Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Hypericum androsaemum on prostate adenocarcinoma (PC-3) and hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2) cell lines with identification of secondary metabolites by LC-HRMS

Insights into the Biological Activity and Cytotoxic Mechanism of Epimedium pubigerum

In this work, the phytochemical characterization, biological activity, and cytotoxic mechanism of aerial and rhizome methanol extracts (SME and RME) of Epimedium pubigerum were investigated to demonstrate its potential usage in the treatment of lung cancer. LC-HRMS analysis, total phenolic/flavonoid content assay, DPPH radical scavenging assay, DNA interaction, cytotoxicity, and western blotting were investigated using different methods. Fumaric acid was found to be the most abundant compound in both extracts. SME and RME were cytotoxic on A549 cells concentration-dependently. Also, in vitro scratch assay showed that SME and RME led to a significant anti-migratory effect at 1 mg/mL. Cytochrome c, p53, and caspase 3 expression significantly increased in the presence of RME compared to the control. All of these results claimed that RME might be suggested as a theoretically more effective phytotherapeutic agent for lung cancer compared to the effect seen with the SME.

Novel landmarks on the journey from natural products to pharmaceutical formulations: Phytochemical, biological, toxicological and computational activities of Satureja hortensis L

This study examined the ethanolic extract of the Satureja hortensis L. plant's aerial parts to describe its phytochemical makeup, biological functions, toxicity tests, and in-silico molecular docking tests. The GC-MS analysis was used to evaluate the phytochemical composition of the tested extract, and the ABTS and hydrogen peroxide antioxidant assays were used to measure antioxidant activity. Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Proteus vulgaris were tested for antimicrobial potential. On cell lines such as HepG-2, MCF-7, A-549, and Panc-1, the in-vitro toxicity was also examined. The A-549 cell line was also used for flow cytometry analysis of apoptosis and cell cycle. Additionally, the compounds discovered by the GC-MS analysis were used in silico tests against biological targets. Eight different phytocompounds were tentatively identified as a result of the GC-MS analysis. The compounds also demonstrated significant antioxidant potential for the ABTS and H2O2 assays (IC50: 2.44 and 28.04 μg/ml, respectively). The tested extract was found to have a range of inhibition zones and to be significantly active against the tested bacterial and fungal strains. Apoptosis and cell cycle analysis for the A-549 cell line showed that the cell cycle was arrested at S-phase, and the extract was also found to be most active against this cell line with an IC50 value of 113.05 μg/ml. The docking studies have emphasized the compounds' interactions and binding scores with the EGFR-TK target as determined by the GC-MS.

Towards a better understanding of commonly used medicinal plants from Turkiye: Detailed phytochemical screening and biological activity studies of two Teucrium L. species with in vitro and in silico approach

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Since ancient times, Teucrium L. species have been among the most commonly used traditional medicinal plants mainly in the Mediterranean region. From tackling gastrointestinal problems to maintaining the healthy functioning of endocrine glands, and from treating malaria to severe dermatological disorders, Teucrium species are known to have extensive therapeutic applications. Teucrium polium L. and Teucrium parviflorum Schreb. are the two members of the genus that have been used in Turkish folk medicine for various medicinal purposes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine the phytochemical compositions of the essential oils and ethanol extracts of Teucrium polium and Teucrium parviflorum collected from different locations in Turkiye along with the investigation of in vitro antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial activities, and both in vitro and in silico enzyme inhibitory activities of the extracts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethanol extracts of Teucrium polium aerial parts and roots, and aerial parts of Teucrium parviflorum were prepared. Volatile profiling of the essential oils by GC-MS, phytochemical profiling of the ethanol extracts by LC-HRMS, antioxidant activity by DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS cation radical scavenging, CUPRAC, and metal chelating activity assays, anticholinesterase, antityrosinase, antiurease, activities by different enzyme inhibitory activity assays, anticancer activity by SRB cell viability assay, and antimicrobial activity against a standard panel of bacteria and fungi by the microbroth dilution technique. Molecular docking studies were performed by Autodock Vina (Ver. 1.1.2).

RESULTS

The studied extracts were found to be quite rich in various biologically important volatile and phenolic compounds. (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate, which is a molecule renowned for having great therapeutic potential, was the major compound of all extracts. Teucrium polium aerial parts extract was revealed as a great source for naringenin with 16327 ± 685.23 μg/g extract. All extracts exerted significant antioxidant activity by different methods. All extracts demonstrated antibutrylcholinesterase, antityrosinase, and antiurease activities by in vitro and in silico assays. Teucrium polium roots extract stood out with remarkable tyrosinase and urease inhibitory and cytotoxic activities.

CONCLUSION

The obtained results from this multi-disciplinary study proves that the traditional use of these two Teucrium species is justified, and the mechanisms behind are enlightened.

Unveiling the Antioxidant, Clinical Enzyme Inhibitory Properties and Cytotoxic Potential of Tambourissa peltata Baker-An Understudied Endemic Plant

This study documents for the first time the phytochemical composition and biological activities of Tambourissa peltata Baker, an endemic plant from Mauritius. Phytochemical extraction was performed using ethyl acetate, methanol and distilled water as solvents. The phytochemical composition was determined through HPLC-MS and other standard assays. The DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC and phosphomolybdenum assays were employed for the determination of the antioxidant potential, whereas cell viability assays were used to determine the cytotoxicity. The highest phenolic and phenolic acid contents were obtained in the aqueous extract (179.91 ± 0.67 gallic acid equivalents/g and 55.74 ± 1.43 caffeic acid equivalents/g). The highest quantity of flavonoids was obtained in the ethyl acetate extract (28.97 ± 0.46 rutin equivalents/g). The methanolic extract was the highest source of flavonols (33.71 ± 0.13 mg catechin equivalents/g). A total of 34 phytochemicals were identified, mainly proanthocyanidins and flavonoid glycosides. The highest antioxidant activity in DPPH (973.40 ± 5.65 mg TE (Trolox equivalents)/g), ABTS (2030.37 ± 40.83 mg TE/g), FRAP (1461.39 ± 5.95 mg TE/g), CUPRAC (1940.99 ± 20.95 mg TE/g) and phosphomolybdenum (8.37 ± 0.23 mmol TE/g) assays was recorded for the aqueous extract. The ethyl acetate extract was the most active metal chelator. The highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitor was the methanolic extract, whereas the ethyl acetate extract was the most active against BChE. The tyrosinase enzyme was most inhibited by the methanolic extract. Alpha-amylase and glucosidase were most inhibited by the aqueous extract. The methanolic extract was capable of inducing cell cytotoxicity to the human colorectal carcinoma without damaging normal cells. T. peltata warrants further attention from the scientific community given its multifaceted biological properties.

Synthesis and evaluation of anticancer activity of quillaic acid derivatives: A cell cycle arrest and apoptosis inducer through NF-κB and MAPK pathways

A series of quillaic acid derivatives with different substituents on the 28-carboxyl group were designed and synthesized. Five human cancer cell lines (HCT116, BEL7402, HepG2, SW620, and MCF-7) were evaluated for their antitumor activity in vitro. Some of the tested derivatives showed improved antiproliferative activity compared to the lead compound, quillaic acid. Among them, compound E (IC₅₀ = 2.46 ± 0.44 μM) showed the strongest antiproliferative activity against HCT116 cells; compared with quillaic acid (IC₅₀ > 10 μM), its efficacy against HCT116 cancer cells was approximately 4-fold higher than that of quillaic acid. Compound E also induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by modulating NF-κB and MAPK pathways. Therefore, the development of compound E is certainly valuable for anti-tumor applications.