Molecular Mode of Action of Asteriscus graveolens as an Anticancer Agent

In Vitro Anti-Colorectal Cancer and Anti-Microbial Effects of Pinus roxburghii and Nauplius graveolens Extracts Modulated by Apoptotic Gene Expression

The use of phytochemicals is gaining increasing attention for treating cancer morbidity with minimal burden side effects. This study evaluated the cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activities of Pinus roxburghii branch (P. roxburghii) and Nauplius graveolens (N. graveolens) extracts in vitro. Cell viability was estimated using MTT assay. DNA fragmentation was determined to detect apoptotic pathway initiation. Mechanistically, the apoptotic pathway was tracked by estimating the relative mRNA expression levels of the Bcl-2, Bax, Cas3, NF-κB, and PI3k genes by qRT-PCR. P. roxburghii exhibited moderate antioxidant activity, while N. graveolens possessed highly significant (p < 0.05) scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS assays. HPLC analysis demonstrated that catechin and chlorogenic acid were the predominant polyphenolic compounds in P. roxburghii and N. graveolens, respectively. The P. roxburghii and N. graveolens extracts inhibited the viability of HCT-116 cells with IC50 values of 30.6 µg mL−1 and 26.5 µg mL−1, respectively. DNA fragmentation analysis showed that the proposed extracts induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells. Moreover, the IC50 doses of the selected extracts significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated Bax and cleaved Cas-3, and downregulated Bcl-2, NF-κB, and PI3k genes versus the GAPDH gene as a housekeeping gene in comparison to the control group. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was raised upon treatment. The mentioned extracts exhibited antimicrobial action against all tested bacteria and fungi. The highest antibacterial effect was recorded against E. coli, with inhibition zones of 12.0 and 11.2 mm for P. roxburghii and N. graveolens, respectively. On the other hand, the highest antifungal action was registered for Penicillium verrucosum and A. niger, with inhibition zones of 9.8 and 9.2 mm for the tested extracts, respectively. In conclusion, the outcomes of this study indicate that P. roxburghii and N. graveolens extracts could potentially be used as anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal agents.

The Potential of Plant-Derived Extracts and Compounds to Augment Anticancer Effects of Chemotherapeutic Drugs

Plant extracts comprise a complex mixture of natural compounds with diverse biological activities including anticancer activities. This has made the use of plant extracts a trending strategy in cancer treatment. In addition, plants' active constituents such as polyphenols could confer protective effects on normal cells against damage by free radicals as well as lessen the toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs. Recently, many emerging studies revealed the combinatory uses of plant extracts and individual therapeutic compounds that could be a promising panacea in hampering multiple signaling pathways involved in cancer development and progression. Besides enhancing the therapeutic efficacy, this has also been proven to reduce the dosage of chemotherapeutic drugs used, and hence overcome multiple drug resistance and minimize treatment side effects. Notably, combined use of plant extracts with chemotherapeutics drugs was shown to enhance anticancer effects through modulating various signaling pathways, such as P13K/AKT, NF-κB, JNK, ERK, WNT/β-catenin, and many more. Hence, this review aims to comprehensively summarize both In Vitro and In Vivo mechanisms of actions of well-studied plant extracts, such as Ganoderma Lucidum, Korean red ginseng, Garcinia sp., curcumin, and luteolin extracts in augmenting anticancer properties of the conventional chemotherapeutic drugs from an extensive literature search of recent publications.

Discovery of potential small molecular SARS-CoV-2 entry blockers targeting the spike protein

An epidemic of pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 relies on its spike protein to invade host cells by interacting with the human receptor protein Angiotensin-Converting Enzymes 2 (ACE2). Therefore, designing an antibody or small-molecular entry blockers is of great significance for virus prevention and treatment. This study identified five potential small molecular anti-virus blockers via targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein by combining in silico technologies with in vitro experimental methods. The five molecules were natural products that binding to the RBD domain of SARS-CoV-2 was qualitatively and quantitively validated by both native Mass Spectrometry (MS) and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR). Anti-viral activity assays showed that the optimal molecule, H69C2, had a strong binding affinity (dissociation constant K_D) of 0.0947 µM and anti-virus IC₅₀ of 85.75 µM.

Review On Documented Medicinal Plants Used For The Treatment Of Cancer

Background:

Cancer is a frightful disease and it is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Naturally derived compounds are gaining interest of research workers as they have less toxic side effects as compared to currently used treatments such as chemotherapy. Plants are the pool of chemical compounds which provides a promising future for research on cancer.

Objective:

This review paper provides updated information gathered on medicinal plants and isolated phytoconstituents used as anticancer agents and summarises the plant extracts and their isolated chemical constituents exhibiting anticancer potential on clinical trials.

Methods:

An extensive bibliographic investigation was carried out by analysing worldwide established scientific databases like SCOPUS, PUBMED, SCIELO, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Web of Science, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar etc. In next few decades, herbal medicine may become a new epoch of medical system.

Results:

Many researches are going on medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer but it is a time to increase further experimental studies on plant extracts and their chemical constituents to find out their mechanism of action at molecular level.

Conclusion:

The article may help many researchers to start off further experimentation that might lead to the drugs for the cancer treatment.

Chemo-Geographic Variations in Wild Population of Asteriscus graveolens in Israel Based on Volatile Composition Analyses

Asteriscus graveolens is an aromatic desert shrub which holds medicinal potential. This species belongs to the Asteraceae family and is endemic to the Mediterranean region. In the present study, wild plants were sampled from eleven locations throughout southern Israel and the volatile profiles from leaves and flowers were analyzed using GC/MS. Three methods for volatile sampling were tested for a representative population: solvent extraction (methyl tert-butyl ether), hydrodistillation of the essential oil and headspace solid-phase microextraction. In all methods, the majority of volatiles were characterized as oxygenated mono- and sesquiterpenes. Only solvent extraction was able to detect asteriscunolides that were previously reported as anticancer molecules. Hence, that method was chosen for further analyses. The leaves were dominated by three asteriscunolide isomers, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate and intermedeol. The flowers were dominated by bisabolone, 6-hydroxybisabol-2-en-1-one, cis-chrysanthenyl acetate, epi-α-cadinol, and germacrene-D. k-Means clustering analysis of these data divided the population into four clusters that significantly differ in their volatile composition as was further demonstrated by MANOVA analysis. Geographically, A. graveolens populations growing in Israel were found to be chemically diverse with unique varieties in the Dead Sea basin and the Arava region. This work demonstrates that chemo-geographic variation of volatile composition exists within A. graveolens population growing in Israel, so future research evaluating the medicinal potential of that plant should take this into consideration.

Flavonoids Extracted from Asteriscus graveolens Improve Glucose Metabolism and Lipid Profile in Diabetic Rats

AIMS

This study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects of Asteriscus graveolens.

BACKGROUND

Asteriscus graveolens (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant widely used by the Moroccan population to treat various diseases, including diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to assess the capacity of flavonoids extracted from Asteriscus graveolens (FEE) to improve diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia in normal and STZ-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Flavonoids were extracted from A. graveolens using the Soxhlet apparatus and using different organic solvents. Normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated orally by the extract of A. graveolens at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The oral treatment during 15 days was used to evaluate the effect of the flavonoids extracted from A. graveolens on blood glucose level and lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats. The oral glucose tolerance test, as well as the analysis of the histopathological examination of the liver, was performed. The antioxidant activity of FEE was also assessed by the method of trapping of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), in order to estimate the mechanisms of action involved by FEE to improve hyperglycemia and lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats.

RESULTS

FEE reduced serum glucose concentrations in both normal and diabetic rats and exhibited lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides effects as well as improvement of the HDL-cholesterol serum level in the last group. In addition, a remarkable influence on glucose tolerance was also noticed after FEE treatment. Moreover, FEE was able to improve the histopathological status of the liver and was found to possess a potent antioxidant effect in vitro.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study demonstrates the hypoglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects of FEE in rats and supports its traditional use for the management of diabetes.

Asteriscus graveolens exhibits Antihypertensive Activity through Activation of Vascular KATP Channels Activation in Rats

Objective:

The objective of the study was to evaluate the antihypertensive activity of Asteriscus graveolens.

Methods:

L-NAME hypertensive and normotensive rats have received orally the aqueous extract of Asteriscus graveolens aerial parts (AGAPE) (100 mg/kg) during six hours for the acute experiment and during seven days for the sub-chronic treatment. Thereafter, blood pressure parameters were evaluated. Concerning the in vitro investigation, the vasorelaxant effect of AGAPE was tested in isolated thoracic aortic rings.

Results:

AGAPE extract significantly decreased the blood pressure parameters in hypertensive rats. Moreover, the results revealed that AGAPE exhibited antihypertensive effect through its vasorelaxant properties. More interestingly, this vasorelaxant activity seems to be probably mediated through activation of K+ ATP-sensitive (KATP) channels.

Conclusion:

The study demonstrates the antihypertensive activity of aqueous Asteriscus graveolens extract in hypertensive rats through activation of vascular KATP channels. This finding supports the use of this plant for the management of hypertension in Morocco.

New sesquiterpenes from Asteriscus graveolens

Asteriscus graveolens (Forsk) Less. is a Saharan medicinal plant of Asteraceae family. A new acyclic sesquiterpene [7,12-dihydroxy-6,7-dihydro-5,(6) E-dehydronerolidol (3)] and sesquiterpene germacranolide lactone derivatives [9β-hydroxy-11β,13-dihydroparthenolide-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7) and 9α-hydroxy-11β,13-dihydroparthenolide-9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8)] along with eight known compounds were isolated from polar extracts of aerial parts. Their structures were established by the analysis of 1 D- 2 D-NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry data. A. graveolens extracts and compounds showed a significant (P < 0.05) and concentration dependent inhibitory effect on the growth of Human Colon Carcinoma (HCT116) and Human Colorectal Adenocarcinoma (DLD1) cells with IC₅₀ in a concentration range from 89.4 to 296.0 µg/mL for extracts and from 32.6 to 728.1 µg/mL for compounds. No cytotoxic effects was evidenced in normal Primary Human Dermal Fibroblast (HDFa) up to 0.050 mg/mL for extracts and 1.0 mg/mL for pure compounds.

Asteriscus graveolens Extract in Combination with Cisplatin/Etoposide/Doxorubicin Suppresses Lymphoma Cell Growth through Induction of Caspase-3 Dependent Apoptosis

Chemotherapy drugs action against cancer is not selective, lead to adverse reactions and drug resistance. Combination therapies have proven more effective in defeating cancers. We hypothesize that plant extract/fraction contains many/several compounds and as such can target multiple pathways as cytotoxic agent and may also have chemo sensitizing activities. We designed a study in which, Asteriscus graveolens (Forssk.) Less (A. graveolens)-derived fraction that contains sesquiterpene lactone asteriscunolide isomers (AS) will be tested in combination with known chemotherapy drugs. Successful combination will permit to reduce chemotherapy drugs concentration and still get the same impact on cancer cells. Sesquiterpene lactone such as asteriscunolide isomers is a naturally occurring compound found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants with anti-cancer properties. The experiments presented here showed that adding plant fraction containing AS permit reducing the concentration of cisplatin/etoposide/doxorubicin in order to reduce mouse BS-24-1 lymphoma cells (BS-24-1 cells) survival. It involved enhancing the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), activation of caspase-3 and inhibition of Topoisomerase I activity. Taken together, the results suggest that A. graveolens fraction sensitized BS-24-1 cells to cisplatin/etoposide/doxorubicin through induction of ROS and caspase-3-dependent apoptosis.