Anticancer bioactivity of compounds from medicinal plants used in European medieval traditions

Identification of potent inhibitors of HDAC2 from herbal products for the treatment of colon cancer: Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, MM/GBSA calculations, DFT studies, and pharmacokinetic analysis

The histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), an enzyme involved in gene regulation, is a potent drug target for the treatment of colon cancer. Phytocompounds having anticancer properties show the ability to interact with HDAC2 enzyme. Among the compounds, docking scores of caffeic acid (CA) and p-coumaric acid (pCA) with HDAC2 showed good binding efficacy of -5.46 kcal/mol and -5.16 kcal/mol, respectively, with small inhibition constants. The higher binding efficacy of CA compared to pCA can be credited to the presence of an extra oxygen atom in the CA molecule, which forms an additional hydrogen bond with Tyr297. The HDAC2 in complex with these molecules was found to be stable by analyzing RMSD, RMSF, Rg, and SASA values obtained through MD simulations. Furthermore, CA and pCA exhibited low MM/GBSA free energies of -16.32 ± 2.62 kcal/mol and -17.01 ± 2.87 kcal/mol, respectively. The HOMO and LUMO energy gaps, dipole moments, global reactivity descriptor values, and MEP surfaces showed the reactivity of the molecules. The favourable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, along with absence of toxicity of the molecules determined using ADMET analysis, suggested both the acids to be regarded as effective drugs in the treatment of colon cancer.

Cytotoxic Activity of Wild Plant and Callus Extracts of Ageratina pichinchensis and 2,3-Dihydrobenzofuran Isolated from a Callus Culture

Ageratina pichinchensis (Kunth) R.M. King & H. Rob. belongs to the Asteraceae family and is a plant native to Mexico to which several biological properties are attributed. In this study, the cytotoxic effect of four extracts from the wild plants and two extracts from A. pichinchensis callus culture were evaluated against carcinogenic cell lines including prostate carcinoma, cervical cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatoma human, lung cancer, and cellular keratinocytes. The extracts were obtained with ethyl acetate and methanol using both leaves and stems or the callus. Only the ethyl acetate extract of the callus culture influenced the cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) with an IC50 of 94.79 ± 2.0 µg/mL. From the ethyl acetate callus extract, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran was isolated and purified and also evaluated against cancer cells. The cytotoxic evaluation of this compound showed a significant effect against the HeLa cell line with an IC50 of 23.86 ± 2.5 µg/mL. Our results contribute to the development of biotechnological alternatives and extraction processes to produce compounds with possible potential against certain types of human cancer.

Antiaging Effect of 4-N-Furfurylcytosine in Yeast Model Manifests through Enhancement of Mitochondrial Activity and ROS Reduction

Small compounds are a large group of chemicals characterized by various biological properties. Some of them also have antiaging potential, which is mainly attributed to their antioxidant activity. In this study, we examined the antiaging effect of 4-N-Furfurylcytosine (FC), a cytosine derivative belonging to a group of small compounds, on budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We chose this yeast model as it is known to contain multiple conserved genes and mechanisms identical to that of humans and has been proven to be successful in aging research. The chronological lifespan assay performed in the study revealed that FC improved the viability of yeast cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, enhanced mitochondrial activity, together with reduced intracellular ROS level, was observed in FC-treated yeast cells. The gene expression analysis confirmed that FC treatment resulted in the restriction of the TORC1 signaling pathway. These results indicate that FC has antiaging properties.

Research progress of matrine's anticancer activity and its molecular mechanism

BACKGROUND

and ethnopharmacological relevance: Matrine (MT), a type of alkaloid extracted from the Sophora family of traditional Chinese medicine, has been documented to exert a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-viral, anti-fibrosis, and cardiovascular protection. Sophora flavescens Aiton is a traditional Chinese medicine that is bitter and cold. Additionally, it also exhibits the effects of clearing heat, eliminating dampness, expelling insects, and promoting urination. Malignant tumors are the most important medical issue and are also the second leading cause of death worldwide. Numerous natural substances have recently been revealed to have potent anticancer properties, and several have been used in clinical trials.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

To summarize the antitumor effects and associated mechanisms of MT, we compiled this review by combining a huge body of relevant literature and our previous research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

As demonstrated, we grouped the pharmacological effects of MT via a PubMed search. Further, we described the mechanism and current pharmacological research on MT's antitumor activity.

RESULTS

Additionally, extensive research has demonstrated that MT possesses superior antitumor properties, including accelerating cell apoptosis, inhibiting tumor cell growth and proliferation, inducing cell cycle arrest, inhibiting cancer metastasis and invasion, inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing autophagy, reversing multidrug resistance and inhibiting cell differentiation, thus indicating its significant potential for cancer treatment and prognosis.

CONCLUSION

This article summarizes current advances in research on the anticancer properties of MT and its molecular mechanism, to provide references for future research.

Papain Mediated Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles Encore the Potency of Bioconjugated Flutamide

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of male cancer death after lung cancer in the US. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a highly effective therapeutic drug at substantially low doses.

OBJECTIVE

Anti-androgen drug flutamide was delivered to the prostate cancer cells using Papain Mediated Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles (PGNPs) as the drug delivery system. PGNPs and flutamide worked synergistically against cancer cells.

METHODS

Flutamide was used to bioconjugate with PGNPs to improve its efficacy against prostate cancer. The synthesis and bioconjugation of flutamide with PGNPs (F-PGNPs) were characterized by various characterization techniques such as UV-vis spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and zeta potential to ensure the synthesis, size, shape, size distribution, and stability. The drug loading efficiency of flutamide in F-PGNPs was confirmed and validated by UV-vis spectroscopy. Eventually, in vitro studies were performed to determine the potency of F-PGNPs, changes in nuclear morphology, and generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).

RESULTS

The efficacy of F-PGNPs (IC₅₀ is 46.54 μg/mL) was found to be improved significantly over pure flutamide (IC50 is 64.63 μg/mL) against human prostate cancer PC-3 cell line whereas F-PGNPs did not show any significant toxicity up to a fairly high concentration toward normal mouse macrophage J774A.1 cells. The apoptotic effects and ROS generation of F-PGNPs were analyzed by increased permeability of the cell membrane and condensed chromatin with deep blue and green fluorescent nucleus, respectively.

DISCUSSION

The results clearly showed that F-PGNPs significantly improved the potency of flutamide by delivering it directly into the nucleus of cancer cells through caveolae-dependent endocytosis.

CONCLUSION

Thus, the greater inhibitory effect of F-PGNPs over the pure drug would be of great advantage during prostate cancer treatment.

Recent Advances in Nanotechnology with Nano-Phytochemicals: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications in Cancer Progression

Biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) containing polymers, lipids (liposomes and micelles), dendrimers, ferritin, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, ceramic, magnetic materials, and gold/silver have contributed to imaging diagnosis and targeted cancer therapy. However, only some NP drugs, including Doxil^® (liposome-encapsulated doxorubicin), Abraxane^® (albumin-bound paclitaxel), and Oncaspar^® (PEG-Asparaginase), have emerged on the pharmaceutical market to date. By contrast, several phytochemicals that were found to be effective in cultured cancer cells and animal studies have not shown significant efficacy in humans due to poor bioavailability and absorption, rapid clearance, resistance, and toxicity. Research to overcome these drawbacks by using phytochemical NPs remains in the early stages of clinical translation. Thus, in the current review, we discuss the progress in nanotechnology, research milestones, the molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals encapsulated in NPs, and clinical implications. Several challenges that must be overcome and future research perspectives are also described.

Encapsulation of Andrographolide in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles: Formulation Optimization and in vitro Efficacy Studies

Andrographolide is a potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agent that suffers from poor aqueous solubility. Encapsulation in poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles can overcome solubility issues and enable sustained release of the drug, resulting in improved therapeutic efficacy. In this study, andrographolide was encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles via emulsion solvent evaporation technique. Effect of various formulation parameters including polymer composition, polymer molecular weight, polymer to drug ratio, surfactant concentration and the organic solvent used on nanoparticle properties were investigated. A selected formulation was used to determine the effect of encapsulation in nanoparticles on andrographolide's in vitro anticancer efficacy. Nanoparticles formulated using a polymer with 85:15 lactide to glycolide ratio and ethyl acetate as the organic solvent were found to be optimal based on average hydrodynamic particle size (135 ± 4 nm) and drug loading (2.6 ± 0.6%w/w). This formulation demonstrated sustained release of andrographolide over 48 h and demonstrated significantly greater in vitro anticancer efficacy compared to free drug in a metastatic breast cancer cell line. These results suggest that additional, more in-depth efficacy studies are warranted for the nanoparticle formulation of andrographolide.

Ethanol Extracted from Radix of Actinidia Chinensis Inhibits Human Colon Tumor Through Inhibiting Notch-signaling Pathway

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common tumors, and its five-year survival is still very low despite of the advance of treatment strategies. The antitumor effect of ethanol extracted from radix of Actinidia chinensis (EERAC) were identified in human colon cancer cells, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Methods: Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were measured with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing, and transwell assays. Cell apoptosis and cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to measure expression of target molecules. Xenograft tumor assay was applied to detect the influence of EERAC on tumor growth.

Results: we found that EERAC inhibited the cell viability, migration, and invasion of SW480 cells in a concentration dependent manner, but promoted apoptosis and the cell percentage in S phase significantly. The suppression of notch-signaling pathway molecules, Notch1, Jagged1, and c-Myc, by EERAC was confirmed using western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. The significant inhibition of tumor growth by EERAC was also observed. Meanwhile, EERAC remarkably reversed the effects of mastermind like transcriptional coactivator 1 (MAML1, activator of notch-signaling pathway) on cell survival of SW480.

Conclusions: EERAC might be a promising chemotherapeutic agent for CRC treatment.

Efficacy and Safety of Combined Extracts of Cornus officinalis and Ribes fasciculatum for Body Fat Reduction in Overweight Women

Obesity is a medical condition that presents excessive fat accumulation with high risk of serious chronic diseases. The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate the anti-obesity effects of Cornus officinalis (CO) and Ribes fasciculatum (RF) on body fat reduction in Korean overweight women. A total of 147 overweight female participants enrolled in double-blinded clinical trial for 12 weeks and 76 participants completed the clinical study. Participants were treated with four CO and RF mixture (COEC; 400 mg per tablet) or four placebo tablets once a day. Obesity associated parameters (body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat percentage and body fat mass) and safety assessment were analyzed. After 12 weeks of COEC treatment, primary outcomes such as body fat percentage (0.76% vs. 0.01%; p = 0.022) and mass (1.1 kg vs. 0.5 kg; p = 0.049) were significantly decreased. In addition, the results were statistically significant between the COEC and placebo groups, strongly indicated that COEC had anti-obesity effects on overweight women. Secondary outcomes—including body weight, waist and hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index and computed tomography measurement of visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, total abdominal fat area and visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio—were reduced in COEC-treated group, but no statistical differences were found between the COEC and placebo groups. The safety assessment did not differ between the two groups. These results suggest that treatment of COEC extract reduces body fat percentage and mass in Korean overweight women, indicating it as a protective functional agent for obesity.

Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activity of Novel C-23-Modified Asiatic Acid Derivatives

We selectively oxidized the C-23 hydroxyl group in an asiatic acid (AA) derivative and then, for the first time with AA, modification of the C-23 carboxyl group was conducted to synthesize a series of new AA derivatives. The evaluation of their cytotoxic activities against two human cancer cell lines (SKOV-3 and HCT116) using the MTT assay in vitro revealed a distinctive structure activity relationship (SAR) associated with the intramolecular hydrogen bonding of the amide moiety at C-23. According to the established SAR, the cytotoxic activities of four promising compounds were then evaluated against MCF-7, A549, A2780, HepG2 and HL-60 cancer cell lines. Compound 10 had the best cytotoxic activity among all tested derivatives in the HL-60 cell line, giving IC₅₀ = 0.47 μM, while showing no cytotoxic effect against human normal cells (HUVEC).

Screening of Ipomoea tuba Leaf Extract for Identification of Bioactive Compounds and Evaluation of Its in vitro Antiproliferative Activity Against MCF-7 and HeLa Cells

Mangroves contain a wide range of bioactive compounds with pharmacological activities. In the present study, we analysed the separation and detection of phytoconstituents with the methanol extract of Ipomoea tuba leaf using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and tested its in vitro cytotoxicity effect against MCF-7 and HeLa cells. Phytochemical compounds such as docosanoic, octadecatrienoic and cis-9-octadecanoic acids, triterpenoid γ-sitosterol, and terpene alcohol in methanol extract of I. tuba leaf were identified. Furthermore, in vitro antiproliferative activity of the extract of I. tuba leaf was evaluated using MCF-7 and HeLa cells. The results indicated a reduction of cell viability of 37.43 and 41.89% of MCF-7 and HeLa cells respectively. The methanol extract of I. tuba leaf proved to be effective in protecting the cells against oxidative stress. This is the first report on the in vitro cytotoxicity effect of I. tuba leaf extract on MCF-7 and HeLa cells.

Antiadipogenic Effects of Mixtures of Cornus officinalis and Ribes fasciculatum Extracts on 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and High-Fat Diet-Induced Mice

Medicinal plants have been used worldwide as primary alternative healthcare supplements. Cornus officinalis (CO) and Ribes fasciculatum (RF) are traditional medicinal plants applied in East Asia to treat human diseases such as hepatitis, osteoporosis, oxidative stress and allergy. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-obesity effect of CO and RF on preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells in vitro and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice in vivo. Combination treatment of CO and RF in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells inhibited adipocyte differentiation through downregulation of adipogenesis-associated genes such as CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (Cebpa), fatty acid binding protein 4 (Fabp4), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparg) and sterol regulatory element binding protein (Srebp1). In vivo animal models showed that a mixture of CO and RF inhibited HFD-induced weight gain, resulting in decreased abdominal visceral fat tissues and fatty hepatocyte deposition. In addition, CO+RF treatment decreased HFD-induced adipogenesis-associated genes in abdominal white fat tissue. These results suggest that administration of a CO and RF mixture prevented adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation in preadipocyte cells and HFD-induced body weight in obesity mice. Therefore, combined therapy of CO and RF may be a protective therapeutic agent against obesity.

Potential of nano-phytochemicals in cervical cancer therapy

Cervical cancer is common among women with a recurrence rate of 35% despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy routinely experience several side effects including toxicity, non-targeted damage of tissues, hair loss, neurotoxicity, multidrug resistance (MDR), nausea, anemia and neutropenia. Phytochemicals can interfere with almost every stage of carcinogenesis to prevent cancer development. Many natural compounds are known to activate/deactivate multiple redox-sensitive transcription factors that modulate tumor signaling pathways. Polyphenols have been found to be promising agents against cervical cancer. However, applications of phytochemicals as a therapeutic drug are limited due to low oral bioavailability, poor aqueous solubility and requirement of high doses. Nano-sized phytochemicals (NPCs) are promising anti-cancer agents as they are required in minute quantities which lowers overall treatment costs. Several phytochemicals, including quercetin, lycopene, leutin, curcumin, green tea polyphenols and others have been packaged as nanoparticles and proven to be useful in nano-chemoprevention and nano-chemotherapy. Nanoparticles have high biocompatibility, biodegradability and stability in biological environment. Nano-scale drug delivery systems are excellent source for enhanced drug specificity, improved absorption rates, reduced drug degradation and systemic toxicity. The present review discusses current knowledge in the involvement of phytochemical nanoparticles in cervical cancer therapy over conventional chemotherapy.

Bioactive Compounds: Multi-Targeting Silver Bullets for Preventing and Treating Breast Cancer

Each cell in our body is designed with a self-destructive trigger, and if damaged, can happily sacrifice itself for the sake of the body. This process of self-destruction to safeguard the adjacent normal cells is known as programmed cell death or apoptosis. Cancer cells outsmart normal cells and evade apoptosis and it is one of the major hallmarks of cancer. The cardinal quest for anti-cancer drug discovery (bioactive or synthetic compounds) is to be able to re-induce the so called “programmed cell death” in cancer cells. The importance of bioactive compounds as the linchpin of cancer therapeutics is well known as many effective chemotherapeutic drugs such as vincristine, vinblastine, doxorubicin, etoposide and paclitaxel have natural product origins. The present review discusses various bioactive compounds with known anticancer potential, underlying mechanisms by which they induce cell death and their preclinical/clinical development. Most bioactive compounds can concurrently target multiple signaling pathways that are important for cancer cell survival while sparing normal cells hence they can potentially be the silver bullets for targeting cancer growth and metastatic progression.

Citrus unshiu peel suppress the metastatic potential of murine melanoma B16F10 cells in vitro and in vivo

The peel of Citrus unshiu Marcow. fruits (CU) has long been used as a traditional medicine that has therapeutic effects against pathogenic diseases, including asthma, vomiting, dyspepsia, blood circulation disorders, and various types of cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of CU peel on metastatic melanoma, a highly aggressive skin cancer, in B16F10 melanoma cells, and in B16F10 cells inoculated‐C57BL/6 mice. Our results show that ethanol extracts of CU (EECU) inhibited cell growth and increased the apoptotic cells in B16F10 cells. EECU also stimulated the induction of mitochondria‐mediated intrinsic pathway, with reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and increased generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, EECU suppressed the migration, invasion, and colony formation of B16F10 cells. In addition, the oral administration of EECU reduced serum lactate dehydrogenase activity without weight loss, hepatotoxicity, nor nephrotoxicity in B16F10 cell‐inoculated mice. Moreover, EECU markedly suppressed lung hypertrophy, the number and expression of metastatic tumor nodules, and the expression of inflammatory tumor necrosis factor‐alpha in lung tissue. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of EECU on the metastasis of melanoma indicates that it may be regarded as a potential therapeutic herbal drug for melanoma.

Do recent research studies validate the medicinal plants used in British Columbia, Canada for pet diseases and wild animals taken into temporary care?

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

There are insufficient safe and effective treatments for chronic pain in pets. In cases such as osteoarthritis there is no commercially available cure and veterinarians use NSAIDs to manage pain. Pet owners may have to plan for a lifetime of plant-based treatment for the conditions that lead to chronic pain in pets. Phytopharmacotherapies have the advantage of being less toxic, cheap or free, readily available, are more likely to be safe for long-term use and have the potential to reset the immune system to normal functioning.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To examine the recently published medicinal plant research that matches unpublished data on ethnoveterinary medicines (EVM) used for pets in Canada (British Columbia) to see if the EVM data can provide a lead to the development of necessary drugs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 2003 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 60 participants who were organic farmers or holisitic medicinal/veterinary practitioners obtained using a purposive sample. A draft manual prepared from the data was then evaluated by participants at a participatory workshop that discussed the plant-based treatments. A copy of the final version of the manual was given to all research participants. In 2018, the recently published research matching the EVM data was reviewed to see if the EVM practices could serve as a lead for further research.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Medicinal plants are used to treat a range of conditions. The injuries treated in pets in British Columbia included abscesses (resulting from an initial injury), sprains and abrasions. Dogs were also treated with medicinal plants for rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain and articular cartilage injuries. More than 40 plants were used. Anal gland problems were treated with Allium sativum L., Aloe vera L., Calendula officinalis L., Plantago major L., Ulmus fulva Michx., Urtica dioica L. and Usnea longissima Ach. Arctium lappa, Hydrangea arborescens and Lactuca muralis were used for rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain in pets. Asthma was treated with: Linum usitatissimum L., Borago officinalis L., Verbascum thapsus L., Cucurbita pepo L., Lobelia inflata L., and Zingiber officinale Roscoe. Pets with heart problems were treated with Crataegus oxyacantha L., Cedronella canariensis (L.) Willd. ex Webb & Berth, Equisetum palustre L., Cypripedium calceolus L., Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex Lawson, Humulus lupulus L., Valeriana officinalis L., Lobelia inflata L., Stachys officinalis (L.) Trev., and Viscum album L. The following plants were used for epilepsy, motion sickness and anxiety- Avena sativa L., Valeriana officinalis, Lactuca muralis (L.) Fresen., Scutellaria lateriflora L., Satureja hortensis L., and Passiflora incarnata L. Plants used for cancer treatment included Phytolacca decandra, Ganoderma lucidum, Lentinula edodes, Rumex acetosella, Arctium lappa, Ulmus fulva, Rheum palmatum, Frangula purshiana, Zingiber officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ulmus fulva, Althea officinalis, Rheum palmatum, Rumex crispus and Plantago psyllium. Trifolium pratense was used for tumours in the prostate gland. Also used were Artemisia annua, Taraxacum officinale and Rumex crispus. This review of plants used in EVM was possible because phytotherapy research of the plants described in this paper has continued because few new pharmaceutical drugs have been developed for chronic pain and because treatments like glucocorticoid therapy do not heal. Phytotherapuetic products are also being investigated to address the overuse of antibiotics. There have also been recent studies conducted on plant-based functional foods and health supplements for pets, however there are still gaps in the knowledge base for the plants Stillingia sylvatica, Verbascum thapsus, Yucca schidigera and Iris versicolor and these need further investigation.

Anti-quorum sensing and anti-biofilm activities of Hypericum perforatum extracts against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae) has been used as a traditional therapeutic for skin wounds, burns, cuts and stomach ailments including stomach ache, ulcers for a long time in many societies. Although many studies about its antibacterial properties can be found, there is a lack of studies about its quorum sensing inhibition properties, which effects bacterial vulnerability directly, on Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Evaluation of anti-quorum sensing (anti-QS) and anti-biofilm activity of ethanol, methanol, acetone and ultra-sonicated extracts of Hypericum perforatum L. (HP) which is a well-known wound healer, against P. aeruginosa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Aerial parts of HP were extracted with ethanol, methanol and acetone. In addition, separate extractions with ultrasonication were carried out with same solvents. Anti-QS activity tests with different doses of HP extracts were performed by employing biomonitor strains, of which the promoter of QS regulating and green fluorescent protein (GFP) genes were fusioned. For anti-biofilm activity, HP extracts were applied to wild type PAO1 strains and biofilm inhibition was quantified via crystal violet staining method.

RESULTS

HP's ethanol, methanol and acetone extracts (250 µg/ml doses) inhibited LasIR signalling pathway up to 65.43%, 59.60%, 55.95% and same solvent extracts obtained with ultrasonication inhibited 71.33%, 64.47%, 57.35% respectively. Moreover, inhibition rates of RhlIR pathway were 28.80%, 50.83%, 45.84% for ethanol, methanol, acetone extracts (250 µg/ml doses) and 51.43%, 57.41%, 50.02% for ultrasonication extracts (250 µg/ml doses), compared to untreated controls. In the experiments, ethanol, methanol, acetone and ultra-sonicated extracts of HP did not inhibit biofilm formation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that HP plant is capable for blocking of las and rhl QS systems of P. aeruginosa. However, it was observed that ethanol, methanol and acetone extract of the plant samples did not show anti-biofilm activity against P. aeruginosa. This led us to thinking that biofilm formation was caused via another pathway such as IQS or PQS. Further studies with isolated active compounds of HP might give a better understanding of the effects on biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa.

Current Perspectives in the Application of Medicinal Plants Against Cancer: Novel Therapeutic Agents

Background:

Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. It has become a major health problem in the past decades and is now the second leading cause of death globally. Although, there are different types of treatment such as chemotherapy, immune therapy, radiation, hormone therapy and targeted therapy used against cancer, they have possible side effects and significant deficiencies.

Methods:

This review aims to outline the benefits of medicinal plants and plant-derived products and highlight why they should be used as novel anti-cancer therapeutics. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane library, and MedlinePlus were searched to summarize in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies on anticancer effects of medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds up-to-date.

Results:

In recent years, a number of medicinal plants have been administered to cancer patients in order to prevent and treat cancer as an alternative therapy. These plants were used because of their rich anticarcinogenic and chemoprotective potentials. In addition to these remarkable properties, these plants have less toxic anticancer, anti-tumor and anti-proliferation agents than traditional therapeutics. Nevertheless, only a small number of natural anti-tumor products including vinblastine, vincristine, podophyllotoxin, paclitaxel (Taxol) and camptothecin have been tested clinically, while vinflunine ditartrate, anhydrovinblastine, NK-611, tafluposide, paclitaxel poliglumex, combretastatins, salvicine, curcumin, indirubin, triptolide, homoharringtonine are still on trial.

Conclusion:

Consequently, more effective anticancer compounds are identified during the clinical trials; these natural products could be a key source of antitumor agents in modern anticancer therapy. It is expected that novel anticancer phytopharmaceuticals produced from medicinal plants could be effectively used in prevention and therapy for the cancers.

Designing the Ideotype Mycorrhizal Symbionts for the Production of Healthy Food

The new paradigm in agriculture, sustainable intensification, is focusing back onto beneficial soil microorganisms, for the role played in reducing the input of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and improving plant nutrition and health. Worldwide, more and more attention is deserved to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which establish symbioses with the roots of most land plants and facilitate plant nutrient uptake, by means of a large network of extraradical hyphae spreading from colonized roots to the surrounding soil and functioning as a supplementary absorbing system. AMF protect plants from biotic and abiotic stresses and are able to modulate the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites (phytochemicals), such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, phytoestrogens and carotenoids, that play a fundamental role in promoting human health. An increasing number of studies focused on the use of AMF symbionts for the production of functional food, with enhanced nutritional and nutraceutical value. Yet, while several plant species were investigated, only few AMF were utilized, thus limiting the full exploitation of their wide physiological and genetic diversity. Here, we will focus on AMF effects on the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites with health-promoting activity, and on the criteria for a finely tuned, targeted selection of the best performing symbionts, to be utilized as sustainable biotechnological tools for the production of safe and healthy plant foods.

Tumor-targeting delivery of herb-based drugs with cell-penetrating/tumor-targeting peptide-modified nanocarriers

Cancer has become one of the leading causes of mortality globally. The major challenges of conventional cancer therapy are the failure of most chemotherapeutic agents to accumulate selectively in tumor cells and their severe systemic side effects. In the past three decades, a number of drug delivery approaches have been discovered to overwhelm the obstacles. Among these, nanocarriers have gained much attention for their excellent and efficient drug delivery systems to improve specific tissue/organ/cell targeting. In order to enhance targeting efficiency further and reduce limitations of nanocarriers, nanoparticle surfaces are functionalized with different ligands. Several kinds of ligand-modified nanomedicines have been reported. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are promising ligands, attracting the attention of researchers due to their efficiency to transport bioactive molecules intracellularly. However, their lack of specificity and in vivo degradation led to the development of newer types of CPP. Currently, activable CPP and tumor-targeting peptide (TTP)-modified nanocarriers have shown dramatically superior cellular specific uptake, cytotoxicity, and tumor growth inhibition. In this review, we discuss recent advances in tumor-targeting strategies using CPPs and their limitations in tumor delivery systems. Special emphasis is given to activable CPPs and TTPs. Finally, we address the application of CPPs and/or TTPs in the delivery of plant-derived chemotherapeutic agents.

In vitro antimicrobial potential of extracts and phytoconstituents from Gymnema sylvestre R.Br. leaves and their biosafety evaluation

The in vitro antimicrobial screening of Gymnema sylvestre leaves against 13 test pathogens established its broad spectrum activity with average inhibition zone ranging from 14 to 23 mm. The antimicrobial activity of the classically- optimized aqueous extract was enhanced up to 1.45 folds, when subjected to statistical optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and was thermostable. Ethyl acetate was found to be the best organic extractant with Klebsiella pneumoniae 1 (31.5 mm) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (25.5 mm) being the most sensitive among Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, respectively. Among the major group of phytoconstituents detected, tannins were the most abundant followed by flavonoids and phytosterols, while triterpenes were absent. Flavonoids and cardiac glycosides exhibited a broad range of antimicrobial potential, with inhibition zone ranging from 13 to 35 mm, where Candida albicans was the most sensitive organism. Ethyl acetate extract showed better potency with lowest Minimum inhibitory concentration (0.1–1 mg ml⁻¹) than the aqueous extract (1–3 mg ml⁻¹) and all partially purified phytoconstituents (0.1–10 mg ml⁻¹). The ethyl acetate extract and flavonoids were highly potent, as they exhibited a total activity potency ranging from 41.4 to 1045 ml g⁻¹. Time kill studies revealed their microbicidal action, where ethyl acetate extract had a kill time from 0 to 12 h. However, among phytoconstituents, flavonoids were the most effective (0–8 h). The MIC and time kill study was also compared to that of standard antibiotics. These findings indicate that Gymnema sylvestre can be a potential source for development of leading metabolites against pathogens of clinical importance like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus etc. They were neither mutagenic nor cytotoxic, as revealed by Ames and MTT assay.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate promotes apoptosis in human breast cancer T47D cells through down-regulation of PI3K/AKT and Telomerase

BACKGROUND

Green tea has antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-bacterial properties. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in green tea is highly active as a cancer chemopreventive agent. In this study, we designed a series of experiments to examine the effects of EGCG on proliferation and apoptosis of estrogen receptor α-positive breast cancer (T47D) cells.

METHODS

Cells were treated with EGCG (0-80μM) and tamoxifen (0-20μM), as the positive control, up to 72h. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis investigated by real time PCR of apoptosis and survival (Bax, Bcl-2, p21, p53, PTEN, PI3K, AKT, caspase3 and caspase9 and hTERT) genes and by western blot of Bax/Bcl-2 proteins expressions.

RESULTS

The results showed that EGCG decreased cell viability as concentration- and time-dependently. IC₅₀ values were 14.17μM for T47D and 193.10μM for HFF cells, as compared with 3.39μM and 32.75μM for tamoxifen after 72h treatment, respectively. Also, EGCG (80μM) significantly increased the genes of PTEN, CASP3, CASP9 and decreased AKT approximately equal to tamoxifen. In gene expression, EGCG (80μM) significantly increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio to 8-fold vise 15-fold in tamoxifen (20μM)-treated T47D cells during 72h. In protein expression of Bax/Bcl-2, EGCG significantly increased 6-fold while this ratio augmented 10-fold in tamoxifen group. EGCG significantly decreased 0.8, 0.4 and 0.3 gene expression of hTERT in 24, 48 and 72h, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that EGCG may be a useful adjuvant therapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer.

Kaempferol increases apoptosis in human cervical cancer HeLa cells via PI3K/AKT and telomerase pathways

Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in women worldwide. Defects in the apoptotic pathways are responsible for both the disease pathogenesis and its therapy resistance. It is thus a good candidate for treatment by pro-apoptotic agents. Kaempferol as a flavonoid has antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. Kaempferol has been shown to induce apoptosis and cell death in cancer cells. However, due to the problems in the treatment of cervical cancer, this study is designed to investigate the molecular mechanism by which kaempferol suppresses the growth of cervical cancer HeLa cell as compared with HFF cells (normal cells). Cells treated with kaempferol (12-100μM) and 5-FU (1-10μM), as the positive control, up to 72h. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay and real time PCR was used to investigate apoptosis and telomerase genes expression. The results showed that kaempferol decreased cell viability as concentration- and time-dependently. IC₅₀ values were 10.48μM for HeLa and 707.00μM for HFF cells, as compared with 1.40μM and 16.38μM for 5-FU after 72h treatment, respectively. Also, kaempferol induced cellular apoptosis and aging through down-regulating the PI3K/AKT and hTERT pathways. This study suggests that kaempferol may be a useful adjuvant therapeutic agent in the treatment of cervical cancer.

Helicteric Acid, Oleanic Acid, and Betulinic Acid, Three Triterpenes from Helicteres angustifolia L., Inhibit Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis in HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cells via Suppressing NF-κB and STAT3 Signaling

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies and most frequent cause of cancer death worldwide. The activation of both NF-κB and STAT3 signaling and the crosstalk between them play an important role in colorectal tumor. Helicteres angustifolia L. is a type of commonly used Chinese medicinal herb and possesses a wide variety of biological activities. In the present study, we investigate the effects of three triterpenes from H. angustifolia (HT) such as helicteric acid (HA), oleanic acid (OA), and betulinic acid (BA), on inhibiting CRC progression. Our results showed that HT extracts could decrease proliferation and induce apoptosis in HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. Moreover, HT extracts could suppress LPS-triggered phosphorylation of IKK, IκB, and NF-κB, attenuate IL-6-induced phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3, and suppress the expression of c-Myc, cyclin-D1, and BCL-xL, the downstream gene targets of NF-κB and STAT3. Therefore, HT extracts showed potent therapeutic and antitumor effects on CRC via inhibiting NF-κB and STAT3 signaling.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer chemoprevention by phytochemicals from dietary and medicinal plants

Cancer chemoprevention, a scientific term coined by Dr. Sporn in the late seventies, implies use of natural or synthetic chemicals to block, delay or reverse carcinogenesis. Phytochemicals derived from edible and medicinal plants have been studied rather extensively for cancer chemoprevention using preclinical models in the past few decades. Nevertheless, some of these agents (e.g., isothiocyanates from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and watercress) have already entered into clinical investigations. Examples of widely studied and highly promising phytochemicals from edible and medicinal plants include cruciferous vegetable constituents (phenethyl isothiocyanate, benzyl isothiocyanate, and sulforaphane), withaferin A (WA) derived from a medicinal plant (Withania somnifera) used heavily in Asia, and an oriental medicine plant component honokiol (HNK). An interesting feature of these structurally-diverse phytochemicals is that they target mitochondria to provoke cancer cell-selective death program. Mechanisms underlying cell death induction by commonly studied phytochemicals have been discussed rather extensively and thus are not covered in this review article. Instead, the primary focus of this perspective is to discuss experimental evidence pointing to mitochondrial dysfunction in cancer chemoprevention by promising phytochemicals.

Non-canonical programmed cell death mechanisms triggered by natural compounds

Natural compounds are the fundament of pharmacological treatments and more than 50% of all anticancer drugs are of natural origins or at least derived from scaffolds present in Nature. Over the last 25 years, molecular mechanisms triggered by natural anticancer compounds were investigated. Emerging research showed that molecules of natural origins are useful for both preventive and therapeutic purposes by targeting essential hallmarks and enabling characteristics described by Hanahan and Weinberg. Moreover, natural compounds were able to change the differentiation status of selected cell types. One of the earliest response of cells treated by pharmacologically active compounds is the change of its morphology leading to ultra-structural perturbations: changes in membrane composition, cytoskeleton integrity, alterations of the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and of the nucleus lead to formation of morphological alterations that are a characteristic of both compound and cancer type preceding cell death. Apoptosis and autophagy were traditionally considered as the most prominent cell death or cell death-related mechanisms. By now multiple other cell death modalities were described and most likely involved in response to chemotherapeutic treatment. It can be hypothesized that especially necrosis-related phenotypes triggered by various treatments or evolving from apoptotic or autophagic mechanisms, provide a more efficient therapeutic outcome depending on cancer type and genetic phenotype of the patient. In fact, the recent discovery of multiple regulated forms of necrosis and the initial elucidation of the corresponding cell signaling pathways appear nowadays as important tools to clarify the immunogenic potential of non-canonical forms of cell death induction.

In vitro anticancer properties and biological evaluation of novel natural alkaloid jerantinine B

Natural products play a pivotal role in medicine especially in the cancer arena. Many drugs that are currently used in cancer chemotherapy originated from or were inspired by nature. Jerantinine B (JB) is one of seven novel Aspidosperma indole alkaloids isolated from the leaf extract of Tabernaemontana corymbosa. Preliminary antiproliferative assays revealed that JB and JB acetate significantly inhibited growth and colony formation, accompanied by time- and dose-dependent apoptosis induction in human cancer cell lines. JB significantly arrested cells at the G2/M cell cycle phase, potently inhibiting tubulin polymerisation. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1; an early trigger for the G2/M transition) was also dose-dependently inhibited by JB (IC50 1.5 µM). Furthermore, JB provoked significant increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Annexin V+ cell populations, dose-dependent accumulation of cleaved-PARP and caspase 3/7 activation, and reduced Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 expression confirm apoptosis induction. Preclinical in silico biopharmaceutical assessment of JB calculated rapid absorption and bioavailability >70%. Doses of 8-16 mg/kg JB were predicted to maintain unbound plasma concentrations >GI50 values in mice during efficacy studies. These findings advocate continued development of JB as a potential chemotherapeutic agent.

Coffee provides a natural multitarget pharmacopeia against the hallmarks of cancer

Coffee is the second most popular beverage in the world after water with a consumption of approximately two billion cups per day. Due to its low cost and ease of preparation, it is consumed in almost all countries and by all social classes of the population through different modes of preparation. Despites its simple appearance, a cup of coffee is in fact a complex mixture that contains hundreds of molecules, the composition and concentration of which vary widely and depend on factors including the origin of the coffee tree or its metabolism. Although an excessive consumption of coffee can be harmful, many molecules that are present in this black decoction exert anticancer properties. This review aims to describe the different primary coffee-containing substances that exert chemopreventive and bioactive activities against the different hallmarks and enabling characteristics of cancer, thus explaining the anticancer health benefit of black coffee.

Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STAT) Regulatory Networks in Marine Organisms: From Physiological Observations towards Marine Drug Discovery

Part of our ocean's richness comes from its extensive history of supporting life, resulting in a highly diverse ecological system. To date, over 250,000 species of marine organisms have been identified, but it is speculated that the actual number of marine species exceeds one million, including several hundreds of millions of species of marine microorganisms. Past studies suggest that approximately 70% of all deep-sea microorganisms, gorgonians, and sea sponges produce secondary metabolites with anti-cancer activities. Recently, novel FDA-approved drugs derived from marine sponges have been shown to reduce metastatic breast cancer, malignant lymphoma, and Hodgkin's disease. Despite the fact that many marine natural products have been shown to possess a good inhibition potential against most of the cancer-related cell signaling pathways, only a few marine natural products have been shown to target JAK/STAT signaling. In the present paper, we describe the JAK/STAT signaling pathways found in marine organisms, before elaborating on the recent advances in the field of STAT inhibition by marine natural products and the potential application in anti-cancer drug discovery.

Beneficial mycorrhizal symbionts affecting the production of health-promoting phytochemicals

Fresh fruits and vegetables are largely investigated for their content in vitamins, mineral nutrients, dietary fibers, and plant secondary metabolites, collectively called phytochemicals, which play a beneficial role in human health. Quantity and quality of phytochemicals may be detected by using different analytical techniques, providing accurate quantification and identification of single molecules, along with their molecular structures, and allowing metabolome analyses of plant-based foods. Phytochemicals concentration and profiles are affected by biotic and abiotic factors linked to plant genotype, crop management, harvest season, soil quality, available nutrients, light, and water. Soil health and biological fertility play a key role in the production of safe plant foods, as a result of the action of beneficial soil microorganisms, in particular of the root symbionts arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. They improve plant nutrition and health and induce changes in secondary metabolism leading to enhanced biosynthesis of health-promoting phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, phytoestrogens, and to a higher activity of antioxidant enzymes. In this review we discuss reports on health-promoting phytochemicals and analytical methods used for their identification and quantification in plants, and on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi impact on fruits and vegetables nutritional and nutraceutical value.

Berberine, an epiphany against cancer

Alkaloids are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases. These compounds are synthesized in plants as secondary metabolites and have multiple effects on cellular metabolism. Among plant derivatives with biological properties, the isoquinoline quaternary alkaloid berberine possesses a broad range of therapeutic uses against several diseases. In recent years, berberine has been reported to inhibit cell proliferation and to be cytotoxic towards cancer cells. Based on this evidence, many derivatives have been synthesized to improve berberine efficiency and selectivity; the results so far obtained on human cancer cell lines support the idea that they could be promising agents for cancer treatment. The main properties of berberine and derivatives will be illustrated.

Plumbagin modulates leukemia cell redox status

Plumbagin is a plant naphtoquinone exerting anti-cancer properties including apoptotic cell death induction and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of this study was to elucidate parameters explaining the differential leukemia cell sensitivity towards this compound. Among several leukemia cell lines, U937 monocytic leukemia cells appeared more sensitive to plumbagin treatment in terms of cytotoxicity and level of apoptotic cell death compared to more resistant Raji Burkitt lymphoma cells. Moreover, U937 cells exhibited a ten-fold higher ROS production compared to Raji. Neither differential incorporation, nor efflux of plumbagin was detected. Pre-treatment with thiol-containing antioxidants prevented ROS production and subsequent induction of cell death by apoptosis whereas non-thiol-containing antioxidants remained ineffective in both cellular models. We conclude that the anticancer potential of plumbagin is driven by pro-oxidant activities related to the cellular thiolstat.

Multiple effects of berberine derivatives on colon cancer cells

The pharmacological use of the plant alkaloid berberine is based on its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties; recently, anticancer activity has been attributed to this compound. To exploit this interesting feature, we synthesized three berberine derivatives, namely, NAX012, NAX014, and NAX018, and we tested their effects on two human colon carcinoma cell lines, that is, HCT116 and SW613-B3, which are characterized by wt and mutated p53, respectively. We observed that cell proliferation is more affected by cell treatment with the derivatives than with the lead compound; moreover, the derivatives proved to induce cell cycle arrest and cell death through apoptosis, thus suggesting that they could be promising anticancer drugs. Finally, we detected typical signs of autophagy in cells treated with berberine derivatives.