Identification of bitter components from Artemisia princeps Pamp

Recent advancements in the taste transduction mechanism, identification, and characterization of taste components

In the realm of human nutrition, the phenomenon known as taste refers to a distinctive sensation elicited by the consumption of food and various compounds within the oral cavity and on the tongue. Moreover, taste affects the overall comfort in the oral cavity, and is a fundamental attribute for the assessment of food items. Accordingly, clarifying the material basis of taste would be conducive to deepening the cognition of taste, investigating the mechanism of taste presentation, and accurately covering up unpleasant taste. In this paper, the basic biology and physiology of transduction of bitter, umami, sweet, sour, salty, astringent, as well as spicy tastes are reviewed. Furthermore, the detection process of taste components is summarized. Particularly, the applications, advantages, and distinctions of various isolation, identification, and evaluation methods are discussed in depth. In conclusion, the future of taste component detection is discussed.

Anti-tumor effects of jaceosidin on apoptosis, autophagy, and necroptosis in human glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and common malignant neoplasm. Nevertheless, a 5-year survival rate of patients with GBM has remained below 5%. Artemisia princeps PAMPANINI, used as a food and traditional medicine, have shown beneficial properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-cancer activities. Thus, this study aimed to investigate biological mechanism of a bioactive compound, jaceosidin (JAC), isolated from A. princeps in human GBM T98G cells. Herein, as a result of analysis in terms of cancer survival and death, we found that JAC significantly reduced cell survival against T98G cells. In addition, JAC increased apoptotic cell death via changes on morphological and molecular phenotypes in T98G cells as evidenced by cellular shapes and DNA fragmentation. The apoptotic cell death was confirmed by the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP, the downregulation of survivin and Bcl-2. Moreover, JAC decreased the expression of cyclinD1 and Cdks and increased the phosphorylation of EKR, JNK, and p38 MAPKs. Specifically, JAC suppressed the PI3K/AKT signaling and its downstream molecules including p70S6, GSK3β, and β-catenin. In addition, as a result of analysis in terms of metastasis using wound healing and Boyden chamber assays, JAC showed anti-migrative and anti-invasive activities. Finally, we analyzed in terms of autophagy and necroptosis that are modes of programmed cell survival and death different from apoptosis in T98G cells. We found that JAC inhibited autophgic regulatory proteins including Beclin-1, Atgs, and LC3A/B, thereby reducing autophagic-mediated cell survival, whereas JAC did not affect phosphorylation of key proteins in necroptosis, especially MLKL. Given these findings, our results provided novel evidences on the biological mechanisms of JAC in T98G cells, suggesting that JAC may be a therapeutic agent for patients with GBM.

Cytotoxicity and Anti-cancer Activity of the Genus Achillea L

BACKGROUND

The genus Achillea L. is rich in bioactive sesquiterpenes and flavonoids; most of the studied species exhibit several biological activities and are used as emmenagogue, wound healing and analgesic agents. Some species are also used in local folklore medicine.

OBJECTIVE

Following a literature survey, we discuss the anti-cancer properties of Achillea species, taking into consideration ethnopharmacological data on their use in traditional medicine for the treatment of cancer. In addition, we screened extracts and isolated secondary metabolites from A. coarctata for cytotoxicity, upon information based on local traditional medicine. The plant was collected in Kozani (Northern Greece), where it is locally used for treating gastrointestinal disorders, including stomach cancer.

METHODS

A selection of the relevant data was performed through a search in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and Science Direct databases. In addition, extracts and isolated compounds from A. coarctata were tested for their in vitro activity against the human cancer cell lines MCF-7 and HeLa.

CONCLUSION

The genus Achillea L. is a valuable source of bioactive secondary metabolites. The most significant outcome of the investigation of medicinal plants is the documentation and the assessment of the traditional information and its use and perspectives in the light of modern pharmacology.