HCC globally and it's postulated molecular targets of curcumin when used against liver cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

This review is concluded by presenting the current challenges and future perspectives of novel plant extracts derived from C. longa and the treatment options against cancers.

Literature analysis on asparagus roots and review of its functional characterizations

Asparagus root (AR) is utilized globally as a traditional herbal medicine because it contains various bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, and minerals. The composition profiles of AR are strongly affected by its botanical and geographical origins. Although minerals and heavy metals are minor constituents of AR, they play a crucial role in determining its quality and efficacy. A comprehensive classification of AR, its phytochemistry, and its pharmacology were reviewed and interpreted herein. Potentially eligible articles (in English) were identified through an electronic search of the Web of Science database (2010-2022) and Google (2001-2022). We used the primary search term "Asparagus roots" combined with the words "pharmacology," "bioactive compounds," "physicochemical properties," and "health benefits" to find the relevant literature. We screened the titles, keywords, and abstracts of the publications obtained from the database. A full copy of the article was obtained for further assessment if deemed appropriate. Different asparagus species might potentially be used as herbal medicines and functional foods. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds as valuable secondary metabolites. The dominant class of bioactive compounds in AR is flavonoids. Furthermore, AR displayed significant pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects, as shown in animal and human studies. This review provides a valuable resource to enable a thorough assessment of the profile of Asparagus root as a functional ingredient for the pharmaceutical and food industries. In addition, it is anticipated that this review will provide information to healthcare professionals seeking alternative sources of critical bioactive compounds.

Adaptogenic property of Asparagus racemosus: Future trends and prospects

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a multimodal neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative illness characterized by anhedonia, continued melancholy, dysfunctional circadian rhythm and many other behavioral infirmities. Depression is also associated with somatic ailments such as cardiometabolic diseases. The existing and upcoming hypotheses have succeeded in explaining the pathophysiology of depression. Only a few of the most validated theories, such as hyperactivity of the HPA axis, activated inflammatory-immune response, and monoaminergic and GABAergic deficit hypotheses, have been discussed in this review. So, an effective and safer alternative approach beyond symptomatic relief has been desired. Therefore, botanical products have steadily been probed to strengthen the modern medicinal system as a promising medicament. In this line, Asparagus racemosus Willd. belongs to Asparagaceace family is the well-documented adaptogen cited in the ancient texts namely, Ayurvedic, Greek, and Chinese medicine system. The whole plant possesses pleiotropic therapeutic activity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, nootropic, antidepressant, etc., without showing any remarkable side effects. The literature review has also suggested that A. racemosus administration at varied levels alleviates depression by modulating the HPA axis, increasing BDNF levels, and monoaminergic and GABAergic neurotransmission. Alongside, spikes the level of antioxidant enzymes, SOD, GSH peroxidase, GSH, and catalase in distinct brain regions (i.e., hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hypothalamus) and promote neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. Thus, it could be a new generation antidepressant that provides relief from both behavioral and somatic illness. The review first describes the plant characteristics, then discusses the hypotheses associated with the pathogenesis of depression, and gives an insight into A. racemosus antidepressant properties and the underlying mechanism.

Asparagus racemosus improves immune-related parameters in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and mitigates deltamethrin-induced toxicity

Deltamethrin (DM) is one of the most toxic but widely used pyrethroid insecticides. Even though a non-target animal, fish are at high risk as they are deficient in the enzyme system that hydrolyses pyrethroids. Enhancing the immune system is a potential method in preventing fish diseases. The present investigation aims to study the modulations in the immune response-related parameters in Oreochromis niloticus that were exposed to DM, by dietary supplementation of aqueous root extract of Asparagus racemosus (ARE). The experiment compared fish in control, DM (1 μg/L) exposed (added to water), ARE (10 g, 20 g, and 30 g ARE/kg of feed) supplemented, and DM-ARE cotreated groups. After 21 days of experimental period, serological, histopathological, and immune response related-gene and protein analysis were carried out. The DM-ARE cotreated group showed significant increase in weight gain, specific growth rate, and decreased feed conversion ratio compared to the DM exposed group. The ARE cotreatment could significantly revert the alteration induced by DM in lysozyme, respiratory burst, myeloperoxidase, C-reactive protein, glucose, cortisol, total protein, albumin, and triglyceride levels. The liver histopathology showed membrane breakage, severe necrosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, melano-macrophages, and nuclear atrophy, and the kidney showed tubular necrosis, hematopoietic necrosis, Bowman's capsule edema, and glomerulus degeneration in DM exposed group. In ARE cotreated group, the liver showed regenerative cellular changes and only mild to moderate cellular damages, and the kidney tubules and glomerulus had intact structure. ARE discernibly regulated the expression of immune-related genes and proteins (IgM, TNFα, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-8) in fish. The DM-ARE cotreated groups showed reduced cumulative mortality and higher relative percent survival on experimental challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila compared to the DM group. Thus, ARE possess protective potential against DM-induced toxicity, and can be used as a cost-effective technique in aquafarming.

Combining Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Study the Action and Mechanism of Water extract of Asparagus Against Colorectal Cancer

Asparagus (ASP) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with nourishing, moistening, fire-clearing, cough-suppressing, and intestinal effects. In addition, it exerts anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, immunity-enhancing, and anti-tumor pharmacological effect. The anti-tumor effect of ASP has been studied in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, its action and pharmacological mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC) are unclear. The present study aimed to identify the potential targets of ASP for CRC treatment using network pharmacology and explore its possible therapeutic mechanisms using in vitro and in vivo experiments. The active compounds and potential targets of ASP were obtained from the TCMSP database, followed by CRC-related target genes identification using GeneCards and OMIM databases, which were matched with the potential targets of ASP. Based on the matching results, potential targets and signaling pathways were identified by protein-protein interaction (PPI), gene ontology (GO) functions, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. Finally, in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to further validate the anti-cancer effects of ASP on CRC. Network pharmacology analysis identified nine active components from ASP from the database based on oral bioavailability and drug similarity index, and 157 potential targets related to ASP were predicted. The PPI network identified tumor protein 53 (TP53), Fos proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (FOS), and AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1) as key targets. GO analysis showed that ASP might act through response to wounding, membrane raft, and transcription factor binding. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that ASP may affect CRC through the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase PI3K/AKT/mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) signaling pathway. In vitro, ASP inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCT116 and LOVO cells, and caused G0/G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in CRC cells. In vivo, ASP significantly inhibited the growth of CRC transplanted tumors in nude mice. Furthermore, pathway analysis confirmed that ASP could exert its therapeutic effects on CRC by regulating cell proliferation and survival through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. This study is the first to report the potential role of ASP in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Antioxidant Activities and Caffeic Acid Content in New Zealand Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) Roots Extracts

Asparagus officinalis are perennial plants that require re-planting every 10–20 years. The roots are traditionally mulched in the soil or treated as waste. The A. officinalis roots (AR) contain valuable bioactive compounds that may have some health benefiting properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC, respectively) and antioxidant (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) and Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays) activities of New Zealand AR extract. The antioxidant activity decreased with a longer extraction time.

Antiplasmodial potential of selected medicinal plants from eastern Ghats of South India

Malaria caused by the protozoan parasite Plasmodium falciparum, is a major health problem of the developing world. In the present study medicinal plants from Eastern Ghats of South India have been extracted with ethyl acetate and assayed for growth inhibition of asexual erythrocytic stages of chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive (3D7) and (CQ)-resistant (INDO) strains of P. falciparum in culture using the fluorescence-based SYBR Green I assay. Studied extracts showed a spectrum of antiplasmodial activities ranging from (a) very good (IC(50)<10-10 μg/mL: Cyperus rotundus and Zingiber officinale); (b) good (IC(50), >10-15 μg/mL: Ficus religiosa and Murraya koenigii); (c) moderate (IC(50)>15-25 μg/mL: Ficus benghalensis); (d) poor activity (IC(50)>25-60 μg/mL) and (e) inactive (IC(50)>60 μg/mL). Resistance indices ranging from 0.78 to 1.28 suggest that some of these extracts had equal promise against the CQ resistant INDO strain of P. falciparum. Cytotoxicity assessment of the extracts against HeLa cell line using MTT assay revealed that the selectivity indices in the range of 3-15 suggesting a good margin of safety.

Protective effects of Asparagusracemosus on oxidative damage in isoniazid-induced hepatotoxic rats

To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of Asparagus racemosus against isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats. Rats ( n = 6 per group)were divided into four groups: saline-treated control, saline-treated control with A. racemosus extract (50 mg/kg), isoniazid treatment alone (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]), and isoniazid– A. racemosus extract (50 mg/kg)administered orally as cotreatment. Animals were treated for 21 days and euthanized 1 h after the last drug administration. Evaluated body weight, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, g-glutamyl transferase, total protein, albumin, hepatic malondialdehyde content, superoxide dismutase, catalase, cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1)activity and glutathione (GSH). A. racemosus extract prevented isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity, indicated by both diagnostic indicators of liver damage, liver functional profile, significantly ( p < 0.05)inhibited CYP2E1 activity, markedly attenuated oxidative stress by improved enzymatic, non-enzymatic antioxidants levels and mitigate malondialdehyde, lipid hydroperoxide significantly ( p < 0.05). These results suggest that A. racemosus extract exerts its hepatoprotective activity by inhibiting the production of free radicals and acts as a scavenger, reducing the free radical generation via inhibition of hepatic CYP2E1 activity, increasing the removal of free radicals through the induction of antioxidant enzymes and improving non-enzymatic thiol antioxidant GSH.

Antioxidant activity and antiapoptotic effect of Asparagus racemosus root extracts in human lung epithelial H460 cells

The present study examined the antioxidant activity and protective effect of extracts from Asparagus racemosus roots against Lipofectamine-induced apoptosis. Five fractions from a successive extraction process ranging from non-polar to more polar solvents were obtained. The total saponin content as a marker in terms of diosgenin equivalent value of the root extracts was found to be in the range of 240-420 μg/mg extract, with higher values for the ethanol and aqueous fractions. The antioxidant activity measured using the DPPH method in terms of mean effective concentration (EC(50)) of the aqueous fraction was found to be 600 μg/ml as compared to 1.5 μg/ml of ascorbic acid. It is proposed that Asparagus racemosus root extracts effectively inhibit Lipofectamine-induced apoptosis by their protective effect, and may serve as an advantageous alternative option for gene delivery.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Herbal Treatment May Have a Relevant Impact on the Prognosis of Patients With Stage IV Adenocarcinoma of the Lung Treated With Platinum-Based Chemotherapy or Combined Targeted Therapy and Chemotherapy

Background: Targeted therapy (TT), chemotherapy, and traditional Chinese medicine herbal treatment (TCM) can improve the prognosis of advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients. Their independent prognostic value is unknown. Objective: To study whether TCM improves survival in stage IV pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients with platinum-based chemotherapy (PBT), or combined PBT and second-line TT. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 133 fully ambulant clinical outpatients treated with PBT alone or PBT with/without second-line TT, with/without TCM. Univariate (Kaplan—Meier) and multivariable (Cox model) survival analysis were performed, using disease-specific mortality as an endpoint. Results: Gender ( P = .002), TT ( P < .0001), and TCM ( P < .0001) had univariate prognostic value but not age, radiotherapy, or TCM syndrome differentiation ( P > .10). TCM herbal treatment ( P < .0001) and TT ( P = .03) had multivariable independent prognostic value. TCM-treated patients (n = 103, PBT+TT+TCM+ = 62; PBT+TT−TCM+ =41) had 88% 1-year overall survival rate with median survival time (MST) of 27 months, contrasting 27% 1-year overall survival and MST of 5.0 months for non-TCM-treated (n = 30) patients. Patients with chemotherapy/TT/TCM (PBT+TT+TCM+, n = 62), TCM without TT (PBT+TT−TCM+, n = 41), or chemotherapy only (PBT+TT−TCM−, n = 30), had 1-year survival rates of 94%, 78%, and 27% respectively; for these 3 groups, respectively, MST was not reached (MST of 30.9 months), 22.6, and 5.0 months ( P < .0001). Conclusions: TCM herbal treatment may improve survival of stage IV pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients treated with chemotherapy without or with second-line TT. This warrants formal phase 1 and 2 trials and ultimately properly designed prospective clinical validation trials with adequate methodology developed for data collection.