Coronarin D, a labdane diterpene, inhibits both constitutive and inducible nuclear factor-kappa B pathway activation, leading to potentiation of apoptosis, inhibition of invasion, and suppression of osteoclastogenesis

Benzo(A)Pyrene-Induced Lung Cancer: Chemo Protective Effect of Coronarin D in Swiss Albino Mice

Lung cancer is considered one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and also has a high death rate. The prevalence of lung cancer is high in developed countries than in developing countries due to the lifestyle changes and quality of air. Coronarin D is a diterpene, which is isolated from the Hedychium coronarium. It demonstrated several pharmacological properties such as anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. In the current investigation, the potential of Coronarin D on the B(a)P-induced lung cancer was studied in the experimental mice model. The B(a)P-administrated animals exhibited a reduced level of immune cells, IgG, IgM, immune complexes, SOD, and CAT. The B(a)P-administrated animals expressed high levels of IgA, LPO, xenobiotic markers, tissue marker, tumor marker, and proinflammatory cytokines. On treatment with Coronarin D, the level of neutrophils, lymphocytes, leucocytes, and absolute neutrophils was elevated in the B(a)P-administered mice. The immune complex was augmented in the Coronarin D-treated animals in comparison with B(a)P-treated mice. The level of IgG and IgM was increased, whereas the level of IgA was reduced in the Coronarin D-treated animals. The level of LPO was downregulated, whereas the level of SOD and CAT was upregulated in Coronarin D-treated animals. The expression level of xenobiotic markers, tissue marker, tumor marker, and proinflammatory cytokines was reduced in the Coronarin D-treated animals. The histopathological results revealed that lung tissues of Coronarin D-treated animals had less alveolar damage with decreased hyperplasia. These findings suggest that the Coronarin D can be utilized as a potent chemopreventive agent for treating lung cancer in the future.

Exploration of Lamiaceae in Cardio Vascular Diseases and Functional Foods: Medicine as Food and Food as Medicine

In the current scenario, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most life-threatening diseases that has caused high mortality worldwide. Several scientists, researchers, and doctors are now resorting to medicinal plants and their metabolites for the treatment of different diseases, including CVD. The present review focuses on one such family of medicinal plants, called Lamiaceae, which has relieving and preventive action on CVD. Lamiaceae has a cosmopolitan distribution and has great importance in the traditional system of medicine. Lamiaceae members exhibit a wide range of activities like antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, vasorelaxant, and thrombolytic effect, both in vitro and in vivo–these are mechanisms that contribute to different aspects of CVD including stroke, heart attack, and others. These plants harbour an array of bioactive compounds like phenolic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and other phytochemicals responsible for these actions. The review also highlights that these plants are a rich source of essential nutrients and minerals like omega-3 and hence, can serve as essential sources of functional foods—this can have an additional role in the prevention of CVDs. However, limitations still exist, and extensive research needs to be conducted on the Lamiaceae family in the quest to develop new and effective plant-based drugs and functional foods that can be used to treat and prevent cardiovascular diseases worldwide.

Modulating effect of Coronarin D in 5-fluorouracil resistance human oral cancer cell lines induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through JNK1/2 signaling pathway

Coronarin D (CD) is one of the main components of Hedychium coronarium rhizome, which has therapeutic potential by reducing cell proliferation in cancer cells. However, the mechanism of CD to 5-fluorouracil (5FU) oral cancer cell remain unclearly. This study discusses the CD to 5FU chemoresistance oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) biochemical mechanisms and possibly pathways to inhibit multiplication in oral cancer. The effect of CD-treated 5FU-chemoresistance human oral cancer cell lines were subjected to MTT assay, cell cycle assay, DAPI assay, annexin-V/PI double staining assay and mitochondrial membrane potential measurement. Furthermore, western blotting was performed to assess the effect of CD on the expression levels of apoptosis related protein and MAPK signaling pathway. The results of the study evidenced that CD reduced viability of 5FU cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner compared with control. The cytotoxic effect of CD lead to cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis in both internal and external pathways. CD induces apoptosis by enhancing phosphorylation of JNK, further exploring the combination of CD and SP600125 reduced the overexpression of phosphate JNK levels. The mechanism of action of CD in 5FU on human oral cancer cells is reported for the first time and can hopeful to be a potential therapeutic agent for 5FU against human oral cancer cells.

Coronarin D suppresses proliferation, invasion and migration of glioma cells via activating JNK signaling pathway

Coronarin D (CD) is one of the primary components of the Hedychium coronarium rhizomes and possesses strong anticancer effects via preventing cell growth in many cancer cells. The study was aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying effects of CD on proliferation, invasion and migration of gliomas cells. Gliomas cell lines U251 was employed for detecting cells viability and proliferation by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and colony formation assay. In addition, scratch wound healing and transwell assays were performed for the analysis of U251 cells invasion and migration respectively. Furthermore, the expression of p-Akt/Akt, p-p38/p38, p-ERK/ERK, p-JNK/JNK, p-STAT3/STAT3, cyclinE, cyclinD1, CTGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were measured by Western blotting. CD could suppress proliferation, invasion and migration of glioma cells and induced reduction of cyclinE, cyclinD1, CTGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression via activating JNK signaling pathway. CD treatment suppressed expression of p-AKT, p38, and ERK and elevated expression of p-JNK in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Moreover, CD significantly induced reduction of phosphorylated STAT3 expression. Exposure of cells to the JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 reduced the cytotoxicity effects of CD, combination of CD and SP600125 corrected overexpression of phosphorylated JNK and reduction of phosphorylated STAT3. Pretreatment of SP600125 also improves gliomas cells viability and invasion. The results revealed that CD may remarkably suppress gliomas cell growth through JNK and STAT3 signaling. In present study, these findings revealed that CD induces suppression of cell viability in gliomas cells and possesses therapeutic effect on gliomas.

Coronarin D Induces Apoptotic Cell Death and Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Glioblastoma Cell Line

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent and highest-grade brain tumor in adults. The prognosis is still poor despite the use of combined therapy involving maximal surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The development of more efficient drugs without noticeable side effects is urgent. Coronarin D is a diterpene obtained from the rhizome extract of Hedychium coronarium, classified as a labdane with several biological activities, principally anticancer potential. The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-cancer properties of Coronarin D in the glioblastoma cell line and further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Coronarin D potently suppressed cell viability in glioblastoma U-251 cell line, and also induced G1 arrest by reducing p21 protein and histone H2AX phosphorylation, leading to DNA damage and apoptosis. Further studies showed that Coronarin D increased the production of reactive oxygen species, lead to mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, and subsequently activated caspases and ERK phosphorylation, major mechanisms involved in apoptosis. To our knowledge, this is the first analysis referring to this compound on the glioma cell line. These findings highlight the antiproliferative activity of Coronarin D against glioblastoma cell line U-251 and provide a basis for further investigation on its antineoplastic activity on brain cancer.

α-Hispanolol Induces Apoptosis and Suppresses Migration and Invasion of Glioblastoma Cells Likely via Downregulation of MMP-2/9 Expression and p38MAPK Attenuation

α-Hispanolol (α-H) is a labdane diterpenoid that has been shown to induce apoptosis in several human cancer cells. However, the effect of α-H in human glioblastoma cells has not been described. In the present work, we have investigated the effects of α-H on apoptosis, migration, and invasion of human glioblastoma cells with the aim of identifying the molecular targets underlying its mechanism of action. The results revealed that α-H showed significant cytotoxicity against human glioma cancer cell lines U87 and U373 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. This effect was higher in U87 cells and linked to apoptosis, as revealed the increased percentage of sub-G₁ population by cell cycle analysis and acquisition of typical features of apoptotic cell morphology. Apoptosis was also confirmed by significant presence of annexin V-positive cells and caspase activation. Pretreatment with caspase inhibitors diminishes the activities of caspase 8, 9, and 3 and maintains the percentage of viable glioblastoma cells, indicating that α-H induced cell apoptosis through both the extrinsic and the intrinsic pathways. Moreover, we also found that α-H downregulated the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins and activated the pro-apoptotic Bid and Bax proteins. On the other hand, α-H exhibited inhibitory effects on the migration and invasion of U87 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, additional experiments showed that α-H treatment reduced the enzymatic activities and protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2 and MMP-9 and increased the expression of TIMP-1 inhibitor, probably via p38MAPK regulation. Finally, xenograft assays confirmed the anti-glioma efficacy of α-H. Taken together, these findings suggest that α-H may exert anti-tumoral effects in vitro and in vivo through the inhibition of cell proliferation and invasion as well as by the induction of apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells. This research describes α-H as a new drug that may improve the therapeutic efficacy against glioblastoma tumors.

The identification of naturally occurring labdane diterpenoid calcaratarin D as a potential anti-inflammatory agent

In this study we report, for the first time, the synthesis of the natural product calcaratarin D via a stereo- and regio-selective aldol condensation with (S)-β-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone as key steps. A concise synthetic route (under 10 steps) to a series of structurally related normal-labdane diterpenes was also developed and their anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated in an in vitro model of inflammation. The structure-activity relationships (SARs) pertaining to the labdane scaffold were elucidated and results suggest that an α-alkylidene-β-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone system is necessary for potent activity in the labdanes. Our studies identified the natural product calcaratarin D (1) as a promising anti-inflammatory agent, which effectively modulates the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6, NO) at both transcriptional and translational levels. These inhibitory effects are likely to occur via the suppression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation by reducing the p65 nuclear translocation but not its phosphorylation or protein expression. Calcaratarin D exhibited significantly greater inhibition of NF-κB activation than andrographolide, a well-known NF-κB inhibitor from the labdane family, suggesting that a normal-configuration labdane ring or the absence of hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-19 positions is favorable for potent NF-κB inhibition. We further investigated the effects of calcaratarin D on the upstream signalling pathways and found that the compound selectively suppressed the LPS-induced activation of PI3K/Akt pathway without affecting much of the MAPK (i.e., ERK, JNK, and p38) activation. These findings demonstrate that calcaratarin D exerts its anti-inflammatory effects via a selective Akt-NF-κB-mediated mechanism and potentially offers a new therapeutic strategy for the management of inflammatory diseases.

Coronarin D induces human oral cancer cell apoptosis though upregulate JNK1/2 signaling pathway

The incidence of oral cancer is increasing all over the world, with rates particularly high in Southeast Asian countries, such as Taiwan. Coronarin D (CD) has been confirmed to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial effects, and anti-apoptotic effects in human hepatocellular carcinoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to explore whether CD has a suppression effect on oral cancer cells and the mechanisms involved. The results of our study revealed the significantly decreased cancer cell viability and increased activation of apoptosis via increased loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, increased death receptors, leading to the activation of caspase-8, -9, -3. Moreover, the rate of apoptosis of cells treated with CD plus JNK inhibitors was decreased compared to CD-treated cells. This is the first study to demonstrate that CD induces apoptosis in human oral cancer cells and can be expected to be a promising anticancer agent for oral cancer treatment.

Hedychium coronarium extract arrests cell cycle progression, induces apoptosis, and impairs migration and invasion in HeLa cervical cancer cells

Background

Hedychium coronarium Koen. (Zingiberaceae) is traditionally used as medicine in countries such as India, China, and Vietnam for treatment of various ailments including cancer. However, in spite of its implied significance in cancer treatment regimes, there are no reports so far involving the anticancerous attributes of H, coronarium ethanol extract (HCEE) on cancer cells and a more comprehensive study on its mechanism is still lacking.

Materials and methods

The cytotoxicity of HCEE was evaluated by MTT and clonogenic survival assay. Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI), Hoechst 33342 staining, and TUNEL assay were performed to detect apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis was performed using PI staining. JC-1 and 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay were used to check the levels of MMP and ROS, respectively. Western blot analysis was carried out to measure the expression levels of proteins. Migration and invasion activity were assessed by wound healing and Transwell membrane assay, respectively.

Results

Antiproliferative effect of HCEE was investigated in various cancerous and normal cell lines. Among these, HCEE significantly inhibited the survival of HeLa cells without affecting the viability of normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Annexin V/PI, Hoechst staining, and TUNEL assay showed HCEE induced apoptosis in HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner. HCEE promoted cell cycle arrest at G1 phase in HeLa cells by upregulating the levels of p53 and p21 and downregulating the levels of cyclin D1, CDK-4, and CDK-6. Moreover, HCEE treatment upregulated the expression of Bax and downregulated the expression of Bcl-2. Additionally, HCEE activated the caspase cascade by increasing the activities of caspase-9, caspase-8, and caspase-3. The expression levels of Fas ligand and Fas were also upregulated. Further, HCEE inhibited the migratory potential of HeLa cells by downregulating MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels.

Conclusion

Our results indicate H. coronarium exerts antiproliferative and apoptotic effects against HeLa cells, and therefore may be used for treatment against cervical cancer.

Coronarin D induces apoptotic cell death through the JNK pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Coronarin D, a diterpene derived from the rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium, has been used to treat inflammatory diseases. Coronarin D can exert strong anticancer effects through cell growth prevention and cell cycle arrest in many cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism through which coronarin D suppresses cell proliferation and triggers cell death in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Treatment of Huh7 and Sk-hep-1 cells with coronarin D resulted in a significantly increased loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to the cleavage and activation of caspase-9, caspase-8, and caspase-3 and changes in Bax, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL protein levels. Coronarin D significantly induced autophagy by increasing the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3-II and reducing the expression of p62. Moreover, Huh7 and Sk-hep-1 cells exposed to coronarin D had decreased expression of phosphorylated AKT, p38, and ERK and increased expression of phosphorylated JNK. Exposure of cells to the JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 attenuated the apoptotic effects of coronarin D. Taken together, this is the first study to report that coronarin D may effectively inhibit cell growth through apoptosis. We have provided evidence indicating that coronarin D induces cell death through the upregulation of JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases in human HCC cells.

JNK Inactivation Induces Polyploidy and Drug-Resistance in Coronarin D-Treated Osteosarcoma Cells

Inhibition of proliferating cells is a critical strategy for cancer therapy. In this study, we demonstrated that coronarin D, a natural component extracted from the rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium, significantly suppressed the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells. The treatment with coronarin D resulted in the activation of caspase-3 and apoptosis. This treatment induced the accumulation of cyclin B1 and DNA condensation indicating the treated osteosarcoma cells were arrested in mitotic phase. Furthermore, the treatment with coronarin D increased the levels of phosphorylated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in human osteosarcoma cells. Pretreatment with JNK inhibitor blocked the accumulation of cyclin B1 and DNA condensation, resulting the accumulation of tetraploid cells in coronarin D-treated osteosarcoma HOS cells, indicating JNK inactivation blocked the mitotic entry and arrested cells in the 4 N state. After adaptation, the arrested tetraploid cells continued to duplicate their DNA resulting in polyploidy. Interestingly, when the arrested mitotic cells induced by coronarin D were treated with JNK inhibitor, the accumulated cyclin B1 and DNA condensation were immediately eliminated. These arrested 4 N cells loss the ability to undergo cytokinesis, and ultimately continued to duplicate DNA upon prolonged arrest resulting in the production of polyploid populations. JNK inactivation, either by the pretreatment with JNK inhibitor or the treatment with JNK inhibitor in coronarin D-induced mitotic cells, both caused resistance to coronarin D-induced cell death. Taken together, our findings indicate that coronarin D induces the apoptosis and mitosis arrest in human osteosarcoma cells. JNK has a crucial role in coronarin D-induced mitosis arrest and apoptosis. We hypothesize that functional evaluation of JNK may produce more specific and effective therapies in coronarin D-related trail for treatment of human osteosarcoma.

Magnolol: A Neolignan from the Magnolia Family for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

The past few decades have witnessed widespread research to challenge carcinogenesis; however, it remains one of the most important health concerns with the worst prognosis and diagnosis. Increasing lines of evidence clearly show that the rate of cancer incidence will increase in future and will create global havoc, designating it as an epidemic. Conventional chemotherapeutics and treatment with synthetic disciplines are often associated with adverse side effects and development of chemoresistance. Thus, discovering novel economic and patient friendly drugs that are safe and efficacious is warranted. Several natural compounds have proved their potential against this dreadful disease so far. Magnolol is a hydroxylated biphenyl isolated from the root and stem bark of Magnolia tree. Magnolol can efficiently prevent or inhibit the growth of various cancers originating from different organs such as brain, breast, cervical, colon, liver, lung, prostate, skin, etc. Considering these perspectives, the current review primarily focuses on the fascinating role of magnolol against various types of cancers, and the source and chemistry of magnolol and the molecular mechanism underlying the targets of magnolol are discussed. This review proposes magnolol as a suitable candidate that can be appropriately designed and established into a potent anti-cancer drug.

Effects of GandhPaalashi (Hedychium spicatum) on the expression of hepatic genes associated with biotransformation, antioxidant and immune systems in WLH cockerels fed indoxacarb

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Hedychium spicatum (HSRP) root powder, to ameliorate changes in gene expression in WLH cockerels fed indoxacarb. After 16 weeks of treatment, all birds from different groups were sacrificed humanly and collected the liver pieces in RNA later for expression study by RT-PCR to evaluate changes in the expression of genes involved in antioxidant function [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST)], biotransformation [cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1)], and the immune system [interleukins 6 (IL-6)]. Changes in gene expression were determined using the quantitative real-time PCR technique. There were significant upregulation of IL-6, CYP1A1 and GPx genes in indoxacarb treated groups. There was significant down regulation of CAT and SOD genes in indoxacarb treated groups in comparison to control. Simultaneous treatments with HSRP produce ameliorative effect and restore the gene activities at par with control. The current study demonstrates protective effects of HSRP on changes in expression of antioxidant, biotransformation, and immune system genes in cockerels fed indoxacarb.

Coronarin D induces reactive oxygen species-mediated cell death in human nasopharyngeal cancer cells through inhibition of p38 MAPK and activation of JNK

Background and Purpose

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) belongs to squamous cell carcinoma that occurs in the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx. Because of the anatomical position close to the cervical lymph node, some patients have a distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis that leads to treatment failure. Although early stages have a high curability and excellent prognosis, advanced NPC urgently requires new drugs developed to reinforce the effectiveness of therapy without noticeable side effects.

Experimental approach

Coronarin D (CD), a natural product extracted from the rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium, has been reported to possess anticancer potential. The aim of the present study was to determine the anticancer activity of CD and further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Key Results

In this study, we first demonstrated that CD potently suppressed cell viability in various NPC cell lines. Treatment of cells with CD induced G2/M arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy. Further studies showed that CD increased the production of reactive oxygen species and subsequently activated both autophagy and apoptosis. Moreover, we found that CD-induced activation of p38 and JNK constituted major mechanisms involved in the apoptosis and autophagy triggered by CD. In particular, inhibition of autophagy could strengthen the cytotoxicity of CD, implying that autophagy seems to play a valuable survival and protective role in cancer cells.

Conclusions & Implications

These findings provide a promise for the use of CD in combination with autophagy inhibitors for treatment of human NPC cell lines.

Calebin A, a novel component of turmeric, suppresses NF-κB regulated cell survival and inflammatory gene products leading to inhibition of cell growth and chemosensitization

BACKGROUND

While the anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential of curcumin, which is derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been studied extensively, very little is known about Calebin A, another novel compound from the same source.

PURPOSE

To determine whether Calebin A exhibits anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential.

METHODS

We examined the anti-inflammatory potential of Calebin A by DNA binding of NF-κB. Anticancer properties of Calebin were determined by MTT and FACS analysis and NF-κB regulated expression of proteins was assessed by western blotting.

RESULTS

Calebin A suppressed NF-κB activation induced by various stimuli. This inhibition of NF-κB activation was mediated through the suppression of direct binding of NF-κB/p65 to the DNA. This inhibitory effect was reversed by a reducing agent, and mutation of the Cys38 of p65 to serine abolished the effect of Calebin A on this binding. Suppression of NF-κB activation by Calebin A resulted in the down-regulation of the expression of proteins involved in tumor cell survival, proliferation, inflammation, and metastasis. Furthermore, Calebin A inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in a wide variety of tumor cells, as examined by various assays. It enhanced apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic agents.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that Calebin A inhibits NF-κB activation pathway through interaction with p65 and potentiates apoptosis in cancer cells; thus, it has potential in the treatment of cancer. However, further in vivo studies are warranted to define its anti-inflammatory and anticancer potential.

Butein in health and disease: A comprehensive review

BACKGROUND

The risk of suffering from many chronic diseases seems to have made no improvement despite the advancement in medications available in the modern world. Moreover, the use of synthetic chemicals as medications has proved to worsen the scenario due to the various adverse side effects associated with them.

PURPOSE

Extensive research on natural medicines provides ample evidence on the safety and efficacy of phytochemicals and nutraceuticals against diverse chronic ailments. Therefore, it is advisable to use natural products in the management of such diseases. This article aims to present a comprehensive and critical review of known pharmacological and biological effects of butein, an important chalcone polyphenol first isolated from Rhus verniciflua Stokes, implicated in the prevention and treatment of various chronic disease conditions.

METHODS

An extensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus and Web of Science^TM core collections using key words followed by evaluation of the bibliographies of relevant articles.

RESULTS

Butein has been preclinically proven to be effective against several chronic diseases because it possesses a wide range of biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, hypotensive and neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, it has been shown to affect multiple molecular targets, including the master transcription factor nuclear factor-κB and its downstream molecules. Moreover, since it acts on multiple pathways, the chances of non-responsiveness and resistance development is reduced, supporting the use of butein as a preferred treatment option.

CONCLUSION

Based on numerous preclinical studies, butein shows significant therapeutic potential against various diseases. Nevertheless, well-designed clinical studies are urgently needed to validate the preclinical findings.

Potential of butein, a tetrahydroxychalcone to obliterate cancer

BACKGROUND

Despite the major advances made in the field of cancer biology, it still remains one of the most fatal diseases in the world. It is now well established that natural products are safe and efficacious and have high potential in the prevention and treatment of different diseases including cancer. Butein is one such compound which is now found to have anti-cancer properties against various malignancies.

PURPOSE

To thoroughly review the literature available on the anti-cancer properties of butein against different cancers and its molecular targets.

METHODS

A thorough literature search has been done in PubMed for butein, its biological activities especially cancer and its molecular targets.

RESULTS

Our search retrieved several reports on the various biological activities of butein in which around 43 articles reported that butein shows potential anti-proliferative effect against a wide range of neoplasms and the molecular target varies with cancer types. Most often it targets NF-κB and its downstream pathways. In addition, butein induces the expression of genes which mediate the cell death and apoptosis in cancer cells. It also inhibits tumor angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis in prostate, liver and bladder cancers through the inhibition of MMPs, VEGF etc. Moreover, it inhibits the overexpression of several proteins and enzymes such as STAT3, ERK, CXCR4, COX-2, Akt, EGFR, Ras etc. involved in tumorigenesis.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, all these findings suggest the enormous potential and efficacy of butein as a multitargeted chemotherapeutic, chemopreventive and chemosensitizing agent against a wide range of cancers with minimal or no adverse side effects.

Potential of tocotrienols in the prevention and therapy of Alzheimer's disease

Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD); clinical trials are underway to reduce amyloid generation and deposition, a neuropathological hallmark in brains of AD patients. While genetic factors and neuroinflammation contribute significantly to AD pathogenesis, whether increased cholesterol level is a causative factor or a result of AD is equivocal. Prenylation of proteins regulating neuronal functions requires mevalonate-derived farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). The observation that the levels of FPP and GGPP, but not that of cholesterol, are elevated in AD patients is consistent with the finding that statins, competitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, reduce FPP and GGPP levels and amyloid β protein production in preclinical studies. Retrospective studies show inverse correlations between incidence of AD and the intake and serum levels of the HMG CoA reductase-suppressive tocotrienols; tocopherols show mixed results. Tocotrienols, but not tocopherols, block the processing and nuclear localization of sterol regulatory element binding protein-2, the transcriptional factor for HMG CoA reductase and FPP synthase, and enhance the degradation of HMG CoA reductase. Consequently, tocotrienols deplete the pool of FPP and GGPP and potentially blunt prenylation-dependent AD pathogenesis. The antiinflammatory activity of tocotrienols further contributes to their protection against AD. The mevalonate- and inflammation-suppressive activities of tocotrienols may represent those of an estimated 23,000 mevalonate-derived plant secondary metabolites called isoprenoids, many of which are neuroprotective. Tocotrienol-containing plant foods and tocotrienol derivatives and formulations with enhanced bioavailability may offer a novel approach in AD prevention and treatment.

Phytochemistry and pharmacology of ornamental gingers, Hedychium coronarium and Alpinia purpurata: a review

In this review, the phytochemistry and pharmacology of two ornamental gingers, Hedychium coronarium (butterfly ginger) and Alpinia purpurata (red ginger), are updated, and their botany and uses are described. Flowers of H. coronarium are large, showy, white, yellow or white with a yellow centre and highly fragrant. Inflorescences of A. purpurata are erect spikes with attractive red or pink bracts. Phytochemical investigations on the rhizomes of H. coronarium generated research interest globally. This resulted in the isolation of 53 labdane-type diterpenes, with little work done on the leaves and flowers. Pharmacological properties of H. coronarium included antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, chemopreventive, anti-allergic, larvicidal, anthelminthic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-urolithiatic, anti-angiogenic, neuro-pharmacological, fibrinogenolytic, coagulant and hepatoprotective activities. On the contrary, little is known on the phytochemistry of A. purpurata with pharmacological properties of antioxidant, antibacterial, larvicidal, cytotoxic and vasodilator activities reported in the leaves and rhizomes. There is much disparity in terms of research effort within and between these two ornamental gingers.

Propofol inhibits proliferation and induces neuroapoptosis of hippocampal neurons in vitro via downregulation of NF-κB p65 and Bcl-2 and upregulation of caspase-3

Propofol is widely used in paediatric anaesthesia and intensive care unit because of its essentially short-acting anaesthetic effect. Recent data have shown that propofol induced neurotoxicity in developing brain. However, the mechanisms are not extremely clear. To gain a better insight into the toxic effects of propofol on hippocampal neurons, we treated cells at the days in vitro 7 (DIV 7), which were prepared from Sprague-Dawley embryos at the 18th day of gestation, with propofol (0.1-1000 μM) for 3 h. A significant decrease in neuronal proliferation and a remarkable increase in neuroapoptosis were observed in DIV 7 hippocampal neurons as measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and apoptosis assay respectively. Moreover, propofol treatment decreased the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) p65 expression, which was accompanied by a reduction in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) mRNA and protein levels, increased caspase-3 mRNA and activation of caspase-3 protein. These results indicated that downregulation of NF-κB p65 and Bcl-2 were involved in the potential mechanisms of propofol-induced neurotoxicity. This likely led to the caspase-3 activation, triggered apoptosis and inhibited the neuronal growth and proliferation that we have observed in our in vitro systems.

Composition of essential oils of four Hedychium species from Vietnam

Background

Vietnam is a country blessed with many medicinal plants widely used as food and for medicinal purposes, and they contain a host of active substances that contribute to health. However, the analysis of chemical constituents of these plant species has not been subject of literature discussion.

Results

In this study, the chemical compositions of essential oils of four Hedychium species, obtained by hydrodistillation, were determined by means of gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. Individually, α-pinene (52.5%) and β-pinene (31.8%) were present in the leaf oil of Hedychium stenopetalum Lodd., while linalool (45.2%), (E)-nerolidol (8.7%) and α-pinene (5.0%) were identified in the root. The leaf of Hedychium coronarium J. König was characterized by β-pinene (20.0%), linalool (15.8%), 1,8-cineole (10.7%), α-pinene (10.1%) and α-terpineol (8.6%); while β-pinene (23.6%), α-humulene (17.1%) and β-caryophyllene (13.0%) were identified in the root. Hedychium flavum Roxb., gave oil whose major compounds were β-pinene (22.5%), α-humulene (15.7%) and β-caryophyllene (10.4%) in the leaf; α-humulene (18.9%), β-caryophyllene (11.8%) and β-pinene (11.2%) in the stem, as well as β-pinene (21.8%), linalool (17.5%) and 1,8-cineole (13.5%) in the root. The main constituents of Hedychium ellipticum Buch.-Ham. ex Smith were (E)-nerolidol (15.9%), β-pinene (11.8%) and bornyl acetate (9.2%) in the leaf with 1,8-cineole (40.8%), α-pinene (18.3%) and β-pinene (11.0%) occurring in the root.

Conclusions

Ubiquitous monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were identified as characteristic markers for Hedychium species. This work is of great importance for the evaluation of Hedychium essential oils grown in Vietnam.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13065-014-0054-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Antimicrobial activity of coronarin D and its synergistic potential with antibiotics

Coronarin D is a labdane-type diterpene from the rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium. In the view of our ongoing effort to explore its novel biological activity, antimicrobial activity study of coronarin D was performed. The results showed that coronarin D was active against tested Gram-positive bacteria, inactive for tested Gram-negative bacteria, and weakly active against tested fungi. The antibacterial effect of the combination of coronarin D with nine classical antibiotics against four Gram-positive bacteria was also evaluated. The fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICI) of coronarin D-antibiotics combinations, calculated from the checkerboard assay, were used as synergism indicator. Out of 36 combinations, 47% showed total synergism, 33% had partial synergistic interaction, 17% showed no effect, and 3% showed antagonism. By combination with coronarin D at concentration of 0.25 minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), the activities of antibiotics were boosted to 4- to 128-fold. These finding suggested an attractive approach to combat the infectious diseases by using coronarin D-antibiotic drug combination.

Micropropagation of Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig through rhizome bud

An optimized protocol was developed for in vitro plant regeneration of a medicinally important herb Hedychium coronarium J. Koenig using sprouted buds of rhizomes. The rhizomes with sprouted bud were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog (Physiol Plant 15:473-497, 1962) medium (MS) supplemented with either N(6)-benzyladenine (BA) alone (1.0-4.0 mg L(-1)) or in combination with 0.5 mg L(-1) naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Of these combinations, MS supplemented with a combination of 2.0 mg L(-1) BA and 0.5 mg L(-1) NAA was most effective. In this medium, best shoots (3.6) and roots (4.0) regeneration was observed simultaneously with an average shoot and root length of 4.7 cm and 4.2 cm respectively. Regeneration of shoots and roots in the same medium at the same time (One step shoot and root regeneration) reduced the time for production of in vitro plantlets and eliminates the media cost of rooting. Cent-percent (100 %) success in plant establishment was observed in both gradual acclimatization process as well as when plants were directly transferred to outdoor in clay pots containing a mixture of garden soil and sand (2:1) without any sequential acclimatization stage.

Coronarin D Conjugated to Methylene Homologues of Chlorambucil: Synthesis and Evaluation of their Cytotoxicity

Methylene homologues of chlorambucil were synthesised and conjugated to the labdane diterpene coronarin D. The products were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity, and were found to exhibit selective activity against MOLT-3 cell line. Two homologues of chlorambucil showed a comparable cytotoxic effect to their parent. However, as compared with the non-derivatised chlorambucil and its homologues, their conjugation with coronarin D through ester linkage did not enhance in vitro cytotoxicity against the tested cancer cell lines.

Targeting NF-κB and HIF-1 pathways for the treatment of cancer: part I

The process of chronic inflammation is a common link which connects different kinds of environmental pollutants and infections with tumorigenesis. Transcription factor NF-κB is a common final target for many inflammatory and cell proliferation pathways, independent of the source of stimuli (e.g., cytokines, growth factors, environmental carcinogens, radiation, hypoxia, bacteria, and viruses). Over-activation of NF-κB has been confirmed in many tumors, resulting in worse prognosis for patient survival. Therefore, inhibition of cellular pathways for NF-κB activation is nowadays considered as a promising anti-cancer therapy and is extensively studied in clinical trials, or even has been adopted as an approved therapy in some kinds of cancer.

Advanced glycation end products inhibitors from Alpinia zerumbet rhizomes

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are major factors responsible for the complication of diabetes. The present study was carried out to investigate the inhibitory activities on fructosamine adduct and α-dicarbonyl formations by hexane extracts of various parts of Alpinia zerumbet. Furthermore, we isolated two previously known compounds, namely 5,6-dehydrokawain (DK) and dihydro-5,6-dehydrokawain (DDK). 8(17),12-Labdadiene-15,16-dial (labdadiene) was isolated for the first time from the rhizome of A. zerumbet. The results showed that labdadiene (IC50=51.06μg/mL) had similar activity to rutin and quercetin against fructosamine adduct. The inhibition of α-dicarbonyl compounds formation by labdadiene was significantly higher than that of DK and DDK. Our results indicate that labdadiene is a potent antiglycation agent which was found to inhibit AGEs formation in three different steps in the pathway. These data indicate that labdadiene could be used to prevent glycation-associated complications in diabetes.

HIV-1 integrase and neuraminidase inhibitors from Alpinia zerumbet

AIDS and influenza are viral pandemics and remain one of the leading causes of human deaths worldwide. The increasing resistance of these diseases to synthetic drugs demands the search for novel compounds from plant-based sources. In this regard, the leaves and rhizomes of Alpinia zerumbet, a traditionally important economic plant in Okinawa, were investigated for activity against HIV-1 integrase (IN) and neuraminidase (NA). The aqueous extracts of leaves and rhizomes had IN inhibitory activity with IC(50) values of 30 and 188 μg/mL, whereas against NA they showed 50% inhibition at concentrations of 43 and 57 μg/mL, respectively. 5,6-Dehydrokawain (DK), dihydro-5,6-dehydrokawain (DDK), and 8(17),12-labdadiene-15,16-dial (labdadiene) were isolated from the rhizomes and were tested for enzyme inhibitions. DK and DDK strongly inhibited IN with IC(50) of 4.4 and 3.6 μg/mL, respectively. Against NA, DK, DDK, and labdadiene exhibited mixed type of inhibition with respective IC(50) values of 25.5, 24.6, and 36.6 μM and K(i) values ranging from 0.3 to 2.8 μM. It was found that DDK is a slow and time-dependent reversible inhibitor of NA, probably with a methoxy group as its functionally active site. These results suggest that alpinia could be used as a source of bioactive compounds against IN and NA and that DK and DDK may have possibilities in the design of drugs against these viral diseases.

Bromelain inhibits nuclear factor kappa-B translocation, driving human epidermoid carcinoma A431 and melanoma A375 cells through G(2)/M arrest to apoptosis

Bromelain, obtained from pineapple, is already in use clinically as adjunct in chemotherapy. Our objective was to test its ability to act as a sole anti-cancer agent. Therefore, we describe its anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and subsequent anti-cancer effects in vitro, against human epidermoid carcinoma-A431 and melanoma-A375 cells. Bromelain exhibited reduction in proliferation of both these cell-lines and suppressed their potential for anchorage-independent growth. Further, suppression of inflammatory signaling by bromelain was evident by inhibition of Akt regulated-nuclear factor-kappaB activation via suppression of inhibitory-kappaBα phosphorylation and concomitant reduction in cyclooxygenase-2. Since, the inflammatory cascade is well-known to be closely allied to cancer; we studied the effect of bromelain on events/molecules central to it. Bromelain caused depletion of intracellular glutathione and generation of reactive oxygen-species followed by mitochondrial membrane depolarization. This led to bromelain-induced cell-cycle arrest at G(2)/M phase which was mediated by modulation of cyclin B1, phospho-cdc25C, Plk1, phospho-cdc2, and myt1. This was subsequently followed by induction of apoptosis, indicated by membrane-blebbing, modulation of Bax-Bcl-2 ratio, Apaf-1, caspase-9, and caspase-3; chromatin-condensation, increase in caspase-activity and DNA-fragmentation. Bromelain afforded substantial anti-cancer potential in these settings; hence we suggest it as a potential prospect for anti-cancer agent besides only an additive in chemotherapy.

Regulation of survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of tumor cells through modulation of inflammatory pathways by nutraceuticals

Almost 25 centuries ago, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, proclaimed "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." Exploring the association between diet and health continues today. For example, we now know that as many as 35% of all cancers can be prevented by dietary changes. Carcinogenesis is a multistep process involving the transformation, survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of the tumor and may take up to 30 years. The pathways associated with this process have been linked to chronic inflammation, a major mediator of tumor progression. The human body consists of about 13 trillion cells, almost all of which are turned over within 100 days, indicating that 70,000 cells undergo apoptosis every minute. Thus, apoptosis/cell death is a normal physiological process, and it is rare that a lack of apoptosis kills the patient. Almost 90% of all deaths due to cancer are linked to metastasis of the tumor. How our diet can prevent cancer is the focus of this review. Specifically, we will discuss how nutraceuticals, such as allicin, apigenin, berberine, butein, caffeic acid, capsaicin, catechin gallate, celastrol, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, fisetin, flavopiridol, gambogic acid, genistein, plumbagin, quercetin, resveratrol, sanguinarine, silibinin, sulforaphane, taxol, gamma-tocotrienol, and zerumbone, derived from spices, legumes, fruits, nuts, and vegetables, can modulate inflammatory pathways and thus affect the survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of the tumor. Various cell signaling pathways that are modulated by these agents will also be discussed.

NF-kappaB and cancer: how intimate is this relationship

NF-kappaB, a transcription factor first discovered in 1986, is now known to be closely connected to the process of tumorogenesis based on a multiplicity of evidence. (1) NF-kappaB is activated in response to tobacco, stress, dietary agents, obesity, alcohol, infectious agents, irradiation, and environmental stimuli that account for as much as 95% of all cancers. (2) The transcription factor has been linked with transformation of cells. (3) It is constitutively active in most tumor cells. (4) It has also been linked with the survival of cancer stem cells, an early progenitor cell that has acquired self-renewal potential. (5) NF-kappaB regulates the expression of most anti-apoptotic gene products associated with the survival of the tumor. (6) It also regulates the gene products linked with proliferation of tumors. (7) The transcription factor controls the expression of gene products linked with invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis of cancer. (8) While most carcinogens activate NF-kappaB, most chemopreventive agents suppress its activation. These observations suggest that NF-kappaB is intimately intertwined with cancer growth and metastasis. The mechanism that leads to constitutive activation of NF-kappaB in hematological, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecological, thoracic head and neck, breast, and skin cancers, and the ways NF-kappaB is activated are the topics of discussion in this review.

Medicinal plants from the Yanesha (Peru): evaluation of the leishmanicidal and antimalarial activity of selected extracts

AIM OF THE STUDY

Ninety-four ethanolic extracts of plants used medicinally by the Yanesha, an Amazonian Peruvian ethnic group, for affections related to leishmaniasis and malaria were screened in vitro against Leishmania amazonensis amastigotes and against a Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistant strain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The viability of Leishmania amazonensis amastigote stages was assessed by the reduction of tetrazolium salt (MTT) while the impact on Plasmodium falciparum was determined by measuring the incorporation of radio-labelled hypoxanthine.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Six plant species displayed good activity against Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistant strain (IC(50) < 10 microg/ml): a Monimiaceae, Siparuna aspera (Ruiz & Pavon), A. DC., two Zingiberaceae, Renealmia thyrsoidea (Ruiz & Pavon) Poepp. & Endl. and Renealmia alpinia (Rottb.), two Piperaceae (Piper aduncum L. and Piper sp.) and the leaves of Jacaranda copaia (Aubl.) D. Don (Bignoniaceae). Eight species displayed interesting leishmanicidal activities (IC50 < 10 microg/ml): Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae), Piper dennisii Trel (Piperaceae), Hedychium coronarium J. König (Zingiberaceae), Cestrum racemosum Ruiz & Pav. (Solanaceae), Renealmia alpinia (Rottb.) Zingiberaceae, Lantana sp. (Verbenaceae), Hyptis lacustris A. St.-Hil. ex Benth. (Lamiaceae) and Calea montana Klat. (Asteraceae). Most of them are used against skin affections by Yanesha people. Results are discussed herein, according to the traditional use of the plants and compared with data obtained from the literature.