Flavonoids and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling cascade: A potential crosstalk in anticancer treatment

Luteolin: A promising modulator of apoptosis and survival signaling in liver cancer

Due to the increasing incidence of cancer and the difficulties in determining the safety profile of existing therapeutic approaches, cancer research has recently become heavily involved in the search for new therapeutic approaches. The therapeutic significance of natural substances, especially flavonoids, against the onset and progression of cancer has been emphasized in traditional food-based medicine. Interestingly, the flavone luteolin possesses biological effects that have been linked to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Luteolin interacts with several downstream chemicals and signaling pathways, including those involved in apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle progression, and angiogenesis, to exert its anticancer effects on various cancerous cells. A complete understanding of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, autophagy, and, most critically, the nanodelivery of luteolin in liver cancer is provided in the current review.

Isorhamnetin: what is the in vitro evidence for its antitumor potential and beyond?

Isorhamnetin (ISO) is a phenolic compound belonging to flavonoid family, showcasing important in vitro pharmacological activities such as antitumor, anti-inflammation, and organ protection. ISO is predominantly extracted from Hippophae rhamnoides L. This plant is well-known in China and abroad because of its "medicinal and food homologous" characteristics. As a noteworthy natural drug candidate, ISO has received considerable attention in recent years owing to its low cost, wide availability, high efficacy, low toxicity, and minimal side effects. To comprehensively elucidate the multiple biological functions of ISO, particularly its antitumor activities and other pharmacological potentials, a literature search was conducted using electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. This review primarily focuses on ISO's ethnopharmacology. By synthesizing the advancements made in existing research, it is found that the general effects of ISO involve a series of in vitro potentials, such as antitumor, protection of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, and more. This review illustrates ISO's antitumor and other pharmacological potentials, providing a theoretical basis for further research and new drug development of ISO.

Synergistic therapeutic strategies and engineered nanoparticles for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in cancer

Angiogenesis is one of the defining characteristics of cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is crucial for the development of angiogenesis. A growing interest in cancer therapy is being caused by the widespread use of antiangiogenic drugs in treating several types of human cancer. However, this therapeutic approach can worsen resistance, invasion, and overall survival. As we proceed, refining combination strategies and addressing the constraint of targeted treatments are paramount. Therefore, major challenges in using novel combinations of antiangiogenic agents with cytotoxic treatments are currently focused on illustrating the potential of synergistic therapeutic strategies, alongside advancements in nanomedicine and gene therapy, present opportunities for more precise interference with angiogenesis pathways and tumor environments. Nanoparticles have the potential to regulate several crucial activities and improve several drug limitations such as lack of selectivity, non-targeted cytotoxicity, insufficient drug delivery at tumor sites, and multi-drug resistance based on their unique features. The goal of this updated review is to illustrate the enormous potential of novel synergistic therapeutic strategies and the targeted nanoparticles as an alternate strategy for t treating a variety of tumors employing antiangiogenic therapy.

Antiglycation potential of metal ions and polyphenolic extract of chickpea on thiol-protease inhibitor: A management for diabetic complications

Glycation is the non-enzymatic adduct formation between reducing sugars or dicarbonyls with proteins and is a crucial molecular event under hyperglycaemic conditions of diabetes. The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) due to glycation of proteins has been implicated in several diseases associated with ageing and diabetes. Thus, investigating the antiglycation potential of some trace metal ions (Manganese; Mn2+, and Zinc; Zn2+) and polyphenolic extract of chickpea seeds (PEC) on the methylglyoxal (MGO) induced glycation of a phytocystatin isolated from chickpea was taken up to find an inexpensive and non-toxic therapeutic means of medicating protein glycation and associated diabetic complications. The current study focused on the comparative analyses of these micronutrients and herbal extracts in inhibiting protein glycation and AGEs formation in a quest to develop nutraceuticals for managing diabetes. The effect of metals (Mn2+, Zn2+) and PEC on protein glycation was assessed by different techniques, i.e., glycation-specific AGE fluorescence and absorbance, thiol protease inhibitory activity assay, and conformational alterations by spectroscopic assays. This study revealed the significant anti-glycation potencies of Mn2+, Zn2+, and PEC against the MGO-induced glycation of CPC, which might pave the way for resolving pathological complications of diabetes by combining higher levels of efficacy, selectivity, and safety in humans. Moreover, characterization and identification of different AGEs formed during the glycation process in diabetics was done to apply the same for determining the onset of glycation at the early stage so that appropriate steps be taken to address the menace of diabetic complications.

Analysis of some flavonoids for inhibitory mechanism against cancer target phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) using computational tool

Cancer has been one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide over the past few years. Some progress has been made in the development of more effective cancer therapeutics, resulting in improved survival rates. However, the desired outcome in the form of successful treatment is yet to be achieved. There is high demand for the development of innovative, inexpensive, and effective anticancer treatments using natural resources. Natural compounds have been increasingly discovered and used for cancer therapy owing to their high molecular diversity, novel biofunctionality, and minimal side effects. These compounds can be utilized as chemopreventive agents because they can efficiently inhibit cell growth, control cell cycle progression, and block several tumor-promoting signaling pathways. PI3K is an important upstream protein of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway and a well-established cancer therapeutic target. This study aimed to explore the small molecules, natural flavonoids, viz. quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, genistein, wogonin, daidzein, and flavopiridol for PI3Kγ kinase activity inhibition. In this study, the binding pose, interacting residues, molecular interactions, binding energies, and dissociation constants were investigated. Our results showed that these flavonoids bound well with PI3Kγ with adequate binding strength scores and binding energy ranging from (-8.19 to -8.97 Kcal/mol). Among the explored ligands, flavopiridol showed the highest binding energy of -8.97 Kcal/mol, dock score (-44.40), and dissociation constant term, p K d of 6.58 against PI3Kγ. Based on the above results, the stability of the most promising ligand, flavopiridol, against PI3Kγ was evaluated by molecular dynamics simulations for 200 ns, confirming the stable flavopiridol and PI3Kγ complex. Our study suggests that among the selected flavonoids specifically flavopiridol may act as potential inhibitors of PI3Kγ and could be a therapeutic alternative to inhibit the PI3Kγ pathway, providing new insights into rational drug discovery research for cancer therapy.

Fisetin's Promising Antitumor Effects: Uncovering Mechanisms and Targeting for Future Therapies

Background  Cancer remains a critical global health challenge and a leading cause of mortality. Flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables have gained attention for their potential anti-cancer properties. Fisetin, abundantly present in strawberries, apples, onions, and other plant sources, has emerged as a promising candidate for cancer prevention. Epidemiological studies linking a diet rich in these foods to lower cancer risk have sparked extensive research on fisetin's efficacy. Objective  This review aims to comprehensively explore the molecular mechanisms of fisetin's anticancer properties and investigate its potential synergistic effects with other anticancer drugs. Furthermore, the review examines the therapeutic and preventive effects of fisetin against various cancers. Methods  A systematic analysis of the available scientific literature was conducted, including research articles, clinical trials, and review papers related to fisetin's anticancer properties. Reputable databases were searched, and selected studies were critically evaluated to extract essential information on fisetin's mechanisms of action and its interactions with other anticancer drugs. Results  Preclinical trials have demonstrated that fisetin inhibits cancer cell growth through mechanisms such as cell cycle alteration, induction of apoptosis, and activation of the autophagy signaling pathway. Additionally, fisetin reduces reactive oxygen species levels, contributing to its overall anticancer potential. Investigation of its synergistic effects with other anticancer drugs suggests potential for combination therapies. Conclusion  Fisetin, a bioactive flavonoid abundant in fruits and vegetables, exhibits promising anticancer properties through multiple mechanisms of action. Preclinical trials provide a foundation for further exploration in human clinical trials. Understanding fisetin's molecular mechanisms is vital for developing novel, safe, and effective cancer prevention and treatment strategies. The potential synergy with other anticancer drugs opens new avenues for combination therapies, enhancing cancer management approaches and global health outcomes.

Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Anticancer Potentials of African Medicinal Fruits: A Comprehensive Review

Africa is home to diverse medicinal plants that have been used for generations for the treatment of several different cancers and, presently, they are gaining interest from researchers as promising approaches to cancer treatment. This review aims to provide a comprehensive review of dietary and medicinal African fruits including their traditional uses, botanical description, ethnobotanical uses, bioactive phytochemical compositions, and anticancer properties investigated to date in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical studies. Data on recent updates concerning the traditional uses and anticancer properties of these fruits were collected from a myriad of available publications in electronic databases, such as Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. The results suggest that approximately 12 native or commercially grown African fruits belonging to different plant species, including Tribulus terrestris, Xanthium strumarium, Withania somnifera, Xylopia aethiopica, Abelmoschus esculentus, Carissa macrocarpa, Carpobrotus edulis, Syzygium cumini, Kigelia Africana, Annona muricata, Persea americana, and Punica granatum, have been reported for their potential as treatment options for the management of cancer. We further found that approximately eight different fruits from native plant species from Africa, namely, Sclerocarya birrea, Dovyalis caffra, Parinari curatellifolia, Mimusops caffra, Carpobrotus edulis, Vangueria infausta, Harpephyllum caffrum, and Carissa macrocarpa, have been widely used for the traditional treatment of different ailments but somehow failed to gain the interest of researchers for their use in anticancer research. In this review, we show the potential use of various fruits as anticancer agents, such as Tribulus terrestris, Xanthium strumarium, Withania somnifera, Xylopia aethiopica, Abelmoschus esculentus, Carissa macrocarpa, Carpobrotus edulis, Syzygium cumini, Kigelia Africana, Annona muricata, Persea americana, and Punica granatum; unfortunately, not enough reported research data have been published to gain thorough mechanistic insights and clinical applications. Additionally, we discuss the possibility of the utilization of potential phytochemicals from fruits like Persea americana and Punica granatum in anticancer research, as well as future directions.

Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein as a novel target for kaempferol to ameliorate lung adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Although there have been improvements in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, the majority of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients still lack effective therapies. Consequently, it is urgent to screen for new diagnosis biomarkers and pharmacological targets. Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein (JAML) was considered to be an oncogenic protein and may be a novel therapeutic target in LUAD. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid that exhibits antitumor activities in LUAD. However, the effect of kaempferol on JAML is still unknown.

METHODS

Small interfering RNA was used to knockdown JAML expression. The cell viability was determined using the cell counting kit-8 assay. The proliferation of LUAD cells was evaluated using the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay. The migration and invasion of LUAD cells were evaluated by transwell assays. Molecular mechanisms were explored by Western blotting.

RESULTS

JAML knockdown suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion of LUAD cells, and JAML deficiency restrained epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via inactivating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathway. Using a PI3K activator (740Y-P), rescue experiments showed that phenotypes to JAML knockdown in LUAD cells were dependent on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Kaempferol also inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of A549 and H1299 cells and partially suppressed EMT through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Knockdown of JAML ameliorated the inhibitory effect of kaempferol on LUAD cells. Kaempferol exerted anticancer effects by targeting JAML.

CONCLUSION

JAML is a novel target for kaempferol against LUAD cells. Please cite this article as: Wu Q, Wang YB, Che XW, Wang H, Wang W. Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein as a novel target for kaempferol to ameliorate lung adenocarcinoma. J Integr Med. 2023; Epub ahead of print.

Curcumin and Plumbagin Synergistically Target the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway: A Prospective Role in Cancer Treatment

Cancer development is associated with the deregulation of various cell signaling pathways brought on by certain genetic and epigenetic alterations. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies have been developed to target those pathways. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway is one major deregulated pathway in various types of cancer. Several anticancer drug candidates are currently being investigated in preclinical and/or clinical studies to target this pathway. Natural bioactive compounds provide an excellent source for anticancer drug development. Curcumin and plumbagin are two potential anticancer compounds that have been shown to target the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway individually. However, their combinatorial effect on cancer cells is still unknown. This study aims to investigate the synergistic effect of these two compounds on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway by employing a sequential molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) analysis. An increase in binding affinity and a decrease in inhibition constant have been observed when curcumin and plumbagin were subjected to sequential docking against the key proteins PI3K, Akt, and mTOR. The MD simulations and molecular mechanics combined with generalized Born surface area (MM-GBSA) analyses validated the target proteins’ more stable conformation when interacting with the curcumin and plumbagin combination. This indicates the synergistic role of curcumin and plumbagin against cancer cells and the possible dose advantage when used in combination. The findings of this study pave the way for further investigation of their combinatorial effect on cancer cells in vitro and in vivo models.

It Takes Two to Tango, Part II: Synthesis of A-Ring Functionalised Quinones Containing Two Redox-Active Centres with Antitumour Activities

In 2021, our research group published the prominent anticancer activity achieved through the successful combination of two redox centres (ortho-quinone/para-quinone or quinone/selenium-containing triazole) through a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. The combination of two naphthoquinoidal substrates towards a synergetic product was indicated, but not fully explored. Herein, we report the synthesis of 15 new quinone-based derivatives prepared from click chemistry reactions and their subsequent evaluation against nine cancer cell lines and the murine fibroblast line L929. Our strategy was based on the modification of the A-ring of para-naphthoquinones and subsequent conjugation with different ortho-quinoidal moieties. As anticipated, our study identified several compounds with IC₅₀ values below 0.5 µM in tumour cell lines. Some of the compounds described here also exhibited an excellent selectivity index and low cytotoxicity on L929, the control cell line. The antitumour evaluation of the compounds separately and in their conjugated form proved that the activity is strongly enhanced in the derivatives containing two redox centres. Thus, our study confirms the efficiency of using A-ring functionalized para-quinones coupled with ortho-quinones to obtain a diverse range of two redox centre compounds with potential applications against cancer cell lines. Here as well, it literally takes two for an efficient tango!

Phenolic Acids-Mediated Regulation of Molecular Targets in Ovarian Cancer: Current Understanding and Future Perspectives

Cancer is a global health concern with a dynamic rise in occurrence and one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Among different types of cancer, ovarian cancer (OC) is the seventh most diagnosed malignant tumor, while among the gynecological malignancies, it ranks third after cervical and uterine cancer and sadly bears the highest mortality and worst prognosis. First-line treatments have included a variety of cytotoxic and synthetic chemotherapeutic medicines, but they have not been particularly effective in extending OC patients' lives and are associated with side effects, recurrence risk, and drug resistance. Hence, a shift from synthetic to phytochemical-based agents is gaining popularity, and researchers are looking into alternative, cost-effective, and safer chemotherapeutic strategies. Lately, studies on the effectiveness of phenolic acids in ovarian cancer have sparked the scientific community's interest because of their high bioavailability, safety profile, lesser side effects, and cost-effectiveness. Yet this is a road less explored and critically analyzed and lacks the credibility of the novel findings. Phenolic acids are a significant class of phytochemicals usually considered in the nonflavonoid category. The current review focused on the anticancer potential of phenolic acids with a special emphasis on chemoprevention and treatment of OC. We tried to summarize results from experimental, epidemiological, and clinical studies unraveling the benefits of various phenolic acids (hydroxybenzoic acid and hydroxycinnamic acid) in chemoprevention and as anticancer agents of clinical significance.

Targeting a transcription factor NF-κB by green tea catechins using in silico and in vitro studies in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer remains a lethal disease and a major public health problem globally. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) has been identified as a therapeutic target in several cancers and plays an important role in inflammatory responses. Many phytochemicals, including catechins, have been reported in the scientific literature with efficient anticancer potential and minimal side effects. This study aims to gain insights into the inhibitory mechanism of catechin derivatives epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) using in silico and in vitro studies especially considering NF-κB targeting. We explored the binding pose, interacting residues and molecular interactions for catechin derivatives with NF-κB. Docking analysis showed that the catechin derivatives acted as covalent inhibitors with the p65 subunit of NF-κB and interacted with other residues through non-bonding interactions and hydrogen bonds. Further, we validated the effect of EGCG on NF-κB activity in pancreatic cancer cell lines MIAPaCa-2 and SU 86.86. Our in vitro data showed EGCG effectively reduced cell growth and proliferation, induced apoptosis, and inhibited NF-κB activity in the studied cell lines. In addition, EGCG repressed the expression of NF-κB target genes including MMP9, MMP2, cMyc, and BCL-2. Thus, targeting NF-κB with EGCG could be a potential therapeutic alternative for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Research Progress on Absorption, Metabolism, and Biological Activities of Anthocyanins in Berries: A Review

Berries, as the best dietary sources for human health, are rich in anthocyanins, vitamins, fiber, polyphenols, essential amino acids, and other ingredients. Anthocyanins are one of the most important bioactive components in berries. The attractive color of berries is attributed to the fact that berries contain different kinds of anthocyanins. Increasing research activity has indicated that anthocyanins in berries show various biological activities, including protecting vision; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor qualities; inhibition of lipid peroxidation; anti-cardiovascular disease properties; control of hypoglycemic conditions; and other activities. Hence, berries have high nutritional and medicinal values. The recognized absorption, metabolism, and biological activities of anthocyanins have promoted their research in different directions. Hence, it is necessary to systematically review the research progress and future prospects of anthocyanins to promote a better understanding of anthocyanins. The absorption, metabolism, and biological activities of anthocyanins from berries were reviewed in this paper. The findings of this study provide an important reference for basic research, product development and utilization of berries' anthocyanins in food, cosmetics, and drugs.

An Insight into Molecular Targets of Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis

Brain metastasis is one of the major reasons of death in breast cancer (BC) patients, significantly affecting the quality of life, physical activity, and interdependence on several individuals. There is no clear evidence in scientific literature that depicts an exact mechanism relating to brain metastasis in BC patients. The tendency to develop breast cancer brain metastases (BCBMs) differs by the BC subtype, varying from almost half with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (HER2^- ER^- PR^-), one-third with HER2⁺ (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive, and around one-tenth with luminal subclass (ER⁺ (estrogen positive) or PR⁺ (progesterone positive)) breast cancer. This review focuses on the molecular pathways as possible therapeutic targets of BCBMs and their potent drugs under different stages of clinical trial. In view of increased numbers of clinical trials and systemic studies, the scientific community is hopeful of unraveling the underlying mechanisms of BCBMs that will help in designing an effective treatment regimen with multiple molecular targets.

Nutritional senolytics and senomorphics: Implications to immune cells metabolism and aging – from theory to practice

Aging is a natural physiological process, but one that poses major challenges in an increasingly aging society prone to greater health risks such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, frailty, increased susceptibility to infection, and reduced response to vaccine regimens. The loss of capacity for cell regeneration and the surrounding tissue microenvironment itself is conditioned by genetic, metabolic, and even environmental factors, such as nutrition. The senescence of the immune system (immunosenescence) represents a challenge, especially when associated with the presence of age-related chronic inflammation (inflammaging) and affecting the metabolic programming of immune cells (immunometabolism). These aspects are linked to poorer health outcomes and therefore present an opportunity for host-directed interventions aimed at both eliminating senescent cells and curbing the underlying inflammation. Senotherapeutics are a class of drugs and natural products that delay, prevent, or reverse the senescence process – senolytics; or inhibit senescence-associated secretory phenotype – senomorphics. Natural senotherapeutics from food sources – nutritional senotherapeutics – may constitute an interesting way to achieve better age-associated outcomes through personalized nutrition. In this sense, the authors present herein a framework of nutritional senotherapeutics as an intervention targeting immunosenescence and immunometabolism, identifying research gaps in this area, and gathering information on concluded and ongoing clinical trials on this subject. Also, we present future directions and ideation for future clinical possibilities in this field.

The Role of Natural Products and Their Multitargeted Approach to Treat Solid Cancer

Natural products play a critical role in the discovery and development of numerous drugs for the treatment of various types of cancer. These phytochemicals have demonstrated anti-carcinogenic properties by interfering with the initiation, development, and progression of cancer through altering various mechanisms such as cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Treating multifactorial diseases, such as cancer with agents targeting a single target, might lead to limited success and, in many cases, unsatisfactory outcomes. Various epidemiological studies have shown that the steady consumption of fruits and vegetables is intensely associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Since ancient period, plants, herbs, and other natural products have been used as healing agents. Likewise, most of the medicinal ingredients accessible today are originated from the natural resources. Regardless of achievements, developing bioactive compounds and drugs from natural products has remained challenging, in part because of the problem associated with large-scale sequestration and mechanistic understanding. With significant progress in the landscape of cancer therapy and the rising use of cutting-edge technologies, we may have come to a crossroads to review approaches to identify the potential natural products and investigate their therapeutic efficacy. In the present review, we summarize the recent developments in natural products-based cancer research and its application in generating novel systemic strategies with a focus on underlying molecular mechanisms in solid cancer.

Flavonoids Targeting the mTOR Signaling Cascades in Cancer: A Potential Crosstalk in Anti-Breast Cancer Therapy

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women, with triple-negative breast cancer being the most lethal and aggressive form. Conventional therapies, such as radiation, surgery, hormonal, immune, gene, and chemotherapy, are widely used, but their therapeutic efficacy is limited due to adverse side effects, toxicities, resistance, recurrence, and therapeutic failure. Many molecules have been identified and investigated as potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer, with a focus on various signaling pathways. Flavonoids are a versatile class of phytochemicals that have been used in cancer treatment to overcome issues with traditional therapies. Cell proliferation, growth, apoptosis, autophagy, and survival are all controlled by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Flavonoids target mTOR signaling in breast cancer, and when this signaling pathway is regulated or deregulated, various signaling pathways provide potential therapeutic means. The role of various flavonoids as phytochemicals in targeting mTOR signaling pathways in breast cancer is highlighted in this review.

Target-based virtual screening, computational multiscoring docking and molecular dynamics simulation of small molecules as promising drug candidate affecting kinesin-like protein KIFC1

The kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1) is an essential protein that facilitates the bipolar division of neoplastic cells. Inhibiting KIFC1 by small molecules is a lucrative strategy to impede bipolar mitosis leading to the apoptosis of cancerous cells. The research aims to envisage small-molecule inhibitors targeting KIFC1. The Mcule database, a comprehensive online digital platform containing more than five million chemical compounds, was used for structure-based virtual screening (SBVS). Druglikeness filtration sifted 2,293,282 chemical hits that further narrowed down to 49 molecules after toxicity profiling. Finally, 39 compounds that comply with the BOILED-Egg permeation predictive model of the ADME rules were carried forward for multiscoring docking using the AutoDock Vina inbuilt to Mcule drug discovery platform, DockThor and SwissDock tools. The mean of ΔG terms produced by docking tools was computed to find consensus top ligand hits. AZ82 exhibited stronger binding (Consensus ΔG: -7.99 kcal mol^-1 ) with KIFC1 among reference inhibitors, for example, CW069 (-7.57 kcal mol^-1 ) and SR31527 (-7.01 kcal mol^-1 ). Ten ligand hits namely, Mcule-4895338547 (Consensus ΔG: -8.69 kcal mol^-1 ), Mcule-7035674888 (-8.42 kcal mol^-1 ), Mcule-5531166845 (-8.53 kcal mol^-1 ), Mcule-3248415882 (-8.55 kcal mol^-1 ), Mcule-291881733 (-8.41 kcal mol^-1 ), Mcule-5918624394 (-8.44), Mcule-3470115427 (-8.47), Mcule-3686193135 (-8.18 kcal mol^-1 ), Mcule-3955355291 (8.09 kcal mol^-1 ) and Mcule-9534899193 (-8.01 kcal mol^-1 ) depicted strong binding interactions with KIFC1 in comparison to potential reference inhibitor AZ82. The top four ligands and AZ82 were considered for molecular dynamics simulation of 50 ns duration. Toxicity profiling, physicochemical properties, lipophilicity, solubility, pharmacokinetics, druglikeness, medicinal chemistry attributes, average potential energy, RMSD, RMSF, SASA, ΔGsolv and Rg analyses forecast the ligand mcule-4895338547 as a promising inhibitor of KIFC1.

Flavonoids a Bioactive Compound from Medicinal Plants and Its Therapeutic Applications

Plants generally secrete secondary metabolites in response to stress. These secondary metabolites are very useful for humankind as they possess a wide range of therapeutic activities. Secondary metabolites produced by plants include alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and steroids. Flavonoids are one of the classes of secondary metabolites of plants found mainly in edible plant parts such as fruits, vegetables, stems, grains, and bark. They are synthesized by the phenylpropanoid pathway. Flavonoids possess antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic properties. Due to their various therapeutic applications, various pharmaceutical companies have exploited different plants for the production of flavonoids. To overcome this situation, various biotechnological strategies have been incorporated to improve the production of different types of flavonoids. In this review, we have highlighted the various types of flavonoids, their biosynthesis, properties, and different strategies to enhance the production of flavonoids.

Research progress of DLX6-AS1 in human cancers

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a kind of translational-repressor RNAs composed of more than 200 nucleotides and formerly considered as "transcriptional noise". Recently studies have shown that lncRNAs could bind to multiple biomolecules such as DNA, transcription factors, RNA, chromatin complexes and proteins, and regulate target gene expression at multi-levels, thus playing an essential role in human tumors. DLX6-AS1, a recently discovered oncogenic lncRNA, is highly expressed in various human tumors, including lung cancer, liver cancer and pancreatic cancer. This paper mainly reviewed the regulatory mechanism of DLX6-AS1 as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in tumor cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation, chemotherapy resistance and metabolic changes. Furthermore, the translational value of DLX6-AS1 in cancer was also elucidated, which suggested its potential as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in cancer. In summary, this present article not only makes an in-depth analysis of the expression changes and carcinogenic mechanism of DLX6-AS1 in various human cancers, but also provides a new breakthrough for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.