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Arif R, Bukhari SA, Mustafa G, Ahmed S, Albeshr MF. Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Explore the Potential Mechanism of Nigella sativa for the Treatment of Breast Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:617. [PMID: 38794187 PMCID: PMC11124279 DOI: 10.3390/ph17050617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening disease that affects women worldwide. Natural products have gained attention as potential anticancer agents due to their fewer side effects, low toxicity, and cost effectiveness compared to traditional chemotherapy drugs. In the current study, the network pharmacology approach was used following a molecular docking study to evaluate the therapeutic potential of N. sativa-derived phytochemicals against breast cancer. Specifically, the study aimed to identify potential anticancer agents targeting key proteins implicated in breast cancer progression. Five proteins (i.e., EGFR, MAPK3, ESR1, MAPK1, and PTGS2) associated with breast cancer were selected as receptor proteins. Fourteen phytochemicals from N. sativa were prioritized based on drug-likeness (DL) and oral bioavailability (OB) parameters (with criteria set at DL > 0.18 and OB > 30%, respectively). Subsequent analysis of gene targets identified 283 overlapping genes primarily related to breast cancer pathogenesis. Ten hub genes were identified through topological analysis based on their significance in the KEGG pathway and GO annotations. Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities between folic acid, betulinic acid, stigmasterol, and selected receptor proteins. These phytochemicals also demonstrated druggability potential. In vitro experiments in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line revealed that betulinic acid and stigmasterol significantly reduced cell viability after 24 h of treatment, confirming their anticancer activity. Furthermore, in vivo evaluation using a DMBA-induced rat model showed that betulinic acid and stigmasterol contributed to the significant recovery of cancer markers. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms underlying the anticancer potential of N. sativa phytochemicals against breast cancer, with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic candidates for future drug development. Overall, these results highlight betulinic acid and stigmasterol as promising candidates to develop novel anticancer agents against breast cancer. The comprehensive approach of this study, which integrates network pharmacology and molecular docking study and its experimental validation, strengthens the evidence supporting the therapeutic benefits of N. sativa-derived phytochemicals in breast cancer treatment, making them promising candidates for the development of novel anticancer agents against breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rawaba Arif
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Shazia Anwer Bukhari
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Mustafa
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Sibtain Ahmed
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan
| | - Mohammed Fahad Albeshr
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Hisham Shady N, Zhang J, Khalid Sobhy S, Hisham M, Glaeser SP, Alsenani F, Kämpfer P, El-Katatny MH, Abdelmohsen UR. Metabolomic profiling and cytotoxic potential of three endophytic fungi of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium isolated from Nigella sativa seeds assisted with docking studies. Nat Prod Res 2023; 37:2905-2910. [PMID: 36305731 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2022.2136660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The main aim of our study is to investigate the anticancer potential of our cultivated entophytic fungal strains from Nigella sativa seeds. The strains were identified by sequencing of the partial 18S rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region as Aspergillus sp. (SA4), Penicillium sp. (SA5), and Fusarium sp. (SA6). We carried out metabolic profiling for three fungal strains to investigate their metabolites diversity. Profiling of the different extracts revealed their richness in diverse metabolites and consequently fourteen compounds (1-14) were annotated. In addition, the obtained extracts were examined against three cell lines HepG2, MCF-7 and Caco-2 showed activity with IC50 values in the range of 1.95-39.7 μg/mL. Finally, molecular docking study was performed showing questinol as the lowest glide binding score value (-5.925 kcal/mol) among all identified compounds. Our results showed Nigella sativa-associated endophytes as a promising source for further studies to look for anticancer secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourhan Hisham Shady
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Jianye Zhang
- Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sara Khalid Sobhy
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Hisham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Stefanie P Glaeser
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Faisal Alsenani
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Peter Kämpfer
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, Justus-Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Mo'men H El-Katatny
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt
| | - Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsen
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Deraya University, Minia, Egypt
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
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Abrishami-Kia Z, Sadati-Bizaki T, Ghare-Tapeh EA, Harijani SM. Managing MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGFR-2, TGFβ-1, and TIMP-1 in NNK-induced lung carcinoma by nonchemical interventions in female rats. Toxicol Rep 2022; 9:1261-1267. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2022.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Abstract
The use of natural products has been increasing at a rapid pace, worldwide, with the aim to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to modify one's dietary habits. Ayurveda is a domain that has numerous wealth of information concerning medicinal plants and its part in controlling numerous ailments, such as neoplastic, cardiovascular, neurological plus immunological ailments. The use of such medicinal plants is important for preventing such diseases, especially "cancer" which is the succeeding foremost cause of mortality collectively. Even though abundant developments have been made in the management and control of cancer progression, substantial deficits and scope for advancement still continue to be unchanged. Several lethal adjacent consequences occur throughout the course of chemotherapy. Natural treatments, such as the use of plant-derived products in the treatment of cancer, might reduce the hostile side effects. Presently, a few plant-based products and its phytoconstituents are being utilized for the management of cancer. Here we have focused on numerous plant-derived phytochemicals and promising compounds from these plants to act as anticancer agents, along with their mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Pandey
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Y B Tripathi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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Zielińska M, Dereń K, Polak-Szczybyło E, Stępień AE. The Role of Bioactive Compounds of Nigella sativa in Rheumatoid Arthritis Therapy-Current Reports. Nutrients 2021; 13:3369. [PMID: 34684370 PMCID: PMC8539759 DOI: 10.3390/nu13103369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Black cumin (Nigella sativa, NS) is included in the Ranunculaceae family and is classified as a medicinal plant due to very high levels of various bioactive compounds. They determine its therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, and immunomodulating properties. The results of scientific studies indicate a supporting role of black cumin in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, due to the health-promoting properties of its bioactive ingredients. The aim of the current article is to analyze the results of scientific publications on the role of bioactive ingredients contained in black cumin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ewelina Polak-Szczybyło
- Department of Dietetics, Institute of Health Sciences, College for Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, al/Mjr. W. Kopisto 2a, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland; (M.Z.); (K.D.); (A.E.S.)
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McGrowder DA, Miller FG, Nwokocha CR, Anderson MS, Wilson-Clarke C, Vaz K, Anderson-Jackson L, Brown J. Medicinal Herbs Used in Traditional Management of Breast Cancer: Mechanisms of Action. MEDICINES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 7:E47. [PMID: 32823812 PMCID: PMC7460502 DOI: 10.3390/medicines7080047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is one of the principal causes of death among women and there is a pressing need to develop novel and effective anti-cancer agents. Natural plant products have shown promising results as anti-cancer agents. Their effectiveness is reported as decreased toxicity in usage, along with safety and less recurrent resistances compared with hormonal targeting anti-cancer agents. Methods: A literature search was conducted for all English-language literature published prior to June 2020. The search was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search strategy included keywords such as breast cancer, herbs, anti-cancer biologically active components, clinical research, chemotherapy drugs amongst others. Results: The literature provides documented evidence of the chemo-preventative and chemotherapeutic properties of Ginseng, garlic (Allium sativum), Black cohosh (Actaea racemose), Tumeric (Curcuma longa), Camellia sinenis (green tea), Echinacea, Arctium (burdock), Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) and Black Cumin (Nigella sativa). Conclusions: The nine herbs displayed anti-cancer properties and their outcomes and mechanisms of action include inhibition of cell proliferation, angiogenesis and apoptosis as well as modulation of key intracellular pathways. However, more clinical trials and cohort human studies should be conducted to provide key evidence of their medical benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donovan A. McGrowder
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (K.V.); (L.A.-J.); (J.B.)
| | - Fabian G. Miller
- Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education, The Mico University College, 1A Marescaux Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica;
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica
| | - Chukwuemeka R. Nwokocha
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (C.R.N.); (C.W.-C.)
| | - Melisa S. Anderson
- School of Allied Health and Wellness, College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Kingston 7, Jamaica;
| | - Cameil Wilson-Clarke
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (C.R.N.); (C.W.-C.)
| | - Kurt Vaz
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (K.V.); (L.A.-J.); (J.B.)
| | - Lennox Anderson-Jackson
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (K.V.); (L.A.-J.); (J.B.)
| | - Jabari Brown
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (K.V.); (L.A.-J.); (J.B.)
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