Evaluation of anti-proliferative activity of Eryngium caucasicum on melanoma cancer cells

Eryngo essential oil nanoemulsion stabilized by sonicated-insect protein isolate: An innovative edible coating for strawberry quality and shelf-life extension

New bioactive coatings with eryngo essential oil (EEO) nanoemulsions stabilized by ultrasonically-treated lesser mealworm protein isolate (LMPI) were developed to extend strawberry shelf life and quality. EEO due to high carvone (43.03 %), phenolics (87.45 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), flavonoids (13.56 mg quercetin equivalent/g), and carotenoids (635.07 mg/kg) contents exhibited a significant antioxidant activity comparable to ascorbic acid (AA) and BHT. Nanoemulsions stabilized with 9 % sonicated LMPI showed smaller droplet size, higher negative ζ-potential, and greater stability, turbidity, and encapsulation efficiency of EEO compared to those stabilized with native LMPI. The FTIR spectra showed that sonicated LMPI had structural changes enhancing its emulsifying activity, with key peaks indicating the presence of hydrogen bonds, carbonyl groups, and protein conformations in both EEO and LMPI. Strawberries coated with optimal EEO-loaded nanoemulsions showed superior quality with minimal storage-dependent physicochemical, textural, color, and sensory changes compared to control samples. This edible coating also maintained higher total monomeric anthocyanin and AA contents with lower peroxidase activity during storage than EEO-based coatings. However, no significant difference in superoxide dismutase activity between samples covered by EEO and EEO-loaded nanoemulsions over 14 days of storage was found. Bioactive nanoemulsions stabilized by insect proteins would be an eco-friendly and safe approach to upholding quality standards in stored fruits and vegetables.

Evaluation of Cytotoxic Activity of Cell Biomass from Eryngium planum and Lychnis flos-cuculi on Melanoma Cancer Cell

Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of melanocytes in the skin, and its occurrence is increasing annually. Plant-based products contain active compounds with low toxicity and are accessible alternatives for melanoma cancer treatment. The biotechnology approach for obtaining plant-based products provides continuity and allows the high-yield production of phytochemically uniform biomass. The callus biomass of Eryngium planum L. and Lychnis flos-cuculi L. was induced on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with growth regulators. A combination of 3.0 mg/L of 3,6-dichloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid (dicamba) and 0.3 mg/L of 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)urea-(thidiazuron) was used to obtain E. planum callus. Meanwhile, the callus of L. flos-cuculi was cultivated on MS medium with 2.0 mg/L of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Methanolic extracts (EpME and LFcME), including 40% MeOH fractions (Ep40MF and LFc40MF) and 80% MeOH fractions (Ep80MF and LFc80MF), of E. planum and L. flos-cuculi cell biomass were prepared. Their cytotoxicity activity was assessed in human fibroblast cells (MRC-5) and human melanoma cells (MeWo) by direct cell counting and 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Qualitative analyses using thin-layer chromatography and UPLC-HRMS/MS chromatograms showed the presence of phenolic acids and saponins within the extracts and fractions of both cell biomasses. LFc80MF and Ep80MF showed the strongest toxicity against the MeWo cell line, with IC50 values of 47 ± 0.5 and 52 ± 4 μg/mL after 72 h of treatment. EpME and LFcME had IC50 values of 103 ± 4 and 147 ± 4 µg/mL, respectively. On the other hand, Ep40MF and LFc40MF were less toxic against the MeWo cell line compared to the extracts and 80% MeOH fractions, with IC50 values of 145 ± 10 and 172 ± 7 µg/mL. This study suggests that the obtained extracts and fractions of E. planum and L. flos-cuculi cell biomass potentially possess significant cytotoxic activity against MeWo cells, which work in a time and dose-dependent manner. Although the extracts and 80% MeOH fractions were more potent, the 40% MeOH was shown to be more selective against the MeWo than the control MRC-5 cells.

Theranostic applications of peptide-based nanoformulations for growth factor defective cancers

Growth factors play a pivotal role in orchestrating cellular growth and division by binding to specific cell surface receptors. Dysregulation of growth factor production or activity can contribute to the uncontrolled cell proliferation observed in cancer. Peptide-based nanoformulations (PNFs) have emerged as promising therapeutic strategies for growth factor-deficient cancers. PNFs offer multifaceted capabilities including targeted delivery, imaging modalities, combination therapies, resistance modulation, and personalized medicine approaches. Nevertheless, several challenges remain, including limited specificity, stability, pharmacokinetics, tissue penetration, toxicity, and immunogenicity. To address these challenges and optimize PNFs for clinical translation, in-depth investigations are warranted. Future research should focus on elucidating the intricate interplay between peptides and nanoparticles, developing robust spectroscopic and computational methodologies, and establishing a comprehensive understanding of the structure-activity relationship governing peptide-nanoparticle interactions. Bridging these knowledge gaps will propel the translation of peptide-nanoparticle therapies from bench to bedside. While a few peptide-nanoparticle drugs have obtained FDA approval for cancer treatment, the integration of nanostructured platforms with peptide-based medications holds tremendous potential to expedite the implementation of innovative anticancer interventions. Therefore, growth factor-deficient cancers present both challenges and opportunities for targeted therapeutic interventions, with peptide-based nanoformulations positioned as a promising avenue. Nonetheless, concerted research and development endeavors are essential to optimize the specificity, stability, and safety profiles of PNFs, thereby advancing the field of peptide-based nanotherapeutics in the realm of oncology research.

Macroscopical, Microscopical and Histochemical Analysis of Eryngium karatavicum Iljin Growing on the Territory of South Kazakhstan

Carrying out macroscopical and microscopical analyses of plants allows determining the species and identifying diagnostic signs of the plant that distinguish the studied object from other related species. Endemic plant species are a specific component of the flora, whose representatives grow in a relatively limited area, represented by a small geographical area. Their diagnostic morphological and anatomical data are insufficiently studied. Such endemic unexplored plant species include Eryngium karatavicum Iljin, which grows in the territory of South Kazakhstan. This article presents the results of macroscopical, microscopical and histochemical analyses of leaves, flowers and stems of Eryngium karatavicum. The results of morphological analysis of Eryngium karatavicum showed that the plant has distinctive features of macroscopical, microscopical and histochemical signs on the upper and lower sides of the leaf, stem, inflorescence, leaves of the wrapper and flower. These results can be used to confirm the authenticity, identification, and standardization of aerial parts of the endemic plant Eryngium karatavicum Iljin.

Ethnobotany, Biological Activities and Phytochemical Compounds of Some Species of the Genus Eryngium (Apiaceae), from the Central-Western Region of Mexico

There are approximately 250 species of Eryngium L. distributed throughout the world, with North America and South America being centers of diversity on this continent. In the central-western region of Mexico there may be around 28 species of this genus. Some Eryngium species are cultivated as leafy vegetables, ornamental, and medicinal plants. In traditional medicine they are used to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, among others. This review addresses the phytochemistry and biological activities, as well as traditional uses, distribution, and characteristics of the eight species of Eryngium reported as medicinal in the central-western region of Mexico: E. cymosum, E. longifolium, E. fluitans (or mexicanum), E. beecheyanum, E. carlinae, E. comosum, E. heterophyllum, and E. nasturtiifolium. The extracts of the different Eryngium spp. have shown biological activities such as hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, renoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant, among others. E. carlinae is the most studied species, and phytochemical analyses, performed mainly by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), have shown its content of terpenoids, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sterols, saccharides, polyalcohols, and aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes. According to the results of this review on Eryngium spp., they constitute a relevant alternative as a source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical, food, and other industries. However, there is a lot of research to be conducted regarding phytochemistry, biological activities, cultivation, and propagation, in those species with few or no reports.

Anti-proliferative activity of Artemisia marschalliana on cancerous cell lines

BACKGROUND

The genus Artemisia of the Asteraceae family has different species that are used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including cancers due to the presence of valuable compounds and important medicinal properties. Various studies on the anti-tumor effect of different species of Artemisia have proven the cytotoxic properties of these plants in cancer treatment, and several anti-cancer compounds of this genus have been purified.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the cytotoxicity and related mortality mechanisms of Artemisia marschalliana essential oil and extracts.

METHODS

The essential oil and various extracts of Artemisia marschalliana were elicited using a Soxhlet extractor. Anti-cancer to anti-proliferative activity as MTT assay is measuring cancerous and non-cancerous cell viability. In the next step, the strongest extract fractions were obtained by using the vacuum liquid chromatography method. Flow cytometry was applied to identify the mechanism of cell death, and a Real-time polymerase chain reaction test of apoptosis genes, which encode apoptosis-regulating proteins, was measured to confirm the flow cytometry results.

RESULTS

The strongest extract belonged to dichloromethane extract 60% fraction of the extract on breast cancer cells and 80% fraction on liposarcoma cancer cells showed the most cytotoxicity within 48 h, while, the fractions did not notable cytotoxicity of non-cancerous cells cell. Flow cytometry analysis illustrated the mentioned extract and its fractions kill cancer cell lines through the apoptosis mechanism. Our findings confirmed the flow cytometry results. In addition, the essential oil of Artemisia marschalliana showed a considerable cytotoxic property.

CONCLUSION

Dichloromethane extract of Artemisia marschalliana shoot and its 60 and 80% fraction selectively inhibited the growth of cancer cells by inducing the apoptosis mechanism. Regarding obtained results, 60 and 80% fractions of dichloromethane extract can be a good candidate for future studies in the field of identification and separation of pure cytotoxic compounds.

Froriepia subpinnata Leaf Extract-Induced Apoptosis in the MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line by Increasing Intracellular Oxidative Stress

Background

Froriepia subpinnata is one of the plants used in the diet of Iranian people. Previous studies have investigated the antioxidant and antibacterial effects of this plant extract, but no study has been conducted on its anticancer properties.

Objectives

In this study, we investigated the effect of F. subpinnata extract on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Methods

The inhibitory effect of F. subpinnata leaf extract was determined on the growth of cancer cells by the MTT test. The ROS (reactive oxygen species) test was used to investigate the impact of the extract on intracellular oxidative stress. Flow cytometry and real-time PCR tests were used to investigate the apoptosis-related molecular processes. The GC-MS analysis was performed to determine the most abundant components.

Results

The GC-MS analysis showed that phytol, mono-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), cinnamaldehyde, and neophytadiene constituted 60% of the extracted content. The MTT assay demonstrated that F. subpinnata leaf extract caused 50% lethality at a 400 μg/mL dose in MCF7 cells. The F. subpinnata extract at low doses decreased the ROS level for 24 hours in MCF-7, but by increasing the concentration, the ROS levels increased. At the IC50 dose (inhibitory concentration (IC) associated with 50% impact), the ROS level increased 3.5 times compared to the control group. Examining the effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) showed that this antioxidant agent could prevent the lethal impact of the extract and eliminate the ROS increase in MCF7 cells. Flow cytometry and real-time PCR results showed that the extract specifically induced apoptosis through the internal apoptosis pathway in this cancer cell line.

Conclusions

The F. subpinnata extract induced apoptosis by increasing ROS in MCF-7 cancer cells and can be considered for further studies.