Suppressors of cancer cell proliferation from fig (Ficus carica) resin: isolation and structure elucidation

A β-Glucosyl Sterol Probe for in situ Fluorescent Labelling in Neuronal Cells to Investigate Neurodegenerative Diseases

A β-glucosyl sterol probe bearing a terminal alkyne moiety for fluorescent tagging enables the investigation of the neuronal and intracellular localization of this class of compounds involved in neurodegenerative diseases. The compound showed localization in the neuronal cells, with marked differences in the uptake and metabolism leading to enhanced persistence with respect to the un-glycosylated sterol analogue. In addition, a different impact was observed towards lysosomes, with the simple sterol probe showing the enlargement of the lysosome structures, while the β-glucosyl sterol was less capable to alter the morphology of this specific organelle.

Functions, accumulation, and biosynthesis of important secondary metabolites in the fig tree (Ficus carica)

Ficus carica is an economically important horticultural plant. Due to its abundant secondary metabolites, F. carica has gained interest for its applications in medicine and as a nutritional supplement. Both external and internal factors affect the accumulation of secondary metabolites in F. carica. The assembly of the F. carica genome has facilitated functional analysis of key genes and transcription factors associated with the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, particularly anthocyanin. In this review, we summarize the various types and functions of secondary metabolites, with a particular focus on flavonoids, coumarins, and terpenes. We also explore the factors influencing their biosynthesis and accumulation, including varieties, tissue, environmental factors (e.g., light), stresses (e.g., high temperature, low temperature, drought, nutrient deficiencies, salinity), hormonal treatments, and developmental factors. Furthermore, we discuss the involvement of structural genes and transcription factors in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, specifically anthocyanin and furanocoumarins, knowledge of which will promote the breeding and genetic engineering of novel F. carica varieties.

Investigation of the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on the motility, viability, and chromatin status of sperm in normozoospermic semen samples

Objective

Adverse effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on sperm membrane and chromatin have been proven in many studies. Among the natural products proposed as an alternative for PVP, thymoquinone (TQ)-a major constituent of Nigella sativa plant- has been suggested as a potential natural spermostasis. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of TQ with PVP for sperms motility, survival, DNA denaturation, and DNA fragmentation in normozoospermic men (men with a normal or healthy sperm profile).

Methods

An experimental trial was carried out on 30 normozoospermic men of the Andrology Unit of (Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Isfahan, Iran). Each washed semen samples were divided into four fractions and was randomly treated with TQ (50 μg/ml), %5 PVP, and %10 PVP (M/V) which was compared to untreated fraction (control).

Results

There was a significant difference between the four groups in terms of motility, viability, DNA denaturation, and fragmentation (P <0.05). TQ caused sperm immobility, while 5% PVP and 10% PVP decreased (98 and 99%, respectively) sperm motility compared to control. TQ did not affect sperm viability compared to the control group, but PVP decreased it. Besides, TQ did not affect DNA denaturation and fragmentation, but PVP increased it.

Conclusion

TQ could be used as an alternative natural spermostasis with less adverse effects rather than PVP which causes more efficient immobilization and isolation of individual sperm cells.

Exploring the pharmacological versatility of ficus carica: Modulating classical immunometabolism and beyond

The burden of metabolic disorders is alarmingly increasing globally. On the other hand, sustainability is the key project of the 21st century. Natural products offer a coherent option for the complementary management of both these challenges. Ficus carica (FC), commonly known as the fig fruit, has an experimentally proven potency for the modulation of cell cycle, immunity, inflammation, metabolism, and oxidative stress. Here, we review the potential of FC-derived products (FCDP) in slowing down the progression of cancers, acute/chronic inflammation-related conditions, infections, metabolic disorders, toxicities, neurological and neuromuscular diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, vascular diseases, and skin-stressing conditions, as well as, in boosting normal healthy functions of the endocrine, immune, metabolic, and nervous systems. It reveals a variety of cellular and molecular targets for FCDP: cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-18, IFN-γ), chemokines (CCL2), other inflammatory mediators (CRP, PGE2), immune receptors (TLR-2, TLR-4, FcεRI), oxidative stress-related markers (SOD, GSH, MDA, GPx, catalase, ROS, NO, protein carbonyls), kinases (MAPKs, hexokinase, G6Pase, FBPase, PEPCK, Akt, AMPK, GSK3, CDKs), other enzymes (COX-2, iNOS, MMPs, caspases), growth factors/receptors (VEGF, EGFR), hormones (DHEAS, prolactin, GnRH, FSH, LH, estradiol, DHT, insulin), cell death-related markers (Bcl-2, Bax, Bak, FasL, gasdermins, cytochrome C), glucose transporter protein (Glut4), and transcription factors (NF-κB, HNF-4α, Foxo, PGC-1α, PPAR-γ, C/EBP-α, CREB, NFATC1, STAT3). FCDP cause both activation and inhibition of AMPK, MAPK, and NF-κB signaling to confer condition-specific advantages. Such a broad-range activity might be attributed to different mechanisms of action of FCDP in modulating functions within the classical immunometabolic system, but also beyond.

A comprehensive perspective of traditional Arabic or Islamic medicinal plants as an adjuvant therapy against COVID-19

COVID-19 is a pulmonary disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. More than 200 million individuals are infected by this globally. Pyrexia, coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, diarrhoea, sore throats, and body aches are among the typical symptoms of COVID-19. The virus enters into the host body by interacting with the ACE2 receptor. Despite many SARS-CoV-2 vaccines manufactured by distinct strategies but any evidence-based particular medication to combat COVID-19 is not available yet. However, further research is required to determine the safety and effectiveness profile of the present therapeutic approaches. In this study, we provide a summary of Traditional Arabic or Islamic medicinal (TAIM) plants' historical use and their present role as adjuvant therapy for COVID-19. Herein, six medicinal plants Aloe barbadensis Miller, Olea europaea, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Nigella sativa, Cassia angustifolia, and Ficus carica have been studied based upon their pharmacological activities against viral infections. These plants include phytochemicals that have antiviral, immunomodulatory, antiasthmatic, antipyretic, and antitussive properties. These bioactive substances could be employed to control symptoms and enhance the development of a possible COVID-19 medicinal synthesis. To determine whether or if these TAIMs may be used as adjuvant therapy and are appropriate, a detailed evaluation is advised.

Tap the sap - investigation of latex-bearing plants in the search of potential anticancer biopharmaceuticals

Latex-bearing plants have been in the research spotlight for the past couple of decades. Since ancient times their extracts have been used in folk medicine to treat various illnesses. Currently they serve as promising candidates for cancer treatment. Up to date there have been several in vitro and in vivo studies related to the topic of cytotoxicity and anticancer activity of extracts from latex-bearing plants towards various cell types. The number of clinical studies still remains scarce, however, over the years the number is systematically increasing. To the best of our knowledge, the scientific community is still lacking in a recent review summarizing the research on the topic of cytotoxicity and anticancer activity of latex-bearing plant extracts. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to review the current knowledge on in vitro and in vivo studies, which focus on the cytotoxicity and anticancer activities of latex-bearing plants. The vast majority of the studies are in vitro, however, the interest in this topic has resulted in the substantial growth of the number of in vivo studies, leading to a promising number of plant species whose latex can potentially be tested in clinical trials. The paper is divided into sections, each of them focuses on specific latex-bearing plant family representatives and their potential anticancer activity, which in some instances is comparable to that induced by commonly used therapeutics currently available on the market. The cytotoxic effect of the plant's crude latex, its fractions or isolated compounds, is analyzed, along with a study of cell apoptosis, chromatin condensation, DNA damage, changes in gene regulation and morphology changes, which can be observed in cell post plant extract addition. The in vivo studies go beyond the molecular level by showing significant reduction of the tumor growth and volume in animal models. Additionally, we present data regarding plant-mediated biosynthesis of nanoparticles, which is regarded as a new branch in plant latex research. It is solely based on the green-synthesis approach, which presents an interesting alternative to chemical-based nanoparticle synthesis. We have analyzed the cytotoxic effect of these particles on cells. Data regarding the cytotoxicity of such particles raises their potential to be involved in the design of novel cancer therapies, which further underlines the significance of latex-bearing plants in biotechnology. Throughout the course of this review, we concluded that plant latex is a rich source of many compounds, which can be further investigated and applied in the design of anticancer pharmaceuticals. The molecules, to which this cytotoxic effect can be attributed, include alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, proteases, nucleases and many novel compounds, which still remain to be characterized. They have been studied extensively in both in vitro and in vivo studies, which provide an excellent starting point for their rapid transfer to clinical studies in the near future. The comprehensive study of molecules from latex-bearing plants can result in finding a promising alternative to several pharmaceuticals on the market and help unravel the molecular mode of action of latex-based preparations.

The efficacy of applying some plants and herbs in cancer therapy for humans and animals – a comperhensive review

Cancer is a challenging ailment and represents the main reason for death worldwide for humans and animals. Although great developments have hindered cancer progression, several adverse effects are associated with modern chemotherapy. Natural remedies, such as the usage of medicinal plant or their products in cancer treatment, may decrease prejudicial side properties. Recently, the modern research scheme and innovative screening practices for herbs or plants have enabled phytochemical discovery for the prevention and treatment of cancer. This criticism highlights herbs such as acacia, basil, black seeds, cedar, castus, ficus, garlic, ginger, indigo, onion, pomegranate, quince, and thyme, promising anticancer effects. The present review also revealed the mode of action of each herb as anticancer effects at level in vitro and in vivo studies. The item also totalizes the vital mechanisms and signaling molecules involved in preventing cancer diseases. This will fill the investigate gap in the exploration of using natural molecules and encourage researchers in clinical trials of anticancer agents from herbs for humans and animals.

A systematic review on potential anticancer activities of Ficus carica L. with focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms

BACKGROUND

Many substances derived from nutritional or medicinal plants have been studied for their chemopreventive and antineoplastic properties. Among those studied, Ficus carica has shown to have a significant ability to inhibit tumor formation and development of cancer cells through modulating various signaling mechanisms and interaction including a large number of cell signaling molecules.

PURPOSE

The goal of this study is to provide a critical and complete evaluation of F. carica's anticancer capacity in various malignancies, as well as related molecular targets.

METHODS

Research was conducted electronically on scholarly scientific databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, and Scopus. Published papers were analyzed and investigated using the keywords, Ficus carica, figs, cancer, malignancies and tumor based on established selection criteria. In this systematic review, 27 individual studies were considered.

RESULTS

Treatment with F. carica alone or in combination with other medications was linked to anticancer activity with significant evidence. Furthermore, F. carica has been shown to use multitargeted pathways to prevent cancer initiation and development by modulating numerous dysregulated signaling cascades involved in cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, autophagy inflammatory processes, metastasis, invasion, and angiogenesis.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that F. carica and its phytochemicals have the potential for cancer prevention and therapy. Nonetheless, additional mechanistic studies with pure compounds derived from F. carica and well-designed clinical trials are needed to advance our knowledge to clinical application.

Effective Removal of Methylene Blue by Surface Alteration of TiO2 with Ficus Carica Leaf Extract under Visible Light

The present study describes the use of a leaf extract from Ficus carica as a source of natural antioxidants for the surface alteration of bulk titanium dioxide (TiO₂) in two steps. First, the hydro-thermal treatment of the bulk TiO₂ material was carried out and followed by thermal annealing at 300 °C for 3 h in air. The role of the leaf extract of Ficus carica on the performance of the bulk TiO₂ material for the removal of methylene blue (MB) was also studied. Various analytical techniques such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to explore the crystalline structure, morphology, and composition. The bulk TiO₂ material after the leaf-extract treatment exhibited mixed anatase and rutile phases, a flower-like morphology, and Ti, O, and C were its main elements. The average crystallite size was also calculated, and the obtained values for the bulk TiO₂ material, 18.11 nm, and the treated bulk TiO₂ material with various amounts, 5, 10, and 15 mL, of leaf extract were 16.4, 13.16, and 10.29 nm respectively. Moreover, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy validated the typical metal-oxygen bonds and strengthened the XRD results. The bulk TiO₂ material chemically treated with Ficus carica has shown outstanding activity towards the degradation of MB under sunlight. The 15 mL of Ficus carica extract significantly enhanced the photocatalytic activity of the bulk TiO₂ material towards the degradation of MB. The dye degradation efficiency was found to be 98.8%, which was experimentally proven by the Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopoyy (FTIR) analysis. The obtained performance of the bulk TiO₂ material with Ficus carica revealed excellent surface modifying properties for poorly-performing photocatalysts towards the degradation of synthetic dyes when used in their pristine form. The presented approach suggests that Ficus carica could be of great interest for tuning the surface properties of materials, either in the form of nano-size or bulk-phase in a particular application.

Autophagy is involved in Ficus carica fruit extract-induced anti-tumor effects on pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer (PaCa), a common and highly lethal malignant cancer, is often insensitive to radio- and/or chemotherapy. Therefore, effective treatment regiments are still lacking. Herein, we found that an extract of Ficus carica fruit (EFCF) exerted anti-tumor effects on PaCa cells. EFCF induced cell viability inhibition and apoptotic cell death in two PaCa cell lines in a dose- and time dependent manner. EFCF effectively suppressed the migration, metastasis, invasion, and colony formation of PaCa cells. Mechanistically, EFCF stimulated an increase in intracellular ROS to promote cell death and senescence. EFCF treatment also triggered autophagy, and autophagy inhibition enhanced EFCF-induced cell death. We found that EFCF decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and promoted lipid peroxidation. Moreover, intragastric administration of EFCF effectively suppressed xenograft PaCa growth inhibition by activating cell death. EFCF had no apparent toxicity to normal pancreatic epithelial cells. Together, these findings suggest that EFCF may be a potential treatment for PaCa.

Ficus carica extract impregnated amphiphilic polymer scaffold for diabetic wound tissue regenerations

Diabetes associated injury healing and other tissue irregularities are viewed as a significant concern. The purpose of the study is to design the wound regeneration activity of Ficus carica extract (FFE) loaded amphiphilic polymeric scaffold of poly(xylitol-g-adipate-co-glutamide) (PXAG)-polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) for potential diabetic affected wound regeneration. The PXAG copolymer was prepared by the condensation method, and the polymeric scaffolds of PXAG-PHB, PXAG-PHB/FFE were developed through the ultra-sonication process and magnetic stirrer processes. The chemical structure, crystalline nature, thermal stability, size, surface charge and surface morphology of PXAG-PHB and PXAG-PHB/FFE polymeric scaffolds were investigated. The PXAG-PHB/FFE exhibits 99.0% free radical scavenging activity which was determined by the DPPH method. The inhibition zones by the PXAG-PHB/FFE indicate it had a higher antibacterial activity with the Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive) pathogens. The PXAG, PXAG-PHB and PXAG-PHB/FFE polymeric scaffolds exhibited good viability against diabetic induced wound cells (WS1) in 100 μg/mL concentrations up to 72 h incubation. Since the synthesized PXAG-PHB/FFE polymeric scaffolds possess excellent thermal stability, bioactivity, biocompatibility and antioxidant activity along with potent antimicrobial activity, they play a potential role in diabetic wound tissue regenerations.

Study of synergistic effects of Ficus Carica leaves extract mediated chemo-photodynamic therapy on rhabdomyosarcoma cells

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy for rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) is effective, but it has critical side effects and unavoidable challenges. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an approach to treating cancer with relatively moderate side effects. Plant products are a rich source of polyphenols, which have potent antioxidant and anticancer activities. Therefore, their research has become an emerging field in recent decades.

PURPOSE

This work aimed to evaluate the potential of hydrophobic extract of Ficus Carica (FC) to determine whether FC in the presence of low dose chemo and Aluminium Phthalocyanine (Photosense®) mediated photodynamic therapy synergistically enhances the treatment efficacy of RD cells.

METHOD

FC with and without combination with individual therapeutic modalities like photosense mediated photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, and their combinations were studied for cell viability and morphological changes in invitro RD cells. A semiconductor diode laser (630 nm) was used as a light source in PDT. The cytotoxic effect of FC on cell viability and cellular morphological changes were investigated by MTT reagent and a camera attached to an inverted visible light microscope. The effect of FC, followed by di-combination with low dose chemo (doxorubicin-HCl, and dacarbazine), Photosense® mediated PDT and chemo-Photosense® mediated PDT (tri-combination) at 630 nm diode laser and 10 J/cm² fluency were also investigated by MTT reagent. The combination index method is used to identify the synergistic effect of combination therapy by using CompuSyn software based on the Chou-Talalay method.

RESULTS

The dose-dependent effect of FC on cell viability and cellular morphological changes were observed in the RD cell line. It was found that the pre incubation of FC potentiated the anticancer effect as a neoadjuvant agent for doxorubicin-HCl and decarbazine based chemotherapy, Photosense® mediated PDT and chemo-PDT (tri-combination) with synergistic effect (CI<1).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest a possible thread that the low dose combination of the aforementioned therapeutic modalities in the presence of FC remarkably enhances the treatment efficacy of RD in comparison with a single-agent treatment modality. The proposed sequence of FC with chemo and PDT might present better therapeutic outcomes in RD therapies and may provide result for RD metastasis. FC may also be used in the application of phyto-PDT to cancer in the future.

Tandem mass spectrometry of aqueous extract from Ficus dubia sap and its cell-based assessments for use as a skin antioxidant

Since 2006, Ficus dubia has been reported as a new Ficus species in Thailand. As per our recent report, the red-brown aqueous extract of F. dubia sap (FDS) has been determined to strongly exhibit in vitro anti-radicals. However, the phytochemicals in the FDS extract related to health-promoting antioxidation have not been explored. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the chemical components of the F. dubia sap extract by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/QTOF-MS) and its potential use in cosmetics in terms of cellular antioxidation on keratinocytes (HaCaT), phototoxicity, and irritation on 3D skin cell models following standard tests suggested by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It was found that the sap extract was composed of quinic acid and caffeoyl derivatives (e.g., syringoylquinic acid, 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and dimeric forms of caffeoylquinic acids). The extract has significantly exhibited antioxidant activity against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in HaCaT cells. The cellular antioxidative effect of the FDS extract was remarkably dependent on the presence of 3- and 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid in the extract. Furthermore, the FDS extract showed negative results on skin phototoxicity and irritation. Overall, the results reveal that the FDS extract could be developed as a new antioxidant candidate for a skin healthcare product.

Biomediated synthesis, characterization, and biological applications of nickel oxide nanoparticles derived from Toona ciliata, Ficus carica and Pinus roxburghii

Biomediated ecofriendly method for the synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles using plants extracts (Toona ciliata, Ficus carica and Pinus roxburghii) has been reported. The nanoparticles so obtained were characterized by various techniques such as ultraviolet-visible, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Formation of nickel oxide nanoparticles was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction where the former technique ascertains the formation of bond between nickel and oxygen. The nickel oxide nanoparticles were found to be crystalline cubic face centered and show intense photoluminescence emission at 416, 414 and 413 nm, respectively. The antibacterial activity was studied against gram positive and gram negative bacterial species by agar well diffusion method. The nickel oxide nanoparticles show better activity against some bacterial strains with reference to the standard drugs Ciprofloxacin and Gentamicin. The anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma of nanomaterials obtained from Pinus roxburghii was found to be greater than that derived from Toona ciliata and Ficus carica using the standard drug Albendazole. This method takes the advantage of the sustainable and economic approach for the synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles.

A comprehensive review on phytochemistry, bioactivities, toxicity studies, and clinical studies on Ficus carica Linn. leaves

The leaves of Ficus carica Linn. (FC) have been widely used for medicine purposes since ancient times, and its decoction is consumed as tea. Many scientific papers have been published in the literature and the researchers across the world are still exploring the health benefits of FC leaves. In this review, we have collected the literature published since 2010 in the databases: Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar and local classic herbal literature. The summary of the chemical constituents in FC leaves, biological activities, toxicity studies, and clinical studies carried out on FC leaves is provided in this review. In addition, the molecular mechanisms of the active constituents in FC leaves are also comprehended. FC leaves are reported to 126 constituents out of which the polyphenolic compounds are predominant. Many scientific studies have proven the antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anticholinesterase, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and renoprotective activities. Many studies have carried out to provide the insights on molecular pathways involved in the biological activities of FC leaves. The toxicity studies have suggested that FC leaves exhibit toxicity only at very high doses. We believe this review serve as a comprehensive resource for those who are interested to understand the scientific evidence that support the medicinal values of FC leaves and also the research gaps to further improve the commercial value and health benefits of FC leaves.

Ficus Carica L. Latex: Possible Chemo-Preventive, Apoptotic Activity and Safety Assessment

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third cause of cancer-related mortality with the low 5-year survival in which more than 50 percent of patients have recurrent cancer within 2 years of treatment. The present study investigated the cytotoxicity and lethal dose of Ficus carica L. (Figure) latex and phytochemical composition of effective fraction. Figure latex was collected in summer and 4 fractions of Figure latex were prepared. The cytotoxic effect of each fraction was studied and the most effective fraction was selected for apoptosis assay, acute toxicity study, and phytochemical analysis using column chromatography. The isolated compounds were identified by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and mass spectroscopy. Chloroform fraction was the most effective fraction with the IC₅₀ value of 0.219 and 0.748 mg/mL for HepG2 and NIH cell lines, respectively. Presence of cells in early apoptotic phase was documented by flow cytometry assay. Single dose administration of 2g/kg of fraction did not cause any death. Phytochemical analyses confirmed presence of lupeol acetate and lupeol palmitate in chloroform fraction. The present study revealed that the chloroform fraction is not only 3.4 times more toxic in HepG2 cell line but also has low in-vivo toxicity which could be considered as a good candidate for a chemo-preventive agent.

Health-promoting bioactivity and in vivo genotoxicity evaluation of a hemiepiphyte fig, Ficus dubia

Ficus species have been used as a typical component in food and folk medicine in Asia for centuries. However, little is known regarding the bioactivity and genotoxicity of the recently identified Ficus dubia (FD), an indigenous plant of the tropical evergreen rain forest. FD is unique from other Ficus species because of its highly sought‐after red‐brown latex. Antioxidant properties together with phenolic and flavonoid contents of FD were elucidated. Health‐promoting characteristics were examined by studying the inhibition of enzymes as a drug target for diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, and obesity, together with anticancer ability against human colorectal adenocarcinoma, human hepatocellular carcinoma, human ovarian carcinoma, human prostate adenocarcinoma, and human lung carcinoma. Besides, FD genotoxicity was tested using the Drosophila wing spot test. Results showed that both FD root and latex exhibited antioxidant activity due to the presence of phenolics and flavonoids, specifically caffeic acid and cyanidin. The ethanolic fraction of FD root demonstrated a potent antidiabetic mechanism underlying α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity similar to acarbose. This fraction also suppressed lung and ovarian cancer growth, possibly by G1 and G2/M arrest, respectively. All tested fractions lacked mutagenicity in vivo. Results indicated that FD can be developed as novel antidiabetic compounds; however, its bioactive compounds should be further identified.

Anticancer medicinal plants used by Moroccan people: Ethnobotanical, preclinical, phytochemical and clinical evidence

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cancer is a major health problem worldwide. Drugs' side effects and high cost of treatment remain the main limitations of conventional therapy. Nowadays, developing new therapeutic strategies is necessary. Therefore, medicinal plants can be used to promote novel, safe, and potent anticancer drugs through their natural compounds.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review aims to provide scientific evidence related to the anticancer activities of medicinal plants used by Moroccan people as well as approving their efficiency as an alternative cancer therapy.

METHODS

An ethnopharmacological review approach was conducted by analyzing Moroccan published ethnobotanical surveys from 1991 to 2019 and consulting peer-reviewed articles worldwide to investigate the pharmacological, phytochemical, and clinical effects related to the anticancer activities. Plants with anticancer proprieties were classified into four groups: (a) plants only cited as anticancer, (b) plants pharmacologically investigated, (c) plants with bioactive compounds tested as anticancer, and (d) plants clinically investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 103 plant species belonging to 47 botanical families used by Moroccans to treat cancer have been recorded. Aristolochia fontanesii Boiss. & Reut, Marrubium vulgare L., and Allium sativum L. are the most referred species in Morocco. Medicinal plants used for cancer treatment were classified into four groups: 48 species were used traditionally as anticancer (group a), 41 species pharmacologically investigated for their anticancer activities (group b), 32 plants with bioactive compounds tested against cancer (group c), and eight plants were clinically investigated for their anticancer effects (group d). Out of 82 plants' extracts pharmacologically tested (from plants of group b), only 24 ones show a significant cytotoxic effect. A total of seventy-seven compounds are isolated from plants of group (c). However, only six ones were clinically evaluated, and most of them exhibit a beneficial effect on cancerous patients with few side effects.

CONCLUSION

Medicinal plants can be a promising candidate for alternative cancer therapy. Nevertheless, it is critical to increasing the clinical trials to confirm their beneficial effect on patients with cancer. Overall, this review can serve as a database for further studies.

Evaluation of chemo-preventive efficacy of Ficus religiosa latex extract by flow cytometry analysis and gene expression studies performed by RT-PCR in various cell lines

Background

An extract of Ficus religiosa latex has been previously found to possess potent pharmacological activity with high antioxidant content phytochemical. The present research was conducted to investigate the chemo-preventive efficacy of latex extract on human breast adenocarcinoma MDA MB 231, human neroblastoma IMR 32, and human colorectal HCT 116 cell lines.

Results

The results showed that the latex crude extract induced cytotoxicity in all the selected cell lines with IC50 value 4.8 ± 1.13 μg/ml against the IMR 32 cell line. The cell cycle analysis results indicated the arrest and accumulation of cells at G1 phase in case of MDA MB 231 cells and HCT 116 cells whereas in the case of IMR 32 cells the arrest was in G2/M phase. The clear bands of fragments observed in DNA ladder experiments showed that apoptosis is induced by extracts in the cell lines. This could be correlated with the gene level expression studies on selected pro-apoptotic (p53 and caspase-3) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2, AKT) genes, which got upregulated and downregulated, respectively.

Conclusion

Based on the experimental evidence, Ficus religiosa contains phytochemicals with potent antitumor activities.

Assessment of genetic diversity of thirty Tunisian fig (Ficus carica L.) accessions using pomological traits and SSR markers

Sixteen pomological traits were employed to characterize the diversity of 30 fig accessions collected mainly from Southeastern Tunisia and maintained at CFPA 'El Gordhab', Tataouine, in Southeastern Tunisia. Additionally, 13 simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci were analyzed to detect the genetic diversity of the 30 fig accessions. In this study, qualitative data (fruit shape, fruit external color, fruit internal color, abscission of the stalk from the twig, skin peeling, fruit skin firmness) showed morphological variation within accessions. A highly significant difference (p < .01) among accessions was revealed for all the quantitative traits. The first three components (PC1, PC2, and PC3) of PCA accounted for 52.99% of the total variability. PC1, PC2, and PC3 accounted respectively for 28.02, 13.05, and 11.91% of the total variance. The most discriminating morphological parameters were fruit length and diameter, stalk length and diameter, neck length and diameter, stalk and flesh thickness, fruit shape, skin peeling, and skin firmness. Concerning the molecular results, 40 alleles were revealed. The number of alleles ranged between 2 to 6 with a mean of 3.08 alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.03 (LMFC21, LMFC23, and LMFC32) to 0.83 (LMFC30) with an average of 0.43. The expected heterozygosity (He) varied from 0.03 (LMFC21, LMFC 23 and LMFC32) to 0.74 (LMFC30) with an average of 0.37. UPMGA cluster analysis and PCA grouped the accessions in 6 groups. Our results showed that the SSR markers used detected low genetic diversity within the accessions studied.

An Overview of Phytochemical and Biological Activities: Ficus deltoidea Jack and Other Ficus spp

Ficus deltoidea Jack (Moraceae) is a well-known medicinal plant used in customary medication among the Malay people to reduce and mend sicknesses such as ulcers, psoriasis, cytotoxicity, cardioprotective, inflammation, jaundice, vitiligo, hemorrhage, diabetes, convulsion, hepatitis, dysentery injuries, wounds, and stiffness. Ficus deltoidea contains a wide variety of bioactive compounds from different phytochemical groups such as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, terpenes, carbohydrates, and proteins. The genus Ficus has several hundreds of species, which shows excellent therapeutic effects and a wide variety of helpful properties for human welfare. Searching information was collected by using electronic databases including Web of Science, Science Direct, Springer, SciFinder, PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar. This review is, therefore, an effort to give a detailed survey of the literature on its pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of Ficus and its important species. This summary could be beneficial for future research aiming to exploit the therapeutic potential of Ficus and its useful medicinal species.

The first report on molecular cloning, functional expression, purification, and statistical optimization of Escherichia coli-derived recombinant Ficin from Iranian fig tree (Ficus carica cv.Sabz)

The enzyme ficin, abundantly found in the leaves of the common Fig (Ficus carica. L), is a cysteine protease of the plant endopeptidase family. In terms of activity, this enzyme mimics the activity of the papain enzyme. However, the enzyme is more acidic than papain and binds with higher efficiency to its substrate. Ficin is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industry along with the medical diagnosis. To date, there are no available data on cloning and recombinant production of various isoforms of ficin. In the present study, after the cloning process and optimized expression of ficin in E. coli BL21, by means of the central composite design (CCD) and approach-based response surface methodology (RSM), the recombinant protein was purified using the Ni-sepharose column and gel filtration. The activity of ficin was determined by its ability to hydrolyze the bovine casein enzyme as a substrate. These results showed the presence of different isoforms of ficin in this cultivar that they are distinct in terms of DNA coding sequences. The optimum conditions for maximum production of the recombinant ficin enzyme in E. coli were as follows; a cell density of 1.25, post-induction time 7 h, 10% (w/v) lactose concentration, and shaking at 115 rpm at 24 °C. The concentration of purified product was reported to be 0.27 mg/ml. The optimization procedures increased the amounts of ficin production by approximately 3 folds (0.67 mg/ml) compared with the expiration level (in the absence of optimization). Also, our findings showed that the recombinant ficin was able to hydrolyze casein, denoting the functionality of the enzyme when used in-vitro. The pitfall of cutting-off the young branches of the common fig tree to purify the enzyme from the young shoots was successfully solved in this study.

Ficus carica and Sizigium cumini Regulate Glucose and Lipid Parameters in High-Fat Diet and Streptozocin-Induced Rats

Obesity linked diabetes, popularly known as diabesity, has been viewed as a direct product of the modern lifestyle in both developed and developing countries, and its increased prevalence is seen as a major threat to public health globally. Ficus carica (FC) and Syzigium cumini (SC) are part of indigenous flora with traditional medicinal properties. Fresh seeds of SC fruit and fruit of FC were collected and macerated to obtain the final extract. Wistar rats were divided into seven groups fed either on a normal diet or high-fat diet (HFD) along with streptozocin (STZ) to induce diabesity. The crude extract of FC (FC.Cr.) and SC (SC.Cr.) were administered at 250 mg/kg/day and 500 mg/kg/day in induced diabesity state. Body weights, blood glucose level, complete blood count (CBC), cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were recorded to analyze their effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. Further, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to examine their effects on lipid peroxidation and ant oxidative enzyme. Results showed that both FC.Cr. and SC.Cr. have the potential to control obesity-linked type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by lowering the body weights, serum glucose, cholesterol, TG, LDL, and VLDL, while increasing the protective effects of HDL dose-dependently. The crude extract of both plants showed significant activity to raise SOD and curb MDA under diabetic states. It was concluded that both FC.Cr. and SC.Cr. exhibited remarkable therapeutics potential in HFD-STZ-induced diabetic rats. However, we found that the effects of SC.Cr. are relatively more pronounced as compared to FC.Cr. in almost all parameters.

Defence mechanisms of Ficus: pyramiding strategies to cope with pests and pathogens

Ficus species have adapted to diverse environments and pests by developing physical or chemical protection strategies. Physical defences are based on the accumulation of minerals such as calcium oxalate crystals, amorphous calcium carbonates and silica that lead to tougher plants. Additional cellular structures such as non-glandular trichomes or laticifer cells make the leaves rougher or sticky upon injury. Ficus have also established structures that are able to produce specialized metabolites (alkaloids, terpenoids, and phenolics) or proteins (proteases, protease inhibitors, oxidases, and chitinases) that are toxic to predators. All these defence mechanisms are distributed throughout the plant and can differ depending on the genotype, the stage of development or the environment. In this review, we present an overview of these strategies and discuss how these complementary mechanisms enable effective and flexible adaptation to numerous hostile environments.

Biological activities of Ficus carica latex for potential therapeutics in Human Papillomavirus (HPV) related cervical cancers

Infection caused by high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are implicated in the aetiology of cervical cancer. Although current methods of treatment for cervical cancer can ablate lesions, preventing metastatic disseminations and excessive tissue injuries still remains a major concern. Hence, development of a safer and more efficient treatment modality is of vital importance. Natural products from plants are one of the principal sources of precursors to lead compounds with direct pharmaceutical application across all disease classes. One of these plants is Ficus carica, whose fruit latex, when applied on HPV-induced skin warts, has shown potential as a possible cure for this virus related lesions. This study explores the in vitro biological activities of fig latex and elucidates its possible mechanisms of action on cervical cancer cell lines CaSki and HeLa positive for HPV type 16 and 18, respectively. Our data shows that fig latex inhibits properties that are associated with HPV-positive cervical cancer transformed cells such as rapid growth and invasion and substantially downregulated the expression of p16 and HPV onco-proteins E6, E7. These findings suggest Ficus carica latex has the potential to be used in the development of therapeutic modalities for the possible treatment, cure and prevention of HPV related cervical cancer.

Review on fresh and dried figs: Chemical analysis and occurrence of phytochemical compounds, antioxidant capacity and health effects

Fig fruit (Ficus carica L.) is one of the most important agricultural products of the tropic and subtropics areas. In the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, the fig is included in diet since the ancient years and it is considered as the symbol of longevity. This review presents the main phytochemical compounds found in fresh and dried figs of different varieties, describes the analytical methods used for their determination and discuss the antioxidant capacity and the potential effects of figs in human health. Phenolic acids and flavonoids are the major types of phytochemical compounds that have been found in fresh and dried figs. Their levels are strongly influenced by various factors such as the color, the part of fruit, the maturity and the drying process. Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside and epicatechin are the most predominant phenolic acids and flavonoids in dried and fresh fig varieties. Extracts of dark-colored varieties contain higher amount of phenolic compounds than the light-colored varieties. Fruit skin contributes most to the amount of phenolic compounds compared to the fruit pulp. The ripening stage affects the concentrations of phenolic compounds in figs, the maximum have been found in ripe fruit. On the other hand, contradictory results have been reported in the literature regarding the effect of air- and sun- drying on the total content of phytochemical compounds, as well as on the concentrations of individual phenolic compounds and carotenoids in figs. The antioxidant capacity of figs is highly correlated with their amount of phenolic compounds. The leaves, roots, fruit and latex of the plant are known for their health properties including acetyl cholinesterase inhibition, antifungal, anti-helminthic and anticarcinogenic activities. Future efforts should be focused on the application of fig extracts as functional ingredients of food products, on clinical trials in order to confirm the beneficial effect of plant extracts in human health and, on the valorization of the waste material produced during figs' processing.

Ficus umbellata Vahl. (Moraceae) Stem Bark Extracts Exert Antitumor Activities In Vitro and In Vivo

A Ficus umbellata is used to treat cancer. The present work was therefore designed to assess antitumor potentials of F. umbellata extracts in nine different cell lines. Cell cycle, apoptosis, cell migration/invasion, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), caspases activities as well as Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein content were assessed in MDA-MB-231 cells. The 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced carcinogenesis in rats were also used to investigate antitumor potential of F. umbellata extracts. The F. umbellata methanol extract exhibited a CC50 of 180 μg/mL in MDA-MB-231 cells after 24 h. It induced apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, while it did not alter their cell cycle phases. Further, it induced a decrease in MMP, an increase in ROS levels and caspases activities as well as a downregulation in Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein contents in MDA-MB-231 cells. In vivo, F. umbellata aqueous (200 mg/kg) and methanol (50 mg/kg) extracts significantly (p < 0.001) reduced ovarian tumor incidence (10%), total tumor burden (58% and 46%, respectively), average tumor weight (57.8% and 45.6%, respectively) as compared to DMBA control group. These results suggest antitumor potential of F. umbellata constituents possibly due to apoptosis induction mediated through ROS-dependent mitochondrial pathway.

The effects of Ficus carica on the activity of enzymes related to metabolic syndrome

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the various parts of Ficus carica L. (figs) on antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiobesogenic effects in vitro. Fruit, leaves, and stembark of the F. carica plant were sequentially extracted using organic and inorganic solvents and their total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were estimated. The effects of the extracts on antioxidative, antidiabetic (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes), and antiobesogenic (antilipase) activities were measured using several experimental models. The fruit ethanolic extract contained a high quantity of polyphenols and flavonoids (104.67 ± 5.51 μg/mL and 81.67 ± 4.00 μg/mL) compared with all other extracts. The activity of the ethanolic extract of F. carica fruit was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than all other extracts and parts of the plant in terms of antioxidative, antidiabetic, and antiobesogenic effects. The IC₅₀ values of the fruit ethanolic extract in terms of antioxidative (134.44 ± 18.43 μg/mL), and inhibition of α-glucosidase (255.57 ± 36.46 μg/mL), α-amylase (315.89 ± 3.83 μg/mL), and pancreatic lipase (230.475 ± 9.65 μg/mL) activity indicate that the activity of fruit ethanolic extract is better than all other extracts of the plant. The gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy analysis of the fruit ethanolic extract showed the presence of a number of bioactive compounds such as butyl butyrate, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, 1-butoxy-1-isobutoxy butane, malic acid, tetradecanoic acid, phytol acetate, trans phytol, n-hexadecanoic acid, 9Z,12Z-octadecadienoic acid, stearic acid, sitosterol, 3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-one, and 2,4,5-trimethyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one. The results of this study suggest that the ethanolic extract of the fruit of F. carica may have potential antidiabetic and antiobesogenic agents.

A Cytotoxic and Anti-inflammatory Campesterol Derivative from Genetically Transformed Hairy Roots of Lopezia racemosa Cav. (Onagraceae)

The genetically transformed hairy root line LRT 7.31 obtained by infecting leaf explants of Lopezia racemosa Cav with the Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain ATCC15834/pTDT, was evaluated to identify the anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic compounds reported previously for the wild plant. After several subcultures of the LRT 7.31 line, the bio-guided fractionation of the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1) extract obtained from dry biomass afforded a fraction that showed important in vivo anti-inflammatory, and in vitro cytotoxic activities. Chemical separation of the active fraction allowed us to identify the triterpenes ursolic (1) and oleanolic (2) acids, and (23R)-2α,3β,23,28-tetrahydroxy-14,15-dehydrocampesterol (3) as the anti-inflammatory principles of the active fraction. A new molecule 3 was characterized by spectroscopic analysis of its tetraacetate derivative 3a. This compound was not described in previous reports of callus cultures, in vitro germinated seedlings and wild plant extracts of whole L. racemosa plants. The anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities displayed by the fraction are associated to the presence of compounds 1-3. The present study reports the obtaining of the transformed hairy roots, the bioguided isolation of the new molecule 3, and its structure characterization.

Improved enzyme-mediated synthesis and supramolecular self-assembly of naturally occurring conjugates of β-sitosterol

Naturally occurring acylated β-sitosteryl glucosides have been investigated for their novel properties. The synthetic protocol based on the literature data was improved and optimized. The main improvement consists in employing systems of ionic liquids combined with organic solvents in lipase-mediated esterification of (3β)-stigmast-5-en-3-yl β-d-glucopyranoside to get (3β)-stigmast-5-en-3-yl 6-O-acyl-β-d-glucopyranosides. Maximum yields of these products were achieved with Candida antarctica lipase B immobilized on Immobead 150, recombinant from yeast, in absolute THF and in the presence of either ionic liquid [1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM]BF₄) or 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]PF₆)] employed. Pharmacological activity of (3β)-stigmast-5-en-3-yl 6-O-acyl-β-d-glucopyranosides was studied in tests on MCF7 tumor cell lines; the compounds displayed moderate activity which was higher than the activity of β-sitosterol. Supramolecular characteristics were discovered at (3β)-stigmast-5-en-3-yl 6-O-dodecanoyl-β-d-glucopyranoside that formed supramolecular polymer through multiple H-bonds in a methanol/water system (60/40). Its formation was confirmed by the independent UV-vis measurements during certain time period, by variable temperature DOSY-NMR measurement in deuteriochloroform, and visualized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showing chiral helical structures and complex superassembly systems based on fibrous supramolecular polymer. In contrary, no such properties have been observed for the other two (3β)-stigmast-5-en-3-yl 6-O-acyl-β-d-glucopyranosides under the given experimental conditions.

Consumption of fig fruits grown in Oman can improve memory, anxiety, and learning skills in a transgenic mice model of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of dementia in the elderly. Several reports have suggested neurotoxic effects of amyloid beta protein (Aβ) and role of oxidative stress in AD. Figs are rich in fiber, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin K, and are a good source of proanthocyanidins and quercetin which demonstrate potent antioxidant properties. We studied the effect of dietary supplementation with 4% figs grown in Oman on the memory, anxiety, and learning skills in APPsw/Tg2576 (Tg mice) mice model for AD. We assessed spatial memory and learning ability, psychomotor coordination, and anxiety-related behavior in Tg and wild-type mice at the age of 4 months and after 15 months using the Morris water maze test, rota-rod test, elevated plus maze test, and open-field test. Tg mice that were fed a control diet without figs showed significant memory deficits, increased anxiety-related behavior, and severe impairment in spatial, position discrimination learning ability, and motor coordination compared to the wild-type control mice on the same diet, and Tg mice fed on 4% fig diet supplementation for 15 months. Our results suggest that dietary supplementation of figs may be useful for the improvement of cognitive and behavioral deficits in AD.

In vitro antimicrobial and anti-proliferative activities of plant extracts from Spathodea campanulata, Ficus bubu, and Carica papaya

CONTEXT

African medicinal plants represent a prominent source of new active substances. In this context, three plants were selected for biological investigations based on their traditional uses.

OBJECTIVE

The antimicrobial and anti-proliferative features of three plants used for medicinal purpose were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antimicrobial activities of methanol extracts of Ficus bubu Warb. (Moraceae) stem bark and leaves, of Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. (Bignoniaceae) flowers, as well as those of Carica papaya Linn. (Caricaceae) latex, were determined using the microbroth dilution method against a set of bacteria and fungi pathogens including: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, S. saprophyticus, S. epidermididis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhimurium, Candida albicans, and Trichophyton rubrum. The tested concentrations of extracts ranged from 2500.0 to 2.4 μg/mL and MIC values were evaluated after 24 h incubation at 37 °C. Subsequently, MTT assay was used to estimate anti-proliferative activity of these methanol extracts and of F. bubu latex on three human cancer cell lines (U373 glioblastoma, A549 NSCLC, and SKMEL-28 melanoma).

RESULTS

The methanol extract of F. bubu stem bark exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity against C. albicans with a MIC value of 9.8 μg/mL, while the F. bubu latex and the methanol extract of F. bubu leaves induced significant anti-proliferative activity against lung (IC50 values of 10 and 14 μg/mL, respectively) and glioma (IC50 values of 13 and 16 μg/mL, respectively) cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that effective drugs could be derived from the three studied plants.

Tirucallane-type triterpenoids from the fruit of Ficus carica and their cytotoxic activity

Nine new tirucallane-type triterpenoids, ficutirucins A-I (1-9), were isolated from the fruit of Ficus carica. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical methods. All isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against three human cancer cell lines, MCF-7, HepG-2, and U2OS. Compounds 1-3, 6, 7, and 9 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities with IC50 values of 11.67-45.61 µM against one or more of the three cancer cell lines.

Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV-1) vaginal infection of goats: clinical efficacy of fig latex

The latex of Ficus carica Linn. (Moraceae) has been shown to interfere with the replication of caprine herpesvirus (CpHV)-1 in vitro. The present study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of vaginal administration of fig latex in goats experimentally infected with CpHV-1. The fig latex reduced the clinical signs of the herpetic disease although it slightly influenced the titres of CpHV-1 shed. Thus, the fig latex maintained a partial efficacy in vivo.

Long-term dietary supplementation of pomegranates, figs and dates alleviate neuroinflammation in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating age-related neurodegenerative disease with no specific treatment at present. The APPsw/Tg2576 mice exhibit age-related deterioration in memory and learning as well as amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation, and this mouse strain is considered an effective model for studying the mechanism of accelerated brain aging and senescence. The present study was aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of dietary supplements pomegranate, figs, or the dates on suppressing inflammatory cytokines in APPsw/Tg2576 mice. Changes in the plasma cytokines and Aβ, ATP, and inflammatory cytokines were investigated in the brain of transgenic mice. Significantly enhanced levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, TNF-α and Eotaxin activity were decreased by administration of the diet supplements containing pomegranates, figs, or dates. In addition, putative delays in the formation of senile plaques, as indicated by a decreasing tendency of brain Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 contents, were observed. Thus, novel results mediated by reducing inflammatory cytokines during aging may represent one mechanism by which these supplements exert their beneficial effects against neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.

Effects of Ulmi Pumilae Cortex on AGS Gastric Cancer Cells

OBJECTIVE

Ulmi Pumilae Cortex(UPC) is a deciduous tree with uneven pinnate leaves and is classified as a subfamily of Ulmuceae and contains many pharmacologically active constituents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of UPC on the growth and survival of AGS cells, the most common human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines.

METHODS

The AGS cells were treated with varying concentrations of UPC. Analyses of the sub G1, caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial depolarization were conducted to determine whether AGS cell death occured by apoptosis. Furthermore, to identify the role of the transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) 7 channels in AGS cell growth and survival, we used human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells overexpressed with TRPM7 channels.

RESULTS

The addition of UPC to a culture medium inhibited AGS cell growth and survival. Experimental results showed that the sub G1, caspase-3 activity, and mitochondrial depolarization were increased. Furthermore, TRPM7 channel overexpression in HEK 293 cells exacerbated UPC-induced cell death.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that UPC inhibits the growth and survival of gastric cancer cells due to a blockade of the TRPM7 channel activity. Therefore, UPC is a potential drug for treatment of gastric cancer, and TRPM7 channels may play an important role in survival in cases of gastric cancer.

Ficus carica latex prevents invasion through induction of let-7d expression in GBM cell lines

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the deadliest human malignancies. A cure for GBM remains elusive, and the overall survival time is less than 1 year. Thus, the development of more efficient therapeutic approaches for the treatment of these patients is required. Induction of tumor cell death by certain phytochemicals derived from medicinal herbs and dietary plants has become a new frontier for cancer therapy research. Although the cancer suppressive effect of Ficus carica (fig) latex (FCL) has been determined in a few cancer types, the effect of this latex on GBM tumors has not been investigated. Therefore, in the current study, the anti-proliferative activity of FCL and the effect of the FCL-temozolomide (TMZ) combination were tested in the T98G, U-138 MG, and U-87 MG GBM cell lines using the WST-1 assay. The mechanism of cell death was analyzed using Annexin-V/FITC and TUNEL assays, and the effect of FCL on invasion was tested using the chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. To determine the effect of FCL on GBM progression, the expression levels of 40 GBM associated miRNAs were analyzed in T98G cells using RT-qPCR. According to the obtained data, FCL causes cell death in GBM cells with different responses to TMZ, and this effect is synergistically increased in combination with TMZ. In addition, the current study is the first to demonstrate the effect of FCL on modulation of let-7d expression, which may be an important underlying mechanism of the anti-invasive effect of this extract.