Prodigiosin from Serratia Marcescens in Cockroach Inhibits the Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Apoptosis

In-vivo studies of targeted and localized cancer drug release from microporous poly-di-methyl-siloxane (PDMS) devices for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment is challenging and frequently characterized by an aggressive phenotype and low prognosis in comparison to other subtypes. This paper presents fabricated implantable drug-loaded microporous poly-di-methyl-siloxane (PDMS) devices for the delivery of targeted therapeutic agents [Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone conjugated paclitaxel (PTX-LHRH) and Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone conjugated prodigiosin (PG-LHRH)] for the treatment and possible prevention of triple-negative cancer recurrence. In vitro assessment using the Alamar blue assay demonstrated a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in percentage of cell growth in a time-dependent manner in the groups treated with PG, PG-LHRH, PTX, and PTX-LHRH. Subcutaneous triple-negative xenograft breast tumors were then induced in athymic female nude mice that were four weeks old. Two weeks later, the tumors were surgically but partially removed, and the device implanted. Mice were observed for tumor regrowth and organ toxicity. The animal study revealed that there was no tumor regrowth, six weeks post-treatment, when the LHRH targeted drugs (LHRH-PTX and LHRH-PGS) were used for the treatment. The possible cytotoxic effects of the released drugs on the liver, kidney, and lung are assessed using quantitative biochemical assay from blood samples of the treatment groups. Ex vivo histopathological results from organ tissues showed that the targeted cancer drugs released from the implantable drug-loaded device did not induce any adverse effect on the liver, kidneys, or lungs, based on the results of qualitative toxicity studies. The implications of the results are discussed for the targeted and localized treatment of triple negative breast cancer.

Antifungal activity of compounds from Gordonia sp. WA8-44 isolated from the gut of Periplaneta americana and molecular docking studies

Invasive fungal infections are on the rise, leading to a continuous demand for antifungal antibiotics. Rare actinomycetes have been shown to contain a variety of interesting compounds worth exploring. In this study, 15 strains of rare actinobacterium Gordonia were isolated from the gut of Periplaneta americana and screened for their anti-fungal activity against four human pathogenic fungi. Strain WA8-44 was found to exhibit significant anti-fungal activity and was selected for bioactive compound production, separation, purification, and characterization. Three anti-fungal compounds, Collismycin A, Actinomycin D, and Actinomycin X2, were isolated from the fermentation broth of Gordonia strain WA8-44. Of these, Collismycin A was isolated and purified from the secondary metabolites of Gordonia for the first time, and its anti-filamentous fungi activity was firstly identified in this study. Molecular docking was carried out to determine their hypothetical binding affinities against nine target proteins of Candida albicans. Chitin Synthase 2 was found to be the most preferred antimicrobial protein target for Collismycin A, while 1,3-Beta-Glucanase was the most preferred anti-fungal protein target for Actinomycin D and Actinomycin X2. ADMET prediction revealed that Collismycin A has favorable oral bioavailability and little toxicity, making it a potential candidate for development as an orally active medication.