Phytochemicals of Aristolochia tagala and Curcuma caesia exert anticancer effect by tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated decrease in nuclear factor kappaB binding activity

Cytotoxic potential of Curcuma caesia rhizome extract and derived gold nanoparticles in targeting breast cancer cell lines

Among all types of cancer, breast cancer is the most aggressive, as it is responsible for most of the cancer related death of women. Though several medical therapies are available, the scenario of curing such disease is not favorable. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find alternatives to deal with it. The knowledge of ethnopharmacy might give some better solution to mitigate such deadly diseases. Here, we are using the rhizome of Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Black turmeric), as well as gold nanoparticles (GNPs) synthesized with it to check their specific cytotoxic potentiality against breast cancer cell lines. In our study, ethanolic extract was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the rhizome. GNPs were synthesized by using the same extract and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The TEM, XRD, FTIR and TGA results revealed the successful synthesis and capping of GNPs. The UV-Vis Spectrum showed a sharp and narrow absorption peak at 550 nm and HRTEM confirmed both the stability and successful synthesis of the nanoparticles. The MTT assay of the crude extract revealed strong cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines viz. MCF-7 (ER+) and MDA MB-231 (Triple Negative Breast Cancer, TNBC) by showing IC50 values as 15.70 ± 0.029 and 21.57 ± 0.031 μg/mL respectively. For extract mediated GNPs, the IC50 values were found to be 6.44 ± 0.045 and 5.87 ± 0.031μg/mL respectively in both breast cancer cell lines. As the IC50 value for GNPs was found to be much lower than that of crude extract, it indicates a higher efficiency of the GNP. However, both the rhizome extract and its mediated GNPs showed more toxicity towards MDA MB-231 (TNBC) cell lines. It was also observed that the GNPs showed more toxicity towards TNBC cell lines compared to the rhizome extract. No toxicity was found in case of other cell lines such as L 929 and HeLa for both crude extract as well as for GNPs. These observations suggests that both the crude rhizome extract and its derived GNPs exhibit selective cytotoxic potential against breast cancer cell lines, which might be exploited for target specific treatment. Moreover, with an understanding of the mechanism behind the GNPs therapeutic efficiency, it can be developed as a personalized therapy to treat such type of cancers.

Biological Activities of Organic Extracts of the Genus Aristolochia: A Review from 2005 to 2021

Different ethnomedicinal studies have investigated the relationship between various phytochemicals as well as organic extracts and their bioactive aspects. Studies on biological effects are attributed to secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and terpenes. Since there have been no reviews in the literature on the traditional, phytochemical, and ethnomedicinal uses of the genus Aristolochia so far, this article systematically reviews 141 published studies that analyze the associations between secondary metabolites present in organic extracts and their beneficial effects. Most studies found associations between individual secondary metabolites and beneficial effects such as anticancer activity, antibacterial, antioxidant activity, snake anti-venom and anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this review was to analyze studies carried out in the period 2005-2021 to update the existing knowledge on different species of the genus Aristolochia for ethnomedicinal uses, as well as pharmacological aspects and therapeutic uses.

Therapeutic effect of carnosine in rat model of experimental liver carcinogenesis

The possible anticancer effect of carnosine versus doxorubicin was investigated against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (500mg/kg/day, p.o., for 5days) in rats. Following induction of HCC, rats treated with either carnosine (10mg/kg/day, i.p.), or doxorubicin (2.5mg/kg, i.p., once weekly), for 2 weeks. Carnosine significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase, and hepatic lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nuclear factor-κB p65 unit, and significantly increased liver total antioxidant status in TCA-challenged rats. The effects of doxorubicin on oxidative, nitrative, and inflammatory biomarkers were less significant than carnosine. However, both carnosine and doxorubicin significantly induced liver tissue apoptotic biomarkers, Bax, cytosolic cytochrome C, and caspase-3, in a comparable manner. Additionally, carnosine and doxorubicin reduced the histopathological dysplastic changes, and alpha-fetoprotein expression in liver of rats with HCC. It was concluded that carnosine significantly protected against TCA-induced liver carcinogenesis in rats, through its antioxidant, antinitrative, and anti-inflammatory effects, and induction of apoptosis.