Cytotoxicity of purified cassava linamarin to a selected cancer cell lines

Harnessing the anti-cancer potential of linamarin: A computational study on design and hydrolysis mechanisms of its derivatives

Cassava extracts containing cyanogenic compounds demonstrate anticancer properties. The cyanogenic glucoside linamarin found abundantly in cassava can release hydrogen cyanide (HCN) upon hydrolysis, a potent cytotoxin. However, linamarin's hydrolysis mechanism by human enzymes is poorly delineated and constitutes a bottleneck for therapeutic development. This study aimed to investigate linamarin's hydrolysis mechanism by human β-glucosidase and identify structural derivatives with enhanced hydrolytic potential using density functional theory calculations. Results revealed α-anomeric derivatives as promising, with leaving group ability and steric bulk strongly governing hydrolysability. We identified several linamarin analogs with predicted rapid hydrolysis kinetics that may enable swift cytotoxic HCN release against cancer cells. This investigation enriches understanding of cyanogenic glycoside reactivity to facilitate their development as targeted antineoplastic agents. The identified derivatives set the groundwork for experimental evaluation of enhanced linamarin-inspired compounds as innovative cancer therapeutics.

Antineoplastic effects of cassava-cyanide extract on human glioblastoma (LN229) cells

Several natural compounds reduce tumour cell growth and metastasis by inducing programmed cell death. Cassava (Manihot esculentaCrantz) contains cyanogenic glycosides such as, linamarin and lotaustralin, can be enzymatically cleaved by linamarase to release hydrogen cyanide (HCN), which can have therapeutic benefits against hypertension, asthma, and cancer. We have developed a technology for isolatingbio-active principles from cassava leaves.The present study is designed to analyzethe cytotoxic effect of cassava cyanideextract (CCE) against human glioblastoma cells (LN229). The treatment of CCE demonstrated a dose dependent toxicity on glioblastoma cells. At higher concentration tested, the CCE (400  μg/mL) was found to be cytotoxic, reducing the cell viability to 14.07 ± 2.15% by negatively influencing the mitochondrial activity, and lysosomal and cytoskeletal integrity. Coomassie's brilliant blue staining confirmed cells' morphological aberration after 24 h of treatment with CCE. Moreover, DCFH-DA assay and Griess reagent showed an increase in ROS but a decrease in RNS production at a concentration of CCE. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that CCE interfered with G0/G1, S, and G2/M stages of the cell cycle of glioblastoma, and Annexin/PI staining indicated a dose-dependent increase in cell death, confirming the toxic nature of CCE on LN229 cells. These findings suggest that cassava cyanide extract has potential as an antineoplastic agent against glioblastoma cells, which is an aggressive and difficult-to-treat type of brain cancer. However, it is important to note that the study was conducted in vitro, and further research is necessary to assess the safety and efficacy of CCE in vivo. Additionally, it is essential to establish the optimal dose and potential side effects before considering its use as a therapeutic agent.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz): A Systematic Review for the Pharmacological Activities, Traditional Uses, Nutritional Values, and Phytochemistry

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is considered one of the essential tuber crops, serving as a dietary staple food for various populations. This systematic review provides a comprehensive summary of the nutritional and therapeutic properties of cassava, which is an important dietary staple and traditional medicine. The review aims to evaluate and summarize the phytochemical components of cassava and their association with pharmacological activities, traditional uses, and nutritional importance in global food crises. To collect all relevant information, electronic databases; Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Preprint Platforms were searched for studies on cassava from inception until October 2022. A total of 1582 studies were screened, while only 34 were included in this review. The results of the review indicate that cassava has diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic effects, and wound healing properties. However, more studies that aim to isolate the phytochemicals in cassava extracts and evaluate their pharmacological property are necessary to further validate their medical and nutritional values.

A comprehensive review of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.): health-affecting compounds, mechanism of toxicity, detoxification, anticancer and potential risk

Flaxseed consumption (Linum usitatissimum L.) has increased due to its potential health benefits, such as protection against inflammation, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. However, flaxseeds also contains various anti-nutritive and toxic compounds such as cyanogenic glycosides, and phytic acids etc. In this case, the long-term consumption of flaxseed may pose health risks due to these non-nutritional substances, which may be life threatening if consumed in high doses, although if appropriately utilized these may prevent/treat various diseases by preventing/inhibiting and or reversing the toxicity induced by other compounds. Therefore, it is necessary to remove or suppress the harmful and anti-nutritive effects of flaxseeds before these are utilized for large-scale as food for human consumption. Interestingly, the toxic compounds of flaxseed also undergoes biochemical detoxification in the body, transforming into less toxic or inactive forms like α-ketoglutarate cyanohydrin etc. However, such detoxification is also a challenge for the development, scalability, and real-time quantification of these bioactive substances. This review focuses on the health affecting composition of flaxseed, along with health benefits and potential toxicity of its components, detoxification methods and mechanisms with evidence supported by animal and human studies.

A Molecular Investigation of the Solvent Influence on Inter- and Intra-Molecular Hydrogen Bond Interaction of Linamarin

Linamarin has been reported to have anticancer activities; however, its extraction and isolation using different solvents yield a low amount. Therefore, understanding the physical properties, such as solvents’ solubility, membrane permeability and lipophilicity and how they are associated with different solvents, is a paramount topic for discussion, especially for its potential as a drug. Linamarin has a sugar moiety with many polar groups responsible for its physical properties. Following current trends, a molecular dynamics simulation is performed to investigate its physical properties and how different solvents, such as water, methanol (MeOH), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and dichloromethane (DCM), affect such properties. In this work, we have investigated the influence of intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding and the influence of polar and non-polar solvents on the physical properties of linamarin. Furthermore, solvation free-energy and electronic structure analysis are performed. The structural analysis results show that the polar groups of linamarin have strong interactions with all solvents except the etheric oxygen groups. A detailed analysis shows intermolecular hydrogen bonding between polar solvents (water, MeOH and DMSO) and the hydroxyl oxygens of linamarin. Water exhibits the strongest interaction with linamarin’s functional groups among the investigated solvents. The findings show that within the first solvation shell, the number of water molecules is greatest, while MeOH has the fewest. Centrally to the structural analysis, solvation free energy confirms DMSO to be the best solvent since it prefers to interact with linamarin over itself, while water prefers to interact with itself. While the solute–solvent interactions are strongest between linamarin and water, the solvent–solvent interactions are strongest in water. As a result, the solvation free-energy calculations reveal that linamarin solvation is most favourable in DMSO.

Effect of cyanide ions (CN-) extracted from cassava (Manihotesculenta Crantz) on Alveolar Epithelial Cells (A549 cells)

Cassava (Manihotesculenta Crantz) is one of the most important root crops in tropical countries. It is a major source of cyanogenic glycosides viz. linamarin and lotaustralin, and these on breakdown liberate HCN and ketone. Cassava cyanide extract (CCE) from cassava leaves and tuber rinds were formulated as a biopesticide against certain borer insect pests of horticultural crops. Adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549) were treated with three different concentrations (100, 200, 400 ppm) of CCE. The MTT and NRU assays showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity. The DCFH-DA assay does not show any free radical scavenging activity, whereas the NRR assay showed a reduction in the nitrile radicals with an increase in the concentration of the bioactive compound. A negative correlation was found between the concentration of the bioactive principles and mitochondrial and lysosomal functions. Various cellular assays demonstrated the cellular response of the CCE, and it was found that at higher concentration (400 ppm), the CCE exert a significant necrotic cell death rather than apoptosis. The results of the study indicated that the CCE have a remarkable tendency of anti-proliferative ability.

An efficient and high-yielding method for extraction and purification of linamarin from Cassava; in vitro biological evaluation

During the last three decades, studies of linamarin extracted from cassava have received increased attention due to the presence of high cyanogenic compounds in these extracts. The methods that are utilized to isolate linamarin are either tedious or use acidic conditions resulting in poor yields. In this study, a novel cryocooled method of extraction has been developed to isolate linamarin from Cassava root peel. Approximately 18 g of linamarin was isolated from 1 kg of fresh Cassava root peel, which is the highest amount reported to date. Linamarin was fully characterized using NMR, IR and LCMS. The anti-cancer properties of pure linamarin and Cassava crude extract were evaluated by a comprehensive cytotoxic assay, using MCF-7, HepG2, NCI H-292, AN3CA and MRC-5 cell lines. The crude extract showed higher cytotoxicity compared to pure linamarin. The results of the biological evaluation are comparable to other reported studies in the literature.

Effect of Dose and Administration Period of Seed Cake of Genetically Modified and Non-Modified Flax on Selected Antioxidative Activities in Rats

Flaxseed cake containing antioxidants is a valuable dietary component. Its nutritional effect may be diminished by the presence of anti-nutrients. The work was aimed at determining the effect of different contents of flaxseed cake in diets and their administration period on the development of rats and selected parameters of their health status. Diets with 15% and 30% addition of genetically modified (GM) flax seed cake with enhanced synthesis of polyphenols, as well as Linola non-GM flax were administered in short-term (33 days) and long-term (90 days) experiments. The 30% addition of flaxseed cake reduced digestibility of dietary nutrients, GM flaxseed cake lowered body weight gains. The relative weight of selected organs, hematological blood markers and serum activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases (AST, ALT) were not affected. Flaxseed cake consumption reduced serum concentration of albumins and increased globulins. Administration of 30% flaxseed cake improved plasma total antioxidant status and 30% GM flaxseed cake lowered liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. The activities of superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes, glutathione peroxidase in plasma and the liver concentration of 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine were not changed. Most morphometric parameters of the small intestine did not differ between feeding groups. The administration of diets with 30% addition of flaxseed cake for 90 days improved the antioxidant status in rats.

Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of liquid waste, press water and pond water, produced in the cassava flour industry, and of antitoxic sodium thiosulfate

BACKGROUND

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), a plant used as food and an ingredient in industry, contains cyanogenic glycosides. The cassava root contains wastewater, popularly known as manipueira, which is a toxic substance. Its ingestion by animals causes poisoning although they react positively to treatment with sodium thiosulfate. The present research evaluates the cytotoxicity and the mutagenicity of liquid waste produced in the process of industrialization of the bitter cassava, olho-junto variety. The liquid wastes are characterized as press water, which is obtained when the cassava roots are pressed; pond water, which is press water stored in impounded ponds; and a solution of sodium thiosulfate, pure and with other waste.

RESULTS

The system tests comprised root meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. and bone marrow cells of Rattus norvegicus. Treatment with saline solution was cytotoxic for Allium cepa L. and significantly reduced cell division rate. Although no treatment was cytotoxic in any of the tests with rats, the thiosulfate solution was clastogenic for the chromosomal aberrations test.

CONCLUSION

Since it is harmful to the genetic material submitted within the conditions of current research, sodium thiosulfate should only be used in emergency conditions in which the benefits exceed the risks.

β-D-glucosidase assisted gold dissolution as non-optical and quantifiable detection technique for immunoassays

Immunoassays are used for detecting protein targets for various applications. Here, a modification of immunoassays to allow a purely electrical detection of the target protein concentration is shown. The modification comprises a β-D-glucosidase as reporter enzyme and a cyanogenic glycoside as substrate. The enzymatic reaction produces cyanide in small quantities. For electrical detection of the cyanide, a novel sensor is developed, based on a gold micro wire. The cyanide dissolves the gold wire and changes the electrical resistance of the wire. Monitoring the resistance change allows a quantitative measurement of the target human C-reactive protein (an inflammatory marker) in blood plasma in the physiological relevant concentration range.

Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seed oil toxicity effect and Linamarin compound analysis

BACKGROUND

The lipid fraction of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis (kunth. Muell)) seed was extracted and analyzed for toxicological effect. The toxicological compound such as linamarin in rubber seed oil (RSO) extracted using different solvents, such as hexane (RSOh), mixture of chloroform + methanol (RSOchl+mth) and ethanol (RSOeth) were also studied. Various methods analysis such as Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and colorimetric methods were carried out to determine the present of such compounds.

RESULTS

FTIR spectrum of RSO did not show any presence of cyanide peak. The determination of cyanide by using colorimetric method was demonstrated no response of the cyanide in RSO and didn't show any colored comparing with commercial cyanide which observed blue color. The results showed that no functional groups such as cyanide (C ≡ N) associated with linamarin were observed. Toxicological test using rats was also conducted to further confirm the absence of such compounds. RSO did not show any toxic potential to the rats. Bioassay experiments using shrimps had been used as test organisms to evaluate the toxicity of linamarin extract from RSO(h,) RSO(chl+mth) and RSO(eth) and LC50 were found to be (211.70 %, 139.40 %, and 117.41 %, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This can be attributed no hazardous linamarin were found in RSO.

Medicinal plants used as antitumor agents in Brazil: an ethnobotanical approach

WE DESCRIBE THE MEDICINAL PLANTS THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO BE ANTITUMOR AGENTS AND THAT HAVE BEEN USED IN ETHNOBOTANIC RESEARCH IN BRAZIL TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: what is the abundance of plants reported to be antitumor in Brazil? Have the plant species used for tumor treatment in traditional Brazilian medicine been sufficiently examined scientifically? Our analysis included papers published between 1980 and 2008. A total of 84 medicinal plant species were reported to be used for cancer and tumor prevention or treatment; 69.05% of these were cited as being used for the treatment of tumors and cancer in general and 30.95% for specific tumors or cancers. The plants that were cited at a higher frequency were Aloe vera, Euphorbia tirucalli, and Tabebuia impetiginosa. At least, one pharmacological study was found for 35.71% of the species. Majority of the studies selected were conducted in rural communities and urban areas and in areas with traditional healers in Brazil. We found the following molecules to be the most studied in vitro and in vivo: silibinin, β-lapachone, plumbagin and capsaicin. The species addressed here constitute interesting objects for future studies to various professionals in the field of natural products.

Evaluation of acetone cyanohydrin effect in "in vitro" inativation of the Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

PURPOSE: To evaluate the antitumor effect of acetone cyanohydrin in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vitro. METHODS: The Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and lymphocytes were incubated with different concentrations of acetone cyanohydrin (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 10.0, 20.0 and 30.0 μg.mL-1), After 1, 2, 3, 4, 18 and 24 hours cell viability tests were performed by the trypan blue method. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect against the cells of Ehrlich ascites tumor. The concentrations of 20 and 30 μg.mL-1 was 100% of cell death in only 1 and 2 hours respectively. In lower doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 μg.mL-1 the cytotoxic effect was less intense, increasing gradually with time. CONCLUSIONS: At low concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 μg.mL-1, more than 90% of cell death was observed only after 24 hours of incubation which is the evidence that the tumor cell has the ability to poison cumulatively and irreversibly itself with the acetone cyanohydrin when compared with the results presented by human lymphocytes that the same doses and at the same time of incubation reached a maximum of 30% of cell death, suggesting an activity of rhodanese differentiated between the two cells.