Thonningia sanguinea Extract: Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities Supported by Chemical Composition and Molecular Docking Simulations

Surface and composition effects on the biphasic cytotoxicity of nanocomposites synthesized using leaf extracts

The Malus sylvestris L. (LE1), Pinus sylvestris L. (LE2), and Sorbus aucuparia L. (LE3) leaves` extracts were used for the synthesis of silver (Ag) nanocomposites containing different amounts of silver chloride (AgCl), silver metal (Agmet), and silver phosphate (Ag3PO4). These nanocomposites were capped with the organic functional groups in the leaf extract. Notably, the nanocomposites caused biphasic cytotoxic response on cells; first attributed to the inhibition of cell growth and second to cell death. The nanocomposites were biocompatible with normal embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells in the cytotoxic range for cancer cells. [25(±1) °C synthesis] nanocomposites exhibited the highest cytotoxicity towards HeLa (lethal concentration- LC50 value of 11.4 μg mL-1) and A549 (LC50 value of 14.7 μg mL-1) after 24-h incubation and its efficiency was shown also for the more resistant MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, however, their respective LC50 values were larger. For the HeLa cell line, this designed nanocomposite exhibited an LC50 value similar to the effective concentration (EC50) value of Cisplatin and about 3 times larger than Doxorubicin. nanocomposite contained Ag3PO4 in the composite and P on the surface, higher AgCl content, smaller crystallite size of all nanoparticle phases, and carbon-rich oxygen-deficient surface compared to all other nanocomposites.

Porcupine quills keratin peptides induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via p53/p21 pathway and caspase cascade reaction in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Porcupine quills, a by-product of porcupine pork, are rich in keratin, which is an excellent source of bioactive peptides. The objective of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of anti-proliferation effect of porcupine quills keratin peptides (PQKPs) on MCF-7 cells.

RESULTS

Results showed that PQKPs induced MCF-7 cells apoptosis by significantly decreasing the secretion level of anti-apoptosis protein Bcl-2 and increasing the secretion levels of pro-apoptosis proteins Bax, cytochrome c, caspase 9, caspase 3 and PARP. PQKPs also arrested the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase via remarkably reducing the protein levels of CDK4 and enhancing the protein levels of p53 and p21. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis identified nine peptides with molecular weights less than 1000 Da in PQKPs. Molecular docking results showed that TPGPPT and KGPAC identified from PQKPs could bind with p53 mutant and Bcl-2 protein by conventional hydrogen bonds, carbon hydrogen bonds and van der Waals force. Furthermore, the anti-proliferation impact of synthesized peptides (TPGPPT and KGPAC) was shown in MCF-7 cells.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated that PQKPs suppressed the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by triggering apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Moreover, the outcome of this study will bring fresh insights into the production and application of animal byproducts. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Silver nanoparticles formulation of Marrubium alysson L. phenolic extract potentiates cytotoxicity through apoptosis with molecular docking study as Bcl-2 inhibitors

Crude or semi-purified extracts of plants can play a significant role as antitumor agents. They were used as stabilizing and reducing agents in the preparation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that allows these particles to have more efficient cytotoxic activity. In the current study, the extract of Marrubium alysson L., a plant of common occurrence in Egypt was used to synthesize AgNPs for the first time, where comparison of anticancer activity of crude and phenolic extracts with the AgNPs were extensively studied against cancer cell lines PC-3 and HCT-116. Interestingly, AgNPs of the crude extract exhibited promising cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 10.4 and 16.3 μg/ml, while AgNPs of the phenolic extract exhibited very potent cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 2.66 and 1.34 μg/ml compared to Doxorubicin (as a standard reference drug) that exhibited IC50 values of 5.13 and 4.36 μg/ml, respectively against the tested cells. Additionally, AgNPs of the phenolic extract induced apoptosis in HCT-116 with a higher ratio than in PC-3 cells. It induced apoptosis in PC-3 cells by 79.3-fold change, while it induced total colon apoptotic cell death by 228.3-fold change compared to untreated control. Finally, the apoptotic activity of AgNPs of the phenolic extract in the treated PC-3 and HCT-116 cells was confirmed using RT-PCR. As a result, AgNPs of the phenolic extract could be considered a promising anticancer candidate through apoptosis-induction.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Phragmanthera austroarabica A.G.Mill. and J.A.Nyberg Triggers Apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 Cells In Vitro and In Vivo Assays: Simultaneous Determination of Selected Constituents

Phragmanthera austroarabica (Loranthaceae), a semi-parasitic plant, is well known for its high content of polyphenols that are responsible for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Gallic acid, catechin, and methyl gallate are bioactive metabolites of common occurrence in the family of Loranthaceae. Herein, the concentrations of these bioactive metabolites were assessed using high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). Methyl gallate, catechin, and gallic acid were scanned at 280 nm. Their concentrations were assessed as 14.5, 6.5 and 43.6 mg/g of plant dry extract, respectively. Phragmanthera austroarabica extract as well as the three pure compounds were evaluated regarding the cytotoxic activity. The plant extract exhibited promising cytotoxic activity against MDA-MB-231 breast cells with the IC₅₀ value of 19.8 μg/mL while the tested pure compounds displayed IC₅₀ values in the range of 21.26–29.6 μg/mL. For apoptosis investigation, P. austroarabica induced apoptotic cell death by 111-fold change and necrosis by 9.31-fold change. It also activated the proapoptotic genes markers and inhibited the antiapoptotic gene, validating the apoptosis mechanism. Moreover, in vivo studies revealed a significant reduction in the breast tumor volume and weight in solid Ehrlich carcinoma (SEC) mice. The treatment of SEC mice with P. austroarabica extract improved both hematological and biochemical parameters with amelioration in the liver and kidney histopathology to near normal. Taken together, P. austroarabica extract exhibited promising anti-cancer activity through an apoptosis-induction.

Marrubium alysson L. Ameliorated Methotrexate-Induced Testicular Damage in Mice through Regulation of Apoptosis and miRNA-29a Expression: LC-MS/MS Metabolic Profiling

Despite the efficient anti-cancer capabilities of methotrexate (MTX), it may induce myelosuppression, liver dysfunction and testicular toxicity. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether Marrubium alysson L. (M. alysson L.) methanolic extract and its polyphenol fraction could protect mouse testicles from MTX-induced damage. We also investigated the protective effects of three selected pure flavonoid components of M. alysson L. extract. Mice were divided into seven groups (n = 8): (1) normal control, (2) MTX, (3) Methanolic extract + MTX, (4) Polyphenolic fraction + MTX, (5) Kaempferol + MTX, (6) Quercetin + MTX, and (7) Rutin + MTX. Pre-treatment of mice with the methanolic extract, the polyphenolic fraction of M. alysson L. and the selected pure compounds ameliorated the testicular histopathological damage and induced a significant increase in the serum testosterone level and testicular antioxidant enzymes along with a remarkable decline in the malondialdehyde (MDA) level versus MTX alone. Significant down-regulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), p53 and miRNA-29a testicular expression was also observed in all the protected groups. Notably, the polyphenolic fraction of M. alysson L. displayed a more pronounced decline in the testicular levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and MDA, with higher testosterone levels relative to the methanolic extract. Further improvements in the Johnsen score, histopathological results and all biochemical assays were achieved by pre-treatment with the three selected pure compounds kaempferol, quercetin and rutin. In conclusion, M. alysson L. could protect against MTX-induced testicular injury by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic activities and through the regulation of the miRNA-29a testicular expression. The present study also included chemical profiling of M. alysson L. extract, which was accomplished by LC-ESI-TOF-MS/MS analysis. Forty compounds were provisionally assigned, comprising twenty compounds discovered in the positive mode and seventeen detected in the negative mode.

GC-MS/MS Quantification of EGFR Inhibitors, β-Sitosterol, Betulinic Acid, (+) Eriodictyol, (+) Epipinoresinol, and Secoisolariciresinol, in Crude Extract and Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Thonningia sanguinea

Medicinal plants are widely used in folk medicine to treat various diseases. Thonningia sanguinea Vahl is widespread in African traditional medicine, and exhibits antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer activities. T. sanguinea is a source of phytomedicinal agents that have previously been isolated and structurally elucidated. Herein, gas chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was used to quantify epipinoresinol, β-sitosterol, eriodictyol, betulinic acid, and secoisolariciresinol contents in the methanolic crude extract and its ethyl acetate fraction for the first time. The ethyl acetate fraction was rich in epipinoresinol, eriodictyol, and secoisolariciresinol at concentrations of 2.3, 3.9, and 2.4 mg/g of dry extract, respectively. The binding interactions of these compounds with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were computed using a molecular docking study. The results revealed that the highest binding affinities for the EGFR signaling pathway were attributed to eriodictyol and secoisolariciresinol, with good binding energies of −19.93 and −16.63 Kcal/mol, respectively. These compounds formed good interactions with the key amino acid Met 769 as the co-crystallized ligand. So, the ethyl acetate fraction of T. sanguinea is a promising adjuvant therapy in cancer treatments.