Bio-selective hormonal breast cancer cytotoxic and antioxidant potencies of Melia azedarach L. wild type leaves

Inhibitory effect of LSOPC on AGEs formation and sensory quality in cookies

At the conclusion of the Maillard reaction (MR), free amino groups of proteins, amino acids, or lipids with the carboxyl groups of reducing sugars to form stable molecules known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which hasten aging and may potentially be the root cause of a number of chronic degenerative diseases. According to researches, lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins (LSOPC), a premium natural antioxidant produced from lotus waste, can be included in cookies to improve flavor and lower the risk of illnesses linked to AGEs. In this work, we used cookies without LSOPC as a control to examine the effects of adding various concentrations of LSOPC (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4%) on the AGEs formation and the sensory quality in cookies. The amounts of AGEs and N-ε-carboxymethyl lysine (CML) decreased with the increase of LSOPC concentration, indicating that the concentration of LSOPC was positively correlated with the ability to inhibit AGEs formation. It was also demonstrated that the amount of antioxidant capacity of the cookies increased significantly with the increase of LSOPC concentration. On the other hand, the chromaticity, texture, electronic nose, and other aspects of the cookies' sensory attributes were also evaluated. The color of the cookies deepened and the flavor varied as LSOPC added content increased. The sensory quality of the cookies was examined, and the findings indicated that LSOPC would somewhat improve that quality. These findings implied that AGEs formation could be decreased in cookies while also enhancing their sensory quality by adding LSOPC.

Effects of lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins on the inhibition of AGEs formation and sensory quality of tough biscuits

The advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed in baked products through the Maillard reaction (MR), which are thought to be a contributing factor to chronic diseases such as heart diseases and diabetes. Lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins (LSOPC) are natural antioxidants that have been added to tough biscuit to create functional foods that may lower the risk of chronic diseases. The effect of LSOPC on AGEs formation and the sensory quality of tough biscuit were examined in this study. With the addition of LSOPC, the AGEs scavenging rate and antioxidant capacity of LSOPC-added tough biscuits were dramatically improved. The chromatic aberration (ΔE) value of tough biscuits containing LSOPC increased significantly. Higher addition of LSOPC, on the other hand, could effectively substantially reduced the moisture content, water activity, and pH of LSOPC toughen biscuits. These findings imply that using LSOPC as additive not only lowers the generation of AGEs, but also improves sensory quality of tough biscuit.

The Untargeted Phytochemical Profile of Three Meliaceae Species Related to In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Anti-Virulence Activity against MRSA Isolates

BACKGROUND

A high mortality rate is associated with about 80% of all infections worldwide, mainly due to antimicrobial resistance. Various antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities have been proposed for Meliaceae species. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro anti-virulence and cytotoxic effect of the leaf extracts of Aphanamixis polystachya, Toona ciliata and Melia azedarach against five MRSA strains and on three cancer cell lines, followed by biological correlation to their encompassed phytoconstituents.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We explored three plants of this family against a panel of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains and several cancer cell lines to select the most promising candidates for further in vivo and preclinical studies. The phytochemical composition was evaluated by UHPLC-QTOF-MS untargeted profiling. Cell viability was assessed by SRB assay. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was carried out by using the agar micro-dilution technique. Inhibition of biofilm formation and preformed biofilm disruption were assessed spectrophotomertically, according to the Sultan and Nabil method (2019).

RESULTS

A total of 279 compounds were putatively annotated to include different phytochemical classes, such as flavonoids (108), limonoids/terpenoids (59), phenolic acids (49) and lower-molecular-weight phenolics (39). A. polystachya extract showed the most potent cytotoxic activity against Huh-7, DU-145 and MCF-7 cell lines (IC₅₀ = 3, 3.5 and 13.4 µg mL^-1, respectively), followed by M. azedarach, with no effect recorded for T. ciliata extract. Furthermore, both A. polystachya and M. azedarach extracts showed promising anti-virulence and antimicrobial activities, with A. polystachya being particularly active against MRSA. These two latter extracts could inhibit and disrupt the biofilm, formed by MRSA, at sub-lethal concentrations. Interestingly, the extracts inhibited hemolysin-α enzyme, thus protecting rabbit RBCs from lysis. A. polystachya extract reduced the pigmentation and catalase enzyme activity of tested pigmented strains better than M. azedarach at both tested sub-MICs. Consequently, susceptibility of the extract-treated cells to oxidant killing by 200 mM H₂O₂ increased, leading to faster killing of the cells within 120 min as compared to the extract-non-treated cells, likely due to the lower antioxidant-scavenging activity of cells exhibiting less staphyloxanthin production.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that both A. polystachya and M. azedarach natural extracts are rich in bioactive compounds, mainly limonoids, phenolics and oxygenated triterpenoids, which can combat MRSA biofilm infections and could be considered as promising sources of therapeutic cytotoxic, antibiofilm and anti-virulence agents.

In silico estrogen receptor alpha antagonist studies and toxicity prediction of Melia azedarach leaves bioactive ethyl acetate fraction

The estrogen hormone dependent accounts for a major cause in the incidence of women breast cancer. Thus, their receptor, especially the estrogen receptor α (ER-α), is becoming a target in endocrine treatment. These ligand-inducible nuclear functions are regulated by an array of phytochemical and synthetic compounds, such as 17 β-estradiol and tamoxifen (4-hydroxytamoxifen [4OHT]). The Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) leaves are known naturally for relieving internal and external diseases. Previous studies revealed the potency of Melia's ethanolic extract and ethyl acetate fractions as anticancer; furthermore, this study aimed to resolve possible ER-α antagonist's mechanism and safety from M. azedarach leaves ethyl acetate fraction contents. Melia's phytochemical content was analyzed with electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, while its ER-α antagonist's potency was investigated by in silico. The computational docking was used to 3ERT (a human ER-α-4OHT binding domain complex) with Autodock Vina and related programs. The results presented Energy binding (ΔG) of Melia's quercetin 3-O-(2'',6''-digalloyl)-β-D-galactopyranoside was similar to 4OHT, and lower than its agonist 17 β-estradiol. Furthermore, the toxicity prediction of these compounds were revealed safer than 4OHT. The Melia's leaves ethyl acetate fraction, therefore, is a potential pharmacological material for further studies.

Phagocytosis, Degranulation and Extracellular Traps Release by Neutrophils-The Current Knowledge, Pharmacological Modulation and Future Prospects

Neutrophils are crucial elements of innate immune system, which assure host defense via a range of effector functions, such as phagocytosis, degranulation, and NET formation. The latest literature clearly indicates that modulation of effector functions of neutrophils may affect the treatment efficacy. Pharmacological modulation may affect molecular mechanisms activating or suppressing phagocytosis, degranulation or NET formation. In this review, we describe the role of neutrophils in physiology and in the course of bacterial and viral infections, illustrating the versatility and plasticity of those cells. This review also focus on the action of plant extracts, plant-derived compounds and synthetic drugs on effector functions of neutrophils. These recent advances in the knowledge can help to devise novel therapeutic approaches via pharmacological modulation of the described processes.

Bioprocess Optimization of Nutritional Parameters for Enhanced Anti-leukemic L-Asparaginase Production by Aspergillus candidus UCCM 00117: A Sequential Statistical Approach

Sequential optimization of bioprocess nutritional conditions for production of glutaminase-near-free L-asparaginase by Aspergillus candidus UCCM 00117 was conducted under shake flask laboratory conditions. Catalytic and anti-cancer activities of the poly-peptide were evaluated using standard in vitro biochemical methods. Medium nutrients were selected by one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach while Plackett-Burman design (PBD) screened potential factors for optimization. Path of steepest ascent (PSA) and response surface methodology (RSM) of a Min-Run-Res V fractional factorial of a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) were employed to optimize factor levels towards improved enzyme activity. A multi-objective approach using desirability function generated through predictor importance and weighted coefficient methodology was adopted for optimization. The approach set optimum bioprocess conditions as 49.55 g/L molasses, 64.98% corn steep liquor, 44.23 g/L asparagine, 1.73 g/L potassium, 0.055 g/L manganese and 0.043 g/L chromium (III) ions, at a composite desirability of 0.943 and an L-asparaginase activity of 5216.95U. The Sephadex-200 partially-purified polypeptide had a specific activity of 476.84 U/mg; 0.087U glutaminase activity, 36.46% yield and 20-fold protein purification. Anti-cancer activity potentials of the catalytic poly-peptide were dose-dependent with IC₅₀ (µg/mL): 4.063 (HL-60), 13.75 (HCT-116), 15.83 (HeLa), 11.68 (MCF-7), 7.61 (HepG-2). The therapeutic enzyme exhibited 15-fold more cytotoxicity to myeloid leukemia cell line than to normal (HEK 238 T) cell. Optimum temperature and pH for activity were within physiological range. However, significant interactions between exposure time and levels of each of temperature and pH made interpretations of residual enzyme activities difficult. The manganese-dependent L-asparaginase from Aspergillu s candidus UCCM 00117 is recommended for further anticancer drug investigations.

Detection of antitumoral effects of quercetin through protein synthesis associated with argyrophilic nucleolar-regulating region

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid with potential anticancer properties without significant cytotoxicity in normal tissues. However, the effects of quercetin on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) have not yet been clarified. The study aimed to show the antitumoral effect of quercetin through argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) protein synthesis in mice carrying EAC. Thirty mice were used in the experiment (negative control (n = 6), tumor control (n = 8), quercetin 50 mg/kg (n = 8), and quercetin 100 mg/kg (n = 8) intravenously). The animals were euthanized on the 14th day, and the solid tumors were removed. Then, the total AgNOR area/nuclear area (TAA/NA) and average AgNOR number were calculated for each mice and the immunoreactivity of the factor VIII protein in tumor was evaluated. Tumor volumes and animal weights were statistically significant compared to the tumor control group (p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of TAA/NA ratio (p < 0.05). Factor VIII expressions decreased in quercetin groups compared to control tumor tissue (p < 0.05). The current study showed that quercetin has an important function against cancer development.