Heliotropium ramosissimum metabolic profiling, in silico and in vitro evaluation with potent selective cytotoxicity against colorectal carcinoma

Unveiling the therapeutic potential of Taxifolin in Cancer: From molecular mechanisms to immune modulation and synergistic combinations

BACKGROUND

Taxifolin (TAX), a flavonoid abundant in various medicinal plants, has gained attention for its multifaceted role in cancer therapy and cytoprotection against chemotherapy-induced toxicities. TAX modulates key signaling pathways to regulate several processes within tumors, thus potentially playing an important role in tumor suppression.

PURPOSE

This review aims to explore the current understanding of TAX's role in cancer therapy including its antitumor mechanisms, synergistic combinations, and cytoprotective effects. The review also addresses the safety profile of TAX, highlights its pharmacokinetic (PK) properties limiting its use, and summarizes the suggested pharmaceutical and chemical solutions to overcome these limitations.

METHODOLOGY

A literature review was conducted through searching online databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using several combinations of relevant keywords related to TAX's potential in anticancer therapy. A total of 84 articles published within the last 15 years were included in this review and analyzed following the PRISMA guidelines.

RESULTS

TAX inhibits tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion via the cGMP-PKG pathway, inducing G1-phase arrest and apoptosis. TAX's anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic effects are mediated by downregulating Hif1-α, VEGF, and AKT. Additionally, it can synergize the conventional chemotherapeutic agents, enhancing their efficacy and mitigating drug resistance by inhibiting P-glycoprotein expression. Additionally, TAX demonstrates cytoprotective effects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity, cyclophosphamide/pazopanib-induced hepatotoxicity, methotrexate-induced oral mucositis, and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting ferroptosis. TAX further has immunomodulatory effects in the tumor microenvironment, enhancing immune responses and sensitizing tumors to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Advancements in TAX's anticancer effects include introducing novel drug delivery systems and chemical modifications to generate derivatives with improved pharmacological effects.

CONCLUSION

Clinical trials are needed to confirm TAX's safety and effectiveness in cancer therapy, optimize formulations, and investigate synergistic combinations. Overall, TAX holds promise as a versatile anticancer agent, offering direct anticancer effects and protective benefits against chemotherapy-induced toxicities.

Mechanisms of inhibition of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and α-glucosidase by Heliotropium bacciferum: Spectroscopic and molecular docking analysis

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia that makes insulin more prone to glycation and form advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Here, we report the effect of glyoxal (GO) on the formation of AGEs using human insulin as model protein and their structural modifications. The present investigation also reports the anti-AGE potential of Heliotropium bacciferum (Leaf) extracts. The phytochemical analysis of H. bacciferum revealed that free phenolic extract contains higher amount of total phenolic (3901.58 ± 17.06 mg GAE/100 g) and total flavonoid content (30.41 ± 0.32 mg QE/100 g) when compared to bound phenolic extract. Naringin and caffeic acid were identified as the major phenolic ingredients by UPLC-PAD method. Furthermore, bound phenolics extract showed significantly higher DPPH and superoxide radicals scavenging activity (IC50 17.53 ± 0.36 μg/mL and 0.306 ± 0.038 mg/ mL, respectively) (p ≤ 0.05). Besides, the bound phenolics extract also showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) chelating power (IC50 0.063) compared to free phenolic extract. In addition, bound phenolic extract could efficiently trap GO under physiological conditions. Spectroscopic investigation of GO-modified insulin illustrated changes in the tertiary structure of insulin and formation of AGEs. On the other hand, no significant alteration in secondary structure was observed by far UV-CD measurement. Furthermore, H. bacciferum extract inhibited α-glucosidase activity and AGEs formation implicated in diabetes. Molecular docking analysis depicted that GO bind with human insulin in both chains and forms a stable complex with TYR A: 14, LEU A:13, ASN B:3, SER A:12 amino acid residues with binding energy of - 2.53 kcal/mol. However, caffeic acid binds to ASN A:18 and GLU A:17 residues of insulin with lower binding energy of -4.67 kcal/mol, suggesting its higher affinity towards human insulin compared to GO. Our finding showed promising activity of H. bacciferum against AGEs and its complications. The major phenolics like caffeic acid, naringin and their derivatives could be exploited for the drug development for management of AGEs in diabetes.

Metabolic Profiling, GC-MS, LC-ESI-MS/MS Analysis, Phenolics Isolation and Biological Evaluation of the Aerial Parts Extracts of Felicia abyssinica L

Felicia abyssinica L., family Asteraceae, is widely used in folk medicine. This represents the first study to investigate its phytoconstituents and pharmacological effects. Phytoconstituents identified by GC-MS, LC-ESI-MS/MS-based metabolomics, and NMR (1D & 2D). GC-MS of the (FAMEs) revealed mainly the identification of 55 fatty acids. LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis resulted in the tentative identity of 13 compounds representing flavonoids, phenolics, and fatty acids. Ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest total flavonoids 66.19 mg/mL Rutin equivalent, while the methanolic fraction showed the highest phenolics 87.70 mg/mL gallic acid equivalent, and the total condensed tannins were 64.35 μg CE/mg catechins equivalent. A flavonoid and a cinnamic acid derivative were identified as quercetin 3-O-(2'''-O-acetyl) rutinoside (Mumikotin A) (1) and Methyl sinapate (2). Biological evaluation of antioxidant and cytotoxic activities was carried out. Cytotoxicity was examined on HepG-2 cell lines where the average cell viability was 91.42 % and 52.48 % for concentrations 10 and 100 μg/mL respectively. Methylene chloride and methanolic fractions showed the highest antioxidant activity 225 μg/mL Ascorbic acid equivalents. It is hypothesized that high phenolics, flavonoid content, and oxygenated identified compounds contribute to the antioxidant activity and can be regarded as a promising species for nutraceuticals active antioxidants with potential value for remedy.

Phytocompounds-based therapeutic approach: Investigating curcumin and green tea extracts on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) has transcended lung cancer as the most common cancer in the world. Due to the disease's aggressiveness, rapid growth, and heterogeneity, it is crucial to investigate different therapeutic approaches for treatment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Plant-based therapeutics continue to be utilized as safe/non-toxic complementary or alternative treatments for cancer, even in developed countries, regardless of how cutting-edge conventional therapies are. Despite their low bioavailability, curcumin (CUR) and green tea (GT) represent safer therapeutic options. Due to their potent molecular-modulating properties on various cancer-related molecules and signaling pathways, they are considered gold-standard therapeutic agents and have been incorporated into the development of one or more therapeutic strategies of BC treatment.

METHODS

We investigated the modulatory role of CUR and GT extracts on significant multi molecular targets in MCF-7 BC cell line to assess their potential as BC multi-targeting agents. We analyzed the phytocompounds in GT leaves using High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. The mRNA expression levels of Raf-1, Telomerase, Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) genes in MCF-7 cells were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The cytotoxicity of the extracts was assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the released Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), a valuable marker for identifying the programmed necrosis (necroptosis). Additionally, the concentrations of the necroptosis-related proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-8) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

In contrast to the GT, the results showed the anticancer and cytotoxic properties of CUR against MCF-7 cells, with a relatively higher level of released LDH. The CUR extract downregulated the oncogenic Raf-1, suppressed the Telomerase and upregulated the TNF-α and IL-8 genes. Results from the ELISA showed a notable increase in IL-8 and TNF-α cytokines levels after CUR treatment, which culminated after 72 h.

CONCLUSIONS

Among both extracts, only CUR effectively modulated the understudy molecular targets, achieving multi-targeting anticancer activity against MCF-7 cells. Moreover, the applied dosage significantly increased levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, which represent a component of the cytokines-targeting-based therapeutic strategy. However, further investigations are recommended to validate this therapeutic approach.

Chemical profiling and cytotoxic potential of the n-butanol fraction of Tamarix nilotica flowers

BACKGROUND

Cancer represents one of the biggest healthcare issues confronting humans and one of the big challenges for scientists in trials to dig into our nature for new remedies or to develop old ones with fewer side effects. Halophytes are widely distributed worldwide in areas of harsh conditions in dunes, and inland deserts, where, to cope with those conditions they synthesize important secondary metabolites highly valued in the medical field. Several Tamarix species are halophytic including T.nilotica which is native to Egypt, with a long history in its tradition, found in its papyri and in folk medicine to treat various ailments.

METHODS

LC-LTQ-MS-MS analysis and ¹H-NMR were used to identify the main phytoconstituents in the n- butanol fraction of T.nilotica flowers. The extract was tested  in vitro for its cytotoxic effect against breast (MCF-7) and liver cell carcinoma (Huh-7) using SRB assay.

RESULTS

T.nilotica n-butanol fraction of the flowers was found to be rich in phenolic content, where, LC-LTQ-MS-MS allowed the tentative identification of thirty-nine metabolites, based on the exact mass, the observed spectra fragmentation patterns, and the literature data, varying between tannins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. ¹H-NMR confirmed the classes tentatively identified. The in-vitro evaluation of the n-butanol fraction showed lower activity on MCF-7 cell lines with IC₅₀ > 100 µg/mL, while the higher promising effect was against Huh-7 cell lines with an IC₅₀= 37 µg/mL.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggested that T.nilotica flowers' n-butanol fraction is representing a promising cytotoxic candidate against liver cell carcinoma having potential phytoconstituents with variable targets and signaling pathways.

Heliotropium procubens Mill: Taxonomic Significance and Characterization of Phenolic Compounds via UHPLC-HRMS- In Vitro Antioxidant and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities

The aim of the present study was the phytochemical analysis of the aerial parts of Heliotropium procumbens Mill., a herb from Boraginaceae plant family not previously studied. The methanol (ME) and aqueous extracts (WE) of the aerial parts were assayed for their total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant properties, using free radical scavenging (DPPH, ABTS), reducing power (FRAP, CUPRAC), phosphomolybdenum and metal chelating assays. The extracts displayed considerable free radical scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals, with potential values of 46.88 and 68.31 mg TE/g extract for ME, and 93.43 and 131.48 mg TE/g extract for WE, respectively. Key clinical enzymes involved in neurodegenerative diseases AChE and BChE, diabetes (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and skin whitening (tyrosinase) were also assayed. The phytochemical profile of the studied species was determined through UHPLC-HRMS, whereby 26 secondary metabolites were identified, three of which (luteolin-7-glucoside, lithospermic and rosmarinic acids) were isolated and structurally determined by NMR spectral means. H. procubens was found to harbor bioactive metabolites and could, hence, serve as a source of biological activities which could be further explored and exploited for potential applications.

Cytotoxic Potential of Alternaria tenuissima AUMC14342 Mycoendophyte Extract: A Study Combined with LC-MS/MS Metabolic Profiling and Molecular Docking Simulation

Breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers are among the most serious cancers and the main causes of mortality in females worldwide, necessitating urgent efforts to find newer sources of safe anticancer drugs. The present study aimed to evaluate the anticancer potency of mycoendophytic Alternaria tenuissima AUMC14342 ethyl acetate extract on HeLa (cervical cancer), SKOV-3 (ovarian cancer), and MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) cell lines. The extract showed potent effect on MCF-7 cells with an IC50 value of 55.53 μg/mL. Cell cycle distribution analysis of treated MCF-7 cells revealed a cell cycle arrest at the S phase with a significant increase in the cell population (25.53%). When compared to control cells, no significant signs of necrotic or apoptotic cell death were observed. LC-MS/MS analysis of Alternaria tenuissima extract afforded the identification of 20 secondary metabolites, including 7-dehydrobrefeldin A, which exhibited the highest interaction score (−8.0156 kcal/mol) in molecular docking analysis against human aromatase. Regarding ADME pharmacokinetics and drug-likeness properties, 7-dehydrobrefeldin A, 4’-epialtenuene, and atransfusarin had good GIT absorption and water solubility without any violation of drug-likeness rules. These findings support the anticancer activity of bioactive metabolites derived from endophytic fungi and provide drug scaffolds and substitute sources for the future development of safe chemotherapy.