In vivo growth inhibition of sarcoma 180 by latex proteins from Calotropis procera

Functional Studies of Cytogenotoxic Potential of Laticifer Proteins of Calotropis procera against Viral Disease

Plant products are widely used for health and disease management. However, besides their therapeutic effects, some plants also have potential toxic activity. Calotropis procera is a well-known laticifer plant having pharmacologically active proteins playing a therapeutically significant role in curing diseases like inflammatory disorders, respiratory diseases, infectious diseases, and cancers. The present study was aimed to investigate the antiviral activity and toxicity profile of the soluble laticifer proteins (SLPs) obtained from C. procera. Different doses of rubber free latex (RFL) and soluble laticifer protein (ranging from 0.019 to 10 mg/mL) were tested. RFL and SLPs were found to be active in a dose-dependent manner against NDV (Newcastle disease virus) in chicken embryos. Embryotoxicity, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and mutagenicity of RFL and SLP were examined on chicken embryos, BHK-21 cell lines, human lymphocytes, and Salmonella typhimurium, respectively. It was revealed that RFL and SLP possess embryotoxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic activity at higher doses (i.e., 1.25-10 mg/mL), while low doses were found to be safe. It was also observed that SLP showed a rather safer profile as compared to RFL. This might be due to the filtration of some small molecular weight compounds at the time of purification of SLPs through a dialyzing membrane. We suggest that SLPs could be used therapeutically against viral disorders but the dose should be critically monitored.

Phytomodulatory proteins isolated from Calotropis procera latex promote glycemic control by improving hepatic mitochondrial function in HepG2 cells

The medicinal uses of Calotropis procera are diverse, yet some of them are based on effects that still lack scientific support. Control of diabetes is one of them. Recently, latex proteins from C. procera latex (LP) have been shown to promote in vivo glycemic control by the inhibition of hepatic glucose production via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Glycemic control has been attributed to an isolated fraction of LP (CpPII), which is composed of cysteine peptidases (95%) and osmotin (5%) isoforms. Those proteins are extensively characterized in terms of chemistry, biochemistry and structural aspects. Furthermore, we evaluated some aspects of the mitochondrial function and cellular mechanisms involved in CpPII activity. The effect of CpPII on glycemic control was evaluated in fasting mice by glycemic curve and glucose and pyruvate tolerance tests. HepG2 cells was treated with CpPII, and cell viability, oxygen consumption, PPAR activity, production of lactate and reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial density and protein and gene expression were analyzed. CpPII reduced fasting glycemia, improved glucose tolerance and inhibited hepatic glucose production in control animals. Additionally, CpPII increased the consumption of ATP-linked oxygen and mitochondrial uncoupling, reduced lactate concentration, increased protein expression of mitochondrial complexes I, III and V, and activity of peroxisome-proliferator-responsive elements (PPRE), reduced the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increased mitochondrial density in HepG2 cells by activation of AMPK/PPAR. Our findings strongly support the medicinal use of the plant and suggest that CpPII is a potential therapy for prevention and/or treatment of type-2 diabetes. A common epitope sequence shared among the proteases and osmotin is possibly the responsible for the beneficial effects of CpPII.

In-vivo anti-plasmodial activity of phosphate buffer extract of Calotropis procera latex in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Malaria is a global health problem with the greatest burden in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA). The resistance to available antimalarial agents necessitate for the development of new and safe drugs for which medicinal plants provides credible alternative sources for discovering new and cheap therapeutic agents. Calotropis procera is used in several folk or traditional medicines for the treatment of various diseases across different regions of the world. In Nigeria traditional medicine, C. procera latex is used either alone or in combination with other herbs to cure common diseases including malaria. In Malaka district (Indonesia), Calotropis gigantea (a member of Apocyanceae), is one of the most used herbs to treat malaria patient via the massage method.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the anti-plasmodial activity of phosphate buffer extract of Calotropis procera latex in mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The plant's anti-plasmodial agent was extracted using 0.2 M-phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), followed by precipitation using acetone. 90 (ninety) mice were divided into three main groups of 30 (thirty) mice each, used for the curative, suppressive and prophylactic tests, respectively. The 30 (thirty) mice in each of the main groups were sub-divided into five groups of 6 (six) mice. The mice in the group 1, 2 and 3 (test groups) were made to receive graded doses of 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg of the extract of C. procera latex intraperitoneally; group 4 (negative control group) received 0.2 ml of normal saline; while group 5 (positive control group) were administered with 5 mg/kg chloroquine. The phytochemical constituents of the plant and its intraperitoneal median lethal dose (LD₅₀) were also undertaken.

RESULTS

The freeze-dried acetone extract exhibited acute toxicity with median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of 745 mg/kg body weight in mice. The highest percentage parasite suppression (61.85%), percentage parasite cure (50.26%), and percentage parasite prophylaxis (65.47%), were obtained for the groups treated with 75 mg/kg bodyweight/day of the extract. The least percentage parasite suppression (44.74%), percentage parasite cure (35.21%), and percentage parasite prophylaxis (45.21%), were obtained for the groups treated with 25 mg/kg body weight of the extract. Also, a dose-dependent percentage parasite suppression (53.03%), percentage parasite cure (39.70%), and percentage parasite prophylaxis (49.82%) were obtained for the groups treated with 50 mg/kg body weight. This is comparable to the groups treated with standard chloroquine. The extract also produced a significant elevation in body weight of the animals for suppressive and curative tests. However, there were observable significant decreases in body weight of the animals in the case of prophylactic test.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the phosphate buffer extract of C. procera latex possess anti-plasmodial activity. The results of this study can be used as a basis for further phytochemical investigations in the search for new and locally affordable antimalarial agents.

The Effects of the Alkaloid Tambjamine J on Mice Implanted with Sarcoma 180 Tumor Cells

The tambjamines are a small group of bipyrrolic alkaloids that, collectively, display a significant range of biological activities including antitumor, antimicrobial and immunosuppressive properties. The key objective of the present study was to undertake preclinical assessments of tambjamine J (T-J) so as to determine its in vivo antitumor effects. To that end, sarcoma 180 cells were transplanted in mice and the impacts of the title compound then evaluated using a range of protocols including hematological, biochemical, histopathological, genotoxic and clastogenic assays. As a result it was established that this alkaloid has a significant therapeutic window and effectively reduces tumor growth (by 40 % and 79 % at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/day, respectively). In this regard it displays similar antitumor activity to the anticancer agent cyclophosphamide and alters animal weight in an analogous manner.

Anti-inflammatory latex proteins of the medicinal plant Calotropis procera: a promising alternative for oral mucositis treatment

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN

Oral mucositis (OM) is an intense inflammatory reaction progressing to tissue damage and ulceration. The medicinal uses of Calotropis procera are supported by anti-inflammatory capacity. PII-IAA, a highly homogenous cocktail of laticifer proteins (LP) prepared from the latex of C. procera, with recognized pharmacological properties was tested to treat OM.

MATERIALS AND SUBJECTS

Male Golden Sirius hamsters were used in all treatments.

TREATMENT

The latex protein samples were injected i.p. (5 mg/Kg) 24 h before mucositis induction (mechanical trauma) and 24 h later.

METHODS

Histology, cytokine measurements [ELISA], and macroscopic evaluation [scores] were performed.

RESULTS

PII-IAA eliminated OM, accompanied by total disappearance of myeloperoxidase activity and release of IL-1b, as well as reduced TNF-a. Oxidative stress was relieved by PII-IAA treatment, as revealed by MDA and GSH measurements. PII-IAA also reduced the expression of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1) and Iba-1, two important markers of inflammation, indicating modulatory effects. Histological analyses of the cheek epithelium revealed greater deposition of type I collagen fibers in animals given PII-IAA compared with the control group. This performance was only reached when LPPII was treated with iodoacetamide (IAA), an irreversible inhibitor of proteolytic activity of cysteine proteases. The endogenous proteolytic activity of LPPII induced adverse effects in animals. Candidate proteins involved in the phytomodulatory activity are proposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Therapy was successful in treating OM with the laticifer protein fraction, containing peptidases and osmotin, from Calotropis procera. The effective candidate from the latex proteins for therapeutic use is PII-IAA.

Transcriptomic and metabolic responses of Calotropis procera to salt and drought stress

BACKGROUND

Calotropis procera is a wild plant species in the family Apocynaceae that is able to grow in harsh, arid and heat stressed conditions. Understanding how this highly adapted plant persists in harsh environments should inform future efforts to improve the hardiness of crop and forage plant species. To study the plant response to droμght and osmotic stress, we treated plants with polyethylene glycol and NaCl and carried out transcriptomic and metabolomics measurements across a time-course of five days.

RESULTS

We identified a highly dynamic transcriptional response across the time-course including dramatic changes in inositol signaling, stress response genes and cytokinins. The resulting metabolome changes also involved sharp increases of myo-inositol, a key signaling molecule and elevated amino acid metabolites at later times.

CONCLUSIONS

The data generated here provide a first glimpse at the expressed genome of C. procera, a plant that is exceptionally well adapted to arid environments. We demonstrate, through transcriptome and metabolome analysis that myo-inositol signaling is strongly induced in response to drought and salt stress and that there is elevation of amino acid concentrations after prolonged osmotic stress. This work should lay the foundations of future studies in adaptation to arid environments.

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Artemisia sieberiand Calotropis procera Medical Plant Extracts and their Characterization using SEM Analysis

ABSTRACT: The synthesis, characterization and application of biologically synthesized nanomaterials have become important research areas in nanotechnology, and the green synthesis of nanoparticles using plants is being increasingly studied largely because this approach is considered to lack the problems associated with conventional synthesis. Here we report the synthesis and characterization (using a scanning electron microscope) of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) obtained using extracts of leaves of the medicinal plants, Artemisia sieberi and Calotropis procera. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed the characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles which were confirmed by analyzing the excitation of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) using UV–vis spectrophotometer at 482 nm. SEM analysis of the synthesized Ag NPs clearly showed that the particles were predominantly spherical in shape, mostly aggregated and having a size around 8–20 nm. Finally, we consider that the nanoparticles synthesized in this study have potential for wide application in nanotechnology and nanomedicine.

A new acridine derivative induces cell cycle arrest and antiangiogenic effect on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model

BACKGROUND

Acridine derivatives, including amsacrine, have antitumor activity. However, side effects, development of resistance and their low bioavailability, have limited their use. Herein, we described the synthesis, and evaluated the toxicity and antitumor activity of a new amsacrine analogous, the N'-(2-chloro-6-methoxy-acridin-9-yl)-2-cyano-3-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-acrilohidrazida (ACS-AZ10).

METHODS

The compound was obtained in a linear pathway where the ASC-Az intermediate was obtained by coupling of 6,9-dichloro-3-methoxy-acridine and 2-ciany-acethohidrazide followed by condensation with the corresponding aldehyde. The toxicity of ACS-AZ10 was evaluated in mice using acute toxicity and micronucleus assays. Ehrlich ascites carcinoma model was used to investigate the antitumor activity and toxicity of ACS-AZ10 (7.5, 15 or 30mg/kg, i.p.), after nine days of treatment. Cell cycle and angiogenesis were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The ASC-AZ10 was obtained with satisfactory yields and its structure was confirmed by spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. On acute toxicity study, ACS-AZ10 (2000mg/kg, i.p.) induced transient depressant effects on central nervous system. The LD₅₀ was approximately 2500mg/kg. ACS-AZ10 (15 or 30mg/kg) displayed significant antitumor activity considering the tumor weight and volume, cell viability, and total Ehrlich cell count. ACS-AZ10 (7.5mg/kg) induced an increase in sub-G1 peak, suggesting apoptosis. At 15mg/kg ACS-AZ10 induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and a reduction in the percentage of cells in G0/G1 and S phases, suggesting a pre-mitotic blockade. ACS-AZ10 reduced the microvessel density, indicating an antiangiogenic effect. Weak hematological, biochemical and histopathological toxicity were observed. The compound doesn't show genotoxicity in micronucleus assay.

CONCLUSIONS

ACS-AZ10 has potent antitumor activity in vivo along with low toxicity.

Oleandrin: A cardiac glycosides with potent cytotoxicity

Cardiac glycosides are used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and arrhythmia. Current trend shows use of some cardiac glycosides in the treatment of proliferative diseases, which includes cancer. Nerium oleander L. is an important Chinese folk medicine having well proven cardio protective and cytotoxic effect. Oleandrin (a toxic cardiac glycoside of N. oleander L.) inhibits the activity of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B chain (NF-κB) in various cultured cell lines (U937, CaOV3, human epithelial cells and T cells) as well as it induces programmed cell death in PC3 cell line culture. The mechanism of action includes improved cellular export of fibroblast growth factor-2, induction of apoptosis through Fas gene expression in tumor cells, formation of superoxide radicals that cause tumor cell injury through mitochondrial disruption, inhibition of interleukin-8 that mediates tumorigenesis and induction of tumor cell autophagy. The present review focuses the applicability of oleandrin in cancer treatment and concerned future perspective in the area.

Insights on the phytochemical profile (cyclopeptides) and biological activities of Calotropis procera latex organic fractions

Calotropis procera is a medicinal plant whose pharmacological properties are associated with its latex. Here, the Calotropis procera latex fractions were investigated in an attempt to trace its phytochemical profile and measure its anti-inflammatory and toxicity activity. The crude latex was partitioned, yielding five fractions (49.4% hexane, 5.2% dichloromethane, 2.0% ethyl acetate, 2.1% n-butanol, and 41.1% aqueous). Phytochemical screening and spectroscopy analysis revealed that dichloromethane is the most chemically diverse fraction. Triterpenes were detected in both the hexane and dichloromethane fractions, while flavonoids were detected in the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions. These fractions were cytotoxic to cancer cell lines (LD₅₀ 0.05 to 3.9 μg/mL) and lethal to brine shrimp (LD₅₀ 10.9 to 65.7 μg/mL). Reduced neutrophil migration in rats was observed in carrageenan-induced peritonitis for the dichloromethane (67%), ethyl acetate (56%), and aqueous (72%) fractions. A positive reaction with tolidine and ninhydrin suggested that cyclopeptides are in the ethyl acetate fraction. It is therefore concluded that Calotropis procera latex dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions exhibit both in vitro and in vivo activities as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Cyclopeptide detection is especially interesting because previous attempts to investigate these low-molecular cyclic amino acid sequences in C. procera have failed.

Anticancer attributes of desert plants: a review

The ever-increasing emergence of the resistance of mammalian tumor cells to chemotherapy and its severe side effects reduces the clinical efficacy of a large variety of anticancer agents that are currently in use. Thus, despite the significant progress in cancer therapeutics in the last decades, the need to discover and to develop new, alternative, or synergistic anticancer agents remains. Cancer prevention or chemotherapy based on bioactive fractions or pure components derived from desert plants with known cancer-inhibiting properties suggests promising alternatives to current cancer therapy. Plants growing on low nutrient soils and/or under harsh climatic conditions, such as extreme temperatures, intense solar radiation, and water scarcity, are particularly susceptible to attack from reactive oxygen species and have evolved efficient antioxidation defense systems. The many examples of desert plants displaying anticancer effects as presented here indicates that the same defensive secondary metabolites protecting them against the harsh environment may also play a protective or a curative role against cancer, as they also do against diabetes, neurodegenerative, and other acute and chronic diseases. The present review highlights a plethora of studies focused on the antineoplastic properties of desert plants and their prinicipal phytochemicals, such as saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and terpenes. Although many desert plants have been investigated for their antitumor properties, there are many that still remain to be explored - a challenge for the prospective cancer therapy of the future.

Anti-cancer potential of South Asian plants

Phyto-chemicals are increasingly being used in the treatment of cancer because of their availability, potential anti-cancer activity with less adverse effects when compared with chemotherapy. The variation of climate and geography in South Asian countries provides a nursing environment for the growth of versatile plant species, that are repeatedly drawing attention of the scientific community. In this review, we have focused on the anti-cancer potential of thirty plants, which are commonly found in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with their mechanisms of action. In particular, we have discussed the bio-active components that display anti-cancer activity, which have been identified in these plants. This review may help researchers to profile plants with known anti-cancer effect of this region and further investigations of anti-cancer agents in medicinal plants from South Asia.

Identification of a novel Calotropis procera protein that can suppress tumor growth in breast cancer through the suppression of NF-κB pathway

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. To date, improvements in hormonal and cytotoxic therapies have not yet led to a sustained remission or cure. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activities of a novel Calotropis procera protein (CP-P) isolated from root bark. CP-P protein inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells through the suppression of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kB) activation. CP-P, when administered individually or in combination with cyclophosphamide (CYC, 0.2 mg/kg) to rats with 7, 12-dimethyl benz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced breast cancer decreased tumor volume significantly without affecting the body weight. To elucidate the anticancer mechanism of CP-P, antioxidant activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and non-enzymatic antioxidant - reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin E and C generation in the breast were analyzed by various assays. SOD, CAT, GST, GSH, vitamin E and C levels were high in combination-treated groups (CP-P+CYC) versus the CYC alone-treated groups. Also, the combination was more effective in down-regulating the expression of NF-kB-regulated gene products (cyclin D1 and Bcl-2) in breast tumor tissues. Our findings indicate that CP-P possesses significant antitumor activity comparable to a commonly used anticancer drug, cyclophosphamide, and may form the basis of a novel therapy for breast cancer.

Antitumor effect of laticifer proteins of Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel - Apocynaceae

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel - Apocynaceae is a medicinal plant popularly known as Janaguba. Its bark and latex have been used by the public for cancer treatment, among other medicinal uses. However, there is almost no scientific research report on its medicinal properties.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to investigate the antitumor effects of Himatanthus drasticus latex proteins (HdLP) in experimental models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The in vitro cytotoxic activity of the HdLP was determined on cultured tumor cells. HdLP was also tested for its ability to induce lysis of mouse erythrocytes. In vivo antitumor activity was assessed in two experimental models, Sarcoma 180 and Walker 256 carcinosarcoma. Additionally, its effects on the immunological system were also investigated.

RESULTS

HdLP did not show any significant in vitro cytotoxic effect at experimental exposure levels. When intraperitoneally administered, HdLP was active against both in vivo experimental tumors. However, it was inactive by oral administration. The histopathological analysis indicates that the liver and kidney were only weakly affected by HdLP treatment. It was also demonstrated that HdLP acts as an immunomodulatory agent, increasing the production of OVA-specific antibodies. Additionally, it increased relative spleen weight and the incidence of megakaryocyte colonies.

CONCLUSION

In summary, HdLP has some interesting anticancer activity that could be associated with its immunostimulating properties.