Cytotoxic and antioxidant properties of active principals isolated from water hyacinth against four cancer cells lines

Antiproliferative Effects of Methanolic Root Extracts of Eichhornia crassipes Against a Skin Melanoma Cell Line: An In Vitro Study

Background Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, accounting for 3% of all malignant cancers. Phytochemicals and their related compounds are found in various parts of the plant Eichhornia crassipes and have a variety of pharmacological actions. The current research was intended to compare and evaluate the anti-proliferative action of methanolic extracts of E. crassipes roots and petioles against the Sloan Kettering Melanoma (SK-Mel-5) cell line. Materials and methods The waters around Ezhikkara, Ernakulum, Kerala, were discovered to contain E. crassipes. We used a Soxhlet extractor to get this concentrated liquid. For this test, we employed a methanolic extract of roots and petioles to determine the extent to which different concentrations of the extract inhibited cell proliferation. Data on absorbance were reported as a mean standard deviation. Using Probit analysis, the IC₅₀ was calculated by evaluating the gradient of the regression line to get a value. Results Concentrations of methanolic root and petiole extracts of 12.5 µg/ml, 25 µg/ml, 50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml, and 200 µg/ml were analyzed. The methanol petiole extract reduced the viability of SK-Mel-5 cells more than the root extract, with IC₅₀ values of 323.59 µg/ml and 174.70 µg/ml of the test sample concentration, respectively. The regression equation for the root extract was y = -0.1264x + 90.902 and R² = 0.845, and for the petiole extract, it was y = -0.2187x + 88.206 and R² = 0.917. Conclusion The current study found that increasing the concentration of methanolic extracts of roots and petioles of E. crassipes exhibited an increased cell growth inhibition rate. However, methanolic petiole extracts were more cytotoxic than the roots. Thus, the current study demonstrated the therapeutic use of E. crassipes as an anticancer agent, thereby providing a valuable alternative for enabling the early management of melanoma.

Antiproliferative Action of Methanolic Petiole Extract of Eichhornia Crassipes on Human Prostate Adenocarcinoma Cell Line: An In Vitro Study

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of people are turning to herbal medicines in their search for innovative pharmaceuticals since they are effective treatments for a wide variety of conditions and traditional herbs are rich in bioactive chemicals. In this study, we looked at whether or not a petiole extract of Eichhornia crassipes preserved in methanol inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer (PC3) cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Lakes in Ezhikkara, Ernakulum, Kerala, were the source of E. crassipes. Soxhlet extraction was used to create the extract. 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to determine the cell viability of methanolic petiole extract at various concentrations. Mean and standard deviation was used to determine absorbance scores. Utilizing probit analysis, we determined the IC50 value. The descriptive statistics to measure the percent of viable cells along with the regression equation were calculated using SPSS.

RESULTS

It has been shown that the methanol extract significantly impacted PC3 cell lines' capacity to survive. It was also determined that increasing the medication concentration resulted in a decrease in cell viability. The percentage of living cells was measured after being exposed to methanol extracts at concentrations of 12.5 μg/ml, 25 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml, 100 μg/ml, and 200 μg/ml, and found to be 95.13, 85.88, 76.12, 64.33, and 53.62 percent, respectively. With IC50 values of 199.488 g/ml, it was shown that methanolic petiole extracts of E. crassipes are cytotoxic. Using probit analysis, we determined that the regression equation is y = -0.2051x + 90.915, with an R2 value of 0.893.

CONCLUSION

As a result of its chemotherapeutic properties, the E. crassipes petiole extract has the potential to be employed in therapeutic applications, with the ultimate goal of bettering prostate cancer management practices and clinical results by drastically lowering cell viability. The study's results may pave the way for fresh chemotherapeutic approaches to be developed for the treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Streptococcosis a Re-Emerging Disease in Aquaculture: Significance and Phytotherapy

Simple Summary

Streptococcosis is an economical important bacterial disease that can seriously cause huge losses in the global aquaculture sector. In recent years studies have focused on to use extracts or essences of medicinal herbs and plants to control or treat the disease outbreaks and, in most cases the results were promising. The essential oils of the herbs or plants are more effective than the extracts and, the extracts examined have moderate efficacy in term of increasing fish survival against fish streptococcosis that could be due to the enhancement of fish immunity by the herb bio-compounds. The lack of dosage optimization, toxicity and bioavailability assays of a specific herb/plant or its bioactive compound in fish organs make it difficult to judge the validation of clinical efficacy of a particular herb/plant against fish streptococcosis, and thus, required further investigations.

Abstract

Streptococcosis, particularly that caused by S. iniae and S. agalactiae, is a major re-emerging bacterial disease seriously affecting the global sustainability of aquaculture development. Despite a wide spread of the disease in aquaculture, few studies have been directed at assessing the in vitro antagonistic activity and in vivo efficacy of medicinal herbs and other plants against streptococcal agents. Most in vitro studies of plant extractives against S. iniae and S. agalactiae have found antibacterial activity, but essential oils, especially those containing eugenol, carvacrol or thymol, are more effective. Although essential oils have shown better anti-streptococcal activity in in vitro assays, in vivo bioassays require more attention. The extracts examined under in vivo conditions show moderate efficacy, increasing the survival rate of infected fish, probably through the enhancement of immunity before challenge bioassays. The available data, however, lack dosage optimization, toxicity and bioavailability assays of a specific plant or its bioactive compound in fish organs; hence, it is difficult to judge the validation of clinical efficacy for the prevention or treatment of fish streptococcosis. Despite the known bioactive compounds of many tested plants, few data are available on their mode of action towards streptococcal agents. This review addresses the efficacy of medicinal plants to fish streptococcosis and discusses the current gaps.

Scrutinizing pathways of Nicotine effect on renal Alpha-7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine receptor and Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing Mice: role of Chlorella vulgaris

Nicotine is one of several physiologically stable and active chemicals found in tobacco. The mechanism through which nicotine causes kidney damage is still obscure. As a result, the goal of this research was to investigate how oral nicotine intake can lead to kidney damage. Naturaly occurring superfood green algae are immense supplements help us using extra chemicals during cancer prevalence if the patient is exposed to nicotine. Hence, the mitigating role of Chlorella vulgaris extract (CVE) against nicotine-nephrotoxic impact in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing mice was studied. For this purpose, four groups of Swiss female mice were assigned, nicotine group (NIC) (100 µg/ml/kg), CVE group (100 mg/kg), CVE+Nicotine, and a control group. Renal dysfunction was evaluated by estimating serum biomarkers ofrenal damage. The expression pattern of Nf-_KB, MAPK, P53, and α7-nAchR, lipid peroxidation biomarker, and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated in kidney tissue. Also, micro-morphometric examination and apoptosis immunohistochemical reactivity of kidney tissue were applied. The obtained results indicated up-regulation of all estimated genes and oxidative stress. Moreover, a significant (P<0.05) increment in the apoptotic marker Caspase-3 and declined BCL-2 proteins were recorded. In serum, a significant (P<0.05) elevation of urea, creatinine, TNF-α, IL-1β, and Kim-1 were evident. Histological investigation reinforced the aforementioned data, revealing structural changes involving the tubules, glomeruli, and interstitium of mice kidneys. CVE may be a strong contender for protecting renal tissue damage since it reduces renal tissue injury and oxidative stress. Cancer patients who regularly use nicotine through direct smoking or second-hand exposure can benefit from CVE usage as a dietary supplement.

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms: A Comprehensive Review of Its Chemical Composition, Traditional Use, and Value-Added Products

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, commonly known as water hyacinth, is one of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants of the Pontederiaceae family occurring in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Although, E. crassipes causes significant ecological and socioeconomic issues such as a high loss in water resources, it has multipurpose applications since it is famous for many industrial applications such as bioenergy, biofertilizer production, wastewater treatment (absorption of heavy metals), and animal feed. Furthermore, E. crassipes is rich in diverse bioactive secondary metabolites including sterols, alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. These secondary metabolites are well known for a wide array of therapeutic properties. The findings of this review suggest that extracts and some isolated compounds from E. crassipes possess some pharmacological activities including anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, skin whitening, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities, among other biological activities such as allelopathic, larvicidal, and insecticidal activities. The present review comprehensively summarizes the chemical composition of E. crassipes, reported to date, along with its traditional uses and pharmacological and biological activities.

Evaluation of the Chemical Compounds and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Leaves of Eichhornia Crassipes (Water Hyacinth)

Background: Water hyacinth (WH) is an aquatic weed and one of the most productive plants on earth, causing serious environmental problems. Herein, some nutritional and phytochemical constituents of WH were investigated. Methods: Chemical analysis of Eichhornia Crassipes was carried out to determine total ash, humidity, crude protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrate contents. Total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the hydro-methanolic and aqueous extracts of the plant were determined using the Folin Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride colorimetric methods, and HPLC was performed to quantify eight phenolic compounds. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts were also evaluated. Results: The dry matter, total ash, crude protein, crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, and ether extract contents of WH constituted 9.4, 12.9, 24, 11.5, 49.9, and 1.7%, respectively. The total phenolic contents of the hydro-methanolic and aqueous extracts were 491.2 ± 31.9 and 258.3 ± 10.8 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dried extract, respectively. The total flavonoid content of the hydro-methanolic extract (76.8 ± 7.8) was higher than that of the aqueous extract (46.1 ± 6). Ferulic acid was found to be the most abundant phenolic compound in both extracts. The antioxidant activities of the hydro-methanolic and aqueous extracts were determined to be 221.52 and 97.07 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g dry weight, respectively. The aqueous and hydro-methanolic extracts showed the highest antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study indicated the applicability of WH as a natural source of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents.

Evaluation of Bioactive Metabolites and Antioxidant-Rich Extracts of Amaranths with Possible Role in Pancreatic Lipase Interaction: In Silico and In Vitro Studies

Fat/carbohydrate-rich diet consumption or elevated secretion of pancreatic lipase (PL) in pancreatic injury results in increased fat digestion and storage. Several metabolites in plant-based diets can help achieve the requirements of nutrition and fitness together. Presently, nutritional metabolites from Amaranthus tricolor, A. viridis, and Achyranthes aspera were assessed and predicted for daily intake. The volatile-metabolite profiling of their extracts using GC-MS revealed various antioxidant and bioactive components. The implication of these specialized components and antioxidant-rich extracts (EC₅₀ free radical scavenging: 34.1 ± 1.5 to 166.3 ± 14.2 µg/mL; FRAP values: 12.1 ± 1.0 to 34.0 ± 2.0 µg Trolox Equivalent/mg) in lipolysis regulation by means of interaction with PL was checked by in silico docking (Betahistine and vitamins: ΔGbind -2.3 to -4.4 kcal/mol) and in vitro fluorescence quenching. Out of the various compounds and extracts tested, Betahistine, ATRA and AVLA showed better quenching the PL fluorescence. The identification of potential extracts as source of functional components contributing to nutrition and fat regulation can be improved through such study.

Enhancement of active ingredients and biological activities of Nostoc linckia biomass cultivated under modified BG-110 medium composition

The current work aims to investigate the effect of abiotic stresses (nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) [0.0 g/l, 1.5 g/l, 3 g/l, 6 g/l, and 12 g/l N and 0.0 g/l, 0.07 g/l, 0.15 g/l, 0.3 g/l, and 0.6 g/l S] and their combination [0.3 g/l S + 6 g/l N]) of axenic culture of Nostoc linckia on the production of secondary metabolites which induce different biological activities. Growth rate was measured by dry weight (DW) and optical density (OD)_{550 nm}. Additionally, phytochemical compounds, defense enzymes as well as antioxidant activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS^·+) radical assays of crude extracts (methylene chloride:methanol, 1:1) were evaluated. Based on antioxidant activity, four promising extracts were subjected to different biological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities. The obtained results revealed that supplementation of external nitrogen source in the form of sodium nitrate was found to increase the total phycobiliprotein content by fivefold. Also, nitrogen depletion provoked significantly highest quantities of phenolic and flavonoid content and this has effects on biological activities of Nostoc linckia. Moreover, 0.3 g/l S was found to be the most effective extract exhibiting a significant increase in antioxidant activity based on DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively (88.18 ± 0.64% and 84.20 ± 1.01%). Furthermore, it recorded anticancer activity against HCT 116 cell line with IC₅₀ of 155 μg/ml. Moreover, this extract possessed a noticeable antibacterial potency (21.0 ± 1.0 as mm inhibition zone against Staphylococcus aureus and 19.3 ± 0.6 against Streptococcus mutans). In addition, its antiviral activity against H₅N₁ virus as a percentage of inhibition was 50% and 63.6% at a concentration of 7 μg/ml and 28 μg/ml, respectively, with cytotoxicity less than 7 μg/μl. GC-MS analysis recorded the presence of bioactive compounds exhibiting different biological activities. Therefore, the obtained results can represent valuable bioactive compounds with variable biological potencies.

Chemical Structure and Biological Activities of Secondary Metabolites from Salicornia europaea L

Salicornia europaea L. is a halophyte that grows in salt marshes and muddy seashores, which is widely used both as traditional medicine and as an edible vegetable. This salt-tolerant plant is a source of diverse secondary metabolites with several therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity effects. Therefore, this review summarizes the chemical structure and biological activities of secondary metabolites isolated from Salicornia europaea L.

Evaluation of antioxidant and anticancer activity of crude extract and different fractions of Chlorella vulgaris axenic culture grown under various concentrations of copper ions

Background

Chlorella vulgaris is a microalga potentially used for pharmaceutical, animal feed, food supplement, aquaculture and cosmetics. The current study aims to study the antioxidant and prooxidant effect of Chlorella vulgaris cultivated under various conc. of copper ions.

Methods

The axenic green microalgal culture of Chlorella vulgaris was subjected to copper stress conditions (0.00, 0.079, 0.158, 0.316 and 0.632 mg/L). The growth rate was measured at OD₆₈₀ nm and by dry weight (DW). Moreover, the Antioxidant activity against DPPH and ABTS radical, pigments and phytochemical compounds of the crude extracts (methylene chloride: Methanol, 1:1) were evaluated. The promising Cu crude extract (0.316 mg/L) further fractionated into twenty-one fractions by silica gel column chromatography using hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate as a mobile phase.

Results

The obtained results reported that nine out of these fractions exhibited more than 50% antioxidant activity and anticancer activity against Hela cancer cell lines. Based on IC₅₀, fraction No. 7 was found to be the most effective fraction possessing a significant increase in both antioxidant and anticancer potency. Separation of active compound (s) in fraction No 7 was performed using precoated silica gel plates (TLC F₂₅₄) with ethyl acetate: hexane (9:1 v/v) as mobile phase. Confirmation of active compound separation was achieved by two-dimensional TLC and visualization of the separated compound by UV lamp. The complete identification of the separated active compound was performed by UV- Vis- spectrophotometric absorption, IR, MS, H¹-NMRT C¹³-NMR. The isolated compound ((2E,7R,11R)-3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2-hexadecenol) have high antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ (10.59 μg/ml) against DPPH radical assay and comparable to the capacities of the positive controls, Butylated hydroxy toluene [BHT] (IC₅₀ 11.2 μg/ml) and Vitamin C (IC₅₀ 12.9 μg/ml). Furthermore, pure isolated compound exhibited a potent anticancer activity against Hela cell line with IC₅₀ (4.38 μg/ml) compared to Doxorubicin (DOX) as synthetic drug (13.3 μg/ml). In addition, the interaction of the pure compound with Hela cancer cell line and gene expression were evaluated.

Conclusions

The authors recommend cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris in large scale under various stress conditions for use the crude extracts and semi purified fractions for making a pharmaco-economic value in Egypt and other countries.

Fatty Acid Profile and In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Two Marine Sponge- Associated Bacteria

Background:

Colorectal cancer represents one of the prominent causes of mortality worldwide in men and women. The objective of this study was to search for new potential anticancer compounds, both in prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. The anticancer potential of marine bacterial extracts against Human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT116) was evaluated as well as the partial identification of bioactive metabolites.

Methods:

All bacterial extracts were tested for their cytotoxicity against HCT116 cell line by means of MTT assay. The highly cytotoxic dichloromethane extracts of marine sponge-associated bacteria Vibrio sp. and Bacillus sp. were analyzed by GC-MS.

Results:

Two fractions, Vib3 and Bac3, exhibited a very interesting cytotoxicity against human colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) cell line, with a percentage of cytotoxicity of 96.04 % and 29.48 %, respectively.

Discussion:

The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of two major fatty acids, palmitic and oleic acids, in Vib3 fraction and fatty acid esters and phenolic compounds in Bac3 fraction.

Conclusion:

Based on previous literature, it may be hypothesized that the anticancer activity of bacterial extracts could be, at least partially, to the fatty acids fraction.

Botanicals from the leaves of Acacia sieberiana had better cytotoxic effects than isolated phytochemicals towards MDR cancer cells lines

The efficiency of cancer chemotherapy is seriously hampered by the development of resistance of neoplastic cells to cytotoxic agents. In the present investigation, the cytotoxicity of the dichloromethane-methanol (1:1) extract of Acacia sieberiana (ASL), fractions (ASLa-c) from the leaves and isolated compounds: chrysoeriol-7-O-rutinoside (1), luteolin-7-O-rutinoside (2), chrysoeriol-7-O-β-_D-glucopyranoside (3), Apigenin-7-O-β-_D-glucopyranoside (4), luteolin-3',4'-dimethoxylether-7-O-β-_D-glucoside (5) and luteolin (6) was investigated. The study was extended to the assessment of the mode of induction of apoptosis by ASL. The resazurin reduction assay (RRA) was used for cytotoxicity studies. Assessments of cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were performed by flow cytometry. A caspase-Glo assay was used to evaluate caspase activities. Botanicals ASL, ASLb and ASLc as well as doxorubicin displayed observable IC₅₀ values towards the nine tested cancer cell lines while ASLa and compounds 1-7 had selective activities. The IC₅₀ values ranged from 13.45 μg/mL (in CCRF-CEM leukemia cells) to 33.20 μg/mL (against MDA-MB-231-BCRP breast adenocarcinoma cells) for ASL, from 16.42 μg/mL (in CCRF-CEM cells) to 29.64 μg/mL (against MDA-MB-231-pcDNA cells) for ASLc, and from 22.94 μg/mL (in MDA-MB-231-BCRP cells) to 40.19 μg/mL (against HCT116 (p53-/-) colon adenocarcinoma cells) for ASLb (Table 1), and from 0.02 μM (against CCRF-CEM cells) to 122.96 μM (against CEM/ADR5000 cells) for doxorubicin. ASL induced apoptosis in CCRF-CEM cells, mediated by ROS production. Acacia sieberiana is a good cytotoxic plant and should be further explored to develop an anticancer phytomedicine to combat both sensitive and drug resistant phenotypes.

Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms: Uses, Challenges, Threats, and Prospects

Water hyacinths pose serious challenges to humanity and the environment. Considering the enormity of the menace associated with the growth and spread of the plant and the difficulty in achieving a single, generally acceptable control method, it is becoming increasingly imperative to explore the potentials of the plant. New water hyacinth-related articles are regularly being published. Recently published articles about the plant were accessed, and the information in these articles is presented in the context of the pros and cons of the plant. Some of the benefits that can be derived from the plant include biogas and biofuel production, medicinal functions, vermicomposting, compost production, and bioremediation. However, clogging of waterways, obstruction of water transportation, and fishing activities; breeding grounds for pests and diseases; and reduction of water quality, loss of biodiversity, and economic downturn in areas invaded by the plant are problems associated with it. The peculiarity in the invasiveness of each situation should determine whether or not the growth of the plant is a problem, especially if the opportunity to harness the potentials of the plant exists. There are three major methods for controlling the plants when control becomes inevitable: mechanical, chemical, and biological. To achieve the best control, integrating two or more control methods is advised.

Structural and In Silico Characterization of Small Molecules Isolated from Eichhornia crassipes

Eichhornia crassipes has been reported to have various medicinal properties including anticancer activities. The plant was collected from the Shire river in Malawi, and two cytotoxic compounds, benzene-1,4-diol and nonanedioic acid, were isolated and characterized for the first time in the leaves and roots of the plant. 1H NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, 13-C, and LCMS spectroscopic experimental techniques were used to identify the compounds in their pure forms. In silico experiments showed that both compounds do not have AMES toxicity and do not inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes, but nonanedioic acid acts as a CYP2D6 substrate. This work showed that Eichhornia crassipes can be considered to have a role as a source of potential hits and leads to drug development that can be rationally optimized for drugs.

Remedial potential of bacterial and fungal strains (Bacillus subtilis, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium chrysogenum) against organochlorine insecticide Endosulfan

Endosulfan, an organochlorine insecticide, is known to cause detrimental effects to the environment and human health due to its excessive usage. Its highly toxic nature calls for an environmental-friendly approach for its detoxification. Environmental transformation of Endosulfan was assessed through biodegradation by isolated and cultured soil microbes (Bacillus subtilis (BS), Aspergillus niger (AN), Aspergillus flavus (AF) and Penicillium chrysogenum (PC)). Degradation of 10 mg/L Endosulfan was determined in aqueous solution at regular time intervals and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for 35 days. BS and AN displayed substantial potential to degrade Endosulfan and subsequently transform it into its daughter products (95 and 77%, respectively). Endosulfan transformation followed first-order reaction kinetics. Chromatogram peaks revealed less toxic metabolites by Endosulfan transformation (Endosulfan diol, Endosulfan ether, Endosulfan hydroxyether and Endosulfan lactone). Half-life of Endosulfan obtained by various strains utilised in the experiments was in the order, PC (69) > AF (34.6) > AN (17.3) > BS (11.5) days. Statistical analysis was performed in MINITAB to evaluate the significance of results. Bioaugmentation of contaminated sites with such efficient microbes can facilitate rapid pesticide transformation and decontamination of the environment.

Environmental contaminant 2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide remediation via Xanthomonas axonopodis and Aspergillus niger

Alachlor, a chloroacetanilide endocrine disruptor herbicide is precarious for humans as well as the environment. Though banned by the European Union and classified as moderately hazardous by WHO, yet it is nevertheless used in several countries posing austere human and environmental health issues. Alachlor attenuation was scrutinized through simulated biodegradation experiments using soil-isolated microbes. Bio-disintegrative assays of pure three fungal and one bacterial strain; Aspergillus flavus (AF), Penicillium chrysogenum (PC), Aspergillus niger (AN) and Xanthomonas axonopodis (XA), respectively were utilized. Initial Alachlor concentration (10 mg/L) was prepared with individual microbial suspension and monitored for 35 d. Alachlor bio-transformation was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. XA and AN displayed maximal potential to metabolise the herbicide while forming residues; 1-chloroacetyl, 2,3- dihydro-7 ethylindole, 7 ethylindole, 7-ethyl-3-methyl-2-methoxy-2,3-dihydroindole, N- (2,6-diethylphenyl)-methyleneamine and 7-Ethyl-N-methylindole. Alachlor degradation by AF, PC, AN and XA was found to be 17.1%, 5.5%, 72.6% and 82.1%, respectively, after 35 d. Microbes have displayed cometabolism as the main mechanism for Alachlor degradation. This research can influence imperative and significant environmental friendly bio-remedial strategies for xenobiotic eradication.

Cytotoxicity and mode of action of a naturally occurring naphthoquinone, 2-acetyl-7-methoxynaphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-quinone towards multi-factorial drug-resistant cancer cells

INTRODUCTION

Malignacies are still a major public concern worldwide and despite the intensive search of new chemotherapeutic agents, treatment still remains a challenging issue. The present study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of 2-acetyl-7-methoxynaphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-quinone (AMNQ) isolated from the bark of Milletia versicolor towards a panel of drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines.

METHODS

The resazurin reduction assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of AMNQ against 9 drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines. Cell cycle, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and levels of reactive oxygen species were all analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Following resazurin assay, the naphthoquinone AMNQ displayed IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.79 µM (against HepG2 hepatocarcinoma cells) to 3.26 µM (against MDA-MB231/BCRP breast cancer cells) on 9 tested cancer cell lines, whilst doxorubicin showed IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.40 µM (against CCRF-CEM leukemia cells) to 91.37 µM (against CEM/ADR5000 leukemia cells). IC₅₀ values below 1 µM were recorded with AMNQ towards CCRF-CEM cells (0.57 µM), U87MG.ΔEGFR gliobastoma multiforme cells (0.96 µM cells) and HepG2 cells (0.76 µM). Compared to its corresponding sensitive cell lines U87MG, sensitivity was observed in epidermal growth factor receptor-transfected U87MG.ΔEGFR cells to AMNQ. MMP was found to be the main mode of action of induction of apoptosis by AMNQ.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this work demonstrate the cytotoxicity of AMNQ towards various types of cancer cell lines, including MDR phenotypes. AMNQ is a potential antiproliferative natural compound that deserves more investigations to develop novel cytotoxic drugs against sensitive and MDR cancers.

Potential of Central, Eastern and Western Africa Medicinal Plants for Cancer Therapy: Spotlight on Resistant Cells and Molecular Targets

Cancer remains a major health hurdle worldwide and has moved from the third leading cause of death in the year 1990 to second place after cardiovascular disease since 2013. Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used treatment modes; however, its efficiency is limited due to the resistance of cancer cells to cytotoxic agents. The present overview deals with the potential of the flora of Central, Eastern and Western African (CEWA) regions as resource for anticancer drug discovery. It also reviews the molecular targets of phytochemicals of these plants such as ABC transporters, namely P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multi drug-resistance-related proteins (MRPs), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP, ABCG2) as well as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB-1/HER1), human tumor suppressor protein p53, caspases, mitochondria, angiogenesis, and components of MAP kinase signaling pathways. Plants with the ability to preferentially kills resistant cancer cells were also reported. Data compiled in the present document were retrieved from scientific websites such as PubMed, Scopus, Sciencedirect, Web-of-Science, and Scholar Google. In summary, plant extracts from CEWA and isolated compounds thereof exert cytotoxic effects by several modes of action including caspases activation, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells and inhibition of angiogenesis. Ten strongest cytotoxic plants from CEWA recorded following in vitro screening assays are: Beilschmiedia acuta Kosterm, Echinops giganteus var. lelyi (C. D. Adams) A. Rich., Erythrina sigmoidea Hua (Fabaceae), Imperata cylindrical Beauv. var. koenigii Durand et Schinz, Nauclea pobeguinii (Pobég. ex Pellegr.) Merr. ex E.M.A., Piper capense L.f., Polyscias fulva (Hiern) Harms., Uapaca togoensis Pax., Vepris soyauxii Engl. and Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich. Prominent antiproliferative compounds include: isoquinoline alkaloid isotetrandrine (51), two benzophenones: guttiferone E (26) and isoxanthochymol (30), the isoflavonoid 6α-hydroxyphaseollidin (9), the naphthyl butenone guieranone A (25), two naphthoquinones: 2-acetylfuro-1,4-naphthoquinone (4) and plumbagin (37) and xanthone V1 (46). However, only few research activities in the African continent focus on cytotoxic drug discovery from botanicals. The present review is expected to stimulate further scientific efforts to better valorize the African flora.

Chemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Achillea moschata Wulfen, an Endemic Species from the Alps

Aerial parts of Achillea moschata Wulfen (Asteraceae) growing wild in the Italian Rhaetian Alps were investigated to describe, for the first time, their phenolic content, as well as to characterize the essential oil. Inspection of the metabolic profile combining HPLC-DAD and ESI-MS/MS data showed that the methanol extract contained glycosylated flavonoids with luteolin and apigenin as the main aglycones. Among them, the major compound was 7-O-glucosyl apigenin. Caffeoyl derivates were other phenolics identified. The essential oil obtained by steam distillation and investigated by GC/FID and GC/MS showed camphor, 1,8-cineole, and bornylacetate as the main constituents. The antioxidant capacity of three different extracts with increasing polarity and of the essential oil was evaluated by employing ABTS·+ and DPPH· radical scavenging assays. The methanolic extract was the only significantly effective sample against both synthetic radicals. All samples were also tested against Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial species using the disk diffusion assay. The non-polar extracts (dichloromethane and petroleum ether) and the essential oil possessed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity expressed according to inhibition zone diameter (8–24 mm).

Metabolites from the Fungal Endophyte Aspergillus austroafricanus in Axenic Culture and in Fungal-Bacterial Mixed Cultures

The endophytic fungus Aspergillus austroafricanus isolated from leaves of the aquatic plant Eichhornia crassipes was fermented axenically on solid rice medium as well as in mixed cultures with Bacillus subtilis or with Streptomyces lividans. Chromatographic analysis of EtOAc extract of axenic cultures afforded two new metabolites, namely, the xanthone dimer austradixanthone (1) and the sesquiterpene (+)-austrosene (2), along with five known compounds (3-7). Austradixanthone (1) represents the first highly oxygenated heterodimeric xanthone derivative. When A. austroafricanus was grown in mixed cultures with B. subtilis or with S. lividans, several diphenyl ethers (8-11) including the new austramide (8) were induced up to 29-fold. The structures of new compounds were unambiguously elucidated using 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, HRESIMS, and chemical derivatization. Compound 7 exhibited weak cytotoxicity against the murine lymphoma L5178Y cell line (EC50 is 12.6 μM). In addition, compounds 9 and 10, which were enhanced in mixed fungal/bacterial cultures, proved to be active against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 700699) with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 25 μM each (6.6 μg/mL), whereas compound 11 revealed moderate antibacterial activity against B. subtilis 168 trpC2 with an MIC value of 34.8 μM (8 μg/mL).