Diosgenin exhibits beneficial efficiency on human mammary carcinoma cell line MCF-7 and against N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) induced experimental mammary carcinoma

GK, KT. N, Selvaraj C, K. L. Explication of Pharmacological Proficiency of Phytoconstituents from Adansonia digitata Bark: An In Vitro and In Silico Approaches

Compared to other drug discovery sources, traditional medicine has significantly contributed to developing innovative therapeutic molecules for preventive and curative medicine. The Baobab tree, also known as Adansonia digitata L., is significant in Africa due to its multitude of benefits and various parts that serve different purposes, providing economic support to rural communities. The analysis of a plant sample using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy detected multiple functional groups, such as carboxyl and aromatic groups. Additionally, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) was utilized to identify various compounds present in the sample, including tetrachloroethylene and octyl ester. The results of different assays, such as α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide, nitric oxide scavenging assays, and total antioxidant by thiobarbituric acid method (TBA) and ferric thiocyanate (FTC) method, demonstrated a substantial scavenging of free radicals and an effective antioxidant efficacy. The bark's antimicrobial activity was tested through agar diffusion, resulting in a range of zone of inhibition from 10.1 ± 0.36 mm to 20.85 ± 0.76 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was observed to be approximately 0.625 µg/mL. The biofilm inhibition percentage ranged from 9.89% to 57.92%, with the highest percentage being 57.92%. The GC-MS and FT-IR studies revealed phytocompounds, which were then analyzed for their potential therapeutic properties. Computational studies were conducted on the phytocompounds against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and C2 kinase (antioxidant). The study concluded that the Adansonia digitata bark extract and its phytocompound have potential therapeutic efficacy against the target proteins. The best docking scores were about -7.053 kcal/mol and -7.573 kcal/mol for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and C2 kinase (antioxidant), respectively. The interaction patterns with the crucial amino acid residues elucidate the inhibitory efficacy of the phytocompounds.

Antioxidant activity of novel diosgenin derivatives: Synthesis, biological evaluation, and in silico ADME prediction

A series of novel diosgenin (DSG) derivatives has been synthesized and tested in vitro for their antioxidant activity. Initially, four analogues have been evaluated for their cytotoxicity using normal human skin fibroblast (NHDF) as model cells. As a result, 84% of NHDF cells were still alive at 5 µM, so these compounds can be considered as innoxious to fibroblasts at this concentration. Then, hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes was studied in order to evaluate the potential impact of tested compounds against normal host cells. The result < 5% of hemolysis rates suggest no lytic activity for most compounds. After that, the main test - evaluation the antioxidant effect of DSG and its new derivatives against lipid peroxidation in the o/w emulsion model - was performed. The most promising compound (8) exhibited the significant antioxidant activity and the biocompatibility towards normal human dermal fibroblasts and red bloods cells. This p-aminobenzoic derivative revealed 61.6% blocking of induced lipid oxidation. Furthermore, eleven predicted ADME properties were predicted for all tested compounds and revealed that they are in compliance with drug-likeness criteria.

Cytotoxic cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes: in vitro anti-proliferative, oxidative stress and gene expression studies in human breast and lung cancer cells

Increasing cancer drug chemo-resistance, especially in the treatment of breast and lung cancers, alarms the immediate need of newer and effective anticancer drugs. Until now, chemotherapeutics based on metal complexes are considered the most effective treatment modality. In the present study, we have evaluated the cytotoxic effect of two cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes based on the leads from complex combinatorial chemistry. Cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes (Complex 3 = Co(Ph-acacen)(HA)₂](ClO₄) and Complex 4 =  [Co(Ph-acacen)(DA)₂](ClO₄)] (Ph-acacen, 1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione; DA, dodecyl amine; HA, heptylamine) were evaluated against human breast cancer cell MCF-7 and lung cancer cell A549 using MTT cell viability assay, cellular morphological changes studied by Acridine Orange and Ethidium Bromide (AO/EB), Dual fluorescent staining, Hoechst staining 33248, Comet assay, Annexin V-Cy3 and 6 CFDA assay, JC-1 staining, Reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, Immunofluorescence assay, and Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Treatment of cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes (Complex 3 & 4) affected the viability of the cancer cells. The cell death induced by the complexes was predominantly apoptosis, but necrosis also occurred to a certain extent. Complex 4 produced better cytotoxic effect than complex 3, and MCF-7 cell was more responsive than A549. In that order, the complexes were more selective to cancer cell than normal cell, and more effective in overall performance than the standard drug cisplatin. Therefore, we conclude that cobalt (III) Schiff base complexes, especially complex 4, have the potential to be developed as effective drugs for treatment of cancers in general, and breast and lung cancers in particular.

Diosgenin Derivatives as Potential Antitumor Agents: Synthesis, Cytotoxicity, and Mechanism of Action

Thirty-two new diosgenin derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their cytotoxic activities in three human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF-7, and HepG2) and normal human liver cells (L02) using an MTT assay in vitro. Most compounds, especially 8, 18, 26, and 30, were more potent when compared with diosgenin. The structure-activity relationship results suggested that the presence of a succinic acid or glutaric acid linker, a piperazinyl amide terminus, and lipophilic cations are all beneficial for promoting cytotoxic activity. Notably, compound 8 displayed excellent cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀ = 1.9 μM) and showed relatively low toxicity against L02 cells (IC₅₀ = 18.6 μM), showing some selectivity between normal and tumor cells. Studies on its cellular mechanism of action showed that compound 8 induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Predictive studies indicated that p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is the optimum target of 8 based on its 3D molecular similarity, and docking studies showed that compound 8 fits well into the active site of p38α-MAPK and forms relatively strong interactions with the surrounding amino acid residues. Accordingly, compound 8 may be used as a promising lead compound for the development of new antitumor agents.

Screening, preparation and characterization of diosgenin versatile solvates

Solvatomorphism occurred in diosgenin solvates. A series of solvates including DMSO, DMF, DMAC, Methanol of diosgenin were obtained and crystallized in order to compare their structures and properties in the solid state. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction was used to analyze the crystal structures and the solvent types and the stoichiometric ratio of the diosgenin solvates. Hirshfeld surface analyses, especially dnorm surface and fingerprint plots, were used to determine intermolecular interactions in the crystal structure. Powder X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric, Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy were all used to characterize the diosgenin solvates. And the solvates transformation have been reported for the first time.

Pro-Apoptotic and Anti-Cancer Properties of Diosgenin: A Comprehensive and Critical Review

Novel and alternative options are being adopted to combat the initiation and progression of human cancers. One of the approaches is the use of molecules isolated from traditional medicinal herbs, edible dietary plants and seeds that play a pivotal role in the prevention/treatment of cancer, either alone or in combination with existing chemotherapeutic agents. Compounds that modulate these oncogenic processes are potential candidates for cancer therapy and may eventually make it to clinical applications. Diosgenin is a naturally occurring steroidal sapogenin and is one of the major bioactive compounds found in dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds. In addition to being a lactation aid, diosgenin has been shown to be hypocholesterolemic, gastro- and hepato-protective, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer. Diosgenin has a unique structural similarity to estrogen. Several preclinical studies have reported on the pro-apoptotic and anti-cancer properties of diosgenin against a variety of cancers, both in in vitro and in vivo. Diosgenin has also been reported to reverse multi-drug resistance in cancer cells and sensitize cancer cells to standard chemotherapy. Remarkably, diosgenin has also been reported to be used by pharmaceutical companies to synthesize steroidal drugs. Several novel diosgenin analogs and nano-formulations have been synthesized with improved anti-cancer efficacy and pharmacokinetic profile. In this review we discuss in detail the multifaceted anti-cancer properties of diosgenin that have found application in pharmaceutical, functional food, and cosmetic industries; and the various intracellular molecular targets modulated by diosgenin that abrogate the oncogenic process.

Breast cancer amelioration by Butea monosperma in-vitro and in-vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Butea monosperma belonging to family Fabaceae is used in the Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda) for various ailments including abdominal tumors and possess anti-estrogenic activity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study is aimed at investigating the chemo-preventive potential of Butea monosperma in breast cancer and elucidating it's mechanism of action by assessing its effect on key processes like apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis.

METHODS

Cytotoxic potential of methanol extract of Butea monosperma flower (MEBM) was tested in MCF-7 (estrogen receptor positive), MDA-MB-231 (triple negative) and MDA-MB-453 (HER2 positive) human breast cancer cells by MTT assay. Chemo-preventive potential was evaluated in-vivo in Methylnitrosourea (MNU) induced mammary cancer in nulliparous Sprague-Dawley rats. The mechanism for anticancer potential was screened by in-vitro studies involving Annexin V- FITC assay (apoptosis), Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane assay (angiogenesis) and Migration assay (metastasis). Statistical analysis was done by one way and two way ANOVA (for Growth Rate and feed consumption efficiency) followed by post hoc Bonferroni's test with P value < 0.05.

RESULTS

It is observed that the exposure of MEBM, at various concentrations and time intervals to different cell lines, resulted in decreased cell proliferation. The IC₅₀ value of MCF-7 cells was found significantly less than that of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-453 cells, which indicated that the extract of said medicinal plant were more potent inhibitors of estrogen positive breast cancer cells than other types of breast cancer cells in vitro. Corroborative evidences were acquired in MNU actuated mammary carcinogenesis where MEBM constricted tumor parameters, decreased expression of estrogen and progesterone, nucleic acid content and increased latency period. MEBM also induced apoptosis, inhibited angiogenesis and metastasis in-vitro.

CONCLUSION

Selective cytotoxic activity in MCF-7 estrogen positive breast cancer cells and inhibition of growth of mammary carcinoma in-vivo by methanol extract of Butea monosperma flowers (MEBM) suggests chemo-prevention through modulation of estrogen and progesterone receptor, apoptotic, anti-angiogenesis and anti-metastatic activity.

Anticancer potential of Trigonella foenum graecum: Cellular and molecular targets

A growing body of evidence supported by numerous studies on tumorigenesis confirms that it is possible to target various hallmarks of cancer. Recent studies have shown that plant-derived molecules may be used in targeting different signaling pathways for cancer drug discovery. The present paper gives an insight into the anticancer potential of fenugreek and lists the existing studies that have been carried out to demonstrate the advantages of the use of fenugreek in cancer treatment and prevention. It also aims at opening up new perspectives in the development of new drugs of natural origins in the future clinical trials. This review article will discuss; (1) the chemical constituents and bioactive compounds of fenugreek; (2) effects on oxidative stress and inflammation; (3) effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion; (4) toxicity of fenugreek; and 5) future directions in cancer drug development. All of the experimental studies discussed in this paper suggest that multiple signaling pathways (hallmarks) are involved in the anticancer activities of fenugreek, but their efficacy is still unclear, which requires further investigation.