Anti-Proliferative Effect of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Extract on Human Melanoma A375 Cells

Carnosic acid: an effective phenolic diterpenoid for prevention and management of cancers via targeting multiple signaling pathways

Cancer is a serious global public health issue, and a great deal of research has been made to treat cancer. Of these, discovery of promising compounds that effectively fight cancer always has been the main point of interest in pharmaceutical research. Carnosic acid (CA) is a phenolic diterpenoid compound widely present in Lamiaceae plants such as Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.). In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that CA has significant anti-cancer activity, such as leukaemia, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, lymphoma, prostate cancer, oral cancer, etc. The potential mechanisms involved by CA, including inhibiting cell proliferation, inhibiting metastasis, inducing cell apoptosis, stimulating autophagy, regulating the immune system, reducing inflammation, regulating the gut microbiota, and enhancing the effects of other anti-cancer drugs. This article reviews the biosynthesis, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, safety and toxicity, as well as the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of the anticancer activity of CA. This will contribute to the development of CA or CA-containing functional foods for the prevention and treatment of cancer, providing important advances in the advancement of cancer treatment strategies.

Plant Based Extract Oil-Based Nano emulsions: Impact on Human Melanoma Cell Line

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a challenge for either the patient or the healthcare manager. Treatment protocols based on chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or both are interfering with the patient's life making him suffer rather than being alleviated. This burden pushed the scientists to search for new regimens that may help ameliorate patient as well as doctor inconvenience. Benefits of plant extracts as medical substitutes in cancer management have been proved. New nano formulated drug delivery systems may help overcoming remedy regimens barriers and obstacles. The present research topic aims to evaluate the anticancer power of two plant extracts in nano emulsion formulation on human melanoma cell line.

METHODS

Carvacrol and rosemary essential oils were obtained, and nano emulsions were formulated. NE were characterized using TEM for charge and size distribution. The A375 human melanoma cell line was cultured and propagated then IC50 of prepared NE was added. Assessment of cell cytotoxicity, effect on angiogenesis and apoptosis were tested.

RESULTS

After synthesis and characterization, both carvacrol nano emulsion (CNE) and rosemary nano emulsion (RNE) were capable of inhibiting melanoma cell line viability, angiogenesis and they enhanced the expression of caspase-3 proapoptotic marker.

CONCLUSION

Rosemary and carvacrol extract nano emulsions could be a new revolutionary agent in human melanoma therapy and these formulations can be applied locally.

Current advances on the therapeutic potential of scutellarin: an updated review

Scutellarin is widely distributed in Scutellaria baicalensis, family Labiatae, and Calendula officinalis, family Asteraceae, and belongs to flavonoids. Scutellarin has a wide range of pharmacological activities, it is widely used in the treatment of cerebral infarction, angina pectoris, cerebral thrombosis, coronary heart disease, and other diseases. It is a natural product with great research and development prospects. In recent years, with in-depth research, researchers have found that wild scutellarin also has good therapeutic effects in anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-virus, treatment of metabolic diseases, and protection of kidney. The cancer treatment involves glioma, breast cancer, lung cancer, renal cancer, colon cancer, and so on. In this paper, the sources, pharmacological effects, in vivo and in vitro models of scutellarin were summarized in recent years, and the current research status and future direction of scutellarin were analyzed.

Rosemary: Unrevealing an old aromatic crop as a new source of promising functional food additive-A review

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is one of the most famous spice plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family as a remarkably beautiful horticultural plant and economically agricultural crop. The essential oil of rosemary has been enthusiastically welcome in the whole world for hundreds of years. Now, it is wildly prevailing as a promising functional food additive for human health. More importantly, due to its significant aroma, food, and nutritional value, rosemary also plays an essential role in the food/feed additive and food packaging industries. Modern industrial development and fundamental scientific research have extensively revealed its unique phytochemical constituents with biologically meaningful activities, which closely related to diverse human health functions. In this review, we provide a comprehensively systematic perspective on rosemary by summarizing the structures of various pharmacological and nutritional components, biologically functional activities and their molecular regulatory networks required in food developments, and the recent advances in their applications in the food industry. Finally, the temporary limitations and future research trends regarding the development of rosemary components are also discussed and prospected. Hence, the review covering the fundamental research advances and developing prospects of rosemary is a desirable demand to facilitate their better understanding, and it will also serve as a reference to provide many insights for the future promotion of the research and development of functional foods related to rosemary.

In Vitro Cytotoxic Effects of Ferruginol Analogues in Sk-MEL28 Human Melanoma Cells

Ferruginol is a promising abietane-type antitumor diterpene able to induce apoptosis in SK-Mel-28 human malignant melanoma. We aim to increase this activity by testing the effect of a small library of ferruginol analogues. After a screening of their antiproliferative activity (SRB staining, 48 h) on SK-Mel-28 cells the analogue 18-aminoferruginol (GI50 ≈ 10 µM) was further selected for mechanistic studies including induction of apoptosis (DAPI staining, p < 0.001), changes in cell morphology associated with the treatment (cell shrinkage and membrane blebbing), induction of caspase-3/7 activity (2.5 at 48 h, 6.5 at 72 h; p < 0.0001), changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential (not significant) and in vitro effects on cell migration and cell invasion (Transwell assays, not significant). The results were compared to those of the parent molecule (ferruginol, GI50 ≈ 50 µM, depolarisation of mitochondrial membrane p < 0.01 at 72 h; no caspases 3/7 activation) and paclitaxel (GI50 ≈ 10 nM; caspases 3/7 activation p < 0.0001) as a reference drug. Computational studies of the antiproliferative activity of 18-aminoferruginol show a consistent improvement in the activity over ferruginol across a vast majority of cancer cells in the NCI60 panel. In conclusion, we demonstrate here that the derivatisation of ferruginol into 18-aminoferruginol increases its antiproliferative activity five times in SK-MEL-28 cells and changes the apoptotic mechanism of its parent molecule, ferruginol.

Rosmarinus officinalis and Skin: Antioxidant Activity and Possible Therapeutical Role in Cutaneous Diseases

The rosemary plant, Rosmarinus officinalis L., one of the main members of the Lamiaceae family, is currently one of the most promising herbal medicines due to its pharmaceutical properties. This research aimed to evaluate the antioxidant role of Rosmarinus officinalis and its bioactive compounds on the skin, with a focus on the newly emerging molecular mechanisms involved, providing extensive scientific evidence of its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound-healing and anticancer activity in dermatological practice. The search was conducted on articles concerning in vitro and in vivo studies in both animals and humans. The results obtained confirm the antioxidant role of R. officinalis. This assumption derives the possibility of using R. officinalis or its bioactive elements for the treatment of inflammatory and infectious skin pathologies. However, although the use of rosemary in the treatment of skin diseases represents a fascinating line of research, future perspectives still require large and controlled clinical trials in order to definitively elucidate the real impact of this plant and its components in clinical practice.

Moroccan medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of skin diseases: From ethnobotany to clinical trials

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Skin diseases are among the most common human health affections. A healthy skin promotes a healthy body that can be achieved through modern, allopathic and natural medicines. Therefore, medicinal plants can be a reliable therapy in treating skin diseases in humans through a diverse range of bioactive molecules they contain.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review aims to provide for the first-time scientific evidence related to the dermatological properties of Morocco's medicinal plants and it aims to provide a baseline for the discovery of new drugs having activities against skin issues.

METHODS

This review involved an investigation with different search engines for Moroccan ethnobotanical surveys published between 1991 and 2021. The plants used to treat skin diseases have been determined. Information regarding pharmacological effects, phytochemical, and clinical trials related to the plants listed in this review was collected from different scientific databases like PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Scopus. The data were analyzed and summarized in the review.

RESULTS

A total of 401 plants belonging to 86 families mainly represented by Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Apiaceae which have been documented to be in common use by Moroccans for managing skin diseases. Among those plants recorded, the most commonly used are Allium cepa L, Chamaeleon gummifer (L.) Cass and Salvia rosmarinus Schleid. Mill. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part, while powder and decoction were the most common method of traditional drug preparation. 107 of the 401 plants (27%) have undergone pharmacological validation. A total of 44 compounds isolated from 27 plants were investigated to treat different types of skin diseases, and 25 plants have been clinically studied for their activities against skin diseases.

CONCLUSION

The beneficial effects of using Moroccan medicinal plants to treat skin diseases, according to traditional practices, have been proven in numerous scientific studies. Therefore, other studies should focus on isolating and identifying specific bioactive compounds from plant extracts, revealing more valuable therapeutic properties. Furthermore, additional reliable clinical trials are needed to confirm their beneficial effect on patients with skin diseases.

Secondary Metabolites of Osmanthus fragrans: Metabolism and Medicinal Value

Osmanthus fragrans (scientific name: Osmanthus fragrans (Thunb.) Lour.) is a species of the Osmanthus genus in the family Oleaceae, and it has a long history of cultivation in China. O. fragrans is edible and is well known for conferring a natural fragrance to desserts. This flowering plant has long been cultivated for ornamental purposes. Most contemporary literature related to O. fragrans focuses on its edible value and new species discovery, but the functional use of O. fragrans is often neglected. O, fragrans has many properties that are beneficial to human health, and its roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits have medicinal value. These characteristics are recorded in the classics of traditional Chinese medicine. Studies on the metabolites and medicinal value of O. fragrans published in recent years were used in this study to evaluate the medicinal value of O. fragrans. Using keywords such as metabolites and Osmanthus fragrans, a systematic and nonexhaustive search of articles, papers and books related to the medicinal use of Osmanthus fragrans metabolites was conducted. Fifteen metabolites were identified through this literature search and classified into three categories according to their properties and structure: flavonoids, terpenes and phenolic acids. It was found that the pharmacological activities of these secondary metabolites mainly include antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities and that these metabolites can be used to treat many human diseases, such as cancer, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases. Most of the reports that are currently available and concern the secondary metabolites of Osmanthus fragrans have limitations. Some reports introduce only the general classification of compounds in Osmanthus fragrans, and some reports introduce only a single compound. In contrast, the introduction section of this paper includes both the category and the functional value of each compound. While reviewing the data for this study, the authors found that the specific action sites of these compounds and their mechanisms of action in plants are relatively weak, and in the future, additional research should be conducted to investigate this topic further.

Fabrication and optimization of electrospun polymeric nanofibers loaded with 5-fluorouracil and rosemary extract

BACKGROUND

Topical 5-fluorouracil [5FU] is one of the mostly prescribed medications for different types of skin cancer; however, it is associated with drug resistance and adverse effects. Rosemary extract has promising dose-dependent antitumor effects, as well as a synergistic effect in combination with 5-fluorouracil besides sensitizing the 5-FU-resistant cells.

OBJECTIVE

Polymeric nanofibers loaded with 5FU and rosemary extract were optimized to combine both ingredients in one controlled release drug delivery system, aiming to enhance the efficacy while retaining the adverse effects.

METHOD

Polymeric nanofibers loaded with 5-FU and rosemary were fabricated via electrospinning technique. Design expert software was utilized to study the effect of independent variables including polymer concentration, voltage, and feeding rate on the characteristics of the resulting nanofibers. Afterwards, the FTIR spectrum and release kinetic of the drug and extract from the optimized nanofibers and their cytotoxic effect against A375 cell line were investigated.

RESULTS

The formulation composed of 6.65% PVA electrospun at 1 mL.h-1 and 17.5kV was chosen as the optimum fabrication condition. The mean diameter of the optimized nanofibers was 755 nm. The drug and rosemary extract contents were 75.38 and 93.42%, respectively. The fabrication yield was 100%, bioadhesion force was 1.28 N, and bead abundance was 10 per field. The cytotoxicity of the optimized formulation was significantly higher than the control groups.

CONCLUSION

According to the appropriate loading percent, release efficiency and release kinetics, bioadhesion force, and cytotoxicity, these nanofibers could be further investigated as a topical treatment option to increase the efficacy of 5-FU.

Antiproliferative and Antimicrobial Effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Loaded Liposomes

Rosmarinus officinalis L. is a species that is widely known for its culinary and medicinal uses. The purpose of the present study consisted of the evaluation of the antiproliferative and antimicrobial effects of R. officinalis-loaded liposomes (L-R). Characterization of the liposomes was performed by establishing specific parameters. The load of the obtained liposomes was analyzed using an LC-MS method, and antiproliferative assays evaluated the cell viability on a liver adenocarcinoma cell line and on a human hepatic stellate cell line. Antimicrobial assays were performed by agar–well diffusion and by broth microdilution assays. The obtained liposomes showed high encapsulation efficiency, suitable particle size, and good stability. High amounts of caffeic (81.07 ± 0.76), chlorogenic (14.10 ± 0.12), carnosic (20.03 ± 0.16), rosmarinic (39.81 ± 0.35), and ellagic (880.02 ± 0.14) acids were found in their composition, together with other polyphenols. Viability and apoptosis assays showed an intense effect on the cancerous cell line and a totally different pattern on the normal cells, indicating a selective toxicity towards the cancerous ones and an anti-proliferative mechanism. Antimicrobial potential was noticed against all tested bacteria, with a better efficacy towards Gram-positive species. These results further confirm the biological activities of R. officinalis leaf extract, and proposes and characterizes novel delivery systems for their encapsulation, enhancing the biological activities of polyphenols, and overcoming their limitations.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. Leaf Extracts and Their Metabolites Inhibit the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Activation In Vitro and in Human Keratinocytes: Potential Impact on Inflammatory Skin Diseases and Skin Cancer

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation by environmental agents and microbial metabolites is potentially implicated in a series of skin diseases. Hence, it would be very important to identify natural compounds that could inhibit the AhR activation by ligands of microbial origin as 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), indirubin (IND) and pityriazepin (PZ) or the prototype ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Five different dry Rosmarinus officinalis L. extracts (ROEs) were assayed for their activities as antagonists of AhR ligand binding with guinea pig cytosol in the presence of [³H]TCDD. The methanolic ROE was further assayed towards CYP1A1 mRNA induction using RT-PCR in human keratinocytes against TCDD, FICZ, PZ, and IND. The isolated metabolites, carnosic acid, carnosol, 7-O-methyl-epi-rosmanol, 4′,7-O-dimethylapigenin, and betulinic acid, were assayed for their agonist and antagonist activity in the presence and absence of TCDD using the gel retardation assay (GRA). All assayed ROE extracts showed similar dose-dependent activities with almost complete inhibition of AhR activation by TCDD at 100 ppm. The methanol ROE at 10 ppm showed 99%, 50%, 90%, and 85% inhibition against TCDD, FICZ, IND, and PZ, respectively, in human keratinocytes. Most assayed metabolites exhibited dose-dependent antagonist activity. ROEs inhibit AhR activation by TCDD and by the Malassezia metabolites FICZ, PZ, and IND. Hence, ROE could be useful for the prevention or treatment of skin diseases mediated by activation of AhR.

Spicy and Aromatic Plants for Meat and Meat Analogues Applications

Aromatic and spicy plants are an important factor that contributes not only to improving the taste of meat, meat products, and meat analogues, but also to increasing the nutritional value of the products to which they are added. The aim of this paper is to present the latest information on the bioactive antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the most commonly used herbs and spices (parsley, dill, basil, oregano, sage, coriander, rosemary, marjoram, tarragon, bay, thyme, and mint) used in the meat and meat analogues industry, or proposed to be used for meat analogues.

Skin cancer, including related pathways and therapy and the role of luteolin derivatives as potential therapeutics

Cutaneous malignant melanoma is the fastest growing and the most aggressive form of skin cancer that is diagnosed. However, its incidence is relatively scarce compared to the highest mortality rate of all skin cancers. The much more common skin cancers include nonmelanoma malignant skin cancers. Moreover, over the past several decades, the frequency of all skin cancers has increased much more dynamically than that of almost any other type of cancer. Among the available therapeutic options for skin cancers, chemotherapy used immediately after the surgical intervention has been an essential element. Unfortunately, the main problem with conventional chemopreventive regimens involves the lack of response to treatment and the associated side effects. Hence, there is a need for much more effective anticancer drugs. Correspondingly, the targeted alternatives have involved phytochemicals, which are safer chemotherapeutic agents and exhibit competitive anticancer activity with high therapeutic efficacy. Among polyphenolic compounds, some flavonoids and their derivatives, which are mostly found in medicinal plants, have been demonstrated to influence the modulation of signaling pathways at each stage of the carcinogenesis process, which is also important in the context of skin cancers. Hence, this review focuses on an exhaustive overview of the therapeutic effects of luteolin and its derivatives in the treatment and prevention of skin cancers. The bioavailability and structure–activity relationships of luteolin derivatives are also discussed. This review is the first such complete account of all of the scientific reports concerning this particular group of natural compounds that target a specific area of neoplastic diseases.

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): Health-promoting benefits and food preservative properties

Natural food preservatives in the form of herb extracts and spices are increasing in popularity due to their potential to replace synthetic compounds traditionally used as food preservatives. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is an herb that has been traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent, and currently is being studied for anti-cancer and hepatoprotective properties. Rosemary also has been reported to be an effective food preservative due to its high anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities. These properties allow rosemary prevent microbial growth while decreasing food spoilage through oxidation. Rosemary contains several classes of compounds, including diterpenes, polyphenols, and flavonoids, which can differ between extracts depending on the extraction method. In particular, the diterpenes carnosol and carnosic acid are two of the most abundant phytochemicals found in rosemary, and these compounds contribute up to 90% of the anti-oxidant potential of the herb. Additionally, several in vivo studies have shown that rosemary administration has a positive impact on gastrointestinal (GI) health through decreased oxidative stress and inflammation in the GI tract. The objective of this review is to highlight the food preservative potential of rosemary and detail several studies that investigate rosemary to improve in vivo GI health.

Antioxidant and anticancer potentials of edible flowers: where do we stand?

Edible flowers are attracting special therapeutic attention and their administration is on the rise. Edible flowers play pivotal modulatory roles on oxidative stress and related interconnected apoptotic/inflammatory pathways toward the treatment of cancer. In this review, we highlighted the phytochemical content and therapeutic applications of edible flowers, as well as their modulatory potential on the oxidative stress pathways and apoptotic/inflammatory mediators, resulting in anticancer effects. Edible flowers are promising sources of phytochemicals (e.g., phenolic compounds, carotenoids, terpenoids) with several therapeutic effects. They possess anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-depressant, anxiolytic, anti-obesity, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Edible flowers potentially modulate oxidative stress by targeting erythroid nuclear transcription factor-2/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (Nrf2/ERK/MAPK), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant response elements (AREs). As the interconnected pathways to oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), interleukins (ILs) as well as apoptotic pathways such as Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), Bcl-2, caspase and cytochrome C are critical targets of edible flowers in combating cancer. In this regard, edible flowers could play promising anticancer effects by targeting oxidative stress and downstream dysregulated pathways.

Melissa officinalis L. Aqueous Extract Exerts Antioxidant and Antiangiogenic Effects and Improves Physiological Skin Parameters

Melissa officinalis (MO) is a medicinal plant well-known for its multiple pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer and beneficial effects on skin recovery. In this context, the present study was aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo safety profile of an MO aqueous extract by assessing cell viability on normal (HaCaT-human keratinocytes) and tumor (A375-human melanoma) cells and its impact on physiological skin parameters by a non-invasive method. In addition, the antioxidant activity and the antiangiogenic potential of the extract were verified. A selective cytotoxic effect was noted in A375 cells, while no toxicity was noticed in healthy cells. The MO aqueous extract safety profile after topical application was investigated on SKH-1 mice, and an enhanced skin hydration and decreased erythema and transepidermal water loss levels were observed. The in ovo CAM assay, performed to investigate the potential modulating effect on the angiogenesis process and the blood vessels impact, indicated that at concentrations of 100 and 500 µg/mL, MO aqueous extract induced a reduction of thin capillaries. No signs of vascular toxicity were recorded at concentrations as high as 1000 μg/mL. The aqueous extract of MO leaves can be considered a promising candidate for skin disorders with impaired physiological skin parameters.

In Vitro Anticancer Potential of Jasione montana and Its Main Components against Human Amelanotic Melanoma Cells

Jasione montana L. (Campanulaceae) is used in traditional Belarusian herbal medicine for sleep disorders in children, but the chemical composition and biological activity have not been investigated. In this study, the activities of J. montana extracts, their fractions and main compounds were evaluated in amelanotic melanoma C32 (CRL-1585) cells and normal fibroblasts (PCS-201-012). The extracts and fractions were analyzed using liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-PDA-ESI-MS/TOF) to characterize 25 compounds. Further, three major and known constituents, luteolin (22) and its derivatives such as 7-O-glucoside (12) and 7-O-sambubioside (9) were isolated and identified. The cytotoxic activities against fibroblasts and the amelanotic melanoma cell line were determined using the fixable viability stain (FVS) assay. The influence of diethyl ether (Et2O) fraction (JM4) and 22 on apoptosis induction was investigated using an annexin V binding assay. The obtained results showed significant cytotoxicity of JM4 and 22 with IC50 values of 119.7 ± 3.2 and 95.1 ± 7.2 μg/mL, respectively. The proapoptotic potential after 22 treatment in the C32 human amelanotic melanoma cell line was comparable to that of vinblastine sulfate (VLB), detecting 29.2 ± 3.0% apoptotic cells. Moreover, 22 displayed less necrotic potential against melanoma cells than VLB. In addition, the influences of JM4 and 22 on the dysfunction of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), cell cycle and activity of caspases 3, 8, 9, and 10 were established. The effects of JM4 on MMP change (74.5 ± 3.0% of the cells showed a reduced MMP) corresponded to the results obtained from the annexin V binding assay and activation of caspase-9. JM4 and 22 displayed a significant impact on caspase-9 (40.9 ± 2.4% of the cells contained active caspase-9 after JM4 treatment and 16.6 ± 0.8% after incubation with 22) and the intrinsic (mitochondrial) apoptotic pathway. Moreover, studies have shown that JM4 and 22 affect the activation of external apoptosis pathways by inducing the caspase-8 and caspase-10 cascades. Thus, activation of caspase-3 and DNA damage via external and internal apoptotic pathways were observed after treatment with JM4 and 22. The obtained results suggest that J. montana extracts could be developed as new topical preparations with potential anticancer properties due to their promising cytotoxic and proapoptotic potential.

Medicinal Plants Towards Modeling Skin Cancer

Skin cancer remains a major cause of mortality worldwide. It can be divided into melanoma and non-melanoma cancer, which comprise mainly squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Although conventional therapies have ameliorated the management of skin cancer, the search for chemopreventive compounds is still the most effective and safer strategy to treat cancer. Nowadays, chemoprevention is recognized as a novel approach to prevent or inhibit carcinogenesis steps with the use of natural products. Crude extracts of plants and isolated phytocompounds are considered chemopreventive agents since they harbor anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-oncogenic properties against many types of diseases and cancers. In this review, we will discuss the therapeutic effect and preventive potential of selected medicinal plants used as crude extracts or as phytocompounds against melanoma and non-melanoma cutaneous cancers.

Anticancer Properties of Carnosol: A Summary of in Vitro and In Vivo Evidence

Cancer is characterized by unrestricted cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, enhanced invasion and migration, and deregulation of signalling cascades. These properties lead to uncontrolled growth, enhanced survival, and the formation of tumours. Carnosol, a naturally occurring phyto-polyphenol (diterpene) found in rosemary, has been studied for its extensive antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. In cancer cells, carnosol has been demonstrated to inhibit cell proliferation and survival, reduce migration and invasion, and significantly enhance apoptosis. These anticancer effects of carnosol are mediated by the inhibition of several signalling molecules including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), Akt, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Additionally, carnosol prevents the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and promotes apoptosis, as indicated by increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, -8, -9, increased levels of the pro-apoptotic marker Bcl-2-associated X (BAX), and reduced levels of the anti-apoptotic marker B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2). The current review summarizes the existing in vitro and in vivo evidence examining the anticancer effects of carnosol across various tissues.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. (Rosemary): An Ancient Plant with Uses in Personal Healthcare and Cosmetics

This work is a bibliographical review of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) that focuses on the application of derivatives of this plant for cosmetic products, an application which has been recognized and valued since Ancient Egyptian times. Rosemary is a plant of Mediterranean origin that has been distributed throughout different areas of the world. It has many medicinal properties, and its extracts have been used (mainly orally) in folk medicine. It belongs to the Labiatae family, which contains several genera—such as Salvia, Lavandula, and Thymus—that are commonly used in cosmetics, due to their high prevalence of antioxidant molecules. Rosemary is a perennial shrub that grows in the wild or is cultivated. It has glandular hairs that emit fragrant volatile essential oils (mainly monoterpenes) in response to drought conditions in the Mediterranean climate. It also contains diterpenes such as carnosic acid and other polyphenolic molecules. Herein, the botanical and ecological characteristics of the plant are discussed, as well as the main bioactive compounds found in its volatile essential oil and in leaf extracts. Afterward, we review the applications of rosemary in cosmetics, considering its preservative power, the kinds of products in which it is used, and its toxicological safety, as well as its current uses or future applications in topical preparations, according to recent and ongoing studies.

Anticancer Activity of Rosmarinus officinalis L.: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Potentials

Alternative treatments for neoplastic diseases with new drugs are necessary because the clinical effectiveness of chemotherapy is often reduced by collateral effects. Several natural substances of plant origin have been demonstrated to be successful in the prevention and treatment of numerous tumors. Rosmarinus officinalis L. is a herb that is cultivated in diverse areas of the world. There is increasing attention being directed towards the pharmaceutical capacities of rosemary, utilized for its anti-inflammatory, anti-infective or anticancer action. The antitumor effect of rosemary has been related to diverse mechanisms, such as the antioxidant effect, antiangiogenic properties, epigenetic actions, regulation of the immune response and anti-inflammatory response, modification of specific metabolic pathways, and increased expression of onco-suppressor genes. In this review, we aim to report the results of preclinical studies dealing with the anticancer effects of rosemary, the molecular mechanisms related to these actions, and the interactions between rosemary and anticancer drugs. The prospect of utilizing rosemary as an agent in the treatment of different neoplastic diseases is discussed. However, although the use of rosemary in the therapy of neoplasms constitutes a fascinating field of study, large and controlled studies must be conducted to definitively clarify the real impact of this substance in clinical practice.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L., syn Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.) and Its Topical Applications: A Review

Topical application is an important administration route for drugs requiring local action on the skin, thereby avoiding their systemic absorption and adverse side effects. Rosmarinus officinalis L. (syn. Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.), popularly known as rosemary, is an aromatic plant with needle-like leaves belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Rosemary has therapeutic properties and has been used in the folk medicine, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries, mainly for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are attributed to the presence of carnosol/carnosic and ursolic acids. The therapeutic use of rosemary has been explored for the treatment of inflammatory diseases; however, other uses have been studied, such as wound healing and skin cancer and mycoses treatments, among others. Besides it therapeutic uses, rosemary has potential applications in cosmetic formulations and in the treatment of pathological and non-pathological conditions, such as cellulite, alopecia, ultraviolet damage, and aging. This review aims to critically discuss the topical applications of rosemary found in the literature while also offering relevant information for the development of topical formulations of its bioactive compounds.

Rosmarinus plants: Key farm concepts towards food applications

Rosmarinus species are aromatic plants that mainly grow in the Mediterranean region. They are widely used in folk medicine, food, and flavor industries and represent a valuable source of biologically active compounds (e.g., terpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids). The extraction of rosemary essential oil is being done using three main methods: carbon dioxide supercritical extraction, steam distillation, and hydrodistillation. Furthermore, interesting antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antileishmanial, anthelmintic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and antiamnesic effects have also been broadly recognized for rosemary plant extracts. Thus the present review summarized data on economically important Rosmarinus officinalis species, including isolation, extraction techniques, chemical composition, pharmaceutical, and food applications.

Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Bioactive Compounds Contained in Rosmarinus officinalis Used in the Mediterranean Diet

Background

Rosmarinus officinalis (R. officinalis) is a medicinal plant called rosemary, largely used in the Mediterranean diet for many decades ago.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to investigate the polyphenolic content, the antioxidant activity, and the antiproliferative effect against human prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP) of carnosol and carnosic acid as bioactive compounds contained in R. officinalis growing in Morocco.

Materials and Methods

Polyphenolic content of R. officinalis ethanolic extract was studied using colorimetric assay. Carnosol and carnosic acid contained in R. officinalis extract were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antiproliferative effect of the studied extracts on LNCaP was evaluated by WST-1 bioassay, and the antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH assay.

Results

The extracts of R. officinalis showed an important polyphenolic content ranging from 74.15 μg·GAE/mg to 146.63 μg·GAE/mg. The percentage of carnosol and carnosic acid in rosemary crops ranges from 11.7 to 17.3% and 1.09% to 3%, respectively. The extracts of R. officinalis exhibited a promoting antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ ranging from 0.236 mg/mL to 0.176 mg/mL. Regarding the antiproliferative effect, the WST-1 assay revealed that all the tested extracts reduced notably the cell viability with IC₅₀ values ranging from 14.15 to 15. 04 μg/mL.

Conclusion

In the current work, carnosol and carnosic acid exhibit antioxidant and antiproliferative activities in a concentration-dependent manner.

Antioxidant activity evaluation of rosemary ethanol extract and their cellular antioxidant activity toward HeLa cells

Rosemary ethanol extract (REE) from Rosmarinus officinalis was identified by LC-ESI-MS/MS and 12 compounds were found. Among them, rosmarinic acid (389.78 μg/mg in REE), luteolin-3'-O-glucuronide (325.58 μg/mg), luteolin-5-O-glucuronide (120.92 μg/mg), and geniposide (120.83 μg/mg) are the major components. The antioxidant activity evaluation of REE by off-line HPLC methods indicated that among the 12 compounds, rosmarinic acid had the strongest scavenging activities in both DPPH· and ·OH. The cytotoxicity experiment showed that REE with the concentration ranges from 1 to 100 µg/ml did not significantly affect the cell viability of HeLa, while inhibitory rate reduced to 62.3% when the concentration was increased to 1,000 µg/ml. The results of intracellular antioxidation assay showed that the ability of REE in reducing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HeLa cells was higher than rosmanol, and lower than rosmarinic acid without cell toxicity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Plant polyphenols are essential components of functional foods, due to their antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities. This paper is the first study about the quantification of antioxidant compounds, antioxidant activity evaluation, and their cellular antioxidant activity of polyphenols extract from R. officinalis toward HeLa cells. We aimed to elucidate the chemical composition and recognition of antioxidant components with DPPH and OH free radicals scavenging activity. In addition, the polyphenols dose-response correlations with cellular antioxidant activity were also determined. These results indicated that off-line HPLC method with DPPH and OH free radicals as markers is available for screening antioxidant activity of polyphenols from the mixture.

Prerequisite of a Holistic Blend of Traditional and Modern Approaches of Cancer Management

Background:

With the advent of changes in lifestyle of people all around the world, cancer cases have been showing an exponential rise. Researchers from varied fields have been trying to solve this tricky issue.

Methods:

We undertook a systematic search of bibliographic databases of peer-reviewed research literature to evaluate the holistic blend of modern and traditional approaches, especially the Ayurvedic perspective of treatment of cancer along with the effect of our diet and lifestyle on the management (both prevention and cure) of cancer.

Results:

On the basis of extensive literature survey, it was found that Ayurveda as one of the ancient medicinal systems had been very well documented for utilizing its best practices for the treatment of various diseases including cancer, by utilization of several herbal plants and dietary interventions as therapeutics. Active components present in various herbs, which interfere with certain molecular targets to inhibit carcinogenesis are also summarized. Further, beneficial effects of yoga and exercise on psychological distress, cancer-related fatigue and global side-effects as well as their mechanism of action are also discussed. In addition, we recapitulate an upcoming field of Ayurgenomics to understand the possible correlation of Prakriti with genetics as well as epigenetics.

Conclusion:

Both genetic as well as environmental factors have shown their linkage with cancer. Substantial advancements in the field of targeted therapies have opened new horizons for the cancer patients. To fight with this grave situation, a combination of ancient and modern medicinal systems seems to be the need of the hour.

Cytotoxic Tolerance of Healthy and Cancerous Bone Cells to Anti-microbial Phenolic Compounds Depend on Culture Conditions

Carnosol and carnosic acid are polyphenolic compounds found in rosemary and sage with known anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. Here, we addressed the potential use of carnosol and carnosic acid for in vitro bone tissue engineering applications, specifically depending on their cytotoxic effects on bone marrow stromal and stem cells, and osteosarcoma cells in monolayer and 3D cultures. Carnosol and carnosic acid displayed a bacteriostatic effect on Gram-positive bacteria, especially on S. aureus. The viability results indicated that bone marrow stromal cells and bone marrow stem cells were more tolerant to the presence of carnosol compared to osteosarcoma cells. 3D culture conditions increased this tolerance further for healthy cells, while not affecting the cytotoxic potential of carnosol for osteosarcoma cells. Carnosic acid was found to be more cytotoxic for all cell types used in the study. Results suggest that phenolic compounds might have potential use as anti-microbial and anti-carcinogenic agents for bone tissue engineering with further optimization for controlled release.

Active compounds present inRosmarinus officinalis leaves andScutellaria baicalensis root evaluated as new therapeutic agents for endometriosis

RESEARCH QUESTION

Can carnosic acid, (CA) rosmarinic acid (RA) and wogonin (WG) inhibit the growth of cultured human endometrial stromal cells and endometriotic-like lesions induced in a BALB/c model of endometriosis?

DESIGN

Primary stromal cell cultures were established from endometrial biopsies from women with endometriosis and controls. The human endometrial stromal cell line T-HESC was also used for in-vitro experiments. Endometriosis was surgically induced in BALB/c mice, which were randomly assigned to CA 2 mg/kg/day (n = 11); CA 20 mg/kg/day (n = 10); RA 1 mg/kg/day (n = 11); RA 3 mg/kg/day (n = 10); WG 20 mg/kg/day (n = 12); intraperitoneal vehicle control (n = 8) or oral vehicle control (n = 11). After surgery, CA and RA were administered intraperitoneally on days 14-28. WG was administered orally by intragastric gavage on days 14-26.

RESULTS

CA, RA and WG significantly inhibited in-vitro cell proliferation in primary and T-HESC cell cultures (P < 0.05). CA and WG induced cell cycle arrest of T-HESC at the G2/M phase (P < 0.01). RA reduced intracellular ROS accumulation (P < 0.001), whereas WG increased it (P < 0.05). WG significantly inhibited oestrogen receptor alpha expression in T-HESC (P < 0.01). In-vivo, CA, RA and WG significantly reduced lesions size (P < 0.05). All compounds significantly decreased the percentage of cells in proliferation (P < 0.05) whereas RA and WG further increased the percentage of apoptotic cells (P < 0.05) in endometriotic-like lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

The results are promising; further investigation of these compounds as new therapeutics is needed.

A Proteomic Approach to Study the Effect of Thiotaurine on Human Neutrophil Activation

Thiotaurine, a thiosulfonate related to taurine and hypotaurine, is formed by a metabolic process from cystine and generated by a transulfuration reaction between hypotaurine and thiocysteine. Thiotaurine can produce hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from its sulfane sulfur moiety. H2S is a gaseous signaling molecule which can have regulatory roles in inflammatory process. In addition, sulfane sulfur displays the capacity to reversibly bind to other sulfur atoms. Thiotaurine inhibits PMA-induced activation of human neutrophils, and hinders neutrophil spontaneous apoptosis. Here, we present the results of a proteomic approach to study the possible effects of thiotaurine at protein expression level. Proteome analysis of human neutrophils has been performed comparing protein extracts of resting or PMA-activated neutrophils in presence or in absence of thiotaurine. In particular, PMA-stimulated neutrophils showed high level of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) expression compared to the level of the same glycolytic enzyme in the resting neutrophils. Conversely, decreased expression of GAPDH has been observed when human neutrophils were incubated with 1 mM thiotaurine before activation with PMA. This result, confirmed by Western blot analysis, suggests again that thiotaurine shows a bioactive role in the mechanisms underlying the inflammatory process, influencing the energy metabolism of activated leukocytes and raises the possibility that thiotaurine, acting as a sulfur donor, could modulate neutrophil activation via persulfidation of target proteins, such as GAPDH.

Next-Gen Therapeutics for Skin Cancer: Nutraceuticals

Growing modernization and lifestyle changes with limited physical activity have impacted diet and health, leading to an increased cancer mortality rate worldwide. As a result, there is a greater need than before to develop safe and novel anticancer drugs. Current treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, induce unintended side effects, compromising patient's quality of life, and physical well-being. Therefore, there has been an increased global interest in the use of dietary supplements and traditional herbal medicines for treatment of cancer. Recently, nutraceuticals or "natural" substances isolated from food have attracted considerable attention in the cancer field. Emerging research suggests that nutraceuticals may indeed prevent and protect against cancer. The intent of this article is to review some of the current spice-derived nutraceuticals in the treatment of melanoma and skin cancer.

Phytochemical screening and biological activity of Lamiaceae family plant extracts

The current study aimed to investigate ethanolic extracts from the following medicinal plant species cultivated in western Romania: Melissa officinalis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L. (RO) and Salvia officinalis L. (SO). Antioxidant activity, total phenolics content and a profile of the main hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), including caffeic, ferulic, coumaric and rosmarinic acids, was determined for each plant extract. The in vitro antimicrobial activity against four bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Listeria-, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus), and the effect on cell viability in two melanoma cell lines (B164A5 murine melanoma and A375 human melanoma) was also assessed. The results indicated that total phenolics content was 73.76-274.73 mg GAE·g-1 and the antioxidant activity was 2.32-2.87 mM Fe2+·100 g-1. There was found a strong positive correlation (R=0.9691) between total phenolics content and the antioxidant activity in the investigated samples. Regarding the HCA profile obtained by high performance liquid chromatography, the results demonstrated that rosmarinic acid represents the main identified compound. The ethanolic extracts of RO and SO exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. RO was the most effective in terms of decreasing the cell viability of murine and human melanoma cell lines, while the HCAs did not exhibit any effect on cell viability. These findings suggest that plant extracts from the Lamiaceae family may used in the clinic as natural antibacterial agents.

Chemical composition and cytotoxicity of extracts of marjoram and rosemary and their activity against Sporothrix brasiliensis

PURPOSE

Motivated by increasing reports of antifungal resistance in human and animal sporotrichosis, this study evaluated the chemical composition, cytotoxicity and anti-Sporothrix brasiliensis activity of extracts of marjoram (Origanum majorana) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).

METHODOLOGY

Ten (INF10) and 60 min (INF60) infusions, a decoction and a hydroalcoholic extract (HAE, 70 %) were prepared from both plants (10 % w/v). The extract composition was analysed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and the cytotoxicity was evaluated using a colorimetric assay in canine and feline kidney cells. Using a broth microdilution assay (CLSI M38-A2) adapted to the extracts, 30 Sporothrix brasiliensis isolates from dogs, cats and humans, and one Sporothrix schenckii were tested.Results/Key findings. The predominant phenolic compounds found in all extracts were 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid. Luteolin was also one of the predominant compounds, but only in the HAE of marjoram. Extracts of marjoram maintained cell viability in concentrations up to 2.5 mg ml-1 for the feline cell line and up to 10 mg ml-1 for the canine cell line, whereas in rosemary, the cell viability for both kidney lines was maintained with concentrations up to 5 mg ml-1. The activity of rosemary extracts was low or absent. Among the marjoram extracts, HAE was highlighted and had fungistatic activity against Sporothrix brasiliensis (MIC5040 mg ml-1), including in all itraconazole-resistant isolates. S. schenckiisensu stricto was sensitive to marjoram extracts (MIC/MFC ≤5 mg ml-1), with the exception of INF10.

CONCLUSION

These findings support the potential usefulness of the HAE of marjoram in the treatment of sporotrichosis.

Inhibitory effects of rosmarinic acid on pterygium epithelial cells through redox imbalance and induction of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis

Pterygium is a common tumor-like ocular disease, which may be related to exposure to chronic ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Although the standard treatment for pterygium is surgical intervention, the recurrence rate of pterygium is high when no effective inhibitory drug is used after surgery. Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a polyphenol antioxidant with many biological activities, including anti-UV and anti-tumor properties. This study aimed to examine the inhibitory effects of RA on pterygium epithelial cells (PECs). Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to examine the cell cytotoxicity of PECs after RA treatment. A fluorescent probe, DCFH-DA (2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate), was stained with PECs to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Antioxidant activity assays were used to measure the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in PECs. Western blot analysis was used to determine the protein expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), quinone acceptor oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), and apoptosis-associated proteins. RA significantly reduced the cell viability of the PECs. Treatment with RA remarkably increased the Nrf2 protein expression levels in the nucleus, HO-1 and NQO1 protein expression levels, and the activities of SOD and CAT. As a result, intracellular ROS levels in PECs were decreased. Additionally, the induction of extrinsic apoptosis on PECs by RA was associated with increasing expressions levels of Fas, Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and caspase 8 protein. Moreover, the induction of intrinsic apoptotic cell death in PECs was confirmed through upregulation of cytochrome c, Bax, caspase 9, and caspase 3 and downregulation of Bcl-2 and pro-caspase 3. Our study demonstrated that RA could inhibit the viability of PECs through regulation of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways. Therefore, RA may have potential as a therapeutic medication for pterygium.

Sageone, a diterpene from Rosmarinus officinalis, synergizes with cisplatin cytotoxicity in SNU-1 human gastric cancer cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Chemotherapy resistance is a major obstacle for the effective treatment of cancers. Although several studies have described the anticancer properties of rosemary extract and its components, the detailed mechanisms of action are poorly understood.

METHODS

Activity-guided fractionation and repeated chromatographic separation of the n-hexane fraction of the aqueous methanol extract over silica gel, RP C18, and Sephadex LH-20 led to the isolation of three compounds. The structures of the compounds were determined using ¹H, ¹³C, and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of these compounds. Cell cycle, apoptotic cell populations, and mitochondrial membrane potential were analyzed by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect apoptosis-related proteins.

RESULTS

An abietane diterpenoid, sageone (1), an icetexane diterpenoid, (-)-barbatusol (2), and a monoterpene, (+)-verbenone (3), were identified. Of these compounds, sageone (1) showed cytotoxicity against SNU-1 cells with an IC₅₀ of 9.45 ± 1.33 µM. Sageone reduced the expression of Akt dramatically, as opposed to cisplatin, which increased phosphorylated Akt. Sageone combined with a subtoxic dose of cisplatin had synergistic effects on apoptosis induction in SNU-1 cells, as confirmed by calculating the combination index. Co-treatment was significantly more effective than monotherapy at reducing cell viability and inducing apoptosis, as determined by analyzing DNA fragmentation. The combined treatment of sageone and cisplatin markedly reduced Akt expression and phosphorylation, accompanied by increases in cleaved caspase-3, -9 and PARP.

CONCLUSION

This is the first time compounds 1 and 2 have been isolated from R. officinalis. Sageone induced apoptosis in SNU-1 human gastric cancer cells and notably enhanced the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in SNU-1 cells, which are known to be resistant to cisplatin. These findings suggest that sageone represents a promising anticancer agent against gastric cancer that warrants further study.

Mechanistic insight into carnosol-mediated pharmacological effects: Recent trends and advancements

For several decades, bioactive phytochemicals have been appreciated to prevent and cure various lethal diseases. Many studies have proven the ability of dietary phytochemicals to avoid and retard tumor initiation and progression. Among the pharmacologically active moieties, terpenoids are considered one of the most important classes. Carnosol, is also a kind of diterpenoid, which known to possess a range of therapeutic effects such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities. All these effects are mediated via modulating different signaling cascades, including apoptosis regulating molecules (Bax/Bcl2), prosurvival-proproliferative molecules (Akt/mTOR, MAPK), transcription factors like NF-kappaB, STAT3-6, and steroid receptors, such as androgen and estrogen receptors. The present review highlights the recent trends and advancements have been done in the field of research by using carnosol.

Histological and histochemical study of the protective role of rosemary extract against harmful effect of cell phone electromagnetic radiation on the parotid glands

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are a class of non-ionizing radiation (NIR) that is emitted from mobile phone. It may have hazardous effects on parotid glands. So, we aimed to investigate the histological and histochemical changes of the parotid glands of rats exposed to mobile phone and study the possible protective role of rosemary against its harmful effect. Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were classified into 4 equal groups. Group I (control), group II (control receiving rosemary), group III (mobile phone exposed group) and group IV (mobile exposed, rosemary treated group). Parotid glands were dissected out for histological and histochemical study. Moreover, measurement of oxidative stress markers; malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was done. The results of this study revealed that rosemary has protective effect through improving the histological and histochemical picture of the parotid gland in addition of its antioxidant effect. It could be concluded from the current study, that exposure of parotid gland of rat models to electromagnetic radiation of mobile phone resulted in structural changes at the level of light and electron microscopic examination which could be explained by oxidative stress effect of mobile phone. Rosemary could play a protective role against this harmful effect through its antioxidant activity.

Optimization and in vitro antiproliferation of Curcuma wenyujin's active extracts by ultrasonication and response surface methodology

Background

Curcuma wenyujin, a member of the genus Curcuma, has been widely prescribed for anti-cancer therapy. Multiple response surface optimization has attracted a great attention, while, the research about optimizing three or more responses employing response surface methodology (RSM) was very few.

Results

RSM and desirability function (DF) were employed to get the optimum ultrasonic extraction parameters, in which the extraction yields of curdione, furanodienone, curcumol and germacrone from C. wenyujin were maximum. The yields in the extract were accurately quantified using the validated high performance liquid chromatography method with a good precision and accuracy. The optimization results indicated that the maximum combined desirability 97.1 % was achieved at conditions as follows: liquid–solid ratio, 8 mL g⁻¹; ethanol concentration, 70 % and ultrasonic time, 20 min. The extraction yields gained from three verification experiments were in fine agreement with those of the model’s predictions. The surface morphologies of the sonication-treated C. wenyujin were loose and rough. The extract of C. wenyujin presented obvious antiproliferative activities against RKO and HT-29 cells in vitro.

Conclusion

Response surface methodology was successfully applied to model and optimize the ultrasonic extraction of four bioactive components from C. wenyujin for antiproliferative activitiy.Graphical abstract

Cu(II)-coumestrol interaction leads to ROS-mediated DNA damage and cell death: a putative mechanism for anticancer activity

Phytoestrogens have attracted considerable interest as natural alternatives to hormone replacement therapy and their potential as cancer therapeutic agents. Among phytoestrogens, coumestrol has shown multipharmacological properties such as antiinflammatory, neuroprotective, osteoblastic differentiation and anticancer. Though several studies have described anticancer effects of coumestrol, a clear underlying molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells contain elevated copper levels that play an integral role in angiogenesis. Copper is an important metal ion associated with the chromatin DNA, particularly with guanine. Thus, targeting copper in cancer cells can serve as effective anticancer strategy. Using human peripheral lymphocytes, we assessed lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA damage and apoptosis by coumestrol in the presence of exogenously added Cu(II) in cells to simulate malignancy-like condition. Results showed that Cu(II)-coumestrol interaction leads to lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation (markers of oxidative stress), DNA fragmentation and apoptosis in treated lymphocytes. Further, incubation of lymphocytes with ROS scavengers and membrane-permeant copper chelator, neocuproine, resulted in inhibition of DNA damage and apoptosis. This suggests that coumestrol engages in redox cycling of Cu(II) to generate ROS that leads to DNA fragmentation and apoptosis. In conclusion, this is the first report showing that coumestrol targets cellular copper to induce prooxidant death in malignant cells. We believe that such a prooxidant cytotoxic mechanism better explains the anticancer activity of coumestrol. These findings will provide significant insights into the development of new chemical molecules with better copper-chelating and prooxidant properties against cancer cells.

Antiproliferative activity of Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton extract using ultrasonic assistance and response surface methodology

The objective of the study was to optimize the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of curdione, furanodienone, curcumol, and germacrone from Curcuma phaeocaulis Valeton (Val.) and investigate the antiproliferative activity of the extract. Under the suitable high-performance liquid chromatography condition, the calibration curves for these four tested compounds showed high levels of linearity and the recoveries of these four compounds were between 97.9 and 104.3%. Response surface methodology (RSM) combining central composite design and desirability function (DF) was used to define optimal extraction parameters. The results of RSM and DF revealed that the optimum conditions were obtained as 8 mL g^-1 for liquid-solid ratio, 70% ethanol concentration, and 20 min of ultrasonic time. It was found that the surface structures of the sonicated herbal materials were fluffy and irregular. The C. phaeocaulis Val. extract significantly inhibited the proliferation of RKO and HT-29 cells in vitro. The results reveal that the RSM can be effectively used for optimizing the ultrasonic-assisted extraction of bioactive components from C. phaeocaulis Val. for antiproliferative activity.

Evaluation of in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of crude ginger and rosemary extracts obtained through supercritical CO2 extraction on macrophage and tumor cell line: the influence of vehicle type

BACKGROUND

Numerous plants from have been investigated due to their anti-inflammatory activity and, among then, extracts or components of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), sources of polyphenolic compounds. 6-gingerol from ginger rhizome and carnosic acid and carnosol from rosemary leaves present anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, the evaluation of the mechanisms of action of these and other plant extracts is limited due to their high hydrophobicity. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is commonly used as a vehicle of liposoluble materials to mammalian cells in vitro, presenting enhanced cell penetration. Liposomes are also able to efficiently deliver agents to mammalian cells, being capable to incorporate in their structure not only hydrophobic molecules, but also hydrophilic and amphiphilic compounds. Another strategy is based on the use of Pluronic F-68, a biocompatible low-foaming, non-ionic surfactant, to disperse hydrophobic components. Here, these three delivery approaches were compared to analyze their influence on the in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of ginger and rosemary extracts, at different concentrations, on primary mammalian cells and on a tumor cell line.

METHODS

Ginger and rosemary extracts free of organic solvents were obtained by supercritical fluid extraction and dispersed in DMSO, Pluronic F-68 or liposomes, in variable concentrations. Cell viability, production of inflammatory mediators and nitric oxide (NO) release were measured in vitro on J774 cell line and murine macrophages primary culture stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide and interferon-γ after being exposed or not to these extracts.

RESULTS

Ginger and rosemary extracts obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the release of NO by peritoneal macrophages and J774 cells. The delivery vehicles influenced the anti-inflammatory effects. Comparatively, the ginger extract showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity on the tumor cell line. Controversially, rosemary extract dispersed on DMSO induced a more significant IL-1 and TNF-α reduction than ginger extract in primary macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

Amongst the tested delivery vehicles, DMSO was the most suitable, presenting reduced cytotoxicity, followed by Pluronic F-68 and liposomes, provably due to differences in their form of absorption, distribution and cellular metabolism. Co-administration of liposomes and plant extracts may cause death of macrophages cells and induction of NO production. It can be concluded that some of the beneficial effects attributed to extracts of ginger and rosemary may be associated with the inhibition of inflammatory mediators due to their high antioxidant activity. However, these effects were influenced by the type of delivery vehicle.