Antimigration Activity of an Ethylacetate Fraction of Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC. Fruits in 4T1 Breast Cancer Cells

The ethyl acetate extract of Vernonia amygdalina leaf ameliorates gemcitabine effect against migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells via down-regulation the VEGF, COX2, and RAS/MEK pathways

Individuals diagnosed with cancer often turn to the use of herbal remedies with the intention of treating and ameliorating the condition, impeding the progression of metastasis, enhancing immune function, mitigating stress, and inducing relaxation. Recently, medicinal plants were combined with conventional chemotherapy to decrease the side effects and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. This study showed the effectiveness of gemcitabine (Gem) was significantly increased after being used together with ethyl acetate extract obtained from Vernonia amygdalina (Eav) leaves. The combination doses of Eav and Gem were determined based on cytotoxic activity using the MTT assay method. The anticancer effect of this combination was identified by several parameters including the apoptosis effect, anti-migration, and anti-invasion activities of PANC-1 cells. Furthermore, this effect was explained via protein expression evaluation using immunohistochemical and flow cytometry. The Eav has a better Inhibitory Concentration 50 (IC50) than Gem of 21.19 ± 0.64 µg/mL and 164.78 ± 1.40 µg/mL. The combination of Eav and Gem at IC50 (1:1) has the strongest activity than Eav and Gem alone at 500.00 µg/mL. The anti-cancer effect of this combination showed significantly increased levels of apoptosis, particularly in the early phase of 17.46 ± 0.35 % (p < 0.0001) than Eav and Gem alone of 7.76 ± 0.25 % and 7.06 ± 0.20 %. A similar impact was evaluated in the migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells after the combination treatment. The % relative migration and cell invasion were significantly decreased compared to the control group and Eav or Gem alone by 21.49 ± 0.96 % and 125.25 ± 5.25 cells, respectively (p < 0.0001). This study found that signature molecules of VEGF, COX2, RAS, and MEK were down-regulated after treatment. Our study suggested that the Eav ameliorates the Gem effect against PANC-1 cells through apoptosis, migration, and invasion influence via RAS/MEK pathways.

Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.) a herbal medicine from North Sumatera, Indonesia: Phytochemical and pharmacological review

Andaliman (Z. acanthopodium DC) is a kind of flowering plant that belongs to the Rutaceae family. The habitats are found in southwestern China (Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Tibet, and Yunnan), Bangladesh, Bhutan, northern India, and northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal), Nepal, Laos, Burma, Vietnam, North Sumatra highlands, Peninsular Malaysia, and northern Thailand. Andaliman is indigenous to North Sumatra, more specifically the Toba Samosir District, North Tapanuli, and the Dairi region. The phytochemical investigation showed some terpenoids as well as other compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, and saponins, but they have not been entirely identified. In Indonesia, the plant is employed both in the culinary industry as an additive for flavoring food and in the traditional medical system for treating various diseases. It was reported to possess antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and wound healing properties, alongside other activities related to pregnancy that were tested in vitro and in vivo. The results of the investigation were based on previously published studies. This review serves as information and a summary, thereby making further exploration of Andaliman to be easier.

Synergistic Antibacterial Effect of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Vernonia amygdalina Delile Leaves with Tetracycline against Clinical Isolate Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Multidrug-resistant bacteria have raised global concern about the inability to fight deadly infectious diseases. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common resistant bacteria that are causing hospital infections. The present study was undertaken to investigate the synergistic antibacterial effect of the ethyl acetate fraction of Vernonia amygdalina Delile leaves (EAFVA) with tetracycline against the clinical isolates MRSA and P. aeruginosa. Microdilution was used to establish the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). A checkerboard assay was conducted for the interaction effect. Bacteriolysis, staphyloxanthin, and a swarming motility assay were also investigated. EAFVA exhibited antibacterial activity against MRSA and P. aeruginosa with a MIC value of 125 μg/mL. Tetracycline showed antibacterial activity against MRSA and P. aeruginosa with MIC values of 15.62 and 31.25 μg/mL, respectively. The interaction between EAFVA and tetracycline showed a synergistic effect against MRSA and P. aeruginosa with a Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) of 0.375 and 0.31, respectively. The combination of EAFVA and tetracycline induced the alteration of MRSA and P. aeruginosa, leading to cell death. Moreover, EAFVA also inhibited the quorum sensing system in MRSA and P. aeruginosa. The results revealed that EAFVA enhanced the antibacterial activity of tetracycline against MRSA and P. aeruginosa. This extract also regulated the quorum sensing system in the tested bacteria.

Phytochemical Analysis by FTIR of Zanthoxylum Acanthopodium, DC Fruit Ethanol Extract, N-hexan, Ethyl Acetate and Water Fraction

Background

Andaliman fruit is used as spice in Batak cuisine, North Sumatera, Indonesia. The potency of andaliman fruit extract as herbal medicine is widely studied. Many studies elaborate the benefits of andaliman fruit extract as an antioxidant, antibacterial or anticancer.

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify the phytochemical compounds of andaliman fruit extract and its fractions.

Methods

The andaliman fruit was originated from Balige city, Tobasa Regency, North Sumatera. The extract was made by maceration within ethanol and followed by fractionation with n-hexan, ethyl acetate and water. The phytochemical screening by chemical reactions, thin layer chromatography, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer were performed.

Results

This study found andaliman fruit ethanol extract consists of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, triterpens, and steroids. The n-hexan fraction consists of triterpens and steroids, ethyl acetate fraction consists of flavonoids and glycosides, and water fraction consists of alkaloid, flavonoid, and glycosides. Andaliman fruit ethanol extract had eight color spots, n-hexan and ethyl acetate fraction had five color spots and water fraction had two color spots. Andaliman fruit ethanol extract had functional group of C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C alkenes, C=C aromatics, C≡C alkynes, C-O, C=O, and NO2. The n-hexan fraction had C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C alkenes, C-O, C=O, and NO2. The ethyl acetate fraction had C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C alkenes, C=C aromatics, C-O, C=O, and NO2. The water fraction had C-H alkanes, =C-H alkenes (aliphatic), O-H, C=C aromatics, C≡C alkynes, and C-O.

Conclusion

Phytochemical screening found that andaliman fruit ethanol extract, n-hexan, ethyl acetate and water fraction positive of phytochemical compounds. The FTIR of andaliman fruit ethanol extract, n-hexan fraction, ethyl acetate fraction, and water fraction showed the absorbance of C-H alkanes, O-H, C-O, and C=C alkenes indicating the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and triterpenoid saponin.

Suppression of Wnt Expression by Increasing PI3K in Rats Cervical Carcinoma by Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium)

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Cervical cancer is the leading cause of death for women in the world and Indonesia. This disease originates from a malignant tumour of squamous epithelial cells caused by infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress in and there are plants from Indonesia that have high antioxidants, namely andaliman (&lt;i&gt;Zanthoxylum acanthopodium&lt;/i&gt;). This study aimed to analyze the role of andaliman on PI3K and Wnt signalling in cervical cancer histology. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; The study includes 5 treatments. The control group (K-), rats cancer model (K+), rats cancer model+the dose is 100 mg/b.wt. of ZAM (P&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt;), rats cancer model+the dose is 200 mg/b.wt. of ZAM (P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;) and rats cancer model+the dosage is 400 mg/b.wt. ZAM (P&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;). On the 30th day after ZAM administration, the rats were dissected for the paraffin block and Wnt and PI3K immunohistochemical staining was prepared. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; There was a significant difference between all groups (p<0.001) in Wnt and PI3K expression. The real role of ZAM in cervical cancer tissue was seen at the highest ZAM dose (P&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;). Irregular mucosal folds and stretched interstitial connective tissue in the K+ group can return to regularity and improve at the P&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; dose. The administration of ZAM showed a significant difference in cervical tissue after benzopyrene injection. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; Andaliman (&lt;i&gt;Zanthoxylum acanthopodium&lt;/i&gt;) extract increases PI3K expression through suppression of Wnt expression. It can be developed therapy molecularly to prevent cell growth into cancer.

Cytochrome c Expression by Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium) on Cervical Cancer Histology

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; Andaliman is a wild plant in Indonesia and it has been used for centuries as traditional medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of methanol extract of andaliman on apoptosis cancer cells via cytochrome c protein. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; The rats are divided into 5 groups. K: Control, K&lt;sub&gt;+&lt;/sub&gt;: Cancer model rats, P&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt;: A dose of 100 mg/b.wt./day of andaliman, P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;: A dose of 200 mg/b.wt./day and P&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;: A dose of 400 mg/kg/b.wt./day for 30 days. The rats were dissected, then the cervical tissue was prepared on paraffin blocks, given Immunohistochemistry staining with cytochrome c antibody. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; There was a significant difference in body and cervical weight (p<0.01). The histology also showed a significant difference between each treatment (p<0.01) in cytochrome c. The highest cytochrome c expression was at P&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and the lowest was at K&lt;sub&gt;-&lt;/sub&gt;. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; Andaliman methanol extract can thus be developed into a cervical cancer drug candidate because it can reduce the positive index of cytochrome c in cervical histology.

Zanthoxylum Species: A Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology in Relation to Cancer, Infectious Diseases and Sickle Cell Anemia

The health benefits and toxicity of plant products are largely dependent on their secondary metabolite contents. These compounds are biosynthesized by plants as protection mechanisms against environmental factors and infectious agents. This review discusses the traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and health benefits of plant species in genus Zanthoxylum with a focus on cancer, microbial and parasitic infections, and sickle cell disease as reported in articles published from 1970 to 2021 in peer-reviewed journals and indexed in major scientific databases. Generally, Z. species are widely distributed in Asia, America and Africa, where they are used as food and for disease treatment. Several compounds belonging to alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and lignans, among others have been isolated from Z. species. This review discusses the biological activities reported for the plant species and their phytochemicals, including anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-trypanosomal, antimalarial and anti-sickling properties. The safety profiles and suggestions for conservation of the Z. species were also discussed. Taken together, this review demonstrates that Z. species are rich in a wide range of bioactive phytochemicals with multiple health benefits, but more research is needed towards their practical application in the development of functional foods, nutraceuticals and lead compounds for new drugs.

The anticancer activities of Vernonia amygdalina Delile. Leaves on 4T1 breast cancer cells through phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway

Vernonia amygdalina Delile (Asteraceae) is used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus, and some research provides its activity to treat breast cancer. The aim of this study is to assess the anticancer activity of Vernonia amygdalina Delile leaves fractions on 4T1 breast cancer cells. Analysis of phytochemical compounds were carried out with LC-MS/MS. Cytotoxic activity was determined using the MTT method in the 4T1 cell line. Apoptosis, the cell cycle, and PI3K and mTOR profiles were analyzed with flow cytometry. The phytochemicals found were diterpene (ingenol-3-angelate) and some phenolics (chlorogenic acid and 4-methoxycinnamic acid), flavonoids (apigetrin, apigenin, luteolin, diosmetin, baicalin, rhoifolin, and scutellarin), and coumarines (7-hydroxycoumarine, 4-methylumbelliferone, and 4-methylumbelliferyl glucuronide). The results of the MTT assay showed that the IC₅₀ values n-hexane fraction, ethylacetate fraction (EAF), and ethanol fractions were 1,860.54 ± 93.11, 25.04 ± 0.36, and 1,940.84 ± 96.37 μg/mL, respectively. EAF induced early and late apoptosis, inhibited cell cycle progression on the G₂/M phase, and inhibited PI3K and mTOR expression. The EAF of Vernonia amygdalina Delile leaves showed anticancer activity on 4T1 breast cancer cells through induction of apoptosis, enhanced cell accumulation on G₂/M phases in the cell cycle, and inhibited expression of PI3K and mTOR.

Cytotoxic Activity of BornUSU I towards T47D Breast Cancer Cells

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine cytotoxic activity of BornUSU I or Boronhafagama I (1,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxa-1,5-diaza-2,4-diboropentane-2,4-diol) as a boron derivate compounds which are boron neutron captured theraphy (BNCT) candidates.

METHODS

The T47D cells were treated by BornUSU I, and Tamoxifen as a positive control. The in vitro study was using MTT method with the incubation period for 24h and 48h. All data were determined using viability of cells equation for showing each IC₅₀ value.

RESULTS

The IC₅₀ value of BornUSU I and Tamoxifen were 72.61 ± 0.82 µM and 10.62 ± 0.06 µM for 24 h incubation period, and for the 48 h incubation period were 44.63 ± 0.23 µM and 7.79 ± 0.05 µM. The 48 h incubation period results showed the lowest IC₅₀ value.

CONCLUSION

The results reveal that BornUSU I provide effective as anticancer, especially for breast cancer treatment.

Cell Cycle Inhibition and Apoptotic Induction of Vernonia amygdalina Del. Leaves Extract on MCF-7 Cell Line

AIM:

The research aimed to determine the cytotoxic activity, cell cycle inhibition, and apoptosis induction of the ethyl acetate extract of the African leaves Vernonia amygdalina Del. on the MCF-7 cancer cells.

METHODS:

The extraction of Vernonia amygdalina Del. leaves was done using the maceration method whereas the cytotoxic was performed using MTT assay. After that, the cell cycle testing and apoptosis induction were conducted using flow cytometry assay.

RESULTS:

The IC₅₀ values of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and ethanol extract of Vernonia amygdalina Del. on the MCF-7 cancer cells were 206.211 ± 0.99, 50,365 ± 0.07, and 967.033 ± 2.68 µg/mL, respectively. The percentage of the cycle cell results in the G₀-G₁ phase in the cell control with 72.08% decreased in the treatment with ethyl acetate extract 1/2 IC₅₀ with 62.58% and 1/5 IC₅₀ with 44.72%. For the S and G2-M phase, the highest percentage was found in the ethyl acetate extract 1/5 IC₅₀ treatment with 47.27% and 9.50% which were higher than the control cells with 23.26% and 5.90%.

CONCLUSION:

Based on the results, the Vernonia amygdalina Del. extract provides chemopreventive agent as anti-cancer. Our future study will assess the mechanism of ethyl acetate fraction in inhibiting angiogenesis and metastatic in breast cancer.

The Activity of Hydrolyzed Virgin Coconut Oil to Increase Proliferation and Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression towards on NIH 3T3 Cell Line in Wound Healing Process

AIM:

This study aims to determine the effect of hydrolysed virgin coconut oil (HVCO) to increase cell proliferation, COX-2 expression of NIH 3T3.

METHODS:

The sample used was Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO). VCO was partially hydrolysed using lipase from Rhizomucor miehei (active on sn-1,3 position) to produce hydrolysed VCO (HVCO) composed of free fatty acids, 2-monoglycerides. Then acid value was determined. The effect of HVCO on proliferation was evaluated using the MTT method. Wound healing assay was established by a cell migration method, and COX-2 expression was determined using RT-PCR.

RESULTS:

Acid value is 135.89 ± 0.12 mg NaOH/g oil and free fatty acids (FFA) is 48.50 ± 0.06%. The effect of HVCO 62.5 µg/mL on cell proliferation after 24h, 48h, and 72h incubation found as viable cells are 109.24 ± 0.52%; 118.26 ± 0.91% and 106.59 ± 0.74%. Percent of wound closed after 24 h and 48 h incubation are 69.94 ± 0.54% and 100.00 ± 0.00%, and expression of COX-2 increased from 1 (control) to 1.83 (HVCO).

CONCLUSION:

The results suggest that HVCO is effective to increase cells proliferation and hence wound healing process.