Phytochemical Investigation, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of Acer cappadocicum Gled

Antimicrobial Metabolites of Caucasian Medicinal Plants as Alternatives to Antibiotics

This review explores the potential of antimicrobial metabolites derived from Caucasian medicinal plants as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. With the rise of antibiotic resistance posing a global health threat, there is a pressing need to investigate alternative sources of antimicrobial agents. Caucasian medicinal plants have traditionally been used for their therapeutic properties, and recent research has highlighted their potential as sources of antimicrobial compounds. Representatives of 15 families of Caucasian medicinal plant extracts (24 species) have been explored for their efficacy against these pathogens. The effect of these plants on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi is discussed in this paper. By harnessing the bioactive metabolites present in these plants, this study aims to contribute to the development of new antimicrobial treatments that can effectively combat bacterial infections while minimizing the risk of resistance emergence. Herein we discuss the following classes of bioactive compounds exhibiting antimicrobial activity: phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, saponins, alkaloids, and sulfur-containing compounds of Allium species. The review discusses the pharmacological properties of selected Caucasian medicinal plants, the extraction and characterization of these antimicrobial metabolites, the mechanisms of action of antibacterial and antifungal plant compounds, and their potential applications in clinical settings. Additionally, challenges and future directions in the research of antimicrobial metabolites from Caucasian medicinal plants are addressed.

In Silico Molecular Docking Analysis, Cytotoxicity, and Antibacterial Activities of Constituents of Fruits of Cucumis dipsaceus

Cucumis dipsaceus (Cucurbitaceae) is a plant traditionally used against diarrhea, teeth-ach, wounds, stomach ache, meningitis, and cancer. The extracts of C. dipsaceus after silica gel column chromatography gave nine compounds identified using spectroscopic methods such as hexacosane (1), octadecane (2), 17-(-5-ethyl-2,6-dihydroxy-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl)-9-(hydroxymethyl)-13-methylcyclopenta[α]phenanthren-3-ol (3), erythrodiol (4), (9,12)-propyl icosa-9,12-dienoate (5), α-spinasterol (6), 16-dehydroxycucurbitacin (7), cucurbitacin D (8), and 23,24-dihydroisocucurbitacin D (9). Compounds 3 and 4 are new to the genus Cucumis. α-Spinasterol showed better inhibition zone diameter = 13.67 ± 0.57, 15.00 ± 0.10, and 13.33 ± 0.57 mm against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pyogenes compared with the other tested samples. α-Spinasterol (-8.0 kcal/mol) and 3 (-7.6 kcal/mol) displayed high binding affinity against DNA Gyrase compared to ciprofloxacin (-7.3 kcal/mol). α-Spinasterol and 16-dehydroxycucurbitacin showed better binding affinity against protein kinase. The cytotoxicity results revealed that the EtOAc extract showed the highest potency with IC50 = 16.05 μg/mL. 16-Dehydroxycucurbitacin showed a higher binding affinity (-7.7 kcal/mol) against human topoisomerase IIβ than etoposide. The cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities and in silico molecular docking analysis displayed by the constituents corroborate the traditional use of the plant against bacteria and cancer.

Synthesis of Silver Oxide Nanoparticles: A Novel Approach for Antimicrobial Properties and Biomedical Performance, Featuring Nodularia haraviana from the Cholistan Desert

Nanoparticles have emerged as a prominent area of research in recent times, and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized via phyco-technology have gained significant attention due to their potential therapeutic applications. Nodularia haraviana, a unique and lesser-explored cyanobacterial strain, holds substantial promise as a novel candidate for synthesizing nanoparticles. This noticeable research gap underscores the novelty and untapped potential of Nodularia haraviana in applied nanotechnology. A range of analytical techniques, including UV-vis spectral analysis, dynamic light scattering spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction, were used to investigate and characterize the AgNPs. Successful synthesis of AgNPs was confirmed through UV-visible spectroscopy, which showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 428 nm. The crystalline size of AgNPs was 24.1 nm. Dynamic light scattering analysis revealed that silver oxide nanoparticles had 179.3 nm diameters and a negative surface charge of -18 mV. Comprehensive in vitro pharmacogenetic properties revealed that AgNPs have significant therapeutic potential. The antimicrobial properties of AgNPs were evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration against various microbial strains. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity assays were performed on Leishmanial promastigotes (IC50: 18.71 μgmL-1), amastigotes (IC50: 38.6 μgmL-1), and brine shrimps (IC50: 134.1 μg mL-1) using various concentrations of AgNPs. The findings of this study revealed that AgNPs had significant antioxidant results (DPPH: 57.5%, TRP: 55.4%, TAC: 61%) and enzyme inhibition potential against protein kinase (ZOI: 17.11 mm) and alpha-amylase (25.3%). Furthermore, biocompatibility tests were performed against macrophages (IC50: >395 μg mL-1) and human RBCs (IC50: 2124 μg mL-1). This study showed that phyco-synthesized AgNPs were less toxic and could be used in multiple biological applications, including drug design and in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries. This study offers valuable insights and paves the way for further advancements in AgNPs research.

Organ-on-Chip: Advancing Nutraceutical Testing for Improved Health Outcomes

The recent global wave of organic food consumption and the vitality of nutraceuticals for human health benefits has driven the need for applying scientific methods for phytochemical testing. Advanced in vitro models with greater physiological relevance than conventional in vitro models are required to evaluate the potential benefits and toxicity of nutraceuticals. Organ-on-chip (OOC) models have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional in vitro models and animal testing due to their ability to mimic organ pathophysiology. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of OOC models in identifying pharmaceutically relevant compounds and accurately assessing compound-induced toxicity. This review examines the utility of traditional in vitro nutraceutical testing models and discusses the potential of OOC technology as a preclinical testing tool to examine the biomedical potential of nutraceuticals by reducing the need for animal testing. Exploring the capabilities of OOC models in carrying out plant-based bioactive compounds can significantly contribute to the authentication of nutraceuticals and drug discovery and validate phytochemicals medicinal characteristics. Overall, OOC models can facilitate a more systematic and efficient assessment of nutraceutical compounds while overcoming the limitations of current traditional in vitro models.

Revolutionizing drug development: harnessing the potential of organ-on-chip technology for disease modeling and drug discovery

The inefficiency of existing animal models to precisely predict human pharmacological effects is the root reason for drug development failure. Microphysiological system/organ-on-a-chip technology (organ-on-a-chip platform) is a microfluidic device cultured with human living cells under specific organ shear stress which can faithfully replicate human organ-body level pathophysiology. This emerging organ-on-chip platform can be a remarkable alternative for animal models with a broad range of purposes in drug testing and precision medicine. Here, we review the parameters employed in using organ on chip platform as a plot mimic diseases, genetic disorders, drug toxicity effects in different organs, biomarker identification, and drug discoveries. Additionally, we address the current challenges of the organ-on-chip platform that should be overcome to be accepted by drug regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical industries. Moreover, we highlight the future direction of the organ-on-chip platform parameters for enhancing and accelerating drug discoveries and personalized medicine.

Effect of acetone fraction of Ottelia alismoides on the G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the human carcinoma cell lines

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The North-eastern parts of India have immense therapeutic floras, Ottelia alismoides is an aquatic plant that has been in use for a long time in traditional medicine for treating diseases like cancer, tuberculosis, diabetes, febrifuge, hemorrhoids, and rubefacient. In lung and skin carcinoma cells with a high rate of proliferation and metastasis including drug resistance and non-specific target activity, generates important challenges towards their treatment strategy. Thus, finding novel therapeutic targets to treat lung and skin cancer progression is essential to enhance the patients' survival with treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the apoptotic potential of acetone extract of O. alismoides (L.) Pers. (OA-AC) and to identify the compounds responsible for this effect, HRLC-MS-QTOF analysis of the extract has been undertaken along with in-silico molecular docking analysis of the identified compounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A549 and A431 cells were treated with acetone extract of O. alismoides (OA-AC) at 24 h and 48 h exposure and cell cycle phase distribution was evaluated and also apoptosis induction activity was evaluated by OA-EtBr staining and Mitochondrial outer membrane potential assay. Western blotting was performed for the evaluation of apoptotic protein expression. At last, the HR-LCMS of OA-AC was analyzed to identify the compounds responsible for the apoptotic activity of the extract.

RESULTS

The cell cycle phase distribution analysis in A549 and A431 cells at 24hrs exposure with 10 μg/mL and 25 μg/mL of OA-AC showed a potent arrest or blockage at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle with reduced expression of cyclin B and p-Cdc2. At 48 h exposure, apoptosis was observed in these cancer cells with elevated expression of Bax, p21 and cleaved caspase 3 and reduced expression of the Bcl2.

CONCLUSION

AO-EtBr staining of these cancer cells reveals that the death induced by OA-AC was apoptotic in nature with depolarization of mitochondrial membrane due to loss or damage of the mitochondrial membrane. The HRLC-MS-QTOF analysis of OA-AC depicted 14 major isolable compounds and molecular docking analysis displayed 4 compounds that might act as an inhibitor of cyclin B for G2/M phase arrest that leads to apoptotic induction in the cells.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 and Preeclampsia: A New Perspective

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious and distinct type of pregnancy-induced hypertension, with an incidence of 2-8% worldwide. PE is defined as pregnancy-related hypertension with proteinuria and peripheral edema after 20 weeks of gestation. Hypoxic placenta triggers the release of inflammatory and humoral substances into maternal circulation, leading to induction of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, endothelial dysfunction, and peripheral vasoconstriction. The objective of the present narrative review was to find the association between PE and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) in pregnant women from a new perspective.

RECENT FINDINGS

HIF-1 is the key transcription factor that regulates cellular responses to hypoxia and low oxygen tension. HIF-1α is involved in the differentiation and growth of the placenta mainly in the first and second trimesters. During normal gestation, HIF-1α responds to the alterations in oxygen tension, cytokine, and angiogenic factors release. HIF-1α is considered a key biomarker of placental function and vascularization during pregnancy. HIF-1α plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of PE through activation of anti-angiogenic and inhibition of proangiogenic factors. As well, HIF-1α increases the expression of the p38MAPK and NLRP3 inflammasomes, which promote placental inflammation and dysfunction. HIF-1α acts as a potential link between inflammatory signaling pathways and the development of PE.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Antibodies (IgG) in the Community of Rawalpindi

Knowledge regarding the prevalence of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the general population can indicate public health and personal hygiene practices in a community. HEV spreads through the fecal-oral route and contaminates drinking water through sewage. Moreover, poverty also contributes to its prevalence in developing countries, including Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 650 blood samples taken from suspected patients of HEV in the Rawalpindi cantonment area (Pakistan) from April to November 2019 at the Department of Virology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Out of them, 444 (68.15%) were male and 206 (31.85%) were female; the detection of anti-HEV IgG antibodies was carried out using a commercial Anti-Hepatitis E virus antibody (IgG) ELISA Kit. The overall anti-HEV IgG prevalence percentages were 19.23% and 4.77% in males and females, respectively. Patients were categorized into eight groups with ages ranging between 1 and 90 years. HEV IgG seroprevalence was the highest in ages 31–40 (6.46%). The study concluded that males aged 40 or above were susceptible and infected with hepatitis E.

An Overview on Rumex dentatus L.: Its Functions as a Source of Nutrient and Health-Promoting Plant

Rumex dentatus L. (Polygonaceae), also known as toothed dock or Aegean dock, is a medicinal plant with a high culinary value in addition to being used as an ethnomedicinal plant. This review focuses on the botanical, nutritional, phytochemical, and pharmacological activities of R. dentatus, as well as the future prospects for systematic investigations into these areas. R. dentatus has been subjected to scientific evaluation, which has confirmed its traditional uses and demonstrated a wide range of biological and pharmacological potentials, including antioxidant, anticancer, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other biological properties. Phytochemical analyses showed the presence of anthraquinones, chromones, flavonoids, and essential oils. As a result of this current review, the medicinal significance of R. dentatus has been confirmed, and future research on its unexplored aspects, such as the identification of pharmacologically active chemical constituents and related mechanisms and safety, may be stimulated, with the goal of developing it into a drug.

Structural Characterization of the Acer ukurunduense Chloroplast Genome Relative to Related Species in the Acer Genus

Acer ukurunduense refers to a deciduous tree distributed in Northeast Asia and is a widely used landscaping tree species. Although several studies have been conducted on the species’ ecological and economic significance, limited information is available on its phylo-genomics. Our study newly constitutes the complete chloroplast genome of A. ukurunduense into a 156,645-bp circular DNA, which displayed a typical quadripartite structure. In addition, 133 genes were identified, containing 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. In total, 107 simple sequence repeats and 49 repetitive sequences were observed. Thirty-two codons indicated that biased usages were estimated across 20 protein-coding genes (CDS) in A. ukurunduense. Four hotspot regions (trnK-UUU/rps16, ndhF/rpl32, rpl32/trnL-UAG, and ycf1) were detected among the five analyzed Acer species. Those hotspot regions may be useful molecular markers and contribute to future population genetics studies. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that A. ukurunduense is most closely associated with the species of Sect. Palmata. A. ukurunduense and A. pubipetiolatum var. pingpienense diverged in 22.11 Mya. We selected one of the hypervariable regions (trnK-UUU/rps16) to develop a new molecular marker and designed primers and confirmed that the molecular markers could accurately discriminate five Acer species through Sanger sequencing. By sequencing the cp genome of A. ukurunduense and comparing it with the relative species of Acer, we can effectively address the phylogenetic problems of Acer at the species level and provide insights into future research on population genetics and genetic diversity.

Diospyros malabarica Fruit Extract Derived Silver Nanoparticles: A Biocompatible Antibacterial Agent

Biogenic silver nanoparticles demonstrate excellent antibacterial activity against a broad range of bacteria. Herein, aqueous biogenic silver nanoparticles (Aq@bAgNPs) and ethanolic biogenic silver nanoparticles (Et@bAgNPs) were synthesized using aqueous as well as ethanolic extracts of Diospyros malabarica fruit, respectively. The as-prepared biogenic silver nanoparticles (bAgNPs) were characterized using UV-Vis, FTIR as well as energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) spectroscopy, electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering spectroscopy (DLS), and zetasizer. The zeta potentials of Aq@bAgNPs and Et@bAgNPs were −9.8 ± 2.6, and −12.2 ± 1.9 mV, respectively. The antibacterial activity of bAgNPs was investigated against seven bacterial strains (i.e., pathogenic and nonpathogenic) and Et@bAgNPs exhibited the highest antibacterial propensity (i.e., 20 nm in diameter) against Bacillus subtillis through disk diffusion assay. The trypan blue dye exclusion assay also confirmed the antibacterial propensity of as-prepared bAgNPs. Furthermore, both Aq@bAgNPs and Et@bAgNPs oxidize bacterial membrane fatty acids and generate lipid peroxides which eventually form complexes with thiobarbituric acid (i.e., malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid adduct) to bring about bacterial death. Both the nanoparticles demonstrated good hemocompatibility against human as well as rat red blood cells (RBCs). In addition, they exhibited excellent biocompatibility in vivo in terms of rat liver (i.e., serum ALT, AST, and γ-GT) and kidneys (i.e., serum creatinine) function biomarkers.

Study of the Anticancer Potential of Plant Extracts Using Liver Tumor Microphysiological System

Background: Plants have been considered a vital source of modern pharmaceutics since the paleolithic age. Contemporary chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer therapy are chemical entities sourced from plants. However, synthetic drugs or their derivatives come with severe to moderate side effects for human health. Hence, the quest to explore and discover plant-based novel anticancer drugs is ongoing. Anticancer activities are the primary method to estimate the potential and efficacy of an extract or compound for drug discovery. However, traditional in vitro anticancer activity assays often show poor efficacy due to the lack of in-vivo-like cellular environment. In comparison, the animal-based in vivo assays lack human genetic makeup and have ethical concerns. Aim: This study aimed to overcome the limitations of traditional cell-culture-based anticancer assays and find the most suitable assay for anticancer activity of plant extracts. We first reported utilizing a liver tumor microphysiological system in the anticancer effect assessment of plant extracts. Methodology: Methanolic extracts of Acer cappadocicum Gled were used to assess anticancer activity against liver tumor microphysiological system (MPS), and cell viability, liver function tests, and antioxidant enzyme activities were performed. Additionally, an embedded transepithelial electrical resistance sensor was utilized for the real-time monitoring of the liver tumor MPS. The results were also compared with the traditional cell culture model. Results: The study demonstrated the superiority of the TEER sensor-based liver tumor MPS by its better anticancer activity based on cell viability and biomarker analysis compared to the traditional in vitro cell culture model. The anticancer effects of the plant extracts were successfully observed in real time, and methanolic extracts of Acer cappadocicum Gled increased the alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase secretion, which may reveal the different mechanisms of these extracts and suggest a clue for the future molecular study of the anticancer pathways. Conclusion: Our results show that the liver tumor microphysiological system could be a better platform for plant-based anticancer activity assessment than traditional cell culture models.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities of Selected Medicinal Plants of Himalayas, Pakistan

Medicinal plants are known for their diverse use in the traditional medicine of the Himalayan region of Pakistan. The present study is designed to investigate the anticancer and antimicrobial activities of Prunus cornuta and Quercus semicarpifolia. The anticancer activity was performed using cancerous human cell lines (HepG2, Caco-2, A549, MDA-MB-231, and NCI-H1437 carcinoma cells), while the antimicrobial activity was conducted with the agar-well diffusion method. Furthermore, toxicity studies were performed on alveolar and renal primary epithelial cells. Initially, different extracts were prepared by maceration techniques using n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and methanol. The preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, and quinones. The chloroform extract of P. cornuta (PCC) exhibited significant inhibitory activity against Acinetobacter baumannii (16 mm) and Salmonella enterica (14.5 mm). The A. baumannii and S. enterica strains appeared highly susceptible to n-hexane extract of P. cornuta (PCN) with an antibacterial effect of 15 mm and 15.5 mm, respectively. The results also showed that the methanolic extracts of Quercus semecarpifolia (QSM) exhibited considerable antibacterial inhibitory activity in A. baumannii (18 mm), Escherichia coli (15 mm). The QSN and QSE extracts also showed good inhibition in A. baumannii with a 16 mm zone of inhibition. The Rhizopus oryzae strain has shown remarkable mycelial inhibition by PCM and QSN with 16 mm and 21 mm inhibition, respectively. Furthermore, the extracts of P. cornuta and Q. semicarpifolia exhibited prominent growth inhibition of breast (MDA-MB-231) and lung (A549) carcinoma cells with 19-30% and 22-39% cell viabilities, respectively. The gut cell line survival was also significantly inhibited by Q. semicarpifolia (24-34%). The findings of this study provide valuable information for the future development of new antibacterial and anticancer medicinal agents from P. cornuta and Q. semicarpifolia extracts.

Extracellular Matrix Optimization for Enhanced Physiological Relevance in Hepatic Tissue-Chips

The cellular microenvironment is influenced explicitly by the extracellular matrix (ECM), the main tissue support biomaterial, as a decisive factor for tissue growth patterns. The recent emergence of hepatic microphysiological systems (MPS) provide the basic physiological emulation of the human liver for drug screening. However, engineering microfluidic devices with standardized surface coatings of ECM may improve MPS-based organ-specific emulation for improved drug screening. The influence of surface coatings of different ECM types on tissue development needs to be optimized. Additionally, an intensity-based image processing tool and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) sensor may assist in the analysis of tissue formation capacity under the influence of different ECM types. The current study highlights the role of ECM coatings for improved tissue formation, implying the additional role of image processing and TEER sensors. We studied hepatic tissue formation under the influence of multiple concentrations of Matrigel, collagen, fibronectin, and poly-L-lysine. Based on experimental data, a mathematical model was developed, and ECM concentrations were validated for better tissue development. TEER sensor and image processing data were used to evaluate the development of a hepatic MPS for human liver physiology modeling. Image analysis data for tissue formation was further strengthened by metabolic quantification of albumin, urea, and cytochrome P450. Standardized ECM type for MPS may improve clinical relevance for modeling hepatic tissue microenvironment, and image processing possibly enhance the tissue analysis of the MPS.