Health-Promoting compounds in Potatoes: Tuber exhibiting great potential for human health

Potatoes are consumed worldwide because of their high accessibility, low cost, taste, and diversity of cooking methods. The high carbohydrate content of potatoes masks the presence of -vitamins, polyphenols, minerals, amino acids, lectins and protein inhibitors in the minds of consumers. The consumption of potatoes faces challenges among health-conscious people. This review paper attempted to provide up-to-date information on new metabolites reported in potatoes that play role in disease prevention and overall human well-being. We tried to compile information on antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anticancer, antiobesity, antihyperlipidemic, and anti-inflammatory potential of potato along with role in improving gut health and satiety. In-vitro studies, human cell culture, and experimental animal and human clinical studies showed potatoes to exhibit a variety of health-enhancing properties. This article will not only popularize potato as a healthy food, but will also improve its use as a staple for the foreseeable future.

Chemopreventive mechanisms of amentoflavone: recent trends and advancements

In parallel to the continuous rise of new cancer cases all over the world, the interest of scientific community in natural anticancer agents has steadily been increased. In the past decades, numerous phytochemicals have been shown to possess a strong anticancer potential in preclinical conditions. One of such interesting compounds, derived from different plants such as ginkgo, hinoki, and St. John`s wort, is amentoflavone. In this review article, a wide range of anticancer properties of this natural biflavone are described, revealing its ability to suppress the malignant growth and lead tumor cells to apoptotic death, besides impeding also angiogenic and metastatic processes. Therefore, amentoflavone can be considered a potential lead compound for the development of novel anticancer drug candidates, definitely deserving further in vivo studies and also initiation of clinical trials. It is expected that this plant biflavone might be important, either alone or in combination with the current standard chemotherapeutics, in providing some alleviation for the continuous rise of global cancer burden.

Ethnomedical applications and conservation status of Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae plants in Uttar Pradesh, India

BACKGROUND

This review highlights the folklore, ethnomedicinal uses and conservation status of Caesalpinioideae in Uttar Pradesh (India).

AIMS

It aims at compiling available data of traditional medicine, biological activity, phytochemical information and assessing the regional red list status of Caesalpinioideae in Uttar Pradesh. The information provided would help in formulating new drugs and medicines and addressing global conservation issues of such medicinally exploited species.

METHODS

The current study included an extensive and systematic review of available literature, the study of previous collections of herbarium specimens, random interviews with locals and tribals, field surveys, and GeoCAT tool-based assessment during 2016-2020. The study reports that the majority of species of Caesalpinioideae are used for curing digestive problems (about 20 species) and skin diseases (19 species).

RESULT

Almost all the species have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. These pharmacological activities can be attributed to the presence of various types of anthraquinones in plants.

CONCLUSION

The regional conservation status reveals that eight species qualified for the status of regionally threatened category while two species fall under near threatened category.

Anatomical and Physiological Responses of Citrus megaloxycarpa Lush.: a Cryptic Species of Northeast India

In the historical mysteries and present pandemic situation, the use of citrus fruits makes it rise high among other fruits. Citrus has a significant role in dietary and medicinal purposes from time immemorial and widely acknowledged for its therapeutic properties. Citrus megaloxycarpa Lush. is an unspecified sibling of the citrus family. The present work highlights the biochemical, antimicrobial, and anticancerous potential of cryptic species indigenous to Northeast India. The research was done on peel; P(L₁) and pulp; Pu(L₂) extracts of ripe large and peel; P(L₁) and pulp; Pu(L₂) extracts unripe small varieties respectively. The extract of the Pu(L₂) has the highest total soluble sugar (9.174±0.006741 μg/ml) whereas the extract of P(S₁) demonstrated high protein concentration (8.074±0.0567 μg/ml). The total carbohydrate content also varied in the extracts; the extract of P(L₁) showed (8.326±0.003844 μg/ml). P(L₁) have high free amino acid content (24.35±0.0225μg/ml) and high free fatty acid exhibited on P(L₂) (0.3739±0.05774 μg/ml). The total DPPH scavenging activity was compared for the extracts, where the extract of Pu (S₁) exhibits highest activity 73.80% and 0.6577 of logIC50 value. The highest total antioxidant capacity displays 150±0.333 in P(L₁). The MIC value was calibrated (30%, 35%, 40%, 45%) (v/v) and found to be maximum in P(L₂) (0.695) and minimum in P(L₁) (0.163) against Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. MTT assay showed highest viability rate of 94.32% and toxicity rate of 8.56% achieved on mouse lung cancerous cell. It is quite obvious from the present research that Citrus megaloxycarpa Lush. has a great scope at industrial level for developing therapeutic drugs.

Antiproliferative and Oxidative Damage Protection Activities of Endophytic Fungi Aspergillus fumigatus and Chaetomium globosum from Moringa oleifera Lam

The current study was conducted to evaluate the antiproliferative and oxidative damage protection potential of endophytic fungi Aspergillus fumigatus and Chaetomium globosum isolated from Moringa oleifera. The chloroformic extract (CE) of both the fungi showed dose dependent antiproliferative activity against human prostate adenocarcinoma (PC-3) cell line with (IC₅₀) value of 0.055 mg/ml and 0.008 mg/ml, respectively. Further, CE of both the fungi was studied for their ability to induce apoptosis in PC-3 cell line. Various deformities in the cancerous cells treated with CE of both the fungi have been observed by confocal microscopy which indicates the cell death by apoptosis. Further apoptosis inducing ability of CE of both the fungi was observed using various flow cytometric studies. The chloroformic extract of both the fungi showed slight increase in the level of reactive oxygen species to induce apoptosis. It also showed arrest of cancerous cells at G0/G1 phase of cell cycle to induce apoptosis. The externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) to induce apoptosis was also observed when analysed using Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining assay where the CE of A. fumigatus and C. globosum showed the total apoptosis of 94.2% and 90.3%, respectively, at the highest tested concentration of GI₇₀. The CE of both the fungi further showed the protective behaviour for plasmid DNA pBR322, when tested for their effect against the oxidative stress caused by the Fenton's reagent. Thus, the studies demonstrated a good antiproliferative and oxidative damage protection potential of the endophytic fungi.

Biotechnological advancements in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, also known as Madagascar periwinkle or Sadabahar, is a herbaceous plant belonging to the family Apocynaceae. Being a reservoir for more than 200 alkaloids, it reserves a place for itself in the list of important medicinal plants. Secondary metabolites are present in its leaves (e.g., vindoline, vinblastine, catharanthine, and vincristine) as well as basal stem and roots (e.g., ajmalicine, reserpine, serpentine, horhammericine, tabersonine, leurosine, catharanthine, lochnerine, and vindoline). Two of its alkaloids, vincristine and vinblastine (possessing anticancerous properties), are being used copiously in pharmaceutical industries. Till date, arrays of reports are available on in vitro biotechnological improvements of C. roseus. The present review article concentrates chiefly on various biotechnological advancements based on plant tissue culture techniques of the last three decades, for instance, regeneration via direct and indirect organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis, secondary metabolite production, synthetic seed production, clonal fidelity assessment, polyploidization, genetic transformation, and nanotechnology. It also portrays the importance of various factors influencing the success of in vitro biotechnological interventions in Catharanthus and further addresses several shortcomings that can be further explored to create a platform for upcoming innovative approaches. KEY POINTS: • C. roseus yields anticancerous vincristine and vinblastine used in pharma industry. •In vitro biotechnological interventions prompted major genetic advancements. • This review provides an insight on in vitro-based research achievements till date. • Key bottlenecks and prospective research methodologies have been identified herein.

Bioengineering of Piper longum L. extract mediated silver nanoparticles and their potential biomedical applications

The present investigation highlights the strong antioxidant, anticancer and larvicidal potential of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous leaf extract of Piper longum L. for their diverse therapeutic applications. The optimum conditions for the synthesis of AgNPs were recorded as 1 mM AgNO₃, 60 ± 2 °C at pH 6 for 120 min. Synthesized AgNPs proved to be highly stable and monodispersed as characterized through various techniques. UV-Vis spectrum of biosynthesized AgNPs showed a maximum absorption peak at 420 nm. Field emission-Scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and High resolution-Transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) micrographs showed the spherical shape of AgNPs with mean diameter size of 28.8 nm. Existence of crystallographic AgNPs was proved by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern analysis. Presence of phenolics, terpenoids and flavonoids compounds which act as bioreducing agents were confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Furthermore, the AgNPs and leaf extracts prepared individually in different solvents such as methanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, hexane and aqueous were assessed for their bio-efficacies. AgNPs showed the enhanced antioxidant (IC₅₀ 67.56 μg) and radical-scavenging activities (IC₅₀ 196.8 μg) as compared to the crude leaf extracts. Anticancer activity revealed the strong and dose-dependent cytotoxic effect of AgNPs against the HeLa cells showing maximum IC₅₀ value being 5.27 μg/mL after 24 h and was also found to be non-toxic to normal cells (HEK). The AgNPs induced the fragmentation of DNA in the cells, indicating the occurrence of apoptosis and necrosis. Subsequently, an efficient larvae mortality was also recorded against Anopheles stephensi having LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values being 8.969 and 16.102 ppm, followed by Aedes aegypti (LC₅₀;14.791 and LC₉₀;28.526 ppm) and Culex quinquefasciatus (LC₅₀;18.662 and LC₉₀;40.903 ppm) after 72 h of exposure. Besides, they showed no toxicity against Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides (non-target organism). This is the first report showing strong anti-tumorous and larvicidal activity of AgNPs synthesized using P. longum leaf extract against cervical cancer cell line and mosquito vectors causing dengue, malaria and filariasis. Based on our findings, we suggest that AgNPs derived using P. longum leaf extract possessed excellent anti-cancerous and mosquito larvicidal potential and therefore, can be bioprospected further for the management of these hazardous health diseases. This study has given a new insight for the novel drug designing after conducting experiments on the in vivo models.

Biological alterations in renal and hepatic tissues by a novel gold (III) anti-cancerous compound

Objective(s):

Newer organo-metallic, specifically gold (III) complexes with multiple ligands are currently being formulated with primary focus of having increased anti-cancerous properties and decreased cytotoxicity. In this study, histological toxicity profile of a newly formulated anti-cancerous gold (III) compound [trans-(±)-1,2-(DACH)₂Au]Cl₃ Bis(trans-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane) was investigated by evaluation of kidney and liver tissues of rats treated by the compound.

Materials and Methods:

This is a quasi-experimental study. In acute toxicity component of the study, (n = 16) male rats weighing between 200–250 g were administered single, variable concentration of the gold (III) compound, [trans-(±)-1,2-(DACH)₂Au]Cl₃ Bis(trans-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane) to determine LD₅₀ (dose that is lethal to 50% of rats). An IP injection of 2.3 mg/kg (equivalent to 1/10 of LD₅₀) was injected for 14 consecutive days to (n=10) male rats in the sub-acute component of the study. Autopsy preservation of liver and kidney tissue in buffered formalin, sample processing, histopathological evaluation, and comparison with unremarkable controls (n=5) was conducted sequentially.

Results:

A dose of 2.3 mg/kg did not produce any tubular necrosis in kidney specimens. Mild interstitial inflammation with prominence of plasma cells was the main histological alteration. Plasmacytic pyelitis was also seen. Varying extents of cytoplasmic vacuolization and mild focal lobular and portal inflammation were predominant hepatic microscopic findings.

Conclusion:

[trans-(±)-1,2-(DACH)₂Au]Cl₃ Bis(trans-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane) produced no histological damage in renal and hepatic tissues of rats. This very limited sample animal-based study points to the relative safety of this new gold compound. However, there is a need to compare this compound with established drugs in a comparative non-animal based study.

System Biology Approach to Identify Potential Receptor for Targeting Cancer and Biomolecular Interaction Studies of Indole[2,1-a]Isoquinoline Derivative as Anticancerous Drug Candidate Against it

Cancer is a public health concern which is spreading throughout the world. Different approaches have been employed to combat this disease. System biology approach has been used to understand the molecular mechanisms of drugs targeting cancer cell's receptor which have opened-up a window to develop effective drugs for it. We have demonstrated biomolecular interaction studies using the rational drug design of indole[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivative as a potent inhibitor against identified cancerous protein PIK3CA -a catalytic sub-unit of PI3K family protein-and compared its affinity with FDA approved drugs for receptors such as dactolisib, idelalisib, and several others such afatinib, avastin, ceritinib and crizotinib, etc.; by docking against potential receptor to set a cutoff value for our screening. Isoquinolines are small alkaloids with a vast variety of substitution depending upon their biogenetic pattern. Isoquinoline derivatives have been reported for their antimalarial, antibacterial, antifungal and anticancerous activities. The results obtained from the present studies conclude that membrane protein is an efficient drug that can be used to target cancer. Moreover, comparative study with ADMET prediction concludes that isoquinoline can be a potent drug for cancer treatment.

In vitro enhancement of psoralen as an important anticancer compound in Psoralea corylifolia through precursor feeding

CONTEXT

Psoralea corylifolia L. (Fabacese) is rich source of bioactive compounds, which endows the plant with immense value for its use in pharmaceuticals, health, and body-care products.

OBJECTIVE

The current study was designed (i) for the determination of psoralen from callus derived from different plant parts, and (ii) for the enhancement of psoralen in in vitro condition with the treatment of various psoralen pathway precursors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

B5 media were employed for raising the cultures from different plant parts such as leaf, node, root, and green seeds. Cotyledons' calluses were derived from cotyledon of green seeds that were elicited on MS + 10 µM BA + 5 µM IBA medium supplemented at 0.1, 1, 2.5, 5, 25, and 50 mg/L of various psoralen pathway precursors such as umbelliferone, cinnamic acid, and NADPH. The method for extraction of psoralen was modified from the Singh method and the content of psoralen was measured using HPLC.

RESULTS

HPLC analysis of callus derived from different parts of P. corylifolia revealed that a maximum of psoralen (2601.8 µg/g fresh wt.) was recorded in cotyledons' callus. Cotyledonary callus was chosen for the enhancement of psoralens because of higher amount of psoralen in it. In vitro evaluation showed that all the precursors enhanced the psoralen amount dramatically so that the optimum amount of psoralen (2518.8 µg/g fresh wt.) was obtained at 2.5 mg/L cinnamic acid.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The results obtained indicate that cinnamic acid is one of the important precursors of psoralen pathway that induced a maximum amount of psoralen with in vitro conditions.