Nanoencapsulation of Extracts and Isolated Compounds of Plant Origin and Their Cytotoxic Effects on Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatments: Advantages and New Challenges

This review analyzes the current progress in loaded nanoparticles (NPs) of plant extracts or isolated antineoplastic compounds used in breast and cervical cancer treatments. Also, it provides a comprehensive overview of the contributions made by traditional medicine and nanomedicine to the research of two of the most prevalent types of cancer in women worldwide: breast and cervical cancer. Searches were conducted in electronic databases to gather relevant information related to the biological activity of the NPs, which were meticulously reviewed. Nanomedicine has advanced to incorporate plant compounds including their crude extracts, in the preparation of NPs. The most used method is green synthesis, whose most outstanding advantages, is the reduced preparation time, and the variety of results that can be obtained depending on the reaction times, pH, temperature, and concentration of both the bio-reducing agent and the compound or plant extract. Most of the studies focus on evaluating crude extracts with high polarity, such as aqueous, alcoholic, and hydroalcoholic extracts. In conclusion, exploring the use of organic compounds is considered an area of opportunity for further research and future perspectives. Most of the analyzed studies were conducted using in vitro assays, highlighting the relatively recent nature of this field. It is expected that future research will involve more in vivo assays, particularly focusing on isolated cell lines representing the most difficult-to-treat types of cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer like MDA-MB-231. Notably the MCF-7 cell line is one of the most used, while limited studies were found concerning cervical cancer.

Antibacterial Effect of Ethanolic Extracts of Dodonaea viscosa L. Jacq. and Mammea americana L. against Staphylococci Isolated from Skin Lesions

Background

The resistance to antibiotics shown by some dermatological pathogenic microorganisms has increased the interest of pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in developing natural products that possess different biological activities, including antimicrobial effects.

Methods

In the present investigation, the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of Dodonaea viscosa aerial part and Mammea americana leaves and seed was evaluated against resistant strains of Staphylococcus isolated from skin lesions and against S. aureus ATCC 25923 (reference strain). Column chromatography (CC) and preparative thin-layer chromatography (PTLC) were used to obtain separate fractions of the seed extract of M. americana. We also determined the antimicrobial resistance of the strains against antibiotics using the agar disc diffusion assay. In addition, phytochemical screening was performed by colorimetric standard techniques.

Results

M. americana seed extract showed the highest antibacterial activity with MBC from 2.3 μg/mL to 19.5 μg/mL without differences with gentamicin (p = 0.998). The isolated strain S. epidermidis I showed the highest antimicrobial resistance against the tested antibiotics. PTLC-fractions of M. americana seed extract showed MBC from 3.2 μg/mL to 40.7 μg/mL against S. epidermidis I and S. aureus 25923 (reference), respectively, which suggests a synergistic effect of the secondary metabolites present in the crude ethanolic extract compared to its active PTLC-fractions, where only coumarins and compounds with lactone groups were detected in the phytochemical screening.

Conclusion

M. americana seed extract has promising effects that should be considered in further studies as an alternative or adjuvant in treating skin infections caused by staphylococci.

Effect of methanolic extract of Mimosa malacophylla A.Gray in vero and HEK-293 cell lines, and in the morphology of kidney and bladder of rats with induced urolithiasis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Urolithiasis is the presence of stones in the kidney, ureters, bladder and/or urethra; it is the third most frequent disease of the urinary tract. Mimosa malacophylla A. Gray, is a species distributed in northern Mexico, where people traditionally use it for its diuretic effect, and to treat kidney diseases; however, no scientific reports have been found in relation to its antiurolithic properties.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to obtain a qualitative phytochemical profile of the methanolic extract (ME) of M. malacophylla, and to evaluate its potential cytotoxic effect in vitro and its antiurolithic activity in vivo.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Phytochemical screening was performed to demonstrate the presence of secondary metabolite groups in the methanolic extract of M. malacophylla. In vitro cytotoxicity assays (MTT and nucleotide labeling with DAPI) were performed to evaluate the effect of the extract on kidney cell lines. Urolithiasis was induced in the bladder of Wistar rats introducing zinc disks for the calculus formation and exposed to three concentrations of ME.

RESULTS

Phytochemical screening showed phenols, steroids, terpenoids and carbohydrates. In vitro analysis demonstrated that concentrations below 300 μg/mL of ME did not produce a cytotoxic effect on renal Vero and HEK-293 cells. In vivo analysis of 15 days of exposition, revealed that the extract at concentrations of 50 mg/kg to 150 mg/kg were effective as an antiurolithic treatment, and did not produce morphological alterations in kidney or bladder in murine model of induced urolithiasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The antiurolithic activity may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, steroids and terpenes detected in the phytochemical screening which have been reported to possess this activity. These results could be useful to evaluate new alternatives and their potential therapeutic effect to treat renal or urinary affections.

In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Methanol Extracts of Selected Medicinal Plants Traditionally Used in Mexico against Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Medicinal plants are traditionally used in Mexico to treat diseases such as cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-hemolytic activity of 15 plants of ethnopharmacological use in Mexico. For this, plant methanol extracts were prepared by the Soxhlet method, after which their cytotoxic activity was evaluated against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HEP-G2) and monkey kidney epithelial (Vero) cells by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction colorimetric assay. The selectivity index (SI) of each extract was then determined by the IC₅₀ ratio of normal to tumor cells. We showed that Ruta chalepensis extract possessed an IC₅₀ of 1.79 µg/mL and 522.08 µg/mL against HEP-G2 and Vero cells, respectively, resulting in an SI of 291.50. Furthermore, antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging technique, where the best antioxidant potential was shown by the Heterotheca inuloides extract (IC₅₀ = 19.24 µg/mL). Furthermore, the hemolytic potential was determined against human erythrocytes, which showed that the extracts with the highest anti-hemolytic activity were Smilax aspera (IC₅₀ = 4.41 µg/mL) and Amphipterygium adstringens (IC₅₀ = 5.35 µg/mL). In conclusion, we observed that R. chalepensis methanol extract possesses cytotoxic activity against HEP-G2 cells, without affecting non-tumorigenic Vero cells. Our results indicated the antitumor potential of medicinal plants used in Mexico.

Amoebicidal and trichomonicidal capacity of polymeric nanoparticles loaded with extracts of the plants Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae) and Berberis vulgaris (Berberidaceae)

Introduction: In tropical and developing countries, pathogenic protozoa are a major public health problem. Objective: The main objective of this study was the evaluation of ethanol extracts of Curcuma longa and Berberis vulgaris, as well as their main components curcumin (Cur) and berberine (Ber) in non-encapsulated form and encapsulated into polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) on Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoites as well as to evaluate the hemolytic activity. Additionally, we studied the morphology of the NPs, average particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and encapsulation percentages (%EE) of the formulations. Methods: For this purpose, the activity of the encapsulated and non-encapsulated treatments against E. histolytica and T. vaginalis was evaluated by the microassay technique (in-vitro). In addition, the cytotoxic capacity was determined by the hemolysis technique in healthy erythrocytes. The size and morphology of the NPs were determined by photon correlation spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: Phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed that C. longa had mainly tannins, phenols and flavonoids, and B. vulgaris alkaloids. The NPs were significantly (P < 0.001) more effective compared to their non-encapsulated counterparts, but CurNPs and BerNPs were the most efficient treatments. CurNPs showed IC50 values (μg/mL) of 9.48 and 4.25, against E. histolytica and T. vaginalis respectively, and BerNPs 0.24 and 0.71. The respective particle sizes and encapsulation percentages for CurNPs and BerNPs were 66.5 and 73.4 nm, 83.59 and 76.48 %, respectively. SEM shows that NPs had a spherical morphology. Finally, we analyzed whether ethanolic extracts and NPs induced hemolytic activity and found that significantly NPs reduced hemolysis compared to the non-encapsulated extracts. Conclusions: Therefore, these findings suggest that the use of NPs represent a valuable and novel source of administration of bioactive compounds for the therapeutic treatment of diseases caused by protozoa of clinical interest since they potentiate the amebicidal and trichomonicidal activity of the administered products without significant hemolytic activity.

Fabrication and Characterization of a Laboratory–Made New Coating Based on 1-Decyl-3-Methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate for SPME Fibers, an Exploration to its Application in Extractions by Direct-Immersion Mode

Abstract. A novel coating for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers was manufactured by using a mixture of 1-decyl-3methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid and a commercial adhesive deposited on an etched stainless-steel support. The new coating was characterized by applying optical and electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and its extraction capacity was also evaluated. The extraction capacity was tested using as model analytes some pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) with different hydrophilicities. The potential use of the new fiber was evaluated through direct-immersion mode extractions and showed extraction capacity toward methylparaben, propylparaben, naproxen, diclofenac and benzophenone-3. Experimental design tools were used to study and optimize the variables that affect the extraction and desorption processes of the SPME by direct immersion. The analytical performance of proposed method was investigated under SPME procedure´s optimal conditions, coupled to a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method, which was developed and validated for analysis of the target PPCPs. The method of SPME by direct immersion was linear, precise and accurate. Detection and quantification limits of 0.023 to 0.093 μg mL-1 and 0.118 to 0.279 μg mL-1 were obtained, respectively. By the use of the developed method, tap water samples were analyzed and recoveries from 3.39 to 183.29 % were found. The new fiber presented an adequate stability and good extraction reproducibility (<15 % RSD). As a final point, this device is of easy and quick preparation, inexpensive, and suitable for extraction of some PPCPs.   Resumen. Se fabricó un nuevo recubrimiento para fibras de microextracción en fase sólida (SPME) utilizando una mezcla del líquido iónico tetrafluoroborato de 1-decil-3metilimidazolio y un adhesivo comercial depositada sobre un soporte de acero inoxidable grabado. El nuevo recubrimiento se caracterizó mediante la aplicación de microscopía óptica y electrónica, espectroscopía de infrarrojo y también se evaluó su capacidad de extracción. La capacidad de extracción se probó utilizando como analitos modelo algunos productos farmacéuticos y de cuidado personal (PPCPs) con diferentes hidrofilicidades. El uso potencial de la nueva fibra se evaluó mediante extracciones en modo de inmersión directa y mostró capacidad de extracción hacia metilparabeno, propilparabeno, naproxeno, diclofenaco y benzofenona-3. Se utilizaron herramientas del diseño experimental para estudiar y optimizar las variables que afectan los procesos de extracción y desorción de la SPME por inmersión directa. El rendimiento analítico del método propuesto se investigó en las condiciones óptimas del procedimiento de SPME, acoplado a un método de cromatografía líquida de alto rendimiento con detector de arreglo de diodos (HPLC-DAD), que fue desarrollado y validado para el análisis de los PPCPs objetivo. El método de SPME por inmersión directa fue lineal, preciso y exacto. Se obtuvieron límites de detección y cuantificación de 0.023 a 0.093 μg mL-1 y 0.118 a 0.279 μg mL-1, respectivamente. Mediante el uso del método desarrollado, se analizaron muestras de agua del grifo y se encontraron recuperaciones de 3.39 a 183.29 %. La nueva fibra presentó una adecuada estabilidad y buena reproducibilidad de extracción (<15 % RSD). Como punto final, este dispositivo es de fácil y rápida preparación, económico y adecuado para la extracción de algunos PPCPs.

In-Vitro Effect of Kalanchoe daigremontiana and Its Main Component, Quercetin against Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis

Background:

Parasitic infections represent one of the main public health problems in humans according to the WHO. Therefore, the need has arisen to find new treatments that can be used as an alternative cure to parasitosis. We aimed to investigate the in-vitro effects of the methanolic extract of Kalanchoe daigremontiana as well as its main component, quercetin against Entamoeba histolytica and Trichomonas vaginalis.

Methods:

For this purpose, the in-vitro activity of the methanol extract of K. daigremontiana also its main component, quercetin, against trophozoites of E. histolytica and T. vaginalis was evaluated, using the microassay technique. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was determined. Finally, the cytotoxic and cytoprotective capacity was determined using the hemolysis technique.

Results:

The IC₅₀ indicated that quercetin significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the growth rate of the trophozoite stage of E. histolytica and T. vaginalis in comparison to the methanolic extract of K. daigremontiana (KalL). Also, quercetin significantly (P < 0.05) was a better antioxidant as compared with the positive control. In the evaluation of cytotoxicity effects, it could be observed that KalL as compared with quercetin exhibited more cytotoxicity against human erythrocytes. Quercetin significantly (P < 0.001) exhibited better cytoprotective activity compared to KalL.

Conclusion:

Both K. daigremontiana methanolic extract and quercetin alone demonstrated high antiparasitic activity against E. histolytica and T. vaginalis. However, the in-vivo efficacy of K. daigremontiana and quercetin also requires to be evaluated using an animal model.

In Vitro Antischistosomal Activity of the Argemone mexicana Methanolic Extract and Its Main Component Berberine

Background:

Schistosomiasis has been identified as a major public health problem in tropical countries. The present study aimed to investigate the schistosomicidal effects of the methanolic extract of Argemone mexicana L. and its active component, berberine against Schistosoma mansoni on in-vitro experiments.

Methods:

S. mansoni adults were used. Various concentrations of the methanolic extract (10 – 200 μg/ml) and berberine (2.5 – 50 μM) were tested from 24 to 72 h. The viability of S. mansoni was confirmed with an invertoscope-microscope. Furthermore, cytotoxic (Hemolysis test), and antioxidant (DPPH radical scavenging assay) capacities were determined.

Results:

The viability tests on S. mansoni showed that A. mexicana at 50 μg/mL is lethal at 48 h and berberine at 10 μM is lethal at 24 h. The hemolytic activity at 1,000 μg/mL was 2.9% for A. mexicana and 90.2% for berberine. The antioxidant capacities shown by A. mexicana and berberine, were EC₅₀ 156.3 and 84.1 μg/mL, respectively.

Conclusion:

The extract of A. mexicana and berberine demonstrated high antischistosomal activities in low concentration and short exposure time on the in-vitro model.

Berberina, curcumina y quercetina como potenciales agentes con capacidad antiparasitaria

Introducción: El uso indiscriminado de agentes antiparasitarios ha resultado en el establecimiento de resistencia a ellos. Por lo cual es necesario el desarrollo de nuevas alternativas de tratamiento. Los productos naturales poseen diversas cualidades como posibles coadyuvantes en terapias contra distintos agentes etiológicos, entre los que destaca sus efectos antiparasitarios. Objetivo: Evaluar la actividad antiparasitaria, antioxidante, citotóxica y citoprotectora de Berberina (Ber), Curcumina (Cur) y Quercetina (Qr). Metodología: Se prepararon soluciones de Ber, Cur y Qr grado analítico y se realizaron alícuotas a diferentes concentraciones para su evaluación en contra de: Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis y Strongyloides venezuelensis, para ello, se determinó la concentración inhibitoria media (IC50), además se determinó la capacidad antioxidante (CE50) mediante la prueba de DPPH, ambos por la prueba de Probit. Mediante la técnica de hemólisis se determinó la actividad citotóxica y citoprotectora, se aplicó Anova y la prueba de Tukey para determinar la diferencia de las medias en los tratamientos evaluados. Resultados: Ber, Cur y Qr, presentaron actividad en contra de E. histolytica, T. vaginalis y S. venezuelensis in-vitro. Ber presentó IC50 de 1.7, 1.2 y 1.9 μM respectivamente siendo más efectivo en comparación de Cur con IC50 de 55.3, 40.6 y 13.7 μM o Qr con IC50 de 147.2, 93.2 y 110.9 μM, sin embargo, la mejor actividad antioxidante (EC50 = 1.1 μg/ml), citoprotectora y menos hemolítica, fue presentada por Qr (P < 0.001) en comparación con el control evaluado. Conclusiones: Los metabolitos de origen natural berberina, curcumina y quercetina, poseen actividad en contra de trofozoítos de E. histolytica, T. vaginalis y larvas de S. venezuelensis en dosis bajas comparables con los fármacos de referencia para el caso de Ber. Además, estos productos de origen natural, no sintético podrían ser objeto de futuras investigaciones para coadyuvar al tratamiento de parasitosis, ya que, en dosis bajas, mostraron actividad antioxidante sin mostrar hemólisis considerable en eritrocitos humanos.

In Vitro Effect of Methanolic Extract of Argemone mexicana against Trichomonas vaginalis

Infections caused by Trichomonas vaginalis in humans are one of the main public health problems caused by sexually transmitted diseases. Objective of this study was to evaluate potential biological activity of the medicinal plant Argemone mexicana (Mexican poppy) on T. vaginalis. Methanolic extracts of the stems and leaves of A. mexicana, and different fractions were prepared with solvents of different polarities. The extracts and functional groups were detected containing sterols, triterpenes, quinones, flavonoids and, alkaloids. Extracts from both the stems and leaves of A. mexicana inhibited the growth of T. vaginalis with half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of 70.6 and 67.2 μg/ml, respectively. In the active fractions, the most abundant compounds were berberine and jatrorrhizine, with presumed antiparasitic activity.

In Vitro Study of Antiamoebic Activity of Methanol Extracts of Argemone mexicana on Trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica HM1-IMSS

Infections caused by parasites in humans represent one of the main public health concerns. Amoebiasis, a parasitic infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), is considered endemic in Mexico, where Argemone mexicana (A. mexicana) has been used in traditional medicine to treat intestinal parasitic diseases. The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential biological activity of A. mexicana on E. histolytica. For this purpose, a methanolic extract was prepared from A. mexicana leaves, and a differential fractionation was carried out with solvents of different polarities. The inhibitory capacities of the extract and its fractions were evaluated in vitro using HM1-IMSS, a strain of Entamoeba histolytica. A. mexicana extract was found to have a growth-inhibiting activity for E. histolytica, showing IC50 = 78.39 μg/mL. The extract was characterized phytochemically, and the methanolic extract fractions were analyzed by liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Berberine and jatrorrhizine were present in the active fractions, and these compounds may be responsible for the antiparasitic activity. The identification of amoebicidal activity of A. mexicana on E. histolytica gives support to the traditional use. Further studies with berberine and jatrorrhizine will be carried out to understand the mechanism involved.

[Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP): clinical application for reconstruction of bone defects]

Since the introduction of bone morphogenetic proteins, their use has become an invaluable ally for the treatment of bone defects. These proteins are potent growth factors, related to angiogenic and osteogenic activity. The osteoinductive capacity of recombinant bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP) in the formation of bone and cartilage has been confirmed in in vitro studies and evaluated in clinical trials. To obtain a therapeutic effect, administration is systemic, by injection over the physiological dose. Among the disadvantages, ectopic bone formation or high morbidity in cases of spinal fusion is observed. In this review, the roles of bone morphogenetic proteins in bone repair and clinical applications are analyzed. These findings represent advances in the study of bone regeneration and application of growth factors for more predictable results.

Acemannan, an Extracted Polysaccharide from Aloe vera: A Literature Review

In this review, the composition, actions, and clinical applications of acemannan in medicine and its effectiveness as an adjunct in the treatment of diseases are presented. An electronic literature search was performed up to January 2014 for studies and research presenting data to validate the efficacy of acemannan. A total of 50 titles, abstracts and full-text studies were selected and reviewed. Acemannan has various medicinal properties like osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial, which accelerate healing of lesions. Also, acemannan is known to have antiviral and antitumor activities in vivo through activation of immune responses. It was concluded that Aloe vera has immense potential as a therapeutic agent. Even though the plant is a promising herb with various clinical applications in medicine and dentistry, more clinical research needs to be undertaken to validate and explain the action of acemannan in healing, so that it can be established in the field of medicine and a more precise understanding of the biological activities of these is required to develop Aloe vera as a pharmaceutical source.

Acemannan, an extracted polysaccharide from Aloe vera: A literature review

In this review, the composition, actions, and clinical applications of acemannan in medicine and its effectiveness as an adjunct in the treatment of diseases are presented. An electronic literature search was performed up to January 2014 for studies and research presenting data to validate the efficacy of acemannan. A total of 50 titles, abstracts and full-text studies were selected and reviewed. Acemannan has various medicinal properties like osteogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial, which accelerate healing of lesions. Also, acemannan is known to have antiviral and antitumor activities in vivo through activation of immune responses. It was concluded that Aloe vera has immense potential as a therapeutic agent. Even though the plant is a promising herb with various clinical applications in medicine and dentistry, more clinical research needs to be undertaken to validate and explain the action of acemannan in healing, so that it can be established in the field of medicine and a more precise understanding of the biological activities of these is required to develop Aloe vera as a pharmaceutical source.