A New Rare Halogenated Depside from Lichen and Study of its Anti-Proliferative Activity.

Lichens are a symbiotic association of algae and fungus, belonging to the family Parmeliaceae. Some lichen species are edible and used as an active ingredient for preparation of exotic spices as well as folklore medicine to cure different kinds of ailments. A specimen of lichen was collected from Munner in the Kerala State of South India for chemical profiling. Chemical analyses of the diethyl ether extract of the defatted lichen led to the isolation of six phenols 1-6 with variation of relative abundance. Amongst them, the relative abundance of compound 3 was the greatest (1 % of crude extract) and it was identified as atranorin. The structures of known compounds were confirmed by comparison of their 1H-NMR, 13C NMR, and mass data with published values available in the literature. In vitro bioassay for anti-proliferative activity of these compounds has been conducted against various human cancer cell lines in comparison with paclitaxel as control using SRB assay. Interestingly, a new compound 5 was found along with previously reported compounds from this lichen. This new compound was designated as fluoroatranorin 5 which was reported for the first time herein. The structural characterization of a new depside was determined by spectral methods such as 1H-NMR, 13C NMR, 19F NMR, IR, LC-HRESI-MS, and LC-MS/MS study. Its structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. This new compound was designated as fluoroatranorin 5 which was reported first time herein. Anti-proliferative activity of all these compounds was evaluated against six different cancer cell lines. The inhibitory activity, IC50 value of compounds 1-3 and 5 exhibited at 99.64, 102.04, 109.20, 53.0 and 2.4 µM on cancer cell lines HT-29 (colon), Hela (cervical), HT-29, HPAC (pancreas) and A2780 (ovarian cancer cell line) respectively in comparison with paclitaxel as control. The new compound 5 exhibited significant activity with IC50 value 2.4 µM on A2780 ovarian cancer cell line.

Phytochemical Profiles and Biological Studies of Selected Botanical Dietary Supplements Used in the United States.

Based on their current wide bioavailability, botanical dietary supplements have become an important component of the United States healthcare system, although most of these products have limited scientific evidence for their use. The most recent American Botanical Council Market Report estimated for 2020 a 17.3% increase in sales of these products when compared to 2019, for a total sales volume of $11,261 billion. The use of botanical dietary supplements products in the United States is guided by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) from 1994, enacted by the U.S. Congress with the aim of providing more information to consumers and to facilitate access to a larger number of botanical dietary supplements available on the market than previously. Botanical dietary supplements may be formulated for and use only using crude plant samples (e.g., plant parts such as the bark, leaves, or roots) that can be processed by grinding into a dried powder. Plant parts can also be extracted with hot water to form an "herbal tea." Other preparations of botanical dietary supplements include capsules, essential oils, gummies, powders, tablets, and tinctures. Overall, botanical dietary supplements contain bioactive secondary metabolites with diverse chemotypes that typically are found at low concentration levels. These bioactive constituents usually occur in combination with inactive molecules that may induce synergy and potentiation of the effects observed when botanical dietary supplements are taken in their different forms. Most of the botanical dietary supplements available on the U.S. market have been used previously as herbal remedies or as part of traditional medicine systems from around the world. Their prior use in these systems also provides a certain level of assurance in regard to lower toxicity levels. This chapter will focus on the importance and diversity of the chemical features of bioactive secondary metabolites found in botanical dietary supplements that are responsible for their applications. Many of the active principles of botanical dietary substances are phenolics and isoprenoids, but glycosides and some alkaloids are also present. Biological studies on the active constituents of selected botanical dietary supplements will be discussed. Thus, the present chapter should be of interest for both members of the natural products scientific community, who may be performing development studies of the products available, as well as for healthcare professionals who are directly involved in the analysis of botanical interactions and evaluation of the suitability of botanical dietary supplements for human consumption.

Strategies for the discovery of potential anticancer agents from plants collected from Southeast Asian tropical rainforests as a case study.

Covering up to early 2023The present review summarizes recent accomplishments made as part of a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional anticancer drug discovery project, wherein samples comprising higher plants were collected primarily from Southeast Asia, and also from Central America, and the West Indies. In the introductory paragraphs, a short perspective is provided on the current importance of plants in the discovery of cancer therapeutic agents, and the contributions of other groups working towards this objective are mentioned. For our own investigations, following their collection, tropical plants have been subjected to solvent extraction and biological evaluation for their antitumor potential. Several examples of purified plant lead bioactive compounds were obtained and characterized, and found to exhibit diverse structures, including those of the alkaloid, cardiac glycoside, coumarin, cucurbitacin, cyclobenzofuran (rocaglate), flavonoid, lignan, and terpenoid types. In order to maximize the efficiency of work on drug discovery from tropical plant species, strategies to optimize various research components have been developed, including those for the plant collections and taxonomic identification, in accordance with the requirements of contemporary international treaties and with a focus on species conservation. A major component of this aspect of the work is the development of collaborative research agreements with representatives of the source countries of tropical rainforest plants. The phytochemical aspects have included the preparation of plant extracts for initial screening and the selection of promising extracts for activity-guided fractionation. In an attempt to facilitate this process, a TOCSY-based NMR procedure has been applied for the determination of bioactive rocaglate derivatives in samples of Aglaia species (Meliaceae) collected for the project. Preliminary in vitro and in vivo mechanistic studies carried out by the authors are described for two tropical plant-derived bioactive lead compounds, corchorusoside C and (+)-betulin, including work conducted with a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. In the concluding remarks, a number of lessons are summarized that our group has learned as a result of working on anticancer drug discovery using tropical plants, which we hope will be of interest to future workers.

Effects of Corchorusoside C on NF-κB and PARP-1 Molecular Targets and Toxicity Profile in Zebrafish.

The present study aims to continue the study of corchorusoside C (1), a cardenolide isolated from Streptocaulon juventas, as a potential anticancer agent. A mechanistic study was pursued in a zebrafish model and in DU-145 prostate cancer cells to investigate the selectivity of 1 towards NF-κB and PARP-1 pathway elements. Compound 1 was found to inhibit the expression of IKKα and NF-κB p65 in TNF-α induced zebrafish and inhibit the expression of NIK in vitro. The protein expression levels of XRCC-1 were increased and p53 decreased in DU-145 cells. XIAP protein expression was initially decreased after treatment with 1, followed by an increase in expression at doses higher than the IC50 value. The activity of caspase-1 and the protein expression levels of IL-18 were both decreased following treatment of 1. The binding interactions for 1 to NIK, XRCC-1, p53, XIAP, and caspase-1 proteins were explored in molecular docking studies. Additionally, the toxicity profile of 1 in zebrafish was favorable in comparison to its analog digoxin and other anticancer drugs at the same MTD in zebrafish. Overall, 1 targets the noncanconical NF-κB pathway in vivo and in vitro, and is well tolerated in zebrafish supporting its potential in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Discovery of Anticancer Agents of Diverse Natural Origin.

Research progress from mainly over the last five years is described for a multidisciplinary collaborative program project directed toward the discovery of potential anticancer agents from a broad range of taxonomically defined organisms. Selected lead compounds with potential as new antitumor agents that are representative of considerable structural diversity have continued to be obtained from each of tropical plants, terrestrial and aquatic cyanobacteria, and filamentous fungi. Recently, a new focus has been on the investigation of the constituents of U.S. lichens and their fungal mycobionts. A medicinal chemistry and pharmacokinetics component of the project has optimized structurally selected lead natural products, leading to enhanced cytotoxic potencies against selected cancer cell lines. Biological testing has shown several compounds to have in vivo activity, and relevant preliminary structure-activity relationship and mechanism of action studies have been performed. Several promising lead compounds worthy of further investigation have been identified from the most recent collaborative work performed.

Activity in MCF-7 Estrogen-sensitive Breast Cancer Cells of Capsicodendrin from Cinnamosma fragrans.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Effect of capsicodendrin on the NF-κB pathway was studied in MCF-7 cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The transcription factor assay was used to screen for NF-κB activity. The effect on IKKß, ICAM-1, and caspase-7 were studied using western blot. Caspase-1 was studied using Promega Caspase-Glo® assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected using the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA. The potentiometric dye JC-1 was used to assess mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and the cell cycle was examined using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. RESULTS: NF-κB p65 inhibitory effect was IC50=8.6 µM and cytotoxic activity was IC50=7.5 µM. The upstream IKK and the downstream ICAM-1 were down-regulated. Sub G1-phase population increased to 81% after 12 h of treatment with capsicodendrin (10 µM) and there was no loss of ΔΨM. CONCLUSION: Increased levels of intracellular ROS promoted activity of caspase-1 and induced cell death in MCF-7 cells. Capsicodendrin may be a future anticancer agent that prevents the progression of metastatic breast cancer.

Apoptosis Induced by (+)-Betulin Through NF-κB Inhibition in MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to uncover the effects of (+)-betulin on the NF-κB-apoptotic pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells, and determine its toxicity and protein expression in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cell cytotoxicity and toxicity were determined using the SRB assay and a zebrafish model, respectively. Western blot, mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP), and computational modeling analysis were performed. RESULTS: (+)-betulin inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells, but did not induce toxicity in zebrafish. (+)-Betulin inhibited the activity of NF-κB p65 in silico and in vitro. In cells, (+)-betulin down-regulated NF-κB p50 and 65, IKKα and ß, ICAM-1 and bcl-2 expressions. Cell co-treatment with (+)-betulin and TNFα increased the (+)-betulin cytotoxic potential. Moreover, (+)-betulin induced the loss of MTP. Furthermore, (+)-betulin, in zebrafish, down-regulated the expression of NF-κB p65, IKKα, ΙΚΚß and procaspase-3. CONCLUSION: The results contribute to the understanding of the mode of action on apoptosis induction by inhibiting NF-κB pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells.

Tumor suppressor p53 independent apoptosis in HT-29 cells by auransterol from Penicillium aurantiacobrunneum.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related-death in the United States. Search for new alternatives to treat this type of cancer is necessary. In a previous report, auransterol from Penicillium aurantiacobrunneum showed cytotoxicity in HT-29 cancer cells. Thus, the goal of this study was to examine the potential cytotoxic mechanism of auransterol in HT-29 cells. Real-time cytotoxicity of auransterol was determined in HT-29 colon cancer cells, using the SRB assay. Loss of MTP, overproduction of ROS, cell cycle, cell migration, and caspase activity were analyzed. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate protein expression. Auransterol reduced cell proliferation rate in a time and concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 value > 100, 49.1 and 23.8 µM at 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment, respectively. After 24 h of treatment, 50 µM of auransterol induced loss of MTP, overproduction of ROS, increased caspase activity, induced cell cycle G1 phase accumulation and inhibition of migration in HT-29 cells compared to control. These results were supported by protein upregulation of Cyt c, BAX, PARP-1, p21 and procaspase-3, and downregulation of Bcl-2 with no modifications in procaspase-7 and p53. The cytotoxic effect of auransterol in HT-29 colon cancer cells is mediated by mitochondrial apoptosis independent of p53 activation, cell cycle G1 phase arrest, and inhibition of cell migration. This work encourages further preclinical and clinical studies of auransterol and suggests auransterol as a good candidate for colorectal cancer treatment.

Anticancer and antibacterial potential of Rhus punjabensis and CuO nanoparticles.

The present study reports ecofriendly synthesis of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) using an extract of Rhus punjabensis as a reducing agent. NPs structural and composition analysis are evaluated by X-rays diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared, Energy dispersive spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, and Thermal analysis. The NPs have pure single phase monoclinic geometry with spherical structure and high stability toward heat and with average particle size of about 36.6 and 31.27 nm calculated by XRD and SEM, respectively. NPs are tested for antibacterial, protein kinase (PK) inhibition, SRB cytotoxic, and NF-κB activities. Antibacterial activity is observed against B. subtilis and E. coli. Significant PK and SRB cytotoxic activity is observed with some NF-κB inhibition. NPs IC50 values against HL-60 and PC-3 prostate cancer cells are 1.82 ± 1.22 and 19.25 ± 1.55 µg/mL. The results encourage further studies for antibacterial and anticancer drug development of NPs using animal models.

Structurally Modified Cyclopenta[b]benzofuran Analogues Isolated from Aglaia perviridis.

Four new cyclopenta[b]benzofuran derivatives based on an unprecedented carbon skeleton (1-4), with a dihydrofuran ring fused to dioxanyl and aryl rings, along with a new structural analogue (5) of 5‴-episilvestrol (episilvestrol, 7), were isolated from an aqueous extract of a large-scale re-collection of the roots of Aglaia perviridis collected in Vietnam. Compound 5 demonstrated mutarotation in solution due to the presence of a hydroxy group at C-2‴, leading to the isolation of a racemic mixture, despite being purified on a chiral-phase HPLC column. Silvestrol (6) and episilvestrol (7) were isolated from the most potently cytotoxic chloroform subfraction of the roots. All new structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, IR, UV, and ECD spectroscopic data. Of the five newly isolated compounds, only compound 5 exhibited cytotoxic activity against a human colon cancer (HT-29) and human prostate cancer cell line (PC-3), with IC50 values of 2.3 µM in both cases. The isolated compounds (1-5) double the number of dioxanyl ring-containing rocaglate analogues reported to date from Aglaia species and present additional information on the structural requirements for cancer cell line cytotoxicity within this compound class.

α-Pyrone and Sterol Constituents of Penicillium aurantiacobrunneum, a Fungal Associate of the Lichen Niebla homalea.

Four new metabolites, 4-epi-citreoviridin (1), auransterol (3), and two analogues (2 and 4) of paxisterol (6), together with two known metabolites (15R*,20S*)-dihydroxyepisterol (5) and (6), were isolated from cultures of the fungal associate, Penicillium aurantiacobrunneum, of the lichen Niebla homalea, endemic to California and Baja California. The structures of all compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic and spectrometric methods, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction for the determination of the absolute configuration of 3. Compound 1 showed selective cytotoxicity toward MCF-7 breast and A2780 ovarian cells with IC50 values of 4.2 and 5.7 µM, respectively.

Apoptotic activity of xanthoquinodin JBIR-99, from Parengyodontium album MEXU 30054, in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells.

Natural products are a valuable source of anticancer agents, with many naturally derived compounds currently used in clinical and preclinical treatments. This study aims to investigate the antiproliferative activity and potential mechanism of action of the xanthoquinodin JBIR-99, isolated from fungi Parengyodontium album MEXU 30,054 and identified by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Cytotoxicity of xanthoquinodin was evaluated in a panel of human cancer cells lines and CCD-112-CoN normal colon cells, using the sulforhodamine B assay. PC-3 prostate cancer cells were used in biochemical assays including cell cycle, mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and caspase activity. Expression levels of apoptosis-pathway-related proteins were analyzed by Western blot. The in vivo toxicity of xanthoquinodin was determined using a zebrafish model. Xanthoquinodin showed cytotoxicity in all cancer cell lines but demonstrated relative selective potency against PC-3 cells with an IC50 1.7 µM. In CCD-112-CoN cells, xanthoquinodin was non-cytotoxic at 100 µM. In PC-3 cells, the compound induced loss of MTP, production of ROS, and cell cycle arrest in S phase. The expression and activity of caspase-3 was increased, which correlates with the upregulation of Cyt c, Bax, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) (p65) and IKKß, and downregulation of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP-1) and Bcl-2. Lastly, xanthoquinodin did not cause any visible developmental toxicity in zebrafish at 50 µM. These results demonstrate xanthoquinodin induces apoptosis in PC-3 prostate cancer cells by activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. In addition, the non-toxic effect in vivo indicates that xanthoquinodin could be a useful lead in the development of a novel, anti-cancer agent that is selective for prostate cancer.

Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells and Zebrafish by Corchorusoside C from Streptocaulon juventas.

Corchorusoside C (1), isolated from Streptocaulon juventas collected in Vietnam, was found to be nontoxic in a zebrafish ( Danio rerio) model and to induce cytotoxicity in several cancer cell lines with notable selective activity against prostate DU-145 cancer cells (IC50 0.08 µM). Moreover, corchorusoside C induced DU-145 cell shrinkage and cell detachment. In CCD-112CoN colon normal cells, 1 showed significantly reduced cytotoxic activity (IC50 2.3 µM). A preliminary mechanistic study indicated that 1 inhibits activity and protein expression of NF-κB (p50 and p65), IKK (α and ß), and ICAM-1 in DU-145 cells. ROS concentrations increased at 5 h post-treatment, and MTP decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, decreased protein expression of Bcl-2 and increased expression of PARP-1 was observed. Furthermore, corchorusoside C increased both the activity and protein levels of caspases 3 and 7. Additionally, 1 induced sub-G1 population increase of DU-145 cells and modulated caspases in zebrafish with nondifferential morphological effects. Therefore, corchorusoside C (1) induces apoptosis in DU-145 cells and targets the same pathways both in vitro and in vivo in zebrafish. Thus, the use of zebrafish assays seems worthy of wider application than is currently employed for the evaluation of potential anticancer agents of natural origin.

Cytotoxic constituents from Penicillium concentricum, an endophytic fungus from Trichocolea tomentella.

In our continuing effort to identify bioactive secondary metabolites from natural sources, the antiproliferative activity of 23 compounds, previously isolated from Penicillium concentricum, was assessed using the sulforhodamine B assay. The cytotoxic effect was determined against HeLa cervical, HT-29 colon, MDA-MB-321 breast, PC-3, and DU-145 prostate cancer cell lines. Compounds were also tested in the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) target-based assays. The results showed that 2-bromogentisyl alcohol (2) and 3-hydroxy-benzenemethanol (8) exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity against different cancer cell lines. Epoxydon (14) showed selectivity against DU-145 prostate cancer cells [inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50)=1.2 µmol/l]. Compounds 2, 8, 14, 18, 21 also induced damage of MTP (IC50=0.1, 0.2, 7.0, 9.6, and 1.8 µmol/l, respectively). In the NF-κB assay, only compound 8 exhibited potent inhibition (IC50=0.3 µmol/l). Compounds 2 and 14 showed cytotoxic activity and induction of damage in mitochondrial membrane potential while compound 8 inhibited NF-κB and MTP damage. Additionally, compound 14 with selectivity against DU-145 prostate cancer cells induced cell cycle arrested in G2/M phase. Thus, compounds 2, 8, and 14 could be useful leads in the development of new anticancer agents from natural sources.

Isolation of Bioactive Rotenoids and Isoflavonoids from the Fruits of Millettia caerulea.

Three new rotenoids (1-3), two new isoflavonoids (4 and 5), and six known analogues (6-11) were isolated from an n-hexane partition of a methanol extract of the fruits of Millettia caerulea, with the structures of the new compounds elucidated by analysis of their spectroscopic data. The relative configurations of the rotenoids were determined by interpretation of their NMR spectroscopic data, and their absolute configurations were established using electronic circular dichroism spectra and specific rotation values. All compounds isolated were evaluated for their cell growth inhibitory activity against the HT-29 human colon cancer cell line, and the known compounds, (-)-3-hydroxyrotenone (6) and (-)-rotenone (7), were found to be potently active. When tested in an NF-κB inhibition assay, compound 6 showed activity. This compound, along with the new compound, (-)-caeruleanone D (1), and the known compound, ichthynone (8), exhibited K-Ras inhibitory potency. Further bioactivity studies showed that the new compounds, (-)-3-deoxycaeruleanone D (2) and (-)-3-hydroxycaeruleanone A (3), and the known compounds 8 and 11 induced quinone reductase in murine Hepa 1c1c7 cells.

New acyclic bis phenylpropanoid and neolignans, from Myristica fragrans Houtt., exhibiting PARP-1 and NF-κB inhibitory effects.

The bioassay-guided fractionation of the aril of Myristica fragrans (mace spice) yielded five phenolic compounds, one new acyclic bis phenylpropanoid (1) and four previously known phenolic compounds: compounds (1) (S) 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-(3-methoxy-5-(prop-1-yl) phenyl)-propan-1-ol, (2) benzenemethanol; α-[1-[2,6-dimethoxy-4-(2-propen-1-yl)phenoxy]ethyl]-3,4-dimethoxy-1-acetate, (3) odoratisol A, phenol, 4-[(2S,3S)-2,3-dihydro-7-methoxy-3-methyl-5-(1E)-1-propenyl-2-benzofuranyl]-2,6-dimethoxy, (4) 1,3-benzodioxate-5-methanol,α-[1-[2,6-dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenoxy]ethyl]-acetate, (5) licarin C; benzofuran,2,3-dihydro-7-methoxy-3-methyl-5-(1E)-1-yl-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl). An NMR tube Mosher ester reaction was used in an approach to characterize and determine the assignment of the absolute configuration of the new isolated chiral alcohol (1). The PARP-1 inhibitory activity was evaluated for compound (1) (IC50=3.04µM), compound (2) (IC50=0.001µM), compound (4) (IC50=22.07µM) and compound (5) (IC50=3.11µM). Furthermore, the isolated secondary metabolites were tested for NF-κB and K-Ras inhibitory activities. When tested in the p65 assay, compounds (2) and (4) displayed potent NF-κB inhibition (IC50=1.5 nM and 3.4nM, respectively).

New Bioactive Lupane Triterpene Coumaroyl Esters Isolated from Buxus cochinchinensis.

Five new lupane triterpene coumaroyl esters (1-5), together with betulin (6) and a known Buxus alkaloid, N-3-benzoyldihydrocyclomicrophylline F (7), were isolated from a CHCl3-soluble partition of a methanol extract of Buxus cochinchinensis Pierre ex Gagnep. (Buxaceae) collected in Vietnam. Isolation work was monitored using human colon cancer cells (HT-29). The structures of the new compounds (1-5) were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation. In addition to their cytotoxicity against HT-29 cells and nuclear factor-kappa B (p65) inhibitory activity in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, all isolates as well as two semisynthetic compounds derived from betulin and 5, respectively, were also evaluated for their in vitro antiplasmodial activities against the drug-resistant Dd2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum and antifungal effects on the growth of the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. The new lupane triterpene coumaroyl esters (1-5), along with a betulin derivative and the known Buxus alkaloid, were found to show significant in vitro antimalarial activities, with IC50 values ranging from 0.26 to 2.07 µM.

Ambiguine I Isonitrile from Fischerella ambigua Induces Caspase-Independent Cell Death in MCF-7 Hormone Dependent Breast Cancer Cells.

Ambiguine I isonitrile (AmbI) obtained from the cultured cyanobacterium Fischerella ambigua was identified as a potent NF-κB inhibitor (IC50=30 nM). The cytotoxic effect was evaluated in both HT-29 colon cancer cell line (EC50=4.35 µM) and MCF-7 breast cancer cell line (EC50=1.7 µM) using the SRB assay. In the cells treated with AmbI, an increased population of cells was detected in sub G1-phase. The apoptotic effect was associated with block in G1-phase of the cell cycle in treated cells; however, cell death was induced independently of caspase-7. The NF-κB expression of p50 and p65 units were also examined in treated cells and compared with the positive control, rocaglamide (IC50=75 nM). Moreover, the expression of mediators of the NF-κB pathway such as kinase IKKκ was studied at increasing concentrations of AmbI. The down stream effect of NF-κB inhibition and the effect on the expression of TNF-α induced ICAM-1 was evaluated. Thus, the dose-dependent and time-dependent effect of AmbI on MCF-7 cells was examined in an attempt to investigate its potential mechanism of action on inducing apoptosis.

Investigation of Vietnamese plants for potential anticancer agents.

Higher plants continue to afford humankind with many new drugs, for a variety of disease types. In this review, recent phytochemical and biological progress is presented for part of a collaborative multi-institutional project directed towards the discovery of new antitumor agents. The specific focus is on bioactive natural products isolated and characterized structurally from tropical plants collected in Vietnam. The plant collection, identification, and processing steps are described, and the natural products isolated from these species are summarized with their biological activities.

Assay development for the discovery of semaphorin 3B inducing agents from natural product sources.

Semaphorins are a class of membrane-bound and secreted proteins. They have been found to regulate basic cell functions such as axonal growth cone guidance and recent studies have focused on their effect on tumor progression. Semaphorin 3B (Sema3B) particularly is a secreted protein that has been known to modulate proliferation and apoptosis, processes that are critical for tumor progression and development. In spite of its importance, there is yet no high-throughput screening assay available to detect or quantify the expression of Sema3B for natural product anticancer drug discovery purposes. Therefore, the development of a new high-throughput bioassay for the discovery of Sema3B inducing agents from natural product sources is described herein. A wide variety of pure compounds and extracts from plants and microorganisms has been found suitable for screening using this Sema3B assay to detect and quantify the effect of Sema3B inducing agents and thereby identify new selective bioactive Sema3B lead compounds for anticancer drug discovery and development. Also, this new bioassay procedure is based on a high-throughput platform using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that involves the optimization of sensitivity and selectivity levels as well as accuracy, reproducibility, robustness, and cost effectiveness.