Nanoformulated Ajwa (Phoenix Dactylifera) Bioactive Compounds Improve the Safety of Doxorubicin without Compromising its Anticancer Efficacy in Breast Cancer

Methanolic Extract of Phoenix Dactylifera Confers Protection against Experimental Diabetic Cardiomyopathy through Modulation of Glucolipid Metabolism and Cardiac Remodeling

The incidence of cardiovascular disorders is continuously rising, and there are no effective drugs to treat diabetes-associated heart failure. Thus, there is an urgent need to explore alternate approaches, including natural plant extracts, which have been successfully exploited for therapeutic purposes. The current study aimed to explore the cardioprotective potential of Phoenix dactylifera (PD) extract in experimental diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Following in vitro phytochemical analyses, Wistar albino rats (N = 16, male; age 2-3 weeks) were fed with a high-fat or standard diet prior to injection of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg i.p.) after 2 months and separation into the following four treatment groups: healthy control, DCM control, DCM metformin (200 mg/kg/day, as the reference control), and DCM PD treatment (5 mg/kg/day). After 25 days, glucolipid and myocardial blood and serum markers were assessed along with histopathology and gene expression of both heart and pancreatic tissues. The PD treatment improved glucolipid balance (FBG 110 ± 5.5 mg/dL; insulin 17 ± 3.4 ng/mL; total cholesterol 75 ± 8.5 mg/dL) and oxidative stress (TOS 50 ± 7.8 H2O2equiv./L) in the DCM rats, which was associated with preserved structural integrity of both the pancreas and heart compared to the DCM control (FBG 301 ± 10 mg/dL; insulin 27 ± 3.4 ng/mL; total cholesterol 126 ± 10 mg/dL; TOS 165 ± 12 H2O2equiv./L). Gene expression analyses revealed that PD treatment upregulated the expression of insulin signaling genes in pancreatic tissue (INS-I 1.69 ± 0.02; INS-II 1.3 ± 0.02) and downregulated profibrotic gene expression in ventricular tissue (TGF-β 1.49 ± 0.04) compared to the DCM control (INS-I 0.6 ± 0.02; INS-II 0.49 ± 0.03; TGF-β 5.7 ± 0.34). Taken together, these data indicate that Phoenix dactylifera may offer cardioprotection in DCM by regulating glucolipid balance and metabolic signaling.

Antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antiviral investigations using egyptian phoenix dactylifera L. pits extract

Phoenix dactylifera L. and its wastes are known to be high in nutrients that are beneficial to human health. The study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antiviral properties of Phoenix dactylifera L. pits extract (PDPE) in vitro. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis indicated phenol, 2,5-bis(1,1-dimethyl ethyl), tetradecanoic acid, octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, á-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid, and heptaethylene glycol monododecyl ether existence. The PDPE influenced pathogenic microorganisms, with inhibition zone diameters (IZDs) ranging from 10.0 to 35.0 mm. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 5638 had the highest IZD, while Salmonella typhi DSM 17058 and Shigella sonnei DSM 5570 had the lowest. The antifungal effect observed only in spore failure or conidia formation. PDPE showed a 100% antibacterial spectrum against bacteria, with MIC values between 250 and 1000 µg/ml. MIC was only indicated with S. aureus of 500 µg/ml. MBC values ranged from 500 to 1000 g/ml, with MBC values of 500 g/ml for B. cereus, E. faecalis, S. typhi, and S. sonnei. The activity was 66.7% at 500 µg/ml, further concentrations of 125-250 g/ml had no antibacterial effect. PDPE biofilm inhibition % had the highest percentage of inhibition (98.59%) with S. aureus, B. cereus (94.12%), and E. coli (74.46%). With 50% (CC50) viral activity, the highest non-toxic PDPE dose was found to be at 123.0 µg/ml.

Using the Correlation Intensity Index to Build a Model of Cardiotoxicity of Piperidine Derivatives

The assessment of cardiotoxicity is a persistent problem in medicinal chemistry. Quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) are one possible way to build up models for cardiotoxicity. Here, we describe the results obtained with the Monte Carlo technique to develop hybrid optimal descriptors correlated with cardiotoxicity. The predictive potential of the cardiotoxicity models (pIC50, Ki in nM) of piperidine derivatives obtained using this approach provided quite good determination coefficients for the external validation set, in the range of 0.90-0.94. The results were best when applying the so-called correlation intensity index, which improves the predictive potential of a model.

Date Palm Fruit (Phoenix dactylifera) and Its Promising Potential in Developing Functional Energy Bars: Review of Chemical, Nutritional, Functional, and Sensory Attributes

Snack bars, known as energy bars, are widely consumed worldwide as highly nutritive on-the-go products. Due to the date fruit's significant nutritional and functional characteristics, it can be an exceptional choice for developing snack bars. Dates contain a wide range of macro- and micronutrients known for their strong bioactive properties. The functional properties of date fruit have been demonstrated in the literature and include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial activities. This review summarizes the available studies investigating the potential application of dates for developing nutritive and functional snack bars. Date paste was used as a main ingredient at 55-90% concentrations. In addition, protein sources were used to provide protein-rich snack bars, as date fruit is considered high in carbohydrates and low in protein. Skim milk powder was the most common and favorable protein source, delivering significant amounts of protein with limited negative effects on sensory attributes. Incorporating other ingredients, such as cereals or legumes, was also explored; adding such dry ingredients can promote positive nutritional effects along with improving sensory attributes, mainly in terms of the bars' textures. Dry ingredients can significantly lower moisture content, reducing the bars' fracturability to acceptable ranges. Reduced moisture content can also significantly enhance the shelf-life stability, as observed by limited microbial growth. Furthermore, the incorporation of bioactive or functional ingredients such as fruit peels, plant seeds, or plant leaf extracts was also reported; such ingredients promoted significant enhancements in the contents of phenolics or flavonoids, for instance, leading to an increase in the bars' antioxidant potential. Though dates are rich in such bioactive components, incorporating additional bioactive ingredients can boost the dates' functional properties. In conclusion, this review shows the high potential of the application of dates for developing nutritious and functional snack bars. Taking this into account, the snack bar market has grown remarkably over the past decade; thus, providing well-balanced, nutritious, and functional date-based bars in markets worldwide is expected to show positive consumer acceptance.

Correction: Godugu et al. Nanoformulated Ajwa (Phoenix Dactylifera) Bioactive Compounds Improve the Safety of Doxorubicin without Compromising Its Anticancer Efficacy in Breast Cancer. Molecules 2020, 25, 2597

In the original publication [...].

Bioactivity and Pharmacological Potential of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Against Pandemic COVID-19: a Comprehensive Review

A novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), transmitted from person to person, has quickly emerged as the pandemic responsible for the current global health crisis. This infection has been declared a global pandemic, resulting in a concerning number of deaths as well as complications post-infection, primarily among vulnerable groups particularly older people and those with multiple comorbidities. In this article, we review the most recent research on the role of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits (DPFs) to prevent or treat COVID-19 infection. The mechanisms underlying this preventive or therapeutic effect are also discussed in terms of bioactivity potentials in date palm, e.g., antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and hemolytic potential, as well as prospect against COVID-19 disease and the potential product development. Therefore, it can be concluded that regular consumption of DPFs may be associated with a lower risk of some chronic diseases. Indeed, DPFs have been widely used in folk medicine since ancient times to treat a variety of health conditions, demonstrating the importance of DPFs as a nutraceutical and source of functional nourishment. This comprehensive review aims to summarize the majority of the research on DPFs in terms of nutrient content and biologically active components such as phenolic compounds, with an emphasis on their roles in improving overall health as well as the potential product development to ensure consumers' satisfaction in a current pandemic situation. In conclusion, DPFs can be given to COVID-19 patients as a safe and effective add-on medication or supplement in addition to routine treatments.

Thymoquinone and its nanoformulation attenuate colorectal and breast cancers and alleviate doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Aim: To investigate the anti-cancer potential of thymoquinone (TQ) and TQ nanoparticles (TQ-NPs) and their protection against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. Methods: TQ-NPs were prepared by double emulsion method and characterized. The efficacy of TQ and TQ-DOX was studied against HCT116 and MDA-MB-231-Luc cancer cell lines in vitro and in a xenograft tumor model. Results: TQ and TQ + DOX increased Bax levels in HCT116 cells and decreased Bcl2 levels in MDA-MB-231-Luc cells. In the xenograft model, the TQ-NPs, with an average size of 218 nm, in combination with DOX, significantly reduced tumor size. The combination of TQ or TQ-NPs with DOX significantly reduced DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Conclusion: Data suggest the promising role of TQ and TQ-NPs alone and with DOX for anti-cancer and cardiac protection benefits.

Amelioration of Pterostilbene Antiproliferative, Proapoptotic, and Oxidant Potentials in Human Breast Cancer MCF7 Cells Using Zein Nanocomposites

Purpose

This study aimed to explain the influence of zein nanosphere (ZN NS) formulation on the pharmacotherapeutic profile of PTS in MCF7 cells.

Methods

Liquid–liquid phase separation was used to formulate PTS-ZN NSs. The formulations developed were evaluated for particle-size analysis, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro diffusion. Also, assays of cytotoxicity, uptake, cell-cycle progression, annexin V, apoptotic gene mRNA expression and biochemical assays were carried out.

Results

The PTS-ZN NS formulation selected showed 104.5±6.2 nm, 33.4±1.8 mV, 95.1%±3.6%, and 89.1%±2.65% average particle size, zeta-potential, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro diffusion, respectively. With MCF7 cells, IC₅₀ was reduced approximately 15-fold, with increased cellular uptake, accumulation in the G₂/M phase, increased percentage of cells in the pre-G₁ phase, amelioration of early and late apoptosis, raised mRNA expression of CASP3 and CASP7, lower expression of cyclin-CDK1, and enhanced oxidant potential through decreased glutathione reductase (GR) activity, and enhanced reactive oxygen–species generation and lipid-peroxidation products.

Conclusion

PTS-ZN NSs indicated enhanced antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and oxidant potential toward MCF7 cells compared to free PTS. Ameliorated results of nanosized carriers, cellular uptake, and sustained diffusion may contribute to these outcomes.

Emerging Nanopharmaceuticals and Nanonutraceuticals in Cancer Management

Nanotechnology is the science of nanoscale, which is the scale of nanometers or one billionth of a meter. Nanotechnology encompasses a broad range of technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes that are used to design and/or enhance many products, including medicinal products. This technology has achieved considerable progress in the oncology field in recent years. Most chemotherapeutic agents are not specific to the cancer cells they are intended to treat, and they can harm healthy cells, leading to numerous adverse effects. Due to this non-specific targeting, it is not feasible to administer high doses that may harm healthy cells. Moreover, low doses can cause cancer cells to acquire resistance, thus making them hard to kill. A solution that could potentially enhance drug targeting and delivery lies in understanding the complexity of nanotechnology. Engineering pharmaceutical and natural products into nano-products can enhance the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Novel nano-formulations such as liposomes, polymeric micelles, dendrimers, quantum dots, nano-suspensions, and gold nanoparticles have been shown to enhance the delivery of drugs. Improved delivery of chemotherapeutic agents targets cancer cells rather than healthy cells, thereby preventing undesirable side effects and decreasing chemotherapeutic drug resistance. Nanotechnology has also revolutionized cancer diagnosis by using nanotechnology-based imaging contrast agents that can specifically target and therefore enhance tumor detection. In addition to the delivery of drugs, nanotechnology can be used to deliver nutraceuticals like phytochemicals that have multiple properties, such as antioxidant activity, that protect cells from oxidative damage and reduce the risk of cancer. There have been multiple advancements and implications for the use of nanotechnology to enhance the delivery of both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.