Cysteine-conjugated metabolites of ginger components, shogaols, induce apoptosis through oxidative stress-mediated p53 pathway in human colon cancer cells

In vitro antitrypanosomal activity of synthesized nitrofurantoin-triazole hybrids against Trypanosoma species causing animal African trypanosomosis

Animal African trypanosomosis (AAT) is a disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. vivax, T. evansi and T. congolense which are mainly transmitted by tsetse flies (maybe the family/genus scientific name for the tsetse flies here?). Synthetic trypanocidal drugs are used to control AAT but have reduced efficacy due to emergence of drug resistant trypanosomes. Therefore, there is a need for the continued development of new safe and effective drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity of novel nitrofurantoin compounds against trypanosomes (Trypanosoma brucei brucei, T. evansi and T. congolense) causing AAT. This study assessed previously synthesized nineteen nitrofurantoin-triazole (NFT-TZ) hybrids against animal trypanosomes and evaluated their cytotoxicity using Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells. The n-alkyl sub-series hybrids, 8 (IC50 0.09 ± 0.02 μM; SI 686.45) and 9 (IC50 0.07 ± 0.04 μM; SI 849.31) had the highest anti-trypanosomal activity against T. b. brucei. On the contrary, the nonyl 6 (IC50 0.12 ± 0.06 μM; SI 504.57) and nitrobenzyl 18 (IC50 0.11 ± 0.03 μM; SI 211.07) displayed the highest trypanocidal activity against T. evansi. The nonyl hybrid 6 (IC50 0.02 ± 0.01 μM; SI 6328.76) was also detected alongside the undecyl 8 (IC50 0.02 ± 0.01 μM; SI 3454.36) and 3-bromobenzyl 19 (IC50 0.02 ± 0.01 μM; SI 2360.41) as the most potent hybrids against T. congolense. These hybrids had weak toxicity effects on the mammalian cells and highly selective submicromolar antiparasitic action efficacy directed towards the trypanosomes, hence they can be regarded as potential trypanocidal leads for further in vivo investigation.

In vitro anti-trypanosomal activity of synthetic nitrofurantoin-triazole hybrids against Trypanosoma species causing human African trypanosomosis

Human African trypanosomosis (HAT) which is also known as sleeping sickness is caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense that is endemic in western and central Africa and T. b. rhodesiense that is endemic in eastern and southern Africa. Drugs used for treatment against HAT first stage have limited effectiveness, and the second stage drugs have been reported to be toxic, expensive, and have time-consuming administration, and parasitic resistance has developed against these drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-trypanosomal activity of nitrofurantoin-triazole hybrids against T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense parasites in vitro. This study screened 19 synthesized nitrofurantoin-triazole (NFT) hybrids on two strains of human trypanosomes, and cytotoxicity was evaluated on Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells. The findings in this study showed that an increase in the chain length and the number of carbon atoms in some n-alkyl hybrids influenced the increase in anti-trypanosomal activity against T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense. The short-chain n-alkyl hybrids showed decreased activity compared to the long-chain n-alkyl hybrids, with increased activity against both T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense. Incorporation of additional electron-donating substituents in some NFT hybrids showed increased anti-trypanosomal activity than to electron-withdrawing substituents in NFT hybrids. All 19 NFT hybrids tested displayed better anti-trypanosomal activity against T. b. gambiense than T. b. rhodesiense. The NFT hybrid no. 16 was among the best performing hybrids against both T. b. gambiense (0.08 ± 0.04 μM) and T. b.rhodesiense (0.11 ± 0.06 μM), and its activity might be influenced by the introduction of fluorine in the para-position on the benzyl ring. Remarkably, the NFT hybrids in this study displayed weak to moderate cytotoxicity on MDBK cells. All of the NFT hybrids in this study had selectivity index values ranging from 18 to greater than 915, meaning that they were up to 10-100 times fold selective in their anti-trypanosomal activity. The synthesized NFT hybrids showed strong selectivity >10 to T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense, which indicates that they qualify from the initial selection criteria for potential hit drugs.

In vitro trypanocidal potency and in vivo treatment efficacy of oligomeric ethylene glycol-tethered nitrofurantoin derivatives

African trypanosomiasis is a significant vector-borne disease of humans and animals in the tsetse fly belt of Africa, particularly affecting production animals such as cattle, and thus, hindering food security. Trypanosoma congolense (T. congolense), the causative agent of nagana, is livestock's most virulent trypanosome species. There is currently no vaccine against trypanosomiasis; its treatment relies solely on chemotherapy. However, pathogenic resistance has been established against trypanocidal agents in clinical use. This underscores the need to develop new therapeutics to curb trypanosomiasis. Many nitroheterocyclic drugs or compounds, including nitrofurantoin, possess antiparasitic activities in addition to their clinical use as antibiotics. The current study evaluated the in vitro trypanocidal potency and in vivo treatment efficacy of previously synthesized antileishmanial active oligomeric ethylene glycol derivatives of nitrofurantoin. The trypanocidal potency of analogues 2a-o varied among the trypanosome species; however, T. congolense strain IL3000 was more susceptible to these drug candidates than the other human and animal trypanosomes. The arylated analogues 2k (IC50 0.04 µM; SI >6365) and 2l (IC50 0.06 µM; SI 4133) featuring 4-chlorophenoxy and 4-nitrophenoxy moieties, respectively, were revealed as the most promising antitrypanosomal agents of all analogues against T. congolense strain IL3000 trypomastigotes with nanomolar activities. In a preliminary in vivo study involving T. congolense strain IL3000 infected BALB/c mice, the oral administration of 100 mg/kg/day of 2k caused prolonged survival up to 18 days post-infection relative to the infected but untreated control mice which survived 9 days post-infection. However, no cure was achieved due to its poor solubility in the in vivo testing medium, assumably leading to low oral bioavailability. These results confirm the importance of the physicochemical properties lipophilicity and water solubility in attaining not only in vitro trypanocidal potency but also in vivo treatment efficacy. Future work will focus on the chemical optimization of 2k through the investigation of analogues containing solubilizing groups at certain positions on the core structure to improve solubility in the in vivo testing medium which, in the current investigation, is the biggest stumbling block in successfully treating either animal or human Trypanosoma infections.

In Vitro and In Vivo Trypanocidal Efficacy of Nitrofuryl- and Nitrothienylazines

African trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne disease of animals and humans in the tsetse fly belt of Africa. Trypanosoma congolense ("nagana") is the most pathogenic trypanosome in livestock and causes high morbidity and mortality rates among cattle. In the absence of effective preventative vaccines, the management of trypanosomiasis relies on chemoprophylaxis and/or -therapy. However, the trypanocides in clinical use exhibit poor oral bioavailability and toxicity, and therapeutic failures occur because of resistant strains. Because nitrofurantoin displayed, in addition to its clinical use, promising antiparasitic activity, the current study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro trypanocidal activity and preliminary in vivo treatment efficacy of previously synthesized nitrofuranylazines. The trypanocidal activity of these nitrofuran derivatives varied among the evaluated trypanosome species; however, T. congolense strain IL3000 was more susceptible than other animal and human trypanosomes. The nitrofurylazines 4a (IC50 0.04 μM; SI > 7761) and 7a (IC50 0.03 μM; SI > 9542) as well as the nitrothienylazine 8b (IC50 0.04 μM; SI 232), with nanomolar IC50 values, were revealed as early antitrypanosomal leads. Although these derivatives showed strong trypanocidal activity in vitro, no in vivo treatment efficacy was observed in T. congolense IL3000 infected mice after both oral and intraperitoneal administration in a preliminary study. This was attributed to the poor solubility of the test compounds in the in vivo testing media. Indeed, a challenge in drug discovery is finding a balance between the physicochemical properties of a drug candidate, particularly lipophilicity and water solubility, and maintaining adequate potency to provide an effective dose. Hence, future chemical modifications may be required to generate lead-like to lead-like nitrofuranylazines that possess optimal physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties while retaining in vitro and, ultimately, in vivo trypanocidal efficacy.

Design, synthesis, electrochemistry and anti-trypanosomatid hit/lead identification of nitrofuranylazines

Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are vector-borne infectious diseases affecting both humans and animals. These neglected tropical diseases can be fatal if not treated. Hundreds to thousands of new Chagas disease and leishmaniasis cases are being reported by the WHO every year, and currently available treatments are insufficient. Severe adverse effects, impractical administrations and increased pathogen resistance against current clinical treatments underscore a serious need for the development of new drugs to curb these ailments. In search for such drugs, we investigated a series of nitrofuran-based azine derivatives. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, electrochemistry, and biological activity of these derivatives against promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major, and L. donovani strains, as well as epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi. Two leishmanicidal early leads and one trypanosomacidal hit with submicromolar activity were uncovered and stand for further in vivo investigation in the search for new antitrypanosomatid drugs. Future objective will focus on the identification of involved biological targets with the parasites.

Chemical metabolite synthesis and profiling: Mimicking in vivo biotransformation reactions

Biotransformation was previously viewed as merely the structural characterization of drug metabolites, and it was performed only when drug candidates entered clinical development. The synthesis of drug metabolites is crucial to the drug development process because it generates either pharmacologically active, inactive, or reactive molecules and hence their characterization and comprehensive pharmacological evaluation is necessary. The chemical metabolite synthesis is very challenging due to the complex structures of many drug molecules, presence of multiple stereocenters, poor reaction yields, and the formation of unwanted by-products. Drug metabolites and their chemical synthesis have immense significance in the drug discovery process. The chemical synthesis of metabolites facilitates on- or off-target pharmacological and toxicological evaluations at the easiest. In a broader view metabolite could be a target lead molecule for drug design, toxic reactive metabolites, pharmaceutical standards for bioanalytical methods, etc. Collectively these metabolite information dossiers will aid regulatory agencies such as the EMA and FDA in maintaining strict vigilance over drug manufacturers with regard to the safety of NCE's and their hidden metabolites. Herein, we are presenting a systematic compilation of chemical and biocatalytic strategies reported to date for pharmaceutical drug metabolite synthesis. This review report is very useful for the laboratory synthesis of new drug metabolites, and their preclinical biological evaluation could aid in the detection of early threats (alerts) in drug discovery, eliminate the toxicity profile, explore newer pharmacology, and delivering a promising and safe drug candidate to humankind.

Absorption and Metabolism of Ginger Compounds in Broiler Chicks

Bioavailability is critical in ensuring bioefficacy of ginger compounds, which have not been studied in chicks. In this study, day-old chicks were treated with ginger root extract at 0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.5, and 3.0% for 42 days. The gingerols and shogaols in chick samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The primary phase-I metabolic pathway for gingerols and shogaols was the reduction of ketone groups into hydroxyl groups. Shogaols were also metabolized through thiol conjugation and hydrogenation of double-bond pathways. Within the bloodstream, gingerols and their metabolites predominantly existed as glucuronidate or sulfate conjugates. However, the levels of the free form and conjugates were comparable for shogaols. In breast meat, the quantities of both the free form and conjugates for all compounds were similar. In plasma, more than 50% of absorbed 6-gingerol (6G) and 90% of absorbed 6-shogaol underwent reduction to their respective metabolites. However, in breast meat, the percentage of reduction for absorbed 6G was less than 50%, and for absorbed 6-shogaol, it was less than 60%. Ginger compounds were absorbed into chick plasma ranging from 1.4 to 8.5 μg/mL and breast meat ranging from 7.1 to 114.6 μg/100 g across the 0.4-3.0% dose range in a dose-dependent manner.

In vitro trypanocidal activities and structure-activity relationships of ciprofloxacin analogs

Tropical diseases, such as African trypanosomiasis, by their nature and prevalence lack the necessary urgency regarding drug development, despite the increasing need for novel, structurally diverse antitrypanosomal drugs, using different mechanisms of action that would improve drug efficacy and safety. Traditionally antibacterial agents, the fluoroquinolones, reportedly possess in vitro trypanocidal activities against Trypanosoma brucei organisms. During our research, the fluroquinolone, ciprofloxacin (1), and its analogs (2-24) were tested against bloodstream forms of T. brucei brucei, T. b. gambiense, T. b. rhodesiense, T. evansi, T. equiperdum, and T. congolense and Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells (cytotoxicity). Ciprofloxacin [CPX (1)] demonstrated selective trypanocidal activity against T. congolense (IC₅₀ 7.79 µM; SI 39.6), whereas the CPX derivatives (2-10) showed weak selective activity (25 < IC₅₀ < 65 µM; 2 < SI < 4). Selectivity and activity of the CPX and 1,2,3-triazole (TZ) hybrids (11-24) were governed by their chemical functionality at C-3 (carboxylic acid, or 4-methylpiperazinyl amide) and their electronic effect (electron-donating or electron-withdrawing para-benzyl substituent), respectively. Trypanocidal hits in the micromolar range were identified against bloodstream forms of T. congolense [CPX (1); CPX amide derivatives 18: IC₅₀ 8.95 µM; SI 16.84; 22: IC₅₀ 5.42 µM; SI 25.2] and against T. brucei rhodesiense (CPX acid derivative 13: IC₅₀ 4.51 µM; SI 10.2), demonstrating more selectivity toward trypanosomes than mammalian cells. Hence, the trypanocidal hit compound 22 may be optimized by retaining the 4-methylpiperazine amide functional group (C-3) and the TZ moiety at position N-15 and introducing other electron-withdrawing ortho-, meta-, and/or para-substituents on the aryl ring in an effort to improve the pharmacokinetic properties and increase the trypanocidal activity. Structure-activity relationships of ciprofloxacin-1,2,3-triazole hybrids were governed by the chemical functionality at C-3 and electronic effect.

Synthesis and in vitro antileishmanial activity of alkylene-linked nitrofurantoin-triazole hybrids

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease that mostly affects populations in tropical and sub-tropical countries. There is currently no protective anti-leishmanial vaccine and only a paucity of clinical drugs is available to treat this disease albeit their toxicity. Leishmaniasis is curable but its eradication and elimination have been hampered by the emergence of multidrug resistant strains of the causative pathogens. This heightens the necessity for new and effective antileishmanial drugs. In search for such agents, nitrofurantoin, a clinical antibiotic, was appended to triazole scaffold through alkylene linkers of various length, and the resulting hybrids were evaluated for in vitro antileishmanial efficacy against Leishmania (L.) parasite of two strains. The hybrid 13, harboring a n-pentylene linker was uncovered as a leishmanicidal hit with micromolar activity against antimonial-resistant L. donovani, the causative of deadly visceral Leishmaniasis.

Pharmacokinetics of Gingerols, Shogaols, and Their Metabolites in Asthma Patients

6-Gingerol and 6-shogaol are the most abundant gingerols and shogaols in ginger root and have been shown to reduce the asthmatic phenotype in murine models of asthma. Several studies have described the pharmacokinetics of gingerols and shogaols in humans following the oral ingestion of ginger, while little was known about the metabolism of these components in humans, particularly in patients with asthma. In this study, a dietary supplement of 1.0 g of ginger root extract was administered to asthma patients twice daily for 56 days and serum samples were drawn at 0.5-8 h on days 0, 28, and 56. The metabolic profiles of gingerols and shogaols in human plasma and the kinetic changes of gingerols, shogaols, and their metabolites in asthma patients collected on the three different visits were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Ketone reduction was the major metabolic pathway of both gingerols and shogaols. Gingerdiols were identified as the major metabolites of 6-, 8-, and 10-gingerols. M11 and M9 were identified as the double-bond reduction and both the double-bond and ketone reduction metabolites of 6-shogaol, respectively. Cysteine conjugation was another major metabolic pathway of 6-shogaol in asthma patients, and two cysteine-conjugated 6-shogaol, M1 and M2, were identified as the major metabolites of 6-shogaol. Furthermore, gingerols, shogaols, and their metabolites were quantitated in the human serum collected at different time points during each of the three visits using a very sensitive high-resolution LC-MS method. The results showed that one-third of 6-gingerol was metabolized to produce its reduction metabolites, 6-gingerdiols, and more than 90% of 6-shogaol was metabolized to its phase I and cysteine-conjugated metabolites, suggesting the importance of considering the contribution of these metabolites to the bioavailability and health beneficial effects of gingerols and shogaols. All gingerols, shogaols, and their metabolites reached their peak concentrations in less than 2 h, and their half-lives (t1/2) were from 0.6 to 2.4 h. Furthermore, long-term treatment of ginger supplements, especially after 56 days of treatment, increases the absorption of ginger compounds and their metabolites in asthma patients.

Herb and Spices in Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Treatment: A Narrative Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most deadly cancer worldwide. CRC management is challenging due to late detection, high recurrence rate, and multi-drug resistance. Herbs and spices used in cooking, practised for generations, have been shown to contain CRC protective effect or even be useful as an anti-CRC adjuvant therapy when used in high doses. Herbs and spices contain many bioactive compounds and possess many beneficial health effects. The chemopreventive properties of these herbs and spices are mainly mediated by the BCL-2, K-ras, and MMP pathways, caspase activation, the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, and the regulation of ER-stress-induced apoptosis. As a safer natural alternative, these herbs and spices could be good candidates for chemopreventive or chemotherapeutic agents for CRC management because of their antiproliferative action on colorectal carcinoma cells and inhibitory activity on angiogenesis. Therefore, in this narrative review, six different spices and herbs: ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), garlic (Allium sativum L.), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), sesame (Sesamum indicum L.), and flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) used in daily cuisine were selected for this study and analyzed for their chemoprotective or chemotherapeutic roles in CRC management with underlying molecular mechanisms of actions. Initially, this study comprehensively discussed the molecular basis of CRC development, followed by culinary and traditional uses, current scientific research, and publications of selected herbs and spices on cancers. Lead compounds have been discussed comprehensively for each herb and spice, including anti-CRC phytoconstituents, antioxidant activities, anti-inflammatory properties, and finally, anti-CRC effects with treatment mechanisms. Future possible works have been suggested where applicable.

Bioactive components of Banxia Xiexin Decoction for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases based on flavor-oriented analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXD) was first recorded in a Chinese medical classic, Treatise on Febrile Diseases and Miscellaneous Diseases, which was written in the Eastern Han dynasty of China. This ancient prescription consists of seven kinds of Chinese herbal medicine, namely, Pinellia ternata, Rhizoma Coptidis, Radix scutellariae, Rhizoma Zingiberis, Ginseng, Jujube, and Radix Glycyrrhizaepreparata. In clinic practice, its original application in China mainly has focused on the treatment of chronic gastritis for several hundred years. BXD is also effective in treating other gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs) in modern medical application. Despite available literature support and clinical experience, the treatment mechanisms or their relationships with the bioactive compounds in BXD responsible for its pharmacological actions, still need further explorations in more diversified channels. According to the analysis based on the five-flavor theory of TCM, BXD is traditionally viewed as the most representative prescription for pungent-dispersion, bitter-purgation and sweet-tonification. Consequently, based on the flavor-oriented analysis, the compositive herbs in BXD can be divided into three flavor groups, namely, the pungent, bitter, and sweet groups, each of which has specific active ingredients that are possibly relevant to GID treatment.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This paper summarized recent literatures on BXD and its bioactive components used in GID treatment, and provided the pharmacological or chemical basis for the further exploration of the ancient prescription and the relative components.

METHOD

ology: Relevant literature was collected from various electronic databases such as Pubmed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Citations were based on peer-reviewed articles published in English or Chinese during the last decade.

RESULTS

Multiple components were found in the pungent, bitter, and sweet groups in BXD. The corresponding bioactive components include gingerol, shogaol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol in the pungent group; berberine, palmatine, coptisine, baicalein, and baicalin in the bitter group; and ginsenosides, polysaccharides, liquiritin, and glycyrrhetinic acid in the sweet group. These components have been found directly or indirectly responsible for the remarkable effects of BXD on GID.

CONCLUSION

This review provided some valuable reference to further clarify BXD treatment for GID and their possible material basis, based on the perspective of the flavor-oriented analysis.

Phytotherapy in Integrative Oncology-An Update of Promising Treatment Options

Modern phytotherapy is part of today's conventional evidence-based medicine and the use of phytopharmaceuticals in integrative oncology is becoming increasingly popular. Approximately 40% of users of such phytopharmaceuticals are tumour patients. The present review provides an overview of the most important plants and nature-based compounds used in integrative oncology and illustrates their pharmacological potential in preclinical and clinical settings. A selection of promising anti-tumour plants and ingredients was made on the basis of scientific evidence and therapeutic practical relevance and included Boswellia, gingko, ginseng, ginger, and curcumin. In addition to these nominees, there is a large number of other interesting plants and plant ingredients that can be considered for the treatment of cancer diseases or for the treatment of tumour or tumour therapy-associated symptoms. Side effects and interactions are included in the discussion. However, with the regular and intended use of phytopharmaceuticals, the occurrence of adverse side effects is rather rare. Overall, the use of defined phytopharmaceuticals is recommended in the context of a rational integrative oncology approach.

Role of Sulphur and Heavier Chalcogens on the Antioxidant Power and Bioactivity of Natural Phenolic Compounds

The activity of natural phenols is primarily associated to their antioxidant potential, but is ultimately expressed in a variety of biological effects. Molecular scaffold manipulation of this large variety of compounds is a currently pursued approach to boost or modulate their properties. Insertion of S/Se/Te containing substituents on phenols may increase/decrease their H-donor/acceptor ability by electronic and stereo-electronic effects related to the site of substitution and geometrical constrains. Oxygen to sulphur/selenium isosteric replacement in resveratrol or ferulic acid leads to an increase in the radical scavenging activity with respect to the parent phenol. Several chalcogen-substituted phenols inspired by Vitamin E and flavonoids have been prepared, which in some cases prove to be chain-breaking antioxidants, far better than the natural counterparts. Conjugation of catechols with biological thiols (cysteine, glutathione, dihydrolipoic acid) is easily achieved by addition to the corresponding ortho-quinones. Noticeable examples of compounds with potentiated antioxidant activities are the human metabolite 5-S-cysteinyldopa, with high iron-induced lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity, due to strong iron (III) binding, 5-S-glutathionylpiceatannol a most effective inhibitor of nitrosation processes, and 5-S-lipoylhydroxytyrosol, and its polysulfides that proved valuable oxidative-stress protective agents in various cellular models. Different methodologies have been used for evaluation of the antioxidant power of these compounds against the parent compounds. These include kinetics of inhibition of lipid peroxidation alkylperoxyl radicals, common chemical assays of radical scavenging, inhibition of the OH• mediated hydroxylation/oxidation of model systems, ferric- or copper-reducing power, scavenging of nitrosating species. In addition, computational methods allowed researchers to determine the Bond Dissociation Enthalpy values of the OH groups of chalcogen modified phenolics and predict the best performing derivative. Finally, the activity of Se and Te containing compounds as mimic of glutathione peroxidase has been evaluated, together with other biological activities including anticancer action and (neuro)protective effects in various cellular models. These and other achievements are discussed and rationalized to guide future development in the field.

Investigating the Anti-Cancer Properties of 6-Shogaol in Zingiber officinale

Cancer is ranked as the first or second cause of death in 112 countries across the world with an estimated 19.3 million new cases of cancer along with 10 million deaths occurring in 2020. Colon cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the fourth most common cancer worldwide. Investigating methods to reduce or prevent cancer through natural and holistic processes are becoming more of a common research topic around the world. Influenced through traditional Chinese medical practices and Ayurvedic medicine, scientists are now exploring anticancerous compounds present in plants and foods used in these cultures. For instance, ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been used for centuries all over Asia for medicinal purposes and contains anticancer compounds. Our review focuses on one of ginger's constituents, 6-shogaol, and its role in colon cancer. We found that 6-shogaol has a significant effect on apoptosis by influencing caspase pathways and cell cycle arrest.

Chalcone-inspired rA1 /A2A adenosine receptor ligands: Ring closure as an alternative to a reactive substructure

Over the past few years, great progress has been made in the development of high-affinity adenosine A₁ and/or A_2A receptor antagonists-promising agents for the potential treatment of Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, many of these compounds raise structure-related concerns. The present study investigated the effect of ring closures on the rA₁ /A_2A affinity of compounds containing a highly reactive α,β-unsaturated carbonyl system, hence providing insight into the potential of heterocycles to address these concerns. A total of 12 heterocyclic compounds were synthesised and evaluated in silico and in vitro. The test compounds performed well upon qualitative assessment of drug-likeness and were generally found to be free from potentially problematic fragments. Most also showed low/weak cytotoxicity. Results from radioligand binding experiments confirm that heterocycles (particularly 2-substituted 3-cyanopyridines) can replace the promiscuous α,β-unsaturated ketone functional group without compromising A₁ /A_2A affinity. Structure-activity relationships highlighted the importance of hydrogen bonds in binding to the receptors of interest. Compounds 3c (rA₁ K_i  = 16 nM; rA_2A K_i  = 65 nM) and 8a (rA₁ K_i  = 102 nM; rA_2A K_i  = 37 nM), which both act as A₁ antagonists, showed significant dual A₁ /A_2A affinity and may, therefore, inspire further investigation into heterocycles as potentially safe and potent adenosine receptor antagonists.

Inhibition of Escherichia coli ATP synthase by dietary ginger phenolics

For centuries, dietary ginger has been known for its antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial properties. In the current study, we examined the link between antibacterial properties of 7 dietary ginger phenolics (DGPs)-gingerenone A, 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol, paradol, 6-shogaol, and zingerone-and inhibition of bacterial ATP synthase. DGPs caused complete (100%) inhibition of wild-type Escherichia coli membrane-bound F1Fo ATP synthase, but partial and variable (0%-87%) inhibition of phytochemical binding site mutant enzymes αR283D, αE284R, βV265Q, and γT273A. The mutant enzyme ATPase activity was 16-fold to 100-fold lower than that of the wild-type enzyme. The growth of wild-type, null, and mutant strains in the presence of the 7 DGPs were abrogated to variable degrees on limiting glucose and succinate media. DGPs-caused variable inhibitory profiles of wild-type and mutant ATP synthase confirm that residues of α-, β-, and γ-subunits are involved in the formation of phytochemical binding site. The variable degree of growth in the presence of DGPs also indicates the possibility of molecular targets other than ATP synthase. Our results establish that antibacterial properties of DGPs can be linked to the binding and inhibition of bacterial ATP synthase. Therefore, bacterial ATP synthase is a valuable molecular target for DGPs.

Synthesis and in vitro antileishmanial efficacy of novel quinazolinone derivatives

Currently available drugs being used to treat leishmaniasis have several shortcomings, including high toxicity, drug administration that requires hospitalization, and the emergence of parasite resistance against clinically used drugs. As a result, there is a dire need for the development of new antileishmanial drugs that are safe, affordable, and efficient. In this study, two new series of synthesized quinazolinone derivatives were investigated as potential future antileishmanial agents, by assessing their activities against the Leishmania (L.) donovani and L. major species. The cytotoxicity profiles of these derivatives were assessed in vitro on Vero cells. The compounds were found to be safer and without any toxic activities against mammalian cells, compared to the reference drug, halofuginone, a clinical derivative of febrifugine. However, they had demonstrated poor antileishmanial growth inhibition efficacies. The two compounds that had been found the most active were the mono quinazolinone 2d and the bisquinazolinone 5b with growth inhibitory efficacies of 35% and 29% for the L. major and L. donovani 9515 promastigotes, respectively. These outcomes had suggested structural redesign, inter alia the inclusion of polar groups on the quinazolinone ring, to potentially generate novel quinazolinone derivatives, endowed with effective antileishmanial potential.

10-gingerol induces oxidative stress through HTR1A in cumulus cells: in-vitro and in-silico studies

Background We investigated whether 10-gingerol is able to induce oxidative stress in cumulus cells. Methods For the in-vitro research, we used a cumulus cell culture in M199, containing 10-gingerol in various concentrations (0, 12, 16, and 20 µM), and detected oxidative stress through superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, with incubation periods of 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. The obtained results were confirmed by in-silico studies. Results The in-vitro data revealed that SOD activity and MDA concentration increased with increasing incubation periods: SOD activity at 0 µM (1.39 ± 0.24i), 12 µM (16.42 ± 0.35ab), 16 µM (17.28 ± 0.55ab), 20 µM (17.81 ± 0.12a), with a contribution of 71.1%. MDA concentration at 0 µM (17.82 ± 1.39 l), 12 µM (72.99 ± 0.31c), 16 µM (79.77 ± 4.19b), 20 µM (85.07 ± 2.57a), with a contribution of 73.1%. Based on this, the in-silico data uncovered that 10-gingerol induces oxidative stress in cumulus cells by inhibiting HTR1A functions and inactivating GSK3B and AKT-1. Conclusions 10-gingerol induces oxidative stress in cumulus cells through enhancing SOD activity and MDA concentration by inhibiting HTR1A functions and inactivating GSK3B and AKT-1.

Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC 6074 S-Layer Protein on Colon Cancer HT-29 Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC 6074 S-layer protein on the viability, adhesion, cell cycle, and apoptosis of human colon cancer HT-29 cells and to explore their molecular mechanism of tumor suppression. The S-layer protein at doses of 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L significantly suppressed the proliferation of HT-29 cells. The S-layer protein exerts its cytotoxic activities against colon cancer HT-29 cells by arresting the cell cycle in the G1 phase through upregulating the expression of p53, p21, and p16 and downregulating the expression of CDK1 (cyclin-dependent kinases) and cyclin B. Morphological changes were further observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the cells treated with the S-layer protein showed obvious characteristic changes of apoptosis including chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, vacuoles, and so on. Furthermore, our mechanism studies indicated that the S-layer protein may induce HT-29 cell apoptosis through the death receptor apoptotic pathway and mitochondrial pathway and impede cell invasion by inhibiting the synthesis of the PI3K/AKT pathway and FasL. These results demonstrated that the L. acidophilus CICC 6074 S-layer protein may be a potential anticarcinogenic agent.

Gingers and Their Purified Components as Cancer Chemopreventative Agents

Chemoprevention by ingested substituents is the process through which nutraceuticals and/or their bioactive components antagonize carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis is the course of action whereby a normal cell is transformed into a neoplastic cell. This latter action involves several steps, starting with initiation and followed by promotion and progression. Driving these stages is continued oxidative stress and inflammation, which in turn, causes a myriad of aberrant gene expressions and mutations within the transforming cell population and abnormal gene expressions by the cells within the surrounding lesion. Chemoprevention of cancer with bioreactive foods or their extracted/purified components occurs primarily via normalizing these inappropriate gene activities. Various foods/agents have been shown to affect different gene expressions. In this review, we discuss how the chemoprevention activities of gingers antagonize cancer development.

What Has Come out from Phytomedicines and Herbal Edibles for the Treatment of Cancer?

Several modern treatment strategies have been adopted to combat cancer with the aim of minimizing toxicity. Medicinal plant-based compounds with the potential to treat cancer have been widely studied in preclinical research and have elicited many innovations in cutting-edge clinical research. In parallel, researchers have eagerly tried to decrease the toxicity of current chemotherapeutic agents either by combining them with herbals or in using herbals alone. The aim of this article is to present an update of medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds, or mere changes in the bioactive compounds, along with herbal edibles, which display efficacy against diverse cancer cells and in anticancer therapy. It describes the basic mechanism(s) of action of phytochemicals used either alone or in combination therapy with other phytochemicals or herbal edibles. This review also highlights the remarkable synergistic effects that arise between certain herbals and chemotherapeutic agents used in oncology. The anticancer phytochemicals used in clinical research are also described; furthermore, we discuss our own experience related to semisynthetic derivatives, which are developed based on phytochemicals. Overall, this compilation is intended to facilitate research and development projects on phytopharmaceuticals for successful anticancer drug discovery.

10-Gingerol as an inducer of apoptosis through HTR1A in cumulus cells: In-vitro and in-silico studies

Objectives

Cumulus cells play a crucial role as essential mediators in the maturation of ova. Ginger contains 10-gingerol, which induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Based on this hypothesis, this study aimed to determine whether 10-gingerol is able to induce apoptosis in normal cells, namely, cumulus cells.

Methods

This study used an in vitro analysis by culturing Cumulus cells in M199 containing 10-gingerol in various concentrations (12, 16, and 20 μM) and later detected early apoptotic activity using an Annexin V-FITC detection kit.

Result

The in vitro data revealed that the number of apoptosis cells increased along with the period of incubation as follows: 12 μM (63.71% ± 2.192%); 16 μM (74.51% ± 4.596%); and 20 μM (78.795% ± 1.435%). The substance 10-gingerol induces apoptosis in cumulus cells by inhibiting HTR1A functions and inactivating GSK3B and AKT-1.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that further examination is warranted for 10-gingerol as a contraception agent.

Effects of ginger and its pungent constituents on transient receptor potential channels

Ginger extract is used as an analeptic in herbal medicine and has been reported to exert antioxidant effects. Transient receptor potential (TRP) canonical 5 (TRPC5), TRP cation channel, subfamily M, member 7 (TRPM7; melastatin 7), and TRP cation channel, subfamily A, member 1 (TRPA1; ankyrin 1) are non-selective cation channels that are modulated by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) and subsequently control various cellular processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ginger and its pungent constituents modulate these channels and exert antioxidant effects. It was found that TRPC5 and TRPA1 currents were modulated by ginger extract and by its pungent constituents, [6]-gingerol, zingerone and [6]-shogaol. In particular, [6]-shogaol markedly and dose-dependently inhibited TRPC5 currents with an IC50 of value of ~18.3 µM. Furthermore, the strong dose-dependent activation of TRPA1 currents by [6]-shogaol was abolished by A‑967079 (a selective TRPA1 inhibitor). However, ginger extract and its pungent constituents had no effect on TRPM7 currents. These results suggest the antioxidant effects of ginger extract and its pungent constituents are mediated through TRPC5 and TRPA1, and that [6]-shogaol is predominantly responsible for the regulation of TRPC5 and TRPA1 currents by ginger extract.

Spices for Prevention and Treatment of Cancers

Spices have been widely used as food flavorings and folk medicines for thousands of years. Numerous studies have documented the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of spices, which might be related to prevention and treatment of several cancers, including lung, liver, breast, stomach, colorectum, cervix, and prostate cancers. Several spices are potential sources for prevention and treatment of cancers, such as Curcuma longa (tumeric), Nigella sativa (black cumin), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Allium sativum (garlic), Crocus sativus (saffron), Piper nigrum (black pepper) and Capsicum annum (chili pepper), which contained several important bioactive compounds, such as curcumin, thymoquinone, piperine and capsaicin. The main mechanisms of action include inducing apoptosis, inhibiting proliferation, migration and invasion of tumors, and sensitizing tumors to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This review summarized recent studies on some spices for prevention and treatment of cancers, and special attention was paid to bioactive components and mechanisms of action.

Coevolution between Cancer Activities and Food Structure of Human Being from Southwest China

Yunnan and Tibet are the lowest cancer mortality and the largest producer for anticancer crops (brown rice, barley, buckwheat, tea, walnut, mushrooms, and so forth). Shanghai and Jiangsu province in China have the highest mortality of cancers, which are associated with the sharp decline of barley.

Ginger and its constituents: role in prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancer

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, a cancer of different organs of the digestive system, is one of the most common cancers around the world. The incidence and death rate of some of these cancers are very high. Although a large variety of chemotherapeutic agents have been introduced since the last few decades to combat GI cancer, most of them are very expensive and have side effects. Therefore, the compounds derived from natural sources, which are considered to be safe and cost effective, are needed. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the most widely used natural products consumed as a spice and medicine for treating nausea, dysentery, heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea, loss of appetite, infections, cough, and bronchitis. Experimental studies showed that ginger and its active components including 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol exert anticancer activities against GI cancer. The anticancer activity of ginger is attributed to its ability to modulate several signaling molecules like NF-κB, STAT3, MAPK, PI3K, ERK1/2, Akt, TNF-α, COX-2, cyclin D1, cdk, MMP-9, survivin, cIAP-1, XIAP, Bcl-2, caspases, and other cell growth regulatory proteins. In this review, the evidences for the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential of ginger extract and its active components using in vitro, animal models, and patients have been described.