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Yadav N, Tripathi S, Sangwan NS. Phyto-therapeutic potential of Withania somnifera: Molecular mechanism and health implications. Phytother Res 2024; 38:1695-1714. [PMID: 38318763 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Withania somnifera, the plant named Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha, or winter cherry, has been used since ancient times to cure various health ailments. Withania somnifera is rich in constituents belonging to chemical classes like alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and withanolides. Several chemotypes were identified based on their phytochemical composition and credited for their multiple bioactivities. Besides, exhibiting neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, adaptogenic, anti-stress, bone health, plant has shown promising anti-cancer properties. Several withanolides have been reported to play a crucial role in cancer; they target cancer cells by different mechanisms such as modulating the expression of tumor suppressor genes, apoptosis, telomerase expression, and regulating cell signaling pathway. Though, many treatments are available for cancer; however, to date, no assured reliable cure for cancer is made available. Additionally, synthetic drugs may lead to development of resistance in time; therefore, focus on new and natural drugs for cancer therapeutics may prove a longtime effective alternative. This current report is a comprehensive combined analysis upto 2023 with articles focused on bio-activities of plant Withania somnifera from various sources, including national and international government sources. This review focuses on understanding of various mechanisms and pathways to inhibit uncontrolled cell growth by W. somnifera bioactives, as reported in literature. This review provides a recent updated status of the W. somnifera on pharmacological properties in general and anti-cancer in particular and may provide a guiding resource for researchers associated with natural product-based cancer research and healthcare management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Yadav
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, India
| | | | - Neelam S Sangwan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, India
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Deedwania A, Karmakar S, Kumar V, Shefrin S, Sundar D, Srivastava P. Construction and characterization of a temperature-sensitive pRC4 replicon for Rhodococcus and Gordonia. Gene 2024; 896:147990. [PMID: 37977321 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Temperature-sensitive plasmids are useful for genome engineering and several synthetic biology applications. There are only limited reports on temperature-sensitive plasmids for Rhodococcus and none for Gordonia. Here, we report the construction of a temperature-sensitive pRC4 replicon that is functional in Rhodococcus and Gordonia. The amino acid residues were predicted for the temperature-sensitive phenotype in the pRC4 replicon using in silico methods and molecular simulation of the DNA-binding replication protein with the origin of replication. The amino acid residues were mutated, and the temperature-sensitive phenotype was validated in Gordonia sp. IITR100. Similar results were also observed in Rhodococcus erythropolis, suggesting that the temperature-sensitive phenotype was exhibited across genera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agrima Deedwania
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India
| | - Shreyoshi Karmakar
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India
| | - Vipul Kumar
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India
| | - Seyad Shefrin
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India
| | - Durai Sundar
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India.
| | - Preeti Srivastava
- Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India.
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Kumar V, Meidinna HN, Kaul SC, Gupta D, Ishida Y, Terao K, Vrati S, Sundar D, Wadhwa R. Molecular insights to the anti-COVID-19 potential of α-, β- and γ-cyclodextrins. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-11. [PMID: 38116950 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2294385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 viral infection is regulated by the host cell receptors ACE2 and TMPRSS2, and therefore the effect of various natural and synthetic compounds on these receptors has recently been the subject of investigations. Cyclodextrins, naturally occurring polysaccharides derived from starch, are soluble in water and have a hydrophobic cavity at their center enabling them to accommodate small molecules and utilize them as carriers in the food, supplements, and pharmaceutical industries to improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of target compounds. In the current study, computational molecular simulations were used to investigate the ability of α-, β- and γ-Cyclodextrins on human cell surface receptors. Cell-based experimental approaches, including expression analyses at mRNA and protein levels and virus replication, were used to assess the effect on receptor expression and virus infection, respectively. We found that none of the three CDs could dock effectively to human cell surface receptor ACE2 and viral protease Mpro (essential for virus replication). On the other hand, α- and β-CD showed strong and stable interactions with TMPRSS2, and the expression of both ACE2 and TMPRSS2 was downregulated at the mRNA and protein levels in cyclodextrin (CD)-treated cells. A cell-based virus replication assay showed ∼20% inhibition by β- and γ-CD. Taken together, the study suggested that (i) downregulation of expression of host cell receptors may not be sufficient to inhibit virus infection (ii) activity of the receptors and virus protein Mpro may play a critical and clinically relevant role, and hence (iii) newly emerging anti-Covid-19 compounds warrant multimodal functional analyses.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Kumar
- DAILAB, Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India
| | - Hazna Noor Meidinna
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Sunil C Kaul
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | | | - Keiji Terao
- CycloChem Bio Co., Ltd, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | | | - Durai Sundar
- DAILAB, Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, India
| | - Renu Wadhwa
- AIST-INDIA DAILAB, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
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Wiciński M, Fajkiel-Madajczyk A, Kurant Z, Kurant D, Gryczka K, Falkowski M, Wiśniewska M, Słupski M, Ohla J, Zabrzyński J. Can Ashwagandha Benefit the Endocrine System?-A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16513. [PMID: 38003702 PMCID: PMC10671406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Due to the wide range of its activities, there has been interest in its possible beneficial effects on the human body. It is proved that, among others, Ashwagandha has anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and hypolipidemic properties. Particularly interesting are its properties reported in the field of psychiatry and neurology: in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, bipolar disorder, insomnia, anxiety disorders and many others. The aim of this review is to find and summarize the effect that Ashwagandha root extract has on the endocrine system and hormones. The multitude of active substances and the wide hormonal problems faced by modern society sparked our interest in the topic of Ashwagandha's impact on this system. In this work, we also attempted to draw conclusions as to whether W. somnifera can help normalize the functions of the human endocrine system in the future. The search mainly included research published in the years 2010-2023. The results of the research show that Ashwagandha can have a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine system, including improving the secretory function of the thyroid gland, normalizing adrenal activity, and multidirectional improvement on functioning of the reproductive system. The main mechanism of action in the latter appears to be based on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, as a decrease in cortisol levels and an increase in hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in men were found, which results in stress level reduction and improvement in fertility. In turn, other studies prove that active substances from W. somnifera, acting on the body, cause an increase in the secretion of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) by the thyroid gland and a subsequent decrease in the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in accordance with the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. In light of these findings, it is clear that Ashwagandha holds significant promise as a natural remedy for various health concerns, especially those related to the endocrine system. Future research may provide new insights into its mechanisms of action and expand its applications in both traditional and modern medicine. The safety and toxicity of Ashwagandha also remain important issues, which may affect its potential use in specific patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Wiciński
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, M. Curie Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (A.F.-M.); (Z.K.); (D.K.); (K.G.)
| | - Anna Fajkiel-Madajczyk
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, M. Curie Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (A.F.-M.); (Z.K.); (D.K.); (K.G.)
| | - Zuzanna Kurant
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, M. Curie Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (A.F.-M.); (Z.K.); (D.K.); (K.G.)
| | - Dominik Kurant
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, M. Curie Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (A.F.-M.); (Z.K.); (D.K.); (K.G.)
| | - Karol Gryczka
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, M. Curie Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (A.F.-M.); (Z.K.); (D.K.); (K.G.)
| | - Michal Falkowski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Dr. A. Jurasza 2, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Wiśniewska
- Department of Oncology and Brachytherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Dr I. Romanowskiej 2, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Professor Franciszek Lukaszczyk Oncology Center, Dr I. Romanowskiej 2, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Maciej Słupski
- Department of Hepatobiliary and General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, M. Curie Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Jakub Ohla
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, M. Curie Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.O.); (J.Z.)
| | - Jan Zabrzyński
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, M. Curie Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.O.); (J.Z.)
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Kumar S, Mathew SO, Aharwal RP, Tulli HS, Mohan CD, Sethi G, Ahn KS, Webber K, Sandhu SS, Bishayee A. Withaferin A: A Pleiotropic Anticancer Agent from the Indian Medicinal Plant Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:160. [PMID: 37259311 PMCID: PMC9966696 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer represents the second most deadly disease and one of the most important public health concerns worldwide. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immune therapy are the major types of treatment strategies that have been implemented in cancer treatment. Unfortunately, these treatment options suffer from major limitations, such as drug-resistance and adverse effects, which may eventually result in disease recurrence. Many phytochemicals have been investigated for their antitumor efficacy in preclinical models and clinical studies to discover newer therapeutic agents with fewer adverse effects. Withaferin A, a natural bioactive molecule isolated from the Indian medicinal plant Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, has been reported to impart anticancer activities against various cancer cell lines and preclinical cancer models by modulating the expression and activity of different oncogenic proteins. In this article, we have comprehensively discussed the biosynthesis of withaferin A as well as its antineoplastic activities and mode-of-action in in vitro and in vivo settings. We have also reviewed the effect of withaferin A on the expression of miRNAs, its combinational effect with other cytotoxic agents, withaferin A-based formulations, safety and toxicity profiles, and its clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suneel Kumar
- Bio-Design Innovation Centre, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur 482 001, India
| | - Stephen O. Mathew
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
| | | | - Hardeep Singh Tulli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Engineering College, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana-Ambala 133 207, India
| | | | - Gautam Sethi
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117600, Singapore
| | - Kwang-Seok Ahn
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Kassidy Webber
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
| | - Sardul Singh Sandhu
- Bio-Design Innovation Centre, Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur 482 001, India
| | - Anupam Bishayee
- College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL 34211, USA
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Oyewusi HA, Wu YS, Safi SZ, Wahab RA, Hatta MHM, Batumalaie K. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the inhibitory mechanism of Withanolide A against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022:1-16. [PMID: 35904027 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2104375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. The unsavory severe gastrointestinal side-effects of synthetic drugs to regulate hyperglycemia have warranted the search for alternative treatments to inhibit the carbohydrate digestive enzymes (e.g. α-amylase and α-glucosidase). Certain phytochemicals recently captured the scientific community's attention as carbohydrate digestive enzyme inhibitors due to their low toxicity and high efficacy, specifically the Withanolides-loaded extract of Withania somnifera. That said, the present study evaluated in silico the efficacy of Withanolide A in targeting both α-amylase and α-glucosidase in comparison to the synthetic drug Acarbose. Protein-ligand interactions, binding affinity, and stability were characterized using pharmacological profiling, high-end molecular docking, and molecular-dynamic simulation. Withanolide A inhibited the activity of α-glucosidase and α-amylase better, exhibiting good pharmacokinetic properties, absorption, and metabolism. Also, Withanolide A was minimally toxic, with higher bioavailability. Interestingly, Withanolide A bonded well to the active site of α-amylase and α-glucosidase, yielding the lowest binding free energy of -82.144 ± 10.671 kcal/mol and -102.1043 ± 11.231 kcal/mol compared to the Acarbose-enzyme complexes (-63.220 ± 13.283 kcal/mol and -82.148 ± 10.671 kcal/mol). Hence, the findings supported the therapeutic potential of Withanolide A as α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitor for DM treatment.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habeebat Adekilekun Oyewusi
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia.,Enzyme Technology and Green Synthesis Group, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia.,Department of Science Technology, Biochemistry unit, The Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
| | - Yuan-Seng Wu
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Malaysia.,Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Sher Zaman Safi
- IRCBM, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Roswanira Abdul Wahab
- Enzyme Technology and Green Synthesis Group, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia
| | | | - Kalaivani Batumalaie
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, Asia Metropolitan University, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
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