Role of dietary phytochemicals in modulation of miRNA expression: Natural swords combating breast cancer

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Nostoc sp. and Their Multiple Biomedical Properties

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) are the top candidate in the field of biological applications because of their high surface area and excellent catalytic activities. In the present study, the cyanobacteria-mediated biosynthesis of zinc oxide NPs using Nostoc sp. extract as a stabilizing, chelating, and reducing agent is reported. ZnONPs were biologically synthesized using an eco-friendly and simple technique with a minimal reaction time and calcination temperature. Various methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to characterize the biosynthesized zinc oxide NPs. XRD analysis depicted the crystalline form of zinc oxide NPs, and the Scherrer equation determined a mean crystalline size of ~28.21 nm. The SEM results reveal the spherical shape of the biosynthesized nanoparticles. Various functional groups were involved in the capping and stabilization of the zinc oxide NPs, which were confirmed by FTIR analysis. The zinc oxide NPs showed strong UV-vis absorption at 340 nm. Multiple in vitro biological applications showed significant therapeutic potential for zinc oxide NPs. Potential antimicrobial assays were reported for zinc oxide NPs via the disc-diffusion method and food poisoning method, respectively. All other activities mentioned below are described with the concentration and IC50 values. Biocompatibility with human erythrocytes and macrophages (IC50: 433 µg/mL, IC50 > 323 µg/mL) and cytotoxic properties using brine shrimps (IC50: 11.15 µg/mL) and Leishmania tropics (Amastigotes IC50: 43.14 µg mL−1 and Promastigotes IC50: 14.02 µg mL−1) were determined. Enzyme inhibition assays (protein kinase and alpha amylase) were performed and showed strong potential. Free radical scavenging tests showed strong antioxidant capacities. These results indicate that zinc oxide NPs synthesized by Nostoc sp. have strong biological applications and are promising candidates for clinical development.

An overview of natural products that modulate the expression of non-coding RNAs involved in oxidative stress and inflammation-associated disorders

Oxidative stress is a state in which oxidants are produced in excess in the body's tissues and cells, resulting in a biological imbalance amid the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) from redox reactions. In case of insufficient antioxidants to balance, the immune system triggers signaling cascades to mount inflammatory responses. Oxidative stress can have deleterious effects on major macromolecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, hence, Oxidative stress and inflammation are among the multiple factors contributing to the etiology of several disorders such as diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which were once referred to as dark matter have been found to function as key regulators of gene expression through different mechanisms. They have dynamic roles in the onset and development of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases, therefore, are potential targets for the control of those diseases. One way of controlling those diseases is through the use of natural products, a rich source of antioxidants that have drawn attention with several studies showing their involvement in combating chronic diseases given their enormous gains, low side effects, and toxicity. In this review, we highlighted the natural products that have been reported to target ncRNAs as mediators of their biological effects on oxidative stress and several inflammation-associated disorders. Those natural products include Baicalein, Tanshinone IIA, Geniposide, Carvacrol/Thymol, Triptolide, Oleacein, Curcumin, Resveratrol, Solarmargine, Allicin, aqueous extract or pulp of Açai, Quercetin, and Genistein. We also draw attention to some other compounds including Zanthoxylum bungeanum, Canna genus rhizome, Fuzi-ganjiang herb pair, Aronia melanocarpa, Peppermint, and Gingerol that are effective against oxidative stress and inflammation-related disorders, however, have no known effect on ncRNAs. Lastly, we touched on the many ncRNAs that were found to play a role in oxidative stress and inflammation-related disorders but have not yet been investigated as targets of a natural product. Shedding more light into these two last points of shadow will be of great interest in the valorization of natural compounds in the control and therapy of oxidative stress- and inflammation-associated disorders.

Therapeutic potential of chrysin nanoparticle-mediation inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase and ubiquinone oxidoreductase in pancreatic and lung adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and lung cancer are expected to represent the most common cancer types worldwide until 2030. Under typical conditions, mitochondria provide the bulk of the energy needed to sustain cell life. For that inhibition of mitochondrial complex ΙΙ (CΙΙ) and ubiquinone oxidoreductase with natural treatments may represent a promising cancer treatment option. A naturally occurring flavonoid with biological anti-cancer effects is chyrsin. Due to their improved bioavailability, penetrative power, and efficacy, chitosan–chrysin nano-formulations (CCNPs) are being used in medicine with increasing frequency. Chitosan (cs) is also regarded as a highly versatile and adaptable polymer. The cationic properties of Cs, together with its biodegradability, high adsorption capacity, biocompatibility, effect on permeability, ability to form films, and adhesive properties, are advantages. In addition, Cs is thought to be both safe and economical. CCNPs may indeed be therapeutic candidates in the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and lung cancer by blocking succinate ubiquinone oxidoreductase.

Phytochemistry, biological activities and in silico molecular docking studies of Oxalis pes-caprae L. compounds against SARS-CoV-2

Phytochemicals are directly involved in therapeutic treatment or precursors to synthesize useful drugs. The current study was aimed to evaluate the phytocompounds and their biopotentials using methanolic and n-hexane extracts of various parts of Oxalis pes-caprae. For the phytochemical analysis, standard procedures were used, whereas Aluminum Chloride reagent and Follin-ciocalteau reagent methods were used to determine total flavonoid and phenolic contents. Radical scavenging DPPH, phosphomolybdenum reduction, and reducing power assays were used to assess antioxidative potentials. Antibacterial potential was determined by applying disc diffusion method while cytotoxicity was determined employing brine shrimp assay. FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared) analysis was utilized to gather spectral information, while molecular docking tools were employed to look at how O. pes-caprae plant-based ligands interact with the target protein COVID-19 3CLPro (PDB:6LU7). Phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins were tested positive in preliminary phytochemical studies. TPC and TFC in different extracts ranging from (38.55 ± 1.72) to (65.68 ± 0.88) mg/g GAE/g and (24.75 ± 1.80) to (14.83 ± 0.92) mg/g QUE/g were used respectively. IC₅₀ value (24.75 ± 0.76 g/mL) by OXFH, total antioxidant capacity (55.89 ± 1.75) mg/g by OXLM, reducing potential (34.98 ± 1.089) mg/g by OXSM, maximum zone of inhibition against B. subtilis (24 ± 0.65 mm) by OXLM and maximum cytotoxicity 96% with LD₅₀ 19.66 (μg/mL) by OXSM were the best calculated values among all extracts. Using molecular docking, it was found that Caeruleanone A, 2',4'-Dihydroxy-2″-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl) dihydrofuro [2,3-h] flavanone and Vadimezan demonstrated best affinity with the investigated SARS CoV-2 Mpro protein. This work provide justification about this plant as a source of effective phytochemicals and their potential against microbes could lead to development of biosafe drugs for the welfare of human being. In future, different in vitro and in vivo biological studies can be performed to further investigate its biomedical potentials.

Rhamnella gilgitica functionalized green synthesis of ZnONPs and their multiple therapeutic properties

In the recent years, green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using plant extracts and phytochemicals has gained significant attention. In present research study, facile, green, and tunable ZnONPs were biosynthesized from Rhamnella gilgitica leaf aqueous extract as a strong reducing and stabilizing agents. The prepared ZnONPs@Rhamnella were characterized and validated using common nanotechnology techniques (UV-Vis, XRD, EDX, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, DLS, and Raman) and revealed spherical morphology with particle size ~21 nm. The asynthesized ZnONPs were further evaluated for different biological applications. Strong antimicrobial efficacies were reported for ZnONPs using disc-diffusion method and were capable of rendering significant antimicrobial potential. ZnONPs were evaluated against HepG2 (IC₅₀ : 18.40 μg/ml) and HUH7 (IC₅₀ : 20.59 μg/ml) cancer cell lines and revealed strong anticancer properties. Dose-dependent MTT cytotoxicity assay was confirmed using Leishmania tropica "KWH23 strain" (promastigote: IC₅₀ : 26.78 μg/ml and amastigote: IC₅₀ : 29.57 μg/ml). Antioxidant activities (DPPH: 93.36%, TAC: 72.43%) were performed to evaluate their antioxidant potentials. Further, protein kinase and α-amylase inhibition assays were determined. Biocompatibility assays were done using human RBCs and macrophages thus revealed biosafe and non-toxic nature of ZnONPs@Rhamnella. In current experiment, we concluded that greenly orchestrated ZnONPs is an attractive, non-toxic and ecofriendly candidate and showed potential biological activities. In future, different clinical trials and in vivo studies are necessary for the confirmation of these remedial properties of ZnONPs using different animal models.

Antioxidant, Anticancer, and PXR-Dependent CYP3A4 Attributes of Schweinfurthia papilionacea (Burm.f.) Boiss., Tricholepis glaberrima DC. and Viola stocksii Boiss

Present study established the biological potential of Schweinfurthia papilionacea, Tricholepis glaberrima and Viola stocksii extracts for their potential applications in drug formulations. Initially, FTIR was performed to ascertain functional groups and then plant extracts were prepared using five solvents depending on the polarity. Total phenolic contents were observed in the range of 36.36 ± 1.08 mg GAE/g to 95.55 ± 2.46 mg GAE/g while flavonoid contents were found in the range of 10.51 ± 0.25 mg QE/g to 22.17 ± 1.79 mg QE/g. Antioxidant activity was determined using TRP, CUPRAC, TAC and DPPH assays and was recorded highest in S. papilionacea followed by T. glaberrima extracts. TPC and TFC were found to be strongly correlated with TRP (r > 0.50), CUPRAC (r > 0.53) and DPPH (r = 0.31 and 0.72) assay while weakly correlated with TAC (r = 0.08 and 0.03) as determined by Pearson correlation analysis. Anticancer activity showed that S. papilionacea chloroform extracts possess highest cell viability (85.04 ± 4.24%) against HepG2 cell lines while T. glaberrima chloroform extracts exhibited highest activity (82.80 ± 2.68%) against HT144 cell lines. Afterwards, highest PXR activation was observed in T. glaberrima (3.49 ± 0.34 μg/mL fold) at 60 μg/mL and was correlated with increase in CYP3A4 activity (15.0 ± 3.00 μg/mL IC50 value). Furthermore, antimalarial activity revealed >47600 IC50 value against P. falciparum D6 and P. falciparum W2 and antimicrobial assay indicated highest activity (32 ± 2.80 mm) in S. papilionacea against C. neoformans. At the end, GC-MS analysis of n-hexane plant extracts showed 99.104% of total identified compounds in T. glaberrima and 94.31% in V. stocksii. In conclusion, present study provides insight about the different biological potentials of S. papilionacea and T. glaberrima extracts that rationalize the applications of these extracts in functional foods and herbal drugs for the management of oxidative-stress related diseases, antimicrobial infections and liver and skin cancer.

Deciphering Chemical Profiling, Pharmacological Responses and Potential Bioactive Constituents of Saussurea lappa Decne. extracts through In Vitro Approaches

Despite advancement in modern medicines, plant derived medicines have still wide range utilities as they have less side effects and are cheap and biocompitable. Sassurea lappa is an extensively used plant in traditional medicinal formulations. Plant roots are used to cure various diseases including cancer, rheumatic pain, abdominal and nervous disorders. The present study was aimed for the evalution of biological potentials of methanolic and chloroform extracts of Saussurea lappa root, leaf, seed and flower. The methanolic and chloroform extracts were subjected to qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses. Identification of functional groups was performed using Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Antioxidant potential was determined via diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total reducing power (TRP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) method, anti-hemolytic potential was conducted on human RBCs, antibacterial activity was evaluated against six American type culture collection (ATCC) and three multi drug resistance (MDR) strains, cytotoxic and phytotoxic potentials were evaluated through brine shrimp lethality assay and raddish seed assay respectively. Experiments were performed in triplicates and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied using statistics version-8.1. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of sixteen secondary metabolites. Fourteen functional groups were identified through FTIR. S. lappa root methanolic (SLRM) showed maximum antioxidant activity index (AAI-79.42%) whereas chloroform extract of leaves (SLLC) gave highest antibacterial activity with maximum zone of inhibition (ZOI) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21.4 mm). Maximum cytotoxicity was observed for SLRM with lethal dose concentration (LC₅₀) of 58.8 µg/mL. However, root extracts showed significant phytotoxicity (15% germination). The current study investigated that bioactive compounds present in S. lappa leaves, seed, flower and roots were responsible for enhanced biological potentials. Further studies on isolation and characterization of these bioactive compounds may help in drug development. In future, we recommend different in-vitro and in-vivo studies to further confirm it biopharmacological potencies.

Phytochemicals mediated modulation of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs in cancer prevention and therapy

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are two main categories of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) that can influence essential biological functions in various ways, as well as their expression and function are tightly regulated in physiological homeostasis. Additionally, the dysregulation of these ncRNAs seems to be crucial to the pathogenesis of human diseases. The latest findings indicate that ncRNAs execute vital roles in cancer initiation and progression, and the cancer phenotype can be reversed by modulating their expression. Available scientific discoveries suggest that phytochemicals such as polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and organosulfur compounds can significantly modulate multiple cancer-associated miRNAs and lncRNAs, thereby inhibiting cancer initiation and development. However, despite promising outcomes of experimental research, only a few clinical trials are currently being conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of these compounds. Nevertheless, understanding phytochemical-mediated ncRNA regulation in cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms on tumor pathophysiology can aid in the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat this deadly disease.

Phytochemical and pharmacological uses of medicinal plants to treat cancer: A case study from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, North Pakistan

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cancer is the top death causing disease in the world, due to its occurrence through various mechanism and form. Medicinal plants have been extensively used for the purifications and isolations of phytochemicals for the treatment and prevention of cancer.

OBJECTIVES

Consequently, this research was designed to document the traditional practices of anti-cancer plants and its phytochemical essay across the districts of KP, Pakistan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 24 districts from the informants mostly the traditional herbalists (key informants). The information were compared with the publish data using various authentic search engines including, google, researchgate, google scholar and NCBI.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-four (154) anti-cancer plants were recognized belonging to 69 families among all, Lamiaceae (13 sp.), Asteraceae (12 sp.) and Solanaceae (9 sp.) were the preferred families. The local inhabitants in the area typically prepare ethnomedicinal recipes from leaves (33.70%) and whole plants (23.37%) in the form of decoction and powder (24.67%), respectively. Herbs stayed the most preferred life form (61.68%) followed by shrub (21.4%). Similarly, breast (29.22%) and lung cancer (14.83%) was the common disease type. Literature study also authorize that, the medicinal plants of the research area were rich in phytochemical like quercetin, coumarine, kaempferol, apigenin, colchicine, alliin, rutin, lupeol, allicin, berbarine, lutolin, vanilic acid, urocilic acid and solamargine have revealed significant activates concerning the cancer diseases, that replicating the efficacy of these plants as medicines.

CONCLUSION

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is rural area and the local inhabitants have very strong traditional knowledge about the medicinal plants for different diseases like cancer. The medicinal plants for significant ranked disorder might be pharmacologically and phtyochemicaly explored to demonstrate their efficacy. Moreover, the local flora especially medicinal plants facing overgrazing, overexploitation and inappropriate way of collection, however, proper management strategies like reforestation, controlled grazing, proper permission from concerned department and rangeland strategies among others may be assumed to enhance the proper usage of medicinal plants.

Characterization and phytochemical constituents of Periploca hydaspidis Falc crude extract and its anticancer activities

The current study aims to investigate the anticancer potential of Periploca hydaspidis extracts against HCCLM3 and MDA-MB 231 cell lines with invasive properties and to identify molecular targets underlying its action mechanism. Cytotoxic screening of plant extracts was done via MTT assay against liver and breast cancer cell lines and GC/MS of the best cytotoxic fraction was performed to identify its chemical composition. Flow cytometry detected apoptosis and cell-cycle changes after drug treatment. The specified cells were studied for migration and invasion potential along with performing western blot analysis of proteins involved in apoptosis, cell-cycle, metastasis, and MAPK (Mitogen-activated protein kinase) cell-signaling pathway. The results revealed the crude methanol (PHM) fraction of P. hydaspidis shown dose and time dependent cell-proliferative inhibition response. GC/MS analysis detected 54 compounds of which fatty acids (29.8%), benzenoids (15.7%), and esters (14.3%) constituted the bulk. The inhibitory effect against cancer cells was linked with cell-cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase, induction of apoptosis, reduced migration and invasion capabilities post treatment. PHM induced apoptosis via downregulation of anti-apoptotic (survivin, B-cell lymphoma Extra-large; BCL-XL, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein; XIAP, Myelocytomatosis; C-myc), metastatic (Matrix metallopeptidases 9/2; MMP9/2), and cell-cycle regulatory (cyclin D1 and E) proteins, whereas upregulation of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer; BAK, Bcl-2-Associate X protein; BAX, cleaved caspases; 3,7,8,9, and PARP) and activation of MAPK (Jun amino-terminal kinase; JNK and P38) pathway. P38 was needed for PHM-induced apoptosis, where the inhibition of P38 by pharmacological inhibitor (SB239063) diminished the apoptotic effects. Overall, our results conclude that PHM can inhibit cell-proliferation and induce apoptotic effects by activation of P38 MAPK cell-signaling pathway. This suggests the methanol fraction of P. hydaspidis (PHM) to have anticancer compounds, potentially useful for treating liver and breast cancer. In future, one-step advance studies of PHM regarding its role in metastatic inhibition, immune response modulation for reducing tumor, and inducing apoptosis in suitable animal models would be an interesting and promising research area.

Chemical composition and pharmacological bio-efficacy of Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana (Decne) Rehder for anticancer activity

Consistent STAT3 (Single transducer and activator of transcription 3) activation is observed in many tumors and promotes malignant cell transformation. In the present investigation, we evaluated the anticancer effects of Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana methanol fraction (PJM) on STAT3 inhibition in HCCLM3 and MDA-MB 231 cells. PJM suppressed the activation of upstream kinases i.e. JAK-1/2 (Janus kinase-1/2), and c-Src (Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase c-Src), and upregulated the expression levels of PIAS-1/3 (Protein Inhibitor of Activated STATs-1/3), SHP-1/2 (Src-homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1/2), and PTP-1β (Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 β) which negatively regulate STAT3 signaling pathway. PJM also decreased the levels of protein products conferring to various oncogenes, which in turn repressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, and induced apoptosis in cancer cell lines. The growth inhibitory effects of PJM on cell-cycle and metastasis were correlated with decreased expression levels of CyclinD1, CyclinE, MMP-2 (Matrix metalloproteinases-2), and MMP-9 (Matrix metalloproteinases-9). Induction of apoptosis was indicated by the cleavage and subsequent activation of Caspases (Cysteine-dependent Aspartate-directed Proteases) i.e. caspase-3, 7, 8, 9, and PARP (Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase) as well as through the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins. These apoptotic effects of PJM were preceded by inhibition of STAT3 cell-signaling pathway. STAT3 was needed for PJM-induced apoptosis, and inhibition of STAT3 via pharmacological inhibitor (Stattic; SC-203282) abolished the apoptotic effects. Conclusively, our results demonstrate the capability of PJM to inhibit cancer cell-proliferation and induce apoptosis by suppressing STAT3 via upregulation of STAT3 inhibitors and pro-apoptotic proteins whereas the down-regulation of upstream kinases and anti-apoptotic protein expression. In future, one-step advance studies of PHM regarding its role in metastatic inhibition, immune response modulation for reducing tumor, and inducing apoptosis in suitable animal models would be an interesting and promising research area.

Precursor effects on the physical, biological, and catalytic properties of Fagonia indica Burm.f. mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles

We report a facile, green and precursor-based comparative study on the biosynthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) using anticancerous Fagonia indica as effective chelating agent. Biosynthesis was carried out using zinc sulfate and zinc acetate as precursor salts to make ZnO_S and ZnO_A NPs under similar experimental conditions which were characterized extensively for physical and biological properties. Scherrer equation deduced a mean crystallite size of ~23.4 nm for ZnO_A NPs and ~41 nm for ZnO_S NPs. The nature of the NPs was compared using UV, diffuse reflectance spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis-DTA, selected area electron diffraction, EDS, zeta potential, high resolution (HR)-SEM, and HR-TEM. Detailed in vitro pharmacognostic activities revealed a significant therapeutic potential for ZnO_A and ZnO_S . Potential antimicrobial activities for the NPs and their nanocosmeceutical formulations are reported. ZnO_A NPs were more cytotoxic to Leishmania tropica as compared to ZnO_S . Significant antioxidant and protein kinase inhibition was obtained. The hemolytic assay indicated a hemocompatible nature of both ZnO_A and ZnO_S NPs. Catalytic degradation of crystal violet dye (CVD) by NPs was examined under different parameters (light, dark, UV). Furthermore, sonophotocatalytic degradation of CVD was also studied. Our results suggested that precursor can have a significant effect on the physical, biological, and catalytic properties of the NPs. In future, we recommend different other in vitro, in vivo biological activities, and mechanistic studies of these as-synthesized NPs.

Scanning electron microscopy of Sophora alopecuroides L. seeds and their cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibition potentials

Sophora alopecuroides L. is a highly medicinal plant. The aim of the current study was to determine the phytochemical screening, pharmacological potentials and application of scanning electron microscope (SEM) of S. alopecuroides (SA) seeds. To achieve this purpose, six different solvents were used to prepare SA seed extracts. Phytochemical and antioxidant activities were determined calorimetrically. To investigate the antidiabetic activity, α-amylase inhibition assay was determined. Brine shrimp assay was used to determine cytotoxicity potential. Anti-leishmanial potential was confirmed using MTT assay. Disc-diffusion method was used to detect protein kinase inhibitory, antibacterial and antifungal activities and showed significant results. SEM analysis was used as an identification tool. Considerable amount of phenolic and flavonoid contents were identified in methanol extract (SASM) (93.76 ± 2.71 GAE/mg) and (77 ± 3.60 QE/mg). Highest DPPH scavenging potential (82%) was reported for SASM. Significant total antioxidant capacity (90.60 ± 1.55 alpha amylase enzyme [AAE]/mg) and total reducing power (94.44 ± 1.38 AAE/mg) were determined for LOSM. Highest α-amylase inhibition was reported in SASM (78.20 ± 1.58%). Highest LD₅₀ of brine shrimp was found for n-hexane extract (SASH) 13.03 μg/ml. All extracts showed strong anti-leishmanial activity except SASH. The seeds of SA were seen to be oblong to obovate, projections, wavy slightly straight, anticlinal wall was raised with apex acuminate. In conclusion, our experimental findings highly support the ethnomedicinal and biological potentials of the SA seeds. Moreover, SA seeds need to be explored for identification and isolation of bioactive compounds. In future, we recommend further in vivo toxicity assays and clinical efficacies to further evaluate its different biomedical properties.

Antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antioxidants, enzyme inhibition activities, and scanning electron microscopy of Lactuca orientalis (Boiss.) Boiss. seeds

Lactuca orientalis (Boiss.) Boiss. is one of the most frequently used ethnomedicinal plant. This research study was designed to decipher the phytochemical screening, pharmacological potential and implementation of scanning electron microscope (SEM). Six different solvents were used to prepare L. orientalis (LO) seed extracts. Phytochemical and antioxidant activities were determined calorimetrically. To investigate antidiabetic, α-amylase inhibition assay was performed. Brine shrimp assay was performed for cytotoxicity and anti-leishmanial via MTT assay. Disc-diffusion assay was performed to detect protein kinase inhibitory, antibacterial and antifungal activities. SEM was used as identification tool. Significant amount of phenolic and flavonoid content were identified in methanol extract (LOSM) (95.76 ± 3.71 GAE/mg) and (77 ± 3.60 QE/mg). Highest DPPH scavenging potential (82%) was reported for LOSM. Significant total antioxidant capacity (90.60 ± 1.55 AAE/mg) and total reducing power (94.44 ± 1.38 AAE/mg) were determined for LOSM. Highest α-amylase inhibition was found in LOSM (78.20 ± 1.58%). The highest LD₅₀ of brine shrimp was found for n-Hexane extract (LOSH) 13.03 𝜇g/ml. All extracts showed strong anti-leishmanial activity except LOSH. L. orientalis seeds showed significant protein kinase inhibition, antibacterial and antifungal activities. The seeds of L. orientalis were seen to be oblong to obovate, projections, wavy slightly straight, anticlinal wall was raised with apex acuminate. The outer-periclinal wall convex with fine texture. In conclusion, our findings scientifically support ethnomedicinal and biological potentials of L. orientalis seeds. In future, L. orientalis seeds need to be explored for identification and isolation of bioactive compounds. The results obtained necessitate further in vivo studies to evaluate their pharmacological potentials.

Phytofabrication of cobalt oxide nanoparticles from Rhamnus virgata leaves extract and investigation of different bioactivities

The tunable cobalt oxide nanoparticles (CoONPs) are produced due to the phytochemicals present in Rhamnus virgata (RhV) leaf extract which functions as reducing and stabilization agents. The synthesis of CoONPs was confirmed using different analytical techniques: UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamics light scatterings (DLS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray, and Raman spectroscopy analyses. Furthermore, multiple biological activities were performed. Significant antifungal and antibacterial potentials have been reported. The in vitro cytotoxic assays of CoONPs revealed strong anticancer activity against human hepatoma HUH-7 (IC₅₀ : 33.25 μg/ml) and hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 (IC₅₀ : 11.62 μg/ml) cancer cells. Dose-dependent cytotoxicity potency was confirmed against Leishmania tropica (KMH₂₃ ); amastigotes (IC₅₀ : 58.63 μg/ml) and promastigotes (IC₅₀ : 32.64 μg/ml). The biocompatibility assay using red blood cells (RBCs; IC₅₀ : 4,636 μg/ml) has confirmed the bio-safe nature of CoONPs. On the whole, results revealed nontoxic nature of RhV-CoONPs with promising biological potentials.

Regulation of Breast Cancer Progression by Noncoding RNAs

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is the cardinal cause of cancer-related deaths among women across the globe. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying BC invasion and metastasis remains insufficient. Recent studies provide compelling evidence on the prospective contribution of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and the association of different interactive mechanisms between these ncRNAs with breast carcinogenesis. MicroRNAs (small ncRNAs) and lncRNAs (long ncRNAs) have been explored extensively as classes of ncRNAs in the pathogenesis of several malignancies, including BC.

OBJECTIVE

In this review, we aim to provide a better understanding of the involvement of miRNAs and lncRNAs and their underlying mechanisms in BC development and progression that may assist the development of monitoring biomarkers and therapeutic strategies to effectively combat BC.

CONCLUSION

These ncRNAs play critical roles in cell growth, cell cycle regulation, epithelialmesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, migration, and apoptosis among others, and were observed to be highly dysregulated in several cancers. The miRNAs and lncRNAs were observed to interact with each other through several mechanisms that governed the expression of their respective targets and could act either as tumor suppressors or as oncogenes, playing a crucial part in breast carcinogenesis.

Phytogenic Synthesis of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles (NiO) Using Fresh Leaves Extract of Rhamnus triquetra (Wall.) and Investigation of Its Multiple In Vitro Biological Potentials

Chemically nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) involve the synthesis of toxic products, which restrict their biological applications. Hence, we developed a simple, eco-friendly, and cost-efficient green chemistry method for the fabrication of NiONPs using fresh leaf broth of Rhamnus triquetra (RT). The RT leaves broth was used as a strong reducing, capping, and stabilizing agent in the formation of RT-NiONPs. The color change in solution from brown to greenish black suggests the fabrication of RT-NiONPs which was further confirmed by absorption band at 333 nm. The synthesis and different physicochemical properties of RT-NiONPs were investigated using different analytical techniques such as UV-Vis (ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray powder diffraction), FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), EDS (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), DLS (dynamic light scattering) and Raman. Further, RT-NiONPs were subjected to different in vitro biological activities and revealed distinctive biosafe and biocompatibility potentials using erythrocytes and macrophages. RT-NiONPs exhibited potential anticancer activity against liver cancer cell lines HUH7 (IC₅₀: 11.3 µg/mL) and HepG2 (IC₅₀: 20.73 µg/mL). Cytotoxicity potential was confirmed using Leishmanial parasites promastigotes (IC₅₀: 27.32 µg/mL) and amastigotes (IC₅₀: 37.4 µg/mL). RT-NiONPs are capable of rendering significant antimicrobial efficacy using various bacterial and fungal strains. NiONPs determined potent radical scavenging and moderate enzyme inhibition potencies. Overall, this study suggested that RT-NiONPs can be an attractive and eco-friendly candidate. In conclusion, current study showed potential in vitro biological activities and further necessitate different in vivo studies in various animal models to develop leads for new drugs to treat several chronic diseases.

Anti-Angiogenic Effects of Phytochemicals on miRNA Regulating Breast Cancer Progression

Several phytochemicals have been identified for their role in modifying miRNA regulating tumor progression. miRNAs modulate the expression of several oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes including the genes that regulate tumor angiogenesis. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) signaling is a central axis that activates oncogenic signaling and acts as a metabolic switch in endothelial cell (EC) driven tumor angiogenesis. Tumor angiogenesis driven by metabolic reprogramming of EC is crucial for tumor progression and metastasis in many different cancers, including breast cancers, and has been linked to aberrant miRNA expression profiles. In the current article, we identify different miRNAs that regulate tumor angiogenesis in the context of oncogenic signaling and metabolic reprogramming in ECs and review how selected phytochemicals could modulate miRNA levels to induce an anti-angiogenic action in breast cancer. Studies involving genistein, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and resveratrol demonstrate the regulation of miRNA-21, miRNA-221/222 and miRNA-27, which are prognostic markers in triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs). Modulating the metabolic pathway is a novel strategy for controlling tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. Cardamonin, curcumin and resveratrol exhibit their anti-angiogenic property by targeting the miRNAs that regulate EC metabolism. Here we suggest that using phytochemicals to target miRNAs, which in turn suppresses tumor angiogenesis, should have the potential to inhibit tumor growth, progression, invasion and metastasis and may be developed into an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of many different cancers where tumor angiogenesis plays a significant role in tumor growth and progression.

Bioactivities of Geranium wallichianum Leaf Extracts Conjugated with Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

This study attempts to obtain and test the bioactivities of leaf extracts from a medicinal plant, Geranium wallichianum (GW), when conjugated with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). The integrity of leaf extract-conjugated ZnONPs (GW-ZnONPs) was confirmed using various techniques, including Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, energy-dispersive spectra (EDS), scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The size of ZnONPs was approximately 18 nm, which was determined by TEM analysis. Additionally, the energy-dispersive spectra (EDS) revealed that NPs have zinc in its pure form. Bioactivities of GW-ZnONPs including antimicrobial potentials, cytotoxicity, antioxidative capacities, inhibition potentials against α-amylase, and protein kinases, as well as biocompatibility were intensively tested and confirmed. Altogether, the results revealed that GW-ZnONPs are non-toxic, biocompatible, and have considerable potential in biological applications.

Synthesis and characterization of Reishi mushroom-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles for the biochemical applications

In recent years, the synthesis of nanoparticles via biological processes has attracted considerable attention. The use of plants and plant extracts is one of the most preferred methods for biological synthesis due to their rich biologically active metabolites. In this study, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were synthesized using reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) extract. Different analytical techniques including X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR) were used for the characterization of Ag NPs. UV-vis spectrum exhibited a broad absorption peak between 400-460 nm which indicates the existence of Ag NPs. TEM images showed Ag NPs are spherical with a diameter range of 15-22 nm. In addition, it is shown that Ag NPs form a face-centered cubic structure according to XRD characterization technique. The antioxidant activity towards to 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was also studied. The highest DPPH scavenging percentage was recorded as 76.45% at 250 mg/L. The DNA cleavage activity results indicated that the green Ag NPs caused single strain DNA cleavage activity for 30 and 60 min at 50 and 100 mg/L, respectively. The Ag NPs antimicrobial activity was also investigated and results recorded as minimum inhibition concentration (MIC). Ag NPs showed a strong antibacterial effect against gram-positive (S. aureus, E. hirae, B. cereus) and gram-negative (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, L. pneumophila subsp. Pneumophila) bacteria. Furthermore, Ag NPs have also been shown to have a high antifungal effect against C. albicans fungus.

The role of dietary phytochemicals in the carcinogenesis via the modulation of miRNA expression

PURPOSE

Phytochemicals are naturally occurring plant-derived compounds and some of them have the potential to serve as anticancer drugs. Based on recent evidence, aberrantly regulated expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is closely associated with malignancy. MicroRNAs are characterized as small non-coding RNAs functioning as posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression. Accordingly, miRNAs regulate various target genes, some of which are involved in the process of carcinogenesis.

RESULTS

This comprehensive review emphasizes the anticancer potential of phytochemicals, either isolated or in combination, mediated by miRNAs. The ability to modulate the expression of miRNAs demonstrates their importance as regulators of tumorigenesis. Phytochemicals as anticancer agents targeting miRNAs are widely studied in preclinical in vitro and in vivo research. Unfortunately, their anticancer efficacy in targeting miRNAs is less investigated in clinical research.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant anticancer properties of phytochemicals as regulators of miRNA expression have been proven, but more studies investigating their clinical relevance are needed.