The sulphorhodamine (SRB) assay and other approaches to testing plant extracts and derived compounds for activities related to reputed anticancer activity

Antiviral activity of sulphated specialized metabolites from sea urchin Clypeaster humilis: in vitro and in silico studies

Chemical investigations of the sea urchin Clypeaster humilis has led to separation of twelve compounds including one new sulfonic acid derivative (7R) tridec-1-en-7-yl hydrogen sulphate (1), first isolated from natural source, pyridine-3-yl methane sulfonate (2), and first isolated from marine organisms, boldine (12), in addition to nine known compounds (3-11), which were isolated for the first time from the genus Clypeaster. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses (1D and 2D NMR), HR-ESI-MS as well as comparison with the previously reported data. The antiviral activity of the crude extract and sulphated compounds were evaluated using MTT colorimetric assay against Coxsackie B4 virus. The crude extract and compound 1 showed very potent antiviral activity with a percentage of inhibition equal to 89.7 ± 0.53% and 86.1 ± 0.92%, respectively. Results of the molecular docking analysis of the isolated compounds within Coxsackie Virus B4 (COX-B4) X-ray crystal structure and quantum chemical calculation for three sulphated compounds are in a consistent adaptation with the in vitro antiviral results. The pharmacokinetic properties (ADME) of isolated compounds were determined.

The Herbal Combination Shu Gan Jie Yu Regulates the SNCG/ER-a/AKT-ERK Pathway in DMBA-Induced Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Cell Lines Based on RNA-Seq and IPA Analysis

BACKGROUND

Soothing the liver (called Shu Gan Jie Yu in Chinese, SGJY) is a significant therapeutic method for breast cancer in TCM. In this study, 3 liver-soothing herbs, including Cyperus rotundus L., Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis Swingle and Rosa rugosa Thunb. were selected and combined to form a SGJY herbal combinatory.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the inhibiting effect of SGJY on breast cancer in vivo and vitro, and to explore the potential mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SGJY herbal combination was extracted using water. A breast cancer rat model was developed by chemical DMBA by gavage, then treated with SGJY for 11 weeks. The tumor tissue was preserved for RNA sequencing and analyzed by IPA software. The inhibition effects of SGJY on MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells were investigated by SRB assay and cell apoptosis analysis, and the protein expression levels of SNCG, ER-α, p-AKT and p-ERK were measured by western blotting.

RESULTS

SGJY significantly reduced the tumor weight and volume, and the level of estradiol in serum. The results of IPA analysis reveal SGJY upregulated 7 canonical pathways and downregulated 16 canonical pathways. Estrogen receptor signaling was the key canonical pathway with 9 genes downregulated. The results of upstream regulator analysis reveal beta-estradiol was the central target; the upstream regulator network scheme showed that 86 genes could affect the expression of the beta-estradiol, including SNCG, CCL21 and MB. Additionally, SGJY was verified to significantly alter the expression of SNCG mRNA, CCL21 mRNA and MB mRNA which was consistent with the data of RNA-Seq. The inhibition effects of SGJY exhibited a dose-dependent response. The apoptosis rates of MCF7 and T47D cells were upregulated. The protein expression of SNCG, ER-α, p-AKT and p-ERK were all significantly decreased by SGJY on MCF-7 and T47D cells.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that SGJY may inhibit the growth of breast cancer. The mechanism might involve downregulating the level of serum estradiol, and suppressing the protein expression in the SNCG/ER-α/AKT-ERK pathway.

Anticancer potentials of metformin loaded coconut oil nanoemulsion on MCF-7, HepG2 and HCT-116 cell lines

In order to load metformin in a nano formula and evaluate the produced nano form towards cancer cells, metformin was loaded on natural carrier coconut oil. The formed metformin-loaded coconut oil nanoemulsion was characterized by Zeta potential, particle size, drug content, drug release, and drug stability. The formed nanoemulsion was evaluated towards MCF-7, HepG2, and HCT-116 cell lines. Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis mechanism were studied. The nanoemulsion was created using deionized water, 1.5% Span 20, 1.5% Tween 80, 1.5% coconut oil, and 0.5% Metformin in an ultrasonicator to produce a homogenous solution. The anticancer activities of the metformin-loaded coconut nanoemulsion were highly improved compared to non-formulated metformin with IC50s of 8.3 ± 0.1 µg/ml, 12 ± 1.5 µg/ml, 2.685 ± 0.3 µg/ml for MCF-7, HepG2, and HCT-116 cell lines, respectively. There was a 76.5 ± 2.3 and 78.3 ± 3.2% increase in the number of apoptotic cells of MCF-7 and HepG2 cells after nanoemulsion treatment. This formula may be considered a new anticancer medication.

Preparation, characterization, and in vitro cytotoxicity activity of allyl-isothiocyanate-embedded polymeric nanoparticles for potential breast cancer targeting

BACKGROUND

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) is an excellent active phytoconstituent recently revealed for cancer treatment. The strategic prominence of this study was to synthesize and characterize AITC-embedded tripolyphosphate-modified chitosan nanoparticles (AITC@CS-TPP-NPs) by ionic gelation.

METHOD

Chitosan is recycled as a polymer to fabricate AITC@CS-TPP-NPs; the fabricated nanoparticles (NPs) are then characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, DSC, XRD, zeta potential, size analysis, SEM, EDX, entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release study, and in vitro cytotoxicity activity against MCF-7 to explore the effectiveness and strength.

RESULTS

As a result, developed AITC@CS-TPP-NPs demonstrates good stability with a zeta potential of 35.83 mV and 90.14% of drug release. The anticancer potential of AITC@CS-TPP-NPs shows the improved cytotoxicity activity of AITC due to the surface modification of CS using TPP. Hence, the cytotoxicity of AITC@CS-TPP-NPs was tested in vitro against a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and found to be considerable.

CONCLUSION

The AITC@CS-TPP-NPs were effectively synthesized and have significant benefits, including being easy to prepare, stable, and affordable with wide use in human breast cancer against cell line (MCF-7).

Antiultraviolet, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Properties and Anticancer Potential of Novel Environmentally Friendly Amide-Modified Gallic Acid Derivatives

Polyphenols and amides isolated from natural products have various biological functions, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antiviral activities, and they are widely used in the fields of food and medicine. In this work, four novel and environmentally friendly amide-modified gallic acid derivatives (AMGADs), which were prepared by using different amides to modify gallic acid (GA) from Polygonaceae plants, displayed good antiultraviolet (anti-UV), antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. Significantly, the anti-UV capability of compounds n1 and n2 was notably superior to that of the UV absorber GA. Moreover, compound n2 possessed better 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) scavenging ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power than vitamin C. The antibacterial activities of all AMGADs, with inhibition rates of more than 96.00 and 79.00% for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, were better than those of GA. Compound n1 had broad-spectrum anticancer activity, and its inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells exceeded that of 5-fluorouracil. The good and rich bioactivities of these AMGADs revealed that combining GA with amides is conducive to improving the activity of GA, and this study laid a good foundation for their scientific application in the fields of food and medicine.

Effect of cyclic substituents on the anti-cancer activity and DNA interaction of ruthenium(II) bis-phenanthroline dipyridoquinoline

Introduction: Ruthenium(II) complexes have emerged recently as candidates for anti-cancer therapy, where activity is related to lipohilicity, cellular localization, and specific interactions with biomolecules. Methods: In this work, two novel complexes were synthesized and are reported based on the [Ru(phen)2(dipyrido[3,2-f:2',3'-h]quinoxaline]2+ framework. Results: Compared to the parent complex, annealing of cyclopenteno and cyclohexeno rings to the extended ligand substantially increased cytotoxicity towards a number of cancer cell lines, and induced apoptosis. The complexes localize in the nuclei of cancer cells and co-locate with DAPI on DNA. DNA binding studies show that both complexes bind strongly to DNA and one complex intercalates DNA like the parent, whilst the other appears to have multiple modes of interaction. Discussion: It is likely that the increased lipophilicity of the novel complexes is a key factor for increasing their cytotoxicity, rather than their DNA binding mode.

Galangal-Cinnamon Spice Mixture Blocks the Coronavirus Infection Pathway through Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 MPro, Three HCoV-229E Targets; Quantum-Chemical Calculations Support In Vitro Evaluation

Natural products such as domestic herbal drugs which are easily accessible and cost-effective can be used as a complementary treatment in mild and moderate COVID-19 cases. This study aimed to detect and describe the efficiency of phenolics detected in the galangal-cinnamon mixture in the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2's different protein targets. The potential antiviral effect of galangal-cinnamon aqueous extract (GCAE) against Low Pathogenic HCoV-229E was assessed using cytopathic effect inhibition assay and the crystal violet method. Low Pathogenic HCoV-229E was used as it is safer for in vitro laboratory experimentation and due to the conformation and the binding pockets similarity between HCoV-229E and SARS-CoV-2 MPro. The GCAE showed a significant antiviral effect against HCoV-229E (IC50 15.083 µg/mL). Twelve phenolic compounds were detected in the extract with ellagic, cinnamic, and gallic acids being the major identified phenolic acids, while rutin was the major identified flavonoid glycoside. Quantum-chemical calculations were made to find molecular properties using the DFT/B3LYP method with 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set. Quantum-chemical values such as EHOMO, ELUMO, energy gap, ionization potential, chemical hardness, softness, and electronegativity values were calculated and discussed. Phenolic compounds detected by HPLC-DAD-UV in the GCAE were docked into the active site of 3 HCoV-229E targets (PDB IDs. 2ZU2, 6U7G, 7VN9, and 6WTT) to find the potential inhibitors that block the Coronavirus infection pathways from quantum and docking data for these compounds. There are good adaptations between the theoretical and experimental results showing that rutin has the highest activity against Low Pathogenic HCoV-229E in the GCAE extract.

In Vitro Pro-Apoptotic and Anti-Migratory Effects of Marantodes pumilum (syn. Labisia pumila) Extracts on Human Prostate Cancer Cell Lines: Bioguided Isolation of 5-Henicosene-1-yl-resorcinol

This study aims to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of Marantodes pumilum Blume Kuntze plant extracts on prostate cancer cells, identify the active compound/s, and characterize their mechanism of action. The crude methanolic extract was partitioned into n-hexane (MPh), chloroform (MPc), and aqueous (MPa) extracts. Antiproliferative fractions (IC50 < 30 μg/mL based on SRB staining of LNCaP and PC3 cell lines) were further fractionated. Active compound/s were identified using spectroscopic methods. In vitro mechanistic studies on PC3 cells included: annexin V-FITC staining, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) depolarization measurements, the activity of caspases 3 and 7, nuclear DNA fragmentation, cell cycle analysis, modulation of Bax, Bcl-2, Smac/Diablo, Alox-5, VEGF-A, CXCR4, and CXCL12 mRNA gene expression via RT-PCR, 2D migration (scratch assay), and 3D invasion (Boyden chamber). MPc extract was the most active, inducing cell death (p < 0.05) via apoptosis, as evidenced by nuclear DNA fragmentation and an increase in MMP depolarization (p < 0.05) as well as the activation of caspases 3/7 (MPc p < 0.01) in both PC3 and LNCaP cell lines. In addition, MPc upregulated Bax and Smac/DIABLO, downregulated Bcl-2 (p < 0.05), and inhibited ALOX-5 mRNA gene expression (p < 0.001). MPc was not cytotoxic against normal human fibroblast cells (HDFa) at the tested concentrations. Moreover, MPc inhibited migration and invasion of PC3 cells (p < 0.01). These effects were accompanied by the downregulation of both VEGF-A and CXCL-12 gene expressions (p < 0.001). A monounsaturated 5-alkyl resorcinol was isolated as the active compound in the MPc extract and identified as 5-henicosene-1-yl-resorcinol.

Identification of a cytotoxic factor from a non-pigmented entomopathogenic Serratia marcescens isolate toxic towards human carcinoma cell lines

It has been reported that cell-free culture broths and some proteins from pigmented and non-pigmented Serratia spp. are cytotoxic towards cancerous and non-cancerous human cell lines. Looking for new molecules toxic against human cancerous cells but harmless towards normal human cells, the aim of this work was (a) to determine whether cell-free broths from the entomopathogenic non-pigmented S. marcescens 81 (Sm81), S. marcescens 89 (Sm89) and S. entomophila (SeMor4.1) presented cytotoxic activity towards human carcinoma cell lines; (b) to identify and purify the associated cytotoxic factor(s) and (c) to evaluate whether the cytotoxic factor(s) was cytotoxic towards non-cancerous human cells. This research was focussed on the observed morphology changes and the proportion of remaining viable cells after incubation in the presence of cell-free culture broths from the Serratia spp isolates to evaluate cytotoxic activity. The results showed that broths from both S. marcescens isolates presented cytotoxic activity and induced cytopathic-like effects on the human neuroblastoma CHP-212 and the breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Slight cytotoxicity was observed in the SeMor4.1 broth. A serralysin-like protein of 50 kDa was identified in Sm81 broth as responsible for cytotoxic activity after purification by ammonium sulphate precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography followed by tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The serralysin-like protein was toxic against CHP-212 (neuroblastoma), SiHa (human cervical carcinoma) and D-54 (human glioblastoma) cell lines in a dose-dependent manner and showed no cytotoxic activity in primary cultures of normal non-cancerous human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Therefore, this protein should be evaluated for a potential use as an anticancer agent.

Exploration of anticancer potential of Lantadenes from weed Lantana camara: Synthesis, in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies

Naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoids and their semisynthetic analogues have engrossed increasing attention for their anticancer potential and exhibiting promising role in discovery of new anticancer agents. Present study include the semi synthetic modifications of Lantadenes from the weed Lantana carama and their structures delineation by FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR & mass spectroscopy. All the compounds were scrutinized for in vitro cytotoxicity, ligand receptor interaction and in vivo anticancer studies. Most of the novel analogues displayed potent antiproliferative activity against A375 & A431 cancer cell lines and found superior to parent Lantadenes. In particular, 3β-(4-Methoxybenzoyloxy)-22β-senecioyloxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid was found to be most suitable compound, with IC₅₀ value of 3.027 μM aganist A375 cell line having least docking score (-69.40 kcal/mol). Promising anticancer potential of the lead was further indicated by significant reduction in tumor volume and burden in two stage carcinoma model. These findings suggests that the Lantadene derivatives may hold promising potential for the intervention of skin cancers.

Identification of Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase as Potential Target of Vemurafenib-Resistant Melanoma Cells

BACKGROUND

Despite recent improvements in therapy, the five-year survival rate for patients with advanced melanoma is poor, mainly due to the development of drug resistance. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, applying proteomics and structural approaches to models of melanoma cells.

METHODS

Sublines from two human (A375 and SK-MEL-28) cells with acquired vemurafenib resistance were established, and their proteomic profiles when exposed to denaturation were identified through LC-MS/MS analysis. The pathways derived from bioinformatics analyses were validated by in silico and functional studies.

RESULTS

The proteomic profiles of resistant melanoma cells were compared to parental counterparts by taking into account protein folding/unfolding behaviors. Several proteins were found to be involved, with dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (DLD) being the only one similarly affected by denaturation in all resistant cell sublines compared to parental ones. DLD expression was observed to be increased in resistant cells by Western blot analysis. Protein modeling analyses of DLD's catalytic site coupled to in vitro assays with CPI-613, a specific DLD inhibitor, highlighted the role of DLD enzymatic functions in the molecular mechanisms of BRAFi resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Our proteomic and structural investigations on resistant sublines indicate that DLD may represent a novel and potent target for overcoming vemurafenib resistance in melanoma cells.

The antiproliferative and apoptotic potential of Clinacanthus nutans against human breast cancer cells through targeted apoptosis pathway

Clinacanthus nutans dichloromethane fraction (CN-Dcm) extract has previously been proven to suppress breast cancer (MCF7) cell proliferation. Despite this, the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis mechanisms involved in C. nutans extract-treated MCF7 cells are still unknown. This study was intended to subfractionate CN-Dcm extract using column chromatography and analyse the treated MCF7 cells using the CellTiter 96® AQueous One Solution Cell Proliferation (MTS) assay, Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) assay, western blot, and reverse transcription-qualitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Out of nine subfraction extracts (SF1 to SF9), SF2 extract strongly inhibited MCF7 cells with the lowest IC50 value (23.51 ± 1.00 µg/mL) and substantially induced apoptosis in the MCF7 cells. In treated MCF7 cells, SF2 extract significantly upregulated the expression of P53, BAX, BID, caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3, while downregulating the expression of BCL2. The presence of potential bioactive chemical compounds in the SF2 extract was identified using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Thus, the SF2 extract has the potential to induce apoptosis in MCF7 cells through intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.

Apoptotic effect of sulfated galactofucan from marine macroalga Turbinaria ornata on hepatocellular and ductal carcinoma cells

Tumor protein or cellular tumor antigen p53, is considered a critical transcriptional regulation factor, which can suppress the growth of tumor cells by activating other functional genes. The current study appraised the p53 activation pathways, which could be used as an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of hepatocellular and ductal carcinoma. Algal polysaccharides have been used as emerging sources of bioactive natural pharmacophores. A sulfated galactofucan characterized as [→1)-O-4-sulfonato-α-fucopyranose-(3 → 1)-α-fucopyranose-(3→] as the main branch with [→1)-6-O-acetyl-β-galactopyranose-(4→] as side chain isolated from marine macroalga Turbinaria ornata exhibited prospective apoptosis on HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) and MCF7 (ductal carcinoma) cells. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate-propidium iodide study displayed higher early apoptosis in MCF7 and HepG2 cell lines (56 and 24.2%, respectively) treated with TOP-3 (at IC50 concentration) than those administered with standard camptothecin. Upregulation of the p53 gene expression was perceived in TOP-3 treated HepG2 and MCF7 cells.

In vitro effects of European and Latin-American medicinal plants in CYP3A4 gene expression, glutathione levels, and P-glycoprotein activity

Many medicinal plants species from European -such as Artemisia absinthium, Equisetum arvense, Lamium album, Malva sylvestris, Morus nigra, Passiflora incarnata, Frangula purshiana, and Salix alba- as well as Latin American traditions -such as Libidibia ferrea, Bidens pilosa, Casearia sylvestris, Costus spicatus, Monteverdia ilicifolia, Persea americana, Schinus terebinthifolia, Solidago chilensis, Syzygium cumini, Handroanthus impetiginosus, and Vernonanthura phosphorica- are shortlisted by the Brazilian National Health System for future clinical use. However, they lack many data on their action upon some key ADME targets. In this study, we assess non-toxic concentrations (up to100 μg/ml) of their infusions for in vitro ability to modulate CYP3A4 mRNA gene expression and intracellular glutathione levels in HepG2 cells, as well as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity in vincristine-resistant Caco-2 cells (Caco-2 VCR). We further investigated the activation of human pregnane X receptor (hPXR) in transiently co-transfected HeLa cells and the inhibition of Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in HepG2 cells. Our results demonstrate L. ferrea, C. sylvestris, M. ilicifolia, P. americana, S. terebinthifolia, S. cumini, V. phosphorica, E. arvense, P. incarnata, F. purshiana, and S. alba can significantly increase CYP3A4 mRNA gene expression in HepG2 cells. Only F. purshiana shown to do so likely via hPXR activation. P-gp activity was affected by L. ferrea, F. purshiana, S. terebinthifolia, and S. cumini. Total intracellular glutathione levels were significantly depleted by exposure to all extracts except S. alba and S. cumini This was accompanied by a lower GGT activity in the case of C. spicatus, P. americana, S. alba, and S. terebinthifolia, whilst L. ferrea, P. incarnata and F. purshiana increased it. Surprisingly, S. cumini aqueous extract drastically decreased GGT activity (−48%, p < 0.01). In conclusion, this preclinical study shows that the administration of some of these herbal medicines causes in vitro disturbances to key drug metabolism mechanisms. We recommend active pharmacovigilance for Libidibia ferrea (Mart.) L. P. Queiroz, Frangula purshiana Cooper, Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi, and Salix alba L. which were able to alter all targets in our preclinical study.

The hEag1 K+ Channel Inhibitor Astemizole Stimulates Ca2+ Deposition in SaOS-2 and MG-63 Osteosarcoma Cultures

The hEag1 (Kv10.1) K⁺ channel is normally found in the brain, but it is ectopically expressed in tumor cells, including osteosarcoma. Based on the pivotal role of ion channels in osteogenesis, we tested whether pharmacological modulation of hEag1 may affect osteogenic differentiation of osteosarcoma cell lines. Using molecular biology (RT-PCR), electrophysiology (patch-clamp) and pharmacology (astemizole sensitivity, IC₅₀ = 0.135 μM) we demonstrated that SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cells also express hEag1 channels. SaOS-2 cells also express to KCa1.1 K⁺ channels as shown by mRNA expression and paxilline sensitivity of the current. The inhibition of hEag1 (2 μM astemizole) or KCa1.1 (1 mM TEA) alone did not induce Ca²⁺ deposition in SaOS-2 cultures, however, these inhibitors, at identical concentrations, increased Ca²⁺ deposition evoked by the classical or pathological (inorganic phosphate, Pi) induction pathway without causing cytotoxicity, as reported by three completer assays (LDH release, MTT assay and SRB protein assay). We observed a similar effect of astemizole on Ca²⁺ deposition in MG-63 osteosarcoma cultures as well. We propose that the increase in the osteogenic stimuli-induced mineral matrix formation of osteosarcoma cell lines by inhibiting hEag1 may be a useful tool to drive terminal differentiation of osteosarcoma.

Addressing artifacts of colorimetric anticancer assays for plant-based drug development

Cancer has become the silent killer in less-developed countries and the most significant cause of morbidity worldwide. The accessible and frequently used treatments include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Chemotherapeutic drugs traditionally involve using plant-based medications either in the form of isolated compounds or as scaffolds for synthetic drugs. To launch a drug in the market, it has to pass through several intricate steps. The multidrug resistance in cancers calls for novel drug discovery and development. Every year anticancer potential of several plant-based compounds and extracts is reported but only a few advances to clinical trials. The false-positive or negative results impact the progress of the cell-based anticancer assays. There are several cell-based assays but the widely used include MTT, MTS, and XTT. In this article, we have discussed various pitfalls and workable solutions.

<p class="CB-Manuscripttitle"><span lang="EN-US">Synthesis, Biological Activity and Molecular Docking Studies of Heterocyclic Chalcones<o:p></o:p></span></p>

Nineteen heterocyclic chalcones were synthesized from 4-acetyl-5-methylquinolylpyrazole and heteroaryl (imidazole, pyrazole, thiophene, indole and triazole) aldehydes and screened in vitro using four tumor cell lines for their anticancer capability and for antimicrobial activity. The chalcone 5b exhibited the highest activity with IC 50 values 2.14 μM against colon (HCT-116) and 5.0 μM, against prostate (PC-3) cancer cell lines and also displayed good activity against fungal strain ( A. Niger) with MIC value 9.1 μM . The chalcones 5q and 5p displayed good activity against Gram-positive bacterial strains ( S. aureus ) with MIC value 2.6 µM and fungal strain ( C. Albicans ) with MIC value 5.4 µM, respectively. Molecular docking studies revealed that the synthesized heterocyclic chalcones exhibited hydrogen bond, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions with their respective biochemical targets.

Potent Stimulation of the Androgen Receptor Instigates a Viral Mimicry Response in Prostate Cancer

Inhibiting the androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, with androgen deprivation therapy is a standard-of-care treatment for metastatic prostate cancer. Paradoxically, activation of AR can also inhibit the growth of prostate cancer in some patients and experimental systems, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. This study exploited a potent synthetic androgen, methyltestosterone (MeT), to investigate AR agonist-induced growth inhibition. MeT strongly inhibited growth of prostate cancer cells expressing AR, but not AR-negative models. Genes and pathways regulated by MeT were highly analogous to those regulated by DHT, although MeT induced a quantitatively greater androgenic response in prostate cancer cells. MeT potently downregulated DNA methyltransferases, leading to global DNA hypomethylation. These epigenomic changes were associated with dysregulation of transposable element expression, including upregulation of endogenous retrovirus (ERV) transcripts after sustained MeT treatment. Increased ERV expression led to accumulation of double-stranded RNA and a "viral mimicry" response characterized by activation of IFN signaling, upregulation of MHC class I molecules, and enhanced recognition of murine prostate cancer cells by CD8+ T cells. Positive associations between AR activity and ERVs/antiviral pathways were evident in patient transcriptomic data, supporting the clinical relevance of our findings. Collectively, our study reveals that the potent androgen MeT can increase the immunogenicity of prostate cancer cells via a viral mimicry response, a finding that has potential implications for the development of strategies to sensitize this cancer type to immunotherapies.

Significance

Our study demonstrates that potent androgen stimulation of prostate cancer cells can elicit a viral mimicry response, resulting in enhanced IFN signaling. This finding may have implications for the development of strategies to sensitize prostate cancer to immunotherapies.

Chemosensitization Effect of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Pulp Oil via Autophagy and Senescence in NSCLC Cells

The research has demonstrated a synergistic anticancer effect of Seabuckthorn pulp oil (SBO) and the standard chemotherapy regimen Docetaxel (DTX) against two non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines: A549 and H23. The synergizing effect of an SBO and DTX combination was detected utilizing SRB assay and combination index (CI) approaches. Flow cytometry was carried out using fluorescent probes to measure cell cycle analysis by DNA content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Further, we demonstrated that the synergistic anticancer activity of SBO merged with DTX was achieved by caspase-independent autophagy and senescence induction. These changes were concomitant with increased generation of ROS production and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) protein expression, G1-phase arrest, and enhanced senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining activity. Our data also demonstrated that SBO or DTX treatment groups solely upregulated the phosphorylation of ERK, which coincided with the induction of autophagy vacuoles and was functionally associated with ROS activation. Moreover, endogenous LC3 puncta staining was performed and monitored by confocal microscopy. Overall, these results suggest new mechanisms for the antitumor activity of SBO co-treated with DTX through triggering autophagic cell death and senescence against cancer cells as a result of sustained ERK phosphorylation and intracellular ROS production in NSCLC. In addition, we also highlight SBO as an alternative therapeutic option or adjunct therapeutic strategy in combination with chemotherapeutic agents in lung cancer therapy management.

Novel Insights of Herbal Remedy into NSCLC Suppression through Inducing Diverse Cell Death Pathways via Affecting Multiple Mediators

Artemisia species previously have been reported to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiulcer, and anticancer properties. In this study, we investigated the prospective antitumor effects of Artemisia santolinifolia ethanol extract (ASE) against two non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and their molecular mechanisms of action. Morphological observations and flow cytometric analyses showed that ASE induced cell death in A549 and H23 cells but with different action features. Further studies by Western blotting showed that ASE induced caspase-3 cleavage in H23 cells, suggesting caspase-dependent apoptosis was predominantly involved in H23 cell death. Contrarily, ASE treatment selectively altered the glutathione peroxidase (GPX4) protein expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and lipid peroxidation in A549 cells, all of which are linked to ferroptosis. Using a ferroptosis inhibitor (desferrioxamine (DFO)), further study showed that DFO could significantly rescue ASE-induced cell death. All these results implied that ASE induced ferroptosis predominately in A549 cells. Several studies have demonstrated that the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) can be dual-selectively targeted depending on the cell line. Subsequently, it can exert opposing effects until either being activated or suppressed. This was consistent with our data, which might explain inconsistent observations of the cell death type in this study. In addition, after ASE treatment, signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were inhibited in both cell lines. Consequently, downstream prosurvival proteins, including heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and survivin, which play pivotal roles in the STAT3 pathway, decreased after ASE administration. Our findings revealed that ASE inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation by simultaneously downregulating prosurvival protein expressions and activating multiple cell death pathways.

Molecular modeling piloted analysis for semicarbazone derivative of curcumin as a potent Abl-kinase inhibitor targeting colon cancer

The human Abl kinases comprise a family of proteins that are known to be key stimulus drivers in the signaling pathways modulating cell growth, cell survival, cell adhesion, and apoptosis. Recent collative studies have indicated the role of activation of Abl and Abl-related genes in solid tumors; further terming the Abl kinases as molecular switches which promote proliferation, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. The up-regulated Abl-kinase expression in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the role of Abl tyrosine kinase activity in the Matrigel invasion of CRC cells have cemented its significance in CRC advancement. Therefore, the requisite of identifying small molecules which serve as Abl selective inhibitors and designing anti-Abl therapies, particularly for CRC tumors, has driven this study. Curcumin has been touted as an effective inhibitor of cancer cells; however, it is limited by its physicochemical inadequacies. Hence, we have studied the behavior of heterocyclic derivatives of curcumin via computational tools such as pharmacophore-based virtual screening, molecular docking, free-energy binding, and ADME profiling. The most actively docked molecule, 3,5-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methylstyryl)-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide, was comparatively evaluated against Curcumin via molecular dynamics simulation using Desmond, Schrödinger. The study exhibited the improved stability of the derivative as compared to Curcumin in the tested protein pocket and displayed the interaction bonds with the contacted key amino acids. To further establish the claim, the derivatives were synthesized via the mechanism of cyclization of Curcumin and screened in vitro using SRB assay against human CRC cell line, HCT 116. The active derivative indicated an IC₅₀ value of 5.85 µM, which was sevenfold lower as compared to Curcumin’s IC₅₀ of 35.40 µM. Hence, the results base the potential role of the curcumin derivative in modulating Abl-kinase activity and in turn may have potential therapeutic value as a lead for CRC therapy.

Artemisia santolinifolia-Mediated Chemosensitization via Activation of Distinct Cell Death Modes and Suppression of STAT3/Survivin-Signaling Pathways in NSCLC

Conventional chemotherapy remains an integral part of lung cancer therapy, regardless of its toxicity and drug resistance. Consequently, the discovery of an alternative to conventional chemotherapy is critical. Artemisia santolinifolia ethanol extract (AS) was assessed for its chemosensitizer ability when combined with the conventional anticancer drug, docetaxel (DTX), against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SRB assay was used to determine cell viability for A549 and H23 cell lines. The potential for this combination was examined by the combination index (CI). Further cell death, analyses with Annexin V/7AAD double staining, and corresponding protein expressions were analyzed. Surprisingly, AS synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic effect of DTX by inducing apoptosis in H23 cells through the caspase-dependent pathway, whereas selectively increased necrotic cell population in A549 cells, following the decline in GPX4 level and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activation with the highest rate in the combination treatment group. Furthermore, our results highlight the chemosensitization ability of AS when combined with DTX. It was closely associated with synergistic inhibition of oncogenesis signaling molecule STAT3 in both cell lines and concurrently downregulating prosurvival protein Survivin. Conclusively, AS could enhance DTX-induced cancer cells apoptosis by abrogating substantial prosurvival proteins' expressions and triggering two distinct cell death pathways. Our data also highlight that AS might serve as an adjunctive therapeutic option along with a conventional chemotherapeutic agent in the management of NSCLC patients.

Synergistic antidiabetic activity of Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg and Momordica charantia L. polyherbal combination

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus accounts for 90% of most diabetes cases. Many commercial drugs used to treat this disease come with adverse side effects and eventually fail to restore glucose homeostasis. Therefore, an effective, economical and safe antidiabetic remedy from dietary source is considered. Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H.Wigg and Momordica charantia L. were chosen since both are used for centuries as traditional medicine to treat various ailments and diseases. In this study, the antidiabetic properties of a polyherbal combination of T. officinale and M. charantia ethanol extracts are evaluated. The bioactive solvent extracts of the samples selected from in vitro antidiabetic assays; α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibition, and glucose-uptake in L6 muscle cells were combined (1:1) to form the polyherbal combination. The antidiabetic efficacy of polyherbal combination was evaluated employing the above stated in vitro antidiabetic assays and in vivo oral glucose tolerance test and streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic rat model. A quadrupole time-of-flight liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (Q-TOF LCMS) analysis was done to identify active compounds. The polyherbal combination exerted improved antidiabetic properties; increased DPP-4, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibition. The polyherbal combination tested in vivo on diabetic rats showed optimum blood glucose-lowering activity comparable to that of Glibenclamide and Metformin. This study confirms the polyherbal combination of T. officinale and M. charantia to be rich in various bioactive compounds, which exhibited antidiabetic properties. Therefore, this polyherbal combination has the potential to be further developed as complex phytotherapeutic remedy for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Anti-proliferative activity of Ensete superbum Roxb. Cheesman extract and its active principles on human colorectal cancer cell lines

Ensete superbum Roxb. Cheesman (wild banana) is a plant traditionally used for the treatment of fever and diarrhea. On a preliminary screening, the ripe peel aqueous extract (PA) exhibited higher cytotoxicity (cell viability of 49% against HCT-15 at 75 µg/ml; and 46% against Caco2 at 50 µg/ml), superior anti-inflammatory (IC₅₀ of 0.49 µg/ml), and greater anti-mutagenic activity at 500 µg/plate compared to the aqueous extracts of seed (SA), flower (FA) and bract (BA). Therefore, we further evaluated the anti-proliferative activity of PA and its fractions. The ability to inhibit the growth of cell lines (HCT-15 and Caco2) was used for the bio-guided fractionation and isolation of active compounds in PA using chromatographic techniques. Multiple extractions of the PA yielded the peel dioxane fraction (PD), and column fractionation of PD yielded eight compounds, of which three (Compound D-PDD, Compound E-PDE, and Compound G-PDG) possessed higher cytotoxic activity. At 10 µg/ml, the cell viability of HCT-15 was 50.1%, 46.5%, and 61.9%, respectively; Caco2 was 98.2%, 62.9%, and 64.7%, respectively, for PDD, PDE, and PDG. These compounds also showed apoptotic effect as evidenced by measuring the mitochondrial membrane potential, dual staining (acridine orange/ethidium bromide), DNA fragmentation, and the ROS status in colorectal cell lines. The UPLC-HRMS/MS, FTIR, and NMR data revealed the active compounds as quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and 4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone. These findings indicate the anti-proliferative potential of PA, and warrant further investigation of its active principles in the amelioration of colorectal cancer in in vivo models. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The potential of an underutilized crop as a source of therapeutic agents for colon cancer was established, as the study showed a high cytotoxic activity of wild bananas against HCT-15 and Caco2 cell lines. Bioactivity guided fractionation of peel fraction identified the active compounds present in wild banana, and their anticancer activity was attributed to the induction of cell death. The study indicated that wild banana has the potential to inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells.

The inhibitory potency of isoxazole-curcumin analogue for the management of breast cancer: A comparative in vitro and molecular modeling investigation

Curcumin, a potent phytochemical derived from the spice element turmeric, has been identified as a herbal remedy decades ago and has displayed promise in the field of medicinal chemistry. However, multiple traits associated with curcumin, such as poor bioavailability and instability, limit its effectiveness to be accepted as a lead drug-like entity. Different reactive sites in its chemical structure have been identified to incorporate modifications as attempts to improving its efficacy. The diketo group present in the center of the structural scaffold has been touted as the group responsible for the instability of curcumin, and substituting it with a heterocyclic ring contributes to improved stability. In this study, four heterocyclic curcumin analogues, representing some broad groups of heterocyclic curcuminoids (isoxazole-, pyrazole-, N-phenyl pyrazole- and N-amido-pyrazole-based), have been synthesized by a simple one-pot synthesis and have been characterized by FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DSC and LC–MS. To predict its potential anticancer efficacy, the compounds have been analyzed by computational studies via molecular docking for their regulatory role against three key proteins, namely GSK-3β—of which abnormal regulation and expression is associated with cancer; Bcl-2—an apoptosis regulator; and PR which is a key nuclear receptor involved in breast cancer development. One of the compounds, isoxazole-curcumin, has consistently indicated a better docking score than the other tested compounds as well as curcumin. Apart from docking, the compounds have also been profiled for their ADME properties as well as free energy binding calculations. Further, the in vitro cytotoxic evaluation of the analogues was carried out by SRB assay in breast cancer cell line (MCF7), out of which isoxazole-curcumin (IC50–3.97 µM) has displayed a sevenfold superior activity than curcumin (IC50–21.89 µM). In the collation of results, it can be suggested that isoxazole-curcumin behaves as a potential lead owing to its ability to be involved in a regulatory role with multiple significant cancer proteins and hence deserves further investigations in the development of small molecule-based anti-breast cancer agents.

Graphic abstract

Quantification of Flavonoids in Alpinia officinarum Hance. via HPLC and Evaluation of its Cytotoxicity on Human Prostate Carcinoma (LNCaP) and Breast Carcinoma (MCF-7) Cells

BACKGROUND

Various plant species have been shown to be effective in prevention or adjuvant therapy of cancer. Alpinia officinarum and its main phytochemicals have also been the subject of several studies for their anti-cancer properties.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to analyze the extracts of A. officinarum to quantify flavonoids, and to evaluate the growth inhibitory effects of the extracts on MCF-7 and LNCaP cells.

METHODS

A. officinarum aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for quantification of three flavonoid compounds. Then MCF-7, LNCaP, and fibroblast cells were treated with several concentrations (25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 μg/mL) of extracts (24, 48 and 72h). Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay. Flow cytometry was conducted to evaluate apoptosis.

RESULTS

Galangin and kaempferol (3.85 and 1.57 mg/g dry extract) were quantified respectively in hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts using a validated method. The hydroalcoholic extract significantly decreased the viability of MCF-7 (IC50: 43.45μg/mL for 48h) and LNCaP cells (IC50: 168μg/mL for 48h). The aqueous extract reduced cancer cell viability by more than 50% only at 200 and 400 μg/mL (72h). Treatment of primary fibroblasts with both extracts showed no significant decrease in cell viability (25-100 μg/mL; 24 and 48h). The hydroalcoholic extract induced a significant increase in apoptotic cells in both MCF-7 and LNCaP cells.

CONCLUSION

Obtained results demonstrated the cytotoxicity of A. officinarum through apoptosis induction in two cancer cell lines. Further investigations are required to determine the underlying apoptotic cell death mechanisms induced by A. officinarum in cancerous cells.

A proline derivative-enriched methanol fraction from Sideroxylon obtusifolium leaves (MFSOL) stimulates human keratinocyte cells and exerts a healing effect in a burn wound model

It was previously demonstrated that the methanol fraction of Sideroxylon obtusifolium (MFSOL) promoted anti-inflammatory and healing activity in excisional wounds. Thus, the present work investigated the healing effects of MFSOL on human keratinocyte cells (HaCaT) and experimental burn model injuries. HaCaT cells were used to study MFSOL's effect on cell migration and proliferation rates. Female Swiss mice were subjected to a second-degree superficial burn protocol and divided into four treatment groups: Vehicle, 1.0% silver sulfadiazine, and 0.5 or 1.0% MFSOL Cream (CrMFSOL). Samples were collected to quantify the inflammatory mediators, and histological analyses were performed after 3, 7, and 14 days. The results showed that MFSOL (50 μg/mL) stimulated HaCaT cells by increasing proliferation and migration rates. Moreover, 0.5% CrMFSOL attenuated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and also stimulated the release of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-10 after 3 days of treatment. CrMFSOL (0.5%) also enhanced wound contraction, promoted improvement of tissue remodeling, and increased collagen production after 7 days and VEGF release after 14 days. Therefore, MFSOL stimulated human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells and improved wound healing via modulation of inflammatory mediators of burn injuries.

A styrylpyrone dimer isolated from Aniba heringeri causes apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells

The styrylpyrone dehydrogoniothalamin (1) and two of its dimers (2 and 3) were isolated from the leaves of Aniba heringeri (Lauraceae). Compound 3 is new, while 1 and 2 are being reported for the first time in this species. Structures were determined by 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and optical rotation data. Cytotoxic effects and selectivity indices were evaluated in five neoplastic cell lines-PC-3 (prostate), 786-0 (renal), HT-29 (colon), MCF-7, and MDA-MB-231 (breast)-and a non-neoplastic cell line, (NIH/3T3, murine fibroblast). Compound 1 inhibited cell growth by 50% (GI₅₀) at concentrations in the 90.4-175.7 μM range, while 2 proved active against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cells (GI₅₀ = 12.24, and 34.22 μM, respectively). Compound 3 showed strong cytotoxicity (GI₅₀ = 4.4 μM) against MDA-MB-231 (an established basal triple-negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) cell line), with a high selective index of 35. This compound was subsequently evaluated for apoptosis induction in MDA-MB-231 cells, using GI₅₀ and 50% lethal concentrations (LC₅₀). Flow cytometry analysis showed that at LC₅₀ compound 3 induced cell death with phosphatidylserine externalization and caspase-3 activation. Apoptotic genes were measured by RT-qPCR, revealing an upregulation of BAX, with an increase in expression of the BAX/BCL2 ratio in treated cells. Fluorescence microscopy disclosed morphological changes related to apoptosis. Overall, these findings showed compound 3 to be a promising prototype against TNBC cells that tend to respond poorly to conventional therapies.

Phytochemical screening and anticancer activity of the aerial parts extract of Xanthium strumarium L. on HepG2 cancer cell line

Background

Cancer is one of the most considerable concerns because of increasing the death rate all over the world. Recent studies have disclosed that plant extracts exhibit anticancer activity through various mechanisms. Xanthium strumarium has been used by Vietnamese in herbal medicines to support the medication of infirmities. This study is to consider the secondary metabolites, antioxidant and anticancer capacities of extract from the aerial parts (stems and leaves) of X. strumarium (AP-XS).

Methods

AP-XS was analyzed for the presence of phytochemicals via qualitative chemical tests and determined total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) quenching assay and sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay were selected to investigate antioxidant capacity and anti-proliferative activity, respectively. Besides, acridine orange-ethidium bromide (AO-EB) dual staining was applied to evaluate the ability to induce apoptosis on HepG2 cancer cells.

Results

Results of present study indicated that AP-XS contains the main phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and triterpenes. Ethanol extract had highest content of polyphenol (84.86 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry mass), and exhibited the great total antioxidant property (IC50 = 184.13 μg/mL) and anti-proliferative activity on HepG2 cancer cells (IC50 = 81.69 μg/mL). Furthermore, the characteristics of apoptosis including shrinkage of the cell and apoptotic bodies were found following 60 h of AP-XS extract treatment through AO-EB dual staining.

Conclusion

The data suggest that AP-XS extract had antioxidant potential and anti-proliferative effect. The anti-proliferative property was considered to have an association with a rising of apoptosis. These results were reliable for further research on X. strumarium as a source of phytochemicals with anticancer activity potential for cancer therapeutics.

Melanoma Cell Resistance to Vemurafenib Modifies Inter-Cellular Communication Signals

The therapeutic success of BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) and MEK inhibitors (MEKi) in BRAF-mutant melanoma is limited by the emergence of drug resistance, and several lines of evidence suggest that changes in the tumor microenvironment can play a pivotal role in acquired resistance. The present study focused on secretome profiling of melanoma cells sensitive or resistant to the BRAFi vemurafenib. Proteomic and cytokine/chemokine secretion analyses were performed in order to better understand the interplay between vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cells and the tumor microenvironment. We found that vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cells can influence dendritic cell (DC) maturation by modulating their activation and cytokine production. In particular, human DCs exposed to conditioned medium (CM) from vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cells produced higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines—that potentially facilitate melanoma growth—than DCs exposed to CM derived from parental drug-sensitive cells. Bioinformatic analysis performed on proteins identified by mass spectrometry in the culture medium from vemurafenib-sensitive and vemurafenib-resistant melanoma cells suggests a possible involvement of the proteasome pathway. Moreover, our data confirm that BRAFi-resistant cells display a more aggressive phenotype compared to parental ones, with a significantly increased production of interferon-γ, interleukin-8, vascular-endothelial growth factor, CD147/basigin, and metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2). Plasma levels of CD147/basigin and MMP-2 were also measured before the start of therapy and at disease progression in a small group of melanoma patients treated with vemurafenib or vemurafenib plus cobimetinib. A significant increment in CD147/basigin and MMP-2 was observed in all patients at the time of treatment failure, strengthening the hypothesis that CD147/basigin might play a role in BRAFi resistance.

Cold Atmospheric Plasma, a Novel Approach against Bladder Cancer, with Higher Sensitivity for the High-Grade Cell Line

Simple Summary

Bladder cancer has a high incidence and mortality. Besides this, currently available therapies for this type of cancer have low efficacy and show considerable adverse effects, urging the need of new therapeutic approaches. Cold Atmospheric Plasma treatment presents itself as a promising alternative, having demonstrated antitumor effects against several types of cancer. The present work arises from a multidisciplinary team, namely, medical doctors and researchers, in an attempt to find new therapeutic strategies to fight bladder cancer. Therefore, our main objective is to evaluate Cold Atmospheric Plasma effects against bladder cancer, as well as the mechanisms by which it exerts its effects. The results obtained demonstrate that Cold Atmospheric Plasma treatment has a promising antitumor effect on bladder cancer, with higher sensitivity for the high-grade cell line. This new approach using Cold Atmospheric Plasma for the treatment of bladder cancer presents enormous clinical benefits, since it is able to selectively treat the tumor tissue, sparing the normal urothelium, with an additional glaring positive economic impact, since it entails a decrease in the cost of therapy in comparison with conventional therapeutic options.

Abstract

Antitumor therapies based on Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) are an emerging medical field. In this work, we evaluated CAP effects on bladder cancer. Two bladder cancer cell lines were used, HT-1376 (stage III) and TCCSUP (stage IV). Cell proliferation assays were performed evaluating metabolic activity (MTT assay) and protein content (SRB assay). Cell viability, cell cycle, and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_m) were assessed using flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were evaluated by fluorescence. The assays were carried out with different CAP exposure times. For both cell lines, we obtained a significant reduction in metabolic activity and protein content. There was a decrease in cell viability, as well as a cell cycle arrest in S phase. The Δψ_m was significantly reduced. There was an increase in superoxide and nitric oxide and a decrease in peroxide contents, while GSH content did not change. These results were dependent on the exposure time, with small differences for both cell lines, but overall, they were more pronounced in the TCCSUP cell line. CAP showed to have a promising antitumor effect on bladder cancer, with higher sensitivity for the high-grade cell line.

Virtual screening and assessment of anticancer potential of selenium-based compounds against HL-60 and MCF7 cells

Aim: Selenium-based compounds have antitumor potential. We used a ligand-based virtual screening analysis to identify selenoglycolicamides with potential antitumor activity. Results & Conclusion: Compounds 3, 6, 7 and 8 were selected for in vitro cytotoxicity tests against various cell lines, according to spectrophotometry results. Compound 3 presented the best cytotoxicity results against a promyelocytic leukemia line (HL-60) and was able to induce cell death at a frequency similar to that observed for doxorubicin. The docking study showed that compound 3 has good interaction energies with the targets caspase-3, 7 and 8, which are components of the apoptotic pathway. These results suggested that selenium has significant pharmacological potential for the selective targeting of tumor cells, inducing molecular and cellular events that culminate in tumor cell death.

Sulfamic acid catalyzed synthesis of new 3,5-[(sub)phenyl]-1H-pyrazole bearing N1-isonicotinoyl: And their pharmacological activity evaluation

A sustainable synthesis of new 3,5-[(sub)phenyl]-1H-pyrazole bearing N¹-isonicotinoyl derivatives from substituted chalcones and isoniazid by using sulfamic acid and their pharmacological activity evaluation is reported. An anti-oxidant study is performed by using DPPH assay. In vitro anti-mycobacterial activity of compounds bearing R/R' = 4-CH₃/4-F and 3-OCH₃/4-Cl showed complete inhibition (99%) at the MIC of 31 and 34 μM respectively. Antibacterial screening of compounds bearing R/R' = 4-CH₃/4-F; 4-OCH₃/4-Br; and 4-OCH₃/4-Cl has shown noticeable inhibition (27 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus. The anti-cancer bioassay demonstrated that the five compounds were active on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7; however on HeLa cervical cancer cells only two compounds are active in comparison to standard drug Doxorubicin. Higher inhibitory effects observed in this study appear to be dependent on the chloro, bromo, fluoro and methoxy functionality present on the aromatic nucleus. The structures of all the compounds are established using NMR (¹H and ¹³C), FT-IR, Mass and elemental analysis.

Cytotoxic Phenanthrene, Dihydrophenanthrene, and Dihydrostilbene Derivatives and Other Aromatic Compounds from Combretum laxum

The chemical investigation of the roots and stems of Combretum laxum yielded a new dihydrostilbene derivative, 4'-hydroxy-3,3',4-trimethoxy-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxy)-bibenzyl (1), two phenanthrenes (2-3), and three dihydrophenanthrenes (4-6), along with one lignan, three triterpenoids, one aurone, one flavone, one naphthoquinone, and two benzoic acid derivatives. Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques and/or mass spectrometry data. The occurrence of dihydrostilbenoid, phenanthrene and dihydrophenanthrene derivatives is unprecedented in a Combretum species native to the American continent. 2,7-Dihydroxy-4,6-dimethoxyphenanthrene, 2,6-dihydroxy-4,7-dimethoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene and 5-O-methyl apigenin are novel findings in the Combretaceae, as is the isolation of compounds belonging to the chemical classes of aurones and naphthoquinones, while (+)-syringaresinol is reported for the first time in the genus Combretum. Compounds 1-6 were also evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines, and radical-scavenging ability against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH). 6-Methoxycoelonin (4) was the most cytotoxic against melanoma cells (IC₅₀ 2.59 ± 0.11 µM), with a high selectivity index compared with its toxicity against nontumor mammalian cells (SI 25.1). Callosin (6), despite exhibiting the strongest DPPH-scavenging activity (IC₅₀ 17.7 ± 0.3 µM), proved marginally inhibitory to the five cancer cell lines tested, indicating that, at least for these cells, antioxidant potential is unrelated to antiproliferative activity.

Bioprospecting for Antibacterial Drugs: a Multidisciplinary Perspective on Natural Product Source Material, Bioassay Selection and Avoidable Pitfalls

Bioprospecting is the exploration, extraction and screening of biological material and sometimes indigenous knowledge to discover and develop new drugs and other products. Most antibiotics in current clinical use (eg. β-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides) were discovered using this approach, and there are strong arguments to reprioritize bioprospecting over other strategies in the search for new antibacterial drugs. Academic institutions should be well positioned to lead the early stages of these efforts given their many thousands of locations globally and because they are not constrained by the same commercial considerations as industry. University groups can lack the full complement of knowledge and skills needed though (eg. how to tailor screening strategy to biological source material). In this article, we review three key aspects of the bioprospecting literature (source material and in vitro antibacterial and toxicity testing) and present an integrated multidisciplinary perspective on (a) source material selection, (b) legal, taxonomic and other issues related to source material, (c) cultivation methods, (d) bioassay selection, (e) technical standards available, (f) extract/compound dissolution, (g) use of minimum inhibitory concentration and selectivity index values to identify progressible extracts and compounds, and (h) avoidable pitfalls. The review closes with recommendations for future study design and information on subsequent steps in the bioprospecting process.

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles derived from mussel shells for in vitro cytotoxicity test and cell viability

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles derived from mussel shells were prepared using the wet precipitation method and were tested on human mesenchymal and epithelial cells. Shells and HA powder were characterized via X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy along with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The in vitro cytotoxic properties of HA and mussel shells were determined using sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assays for MCF-7 cells (HepG2) and colon (Caco-2) cells. Cell viability tests confirmed the nontoxic effects of synthesized HA and mussel shells on human mesenchymal stem cells (h-MSCs) and epithelial cells. Toxicity values were less than 50% of the cell's validity ratio based on analyses using different concentrations (from 0.01 to 1,000 μg). The results indicate that MSC and epithelial cell attachment and proliferation in the presence of both HA and shell occurred.

The proliferation capability was established after 3 and 7 days. SEM images revealed that stem cells and epithelial cells attached to the scaffold indicated full and complete integration between the cells and the material. It seems that due to the ion exchange between bovine serum albumin solutions (BSA) and HA, the FTIR data confirmed an increase in the amide I and amide II bands, which indicates the compatibility of the BSA helix structure. This study sheds light on the importance of merging stem cells and nanomaterials that may lead to improvements in tissue engineering to develop novel treatments for various diseases.

Prostate cancer cell-intrinsic interferon signaling regulates dormancy and metastatic outgrowth in bone

The latency associated with bone metastasis emergence in castrate-resistant prostate cancer is attributed to dormancy, a state in which cancer cells persist prior to overt lesion formation. Using single-cell transcriptomics and ex vivo profiling, we have uncovered the critical role of tumor-intrinsic immune signaling in the retention of cancer cell dormancy. We demonstrate that loss of tumor-intrinsic type I IFN occurs in proliferating prostate cancer cells in bone. This loss suppresses tumor immunogenicity and therapeutic response and promotes bone cell activation to drive cancer progression. Restoration of tumor-intrinsic IFN signaling by HDAC inhibition increased tumor cell visibility, promoted long-term antitumor immunity, and blocked cancer growth in bone. Key findings were validated in patients, including loss of tumor-intrinsic IFN signaling and immunogenicity in bone metastases compared to primary tumors. Data herein provide a rationale as to why current immunotherapeutics fail in bone-metastatic prostate cancer, and provide a new therapeutic strategy to overcome the inefficacy of immune-based therapies in solid cancers.

Polish Propolis-Chemical Composition and Biological Effects in Tongue Cancer Cells and Macrophages

The purpose of this study was to compare the chemical composition and biological properties of Polish propolis. Ethanol, ethanol-hexane, hexane and hexane-ethanol extracts of propolis from three different regions of Poland were prepared. On the basis of the evaluation of their chemical composition as well as the extraction yield and free radical scavenging activity, the ethanol and hexane-ethanol extractions were proposed as the most effective methods. Subsequently, the biological properties of the extracts were evaluated to investigate the selectivity of an anticancer effect on tongue cancer cells in comparison to normal gingival fibroblasts. The obtained products demonstrated anticancer activity against tongue cancer cells. Additionally, when the lowest extract concentration (100 µg/mL) was applied, they were not cytotoxic to gingival fibroblasts. Finally, a possible anti-inflammatory potential of the prepared products was revealed, as reduced mitochondrial activity and proliferation of macrophages exposed to the extracts were observed. The results obtained indicate a potential of Polish propolis as a natural product with cancer-selective toxicity and anti-inflammatory effect. However, further studies are still needed to thoroughly explain the molecular mechanisms of its action and to obtain the promising health benefits of this versatile natural product.

Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil and ethanolic extract of Campomanesia phaea (O. Berg.) Landrum leaves

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Campomanesia species are used in folk medicine for anti-inflammatory, -ulcerogenic, -diabetic, -obesity, and many other purposes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile and pharmacotherapeutic potential of the essential oil (EO) and ethanolic extract (EXT) of the leaves of Campomanesia phaea in relation to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects using chemical methods and in vitro bioassays in cell culture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gas and liquid chromatography techniques coupled to mass spectrometry were used to identify the main secondary metabolites. The antioxidant activity was determined by the chemical methods of radical sequestration of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP); in addition to the protective effect against cellular oxidative damage caused by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in macrophage culture. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity was evaluated for the influence on the production of nitric oxide and superoxide anion (O₂^•-), and by the quantification of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL- 6) through Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA) technique and inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) through chemiluminescence.

RESULTS

A total of 41 compounds were identified in the essential oil (EO), being (E)-caryophyllene (14%) and caryophyllene oxide (6.9%) the major compounds. In the ethanolic extract (EXT), three flavonoids from the flavanones group were identified: alpinetin O-dideoxy-hexoside, 5,7-dimethoxyflavanone and alpinetin. The EO and EXT inhibited the production of O₂^•- (99.0% and 52.9%) at a concentration of 100 μg/mL, intracellular NO^•- (50.0% and 51.9%) and proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (41.0% and 82.9%) and TNF-α (74.7% and 87.9%) at a concentration of 50 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (EO 36.2% and EXT 40.9%) was observed at 20 μg/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, the results indicated that EO and EXT possess potent anti-inflammatory activities and it may hold therapeutic promise in the management of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Co-Loaded Curcumin and Methotrexate Nanocapsules Enhance Cytotoxicity against Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells

Background: As part of the efforts to find natural alternatives for cancer treatment and to overcome the barriers of cellular resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, polymeric nanocapsules containing curcumin and/or methotrexate were prepared by an interfacial deposition of preformed polymer method. Methods: Physicochemical properties, drug release experiments and in vitro cytotoxicity of these nanocapsules were performed against the Calu-3 lung cancer cell line. Results: The colloidal suspensions of nanocapsules showed suitable size (287 to 325 nm), negative charge (-33 to -41 mV) and high encapsulation efficiency (82.4 to 99.4%). Spherical particles at nanoscale dimensions were observed by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that nanocapsules exhibited a non-crystalline pattern with a remarkable decrease of crystalline peaks of the raw materials. Fourier-transform infrared spectra demonstrated no chemical bond between the drug(s) and polymers. Drug release experiments evidenced a controlled release pattern with no burst effect for nanocapsules containing curcumin and/or methotrexate. The nanoformulation containing curcumin and methotrexate (NCUR/MTX-2) statistically decreased the cell viability of Calu-3. The fluorescence and morphological analyses presented a predominance of early apoptosis and late apoptosis as the main death mechanisms for Calu-3. Conclusions: Curcumin and methotrexate co-loaded nanocapsules can be further used as a novel therapeutic strategy for treating non-small-cell lung cancer.

Design, synthesis, and evaluations of the antiproliferative activity and aqueous solubility of novel carbazole sulfonamide derivatives as antitumor agents

Optimization of IG-105 (1) on the carbazole ring provided five series of new carbazole sulfonamides derivatives, 7a-e, 8a-g, 9a-g, 10a-e, and 11a-g. All of the compounds were evaluated against HepG2, MCF-7, MIA PaCa-2, and Bel-7402 cells for antiproliferative activity. Each series of compounds was 2-5 times more active against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀: 1.00-10.0 μM) than the other three tumor cell lines. Several representative compounds, selected from each series, showed aqueous solubility (13.4-176.5 µg/mL at pH 7.4 and 2.0) better than 1, with the aqueous solubility of corresponding salts > 30 mg/mL. From the results of evaluating the effects of the compounds 7b, 8c, 9c, 10c and 11c on tubulin in vitro, we speculated that their targets were different from those of 1 and CA-4P. We tested the antitumor activity of the representative compound 7b·HCl (10 mg/kg) in an in vivo study and found that its tumor growth inhibition rate was 41.1%. The tumor growth inhibition rate of 7b·HCl (20 mg/kg) was 54.6%, whereas the tumor growth inhibition rate of CA-4P (50 mg/kg) was 48.3%. And in another batch of in vivo antitumor activity testing, 9c·HCl and 11c·HCl at doses of 10 mg/kg resulted in 61.1% and 50.0% inhibition, respectively. These promising results warrant further development of the derivatives, which may use a novel mechanism and show potential potency as antitumor drug candidates.

Efficient extraction of cucurbitacins from Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey: Optimization using response surface methodology, extraction methods and study of some important bioactivities

Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey is an important medicinal plant used in several reproductive medicines. It serves as a wide source of tetracyclic triterpens called cucurbitacins. Response surface methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken design (BBD) was studied to optimize the production of cucurbitacins. RSM put forth the ideal conditions such as 1:30 SS ratio (g/mL), 80 rpm (mixing extraction speed), 150 µm mean particle size, 30 min extraction time and 50 °C using chloroform in continuous shaking extraction (CSE) and showed the highest cucurbitacin I (CUI) content (2.345 ± 0.1686 mg/g DW). Similarly, the highest yield of cucurbitacin B (CUB) (1.584 ± 0.15 mg/g DW) was recorded at ideal conditions (1:40 g/mL SS ratio and 60 min time and others similar to CUI). Among the tested extraction methods, the highest CUI, CUB, and CUI + B yield (1.437 ± 0.03, 0.782 ± 0.10, 2.17 ± 0.35 mg/g DW, respectively) as well as promising DPPH radical scavenging activity (25.06 ± 0.1 µgAAE/g DW) were recorded from the SBAE (steam bath assisted extraction). In addition, MAE and UAE revealed the highest inhibition of α-amylase (68.68%) and α-glucosidase (56.27%) enzymes, respectively. Fruit extracts showed potent anticancer activity against breast (MCF-7) and colon (HT-29) cancer cell lines (LC50 - 44.27 and 46.88 µg/mL, respectively). Our study proved that SS ratio, particle size and temperature were the most positively influencing variables and served to be the most efficient for the highest recovery of CUI and CUB. Based on the present study, the fruits of D. palmatus were revealed as a potent antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anticancer bio-resource that could be explored further to develop novel drug to manage diabetes, cancer and oxidative stress related disorders.

S-Allylcysteine as an Inhibitor of Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Precancerous Carcinogenesis in Human Lung Cells via Inhibiting Activation of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B

Oil-soluble organosulfur compounds in garlic are known for the anticancer effect. However, there are limited experimental studies to describe the effect of S-allylcysteine (SAC), a main water-soluble derivative of garlic, in carcinogenesis. This study investigates the prevention function of SAC on carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)-induced precancerous activity in human lung cells (A549). A549 cells were either pretreated (PreTM) or concurrently treated (CoTM) with 1 μM B(a)P and either 10 or 50 μM SAC. The 50 μM CoTM group inhibited B(a)P-induced cell proliferation by approximately 100%. The 50 μM SAC CoTM and PreTM inhibited the B(a)P-induced G2/M phase shift by 119% and 100%, respectively. Furthermore, the SAC PreTM exhibited the potential to reduce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells relative to the B(a)P group by approximately 100%. The CoTM and PreTM elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) by at least 70% compared with B(a)P group. In this study, we demonstrated that the mechanisms involved in the inhibitory role of SAC in B(a)P-induced carcinogenesis, including suppression of cell proliferation and DNA damage, cell cycle regulation, attenuation of ROS formation, increase of SOD activity, and inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity, which indicated that SAC is potentially a novel therapeutic candidate for the prevention and treatment of B(a)P-induced human lung cancer.

The synergism of Clinacanthus nutans Lindau extracts with gemcitabine: downregulation of anti-apoptotic markers in squamous pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Clinacanthus nutans extracts have been consumed by the cancer patients with the hope that the extracts can kill cancers more effectively than conventional chemotherapies. Our previous study reported its anti-inflammatory effects were caused by inhibiting Toll-like Receptor-4 (TLR-4) activation. However, we are unsure of its anticancer effect, and its interaction with existing chemotherapy.

METHODS

We investigated the anti-proliferative efficacy of polar leaf extracts (LP), non-polar leaf extracts (LN), polar stem extract (SP) and non-polar stem extracts (SN) in human breast, colorectal, lung, endometrial, nasopharyngeal, and pancreatic cancer cells using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, MTT assay. The most potent extracts was tested along with gemcitabine using our established drug combination analysis. The effect of the combinatory treatment in apoptosis were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Annexin V assay, antibody array and immunoblotting. Statistical significance was analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Dunnett's test. A p-value of less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) was considered statistical significance.

RESULTS

All extracts tested were not able to induce potent anti-proliferative effects. However, it was found that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC (AsPC1, BxPC3 and SW1990) were the cell lines most sensitive cell lines to SN extracts. This is the first report of C. nutans SN extracts acting in synergy with gemcitabine, the first line chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, as compared to conventional monotherapy. In the presence of SN extracts, we can reduce the dose of gemcitabine 2.38-5.28 folds but still maintain the effects of gemcitabine in PDAC. SN extracts potentiated the killing of gemcitabine in PDAC by apoptosis. Bax was upregulated while bcl-2, cIAP-2, and XIAP levels were downregulated in SW1990 and BxPC3 cells treated with gemcitabine and SN extracts. The synergism was independent of TLR-4 expression in pancreatic cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

These results provide strong evidence of C. nutans extracts being inefficacious as monotherapy for cancer. Hence, it should not be used as a total substitution for any chemotherapy agents. However, SN extracts may synergise with gemcitabine in the anti-tumor mechanism.