Acylated Iridoids and Rhamnopyranoses from Premna odorata (Lamiaceae) as Novel Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition Factor Receptor Inhibitors for the Control of Breast Cancer

Natural products derived from medicinal plants and microbes might act as a game-changer in breast cancer: a comprehensive review of preclinical and clinical studies

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent neoplasm among women. Genetic and environmental factors lead to BC development and on this basis, several preventive - screening and therapeutic interventions have been developed. Hormones, both in the form of endogenous hormonal signaling or hormonal contraceptives, play an important role in BC pathogenesis and progression. On top of these, breast microbiota includes both species with an immunomodulatory activity enhancing the host's response against cancer cells and species producing proinflammatory cytokines associated with BC development. Identification of novel multitargeted therapeutic agents with poly-pharmacological potential is a dire need to combat advanced and metastatic BC. A growing body of research has emphasized the potential of natural compounds derived from medicinal plants and microbial species as complementary BC treatment regimens, including dietary supplements and probiotics. In particular, extracts from plants such as Artemisia monosperma Delile, Origanum dayi Post, Urtica membranacea Poir. ex Savigny, Krameria lappacea (Dombey) Burdet & B.B. Simpson and metabolites extracted from microbes such as Deinococcus radiodurans and Streptomycetes strains as well as probiotics like Bacillus coagulans and Lactobacillus brevis MK05 have exhibited antitumor effects in the form of antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity, increase in tumors' chemosensitivity, antioxidant activity and modulation of BC - associated molecular pathways. Further, bioactive compounds like 3,3'-diindolylmethane, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, rutin, resveratrol, lycopene, sulforaphane, silibinin, rosmarinic acid, and shikonin are of special interest for the researchers and clinicians because these natural agents have multimodal action and act via multiple ways in managing the BC and most of these agents are regularly available in our food and fruit diets. Evidence from clinical trials suggests that such products had major potential in enhancing the effectiveness of conventional antitumor agents and decreasing their side effects. We here provide a comprehensive review of the therapeutic effects and mechanistic underpinnings of medicinal plants and microbial metabolites in BC management. The future perspectives on the translation of these findings to the personalized treatment of BC are provided and discussed.

Vitis vinifera leaf extract liposomal Carbopol gel preparation's potential wound healing and antibacterial benefits: in vivo, phytochemical, and computational investigation

Vitis vinifera Egyptian edible leaf extract loaded on a soybean lecithin, cholesterol, and Carbopol gel preparation (VVL-liposomal gel) was prepared to maximize the in vivo wound healing and anti-MRSA activities for the crude extract, using an excision wound model and focusing on TLR-2, MCP-1, CXCL-1, CXCL-2, IL-6 and IL-1β, and MRSA (wound infection model, and peritonitis infection model). VVL-liposomal gel was stable with significant drug entrapment efficiency reaching 88% ± 3, zeta potential value ranging from -50 to -63, and a size range of 50-200 μm nm in diameter. The in vivo evaluation proved the ability of VVL-liposomal gel to gradually release the drugs in a sustained manner with greater complete wound healing effect and tissue repair after 7 days of administration, with a significant decrease in bacterial count compared with the crude extract. Phytochemical investigation of the crude extract of the leaves yielded fourteen compounds: two new stilbenes (1, 2), along with twelve known ones (3-14). Furthermore, a computational study was conducted to identify the genes and possible pathways responsible for the anti-MRSA activity of the isolated compounds, and inverse docking was used to identify the most likely molecular targets that could mediate the extract's antibacterial activity. Gyr-B was discovered to be the best target for compounds 1 and 2. Hence, VVL-liposomal gel can be used as a novel anti-dermatophytic agent with potent wound healing and anti-MRSA capacity, paving the way for future clinical research.

Anti-Alzheimer Potential of a New (+)-Pinitol Glycoside Isolated from Tamarindus indica Pulp: In Vivo and In Silico Evaluations

Tamarindus indica Linn (tamarind, F. Leguminosae) is one of the most widely consumed edible fruits in the world. Phytochemical investigation of tamarind pulp n-butanol fraction yielded one new (+)-pinitol glycoside compound 1 (25% w/w), and 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS investigation were used to confirm the new compound's structure. (+)-Pinitol glycoside showed anti-Alzheimer potential that was confirmed in prophylactic and treatment groups by decreasing time for the T-maze test; decreased TAO, brain and serum AChE, MDA, tau protein levels, and β amyloid peptide protein levels; and increasing GPX, SOD levels, and in vivo regression of the neurodegenerative features of Alzheimer's dementia in an aluminum-intoxicated rat model. The reported molecular targets for human Alzheimer's disease were then used in a network pharmacology investigation to examine their complex interactions and identify the key targets in the disease pathogenesis. An in silico-based analysis (molecular docking, binding free energy calculation (ΔG_Binding), and molecular dynamics simulation) was performed to identify the potential targets for compound 1. The findings of this study may lead to the development of dietary supplements for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Scabicidal Potential of Coconut Seed Extract in Rabbits via Downregulating Inflammatory/Immune Cross Talk: A Comprehensive Phytochemical/GC-MS and In Silico Proof

Scabies is an invasive skin condition caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites. The present study investigates the antiscabies potential of coconut seed extract (CSE) in rabbits. GC-MS analysis of the seed oil identified 17 known compounds, while CSE phytochemical investigation afforded 4 known ones. The topical application of seed extract improved all signs of infection, and the improvement started 3 days post application. However, in vitro application of the extract caused 99% mortality of mites 1 day post application. Histopathological examination revealed the absence of inflammatory infiltration and hyperkeratosis of the epidermis, compared with ivermectin-treated groups which revealed less improvement. The mRNA gene expression results revealed a suppression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, MMP-9, VEGF, and MCP-1, and an upregulation of I-CAM-1, KGF as well as TIMP-1. The docking analysis emphasized a strong binding of gondoic acid with IL-1β, IL-6, and VEGF with high binding scores of -5.817, -5.291, and -8.362 kcal/mol, respectively, and a high binding affinity of 3″(1‴-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-sucrose with GST with -7.24 kcal/mol. Accordingly, and for the first time, our results highlighted the scabicidal potential of coconut seed extract, which opens the gate for an efficient, cost-effective as well as herbal-based alternative for the control of scabies in rabbits.

Amelioration of aluminum-induced hepatic and nephrotoxicity by Premna odorata extract is mediated by lowering MMP9 and TGF-β gene alterations in Wistar rat

This study aims to investigate the effect of Premna odorata (P. odorata) (Lamiaceae) on the hepatic and nephrotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride (AlCl3) in rat. Wistar male rats were equally classified into four groups: control, P. odorata extract (500 mg/kg B.W.), AlCl3 (70 mg/kg B.W.), and P. odorata extract plus AlCl3 groups. All treatments were given orally for 4 weeks. Serum transaminases and some biochemical parameters, hepatic and renal antioxidant/oxidant biomarker; tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) mRNA expression; histopathological examination of the liver, and kidneys were investigated. The obtained results revealed that AlCl3 significantly increased the activities of serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase as well as produced a significant increase in total cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, and creatinine concentrations, while there were no changes observed in the total protein, albumin, and globulin concentrations. Also, aluminum administration significantly decreased the reduced glutathione content and increased the catalase activity, malondialdehyde, and TNF-α concentrations in the liver and kidney tissue. Moreover, AlCl3 results in congestion, degeneration, and inflammation of the liver and kidney tissue. Co-treatment of P. odorata extract with AlCl3 alleviated its harmful effects on the previous parameters and reduced the histopathological alterations induced by AlCl3. Therefore, Premna odorata may have a potent protective effect against oxidative stress induced by Al toxicity through downregulation of MMP9 and TGF-β gene expression.

New Halogenated Compounds from Halimeda macroloba Seaweed with Potential Inhibitory Activity against Malaria

Malaria is one of the most important infectious diseases worldwide. The causative of the most severe forms of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, has developed resistances against all the available antimalarial drugs. In the present study, the phytochemical investigation of the green seaweed Halimeda macroloba has afforded two new compounds 1–2, along with 4 known ones 3–6. The structures of the compounds had been confirmed using 1& 2D-NMR and HRESIMS analyses. Extensive machine-learning-supported virtual-screening suggested cytochrome-C enzyme as a potential target for compound 2. Docking, absolute-binding-free-energy (ΔG_binding) and molecular-dynamics-simulation (MDS) of compound 2 revealed the strong binding interaction of this compound with cytochrome-C. In vitro testing for crude extract and isolated compounds revealed the potential in vitro inhibitory activity of both extract and compound 2 against P. falciparum. The crude extract was able to inhibit the parasite growth with an IC₅₀ value of 1.8 ± 0.35 µg/mL. Compound 2 also showed good inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 3.2 ± 0.23 µg/mL. Meanwhile, compound 6 showed moderate inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 19.3 ± 0.51 µg/mL. Accordingly, the scaffold of compound 2 can be considered as a good lead compound for the future development of new antimalarial agents.

The anti-Alzheimer potential of Tamarindus indica: an in vivo investigation supported by in vitro and in silico approaches

Tamarindus indica Linn. (Tamarind, F. Fabaceae) is one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world. A crude extract and different fractions of T. indica (using n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol) were evaluated in vitro with respect to their DPPH scavenging and AchE inhibition activities. The results showed that the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions showed the highest antioxidant activities, with 84.78 and 86.96% DPPH scavenging at 0.10 μg mL-1. The n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate fractions inhibited AchE activity in a dose-dependent manner, and the n-hexane fraction showed the highest inhibition at 20 μg mL-1. The results were confirmed by using n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate fractions in vivo to regress the neurodegenerative features of Alzheimer's dementia in an aluminum-intoxicated rat model. Phytochemical investigations of those three fractions afforded two new diphenyl ether derivative compounds 1-2, along with five known ones (3-7). The structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed via 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS analyses. The isolated compounds were subjected to extensive in silico-based investigations to putatively highlight the most probable compounds responsible for the anti-Alzheimer activity of T. indica. Inverse docking studies followed by molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) and binding free energy (ΔG) investigations suggested that both compounds 1 and 2 could be promising AchE inhibitors. The results presented in this study may provide potential dietary supplements for the management of Alzheimer's disease.

Premna odorata extract as a protective agent on neurotoxic effect of aluminum: neurochemical, molecular, and histopathological alterations

Premna odorata Blanco (Lamiaceae) is an ethnomedicinal plant, where some reports claimed their anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antituberculosis effects, without investigating its role on the brain. Therefore, forty mature male rats were equally divided into 4 groups; the 1st was kept as control. Rats in groups 2 and 4 were orally given P. odorata extract daily at a dose of 500 mg/kg B.W., while those in groups 3 and 4 were daily administrated aluminum chloride "AlCl₃" (70 mg/kg B.W.). The treatments extended for 30 successive days. At the end of the experimental period, brain samples were collected for biochemical assay of glutathione reductase (GSH), catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA), and acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE). Besides, monoamines (norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin), amino acids (glutamine, serine, arginine, taurine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)), neurotransmitters, DNA damage, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α genes were estimated. Moreover, brain samples were obtained for histopathological investigation. Aluminum toxicity resulted in a decline of GSH concentration, elevation of MDA, and AChE activity. Except for GABA which exhibited a significant decrease, there was a marked increase in the measured amino acid and monoamine neurotransmitters. Also, an increase in mRNA expressions of TNF-α and COX-2 was detected. It was noticed that Premna odorata extract reduced the oxidative stress and counteracted the augmentations in AChE caused by AlCl₃. Marked improvements in most measured neurotransmitters with downregulation of pro-inflammatory gene expression were recorded in P. odorata + AlCl₃ group. Premna odorata restores the altered histopathological feature induced by AlCl₃. In conclusion, the present findings clarify that P. odorata extract could be important in improving and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders as it was able to reduce oxidative stress, DNA damage, biochemical alterations, and histopathological changes in rats exposed to AlCl₃ toxicity.

Anticancer Effect of the Iridoid Glycoside Fraction from Dipsacus fullonum L. Leaves

Species of Dipsacus have been widely used in folk medicine for their neuroprotective, antiosteoporotic, antioxidative, anticomplementary, and antibacterial activities. However, there has been but a limited amount of research on the anticancer effect of one of the most popular representatives of this genus, D. fullonum. Also, the cytotoxic activity has not yet been investigated of the constituents of D. fullonum leaves. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of the bis-iridoid glycosides isolated from D. fullonum leaves against murine fibroblast NIH/3T3, mouse melanoma B16F10, HeLa human cervical cancer, human breast cancer MCF7 and MDB-MB-231 cells. The bis-iridoids, obtained by chromatographic fractionation of the extract of D. fullonum leaves, were characterized by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS)/MS analysis. The cytotoxicity of the iridoid fraction was evaluated by WST-1 assay, and the number of dead cells was determined by the propidium iodide test. HPLC-MS/MS analysis showed the isolated bis-iridoid fraction to consist mainly of sylvestroside III and/or sylvestroside IV. This fraction was applied to cell cultures and kept for 48 and 72 hours. The results demonstrated that the iridoid glycosides had a differential ability to induce cell death in normal and cancer cells. The study confirmed that the bis-iridoids extracted from D. fullonum leaves had a selective cytotoxic effect on human breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDB-MD-231, while their cytotoxic effect on noncancer cells was low.

A review of medicinal plant of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as source in tuberculosis drug discovery

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease that affects one-third of the world's population. Although currently available TB drugs have many side effects, such as nausea, headache and gastrointestinal discomfort, no new anti-TB drugs have been produced in the past 30 years. Therefore, the discovery of a new anti-TB agent with minimal or no side effects is urgently needed. Many previous works have reported the effects of medicinal plants against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). However, none have focused on medicinal plants from the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region. This review highlights the effects of medicinal plants from the MENA region on TB. Medicinal plants from the MENA region have been successfully used as traditional medicine and first aid against TB related problems. A total of 184 plants species representing 73 families were studied. Amongst these species, 93 species contained more active compounds with strong anti-MTB activity (crude extracts and/or bioactive compounds with activities of 0-100 µg/ml). The extract of Inula helenium, Khaya senegalensis, Premna odorata and Rosmarinus officinalis presented the strongest anti-MTB activity. In addition, Boswellia papyrifera (Del) Hochst olibanum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh leaves (river red gum), Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds and genus Cymbopogon exhibited anti-TB activity. The most potent bioactive compounds included alantolactone, octyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, thymoquinone, piperitone, α- verbenol, citral b and α-pinene. These compounds affect the permeability of microbial plasma membranes, thus kill the mycobacterium spp. As a conclusion, plant species collected from the MENA region are potential sources of novel drugs against TB.

Hassan H. Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Terpene- and Polyphenol-Rich Premna odorata Leaves on Alcohol-Inflamed Female Wistar Albino Rat Liver

Premna odorata Blanco (Lamiaceae) is an ethnomedicinal plant native to different tropical regions. Although some reports addressed their anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antituberculotic effects, their hepatoprotective potential is yet to be discovered. Accordingly, this study investigated the crude extract and different fractions of the plant leaves; metabolic profiling using liquid chromatography/high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (LC–HRESIMS) analysis, in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties for the dereplicated metabolite via online PreADMET program, ROS scavenger activity on the Hep G2 human liver cancer cell line, and the possible hepatic cellular treatment effects in alcohol-inflamed liver female Wistar albino rats. Metabolic profiling dereplicated a total of 28 metabolites from the crude extract and its various fractions. In silico ADMET and ROS scavenger activity screening suggested plant metabolites are of potential bioactivity. In vivo hepatic treatment with crude, defatted crude, and n-hexane leave extracts suggested all extracts significantly improved liver damage, which was indicated by the reduction of elevated serum levels of bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP, CRP, TNF-α, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MDA. The reduced levels of GSH and TAC were normalized during the study. Histological examinations of liver tissue showed collagen fiber distribution nearly back to its normal pattern. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials of Premna odorata extracts could be partly related to the combined effects of these phytochemicals or their synergistic interactions.

Triple-negative breast cancer suppressive activities, antioxidants and pharmacophore model of new acylated rhamnopyranoses from Premna odorata

Phytochemical investigation of Premna odorata Blanco “Lamiaceae” young stems afforded four new acylated rhamnopyranoses 1–4, along with fourteen known compounds 5–19.

Metabolomic Profiling and Cytotoxic Tetrahydrofurofuran Lignans Investigations from Premna odorata Blanco

Metabolomic profiling of different Premna odorata Blanco (Lamiaceae) organs, bark, wood, young stems, flowers, and fruits dereplicated 20, 20, 10, 20, and 20 compounds, respectively, using LC-HRESIMS. The identified metabolites (1-34) belonged to different chemical classes, including iridoids, flavones, phenyl ethanoids, and lignans. A phytochemical investigation of P. odorata bark afforded one new tetrahydrofurofuran lignan, 4β-hydroxyasarinin 35, along with fourteen known compounds. The structure of the new compound was confirmed using extensive 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS analyses. A cytotoxic investigation of compounds 35-38 against the HL-60, HT-29, and MCF-7 cancer cell lines, using the MTT assay showed that compound 35 had cytotoxic effects against HL-60 and MCF-7 with IC50 values of 2.7 and 4.2 µg/mL, respectively. A pharmacophore map of compounds 35 showed two hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) aligning the phenoxy oxygen atoms of benzodioxole moieties, two aromatic ring features vectored on the two phenyl rings, one hydrogen bond donor (HBD) feature aligning the central hydroxyl group and thirteen exclusion spheres which limit the boundaries of sterically inaccessible regions of the target's active site.

Bioactivities of Natural Catalpol Derivatives

Catalpol, a famous molecule of iridoids, possesses extensive pharmacological activities. Our studies found that compounds with low-polarity substituents at the 6-O position of catalpol exhibited higher NF-κB inhibitory potency than catalpol. However, catalpol derivatives are not much focused. Here this review provides extensive coverage of naturally occurring catalpol derivatives discovered from 1888 until 2018. It covers their distribution, chemotaxonomic significance, chemical structures, and bioactivities from more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, and highlights the structure-activity relationship of catalpol derivatives.