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BioMedicine 2024Metastasis of breast cancer cells to distant sites including lungs, liver, lymph node, brain and many more have substantially affected the overall survival outcome and...
BACKGROUND
Metastasis of breast cancer cells to distant sites including lungs, liver, lymph node, brain and many more have substantially affected the overall survival outcome and distant metastasis free survival rate amongst the diseased individuals. Several pre-clinical and clinical studies were carried out to determine the potency of vigorous inhibitors but they extensively deteriorated the patient's quality of life. Hence, there exists an urgent need to explore potent natural remedy to fight against metastatic breast cancer.
METHODS
Ayurvedic medicinal plants documented in literature for their ability to fight against breast cancer was screened and their respective active moieties were evaluated to exert inhibitory effect against MMP9. Drug like efficacy of phytochemicals were determined using Molecular docking, MD Simulation, ADMET and MM-PBSA and were further compared with synthetic analogs i.e. Doxycycline.
RESULTS
Out of 1000 phytochemicals, 12 exerted highest binding affinity (BA) even more than -9.0 kcal/mol that was significantly higher in comparison to Doxycycline which exhibited BA of -7.3 kcal/mol. In comparison to 37 × 30 × 37 Å, 53 × 45 × 66 Å offered best binding site and the highest BA was exhibited by Viscosalactone at LYS104, ASP185, MET338, LEU39, ASN38. During MD Simulation, Viscosalactone-MMP9 complex remained stable for 20 ns and the kinetic, electrostatic and potential energies were observed to be better than Doxycycline. Furthermore, Viscosalactone obtained from justified the Lipinski's Rule of 5.
CONCLUSION
Viscosalactone obtained from may act as promising drug candidate to fight against metastatic breast cancer.
PubMed: 38939099
DOI: 10.37796/2211-8039.1448 -
and evaluation of ethanolic crude extracts on fatty acid synthase expression on breast cancer cells.BioMedicine 2024Fatty acid synthase (FASN), a key rate-limiting enzyme in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway has been identified to be overexpressed in breast cancer. This...
BACKGROUND
Fatty acid synthase (FASN), a key rate-limiting enzyme in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway has been identified to be overexpressed in breast cancer. This overexpression has been affiliated with poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapeutics. Consequently, FASN has come into focus as an appealing potential target for breast cancer treatment. Available FASN inhibitors, however, are unstable and have been correlated with adverse side effects.
OBJECTIVE
This present study aims to investigate the potential of ethanolic crude extract (AP) as a potent FASN inhibitor in breast cancer cells.
MATERIALS & METHODS
This study used MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis to measure cell viability and apoptosis following AP treatment (0-500 μg/mL). Furthermore, FASN protein expression was evaluated using immunocytochemistry whereas lipid droplet formation was quantified using Oil Red O staining. Literature-based identified AP phytochemicals were subjected to the prediction of molecular docking and ADMET properties.
RESULTS
This study demonstrated that AP significantly reduced cell viability while inducing apoptosis in breast cancer cells. In addition, for the first time, exposure to AP was demonstrated to drastically reduce intracellular FASN protein expression and lipid droplet accumulation in EMT6 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Docking simulation analysis demonstrated AP phytochemicals may have exerted an inhibitory effect by targeting the FASN Thioesterase (TE) domain similarly to the known FASN inhibitor, Orlistat. Moreover, all AP phytochemicals also possessed drug-likeness properties which are in accordance with Lipinski's rule of five.
CONCLUSIONS
These results highlight the potential of ethanolic crude extract as a FASN inhibitor and hence might have the potential to be further developed as a potent chemotherapeutic drug for breast cancer treatment.
PubMed: 38939097
DOI: 10.37796/2211-8039.1444 -
BioMedicine 2024, varicella-zoster lesions, skin rashes, diabetes, snake bites and insect bites have all been treated by using (). The pharmacological effects of are influenced by the... (Review)
Review
, varicella-zoster lesions, skin rashes, diabetes, snake bites and insect bites have all been treated by using (). The pharmacological effects of are influenced by the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, saponins, glycosides, steroids and tannins. This review focused on the phytochemical makeup, which varies geographically and is a subject of scarcely existing knowledge. served as the primary search term, while the keywords "phytochemicals", "chemical component" and "phytochemistry" were used to search the literature in the Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases. The articles pertinent to the subject were found and reviewed. The phytochemical composition of varied depending on the region it was cultivated in, and was influenced by the environmental conditions, genetics, air temperature and postharvest practices.
PubMed: 38939094
DOI: 10.37796/2211-8039.1451 -
Epidemiology and Health Jun 2024Tea consumption has been considered beneficial to human health because tea contains phytochemicals such as polyphenols and theaflavins. We conducted a systematic review...
OBJECTIVES
Tea consumption has been considered beneficial to human health because tea contains phytochemicals such as polyphenols and theaflavins. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between tea consumption and mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer to provide a quantitative assessment of current evidence.
METHODS
The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched through April 2024 to identify eligible studies. Random effects models were used to combine study-specific effect estimates (ESs).
RESULTS
A total of 38 prospective cohort data sets (from 27 papers) with 1,956,549 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled ESs of the highest versus lowest categories of tea consumption were 0.90 (95% CI, 0.86-0.95) for all-cause mortality, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.79-0.94) for CVD mortality, and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.78-1.03) for cancer mortality. In the dose-response analysis, a nonlinear association was observed. The greatest risk reductions were observed for the consumption of 2 cups/day for all-cause mortality (ES, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.88-0.94) and 1.5 cups/day for cancer mortality (ES, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.89-0.96), whereas additional consumption did not show a further reduction in the risk of death. A plateau was observed for CVD mortality at moderate consumption levels (1.5-3 cups/day), but a sustained reduction in mortality risk was observed at higher intake levels.
CONCLUSION
Moderate tea consumption (e.g., 1.5-2 cups/day) was associated with lower all-cause, CVD, and cancer mortality compared to no tea consumption. Further well-designed prospective studies are needed for a definitive Conclusion.
PubMed: 38938012
DOI: 10.4178/epih.e2024056 -
Nature Ecology & Evolution Jun 2024A long-standing but poorly tested hypothesis in plant ecology and evolution is that biotic interactions play a more important role in producing and maintaining species...
A long-standing but poorly tested hypothesis in plant ecology and evolution is that biotic interactions play a more important role in producing and maintaining species diversity in the tropics than in the temperate zone. A core prediction of this hypothesis is that tropical plants deploy a higher diversity of phytochemicals within and across communities because they experience more herbivore pressure than temperate plants. However, simultaneous comparisons of phytochemical diversity and herbivore pressure in plant communities from the tropical to the temperate zone are lacking. Here we provide clear support for this prediction by examining phytochemical diversity and herbivory in 60 tree communities ranging from species-rich tropical rainforests to species-poor subalpine forests. Using a community metabolomics approach, we show that phytochemical diversity is higher within and among tropical tree communities than within and among subtropical and subalpine communities, and that herbivore pressure and specialization are highest in the tropics. Furthermore, we show that the phytochemical similarity of trees has little phylogenetic signal, indicating rapid divergence between closely related species. In sum, we provide several lines of evidence from entire tree communities showing that biotic interactions probably play an increasingly important role in generating and maintaining tree diversity in the lower latitudes.
PubMed: 38937611
DOI: 10.1038/s41559-024-02444-2 -
AAPS PharmSciTech Jun 2024Our study aimed to explore the potential of using nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to enhance the topical administration of β-sitosterol, a bioactive that is poorly...
Our study aimed to explore the potential of using nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to enhance the topical administration of β-sitosterol, a bioactive that is poorly soluble in water. Here, we have taken advantage of the unique characteristics that cubosomes have to provide as a drug delivery system. These characteristics include a large surface area, thermal stability, and the capacity to encapsulate molecules that are hydrophobic, amphiphilic, and hydrophilic. The cubosomal formulation was optimized by building a central composite design. The optimum dispersion exhibited a particle size of 88.3 nm, a zeta potential of -43, a polydispersity index of 0.358, and drug entrapment of 95.6%. It was composed of 15% w/w oleic acid and 5% w/w pluronic F127. The optimized cubosome dispersion was incorporated into a sponge formulation. The optimized cubosome sponge achieved a higher drug release compared with the cubosome dispersion. The SEM micrograph of the selected sponge showed that it has an interwoven irregular fibrous lamellar structure with low density and high porosity. The in-vivo data revealed that topical application of the β-sitosterol cubosomal sponge showed significant higher wound closure percentage relative to the β-sitosterol product (Mebo)®.
Topics: Sitosterols; Animals; Chitosan; Drug Carriers; Particle Size; Burns; Drug Liberation; Wound Healing; Male; Drug Delivery Systems; Rats; Poloxamer; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Nanostructures; Administration, Topical
PubMed: 38937387
DOI: 10.1208/s12249-024-02852-4 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2024The leaves of Laurus nobilis have been used for culinary purposes for many years and have recently been shown to have beneficial effects on human health by altering...
BACKGROUND/AIM
The leaves of Laurus nobilis have been used for culinary purposes for many years and have recently been shown to have beneficial effects on human health by altering microbiota composition. However, the effects of L. nobilis on the diversity of microbiomes in the oral cavity and gut remain unknown. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of an extract of L. nobilis on the diversity of microbiomes in the oral cavity and gut in mice.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups and fed a standard diet (SD) and a standard diet containing 5% LAURESH, a laurel extract (SDL). After 10 weeks, oral swabs and fecal samples were collected. The bacterial DNA extracted from the oral swabs and feces was used for microbiota analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing. The sequencing data were analyzed using the Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology 2 in the DADA2 pipeline and 16S rRNA database.
RESULTS
The α-diversity of the oral microbiome was significantly greater in the SDL group than in the SD group. The β-diversity of the oral microbiome was also significantly different between the groups. Moreover, the taxonomic abundance analysis showed that five bacteria in the gut were significantly different among the groups. Furthermore, the SDL diet increased the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria, such as Akkermansia sp.
CONCLUSION
Increased diversity of the oral microbiome and proportion of Akkermansia sp. in the gut microbiome induced by L. nobilis consumption may benefit oral and gut health.
Topics: Animals; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Plant Leaves; Mice; Plant Extracts; Laurus; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Mouth; Biodiversity; Feces; Bacteria; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38936916
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13626 -
Fitoterapia Jun 2024Buxus plants have been used in traditional medicine for a very long time. The Buxus genus has been used to cure a variety of illnesses. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Buxus plants have been used in traditional medicine for a very long time. The Buxus genus has been used to cure a variety of illnesses.
OBJECTIVE
This review aimed to provide a literature review on the genus Buxus including its biological and phytochemical properties.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The current study was conducted using several scientific databases. Correct plant names were verified from plantlist.org. The results of this search were interpreted, analyzed, and documented based on the obtained bibliographic information.
RESULTS
Within all the species of the family Buxaceae, 5 species of the genus Buxus are reported to be antibacterial, 3 species have been found to be antioxidant, 5 species are cytotoxic, 1 species is anti-inflammatory, 1 species is antidiabetic, and 4 species are antifungal. Alkaloids, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, peptides, and phenolic compounds are the main chemical components of this genus. The study of >11 Buxuss pecies has identified >201 compounds. Pharmacological research has demonstrated that crude extracts and some pure compounds obtained from Buxus have several pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antifungal. Based on the study of the phytochemistry of Buxus species, it was concluded that all the studied plants have active compounds, among which 55 molecules showed interesting activities.
CONCLUSIONS
The numerous traditional uses of Buxus species have been supported by several studies. Before Buxus plants can be fully employed clinically, further research is necessary.
PubMed: 38936673
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106081 -
Food Chemistry Jun 2024Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a tropical fruit with various health benefits. The objective of this study is to present a thorough analysis of the cancer preventive...
Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a tropical fruit with various health benefits. The objective of this study is to present a thorough analysis of the cancer preventive and anticancer therapeutic properties of litchi constituents and phytocompounds. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis criteria were followed in this work. Various litchi extracts and constituents were studied for their anticancer effects. In vitro studies showed that litchi-derived components reduced cell proliferation, induced cytotoxicity, and promoted autophagy via increased cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Based on in vivo studies, litchi flavonoids and other extracted constituents significantly reduced tumor size, number, volume, and metastasis. Major signaling pathways impacted by litchi constituents were shown to stimulate proapoptotic, antiproliferative, and antimetastatic activities. Despite promising antineoplastic activities, additional research, especially in vivo and clinical studies, is necessary before litchi-derived products and phytochemicals can be used for human cancer prevention and intervention.
PubMed: 38936122
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140142 -
PloS One 2024Iodine deficiency in the diet globally continues to be a cause of many diseases and disabilities. Kale is a vegetable that has health-promoting potential because of many...
Iodine deficiency in the diet globally continues to be a cause of many diseases and disabilities. Kale is a vegetable that has health-promoting potential because of many nutrients and bioactive compounds (ascorbic acid, carotenoids, glucosinolates and phenolic compounds). Brassica vegetables, including kale, have been strongly recommended as dietary adjuvants for improving health. The nutrient and health-promoting compounds in kale are significantly affected by thermal treatments. Changes in phytochemicals upon such activities may result from two contrary phenomena: breakdown of nutrients and bioactive compounds and a matrix softening effect, which increases the extractability of phytochemicals, which may be especially significant in the case of iodine-fortified kale. This study investigated changes of basic composition, iodine, vitamin C, total carotenoids and polyphenols contents as well as antioxidant activity caused by steaming, blanching and boiling processes in the levels of two cultivars of kale (green and red) non-biofortified and biofortified via the application to nutrient solutions in hydroponic of two iodoquinolines [8-hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinolinesulfonic acid (8-OH-7-I-5QSA) and 5-chloro-7-iodo-8-quinoline (5-Cl-7-I-8-Q)] and KIO3. Thermal processes generally significantly reduced the content of the components in question and the antioxidant activity of kale, regardless of cultivar and enrichment. It was observed that the red cultivar of kale had a greater ability to accumulate and reduce iodine losses during the culinary processes. 8-hydroxy-7-iodo-5-quinolinesulfonic acid showed a protective effect against the treatments used, compared to other enrichments, thus contributing to the preservation of high iodine content.
Topics: Brassica; Iodine; Antioxidants; Hot Temperature; Carotenoids; Ascorbic Acid; Polyphenols; Food, Fortified
PubMed: 38935598
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304005