Oxidative stress mediated cytotoxicity in leukemia cells induced by active phyto-constituents isolated from traditional herbal drugs of West Bengal

A comparative study of diaryl urea molecules with and without sulfonamide group on Carbonic anhydrase IX and XII inhibition and its consequence on breast cancer cells

To investigate the intrinsic relation between carbonic anhydrase inhibition and anticancer activity, we have prepared four sets of diaryl urea molecules and tested for the inhibition of hCA-IX and XII on two breast cancer cell lines. Among 21 compounds, compound J2 (with -SO2NH2 group) and J16 (without -SO2NH2 group) showed the best activity under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The IC50 values of J16 for MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, under normoxic condition were 6.3 and 3.7 µM respectively, which are 1.9/3.3 and 15.8 times better than U-4-Nitro and SLC-0111 respectively. Whereas, under the hypoxic condition the corresponding values were 12.4 and 1.1 µM (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells respectively), which are equal/8 times better than U-4-Nitro. Whereas, J2 showed better IC50 value than U-4-Nitro (6.3 µM) under normoxic condition for both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells (1.9/2.7 times). Compound J2 inhibits the activity of hCA-IX and XII in nanomolar concentration [Ki values 4.09 and 9.10 nM respectively with selectivity ratio of 1.8 and 0.8 with hCA-II]. The crystal structure and modelling studies demonstrates that the inhibition of CAs arises due to the blocking of the CO2 coordination site of zinc in its catalytic domain. However, J16 was found to be unable to inhibit the activity of hCAs (Ki > 89000 nM). qPCR and western blot analysis showed a significant reduction (1.5 to 20 fold) of the transcription and expression of HIF1A, CA9 and CA12 genes in presence of J2 and J16. Both J2 and J16 found to reduce accumulation of HIF-1α protein by inhibiting the chaperone activity of hHSP70 with IC50 values of 19.4 and 15.3 µM respectively. Perturbation of the hCA-IX and XII activity by binding at active site or by reduced expression or by both leads to the decrease of intracellular pH, which resulted in concomitant increase of reactive oxygen species by 2.6/2.0 (MCF-7) and 2.9/1.8 (MDA-MB-231) fold for J2/J16. Increased cyclin D1 expression in presence of J2 and J16 was presumed to be indirectly responsible for the apoptosis of the cancer cells. Expression of the other apoptosis markers Bcl-2, Bim, caspase 9 and caspase 3 substantiated the apoptosis mechanism. However, decreased transcription/expression of HIF1A/HIF-1α and hCA-IX/XII also implies the inhibition of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway by J2 and J16.

Mung bean as a potent emerging functional food having anticancer therapeutic potential: Mechanistic insight and recent updates

Cancer is still a major challenge for humans. In recent years, researchers have focused on plant-based metabolites as a safe, efficient, alternative or combinatorial, as well as cost-effective preventive strategy against carcinogenesis. Mung bean is an important nutritious legume, and known for providing various health benefits due to various bioactive phytochemicals and easily digestible proteins. Regular intake of mung bean helps to regulate metabolism by affecting the growth and survival of good microbes in the host gut. Mung bean has also been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory properties. These properties may possess the preventive potential of mung bean against carcinogenesis. Bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature were searched through a structured conceptual approach using focused review questions on mung beans, anticancer, therapeutics, and functional foods along with inclusion/exclusion criteria. For the appraisal of the quality of retrieved articles, standard tools were employed. A deductive qualitative content analysis methodology further led us to analyze outcomes of the research and review articles. The present review provides recent updates on the anticancer potential of mung bean and the possible mechanism of action thereof to prevent carcinogenesis and metastasis. Extensive research on the active metabolites and mechanisms of action is required to establish the anticancer potential of mung bean. Keeping the above facts in view, mung bean should be investigated for its bioactive compounds, to be considered as functional food of the future.

Synthesis of Zinc Oxide (ZnO)-Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)-Chitosan-Farnesol Nanocomposites and Assessment of Their Anticancer Potential in Human Leukemic MOLT-4 Cell Line

Leukemia is the most prevalent cancer in children and one of the most common and deadly cancers that affect adults. Several metal oxide nanoparticles, biopolymers, and phytochemicals have been discovered to target cancer cells selectively while inflicting low to no damage to healthy cells. Among the existing nanoparticle synthesis methodologies, biologically synthesized nanoparticles using phytochemicals have emerged as a straightforward, economical, and environmentally sound strategy. The synergistic antitumor potential of ZnO-TiO2-chitosan-farnesol nanocomposites (NCs) against leukemia MOLT-4 cells was investigated in the current study. After synthesizing the NCs, characterization of the same was carried out using XRD, DLS, FESEM, TEM, PL, EDX, and FTIR spectroscopy. To analyze its anticancer activity, MOLT-4 cells were cultured and treated at diverse dosages of NCs. The cell viability upon treatment was examined by MTT assay. The morphological and nuclear modifications were observed by dual staining. ROS and MMP levels were observed by DCFH-DA staining and Rh-123 dye, respectively. Furthermore, the caspase 3, 8, and 9 levels were examined by performing ELISA. The XRD patterns exhibited a hexagonal structure of the NCs. In the DLS spectrum, the hydrodynamic diameter of the NCs was observed to be 126.2 nm. The electrostatic interface between the ZnO-TiO2-chitosan-farnesol NCs was confirmed by the FTIR spectra. A significant loss of cell viability in a dosage-dependent trend confirmed the cytotoxic effect of the NCs. An elevated ROS level and MMP depletion suggested apoptosis-associated cell death via the intrinsic pathway, which was confirmed by elevated expressions of caspase 3, 8, and 9 markers. Thus, the results showed that the synthesized NCs demonstrated a remarkable anticancer potential against leukemic cells and can be potentially valuable in cancer treatments. The findings from this study conclude that this is a new approach for modifying the physicochemical characteristics of ZnO-TiO2-chitosan-farnesol composites to increase their properties and synergistically exhibit anticancer properties in human leukemic cancer cells.

Targeting Redox Regulation as a Therapeutic Opportunity against Acute Leukemia: Pro-Oxidant Strategy or Antioxidant Approach?

Redox adaptation is essential for human health, as the physiological quantities of non-radical reactive oxygen species operate as the main second messengers to regulate normal redox reactions by controlling several sensors. An abnormal increase reactive oxygen species, called oxidative stress, induces biological injury. For this reason, variations in oxidative stress continue to receive consideration as a possible approach to treat leukemic diseases. However, the intricacy of redox reactions and their effects might be a relevant obstacle; consequently, and alongside approaches aimed at increasing oxidative stress in neoplastic cells, antioxidant strategies have also been suggested for the same purpose. The present review focuses on the molecular processes of anomalous oxidative stress in acute myeloid and acute lymphoblastic leukemias as well as on the oxidative stress-determined pathways implicated in leukemogenic development. Furthermore, we review the effect of chemotherapies on oxidative stress and the possibility that their pharmacological effects might be increased by modifying the intracellular redox equilibrium through a pro-oxidant approach or an antioxidant strategy. Finally, we evaluated the prospect of varying oxidative stress as an efficacious modality to destroy chemoresistant cells using new methodologies. Altering redox conditions may be advantageous for inhibiting genomic variability and the eradication of leukemic clones will promote the treatment of leukemic disease.

Evaluation of the antiproliferative potential of Eugenia pyriformis leaves in cervical cancer cells

Eugenia pyriformis , typically known as uvaia, ubaia, uvaieira, uvalha or uvalha-do-campo, is a plant representative of the Myrtaceae family. E. pyriformis decreased HeLa cells proliferation, can induce cell death and reduce cell migration that may be related to metastasis and induction of cell death by apoptosis in vitro assays. Its leaves are used in folk medicine for hypertension control, decreased cholesterol and uric acid, slimming, astringent, and digestive. In this work, the evaluation of the in vitro anticancer potential Cervical Cancer (HeLa cells) and phytochemical analysis in E. pyriformes was performed. It was possible to quantify phenolic compounds and total flavonoids and identify Chlorogenic acid, Quercetrin, and Myricitrin in this species. The crude extract and ethyl acetate fraction inhibited cell viability by 50% in the dose of 44.42 μg/mL and 40.39 μg/mL, respectively. The induced effector caspase 3/7 activation, which results in apoptosis and the ethyl acetate fraction , decreases cell migration of cancer cell line; it is responsible for the cleavage of several cellular proteins that will result in the classic phenotype of the apoptotic cell.

Modulatory effect of myricitrin against chromosome instability and cytostasis induced by bleomycin and oxaliplatin in CHO-K1 cells

Myricitrin (MYR), a flavonol consumed in the leaves and fruits of plants of the Myrtaceae family, presents anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant properties in humans. However, there are few studies regarding the cyto-genotoxicity and the chemopreventive potential of MYR. Using the in vitro Micronucleus test, the cytostasis, mutagenicity, and modulatory effect of MYR in CHO-K1 cells were assessed. The concentrations of 39 and 78 µg/mL (p < 0.001.) of MYR decrease the cytokinesis-block proliferation index (CBPI) in the short exposure treatment (4 h), while in the extended treatment (24 h), concentrations of 4.8, 9.7, 19.5, 39 and 78 µg/mL (p < 0.001.) decreased the CBPI. MYR associated with oxaliplatin decreased CBPI at all tested concentrations in the pre-(p < 0.001) and post-treatments (p < 0.001), but there was no decrease when associated with bleomycin. As for chromosome instability, MYR did not increase the frequency of micronuclei (MNi), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs), or nuclear buds (NBUDs) in the 4 h exposure time, however, in the 24 h treatment, MYR increased the frequency of MNi and NPBs at concentration 19.5 µg/mL (p < 0.001). As for the modulatory effect, MYR associated with bleomycin decreased the frequency of MNi, NPBs, and NBUDs at all concentrations in the pretreatment (MNi and NPBs p < 0.001, NBUDs p < 0.05) and simultaneously (MNi, NPBs and NBUDs p < 0.001). When associated with oxaliplatin, the simultaneous treatment decreased the frequency of MNi (p < 0.001) and NBUDs (p < 0.01) at all concentrations, however, in the post-treatment, MYR increased MNi (p < 0.001) and NPBs p < 0.05) in CHO-K1 cells, when compared to oxaliplatin alone. The results demonstrated that MYR could modulate the mutagenic and cytostatic actions of bleomycin and oxaliplatin, demonstrating distinct behaviors, depending on the mechanism of action of the chemotherapeutic agent.

Cytotoxic activity of standardized extracts, a fraction, and individual secondary metabolites from fenugreek seeds against SKOV-3, HeLa and MOLT-4 cell lines

CONTEXT

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fabaceae) has many therapeutic properties and anticancer potential.

OBJECTIVE

The cytotoxic activities of standardized extracts and a fraction from fenugreek seeds and their compounds (sapogenins, flavone C-glycosides, alkaloid trigonelline) against human cancer SKOV-3, HeLa and MOLT-4 cells were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fenugreek seeds were extracted with 70% methanol (A) or water (B). Furthermore, the seeds were purified with petroleum ether and chloroform and next extracted with methanol to obtain fraction (C). The quantitative analysis of saponins and flavonoids in the extracts was done with HPLC methods. The extracts (5-120 µg/mL) and compounds (1-50 µg/mL) were tested on the cells by MTT assay and RTCA system. The effect of a fraction on ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential and caspase-3/7 activity in HeLa and SKOV-3 cells was also evaluated by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The strongest cytotoxic activity on cancer cells showed the fraction C (IC₅₀ was 3.91 ± 0.03 for HeLa, 3.97 ± 0.07 for SKOV-3, and 7.75 ± 0.37 for MOLT-4) with the highest content of steroidal saponins (163.18 ± 11.03 μg/mg) and flavone C-glycosides (820.18 ± 0.05 μg/mg). The fraction significantly increased ROS production (up to four times higher than in keratinocytes as control) and caspases activity in the cells. The examined flavonoids did not exhibit the cytotoxic activity in contrast to yamogenin, tigogenin, and diosgenin.

CONCLUSIONS

The obtained results complement the data on the cytotoxic activity of Foenugraeci Semen and synergistic effect of flavonoids and saponins complex contained in the plant.

Apoptotic mechanisms of myricitrin isolated from Madhuca longifolia leaves in HL-60 leukemia cells

Myricitrin, a naturally occurring flavonoid in Madhuca longifolia, possesses several medicinal properties. Even though our earlier work revealed its role against the proliferation of acute myelogenous leukemia cells (HL-60), its molecular mechanisms have not yet been revealed. The current study aims to explore the molecular mechanisms of myricitrin (isolated from an ethnomedicinal drug Madhuca longifolia) to induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells. Treatment with IC-50 dose of myricitrin (353 µM) caused cellular shrinkage and cell wall damage in HL-60 cells compared to untreated control cells. Myricitrin treatment reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential (22.95%), increased DNA fragmentation (90.4%), inhibited the cell survival proteins (RAS, B-RAF, & BCL-2) and also induced pro-apoptotic proteins (p38, pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-9 and caspase-3) in the HL-60 cells. The present study provides scientific evidence for the apoptosis caused by myricitrin in HL-60 leukemia cells. Hence, the phytochemical myricitrin could be considered as a potential candidate to develop an anticancer drug after checking its efficacy through suitable pre-clinical and clinical studies.

Vitexin isolated from Prosopis cineraria leaves induce apoptosis in K-562 leukemia cells via inhibition of the BCR-ABL-Ras-Raf pathway

OBJECTIVES

Leukemia is one of the severe cancer types all around the globe. Even though some chemotherapeutic drugs are available for treating leukemia, they have various side effects. As an alternative approach, herbal drugs are focused on current research to overcome leukemia. The present work was conducted to investigate the antileukemic mechanism of active phytochemical vitexin, which was isolated from ethno-medicine (Prosopis cineraria leaf) used by traditional healers of West Bengal, India.

METHODS

Antiproliferative mechanisms of selected phyto-compound against K-562 cells were evaluated using cellular uptake, morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, mitochondrial membrane potential and signaling pathways analysis.

KEY FINDINGS

Vitexin exhibited cytotoxicity by reducing mitochondrial membrane potential (32.40%) and causing DNA fragmentation (84.15%). The western blotting study indicated inhibition of cell survival proteins (BCR, ABL, H-RAS, N-RAS, K-RAS and RAF) and expression of apoptotic proteins (p38, BAX and caspase-9) in leukemia cells upon treatment with vitexin.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results, presently investigated phyto-compound vitexin could be considered for developing safe and natural drugs to treat leukemia after conducting suitable preclinical and clinical trials.

Medicinal Plants with Anti-Leukemic Effects: A Review

Leukemia is a leukocyte cancer that is characterized by anarchic growth of immature immune cells in the bone marrow, blood and spleen. There are many forms of leukemia, and the best course of therapy and the chance of a patient’s survival depend on the type of leukemic disease. Different forms of drugs have been used to treat leukemia. Due to the adverse effects associated with such therapies and drug resistance, the search for safer and more effective drugs remains one of the most challenging areas of research. Thus, new therapeutic approaches are important to improving outcomes. Almost half of the drugs utilized nowadays in treating cancer are from natural products and their derivatives. Medicinal plants have proven to be an effective natural source of anti-leukemic drugs. The cytotoxicity and the mechanisms underlying the toxicity of these plants to leukemic cells and their isolated compounds were investigated. Effort has been made throughout this comprehensive review to highlight the recent developments and milestones achieved in leukemia therapies using plant-derived compounds and the crude extracts from various medicinal plants. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of these plants are discussed.

Review of the effects of vitexin in oxidative stress-related diseases

Vitexin is an apigenin flavone glycoside found in food and medicinal plants. It has a variety of pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antinociceptive, and neuroprotective effects. This review study summarizes all the protective effects of vitexin as an antioxidant against reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and other oxidative damages in a variety of oxidative stress-related diseases, including seizure, memory impairment, cerebral ischemia, neurotoxicity, myocardial and respiratory injury, and metabolic dysfunction, with possible molecular and cellular mechanisms. This review describes any activation or inhibition of the signaling pathways that depend on the antioxidant activity of vitexin. More basic research is needed on the antioxidative effects of vitexin in vivo, and carrying out clinical trials for the treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases is also recommended.