Development of novel HER2 inhibitors against gastric cancer derived from flavonoid source of Syzygium alternifolium through molecular dynamics and pharmacophore-based screening

Recent advances in methods of extraction, pre-concentration, purification, identification, and quantification of kaempferol

As a naturally widely-occurring dietary, cosmetic, and therapeutic flavonoid, kaempferol has gained much consideration for its nutritional and pharmaceutical properties in recent years. Although there have been performed a high number of studies associated with different aspects of kaempferol's analytical investigations, the lack of a comprehensive summary of the various methods and other plant sources that have been reported for this compound is being felt, especially for many biological applications. This study, aimed to provide a detailed compilation consisting of sources (plant species) and analytical information that was precisely related to the natural flavonoid (kaempferol). There is a trend in analytical research that supports the application of modern eco-friendly instruments and methods. In conclusion, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is the most general advanced method used widely today for the extraction of kaempferol. During recent years, there is an increasing tendency towards the identification of kaempferol by different methods.

Newly synthesized chitosan nanoparticles loaded with caffeine/moringa leaf extracts Halt Her2, BRCA1, and BRCA2 expressions

Breast cancer is among the highest morbidity and mortality rates in women around the world. In the present investigation we aimed to synthesis novel nanosystem combining two naturally important anticancer agents with different mechanism of action namely Moringa oleifera and caffeine. Firstly, chemical analysis of Moringa oleifera extract and caffeine was done by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) in order to assess the main chemical compounds present and correlate between them and the possible anticancer effect. The novel nanosystem was characterized through dynamic light scattering techniques which revealed the stability and homogeneity of the prepared M. oleifera leaves extract/Caffeine loaded chitosan nanoparticles, while FTIR and transmission electron microscope (TEM) proved the shape and the successful incorporation of M. oleifera leaves extract/Caffeine onto the nanochitosan carrier. Our initial step was to assess the anticancer effect in vitro in cancer cell line MCF-7 which proved the significant enhanced effect of M. oleifera leaves extract/Caffeine nanosystem compared to M. oleifera leaves extract or caffeine loaded nanoparticles. Further studies were conducted in vivo namely tumor biomarkers, tumor volume, bioluminescence imaging, molecular and histopathological investigations. The present study proved the potent anticancer effect of the synthesized M. oleifera leaves extract/Caffeine loaded chitosan nanoparticles. Mo/Caf/CsNPs exhibited a large number of apoptotic cells within the tumor mass while the adipose tissue regeneration was higher compared to the positive control. The prepared nanoparticles downregulated the expression of Her2, BRCA1 and BRCA2 while mTOR expression was upregulated. The aforementioned data demonstrated the successful synergistic impact of Moringa and caffeine in decreasing the carcinoma grade.

An Overview of the Spices Used for the Prevention and Potential Treatment of Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) ranks third in terms of cancer-related deaths and is the fifth most commonly diagnosed type of cancer. Its risk factors include Helicobacter pylori infection, Epstein-Barr virus infection, the consumption of broiled and charbroiled animal meats, salt-preserved and smoke-enhanced foods, alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, exposure to ionizing radiation, and positive family history. The limited effectiveness of conventional therapies and the widespread risk factors of GC encourage the search for new methods of treatment and prevention. In the quest for cheap and commonly available medications, numerous studies focus on herbal medicine, traditional brews, and spices. In this review, we outline the potential use of spices, including turmeric, ginger, garlic, black cumin, chili pepper, saffron, black pepper, rosemary, galangal, coriander, wasabi, cinnamon, oregano, cardamom, fenugreek, caraway, clove, dill, thyme, Piper sarmentosum, basil, as well as the compounds they contain, in the prevention and treatment of GC. We present the potential molecular mechanisms responsible for the effectivity of a given seasoning substance and their impact on GC cells. We discuss their potential effects on proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. For most of the spices discussed, we also outline the unavailability and side effects of their use.

Recent advances in the area of plant-based anti-cancer drug discovery using computational approaches

Phytocompounds are a well-established source of drug discovery due to their unique chemical and functional diversities. In the area of cancer therapeutics, several phytocompounds have been used till date to design and develop new drugs. One of the desired interests of pharmaceutical companies and researchers globally is that new anti-cancer leads are discovered, for which phytocompounds can be considered a valuable source. Simultaneously, in recent years, the growth of computational approaches like virtual screening (VS), molecular dynamics (MD), pharmacophore modelling, Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR), Absorption Distribution Metabolism Excretion and Toxicity (ADMET), network biology, and machine learning (ML) has gained importance due to their efficiency, reduced time-consuming nature, and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, the present review amalgamates the information on plant-based molecules identified for cancer lead discovery from in silico approaches. The mandate of this review is to discuss studies published in the last 5-6 years that aim to identify the phytomolecules as leads against cancer with the help of traditional computational approaches as well as newer techniques like network pharmacology and ML. This review also lists the databases and webservers available in the public domain for phytocompounds related information that can be harnessed for drug discovery. It is expected that the present review would be useful to pharmacologists, medicinal chemists, molecular biologists, and other researchers involved in the development of natural products (NPs) into clinically effective lead molecules.

Herbal compounds as promising therapeutic agents in precision medicine strategies for cancer: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The field of personalized medicine has gained increasing attention in cancer care, with the aim of tailoring treatment strategies to individual patients for improved outcomes. Herbal medicine, with its long-standing historical use and extensive bioactive compounds, offers a rich source of potential treatments for various diseases, including cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an overview of the current knowledge and evidence associated with incorporating herbal compounds into precision medicine strategies for cancer diseases. Additionally, to explore the general characteristics of the studies included in the analysis, focusing on their key features and trends.

SEARCH STRATEGY

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from multiple online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL-EBSCO. The search strategy was designed to identify studies related to personalized cancer medicine and herbal interventions.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Publications pertaining to cancer research conducted through in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, employing natural products were included in this review.

DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently applied inclusion and inclusion criteria, data extraction, and assessments of methodological quality. The quality assessment and biases of the studies were evaluated based on modified Jadad scales. A detailed quantitative summary of the included studies is presented, providing a comprehensive description of their key features and findings.

RESULTS

A total of 121 studies were included in this review for analysis. Some of them were considered as comprehensive experimental investigations both in vitro and in vivo. The majority (n = 85) of the studies included in this review were conducted in vitro, with 44 of them specifically investigating the effects of herbal medicine on animal models. Additionally, 7 articles with a combined sample size of 31,271 patients, examined the impact of herbal medicine in clinical settings.

CONCLUSION

Personalized medication can optimize the use of herbal medicine in cancer treatment by considering individual patient factors such as genetics, medical history, and other treatments. Additionally, active phytochemicals found in herbs have shown potential for inhibiting cancer cell growth and inducing apoptosis, making them a promising area of research in preclinical and clinical investigations. Please cite this article as: Tayeb BA, Kusuma IY, Osman AAM, Minorics R. Herbal compounds as promising therapeutic agents in precision medicine strategies for cancer: A systematic review. J Integr Med. 2024; 22(2): 137-162.

Investigation of a set of flavonoid compounds as Helicobacter pylori urease inhibitors: insights from in silico studies

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a spiral, microaerophilic gram-negative bacterium, which is associated with the destruction of the lining of the stomach, leads to chronic inflammation of the stomach, which can cause stomach and duodenal ulcers. The problems caused by the treatment with antibiotics have caused researchers to use new approaches to treat infections caused by H. pylori, among them specific treatments with flavonoids. Urease enzyme, as one of the most important pathogenic and antigenic factors of this bacterium, is a suitable target for this purpose. In this study, the inhibitory effect of flavonoid compounds compared to acetohydroxamic acid on H. pylori urease enzyme was evaluated using molecular modeling methods. First, the interaction of flavonoids with urease enzyme compared with acetohydroxamic acid was investigated by molecular docking method to produce efficient docking poses. Then the physicochemical properties and toxicity of the best flavonoid compounds were analyzed using the swissadme server. Also, molecular dynamics calculations were performed to precisely understand the interactions between ligands and protein. The results of this study show that all the investigated flavonoid compounds are capable of inhibiting H. pylori urease. Among these compounds, six compounds chrysin, galangin, kaempferol, luteolin, morin and quercetin showed a greater tendency to bind to urease, compared to the acetohydroxamic acid inhibitor. These compounds are desirable in terms of physicochemical properties. This study also revealed that the flavonoids with their hydroxyl groups (-OH) play an important role during bond formation with amino acids Ala278, Ala169, His314, Asp362 and Asn168. Therefore, flavonoid compounds, due to their suitable location in the active site of the urease, create a more effective inhibition than the chemical drug acetohydroxamic acid and can be suitable candidates for the treatment of Helicobacter pylori under in vitro and in vivo investigations.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Structure-Based Virtual Screening of Pseudomonas aeruginosa LpxA Inhibitors Using Pharmacophore-Based Approach

Multidrug resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a noticeable and ongoing major obstacle for inhibitor design. In P. aeruginosa, uridine diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) acetyltransferase (PaLpxA) is an essential enzyme of lipid A biosynthesis and an attractive drug target. PaLpxA is a homotrimer, and the binding pocket for its substrate, UDP-GlcNAc, is positioned between the monomer A-monomer B interface. The uracil moiety binds at one monomer A, the GlcNAc moiety binds at another monomer B, and a diphosphate form bonds with both monomers. The catalytic residues are conserved and display a similar catalytic mechanism across orthologs, but some distinctions exist between pocket sizes, residue differences, substrate positioning and specificity. The analysis of diversified pockets, volumes, and ligand positions was determined between orthologues that could aid in selective inhibitor development. Thenceforth, a complex-based pharmacophore model was generated and subjected to virtual screening to identify compounds with similar pharmacophoric properties. Docking and general Born-volume integral (GBVI) studies demonstrated 10 best lead compounds with selective inhibition properties with essential residues in the pocket. For biological access, these scaffolds complied with the Lipinski rule, no toxicity and drug likeness properties, and were considered as lead compounds. Hence, these scaffolds could be helpful for the development of potential selective PaLpxA inhibitors.

Isolation of flavonoids from the flowers of Rhynchosia beddomei Baker as prominent antimicrobial agents and molecular docking

Rhynchosia beddomei Baker (R. beddomei) is a viscous hairy under shrub, belongs to the family of Fabaceae and widely distributed in Deccan and Carnatic regions of South India. In the present investigation, four flavonoids such as an isoflavone, 5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (RB-1), a flavonol, quercetin-7-O-methylether (RB-2), two flavone C-glycosides, isovitexin (RB-3) and 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6-C-β-d-glucopyranosyl flavone (RB-4) were isolated from the flowers of R. beddomei Baker through bioassay guided fractionation. Subsequently, antimicrobial activity of compounds against drug resistant gram positive and negative bacteria and fungi revealed RB-2 and RB-4 have shown highest minimal inhibition concentrations against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. RB-2 and RB-4 enclosed OH groups at 5th position on the ring A, 3' and 4' ortho dihydroxyl groups positioned on the ring B and accomplished efficacious antibacterial activity. In addition, Docking studies perceptible that RB-4 conferred highest binding energy of -10.5 kcal/mol and exhibited eloquent polar and non-polar interactions with active site residues of N-Myristoyltransferase (Nmt) of Candida albicans while binding energy of -7.5 kcal/mol was recorded for peptidyldeformylase (PaPDF) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, these compounds obey Lipinski's rule of five and exerts good drug likeness properties and might be ratified as lead molecules for further investigations to prevent panicking microbial infections.

Natural products as important tyrosine kinase inhibitors

As an important source of drugs, natural products play an important role in the discovery and development of new drugs. More than 60% of anti-tumor drugs are closely related to natural products. At the same time, as the main cause of tumors, the abnormal activity of tyrosine kinase has become an important target for clinical treatment. Although, small molecule targeted drugs dominate the cancer treatment. Natural active products are driving the development of new tyrosine kinase inhibitors with their unique mode of action and molecular structure diversity. Obtaining new chemical entities with tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity from natural active products will bring new breakthroughs in the research of anticancer drugs. In this paper, different tyrosine kinases are mainly classified as targets, and natural products and derivatives which have been found to inhibit tyrosine kinase activity have been described. It is hoped that by analyzing the different aspects of the source, structural characteristics, mechanism of action and biological activity of these natural products, we will find new members that can be developed into drugs and promote the development of anti-tumor drugs.

The Effect of Tartary Buckwheat Flavonoids in Inhibiting the Proliferation of MGC80-3 Cells during Seed Germination

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn) is rich in functional compounds such as rutin, quercetin, d-chiro-inositol, dietary fiber, and essential amino acids. Electric field (EF) treatment before sprout germination results in physiological and chemical changes, and some alterations might lead to positive applications in plant seeds. MTT assay showed that the effect of total flavonoids on human gastric cancer cell line MGC80-3 was significantly changed after EF treatment for different germination days (3-7 days). Among them, the total flavonoids of tartary buckwheat (BWTF) on the third day had the most obvious inhibitory effect on MGC80-3 (p < 0.01). In addition, flow cytometry evidenced that different ratios of quercetin and rutin had effects on the proliferation of MGC80-3. The same content of quercetin and rutin had the best effect, reaching 6.18 ± 0.82%. The anti-cancer mechanism was mainly promoted by promoting the expression of apoptotic proteins. The expression of Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-8 in MGC80-3 cells was mediated by BWTFs. This study has good research value for improving the biological and economic value of tartary buckwheat.

C-erbB-2 expression is related with pathological progression of gastric cancer: results of a non-radioactive in situ hybridization

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship of c-erbB-2 oncogene expression with major pathological characteristics of gastric cancer (GC) progression.

METHODS

Eighty-one GC specimens were studied for c-erbB-2 oncogene amplification using non-radioactive in situ hybridization method. The c-erbB-2 overexpression status was correlated with tumor differentiation, tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis.

RESULTS

Among the 81 pathology confirmed GC patients, 41 (50.6%) were found to have c-erbB-2 overexpression in cancer tissues. The rate of c-erbB-2 overexpression was significantly higher in those with poor tumor differentiation (63.0%, 29/46) than in those with well differentiated tumor (34.3%, 12/35) (χ ²=6.576, P<0.001); significantly higher in those that invaded into deep muscle and beyond (55.7%, 39/70) than in those with tumors limited to the superficial muscle (18.2%, 2/11) (χ ²=5.357, P<0.025); and significantly higher in those with lymph node metastases (59.6%, 34/57) than in those without lymph node involvement (29.2%, 7/24) (χ ²=6.278, P<0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

c-erbB-2 oncogene overexpression may indicate a more aggressive biological behavior of the tumor and could be used as a predictive marker for GC pathological progression.

Molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, biological evaluation and 2D QSAR analysis of flavonoids from Syzygium alternifolium as potent anti-Helicobacter pylori agents

The present study was carried out with the specific aim to evaluate anti-Helicobacter pylori(Hp) and urease inhibitory activities of three flavonoids from Syzygium alternifolium through thein vitroand bio-computational approaches.