Design, synthesis, and apoptotic antiproliferative action of new 1,2,3-triazole/1,2,4-oxadiazole hybrids as dual EGFR/VEGFR-2 inhibitors

A novel series of 1,2,3-triazole/1,2,4-oxadiazole hybrids (7a-o) was developed as dual inhibitors of EGFR/VEGFR-2. Compounds 7a-o were evaluated as antiproliferative agents with Erlotinib as the reference drug. Results demonstrated that most of the tested compounds showed significant antiproliferative action with GI50 values ranging from 28 to 104 nM, compared to Erlotinib (GI50 = 33 nM), and compounds 7i-m were the most potent. Compounds 7h, 7i, 7j, 7k, and 7l were evaluated as dual EGFR/VEGFR-2 inhibitors. These in vitro experiments demonstrated that compounds 7j, 7k, and 7l are potent antiproliferative agents that may operate as dual EGFR/VEGFR-2 inhibitors. Compounds 7j, 7k, and 7l were evaluated for their apoptotic potential activity, where findings indicated that compounds 7j, 7k, and 7l promote apoptosis by activating caspase-3, 8, and Bax and down-regulating the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Molecular docking simulations show the binding mode of the most active antiproliferative compounds within EGFR and VEGFR-2 active sites.

Application of microscopy and spectroscopy in investigating anti-cancer potential of Achyranthes aspera L. leaves

The genus Achyranthes belong to the family Amaranthaceae which constitutes an important group of herbs and shrubs with immense medicinal value. The present research work was conducted to investigate the anticancer potential of Achyranthes aspera L. leaves by focusing on the antioxidant, aniproliferative and antimitotic activities of leaf extracts. Plant extraction was carried out by soxhelt method with different solvents. Phytochemical characterization of the plants extracts using chemical methods identified the presence of cardiac glycosides, saponins, coumarins, proteins, tannins, flavonoids and triterpenes. Alkaloid was present in methanolic and ethanolic extract. High performance liquid chromatography showed presence of different concentration of myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol in different extracts with the highest concentration of myricetin (84.53 μg/mL) in n-butanolic extract. The extracts were then tested for antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay by spectrophotometric method. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, antioxidant activity of A. aspera ranged between 79.78 ± 0.034% and 58.63 ± 0.069%. Highest antioxidant activity was observed for methanolic extract and lowest for acetone. Antimitotic activity was determined by using Allium cepa assay in which microscopic investigation was carried out to observe normal and abnormal phases of mitosis. In this assay, n-butanolic extract had highest antimitotic activity with minimum mitotic index at 2 mg/mL (57 ± 0.0351%). The plant extracts also caused chromosomal and mitotic aberrations which were clearly observed under 40× and 100× magnification of compound microscope. Antiproliferative activity was determined by using yeast cell model in which light microscope with hemocytometer was used for cell counting. In case of Antiproliferative activity, the ethyl acetate extract of A. aspera had highest antiproliferative activity with lowest cell viability (22.14 ± 0.076%) at highest extract concentration (2 mg/mL) while methanol extract of A. aspera had highest antiproliferative activity with lower cell viability (24.24 ± 0.057%) at lowest extract concentration (0.25 mg/mL). The results of the study indicated that the leaves extract of A. aspera have strong potential to be used as a source of anti-cancer agent. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Achyranthes aspera L. leaves have various phytochemicals which contribute to its medicinal properties Various extracts of the leaves of A. aspera L. possess antioxidant, antimitotic and antiproliferative potential The results of the study indicated that the leaves extract of A. aspera have strong potential to be used as a source of anti-cancer agent.

Exploring Anticancer Properties of Medicinal Plants against Breast Cancer by Downregulating Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2

Plants have a history of being employed in managing breast cancer. However, no scientific evidence supports the idea that these plants can effectively reduce the level of HER2 expression. In this study, extracts from 10 medicinal plants were evaluated for their anticancer properties against HER2-positive breast cancer cells through various methods, including the SRB assay, comet assay, annexin V-FITC dual staining, and immunoblotting. All extracts exerted antiproliferative activity against HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Furthermore, Terminalia chebula (T. chebula), Berberis aristata (B. aristata), and Mucuna pruriens (M. pruriens) reduced HER2 expression in tested cell lines. In addition, an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was observed after the treatment. A comparative proteomics study showed modulation in the proteome profile of breast cancer cells after treatment with T. chebula, B. aristata, Punica granatum, M. pruriens, and Acorus calamus. Metabolic profiling of lead plants revealed the existence of multiple anticancer compounds. Our study demonstrates the considerable potential of the mentioned plants as innovative therapies for HER2-positive breast cancer.

Therapeutic potential of mangiferin in cancer: Unveiling regulatory pathways, mechanisms of action, and bioavailability enhancements - An updated review

Mangiferin (MGF) is a phenolic compound, which is a major source of MGF is the mango tree. MGF possesses some antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties, enabling it to play its role against various diseases such as diabetes, obesity, lung injuries, and cancer. The word "Cancer" depicts an uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells. This review paper reveals MGF's therapeutic, curative and protective potential impact against lung, liver, ovarian, prostate, breast, stomach, and oral cancers. MGF is used in various types of research in the form of powder, liquid extract, intramuscular, intravenous, nanoparticles coated with gold, in the form of a solution, or in combination with other drugs to evaluate synergistic effects. Many studies showed that MGF is safe to use but has less bioavailability in the body and 0.111 mg/mL solubility in water. However, certain studies indicated that its bioavailability and retention time increased when taken in the form of nanoparticles and in combination with other drugs. MGF also increases the sensitivity of other drugs (i.e., cisplatin) resistant to tumors. MGF has different mechanisms of action for different cancers. It mainly targets enzymes, interleukins, tumor growth factors, signaling pathways, apoptotic proteins, and genes to inhibit the growth of tumors, volume, angiogenesis, cellular functionality, further progression, and movement to other areas of the body. Moreover, MGF increases apoptosis and body weight with no or fewer side effects on normal cells. MGF unveiled a novel gate toward the treatment of cancer. Further research and human trials are needed in this regard.

Synthesis and Study of the Structure-Activity Relationship of Antiproliferative N-Substituted Isosteviol-Based 1,3-Aminoalcohols

Starting from isosteviol, a series of diterpenoid 1,3-aminoalcohol derivatives were prepared via stereoselective transformations. The acid-catalysed hydrolysis and rearrangement of natural stevioside produced isosteviol, which was transformed into the key intermediate methyl ester. In the next step, an 1,3-aminoalcohol library was prepared by the reductive amination of the intermediate 3-hydroxyaldehyde obtained from isosteviol in a two-step synthesis. To study the effect of the carboxylate ester function at position 4, the free carboxylic acid, benzyl ester and acryloyl ester analogues were prepared as elongated derivatives in comparison with our earlier results in this field. The antiproliferative activity of compounds against human tumour cell lines (A2780, HeLa, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) was investigated. In our preliminary study, the 1,3-aminoalcohol function with N-benzyl or (1H-imidazol-1-yl)-propyl substitution and benzyl ester moiety seemed essential for the reliable antiproliferative activity. The results obtained could be a good starting point to further functionalisation towards more efficient antiproliferative diterpenes.

Seleno-Warfare against Cancer: Decoding Antitumor Activity of Novel Acylselenoureas and Se-Acylisoselenoureas

Currently, cancer remains a global health problem. Despite the existence of several treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy, the survival rate for most cancer patients, particularly those with metastasis, remains unsatisfactory. Thus, there is a continuous need to develop novel, effective therapies. In this work, 22 novel molecules containing selenium are reported, including seven Se-acylisoselenoureas synthesized from aliphatic carbodiimides as well as acylselenoureas with the same carbo- and heterocycles and aliphatic amines. After an initial screening at two doses (50 and 10 µM) in MDA-MB-231 (breast), HTB-54 (lung), DU-145 (prostate), and HCT-116 (colon) tumor cell lines, the ten most active compounds were identified. Additionally, these ten hits were also submitted to the DTP program of the NCI to study their cytotoxicity in a panel of 60 cancer cell lines. Compound 4 was identified as the most potent antiproliferative compound. The results obtained showed that compound 4 presented IC50 values lower than 10 µM in the cancer cell lines, although it was not the most selective one. Furthermore, compound 4 was found to inhibit cell growth and cause cell death by inducing apoptosis partially via ROS production. Overall, our results suggest that compound 4 could be a potential chemotherapeutic drug for different types of cancer.

Discovery of A Novel Series of Quinazoline-Thiazole Hybrids as Potential Antiproliferative and Anti-Angiogenic Agents

Considering the pivotal role of angiogenesis in solid tumor progression, we developed a novel series of quinazoline-thiazole hybrids (SA01-SA07) as antiproliferative and anti-angiogenic agents. Four out of the seven compounds displayed superior antiproliferative activity (IC50 =1.83-4.24 µM) on HepG2 cells compared to sorafenib (IC50 = 6.28 µM). The affinity towards the VEGFR2 kinase domain was assessed through in silico prediction by molecular docking, molecular dynamics studies, and MM-PBSA. The series displayed a high degree of similarity to sorafenib regarding the binding pose within the active site of VEGFR2, with a different orientation of the 4-substituted-thiazole moieties in the allosteric pocket. Molecular dynamics and MM-PBSA evaluations identified SA05 as the hybrid forming the most stable complex with VEGFR2 compared to sorafenib. The impact of the compounds on vascular cell proliferation was assessed on EA.hy926 cells. Six compounds (SA01-SA05, SA07) displayed superior anti-proliferative activity (IC50 = 0.79-5.85 µM) compared to sorafenib (IC50 = 6.62 µM). The toxicity was evaluated on BJ cells. Further studies of the anti-angiogenic effect of the most promising compounds, SA04 and SA05, through the assessment of impact on EA.hy296 motility using a wound healing assay and in ovo potential in a CAM assay compared to sorafenib, led to the confirmation of the anti-angiogenic potential.

Exploration of antiproliferative potential of modified triazole-benzohydrazone scaffold: Multitarget approach

A novel series of triazole-benzohydrazone hybrids was efficiently designed and synthesized as antiproliferative agents, targeting different kinases. All compounds were screened via the National Cancer Institute (NCI) against 60 cancer cell lines, where compounds 16, 17, and 18 exhibited growth inhibition percent (GI%) of various leukemia subpanels with values of 70.33%, 64.13%, and 76.03%, respectively. Compound 18 showed broad-spectrum antiproliferative efficacy toward most cancer cells, with outstanding potency regarding melanoma (MALME-3M GI% = 101.82%) and breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 GI% = 85.87%), while proving safe toward the WI-38 normal cell line, compared to doxorubicin. Multikinase investigation including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met), proto-oncogene B-Raf, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase was accomplished to reveal its plausible mechanism of action, giving the ultimate potency against both VEGFR-2 and c-Met with IC50 values of 0.055 and 0.042 μM, respectively, while displaying moderate to good inhibition concerning the remaining kinases. DNA binding capability was excluded using the methyl green colorimetric assay. Further, it exhibited both early and late apoptotic induction by about 16- and 9.4-fold over the control, respectively, triggering cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Physicochemical properties and bioavailability radar plot inferred drug-likeness characteristics for compound 18. The molecular docking study assessed the binding pattern with the active sites of c-Met and VEGFR-2.

leaves induce antiproliferative effect, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in Hop-62 cells

The study evaluated the therapeutic potential of ethanolic leaf extract of Piliostigma foveolatum (Dalzell) Thoth. (EEBF), its toluene, ethylacetate, methanol soluble fractions (viz. TFBF, EFBF, MFBF), and isolated phytoconstituents against lung cancer. Four compounds were isolated from MFBF by column chromatography and preparative HPLC. Structures were elucidated by IR, 13C-NMR, 1H-NMR, mass spectroscopy and identified as Quercetin, Kaempferol, Isorhamnetin, and ß-glucogallin. EEBF and its biofractions exhibited remarkable antiproliferative activity with GI50<85µg/mL, while isolated Quercetin, Kaempferol, Isorhamnetin, and ß-Glucogallin displayed GI50 values of 56.15 ± 1.16 μ M, 68.41 ± 3.98 μ M, 55.08 ± 0.57 μ M and 58.99 ± 12.39 μ M respectively. MFBF demonstrated significant apoptotic activity with 42.24 ± 0.57% cells in early and 4.61 ± 0.88% cells in late apoptosis comparable to standard Doxorubicin. Kaempferol exhibited 23.03 ± 0.37% cells in early and 2.11 ± 0.55% cells in late apoptosis, arresting Hop-62 cells in S-phase. In silico molecular docking, revealed that isolated constituents effectively bound to the same binding site of caspase-3 as Doxorubicin, highlighting their apoptotic mode of action.

Phytochemical analysis and biological evaluation of Ferulago setifolia K. Koch

BACKGROUND

Ferulago setifolia K. Koch (Apiaceae) has been the subject of this study, aiming to comprehensively determine its phenolic fingerprint and evaluate its various biological activities. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the 70% methanol extract of F. setifolia (FS) revealed the presence of 23 phytochemicals, among which chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and quercetin-3-O-glucoside were identified as the major phenolics in the extract.

RESULTS

The biological screening included examinations of antioxidant, antibacterial, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. The FS extract displayed moderate 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and ferric-reducing capacity, indicating moderate antioxidant activity. Furthermore, FS exhibited significant antiproliferative effects on cancer cells while showing low cytotoxicity on normal cells. The antibacterial activity findings revealed that FS demonstrated potent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that the methanolic extract of FS holds promise as a potential source of biologically active compounds. It can be utilized for the development of pharmaceutical formulations, thanks to its significant antiproliferative and antibacterial activities. Additionally, FS can serve as a valuable source of chlorogenic acid for industrial applications. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Phytochemical profiles, antioxidant activities, and synergistic antiproliferative effects of blueberry and apple peel extracts

BACKGROUND

Blueberries and apples exhibit favorable bioactivity and health benefits as a result of their rich phytochemicals. Natural phytochemicals exist in complex forms, but there are few reports on whether have additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects between different phytochemicals. The present study aimed to elucidate the synergistic effects of blueberry extract (BE) and apple peel extract (APE) together with respect to inhibiting the proliferation of HepG2 liver cancer cells. Meanwhile, phytochemical characterization of BE and APE was conducted by HPLC, and total antioxidant activity was determined via a cellular antioxidant activity assay, oxygen radical absorption capacity assay and peroxy radical scavenging capacity assay.

RESULTS

The results showed that BE and APE were rich in phytochemicals and had potent antioxidant activities, which synergistically inhibited cell proliferation. In the bilateral combination, the dose reduction index value increased by two-fold, and the combination index value at 95% inhibition was less than 1. Additionally, BE + APE supplementation could promote the expression levels of p53 and c-myc genes. In conclusion, the BE and APE had strong antioxidant activity and exhibited synergistic inhibition against proliferation of HepG2 cells.

CONCLUSION

The present study can provide a theoretical basis for the synergistic effect of different phytochemicals in health care. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Benzimidazole-Based Derivatives as Apoptotic Antiproliferative Agents: Design, Synthesis, Docking, and Mechanistic Studies

A new class of benzimidazole-based derivatives (4a-j, 5, and 6) with potential dual inhibition of EGFR and BRAFV600E has been developed. The newly synthesized compounds were submitted for testing for antiproliferative activity against the NCI-60 cell line. All newly synthesized compounds 4a-j, 5, and 6 were selected for testing against a panel of sixty cancer cell lines at a single concentration of 10 µM. Some compounds tested demonstrated remarkable antiproliferative activity against the cell lines tested. Compounds 4c, 4e, and 4g were chosen for five-dose testing against 60 human tumor cell lines. Compound 4c demonstrated strong selectivity against the leukemia subpanel, with a selectivity ratio of 5.96 at the GI50 level. The most effective in vitro anti-cancer assay derivatives (4c, 4d, 4e, 4g, and 4h) were tested for EGFR and BRAFV600E inhibition as potential targets for antiproliferative action. The results revealed that compounds 4c and 4e have significant antiproliferative activity as dual EGFR/BRAFV600E inhibitors. Compounds 4c and 4e induced apoptosis by increasing caspase-3, caspase-8, and Bax levels while decreasing the anti-apoptotic Bcl2 protein. Moreover, molecular docking studies confirmed the potential of compounds 4c and 4e to act as dual EGFR/BRAFV600E inhibitors.

Bioprospection of Tenellins Produced by the Entomopathogenic Fungus Beauveria neobassiana

Fungi are known as prolific producers of bioactive secondary metabolites with applications across various fields, including infectious diseases, as well as in biological control. However, some of the well-known species are still underexplored. Our current study evaluated the production of secondary metabolites by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria neobassiana from Thailand. The fermentation of this fungus in a liquid medium, followed by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification, resulted in the isolation of a new tenellin congener, namely pretenellin C (1), together with five known derivatives (2-6). Their chemical structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in combination with high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS). We evaluated the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities from all isolated compounds, as well as their inhibitory properties on biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus. Generally, tenellins displayed varying antibiofilm and cytotoxic effects, allowing us to propose preliminary structure-activity relationships (SARs). Among the tested compounds, prototenellin D (2) exhibited the most prominent antibiofilm activity, while its 2-pyridone congener, tenellin (4), demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity against all tested cell lines. Given the fact that the biological activities of the tenellins have so far been neglected in the past, our study could provide a good starting point to establish more concise structure-activity relationships in the near future.

Antiproliferative Activities and SwissADME Predictions of Physicochemical Properties of Carbonyl Group-Modified Rotenone Analogues

Rotenone is a naturally occurring compound shown to exhibit antiproliferative activity against various cancer cell lines, indicating its potential as a lead anticancer agent. However, its toxicity against normal cells has prompted further investigation and chemical modifications. In this study, a library of carbonyl group-modified rotenone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, A549 human lung carcinoma cells, and HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results showed several promising compounds that inhibited cell proliferation. Specifically, the oxime and alcohol rotenone derivatives exhibited antiproliferative activities against all 3 cancer cell lines, while the ethoxy, carbamate, and alkene derivatives are selective against MCF-7 (IC50 =5.72 μM), HCT116 (IC50 =8.86 μM), and A549 (IC50 =0.11 μM), respectively. SwissADME analysis showed that the physicochemical properties and drug-likeness of the synthesized rotenone derivatives were within the set limits, suggesting the favorable characteristics of these compounds for drug development. The findings obtained in this work highlight the potential of rotenone derivatives as promising chemotherapeutic candidates.

New pyrrolidine-carboxamide derivatives as dual antiproliferative EGFR/CDK2 inhibitors

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, making it a public health concern. A novel series of pyrrolidine-carboxamide derivatives 7a-q were developed and examined in a cell viability assay utilizing a human mammary gland epithelial cell line (MCF-10A), where all the compounds exhibited no cytotoxic effects and more than 85% cell viability at a concentration of 50 μM. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated in vitro against four panels of cancer cell lines A-549, MCF-7, Panc-1, and HT-29. Compounds 7e, 7g, 7k, 7n, and 7o were the most active as antiproliferative agents capable of triggering apoptosis. Compound 7g was the most potent of all the derivatives, with a mean IC50 of 0.90 μM compared to IC50 of 1.10 μM for doxorubicin. Compound 7g inhibited A-549 (epithelial cancer cell line), MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line), and HT-29 (colon cancer cell line) more efficiently than doxorubicin. EGFR inhibitory assay results of 7e, 7g, 7k, 7n, and 7o demonstrated that the tested compounds inhibited EGFR with IC50 values ranging from 87 to 107 nM in comparison with the reference drug erlotinib (IC50  = 80 nM). 7e, 7g, 7k, 7n, and 7o inhibited CDK2 efficiently in comparison to the reference dinaciclib (IC50  = 20 nM), with IC50 values ranging from 15 to 31 nM. The results of inhibitory activity assay against different CDK isoforms revealed that the tested compounds had preferential inhibitory activity against the CDK2 isoform.

Chemopreventive Effect of an In Vitro Digested and Fermented Plant Sterol-Enriched Wholemeal Rye Bread in Colon Cancer Cells

Diet is crucial for the prevention of colorectal cancer. Whole grains are the source of beneficial compounds for this, such as fiber. The enrichment of wholemeal rye bread with plant sterols (PSs) could increase its beneficial effects. This study aimed to assess the potential antiproliferative effect of this enriched food on colon adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) compared with a non-enriched one. After a human oral chewing, simulated semi-dynamic gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation in a simgi® system, fermentation liquids (FLs) obtained were used as treatment for cells. Cytotoxicity assay showed that samples diluted 1/5 (v/v) with DMEM are not toxic for non-tumoral cells, whereas they damage tumoral cells. Samples with PS (FLPS) produced a higher chemopreventive effect (vs. blank) in MTT and apoptosis assays, as well as higher gene expression of TP53 and Casp8. Nevertheless, FL0 (without PS) produced a higher chemopreventive effect in a cell cycle and reduced glutathione and calcium assays, besides producing higher gene expression of Casp3 and lower CCND1. The distinct antiproliferative effect of both FLs is attributed to differences in PSs, short chain fatty acids (lower concentration in FLPS vs. FL0) and antioxidant compounds. These results may support wholemeal rye bread consumption as a way of reducing the risk of colorectal cancer development, although further research would be needed.

Antiproliferative, apoptosis-inducing, and GSTP1 demethylation activities of Ellagitannins isolated from Cornus alba L

This study aimed to prove the prostate cancer chemopreventive activity of compounds isolated from CA. We evaluated these compounds using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and evaluated their NF-κB inhibitory activity and apoptosis-inducing activity using western blot analysis and flow cytometry, respectively. Their DNA methylation activity was also evaluated via a methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction in androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (PC-3) prostate cancer cell lines. Camptothin B (1), cornusiin B (2), and cornusiin A (3), which were isolated in our previous work, relatively reduced the protein expression levels in PCa cells. Among them, cornusiin B (2) exhibited excellent NF-κB inhibitory activity. Also, concentration-dependently increased the unmethylated DNA content and decreased the methylated DNA content in both PC-3 and LNCaP cells. Therefore, cornusiin B (2), which was isolated from CA, has the potential to act as a chemopreventive agent for prostate cancer.

Synthesis and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of Nitrovinylanthracenes and Related Compounds in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) and Burkitt's Lymphoma (BL)

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a malignancy of the immune B lymphocyte cells and is the most common leukaemia diagnosed in developed countries. In this paper, we report the synthesis and antiproliferative effects of a series of (E)-9-(2-nitrovinyl)anthracenes and related nitrostyrene compounds in CLL cell lines and also in Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cell lines, a rare form of non-Hodgkin's immune B-cell lymphoma. The nitrostyrene scaffold was identified as a lead structure for the development of effective compounds targeting BL and CLL. The series of structurally diverse nitrostyrenes was synthesised via Henry-Knoevenagel condensation reactions. Single-crystal X-ray analysis confirmed the structure of (E)-9-chloro-10-(2-nitrobut-1-en-1-yl)anthracene (19f) and the related 4-(anthracen-9-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (30a). The (E)-9-(2-nitrovinyl)anthracenes 19a, 19g and 19i-19m were found to elicit potent antiproliferative effects in both BL cell lines EBV-MUTU-1 (chemosensitive) and EBV+ DG-75 (chemoresistant) with >90% inhibition at 10 μM. Selected (E)-9-(2-nitrovinyl)anthracenes demonstrated potent antiproliferative activity in CLL cell lines, with IC50 values of 0.17 μM (HG-3) and 1.3 μM (PGA-1) for compound 19g. The pro-apoptotic effects of the most potent compounds 19a, 19g, 19i, 19l and 19m were demonstrated in both CLL cell lines HG-3 and PGA-1. The (E)-nitrostyrene and (E)-9-(2-nitrovinyl)anthracene series of compounds offer potential for further development as novel chemotherapeutics for CLL.

Essential Oils in Cervical Cancer: Narrative Review on Current Insights and Future Prospects

Cervical cancer is a prevalent and often devastating disease affecting women worldwide. Traditional treatment modalities such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy have significantly improved survival rates, but they are often accompanied by side effects and challenges that can impact a patient's quality of life. In recent years, the integration of essential oils into the management of cervical cancer has gained attention. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the role of various essential oils in cervical cancer, offering insights into their potential benefits and the existing body of research. The review also delves into future directions and challenges in this emerging field, emphasizing promising research areas and advanced delivery systems. The encapsulation of essential oils with solid lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsification of essential oils, or the combination of essential oils with conventional treatments showed promising results by increasing the anticancer properties of essential oils. As the use of essential oils in cervical cancer treatment or management evolves, this review aims to provide a comprehensive perspective, balancing the potential of these natural remedies with the challenges and considerations that need to be addressed.

Characterization of Terpenoids from the Ambrosia Beetle Symbiont and Laurel Wilt Pathogen Harringtonia lauricola

Little is known concerning terpenoids produced by members of the fungal order Ophiostomales, with the member Harringtonia lauricola having the unique lifestyle of being a beetle symbiont but potentially devastating tree pathogen. Nine known terpenoids, including six labdane diterpenoids (1-6) and three hopane triterpenes (7-9), were isolated from H. lauricola ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts for the first time. All compounds were tested for various in vitro bioactivities. Six compounds, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9, are described functionally. Compounds 2, 4, 5, and 9 expressed potent antiproliferative activity against the MCF-7, HepG2 and A549 cancer cell lines, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) ~12.54-26.06 μM. Antimicrobial activity bioassays revealed that compounds 4, 5, and 9 exhibited substantial effects against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Ralstonia solanacearum) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 3.13 and 12.50 μg/mL. Little activity was seen towards Gram-positive bacteria for any of the compounds, whereas compounds 2, 4, 7, and 9 expressed antifungal activities (Fusarium oxysporum) with MIC values ranging from 6.25 to 25.00 μg/mL. Compounds 4, 5, and 9 also displayed free radical scavenging abilities towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide (O2-), with IC50 values of compounds 2, 4, and 6 ~3.45-14.04 μg/mL and 22.87-53.31 μg/mL towards DPPH and O2-, respectively. These data provide an insight into the biopharmaceutical potential of terpenoids from this group of fungal insect symbionts and plant pathogens.

Biological effects of bergamot and its potential therapeutic use as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer agent

Context: Bergamot, mainly produced in the Ionian coastal areas of Southern Italy (Calabria), has been used since 1700 for its balsamic and medicinal properties. Phytochemical profiling has confirmed that bergamot juices are rich in flavonoids, including flavone and flavanone glycosides which are responsible for its beneficial effects.Objective: Recently, it was shown that the combination of natural compounds with conventional treatments improves the efficacy of anticancer therapies. Natural compounds with anticancer properties attack cancerous cells without being toxic to healthy cells. Bergamot can induce cytotoxic and apoptotic effects and prevent cell proliferation in various cancer cells.Methods: In this review, the antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of bergamot are described. Information was compiled from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the key words 'bergamot' accompanied by 'inflammation' and, 'cancer' for data published from 2015-2021.Results: In vitro and in vivo studies provided evidence that different forms of bergamot (extract, juice, essential oil, and polyphenolic fraction) can affect several mechanisms that lead to anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects that decrease cell growth, as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.Conclusions: Considering the effects of bergamot and its new formulations, we affirm the importance of its rational use in humans and illustrate how bergamot can be utilized in clinical applications. Numerous studies evaluated the effect of new bergamot formulations that can affect the absorption and, therefore, the final effects by altering the therapeutic profile of bergamot and enhancing the scientific knowledge of bergamot.

Design, synthesis, apoptotic, and antiproliferative effects of 5-chloro-3- (2-methoxyvinyl)-indole-2-carboxamides and pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-ones as potent EGFRWT/EGFRT790M inhibitors

A new series of indole-2-carboxamides 5a-g, 6a-f and pyrido[3,4-b]indol-1-ones 7a and 7b have been developed as new antiproliferative agents that target both wild and mutant type EGFR. The antiproliferative effect of the new compounds was studied. 5c, 5d, 5f, 5 g, 6e, and 6f have the highest antiproliferative activity with GI₅₀ values ranging from 29 nM to 47 nM in comparison to the reference erlotinib (GI₅₀ = 33 nM). Compounds 5d, 5f, and 5 g inhibited EGFR^WT with IC₅₀ values ranging from 68 to 85 nM while the GI₅₀ of erlotinib is 80 nM. Moreover, compounds 5f and 5 g had the most potent inhibitory activity against EGFR^T790M with IC₅₀ values of 9.5 ± 2 and 11.9 ± 3 nM, respectively, being equivalent to the reference osimertinib (IC₅₀ = 8 ± 2 nM). Compounds 5f and 5 g demonstrated excellent caspase-3 protein overexpression levels of 560.2 ± 5.0 and 542.5 ± 5.0 pg/mL, respectively, being more active than the reference staurosporine (503.2 ± 4.0 pg/mL). they also increase the level of caspase 8, and Bax while decreasing the levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl2 protein. Computational docking studies supported the enzyme inhibition results and provided favourable dual binding modes for both compounds 5f and 5 g within EGFR^WT and EGFR^T790M active sites. Finally, in silico ADME/pharmacokinetic studies predict good safety and pharmacokinetic profile of the most active compounds.

Mung bean as a potent emerging functional food having anticancer therapeutic potential: Mechanistic insight and recent updates

Cancer is still a major challenge for humans. In recent years, researchers have focused on plant-based metabolites as a safe, efficient, alternative or combinatorial, as well as cost-effective preventive strategy against carcinogenesis. Mung bean is an important nutritious legume, and known for providing various health benefits due to various bioactive phytochemicals and easily digestible proteins. Regular intake of mung bean helps to regulate metabolism by affecting the growth and survival of good microbes in the host gut. Mung bean has also been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory properties. These properties may possess the preventive potential of mung bean against carcinogenesis. Bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research literature were searched through a structured conceptual approach using focused review questions on mung beans, anticancer, therapeutics, and functional foods along with inclusion/exclusion criteria. For the appraisal of the quality of retrieved articles, standard tools were employed. A deductive qualitative content analysis methodology further led us to analyze outcomes of the research and review articles. The present review provides recent updates on the anticancer potential of mung bean and the possible mechanism of action thereof to prevent carcinogenesis and metastasis. Extensive research on the active metabolites and mechanisms of action is required to establish the anticancer potential of mung bean. Keeping the above facts in view, mung bean should be investigated for its bioactive compounds, to be considered as functional food of the future.

extracts

The chemical composition as well as antioxidant, antiproliferative, and enzyme inhibition activities of extracts from aerial parts of Thymus leucostomus H ausskn. & V elen. obtained with hexane, methanol, and water were evaluated. Results showed that the methanol extract had significantly (p < 0.05) the highest total phenolic content (TPC; 107.80 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoids content (TFC; 25.21 mg RE/g) followed by the aqueous extract (102.72 mg GAE/g and 20.88 mg RE/g, respectively). LC-MS/MS-guided profiling of the three extracts revealed that rosmarinic acid (34.8%), hesperetin (42.9%), and linoleic acid (18%) were the dominant compounds in the methanol, aqueous and hexane extracts, respectively. GC-MS analysis of the hexane extract showed that ɣ-sitosterol (29.9%) was the major constituent. The methanol extract displayed significantly (p < 0.05) the highest Cu++ , Fe+++ , and Mo(VI) ions scavenging and reducing properties while the aqueous extract exerted significantly (p < 0.05) the highest metal chelating power (42.51 mg EDTAE/g). Both the hexane and methanol extracts effectively inhibited the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (2.63 and 2.65 mg GALAE/g, respectively) while the former extract exerted significantly (p < 0.05) the highest butyrylcholinesterase (2.32 mg GALAE/g), tyrosinase (19.73 mg KAE/g), and amylase (1.16 mmol ACAE/g) inhibition capacity. The aqueous extract exhibited the best glucosidase inhibition property (0.49 mmol ACAE/g). The methanol and hexane extracts exerted a higher cytotoxic effect on HT-29 (IC50 : 8.12 µg/mL) and HeLa (IC50  = 8.08 µg/mL) cells, respectively. In conclusion, these results provide valuable insight into the potential use of T. leucostomus bioactive extracts in different pharmaceutical applications.

Glycyrrhizinic Acid as an Antiviral and Anticancer Agent in the Treatment of Human Papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus (HPV), like any other virus, needs to penetrate the host cell and make use of its machinery to replicate. From there, HPV infection can be asymptomatic or lead to benign and premalignant lesions or even different types of cancer. HPV oncogenesis is due to the ability of the viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 to alter the control mechanisms for the growth and proliferation of host cell. Therefore, the use of agents with the ability to control these processes is essential in the search for effective treatments against HPV infections. Glycyrrhizinic acid (Gly), the active ingredient in liquorice, has been shown in numerous preclinical studies to have an antiviral and anticancer activity, reducing the expression of E6 and E7 and inducing apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. In addition, it also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory or re-epithelializing properties that can be useful in HPV infections. This review includes the different antiviral and anticancer mechanisms described for Gly, as well as the clinical studies carried out that position it as a potential therapeutic strategy against HPV both through its topical application and by oral administration.

Antiproliferative p-terphenyl derivatives isolated from the fungus Sarcodon scabripes

The ethanol extract of the fungus Sarcodon scabripes collected from north-central British Columbia, Canada, showed strong antiproliferative activity. Bioassay-guided purification using liquid-liquid extraction and Sephadex LH-20 size-exclusion chromatography, followed by HPLC-MS and 1D/2D NMR analyses, led to the isolation of five known compounds; four p-terphenyl (1-4) derivatives and one phenolic aldehyde (5). Compounds 1, 4, and 5 were isolated for the first time from the Sarcodon genus. The cytotoxicity MTT assay showed that compounds 1-5 have antiproliferative activity against human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). For compounds 1-4, this is the first report of their antiproliferative activity against cancer cells. For compound 2, this is the first report on its bioactivity. To our knowledge, this is the first description of the isolation of bioactive constituents from S. scabripes.

Extract and Isolated Compounds

The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the chemical composition, antioxidant properties, and antiproliferative activities of Eclipta prostrata extracts. Two flavonoids, 3'-O-methylorobol and apigenin 7-sulfate, were isolated from the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of E. prostrata. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the E. prostrata extracts, as well as their overall antioxidant activities as measured using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and reducing power assays, were investigated. The E. prostrata EtOAc extract exhibited significantly greater antioxidant activities in both assays and higher phenol and flavonoid contents than the other extracts. The potential antiproliferative properties of the E. prostrata extracts and isolated compounds were investigated in vitro against the AGS, A549, and HT-29 cancer cell lines and the normal human HEK-293 cell line using the MTT assay. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining analysis and quantitative real-time PCR were used to assess AGS cell apoptosis. At a concentration of 100 µg/mL, the EtOAc extract of E. prostrata reduced AGS cell viability and proliferation by inducing apoptosis through the alteration of gene expression in the apoptotic cascade. These results highlight E. prostrata as a promising source of anticancer compounds.

Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Potential of Launaea mucronata Forssk Essential Oil Growing in Northern Saudi Arabia

Essential oils are naturally occurring multicomponent combinations of isoprenoids with distinctive odors that are produced by aromatic plants from mevalonic acid. They are extensively applied in aromatherapy for the treatment of various ailments. To investigate the potential therapeutic value of the ingredients in Launaea mucronata essential oil (EO), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was used for essential oil characterization. Then, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene/linoleic acid, and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays were used to evaluate the antioxidants. A 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to estimate the cytotoxicity. Following a thorough analysis of the GC-MS chromatogram, 87 components representing 97.98% of the entire EO mixture were identified. N-eicosane (10.92%), 2E,6Z-farnesol (10.74%), and 2Z,6E-farnesyl acetone (46.35%) were determined to be the major components of the oil. When the produced EO was evaluated for its antioxidant properties, it showed a strong inhibitory effect (%) of 65.34 at a concentration of 80 μg/mL. The results (g/mL) showed a positive response against the tested cell lines for HCT-116, MCF-7, and HepG2 (8.45, 10.24, and 6.78 g/mL, respectively). A high-concentration mixture of deadly components consisting of farnesol, bisabolol, eicosane, and farnesyl acetone may be responsible for this significant cytotoxic action, which was especially noticeable in the HepG2 cell line. Molecular docking occurred between farnesol and farnesyl acetone with the target residues of topoisomerases I and II, CDK4/cyclD1, and Aurora B kinases; these showed binding free energies ranging from -4.5 to -7.4 kcal/mol, thus demonstrating their antiproliferative action. In addition, farnesol and farnesyl acetone fulfilled most of the ADME and drug-likeness properties, indicating their activity.

3β-Hydroxy-12-oleanen-27-oic Acid Exerts an Antiproliferative Effect on Human Colon Carcinoma HCT116 Cells via Targeting FDFT1

3β-hydroxy-12-oleanen-27-oic acid (ATA), a cytotoxic oleanane triterpenoid with C14-COOH isolated from the rhizome of Astilbe chinensis, has been previously proven to possess antitumor activity and may be a promising antitumor agent. However, its molecular mechanisms of antitumor action were still unclear. This study explored the underlying mechanisms of cytotoxicity and potential target of ATA against human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells via integrative analysis of transcriptomics and network pharmacology in combination with in vitro and in vivo experimental validations. ATA significantly inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner and induced the cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. Transcriptomic analysis manifested that ATA regulated mRNA expression of the genes related to cell proliferation, cell cycle, and cell death in HCT116 cells. The integrated analysis of transcriptomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking revealed that ATA exerted cytotoxic activity via interactions with FDFT1, PPARA, and PPARG. Furthermore, FDFT1 was verified to be an upstream key target mediating the antiproliferative effect of ATA against HCT116 cells. Of note, ATA remarkably suppressed the growth of HCT116 xenografts in nude mice and displayed an apparent attenuation of FDFT1 in tumor tissues accompanied by the alteration of the biomarkers of autophagy, cell cycle, apoptosis, and ferroptosis. These results demonstrate that ATA exerted in vitro and in vivo antiproliferative effects against HCT116 cells through inducing cell apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis via targeting FDFT1.

Harnessing pyrimidine as a building block for histone deacetylase inhibitors

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are well-established multifaceted bioactive agents against tumors and neurodegenerative disorders. Pyrimidine and its fused and substituted derivatives were employed as a surface recognition moiety of HDAC inhibitors. De facto, the literature was loaded with different success stories of pyrimidine-based HDAC inhibitors that garnered much interest. Provoked by our continuous interest in HDAC inhibitors, we summarized and elaborated on the successful harnessing of the pyrimidine scaffold in this regard. Furthermore, we dissect our perspective that may guide medicinal chemists for an effective future design of more active chemotherapeutic agents with potential clinical applications.

Nutraceutical Activity of Anthocyanins from the Edible Berries of Rhamnus pompana

We present the inhibitory properties of the R. pompana anthocyanin fraction (RPAF) and its major constituents on alpha-glucosidase (AG), pancreatic lipase (PL), HMG-CoA reductase, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). The effect of RPAF was also evaluated in ICR male mice subjected to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and hypercaloric/atherogenic diet for 30 days. RP-HPLC/MS profiling revealed that RPAF contained five major anthocyanins and induced slight inhibition on PL and HMG-CoA reductase (IC50 , 245-338 μg mL-1 ) whereas strong activity on AG and ODC (IC50 , 130-133 μg mL-1 ) was observed. Kinetic studies and molecular docking with pelargonidin-3-O-rutinoside (P3R) on ODC, revealed changes in Km (0.9514-0.9746 mM) and Vmax (1.96-2.32 μmol mg-1  min-1 ) suggesting mixed inhibition and molecular interaction with two active sites of ODC. P3R showed antiproliferative activity (IC50, 46.5 μM) and decreased polyamine accumulation in DLD-1 cells. The results of OGTT confirmed that RPAF regulates postprandial glucose levels in diabetic animals which experienced a significant glucose depletion (30 %; p<0.001) from 30 to 120 min post-treatment. Prolonged supplementation of RPAF caused significant decrease (p<0.001) in plasma glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-c and triglycerides as well as significant increase (p<0.001) of HDL-c compared with normoglycemic untreated animals.

Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Several Garlic Forms

It is hypothesized that garlic, Allium sativum, might protect against oxidative stress that causes damage to cells and tissues leading to the development of various health conditions including cancer. However, it is not known whether garlic's potential anticancer benefits differ by form of garlic consumed. This study aimed to quantify and compare the in vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of several garlic forms in water and alcohol extracts including fresh garlic, fresh garlic set aside, heated garlic, heated garlic set aside, garlic powder, black garlic, two commercially available garlic supplements. Antioxidant activity of different garlic forms were measured using three assays: DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate) assay, superoxide assay, and hydroxyl assay. In vitro effects of garlic extracts were investigated against the most common lung cancer subtypes: H520, H1975, and A549 cell lines using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Among free radical scavenging assays, Garlicin®, a commercially available supplement, displayed high antioxidant activity in water and alcohol extracts (DPPH assay: 2.02 mg AAE (mg ascorbic acid equivalent)/g garlic and 3.53 mg AAE/g garlic, respectively; superoxide assay: 6.73 mg AAE/g garlic and 7.13 mg AAE/g garlic, respectively). In the hydroxyl assay, water extract of fresh garlic crushed and set aside for 10 min showed the highest antioxidant activity. Garlicin® alcohol extract and fresh garlic water extracts strongly inhibited the proliferation of H1975, A549 and H520 cells. Other forms of garlic including garlic powder and black garlic exhibited low antioxidant and antiproliferative activity. Our results demonstrate that the preparation and processing methods of garlic may lead to different antioxidant benefits.

Aceclofenac/Citronellol Oil Nanoemulsion Repurposing Study: Formulation, In Vitro Characterization, and In Silico Evaluation of Their Antiproliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Activity against Melanoma Cell Line

Aceclofenac (ACF) is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) known for its effectiveness in treating pain and inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated that ACF possesses antiproliferative properties, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in various cancer cell lines. Citronellol, a monoterpenoid alcohol found in essential oils, exhibits antioxidant properties and activities such as inhibiting cell growth and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. In this study, the objective was to formulate and evaluate an aceclofenac/citronellol oil nanoemulsion for its antiproliferative effects on melanoma. The optimal concentrations of citronellol oil, Tween 80, and Transcutol HP were determined using a pseudoternary phase diagram. The formulated nanoemulsions were characterized for droplet size, zeta potential, thermophysical stability, and in vitro release. The selected formula (F1) consisted of citronellol oil (1 gm%), Tween 80 (4 gm%), and Transcutol HP (1 gm%). F1 exhibited a spherical appearance with high drug content, small droplet size, and acceptable negative zeta potential. The amorphous state of the drug in the nanoemulsion was confirmed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry, while FTIR analysis indicated its homogenous solubility. The nanoemulsion showed significant antiproliferative activity, with a lower IC50 value compared to aceclofenac or citronellol alone. Flow cytometric analysis revealed cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis induced by the nanoemulsion. In silico studies provided insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the observed antitumor activity. In conclusion, the developed aceclofenac/citronellol oil nanoemulsion exhibited potent cytotoxicity and pro-apoptotic effects, suggesting its potential as a repurposed antiproliferative agent for melanoma treatment. In a future plan, further animal model research for validation is suggested.

Synthesis, Molecular Docking, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Anthranilic Acid Hybrid and Its Diamides as Antispasmodics

The present article focuses on the synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel anthranilic acid hybrid and its diamides as antispasmodics. Methods: Due to the predicted in silico methods spasmolytic activity, we synthesized a hybrid molecule of anthranilic acid and 2-(3-chlorophenyl)ethylamine. The obtained hybrid was then applied in acylation with different acyl chlorides. Using in silico analysis, pharmacodynamic profiles of the compounds were predicted. A thorough biological evaluation of the compounds was conducted assessing their in vitro antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory activity, and ex vivo spasmolytic activity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation, including geometry optimization, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface, and HOMO-LUMO analysis for the synthesized compounds was conducted using the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) method to explore the electronic behavior, reactive regions, and stability and chemical reactivity of the compounds. Furthermore, molecular docking simulation along with viscosity measurement indicated that the newly synthesized compounds interact with DNA via groove binding mode. The obtained results from all the experiments demonstrate that the hybrid molecule and its diamides inherit spasmolytic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory capabilities, making them excellent candidates for future medications.

Effect of Annona squamosa leaf extract on human promyelocytic leukemia cells subjected to oxidative stress

OBJECTIVES

Annona squamosa has beneficial properties. However, its cytotoxicity and antioxidative effects on human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL60) deserve investigation. Therefore, the efficacy of its crude extracts in offsetting damage in HL60 cells subjected to oxidative stress was studied.

METHODS

Crude extracts at different concentrations were incubated with HL60 cells. The beneficial properties of the plant extract against oxidative damage were evaluated post-induction of oxidative stress utilizing hydrogen peroxide.

RESULTS

Extracts at concentrations 600 and 800 μg/mL were most effective at increasing the viability of damaged cells compared to the control group after 48 h of incubation. Significant increases in lipid peroxidation were observed in exposed cells treated with 600 μg/mL extract after 72 h of incubation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities significantly increased in exposed cells after 24 h of incubation at all extract concentrations. Exposed cells treated with 600 and 1,000 μg/dL of the extract showed significantly increased catalase activity after 48 h, and a similar profile was maintained after 72 h of exposure. SOD activity in exposed cells remained significantly increased at all treatment concentrations after 48 and 72 h of incubation. Treatment with 400, 600, and 800 μg/mL of the extract resulted in significantly increased reduced glutathione levels compared to the other groups after 24 and 72 h of incubation. However, after 48 h of incubation, significant increases were noted in glutathione levels in exposed cells incubated with either 400, 800, or 1,000 μg/mL extract.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that A. squamosa might effectively protect against oxidative damage in a time and extract concentration-dependent manner.

Synthesis, Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Actions of 4-(1,2,3-Triazol-1-yl)quinolin-2(1H)-ones as Multi-Target Inhibitors

The reaction of 4-azido-quinolin-2(1H)-ones 1a-e with the active methylene compounds pentane-2,4-dione (2a), 1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-dione (2b), and K2CO3 was investigated in this study. This approach afforded 4-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)quinolin-2(1H)-ones 3a-j in high yields and purity. All newly synthesized products' structures were identified. Compounds 3a-j were tested for antiproliferative activity against a panel of four cancer cell lines. In comparison to the reference erlotinib (GI50 = 33), compounds 3f-j were the most potent derivatives, with GI50 values ranging from 22 nM to 31 nM. The most effective antiproliferative derivatives, 3f-j, were subsequently investigated as possible multi-target inhibitors of EGFR, BRAFV600E, and EGFRT790M. Compound 3h was the most potent inhibitor of the studied molecular targets, with IC50 values of 57 nM, 68 nM, and 9.70 nM, respectively. The apoptotic assay results demonstrated that compounds 3g and 3h function as caspase-3, 8, and Bax activators as well as down-regulators of the antiapoptotic Bcl2, and hence can be classified as apoptotic inducers. Finally, compounds 3g and 3h displayed promising antioxidant activity at 10 µM, with DPPH radical scavenging of 70.6% and 73.5%, respectively, compared to Trolox (77.6%).

The Effect of Different Glucose Concentrations on the Antiproliferative Activity of Metformin in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

The glucose-lowering drug metformin has been reported to have anticancer properties through unknown mechanisms. Other unknown factors that may influence its anticancer potential include the glycemic status of the patient. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the effect of different glucose environments on the antiproliferative potency and the cellular mechanism of action of metformin. Human breast cancer cells, MCF-7, were incubated in low, normal, elevated, and high glucose environments and treated with metformin. The antiproliferative potential of metformin and its effect on protein expression as well as its ability to induce cellular apoptosis and autophagy under different glucose environments, were determined using different molecular techniques. Metformin significantly inhibited cellular proliferation in a time- and glucose-concentration-dependent manner. In comparison to elevated glucose, low normal glucose alone induced a significant level of autophagy that was further increased in the presence of metformin. While glucose concentration did not appear to have an effect on the antiproliferative potency of metformin, the cellular basis of action was shown to be glucose-dependent. The antiproliferative mechanism of action of metformin in elevated and low normal glucose environments is mTOR-dependent, whereas, in the high glucose environment, the antiproliferative mechanism is independent of mTOR. This is the first study to report that both the antiproliferative potency and the cellular mechanism of action aredependent on the concentration of glucose.

Moringa oleifera: A Review on the Antiproliferative Potential in Breast Cancer Cells

The global burden of female breast cancer and associated deaths has become a major concern. Many chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin, have been shown to have adverse side effects. The development of multi-drug resistance is a common occurrence, contributing to chemotherapeutic failure. The resistance of breast cancer cells to drug treatment leads to a decline in the treatment efficacy and an increase in cancer recurrence. Therefore, action is required to produce alternative drug therapies, such as herbal drugs. Herbal drugs have been proven to be beneficial in treating illnesses, including cancer. This review aims to highlight the antiproliferative potential of Moringa oleifera (MO), a medicinal tree native to India and indigenous to Africa, in breast cancer cells. Although MO is not yet considered a commercial chemopreventive drug, previous studies have indicated that it could become a chemotherapeutic agent. The possible antiproliferative potential of MO aqueous leaf extract has been previously proven through its antioxidant potential as well as its ability to induce apoptosis. This review will provide an increased understanding of the effect that MO aqueous leaf extract could potentially have against breast cancer.

Ethnomedicinal importance of Patuletin in Medicine: Pharmacological Activities and Analytical Aspects

BACKGROUND

Plant-derived bioactive molecules have been a major source of therapeutics for human and veterinarian purposes. Different traditional medicine system across the globe had relied on natural resources to meet their demand of healthcare. Still in modern world pharmaceutical industries look for phytochemicals to develop new drugs. The current review explores patuletin, a flavonoid for its diverse reported pharmacological activities along with its analytical techniques.

METHODS

Scientific data published on patuletin was collected from Scopus, Science Direct, Pubmed, Google, and Google Scholar. The collected data were analyzed and arranged as per specific pharmacological activities performed using in-vitro or in-vivo methods. Analytical methods of patuletin have been presented next to pharmacological activities, Results: Available scientific literature indicates patuletin has anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, genotoxic, hepatoprotective, antiproliferative, antiplatelet, antinociceptive, and antioxidant activity. In addition to these activities, its biological potential on breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, aldose reductase, and different types of microorganisms has been also presented in this work. Analytical data on patuletin signified the importance of patuletin for the standardization of herbal products and derived medicine.

CONCLUSION

It may be concluded that patuletin with its diverse biological activities and readily available analytical methods, holds the potential to be translated into a new drug entity.

of Western Ghats Region, India

The present study shows the chemical profile, antimicrobial, antiproliferative, and apoptotic effects of Stemodia viscosa extracts. Thirteen bioactive compounds were identified in the 80 % ethanolic extract by GC/MS analysis. The acetone extract exhibited a higher content of flavonoids and phenols of 805.10 μg QE/mg DW and 89.31 μg GAE/mg DW extracts, respectively. Furthermore, the acetone extract possessed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 =9.96 μg/mL). The 80 % ethanolic extract exhibited significant antimicrobial activity; the highest activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus with a zone of inhibition of 25±0.51 mm, MIC value of 4 mg/mL, and MBC value of 8 mg/mL. The antiproliferative results revealed the presence of anticancer activity with an IC50 =91.562 and 74.362 μg/mL against the B16F10 skin and COLO205 colon cancer cells, respectively. The flow cytometric analysis shows that the plant extracts cause cancer cell death through the induction of apoptosis. Our findings confirmed that Stemodia viscosa is a potential source of biologically active compounds.

Semicarbazides Carrying Indole Core: Synthesis, Cytotoxicity Evaluation against Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines, and Molecular Modeling Studies

In this article, we report the synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of novel indole-carrying semicarbazide derivatives (IS1-IS15). The target molecules were obtained by the reaction of aryl/alkyl isocyanates with 1H-indole-2-carbohydrazide that was in-house synthesized from 1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid. Following structural characterization by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, and HR-MS, IS1-IS15 were investigated for their cytotoxic activity against human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. According to the data obtained from the MTT assay, phenyl ring with a lipophilic group at its para-position and alkyl moiety were preferential substituents on the indole-semicarbazide scaffold for antiproliferative activity. The effect of IS12 (N-(4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-(1H-indole-2-carbonyl)hydrazine-1-carboxamide), the compound that demonstrated remarkable antiproliferative activity on both cell lines, was also evaluated on the apoptotic pathway. Moreover, the calculation of critical descriptors constituting drug-likeness confirmed the position of the selected compounds in the anticancer drug development process. Finally, molecular docking studies suggested the inhibition of tubulin polymerization as the potential activity mechanism of this class of molecules.

Halogen substituted aurones as potential apoptotic agents: synthesis, anticancer evaluation, molecular docking, ADMET and DFT study

A series of halogen-substituted aurone derivatives (2a-k) were synthesized and evaluated for an anti-proliferative study against NCI 60 cancer cell line panel and showed that most of the compounds predominantly exhibited promising activity against MCF-7. Compound 2e exhibited promising anticancer activity against the MCF-7 cancer cell line with 84.98% percentage growth inhibition in a single dose assay of 10 μM with an IC₅₀ value of 8.157 ± 0.713 μM. In apoptotic assay, the effect of compound 2e on the cell cycle progression indicated that exposure of MCF-7 cells to compound 2e induced a significant disruption in the cell cycle profile including a time-dependent decrease in the cell population at G0/G1 and G2/M phase and arrests the cell cycle at the S phase. In silico, molecular docking ADME and toxicity studies of all compounds were also carried out. The docking study revealed that all the aurone derivatives displayed good docking scores ranging from -7.066 to -8.573. The results of Molecular Electrostatic Potential Mapping (MESP) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies of the most active compound 2e and least active compound 2k also favoured the experimental results.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Indole-2-carboxamides as Potential Multi-Target Antiproliferative Agents

A small set of indole-based derivatives, IV and Va-I, was designed and synthesized. Compounds Va-i demonstrated promising antiproliferative activity, with GI₅₀ values ranging from 26 nM to 86 nM compared to erlotinib's 33 nM. The most potent antiproliferative derivatives-Va, Ve, Vf, Vg, and Vh-were tested for EGFR inhibitory activity. Compound Va demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity against EGFR with an IC₅₀ value of 71 ± 06 nM, which is higher than the reference erlotinib (IC₅₀ = 80 ± 05 nM). Compounds Va, Ve, Vf, Vg, and Vh were further tested for BRAF^V600E inhibitory activity. The tested compounds inhibited BRAF^V600E with IC₅₀ values ranging from 77 nM to 107 nM compared to erlotinib's IC₅₀ value of 60 nM. The inhibitory activity of compounds Va, Ve, Vf, Vg, and Vh against VEGFR-2 was also determined. Finally, in silico docking experiments attempted to investigate the binding mode of compounds within the active sites of EGFR, BRAF^V600E, and VEGFR-2.

Synthesis and Structure Determination of Substituted Thiazole Derivatives as EGFR/BRAFV600E Dual Inhibitors Endowed with Antiproliferative Activity

2,3,4-trisubstituted thiazoles 3a-i, having a methyl group in position four, were synthesized by the reaction of 1,4-disubstituted thiosemicarbazides with chloroacetone in ethyl acetate/Et₃N at room temperature or in ethanol under reflux. The structures of new compounds were determined using NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses. Moreover, the structure of compound 3a was unambiguously confirmed with X-ray analysis. The cell viability assay of 3a-i at 50 µM was greater than 87%, and none of the tested substances were cytotoxic. Compounds 3a-i demonstrated good antiproliferative activity, with GI₅₀ values ranging from 37 to 86 nM against the four tested human cancer cell lines, compared to the reference erlotinib, which had a GI₅₀ value of 33 nM. The most potent derivatives were found to be compounds 3a, 3c, 3d, and 3f, with GI₅₀ values ranging from 37 nM to 54 nM. The EGFR-TK and BRAF^V600E inhibitory assays' results matched the antiproliferative assay's results, with the most potent derivatives, as antiproliferative agents, also being the most potent EGFR and BRAF^V600E inhibitors. The docking computations were employed to investigate the docking modes and scores of compounds 3a, 3c, 3d, and 3f toward BRAF^V600E and EGFR. Docking computations demonstrated the good affinity of compound 3f against BRAF^V600E and EGFR, with values of -8.7 and -8.5 kcal/mol, respectively.

on 2D- and 3D-Human Lung Cancer Cells (A549) Model

Since lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, research is being conducted to discover anticancer agents as its treatment. Eleutherine bulbosa, a Dayak folklore medicine, exhibited anticancer effects against several cancer cells; however, its anticancer potency against lung cancer cells has not been explored yet. This study aims to determine the anticancer potency of E. bulbosa bulbs against lung cancer cells (A549) using 2D and 3D culture models, as well as determine its active compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Three fractions of E. bulbosa bulbs, namely chloroform, n-hexane, and ethyl acetate, were tested for cytotoxicity using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium-bromide (MTT) and CellTiter-Glo. The antiproliferative effects of the most cytotoxic fraction against the 2D culture model were determined by a clonogenic survival assay and propidium iodide/Hoechst 33342 double staining, whereas the effects against the 3D culture model were determined by microscopy, flow cytometry, and gene expression analysis. The chloroform fraction is the most cytotoxic against A549 cells than other fractions, and it inhibited colony formation and induced apoptosis of A549 cells. The chloroform fraction also inhibited the growth of the A549 spheroid by suppressing the spheroid size, inducing apoptosis, reducing the proportion of CD44 lung cancer stem cells, causing arrest at the S phase of the cell cycle, and suppressing the expression of the SOX2 and MYC genes. Furthermore, the GC-MS analysis detected 20 active compounds in the chloroform fraction, including the major compounds of eleutherine and isoeleutherine. In conclusion, the chloroform fraction of E. bulbosa bulbs exhibit its antiproliferative effect on 2D and 3D culture models of A549 cells, suggesting it could be a lung cancer chemopreventive agent.

Investigation of Anticancer Properties of Monoterpene-Aminopyrimidine Hybrids on A2780 Ovarian Cancer Cells

The present study aimed to characterize the antiproliferative and antimetastatic properties of two recently synthesized monoterpene-aminopyrimidine hybrids (1 and 2) on A2780 ovary cancer cells. Both agents exerted a more pronounced cell growth inhibitory action than the reference agent cisplatin, as determined by the MTT assay. Tumor selectivity was assessed using non-cancerous fibroblast cells. Hybrids 1 and 2 induced changes in cell morphology and membrane integrity in A2780 cells, as evidenced by Hoechst 33258-propidium iodide fluorescent staining. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry revealed substantial changes in the distribution of A2780 ovarian cancer cells, with an increased rate in the subG1 and G2/M phases, at the expense of the G1 cell population. Moreover, the tested molecules accelerated tubulin polymerization in a cell-free in vitro system. The antimetastatic properties of both tested compounds were investigated by wound healing and Boyden chamber assays after 24 and 48 h of incubation. Treatment with 1 and 2 resulted in time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of migration and invasion of A2780 cancer cells. These results support that the tested agents may be worth of further investigation as promising anticancer drug candidates.

Anticancer Potential of Natural Chalcones: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence

There is no doubt that significant progress has been made in tumor therapy in the past decades. However, the discovery of new molecules with potential antitumor properties still remains one of the most significant challenges in the field of anticancer therapy. Nature, especially plants, is a rich source of phytochemicals with pleiotropic biological activities. Among a plethora of phytochemicals, chalcones, the bioprecursors of flavonoid and isoflavonoids synthesis in higher plants, have attracted attention due to the broad spectrum of biological activities with potential clinical applications. Regarding the antiproliferative and anticancer effects of chalcones, multiple mechanisms of action including cell cycle arrest, induction of different forms of cell death and modulation of various signaling pathways have been documented. This review summarizes current knowledge related to mechanisms of antiproliferative and anticancer effects of natural chalcones in different types of malignancies including breast cancers, cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, lung cancers, renal and bladder cancers, and melanoma.

Corrigendum: Impact of a TAK-1 inhibitor as a single or as an add-on therapy to riociguat on the metabolic reprograming and pulmonary hypertension in the SUGEN5416/hypoxia rat model

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1021535.].

Uridine Derivatives: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and In Silico Studies as Antimicrobial and Anticancer Agents

Nucleoside analogs are frequently used in the control of viral infections and neoplastic diseases. However, relatively few studies have shown that nucleoside analogs have antibacterial and antifungal activities. In this study, a fused pyrimidine molecule, uridine, was modified with various aliphatic chains and aromatic groups to produce new derivatives as antimicrobial agents. All newly synthesized uridine derivatives were analyzed by spectral (NMR, FTIR, mass spectrometry), elemental, and physicochemical analyses. Prediction of activity spectra for substances (PASS) and in vitro biological evaluation against bacteria and fungi indicated promising antimicrobial capability of these uridine derivatives. The tested compounds were more effective against fungal phytopathogens than bacterial strains, as determined by their in vitro antimicrobial activity. Cytotoxicity testing indicated that the compounds were less toxic. In addition, antiproliferative activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells was investigated, and compound 6 (2',3'-di-O-cinnamoyl-5'-O-palmitoyluridine) demonstrated promising anticancer activity. Their molecular docking against Escherichia coli (1RXF) and Salmonella typhi (3000) revealed notable binding affinities and nonbonding interactions in support of this finding. Stable conformation and binding patterns/energy were found in a stimulating 400 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) investigation indicated that acyl chains, CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CO-, (C₆H₅)₃C-, and C₂H₅C₆H₄CO-, combined with deoxyribose, were most effective against the tested bacterial and fungal pathogens. Pharmacokinetic predictions were examined to determine their ADMET characteristics, and the results in silico were intriguing. Finally, the synthesized uridine derivatives demonstrated increased medicinal activity and high potential for future antimicrobial/anticancer agent(s).

New Insight on In Vitro Biological Activities of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Ulvophyte Green Algae

Green algae are natural bioresources that have excellent bioactive potential, partly due to sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) which are still rarely explored for their biological activities. There is currently an urgent need for studies exploring the anticancer biological activity of SPs extracted from two Indonesian ulvophyte green algae: the sulfated polysaccharide of Caulerpa racemosa (SPCr) and the sulfated polysaccharide of Caulerpa lentillifera (SPCl). The method of isolating SPs and their assessment of biological activities in this study were based on previous and similar studies. The highest yield sulfate/total sugar ratio was presented by SPCr than that of SPCl. Overall, SPCr exhibits a strong antioxidant activity, as indicated by smaller EC₅₀ values obtained from a series of antioxidant activity assays compared to the EC₅₀ values of Trolox (control). As an anti-obesity and antidiabetic, the overall EC₅₀ value of both SPs was close to the EC₅₀ of the positive control (orlistat and acarbose). Even more interesting was that SPCl displayed wide-ranging anticancer effects on colorectal, hepatoma, breast cancer cell lines, and leukemia. Finally, this study reveals new insights in that SPs from two Indonesian green algae have the potential to be promising nutraceuticals as novel antioxidative actors, and to be able to fight obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.