Magnoflorine-Isolation and the Anticancer Potential against NCI-H1299 Lung, MDA-MB-468 Breast, T98G Glioma, and TE671 Rhabdomyosarcoma Cancer Cells

Exploring the potential mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine Fuzi on aplastic anemia based on UHPLC-MS/MS method combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking

To reveal the potential mechanism of the effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine Fuzi on Aplastic anaemia (AA) according to the network pharmacology approach and molecular docking. According to Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), 146 chemical ingredients of Fuzi were obtained. By SwissADME online system analysis, a total of 55 compounds such as Magnoflorine, Scutellarein, Luteolin and Gingerol may be the main active components of Fuzi and 145 common targets related to AA were predicted. 17 targets such as MAPK1, AKT1 and GRB2 were considered as hub targets. KEGG and GO enrichment analysis obtained 122 signalling pathways and 950 remarkable results. These results suggested that Fuzi exerted pharmacological effects on AA mainly by regulating PI3K-Akt, MAPK and JAK-STAT signalling pathways and epithelial cell proliferation, cell differentiation, regulate energy production and other biological processes. Meanwhile, molecular docking results showed that the hub targets had good binding ability with the main active ingredients.

Phytochemicals targeting ferroptosis in cardiovascular diseases: Recent advances and therapeutic perspectives

Ferroptosis is a form of iron-dependent regulatory cell death that is related to the pathogenesis and progression of various cardiovascular diseases, such as arrhythmia, diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, and heart failure. This makes it a promising therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. It is interesting that a significant number of cardiovascular disease treatment drugs derived from phytochemicals have been shown to target ferroptosis, thus producing cardioprotective effects. This study offers a concise overview of the initiation and control mechanisms of ferroptosis. It discusses the core regulatory factors of ferroptosis as potential new therapeutic targets for various cardiovascular diseases, elucidating how ferroptosis influences the progression of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, this review systematically summarizes the regulatory effects of phytochemicals on ferroptosis, emphasizing their potential mechanisms and clinical applications in treating cardiovascular diseases. This study provides a reference for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals in treating cardiovascular diseases. This may accelerate their application in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and is worth further research in this field.

Advances in glioblastoma multiforme: Integrating therapy and pathology perspectives

Glioblastoma, a highly lethal form of brain cancer, is characterized by its aggressive growth and resistance to conventional treatments, often resulting in limited survival. The response to therapy is notably influenced by various patient-specific genetic factors, underscoring the disease's complexity. Despite the utilization of diverse treatment modalities such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, many patients experience local relapse, emphasizing the critical need for improved therapeutic strategies to effectively target these formidable tumors. Recent years have witnessed a surge in interest in natural products derived from plants, particularly alkaloids, for their potential anticancer effects. Alkaloids have shown promise in cancer chemotherapy by selectively targeting crucial signaling pathways implicated in tumor progression and survival. Specifically, they modulate the NF-κB and MAPK pathways, resulting in reduced tumor growth and altered gene expression across various cancer types. Additionally, alkaloids exhibit the capacity to induce cell cycle arrest, further impeding tumor proliferation in several malignancies. This review aims to delineate recent advances in understanding the pathology of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and to explore the potential therapeutic implications of alkaloids in managing this deadly disease. By segregating discussions on GBM pathology from those on alkaloid-based therapies, we provide a structured overview of the current challenges in GBM treatment and the promising opportunities presented by alkaloid-based interventions. Furthermore, we briefly discuss potential future directions in GBM research and therapy beyond alkaloids, including emerging treatment modalities or areas of investigation that hold promise for improving patient outcomes. In conclusion, our efforts offer hope for enhanced outcomes and improved quality of life for GBM patients through alkaloid-based therapies. By integrating insights from pathology and therapeutic perspectives, we underscore the significance of a comprehensive approach in addressing this devastating disease.

Systematic Review of Chemical Compounds with Immunomodulatory Action Isolated from African Medicinal Plants

A robust, well-functioning immune system is the cornerstone of good health. Various factors may influence the immune system's effectiveness, potentially leading to immune system failure. This review aims to provide an overview of the structure and action of immunomodulators isolated from African medicinal plants. The research was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Full-text access research articles published in English up to December 2023, including plant characteristics, isolated phytochemicals, and immuno-modulatory activities, were screened. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were generated using ChemDraw® (version 12.0.1076), and convergent and distinctive signaling pathways were highlighted. These phytochemicals with demonstrated immunostimulatory activity include alkaloids (berberine, piperine, magnoflorine), polysaccharides (pectin, glucan, acemannan, CALB-4, GMP90-1), glycosides (syringin, cordifolioside, tinocordiside, aucubin), phenolic compounds (ferulic acid, vanillic acid, eupalitin), flavonoids (curcumin, centaurein, kaempferin, luteolin, guajaverin, etc.), terpenoids (oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, boswellic acids, corosolic acid, nimbidin, andrographolides). These discussed compounds exert their effects through various mechanisms, targeting the modulation of MAPKs, PI3K-Akt, and NF-kB. These mechanisms can support the traditional use of medicinal plants to treat immune-related diseases. The outcomes of this overview are to provoke structural action optimization, to orient research on particular natural chemicals for managing inflammatory, infectious diseases and cancers, or to boost vaccine immunogenicity.

Natural alkaloids from Dicranostigma leptopodum (Maxim.) Fedde and their G5. NHAc-PBA dendrimer-alkaloid complexes for targeting chemotherapy in breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Herein, we isolated five natural alkaloids, iso-corydine (iso-CORY), corydine (CORY), sanguinarine (SAN), chelerythrine (CHE) and magnoflorine (MAG), from traditional medicinal herb Dicranostigma leptopodum (Maxim.) Fedde (whole herb) and elucidated their structures. Then we synthesised G5. NHAc-PBA as targeting dendrimer platform to encapsulate the alkaloids into G5. NHAc-PBA-alkaloid complexes, which demonstrated alkaloid-dependent positive zeta potential and hydrodynamic particle size. G5. NHAc-PBA-alkaloid complexes demonstrated obvious breast cancer MCF-7 cell targeting effect. Among the G5. NHAc-PBA-alkaloid complexes, G5.NHAc-PBA-CHE (IC50=13.66 μM) demonstrated the highest MCF-7 cell inhibition capability and G5.NHAc-PBA-MAG (IC50=24.63 μM) had equivalent inhibitory effects on cell proliferation that comparable to the level of free MAG (IC50=23.74 μM), which made them the potential breast cancer targeting formulation for chemotherapeutic application. This work successfully demonstrated a pharmaceutical research model of 'natural bioactive product isolation-drug formulation preparation-breast cancer cell targeting inhibition'.

Research progress of plant-derived natural alkaloids in central nervous system diseases

Central nervous system (CNS) disease is one of the most important causes of human death. Because of their complex pathogenesis, more and more attention has been paid to them. At present, drug treatment of the CNS is the main means; however, most drugs only relieve symptoms, and some have certain toxicity and side effects. Natural compounds derived from plants can provide safer and more effective alternatives. Alkaloids are common nitrogenous basic organic compounds found in nature, which exist widely in many kinds of plants and have unique application value in modern medicine. For example, Galantamine and Huperzine A from medicinal plants are widely used drugs on the market to treat Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the main purpose of this review is to provide the available information on natural alkaloids with the activity of treating central nervous system diseases in order to explore the trends and perspectives for the further study of central nervous system drugs. In this paper, 120 alkaloids with the potential effect of treating central nervous system diseases are summarized from the aspects of sources, structure types, mechanism of action and structure-activity relationship.

Heterogeneous Cellular Response of Primary and Metastatic Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines to Magnoflorine and Its Additive Interaction with Docetaxel

Gastric cancer is the most common cancer and remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. In this study, the anticancer action of magnoflorine isolated via counter-current chromatography from the methanolic extract of Berberis vulgaris root against gastric cancer in models of primary ACC-201 and AGS and metastatic MKN-74 and NCI-N87 cell lines was analyzed. Cell viability and proliferation were tested through the use of MTT and BrdU tests, respectively. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were evaluated using flow cytometry. The interaction of magnoflorine and docetaxel has been examined through isobolographic analysis. Moreover, potential toxicity was verified in zebrafish in an in vivo model. Gastric cancer cell lines revealed different responses to magnoflorine treatment with regard to viability/proliferation, apoptosis induction and cell cycle inhibition without any undesirable changes in the development of larval zebrafish at the tested concentrations. What is more, magnoflorine in combination with docetaxel produced an additive pharmacological interaction in all studied gastric cancer cell lines, which may suggest a complementary mechanism of action of both compounds. Taken together, these findings provide a foundation for the possibility of magnoflorine as a potential therapeutic approach for gastric cancer and merits further investigation, which may pave the way for clinical uses of magnoflorine.

Wild-Grown Romanian Helleborus purpurascens Approach to Novel Chitosan Phyto-Nanocarriers-Metabolite Profile and Antioxidant Properties

The current nanomedicinal approach combines medicinal plants and nanotechnology to create new scaffolds with enhanced bioavailability, biodistribution and controlled release. In an innovative approach to herb encapsulation in nanosized chitosan matrices, wild-grown Romanian Helleborus purpurascens was used to prepare two new chitosan nanocarriers. The first carrier preparation involved the nanoencapsulation of hellebore in chitosan. The second carrier emerged from two distinct stages: hellebore-AgNPs phyto-carrier system succeeded by nanoencapsulation in chitosan. The morphostructural characteristics and thermal behavior of these newly prepared nanocarriers were examined using FT-IR, XRD, DLS, SEM, EDS and thermogravimetric analyses. In addition, the encapsulation yield, encapsulation efficiency and encapsulation contents were investigated. The antioxidant activity was estimated using four in vitro, noncompetitive methods: total phenolic assay; 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay; phosphomolybdate (i.e., total antioxidant capacity); and iron(III)-phenanthroline antioxidant assay. Moreover, this study reports the first low-molecular-weight metabolite profile of wild-grown Romanian Helleborus purpurascens Waldst. & Kit. A total of one hundred and five secondary metabolites were identified in the mass spectra (MS)-positive mode from fourteen secondary metabolite categories (alkaloids, butenolides, bufadienolides, phytoecdysteroids, amino acids and peptides, terpenoids, fatty acids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, sterols, glycosides, carbohydrates, nucleosides and miscellaneous). The collective results suggest the potential application is a promising new antioxidant vehicle candidate in tumor therapeutic strategy.

Enhanced Production of Nitrogenated Metabolites with Anticancer Potential in Aristolochia manshuriensis Hairy Root Cultures

Aristolochia manshuriensis is a relic liana, which is widely used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine and is endemic to the Manchurian floristic region. Since this plant is rare and slow-growing, alternative sources of its valuable compounds could be explored. Herein, we established hairy root cultures of A. manshuriensis transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes root oncogenic loci (rol)B and rolC genes. The accumulation of nitrogenous secondary metabolites significantly improved in transgenic cell cultures. Specifically, the production of magnoflorine reached up to 5.72 mg/g of dry weight, which is 5.8 times higher than the control calli and 1.7 times higher than in wild-growing liana. Simultaneously, the amounts of aristolochic acids I and II, responsible for the toxicity of Aristolochia species, decreased by more than 10 fold. Consequently, the hairy root extracts demonstrated pronounced cytotoxicity against human glioblastoma cells (U-87 MG), cervical cancer cells (HeLa CCL-2), and colon carcinoma (RKO) cells. However, they did not exhibit significant activity against triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). Our findings suggest that hairy root cultures of A. manshuriensis could be considered for the rational production of valuable A. manshuriensis compounds by the modification of secondary metabolism.

Magnoflorine from Berberis vulgaris Roots-Impact on Hippocampal Neurons in Mice after Short-Term Exposure

In search of novel potential drug candidates that could be used as treatments or prophylactics for memory impairment, an aporphine alkaloid magnoflorine (MAG) isolated from the root of Berberis vulgaris was proven to exhibit beneficial anti-amnestic properties. Its effects on immunoreactivity to parvalbumin in the mouse hippocampus were assessed together with a study on its safety and concentration in the brain and plasma. For this purpose, four experimental groups were created: the MAG10 group-treated with 10 mg MAG/kg b.w. i.p., the MAG20 group-treated with 20 mg MAG/kg b.w. i.p., the MAG50 group-treated with 50 mg MAG/kg b.w. i.p., and a control group-injected with saline i.p. at a volume corresponding to their weight. Our results indicated that the hippocampal fields CA1-CA3 were characterized by an elevated number of parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons (PV-IR) and nerve fibers in mice at the doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg b.w. (i.p.). No significant changes to the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 or TNF-α were observed for the above two doses; however, the administration of 50 mg/kg b.w. i.p. caused a statistically significant elevation of IL-6, IL-1beta plasma levels and an insignificant raise in the TNF-alpha value. The HPLC-MS analysis showed that the alkaloid's content in the brain structures in the group treated with 50 mg/kg b.w. did not increase proportionally with the administered dose. The obtained results show that MAG is able to influence the immunoreactivity to PV-IR in hippocampal neurons and might act as a neuroprotective compound.

Sanyin Formula Enhances the Therapeutic Efficacy of Paclitaxel in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Metastases through the JAK/STAT3 Pathway in Mice

Sanyin formula (SYF) is used as a complementary treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The purpose of this study was to identify the potential functional components and clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms of SYF in TNBC. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was used to identify the main components of SYF extracts. Network pharmacology and bioinformatic analyses were carried out to identify potential candidate targets of SYF in TNBC. Cell proliferation was determined with a Celigo imaging cytometer. Wound-healing and Transwell assays were adopted to evaluate cell migration. A Transwell cell-invasion assay was performed with Matrigel-coated membranes. In vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and pathological analyses illustrated the effect of SYF on cancer cell metastasis in tumour-bearing mice. The inhibitory mechanism of SYF was investigated via quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. We found that 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, kaempferol, p-coumaric acid, and vanillic acid may be the active components of SYF. Molecular docking confirmed that kaempferol, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid bound stably to proteins such as AKR1C3, MMPs, and STAT3. SYF extract suppressed TNBC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis by inhibiting JAK/STAT3 signalling and then regulating downstream genes, such as MMP-2/MMP-9. SYF regulates the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by regulating the JAK/STAT3 signalling pathway and finally inhibits tumour cell metastasis in TNBC. The present study clarifies the mechanism by which SYF inhibits TNBC metastasis and lays an experimental foundation for the continued clinical development of SYF targeting the JAK/STAT3 pathway.

Live imaging of apoptotic signaling flow using tunable combinatorial FRET-based bioprobes for cell population analysis of caspase cascades

Understanding cellular signaling flow is required to comprehend living organisms. Various live cell imaging tools have been developed but challenges remain due to complex cross-talk between pathways and response heterogeneities among cells. We have focused on multiplex live cell imaging for statistical analysis to address the difficulties and developed simple multiple fluorescence imaging system to quantify cell signaling at single-cell resolution using Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)-based chimeric molecular sensors comprised of fluorescent proteins and dyes. The dye-fluorescent protein conjugate is robust for a wide selection of combinations, facilitating rearrangement for coordinating emission profile of molecular sensors to adjust for visualization conditions, target phenomena, and simultaneous use. As the molecular sensor could exhibit highly sensitive in detection for protease activity, we customized molecular sensor of caspase-9 and combine the established sensor for caspase-3 to validate the system by observation of caspase-9 and -3 dynamics simultaneously, key signaling flow of apoptosis. We found cumulative caspase-9 activity rather than reaction rate inversely regulated caspase-3 execution times for apoptotic cell death. Imaging-derived statistics were thus applied to discern the dominating aspects of apoptotic signaling unavailable by common live cell imaging and proteomics protein analysis. Adopted to various visualization targets, the technique can discriminate between rivalling explanations and should help unravel other protease involved signaling pathways.

Natural Products-Based Metallic Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents

Natural products offer a wide range of bioactivity including antimicrobial properties. There are many reports showing the antimicrobial activities of phytochem icals from plants. However, the bioactivity is limited due to multidrug resistant properties of the microorganism and different composition of cell membrane. The antibacterial activity of the natural products is different toward Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. These phenomena are caused by improper physicochemical conditions of the substance which hinder the phytochemical bioactivity against the broad range of bacteria. One of the strategies to improve the antimicrobial action is by biogenic synthesis via redox balance of the antimicrobial active substance with metal to form nanosized materials or nanoparticles (NPs). Antibiotic resistance is not relevant to NPs because the action of NPs is via direct contact with bacterial cell walls without the need of penetration into microbial cells. The NPs that have shown their effectiveness in preventing or overcoming biofilm formation such as silver-based nanoparticles (AgNPs), gold-based nanoparticles (AuNPs), platinum-based nanoparticles (PtNPs) and Zinc oxide-based nanoparticles (ZnONPs). Due to its considerably simple synthesis procedure has encouraged researchers to explore antimicrobial potency of metallic nanoparticles. Those metallic nanoparticles remarkably express synergistic effects against the microorganisms tested by affecting bacterial redox balance, thus disrupting their homeostasis. In this paper, we discuss the type of metallic nanoparticle which have been used to improve the antimicrobial activity of plant extract/constituents, preparation or synthesis process and characterisation of the plant-based metallic nanoparticles.

Design and Development of Gold-Loaded and Boron-Attached Multicore Manganese Ferrite Nanoparticles as a Potential Agent in Biomedical Applications

Early diagnosis and effective treatment of cancer are significant issues that should be focused on since it is one of the most deadly diseases. Multifunctional nanomaterials can offer new cancer diagnoses and treatment possibilities. These nanomaterials with diverse functions, including targeting, imaging, and therapy, are being studied extensively in a way that minimize overcoming the limitations associated with traditional cancer diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, the goal of this study is to prepare multifunctional nanocomposites possessing the potential to be used simultaneously in imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual cancer therapy such as photothermal therapy (PTT) and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). In this context, multi-core MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, which can be used as a potential MRI contrast agent and target the desired region in the body via a magnetic field, were successfully synthesized via the solvothermal method. Then, multi-core nanoparticles were coated with polydopamine (PDA) to reduce gold nanoparticles, bind boron on the surface, and ensure the biocompatibility of all materials. Finally, gold nanoparticles were reduced on the surface of PDA-coated MnFe₂O₄, and boric acid was attached to the hybrid materials for also possessing the ability to be used as a potential agent in PTT and BNCT applications in addition to being an MRI agent. According to the cell viability assay, treatment of the glioblastoma cell line (T98G) with MnFe₂O₄@PDA-Au-BA for 24 and 48 h did not cause any significant cell death, indicating good biocompatibility. All analysis results showed that the developed MnFe₂O₄@PDA-Au-BA multifunctional material could be a helpful candidate for biomedical applications such as MRI, PTT, and BNCT.

Isoquinolines alkaloids and cancer metabolism: Pathways and targets to novel chemotherapy

Cancer is one of the main causes of death in the world. This is a complex disease where the development of resistance to chemotherapy is frequent driving the search for new anticancer compounds. In this sense, isoquinolines have gained attention in the past few years. This review aims to highlight the new advances related to the use of isoquinolines compounds against cancer cells, and we point out targets for their anti-tumor action. Isoquinolines are compounds found in plants that are important for their protection. In cancer, many representatives of this class of compounds have demonstrated their efficacy against cancer by acting on cancer metabolism, such as triggering cell death, reducing pro-survival protein expression, inducing ROS production, inhibiting pro-survival cell signaling pathways, among other effects. The mechanisms triggered by isoquinolines in cancer cells represent robust anticancer strategies, which support that this class of compounds are strong candidates for cancer treatment.

Natural products: Potential therapeutic agents to prevent skeletal muscle atrophy

The skeletal muscle (SkM) is the largest organ, which plays a vital role in controlling musculature, locomotion, body heat regulation, physical strength, and metabolism of the body. A sedentary lifestyle, aging, cachexia, denervation, immobilization, etc. Can lead to an imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation, which is further responsible for SkM atrophy (SmA). To date, the understanding of the mechanism of SkM mass loss is limited which also restricted the number of drugs to treat SmA. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop novel approaches to regulate muscle homeostasis. Presently, some natural products attained immense attraction to regulate SkM homeostasis. The natural products, i.e., polyphenols (resveratrol, curcumin), terpenoids (ursolic acid, tanshinone IIA, celastrol), flavonoids, alkaloids (tomatidine, magnoflorine), vitamin D, etc. exhibit strong potential against SmA. Some of these natural products have been reported to have equivalent potential to standard treatments to prevent body lean mass loss. Indeed, owing to the large complexity, diversity, and slow absorption rate of bioactive compounds made their usage quite challenging. Moreover, the use of natural products is controversial due to their partially known or elusive mechanism of action. Therefore, the present review summarizes various experimental and clinical evidence of some important bioactive compounds that shall help in the development of novel strategies to counteract SmA elicited by various causes.

Natural alkaloids targeting EGFR in non-small cell lung cancer: Molecular docking and ADMET predictions

The phytochemicals contribute to the processes of protection and interaction by acting as antioxidants, anti-mutagens, anticarcinogens, and antimicrobial agents. Among the diverse families of phytoconstituents, alkaloids play an essential role in medicine. These are low-molecular-mass compounds containing nitrogen and are generally alkaline. In this study, in silico molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina for thirty-one alkaloids against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Erlotinib was used as a reference ligand for this study. Erlotinib has been linked to various serious side effects over the past decade, including folliculitis, diarrhoea, paronychia, fatigue, conjunctivitis, ectopion, and epiphora of the lower eyelids. This study found sanguinarine (-10.7 kcal mol^-1) to be the most potent inhibitor of EGFR as compared to erlotinib (-7.5 kcal mol^-1). Other alkaloids namely, isocolumbin (-9.3 kcal mol^-1), lunamarine (-9.1 kcal mol^-1), ajmaline (-8.6 kcal mol^-1), magnoflorine (-8.6 kcal mol^-1) and jatrorrhizine (-8.5 kcal mol^-1) also showed potent inhibition against EGFR, but the stability of these molecules with EGFR was less than sanguinarine and more than erlotinib. These were stable and ideal pharmaceutical alkaloids because of their significant interactions, minimal Gibbs free energy, safety, effectiveness and selectivity. Amongst the 31 alkaloids subjected to ADMET prediction, 29 alkaloids followed Lipinski's rule of five. These 29 alkaloids were predicted to have high bioavailability, high lead-likeness score, low toxicity and were easier to synthesize. Compared to erlotinib, other molecules showed less or no inhibition of EGFR. The six named compounds listed above may be potent inhibitors for EGFR mutated cancers, as for example non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Palmatine, a Bioactive Protoberberine Alkaloid Isolated from Berberis cretica, Inhibits the Growth of Human Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Cells and Acts Synergistically and Additively with Doxorubicin

Palmatine (PLT) is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid that belongs to the class of protoberberines and exhibits a wide spectrum of pharmacological and biological properties, including anti-cancer activity. The aim of our study was to isolate PLT from the roots of Berberis cretica and investigate its cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects in vitro alone and in combination with doxorubicine (DOX) using human ER⁺/HER2⁻ breast cancer cell lines. The alkaloid was purified by column chromatography filled with silica gel NP and Sephadex LH-20 resin developed in the mixture of methanol: water (50:50 v/v) that provided high-purity alkaloid for bioactivity studies. The purity of the alkaloid was confirmed by high resolution mass measurement and MS/MS fragmentation analysis in the HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS-based analysis. It was found that PLT treatment inhibited the viability and proliferation of breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner as demonstrated by MTT and BrdU assays. PLT showed a quite similar growth inhibition on breast cancer cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 5.126 to 5.805 µg/mL. In contrast, growth of normal human breast epithelial cells was not affected by PLT. The growth inhibitory activity of PLT was related to the induction of apoptosis, as determined by Annexin V/PI staining. Moreover, PLT sensitized breast cancer cells to DOX. Isobolographic analysis revealed synergistic and additive interactions between studied agents. Our studies suggest that PLT can be a potential candidate agent for preventing and treating breast cancer.

Determination of Cytotoxic Activity of Selected Isoquinoline Alkaloids and Plant Extracts Obtained from Various Parts of Mahonia aquifolium Collected in Various Vegetation Seasons

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in cells known as melanocytes. While it is less common than the other forms of skin cancer, melanoma is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage. The number of people diagnosed with melanoma has increased over the last few decades. The most widely used treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The search for new drugs to treat various cancers is one of the most important challenges of modern scientific research. Some isoquinoline alkaloids found in different plant species have strong cytotoxic effects on various cancer cells. We tested the effect of isoquinoline alkaloids and extracts obtained from various parts of Mahonia aquifolium collected in various vegetation seasons on human melanoma cancer cells and our data indicated that investigated extract induced significant reduction in cell viability of Human malignant melanoma cells (A375), human Caucasian malignant melanoma cell line (G361), and human malignant melanoma cell line (SKMEL3 cancer cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Differences in cytotoxic activity were observed for extracts obtained from various parts of Mahonia aquifolium. Significant differences were also obtained in the alkaloids content and cytotoxic activity of the extracts depending on the season of collection of plant material. Our investigations exhibit that these plant extracts can be recommended for further in vivo experiments in order to confirm the possibility of their use in the treatment of human melanomas.