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Hasibuan PAZ, Keliat JM, Lubis MF, Nasution A. The ethyl acetate extract of Vernonia amygdalina leaf ameliorates gemcitabine effect against migration and invasion of PANC-1 cells via down-regulation the VEGF, COX 2, and RAS/MEK pathways. Saudi Pharm J 2024; 32:101872. [PMID: 38111670 PMCID: PMC10727942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jane Melita Keliat
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Food Analysis, Faculty of Vocational, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Fauzan Lubis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
| | - Annisa Nasution
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
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In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Hydroethanolic Extract of the Roots of Vernonia guineensis (Asteraceae). Int J Inflam 2023; 2023:7915367. [PMID: 36909893 PMCID: PMC9995193 DOI: 10.1155/2023/7915367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In traditional Cameroonian medicine, to relieve many inflammations, parts of Vernonia guineensis, are very widely used. This study considered the evaluation of acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of the hydroethanolic extract of the roots of Vernonia guineensis. In an acute toxicity study, 250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg were administered orally to mice in a single dose, and general behavior, adverse effects, and mortality were monitored. In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory tests were performed, and then histological, serum, hematological, and oxidative stress parameters have been evaluated. In an acute toxicity, all groups revealed neither mortality nor any significant alteration in behavior; only drowsiness, sedation, and lethargy were observed at 5000 mg/kg. For in vitro tests, the extract inhibited anti-inflammatory activity. In the formalin test, at 250 mg/kg, the extract inhibited edema with a percentage of 56.41% (4th hour) in an acute treatment and 74.44% (10th day). Joint edema was reduced by 67.24% (24th hour) in a single treatment and by 74.25% (7th day) in repeated treatment. The extract caused an increase in red blood cell, hemoglobin, and serum protein levels and reduced the white blood cells as well as the activities of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase. The extract modulated oxidative stress parameters in the brain, spinal cord, liver, and kidneys. The extract protected the joint by reducing the bone and cartilage erosion. The present work highlights the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antianemic properties of the hydroethanolic extract of the roots of Vernonia guineensis, which supports its empirical use in traditional medicine for the treatment of inflammatory pathologies.
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Yedjou CG, Johnson W, Tchounwou SS, Dasari S, Njiki S, Tchounwou PB. Vernonia amygdalina Delile Induces Apoptotic Effects of PC3 Cells: Implication in the Prevention of Prostate Cancer. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES 2022; 3:1118-1124. [PMID: 36578651 PMCID: PMC9793873 DOI: 10.37871/jbres1564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the common cancers in males and its incidence keeps increasing globally. Approximately 81% of PCa is diagnosed during the early stage of the disease. The treatment options for prostate care include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, but these treatments often have side effects that may lead to issues such as impotence or decreased bowel function. Our central goal is to test the apoptotic effects of Vernonia amygdalina Delile (an edible medicinal plant that is relatively inexpensive, nontoxic, and virtually without side effects) for the prevention of PCa using human adenocarcinoma (PC-3) cells as a test model. Methods To address our central goal, PC-3 cells were treated with Vernonia amygdalina Delile (VAD). Cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis were evaluated by Flow Cytometry assessment. Nucleosomal DNA fragmentation was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results Flow cytometry data showed that VAD induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 checkpoint and significantly upregulated caspase-3 in treated cells compared to the control cells. Agarose gel electrophoresis resulted in the formation of DNA ladders in VAD-treated cells. Conclusions These results suggest that inhibition of cancer cell growth, induction of cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis through caspase-3 activation and nucleosomal DNA fragmentation are involved in the therapeutic mechanisms of VAD as a candidate drug towards the prevention and/or treatment of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clement G. Yedjou
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1610 S. Martin Luther King Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307, United States.,Author to whom Correspondence should be addressed; ; Tel.: +1-850-599-8788; Fax: +1-850--561-2996
| | - William Johnson
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Box 18750, Jackson, MS 39217, United States
| | - Solange S. Tchounwou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. School of Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70112, United States
| | - Shaloam Dasari
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Box 18750, Jackson, MS 39217, United States
| | - Sylvianne Njiki
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Box 18750, Jackson, MS 39217, United States
| | - Paul B. Tchounwou
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Box 18750, Jackson, MS 39217, United States
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Liu X, Yang R, Xu Q, Zhou M, Feng J, Wang G, Lin T, Tian W, Chen H. Tautomeric phytosterols from Vernonia amygdalina Delile and their anti-cervical cancer activity. Bioorg Chem 2022; 128:106068. [PMID: 35933896 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106068] [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: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Vernonia amygdalina Delile is generally used as green vegetables for cuisine in Nigeria and health tea or products in southeast of china. It was also used as folk medicine for the treatment of anti-helminth, febrifuge, digestive tonic and wounds. In this study, eleven undescribed phytosterols (1-2, 4-12) and six known analogues (3, 13-17) were isolated from the stems of V. amygdalina. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS), X-ray diffraction and comparison of their ECD spectra. Besides, the tautomerism of phytosterols (1, 3-6, 12-17) with hemiacetal moiety were analyzed by solution NMR with different deuterated solvent and variable-temperature experiments. In addition, the cytotoxic activities of isolates against HeLa cells were evaluated. As a result, compound 10 exhibited the most potent anti-cervical cancer activity with the IC50 of 22.44 μM. Mechanism studies indicated that 10 triggered HeLa cells apoptosis through activating caspase signaling pathway. Furthermore, 10 could arrest the cell cycle in S phase and suppress the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, leading to the inhibition of HeLa cells proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangzhong Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, PR China
| | - Renjing Yang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, PR China
| | - Qiannan Xu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, PR China
| | - Mi Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, PR China
| | - Jie Feng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, PR China
| | - Guanghui Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, PR China
| | - Ting Lin
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, PR China.
| | - Wenjing Tian
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, PR China.
| | - Haifeng Chen
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, PR China.
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Huang SS, Huang CH, Ko CY, Chen TY, Cheng YC, Chao J. An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Kinmen. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:681190. [PMID: 35222004 PMCID: PMC8864234 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.681190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinmen is an outlying island that has the richest plant resources in Taiwan. The objective of this study was to record the methods that people in Kinmen use medicinal plants and to analyze the cultural characteristics of their use. Field investigations were carried out in various towns and villages in Kinmen, and 80 respondents were included in the survey. The search for respondents was conducted through local elderly people and medicinal plant groups. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the local people to obtain their knowledge of medicinal plants and how they disseminate this information. Informed consent was obtained prior to the interviews, and the following was determined: plant use value (UV), frequency of citation (FC), and factor of informant consensus (Fic). These parameters were used to quantify the data and measure the agreement among the respondents on using plants to treat different diseases. Finally, the survey results were compared with the representative ethnobotanical literature in neighboring areas to evaluate the similarity between plant usage in Kinmen and neighboring areas as well as to determine whether there are new species or novel usages in the study area. In the Kinmen area, phytotherapy is generally used by elderly people with low educational attainments. According to the survey results, 83 medicinal plants belonging to 48 families were collected. These medicinal plants were mainly distributed in the Compositae, Lamiaceae, and Solanaceae families. Eighteen novel uses that have not been previously documented were found, four of which were related to newly recorded medicinal plant species in the Kinmen area. The results showed that 93.98 and 65.06% of the species collected in the present study were also recorded in literature from Taiwan and Fujian, respectively. This study showed that Kinmen’s ethnobotanical knowledge is closely related to the Catalogue of Medicinal Plant Resources in Taiwan, and local people indeed shared similar uses of medicinal species with people in Taiwan and Fujian (46.99%). The results from this study highlighted the importance of traditional medicine in the Kinmen area, where people have a specific understanding of using medicinal plants and communication with people in Taiwan and Fujian Province in China. It was found that Kinmen shares ethnobotanical knowledge with Taiwan and Fujian.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyh-Shyun Huang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Food Nutrition and Health Biotechnology, Asia University, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Huang
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Pharmacy, Kinmen Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Kinmen, Taiwan
- Department of Nursing, National Quemoy University, Kinmen, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Yu Ko
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Yang Chen
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Chi Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jung Chao
- Chinese Medicine Research Center, Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, Master Program for Food and Drug Safety, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Jung Chao,
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Dasari S, Njiki S, Mbemi A, Yedjou CG, Tchounwou PB. Pharmacological Effects of Cisplatin Combination with Natural Products in Cancer Chemotherapy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031532. [PMID: 35163459 PMCID: PMC8835907 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin and other platinum-based drugs, such as carboplatin, ormaplatin, and oxaliplatin, have been widely used to treat a multitude of human cancers. However, a considerable proportion of patients often relapse due to drug resistance and/or toxicity to multiple organs including the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and the cardiovascular, hematologic, and nervous systems. In this study, we sought to provide a comprehensive review of the current state of the science highlighting the use of cisplatin in cancer therapy, with a special emphasis on its molecular mechanisms of action, and treatment modalities including the combination therapy with natural products. Hence, we searched the literature using various scientific databases., such as MEDLINE, PubMed, Google Scholar, and relevant sources, to collect and review relevant publications on cisplatin, natural products, combination therapy, uses in cancer treatment, modes of action, and therapeutic strategies. Our search results revealed that new strategic approaches for cancer treatment, including the combination therapy of cisplatin and natural products, have been evaluated with some degree of success. Scientific evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrates that many medicinal plants contain bioactive compounds that are promising candidates for the treatment of human diseases, and therefore represent an excellent source for drug discovery. In preclinical studies, it has been demonstrated that natural products not only enhance the therapeutic activity of cisplatin but also attenuate its chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Many experimental studies have also reported that natural products exert their therapeutic action by triggering apoptosis through modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p53 signal transduction pathways and enhancement of cisplatin chemosensitivity. Furthermore, natural products protect against cisplatin-induced organ toxicity by modulating several gene transcription factors and inducing cell death through apoptosis and/or necrosis. In addition, formulations of cisplatin with polymeric, lipid, inorganic, and carbon-based nano-drug delivery systems have been found to delay drug release, prolong half-life, and reduce systemic toxicity while other formulations, such as nanocapsules, nanogels, and hydrogels, have been reported to enhance cell penetration, target cancer cells, and inhibit tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaloam Dasari
- Environmental Toxicology Research Laboratory, NIH-RCMI Center for Health Disparities Research, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA; (S.D.); (S.N.); (A.M.)
| | - Sylvianne Njiki
- Environmental Toxicology Research Laboratory, NIH-RCMI Center for Health Disparities Research, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA; (S.D.); (S.N.); (A.M.)
| | - Ariane Mbemi
- Environmental Toxicology Research Laboratory, NIH-RCMI Center for Health Disparities Research, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA; (S.D.); (S.N.); (A.M.)
| | - Clement G. Yedjou
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1610 S. Martin Luther King Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA;
| | - Paul B. Tchounwou
- Environmental Toxicology Research Laboratory, NIH-RCMI Center for Health Disparities Research, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS 39217, USA; (S.D.); (S.N.); (A.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-601-979-0777
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Mbemi AT, Sims JN, Yedjou CG, Noubissi FK, Gomez CR, Tchounwou PB. Vernonia calvoana Shows Promise towards the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4429. [PMID: 32580345 PMCID: PMC7352360 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment for ovarian cancers includes chemotherapies which use drugs such as cisplatin, paclitaxel, carboplatin, platinum, taxanes, or their combination, and other molecular target therapies. However, these current therapies are often accompanied with side effects. Vernonia calvoana (VC) is a valuable edible medicinal plant that is widespread in West Africa. In vitro data in our lab demonstrated that VC crude extract inhibits human ovarian cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting its antitumor activity. From the VC crude extract, we have generated 10 fractions and VC fraction 7 (F7) appears to show the highest antitumor activity towards ovarian cancer cells. However, the mechanisms by which VC F7 exerts its antitumor activity in cancer cells remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that VC F7 inhibits cell proliferation and induces DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in ovarian cells through oxidative stress. To test our hypothesis, we extracted and fractionated VC leaves. The effects of VC F7 were tested in OVCAR-3 cells. Viability was assessed by the means of MTS assay. Cell morphology was analyzed by acridine orange and propidium iodide (AO/PI) dye using a fluorescent microscope. Oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated by the means of lipid peroxidation, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase assays, respectively. The degree of DNA damage was assessed by comet assay. Cell cycle distribution was assessed by flow cytometry. Data generated from the MTS assay demonstrated that VC F7 inhibits the growth of OVCAR-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner, showing a gradual increase in the loss of viability in VC F7-treated cells. Data obtained from the AO/PI dye assessment revealed morphological alterations and exhibited characteristics such as loss of cellular membrane integrity, cell shrinkage, cell membrane damage, organelle breakdown, and detachment from the culture plate. We observed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the levels of malondialdhyde (MDA) production in treated cells compared to the control. A gradual decrease in both catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were observed in the treated cells compared to the control. Data obtained from the comet assay showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the percentages of DNA cleavage and comet tail length. The results of the flow cytometry analysis indicated VC F7 treatment caused cell cycle arrest at the S-phase checkpoint. Taken together, our results demonstrate that VC F7 exerts its anticancer activity by inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing DNA damage, and causing cell cycle arrest through oxidative stress in OVAR-3 cells. This finding suggests that VC F7 may be a potential alternative dietary agent for the prevention and/or treatment of ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane T. Mbemi
- Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory, NIH/NIMHD RCMI-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Jackson, MS 39217, USA;
| | - Jennifer N. Sims
- School of Public Health, Jackson State University, Jackson Medical Mall-Thad Cochran Center, 350 West Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39213, USA;
| | - Clement G. Yedjou
- Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory, NIH/NIMHD RCMI-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Jackson, MS 39217, USA;
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Technology, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, 1610 S. Martin Luther King Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Felicite K. Noubissi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Jackson, MS 39217, USA;
| | - Christian R. Gomez
- Departments of Pathology and Radiation Oncology, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39216, USA;
| | - Paul B. Tchounwou
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Jackson, MS 39217, USA;
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Domínguez-Martín EM, Tavares J, Ríjo P, Díaz-Lanza AM. Zoopharmacology: A Way to Discover New Cancer Treatments. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10060817. [PMID: 32466543 PMCID: PMC7356688 DOI: 10.3390/biom10060817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Zoopharmacognosy is the multidisciplinary approach of the self-medication behavior of many kinds of animals. Recent studies showed the presence of antitumoral secondary metabolites in some of the plants employed by animals and their use for the same therapeutic purposes in humans. Other related and sometimes confused term is Zootherapy, which consists on the employment of animal parts and/or their by-products such as toxins, venoms, etc., to treat different human ailments. Therefore, the aim of this work is to provide a brief insight for the use of Zoopharmacology (comprising Zoopharmacognosy and Zootherapy) as new paths to discover drugs studying animal behavior and/or using compounds derived from animals. This work is focused on the approaches related to cancer, in order to propose a new promising line of research to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR). This novel subject will encourage the use of new alternative prospective ways to find new medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva María Domínguez-Martín
- CBIOS-Center for Research in Biosciences & Health Technologies, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologías, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.D.-M.); (J.T.); (P.R.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Carretera Madrid-Barcelona, Km 33.100, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joana Tavares
- CBIOS-Center for Research in Biosciences & Health Technologies, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologías, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.D.-M.); (J.T.); (P.R.)
| | - Patrícia Ríjo
- CBIOS-Center for Research in Biosciences & Health Technologies, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologías, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal; (E.M.D.-M.); (J.T.); (P.R.)
- Instituto de Investigação do Medicamento (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana María Díaz-Lanza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcalá, Carretera Madrid-Barcelona, Km 33.100, 28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-918-854-642
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Medicinal plants used in management of cancer and other related diseases in Woleu-Ntem province, Gabon. Eur J Integr Med 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2019.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Siew YY, Yew HC, Neo SY, Seow SV, Lew SM, Lim SW, Lim CSES, Ng YC, Seetoh WG, Ali A, Tan CH, Koh HL. Evaluation of anti-proliferative activity of medicinal plants used in Asian Traditional Medicine to treat cancer. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 235:75-87. [PMID: 30599223 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.12.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The extensive biodiversity of plants in Southeast Asia and inadequate research hitherto warrant a continued investigation into medicinal plants. On the basis of a careful review of fresh medicinal plant usage to treat cancer from previous ethnobotanical interviews in Singapore and from the traditional uses of the indigenous plants, fresh leaves of seven locally grown medicinal plant species were evaluated for anti-proliferative activity. AIM OF THE STUDY To evaluate the anti-proliferative activity of local medicinal plant species Clausena lansium Skeels, Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau, Leea indica (Burm. f.) Merr., Pereskia bleo (Kunth) DC., Strobilanthes crispus (L.) Blume, Vernonia amygdalina Delile and Vitex trifolia L. MATERIALS AND METHOD Fresh, healthy and mature leaves of the seven medicinal plants were harvested from various locations in Singapore and Malaysia for Soxhlet, ultrasonication and maceration extractions in three different solvents (water, ethanol and methanol). Cell proliferation assay using water soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) assay was performed on twelve human cancer cell lines derived from breast (MDA-MB-231, T47D), cervical (C33A), colon (HCT116), leukemia (U937), liver (HepG2, SNU-182, SNU-449), ovarian (OVCAR-5, PA-1, SK-OV-3) and uterine (MES-SA/DX5) cancer. RESULTS A total of 37 fresh leaf extracts from seven medicinal plants were evaluated for their anti-tumour activities in twelve human cancer cell lines. Of these, the extracts of C. lansium, L. indica, P. bleo, S. crispus, V. amygdalina and V. trifolia exhibited promising anti-proliferative activity against multiple cancer cell lines. Further investigation of selected promising leaf extracts indicated that maceration methanolic extract of L. indica was most effective overall against majority of the cancer cell lines, with best IC50 values of 31.5 ± 11.4 µg/mL, 37.5 ± 0.7 µg/mL and 43.0 ± 6.2 µg/mL in cervical C33A, liver SNU-449, and ovarian PA-1 cancer cell lines, respectively. CONCLUSION The results of this study provide new scientific evidence for the traditional use of local medicinal plant species C. lansium, L . indica, P. bleo, S. crispus, V. amygdalina and V. trifolia in cancer treatment. These results highlight the importance of the upkeep of these indigenous plants in modern society and their relevance as resources for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Yin Siew
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Hui-Chuing Yew
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Soek-Ying Neo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - See-Voon Seow
- Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore; Affiliated National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, Singapore 119074, Singapore.
| | - Si-Min Lew
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Shun-Wei Lim
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Claire Sophie En-Shen Lim
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Yi-Cheng Ng
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Wei-Guang Seetoh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
| | - Azhar Ali
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore.
| | - Chay-Hoon Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 16 Medical Drive, Block MD3, #04-01S, Singapore 117600, Singapore.
| | - Hwee-Ling Koh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
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Yedjou CG, Mbemi AT, Noubissi F, Tchounwou SS, Tsabang N, Payton M, Miele L, Tchounwou PB. Prostate Cancer Disparity, Chemoprevention, and Treatment by Specific Medicinal Plants. Nutrients 2019; 11:E336. [PMID: 30720759 PMCID: PMC6412894 DOI: 10.3390/nu11020336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common cancers in men. The global burden of this disease is rising. Its incidence and mortality rates are higher in African American (AA) men compared to white men and other ethnic groups. The treatment decisions for PC are based exclusively on histological architecture, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, and local disease state. Despite advances in screening for and early detection of PC, a large percentage of men continue to be diagnosed with metastatic disease including about 20% of men affected with a high mortality rate within the African American population. As such, this population group may benefit from edible natural products that are safe with a low cost. Hence, the central goal of this article is to highlight PC disparity associated with nutritional factors and highlight chemo-preventive agents from medicinal plants that are more likely to reduce PC. To reach this central goal, we searched the PubMed Central database and the Google Scholar website for relevant papers. Our search results revealed that there are significant improvements in PC statistics among white men and other ethnic groups. However, its mortality rate remains significantly high among AA men. In addition, there are limited studies that have addressed the benefits of medicinal plants as chemo-preventive agents for PC treatment, especially among AA men. This review paper addresses this knowledge gap by discussing PC disparity associated with nutritional factors and highlighting the biomedical significance of three medicinal plants (curcumin, garlic, and Vernonia amygdalina) that show a great potential to prevent/treat PC, as well as to reduce its incidence/prevalence and mortality, improve survival rate, and reduce PC-related health disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clement G Yedjou
- Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory, NIH/NIMHD RCMI-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
| | - Ariane T Mbemi
- Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory, NIH/NIMHD RCMI-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
| | - Felicite Noubissi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
| | - Solange S Tchounwou
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, 214 Shoemaker Hall, P.O. Box 1848, MS 38677, USA.
| | - Nole Tsabang
- Department of Animal Biology, Higher Institute of Environmental Sciences, Yaounde P.O.Box 16317, Cameroon.
| | - Marinelle Payton
- Center of Excellence in Minority Health and Health Disparities, School of Public Health, Jackson State University, Jackson Medical Mall-Thad Cochran Center, 350 West Woodrow Wilson Avenue, Jackson, MS 39213, USA.
| | - Lucio Miele
- Department of Genetics, LSU Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, 533 Bolivar Street, Room 657, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
| | - Paul B Tchounwou
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, Jackson, MS 39217, USA.
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12
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Yedjou CG, Tchounwou SS, Williams K, Tchounwou PB. NOVEL CELLULAR STAINING PROTOCOL AND ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECT OF VERNONIA AMYGDALINA DELILE ON LUNG AND PROSTATE CANCER CELLS. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING SCIENCES & RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY 2018; 7:552-556. [PMID: 30246001 PMCID: PMC6149525 DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1403369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
There is a critical need for more effective therapeutic approaches for cancer. Vernonia amygdalina Delile (VAD) has been used in African traditional medicine for the prevention and/or treatment of several diseases including diarrhea, intestinal illnesses, and cancer. However, the effects of VAD on human lung cancer and human prostate cancer cells remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to explore a novel cellular staining protocol using acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) and to test the antiproferative activity of VAD against human lung cancer (A-549) cells and human prostate cancer (PC-3) cells. Our studies demonstrate that VAD inhibits the proliferation of both A-549 and PC-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. This finding suggests that VAD may be useful in lung and prostate cancer prevention. However, further research is needed to elucidate the chemopreventive effects of VAD against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clement G Yedjou
- Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory, NIH/NIMHD RCMI-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, P.O. Box 18750, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
| | - Solange S Tchounwou
- Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory, NIH/NIMHD RCMI-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, P.O. Box 18750, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
| | - Kathleen Williams
- Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory, NIH/NIMHD RCMI-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, P.O. Box 18750, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
| | - Paul B Tchounwou
- Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory, NIH/NIMHD RCMI-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, P.O. Box 18750, Jackson, MS 39217, USA
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13
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Cui Q, Yang DH, Chen ZS. Special Issue: Natural Products: Anticancer and Beyond. Molecules 2018; 23:E1246. [PMID: 29882875 PMCID: PMC6099919 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23061246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Qingbin Cui
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA.
- School of Public Health, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511436, China.
| | - Dong-Hua Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA.
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA.
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14
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The Lipid Lowering and Cardioprotective Effects of Vernonia calvoana Ethanol Extract in Acetaminophen-Treated Rats. MEDICINES 2017; 4:medicines4040090. [PMID: 29231843 PMCID: PMC5750614 DOI: 10.3390/medicines4040090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Background: Paracetamol overdose/abuse as a result of self-medication is a common occurrence amongst people living in low/middle income countries. The present study was designed to investigate the hypolipidemic and cardioprotective potentials of Vernonia calvoana (VC) ethanol extract in acetaminophen (paracetamol)-treated rats. Methods: Thirty-five Wistar rats weighing 100–150 g were randomly assigned into five groups of seven rats each. Groups 2–5 received high doses of paracetamol to induce liver damage, while group 1 was used as normal control. Afterwards, they were allowed to receive varying doses of VC (group 3 and 4) or vitamin E (group 5), whilst groups 1 and 2 were left untreated. The treatment period lasted for twenty one days after which sera were harvested and assayed for serum lipid indices using standard methods. Results: Groups 3 to 5 treated animals indicated significant decrease (p < 0.001) in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), total cholesterol (TC) and triacylglycerol (TG) levels relative to the normal and acetaminophen-treated controls, the atherogenic index showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in all treated groups compared with normal and acetaminophen-treated controls. However, the VC- and vitamin E-treated groups showed significant (p < 0.001) increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) relative to the controls. Conclusions: Data from our study suggest that ethanol leaf extract of VC possesses probable hypolipidemic and cardioprotective effects.
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